The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 39 NO.008 • MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2014 • N100.00 POLITICS Pgs 16,17&24
PDP Wants To Cause Confusion In Edo State
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- Odion
INTERNATIONAL FEATURES Pg. 25
Barrel Bombs Risk Becoming Answer To Insurgency
Edo Police command to screen retired officers today
By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
BENIN CITY- Edo State Police Command has invited for screening, police officers or next of kin of officers who retired
before 2007 and have not been paid their pensions and gratuities. A statement signed by the Image maker of the
command, DSP Noble Uwoh stated that the screening exercise comes up today, Monday, June 9, 2014 at
the Police Officers Mess, Ikpokpan Road, GRA, Benin City, beginning by 10AM.
SSG, others to bring back defected APC members
SABONGIDA-ORA –Top ranking All Progressive Congress (APC) stalwarts in Edo State weekend, said they would constitute a high-powered committee to be saddled with the responsibility of bringing back to the party, defected members and also reach out to other aggrieved members. They urged the At an interactive and Oshiomhole’s led members to remain in familiarization meeting administration. hosted by the Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere in Owan West Local Government Area, stakeholders at the meeting urged members of the party to remain focus and be committed in supporting the Comrade Adams
the party because: “APC is the platform for justice, fairness and equity”. Those present included the leader of the
party, Chief Shagari Oni, the local government party chairman, Barr. S. P. Imolode, Six Councilors led by the
Don’t heat up polity, cleric warns politicians OMU-ARAN - Rt. Rev. Phillip Adeyemo, the Bishop of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, has warned politicians against heating up the polity. Adeyemo gave the warning in a sermon he delivered at a church service in Omu-Aran yesterday. He said that the country was presently passing through a critical period occasioned by the activities of insurgents, adding that there was the need to avoid any act that could compound the situation. Adeyemo said the country was also witnessing activities
leading to the build-up of another general elections in 2015. “I want to appeal to Nigerians, especially those in the political class, to watch their utterances and actions so as not to heat up the polity. “The country presently has had enough difficulties confronting it judging from the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and other security challenges. “As religious leaders, we would continue to intercede on behalf of those at the helm of affairs and advise accordingly on the Continues on page 2
TIT BIT “The kind of ambition that makes a man to start dancing before the music starts usually does not end up as desired”. - Kingsley-Ogbeide-Ihama
ECOWAS SESSION: L-R: President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic; President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and President Goodluck Jonathan, at the extra-ordinary session of ECOWAS authority of Heads of State and Government in Accra on Friday.
Akunyili’s Death
Majority Leader of Owan West the Legislative Arm, Prince Osomaye Monday, APC ward chairmen, women leaders youth leaders, and other party chieftains. According to Chief Shagari Oni: “we are here to familiarize with ourselves as a party that is on ground in Owan West local government area and Edo State. Don’t worry yourselves over those that defected; don’t also border yourselves over the disagreements in the party; we shall set up a committee to bring back those who left us and also reconcile aggrieved ones. “The Governor recognizes your aspirations and yearnings. You can be certain that we will resolve all the issues amicably to favor everybody. “We must work together and we must tell ourselves the truth Continues on page 2
Nat’l confab expresses sadness ABUJA - The National Conference sitting in Abuja has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Prof. Dora Akunyili on Saturday, saying the deceased was a fine public servant who did her best for the nation. This is contained in a statement by Mr james Akpandem, the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, made available to newsmen in
Abuja yesterday. He said that Akunyili, a former DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC and later Minister of Information and
Communications, died in an Indian hospital in the early hours of Saturday after a battle with cancer. Akpandem said that “the Chairman of the
conference, Retired Justice Idris Kutigi, was shocked at the demise of one of Nigeria’s finest administrators.’’ Akunyili was until her
Cross-Carpeting
death, a delegate representing Anambra at the conference. The assistant secretary stated that “the Continues on page 2
APC youth leader berates lawmakers BENIN CITY – The Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State Chapter,
under the leadership of Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun, the senior special Assistant to the
Governor on Neighbourhood Watch, has described the four House of Assembly
members, who recently defected to the opposition party, PDP as Continues on page 2
News
Aviation Industry: NASS to consider IKEJA - Senate President David Mark has said that the National Assembly (NASS) would consider a revolutionary local content regulation for Nigeria’s aviation industry to improve the sector. Mark said this in Lagos yesterday during the unveiling of 127 pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers trained by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta. Represented by Senator Abdul Ningi, the Senate Deputy Leader, Mark said that the regulation would be passed into law in due course. He said that the regulation would make it mandatory for both domestic and foreign airlines operating in Nigeria to employ a certain number of
Akunyili’s Death Continued from page 1 National Conference sitting in Abuja, on Saturday, June 7, 2014, received yet another sad news of the demise of a delegate, Prof. Dora Akunyili. “Akunyili’s death brings to three the number of such incidents recorded in the life of the conference, inaugurated on March 17, 2014.’’ He added that “Akunyili’s death was preceded by that of AIG Hamma Misau, a delegate representing retired police officers from Bauchi State on Thursday, March 27, 2014. “The second was Dr Mohammed Jumare, a delegate representing elder statesmen from Kaduna State, who died on Monday, May 5, 2014. “The chairman of the conference and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, expressed sadness at the demise of one of Nigeria’s finest administrators.’’ Akpandem noted that “on behalf of the principal officers and delegates to the conference, Kutigi expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.’’ He stated that Akunyili’s last official assignment was on March 24 at the conference, where her eloquent contributions to the debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech to the conference elicited thunderous applause from delegates.
local content bill
indigenous pilots and aircraft engineers. He said that the proposed legislation would be part of efforts to deepen local participation in the aviation sector.
The senate president noted that the sector had witnessed influx of expatriates as pilots, aircraft engineers and other aviation professionals. He said the regulation had become imperative as one of
APC youth leader berates lawmakers Continued from page 1 political sycophants, who lacked leadership pedigree. Speaking with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER on behalf of the youths, Comrade Adun asserted that the Lawmakers have betrayed the people who honestly voted them into power. He noted that all the promises made during their electioneering campaign in their respective constituencies have been ostensibly violated as they were merely fighting for personal aggrandizement at the expense of the people. He further said that the lawmakers, Hon. Ise-Idehen, Hon. Friday Ogieriakhi, Hon. Patrick Osayimwen and Abdul Razak Momoh representing Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmwon II, Oredo East constituencies and Etsako West I respectively, used the progressive ladder of the APC and the Comrade Governor in particular to reach the Zenith of their political inclination and dumped them. He said “It is however, disappointing that after achieving their aims, they traded our votes for monetary gains to suit their selfish interest.”
He called on the youths to remain focused and steadfast, to enable APC, as a formidable party in the state win the 2015 and 2016 general elections and assured them of his indefatigable leadership especially as an aspirant to the exalted position of SouthSouth Youths Leader on the platform of APC. The Chairman of Akugbe Ventures Limited, however, congratulated the new leadership of APC in the state and urged them to use their wealth of experience to work in tandem with the Comrade Governor to build an unbroken synergy that will make life suitable for the people. On the issue of inflammatory statements made against the APC leaders and the Governor by the leadership of PDD, he, however, cautioned the Chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih to always verify facts before making wild allegations to earn cheap popularity. He recalled the gloomy days of the PDP government in the state where the tax payers’ monies were squandered and reminded Orbih of the dangers ahead of his party if he does not caution himself. He said Edo APC youths
would, resist any attempt by the PDP to rig the next general elections in the state and made it categorically clear that APC would rule Edo State beyond the present administration. On the alleged plans by the PDP to frame him up in a criminal case prior to 2015 and 2016 general elections in the state, the APC youth leader averred that he was not scared of the impending threat just as he has vowed to use all resources at his disposal to get redress in the event that their plans sail through. He noted that politics is not a do-or-die affair and that it should be played according to the rules to avoid a political war in the state.
reconcile with aggrieved members”. The host, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere who appreciated the progressive statements from various speakers said, “I want to assure you, the G7councilors, that I will do things that will make the other councilors regret if they don’t join you to move this local government area forward; same for the ward chairmen and women leaders. “There is no retreat, no surrender in this game. I joined a few others to fight for the democracy we are all enjoying today in this country
and as at that time, I couldn’t enter Nigeria to see my mother and my family. I am a Professor of Political Science and Strategic Studies. I have worked and earned it. We cannot be confused because we are too prepared; we are not leaving APC. We will all remain in the party, instead of leaving for the PDP, I will retire home from politics. “We are standing on the platform of justice, fairness and equity in APC. I want to urge all of you to be confident and I will never let you down; APC is a strong party in Owan West and will grow stronger. “For those who care to listen, we are brothers. I have no personal quarrel with anyone, but nobody can get away with political rascality. “When PDP comes to you, tell them to go away because whatever happens in APC, we will still win any election, any day. “We have been able to attract the Federal College of Vocational Studies, Uzebba that is under construction and that will create over 1000 local jobs. “I will build a large shopping mall around the school and allocate them free per ward so that you can make money when the school is in operation.”, Ihonvbere promised.
Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun
SSG, others to bring back defected APC members
Continued from page 1
because when there is too much lies in a party, there can’t be progress and development.” Welcoming party members to the meeting, the Local Government party chairman, Barr. Imolode said, “I recognize that some of our brothers left the party, but we would not leave them to go astray. “We shall set up a committee to go after them like the parable of the shepherd and 100 sheep. “We shall go after our lost sheep because politics is a game of number and also
Cleric urges leadership to demonstrate fear of God LAGOS - Monsignor Gabriel Osu, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, yesterday urged Nigerians to demonstrate the fear of God in leadership to enhance national development. Osu made the appeal while delivering a sermon at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Lekki, Lagos. He said that leadership
the ways of creating an avenue for Nigerian aviation professionals to secure jobs in the aviation sector. Mark said that NASS would continue to support the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the training of youths in the country in order to close the gaps in manpower needs.
was a privilege from God, urging that leaders would be required to give account of their stewardships. “Leaders should understand that whatever things they do, they will give account of them to God. “Our leaders should endeavour to do what is just. “This is because a leader is not in the position of authority to represent a clique, religion or tribe, but to represent God,” he said.
He said that there was the need for peaceful coexistence among religious groups in Nigeria to promote national growth. Osu said that Nigerians should be willing to forgive and reconcile with one another to reduce conflict and violence. The cleric urged Nigerians to tolerate and accommodate one another to enable the country’s leaders give much attention to societal development.
Ekiti Violence
Police arrest 8 Persons Ado-Ekiti - The Police Command in Ekiti State, yesterday said it has arrested eight persons in relation with Saturday’s clash that led to the death of one person in Ado Ekiti. This is contained in a statement issued by its spokesman, ASP Victor Babayemi in Ado Ekiti. Babayemi said that the arrested persons are helping the police in its investigation to unravel those behind the attack. The police denied claims by the APC that its men were responsible for the killing of the yet to be identified man. It rather blamed the party and some serving members of the national assembly for the incident. The police spokesman said the attack followed an unauthorised procession in Ado-Ekiti by the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC). Babayemi alleged that it was during the procession that members of the party encountered some PDP supporters at Ijigbo Roundabout, during which dangerous weapons were freely used. On the alleged use of tear gas on the state governor during the incident, the police spokesman accused the governor of ignoring security advice. Meanwhile, violent clash between APC and PDP supporters yesterday claimed a motorcyclist in Ado-Ekiti. It was gathered that the clash left several other persons critically injured. Eye witnesses said trouble started at about 8 a.m. when some APC members trooped out to the city centre with brooms to conduct a “ cleaning’’ exercise following Saturday’s PDP rally for its flagbearer in the June 21 guber election, Ayo Fayose. The APC members were said to have been stopped midway by a combined team of security agents who were still keeping vigil in the Ekiti capital. The APC members, who were said to have initially resisted the directive to halt the cleaning exercise, were later dispersed with tear gas. The clash became bloody when one of the rival party members was said to have been shot dead by unknown persons. Eyewitnesses said the incident left no fewer than four vehicles damaged while six motorcycles were burnt.
Reacting to the development, the state APC Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, alleged that the clash was triggered by the bias of the police against his party. Awe accused the State Mopol Commander, Mr Gabriel Selenkere, of shooting dead an APC member. He also accused the commander of personally firing tear gas canisters at Gov. Kayode Fayemi who was trying to restore normalcy. He said the ruling APC no longer had confidence in both the state Police Commissioner, Mr Felix Uyanna, and the Mopol commander. But the state PDP Chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, accused APC members of provoking the violence by attacking a motorcyclist wearing a Tshirt with the Ayo Fayose inscription. He alleged that the APC members also attacked other motorcyclists wearing T-shirts which had the inscription of the PDP candidate on them. Ogundipe claimed that the killers of the commercial motorcyclist removed the Ayo Fayose T-shirt on him and replaced it with an APC vest to indict the PDP. The Ekiti Police Command, however, exonerated its officers in the killing of the unidentified motorcyclist, saying the victim died in the violent clash between the rival parties at Ijigbo roundabout. It also said eight persons were arrested in connection with the clash, adding that APC chieftains led by Sen. Babafemi Ojudu and House of Representatives member, Mr Oyetunji Ojo, provoked the violence through their utterances and actions. he police spokesman in the state, ASP Victor Babayemi, said in a statement that those apprehended were helping the command to unravel those behind the attacks. The statement blamed the APC for embarking on its cleaning exercise without obtaining permission from the state police command. On the alleged tear gas attack on Fayemi, the statement said the police commissioner and the State Director of SSS had warned the governor against visiting the scene of the incident until normalcy was restored, a warning he allegedly ignored.
Don’t heat up polity Continued from page 1
policies to bring the desired development in the country,” Adeyemi said. He urged the politicians to close ranks to ensure credible, free and fair elections, stressing the need to put the interest of the country above personal gains. He said this was necessary as no meaningful development could be
achieved in an atmosphere of violence and rancour. The cleric also advised Nigerian youths, particularly those already involved in politics, to eschew violence. “The youths nowadays have become the tools to perpetrate evil acts against individuals and the state. “ There is the need for them to be careful of the kind of association they keep,” Adeyemo said.
News Church Holds 7 Days Programme
Local Materials
Expert Advocates Research
ILORIN - The General Manager, Kwara State Rural Electrification Board, Engr. Abdulyassar Remilekun, yesterday advocated for improved research to develop local materials which would drive the energy sector. Remilekun, who said this in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen, urged the Federal Government to explore a renewed source of energy to solve the energy crisis facing the country. He described the sole reliance on the national grid as disturbing. “in view of this, there is the need for concerted efforts to develop the renewable energy which is readily affordable and
accessible. “Uninterrupted power supply is possible and achievable in the country, if government could muster the needed political will. “The Federal Government should establish small hydro power and bucket generating stations to provide relief in the face of the country’s erratic power supply, as energy remains the only potent way of driving the economy.”
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu commissioning a block of six classrooms built by Rt. Hon.(Barr) Paul Ohonbamu (left), member representing Egor Constituency, Edo State House of Assembly at Edaiken Primary School, Uselu as part of his 2013 Constituency projects recently. With them is Hon. Victor Enobakhare, Chairman, Egor LGA.
BENIN CITY – The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Midwest (XI) Regional Headquarters, Ugbor Road, GRA, Benin City is to hold a 7day programme tagged: “7 Days of Fresh Oil” beginning from today, Monday June 9, Sunday June 15, 2014. The programme, with the theme: “I shall be anointed with fresh oil, will hold at 4pm daily except on Sunday when it will hold at 7am. Ministers at the programme are Dr. D.K. Olukoya General Overseer of the Church Worldwide, and Regional Overseers including Pastor Taiwo Oladimeji; Pastor Doton Gabriel and Pastor Anthony Aghede who is also the Host Minister.
Cleric, Parents Urge FG To End ASUP Strike
LAGOS - The Pastor of the Christ Mission Ecclesiastical Church, Isawo, Lagos, Mr Adedoyin Adenuga, yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to end the polytechnic lecturers’ strike.
Adenuga told newsmen that Nigeria was being shortchanged in human capital development by the over 13-month-old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). He said in Lagos that
Members of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), New Benin Division recently paid a courtesy visit to the Editor of The Nigerian OBSERVER, Barr. Solomon Imohiosen. The Editor (left), presenting a copy of The OBSERVER newspaper to Mr. Frank Ogun, the Organising Secretary. With them are other Executive members of PCRC, Evang. Nwoke Malachy, Vice Chairman, Mr. John Whyte, Provost, Christopher Okpokpor and Tunde Eigbiremolen, Assistant Editor of The Nigerian OBSERVER (2ND left).
Ivie Weds Ayo June 13
BENIN CITY – The traditional marriage ceremony between Alessia Ivie Imariabe, of Iguerahon in Ovia South West Local Government Area and Kingsley Ayo Okonofua, of Eko-Ojemen, Ewu, in Esan Central Local Government Area, both of Edo State, comes up Friday, June 13, 2014. The programme of event endorsed by both families indicates that the wedding ceremony will take place at the Bride’s family compound, 14, Aloghodaro Street, off Ohovbe Road, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City at noon. Invited guests, friends, associates, family members and well-wishers of both Bride and Groom have been cordially requested to grace the occasion as Ivie and Ayo a mark of honour to the couple.
education was the bedrock of development which any government should not toy with. The cleric reiterated that technical education was fundamental to the development of the country. “I am a product of one of our polytechnics, and I can tell you that the government needs to do much more for the institutions in terms of funding and welfare packages. “We cannot be talking of economic growth while our polytechnics remain closed. “It is not a good sign for our national transformation if technical education that polytechnics are instituted to provide is allowed to fallow and decay,’’ he said. Mr John Oyibo, a teacher, whose ward is a second year
student of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, said that parents had become worried over the future of their children in polytechnics. “We did not expect that this strike will linger for so long, considering what our country suffered from the last Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike,’’ he said. Another parent, Mrs Mary Omole, told journalists that many families might no longer want their wards to pursue polytechnic education because of the strike and the impression that polytechnic certificates were inferior. According to Omole, many dons were products of polytechnic education before they proceeded to acquire degrees in the university. She alleged that the way the government was handling the ASUP strike negated its earlier policy to upgrade some of them
EDSOGPADEC Commissioner Charges APC Members To Be Courageous BENIN CITY – The Commissioner representing Orhionmwon Local Government Area in the Board of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, (EDSOGPADEC), Hon. Fidelis Okunzuwa has charged All Progressive Congress (APC) faithful in the local government area to be courageous inspite of the current challenges of the party is presently facing. He made the charge in Benin City, during a town hall meeting conveyed to harmonise APC members in Ugu Ward, where the commissioner hails from. He noted that the present crises in APC that culminated in the defection of some members is the manifestation of the fact that God is in control of the party’s ideology and structure in the state. While urging al APC members not to be deterred by the development as he also urged them to remain steadfast in
building a formidable party on a solid foundation for the purposes of winning the next general elections in the state. He therefore thanked the people of Ugu ward for their perseverance and tolerance in piloting the affairs of the party in the locality, assuring them of his infinite loyalty to achieve APC set goals. He denied alleged plans to defect from APC to other party.
Hon. Fidelis Okunzuwa, EDSOGPADEC, Commissioner
to degree-awarding institutions. “Our children in polytechnics who are staying at home are now a source of worry and discomfort to us. “Many of them have started to constitute nuisance at home and around,’’ she said. ASUP had gone on strike on April 13, 2013, over alleged Federal Government’s failure to meet the union’s demands.
Oghenerhaboke For Burial June 12 BENIN CITY - The Oghenerhaboke family of Abraka Inland in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, has announced the home call of their beloved son, brother, uncle, father and grand-father, Mr. John Matthew Oghenerhaboke. Aged 83, the late John Oghenerhaboke is survived by wife, Mrs. Margaret Oghenerhaboke and ten children, amongst whom are Mr. Penn Oghenerhaboke, Mrs. Carolyn Eghaghe and renowned activist and Journalist, Mr. Akpesiri Oghenerhaboke. There will be a Vigil Mass at his compound, flat 74 BKFI, F.H.E, Aduwawa, Benin City on Thursday, June 12, 2014 while his body will be interred at his home town on Friday, June 13, 2014 after a Requiem Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Abraka. The burial ceremony will climax with a thanksgiving service at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, Aduwawa, Benin City on Sunday, June 15, 20l4.
Late John Matthew Oghenerhaboke
News Council Boss Urges Mothers To Vacinate Their Children AFUZE – The Chairman, Owan East Local Government Council, Chief Jimoh Ijegbai has appealed to mother to make their children/wards available for vaccination at the health centres nearest to them during the 1st round of the maternal and child health week which holds from June 8, - 12, 2014. Chief Ijegbai made this appeal during the inauguration of the first round of the 2014 maternal and child health week at Ihevbe Primary Health Care Centre in Owan East Local Government. The Council boss, who was represented by Secretary to Local Government, Capt Afenge Abubakar (Rtd) said the Child health week is a regular event put together to administer potent vaccine against deadly preventable childhood diseases.
He explained aside vaccination of children of ages 0-59 months, baby show, promotion of breast feeding and many more activities would feature during the exercise. Representative of the Owan East Primary Health Care Cordinator, Dr. James Adanini said Health education is very vital to be able to communicate good hygiene practices, nutritional feeding habit and proper vaccination messages to
mothers. He noted that birth certificate will also be issued during this exercise and therefore urged pregnant women and nursing mothers to ensure participate actively in other to take the child health week a success. Highpoint of the ceremony was the administration of vaccines on children by the representative of the council boss Capt Afenge Abubakar (Rtd) supervisors and other top government functionaries present.
An official of Grand Alliance against terrorism, Mr. Max Gbanite (left), addressing participants at a public sensitisation campaign on ‘Citizen-Response Mechanism in the fight against terror’ in Abuja weekend.
Infertility: Experts Advise Couples
LAGOS Some gynaecologists in Lagos yesterday advised couples who had been married for more than six months to one year without conception to seek help from fertility experts. The experts, who spoke to
newsmen, insisted that In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) was needed to prevent risks due to late conception. IVF is the fertilisation of an ovum by mixing it with sperm in a laboratory after which the fertilised egg is
implanted in the uterus to continue normal development. Dr Tunde Okewale, a Consultant Gynaecologist in Lagos, noted that the problem of infertility was fast becoming a serious family problem in the country. Okewale said that advanced fertility treatment such as IVF had been helpful to more patients to overcome their infertility problems. He, however, linked ignorance and religious beliefs as factors affecting many couples’ approach to infertility problems. “Too many couples seeking medical help early for their infertility problems contradict their religious belief and faith system. “These couples finally
present themselves for medical intervention in their 40s when it is more difficult to treat what could have been a simple problem in their late 20s or early 30s. “There is a real danger that infertility could become an epidemic problem in our society due to a combination of many socioeconomic, environmental and life style issues afflicting our society. “Until our governments see infertility as a social problem and subsidise its cost, many treatable infertility problems will remain with us, hence contributing to the rise of infertility and its attendant social problems,” he said. Another Specialist, Dr Adegbite Ogunmokun of Eko Hospital, Lagos, said IVF was used to assist couples
who have difficulties in producing embryo due to infertility problems or age. “IVF is also called assisted reproduction,’’ he said, adding that: “It can be regarded as a natural process of conception done outside the human body’’. Ogunmokun identified the major challenges of the IVF process as lack of interest by patients to accept the procedure or believe in the process. He said that though IVF was quite expensive due to specialised equipment and personnel, couples faced with fertility crises should be encouraged to embrace the procedure. Ogunmokun said that there was usually a 30 per cent success rate of IVF.
Vandalism: Association Wants Law
To Protect Telecoms Equipment
Bauchi Local Government Machine Tax Collector run for his life during a fight with a motorcycle operator at Wunti Street in Bauchi weekend.
LAGOS - The National Association of Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Subscribers (NATCOMS) yesterday called for a law that
LUTH CMD Warns Against Indiscrimate Use Of Herbal Medicine LAGOS - Prof. Akin Osibogun, the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, yesterday advised Nigerians against indiscriminate use of herbal mixtures. Osibogun told newsmen in Lagos that many herbal mixtures were taken raw and could destroy vital organs in the body. According to him, these raw mixtures contain chemicals that have also not been analysed scientifically to determine their dosages. “For instance, a very potent
medicine that is used for heart conditions, ‘Digoxine‘, is obtained from Lanatal leaves, so it’s obtained from herbs. “But, we need to do more research to get the acute ingredients from the herbs and separate them from harmful products that are also in those herbs. “And then, we must also determine the exact dosage that is required to help a patient. “So, until we have done that research, it is not good to just ask people to be drinking something without dose, without measurement
and without quantification,” he said. Osibogun said that some unanalysed herbs could damage the liver and kidney because the organs work all the time to eradicate the harmful ingredients in the body. He said it was important to talk with a doctor before using herbal supplements. He also urged the public to investigate the potential benefits and side effects of herbal supplements before use. “Herbal medicine is popular among Nigerians but
they appear to be ignorant of its potential toxicity. “It may be necessary to evaluate the safety, efficacy and quality of herbal medicines and their products through clinical trial studies. “Public enlightenment programmes about safe use of herbal medicines may be necessary as a means of minimising the potential adverse effects,” Osibogun added. He also advised that the use of unverified local drugs and the activities of their producers and vendors should be checked.
would make vandalism of telecommunications equipment a capital offence. The President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, told newsmen in Lagos that such a law had become necessary in view of incessant vandalism of telecoms equipment. He said that such legislation would protect telecommunications installations and promote effective service delivery. Ogunbanjo said that vandalism of telecommunications equipment was frustrating efforts of operators in providing quality services. Ogunbanjo regretted that the vandalism disrupted services and adversely affected economic activities of people who depended on telecoms for livelihood. According to him, the disruption of telecommunication services
by vandals will not only disconnect subscribers but also paralyse businesses and other activities. “Damage to telecoms facilities will throw many people out of jobs as less recharge cards will be sold, Internet cafes will be out of business, while security and emergencies will be affected,” Ogunbanjo said. The NATCOMS president said that the Federal Government should not leave protection of telecoms facilities to the operators alone. “Vandalism of critical infrastructure has ripple effects on the economy, including job losses and reduced tax income,” he said. Ogunbanjo called on the government to beef up security around telecoms installations nationwide to prevent ‘agents of economic sabotage’ from destroying them.
