THE NIGERIAN
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The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968
INSIGHT cmyk
Pages 16 - 17
Towards Developing A Criminal Justice Administration Law In Edo State
HEALTH Page 22
Improving Universal Eye Health
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
• Vol. 38 NO.329• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 20 13 • N100.00
EDSIEC announces restriction of movement October 22
BENIN CITY - The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), has announced restriction of
movement between the hours of 7am and 4pm during the rescheduled local government elections scheduled to hold on
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 in Esan North East and six other wards in four other local government areas of the
state. According to S.E. Omorodion Esq. Secretary of EDSIEC, Continues on page 2
such property, they hardly ever make money from it,” he stated. He also announced government’s intention to build a Benin City business district to be located around the King’s Square and around where the Agindingbi House used to be located, stressing that government was desirous to transform the state and
should take advantage of its central location as the heart of the country, connecting all parts. On the Edo House, he explained that it is not yielding income and was rather attracting charges for the state to pay. Oshiomhole stressed that it was not economically wise to continue to pay ground rents on a property
Edo to build 5-Star Hotel
BENIN CITY - Edo State Government has said that it will place the Edo House in Lagos in the open market and use the proceeds to build a Five Star Hotel with conference, seminar rooms and banquet facilities. enough, it will use it to Governor Adams start the construction. Oshiomhole made the “Everyone now agrees disclosure yesterday that government is better while addressing heads at providing the enabling of media organisations, environment for private adding that government people to do business. has approached an Obviously, Edo State American firm and put government does not the projected cost of the have the competence to hotel at 250 million US indulge or to manage dollars. real estate, and from He explained that if the what we have seen, money realised from the where government has sale of Edo House is not
which was not generating revenue for the state. “We have decided to sell the house and use the proceeds to construct a five-star hotel with the state-ofthe-art facilities; this will boost our economy, while encouraging investments and tourism in the state.
“How do we use taxpayers’ money to pay N60 million ground rents to Lagos State for a property that does not generate anything for government?” he asked. Oshiomhole recalled that the property was acquired when Lagos was the country’s
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Solomon Lar dies JOS - The Plateau at 80 government has announced the death of the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Solomon Lar. “I can confirm to you that the family has confirmed to Governor Jonah Jang that Chief Solomon Lar is dead,”
I n f o r m a t i o n Commissioner, Abraham Yiljap, told newsmen in Jos yesterday. Yiljap said that Lar, aged 80, died on Wednesday in a U. S. hospital.
also in the employment of the local government.” “I appreciate your efforts as leaders of the local government area that there are alot of people in the name of teaching who are simply nowhere to be found, but they are paid by the money that rightly belongs to the people of Ovia North East. “I have directed the chairman of the local government service commission to transfer out of Ovia North East Local Government at least 40 percent of the staff force.” According to him, “alot of those staff have no business being there; whether they are medical nurses. This will reduce personnel cost also by 40 percent.” He maintained that the last teacher verification exercise shows 18 Pupils to 1 teacher in a
class, stressing that such feat does not exist in any part of the world. Governor Oshiomhole said arrangement has been concluded by the commissioner for Basic Education to reduce the number of primary school teachers in the
Gov orders redeployment of LG staff, teachers By ADAMS OYIBOKE
BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has directed the redeployment of 40 percent of staff of Ovia North East Local Government Area to other local government areas across the state. Governor Oshiomhole also directed the redeployment of 60 percent of primary school teachers to other schools also across the state. Giving the directives when leaders of Ovia North East Local Government Area visited him at Government House, Benin City yesterday, Governor Oshiomhole said the population of the Local Government “does not justify the huge overhead cost, not only in the primary education but
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FEC MEETING: L-R: Minister of State (left) for Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Darius Ishaku, Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolimemen and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, at the Federal Executive Council Meeting in Abuja yesterday.
Jega calls for election offences tribunal
ABUJA - Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has renewed the call for the establishment
of an electoral offences tribunal before the 2015 general elections. Jega made the call during a debate on ethics and elections organised
BENIN CITY - The Edo State Rapid Response Agency yesterday said a total of 35 roads within the state capital, Benin City, are to be
rehabilitated before December. The Managing Director of the agency, Mr. Mujaidu Dako, told newsmen in Benin City that the agency would
by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Abuja.
The chairman said the tribunal would help to restore sanity to the country’s electoral process and deter people from committing
Agency to rehabilitate 35 roads begin work on the roads this week. He said that the state government had released N100 million to the agency to enable it to intervene and
rehabilitate the roads. “It is our hope that these roads that have been listed for rehabilitation would be completed before the
Continues on page 2
electoral offences. “I was privileged to serve in the Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais-led Committee and I know we made a recommendation for the establishment of a tribunal to deal with the impunity in the way electoral offences are being committed in Nigeria. “We need to do something unique and that is to establish an
Continues on page 2
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
News
Ihonvbere advocates capacity building for agency
HIV/AIDS: By QUENNETH OROBEDO BENIN CITY- Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Professor Julius Ihonvbere has expressed the need for capacity building meeting of the Agency for the control of HIV/AIDS towards achieving the zero level prevalence rate of the scourge in Nigeria. Professor Ihonvbere gave the hint in Benin City during the third South-South zonal quarterly meeting of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, State Agency for the Control of AIDS and the Local Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA/ SACA/ LACA). The SSG who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on world Bank Matters, Mrs. Isimeme Ejodame Whytte remarked that quarterly capacity building meetings would help profer solutions to identified gaps as well as promote synergy within the zone. Acknowledging that the “prevalence rate within the south-south zone states according to available statistics is still quite high, compared to the national prevalence rate”, the SSG enjoined that “all hands must be on deck to tackle the scourge and bring it to zero
level in the zone”. Representative of the Director General of NACA, Mrs. Josephine Kalu, commended the state government efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as its open-door policy while appealing for the payment of the counterpart funding for the year 2012/2013.
According to her, Edo State ranks the fifth highest in the prevalence rate, which is still higher than the national prevalence rate. Mrs. Kalu appealed to the state government to ensure adequate funding, adding that targets have been set to be able to meet the universal
access and bring the scourge down to the desired zero level. Project Manager, SACA, Hajia Marriet Binkole, thanks the state government for the immense support, adding that the meeting being held in Edo state is in recognition of the strides in recent times.
Gov orders redeployment of LG staff, agencies.” teachers “The purpose of creating local government area by 60 Continued from page 1
percent through transfer to
schools in other local government areas where vacancies exist. According to him, “people who are not willing to go where the jobs are, they shall go home.” Governor Oshiomhole used the occasion of the visit to remind all local government authorities on the ban placed on the collection of traffic related fees, fines and advertisement levy for vehicles plying the high way. He stated that, “the Local Government Act does not allow them to set up traffic control Agency, impounding vehicles, collect money form alleged violators, that has led to alot of crises. “The issue of traffic control is the exclusive prerogative of the state government as well as the issue of parking, whether wrongly or rightly and we are trying to create proper identity for them so that we
don’t turn the roads to nightmare. “We also want them to discourage the habit of stopping vehicles that are travelling through Edo State asking them for radio, TV licenses.” He added that, “Edo State must be what it is, a free state, nobody should stop any vehicle on the high way demanding for radio license.” According to Governor Oshiomhole, “we need money, it must be clean money and as government, we must be sure that we do not constitute or behave as thugs in the eyes of our employers who are the good people of Edo State.” He expressed sympathy with Ovia North East Local Government dwindling Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said, was attributed to “many years of abuse of corrupt practices and manipulation by various government
local government is not to collect monthly allocation and share it to employees only, the primary purpose is to develop the various locality. Local Government is meant to bring government closer to the people not to make payment of salary closer to the people,” he said. He therefore asked the leaders to constitute a joint team of stakeholders in the Local Government Area to verify the adequate needs of teachers in the local government and the existing schools in order to remove ghost workers on government pay roll and enhance the revenue base of the local government. Earlier in his address, Hon. Sunny Uyigue who led the delegation on behalf of the leaders and people of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, thanked Governor Oshiomhole for the appointment of some indigenes of the local government into key positions in government.
Jega calls for election offences tribunal
Continued from page 1 electoral offences tribunal which will be saddled with the responsibility of arrest, investigation and prosecution of offenders,” he said. Jega said that in the 2011 general elections, the commission detected 870,000 cases of multiple registrations out of the 73.5 million voters registered. He, however, expressed regrets that only 270 offenders had been prosecuted by the body till date. The chairman blamed poor funding and inadequate staff for the commission’s low performance in the prosecution of electoral offenders. “In INEC we have a very small legal department and for us to effectively have legal representation in cases of election petitions, we have to employ legal practitioners outside of that. “We simply do not have the resources to prosecute; we have done our best but what we have done is just a drop in the ocean,” he added. On the November gubernatorial election in Anambra, Jega said the commission had set out modalities for continuous voter registration, adding that the prosecution of those caught in multiple registrations had begun. He promised that the modalities put in place by the commission would serve as a deterrent to people with the intention of indulging in multiple voter registration. The INEC boss also said that continuous voter registration would be launched nationwide before the end of the year. “We will prosecute offenders
in each state but this will be done selectively because of the challenges of funding and the evidence that have been gathered by the police.” Jega said that the commission had set up a unit that would monitor campaign financing ahead of 215 elections. “As we move towards 2015, we should have more effective monitoring of the use of money in politics,” he said. Also speaking, Mrs. Muthori Wangai, Chair, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya urged African countries to invest in institutions that would enhance the success of the electoral process. Wangai said: “as we invest in
the independent commissions, we invest also in the bodies that affect the electoral process and one of them is the judiciary and the judicial system in its entirety. “It is important for us to think about improving the capacity to take action when the electoral
system is abused.” Another discussant, Mr. Francis Oke from the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Unit, urged African countries to invest more in the financing of elections and depend less on funds from foreign donors.
5-Star hotel Continued from page 1 capital, adding that the building had been abandoned to rot away since the creation of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He, therefore, said that he
was neither worried nor bothered by the criticisms, which trailed the advertisement of the property for sale. “I am not bothered by the criticisms since we will be transparent with the bidding process,” he added.
Agency to rehabilitate 35 roads
Continued from page 1 year runs out. “We are poised to ensure that the people and commuters have good roads and also ease traffic flow in the city. “We want to take advantage of the dry season; plans have also been concluded to do more in the early part of 2014, before the rains set in. “It is our wish to spread this intervention to all parts of the state, but for paucity of funds. So our scope is restricted to the capital city for now,” Dako said. He pointed out that quite a good number of roads had been rehabilitated by the agency within the last three
years. Dako, however, noted that apart from the issue of paucity of funds, the agency also has the challenge of obsolete equipment. He said most of the equipments being used by the agency were over 40 years old and were inherited from the state ministry of works. “For us to be effective as an interventionist agency in the road sector, we need reliable and modern equipment to work with, aside the problem of funding. “The state House of Assembly had approved N250 million towards this end and we have already
made proposals to the governor in this regard,” he added.
EDSIEC announces restriction of movement October 22
Continued from page 1 who signed for the Chairman of the Commission, the rescheduled elections fixed for Tuesday October 22,2013 will hold in all the eleven (11) wards of Esan North East; Ward 6 in Etsako Central, Wards 3 and 4 in Etsako West. Wards 9 and 11 in Ovia North East and Ward 8 in Uhunmwonde local government areas.
Late Nosakhare Okundia, quintessential Civil Servant By VICTOR OMOALU - Elamah BENIN CITY- The late permanent Secretary of Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Elder Sunday Nosakhare Okundia has been described as a quintessential Civil Servant who has served the state diligently. The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service Chief Sir Oseni Elamah made the description in a release issued in Benin City made available to newsmen. He said that the late Okundia brought to bear on any assignment, integrity professionalism and value for tax payers money.
According to him, “His (Okundia’s) drive to professionalism, the operations of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service led to the setting up of the Staff Training School of which he was the Head’ Principal resource person. He described late Okundia as a man of Character, humility also derived passion in serving God. “We should not mourn his passage but thank God for calling him to his blossom and celebrate his achievements while he sojourned this earth”, Chief Elamah Stated
Take Primary Healthcare to grassroots, Oshiomhole tells LGS By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR BENIN CITY - Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has charged Local Government Authorities to ensure that primary health care gets to the grassroots as expected. He gave the charge at the opening ceremony of the 5th National Forum for Local Government Nurses and Midwives (FOLGONM) and 29 th Annual Scientific Conference, which took place in Benin City, yesterday. The comrade governor who bagged the Award of Executive at the occasion for his infrastructural transformation of Edo State, described primary health care as important particularly to those at the grassroots. The governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr(Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie Stressed the need for team work approach in the quest to ensure the success of primary health care. He appealed to international bodies like World Health Organisation (WHO) to support primary health care in third world countries (like Nigeria), so as to ensure the achievement of the objectives of such organisation. Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Deaconess Endurance Odubu appreciated the forum for local government Nurses and Midwives for taking upon themselves the responsibility to encourage community ownership of Primary Health Care (PHC) for effective service delivery and at the same time participating in the planning , policy-making and administration of the centres. Deaconess Odubu, however, drew attention to poor attitude and conduct at work by some nurses and midwives. According to her, “there are reports of acts of hostility from the public
against nurses and midwives in our hospitals and health care centres because of the attitude of nurses and midwives towards patients”, and that, “oftentimes, good human relations have been thrown overboard, creating negative impression in the public domain. She therefore appealed to nurses and midwives to use the forum to think about a remedy for the appalling situation. Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Lucky James who was represented by the Permanent Secretary ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Rev. Solomon Ohonba assured that the ministry will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that nurses, and midwives at the local government level function effectively. The national chairman of forum for local government nurses and midwives, Evangelist Peter Oyebamiji, called on local government authorities in the country to re-cruit more nurses and midwives in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. He decried the situation where local government prefer to employ nonprofessionals to carry out the job of nurses and midwives, adding that nurses and midwives should not be substituted so as to reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality. The chairperson of forum for local government nurses and midwives, Edo State chapter, Mrs. Caterrine Eseine, drew the attention of the state governor for the need to create the office of Director of Nursing Services in the Local Government Service Commission to over see the affairs of nurses and midwives just as it is at the state and federal levels of government, adding that the above system is already in place in Lagos State.
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
Inside Edo EIRS Boss Eulogises Late Perm Secretary By VICTOR OMOALU BENIN CITY: The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief Sir Oseni Elamah has described the agency’s late permanent Secretary, elder Sunday Nosakhare Okundia as a quintessential civil servant who served the state diligently. Chief Elamah in a release issued in Benin City and made available to newsmen, acknowledged the late Elder Okundia’s wealth of experience which was brought to bear in the course of discharging his duties on the premise of integrity
Lawmakers Pass Vote Of Confidence On LG Boss
professionalism and value for tax payers’ money. Elamah noted that late Okundia’s passion, commitment and drive towards professionalising the operations of the EIRS led to the establishment of the agency’s staff training school with him (late Okundia) as the head/ principle resource person. Describing the late Okundia as a “man of character, humility and passion to serve God”, Chief Elamah, said, “We should not mourn his passage but thank God for calling him to His boson and celebrate his achievements while he sojourn in this earth”.
