Nigerian observer 10 06 2013

THE

NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 LEADERSHIP

Pg 15 Between Citizen Momodu And The Nigeria Police

ANNIVERSARY CHAT Pgs. 24/25 You Can Locate Our Achievements In The Works Of The Comrade Governor

-Edo Speaker

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

• Vol . 38 NO.250 • MONDAY, JUNE 10, 20 13 • N100.00

Commissioner tasks CLO on protection Agriculture and Natural

By DOROTHY of democracy Resources, Hon. Abdul EGBOBAMWONYI BENIN CITY – The Civil Liberty Organizatiojn has been charged not to over heat the polity but to help

promote tolerance, expand the hard earned democratic process as well as protect the integrity of the

organization in order to be a model for others to emulate.

The Edo State Commissioner for

Oroh gave the charge when he played host to the chairman and members of Civil Liberty Continues on page 2

IG orders investigation into murder of UNIBEN student

ABUJA - The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has directed the Commissioner of Police in Edo to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of a student of the University of Benin.

“The IG affirms that The student, Ibrahim Momodu was no stone will be left allegedly killed by a unturned in the quest police officer in Benin for the truth and that the force will not City on May 27 A statement issued condone any act of

by CSP Frank Mba, cover-up in the case,” the Force Deputy it said.

The statement Public Relations stressed the force’s Officer, in Abuja zero tolerance for any stated that the police act that impinged on would establish the the fundamental truth in the matter. rights of citizens,

including the right to life.

It condoled with the

family, friends and colleagues of the late Momodu and

implored them to remain calm as efforts were being

made to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

Agro-perishable cargo initiative takes off in Edo soon BENIN CITY – The Edo State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr.

MacDonald Obasuke has said Government has established a platform for effective take-off of the Agro Perishable Cargo Initiative Project.

The Commissioner made the disclosure when he played host to the Director of Cargo Development, an Agency of the Federal

Airport and Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He told the team that, in this regard, the State Government was building new roads and rehabilitating existing ones in a bid to ensure farm produce in the hinter-land are easily transported to the urban areas.

The Commerce and Industry Commissioner opined that other infrastructural facilities

TIT BIT

“To only dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.

Don’t just dream of great accomplishments, stay awake and do them.” - Hon. Peter Eson

and the enabling environment such as electricity, education as well as upgrading of the health sector, partnering Continues on page 2

COURTESY VISIT: The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (right), receiving a congratulatory card from Mr. Famous Otakponmwen of Edo Boys High School Old Boys Association, during a courtesy visit in Government House recently. Photo: QUEENETH AKHIONBARE-OROBEDO.

Recalling Oshiomhole’s copter mid-air

ANEEJ calls for NASS probe

BENIN CITY - Africa Network For Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ has called on members of the National Assembly as a matter of urgent public importance and the safety of the nation’s airspace to set up a panel of enquiry to find out why the chartered helicopter conveying the Edo State Governor, Comrade

Adams Oshiomhole was recalled mid-air on Friday.

ANEEJ said that the explanation given so far

by Nigeria Airspace

Management Agency was unacceptable to Nigerians.

ANEEJ in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Reverend

David Ugolor said there were more to the issue than the explanation given by NAMA. “NAMA in reaction to

the incident said the pilot refused to file in flight plan and passengers’ manifest and that the Continues on page 2

Ihonvbere urges banking sector restructuring

By QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO BENIN CITY – Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere has

reiterated the need to restructure operations in the banking sector in favour of the average

Nigerian, just as he revealed plans by the state government to improve on the

transportation system in Edo State.

He gave this indication in Benin City, while receiving delegations of Continues on page 2

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News Commissioner tasks CLO on protection Continued from page 1 Organization who paid him courtesy call in his office.

Welcoming them, Hon. Oroh enjoined them to rely on membership and work in the spirit of oneness where no one thinks he has a greater stake than the others, which he emphasized was enshrined in the constitution of the organization.

Recalling his harrowing experiences in the days of struggle and agitation for democracy and remembering those who laid down their lives for the enthronement of democracy, he stressed that the history of Nigeria would be incomplete without mentioning civil liberty organization that was out to see to the end of dictatorship in the country.

Expressing happiness over the quality of persons the organization has produced and are now in positions of authority in the country, he maintained that they have every reason to congratulate themselves for bringing about democracy but quickly.

He added that it is their responsibility to ensure there is no violation of liberty, corruption free society that democracy is strengthened as well as hold government accountable where it is necessary.

Earlier, the chairman of

Civil Liberty Organization, Edo State Chapter, Barr. Paul Ojeme said they were in the commissioner’s office to seek his advice in propelling C.L.O to the next level.

Barrister Ojeme enumerated their challenges which include financial sustainability and sued for assistance, in the areas of

the officials on how to curb corruption, the conduct of the past NUJ election in the state, courtesy call on the commissioner of Police who promised to partner with the organization as well as visit to Amufi village in Edo State where they were called upon to mediate in the internal crisis rocking the community.

Agro-perishable cargo initiative Continued from page 1 with the Bank of Industry to enable farmers assess loan facilities have been provided by the State Government.

Earlier, the leader of he team and Director, Cargo Development, FAAN, Dr. Ofulue Uchenna said they were in the state to seek collaboration with the state Government on ways to accord the non-oil sector of the economy priority.

Dr. Uchenna pointed out that when the Agro Cargo project becomes functional, it will boost the foreign earnings accruing the state and the country at large.

He added that the project will create employment opportunities, improve the Agricultural/Agro Sector, while the rural/urban drift syndrome will be discouraged eventually.

Meanwhile, the Executives members of the Students

Recalling Oshiomhole’s copter Continued from page 1 pilot was advised to lift from the airport direct and do the documentation since he had the Governor who is chief security of the State on board.

“This is contrary to the earlier media reports credited to the pilot, Captain James Manahash that NAMA asked him to return to the airport because he did not pay landing and aerodrome fees which he said could be paid later because they were already airborne. After examining the two statements, we are convinced that there are more to the issue than the explanation given by NAMA authority.

“This, is why we are appealing to the federal lawmakers to hold NAMA and the pilot accountable with a view to avoiding subsequently such a life threatening and embarrassing action by NAMA that could put the life of a seating governor in danger”, said Ugolor.

Furthermore, ANEEJ said the decision taken by NAMA that the pilot has to fly to the airport to manually or physically hand over the manifest is suspicious. “The decision by NAMA as claimed in their press statement signed by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Supo Atobatele that they told the pilot that he must fly to the Benin Airport

accommodation for the CLO’s secretariat and a vehicle.

Barrister Ojeme listed some of their activities since they assumed office to include; visiting the regional commissioner, INEC office, Ikpoba Hill to ensure free and fair 2012 election, visit to the office of the ICPC to chat with

first to file in flight plan and submit passengers’ manifest obviously by hand or manually gives room for suspicion and such is questionable and laughable because we know advancement in technology has long over taken such practice.

“As we are also aware that most countries allow pilots of private or chartered helicopter to transmit passengers’ manifest and file in flight plan electronically even some allow telephonically in line with global standard and best practices in this 21st century digital age”, Ugolor said.

Continuing, ANEEJ condemned the culture of impunity it described as the act that enables people to play politics with human life in the country. “The safety of the comrade governor is so dear to us that ANEEJ as a non-governmental/nonpolitical organization committed to end the culture of impunity in Nigeria would not sit and watch people play politics with human life”, said ANEEJ Boss.

Finally, ANEEJ appealed to the National Assembly to investigate the matter so that anyone found culpable would be made to face the full wrath of the law which it said will send a strong signal to every Nigerian to learn to place human life above any political interest no matter who gives the order.

Union Government of College of Education, Ekaidolor led by its President, Comrade Igbinovia Eric has described the incumbent Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. MacDonald Obasuike as a detribalised personality and a man of high repute.

The students executive stated this when they paid a

courtesy visit to the Commissioner in his office.

Responding, the Commissioner lauded the student’s executive for the visit and promised to identify with them when necessary.

He charged the students to shun vices and accord their studies priority in order to become resourceful leaders in the near future.

Banking sector restructuring Continued from page 1 Edo Political Forum and Youth Achievers Support and Empowerment Initiative, who were in his office on courtesy visits.

Addressing the Chairman and Board of Trustees, Edo Political Forum, Prof.

Ihonvbere said the outrageous interest rates charges on loans besides other charges on account holders, make it impossible for small and medium scale enterprises to thrive, which has an impact on the livelihood of all.

According to him the astronomical profit recorded by the banking sector, considering the standard of living in the country, shows that Nigerians are being exploited by banks through charges and interest rates.

The SSG also remarked on the need for government and the people to engage in discourse and exchange of ideas, which he says is the only way to avoid perceived knowledge.

Against this backdrop, he noted that primary schools are employees of the local government areas, while universities and secondary schools are paid by the state government, adding that government is however dialoging with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), over the strike action embarked upon.

Stressing on the need for good management and qualitative leadership at every tier of government, Prof. Ihonvbere reassured that the commitment, zeal and strength of the present administration towards refocusing the state and taking it to the next level is still very high.

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Edo Political Forum, Mr. Tony Igiehon, said the group provides a platform for stakeholders to ventilate their opinions regarding governance and political issues, engage the government in meaningful

discourse and offer needful alternative options to government without being patronising.

In a session with Youth Achievers Support and Empowerment Initiative, the SSG revealed that plans are in motion to make transportation more comfortable and safer for all Edo people, through the introduction of taxi cabs and provision of more Comrade buses adding that “the Okada era was a child of necessity”.

Thanking them for their support to the present administration, he urged the group to look in wards and see how some of their members can benefit from the present administration and equally promised to forward their requests to the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Leader of the delegation, Comrade Valentine Egharevba, pledged their continued loyalty to the state government.

In the same vein, while playing host to a delegation of the Old Boys Association of Edo Boys High School, Benin City, Prof. Ihonvbere said that the state government will provide the school with an access road, perimeter fencing, electricity, and that a physics teacher will be posted to the school immediately.

He also urged the delegation to look into how fundraising can be done towards rebuilding the hostel and re-introducing a boarding system and resuscitating the school library as well as sporting activities.

Leader of the delegation, Mr. Famous Otakponmwen expressed profound gratitude and presented a letter of appreciation as well as a congratulatory card to the SSG on his appointment.

He equally presented a letter of appreciation to the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, which was received on his behalf by the SSG, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

Ikpoba Okha budgets N4.02bn for 2013 IDOGBO – The Chairman Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Itohan Osahon Ogbeide has promised that her administration is poised to quickly affect the developmental needs of the people of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government.

The Council boss stated this yesterday while presenting the 2013 Budget estimated at four billion, twenty four million, one hundred and twenty-nine thousand, eight hundred and forty two naira thirty kobo (N4,024,129,842.30, to the Legislative arm saying the council is mindful of the massive developmental strides of the Comrade Governor.

Hon. Ogbeide stressed that, the efforts of the Comrade Governor are indeed unparalled in the annals of Edo State, adding that the monumental development currently taking place in the state is worthy of emulation by all governors in the country.

The council boss said, that Ikpoba-Okha Local Government will key into the vision and developmental strides of the Comrade Governor by embarking on projects and programmes in this fiscal year, that would lead to an all round development of the council area.

“Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Budget for 2013

is tagged “Budget of the people”. She said. in arriving at the budget figure, they had to take cognizance of their expectation of enhanced revenue from the federation Account.

Responding, after receiving the budget, the leader of the legislative arm, Hon. Matthew Ikhide thanked the council boss for the presentation and promised that, the legislators will give accelerated hearing to the budget.

In another development, the Chairman, Ikpoba-Okha Hon. (Mrs.) Itohan Osahon Ogbeide has expressed concern over the flooding problems affecting Usunobun/Umelu Quarters.

The council boss expressed her concern while receiving women of Usunobu Street (Police Station road) and Umelu quarters in ward 5 & 7 of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government. She promised to tackle the flooding problem immediately the budget is passed by the legislative arm of the council.

Earlier, the leader of the group, Mrs. Elizabeth Omoruyi told the council boss that, they were in her office to congratulate her on her victory at the polls and in her subsequent swearing-in as the chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council for the second time, and used the opportunity to intimate her of difficulties they are facing in their environment.

Sir Franklin Imouokhome

By TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN Clocks 80 BENIN CITY – A foremost Permanent Secretary and Knight of St. Christopher (KSC) in the Anglican Church, Sir Franklin Ijesei Imouokhome clocks 80 years today.

Born June 10, 1933, sir Franklin Imouokhome served in various capacities at various times both in the colonial and post-colonial civil service as Under Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Permanent Secretary in various ministries in the defunct Western region, Midwestern Region and Bendel State.

Sir Franklin Imouokhome was born to Chief Imouokhome Okhian of Emai Clan in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, a very successful farmer who was renowned for his industry, hard work and selfless services to his Emai Clan.

According to Sir Imouokhome in an exclusive chat with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER yesterday, to mark his 80th birthday anniversary today, he had a very “rewarding, fruitful and outstanding academic and civil service life” from which future administrators can tap, particularly with respect to policy direction, formulation and implementation in the civil service.

At various times, he was cabinet secretary to State Military Administrators and governors during which time he set the pattern and standard for recording proceedings at cabinet

meetings.

Sir Imouokhome’s career spanned the Nigeria Civil War era, during which he played a major role as cabinet secretary in all the talks, agreements and disagreements which led to the Aburi accord.

As a retired Permanent Secretary who disengaged from the Bendel State Civil Service in 1983, he has devoted a lot of his time serving God and mentoring the young ones. He is blessed with a wife, and six children, among whom is the eldest, Prof (Mrs.) Izie Obayan, former Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State.

Earlier yesterday, Sir Franklin Imouokhome had offered a personal thanksgiving to God in his Church, St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Lagos Street, Benin City, for keeping him in sound and perfect health at 80.

Sir Franklin Ijesei Imouokhome

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Inside Edo Owan East Council Poll: BENIN CITY - The People Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman candidate in the April 20, 2013 Local Government Election in Owan East Local Government Area, Mr. Usideme Stanley Afekhide has with-

drawn his petition against the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chairman candidate in the said election, Hon. (Barr.)

Jimoh Ijegbai.

Mr. Usideme Afekhide had filed a petition before the Edo State Local Government Elec-

PDP Candidate Withdraws Suit Against ACN, Others

tion Tribunal (EDSIEC) on May 17, 2013 challenging the victory of Hon. (Barr) Jimoh Ijegbai.

Joined in the suit NO.ED/

LG/PET/5/13 were the ACN, Edo State independent Election Commission, EDSIEC and Owan East Local Government EDSIC Electoral Officer (EO).

The notice of motion to withdraw, the petition, dated June 1, 2013 by F.S.S. Ojealaro, Counsel to the Petition/ Applicant, is praying the Tribunal for an order granting leave for the Petition/Applicant to withdraw his petition No. ED/LG/PET/ 5/13 filed on May 17, 2013 against the respondents.

The petition is also praying

the Tribunal to strike out his petition on ground of want of intention to proceed further with prosecution of same.

The ground on which the Petition/ Applicant proposes to withdraw his petition, the counsel held, is based on the fact that both parties in the petition have mutually sued for peace.

In his written submission in support of the motion on notice, the counsel to the Petitioner/Applicant affirmed that some respected and concerned persons from the Local Government have brokered a truce between the

Petitioner/Applicant and the 1st respondent, wherein the petitioner has agreed to withdraw his petition against the 1st, 2nd- 4th respondents.

Meanwhile, the petitions filed against the ACN Councellorship candidates of wards 1, 2,6,,8 and 9 in the April 20, 2013 Local Government Election in Owan East Local Government by their PDP counterparts, have also been withdrawn.

Motion to formally move for the withdrawal of the petitions before the Edo State Local Government Election Tribunal has been fixed for Monday, June 17, 2013.

Edo NUJ Commends Perm BENIN CITY - The Perwell as check insecurity. manent Secretary of the Secretary Comrade Agbama said the

The Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (right) receiving a letter of appreciation from Mr. Famous Otakponmwen, Lagos President, Edo Boys High School Old Boys Association, during a courtesy visit in Governmnet House recently. Photo: QUEENETH OROBEDO.

1,626 Patients Benefits From Edo Free Health Services BENIN CITY - No less than 1,626 patients benefited from the free reproductive health services at the Central Hospital in Benin, Edo between January and April this year, an official has said.

Mrs. Felicia Oyiboke, Head of the hospital’s Family Planning/Cervical Cancer Screening Centre, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Benin.

‘Out of the number, 1,499 have adopted the use of family planning materials after the services, which included counseling,’’ she said.

Oyiboke, who is also a Chief Nursing Officer, however disclosed that the number of people who avail themselves of family planning services at the hospital was declining.

She however could not give the number of those who also utilised the family planning service in the corresponding

period in 2012.

“We have observed over the years that family planning ‘uptake’ decreases during the cold and rainy season while it increases during the hot and dry season.

“The reason is that women tend to get closer to their husbands during the cold season and as a result the rate of pregnancies increases,” Oyiboke said.

She therefore advised couples, especially women, to avail themselves of the hospital’s free family planning services during the rainy season to reduce the incidence of unwanted pregnancies.

“With a year-round family planning, couples can effectively plan well for their homes, particularly with the upbringing of children,” the health official added.

state Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities, Major Lawrence Oloye.(retired) has been commended for his proactiveness in providing seven motorized refuse bin for the Press Centre of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council.

The commendation was made by the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Desmond Agbama while speaking on the strategies put in place by the current executive of the Union to ensure adequate sanitation

in Press Centre.

Comrade Agbama said, henceforth no dumping of refuse indiscriminately in or around the Press Centre, especially the moat which is a national and world monument.

He said there is a committee in place to manage the Press Centre, with power to deal with anyone flouting the order.

The NUJ Chairman also explained the rationale behind the erection of barricade at the entrance into the Press Centre saying that it was meant to control the influx of vehicles into the NUJ Secretariats, as

executive acted on security report from law enforcement agencies, which is aimed at securing lives and property at the Press Centre.

He said members of the NUJ and owners of business at the Press Centre would be admitted in freely, while other categories of vehicle would be expected to pay a token as toll fee.

Comrade Agbama appealed to friends of the friends of NUJ and the general public to cooperation with the new order at the Press Centre in the interest of all.

An accident scene along Airport Road close to The Nigerian Observer recently. Photo: JAMES OMOREBOKHAI.

Revenue Collection: Committee Gets Kudos, Tenure BENIN CITY - Despite submitting its report, the Oredo Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Osaro Obazee has Ordered the committee on Revenue to continue its work pending when the revenue collection will be contracted out to registered agents.

The council boss who commended members of the committee for their selfless

service said they have been able to increase the revenue profile of the local government council from a little over 5 million to about N12 million and therefore urges them to watch out for illegal levy collectors and bring them to book.

He explained that when he assumed office there was nothing in the account but in just few weeks they have been

Extension able to raise millions of naira.

The chairman of the committee, Mr. Odoligie Edebiri said that despite the challenges in handing some hoodlums in the locality they were able to carryout their duties.

He however advised the chairman to allocate the beats

that are been handled by some of the council staff to be more positively proactive.

Meanwhile, the executive members of Edo State market women association have visited the Oredo council boss, Mr. Osaro Obazee to solicit for support in putting some of the market facilities

to standard. The secretary of the association, Mrs. Blacky Omoregie said facilities in the various markets in the state are in bad shape. Such facilities she listed as electricity, toilet, and lack of portable water.

She appealed to the council boss to assist in promoting the welfare of market women and informed the chairman on the need to elect some members of the associa-

tion into the taskforce on environmental sanitation with a view to assisting in keeping the markets and their surroundings clean.

The chairman who appreciated the visit of the market women commended them for their support during the electioneering Champaign and promised to do his best in ensuring that the plight of the women receive the desired attention.

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Across The Nation NAN Senior Editor, Onowu Buried OBOSI(ANAMBRA) - The remains of the late Mr Azubuike Onowu, a senior editor with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), were laid to rest last Saturday in his country home, Obosi, in Anambra.

In his homily, Venerable Titus Umeh, the Vicar of St. Andrews Anglican Church, Obosi, said that life is transient.

“Today, we are gathered in honour of Azubuike, that means that one day it will be your turn.

Life on earth is not the goal as it ends in the grave and eternal life continues from there.

“You must come to repentance by turning to God for salvation. Heaven is real and hell is real, you do not have opportunity to repent after death.

“Endeavour to be at peace with God and fellow men,” he admonished.

Umeh encouraged the family of the bereaved as well as the NAN family to take consolation in the Biblical assurance that there is resurrection for those who die in the Lord.

Mr Segun Aribike, NAN’s Acting Executive Director (Editorial Operations), in his tribute, described the demise of Onowu as a great loss.

“He was a hard worker, interesting fellow. Indeed, I have lost a friend.

“It is sad that we have to die one day, but we should be grateful to God in all things,” Aribike said.

He consoled the Onowu family, adding: “My cherished relationship with late Onowu was a symbol of true friendship and honour.

“He was somebody you could trust professionally; he would not do anything that would undermine you.

“I am still dumbfounded by the loss. His death was a terrible loss to the journalism profession,” Mr. Sunny Ugoh, the Acting Director of Communications, ECOWAS Secretariat, said in his tribute.

Mr. Isaac Ighure, the Secretary-General of Nigeria Guild of Editors and the Head of NAN Lagos Office, said Onowu was a forceful personality, who played his role meritoriously.

“I knew him for two decades.

He was a team player, easy and outgoing fellow. He respected his superiors and subordinates alike, his death came as a surprise to many of us,’’ he said.

Dr Nwabu Mgbemena, a former Managing Director of NAN, regretted that “Onowu did not live to retirement age and ``Ito-Ogbo Obosi’’.

“I was excited that he had reached the position of a senior editor but unfortunately, it is a pity that he died so soon,” he said.

Onowu, who died on Thursday, May 16, is survived by his wife, Grace, two sonsChidera and Ebuka among other family members.

Dignitaries Grace The Union Of Emovon and Okoro-Obaraye family

By OBOH SYLVESTER

Social Media Co-ordinator, Nigeria Centenary Celebration, Angela Nmoh (left), with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim at the award ceremony of “Thank God it’s Centinary” social media competition in Abuja weekend.

Social Media Co-ordinator, Nigeria Centenary Celebration, Angela Nmoh (left), with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (middle) and asardees at the award ceremony of “Thank God it’s Centinary” social media competition in Abuja weekend.

BENIN CITY - Dignitaries, including Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Emmanuel Emovon, Chief of Staff, Government House, Benin City, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon and the State Commissioner for Works, Barrister Osarodion Ogie at the weekend graced the traditional marriage ceremony of Osayi Yvonne Emovon and Mr. Osahon Okoro-Obaraye.

Others are the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, the Action Congress of Nigerian (ACN) Chairman in Edo State, Hon. Thomas Okosun and Hon Rasaq BeloOsagie, the member, representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and the parents of the bride, Elder John and Madam Modina Emovon, the ACN Woman Leader in the state.

The marriage ceremony took place at the brides family residence at No. 27 Aviation Way, Off 2nd Freedom, Off Edebiri Street, Behind Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Shun Detractors, Odionwere Urges Community

By ROLAND OSAKUE

OGHEGHE (BENIN CITY)-The Odionwere of Ogheghe –Adumagbae Community in Uhunmwode local government area of Edo state, Pa Ehizonmwangie Kingsley Amayo has urged the people to discountenance the claims of his detractors, saying he was duly installed as the Odionwere by the community.

Pa Amayo, who spoke to newsmen recently in Benin City stated that he was not unaware of the evil machinery of some of his subjects in the community and that he would remain undaunted.

He said that the recent plans to disclaim him as the legitimate Odionwere of the community was another phase by his detractors to again plunge the community into crisis.

The Odionwere who said that he was not prepared to be dragged into troubled waters by his so-called detractors, pointed out that their purported announcement on an electronic medium was a

distortion of the true position of the Area Customary court sitting on the matter.

He explained that as the plaintiff in the case, no decision was reached by the court, adding that the court is expected to move to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa for verification of the facts.

The Odionwere however, frowned at the purported paid announcement and considered it premature, and infantile on the part of those behind it.

