Nigerian observer 10072013

THE

NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 NATURAL MEDICINE Page 19

Herbal Blessed Seeds

Climate change: BENIN - The Edo Government on Tuesday said it has revoked the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) of 1,160 plots in Benin to mitigate the effects of climate change.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

• Vol . 38 NO.271 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013 . N100.00

Edo revokes 1,160 plots

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Clem Agba, said this in Benin in an interview with newsmen.

Agba said the revocation translated to

recovery of 109,048 hectares of land because the state government was very conscious of the threat posed by climate change.

He said that the revoked plots were those allotted to individuals and corporate organisations which failed to utilise the land within the stipulated period.

Continues on page 2

Violence rocks Rivers Assembly

. Speaker, others injured

NEW HORIZON Pages 20, 22

Riches of the world, an Illusion

By ELIZABETH AGBOEBULEM

PORT-HARCOURT - Attempt by some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Daniel Amachree failed yesterday resulting in a free-for-all between the two camps in the House.

Five members of the House, believed to be loyal to the minister of state for Education, Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, had sat in the chambers of the House and announced the impeachment of the Speaker at 9.00 am in the morning and asked Hon. Evans Bibi, representing

Ogu/Bolo Constituency to take over the seat of the Speaker.

Trouble started when Bipi and Hon. Victor Ihunwo, the member

representing Port Harcourt constituency 111, started attacking other members of the House, believed to be supporters of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, by hitting them with video camera stands, and in the

process damaged over 30 computer sets in the chambers of the House.

It was also observed that men of the State Police Command, who were on ground did nothing to prevent the free-for-all, just as men

Continues on page 2

EDHA strikes out petition against RCC

STOP OIL BUNKERING

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· · · · · ·

People of Edo State, Government has discovered that inspite of measures taken by security agents in the State to stop illegal oil bunkering, perpetrators of this shady business have continued unabated.

The State Government is warning all those still involved in oil bunkering in the State to, in their own interest, stop this shady and dubious business forthwith as stiffer penalties await them.

Any person or group of persons caught in the illegal business will be dealt with according to the law.

All vehicles and equipment used will be burnt.

Be patriotic, report any person suspected to be in the business of oil bunkering to the authorities concerned.

Join Government to rid the State of enemies of progress.

Edo State must continue to move forward.

This message is from the Edo State Ministry of Information

of the State Fire Service were drafted into the complex, so as to take care of any attempt to burn down the complex.

In the ensuing fracas, the Speaker, Amaechree, the leader of the House, Hon. Chidi Lloyd and the

VISIT: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, explaining to the contractor on site during his visit to the Storm Water Project in Benin City yesterday. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE.

By KEN ABU/WINIFRED OSASOBO BENIN CITY – The Edo State House of Assembly has struck out a petition by one Prince Stanley Iduoze against Reynold Construction Company (RCC), the construction company handling the reconstruction of the BeninAbraka Road for lack of merit.

The Petition was titled, “Unlawful use of armed soldiers by expatriate staff of Reynold Construction Company

I stand by the constitution - Oshiomhole

Continues on page 2

Death Penalty GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said he will apply fully the Nigerian Constitution which he subscribed to and not the laws of a European country or the whims of some activists.

The Governor who said the international community cannot dictate to Nigeria on which values it should adhere to, said there is so much hypocrisy by the

international community on the issue of human rights.

Speaking at a one-day Seminar on, “The Role of

the Public Complaints Commission in a Democratic Government in Nigeria,” Oshiomhole said Nigeria as a

sovereign nation has a right to define its own national values.

According to the Governor, “Nigeria is a

sovereign nation and we have a right to define what we regard as our own national values.

ABUJA - Following the weekend attack on a school in Yobe, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday dispatched a high powered fact finding team to the State.

A statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen Chris Olukolade, said the team is led by Maj.-Gen. Collins Ariahu, Chief of Research and

Development in the DHQ. According to the statement, the team is expected to carry out onthe-spot assessment of the deployment of troops of the Joint Task

Force in the state.

“The team is to pay particular attention to the security circumstances surrounding the attack on the Government Secondary School,

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DHQ probes killing of students

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

News Edo revokes 1,160 plots

Continued from page 1

Besides, he said the state government had begun the implementation of the stomp water master plan for Benin City, the

state capital.

Agba said the government had identified 23 catchment areas in the state capital that required

primary drains to de-flood the city.

The commissioner said the last primary drain that was constructed in the city

Violence rocks Rivers Assembly

Continued from page 1

two members representing Obio/Akpor 1 and Obio/Akpor 11 constituencies, Hon. Micheal Okechukwu Chinda and Hon. Martins Amaewhule were seriously injured. While Amachree, Lloyd, and Amaewhule were rushed to an undisclosed hospital, treated, and discharged, Chinda, as at press time was still responding to treatment at Saint Patrick’s Hospital, located in the Ogbunabali area of Port Harcourt.

The embattled Speaker,

upon his discharge from hospital, returned to the House of Assembly complex at about 11.00 am and presided over a plenary, which was attended by 23 lawmakers, where a request brought by the governor was debated upon. Amaechi, represented by his deputy, Mr. Tele Ikuru, had in the request sought for some minor amendments on the 2013 budget, so as to effect a minor change in some over-heads and this was granted by the lawmakers, who voted 23 in

favour and none against.

Speaking while presenting the request on the floor of the House, Ikuru said the minor amendment became necessary so as to enable the state government continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

He stated that the minor amendment, if approved would not reduce or increase N490,220 million budgeted in the 2013 appropriation Act, but will only affect the capital expenditure of the budget.

EDHA strikes out petition against RCC

Continued from page 1

(RCC) and unfair practice inimical to the peace and welfare of Edo Communities.”

The decision to strike out the petition was reached at yesterday’s plenary sequel to the consideration of the report by the House Committee on Security.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Monday Ehighalua told the House that investigations into the issue revealed that the petitioner was hired by RCC as a liaison officer, between the company and the community but was dismissed due to inefficiency.

He also disclosed that there was no evidence to show that the management of RCC hired military personnel to intimidate any member of the community which name was not mentioned during the deliberation.

The Assembly therefore adopted the committee’s recommendation that the petition be dismissed for lack of merit.

Also, the House Committee on Environment and Public Utilities presented its report on the petition, titled, “Goods and Services worth over N200,000,000 burnt by Major Lawrence Oloye; call for the

intervention of the legislative arm of government.”

Consideration of the report was deferred to a later date.

Nigerian values are not less elegant, less human and therefore not less acceptable.

“In trying to understand how best to protect the sanctity of human life, if you carry out an act and you confess to it, you shall go.

You have no right to tell me that your values are superior to mine”, he said.

The Governor decried the activities of some Nigerians who parade some of those values that are offensive to the culture and tradition of the African people.

Citing the same sex marriage as one of the offensive laws of the European Union, Oshiomhole said, “now they are canvassing the same sex marriage.

“If they think it is right to marry a man in the West and we think it is a crime to marry a man in Africa, African values is superior to European values and we have to push for them to interrogate their own values”.

The Governor noted that more than half of the States in the United States still subscribe to the death penalty “and we have not heard the European Union say anything about them”.

He advised the international community to recognize that Nigeria is part of the European community

and they cannot give us orders or insist that we act according to their orders”.

The Governor noted that democracy offers space for those who are not satisfied to complain and urged that necessary machinery be put in place to empower the public complaints commission to function

Police refute report on road block BENIN CITY – The Edo State Police Command has reacted to a recent publication in The Nigerian Observer, claiming that the Police had re-introduced Road-block along the Ewohimi axis of Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State

I stand by the constitution

Continued from page 1

“No national interest is defined by others. As we speak, nations and humans are involved in the battle of ideas on the basis of different value system and it will be abuse of my own value system if someone chooses to assume that his values are superior to my values”.

Oshiomhole said, “I am part of the international community and my views should carry as much weight as the views of any other person in the same international community and where we have not counted the votes, we cannot assume that the views from London are shared by Abuja”.

The Governor declared, “as a Catholic, I am more fanatical about the sanctity of life. The foundation for human right is the rule of law, not rule of resolution, not rule of communiqué; not rules of recommendations.

“When I was sworn in, I subscribed to the oath that I shall obey the Constitution of Nigeria. There is no suggestion that I shall obey the U.N. or resolution of the European Union that has not been domesticated by the Nigerian Government.

“I do understand that there is no such thing as universal values”, he noted.

Oshiomhole argued that

was done about 30 years ago.

He said that presently the government was working on four primary drains in the city to guard against unexpected flooding.

Agba also said that the state government planted no fewer than two million trees yearly and provided 400,000 trees to the residents for its aggressive forest regeneration programme.

He noted that with global warming there was threat to human survival with accompanying threat of flooding, landslides, erosion, draught, biodiversity loss, desertification and temperature increase.

The commissioner said that the major challenges before the ministry were capital, behaviour and attitude of the people towards the environment.

effectively.

DHQ probes killing of students Continued from page 1 Mamudo, near Potiskum, at the weekend.

“The team is to also visit troops deployed in remote locations in Yobe state to verify the effectiveness of patrol and cordon and search operations.

“This is to forestall any further breach of security and track down perpetrators of the weekend attack.

“The team is expected to brief the Chief of Defece Staff in respect of any requirement for additional troops and logistics for the operation in Yobe state,’’ it said.

It would be recalled that more than 20 students, a teacher and a preacher were killed during the attack suspected to be carried out by the Boko Haram sect.

In a release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edo State Police Command, DSP Moses Eguavoen, the command strongly placed on record that “such does not exist,” particularly as there had been no complaints from any persons or road user within the state.

According to the state PPRO, the IGP’s order on cancellation of Road-block across the country, including Edo State, is clear and has been consistently obeyed by the Edo State Police Command.

However, DSP Eguavoen said, “owing to the recent incessant robbery attacks from Delta State on innocent citizens, the command beefed up stop-and –search patrol in and around the flash points particularly in the border areas between Edo and Delta States to checkmate the ugly trend,” adding that the command was proud to say that this had yielded great success.

Anglican Diocese ordains 8 priests, Deacons

By OSE EHEBHA EKPOMA The Archbishop of Bendel Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Esan, Anglican Communion, Most Rev’d Friday Imaekhai has ordained five new priests and three deacons into the fold of clergy of the diocese.

Those ordained priest included Julius Okosun, Joshua Aihebhoria, Precious Uduoro, Emmanuel Adeyemo and Felix Abiodun, while Barnabas Ijiehon, Godfrey Imodeme and God’sPower Afokeoghene were made deacons.

The deacons are made to assist priests under whom they serve in leading the worship of the people, especially in administration of Holy Communion.