Chairperson Donates To IGARRA: the chairperson, Etsako Central Local Government Women Development Programme (WDP), Mrs. Angela Momoh has donated various items to orphanages and maternities across the local government area. The items include bags of rice, beans, garri, mats, toilet soaps, blankets, and footwear. Beneficiaries are Matha and Osese or Uwaya Orphanages, both in Iraokhor Ogona and Uneme maternities as well as Paul Anani Home in Ugbekpe Ekperi. Presenting the items, Mrs. Momoh said the donation was informed by her love for orphans and less privileged members of the society. She urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items, promising to always identify with them. Meanwhile, the chairperson also visited all the wards in the local government area to appreciate the women over their support to the council chariman, Hon Emmanuel Ozemede Momoh during the
Orphanages
April 20, 2013 local government election. Seeing for their continued support to the Momoh led government the chairperson assured the women that the administration would continue to give them greater sense of belonging in the scheme of things. She urged them to unite and allow love dwell among them in order to create enabling environment for meaningful development. Wife of the council Vice Chairman, Hon Mrs. Angela Esluesimua called on the women to engage themselves in activities that are capable of uniting them, while seeing for their support to the administration in order to guarantee democratic dividend. Speaking on be half of the women ward III, a woman header, Mrs. Ogereghe thanked the council chairperson for the visit and therefore pledged their loyalty and support to the administration.
The SSG, Edo State, Prof Julius Ihonvbere (Right) in a handshake with Mr Sunday Iyemeake President, Edo North Law Students Forum of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, during a courtesy visit, yesterday in Govt House.
Director Attributes Infertility To Poor Delivery Services
BENIN CITY - Prof Augustus Orhue, the Director, Human Reproductive Research Programme/In-vitro Fertilisation Centre, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, has attributed cases of infertility to poor birth delivery services. Orhue, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Benin City. The Director said the centre had handled more than 2,000 cases of infertility in the past 10 years, adding that most of the causes of infertility were due to poor delivery services and infections from previous abortions. “Infertility is not more than 10 per cent in Europe and America, but in Nigeria, it is between 30 and 50 per cent. “We lack effective health
delivery services; it is only three out of every 10 pregnant women that are likely to survive the rigours of having their deliveries conducted by knowledgeable medical personnel. “Most women deliver themselves in unhygienic places, with the many consequences or go to traditional birth attendants. “Going to a traditional birth attendants is infection-prone. Most of the women are not aware that they can contact infections, and so, they don’t take precautions,” he said. The gynaecologist said infections from pervious abortions were also a serious cause of infertility in women. Orhue said that high cost of the treatment of infections was a problem that also
contributed to cases of infertility. “Our cultural beliefs are breaking down, and as a result, young people get involved in sexual intercourse, contact sexually transmitted diseases. This can lead to infertility, if not treated properly. “Most women who get infections and complications during child birth or abortions do not go to hospitals for treatment because they cannot afford it, “’Medical charges are expensive and they are forced to use traditional drugs, which cannot completely cure the complications.” He also said that such infections also caused low sperm count, which is the
Utese Community Celebrates New Yam Festival By DANIEL EDOBOR UTESE – Indigenes of Utese in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State recently celebrated their new yam festival. The New yam festival is a week long annual celebration by the people in the locality to usher in peace and bumper harvest to the community. Speaking during the celebration, the Enogie of Utese, His Royal Highness Idahosa Agidigbi stated that the aim of the new yam festival is to give thanks to God for bumper harvest and
to re-awaken the tradition of the community to the youth. Enogie Agidigbi disclosed that Utese is a people friendly Community that has in the past built Health Care Centres, Secondary School and provided desk and chairs while hoping to do more. The Royal Father called on both the Ovia North East Local Government Chairman and State government to assist in providing constant electricity supply and portable water to the community saying they are some of the essential needs of the people in the area.
IGARRA: the Akoko-Edo Local Government Legislative arm has passed a vote of confidence on the chairman of the local government, Hon Joseph Folorunsho Akerejola. This followed a motion moved by Hon Gbenga Daniel and seconded by Hon Edward salami during the council’s plenary session. The development came in the wake of a petition by one Samuel Oyewole alleging Hon Akerejola’s mismanagement of N430 million being amount that accrued to the local government from May to August 2013. The lawmakers said they were satisfied with the council chairman’s achievement so far as they did not find the chairman wanting in managing the local government fund. They described the council boss as a leader who has the interest of the people at heart.
The Enogie of Utese in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State in HRH Idahosa Agidigbi (Arrowed) with his subjects during the 2013 New Yam festival in the community.
commonest cause of infertility in men. “Infertility in men can be consequences of diseases, hypertension and diabetes or bad habits like drinking and smoking, “Smoke from cigarettes and alcohol poison the sperm production mechanism,” the Director added.
Dilapidated School
PTA Calls For Govt Intervention By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM
IGBANKE: Chairman, Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of Idumu-Odun Primary School, Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Elder Fred Omodia has appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the community in the renovation of the primary school. The PTA chairman who made the appeal in a chat with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Igbanke also appealed for a more conducive learning environment for pupils of the school. According to him, the PTA has been forthcoming in the rehabilitation of the school especially with the recent replacement of bad windows, doors as well as given facelift to some classrooms.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
News Abia Uncovers 8,000 Ghost Workers UMUAHIA- The Abia Head of Service (HOS), Mr Godson Adiele, has said that no fewer than 8,000 ghost workers were recently uncovered in the state and local government public services. Adiele said this in Umuahia, when he briefed newsmen on the proposed civic reception being organised by workers in the state in honour of Governor Theodore Orji. He said the ghost workers were uncovered when his office adopted the biometric system to audit workers on state government payroll. He told newsmen that no fewer than 5,000 ghost workers were uncovered in the state civil service, while 3,000 others were from the local governments. The head of service said the findings had helped the government to save money previously paid to nonexistent workers. He said the civic reception being organised in appreciation of the governor ’s efforts to motivate public servants in the state.
By VICTOR OMOALU
Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Deaconess (Mrs) Endurance Odubu (right) delivering an address at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of West African College of Nursing, Nigeria Chapter. With her is Dr. S. Ighedosa and a member of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Elizabeth Ativie (Uhunmwode Constituency). Photo: MOSES OBOH.
BENIN CITY - The Executive Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah has disclosed the agency’s resolve to immortalize the late Permanent/Board Secretary of the agency Elder Sunday Nosakhare Okundia by naming the EIRS Staff Training School after him. Chie Elamah disclosed this while playing host to members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN) led by its National President, Mr. Mark Anthony Dike in Benin City. He said that the EIRS training school is to be named Sunday Okundia Tax Institute. The EIRS boss acknowledged the late Okundia’s drive for professionalism which he said added value to the operations of
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah (left), presenting sourvenirs to the National President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mr. Mark Anthony Dike during a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman.
Nat’l Confab: Agbakoba, Others,
Hail Inauguration Of C’tee
LAGOS- Some prominent lawyers and human rights groups in Lagos hailed the inauguration of the Advisory Committee on the proposed National Conference by President Goodluck Jonathan, describing it as a right step in the right direction. They commended the
government’s swift move in setting up the committee toward a convocation of the conference. Jonathan had on October 1 announced a 13-member committee chaired by Sen. Femi Okurounmu to work out modalities for the conference. A human rights lawyer, Mr
Love Foundation Christian Centre, Benin City. Time for the event is 5.pm daily and 9am on Sunday. Host of the event, Emmanuel Kadiri explained “Agape celebration” is a celebration of the love of God towards mankind. He said this year ’s theme; “The Blessing” intends to draw the attention of everyone in this city and in this country, both the young and old, to the true source of true and lasting wealth.
He observed with sadness that Nigeria of today celebrates financial wealth without questioning its source.
Love Foundation Holds Programme BENIN CITY –The “Agape celebration 2013” of Love Foundation Christian Centre, No 19, Nosakhare Street, Off 1st East Circular Road, Benin City kicked off yesterday October 9, 2013. The event, with the theme: “The Blessing,” will feature Guest Speakers including Oje Ohiwerei of Heritage Assembly Benin City, Cyril Okonye, of Love Foundation Christian Centre, Asaba and the host, Emmanuel Kadiri, of
Edo EIRS To Immortalize Late Perm Sec
Emmanuel Kadiri
Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), said the national conference was an opportunity to address some of the “burning issues” in the country. “What is important at this stage is the utilisation of the limited platform offered by Jonathan to engage Nigerians in very robust discussions on the Constitution and without ‘No-Go issues’, ” he said in a statement obtained by newsmen. He reiterated his belief in the convocation of a national dialogue or conference for Nigerians to discuss. ln its comment, the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a NonGovernmental Organisation, said the inauguration of the committee was a step in the right direction. Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, the Executive Director of SERAP, told newsmen that the government should demonstrate the political will to implement the recommendations of the committee for the conference. Also speaking, Mr Chino Obiagwu, the National Coordinator, Legal Defence and
Assistance Project (LEDAP), suggested that social groups should be involved in the conference. Obiagwu said: “It should be a truly national conference where the people participating in it are not hand-picked by the government. “But generally in principle, we support the initiative and the inauguration of the committee which is the first step toward a national conference.’’ The Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Mr Debo Adeniran, criticised those who opposed the convening of the conference. “Those opposing the national conference are self-serving, it is like they are living under an illusion.” Adeniran dismissed fears being expressed in some quarters that the conference would lead to the disintegration of Nigeria. The human rights activist called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the Advisory Committee toward a successful hosting of the conference.
the Edo State Internal Revenue Service. He stated that such drive for professionalism led to the setting up of the staff training school which had the late Okundia as the pioneer head and principal resource person. He reaffirmed the late Okundia’s belief in professionalism, training and retraining of human capital, saying “Okundai believed we (EIRS) have the capacity to do this work if only we can bring in professionalism.” Describing tax industry as a noble profession, the Executive Chairman pointed out that without the tax officer exercising his responsibilities by doing what he ought to do, the society would not operate in such that it will deliver on the good and welfare to the people. He informed the visitors that about 90% of tax audits carried out by the agency was handled by qualified tax practitioners who are members of the tax institute. Chief Elamah said “the EIRS has been turned into a sort of pilgrimage for other states revenue board who want to improve and reform their tax system, to come and learn the professional, transparent and accountable manner of tax administration”. Restating his commitment to the CITN, the revenue boss said “our commitment is total, and at every opportunity we will continue to rededicate ourselves to those values and demonstrate them in a way that even the society will see that we are doing this job in such a professional manner that will bring honour and integrity to our great institute.” He asserted that the issue of tax was not based on agreement or negotiation and informed that his agency, has written to the Accountant General of the Federation on the need to comply with the relevant Tax Laws as regards PAYE taxes. He enjoined the CITN to partner with the Joint Tax Board (JTB) on the area of tax education, sensitization and enlightenment campaign. Earlier the National President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, (CITN) Mr. Mark Anthony Dike, describe the Executive Chairman as a man of impeccable pedigree whose wealth of experience has played out in the various establishment he had worked which he said Chief Elamah has replicated at the EIRS. He informed the EIRS boss that he was at the state capital with the national delegates of the Joint District Societies across the country for its Regular Quarterly Meeting of the CITN. The CITN president noted that the meeting affords members the opportunity to rub minds, exchange ideas and engage in note comparism that would help measure members’ standards of performance. Dike said further that the CITN was committed towards the realization of its set objectives, especially in the area of providing the manpower need for the Nigeria tax system through the training and retraining of professionals. He commended the state Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for ensuring the political will in the area of tax administration.
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South South Ogboru Rallies Support For Dafinone As Oshiomhole, Ikimi Supports Emheror By BETTY IDIALU WARRI (Delta) - As momentum begins to gather ahead of the october 12, 2013 Delta central senatorial elections, the different political parties have intensify their campaigns. Famous national leaders of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and the All Progressive Party (APC) yesterday rallied support for their respective candidates at different venues. In Sapele, DPP governorship candidate of the DPP in the 2011 election, Chief Great Ogboru lead formally presented to the electorate the party’s candidate in the by-election, Chief Ede Dafinone. Also the APC’s rally to flag off the campaign of its candidate, Chief O’tega Emheror, was also held yesterday in Effurun in Ovwie Local Government area with national leaders of the party, including Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Chief Tom Ikimi, and several APC top notch in attendance. Chief Ede Dafinone at Sapele also formally received the party’s flag from the Delta State Chairman of the DPP, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, who urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “conduct a free, fair and credible election” while alleging that the party had information about plans to rig the election. He debunked rumour making the rounds that Ogboru had joined the PDP, saying, “You can all see the ‘People’s General’ has not decamped to the PDP; he remains the ‘biological father’ of Ede Dainone.” Ogboru urged the people to support the party and its candidate in the forthcoming senatorial by-election.In his words, “I’m here to present to you the next Delta Central Senator of the Federal Republic”, he simply told the mammoth crowd at the Sapele Athletic Club”. Ogboru, accompanied by his Wife, Grace, gave the vote of thanks to draw the curtains on the
flag-off ceremony. Dafinone advised the people to turn out in their numbers to cast the in votes at the election next Saturday, assuring of the readiness of the party to “protect your votes, ensure your votes are collated and counted; to make sure your votes count”. He noted that the sheer huge turnout of people at the Sapele Athletic Club grounds showed had debunked allegations in some quarters that the party was factionalized. “DPP is not only alive and well, but we have grown to double what it was. And, I ask where are those who said we have factions; I can’t see any evidence of the existence of factions. DPP is one and the election is ours, so go out freely and cast your vote and then watch the counting process from a distance.”, Dafinone said. The highpoint of the Sapele event was the formal declaration of support for Dafinone by the candidate of the Citizens Popular Party in this election, Rev Felix Okpode, who “stepped down for Dafinone, aka Obama of Africa”. Nonetheless, the APC rally at Effurun yesterday (Monday) turned out to be a gathering of political heavyweights in Delta State and beyond . Apart from governors Okorocha and Oshiomhole as well as ex-minister Chief Ikimi, the running-mate to Ogboru under the platform of the DPP, Chief Felix Tilije, was one of the eminent personalities that came to rally support for Emheror as the senatorial candidate of the APC. The presence of Barrister Tilije and former NUPENG secretary, Chief Frank Kokori (regarded as Ogboru’s righthand man) at the APC rally might have given ample credence to the widespread view that several Prominent members of the DPP have deserted Chief Great Ogboru and the party. Also in solidarity with Emheror was Mr Festus Keyamo, who contested the APC primary with Emheror on September 25, 2013 at Ughelli but had to withdraw in protest against alleged irregularities. A
former representative of Delta Central in the Senate between 1999 and 2011, Senator Eferakeya also exalted the people to support the APC candidate. However, Okorocha and Kokori described the APC as the umbrella of all progressives in Nigeria and urged the people to support Emheror because he was a man of integrity and unblemished track record. “O’tega is a man of integrity; he is signed, sealed and delivered”, Okorocha said, adding, “APC also stands for Amoured Personnel Carrier; if we must protect our votes, then we must use the APC to fight rigging and watch them ‘bumper-to-bumper’ and shine our eyes.”