He stated that the community had just recovered

Pa Ehizonmwangie K.Amayo

from a crisis that was settled by the Oba of Benin and members of the State House of Assembly, saying “It cannot afford to begin a fresh one again”.

According to him, “my installation as the Odionwere was of public knowledge and witnessed by members of the community”. He said that as part of the ceremony, he went to the palace of the Benin Monarch who also endorsed

him. “The members of the Edo State House of Assembly also recognised me as the Odionwere of the Community”, he added.

Pa Amayo picked holes in contradictory claims of his detractors, and put the records straight that he was installed on March 3, 2008 as the Odionwere of the community.

He therefore called on the people to discountenance the said announcement and should go about their normal activities in the area.

Students Protest: BENIN CITY The authority of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) yesterday faulted reports that students of the institution protested over lack of water in their hotel at Ekenwan campus.

It explained that though students expressed concern over the lack of water supply on campus that very day, explaining that it was not the cause of the authorities but that of the people responsible for pumping water in the campus.

According to the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr.

The joyous ceremony which showcase the time-tested and time-honoured traditional Benin Native Law and Custom reflected a cultural regeneration and a true definition of marriage as well as celebration of love.

In his admonition, Prof.

Emovon who was also a one DVC, University of Benin and former Vice Chancellor, University of Jos advised the couple to perpetually honour and respect the sanctity of their marriage so as to serve as perfect example for others to emulate.

He also advised them against bringing in a third party to interfere in the marriage and learn to resolve their differences in the spirit of the love which brought them together.

Man Docked For Bitting Off Neighbours Ear IBADAN - The police has arraigned a 32-year-old man, Ganiu Adeleke, before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly bitting off the lower part of his neighbour’s ear.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Foluke Adedosu, said the accused in the company of another person now at large, committed the crime on April 26 at about 10 p.m. at Ashaka area of Ibadan.

Adedosu alleged that the suspect committed the crime with intent to leave an indelible mark on his victim, Aminat Otunkoyka.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the twocount charge of conspiracy and assault.

His lawyer, Tope Olayinka, thereafter applied to the court for bail on liberal terms.

Chief Magistrate Adams Adeshina granted the accused bail in the sum of N20,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

He subsequently, adjourned the matter to June 18 for further hearing.

UNIBEN Authorities Debunk Report

Harrison Osarenren, “it is not true that students have not had water for two days as reported; the campus has enjoyed steady water supply on campus but we learnt that those responsible for the pumping of water were not on campus to do their job.”

“That was why, when the university’s authority learnt of the incident, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Osayuki Oshodin immediately ordered water tankers to go and supply

water to the campus.”

“And after that, the issues were resolved and students went about their normal business. The Vice Chancellor is a father and a tested and trusted administrator that will not allow his children to suffer a bit.

“The university is committed to ensuring and maintaining the prevailing peace in the university and will not tolerate any attempt to cause disaffection in the university” the university said.

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South West Adebayo Rallies Support For IBADAN - Retired Gen. quality education for its Ajimobi out youths.

Adeyinka Adebayo, the Chairman of the Governing Council, University of Ibadan, has called on residents of Oyo State to support government in its transformation efforts.

Adebayo made the call when he led members of the council on a visit to Governor. Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan.

It will be recalled that Adebayo was a former mili-

tary governor of the then Western Region in 1966.

Adebayo said Ajimobi had given the education sector a boost, adding that the university had benefited from the educational initiatives of the state government.

Responding, Ajimobi said the state government attached much importance to education because of its belief that no nation could develop with-

He assured the university of government support, noting that his administration would identify with any project that would make the institution to maintain its leadership position in Africa.

Reports also say that Prof.

Isaac Adewole, the vice chancellor of the university, and other management staff were in the council’s delegation.

Ondo Assemby Approves 18 Commissioner-Nominees AKURE - The Ondo State House of Assembly approved the nomination of 18 commissioners presented to it by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

The Speaker, Mr. Samuel Adesina, at plenary that the Selection Committee of the House headed by him completed the screening of the nominees and recommended their approval.

The commissioner-nominees were Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), Kayode Akinmade, Clement Faboyede, Gboye Adegbenro, Dayo Adeyanju, Yele Ogundipe, Nicholas

Tofowomo and Sola Ebiseni.

Others were Bade Omoloja, Akin Adaramola, Lasisi Oluboyo, Bekekhimi Idhiarhi, Remi Olatubora and Deji Falae who had all served in the former cabinet of the governor.

Jide Adejuyigbe, Bamiduro Dada, Tunde Atere and Yemi Mahmud also made the list.

The speaker called on the nominees to be more dedicated to the service of the people of the state.

Olatubora, who responded on behalf of his colleagues, expressed gratitude to the

House for giving them “a smooth passage during the screening.’’

The nominee, a former legislator, promised that the commissioners would work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Ogun Sets Up C’tee On HIV Prevalence

ABEOKUTA - The Ogun Government has set up a 25man committee on the inclusion of Inter-Personal Com-

Court Berates Police, Discharges Accused IBADAN - A 19-year-old man, Abeeb Adeleke has been discharged by an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court for lack of diligent prosecution.

The prosecutor, Insp Oladeji Obayanju, told the court that the defendant was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful possession of property.

He alleged that Adeleke committed the crime on January 6 at about 8.45 p.m. at Idiaro area of Ibadan.

He said the defendant was arrested for wandering aim-

lessly with two Blackberry phones and N20 cash suspected to have been stolen.

He added that the offence contravened the Criminal Code of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence counsel, Kamarudeen Oyerinde, argued that the police had no evidence to back their claim.

He asked the court to compel the police to pay N10,000 to him and his client for unlawful detention.

Chief Magistrate Adams

L-R: Senator Ben Obi, the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs and Children at the Burial of his wife Colette in Awka weekend.

Adeshina who expressed anger over the case, said the police had no reason to arraign the defendant, based on facts before him.

He added that the charge was a mockery of the police. “ Does it mean that primary school pupils holding N20 note or more will now be arrested and arraigned by the police?’’ he asked.

He discharged the defendant for lack of diligent prosecution, asking the police to return his property to him.

munication (IPC) strategy into the curriculum of the School of Health Technology, Ilese.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, said in Abeokuta that this was part of the measures put in place to reduce the prevalence rate of HIV/ AIDS. Soyinka spoke at a forum jointly organised by the state Government and two NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisations- Enhancing Nigeria’s Response to HIV and AIDS (ENR) and the Society for Family Health (SFH).

He said that it would also enhance the uptake of family planning and reproduc-

L-R: Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu and former Governor of Old Anambra, Chief Jim Nwobodo, at the Burial of Mrs. Colette Obi in Awka weekend.

tive health.

The commissioner said that inclusion of the strategy into the school’s curriculum would enable students to get adequate training to reach out to members of the larger society.

Soyinka said that this was a way of preventing new infections and enhancing reproductive health.

He explained that the school system remained “a veritable channel of getting this done, particularly among the students.’’

The commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to the provision

of affordable healthcare system.

Also speaking, Alhaji Ambali Ishola, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, said the strategy would enable the students to prepare for the diverse challenges of working in a competitive labour market.

In his remarks, the ENR representative, Mr. Lanre Kayode, observed that the strategy would aid effective data collection and collation on health-related matters.

He added that strong networking among participants would help in the sustenance of behavioural change.

Fayemi Tasks Jobless Youths On Agriculture ADO-EKITI - Governor.

Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has called on youths to engage in agricultural production to reduce unemployment.

Fayemi gave the advice in Ado-Ekiti at the Passing-Out Parade of the 2012 Batch ‘B’ Corps members posted to the state.

He said it was time for youths tackle the challenges of poverty, unemployment as well as social unrest through food production.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, reiterated that agriculture was one of the ways out of the challenges of unemployment and poverty.

According to Fayemi, the sector can conveniently account for 80 percent of the job provision index in the country if well harnessed.

He frowned at the desperate search for white-collar jobs by graduates, saying:

“Instead of joining the army of unemployed graduates, try your hands on productive ventures such as agriculture, medium scale businesses, rendering social services, buying and selling, among other opportunities.’’

Fayemi told the corps members that his government had continually opened windows of opportunities for fresh graduates and school leavers who wish to take up careers in farming.

“This is being done through the provision of free farm land, tractors, fertilizer, seedlings as well as working capital that ranges from N50,000 to N500,000,” he said.

Earlier, the state Director of NYSC, Mr. Baba-Ahmed Nurudeen, urged corps members to be tolerant and accommodating.

Reports say that the state government rewarded five corps members for their hard work.

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Lagos Expert Tasks Nigerians On Ocean Pollution LAGOS - Capt. Abiodun Omoteso, a Master Mariner and Director, African Maritime Events, has advised Nigerians to prevent pollution in order to achieve cleaner oceans.

Omoteso made the call in an interview with newsmen as Nigeria joins other countries to mark this year’s World Oceans Day. He said that anything dropped in the oceans could pollute the water, adding that prevention is better than rectifying a fault.

The director urged the Federal Government to create awareness on ways to achieve cleaner ocean.

Omoteso explained that marking the Day required government assessing how far it had gone in achieving cleaner oceans and safer waters.

“The World Oceans Day is not a celebration but an assessment. There must be cause to celebrate,’’ he said.

He said the country needed to find out how far it had gone with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions.

“The IMO slogan is ‘Safety, Security and Clean Oceans‘; how far have we gone in domesticating all the conventions of IMO?’’ Mr. Olu Akinsoji, former Sole Administrator, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), who also spoke with NAN, said that allowing piracy on Nigerian waters showed weakness on the part of the government.

Akinsoji said that government of any country where such activities had been on should

People stepping on stones to cross a flooded area at Orile in Lagos after a downpour weekend

L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor; Chairman, Board of Directors, Dr. Hassan Adamu and member, NDIC Board of Directors, Alhaji Lawan Gana at the inauguration of NDIC Academy in Abuja weekend.

Abiola Eyes Lagos Governorship Seat

2015:

LAGOS – Mrs. Modupe Onitiri-Abiola, one of the wives of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has declared her intention to contest the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.

Onitiri-Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential elections, however, did not mention the party’s platform on which she would contest.

She told newsmen in Lagos that her motive of seeking the votes of the electorate was to assist in the eradication of poverty.

Onitiri-Abiola said that she worked with her late husband in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 elections annulled by the military regime of former president, Ibrahim Babangida, in 1993.

She said that the country needed to start practising true democracy at all levels of

government to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

The aspirant said if she became successful at the polls, poverty eradication would be the focus of her government.

She said that the same issue should be the major concern of government at all levels.

“There should be no poverty in this state or in this country.

There is so much poverty on the ground and the situation on ground is extremely terrible, worse than what we thought it was at that time, but, I am trying to look at what exactly is in the interest, actually, true interest of the people.

“What I am trying to do now is eradication of poverty; and, I know once you remove poverty, you remove everything and for you to be able to remove poverty, you need to have so many programmes.

“Some social welfare programmes, free education, free health, affordable homes, good roads, providing for people that are not employed, helping people that are in business and who want to get into business,

or you want to start business, you need the back-up of the government.

“All that put in place, you are going to eradicate poverty.

Poverty should not exist in this country, not even in this state my Lagos State.“

Man, 40, Docked Over N3.3m Theft LAGOS - A salesman, Jovita Udeagbala, 40, who allegedly stole goods valued at N3.3 million belonging to his employer, was arraigned at a Yaba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The accused, who resides at No. 42 Ofala St., Mushin, Lagos, is standing trial on a two count-charge of stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp Peter Nwangwu, told the court that

Police Arraign 3 For Theft LAGOS - Three suspects have appeared before an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with the alleged theft of property worth N100, 000.

Opeyemi Maku, 24, Sunday Ikeweji, 29, and Ibrahim Ajibade, 20, are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and wilful damage to property.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Inedu, said that the accused persons on April 30 at about

5.30 p.m. at No. 14, Osho Drive, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, stole N50, 000 cash and two Blackberry handsets worth N50, 000.

According to him, the two handsets and the cash belonging to one Mrs. Nkechi Ibeh, a beer parlour operator, were snatched from her in her shop.

“The accused, with others at large, ransacked Ibeh’s shop and carted away her two Blackberry mobile phones worth N50, 000 and N50, 000 cash.

hold itself responsible for the abuse of the ocean.

He called on the government to increase its surveillance and intensify efforts to prevent piracy.

Mr Olumide Omotosho, a Hydrographer with the Nigerian Ports Authority, also told NAN that all IMO rules should be followed strictly in the Maritime industry.

Omotosho said if all IMO conventions such as putting Automatic Identification System (AIS) in all ships were followed, illegal activities would be easily spotted.

He also said that AIS would enable tracking of all ships that engaged in illegal activities on the oceans.

“Nigeria should ensure that all anti-pollution laws and regulation according to the Marine Environmental Pollution laws are strictly enforced,’’ he said.

The hydrographer also called for charting of all Nigerian waters as a guide to safe navigation of the waters.

Omotosho said that government should empower and support NPA and Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to enforce laws against pollution and piracy.

Reports say that the UN General Assembly in 2008 decided that as from 2009, June 8 would be designated as World Oceans Day. The official designation of World Oceans Day is an opportunity to raise global awareness on challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans.

“They also damaged plastic chairs, crates of bottles, drinks and other valuables worth N82, 000,” Inedu said. e said that luck, however, ran out on the accused as their victim raised an alarm that attracted other people, who caught up with them, and were handed them over to the police.

Inedu said the offences committed contravened Sections 285, 348 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Udeagbala committed the offence between October 2012 and April 2013, at ASPAMADA market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

He said that Udeagbala was employed in September 2012 by one Mr Ifeanyi Osuala, to sell motor spare parts at his shop at ASPAMADA market.

Nwangwu alleged that Udeagbala was required to remit proceeds from sales into a designated Keystone Bank account when Osuala took a trip abroad over an extended period.

“He failed to remit any money, claiming that he had not made any sales between October 2012 and April 2013.

“Consequently, stock of goods in the store was taken by Osuala in April 2013 after his return which showed that spare parts valued at N3,380,000 were missing and unaccounted for,” the prosecutor said.

Nwangwu said that the offences contravened Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

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Across The Nation ILORIN - Francis Okoye, a 2012 Batch B NYSC member in Kwara, has decried an alleged non challant attitude of many communities toward sponsorship of corps members’ projects under the Community Development Service (CDS).

Corp Member Decries Poor Sponsorship Of CDS Okoye told newsmen in Ilorin that he executed 11 projects worth N2.5 million as CDS. However, the corps member, who was conferred with “Kwara State Honour Award”

by Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, said he experienced difficulty in mobilising for the projects due to the issue of sponsorship.

Okoye said that people had lost interest in sponsorship of

corps members’ projects in their communities.

He urged well meaning individuals to always sponsor corps members in their communities, to impact positively and address the need of the

L-R: Rector Plateau Polytechnic, Mr. Dauda Gyang; representeative of Plateau Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Sarah Ramadan and representative of the Chairman, Plateau State House of Assembly’s committee on Education, Mr. Titus Alam at the matriculation of 2012/2013 students of the polytechnic at Barkin-Ladi in Jos weekend.

hosts.

Okoye served at Offa Grammar School in Offa Local Government area of the state.

Among other projects, he provided a motorised bore hole at Owode Central Market in Offa.

Okoye said the need to impact on his host community and alleviate the suffering of the populace propelled him to embark on the projects.

The corps member said he also distributed 200 school sandals and note books to students in the community.

Okoye also erected at the main road into Offa, a statue of a peacock which is the cultural symbol of the community.

The NYSC member attributed his success to Almighty God. “I could not have done all these with my own strength.

It is just because I have the support of God. I heard their cries and accepted the responsibility as a corps member.

“I gathered resources and at the end of the day, I was able to carry out the projects. Everybody is now singing my praise for the work done,”

IBADAN - A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has remanded in prison a 24-yearold man, Fatai Alabi, who was charged with unlawful dealing in Indian hemp.

Reports say that Alabi was arrested by officials of the NDLEA at Apata area of Ibadan on May 15 at about 2 p.m.

According to the NDLEA prosecutor, Mrs. Bridget Viashimah, the accused was arrested in possession of 800 grammes of the substance.

Viashimah alleged that

Alabi contravened Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N. 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Reports say that the accused person, who had no legal representation, pleaded guilty to the one-count charge.

The prosecutor prayed the court for an adjournment to prepare her review of facts.

Justice Abimbola ObasekiAdejumo adjourned the trial to September 24, with an order that the accused be remanded at the Agodi Prisons in Ibadan.

Gov Wamakko Loses Aide SOKOTO -The death has occurred of Alhaji Kabiru Ahmed, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Aliyu Wamakko on special Duties.

Reports say that the deceased died last Saturday at a private hospital in Sokoto after a brief illness.

His remains were buried in Sokoto after a funeral prayer, where the Head of service , Alhaji Bature Shinkafi represented Wamakko, who is currently out of the country .

Aged 54 , the late Ahmed is survived by three wives , 16 children and an aged mother .

Bricklayer Remanded For Abduction, Rape OSOGBO - An Osogbo Senior Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of a 22-yearold bricklayer, Moyinoluwa Tosin, for allegedly abducting and raping a 15-year-old girl.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp.

Solomon Oladele, had told the court that the accused and others now at large, conspired and committed the offence on June 3, at about 11.30 p.m., at No. 8 Egbatedo Str., Osogbo.

Oladele said the accused with the others committed felony by abduction when they took a minor into their custody.

He said that in addition to that, they indecently assaulted and later defiled the girl, thereby causing her to be admitted at the hospital for treatment for four days.

The plea of the accused was, however, not taken and the Senior Magistrate, Mr. Olusola Aluko, ordered that the accused be remanded in the Ilesha Prison.

Aluko, however, instructed the counsel to the accused, Mr. Daniel Agbara, to file a formal bail application on behave of his client.

The case was adjourned till June 26 for mention.

2012 and 2013 Matriculating students of the Plateau Polytechnic in Jos weekend.

Court Remands Drug Suspect in Prison

Okoye said.

Northern Governors To Develop Economic Blueprint

KADUNA - The Northern States Governors Forum, has agreed to come up with an economic plan that would fast track the economic growth of the region.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger, Babangida Aliyu, said in a communique issued at the end of the group’s meeting in Kaduna, that the plan was necessary in view of the economic problems facing the region.

He also said that the governors had ratified key appointments at the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), as part of efforts to reposition the com-

pany for more purposeful role in the nation’s economy.

Those appointed were Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed as Group Managing Director, Adole Dokotri, Abba Waziri and Ali Abdullahi as Directors, while Baba Barnabas was ratified as Company Secretary.

“The company has been directed to submit five year strategic plan at the next meeting of the forum”, he added.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill, Aliyu said the northern states governors would en-

gage members of the National Assembly for the quick passage of the bill, reflecting the submissions made by them, in the overall interest of the country.

Reports say that the governors have also considered the report of Gov. Murtala Nyako Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security, saying that each governor would implement the various recommendations affecting his state.

Aliyu said the governors had formed a four-man committee, comprising the secre-

taries to the state governments of Borno, Katsina, Gombe and Sokoto, to within four weeks get an update on the privatisation of the New Nigerian Newspapers.

Aliyu added that the forum had called on the Federal Government to release the balance of the pension funds due to retired staff of the company.

The chairman stated that the forum urged political leaders to focus on issues that would engender national unity and the consolidation of democracy, noting that “the nation is going through challenging times”.

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Abuja Army Denies Report Of Civilian Casualties

State Of Emergency: ABUJA - The Defence Headquarters have denied a New York Times newspaper report that the Nigerian military was killing innocent civilians in the attempt to flush out Boko Haram insurgents in the three state under emergency rule.

The Federal Government had on May 14, declared state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. A. C Olukolade, said the New York Times report dwelt on “atrocities being committed by the Nigerian military against innocent civilians”, sought to create in the minds of its reader’s an imaginary refugee situation in the area.

“It quoted non-existent people, painted a picture of an army that cannot distinguish between the enemy and unarmed civilians; an army that turns its guns against the same people it is out to protect.

“This is certainly not the Nigerian Armed Forces, and there

is no killing of civilians in the on-going operation as New York Times desperately sought to portray.

“Imbued with half- truths, unsubstantiated claims and outright misrepresentations, the report, as in some others carried by their fellows in the certain media, strived in futility to demonise the ongoing operation in the North-East, all with the intention of bringing to disrepute, the character and professionalism of the Nigerian military and security agencies.

“Apart from the reference to its series of usually faceless sources, there is so far no reasonable evidence of the allegations so zealously presented by the New York Times.

“There is indeed no basis for such situation neither has there been any credible report from responsible quarters in Nigeria.

‘The claim that ‘Nigerian refugees are pouring into Niger Republic’ despite the unambiguous rebuttal by the National Emer-

gency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Borno State Government is another pointer to the deliberate misrepresentation of facts by New York Times and its allies in the social media.

“Indeed, if the foreign media, propelled by whatever ulterior motive, have resolved to whip up resentment against our institutions, it is certainly not incumbent on any of our local media organisations in Nigeria to offer its platform for the orchestration of such mischief.

“In the light of the foregoing, the Defence Headquarters acting in concert with the Ministry of Defence, wishes to alert Nigerians particularly our local media about this unfortunate tendency and trend in the foreign media.

“The need for Nigerian media to remain patriotic as they have demonstrated in their coverage of the operation so far is again reiterated please.”

Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi (right), presenting the Certificate of Occupancy for the site of the Federal University in Birnin Kebbi to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rafai, at the weekend.

Be Creative, Oputa Tells Youths ABUJA - A retired Supreme Court Justice, Chukwudifu Oputa has urged youths to explore legacies bequeathed by great artistes to promote creativity and intellectual development among them.

Oputa made the call at the launch of Harcourt-Whyte Foundation, an NGO, to promote production of sacred hymns and campaign against leprosy in Nigeria.

The event, which featured rendition of hymns composed by the late Ikoli HarcourtWhyte, was designed by the foundation to collate and document his 300 hymns with a view to keeping them alive.

It would be recalled that in his life time, Hracourt-Whyte’s hymns became part of the rich culture and art of eastern Nigeria and Christendom.

Oputa urged Nigerians to appreciate and honour people whose works the society could gain from.

He, however, urged youths to be inspired by HarcourtWhyte’s story in order to strive further in spite of difficult situations currently confronting the country.

Oputa recounted how Harcourt-Whyte attained his goals in spite of the challenges

of being a destitute and an orphan who was affected by leprosy.

“In spite of all the handicaps Whyte was able to make it; it does not matter how you are born, what matters is the will to excel in life.

“Where there is will there is a way, we must celebrate those who left something for us to copy,’’ he said.

Earlier, Mrs Ezenwa Okorafor, Secretary, Board of Trustees, Harcourt-Whyte Foundation, said the foundation intended to establish facilities for the production of music and training of artistes among others.

Okorafor added that the foun-

dation would also promote the campaign against leprosy and tuberculosis.

According to her, the foundation intends to achieve this by helping to create awareness about these diseases and their effects on mankind.

She said that the foundation would coordinate treatment for the diseases, mobilise volunteers and donor agencies, and distribute drugs and other relief materials to the afflicted.

His son, Sir Godwin Harcourt-Whyte, said the appreciation and sustenance of his father’s music would be an inspiration to many youths.

Harcourt-Whyte died in 1977 in a motor accident.

Insist On Full Budget Implementation; Falana Urges NASS

ABUJA - A Human Rights Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has called on the National Assembly to always insist on the full implementation of annual budgets by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) .

Falana made the call during the second anniversary of the 7th House of Representatives in Abuja .

He called on the house to avoid any attempt to amend the 2013 budget which had been in operation.

“Having signed the Appropriation bill into law, the National Assembly should reject the deliberate ploy to delay the

AGF To Re-Investigate Cases Handled By According to the statement, Ombudsman, having secured PCC the National Human Rights the cooperation of other anti-

ABUJA - The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke, said he would assign lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice to reinvestigate cases handled by the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to ensure transparency.

A statement issued in Abuja

by Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwosu, the Public Relations Officer of PCC, said the efforts would help the commission to fight injustice.

It said the attorney-general would host a stakeholders’ conference with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Crimes Commission in that regard.

Katsina State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Gide Batagarawa (left), presenting a letter of condolence to Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi in Birnin Kebbi at the weekend over the death of the state’s information Commissioner, Alhaji Sani Kangiwa.