South-South Monarch’s Burial Rite
Police Denies Rumour Of Ritual Killings PORT HARCOURT The Rivers Police Command has denied rumours about alleged ritual killings to meet the burial rites of the late traditional ruler of Woji community,Eze Frank Eke. This is contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Grace Iringe-Koko, in Port Harcourt. The reports state that residents of Woji community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, had alleged that human heads were needed as part of the burial rites of the late monarch. The statement said that the rumour had caused apprehension and panic among the people for fear of being murdered. ‘’Unfortunately, this has erroneously caused apprehensions in the minds
of people for fear of being murdered for the said burial. ‘’In this regard, the Rivers State Police Command hereby refutes the rumour as a figment of the imagination of those who have concocted such rumour. ‘’It is important to state that such barbaric practice cannot be imagined in the present civilised dispensation of human advancement,’’ it said. The statement urged the people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the police. It said that the police was being cautious because some hoodlums could capitalise on the huge influx of people for the burial to carry out ‘’ unwholesome activities’’. Eke, a former Deputy Governor of the state in 1983, will be buried on June 7.
Senators cutting cake with Senate President David Mark (middle) to end the 3rd session of the 7th Senate at the National Assembly in Abuja recently.
Earth Tremor In Yenagoa Can Be Warning indigenes of the community have Sign - Commissioner attributed the strange earth tremor
YENAGOA - Mr. Iniruo Wills, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Environment, has said that the earth tremor that occurred in Okordia communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area could be a warning sign of an earthquake. Willis made this assertion while speaking with newsmen during his inspection visit to the
affected communities to ascertain the extent of damage. Reports state that the tremor caused anxiety among residents of the area with some people fleeing their homes in fear. Wills said that preliminary findings during the tour showed cracks on the impacted
generally participated massively in wealth to be made from the knowledge-based economy. The communiqué said that the governors resolved to support efforts targeted at providing enabling environment in which jobs could be created. It said the governors would also lay emphasis on infrastructure including uninterrupted electricity supply. The governors also resolved to use their position in the National Economic Council (NEC) to press for low interest rate and enforcement of import policies and collection of customs duties. They also promised to adopt investment for poverty reduction and employment strategies by emphasising policies that would generate
his chairmanship, for preparation of a transition guide book for governors. The reports state that the retreat, hosted by Amaechi, was attended by Governors of Kano, Imo, Adamawa, Lagos, Sokoto, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Nasarawa and Edo states. A former President of Liberian, Prof Amos Sawyer, former Governor of Kwara, Bukola Saraki, former Minister of FCT, Malam Nasir el Rurai, Prof Oyewole Owolabi and Prof Oyewale Tomori were also present at the retreat. NGF, the umbrella association for all elected governors, became factionalised on March 26, 2013 after its chairmanship election
Amaechi-Led NGF To Draw Up Governors’ employment at local levels. Amaechi commended the Retirement Benefits forum‘s secretariat staff, under
PORT HARCOURT -NGF) The Amaechi-led Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has promised to make objective recommendation for governors retirement benefits. This is part of resolutions adopted at the 4th Retreat of the forum in Port Harcourt on Friday. Amaechi read the communiqué at the end of the retreat which had health and youth unemployment and transition - life after office prospects and challenges as its major focus. The communiqué said the governors would henceforth focus more attention on ensuring good governance and service delivery in the remaining period of their tenure. It said that the focus became necessary because whatever happened in the last year of a
governor‘s tenure could make or mar his record of performance in office. The governors promised to place more emphasis on making primary health care more accessible to patients, by putting in place a system which would make them utilise health facilities closer to them. The communiqué said the governors would make it a priority to provide universal primary healthcare to all citizens and ensure its sustainability and affordability. On youth unemployment, the governors said they would make provisions for and support infrastructure necessary for speedy broadband and internet connections. This, the governors stressed, would ensure that youths in particular and Nigerians
Minister of Sports, Mr. Tammy Danagogo (left), welcoming Brazilian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Joao Andre Pinto Dias Lima, during the ambassador’s visit to the National Stadium in Abuja recently.
buildings, which, according to him, is an indication of the seriousness of the incident. “It could be a warning and we assure the indigenes of the community that we will not wait until an earthquake happens in Bayelsa. “We have spoken to many of them and they reacted spontaneously. We have been shown around and we have seen cracks. “Some of the cracks may not be too evident and long. But some are quite long. It could be a warning, but we will not also jump to conclusion.” However, many of the
to oil exploration and production activities by oil firms operating in the area. Residents at Freetown, Ikarama 1 and 2 areas said the strange earth tremor caused walls of about 50 buildings to crack. The Paramount Ruler of the Community, Chief Franco Daniel, said the incident occurred late evening on Wednesday and caused panic in the community. “I was sleeping when my daughter ran into the house shouting that the ground was seriously shaking. ‘’I hurried out and observed many of the indigenes running helter skelter in fear.
IKOM (Cross River) - Some 86 communities in Cross River State have benefitted from the N12.5 billion water supply project sponsored by the state government in collaboration with the World Bank and First Bank (Nigeria) Plc. Mr Godwin Akwagiobe, the state Water Project Engineer, stated this in an interview with newsmen at the weekend in Ikom. Akwagiobe said the beneficiaries included 16 communities in Okpoma, Yala; 20 in Obubra, 14 in Itigidi Phase II; 12 in Obubra, 13 in Ogoja, nine in Ikom, two in Ikom Phase II, and one in Itigidi Phase I. He said that the First Bank funded the Ikom phase I and the Itigidi Emergency Rehabilitation with N900 million, adding that water production and distribution systems for Ikom and Itigidi Phase I cost N5.4 billion. He also said that the World Bank-sponsored Obudu and Ikom Phase II water projects cost $15.3 million (about N2.5 billion), while the Ikom Phase II gulped $23.4 million (about N3.7 billion). He said that most of the projects were already serving
residents of the affected communities, adding that the few ongoing ones would soon be completed. Akwagiobe said that most of the benefiting communities had no potable water for several years, noting that the intervention had alleviated their suffering. “Before now, the people were drinking unsafe water from ponds, rivers, lakes and wells,’’ he said. He appealed to the affected communities to own, maintain and protect the various water schemes which the state government had spent so much to attract. Reports state the some communities had already taken delivery of the completed projects included Itigidi, Ikom, Ogoja and Obudu. Mrs. Martina Odey, a civil servant in Ogoja said, “This is a wonderful project for us. For years we have stayed without water and our people fetched from bore holes and other sources. “We thank Governor Liyel Imoke for this gesture. This will help us a lot. Water was our main problem,’’ she said.
86 Communities Benefit From N12.5b Water Project
South West Court Girls Dissolves Chibok School
12-Year-Old Marriage
L-R: Chairman, UCH Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Abiodun Otegbayo; Chief Medical Director, Prof. Temitope Alonge and Director of Administration, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, presenting the UCH Mortality Statistics, August 2012-July 2013 in Ibadan recently.
Court Remands Suspected Vandals IBADAN - Two suspected pipeline vandals, Ajibola Wasiu and Solomon Sunday, were remanded in prison by a Federal High Court in Ibadan for vandalism. Adedeji Olayiwola, the counsel to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said the accused were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, malicious damage and willful destruction of NNPC pipeline. Olayiwola said that the incident took place on January. 4, 2013, at 2 a.m. at Oluyole area of Ibadan. He alleged that Wasiu and Sunday were caught destroying the pipeline in order to scoop oil products. The offences,he said, contravened sections 518 (6)
176 (a) and (b) and 1 (3a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Acts N17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The pleas of the accused were, however, not taken. Justice Ayo Emmanuel directed that the duo be
remanded in the prison custody and adjourned the case to July 10 for trial.
IJEBU-ODE (OGUN) Two communities in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun have called on the state government to rehabilitate roads in the area to boost socio-economic development. The affected communities are Imowo Igboya and OruIjebu. Some residents of the communities made the appeal in separate interviews with Newsman in Ijebu-Ode. A resident of Imowo Igboya, Mr. Sola Fatuga,
told newsmen that the poor state of the roads in the area was affecting their lives. Fatuga said successive administrations have neglected the community. “Efforts to contact the relevant authorities on the subject have been exhausted and so far futile,” he said. A commuter, Mr Yemi Adeyinka, said the deplorable state of the roads was making the area inaccessble. Mr Yetunde Ishola, a trader, also called on the government to expedite action in alleviating their
prayer for the release of the Nigerian girls. “At a time like this, religious leaders must be readily available to restore hope in this situation of hopelessness as this incident marks a direct attack against education of girls in Nigeria. “It is outrageous that Boko Haram uses this inhuman tactic as a means to cause fear and insecurity among the people in their attempt to exercise their political will,” he said. The cleric, who condemned some political leaders in the country for demonstrating sympathy for members of the sect,
beyond religious agitation.
sufferings by repairing the roads. Similarly, residents of OruIjebu have called on the local council and state government to provide them with social amenities. A resident, Mr Segun Olukoya, said poor electricity supply was affecting their socioeconomic lives. Another resident, Mr Taiwo Oyebanji, attributed the electricity problem to “overloaded and worn out transformer’’. “The transformer we have here is older than most people remember and indications we have is that the capacity is too small compared to the number of houses in the area now,”
child, Funmilayo. Sidikat said her husband forced her to pack out of her matrimonial home between 2005 and 2010 and later they reconciled. The petitioner said Akinrinmade had continued to maltreat her after the reconciliation, adding “I can no longer continue with the marriage because Akinrinmade lacks care, trust and he threatens me often. “I cannot continue to live with my husband because he has refused to allow me to work and he has not shown any love and care to me and my child. “He has beaten virtually all members of my family, even demolished my father’s house, sat on my stomach the last time he beat me and this had given me internal problem. “He packed my load out of his house on May 23. Presently, I am living with my parents. “The love is no more there, please dissolve the marriage for the security of my life,’’ Sidikat appealed to the court. She, however, pleaded with the court to grant her the custody of the child so that she could take proper care of her educationally and morally.
Oyebanji said. Oyebanji called for urgent provision of functional
and qualitative infrastructure to boost development.
ADO-EKITI - An AdoEkiti Magistrates’ Court has ordered one Ojo Ajayi to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly stealing N5,000. The prosecutor, Cpl. Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 3 at about 10 a.m. at Alaafia Tayo area of AdoEkiti. Oriyomi alleged that on the said date, the accused unlawfully stole N5,000, property of one Ifeoluwa
him, the offence contravenes section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, cap C 16,Vol.1, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012. The accused pleaded not guilty, and his counsel, Mr Emmanuel Adedeji, prayed the court to grant to his client bail. The prosecutor opposed the bail application, saying the accused had earlier jumped bail. Magistrate Doyin Akosile consequently ordered the remand and adjourned the case till June 27.
Roads: Ogun Communities Tasksocial Govt amenities
Bishop Urges Nigerians To Pray For added that the current IBADAN - Bishop Amos Ajiboye of the Chibok Girls security challenges were Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Agodi, Ibadan, has called on Nigerians to intensify their prayers for the release of the abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno. Ajiboye made the appeal while addressing a news conference in Ibadan. “We had a three-day fasting and prayer session in the church, praying to God for the release of the girls and for the return of normal life in this country, especially in the northern part. “At the end of the session, we rose with a clarion call on all Christians to unite in
ILE-IFE (OSUN) - An Ile-Ife Customary Court in Osun has dissolved a 12-year-old marriage between Sidikat Akinrinmade and his wife, Akinwumi over frequent beating. The Acting President of the court, Mr Olubunmi Adegoke, held that Akinrinmade was not ready to reconcile with his wife because he had another wife in a rented house. Adegoke said the respondent was no more interested in the first marriage again, and advised him to be more patient with his other wife so as have a happy home. He dissolved the marriage and ordered each to go their separate ways, and awarded custody of the child to the mother for proper monitoring. The acting president also ordered that the father should pay N3,000 monthly upkeep for the child and should be responsible for her education and hospital bills. Sidikat, a hairdresser, who lives at 2, Iyekere Street, Ile-Ife, had sued for divorce citing frequent beating, provocation, threats to life and lack of care from her husband. She told the court that they got married in 2002 and the marriage was blessed with a 10-year-old
Man Remanded Over N5,000 Theft Salami. According to
Articulated vehicles that crashed into one another on Ring road in Ibadan recently.
Lagos Broker Attributes Improved Stock Market To High Expectation
Delegates’ Conference
Court Adjourns Suit Restraining PENGASSAN LAGOS - The Federal High Court has fixed October 8 to hear a suit against the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over alleged denial of members’ rights. The suit, which was earlier slated for hearing on June 5, was adjourned by the court due to its work load. The reports state that two plaintiffs; Messrs John Nwanosike and Jonathan Omare, members of the Chevron branch of the Association had instituted the suit on May 26 by an exparte motion. They are seeking an order to restrain the defendants from holding any delegates’ conference, pending the hearing of the substantive suit before the court. Listed as defendants are — PENGASSAN, Chevron branch of the association, Mr Frank Esanubi and Mr Ayanate Kio. Reports state that the plaintiffs in their affidavit averred that they were duly elected as delegates to the conference, adding that their tenure was valid for a term of three years. They averred that the defendants removed their names as delegates before the expiration of their tenure and thereby denying them the right to vote and be voted for at the conference. According to the plaintiffs, the second and third defendants also set up a panel of inquiry to investigate them in a bid to prevent them from exercising their voting rights. They averred that in spite of no evidence to support the allegation of them committing any offence, the panel declared them guilty. The plaintiffs therefore sought a declaration that the removal of their names as
delegates to the zonal and national conferences was unconstitutional. They also sought an order to mandate the defendants to include their names as delegates as well as to restrain them from holding the conference until the illegality in the removal of their names was addressed. It was recalled that at the last adjourned date, Justice Okon Abang had ordered that the exparte motion of the plaintiffs be converted to a motion on notice and same served on the defendants.
Minister of Defence, Retired Gen. Aliyu Gusau (left), and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, during Gen. Gusau’s condolence visit to Gombe over the death of late Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar recently.
Electricity Consumers Bemoan New Tariff
LAGOS - Some artisans in Lagos have condemned the increase in electricity tariff, saying that it negated the Federal Government’s policy on inclusive growth and selfemployment. They told newsmen in separate interviews that the new electricity tariff was a setback to small scale entrepreneurship and individual wealth creation. Alhaja Afusat Popoola, the market leader of Ajeromi Frozen Food Market Association in Ijora, a suburb of Lagos, said the increment was suicidal judging from the poor electricity supply nationwide. According to Popoola, there is no justification for the increment in the face of dwindling sales and erratic power supply. “We cannot afford to pay this new tariff because we do not have power supply here in the market. “Most of the time we are losing a lot of money from rotten foods due to erratic power supply,” Popoola said. She said it was illogical for the federal government to allow the new investors focus on returns on investment without offering
a moratorium for electricity supply to stabilise before talking about new tariff. Mr Wasiu Osho, a welder, at Ijeshatedo in Surulere described the new electricity tariff as outrageous considering that he paid N10, 000 monthly to sustain his business. “Does this new tariff mean I
will pay N50, 000 monthly now, where will I get the money? “In fact they should come and remove their wire from pole. We are not enjoying electricity yet they want us to pay more, never,” he said. Mr Thomas Chukwu, a Cyber Café operator at Jakande Estate, Isolo, urged the government to
resolve all the challenges facing the sector before increasing the tariff. “There are lots of challenges facing the sector ranging from lack of gas supply to infrastructure dilapidation. “Most of the transformers are faulty in our Estate and needed to be upgraded.
has said that paucity of funds was militating against the development of stage plays. Adaji told newsmen in Lagos that lack of funds had been discouraging many actors from participating in stage acting. The situation, he said, had reduced the frequency at which they were put on stage. “We need corporate sponsorship to revive stage plays so that their fans will be able to watch them as often as they would have loved to,” he said. Adaji said that artistes had been sending out proposals to corporate bodies and philanthropists to sponsor stage
plays but we had been receiving little or no response to that effect. “To put up one and a half hours of stage play will cost not less than N1 million because you have to consider costumes, stage setting and lightning, pay artistes’ fees and accommodate and feed them,” he said. Adaji said that the government could not shoulder all those financial responsibilities alone as it had other sectors to develop. He commended the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, for trying to see that stage plays were restored in the face of other contingencies. “We really need the arts sector
more than any other sector because that is where you bring about positive changes into the society through creativity. “Through stage plays, our cultures and music will be better showcased to the rest of the world for them to appreciate what we have and are made of. “It is through our cultures and music that our tourism potential can be promoted and this will also fetch us huge foreign exchange,” he said.
Paucity Of Funds Bane Of Stage LAGOS - The DirectorPlays - NTN D-G General, National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), Martin Adaji,
L-R: Oyo State Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr. Abideen Oladimeji; Commissioner for Education, Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, Mr. Tunde Akiola, behind is Oyo State Chairman of Non-Acadmeic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Mr. Samuel Adeleye at the first anniversary and fund raising of the association in Ibadan recently.
LAGOS - A former Chairman of Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Mr Ariyo Olushekum, attributed the improved trend in the equities market to anticipated favourable stock market policies from the new CBN governor. Olushekum told newsmens in Lagos that investors anticipated that the new CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, would enforce good policies that would impact positively on the market. He said that the expectations of good returns from the market motivated investors to invest and participate more actively in stock transactions. According to him, the market is already experiencing growth and good policy from the new CBN governor will be an added advantage to the growth of the market. “If Emefiele will streamline money market policies, the effect on the capital market will be positive because banks are major factors in market activities,” he said. He said that the governor could consolidate existing macroeconomic policies as such policies were essential for economic growth. Olushekum urged the governor to pursue policies that would encourage lending, create employment and help the growth of the real sector. He also advised the governor to ensure that the high expectations of the people, trust as well as the confidence investors had on his administration would be actualised.
Group Seeks Establishment Of Consular Offices In S/East LAGOS - Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN) told the Federal Government to compel leading industrial nations to establish their consular offices in South East Nigeria to promote economic development. The group made the appeal in a communiqué after its bi-annual general assembly, held in Lagos. The association’s President, Chief Udoka Udeogaranya, said that establishing the consular offices would help the Federal Government in its bid to achieve its vision 20: 20:20. He argued that people in the South East being out-going in nature, needed to have consular offices of leading industrial nations closer to them to facilitate contacts with the outside world. “It is not contestable that Ndigbo are some of the most industrious people in the world, so government has a responsibility to facilitate their
economic ventures to boost national productivity. “The need for the establishment of the consular offices has become more imperative now that Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa,” Udeogaranya said. According to him, the NCSN delights in the fact that the Federal Government has already taken a giant stride by upgrading the Enugu Airport to an international airport. “The Federal Government needs to consolidate this achievement with the establishment of Chinese, Indian, German, France, Turkish, UK, U.S. and other consulates and deputy high commissions in Enugu.” He said that Nigerians in the zone suffer untold hardships by travelling far to get secure diplomatic engagements to make business trips.
Across The Nation DFID Trains 70 Vigilante Members
L-R: Project Community Liaison Officer, Mr. Sani Loko; Engineer’s representative, Loko-Oweto bridge construction; Mr. Emmanuel Ijeh; Director, Bridges, Ministry of Works, Mr. Aniette Effiong; Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Rep. Yusuf Galami and Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), retired Gen. Matthew Luther Agwai, inspecting Loko-Oweto bridge across River Benue linking Nasarawa and Benue States recently.
DUTSE - The Justice for All (J4A), an arm of the Department For International Development (DFID), has commenced a fourday training for 70 members of Nigerian Vigilante Group in Jigawa to provide security in the state. The J4A Programme Officer, Mrs Valkamiya Ahmadu, told newsmen in Dutse that the training was to build the capacities of the members of the group in providing security to the communities. Ahmadu explained that local communities were often neglected in terms of provision of security, hence the need to strengthen such organisations. She said that the training was on management, recruitment strategies and planning as well as human rights. According to her, human right
Tree Planting
NESREA Tasks Nigerians
ENUGU - The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has advised members of the public to plant trees in their compounds for aesthetics and protection of the environment. The Coordinator of the agency in Enugu State, Mr. Babatunde Adigun, made the call in Enugu at the event marking the 2014 World Environmental Day (WED). Adigun said that people should avoid indiscriminate felling of trees and the use of fossil fuel to avoid drought and desertification. He warned against the blockage of drainage channels with wastes as well as building on water ways to forestall flooding and other attendant disasters. The coordinator urged the people to report environmental pollution to NESREA for prompt action. Adigun explained that the World Environmental Day was celebrated every year on June 5 to raise global awareness, take positive environmental actions and protect nature and the planet earth. He said the programme was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 when the first conference on human environment was held. Adigun said the first WED was celebrated in 1973 and since then it had been an annual event with different themes. According to him, the day is an opportunity for people to do something positive for the environment. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Small Island Development States’ where environmental problems include climate change, waste management, unsustainable consumption, degradation of natural resources and extreme natural disasters.
is an important element in the society and there is need for them to be educated on such. “The training will equip them on how to respect the individual’s right and also educate them on their own right while performing their duties. “In carrying out this voluntary service, they must comply with the rules and regulations that cover international standard and national law on human rights.” The officer said that similar exercise had been conducted in Kano, Enugu, Niger, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory. In his remarks, the state Commander of the vigilance group, Mr. Usman Jahun, commended DFID for the gesture, noting that the training would improve their service delivery to the people. Jahun said that the vigilance group had been working with other security operatives in providing security in the state. He commended Governor. Sule Lamido for his support and cooperation to the group in ensuring security in the 27 local government areas of the state.
Auto Crash
3 Die, 9 Injured
L-R: Bauchi State Director, Human Resources, Primary Health Care, Alhaji Mohammed Bello; Executive Chairman, Mr. Adamu Gamawa and Bauchi State Director, Community Health Services, Dr. Yahya Yerima, at Bauchi State Media workshop in Bauchi recently.
Enugu To Provide Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium With Generator ENUGU - The Enugu State Government has awarded a contract worth N39 million for the provision and installation of a 1,000kva generator at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Chuks Ugwoke, told newsmen in Enugu that the generator would help to illuminate the stadium when the need arose. He said that the government
also approved a contract for the provision and installation of public address system for the stadium at the cost of N85 million. He said the provision would meet the high sound volume of
the more than 20,000 capacity stadium. Ugwoke said that it was part of government’s efforts to improve infrastructures in the stadium handed over to it by the Federal Government last year.
ONITSHA - The Federal Road Safety Commission has confirmed the death of three persons on the Onitsha-Owerri road in a road crash. The incident, which happened around 12:45 p.m., caused heavy human and vehicular traffic at the Okija Junction of the ever-busy road. Mr. Daniel Asanya, the Unit Commander of the commission in Ihiala, told newsmens in Onitsha that the incident involved an 18-seater commercial bus. Asanya noted that the officers and men of the unit had hectic time controlling the traffic at the scebe of the incident for more than five hours. He said the driver of the bus might have lost control when its front tyre burst. The commander said the victims, who died instantly, were a girl and two boys while nine passengers, who are injured, were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Entrepreneurship Education ’ll Enhance Economic Growth ABEOKUTA - Mr Moronfolu Adeniyi, the Project Coordinator, Foundation for Economic Initiative and Development (FEID), yesterday, said introduction of entrepreneurship study in secondary schools would enhance the growth of the nation’s economy. Adeniyi made the disclosure in an interview
with newsmen in Abeokuta yesterday. He said entrepreneurship education and understanding of basic economy would impact positively on the future of students before they even gain admission into tertiary institutions. The project coordinator said that the Foundation would soon commence seminars in secondary
- Foundation
schools in Ogun on “Entrepreneurship and Understanding Basic Economy,” at no cost to the students. He added that “the seminars will be geared toward assisting and building the young minds on entrepreneurship and toward their choice of career after secondary school.
“FEID has already developed a plan to improve the knowledge of secondary school students in the country on entrepreneurship and propel them toward academic excellence. “We intend to encourage students on risk-taking, learning from failure, learn to identify and recognise opportunities, all of which will improve their economic literacy and understanding of
capitalism. “It is a step in achieving the goal of making a graduate of a tertiary institution an employer of labour, instead of being a job seeker after education. “The seminars will also expose the students to the education opportunities we offer in collaboration with our partners within and outside Africa without any cost implication.’’
