Nigerian observer 08 08 2013

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 POLITICAL PLATFORM cmyk

Pg. 14 The Birth of APC and hurdles ahead

• Vol. 38 NO.289• THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2 0 13 • N 100.00

2 Policemen, 1 other shot dead

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

BENIN CITY- two policemen and a civilian were yesterday allegedly

killed in an ambush by gunmen.

Sources revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred around Eyan, in

Uhunmwode Local Government Area by the Benin by pass in the afternoon.

The team of armed policemen were said

to be on special patrol following intelligence report that some gunmen had planned to strike during today’s Continues on page 2

Eid-el-Fitri

RELIGION Pg 23

Let my people go

Pray for Nigeria

BENIN CITY-Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, praying God to accept the supplications made by the faithful during the Ramadan and bestow unparalleled blessings on the people. creator and extend the In his Eid-el-Fitri hands of fellowship to message signed by his our fellow men.

Chief Press Secretary, “However as we Mr. Peter Okhiria, celebrate, we should Comrade Oshiomhole not forget the lessons said “I rejoice with the learnt, to wit, the spirit Muslim Ummah as it of piety, alms-giving, of has pleased Almighty compassion and love Allah to see us through for fellow men. the Holy month of “We remember, as Ramadan. always, our country this “The Ramadan fast season and I enjoin the has afforded us the Ummah to continue to opportunity to make supplications to reconnect with our

. Oshiomhole urgescontinued muslim Ummah to bestow people of different faith.

Allah to heal the ills of the nation and favour us with peace and progress.

“In Edo, we have every cause to be thankful to Almighty Allah as He has

abundant mercies on us through mutual respect and coexistence between

“I wish the Muslim Ummah happy Eid elFitri”, Oshiomhole said in the statement.

ASUUGirl insists on implementation Child Marriage of wishes agreementof Respect

Nigerians, Gov tells Senate

By ADAMS OYIBOKE/ OYENMWEN OMOROGBE

BENIN CITY- Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has expressed total support for the campaign against the Girl child Marriage Bill proposed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Governor O s h i o m h o l e represented by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon expressed his administration’s support against the bill during the campaign Rally against early child marriage organized by Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in collaboration with other Non-Governmental Organisations and Trade Union Congress

(TUC), Women Commission, Edo State Council, yesterday in Benin City.

He said the government and people of Edo State given the “very, respectable tradition, the state g o v e r n m e n t disassociates itself from any legal or constitutional survival that the inherent capacity and potentiality to institutionalize or legalise or constitutionalise tydophimism in our country”, he emphasized.

He therefore called on the senate to expunge Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 constitution as canvassed by the people of Nigeria in the last constitutional review across the country.

The group had earlier met with the State House of Assembly where Hon Atievie representing

Uhumwonde Local Government Area joined voices with the group on behalf of the speaker, Hon. Uyi Igbe to condemned the action of members of the senate.

She said the Edo State House of Assembly within 3 months in office were able to pass the

VISIT: The SSG, Edo State, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (right) in a handshake with the Zonal Chairman, IPMAN, Midwestern Zone, Comrade Sylvanus Idanwekhai during a courtesy visit by the newly elected Midwestern Zone and Benin Unit Exco members, yesterday in Government House. Photo: QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO

IPMAN crisis: SSG Continues on page 2

By QUEENNETH A OROBEDO BENIN CITYSecretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has urged the

new leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), MidWestern Zone and Benin Unit to reach out to some aggrieved members in

calls for peace, unity

the aftermath of their election for enhanced peace and unity of the body.

He gave this charge in Government House, Benin City, when he

received a delegation of the association who came on a courtesy

Sallah: IG ordered orders water tight security officers in ABUJA - The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. M o h a m m e d Abubakar, has

charge of zonal and state commands to take measures to ensure “water-tight security’’ before, during and after

Sallah celebration.

The order is contained in the I-G’s goodwill message to Muslims which was made

available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abubakar directed Assistant InspectorsContinues on page 2

visit.

Describing the oil sector as critical to the nation’s growth and development, professor Ihonvbere appreciated members of IPMAN for the timely resolution of the issue that came up after their recent elections in the MidWestern Zone and Benin Unit.

The SSG who urged the leadership IPMAN Continues onofpage 2

News

IG orders water tight security

Continued from page 1

General of Police in charge of the 12 zonal commands to ensure increased surveillance, patrol and tactical police presence on the highways and places of worship.

According to him, such surveillance and high police presence should be extended to recreation parks, strategic and other vulnerable areas.

The I-G also directed the commissioners of police in charge of states to adequately deploy personnel to guarantee free flow of traffic and safe passage of travelers through their domains.

“Highway patrol teams working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies are equally directed to take adequate measures in preventing road accidents and rendering assistance to travelers, particularly those in distress,’’ he said.

Abubakar congratulated all Muslims who participated in the Ramadan fasting, and prayed for the peace and security of the country.

He urged them to imbibe the

principles and teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

The police chief assured Nigerians of adequate security throughout the celebration, adding that the police were working round the clock to ensure that.

The police boss called on Nigerians, irrespective of their

religious belief, to be tolerant and open-minded to issues of forgiveness, national peace and co-existence.

He advised them to be security-conscious and to report any suspicious movement by individuals or groups to the police or other

security agencies for prompt action.

The I-G also appealed to religious leaders to encourage their followers to respect the nation’s diversities and see them as the strength and medium for development.

Continued from page 1 Psychological and cultural

Barr. Eribo maintained that the retention of Section 29(4) (b) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 is a violation of the Child’s Right Act which prohibits child marriage.

More than 500 women including men from different groups participated in the peaceful rally through major streets in Benin City and culminated at Government House.

Respect wishes of Nigerians

Law against all forms of child abuse, stressing that the move by the senate would be resisted by the Edo state Law makers.

She commended FIDA and other civil society groups including the men for championing the campaign and promised to communicate the speaker, Hon Uyi Igbe the position of Edo women as championed by FIDA. Speaking with The Nigerian Observer Barr.

Iryn Eribo, Vice President, Federation of Women Lawyers, Edo State Chapter said that girl child marriage has both

implications According to her “we are actually saying no to child marriage. Any cultural provision that seem to encourage the marriage of girl child below 18 is barbaric and crude”.

This Practice is harmful as it leads the girl child to all forms of health hazards even at adulthood.

APC registration

Lawmaker commmends

By CLIFFORD INEC AGBAJOR BENIN CITY- A member of Edo State House of Assembly, (EDHA),

SSG calls for peace, unity Continued from page 1

t o work closely with the

relevant state government outfits for mutual benefits assured of government’s continued support and cooperation.

On complaint that the immediate past chairman of IPMAN, Benin Unit has failed up till now to properly handover to the new executive, the SSG said if they failed to handover between now and the next week, necessary steps will be taken to prevail on him to do so, adding that government cannot watch the prevailing peace in the state distorted under any guise.

Zonal chairman, IPMAN, Mid-Western Zone, Comrade Sylvanus Idanwekhai whose address was delivered by the Zonal Secretary, Barrister Osazee Izedomwen, said the visit was to formally express gratitude to the state government for the prompt intervention in the misunderstanding that preceded the elections and pledged their continued loyalty.

He promised that the association would ensure that necessary sanity is brought to the oil industry.

At a session with the

delegation of Yoruba Community in the state, Prof. Ihonvbere assured them of more recognition in the scheme of things through political appointments and absorption into the state government Youth Empowerment I n t e r v e n t i o n Programme.

President, Yoruba Community in Edo State, Alhaji Rasheed Ishola told the SSG that the Yoruba in the state have benefited from the non-discrimintory school fees in the state

owned higher institution of learning and solicited for more opportunities for them in the state.

Similarly, the leadership of Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNI) came calling on the SSG, where he enjoined them to collaborate with the state government to help reduce the over 5 percent (5%) prevalent rate of HIV/AIDs in Edo State.

State project manager, AHNI, Victoria Nor- Ugor who commended the state government for their support so far, said the visit was to strengthen the partnership.

ABUJA - The weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was suspended because some Muslim cabinet members have travelled to their home states for the Eid-elFitri.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Abati,

some other council members are also taking part in the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

He said it is part of the cabinet members’ constitutional rights to carry out their religious obligations.

The meeting, which holds on Wednesdays, is normally presided over by the President or the VicePresident.

Why FEC meeting was suspended - Abati

2 Policemen, 1 other shot Continued from page 1 dead Eidi-Fitri celebration, using

that axis as entry route into Benin City.

It was further learnt that a middle-aged man who was passing by was hit by stray bullet allegedly fired by the hoodlums.

The state Commissioner of police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo and the Command’s spokesman, DSP Moses Eguavoen could not be

reached for comment.

When our crime reporter visited the command headquarters, officers and men were visibly saddened by the incident.

It was learnt that the bodies of the slain police Inspector and a Sergeant have been deposited in a mortuary in Benin City.

representing Akoko-Edo Constituency 11, Hon. Simon Bamidele Oloruntoba has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for taking a bold step to register All Progressive Congress (APC).

He made the commendation while speaking on the approval of the merger of ACN, ANPP and CPC by INEC, in Benin City, recently.

Hon. Oloruntoba hailed the approval of the merger of ACN, ANPP and CPC

by INEC, adding that the registration has further boosted the credibility and transparency of the national electoral body.

He stated that the coming together of the three leading opposition parties has provided the alternative platform for Nigerians to reshape the fortune of the country.

The lawmaker emphasized that APC will provide the necessary leadership that will take the country to the promised land, and appealed to Nigerians to embrace the new dawn created by the registration of APC by INEC.

US makes Visa application easier LAGOS- U.S. ConsulGeneral, Mr Jeffery Hawkins, has said that the American government was determined to make visa application process easier for Nigerians.

Hawkins said this in a paper he presented at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, on “U.S and Nigeria Bilateral Relationship“.

He said that the move was part of the government’s effort at promoting “peopleto-people“ relationship between Nigeria and the U.S. He said that the consulate had recruited additional staff and installed new equipment in order to facilitate visa processing for Nigerians.

“My goal is to make visa application process painless and pleasant for Nigerians.

“I am happy to say that the wait time for Non-Immigrant Visa appointment is now just a fraction of what it once was.

“We can always improve more; but I am proud of the

work we have done to serve our Nigeria visa applicants, “ he said.

The envoy also restated the commitment of the U.S. to creating opportunities for young Nigerians to visit the U.S. Hawkins said that the government had concluded an arrangement to invite “very special set of Nigerian guests“ to the U.S. in 2014.

The Consul-General said that the U.S. Government would continue to sustain its bilateral relations with Nigeria in the years ahead.

Hawkins said that a U.S. delegation, led by UnderSecretary of State for Political Affairs, Amb. Wendy Sherma, would be in Abuja on August 15, for the U.S. and Nigeria Binational Commission.

He said the visit would afford the delegation, Nigeria government representatives and the civil society, to deliberate on security issues, as well as other critical aspects of U.S and Nigeria’s bilateral relations

Resist western influence on cultural identity - Mrs Odubu

By CLIFFORD ABAJOR BENIN CITY - Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Deaconess Endurance Odubu has stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to reverse the western influences that threaten the cultural identity of the Benins.

She made the remark at the official unveiling of the female version of the Benin traditional attire “Ewu Iwu Oghikhuo” which took place in Benin City, recently.

Deaconess Odubu who was represented by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Blessing Maigida, Stated that the Benin traditional attire for women came at the right time when the youths seem to be losing grip of their cultural values and ethics.

She noted with sadness that Benin moral values were fast being eroded by western culture and appreciated the designer of the traditional attire for Benin women, Dr. Helen Uhunmwanagho for the initiative aimed at giving the rich cultural heritage of the land its pride of place.

The commissioner for Arts,

Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Ainena Jemitola said the introduction of the traditional dress code for women would reduce the threat of extinction posed to African culture.

The chairman of the occasion and Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe noted that the Benin, traditional attire remains the pride of the Benins all over the world, and called for more unity among the Benins.

On his part, the President, Benin Cultural Heritage Centre (BCHC), Dr. Roland Ehigiamosoe stated that the traditional outfit for women is a derivation from body tattooing as practised in Benin Kingdom.

The initiator and designer, Dr. Uhunmwangho explained that the attire had been designed into blouses and robes which can be worn at formal or informal settings.

She pointed out that the new IWU dress Code was not introduced to do away with the notable Benin attire of wrapper and beads but to enhance what is already on ground.

Commissioner reassures onbusiness youth at the BENIN CITY - The appropriate time. development Commissioner for Youth Ekhosuehi Omoruti Sports and Social mobilization, Hon. Omorede Osifo has reiterated Government efforts towards youth development in the state.

Hon. Osifo stated this while receiving Youths who were trained in different skills acquisition programme by the state

government.

The commissioner said that governor Oshiomhole is Proactive and highly committed to the development of youth in the state, inspite of limited resources.

She advised the

youths to take advantage of the opportunity given them by the state government to better their lives in future, promising that the ministry would organise a graduation ceremony for them and also empower them to set up their

who led the delegation had said that they were in the office to thank the state government for the opportunity given them to acquire different skills that would make them self-dependent in future and also to know when their empowerment and graduation ceremony would hold.

Across The Nation Airline Boss Calls For Local Aviation Fuel

By AYO AYENI

Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPTRE), shut down the Direct Labour Office in Asaba yesterday over alleged mismanagement.

LAGOS - The Chief Executive Officer, WestLink Airlines, Captain Ibrahim Mushellia has called on the federal government to ensure the refining of Jet AI (Aviation fuel) product in Nigeria (Captain Musbellia who spoke with Aviation correspondents in Lagos noted that the failure to refine crude oil locally has occasioned high airfare in Nigeria, saying it would continue to increase astronomically.

According to him, “we send crude oil out, it is refined and sold back to us at exorbitant cost”.

I believe that if we refine our own aviation fuel, force the price to go down and airfare reduced”, he added.

He commended the Minister of Aviation,

Princess Stella Oduah over the on-going transformation in the aviation sector, saying that, “when the on-going airport remidelling exercise is completed, Nigeria would be a force to reckon with in the continent” He, Captain Mushhellia Urged Nigerians to appreciate the contributions of some private individuals to the repositioning of various sectors of the aviation industry, but however noted that in the face of the current transformation by the minister, fifth columnists are going about with their campaign of calumny.

He assured that Nigeria’s aviation industry would grow if airline operators and government collaborate towards moving the aviation sector forward.

Small Scale Businesses Govt To Provide Enabling Environment

Travellers waiting to board vehicles for Eid-el-Fitr holiday at Nyanya Part in Abuja yesterday.

BENIN CITY –Edo State Government is to provide enabling environment for operators of Small and Medium Scale businesses in the State.

The Chairman of the newly inaugurated Committee on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Chief Osamede Adun stated this at the inaugural meeting of the body held in Benin

Imam AdvisesMuslims On Islamic Doctrine

By AUDU ADAMA

OKPELLA - As the month of Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims have been enjoined to seek more of the countenance of Allah through the recitation of the Holy Qur’an and singing the praises of the Almighty Allah.

The advice was given by the Chief Imam of South Ibie, Col. Muhammed Danesi (Rtd), who was the Guest speaker in one of the series of Ramadan lectures organized by Edo North Council of Imams/ Ulamah at the Central Mosques Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

At the Lecture titled, “ The importance of the Last Ten Days of Ramadan” Col. Danesi while Stressing the importance of the

Night of Majesty (Laleotul Qadr) tols the Muslim Umah (congregation) that the Qadr Night is deliberately hidden from Muslims because the Almighty Allah want to test their faith He enjoined Muslim faithful to conceal the themselves in the mosques or other enclosures and supplicated day and night as practiced by the Holy Prophet Mohammed during the same period.

Periodically making Quranic allusions, Mallam Danesi also told the Muslim congregation that it is compulsory for Muslims who fast to give Zakat to the poor in the last day of the Ramadam fast so as to enable them have something to eat during the Id-Fitr celebration.

The Islamic Scholar also informed the congregation that abstinence from food is not what makes one a good Muslim, but imbibing and practicing Islamic doctrines While stressing the omnipotence’s and omnipresence of the Almighty Allah, Col Danesi told the Muslims Umah to pray five time a day saying “you are only a true Muslim only when you observe the five daily prayer. When you observe only two or three of the daily prayers it is as if you have not prayed at all”.

On his part, the Chairman of Edo North Council of Imams/ Ulamah, Sheikh Alhaji Zakariya Musah condemned the spate of bombings and killings of innocent people as well as evil

networking by terrorists across the would even during the month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Musah reminded the congregation that Islam forbid ‘s the killing of human beings but was quick to add that those who deliberately take another person’s soul must equally be killed as prescribed by Islamic doctrines.

Sheikh Musah also informed the Muslims Umah that any good done during the period of Ramadan has double reward while evil doers will equally receive double punishment during the period He therefore called on Muslims to pray fervently and to allow the lessons learnt during this period to erflect on

their daily endeavors even after the period of Ramadan.

The Edo North Council of Imams/ Ulamah was founded and launched on March 1 2012 and in June same year to propagate the message of Isam to all the nooks and crannies of Edo North Senatorial District and beyond.

While decrying the marginalization of Muslims in the scheme of things in Edo State, Sheikh Musah called for a Muslim/ Christian ticket for the position of Governor and Deputy Governor in the next political dispensation.

Prayers were generally offered for peace and progress in Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Highlight was the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

City.

Chief Adun expressed optimism in the determination of the state governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to better the lot of Small and Medium scale businesses.

He explained that with the inauguration of the Committee, modalities would be worked out by the body to consider measures to enhance the socioeconomic well-being of serious minded business men and women in the State.

He also lauded Governor Oshiomhole for the confidence reposed in the committee members and pledged the comimittee’s members unalloyed commitment to serve without blemish.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Mr. Daniel Akhilele said the inaugural meeting afforded the committee members the opportunity to familiarize, brainstorm and chat as a way of actualizing its mandate.

Across The Nation Failed Bridge: FRSC

Cautions Motorists

L-R: Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Epiphany Azinge; Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Dr. Taliu Mamman and Acting Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Nathan Musa at the NIALS 2013 State of the Legal Profession lecture in Abuja on Tuesday.

YOLA - The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has warned motorists plying the Nigeria-Chad route along the Mararaba-Michika road to be cautious as a bridge on the road that has been washed off by the flood.

The FRSC said in a statement on Monday in Yola that the bridge in Wasu village of Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa was washed-off following a heavy downpour at the weekend.

The statement, signed by Mr Luka Ikpi, the Sector Commander in the state, called on the general public, especially motorists using the road to exercise caution.

NIPOST Blames Missing Parcels On Customers LAGOS - The Postmaster General, Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Mr Ibrahim Moribaba, on Monday blamed the cases of missing parcels in the country on customers’ negligence and not corruption within the service.

Moribaba told newsmen that even though a few unscrupulous elements were still in the service, over 98 per cent of parcels received were delivered.

“There is no perfect mailing system anywhere in the world.

“Parcels get missing daily— not because of corrupt or nonchalant members of staff, but mainly because of customer’s negligence,” he said.

Moribaba said that most cases of missing parcels emanated from not clearly written addresses, with no return-to-

sender addresses on such parcels.

The NIPOST chief also said that parcels could be sent to commit fraud.

“If a parcel is undeliverable, due to incorrect or illegible address and no return address is provided, it will create room for

corruption.

“There are also parcels that are knowingly sent to incorrect or non-existent addresses, with the intent to commit mail fraud.

“Such packages are usually confiscated if no one comes for them,” he said.

Moribaba said that mail

officers were being monitored by NIPOST, adding that it would be difficult for the dubious staff to get away with parcels, unless a discrepancy occurred.

“I will urge customers to be diligent when sending their parcels and monitor it, till it gets to its destination.

Adamawa Trains 500 Volunteers

Early TB Detection:

YOLA - No fewer than 500 volunteers commenced a twoday training on early detection and prevention of tuberculosis (TB) in the 21 local government areas of Adamawa.

Addressing participants at the opening ceremony in Yola the Coordinator of state TB Control Programme, Dr Stephen John, said the training was going on simultaneously at two other

“And in the event of a missing parcel, a written complaint should be sent to the General Managers offices in the Marina office of NIPOST. “I can assure you that all complaints are promptly dealt with, and positive results are always achieved”.

“Due to the heavy downpour on July 30, a bridge at Wasu village, along Mararaba-Michika road in Michika Local Government Area, has collapsed.

“The bridge plays a vital role in linking Northeastern parts of Nigeria and the Republic of Chad,’’ the statement said.

It said that anyone that wished to travel from Adamawa to Borno and the Republic of Chad via Michika should divert through Yamwe village also in the Michika Area Council.

The statement noted that the diversion was only 19 kilometres.

When contacted, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Shadrack Barub, confirmed the development.

He said that the agency had sent a team of personnel to ascertain the extent of the damage in the affected areas.

centres, Mubi and Ganye.

He said that the aim of the training was to improve patients’ access to TB services through social mobilisation and community-based participation.

“The workshop is to empower TB patients and communities through proper education of its

members to identify and refer suspected TB cases for early diagnosis and treatment,’’ he said.

John said that the training was organised by the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs with the aim of encouraging communities on the sustainability of TB control

programme in the state.

He said that the volunteers would be equipped with skills in the identification of suspected cases and referrals for diagnosis and follow-ups.

He said that the training would also equip the volunteers with the ability to observe treatments, recognise danger signs and referrals and provision of health promotion and education skills to assist in tracking defaulters.

He also said that the volunteers would be trained in

the collection and transportation of suspected sputum samples to microscopy centres.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Governments Affairs, Dr Salihu Bakari, said that the training was part of the state government’s contribution to the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme.

He urged the participants to apply the knowledge acquired to protect their communities from the menace of tuberculosis.

JOS – Mrs. Joyce Ramnap, the member representing Langtang South in the Plateau State House of Assembly, has in Jos called for the deployment of more security personnel to the hinterlands of Plateau south.

Ramnap told newsmen that it was wrong to concentrate security personnel in the headquarters of Local Governments, nothing that the rural areas were the most vulnerable to attacks.

The lawmaker also called for synergy between the local authorities and personnel of the Special Task Force (STF) maintaining peace in the area, so as to secure the villages.

It would be recalls that the zone had been under severe deadly attacks by herdsmen that usually strike at night.

The lawmaker called for more information to help security personnel to preempt attackers and maintain peace in the affected areas.

Ramnap also explained that soldiers were often accused of not doing much because the people expected so much from them, but said the soldiers could only put in much when they get useful information on time.

She asked security personnel to pay special attention to Plateau’s border areas with Bauchi, Nasarawa and Taraba States.

Lawmaker Calls For ReDeployment Of Soldiers

L-R: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, congratulating the Guest Lecturer, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies 2013 State of the Legal Profession lecture in Abuja on Tuesday. With them is the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Begore.

Across The Nation Inculcate Reading Culture In Students, Teachers Urged ILORIN- Mr Stephen Odeyemi, the Director of Information Services, Ministry of Information and

Communications in Kwara, has appealed to teachers in Nigeria to inculcate reading and writing culture in their

students.

Odeyemi made the appeal in a paper entitled “Reading Habit Among Youths” which

he delivered at the 4th Graduation Ceremony of Junior Secondary School, Amoyo.

The director, who was one of the guest speakers at the occasion, said reading would not only improve students’ grammar, but would also widen and deepen their orientation about events in the society.

He said it was regrettable that films and other forms of Information Technology had replaced the reading culture among Nigerian youth.

Odeyemi added that the negative use to which many of the youth put Information

Technology was a major factor to the moral decadence in the society.

He described reading as a means through which students’ minds, memories and perception could be broadened and sharpened.

In her speech, the Head of National Library of Nigeria, Kwara branch, Mrs Olani Olabimpe, described education as a great equaliser, noting that its pursuit would make students’ dream come true, no matter their background.

2015: APGA Will Win

L-R: Pastor, Jos Mainland District, Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Rev. Yakubu Pam; National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and Special Adviser to the Governor of Plateau State on Religious Matters, Rev. Gyang Choji, during the CAN President’s Pastoral visit to North Central Zone of the Association in Jos on Tuesday.

ABUJA- The National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, on Monday expressed confidence that APGA would win Imo in 2015 general elections.

Umeh, who made the declaration in an interview with the newsmen in Abuja, said that “we are very eager to rebuild the party in Imo against 2015.

50 Inmates Benefit From NOUN Programmes ABUJA- No fewer than 50 inmates in Nigerian prisons are undergoing different degree programmes in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) said in its 2012 report.

The report, contained in NPS in-house journal and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, said 12 inmates were undergoing training at NOUN Centre in Enugu, 18 in Port Harcourt, 16 in Lagos and four in Awka.

It said 55 inmates enrolled for the November/December Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), organised by the National Examination Council and West African Examinations Council.

The service said 69 inmates at Borstal Institute, Kaduna, sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination.

It also said that 19 inmates wrote and passed the 2012 First School Leaving Certificate Examination, while 32 enrolled for the SSSCE in Awka Prison.

The report said 690 inmates had been empowered with tools under the Inmate Training and Resettlement Programme (ITRP) since 2012.

The publication said the service had completed two workshops equipped with tailoring, carpentry and welding equipment for the

training of inmates in Kuje and Kaduna prisons.