Commission and PCC will also feature in the conference to form the desired synergy for fighting criminality and corruption.

The statement said the commission solicited the cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Justice in handling such cases.

It said such cooperation would help the commission to handle cases where an offence had been committed against the state.

It noted that the commission was committed to ensuring that its mandates were achieved as

corruption agencies in the country.

“If the commission is encouraged to perform its task, it will help in no small way to build peoples’ confidence in the judiciary,’’ it said.

According to it, the commission investigates and resolves complaints against government, public corporations, private organisations and public officials.

implementation of the 2013 budget.

“Once the appropriation bill has been passed into law, it is required to be enforced intoto,” he said.

He said that it would be the height of impunity for the executive to embark on a partial implementation of the budget.

“The decision of the National Assembly to insist on the full implementation of the nation’s budget is in line with the tenets of the rule of law,’’ he said.

According to him, the country may witness the highest level of non-implementation of the 2013 budget if care is not taken.

He urged the house to design an internal mechanism to check activities of its members in regards to oversight function.

“It is high time the house devised internal mechanisms for monitoring it’s members engaged in the investigation of corruption.

“When you are fighting corruption, corruption will fight you back. Be vigilant against external forces, which are bent on destroying the house,’’ he said.

He urged the National Assembly to avoid being blackmailed in exercising its powers in order to ensure that the Central Bank of Nigeria was brought under legislative scrutiny.

Falana called on the legislature, as true representatives of the people to make public, salaries and allowances of members instead of resorting to the court.

In a presentation, a former university lecturer, Prof. Jonah Elaigwu, advised committees against relying on MDAs for financial assistance in carrying out oversight functions.

Elaigwu advised the house to be proactive and active in discharging it’s legislative duties.

According to him, the return of members of the house with experience of lawmaking

would help in deepening the lawmaking process at the National Assembly.

He alleged that politicians were the originators of violence in the country by encouraging in thuggery during elections.

Elaigwu said that the frequent ethnic and religious violence had greatly retarded the country’s development.

On his part, Prof. Chidi Odikanlu, Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission, called for adequate allocation to the Nigeria Police Force to enhance its operations.

Odikanlu said that the police personnel in the country work under extreme conditions in trying to protect the citizens.

He called on the house to enact laws that would adequately address corruption and punish offenders accordingly.

It would be recalled that the 7th house was inaugurated on June 6, 2011.

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Business + Economy Tomato Scarcity Imminent As Farmers Dump The Crop DASS (BAUCHI STATE) Tomato farmers in Dass, Bauchi State, have switched to other crops following the outbreak of a strange disease that destroyed their crops.

Reports say that Dass is one of the major tomatoe producing areas in the state.

Some of them who spoke with newsmen said they incurred losses ranging from N200,000 to N400,000, adding that they had switched to other crops like okra, maize and hot pepper.

One of the farmers, Gambo Turaki, said in previous years, he realised about N300,000 from tomato farming, but that this year, the crop got rotten completely after producing flowers and few tomatoes.

“I did all I could, from spraying of recommended chemicals, to applying fertiliser, but to no avail,” he said.

Bala Dutse, a dry season farmer, narrated the same experience, saying that he lost about N300, 000 this year as a result of the misfortune.

“The crop’s leaves just started shrinking and the few ones that had flowers, started producing tiny tomatoes that eventually got

rotten,” he said.

Another farmer, Abdulkarim Usman, said he generated N400,000 from tomatoes last year, but realised nothing this year.

“When I realised that the situation was a hopeless one, I simply cleared the farm of the dying tomatoes and planted okra to generate a little income,” he said.

Another farmer, Zubairu Ibrahim, analysed the effect of the problem, warning that people should brace up for acute scarcity of tomatoes in the next three months.

“When harvest is good, an average basket sells for as low as N400, but now that quantity costs N1,200.

“In the next one month, I envisaged the price shooting to about N2,000 and subsequently hitting N5,000 during Ramadan and Sallah period in July and August,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Media and Publicity, Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), Alhaji Ja’afaru Ilela, said that the agency had not received any formal complaint on the matter.

National Director, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMF), Lagos, Mr. Tom Ogboi; Founder, Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof. Pat Utomi and District Co-ordinator, FGBMF, Mr. Chibuzor Eze, at the Annual Business Seminar of the fellowship in Lagos weekend.

Fish Farmers Want Inclusion In GES ABUJA - A cross section of fish farmers in the FCT have appealed to the Federal Government to include them in the ongoing Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.

The local fish farmers made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abuja .

They said that their inclusion in GES was necessary considering the high demand for fish by the residents within and outside the Federal capital city.

Mr Ndubuisi Mpama said that private fish farmers who produced most of the fish consumed in Abuja, needed assistance too just as crop farmers.

Mpama noted that fish farming, if properly handled, could also help in some areas of food challenges faced by the country at the present time.

He said that if the private fish producers were encouraged, their efforts would go a long way to provide employment and ensure food availability for the teeming population in the country.

“The assistance we are asking is necessary because we have observed that the demand for fish is high.

“If we are assisted by the government, it will increase our fish production.”

Mpama identified the lack of access to finance as a major challenge to their business and therefore, urged the Federal Government to subsidise feeds and fingerlings for fish farmers as it had subsidised seeds and fertilisers for crop farmers.

“The Federal Government should also involve fish farmers in the GES programme by subsidising fish feeds and fingerlings.

“We are also contributing immensely to the economic growth

of this country in area of fish to boost food production.

“If you should go to Kado fish market, it is the private ones who supply those fish to other sellers.

“This means that we are also important in the society.“ Mr Emmanuel Eka, another fish farmer, also called for financial assistance to the buyers’ demand.

He explained that feeds alone constituted about 80 per cent of the cost of production, adding that the challenge had made it difficult for them to meet their target.

Members of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Union protesting over allocation and ownership of oil blocs in Uyo weekend.

CBN Suggets CRS As Solution To Bad Loans

LAGOS - Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said that effective Credit Reporting Standard (CRS) would solve the problem of bad loans in the financial sector.

He said this in a message to a conference organised by the CBN and Business Development and Investment Ltd. in Lagos.

Sanusi, who was represented by Mrs Folakemi Fatogbe, the Special Adviser to the Governor and Director in the Department of Risk Management, recalled that CRS was introduced by the apex bank in 1998.

The CBN governor explained that the introduction of CRS was due to the crisis in the financial sector.

He said that investigation carried out by the CBN revealed that a lot of customers obtained loans from banks and refused to pay back.

“The same set of customers

will cross to other banks to access loans and this led to the collapse of the financial sector,“ he said.

Sanusi expressed concern that most banks lacked the Single Customer’s Identifier that would be able to capture debtors in the financial system.

“There should be a unique customer’s identifier that will be able to show whether a customer is owing a bank or not, “ he said.

Sanusi said that the regulatory body had taken some steps to ensure sound and healthy financial sector in the country.

He said that the apex bank had completed a guideline for banks and Bureau De Change to enhance good reporting standard in the country. “ A cap of five per cent had been introduced for non- performing loans in the financial sector, “ he said.

Sanusi said that this was

part of the steps taken to improve corporate governance in the banking sector.

Mr. Taiwo Ayedun, the Managing Director, Business

Development and Investment Ltd, said that the genesis of the introduction of CRS was the financial crisis in the banking sector.

Ayedun said that the memories of the collapsed banks were still fresh with Nigerians.

The theme of the conference, which ended on Friday, is: “Enhancing Financial Stability through Credit Reporting’’.

PHCN To Prosecute Offenders

Meters By-Pass: LAGOS - The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company has threatened to arrest and prosecute any customer caught by-passing prepaid meter.

Mr Idemudia Godwin, Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs and Media Relations) in the company, gave the warning in Lagos in an interview with newsmen.

He said that there was a penalty fine of N50,000 for such offenders.

Godwin advised consumers against by-passing their pre-

paid meters to avoid sanctions, adding that management had gone out of its way to enlighten customers on the implications of by-passing the meters.

He said that the company was also making efforts to ensure that all its customers had pre-paid meters.

Godwin said that the management had constituted surveillance team in the zone to monitor the activities of customers who by-passed their pre-paid meters.

“It is a criminal act for cus-

tomers to by-pass the connecting cables of their prepaid meters.

“We have set up surveillance team to monitor premises in order to ensure that every household adheres to laid down guidelines,’’ he said.

Godwin, however commended consumers for protecting power installations in the area.

He said that PHCN was doing its best to ensure improved power supply.

THE

NIGERIAN

11

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT FRIDAY(07/06/13) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MANDRID

5.94

5.94

0

1

200

1,188.00

7UP

52.5

52.5

0

14

16,494

883,950.86

MANSARD

2.43

2.4

-0.03

14

1,207,200

2,907,760.00

ABBEYBDS

1.5

1.5

0

1

500

725

MAYBAKER

2.93

2.8

-0.13

73

1,083,205

3,110,679.10

ABCTRANS

0.97

1

0.03

34

7,246,123

7,374,117.95

MBENEFIT

0.5

0.5

0

3

21,000

10,500.00

ACADEMY

1.61

1.75

0.14

7

131,200

228,172.00

MCNICHOLS

1.86

2

0.14

25

715,088

1,330,445.08

ACCESS

11.79

11.7

-0.09

337

23,747,426

277,827,443.70

MOBIL

110

119

9

33

134,844

16,035,206.40

2.23

2.23

0

2

4,645

9,336.45

AFRIPRUD

1.82

1.81

-0.01

60

1,752,775

3,175,660.55

MORISON

AFROMEDIA

0.5

0.5

0

3

10,335

5,167.50

MRS

16.7

16.7

0

14

11,957

202,605.83

AGLEVENT

1.75

1.58

-0.17

10

646,737

1,023,836.38

MULTITREX

0.55

0.5

-0.05

15

1,226,600

620,230.00

AIICO

0.95

0.96

0.01

56

6,703,093

6,548,158.23

NAHCO

7.7

7.8

0.1

69

910,351

7,045,639.58

AIRSERVICE

4.51

4.52

0.01

17

287,750

1,304,817.50

NASCON

12.1

12

-0.1

145

3,066,058

37,129,910.67

ASHAKACEM

26.95

27

0.05

69

1,253,677

33,948,149.69

NB

178

178

0

167

2,812,346

498,611,006.95

ASOSAVINGS

0.5

0.5

0

1

93,709

46,854.50

NCR

18.7

18.7

0

8

35,202

658,277.40

BECOPETRO

0.5

0.5

0

1

100

50

NEIMETH

1.14

1.25

0.11

14

742,135

927,668.75

BERGER

9.46

9.46

0

10

18,292

175,743.47

NEM

0.81

0.8

-0.01

52

6,557,986

5,272,480.80

BETAGLAS

10

10

0

4

170,000

1,704,282.66

NESTLE

1075

1075.17

0.17

94

169,692

182,639,535.74

BOCGAS

7.5

7.5

0

1

10,000

75,100.00

NIG-GERMAN

8.17

8.17

0

1

100

736

CADBURY

57.06

57.05

-0.01

106

1,028,189

58,622,772.06

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

3

166,060

83,030.00

CAP

54.45

59.89

5.44

33

358,773

21,008,864.99

NPFMCRFBK

1.18

1.19

0.01

20

584,602

707,672.36

CAPHOTEL

4.59

4.59

0

1

500

2,070.00

OANDO

15.7

15.4

-0.3

129

1,616,357

25,054,896.93

49.1

51.04

1.94

134

1,593,398

81,250,316.70

CAPOIL

0.5

0.5

0

1

3,609

1,804.50

OKOMUOIL

CCNN

10.77

10.67

-0.1

26

469,720

4,968,390.80

PAINTCOM

1.4

1.4

0

7

96,000

144,030.00

CHAMPION

4.84

4.84

0

6

3,867

18,970.00

PHARMDEKO

2.07

2.07

0

2

400

748

CHELLARAM

4.89

4.89

0

1

2,000

8,820.00

PORTPAINT

4.78

4.78

0

1

5,000

21,550.00

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

10

317,900

158,950.00

PRESCO

33

34

1

67

1,408,750

48,152,432.25 387,578.65

CONOIL

24

24

0

17

9,845

237,328.14

PRESTIGE

0.66

0.65

-0.01

8

640,121

CONTINSURE

1.31

1.28

-0.03

20

1,843,370

2,280,242.50

PZ

52.98

52.98

0

61

272,068

14,844,738.87

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

17

1,360,628

689,314.00

REDSTAREX

4.8

4.79

-0.01

30

788,318

3,767,541.10

COSTAIN

1.48

1.36

-0.12

30

590,308

823,083.12

REGALINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

3,774

1,887.00

COURTVILLE

0.76

0.77

0.01

31

2,887,800

2,222,999.29

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

1

200,000

100,000.00

CUSTODYINS

1.72

1.75

0.03

37

1,604,768

2,793,936.24

ROADS

10

9.06

-0.94

3

50,900

461,158.00

CUTIX

2

2

0

11

65,326

131,079.63

ROYALEX

0.64

0.6

-0.04

9

568,225

349,746.55

1.81

1.87

0.06

36

582,261

1,062,357.67

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

10

33,685

16,842.50

RTBRISCOE

DANGCEM

208.49

210

1.51

172

1,409,089

300,885,627.39

SCOA

5.42

5.42

0

1

1,000

4,880.00

DANGFLOUR

9.5

9.51

0.01

66

566,163

5,385,460.40

SKYEBANK

4.85

4.8

-0.05

194

8,445,080

41,015,337.00

DANGSUGAR

10.58

10.75

0.17

169

10,700,774

112,724,519.89

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

300,000

150,000.00

DIAMONDBNK

6.8

6.8

0

125

8,486,620

57,602,855.96

STANBIC

17.51

17.15

-0.36

35

462,444

7,747,555.55

DNMEYER

1.68

1.68

0

5

13,639

21,120.20

STDINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

3

3,700

1,850.00

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

1

150,000

75,000.00

STERLNBANK

2.72

2.75

0.03

82

20,257,738

55,609,643.28

EQUITYASUR

0.5

0.5

0

22

11,000

5,500.00

TOTAL

166

166

0

29

58,706

9,528,175.06

ETERNA

3.64

3.99

0.35

58

1,607,581

6,030,745.94

TRANSCORP

1.27

1.3

0.03

149

26,184,298

33,798,044.75

ETI

16

16

0

86

3,468,912

55,183,694.62

TRIPPLEG

2.29

2.29

0

3

4,055

8,393.85

ETRANZACT

3.47

3.47

0

1

500

1,565.00

UAC-PROP

15.22

15.22

0

10

32,694

511,226.88

EVANSMED

3.42

3.09

-0.33

7

437,010

1,398,537.40

UACN

60.15

60.15

0

51

270,394

16,116,869.18

FBNH

18.2

18.24

0.04

756

28,106,710

513,941,070.77

UBA

8.8

8.7

-0.1

285

11,926,554

103,754,321.13

FCMB

5

4.99

-0.01

88

10,139,640

49,908,563.41

UBCAP

1.25

1.25

0

76

3,486,699

4,308,384.25

14.54

13.09

-1.45

163

2,864,043

40,542,507.90

FIDELITYBK

3.1

3.14

0.04

163

10,940,522

34,283,286.66

UBN

FIDSON

2.05

2.22

0.17

161

12,853,835

27,756,269.39

UNIC

0.5

0.5

0

1

9,500

4,750.00

FLOURMILL

95.16

95.16

0

79

306,245

30,541,656.83

UNILEVER

68

67.94

-0.06

60

5,085,294

345,461,843.52

FO

15.4

15.4

0

21

59,209

993,587.48

UNITYBNK

0.63

0.64

0.01

64

59,756,473

38,122,994.91

FORTISMFB

6.6

6.6

0

1

1,000

5,940.00

UNITYKAP

0.5

0.5

0

1

4,000

2,000.00

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.5

0

4

326,000

163,000.00

UNIVINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

2

4,818

2,409.00

GLAXOSMITH

61.98

68

6.02

31

993,944

62,793,951.23

UPL

5.05

5.55

0.5

30

94,443

519,259.70

GNI

0.5

0.55

0.05

8

2,792,939

1,528,187.06

UTC

0.72

0.76

0.04

17

265,269

200,538.96

GUARANTY

28.3

28.2

-0.1

332

23,900,936

674,286,927.98

VITAFOAM

3.6

3.69

0.09

69

3,531,485

13,006,342.13

GUINNESS

277.05

277

-0.05

47

94,539

25,640,896.54

VONO

1.71

1.71

0

2

1,320

2,032.80

HONYFLOUR

3.26

3.3

0.04

60

1,640,514

5,393,914.99

WAPCO

100

99.1

-0.9

49

856,110

84,766,711.82

IHS

2

2

0

5

70,440,200

140,880,400.00

WAPIC

0.9

0.91

0.01

32

623,000

599,558.47

IKEJAHOTEL

1.03

0.93

-0.1

9

1,194,773

1,111,382.54

WEMABANK

1.19

1.18

-0.01

44

1,474,956

1,736,386.68

INTBREW

25.9

25.9

0

58

468,930

11,768,925.96

ZENITHBANK

22.5

22.8

0.3

355

46,014,259

1,035,446,851.56

IPWA

0.65

0.6

-0.05

2

110,000

66,000.00

JAPAULOIL

0.57

0.56

-0.01

66

4,450,331

2,481,946.88

JBERGER

55.55

56

0.45

43

433,760

24,166,294.01

JOHNHOLT

1.44

1.44

0

4

14,946

19,699.78

JOSBREW

1.25

1.25

0

5

86,280

109,686.80

JULI

2.14

2.14

0

1

200

386

LEARNAFRCA

1.8

1.8

0

10

99,125

174,910.90

LIVESTOCK

5.4

5.94

0.54

138

10,075,294

59,763,666.66

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock MOBIL GLAXOSMITH CAP OKOMUOIL DANGCEM PRESCO LIVESTOCK UPL JBERGER ETERNA

Close 119 68 59.89 51.04 210 34 5.94 5.55 56 3.99

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain

Stock

9 6.02 5.44 1.94 1.51 1 0.54 0.5 0.45 0.35

UBN ROADS WAPCO STANBIC EVANSMED OANDO AGLEVENT MAYBAKER COSTAIN

Close 13.09 9.06 99.1 17.15 3.09 15.4 1.58 2.8 1.36

Loss -1.45 -0.94 -0.9 -0.36 -0.33 -0.3 -0.17 -0.13 -0.12

THE

NIGERIAN

12

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013 THE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), an organ of the United Nations has said that over 2.8 billion people are affected by water scarcity worldwide.

THIS grim statistics of the world water situation by the FAO also noted that as the world population grows rapidly, increase of water consumption globally is a natural consequence, exacerbated by development and industrialisation factors.

THE body pointed out that population growth, economic development, pollution and climate variability, all exert pressures on water resources. Besides, it observed that human activities such as deforestation, building of dams, prevention of erosion and irrigation among others all affect hydrological process and water resources at our disposal.

TODAY about 2.8 billion people are affected by water scarcity and the challenge for the future is not only to improve the access to clean and potable water for domestic consumption, but also to promote a sound balance between applications and uses of water for irrigation, industry and domestic purposes”, it stated.

FOLLOWING the recent population figure of Nigeria put at about 150 million people, the FAO contends that Nigeria’s population growth should be an increased motivation for Nigerians to be more responsible in the use of water to maximize economic and social welfare. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER notes that water s a most significant element for service arid sustainability of all life forms, man, animals and plants and over the years, scarcity of water has been an unending problems with most population affected by severe shortage of the element and polluted water accounting for a

THE NIGERIAN

Global Water Scarcity greater percentage of water borne diseases in many Nigerian communities.

INTERESTINGLY, while there appears to be pressure of water in many places such as all streams and rivers, lakes, seas and oceans, only about 2.5 per cent of all the water on earth is fresh, and two-third of this fresh water is said to be locked in glaciers and ice caps.

THERE is no gainsaying that the fact that water has public health implications and the need for safe environment that meets basic health standards is premised on the availability of water to carry out domestic and industrial activities. Therefore, when water is grossly lacking, the consequences can be better imagined as the health of the citizenry is endangered.

WE are worried that with the inability of the government to find solution to the problem of the water shortage across the country, is inevitable that society is put in danger by non-potable water that people may have had to resort to as they have no better choice but to utilise water from polluted streams, rivers and lakes.

THE far-reaching consequence is that water has become an expensive commodity with potable drinking water now offered for sale in sachets and plastic bottles. The topography of many communities in Nigeria makes the cost of assessing water via local

soil dredging to hit the water table, very expensive as only very few areas in Nigeria can boast of such good topography where water can be struck easily at good depth. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER asserts that while there are obvious problems that result in water shortage, there is lack of political will by the authorities concerned to make deliberate and conscious” efforts to provide water for the people.

EXPENDITURE on providing water for the people are monumental projects in many states and the Federal Government through the development of the River Basins among others, has put in place measures to provide potable drinking water and for agricultural purpose. However, good drinking water has remained far from the reach of the average Nigerian.

THE constraints not withstanding, the Federal and State Governments need to take the bull by the horn and should endeavour to resuscitate the many abandoned water projects, including those supported by the African Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank respectively.

WE urge the Federal Government to produce a comprehensive water policy for the nation from which the states will take a cue as it appears that only lip service is being paid to the water shortage problem that has become a national phenomenon. Any such blue print will give focus and direction to future endeavours and reduce apathy and insincerity on the part of governments and organisations whose manner of handling the problem has created opportunity for water merchants to exploit the situation to make brisk business.

THE

NIGERIAN

13

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Euthanasia And The Law Introduction THE Black’s law dictionary defines Euthanasia as “The act or practice of killings or bringing about the death of killings or bringing about the death of a person who suffers from an incurable disease or conditions especially a painful in for reason of mercy.” After the 2nd world war, the nations of the world determined that flagrant abuses of human rights would never be again tolerated and that nation states must have regards to fundamental human rights in the enunciation of public policy.

Notwithstanding that determination, abuses of human rights go on and, in the case of Bioethics are commonly promoted, one such areas euthanasia.

Euthanasia was strongly opposed in the JudeoChristian tradition. Thomas Acquines as opposed it and argued that the practice of euthanasia contradicted our natural human instincts of survival.

Another philosopher John Finnis went on to qualify euthanasia as the termination of life which has to be the main and intended aim of the act omission. If the loss of life is incidental (a side effect) the agent is till morally responsible, but to described his actions and omission as euthanasia would be misleading.

The subject of euthanasia us a heated battle in which liens have been drawn between warring social, religious and political groups.

Many people want this controversial institution erased from the volumes of lawful medicine, but others say that we should be able to choose our fates in extreme cases.

Euthanasia or voluntary assisted has been the subject matter of much moral, religious, philosophical, legal and human rights debates.

The core aim of this debate is to reconcile competing values, the desire of

individuals to choose to die with dignity when suffering, and the need to uphold the inherent right to life of every person.

However, neither the law makers nor the people have been able to find a solution to this possibility for an end to this war of ethics seems very far in the distance.

However, an attempt will be made by this paper to compare the various views on the different subject matters of euthanasia as it relates to moral, human right, legal, religious and philosophical factors.

Do any states have the right to derogate from the right to life either through euthanasia?

The right to life is one of the cardinal rights provided for in the United Nations universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, in the OAU charter as well as in the Nigerian constitution by virtue of sec 33(1) which provides; “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived internationally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.”

“Euthanasia” is a broad term for mercy killing-taking the life of a hopelessly ill or injured individual in order to end his or her suffering or intentional killing of someone, with or without that person’s consent. The term “Euthanasia” is derived from ancient Greek and means “good luck” Euthanasia may be voluntary or compulsory.

Euthanasia is the international killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefits.

1. V o l u n t a r y Euthanasia: Euthanasia is voluntary when a person who is terminally or incurably sick wishes to die and requests someone to assist in terminating his own life.

Patients in this category may request euthanasia to avoid the weakness and loss of mental facilities that some diseases cause, and many feel these wishes should be respected.

2. C o m p u l s o r y euthanasia: Some afflictions cause people to suffer through extreme physical pain in their last days, and euthanasia may seem like a compassionate way of ending this pain.