Speaking while administering the oath of office, Archbishop Imaekhai

admonished them to work in obedience and carry out the vows and affirmations they made to God. He called on them to be wary of satanic pit-falls, while upholding the virtues of patience, love, prayerfulness and studying of the bible to discern the mind of God. Delivering the ordination sermon, the guest preacher, Bishop of the Diocese of Damaturu, Rt. Rev’d Abiodun Ogunyemi stressed the issue of love, and noted that every Christian must be ready to show love to every body, irrespective of religious affiliations.

He congratulated the new priests and deacons, urging them to discharge their pastoral duties with utmost diligence, to be able to reap the fruits of working for the Lord.

AWKA - The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has reiterated the need to grant financial autonomy to local government councils in the country.

Mr. Jerry Nnubia, the President of the union in Anambra, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Awka yesterday.

Nnubia said that granting such autonomy to the third tier of government would encourage meaningful development at the grassroots and strengthen the local government system.

“We are still clamouring for the financial autonomy of the local government.

“Under the current situation, local government administration is just a mere department of State Government,” he said.

On the conduct of local government polls slated for October 5 in the state,

Nnubia said it would help groom youths interested in leadership positions of the country.

He urged the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) and the state government to ensure the reality of the exercise.

The NULGE boss said: “Government has obeyed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by arranging to conduct council elections in the state after 15 years.

“If conducted, it will help to deepen our democracy.

It will also allow elected officials to initiate ideas in solving problems of their people.”

On minimum wage, Nnubia said NULGE would not relent in demanding for full implementation of the minimum wage in the state.

The president ruled out the use of strikes to demand the implementation of delayed promotions.

NULGE harps on need for LG’s financial autonomy

Steve Osemeke for burial July 18

ABUJA – The family of late Chief Steve Osemeke, a former Deputy Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally announced his death and burial ceremonies.

A statement endorsed by Ogochukwu Steve Osemeke (Jnr) disclosed that the burial ceremony would commence on Thursday July 18, 2013 with a Social/Christian wake at the family residence in Ikko Quarters, Ogbeknu Village in Onicha-Ugbo, Aniochia North Local Government Area, Delta State. Internment follows on Friday July 19, 2013.

Until his death on June 24, 2013 at a the National Hospital after a brief illness, the late Steve served as INEC Director of Public Affairs, Director of Personnel Management, as well as

Administrative Secretary of the commission in Lagos State before retiring as a Deputy Secretary in 2010.

Steve, as he was popularly known , was also a former Chief Press Secretary to several governors, including, general Jeremiah Usen (1984 to 1985) General John Mark Inienger (1985 t0 1988), General Tunde Ogbeha (1988 to 1990), General Ewerekumo Yeri (1990 to 1991), Air Vice Marshal Luke Ochulor (1991 to 1992) within old Bendel State and later in Delta State.

Osemeke also served as the Chief Press Secretary to the first executive civilian governor of Delta State, Olorogun (Senator) Felix Ibru (1992 to 1993), from where he joined the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) in 1993 as its Director of

Public Affairs.

Hitherto Steve was a features Editor with The Nigerian OBSERVER from where he rose to become the chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in old Bendel State between 1982 and 1984.

He is survived by his wife, Children, grand children, brothers, sister ’s uncles among other relations.

His remains will be interred on July 19, while there would be a social/Christian wake keep on July 18 at his family house in Ikoko Quarters Ogbekun Village in Onicha Ugbo, Aniocha North of Delta State.

The family will appreciate your support and esteemed presence at both the wake keep and final interment.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Inside Edo DPP Exonerates Kidnapping Suspect

By ROLAND OSAKUE/ INNOCENT OMOAKA

President Goodluck Jonathan (4th left); Prime Minister of Togo, Mr. Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo (4th right); President, Rockefeller Foundation, Judith Rodin (3rd left); Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (2nd right); Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina (3rd right) and others at a workshop on realising the potential of African Agriculture in Abuja on Monday.

L-R: President, Rockefeller Foundation, Judith Rodin; President Goodluck Jonathan and Prime Minister of Togo, Mr. Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, at a workshop on realising the potential of African Agriculture in Abuja on Monday.

Trad Title: Court Dismisses Suit

By VICTOR IMADE ADAMS OYIBOKE ABUDU: An Orhionmwon Area Customary Court sitting in Abudu has struck out a suit brought before it by one Samson Omwanhogie Osemwengie in a case of ascendancy to the Enogieship of Igbekhue Village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

In the case with suit number: OACC/MI/08/2009 in which judgment was delivered on August 30, 2010, Mr. Osemwengie 9Applicant) prayed the court to set a side the judgment and order a retrial of the case on its merit.

Respondents in the case were Pa Isaac Omoruyi, the Enogie of Igbekhue, Messrs Thomas Omoregie, Samson Agbontaen and Christopher

Okoro.

The applicant also prayed the court for an extension of time within which to apply for the order to set aside the judgment.

Counsel to the respondents, R.I Ikuelegbe (Esq) however prayed the court to dismiss the order for want of deligent prosecution.

Delivering judgment, president of

Community Wants 5-Junction Renamed

By OSAZUWA AKONEDO USELU (Egor LGA) - Elders in Egor Local Government area have called on the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to name the newly reconstructed and beautified popular 5junction in Benin city as Iyoba Ring Road.

The elders from Uselu N’Eguae Iyoba Community made the request recently when they paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of Egor Local Government council, Hon. Victor Enobakhare.

Spokesperson of the elders, Chief Edoba Isibor said it became necessary to name the 5junction as Iyoba Ring Road as a way to

promoting the culture and history of the Edo people.

The elders also called on the Egor Council chairman to help the community facilitate the renovation of the Uselu N’Eguae Iyoba town hall which Governor Adams Oshiomhole promised to carry out during his second term electioneering campaign.

They also appealed to the state government to rehabilitate all the lanes linking Uselu Lagos road and New Lagos road and as well provide electricity transformer at Textile Mill road junction to boost power supply in the area.

Speaking further, they decried the absent of government secondary

school, hospital or health centre in the community and wondered why no indigene of the community has been appointed into prominent position either at the federal, state or local government level.

The elders also decried the act by some corporate organizations not fulfill their social cooperate responsibility to the community.

Responding, the Egor local government chairman, Hon. Victor Enobakhare said the state government has given the go ahead for the council to rebuild the community town hall.

Adding that; the issue of naming 5junction as Iyoba Ring Road would be presented to the state governor as requested by the elders.

the court, T.A. Aghagbonren (Esq) held that the 1st plaintiff Pa Isaac Omoruyi was duly chosen as the Enogie of Igbekhue village by the elders and kingmakers of /So/Eso Family.

The court therefore dismissed the

suit for lack of deligent prosecution and awarded a cost of N10,000 fine against Mr. Osemwengie or serve a jail term of 21 days in default The court also issued an order restraining Osemwengie from parading himself as Enogie of Igbekhue community.

BENIN CITY- A young man, Ikefeh Osagie, who was paraded by the Police in Benin City over an alleged offence of kidnapping, has been exonerated by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Edo State.

Osagie, a graduate of Political Science from Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma, who was arrested at his barbing saloon along College Road at Aduwawa in Benin City, the State Capital over the said offence, however alleged that he was seriously brutalized by the fierce-looking Police Officers with all his properties looted.

Narrating his ordeal before The NIGERIAN OBSERVER yesterday, Osagie said he operated a barbing salon immediately he graduated from AAU, but only but was surprised that on July, 25, 2011 when some Police officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) invaded his business premises and arrested every one present in the saloon.

According to him, “the officers were asking, where is Felix, where is Felix, and I told them I don’t know who Felix is. They said he normally comes here to barb his hair, but I insisted that I don’t know him by name, instead they started brutalizing me.”

Osagie further explained that what seems like a child’s play landed him in police custody for four months where he was subsequently paraded before newsmen as an alleged kidnapper.

He stated that all efforts to air his own side of the story were ignored by the Police.

He explained, “The Police took away my property, including my television flat screen, gas cooker and other valuables at my residence which I have not been able to recover till now.”

LG Boss Approves Purchase Of 2 OKPELLA-The Executive Transformers The council chairman who chairman, Etsako East Local Government has approved the immediate purchase of three electricity transformers for Iddo and Ogute Communities in Okpella.

Inspecting the three broken down transformers in the two communities, the council chairman said that it is the duty of government to proffer immediate solutions to the people’s problem, adding that “the people of Etsako East has no business with darkness””.

He stated that “though government resources are inadequate, government should be able to purchase such little things like electric transformers.

Speaking on behalf of Ogute Community, High Chief John A. I Okhogbe described the chairman as a wonderful man who is living up to his electoral promises.

While thanking the chairman for his intervention, he called on the people to give maximum support for the local government administration.

Meanwhile, the Etsako East Local Government boss also inspected the skill Acquisition Centre in Okpella during which he expressed his administration’s determination. to make it functional soon.

directed the council engineer to connect the centre with electricity, noted that government want to engage the youths through training in various vocational skills.

According to Hon. Afegbua, “ we have the facilities for carpentry computer training, hair dressing salon and tailoring. All we need now is to deploy staff and enroll trainees. When youths are trained and empowered, crime rates and poverty reduce”.

The chairman was accompanied by the council Engineer, J. O. Igbiti, supervisors and other top council functionaries.

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Inside Edo UGNL To Rehabilitate Roads In Host Communities EVBOHIGHAE (ORHONMWON - The United Geophysical Nigeria Limited (UGNL), a Seismic-based company is to rehabilitate its operations-impacted earth roads in its host communities in Orhionmwon and Ika south Local Government Areas in Edo and Delta States respectively as soon as the dry season sets in.

The Community Relations Manager of UGNL, Mr. Philip Agudah disclosed this while giving update on the operations of the company to the host communities at a meeting in Evboehighae, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

It was the second meeting of the UGNL Party IOI Oil Mining License (OML) 142 Project Advisory Committee (PAC).

According to Mr. Agudah, UGNL has, over the years, a track record of international best practices demonstrated through corporate social responsibility.

He explained that the nature of their job is productivity-friendly, especially as indigenes employed by the company would be paid good salary and therefore appealed to the host communities to shun all acts capable of negatively affecting the operations of the company.

Mr. Agudah disclosed that the UGNL operations was only a precursor to the coming of SUMMIT-SUNTERA Oil Company that would soon be in the area for oil exploration.

Commenting, the UGNL Party Chief Mr. Steve Yeye commended the host communities for being good host to UGNL and advised them to utilize their community Assisted Project CAP funds judiciously.

While urging them to be wary of rumour of exaggerated benefits, Mr. Yeye also encouraged the

communities to educate their youths on the need to be peaceful and cooperative with UGNL. Similarly, a representative of SUMMIT-SUNTERA Oil appealed for peace and cooperation with UGNL as well as SUMMIT/ SUNTER so that the aim of their operations would be achieved, which saying it would attract development to the communities.