It said the service also trained 109 inmates in vocational skills and conducted trade tests 145 inmates during the year.

In an interview with newsmen, the Public Relations Officer of NPS, Mr Ope Fatinikun, said the training was to discourage the participants from engaging in crime after serving their jail terms.

He said that training the inmates in both formal and informal education was to empower and enable them to live normal lives after serving time.

L-R: Chairman, Enugu State Independent Election Commission (ENSIEC), Dr. Boniface Eneh; Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Okey Ani and ENSIEC Commissioner, Chief Charles Nwokike during ENSIEC release of guidelines for 2013 Local Government elections in Enugu on Tuesday.

180m Children In Child Labour

AFIKPO (EBONYI)-Mrs Nkiruka Micheal, Enugu Zonal Coordinator, National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic In Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), has said 180 million children are engaged in child labour globally.

Michael released the figure in Afikpo on Saturday at the 2013 Women General Assembly (August Meeting) for the Southern Senatorial zone.

According to her, it is estimated that more than 180 million children globally are engaged in worst forms of child labour.

“Those subjected to child labour are under the control and at the mercy of their employers, as they rarely have access to education and are subjected to

physical, sexual and psychological abuse.

“These children are too young to do the jobs assigned to them, are engaged in long hours while doing the jobs, are paid too little for the jobs, are subjected under dangerous working environment, among others,” she said.

The Zonal Commander noted that recent amendment of NAPTIP Acts clearly prohibits children working outside the family setting.

“This is construed to be an introduction of ‘foreign cultures’ by many Nigerians, as exploitation at the expenses of children’s developmental needs increases illiteracy and poverty.

“The exploitation comes in

- NAPTIP

deceptive forms which include promise to sell in big supermarkets, hair dressing saloons in the city, promise of marriage abroad, promise to be models abroad, promise to play for foreign football club, among others,” he said.

She noted that these forms of degradation have devastating impact on victims which necessitated the call to nip the trend in the bud.

“The children suffer from trauma and depression, loss of childhood and education, unwanted pregnancies, early motherhood, stigmatisation, high risks of contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases,

among others,” he said.

Michael commended the Ebonyi government for being in the fore-front in the fight against child-labour and trafficking, as the menace had drastically reduced in the state.

“There is still need to promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of Trafficking in Persons through the use of information, education and communication materials, workshops, seminars, among others.

“NAPTIP has been prosecuting child trafficking offenders as we are in collaboration with agencies and countries in information sharing, investigation, rehabilitation of victims among others,” he said.

Imo - Umeh This, he attributed, to the sudden defection of Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo to the just registered All Progressive Congress (APC).

He said that the party’s National Executive Committee unanimously resolved to dissolve the Imo executive committee of the party because it was the only available option now.

The chairman said the party would not leave anything undone until its aim was achieved in Imo and other places.

“Imo has been APGA state since 2003, we won and it was stolen away from us and we could not retrieve it at the tribunal.

“In 2007, the party won the governorship election, but it was stopped at the point of announcing the results, we went to the tribunal but unfortunately we did not succeed.

“In 2011, we won but it was also a difficult fight because we have to go through supplementary elections,’’ Umeh said.

Umeh expressed regrets that the party had done a lot for Okorocha to ensure his victory, but he had decided to defect to APC. he, however, reminded Okorocha that the government he was taking to APC belonged to APGA, entrusted to him by the people of Imo. “There is no way any political party can keep quiet and tolerate such high level of indiscipline from its members.

“We made it clear long time ago that APGA is not in a merger with any political party or association in the country,” he said.

Umeh said the party would uphold the suspension of Okorocha until he apologised to APGA.

South West Coy To Boost Rice Production By 16,000 Tonnes IBADAN - Olam Nigeria, a major agricultural products processor, he said that its local rice production initiative would yield 16,000 tonnes annually, using a model endorsed by the Rockefeller Foundation.

Mr. Ade Adefeko, the Head of Corporate Relations of the company, said in a statement in Ibadan that the model would ensure the realisation of the company’s 16,000 outgrower target by 2018.

Adefeko also said that the company had partnered with the West African Rice Development Association to test the new varieties of high-yield rice.

The statement said the rice farm initiative would be implemented in two phases in Nasarawa State.

It said that out-growers would make up around 90 per cent of the workforce, with more than half of the beneficiaries as women, once the farm became fully operational.

“A central commercial farm of 10,000 hectares acts as the ‘nucleus’, already providing employment to the local community of rice farmers.

“By the end of 2014, these small-holders and others will be able to participate in an ‘outgrower’ scheme, whereby Olam will buy their rice at

prevailing market prices.

‘This would translate into an increase in average yield per small-holder of over 100 per cent, once agricultural inputs and the new techniques, learned from the nucleus farm, are applied.

“Furthermore, the approach would help to guarantee high productivity and good quality crops, while also providing a ready market for local farming communities,’’ the statement said.

It said that the company believed that the model was timely as the demand for rice in Nigeria had increased.

“Nigeria is looking to diversify its economy and it will support efforts toward greater self-sufficiency,’’ the statement said.

LAGOS - A survey recently conducted in Nigeria reveals that the cooperation between the opposition political parties and the ruling party would develop the country.

Prof. Etannabi Alemieka, a board member of CLEEN Foundation, an NGO, which carried out the survey on political and democratic attitude in Nigeria, said this on Monday while briefing journalists.

Alemieka said that majority of Nigerians were of the view that opposition parties should examine, criticise and join the ruling party to develop the country.

“Majority of Nigerians (60 per cent respondents) believe that better cooperation between the opposition political parties and the ruling parties would develop the country.

“They believe that opposition parties should concentrate on cooperating with the government and helping it develop the country.

“Some other Nigerians, about 39 per cent respondents, believe that opposition parties should regularly examine and criticise government policies and actions only,’’ the survey said.

On the number of political party, majority of Nigerians (55 per cent respondents) believe

IBADAN - The Oyo State Government has rewarded two of its students and a school that won different laurels and prizes in national competition.

One of the students, Motolani Akinpelu of Alayande School of Science, Oke Bola, Ibadan won first position at the Professor

Oyo Rewards Outstanding Students Wole Soyinka National Essay Competition.

Akinpelu’s school one of the six that represented the state at the competition.

Others were School of Science, Pade, Queen School, apata,

Kings International School, Moniya and Best Brain College, all in Ibadan, as well as Sharon Rose College, in Saki.

Also, Master Agmineha Tochukwu of Baptist

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Dr. Basiru Bello; Commissioner, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun and Chairman, Oyo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Mr. Adebimpe Afolabi at the stakeholders meeting on Technical and Vocational Education in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Grammar School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan won the overall best in the state at the 2012 Basic Education Certificate Examination, while the Yejide Girls Grammar School team won bronze medal for the state at the Nestle Milo National Basketball Competition.

Besides, an Ibadan-based non-governmental organization, The Elizabeth Jayeola Foundation also rewarded the overall best student in the JSS III examination in the 2012 state public secondary school examinations.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while speaking at the recognition/award presentation ceremony in Ibadan at the week-end, through the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun,thanked the students for doing the state proud in the various examinations/competitions.

2 Men Arraigned For Murder

L-R: Chairman, Strike Monitoring Committee, ASUU, ESUT Branch, Prof. Anthony Onyemalu; Acting Chairman, ESUT Branch, Dr. Uche-Omeje and Assistant Secretary, Dr. Chinedu Aguba during a news conference on ASUU Strike in Enugu on Tuesday.

IBADAN - The police in Ibadan arraigned two men, Riliwan Olaniran, 20; and Idris Isa, 20; before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Iyaganku, for alleged murder.

The Prosecutor, Insp Aliu Samad, said that the defendants were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder of one Bode Abusoye.

He added that the duo committed the act on July 17, at 9 a.m. at Idiarere-Soboye area of Ibadan.

The prosecutor said further that Olaniran and Isa with

Opposition, Ruling Parties Feud: Don Predicts

Brighter Future

that the presence of more political parties in the country would enhance real choices by the electorates.

A large minority (44 per cent) believe that more political parties in Nigeria would create divisions and confusion, stressing that more parties were unnecessary in the country.

The survey reveals that majority of the citizens (80 per cent respondents) prefer the selection of leaders through open and honest elections, while 20 per cent adopted other methods of choosing leaders.

“It was also found that large

minority of citizens (41 per cent) are not very satisfied with the way democracy works in the country and 25 per cent expressed high level of dissatisfaction.

“About 28 per cent said they are fairly satisfied, two per cent has the opinion that the country is not in a democracy, while four per cent of people say they are satisfied,’’ the survey noted.

The Executive Director, the CLEEN Foundation, Mrs. Kemi Okenyodo, said that the purpose of survey in Nigeria was to measure popular perspectives on the socio-

political, and economic environment.

Okenyodo said that 2,400 respondents from 36 states and Abuja were interviewed in their homes, stressing that the respondents, who were males and females, were 18 years and above.

“The goal is to give the public a voice in policy making processes.

“This would also help provide high-quality public opinion data to policy-makers, policy advocates and civil society organisations, academics, media, donors, investors and ordinary Africans,’’ Okenyodo said.

others now at large, inflicted deep machete cuts all over the body of the 34-year-old Abusoye.

According to him, the several machete cuts on his body eventually led to his death.

Samad told the court that the offences contravened sections 516 and 316 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II of Oyo state of Nigeria 2000.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr. Olaide Amzat, ordered the defendants to be remanded in Agodi prison custody.

He directed the police to send the duplicate case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, for legal advice.

Amzat adjourned the case to August 27, for further hearing.

• Abubakar Mohammed, IGP

Lagos Lawmakers Condemn Lynching Of 2 Students

By SURAJU RAJI

LAGOS Lagos Assembly has appealed to the state police command to investigate the extra judicial killing of 2 under graduates by vigilante men in AJara Community in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The brutal killing of the youth, age and names unknown, took place at about 3pm. This appeal was sequel to the motion moved by a Lagos Assembly law maker representing Agege constituency 1, Hon. Otunba

Lawmaker Hails APC Registration

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS - A member of the National Assembly Hon Yakubu Balogun has described the registration of All Progressives Congress (APC) by INEC as a beginning of a new dawn in the nation’s politics.

He said the advent of the APC will also create a platform for the people to make a better choice in future elections in the country.

Yakubu Balogun who represents Lagos Island Federal Constituency II in the National Assembly debunked the insinuations in some quarters that the party was formed to just hijack power from PDP was not true.

According to the federal lawmaker, the formation of the Mega party was to provide alternative platform for the electorates to make the right choice in future elections in Nigeria.

Hon Yakubu Balogun was of the opinion that the country was in need of a stronger political party that will address the yearnings and aspirations of the people, which the PDP had failed to do since return of democratic rule in 1999.

Mudashiru Obasa, under matter of urgent public importance on Friday at plenary session.

Hon. Obasa therefore called on the Lagos State Police Command to bring to book the killers of the students. He observed that the under graduates were lynched in the presence of passing by police men whom he said escaped for dear lives. The lawmaker however expressed shock on why the passing- by police failed to rescue the youth, when they were being lynched. He also deduced that the students were not robbers

Widow of Pa Ademola Fashola, Omolara (left) and wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola at the burial of Governor Fashola’s father, Pa. Ademola, in Lagos on Tuesday.

Muslim Clerics Docked Over N43.55m Fraud

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun (2nd left), Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos (3rd left), Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Alhaji Garuba Akinola (centre) and others offering ‘Janozat’ prayers for Pa Ademola Fashola, father of Lagos Governor, at Lagos Central Mosque on Tuesday.

LAGOS - Four men, who claimed to be Muslim clerics, were on Monday charged with a N43.55 million fraud at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The accused — Jimoh Kadiri, 61; Mohammed Ibrahim, 36; Mohammed Isa, 29; and Ogunlade Ojo, 50 — are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and theft.

The Prosecutor, DSP Raymond Odion, told the court that the accused, whose addresses were unknown, committed the offences sometime in January 2012 on

need to borrow to invest for economic growth. He however warned that we should enhance revenue profile of the state. At the

end of the screening, Hon. Rotimi Olowo moved the motion to approve the commissioner ’s nomination by the governor of the state Babatunde Raji Fashola

Commissioner Defends Borrowing

By SURAJU RAJI

LAGOS - We Need to borrow, says Lagos Commissioner of Finance to invest for economy growth.

The newly appointed commissioner for fiancé in Lagos State, Gbeleyi Ayodeji, has been screened and approved by the Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday in the chambers of the House.

Speaking on borrowing by state government and implication of increasing debt profile and financing through loan, Commissioner Gbeleyi Ayodeji said “we should borrow in respectable manner”. The state can borrow to invest, and borrow to finance

transport corridor. The new commissioner said “, there is capacity to borrow and repayment “.

He asserted that we

Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the accused allegedly conspired with others still at large to defraud one Mrs Bashirat Akinbisehin of N43.55 million.

“The accused, who claimed to be Alfas (Muslim clerics), obtained the money from Akinbisehin under the pretext of helping to cure her daughter’s undisclosed ailment.’’

Odion said the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty of the offences.

In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr J.A. Adegun, granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

He adjourned the case to Aug. 21 for mention.

Reports say that the accused may be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each on conviction.

NSE Records N16.168bn Turnover

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - A turnover worth N16.168 billion in 28,322 deals were traded this week by investors on the floor of The Nigerian Stock Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.500 billion shares valued at N17.035 billion that exchanged hands last week in 28,638 deals.

The Financial Services sector (measured by volume) led the activity chart with a turnover of 990.484 million shares valued at N7.916 billion traded in 15,243 deals; contributing 72.61%, 48.96%, 53.82% to the total equity turnover volume, value and number of deals respectively.

The Banking subsector of the

Financial Services sector, boosted by activity in the shares of Sterling Bank Plc and UBA Plc was the most active subsector on the week’s activity chart with a subsector turnover of 638.021 million shares valued at N6.093 billion which exchanged hands by investors in 10,059 deals.

Also, the Banking subsector accounted for 46.77% and 37.69% of the total subsector traded volume and value respectively.

Equity Turnover – Last 5 Days Date Deals Turnover Volume Turnover Value (N) Traded Stocks Advanced Stocks Declined Stocks Unchanged Stocks Traded during the week were 80 units of NewGold Exchange

Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N165, 000 executed in 2 deals compared with a total of 80 units valued at N165, 400 transacted last week in 2 deals.

Also, 1,470 units of FGN bonds valued at N1.612 million were traded during the week in 7 deals in contrast to 40,200 units valued at N3, 112 million transacted last week in 7 deals.

The NSE All-Share Index appreciated by 3.44% to close on Friday at 38,424.34 while the market capitalization of the listed equities on the main board also appreciated 3.44% to close at N12.169 trillion.

Also, the NSE 30 Index appreciated by 3.64% to close at 1,805.63.

Likewise, the NSE

Consumer Goods, NSE Banking, NSE Insurance, NSE Oil/Gas, NSE-Lotus II and NSE Industrial Goods appreciated by 3.89%, 4.60%, 0.42%, 0.75%, 3.54% and 5.09% respectively, while NSE-ASeM remained unchanged.

In summary of price change, Fifty (50) equities appreciated in prices during the week higher than twenty eight (28) equities of the preceding week.

Thirty-three (33) equities depreciated in prices lower than Sixty (60) equities of the preceding week, while one hundred and eleven (111) equities remained constant higher than one hundred and six (106) equities of the preceding week.

Across The Nation Aviation College Acquires 2 Additional Aircraft ILORIN - The management of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, has taken delivery of two additional single engine aircraft into its fleet.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara Governor, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, stated this in a press statement in Ilorin.

It stated that the acquisition would enable the college to enhance its capacity to train commercial pilots that would meet international standards.

According to the statement, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, was at the Ilorin International

Airport to take delivery of the aircraft.

Ahmed said the school was being positioned to fill existing shortfalls in the training of pilots in the country.

The governor also said that two additional hostels would be

built to accommodate the increasing number of students in institution.

He said the acquisition of additional aircraft was achieved through collaboration with international agencies on a programmed and continuous basis.

“It is a moment of history that we are making, we are training pilots in Ilorin who will go across the whole world and make a mark in the aviation industry,” he said.

Ahmed assured the students and instructors of the college that the vision of the state government was to make the institution one of the best in the world.

He, therefore, appealed to the stakeholders to remain steadfast

in making the college a citadel of excellence.

The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Dr Amuda Kannike, said the college started its training programme 17 months-ago.

Kannike said the college has been endorsed by the Nigerian Air force with 25 of its personnel in two batches currently undergoing training at the college.

ABUJA - The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has sympathised with the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) over the death of three of its members at the weekend.

The minister said at a press briefing in Abuja that he received the news with shock, and described the accident as unfortunate.

Wogu said the ministry and his entire family identified with the families of the deceased in their moment of grief.

“I sympathise with the President of the NUJ, Malam Garba Mohammed and the entire NUJ members over the death of their colleagues.

“I received with shock the news of the sudden death of the active journalists, cut down in their prime by the cold hand of death through a ghastly motor accident in Ilesa, Osun.

“I share in the pain and identify with the NUJ and families of the deceased in this moment of grief,’’ Wogu said.

The minister prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed journalists and asked

God to grant their families and the entire NUJ members the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Labour Minister Condoles With NUJ

Majority leader, Rivers House of Assembly, Mr. Chidi LLoyd (middle) at the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

Welder Docked For Stealing

LAGOS-A 25-year-old welder, Biodun Ibrahim, has appeared before an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, charged with stealing valuables from members of a congregation during a vigil.

Ibrahim, who resides at No. 5, Lawan St., Itire, Lagos, is facing a one-count charge of stealing.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 27 at No. 1, CAC St., Mafoluku, Oshodi.

He said that the accused jumped into the premises of Christ Apostolic Church, Mafoluku, Oshodi, at 3a.m. to steal.

“The accused jumped into the church compound when the worshipers were sleeping after the vigil.

“He sneaked to where they were sleeping inside the church and dispossess them of their money and phones,” he said.

Olatunde said that the accused stole nine phones and some money, whose value was yet to

be ascertained.

“The church security man saw the accused when he was about to jump out of the premises. The security man raised an alarm and some of the sleeping worshippers woke up and arrested the accused.

“When he was searched, some phones and money were recovered and he confessed that he actually stole them from the worshippers,” the prosecutor said Olatunde said that the offence contravened Sections 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Section 285 provides that any person who steals any property is guilty of a felony and is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to three years imprisonment.

The Magistrate, Mr. Akeem Fashola granted the accused bail

OPC, Ndi-Igbo, CNPP Commiserate With Fashola LAGOS-The Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), the Ndi-Igbo Progressive Movement and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has commiserated with Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) over the death of his father.

Reports say that the governor’s father, Alhaji Ademola Fashola, died on Sunday night in Lagos.

He was aged 75.

The OPC founder and chairman of the UPN, Dr Federick Fasehun, described the death as a loss to the nation.

Fasehun told newsmen that the death was a big loss, especially as his son, Babatunde was away to pray for the state and the nation.

“I pray that God will grant the

entire family and the governor the fortitude to bear the loss,” Fasehun said.

Dr Smart Ofonyiri, the President of the Ndi-Igbo Progressive Movement, said the late Fashola was a gentleman to the core.

“I knew him as a resident of Surulere and he was a kind and easy-going man.

“Most importantly, he was a man who listened to all that came to him for help.

“May his soul rest in peace,’’ Ofonyiri said.

The Lagos State Chairman of the CNPP, Mr Akinola Obadia, said that Fashola’s death was a loss to Nigeria.

“We regret his passage at this time when his fatherly advice is needed most. God knows best,” Obadia said.

in the sum of N50,00, with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to August15 for mention.

MEANWHILE - A 40-year-old husband, Gani Sule of Adewole Area, Ilorin, has told an Ilorin Area Court that his wife, Rukayat, was aggressive.

Sule, who urged the court to dissolve his three-year-old marriage to Rukayat, said her aggressiveness and behavior had made life difficult for him.

“My wife gets provoked at a very slightest provocation and fond of transferring aggression to everyone around her,” he said.

According to him, their marriage was contracted in 2010 and had produced one male child, Fatahi.

“I want an end to this marriage because I’m tired of her trouble and hot temperament,” he said.

Rukayat objected to the prayer of her husband, saying she was still interested in the marriage.

“My husband always provokes me with the way he accused me

falsely at times,” she said.

She promised to change and control her aggression and prayed the court for an adjournment for her to make a reconciliatory move.

The presiding Judge, Mr. Yusuf Abdulkareem, adjourned the case to August 29 for a report of settlement or continuation of hearing.

Man Remanded For Forgery

ILORIN - An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court has remanded one Taiwo Ajayi in prison for allegedly forging motorcycle documents for people.

The accused was arraigned on a two-count charge of forgery and cheating contrary to sections 366 and 324 of the Penal Code.

According to the Charge Sheet, one Dare Abdul-Ganiyu was caught by the police with forged motorcycle document on July 26, which he claimed was issued to him by the accused.

The Prosecutor, Mr Nasiru Yusuf, told the court that investigations revealed that the accused was never an official of licencing authority.

Yusuf added that the accused specialised in forging and duping innocent people in the state.

2, Charged For Loitering

ILORIN - Two suspects, Kamarudeen Ibitoye, 35, and Tunde Bankole, 37, have been arraigned at an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court for allegedly loitering about in a suspicious manner at Emir’s Road, Ilorin.

The accused were alleged to have been loitering about in a suspicious manner on July 28, around 11p.m, where there were many shops.

The Prosecuting Police

Officer, Mrs. Fatimoh Ajape, told the court that the accused were arrested while on routine patrol.

She added that when they were questioned, they could not give satisfactory account of themselves and what they were doing there at that hour.

She said that the accused were arraigned on a one-count charge of belonging to a gang of thieves.

According to her, that is

contrary to Section 306 of the Penal Code.

She objected to the bail of the accused on the ground that the alleged offence was not ordinarily bailable.

Magistrate Mrs. Oluwatosin Ajide in her ruling released the accused on bail in the sum of N50, 000 and two sureties each in like sum.

She adjourned the case to August 15 for mention.

Counsel to Majority Leader, Rivers House of Assembly, Mr. Emenaike Ebete, addressing newsmen at the premises of Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Abuja Reducing Unemployment

NDE Reassures Nigerians ABUJA - Chief Perry Opara, a board member of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has said the board would do its best to reduce the level of unemployment in the country.

Chief Opara said this in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.

Opara, who said although the NDE had done well in addressing unemployment situation, there was still room for improvements given the large number of unemployed persons across the country.

“Nigerian youth are yearning for more. Nigerian youth are waiting to see the transformation of Nigeria reflected in the level of employment created for young people.

“They want to see young graduates get job after graduation; they want to see artisans educated and trained in

a way to provide specialised services for the nation.

“Also, we want to see the level of insecurity as a result of ‘youth unemployed’ reduce drastically.

“We want to see the enabling environment being provided for the Nigerian youth to explore and express their potential.

“These are some of the things the Nigerian youth are expecting. We are aware that the president brought us to this for a reason “We have seen that the transformation agenda of the president is very particular about the youth and the women.

“That is why the president has started some programmes, including the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE P), to empower Nigerian women and the youth,” he said.

Chairman, Senate committee on FCT. Sen. Smart Adeyemi, signing a condolence register at the NUJ secretariat in Abuja in Honour of three journalists who died in auto crash, on Tuesday with him is the NUJ President Malam Garba Mohammed.

Mali Election

Ekweremadu Commends and people of Malians, ECOWAS government Mali for the record turnout

L-R: National women leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Sharon Ikeazor; Deputy National Chairman (South) Sen. Anne Okonkwo; Deputy National Legal Adviser, James Ocholi; National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed and National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande at a news conference on the registration of the party in Abuja on Tuesday

ABUJA- The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has commended ECOWAS and the people of Mali for the success so far recorded in the conduct of the Mali Presidential election.

The commendation is contained in a statement issued by Ekweremadu’s Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja.

Ekweremadu described the election as “free, fair and credible”, adding that the peaceful conduct of the poll was a boost for democracy

and peace in Mali and the entire West Africa.

According to him, the peaceful election in Mali justifies the huge human and material sacrifices made by ECOWAS and friends of the sub-region to ensure that peace and democracy are secured in the country.

Ekweremadu said that the success of the election was an indication that ECOWAS could resolve internal crisis, defend and consolidate democracy in West Africa.

“ECOWAS Parliament is particularly proud of the

Consensus Candidature: Governorship

ABUJA- Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, a PDP aspirant for the governorship race in Anambra, said in Abuja that he would not support the emergence of a consensus candidate by the party for the general election.

Okonkwo told newsmen shortly after picking his expression of interest and nomination form at the party’s national secretariat that such arrangement would not reflect the will of the people.

“I am not and will never be a student of consensus. I will want to have a consensus after the election and a winner has emerged. We can say let us have unity government. “‘The 21st century of selection of leaders of the people is through exercise of the people‘s free will and that is the one I submit to as a democrat,’’ Okonkwo said.

He promised to restore the

Aspirant Disagree

state to its glorious past if elected governor in the November 26 gubernatorial election.

He said that Anambra used to be the best in education, religion and the economy in the country and promised to revive the system if elected to govern the state.