Euthanasia is compulsory when a person who is in firm, mentally deficient or

killing is done or carried out by the doctor. c. The patient must repeatedly request top die in a clear state of mind.

In the case of Anthony Bland V Airdale National Health service Trust the plaintiff a 17yr old footballer fan had been seriously injured in a disaster, which occurred at Hillsborough stadium, England in 1989. His lungs were crusted in the accident as a consequence of which supply of oxygen to his brain was interrupted, resulting in an irreversible damage to the

physically handicapped is killed without his consent.

There are two possible motives behind compulsory euthanasia.

1. A desire relief suffering 2. The feeling that the unfit person constitutes a variable burden on his relations and on society and therefore he should be got rid of.

In 1993, the Netherlands passed a law permitting voluntary euthanasia under the following “strict conditions.” a. The patient must have been under unbearable pain b. The decision to die must come from such a patient before the mercy

centre of his brain leaving him for three years in a regrettable state. In that condition, he neither drank nor ate nor had any stimuli from his surrounding, though he was still breathing.

Food was fed him by a pump through a tube passed from his nose down the back of his throat into his penis, which from time to time caused infection and required dressing and antibiotics treatment. His condition was irritably miserable. Medical opinion was unanimous that his condition was helpless and hopeless; his father in consort with the respondent, (the hospital authority responsible for his treatment) brought an application for declaration from the family division of the High Court seeking the court’s permission to lawfully discontinue his life.

The family division granted the declaration sought after due investigation of evidence and of their applicable law. On appeal of the official solicitation acting as guardian, the Court of

“Euthanasia and assisted suicide are not about giving rights to the person who died but instead, they are about changing public policy so that doctors or others can directly and intentionally or end or participate unending another person’s life.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are not about the right to die. They are about the right to kill.”

Law With IKHUEBOR VIKRAM OSARUMEN Appeal dismissed the appeal to the House of Lords was also dismissed, and the boy’s treatment ceased.

But euthanasia also seems to contradict one of the most basic principles of morality, which is killing is wrong viewed from a traditional Judeo-Christian point of view, euthanasia is murder and a blatant violation of the biblical commandment.

Thou shall not kill.”

From the positive perspective, one of the principal purpose of law is to uphold the sanctity of human life. Euthanasia is so controversial because it pits the plight of suffering, dying.

Individual against moral values, legal tradition and in the case of physicians assisted death, medical ethics.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are not about giving rights to the person who died but instead, they are about changing public policy so that doctors or others can directly and intentionally or end or participate unending another person’s life. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are not about the right to die. They are about the right to kill.

The right to life is preemptory and the most fundamental of all human rights. It is constituted to be so basic as to be considered absolute, although exceptional derogations are permitted by the law.

In relation to the substance of the right to life, the state is under two kinds of obligations. Firstly, there is a negative obligation not to take life and not to deprive an individual of his or her life saves in limited circumstances which must be strictly in accordance with law.

The second obligation is of a positive nature which entails taking as effective steps to protect the life of the individual concerned. The right to one’s life is declared to be the fundamental natural right, on which every other right depends for its existence and its validity.

“Euthanasia” otherwise known as “mercy killing” represents a serious ethical dilemma. This moral dilemma is not new. The term “Euthanasia” is derived

from ancient Greek and means “good death”.

Advances in medicine have increased people’s health and lifespan, they have also greatly affected the doing process.

The euthanasia debate has been fuelled by a number of social and legal developments. These include; the advent of modern medical technology and availability (and use) of artificial measures to prolong life, landmark case in other jurisdictions such as Bland (UK), Rodriguez (Canada) and Quinland (US) which have challenged laws criminalizing euthanasia, the increase in the number of people affected by HIC/ AIDs, a growing population of elderly people, and the declining influence of organized religion.

Ultimately the use of such conceptual categories limited in asking questions about whether a particular law has violated the ICCPR. It is relatively straightforward to conclude that involuntary euthanasia infringes Art 6(1) “Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrally deprived of his life”.

The right to life is the most significant of all human rights. The existence and operation of other human rights are predicated on the effective guarantee of the right to life Dinstein puts it thus: “Civilized society cannot exist without protection of human life. The inevitability or sanctity if life is, perhaps, the most basic value of modern civilization.

In the final analysis, if there were no right to life, there would be no point in the other human rights”.

Its importance is underlined by the fact that it is one of the non-derivable rights referred to in Art 4(2) which cannot be suspended notwithstanding lifethreatening national emergency, commentated adding significance. Dinstein argues that the farm “inherent” suggests that the framers of the ICC regarded the right to life as part of international customary law.

To be continued

THE

NIGERIAN

14

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013 With Bamidele Michael 08064496136

Leadership

Leadership, A Developed Human Behaviour

IN the dictionary it gives a general definition of leadership as the ability to affect human behaviour to accomplish a mission or influencing a group of people to move towards a specific goal, setting, achievement or mission. I believe that everyone leader or has leadership qualities there are many levels, types and purposes. I will provide a detailed outline using the information I’ve learned in everyday life and history to further explain my theories on what makes a good, great or bad leader, and how we all lead in different ways. I will also explain the causes of good leadership and the causes of bad, why I feel I am a leader, what makes a leader and some of the most influential leaders of the past and present. Generally, there are four styles of leadership the authoritarian, persuading, consulting, and joining. The authoritarian leader immediately identifies a problem considers alternative solutions instructing followers what to do, they mostly without considering how others will think or feel about the situation, assigning role while mainly relying on their own judgment in. The persuading leaders in many ways are similar to the authoritarian only thing separating is instead of announcing their decision they attempt to persuade followers into believing their views. The consulting leader presents the problems to their group of followers allowing suggestions before making a decision, researches gathering background information and risk before making any decision. The joining leader encourages group’s decisions, they tend to guide standing firmly behind the group’s decision. I am not favor of the authoritarian or persuasive style of leadership because I feel the power of one’s leadership is not based on how many decisions you can make by yourself but on the accuracy of the your choice to where it will be of benefit to not only them but the ones who follow. I favor the consulting and joining styles because I feel it creates a stronger and powerful bond when everyone’s opinions is taken into consideration I believe people are happier and they tend to feel less slighted, creating a common and passionate group of followers. Although there are things that I don’t agree with in authoritarian and persuasive styles of leadership I believe a great leader possesses all of these characteristics. Parenting is the most critical source of leadership, in most cases children are a reflection of their parents.

Raising a young man or woman in a somewhat questionable so-

ciety to know what right what’s wrong, honor and respect the importance of your word.

Speaking your mind in an educated non hostile way, drive and focus never quitting something you start, strength, values.

Sometimes in teaching life’s lessons you have to be able to switch from authoritarian, persuasive, consulting and joining types of leadership but that’s what creates great leaders of the future. Leadership is also displayed by educators, who make sure children are granted annual education to be able to compete in society. Preachers are leaders they have massive amounts of followers who look to them for a word of encouragement. Managers are also leaders their leadership often affects the amount and productively of work being done. Entertainers and public figures also carry a strong sense of leadership young kids do look to entertainment creating a false imagines. Leaders are inventors, small business owners, law enforcement, government employees, day care providers, nurses and doctors, corporate CEO’s, and bankers. It’s important for us no matter what level to support and respect our positive leaders because they pave the way open doors spark ideals and interest for our world to grow. I personally hold elected officials to another level of leadership I feel when you are elected for something that means people believe in you to make choices that can affect a person’s life drastically. Great leadership follows with prosperity, happiness and health, success and wealth for all jobs, belief, and peace. Great leaders are able to listen to others except constructive criticism putting the needs and concerns of their followers before their own. Great leaders except input and they try to make changes but a great leader also knows when it’s time to make a decision and execute to protect the well being of their followers. Great leaders ask for help when in need, they give advice and support. Great leaders are able to exercise patience and handle crisis situations and rebound when they fall down.

Bad leadership and or a lack of leadership can cause major destruction in plans, relationships and unnecessary violence, to anyone if children are not lead in a positive direction from their parents then it’s harder for the child to succeed. If teachers are not teaching children properly test scores drops causing a drop in funding and promotions, if

preachers are not fulfilling their members they will lose a substantial amount of members. If entertainers or public figures continue to live an over the top lifestyle without investing they will go broke. If companies are lead wrong the company will fail. Some of the great leaders that have made a difference in my life are my mother even though a single mother with two kids she still instilled in me the values of hard work persistence, and respect, Leaders where people who consistently strive for better when the odds were against them. My pastor is a great example of a leader, constantly studies to be prepared to give us accurate mes-

wrongfully incarnated he still believe coming out as the President of South Africa. John F. Kennedy is another person that I would consider to be a great leader I also credit Waltz Disney for being the first production studio, Karl Benz for inventing the first automobile, the scientist who inspired the Bill gates to create the Microsoft technology. Richard Pryor one of the first comedians who was featured in feature length films, Some of the present leaders that I have grown to respect and follow Bill Clinton, who was not perfect but made sure he remember the interest of his followers

sages often asking the members for input and help for projects.

I’ve always admired the Martin Luther King’s the dreamer who led thousands in marches around the states for equality, putting his life at risk daily to fight for the rights of those who believed and followed him, teaching his followers to fight with peacefully words instead a vicious fights. Malcolm X led thousands to not only speak with words but the use of force is sometimes necessary. Nelson Mandela fought for the civil rights of his people even when

by providing things he promised. Barrack Obama a man who I truly believe when he says that he wants to put middle class families first and focus on becoming independent on solar energy and gas, creating more jobs ultimately fighting for those who believe and follow his leadership. I also respect the Oprah Winfrey to me she is a prime example of what young people in general can overcome and still find success, I believe some other modern day leaders are Bob Johnson an previous owner of the first black owned

“Great leaders are able to exercise patience and handle crisis situations and rebound when they fall down. Bad leadership and or a lack of leadership can cause major destruction in plans, relationships and unnecessary violence, to anyone if children are not lead in a positive direction from their parents then it’s harder for the child to succeed.”

television station, air line currently basketball team. Russell Simmons credited as the father of hip hop he lead the way for young rappers to prosper using creative skills that most would classify as useless, he also showed young men how to invest a create business so that you will own your own brand..

Ben Carson a neurosurgeon who performed one of the first most dangerous twin separation surgeries, I have only named a few of the greatest leaders, but there as this is about leadership not all leadership is good. The Adolf Hitler single handle persuaded followers into believing that Jewish people did not deserve to live leading up to the holocaust where millions of people were killed and permanently separated from their families because of one person’s sick opinion and terrible leadership. Tookie Williams the originator of the crypts

our society is in the need for good positive leadership in communities where there might not be a lot of good examples.

Not realizing but media is a main source of leadership in itself when you watch a lot of television shows, radio and video it’s easy to begin to believe and follow every story you here leaving you to the information that they decide to air, leaving consumers believing if you don’t have money clothes and cars your worth to society is nothing those things are really nice but without proper leadership and guidance you begin doing things or downing yourself and loves ones for those material items. What makes me a leader? I am determined and willing to help and protect anyone in need I am able to make hard decisions but I have a sense when to listen. I’ve always been the one that friends look to for guidance and advice,

gang influencing the people who believed and followed him faithfully causing hundreds of thousands of young men and women to lose their lives, over colors although he tried numerous of times to undo what he had done he originated gangbanging a problem still to this day even after his death.

Frank Lucas, Nicky Barnes are also two negative leaders that has had a extreme impact on our society the drugs they brought into and the purity of the product led to the nations rise on the crack and heroin epidemic, families being destroyed and communities still ruined to this day, leaders in certain communities influence children to do drugs, sell drugs.

Even though these are negative examples those types of leaders do exists and they are still impacting our society. Leadership no matter what form is really a strong and intense cycle that is hard to break, that’s why

and I generally care about the well being of others. Being a police officer is one of the most up front a courageous ways to showing and displaying great leadership. In conclusion I hope that I provided a detailed description on what the words Leader and Leadership means to me. It’s something to be taken very seriously because we are all leaders and the things you do or teach people to do can have a positive or negative effect on others lives. Not saying that we should hide from a role in leadership because of fear or being afraid of new direction or change. A leader is not about have much money you have in the bank, the car you drive the clothes you own or how many people you boss around. Being a leader is about the changes you make in someone’s life.

Leaders are born and Leadership is taught, whether you are working a regular job or you are a rock star someone is watching

THE

NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Leadership Opinion

Between Citizen Momodu And The Nigeria Police MONDAY, June 4, 2013, was not particularly a routine day in the itinerary of virtually everyone in Dennis Osadebey House, seat of Edo state government.

By midmorning, the ever busy gate leading to the premises had become the centre of solidarity chants reminiscent of the usual rituals students often go through when spoiling for serious protest. Indeed, they were there to protest the death of one of their colleagues, Citizen Ibrahim Momodu, a 22-year-old, 500-level Laboratory Science student of the University of Benin, allegedly murdered by the police, led by one DPO Carol Afegbai. But beyond the solidarity songs, they wanted the governor to address and assure them that justice would be served by way of unraveling the true circumstances surrounding his death.

Their coming coincided with the weekly Exco meeting, the governor was attending. So he was very indisposed. In his place, his senior aides, including the deputy chief of staff were on hand to give the necessary assurances in addition to informing them that the case would be brought before the comrade as soon as the meeting was done with.

However, they were not persuaded as they stood their ground and insisted that they must see the governor himself.

Even as negotiations were still on, some of them over ran security personnel at both the first and second gate onward to the governor’s office. But for the intervention of other security personnel, including plain clothes DSS men and officers, on guard, the situation would have degenerated into something different.

Having been briefed, the governor called both the family members of the slain student and his colleagues for more discussions the next day.

In tears, mother of the student, Madam Osas Momodu, recounted what she heard

By ERNEST OMOARELOJIE

about the death of her only son and begged the governor to intervene in order to ensure that the real circumstances surrounding his demise are unraveled. The Governor assured them that indeed the state government is worried over the unclear details about citizen Momodu met his death as the police has already given a version that is at variance with that of the family and students. For him therefore, it was necessary to set up all relevant machineries to unravel how the young man met his death. The state government, he assured, would set up an immediate panel of inquiry to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of claims made by both parties with a view to serving the course of justice and ensuring that nothing of that nature happened again.

Now that the state government has waded in, I think it is absolutely necessary to state here that the time has come for all of us to demand from the police a more responsible reaction to alleged crimes and alleged criminals. It will go a long way in removing controversies that appear to surrounding virtually every inch of their action. Already, they have since come out with claims that the student in question was killed in self defense. According to them, the Momodu was found to be an armed cultist who, when stopped for questioning, attempted to bring out a gun to shoot the policemen before he was gunned down. While not passing judgment on the police, one cannot but point out that the explanation appears not only peculiar but also very laughably puerile.

The reasons are not too far to seek but first the question to ask is this; is it enough to shoot a suspect dead on the supposition that he is an armed cultist about to shoot a policeman? The obvious

answer to the question above is no.

Indeed, it may appear too early to pass any judgment as the inquiry put in place by the comrade governor has not commenced work. Yet, one cannot but recall the examples of the civil manner police in other climes handle alleged criminal matters. Thankfully, we are witnesses to two prime

explosive devices capable of killing in thousands. Yet in ending the saga that lasted for several days, the immediate intention was not to capture them in order to ascertain their motivation and the possibility that may be acting in concert with other. Today, the well coordinated effort has yielded dividends as one of them is in custody, helping the police with useful

since been debriefed by security agents to ascertain the level of complicity of other individuals or groups. Obviously, the seriousness of both cases cited above far outweighs the one alleged to have been committed by the citizen Momodu. The question therefore is this; when will the Nigerian police outgrow the pedestrian excuses they always put forward in trying to justify their actions for terminating innocent lives?

Just before another incident takes place, I am of the opinion that the time has come for everyone to wake up to the occasion of making the

Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, IG of Police

examples of sublime professional conduct displayed by security agents, including the police in some recent ugly incidents in Boston, in the United States of America, USA, and London, United Kingdom.

In Boston, we cannot easily forget how they fished out Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the two brothers who killed several people during the Boston marathon.

They did not just killed innocent people they did so with such hideous finesse by employing unconventional arms, including improvised

information.

The savage murder in London, of 25 year old Lee Rigby, an active duty soldier,

by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, is still sending jitters to sane minds across the world. Barbaric as their action was, the British police did not go out of their way to end the duo’s lives.

Instead, the police applied judicious wisdom to put them down in order to glean enough information with which law enforcers can track other s like them. Like the sole survivor of the Boston bombers, both suspects have

“For anyone who has been following political developments in the state in recent times, it is very difficult to rule out ulterior motive on the part of some of the students that breached the governor’s security. Thus, it is definitely not out of order to conclude that even as there is a genuine reason for their presence in government house, some among them may have been tutored or induced by some certain individuals or groups to seize upon the event to embarrass the state government.”

Nigerian police see the need to be civil and accountable in the manner they handle matters affecting the people they are paid to protect. Put differently, they must be reminded that they cannot get away, assuming they are found culpable, with every murder ridiculously explained the way it appears in this case. For instance, does it make any sense to kill a suspected criminal, seize his phone and bury him almost immediately without attempting to gather more information, through the phone, at least, to ascertain that he is not acting in league with others? There are many more questions the police may have to answer in due course to allay fears that they are not turning themselves against the people they are being paid to protect.

The other point to be made here is about the barbaric behavior the students exhib-

ited during their protest visit to government house. If nothing else, it possibly could have resulted in a worse-case scenario. After all, confronting members of the same police force alleged to have murdered their colleagues could possibly flay tempers with more people suffering the same fate as citizen Momodu. They need to apply a measure of wisdom in their reaction even in moments of anger. It will go a long way in saving so much.

For those of us who witnessed the bizarre incident, it was a stark reminder of how it is almost becoming a norm for them to conduct themselves inexcusably in the name of protest. Certainly, there is no doubt whatsoever that the students had a right to conduct legitimate protests. Indeed, the case for which they were in government could not have been waved off given the controversy surrounding how the young man was allegedly killed, which appear to suggest that there may have been some foul play. Frankly speaking, waiting, asking or relying on the police to conduct an objective investigation would amount to expecting an ice pack to remain cold in an open Sahara desert heat particularly given the outfit’s notorious antecedents. Yet, taking the laws into their hands is no alternative to justice.

For anyone who has been following political developments in the state in recent times, it is very difficult to rule out ulterior motive on the part of some of the students that breached the governor’s security. Thus, it is definitely not out of order to conclude that even as there is a genuine reason for their presence in government house, some among them may have been tutored or induced by some certain individuals or groups to seize upon the event to embarrass the state government. There is no doubt that if the security agents on hand had not handled the matter with the maturity they displayed, the result would have been different. Of course, no one can lose sight of the reaction a different outcome would have generated. It is not impossible that opposition would have seized upon it as a ready-made wardrobe staples for another of their drama presentations.

Indeed, it is high time young people realised that being aggrieved is not a license for unruly behaviour.

THE

NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Focus THE coming of Mobile Telephone in Nigeria has expanded horizons and broken barriers including that of time and space.

Since the introduction of mobile phones into the Nigerian society in 2002, the mobile telephony industry has experienced unprecedented growth. It has established effect in almost every aspect of our endeavour, ranging from Education, banking, Business, administrative to the religious. It is underscored in a report by the NCC (Nigerian Communication Commission) which revealed that the number of fixed and mobile telephone subscribers in the country stood increased to over 107.36 million as at 30 September, 2012 from 102.36 million three months earlier and 95.8 million at the end of 2011.

A statistics released by the NCC showed that the GSM mobile operators accounted for 96.54% or 103.65 million of Nigeria’s total telephony user-base at the end of the third quarter of 2012. One of the major reasons for this development has been the introduction of mobile internet and Smartphone.

Also, too much content have flooded the old and new media on the side – effects of the use of mobile phones, that the sound of the obvious good in its use may be surprising to many. “The use of mobile phones can enhance social economic and political growth as it enhances communication, which is the heart of any society. Communication with others allows the sharing of knowledge,

goods and to express reflection and emotion (Abulkhirat, 2007)...” In this context, we are going to be establishing the relationship between the Nigerian student, his/her mobile phones and the merits that are inherent in it.

All over the world, the inputs of Technology in education cannot be overemphasised.

Education is no more limited to classroom as technology has evolved into many facets of education that encompasses e-Learning, computer and web based learning or training. With this in view, the Nigerian educational sector, which includes the day care, kindergarten, Primary, Secondary, and the Tertiary and post graduate is not left out in the use of mobile technology. It is not surprising to see phones ranging from the JAVA operated phones (Nokia C3, C2-01, Techno, Samsung etc), the Symbian OS, Androids (Samsung, Huawei, Techno, HTC etc) in our different campuses and schools all over Nigeria.

Although the reasons for owning the various types and grades of phone differ, the amount of media phone users have continued to increase and it is on top of the wish list of so many other students.

It is important to point out that mobile phones have become personal assistants, mobile alternatives to laptops and computer systems, communication gadgets, research machineries, maps etc which are all necessary for the proper and effective functioning

The Nigerian Studen of Nigerian students. So many excuses and reasons have been given by different governments and relevant authorities on why the schools and educational sectors cannot be 100% ICT compliant; “Various barriers to ICT use in Africa schools have been identified to include: poor infrastructure; epileptic power supply; lack of electricity; lack of trained personnel; poverty; inadequate funding and limited or no internet access (Aladejana, 2007; Traxler, 2006; and Jegede, 2005).

But majority of these barriers have been either removed or bypassed with the introduction of mobile technology, since phones come with rechargeable battery that can spend reasonable amount of time outside electricity, it is not as expensive to maintain (200 naira recharge on Etisalat will give you 15MB, 100 naira will give you 10MB on the Airtel club 10 and so many other affordable data plans depending on your financial competence).

You do not need so many infrastructures to utilize your mobile phones, just get an internet enabled phone and every other thing is handled by the service provider. It is easier to learn about as they most times come with manuals that give you a step by step process on how it can be used.

Hence the Mobile phone serves as an excellent alternative to put Nigerian student at par with their counterparts all over the

world on the amount of information available for consumption and knowledge for operation.

Furthermore, it is pertinent to observe that I am not oblivious of the fact that mobile phones have been used to cheat in

use of mobile, people now have mobile access to pornographic pictures and videos etc and measures should be put in place to curb all these excesses.

But they do not form a basis on denying or not using mobile phones for

technological penetration, not everybody have a laptop or adequate funds to always visit the cybercafé when there are assignments or research works. And the mobile

examinations, have encouraged laziness, it has reduced the quality of research in some as they have settled to plagiarize the work of others on the internet, it has become distractions little wonder majority of the boarding schools in Nigeria do not allow the use of mobile phones. Also, many vices have been easily spread and imbibed through the

e d u c a t i o n a l p u r p o s e s . Va r i o u s researchers have identified the importance of ICT in education. It has been found that ICT can promote students intellectual qualities through higher order thinking, problem solving, improved communication skills and deep understanding of the learning tool and the concepts to be taught (Aladejana and Idowu, 2006; Sutto n, 2006; Trinidad et.al., 2001 and Hawkins, 2002).

One of the major areas that the use of mobile phones have affected Nigerian students (this includes) me is RESEARCH. Even with the increasing level of

phone has provided an excellent alternative to this, providing a fairly comfortable and affordable media of accessing information for consumption.

I cannot remember the last time I went to a cybercafé to browse for information; right on my bed an avalanche of information is just a phone click away from me. Students have been able to get information more affordably, downloading of materials have transformed the knowledge base of Nigerian students. Hence, Research forms an integral part of the importance of the mobile phone to the students. Google has provided a very good platform for information to be sought for; with this in mind let me share with us some titbits on how well to

“All over the world, the inputs of Technology in education cannot be overemphasised. Education is no more limited to classroom as technology has evolved into many facets of education that encompasses e-Learning, computer and web based learning or training. With this in view, the Nigerian educational sector, which includes the day care, kindergarten, Primary, Secondary, and the Tertiary and post graduate is not left out in the use of mobile technology.”

By OLUGBEMIRO OPE

use G Jeff Web effect and th Be possi

lookin Apple apples it mi comp apple Us aroun add q more return exact Don case s Sear and it tilde imme world search the wo Don’t the ti word you r words

THE

NIGERIAN

17

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Focus

nt And His Phone

EYEMI MICHAEL

oogle search engine.