Abuja Mark, Ekweremadu, Turaki, APC, Others Mourn departed at a time when his wise ABUJA - Alhaji Kabiru Bayero
Turaki, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, has expressed shock over the death of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Mr. Okey Muogbo. In the statement, Turaki described the late Bayero as a man who worked tirelessly for the people of his Emirate and the Nigerian nation at large. “By the death of the Emir, Nigeria has lost a great father, patriot and nationalist whose contributions to the stability of Nigeria was enormous. “Since Bayero ascended the throne of his forefathers in October. 1963, he not only became one of the longestserving Emirs, but transformed the emirate into a modern city. “Through the hospitality of the late Emir, the emirate has become home to Nigerians of various religious and ethnic callings,” it said. It stated that Bayero was loved by his subjects throughout his long reign, saying that by his death, the nation had lost a peace maker. He prayed Allah to grant Bayero’s soul eternal rest and to those he left behind, the fortitude to bear the loss. The All Progressives Congress (APC), also expressed shock over the death of Bayero. This is contained in a
statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The party, in the statement, said Bayero’s demise came at a time his wisdom and wealth of knowledge were much needed to help Nigeria to surmount its challenges. “The late Bayero was a symbol of peace and unity in his lifetime, reaching far beyond ethnic and religious divide to help foster a united Nigeria. “The Emir’s long reign that spanned over half a century marked a period of prolonged peace and prosperity for his domain. “His reign was a testimony to his much-revered leadership qualities and his uncommon humanity’’, it stated. The APC commiserated with the family of the late Emir, government and people of Kano state on the passing away of the great man. The party also expressed the hope that everything possible would be done to ensure that his legacy endured. The Senate President, David Mark, described the death as a big blow and a monumental loss to the nation. Mark said in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary Paul Mumeh that the late first class monarch was a great asset who will be missed by all in many respects. The statement said Bayero
ABUJA - Muslims in the FCT offered special prayers for the repose of the soul of Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano. The Muslims, who attended Juma’at prayers at the Abdullahi Dantata Mosque, also asked Allah to grant the Emir’s family the fortitude to bear the loss. The Chief Imam of the Mosque, Alhaji Muhammed Abdullahi, who led the prayer, called on those in leadership positions to help in improving the lives of the citizenry. The reports state that the Walin Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir, announced that Bayero died on Friday in Kano at 84 years. Abdullahi, who reminded Nigerian leaders of the need to be mindful of their deeds because of the Day of Judgment, also advised them to prepare for death, a phenomenon he described as inevitable. “ Death is inevitable and comes to man without consideration for age and status. “Those who swore with Quran and Bible before assuming leadership positions but derail shall be questioned on the Day of Judgment. “Those that God has entrusted with power and position must not betray or forget others as servants,’’ the cleric said. Abdullahi, who urged Nigerian leaders to fear God, the grave and the Day of Judgment, said: “One day, they shall be called upon to account for their deeds.’’ He also urged Muslims to shun lying and eschew false promises, adding that “those who depend on God have faith in God, especially in prayer during the
Jumat service.’’ Bayero was born on June 15, 1930, in Gidan Rumfa and was coronate in 1963 as the 13th Emir of Kano. He studied the Qur’an and later attended the Kano Middle School and School for Arabic Studies, Kano. He started his working career in 1947 at the then British Bank for West Africa, now First Bank of Nigeria Plc. In 1949, Bayero joined the service of the Kano Native Authority (KNA), and attended courses at the Clerical Training Centre, Zaria; and the UK. Bayero rose to the rank of Chief Clerk at the Kano Town Council. He later joined partisan politics, contested and won election into the Northern Regional House of Assembly in 1954 on the platform of the defunct Northern People’s Congress (NPC). In 1957, he resigned his membership of the House and took up the appointment as Wakilin Doka, (Chief of Kano Native Authority Police). He was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Senegal five years later and became the Emir of Kano in 1963 while studying French in Switzerland. Bayero was the Chancellor of various Nigerian universities, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; the University of Ibadan, and University of Maiduguri. He was the longest serving Emir of Kano, and spearheaded the construction of many Mosques and Islamic schools in
counsel would have been needed to navigate through the nation’s trying times. “He was a peace maker. He made Kano home for all. He was accommodating. He preached love, unity and good neighbourliness. “Bayero was a detribalised leader who made the nation his constituency.” It recalled that Bayero was among the few Nigerian leaders who worked hard for the unity and indivisibility of the nation especially during trying times. “His contributions to the peace and unity of Nigeria cannot be wished away. “The nation owes him a measure of gratitude for his contributions to the sociopolitical and economic development of the country’’, Mark said.
Minister of Sports, Mr. Tammy Danagogo (left), congratulating a member of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Mr. Felix Obuah, at the inauguration of the Board in Abuja recently. With them is the Board Chairman, retired Col. Idu Enonche.
Muslims Pray For Late Bayero
Members of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), at their inauguration in Abuja recently.
Protect Environment, Presidential Aide Advises Nigerians
ABUJA - Dr Precious Gbeneol, Special Adviser to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of protecting the environment. This is contained in a statement by Dr Christopher Otabor, Head, Information and Communication of the MDGs, made available to newsmen. “When an environment is protected, the society can be better for habitation and the efforts will also help the country in attaining the MDGs goal seven on environmental sustainability. “With the increasing global threats of climate change, drastic decline of bio diversity and the extreme vulnerability, Nigerians must step up efforts to protect and preserve the ecosystem,’’ Gbeneol said. The president’s aide said that the way to preserve the system was through the usage of biodegradable and eco-friendly products as well as recycling of plastic products. She stressed the need for stakeholders to address issues relating to the acceleration of bio diversity loss caused by climate change for the benefit of the populace. Gbeneol, who condemned the idea of open defecation, stated
that this could lead to contamination of food and water, thereby endangering the well being of the people. “If the defecation is always open it can cause diarrhoea disease like cholera, known to be a major source of infant mortality. “The bid by the government to stop this habit has prompted the
construction of the numerous Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) toilets across the country by the MDGs office,’’ she said. She expressed concern that Nigeria’s natural resources and some of its most valuable national assets were still being threatened.
ABUJA - Dr Ayo Ibrahim of the State House Clinic, Abuja, has underscored the importance of infrastructure provision in addressing child mortality in the country. Ibrahim made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. He said that the best way to address the child mortality was for the government to provide infrastructure in rural areas and make them accessible to both mothers and children. He also stressed the need for health institutions in the rural areas to have ante-natal clinics and delivery facilities. Ibrahim further underscored the importance of children’s
department to handle childhood diseases such as diarrhoea, vomiting, malaria, immunisation and other acute diseases. “Government is doing a lot in this area because there is a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) department in the 36 states of the federation and 774 local governments in Nigeria and lots of money have been spent on the MDGs.” According to him, that was the reason President Goodluck Jonathan, appointed a Senior Special Assistant on the MDGs, who coordinates all MDGs’ activities at the federal level and collaborates with the states as well. On whether Nigeria was on
‘’For example, between 2000 and 2010, Nigeria’s forest area shrank by a third, from 14.4 per cent to 9.9 per cent of the land area.’’ The special adviser said that the Federal Government was implementing the Integrated National Environmental Action Plans to tackle climate change.
Infrastructural Provision Key To Addressing Child Mortality-Medical Expert
track to meeting the 2015 MDGs deadline, Ibrahim said this might not be possible due to funding constraints which had limited the provision of infrastructure. “There should be more funding and improvement of health education; there should also be collaboration between primary health centres across the country on the one hand and among local, states and Federal Government on the other. “This will improve budgetary allocation for MDGs projects,” he added. Ibrahim advised pregnant women to always attend antenatal clinics for proper monitoring, to ensure their safety and that of their unborn children.
Business + Economy Commissioner Wants Farmers To Exchange Farm Products With Fertiliser
L-R: National Trustee, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr. Ambali Hakeem; Deputy General Secretary, Mr. Rasak Lawal; National Vice President, South West, Mr. Oludare Famoriyo; National Treasurer, Oluyemi Esan at a news conference in Ibadan recently.
YOLA- Mrs. Lucy Ishaku, the Adamawa Commissioner for Agriculture, has suggested a trade by barter between farmers and agro-dealers, under the National Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme. Ishaku, who made the suggestion while speaking with newsmen in Yola, said that the exchange of farm produce for fertiliser would assist farmers in selling their commodities at appropriate prices and time. She said following the introduction of the National Agricultural Transformation Agenda, food production had improved as farmers had continued to record bumper harvest. She expressed regret that in spite of the bumper harvest, farmers were grappling with a lot of challenges due to the lack of market outlets. “If we really want to sustain this great achievement,
NASRDA Seeks Increased Budgetary Allocation ABUJA - The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) says there is the need for more budgetary allocation from the Federal Government to enable it actualise its objectives. This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Centre for Space
Technology Development (CSTD) Week Conference, and signed by CSTD Director, Mr Spencer Onuh. The state reports that the theme of the conference, held in Abuja, was “Sustainable Socioeconomic Benefits of Space Technology’’.
“Adequate budgetary allocation should be provided for NASRDA for the actualisation of the Assembly, Integration, Test Centre and Design Centre (AITCDC) by the federal government to enable a timely delivery of home-made satellites. “The indigenous capabilities
currently available in CSTD will be well harnessed and properly channelled towards the development of space technology for sustainable economic development,’’ the communique said. It said NASRDA assured that there would be more collaboration between the
48 Hours Cargo Clearance Achievable
LAGOS - Chief Boniface Aniebonam, the founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), said that 48 hours cargo clearance was achievable if port operators complied with clearing procedures. Aniebonam spoke during the swearing-in and reception for NAGAFF after being declared the winner of the 2014 maritime league
- Association
held in Lagos. He urged the newly elected chapel executives of the association to encourage all members to always engage in genuine declaration to reduce time of doing business in Nigerian ports. “If you want to be friends with the government, you have to obey the rules of the land because laws are made to be obeyed. “This is not the time to
NDIC To Pay N588.6m Depositors’ Liabilities ABUJA - The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) said it would pay more than N588. 6 million as depositors’ liabilities for 33 out of the 83 closed Micro Finance Banks (MFBs). This is contained in a report signed by the Head of Communications and Public Affairs of the corporation, Alh Hadi Birchi, in Abuja. According to the report, the corporation has already commenced verification and payments for the 33 MFBs that their licences have been recently revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). “ The first phase of the deposit pay-out of the 33 closed MFBs would cover total deposit liabilities of N588, 685,792.25 and each depositor would receive a maximum of N200, 000. “As part of the verification and
payment exercise being undertaken by staff of the corporation, affected depositors are to report to the last known addresses of their closed MFBs. “ They are to present evidence of account ownership, including passbooks, cheque books and personal identification documents such a; national identity cards, drivers licences and voters cards.’’ It said that depositors without valid identification documents would be expected to obtain introduction letters with their photographs and ensure the letters were duly signed by traditional rulers of their localities or local government chairmen. The report further stated that the depositors were also requested to take along details of alternative bank accounts operated in any of the existing banks in which their insured claims could be paid.
blame anybody but it is time to cooperate with the government and to lift the maritime industry to a greater height,” Aniebonam said. He advised all the members of the association to be mindful of disseminating irrelevant information through the media to the public. Also speaking, Chief Eugene Nweke, President of NAGAFF, said that the association had a successful election few months ago. Nweke advised the six
chapters of NAGAFF within the maritime industry to promote the objectives and functions of the association. “NAGAFF is one of the associations which takes professionalism as top priority. “That is why we engage in continuous professional training as mandated by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria,” he said. Nweke said that no fewer than 65 per cent of the NAGAFF members were presently undergoing training at reputable maritime institutions.
agency, the National Planning Commission (NPC) and other relevant agencies and institutions. “The current cordial relationship between NASRDA, CSTD and the Armed Forces towards the use of satellite technology for military application should be maintained and pursued vigorously to enhance the nation’s security. “The use of space technology as a veritable tool for environmental security, with particular emphasis on flood monitoring and control, and hydropower development was identified,” the communiqué said. It said the conference commended CSTD for its consistency in creating awareness on space science and technology through the inclusion of post-primary and higher institution students in her yearly event. Reports state that CSTD is an activity centre under NASRDA, and it has the mandate of building indigenous satellite and capacity development.
governments at various levels should encourage trade by barter between farmers and agrodealers nationwide.’’ Ishaku noted that due to the lack of a coordinated market outlet, farmers were left in the hands of unscrupulous marketers who determined the price of farm produce. The commissioner, however, commended the Federal Government for the construction of a 250,000-tonne silo located on the Yola-Numan road. “We appeal to the Federal Government to complete the construction of the Yola Farmers Market along the Yola Eastern By-pass,” she said.
Jonathan’s Agriculture Transformation Beneficial To Abia - Orji UMUAHIA - Governor. Theodore Orji of Abia said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda had helped the state to develop its agricultural sector. Interacting with newsmen in Umuahia, Orji noted that the programme had brought appreciable transformation to the agricultural sector in the country. ‘’The agricultural agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan is working very well in the various zones of the country and the evidence is there for you to see,’’ he said. He cited the N1 billion granted to farmers in Abia by the Federal Government as a demonstration of its genuine commitment to the development of the sector. The governor said the grant, which was disbursed to farmers in 2012, had benefited the state. He said that in line with the transformation agenda, the state had established liberation farms in its three senatorial zones. He said that many youths had been trained in different aspects of farming, pointing out that the initiative would help to create jobs for them.
L-R: Executive Director, Services, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Alhaji Idi Mukhtar; Human Resources Manager, Malam Abdullahi Zaki; Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Adolf Ezeribe and Manager, Zonal Offices, Alhaji Ahmad Abukur at the KRPC World Environment Day in Kaduna recently.
Interview
Dan Orbih Is Incompetent - Chief Adun CHIEF Dr. John Osamede Adun JP, is a prominent Chief with the prestigious title of Ayobahan of Benin Kingdom, renowned transporter and the present Sole Administrator of Edo Line Transport Company Ltd. He has been a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress in the state. In this interview, with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, he bared his mind on some contentious issues credited to the PDP chairman in the state, Dan Oseh Orbih, in recent television interview during the PDP rally at Okada. Excerpts: investigated. Massive renovation work Recently, you were has been carried out in Edo appointed the Sole Line Transport Company Administrator of Edo Line Limited, have you been Transport Company Limited mobilized by the Governor to by the Governor, how do you that effect? feel? No No No! I have not been First and foremost, I thank given a dine to work with. What God Almighty for giving me the Governor told me was that, good health, wisdom and above look Bob Izua, you have been all leadership qualities to impact pleading that I should revive positive change on the lives of Edo Line, and that it is only the the people, because it is he, who existing Edo people’s Company is alive, that effects changes on that is most viable across the the people positively. To answer country, go and start work, he your question, I however, thank retorted. I then said ok, my the amiable Governor, my very leader. I went to my account and good friend, Comrade Adams started pulling out money. It is Aliyu Oshiomhole, for suffice to say that you have appointing me as the right person spent your personal money so among many notable Edo people far? Yes! to revive Edo Line Transport How much have you spent Company Limited. and how do you get it back Edo Line Transport from the government? Company Limited, as the Well I don’t supposed to property of the Edo People, is the disclose the amount, but for the first premier transport Company sake of record purpose and for in Nigeria, which has to be clarity, I have spent over Ten protected by all means. When I Million Naira from my purse. was called by the people’s For the avoidance of doubt, governor to come to revive the before I resolved to spend my transport company, I felt highly personal money, I wrote to him, elated because, it shows the (The Governor) to let him know manifestations of the trust and that to put everything in order confidence, the governor had for in Edo Line, including payment my noble self and I gladly of workers’ salaries for five accepted the offer. months before the place was I immediately, swung into closed down it would cost action by ordering the clearing between One Hundred and fifty of the bushy nature of the and Three Hundred Million premises of the transport Naira and he then said I should company which was closed start work first, even though the down in 2010 following protest state government has not got of workers against any money to give out. After maladministration and given that assurance, I quickly misappropriation of the went to air to invite Edo Line company’s money by the workers for a town hall meeting previous management and at the premises on four board, headed by a chief in Benin occasions, where each every Kingdom. After the clearing of one of then laid his/her the debris in the compound, I complaints and the way then ordered for the keys of the forward. They appreciated my over sixty-five buses to enable efforts and resilience in me inspect the facilities therein. reviving the company and During the course of inspecting promised to work with me to the buses which the keys were actualize my objectives in the properly locked, it was transport industry. But the discovered that the buses were unfortunate news I heard during vandalized and the vital parts the town hall meeting was that like the brain boxes worth over out of three hundred and sixtysix million naira were five workers, that about Thirtysurreptitiously stolen from those three of them have died and, I buses and I became shocked and sympathized with them, angered by the ugly trend. consequent upon which I As at the time you inspected assured them that I would not the facilities on the premises, relieve anybody of his/her were there any workers on appointment but that whoever ground who assisted you that is tired to work either by during the inspection? age, sickness or incapacitation, My brother, it is a very good should voluntarily retire. The question. When I came to order workers applauded me for that for the clearing, one man who and they promised to assist me called himself the Chief security to retrieve all Edo Line officer of the company who drew Transport Company’s the attention of the General properties that were in Manager, was on ground. We possession of some persons both inspected the buses that including the former board were under lock and key and members. I can tell you now when I now requested for the vividly that we have received keys, it was the General some of these properties and the Manager, who ordered the CSO, only one we are trying to pass to go and bring them where they through the legal process to were kept for safety. recover is the completed Initially, the CSO, told me building at No16A Commercial that the keys were kept at Oba Avenue, GRA, Benin City, Market Police Station for safety, which was valued at One so those I suspected to have Hundred and Seventy-five committed the heinous crime Million Naira and was were arrested by the police and inadvertently sold to one J & E they are presently being
ventures, a Lagos based company at Thirteen Million Naira, during the era of Mr. Goddy Edosa as the Chairman of the board, even without recourse to due process and another property at Ofosu, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state was also sold for One Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira only. About two weeks ago, you led the management team of Edo Line on a courtesy visit to the Benin Monarch. To do what? well, what informed my decision to visit our most revered monarch, apart from the fact that I am one of his prominent subjects with the title of Ayobahan of Benin kingdom, I found it very imperative, particularly against the backdrop of the monarch’s position in the kingdom in particular and the world in general as the spiritual father and most revered Oba in the universe, whom I know for his continuous prayers to up lift the
that, who has passed one has passed in all facet of life irrespective of the circumstances that may have arisen. Today, whether I am appointed Sole Administrator of Edo Line or not, I have been fully established to care for myself and that of my families, be it nuclear or extended till the time God almighty would call me. I want to ask one question is it a bad thing to repair this our state to the benefit of our children, even yet unborn? Chief is quoted to have asked and answered in affirmation. No it is not bad, but Dan Orbih and his PDP allies are seeing it to be bad because they do not like good things to come to their houses. Instead of talking good and thinking of how his party, which he has ostensibly used his hands to destroy in the state, could win next elections, if there is any
Chief John Osamede Adun lives of the Edo people in whatever capacity. I led my team to his palace to let him know that I have been appointed by the Governor, as the Sole Administrator to handle Edo Line to return to it pride of place as number one transport company in Nigeria and to seek his royal blessings for long life, good health and abundant wisdom to tackle the Herculean task before us. As a happy father who wants the best of his children, our legend Oba prayed for us to carry on our duties diligently to the glory of his name. People allege that there is a game plan, popularly known as “OBUBUYAYA” between you and the Governor on the issue of Edo Line. What is your reaction? Hm! My brother, I am surprised to hear from the state leadership of the PDP, headed by one Dan Orbih, the man that has never in his life established one provision store unless to depend on his father’s wealth, could condescend so low that he would be talking with impunity against my noble self to get cheap popularity in respect of my appointment as the Sole Administrator of Edo Line. One thing I should let Dan Orbih, whose true meaning of the initial name “DAN” means “Deceiver Alliance of Nigeria” know is
reason for them to win, he was busy casting aspersions on my respected person over my appointment, during their PDP campaign rally at Okada the administrative headquarters of Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state. How does my appointment as Sole Administrator affect his life and business? I wonder why some people would abandoned their sickness and be drinking Paracetamol for another persons’ headache. Let me tell you, I am not the first person, who own a transport company that has headed Edo Line, but they all failed. The likes of Mr. Goddy Edosa, who is also the Managing Director of Goddy Edosa Motors Limited, was the Chairman of the board of Edo Line at a time, during the Lucky Igbinedion led government in the state, but he did not distinguish himself, the professor Osunbor as the Governor of Edo State, appointed one Aburime he also failed and when the man that has fear of God, whose respect for the traditional institutions remain unrivaled, the Comrade Governor, Comrade Oshiomhole, he appointed one of our own, Chief Amos Osunbor to also head Edo Line, and despite having fleet of taxes in town, he also failed. What is new in my own case?
People say that you are not competent to be Edo Line MD, because you have your own transport to look after, what is your take? I appreciated the fact that I am a transport owner, but it depends on the pedigree of the person. Taking a case study of Delta State today, the Governor contracted all the state owned buses on the care of Chief Agofure, but today, the fleet of those buses are growing from strength to strength. So when the Governor called me to take over Edo Line, I reiterated my determination to Surmount the achievements of Chief Agofure in Delta, because I am challenged by the honest dispositions of the Delta Chief to live above board in the management of Edo Line, a promise I gave to the governor. Yes, it is true I have a company which is into transport business, but I have made my money that would take care of me till the end of my life, the only thing I now want is to build, consolidate and establish a good name which my children, family members and friends and well wishers would live on ever after my exit in this sinful world when the time comes. I am not going to Edo Line to amass wealth anymore, but to leave legacies that shall remain indelible in the mind of the Edo people and beyond. So my journalist, those criticizing my appointment are the lazy people, who cannot use small thing to get big thing on their own. Come, help me ask Dan Orbih, what he did with the money the PDP National body gave him in the last governorship elections. He thinks he can use his scamming dispositions to deceive Edo people. Please, if you see him, tell him to mind his business and focused on building his party in the state. In my august bid to make life more meaningful to the Edo people and to restructure Edo Line Transport Company Limited to a greater height, I have ordered for fifty new buses to augment the resuscitated sixty-five on the ground so that we can start full operations to twenty-one states our buses have been going. Before the end of the month, I shall personally tour all these outstations to access the facilities there. The issues of the Governor spending over forty-five Million Naira on traveling trips have generated controversies in the state. What are your views? Look my dear journalist, while I appreciate the fact that politics is a game of criticism, I also want the critics to know that they should be constructive in their criticism and also they should verify their claims properly before crying woof. Dan Orbih, the PDP State Chairman and his cohorts, have alleged that Governor Oshiomhole has spent that huge amount on traveling trips, may be they are considering the nightmare of their contemporary governors in other states, who indulged in that malicious acts, whom, through, their over two Hundred aides traveled with them at the expense of the state. Retrospectively, Governor Oshiomhole has been traveling before he became the Governor of Edo State. Precisely, while he was the
president of Nigerian Labour Congress, he was at the same time the Vice President International Labour Organization with it headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland in Europe. So, during these periods, he was often traveling to attend meetings, seminars and workshops both locally, nationally and internationally on how to better the lot of the people. More importantly, his children were also in overseas, can a father says because of the fear of wrongful accusation, he would not go to see his children’s welfare. More so, the Governor has been traveling and not when he became a Governor, after all, how much is traveling ticket that the Governor cannot afford? Me that is talking to you now, I traveled over one hundred times in 2013 to America, Europe and Asia respectively, not to talk of a Governor. Their criticism is misinforming and misrepresenting the honour the Governor has done in this state. Yes, he may not be perfect in everything he does, but it is evident on his part that he has distinctively done well in all capacity. In their own case, the PDP led Governors ruled this state for nine and half years, nothing to show for it, what are they talking about. To further worsen a situation that was already bad then in their government, they squandered our Oba’s money, is that the party to reckon with in this state? The people should answer.. Lastly, how would your party, APC, address the challenges of losing some key members, who defected to the opposition party recently with respect to the prospect of winning 2015 and 2016 general elections in the state? Well, thank you very much for all the questions you have asked me for today and I would make bold to say that defection, popularly known as cross carpeting is one of the fundamental principles of politics and the rudiments of partisan democracy. While I appreciated their defection, I also frowned at the situation where they were not being objectives in their submissions as regards their defection. In an ideal situation, their decamping would not affect the winning chances of my party, APC in the 2015 and 2016 general elections in the state, why because, while they are busy criticising we are strategizing to win elections so that we can remain in power for the next twenty-five years and more. Hopefully, their defection would not hold any water as their presence never did. We the APC members have been rallying supports for the Governor and we would continue to rally our unflinching supports to him to carry on Edo State to the next level. To think of it, those who decamped from the party cannot even win their elections in their respective homes, not to talk about a whole state. So we do not have problems in APC, but my only consolation is that when their political ships carrying their ambitions capsize, they can never rise up again in Edo State, that is all. Thank you.