“The only way to return the state to its past glory is to have a focused and people-oriented government. I do know that I have the consummate experience and capacity to take Anambra to the new level and back to its lost glory.

“I made the decision to become the state governor conscious of the fact that there is so much to be done and I can do it and do it better.

“I am particularly hungry to

return Anambra to its past glory and to make it the Dubai of Africa with the cooperation of other party members, ’’ Okonkwo said.

He said if elected as governor, that he would tackle the security challenge of the state with the desired force and create employment opportunities for the youth.

“Our youths are engaged in criminal and illicit activities not because of desire to do so but because it is said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. “ I will engage government and the private sector in large scale farming where most of our repented youths would be engaged while we provide other forms of employment for others.

“We will engage every

Anambra indigene in the economic development of the state. For me, it is a clarion call for all to come on board so that

we can have a new dawn,’’ he said.

Okonkwo said that the state was beyond zoning, adding that such practice would not benefit the state development for now.

of voters and their peaceful and orderly conduct during the poll,” he said.

Ekweremadu who is Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, however, cautioned against complacency as Mali prepared for a run-off election.

“Though, the job is already half done, it is not over yet and all stakeholders must work together to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and credible conclusion of the presidential election,’’ he said.

A clear winner could not emerge in the July 28 election. A run-off has been scheduled for August 11 between the two leading candidates, Ibrahim Keita and Soumaila Cisse.

Contribute To Nation’s Growth, NOA Urges Youths

ABUJA- Mr Mike Omeri, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has called on youths to unleash their full potential to help to boost the nation’s economic growth.

Omeri made the call when the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Mr Yakubu Shendam, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He urged youths to build on the gains of President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda.

Omeri told the youths to see the country as a place where its

growth and development would solely be driven by their energy.

The NOA boss said that he shared the notion that, “youths are not just leaders of tomorrow, but leaders of today.”

He urged them to engage in lawful activities devoid of violence, cultism, exam malpractice and thuggery.

He assured the youths of the present administration’s determination to create environment that would make businesses to thrive and generate

more jobs.

“Nigerian youths must be ready to uplift the well being of the country, shun what is wrong and do what is right. Do what will uplift the nation”, Omeri said.

He told them to stay focused and exercise patience “as the Jonathan administration is working hard to create more jobs.”

Earlier, Shendam commended Omeri for “taking NOA to a greater height” by its numerous activities.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY(07/08/13) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MCNICHOLS

1.5

1.5

0

1

1,000

1,500.00

7UP

74.2

74.2

0

12

29,512

2,124,864.00

MOBIL

120

120

0

18

13,419

1,508,194.94

ABCTRANS

0.92

0.94

0.02

24

842,516

793,205.31

MRS

36.14

36.14

0

20

52,900

1,720,837.00

0.55

0.55

0

2

70,000

38,500.00

ACADEMY

1.78

1.95

0.17

6

142,192

274,751.50

MULTITREX

ACCESS

11.2

11.34

0.14

192

9,235,446

104,273,647.31

NAHCO

6.6

6.6

0

26

117,113

770,398.60

ADSWITCH

1.63

1.63

0

1

4,500

6,615.00

NASCON

11.5

11.5

0

53

1,527,482

17,568,915.28

AFRIPRUD

1.9

1.9

0

47

146,161

272,262.15

NB

176

175

-1

230

839,478

146,916,984.14

AGLEVENT

1.43

1.43

0

2

20,000

28,600.00

NCR

18.7

18.7

0

9

18,300

307,989.00

AIICO

0.91

0.91

0

66

27,284,773

25,462,618.56

NEIMETH

1.35

1.35

0

9

127,831

172,571.85

AIRSERVICE

4

4

0

7

152,775

612,556.60

NEM

0.72

0.72

0

12

478,062

343,204.64

ALEX

10.5

10.5

0

2

250

2,362.50

NESTLE

1000

1000

0

49

76,284

75,824,036.70

ASHAKACEM

25

24.49

-0.51

44

608,495

14,863,678.69

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

2

5,000

2,500.00

ASOSAVINGS

0.5

0.5

0

2

1,100

550

NIWICABLE

0.5

0.5

0

1

160

80

AVONCROWN

1.71

1.71

0

1

2,000

3,080.00

NNFM

29.7

29.7

0

15

63,650

1,751,371.90

BERGER

9.61

9.61

0

20

78,760

717,130.68

NPFMCRFBK

0.88

0.96

0.08

4

549,000

523,120.00

BETAGLAS

11.99

13.18

1.19

1

50,000

659,000.00

OANDO

12.91

13

0.09

171

3,831,828

49,836,964.00

BOCGAS

6.77

6.77

0

3

6,600

47,764.00

OASISINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

145,000

72,500.00

CADBURY

53.9

52.19

-1.71

52

369,700

19,438,086.09

OKOMUOIL

48

48

0

31

176,252

8,169,572.11

CAP

48.5

48.5

0

27

185,185

8,121,280.25

PAINTCOM

1.8

1.85

0.05

8

499,277

915,846.33

CCNN

9.5

9.47

-0.03

13

479,455

4,493,077.70

PHARMDEKO

1.85

1.85

0

1

100,000

185,000.00

CHAMPION

13.31

14.64

1.33

4

153,100

2,241,384.00

PORTPAINT

5.96

5.96

0

5

111,826

667,405.04

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

1

100

50

PREMPAINTS

10.93

10.93

0

1

12,473

122,734.32

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

10

600,000

300,000.00

PRESCO

38.48

38.48

0

23

124,062

4,655,415.78

CONOIL

32.01

33

0.99

24

227,369

7,127,981.51

PRESTIGE

0.54

0.55

0.01

7

633,762

346,515.41

CONTINSURE

1.25

1.24

-0.01

13

1,308,679

1,606,275.17

PZ

45

44.05

-0.95

49

294,350

12,999,680.68

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

15

3,067,412

1,533,706.00

REDSTAREX

4.45

4.8

0.35

15

1,295,900

5,822,220.00

COSTAIN

1.3

1.35

0.05

24

1,714,861

2,285,708.44

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

2

100,260

50,130.00

COURTVILLE

0.84

0.89

0.05

53

9,154,635

7,875,682.35

ROYALEX

0.56

0.54

-0.02

4

122,549

66,567.67

1.43

1.46

0.03

18

521,743

773,578.55

-0.01

144

8,277,028

37,148,393.86

CUSTODYINS

1.6

1.68

0.08

26

1,191,680

1,899,263.28

RTBRISCOE

CUTIX

2.21

2.21

0

6

100,291

202,088.12

SKYEBANK

4.5

4.49

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

1

5,000

2,500.00

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

46,800

23,400.00

17.8

18

0.2

73

3,654,168

66,985,410.48

DANGCEM

195

194

-1

71

361,613

70,143,413.38

STANBIC

DANGFLOUR

9.5

9.5

0

39

271,286

2,578,414.22

STDINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

1

7,000

3,500.00

DANGSUGAR

11.94

11.89

-0.05

41

1,234,935

14,652,910.86

STERLNBANK

2.8

2.8

0

166

68,825,611

189,846,564.56

155

155

0

17

32,511

5,038,943.00

1.44

1.4

-0.04

87

13,217,484

18,574,877.44

DIAMONDBNK

6.81

6.88

0.07

128

6,924,137

47,244,571.27

TOTAL

DNMEYER

1.58

1.58

0

3

11,000

18,450.00

TRANSCORP

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

1

147

73.5

TRANSEXPR

0.81

0.74

-0.07

8

181,317

134,340.43

2.29

2.29

0

2

15,081

31,217.67

16.45

16.45

0

12

67,292

1,083,470.20

EQUITYASUR

0.5

0.5

0

1

10,000

5,000.00

TRIPPLEG

ETERNA

3.1

3.15

0.05

28

606,513

1,884,821.42

UAC-PROP

ETI

14.6

14.6

0

71

748,809

10,980,104.78

UACN

61

61

0

41

39,439

2,375,256.05

8.85

8.43

-0.42

413

20,660,528

177,852,155.36

1.2

1.25

0.05

85

2,837,198

3,488,224.85

EVANSMED

4.5

4.8

0.3

11

318,214

1,437,547.36

UBA

FBNH

16.91

16.9

-0.01

584

16,494,863

281,191,870.48

UBCAP

FCMB

4.46

4.5

0.04

80

4,847,051

21,776,362.82

UBN

12.5

11.58

-0.92

77

793,508

9,376,142.00

50

50

0

1

40,193

2,009,650.00

FIDELITYBK

2.9

2.9

0

69

1,563,770

4,541,725.31

UHOMREIT

FIDSON

2.04

2.1

0.06

43

3,176,367

6,675,811.24

UNIC

0.5

0.5

0

1

346

173

FLOURMILL

86.3

86.3

0

49

130,471

10,958,323.30

UNILEVER

63.54

63

-0.54

75

796,684

50,235,640.58

FO

43.95

43.95

0

61

164,712

6,642,672.67

UNITYBNK

0.52

0.57

0.05

73

15,294,984

8,525,144.06

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.5

0

1

14,000

7,000.00

UPL

4.59

4.2

-0.39

27

1,080,765

4,487,756.80

GLAXOSMITH

63.5

63.5

0

34

124,621

7,735,717.99

UTC

0.8

0.8

0

12

100,131

80,207.80

GNI

0.5

0.5

0

3

1,000,000

500,000.00

VITAFOAM

4

4.2

0.2

31

5,650,032

23,734,359.80

GUARANTY

25.5

25.35

-0.15

327

6,590,508

167,049,502.97

VONO

0.76

0.69

-0.07

8

375,000

259,766.10

GUINNESS

252.5

250.03

-2.47

79

181,797

45,682,836.70

WAPCO

99.5

99.5

0

36

463,478

46,115,895.20

HONYFLOUR

3.22

3.21

-0.01

60

1,393,294

4,483,139.97

WAPIC

0.74

0.7

-0.04

19

1,179,353

819,279.34

IHS

2.55

2.55

0

9

199,100

521,640.00

WEMABANK

1.2

1.1

-0.1

39

4,036,880

4,500,665.60

IKEJAHOTEL

0.89

0.87

-0.02

5

291,110

253,265.70

ZENITHBANK

21.1

21.11

0.01

324

22,333,713

471,457,961.29

INTBREW

22.62

22

-0.62

57

699,653

15,754,138.13

IPWA

1.05

1.02

-0.03

4

1,071,785

1,092,502.85

JAPAULOIL

0.52

0.51

-0.01

36

3,510,181

1,822,649.31

JBERGER

72

77.4

5.4

27

293,740

22,174,503.65

JOHNHOLT

1.22

1.28

0.06

13

69,738

88,613.96

JOSBREW

0.9

0.81

-0.09

7

261,000

225,432.00

LEARNAFRCA

1.7

1.7

0

9

224,180

380,949.60

LIVESTOCK

4.43

4.5

0.07

48

878,984

3,928,262.81

MANSARD

2.18

2.18

0

2

149,069

323,498.35

MAYBAKER

2.52

2.67

0.15

13

97,790

255,587.22

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock JBERGER CHAMPION BETAGLAS CONOIL REDSTAREX EVANSMED STANBIC VITAFOAM ACADEMY MAYBAKER

Close 77.4 14.64 13.18 33 4.8 4.8 18 4.2 1.95 2.67

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain 5.4 1.33 1.19 0.99 0.35 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.17 0.15

Stock

Close

Loss

GUINNESS CADBURY DANGCEM NB PZ UBN INTBREW UNILEVER ASHAKACEM UBA

250.03 52.19 194 175 44.05 11.58 22 63 24.49 8.43

-2.47 -1.71 -1 -1 -0.95 -0.92 -0.62 -0.54 -0.51 -0.42

THE return of fourteen or seventy two Anambra State indigenes said to be mentally challenged last month by the Lagos State Government has generated so much controversy in the country to the extent that politicians and idle minds have hijacked the issue and are overheating the already overcharged polity.

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have joined issues over the forceful relocation of persons of Igbo extraction to Onitsha, Anambra State.

While the PDP condemned the act as inhuman and wicked, the APC on its part believes Governor Peter Obi is unduly sensationalizing the action of the Lagos State Government to score cheap political point and accused him of playing a very dangerous game that could threaten national unity.

WE express disapproval of the politicization of the action of the Lagos State Government by idle politicians and bootlickers who are desperate to court the attention of high political office holders ahead of 2015 polls. We expect politicians to go to their research rooms and begin to develop and fine tune their manifesto to convince the electorate why their parties should be preferred at the polls.

IN the same vein, we wonder why Governor Obi wrote an ‘over-dramatised letter’ to the Presidency and leaked such to the media, thus setting off an avoidable friction between the Igbo and the Yoruba that will not augur well for Nigeria’s unity. What is the intention of Governor Peter Obi in writing the Presidency instead of the Lagos Governor, his colleague.

THE Lagos State Government on its part explained that there was an exchange of correspondence dated April 9, 15, and 29, 2013 between the Lagos State Government and Anambra State Government, through its Liaison Office in Lagos, about the ‘integration’ not ‘deportation’ of the 14 people. The Anambra State Government, according to Lagos did not respond to its request to come and validate the identity of the people who claimed to have come from Anambra. Had the

THE NIGERIAN

Controversy Over Lunatics Anambra State Government responded, perhaps, the issue would have been amicably resolved without coming to the court of public opinion.

UNARGUABLY, this is not the first time such transfers of lunatics or sane people would happen in the country. First, Lagos State itself received notice from the Government of Akwa Ibom to come, identify and pick up two Lagos indigenes who were picked up in a ‘lunatic clean up’ exercise in Uyo This was to enhance the beautification work of the Godswill Akpabio- led administration in the state. Lagos State Government responded promptly without making any noise about it.

ALSO in December 2011, the same Anambra State Government that is now crying foul over the home return of Anambra indigenes arrested and repatriated 29 beggars to their home states in Ebonyi, another Igbo State, and Akwa Ibom.

Then it was conveniently not ‘deportation’ but ‘repatriation’ and no tribal meanings were read to such action.

AGAIN in 2011, Abia State Government sacked 3,000 non-indigenes including fellow Igbo from her work force and asked them to go back to their respective states, at that time, not even a whimper was heard from all politicians who are now raising hell over the ‘’deportation’’ of 14 Anambra indigenes from Lagos.

THERE are also several instances of northern Nigerians moving their loved ones in droves into southern cities for begging and other indecent

activities, thereby fuelling the social problems of affected states. So, there are precedents of moving Nigerians about by different governments and indivoduals.

THIS does not in any way mean our endorsement of government movement of Nigerians from one state to the other on the basis of their health status or profession. We condemn all actions that tend to undermine the security, unity and corporate existence of Nigeria no matter who is involved and their motives. The Nigerian constitution gives Nigerians the right to live in any part of the country they so choose to live and eke out a living. The current brouhaha seems to be undermining the constitution of the country, which we denounce.

WE also detest the ferrying of fellow humans overnight in trucks which only brings back sad memories of the many years of slavery when Africans were packed like sardines and inhumanly shipped abroad. There is absolutely no justification for this very degrading and inhuman maltreatment of Nigerians by any state government or individuals and we call for a halt.

WE expect both federal executive and legislature to take steps to halt this dangerous social trend capable of overstretching the thin cords that bind the nation together. We equally expect the council of state to table this issue for discussion and take a definite stand that will halt the discriminatory management of mentally challenged persons by state governments.

WE call on politicians seeking recognition with the “deportation” debacle to look elsewhere and allow the sleeping dog lie.

Politicians should desist from overheating the polity and allow elected officials discharge their mandates to Nigerians. We also call on socio-cultural groups across the country not to jump into the decoy by those who are bent on destablising the nation for selfish reasons and allow our representatives in government urgently find lasting solution that would end this social malaise.

Relationship With IMOISILI EDITH 07089364470

Impact Of Infidelity On Marriage Continued from last week

One night, while he is playing video games and ignoring her yet again, she logs onto Face-book and has a friend request from her long lost old flame from college–freshman year. Oh she had SUCH a crush on him and it’s nice to hear from him again, so she approves the friend request and sends him a message saying how good it is to hear from him–how is he? He writes back that he’s going through a divorce and that he found her by luck just surfing around–how is she?

She writes about her hubby ignoring her and he’s understanding and comforts her. He sends her a friendly little Face-book daisy and then a hug saying “hope you feel better” and she gets a little love zing out of it. Back and forth they go on, starting as friends at first, just catching up and being a little more than friendly…but not much. They exchange photos and treat each other really nicely, and she thinks, “He actually cares about me and gives a rip.”

Then he says something really tender and caring, and she’s touched. Meanwhile her husband has no idea about the old flame from Face-book, or maybe she’s told him and he has forgotten about it, and he continues as he had been. He gets home from work and immediately ignores her and goes to watch TV (or play a game). He still gets mad about the credit card bill, and he still tries to demand sex without even trying to romance her.

And feeling a little guilty about the Facebook friend, she might suggest maybe they

By DAVID AND CINDY J. TAYLOR

need some counseling or say “this isn’t working for me” but her husband dismisses it and says they don’t need help. Or worse–she brings it up and he argues with her about it and it ends in a big screaming match.

This marriage is actually in the first stage of an affair: Vulnerability! One of the hardest things we are called to do as married people is take our eyes off of the faults of our spouse and instead take personal responsibility for ourselves. As you can see, up to this point, neither spouse was “right” or “wrong” but rather both were contributing to an environment that made their marriage vulnerable.

Each one may have had individual weaknesses that made the individual susceptible to extramarital attention, and in addition, they both contributed to making the marriage vulnerable. To create an extraordinary, affairfree marriage, the most expedient thing we MUST do is stop looking at what our spouse is doing wrong and look at ourselves! At the deepest level, marriage is an example of the covenant that God makes with us, loving us even when we were unlovely, and in a similar way sometimes we have to make a commitment to our spouse–to look at ourselves and humbly admit our own weaknesses and issues and then do the work to fix ourselves, even when they are unlovely. One option is to honestly look in the mirror and acknowledge that we have done the Love

Extinguisher, but another option that can be really helpful in a marriage is to ask your spouse to tell you what Love Extinguishers you’ve done that have hurt them the worst. Now this can be a big risk for your spouse to open up and be honest with you, especially if you’ve told them to be honest in the past and then blow up at them when they were honest! But if they are willing to be honest and tell you, please listen with an open heart, and if it gets hurtful, rather than being defensive remind yourself to ONLY say, “Thank you for being honest. I’ll think about what you’ve said.” This demonstrates that they have a safe place to truly be honest and they can tell you what is actually on their heart even when it isn’t all ‘lovey-dovey’ that you can take the sting of honest truth in a mature way.

From this point, if an affair develops, there are three more stages. After vulnerability the next stage of an affair is “The Dark Little Secret”.

Before I go any further just a note: I will not call the people involved in an affair “lovers” nor will I say that what they feel is love, because an affair is not a love story and what they feel is infatuation or lust.

Love is not a feeling. It is the commitment to behave in a loving way to your spouse, through every circumstance of life, no matter whether the loving actions are returned.

Thus, in this stage of the affair, the disloyal spouse and the other person grow more and more and more close; they become more and more and

more inappropriate with their intimacy–both emotionally and physically; and they become more and more secretive about their affair, going to lengths to keep it going and keep it hidden.

Some very typical tactics that the affair partners will use to keep their “dark little secret” are: sneaking off to lunches together, claiming to stay late at work, setting up new email accounts or Facebook accounts, getting secret cell phones, or walking out of the room and out of earshot when they get a cell phone call. Other clues of an affair would be suddenly changing hair or losing a lot of weight; wearing sexy lingerie that is not typical of them; getting all new clothes in a totally different style; unaccounted money missing from an account or wallet; deleting the “history” in their browser, cell phone and email; a change in the amount of sex (either suddenly wanting more or suddenly wanting none); sitting at the computer until 3 or 4am long after the loyal spouse has gone to bed; lots of “wrong numbers” and hang-ups; accusing the loyal spouse of invading privacy; and picking a fight so they can storm out. In this stage of the affair, the addiction to the love zing is getting stronger and stronger, and they have to go further and further to get that same incredible feeling. Thus, gradually the forbidden fruit will become more and more tempting and they will become more and more brazen. As they become close friends, grow more intimate, and share more secrets, they will connect more

emotionally. If it is discovered at this point–it is an emotional affair. If it is not discovered (or the loyal spouse chooses to not see it)–it usually spills over into a physical affair and yet 99 out of 100 affairs are not about the sex but rather about meeting the basic human needs of the disloyal spouse and heaping on the Love Kindlers.

The third stage of an affair is the Discovery/Addiction stage. During this stage, the loyal spouse discovers incontrovertible proof that the disloyal spouse is having an affair. For the loyal spouse that is the dropping of the pebble into the pond and the ripples of devastation begin to spread outward and destroy everything. At this point the loyal spouse may be tempted to give up and just divorce, but this stage is crucial to reconciliation. If the loyal spouse can really step up to bat for their marriage and their spouse and realize that two years of being insane might be worth fighting for when considering a lifetime of up to 70 years together, then I recommend that the loyal spouse expose the affair to pro-marriage people in their spouse’s life who are likely to tell him/her “What are you doing? Return to your marriage and make it work!”

These folks will likely be a pastor or maybe parents or Christian friends. It is also crucial that the loyal spouse put out of their mind the idea that the disloyal spouse has to come crawling back in complete remorse and beg for forgiveness. This is the time to examine what they did to contribute to this situation, admit their own Love Extinguishers, work to stop them, and once again start to do Love Kindlers. This is to demonstrate to the disloyal spouse that they are REAL and they can be that attractive man or woman they once were. For the disloyal spouse there are two options: 1) admit you’ve done wrong and return to the marriage, never EVER contact the other person again, and work on making your marriage loving or 2) try to convince yourself and everyone else that you were justified in having your affair, that you were never happy or in love, that having an affair is normal and the kids will be fine, and that the other person is your soul-mate and you deserve to be happy.

The final stage is Ending the Affair. If the loyal spouse chooses to be a hero for their marriage, there are steps they

can take to help the affair come to an end. These steps can be scary and it takes an amazingly brave person to stand up and do the right thing when their spouse is behaving badly–but it can be done. The most loving thing you can do is allow the disloyal spouse to experience the consequences of their choices. Remember, the loyal spouse is not trying to embarrass or drag their name through the mud–it is the disloyal spouse’s ACTIONS that did that! Envision that the disloyal spouse is a ship lost at sea and the loyal spouse is the lighthouse, guiding them back home to safe port. If the loyal spouse can be lovingly consistent with ending Love Extinguishers, applying Love Kindlers and also allowing the disloyal spouse to experience the consequences of their choices–the affair can be ended, and then the healing can begin! If the disloyal spouse softens their heart and admits they were wrong, for example, the loyal spouse can do a LOT toward marital recovery by recognizing that initially the disloyal spouse will go through a period of withdrawal from the high of the love zing…that they will miss the other person and probably be pretty sad and depressed. If the loyal spouse is gentle and understanding it can be a really good step!

Another fabulous step is taking a vacation from work and going on a second honeymoon. Even if money is tight–do it anyway! It’s worth it to save your marriage!

However, it’s conceivable that the disloyal spouse will have determined in their heart that it’s over and they are going to move on. There are STILL things that the loyal spouse can do to demonstrate that they will protect themselves and the family and to show that the door to reconciliation is open. If the affair is left alone to run its course, most affairs end naturally within two years because once they are brought to the light of day, they can just cannot stand up to real life. The light of truth reveals that the other person was willing to cheat to be with the disloyal spouse, and they are willing to cheat the minute the disloyal spouse doesn’t “make them happy.”

Once a couple understands a few basic concepts, sees where their marriage or where they are as an individual may be vulnerable, and knows the stages of a typical affair, then they can work to have an extraordinary, affair-free marriage.

Political Platform The Birth Of APC And Hurdles Ahead AFTER many turns and twists running for months, the independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), finally registered the All Progressives Congress (APC), comprising of four parties: Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) (CPC), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

According to a statement by the secretary to INEC, Abdullahi Kaugama, “the commission found that the applicant parties have met all statutory requirements for the merger, and has accordingly granted their request”.

The journey to the formation of APC with political heavyweights as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Major General Muhammadu Buhari, started several months ago.

The reason for the merger of the parties, which was announced in February after a meeting of the merger committees in Abuja, was to form a formidable opposition and wrest power from the ruling and dominate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Reacting to the birth of their new party, The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), said, “This is a day that will go down in the history of this country as a day of unity for all progressive and patriotic Nigerians. It is the glorious day that the banner behind which all Nigerians will file in our march to greatness was hoisted. It is a day when the flame of patriotic optimism was kindled in the hearts of all Nigerians who desire a brighter future for our nation. It is a day that signals the beginning of a new era in our national life, where the collective aspirations of well meaning found expression in a legal entity that will be the rallying platform in our quest to rescue Nigeria”.

Similarly, one of the founders of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, enthused thus about the registration of the party, “this is the first ever merger in the history of Nigeria and it represents a paradigm shift in our politics” and challenged Nigerians political progressives saying, rise up to answer the call of history to liberate our people”.

Although the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has waved away any threat by the mega party, is it certainly not out of place to say that the task before it is enormous if the philosophy behind its establishment is to be achieved. Nigerians are asking: will they be able to qual the insecurity in country? How about bringing stiff and robust competition into the polity?

