THE NIGERIAN
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The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968
VIEWPOINT Pg 19
cmyk
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Questioning The Sincerity Of ASUU
• Vol. 38 NO.306• MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2 013 • N100.00
APC receives PDP decampees in Uromi By OSE EHEBHA
UROMI - The All Progressive Congress (APC) swelled further in numerical size at the weekend in Esan North
East Local Government Area of Edo State, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) woman leader in Ward 4, Madam Margaret Giwa, defected to the party
with large crowd of her followers. Giwa cited giant developmental strides of the APC led state
government as reason behind her decision to dump her party and move enmasse with her supporters to APC. She said she was Continues on page 2
Agricultural Development
INT’L FEATURES Pg 25
Democrats Face Divide Over Strike On Syria
Edo targets $1bn investment - Commissioner
BENIN CITY – Edo State is at the threshold of a major breakthrough with projection of $1billion investment in agriculture. State Commissioner enhance the growth of for Agriculture and the economy of the Natural Resources, state, but would also Hon. Abdul Oroh create employment disclosed this in a chat opportunities for the with newsmen in Benin teaming unemployed City at the weekend. youths, with its teaming Part of the investment, effects. he said is through the According to him, collaboration of the state several foreign government with multiinvestors, have recently national companies and been visiting the state other foreign investors. with a view to exploring The investment, he the investment said would not only opportunities in the
state, especially in the agricultural sector. The development, according to the commissioner is in line with the policy thrust of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole – led
administration to reposition the economy of the state and give a greater sense of belonging to the people. His words; “If we don’t, it tells badly on us as a government; it affects us
adversely; I know how much the people expect from their government.” The commissioner disclosed that the state government is working on areas that would make the state one of
the richest states in Nigeria. “If anybody is saying we are not shouting about certain things…yes, we need to shout about our Continues on page 2
ASUU insists on implementation Tension in Warri over of agreement monarch’s new faith By OSAHON JULIUS
WARRI -Thousands of Itsekiri leaders and youths laid siege on the Olu of Warri palace since Saturday in protest against the moves by the monarch to change the ‘Ogiame” title which means “King of the River”, according to the history behind the Itsekiri throne. The protesting youths who set up bonfire at the front of the palace also prevented vehicular movement to the areas for hours as they described the development as unacceptable to the Itsekiri people. They also brought out their revered masquerades who danced around the palace in apparent
message to the monarch that they will not be deterred in their resolve to have the status quo remain. It took the intervention of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who appealed to the Itsekiri leaders and youths to exercise restraint over the looming crisis concerning the plans by the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Atuwatse II, to change the revered title of “Ogiame”, which is the symbol of the Iwere Kingdom. The Governor, who spoke to the protesting Itsekiri leaders and youths at the barricaded Olu of Warri palace gate, said he had to cut short his official engagement in Abuja to rush down to Warri to intervene in the matter.
“We should all respect the crown which is the only symbol of Itsekiri unity. Any attempt to disregard the crown will not augur well for the Itsekiri nation”, said the governor who further pleaded with the protesters who were Continues on page 2
DEFECTION: L-R: Esan North East LGA APC Chairmanship candidate, Hon. Sam Oboh, Edo, State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Barr. Chris Ebare and former PDP Ward 4 Woman Leader in Esan North East, Madam Magaret Giwa, during the defection of Madam Giwa and her followers to APC in Uromi at the weekend.
FG/ASUU impasse: Mark, Suswam By JOSES SEDE
seek God’s intervention
OTUKPO - President of the Senate, Senator David Mark yesterday took stock of the
lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU) strike pleaded with
said it had begun installation of pre-paid
implementations (CAPMI) scheme.
This is contained in a statement by the PHCN Public Affairs Manager,
and the
religious leaders across the country to quickly
PHCN tasks customers to safeguard meter under the Credit LAGOS - The Power Mr. Oghale Eduziare, Advance Payment for equipment yesterday in Lagos. Holding Company of M e t e r i n g Nigeria (PHCN) Akure,
According to him, the scheme is aimed at Continues on page 2
intervene in the crisis rocking the nation’s education sector. Addressing the 2nd plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Otukpo Benue state yesterday, Continues on page 2
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
News
Mark, Suswam seek God’s intervention Continued from page 1 Senator Mark said the differences between the Federal Government and ASUU requires spiritual intervention in order to end the imbroglio. This is against the backdrop of the collapse of dialogue between the federal government negotiating team and ASUU over the latter’s demand. He lamented the plight of the students who have been deprived of the stable academic calendar and the consequences of the strike, pointing out that “the culture of confrontation and conflict does not build harmony between and among people, therefore, we must always seek the culture of dialogue, reconciliation and forgiveness. We have a duty to work hard to overcome all barriers to peace.” On the issue of insecurity in the country, the President of the Senate stated that the present state of insecurity in Nigeria is worrisome considering the high number of innocent Nigerians that dies everyday as a result of bombing, armed robbery, road accident, pagan ritual activities and cultism. He charged Nigerians not to use religion for negative purposes, “Religion is to unite and not to divide, to love and not to hate, to gather and not to scatter, to be just and not to be unjust.” Senator Mark also frowned at provocative utterances by some highly placed people that are capable of tearing down the society saying such utterances must be curtailed. He, however, admonished that the present religious,
Edo targets Continued from page 1 achievements, but without losing focus, without losing the fact that we are on the threshold of a major breakthrough.” He said. “We don’t want to be shouting with what we have done; we want to be visible. By the Grace of God, we will look back at some point and in the near future and Edo people will say yes, when Oshiomhole was here, Edo State was transformed.” He said majority of people in the state would benefit from the process of governance which was evolved by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole – led government. With the investment in agriculture and through the efforts of foreign investors in the state, the commissioner is optimistic that, focusing on areas of comparative advantage, the state would be able to produce not less than 25 percent of the nation’s agricultural needs.
economic and political turmoil should not scare anybody saying “as Nigerians we should remain resolute and focused. As a people, we should continue to fast and pray. I acknowledge the fact that prayer without good work is dead. We should also embark on serious good work at all levels to ensure good governance and a better
Nigeria.” Senator Mark was optimistic that Nigerians are capable of overcoming the challenges only if we work together and see ourselves as one people binded by a common mission and purpose. Earlier, the Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam called for partnership between the
church, government and the people in order to fast track political development and stability in the country. Suswam urged the Bishops to use the session to appeal to ASUU to shift ground as the Federal government has made reasonable concessions to their demands to give peace a chance and return students back to schools.
Continued from page 1
darkness for light”. He described APC as a party with heart of gold, and having commitment to the uplifting of the interest of the common man. The party leader assured the defectors that they would have no reason to regret their decision, adding that APC do not treat defectors as new members, but regard all as equals. He appealed to Madam Giwa and her teeming supporters to accord APC same zeal they worked for their former party to ensure victory for the party during rerun to elect councilors and chairman in the local
government. The APC chairmanship candidate in Esan North East Local Government, Hon. Sam Oboh also commended the defectors for joining “the party with compassion for the masses”. He assured the people of his massive development when elected, as nobody enthroned by Oshiomhole can deviate from following the developmental footprints of the Comrade Governor. Highpoint of the defection exercise was the handing over of broom-symbol of APC to the leader of the defectors, Madam Giwa, amidst cheers.
APC receives PDP decampees
trilled by the massive reconstruction of roads, schools, as well as efforts the Oshiomhole led government has made to reposition the state and local government in particular. She pledged to work assiduously towards ensuring victory for APC during the rerun council elections in Esan North East Local Government Area. Receiving the defectors on behalf of the party, Edo State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Chris Ebare lauded them “for taking the decision to exit
Tension in Warri
Continued from page 1 defiant in their resolve. He disclosed that he had already met with the leaders and well-meaning Itsekiri sons and daughters over the mater assuring that the issue will soon be resolved amicably. The leaders and youth who spoke ask the Olu to relinquish the crown if he wants to follow the path of Christianity and abandon their age long tradition, saying it was unheard that a king will just wake up one day and take decision without consultations with the people. It would be recalled that the monarch had few days ago declared in a document christened; “The New Order of Iwere Kingdom” that the “Ogiame” title which has been in existence for over 500 years would cease to exist following the recent consecration of the Kingdom to God. The monarch in the document said he had renounced his allegiance to the “Umalokun” and other gods of the sea, land and sky as well as denounced the “Ogiame” title to which his ancestors had pledged allegiance to “Umalokun” and other deities. This followed his recent consecration as a believer in the Christian faith thus renouncing all altars of idolatry in each community of Iwere Kingdom and sanctified the land in the name of Jesus Christ. “Henceforth, I submit and present the title “Ogiame” to God, the creator, which made the sea and rules over all. Therefore, no Olu or person may bear the title or name that now belong to God. ” I nullify all tokens of libation poured on the land and seas or sprinkled into the air in Iwere land. I frustrate
all sacrifices of wine, blood, food, water, kolanuts, and other items (known and unknown) offered in Iwere land. ” In conformity with the new covenant through the blood of Jesus, I release the royal bloodline, the chiefs of the Iwere kingdom, the Iwere people and land, waters and atmosphere of Iwere kingdom from all ties to all other spiritual covenants and agreements,” the monarch had declared. In the document, he said as a descendant of Prince Ginuwa of the Benin Kingdom, the progenitor of the Iwere monarchy and as a royal priest in the order of Melchizedek, he used the authority of the blood of Jesus to destroy all ancient and new altars in Iwere. However, the Emiko royal family in Warri has dismissed the declaration with six cardinal points. In a position paper signed by 37 members of the royal family and made available to newsmen, the family members declared that historically when Prince Ginuwa left Benin to become the first Itsekiri monarch about 1480, it was the authority and blessing of his father (Olua, the then Oba of Benin) to reign over the riverhence the title “Ogiame”. Specifically, they said that the property in the title “Ogiame” belongs to the Itsekiri people who have so addressed their monarchs right from inception over five hundred year ago (including Christian monarchs). While saying that Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri, as the custodian/ trustee of the title for the Itsekiri people, the royal kinsmen acknowledged that the monarch in his capacity as the reigning royal father has authority to review aspects of the culture/ tradition in line with modernity
but this should be done following due process of constitution with Itsekiri stakeholders. The document stated that the people consider the history/pedigree of the “Ogiame” title as such that the Itsekiri people hold it dear and sacrosanct to the extent that it should not be cancelled for whatever reasons. Tension was building up around the palace as youths prevented people in and out of the palace when filing this report, swearing they will not leave the palace gate until the monarch rescind his unpopular decision. The monarch was scheduled to meet with some stakeholders in the palace over the crisis when the youths stormed the palace in protest. A Niger Delta activist, Omolubi Newuwunmi, who was said to have convened the protest, declined comment saying however that the royal family had waded into the matter and were handling it.
Edo launches citizen’s participation in governance portal Sept 12 LAGOS - Edo is to launch an open data portal on Sept. 12 to enhance transparency and citizens’ participation in governance. The launch will take place during the state’s 2013 Technology Day celebration in Benin, according to a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos by the consultant to the event, Mrs Toyosi Akerele. Akerele, the Chief Executive Officer of Rise Networks, said that the launch would make Edo the first state in Nigeria to launch a functional open data portal. She said that essential data of the government would be made available to the general public in the portal. “This portal will further demonstrate Edo State’s commitment to transparency and citizens’ participation in governance,’’ she said. The chief executive officer said that Day, to be celebrated on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13, would have the theme, “Fostering Governance with
Technology’’. She said that the event would emphasise how governments could use technology to transparently and efficiently deliver services to citizens and stimulate. Akerele added that the event would drive public sector transformation. “The Edo Technology Day serves as a premium stakeholder platform that brings together policy makers, industry players, technology experts, innovators and investors to share ideas and experiences. “It also serves as a forum for exploring opportunities and strategies for utilisation of technology. “It also will help to chart a way forward on how best to mainstream technology in governance,’’ she said. Akerele said that the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, would deliver the keynote address at the event to be chaired by the Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Hakeem Bello-Osagie.
NSCDC nabs 3 suspected pipeline vandals
AKURE - The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command said it will not relent in its effort at combating Oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the riverine area of the state. State commandant of the corps, Popoola Waheed Bamidele revealed this to newsmen while parading 3 suspected pipeline vandals at Omotoso in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The suspects are: Korede Akilo from Ijebu Ode, Ahmed Danlami from Plateau state and Shuaibu Yisa from Adamawa state. The suspects were arrested with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Truck with registration Numbered XB 104 JMT Adamawa and loaded with 10,000 premium motor spirit (PMS). According to the
Commandant, Men of the anti-vandal unit of the command arrested the suspects at about 6:00 am on the early hours of yesterday after his command got a tipoff from the members of the community. He said the suspects had already vandalized and successfully siphoned the NNPC pipeline at Omotoso in Odigbo local government area of the state before his command was alerted of the illegal act. “Immediately my command was alerted, we swung into action and they had already loaded their trailer moving outside the creek when they were caught with 10,000 loaded PMS”. Popoola said the top priority and mandate of the corps is to put ‘an end’ to pipeline vandalism and illegal siphoning of oil at the Niger Delta region.
PHCN tasks customers
Continued from page 1 curbing incessant complaints of over billing and estimated bills. He said that more than 200 pre-paid meters had been installed to customers under the new scheme. He also appealed to members of the public to protect power installations in their localities. Eduziare said that the PHCN had created the right environment for Nigerians to protect government equipment. The manager stressed the socio-economic effect of vandalism, saying apart from throwing communities into
darkness, the cost of replacing damaged equipment was huge. “ One of the challenges on regular power supply in Ondo State now is the high rate of vandalism on PHCN equipment and installations. “If this ugly trend is not checked by host communities that are saddled with protection of installations in their domain, achieving improved power supply will be a mirage. “We spent millions of naira to replace the vandalised equipment; this amount would have been better expended on new projects for the customers,’’ Eduziare said.
He, however, advised community development associations and other well meaning community members to be alert and assist in curbing vandalism within their localities. Eduziare said that more than 600 transformers had been installed in various communities in Akure, adding that additional ones were installed at two strategic locations to take care of high demand of supply in the area. He said that the increasing power demand of Akure and its environs was in line with one of Federal Government’s transformation agenda of improved power supply to every part of the country.
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Inside Edo Orhionmwon LG To Provide Furniture For Osasere Pry School By ISEMHENBITA FAITH
BENIN CITY – The Orhionmwon Local Government Chairman, Chief Rowland Ibierutomwen has promised to provide chairs and Desks for Osasere Primary School in Ogba Community within the next two weeks. The Chairman disclosed this in Abudu the administrative headquarters of the council when leaders of Ogba Community payed him a courtesy call in his office. He promised to assist the community with the provision of basic amenities within the available resources of the council. Leader of the group, Hon. Airhuoyo Michael congratulated the council chairman and his team on
their victory at the last local government election and subsequent swearing – in. The leader also solicited the council’s assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads linking Evboesi, Iyoba and Ugbeka wards, Osasere Primary School, Ogba, the community borehole and other infrastructure that has been neglected for a long time.
Chairperson, Women Development Programme, Owan West Local Government Council, Mrs. Ruth Aigbodion presenting cash to one of the widows in the locality during a seminar/workshop on Etiquette and Empowerment she organised for women in the area.
Armed Men Lay Siege To Community By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
BENIN CITY – Armed men have continued to lay siege to Evbovbioba Community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State weeks after they allegedly forced the residents to flee their ancestral homes. Fierce looking men suspected to be hired thugs placed woods that served as barricade on the road in front of the newly constructed
Evbovbioba Community town hall, when newsmen visited the community. No fewer 30 fierce looking men were sighted inside the town hall as another group of boys strategically positioned themselves in an uncompleted building beside the hall. A truck load of fire-wood that was passing – bye during the visit was made to drop some logs of fire wood as homage to
the four boys who on hearing the sound of the vehicles emerged from the town hall, accompanied by a man armed with a double – barrel gun. Though no shot was fired during the visit by newsmen, the body language of the hoodlums indicated their readiness to challenge confrontation from any quarter. Demanded to speak with their leader, one of them who identified himself simply as Mr. Imafidon told journalists that, “my chairman is not around, when he comes I will tell him, you were here, or you can come back on Friday (last week) by 4pm.” Some of the residents who were exiled from the community and now taking refuge in Benin City have appealed to the various security agencies, Edo State governor and the Benin Monarch to
intervene with a view of dislodging the armed men from the area. Pa. Samuel Ogbeide, 78, a victim of the Wednesday August 7, 2013 described it as dehumanizing and a horrible experience. Also, Pa. Vincent Ogbeide said that since the incident, he has not been able to assess his ancestral home and farm. They however fingered the chairman of one of the transport union in the state as the mastermind of the attack. The exiled stated that trouble started with the suspension of the Enogie (Duke) Edwin Aigbe IZevbokun and the Odionwere, Pa. John Omoagbe Egharevha by the palace of the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa on allegations of desecrating the customs and traditions of Benin Kingdom, and the appointment of the second-in-command in
Edo Min of Health Holds Seminar For Health Care Providers
Chairperson, Women Development Programme, Owan West Local Government Council, Mrs. Ruth Aigbodion (arrowed) presenting grinding machine to one of the widows in the locality, Mrs. Bose Collins at Okpuje as part of her programme to assist widows in the locality.
BENIN CITY - Edo State Essential Drugs Programme (EDP), Ministry of Health, Benin City, in collaboration with Tyonex. Nigeria Limited will on Wednesday September 11, 2013 organize
Kerosene Explosion: LG Boss Visits Victims, Trad Rulers
IMIAKEBU The Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Council, Hon. Suleiman Afegbua has visited His Royal Highness, Yahaya Ugiemekhai Kareem, the Azamanodu II of Imiakebu, following a kerosene explosion in the area. The Royal father who described the chairman’s quick response as wonderful, said that if other leaders in Nigeria act proactively in the manner of the council boss, the nation
will move forward. He said the two victims, Mrs. Agnes Obosuwa and ismaila Egumalu suffered severe burnts while trying to light up their kerosene stoves, stressing that they have been taken to a private hospital in Auchi. He however called on the people to be careful while
using kerosene. Responding, the council chairman who visited the scene of the kerosene explosion with the Acting Public Health Coordinator in the council, Dr. Ojeifo, said his visit was to have a first hand information on the incident noting that health related issues require urgent attention. He directed the Medical
Doctor to visit the victims to assess the situation, with a promise to assist the victims adding that “the Local Government must serve the people.” The chairman was accompanied by secretary to the Local Government, Hon Benedita Altoh, councilors, supervisors and other top council functionaries.
a one – day seminar for Health care providers in the state. Venue is the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road, Benin City, beginning at 9am. A release signed by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Peter Ugbodaga stated that the programme which would feature lectures on stroke, information on drugs, prescription writing and diabetes mellitus shall be chaired by the state commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie. The release therefore called on all health workers from both public and private facilities to endeavour to attend the seminar.
the community, Mr. Edward Okunzuwa and Lucky Enababor in their stead, They however wondered why the police would refuse to act, even after several formal notification through their counsel. The counsel to three of the exiled indigenes, of Evbovbioba Community, Barrister Osagie Obayuwana who presented to The Nigerian OBSERVER, copies of the petititons written to the Edo State Police Commissioner, and two other relevant authorities since August 19, 2013 identified Mrs. Patience Ikpomwen, Mr. Godwin Osaheni and Mr. Felix Idusaye as his clients in the crisis. Obayuwana stated that his clients rights of residence as guaranteed under Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Lap AIG laws of the Federation of Nigeria (2004) as well as Section 41(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, was violated by the forceful expulsion of his clients from the residence at Evbovbioba Community by the said transport union leader and two others. Attempts to obtain comments from the transport union leader in his office failed, but a dependable source in his office who craved anonymity disclosed that “my chairman sent boys to protect his property at Evbovbioba Community.” The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Mr. Foluso Adebanjo could not be reached for comment. Visits to his office and calls yielded no result just as text message sent to his line was not replied as at press time.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
News
Democratise LGs, Rights Group Urges Uduaghan
WARRI (Delta State) The Forum for Justice & Human Rights Defence (FJHRD) has called on the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, to, immediately, democratise the 25 Local Government Areas in accordance with Section 7 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The group, in a statement signed by the national coordinator, Oghenejabor Ikimi (Esq.) and made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Warri, contended that the people at
the grass root have consistently been robbed of true representation at the various local government areas. “For the umpteenth time, we demand the conduct of a credible local government election in the state forthwith in a bid to encourage grass root democracy of our polity,” Ikimi stated. He called on the National Assembly to pass into Law, the bill for the autonomy of the third tier of Government as a way of galvanising infrastructural development at the grass root nationwide. The group, in the statement, also enjoined the Delta State government to strictly observe the provisions of Section 4, sub
hijack had been concluded. Meanwhile, overjoyed captain of the vessel, Captain Elmundo Villacorte, from the Philippines, told The NIGERIAN OBSERVER that the encounter with the pirates was not expected. “It was not an experience I was expecting, and
everyone was so scared. It happened in the middle of the night, when everyone had already gone to their bed. So it just happened and we have not yet figured out how it happened. But we want to thank the Navy officers, who rescued and have been helping us,” Villacorte said.
By BETTY IDIALU
L-R: A Speaker, Prof. Chukwuemeka Madumere; former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Austin Eboatu and Executive Director, Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Rev. Fr. Edwin Udoye, at the launch of ‘Go Farming Campaign’ initiative in Onitsha recently.
Navy Releases Hijacked Vessel By BETTY IDIALU
WARRI (Delta State)- As directed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, in Warri, Delta State, has released MT Norte vessel which was hijacked by pirates on August 13. Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Mohammed Sidi Garba, who was flanked by some of his officers, disclosed this at a press briefing in his office at the Naval Base, Warri, along Warri/Sapele Road. MT Norte, which was loaded with 17,000 metric
tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS), belonging to Oriol Marine, was hijacked off Forcados River, Burutu Local Government Area, about 14 nautical miles from the coast by sea robbers. The criminals, said to be led by one Ben, later had a gun duel with naval personnel who overpowered them by killing 12 and rescuing all the crew members on board on the ship. Items recovered from the pirates included three AK 47 rifles with six magazines of 120 rounds of ammunition. Speaking at the hand over briefing, Commodore Garba
recalled that “MT Norte was hijacked by pirates/sea robbers on 13 August, 2013. The combined effort of five naval gunboats and NNS Delta from Central and Western Naval Command intercepted and rescued the vessel and her crew on August 17 during which 12 of the 16 pirates were killed in a shoot out, three were arrested and one was later rescued by a fishing trawler.” He stated that since the rescue operation, the vessel and crew had been in the protective custody of NNS Delta, adding that investigations relating to the
sections 4 & 5 of the Delta State, Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism Law, which empowers the governor or his authorised representative to sign an order authorising the sealing up of any premises found to be used to perpetrate kidnapping, pending the final determination of the application for forfeiture or revocation order by a competent court. However, FJHRD said it noted with dismay that some residential houses, including a hotel were recently demolished on the orders of the State Government without recourse to the provisions of the above Law, alleging that it was a case of jungle justice. The group admonished the state government to respect the rule of law in the course of fighting against all forms of criminality in the state. It will be recalled that the state governor, Dr Uduaghan and some of his aides, had, at different fora, opined that having constituted the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), the date for the election could only be determined by the electoral body.