L-R: Pastor Dupe Isesele (Christ Embassy Onitsha), Pastor Mary Owase (Zonal Pastor, Christ Embassy, Benin) and Pastor Ewaen Edun of Christ Embassy Asaba at the All Stars Music Concert over the weekend at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
APC Holds Rally In Effurun By BETTY IDIALU
WARRI (Delta) - As the Delta central senatorial bye election draws close,the All Progressive Congress (APC) has held a rally in Effurun to canvass for vote in the up coming election. The rally took place at the John F Kennedy field along Refinery Road in Effurun Delta state. In attendance at the rally were party faithful and other APC top notchens who all spoke in thesame vein. The national chairman of the APC South South zone Chief Tom Ikimi in his speech said the APC has brought change to the Urhobo nation, Nigerians were tired of the stories but time has come for action and only APC can give the Urhobo nation the desired change and that APC is ready to continue from where late Pius Ewherido who was already in APC stopped”. Addressing the mar mouth crowd, Chief Frank Kokori urged the party ‘s supporters to come out enmass and vote for the APC adding that the party is a party of all progressives On his part, Chief Rochas Okorocha the executive governor of Imo State, said a vote for APC will bring free
Some of the Artist-Ada and A m a r a c h i performing up stage
education at all levels. Adding that the combination of APC is capable of curing any ailment and that is the drug that Nigeria needs now. In his words,” otega is a man of integrity, he is signed sealed and delivered APC also stands for Amoured Personnel Carrier, if we must protect our vote, we must use the APC to fight rigging and watch them bumper to bumper and shine your eyes.” Another APC stalwart and
governor of Edo State comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole who held the teaming supports spell outbound with his ‘oratory’ called on the people to come out in their numbers to vote for the APC candidate Olorogun O’tega Emerhor assured that the people of Delta central needs a formidable voice to represent them at the senate. According to comrade Oshiomhole,” don’t let them
deceive you again, people deceive people, papa deceive Pikin, if they give you money to buy your votes ,, take because there is a law of retriutary return on election day vote APC and use the money to celebrate O’TEGA”S VICTORY.. since the money they gave you was not receipted for, they cannot ask you for refund.” While Speaking with the press, Senator Eferakiya said “
Jonathan Still Popular In North, SouthPORT HARCOURT- Mr. South - Opara Austin Opara, a former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan enjoyed 95 per cent support of the people of the South-South zone. Opara said in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt that it was not true that the people of the North were against tenure for Jonathan in 2015. “The South-South as a zone is
95 per cent or more in support of Jonathan’s candidature; and in support of a South-South president. “It is just a few self-centred, and over ambitious persons from the zone that are opposed to Jonathan’s re-election. ‘Can you say that Northerners are 100 per cent against Jonathan? The answer is no. Jonathan has support in the
Nigerian Army Begins Combat Proficiency Competition
CALABAR- The Nigerian Army has begin a five-day combat proficiency competition as part of its 2013 training programme. The Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Okwudili Azinta, said that the competition was organised to strengthen the existing friendship in the army. He said the competition would foster “espirit de corps” as a critical element in building cohesion within a combat formation. According to him, the competition is mainly a training activity organised by the 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu. Also, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the division, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Olaniyi, said the competition
was organised to keep physical fitness and cultivate competitive spirit among the seven formations under the division. Olaniyi was represented by Brig.-Gen. David Lubo.
North and clearly majority of South-Southerners are behind Jonathan. ‘The ones that are opposed to Jonathan’s candidature are pushing for it for selfish reasons because they believe they are not being carried along or they are not benefitting from the present dispensation; so they want power to shift so that they can benefit. We should move from selfsyndrome (of some politicians) to having the interest of the nation at heart because that is what is important.” Opara said that Jonathan-led administration had shown passion in tackling insecurity, stressing that the spate of bombing and other security challenges had reduced in recent months.
VC Blames Poor Funding On Insincerity Tertiary Education:
PORT HARCOURT- Prof. Barimene Fakae, the ViceChancellor, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) has attributed the funding challenges faced by Nigerian universities to insincerity in the pricing of tertiary education. Fakae said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt. “The society is not sincere; I fear that very much and this is the very big challenge we have because if we were sincere, if we tell you that education should be priced appropriately, you will say it is true. ‘Nobody now would want to
increase school fees by one Naira because somebody is going to shout. “Meanwhile, my students are just paying on the average maybe N20,000 or N25,000 for returning students but now go and check the cost of kindergarten schools. “So now a case where kindergarten school is now much more expensive than our universities, are we sincere? “But some people go to Ghana; they pay $6,000 in one session; but for us here, if you convert it, it is not up to $100. It’s $6,000 in the other place but this place less than $100.“
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Across The Nation Olofa Stool: Appeal Court Adjourns Hearing
ILORIN- The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin has adjourned hearing in the stay of execution of judgment filed by the deposed Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi. Justice Raphael Agbo, who adjourned the matter to Oct. 14, said there were many applications before the court as a result of the judgment the court gave in respect of the Olofa stool. It would be recalled that the court had on July 8, nullified the
selection, installation and recognition of Gbadamosi as Olofa of Offa. Justice Hussein Mukhtar, who read the unanimous judgment, directed the state government to install Abdulrauf Keji as the rightful Olofa of Offa. Gbadamosi had on July 25 through his lawyer, Mr Yusuf Alli (SAN), filed a stay of execution of judgment pending the outcome of his appeal at the Supreme Court. At the hearing on Monday, Alli
urged the court to allow his client to continue with the traditional role of administering the community pending the appeal at the Supreme Court. He also prayed the court to put on hold the directive to the state government to install Keji as the new Olofa pending the determination of the appeal. But the counsel to Keji, Mr Olusola Baiyeshea (SAN), said there was no special circumstance that could warrant granting the deposed monarch
the right to continue parading himself as Olofa. According to him, granting the request of the deposed Olofa would amount to reversal of the court’s judgment on the issue. He urged the court to dismiss the prayers of Gbadamosi, saying he “connived’’ with the state government to undermine the decision of the court by continuing to exercise the power of Olofa. “Let me also state here categorically that the king
Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar (left) with Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State during his condolence visit to the Governor over the death of his Younger Sister, Hajiya Ummi Yuguda in Bauchi.
Police Fingered Over Continued Injustice In Kirikiri
LAGOS Women residents of Kirikiri town, Lagos, at weekend staged a protest against the criminal activities of Chief Babalola Babatunde Shabi, aka Awujale. Speaking with our reporter, the leader of the women, Mrs. Roseline Adebowale said, the community had over the years been passing through untold hardship in the hands of some elements in the community who had made it their profession to be using the community affairs to make their money. She specifically fingered at one Chief Babalola Shabi who had remained a thorn in the flesh of the not only the Baale of Kirikiri town, Chief Waidi Sunmonu Agunbiade but also the entire Kirikiri community. According to the Baale, we had passed through many insults from the hand of Shabi who he alleged had been corroborating with all the DPO’s posted to the community to perpetual his atrocities. Chief Agunbiade said for many years the community had been under the siege of the alleged notorious Babalola who has his means of buying over any DPO
posted to the station. According to him, respite came to the Kirikiri community when woman Chief Superintend of Police Ginika Chukwu was posted to kirikiri as DPO. He said despite the moves by Babalola to buy her over and continue with what he had been doing to hold the community down, the former woman DPO shunned all his entreaties, telling him she was there on national assignment. Our reporter said based on investigations, the posture of the DPO infuriated him (Babalola), making him to reach out to the present Area B Divisional Commander Acp.Mohammed which has resulted to the problems in kirikiri as at today keeping in fear and calling the Nigerian government to come to their rescue. Ever since her transfer, it was discovered, the said Babalola has been boasting to people even in beer parlous that he sent the Lady DPO out of Kirikiri because she refused to dance to his tune. He did not stop at that, last week, he took the Baale, Agunbiade, 81yrs and four others aged between 66 and
77 to court for threatening his life. They all passed the weekend in the police /prison cell. Our reporter was told by the protesting women that of all the eight DPO’s that served in the Kirikiri Police Station, it is only CSP Ginika Chukwu that refused to bow to the whims and caprices of Babalola, saying that is why they want her back to Kirikiri Police Station because of the relative peace that they enjoyed during her reign at
the station. The protesters revealed that in recognition of her performances the local government chairman had to give her an award even when she had been transferred to the northern state as the most reliable, trustworthy, efficient DPO, and radio Lagos in their every morning programmes continuously honor her with three clap offerings every morning for her good work throughout her stay as DPO in kirikiri.
makers are no longer relevant in this matter because your lordship has declared the appointment and installation of Alhaji Gbadamosi as null and void. “To this end, having flouted and desecrated the judgment of this court with impunity, the applicants, therefore, are not entitled to your discretion.
“The interest of justice will be better served by refusing this application which is meant to diminish the integrity, authority and sanctity of the judgment of this court,” he said. Baiyeshea urged the court to refuse the application and order the government to install his client.
CJ Decries High Rate Of Awaiting Trial Inmates LOKOJA- The Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasir Ajanah, has decried the alarming rate of persons awaiting trials in various prisons across the state. Ajanah, who made the remark at a special court session to mark the 2013/2014 Legal Year in Lokoja, warned against, what he described, as the ‘snail-speed’ justice delivery system. According to him, civilised societies do not tolerate lengthy incarceration of persons whose guilt had not yet been determined. “It is inhuman. I appeal to all judicial officers to bear in mind that every time they sit in judgment over their fellow human beings, they are to render justice and no other thing. “We must bear in mind that justice must not only be done, but must manifestly be seen to be done,’’ he said. The chief judge called for a ‘radical’ change to transform the criminal justice system in the country. He said the ceremony afforded the jurists the opportunity to renew their pledge to render justice to all manner of people through timely adjudication of disputes without discrimination. Ajanah said the state judiciary was gradually overcoming the shortage of halls and infrastructural decay in the courts through
construction of more court houses. Gov. Idris Wada had earlier charged the judiciary to go the extra mile to earn the confidence of litigants and the general public by upholding justice in every circumstance. Represented by Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, the Secretary to the State Government, Wada commended the leadership of the state judiciary for prudent management of resources. Wada, however, said that the state was in a period of dwindling resources, and called for “belt tightening” to keep afloat. Mr Abemi Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of senior advocates of Nigeria, challenged the judiciary to rise up to its constitutional responsibility. Mohammed urged the judges to be firm, courageous and steadfast in the dispensation of justice “no matter who gets hurt’’. He decried the corruption affecting the judicial system, saying: “some of us lawyers even act as couriers of money to the judges” and apply for adjournments “giving flimsy reasons’’. Reports say that the state Attorney-General, Mr Joe Abrahams, and the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Lokoja branch, Mr Joseph Akubor, attended the ceremony. (NAN)
L-R: Representative of Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun, Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar and Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, during a condolence visit to the Governor over the death of his Younger Sister, Hajiya Ummi Yuguda in Bauchi.
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When Relationship Goes
IN this second stage, couples begin to test out the idea of themselves as a unit. Dating is no longer brand new. It is more comfortable and predictable. Sharing romantic dinners and exciting special interests are typical dates during this new and fun time in a growing relationship. During this stage, flowers are given for no special reason and loving cards are slipped back and forth with words like “thinking of you”. It’s a happy carefree time, when lovers tend to idealize, romanticize and overlook that which can be right in front of them. The relationship seems effortless and spontaneous. Affection is shared openly and frequently. One’s partner seems perfect. There is rarely conflict during this period. The partners often share the unrealistic belief that their relationship is so special and unique that it will always stay this way. This stage can last from three or four months up to more than a year. It is actually the shortest stage that any long-term relationship goes through. It is also the one we wish we could hold on to forever and long for when it is gone. This is the stage that love poems speak about. It is also believed (falsely) by many that this is what long-term committed love will always be like. Many relationships begin to stumble at the end of this period. For that is when reality begins to set in. As partners begin to experience some disagreement, conflict and/or shared challengesthe relationship shifts as do the dynamics between the partners. Though many relationships move past this stage, a number do not. Why? There are many reasons. These can include: * Lack of readiness for the challenges of the next stage
* Issues with commitment and fidelity * Immature beliefs about what relationships should be * being stuck on an idealized, romanticized notion of love If one of the partners is not ready for a less than perfect and more demanding stage of love, they will exhibit this in their behavior, language and overall level of openness and availability towards the other. This is when the couple begins to think more seriously of a future with each other. The focus tends to be; how well do we get along, do we share similar interests and do I want to date this person exclusively? Growth through Negotiation This is a very challenging and growing time in all relationship building. Reality comes into play as the couple settles into the comfort and predictability of their togetherness. Little issues can become blown-up into large conflicts. The individuals begin to compete for their share of control and their place in this growing union. Differences can become highlighted instead of minimized. This is often the period when couples experience their first fight. Hurt feelings can occur as that once loving and completely accepting other person airs a criticism or voices annoyance or concern. Often, the individuals believe it is the other person who needs to change. This is where the need for (or lack of) communication, problem-solving and negotiating skills becomes apparent. For without an adequate measure of these, disagreements can break down into screaming matches where insults and recriminations are fired like missiles. If the individuals can listen, be supportive of each
Sour (Part 3)
other ’s feelings, compromise and not lay blame, they have a good chance of working through this stage and achieving a true intimacy. This does not mean they will share all the same beliefs and opinions or that they will necessarily even like the other’s view. However, having and showing respect is a cornerstone of a healthy relationship. Not only will relationships
information about their level of relationship readiness and maturity in general. Intimacy Intimacy is the reward that is gained when a couple has successfully worked through the difficult last stage of negotiation. It is almost like a new coming together with much greater self (and other) awareness. This new information can work to solidify the union or give one of both individuals
fail without these relationship-building strengths, they can also abruptly end if one of the partners decides that they don’t feel the same way about this person in their less than idealized state. The reality may not be to their liking or just something they are not ready for in general. Either way, they will pull back, present differently or disappear without warning. How they handle their changing feelings is further
enough new information about the other to require a reassessment of their desire to remain together. Each person looks at the other in their (naked) state and asks; “is this person I want to be with”? Here their individual differences are highlighted. The early romantic haze has cleared. What they have to offer to each other and to a future life together comes into play. This is a time when
“As you evaluate your failed relationship, note the stage you were in when the change occurred. Chances are that the necessary level of readiness and maturity was not present in one or both of you. Perhaps one of you decided that this is not the kind of partner or relationship I am seeking.”