THE Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Mr. Peter Voser recently raised the red flag that security situation in Nigeria worsened last year, 2012. Voser in a speech posted on the company’s website noted “the stealing and sabotage of crude oil intensified during the year under review thereby threatening its multi-billionaire-dollar business” and opined that shell alone cannot tackle the issues. THE Company’s chief executive recommended a multi-stakeholder approach as they have pushed for several years which has gone unheeded by the Nigerian authorities. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER, is disturbed over the security situation in the country as the United States of America recently raised alarm over escalating insecurity of lives, property and businesses necessitating in its restricting the movement of its citizens within some states in Nigeria. WE are even more worried over the implications of corporate citizens’ perceptions of our security on larger businesses and in particular, growth and development of the country. Unfortunately, efforts by Nigerian security to address the challenge have not yielded the desired results. IT is an incontrovertible fact that there could be no meaningful development in any society where security of lives and property is heavily under threat. Shell’s expose reveals of colossal sums of money lost through oil theft by criminals who, in our view act in concert with powerful and well connected Nigerians including even some unscrupulous
THE NIGERIAN
Investment And Insecurity officials of the nation’s security organisations. THE sad situation the nation finds itself is an attestation of the lack of political will by government over the years to deal decisively with the various security challenges that have arisen with one leading to the other, some of which now have ethnic, and religious colourations. Kidnapping of multinational oil workers in the Niger Delta went on for too long unaddressed until it metamorphosed into kidnap of innocent low income earners, a situation which speaks volumes of our unpreparedness to tackle the menace of kidnappers until the mother of the Finance Minister and Head of the economic team of Mr. President was kidnapped by hoodlums to the utter embarrassment of the whole nation. TERROR groups in Northern Nigeria have, since the inception of the Jonathan administration unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens in most parts of the region with security agencies and the presidency promising almost on a daily basis to deal with the insurgence without any headway till date. CLEARLY, the Nigeria Police Force have failed woefully to live up to its
responsibility as from every indications, the police themselves, including the high authorities are either involved in criminal activities or are pre-occupied in shielding perpetrators of criminal offences. THE political class have equally not helped the situation as most of them are involved in arming youth groups to do their political billing who in turn go back to the trenches with such arms to perpetrate criminality against the people and the state. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER is strongly of the view that if Nigeria must attain its national goals and objectives, the present administration must take proactive steps to fight insecurity in the land and restore hope and confidence amongst all stakeholders. BUT in all, we believe the President needs to exercise the political will to make this happen. Mr. President needs to throw away ethnic, sectional and other sentimental garbs and wear his nationalistic apparel to deal with insecurity in the country. GOING forward, we join shell Petroleum Plc to recommend a well organised, multi-stakeholder approach to dealing with insecurity in the country. The Nigerian Army, Navy, Air force, Department of State Security Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Immigration, Nigerian Customs and most importantly, the Nigeria Police Force need urgent overhaul. All outfits need better coordination to arrest the situation and make the country safer for all.
Issues “For him, the realities on ground did not portray Nigeria as a poor nation but as a country with abundant wealth that needed to be evenly redistributed among its populace.” Nairobi during his recent state visit to Kenya, was a subject of discussion in the Kenyan media for over a week. “If you talk about ownership of private jets, Nigeria will be among the first 10 countries in the world. Yet, they are saying that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries. “The World Bank statistics show that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries but our problem is not poverty; our problem is redistribution
He said that the key component of the government’s commitment was aimed at ensuring that many Nigerians had access to finance so that they would be able to create wealth for themselves. Jonathan noted that in spite of the Federal Government’s explanations regarding Nigeria’s economic standing, the World Bank did not find the clarification convincing, adding that this resulted in its decision to downgrade the
Addressing The Poverty AS Nigeria celebrates 15 years of uninterrupted democracy on May 29, analysts insist that one of the major problems bedevilling the country is how to effectively address the increasing level of poverty among the citizenry. They note that the poverty level still elicits a lot of concern in spite of the appreciable growth of Nigeria’s economy, following the recent rebasing of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the size of the Nigerian economy has grown by 89 per cent to N80.3 trillion (about 509.9 billion U.S. dollars). This ranks Nigeria as the 26th largest economy in the world and the largest economy in Africa. Perceptive observers, nonetheless, insist that the growth of the nation’s economy is not having any
Challenge In Nigeria By SANI ADAMU
positive impact on the living standards of the majority of the citizens. Their cynicism is quite understandable, as a recent World Bank’s global poverty rating placed Nigeria among the five poorest countries in the world. The report revealed that most Nigerians lived on less than one U.S. dollar (about N157.6) per day. Jim Yong Kim, the World Bank President, while releasing the report at the April 4 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in New York, emphasised that Nigeria had one of the largest concentration of poor people. He said that Nigeria ranked third among the poorest countries in the world, while India ranked number one with 33 per cent of the world
poor. According to him, China is ranked second with 13 per cent of the world’s poor, followed by Nigeria where seven per cent of the world poor live in. Corroborating the statistics, the United Nations (UN) also claimed that the poverty rate in Nigeria had gone up from 46 per cent to 76 per cent over the last 13 years. However, President Goodluck Jonathan swiftly rejected the rating, insisting that Nigeria was not a poor country. “The challenge of the country is not poverty, but redistribution of wealth,” Jonathan said, while addressing labour leaders at the 2014 May Day rally in Abuja.
For him, the realities on ground did not portray Nigeria as a poor nation but as a country with abundant wealth that needed to be evenly redistributed among its populace. “Nigeria is not a poor country. Nigerians are the most travelled people in the world; there is no country in the world you go to that you will not see Nigerians there. “The GDP of Nigeria is over half a trillion dollars and the economy is growing at a rate close to 7 per cent,” he added. Besides, Jonathan cited the recent classification of Alhaji Aliko Dangote as one of the 25 richest people in the world as another pointer to Nigeria’s affluence. He also recalled that the number of private jets owned by Nigerians, which landed in
“The World Bank statistics show that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries but our problem is not poverty; our problem is redistribution of wealth. Probably, wealth is concentrated in very few hands and a number of people do not have access to it.”
of wealth. “Probably, wealth is concentrated in very few hands and a number of people do not have access to it. “That is why my administration is committed to ensuring the creation of wealth, in terms of financial inclusiveness, and we are working very hard to achieve this,’’ he added. As part of efforts to address the poverty challenge, Jonathan said that the Federal Government introduced the Electronic Wallet System for farmers in rural areas to enable them to have access to funds via affordable bank facilities. Equally, he said that the government was also transforming agriculture from just a rural development programme into a major wealth-creation and business programme. The president said that his administration had initiated proactive measures and policies to improve and stabilise power supply in the country in order to enable small and medium-scale enterprises to thrive.
country’s economy to “BBminus’’. He said that the justification given for the “BB-minus’’ rating of the Nigerian economy was based on the forthcoming elections, which brought about infighting among politicians and its attendant effect on the economy. All the same, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said that 732,745 jobs were created in the formal and informal sectors of the economy in the last three quarters of 2013. Dr Yemi Kale, the Statistician-General of the Federation, relayed the information at a recent news conference in Abuja. He said that the survey indicated that the economy generated 221,054 jobs in the second quarter of last year, while 245,989 jobs and 265,702 jobs were created in the third quarter and fourth quarter respectively. 2013. He said that a breakdown of jobs created in the second quarter indicated that 80,412 jobs were created in the Conttinues on pg 14
Issues Continued from pg 13
formal sector, 112,567 jobs were created in the informal sector, while 28,075 jobs were created in the public sector. “The formal sector contributed 76,385 jobs to the total jobs generated in the third quarter of 2013, while the informal and public sectors generated 140,673 and 28,931 jobs respectively. “In fourth quarter of 2013, of the total of 265,702 jobs, the formal sector contributed 101,597 jobs, while the informal and public sectors created 143,278 and 20,827 jobs respectively,’’ he said. Kale emphasised that the informal sector continued to lead in the creation of new employment in the economy. “In the three quarters covered, the informal sector contributed over 54 per cent of total employment, making it the highest employer of labour in the economy. “Under the formal sector, it was observed that of the 80,412 new jobs, 45,409 jobs, representing 56.47 per cent, were taken up by males, while 35,003 jobs, representing 43.53 per cent, were taken up by females in the second quarter of 2013,’’ he said. The statistician-general said that the education sector recorded 37,578 new employees — the highest number of new employees — followed by the manufacturing sector with 9,000 new employees. He said that the lowest number of 85 new employees was recorded in the administrative and support services sector. Kale stressed that the education and manufacturing sectors had the highest number of jobs that were created in the formal sector in the third quarter of 2013. “Education sector generated 29,777 new employment, while manufacturing sector generated 13,946 new jobs “The manufacturing sector that reported the lowest
number of jobs created in the third quarter of 2013 was administrative and support services with 30 jobs. “A similar trend was also recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013, with education and manufacturing sectors contributing 76,874 and 12,337 new jobs respectively,’’ he said. Kale said that the primary purpose of the survey was to gauge employment growth, unemployment and underemployment so as to enable the country’s policymakers and other stakeholders to proffer solutions to the perceptible problems. However, three years down the line, the Jonathanadministration has been able to launch a special youth empowerment programme which was christened “Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria’’. The programme, codenamed YouWin, is part of the Federal Government’s strategies aimed at addressing the grave unemployment situation in the country. YouWin programme, which is financed by a N50billion job-creation fund, is an innovative business-plan competition which harnesses the creative potential of young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Under the programme, more than 3,600 youths would be financially empowered to enable them to actualise their entrepreneurial ideas and plans. It is projected that the empowered youths will, in turn, create between 80,000 and 110,000 sustainable jobs over the next four years. Nevertheless, observers attribute the failure to tackle the poverty challenge facing the country squarely to massive corruption which has permeated every aspect of national life. This, perhaps, justifies the call by Mr Ate Kundu, Taraba State’s Commissioner for Information, for the introduction of death sentence for corruption, as
... Poverty Challenge In Nigeria
proposed by some delegates at the ongoing National Conference. Kundu said that the introduction capital punishment for corruption would particularly serve as deterrent to corrupt public officials. “I am strongly in support of the views of some delegates at the national confab who proposed death sentence for corrupt government officials. “This is because corruption is a cankerworm that has destroyed our institutions. Therefore, anyone found to be involved in corruption should be hanged, even if it
is me,’’ he told newsmen in Jalingo. Kundu said that countries like China had succeeded in discouraging people from engaging in corrupt practices due to the capital punishment provision in their laws. He reiterated that the death sentence was the only viable option for tackling corruption in Nigeria, adding that any delay in adopting the proposal would spell doom for the country’s economy. Kundu also called for the amendment of the immunity clause in the constitution. “In the interest of democracy and the rule of law, I think the immunity
“Kundu said that countries like China had succeeded in discouraging people from engaging in corrupt practices due to the capital punishment provision in their laws.” clause should be removed. “Although, some people argue that the absence of immunity will cause distraction in the assignment of some senior government
All the same, observers insist that although the 2014 Democracy Day is worth celebrating, a lot still needs to be done to make life more meaningful for all Nigerians through the implementation
officials, including state chief executives, such measure will definitely put everybody in check. “The truth is that once you have sworn to pilot the affairs of the people, you must be ready to face criticisms and live above board,” he stressed.
of pragmatic poverty alleviation schemes. They add that concerted efforts should be made to facilitate the attainment of the poverty reduction targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria so as to make the celebration of Democracy Day more worthwhile. (NAN).
President Goodluck Jonathan
“Nevertheless, observers attribute the failure to tackle the poverty challenge facing the country squarely to massive corruption which has permeated every aspect of national life.”
Politics
At Last, Peace Returns To Edo APC IN the last few weeks, evolving political developments in Edo state gave vent to the widely held view, that all may not be well in the house of the ruling All Progressive Party, APC. Indeed, so much was the upheaval that a few members of the party, led by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu revoked their membership. In the main, they pointed to lack of internal democracy as the hanging albatross they simply could not ignore any longer. For emphasis, they refer to the recent ward and local government congresses of the party as the sure fire proof of their accusation. But on Monday May 26, the party made nonsense of the allegation when it organized its state congress where officials emerged seamlessly without rancour. The outcome of the congress appears to support the position by party loyalists and watchers of political developments in the state that the inevitable exit of some of its erstwhile members may not be unconnected with the desire of their leaders to be heads of some of the party’s key offices in readiness for the 2016 state elections. Indeed, going by the manner the defectors have handled the saga so far, there is little left to the imagination that they left the APC because they could not use the strategic positions the they occupied in the party to influence the outcome of both the ward and local government congresses in order to reposition their supporters for victories in the forthcoming senatorial and
house of representatives election scheduled next year. The plan, according to party sources, is that having occupied influential positions arising from both congresses, the group will only become power brokers within the party, they will also employ their new found clout to push for whoever wins their support in coming elections both at state and federal levels. Concerned that the move by the renegade members may veer the party from its known democratic credentials, its leaders decided to quickly rein them in order to stem disaffection among members. The counter move, this writer learnt, resulted in the abysmal performance of members of the renegade group even in their different strongholds. Thus boxed into a corner, the group resorted to giving conditions for remaining in the party. However, it was obvious from the onset that the conditions were besides being unrealistic, was another attempt to get through the backdoor what they failed to achieve through the congresses, hence the decision to take the humble way out. Unfortunately, in opting to leave the party, they decided to paint the party and its leadership black with allegations that it lacked internal democracy and that it was run solely by the governor whom they alleged decides who becomes what. It is not news any more that the state congress was delayed severally following
By ERNEST OMOARELOJIE
negotiations designed to find a workable solution to the demands of the renegade group. However, it could not be delayed any longer when it became clear that the party must move on. In taking the decision to do so, the party also made it a point to prove to all and sundry that claims by the defecting members
unsuspecting observers into swallowing an old trick. “Everyone familiar with politics in Edo state needs not be told who these politicians are. Once they fail to grab what they see as their birthright, they want the heavens to fall. The funny thing is that they are always willing to falsify accounts with excuses meant to deceive
they are.” Indeed, given the outcome of the state congress and the manner it was conducted, it is clear that the accusation by the defecting former members that the party lacks internal democracy is far from being true. With the smooth and rancour free manner it elected its leaders during the congress, it proved sufficiently to even the greatest skeptic that the party places premium value
Anslem Ojezua, Edo State APC Chairman
that it lacked internal democracy was just a face saving excuse to save them from being ridiculed. But even at that, the action is still widely seen as an attempt to hoodwink
the electorate.The only reason they left APC is that having failed to become Alpha and Omega in the party, they think they can distabilise it. They will soon find out how wrong
“It could not be delayed any longer when it became clear that the party must move on. In taking the decision to do so, the party also made it a point to prove to all and sundry that claims by the defecting members that it lacked internal democracy was just a face saving excuse to save them from being ridiculed.”
on democratic tenets far above individual ambition. At the moment, the worst is over for the APC in the state. What remains to be done is that its leaders must put everything in place to avoid another situation where dissidents and fairwheather characters in positions of prominence within the party will attempt to hijack party machinery. This can be done by ensuring that no individual or group within the party hierarchy is allowed to play Russian roulette with the party affairs the same way leaders of the renegade group did. It will be
particularly sad if, for any reason, the same scenario where fair-whether members turn around to subject the party to the worst form of crisis having benefitted so much from the system even as established and reliable loyalists sometimes appear redundant by way of recognition. To avoid such a repeat, the new leaders must be a lot more circumspect in opening its privileged offices to fortune seekers. Otherwise, the party may travel the same road again with debilitating consequences, one of which is that the renegades may succeed in convincing a considerable number of electorate that their claims for abscounding is indeed, credible given the deferred privileged they enjoyed while in the party. For example, for all the privileged relationship Izeh-Iyamu enjoyed with not just the governor of the state but other members of the party leaders, it took a little journey back in history to put him where he belongs. But arguably based on that relationship, he made claims in a recent televised interview that can fool anyone. One of it is that the governor promised, at both public and private meetings, to make him (Iyamu) his successor. In the same interview, he claimed that the same governor is never comfortable at the mere mention of his (IzehIyamu) name. He simply could not reconcile the obvious disconnect-how the same person that promised to handover power to him as his successor turned out to hate the mere mention of his (Iyamu) name. It is, putting it mildly, very amazing. But even at that, a number of people, less inclined to discerning logic, will swallow his words without question. APC must do everything to avoid a recurrence. For now, the party must take advantage of the peace that has come after a big storm.
Politics
Sir, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo State, has been riddled with crisis, which is an aftermath of c o n g r e s s e s from wards to the state level. You want to talk about that sir? Yes, thank you for the opportunity. Before we proceed, I think it is necessary to make some clarifications. I do not see a crisis, because the word ‘crisis’ is a very strong word. What we do have was a disagreement between some actors within the party over the out-come of the congress that took place. You will recall that some time last year, the ACN, ANPP, CPC, and a few other political parties had decided to come into alliance or a merger, so to speak. In the merger we’re talking about in Edo State, ACN happens to be what you may call the big partner in the sense that it’s the party in power, and it’s the party that controls all the local governments as well as the executive branch at the state level as well as an overwhelming majority in the legislative branch. But in order to give every one a sense of belonging, it was agreed that if you allow a full blown election to hold, chances were that those smaller parties that came into the alliance like the CPC and ANPP, which didn’t have elected officials in the wards, or local governments, may lose out. So, it was decided to say ‘Okay, let us give everybody a sense of belonging. That was what led to the story of harmonization. Harmonization worked in Edo north, it also worked in Edo central, it was only in Edo south you had some ripples. I think the facts are already known. Being a consensus-builder, the governor was of the view the key leaders in Edo South should try and work together so that everybody would have a sense of belonging. But it happened that Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu,
PDP Wants To Cause Co who was one of the leaders in Edo South was of the view that congress should hold, that there should be fullblown congress. Of course, having insisted that congress hold, one would think that he would be ready to accept the outcome of the elections to come. It happened that when the first round of elections held, his group didn’t do well. Surprisingly, he and his supporters protested that the process was flawed. Based on the protest, the governor, being the leader of the party, ordered a rerun. They had a fresh congress, and from the report we received, the result was even worse for the Ize Iyamu group. They found that difficult to accept. So, for that reason, they issued the governor a 7-day ultimatum to annul the results for the second time. In fact, I read in the papers that also they were giving the governor some demands and conditions to be m e t . N o t a b l y, t h a t t h e governor should anoint IzeIyamu as the governor-inwaiting; the exco should be dissolved and eight cabinet positions be allotted to him. In the case of Chief (Tony) Omoaghe, he said the Comrade Governor should impose him on the party as state chairman of the new APC. He told the governor that if he was not make him party chairman, he would also exit. There was another lady who wanted to be woman leader. To the Governor, that was not only undemocratic but also unconscionable. If you don’t give me what I want, I exit. And the governor clearly said he is a democrat and cannot succumb to blackmail. So they left, and being a man who plays politics without bitterness, the Governor wished them well. And as it has been stated with facts and figures, the party in the last
registration exercise registered hundreds of thousand members. So, if for any reasons, a few individuals within the party felt aggrieved, and they didn’t want to exhaust or avail themselves of the conflict resolution mechanism within the party, the governor has said that so be it. If any thing at all, it simply shows that these actors are not ready to abide by the democratic principle that APC subscribes to. So, to come back to your original question, I don’t see any crisis. I want to believe that it is the decampees that are over-dramatizing their exit to inflate their actual electoral worth before those have offered them sanctuary. I think the media itself is over-indulging them. Don’t forget that until now, the traffic of decampees was in the direction of APC in Edo. You only need to wait for when PDP holds their own party elections, you would the traffic changing direction again. It is a natural process. In all of this, what I think is very significant is that nobody is saying that Oshiomhole has not performed. On the contrary, what you hear is that Oshiomhole has presided over a congress that did not favour them. So for that reason, they are bailing out. And to tell you how selfish, greedy and hypocritical some people can be, Chief Omoaghe has made a song and dance of some appointees of the a Governor resigning in protest, his own two biological daughters employed by the Governor are still sitting tight in their respective offices as Special Assistant to the a Governor. Omoaghe encourages people to resign their positions in government and join them in the procession to PDP, but he is yet to tell his own two
daughters to leave Oshiomhole administration. I am sure if those two young ladies were to buy him beer from the May wages they drew from Oshiomhole, he would gladly accept the gift. These are the kind of individuals we are dealing with. So the governor will only get worried the day Edo people begin to rise on the streets and saying that he had stopped working for them. And the governor has said time and again that he was elected into office to work for the Edo people and not for the godfathers, not for party leaders. So I don’t see any crisis. I only see disagreement and those who felt they could not exhaust the conflict resolution mechanism within the party and abide by the logic of democracy have chosen to leave and the beat goes on. Okay sir, you said that in Edo north and Edo central, the process was kind of smooth sailing. But if somebody like Usman Shagadi, who is from Edo north, is complaining and was one of those who came out with this press statement to give the governor some of these conditions you mentioned earlier, and if somebody like a House of Representatives member, Abubakar Momoh, also from Etsako, can also leave the party, it means there is problem. Well, I made the clarifications earlier that the ripples the party had were more pronounced in Edo South because you have somebody like Osagie IzeIyamu whose ambition to be governor is over ten years old. In Edo North, you also had a murmur in one corner involving Shagadi and Momoh. Just like Edo South, it was a case of political greed and inordinate ambition. As for
“Omoaghe encourages people to resign their positions in government and join them in the procession to PDP, but he is yet to tell his own two daughters to leave Oshiomhole administration.”
“A gale of defection recently s chapter of the All Progressive Con acclaimed hearbeat state has been impeach the principal officers of Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole In this exclusive interview with SP Olamikan, the State Commiss Orientation, Louis Odion, address (Culled from SATURDAY INDE
Louis Odion, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Ori
Shagadi, he is just one of the party leaders APC had in Edo North. It was all about his big ambition to play a local godfather or trying to be a local tin god. Oshiomhole came and said farewell to godfatherism. He is not ready to fight the godfathers of yesterday and replace them with new godfathers, particularly those who don’t add value to the democratic process. Like I said earlier, the governor would only have lost sleep if the ordinary people, the real voters, of Edo north so to speak, are marching on the
streets, demonstrating that the governor was no longer working for their interest. In the case of Abubakar Momoh, he has done two terms in the House of Representatives. Not satisfied, he wants to become senator. He wants to graduate to the senate, despite that many of his constituents have been complaining that for the past seven years, he has largely been a bench-warmer in Abuja. His people complain that all they see are big SUVs and fancy Agbada, nothing more. At the moment, there is what you
may agre that shar Mom Com beli imp the A Now righ that man ano sena of e justi still wel stoc
Politics
onfusion In Edo State - Odion
swept through the Edo State ngress (APC). That apart, the n agog with rumour of plans to the State House of Assembly, e and his deputy, Pius Odubu. PECIAL CORRESPONDENT, Isaac sioner for Information and sed all the issues holistically.” EPENDENT, June 7, 2014).
ientation, Edo State
y call an unwritten eement within the zone t equity be shown in ring of political offices. moh is an Etsako-man like mrade Oshiomhole. He ieves Oshiomhole should pose him on Edo North as APC senatorial candidate. w, ask yourself, will it be ht or fair before God or man by 2015 you have Etsakor n as sitting governor and other Etsakor man as ator. Oshiomhole is a man equity, he is a man of ice. Within that zone, you have the Owan stock as ll as the AKOKO Edo ck. An Akoko-Edo man is
presently the Senator by name Domigo Obende. From Owan, you have Professor Julius Ihonvbere, the incumbent SSG, who has also indicated interest in the ticket. Ihonvbere is bringing a formidable credentials to the contest as a scholar of global standing. In all of this, Oshiomhole has maintained that the will of party faithfuls would ultimately as against brazen imposition that Momoh wants. He has said that he was not going to anoint anybody, and that if you are interested in running, submit yourself to the democratic
test. But you have an individual who believe that because the governor is his kinsman, the ticket is for him on asking. This guy believes that since he is the governor’s kinsman he should be anointed and made senator in-waiting just like that. Beyond politics, there is also the question of natural justice. Would that be fair to other stakeholders within the zone? These are the things we’re talking about. To hear you talk about the governor insisting he would not rubber stamp anybody is a bit strange because Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu is talking about the governor wanting to bring somebody from his (IzeI y a m u ’ s ) o w n constituency, wanting to decide who would represent his constituency as far as the congress is concerned, and his c o n s t i t u e n c y is Orhionmwonwhile the g o v e r n o r i s from Etsako West. It is like going back to what I told you earlier. It happened that the deputy governor (Dr Pius Odubu) and Osagie IzeIyamu are from the same local government area, and the governor called them and said, ‘Look, two of you are political leaders from Orhionmwon, we don’t want quarrel, call other stakeholders and sit around the table and agree on consensus candidates so that we don’t promote discord.’ He (IzeIyamu) said he wanted fullblown congress, and the field was thrown open. In that circumstance, there are two possibilities that would happen, either you emerge winner or loser. The winner
should be magnanimous in victory, and if you are a loser you should be gallant in defeat. But to go into a contest with the mindset that it is either you win or nothing, I don’t think that it’s something that’s healthy. So, it’s wrong. He is being mischievous to say the governor is from Etsako land and he was trying to dictate. The governor only said ‘Both of you should meet and agree.’ That is not tantamount to saying Oshiomhole was trying to determine who gets what in his locality. I hope you understand the trend. I mean it’s misleading to say the governor is from Etsako, and he was trying to impose who gets what in Orhionmwon. The governor called them and said ‘Look, both of you are from the same area. If you have full blown primaries in intra-party elections, experience has shown that it could polarize the party.’ He was speaking from experience because there is always this ‘I-must-win-atall-costs’ syndrome. The question I think you should ask is: is it true that he (IzeIyamu) is overly ambitious? He would not deny that. Two: is it true that he has asked the governor to make him governor? He would not deny it. Three: is it true that he is fighting for control of party structure with the deputy governor in his local government area? He won’t deny it. Those are the facts and they speak directly to the root of the political disagreement they had which led to their defection from the party. If you look at their antecedents, it would help you profile the kind of person they are. I mean I
was a national journalist by vocation until now and I happen to be conversant with the details of the period they were in office. I mean these are events of recent history. A decade ago or so when Ize-Iyamu similarly aspired to be governor under the PDP, he and like minds came together and founded what you call the Grace Group within the PDP, and their slogan was ‘No man is God’. So, when the godfather in PDP then said it wasn’t the turn of Edo-South to be governor, they pulled out. Don’t forget that the government in which they were the leading lights is now commonly referred to as the most clueless in Edo history. They came to The ACN and in the last five years of being seeing around a credible figure like Oshiomhole, they have had managed to gain so much confidence that they are so bold today to raise their heads when issues of democracy, issues of performance are being discussed. But they seem to have forgotten that though Edo people may have forgiven them for them for the iniquities, the perfidies, the debauchery of yesterday, the Edo have certainly not totally forgotten what happened yesterday. Recently, Edo APC had the state congress at t h e S a m u e l Ogbemudia stadium. The o r g a n i z a t i o n , the accreditation was so super, everybody had their name tags on etc. There is complaint that this kind of process was not followed during the ward and local government congresses. That is not correct. You see, like I said earlier, they are bad losers. In Edo north,
you had less acrimony. In Edo Central, it was also less acrimonious because ambition w a s n ’ t running haywire there. It’s only because of this mindset that I must be governor at all costs that the hoopla you had in Edo south happened. What I am saying is that what happened at the state congress is a reflection of the process that we had in other zones. But these guys (defectors) can’t abide by the rules and spirit of the game. You see, if you are sure of yourselves, you shouldn’t be afraid of elections. Just like a student, if you know you know your onions, you’ve read your books properly, you shouldn’t be afraid of facing test. So, you saw what happened at the Stadium On my way! May 26. I am happy you attested that it was most transparent and peaceful. To tell you how keen the contest was, some guys stepped down for the others. That is the kind of democratic practice the governor is trying to preach. As we speak now, a gale of defection is sweeping through the APC, four members of the party, who are in the state House of Assembly, have just decamped to the PDP… When you say a gale of defection, that is a hyperbole. All the key officers of government are still in place. The four or five officers that resigned are inconsequential in the system. They are political errand boys to the three leaders who defected. I read a report in the media earlier where Ize-Iyamu was quoted as saying he assisted Oshiomhole to be governor and when he won he promised to assist him too to be governor. How reasonable is that? It sounds like a cock Continues on page 24
“As for Shagadi, he is just one of the party leaders APC had in Edo North. It was all about his big ambition to play a local godfather or trying to be a local tin god.”