Ozogo Emerges Chairman Of Leaders’ cooperation of other members of Forum IGUEBEN (Edo State) – The the executive and enjoined them,
Leader of Owan East Local Government Legislative Council, Hon. Hilary Ozogo, has emerged Chairman of the Forum of Leaders of Legislative Council in Edo State. Hon. Ozogo who was elected as a consensus candidate at the forum’s election of a new executive, held in Igueben Local Government Council, has Hon. Joshua E. Akhuabue of Esan West as 1st Vice Chairman of the
Hon. Hilary Ozogo
forum, while Hon. Robert Ekeme Fiyes (Ovia South-West) as 2nd Vice-Chairman. Others are Hon. Monday Oboigba, (Oredo), as Secretary; Hon. Ohonsi Eric, (Igueben), Treasurer; Hon. Abibat Yakubu, (Etsako West), Financial Secretary. Also elected are Hon. Aliu Sunday Oyarebu (Akoko Edo), Public Relations Officer; Hon. Ekhator Saturday, (Orhiomwwon), Legal Officer and Hon. Stephen Onyon (Esan South East) as Assistant Secretary. The Chairman in his acceptance speech, commended his colleagues for the opportunity given him to pilot the affairs of the forum. He assured that their choice of him, will not be regretted, promising to operate an open door policy, where every member of the executive will be carried along in policy and programme formulations. The chairman solicited the
as leaders of their various legislative councils to rally round their chairman in ensuring the delivery of democratic dividends to the people. He assured them that history and posterity would judge them rightly or otherwise if their chairman fail in impacting the lives of their people positively.
The joint session of Kenyan National Assembly addressed by President Goodluck Jonathan in Nairobi weekend.
Council Boss Tasks Residents On Cleanliness AKOKO-EDO - The people of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State have been urged to take matters of cleanliness as important as life itself. The call came on Saturday by the Council Chairman, Hon Folorunsho Akerejola in Igarra, the Local Government headquarters during the statewide monthly environmental sanitation exercise that was observed in the area. The chairman who spoke through the head of Environment
Department, Mr. Etamobe Clement said the exercise was successful though not all participated. He observed that initially it rained and that constituted a little hindrance in people’s participation in the exercise. He admonished the people not to put the Government to test by proving Stubborn through non-participation, saying that nobody in the locality can claim ignorant of the exercise. “I want to say that they are
all aware that there is environmental sanitation today (Saturday) even if there is no enlightenment, nobody tells them that it is market day all over the Local Government. “Nobody reminds them of other markets outside AkokoEdo, they are all abreast of the fact that the last Saturday of every month is environmental sanitation day.” “Besides, there was three day enlightenment by the information unit of the department that moved round the
entire communities even with letters to remind them” he added. According to him, “the people of Akoko-Edo should always have it at their hearts that the last Saturday of every month is sanitation day. And they owe the primary duty to ensure that their environment is kept clean and premises are tidy so that our environment can be disease free. At the end of the exercise only one man was convicted by the mobile court presided over by Prince Mutari Oarie in Igarra.
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South-South Take Advantage Of Sure-P Programme, Uduaghan Urges Beneficiaries By BETTY IDIALU
WARRI (Delta State) - The Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called on the beneficiaries of the SURE-P programme in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state to take full advantage of the programme to be self-reliant, self-sustaining and selfemployed in order to better their economic well being. The state governor, who was speaking at the kick off of the SURE-P programme at Obiaruku, the administrative headquarters of the local government, enjoined the beneficiaries to also generate further economic benefits, emphasizing that SURE-P is not only for empowerment as it could affect other beneficiaries economically. Dr Uduaghan, who was represented at the occasion by the Hon Commissioner Directorate of Local Government Affairs, Mr Neworld Safugha, thanked the transition chairman of the local government, Hon Ochor Chris Ochor, for keying into the human capital development programme of the
administration through empowerment of women youths and the physically challenged in the area of skill acquisition in ICT training barbing, fashion designing, fish and fowl farming, woodwork, interlocking and pavement stone making. Uduaghan urged the beneficiaries to make good use of this opportunity in order to add another chapter to their life story, stressing that their level of life will definitely not be the same again, even as he said that “level go change”. Transition chairman of the local government Hon Ochor, said that the SURE-P programme would ever remain a significant milestone in the lives of Ukwuani people, assuring that the programme will mark a turning point in the lives of the beneficiaries. He pointed out that plans had been concluded to train and support a total of 263 beneficiaries from the local government in areas of interlocking, livestock farming ICT, woodwork and barbing/ hair dressing, adding that apart from the beneficiaries, trainers, facilitator and apprentice will also benefit from the programme.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame (Dr.) Patience Goodluck Jonathan, her Kenya counterpart, Madam Margaret Kenyatta; Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDG, Dr. Precious Gbeneol and wife of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Mrs. Jane Oyateru with officials and pupils of SOS children’s village, Nairobi cutting the cake during their visit to the village.
FG Begins Skills Training Programme
PORT HARCOURT- The Director-General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, has expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to develop the skills of Youths to make them self employed. Wapmuk, who is also the
Chief Executive of the ITF, said this in Port Harcourt at the inauguration of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme. He said the workshop was designed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to develop the skills and build capacity of the youth to be self-employed. Wapmuk said that the
programme would fast track the achievement of the National Industrial Revolution Plan of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda. The chief executive said that the objective of the programme was to provide the skills to support the plan. He said that the training was to develop high skilled entrepreneurial workforce for
small and medium enterprises (SMES) in areas where they had competitive and comparative advantage. According to him, the training will reduce youth restiveness and contribute immensely to wealth creation, poverty reduction and enhance national unity. “This programme has successfully been implemented in 23 states and FCT from January to August, and has produced 23,000 youths at the rate of 1,000 youths per state and FCT,’’ he said.
Forum Tasks FG On Justice, Equity
Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame (Dr.) Patience Goodluck Jonathan flanked by the First Lady of Kenya, Madam Margaret Kenyatta greeting some pupils of the SOS Children’s Village during their visit to the village.
UYO - The National Political Summit has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to create a new Nigerian society based on justice, equity and morality through his transformation agenda. This is contained in an eightpoint communiqué issued in Uyo at the end of a three-day summit attended by eminent leaders from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The communiqué signed by the summit convener, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, and session chairman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo,
along with other leaders, commended the president for initiating the transformation agenda. It, however, implored him to expand its scope to embrace the entire polity and society with a view to creating a new Nigeria. The communiqué noted that the current challenges of political instability and national security demanded for a national dialogue to obtain inputs from Nigerians of all classes and persuasions.
with government funds. “If you help us to rake in more funds, the state will earn high revenue that will enable us to finish our projects on time. “For the 2013 budget, I want you, Directors of Finance and Accounts (DFAs), to take its implementation very seriously, because, I will implement the budget,” he said.
Amaechi said his administration would fund the free Health Care programme to ameliorate the challenges of the poor. “This is because, most parents cannot afford the money for the health needs of their children, even because of the prevailing economic challenges in the country,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi Urges Public Servants To Ensure Implementation Budget:
PORT HARCOURT- Rivers Governor Chibuike Amaechi has urged public servants in the state to ensure effective implementation of the 2013 budget allocations to actualise the vision of his administration. Amaechi said this in Port Harcourt at a two-day sensitisation and three weeks training on the 2014 budget. The training is on budget
planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state. The governor said budget monitoring and evaluation in the state was key to the actualisation of set objectives. “There is no budget without adequate monitoring and evaluation of its performances
and activities which will drive us to where we are going,’’ he said. Amaechi urged public officers handling government funds and transactions to exhibit high level of decorum, integrity and ensure transparent and accountable stewardship in the state. “Please, don’t cut corners
It said that a national dialogue would serve as a prelude to the national conference, which would address thorny issues threatening “the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria”. The Summit called on Jonathan to convene a national conference “as a matter of great necessity and immediacy for the preservation of the continued existence of the country”. “If he thinks that he lacks the power to do so, contrary to the belief of the Summit, then he should send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to enact a law granting him the necessary power to convene the conference,” the communiqué said. It called for necessary steps to be taken for the making of “a Peoples Constitution” which derives its source of authority from the people after a referendum. The Summit urged governments at all levels to promote the building of Nigeria as one nation united by patriotic feelings, interest and destiny. The communiqué stated that stakeholders at the Summit believed in the peace and stability of Nigeria.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
South West Govt Tasks Palm Fruits Farmers To Meet Customers’ Demand
Alleged Robbery
Driver, Conductor Remanded
ABEOKUTA- An Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ court has remanded a driver and his conductor for allegedly robbing their passengers of personal property valued at N800,000. The duo, Nasiru Samuel 22, Abiodun Alabi, 22, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, felony and armed robbery. The police prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eaigbejiale, told the court that the offence was committed on August 8 at about 8.00 p.m. at Okelewo Road in Abeokuta. He said the accused persons, who operated an 18-passenger Hilux bus, called passengers into the bus, saying they were heading for Berger area in Lagos. Eaigbejiale alleged that the accused, who were armed with two locally made pistols, collected personal belongings such as cash, phones, bags and jewellery, valued at N800,000 from passengers in the vehicle. “They were apprehended by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) which acted on a tipoff,” he said. The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the Armed Robbery and Firearms Act. The Magistrate, Mr Matins Akinyemi, remanded the duo in Ibara prison till December 13 pending advice from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
L-R: The President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark in a chat with the Etsu Nupe, HRH, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar after a courtesy visit by the 3rd Regular Course of Nigeria Defence Academy Alumni Association in Bida Niger State. Photo: OMOYE AMINU.
Fund Research For Economic Development, Expert Urges FG
OSOGBO- A Consultant, Prof. Adeola Agbaje, has advised the Federal Government to invest more on research to develop the country. Agbaje gave the advice in Osogbo while speaking with newsmen on the budgetary allocation to the education sector in the 2013 budget. “My candid advice to the government is to do everything possible to allocate more to the education sector for research and see to the adequate implementation of the budget’’,
he said. Agbaje, who is a retired professor of economics, however, commended the government for the improvement in the allocation to the sector in 2013 compared to what obtained in the past. He called for improved budgetary allocation to research sector. “No country in the world grows without aggressive investment in research for the purpose of discovering new things in all facets of the
increasing number of unregistered bakeries across
the state. Mr Jacob Adejorin, Chairman of the association,
economy. ‘’Investment in research remains the secret behind the success stories of the Asian tigers, most especially country like China, where the former President, Mao Tseng Tong, heavily invested in research. ‘’The heavy investment in research in all the tertiary institutions in China started paying off over the last two decades”. According to him, China emerged as an economic giant
Proliferation Of Unregistered Bakeries Worries Association told newsmen in Lagos that
LAGOS - The Lagos Chapter of Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria has decried the
AKUREThe Ondo government has urged palm fruit farmers in the state to produce the commodity in abundance to meet its growing demand by palm oil producers. The Acting State Fadama Coordinator, Mr Olusuji Olatunji, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Akure. Olatunji said that Glory Palm Oil Processing Fadama Users Group, a leading oil processing group in Ose Local Government Area, was in dire need of palm fruits to meet its production output. He observed that palm fruits available within neighbouring communities, were not enough for the group’s daily production needs. Olatunji explained that apart from generating employment, the group produced high quality palm oil, which had low water content.
R-L: Tunde Ogbeha, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, Niger State Deputy Governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto and the Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliu after a courtesy visit by the 3rd Regular Course of Nigeria Defence Academy Alumni Association in Bida Niger State. Photo: OMOYE AMINU
such bakeries did not have NAFDAC certificate. “The bakeries are running away from the long arm of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control. “Most of them operate in people’s homes and unhygienic places. “Some even go as far as forging NAFDAC certificate on their products,” Adejorin said. Adejorin urged potential bakery owners to endeavour to approach the necessary agencies for regulation, assistance and advice. He said that registered bakers had the opportunity to attend local and foreign exhibitions. He said that members of the Lagos chapter would be in Las Vegas, U.S., for one of such exhibitions from October 6 to October 9.
to reckon with in the world due to heavy investment in its research sector and the multiplier effects on its economy. He also attributed the level of development in Japan, Singapore and a host of other countries to conscious funding of research. The professor said that Nigeria was more buoyant to embark on research mostly in the agriculture, building and construction as well as manufacturing to guarantee job opportunities for youths. According to him, the focus of the government should also be on ways the annual budgets will transform the critical sectors of the economy and “not the allocated figures on the paper.” “Government must not just pass the budget and look the other ways when it comes to the implementation of the financial document because implementation makes it to be the budget.”
Mr Deji Ojomolade, Chairman of the group, also told newsmen that their success was as a result of the determination of each member. He said their production increased when Fadama assisted the group with modern processing equipment to replace their small milling machine.
2 Traders Docked For Assault
LAGOS - Two traders, who allegedly assaulted a policeman on duty, were charged before an Ojo Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. The accused — Oghoghomena Osah, 30, and Sandra Okoh, 28 — are being tried for conspiracy and assault. The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Eze, told the court that the accused, who were traders at Ajangbadi market, Ojo, committed the offences on August 24 at 11.55 a.m. at Illemba, Ojo. He alleged that the duo assaulted one Sgt. Kennedy Aigboreimoh of Illemba-Hausa Police Division, while performing his official duty. “The policeman stopped the commercial motorcyclist who was carrying the traders and ordered them to disembark. “The women ordered the motorcyclist to disregard the order. “At this point, the police officer removed the ignition key and called for the assistance of his colleagues in apprehending the motorcyclist. “In the process, the women pounced on the policeman and slapped him,” He said. Eze said the offences contravened Sections 172 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The traders entered a plea of innocence and were granted bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.
Fashion Industry Needs Fund - Operator LAGOS-Mr Tunde Afolabi, Managing Director, Create Your World Agency, an entertainment and fashion firm, has said that high interest rate was retarding the growth of the fashion industry. Afolabi told newsmen in Lagos that investors were being discouraged by high interest rate from commercial and microfinance banks. He said that the industry needed funds to boost contributions to Nigeria’s economy, and appealed to the Federal Government to provide
financial assistance for the industry. “ Funds are the major challenge we are facing in the industry,“ Afolabi told newsmen. The operator said that development of the industry would result in more employment opportunities. He said that Create Your World Agency had trained many youths in shoe making, photography, modelling, beads making and fashion designing. Afolabi said that governments would be generating huge revenue from the fashion industry, if well developed.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Lagos Technology Critical To Health blueprint for a private sectorled e-Health in Nigeria. Delivery - WAH Alabi said that international
L-R: Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Akin Oshibogun; Director, Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Patience Osinubi; Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and Registrar, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Prof. Anthony Emeribe, at the inauguration of Public Health In-Vitro Diagnostics Control laboratory in Lagos recently.
LAGOS- Dr Wale Alabi, the Chief Executive Officer of West African Health (WAH), has said that technology was critical to the improvement of healthcare delivery in the country. Alabi, in a statement issued in Lagos, said that the use of Information Communications Technology facilities could accelerate healthcare delivery. He said that in the bid to realise this objective, WAH would hold the first Nigeria e-Health Summit in Lagos from Sept. 10 to Sept.12. Alabi said the 2013 WAH conference and exhibition would be opened by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. “The summit will be used by participants to brainstorm
Public Health InVitro Diagnostics Control laboratory inaugurated by Minister of Health, Prof. O n y e b u c h i Chukwu in Lagos recently.
and strategise on how to develop and invest in this sector,” he said. Alabi said one of the objectives of the summit was to improve the understanding of current e-Health ecosystem in healthcare in Nigeria from government and private sector perspectives. The WAH official said that the summit would identify key opportunities and constraints in leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery in the country. He said that delegates at the event would come up with a
and local experts in health and technology were expected to deliberate at the summit. According to Alabi, the forum will hopefully come out with strategic framework to change the way hospitals and health systems were being governed and administered. He said that the expo and conference would be an annual medical fraternity aimed at resolving some of Nigerian and West African health challenges.
LAGOS - An Economist and Politician, Prof. Pat Utomi, has urged operators of fast foods outlets to upgrade their status by exporting Nigerian cuisine. Utomi, who made the call at the inauguration of the Association of Fast Food Confectioners of Nigeria (AFFCON) in Lagos, said that a thriving fast food business had the potential to propel Nigerian economy. He spoke on: The Role of Fast Food Business in the Global Economy. According to Utomi, fast food entrepreneurs in Nigeria should emulate their Chinese counterparts by utilising the available opportunities for food export. “Food is basic and major nourishment that humans all over the world cannot do without. “The Chinese are making so much money from exporting their cuisine to various parts
of the world. “There is hardly anywhere you go in the world that you will not see a Chinese restaurant. “Fast food entrepreneurs in Nigeria should not focus on competing with one another, but they should also cooperate to achieve what the Chinese are doing,” he said. Utomi said that a thriving fast food industry would guarantee a boom in governments’ revenue through the payment of taxes. He urged fast food operators to build a reliable, standard and competitive brand that would be recognised globally. Mr Tunji Bello, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, appealed to the operators to improve on their sanitary conditions. Bello charged them to specifically treat their water to prevent food poisoning and outbreak of diseases. “It is doubtful if many of our eateries have imbibed the culture of water treatment in their operations. “Many rely on bore-hole water to prepare food. This in turn creates health problems for the consumers. “Eateries should properly sanitise their facilities and utensils to avoid food poisoning,” he said.
Utomi Urges Fast Food Operators To Export Nigerian Cuisine
Closed Warehouse To Enhance Service Delivery
IKEJA-The temporary closure of the Customs bonded warehouse at the NAHCO complex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, will help sanitise it and enhance prompt clearance of cargoes when reopened, says NAHCO official. Mr Adesanya Onayoade, Head, Corporate Communications, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nahco aviance) said this in a statement made available to aviation correspondents. He said that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) closed the warehouse so that it could sanitise it. Nahco aviance is one of the ground handling companies with the responsibility of clearing of goods and cargoes meant for export and import at the airports. The exercise on completion would ultimately improve service delivery and block all revenue leakage, the statement
explained. Onayoade said that the management of NAHCO was consulting with stakeholders on how to cushion the effect of the closure. He advised those without any genuine business, including those that used to engage in touting around the
closed warehouse, to keep off. He said that only licensed customs agents, with access cards, would be allowed in the warehouse. He said NAHCO would give all accredited government agencies adequate support to ensure security and safety of their lives and property, after
Woman Docked For Biting Landlady’s Finger LAGOS - A lady, Blessing Sunday, 22, was arraigned before an Ojokoro Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly biting and cutting off her landlady’s finger. The accused, who lives at 10, Messiah St., Meiran, Lagos, is being charged with assault. The Prosecutor, Insp. Ahonle Luggard, told the court that the offence was committed on Aug. 29 at Messiah St., Meiran, Lagos. “Following argument between the accused and the landlady, Mrs Felicia Egwuh, over house
rent, the accused bite the landlady’s finger and cut it off. “The finger is in police custody as an exhibit,” revealed Luggard, adding that the offence commited, “contravened section 244 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.” The accused however pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200,000, with two surety in like sum, and adjourned the case to November 11.
the warehouse would have been reopened. According to him, men and officers of the Nigerian Customs Service would be given all support to ensure full compliance with cargo clearing process in the warehouse. “We assure all stakeholders
that by the time the warehouse is reopened, there will be seamless service delivery, and adequate security provided. “There will also be less crowd within the warehouse and there will be full compliance with payment of duties by licensed customs agents,” he assured.
Fraud: Estate Agent Docked LAGOS- An estate agent, Kehinde Awe, was brought before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly obtaining N160,000 from a soldier, Adeniji Adebayo, under false pretences. The accused, who resides at No. 19, Amodu St., Ilaje in Bariga area of the metropolis, is facing a twocount charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences. The Prosecution said Awe collected the money with a promise to provide Adebayo accommodation.
According to Insp. Peter Nwangwu, the accused committed the offences at Marda Military Barracks, Yaba, sometime in April. “The accused collected N160, 000 from Adeniji Adebayo to get accommodation for him at No.1 Adepeju St., Bariga. “He (Awe) disappeared after collecting the money and was later arrested on Aug. 21 and handed over to the police,” Nwangwu said. The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections
285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Reports stated that felons under the law may be sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. The accused, however, denied the charges. In her ruling, the Magistrate, Bola FolarinWilliam, granted the estate agent bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to October 9 for mention.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Across The Nation Nigeria’s Maternal Mortality Rate Down By 55 Percent By RICHARD EWEKA
OWERRI – The Country Director of IPAS Nigeria, Dr. Ejike Orji said Nigeria’s mortality rate has reduced with about 55 percent in recent times. Dr. Orji stated this at IPAS
Reproductive Health cluster meeting held in Owerri, Imo State. He said most states in Nigeria have taken the reproductive health of women seriously by providing the necessary facilities that have positively affected the health of
Consider Nigeria’s Structure In Addressing Its Problems - Expert By RICHARD EWEKA
OWERRI - The Country Director of IPAS Nigeria, Dr. Ejike Orji has called on Nigerian political leaders to take into consideration the social construct of the nation if the problem of the country must be resolved. He made the call while speaking to participant at the Reproductive Health cluster meeting for the South Zone held in Owerri, Imo state. Dr. Orji said the problems of Nigeria is not new, rather, it started gradually as the nation’s leaders ignored the social construct of the nation an action that has led to civil unrest and social strife. “Civil strife started from
South West with Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), militancy in Niger-Delta (South-South), Kidnapping in the South East by Bakassi boys, religious crisis in Plateau State (North Central) and now the biggest of them all, Boko Haram crisis in the larger part of the North”. Dr. Orji said, “we must all contribute as a nation and join our hands to change the social construct of this nation rather than thinking that our problems are centered on religion. “All we need is committed, courageous, zealous and risk takers to change the social construct and save the nation from all the challenges she presently faces on a daily bases”.
women, thereby reducing the maternal mortality and child mortality rate in the Country. Using Lagos as case study, IPAS Country Director said a provision of 24 hour services have been provided at Public Health Center (PHC) and other facilities across the state. “Monitoring the activities of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA), collaboration between the general practitioners, improved ambulance service, availability of Medical equipment, including Manual Vaccum Aspirator (MVA) and increased funding towards health care”, he identified as some of the services.
Expert Ranks Nigeria High On Implementation ABUJA - A Kaduna-based Of Environmental Agreements environmental legal consultant, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, has ranked Nigeria high in the implementation of environmental multilateral agreements signed by the country. Mutfwang told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that
APC Chieftain Attributes Economy Crisis MAKURDI - Mr Joseph To Weak Federalism Boko, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue, said that the inherent structural defects of the country’s federal structure were responsible for its economic problems. Boko, a former National Secretary of CNPP, told newsmen in Makurdi that the political defects were obstructing its economic growth. He said that the country’s revenue generation and distribution systems were encouraging corruption to the detriment of economic growth. Boko said that it was easy for public officers overseeing
exploitation of mineral deposits in an area to convert such opportunities to personal gains. he also said that the centralisation of the security apparatus under the federal structure was another weakness of the system. The stalwart said that vandals of pipelines and other essential economic organs of government were taking advantage of governments’ poor management of its security system to perpetrate their crimes. He said such actions were undermining national security with negative consequences on the economy.
Properties destroyed by flood at Angwan Akpata in Jos weekend.