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Relationship With IMOISILI EDITH 07089364470
couples often begin to contemplate each other’s attributes in a more practical way. They look at the other’s strengths and weaknesses. They evaluate each other’s potential as a future spouse, parent, provider, caregiver, partner, etc. Relationships can be tested more during this time. Infidelity is one dysfunctional way that some
begin this life soon. New challenges arise during each stage, and will happen here as well. However, if the couple has successfully worked through the previous stages, they should have many of the tools they need. The external problems and pressures that come with life will test their resolve and commitment over the years.
individuals do this. Often, this leads to the end of the relationship. When differences can be seen, aired and accepted, the couple has a good chance of moving on together from this place. Essentially, they have decided they want to be with the other, warts and all. When the behavior of one or both partners changes, it is generally because they have made a conscious or unconscious decision regarding the wrongness of the other for them or for the type of relationship they seek. Commitment This is the final stage of relationship building. Once individuals have reached this place, they are ready to cement their bond. While much growth and work will lay ahead in a future life together, they are ready to
They may need to reassess, re-negotiate and renew their feelings and commitment. Fortunately, they will be in possession of the basic tools required. If they choose well to begin with, they should be successful. As you evaluate your failed relationship, note the stage you were in when the change occurred. Chances are that the necessary level of readiness and maturity was not present in one or both of you. Perhaps one of you decided that this is not the kind of partner or relationship I am seeking. This new information and insight should help you to choose a future partner who is better suited to you and desirous of the same kind of relationship that you are.
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Child Health And You
Barriers To Immunization Continued from last week
Community/Religious leaders Community and Religious leader play very important roles in immunization utilization. There are some religions that do not accept immunization and the leaders preach such messages to their followers. Improving immunization among such groups and sects would require getting their leaders to understand and accept the benefits of immunization. Access to some communities is only through community leaders who may not be favorably disposed to immunization activities. SUPPLY FACTORS For any service or commodity there is usually a demand that drives the supply Demand is by the consumer which in the case of childhood immunization we have identified as parents and caregivers in proxy for their children/wards. Supply is provided by the health care system and there are several factors affecting the health care system which constitute barriers to optimal immunization in Nigeria. Availability of vaccines The non availability of vaccines has been recognized as a contributory factor to underimmunization of Nigerian children. While this write-up does not intend to discuss the details of vaccine procurement it is important to highlight some of the factors contributing to ‘vaccine not available” scenario. The delay in release of funds to procure vaccines is a contributoryfactor. Nigeria also does not produce vaccines and has to source for vaccines in the international market. Perhaps if vaccines are produced within the country this may reduce delays. Cold chain equipment/Energy The cold chain equipment can hardly be maintained in some areas in Nigeria due to persistent power outages. Solar refrigerators are either broken down, not installed or not available.The absence of functional cold chain facilities means vaccines are kept further away from point of use resulting in delays/non availability of vaccines. The lack of/ dearth of functional cold chain facilities hinders adequate distribution especially in remote areas. This si further worsened by bad roads and seasonal access due to floods. Attitude of health care staff There are many stories of poor attitudinal disposition of staff administering vaccinations to children and mothers. Such poor attitudes have been cited as reasons why some parents do not commence/complete immunization schedules of their children. While such unprofessional attitudes is unacceptable and inexcusable parents who fail to immunize their children for such reasons are infringing on the rights of their children. Would such parents refuse to collect their salsries because the paymaster is rude? Other cited reasons for not immunizing children include long waiting times and vaccinator not available. Some of these situations to a dearth of health care workers especially in rural areas. The single health care worker who is available may for reasons of illhealth or some other exigencies not be available to carry out immunization sessions. It is important to explore the reasons why health care staff have poor attitudes towards their clients. Some of the reasons include inadequate training/lack of continuing medical education. Communication skills are very important when dealing with clients.Somee of these health care workers have never received any training in communication skills. Lack of supervision of health care workers to crrect such
By DR. MRS AYEBO E. SADOH
anomalous hehaviour means these attitudes continue unabated especially when clients are uneducated and do not know how to respond to such infringements on their human rights, When reporting such poor attitudes do not result in any rremedial actions, health workers continue to perpetrate their unprofessional attitudes constituting a barrier to optimal uptake of immunization Poor remuneration of healthcare staff and poor conditions of service especially in rural areas also result in low staff morale. Such low moral finds expression in rudeness and unfriendliness towards clients. Missed Immunization opportunities The organization of immunization clinics plays a role in optimal immunization of children. Many immunization
clinics do not vaccinate everyday while others only give certain vaccines on particular days of the week. Thus if a mother brings her baby for immunization on a day when the clinic does not offer vaccination/the particular vaccine for which the baby is due the baby will not get immunized. This is referred to as a missed opportunity for immunization. (MOI). Other causes of MOIs include the failure of health care staff to check the immunization status of a child (either during a curative care visit or preventive care visit), failure to administer simultaneous vaccines and failure to open a multi dose vial when only a few children are present for immunization. Role of Supplementary Immunization Activities. One of the recognized contributors to poor immunization coverage in Nigeria is the conduct of supplemental immunization activities, So much emphasis and funds have been utilized for SIAs to the detriment of routine
“There are many stories of poor attitudinal disposition of staff administering vaccinations to children and mothers. Such poor attitudes have been cited as reasons why some parents do not commence/complete immunization schedules of their children.”
immunization. Some parent seem to believe that the SIAs are more important than routine immunization and would prefer to receive immunization at home rather than take their children to immunization clinics for routine immunization. Supplemental immunization which include the national immunization days(NID) state immunization days(SID) and immunization plus days only offer one or two vaccines ( usually oral polio vaccine). Depending on SIAs means children will be incompletely immunized. Of note also is the fact that on the long run SIAs are not sustainable. Strengthening of routine immunization is the better option. The drive and emphasis on SIAs also affects health care workers. Health care workers involved in SIAs receive more incentives and they thus relegate routine immunization activities to the background. Receiving immunization on time is very important in ensuring that children become protected as soon as possible from target
diseases. The Nigerian immunization schedule recommends that babies commence immunization at birth. However many babies born in health facilities do not receive the birth doses of vaccines before they are discharged from the hospital. Those born outside of hospitals do not even have this opportunity except their parents are well motivated to take them to immunization clinics within 24hours of birth. Many infants do not present for immunization until after two weeks of birth. Such delays places these children at risk of contracting some of the diseases the vaccines are meant to prevent before they commence immunization. To Be Continued DR (MRS) SADOH E AYEBO Senior Research Fellow & Consultant Paediatrician Institute of Child Health, University of Benin/ University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City Edo State, Nigeria *** ‘CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, a Weekly Thursday Feature, is a collaborative initiative between the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, and the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Benin City. Comments on this page should be forwarded to The Editor, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, Benin City or Director, Institute of Child Health University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.
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Insight
VERY soon, God willing, Edo State through NGO initiative would have a modern criminal justice administration law that meets global best practices. This is because Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS) is working on the project using a team in the state led by Agatha Osieke, executive director of an NGO called ‘WOMEN, YOUTHS AND C H I L D R E N A D VA N C E M E N T PROGRAMME’. INTRODUCTION However, to start with, what is a criminal justice administration law? Agatha Osieke explains: “It is a law that offers guidelines on procedural matters at the magistrate and high courts.” Specifically, such a law embodies the following: the Criminal Procedure Code, the Criminal Procedure Act, the Police Act, the Prison Regulations and the Evidence Act. Agatha Osieke’s team has taken a detailed look at these judicial elements in Edo State. The verdict of the team is that the state does not have a criminal justice administration law. What it is using at the present is the 1976 Bendel State of Nigeria Criminal Justice Administration Law even though Edo State was created on the 27 th of August, 1991. All said, the state is not the only one with this shortcoming. The 36 states of the federation, less Lagos State suffer from this insufficiency in law. Background The federal government, aware of this challenge,
took a step in 2004 to address it. President Olusegun Obasanjo set up a National Working Group with a three-tier mandate, namely; the group was charged with the responsibility to draft an Administration of Criminal Justice Bill that would not only modernize the criminal justice system in the country but would also eliminate delays in criminal trials and decongest our prisons. Secondly, the National Working Group was expected to carry out a series of activities and processes aimed at the promulgation of a new law that would reform the existing criminal justice administration system in Nigeria. And thirdly, the group was mandated to critically examine the nation’s criminal procedure code, Criminal Procedure Act, the Police Act, Prison Act and Evidence Act; as well as recommend amendments to them for better criminal justice administration practices. After its establishment, the National Working Group began work. With time, it came up with an Administration of Criminal Justice Bill (ACJB) which strove towards the harmonization of the various criminal justice laws in the whole country. A major feature of the bill was that it eliminated the impractical and unrealistic provisions of the extant criminal justice administration laws of Nigeria inherited from Britain, our colonial masters.
Towards Developing Administration Law At present, only Lagos State has keyed into the national agenda of developing a criminal justice administration law that meets the challenges of best global practices. The other states have not done while the bill of the National Working Group has remained in the cooler even since despite HURILAWS’ advocacy effort and lobby in the National Assembly at the federal level to have the bill passed into law. More unfortunate is the fact that HURILAWS and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) during Olisa Agbakoba’s presidency submitted similar bills to the same assembly. Yet, these bills did not see the light of day. Given all these developments, HURILAWS adopted a new strategy of working with state governments and state houses of assembly to reform their criminal justice administration laws in partnership with relevant stakeholders. Pilot Programme HURILAWS set the ball rolling with the designing of a pilot programme for developing such laws in five states of the country. The states are Edo, Benue, Cross River, Enugu and Plateau. Agatha Osieke gives an insight into HURILAWS’ decision to select these five states for the pilot
programme. Her words; “HURILAWS’ attention was on these states because of the high level of criminalities in them. If HURILAWS achieves its objectives in these states, it would proceed to other states of the federation using experiences gathered in the pilot states.” Since arrival in Edo State, the team led by Agatha Osieke has been working tirelessly on developing a draft of Administration of Criminal Justice Bill. Finally, the team has got this draft bill ready and in line with protocols, it has been sent to donors supporting the Edo State project. Responding to a question, Agatha Osieke pointed out that: “The next stage of the project is that we are planning to hold a legislative dialogue on October 15 at the NUJ Press center in Benin City. Stakeholders would be invited to the dialogue to discuss the draft bill and contribute inputs. At the end of the day, our team hopes to come up with an acceptable document detailing the content of the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill in Edo State. Thereafter, the bill would be presented to Edo House of Assembly for deliberation and passage into law. At this point, Mr. Zik Igbadi, executive director of Foundation for the
“Given all these developments, HURILAWS adopted a new strategy of working with state governments and state houses of assembly to reform their criminal justice administration laws in partnership with relevant stakeholders.”
By MICHAEL ODIGBE
Defence of Consumer Rights and a member of the Agatha Osieke’s team interjects in the
Criminal Justice Law. At present, she says, efforts were being made to complete all the
Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar Chief Justice of Nigeria
discussion. He says; “The draft bill on the Administration of Criminal Justice in Edo State may be sent to Edo House of Assembly as an executive bill. This is because of our options is to get Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole to sponsor the draft bill to the House of Assembly. Or, alternatively and as a second option, a member of Edo House of Assembly may assist us to sponsor the draft bill. We have not yet concluded on whom to use to sponsor the bill. Time will tell. Agatha Osieke continues the narrative. She added that no matter the final decision taken on the sponsorship of the bill, her team is optimistic that in 2014, Edo State will join Lagos State in having an Administration of
remaining paper work of the draft bill as well as recruit a lobbyist for it before 2013 ends. Spotlight on HURILAWS If eventually, Edo State gets an Administration of Criminal Justice Law, she states, the people of the state for this owe a debt of gratitude to HURILAWS. This brings to the fore the question: What does the organization stand for? It is an independent, nonprofit body which acts as a public policy think tank and pressure group working in collaboration with multi-sector development partners and change agents to promote accountable as well as transparent governance in Nigeria. Furthermore, HURILAWS advances
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
Insight
A Criminal Justice In Edo State the cause of legal reforms in Nigeria using strategic test-case litigation impacts, legal aid/ assistance, capacity building of key legal
helpless, poor and vulnerable members of the public. Unfortunately, there was no such provision in the template of human rights
Agatha Osieke, Executive Director Women Youths and Children Advancement Programme.