Discourse
Strengthening Nigeria-Turkey Relations Via Cultural Exchanges
NIGERIA and Turkey established diplomatic relations in 1960 and the two countries were instrumental in the formation of D-8 (Developing Eight) Countries — a group of developing countries which formed an economic development alliance in 1997. Other countries in the alliance are Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia and Pakistan. At present, Nigeria is Turkey’s 5th largest trade partner in Africa and 2nd among the sub-Saharan African countries, according to some data posted on the website of Turkey’s Ministry of Economy. Nigeria and Turkey have signed some bilateral trade agreements, including the Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in 1986 and the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in 2011. Besides, the Turkey-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce was established in Lagos in 1999, while the Turkish-Nigerian Business Council was established in 2011. Unarguably, Nigeria and Turkey enjoy sound trade relations and the volume of the bilateral trade stood at over N206 billion as at 2013, according to statistics from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture. Nigeria’s main imports from Turkey include clothing, food items, engine and automobile parts, while Turkey imports sesame seeds, raw and semi-processed leather as well as rubber, among others, from Nigeria. In Nigeria, Turkish investments are visible in the areas of construction, quarrying, textile, tourism, education, healthcare, hospitality, among others. The burgeoning economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey have elicited positive comments from officials and citizens of the two countries For instance, Mr Murat Akyuz, who led a recent trade delegation from Turkey to Nigeria, underscored the importance of Nigeria as an emerging market for Turkey, which was a manufacturing economy.
“Our special visit here reflects our commitment to Nigeria and our recognition of its importance as a key strategic market. “We want to develop longterm business relations with Nigeria with our high-quality products; we also want to make it easier for Nigerian cosmetic manufacturers and importers to do business with Turkey,’’ Akyuz said. However, observers maintain that apart from nurturing economic relations between Nigeria and Turkey, cultural exchanges and festivals also strengthen efforts to boost bilateral relations between the two countries. For instance, the 4th Nigerian-Turkish Friendship and Cultural Festival, organised by UFUK Dialogue Foundation, a Nigeria-based Turkish organisation and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, was recently held in Abuja. The fiesta showcased various aspects of Turkish and Nigerian cultures such as dresses, food, dance and arts, even as the participants savoured dishes prepared by people from other cultures. Cultural troupes from Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba ethnic groups in Nigeria and those from Turkey took turns to perform, while masquerades entertained spectators at the festival held on the campus of Nigerian Turkish Nile University. Speaking at the event, Chief Edem Duke, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, said that the Federal Government was taking the festival seriously. The minister, who was represented by Mr George Ufot, Director of Culture in the ministry, said that the festival had fostered stronger bilateral ties between the two countries. He also commended Turkish entrepreneurs for their investments in Nigeria. “I congratulate you on the 2014 celebration of the Nigeria Turkish Friendship Cultural Festival; I must confess that we in the ministry have fond memories of this festival. “The festival has consistently served as a major platform to present the warm and excellent relationship
By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO
existing between our two countries. “I must express my admiration for the ideals of Fethullah Gelen, the inspirational leader and thinker who has been behind the creation of these wonderful schools, hospital and numerous noble activities which the Turkish community in Nigeria has come to be positively identified with. “All over the world, the indomitable icon has become the voice of peace, dialogue and a source of inspiration for many hearts and minds, as
you have effectively mobilised your citizenry to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue through education, information exchange and respect for your environment and diversity. “I seize this occasion to wholeheartedly commend UFUK Dialogue Foundation, the organisers of this event, for their principled stand in organising various events that have contributed in raising the value of humanity, and community service. “I share and embrace their call on all of us to become
“Culture is the whole essence of man’s existence; so, we need to remind ourselves constantly of our norms and values. “Our cultures are some of the things we need to pass to the younger generations to keep them alive. “The Turkish are very strong traditionalists and we love our folk dance and music, we like to dance just like Nigerians; and both countries had very close relationship with each other in the past. “We are now looking to the future for stronger cultural exchanges, educational and cultural cooperation,’’ Sert said On his part, Mr Cemal Yigit, the event’s coordinator, said that the festival was not just to exhibit arts, food and culture, adding that it was
Edem Duke, Minister for Culture & Tourism
well as the wonderful Turkish people and their kindred all over the world. Duke lauded the Turkish strength of purpose, as well as the peaceful co-existence of groups in Turkey, saying that Nigeria shared a lot with the country in terms of multiculturalism. He stressed that Nigeria ought to emulate Turkey in efforts to achieve a cohesive and peaceful society in spite of divergent religious beliefs. “We definitely have so much to share from the way
marketers and advocates of dialogue; we must all become channels to communicate and understand others,’’ Duke said. Sharing similar sentiments, Prof. Huseyin Sert, the ViceChancellor of Nigerian Turkish Nile University, said that culture was the essence of life, adding that efforts should be made to celebrate cultures via festivals. He noted that Nigeria and Turkey had cultural similarities, with diverse ethnic nationalities coexisting.
“We should also recognise the fact that not many countries are investing in Nigeria the way Turkey does. Look at the type of schools and hospitals the Turkish people have in Abuja and you will understand what I m saying.’’
particularly aimed at establishing bridges between Nigerian and Turkish nationals. Yigit, who is also the Managing Director of InciProduction, said that the festival had created an opportunity for citizens of Nigeria and Turkey to understand one another and work together for the progress of their countries. “Understanding, dialogue, respect, culture of coexistence bring riches for all; we work for these values we believe that will impact positively on the world. “Through this forum, we are trying to emphasise the need for dialogue in the world; the need for love and living together in a society where everyone’s opinion matters. ‘By so doing, we create a stable and peaceful society
where everybody will live in harmony and share positive ideals,’’ he added. Mr Cosmos Onah, who was in charge of the Igbo culture booth at the festival, said that Igbo people recognised the need to be represented at the event because of their cultural similarities with Turkish people. He said that the Igbos were entrepreneurial just like the Turkish people; hence the recognition of Igbo businessmen by their Turkish counterparts. “The Igbos travel a lot for business; a lot of us go to Turkey to do one business or the other and the Turkish people know it. “Turkey is a manufacturing economy and most of their products are of high quality; hence, the huge influx of businessmen into Turkey. “We should also recognise the fact that not many countries are investing in Nigeria the way Turkey does. Look at the type of schools and hospitals the Turkish people have in Abuja and you will understand what I m saying,’’ he said. Onah said that a team of Igbo people would soon travel to Turkey, as part of the cultural exchange project involving the two cultures. Items such as foods, yams, cassava, kolanut, bitter kola and assorted vegetables, among others, were display at the Igbo culture stand. Mr Yahaya Bala, who manned the Hausa culture stand, said that the bulk of the cultural similarities between the Hausa culture and the Turkish culture derived from religion. He noted that the majority of Turkish people were Muslims, just like the majority of Hausa people. He said that business deals between the two cultures were facilitated by the sound business relations existing between Nigeria and Turkey. Items displayed at the Hausa stand were handicraft items such as hand-woven material and local fabrics. The Yoruba talking drum echoed from all corners of the fiesta’s venue, as the crowd cheered and sand along in interpretation of the talking drum’s message transmitted by drummers of the Yoruba cultural troupe. The cultural fiesta notwithstanding, observers insist that structured efforts should also be made to organise trade exhibitions involving Nigeria and Turkey so as to boost the economic and cultural ties existing between the two countries. They, however, note that Turkish entrepreneurs have demonstrated uncommon zeal in exploiting the investment opportunities which abound in Nigeria. (NAN).
Family Planning
With Eranga Isaac 08059233001
coerced sexual relations changes to attitudes and behaviours are challenging to implement, incentives, sustain, and measure. (3) Human and financial resource constraints many prevent governments from effectively and consistently on forcing health education and marriage policies. (4) Girls are often most vulnerable when living in areas with ongoing armed conflict, where health and education services do not reach. (5) Girls child initiative often require cross-ministerial coordination. Countries vary as to the degree to which different ministries are able to work efficiently and effectively with one another. (6) Gender equality is fundamental to attaining human rights, thus an approach that emphasizes accountability and seeks to assist participatory policy formulation is critical. STRATEGIES AND BEST PRACTICES According to the African Union Commission, countries have initiated a number of initiatives aimed at improving the health and welfare of the girl child. Such initiatives include: (1) Legislation that raised the national minimum age of marriage of girls to 18 years, so as to protect against the physical and mental health consequences of child marriage and young motherhood. (2) Civil registries to better track the age of a woman and /or the age when she gives birth to a child (e.g. Malawi, South Africa, Togo). (3) National child or adolescent health policies and strategic plans that will help in providing guidance for both the public sector and its partners as to programme development and implementation. (4) Increased investment and scaling up of adolescentfriendly reproductive and sexual health services. Examples of countries that have achieved this include: Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. (5) Outreaches on girls child issues that targets community change agents – both male and female, in order
Improving Health, Welfare Of The Girl Child ACCORDING to African Union Commission policy brief, a focus on the health of the girl child is essential for reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health efforts. According to the brief, the term ‘the girl child’ refers to girls between 5-19 years of age and, thus, includes adolescent in its definition Girls under the age of 15 are five times more likely than older women to die in child birth. “Infants are 60% more likely to die in their first year of life if their mothers are under 18. among female adolescent, maternal conditions are responsible for 15% of all deaths,” says the African Union. In Africa (excluding north Africa, women under the age of 20 have the least access to skilled birth attendance, highest rates of hospitalisation due to unsafe abortion, and lowest access to reproductive and sexual health services. Of the 2.1 million adolescents living with HIV (most of them in Africa), 62 percent are adolescent girls. Maternal morbidity – including obstetric fistula – is also higher amongst adolescents due to complications from labour and delivery. According to the African Union, 2013, documentary Good practices in Maternal, Newborn and child Health Interventions, Addis Ababa, in many instances, child marriage exacerbates these statistics. In Africa (excluding north Africa), studies have shown that, among 15-19 years old, those who are married are 75% more likely to have HIV than those who are unmarried. Two-thirds of those newly infected with HIV are girls. They are eight times more likely to have HIV than their male counterparts. Only 15 percent are using contraception.
The adolescent girls also more vulnerable to genderbased violence and sexual exploitation. Globally, the lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence among everpartnered women for girls age 15-19 is 29.4 percent. In Africa, the proportion of women reporting intimate partner violence and /or non-partner sexual violence ranges regionally from 29.7 percent (southern) to 65.6 percent (central), the highest in the world. CHALLENGES There have been a number of challenges to improving the health of the girl child in Africa. (1) Youth-friendly reproductive health services often remain in pilot form, or dependent on the participation of non-governmental partners. These services have not been consistently scaled up across the public sector. (2) Social conditions, economic factors, and cultural beliefs contribute strongly to the persistence of child marriage and young girls decision to become sexually active. These factors also influence the prevalence of
to support grassroots attitude and behaviour change. (6) HIV vaccination of 9-13 year old girls to prevent cervical cancer in adulthood. And this serves as an important entry point for delivery of additional interventions. (7) Increase investment in and promotion of girls’ education, through outreach campaigns to parents, elimination of school fees, and reentry policies to allow girls to return to school after delivery a child (e.g. Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Zambia). (8) Provision of vocational and literacy support to girls who have left school early, including married girls and young mothers (e.g. Ghana, Malawi). (9) Approaching the above raised issues from a multisectoral perspective, bringing in stakeholders from Ministries of Health, Youth, Education, and Women (e.g. Mozambique).
“In Africa (excluding north Africa, women under the age of 20 have the least access to skilled birth attendance, highest rates of hospitalisation due to unsafe abortion, and lowest access to reproductive and sexual health services.”
Economy “Nigeria’s new GDP has important implications for the rest of the continent; it raises the question whether there are other African economies with a systematically underestimated GDP.’’
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister
Nigeria. Chukwu, a finance expert, however, advised that the country’s new economic status should compel the stakeholders to seek more investments to sustain the growth. “Since there are immense potential in the country, the government should entice investors with friendly agricultural programmes to enhance mechanised farming. “The policy will make it possible for them to access land, credit facilities and farm
so people are bound to wonder what is in it for the masses. “We are tired of government giving us improved economic indicators without it positively affecting our standards of living,’’ he said. Corroborating Obiareari, Mr Lawrence Nweke, a business centre manager, said in spite of the impressive news about the country’s GDP, small scale businesses are still finding it difficult to thrive.
machinery with ease. “The government will benefit through taxes and the creation of employment opportunities for young Nigerians,’’ he said. Sharing a similar sentiment, Mr Carlos Lopes, the Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said the development had placed the country in another economic perspective. “Nigeria’s new GDP has important implications for the rest of the continent; it raises the question whether there are other African economies with a systematically underestimated GDP,’’ he said. In his view, Mr Muda Yusuf, the Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said with the rebasing, Nigeria’s economy had the capacity to reduce poverty. But, Mr Nnaemeka Obiareari, Managing Director, Tarux Capital and Advisory Services, Lagos, disagreed with Yusuf, insisting that the rebasing had not shown any positive impact on the lives of the citizenry. “Majority of our people are still not living a good life, and
“We want to see these figures translate into energy, good roads and other infrastructural facilities. “It is not enough for us to say that Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa, yet the people are suffering,’’ he said. Dr Sule Magaji, Head, Department of Economics, University of Abuja, observed that the new GDP rating had thrown up many challenges to government. He said Nigeria’s GDP growth was a good development that should translate to the economic development of the country, if the indices were adequately addressed. “There are many indices of economic growth and development that should be addressed by government. “These include improving the living standards of the people, embarking on mechanised agriculture, massive employment and ensuring the security of lives and property, among others,’’ he said. Whatever yardstick is used in assessing the performance of any nation’s economy, observers insist that the assessment should reflect the true position of the welfare and security of the citizens.
Harnessing The Benefits Of Nigeria’s GDP Rebasing
DR Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Finance Minister, did not dispute the assertion of World Bank President Jim Kim, that Nigeria was among the world’s extremely poor countries, but only offered an explanation. She explained that the ranking was based on large population of the poor in the country and not on the level of development. The minister said the phenomenon of large number of the poor is peculiar to middle-income countries such as Nigeria. To give credibility to her explanation, on April 6, 2014, Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa and 26th largest economy in the world based on an 89.22 per cent
By FOLASADE FOLARIN
growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Economists note that GDP indicates the market value of all officially recognised final goods and services produced within a country in a year, or over a given period of time. According to them, the GDP per capita is often considered an indicator of a country’s standard of living. They opine that in spite of Kim’s observation, it is reported that Nigeria’s economy is currently worth 510 billion dollars. Available records from the National Bureau of Statistics also indicate that the latest GDP estimate is N80.2 trillion or 509.9 billion
dollars. Observers note that the boost in the GDP is attributable to the emergence of new economic activities, particularly the growing services sector, such as telecommunications, banking and entertainment. With improved GDP, the question is, what will be the benefits to the masses, especially in their standard of living? According to OkonjoIweala, the rebasing would not make the challenges of poverty and unemployment to disappear overnight, but it is important for policy making. “The knowledge derived
would help us to make better policies to grow the economy and create jobs for young Nigerians. “Becoming the largest economy on the continent is a positive development, but it is not the destination,’’ she said. Okonjo-Iweala said the GDP estimates would also help Nigerians, particularly the policy makers, to have better understanding of the structure and changes of the economy to serve as tools for economic growth. Explaining the benefits of the GDP rebasing, Mr Johnson Chukwu, the Chief Executive Officer of Cowery Asset Management Company, noted that it would attract new investors to
“There are many indices of economic growth and development that should be addressed by government. These include improving the living standards of the people, embarking on mechanised agriculture, massive employment and ensuring the security of lives and property, among others.’’
Archival Matters
No Food For Lazy Man LAST week in Benin Metropolis, I ran into four youths as early as 8.30am drinking beer and smoking cigarettes in a roadside bar. As soon as I saw them, I remembered the inscription on the bodywork of a truck used by a man of SouthEastern extraction for transporting felled rubber trees for sale. The inscription reads: NO FOOD FOR LAZY MAN. Also, It recalled during the grisly encounter with the misguided youths that one day I met the truck pusher recounting how people make jest of him sometimes. But unknown to them, his hard-driving job had been able to keep him out of crime and enabled him not to beg his peers for hand out, he declared, proudly. On the occasion, he explained: “Dis work wey I day do don help me well, well. Na him I take marry and day feed my wife and children. Pay my rent. Send my pickin go school. Right now, I don complete my house for my village for Imo State. Yet di people wey day laugh me na rent dem day. Na so di world be—No sooner had he spoken than a male acquaintance hailed him: “NO FOOD FOR LAZY MAN! He smiled in triumph with his wizened eyes turned in the direction of the man. Then, he returned the compliment with these words: Chineke, bless you my friend. Who go better go better. This column agrees with the submissions of this industrious truck pusher that there is no food waiting out there for a lazy man. “food” here isn’t restrictive. Of interest to me is its connotative ambience which translates to “success in life”. Indeed, what I am saying in essence is that success is not for the last. Without hardwork you cannot achieve
Sid) has demonstrated that hard work, will power, determination and patience pay off good dividends. He graduated as a dentist after about 10 years. However, he had to abandon his medical career for music because of his passion for the entertainment industry several years ago. He paid his due in music before coming with his successful debate single SURULERE in which
State who is now trying to stage a comeback in 2014 this year once tried his hands in the “odd job” of danfo driving. Let’s hear from him in his interview with the Sunday Sun of December 26, 2004 “I drove danfo in this city Ibadan to train myself. I drove my danfo through Ring Road to Dugbe, Samgo to UI to Ojooo and poly to Apete every morning. I would wake up by 5.30 am ply my route and attend lectures at the polytechnic, Ibadan at 9am.
he recounts his years of patience in the musical desert before breaking out from his cocoon. Indeed, this is no food for the lazy man. You cannot steal success but only earn it with beads of sweat cascading down your face from your furrowed brow. That is the mantra of life which has equally played out in the lives of several other people like Ayo Fayose, Dele Giwa, Dr. Etakudo and Mrs Adepeju Ajimuda. See, that former governor of Ekiti
He added: “I would be shouting HOLD YOUR CHANGE –ooo. So that they wouldn’t delay me from attending lectures. When I finished at the polytechnic, I continued the transport business to enable me pay back the money I borrowed to buy the danfo. Ayo Fayose isn’t alone in the commercial business of driving as a student to pay his way through college. Dele Giwa, founding editor-inchief of Newswatch
By MICHAEL ODIGBE it. For instance in their world of music, you cannot find a musician of international status who hasn’t driven him or herself so hard. Let’s start with Professor Victor Uwaifo now a lecturer in the fine Arts Department of UNIBEN. He taught himself to play the guitar so well that he graduated to become known as “Guitar Boy.” Deploying this instrument with great creativity and originality, he belted out folkloric Akwete melodious lyrics in his early musical career. Later, in line with the law of dynamism in life he veered into Ekassa, Sasakosa and Titibiti genres of music that further enriched them with the sound keys of a piano and the mellifluous notes of a flute. Today, Uwaifo is undisputedly an evergreen musician, a celebrate entertainer, a master performer and a multitalented instrumentalist unlike most of our noise making, motor park musicians now all over the place. How about late reggae maestro, Lucky Dube? He stole his first guitar, which he used in a hide away dungeon to master the string instrument after months of arduous work. Fela, himself, who invented Afrobeat sound reheared backstage for 14 hours daily. Michael Jackson, king of pop, who died in 2009 similarly spent long hours in his rehearsals. Too true, it was during them, he passed on from an overdose of five painkillers and sleep aids prescribed for him by his personal doctor Dr. Conrad Murray. Had he not died, he would have embarked on an earth moving come-back world musical tour to reinvent his career. Of recent, upcoming artiste Dr. Sidney Esiri (a.k.a Dr.
“Dele Giwa drove a cab in New York to earn a living while schooling in America, being from a poor home. Dr. Etukudo, who once taught Research Methodology at UNILAG during my undergraduate days, informed us in class that he washed lecturers’ and university staff’s cars as a student in the university.”
magazine, slain in 1986 with a letter bomb, was also in his shoes. Dele Giwa drove a cab in New York to earn a living while schooling in America, being from a poor home. Dr. Etukudo, who once taught Research Methodology at UNILAG during my undergraduate days, informed us in class that he washed lecturers’ and university staff’s cars as a student in the university. He did the job, according to him, to meet some of his financial obligations as a student since his parents couldn’t give him all the money he needed. For him, a job could be an odd one but
First, she tried her hands on poultry farming. However, urbanization which resulted in the expensive competitive bidding for land made it not to be feasible after a while. So, she closed down the business. Finally, she settled for cab driving. All she did was to convert her personal car to commercial use. Nothing more. At present, she is the only female taxi-cab driver in the whole of Sagamu, although she lives in Ikorodu in Lagos. Each day, she wakes up around 3.30am drives to Ketu park from where she plies the Sagamu route. In an interview with the Daily Sun
the econometrics of the income earned from it isn’t odd. Yes, money has no religion, tribe, race or ideology. The way you earn it doesn’t matter. What is paramount is that you have it in your possession for meeting your financial challenges. That is all. This thinking must have inspired Mrs. Adepeju Ajimuda, a civil engineering graduate from UNILAG to dump her degree and take to cab driving. The mother of three reasoned that her husband alone provide for all the household needs while it not possible for her to be employed by a private construction company on the grounds that she might be transferred out of Lagos her home base. Therefore, she opted for self-employment.
newspaper of February 20, 2014 she said: “I an a determined and focused person. By nature, I am highly down –to-earth. If you want to be friendly you will want to be my friend all my life. But if you want to be nasty, I wouldn’t hide under one finger. I would be pretty nasty, too. The bottom-line here is that there is no Option B. plan for enduring, sustainable success in life. All you need is to work really hard at a noble job, vocation or profession. There is NO FOOD FOR LAZY MAN. The bible says: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard. Consider her ways and be wise.