Hurt, published in 2.0, 15 tips for more ive Google searches: ey include: as descriptive as ble: if you are

g for Red Delicious s, don’t just type in or apple. If you do, ght pull up Apple uters as well as the fruit. e quotation marks d a phrase: when you uotes around two or words, Google s results with that phrase ’t worry about being ensitive with Google ch for a specific word s synonyms: use the symbol (~) diately before the to tell Google to for pages containing rd and its synonyms. put a space between lde symbol and the or Google won’t give esults with similar .

Search for a specific word and its synonyms with fewer results: use the word “or” between synonyms instead of the tilde symbol if you want fewer search results.

That’s because you are specifically telling Google

to look for pages containing only one of those words Exclude specific words in search: Use the minus symbol (-) immediately a word that you want excluded from a search.

Do not put space between the minus symbol and the word. For example, if you were searching for Operas you might search Opera – browser.

Search for a specific numeric range: Use an ellipsis (three consecutive periods) to express range of numbers. Example, if you want to find lodging in Las Vegas in specific price range type, “ Las Vegas Hospitals” $79...$150 per nite Search for a specific site with Google: use site:

without a space after the colon, followed by the URL of the site you want to search, to search for a specific website.

The list continues and much more can be gotten through surfing the internet. Other search engines include Bing, Wikipedia, Yahoo search, Mamma.com, dog pile etc. Google scholar is also another avenue for getting materials that Nigerian students have not fully utilized. The Nigerian student, with his phone and the relevant knowledge of what to do with it can make a multitude of information available to be utilized.

Little wonder someone said “what an old man will see climbing a tree in the 21st century, a young boy will see lying down on his bed with an internet connected phone” , this underscores the reality which Nigerian students have began to utilize.

Although it has not been fully utilized, I encourage all Nigerian Student through this piece, to fully maximize the research opportunities embedded in the tiny packed electronic gadget on their hands. There is literally nothing relevant that the internet does not provide information on and hence, effective and useful exploitation is encouraged. However, plagiarism is highly discouraged and it will be an achievement to have your own work online as something people can research and get

information from.

Another way the phone has been helpful to me as a student is in the area of communication. Have you ever been in the hostel and an impromptu class is going on and you don’t know? This is one of the times you bless God for the inventor of the mobile phones. There have been times, where a test is going on in class, and only a few are aware: with just some phone calls, pings, chats, posts, tweets and the whole class is filled to the brim. This is an area that the mobile phone have been very helpful to the Nigerian student, especially in Nigerian Universities where lecturers tend to want to do “strong things” to students: like just showing up without prior notice, fixing some kind of impromptu tests( I am not against it oh, if the motive is clear) etc. There are also moments where you want to confirm assignment questions or teachers instructions, and phones have been very helpful in this area.

Also, some people have received money from home via recharge cards.

This has been able to ease some financial difficulties, especially at periods like weekends or evenings when the banks are not is session and the money is needed seriously to print one material or pay for one thing in the department etc and mobile phones connected with internet, are able to make online transactions without

necessarily going about with their laptops or computers.

Furthermore, communication between parents and students, students and students (I have emphasised that already), and even Teacher to students have been made easier with the use of mobile phones.

Final year students or post graduate students in various universities or other programmes will better understand this point. When they visit the offices of their supervisors’ times without number, without success but the introduction of mobile phones have reduced the happenings of such and to an extent reduced the stress experienced. Different student groups and professional bodies have online forums and group platforms for exchange of information. Groups on Facebook, forums on google and Circles, websites that host specialised discussion platforms have provided opportunity for people of like minds to communicate all over the world, and the mobile phone( connected to the internet) has availed the Nigerian student the opportunity to partake in this developmental strides. Class have group pages on Facebook and other social networks, where both academic and extra-curricular activities are discussed. Have you ever been in school and you heard that there is a bomb blast beside your house? Concentration locks! Everything jams!

The only thought in your

head is how my parents and loved ones are. A phone call and an answer on the other line as “how are you” from a familiar voice gives a form of relieve, that is part of what the phone has done for the Nigerian student.

In addition, the phone also presents itself as an avenue to also relief stress, I remember those days in the AKIN DEKO main Auditorium, the stressful clearance procedure; nothing provided a better comfort and succour than the Mobile phone. To an extent the mobile phone has improved smartness and alertness of Nigerian students through applications such as chess, word craze, scrabble, Bible, day planner, Reminders, games etc the abuses will always come to mind, but the issue is that no good thing will not be abused one time or the other, so abuse most times does not reduce its importance, you just have to choose what to do with it.

The importance of the mobile phones, especially internet connected ones cannot be overemphasised. I doubt if any University student can survive without the use of mobile phones, because it has really transformed our mode of operations (My assertion is really practical since I am still a student (UNIBEN)). Mobile phones have put information at our fingertips as Nigerian students, equipping us to fully function among our peers globally. This day, I bring before you the beauty and dirt of the use of mobile phones by Nigerian student; choose the boat on which you will ride.

“Another way the phone has been helpful to me as a student is in the area of communication. Have you ever been in the hostel and an impromptu class is going on and you don’t know? This is one of the times you bless God for the inventor of the mobile phones. There have been times, where a test is going on in class, and only a few are aware: with just some phone calls, pings, chats, posts, tweets and the whole class is filled to the brim. This is an area that the mobile phone have been very helpful to the Nigerian student, especially in Nigerian Universities where lecturers tend to want to do “strong things” to students: like just showing up without prior notice, fixing some kind of impromptu tests( I am not against it oh, if the motive is clear) etc.”

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Opinion

Aguinede: The HE is barely three months on the saddle. As short as the period seems to he, him has proven to have the knack and tenacity to make a monumental success in his new assignment.

After all, a popular Nigerian adage says that the potency of a man is not measured by the length of time he spends with the opposite sex. This aptly describes the man, Hon. Patrick Aguinede, who by the gracious lot of the Almighty Creator and magnanimous disposition of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is today, the Edo State Commissioner for Basic Education The quest by the Comrade Governor to consolidate on its transformation agenda in the education sector may have necessitated his wise decision to re-create the Basic Education Ministry after it was scrapped shortly after he assumed office during his first tenure in Novermber, 2008.

However, the real acid test for Hon. Aguinede was the 2013 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination. Day to the actual conduct of the examination, the Edo State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), declared an industrial dispute with the State Government over alleged partial implementation of the special teachers’ allowance (TSA). On the D-day of the examination, precisely Saturday 1st June 2013, Commissioner Aguinede was already in the office as early as 7.30 am with a view to embarking on a monitoring exercise, when information filtered-in that the NUT has made good its threat to scuttle the smooth conduct of the examination as school gates and classrooms were put under lock and key, thereby denying registered pupils and other designated officials access to the examination centres.

Without much ado, the Commissioner swung into

Man The Cap Fits

By AUSTINE OTAS-OSEGBE

• Hon. Patrick Aguinede, Edo State Commissioner for Basic Education

action. He immediately made vital telephone contacts to relevant stakeholders and followed-

up with the strategic deployment of personnel into the field.

Expectedly, his

ingenuity and tactical approach in handling what looked like a very bad situation eventually paidoff-as the hitherto tensed and confused atmosphere paved way for what can best be described as a very successful, hitch-free and smooth conduct of Primary School Certificate Examination in recent years. Indeed, it was a vivid manifestation of the uncommon leadership traits cum qualities that Hon. Aguinede is made of.

An unassuming achiever of many positive parts, the man Aguinede is a popular grassroots an indomitable social mobilizer, an astute business mogul, a tested legislator, administrator par-excellence and a seasoned educationist with robust academic

qualification (TCII, NCE, B.Sc B.ED and M.Ed).

Like the famous iroko tree that stand tall in the forest, the traditional red cap always adorned by this worthy son and ambassador of Esan Land has become a symbolic identity of the red roof revolution trade-mark of the Oshiomhole led administration in Edo State, South-South Nigeria.

A devout Christian faithful, Hon. Patrick Aguinede is a responsible family man and happily married with children.

Really and truly, this is the man who the cap fits to take Basic Education in Edo State to the next level.

• Austin Otas – Osegbe, is The Public Relations Officer, Edo State Ministry of Basic Education

“An unassuming achiever of many positive parts, the man Aguinede is a popular grassroots an indomitable social mobilizer, an astute business mogul, a tested legislator, administrator par-excellence and a seasoned educationist with robust academic qualification (TCII, NCE, B.Sc B.ED and M.Ed).”

Flooding: Employing Preventive Measures

AFTER long months of dusty and dry environment, the earth opens up its stomach to gulp the sky’s watery drops. Although, the rainy season suppose to elicit joy especially for farmers, the same rain has turned to a “curse” in some cases.

The Longman Dictionary of contemporary English, defines flooding as the covering of an area by water especially due to rain.

Flooding has become a recurrent event in the world.

Nigeria is not better off in

terms of the menacing effects of flooding. Almost every rainy season, the media is replete with stories of flood and its attendant effects on the environment.

Recently, the Nigerian Metrological Agency

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

(NUMET), said that there will be heavy rains for the year. According to them, the rainfall would be above normal in 2013. The states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and Zamfara, were amongst states mentioned. Also, areas of River Niger and parts of the Niger Delta have even higher chances of more rainfall this year than before.

NIMET said that the rainfall in the extreme North will be between 400 to 1000mm, while that of the south was put at between 1,500 300mm.

As this warning by NIMET has come, there is no doubt whatsoever that the effects of climate change are not only knocking on the doors but in our “rooms”. This is no time to start doing idle-talks or wishing NIMET’S warning away. Actions must be taken to curtail the flooding that might occur. We do not have to wait until everything goes

beyond control.

Firstly, drainages, canals and other water-ways should be dredged or cleared to allow speedy flow of water.

This is because most of the flooding that have occurred where attributed to blocked water ways. Residents should ensure that drainages and other water-ways, are cleared to ensure free flow of water.

Added to this, the indiscriminate dumping of waste on drainages, should be clamped down. Situations exist when refuse are dumped into water-ways thus preventing water from flowing.

Again, NIMET and other agencies should start the relocation of people in flood plains (sunnewsonline, March 1, 2013). That is why the agency’s early warning is a commendable act.

Campaigns or orientation of the masses on what to do during the period, should also

not be left out.

On the part of government, they should walk and work pari pasu with emergency management agencies in relocating endangered citizens and also be battle – ready for emergency incase the flooding happens.

We all know what happened when flooding swept away houses/homes last year. Hundreds of people became homeless, staple food stuffs as “yam’ and beans, became so costly for the ordinary man. Also, lives were lost, diseases broke out in most places as people battled to come to terms with the flooding.

As the rains come descending on the earth, there is need to put everything to prevent flooding and curtail its effects if it eventually occurs. It is only with the right synergy among all hands on our chest that “never again shall there be a flood to destroy” our land.

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

View Point ACCORDING to Oxford Advance Learner D i c t i o n a r y , unemployment can be defined as the number of people without a paid job.

Experts see it as a state of absolute joblessness for people between the ages of 20 – 40. underemployment on the other hand, refer to people who are gainfully employed but not financially rewarded according to their qualification or skill.

Most Nigerians especially the youths are unemployed according to available statistics despite the intimidating credentials they have acquired from higher institutions in Nigeria and across the globe. Things have become worst as a result of the economic recession and inconsistent government policies which affect many existing manufacturing company closing down in the process and there by worsening the case of unemployment.

Micro finance and commercial banks are not helping matters as they have failed to make money available to young entrepreneurs because of high interest rates which make most of them shy away from such loans.

Unemployment is a cancer that have eaten deep into the annals of this nation, and we are to be blamed for the worsening situation we have found ourselves today. There is no more job in the labour market and those that are ready to use their initiative to create jobs, get frustrated along the path of actualizing their dreams.

Further more, political will on the part of

Addressing Youth Unemployment In Nigeria

government to create jobs for Nigeria youths is still not there. The government have not put down any credible programs to effect the necessary change and create employment for our teaming youths who need to be kept busy.

During the 2011 presidential campaign, President Goodluck Jonathan launched his book on the Nigerian reading culture, his motive was to motivate Nigerian youths to develop reading habit. The effort of the president yielded little or nothing as they lost interest in reading due to unemployment. After all the reading, what happens next? They seem to be saying.

The crime rate is on the high side today in our society because the youth are jobless. They have nothing to keep them busy.

Some of our politicians have made matter worst by using this youths for election rigging purposes promising them jobs that will never come.

This has pushed some of our youths to carry out nefarious activities to keep soul and body together.

In spite of this, graduates with first class degree find it difficult to get job because they have failed time without number to defend their certificate. This situation has painted our higher institution in bad light.

Those with other lower qualification sometimes don’t have the opportunity that first class graduates have, yet perform better on the job.

This situation has

By WINIFRED OSASOBO

continue to grow worse on a daily basis as the government is doing practically little or nothing to change the situation.

Higher institutions have continue to produce yearly job seekers rather than entrepreneur who will rather create jobs and employ others.

We have failed to build human capital and develop the nation through entrepreneurial skill

Although, unemployment is a world problem, Nigeria’s government is not doing enough to reduce this problem that is threatening the very existence of Nigeria as a nation.

Recently, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed gave automatic employment to 1,400 youths to join the Kwara Civil Service. This

development.

The parameter to create jobs by the government and the private sectors are not properly laid down and the jobs are not forth coming out as a result, crime rate is soaring in alarming rate and has continue to be on the rise to the detriment of the nation, denting the good image she is trying to create.

action has been applauded both at home and abroad.

Also, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is seeking ways to enlighten youths to engage themselves in other co-operate employment rather than relaying only on oil and gas and banking industry.

But what is that in solving the problem of unemployment.

“The parameter to create jobs by the government and the private sectors are not properly laid down and the jobs are not forth coming out as a result, crime rate is soaring in alarming rate and has continue to be on the rise to the detriment of the nation, denting the good image she is trying to create.”

The gospel of entrepreneurship seems to be the preaching in everybody’s lip but the platform to effectively carry it out is not there, then tell me how the goal will be achieved.

It is a common sight in our everyday life to see our youth roaming the streets where industries and organizations are located looking for job that are not readily available. Some spend more time on the net now, applying for jobs and in many occasion fall victim

the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NPE) and National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Unemployment is still on the increase because those bodies created are not well and properly positioned to benefit the youths.

Investigation reveals that only those who can bribe their way through get the job. You either bribe in cash or kind to get the connection needed for the job.

There are measures that

of internet fraudster who dupe them. Some spend time with newspaper vendors just to search for vacancy which are not real in most cases.

Loneliness and frustration have pushed many youths into engaging in unwholesome activities that has continued to rubbish the image of the nation.

Kidnapping, robbery, cyber crime, prostitution, illegal oil bunkering fraudulent activities among others are now the order of the day. The youth population is growing astronomically while those graduating from various higher institutions of learning are also increasing on a daily basis.

Despite the creation of

needed to be taken for the reduction of youth unemployment to become a reality. For example, encouraging youth creativeness and entrepreneurial skills. This will reduce the high level of unemployment in the society, helping the government to create new jobs for the youth thereby reducing the level of crime in the society.

If Nigerians and Nigeria must survive this threat of unemployment, we must all team up and work together to bring it to an end. Whether unemployment will become a thing of the past in Nigeria is a big question that all of us must answer from the dept of our hearts.

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Discourse IT is often said that any venture that is badly planned, directed and executed would definitely end up in total fiasco. This is exactly the posture and picture of the presidential pardon granted to the former Bayelsa State governor. This was a man sentenced to some years of imprisonment for act of looting the nation’s treasury.

Infact this is the highest crime that a man would commit. This is because such a man has deprived everybody including those not yet born from enjoying some comforts. For such a man to be granted pardon is the greater wander of the year.

The president alone should not be blamed for this act. The National Council of state should also share from the blame. This is because this organ refused to advise our president on the right step to take on this matter. An ex-head of state of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon once said that any mistake from him would also reflect on his subordinates. And as a result, they should advise him properly for his government to realize her aims and objectives.

The National council of the state should have been in the best position to advise the president on this issue of president to the former Bayelsa State Governor. Although this Governor was a boss to the president, this should not be the basic reason for the president to take this action without much consultations. In administration of any Organisation being it a small business or the government of a state, there should be no favouritism.

When this basic fact is ignored, there is apple opportunity for mismanagement to rear its ugly head up for people to observe and make comments.

From the look of things, it seem as if our president is now aiding and abetting embezzlements of

The Costly Mistake

By JEROME OBONIGIE

Depreye Alameiseigha

the nation’s fund. To some people, the conviction of the former Bayelsa State Governor has some elements of political manicuring. This is because this man was not the only governor that was corrupt during that era. Yes, this may be true, but the basic fact is that when a thief is not caught, he is a saint. For the fact that other governors were not corrupt, they are honesty in their dealings. Now that Bayelsa State former Governor was tried and convicted our president should allowed justice to take its course so that others would learn from him

Exit Of A Great Professor

By JEROME OBONIGIE

THE late professor Chima Achebe was a man whose deeds and auctions would remain in our memories for a long time. Apart from the fact that he was a man of a superior talent, he was also a man with strong conviction and determination. He was a highly principled human being. Infact Chinua Achebe had all that is required to be called a good man.

Through his writings he was able to impact positively on the lives of people. And this is the essence of education.

Through his writing, the black race was seen by the outside would as a people with rich cultural heritage.

He was indeed committed to work doggedly to move the frontier of knowledge forward. Professor Achebe was an epitome of hardwork. This is glaring judging from the numerous novels that he wrote while alive.

Most of these books have helped in no small measure to boost literary work in our schools. From this icon, it could be deduced that it is good to allow merit to take its course on people’s lives rather than looking for cheap popularity that would not last for a long time. Also through Achebe, the western writers in the literary art were able to recognise and affirm that the whites are not superior than the blacks when it comes to national knowledge. This is the legacy the great professor has bestowed on most of his disciples. And there is a dire need to sustain this feat of Achebe.

According to Emmanuel Aggery, we should be proud of out colour in any place we find ourselves as black people.

On the political scene, this professor was not without notice. In most tense political issues he made heart warming comments. He was a man that distaste injustice and bad governance. This he demonstrated in his

Late Chinua Achebe

right now, Nigeria is ranked as one of the most corrupt nations of the world. The conviction of the former Governor of Bayelsa should have helped to redeem our image that is so darken among the comity of nations.

The Nigerian nation is not a family that a few persons can take decisions that would affect its destiny. For any decision to sail through, there should be consultations within the rank and file of policies’ makers. This is more so as the nation is not faring better in mostspheres.

Already, the mistake had been made, but next time in history should not repeat itself. The president should remember the ovation that ushered him into the seat of government as the messiah of our time. And for the president to take the picture of a weak ruler is suicidal in outlook. Presently most people are murmuring and groaning under hardship. It is the duty of the president and his aides to alleviate the sufferings of the poor masses.

The only way the president could do this, is to call a spade a spade. Those who are guilty of embezzlements should be brought to book. And at this instance there should not be compromise from any quarter.

In all ramifications, the president should shun acts of nepotism and parochialism when it comes to administrating the country. The entire nation is his constituency. The office of the president is the highest office of the land. And any attempt to run it as a family affair would bring ridicule. Our president should stand up to face challenges rather than rely on few cabals to stir him to action.

posture towards corruption. He was fearless and outspoken in many national issues. He was enmarked to be given national honour twice but he rejected these offers. He made it known to the government that he cannot receive any honour when people are groaning and moaning under bad government. Without mincing words, this is the true picture of the situation of things.

Professor Chinua Achebe was a man that was not happy seeing his fellow country-men in sufferings. And this act he was able to demonstrate through his actions and writings. Most of his contemporaries were not bothered about the sufferings of the common people. This is the basic reason why most of them were wining and dining with the corrupt government.

From the life style of Achebe, the present generation have a lot to learn. It is now dawn on everybody that life is nothing but a shadow. It is the positive impacts one has on people while alive that matters but not the riches. This is because we know not where we came from neither do we know the time to leave for eternity.

The passport for easy passage to eternality is to live a good life while alive. But we are earnestly praying to our God to give us the strength and courage to bear this irreparable lost of an icon. This is more so as the nation is passinghard times in her history as a nation.

Our dear professor, we have no words to express your good deeds while alive. The only thing that we must endearour to do is to emulate the life style of this great man. It is only then that his spirit would move in the grave with pride for a mission well accomplished.

Our dear professor, sleep on till when we shall meet in eternity to part no more

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

International Features

Obama Pressed Chinese Leader On Cybersecurity

PRESIDENT Barack Obama used an unusually lengthy and informal desert summit to present Chinese President Xi Jinping with detailed evidence of intellectual property theft emanating from his country, as a top U.S. official declared Saturday that cybersecurity is now at the “center of the relationship” between the world’s largest economies.

While there were few clear policy breakthroughs on cybersecurity, U.S. officials said Obama and Xi were in broad agreement over the need for North Korea to be denuclearized. And both countries expressed optimism that the closer personal ties forged between the two leaders during the California summit could stem the mistrust between the world powers.

Still, Obama’s national security adviser Tom Donilon said resolving cybersecurity issues would be “key to the future” of the relationship.

Obama told Xi that “if it’s not addressed, if it continues to be this direct theft of United States property, that this was going to be very difficult problem in the economic relationship and was going to be an inhibitor to the relationship really reaching its full potential,” Donilon said during a briefing with reporters following the summit.

In their own recap of the meetings, Chinese officials said Xi opposed all forms of cyberspying, but claimed no responsibility for attacks against the U.S. “Cybersecurity should not become the root cause of mutual suspicion and frictions between our two countries. Rather, it should be a new bright spot in our cooperation,” said Yang Jiechi, Xi’s senior foreign policy adviser.

Yang said the two leaders “blazed a new trail” away from the two nations’ past differences and “talked about cooperation and did not shy away from differences.”

Obama and Xi met for about eight hours over the course of two days at the sweeping Sunnylands estate, marking a significant

and unusual investment of time for both presidents.

Their talks included a working dinner of lobster tamales, Porterhouse steak and cherry pie prepared by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, and a morning walk through the manicured gardens of the 200-acre estate on the edge of the Mojave Desert.

announcing that their countries had agreed for the first time to partner on reducing hydrofluorocarbons, a potent greenhouse gas used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and industrial applications.

ber of steps in recent months to send a clear message to North Korea, including though enhanced enforcement of sanctions and through public statements by the senior leadership in

golf on Obama’s. Both are also married to glamorous, high-profile wives who have played a strong role in shaping their images.

While Xi’s wife accompanied him to California, Michelle Obama stayed in Washington. The White House said late Saturday that she wrote Xi’s wife a

President Barrack Obama, right, walks with Chinese president xi Jinping at the Annenberg Retreat of the Sunnylands estate Saturday, in Rancho Mirage, California, USA.

During their walk, the leaders stopped to sit on a custom-designed park bench made of California redwood that Obama presented to Xi as a gift.

The U.S. president told reporters that the talks were “terrific” as he and Xi walked side by side, both having ditched jackets and ties in a nod to the summit’s informal atmosphere. The leaders closed the summit in low-key style, with no formal statements to the press, just a private tea with Xi’s wife.

Obama and Xi did take a significant step toward tackling climate change,

The discussions on North Korea also proved promising, Donilon said, with the leaders agreeing that North Korea has to be denuclearized and that neither country will accept the North as a nuclear-armed state. North Korea is estimated to have a handful of crude nuclear devices, with some analysts putting its arsenal at four to eight plutonium bombs.

While China is Pyongyang’s strongest ally and economic benefactor, Xi has signaled a growing impatience with North Korea’s unpredictable and provocative nuclear threats.

“China has taken a num-

China,” Donilon said.

U.S. officials are hoping that Xi, who took office in March, proves to be a new brand of Chinese leader. He has deeper ties to the U.S. than his predecessors, given that he lived in Iowa briefly as a visiting official and sent his daughter to college in the U.S. The two leaders appear to have more in common than Obama had with former Chinese leader Hu Jintao, who often appeared stiff and formal in meetings. Both men are in their 50s and share a love of sports: swimming and soccer on Xi’s side, basketball and

letter welcoming her to the United States and expressing regret for not seeing her this weekend.

Xi also appeared to relish in the more informal talks.