Will the APC arrest the monsters in the country as unemployment and power failure? Are they just to get their thirst for political positions quenched?

Since the People Democratic Party took the reigns of power during the dawn of democracy in 1999, the country has had misfortune in terms of economy growth. The economic indices are on the red side. The country has turned into a dumping ground for substandard goods as virtually every thing is imported. Since the PDP power, there has been little or no efforts geared towards diversification of the economy to the non-oil sector. All our economy eggs seems to be in the basket of the oil sector leading to poor economic returns. Even recently, the Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, noted that the country’s plan to be among the biggest 20 economies by 2020, is under probability due to environmental and other reasons.

Regrettably, the state of power supply in the nation

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

is at its lowest ebb. The power failure in the country has scared companies away from doing business in the efforts to revamp that ailing sector have yielded no dividends. The damning report by the House of Representative Committee on Power and Steel in 2008

latest form of this nefarious act is propagated by the terrorist set, Boko Haram.

All efforts to contain the wanton killing and destruction of properties by various sets have proved ineffective. According to the chairman of the ACN Merger Contact

Bank report on Nigeria in May indicating that “unemployment rate had steadily increased from 12 per cent of the working age population in 2006 to 24,” the need for a better indices, if APC wrests power from PDP, cannot be understated. in fact, the party has said that its priority will be to grow the

Prof Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman

that N2.5 trillion was spent on power generation, transmission and distribution between June 1999 and May 2007, should spur the APC into action to resuscitate the power sector. Small and medium scale enterprises are a fore gone past in the country as either the cost of fueling generating sets have become burdensome or they lack financial support.

Again, insecurity has bedeviled the nation. The

Committee, Tom Ikimi, the APC will, “offer to our beleaguered people a recipe for peace and prosperity”. The new party must devise strategies to “give the disillusioned citizens of the country a recipe for peace and stability”.

Like the proverbial tortoise that is ever present in African folklore, unemployment has remained with the most populous black country globally. With the World

economy and create millions of jobs through effective education, housing, agriculture and industrial growth”.

Moreover, the party APC must fulfill its dream of “enthronement of true democratic values for peace, democracy and justice which propel us”. If the APC will be able to navigate the river of internal democracy without capsizing, then it may be on it ways to becoming a “peoples Party”.

In same vein, if the political party can devise democratic strategise in bringing out candidates that will serve the masses not based on ethnicity or religion, from among the avalanche of political eggheads, then the nation would be on its way to rejuvenation. So, “There is need for everyone to bury personal differences” if the party must make impact.

Aside, the newly registered party must get all sections of the country today. As the Progressive Governors Forum said, “This is a day that will go down in the history of this country as a day of unity for all progressive and patriotic Nigerians. It is the glorious day that the banner behind which all Nigerians will file in our march to greatness was hoisted. It is a day when the flame of patriotic optimism was kindled in the hearts of all Nigerians who desire a brighter future for our nation …”. Certainly there is need to smear the various ethnic and religious groups in the 160 million people country if there is going to be a headway.

All Progressive Congress (APC), marked a watershed in the democratic landmark in the nation, it is hoped that they would be able to present clear cut vision and blueprint that will wrestle Nigeria from the present quagmine and make it dance to the tune of good governance and growth.

Indeed “the tasks before us are very clearly defined in the weighty realities facing our nation, the time to act is now, the destination is a NEW NIGERIA.; the vehicle is the All Progressive Congress (APC).”

“All Progressive Congress (APC), marked a watershed in the democratic landmark in the nation, it is hoped that they would be able to present clear cut vision and blueprint that will wrestle Nigeria from the present quagmine and make it dance to the tune of good governance and growth. Indeed “the tasks before us are very clearly defined in the weighty realities facing our nation, the time to act is now, the destination is a NEW NIGERIA.; the vehicle is the All Progressive Congress (APC).”

Issues

Kidnapping And The Nigeria Nation

NIGERIA, the acclaimed giant of Africa, is certainly under siege as kidnapping is fast spreading like wide fire in the hamatan and every state across the nation has its own fair share of the story to tell.

According to the organisation of American state, kidnapping means an unlawful detention a person or persons against their will (including through the use of force, threat, fraud or enticement).

Kidnapping also can be defined as the abduction of a person with the intention to hold them for ransom or reward or use them as a shield or hostage.

In the last few months, there have been an explosion of kidnapping cases in several parts of the country. The allure of robbery as the ultimate crooked money.

Spinner is fast giving way to kidnapping. The reason being that robbers often have to slug it out with the police, they could not get hold of them because they might get killed in the process. But kidnappers are faceless and have induced fear in most of their victims, making their families pay huge sums of ransom before they are finally freed, but some are not that

IT is not uncommon to see enthusiastic traffic wardens at some traffic posts in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who engage all the parts of the body to control traffic.

They pass and stop vehicles by hand; head, hips and sometimes, they suspend one of their legs in the air to dictate the flow of traffic.

While the actions thrill motorists and passersby, some observers, nonetheless, ask a pertinent question: Should traffic control be entertaining?

For those observers who love the style, they say what the wardens’ display demonstrates pure patriotism and dignity of labour.

They also note that the traffic controllers subtly entertain the public while discharging their duties.

Mr. Eric Osagie, a motorist, who claimed that he had been driving in the FCT for about six years, said that he was always happy anytime he saw such officers at traffic points.

By WINIFRED OSASOBO lucky as they get killed in the process.

According to media reports, kidnappers have spread beyond south-South and south east, it is now an every day occurrence in the nation as no state is free from this cankerworm adding deep into the fabrics of the nation.

The battle to stop it or reduce it to the barest minimum is still on.

Kidnappers have induced fear in so many families and some of their victims for the past few months. They have continued to have their way in kidnapping prominent people these include; the Vice-Chairman (South East) of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chudi Nwaike; the mother of the Minister of Finance Kanene Okonjo; former Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Marce Okoh, among others.

Kidnapping, for the past few years, has gradually eaten deep into the annals of According to him, such moments provide a comic relief for him whenever he is feeling morose because of some hassles at home or work.

“You see, it is interesting that our policemen are taking traffic control to a high level; you don’t see such displays in other parts of the world; these guys are very innovative and must be encouraged.

“Most times, when I am provoked at work or at home, I drive with aggression but once I sight any of these innovative traffic wardens, my mood swings to a positive note,’’ Osagie said.

Another motorist, Mr. Ikenna Odogwu, said that the innovative display of the wardens was the best approach to traffic control, particularly in a society such as Nigeria, where many road users were habitually impatient.

“To me, such officers are very productive because they work in tune with what the society needs.

“Most drivers are always in haste and they hardly obey traffic regulations but when they get to

the nation. Previous efforts to curtail kidnapping have been proved abortive. Many mechanism and equipment for the Nigeria police have

been put in place to eradicate this issue bothering our Nation Nigeria. Some of the ongoing plans and strategy that have been put in place are through the help of the different government and government parastatals in the country.

Mohammed Abubakar, I.G. of Police

In Lagos, a bill against terrorism and kidnapping is before the House of Assembly, the sponsors of the bill are seeking between 10 and 20 years imprisonment, for kidnappers. On the other hand, Delta State House of Assembly has passed a bill that stipulate death penalty for terrorist and kidnappers.

The lawmakers unanimously voted for the bill to prohibit terrorism, kidnapping hostage – taking and the use of bombs and other explosives.

Also, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has inaugurated an antikidnapping squad to wage war against kidnappers in the state and declared zero tolerance for kidnapping, which is rampant in the South-South. The Anambra State Government is also putting machinery in motion to tackle the menace through stiffer penalties for offenders.

Justice and Human Rights Defender, Mr. Oghenjebor Ikimi said that death sentence on kidnappers is not the solution to kidnapping, adding that the only solution to kidnapping is good governance, and government on the other hands must take effective measure to eradicate deplorable conditions such as poverty unemployment, lack of enabling environment and weak infrastructure that encourage societal ills, are the

major causes of kidnapping in the country.

To nip kidnapping in the bud, security agencies have to come up with useful tips in that regard. For example, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, came out with kidnapping security tips, such as keeping emergency numbers on one’s phone, not giving away personal information such as phone numbers and home address, especially on social net working websites or to persons unknown to you, another is to be alert to suspicious and usual behaviour around, other security tips on kidnapping released by the police includes; avoiding late outing, very your route to work or leisure location; always preplan your journey and ensure the vehicle is in good working condition .

Do not give ride to strange stick to main road and avoid lonely route discharge children from talking or receiving gift from unknown persons, always allow close family member know where you are going etc.

Kidnapping is alarming, there is need for us to reduce the course of insecurity in the country, let us be security conscious and make sure that we known the people that are around us all the time.

We call on all Nigerians to work together in eradicating the insecurity in the country.

Should Traffic Control Be

By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO

points where these wardens are working; they pause and watch.

Even the drivers end up been delayed, they still don’t complain,’’ he added.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Martin Abaga, a taxi driver, said that the lively traffic wardens were making the best out of a stressful occupation.

He noted that standing in the scorching sun or rain while controlling traffic could be harrowing, adding, however, that if such duty was combined with fun, it would become somewhat enjoyable.

Abaga said that this group of traffic wardens entertained the pedestrians and motorists, adding that they were inadvertently heightening the public interest in the police force as well.

“I remember that a couple of

them had been rewarded in the past; there was a time when a custom boss gave out a car to one traffic officer for his dexterity,’’ he said.

Ironically, the police authorities strongly oppose the sentiments regarding the unconventional mode of traffic control, saying that the colourful displays negate the code and ethics of the police force.

Mrs. Altine Daniel, the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, said that the use of gestures such as body language signs or dancing while controlling traffic was in contradiction of the laiddown procedures.

“We have a standard procedure for traffic control and every policeman is expected to follow it.

“When a policeman signals a motorist to stop, it should be

“You see, it is interesting that our policemen are taking traffic control to a high level; you don’t see such displays in other parts of the world; these guys are very innovative and must be encouraged. Most times, when I am provoked at work or at home, I drive with aggression but once I sight any of these innovative traffic wardens, my mood swings to a positive note,’’

Entertaining?

clear with his hands; when he signals him to move, the message should be clear with his hands.

“But when you dance and use various parts of your body, it could create confusion or even cause an accident because everybody does not understand these signs; so, we try to discourage it and even sanction officers that do that,’’ she said.

Daniel noted that although the public enjoyed such gesticulations, the people would be quick to blame the police if an accident occurred as a result of misunderstanding from the use of body language in traffic control.

Supporting Daniel’s viewpoint, Mrs. Joan Nwagwu, a journalist, said that the use of body language signs to control traffic could cause a lot of distractions.

She said that the underlying motive behind the adoption of such body gestures by some traffic policemen could be a strategy aimed at attracting tips from road users and the public in general.

Nwagwu said that some

drivers often took advantage of the seeming joke and humour surrounding such acts to run traffic.

“I don’t think it happens in any other part of the world; driving is a serious business that needs maximum concentration and so is traffic control.

“When traffic wardens twist their hands, kick their legs, roll their necks and spin around, they could lose concentration; such acts should be discouraged,’’ she added.

Mr. Ezekiel Gbolahan, a commentator, said that he never had doubts about the abnormality of such methods of traffic control, insisting that there were extant rules of traffic control guiding the work of traffic policemen.

Nevertheless, observers insist that the code of ethics and professional conduct of the police force is paramount and should be upheld by its officers and men at all times.

They say that the traffic wardens’ efforts to ensure road safety and traffic orderliness should always be guided by the code.

Tribute THE late elder statesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro was born on July 22, 1923. Until his death on December 15, 2010, he was the chairman of the Movement for National Reformation (MNR) By 2004, he joined other Nigerians to form the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) which organised a process led Peoples National Conference (PNC) from 2005 to 2007, where he served as the Chairman. A draft constitution proposed by the conference was released on August 5, 2007 and has since been in circulation. If Chief Enahoro were to be alive today, he would be celebrating his 90th birthday anniversary.

The late elder statesman’s name appeared as a great motivator in the nationalist struggle very early in life. As a student activist, Chief Enahoro led a student revolt at the King’s College, Lagos, against the school authority and the colonial administration in 1943.

Confidential report about him as recorded by the colonists said, the young activist whose both parents were school teachers started to over read his school teachers in form three, at the Kings College.

This drew the colonists’ special attention on him.

On leaving the Kings College, he joined the Zikist Group of Newspapers as a journalist. He became editor of the Daily Comet, one of the titles in the Zikist Group of newspapers in 1944, at the age of 21.

As a young radical journalist, Chief Enahoro was an outspoken critic of the colonial occupation of Nigeria he saw them as alien interlopers and unwanted meddlers in Africa affairs.

His writings exposed him to the colonial administration which sent him to jail three times in 1946 at the age of 23, 1947 and 1949.

A lot has been said about the historical fact that Chief Enahoro was the mover of the crisis motion for Nigerian independence in 1953, at the age of 30.

Three years after independence in 1963 at the age of 40 the post independence government of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment.

He was released from jail during the national political crisis of 1966, and was the Chief negotiator during the Nigeria -Biafra war from 1967-1970. He served under the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon as the Minister for Information and Labour.

By 1990, when it became apparent that the military administration of General Babangida was becoming rudderless, heading to nowhere. Chief Enahoro teamed up with other Nigerian patriots and civil society activists, calling for a return to civil rule.

He was a co-chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). He left for exile in the United States of America (USA), during the dictatorship regime of the late General Sanni Abacha who wanted him live or dead.

His associates have made arrangement for series of activities to mark his 90th posthumous birthday anniversary for the remaining part of the year including a symposium, talk shops, media events and a visit to his tomb in Uromi, his birth place in Edo State.

During his last few years on earth, Chief Enahoro was in possession of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNIDRIP) and became extremely loud and insisted in telling Nigerians that he and his colleagues in the nationalist movement bargained for a loose federal structure for Nigeria and not a unitary system, now in place, imposed by the military.

It was on the basis of this that he and others at the age of 82, in 2005, convened the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO), which produced a draft constitution for the country, titled PRONACO draft constitution.

The nationalist were aware that the British colonialists created one country called Nigeria out of many nations, who had always been jealous of their individual ethnic and cultural identities.

His views against the distortion of the original plan for a federal Nigeria by the military were strongly expressed in one of his two last public statements before his death, at the burial ceremony of the late mother of Chief Ralph Uwazurike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) at Okwe, Imo state in January 2008 and at the Obafemi Awolowo University on July 22, 2009 respectively.

Following are extracts from the speech ‘‘TOWARDS A NEW NIGERIA’’, We have just listened to a moving prayer which will touch many hearts because of its reverence and the reference to a lady who will pass into history because she was the mother of a maker of history.

Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a notable awakening these days

Nigeria Without Chief A

among the various people of Nigeria, mainly because the last few years stand out as years of ethnic nationality consciousness, especially among our youths, particularly the youths of Igbo land, one of whom is the principal mourner of today.

“When the news of the activities of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) first hit the waves very many months ago, I asked myself whether somebody was merely trying to remind us of his experiences during the Biafra War or whether we were doomed once again to go through that sad episode.

Before the outbreak of “PRONACO people’s National Conference” many years later, I had extensive consultations with some quite prominent and other less prominent citizens across the country. They included members of Odua People’s Congress, Niger Delta Volunteer Front, MASSOB, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and many other groups. It struck me that the leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, was not merely posturing or reeling out grievance against the authorities, but that was selfconfident and a man with good foresight.

Whether or not one shared his radical views, one could not fail to appreciate that he was truthful about his service to his people.

He was conscious of some of the mistakes that some of the rulers of Nigeria had made since our independence, especially mistakes which shut their eyes against the differences among the distinct ethnic nationalities in the country.

Some leaders in the country advocated unity only because of their fear that Nigeria might disintegrate if our differences were deeply examined and objectively discussed, which some of us saw as cowardice because we believed that people should not forget their pedigrees or their political, historical, cultural, linguistic, environmental or territorial differences, because the causes of difference are always there and cannot be shunned.

Many of us believed that we must learn to build the foundation of the unity of our country and of its component parts on the understanding that differences are not necessarily impairment to unity and that unity only makes sense because of the presence of differences. In other words, we can be different but yet be friends and united.

I asked Chief Uwazurike during our meeting: “If the PRONACO PHC document emerges as acceptable to your group, will you accept the New Nigeria arising from its” His answer was a categorical Yes”, which was not the language of a totally unreasonable person as he is being painted by his opponents.

A few days later, Chief Uwazurike was surprisingly arrested and plunged into a timeless detention on a charge of treason. As at now, he is temporarily let out of the prison yard on the mercy of a trial judge who allowed him time to give a befitting burial, he is expected to return to the prison yard. What a curious manner of justice is this.

All the ethnic groups in Nigeria had their administrative structures long before colonial rule was imposed on us. We cannot expect them all to cling uncomplainingly to a Unitarian system that may well mean very little to them and then mortgage their future, the future of their children and even the future of their children’s children.

The PRONACO people’s National Conference draft constitution provides answer to Nigeria’s structural defeats that permit the miscarriages of justice of all sorts.

I feel honoured that in spite of the condition in which Chief Uwazurike was detained, MASSOB was able to make its views known to PRONACO, and I am equally proud of Nigerian womanhood that his wife Mrs. Uwazurike was able to join the plaintiff in the place of her husband in the court case challenging the 1999 constitution.

Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the main objectives of the PRONACO PHC draft constitution is to establish a Nigerian democratic structure that will save Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities and indigenous tribal and cultural groups from the shackles of internal colonization.

We must always remember that Nigeria was not created for the benefit and advantages of the nationalities that today dominate

“During his last few years on earth, Chief Enahoro was in possession of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNIDRIP) and became extremely loud and insisted in telling Nigerians that he and his colleagues in the nationalist movement bargained for a loose federal structure for Nigeria and not a unitary system, now in place, imposed by the military. It was on the basis of this that he and others at the age of 82, in 2005, convened the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO), which produced a draft constitution for the country, titled PRONACO draft constitution.”

By ALFRED HENRE

Nigeria, but that Nigeria was created by the British for the benefit and advantages of the part of Europe that created Nigeria, and it took the courage of Nigerian youths to liberate Nigeria.

The peaceful war that we are waging today, the battles that Chief Uwazurike and others have fought and the struggles that I and my colleagues fought in the years past, created a democratic challenge, namely a political struggle for justice.

The goals of the Nigerian people have been outlined with emphasis focused on the political, economic and cultural autonomy for the federating ethnic nations.

It was a loftily noticeable that throughout the PRONACO deliberations, no ethnic group opted for the disintegration of Nigeria.

The decision to remain in Nigeria, whether by Uwazurike’s followers or by our other PRONACOISTS, was not because they or we thought that becoming a fully independent country on their or our own is wrong, nor Merely because the old constitution provides that secession is treason, but because we all believed that Nigeria can be made to

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Late Chief Anthony Enahoro

work for the benefit of its entire people and for the benefit of the rest of humanity.

The alternative to what we and Uwazurikeists believe and advocate would be dictatorship which would lead to the eventual collapse of Nigeria. Those who cling on to the present system where education, health, housing systems and road networks have failed are basically weak and many are dishonest.

We of PRONACO have followed and analysed brother Uwazurike’s activities. Our judgment is that he is not a nation wrecker who should be put away in prison cell, but a citizen with whom the Nigerian government should be ready to have a serious dialogue.

Only cowards and corrupts leaders are usually afraid of discussion with opponents. We of the present generation and the Nigeria of tomorrow must avoid the mistakes of the past.

It may interest many of you here today to know that since the end of the Biafra War, the United Nation has initiated some instruments governing struggles for self-determination.

In its resolution A/61/L.67 of September 12, 2007, the United Nation General Assembly adopted what it named THE DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGEROUS PEOPLES, which clearly outlines how indigenous communities and ethnic nationalities can peaceably pursue their struggle for self determination.

Articles 3 of the United Nations declaration say, and I quote: “Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination and by virtue of that right they can freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development”.

Article 4 of the Declaration says, and I quote: “Indigenous peoples, in exercising their rights to self-determination, have the

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ghts to autonomy or self government in matters relating to their nternal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing eir autonomous functions”. And Article 9 of the Declaration says ndigenous people and individuals have the rights to belong to an digenous community in accordance with the traditions and customs f the community or nation concerned. No discrimination of any nd may arise from the exercise of such a right”.

On behalf of true nationalities in Nigeria, I declare that the olonialist who enslaved us created Nigeria in any way that suited em. I say today that we believe in a new age. It is now time for the fferent nations of Nigeria to create the kind of togetherness their eoples may want.

May the Lord Bless and Assist Us. THE LEGACY OF CHIEF AWOLOWO: PAPER ELIVERED BY CHIEF ANTHONY ENAHORO, CFR AT HE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, JULY 2, 2009, TO MARK CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO POST UMOUS CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY It is a great honour and a considerable challenge for me to speak this august occasion on the centenary anniversary of Chief bafemi Awolowo. The title of my contribution will be,

remembering a great compatriot, leader, statesman; and a prophet”. istory, they say remembers only three persons, the statesman the hilosopher and the poet and Chief Awolowo is all three put gether.

At the outset, I would like to extend my earnest congratulation the leadership of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo foundation and he University of Life, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife or organising this special event in memory of Chief Awolowo.

The story of how I came to know Chief Obafemi Awolowo has een told many times on so many occasions, that there is no need delve into further repetition. For the purpose of clarity, however, is important to say that I came in contact with Chief Awolowo arly in my political life as a journalist with nationalist motivations. f all the nationalists who fought for independence it could be aid without fear of any challenge that Chief Awolowo stood out rmly as one political leader with ideas of what a future Nigeria hould be and you can always know where stood on any issue.

Chief Awolowo is better remembered today for the efficient manner he administered the affairs of the Western Region of Nigeria s Premier. The Welfare schemes of free education; free medical ervices for children under 18 years; the co-operative system, the omestic Science training for women; the Agriculture extension rogramme for local farmers; the Information/Radio-vision etwork; the first Television Station in Africa, South of the sahara, he construction of the Liberty Stadium and efficient maintenance f a network of roads in Western Nigeria were all activities and vents that made western Nigeria a model to other regions.

There is a disconnect between the history of the nationalist ruggle and the post independence era hence Nigerians do not ive enough regard to the nationalist struggle. Of late, particularly uring the Pro-national Conference Organization (PRONACO)

Conference I came across waves of youths, particularly university students who asked me series of questions of what I was thinking about when I moved the motion for Nigerian independence in 1953, when I was barely a youth of 30 years of age. Did I ever conceive a situation where Nigeria education will decline to the state things are today? Did I for see a situation where Nigeria will not be able to the provide electricity services; where road networks will collapse? Did I ever consider that we will get to the extent of corruption the country finds itself today? Above all. What were the kind of super structure on which a future Nigeria was to be built upon?”

These are genuine question to expect from normal and resourceful youths of any nation in the face of an unworkable society we find ourselves today. The nationalists adopted a federal system of government at independence. The declaration was adopted after many years of careful study and planning. It was not a decision taken in haste nor was it an imposition. There were visits to so many countries like Britain, the United States of America. The defunct Soviet Union, Egypt, France and India etc.

I, on my side as a member of the Action Group in the Western Nigeria house of Assembly was among a team of three Regional legislators, including Lawyer Egbuna from the Eastern House of assembly and Ahmadu Kano, not related to Aminu Kano from the North who visited the United States of America to study the America model.

Others leaders visited other countries, the three regional Premiers, Chief Awolowo, West, Dr. Nnamdi azikiwe, East, and Alhaji Ahmadu Bello North visited India and some other countries in the Far East, including Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia at different times to compare how their system of government were performing.

DISTORTION It is unfortunate that the Generals who did not participate in the nitty-gritty of the planning in the fight for independence intervened to meddle into the Nigerian political administration soon after independence. At the time the military took over the reins of government in 1966, the country operated a true federal system.

The major issue of political conflict were all centred on the attempt by the federal government to dominate the regional governments.

There were protests against internal domination in the regions as at 1966.

One would have expected the military corps to look the cause of grievances of the protesters. Rather, the military government banned all regional, ethnic and cultural associations. In the quagmire of a Unitarian system we found our solve today, there is no body to be held responsible for the harm done. As a result of the tragedy of the western Nigeria misadventure of the mid 1960s, by the central government, many people were killed and the country has never been the same over since.

DISTRESSED FEDERALISM When the amalgamation of two different administrative units of North and Southern Nigeria was unilaterally effected by the British in 1914, it was condemned by the elites of the time as a sham. The colonial administration were convened that they had put together a great number of ethnic groups, with different cultures, languages, world out-look and histories that might not survive. In the words of Sir Hugh Clifford, a former British Governor General , “Nigeria is a mere collection of self contained and mutually independent natural states, separated from one another by great distances by differences of history and tradition and by ethnological, racial, tribal, political, social and religious barriers”. In his confidential report, Lord Lugard said “ The case of the Fulani alien conquerors in north is wholly different from that of the ancient chiefs of Lagos who are of the same race as their subjects and have held their position for centuries with established system of communal land tenure” Henry Willink in his report 1958, said, “In nearly all the matters which concern the ordinary Nigerian citizen, it is the regional government that he is thinking when he thinks of government at all levels. The most important of the functions for the federal government for the future are just defence and external affairs.