Footprints
The Irrepressible Saint Joan Of Arc A truce with England during the following few months left Joan with little to do. On 23 March 1430, she dictated a threatening letter to the Hussites, a dissident group which had broken with the Catholic Church on a number of doctrinal points and had defeated several previous crusades sent against them. Joan’s letter promises to “remove your madness and foul superstition, taking away either your heresy or your lives.” However, the truce with England quickly came to an end. Joan traveled to Compiègne the following May to help defend the city against an English and Burgundian siege. A skirmish on 23 May 1430 led to her capture, when her force attempted to attack the Burgundians’ camp at Margny. When the troops began to withdraw toward the nearby fortifications of Compiègne after the advance of an additional force of 6,000 Burgundians, Joan stayed with the rear guard. Burgundian troops surrounded the rear guard, and she was pulled off her horse by an archer. She agreed to surrender to a proBurgundian nobleman named Lionel of Wandomme, a member of Jean de Luxembourg’s unit. Joan was imprisoned by the Burgundians at Beaurevoir Castle. She attempted several escapes, on one occasion jumping from her 70 foot (21 m) tower, landing on the soft earth of a dry moat, after which she was moved to the Burgundian town of Arras. The English negotiated with their Burgundian allies to transfer her to their custody, with Bishop Pierre Cauchon of Beauvais, an English partisan, assuming a prominent role in these negotiations and her later trial. The final agreement called for the English to pay the sum of 10,000 livres tournois to obtain her from Jean de Luxembourg, a member of the Council of Duke Philip of Burgundy. The English moved Joan to the city of Rouen, which served as their main headquarters in France. Historian Pierre Champion notes that the Armagnacs
attempted to rescue her several times by launching military campaigns toward Rouen while she was held there. One campaign occurred during the winter of 1430-1431, another in March 1431, and one in late May shortly before her execution. These attempts were beaten back. The trial for heresy was politically motivated. The tribunal was composed entirely of pro-English and Burgundian clerics, and overseen by English commanders including the Duke of Bedford and Earl of Warwick. Legal proceedings commenced on 9 January 1431 at Rouen, the seat of the English occupation government. The procedure was illegal on a number of points, which would later provoke scathing criticism of the tribunal by the chief inquisitor who investigated the trial after the war. To summarize some major problems: Under ecclesiastical law, Bishop
By OBUSEH JUDE
Cauchon lacked jurisdiction over the case. Cauchon owed his appointment to his partisan support of the English government which financed the trial. Clerical notary Nicolas Bailly, commissioned to collect testimony against Joan, could find no adverse evidence. Without such evidence the court lacked grounds to initiate a trial. Opening a trial anyway, the court also violated ecclesiastical law by denying her right to a legal adviser. Worse, stacking the tribunal entirely with proEnglish clergy violated the medieval Church’s requirement that heresy trials needed to be judged by an impartial or balanced group of clerics. Upon the opening of the first public examination Joan complained that those present were all partisans against her and asked for “ecclesiastics of the French side” to be invited in order to provide balance.
However, the ViceInquisitor of Northern France (Jean Lemaitre) objected to the trial at its outset, and several eyewitnesses later said he was forced to cooperate after the English threatened his life. Some of the other clergy at the trial were also threatened when they refused to cooperate, including a Dominican friar named Isambart de la Pierre. These threats, and the domination of the trial by a secular government, were obvious violations of the Church’s rules and undermined the right of the Church to conduct heresy trials without secular interference. Joan’s remarkable intellect is corroborated in her trial record. The transcript’s most famous exchange is an exercise in subtlety. “Asked if she knew she was in God’s grace, she answered: ‘If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.’” The question is a
Saint Joan of Arc
“The twelve articles of accusation which summarize the court’s finding contradict the already doctored court record. The illiterate defendant signed an abjuration document she did not understand under threat of immediate execution.”
scholarly trap. Church doctrine held that no one could be certain of being in God’s grace. If she had answered yes, then she would have been charged with heresy. If she had answered no, then she would have confessed her own guilt. Notary Boisguillaume later testified that at the moment the court heard this reply, “Those who were interrogating her were stupefied.” Several court functionaries later testified that important portions of the transcript were altered in her disfavor. Under Inquisitorial guidelines, Joan should have been confined in an ecclesiastical prison under the supervision of female guards (i.e., nuns). Instead, the English kept her in a secular prison guarded by their own soldiers. Bishop Cauchon denied Joan’s appeals to the Council of Basel and the Pope, which should have stopped his proceeding. The twelve articles of accusation which summarize the court’s finding contradict the already doctored court record. The illiterate defendant signed an abjuration document she did not understand under threat of immediate execution. The court substituted a different abjuration in the official record. Heresy was a capital crime only for a repeat offense. Joan agreed to wear feminine clothing when she abjured. This created a problem. According to the later descriptions of some of the tribunal members, she had previously been wearing male (i.e. military) clothing in prison because it gave her the ability to fasten her hosen and tunic together into one piece, which deterred rape by making it difficult to pull her hosen off. A woman’s dress offered no such protection. A few days after adopting a dress, she told a tribunal member that “a great English lord had entered her prison and tried to take her by force. She resumed male attire either as a defense against molestation or, in the testimony of Jean Massieu, because her dress had been taken by the guards and she was left with nothing else to wear. Joan’s resumption of male military clothing was labeled a relapse into heresy, although this would later be disputed by the inquisitor who presided
over the appeals court which examined the case after the war. Medieval Catholic doctrine held that crossdressing should be evaluated based on context, as stated in the “Summa Theologica” by St. Thomas Aquinas, which says that necessity would be a permissible reason for cross-dressing. This would include the use of clothing as protection against rape if the clothing would offer protection. In terms of doctrine, she had been justified in disguising herself as a pageboy during her journey through enemy territory and she was justified in wearing armor during battle and protective clothing in camp and then in prison. The Chronique de la Pucelle states that it deterred molestation while she was camped in the field. When her soldiers’ clothing wasn’t needed while on campaign, she was said to have gone back to wearing a dress. Clergy who later testified at the posthumous appellate trial affirmed that she continued to wear male clothing in prison to deter molestation and rape. She referred the court to the Poitiers inquiry when questioned on the matter. The Poitiers record no longer survives but circumstances indicate the Poitiers clerics had approved her practice. She also kept her hair cut short through her military campaigns and while in prison. Her supporters, such as the theologian Jean Gerson, defended her hairstyle for practical reasons, as did Inquisitor Brehal later during the appellate trial. Nonetheless, at the trial in 1431 she was condemned and sentenced to die. Eyewitnesses described the scene of the execution by burning on 30 May 1431. Tied to a tall pillar at the Vieux-Marché in Rouen, she asked two of the clergy, Fr Martin Ladvenu and Fr Isambart de la Pierre, to hold a crucifix before her. An English soldier also constructed a small cross which she put in the front of her dress. After she died, the English raked back the coals to expose her charred body so that no one could claim she had escaped alive, then burned the body twice more to reduce it to ashes and prevent any collection of relics. They cast her remains into the Seine River. The executioner, Geoffroy Therage, later stated that he “...greatly feared to be damned.” To be continue
Opinion
IF one sells a member of one’s household cheap, one will not be able to buy him back at a great value. If one does not throw a toad into hot water, and then throw it into cold water, it does not know which is better. Nigeria is certainly a strange nation, especially if you see it within the context of a nation. It has strange people, strange personae, from the best to the worst, a friend said we are the “bestest and worstest”. Before I go far on the above ranting, it is DAY 41 and I honestly did not think I would be writing and sharing thoughts on the Chibok girls or that we will still be talking #bringbackourgirls. But here we are still on the matter, everyday revealing our shame in public…and I see the depth of our emotions everyday. And who are we: we are the Asaris who believe that no child is missing; we are the “chai, there is a ‘god’ person”. We are same people who ask whether the
then don’t blame the army that miss their way too, if the Americans are the real deal, tell us why they are only in Chad and Niger, instead of waving the magic wand and prompt our daughters would appear. Why should everything be politics, 2015, and twenty everything, just the sale of “there is god” sweatshirts, downloads of several versions of the clip ‘chia’ is costing data. I counted the last time, 11 singles by various artistes with the theme #bringbackourgirls, and I was privy to a roforofo fight of a group of protesters for their pay after PROTESTING, the same way Asari’s group smiling to the bank because no girl was abducted. We have dissected the falsehood in the video produced by Shekau and co., which only continues to get to AP, BBC, and VOA, but never gets near NTA. Critics, activists that we are, only makes us so inefficient that simple things
Footprints
Abducted Chibok Girls, And Surrounding Issues
principal “waka come or waka go”. Some of us, have asked Shettima to #bringbackourgirls, others have lampooned Jonathan for not bringing back our girls, we have blamed the army, soldiers have blamed their superiors and for the first time in ages the word mutiny is sounding like cattle rustlers, phrases that sneak in, and we hardly notice. Where is Augustine Aminu, is Aminu a Christian or is Augustine a Muslim, so did Muslims target the Jos bomb blast at Christians, or the nearly deadly attack at a viewing center not successful because it was in a Muslim dominated area? Indeed what is wrong with us, how is it that one of the interesting reads of the news week was the witch bird, ala old woman that landed in Ajegunle on her way to Ibadan after her ‘winchy’ activities. If witches miss their way,
look complex, too many PhDs that pull foolishness aggregately, making it sound wise—For example, army locates three camps where girls are—so after the location what next? I guess Boko Haram is deaf, blind and dumb…they can post youtube messages but cannot read all that and we really expect them to still be there, waiting! Okay it is a decoy, but really who is fooling who, in the last 40 DAYS, the United State has visited, Jonathan has approved for help, amnesty International has revealed that soldiers knew, soldiers ran, in more than four weeks, Shettima has gone to London, speaking with CNN, we have had meetings in Congo, Paris and Protests even in neighbouring Sudan. For all we are only ranting, waiting painfully for this to
By PRINCE CHARLES DICKSON
become like the ‘other’ Nigerian events that we consign to history, missing plane, missing ship, missing government money, ghost workers, ghost schools, graduates, and ghost budgets. Real parents wouldn’t bother that Chibok is Christian community or otherwise if our kids were involved, would CAN, its Muslim counterpart JNI, JIBWIS and co bother about the girls’ name if the Sultan’s daughter or Ayo’s grandson was victim? I have seen first hand the premium Americans place on just their flag, and how valuable the American Kid is even the mere paper called US Visa is gold in many parts. Therefore if we were looking for one American, would the
Sambisa forest be a mystery, would Obama, Michelle and Gov. of Timbuktu be arguing on the number of American girls? Let me end, with the episode commonly referred to in Persian as ????? ???? ?????? ?????? (literally “Conquest of the American Spy Den,”), it was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States. Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444 days (November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981), after a group of Iranian students, belonging to the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam’s Line, who were supporting the Iranian Revolution took over the US Embassy in Tehran.
President Jimmy Carter called the hostages “victims of terrorism and anarchy,” adding that “the United States will not yield to blackmail.” The crisis was described by the western media as an entanglement of “vengeance and mutual incomprehension.” Like #bringbackourgirls have been described by all sorts of phrases and catches. I will spare us the details, the politics and ostrich diplomacy of that era and all that was involved, however the episode reached a climax when, after failed attempts to negotiate a release, the United States military attempted a rescue operation off ships such as the USS Nimitz and USS Coral Sea that were patrolling the waters near Iran. On April 24, 1980, Operation Eagle Claw resulted in a failed mission, the deaths of eight American servicemen, one Iranian civilian, and the destruction of two aircraft. On July 27, 1980, the former Shah died; then, in September, Iraq invaded Iran. These two events led the Iranian government to enter negotiations with the U.S., with Algeria acting as a mediator. The hostages were
formally released into United States custody the day after the signing of the Algiers Accords. I am not TB Joshua, nor some hocus pocus analyst, but hopefully in the words of Mike Omeri, the Coordinator, National Information Centre, the efforts of officers and men of Nigeria’s defence forces as well as the police and the Department of State Service, DSS, were yielding positive result. Omeri, who doubles as the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, said, “By God’s grace, we are looking at a matter of days”. “The support we are also receiving from our foreign partners has upped the tempo and we are confident that soon, very soon, the parents would have their children back and, by God’s grace, in safe and sound health. We are closing-in on them”. I end with one question, just one question to all sides of the divide, whether APC, PDP, or even the Shekau led sickmen…If your child was missing for a day, what would you do, how would you feel, how soon can be very soon— soon enough that by next week #bringbackourgirls would be #thankyoujonathan—only time will tell. Yours In High Regards
“Critics, activists that we are, only makes us so inefficient that simple things look complex, too many PhDs that pull foolishness aggregately, making it sound wise—For example, locatesde three camps where “Fromarmy Christine Pizan to the present, women have looked girls are—so after the location whatas next? I guessexample Boko Haram is to Joan a positive of a brave and active female. She deaf, blind and dumb…they can post youtube messages but cannot operated within a religious tradition that believed an exceptional read all that and we really expect them to still be there, waiting!”
person from any level of society might receive a divine calling.”
Politics
PDP Wants To Cause Confusion...
Continue from pg 17 and bull story. When you said you assisted Oshiomhole to become governor, I think you’re abusing the intelligence of Nigerians. I speak as somebody who has had a privilege of been a journalist at the national level. In terms of weight and clout, you don’t compare Oshiomhole with Ize-Iyamu. You’re talking of somebody who has had a privilege of leading the labour movement in Nigeria for two terms of eight years. In terms of visibility, Oshiomhole is known everywhere across the country. How then can somebody like Ize-Iyamu say he made Oshiomhole? That is lie number one. Lie number two is that Oshiomhole promised to make him governor. That would be a negation of what Oshiomhole stands for. If you go back to where we’re coming from, PDP of which most of these characters were leading actors, had run down the state. I tell you the mood in Edo state in 2006/ 2007 was that of a lynch mob. As a result of what PDP did to the state for eight years that they were in office.
When Oshiomhole left NLC at the expiration of his two terms as president in 2007, someone like Gani Fawehinmi said Oshiomhole was fit to contest as president of the country. But Oshiomhole said he would rather come to his state and start from there. Having been rendered a political leper on account of the ruin they had plunged Edo when in office between 1999 and 2007, some of these characters were looking for a credible face to hide behind so that they could start walking on the streets of Benin. Oshiomhole was their savior. He came in with that national clout to contest the governorship election. These characters crashed into the popular procession. So, it is very wrong now to claim credit for Oshiomhole’s rise in 2007. In any case, we’ve also heard that when Oshiomhole became the candidate for ACN in 2007 some of these characters said ‘You’re a candidate now, we believe you’ll win but we doubt if you’ll get to exercise that mandate.’ They believed that the godfather was invincible. That the
Louis Odion, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Edo State
godfather was Almighty and would determine who became governor in the state. True to their prophecy, the ballot was stolen. But through dogged fight for e i g h t e e n months, Oshiomhole was able to retrieve the mandate. It was only then they appeared from their hiding to say ‘Well, you know we supported you.’ As a good natured person Oshiomhole has done more than enough to patronize
them by going out of his way to empower them – materially. But they’re insatiable. You know when a man is driven by ambition, he is a desperado and a desperate man will do anything. We also have it on good authority that their current campaign of calumny against Oshiomhole is being funded by Abuja. It will interest you to know that they gave seven days ultimatum to the governor to accede to their request which
included a commitment to anoint one of them as a g o v e r n o r- i n - w a i t i n g ; a commitment to anoint one of them as party chairman-inwaiting; a commitment to anoint one of them as women leader-in-waiting; the dissolution of the state executive council and ceding of half of the cabinet positions to them. Of course, those were a tall order. They knew that that wasn’t going to fly. The ultimatum had not expired when they started holding meetings with the godfathers in Abuja. The same characters they had abused severely until yesterday. They became popular on account of abusing the godfather. I read an interview granted by one of them where he said they were hosted by the godfather in Abuja to a lavish reception. When you say a lavish reception, it means you must have had a lot of champagne and food. That was what happened. We also heard that the Abuja paymasters have set aside hundreds of millions of naira for them to come and cause trouble in Edo state. We have it on good authority that they’re
inducing people to come out and make declaration. Some of our colleagues who were similarly approached have squealed. What they do is that they will estimate that between now and 2016 when Oshiomhole will exit the government house, which is two and half years, they’ll promise to pay the salary upfront so that the person can defect. Also, recently there has been a rumour of moves to impeach the principal officers of the state legislature and also the governor and his deputy. Of course, you know that is a day-dream. They believe that the only way to distract Oshiomhole from his promise of performing creditably is by causing confusion. They go as far as planting stories in the media, with due respect that is my constituency. Suddenly, we’re now having so many groups with so many names. But they’re all operating from the laptop of one individual. They issue frightening statements just to create a façade of high tension to justify what they’re getting from Abuja. It is just propaganda. Oshiomhole is on course.
International Features
EGYPT’S former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was sworn yesterday as president for a four-year term, assuming the highest office of a deeply polarized nation roiled by deadly unrest and an economic crisis since its Arab Spring uprising in 2011. El-Sissi’s inauguration came less than a year after he ousted the country’s first freely elected president, Islamist Mohammed Morsi, following days of mass protests demanding he step down. While praised by many in a wave of nationalist fervor following the July 3 overthrow, el-Sissi’s rise to power coincided with the detention of thousands and the killing of hundreds of Morsi supporters. Now, the retired field marshal faces the daunting tasks of reviving Egypt’s stagnant economy, fighting Islamic extremists and cementing his rule after years of turmoil in the Arab world’s most populous country. “The presidency of Egypt is a great honor and a huge responsibility,” el-Sissi told local and foreign dignitaries gathered at an opulent Cairo palace hours after his swearing-in ceremony.
New Egypt President Sworn-In Under his rule, he said, Egypt will work for regional security and stability. He also called on Egyptians to build a more stable future after three turbulent years, asking them to work hard so that their rights and freedoms could grow. “It is time for us to build a future that is more stable and pen a new reality for the future of this nation,” he said. Hard work, something that he has repeatedly called for in recent weeks, will allow Egyptians to “pay attention to rights and freedoms (to) deepen and develop them,” he said. “Let us differ for the sake of our nation and not over it; let us do that as part of a unifying national march in which every party listens to the other objectively and without ulterior motives,” he said. El-Sissi, 59, earlier took the oath of office before the Supreme Constitutional Court at the tribunal’s Nileside headquarters in a suburb south of Cairo, the same venue where Morsi, now on trial for charges that carry the
death penalty, was sworn in two years ago. The building, designed to look like an ancient Egyptian temple, is a short distance away from a military hospital where longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak, toppled by the 2011 uprising, is being held. Forced out of office after 29 years in power, Mubarak was convicted last month on graft charges and sentenced to three years in prison. He is also being retried over the killing of protesters during the 18-day revolt. Sunday was declared a national holiday for el-Sissi’s inauguration and police and troops deployed throughout Cairo. The entire Cabinet, as well as el-Sissi’s wife and children, attended the swearing-in ceremony. Outgoing interim president Adly Mansour, installed by el-Sissi after the overthrow, will return to his post as the chief justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court. El-Sissi is Egypt’s eighth president since the overthrow of the monarchy in 1953, the year after a military coup.
With the exception of Morsi and two civilians who served in an interim capacity, all of Egypt’s presidents have come from the armed forces. A 21-gun salute greeted elSissi as he arrived at the Ittiahdiya presidential palace in Cairo’s upscale district of Heliopolis after being sworn in. He welcomed dozens of local and foreign dignitaries, including the kings of Jordan and Bahrain, the emir of Kuwait and the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, the largest and wealthiest of the seven sheikdoms that make up the United Arab Emirates. The five Arab nations backed el-Sissi’s ouster of Morsi. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Emirates since have provided billions of dollars to shore up Egypt’s ailing finances. El-Sissi won a landslide victory in presidential elections held last month, receiving nearly 97 percent of the vote, with a turnout of 47.45 percent. The three-day election was declared free of fraud but was tainted by the extraordinary means used by
authorities to get the vote out, including a threat to fine those who stayed home, a one-day voting extension, and allowing free rides on trains and buses to encourage voters to travel to their home districts to cast their ballots. It was also held against a backdrop of vastly curbed freedoms in the 11 months since Morsi’s ouster and a massive crackdown on supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood, hundreds of whom have been killed in clashes with security forces. Morsi’s supporters boycotted the vote and have also called for massive demonstrations to mark Morsi’s July 3 ouster, though their ranks have thinned considerably. The pro-military media has meanwhile demonized not only the Brotherhood but also secular icons from the 2011 uprising. Morsi’s Islamist backers — thousands of whom have been jailed since his ouster — accuse el-Sissi of crushing Egypt’s infant democracy. Many of the secular youths behind the 2011 uprising say he has revived Mubarak’s
police state, pointing to a law passed last year that restricts protests as well as the jailing of a number of well-known activists. In interviews, el-Sissi made it clear that his priorities are security and the economy, maintaining that free speech must take a back seat while he fights Islamic militants and works to revive the ailing economy. But while many support elSissi’s fight against the militancy, his plans for the economy have generated less enthusiasm. He has advocated heavy government involvement in the economy, with state-sponsored megaprojects to create jobs and the government setting prices for some goods. At the same time, he has vowed to be business-friendly and encourage investment. He has spoken of reshaping the map of Egypt by expanding Nile provinces into the desert to make way for development outside the densely populated river valley. His answer for funding his projects is billions of dollars from oilrich Gulf nations and Egyptian expatriates. Courtesy AP
International Features
Barrel Bombs Risk Becoming Answer To Insurgency
IN desperate efforts to gain ground on battlefields, frustrated governments in the Mideast and Africa are using barrel bombs against their enemies, launching the cheap, quickly manufactured weapons as a crude counter to roadside blasts and suicide explosions that insurgents have deployed with deadly success for years. New evidence that they are being used in Iraq after being dropped on civilian populations in Syria and Sudan has raised concerns that governments in a number of unstable nations will embrace them. Described as “flying IEDs” — improvised explosive devices — barrel bombs have the power to wipe out a row of buildings in a single blast and can kill large numbers of people, including unintended victims. “It’s fair to say that a lot of governments are losing control of the counterinsurgency,” said Michael Knights, an analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “They’re also watching what they see in Syria, and they feel like their air power is what is making the difference.” “Barrel bomb” is a catchall term for a large container packed with fuel, chemicals or explosives and often scraps of metal, most often dropped from helicopters or planes. However, they also have been found on Israeli beaches, where authorities believe they washed up after being released by militants on the Gaza Strip. Barrel bombs are attractive to governments that have aircraft but limited munitions or money to launch enough conventional
weapons, like missiles, to rival their enemies. Sudan’s army began dropping barrel bombs into rebel areas starting in late 2011, according to human rights watchdogs, as the nation’s south split off and created a new country. In December 2012, Susan Rice, then U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said she was “gravely concerned” about the reported attacks. In Syria, forces controlled by President Bashar Assad began a continuing barrel bomb campaign in 2012 against areas controlled by rebels and insurgents, killing thousands in his effort to prevail in the threeyear civil war that has left more than 160,000 people dead. As recently as Wednesday, the State Department reported evidence of barrel bomb strikes on three neighborhoods in the divided northern city of Aleppo. Last month, new evidence that Iraq’s army dropped between four and 10 barrel bombs on insurgent strongholds in the country’s Sunni-dominated Anbar province, which borders Syria, spurred U.S. officials to warn Baghdad to immediately desist or risk American support and aid. Four government officials in Washington and Baghdad said the attacks stopped within days of the U.S. demand. The government officials, all of whom are familiar with the mid-May conversations with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks. But several Iraqis interviewed this week in Fallujah told The Associated
Press the bombings have continued. They said the attacks usually come at night, so they aren’t caught on video. Militants in Fallujah have boasted they have discovered about 20 barrel bombs that did not
Iraqi army strikes. But Vice President Joe Biden urged al-Maliki during a May 16 phone call to make sure Iraqi counterterror operations protect civilians and follow laws. Similarly, the U.N. Security Council on
“Our investigation showed there were no indiscriminate bombs,” Faily said. Pressed on the specific issue of barrel bombs, Faily said, “We have seen evidence of them being used. But what we are saying is that they are certainly not government-sponsored, indiscriminate barrel bombs.
Iraqis have been frustrated by their months-long failure in Anbar province to defeat ISIL, and the government has pleaded with Washington for more counterterror help, including armed drones. The Obama administration this spring rejected the request for
Syrian citizens inspecting an unexploded barrel bomb filled with explosives, which was dropped from a Syrian forces helicopter on a street in Aleppo, Syria. The use of barrel bombs has spread this year from Syria to Iraq, raising concerns that desperate governments in a number of unstable nations from Europe to Africa to the Middle East will turn to weapons that the international community has condemned as a violation of human rights laws.
explode on impact and are using them to make their own weapons. Fallujah resident Ahmed Abdul-Salam said a barrel bomb destroyed his small dairy factory last week. Another resident, who would only identify himself as Abu Yassin, said four barrel bombs landed on a residential neighborhood in Fallujah on a single day in early April. U.S. officials are careful to note they have no independent evidence of the
Thursday issued a statement after a briefing on Iraq that pointedly reminded Baghdad to comply with international human rights and humanitarian laws. The top Iraqi diplomat to the U.S., Ambassador Lukman Faily, said in an interview that Baghdad has investigated the reports of barrel bombs that activists and officials say allegedly were dropped over a twoweek period last month in the cities of Fallujah, Garma, and Saqlawiyah.
“Last month, new evidence that Iraq’s army dropped between four and 10 barrel bombs on insurgent strongholds in the country’s Sunni-dominated Anbar province, which borders Syria, spurred U.S. officials to warn Baghdad to immediately desist or risk American support and aid.”