According to him, the insecurity in the country is affecting inflow of foreign investments, stressing that “no economy grows without foreign investments”. Boko said these defects had resulted in sharp fall of the Gross Domestic Product and which had also affected the per capita income of the people. He also identified intra-party wranglings as upsetting the system, assuring that the APC would address these challenges if given the mandate in 2015. He said the party would use holistic approach to revive the economy.
House destroyed by flood at Angwan Akpata in Jos weekend.
Nigeria had achieved a lot in the process of implementing those agreements. Nigeria has so far ratified 12 of the 14 international environmental conventions, protocols and treaties. He said that Nigeria had made appreciable progress in implementing the Basel Convention, Stockholm Convention, Montreal Protocol and Rotterdam Convention, among others. Basel Convention deals with trans-boundary movement and disposal of toxic and hazardous waste while Stockholm Convention is on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) with Rotterdam Convention talking about promotion of shared responsibilities in relation to the importation of hazardous chemicals. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer through the phasing out of the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for the layer ozone depletion. The consultant said that Nigeria had achieved a lot in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol through the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). “ I do know that many factories were given incentives to change their gas filling processes and also UNIDO was able to give them incentives to fully implement that programme. “You also remember the Federal Government banned
the importation of secondhand fridges and air conditioners and people did not understand that they were buying poison. “All they felt was that the policy was against the poor man but it was actually to save the poor man in the long run, because he was buying something that could kill him. “ So, I think most of those fridges that brought in poisonous gases, ozone depleting gases have stop coming into the country, but I don’t have the statistics to confirm that but I think a lot of progress has been made,’’ he said. He said that stakeholders had held series of meetings to come up with strategies to implement the Rotterdam Convention on hazardous chemicals. Mufwang said that Nigeria hosts a research centre on Basel Convention in Africa located in Ibadan, and aimed at fast-tracking the implementation of the convention in the region. He said a lot of research had been going on, on how to recycle waste in the centre, noting that a research was ongoing on how to recycle batteries as well. On Stockholm Convention which deals with chemicals that had been banned, he said, that Nigeria had improved its information system following the implementation of that convention. “We have been able to upgrade our information profile to that level when we
know that at the international level, these chemicals have been banned, so our own officials are also well informed. “ A cross cutting committee is in place that deals with different agencies of government, so from time to time, they are able to give you a list of chemicals that should not be imported, chemicals that would be imported under certain conditions and so on. “ So to that extent, I think we are making tremendous progress in implementing most of the multilateral agreements,’’ he said. The expert, however, urged NGOs to increase their advocacy on environmental challenges problems. He noted that NGOs had a very critical role to play in the environment sector in the area of creating awareness on the dangers of environmental problems. “I must give credit to a lot of NGOs that we have in the sector; a lot of them have also been in the forefront trying to access information in the global arena that impact on Nigeria. “For example, there is an NGO called Crop Life — they have been able to do a lot of research into the issues of fertiliser and how it affects plant, environment and health. “We have a lot of them that are doing very well and they can still do more, if there is a deliberate policy by the government to ensure collaboration with those NGOs,’’ he said.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Abuja Dangote Refinery To Employ 8000 Engineers, of banks for the 85,000 Others consortium project.
Education, Crucial To Transformation Agenda - First Lady
ABUJA- First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has said that education was crucial for the actualisation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda. The first lady said this at the inauguration of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) College at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Barrack in Abuja. According to her, education is the means by which any society can develop, noting that the Universal Basic Education remains one of the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). “The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) remains an important target that Nigeria has to reach by 2015. “Noble projects, such as the one we are means inaugurating today, are which well meaning organisations can help to move Nigeria in the right direction of the MDGs goals. “I therefore call on other well meaning Nigerians to borrow a leaf from this project by contributing to the development of education in their communities. “An investment in education is an investment in our children and the future of our nation,’’ she said. Jonathan advised parents to ensure that their children attend school regularly, so that they could be good leaders of tomorrow. She said that for learning to be effective there was the need for the environment to be conducive adding that by the achievement NAOWA was adding value to the community. The First Lady said NAOWA, through the project, was also effectively contributing to government effort of providing good and quality education for Nigeria children. “I particularly note your initiative and interest in the girlchild in acknowledging the saying that when you educate a girl, you educate a nation. “Therefore, I will appeal to NAOWA to ensure that the good work you have started today is accomplished,’’ Jonathan added. On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, said the college was established by NAOWA to provide quality education in a serene and conducive atmosphere. Ihejirika said education was considered as fundamentally important to addressing the critical global challenges facing the nation today. “It is a tool for empowerment and emancipation, indeed studies over the years had shown that there is strong link between poverty and illiteracy. “This, therefore, underscores the importance which the present administration attaches to education and explains the reason why it constitutes a major aspect of the President’s Transformation Agenda. “The Nigerian Army will continue to support the Federal Government education initiatives through investment in primary and tertiary institutions,’’ he said. Earlier, Mrs Nnenna Ihejirika,
L-R: Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodimma; Nigerian High Commissioner to Kenya, Amb. Akin Oyateru; President Goodluck Jonathan and First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, during a meeting with the Nigerian community in Kenya recently.
ABUJA- The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said about 8,000 engineers would be needed for the smooth take off of the ninebillion- dollar Dangote Refinery/Fertiliser plant in Ondo. Dangote told State House correspondents in Abuja that the project, when completed, would provide direct and indirect jobs for 85,000 Nigerians. He said the group had secured a 3.3 billion-dollar credit facility from a
Members of the Nigerian community in Kenya during their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan recently.
Family Pilgrimage: ABUJA- Three hundred Nigerians who participated in the maiden family pilgrimage to Israel returned to the country on Wednesday. Some of the pilgrims told newsmen on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, that the pilgrimage was a rewarding experience. The pilgrims said the journey to Israel with members of their families was one that should interest every Christian family. It would be recalled that about 300 pilgrims comprising couples and children left the country for Israel on August 28. Mr Paul Nwachukwu, a pilgrim from Anambra, said the exercise could impact positively on the moral transformation of the society. He said the exercise afforded many families the opportunity to pray together for up to a week, noting that the journey could be the beginning of good things in many families. Nwachukwu, who highlighted some of the benefits he derived from the exercise, said most of the pilgrims had learnt some new things about either their spouses or children. “It is a journey of experiencing the Bible and it will bring about great transformation in families that are privileged to make the journey. “I will advise those who have the resources to try and make it with their families. “I believe that it will impact positively on the society because for the first time, some men have
stayed and prayed with their families for complete seven days,” he said. He thanked the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission for introducing a new dimension to holy pilgrimage. Rev. Joseph Ndefo, a pilgrim from the FCT, described his experience in the holy land with his wife, Anne , as ‘wonderful and glorious’. Ndefo, who said he renewed his relationship with his wife, and urged other men to take
According to him, importation of petroleum products will end by 2016 as the plant will commence production in the next three years. He said his plan was to make the country self-reliant in petrochemical and petroleum products, as well as make it an industrial giant. ‘Now, Nigeria is going to be taken out of the list of countries that import petroleum products. We will produce 20 million metric tonnes which is equivalent to what Nigeria consumes currently. “Today, we did the signing ceremony, the vice-president came to witness the signing but we insisted on coming to thank Mr president for his policies . “Without good government policies, there is no way the private sector can invest in Nigeria, because we are not Father Christmas at all. The policies have to be right,’’ he said. According to Dangote, Nigeria currently spends about 30 billion dollars annually on importation of petroleum products. He said the complex planned by his group would make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products, including diesel and aviation fuel, as well as poly-propylene and fertiliser.
300 Return From Israel
their wives and children and, even parents, on pilgrimage to the holy land. Mrs Angela Jenda, a pilgrim from the FCT, described her experience in the holy land with her two sons, Samson and Jones, as amazing. She said that although, her husband could not make the trip, she would advise every Christian family to give it a trial. She urged the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN to encourage every Christian
family to experience the journey to the Holy Land. The pilgrim said it was capable of transforming an entire society. Jenda urged wealthy Nigerians to sponsor more families as part of their contribution to moral rebirth of the society and the nation at large. She promised to relate her experience to other families who were not privileged to embark on the journey to Israel. The Executive Secretary of
NCPC, Mr John-Kennedy Opara, who was on ground to receive the returning pilgrims, thanked them for their conduct while in the holy land. He said the exercise was already a success as nobody absconded from Israel, adding that the commission would expand the scope of the family pilgrimage. Report say that about 200 families were expected to participate in the inaugural edition of the family pilgrimage.
with programmes that would encourage farmers who are new in the fruit business. . In his contribution, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Bukar Tijani, said that the Federal Government had provided intervention funds for the development of agriculture through some relevant and
patient and persevere in their bid to access the funds. In her contribution, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, said that the Federal Government is constructing Cargo Terminals in some states for easy transportation of agricultural produce.
Experts Canvass Fruits Production, authorised banks. Processing He urged farmers to be
ABUJA- Some experts in the fruit industry have urged Nigerian farmers to take the opportunities of fruit production and processing to create wealth and add value to the nation’s economy. They gave the advice in Abuja at the ongoing 19th Nigerian Economic Summit, while contributing to discussion of the topic “The Horticulture and Floriculture Industry: New Growth Frontiers for Nigeria”. In his contribution, the Chief Executive Officer, Food and Beverages, Exporting Trading Group, Mr Saanjay Sethi, described fruit production as a ‘viable’ business. He urged the government to establish more processing factories in the country. He also urged the
government to provide processing factories with infrastructure such power, as well as enabling environment for effective operation. Mr Pete Veal from Africa Ventures Team urged the federal and state governments to allocate land for plantation. He also harped on the need for the government to come up
Car Theft: ABUJA- An upper Area Court, sitting in Karu in the FCT has ordered the remand of one Murtala Jibril in prison for alleged stealing. The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Adam Peter, told the court that the matter was reported at the Garki Police Station by one Ifeanyi Igwe of Durumi, Abuja on June 17. Peter said that the
Man Remanded
complainant told the police that the accused stole his car with registration numberer, EF 215 LND from where it was parked. The prosecutor told the court that during police investigation, the accused admitted to have conspired with two men whose names were given as Ahmed and Umar Danjuma, (now at large)
to steal the car. The offence, he said contravened Sections 97 and 287 of the Penal Code. The accused, however, pleaded guilty to the charges against him. The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko adjourned the case to September 10 for ruling.
THE NIGERIAN
10
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Business + Economy FIRS Urges Tribunal To Join Customs In Tax Dispute ABUJA - The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has urged the Tax Appeal Tribunal to join the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) as defendants in the N3.5 million tax dispute with Orchid Nigeria Ltd. Orchid, an Abuja-based company, had sued the NCS and the FIRS at the tribunal sitting in Abuja over nonrefund of N3.5 million Value Added Tax (VAT). It alleged that the NCS and FIRS erroneously charged VAT on the Advance Simulator Systems imported for the training of students at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom. Counsel to Orchid, Mr Obi Nwakor, said that under the first schedule of the VAT Law of 2007 (as amended), books and educational materials were exempted from VAT. The FIRS, in a motion filed by its counsel, Mr Bright Igbinosa, sought the court’s order for the NCS board to be joined as a party in the suit. Igbinosa said that “the interest of the case would not
be reached, if NCS Board is not joined as a party in this appeal”. The counsel further stated that “the interest of the respondent will be hugely prejudiced if NCS board, being the body that issued the disputed assessment, is not made a party in this case”. He noted that “the NCS was initially in the matter before its name was struck out on procedural ground; and that NSC board had also filed its defence in the matter”. The parties had agreed on an out-of-court settlement before the NCS, at the last adjournment rescinded its decision, sought and granted a relief to be struck out of the case on procedural grounds. Consequently, the Acting Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr Nnamdi Ibegbu, adjourned the case but did not fix a date for ruling. Ibegbu said that hearing notices would be issued to all parties informing them on the date the tribunal would be fixed.
L-R: Commissioner of Police, Plateau State, Mr. Chris Olakpe; Assistant Commissioner of Police, CID Jos, Mr. Haruna Garba and Area Commander, Metro Jos, Mr. Charles Ezeala at the Security Stakeholders meeting in Jos weekend.
NIMASA Reasssures Indigenous Ship Owners Of Protection Cabotage Act:
LAGOS - The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reassured
Cross section of participants at the Security Stakeholders meeting in Jos weekend.
indigenous operators in the maritime sector of protection under the Cabotage Act. In a statement in Lagos, NIMASSA DG, Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi, was quoted as saying that the indigenous operators should call on the agency whenever they were in difficulty. Akpobolokemi said that the agency recently inaugurated two 45,000 metric-tonne sea going vessels tagged: MT Abiola and MT Igbinosa. According to him, the vessels belong to Ocean Marine Tankers Ltd. Warri in Delta. He said that the inauguration was to enable the indigenous operators
FG To Establish Agro-Business In Universities
ABUJA - The Federal Government has said it would establish agro-business centres in the country’s universities to help produce world class agrobusiness students. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the 19th Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja. The theme of the summit was “Growing Agriculture as a Business to Diversify Nigeria’s Economy’’. He said that the government is making effort to change universities curriculum to help grow skills of young graduates who study agriculture courses. “What we are going to do is that we are going to actually change the curriculum of the university, make it practical and
more relevant because it is not only theory, agriculture is practical. “One thing we are going to do is to bring down the division between the school of business administration and faculties of agriculture. “We are going to set up centres of agric-businesses in our universities so that people can learn skills, not just farming or agricultural skills but refining skills, business management skills, legal skills. “Producing a total person that can be a world class agrobusiness person. We are also going to use a little bit of media, that is the Nollywood, to brand the sector,’’ he said.
According to him, these efforts will help to make agriculture an exciting venture to embark on. He said that government score card in the agriculture sector would be made public to enhance people’s understanding and promote transparency. He commended the effort of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group for focusing the summit on agriculture to complement government’s effort. He said that government’s focus on agriculture was in the national interest, adding that Nigeria has no business importing food. Also, the Minister of
National Planning, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, expressed optimism that the agricultural transformation agenda of the government and the commitment to infrastructure development would propel Nigeria to be among the largest economies of the world by 2020. He urged Nigerians to believe in the country, and commended the passion of the minister of agriculture in ensuring that the agenda worked. He said that poor infrastructure had been identified as one of the major challenges affecting the agriculture sector, and disclosed that a National Infrastructure Master Plan would soon be sent to the Federal
meet the objective of the 2003 Cabotage Act. Akpobolokemi said that the essence of the Act was to raise the role indigenous operators in the maritime sector. “It is pertinent for more Nigerians to invest in the ownership of the ocean going vessels since the monopoly enjoyed by
foreign-flagged vessels in the freight of Nigerian crude had been broken,’’ he said. He commended the owners of the vessels for investing in the Nigerian Maritime sector. NIMASSA also lauded the efforts of the current administration for breaking the monopoly enjoyed by foreign-flagged vessels.
Group Urges FG To Build Agric Workers Capacity ABUJA - The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has urged the Federal Government to train staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies to understand and implement the Agriculture Transformation Agenda. The NESG Director-General, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr, gave the advice when he presented the summit’s recommendations at the end of the 19th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. Nweke also urged the National Assembly to provide legislative backing for the key components of the agenda. He stressed the need to set up a monitoring and evaluation process to measure the progress of the agenda. The director-general also called on the states and Federal Governments to diversify Nigeria’s economy by allowing agriculture to take the number one position. He called for the encouragement of young entrepreneur farmers in order to achieve the nation’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda. Nweke stressed the need for the state and Federal Government to provide
effective road and rail networks, connecting rural farmers and farms to the markets. He said the air and sea port infrastructure should be upgraded to support agroexport, and that access of rural farmers to electricity infrastructure should be improved. “It is imperative to encourage access to funding from banks through women cooperatives and improve access to agricultural land by smallholders, especially women and youths. “There is need for fiscal incentives to encourage private sector research and development institutions as well as the development of climate index for farm insurance purposes,’’ he said.
Dr. Adewunmi Adesina
THE NIGERIAN
11
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT FRIDAY(0609/13) Stocks
Open
Close
Change
Deals
Units
Value
LIVESTOCK
4.18
4.18
0
25
841,534
7UP
72
72
0
10
4,512
294,832.05
MANSARD
2.14
2.1
-0.04
16
1,944,000
4,110,368.20
2.29
2.3
0.01
19
204,296
464,308.00
0.5
0.5
0
1
9,975
4,987.50
ABCTRANS
0.82
0.78
-0.04
13
507,000
408,410.00
MAYBAKER
ACADEMY
1.9
1.9
0
1
32,000
56,000.00
MBENEFIT
3,502,774.89
ACCESS
10.4
10.38
-0.02
182
8,350,365
86,994,712.23
MOBIL
112
112
0
19
10,018
1,071,257.84
AFRINSURE
0.5
0.5
0
1
1,000
500
MRS
36.14
36.14
0
5
2,641
85,911.73
AFRIPRUD
1.84
2
0.16
62
4,630,867
9,199,916.20
MULTITREX
0.63
0.63
0
1
500
315
AFRPAINTS
2.86
2.86
0
2
2,500
6,450.00
MULTIVERSE
0.5
0.5
0
2
2,000
1,000.00
AGLEVENT
1.55
1.55
0
2
7,000
10,850.00
NAHCO
6.26
6.23
-0.03
28
470,232
2,931,253.35
AIICO
0.8
0.8
0
63
4,840,054
3,892,613.19
NASCON
11.3
11.41
0.11
35
514,505
5,845,390.97
164
163.99
-0.01
123
1,965,950
322,501,949.10
1.14
1.14
0
8
72,870
84,629.17
AIRSERVICE
3.4
3.35
-0.05
16
429,083
1,432,613.05
NB
ARBICO
5.05
5.05
0
1
18,000
82,080.00
NEIMETH
ASHAKACEM
21
21
0
26
55,266
1,139,666.23
NEM
0.7
0.7
0
20
1,520,700
1,070,100.00
935
934.1
-0.9
49
85,684
79,918,195.68
AVONCROWN
1.71
1.71
0
3
1,020
1,570.80
NESTLE
BERGER
8.7
8.7
0
5
4,571
38,602.10
NPFMCRFBK
0.72
0.72
0
1
100
79
BETAGLAS
11.87
11.87
0
2
1,000
12,772.00
OANDO
11.61
11.65
0.04
184
2,156,529
25,097,716.57
BOCGAS
6.5
6.5
0
3
12,500
73,675.00
OKOMUOIL
46
46.11
0.11
35
244,488
11,263,035.93
CADBURY
49.06
49
-0.06
61
857,360
41,956,129.11
PAINTCOM
2.13
2.13
0
13
736,256
1,571,437.28
1.85
1.85
0
1
250
505
4.51
4.51
0
2
10,100
45,580.00
CAP
43.68
43.4
-0.28
6
1,014,550
44,009,457.50
PHARMDEKO
CCNN
8.62
8.63
0.01
15
447,615
3,872,768.37
PORTPAINT
CHAMPION
15.33
15.33
0
7
30,940
436,303.00
PRESCO
37
37
0
26
158,942
5,853,188.50
0.52
0.57
0.05
8
147,087
81,823.71
42.3
42.3
0
45
269,769
11,318,577.52
CHELLARAM
4.41
4.41
0
1
1,000
3,970.00
PRESTIGE
CONOIL
28.8
28.8
0
18
22,213
607,022.60
PZ
CONTINSURE
1.22
1.32
0.1
16
2,705,129
3,379,567.38
REDSTAREX
4
4
0
13
710,000
2,840,154.80
CORNERST
0.5
0.5
0
4
534,000
267,000.00
ROADS
8.46
8.46
0
2
5,800
53,940.00
COSTAIN
1.21
1.22
0.01
22
735,361
907,561.22
ROYALEX
0.55
0.56
0.01
8
3,637,112
2,002,311.60
1.38
1.4
0.02
11
256,934
355,453.58 4,164,428.72
COURTVILLE
0.64
0.64
0
18
448,450
290,097.30
RTBRISCOE
CUSTODYINS
1.51
1.5
-0.01
22
2,255,748
3,413,567.33
SKYEBANK
4.2
4.2
0
47
986,808
CUTIX
1.75
1.9
0.15
9
123,652
233,367.88
SKYESHELT
100
100
0
1
1,000
100,000.00
DAARCOMM
0.5
0.5
0
1
1,000
500
SOVRENINS
0.5
0.5
0
1
4,500
2,250.00
DANGCEM
194
193
-1
29
493,249
95,459,156.42
STANBIC
18.04
17.72
-0.32
27
248,934
4,422,246.06
DANGFLOUR
9.01
9.01
0
40
145,300
1,309,636.64
STDINSURE
0.5
0.5
0
5
5,700
2,850.00
DANGSUGAR
10.6
10.49
-0.11
76
2,258,810
23,785,006.77
STERLNBANK
2.42
2.4
-0.02
33
1,653,511
4,009,483.36
DIAMONDBNK
6.28
6.4
0.12
85
10,730,429
68,676,958.72
STUDPRESS
2.52
2.52
0
1
100
227
0.73
0.73
0
3
86,113
68,745.71
157.9
0
13
13,278
2,057,832.54
DNMEYER
1.88
1.88
0
10
141,899
267,568.12
THOMASWY
DUNLOP
0.5
0.5
0
1
1,000
500
TOTAL
157.9
EKOCORP
4.32
4.32
0
1
100
389
TRANSCORP
1.4
1.46
0.06
180
58,797,355
85,772,837.05
ETERNA
3
2.99
-0.01
20
440,730
1,315,971.70
TRANSEXPR
1
1.09
0.09
17
652,750
666,047.00
ETI
14.26
14.1
-0.16
148
9,268,869
130,815,873.31
TRIPPLEG
2.29
2.29
0
1
800
1,656.00
EVANSMED
3.44
3.44
0
14
822,590
2,623,495.00
UAC-PROP
16.18
16.18
0
8
91,500
1,404,825.00
FBNH
15.3
15.6
0.3
500
19,866,928
305,943,952.19
UACN
56
56
0
53
1,021,866
57,118,041.09
FCMB
3.99
3.98
-0.01
64
1,380,266
5,485,277.23
UBA
7.5
7.45
-0.05
202
12,294,824
92,135,104.08
1.32
1.32
0
56
3,053,443
4,021,138.12
10.99
10.66
-0.33
60
410,200
4,404,368.11
FIDELITYBK
2.75
2.7
-0.05
107
11,006,244
29,872,897.91
UBCAP
FIDSON
2
2.02
0.02
17
474,627
960,440.54
UBN
FLOURMILL
83.78
83.78
0
52
135,510
11,316,590.16
UNILEVER
60
59
-1
36
635,601
37,394,355.63
0.5
0.5
0
2
50,500
25,250.00
0.51
0.52
0.01
45
6,787,525
3,518,020.00
FO
35.7
35.7
0
26
93,422
3,328,243.91
UNIONDAC
FORTISMFB
6.6
6.6
0
2
4,100
27,039.00
UNITYBNK
FTNCOCOA
0.5
0.5
0
1
200
100
UNIVINSURE
0.5
0.5
0
3
3,066,000
1,533,000.00
GLAXOSMITH
65.3
64
-1.3
33
2,110,235
137,045,290.00
UPL
3.95
4
0.05
2
70,000
281,000.00
GNI
0.5
0.5
0
1
500,000
250,000.00
UTC
0.65
0.65
0
4
67,000
46,420.00
4.41
4.41
0
24
199,650
800,100.60
1.27
1.39
0.12
4
250,000
347,500.00
GUARANTY
24.85
24.89
0.04
257
11,333,560
281,626,610.83
VITAFOAM
GUINNESS
247
247
0
52
410,633
101,381,753.90
VONO
HONYFLOUR
3.07
3.1
0.03
36
434,560
1,348,669.90
WAPCO
92.5
92
-0.5
50
3,761,388
346,079,013.00
IHS
2.56
2.8
0.24
9
600,200
1,679,662.00
WAPIC
1.04
0.94
-0.1
18
1,547,257
1,501,623.57
IKEJAHOTEL
0.82
0.74
-0.08
3
104,752
78,516.48
WEMABANK
1.01
1.04
0.03
49
6,153,559
6,329,803.75
ZENITHBANK
19.61
19.5
-0.11
210
12,589,329
246,584,338.63