Lord Malcolm Hailey said, “Nigeria State is the most artificial of the many administrative units created in the course of European

occupation of Africa”.

The only thing that has kept the different tribes together is force.

There was no any justifiable way one can rationalize why the Edo people for instance should be concerned about how the Yoruba, the Igbo, the Fulani, the Hausa, the Ogoni, Tiv and other nations in Nigeria should run their own affairs. It is right to say that the British interest in Nigeria was mainly economic. The peace, stability and wellbeing of the different tribes to them counted for nothing.

CHIEF AWOLOWO LEGACY Chief Awolowo was quite clear right from his first book, path to Nigerian freedom which he wrote at the onset of his political career, that the only way to ensure a sustainable nation state was true federalism. His subsequent views in books, newspaper articles, and public speeches, throughout his days on earth did not deviate from his earlier position that the survival of Nigeria lies in the construction of true federalism. Many of the threats to Nigeria survival stems from the military imposition of arbitrary laws and regulations. They include: the 1999 dishonest Constitution contrived by the Abdusalam Abubakar administration, the land use decree; the local government review of 1976 by the Obasanjo regime that imposed the supervisory councillorship system southern Nigeria tribes against the highly successful part-time council management committee system; the structural adjustment programme; the abandonment of the federal/parliamentary system of government for the Unitary/presidential system; the reversal of the revenue sharing formula based on the principle of derivation.

What is the hope of the new age?

We are aware, including the youths, that something is wrong with our society. Then what is to be done, what is the way out? The way we are going, our culture and languages will disappear. Will Nigeria continue to be in existence in 50 years time?

How do we handle the question of self determination was included in the founding documents of the United Nations at inception in 1945.

Nigeria is today a member of UN. Why can we not accept the principle of self determination for the various ethnic nations? The UN General Assembly further reinforced the principle of self determination to nationalities by it adoption of the UN declaration on the rights of Indigenous People in September 2007. What is it that recommends the continued existence of Nigeria to us, is it because the white colonialists created the country called Nigeria to favour themselves? Why must it be the business of the Edo on how the Yoruba people run their affairs, why must it be the business of the Igbo man on how the Hausa person is governed, why must the Tiv tribe be concerned how the Ijaw people administer the affairs, You can continue.

During the nationalist struggle there were contradictory views between the youths and the elders at the early stage. The elder became comfortable, so long; they had enough to prepare themselves for the future and sufficient funds to pay the fees for their children at school. To them to criticize the white district officers was seen as a sacrilege or going too far. The youth felt all the children should be at school at state expense irrespective of their family background. Chief Awolowo remained the only one among the older generation at the time, who share the views of the period of the nationalist struggle, it was the view of Chief Awolowo that the different tribes, who signed different treaties with the European colonialists, had lost their independence and ethnic sovereignty, and he felt they must be helped to regain their freedom. He was called several unprintable names and all that by men without foresight. Today, with the collapse of old Soviet Union, the granting of self determination to all the small ethnic nations within the European Union member states, Our former masters, Britain now has four sovereign nations in one state, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the United State of America granted autonomy to 48 America indigenous tribes, Awolowo’s views on federalism and ethnic nationalism stand vindicated.

It is clear that Chief Awolowo was right while most of his opponents were wrong. Through the military regimes prevented Nigerians from their right to self-determination, with the new democratic dispensation, the time is ripe for addressing the issues of self determination in a more straight forward manner in Nigeria.

It is when the different nations in Nigeria can determine their political structures, socially, politically and spiritually that they can develop themselves and fights corruption.

Alfred Ilenre is Secretary General, Ethnic Minority and Indigenous Rights Organisation of Africa (EMIROAF).

“We are aware, including the youths, that something is wrong with our society.

Then what is to be done, what is the way out? The way we are going, our culture and languages will disappear. Will Nigeria continue to be in existence in 50 years time? How do we handle the question of self determination was included in the founding documents of the United Nations at inception in 1945.”

Security Issues

With Obuseh Jude 08033510173

America, Drones And Global Security (1)

THAT the United States of America is the undisputed global military super power is a fact that can no longer be contested, especially since the balkanization of the Soviet Union brought the Cold War to an abrupt end and subsequently created a new global order. Since then, the U.S has gone ahead to become the world’s policeman and arbiter of peace.

The “Vietnam Syndrome” is a term that refers to the hangover effect of America’s massive military losses during the Vietnam War. It refers to the shocking realization within U.S defense circles that its military was not constituted by bionic men after all; that like other armies, its forces were not invincible, but susceptible to the normal hazards of combat; that the American military could, like the armies of other nations, also register high casualty rates in war. Painful as these lessons were, the significant realities they conveyed to the eggheads in the military industrial complex were legion – the primary one being that wars are cruel to all the parties that engage in them.

After the embarrassing losses it suffered in its war with the Vietcong, there was a general consensus within the defense industry that the U.S could no longer afford to risk the lives of fellow Americans in future military engagements. To this end, a new stratagem, with greater emphasis on increased reliance on research, development and deployment of state of the art military technology in future military campaigns, was to be adopted to safeguard the lives of American forces. The subsequent wars the U.S fought in its post-Vietnam campaigns vindicated its adoption of a new paradigm to warfare.

The seamless successes of its campaigns in Iraq – Gulf Wars 1&11 - and Afghanistan, where it suffered minute fractions of casualties, compared to previous expeditions, were classic demonstrations of the undoubted effectiveness of its new strategic approach to combat; successes that have emphatically demonstrated the lucidness of its re-oiled fighting machine to the rest of the watching world. In these engagements, the U.S did not send in ground troops initially, as was the tradition prior to the Vietnam blunder, but launched comprehensive air, land, and sea bombardments of carefully chosen military and military-related targets, using some of the most sophisticated high-tech equipment ever manufactured and deployed on the field of battle since the advent of modern combat, before committing ground troops to finish off any remaining resistance. The devastation wrecked by these weapons and the manner they decisively decided the outcome of these conflicts are testaments to the omnipotent status America’s defense establishment enjoys over its contemporaries.

However, one new development that is bound to define the future of future military engagements, and which has the tendency of totally tipping the scales of modern wars in the U.S’ favour, is the rise of Drones – or Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) - which has given birth to a new era of combat – the age of robotic warfare. Part of the “Unmanned Combat Systems Program”, Drones have completely redefined the face of warfare, giving an unfair advantage to any adversary employing it.

A Drone is a pilotless plane which can be guided by remote control, or can navigate automatically based on pre-programmed software.

The U.S is the world’s Drone superpower, with an estimated 7, 500 aircrafts currently in its arsenal, according to Pentagon sources (see Cable News Network Files, 2012). Although Israel was the first country to develop military Drone technology after the Arab-Israeli War, during which its air forces sustained heavy losses, and is a top exporter after the U.S, the U.S remains both the largest producer and most frequent user of the air craft. Drones are currently been employed by the U.S for both military and non-military purposes: by the military for gathering intelligence and military strikes – in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia and Libya – by police departments for surveillance, by farmers for crop yield observation, by wildlife conservationist for anti-poaching surveillance, etc.

Drones are seen as the future of modern warfare because: they are less prone to mistakes than other weapons systems, they remove the risks to soldiers and civilian non-combatants, and because technology will continue to improve such that Drones become even more precise, efficient, and infallible in the future, thus rendering less precise, efficient and fallible human forms of war obsolete. Drones are thus seen as marking “a giant step forward in humanitarian technology”, and viewed as “a weapon of choice for future national leaders in planning national security strategies.

(To be continued next week)

Health WOMEN of Mbeke Community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo heaved a sigh of relief when their health centre opened for operation this year.

Mrs Ogechi Ezala was particularly happy as she recalled how she narrowly escaped death twice during childbirth, as she had to trek to the nearest health facility.

For the third pregnancy, delivery was safe and easy as the baby was delivered at the new Mbeke Community Health Centre, built by the community.

The health centre was constructed under the World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), in which 26 states and the FCT are benefiting.

The Federal Government obtained a $200 million credit from the World Bank for the project, while each participating state was entitled to $5 million loan.

Participating states are also mandated to establish agencies to manage the projects, and pay N100 million counterpart contribution annually.

Funds are released for execution of projects to communities that met the criteria set by the supervising agencies.

Recently, a federal inspection team, made up of top officials of the CSDP, different ministries and parastatal agencies, visited

Imo and Abia to appraise the level of project implementation.

Mr Amah Uwalaka, the General Manager, Imo State Agency for Community and Social Development Project, briefed the team on the activities of the agency.

According to him, Mbeke Community is one out of the 84 communities that have so far benefited from the programme in the state Uwalaka said that the agency had spent N474 million on 106 micro projects since it began operations in 2010 in the state. The CSDP is a five-year programme running from 2009 to 2013.

Uwalaka also said that 435 communities had applied for assistance but micro projects were being implemented in 84 communities.

“One hundred and six micro-projects have been completed in various sectors while 58 micro projects are ongoing. Total number of funded micro-projects is 164.’’

He explained that nine micro projects were completed in the state’s education sector, 14 in health, 11 in water, 31 rural electrification projects and 11 projects in transportation, among others.

He listed building of classroom blocks, health centres, drilling of bore holes, town halls and market stalls as some of the projects undertaken by the

Enhancing Comunity Healthcare

Abia And Imo Example communities under the supervision of the agency.

The team inspected electricity, water and health projects in the three zones of the state.

Mr Paul Nwokorie, a youth leader in Umunumo Community in Okigwe zone, said business had picked up in the area as a result of

By MAGDALENE UKUEDOJOR points is another lucrative business.

“The pure water and cold drinks business is thriving here too,’’ the youth leader stated.

The team also inspected 40 open stalls constructed at

Prof Onyebuchi Chuwku, Minister of Health improved electricity supply.

“Our youths can now learn information technology (IT) skills, and phone charging

Umuna Community in Orlu Local Government Area.

“All of us are very happy because our crops are not

Checking Deformities In Children Via Advocacy

EXPERTS are quite worried about the high rate of babies born with congenital abnormalities in the country.

They observe that 73 out of 1,000 live births have congenital abnormalities.

The experts, however, note that a baby with a congenital abnormality called spinal bifida (non-formation of part of a baby’s spinal cord), may not grow up to become a normal person.

They, therefore, say that the issue requires serious attention and sustained enlightenment campaigns like those of polio and other killer diseases.

Dr Olubunmi Lawan, a paediatrician at the National Hospital, Abuja, identified two major forms of congenital abnormalities.

These are spinal bifida and hydrocephalus (water in the brain), both of which are neurotic defects (affecting the brain and spinal cord).

“Indeed, congenital abnormalities should be getting similar attention as polio in Nigeria.

By IFEANYI NWOKO

“A neurotic defect is one of the congenital abnormalities that affect the brain and the spinal cord.

“We have different types of neurotic defects; we have what we call spinal bifida; spinal which stands for the spine and bifida meaning that there is a split.

“This means that at the embryonic stage between the first four weeks of pregnancy, when most women don’t even know that they are pregnant, there is a defect; part of the spinal cord of the foetus did not form.

“We also have what we call encephalitis (inflammation of the brain); at that embryonic stage, there is an opening at the back of the head or in front of the baby’s head that allows the protrusion of the meninges (the covering of the brain) or the part of the brain itself.

“In most cases, that part of the brain has some defects; the most

severe of them is what we call anencephaly (the absence of the skull).

“This one is the worst scenario, it is not compactable with life; so, most of these births are stillbirths, while some of the affected babies die shortly after birth,” she said.

Lawan, who is the President, Spinal Bifida and Hydrocephalus Care Foundation of Nigeria, said that mothers as well as their congenitally-abnormal children often went through difficult times.

“A child with spinal bifida will go through a lot of stress; beginning from the day he or she is born.

“One of the major issues which a child with spinal bifida faces is incontinence of urine; the nerve supply to the limbs, to the bladder is weakened; affected children cannot control their urine or faeces and most of them cannot walk.

“A child with spinal bifida would require surgical intervention. Having access to neurosurgeons is also a problem in Nigeria; in a country of over 170 million people, we have just 38 neurosurgeons,’’ she added.

To check congenital abnormalities, Lawan underscored the need for preconception care for would-be mothers and use of folic acid by women of child-bearing age, even before they got pregnant.

Although the cause of 50 per cent of congenital abnormalities is largely unknown, the paediatrician said that the use of folic acid by women of childbearing age would reduce the risks by 70 per cent.

“If we can reduce the risks by 70 per cent via pre-conception use of folic acid, I think it is a good mark.

“Folic acid does not reduce the risk of developing spinal bifida alone, it also reduces other birth defects,’’ she said.

Lawan urged the Federal Government to insist on the

rotting away anymore, said a woman leader, Mrs Grace Agbaka who on the occasion, thanked the initiators of the project.

“By the time you take crops to far-away markets and back, you lose a lot but now, that we have this big market in our community; people even come here to buy and we are enjoying the benefits,’’ she said.

Mr Chinatu Njoku,the General Manager, Abia State Agency for Community and Social Development Project, briefed the team when it inspected projects in Abia.

He said that since inception, the agency had received more than 600 applications for assistance from communities.

“Three hundred and thirty six micro projects have been processed and approved in 11 LGAs; we have 120 completed and functional projects, 78 ongoing while the remaining are yet to take off.

“In Isiala Ngwa South, 37 micro projects have been completed, Umuahia North 22, Isiala Ngwa North, 13, Ohafia, 20, Bende, 11, Ikwuano, 8, Isuikwuato, 4, Obingwa, 4, Umuahia South, fortification of foods with folic acid, just as it did with Vitamin A. Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Adeyemi Okunowo, a consultant obstetrician, also advised women to take folic acid daily, in order to reduce risks of birth deformities.

Okunowo, who is a consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said that all women of child-bearing age should take a daily dose of folic acid supplement, to prevent Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) in babies.

“Folic acid is important in helping a foetus to develop properly during pregnancy and it reduces the risks of the baby developing NTDs. “Folic acid should be taken, beginning from three months before conception until 12 weeks of pregnancy.

“Folic acid is a form of Vitamin B9 and it is needed to help make new cells and for growth.

“This is why it is so important for women to take it; it would help their babies develop and grow properly during pregnancy.

“Getting enough folic acid before and during pregnancy prevents most NTDs like spinal bifida, which happens in the first

1, totaling 120.

“To achieve this, the agency disbursed N586.78 million direct to communities for the implementation of approved projects with an outstanding commitment of about N349.27m for the completion of the projects.”

The general manager also gave a breakdown of approved and executed projects sector-by-sector.

The recurring issues in both Imo and Abia were the nonpayment of N400 million each, which was a backlog of debt owed the programme in both states The National Coordinator of CSDP, Mr Chukwudi Onuoha, decried the development, adding that both states had failed to fulfil their promises.

He urged states defaulting in the payment of their N100 million annual counterpart to pay up as the programme would end this year.

Observers say laudable as the programme is, defaulting states should endeavour to pay their counterpart contributions to enable state agencies to complete ongoing projects, and to even initiate new ones at the end of assistance by the World Bank.

(NAN) 28 days of pregnancy,” he said.

Okunowo said that though some diets contained folic acid, they could not act as a substitute to the actual ingestion of folic acid supplements.

Investigations showed that women need only N730 to buy folic acid which they ought to take, three months before pregnancy to childbirth.

Concerned analysts, therefore, stress that the fact that most women are not taking this affordable and available drug is an indication that they have yet to be properly sensitised to its importance.

They, however, appeal to the government and relevant health agencies to embark on an aggressive enlightenment campaign in order to reduce the high rate of congenital abnormalities in newborns.

“If 73 out of 1,000 live-births are abnormal and reports indicate that six million babies are born annually; that, in essence, means that 438,000 babies with abnormalities are born every year,’’ they add.

The analysts also want the Federal Government to establish a department within the Federal Ministry of Health to manage issues relating to birth defects.

Motoring is improper or if the rubber bushing is damaged replace the shock absorber.

MUFFLER: If your muffler becomes corroded or damage, it is time to replace it. If an abnormal noise is heard, have it replaced immediately.

Besides, a periodic check of the muffler is also recommended.

With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452

Break Problems And Solutions

FUTA Auto Fair To Bring New Vehicles To Buyers THE Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Adebiyi Daramola has said the forthcoming Auto Fair and Workshop by the university is an avenue to bring brand new automobile products to the doorsteps of productive- buyers in the South Western part of the country. The fair which is organized in partnership with a Lagos-based company Filkmou Ltd, is scheduled u hold from August 20 to 26, 2013, at the university ground The Vice-Chancellor who briefed the press recently on their preparedness to host the

fair said that the event represented a new level of engagement between the university and the automobile industry in the country. He explained that the university was established in 1981 to give prominence to training in technology and applied sciences, and assist in ensuring rapid technological and industrial development in Nigeria.

According to him, the institution has grown to become the best university of technology in Nigeria by 2004 with seven schools including school of postgraduate studies. Accord

to the Vice- Chancellor, the fair is a win-win programme for the university and the players in the auto industry in the sense that the university has a rich pool of intellectuals from which the Nigerian automobile industry could benefit and the university too, without doubt, would gain from the innovations in the industry.

“In addition, the participants from various sectors of the economy including, federal and states parastatals, agencies and corporations, corporate organizations, from the six surrounding states will be

of the piston rod and the cylinder surface. If there is leakage, replace the shock absorber immediately. Also replace it if there is any dent in the cylinder.

Push down on the Bumper: If the vehicle bounces up and down buoyantly two or three times when the bumper is pushed down and released, it

indicates that the shock absorbers have lost their effectiveness.

Pump the brakes: while driving slowly, pump the brake pedal. If the vehicles front or rear end dives a lot, it indicates that the shock absorber have lost their effectiveness.

-VC

directly exposed to corporate patronage and direct purchase of automobile products on display. It is also an avenue to bring brand new automobile products to the doorsteps of prospective buyers in this region,” he said. Participants expected at the fair include all automobile brands and marketers in the country, automobile manufacturers and representatives, motorcycle dealers, oil and lubricant dealers, car accessories/ security dealers, etc.

When To Replace Your Shock Absorber And Muffler

IF shock absorbers are continüal1y used without replacement, comfort will not only suffer, but stability and fuel economy will be inefficient. Shock absorber should be replaced when necessary. Shock absorbers condition should be checked by using the following methods of inspection.

Examine Visually: Check for oil leakage from oil-seals

FEEL THE SHOCK ABSORBERS: feel the shock absorbers. If their temperature rises to a high level soon after starting is normal. If they remain cold they are not operating efficiently.

Check the mount: if the shock absorbers mouth is bent, or the washer position

“According to him, the institution has grown to become the best university of technology in Nigeria by 2004 with seven schools including school of postgraduate studies. Accord to the Vice- Chancellor, the fair is a win-win programme for the university and the players in the auto industry in the sense that the university has a rich pool of intellectuals from which the Nigerian automobile industry could benefit and the university too, without doubt, would gain from the innovations in the industry.”

1. Symptom: Excessive brake pedal travel.

Problems: (1) Low fluid level in reservoir (2) Excessive clearance between lining and drum (3) Excessive push-rod clearance (4) Air in the system (5) Leak in system (6) Cracked break drum Solutions: (1) Top-up the reservoir with hydraulic fluid (2) Correct lining and drum clearance (3) Correct push-rod clearance (4) Bleed the system to remove air (5) Rectify the leakage in the system (6) Replace brake drum 2. Symptom: Brake pedal feels hard.

Problems: (1) Seized piston in the wheel cylinder (2) Oil or brake fluid on linings.

(3) Binding brake pedal Solutions: (1) Free piston in the wheel cylinder (2) Clean off oil or brake fluid frdm the linings.

(3) Free brake pedal.

3. Symptom: Brake pedal feels spongy.

Problems:.

(1) Low fluid level in reservoir (2) Air in system (3) Defective hose expanding under pressure (4) Master cylinder main cup worn (5) Leak past master cylinder main cup Solutions: (1) Top-up the reservoir with hydraulic fluid (2) Bleed the system to remove air (3) Replace hose (4) Replace master cylinder worn cap (5) Rectify leakage at the master cylinder 4. Symptom: Brake pedal feels springy.

Problems: (1.) Lining not bedded-in (2.) Brake drums cracked (3.) Master cylinder loose on its mountings Solution: (1.) Bed lining in (2.) Replace cracked brake drum (3.) Secure master cylinder firmly on its mounting.

5. Symptom: Brake grap.

Problems: (1.) Linings not bedded-in.

(2.) Wrong type of linings (3.) Oil or brake fluid on lining (4.) Loose back plate Solution: (1.) Bed —linings properly.

(2.) use correct linings (3.) clean oil or brake fluid from linings (4.) secure back plate firmly 6. Symptom: Braking is unbalanced.

Problems: (1.) Oil or brake fluid on linings of one brake.

(2.) Distorted brake drums.

(3.) Tyres unevenly inflated (4.) Back plate loose on the axle (5.) Bolts connecting axle to road springs loose (6.) Front spring broken (7.) Worn steering connections (8.) Lining of different types or grades fitted Solutions: (1.) Clean oil or brake fluid off one of the affected brake.

(2.) Replace distorted brake drum (3.) Check and inflate tyres to correct pressure (4.) Tighten loose back plate (5.) Tighten loose bolts (6.) Replace broken front spring (7.) Replace worn connection (8.) Fix lining of correct grade.

View Point

AT a time the generality of Nigerians are very angry with the members of the Senate for violently failing to protect the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian girl child by out rightly refusing to state in black and white the universally acceptable age of consent and/ or marriage in order to save the Nigerian girl child from ferocious attacks by paedophiles and sexual predators who are prowling round like roaring lion looking for innocent girl child to devour, the other side of the national assembly- federal house of representatives was last week presented with a historic opportunity to right the obvious institutional wrong about to be done by the Senate when it had a public hearing on a proposed bill to amend the extant law setting up the Nigeria’s Consumer Protection Council to make it stronger and more effective to protect the rights of all Nigerians.

The Consumer Protection Council is the apex consumer protection agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria established to amongst other things promote and protect consumer’s interest in all areas of products and services, provide speedy redress to consumers’ complaints, inform, educate and empower consumers to act as discerning and discriminating consumers in the market place. Since it was set up, this agency has faced several challenges among which are what experts have identified rightly as inherent weaknesses in the enabling law which include but are not limited to non definition of consumers’ rights and inadequate provisions for their enforcement; lack of a specific institutional framework for the defence of consumers’ rights; undefined relationship with sector regulators leading to some confusion as to the role of the agency; an over-bloated and unwieldy 43-member governing board and many more.

At the public session attended by the crème de la crème of the society including the minister of Trade and investment, the urbane looking Mr. Olusegun Aganga, and Mrs. Catherine Dupe Atoki, the newly appointed Director General of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Council, a

consummate human rights expert clearly told her audience that the agency since it was established has had to contend with lots of teething operational impediments even as she rightly pointed out that, over the years, emerging technological changes, new trading methods, patterns and agreements have brought about new challenges to consumers of goods and services in Nigeria making it necessary to develop and employ further innovative ways to protect the interests of consumers.

According to her, these challenges necessitated the desire and clamour by Nigerians for the comprehensive legislative review of the enabling law, a difficult but necessary process this government agency commenced since 2003. The first effort spearheaded by the then Senator Jonathan Zwingina faced the presidential huddle when the then President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo failed to sign the passed bill into law thus necessitating the presentation of this bill afresh. This bill for the review of the enabling law setting up the Consumer Protection Council didn’t scale through in the last sixth session of the national assembly which automatically transmitted it to the current seventh session.

Nigerians are looking up to the Federal House of Representatives and their counterparts in the Senate to see this and many other human rights friendly proposed bills as their chance to redeem their waning image by passing them on time to enable the President assent to them so as to broaden the horizon and frontiers of human rights respect in Nigeria.

The struggle to actualize the review of the law setting up the consumer protection council should be seen as a national priority by all and sundry particularly because of the fact that the consumer rights of all Nigerians are most times breached fragrantly by major businesses and most times a lot of Nigerians are not even aware that they have inherent rights as citizens and importantly as consumers. Even the popular slogan that the consumer is king is most times seen as a huge joke by even the consumers who often sleep in their rights and allow manufacturers; traders and service providers to

A Vote For Strong Consumer Protection Act

By EMMANUEL ONWUBIBO

violate their rights as consumers with reckless abandon. Others who are aware of their rights do not want to pursue it to the

governing unfair competition and deceptive and fraudulent practices.

When this bill is passed into

Importantly, experts say that clearly defining consumer rights is important to consumer awareness and the enforcement of consumer rights. Mrs. Atoki who has practiced law at the highest level in Nigeria for over two decades told Nigerians that under the proposed bill before

edifying, if there are no clear provisions on how they can be relevant if enforced, will increasingly become a huge scam. Agencies such as the Public Complaint Commission falls within the realm of those bodies that Nigerians see as bogus and unworkable.

the national legislators, the consumer has a right to return and collect a refund for an unsuitable or defective product which he had purchased notwithstanding exemption clauses like ‘once tested and taken away cannot be returned’.