The meeting, which was facilitated

by Mr. Imide Israel, had in attendance representatives of the palace of Benin Monarch, Enigie and other representatives of Evboehighae, Ugo, Owe, Idunmwungbo, Oheze, Ugboko Numagbae, Obazagbon and Eso Communities as well as representatives of Ogba, Evbodobian, Idunmwuneka, Okuor, Ohe-Evbonoba, Iguododo, Idumwuneke, Otobaye II, Otobaye Nede, Egbokor, Ugboko-Niro, Obozogbe-Niro, Evbobemwen, Udumwebo, Evbokabua, Ugbokhirima, Evbonogbon, Idunmwogo, Oki-Agbor, IdunmuIsogban communities and security agencies in attendance.

By BERNADETTE IDALU

victims last year with the provision of basic necessities which complimented the effort of other donors, solving human rights issues, giving credible election reports accepted by all stakeholders as well as

Barr. Egbe Evbuomwan Clerk, Edo State House of Assembly (right), congratulating Comrade Shugaba Aliu Harana, the new Chairman, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter during the Association’s courtesy call to the Clerk in his office shortly after the election recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.

YEDEC Plans To Commence Sexual Education In Secondary School

By OPEYEMI OLUGBEMIRO/ ISEMHENBITA FAITA

BENIN CITY – The Youth Empowerment and Development Centre (YEDEC) has held a twoday workshop to disseminate information on the 5 th African Conference on

Sexual Health and Rights, tagged “Sexual Health and Rights in Africa where are we”.

The 5th African conference was held at wind hock, Namibia with officials of YEDEC in attendance.

According to the coordinator, Aisiri Christian,

CONGOS Presents mid-term report ... plans to improve on achievement

BENIN CITY- The Conference of Non Government Organsations (CONGOS), Edo State transparency and credibility.

The conference of Non Governmental Organisation (CONGOS), Edo State Chapter, in its drive to maintain a level of transparency and credibility yesterday at its meeting presented a mid-term report running from May 2012May 2013 for the perusal of all.

The president of CONGOS, Jude Obasanmi while speaking with the Nigerian Observer stated that the report became necessary since it gave ample opportunity for a review of operations, finding out areas of strength, enumerate challenges faced as well as develop a way to eradicate challenges to make for the smooth running of the organization.

The CONGOS President enumerated the achievements of the organization to include

presently enjoying robust membership.

He stated that a total of 53 organizations took part in programmes and activities in the year under review despite the scarcity of funds and the lack of dedication on the part of some members.

the dissemination workshop which was held in Benin City was principally to advance the goals of the international conference on population and development (ICPD), 1994, Cairo) and the Maputo plan of Action (MPOA, 2003) through a critical assessment of responses to sexual health and rights and prioritization of health rights of women, adolescents and youth.

The (ICPO, 1994) in Cairo developed goals for improving sexual health and reproductive rights globally while the Maputo plan of Action (MPOA 2003) was adopted by the heads of state of government of the African Union, requiring states, to

amongst others, adopt measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to produce the sexual health and reproductive rights of African citizens.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mrs. Maria Obazuwa from Girls Power Initiative (GPI) who spoke on sexual education, said that there were plans towards including sexual education into the secondary school curriculum. She also informed delegates that there was a law against female genital mutilation in Edo State, while explaining its consequences on the victims.

In his presentation on using social media for advocacy and partnership in the promotion on youth sexual

and reproductive health and rights, Mr. Nurudeen Abokede from woman’s health and Action Research Centre (WHARC) said that more organisations should make use of the social media for advocacy due to its increasing influence in the formulation of government policies. He said that with the presence of politicians on the social media, consistent advocacy could draw the attention of relevant authorities to the cause they are fighting.

Other highlight of the workshop included breakout sessions into syndicate groups to discuss relevant areas as concerning the theme and question and answers sections. Also, condoms and other materials were distributed to delegates.

BENIN CITY - The death has been announced of Mrs. Muni Nomamienmnoroge BelloOsagie (Iye-Liadi). She was aged 82. She is survived by husband, Dr, Most Senior Apostle Nafiu Bello-Osagie (JP), Six children, many grand and great grand children.

According to the burial arrangement for the deceased, Friday, July 12 th , 2013 at 9.30am, body arrives St Peter Catholic Church, Obehi Street, off 2 nd Ugbor Road, G.R.A Benin City, followed by funeral Mass at 10.00am and interment at No 6 Akpega Lane, Off Medical Store Road, Okhoro, Benin City. There will be refreshment at same venue.

There will be Thanksgiving Service for the late Mrs. Muni

Bello-Osagie at St Peter Catholic Church, Obehi, Off 2nd Ugbor Road, G.R.A, Benin City while reception follows at Most Snr. Apostle-General Dr. N.B Osagie’s (JP) residence at No132Akpakpava Road, Benin City.

Mrs Muni Bello-Osagie Passes On

Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (left), welcoming Hon. Councillor Robet Ekeme Fiyes, Leader, Ovia South West Legislative Assembly to watch

Late Mrs. Muni Nomamienmnoroge Bello-

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A/Ibom Has One Packaged Water Firm UYO – Only one out of the large number of packaged water producing companies operating in Akwa Ibom has the NIS certification, the standard organization of Nigeria (SON) said.

Besides, SON said that II tissue paper and eight paint producing companies had no certification in the state.

The State Coordinator of SON, Mr. Papanye Don-Pedro, said this in Uyo during a one-day sensitization seminar for tissue paper and paint manufacturers in the state.

According to Don-Pedro, the affected companies produce substandard products as far as they have no Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) certification issue

by SON. The coordinator said that only two paint companies and one tissue paper producer had the NIS certification in the state.

Don-Pedro spoke on: Tissue Paper and paint: The Importance of Quality”.

He said there had been a lot of abnormal practices perpetrated by the manufacturers to include non-perforation of tissue papers and use of low grammage paper with particles.

The other anomalies are: producing in residential; improper storage of chemical and raw materials; improper labeling

South-South The United Geophysical Nigeria Limited (UGNL) Party Chief, Mr. Steve Yeye (right) addressing representatives of the company’s host communities in Edo and Delta States during the UGNL Party 101 OML 142 Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting held on Saturday in Evboehighae community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State. Sitting are some of the Enigie of the host communities.

- SON

of chemical containers; and the use of old paint containers for shorting new paints.

Other are unavailability markings on paint containers and improper waste management,” he said.

Don-Pedro added that the seminar was organized to enable the producers to abide by standards.

He said that SON was determined to ensure that only products approved and certified were allowed into Nigerians markets.

Investor-Friendly Environment: Bayelsa Assures sure that any investor can community relationships are actually come into Bayelsa Local, Foreign Investors handled, if they are having State successfully; and when YENAGOA - The Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA) has said that it has created an investmentfriendly environment in the state for local and foreign investors.

The Director-General of the agency, Ms. Ruth MurayBruce, told newsmen in Yenagoa that the agency had established a one-stop shop to assist investors desiring to do business in Bayelsa.

According to her, the

establishment of the agency in August 2012 attracted the interest of over 50 foreign and local investors to Bayelsa.

She said that the present administration was keen on attracting investors so much that it removed all obstacles to investment in the state just as it put in place various incentives to woo investors.

“We are meant to ensure that Bayelsa State is seen and viewed by everybody as the investment area, the place to

UNIUYO To Set Up Task Force To Reposition Institution

UYO - The Management of the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom has inaugurated three task force committees to reposition the institution after the June 12 crisis in the university.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Comfort Ekpo, made the announcement in a statement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the university, Mr. Godfrey

Essien in Uyo. The statement said the steps were taken as part of measures to restore academic activities and ameliorate the pains inflicted on many students by some miscreants in the institution.

It listed the committees to include, Taskforce on Records Recovery, chaired by Prof.

Anthony Akpan; Relocation of Offices, chaired by Prof. Ntiedo Umoren and Evaluation of Losses and Damages, chaired by Prof. Godffrey Udo. It stated that all members of staff should continue to demonstrate commitment and dedication to their assigned duties, to move the university forward.

be and that is one of the critical functions of this agency.

“Another critical function is to showcase potential to investors, that there is an agency of government that is there for them. BIPA is for investors, pre-investment, during investment and post investment.

“Pre-investment: we address all their inquiries; any information they need about Bayelsa state, we are there; we go to the airport, we pick people up from the airport; for example this weekend we had an investor from South Africa.

“And we were busy all weekend I and the Honourable Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Commissioner Massa were together all weekend long taking people around, showcasing, trying to sell Bayelsa State.

“And post-investment: we don’t just leave them, we help them to make sure that all they need especially in the area of

any challenges with the investment or whatever is going on we are there for them.

“So, BIPA is there to make

Update Professional Knowledge, ANAN Tells Accountants PORT HARCOURT - The Chairman, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) in Rivers, Mr. Alobari Grant, has urged accountants to always update their knowledge in order to cope with future challenges.

Grant said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

He said the knowledge base of the present day professionals would become obstinate without continuous training and retraining.

“We know that whoever holds a certificate in accounting has a bright future but you must continue to update your knowledge.

Lawmaker Alerts Police On Cultism PORT HARCOURT - A

The United Geophysical Nigeria Limited (UGNL) Community Relations Manager, Mr. Philip Agudah (6th left) flanked on his immediate left by the Obadolaye of Benin, Chief Osa Uzamere and his immediate right by the Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Mr. O. Oronsaye Guobadia both representatives of the palace of the Benin Monarch, the Community Affairs Officer, Administration UGNL, Mr. Babafemi Ogunmodede and the Facilitator, Mr. Imide Israel (both 2nd and 3rd left respectively) as well as Enigie of host communities and other dignitaries during the UGNL Party 101 OML 142 PAC meeting held on Saturday at Evboehighae community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State.

member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke has called on the Rivers Police Command to checkmate cultism and violence in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers.

Nwuke, (PDP-Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency), told newsmen in Port Harcourt that there had been reported cases of cultism in Etche.

“I have received disturbing reports that armed youths, believed to belong to rival cult groups, were operating recklessly within Okehi, Igbodo and

they are here to work we carry them through and when the investment is on ground we protect them.”

Obibi axis.

“I also received reports that some persons have either been killed or injured.

The action of the rampaging youths is threatening law and order and endangering lives and property.

“If something urgent is not done, it might spiral out of control.’’

He urged the command to intervene and restore order in the area.

Nwuke also urged parents and guardians to educate their children on the consequences of anti-social behaviours as violence and bloodletting do no good.

“This is to assist you to remain relevant in the labour market, not only in the local market but globally,” he said.

He said that in the past, the country had existed without an accounting standard until four years ago when the various accounting bodies adopted various standards approved by law.