Gain
Stock
Close
Loss
3.2 0.42 0.3 0.24 0.16 0.15 0.12 0.12 0.11 0.11
GLAXOSMITH DANGCEM UNILEVER NESTLE WAPCO UBN STANBIC CAP ETI DANGSUGAR
64 193 59 934.1 92 10.66 17.72 43.4 14.1 10.49
-1.3 -1 -1 -0.9 -0.5 -0.33 -0.32 -0.28 -0.16 -0.11
INTBREW
21.49
21.49
0
45
489,875
10,117,687.30
INTENEGINS
0.92
0.83
-0.09
19
1,663,438
1,388,639.10
IPWA
0.75
0.82
0.07
5
247,700
188,744.00
JAPAULOIL
0.5
0.5
0
28
769,137
384,568.50
JBERGER
71.5
74.7
3.2
8
107,708
7,895,110.01
JOHNHOLT
1.26
1.26
0
3
9,296
10,690.40
JOSBREW
4.27
4.69
0.42
129
2,891,796
12,704,381.05
LEARNAFRCA
1.65
1.65
0
1
6,090
10,048.50
LINKASSURE
0.5
0.5
0
1
2,000
1,000.00
TOP 10 GAINERS Stock JBERGER JOSBREW FBNH IHS AFRIPRUD CUTIX DIAMONDBNK VONO NASCON OKOMUOIL
Close 74.7 4.69 15.6 2.8 2 1.9 6.4 1.39 11.41 46.11
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS
THE NIGERIAN
12
THE Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has voted in favour of the removal of the National Minimum wage from the “Exclusive List to the Concurrent List� in the ongoing constitution review. THE Trade Union Congress in a swift reaction on Tuesday called on the Senators to reconsider their position on the deregulation of the minimum wage. The Union’s President, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama said the decentralisation of the National Minimum wage Law showed clearly that the upper legislative arm was acting contrary to the will of the Nigerian people. WE are tempted to share same sentiments with the Trade Union Congress given the unpopular amendments the Senate has embarked upon since it commenced voting on the recommendations of the Ike Ekweremadu-led Committee reports on constitution review. From the obnoxious 6 year single tenure, to the Child Marriage and now moving National Minimum wage out of the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List. WE believe that there are more important constitutional changes Nigerians have been clamouring for to be reflected in the grand norm which the Senate who ordinarily should be the representatives of the people are shying away from in utter preference for their personal issues and those of their political
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 THE NIGERIAN
Minimum Wage:
Senate Wrong On Constitutional Ammendment godfathers. Some of the important issues Nigerians want to see in their constitution include but are not limited to the followings: true fiscal federalism or resource control, in the alternative, return to regional government as provided for in the 1963 Constitution, devolution of powers to federating states, Local Government Autonomy, removal of immunity clause particularly with criminal dimension to immunity among others. RATHER than give Nigerians a peoplecentred constitution, we are worried that the Senate is currently chasing shadows and wallowing in self-glorification and perpetuation. This is condemnable because, it is only sheepish for a Senator to vote for Child Marriage only to burst into tears when confronted by his constituents. It goes to show that many of the Senators are not voting according to the wishes of their constituencies. This explains the untoward voyage into the deregulation of minimum wage by the Senators. IT is our contention, therefore, that if the
Federal Government should legislate for federal workers and the state government legislates for the state workers, which assembly have the Senators put in place in the same constitution to legislate for the private sector and other none state actors? CREATING two regimes of minimum wage and excluding the private sector in the fixing of wages in the country, offers private operators a blank cheque to exploit Nigerians in their employ. We expect Senators to have this understanding more than any other Nigerian, hence our utter disappointment and we call on the distinguished senators to rescind their stand. IT is for this reason, we want to urge the House of Representatives which has been very progressive in its legislations and resolution since inception of the seventh National Assembly to vote against this obnoxious decision of the senators. WE urge the Committee on harmonization of both houses positions to throw out this vexations provisions from our statute book when they eventually commence sitting on constitution review. In the same token, we call on all State Houses Assembly to reject the proposal if it comes their way. FINALLY, we urge organised Labour as represented by the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress to rise to the occasion and resist this anti-labour move of the senators.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Continued from last week There are some risks, such as
THESE cycles of abuse do not prove that every sending nation that rises in significance will inevitably
the possibility that a country may close or a particular child die in care, that are intrinsic to intercountry adoption and generally beyond the control
Law result, according to the CRC, States Parties are obligated to “[t]ake 2 all appropriate measures to ensure that, in inter-country adoption, the placement does not result in
shall take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent the abduction of, the sale of or traffic in children for any purpose or in any form”.5
improper financial gain for those involved in it”. The
Article 29(a) of the ACRWC entrenches similar
three objectives of the treaty is to prevent illicit activities,
counterpart provision of the ACRWC3 is more elaborate in that it explicitly mentions “trafficking”: States Parties shall take “…all appropriate measures to ensure that in inter-country adoption, the placement does not result in trafficking or improper financial gain for those who try to adopt a child” (emphasis mine).4 Articles 32 - 34 of the CRC cover the specific forms of exploitation of children, such as, economic exploitative use of children (in particular child labour), illicit use of narcotic drugs, and the use of children for prostitution and pornography.12 What Article 35 of the CRC heralds in is “a double protection for children”, as it requires blanket action on the abduction, sale or traffic of children.13 Article 35 stipulates that “States Parties
standards by stipulating that: States Parties to the present Charter shall take appropriate measures to prevent: (a) the abduction, the sale of, or traffick of children for any purpose or in any form, by any person including parents or legal guardians of the child;… The phrases “for any purpose” and “in any form” in both the CRC and the ACRWC include illegal adoptions. The explicit inclusion of the phrase “by any person including parents or legal guardians of the child” in the ACRWC echoes the understanding that, with the introduction of the CRC and the ACRWC, the notion of children as their parents’ property is contrary to children’s rights discourse. In the context of the Hague Convention, too, one of the
such as, child laundering. It is notable that the Hague Convention does not intend to prevent illicit activities directly. Rather, the assumption is that “the observance of the Convention’s rules will bring about the avoidance of such abuses”.The Hague Convention mirrors the view that the decision to place a child for adoption should not be “induced by payment or compensation of any kind”. Apart from the CRC, the ACRWC, and the Hague Convention, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC), and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and
With IKHUEBOR VIKRAM OSARUMEN
Incidences Of Child Buying, Stealing, Kidnapping, Trafficking Within Intercountry Adoption System suffer from corruption and child laundering. The longterm significance of South Korea has been accompanied by a relative lack of corruption and child laundering. However, for the nations, primarily quite poor, that are subject to difficulties with child laundering, the cycles of abuse tell a story. The story is one in which the rise of poor sending nations unfortunately seems to invite the unscrupulous into the adoption system. Western adoptive parents generally prefer to adopt healthy infants as quickly and as young as possible; adoption systems which meet these market demands are likely to attract Western business. As a sending nation begins to attract more interest in the adoption system, it becomes clear, within the sending nation, that there is a lot of money to be made for those who can speedily deliver “orphans” with the requisite characteristics. The proposed Hague regulations do not permit agencies to require “a blanket waiver of liability in connection with the provision of adoption services in Convention cases.”336 Interestingly, even a premier agency such as Holt, while claiming it does not include blanket waivers in its contracts, supports the capacity of agencies to waive liability for the most significant risks of intercountry adoption. Thus, it is “Holt’s current practice to advise its clients of the many risks inherent in international adoption and require clients to partner with Holt by accepting the known and identified risks.” Holt even argues that “absent an ability to require prospective adoptive parents to . . . voluntarily accept the known risks , agencies may be precluded from their critical mission of finding homes for children.” Holt’s public comments do not clearly identify the specific risks which adoptive parents should be required to waive.
of the agencies. On the other hand, it is unreasonable for agencies to waive the risk that the children they offer for adoption may be laundered children who were stolen or purchased from their birth parents. To the degree that Holt or other agencies would argue that child laundering is a “known” risk of intercountry adoption that must be voluntarily accepted by adoptive parents, they would be conceding this article’s argument that child laundering has become a serious problem within the intercountry adoption system. To the degree that agencies argue that child laundering is insignificant and rare, they should not be overly concerned with waiving liability as to such an event. THE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK (AFRICA) Since human rights issues are at the core of the current debate over intercountry adoption, the three instruments that make intercountry adoption a subject of international human rights law international children’s rights law are the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC),7 and the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Convention). These instruments cover issues such as adoptability, subsidiary, improper financial gains and so forth. In addition, these instruments mandate that intercountry adoption be undertaken only when it is in the best interests of the child. In fact, it is worth noting that adoption is the only sphere covered by the CRC where the best interests of the child are to be the primary consideration. 1 The CRC and the ACRWC recognize the potential risk intercountry adoption might pose for children’s best interests especially if it is not properly regulated. As a
Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (Palermo Protocol) are of direct application to issues pertaining to the sale, trafficking and abduction of children18 in the context of adoption. Articles 2 and 3 of the OPSC must be considered together. In Article 2, the OPSC defines the conduct prohibited in the Protocol, and Article 3 lists acts that, as a minimum, should be covered by the criminal laws of States Parties. Of direct relevance to this chapter in Article 2 of the OPSC is subarticle (a) which defines “Sale of children” to mean “any act or transaction whereby a child is transferred by any person or group of persons to another for remuneration or any other consideration”. Another directly relevant provision of the OPSC is Article 3(1)(a)(ii). It provides that: Each State Party shall ensure that, as a minimum, the following acts and activities are fully covered under its criminal or penal law, whether such offences are committed domestically or transnationally or on an individual or organized basis: (a) In the context of sale of children as defined in article 2: (ii) Improperly inducing consent, as an intermediary, for the adoption of a child in violation of applicable international legal instruments on adoption.
“Apart from the CRC, the ACRWC, and the Hague Convention, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC), and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (Palermo Protocol) are of direct application to issues pertaining to the sale, trafficking and abduction of children18 in the context of adoption.”
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
The Nation A Nation At The Mercy Of Vandals By INNOCENT OMOAKA
VANDALISM in recent time has been on the rise. There is no single week that passes without media reports of vandals suffocating the livelihood of the nation. These vandals like cankerworms attack and destroy the nation’s economic fabric, thereby threatening its social existence. Vandalism as a social vice is not only peculiar to the oil and gas sector, as the power sector is also threatened by this nefarious act. According to analysts, vandalism which is common to the oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy and popularly referred to oil bunkering, is as old as the discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State. The act is not only popular and thriving in the Niger Delta region where crude oil is been sourced but also in other states of the federation where oil installations and petroleum products pipeline run across. The activities of these vandals daily drain the economy of the country which is hundred per cent dependent on crude oil production. Figures made available by the Ministry of Finance, puts amount lost to activities of vandals in 2013 at over N300,000 billion per day resulting to over $12 billion lost annually by the Nigerian Government. Describing the effect of vandalism on the nation’s economy, the Executive Director of NNPC and PPMC, Gbenga, Komalafe, explained how the financial loss to pipeline vandals can help service the budget deficit of two states of the federation. This has led to the downsizing of budgetry allocations to state governments and in turn affecting the development of infrastructures. In addition, funds that could have been used in funding capital development are now expended on security operations to combat the social vice. To combat the activities of vandals, the Nigerian Military put up a Joint Task Force (JTF) to arrest their activities while other security operations like the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are mandated to secure the oil pipelines and installations alongside private security outfits and volunteer groups. Billions of naira go into funding the activities of these security operations, no thanks to the vandals. Take for instance, the multi-billion naira contracts awarded by the federal government to
selected former leaders of military groups to provide surveillance to the oil pipelines and installations. Human lives and properties worth billions of naira are also lost to this menace. Scenes of vandalism are common sight for explosions and fire which result to loss of thousands of lives and properties worth billions of naira. This alone has the capacity and tendency of affecting the human capital development of the country. According to statistics, in the past 30 years, over 20,000 Nigerians were killed while a sizeable number are been left handicapped as a result of sustaining various degrees of burn from the fire explosion at scenes of oil pipeline vandalization. Media repots indicated that worst pipeline explosion in the past have resulted to the death of over 2,000 persons in a single occurrence. In October, 1998, about 2,000 lives were recorded to have died in Jesse Community, Delta State after pipelines transporting crude oil from Warri to Kaduna were vandalized and massive rush was witnessed in siphoning petrol. Fire was ignited along the process and about 2,000 Nigerians perished siphoning petrol from vandalized oil pipelines. Another similar episode was the pipeline explosion in Abule Egba Community Lagos State killing over 2,000 persons. The explosion was also reported to have resulted after petrol pipelines were vandalized. The effects of vandalism is clearly evident also in environmental degradation. It has resulted in high pollution witnessed in areas where the acts are been carried out. Thousands of aquatic lives are destroyed with farmlands left badly damaged with spilled petroleum products from vandalized oil pipelines and installations. The Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and country chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu wonders how the federal government can realize a projected increase in oil production to about four (4) million barrels per day with vandalism on the increase. To realize such feat, it is expedient for realizable approach to be developed in the fight against these vandals. First, efforts should be intensified in arresting the menace. There are indications that the vandals are only field marshals of cabals who benefit heavily
from the illicit trade. So, one would only expect more intelligence gathering in arresting these individuals who sponsor such acts against the nation. According to Deputy Corps Commandant of Edo State Command of the NSCDC, ferdinard Esiegwu, the nefarious act is been encouraged by highly placed and influential individuals and business moguls in the society, who use their connections and influence in high places to effect the release of their Comrades, foot soldiers and relatives arrested for the illicit act. Esiegwu described these influential individuals to include persons in government both at the federal, state and local government and some members of security operatives charged with the responsibility to curb the menace. Another way to arrest the trend is to involve the communities where the activities of vandals occur and are common, in the fight against vandalism. Since most of these activities occurred in the communities, the people should be encouraged to support the fight through sensitization on the need to guard against vandalism. It is not enough to award contracts to locals in guarding and providing surveillance to oil pipelines and installations, efforts should be made to sensitize the locals that they have a stake in ensuring that crude oil pipelines and installations which also are their assets are protected from vandals. A better way of achieving that is by ensuring that revenue accrued to such communities are used in the social and infrastructural development of the communities. The government on its part should also muster political will in the fight against the menace. Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have advocated for accountability and transparency in the sector, which would include the implementations of recommendations of task forces on the challenges in the sector. Efforts should also be channeled towards diversifying the nation’s economy and moving away from the monolithic crude oil driven economy. Now that crude oil is seen as the all and all in the country, it would only sound logical for the agricultural and manufacturing sector of the economy to be developed to compete favourably with the oil and gas sector.
EDO STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT EDPA BUILDING, SAKPONBA ROAD, BENIN CITY
INVITATION TO SUBMIT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES AND TECHNICAL PARTNERSHIP The EDO STATE GOVERNMENT has concluded plans to renew the its urban centers and provide affordable housing units for all desiring citizens and residents of Edo State. The State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, on behalf of Edo State Government, therefore invites applications from reputable companies for Consultancy Services and Technical partnership. SCOPE OF WORK 1. Consultancy Services for the establishment of a Geographical Information System (GIS) 2. Consultancy Services for the Development of a Master Plan for the proposed “Benin City New Town”. 3. Technical Assistance for Public Private Partnership-PPPfor the development of Housing Estates and Commercial centers in various locations in Edo State. Details of scope of work are obtainable in the office of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, EDPA Building, Sakponba Road, Benin City REQUIREMENTS: 1. Evidence of registration as a contractor in appropriate category with the State Ministry of Works. 2. Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria. 3. 3 years tax clearance Certificate of Directors and the Company 4. Payment of non-refundable fees of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira only) in bank draft, payable to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. 5. Evidence of similar project executed, and the company profile 6. Evidence of Financial Viability. 7. Sworn affidavits to indicate that the company is not in receivership and none of its Directors was ever convicted of fraudulent activity SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Completed applications should be addressed and sent to the office of: The Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Housing and Urban Development EDPA Building, Sakponba Road, Benin City All applications must reach the above address not later than (6) six weeks from the date of publication. Signed: Francis Evboumwan For Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Success World Before You Start A Business BEFORE I begin this discourse, I want to credit this article to my friend, Tony Ajah, a business strategist, for his knowledge and expertise in dealing with small business owners. Without any doubt it’s the entrepreneur’s world. Statistics show that 74% of self-made millionaires in America are entrepreneurs: people who started and built their own businesses. This awareness is gradually getting here very rapidly. The question I keep asking myself is, “Do we have enough businesses yet? And the answer is a resounding NO. Entrepreneuring has just begun! However, we still have one major challenge. It is on record that over 80% of businesses fizzle out after the first few years. This statistics is very alarming. Why do many people start businesses and fail? They had great spirits at first, which gradually began to wane when realities hit them. The answer is this: Businesses are built on facts. Most blunders made by start-ups are those of assumptions, rather than facts. I have come to realise that the difference between a successful entrepreneur and an unsuccessful one is in what they know and do, and in how much value they place on the two. It’s funny though that a lot of people venture into business armed with nothing but their raw
ideas and they still expect to make it big. Ideas are not enough. Don’t stop at idea. What is takes to succeed is executing with the right knowledge. Nothing is as frustrating as having an idea that you don’t know how to express. I agree with Thomas Edison who opined that, “The value of a good idea is in using it.” But ideas are executed successfully when they are supported by quality structures and well thought out processes. Because no idea is better than the structure that supports it. The process by which an idea can be successfully executed can be accessed by authentic facts based on current business realities. Business mature in the same way that humans do, and if you don’t have what supports their growth and development, they die. Any business idea without a well thought out structure dies a natural death. A lot of Nigerians are victims of this bitter experience; they have put large chunks of money into ideas and came out with nothing. An entrepreneur increases his chances of surviving and thriving if he puts a strong system behind his idea. Robert Kiyosaki was right when he said, “It’s not the system that you know about that is the problem, it’s the system you are not aware of that cause you to crash.” Knowledge is very critical for business development. The most
important part of any enterprise is the system behind the business idea. If the system is weak, the business collapses, but if the system is strong, the business flourishes. Here’s Kiyosaki’s additional statement on this: “Many people have ideas that could make
substance behind the idea. Your business will require all the help you can get. Yet, only few persons care to seek for that help. Scores of those who have succeeded in business were at a time struggling, until they learnt how to do the right
them rich beyond their wildest dreams, the problem is, most people have never been taught how to put a business structure inside their ideas, hence their ideas never take shape or stand on its own.” Isn’t this revealing? I can say with authority that it does not take a good idea to build an enviable business as it would take a great mind behind the idea. Businesses fail from inside - out. They fail because they lack
things. Plan Your Business Growing a business enterprise is not solely a function of the quality of your idea. It is largely a function of the rate you are moving towards your objectives and achieving them. Your business foundation must be very strong if you desire to achieve your laid down objectives. One of such fundamental areas is your business plan. A well worked out business plan is a requisite for a thriving
With
Ado Erhirhi 08167600251 enterprise. If your business idea is not convincing on paper, you could be aiming to drive at a terrible speed with your eyes closed. If you can’t commit to writing your business actions down, you perhaps won’t commit yourself to following it through. The discipline of writing it down is the first step
Get a System that Works Many people in business are confused on how to go about what they do to grow their enterprise. This is because they lack the right system and structure for their business. Avoid confusion of any sort; don’t rely on assumptions, when you can get hold of facts that can help you
towards making it happen. Wouldn’t you prefer to make your business blunders on paper, save time and money, and then gain speed and direction? A good business plan is a road map. It shows you the final destination and usually the best route to get there. When you do poorly on paper, the tendency of reproducing the same in reality is practically there, but that’s the only time you will know the areas you need help.
build a strong enterprise. Prepare well for your business. Preparation is winning. Get the necessary assistance on how to build a business system. Don’t just leap into the waters. Contact us for assistance. Ado Erhirhi is an insightful speaker and writer. He coordinates MirrorView Services, a Human Resource Development outfit. Contact him for your trainings and speaking engagements.
“Your business foundation must be very strong if you desire to achieve your laid down objectives. One of such fundamental areas is your business plan. A well worked out business plan is a requisite for a thriving enterprise.”