actors, legislative advocacy, seminal research and publications. HURILAWS whose executive director is Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) came into being in Nigeria to fill an existing gap in legal protection of human rights. The gap was discovered in 1995 after a country study sponsored jointly by International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights (INTERIGHT) and the Inter-African Network for Human Rights and D e v e l o p m e n t ( A F R O N E T ) . Specifically, the country study undertaken by Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) discovered that there was a critical need for a specialist human rights law service provider for oppressed, marginalized,
activism in Nigeria. All that existed were only rights campaign, research, documentation and advocacy. Nothing more. Olisa Agbakoba adds: “It is to fill this yawning omission in human rights activism that inspired the establishments of HURILAWS now driving the process of drafting an Administration of Criminal Justice Law for Edo State as well as other qualitative legal/judicial reforms in Nigeria using stakeholders’ dialogue and legislative advocacy. So far, HURILAWS has been giving free assistance to victims of human rights abuses, which include individuals, groups of persons, civil society i n s t i t u t i o n s , disadvantaged communities, youth organizations, trade
unions in addition to community-based bodies. As at press time, HURILAWS has recorded five landmark impact cases against human rights abuses in the country. Namely, the organization has obtained successfully court rulings against practices of : withdrawing citizens’ traveling passports; prolonged inacrceration of death row prisoners under dehumanizing conditions; keeping suspects in prison on holding charges under police spurious claims of investigations; and amending the constitution without presidential assent. Currently, the organization raised before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of the death penalty in a bid to abolish it in Nigeria. Although, the court agreed with most of the organisation’s submissions on the issue, the court held that the death penalty is constitutional but with two riders. Firstly, it is that the National Assembly has the power to amend the constitution to abolish the death penalty. Secondly, the court suggested that prolonged stay of condemned persons on the death row could amount to procedural rights violation and so was improper. HURILAWS as an organization has however, dropped hints
that it won’t stay action on its advocacy to have the death penalty abolished in Nigeria. The struggle would forever continue until it wins its advocacy, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) insists. A Peep into the Draft Bill From the profile of HURILAWS, it is crystal clear that its mission in Edo State is to extend the charity and philanthropy of an NGO so that the state can benefit from having an Administration of Criminal Justice Law that meet the demands of best global practices and so fully protect the fundamental human rights of citizens in the state. A peep into the waiting draft bill on the Administration of Criminal Justice in Edo State reveals certain major highlights. Mr. Zik Igbadi speaks on them: He begins: “During our work, we took a critical look at human rights abuses in the administration of criminal justice in the Bendel State of Nigeria Law (1976) still applicable in Edo State. Thereafter, we recommended that such abuses should be eliminated in the new law that would replace this old one. For instance, we recommended that suspects shouldn’t be paraded before trial because this is an abuse of the suspects’ fundamental human rights. A suspect is not guilty until a court so decides. Zik Igbadi paused for breath and continued: “The police always comes out to tell the public that
a suspect has made a confessional statement. But on getting to court, the suspect denies the statement. So, our team looked at whether or not, it will be better if a confessional statement is made in the presence of a suspect’s lawyer. Also, we discussed the possibility of ensuring that all confessional statements are documented on video and/or a tape recorder. Alternatively, such statements should be made before a judge.” In addition to these highlights in recommending the draft bill on the Administration of Criminal Justice System for Edo State. Zik Igbadi speaks about three more others. His words: “our team is against arresting people on mere complaints before investigations are carried out. Moreover, we recommended that forensic technology should be used during investigations to avoid the miscarriage of justice. In addition, we advocated that anyone that is wrongly imprisoned should be entitled to compensation on regaining his freedom as it is the practice in advanced democracy.” What is more, Zik Igbadi noted that their team frowned at the practice of holding charges in criminal justice administration. This is because it does not only result in the delay of justice, it amounts to a form of incarceration before one is finally convicted and then sentenced if guilty; or free if blameless. Also, Zik Igbadi says their team
discountenanced the idea of sending people to prison for misdemeanour without restricting the options to a fine or community service so as to decongest the prison. Their team, he pointed out, strongly believe that only hard core criminals, not minor offenders, should summarily be sentenced to a prison term without an option of fine. Now Agatha Osieke, the team leader chips in: “At our session also in our team did not unanimously agree that the death penalty should be expunged from our criminal justice administration law. Some of our members supported its abolition, others didn’t. So, the issue will be resolved on October 15, 2013 when we hold a legislative dialogue on the Edo draft bill on criminal justice administration with stakeholders. What will be finally resolved is whether the death penalty should be totally abolished in Edo State or whether it should only be prescribed for terrorism and Boko Haram convicts, as some of us recommended.” Any last word for Nigerians and Edo State citizens in particular? Agatha Osieke says “yes”. Everybody, including media practitioners, should partner with HURILAWS and her team to Edo State an Administration of Criminal Justice Law that promotes human rights of the weak and strong in society, she pleads.
“The police always comes out to tell the public that a suspect has made a confessional statement. But on getting to court, the suspect denies the statement. So, our team looked at whether or not, it will be better if a confessional statement is made in the presence of a suspect’s lawyer.”
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
Security Issues
Tackling Terrorism In Nigeria
SINCE the onset of the insurgency in the Northern part of Nigeria, spearheaded by the fundamentalist Islamist sect, Boko Haram (Western Education is Sin), against the Nigerian State, the Nigerian government, through the instrumentality of its security establishment, in tandem with contributions from other local and international stakeholders, have applied plethora of strategies in efforts aimed at whittling down the activities of this group. Some of the measures so far taking to check terrorism in Nigeria include: signing into law on June 3rd, 2011, the Terrorism Prevention Act (TPA) 2011, and the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011; forwarding a bill seeking amendment to the Terrorism Prevention Act, in order to strengthen the legal framework for fighting terrorism; creation of the position of a CounterTerrorism Coordinator in the National Security Adviser’s Office, to coordinate efforts of the counter-terrorism units in all security agencies; setting up a Fusion Center to serve as processing point for all-source intelligence and deployment of appropriate technology; coupled with other steps that have been taken outside public domain for security reasons. However, despite all the efforts, time and resources that have been expended by the authorities in fighting terrorism, the phenomenon continues waxing stronger. According to available statistics, since the commencement of the insurgency in the Northern part of the country, more than 1,000 lives have been lost to Boko Haram attacks on drinking joints, places of worship, military and police facilities, media houses, buildings housing multinational organizations, et al (Nigerian Punch, Monday 4, March, 2012). The recent (Monday 19th of March 2013) multiple bomb blasts in the Sabon Gari section of the ancient city of Kano, which left over 100 persons dead and maiming several others in their wake, are the latest classic cases of the obduracy of this group. The major reason that can be adduced for the escalation of this crisis is the slow response and poor strategic
thinking on the part of government and other stakeholder organizations towards addressing this conflict at its embryonic stage. With the exception of the recent, and rather belated, attempt by the Nigerian government to engage this group in dialogue, through the setting up of an “Amnesty Committee”, all initial peace initiatives have tended to be confrontational. The present scenario could have been avoided had dialogue been adopted as the chief conflict handling strategy to address all the pertinent issues raised by the Bokites, at both the latent and manifest stages of the insurgency. G o v e r n m e n t ’ s confrontational approach to the resolution of the insurgency - which is a conflict handling style borrowed from the West - has revenge as its driving force. The state of Israel, United States of America, Britain, and Russia adopt the Confrontational method in their war on terrorism. Apart from the ability to punish perpetrators of terrorist acts, the confrontational approach is also a very proactive style of countering terrorism, as countries adopting this method leverage on their “First Strike” capabilities to sniff out and annihilate would-be terrorists and their backers. It involves taking the fight to the turf of terrorist groups, and not waiting to be struck before reacting. Using mostly clandestine methods, which involve massive intelligence gathering and the use of advanced technology, terrorist activities are closely monitored and appropriate action expedited to stop them from executing their missions. Had they critically examined the effectiveness of this strategy in the countries adopting it, those at the helm of Nigeria’s security establishment would have seen a not too encouraging picture. The U.S and Israel, for instance, have been fighting both covert and overt wars against Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and sundry other apocalyptic groups across the globe for decades, spending billions of
dollars in the process, with no seeming end in sight to these conflicts, despite the snatches of success they have recorded overtime against these groups. Rather than abate, these conflicts have tended to escalate as these groups, rather than surrender to force, have become more
continues to pose the greatest challenge to Nigeria’s security operatives. The questions that spring forth at this stage are: Does Nigeria possess the resources to engage in long-drawn guerrilla warfare with a terrorist group that continues to exhibit its mastery of the use of violence in the same manner the U.S, Israel and other rich Western countries have done? Does Nigeria
With Obuseh Jude 08033510173 Who are the shadow parties? Had proper care been taken by the authorities to understand the core nuances of this conflict from the onset, before deciding on the intervention strategy to be adopted in addressing it, the worst case scenarios we are witnessing today would have been averted. Boko Haram is one of the contemporary questions surrounding the sanctity of the Nigerian state system as currently constituted; a question about the authenticity of Nigeria by a group of persons who feel
President Goodluck Jonathan emboldened and determined to further spread terror. However, one basic fact about the confrontational conflict handling style , which the eggheads of Nigeria’s security establishment are obviously oblivious of, is that it has the disadvantage of causing collateral damage in the event of a terrorist act, as the perpetrators of most terrorist acts usually die in such attacks, leaving no one for the victim country to physically punish, as has been the case in the North since the Bokites commenced their attacks. Thus, in their war against the insurgents, the Nigerian security forces have on some occasions unwittingly cut down innocent bystanders – including women and children. So, in the quest to punish terrorist offenders, innocent lives are sometimes lost. Separating the actual perpetrators of terrorist acts from casual onlookers
have a huge chest of funds to prosecute a capital intensive anti-terrorism campaign like these countries? Does it have the patience to wait out on the siege currently being laid on its citizens and institutions in the same manner these countries have so far done? The blanket answer to these questions is a resounding “no”! With a little bit of hindsight, the adoption of the confrontational model by the authorities in dealing with the issues in the North obviously stems from a poor assessment and understanding of the true issues at stake – the lack of proper analysis’ of the history, dynamics, and dimensions of the conflict. Questions such as: What is the genesis of the conflict? Who are the real stakeholders? What are the real concerns raised by these stakeholders? What are the true positions, interests and needs of these stakeholders?
estranged from the system by the current political arrangement; an attempt by some Nigerians to gain recognition in the present political configuration by force. They are the same questions millions of Nigerians ask every day: What is the Nigerian State system all about? What is our stake in this system? How well are our interests being represented in the scheme of things? How can these interests be improved? What is our future in this system? That is why any approach to finding solutions to the insidious effects of the activities of this group to the health of the Nigerian State must be located within the realities of its politics. No solution can be found outside the purview of the practical realities of the country’s politics. In all, dialogue remains the only way out of the bloody spectacle currently facing
Nigerians. The use of force to confront force has obviously failed, thus, necessitating a new approach. The setting up of a Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution on Security Challenges in the North (Amnesty Committee) to negotiate a peace agreement with the insurgents is a welcome development. My only advice to government is to be transparent in its dealings with this group - it must desist from any attempt to turn the peace process into another comical affair as has been the case in the past. Care must be taking to painstakingly address all the issues that will be raised in the course of negotiations to ensure that any agreement reached at the end of the day is comprehensive enough to snuff out the monster of violence currently gnawing at the very soul of this country. There is need for the authorities to immediately engage the services of seasoned peace practitioners to help drive the peace process. Political expediencies, as has become the tradition in this country, must be completely jettisoned in choosing those to animate the processes of transforming this conflict. A multi-track approach will suffice in this wise; an approach that will draw individuals from different spectrums of the society. The present committee overseeing negotiations with the insurgents has to be reconstituted to pave way for more professional hands to contribute their quota to the peacemaking process. The use of force is only but a short-term solution to the insurgency in the North, whether anybody accepts this assertion or not. Agreed that so many innocent lives and properties have been lost to the violent activities of this group, thus, eliciting calls for a more forceful stance by the authorities, a negotiated settlement seems to be the only light that can ride really this country of the dark clouds of death that currently enshrouds it and its citizens. If things are done right, this phantom of violence currently hunting the Nigerian State can be summarily sent back to the abyss where it belongs, and Nigerians can continue the nation-building process that has been stunted by the sad events of the past couple of years. God save Nigeria!
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
View Point Unveiling The Evil Called Back-Biting By PEACE MADOJEMU
Taxation And Its Benefits TAX is a fee charged or levied by government on a product, income or activity. Generally, tax can be defined as a levy or other type of financial charges or fee imposed by states or central government on legal entities or individual. Basically, taxation rates differ from country to country and it is also complex in nature. Taxation is a principal source of revenue for a country’s government. There are agencies primarily responsible for the collection of tax in a country and tax lows determine who should bear the tax burden or who should pay the tax usually a certain percentage of the income earned. Besides, the concept of paying taxation, be it federal or state, is relatively foreign to many Nigerians. Unlike some parts of the world where everyone, regardless of their position or income, pay some form of income/ revenue/poverty tax on a regular basis, taxes are
By WINIFRED OSASOBO
only collected for some individuals and business/ organizations in Nigeria. Often, taxes are not gotten on regular basis due to slow or lack of formal means or tax structure by some states and the federal government. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), revealed that in 2009, that the Nigeria universities commission (NUC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), among other ministries and department agencies (MDAS) as well as National Assembly had not remitted about N72 billion in personal income tax deduction, value added tax and withholding, tax. In advanced economies tax is relied upon perhaps as one of the most important fiscal policy instrument deployed by the government to improve the standard of living of the people but in Nigeria the reverse is the case as most enlightened” citizen fail to pay their taxes at when due.
Government collect tax so as to provide good governance to the public. Taxes are used for improvement of education, construction of highways public transportation, public welfare programmes such as social security employment benefits low-cost public housing; health equipment fire protection etc. Tax money is also used to pay for the daily operating expense of government such as, the salaries of government employees and interest owned on government debt. Another major benefit accruable from system is gives it incentive that is to activities that are needed for the growth and national development. FIRS also declared that Tax clearance certificate would soon be a requirement and be made compulsory to access certain government service even as par of vehicle particulars.
Assistant Director Tax FIRS Mr. Camills Chuta said that management of National Assembly with holding tax was about 306 million made up of 22.34 million. Although the National Assembly officials had then promised to meet with the official of the FIRS for final reconciliation before affecting payment for the period under review. The above, obviously shows how the National Assembly inspite of their huge allowance/salaries, have still not been able to perform its obligatory note of adequately paying back the remitting taxes to government. If individuals are paying as expected, then the National Assembly and the federal executive who are taking an increased chunk of recurrent expenditure should also remit what is required of them to the public purse. Relevant authorities, regulatory agency and the likes need to look at the tax laws and ensure strict adherence to it tenets.
“If individuals are paying as expected, then the National Assembly and the federal executive who are taking an increased chunk of recurrent expenditure should also remit what is required of them to the public purse.”
BACK-BITING can be defined as unkind and unpleasant talk about a person who is not present at the place at that time. What is it about people who engage in this sort of practice? Is it that they feel insecure with themselves or just enjoy bringing people down who they are obviously envious of in order to make themselves look better. People who indulge in this act are people who possess low self esteem and they will do anything or everything to bring a person down who they feel has everything to succeed that they don’t have. Often times, I look at these sort of person with so much disdain. But hey! What can one do, you will always have people of such around you no matter how decent and stable such society is. There are found virtually in every where, work places, markets, churches, business places, schools and the likes. Sometimes, the words spoken about their victims can often cause him or her to lose his promotion at work or even an election if he is campaigning for a position. This depends on the potency of the words used. What actually baffles me most, is the people that actually believe these persons with low self esteem and I often wonder why they can’t see through the charade or façade of their true intentions. So when you, the backbiter has brought this person down, what do you derive from it? Let me guess, you feel good with yourself because you are no longer envious of this person because you have succeeded in putting a dent to his image or reputation. even if, you are the backbiter who feels a person has a problem, must you be the one to announce it? Why don’t you try talking to the person about it, and see if it can be solved than going about spoiling the person. It’s the logical thing to do if you are mature in your thinking and way of reasoning. If you are one of those who engage in this sort of practice please stop, because it will actually lead you to nowhere even the Almighty God dislikes these sort of persons.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
Motoring With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452
Basic Safety Rules
Vehicle Maintenance Procedure
THERE is a well-known picture in the mind of everybody, whether he or she is interested in automobiles or not. It is of those sad remnants of all brands of cars, Buses, Trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles, which dies early. You don’t want your car to die a ‘premature death”, do you? The premature death is not due to substandard material and workmanship but largely to lack of adequate maintenance procedure discussed here is not a substitute to daily and weekly checks. It is on the action to be taken and which ever comes first. Maintenance of your vehicle starts from the pre-delivery inspection (DPI). Your dealer must have done that before you take possession of the car. It must be followed with first inspection service, which is compulsory after you must have covered I,000 kilometers on one month after the date of purchase. Due to the state of our roads and poor handling of motor vehicle by motorists, It is suggested that your vehicles should be serviced at every 5,000 - 6,000 km or three or four months, which ever comes first. For the engine to serve you, you must “service” it to keep it in top form always. This is done when you service the engine at regular interval of about 5,000km, which include the following serving procedures. 1. Check Oil level in the engine sump 2. Warm the engine up to attain its working temperature before you drain the oil 3. Oil filter to be replaced with a new one.