An Obama administration official said he discussed at length growing up in the Chinese countryside during his country’s cultural revolution and how the experience impacted his perspective on China’s development. Xi also broke out a bottle of “Maotai,” a famous Chinese liquor, to toast Obama during Friday’s working dinner, according to the official, who insisted on anonymity

in order to discuss the private meetings.

The two leaders will likely meet again in September, on the sidelines of an international economic summit in Russia. Xi also invited Obama to travel to China soon for a similarly informal round of one-on-one talks.

For Obama, the China summit marked the start of a heavy foreign policy-focused stretch that includes trips later this month to Europe and Africa. But domestic controversies are competing for his attention, including revelations that the National Security Agency has been secretly collecting massive amounts of data from U.S. phone and Internet companies.

The president sought to distinguish between the NSA actions and China’s alleged cyber intrusions, saying the two issues were separate and distinct. During a news conference with Xi on Friday night, Obama said he welcomed a debate on those differences.

During the question-andanswer session with reporters, Obama and Xi carefully avoided directly accusing each other’s nations of hightech intrusions, though they acknowledged an urgent need to find a common approach on addressing the matter.

Obama said rapid cyber advances meant the two countries were in “uncharted waters.”

“We don’t have the kind of protocols that have governed military issues and arms issues, where nations have a lot of experience in trying to negotiate what’s acceptable and what’s not,” Obama said.

Xi, who called rapid technological advancements a “double-edged sword,” claimed no responsibility for China’s alleged cyberespionage. He said China was also a victim of cyberspying but did not assign any blame.

While Xi departed California Saturday afternoon, Obama planned to stay in California through the weekend, though he had no public events planned.

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Science

Local Biotic Communities Or Biomes HERE rainfall is abundant and evenly distributed with an annual rainfall of 1,250mm, with a mean monthly temperature of less than 50 o c that supports Luxuriant vegetation. The trees strata.

They are characterised with plants like epiphytes, shrubs, herbs and climbers.

They have low light intensity, high humidity, still air and damp floor.

The bigger trees found in tropical rainforest include Iroko, mahogany silk cotton, oil palm, mango trees and coconut. The trees have thick bark and broad dark green leathery leaves. These leaves are broad with pointed tips that makes water flow out of the leaves fast, to stop microbial growth on the leaves so that

they can manufacture their food.

Animals found here are mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

Rainforest is found in southern part of Nigeria like Lagos, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Imo, Enugu, Ondo, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Rivers States and Anambra States.

SOUTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA It is between the rainforest and Savanna belt, so it is midway. The trees found here are mostly shrubs that are scattered deciduous trees. A few short trees also exist of a height of about 15m, trees here include Daniella SP (false balsam) Terminalia (afara), lophiRA Khaya Senegalensis (dry zone mahogany) butter,

trees, Butryospernum parkii (shea butter tree) magnifera indica (mango).

Grasses here include pennisetum, Adropogan, panicum chloris, Hyperrhenia, pasnalum and melinis.

Grasscutters, deers, rats, guinea fowls, snakes and termites are the animals found in Southern guinea Savanna.

This zone is found in Enugu, Niger, Kaduna, Adamawa and Benue.

NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA Northern guinea savanna is similar to southern guinea savanna just that the trees found in northern guinea savanna are shorter with a length of 9 – 12m in height.

These trees are thorny in nature. Trees like Isoberlina

doka and Uopaca Somon.

Animals are the same with southern guinea savanna.

They are found in Kano and Sokoto States.

SAHEL SAVANNA They are found in the extreme North east – Corner of Borno province and near Lake Chad. The annual rainfall is between 25 and 50cm which is concentrated between three to four months of the year. Meaning that the dry season, is very severe, Day time temperatures are high, the atmosphere is dry dusty and windy in nature: Bringing about sparse vegetation of few scattered short thorny shrubs, trees and grasses.

Trees here include conchrus bi-florus, acacias all with narrow leaves. An adaptive way of preserving

With OYAKHILOME CLEMENTINA the water content inside them not to loose water, through a process known as transpiration, when conditions are unfavourable especially during dry season.

We also have data palm, Euphora, African myrrh (Commiphora Africana) and Lepta denia spartium, while the leaves of Sahradora persien provides salt.

DESERT Found in the extreme northern boundaries of Sokoto and Borno States.

Sun is very intense here making way for high temperatures day time and low temperatures at nights.

Annual rainfall is scanty and irregular. It is characterized by dry, windy and dusty air.

Vegetation may be absent for long periods of time.

The animal grasses, are short-lived and are referred to as ephemerals, ephemerals, quickly complete their life cycle, within a very short time this normally occur during the rains.

Desert shrubs are few with sharp prickly thorns and spikes, like the African acacia, Euphorbia and prickly peas (cacres) Desert animals normally adapt to burrowing and night life as an adaptation to suit their life style while the invertebrates are the arthropods while the few vertebrates are the reptiles and rodents, few birds with locations with free surfaces water. Carnivorous animals are not found in this zone.

SWAMP / ESTUARINE REGION A swamp is a lowland which is flooded most of the time and is grown with shrubs and trees.

Two types of swamp communities do exist, they are the salt water (Estuarine) and the fresh water type.

ESTUARING TYPE

There are a mixture of combination of salt and fresh water Estuaries. They may either be marshes, deltas or Lagoons. We have muddy salty estuaries that are populated with mangrove which are common on the Atlantic Coasts of the Southern part of Nigeria.

But we have extensive mangrove swamps in parts of Lagos, Cross River, Edo, Delta and Rivers States.

The salt content varies from time and this has influenced the life in estuaries.

Here, the vegetation is dense, with medium sized trees with thick evergreen leaves. Here plants have prop-roots and breaking roots, in this zone, some seeds do fall and germinate on parent plants.

Plants mainly found here are red and white mangrove and Hibiscus. The white mangrove is (Avicennia) and red mangrove (Rhizophora) Animals found here have mixed populations of marine and freshwater animals like the snail and mudskipper (periophthalmus).

FRESH WATER SWAMPS They occur further inland behind mangrove swamp.

They are supplied with fresh water mainly by rivers which have overflown their banks during the raining season.

Vegetation here is very rich with all types of trees like Raphia, pandarus, symphonia and alstonia which is used for building canoes.

The herb communities is dominated by sedges rushes, reads, grasses and many floating plants.

There is low oxygen content hence the animals here have accessory respiratory apparatus like snails (Biomphalarial), Lung-fishes, polypterus and mudfish (carias) .

“They are characterised with plants like epiphytes, shrubs, herbs and climbers. They have low light intensity, high humidity, still air and damp floor. The bigger trees found in tropical rainforest include Iroko, mahogany silk cotton, oil palm, mango trees and coconut. The trees have thick bark and broad dark green leathery leaves.

These leaves are broad with pointed tips that makes water flow out of the leaves fast, to stop microbial growth on the leaves so that they can manufacture their food.”

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Society

Kalu And His Social Life ANYTHING that a celebrity does comes to the public notice with the speed of a thunderbolt.

Some positive deeds of celebrities are disliked by traducers, while many a fan admires them. From the movies stars to writers and to politicians, the populace most times does not treat them with the kind’s glove.

This is characteristically with the news making the rounds that a former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu took some time off his busy schedule to swim-off stress in a private swimming pool.

Methinks he did not commandingly take the picture. It could be those around him during the swimming time that took the picture, as is a norm with many financially rich people that people do round them on every occasions, except when they have gone to bed.

Nevertheless, it is not bad, at all, that a picture was taken on Kalu, when he was swimming.

But the way and manner some persons have commented in the social media on the photo of the dude inside a swimming pool, make the pleasure to look like puckish. Some persons are just boring!

For those who have had the opportunity to be

By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

closer to Kalu, he is one man who shares with friends and relatives whatever he has, except his bedroom. Kalu is well groomed and appears in public without making mistakes like many who were not well-groomed; the later therefore dig their graves.

In April, many journalists were very proud of Kalu and have been, when he walked into a party, which was put together to commemorate the opening of a new restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos. A newspaper comment said: “This elicited surprise from guests present. Looking dapper in his dark-hued suit, Kalu was the cynosure of eyes.”

Many thought that Kalu would be cheerless for having a political running battle with the present governor of Abia State. But the newspaper continued, “This has not taken the shine off his social life.”

Kalu truly loves social life. This, perhaps, was as a result of his humble background, and he has maintained that status to remain humble.

He is one money-man who is not disposed to allow people to worship him. He makes sure that that inclination is

directed into the adulation of the Almighty. He sees in life that the healthiest thing to do is for one to be happy with self and humanity. He does not see himself as a monument; monuments go soon.

There could be celebs that punish themselves by not allowing people to know their social lives, but this is not the same of Kalu.

In his humble eyes, he does not see himself as that star from the blues, but whatever he does, people see stars in them and this has made him a very big star.

Kalu does not see fame as somewhat soup

that should be mixed before people could get the aroma from every direction; he sees fame as something that requires a dint of hard work, humility and trust.

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu is being celebrated around the world. From Europe to America, presidents and leaders of the world go bikini. Kalu’s should not be a weight of history. A Charles Bukowski says: “There’s nothing like

privacy. You know, I like people. It’s nice that they might like my books and all that...but I’m not the book, see? I’m the guy who wrote it, but I don’t want them to come up and throw roses on me or anything. I want them

“There’s nothing like privacy. You know, I like people. It’s nice that they might like my books and all that...but I’m not the book, see?

I’m the guy who wrote it, but I don’t want them to come up and throw roses on me or anything. I want them to let me breathe.”

“Many thought that Kalu would be cheerless for having a political running battle with the present governor of Abia State. But the newspaper continued, “This has not taken the shine off his social life.” to let me breathe.”

People should be happy that Kalu is not like majority of the people that a Will Smith describes thus: “Too many people are buying things they can’t afford,

whether nor not a particular story is truth or fiction. This is way out of balance. It invades the privacy of men and women who didn’t give up being human when they became famous,

with money that they don’t have... to impress people that they don’t like!” Kalu sees life as an experiment rather than a struggle for attractiveness, just as many who do not want to see his social life do the later.

It is a joyous thing that Kalu is a model and many people want to be like him. Like Victoria Moran says in “Younger by the Day – 365 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Body and Revitalize Your Spirit”: “The most reliable topic for small talk is the goings-on of stars whether they’re rising or falling, and

and it negates the meaning inherent in our own lives. (300)” Kalu must continue to make headlines, positively. He is a man that had involved real achievement. He is a man who does not wait for his ship to come; he swims out to it. He does not give up. Some persons have been swimming and not knowing that they are drowning for just that picture of Kalu in a swimming pool they saw. Should anyone blame such persons?

They have shown that they have a chance, not a lane.

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MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Anniversary Chat

You Can Locate Our Achievements In

June 6, 2013, Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, O N Thursday, quietly marked his 2nd Anniversary of h a v i n g to pilot the Parliament in the last two years as Speaker. In this 2nd Anniversary chat, the easygoing, fluent speaking and highly cerebral Speaker talks of his childhood, his working experience, politics, and legislative – Executive interface.

The interview was anchored by the trio of Editor, Barrister Solomon Imohiosen, Dep. Editor, Leo Atakpu and Asst. Editor, Tunde Eigbiremolen.

Excerpts:What Do You Ascribe The Peaceful Nature Of EDHA in the last 2 yrs to?

I am lucky to be working with 23 other lawmakers who have a sense of purpose, a sense of direction, the people that want the betterment of the state and are ready to work for it. I also want to attribute it to the fact that when we came in, we agreed to run an open office. So there is hardly anything I would do that the 23 others would not be aware of and I think when you carry everybody along, you have solved any problem that may arise because like I would always say when we take decision in the House, it is “we” that take the decision, it is not “me”. So, in that way, you save your-self a lot of problems.

What is your opinion on the general opinion that the House has been pocketed by the executive?

For me, that is a compliment to the House, because we have been able to work with the executive for two years without brushes with them. I do not see why we should have a fight with the executive, we don’t have to fight with the executive. The executive and the Assembly are in place to better the lots of the Edo people, so I don’t see the need for a fight, we have a common goal, I don’t see why we should have a problem. If the executive brings a Bill to the House that we know will not better the lot of the Edo people, we will definitely go against it.

We are the representatives of the people, and it is what is good for the people that we are going to work for. If the executive continues to bring bills that will better the lot of the people, we are going to continue to deliberate and pass these Bills into law for the betterment of the people.

And as far as the Assembly is working for the people, I don’t have problem with it and I don’t care what people outside say.

Looking at the past two years, what can you really count as your key achievements for Edo people?

The thing with the Assembly is that because we are not like the executive, it is

difficult to point at something and say, this is what we have achieved because it is what we do, that is, the laws we make, that the executive uses, and that comes out to be an achievement and everybody says Comrade Governor has done this and that. They forget the fact that if it is not for

projects, he goes round with a retinue of pressmen but if the House standing committee chairman on Works is going to inspect the roads, he does not have such entourage as he only goes there with a few members of his committee and a few co-opted members of the House to do the over sight function. If he goes there without the press, as it is often the case, nobody may be aware. But I do not think he needs to blow his own trumpet as the important thing is doing his job. All committees in the House have over sight functions on various organs of the government and all of them are perfectly functioning. As they go round, their over sight functions are carried out to the

For me, that is what it is all about, and I do think we have achieved a lot in the past two years.

What piece of legislation, if you look back now at the past, makes you happy that you have done something for Edo State and people?

We are proud of every law and all resolutions that the House has passed into law. In our first year, we passed 5 laws and 43 resolutions. This year we have passed 8 laws and 44 resolutions. To single out one could be indeed very difficult but I am mostly impressed by the particular resolution on the Ovia Bridge. You will recall that there have been a lot of accidents on that bridge and it was via the resolution of the

Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN the Assembly, he would not be able to do any of those things. Any thing that the governor has done in Edo State today is because the Assembly is in place. So if you agree that the Comrade Governor has had any achievements at all, those are the achievements of the Assembly.

Why do we not see the legislators going round to oversee projects like the Comrade Governor, as the oversight function is part of their statutory responsibility?

When the governor is going round to inspect

letter. But like you have said, may be henceforth, as they go about on oversight functions, they may need to carry the press with them, so that their activities would be reported.

But we do not look at it as very necessary, so long as we are doing our job, the job our people sent us to do, and I think we are doing that.

How are you celebrating your second anniversary?

I don’t think we really need to celebrate, I think it is a time to reflect on the past two years and check where we have made mistakes and how we are going to correct them in the next two years.

House that we got the Federal Government and its agencies to come there to put rails on the side so that cars don’t fall into the river anymore and put signs informing the people of Danger Ahead! I am very proud of that, because it has saved lives. But, like I said, I am proud of all 87 resolutions and 13 laws that we have passed. I am very proud of them all.

Last year, Edo State witnessed an ugly situation where the Comrade Governor’s Private Secretary, Comrade Oyerinde Olaitan was murdered.

There had been so much reactions and responses in the media from various civil societies about what happened. Edo people waited in vain for the House of Assembly to take either a resolution or any action whatsoever like the Comrade Governor and other groups had done. What is your reaction?

Well, as for that case, I think the Comrade Governor has been on top and in total charge of that matter, and I think he has done so well.

He’s push the buttons he ought to push. And for the House to have come out to pass a resolution, which is an advice to the federal government not the state, (for we are a state Assembly), would have been superfluous. But even then, yes, may be we should have come out with a resolution on it, but I don’t think it was very relevant. I think the governor was doing his bit, and the civil societies were doing their own.

Of course, you do realize that most members of the House were activists before they came around as legislators.

They have been playing their own role. I do not think it was necessary for us to have come up with a resolution, but it is very obvious that we are in total support of what the governor is doing and the civil societies. We are in total support of them. If by demonstrating that, we need to do a resolution or something, we will definitely do that.

How would you say your background essentially prepared you for the speakership position, both educationally and familywise?

Well, just before I became Speaker, at least I had spent 4 years in the Assembly as a member, representing Oredo West. Of course, being an old member, you now know how the system works, how the House works. We had to learn on the job. Well, as for family background, I come from a family of five. My dad is the Iyasere of Benin, and a retired Police Commissioner, which is to tell you that he must have brought me up in a very strict manner. I grew up in a Police College.

So, I was brought up to adhere with the principles of leadership and corrupt-free society. Educationally, I had my primary education at Ikeja-Lagos. I went to Edo College, and I studied Botany in the University of Benin. I did my Youth Service in the Army. That is my education, my family and I think most importantly, was my working experience before I got into the House. I graduated in

1985. I starting working in 1986 after my Youth Service till 2007, when I entered the House. I worked in the private sector. For most of the period I worked, I was the Regional Manager of a Fishing Company, and being a regional manager, you know what that means, you were at the top of it. That means it was a leadership position, where you have to carry people along. I was already used to all of that. That prepared me to an extent, but essentially, it was the first 4 years that I spent in the House of Assembly.

Looking back at your life, what will be your happiest moment and also the saddest, if any?

Personal happiest moment was probably when I got married, because I married a very lovely and wonderful person. Saddest moment is what I don’t want to remember, as it will make me sad all over.

There is a proposed Amendment to the constitution at the National Assembly to give the NASS powers to impeach the President. Relating this to the state Assemblies, what are your thoughts?

For me, impeachment is not something that you just think of and do at will. It is a big issue that concerns the whole state or country, as it were. Because these people were elected by members of the public and for a group of persons to sit down to remove them, may be for their own personal reasons, it’s a bit difficult. Any way, there are already processes and procedures for impeachment. They are already provided for, in the constitution. Whatever amendments the NASS wants to make, we may need to wait to see them before we know exactly, where they are going. Otherwise, the procedures are already there.

In terms of constitution Amendment, generally, what are the key areas that you would really want to see in our constitution?

I am a legislator, very obviously, you should know the one that concerns me. We are talking about the autonomy of the state Houses of Assembly, and of the local governments; those are the ones that really concern me, even though we do understand that a lot of governors do not favour those amendments.

But as a legislator, and in particular as a Speaker, I am very in tune with amending the constitution to allow for autonomy of state Assemblies. This is my personal opinion. It has no bearing on Continues on page 25

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Anniversary Chat

The Works Of The Comrade Governor Continued from page 24

any other person. When the amendments do come to the floor of the House, if eventually they do, the House will vote on it, and whatever we decide, is final.

Is that to say the House is not functioning properly without the said autonomy, or that there are some inhibitions without the autonomy?

It is not as though the House is not functioning properly. By way of independence, the House is functioning properly. It is just that when you have autonomy, what it implies means is that when you need something, you don’t have to go and meet the executive. But even then, when you have an executive that provides what you need, then you really do not have much of a problem.

I am not talking in terms of Edo people now. There are other states that might have problems with their legislature and executives. In Edo State, the executive and the legislature are in total harmony, we are in tact. But there are other Assemblies that may have problems with their executives. As an Assembly, we have the speakers’ conference comprising speakers from the 36 states, and very obviously, we have some states that have their issues. We are brothers, and an injury to one is an injury to all. If one Assembly is having a problem, we should help to sort it out. For me, we are in perfect order in Edo State. When we need to do anything, the Executive co-operates with us and gives us the necessary financial support to work in the way we need to work. But generally, autonomy is democratic. That’s just the baseline. It is democratic to have autonomy in the states, in the judiciary, the legislature and local governments.

President Jonathan has announced the proscription of Boko Haram, which has been threatening to tear the country apart.

What is your take on this new development?

But you know that even with the intervention of the military in the states that are

involved, the activities of Boko Haram have reduced drastically. If the military continues in this manner, very shortly, especially now that it has been proscribed by the federal government, you wouldn’t hear anything about Boko Haram, and 2015, Nigeria will still be in tact, and there will be no Boko Haram any more. The issue is that if they continue in this manner without slowing down the pace. The best thing is to continue at the pace we are going and make sure we wipe them out totally.

Still on crime, a student of UNIBEN was allegedly killed by a senior police officer in Benin. The police is claiming the student was a robbery suspect and all that, what do we expect from the Edo Assembly regarding this and other extra-judicial killings?

It is very unfortunate that it happened at a time that we are on recess. Thankfully, we will resume sitting on Monday (today). We are going to make sure that we do have a House Committee on security to look into the matter and investigate thoroughly and report back to the entire House. Until that is done, I don’t really have anything to say now, because the police have their own story, the family has its own story, the students have their own story. I want to be sure of what I am going to say, therefore I need the House Committee to investigate and come out with the real truth and then we know the position to take. Until then it will be a bit unwise to jump into any conclusion whereas you don’t know the full body of the story.

On the other extra-judicial killings, the issue is that you have to be informed. In some of the cases that we have been informed, and we have taken decisions on, we have had resolutions that we have come up with, either directing the police or the necessary federal or state government bodies to do the right thing. We find that some of these cases are already in court. You know that when a case is already in court, as a House we cannot deliberate on it, otherwise, it

- Speaker Uyi Igbe will be subjudice. When the families of victims head to the court, it’s a bit difficult for the House to deliberate on such matters. The ones that haven’t gone to court which we have to deal with, we have always dealt with them.

The planned centenary celebration of the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914

by Lord Lugard, is it worth celebrating?

Why not? Even though some people will tell you that it should be reviewed after

whose schedule is a busy one, how do you socialize?

First of all, handling the members of the PDP. When we sit down, I have never really noticed that this person or that, is a PDP or ACN member. That is the truth. You find that they have been very co-operative, and there has never been any one occasion where we have any cause for any problems. They have been totally cooperative in the House. Like I said before, I think it is because they are

is head of such a committee while a PDP member is in charge of a “Vibrant” and “juicy” committee. That is to tell you that we do not see that divide really. I think that is the best way to operate. As it were, some of the PDP members in the House presently were in the last Assembly. So, we had already gotten to know ourselves. We are just working together as one.

As for socializing, yes, we try to do so. I like to

family name. It was tough growing up. Like I said, I grew up in the barracks!!

Welfare of workers in the Edo State House of Assembly?

I met a lot of them there and we have known each other as we work together. As far as possible, we do the best for them. Just that at the moment, I think we are a bit over-staffed, and many of them are not quite happy with me that we are doing the staff audit. I seem to believe and it might not be true, that we have a lot of ghost workers that do not come to work; we have workers that came in with fake certificates,

Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly fielding questions from the team of Editors every hundred years. I am not of that opinion. I think that Nigeria is one strong and indivisible country. It is worth celebrating. It’s when we celebrate and bring ourselves together that we are probably able to bond a bit better. Yes, celebrating 100 years together is in order, staying together for 100 years is not easy. So long as the celebration is done with some reasoning, why not?

That’s the baseline.

How do you relate with other members of the House, especially the opposition members, the PDP. Again, as a speaker

focused and probably want to achieve something too.

There is absolutely no point coming to the House to fight. Those who elected you are watching you.

There’s no reason to fight when there is no need for it. I said so before. So, we are all working together. I carry everybody along. I do not say this is ACN or PDP, therefore I give preferential treatment. No. You can check it out from the committees of the House. There are some committees people term as “redundant”, and you find out that it’s probably an ACN member that

“There is absolutely no point coming to the House to fight.

Those who elected you are watching you. There’s no reason to fight when there is no need for it. I said so before. So, we are all working together. I carry everybody along. I do not say this is ACN or PDP, therefore I give preferential treatment. No.”

swim. Though the problem with that is that since I am not wealthy enough to own a swimming pool in my house, it means that I now need to go to a place like the hotel.

That is a bit difficult for somebody in my position, and I do not have many friends who have swimming pools in their houses, because we are all “poor men”. So the swimming that I really love to do, happens only when I am fortunate enough to leave Edo State, and then I can swim outside. I like to play scramble too. I play scramble a lot with my friends.

What is your guiding principle or philosophy?

The fear of my father, who is a retired Police Commissioner. If I do anything wrong, he is still strong enough to put me over his laps and thrash me (laughs).

When I think of my father, I realize that I must be upstanding. I cannot afford to rubbish his name. I have no choice than to maintain my

over-aged workers and a lot of that, and I intend to get to the root of it. Based on that, a few of the workers may not be very happy with me, at the moment. But in general, I think, we have a very good relationship with majority of the workers in the Assembly.

Finally, your advice to Edo people and Nigerians, on 14 unbroken years of democracy in the country?