This was hitherto a challenge as suppliers hide under such clauses to refuse to refund or make good defective products.

It is noteworthy to state that in the United Kingdom and other developed climes, such clauses are strictly enforced even by the sellers without much recourse to the law enforcement mechanism.

Another salient quality of the proposed bill is that an elaborate and well articulated redress system dedicated specifically to consumer issues is set up under Part 8. By the proposed amendment, consumers may enforce their rights either by themselves or through the instrumentality of the Council, Civil society groups, the Courts or an ADR Agent. These provisions will address the legal lacuna usually seen in many legislative frameworks whereby Nigerians are clearly disempowered from initiating moves to enforce observance of the beautiful provisions enshrined in the laws. A law no matter how beautiful and

Shedding light on the ease of enforcement of the proposed bill if passed, Mrs. Atoki stated thus; “the bill makes the enforcement of consumers’ rights by the consumer or the Council faster, cheaper and less time consuming. Hitherto, consumers were constrained to go to court with the attendant delays and costs. Under this bill they have alternatives.

“Institutions dedicated specifically for the protection and enforcement of consumer rights are established under part 10. These include a Negotiation, Mediation and Conciliation Tribunal, mobile courts and small claims courts”, She stated.

It is generally believed that when this proposed bill scales through and the President assents to it, the Consumer Protection Council will become operationally and financially independent to more effectively battle the scourge of violations of the consumer rights of Nigerians and the National Assembly and state legislators will be clearly assisted by this new law to more effectively protect the rights of their constituents as the elected representatives of the people.

The new law should therefore be considered as a priority bill in the ranking of the National Assembly.

• Olusegun Aganga

highest level because of the belief that the agency charged with these onerous tasks is institutionally and structurally weak. These are the challenges that this on-going review seeks to tackle.

In her characteristic candidness, Mrs. Atoki said the purpose of the review is to reenact the Consumer Protection Council Act to provide for a broader and more effective Council, clearly define consumer rights and ensure the removal of fake and substandard products from the market, ensure the protection of Consumers and their access to easy and speedy redress through the establishment of an elaborate consumer redress system, establishment of institutions for the protection of consumer rights and among other things complement laws

law here are some of the specific benefits that will accrue includes the expert formulation of clearly written Fundamental Consumer Rights which for the first time in Nigeria certain specific rights of consumers are defined for codification even as the Part 6 of the proposed amendment will state that Consumers’ right to disclosure and information;?right to choice; right to fair and responsible marketing;?right to fair and honest dealing; right to fair, just and reasonable terms and conditions; and the right to fair value, good quality and safety are hereby guaranteed and protected by law.

These rights represent the basic rights of consumers in the United Nations declaration of 1985 and this amendment makes those rights an integral part of Nigerian law.

“Another salient quality of the proposed bill is that an elaborate and well articulated redress system dedicated specifically to consumer issues is set up under Part 8. By the proposed amendment, consumers may enforce their rights either by themselves or through the instrumentality of the Council, Civil society groups, the Courts or an ADR Agent.”

Agriculture

“I don’t know what to do; I have tried all I can to get fertiliser but it is not available. Even the available ones are too expensive and the season for fertiliser application would soon be over.

“I wonder why the government is claiming to be spending so much on fertiliser subsidy, while we, the farmers, cannot get it,” Idris Yakowa, a local farmer in Kaduna moaned.

But that was in 2009 when the distribution of fertiliser to famers was not properly coordinated.

These days, Yakowa has access to not just fertiliser; he also has access to seeds, farm implements and even financial facilities.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said that the trouble-free access of farmers to agricultural inputs nowadays was made possible because of the A g r i c u l t u r a l Transformation Agenda (ATA) of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The minister, who said this at the 2013 Ministerial Platform, stressed that the government was focusing on how to use agriculture as a tool for economic development.

“We are implementing a time-bound aggressive plan to unlock Nigeria’s potential to become an agricultural powerhouse.

“Yearly, Nigeria imports over 11 billion U.S. dollars worth of wheat, rice, sugar and fish “However, Nigeria is importing what it can produce in abundance; this import dependency is hurting Nigerian farmers, displacing local production and creating unemployment.

“Our vision is to make Nigeria an agricultural and industrialised economy, using a governmentenabled private sectordriven approach,” he said.

Adesina said that the government had been able to terminate age-old corruption in the seed and fertiliser industry within 90 days via the Growth Enhancement Support

Harnessing Potential of Agriculture and Others

By IFEANYI NWOKO

Scheme (GES).

He said that government had stopped the direct procurement of fertiliser, adding that the acquisition of the product was now being handled by private companies.

The minister said that farmers now received subsidies on fertiliser directly through a cell phone-based system which was developed to send subsidies via electronic vouchers.

Adesina said that 1.5 million farmers had been reached, while 7.5 million people felt the impact of the scheme within the first year of its implementation.

To ensure that real farmers got fertiliser supplies under the scheme, the minister said that a database of the country’s farmers was being developed, while about 10 million farmers had so far registered for the scheme.

“The GES system saved the Federal Government about N25 billion in 2012 alone,” he said.

Adesina, however, stressed that the ATA was focusing more on value addition, adding that the priority areas included cotton, onion, tomato, sorghum, maize, soybean, oil palm, cocoa, rice, cassava, livestock and fisheries.

For the cassava value chain, the minister said that the country had been able to save N253 billion annually due to the utilisation of cassava flour in the baking and confectionery industry.

Besides, Adesina said that the Federal Government’s efforts to boost rice production in the country had started yielding fruit.

He said that for the first time ever, Nigeria produced 690,000 tonnes of rice in the main season and 1.1 million tonnes during the dry season.

The minister said that a private-sector operator, Dominion Farms, had invested 40 million U.S. dollars in commercial rice

production on 30,000 hectares of farmland in Taraba.

He also said that 13 new rice mills with a total capacity of 240,000 tonnes of rice had been established by the private sector across the country.

“Nine million tonnes of

recounted the achievements of her ministry in the last two years.

To make the environment more conducive to farming, fishing and other human activities, Mailafa said that a bill to criminalise oil spillage had been presented to the National Assembly.

companies that pollute the environment.

“Remember, this is Transformation Agenda in action; before now, these things were happening unattended to, but now, we are determined to transform the environment sector,’’ she said.

Mailafia also said that the ministry was working on 64

• Akinwumi Adesina, Agric Minister

food was added to the domestic food reserve from 2012, our target is 20 million tonnes by 2015; and we would achieve it,’’ Adesina said.

The Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia, who also spoke at the platform,

“We are working on the bill that was presented by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to the National Assembly; when the law finally comes up, there will be more stringent measures for those oil

erosion sites across the country.

“In the South-East geopolitical zone of this country, we have been constantly challenged over the years by major erosion occurrences.

“On assumption of office,

Mr President, in his desire to transform the environment, decided to address the major issues, beginning with the big ones.

“The Federal Government, through the ministry, has successfully worked on 64 erosion and flood control projects nationwide, with about 12 of them not yet completed but in the process of completion,’’ she said.

On desertification, Mailafia said that the ministry had embarked on projects aimed at reclaiming the forest reserves, adding that it had also distributed wood stoves to people to curb the use of firewood for cooking.

“A wood stove is a heating appliance capable of burning wood fuel and wood-derived biomass fuel; therefore, there would be little need to fell trees for cooking,’’ she said.

Moreover, Mailafia said that the Federal Government had established 55 hectares community woodlots in Kano as part of the Great Green Wall project.

The minister stressed that a management plan had been developed for the 139,100-hectare Omo Forest Reserve in Ogun, while the Amboi/Baissa Forest Reserve in Taraba was jointly managed by the Federal Government and Taraba State Government.

Observers commend the two ministries for the achievements they have been to record within a couple of years.

They, nonetheless, urge the ministers to redouble their efforts to reposition the ministries for quality service delivery in the coming years.

“Yearly, Nigeria imports over 11 billion U.S. dollars worth of wheat, rice, sugar and fish.

However, Nigeria is importing what it can produce in abundance; this import dependency is hurting Nigerian farmers, displacing local production and creating unemployment.”

Religion

Let My People Go “MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE” HOSEA 4:6” THIS book is my honest and humble contribution to the emancipation of the human race and. mankind in general from the manipulative powers of Satan who is declared in the scriptures as the “ruler of the world” (Jn 14:30). Satan has dominated the mind, spirit and body of the human race to the extent that he has gained control of their totality of being with or without the awareness of some of his victims. God has warned thus: “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex 23:2).

What is the solution to the problem besetting the human race why do people rejoice in killing others?; why do persons decide to rob, intimidate or maim fellow human beings; why do ladies decide to sell themselves out for money in the guise of prostitution?, why should somebody deliberately bear false witness against another with the intention to destroy that person? Why ritual killing to make money? Why do people go into cultism? Why do some people rejoice in the suffering of others? Why should one person poison the other to use harm or permanent disability if not death? Why do people rejoice in doing evil? It is not with a sane mind! Something is wrong somewhere why should a man decide to kill the wife or the wife decide to kill the husband? Why do children rebel against their parents?, I have thought about this for a long time and I have found out prayerfully too that the answer is in our ability to discern the evil machinations of Satan and to get ourselves loosened from his grip. He has a grip on the human race; this is why Jesus described the devil as “the prince or ruler of the world” (Jn 14:30).

Satan has dominated man through controlling the soul, spirit and body of man; and therefore man rejoices always in doing evil. How do you explain these strange diseases and ailments befalling mankind?

Some of these diseases have no traceable causes. Medical scientists say for instance, that most skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun; most lung cancers are caused by smoking hut they cannot explain the cause of breast cancer that is threatening the female population of the world. The same scientific inexplicability applies to the fibroid that you find in the woman’s womb mostly affecting young ladies and usually affecting

conception. How do you also explain the scourge of AIDS ravaging the world population today with no medical or scientific cure in sight except by divine intervention. I conclude that all these are the machinations of Satan to bewilder the world. Man should learn to turn to God for solutions.

Man is a spirit being, but having a soul and living inside a body. For a man to be free from satanic manipulations these three constituents of man must be wholly sanctified and yielded to Christ. This is why Paul admonished the church thus: “I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” I Thess 5:23.

The spirit is the inner man the real man and once it is totally absent from the body the individual is pronounced dead: “The body without the spirit is dead” Jas 2:26.

So important is the spirit that Paul placed it first in the above verse followed by the soul and the body. The spirit controls the body; the inner man (The human spirit) speaks through the soul which is the mind and is interpreted in action by the body.

The spirit and the soul belong to the invisible nature of man while the body belongs to the visible nature of man. In the subsequent chapters we will see why the spirit needs deliverance as to affect the body too for after all even the human spirit can be contaminated otherwise Paul could not have said it should be kept blameless; and just as the spirit can be contaminated the soul and body can equally be contaminated.

So David wrote that: His spirit be renewed aright from its contamination, after he had bodily committed adultery with Bathsheba. 2 Sam. 11:2-4.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” “Ps 51:10.

Man is in a sorry state when the spirit and soul and body are totally yielded to Satan and this is the state of mankind today why evil thrives unabated.

This book is a clarion call for total spiritual liberation of mankind from the domination of Satan and for believers to beware of the exploits and manipulative tendencies of Satan to put them in bondage, yet I say to you; God has sent a deliverer to mankind else you cannot deliver yourself. Jesus is that deliverer. So it is “not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” Zech. 4:6. Jesus spoke of his deliverance mission thus: “The thief cometh not but for

With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA

to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; lam come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly” Jn 10:10.

Satan is the thief; Jesus has come to deliver us from the hand of the thief.

THE MAN MOSES “THUS SAITH THE LORD . LET MY PEOPLE GO” EX.

to deliver his people. It is therefore worthy of note to study the ministry of Moses as it relates to deliverance in a booklet of this nature.

Archaeological records reveal that Moses was probably born in 1520 B.C. His father was Amram of the tribe of Levi (Ex 6:18, 20, Num 26:59, 1 Chron 6:3) and the mother was

slavery were later to discover that their long forgotten brother was a man of substance in Egypt during the period. They reported the matter to their father Jacob and with time all of them had to move from the land of Canaan to settle in Egypt.

“And they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father.. . And they told him all the words of Joseph ... and Israel said, it is enough I will go and see him before! die” Gen. 45:25-28.

Israel went with the whole family to settle in Egypt. “These

5:1 Moses was the great prophet of God whom the Lord raised to save the whole nation of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians, he led them through the wilderness and established a code of conduct for the people through the numerous mosaic laws. It was he with his brother Aaron who confronted Pharaoh requesting him to let the people go. He was therefore a great human deliverer.

In the deliverance concept ancient Egypt is spiritualized as the synonym of bondage; “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help” Isaiah 31:1 and the ancient people of Israel the metaphor of the to days bondmen and Pharaoh the instrument of oppression. But God will always raise a Moses

Jochebed also of the tribe of Levi. The deliverance mission of Moses is traceable to the covenant period in Jewish history. God had a covenant with Abraham the patriarch that he would multiply his seed and give to them a land flowing with Milk and Honey (Gen. 12:1-5, Ex. 6:4) Abraham during the period gave birth to Isaac and Isaac gave birth to Esau and Jacob; and Jacob renamed Israel by an Angel (Gen. 32:28) gave birth to twelve sons, who became the direct lineage of the twelve tribes of Israel. They had settled in Canaan, when Joseph was sold into slavery and later found favour with God after a period of imprisonment in Egypt, he rose to become Pharaoh’s prime minister (Gen. 41:42.46). The brothers who sold him into

are the names of the children of Israel which came into Egypt: Every man and his household came with Jacob, Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, lssachar, Zebulum and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Ahser. And all the souls that came out of the Loins of Jacob were seventy souls: For Joseph was in Egypt already” (Ex. 1:1-5) They were seventy of them in Egypt while Joseph was Governor in the land but at the age of One hundred and ten years Joseph had died (Gen. 50:26).

“And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation, And the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly and multiplied, and waxed exceedingly mighty and the land was fill with them” (Ex.

1:6-7).

Satan will not be a threat to you. when you are a failure but as soon as he finds you are getting strong and threatening his kingdom or he has a glimpse of who you are and what mighty works the Lord shall do through you; then he will set up a Pharaoh against you; remember pharaoh in deliverance terminology is the instrument of oppression: but when he sets up

a Pharaoh against you, God will not fold his hands to allow his faithful ones destroyed: God through his Son Jesus Christ would intervene in your life; So Stephen the martyr likened Moses as “a type of Christ” raised to set the people free (Acts 7:33-37); for as God raised up Moses to set the people of Israel free from the bondage of Pharaoh, so has God’sent his only begotten son; our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to set the totality of mankind free from the bondage of satan and to give to such eternal life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).

“Man is in a sorry state when the spirit and soul and body are totally yielded to Satan and this is the state of mankind today why evil thrives unabated.”

International

Compiled By EDOBOR HARRISON

Thousands of Tunisians Call For Islamist Government Quit

Anti-government protesters wave national flags during a demonstration in Tunis.

Fire fighters struggle to put out a fire at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya’s capital Nairobi yesterday.

TUNIS - Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets of the capital Tunis on Saturday to call for an end to an Islamist government they blame for the assassination of a leading secular politician 40 days earlier.

It was the biggest demonstration since Chokri Belaid was gunned down outside his house on February 6, igniting the worst unrest since the Jasmine Revolution that toppled strongman Zine alAbidine Ben Ali in 2011 and started the Arab Spring.

In a bid to quell the protests, Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali resigned and was replaced by Ali Larayedh, a fellow member of the Islamist Ennahda party, who formed a new coalition government including independents in key ministries.

But protesters on Saturday blamed the ruling party for Belaid’s murder and chanted “Ennahda go,” “The people want a new revolution,” and “The people want to bring down the regime.”

No one has claimed responsibility for the killing, which Belaid’s family blames on Ennahda. The party denies involvement and police say the killer was a radical Salafist Islamist.

Belaid, a left-wing lawyer, was shot at close range outside his Tunis home by an assassin

The intense heat repeatedly drove back firefighters who battled for five hours to put out the fire, the worst on record at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, east Africa’s busiest.

Michael Kamau, cabinet secretary for transport said an investigation into the fire would start immediately but that it was too early to speculate on the cause.

The blaze stranded thousands

Israeli Soldiers Wounded BEIRUT — An explosion In Lebanon yesterday wounded Israeli soldiers who had crossed the border into Lebanon in a rare incident on the heavily guarded and volatile frontier, the Lebanese army said.

The army said in a statement that the Israeli force reached as far as 400 meters (yards) inside Lebanon. The statement said the army is investigating the nature of the pre-dawn blast, which occurred in the area of Labbouneh near the coastal town of Naqoura.

The Israeli military said earlier that an explosion near Israel’s northern border wounded four soldiers.

The Lebanese army called the incident “a new violation of

Lebanese sovereignty.”

Israel fought a month-long war with the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah in 2006 and sometimes there are cross-border attacks.

The 2006 war, that killed about 1,200 Lebanese and 160 Israelis, was triggered when Hezbollah guerrillas crossed into Israel and captured two Israeli soldiers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished the soldiers a speedy recovery while on a tour of a military base in the south of the country. “We will continue to act responsibly in order to defend Israel’s borders,” Netanyahu said.

of passengers at the airport and exporters of perishable produce, mainly flowers, feared for their export-driven business, a leading source of foreign exchange for Kenya alongside tea exports and tourism.

“This is disastrous,” Jane Ngige, chief executive officer of exporters association Kenya Flower Council, told Reuters.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the fire, which started in the arrivals and immigration area. Business travellers and tourists were diverted to other airports in the region.

Shares in Kenya Airways, which uses the airport as its main hub, fell 2 percent. Foreign carriers using the terminal include Emirates, British

Airways, Qatar, KLM), Turkish Airways, South African Airlines and Ethiopian airlines.

Kenyan authorities said domestic flights and international cargo flights would resume later on Wednesday.

Plans for international flights would be announced later.

“Right now we’ve allowed the cargo to come in. Fruits, flower are coming in and are being processed. We hope we will be able to resume domestic flights,” Kamau said.

Inside the gutted building, neat lines of metal trolleys with melted plastic handles were the only clear reminder that the building - whose roof partially collapsed - was once an airport terminal.

officials on both sides said yesterday.

The shooting came just hours after India accused Pakistani forces of killing five Indian soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir in a incident that threatened to derail

repeatedly stalled peace talks.

A Pakistani military official blamed “unprovoked Indian firing” for injuries to the Pakistanis on Tuesday afternoon and said that senior army commanders on both sides had spoken over a special hotline.

Pakistani Soldiers Wounded In Kashmir Confrontation With India ISLAMABAD Two Pakistani soldiers were wounded in an exchange of fire with Indian troops along the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir in the latest flare-up of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors,

popular discontent with high unemployment, inflation and corruption.

“They killed Chokri but they cannot kill the values ??of freedom defended by him,” Belaid’s widow Basma said in front of her husband’s grave on Saturday.

Tunisia’s transition has been more peaceful than those in Egypt and Libya, and has led to freedom of expression and political pluralism. But tensions run high between liberals and the Islamists who did not play a major role in the revolt but were elected to power.

Demolition Begins On Ohio House In Kidnapping Case CLEVELAND — With several swipes from the arm of an excavator and a smattering of applause from spectators, demolition began yesterday morning on the Cleveland house where three women were held captive and raped over a decade.

The house is being torn down as part of a deal that spared Ariel Castro a possible death sentence. He was sentenced last week to life in prison plus 1,000 years.

But the question remains: How could the crimes go unnoticed so long in Castro’s blue-collar neighborhood?

One of the women imprisoned there, Michelle Knight, showed up early Wednesday before the work began. She made a brief statement and released balloons into the air.

Katie Mae Brown, 62, a former resident of the street, said tearing the house down was important for the neighborhood to show “that monster — that he is behind bars and that he’s never going to get out.” uyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty said the two houses to the left of Castro’s are also being torn down and will be developed into a park or whatever the residents decide.

Prosecutors say Castro cried when he signed over the house deed and mentioned his “many happy memories” there with the women. They highlighted the teary-eyed scene to illustrate Castro’s “distorted and twisted” personality.

Yesterday, McGinty called him “one evil guy.”

Family members, including

Fire Shuts Kenya’s Main Airport

NAIROBI - A fire engulfed Kenya’s main airport yesterday, forcing the indefinite suspension of international passenger flights and choking a vital travel gateway to east Africa.

The blaze lit up the early morning sky, the billowing clouds of black smoke engulfing the terminal buildings visible from miles away.

who fled on a motorcycle.

His nine-party Popular Front bloc has only three seats in Tunisia’s Constituent Assembly, which is acting as parliament and writing a new national charter, compared to some 120 for Ennahda and its partners.

But Belaid spoke for many who fear religious radicals are stifling freedoms won in the Arab Spring.

The North African state’s new Islamist-led government won a confidence vote on Wednesday although the death of an unemployed man who set himself on fire underscored

his son, Anthony Castro, went to the house Monday and picked up personal items including old photographs, guitars and bicycles.

Relatives said the house razing was part of the healing process for them. “It’s sad and hard but it is necessary for us to move on,” Anthony Castro told WKYC-TV. The three women disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old. Each had accepted a ride from Castro.

They escaped May 6, when Amanda Berry, now 27, broke part of a door and yelled to neighbors for help. Castro was arrested that evening.

At Castro’s sentencing, prosecutors displayed photos that provided a first glimpse inside the rooms where the women lived.

Suspected US Drone Kills 7 In southern Yemen SANAA, Yemen — Security officials say suspected U.S. drone strikes have killed seven alleged al-Qaida militants in southern Yemen.

The suspected drone attack is the fifth in Yemen in less than two weeks.

The attacks come a day after the U.S. and Britain evacuated embassy staff due to a threatened attack in the country, and militants shot down a helicopter.

The officials say the militants were killed early yesterday in Shabwa province. They spoke anonymously in line with regulations.

Residents of the area of Markha in Shabwa province say they saw two vehicles and several bodies on fire at the site of the strikes. They declined to be identified, fearing reprisals.

Washington considers alQaida’s Yemeni offshoot one of the world’s most active.

International

Compiled By EDOBOR HARRISON

Jordan Foils Syrian Arms Smuggling destabilize the pro-U.S. AMMAN, Jordan Attempt tokingdom.

Jordanian police are questioning two Syrians who allegedly tried to smuggle a large cache of arms including surface-to-air missiles into the kingdom, a security official said yesterday. It was the second such attempt reported in a week.

The official said earlier that preliminary reports indicated that five had been arrested near the northern Syrian border early Tuesday. He said the reason for discrepancy in the number was not immediately clear and declined to elaborate further.

The announcement came a week after authorities said they had arrested another group of smugglers, including Syrians, trying to bring in arms. They said the group arrested late Thursday

Pro-Mursi protester

Diplomacy Failed To End Crisis CAIRO- Egypt’s presidency said on Wednesday that diplomatic efforts to end the country’s political turmoil had failed and warned that the Muslim Brotherhood of ousted President Mohamed Mursi would be held responsible for the consequences.

In a statement, interim President Adly Mansour’s office said the period of international efforts that began more than 10 days ago had “ended today”.

Envoys from the United States, European Union, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been trying to defuse the crisis and prevent further bloodshed.

The breakdown raised the prospect of heightened instability and bloodshed in the most populous Arab state which has a peace treaty with Israel and controls the strategic Suez Canal.

Egypt’s crisis also has a wider impact on other countries, such as Tunisia, which saw similar Arab Spring uprisings in 2001.

The state held the Muslim Brotherhood completely responsible for “the failure of these efforts and the later events and developments that might result from this failure related to breaches of the law and endangering civil peace”, the presidency statement added.

Thousands of supporters of

- Egypt

Mursi, who was toppled by the army on July 3, have been staging protest sit-ins in two areas of Cairo for the last five weeks to demand his reinstatement.

Egyptian authorities had warned they were losing patience with the sit-ins, which can swell to tens of thousands.

The presidency’s declaration suggests security forces could soon use force to break up the gatherings.

Almost 300 people have been killed in political violence since the overthrow, including 80 shot

Ugandan Passes Bill Critics Say Seeks To Silence Opponents a statement.

KAMPAL - Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday passed a controversial public order law that drew sharp criticism from the opposition and human rights campaigners who said it was intended to silence dissent.

Critics contend the law is designed to keep a lid on what they say is mounting frustration at veteran President Yoweri

Museveni who has faced intermittent anti-government street protests over the high cost of living, corruption and inadequate public services.

“This bill is a devastating blow for freedom of expression and assembly in Uganda,” said Maria Burnet, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in

NAIROBI - The Kenyan government’s proposed higher mineral royalties and sudden cancellation of licences flouted regulations, will harm the mining sector’s competitiveness and should be reconsidered, the Kenya Chamber of Mines said on Tuesday.

The east African country stunned the sector on Monday when it unexpectedly ramped up royalty charges and revoked dozens of licences issued earlier this year to get a bigger share of earnings from the nascent mining industry.

“The net impact of the proposals would be like killing the cow that produces the milk,” Adiel Gitari, chair of the Kenya Chamber of Mines, told a news conference.

“There exists procedures for licensing in law which are

meant to protect the interest of the country and investors. We insist that these must be followed,” he said.