Grant said that Nigeria had adopted the International Financial Reporting standard, making it the recognised national accounting standard in Nigeria.

He said with the standard, accountants needed to regularly update their knowledge to be in line with the trend.

Grant also said that as part of efforts toward ensuring that members of ANAN benefited from knowledge upgrade, the association had made arrangements to start professional programmes.

“Very soon, a lot of our members who find it convenient to participate in this programme would be called upon and we are fully ready to support them by subsidising the tuition,“ he said.

The Chairman urged members of the association to develop interest in Information, Communication Technology (ICT), and to visit their Website always to be abreast of the developments in the profession.

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Lagos

Wife of Niger State Governor, Jumai Babangida-Aliyu (left) with the wife of Nasarawa State Governor, Hajiya Salamatu Al-Makura (right) consoling a widow of one of the slain Police officers in Alakyo on Monday.

Eleko Beach, A Future Tourist Centre - Expert LAGOS-The Management of Eleko Beach, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, says it will be a tourist destination in the near future, going by the increasing number of visitors to it Mr Akodu Lawal, the Chairman of the Management Committee, told newsmen in Lagos that the beach recorded 3,800 visitors in the last six months, an increase of 1, 600 over the 2,200 visitors recorded in the first-half of 2012.

“The record shows that Nigerians love fun and people have been enlightened about the importance of relaxation

after hard work,” Lawal said.

He said that the management had upgraded the facilities at the beach to make them more befitting for visitors.

He said that the management would continue to improve on the facilities to make them more attractive and to meet international standards.

He assured visitors of safety of life and property within the beach.

According to him, life is good when one is still alive, and there is need to provide every necessary precaution to protect it.

Lawmaker Cautions Lagos State Government

By SURAJU RAJI Residents that has built more drainages and Flood:

Wife of Niger State Governor, Hajiya Jumai Babangida-Aliyu (middle) presenting a cash donation to a widow of one of the slain Police officers in Alakyo on Monday. Right is the wife of Nasarawa State Governor, Hajiya Salamatu Al-Makura.

LAGOS - The Chairman Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, has cautioned residents of Lagos State to avoid dumping of refuse in drainages and water channels.

Tobun made the appeal during an exclusive interview with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in his office. He warned landlords not to extend building to the main road by erecting canopy across gutters. He also warned them to desist from building shop too close to the gutters.

He further cautioned “give water its way; don’t build on the drainages, no materials should be on water ways”. He explained that when there is no barrier water will flow easily.

Asked “what is the level of preparedness of government as there is prediction of heavy rainfall this year”, Hon. Tobu replied “Government has prepared to keep the environment neat to accommodate heavy rainfall.

He added that government has sensitized the people on the need to be worried of flood and keep neat and safe the environment. He emphasized

and revive the education sector because parents are not happy with its current state,’’ he said.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics are on strike for various reasons.

Also in a telephone interview

with newsmen, Dr Feidu Sule, a lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundation, University of Lagos, said that the attack on the students in Yobe called for increased security around schools.

NAPTAN, Others Condemn Killing Of Students In Yobe LAGOS- The National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has urged the Federal Government to urgently apprehend the killers of students of Government Secondary School, Mamudo, Yobe.

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect had on Saturday attacked the school, killing about 26 students, a teacher and an Islamic preacher.

Alhaji Babs Animashaun, Founder of NAPTAN, told newsmen in Lagos that the killing was horrible.

Animashaun said that the incident was a big dent.

“We must do everything to resist the killing of our children.

Parents are not happy with the current state of education and security.

“Mr President must take prompt action to apprehend and deal with the perpetrators of this act,’’ he said.

Animashaun also urged the Federal Government to stem the

spate of strikes in the nation’s education sector.

“The Federal Government is not giving much attention to education; it will sign agreements with unions and will not implement them.

“Strike is a setback; it will continue to affect the future of our children. I am appealing to the government to give priority attention to education and fund it adequately.

“Government should wake up

Jamaican PM To Attend Badagry BADAGRY (Lagos State),- honour Dr Marcus Garvey, an Festival Mr. Babatunde Mesewaku, African black nationalists.

President, African Renaissance Foundation, has said the Jamaican Prime Minister, Mrs Portia Simpson-Miller, would attend this year ’s Badagry Festival.

Mesewaku, who is also the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the festival, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Badagry, Lagos State.

Reports say that the festival, organised annually by the foundation, is to showcase the heritage and socio-economic potential of the Egu people in Lagos State.

This year ’s edition which would hold from August 17 to August 25 would be used to

The president said that Garvey’s son, Julius, would also be in attendance.

“The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Mrs Portia SimpsonMiller and the son of Garvey, Julius would be attending the festival.

“Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican and he contributed monumentally to the history of black race; so we decided to dedicate the festival to him.

“He was a leader of the blacks; he sacrificed his life for the black race, so he must be honoured for that, “ he said.

Mesewaku said that the objective of the festival was to serve as a historical bridge to

Africa and Africans all over the world.

He added that the festival would be used as a global platform to attract people to Africa.

“Each year, we celebrate icons that have impacted positively on the history of the black race.

“This year’s edition is very special because we are celebrating those who have contributed to the liberation and emancipation of the black race.

“We are using this as a global platform to attract the world to Badagry because we believe that this can contribute to the socioeconomic development of Badagry, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

canals. Speaking on Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)Tobun, said people were not prepared to patronize LAWMA. He said residents preferred patronizing cat pushers for collection of refuse.

He added that nylon bags were donated to residents by the authority. Commenting on open gutters, which attract residents as a dumping site, Hon. Tobun disclosed that the House of Assembly may in future advise local Governments to cover the gutters. He cautioned Local Governments to be alive to their responsibilities and remove debris packed along the gutter side during Environmental Sanitation Exercise. Tobun also advised residents to imbibe maintenance culture by renovating their houses during the rainy season.

Ramadan: Archbishop Tasks Muslims LAGOS- The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Bishop Adewale Martins has called on Muslim faithful to use Ramadan period to pray for the continued peace and unity of the country.

This is contained in a Ramadan message signed by Monsignor Gabriel Osu, Director of Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

In the message, he said the 30day Ramadan fast should be a solemn period for the Muslims to reach out to the less privileged in the society.

Martins also called on them to use the period to work together with other faiths toward building a just and equitable society.

“Being a period of intense

fasting and prayer, I urge you to remain steadfast to the tenets of your religion which promotes peaceful and harmonious coexistence.

“This is necessary so that you may reap from the immense spiritual reward that comes with the season,’’ he said in the message.

Martins also called on them to pray that God may give the leaders in government the divine wisdom and sincerity of purpose to tackle the myriad of challenges facing the land. “ There will be no meaningful growth and development in a country where terrorism, kidnapping, corruption and growing unemployment strive.”

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Abuja Abuja Residents Decry Street Trading

ABUJA -Some residents in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have decried the conversion of pedestrian bridges to shops by some traders.

In separate interviews with newsmen in Abuja, the residents expressed surprises over the use of the bridges for trading.

A lawyer, Mr. Ayo Ojo, said he was shocked when he saw that traders and beggars had converted Gwarinpa pedestrian bridge to their use. “ Abuja is definitely not a village square where trading could be done anywhere, residents should know that this city is transforming into a modern city. “ It does not say well of us if we deface our environment with all manner of nauseating activities, ranging from street trading to begging; it is lack of discipline. “ We should take care of our environment and avoid abusing structures provided for common use; the authority in-charge should take stricter action on this abuse,’’ Ojo said.

Another resident, Mrs. Bimbo Brown, said that some bridges had been turned to rest places by some people thereby making the environment untidy. “ I must confess, those incharge of environment within the city of Abuja should be

FCT Judiciary Proceeds On Vacation Aug 5 ABUJA -The FCT judiciary is to commence its annual vacation on August 5.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Litigation, Mrs. Bilikisu Uche.

The statement said the break was in consonance with existing rules governing court procedures and condition of service.

“Pursuant to Order 47, Rule 4 (2) of the Rules of this Court entitled Civil Procedure Rule, the court will from Monday, August 5, 2013,’’ it stated.

It added that Justice Jude Okeke and Justice Peter Affen had been appointed as vacation judges for the period.

The court will resume sitting on September 16.

commended for their effort.

“They still need to put a little more effort, as some of us need drastic measures to appreciate what is beautiful. “ If you move around some bridges in the city, especially the ones along the Nyanya axis, you see people sleeping under the bridges. That should not be because that is not the right place to do that. “ Pedestrian bridges are made for crossing roads with heavy traffic.

“The one at Mogadishu Barracks has been abandoned by passersby who prefer to cross without minding the fast moving vehicles along that road, “ Brown said.

Reports say that traders carry out their businesses at Gwarinpa and Lugbe

pedestrian bridges, where beggars operate as well.

The Acting Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Hajia Aishatu Adebayo, had promised the new measures would be introduced to tackle environmental challenges of the city.

She also warned that hawkers, beggars, sex workers and artisans would not find life easy in the territory.

Similarly, Hajia Meumunatu Abubakar, the Head of Environment at Abuja Municipal Area Council, said new measures would be put in place to protect the environment and keep it clean.

She urged residents to take the issue of environment serious and imbibe the culture of cleanliness.

L-R:ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, Executive Director, Centre for Advanced Social Sciences, Dr. Sofari Joab and Executive Director, Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group, Dr. Chima Amadi, at a Civil Society Forum on the Mid-Term Report of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Government in Abuja recently.

Sylva’s Motion: Court

Fixes July 15 For ABUJA -The Federal High Hearing Court Abuja has fixed July 15 for hearing of a motion filed by former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva, asking for the release of his International Passport to enable him travel for medical check-up.

Sylva, had through his counsel, Mr. Israel Olorundare (SAN), filed the motion, urging the court to release his documents to enable him travel abroad on health grounds before the end of July.

However, Mr. Peter Aneto, the EFCC counsel, told the court that the accused counsel served him with the motion on June 25.

He prayed for a short adjournment to enable him file his reply.

Meanwhile, Justice Adamu Bello held that the motion was yet to be received officially by the court.

“In the circumstance, the matter is adjourned to July 15 for hearing of the motion,’’ Bello said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 5, 2012 arraigned Sylva for alleged misappropriation of N6,46 billion state funds.

The anti-graft agency had in a suit number HC/ABJ/ CR/23/2012 claimed that Sylva and others, now at large, committed the offences between October 2009 and February 2010.

The anti-graft agency said the offences contravened the provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004.

The ex-governor denied knowledge of the alleged fraud and pleaded not guilty.

Murder:

L-R:Representative of I - G, Mr. Suleiman Fazkai, DIG ‘C’ Department, Mr. Emmanuel Udeoji and DIG ‘D’ Department, Mr. Peter Gana, at a news Conference on the activities of the force since the IG’s assumption of office in Abuja on Monday.