Well, my advice is that they should continue to believe in democracy. At least, in Edo State it is paying off right now. We have seen five years of government in Action, democracy at work.

Unfortunately, we cannot say that of the years preceding the last 5 years. But now, we can see democracy at work.

Democracy can work. It also means that if we vote the right person, the right party, democracy will work. My advice is that yes, keep your eyes open, vote the right party, the right people. Then, democracy will be sustained.

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International

Compiled By EDOBOR HARRISON

Operator In Philadelphia Building Collapse to operate heavy equipment.

PHILADELPHIA — A In Custody “He was completely able to

heavy equipment operator who is accused of being high on marijuana when a downtown building collapsed onto a thrift store, killing six people, is in custody after surrendering to face charges in the deaths, police said.

Sean Benschop, who has a lengthy police record, surrendered Saturday and faces six counts of involuntary manslaughter, 13 counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count of risking a catastrophe. A warrant had been issued for his arrest and police had been searching for him. He is awaiting arraignment.

Authorities believe the 42year-old Benschop had been using an excavator Wednesday when the remains of the fourstory building under demolition gave way and toppled onto an attached Salvation Army thrift store, killing two employees and

four customers and injuring 13 others.

Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison said a toxicology report showed evidence that Benschop was high on marijuana. That finding, combined with witness statements and evidence from the scene, led to the decision Friday to raid his North Philadelphia home and later seek an arrest warrant, he said.

Benschop’s attorney, Daine Grey, defended his client.

“This was an accident, but Mr. Benschop is not responsible,” Grey said Saturday. “And we believe that, in time, the facts will show that he is not responsible.”

Benschop was wearing a bandage on his right arm when he turned himself into police.

Grey said he had been injured at a worksite, but he declined to say where or when.

Grey said Benschop was able

2 Koreas Talk In Border Village After Tensions SEOUL, South Korea — Government delegates from North and South Korea began preparatory talks Sunday at a “truce village” on their heavily armed border aimed at setting ground rules for a higher-level discussion on easing animosity and restoring stalled rapprochement projects.

The meeting at Panmunjom, where the truce ending the 1950-53 Korean War was signed, is the first of its kind on the Korean Peninsula in more than two years. Success will be judged on whether the delegates can pave the way for a summit between the ministers of each country’s department for crossborder affairs, which South Korea has proposed for Wednesday in Seoul. Such ministerial talks haven’t happened since 2007.

The intense media interest in what’s essentially a meeting of bureaucrats to iron out technical details is an indication of how bad ties between the Koreas have been.

Any dialogue is an improvement on the belligerence that has marked the relationship over recent years, which have seen North Korean

nuclear tests and long-range rocket launches, attacks in 2010 blamed on the North that killed 50 South Koreans, and a steady stream in recent months of invective and threats from Pyongyang and counter-vows from Seoul.

“Today’s working-level talks will be a chance to take care of administrative and technical issues in order to successfully host the ministers’ talks,” one of the South Korean delegates, Unification Policy Officer Chun Hae-sung, said in Seoul before the group’s departure for Panmunjom.

The southern delegation will keep in mind, he said, “that the development of South and North Korean relations starts from little things and gradual trust-building.”

During the morning talks, the delegates discussed the agenda for the ministerial meeting, location, date, the number of participants and how long they will stay in Seoul, if the meeting is held there, the Unification Ministry, which is responsible for North Korea issues, said.

Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-suk told reporters that there were no major disputes and the talks would continue.

PUBLIC NOTICE CHRIST PRAISE CENTRAL CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Daniel Omewah (Senior Pastor) - Chairman 2. Deacon Greg Agbonkonkon - Vice Chairman 3. Deacon Kehinde Akinyemi 4. Mr. Yakubu Momodu 5. Elder Grace Arugundade 6. Deacon Godday Odia 7. Deaconess Florence Idemudia 8. Deaconess Margrate Oghoghome AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To spread and preach the gospel in all parts of the world.

2. To raise men and women for end time harvest.

3. To establish and maintain churches in all part of the world.

4. To prepare believers through the teaching of the Bible for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be directed to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, aitama District, P.M.B. 198 Garki, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of publication.

Signed: Daniel Omewah (Senior Pastor) Chairman

operate a backhoe,” Grey said. “ ... He operated it safely, as he always does, and he did not violate the law in any capacity.

“He has been doing this for more than 13 years. He is very experienced. He has worked for a number of contractors throughout the region. All of the contractors have found him professional and found that he did his work with the highest regard for the safety of those around him.”

Mayor Michael Nutter, in a statement Saturday night, called for harsh charges and punishment for Benschop.

It is my hope that the harshest level of charges are brought against Sean Benschop and he is punished accordingly,” Nutter said. “We must also seek answers from property owners Richard Basciano and Griffin T. Campbell who hired Benschop to do the significant job of operating heavy equipment.

These three individuals bear the ultimate and sole responsibility for this tragedy. Justice will only be served if Sean Benschop receives a sentence that buries him in a jailhouse forever, just like his victims were buried on Wednesday.”

Benschop, who also goes by the name Kary Roberts, has been arrested at least 11 times since 1994 on charges ranging from drugs to theft to weapons possession, according to court records. He was twice sentenced to prison in the 1990s after being convicted on drug trafficking charges. Benschop’s last arrest, on a charge of aggravated assault, came in January 2012, but the case was dismissed for lack of evidence.

Sean Benschop, center, with red jacket over his head, walks with investigators as he arrives at the Philadelphia Police Department’s Central Detectives Division, in Center City Philadelphia.

This photo shows former South African President Nelson Mandela celebrates his 94th birthday with family in Qunu, South Africa late last year.

Nelson Mandela Remains In Hospital

JOHANNESBURG — Former South African President Nelson Mandela was receiving medical treatment for a lung infection yesterday after spending a second night in a hospital.

There was no official update on 94-year-old Mandela’s condition, described in a government statement on Saturday as “serious but stable.”

The office of President Jacob Zuma had said that Mandela was taken to a Pretoria hospital after his condition deteriorated at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.

It described the lung infection as recurring.

The anti-apartheid leader has now been taken to a hospital four times since December, with the last discharge coming on

April 6 after doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia and drained fluid from his lung area.

Worshippers at yesterday church service in the Johannesburg township of Soweto prayed for the recovery of Mandela, who was freed in 1990 after 27 years as a prisoner of white racist rule and won election to the presidency in allrace elections in 1994.

At the Regina Mundi church in Soweto, Father Sebastian Rousso said Mandela, seen by many as a symbol of reconciliation, played a key role “not only for ourselves as South Africans, but for the world.”

Welcome Tempa, a construction worker, said he prayed daily for Mandela, who

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public of loss of Right of Occupancy and Acknowledgement Letter of Plot No. CRD 1002, Cadastral Zone 07-07 and Beacon No. PB3925, PB 3903, PB3904, PB3905, PB3906 at LUGBE 1, ED41665, issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, through Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), bearing Jacob Giwa.

All efforts to trace the said documents proved abortive.

If found, please return to the nearest station or AGIS.

retired from public life years ago and had been receiving medical care at his Johannesburg home until his latest transfer to a hospital.

“When I was still a kid, we used to pray for him,” said Tempa, who is 63 years old.

On April 29, state television broadcast footage of a visit by Zuma and other leaders of the ruling African National Congress to Mandela’s home.

Zuma said at the time that Mandela was in good shape, but the footage - the first public

images of Mandela in nearly a year - showed him silent and unresponsive, even when Zuma tried to hold his hand.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been particularly vulnerable to respiratory problems since contracting tuberculosis during his long imprisonment. The bulk of that period was spent on Robben Island, an outpost off the coast of Cape Town where Mandela and other prisoners spent part of the time toiling in a stone quarry.

Suicide Car Bomb Kills 7 In Baghdad BAGHDAD — A suicide car bomber rammed his explosivesladen vehicle into an Iraqi army checkpoint in a Shiite neighborhood in Baghdad yeseterday morning, killing at least seven people and wounding 18 others, officials said.

The attack happened in the busy Kazimiyah neighborhood, which last week was the focus of an annual pilgrimage that brought hundreds of thousands of Shiite faithful to a goldendomed shrine where two revered Shiite saints are buried.

Authorities imposed strict security measures throughout the

capital to protect pilgrims, and no major attacks occurred during the pilgrimage itself, which peaked midweek.

It commemorates the death of one of the saints, Imam Moussa alKadhim.

Those killed yesterday included five soldiers and two civilian bystanders, according to police.

A medical official in a nearby hospital confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

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Culture

Promoting National Unity Via Cultural Festivals THE promotion of national cohesion and development through cultural festivals became a topical issue during the recently concluded Borgu International Gani-Durbar Festival, held in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger.

The carnival exhibited a rare display of horse riding and boat peddling by wards in the Borgu kingdom and contingents from other parts of the country as well as Benin and Niger Republics.

The varying skills displayed by the horse riders and their horses kept the spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the event.

The event was partly organised to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the people’s relocation from Old Bussa to New Bussa in 1968 to pave the way for the construction of the second hydro-electric power generation plant at Kainji Dam. Stakeholders and participants at the event underscored the importance of using the enormous cultural potential of the people to promote peace and economic development of the country.

They argued that that the various challenges confronting the nation would be surmounted if the government and the citizens made pragmatic efforts to promote peace and harmony through cultural activities.

The festival, which is the second edition since its inception in 2009, attracted

By GEORGE EDOMWONYI participants from within and outside the country.

The Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, the chief host, said that the Borgu International Festival was initiated to foster a sense of togetherness among the various ethnic groups in the country.

The traditional ruler, whose entry into the arena was heralded with gunshots by local hunters, said that the “festival is to celebrate Nigerian’s cultural treasures, while sustaining and deepening the country’s unity, peace and stability.

“We need to nurture our culture as a means of projecting the nation’s cultural values to the world.

“The festival also serves as a potent device to combat extreme poverty, eradicate ideological extremism and entrench peace and harmony across the land,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Vice President Namadi Sambo said that cultural festivals would always boost tourism, while promoting personal interactions.

Sambo said that being a grassroots person and lover of African culture and traditions, he was happy to be associated with the festival.

His words: “I will always grab every opportunity to participate in festivals of this nature. What we are witnessing here today is a fraction of Nigeria’s abundant cultural potential.

“To our visitors or tourists who have come from far and near, what we are witnessing form part of what makes us distinct and unique as a people.

“It is, therefore, important to encourage all the ethnic groups in our country to preserve their culture and nurture it to the delight and admiration of the international community.’’

Sambo underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the culture and tourism sector of the economy, so as to boost Nigeria’s economy and promote peace in the country.

“The administration will

do all that is required in partnering with necessary stakeholders to develop and improve our cultural activities to make them more attractive to the rest of the world.

“President Goodluck Jonathan will give adequate support to all stakeholders in efforts to achieve a safer, peaceful and secure Nigeria,’’ he added.

In his comments, the

Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, said that cultural festivities typically promoted national cohesion, consensus building and peaceful mutual coexistence.

El-Kanemi, nonetheless, called for more

“It is, therefore, important to encourage all the ethnic groups in our country to preserve their culture and nurture it to the delight and admiration of the international community.’’

institutional support for cultural festivals in the country.

On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, said that cultural festivals often brought together different ethnic groups, adding that such events could also be used to preach peace and unity in the country.

The monarch urged traditional institutions in the country to continue to use cultural festivals as a means of promoting peace and harmony among the citizens.

“If a leader decides to do what is right, there will be

optimism that such fiestas would help steer youths away from social vices and criminal activities.

He described the festival as timely, saying that it would enable the youths to tap the potential of the culture and tourism sector.

“Occasions like this provide opportunities for us to come together to rub minds on issues of common interest to our people,’’ he added.

Tinubu pledged to establish an integrated fish farm in the town to boost the economy of the neighbourhood.

Also speaking, Governor

peace; violence never pays,’’ he said, adding: There is nowhere in the world where violence brings peace; only dialogue brings peace.

“We must, therefore, endeavour to live together, no matter our ethnic differences,” the sultan said.

In his remark, former Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State said that cultural festivals could be used to promote unity and understanding among the various peoples of the country.

Tinubu, who rode on a royal horse during the festival, expressed

Babaginda Aliyu of Niger stressed that cultural festivals were critical to the nation’s economic development, unity, peace and cohesion.

The governor pledged that his administration would maximise the benefits of cultural activities to stimulate the economic growth of the state and the nation at large.

“I believe that organising cultural festivals will help unite the country,’’ he said.

All in all, analysts suggest that tangible efforts should be made to promote and cement the country’s unity via cultural fiestas.

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UEFA To Probe Music Incident

Ferdinand Fears For England Future FORMER England defender Rio Ferdinand has reiterated his concerns for the future of the national team after Stuart Pearce’s Under-21 side went out of the European Championship.

Manchester United’s Ferdinand spoke out after the senior side’s draw with the Republic of Ireland last week, debating the coaching strategies that are in place at under-age levels. Ferdinand, who retired from the Three Lions earlier this year, went on to question his own ‘golden generation’ of players, and on Saturday night sought more answers.

After Pearce’s men were humbled 3-1 by Norway in Israel, Ferdinand, responding to a Tweet which referenced Pearce’s claim that he needed to be able to field his strongest side, said: “(sic) It starts way down the chain. For me u should b able to pluck an u18s player out n put him into the 1st team n not have to school him tactically, just school on opposition.”

He added: “Would not happen now at all for us, in contrast if Spain or Germany threw a u18 in he would know his role as these countries have an identity.”

The Under-21 players arrived in Israel with high hopes, especially considering the seasons the likes of Tom Ince

Van Persie Shocked By Fergie Exit ROBIN van Persie has described the moment Sir Alex Ferguson told the Manchester United squad he was retiring and called it an “historical” moment.

Van Persie joined United last summer and played a part in them reclaiming the Premier League title from Manchester City by scoring 26 goals in 35 games.

But he had no idea that success would lead Ferguson to step down after 27 years in charge. In an interview with the Sun the former Arsenal captain says he couldn’t believe what he was hearing when his manager broke the news.

“Sir Alex came through the dressing room door and the first thing he said was that he was retiring.

“I had to gasp for breath and I shook my head. Had he really said what I thought he’d said?

“The room fell deathly quiet and then everyone became emotional.

“Sir Alex then had a long talk with the squad. I found it a very special speech and felt privileged to have witnessed it.

“It was an historical moment for football, even though I was not happy to hear his message.”

and Wilfried Zaha have had.

Ferdinand did acknowledge the talent at Pearce’s disposal, but voiced his concern that the players were not being exposed to good enough opposition.

“We have some real talented u21 players too,” said the 81-cap international.

“A lot of other coaches are getting players who already understand the system to play in so start ahead b4 a ball is kicked!”

A Twitter user replied to Ferdinand questioning the standard of Pearce’s squad, to which the former West Ham man said: “We do, trust me. We have talent in that squad, are they being exposed at top level?”

• Thomas Rogne (left), was part of the Norway Under-21 side that defeated England

UEFA will investigate the playing of music that included racially offensive lyrics prior to England Under-21s’ defeat to Norway.

England lost 3-1 to Norway on Saturday, condemning Stuart Pearce’s side to a group stage exit for the second successive tournament.

The main talking point before the Group A clash was the choice of music in Petah Tikva, where a song using racially offensive language was played into the stadium.

The incident at Ha Moshava came just under an hour before kick-off and was followed by an anti-racism message from Europe’s governing body.

Pearce Disappointed

By Early Exit ENGLAND Under-21s manager Stuart Pearce is disappointed to have been knocked out of the European Championship - but not surprised, given he was without several of his best players.

The Young Lions deservedly lost to Italy 1-0 on Wednesday and on Saturday night were embarrassed 3-1

by Norway, condemning them to an embarrassing group-stage exit for the second successive tournament.

“It’s football. I’ve been involved in football for 25 years,” Pearce said.

“Humiliation isn’t a word I’d use. Big disappointment,

that’s for sure. But I’m very proud to do this job and proud to represent my country, as my players are, so they’ll be hurting.”

He added: “It’s the nature of football. I thought we started very well and passed well without hurting Norway and that got us into the mentality that we just needed to pass the ball without switching on to the defensive side.”

Efforts from Fredrik Semb Berge, Jo Inge Berget and Magnus Eikrem put Norway three goals up at Ha Moshava, before Craig Dawson got a consolation from the penalty spot.

Asked if he thought

Henderson Backs Pearce

ENGLAND Under-21s captain Jordan Henderson wants Stuart Pearce to stay on as manager despite an early European Championship exit the Liverpool midfielder cannot quite believe.

After nine successive wins

Cahill Confident Of Young Socceroo

TIM Cahill believes World Cup qualification and the tough road the Socceroos are facing to get there are critical to battlehardening Australia’s next generation of talent.

At 33, Cahill remains the Socceroos talisman. But how long his international future stretches beyond this World Cup campaign will depend heavily on whether Australia qualify.

The attacker is confident 20somethings like Tommy Oar, Tom Rogic, Robbie Kruse and James Holland are worthy of the torch they will eventually be handed - hopefully beyond Brazil next year. With the Socceroos’ most important players virtually all in their 30s, Cahill doesn’t subscribe to the theory that there isn’t enough talent coming through. He’s happy to point to several in the current 26-man Socceroos squad as long-term national team players.”

These boys are class players.

When they get the opportunity,

you can see anything can happen,” Cahill said on Sunday.

“With Tommy Oar, with Krusey, with James Holland, you just need games.”

The more games you play, the better you get, and as a team you become a lot better.”

These boys are exceptional and I’m excited for the future of Australia. “We need this World Cup so they can flourish. “Cahill believes the hard-earned point in Japan - and two must-win matches in Australia to book the Socceroos a third successive World Cup berth - has galvanised both squad and supporters to get the job done.

He admits he has been enjoying the vibe in Melbourne ahead of Tuesday night’s clash with Jordan, believing the courageous effort against Japan is a possible campaign turning point after some indifferent results previously.

England would have fared better if they had more senior players in Israel, Pearce said: “Your words, not mine.

We’ve just been beaten by Norway. I have to take that on the chin.

“Hopefully people outside of me will pick that up and run with it. The team that takes their best players will

win the tournament. The teams that don’t won’t they’ll go home early. That’s the nature of football.

“I probably can’t try any harder than I actually am (to persuade more big players to come). Wake-up calls should come in the two years in between - not when you go to tournaments.”

Pearce’s contract expires at the end of this month and he

” I really get the sense and the feeling from the fans and even you guys (media) that everyone believes as much as we do, especially after Japan,” Cahill said.” Everyone wants us to do well ... everyone’s positive. It’s great to know you’ve got a squad, a staff and a country behind you, that’s supporting you.”

without conceding, the Young Lions arrived in Israel among the favourites for the title.

Instead, they became the first side to exit the competition after woeful defeats to Italy and Norway put the semi-finals beyond them with a game to spare.

Whether the Football Association extends Pearce’s contract past the end of the month remains to be seen and, despite overseeing group exits in successive tournaments, Henderson hopes he stays on. “Of course [I want Pearce to stay],” the Young Lions skipper said.

“He has been a brilliant manager since I’ve come into the 21s.”

The former Sunderland player added: “Obviously you can see his record - we got to the final a few tournaments ago and lost to a good team in Germany. He has been brilliant with all of us so I would love to see him stay on.”

Despite such backing, Pearce is odds on with the bookmakers to leave the Under-21s post.

It is no real surprise given England failed so miserably in a group many had expected them to qualify from.

“I can’t believe it,” Henderson said. “There was high hopes going into the tournament.

“It is very disappointing and all the lads were devastated in the dressing room, but I think we battled and kept on going to the end.

Italy Reach Semis ITALY secured progression to the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals and Norway look all but certain to join them after dumping out England.

The Azzurrini, having beaten England on matchday one, thrashed hosts Israel 4-0 in Tel Aviv.

Riccardo Saponara gave Italy the lead after just 18 minutes and Israel’s task was made all the more difficult when Eyal

Golasa was sent off in the 37th minute.

Manolo Gabbiadini netted either side of half-time as Italy moved further ahead, before Alessandro Florenzi struck home to wrap up victory.

The win secures Italy’s progression with a game to spare, with the only negative being an injury to Lorenzo Insigne.

In the earlier group game, England’s elimination was

confirmed as Norway secured a 3-1 win in Petah Tikva.

Efforts from Fredrik Semb Berge, Jo Inge Berget and Magnus Eikrem put Norway three goals up at Ha Moshava, before Craig Dawson got a consolation from the penalty spot.

The defeat condemns the Young Lions to a group-stage exit for the second successive tournament and leaves Norway on course for the knockout stage.

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Xavi Slams Mourinho

BARCELONA midfielder Xavi believes Jose Mourinho tarnished the legacy of Real Madrid’s Galacticos, insisting the outgoing manager had a negative effect on the club’s “footballing philosophy”.

Xavi, who has been vocal in his disdain of Mourinho in recent years, was critical of Real Madrid’s season, which saw them finish 15 points behind Barca.

The Spain international hit out at Mourinho’s attitude and the style of play he introduced at the Bernabeu - despite it paying dividends as Real lifted the 2011/12 La Liga title - claiming Los Blancos require a tactical overhaul if they are to return to their glory days.

“I don’t want people to think that I’m always attacking Mourinho, that’s not my intention, but obviously I don’t like the way his teams play on the pitch,” the 33-year-old told Sport. It annoyed me to see them play like that as they had an idea and a concept before. [Zinedine] Zidane, Roberto Carlos - they were incredible.

“They dominated every area of the pitch. You had to look at the facts and just admit they were better. It was the same with the Madrid side in the ‘Quinta del Buitre’ era, another amazing team with a clear and sound philosophy.

“A big club can’t play like Mourinho’s Madrid. We don’t let the pitch dry up so it turns into a ‘potato field’, nor do we kick the other team 30,000 times or try to turn up the heat in a game. We didn’t even do that when Madrid went above us.

Casillas Concerned Over Spain Spot IKER Casillas believes his lack of playing time at Real Madrid has pushed him out of the frame for Spain’s No.1 spot, despite starting in Sunday’s 2-1 friendly win over Haiti.

Casillas had little chance to prove himself in the first-half of La Roja’s victory, before being replaced by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina at the break.

The Spain captain experienced a frustrating domestic season, with injury and the form of Diego Lopez pushing him out of a regular starting place at the Bernabeu.

Casillas is concerned a shortage of match fitness puts his place in the squad for next week’s Confederations Cup in

• Iker Casillas

Iniesta Eyes Champions League Revenge ANDRES Iniesta believes Barcelona must embrace change heading into next season as they target Champions League “revenge”.

A 7-0 aggregate thumping on the treble next season. at the hands of Bayern “There will be changes, Munich saw Barca bow out of because it is the evolution that Europe in spectacular fashion has to happen every year in last month, although the La order for the club to continue Liga title helped ease those competing at the highest woes. level,” he said in an interview Iniesta believes the on Cuatro. permanent return of coach “Next year, we will not Tito Vilanova and the arrival reach the semi-finals of the of Brazilian forward Neymar Champions League with will allow Barca to close in practically no competition.

are many more crucial things in the game that mean more than how many goals or passes.

jeaopardy.

“I’ve been out about four months,” Casillas told reporters after the match. “After so long without playing I was both happy and nervous tonight.

“I see myself fighting from a spot from the start with a disadvantage to my peers, going up against Pepe and Victor. Not playing for long puts a dent in a player like me. Sometimes it’s good to go through that, to appreciate it more when you play.”

The 32-year-old also spoke of his relationship with Real teammate Alvaro Arbeloa after recent claims that the pair are in a feud over their views on Jose Mourinho.

“We have finished the season with Madrid, and now it’s a new period with the Spain squad,” Casillas added. “Alvaro has his point of view and that must be respected. I don’t have to talk further about him. The important thing is that I’ve returned to playing.”

We will try to take our revenge in this competition.”

Iniesta played 30 minutes in Spain’s 2-1 friendly win over Haiti on Saturday and insists he left Barcelona in good spirits.

“I feel content at having finished a season and I have the feeling things have gone well, more or less,” he contined. “You can’t analyse it by the goals you’ve scored or the assists you’ve been able to create, because there

Spain Edge Haiti In Int’l Friendly BARCELONA star Cesc Fabregas and Arsenal winger Santi Cazorla each scored a goal to give reigning World Cup champion Spain a 2-1 victory over Haiti on Saturday in an international football friendly.