They are not. We as a government do not use these weapons. The issue of bombs which are taking place in Syria, people are associating it with Iraq. We don’t.” British munitions expert Eliot Higgins, who analyzes weapons used in Syria’s war, described remains of exploded barrel bombs in Anbar that appeared to be similarly manufactured — meaning they were likely built by the government instead of random troops or insurgents. Officials familiar with the incidents say the Iraqi army may have dropped large containers of explosives onto areas inhabited by the al-Qaida splinter group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. The distinction is important, they say, because it means the attacks did not target civilians, as Assad’s forces have done in Syria.
drones but gave Baghdad a cache of arms and ammunition, including Hellfire missiles. Fallujah has long been an insurgent stronghold, and in 2004 was the battleground of two of the most brutal fights with U.S. forces during the eight-year war. Today, ISIL controls Fallujah, and the city’s streets and buildings are believed to be so rife with homemade roadside bombs that Iraqi forces cannot regularly enter. More than 90 percent of its residents have fled the city. “What’s happening now in Iraq definitely started in Syria,” Human Rights Watch researcher Erin Evers said. “If I were al-Maliki, and seeing Assad next door using the same tactics without a slap on the wrist and gaining ground as a result, it stands to reason he would say, ‘Why the hell not?” Courtesy AP
International Features
US Values Collided In Taliban Deal TWO American values collided in Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s calamity. One had to give. The one about never leaving a man behind prevailed. The one about never negotiating with terrorists got lost in the swirling dust storm of a U.S. helicopter retrieving the soldier from his Taliban captors in a swap now provoking recriminations in Washington. Each ethos runs deep in the American conscience, yet has been violated through history, notably in the age of terrorism, where traditional standards of warfare, spying and negotiating are run through a hall of mirrors. Bergdahl and the five Guantanamo detainees traded for his freedom were captives in an undeclared, unconventional and openended war that never fit neatly into the Geneva Conventions, U.S. military doctrine or slogans about how to behave. Whatever universal rights are affirmed by the old standards, they came from an era of
recognizable battlefields and POW camps, with victories and defeats signed with flourishes of a pen. History is replete with extraordinary acts to bring home the lost and fallen. The U.S. Army’s Warrior Ethos and the Soldier’s Creed both swear, “I will never leave a fallen comrade,” and all the services place a premium on returning the missing, captured and dead. Often this comes at great cost, as in the 1993 Black Hawk Down battle in Somalia in which 18 U.S. servicemen were killed in the attack on U.S. helicopters and the subsequent rescue attempt. President Barack Obama said the ethos is a “sacred” undertaking that applies to all in uniform without regard to rank or circumstance or, in Bergdahl’s case, his questionable loyalty to the Army. “We have a basic principle,” Obama said Thursday. “We do not leave anybody wearing the American uniform behind.” As Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John F. Kirby put it: “When you’re in the Navy, and you go overboard, it
doesn’t matter if you were pushed, fell or jumped. We’re going to turn the ship around and pick you up.” The debate over Bergdahl is roiling as world leaders and ordinary citizens commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day. The legions storming the beaches of Normandy, France, from the sea and dropping behind German lines from the sky faced snap decisions under withering fire about what to do with the wounded or trapped. Army history tells of wounded paratroopers left behind for the sake of the mission or the survival of their units. Sometimes medics were left behind, too, because they insisted on staying with the injured. When the Korean War ended in 1953, thousands of missing and dead American soldiers were left behind, as well as POWs, as U.S. forces retreated from North Korea. Not all the missing and dead were returned after the truce and there was strong evidence some POWs were not handed over. Today the Pentagon is still trying to retrieve remains through a process, currently
stalled, of paying North Koreans to support field excavations. The Pentagon agency primarily responsible for survival training for captured troops and for helping them back at home says the mission of bringing them back is “truly and uniquely an indelible part of the American way.” Never negotiate with terrorists or hostage-takers? Not quite never. The Sept. 11 attacks broke open the modern age of asymmetric warfare. Asymmetric dealmaking, diplomacy and national security went hand in hand with that. The old standards and slogans still had meaning but improvisation was required. Prisoners taken in the fight against terrorism could not be considered prisoners of war in the U.S. government’s estimation because branding them POWs might extend them rights they were not accorded at Guantanamo, never mind the nowdiscontinued CIA “black sites.” Ways were found to deal
with those who don’t fight by the rules. As in Bergdahl’s case, where the government of Qatar served as gobetween, intermediaries are usually involved to maintain a semblance of separation between two sides that aren’t really supposed to be talking to each other. Just months after the 2001 attacks, the U.S. dropped its straightforward ban on government involvement in ransom to hostage-takers, for example. The new policy created more wiggle room for the U.S. to facilitate ransom payments and to shape negotiations, however indirectly, with captors. The policy provided cover for the U.S. to try to free terrorist-held missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham in the Philippines in 2002 but failed to achieve a peaceful transfer: Martin Burnham died in the eventual assault on the captors. To be sure, unsavory and prohibited deal-making has a long history, too. Ronald Reagan’s presidency is stained by the Iran-contra scandal, in which Iran, designated a state
sponsor of terrorism, was to be secretly sold U.S. arms in exchange for the release of hostages, with proceeds steered illegally to Nicaraguan rebels. The ethos against granting concessions of any kind to scoundrels gave rise to a patriotic rallying cry a century ago in the time of President Teddy Roosevelt and a Moroccan plunderer who became known as the first terrorist of the 1900s. After Ahmed ibnMuhammed Raisuli took Greek-American businessman Ion Perdicaris hostage for money and political influence, the U.S. dispatched warships while Roosevelt’s secretary of state demanded of Morocco’s sultan: “Perdicaris alive or Raisuli dead.” The effect of that ultimatum was electrifying at home and, days later, Perdicaris was free. But it turned out the U.S. had quietly pressed for Raisuli’s ransom demands to be met, which they were. The U.S. appeared to be wielding Roosevelt’s big stick. (Courtesy, AP).
The ‘Iron Lady’ Destroying Syria’s Chemical Weapons
THE diplomat ridding the world of Syria’s chemical weapons is Sigrid Kaag, a statuesque and impeccably dressed mother of four who speaks six languages and is fearless in a war zone. For nine months she has led the international mission to destroy Damascus’s declared chemical agents, braving mortar fire, jetting between the Middle East, Europe and New York, and liaising with Moscow, Washington and maritime fleets. Syria may have missed deadlines but with 93 percent of its declared chemical arsenal out of the country, Kaag is responsible for the only glimmer of good news to emerge from the horror of a war that has killed more than 160,000. Her star is in the ascendancy at UN headquarters, abuzz with praise for the woman who at UNICEF worked with Jordan’s Queen Rania and once dreamed of becoming a singer. - ‘Never stops working’ The 52-year-old Kaag speaks fluent Arabic and diplomats say she has done
an excellent job. She is respected too in Damascus, where some have dubbed her the “Iron Lady.” “She never stops working and practically never sleeps,” one of her local employees confided to AFP. What seems certain is another big job after her mission concludes in the coming months. The media has touted her a possible successor to Lakhdar Brahimi as mediator on the stalled Syrian peace process although others tip her for a different post in the region. She quashes any suggestion that a Western woman should find it difficult in the Arab world, saying she has always been treated with respect and never in a derogatory way. “I think in many negotiations women have great assets,” she told AFP in an interview, dressed in a black trouser suit, red top and high heels. You can bring different component parts — be as strong and on message and negotiate, but I think we have a wider skill set available.” Her husband is a
Palestinian former diplomat and having children who are half Arab can also be an asset, she said.
you’re up to the task,” she added. - ‘Keep your calm’ As head of the joint UN-
Sigrid Kaag, the head of the international mission overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
“You’re one foot in, one foot out. But I think ultimately people judge you on the basis of what you bring, if you’re sincere, if you’re committed and if
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons mission, she manages a staff of 110. In Damascus she said
mortars have fallen around the hotel where they live and work, and that she sent away some staff who were unable to cope. “You’ve got to keep your composure, you’ve got to keep your calm and you’ve got to be in the moment,” she said. “The fact that you don’t get hit, you feel blessed but you know that you’re in an active war zone.” It has been a stratospheric rise for the daughter of a music professor who moved to Egypt to study at the American University in Cairo as an undergraduate. She has a masters degree from Oxford and worked in the private sector for oil giant Shell in London for two years before joining the Dutch foreign ministry. Kaag decided to quit the job after meeting her husband in Jerusalem, signing up instead to the UN Relief and Works Agency which looks after the plight of Palestinian refugees. In the last 20 years, she has lived in Jerusalem, Jordan, New York, Sudan and Switzerland, adopting one
child and giving birth to three more, juggling marriage with a career. She was previously number three in the UN Development Programme and UNICEF director in the Middle East and North Africa, during which she met Syria’s first lady Asma Assad. In her current job she has hardly taken a break. Her mother died since she moved to Damascus and she admits it is “very difficult” to see her children, aged 11 to 19. Home is currently in east Jerusalem, where the family moved last year. Do they worry about her living in a war zone? “They’ve been very impressed by my close protection, that gave them an immediate sense of safety,” she smiled. “They cope but they know it’s finite and I’ve underlined that.” She describes herself as “results oriented” and with nerves of steel. “I don’t panic easily,” she said. The rare exception being during a near crash on a tiny charter plane years ago. (Courtesy, AP).
Viewpoint Generating Jobs For Unemployed Graduates By OSHOMAH BONIFACE THE not too long tragedy involving the death of some unemployed graduate youths in the interview drive by the Immigration Service can still not be dismissed with a wave of the hand. ‘When you can not readily solve a problem, learn how to manage it.’ Says Robert H. Schuller. No doubt, the root cause of the present graduate unemployment is a reflection of both the current educational, economic and political system. But essentially, our educational system that oughts to address this current imbalance through the initial 6.3.3.4 National Policy on Education by late professor Babs Fafuwa was well researched and articulated but was poorly implemented. If it can’t be revisited and the loop holes be addressed, then let vocational schools with technical colleges be established especially for school leavers who may not be able to secure admission to any tertiary institution. Artisans should be trained with vocational skills from these centres .It must be a deliberate policy and should not be politicized under graduates in the tertiary institutions should be exposed to entrepreneurial skills which would empower them after school Yes, we are aware of entrepreneurial skills and I.C.T .training already being impacted; again concerted efforts or policy to provide a takeoff grant for small scale enterprise as a policy for graduate youths after the National youth service should be provided. It has to be pursued or deliberately put in place. If the above is not plausible, then we advocate for total abrogation of the National Youth Service! the government refuses to make provision for employment for the departing graduate youths. There must be deliberate policy to engage or cater for graduate youths after the National Service. Let an unemployment fund be floated where both tiers of governments and private companies and other multi nationals are made to contribute as we have Education Trust Fund for tertiary institutions for infrastructure. Again, such a fund must have a commission with trusted or impeccable Nigerians who
should monitor and administer the fund. Though electricity has been privatized, government should not rest on her oars by building more power stations to enhance the capacity of the electricity voltage and the various electricity distributing companies must be regulated and monitored. Regular power supply means cottage industries, I.C.T services, and small scale enterprises which will continue to thrive to sustain the economy and provide youth employment. And multi National or foreign investors would be encouraged and employment would be
Emeka Wogu, Hon. Minister of Labour and Productivity
generated for graduate youths and even the artisans. Let local, state and Federal governments continue their massive built up of infrastructural facilities that are relevant to industrial growth which shall further enhance employment opportunities for graduate youths. Let Federal Government revisit Ajeokuta Steel Plant that had been abandoned. If it is resuscitated, it will produce 300,000 to 4000,000 jobs for Nigerians .Let Federal Government give out license to states and private bodies to tap natural minerals in their states lying fallow all over the states. State governments must diversify their economies not relying on allocation alone from Abuja and taxation. Let state governments establish mechanized agrarian farms with basic infrastructure. States can produce agrarian products yams, cassava, rice etc in which they are at best and be exported to other neighbouring sub African regions. This process would offer thousands of jobs to graduate youths. Thousands of graduate youths on the streets without jobs means Nigeria sitting on a keg of gun powder as already indicative of Boko Haram night mare and other related youth crimes. Again, states with oil should be allowed to prospect oil, thank God, the National Conference is considering this premise. It will help to remove more graduates off the streets. While enough licences should be given to private individual to build mini refinery to create jobs. Finally, if thousands of graduate youths are churned out yearly without adequate employment provision, let a welfare scheme be floated for graduate youths. At the end of the month, the unemployed graduate goes to an office where he or she is given even a stipend to maintain body and soul together. Let our legislators especially the National Assembly legislators; senators and representatives and other political appointees should cut down their bogus salaries and allowances to help the scheme .The unemployed graduates are Nigerians like the legislators. If some of these suggestions are implemented, crime wave; kidnapping, armed banditing, Boko Haram etc would be reduced. Thanks.
Let’s Breathe Fresh Air Into Politics - Prince Eweka NORTH, a popular region in Nigeria is the homeland of about 90 percent of retired military generals in the country and the headquarters of various social vices, raging from religious crisis to the much talked about Boko Haram insurgence. Over the years, the country has not fared so well. The Boko Haram insurgency has been a topic of debate at any forum, seminars and even discussion amongst peer groups. In a recent chat with the zonal Deputy Commandant General South /South of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Prince Sylvester Eweka confirmed that all is not well interms of the security situation in the country. Just as he spoke on some political issues and leadership style. According to him, “during our growing days, we were made to understanding that crime was bad by our elders in the community. I was familiar with the way crime issues were handled in our community. So when I hear of robbery cases, I usually asked why do people rob? Because in our area as at that time, even those our big brothers know that crime is bad and as such our community was very peaceful. We tried as much as possible to ensure the community was crime-free. “When I came down to Benin from Lagos to join my dad, I started by first watching what was happening in my area, Ogbe quarters. I discovered that it was no- go area as all sort of activities were going on. This prompted me to establish the Ogbe youth Association. This gave me the opportunity to reawakening the youth’s consciousness and created the necessary awareness on security amongst the youths. Some of the youths with like minds, joined the association and we started working closely with the police. The police really encouraged us by giving us the necessary security lectures which went a long way to addressing the security challenges in the area (Ogbe) to the barest minimum. “And as a member of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) I have been able to reach out to the various local governments in the state to educate and re-orientate them. You can hardly see an Ogbe youth being arrested for criminal act because we also punish anybody found to be involved in criminal activity. “I didn’t know that people were watching our activities until when I was invited to Kaduna to be appointed as the Edo State Commandant of Vigilant Group of Nigeria (VGN). The VGN gives other people the opportunity to be part of the fight against
criminalities because there is need for us to exploit all avenues that will ensure the safety of lives and property of the people. “Last year when the motion was moved for UPN as a party to be rebirth, Edo State supported it and since then, when we came back from Lagos we have been able to reach out to the grassroots. We have coordinators in all the 18 local governments including ward chairmen I am happy that the party’s leadership then did not soil the party’s name because the people benefited from the free education, health services, as that time during the Bendel State”. He further attributes the challenges facing the masses to bad leadership on the part of government adding that the government is surrounded by too many aids who have no impacting ideas. Some of them are not well educated. That is
Prince Sylvester Eweka
why I want to call on the Edo State government to revisit the College of Technology because when you are educated, that is when you can be creative. With your skill you can open a small trade. He picks hole in the idea of some politicians defecting from one party to the other saying I have always be an opposition but I will never go back to my vomit. I would rather go to some where else than to go back to a place I have cursed. The decampees from one party to another are doing so because of their selfish interest and not in the interest of the masses. There children attend the best schools while the poor masses attend schools that do not have libraries let alone laboratory. We need to transform the system so that our children can be well equipped educationally. I have gone round some schools and I did not find laboratory in any of them. The graduate should be empowered. It is the responsibility of the government to do that. “Before you come up to run for an election your blue print must be seen on how you intend to run the state, without causing pain on the masses. We are reaching out to genuine progressive democrats and I tell you, if a child goes to school and he or she is treated well by being given rice to eat as it was done before they would want to go back to school. Today our politicians only think of their pockets. If a man builds a 21-rooms mansion, will he occupy all the rooms at the same time? Even if he has 21 children, will they not leave to be on their own some day? “On Chibok abduction by the Boko Haram. Let me say that I enjoy security so much and that earned me the position of the Edo State Commandant of the Vigilant Group of Nigeria. I am also now the Deputy Commandant general. Our organization is very concerned about this chibok issue because it is poised to curbing security challenges. It is so embarrassing to the nation. We are not happy. We are saying that they should bring back our girls. When you watch Aljazeera, you see the vigilante group but they are being referred to as hunters. The vigilantes have vowed to go into the bush in search of these girls. The group claim they are against the Western world yet they use western guns and truck/vehicles. We thank God that our vigilante boys are doing well there.”
2014 FIFA World Cup Count-Down
Ten World Cup Players You Need Know
THE Men in Blazers stopped by Sports Center to give their countdown of the top five youngsters going to Brazil. World Cups were movement has improved traditionally about tremendously.” discovering players and “He’s more or less twounearthing talent but it’s not footed, though he’s better quite like that anymore. The with his right and has a strong global football village has upper body. Loves playing on shrunk thanks to the Web and the shoulder of the last multi-channel TV. Most clubs defender and use the space don’t even bother scouting at behind.” the World Cup because, SCOUTS’ KNOCK: “I find frankly, if you plan on it difficult to assess how good identifying talent on the he is, because his world’s biggest stage, odds improvement has been so are you’ve already missed out sudden and so steep.” (and will end up paying over “He’s not great with his the odds). back to goal; when he lays it Fortunately, for fans it’s off he can be a bit sloppy.” different. You can still enjoy “In terms of technique, he’s the satisfaction of seeing a not brilliant, just solid.” young stud develop into a Serge Aurier, DF, superstar. We asked Tor- Toulouse/Ivory Coast Kristian Karlsen, former Born: Dec. 24, 1992 Monaco director of football Channeling: Dani Alves with more than 15 years of A precocious talent, he scouting experience for clubs made his debut for Lens in the such as Zenit St. Petersburg, French top-flight two days Bayer Leverkusen and before his 17th birthday. Hannover, for help in Operates down the right flank identifying 10 lesser-known as a very attacking fullback. players with a big upside. In Toulouse paid $2 million for turn, Tor assembled a jury of him when he was a teenager. scouts (speaking on condition SCOUTS’ RAVE: “He’s a of anonymity) to help sift powerhouse who just goes up through the 736 Brazil-bound and down that flank players. ceaselessly.” The criteria? We tried to “Superb athlete, but also focus on younger guys who very good on the ball. had yet to play for bigger Reminds me a little of a clubs and who had not yet had young Dani Alves.” too much global exposure. “It’s his work rate and effort With that in mind, here is that truly make him stand out. your clip-and-save list, so you Not many players around can follow along and decide with his engine.” for yourself if these guys are “Scored six goals this year worth their salt. as a right-back, all of them Vincent Aboubakar, FW, from open play. And most of Lorient/Cameroon them were from inside the Born: Jan. 22, 1992 box. He has a knack for Player he’s channeling: getting into dangerous Samuel Eto’o positions.” A product of Cameroon’s “I love his mentality. He’s vaunted Coton Sport, he a leader, even when his team joined Valenciennes in 2010 is down, he never stops at the age of 18. His skills fighting. He even captained were obvious, but he Toulouse at times, which, developed slowly and Lorient given his age, is remarkable.” were able to snap him up on a SCOUTS’ KNOCK: “He free transfer last summer. He lacks subtlety at times.” repaid their faith with a monster season, scoring 16 goals in 35 Ligue 1 appearances. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “He was hyped as the next Samuel Eto’o when he came over to Europe, which was a bit much. Valenciennes weren’t patient enough with him, playing him in different positions and so it took a while for him to reach his peak.” Vincent Aboubakar’s pace and power is a real asset for C a m e r o o n . Vi n c e n t Aboubakar’s pace and power is a real asset for Cameroon. “He’s extremely quick and strong — and he’s steadily improving. At Valenciennes he used to react to the ball; now he anticipates. His Hiroshi Kyotake
Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon on the ball “He attacks so much that he’ll inevitably leave himself somewhat exposed defensively, though he has the speed and the strength to recover.” “He relies on his athleticism a little too much to get himself out of problems defensively. Then again, he’s still just 21.” Hiroshi Kiyotake, FW, Nurnberg/Japan Born: Nov. 12, 1989 Channeling: Theo Walcott A forward-winger hybrid who can operate anywhere along the offensive front, Kiyotake made his professional debut in the JLeague at 16 and moved to the Bundesliga five years later. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “He plays on fast-forward — when he gets the ball, the game speeds up.” “Does everything at pace. He’s relentless in his running and a very good dribbler of the ball.”
“He’s versatile and has a very good right foot.” Kiyotake is versatile but inconsistent for club and country.Kiyotake is versatile but inconsistent for club and country. SCOUTS’ KNOCK: “He’s inconsistent. Sure, he’s allaction with the ball but when he loses it, he sometimes takes little breaks.” “He does play in bursts. He’s not an ‘effort guy’ off the ball, but I’m not sure it’s such a bad thing if those breathers allow him to then be so effective when they win the ball back.” Keylor Navas, GK, Levante/Costa Rica Born: Dec. 15, 1986 Channeling: Jose Luis Chilavert Made his debut for Deportivo Saprissa before gambling on a move to Albacete in Spain’s second division. A year later he was at Levante, initially on loan and then, for just $200,000, on a permanent basis. This past season, his first as a starter in the Spanish topflight, was his coming out party. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “He reminds of a certain type of goalkeeper from that part of the world ... not too big, stocky, but incredibly intense.” “He seems to thrive against quality opposition. The tougher the opponent, the better he does; it elevates the whole team.” “Very brave, goes for every 50-50 ball and seemingly wins all of them.” “His reactions are secondto-none. Lightning quick.” Keylor Navas is an up-andcoming goalkeeper sure to dazzle for Costa Rica this
summer.Keylor Navas is an up-and-coming goalkeeper sure to dazzle for Costa Rica this summer. SCOUTS’ KNOCK: “He’s temperamental. Yes, he’ll win you games when he’s hot, but he’ll also drift. Most clubs want greater consistency.” “He’s on the small side.” “Doesn’t always make the right decisions.” Fabian Schar, DF, Basel/ Switzerland Born: Dec. 20, 1991 Channeling: Mats Hummels Overlooked by everyone, two years ago he was still playing for Wil in the Swiss second-flight. Basel picked him up for $800,000 and he quickly established himself as a starting central defender and leader at the back. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “He developed so quickly, it’s incredible. His positioning and ability to read the game are outstanding.” “He’s a big guy, dominant in the air who’ll also chip in with goals.” “Really composed on the ball, never panics, always keeps it simple.” SCOUTS’ KNOCK: “I’m not sure about his mobility and pace, though his intelligence and positioning help cover up whatever weakness he may have.” “The question is whether he can step up against better opposition. He did in the Champions’ League, but that’s easier to do because Basel play on the counter and he can sit deep with no space behind to cover. Could he do it when keeping a high line against quicker opponents? Tough to tell.”
William Carvalho, MF, Sporting Lisbon/Portugal Born: April 7, 1992 Channeling: Nemanja Matic Born in Angola, he joined Sporting’s youth set-up at 13. A big, strong defensive midfielder, he developed slowly, spending 18 months on loan in Belgium at Cercle Bruges before exploding on to the scene this past season. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “Physically, he’s a beast, strong and imposing, but he’s also very intelligent on the ball.” “His time in Belgium transformed him. Before that you could see his talent, but he also looked lumbering and slow. Now he’s a different player.” “He doesn’t tackle much because he doesn’t need to — his positioning is that good. Always seems to be where the ball ends up.” “Great vision and an excellent long-range passer, though he often keeps it simple and leaves the playmaking to others.” Carvalho’s explosive season in Portugal has put him on various clubs’ transfer radars.Carvalho’s explosive season in Portugal has put him on various clubs’ transfer radars. SCOUTS’ KNOCK: “For a guy that big, he probably could be a bigger threat in the air on set pieces. It’s lacking from his game.” “He has no change of pace and an look a bit sluggish, but that’s inevitable given his build.” “He looks slow, probably slower than he really is.” Josip Drmic, FW, Nurnberg/Switzerland (joins Bayer Leverkusen this summer) Born: Aug. 8, 1992 Channeling: Ivica Olic Came through the ranks at FC Zurich, then moved to Nurnberg for $3 million, where he scored 17 goals for a relegated side. The drop into the second-flight means he was put up for sale, and Bayer Leverkusen paid close to $9 million for his services. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “He’s quick for his size and build and good in the air, though he’s more of a ‘flick’ header than a power guy.” “Solid finisher with both feet who runs well with the ball.” “Excellent shooter from outside the box ... very confident, maybe a quarter of his shots come from distance.” Josip Drmic is a solid finisher who is set to anchor Bayer Leverkusen’s forward line next season.Josip Drmic Continues on page 29
Argentina Make Falklands Statement
Argentine players making falklands statement
BEFORE Saturday’s friendly versus Slovenia, which they won 2-0, Argentina stood behind a banner declaring the disputed archipelago is Argentine and the political statement could lead to sanctions from FIFA. The Falklands have been ruled by the United Kingdom since 1833 but due to their location in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Argentina maintain their claim on the islands. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, sparking the
Qatar Paid $1.7m Per Vote - Report
FIFA’s decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar came under further scrutiny as The Sunday Times published new allegations that Mohamed Bin Hammam used his wealth and top level contacts to buy support for the oil-rich country’s successful bid. of “Gas deal turns heat on The newspaper, which last World Cup,” the newspaper week claimed that the former alleged that Bin Hammam FIFA Executive Committee arranged meeting and favors member made payments for voters in the months leading totaling $5 million to senior to the ballots. football officials to seal support The 2010 vote, which for Qatar, also accused Bin awarded football’s biggest Hammam of using $1.7 million tournament to the tiny desert to secure key Asian votes. state, is under investigation by It alleged that Bin Hammam FIFA’s independent ethics arranged government level prosecutor. Qatar organizers talks for Thailand’s FIFA deny any wrongdoing. executive Worawi Makudi to In a statement released on discuss a gas sale “potentially Saturday following its worth tens of millions of dollars Executive Committee’s second to Thailand’’ and that he was meeting of the year in Sao invited to visit Vladimir Putin Paulo, FIFA said “the executive before Russia and Qatar ’s reaffirmed its position of letting victories in the votes for the the ethics committee complete 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Under a front-page headline
its work before making any comment.” According to the newspaper, which says it had access to millions of secret documents during its investigation, Bin Hammam brokered two secret meetings with Qatari royals to discuss a major gas deal with a senior aide to Makudi. “The exact nature of the deal on the table is unclear, but it came as Thailand sought to save tens of millions of pounds by renegotiating an arrangement with Qatar to purchase 1 million tons of liquefied natural gas each year at a contractual price it considered too high,” the newspaper said. The Sunday Times said that Makudi denied that he had received a personal “concession” from his involvement but did not
elaborate. Bin Hammam is no longer a committee member of world football’s governing body after being caught up in a corruption scandal surrounding his failed campaign for its presidency in 2011. The Sunday Times claimed that the $1.7 million Bin Hammam paid to Asian officials from funds controlled by his private company Kemco were used as he was campaigning for both the Qatar World Cup bid and for his own re-election to the post of president of the Asian Football Confederation. The newspaper said he was invited to a meeting by Russia to discuss “bilateral relations” in sport between Qatar and Russia on Oct. 30, 2010, a month before the vote on the bids.