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I am sure that many watchers of political events in Rivers State would not have imagined that the political crisis rocking that state could last this long, especially against the backdrop that members of the clergy, traditional rulers, civil society, opinion leaders to mention a few have made frantic efforts as they know how to see an end to the imbroglio. More worrisome is the fact that while some sane and well meaning Nigerians are seeking an end to the crisis, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP in the state led by Chief Felix Obuah is constantly maintaining a posture that darkens on-going reconciliation efforts, that is if any genuine one exist. The recent expulsion of eighteen loyalists, including Commissioners of the state governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is a case in point. This development no doubt has cast a dark shadow on the efforts of concerned Nigerians who are eager to see the return of peace to the crude oil and gas rich state. This sad development described in some quarters as been unprecedented in modern politics was aptly captured by the member representing the Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon Dakuku Peterside when he said, “Rivers people are peaceloving, decorous and lawabiding. Therefore, Obuah and his co-travelers are a disgrace to Rivers State. I wondered why a respected party leader like the former National Deputy Chairman of PDP, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja should even be considered for such despicable action of been expelled from the party. To me, the alleged expulsion is one of the absurdities of modern day politics. This action of expelling Dr. Jaja and other leaders of the party in Rivers State is symptomatic of how caution is being thrown to the winds, while morality was on a steady decline. But like every responsible party member, I know this action is of no consequence as they do not have the power to do what they (Obuah led PDP) claimed to
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
have done. Dr. Jaja will contest the PDP party elections for the office of the Deputy National Chairman. For those ignorant of PDP constitution, let me draw their attention to relevant sections of the PDP Constitution,, “According to Article 21.4 of the PDP Constitution, a member may be suspended by the Working Committee at any level but the member should not lose his or her right to contest any election. Furthermore, Article 21.6 states that “a decision taken against a member who has not been informed about the charges against him or her or has not been given any opportunity of defending him or herself shall be null and void”. Funny enough, even after the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohmamed recently swapped no fewer than 14 Commissioners of Police leaving that of Rivers State, even while the National Assembly and other bodies have called for either Mbu Joseph Mbu’s transfer or removal.. The only option left to those who still feel concern about this unfortunate situation in Rivers State is to continue to pray for the safety of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the embattled Governor of Rivers State as with God all things are possible. THE THRUST OF THIS PIECE There is no gainsaying the fact that this time around, the cancerous and menace of unemployment in Nigeria which if unchecked is capable of not only truncating our democracy, but has the potential of destroying our nation by critically examining the proactive and strategically steps that Governor Amaechi of Rivers State has adopted in addressing this menace with hope that other governments in Nigeria will sit up and take a clue before this menace consumes us all. Before divulging into the main issue, let us listen to some authorities on what they feel about the sad state of unemployment. Explaining this menace better. The great WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE in one of his books, ‘The Merchant of Venice’ described the sorrow state of being
Focus Unemployment In Rivers An unemployed thus “You take my life when you take the means whereby I live”. while to Thomas Carlyle in his own book Charisma captured this wicked scenario when he stated, “A man willing to work, and unable to find work, is perhaps the saddest sight that fortune’s inequality exhibits under the sun” To MASON COOLEY in his City Aphorisms described the sorrow stated of unemployment thus, “Unemployment diminishes people. Leisure enlarges them” while to JANE ADDAMS in his Twenty Years at HullHouse, “Of all the aspects of social misery nothing is so heartbreaking as unemployment”. Unemployment as a permanent phenomenon of considerable magnitude has become the foremost political problem of all democratic countries. That millions are permanently excluded from the productive process is a condition which cannot be tolerated for any length of time. The unemployed individual wants work. He wants to earn wages because he considers the opportunities which wages afford higher than the doubtful value of permanent leisure in poverty. He despairs because he is unable to find work. From among the unemployed, the adventurers and the aspiring dictators select their storm troopers. A World Bank database compiled from households shows more than 300m 15- to 24-year-olds in developing economies are similarly “inactive”. The Economist calculates that, all told, almost 290m are neither working nor studying: almost a quarter of the planet’s youth According to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, more than 41% of Nigerian graduates are without employment after the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, NYSC programme. The National Bureau of Statistics said over 50% of youths in Nigeria are jobless; while the World Bank puts the figure at 56%. Considering the country’s
By EZE CHUKWUEMEKA EZE
estimated population of about 167 million and 60 million jobless, these are grim figures portending danger to economic growth and development of a nation with the largest concentration of black people on earth. THE INSENSITIVITY OF GOVERNMENTS It is astonishing that a human resource company, Employment Clinic stated that the government spends N960
those already hopelessly waiting for employment and roaming our streets searching for means of earning a living. For some years now, we have piled graduates upon graduates mortgaging the nation’s future and our children’s future for the greed, avarice and planlessness of our leaders through bad governance. CONSEQUENCES The enormity of unemployment challenge
billion annually on artisans from abroad to work in the country an amount that can go a long way to create jobs for our teeming unemployed youths. The unemployment situation is worsening with every passing day more so as thousands of graduates are being churned out from tertiary institutions yearly to besiege
which has become a colossal, –a socio-economic affliction of great proportions can be illustrated most vividly when out of the 13,000 applications received by the Dangote Group of Companies for Graduate Executive Truck Drivers; there were six Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) holders, 704 with masters degree and over 8,460 B;SC degree holders. Most astonishing was that the company only needed 100 drivers, but got 13,000 applications, most of who are from reputable universities. Doesn’t this speak volumes about the kind of leadership at all levels of government and the need to brace up to with a view to finding a lasting solution to this menace that
“Unemployment as a permanent phenomenon of considerable magnitude has become the foremost political problem of all democratic countries. That millions are permanently excluded from the productive process is a condition which cannot be tolerated for any length of time.”
creates a gloomy future for our dear country? Today, Nigeria is confronted with the menace of kidnapping, oil thieves, ritualists, armed robbers, prostitution, assassination and other vices associated with the youths occasioned by the rising rate of unemployment. The most disturbing now is the wicked activities of Boko Haram, a sect people with teenagers and youths between the ages 14 to 24. They are ravaging Northern Nigeria
with reckless neglect, killing, maiming and destroying her economy. Yet our leaders seems to be more concerned with acquiring wealth for their unborn grand children to the detriment of the future of our nation and our graduates roaming the streets without any help. Result! As they say an idle mind is the devils workshop. Prominent lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), while reacting to the kidnap of one of his colleague and rights activist, Mike Ozekhome recently captured the plight of our youths when he said, “One will, however, like to challenge the government to address the socio-economic implication of unemployment in the country. In particular, young boys and
girl unem be une pen gain Nig app you une pov live A law whi
kidn this loca atten secu high jobl our reas dan livel UN RIV A M STR De and Ama focu that forc inten state Am
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Focus d Amaechi’s Magic Wand
ls who have flooded the mployment market should given jobs or employment benefits, nding when they will be nfully employed. The gerian ruling class have to preciate the fact that the uths cannot be kept in mployment and in abject verty for too long while they e in opulence.” Another prominent Lagos wyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, ile condemning the
been a good student of Bill Clinton, the former President of the United States of America, USA by the way he adopted the thinking of this great son of the world in the ways he conducts his government as captured in the following quotes, “The best social program is a good job” and “I do not believe we can repair the basic fabric of society until people who are willing to work have work. Work organizes life. It gives
napping of Ozekhome has to say; “It further draws al and international ntion to the poor state of urity in our country. It also hlights the state of essness among youths in country, which is one on why they turn to this gerous trade for their lihood,” NEMPLOYMENT IN VERS STATE AND M A E C H I ’ S RATEGIES espite all the distractions wicked plots, Governor aechi has proven to be a used and visionary leader cannot be distracted by ces inimical to his good ntions for people of the e. maechi to me must have
structure and discipline to life”. To understand the belief and thinking of Gov Amaechi on what governance is all about, the mission statement of his administration promulgated immediately he assumed office as the Governor of Rivers State on 26 October, 2007 says it all, “Our mission is to serve our people with humility and render transparent and accountable stewardship anchored on integrity and good governance. We shall use our God-given resources to improve the quality of life of our present and future generations, and empower our people in a peaceful, just and harmonious society under God”. Though, I have done series
on the revolutionary steps of Rt. Hon. Amaechi in the sectors of Education, Health, Security, Finance, his type of politics and position on good governance. The Rivers State Chairman of Civil Service Commission, Sir Martins Ngo Yellowe, said recently that “with a workforce including civil and public civil servants of more than 65,000, I am afraid if not probably the Federal Government and maybe Lagos State
Government the Rivers State Government has one of the largest work force in the country and most be paid and well catered for.” The above notwithstanding, let us note the following strategies adopted by the government of Gov Amaechi to address the menace of
unemployment in Rivers State. THE RIVERS STATE S T R A T E G I C EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE (RSSEC) Tackling the unemployment menace in the State received a major boost had the biggest boost with the setting up of the 13-Man Committee (RSSEC) under the Chairmanship of Dr Minaibi. Dagogo-Jack. When I contacted Rev JackDagogo, he confirmed to me that his Committee is expected
to use the SURE-P Fund to engage about 75,000 Rivers State indigenes in the effort of Gov Amaechi to reduce poverty level of Rivers State people. The Chief of Staff Government House, Hon. Chief Tony Okocha confirmed the above great news when he
embarked upon the sensitization and inauguration of RIVLEAF Ogu/Bolo LGA chapter over the weekend stating that Rivers State indigenes will be paid monthly allowances by the state government under the subsidy reinvestment programme (SURE-P) as one of the programme of the present administration to improve on the condition of our people. AGRICULTURE Under Agriculture, the Rivers State Government is doing much to arrest unemployment challenge in the State. The RSG has commenced paper work to establish and develop a N20bn Agric Scheme. According to the Governor, “The scheme would encompass a settlement and cluster units in different areas of agriculture and is geared towards providing jobs for the teeming youths of our State”. He said the project is expected to have about 300 housing units, a processing industry and primary schools. This multi billion Naira Agricultural Scheme will be splintered into three areas of the State housing 100 families each in the 100 housing units to be constructed. The state is embarking on establishing a Banana Farm at Ogoni where about 200 workers will be engaged. The Rivers State Government has established a Fish farm at Buguma where many youths are today engaged. According to the Chairman of Asari Toru Local Government Area, Mr. Ojukaye Flag Amachree “the establishment of the Buguma Fish Farm by the Rivers State Government is a source of employment to youths of the Kalabari Kingdom and with the steady power supply in the LGA small scale business has improved in the area”. The Rivers State Government has signed a long lease contract with Siat Firm to revamp and manage the RISONPALM and when fully operational it would create about 4,000 job opportunities. EDUCATION: In order to develop an employable workforce, the State has offered scholarships to over 2,000 students in
Nigerian Higher Institutions and has spent about N5bn for her students in foreign Intuitions. Apart from this, the Rivers State Government is credited with setting up of the best educational infrastructure in Nigeria. The newly recruited 13,201 teachers in Rivers State went through one month induction course recently. Dr. Ofuru the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education said that the induction was put in place to prepare the new Teachers for the noble profession, pointing out that the State Government will still organize another programme for the teachers in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education HEALTH So far, about 400 medical Doctors have been employed to man most of the Health Centres in the rural areas constructed by the administration of Governor Amaechi. SECURITY AND PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY Not minding those who are threatening brimstone, storm and fire on the State, the State intend has purchased two equipped and modern Helicopters for aerial surveillance to fight crime in the State. Considering that foreign investors can only operate in an enabling environment, the issue of tackling the state of security is of primary importance because it has a multiplier effect that includes employment generation. The Power Sector in the State is working tirelessly to ensure an end to epileptic power supply in the State by the year 2014 this would also serve to boost employment in the state and will also encourage entrepreneurship among the Youths. APPOINTMENT OF DR IPALIBO MACDONALD HARRY AS THE SIXTH COMMISSIONER IN THE MINISTRY OF EMPOWERMENT AND E M P L O Y M E N T GENERATION. In demonstration of his seriousness about addressing Continued on page 18
“In demonstration of his seriousness about addressing the menace of unemployment amongst our people in Rivers State, the appointment of Dr Ipalibo Macdonald Harry a seasoned Administrator as the sixth Commissioner in the Ministry of Empowerment and Employment Generation speaks volume in this regard.”
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Continued from page 17
the menace of unemployment amongst our people in Rivers State, the appointment of Dr Ipalibo Macdonald Harry a seasoned Administrator as the sixth Commissioner in the Ministry of Empowerment and Employment Generation speaks volume in this regard. Dr. Harry a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Management from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt was the best graduating student in both his master ’s and doctorate programmes and became the first youngest indigene of Rivers State to be a Chartered Estate Valuer. He is an outstanding author and a seasoned publisher and a recipient of various awards that range from The Times News Magazine Award for Excellence (2005), The Nigerian Union of Journalists (Federal Chapel) PHC Award of Excellence in Innovation and Reform (2007) and the Royalty Award from the Amayanabo of Kalabari (2012) appointment on September, 2011 as the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment did not come to his close watchers by surprise. Some of the most remarkable feats of the Ministry under Dr Harry include I Constant training of Rivers State indigenes through the Seamen and Motormen/Oilers Programme, ii. Establishment of AMET University offshore Campus in Isaka, Rivers State to offer all types of Maritime courses and training, iii. Execution of overseas Maritime capacity building at AMET University, iv. Chennai, India aimed at building needed capacity to fill the vacancies in the Maritime, Oil and Gas companies operating in Rivers State and the Niger Delta Region at large; v. Execution of Industrial attachment Training and Placement for Rivers State indigenes, vi. Rivers State Work Placement/Internship Programme designed to give opportunity to Rivers State indigenous graduates who have undergone the mandatory NYSC to have an additional year on-the-job training programme to gain some working experience during the
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
period of placement with companies; vii. Mobilisation for Employment Generation – The Seefor Project through usage of the loan from the World Bank and European Union to provide jobs for the unemployed indigenes of Rivers State; viii. Partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company Nig. Limited (SPDC) and Park’N’ Shop Nig. Ltd to train Rivers State indigenes at foreign Institutions, ix. Data Bank of the Ministry which provides a quick and comprehensive reference source/guide job seekers and employers of labour in Rivers State; x. Partnership with SPDC in the recycling of waste (Plastic) Programme, xi. OANDO Energy Employment Test, xii. Supply of Labour to Ministry of Power, xiii. Ven. Prof. T. N. Okujagu Foundation for Ethics and Learning, xiv. Empowerment Programme with Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (NBC), xv. Partnership with Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd for the training and update of able Seamen, xvi. Partnership with Noreman pre-employment interview for the unemployed, xvii. Crane Operators/Light Vehicle Drivers Training Scheme, xviii. Fibre Glass Boat Building Training at Asakanana Marine & Fibre Glass Products Ltd!. The conclusion of the feat of Ministry of Employment under Dr Harry was for the first time in the history of Port Harcourt an unprecedented event called the job fair was put together. The Ministry organised a Job Fair where about 132 companies and 600 prequalified applicants both Rivers indigenes and nonindigenes participated in the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) job fair 2013. The feats are so much that writing them all here will be like writing a book. Dr. Harry, who listed some effort by the present administration to create jobs for the people, said that so far, not less than 35,000 persons have been engaged by the administration through the process. GOV. AMAECHI AND HIS VISION FOR THE UNEMPLOYED IN RIVERS STATE
Focus ... And Amaechi’s Magic Wand
The Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says the state government will encourage creative youths as he asked job seekers on the need to explore their talents instead of waiting for government. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) Job Fair 2013 in conjunction with the Ministry of Employment Generation and Empowerment in Port Harcourt, Amaechi advised prospective job seekers to be
over 5.1 million people. We went ahead to improve the employment of additional 200 doctors, and few months ago, I also called for the employment of another 200 doctors totalling 600 doctors. “We lack surveyors and technicians, and other professionals in the Ministry of Land and Housing. I have equally approved the need for government to hire some principal officer to fill the vacuum. We also took over the payment of teachers at the local government level in
weeks ago, 32 trained doctors returned from Russia, and I hope they have been engaged at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital. I have partnered to create this opportunity, government cannot employ all of you, it is impossible. Government can only create the conducive environment and favourable business atmosphere that would create employment”, he said. Amaechi also promised to release 5 billion to provide financial support to people
primary education which is suppose to be the responsibility of the local government councils. “Now, we have approved the employment of 13,000 teachers. The consultant handling the ICT part of the primary education is employing one ICT teacher per school, and if you multiply it by 100, that is 200, and if you multiply it by 500 schools that we are completing, that will be 1000 ICT teachers. “So, you look at doctors, engineers and all that, and they have been training them. Two
who are ready to be self-reliant and innovative to borrow at subsidized low cost to set up their own business. “This year, we will open the vocational training centre, and only those with the West Africa Certificate will be admitted in that school to train our youths on different skills, so they can set up their own business. This will make you to be selfemployed. The government is willing to support you”, Amaechi said. Amaechi said, his administration has created employment opportunities through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the state. “When we came in 2007, Risonpalm was dead, completely dead. We have to lease Risonpalm out, and as am talking to you now, Risonpalm has hired 5,000 workers. We want to revive Delta Rubber Company, and lease to private company I don’t know how
Gov Rotimi Amaechi
more entrepreneurial in their pursuits as a way of checking unemployment. Amaechi said, “You hear about militancy, Boko Haram, it is about poverty and unemployment, and until government deals with the twin issues of unemployment and poverty, we will continue to have insecurity. When we came to power in 2007, the monthly wage bill was N2.5 billion, and as we are talking now, the wage bill has increased to 8.9 billion. When we came, the state government had only 200 doctors to give treatment to
“Amaechi also promised to release 5 billion to provide financial support to people who are ready to be self-reliant and innovative to borrow at subsidized low cost to set up their own business.”
many workers they would hire if we conclude discussions. We are currently engaged in working out modalities to set up a new hotel where you have the former Hotel Olympia. They too will engage persons when they finish the construction of the new hotel. And if you also go to the front of Government House, you used to have SUPABOD there. Before I became governor, they never planned to rebuild that place, a private company is rebuilding it into a mall and will employ minimum work force of 600 persons at the beginning. We are doing so much to see how we can create employment opportunities for the youths so that you can be engaged, and I hope you are employable or go in for any training to get yourself engaged”, Amaechi said. OTHER AREAS OF INTERVENTION Thousands of Rivers people are employed through the following Agencies established by the Rivers State Government –The Sanitation Environment Authority, Greater Port Harcourt Authority, Sports; jobs are created through turning Rivers State into a massive construction site involving construction of unaccountable roads, health and educational facilities CONCLUSION According to the Gospel of Saint John, chapter 2 verse 17, Jesus said the zeal of my father’s house hath eaten me up but to Governor Amaechi a devout Christian, “the zeal and commitment to alleviate the suffering of my people in Rivers State is eating me up on daily basis”. I can now understand why the great Prof Tam David-West said, “orchestrated travails of Governor Amaechi though unfortunate is “Nigerian paradox “where excellence is relegated and mediocrity is elevated”. Therefore “If governance is provision of dividends of democracy and caring for her citizenry then we must give it to Gov Amaechi for demonstrating and exhibiting what true leadership is all about as we plead with those fighting an unwarranted fight against the Governor to stop distracting the Governor in his zeal to provide for the people of Rivers State that elected him. • Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt and can be reached through either ezemediaconcept08@rocketmail.com, or 08038199163
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
View Point
Questioning The Sincerity Of ASUU THE threat to academic stability in the nation’s ivory towers because of the current strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has attracted headlines in the dailies. The media has also been awashed by many criticisms, most of which have been directed at the Federal Government in which President Jonathan is the representational character. However, it appears many of the critics have failed to consider the other side of the coin, which is one of the essentials in a debate on such a controversial issue. Therefore, the focus of this piece is to examine the purpose of the present ASUU’s strike and their sympathizers’ rage against the FG. Firstly, ASUU came up with the issue of autonomy for universities. The FG approved the idea of autonomy so long as the universities would generate internal revenue to offset their expenditure, including salaries and allowances. This government’s position provoked ASUU members. They poured venom on the government for merely supporting the idea of autonomy – existence as an independent body! Having realized the illusion surrounding university autonomy, members of the academic union played down their demand. This raised a question on the sincerity of ASUU’S demands. On the issue of Federal Government’s assistance to state universities, this writer supports the idea of assisting the state universities. But must the Federal Government be compelled to render support to universities established and owned by state governments? Methink helping state universities should be as necessary as the
state governments are required to support the federal institution located in their domain. Needless to say that state governments collect tenement tax from federal institutions sited in their states. The idea of compelling the federal government to offer help to state-owned universities is borne out of the fact that academic staff from state universities are also part of ASUU. The truth must, however, be told. The Visitors to state universities are the state governors. Academic and non-academic staff of state-owned universities are employees of the state governments. Compelling the FG to assist state universities no doubt negates the principle of federalism. It only brings to fore the overdependence of constituents on the government at the centre. The progressive increase of education budget to 26% between 2009 and 2020 is another contentious issue in the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement. The agitation for increase to 26% in budgetary allocation, as recommended by UNESCO for developing nations, is a legitimate one. So there is need to improve the current 8% total budget to education by the FG. However, while the FG should be chastised for its current 8% budget to education, one needs to remind discerning readers that in nations where huge budgetary allocations are committed to education, members of the academia engage in scholarly research that help to solve societal needs. Only a few of our academics engage in fruitful research capable of solving the needs of our society. Most of the university teachers set their target in journal publication that would help them gain promotion in their
By FELIX FESTUS academic career even when such is far from rendering solution to our societal needs. Akin to increase in budgetary allocation is the issue of earned academic allowances for university teachers. Allowances are stimulants that reinforce positive inclination towards work. While government is working out modalities to pay earned academic allowances
lecturers deserve mention in the earned allowance, particularly the absentees. It is an open secret that some of the lecturers who are fulltime employees in the federal universities abandon their duty posts to shuttle between federal and private universities. They stagger their responsibilities in multiple roles as lecturers–incharge in both public and
a course work that ought to have been concluded before the time of exams. Any student who dare challenges lecturer’s absenteeism in public universities are often victimized with a threat of carry-over of the course handled by the lecturer or delay in graduation. At the post-graduate level, the situation is even more unpalatable. Many postgraduate students fail to complete their programmes
Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai, Minister of Education
to deserving university teachers, the Dr. Fagie led ASUU is kicking against such, insisting that allowances should be paid across board, even when not all lecturers merit such allowances. My experience as an undergraduate and postgraduate student in one of the first generation universities showed that not all university
private universities sacrificing quality of delivery in the process, at the expense of unsuspecting students in public universities. These ‘abroad’ lecturers hardly attend classes to teach in the public universities. When they return, mostly towards the end of the semester, they engage the students in lengthy, patchy lecture hours in a bid to cover
“The prolonged quagmire and the sit tight approach of ASUU members are having devastating effects on Nigerian students, undergraduates and post-graduates. The rot in the education sector as claimed by ASUU should not be further fertilized by ASUU’s hard-line posture.”
in line with the academic calendar due to lecturers’ negligence. They hardly spend quality time to guide and mentor their students in their long essays. With this domineering posture, a percentage of the students either incur extra year(s) or abandon their programmes out of frustration. If you would not grow grey hair while undertaking a Ph.D degree as a student, you have to not only be hard working in your research pursuit, but also be willing to worship the deified characters in lecturer’s garb! Let me add here that a considerable number of the lecturers have passion for their calling. Those ones always act right by performing their duties without compromising standard; they deserve their earned allowances and should be rightly rewarded.
The influx of private universities became more pronounced during the regime of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo. Yet, thousands of university applicants seeking admission could not either gain admission into the universities or afford the luxury of high fee demands of the private universities. In fulfilling his campaign promises in 2011, President Jonathan established nine federal universities and further established three to make it twelve. The establishment of federal universities provided succour to admission seeking candidates. Besides providing admission to deserving applicants, it also signaled a massive employment into the education sector. Jonathan will go into the history books as one whose regime established most federal universities in a single tenure. The prolonged quagmire and the sit tight approach of ASUU members are having devastating effects on Nigerian students, undergraduates and postgraduates. The rot in the education sector as claimed by ASUU should not be further fertilized by ASUU’s hard-line posture. The standstill caused by ASUU/ FG impasse could have been resolved if only ASUU and FG would shift ground and make concession, at least for the sake of the students who bear the brunt of the face-off. Already, the Federal Government has made a spirited effort to get the striking lecturers back to work. The government recently released a whopping 130billion naira in response to ASUU’s demand for infrastructural development in public universities. According to the Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim, 100billion naira is for infrastructural development, while the remaining 30billion naira has also been disbursed as part of FG’s attempt to defray the backlog of the earned allowances. That means the federal government has shifted ground in this regard, so what is ASUU waiting for?
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Political Platform “WE have observed, with increased worry, the tragicomedy coming out of Taraba State in the last two days. An otherwise calm state is being turned into a theatre of dangerous political game capable of throwing the state into serious political crisis, the precursor to anarchy” Premium Times. The above, partly quoted, editorial by Premium Times on the ongoing political impasse in Taraba State, has further given vent to some observers’ views that the Nigerian political scene hardly stays for a while without one form of power tussle or the other rearing its head. Before now, it was the NGF (Nigerian Governors Forum) fiasco cum Rivers House of Assembly battle for supremacy, where the House’s Mace was turned into a battle axe by some power-tasty lawmakers/ members of the House. Returning after spending about 10 months abroad, recuperating from lifethreatening injuries suffered from an October, 2012 air mishap, Governor Danbaba Suntai, returned on Sunday 25 th , August, 2013. For Danbaba, there seems to be no rest after he shuttled between Germany and United States to treat himself. With his deputy, Garba Umar, assuming acting governor in line with the provisions of the country’s constitution. According to reports emanating from Jalingo, the governor’s absence was a breeding ground for some political agitation with some heavyweights pushing and shoving to make the acting governor, become the substantive chief executive in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution. However, the Suntai camp was busy telling everyone that cared to give an ear that he (Suntai), was hale and hearty, and was eager to return to his official duties. Reports noted that “All that flopped on Sunday with the manner Mr. Suntai was literally evacuated from the airplane in both Abuja and Jalingo in a clear testimony the man was physically and mentally unfit for the rigorous schedules of a state executive.”