Policeman Fired 7 Shots By Mistake- Witness

LAGOS - A prosecution witness, Insp Emmanuel Yahaya, testified that a policeman, Cpl. Abu Abolaji, charged with murder of three men, fired seven gunshots mistakenly.

Yahaya testified at the ongoing trial of Abolaji, 34, who is facing a three-count charge of murder before Justice Ebenezer Adebajo of an Igbosere High Court in Lagos.

According to the witness, he and three other policemen, including the accused, were on patrol when the seven shots were fired.

“On October 1, 2009, I was at the Adekunle Police Station when we received a distress call informing us of a robbery at Alagomeji, after which four of us signed for ammunition and went on patrol.

“When we got there, we saw three men who ran into a car and locked themselves up immediately they saw us.

“I got down from the patrol van with Abolaji and asked him to go and find out why the men ran into the car when they saw us.

“After a while, I started hearing gunshots, and I moved to the scene to ask the defendant why he was shooting.

“Immediately I got there, he said it was a mistake and the gun was collected from him by another police officer who later discovered that seven of the bullets had been fired,” he said.

Yahaya told the court that one of the men died instantly, while the other two died on their way to a general hospital in Lagos.

The Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Victor Okpala, however, said that Yahaya did not see the defendant fire the shots.

In response, the state Counsel, Mrs. O.A AkinAdesomojo, submitted that the witness had said all he knew about the incident.

The judge adjourned the case to October 9, for continuation of trial.

Reports say that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on October 1, 2009

at No. 4, Olode St., Alagomeji.

Yaba, Lagos, at 12:30a.m.

According to the prosecution, Abolaji shot at Messrs Ibrahim Olojede, Rotimi Philips and Friday Uti. The prosecution said that the offences contravened Section 316 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003, and attracted death sentence.

Illicit Drugs: NDLEA Arrests 189

ABUJA -The FCT Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested 189 suspects and seized 11,135.49 kilogrammes of illicit drugs between January and June 2013.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Agency, Mr. Peter Adegbe.

The statement said the suspects were 178 male and 11 female.

It also stated that the agency seized 11,134 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, 1.34

Suspects

kilogrammes of Psychoactive Substances and 17.7 grammes of Cocaine within the same period.

Particularly, it stated that the agency arrested 58 suspects and seized 70 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa in the Orange Market, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

The statement also stated that during the same period, the command counselled a total of 82 drug-dependant persons and secured the conviction of 44 persons before the Federal High

Court, Abuja.

The statement added that the agency has returned N605,270; $1,100 (about N160,000); and 100 British Pounds (about N26,200), being various monies seized from the drug pedlars in the six months under review.

The statement quoted the FCT Commander, Mr. Dennis Obiefule, as re-affirming the commitment of the agency toward a drug-free society.

In the statement, Obiefule urged FCT residents to continue to provide useful information on illicit drug dealers.

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Customs Kill Suspected Smuggler

KATSINA- Customs officials have allegedly shot dead a suspected smuggler, Abubakar Abba, on the Katsina-Jibia Road, eyewitnesses and the police said.

The witnesses said the suspect was killed by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service Command in Katsina State for allegedly smuggling 35 bags of rice into the state from Niger Republic.

They told newsmen that the Customs officials in a patrol vehicle gave the suspect a chase, shot him in the chest and he died on the spot.

Newsmen learnt that the development led some youths in the area to mobilise and threaten to burn the state office of the Customs Command but the police foiled the attempt.

Reporter, who visited the Customs command headquarters office observed that the building was guarded by heavily armed Customs personnel.

A Customs officer, who pleaded anonymity, said that intelligence report showed that the youths planned to attack the command following the incident.

“The deceased was said to

have engaged one of our officers in physical fight and in the process a bullet hit him,’’ the officer

MINNA-Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger has ordered the State Pilgrim Welfare Commission to allot 90 per cent of the 2013 Hajj seats to first timers.

Aliyu gave the order during the inauguration of the sale of grains to the public in Minna.

He said that the first timers should be given considerations due to the low allocation of seats to the state by National Hajj Commission.

He said that the Saudi Arabia authority had slashed the allocation by 20 per cent of Hajj seat world-wide.

The governor said the state

government would work closely with the Immigration officials to ensure that first timers were given priority.

He urged the chairmen of the 25 local government councils in the state to conduct transparent balloting of the Hajj seats allotted to them by the Commission.

He said that the chairmen should ensure that the

balloting was done in the public to stem the tide of criticism.

He said that the state government would no longer sponsor pilgrims on Hajj except officials on essential services such as the medical doctors, preachers and commission officials.

He said he had received

reports that some local governments were asking the prospective pilgrims to purchase the Hajj form for N100,000 against the official rate of N3,000.

Speaking on the grains, Aliyu urged the officials handling the sales to be transparent and avoid selling to traders or their associates.

He said that anyone caught

not selling the grains to the deserving members of the public would be prosecuted.

He directed that a 25kg bag of rice be sold for N3,500, while 100 kg bag of maize be sold for N5,600.

He also directed that beans, millet and guinea corn be sold for N14,000, N7,000 and N6,300 respectively, at a subsidy of 40 per cent.

SOKOTO- The Ramadan fast is to start in Nigeria on Wednesday, the Sokoto Sultanate Council said in a statement on Monday.

The statement, signed by Prof.

Sambo Wali, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious

Affairs, said the decision was taken during the meeting of the committee in Sokoto.

It said that it had not received any reports from various moon sighting committees across the country confirming the sighting

of the new moon of Ramadan. “ Tomorrow, Tuesday 9th of July,2013, is, therefore, the 30th day of Sha’aban, 1434 AH .

Wednesday, 10th of July is, therefore the, 1st day of

Ramadan,1434 AH “ His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, wishes all Muslims successful Ramadan fasting,” the statement, added.

claimed.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP

Aminu Sadiq, confirmed the incident, saying the deceased was a smuggler and was shot

dead by Customs personnel.

Sadiq said normalcy had been restored in the town, while the

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufai (left), receiving the symbolic key of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, US, for advancing educational development in Nigeria, from Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, at a meeting of Vice Chancellors in Abuja on Monday. Middle is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala.

Hajj 2013: Gov Orders Seat For First Timers

Ramadan Fast Starts Today - Sultan

police were still investigating the matter.

Fly National Flag Or Be Prosecuted, NOA Warns Institutions

LAFIA- The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has threatened to prosecute groups and institutions who fail to fly the national flag in Nasarawa State.

The Head of Orientation of the agency in Nasarawa State, Mr. Jonah Agi, gave the warning in Lafia during a monitoring tour of ministries, departments and parastatal agencies.

He said the measure became necessary to instil discipline in the people and to give the flag the respect and value it deserved.

Agi said the agency would sanction anyone found not using the flag where it was supposed to be used because the agency was the custodian of the national flag.

He said, “in most advanced countries of the world, the national flags are given due respect it deserves; here in Nigeria, people do not have any regard for the flag.

“A situation where corporate organisations, schools, and ministries, among others are operating without national flag or fly fake and damaged flags is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated.

“A national flag serves as a mark of identity that differentiates one country from another, hence the need for all institutions in the state to fly it above all other flags,’’ Agi said.

He said that the agency had already distributed letters to all the necessary bodies in the state and advised them to comply in order to guard against any sanction.

He called on the people of the state to do the right things and join hands with the government at all levels to transform the country.

Govt Pays N1.7b Outstanding Scholarship Allowances KANO- The Kano State state government had Scholarship Board said it had paid N1.7 billion outstanding scholarship allowances to 63,000 tertiary students.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Usman Ririwai, told newsmen in Kano that the beneficiaries were studying in various institutions of higher learning across the country.

“So far we have paid N1.7 billion as outstanding scholarship allowances to 63,000 internal students in the last two years.

“When we came in 2011,

we met a backlog of outstanding scholarship for about three years,’’ he said.

He said the affected students were currently studying in more than 42 institutions of higher learning across the country.

Ririwai said the board had introduced e-payment of scholarship allowance to students this year as part of effort to check fraudulent activities among its staff members.

He gave the assurance that students who were yet to be paid would soon be paid as the

earmarked certain amount of money in this year’s budget.

According to him, the board has also paid over N1.8 billion scholarship allowances to 501 postgraduate students undergoing various courses abroad.

He said the board had also commenced processing the payment of second batch of 502 post- graduate students who would be sent outside the country to pursue their masters degree programmes in various courses.

Some Vice Chancellors of federal, states and private universities at their meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufai in Abuja on Monday.

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Business + Economy Capital Market Depreciates By 0.37 Percent LAGOS - Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened on Monday on a bearish note as the major equities recorded price losses.

Reports say that as a result of the losses, the market indicators depreciated by 0.37 per cent.

The All-Share Index also lost 136.99 points to close at 36,789.30 as against the 36,926.29 posted on Friday.

Besides, the market capitalisation, which opened at N11.694 trillion UNIDO International Consultant, Ms Ruth Nyakotey; UNIDO Industrial Development Officer, Mr. Tiddiane Boye, Minister lost N44 billion or 0.37 per of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom and UNIDO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Kormawa cent to close at N11.650 at the launch of the Investment Monitoring Platform in Nigeria recently in Abuja. trillion.

Nestle topped the losers’ Effective Implementation Of Financial Strategy chart by N6 to close at N994 per share.

Nigeria Breweries trailed with N2.70 to close at He expressed the hope that the distribution of financial access compare them across several N160.30 per share, while ABUJA- The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is to partner with partnership with the foundation points creating an ease of access countries providing for country by Cadbury lost N1.57 to the Bill and Melinda Gates would go a long way in realising to live information of the country comparison on progress of close at N54.53 per share. our inclusion efforts.

Foundation (BMGF) for the the set targets and achieve services provided by the access Sanusi commended the CAP dipped by 49k to points. effective implementation of the success.

“The potential uses of a tool “It is also important to note that foundation for making a close at N49, while Zenith Nigerian National Financial like this are limitless and the the statistics provided from this commitment to support the CBN Bank lost 40k to close at Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).

The Governor of the CBN, CBN is excited to be partnering mapping will enable Nigeria to actualise set out targets in the N20.30 per share. strategy.

CBN Partners Foundation

Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, made this known in Abuja at the launch of the Geospatail Mapping System, to track the effective implementation of the NFIS in Nigeria.

Reports say that the NFIS was launched in October, 2012, and has an overall target of reducing the number of adults excluded from access to financial services from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 20 per cent in 2020.

The Geospatail Mapping is a tool, which can be used by policy makers to collect, collate and analyse data.

Sanusi said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria is very pleased to be partnering with the Gates foundation and looks forward to the next phase of the project.