4. Check the values clearance and adjust it necessary. Proper care must be taken during adjustment to ensure that it is adjusted to the m a n u f a c t u r e r ’s recommendation. 5. Check the contact point for excessive wear is excessive, A little wear can be corrected by using oilstone or sand paper. After 10,000 kilometers, it is advisable to replace contact. 6. Remove the spark plugs wash them in petrol and use a wire brush to remove
outraces of carbon set the plug gap to 0.75 0.85 (for vehicles). 7. Use compressed air to blow the air cleaner element properly. Replace it after 5,000km 8. Check the tension of the drive belt. It should be adjusted after 5,000km. 9. Use a timing light (ignition timing light ) to set the ignition timing correctly. 10. Set the idle speed (slow running) of the car to the recommended revolution per minute:
The car carburetor is to form the very rapid burning charge needed by the engine. The process of preparing this suitable “charge” mixture of fuel and air is known as carburetion. The idle mixture adjusts screw on the carburetor controls, the amount of fuel air mixture that is being burnt inside the engine. The idle mixture adjust screw should not be touched unless you have a tester. Exhaust Gas Analyzer (spedal tester) is used to set it correctly. Wrong adjustment of this idle mixture screw will cause excessive fuel consumption.
Wheel Balancing
ALTHOUGH tyre manufacturers balanced tyre and tube , it is often necessary to balance the complete wheel assembly to ensure that wheel rotates free from vibration. Out of balance wheel may be cause by (a) Static unbalance , and ( b) Dynamic•. unbalance. (a) Wheels are statically balanced if they remain at rest in any given position. Static unbalance wheel always comes to rest in one position, which indicates the presence of a” heavy spot” directly below the wheel axis. A wheel used in this condition will tend to cause the unbalanced centrifugal force to lift the wheel of the road periodically, and produce conditions knows as” Wheel Hop” . Shimmy and uneven l wear (b) Wheels are dynamically balance when rotated . No resultants centrifugal force is
exerted . Dynamic unbalanced wheel if rotated , the centrifugal forces acting through the same line . Wheels should be balanced statically and dynamically to allow even tyre wear and free wheel vibration. Front wheel alignment is checked with different kinds of alignment equipment available in workshops and most petrol station. In checking front alignment you will measure camber, castor and toe – in. The toe - in can be adjusted if found incorrect.
You can measure steering axis - inclination and toe-out on turns which are not adjustable. If they are wrong, it means parts are bent or damaged and must be replaced. The level of fluid in power steering system should be maintained between the minimum and maximum level, else the pump will not build enough pressure for the system Leaks should be repaired immediately by skilled mechanics.
1. Keep your vehicle in good condition . Pay particular attention to light brakes , steering , tyres and direction indicator . Keep windscreens and windows cleans and free of abstractions. 2. Use your rear view and wing mirrors before moving off, overtaking, turning slowing down or stopping. 3. Signal your intention in good time and before executing them 4. On the highway, keep well within your lane. Do not wander from lane to lane or change lane suddenly. 5. Always obey traffic officers in the lawful performances of their duties 6. Do not reverse into a major road or expressway and on any road at all. Do not reverse for more than eight metres. 7. Get to know the major traffic signs and road marking and obey them. 8. Park only where you will not obstruct other road users or be a danger to them, If your vehicle breaks down, push it off the road so that it does not obstruct traffic or other road users. 9. Do not drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 10. Be polite and courteous to other road users.
Understanding Steering System THE operation of the steering gearbox can be mechanical as we have on most vehicles on our roads or hydraulic (power steering) also as we have on some cars on our roads . The power steering reduces the effort needed to turn the steering wheel and makes maneuvering in a confirmed space much easier than with the conventional steering (mechanical steering). With conventional steering some steering wheels may be wrenched out of a driver grip if a tyre bursts at high speed or if the car hits a large bump. This does not happen with power steering .
Another advantage of the power steering is that car can be steered manually if the power fails. The main components of a power steering are the same as the conventional type but plus a pump which supplies the fuild driven by the engine, sensing valves operated by movement of the steering wheels or by the deflection of the road wheels, the ram and piston assembly and the connecting pipes. The maintenance procedure from the two systems are similar. But the power steering has the hydraulic system to be maintained in addition.
“Front wheel alignment is checked with different kinds of alignment equipment available in workshops and most petrol station. In checking front alignment you will measure camber, castor and toe – in. The toe - in can be adjusted if found incorrect.”
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Health HEAD louse is a tiny, wingless insect that lives among human hairs and feeds on extremely small amount of blood. Lice (the plural of louse) are a very common problem. Kids are mostly likely to get lice, but teens can get them too. According to kids health, lice aren’t dangerous. They don’t spread disease. But they are contagious, so they can spread from person to person easily. They’re also annoying. Louse bites can itch. If someone scratches a lot, it may lead to skin irritation and even infection. A lead louse can survive up to 30 days on a person’s head and can lay eight eggs a day. Since that means lice can multiply fast, it’s a good idea to treat head ice quickly. Signs Of Lice Lice are tiny, but you can still see them, though it’s not always easy. An adult louse is grayish white or tan and about the size of a small sesame seed. Lice move fast, so you’re actually more likely to see their eggs than the lice themselves. Louse eggs are called nits. Nits look sort of like dandruff, except they don’t brush or fall off as easily as dandruff. Lice attach their nits to pieces of hair, close to the scalp. If you think you have lice and see a small, oval blob on a strand of hair, it’s probably a nit. If nits are yellow, tan, or brown, it means the lice haven’t hatched yet. If the nits are white or clear, the lice have hatched and just the egg remains. Lice eggs hatch within 1 to 2 weeks after they’re laid. In addition to seeing nits or lice on the head, itching or the feeling of something moving around on the scalp is another clue that you might have lice. Like mosquito bites, the itching is a reaction to the Saliva of lice. Some people with lice also get a rash of small red bumps from scratching. How They Spread Lice cannot jump or fly. They spread from person to person when people touch or after sharing things like hats and other clothing, combs, brushes, headbands, or barrettes. Lice can live up to 2 days without feeling on a person, so you also can get lice from pillowcases, sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, and other bedding. Lice have nothing to do with personal hygiene. Lice love everyone, including the cleanest kid in the class! Lice spread in schools and other group settings (like camp or even slumber parties) because these are places where people are in close contact. One reason why kids get lice more often than teens is because kids play together closely and often share more stuff. You can’t get lice from a pet. Lice are “species specific”, meaning that people can’t catch lice from pets and pets can’t catch the kind of head lice that people get.
Controlling Head Lice By ISEMHENBITA FAITH
If you think you have lice, call your doctor. Your doctor can recommend a medicated shampoo, cream rinse, or lotion to kill the lice. These may be over-the counter (OTC) or prescription treatments. It all depends on what your doctor thinks will work best for you. Lice can be hard to get rid of. If you still have lice 2 weeks after you started treatment, let your doctor know. Your doctor may want to try a different medication or repeat treatment in case any nits were left behind and hatched after treatment. Lice are insects, so the treatment for lice are basically insecticides. To avoid getting overexposed, you’ll need to follow the directions carefully when it comes to how much to use and how often to use it. Medicated lice treatments usually kill the lice and nits, but it may take a few days for the itching to stop.
As an alternative to chemical treatments, your doctor may recommend wet combing, using a fine toothcomb on wet hair to remove nits and lice. You may have heard that petroleum Jelly, mayonnaise, or olive oil can suffocate head lice, but these treatments have not proven to be effectively. Scratching a lot can lead to a scalp infection. Call you doctor as soon as possible if; ! The skin on your scalp is red and tender ! Your scalp has crusting and oozing ! You have swollen lymph glands What Not To Do When treating lice, there are a few things you should not do: ! Don’t use a hair dryer after applying scalp treatments. Some treatments for lice contain flammable ingredients and you don’t want to set
“Lice cannot jump or fly. They spread from person to person when people touch or after sharing things like hats and other clothing, combs, brushes, headbands, or barrettes.”
your hair on fire. ! Don’t use conditioners or a shampoo/ conditioner combination before putting on lice medication. ! Don’t wash your hair for 1 to 2 days after using a medicated treatment. ! Don’t use pesticide sprays or hire a pest control company to try to get rid of the lice, these can be harmful ! Don’t use more than one head lice medication at a time. Preventing Lice Lice can be tricky to get rid of because nits can remain unhitched on your head or you might pick up lice that are still one bedding or other items. Here’s what to do if you have lice or someone in your family has; ! Wash bed linens and clothing that anyone with lice has used recently. Use very hot water ! Take items that can’t be washed (like
comforters, pillows, clothing, and stuffed animals) to the dry cleaner. Or put them in airtight bags for 2 vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture, as well as car seats ! Soak hair-care items like combs, barrettes, hair ties of bands, headbands, and brushes in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for 1 hour. You can also wash them in hot water or just throw them away. ! Because lice can move easily from person to person in the same house, family members will also need treatment to prevent the lice from coming back. Some Ways To Avoid Getting Lice In The First Place ! Try to avoid head to head contact, like in gym or during sports. ! Don’t share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, bandanas, ribbons, barrettes, hair ties or bands, towels, helmets or other personal care items with anyone else. ! Don’t lie on bedding, pillows, and carpets that someone with lice has used in the past couple of days. ! If someone in your family or at school has lice, ask a parent or adult to check your hair and scalp every 3 to 4 days to be sure you haven’t picked up lice.
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Health
Improving Universal Eye Health By DR. OMOYE AMUSA
TODAY IS WORLD SIGHT DAY – In the this news analysis, Dr. Omoye B. Amusa (Consultant Optometrist with Edo State Hospitals Management Board, Central Hospital/Stella Obasanjo Women & Children Hospital, Benin) Looks at the (WCO/ WHO) concept of optometry, life of the main contributor to the existence of optometry in black Africa and African Continent in the man of Prof. Paul Olekanma Ogbuehi and applause the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on capacity build up in rendering universal eye health to all and sundry in Edo State, today 10th October 2013. The World Sight Day is a day set aside by the World Health Organisation as deliberated upon at the World Health Assembly to commemorate with people with visual impairment or visual disabilities and vision care at large. The theme of this year’s World Sight Day is Universal Eye Health “Get Your Eyes Tested”. WCO/WHO CONCEPT The World Council of Optometry, the body that regulates the training and the practice of optometry worldwide (of which the Nigerian Optometric Association, and the Optometrist’s and Dispensing Opticians’ Board of Nigeria are members) has this concept of optometry: Optometry is a health care profession that is autonomous, educated and regulated. Optometrists are the primary health care practitioners of the eye and the visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing of lenses, detection/diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system (physicians of the eye). BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MAN PROF. PAUL OLEKANMA OGBUEHI (FATHER OF OPTOMETRY AFRICAN CONTINENT) The man, Prof. Olekanma Ogbuehi was the main contributor to the existence of optometry in black Africa and the African continent thirty-nine (39) years ago. His life cuts across every aspects of human endeavour. Born on the 5th day of September, 1936 in Amankwo Umuokpara in Umuahia South LGA, Abia State to Chief and Lolo Stephene Ogbonna Ogbuehi. He is married to Chief Joanah U. Ogbuehi, a retired Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity. They are blessed with two children one of which is a full Professor of Optometry. He holds 2 chieftaincy titles of Mgborogwu of Umuopara and Akachi of Ezeleke. CONTRIBUTIONS TO OPTOMETRY He helped to start the optometry programme in the University of Benin – first university – based degree awarding Optometry Programme in Black Africa. Taught Optometry in Uniben for 14 years (1974 – 1988) and in that time optometry grew from a programme in the department of Physics to a fullfledge department. He organized the first serious AGM/Conference of NMCA, Ikoyi, Lagos. Served as National Secretary of NOA for 12 years (1974 – 1986). Was NOA president between 1986 – 1993. Professor Paul Olekanma Ogbuehi led the team that drafted the Nigeria Optometry Law which is
acclaimed to be one of the most comprehensive legislation in the Optometry world. Served as Chairman, ODORBN (2000 – 2001), President Nigeria College of Optometry (2000 – date). Held the position of Professor of Optometry in the College of Applied Medicinal Sciences, King Sard University, Riyadhi, Saudi Arabia for 12 years (1988 – 2000). CHALLENGES The challenge facing eye care givers especially optometrists is enormous as the latest global figures on blindness and low vision show 37 million blind, 124 that million with low vision, 153 million with uncorrected refractive error for a
Professor Paul Olekanma Ogbuehi
total of 314 million people with severe visual impairment. The prevalence of blindness increases with age. In Nigeria, there are more than one (1) million blind persons aged 40years and above and approximately four (4) million with visual impairment, three (3) out four (4) of visual impairment in this country is due to uncorrected refractive error. Dealing with the increasing burden of chronic disease and aging diseases of the eye, the traditional hospital/clinic base health care delivery will not be enough, so bringing a community and primary healthcare approach to bear on eye care delivery would be the most efficient, cost-effective and equitable way to make services available to the elderly. Going by the theme of this year’s world sight day (Universal Eye Health), personnel in the Edo State government, Edo Ministry of Health, Edo State Hospital Management Board, Stella Obasanjo Women and Children Hospital and Pharmaceutical companies are among other characteristic specific in action ambulatory in nature and sometimes spontaneous in response. In line with the Rio Summit and particularly Agenda 21 that recommends that interventions involving communities, local professional be co-
opted in order to make any meaningful impact also in-line with the global initiative vision 2020 “the right to sight” which is being supported by the Federal Ministry of Health (an initiative to eliminate avoidable blindness in Nigeria by the year 2020). GOVERNMENT CAPACITY BUILD UP The Edo State Government under the leadership of the Comrade Governor, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole apart from working with health and eye care practitioners, carried out free screening and providing free glasses to the aged in Edo State irrespective of tribe, race, ethnic group or religion, placed state of the art equipment for quick and easy diagnosis to redress ocular mortality and ocular morbidity, it has reduced financial burden and increase access to ocular aid to perform normal visual task for the aged at their door step, bringing eye healthcare as close as possible to where people live and work has now added further an increase in capacity build up by providing an enabling environment for the engagement/training of intern optometrists yearly in the Edo State government. This new singular act will enhance increase productivity, encourage academic breakthrough, improve modern revolving optometric medical practice and increase advocacy system for eye care givers (Optometrists) around the globe. In consonance with the World Council of Optometrist declaration to support global initiative vision 2020 “The right to sight” the Optometrist and Dispensing Optician Board of Nigeria have instructed its members to comb the nooks and crannies to eliminate avoidable blindness to the bearest minimum in the country haven accepted their challenges. On the continent, Eye Health Care Association such as African Council of Optometrist (AFCO), Ophthalmological Society Association of Nigeria (OSAN), Nigerian Optometry Association (NOA), Nigerian Ophthalmic Nursing Association (NONA), Tanzania Optometry Association (TOA), East Africa, Rwanda Optometry Association (ROA) East Africa, Algeria Optometric Association (AOA), North Africa, Uganda Ophthalmic Nursing Association (UONA), South African Optometry Association (SAOA), South African Ophthalmic Nursing Association (SAONA), Ghana Optometric Association (GOA) West Africa, Disease control etc. are among organisations that pursue activities to relieve sufferers/visual disability persons, promote the interest of the poor, protect environment, provide basic social services or undertake community development (operational directive, directive 14:7 World Bank). These Organisations both at state, national and international are spontaneous in response and are none profit organisation. Conclusion Get your eyes tested at least once a year to get quick integration of an effective, efficient eye care in any accredited registered eye centre close to you which will turn out to be cost effective, result oriented especially as there is an increase engagement of optometrists in the eighteen local government area of Edo State. This news analysis on Universal Eye Health was written by Dr. O. B. Amusa (Consultant Optometrist), our guest writer.