However, before his return, Suntai, had notified the Taraba House of Assembly with the House acknowledging it but insisting that the acting Governor Garba Umar continue in office until Suntai appears before them to authenticate the letter. In a swift move, Governor Suntai had dissolved his cabinet, and also appointed a new secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff. In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Suntai on Media and Publicity, the outgoing commissioner for Justice, Mr. Timothy Kataps takes over as the new SSG while Alhaji Aminu Jika, became the new Chief of Staff with immediate effect. While swearing-in Kataps during a short broadcast marking the state’s 22 nd anniversary, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, thanked the people of the state for their support and craved for continued prayers for him and the state. Media reports revealed that, “the event was a swearing in for new cabinet members for the governor…” Suntai was said to have forcefully read a few minutes of speech broadcast, on state TV, stating: “I thank the people of Taraba State for standing by me and my family. I also thank the commissioners for holding forth while I was away. Also enjoin all of you to continue to live in peace.” It was also revealed that when the speaker of the state house walked in to see Suntai, the former was not recognized by the governor, as the video released later was edited to look otherwise. While reacting to the dissolution of the state executive council, Ag. Governor, Umar, Suntai said that it “was a mere attempt by a cabal to hijack the machineries of governance in the state. The statement which was signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the acting governor, Mr. Kefas Sule, noted that all financial bank transaction with the state will only be honoured if it is in line with the provisions of the law. Similarly, the state lawmakers, including the speaker, Hon. Haruna
Taraba’s Twists And Turns By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU
Tsokwa, had dismissed a letter allegedly written by Suntai intimidating them of his desire to resume his official duties, stating that he (Suntai), is unfit. From the lawmaker’s stance, “it is no longer news that the Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, was involved in a plane crash on
in the manner that brought more doubt to his authorship of the letter purportedly transmitted to the State House of Assembly.” They also threw their weight behind the Acting Governor stating that he “still remains the Acting Governor of Taraba State and will continue to act in that
from the Governor was received by the clerk of the Taraba Assembly and promptly handed over to the speaker and that completed the required action.” For the former Minister of Water Resources and PDP, Dr. Salome Audu Jankada,Suntai is not fit enough to assume the saddle of leadership in Taraba State. He further said that instead of battling for his
Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State
the 25th of October, 2012, whereof, he was flown to Germany for treatment in a condition that made him incapable of transmitting a letter to the Taraba State House of Assembly informing it of his absence in office….We are all living witnesses to the way and manner the Governor was brought into the state on Sunday 25th August, 2013. They were allowed access to the ailing Governor and their visit revealed that he spoke
regard until such a time the Governor is capable of administering the state.” On the other side of the coin, the Majority Leader, Mr. Joseph Albasu Kunini said that the Governor is free to start work as the state executive. Since he was fit enough. According to him, “There is no room in the Nigerian Constitution for the House to deliberate on the letter once it has been transmitted to the House by the Governor…the letter
political empire, Governor Danbaba Suntai, should go for further medical treatment, noting that some cabals orchestrated the return of the Governor when he still needed medical help. “Suntai is not the only person in Taraba State, his health condition should not hold the state to ransom. If he is not fit, let him step aside so that the state can move forward,” he explained. Adding their voice to the Taraba, impasse, the
President of Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, Shehu Sani, bemoaned the situation and insisting that the “impasse in Taraba is hatched and sustained by merchants of crisis whose interest and evil designs will be jeopardized by the honourable exit of Suntai.” The group added that “Suntai cannot take back his seat until and unless he convenes and presides over the state executive council meeting. As a media work noted, “And if, as many believe, albeit without a strand of medical evidence, Suntai is not in the requisite state of health to work, his handlers must nurse him back to good health first, and not turn him to their meal tickets by keeping him away from the public and relaying directives purportedly emanating from him to the state. In good or bad health, neither Governor Suntai nor any human is deserving of such indignity.” “At this level of the nation’s political development, this kind of trickery ought to be dispensed with.” With The NIGERIAN OBSERVER columnist, Igbotako Nowinta said, “Governor Danbaba Suntai really went to hell and came back, given the fact that he survived a helicopter crash with his life intact …if Governor Suntai has not fully recovered from the injuries sustained during the crash he had, I think the man should just throw in the towel and allow his deputy to take over as the Governor of Taraba State.” Certainly, the hide and seek game in Taraba State is getting trickier by the day as the dancing tune is getting faster; requiring “Swift-feet” dancers.
“Suntai is not the only person in Taraba State, his health condition should not hold the state to ransom. If he is not fit, let him step aside so that the state can move forward.”
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Archival Matters
Does Goodness Pay? A VOA presenter on May 2, 2012 droped a proverbial clanger after his 8.46 pm programme. He said: “Nobody can do everything. But everybody can do something.” His seminal words provide an insight into who is a good Samaritan and what is goodness. Simply put, a good Samaritan is not everybody but somebody who feels he may not be able to do everything for another person. However, he goes on to offer the little something he can do for somebody else with due, selfless diligence in any position he finds himself. In other words, a good Samaritan is someone who does good for his fellow man or woman with joy. Goodness is a hobby for him. All this preamble brings me to the question. Does goodness pay? Of course, it does. However we must not forget as a starter to realise that doing good has the challenges. Go and ask Dr. Edwin Madunagu, an unrepentant Marxist scholar resident in Calabar. He would inform you that helping the proletariat in Nigeria has thrown up treacherous repercussions for him. And, so, he had often wondered aloud whether poor, underprivileged Nigerians really need critical assistance to free themselves from their imperialist Nigerian State and its exploitative ally of comprador elites? This is granted that most of these so-called disadvantaged, suffering hoi pollio also parade the same bourgeous values and norms of the oppressors they aspire to remove from power. Yes, is it good to do good? Imagine there is this ungrateful Southern
houseboy being trained by his master as apprentice digital watch repairer in Minna who threw caution to the wind and impregnated his daughter. Does such an unkind cut from this houseboy not make his master think goodness doesn’t pay? Once again, there was this uncouth driver Nowinta Badtur and I boarded his bus at Zuba on our way to Benin from Abuja where we had attended an international NGO conference hosted by Rev. David Ugolor, executive director of ANEEJ. Before our journey began, I observed that the driver went to stool thrice. Also, during the first leg of our journey he complained of stomach cramps and a queasy feeling in his gastrointestinal tract. So, I diagnosed he had gastro-enteritis with a rule of the thumb. Promptly, I offered him natural medicine from my limited phytomacy. Within twenty minutes he begin to recover from his illness. However the paradox in the equation was that he changed his cautious, defensive driving into an offensive one that almost killed all the passengers in his bus when his health improved. See, I counted 20 instances during which the driver would have had fatal accidents on the road because of his recklessness, I persistently advised him against it to no avail. Thank God we arrived safely in Benin City. When we did, I looked at him all over with Michael Jacksonian speechlessness as my mind reasoned: Should I have helped this stupid driver? Well, despite all these demonization of goodness, methinks it pays to do good because godly goodness builds up treasures in heaven for your illuminates you,
By MICHAEL ODIGBE
positive aura, steers you away from troubles in our famished world, and opens giant oak doors for you. For instance, Mandela will for ever be celebrated around the world as a result of his great struggle in lighting the fires of freedom from apartheid in South Africa
Nigerian citizen and founder/principal of Mayflower School Ikenne empowered many students of the school with servicom leadership. Although he was an aetheist, he never imposed his religious view on anyone, including his students. Had he, maybe we
Education in Ogun State was named after Tai Solarin post-humously. Hissene Habre, a former president of Chad from 1982-1990 didn’t see anything wrong in the evil cannibalization of his people, depriving them of their human rights and impoverishing them. But where is he today? He has been sent packing from power. Since 1990 things have fallen apart for him as attempts are being made
Nelson Mandela
and around all oppressed lands. No American President will ever rival the statesmanship of Mandela, born or unborn. This is because although American Presidents and Mandela both do good, Mandela is the comparative winner in goodness. His goodness is altruistically for humankind while that of American Presidents is selfishly for American kind. Late Tai Solarin, as a
would not today be having Deeper Life Bible Church founded on August 1973 by Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi. Unknown to many people, Pastor Kumuyi attended Tai Solarin’s school and went on to make first class and doctorate degrees in Mathematics at UNILAG due to the since education the school gave him. Today, because of his legendary educational exploits, a University of
“Emperor Haile Selassie, like most Nigerian thieving politicians, ate and wined as well as fed his lions while his Ethiopian people ate grasses and leaves out of hunger.”
daily by human rights groups to bring him to justice for his crimes against humanity. On June 30, 2013 about twenty three years after he fell from power and went to seek refuge in Senegal – he was again arrested for these crimes and efforts are once more being made to ensure he faces trial in 2014. The evil that a man does while in office lives with him here and in the hereafter. Emperor Haile Selassie, like most Nigerian thieving politicians, ate and wined as well as fed his lions while his Ethiopian people ate grasses and leaves out of hunger. Well, not to worry. In 1975, Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam over threw him with humiliation by driving him into captivity in a battered Volkswagen car
out of his palace and into a rat-hole residence. Not in his posh limousine he used to play around with on the streets of Addis Ababa like a baby toy. It should at least interest you to also realise that it was in this rat-hole residence he died like a dog of Judah – not like the lion of Judah which he claimed he was. All because he didn’t rule well. He didn’t do good for his Ethiopia people. This is not the end of the Ethiopian Super story Colonel Mengistu Haile – Mariam who toppled Emperor Haile Selassie is himself in self-exile today in Zimbabwe, having being also chased away from office. Anyway, Zimbabwe agreed to accommodate him because of the good he did for the country. While in office as Ethiopia’s President, Colonel Mengistu Haile-Mariam help Zimbabwe to train its airforce pilots among other assistance he offered the country ruled by Methuselah Robert Mugabe. This tells you that head or tail, goodness still pays even when done by an evil person. Now, eschatalogically, I will tell this story to demonstrate the power of goodness. On one occasion during a visit to Lagos, I ran into a student I taught in a secondary school before proceeding to the university. He held on to me saying I must spend the night with him at his exclusive duplex guest house at FESTAC because I was a good teacher to them at school. Well, I willingly accepted his gesture. When it was 7 pm a girl we once lived together as co-tenants and I treated well as a doting younger sister in Benin served us dinner!!! I looked at my former student. “Who is this girl?” I asked. She is my biological sister of the same parents. Surprise surprise surprise at the double coincidence of being a good friend to a former student and his sister. On the next day, he dropped me off with good handshake of naira. A reward for goodness. Too true, doing good pays. The tree you plant today is destined to provide for you a shelter from the vicissitudes of life, tomorrow.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Science
Understanding Arid Lands THEY are found in areas with less-than 250mm of rainfall per annum. There are some arid areas that exceed 250mm of rainfall per annum, the distribution will not support plant growth. In the rainfall pattern. Sometimes, rain may not fall, for some years, and when it does, it falls heavily with storms and most of the water, is lost by run off surface water. Water mainly influence plant growth in arid land. The only places that vegetation is really found are places where Oasis do exist. It has been found that arid land are very dry and this exerts much pressure on the plants, whereby, they have developed special structures which has helped them to perform their physiological processes. Ephemerals do grow in arid during the periods of brief rains. Ephemerals are plants that grow within a short time, completing life cycle. In arid areas, there are myths which have been passed on from generation to generation saying that some men, caused these deserts because they over grazed, farmed, and burnt the land excessively. It has been discovered that wherever a natural deserts occurs, they are a climatic climax, and to attain a climax, it passes through succession over a gradual period, which might take some years, before you attain a climax. CHARACTERISTICS OF ARID LANDS. 1. Water is very scarce and has an annual rainfall of 250mm. It therefore means that the pattern of rainfall is clearly unpredictable. 2. The temperature are high during the day and very low at night because there is clear and dry atmosphere that makes the heat of the sun during the day to be severe, while Dew and Mist occurs in the morning. 3. The vegetation is very scanty, since rain does not fall often, and it is unpredictable, there is no much vegetation, vegetation can only be found where you have Oasis or ephemerals that grows when there are sudden rains. 4. The soil found in arids lands are either sandy or rocky in nature. 5. Wind do occur most of the time which have aggravated the dryness of the air, making plants on their own to lose water excessively through their stomata. 6. Sunshine is very severe in arid lands which dries up most of the vegetation. TYPES OF ARID LANDS We have two types of arid lands, they are the hot and cold arid lands. HOT ARID LANDS The hot arid lands include, hot deserts and semi deserts. They are associated to places, where little or no rain occurs, they are bald in nature with rolling plains that are sun baked, covered in parts with sand dunes, rugged rocks, brown gravel, with out coves. Plants found in this zone are scattered all over, they have a peculiar shape, which shows sign of a fairly favourable state. In some particular areas, they have Luxuriant Vegetation, these are areas where Oasis exist. Hot arid
By OYAKHILOME CLEMENTINA
lands are found in parts of North Africa and Southwestern Asia. Other COLD ARID LAND parts include Central Australia, Southwestern and North America. The cold arid lands are the tundras. Here in particular, the limiting factor is temperature and not water factor as in the case of hot deserts. It has a very low temperature for sometime in the year, that limits biogical production. The cold arid land is also referred to as treeless, which is due to the frozen situation found during the year. Biological growth, can only take place during summer, which is a very short period. Cold arid lands are found between the forest to the south and the arctic ocean and the polar icecaps to the north. DISTRIBUTION OF ORGANISMS IN ARID LANDS This has followed soil types and availability of water Area with pebbles and clay, Plants found here are cushion plants and succulents. In areas with gravel, Tamanisko flourishes there. In sand dunes, there is sparse vegetation cover like bushes and grass tussocks. There is little or no life plant found in rocky zones, sometimes plants may be found in fissures of split stones. In salty depression, there is low-lying halophytic shrubs. In near deserts like parts of America, we have cacti and creosote bushes. In cold deserts vegetation consists of lichens, grasses and sedges. Large mammals include musik, Ox, carbon, reindeer, polar bear, wolves and marine mammals. SOME ADAPTATIONS OF ORGANISM TO ARID LANDS (PLANTS) 1.Plants have thin leaves to reduce transpiration, because of this thin leaves they hardly lose water during unfavourable condition. 2.Plants like cactus have modified its leave into spine to conserve water, whenever there is lack of water. 3.Cactus also have storage tissues within them, which enable them to conserve water when conditions are not favourable. 4.Some plants have very long roots that enable them, dig into the soil to absorb water at greater depth. DESERT ANIMALS 1.Animals excrete solid waste, to conserve water 2.Many live in burrows to minimize water loss. 3.Reptiles have scales to conserve water loss by evaporation when conditions are not favourable. 4.Desert rats take very little water 5.Reptiles and insects are able to withstand heat because of their impervious integuments. 6.Rodents come out at nights to avoid losing water during the day 7.Camels drink water periodically. They also have tissue that can withstand tissues dehydration in time of Acute water shortage. 8.Reindeer have well developed fur which help it to conserve heat 9.All mammals in this zone are migratory to enable them feed throughout the year.
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Issues
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Curbing The Scourge Of Female Genital Mutilation MARIAM from Kenyan saw a lot of women around her house discussing, she never knew that they have come to create a scar of a life time. She was held like a sheep been led to the slaughter and her mother was no where to be found, as she was been held and mutilated she remained indoor for three weeks without shower as custom demanded. She said her experience on female genital mutilation makes her feel wasted, hopeless after the act. Jane who is now a mother shared her experience as she could remember that a lot of friends, well wishers were all at the house as foods drinks were been prepared. She was told to be happy because that day was a unique day for her, as the event that was about to take place will transform her as circumcision is the route to womanhood. Little Jane wanted her mother to be around her to explain properly the meaning of those words, she ran as fast as her leg could carry her. Jane could not run far because she was just six, she was caught and mutilated. “My mom was always there for me why not now” she recalled with tears. The case of Genital Mutilation has
become reoccurrent issues in Nigeria with several stories to tell. According to free online dictionary the word “FEMALE” is a unique feminine individual organism that belong to the sex that can bear young babies or eggs. Genital can be define as the reproductive organs especially the external sex organ of human or animal. (Free Online Dictionary) Medical dictionary defines mutilation as an injury that causes disfigurement to an important body parts. It can also be define as the act of depriving an individual of a limb member or other important part. However female genital mutilation can be defined as all procedure involving partial or total removal of the external female genital or other injury to the female genital organ whether for cultural or other nontherapeutic reasons. (World Health Organization. W.H.O)) This procedure intention alter the life of the female child causing her serious injury to the genital organ. Research by World Health Organization reveals that the procedure and process has no health benefit for her. This practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumciser who often
By ANUGOR B. IFEOMA
play other central roles in communities such as attending to child birth during delivery. However more than 18% of victims are performed by health care providers these trend is increasing as it is mostly carried out on
years and above have under gone female genital mutilation stated by W.H.O. Female genital Mutilation is recognized globally as a violation of human right of the female gender, it reflect deep-rooted in equality between the sexes and
young girls sometimes between infancy and the age of 15 years. According to world health organization (W.H.O) about 140 million girls and women world-wide are currently living with the consequence of female genital mutilation. In Africa an estimate of 101 million girls between age range of 10
constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against the female folks. Female genital mutilation (F.G.M) is classified into three major types the clitori dectomy, infibulation, excision e.t.c. The Clitori Dectomy: These are the partial or total removal of the clitoris (a small sensitive and erective part of the
“However female genital mutilation can be defined as all procedure involving partial or total removal of the external female genital or other injury to the female genital organ whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.”
female genital). The clitoris is a small organ found on a woman’s vagina and it is the dominant source of sexual pleasure in women. In Africa it is believe that removing the clitoris will prevent the woman from engaging in premarital sex, so clitory dectomy is practise is Asia and Africa mostly.
Other harmful procedure to the female genital for non medical purpose like pricking, piercing, incising scraping and cauterizing the genital area. These procedure have no health or other benefit only harm as it involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue and also interferes with the normal function
Infibulation: It is the narrowing of the virginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning of the miner or outer labia with or without removal of the clitoris what is left is a very smooth surface and a small opening to permit urine and the passage of menstrual blood. This artificial opening is sometimes not larger than the head of a match. The Excision: These type is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia are the lips survival the virginal.
of girls and woman bodies. A 1998 W.H.O overview on female genital mutilation provides details of their physical, psychological and sexual consequences as it includes death haemorrhage shock injury to neighbouring organ, bleeding during and after the act infections severe pain, infertility complication during child birth, increase risk of new birth death, cervical cancer later in life, cysts, failure to heal, abscess formation, dermoid, keloid, scar novroma, Continues on page 27
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
International Syrian Forces May Have Used Gas Without Assad’s Permission - Paper
BERLIN Syrian government forces may have carried out a chemical weapons attack close to Damascus without the personal permission of President Bashar al-Assad, Germany’s Bild am Sonntag paper reported yesterday, citing German intelligence. Syrian brigade and division commanders had been asking the Presidential Palace to allow them to use chemical weapons for the last four-and-a-half months, according to radio messages intercepted by German spies, but permission had always been denied, the paper said. This could mean Assad may not have personally approved the attack close to Damascus on August 21 in which more than 1,400 are estimated to have been killed, intelligence officers suggested. Germany’s foreign intelligence agency (BND) could not be reached for comment. Bild said the radio traffic was intercepted by a German naval reconnaissance vessel, the Oker, sailing close to the Syrian coast. Last week the head of the BND, Gerhard Schindler, gave confidential briefings to the German parliament’s defense and foreign affairs committees. Bild said Schindler told the defense committee that Syria’s
civil war could continue for years. The chief of staff of Germany’s armed forces, General Volker Wieker, also told lawmakers the influence of al-Qaeda linked forces with within the rebels was becoming stronger and stronger. Members of the foreign affairs committee present at the briefing told Reuters Schindler had said that although the BND did not have absolute proof Assad’s government was responsible, it had much evidence to suggest it was. This included a phone call German spies intercepted between a Hezbollah official and the Iranian Embassy in Damascus in which the official
said Assad had ordered the attack. Germany, along with the European Union, blames the Syrian government for the attack but urged waiting for a report from U.N. weapons inspectors before any U.S.-led military response. German Chancellor Angela Merkel repeated in an interview with Bild am Sonntag that Germany would not take part in any military intervention but that the use of chemical weapons should not go without response. Merkel is fighting to win a third term in a federal election in two weeks. Germans are overwhelmingly opposed to military action in Syria.
BAGHDAD - Iran’s new foreign minister yesterday criticized possible U.S.-led strikes on Syria as outside the bounds of United Nations charter, saying the use of force is illegal. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made the comments while visiting the Iraqi capital Baghdad. The visit, his first official trip since taking office last month, underscored the growing links between the two Shiite-led neighbors and their shared opposition to military strikes in Syria.
Responding to a reporter’s question about a possible attack on Syria, Zarif broke away from his native Farsi and spoke in English for effect. “I do not know why those who say all options are on the table do not understand the fact that civilized countries 65 years ago ... rejected in the charter of the United Nations (the) resort to force as an illegal practice,” he said in comments clearly directed at the United States and its allies. Iran is the main regional backer of Syrian President
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif, left, meets with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari, right, after arriving at the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, yesterday. Iran’s new foreign minister has arrived in neighboring Iraq on his first trip abroad since taking office.
Iran Criticizes Syria Strike Plan Bashar Assad, whose regime also maintains strong ties to Russia. Assad’s troops are battling largely Sunni rebels who receive support from Sunni countries such as Turkey and the Gulf states. Iraq is officially neutral in the conflict, though its Shiite leadership is worried about the threat posed by Sunni extremists, including Iraq’s alQaida branch, fighting among the rebels. It repeatedly has called for a negotiated political solution to the crisis. The United States has been pressuring Iraq for months to do more to stop Iranian flights suspected of carrying weapons to Syria from transiting its airspace. Iraqi officials have
carried out some spot checks of Iranian planes and say they’ve found nothing. Zarif was met on arrival in Baghdad by his Iraqi counterpart, Hoshyar Zebari. He also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and
the parliament speaker, Osama al-Nujaifi. The official Iranian news agency IRNA quoted Zarif as saying before his departure that Iran has “joint concerns with our Iraqi brothers on warwaging in the region.”