“Two days later, Qatar’s ruling emir also flew to Moscow for talks about joint gas production deals between the two countries,’’ the Sunday Times said.
Falklands War, which was won by the British, while the election of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in 2007 has seen the South American nation become more vocal about their claim. In La Plata on Saturday, Argentina’s national team lined up behind a banner that read ‘Los Malvinas son Argentinas’ - ‘The Falklands are Argentine’. England and Argentina could first meet at the semifinal stage of the upcoming FIFA World Cup and, while most believe the former may struggle to reach the last four, the banner would no doubt add some tension to the match if it occurred. FIFA do not tolerate political influence in international football and are expected to penalise Argentina in some form.
Mohamed Bin Hammam
...World Cup Players You Need Know
Continued from page 28
is a solid finisher who is set to anchor Bayer Leverkusen’s forward line next season. SCOUTS KNOCK: “He’s not a classic number 9, needs a second striker alongside him.” “Not good with his back to the goal, doesn’t hold the ball up well.” “His vision and link-up play could be better.” Heung Min Son, FW, Bayer Leverkusen/South Korea Born: July 8, 1992 Channeling: Arjen Robben Dropped out of his Seoul high school at 16 to join Hamburg — that’s how highly regarded he was. Made his debut at 18 and was a solid contributor until the summer of 2013 when Leverkusen bought him for $13 million, a club record. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “An exceptional athlete, great coordination and balance, naturally right-footed but
confident enough to finish well with his left.” “I love his movement off the ball. He’s so, so smart. You have no idea where he’s going to turn up next, he simply pops up all over the place.” “Plenty of acceleration, plus you can’t really force him on to his weak foot, because, while he’s better with his right, he genuinely doesn’t favor either.” SCOUTS’ KNOCK: “His one-on-one play is entirely based on quickness, which is fine, but if he comes up against some one as quick — and admittedly there aren’t many — he won’t beat them.” “His vision isn’t good, too often fails to spot teammates in better positions. If he could do a better job at that, he’d be devastating because he could draw opponents in and lay it off. Instead, defenders figure out that he’s not going to pass.” “He’s a bit selfish sometimes. To some degree
you need to be, and maybe he just doesn’t see teammates. But there are times when you just want him to pass the ball and he doesn’t.” Ricardo Rodriguez, DF, Wolfsburg/Switzerland Born: Aug. 25, 1992 Channeling: tough call, he’s that unique but maybe Fabio Grosso on a really good day Another Zurich youth product, he joined Wolfsburg
at 19 for a whopping $10 million. A rugged, strong and durable left-back, he played every minute of the Bundesliga season during which he chipped in with five goals and plenty of assists. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “He’s strong and aggressive, very rarely loses a one-on-one duel, whether attacking or defending.” “His left foot is exceptional ... an outstanding crosser who
William Carvalho of Portugal
is also wonderful on set pieces.” “Physically he’s unusual. He’s a left-back with a big upper body and wide shoulders, [making him] look more like a centre-back. Against most of the players he faces out wide, it’s a physical mismatch.” “Hugely competitive, loves the physical side of the game but has genuine quality in his left foot.” Ricardo Rodriguez is developing nicely into a strong left-back equally comfortable in attack or defence.Ricardo Rodriguez is developing nicely into a strong left-back equally comfortable in attack or defence. SCOUTS’ KNOCK: “His running style is unorthodox and because he’s so big, he’s slow off the mark. He usually recovers over distance, but his first step isn’t great.” “I love his aggression, but he’s too rash in the tackle sometimes.” Oleg Shatov, MF, Zenit St.
Petersburg/Russia Born: July 29, 1992 Channeling: Frank Lampard Something of a late bloomer, Shatov played in the second division until he was 21. A newcomer to the national team, Russian national team manager Fabio Capello has shown faith in him in recent outings. Zenit bought him for $7 million last summer. SCOUTS’ RAVE: “He’s potentially the Russian Frank Lampard.” “Works hard defensively, pressing the opposing deeplying playmaker and sacrificing himself for the team.” “Has a knack for timing his runs into the box perfectly and shoots on goal very well.” SCOUTS KNOCK: “In that position, he could be a bit more subtle and creative, instead of being just up and down.” “He’s a bit conservative. I like it when guys play simple, but he can be predictable.”
2014 FIFA World Cup Count-Down Cameroon ‘Refuse To Board Flight To Brazil’
Messi Ready For ‘Moment Of Truth’ In Brazil BARCELONA forward Lionel Messi is eager to get the World Cup under way after scoring in Argentina’s final pretournament friendly. Messi netted against Slovenia after coming on as a substitute, with Inter midfielder Ricky Alvarez scoring the game’s other goal. AS reports Messi acknowledged that winning the World Cup in Brazil won’t be easy, but he feels it is possible. “The World Cup is difficult but it can happen and we have to fight for the trophy,” he said. “We’re all very excited. Now comes the moment of truth in Brazil. Let’s go.” Messi added that he feels the Argentine public is coming round to the belief that Alejandro Sabella’s team can succeed. “Gradually we are playing better and we dream for the people, who at first were a little remote from the team,” Messi continued. “We are closer than ever to the dream we all have. We have to be calm and go little by little in the competition.”
Lionel Messi
Fans Rate Super Eagles Strikers Average
FOOTBALL fans in Lagos on Saturday rated the strikers of the Super Eagles selected for the World Cup in Brazil as an average lot. In separate interviews with Dan Ikpoyi, a photo journalist, newsmen in Lagos they said that said that he did not expect the they did not expect the strikers strikers to be so proficient in to score a lot of goals at the scoring goals because the likes World Cup. of Ike Uche and Brown Ideye are The strikers are Osaze absent. Odemwinge, Victor Moses, “I do not expect a lot of Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde efficiency since we did not go Michael, Ahmed Musa, Obinna with Ike Uche that has a fighting Nsofor, Shola Ameobi and spirit and Brown Ideye that likes Nnamdi Odumadi.
to play behind a main striker for rebounds. “But again, we cannot rule out the possibilities of a Victor Moses that will work both on the flanks and be in the box for any possible rebounds. “There is the likelihood that
We Can Make Ivory Coast Proud - Toure
THE Ivorians are preparing to compete in their third successive World Cup finals after a debut appearance in Germany eight years ago, but they have yet to reach the knockout stages. Since 1999, two civil wars have broken out in the West African nation, and Toure feels the fortunes of the national side have been instrumental in helping Ivorians in their homeland. “For many years, football has played a big part in the lives of the people,” the Manchester City man told the Mirror. “Life during the war was so difficult for everyone. Conditions were bad, life was tough, and we just wanted to give our people some happiness. “The aim of the team has always been to play together and to make the people of the Ivory Coast feel happy and proud about our country. “We say to them, ‘enjoy the way we play football, don’t think about the war’. Of course, that is good. It makes you feel proud.
But it also puts you under a lot of pressure every time you play for your country. “Because you know how important it is, you are desperate to do well. You can’t always win in football. Sometimes there are disappointments – and we have had too many disappointments. “That’s when, sometimes, it can get too much for the people
Yaya Toure
and they show the negative side of their passion.” Toure said the time is now for Ivory Coast to display their potential, and also hinted his international retirement could come soon. “We have an amazing squad of players and we all think it is about time we reach our full potential,” Toure said. “When I look around and see players like (Didier) Drogba, (Salomon) Kalou, (Wilfried) Bony, Gervinho and (Didier) Zokora, I can only be filled with confidence. “Why we haven’t gone on to win a trophy is something I can’t understand. “We want and we hope we make it soon because some of us haven’t got a lot of time left to be winners. “It won’t be long until we have to step aside and let the younger generation come through.”
there would be a lot of stress on Emenike,” he said. A teacher, Collins Ifeaynichukwu, that he expected 35 per cent effectiveness from the strikers. “We have an injured Musa in the first eleven, perhaps an Ameobi who was able to score one goal for Newcastle after one and a half season. “Our most dependable Moses is match-rusty because he has not been playing regularly at Liverpool while Emenike is still an ordinary level striker. “John Obi Mikel who is expected to initiate our attack from the midfield is more or less a defensive midfielder who is gifted in passing the ball backwards. “So, tell me how you expect the attack to be proficient, it is only sheer luck that can makes us to scale through,” he said. Another football fan and a banker, Chiedu Chiadika, said that he did not believe that the Eagles’ strikers would score many goals at the World Cup. “I do not consider them as strikers talkless of them being a striking force. “So, I am not expecting them to perform at the World Cup,” Chiadika said. Nathaniel Adakpo, a consultant, told newsmen that most of the strikers did not have regular playing time at their clubs and so he did not see how they
would be efficient in Brazil. A cricketer, Charles Chinedu, said that he expected the forward players would have the desire to prove themselves and would want to be as efficient as possible. “I believe that they will want to be at their best because it will be a means of selling themselves to the world,” he said. An undergraduate, Tochi Isichei, said that with the presence of Odemwinge, Emenike and Moses, he expected 75 per cent of goal scoring chances to be utilised by the national team. For businessman Ndubuisi Obidiegwu, he expects 55 per cent efficiency from the strikers. The World Cup is scheduled to start on June 12 with Nigeria in Group F alongside BosniaHerzgovina, Argentina and Iran.
THE Cameroon squad reportedly refused to board their flight to Brazil for the World Cup in an ongoing dispute over their bonuses for the tournament. L’Equipe are reporting that the squad played their recent friendly matches in the hope that the issue of their share of FIFA’s bonus money would be resolved before the World Cup began. But the Cameroonian government’s most recent offers have still not proved satisfactory, causing greater and greater disquiet. This week the players refused to take the national flag from the prime minister in their traditional pre-tournament ceremony, forcing coach Volker Finke to step in to avoid too much public embarrassment. And now it seems that the squad have opted to stay in their hotel rather than heading to the airport, despite supporters urging them to get on the plane. The latest offer on the table was put forward on Friday, proposing that players would receive six per cent of the FIFA bonus for the first round, 20 per cent for the second round, 30 per cent for quarter-finals, 40 per cent for the semi-finals, and 50 per cent for either the final or the third-place play-off. This is not the first time the Cameroon squad have had disagreements with the authorities over bonuses - the same thing happened in 2002 when it took days of negotiation to secure mutually satisfactory participation fees, and in 2011 they refused to play against Algeria.
Oxlade-Chamberlain Will Be Fit, Says Hodgson THE Arsenal winger’s participation in the global showpiece was placed into doubt when he suffered knee ligament damage in a friendly against Ecuador on Wednesday. However, Hodgson offered a positive update on the 20-yearold’s condition after seeing England draw 0-0 with Honduras on Saturday. “Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is making good progress - I think he’ll make the tournament without a shadow of a doubt,” said Hodgson. After taking on Ecuador and
Honduras in Miami, England have six days to go until their World Cup opener against Italy in Manaus. Prior to his team’s departure for Brazil, Hodgson added: “We’re really looking forward to the tournament and have fortunately not suffered more than the one injury to Alex. “I really think that where we’ve based our training camps – first in Portugal and then at St George’s Park, then with a game at Wembley and two in Miami – couldn’t have worked much better for us and we go to Brazil in a very good frame of mind.”
Echiejile Out Of World Cup THE Monaco man was not part of his country’s squad for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against the United States, having being withdrawn four minutes before half-time in the goalless draw with Greece on Wednesday.
• Echiejile
And Coach Stephen Keshi has now confirmed that Echiejile will not recover in time to play a part at the tournament in Brazil. “Doctors have said he will need up to three weeks to recover from the muscle tear, but we don’t have that type of time to play with so we have to replace him,” said Keshi. Echiejile will be replaced by winger Ejike Uzoenyi, who was one of seven players dropped from Keshi’s provisional squad. Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo is set to be fit for Nigeria’s curtainraiser against Iran on June 16 after recovering from an ankle injury. As well as Iran, Nigeria meet Argentina and BosniaHerzegovina in Group F.
Grassroots Football
Aishetu Oshiomhole Cup Swings High THE 2nd edition of Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole national under – 18 football tournament for boys and girls kicked off on Friday at the famous Ikelebe sports complex in Auchi. Over 20 youth football clubs and local government teams are
participating in this year ’s edition of the annual football
THE Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) has said it planned to introduce a boxing competition in the Nigeria Prisons in Enugu. The Secretary of YSFON in Enugu State, John Eli, told newsmen in Enugu that the competition was part of the talent hunt by the federation. Eli said that it would also help the inmates of the prison to have a sense of belonging and rediscover their talents while in custody. “We will also introduce other indoor games for them but we want to first introduce boxing in to know how it will be received before introducing others. “Introduction of these indoor sports will go a long way to encourage some talented inmates to be busy. “Sports in prison have been a routine activity outside the country where some of the great boxers were discovered,” he said. Eli, who is also the Director of Sports in Enugu, said YSFON was awaiting the final approval from the Nigeria Prison Service to kick start the event. “Since the inmates are not free to move around, there is need to introduce indoor sports
• Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Sports Minister
1. Ovia N/East 2. Stars Boys 3 MSI 4. FC 24 Abuja 5. Branco 6. Igueben LG
vs vs vs vs vs vs
Owan East Etsako West Unique FC Pacesetters Delta Warriors Blue Mass FC
Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole
Heartland Captain Hails Keshi THE Captain, Heartland FC of Owerri, Chinedu Efugh, says that Coach Stephen Keshi’s inclusion of homebased players in his World Cup squad would make domestic league players to be more dedicated. Efugh made the assertion in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. Chigozie Agbim of Gombe United FC; Azubuike Egwuekwe of Rangers International of Enugu and Kunle Odunlami of Warri Wolves made the 23-man World Cup team. “It’s a thing of joy to us all in the league. This is not just any tournament; it is the World Cup. “For three home-based players to be in the list, it’s a sign of the good things to come. “I just want them to continue to be good ambassadors of the league. Their performance will open doors for other home-based players. “Their inclusion will inspire us to remain dedicated. Keshi has done well and I wish the team the best at the Mundial,’’ he said. On the possibility of representing the country, Efugh told NAN that a callup to the Super Eagles could not be ruled out. “I’m positive that anything
The cup donor, Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole is expected to be at hand to present the trophy and give out prizes and souvenirs to teams. Meanwhile, in other matches played on Saturday, Aviele Utd and Okpekpe Youth FC drew goalless while Courage FC beat MSI 1-0 Living Boots FC from Delta State thrashed Unique FC 3-0, Ovia North East drew goalless with Stars FC while Etsako Central and D United kept scores at one goal apiece at full time.
Today’s Fixtures
YSFON To Introduce Boxing In Enugu Prison to keep them busy and save them from engaging in vices. “We are ready to start the programme but the prison authority has not given us the go ahead and we need to build a boxing ring inside the prison yard for the exercise,” he said.
tournament organized in honour of the mother of the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole. The colourful opening ceremony was witnessed by a large number of football enthusiasts, including the host council Chairman, Hon. Hassan Kadiri and his beautiful wife, Mrs. Rabiat Kadiri. In the opening match, Pacesetters FC of Auchi lost to Unique FC by a lone goal. According to the organizing FEYSOC, the finals comes up on June 13, 2014 at the same venue.
can happen at any time. Those going to the World Cup now did not think this could happen too. “ If God says it’s your time, nobody can stop you. “One has to remain dedicated and no good comes easy; so, I believe when it’s time, God will perfect that,’’ Efugh said.
Amegor Boasts As Enobakhare Cup Ends Tomorrow
DEFENDING Champions of Egor Local Government Chairman, Hon. Victor Enobakhare Gold Cup, Amegor Youth male and female football teams have boasted that they will retain the trophies they won last year. Amegor male and female football teams representing ward 05, defeated their counterparts from wards 03 and 06 in the finals of last year’s edition. The Amegor female team Coach, Mr. Jimi told
OBSERVERSports that he has prepared the girls from ward 05 to retain the cup. “We will use the cup as part of the celebration for our proprietor, Barr. Gentlman Amegor who was recently elected as the state Vice Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Edo State,” the Coach stated. A number of dignitaries including the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Chris Okaeben,
Oredo Local Government Chairman, Hon. Osaro Obazee, Chairman of Esan South East, Hon. Joe Ikpea, Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Henry Idahagbon, the member representing Egor at the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu amongst others are expected to grace the finals tomorrow billed for 2.00pm and 4.00 pm at the Uselu Secondary School premises, Uselu, Benin City.
Lagos Badminton Classics
Winners Pocket 15,000 Dollars THE maiden Lagos International Badminton Classics which feature 15 countries and 163 players was concluded on Saturday with the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) giving out a total of 15,000 dollars to the winners. The competition served off on June 4 at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos. In the mixed doubles, Tosin Atolagbe and Enejor Abbah of Nigeria, clinched the gold medal after defeating Andries Malan and Jennifer Fry of South Africa 26-24 and 22-20. Jeanie Cicognini of Italy defeated Martina Repiska of Slovakia to win the gold medal in the women’s singles. The women’s doubles was a Nigerian affair where Dorcas Adesokan and Maria Braimoh
defeated Tosin Atolagbe and Fatima Azeez by 21-19, 22-20. In the men’s singles, Misha Zilberman of Isreal defeated Viljoen Willie of Austria by 2114, 21-12 to win the gold medal. In the men’s doubles, Andries Malan and Viljoen Willie of South Africa defeated Bulus Jinkan and Ola Fagbemi of Nigeria to win the gold medal. The President of BFN, Justice Danlami Senchi, thanked the participants for the success of the classics. Senchi said that it was a dream come true as it was one of the projects that he believed would bring about renaissance of badminton in this part of the globe. “The staging of this event is akin to the sowing of the
proverbial mustard seed. “In the years to come, I have no doubt that this will germinate and develop into a bigger tournament that will draw more global attention,” he said. Senchi said he was hopeful that the competition would be part of the annual global international circuit. “As you are aware, this event is the first of its kind to he held in Africa both in the value of prize money and number of countries in attendance,” he said. Reacting to their victory, Tosin Atolagbe, who spoke on her team which clinched the gold medal in the womens mixed doubles attributed their victory to hard work. Atolagbe told newsmen that they had trained vigorously for the tournament considering
that it was going to be a tough one because of the countries participating. “South Africa has always been our rival at tournaments and we beat them using the home front advantage. “We targeted the gold medal and I am happy we are able to achieve it,” she said. Also, Viljoen Willien, speaking on behalf of his team, said they won the gold medal in the men’s doubles and that their aim of coming to Nigeria was achieved. Willien said that it was a competition that was keenly contested. “It was not an easy one but we put in all our efforts and did not relent. “We ensured that we improved in every of our performance and I am pleased with the result,” he said.
CMYK
Why Edo Should Celebrate Oshiomhole THE main opposition party in Edo State, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, just rounded off its sensitization tour of the 18 local governments areas of the state. No doubt, the party made some appreciable successes making some noise to tell the people that the PDP is still very much alive and kicking. It went a step further to say that it’s born again, that is, old things are passed away. This is New PDP! I must say that the most remarkable success recorded by the party in the course of the two weeks tour was the hordes of aggrieved members from the ruling APC in the state which it gladly received into its fold. The biggest of these fishes caught by the PDP net in the river where the APC holds sway is Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, founder and the spirit behind a formidable political machinery called The Grace Group. After making some desperate futile efforts to stop him, the Comrade Governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole wished the decampees journey mercy in their political voyage. But chairman of the PDP in the State, Chief Dan Orbih countered to say that they were not decampees but returnees who merely returned home after straying away. What an interesting scenario! The time chosen for the tour was very time given the overflow of grievances in the ruling APC, unfortunately, the PDP leadership in the state missed the golden opportunity to win the heart of the electorate. Instead of selling its new programme
of action that will return the people’s confidence the leadership appeared to be obsessed with vilifying g o v e r n o r Oshiomhole, concentreating on personality attacks rather than address burning issues that are of concern to the people. If the PDP in Edo is truly born again as professed by its leaders, it means the era of sharing the money under the table, the era of godfatherism, the era of imposition with impunity and above all, the era of do nothing and say nothing are gone for good in our dear Edo State. These are some of the ills of the PDP which some of us considered unacceptable, neausating and decided to pitch tent with the ACN that l a t e r methermophosed into APC. However, this is not to say that some of these vices are totally absent in the APC, they exist but in a tolerable level because the same human beings manage the party and run the government. They are not from the outer space and because most of them are from the PDP, they are bound to infect the party and the government with the PDP virus. I must confess here that some of us have sentimental attachments to the Comrade Governor, but for the fact that he sometimes does certain things which betray his human nature some of us would have taken him to be a special being from another planet. Without mincing words, Oshiomhole is a special blessing to this generation, especially Edo State. Whatever anybody cares to say, Oshiomhole is a man
with a clear vision of what he wants for his people, a man with an uncommon energy for work, a man who is so passionate about the Edo project, a man who is in a hurry and hungry to return the state to where it rightly belongs amongst the comity of states in the federation. His footprints will surely remain indelible in the state even genera-
and listen more to his inner voice and allow God to guide him instead of relying on gossips and side talks in anointing a successor who has the capacity to sustain these monumental legacy. Some people may not fully appreciate him now until after the year 2016 when he would have completed his eight years in office as governor of Edo State.
of the ingredients of a matured and robust democracy. After 15 years of unbroken d e m o c r a t i c governace, Nigeria should be close to this even if we are not there yet. Unfortunately, we are still light years away given the behaviours of some of our so called political elits who see nothing good in whatever the opposition does . This
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole
tions yet unborn will see and appreciate them. His signature of time-tested developments dot the state like stars in the galaxy.The rate at which corporate bodies and organizations throng Edo state for meetings, workshop, seminars and other programmes is a clear testimony to the confidence they have in the security and socio-economic developments in the state. To say the least, Oshiomhole has raised the bar of governance in Edo State. This is why he should have a deep reflection
Although, some of those who are very critical of his performance in the state are just insincere and blind folded by dirty politics, a common phenomenon in this clime. I am convinced that deep down their hearts and in the closet of their abode, they know that indeed, Oshiomhole has transformed Edo beyond doubts. In the advanced democracies of the world, the opposition will gladly applaude government in power whenever it does well, this is part
ugly trend manifests itself at all levels of governance, national, state and local governments. Given the rate at which Oshiomhole has transformed Edo State within the space of five and a half years, I believe collectively Edo people should celebrate him in and out of the state. We have never had it so good as a people. Despite this modest efforts, given the financial contrains, some Edolites still believe he should have turned the state to an Eldorado within this
By EBOMHIANA MUSA period . These blind critics have forgotten that the very first budget prepared by the governor aimed at laying a solid foundation for the proper take-;off was thoroughly frustrated by a hostile house of assembly populated by the PDP. In fact, the budget was said to have been taken to the Abuja private residence of the lion of Uromi politics, Chief Tony Anenih for scrutining. At the end of the day, the meat of the budget, all the peopleoriented projects that would have wiped out the tears, 10 years of the long suffering people of Edo State were yanked off. Did I hear you say original bad belle? Well, with the support of the good people of Edo Stae, coupled with sheer determination, Oshiomhole had to ruthlessly uproot the cabal and dealt a deadly blow on the enemies of progress. Six years after that bloodless revolution, the cabal are still nursing the wounds inflicted on them. WIth shrewd and prudent management of resources, Oshiomhole has been able to turned around the fortune of Edo, making it the envy of other states.From a criminally low monthly Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of #250, 000
“Given the rate at which Oshiomhole has transformed Edo State within the space of five and a half years, I believe collectively Edo people should celebrate him in and out of the state. We have never had it so good as a people.”
Oshiomhole has been able to shoot it up to an all-time high of #2billion and still rising. This is unprecedented in the history of the state. From a meager federal allocated revenue that hovers around #3billion, Oshiomhole has been able to turn the state to what some public commentators refer to as a huge construction site. The teasers: The red roof revolution complet with alumilium doors and windoors, vittrified floor tiles, white boards, ceiling fans and modern one-pupil-one desk furniture for schools across the state, the ambitious #30billion Benin water storm project, the massive construction of roads complet with deep rainages, and sidewalks, procurement of state of the art industrial borehole drilling machine capable of going as far as 250, 000 feet deployed to the three senatorial zones of the state to bring water to all the rural communities, health centers stocked with drugs with free medicare for the aged, children and expectant mothers, capacity building and job creation drive through EDOYES and Neighbouhood Watch, It’s endless. From a legacy of 10 years of decay, bad roads, dilapidated schools, empty hospirals and health centres, unpaid salary arrears of civil servants and backlog of unpaid pension, Oshiomhole has been able to breathe life into the state that was near comatose. For this and more, I believe Edo people should celebrate Oshiomhole party affiliation notwithstanding.
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