While mining contributes relatively small to national output, there are proven deposits of titanium, gold and coal and revenues are expected to grow as new mines come onstream.

Gitari acknowledged Kenya’s royalty charges needed reviewing but said the miners should have been consulted.

Royalties on gold, of which Kenya is a relatively small producer, would increase to 5 percent of gross sales value from 2.5-3 percent, Mining Secretary Najib Balala said on Monday.

For rare earth, niobium and titanium ores, royalties would rise to 10 percent of gross sales value from 3 percent previously.

Royalty rates for other extracted minerals would vary between 1 percent and 12 percent.

New Kenyan Royalties May Hurt Miners

“With this law in force, any spontaneous peaceful demonstration of more than three people will be a criminal act.”

The government, which has arrested opposition leader Kizza Besigye on numerous occasions alleging he was seeking to incite trouble at rallies, says the law will prevent unrest.

Helen Kawesa, a spokeswoman for the parliament, confirmed the bill’s successful passage through the chamber.

Under the law, anyone planning to hold a political rally or demonstration will be required to give a notice to the police. The authorities will have wide-ranging powers to stop such meetings if they have “reasonable grounds” to do so.

In May, the authorities closed down two radio stations and the east African country’s leading daily newspaper, Daily Monitor, for reports regarding the aging Museveni’s succession. The ban was lifted when they accepted a range of restrictions, the government said at the time.

House opposition Chief Whip, Winifred Kiiza, alleged ruling party legislators had been intimidated into supporting the bill.

“It’s an insane law,” Kiiza said.

Amnesty International said the “insidious” law would stifle political debate in a country where “publicly criticising the government is already fraught with risk”.

dead by security forces in a single incident on July 27.

Underscoring concerns over deeper turmoil, Egypt’s leading Islamic authority Al-Azhar plans to host talks on the crisis next week, the state news agency MENA reported.

was caught with the largest arms cache to be brought to the kingdom from Syria during its 2-year-old civil war.

The official said anti-tank missiles, surface-to-air missiles and assault rifles were seized with the two men caught on Tuesday.

He declined to say if the alleged smugglers were affiliated with any side in Syria’s civil war.

“There is an investigation now to determine if the two men were rebels seeking to hide weapons in Jordan, or that they smuggled them in with the malicious intention of staging attacks here,” he said.

His account was confirmed by another security official.

Both insisted on anonymity because they are not allowed to publically comment on a security matter under investigation.

Jordan is concerned that Syria’s war will spill across the border, and in particular that al-Qaida-linked groups of the rebels or agents of Damascus or its allies, like the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah, will stage attacks

Despite repeated public government denials, Jordan acted earlier this year as a transit point for weapons financed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar and destined for Syrian rebels seeking to topple President Bashar Assad.

Jordan wants to avoid further friction with its larger and more powerful Syrian neighbor, with whom relations have traditionally been bumpy over the years.

Syria has been traditionally suspicious of Jordan’s alliance with the United States and its 1994 peace treaty with Israel, one of two signed agreements Israel has with Arab countries.

Jordan is a fiery critic of Syria’s alliance with Iran, which adheres to the rival Shiite sect of Islam. Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim governments worry that Iran’s growing influence in the region, stretching from Iraq to Syria, would eventually engulf countries in the Persian Gulf, where there are Shiite communities like in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia itself.

White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said Russia’s decision last week to defy the U.S. and grant Snowden temporary asylum only exacerbated an already troubled relationship. And with few signs that progress would be made during the Moscow summit on other agenda items, Rhodes said the president decided to cancel the talks.

“We’ll still work with Russia on issues where we can find common ground, but it was the unanimous view of the president and his national security team that a summit did not make sense in the current environment,” Rhodes said.

Obama’s decision to scrap talks with Putin is likely to deepen the chill in the already

frosty relationship between the two leaders. They have frequently found themselves at odds on pressing international issues, most recently in Syria, where the U.S. accuses Putin of helping President Bashar Assad fund a civil war. The U.S. has also been a vocal critic of Russia’s crackdown on Kremlin critics and recently sanctioned 18 Russians for human rights violations.

For its part, Moscow has accused the U.S. of installing a missile shield in Eastern Europe as a deterrent against Russia, despite American assurances that the shield is not aimed at its former Cold War foe. Putin also signed a law last year banning U.S. adoptions of Russian children, a move that was seen as retaliation for the U.S.

Obama Cancels Meetings With Putin Amid Tensions travel itinerary.

MOSCOW - In a rare diplomatic snub, President Barack Obama is canceling plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next month.

The decision reflects both U.S. anger over Russia’s harboring of National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden and growing frustration within the Obama administration over what it sees as Moscow’s stubbornness on other key issues, including missile defense and human rights.

Obama will still attend the Group of 20 economic summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, but a top White House official said the president had no plans to hold one-on-one talks with Putin while there. Instead of visiting Putin in Moscow, the president will add a stop in Sweden to his early September

Russian President Putin addresses the audience during a forum of pro-Kremlin youth groups at lake Seliger some 400km north of moscow.

International

Compiled By EDOBOR HARRISON

Kenya Ready To Hand Over Control Of Somali Port City

A soldier from Somalia’s Ras-Kamboni paramilitary group stands guard as he monitors activities at the sea port in lower juba regions in Kismayu.

A vender holds a chicken at a chicken whole sale market.

NAIROBI - Kenya said on Tuesday it was ready to hand control of the strategic Somali port city of Kismayu to a recognised leader, but warned that a chaotic exit would embolden al Qaeda-linked insurgents in southern Somalia.

Kenyan troops, as part of an African Union peacekeeping force, routed al Shabaab rebels from Kismayu in September but fighting flared up and dozens of civilians died as rival warlords have battled in recent weeks for control of the lucrative trade flowing through the city’s port.

Tensions have been simmering for months between Kenya and the central Somali government, which accuses Nairobi of backing Ahmed Madobe, a former warlord whose militia fought beside the Kenyans and who now controls Kismayu. Mogadishu opposes Madobe’s leadership.

“The government of Kenya is ready to handover the two ports but it must hand over to someone and that someone must be a negotiated process,” Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho told a news conference, referring to the city’s airport and seaport.

“Otherwise if (Kenya) just left, we would be sliding back to where came from.”

In a country where political support and access to resources is founded on clan loyalties,

Somalia’s central government has struggled to exert its influence over its many regions and agree on how to share power under a federal political system.

In a sign of how bitter the argument has become, the semiautonomous Puntland region on Monday broke off all ties with Mogadishu . Analysts say the southern Jubaland region, which includes Kismayu, could follow if Mogadishu mishandles the situation.

A breaking-up of the state would risk a reversal of security gains against the rebels in a country long seen as a launch pad for militant Islam in the region and beyond.

The AU peacekeeping force, known as AMISOM, has forced al Shabaab to relinquish control of key urban bases but the militants still hold sway over large rural areas.

Neighbouring countries with forces inside Somalia are frustrated at Mogadishu’s failure to establish regional or local administrations in areas won back from al Shabaab.

“The AMISOM troops are stuck. They cannot move forwards,” said Zaddock Madiri Syong’oh, an adviser at Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry. “If they move, al Shabaab comes immediately and takes over liberated areas.”

BEIJING - Chinese police have detained a prominent leftist supporter of disgraced high-flying politician Bo Xilai who had urged people to protest against Bo’s upcoming trial, underlining government nervousness about the case.

Song Yangbiao, a reporter for the magazine the Time Weekly, was detained on Sunday on charges of “picking quarrels and causing trouble”, according to friends and supporters, apparently after using his Sina Weibo microblog to denounce the trial and call for an uprising to oppose it.

Bo was dramatically sacked last year as Communist Party chief of the southwestern city of Chongqing following lurid accusations of corruption and abuse of power. His trial is expected to begin this month in the eastern city of Jinan.

While Song’s Weibo account has now been deleted, records kept on freeweibo.com, run by the anti-China censorship site greatfire.org, showed that Song had made his plea on Saturday for people to protest against Bo’s trial.

“All members of the Chinese Communist Party should rise up together to oppose the illegal trial in Jinan,” Song wrote, according to freeweibo.com.

Friend Lu Qi said police informed the family on Monday of Song’s detention, though he was unable to confirm a direct connection with any posts about Bo. “There’s a lot of speculation about this on the internet at the moment, but I’d personally not seen anything on his Weibo about this,” Lu told Reuters.

China Detains Prominent Bo Xilai Supporter

Evidence Suggest New Bird Flu Spread Among People BEIGIN - Chinese scientists have found the strongest evidence yet that a new bird flu strain is sometimes able to spread from person to person, but they are emphasizing that the virus still does not transmit easily.

The strain known as H7N9 was first reported by Chinese authorities in March. As of the end of May, there were 132 cases and 37 deaths in China and Taiwan linked to the virus.

Health officials suspect patients were most likely infected by birds in live animal markets but acknowledged sporadic cases of the virus probably were spreading among humans. Except for a single case reported last month, the infections appear to have

stopped since Chinese authorities took measures to slow the virus, including shutting down live markets.

In the new study, Chinese researchers interviewed the family and close friends of a father and daughter both killed

by H7N9 in eastern China to figure out how the virus might have spread between them. Both patients lived in the same household, were critically ill during the investigation and could not be interviewed.

The father, 60, was in charge of buying food for the family and bought six live quails before falling sick. His daughter, 32,

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AKINOLA – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinola Blessing Kehinde now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oladipo Blessing Kehinde. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

AREWO - I formerly Miss Ofure Omozee Arewo now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Egbe Osarobo.

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

rarely left the residential district where they lived and didn’t have any known contact with birds, except for two black swans raised by the property owners.

The daughter took care of her father when he became ill, without wearing any protective equipment. She fell sick several days afterward and died one month later. The bird flu viruses isolated from the father and daughter were nearly genetically identical.

There is no definitive test to prove when a virus has spread from human-to-human, but scientists consider matching viruses and eliminating other ways the virus might have spread to be convincing evidence. Scientists also tested 43 contacts of the two patients; none had H7N9.

“In this cluster, the virus was able to transmit from person-toperson,” wrote Xian Qi of the Jiangsu Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention, who was the lead author of the study. The scientists concluded the transmission was “limited and non-sustainable.” The paper was published online Tuesday in

the journal BMJ. “It is also notable that the transmission occurred between blood relatives,” said Dr. Peter Horby, a bird flu expert at Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Hanoi, Vietnam, in a statement. Horby, who was not involved in the latest study, noted there is some evidence that genetic factors may make some people more

susceptible to bird flu.

In an accompanying commentary in the BMJ, experts said similar patterns had been seen with other types of bird flu, including H5N1, another feared bird flu strain that first emerged in 1996 and has since killed millions of chickens. It has sickened more than 600 people and caused 377 deaths, mostly in Asia.

BERLIN - Germany’s Angela Merkel plans to step down as chancellor in 2016, a year before the end of a third term, if she is re-elected in a September 22 election, according to an unsourced article in Stern magazine yesterday.

In a column titled “Merkel’s last three years”, a senior editor of the magazine wrote that she aims to give up politics some 25 years after she became a minister in aformer conservative Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s cabinet. Merkel is now 59.

“2016 should be the date she stands down, the year before the federal election in 2017,” wrote

Hans-Ulrich Joerges.

A spokesman for Merkel said the story was “completely unfounded” and referred Reuters to her own previous denial that she only intended to serve part of a third term, should she win.

When top-selling Bild daily reported in April that she might quit in 2015, Merkel responded that she fully intended to serve the whole four-year period.

In that report, Bild said that in 2015 Merkel would mark 10 years in power, making it a suitable point to step down.

But Merkel told Bild: “I want to continue the center-right coalition and work for our

Merkel Plans To Stand Down In 2016 If Re-Elected

country and its people as chancellor for the full legislative period.”

In Stern, Joerges wrote he had heard it was a dream of Merkel, Germany’s first female chancellor, to drive the PanAmerican Highway which links North and South America with her husband. Merkel grew up in Communist East Germany.

Polls show Merkel is likely to win a third term but it is unclear whether she will be able to continue her center-right coalition with the Free Democrats or will have to form a “grand coalition” with the main opposition Social Democrats.

Economy

Are Investors In The Capital Market Protected?

By SYLVESTER AKELE

THE protection of investors, ensuring markets are fair, efficient, transparent and reducing systemic risk are reasons why capital markets are regulated. The protection of investors is essential because it safeguards them from fraudulent activities of operators, who may take undue advantage of their ignorance to defraud them.

There are many operators, including Stockbrokers, Issuing Houses, Registrars, investment Advisers etc. who perform various functions in the capital market. They may be associated with one fraudulent practice or the other. For example, a stockbroker may collect funds from investors to buy shares on their behalf and not do so or fails to remit the proceeds after authorization to sell. They may even sell the shares of the investors without due authorization and keep the proceeds. Some issuing Houses have been known to collect funds from investors for new shares and there may be no allocation of such new shares. They may return such monies after some time without paying interest or may even refuse to do so. Some registrars have been known to clear investor’s shares for sale when presented by unauthorized persons.

Investors, who are the providers of funds to companies or governments, expect some reward in form of interest or dividends and/or capital appreciation and are expected to be protected to ensure that they are not taken advantage of. That protection ensures that confidence remains in the market. This task, no doubt, is not an easy one

for regulators, but that is the essence of their existence.

In the wake of the market meltdown, a few years ago, some 260 cases of fraudulent manipulation in the capital market and insider abuses that resulted in huge losses to investors, had been taken to the investment and Securities Tribunal (1ST) by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The objective was to ensure speedy resolution 01 the cases and the restoration of investors confidence.

There is no doubt that many of those cases have been resolved to the satisfaction of investors.

Other cases have also come on as market activities continue.

It is important to protect investors in the capital market because the instrument are unique. ‘1 he ignorance about the market and its instruments cuts across the spectrum of society, including students, professionals, bureaucrats and even investors. The reason of this is that the instrument cannot be seen or physically inspected before the decision to invest or not in a particular security. It is therefore likely to he based on public perception of what others say or the profitability of the company issuing it. For this reason, regulation ensures full disclosure of all material facts pertaining to public offers.

It is left to investors to take final investment decisions.

How investors are protected The Securities and Exchange Commission is the apex regulatory body of the Nigerian capital market, It is mandated by the Investment and Securities

Act (ISA) to protect investors in the Nigerian capital market.

The ISA, the Rules and

were regulatory lapses, which encouraged the meltdown, but the truth is that there will always be downturns and

usually hidden from the regulators.

On the part of the regulatory authorities, the instruments of regulation — registration, surveillance

some regulatory lapses and the greed of some investors and operators.

Better protection can therefore be achieved by improving regulation and investor enlightenment.

“There are many operators, including Stockbrokers, Issuing Houses, Registrars, investment Advisers etc. who perform various functions in the capital market.

They may be associated with one fraudulent practice or the other.”

Regulations pursuant to the Act and the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act and other laws enable the performance of this task.

There are many who believe that the regulatory authorities failed to protect investors sufficiently, hence the market meltdown a few years ago and indeed some malpractices even today.

There is no doubt that there

upturns in the market.

There is also investor greed, which fuels the downturns and still puts many investors at risk.

When investors are introduced to instruments and facilities that are ‘too good”, they ought to be careful and seek expert opinions. Perhaps, it is investor greed that has been more responsible for the lack of protection that they get because greed is

“It is important to protect investors in the capital market because the instrument are unique. ‘1 he ignorance about the market and its instruments cuts across the spectrum of society, including students, professionals, bureaucrats and even investors. The reason of this is that the instrument cannot be seen or physically inspected before the decision to invest or not in a particular security.”

investigation and enforcement are supposed to ensure that affair and transparent market exists, that operators are fit and proper and that investors are provided with adequate information. It is also expected that it ensures that suspected breaches are promptly investigated, violators of laws and regulations are sanctioned and investors restituted.

Investors are also expected to be knowledgeable about the market, to ensure that they are not taken advantage of.

There is no doubt that investors in the capital market are protected. That protection, however, is compromised sometimes by

Recent news regarding the invigoration of the Investors, Protection Fund, which the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) provides for to protect investors, can only help to advance the objective of investor protection.

News also of the increasing compliance with the Code of Corporate Governance that over 142 of the 201 companies required to comply have done so, is cheering. But there is still much to be done, especially in the area of investor enlightenment.

Mr. Akele, CEO Soakel Consulting Limited, Wrote from Abuja.

Moyes Silent On Rooney MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes refused to discuss Wayne Rooney’s future after the 11 draw with AIK on Tuesday.

Moyes was also reticent on the subject of whether United will make a third bid for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas but says the Premier League champions will be welcoming a new arrival at some point.

Rooney has been subject of a pair of bids from Chelsea but United have turned them both down and insist they are determined to keep him at the club.

The England striker was at United’s training ground on Tuesday amid reports he is close to handing in a transfer request.

He was there to receive treatment on the injury which ruled him out of the Stockholm friendly and Moyes said: “He’s got a shoulder injury. I don’t think it will keep him out very long.

“He has an injury from when he fell on it the other day in a game.”

Moyes doubts Rooney will

Rodgers Hails Agger Loyalty

BRENDAN Rodgers has praised Daniel Agger’s loyalty to Liverpool and insisted he is in no doubt the player will stay with the club.

At a time when Luis Suarez is publicly angling for a transfer away from Anfield, Rodgers is confident that the Denmark international defender will not go the same way following links with Barcelona.

“This is all about loyalty,” Rodgers told a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s pre-season friendly game with Valerenga.

“He’s obviously a worldclass defender. Daniel is very committed to Liverpool; he’s one of the players that has really impressed me.

“If we’re talking about loyalty, he was one of the first players that I spoke to when I became the manager. At the time, there were a number of big clubs looking to sign Daniel.

“But he gave me his word that for as long as I wanted him to be at Liverpool, he would be at Liverpool. He has never swayed from that.

“He has an unswerving commitment to Liverpool which is so refreshing. His loyalty to the club is incredible.

“I would suspect when he signed his new contract last year, he was hoping that this would be the contract that’s going to allow him to see out the best part of his career at Liverpool.”

be fit for Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla on Friday and also the Community Shield against Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

He continued: “Wayne’s not going to be fit for Friday.

I don’t think he’ll be fit and available. I hope he will be but I have a feeling he won’t make it.

“As for the Community Shield on Sunday, the problem we’ve got is he’s not played any games. He’s not had any football yet and we need to take that into consideration.”

Asked about Rooney’s reaction to the Red Devils turning down Chelsea’s latest bid, Moyes said: “I don’t know. I’ve not asked him.”

Pushed on whether he would have to convince the 27-year-old to remain at Old Trafford, the United boss replied: “You don’t need to convince anyone to play for Manchester United.”

As for a possible third Fabregas bid, Moyes added: “I can’t say anything about it.”

But, asked if reinforcements would be arriving, Moyes said: “They will.”

Daniel Agger

Nemanja Vidic

Players To Attend Discrimination Course

THE Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is to hold mandatory guidance sessions on racist and homophobic language for players in England.

Every senior footballer in the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two will be told to attend ‘The Senior Player Programme on Diversity and Equality’, which lasts 45 minutes and has been developed in conjunction with the Football Association.

The course follows two high-profile incidents during the 2011-12 season, with both Liverpool forward Luis Suarez and Chelsea defender John Terry receiving FA suspensions after being deemed guilty of racial abuse.

It will attempt to educate attendees as to acceptable conduct on nine

MANCHESTER United captain Nemanja Vidic played the full 90 minutes of a draw with AIK on Tuesday and hopes to be fit for the start of the English Premier League season.

United drew the Stockholm encounter 1-1, with skipper Vidic making his first appearance for the senior side this summer.

And the Serbian thinks he is on course to be fit for the Premier League opener against Swansea a week on Saturday.

“I am pleased that I have 90 minutes under my belt,” he told MUTV. “It’s a long time since I’ve played a full game.

“I am pleased with that and I hope that, after this game, I can pick up my fitness and I will be ready for the beginning of the season.

“It’s frustrating when you don’t get the games. I’ve done

some good training, but it’s different when you’re playing a match.

“I got 90 minutes tonight and we have two more games before the start of the league season.

Hopefully, I can get another 90 minutes before then.

“AIK worked very hard and they made some trouble for us.

We allowed them too many chances and we have to improve our shape in defence. We can work on that and I think we will be fine.”

It was Vidic’s first game under new United boss David Moyes and he added: “When you change the manager, it’s a different type of training and preparation for the games.

“But we’ve done nothing that we didn’t do before and you have to adapt. We’ve worked really hard and we have two more games to pick up our freshness,

and then we will be ready for the start of the season.

“We have trained really well and it’s the matches we need.

These kind of matches, against AIK, are a good test for us. They are in the middle of their season and they played some good football.

“We found it a difficult, testing match. I want that, I want difficult matches before the start of the season, so we are ready for some big matches.”

THE Arsenal boss is an admirer of the England international and feels he has the ability to make any of the Gunners’ rivals for the title even stronger this season Arsene Wenger believes it will be just as difficult for Arsenal next season if Wayne Rooney leaves Manchester United for Chelsea.

The Blues have made Rooney their primary transfer target this summer but saw an improved bid rejected by the Premier League champions on Sunday, which is understood to

have been worth around £30 million.

And Wenger feels a potential departure for Rooney will have no impact on his team as Chelsea are already one of the strongest outfits in the division.

“With Rooney, [Chelsea] will be even more dangerous for sure,” the Frenchman told Al Jazeera Sport.

“I rate Rooney highly and unfortunately we fight with Manchester United and Chelsea.

“So, on one front, if he goes

Vidic Fitness On Track

discriminatory subjects, including disability and religion, and encourage the proper reporting of abuse that oversteps the mark.

The programme will also highlight a change in player contracts that will permit clubs to dismiss those found guilty of discriminatory abuse on the grounds of gross misconduct.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor sent a letter to explain the course to each of the Premier League and Football League’s 92 managers, which read: “The programme has been put in place to tie in with the increased sanctions around discrimination which will take effect from the start of the new season, [and] will reinforce the importance of equality and diversity issues, particularly in relation to the use of language and to

prevent players falling foul of regulations and incurring bans and undue media attention.

“We are looking to arrange this session in the near future and would appreciate you ensuring players attend as a matter of priority.”

An information pack addressed to managers added: “We want to encourage the players to make reports if they are a victim of racist or other discriminatory abuse, and to encourage team-mates to come forward as witnesses if they also hear something.

“It is important that you as managers have information about the reporting process so that you can support players to make complaints after an incident. We are told players do not want to approach their managers about some such incidents in case they are told to ignore it.”

Gareth Bale Could Cost £200m REAL Madrid may end up spending more than £200 million on bringing Gareth Bale to the Bernabeu, according to a report in the Telegraph.

Bale, 24, is Madrid’s No. 1 transfer target this summer but Spurs want Los Blancos to smash the world record fee in

Wenger Rues Rooney Chelsea Move then Manchester United will be weaker, that’s quite good for us. But if he changes to Chelsea then they will be stronger - which is not good for us.”

David Moyes has continually insisted that the 27-year-old will not be sold this summer despite the player’s desire for a fresh start after nine years at the club.

And the new United manager does not think he will have to convince Rooney to stay, despite the continued interest from Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

order to land their Welsh talisman.

The saga has dragged on for months, and it’s thought that Spurs will only opt to sell if an offer of over £100 million is made.

But that could only amount to half the cost of the overall transfer, with the Telegraph claiming Bale would be paid £7.8 million a year in wages over a six-year deal. With Spanish tax laws demanding 52% be paid to the government, the winger’s salary would be doubled to ensure he still takes home £150,000 a week.

Agent’s fees and other payments will take the full total of the transfer to over £200 million.

The Telegraph suggests any potential deal is still a long way off, despite Bale himself reportedly asking to leave White Hart Lane and Tottenham’s nonexecutive director Sir Keith Mills admitting on Tuesday it would be hard to keep him.

- Report

“We very much want Bale to stay,” Mills told the Evening Standard. “[But] If a player is desperate to leave, it’s very difficult to force him to stay.

We’ve seen it in other clubs.

Even if he has a contract, you can’t force somebody to play for you.”

Madrid broke their own world transfer record when they signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for £80 million in 2009.

Gareth Bale

Bayern Munich Close Summer Signings K A R L - H E I N Z Rummmenigge has stressed that they are unlikely to further strengthen their squad this summer as they are happy with their current pool of players Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has made it clear that the club do not intend on making any more signings this summer.

The Champions League holders have already secured the services of Jan Kirchhoff, Mario Gotze and Thiago Alcantara ahead of the 201314 campaign, with a number of reports suggesting Bayern were in the market for Chelsea

defender David Luiz.

However, Rummenigge has reaffirmed what Pep Guardiola said last week: that the player is not a transfer target for Bayern, and they will not be making further additions to the team.

“We will not make any more signings. The team looks exactly as we want it right now,” Rummenigge was quoted as saying by Bild.

“We deliberately brought in Gotze - as well as Thiago - as we believe he is the biggest talent in Germany and Europe in his age group.”

Die Roten kicked off their defence of the DFB-Pokal with a comfortable victory over Schwarz-Weiss Rehden, with Thomas Muller getting amongst the goals on Monday.