Putin Critic Takes On Kremlin Rival In Moscow Polls MOSCOW - A top critic of President Vladimir Putin yesterday faced a Kremlinbacked incumbent in a hotly contested Moscow mayoral poll, the first time an opposition leader has been allowed to stand in a highprofile election. In the Russian capital’s first mayoral election in a decade, Muscovites had six candidates to choose from, including
LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE EDO STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY BENIN CITY WHEREAS the person whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and at the place stated in the column; AND WHEREAS the person whose name, address and claimed relationship to the deceased is set in the second column hereunder has applied to the Probate Registrar, High Court of Justice, Edo State of Nigeria for the Resealing of the Letters of Administration already granted him by the High Court of Justice, Cross River State of Nigeria of the real and personal property of the deceased. NOTICE IS BY THIS GIVEN that Letters of Administration will be granted to such a person unless a NOTICE to prohibit the grant is filed in this Registry within seven (7) days from the date of the publication of this notice.
current pro-Kremlin mayor Sergei Sobyaninn and main opposition candidate Alexei Navalny. Putin, who made no secret of his support for his former Kremlin chief of staff Sobyanin, said Moscow did not need a politician for a mayor. “Such big cities do not so much need to be run by politicians,” he said after casting his vote in Moscow, adding such a city should be managed by “depoliticised people, technocrats”. The candidacy of anticorruption crusader and protest leader Navalny has made the race the first genuinely competitive Russian election since the heady early postSoviet years. The vote will be seen as a crucial test of the protest mood in a city which was shaken by huge demonstrations against Putin’s decade-long rule in the winter of 2011-2012. Moscow gave Putin a relatively low 46.95 percent of the vote in the 2012 presidential election, well below the nationwide average. CHANGE OF NAME
NOS 1.
The solemnisation of marriage between former Miss Anthonia Osagie (a businesswoman) and Mr. Efe Faluyi (based in Russia) took place on Saturday September 7, 2013 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst those present were Mr. Uyi Obasohan, Mr. Emma Asemota, Mr. Austin Faluyi, Mr. Jonathan Akpasubi, family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple at the registry. Congratulations! Photo: SONNIE E.
NAME Mr. Patrick Zibiri Ipogah late of Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State who Died on the 5th day of December, 2011 in Calabar.
APPLICANT FOR GRANT PED/783/2013: Mr. Ipogah Imonighe Zibiri, of Street 17, Flat 3, Federal Housing Estate, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, son of the deceased.
DATED THIS 6TH DAY OF SEPT., 2013 Signed: H.I. ENEMAKU ESQ., PROBATE REGISTRAR
OKPROMA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Sarah Okeoghene Okproma now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sarah Okeoghene Oronsaye. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
International Features PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s pursuit of a military strike in Syria has put congressional Democrats and party leaders around the country in a tough spot. They face loud opposition from war-weary constituents at home and are wary of being pulled into another foreign conflict. But they also are confronted with grim images from Syria of gassed children and the pleas of a president from their own political party to consider the consequences of inaction. Breaking from Democrats’ long history of being the party typically opposed to military conflict, Obama is pushing for a limited military strike in Syria in response to President Bashar Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have rallied behind him. But some liberal and moderate Democrats, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan fresh in their minds, have begun joining dozens of conservative Republicans registering their opposition. And many rank-and-file Democrats are undecided on whether to support a congressional resolution for military action, questioning whether it would turn the tide in a bloody civil war, whether it’s in the U.S. national interest and whether it would prompt Assad to retaliate with more chemical weapons. “We’ve been to this dance before and we saw what happened in Iraq,” said Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, who says he is leaning against supporting the resolution. “And I have a solemn responsibility to understand what the risks are before I vote to authorize the use of force. What’s the risk to the U.S. and the president’s standing in the world if the Congress votes against the resolution?” Emerging from a closeddoor briefing on Thursday, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, DHawaii, an Iraq war veteran, said she wanted answers about what would happen after a U.S. attack but her own military experience was giving her “great pause” before making a decision. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., was resolute in his opposition. “It’s simply not our responsibility,” he said, wearing a tie covered with 1960s peace symbols. In the Senate, Democrats Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Tom Udall of New Mexico opposed the resolution to authorize a strike when it was up for a committee vote while recently elected Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, who succeeded Secretary of State John Kerry,
Democrats Face Divide Over Strike On Syria
voted present. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, one of the party’s most moderate members, said he would oppose the resolution. More than a dozen Democratic senators are supporting it.
make the same mistake that was made before.” The deliberations extend into households. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., who opposed the 2002 Iraq war authorization, is undecided
this time but has said a failure to hold Syria accountable for the chemical weapons attack would set a “terrible precedent.” Schakowsky’s husband,
Democratic strategist Robert Creamer, wrote in a Huffington Post column last week that the U.S. needs to punish Assad for the use of chemical weapons.
File photo shows Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, in Dubuque, Iowa. President Barack Obama’s pursuit of a military strike in Syria has put congressional Democrats and party leaders around the country in a tough spot. “We’ve been to this dance before and we saw what happened in Iraq,” said Braley, who says he is leaning against supporting the resolution. “And I have a solemn responsibility to understand what the risks are before I vote to authorize the use of force. What’s the risk to the U.S. and the president’s standing in the world if the Congress votes against the resolution?” (AP Photo/ Charlie Neibergall, File).
Obama captured the Democratic nomination in 2008 in part because of his opposition to the Iraq war, a position that he used effectively against primary opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton, who as senator voted in October 2002 to authorize the war but then stumbled among anti-war Democratic voters. Many Democrats in the House first won their seats in the elections of 2006 and 2008, when the party was fueled by voters who blamed President George W. Bush for the enduring conflicts. It is difficult for many of those Democrats to authorize U.S. intervention in a new conflict — even as Obama and Kerry assure them that it will be narrowly focused and not include U.S. ground troops. “Members are trying to really listen and hear and understand,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., who said he was undecided after emerging from a private briefing on the issue Thursday night. “They don’t want to
Barack Obama, US President
The Syria vote has generated an intense lobbying effort by the left to pressure Obama to stay out of the civil war. Liberal activists are planning candlelight vigils across the country on Monday night to urge members of Congress to oppose the resolution, and they suggest those who support military action risk political punishment in the future. “Everyone who positions themselves as a progressive needs to think very hard about what their vote will mean down the road,” said Anna Galland, executive director of MoveOn.org. At the same time, a large delegation of members representing the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobbying group with strong ties to congressional Democrats, plans to press lawmakers on Capitol Hill next week to approve the resolution. The vote could carry implications beyond this year. House Democrats who represent liberal districts might face primary challenges if they support the resolution. The votes could figure prominently in several key Senate races crucial to Democrats’ effort to maintain control of the chamber during Obama’s final two years. Incumbents in two closely watched races — Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Begich of Alaska — remain undecided. But Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas, running for a third term, said in a statement Saturday that “at this time” he can’t support the resolution to intervene in Syria that lawmakers are expected to consider next week. Among potential 2016 presidential candidates, Clinton said through an aide that she supported Obama’s efforts in Congress. As secretary of state she urged the administration to intervene in Syria, and a speech in Philadelphia on Tuesday could give the former first lady the opportunity to discuss a potential U.S. response. Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley told reporters last week that there was a need for a “clear understanding of what it is exactly this mission would hope to accomplish.” Wrapping up a trip to Sweden and Russia, Obama will try to make a full-court press next week, addressing the nation on Tuesday while his administration fans out to briefings and meetings with wavering lawmakers.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
International Features
Postpone Funding Ban In Israeli-occupied Territories, Kerry Urges EU
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged the European Union to postpone a planned ban on EU financial assistance to Israeli organizations in the occupied Palestinian territories, a U.S. official said. Kerry made the request at a meeting with EU foreign ministers at which he also called on them to support IsraeliPalestinian peace negotiations, which resumed on July 29 after a nearly three-year hiatus. The EU imposed restrictions in July, citing its frustration over the continued expansion of Jewish settlements in territory captured by Israeli forces in the 1967 Middle East War. A senior U.S. State Department official told reporters in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius that Kerry called on the Europeans to consider postponing the implementation of EU guidelines on aid. “There was strong support for his efforts and an openness to considering his requests,” he said. The guidelines render Israeli entities operating in the occupied territories ineligible for EU grants, prizes or loans, beginning next year. They angered Israel’s rightist government, which accused the Europeans of harming Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts and responded by announcing curbs on EU aid projects for thousands
of West Bank Palestinians. Palestinians praised the guidelines as a concrete step against settlement construction, which they fear will deny them a
position”. TALKS Ashton announced, however, that the EU would send a team, headed by a senior EU
she said. The EU team would talk to the Israelis about implementation of the new guidelines but not about renegotiating them,
He would tell them that “it’s important for those parties who have an interest in a successful outcome (to IsraeliPalestinian negotiations)
an EU source said. A senior U.S. State Department official, briefing reporters before the Vilnius talks, said Kerry would give a clear message to EU ministers on the funding issue.
that they be supportive of this effort and that they find a way to embrace the negotiators and encourage them to move forward, rather than, as it were metaphorically, bang them over the
U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry
viable state. Asked her response to Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters the guidelines were simply “putting down on paper what is currently the EU
diplomat, to Israel on Monday to make sure the implementation of the new guidelines was done sensitively. “We of course want to continue having a strong relationship with Israel,”
head,” the official said. Jewish settler leaders say the aid they receive from Europe is minimal. But many in Israel worry about possible knock-on effects the EU steps may have on individuals or companies based in Israel that might be involved in business in the settlements, deemed illegal by the international community. The EU and Israel began talks last month on Horizon 2020, a prestigious 80-billioneuro ($107-billion) European research funding program. The dispute over the guidelines could jeopardize an agreement on Israel’s participation in it. Israeli-Palestinian peace has been Kerry’s main foreign policy initiative since becoming secretary of state on February 1. He was scheduled to brief some Arab League ministers on his peace efforts in Paris yesterday and then to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the same day in London. He is also expected to see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soon. The core issues that need to be settled in the more than six-decade-old Israeli-Palestinian dispute include borders, the fate of Palestinian refugees, the future of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the status of Jerusalem.
“The core issues that need to be settled in the more than six-decade-old Israeli-Palestinian dispute include borders, the fate of Palestinian refugees, the future of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the status of Jerusalem.”
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Issues
Continued from page 27
painful sexual intercourse HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and other blood borne diseases. These acts is mostly common in the western, eastern, and northeastern region of Africa also some countries in Asia and the middle east among migrant from these areas practice it. A Nation wide study conducted in 1985 – 1986 by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and midwives founded that female circumcision was practiced in all states and that in five of the then eleven states at least 90% of the women have been cut. Reason while female circumcision is practice in the various part of the world ranges from traditional belief that it reduces sexual desires and promiscuity. It also promote chastity and help young ladies to
attaract husband and bring luck to them. Seeing the emotional trauma, inhuman treatment and health hazard that comes with it clerics of various religious faith Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The international bodies in December 2012 at the United Nation general assembly accepted a resolution on the elimination of these acts. In 2010 World Health Organization published a global strategy to stop health care provider from performing female genital mutilation in collaboration with other United Nation Agencies and international organization. As it is particularly concern about the increasing trend and strongly urges medically trained personnel and health
...Female Genital Mutilation
professional not to perform such procedures. The fight is not only
Governmental Organization are enjoin to come and join the crusade to say “No and
Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health
for the government, health practitioners alone individuals, Non-
save the future generation of women by enquiring about the
League Management Company: THE Globacom Premier League is currently enjoying the ongoing season after a prolonged legal battle that granted it the right to the league sponsorship. The right to the title was sequel to an “out of court settlement’’ by which Total Promotions Ltd., relinquished the quest for the title. In the process of the legal proceedings, the league was without a title sponsorship for almost two years. After the settlement, the League Management Company (LMC) changed its name from Nigerian Professional Football
League to Globacom Premier League for the 2012/2013 league season. Since the change, stakeholders in sports have expressed different views on the performance of the league and the way forward to improve it. LMC Secretary Tunji Babalola said that the league was grateful to the sponsor, Globacom. “Having Globacom as the league sponsor is a welcome development in our league. It saved our league from not having a sponsor. The clubs have now received their share of the sponsorship deal. “I will advise club owners to improve on areas of
practice in their locality and report to relevant authority. A clear reformation
Matters Arising
By SEGUN GIWA generating more income for their clubs,’’ he said. Babalola said that the performance of the league was better, and advised the clubs to educate their fans against the culture of “winning at all cost’’ in the league. The Chairman of Heartland Football Club, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, in his views, said there should be improvement in the amount allotted to the clubs for a season, noting that the clubs received only N10.5 million each. He said that the amount could not hold more than
and education to other people on the health effect of female genital
five out of the 38 matches to be played in a season because “a win bonus for a match in my club is not less than N2 million. “Nigerian clubs do not fly to match venues. At times we spend two days on the road and rent hotels; so we are praying for improved sponsorship for the league.’’ The Chairman of Nasarawa United Football Club, Mr. Isaac Danladi, however hailed the LMC on the level of performance of referees so far in the season. He noted that the teams had been able to win both home and away matches,
“The league system will be appreciated all over the world when we have a league that is free of corruption. . .’’
and insisted that there was an improvement compared to previous seasons. “The league has been a little bit better when compared with last season; I have seen teams win away from their home so far this season and the level of officiating has been encouraging so far,” Danladi noted. In his opinion, Dele Ologbese, Secretary of the Ondo State Football Agency, said it would be unfair to assess the LMC in its first season at the helm of affair of the league. His comment notwithstanding, he also agreed that the company had recorded noticeable achievements, especially in security and reduction in soccer hooliganism, among others. Citing Globacom Premier League as example, he said: “the league is improving in the area of security; we have less or no security challenge like we use to have in the
mutilation is also needed. The other way of putting an end to female circumcision is by encouraging men to take action alongside with the women they should break the silence and challenge religious, cultural, and traditional argument used to justify a practice that is not acceptable. In all there is need for abolition of this unhealthy practice, a multi – disciplinary approach involving legislative, health care, professional and o rg a n i z a t i o n empowerment of the women in the society and education of the public at all level with emphasis on danger and undesired ability of female genital is paramount. past.’’ Francis Akinnodi, a journalist, also scored the LMC high in the area of security arrangement and instilling of discipline in the league. Akinnodi said there had been many reported cases of players attacking match officials in the past over perceived wrong officiating against them, adding that such incidences were not rampant today. “We have not heard where players attacked referees so far this season; there has been an improvement in the league. “The league system will be appreciated all over the world when we have a league that is free of corruption,’’ Akinnodi said. Stakeholders believe that the league management has improved in different aspects, even as they call for improvement in the Globacom Premier League. They agreed that if good structures were put in place by the LMC, more sponsors would be attracted to the league.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
Gerarrd Extols Lampard Ahead Of 100th England Cap LIVERPOOL midfielder Steven Gerrard has heaped praise on England team-mate Frank Lampard as the Chelsea man prepares to earn his 100th international cap.
Lampard will make it a century of appearances for the Three Lions if he features in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday, and Gerrard is looking forward to being involved. “Nobody deserves it more than Frank,” he told reporters. “He’s been tremendous for club and country, he’s a top player. “Hopefully I am on the pitch when he does get his 100th cap and I can share the moment with him because I have been with him all the way through. He’s a good friend of
mine, I can’t wait for him to get it.” Gerrard, who racked up his own ton in November 2012, insists he enjoys playing with Lampard, despite their midfield partnership coming in for criticism for the best part of the last decade. “A lot of people talk about me and Frank being in the same team. You know, we enjoy playing together,” he added. Lampard earned a new Chelsea contract at the end of the 2012-13 season thanks to a string of fine performances, as well as
breaking the club’s scoring record. And Gerrard is pleased to see him stay at Stamford Bridge: “He is too good for LA Galaxy. You have
seen his form for Chelsea at the back end of last season. It would have been sad if he had moved away, he’s a great player.”
season, in a two-year £7.5ma-season deal. According to The Sun and Mirror, majority shareholder Stan Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis believe Wenger deserves a new deal following the Ozil move after the Germany international revealed a phone call from Frenchman convinced him to come to the Premier League. The Sun also states that Wenger will have £40 million to spend during the January transfer window which could go on a top-class striker.
Senegal Shoot Down Cranes 10-MAN Uganda tumbled 1-0 away to 2002 World Cup quarterfinalists Senegal in Marrakesh to exit the 2014 qualifiers. Coach Alain Giresse’s side needed a second half Sadio Mane goal to silence the Cranes team at the Stade de Marrakech Stadium in Morocco. Cranes defender Geoffrey Walusimbi was sent-off for a bad foul on Gassama Lamine in the 36th minute. Earlier another Cranes defender Isaac Isinde had also been cautioned. Meanwhile, Manchester United striker Diouf Mane
Biram missed several scoring chances for the Lions, before he was replaced. The Cranes were forced finished the match with skipper Andrew Mwesigwa on the sidelines receiving medical attention. And the result sees Senegal finish top of Group J table with 12 points, while the Cecafa regional champions end their 2014 qualifying hopes in second place with 8 points. Senegal now joins Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast among others in the final phase of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
of the Ukraine match. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney is already absent due to a cut suffered to his head while West Ham’s Andy Carroll is also unavailable. Hodgson is left with Rickie Lambert, who scored against Moldova, and Jermain Defoe for Tuesday’s crunch fixture in Kiev, with England looking to tighten their grip at the top of Group H.
PHIL Jones has told the Daily Star Sunday that he believes David Moyes has carried on where Sir Alex Ferguson left off at Manchester United. The England defender said United’s new manager is trying to implement more of a passing game but that very little is different at Old Trafford following Ferguson’s retirement. So far Moyes has only been able to bring in one major signing, Marouane Fellaini, and has selected similar sides and tactics to those Ferguson chose last season. “To be honest, I don’t think
much has changed,” Jones said. “There’s been a little bit of his input in training and stamping his mark on what he wants — maybe we pass the ball slightly more. “But that’s just his view on the game and I think it’s worked really well. Other than that, there’s not been much change. “David’s a very passionate manager and he wants to achieve great things for the club. Hopefully, the players can help him do that.” Jones suffered an ankle injury in United’s last game, the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, and United are yet to disclose when he will be fit again.
Phil Jones Backs Moyes’ Method
Arsenal ‘Planning Arsene Wenger Talks’ ARSENE Wenger is set to re-open contract talks with Arsenal in a new deal that could be worth up to £15 million, according to The Sun. There had been calls from Arsenal supporters wanting discussions over a new deal with Wenger to be put on hold following the lack of summer signings. But, after the Gunners smashed their transfer record in bringing Mesut Ozil to The Emirates for £42.5 million, the manager looks set to renew his contract, which expires at the end of the
Daniel Sturridge To Mix Ukraine Trip
THE Football Association has announced that Daniel Sturridge will not recover from his injury in time for England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. Sturridge was sent back to his club Liverpool ahead of Friday’s win over Moldova in the hope that he would return to fitness for next week’s trip to Ukraine. But the striker has failed to overcome his thigh problem, meaning England manager Roy Hodgon’s attacking options are slim. England cruised to a 4-0 scalp of Moldova at Wembley, but the match came at a cost as two-goal hero Danny Welbeck picked up a yellow card that rules him out
• Phil Jones
Homegrown Shortage A ‘Disgrace’ RIO Ferdinand would like to see a quota system to ensure English players get enough chances in the Premier League. And while he realises European Union law would make it impossible, he said it is “a disgrace” how few homegrown players get an opportunity because of the influx of foreign players and called upon the authorities to act to protect British footballers. The Manchester United defender won 81 caps for his country and is a former England captain but he is worried that the next generation cannot get firstteam football in the top flight. FA chairman Greg Dyke has also highlighted the shortage of English players in club sides and the dangers it poses for the national team. And Ferdinand echoed that, telling the Mail on Sunday: “Having so few English players in the Premier League diminishes the English team, of course it does. “Look at the Manchester City game recently against Newcastle. There was barely an English player on the pitch, three out of 22 starters. “That is a disgrace. If you look at it and ask whether there should be a stipulation that you
have a minimum number of players who are English, even just in your squad, I think that should happen. “If you look at a lot of teams, there are England players who aren’t playing for their clubs — yet we’re hoping to go to a
- Rio
World Cup and do well.” Ferdinand wishes England could follow Turkey’s lead and introduce a rule which would mean foreign players are in the minority in every squad.
Ivoirian skipper Didier Drogba against Morocco
He explained: “I would do what Turkey do, and have limits. In that country, clubs can have a maximum of 10 foreign players on the books, and no more than six in any 18-man matchday squad.
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Cavani Fortifies PSG THE 21-year-old finds it hard to make an impression from the bench but has vowed to be as effective as possible when called Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lucas Moura has praised the club’s summer signing of Edinson Cavani. The Uruguay international striker arrived at Parc des Princes for a French record fee of +64 million from Napoli and the Brazil man believes the new recruit is an astute addition. “PSG are a very good team and they have brought in some reinforcements in Cavani to be even stronger,” he said. After a promising start in France, Lucas has found the going somewhat tougher in recent times and has yet to find the net since joining the Ligue 1 champions from Sao Paulo for +45m in January. He does not believe this is necessarily a problem as he is still familiarising himself to life in a new team. “I’m still adapting ... I don’t regret having signed for PSG,” the 21-year-old stated. “I’m still young, I have a lot to learn and a lot to grow. “Every player wants to score goals, but I’ve never really been one to score many goals, so I think I need to remain calm and all. The important thing is that the team continues to win and I’m always trying to help the best way I can.” Lucas’ difficult spell in France has seen him fall out of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s starting XI for Brazil but he understands this decision.
Spain No 1 Casillas Delights Zidane
ZINEDINE Zidane is delighted that goalkeeper Iker Casillas is still No.1 for Spain despite being dropped in favour of Diego Lopez at Real Madrid. Casillas, who recorded his 150th cap against Finland on Friday, has found the going difficult at the Santiago Bernabeu since he broke his hand earlier this year and lost his place to Lopez in goal while under former coach Jose Mourinho. New coach Carlo Ancelotti has continued the precedent set by Mourinho, with Lopez starting all Liga games in goal for los Blancos, but, Zidane is pleased that Casillas’ place as Spain No.1 has not been affected. “I am glad that Iker will be holder. He is a great goalkeeper,” Madrid’s assistant coach told reporters. However, the former World
Iker Casillas
Gareth Bale Security Under Microscope
THE Football Association of Wales [FAW] insist they will not initiate a formal investigation into enhancing security around Gareth Bale during national team matches. security. We are happy with our Bale, an unused substitute in security but we may have to Wales’ 2-1 defeat to Macedonia, adapt in the future.” was approached by two fans on The incident comes at the end the pitch as he warmed up during of a week when Bale became the the half-time break. world’s most expensive player, The FAW pointed the finger at after joining Real Madrid for Macedonian authorities for €100 million. allowing the incident to happen Wales manager Chris at the Philip II Arena, but will Coleman concurs that the not carry out a review as they feel landscape has changed the responsibility lay with their regarding Bale, and that the counterparts in Skopje. authorities may need to adapt. A spokesman for the FAW told “We have to sit down and plan Press Association Sport: “There differently how we do things won’t be a review. The because that is what is going to Macedonians had the happen,” Coleman told the responsibility for the stadium
Vidal Set For Juventus Extension JUVENTUS midfielder Arturo Vidal will sign a new deal in the coming weeks, according to the club’s director general Giuseppe Marotta. The 26-year-old is expected to extend his existing contract, which expires in 2016, for a further two more years, with him set to earn around 5 million Euro a year.