Cazorla, a midfielder earning his 53rd cap, blasted a leftfooted shot from outside the top of the penalty area in the eighth minute to put the Spaniards ahead to stay and Fabregas followed with a header in the 19th minute.

• Fabregas

The match also marked the return of Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas after not having played a competitive match for nearly five months. Casillas wore the captain’s armband in his 114th cap before leaving at half-time.

The 32-year-old Real Madrid goalkeeper suffered a hand injury in January that kept him out for two months and then failed to recover his place in the side for the rest of the season as Jose Mourinho kept Diego Lopez in place.

Wilde Guerrier netted a spectacular goal for Haiti in the 75th minute, faking a left-footed shot to freeze a line of Spanish defenders, then dribbling past them for a solo charge at second-half Spain goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Guerrier pulled the ball left to evade Guerrier and he leftfooted a sharp-angled shot into the far side of the open net.

Hot temperatures helped prepare Spain for conditions in South America for the upcoming Confederations Cup,

although they helped keep the crowd to 36,535, about half the capacity of the home of American football’s Miami Dolphins.

In addition to preparing Haiti for next month’s North American Gold Cup tournament, the match was a

charity benefit for Haitian relief efforts as the nation continues to rebuild from a 2010 earthquake that killed 250,000 people.

The Haitians, who suffered their fifth loss in a row, face Italy in Brazil on Tuesday, the same night the Spaniards meet Ireland in New York.

• Iniesta

Sammon Welcomes Spain Challenge CONOR Sammon is relishing the chance to test himself against World and European champions Spain in New York.

The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland frontman is hoping for a start at Yankee Stadium during the early hours of Wednesday morning, and that could present the intriguing prospect of a battle against Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos.

However, Derby striker Sammon insists he would not be fazed by the task of trying to get the better of a household name, saying:

“I’m very keen to go over there and try to get a start. I’d love to test myself against a top, top team like Spain, who could field two or three XIs that would be world-class.”

He added: “I’m definitely vying for a starting place. I would love to get the nod up front. I’d fancy my chances against most fellas. I’m keen to get out there and battle with anyone.

“You watch players like that on the television and they are strong boys and good physical battles, so I would love to test myself against someone like that.”

Sammon has now made six appearances for his country, the last three of them as a substitute in the most recent fixtures against England, Georgia and the Faroe Islands with manager Giovanni Trapattoni happy to add his brawn to the other weapons in his armoury.

It was he who provided the cross from which skipper Robbie Keane completed his hat-trick in Friday night’s 30 World Cup qualifier victory over the Faroes.

However, he is yet to open his own goalscoring account, and that is something he is

determined to address as quickly as possible.

He said: “Obviously, I’d love to score a goal myself, which is the next target, but to be involved and to help set up a goal like that was another brilliant experience for myself, and one that I will look to carry on being a part of.

“The manager obviously sees something in me and keeps giving me the opportunities to come off the bench and to make an impact.

I was delighted to come on and set up Robbie for his hattrick and be a part of a good result for the team.”

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Turkish Fans Unite For Protests OVER a thousand fans from Istanbul’s three major football teams are the latest to join the nationwide antigovernment protests that have swept Turkey.Tags: Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas, Turkish Super Lig, Turkish Soccer, Espn Fc The spectacular scenes of anti-government protests in Turkey continued as fans from three of the country’s biggest clubs united in calls for Prime Minister Recep Tayylp Erdogan to resign.

Supporters of Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas marched shoulder to shoulder in Taksim Square as clashes continued across Turkey.

In a widespread movement that has already provided a number of unbelievable moments, fans from the three clubs put their club allegiances aside and chanted as one.

Chants of “resign, Erdogan, resign” and “we are united together against fascism” were reportedly bellowed out from the Square.

According to Sky, fans held up rival colours and even swapped scarves, with one Fenerbahce fan saying: “Normally we are enemies, but now we are brothers.”

Another man told Sky: “This is about more than football, it’s about our country, and we are against Erdogan.”

It is believed Mr. Erdogan is currently in discussions to end the protests.

Weah Attacks Referee In Uganda LOSING is part of football, but former AC Milan striker and World Footballer of the Year George Weah could not take that when his Lone Stars of Liberia fell 1-0 to hosts Uganda in a 2014 World Cup qualifier in Kampala on Saturday.

After the final whistle, Weah followed the referee from Chad, Adam Cordier, as he walked to the changing rooms and tried to attack him, only to be stopped by security. Weah, who was the leader of delegation of the Liberia contingent, was reportedly not amused by the level of officiating.

Two other Liberian players, including defender Alanadine Omega, had ear-

• George Weah

Mourinho Okays Omeruo For Chelsea

NIGERIA defender Kenneth Omeruo has moved ever closer to joining Chelsea following a seal of approval by returning boss Jose Mourinho.

Representatives of Omeruo specially informed MTNFootball.com that the young central defender is now “95% certain” to join the English Premier League club after he earned the approval of Mourinho.

“It is now 95% certain that Kenneth will finally team up with Chelsea for the coming season. Mourinho has said he wants to work with Kenneth after watching him at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in South Korea,” disclosed a representative, who declined to have his name in print.

“He watched him against Didier Drogba at the Nations Cup and he said he liked what he saw.

“He will therefore not be heading back to Dutch club ADO Den Haag, where he has spent the last one and half seasons on loan.”

Omeruo’s inclusion on Nigeria final squad for this month’s

FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil has enhanced his chances of joining the London club.

MTNFootball.com specially gathered that Chelsea plan to apply the special talent case to

get the 19-year-old Omeruo to England, just as they did in the case of compatriot Mikel Obi. Omeruo will not qualify for a work permit in England as he has not played 75% of his country’s

Kenneth Omeruo

Tanzania’s Hopes For World Cup Jolted

TANZANIAN hopes of a first World Cup appearance suffered a severe blow this weekend when they lost 2-1 in Morocco.

The Taifa Stars had Aggrey Morris red carded at Stade de Marrakech before Abderrazak Hamdallah and Youssef El Arabi scored either side of half-time.

Amri Kiemba pulled one goal back and Mbwana Samata came close to equalising for the visitors, who upset Morocco 3-1 in Dar es Salaam three months ago.

Tanzania entered matchday 4 a point behind Group C leaders Ivory Coast, whose 3-0 win in the Gambia widened the gap to four points with two rounds left.

Lacina Traore, Wilfried Bony and reigning African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure scored for the ‘Elephants’ in Bakau.

Ivory Coast play in Dar es Salaam next weekend before hosting Morocco during September while Tanzania are away to Gambia in the final round.

Expected to pose the biggest threat to the Ivorians, Morocco won for the first time in the mini-

lier, after the final whistle, also tried to confront the referee in the centre of the pitch, but security officers stooped them.

Early in the week after training with the Lone Stars, Weah had promised that his team was in Kampala to grab all the three points.

In 1999 when the Lone Stars visited Uganda for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, they also lost 1-0, with Philip Ssozi scoring the goal.

Iceland based midfielder Tony Mawejje’s early fourth minute strike was enough to give the hosts a slim win which takes them second in Group J with five points behind Senegal, who were held to a 1-1 draw away to Angola.

league and trail the pacesetters by five points.

Cape Verde Islands, who caused a stir by reaching the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, finally ended a nightmare World Cup run.

The ‘Blue Sharks’ defeated Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Praia to collect their first Group B points after three consecutive losses.

Babanco and Djaniny scored for Cape Verde, most of whose footballers use nicknames rather than first and surnames.

Jonatas Obina netted for the Equatoguineans in a group topped by Tunisia, who retained a five-point lead over Sierra Leone by drawing 2-2 in Freetown.

A further six Africa zone fixtures are scheduled for Sunday and Egypt could become the first country to reach the final qualifying stage.

The ‘Pharaohs’ would take an unassailable Group G lead if they triumph in Zimbabwe and second-place Guinea do not win

at home to Mozambique.

Balotelli Warned

Mario Balotelli

ITALY coach Cesare Prandelli has warned Mario Balotelli to “understand he will always be the subject of provocation” after the striker’s angry reaction on Twitter to his red card against the Czech Republic on Friday.

Balotelli was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the space of four minutes as Italy were held and the Milan forward showed his frustration by kicking and punching the walls of the tunnel on his way to the dressing room.

He later turned to Twitter to voice his disapproval at the critics of his performance and attitude.

games in the last two years having only made his full international debut against Cape Verde in January.

The young Eagles defender, who has represented Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels, played a total of 26 matches and scored two goals in his time at ADO Den Haag.

Napoli Eye Walcott RAFA Benitez is reportedly eager to bring Arsenal’s Theo Walcott with him to Napoli this summer.

The new coach is looking to the Premier League for reinforcements and has already been linked with a host of names.

According to Tuttosport, Rafa has set his sights on Walcott as the idea figure to complete his 4-2-3-1 system.

The 24-year-old England international’s remarkable pace would really stand out in Serie A and his wages are thought to be within Napoli’s parameters.

Benitez had already tried to sign Walcott for Liverpool several years ago, but this season he scored 14 goals in 32 Premier League games.

Napoli would have plenty of money to invest if Chelsea or Real Madrid meet the 63m euro asking price for Edinson Cavani.

“We require another right sided second striker,” said Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis this week.

“We are closing in on someone in this area, but I can’t say anything more in order to avoid the asking price going up.”

After reports of Chelsea offering 55m euro for Edinson Cavani, now Real Madrid have reportedly offered Napoli cash

Theo Walcott

plus Gonzalo Higuain.

The bidding war is heating up for the Uruguayan hitman, who Napoli have said they won’t sell for less than his 63m euro release clause.

This morning Sky Sport Italia and Tuttosport both claimed that Chelsea had raised their proposal to 55m euro, but it was rejected along with another offer worth 30m euro plus Fernando Torres.

According to Sport Mediaset and Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Real Madrid reacted to the news by improving their own bid.

The offer on the table from the Merengues is now cash plus striker Higuain, who is in negotiations with both Juventus and Arsenal.

The proposal also includes the gate from a prestigious friendly between Napoli and Real Madrid, plus a series of performance-related bonuses.

According to Sky Sport Italia though, Juventus president Andrea Agnelli and director general Beppe Marotta will fly to Spain on Sunday to discuss a move for Higuain.

Agnelli aims to have face-toface negotiations with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in a bid to put Juve in pole position for the striker.

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Men’s Cricket To Undergo THE national senior male cricket team will undergo a UK Tour training tour of the UK between ers and officials begin training July 6 and July 18, the Nigeria at the cricket playing ground of Julythe Abuja National Stadium’s Cricket Federation (NCF) said on Sunday in Abuja.

The federation’s Media Coordinator, Kayode Adeniyi, told newsmen the tour would be ahead of the team’s participation at the World Cricket League Six Tournament in Jersey, UK. He said the team had already commenced preparations for the training tour and participation in the tournament by camping in Abuja and playing some practice matches.

“The national senior cricket team arrived in Abuja from Port Harcourt on Friday evening, and will be here for four weeks, camping ahead of the tournament in Jersey, UK,’’ Adeniyi said.

The NCF board member said the camp of 14 home-based play-

Package B on Saturday morning.

The federation spokesman said

the team also, as part of its preparations, played a warm-up match against the Asian Eleven at the Abuja National Stadium on Sunday morning.

The tournament is to hold from July 21 to July 28, with Argentina, Bahrain, Kuwait and Vanuotu grouped alongside Nigeria.

F/Eagles Players Return To Germany and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi,’’ the THE nine players dropped Today team spokesman said. from the Flying Eagles squad during their training programme in Europe were expected to leave for their various bases on Monday morning, an official has said.

Kotoko Seek To Down Ash Gold LEADERS Asante Kotoko take on regional rivals AshantiGold at a neutral ground as they have their sights fixed on the points to aid their course.

But AshantiGold have resolved not to play their penultimate game against the Porcupine Warriors at the Essipong stadium.

They have informed the Ghana FA of their decision not to honour the match due to the long distance.

They say they are unable to bear the cost that comes with travelling many miles to the Western Region to play the game.

Kotoko’s home ground at the Baba Yara stadium has been closed down due to crowd violence and the miners feel they are being punished for doing no wrong when they would have to travel such a long distance to honour the match.

If they go ahead with their threat, Kotoko will profit three points and three goals without kicking a ball and inch them closer to their Premier League defence.

Coach Mas-Ud Dramani’s men are top of the table with 50 points, the same as Berekum Chelsea but hold the edge due to superior goals.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

Oshimhole Re-Election Cup

Egor LG Boss Charges Youth To Enhance Skills

By NICHOLAS EBOIGBE THE Chairman of Egor Local Government Council, Hon. Victor Enobakhare has charged the youths in the state to use the opportunity provided by the re-election Gold Cup Tourney of Adams Oshiomhole organised by ESYCCA to enhance their ball tourney to bring about a skills. good future for them in the area Hon. Enobakhare who gave of skill acquisition for empowthe charge at the weekend durerment and development. ing the opening ceremony of the The Egor Local Government second edition of re-election boss disclosed that the cup was Gold Cup of Governor donated by Barrister Henry Oshiomhole, said it has become Idahagbon to Governor important for the youths in the Oshiomhole in his re-electionstate to participate in such footeering campaign.

He said the council is sponsoring this year’s tournament as have Macauley Chrisantus, will part of effort to encourage the play off for the final promotion youths, entertain the people of slot from the Spanish Segunda the locality and also in honour Division.

Ike Uche Back In La Liga NIGERIA’S international striker Ike Uche has returned to play in the Spanish top flight with Villarreal.

Villarreal beat Almeria 1-0 yesterday to record 74 points and finish second behind second division champions Elche to make an instant return to La Liga after they were relegated the previous season.

Uche scored 14 goals to finish as his club’s top scorer in their successful campaign to return to the top flight.

The 29-year-old striker has played in La Liga with Zaragoza, Getafe and Granada, where he was on loan from Villarreal.

Almeria, who parade former Nigeria U20 skipper Ramon Azeez, and Las Palmas, who

The team’s Media Officer, Samm Audu, said in a statement yesterday that the players would depart the camp after the squad had left France for their training base in Germany.

The Nigerian under-20 men football team had been preparing for the upcoming 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Germany.

The squad of 30 players however left Germany for France late last month where the team took part in the Toulon International Tournament.

On Friday, the team’s technical crew picked a final squad of 21 for the global competition scheduled for June 21 to July 13 in Turkey.

“The team for the World Cup is to leave France for Germany where they will continue with preparations till departure for Turkey on June 17.

“The team will leave Marseille in France by Sunday evening for Munich in Germany,’’ Audu said.

He said the dropped players would however remain in France till Monday when they would return to their respective bases.

“The players are Sakiru Alimi, Lucky Omeruo, Sebastine Osigwe, Bright Ejike, Jamilu Collins, Hassan Abubakar, Daniel Etor, Samuel Mathias

and appreciation of the Comrade Governor Oshiomhole.

Meanwhile, the president of ESYCCA, Sam Pele Uwadiae has disclosed that clubs from the 18 Local Government Areas are taking part in the tourney.

They are Owan East, Owan West, Esan South East, Ovia South West, Egor, Akoko-Edo,

Etsako Central, Orhionmwon, KC of Ovia North East among others.

In the opening match, Egor beat Ovia North East by a lone goal. The final comes up on Thursday at the Benin Technical College Sports ground.

Owan West Egor Etsako East Owan East

5 3 2 2

OTHER RESULTS (FEMALE) Esan S/East Ovia S/West Akoko Edo Texas Queen

Orhiomwon Etsako East Akoko Edo Owan West Amegor Egor

0 2 2 0 1 2

MALE Ovia S/West Etsako Central Esan S/East Rialto Owan East Riato

0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 0

Audu said the Flying Eagles had however put their Toulon tournament misadventure behind them to continue preparing for the World Cup. ‘On Saturday, the team thrashed French lower league side FC Seynois 4-0 with goals from Moses Orkuma, Olanrewaju Kayode, Umar Aminu and skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun.

“Several of the first-team players who did not feature at the Toulon tournament, namely goalkeeper Jonah Usman, Chidi Osuchukwu, Agboyi Ovbokha and Chizoba Amaefule were on parade,’’ he said.

The Media Officer said two test games have already been lined up for the team in Germany as part of their preparations.

He said the team was due in Turkey on June 17 where they will play their opening World Cup group match four days later against Portugal in Kayseri.

They will also take on Cuba and South Korea in the first round of the tournament.

W/Cup Qualifier:

Morocco Thrashed Taifa Stars MOROCCO capitalized on their home advantage to beat a 10-man Taifa Stars 2-1 at the Stade de Marrakech Stadium in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday night.

Abderrazak Hamdallah gave the hosts the lead on the 40th minute after Aggrey Morris was fouled. Eleven minutes later the hosts were 2-0 up with Youssef El Arabi finding the back of the net.

But the Tanzanians never gave up and pulled one back through Amri Kiemba on the 62nd minute as they put the home side under pressure.

Morris was sent for an early shower after a second booking.

TP Mazembe’s in-form striker Mbwana Samata should have made it 2-2 late in the game, but he failed to convert with his effort going of the mark. Not even the introduction of Nadir Haroub, Khamis Mcha and John Bocco by Taifa Stars Coach Kim Polsen brought more goals.

The loss pegs Tanzania to second place with six points, while Ivory Coast who beat Gambia 30 comfortably lead the Group with 10 points.

Morocco Coach Rachid Taoussil will be hoping for another good show when they host Gambia next weekend, while Ivory Coast travel to face Tanzania.

Mourinho Damaged Spanish Football - Iniesta

Ikechukwu Uche

JOSE Mourinho did more harm than good to Spanish football during his controversial three-year tenure as coach of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Portuguese Mourinho quit Real three years before the end of his contract after a 2012-13 campaign without major silverware and has returned to former club Chelsea.

His stint in the Spanish capi-

tal was overshadowed by a series of ugly incidents and he alienated a significant section of Real’s own fans when he benched club captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas, a Spain team mate of Iniesta’s.

“You just have to look at the facts,” Iniesta said in an interview published in Sunday’s edition of El Pais newspaper when asked if Mourinho had harmed

Spanish football.

“Yes he damaged Spanish football, in general more harm than good,” added the 29-year-old.

“But I don’t like talking about that person at all. So if you don’t mind we’ll leave it at that.”

Mourinho, 50, was an assistant coach at Barca in the late 1990s and has also managed Porto and Inter Milan.

THE

NIGERIAN

32

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013

Mattrs In Focus

Tangential Deviations IN Geometry, there is what is called tangential deviation.

Essentially, the term is used to capture a situation in which student of the subject moves away from an existing circle, secures another centre with his mathematical instrument and then draws a new circle.

Before constructing this new circle, the student must have chosen a point on the circumference of old circle and drawn outwards a straight line which encloses an angle between it and the circumference. This line is the tangential deviation.

Without it, you cannot construct a new circle.

What is true of geometry is true with life. You cannot create a new beginning without a tangential deviation from your old ways. Infact, this is one fact Nigeria as a country hasn’t fully realized since our independence in 1960. Hence, our current state of development stasis.

Recall, the coup in January 1966. It was Chukwuma Nzeogwu, Ifeajuna, Onwuatuegwu and others who had a blueprint of reinventing Nigeria being bastardised by greedy politicians. However, these majors were displaced from power by Major-Gen Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, then head of the army.

Invariably Nzeogwu and his men, who had a plan on how to tangentially reconstruct Nigeria, didn’t have an opportunity to implement it. The baton of leadership passed on to Ironsi without an agenda for transforming Nigeria. He was only woken up from sleep by the noise of Nzeogwu’s coup.

Thereafter, he became head of state without any development plan for Nigeria. So, he carried on along the old ways of running the country.

No tangential deviation from Nigeria’s old development module. The same scenario played out when Northern soldiers carried out a countercoup in July 1966 and made Gowon

our new military head of state. Gowon and his men didn’t assume power on the basis of a new development plan for Nigeria. They had none. What motivated them to carry out the count-coup against Ironsi was to avenge the perceived discriminatory only Northern politicians and

tangential deviation from the old ways of governing Nigeria. And, so, it wouldn’t be business as usual again.

Later, the Nigerian military elite led by Babangida truncated a rare opportunity when the country would have been tangentially transformed. How? In 1985,

President Goodluck Jonathan soldiers. That is why Gowon became a head of state before thinking about to govern Nigeria.

Subsequently, however he continued with the old mould of development of our forebears whom the radical Nzeogwu overthrew. Too true, Gowon put Tafawa Balewe’s retrogressive old wine in his new bottles at Dodan Barracks. Gowon had no novel, tangential ideas of how to take Nigeria to another level. Hence, it was not surprising that he said, on one occasion during his 9 ½ years in office, that Nigeria had so much money in its vault that the nation didn’t know how to spend it.

In 1979 the military, led by Obasanjo, ensured that Awolowo didn’t win the presidential election.

Because if he did, the patriot in Awolowo would create a

By MICHAEL ODIGBE he overthrew the government of Buhari/ Idiagbon committed to building a new Nigeria based on discipline, honesty, patriotism, transparency, good governance, public

accountability, e n v i r o n m e n t a l reconstruction and brotherly love. On coming to power, Babangida then put Nigeria on reverse gear from Buhari /Idiagbon’s deviation from

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

the old, cancerous way of governing the country.

Thus, Babangida re-routed it back to its extant, retrogressive ways.

While in office, Babangida ran an ultra-rightist, conservative government which ended in refurbishing the grinding capitalist machinery of the political elites. Thus corruption laisser faire and indiscipline returned with viral potency.

Alas, the progress made by Buhari / Idiagbon to checkmate these vices via tangential deviation from our past bad life was stymied.

Before Babangida left office in a disgraceful hurry in August 1993, he annulled the president election of that year which being was won by his friend, Chief M.K.O Abiola from his plan to give capitalism a humane face by tangentially deviating from

“What is more? Medicare is outside the reach of majority of Nigerians at a time the elites rush to India monthly on medical tourism. Indeed, things have never been so bad. In the midst of all this socio-economic and political pandemonium, 2015 is fast approaching. Jonathan wants a second tenure in office. His godfather Obasanjo doesn’t endorse his ambition. He is grooming Alhaji Sule Lamido, governor of Jigawa State to replace him. On hand, too, is a new mega party, APC, mobilising Nigerians to wrest power from Jonathan and Obasanjo’s new proxy, Sule Lamido.”

Nigeria’s brand of unregulated, cruel capitalism.

From 1993 till date, Nigeria has continued to tag along its weather beaten development path of misgovernance. It has been all movement without motion. The economy is growing in terms of its GDP score but there is no development to show for it, today, in the lives of most Nigerians.

A fallout of our stunted, unchanging development parading is our state of anomic. All over therefore there are social contradictions staring us coldly in the face. Imagine in the 21st century, we cannot fix power. PHCN blinks daily while it is in Nigeria that water is an enemy.

How about security? There is nothing to write home about it. Crime has twentyfour, long legs while our security agencies have millipede feet with which they crawl in pursuit of criminals. See, on May 18, 2013 gunmen laid Seige in Daura Town in Katsina State for Six hours. The security agencies were no where in sight!! Fear is today palpable everywhere. Is it any surprise the speaker of River State house of assembly, Mr. Otelemaha Amachree, moves around with 15 policemen from the Special Protection Unit.

What is more? Medicare is outside the reach of majority of Nigerians at a time the elites rush to India monthly on medical tourism. Indeed, things have never been so bad. In the midst of all this socio-economic and political pandemonium, 2015 is fast approaching. Jonathan wants a second tenure in office. His godfather Obasanjo doesn’t endorse his ambition. He is grooming Alhaji Sule Lamido, governor of Jigawa State to replace him. On hand, too, is a new mega party, APC, mobilising Nigerians to wrest power from Jonathan and Obasanjo’s new proxy, Sule Lamido.

Well, there is a cause for worry. This is because the critical issue now is not just mere continuity or change, come 2015. What Nigerians need is a party that would tangentially reconstruct the lives of Nigerians for the better. They are tired of chameleons in office which only value is to beautify wardrobes. Nothing more.