Kenya FA Too Broke To Pay Players PRESIDENT of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Sam Nyamweya, has said his federation is too broke to afford paying national team players their outstanding allowances.

Early this week a group of players had said they were worried they might never be paid their debts three weeks after they took part in the 2013 COSAFA tournament in Zambia.

“There is nothing we can do when we don’t have the money,” Nyamweya told MTNFootball.com.

He said their understanding with the team was that they go for the COSAFA and win some of the cash prize and be paid a certain percentage of the same money.

But they failed to win and now we are just looking around for money to give

them,” added Nyamweya.

The FA President, who has lately come under heavy criticism because of his style of management, said they have not had issues of paying allowances in the past and added that this matter will be sorted.

“This is a very small matter which will be handled when we get money,” added Nyamweya.

The Harambee Stars participated as guests in the COSAFA event. They were in Group B and finished third behind Lesotho and Botswana and ahead of Swaziland.

Hosts Chipolopolo of Zambia beat defending Champions Zimbabwe 2-0 to bag the coveted Cup. Zambia carried home the winners’ purse of R500 000.

Selling Rooney To Chelsea Would Be ‘Suicide’ For Man Utd, Warns Bosnich THE former Blues and United goalkeeper expects the England striker to leave Old Trafford this summer but says the club should not sell to one of their biggest rivals Former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich believes the club would be committing footballing “suicide” if they were to let Wayne Rooney join Chelsea.

The Red Devils rejected a second bid from Chelsea for the striker on Sunday, understood to be worth £25 million plus addons to take the deal to just under £30m.

Bosnich says the Premier League champions were right to reject the offer and should avoid selling the unsettled forward to the Blues if they can.

“Manchester United shouldn’t sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea, who are one of their biggest rivals. From the club’s perspective that would be suicide,” he told talkSPORT. The former Australian international believes manager David Moyes should instead sanction a move to Arsenal as the north London side pose less of a direct threat.

He continued: “Rooney can hurt them if he goes to Chelsea.

•Kevin-Prince-Boateng

coming to an end after his future was cast into speculation following a disappointing season last term.

Reports last month suggested that a move to Monaco could be on the cards, but now it seems the Ghanaian could be heading back to Germany where he previously had stints with Hertha BSC and Borussia Dortmund.

“With Dortmund I have a strong link with the players and the fans from when I played there. It is my favourite club- I watch all their games,” he says.

season at not being a starter and when he was dropped for the Champions League tie against Real Madrid there were going to be problems,” he added.

“David Moyes has come in [as manager], they have a history together, both good and bad, and he was willing to let bygones be bygones, but I think Rooney wants a new challenge.”

• Wayne Rooney

Inter Beat Juve On Penalties In Friendly

INTER Milan edged Italian rivals Juventus 9-8 on penalties Tuesday after playing to a 1-1 draw in a friendly at Sun Life stadium.

Second-half substitute goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo blocked Mauricio Isla’s penalty then converted an attempt of his own to lift Inter to the victory in the eight-club International Champions Cup friendly tournament.

Argentina’s Ricardo Alvarez in the 28th minute for Inter and Chile’s Arturo Vidal with a penalty in the 44th for Juventus accounted for the regular-time goals.

On target in the shoot-out for

Boateng Opens Door To Dortmund Move KEVIN-Prince Boateng has opened the door to a possible return to the Bundesliga and Borussia Dortmund in particular.

The midfielder’s three year tenure at Milan seems to be

If there was a choice between Arsenal and Chelsea, the lesser of two evils would be Arsenal.

“It’s very difficult to sell one of your best players to a club that can hurt you.

“Manchester United have come out very clearly and said

they don’t want to sell Wayne Rooney. But if a player is not happy at a club then you are best off selling him.”

Despite Manchester United signalling their intention of holding on to the England striker, Bosnich sees a summer move to be inevitable.

“It’s quite obvious he’s not happy. He was unhappy last

“I am still in contact with Jurgen Klopp, Nuri Sahin, Jakub Blaszczykoswk and Marcel Schmelzer. I have a great link with them. “ Boateng turned out for Dortmund half a year before being sent to Portsmouth, but he admits he is eager to return to the Bundesliga.

“The Bundesliga is a very interesting league, especially in this moment. I say it is the best league in the world, for the style of play, and the athletics,” he added.

“I have always said I would like a return, maybe to get the cup back from my brother [Jerome Boateng].”

Inter were Andrea Ranocchia, Alvarez, Mauro Icardi, Ishak Belfodil, Patrick Olsen, Marco Andreolli, Alvaro Pereira, Jonathan and Carrizo.

For Juventus, Claudio Marcchisio, Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo, Vidal, Angelo Ogbonna, Martin Caceres, Giorgio Chiellini and Paolo De Ceglie scored from the spot.

After the match ended 1-1, both Carrizo and counterpart Marco Storari made stops to begin the penalty shootout.

Juventus and Inter matched each other over the next eight rounds until Carrizo went to his right and thwarted Isla.

Carrizo turned around to take the shot for Inter, sending a blast high down the middle while Storari went right, giving Inter the win.

It was the second time in three Stateside matches that Juventus lost on penalties. They fell to Everton in a shootout after a 1-1 draw.

In the 28th, Palacio found space and raced down the left side. He sent a low ball to the top of the area, and Guarin fired a volley that Buffon blocked.

The rebound came to Alvarez, who put a left-footed shot inside the right post.

Juventus equalised a minute before halftime after Mirko Vucinic won a dubious penalty, dropping easily when Juan Jesus spun toward him.

Referee Hilario Grajeda pointed to the spot amid protests from Inter and Vidal converted.

The second half saw few quality chances, with shots from a distance rarely testing either keeper.

In the second match of a double-header at the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, which drew a crowd of 38,513, Michel Herrero scored in the 52nd minute to lift Spanish side Valencia to a 1-0 victory over English Premier League club Everton.

Both sides seemed to be affected by the heat and humidity, and perhaps by the

fatigue of several games in a short time.

Valencia were coming off a 40 victory over Inter in New York on Sunday, while Everton were playing their third match in seven days, including their 2-1 loss to Spanish giants Real Madrid on Saturday in Los Angeles.

The pre-season tournament will end on Wednesday, when Real Madrid take on Chelsea in a match that gives Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho a chance to make a point a

NIGERIAN striker Ahmed Sulaiman has said he is fully settled at Norwegian club Ullensaker/Kisa after his brace at the weekend.

Sulaiman scored a brace in 65th and 79th minutes to help Ullensaker/Kisa secure a 2-0 win over host Kongsvinger.

Ullensaker/Kisa are now 12th on the league table with 18 points from 17 games, just a place above the relegation zone.

“I am very happy to have scored my first set of goals in the league since I joined Ullensaker/ Kisa,” he told MTNFootball.com “I have been looking forward to this day and I am happy it finally come, I give thanks to God. I am dedicating the goals to my coach, the fans and my team mates who have helped me settle down well here.”

Sulaiman also told MTNFootball.com his loan deal has been made permanent.

“I have signed a two-year permanent deal with Ullensaker/ Kisa after the initial loan deal ended. I have a contract with my

club till 2015 summer. I will do my best to justify that,” the former Heartland FC winger disclosed.

The former Valerenga striker has now scored three goals in all competitions this season.

Fellow Nigerian forward Aaron Samuel Olanare, who is on Super Eagles standby list ahead of this month’s Mandela Challenge, was also among the goals for his team Sarpsborg, who though fell 4-2 at home to Stromsgodset.

Ahmed Sulaiman Settles At Norwegian Club

•Ahmed Sulaiman

Bayern Want Five Titles THE former Germany international is full of ambition ahead of the 2013-14 season and wants to win each and every competition up for grabs Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has made it clear that the Bavarians want to do even better than last season and

win five trophies this term.

The reigning Bundesliga champions were beaten 4-2

by Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup earlier this summer, but they are determined to emerge victorious in the remaining five competitions they participate in.

“We want to win the treble again this season. And on

We Still Have To Improve - Guardiola BAYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola believes his side still have a lot of work to do despite their 5-0 cup win over BSV Rehden.

Thomas Muller scored a hat-trick as the defending champions managed to get past the first round unscathed on Monday night.

“Cup ties are always dangerous,” said Guardiola.

“Four Bundesliga clubs were knocked out yesterday (Sunday).

“We’re satisfied about

going through. I’m aware of which club I’ve joined, we have to win every match, but that’s normal.

“People always want more.

I accept the pressure. We’ve only been together seven weeks so we still have to improve a lot.”

Bayern will now focus on the opening clash of the 2013/ 14 Bundesliga season where they will host Borussia Monchengladbach at the Allianz Arena on Friday night.

Alves Delighted To Keep BARCELONA defender Fabregas Dani Alves said he would be ‘delighted’ if Cesc Fabregas resisted the overtures of Manchester United and stayed with the club.

However, the Brazil international believes former team-mate Thiago Alcantara ‘hurried’ in his decision to join Bayern Munich.

Spain international Fabregas has long been rumoured with a move to United, the Red Devils reportedly launching a third bid of £40 million for the 26-yearold.

However, that bid looks set to fail with both Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and the club’s vice president, Javier Faus, declaring the United’s chase was futile.

And Alves believes Fabregas, if he stays, can help the club return to the top of European football.

“It’s up to (Fabregas) what he does, but I think he can bring a lot to this side. The team needs players of Cesc’s quality to win trophies,” he told Catalan radio station Rac1.

“He wasn’t at his best at the end of last season but we were all the same.

“Football is a collective sport and you cannot look for scapegoats. If he decides to stay here, I’ll be delighted to continue having him as a teammate. The squad respects him a lot.”

However, the 30-year-old Alves believes young star Alcantara may have rushed in his decision to leave the Nou Camp and join up with former mentor Pep Guardiola at German giants Bayern Munich.

But Alves refused to draw similarities with the saga that is now surrounding Fabregas.

“I think that Thiago hurried a little, but I like that attitude because the worst thing you can do is remain comfortable,’’ Alves said of the 23-year-old.

“Cesc’s is a different case. He has already left here once. He left the club, made a name for himself and then returned.”

Meanwhile, Alves confirmed he would be taking the number 22 shirt this season in respect of former team-mate Eric Abidal, who joined French side Monaco after not being offered a new contract by the Catalans, a decision which does not sit well with the Brazilian.

“I have taken the number 22 shirt because I love Abidal and I do not understand his situation,” Alves said.

“It was an unpleasant surprise to find out that he wouldn’t be continuing with us. Given the huge efforts he made and for all that he has been through, they should have handed him a new deal.

“Barca showed that they are more than just a club for what they did to help him recover. For him to then leave leaves a bit of a bitter taste. Now he has to look to his own future. I am sure that he will continue to be an example to everyone around him where he is now.”

top of that we want the European Supercup and the Club World Cup as well,” Sammer told Sport Bild.

“Whether we will actually succeed in doing so is a completely different matter, though.

“I don’t understand why people are questioning Bayern’s motivation. We are starting from scratch again. If we didn’t have the desire to be successful, we would not be worthy of working for Bayern.

“Everybody must ask himself again and again whether they are willing to give their all.”

Bayern kick off the 201314 Bundesliga campaign with a home game against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday.

Pep Guardiola

DFB Denies Doping In 1966 THE German Football Association (DFB) has rejected allegations the West German national team used performance-enhancing drugs during the 1966 World Cup. A comprehensive doping Germany. The study, released study by Berlin’s Humboldt on Monday, showed the West University, commissioned by German state had sponsored the Federal Institute of Sport research into performanceScience (BISp), continues to enhancing drugs and that, by dominate the headlines in the early 1970s, the programme

Sepp Blatter, FIFA President

Strootman Bullish About Roma’s THE Dutchman is optimistic Serie A Chances about his side’s chances in Italy’s of players such as Maicon, top flight this season following the arrival of a number of highprofile players Kevin Strootman is confident that Roma have what it takes to challenge for the Serie A title in 2013-14 as he feels they have plenty of quality in each area of the pitch.

The Giallorossi had to settle for sixth spot in the league table last term and missed out on European football this year, having lost the Coppa Italia final to Lazio.

However, the Netherlands international has little doubt that they can improve in the new campaign following the arrival

Mehdi Benatia and Gervinho.

“It’s still too early to say whether it will be a winning season or not for us, but there’s no doubt that we have a lot of quality and good players in each position,” Strootman was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“There were already plenty of good players and then Maicon, Benatia, Gervinho and I came in.

I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t emerge victorious.

“Are we outsiders for the title?

It only brings more pressure if you are the favourite. We obviously have the pressure of the fans, but that only motivates

us.”

Roma open the Serie A season with an away game against newly promoted Livorno.

had become systematic.

The report focuses on an array of sports, and football is, for now, still only a side note in the public discussion.

However, the report also links the West German national teams of 1954, 1966 and 1974, which all reached the World Cup final, with doping.

A letter from a FIFA official, written in 1966 but which first resurfaced in 2011, had reported that “fine traces” of ephedrine, a banned stimulant, had been found in three unnamed West Germany players during the World Cup in England.

DFB vice-president Dr Rainer Koch told the association’s official website that it was “not a new topic for us” in light of the 2011 revelation and said the governing body “did not know about [the letter] before it was made public”. He also stressed that the body believed that the team did not contravene the doping rules introduced at the 1966 tournament.

“The expert opinion should clarify whether, under sports law, German national players had been in violation of the antidoping rules during the

1966 World Cup,” Koch added. “The expert opinion, by renowned law expert Professor Nolte from the Cologne Physical Education College, states: That was not the case.”

Meanwhile, Johan Cruyff, part of the Netherlands team that went down to a surprise 2-1 defeat to West Germany in the 1974 final, has said he did not notice anything out of the ordinary during the match.

“To be honest, I cannot remember whether there had been any doping tests at that time,” the former Ajax and Barcelona star wrote in his column for Dutch paper De Telegraaf. “During the final, I, at least, noticed nothing odd.”

He said the 1974 German side “were better physically developed” but added: “Everyone said that’s down to them drinking more beer.”

The late Hungary star Ferenc Puskas had accused West Germany of doping in a French newspaper following the 1954 final, known as “The Miracle of Bern”, when Hungary were defeated 3-2. Puskas wrote to the German authorities to apologise for his remarks ahead of the 1960 European Cup final, when his Real Madrid team took on Eintracht Frankfurt.

Barca ‘Make Official Bid’ For Luiz BARCELONA are believed to have tabled an offer for David Luiz, who has pulled out of the squad to face Real Madrid.

New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho goes up against his most recent ex-employers in the final of the International Champions Cup in the early hours of Thursday night, but Luiz will not be taking part.

Chelsea said on Twitter: “While

the other lads trained, @DavidLuiz_4 completed his own workout. He won’t play against Real tomorrow.”

The club then noted that the official reason for missing the contest is a small hamstring problem, which also caused him to sit out the friendly against AC Milan.

But now reports persist that

Real’s Liga rivals Barcelona have prepared a £35 million offer.

The Catalonians have been linked with the centre-back all summer as they seek to bolster their defensive ranks.

They are also reportedly monitoring two other Premier League defenders – Liverpool’s Daniel Agger and Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany.

Victor Ikpeba On Super Eagles Bonus Row

The National Team Is Not For Making Money

FORMER Nigeria striker Victor Ikpeba has re-echoed his disappointment over the bonus row that almost marred the country’s participation at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Ikpeba told Goal that such be repeated in the interest of shameful acts should never Nigeria that is respected in

John Mikel Obi

the comity of football playing nations in the world.

The issue which has generated wide debate prompted the Sports Minister to set up a panel to unravel the major causes and how to eradicate such occurrences in future.

The former Monaco striker refused to shift ground on the issue insisting that the present squad had no moral right and justification to threaten to boycott the Confederations Cup until their bonuses were paid.

“People have been very critical when I first voiced my opinion on this issue saying why didn’t I wait for the panel to conclude their investigations before making comments on the issue. My comment was a personal opinion about the Eagles’ bonus row. If I say money is not important in our lives people will say Victor Ikpeba is not serious. Yes money is important in our lives but when you represent your country, you have love and passion representing your country,” Ikpeba told Goal.

“I remember before we won the (Atlanta 1996) Olympics, about two to three weeks into

Osaze Insists On EPL Stay

WEST Bromwich star Osaze Odemwingie has ruled out a move abroad and he will stay put if he cannot

Ameobi Brightens Newcastle Future

SHOLA Ameobi proved again he still has a future at Newcastle with a late equaliser to deny Rangers victory in a pre-season clash at Ibrox.

Ameobi, who came on as a 73rd minute substitute for Papis Cisse, was once more the hero for his English Premier League outfit on Tuesday night to cool speculations that the future of the Nigeria international lies outside Saint James’ Park.

This is Ameobi’s fourth goal in his team’s last four pre-season games.

Veteran Lee McCulloch put the home team ahead when he converted a spot kick after Nicky Clark was felled by Fabricio Coloccini’s challenge in the fifth minute.

seal an English Premier League move.

Albion have rejected three bids from the Premier League and the Nigeria international will resist any transfer out of the top flight despite continued interest from Dubai-based club Al Nasr.

Osaze is ready to leave ‘The Baggies’ but the Hawthorns hierarchy has turned down three bids of around £1.5m plus add-ons from English top-flight clubs including West Ham and Fulham.

Al Nasr have revived their interest in the 32-year-old and held fresh talks with ‘The Baggies’ in recent days. They previously had an £850,000 offer rejected out of hand.

However, according to expressandstar.com, Osaze will fight any attempt by ‘The Baggies’ to offload him to a foreign club or a Championship side and he is intent on staying in the English top flight.

That leaves Baggies bosses with four weeks to agree a deal with a Premier League club before the transfer window closes or be left with the prospect of the forward –

who has been frozen out of the first-team picture since the start of pre-season – remaining on their wage bill.

Osaze has been in open dispute with West Brom since he submitted a transfer request in January.

camping we never had allowances, there was no money in the camp and generally most of us used our own credit cards in renting buses taking us to training sessions. Is that not patriotism,” he asked.

“But we ended up winning the gold medal of the football event in Atlanta.

That is what I am trying to say. Yes you have the right to fight for your bonus but you must travel to honour the next assignment. It is wrong for them not to travel.

“Players should not think they are coming to play for our national team to make money. The objective of the professional players is to make money in their respective club sides. The pride of playing for your country is the most important thing. So whatever you get for playing for your country you should take it. That is what I am saying.

“Without Nigeria giving those players the opportunity to play in the national team, most of them wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to play for the clubs [overseas],” Ikpeba said..

Emmanuel Emenike

Nigeria Hosts CAF Awards January THE annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards night will be staged in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 9.

CAF announced on their website that Lagos will host the event for the second time after it first did so in 2009.

Manchester City star and Cote d’Ivoire international Yaya Toure is the reigning African Footballer of the Year,

while Egypt’s Mohammed Aboutreika was adjudged the best player on the continent who is based at home.

A total 13 award categories winners will be announced at the event.

The categories include the prestigious African Footballer of the Year, National team of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Echiejile Demands Braga NIGERIA defender discussions between both Exit Elderson Echiejile has A top source told clubs have reached an asked to quit Portuguese club, sporting Braga.

Fenerbahce Recapture Emenike For 13m Euros

FENERBAHCE have reached an agreement with Spartak Moscow for the signature of Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike.

The transfer will cost 13m Euros, two years after Emenike left for Russia for 10m Euros without playing a game for Fenerbahce.

CAF

The Turkish club announced to the stock exchange that the Nigerian has until August 12 to pass his medical before the transfer will be completed.

Emenike has not hid his admiration for Fenerbahce following his hurried departure last year after signing from Karabukspor for +9m due to match fixing allegations. He has been cleared of all charges.

The Yellow Canaries will have to make room for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations golden boot winner as they have exceeded their quota of foreign players. Turkish clubs are not allowed more than 10 foreign players every season.

MTNFootball.com: “Elderson has made it very clear to his club Braga that he wishes to leave during this transfer window.”

The left back is currently with the Braga squad in Algrave, where they are involved in a pre-season tournament that also has English Premier League side West Ham and Sporting Lisbon.

Braga beat West Ham 10 in their opening game but the Nigeria defender was not part of the action.

He has been training with the squad since he returned from extended holidays in Nigeria.

Reports out of Turkey have already said Elderson has agreed to join Besiktas. it is believed that

advanced stage.

The star defender, who has featured for Rennes of France before joining Sporting Braga, has been linked with a move to several English Premier League clubs including Norwich City and Fulham.

He is under contract with Sporting Braga until June 2014.

• Elderson Echiejile

CMYK

Legislators, Cats of Nine Lives

PEOPLE asking for Sovereign National Conference for the purpose of giving this country a Constitution certainly know what they are talking about. There is no way serving legislators can amend the Constitution without amending themselves into it.

But each time the suggestion is made, our legislators quickly see it as an indictment on them. Can they now see how they have turned the National Assembly to the theatre of the absurd? There are those who want adulthood defined by their appetite for infant wives.

Do we still have a Constitution now? Has that instrument not been amended beyond recognition? As a prelude to the 2011 general elections, they amended some 400 clauses in that Constitution and preparatory to the 2015 elections, they are in the process of amending some 87 clauses. Who still knows what is where in that patch-patch Constitution? Yet, since 1791 the US whose Constitution we lifted almost wholesale has altered only 14 clauses in its Constitution!

Suddenly, the Senate President and his Deputy as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and his Deputy have been awarded Life Pensions and these must be pushed into the Constitution. This does immense violence to the dictionary definition of Pension as an amount of money paid regularly as retirement benefit by government or company to somebody who is considered too old or too ill to work.

While it makes no sense to bestow pension rights on a member simply because he was a Presiding Officer; it also makes no sense to deny pension rights to any member who stays long enough in the legislature, whether he was a

presiding officer or not. After all, no member contested an election as a Presiding Officer from his constituency.

On this issue, we intend to call only two witnesses but before doing so, we must quickly mention that the question of who gets pension and who does not should not be enshrined in the Constitution. It should be left for subsidiary

as you may be unwillingly, your colleagues are in the process of foisting another life pension on you. We think you should resist them before they inaugurate you into the cat of nine lives.

Your political star has not dimmed. By the time you may become the President of Nigeria, you will also get a third life pension. The question is: how many life pension points can one man

the legislature. Those are the spoils of office. After all, those Customs Officers who have mansions in major Capitals of the world are not denied pension on retirement.

Many career politicians like Hon. Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi State), Hon. Samson Raphael Osagie (Edo State), etc., some of whom started from their States, belong to this category. We expect this to engage the attention of the National Assembly.

When it comes to playing to the gallery, the House of

Governors, all of them are on the same page: they will soon show that Governors Amaechi and Jang could be the best of friends. They will not watch helplessly as you drive a sharp knife

• Senator David Mark, Senate President

• Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Reps

legislation so that it can be amended whenever necessary.

We invite Senator David Bonaventure Alechenu Mark: Distinguished, today, you occupy the third highest office in Nigeria.

Congratulations. But deep down, you are aware that you have never decisively won any election that got you to the National Assembly. We are not too sure, as we speak, that some of your election cases may not still be hanging somewhere in the judicial maze. But that is not at issue here.

Early in life, you went into the Nigerian Army, where you served meritoriously.

You also retired without blemish and this country put you on life pension. Much

Representatives is certainly smarter than the Senate.

This is what the muchtouted idea of autonomy for the Local Governments has shown.

The Reps know that the State Houses of Assembly – where the Governors hold sway – are waiting. On issues affecting the

have in one life time? There are many legislators in this category.

Enter Hon. Farouk Muhammad Lawan (Bagwai/Shanono-Kano State): You are a fourth-time member of the House of Representatives.

You enrolled in politics soon after graduating from the University. At the time you opted for politics, some of your friends went into the Civil Service and other endeavours. At retirement, your friends will be entitled to pensions. It will be grossly unfair to deny you pension rights simply because you opted for politics where you could not rise to Speakership. It is immaterial that you may now be collecting “paje” (small-small chops) from

across their throats. In the months ahead, we shall see how issues of interest to the Governors will go.

Have we really noticed how inextricably Section 7 of the Constitution tied the Local Governments to the apron strings of the States?

One mistaken impression is

that Local Government autonomy starts and ends with direct allocation from the federation account. Full autonomy recognises, in its entire ramification, that whatever is good for the first and second tiers is also good for the third tier.

This is where the House of Representatives has flunked the first test of its seriousness on local government autonomy: they bestowed life pensions on Presidents and Vice Presidents; Governors and their Deputies; but remained stoically silent on LG Chairmen and their Vice.

Essentially, Section 7 of our 1999 Constitution and actual autonomy for Local Governments are incongruent. By seeking to transfer the issue of Local Government elections to INEC, the Reps have violated the provisions of the aforementioned Section 7, which stipulates, “…every State Government shall ensure the existence of the Local Government Council under a Law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such Councils”.

Under this Section, it is the duty of each State Government to decide whether to retain its Electoral Commission; handover to INEC; or even invite the United Nations to conduct its Local Government elections.

“Suddenly, the Senate President and his Deputy as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and his Deputy have been awarded Life Pensions and these must be pushed into the Constitution. This does immense violence to the dictionary definition of Pension as an amount of money paid regularly as retirement benefit by government or company to somebody who is considered too old or too ill to work.”

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