“It is imperative that going forward, a determination is made of additional information that may be relevant to our inclusion and regulation efforts that are not already accounted for in this round.”

with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on this project.

“It will act as a catalyst in the realisation of the targets outlined in our National Financial Inclusion Strategy,’’ he said.

According to him, financial inclusion efforts rely largely on data based evidence which is why tracking the progress of our National Financial Inclusion Strategy needs to be data driven.

He said that the tool, as developed by BMGF, would go a long way in providing the necessary support for gathering, monitoring and analysing data, while implementing the strategy.

Sanusi said that the interactive mapping tool, which had been developed would also provide consumers of financial services in the area with the ability to find financial access points within a five kilometre radius of any point on the map.

“This proximity-based approach reflects geographic

measure certain indicators and

On the other hand, Guinness led the gainers’ table by N3 to close at N255 per share.

It was followed by FlourMill with a gain of N2.93 to close at N82.99, while Lafarge Wapco gained N1.20 to close at N96 per share.

BetaGlass gained N1 to close at N11 per share, while Total appreciated by 99k to close at N159.99 per share.

In all, a total of 188.54 million shares worth N2.1 billion were traded in 4,085 deals.

This is against the 591.64 million shares valued N3.5 billion traded in 5,086 deals on Friday.

GTBank drove the turnover volume, accounting for 35.43 million shares worth N909.02 million.

Transcorp came second on the activity chart with 24.12 million shares valued at N36.83 million, while Aiico accounted for 20.61 million shares worth N18.62 million.

Lawmaker Canvasses ResourceControl

LAGOS - A federal lawmaker, Rep. Lanre Odubote, (ACN-Epe), said in Lagos that states should be allowed to explore their mineral and oil resources and contribute sizeable percentage of their earnings to the Federation Account.

Odubote, a former journalist, spoke to newsmen against the backdrop of ongoing massive crude oil theft and pillaging in the Niger Delta.

“States should be allowed to explore their oil and other resources, sell them and contribute to the nation’s revenue earnings.

“This way, they will be able to police such resources against theft by unscrupulous elements and stop the wave of criminality that is going on.

“Oil theft is a curse, not a

blessing to our country. This maritime criminality is now worse than the piracy on Somalian waters. It must stop.

Fiscal federalism is the solution,” he said.

Reports say that the House of Representatives had on July 3 inaugurated a 14-member committee, chaired by Mr Bahir Adamu, to investigate the people and institutions behind oil theft in the delta.

The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had disclosed that illegal oil theft in the delta could be as high as 400,000 barrels per day, resulting in a 17 per cent fall in official sales of crude in the international market.

Also, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)

says Nigeria loses $1.68 billion annually to crude oil theft, with 90 per cent of its pipelines in the region ruptured by the suspected oil thieves.

Odubote, a former Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Speaker, suggested that the 1999 constitution should be amended to allow for fiscal federalism in the country.

He expressed the hope that fiscal federalism would further deepen the nation’s democracy and encourage resourcefulness among states.

According to him, oil exploration in the area had been associated with unprecedented criminality, posing a serious threat to national security.

He added:“If states are empowered by law to control

their resources, it will bring out the best out of this country.

“There will be healthy competition among the states to harness their resources for development and also put an end to corruption.

“It will also help to curtail threats to national security and the economy.”

Odubote recalled that the late President Umaru Yar’ Adua had in 2008 called for help from the international community in the fight against what he called blood oil, in addition to President Goodluck Jonathan’s spirited effort, but to no avail.

He urged politicians and wellmeaning Nigerians to give the issue of resource control the needed support, in a bid to give the country a new lease of life.

Financial Inclusion: CBN Adopts

LAGOS - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it wants to use geospatial mapping to identify access points to capture unbanked persons to achieve rapid financial inclusion.

CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said this at the inauguration of the Geospatial Mapping of Financial Institutions in Lagos.

The mapping was inaugurated in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Sanusi said the CBN intended to make more people use financial institutions’ services.

He explained that financial access points were places, markets, motor parks, PoS (point of sale) terminals and postal agencies.

“This mapping technology will

Mapping Technology be able to provide information of where access points are.

“This method is in line with our cashless policy and the Nigeria Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).

“Financial inclusion efforts rely on data based evidence to track the progress of the NFIS. “This new technology will provide information about access points within a five kilometer radius“, he said.

Reports say that NFIS was inaugurated in October 2012 to reduce the number of adults excluded from access to financial services.

NFIS aims to bridge the financially excluded adults of 46.3 per cent to 20 per cent by

2020.

According to Sanusi, achieving the 2020 financial inclusion target will require the collaboration of all the stakeholders in the finance industry.

“Some of such initiatives are the development of agent banking guidelines and the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirement to encourage financial institutions to reach out to underserved segments.

“Other initiatives include the development of the Consumer Protection Framework under a newly set up Consumer Protection Department and increase campaign to promote financial literacy“, he said.

Representative of the Chairman, National Population Commission, Dr. Festus Uzor, member, House Committee on Population, Rep. Charles Odedo and Federal Commissioner, Nasarawa, Alhaji Umar Zakari, at a News Conference in commemoration of 2013 World Population Day in Abuja recently.

THE

NIGERIAN

11

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY(09/07/13) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