Arturo Vidal
Vidal has emerged as a rising star at the club since joinng from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011 and has caught the eye with some impressive performances both in Serie A and the Champions League. “Vidal arrived in Turin and the move was met with some scepticism, but he has done very well and now he should be
rewarded,” Marotta told Tuttosport. “There have been big clubs in Europe interested in him but in the coming weeks, his contract will be prolonged and economically adequate.” meanwhile, ahead of the Bianconeri’s clash with Inter in next Saturday’s Derby d’Italia, Juve’s director general believes the Nerazzurri can be title contenders and says Walter Mazzarri is the right man for the club. “It will be a tough match for us, it will be important to determine our quality but also the quality of our opponents, who I think can compete for Scudetto,” he added. “I would be happy if we lose this and break our ‘days at the top of the table’ record if at the end of the season we will win the Scudetto. “And I would be even happier if we beat Inter and win the Scudetto aswell. But I know Mazzarri very well as I worked with him, and I’m sure that Inter will play very well good this season.”
Telegraph. “It’s all new to us. “Gareth has been a great player for two or three years but he’s gone to the club where he has with a record move. “We have to control the circus, it’s new territory. We have to handle it and we will. We have people here to look after the players, we’ve had more this week for obvious reasons. “But you can’t stop everything as we’re in a foreign country. You can’t control everything. “We’re all proud of Baley and we have to accept what is coming when he is with us. We can’t let people use it as a tool against us. I’d rather have it than not.”
Cup winner was giving nothing away on whether Casillas would be able to reclaim his spot in Ancelotti’s side. He added: “We will see what
happens at Madrid.” Casillas is in line to play against Chile for Spain on Tuesday before returning to club duties where Real’s next match is against high-flying Villarreal on Saturday.
Pato Happy He Left AC Milan THE forward believes that leaving Italy has given him the chance to play regular first team football and to establish himself in the national team Alexandre Pato says he is glad he left AC Milan for Corinthians in January after making a goalscoring return for Brazil on Saturday night. The 24-year-old came off the bench to score in the Selecao’s 6-0 rout of Australia and now has his sights firmly set on turning out for his country when they host the World Cup next summer – something he believes is a real possibility thanks to his move back home. “I believe I owe that call-up to how I’ve been playing at Corinthians lately,” he explained. “I wanted to have a
longer sequence of games and I got it. Now I’m here and my new goal is to be at the World Cup.” Pato, who has seven goals in 16 Brasileiro Serie A matches this season, revealed that the news of his recall was particularly special for him. “I was at home when I received the news that I had been called up, it was my birthday,” the forward said. “I’m even happier to have been called totally by surprise and to have scored on my first match back. The important thing is to keep on working to improve and do my best.” Brazil meet Portugal in a friendly on Tuesday and the exInternacional attacker will hope to further enhance his claims for a World Cup berth with another strong performance.
Alexandre Pato
Julian Draxler Happy To Stay At linked with a move for the about opting to stay at Schalke Schalke Germany international, but he following rumours of a move to
JULIAN Draxler has told FIFA.com that he has no regrets
Julian Draxler
the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea were both
ultimately remained at Schalke. Draxler, 19, has revealed his reasons for sticking with the Bundesliga club, particularly citing the risk that would have come with changing clubs ahead of next year’s World Cup. “The World Cup’s at the end of the season and you always need time to get used to a new team,” he said. “It was not an easy decision. You never know whether you will ever get such an offer again. “In the end, I followed my heart and decided to remain at Schalke. On top of that, I’m convinced I’m at the right club with Schalke. “We haven’t had a great start to the campaign and I was a bit disappointed after the first few games, but I think we took another important step forward after signing Kevin-Prince Boateng. We’ve got a strong team.”
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Madrid Deserves 2020 Games - Nadal RAFA Nadal said it was hard to accept that Spain had failed in a third successive bid to host the Olympics and described the process as “tiring” for the country. The International Olympic Committee eliminated Madrid in the first round of voting and chose Tokyo for the 2020 summer Games on Saturday shortly before Nadal took to the court to defeat France’s Richard Gasquet in his U.S. Open semifinal. “It is hard. It is tiring for all of us, because all the country, all the city of Madrid worked a lot to have that chance, and for so many times already,” the Spaniard told reporters. “So we feel that we deserve it, but there are only two choices (after) today - keep trying or say, ‘OK, we take a window, we take a rest for a while, and we will try again in a few years’. “When I heard that happened it was surprise for me, especially being disqualified in the first round,” added Nadal, who will meet Novak Djokovic in the final after the Serb
survived a tough five-set match against Stanislas Wawrinka. “Because I felt that after three attempts, that the people who decides — my feeling was, well, after a lot of years working so much, I don’t know if it’s 100 perecent fair that we go out at the first qualification.” Olympic singles champion at the 2008 Beijing Games, Nadal will hope to become the first man to win multiple singles gold medals at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Nadal extended his record on hardcourts this season to 21-0 with his 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2 win over Gasquet and despite his disappointment for his country, will head into the final against the world number one with confidence.
Brazilian Ref Calls On Riot Police Amid Penalty Protest
Marek Hamsik
US Open
Djokovic, Nadal Set Up Blockburster Final WORLD number one Novak Djokovic and number two Rafa Nadal set up a mouthwatering men’s singles final at the U.S. Open with victories in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
• Rafa Nadal
Monday’s U.S. Open championship showdown will be the third in four years for Djokovic and Nadal at the U.S. National Tennis Center after they advanced in contrasting fashion. Top seed Djokovic sealed his berth first by overtaking gutsy
ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in a heartpounding 2-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 64 victory over four hours. Nadal conserved his energy, dismissing eighth-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2 to improve his career record to 11-0 against the Frenchman and
Premature Celebrations End In Tears For Instanbul Bid
LESS than two hours before Tokyo was announced as the host city for the 2020 Olympics on Saturday, a moment of confusion triggered premature celebrations among Turkish supporters who mistakenly thought Istanbul had won. Dozens of Turkish journalists began cheering and congratulating each other in the media centre outside the hotel where the vote was taking place, only to realise they had got it wrong. The mix-up happened after the first of two rounds of voting between the three candidates, Tokyo, Istanbul and Madrid. Tokyo received 42 votes in the first round, the highest of the three candidates, but not enough for an absolute majority to secure the Games. Under the IOC’s regulations, a second round was needed,
with the city receiving the lowest number eliminated from the extra ballot. But when Istanbul and Madrid both received 26 votes, an extra vote was required to split them, which led to the misunderstanding. When the IOC president Jacques Rogge announced that Istanbul had won the vote, the Turkish supporters erupted in celebration, waving flags and chanting ‘Istanbul’, thinking they had been awarded the Games instead of the right to join Tokyo in the final round. Their confusion was not helped by a series of power failures at the media centre that were caused by an electrical storm in the Argentine capital. The audio and visual broadcasts of parts of the final bid presentations dropped out when the live feed broke and
hundreds of reporters were unable to work when their internet connections failed. Water even began leaking through the roof, flooding parts of the room. The premature celebrations revived memories of the epic misunderstanding during the award ceremony for the 2000 Games, when millions of Chinese thought Beijing had won the bid. The then-IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch paused before announcing the winning city to thank each of the candidates, naming them in alphabetical order. When Beijing was the first name read out, celebrations erupted in China, with people dancing in the streets and letting off fireworks, before they eventually realised Sydney had won.
his 2013 hardcourt record to 210. The Spaniard, winner of 12 grand slam titles, won his only U.S. Open crown in 2010 against Djokovic, who claimed his Flushing Meadows title the following year against Nadal. Last year Djokovic was runnerup to Briton Andy Murray. “Last year I didn’t have the chance to play on this court,” said Nadal, who was sidelined seven months due to a knee injury. “To have the chance to play in the final Monday is just a dream for me. It has been two amazing weeks for me.” Djokovic and Nadal are the most familiar of rivals and will be playing against each other for a tour record 37th time. Nadal leads their series 21-15. “Novak is an amazing competitor,” said the reigning French Open champion. “His results say he is probably one of the best players I have ever seen. He’s a great champion and will be a tough final for me, but I hope to be ready for that.” While Nadal took apart Gasquet in his semi-final, Djokovic got off to a slow start against an inspired Wawrinka and relied on his stamina to wear down the Swiss. The tumultuous match included a warning for courtside coaching from Djokovic’s box, the mangling of a racket by a frustrated Wawrinka and a medical timeout for the Swiss for a strained thigh muscle. It reached a crescendo at 1-1 in the fifth set on Wawrinka’s serve.
The combatants locked into a marathon duel that lasted 21 minutes and featured a series of fierce rallies and brilliant shotmaking. Wawrinka fought off five break points among 12 deuces before closing out the game on the 30th point with a service winner, and players earned warm ovations for their desire and skill.
A REFEREE called riot police on to the pitch during a Brazilian championship match to protect him from angry players following a bizarre incident involving a penalty. Two players from Portuguesa were sent off amid the confusion which started when Gremio were awarded a decisive penalty 10 minutes from the end of Saturday night’s game. Portuguesa, who had fought back from 2-0 behind to draw 2-2, were angry about the decision but their protests quickly died down. However, just as Gremio forward Kleber was about to take the kick, Portuguesa’s Bruninho walked into the area to point out that the ball was not properly on the spot. He was shown his second yellow card of the game and sent off, infuriating Portuguesa who surrounded the referee and gesticulated angrily. The referee signalled for police to come on to the field and six officials with riot shields and truncheons formed a cordon around him as the protests continued. Portuguesa’s Valdomiro was also sent off and Kleber finally took the kick after a five-minute delay, converting it to give Gremio a 3-2 win. Gremio’s victory took them up to second in the table with 34 points, three behind leaders Cruzeiro. Portuguesa were left in 17th place, in the relegation zone.
Tokyo’s Olympic Win Impacts Germany Euro Bid GERMAN Football Federation had said they would withdraw their bid against Istanbul if its Olympic effort was unsuccessful The awarding of the 2020 Olympic Summer Games to Tokyo means Germany is set to miss out on their chance to host the final of the 2020 European football championships. Tokyo was awarded the 2020 games on Saturday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Buenos Aires, beating rival bids from Istanbul and Madrid. Prior to the decision, the German Football Federation (DFB) had said they would withdraw their bid against Istanbul to host the Euro 2020 final, if the Turkish city was unsuccessful in their Olympic bid. The DFB has already decided
Munich’s Allianz Arena, home of European champions Bayern Munich, is their candidate to potentially host Euro 2020 matches with UEFA set to announce the 13 host cities, and which games they will stage, in September 2014. For the first time the 2020 European championships will be spread across major cities on the continent, not just held by either a single or co-host nations. The DFB have prepared bids to host either the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final, or three group matches and a quarterfinal, but are now set to persevere with only the latter. “There is a promise with (UEFA president) Michel Platini and we have said that we will not seek a direct duel with Turkey,” DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach has said on the subject.
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Ghana Assistant Coach Praises Zambia
Gambia Beat Taifa Stars BOTTOM placed Gambia wrapped up their World Cup qualifiers on a respectable note after a 2-0 home win over Tanzania on Saturday. Midfielder Mustapha Jarjue scored a brace with goal’s in each half of Saturday’s final Group C clash. Jarjue put Gambia ahead on the stroke of half before adding the
hosts second six minutes after the break. Despite the win, Gambia failed to overhaul Tanzania from third place after finishing on four and six points respectively from their allotted six Group C games. Cote d’Ivoire top Group C with an unassailable lead on 13 points heading into their final game at home this evening against Morocco.
GHANA assistant coach Maxwell Konadu says Zambia were more dangerous than the Black Stars despite winning the final Group D World Cup qualifier 2-1 on Friday. Konadu highlighted the territorial dominance by the Chipolopolo who were chasing an outright win to advance to the third qualifying round. “We all agree that I think the Zambians played better in terms of ball possession but like I said we did the most important thing that is to score the goal and win the game,” the local Black Stars trainer said. The Black Stars took their chances and scored through Abdul Majeed Waris and Kwadwo Asamoah. Zambia piled pressure and pulled one back through Rainford Kalaba when he connected from inside the box from a wellrehearsed corner-kick.
Congo Misery After Niger Draw CONGO missed out on a place in the final round of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup after being held to a 2-2 draw by Niger in Niamey on Saturday. Congo, who had led the pool from the opening round of matches, needed a win to make sure of their passage, while the draw would have been enough if Burkina Faso had not got full points against Gabon. Niger were out of the running having collected just a single point from their first five
matches, but are always a difficult proposition at home. Mahamane Cissé gave them the lead on 34 minutes, the only goal of the first half. Fabrice Nguessi equalised on 66 minutes, but Niger were back in front shortly afterwards through Daouda Kamilou. Ulrich Kapolongo equalised again for Congo with 14 minutes remaining, but they were not able to force the winner they needed.
Leone Stars Hold On For SIERRA LEONE held on at Win the end for 3-2 victory over Equatorial Guinea in their dead rubber final 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Freetown on Saturday. The match was played in torrential rain on a near waterlogged pitch, but the Leone Stars led 3-0 going into the final few minutes. They allowed their visitors to score two late goals and set up a tense finish though. Both sides were already out of contention for the next phase
Mikel gets his MVP award
Malawi Manager Commends Eagles
THE Technical Adviser of the Flames of Malawi, Tom Scientfiet, on Saturday commended Nigeria’s Super Eagles for qualifying for the play-off series of the 2014 World Cup.
going into the game, but the Leone Stars made sure of third place in the pool. Mustapha Bangura and a penalty from Ibrahim Kargbo had the home side 2-0 up at the break, and they extended that to 3-0 when Alhassan Kamara netted with 20 minutes to go. But two late goals from the visitors put the result in doubt, before the Leone Stars defended manfully in the closing stages to hold on.
Scientfiet told newsmen in Calabar, shortly after his side lost 0-2 to Nigeria in the World Cup match, that the Eagles played well and deserved to win. “We came with a game plan to make the first half goalless. But when Nigeria scored in the 45th minute, we knew it was over. “Our plan was to come out and attack the Eagles in the second half but Nigeria took the game to us in the second half.’’ Scientfiet said that in spite of
becoming the first African team to reach the last four of the World Cup. “We could get to the semi-
finals (of the World Cup) and then the final,” predicted Mikel, who missed his first World Cup appearance in South Africa in 2010 due to a knee injury.
the loss, his players did well and deserved to be praised. “Actually as a coach, I came here to win the match but Nigeria carried the day afterwards. I wish Nigeria well in the final qualifying matches and pray that they qualify for the World Cup,’’ he said. The Flames Captain, Banda Davie, said they were disappointed at their loss to the Eagles. “We actually prepared very
well for this match. Nigeria came out strongly to carry the day,’’ he said. Eagles returnee striker, Emmanuel Emenike, scored Nigeria’s first goal in the 45th minute while Victor Moses scored the second through a penalty in the 51st minute. The Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said that although his players did not play well in the first half, they picked up in the second half and won the game. “It was a good game, mostly in the second half. In first half, my team had no mobility but in
the second, we played high speed game and won the match. “Malawi is a good team but we did not allow them to play. My players’ ability to recover loose balls quickly was good. “I have no preference to play any country in the final round of the qualifier, wherever we find ourselves, we will play our game,’’ Keshi said. The 20th FIFA World Cup will be hosted Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014.
Mikel Says Job Is Half Done Keshi Admits Malawi Made It
CHELSEA star Mikel Obi has said the job is half done after Nigeria beat Malawi to qualify for the 2014 World Cup playoffs. “We have done 50% of the job and hopefully we will complete it by winning the playoff to qualify for the World Cup,” said Mikel, who was picked as the man of the match as the African champions went past Malawi 20 on Saturday. Nigeria 2 Malawi 0 The draw for the playoffs will be conducted on Wednesday, September 18, in Cairo, Egypt. Nigeria are most likely to be among the five seeded teams in the draw and so will avoid the likes of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Algeria. But Mikel insisted they will not wish to pick their knockout round opponents. How Eagles rate “We will be ready for whoever we will be drawn against. We just have to remain focused and we will be back in Brazil again,” he said referring to the country’s appearance at the recent FIFA Confederations Cup in the South American nation. The midfielder will even tip the Eagles to make history by
Drogba Seals Elephants Unbeaten Run COTE D’IVOIRE draw 11 with Morocco in a formality Group C game to stroll into 2014 final qualifiers playoff stage. The Elephants advanced to next month’s final round of 10 unbeaten from Group C with an unassailable 14 points out of a possible 18 from six matches played. The first half of this final Group C match in Abidjan ended scoreless in which both sides had good opportunities on target. Elephants goalkeeper Boubacar Barry denied Youssesf El Arabi a great chance in the 8th minute just a minute after Salomon Kalou fired wide at the opposite end. Didier Drogba had two good chances wasted in the 21st and
22nd minutes after some good work by Gervinho and Yaya Toure respectively. El Arabi then put the Atlas Lions ahead in the 53rd minute after a sweeping counter attack. However, Cote d’Ivoire denied Morocco an opportunity of consolation win when the hosts snatched a point from the penalty spot after a hand ball by Omar El Kaddouri. Drogba stepped up to send Mohamed Amsif the wrong way and to seal Cote d’Ivoire’s unbeaten run in Group C. Morocco finish their Group C matches in second place on nine points, five behind The Elephants who have their sights firmly set on a third FIFA world Cup appearance.
NIGERIA coach Stephen Keshi has admitted Malawi made it difficult for his team, whose preparation he said was not up to scratch. “Malawi is a great team, they came here with one target and that was to defend. It was a difficult game but we thank God that we got the victory which is very important,” said Keshi after the 2-0 win in Calabar. “In all I thought we had a good game in the second half. In the first half the Malawians
Coach Stephen Keshi
Difficult
made it difficult because we didn’t have enough mobility in the front line but immediately we picked it we got the first goal from Emenike” “We decided to come out in the second half and play more intensive game and got the second goal again, Penalty. “But I think when you look at the preparations again, we had only one training session and that made it difficult. How can you achieve a lot when you
have one day for the entire team to practise? it was very difficult. But I still congratulate the players, the fans and all Nigerians.” Nigeria fly to World Cup playoffs He defended his starting three wingers – Nnamdi Oduamadi, Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa. “I started Nnamdi because of his ability to hold and run on the ball and needed him to complement the Victor and Musa, who where playing from the flanks. And that speed is what led to our second goal,” he explained. Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet was gracious in defeat. “We came with a game plan to hold the Eagles to a goalless draw in the first 45” and then leave them apprehensive in the second half but that didn’t work,” said the Belgian coach. “The goal by Emmanuel Emenike scuttled our plans and made it difficult for my team. “But I must admit we lost to a better side and I wish the Super Eagles all the best and hope that they qualify for the World Cup in 2014.”
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M
ohammed Morsi was sworn in as Egypt’s first civilian democratically elected president approximately a year ago at an historic ceremony in Cairo, capital of Egypt. Few hours after the ceremony, he was greeted by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, leader of the military council that handed over power to him. C o n s e q u e n t l y, Morsi promised to restore the parliament dissolved by the military. In his speech at Cairo University, the Muslim Brotherhood politician promised that the army must respect the people’s will. Furthermore, he also promised to sort out a very difficult relationship with an entrenched military. He pledged to govern all Egyptians. However, he was manipulated by the Muslim Brotherhood that brought him to power; this has made him to be divisive and exhibited incompetence within a very short time as president. Thereafter, the streets of Egypt started boiling. Morsi’s administration became abysmal. In a statement, Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-ss said the military had no interest in politics and was ousting Morsi because he had failed to fulfil the hope for a national consensus. The general specifically stood on a stage flanked by Egypt’s top Muslim and Christian clerics and a spectrum of political leaders including the Noble Prizewinning diplomat and liberal icon, Mohammed El-Baradei, and Galal Morra, a prominent Islamist ultra-
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 conservative or Salafi, all of whom endorsed the military takeover. It is on record that since 2011 uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak,
desert with a narrow; fertile strip which follows the river valley and widens into the delta. This is where the vast
Egypt has plunged deeper and deeper into economic mess. The rage that helped toppled Morsi was nurtured by the Arab Spring’s failure to deliver economic recovery. Mr. Morsi’s performance was abysmally low administratively and professionally. It is true that he inherited a collapse in public security, but instead of building the consensus needed to tackle it, he and the Brotherhood sought to monopolize power and won control of institutions such as the judiciary. In other words, the Brotherhood was operating a parallel government. This makes Mr. Morsi beholden to them rather than accountable to the Egyptian masses. Since the Brothers placed their trust in their own extensive welfare networks, there was less pressure to reform a wasteful fuel and food subsidy system that was bankrupting Egypt. Egypt, the biggest Arab nation, is a key US ally in the region as well as one of the few states in the Arab World to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. It is abundantly clear that Egypt is the gift of the River Nile and site of one of the world’s first great civilization. Egypt grew up under the rule of the Pharoahs along the banks of the Nile more than 5,000 years ago. Most part of the country is dry, sandy
majority of Egypt’s population lives. Most
By By CHARLES IKEDIKWA SOEZE OKHAREDIA IHIMEKPEN
Still On Ex-President Morsi’s Administration Of Egypt People also live on the roof of many high rise
viet military advisers, signaling an end to
Ex-President Mohammed Morsi
of the people are Arab and follow the Muslim faith. The economy is dominated by farming, oil, tourism, income from ship passing through the Suez Canal and money earned by Egyptians working abroad. With a population of some 9.5 million, Cairo is the largest city in Africa and one of the fastest growing. The city faces terrible housing problems; new arrivals often have to live in dirty, over-crowded slums. Some live among the graves of the city of the dead.
building in Cairo. It is crystal and abundantly clear that Morsi Mohammed failed to see his successful election and eventual swear in as a new beginning for Egypt. However, one can say that Morsi’s intention was not to see himself as life president just like the intention of former presidents, Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. It is on record that Sadat’s tenure was marked by an emphasis on foreign policy. In 1972, he expelled So-
Egypt’s close tie with the Eastern Bloc. It is true to say that Egypt over the centuries has undergone foreign domination and exploitation only to reemerge as a powerful, cultural and political centre across wide areas of Africa and the Middle East. After three centuries as the centre of the powerful Ptolemac Empire, Egypt was conquered by the Romans who made it a province of their own empire and appropriated its agricultural surplus to feed Roman soldiers and citi-
“It is on record that since 2011 uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has plunged deeper and deeper into economic mess. The rage that helped toppled Morsi was nurtured by the Arab Spring’s failure to deliver economic recovery.”
zens. On October 6, 1981, the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, Sadat Anwar-al, and the predecessor of Mubarak Hosni presided over a military parade in Cairo. During the parade, a military vehicle stopped abruptly, and five soldiers who were later linked to an Islamic protest group leapt out and began firing machine guns and throwing hand grenades at the president. As a result, Sadat and six others were killed. Based on this, Sadat was succeeded by his vice president, Hosni Mubarak. It is no exaggeration to say that the poverty rate increased tremendously in Egypt from 39 percent to 45 percent under Mubarak. The gains of the economy had simply been appropriated by the oligarchy leaving millions of educated Egyptians in squalor. Mubarak’s frequent promise to introduce the much needed political and economic reforms never yielded any meaningful result thereby leading to frustration and anger in Egypt, and these caused demonstration by the Egyptians. Based on the foregoing, there is the need for future presidents to administer Egypt from a different progressive angle to ensure development and not tying the lives of Egyptians to any apron string.
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