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International Features US:
Is The Conflict Between Us Irreconcilable?
ONE way or another, the battle of the budget and the debt ceiling will be over by All Hallows’ Eve. Yet, as one looks deeper, at the irreconcilable conflict behind the present clash, only a roaring optimist would imagine we shall ever know again the tranquility and unity of the Eisenhower-Kennedy years. Consider the bile dumped upon Tea Party Republicans by Barack Obama, Harry Reid and their camp followers in the national press. What did the Tea Party do to deserve this? Answer: These extremists shut down the U.S. government, they’re holding America hostage, and they’re inflicting terrible suffering on innocent people. But is this true? Three times in a fortnight, the House has voted to fund every department, agency, and program of the government — except Obamacare. Who, then, is truly shutting down the government? What we are witnessing here is the unfolding of the Big Lie — the constant repetition of a transparent falsehood — to persuade a pliable public not only to believe it, but to recite it, as in Orwell’s “1984.” Obamacare, we are told, was enacted by Congress, signed by the president, upheld by the Supreme Court, confirmed by Obama’s victory in 2012. To try to defund or reform it amounts to an attempted coup, an overturning of the election results of November. But does not Congress have the power of the purse to fund or defund any program it chooses? Is that not in the Constitution? And have not the last three years exposed glaring flaws in Obamacare? Have not severely adverse consequences turned up in widespread layoffs and a reversion to part-time help? Did not the Cleveland Clinic say it will have to let 3,000 people go?
Why then is the House’s exercise of its constitutional authority to defund Obamacare, which polls show a majority of Americans favor, such a moral outrage? This brings us to the underlying conflict. The Obamacare battle is part of a larger struggle between a party of government and a conservative party that fears America is heading down a road traveled by Greece, Italy and Spain. Now the party of government can surely claim credit for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Obamacare. Yet, that same party is also responsible for driving New York City to the brink of bankruptcy in the 1970s and for the disaster that is Detroit today. That party is also responsible for an unsustainable welfare state where half the U.S. population pays zero income taxes but consumes hundreds of billions yearly in social welfare benefits. And how are the people who preside over this annual redistribution of America’s wealth faring? Just fine, thank you. According to the latest data from the Census Bureau, the four counties in the United States with the highest median family income are all in the D.C. area: Arlington, Loudoun and Fairfax County, Va., and Howard County, Md. Maryland’s Montgomery County, just north of D.C., ranks 7. Five of the top ten. Not bad, eh? Though 120,000 D.C. residents are on food stamps, the city boasts a median family income higher than all but four states. And D.C. leads the nation in the number of bedroom counties, nine, where the median family income exceeds $100,000. Big government and the Fat City are one in Barack Obama’s America. And how does the Tea Party imperil the country? First, they risk taking America over the cliff into default. But that raises a question: Since the Tea Party folks are newcomers to town, who brought
America to the edge of this cliff? What radical added $6 trillion to our national debt in five years? Or did the Tea Party do that? Almost all now agree that the entitlement
programs — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid — threaten to consume the budget. Is the Tea Party responsible for this gathering disaster? Was the Tea Party
US President,- Barack Obama
beating the drums for those trillion-dollar wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Is the Tea Party responsible for our being committed to fighting other countries’ wars and paying other countries’ bills, in perpetuity, through foreign aid? When the Tea Party says the Fed’s QE3 amounts to printing money and inflating the currency, that it is creating stock market and real estate bubbles certain to burst, and that the dollar’s future as the world’s reserve currency is imperiled, do they not have a point? These same views are today being echoed by economists and writers, few of whom are ever likely to show up wearing side arms at God and Country Rallies. And just where did our
community-organizer president learn his economics. From Saul Alinksy’s “Rules for Radicals”? From his senate days in Springfield, capital of the state that is the odds-on favorite to be first in the nation to default on its debts? The Tea Party is feared and detested in Washington because these folks threaten the ideology, the vested interests, and most critical of all, the rice bowls in this city that voted 15-1 for Obama. Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of “Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?” To find out more about Patrick Buchanan and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators webpage at www.creators.com.
IMF: Weaker Emerging Markets
To Slow Global Growth
THE International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its global economic growth forecasts and warned that the U.S. would harm the world economy if it fails to raise its borrowing limit. The international lending agency said the global economy will grow 2.9 percent this year and 3.6 percent in 2014. Both are 0.2 percentage point lower than the group’s July forecasts. The main reason for the downgrade was slower growth in China, India, Brazil and other developing countries. But the IMF also lowered its outlook for U.S. economic growth this year to 1.6 percent and next year to 2.6 percent. Those are 0.1 percentage point and 0.2 percentage point lower than in July, respectively. The fund’s forecasts assume the U.S. partial government shutdown would last only a short period. But it warned that failure to raise the U.S. government’s borrowing limit later this month could lead to a default on U.S. debt. That would push up interest rates, disrupt global financial markets and possibly push the U.S economy back into recession. “Failure to lift the debt ceiling would be a major event,” Olivier Blanchard, the IMF’s chief economist, said at a news conference. U.S. Treasury officials say the government would quickly run out of cash and could default on its obligations if Congress doesn’t approve an increase in the borrowing limit by Oct. 17. U.S. Treasury bonds are a key part of the international financial
system and a default would have global repercussions. For that reason, many analysts expect the borrowing limit will probably be increased on time. The IMF’s projections for the U.S. economy are slightly below many private-sector forecasts. The group expects growth to increase next year because government spending cuts and tax increases, which took effect earlier this year, won’t drag nearly as much. The U.S. is benefiting from steady consumer and business spending, the IMF said, fueled by a housing rebound, rising stock prices, and a greater willingness by banks to lend. “Unless there are fiscal accidents, the recovery should continue,” Blanchard said. Europe’s economy is also benefiting as government spending cuts and tax increases ease. The IMF forecasts the 17 nations that use the euro currency will expand 1 percent in 2014, after shrinking 0.4 percent this year. Those estimates are mostly unchanged from July. Many developing countries, particularly India, have been hurt by expectations that the Federal Reserve will soon slow its $85billion-a-month in bond purchases. That’s caused investors to pull money from India, Brazil and other emerging markets as yields on U.S. assets picked up. The fund slashed its forecast for India’s growth 1.8 percentage
points to 3.8 percent this year and 1.1 percentage points to 5.1 percent in 2014. It projects that Brazil’s economy will expand 2.5 percent this year, the same forecast as July. But it no longer expects growth to accelerate in 2014. It now expects 2.5 percent growth next year, or 0.7 percentage point lower than its previous forecast. India’s central bank has raised interest rates in an effort to stem the flow of money leaving the country, a move that has also slowed growth.
Brazil’s economy has been hampered by poor infrastructure and high inflation. That has forced its central bank to also raise interest rates.. The IMF called on the Fed to clearly communicate its plans as it moves toward scaling back the bond purchases. But at the same time, it said the Fed should continue its efforts to stimulate the economy. “It is time to make plans to exit (bond purchases) and zero interest rates, though it is not yet time to implement those plans,” Blanchard said.
Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director
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The Earthly Body
THE earthly body of each human being is in every respect closely linked with that soil upon which he was born. This is in accordance with the law of creation governing all matter. He has to take this into account at all matter. He has to take this into account at all times. Yet he has but seldom observed it in the past. He thinks himself free in this matter, but he is not. He is just as closely connected with it as is the body of an animal. Both physical species are formed by the animistic. In the case of the animal, man has closely observed everything and knows about it, too. But he does not wish to place his own body under the homogeneous laws. That is wrong. The earthly body is connected with all the stars of this particular region and with all the radiations that belong there to. Quite extensively far more than you can imagine only that part of this earth gives the body exactly what it needs to blossom forth properly and remain vigorous. The earth also, provide this in its different zones always at the proper time and in the manner in which the gross material bodies that have been born into each particular zone need it. Herbs and fruit, therefore, are advantageous and upbuilding for the human body at that time when the earth produces them. At those times, the body need just such Nourishment as is provided by that zone in which it came into existence and with which it remains continuously connected. Strawberries at the time of the strawberry harvest, apples at the time of the apple harvest and so on. The same applies to all fruits and herbs. Herbal treatments
are therefore, are beneficial at the time when herbs are in their full vigour, also, for healthy bodies. The animistic itself offers the physical body a continuous change of foods just as it really needs them, even as the sun, rain and wind remain best for a healthy activity of the skin. Creation gives man everything he needs for his earthly body and also, gives it the proper sequence and at the right time. With all his special arts, man can never achieve that which creation grant him of its own accord. Just observe this earthly body is closely connected with that zone in which the place of birth is located. If it is to retain its ful vigour for its activity on earth. Abd-rushin says it is necessary that the basis for the feeding of the body must be that provided by the zone where it was born. With care he will then be able to create a bridge which for a time makes it possible to unfold his full powers, but never permanently. Now and then he must return in order to obtain new vitality. But inspite of everything he will also, shorten his life on earth. Abd-ru-shin says that it is not arbitrary or accidental that earthmen are of different form and colour. The primordial laws of Creation place them in the exact region which alone serves for their maturing on earth and also, equip them accordingly. The animistic Abd-ru-shin opines fashions your earthly bodies and at the sametime the nourishment for their maintenance. But the effects are only uniform in a particular zone in a particular part of the earth. You men are no different in these matters from the plants
and the animals, for you, too are a fruit of creation, nothing but creatures who are and remain closely connected with the zone and the radiations of that part of the earth where you came into being. Therefore, observe and learn from every activity in creation. It is your duty to obey the primordial laws of creation if you wish to achieve that which will benefit you and help in your ascent. Therefore, man, learn to
harmony with its implement to become visible. Man is nothing else, fundamentally than a fruit of creation. He is never Creation itself, much less the creator. Within every apple slumbers the capacity to enrich this creation with new apple trees, with flower and fruit, but that does not make the apple the creator it is the automatic course of the Primordal laws of Creation which endowed the apple with that capacity and which forces it to act as it does in
understand your physical body properly so that you treat it accordingly. Only then will you become able to use it aright, to master it so that it becomes what it is meant to be for you here on earth. The first consequence of real control over your physical body shows itself in the grace and beauty of your movements, which enables the power of the spirit in the
order to fulfill its task in creation. It always and inevitably fulfills one task. Men or animals may do with this apples as they wish. It either serves to preserve the species or act as food to maintain other bodies. There is nothing in this creation without a task. Also, in all decay there is movement, value and gain. Therefore, as soon as a human being has
“Men or animals may do with this apples as they wish. It either serves to preserve the species or act as food to maintain other bodies. There is nothing in this creation without a task. Also, in all decay there is movement, value and gain.�
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013
Man And Nature With O.C. MADU 08056379608
eisen to a certain height, he must maintain himself there. He cannot and must not rest and think that he has done enough for a while, but must continually bestir himself like a bird in the air that is forced to use its wings if it wishes to remain gloft. The same simple law applies to everything to the finest spiritual as well as to the most coarse and earthly, without change and without
distortion. It operates everywhere and must be observed. It works more Quickly in what is luminous and light and correspondingly, slower in the more sluggish and gross material world, but in all cass it works with absolute certainty. With all his false learning, man is the only among the creatures who neglects by swinging in its rhythm and acting correctly. But it is the will of God that man must atlast come to his senses and completely fulfil his task in this creation. If he neglects to do so he will now become over-ripe and decay as rotten fruit of creation. The Divine Light which God is God is now sending into Creation affects it in the same way as the plant in a green –house are affected by the increased warmth, which forces them to
produce flowers and fruit more quickly. Therefore, learn through obsenation to value and use for yourself the simplicity of the Divine Laws in all their greatness, otherwise they must now crush you because you stand as an obstacle in the way of their working. They will brush you aside as a dangerous obstruction.
Motion is the main commandment for everything that lies in this creation, for creation developed out of motion and is maintained and renewed by motion. Therefore, you must at last become acquainted with all the laws and adjust yourself accordingly. He who does not embrace a high and a luminous goal in his earthly activities cannot exist in the future. He must disintegrate in accordance with the Divine Laws which permeate Creation strengthened by the light. Also, spiritually he will be reduced to dust as a useless fruit that does not fulfil its purpose in this creation.
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Suarez Vital For UCL Push
Fernando Torres and Jan Ventonghen, clash during Chelsea and Tottenham Premiership game.
LIVERPOOL chairman Tom Werner insists Luis Suarez is an “integral” part of the club’s future and believes the Uruguay international can fire Brendan Rodgers’ side into next season’s Champions League. Suarez gave several interviews over the summer in which he stated that he wanted to leave Anfield. But Liverpool rejected two bids from Arsenal as they made clear they had no intention of selling the 26-year-old, who is under contract until 2016. Suarez has only recently returned to action for Liverpool after completing a ten-match ban, making his first appearance in a competitive match at Anfield since then in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last Saturday. The striker was the centre of attention before the match as he showed off his new-born son Benjamin to the crowd before kick-off, then opened the scoring. Werner told the Daily Mirror: “I got a kick out of the fact that Luis came out on to the pitch before kick-off with his baby and his daughter. He shook hands with all the officials and the other players
FA Chief Baffled By Torres Punishment
FOOTBALL Association chairman Greg Dyke said the decision not to ban Chelsea striker Fernando Torres for his scratch on Tottenaham defender Jan Vertonghen was ‘baffling’. Torres was widely expected to happened in the build-up to the be handed a three-game two coming together. suspension following an “It can’t be right for an obvious incident which saw him raise a scratch on the face that Torres is hand to the Belgian defender’s not punished,” Dyke told a face, but the FA disciplinary Leaders in Football conference committee opted to issue no at Stamford Bridge. further punishment after the “What this means is, despite Spanish striker was shown a the rules being changed in the yellow card for something that summer, they clearly weren’t changed enough when millions Redknapp: see this on TV and action is not taken. When millions of fans watching on TV can see an incident like this and the FA does not take action it is
Bale Must Take Control If ...