LIVESTOCK

5

4.89

-0.11

49

1,775,351

8,715,216.83

7UP

53

53

0

11

9,850

529,944.62

MANSARD

2

2.1

0.1

42

1,371,131

2,866,379.10

ABCTRANS

1.19

1.24

0.05

35

696,202

845,284.16

MAYBAKER

2.95

2.7

-0.25

19

351,040

949,919.03

ACADEMY

2.04

2.04

0

2

14,622

29,828.88

MBENEFIT

0.5

0.5

0

4

257,000

128,500.00

ACCESS

10.8

10.95

0.15

231

10,792,627

117,768,781.78

MCNICHOLS

1.67

1.67

0

7

203,100

309,380.00

AFRINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

1

2,000

1,000.00

MOBIL

107.1

107.1

0

7

7,428

820,530.00

AFRIPRUD

1.8

1.85

0.05

38

562,002

1,027,899.69

MORISON

2.01

2.01

0

2

338

669.24

AGLEVENT

1.45

1.59

0.14

4

167,400

258,666.00

MRS

17.8

17.8

0

18

88,996

1,663,371.88

7.3

7.1

-0.2

52

832,477

5,877,965.28

AIICO

0.9

0.9

0

32

7,663,017

6,929,320.89

NAHCO

AIRSERVICE

4.53

4.21

-0.32

12

230,200

981,626.00

NASCON

12.64

12.58

-0.06

58

969,563

12,169,629.71

ASHAKACEM

25.8

25.2

-0.6

44

3,451,077

87,560,119.44

NB

160.3

162

1.7

138

985,026

158,708,616.87

AUSTINLAZ

2

2

0

1

90

198

NCR

18.7

18.7

0

4

1,820

30,630.60

BERGER

10.25

10.25

0

8

8,368

79,708.44

NEIMETH

1.32

1.3

-0.02

12

537,377

698,004.63

BETAGLAS

11

11

0

3

2,110

21,530.00

NEM

0.73

0.71

-0.02

27

2,932,954

2,198,755.96

CADBURY

54.53

54.53

0

61

425,435

22,887,171.82

NESF

552.2

552.2

0

1

100

49,698.00

CAP

49

51.41

2.41

19

124,740

6,260,004.34

NESTLE

994

1000

6

92

563,712

563,663,973.97

CCNN

10.5

10.1

-0.4

11

138,178

1,397,013.52

NIG-GERMAN

8.17

8.17

0

1

10

73.6

26.5

26.5

0

6

14,023

372,289.50

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

2

10,000

5,000.00

NNFM

CHELLARAM

4.89

4.41

-0.48

1

50,000

220,500.00

NPFMCRFBK

1.08

1.06

-0.02

7

125,700

130,200.00

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

1

30,000

15,000.00

OANDO

12.28

12.3

0.02

310

7,513,436

92,635,637.97

CONOIL

23

23

0

15

17,858

420,898.40

OASISINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

5,000

2,500.00

CONTINSURE

1.28

1.28

0

5

150,000

178,080.00

OKOMUOIL

48

48

0

45

364,406

16,983,315.18

CORNERST

0.54

0.59

0.05

13

454,702

244,935.09

PAINTCOM

1.9

1.9

0

3

12,600

23,310.00

COSTAIN

1.52

1.43

-0.09

25

355,329

519,214.38

PORTPAINT

7.22

6.5

-0.72

178

8,935,415

66,020,622.52

COURTVILLE

0.8

0.77

-0.03

36

3,324,665

2,453,198.75

PRESCO

38.97

38.97

0

42

570,367

21,876,917.70

CUSTODYINS

1.56

1.48

-0.08

21

2,163,636

3,327,791.81

PRESTIGE

0.58

0.53

-0.05

12

1,212,100

644,934.00

39

39

0

66

584,729

22,744,425.46

CUTIX

2

2

0

13

377,568

733,106.32

PZ

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

16

51,588

25,794.00

REDSTAREX

4.89

4.89

0

3

40,800

185,804.00

DANGCEM

185

189

4

84

1,044,669

196,171,568.30

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

2

34,400,000

17,200,000.00

DANGFLOUR

9.65

9.5

-0.15

63

537,335

5,119,371.10

ROADS

9.06

9.06

0

1

1,000

9,960.00

DANGSUGAR

11.59

11.72

0.13

132

14,209,659

165,129,849.32

ROYALEX

0.58

0.55

-0.03

4

269,826

151,204.47

DIAMONDBNK

6.89

6.75

-0.14

87

3,769,485

25,650,046.44

RTBRISCOE

1.7

1.64

-0.06

29

746,301

1,227,977.20

DNMEYER

1.47

1.47

0

4

34,498

53,230.20

SKYEBANK

4.96

4.94

-0.02

124

5,457,744

26,662,880.96

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

1

40,000

20,000.00

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

50,000

25,000.00

EQUITYASUR

0.5

0.5

0

1

18,000

9,000.00

STANBIC

15.31

15.3

-0.01

28

17,832,301

272,834,460.30

2.61

2.59

-0.02

66

14,441,177

36,117,275.89

ETERNA

3.22

3.18

-0.04

32

888,549

2,875,588.49

STERLNBANK

ETI

14.5

14.59

0.09

98

1,219,342

17,746,500.38

TANTALIZER

0.5

0.5

0

1

25,600

12,800.00

EVANSMED

3.79

3.48

-0.31

12

178,146

649,660.70

TOTAL

159.99

159.99

0

9

1,577

246,027.56

FBNH

17.52

17.4

-0.12

516

12,446,330

216,995,782.75

TRANSCORP

1.46

1.32

-0.14

185

33,287,266

45,435,413.77

14.9

14.9

0

17

294,865

4,396,098.70

FCMB

4.76

4.76

0

52

2,084,857

9,919,791.90

UAC-PROP

FIDELITYBK

3.12

3.12

0

122

5,959,102

18,517,026.35

UACN

54.5

54.55

0.05

47

270,010

14,831,658.77

FIDSON

1.95

2

0.05

79

2,495,302

5,068,189.73

UBA

8.18

8.25

0.07

278

8,966,578

74,025,474.80

FIRSTALUM

0.5

0.5

0

1

7,875

3,937.50

UBCAP

1.18

1.16

-0.02

100

15,206,450

17,126,454.02

FLOURMILL

82.99

85

2.01

99

338,698

28,465,356.92

UBN

12.21

11.93

-0.28

76

756,537

9,064,735.68

FO

20.34

20.34

0

29

212,649

4,717,294.89

UNILEVER

58.5

58

-0.5

37

321,362

18,645,334.50

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.5

0

2

114,000

57,000.00

UNITYBNK

0.61

0.6

-0.01

59

6,322,999

3,821,443.46

GLAXOSMITH

67

60.3

-6.7

13

231,500

13,959,450.00

UNIVINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

3

108,228

54,114.00

GUARANTY

25.71

25.45

-0.26

414

19,806,904

506,748,713.74

UPL

4.77

4.77

0

9

33,130

163,999.10

0.69

0.65

-0.04

1

77,000

50,050.00

GUINNESS

255

251

-4

40

68,477

17,247,175.87

UTC

HMARKINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

100

50

VITAFOAM

4.5

4.51

0.01

25

528,607

2,375,495.10

HONYFLOUR

3.31

3.29

-0.02

58

3,259,847

10,408,193.43

WAPCO

96

98

2

45

802,136

78,078,136.96

IHS

2.03

2.15

0.12

10

3,140,000

6,744,199.00

WAPIC

0.92

0.9

-0.02

25

943,577

858,243.90

IKEJAHOTEL

0.87

0.88

0.01

9

412,528

330,652.22

WEMABANK

1.22

1.15

-0.07

49

2,290,413

2,688,207.24

INTBREW

25.5

25.5

0

31

247,800

5,984,825.50

ZENITHBANK

20.3

20.45

0.15

241

5,486,097

112,480,497.01

IPWA

0.69

0.69

0

5

119,506

83,654.20

JAPAULOIL

0.53

0.52

-0.01

56

5,394,534

2,894,093.41

JBERGER

65

66

1

11

67,865

4,481,702.30

JOHNHOLT

1.55

1.55

0

5

37,754

56,838.24

JOSBREW

1.1

1.1

0

4

23,000

22,770.00

LASACO

0.5

0.5

0

4

326,830

163,415.00

LAWUNION

0.5

0.5

0

2

25,000

12,500.00

LEARNAFRCA

1.78

1.78

0

9

42,000

75,160.00

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NESTLE DANGCEM CAP FLOURMILL WAPCO NB JBERGER ACCESS ZENITHBANK AGLEVENT

Close 1000 189 51.41 85 98 162 66 10.95 20.45 1.59

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain 6 4 2.41 2.01 2 1.7 1 0.15 0.15 0.14

Stock GLAXOSMITH GUINNESS PORTPAINT ASHAKACEM UNILEVER CHELLARAM CCNN AIRSERVICE EVANSMED UBN

Close 60.3 251 6.5 25.2 58 4.41 10.1 4.21 3.48 11.93

Loss -6.7 -4 -0.72 -0.6 -0.5 -0.48 -0.4 -0.32 -0.31 -0.28

THE

NIGERIAN

12

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

VERY recently, gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect attacked Government Secondary School, Mamudo, Potiskum, Yobe State, Killing 29 pupils and a teacher in the boarding school.

IT was reported that some victims were burnt alive by the attackers, others were shot while trying to escape. Several other pupils were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries as they tried to flee and are reportedly in critical conditions in the hospital.

ONLY last month, the same group killed seven pupils and two teachers in Damaturu, the state capital in a similar attack in a Primary school in June. As a fact, a total of 48 pupils and seven teachers have so far been massacred by the insurgents since June 16.

WE are shocked at the continued targeting of harmless school pupils by the dare devils who cruelly killed the harmless and innocent students while asleep at night in their hostels and condemn their gruesome murder in its entirety. The killings are barbaric and unimaginable in a 21st century global world. There can be no justification, whatsoever for the deliberate targeting of children and those looking after them.

THE

NIGERIAN

Masaccre Of 29 Students By Boko Haram ORDINARILY, in a war situation, women and children and even innocent civilian populations are not fired by warring parties as a rule. But sadly, Boko Haram disregards these war time rules in their armed campaign whose mission or grouse is still unclear to many Nigerians, including the Islamic community. It is highly reprehensible targeting harmless children and their teachers who did not contribute to the problem of society in any way.

IT is sad and more worrisome that this ugly incident occurred in an environment where a State of Emergency is being implemented.

The question is where were the security men at the time of the incident? Why did government choose to disconnect mobile telephones in affected states where the emergency rule is operational?

We believe that if the cell phones of residents were functional, the miscreants would not have been able to escape after perpetrating the dastardly act.

WE therefore call on the federal government to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity and bring them to justice. Nigeria cannot be reduced to a barbaric society where innocent children would be massacred with impunity by Boko Haram insurgents.

GOVERNMENT has to take further steps to forestall any other occurrence of this wickedness by beefing up security around all public schools and institutions in troubled parts of the state. We equally appeal to military authorities and the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, to take urgent steps to restore mobile communications services in the affected states , so that information could be easily passed by citizens to security authorities, when the unexpected occur. We believe that if mobile telephones were functional, citizens around the schools would have made contacts that would have dealt with the impunity of the hoodlums.

BEYOND the recent events, we are still worried about the unending bloodletting in Northern Nigeria by this group. We urge a more holistic approach to dealing with the insurgency and impunity of the insurgents to put a final stop to this menace.

THE

NIGERIAN

13

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

View Point

Between Freedom Of Association And Fighting Corruption

SOME days back, the Federal Government banned civil servants from accepting chieftaincy titles. This, was contained in an announcement signed by D i r e c t o r (Communications), office of the head of the civil service of the Federation, Tope Ajakaiye. According to him the practice of soliciting for chieftaincy titles and Sundry awards is inimical to the principles of anonymity, integrity and political neutrality which are core values of the civil service.

Furthermore, the statement said that where a civil servant must hold, a traditional title, due clearance must be obtained from the secretary to the government of the federation through the Head of the Civil Service.

This case is only allowed when the chieftaincy position is mandatory through inheritance.

Apart from the above circumstance, any civil servant who wishes to take a chieftaincy position must retire before dreaming of attaining such goal. The decision was also taken to address the issue of corruption which has become rampant in the civil service.

This, decision, although meant to curb corruption and sundry crimes, is a violation of the fundamental rights of individuals to association. Section 40 of the 1999 constitution, bequeaths this right to the individual. This step is not the best for the country. Now, to fight corruption, there is need to place the necessary platforms. The problem of the nation is not taking chieftaincy.

There are greater loop

holes through which funds are siphoned from the civil service coffers.

What if someone siphons money and does not take a title? Does it make him/ her not to still be in possession of such money? What about those who are doing great harm to the country and yet do not get noticed? What about the political office holders?, are they not also contributing to the corruption experienced in the country and therefore should be banned from taking titles? What is good for the civil servants is also good for the political class.

Also, are there not better ways to curb the corruption in the service?

What about the backlash that this decision would have on the cultural heritage of the nation?

Why wouldn’t the means of acquiring chieftaincy titles be made more accountable? Can’t the Federal Civil Service Commission, saddled with the responsibility of disciplining erring civil servants, check the financial ability of a civil servant before he is allowed to take any title?

Similarly, how would it be ascertained if a civil servant is worth a chieftaincy position or not in his/her town or anywhere? Does it now entails that deserving civil servants who have

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

made immense contribution to their hometowns or other places, should be denied

throwing the baby away with the bath water? As some persons, would ask, should someone cut off

shrouded by some ‘ogas at the top’ under the guise of mandatory/hereditary chieftaincy? Some will still ask, of all the policies that have been made

that it is not meant to witch hunt some persons that are perceived political enemies?

Until answers, and concrete one for that matter are given to these questions posed, then the decision is not in the best interest of the generality

before now to combat corruption in service, how many have worked?

What is the likelihood

of the Nigerian public.

Only time will tell how this development would pay out!

President Goodluck Jonathan

the privilege of taking chieftaincy titles?

The decision or stance, does it amount to

his head just because he/ she has headache? Again, would there not be sacred cows who would be

“There are greater loop holes through which funds are siphoned from the civil service coffers. What if someone siphons money and does not take a title? Does it make him/her not to still be in possession of such money? What about those who are doing great harm to the country and yet do not get noticed? What about the political office holders?, are they not also contributing to the corruption experienced in the country and therefore should be banned from taking titles?

What is good for the civil servants is also good for the political class.”

THE

NIGERIAN

14

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Agriculture

Understanding Snail Farming (2)

SNAIL farming is the domestication or rearing of snail in an artificial environment. It entails provision of good housing and feeding for snails to achieve optimum growth and reproduction.

In our first edition, the author emphasized on what snail farming is all about, the different breeds of snails such as African giant snails Archatina marginate, Archatina archatina, Limocolania species which is the smallest edible land snail of the moist forest belt of Nigeria as well as described the various types of housing used for rearing snails.

This second edition is focused on: What are the economic benefits of rearing snails?

What are the sources of purchasing foundation stock of snails?

What are the feeds used for rearing snails.

What are some problems associated with snail farming.

What are some economic benefits or rearing snails? Simply put, the economic benefits of snail farming are summarized as follows.

Low capital intensive Good source of protein in human diets.

Low fat and cholesterol level.

Environmental friendly Secondary occupation Low mortality

By OLUMESE MARK Good foreign exchange earner.

Source of feed for livestock The shell –is a rich source of calcium mineral used for traditional medicine practice What are the sources of purchasing foundation stocks of snails The various sources of purchasing snails of foundation stocks are namely.

Research institution like institute of Agric. Research and Training moor plantation I.A.R Ibadan. The experts will also give in Edo ADP our framers necessary advised if contacted Markets. Snails could also be purchased from the open markets.

The buyer must be very careful when purchasing from the market because of the adaptability and future performance of the snail.

The market women do not take care of the snails in the market What are the feeds used for rearing snails?

The various feeds used for feeding snails include Pawpaw leaves Cocoyam leaves Feeds And Feeding Snails Are Vegetarian All Will Accept Many Types Of Food

“Compounded rations high in protein calcium, and phosphorus but low in energy. Such as rating containing wheat offal, maize, groundnut cake, soybean meal, fish meal spent, grain, rice bran, palm kernel cake, bone meal, powdered oyster/snails shell, ground limestone and vitamins/ mineral premix provide clean water at all times. Household waste cooked rice plantain peels, eba and fufu.”