HARRY Redknapp believes Gareth Bale must “step out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo” to become a success at Real Madrid, excerpts from his new book have revealed. However, Bales’ former manager admitted that could be tough for a player who is not suited to “being in the same bracket as Ronaldo and Lionel Messi”. Bale moved to the Spanish capital from Tottenham in the summer after a drawn-out transfer saga that finally ended with Madrid paying Spurs a reported record fee of +100 million. But the Wales international has endured a slow start to life at the Bernabeu, with injury preventing him from starring under Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. Bale has only made three appearances for Madrid since making his switch from the Premier League. And Redknapp said that Bale’s relationship with Portuguese superstar Ronaldo could prove the determining factor if his time in Spain is to be deemed a success, “His relationship with Ronaldo is the key to it all, because if the football is going well then all the added stresses are a minor irritation and nothing more,” Redknapp wrote in his new book, being serialised in the Daily Mail. “His biggest test will be to step out of the shadow of Cristiano
understandably baffling to everybody and has to be addressed. “For the FA’s disciplinary department to find itself in a position where it is not able to take action against an obvious scratch just can’t be right. “As FA chairman I don’t like to be in a position where I cannot explain the rules when action should be taken when something is pretty obvious.” Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho welcomed the FA’s decision to issue no additional suspension to Torres, claiming the governing body of English football ‘defended the principles
of the Premier League’ as they stood by the original decision of the match officials at White Hart Lane.
English. “The only people who should play for England are English people,” he said. “If you live in England for five years it doesn’t make you English. “If I went to Spain and lived there for five years I am not going to play for Spain. “We have to remember what we are. We are English. We tackle hard, are tough on the pitch and are hard to beat. “We have great characters. You think of Spain and you think technical but you think of England and you think they are brave and they tackle hard. We have to remember that.” Wilshere’s views on Januzaj at least gave him an escape from the dressing room banter over his smoking. Pictured with a cigarette in his hand on a night out last week, Wilshere initially claimed he was holding it for someone else before finally admitting he had been smoking it. He has since been reprimanded by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and issued an apology, although that has failed to earn him any credit in the dressing room.
carrying his baby. That is the side of Luis I know, the loving parent. “There was interest in him from other clubs throughout the summer but it was important for us to try to keep him. He is one of the great players of the world and we felt that we would be a stronger club with him than without him. “That does not mean I don’t respect his intense desire to play in the Champions League. But it would be a very happy day next May if and when we get to the Champions League by finishing in the top four and he is part of it. “It is our intention to keep him for a while. Our intention is to build a winning club and he is integral to that. The past is the past and I have great affection for him personally. “I give Brendan Rodgers an enormous amount of credit for making sure Luis knew how needed he was at Liverpool. Brendan made it plain to him how much he was going to be embraced by the fans, and the supporters have been terrific. “The team have played brilliantly at times. It is not unfair to say that Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are as powerful a striking force as any in the league.” Werner has also given his backing to manager Rodgers, whose side lie second in the Premier League after seven games. “I think Brendan has made remarkable progress,” he added. “He’s a great strategist and has shown strong leadership. When we
hired him, we were confident we were getting one of the brightest managerial talents in the game and he is proving his worth. “He’s dedicated to improving the club as a whole and shares our vision of developing a club that is built for sustained success. He has shown a willingness to use young players and at the same time, demonstrated the ability to get the best out of our established stars. “Brendan is respected by the players. They feel he is a good strategist and a good leader and his philosophy has been embraced by everyone. We are all moving in the same direction and Brendan is very much the leader. “We’re pleased with the progress we’re seeing on the pitch but our goal is to create sustainable, longterm success at Liverpool and to consistently compete for silverware, so we’re not getting carried away with a few good months.
Luis Suarez
Ivanovic Confident More ’ll Come From Chelsea
BRANISLAV Ivanovic expects Chelsea to improve following the international break. The Blues have shown
Wilshere Ignites Player Debate ENGLAND midfielder Jack
Wilshere has ignited the debate over the naturalising of players for the international team, sharing his belief that only English players should represent the Three Lions. Wilshere spoke in the wake of it emerging that that Football Association had looked into the possibility of Manchester United’s rising star Adnan Junuzaj qualifying for England on residency grounds. The Belgium-born winger is available to play for the country of his birth, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and Turkey, while if he remains in England for the next five years he could represent them in 2018 on residency grounds. It is not the first time a player has been touted for England on such a basis, with Mikel Arteta and Carlo Cudicini previously mentioned, but Januzaj’s age means he could well be a more realistic target. At just 18 he would only be 23 when he was England-ready, but Wilshere does not think he or any other player should be called upon if they are not
- Werner
Branidav Ivanovic
glimpses of their potential and also fallen short at times - such as in the defeats to Everton and Basle - and Ivanovic knows boss Jose Mourinho demands high standards. Serbia defender Ivanovic told chelseafc.com: “There’s still a lot of hard work to do. We’ve played some good games; we’ve had some defeats, too. “The team and our performances can improve, we can do better and I think we’ll do it after this international break.” When club action resumes, Chelsea, who are third in the Barclays Premier League, play seven games in 21 days, beginning with Cardiff, Schalke
and Manchester City. Ivanovic spent much of last season at centre-back, but is considered a right-back by Mourinho and has featured on the flank in all but one of Chelsea’s games this season, missing the Capital One Cup win at Swindon. The 29-year-old is comfortable in either position. “All my career I’ve moved inside and outside,” he said. “I’m really happy because it’s good for me that I can play both positions. I always try to do my best wherever I play. “In the end I’m happy because I like to defend, and I’m really enjoying defending in this team.”
Dennis Bergkamp Eyes Arsenal see myself being at Ajax Return don’t for the rest of my coaching career. I don’t see myself as a
FORMER Arsenal forward Dennis Bergkamp has told Telegraph Sport he would like to return to the club in the future. Bergkamp spent 11 years at Arsenal, after joining them from Inter Milan in 1995, and went on to win a number of trophies including three Premier League titles. The Dutchman became a fans’ favourite with the Gunners faithful, and since his retirement in 2006 has regularly been linked with a return. Bergkamp is currently assistant coach at his boyhood club Ajax, but has admitted he would be open to making his Arsenal comeback in a coaching capacity in a few years’ time. “The feeling Johan Cruyff has had for Barcelona, I have the same with Arsenal,” Bergkamp said. “At Arsenal it was a good click. I always enjoyed it. I
never had a bad day there. It is always on my mind. It is part of my ambition to come back at some stage. “I can’t really plan ahead. I know I will be here [at Ajax] for at least another three or five years and then I don’t know. I
Dennis Bergkamp
manager. “I see myself as being part of the coaching staff. I really enjoy that role, especially the individual training with the strikers. “I’ve spoken to or have heard about others [former Arsenal colleagues] who would also love to come back. “Steve Bould is there now which is excellent. I’ve spoken to Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry would love to come back to Arsenal one day. Tony [Adams] is a big option as well.” The summer signing of Mesut Ozil at Arsenal has brought with it comparisons with Bergkamp, as the Germany international plays a similar creative role to the Dutchman.
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Spain Hope Vicente Del Bosque Stays THE Spanish FA would like national coach Vicente Del Bosque to stay in the job until Euro 2016 in France. Del Bosque, 62, has already overseen 80 senior internationals, the most games of any manager in La Roja history, while winning both the World Cup in 2010 and retaining the European Championship trophy two years later. The former Real Madrid boss’s current contract ends after Brazil 2014 but, assuming Spain claim the four points required to reach for that tournament in their two remaining qualifiers at home to Belarus and Georgia, he could be offered an extension to that deal next week. RFEF general secretary Jorge Perez told AS that
there had been no discussions about a potential successor, and that ‘El Bigote’ could remain as ‘seleccionador’ for as long as he wished. “Del Bosque is part of Spanish football’s heritage,” Perez said. “We have not even thought of any other alternative for the post of national coach. Del Bosque will continue with us until he wants, for all the years that he wishes.” Del Bosque regularly says that he is happy in his job, and could continue beyond next summer’s tournament, however he recognises that the final decision would be up to the RFEF and may depend on how Spain perform in the tournament.
Protests During Latest FIFA Brazil Visit
Del Basque
Qatar Says A Mistake, Ex-FIFA Official
A former FIFA official has called for the way the World Cup is awarded to be changed in order to save its legacy. In an interview with the Telegraph, Harold MayneNicholls also labels the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar as a mistake and claims that a new voting process must be put in
Tennis
place in order to stop executive committee members from agreeing deals with potential hosts. Mayne-Nicholls claims that such a deal was in place with Qatar, and that they had effectively already won the bidding before his team’s summary report had been considered. “When we made a report,
Djokovic Charges Into Last 16 NOVAK Djokovic shrugged off an injury scare to hammer Marcel Granollers 6-2 6-0 at the Shanghai Masters. injured in the second set of his Top seed Djokovic tweaked match against Italian Fognini. his foot at the start of the Fognini had edged a thrilling second set shortly after opening set in a tie-break after breaking the Spaniard, but the two had saved 10 break returned to action shortly after points between them in the with a heavy tape-job to opening 12 games, and the complete a bagel for a straightItalian led 2-1 in the second set sets win. when the Spanish veteran was The Serb, who lost his forced out. number one ranking last week The in-form Juan Martin Del to Rafael Nadal, will now face Potro dodged a bullet in his Fabio Fognini in the last 16. enthralling three-set win over 16th seed Tommy Robredo’s Philipp Kohlschreiber after the tournament ended in German struck 50 winners and unfortunate circumstances after he was forced to retire
... Murray Out Of ATP World Tour Finals
ANDY Murray has pulled out of the ATP World Tour Finals in London. The Wimbledon champion underwent back surgery last month, and has now confirmed that he will not be sufficiently recovered in time to play in the season-ending tournament at the O2 in November. “I’m really disappointed not to be playing this year, I love playing in front of my home crowd, it’s a great atmosphere,” said Murray. “All the players look forward to competing in London and I’ll be doing my best to qualify again for the tournament next year.” The world number three has been a semi-finalist in the eightman tournament three times in
the last five years, and had already qualified for this year’s even alongside Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer. Juan Martin del Potro, Tomas Berdych, Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet currently sit in the five available spots in the Race to London standings. Tournament director Andre Silva said: “It’s unfortunate that Andy will be unable to play in this year’s tournament. He’s had a historic year on the Tour and of course he’ll be missed. We wish him all the best as he continues his recovery from surgery, and we hope to see him back stronger than ever for the 2014 season.”
In Shanghai
22 aces against the Argentine, who came back from a set down to progress 3-6 6-3 7-6. Another German awaits Del Potro in round three in the form of Tommy Haas who toppled compatriot Daniel Brands 6-4 6-4. France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga powered his way into the third round of the Shanghai Masters with a victory over Spain’s Pablo Andujar. The seventh-seeded Tsonga lost just six points on his first serve and was ruthless in exploiting Andujar’s second serve, breaking his opponent four times as he rattled through the match to win 6-3 6-2 in just 65 minutes. Tsonga will face either Kei Nishikori or Jurgen Melzer for a place in the quarter-finals, where he is likely to run into David Ferrer. Shanghai Masters Men’s Singles Round 2 matches on Wednesday 11-Tommy Haas (Germany) beat Daniel Brands (Germany) 6-4 6-4 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Marcel Granollers (Spain) 6-2 6-0 4-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat Feliciano Lopez (Spain) 7-6(5) 6-2
Gael Monfils (France) beat Vasek Pospisil (Canada) 7-5 76(4) Carlos Berlocq (Argentina) beat 14-John Isner (U.S.) 6-4 76(4) 6-Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) beat Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) 3-6 63 7-6(4) 7-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) beat Pablo Andujar (Spain) 6-3 6-2 Fabio Fognini (Italy) beat 16Tommy Robredo (Spain) 7-6(3) 2-1 (Robredo retired)
Novak Djakovic in action.
they had a look at it, but the decision was taken before,” he said. “Or the word was given: ‘I gave you my word that I will vote for you,’ even when the report was not on the table. We need to change the system of how we elect who will be hosting the World Cup. We cannot keep this system. It has too many imperfections, for the legacy of the World Cup, and for FIFA.” But, despite claims to the contrary, Mayne-Nicholls remains of the belief that Qatar will remain as World Cup hosts in 2022. “Unless they find something immoral or illegal I don’t think Qatar will lose the chance to stage the World Cup,” he said. “They got it. That’s democracy. But we need to work on the future. If not, we will be in a loop, making the same mistakes. “Whatever they decide must be decided by the Exco [FIFA executive committee], but I would expect this time they will follow the proposals [of FIFA’s task force]. If not we go from one mistake to another. That will be even worse.”
DOZENS of public sector workers took the latest visit by FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke to the central city of Cuiaba as an opportunity to protest and demand a wage hike yesterday. The group, including teachers and postal workers and backed by students, invaded the pitch at the Arena Pantanal, one of the 12 venues which will host World Cup matches next year. Brazilian broadcaster Globo showed the 50-strong group booing as Valcke continued his latest visit to the host nation ahead of a visit to organisers in Rio on Thursday. A second protest marred a visit by Valcke, Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo and local organising committee representatives and former Brazil stars Ronaldo and Bebeto to an urban mobility project. Valcke, confronted by banners which read “FIFA go home” and “less Cup, more education” at the stadium, told reporters that people had a democratic right to voice grievances if they so wished. Earlier, Valcke stressed the World Cup would go ahead using all 12 venues as scheduled despite lingering doubts as to whether all would be ready by a December deadline. “For last time. The Brazil #WorldCup WILL be played in 12 host cities, according to match schedule announced Oct 2011,” Valcke tweeted, adding he had “full commitment” from local authorities that Cuiaba would be ready. The Cuiaba stadium, costing some $245 million, is 85 percent complete. The arena will host four matches in total. One of the elements holding up the stadium project has been a row over the cost of seats, with an initial blueprint thrown out at the insistence of state and federal authorities, Globo reported. Valcke, who Monday in Porto Alegre said his visits were a means of keeping up the “pressure” on Brazil to be ready for next June, said the 44,000 seater arena would nonetheless be ready by a December 20 deadline.
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