Snails Feed Mainly On Green leaves. Pawapaw, cocoyam, Okra, water leaf eggplants kola loofia, cassava cabbage, lettuce cowpea, amaranths, centrosema and plantain.

Frits pawpaw oil palm, eggplant, pear, tomato, cucumber, mango, banana, guava pineapple Coconut, fig, orange and melon.

Tibers: yam cocoyam, cassava, sweet potato, carrot and flowers such as; morning glory, pawpaw.

Compounded rations high in protein calcium, and phosphorus but low in energy. Such as rating containing wheat offal, maize, groundnut cake, soybean meal, fish meal spent, grain, rice bran, palm kernel cake, bone meal, powdered oyster/snails shell, ground limestone and vitamins/ mineral premix provide clean water at all times. Household waste cooked rice plantain peels, eba and

fufu Useful hints on feeding Green pawpaw fruit with cocoyam leaves tend to reduce mortality rate in snail nutrition Cut the fruits in to small pieces before offering to snails.

Feed on combination of plants food rather than one or two feeds for enhanced growth.

Avoid chilli paper, salt, lime, cashew plants e.t.c. in the feeding of snails.

Mouldy, state or fermented food should not be given to snails For older snails serve water in flat container. for baby snails, a piece of sponge a cotton wool soaked in water will do You can feed the snails anytime of the day Daily Routine Practices Remove the leftover feed every day Check the housing units and remove any dead snail.

Clean and replenish water trough with cool, fresh and clean water.

Clean the pens and the surrounding Ensure that the pens is well mulched Check the wire netting or mosquito netting to see if it is torn.

Ensure that the water disinfectant mixture is adequate to prevent ants invasion.

Keep the door to the housing always shot.

THE

NIGERIAN

15

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Oil & Gas IPMAN Is Experiencing A Revolution - Fred Ufuah

WHEN he speaks, what you behold is the eloquence and assertiveness of a man whose passion for social justice is equaled only by his desire for an IPMAN that is built on the foundation of democratic truth. Besides, he is said to have great reputation for thoroughness and uncommon capacity for reaching out to the larger society. His name is FRED UFUA, PRO, IPMAN, Midwestern Zone, Edo/Delta States.

In this interview he says what is happening in IPMAN is not a crisis but a clash of ideas between antidemocratic forces and progressives who insist that the principles of due process and constitution must be followed in the conduct of the association’s affairs. It is an interesting interview for in it you will find what you may not have known about IPMAN Midwest Zone.

Happy reading: TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN and OSAZUA IBVAZE (both Senior Editors, THE NIGERIAN OBSREVER, anchored this chat.)

What is the cause of National Secretary. I think that was on the 15 th of IPMAN crisis?

I am Mr. Fred Ufuah, the September in 1983, that Managing Director of same Constitution stands Charisma Oil and Gas today. I want the members Limited. I am a Petroleum of the press to equally go Marketer and I have my and investigate. Before a service stations. I am Constitution can be currently the newly elected accepted in this country, and authentic Zonal Nigeria, which we are in, IPMAN PRO, Mid- it must have been passed, signed and accepted by all Western Zone. of that As far as I am concerned members Our there is no crisis in association.

IPMAN, I would always association did a good job. tell people including the Our forefathers did a good members of the public and job in bringing to existence our marketers, IPMAN has the Constitution in 1983. no faction. As far as we are Today, I heard that people concerned, we have done a are parading some illegal very very credible election documents all about. Well that brought us on board those matters are still and our zonal chairman, is subject to litigations and Chief Sylvanus until the court dispenses Idanwrenkhai , the M.D. of judgements on the cases, I Vicollins Oil. He is the am not in a position to current and the authentic speak on them.

Zonal chairman, IPMAN But as far as we are aware, Mid-Western Zone. He was the Constitution that we duly elected, through a know is in existence that is popular mandate of all the equally registered with the Affairs independent petroleum Corporate Commission.

The same marketers state in Edo Constitution does not State and Delta. So as far provide for a care-taker at as we are concerned, there any level of the association. is no faction.

We have other members, The man, Chief Solomon the secretary of the body, Ogbewe is still parading IPMAN Mid-western himself, we are calling on Zone, Barr. Osazee him to respect the Izedomwen. We have a Constitution of IPMAN. We are ready to work with long list of them.

The Constitution of him, as long as he is ready IPMAN that we know, to respect the provision of came into existence in the our Constitution, respect 80’s specifically in 1983. the spirit and letters of our We have a Constitution that Constitution. He is we have been using, that parading himself illegally was duly passed by all as the acting Zonal marketers was signed by chairman in a paper the National President and circulated to the press. We

are ready to see to it that the press goes to the appropriate quarters to verify which of the Constitutions is approved and the authentic legal documents of the association. Those at the National level that have come to say they have a Constitution are trouble makers.

The recognition of Chief Solomon Ogbewe as the Acting Zonal Chairman, by the National Vice President of IPMAN does not suggest the existence of a factional group for you?

If you study the provisions of the authentic constitution of IPMAN, there is no provision for a Deputy National President.

So his coming to Benin is to foment trouble. He is an ordinary marketer. He signs the same agreement from NNPC and the necessary licences from DPR. To me, I don’t recognise his position. As far as the constitution before us is concerned, it is stated clearly that the National meeting of IPMAN, the Zonal Chairmen, are automatic deputy presidents of IPMAN at the National level. So, I don’t know the zone that he is a chairman though I know he is from the Eastern zone of IPMAN. As far as we are concerned, he only came here to foment trouble. In fact we are in a democratic setting in the country. For any body to ascend to any position, you must subject your self to the popular mandate. So what we are saying, is Chief Ogbewe is qualified to contest any election, but he is not qualified to impose himself on any body. If you know you can not win an election, you can not go about parading yourself as a leader. You can not go to one place in Abuja or anywhere and get a letter, saying that the National Executive Council has

Comrade Fred Ufua, PRO, Benin Depot.

spoken. What we are saying; the spirit and letter of the IPMAN Constitution must be followed in constituting any body. The people you are seeing today at the National level who are parading themselves as National leaders have caused many crisis at various depots and zones. This is purely against the provisions IPMAN Constitution and the objectives of the founding members of IPMAN. So, what we have at the National level is National Association and not NEC, and they have long list of executives.

These positions are not in the Constitution. So, as far as we are concerned, somebody who has no position can not come to address a Press Conference, saying that so and so is the acting chairman. They might have the money to spread falsehood. But we are determined and focused.

We are also telling our marketers i.e. those that voted for us to be determined and resolute.

They should stand firm.

This is a crusade, a revolution of the young ones to wipe away the ills that have long been in practice in our various depots and zones.

Can you please, tell our

readers the structure of IPMAN in Edo State?

IPMAN is Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria. It has a Constitution as I have earlier affirmed. In Benin depot, I am the Zonal PRO; the entire zone, which comprises of Edo and Delta. Benin Depot is only a depot within the zone. I am a member of the Benin axis of the zone. There is in existence two bodies; Akugbe and BOMA i.e.

Akugbe marketers Association of Nigeria which are duly registered incorporated associations in Nigeria. They are sub associations. BOMA is the Benin Petroleum Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria. They exist and have their members. When we are having any election, these two groups go back to their various constituencies and get elected and if you win, you come and stand a chance to be voted for by the entire marketers. So, one is only voted for by the marketers after passing the election at the various local associations. So if you are not popular, a paper can not bring you on board. What we are having is a popular mandate, and we are prepared to defend the mandate, to defend the corporate interest of our members. We are equally

prepared to defend the aims and objectives of the association.

On behalf of your executive Council now in place, what is your mission?

We are not selfish. We are transparent. I have served the Benin Depot as Secretary for 3 years, after which I served as an exofficio I served Chief Ogbewe, when he was chairman IPMAN Benin Depot, I was the Secretary.

He came in through BOMA and I through Akugbe, so he can not now deny the fact that these bodies are in existence.

Today he is denying the existence of these two bodies because he is trying to assume a position that does not belong to him. He should subject himself to election by popular mandate.

What is your assessment of Governor Oshiomhole?

He is the Chief Security Officer of the state and everybody can see what the governor has done.

Today, I can attest to the fact that what we have is good governance. The government in IPMAN too wants to replicate what Oshiomhole has done in Edo State as well as Governor Uduaghan in Delta State. We want to replicate their strides by delivering good governance and ensure that everybody gets what is there as we are transparent.

THE

NIGERIAN

16

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Midweek Continued from last week

THUS from the foregoing, it bears emphasis of a notion again, that all of these passing diabolical incidences plaguing the LAND are simply the signs and apparitions of the hang-over of, the too-manya-systemic-defect in the administrative machinery of the nation’s statehood: such as hitherto sketchily alluded to, as being the cumulative background with a somewhat metaphysical undertone, that formed the retarding stasis which reversibly demagnetizes the nation’s otherwise stupendous endowments from GROWTH way back in time; and this is as is deductible to originate from the basis of the said Arrows of Disunity, as are present in the twists of the prevailing fragile ethnic cohesion — being another angle of a dire implication of the Biorhythm of Nature which goes with the immutable laws of recompense: as the course of sowing and reaping. likewise the concept of “nothing-goes-fornothing”; — all for which there is desperate need for investible cord of mutual understanding within the body of the nation’s citizenry: towards equitable win-in-win aggregation of equality of interests to be instilled in the mainstream of the populace at interpersonal and inter-group levels; such that should derive statutorily and habitually from within the endearing spirit of participatory and partnering social incentives as in faith and confidence-building between the symbiotic relationships of the leaders as a party on the one hand, and the followers on the other. This is as saying that it is only the Two who are in agreement that could work together. This is even as buttressed biblically in the aphorism that when Two or three are gathered together..., shall their prayers be answered: this is ostensibly to demystify the aura of estrangements in the gaps between the havesand-the-have-nots; the richand-the poor, etcetera: for there to be a malleable

ground of positive corelationships amongst the populace that should be at ease, in other to get carried along with sufficient enthusiasm and solidarity in a bandwagon of cooperation with the Leaders in their onerous administrative dispensations while this also is that the nation becomes constructively better pedestalled with a regime of leaderships that are predeterminably and regimentally focused on the nation’s progress target. It’s on this premise that the simmering public outcries and social restiveness in the hand, cannot but be viewed with ironic mix-feelings: that some well meaning irate-members of the society are suing for radical change, which strikes as their pentup angers and apparent reaction to the diluvia of difficulties and challenges that had overwhelmed the nation: such mob cynicisms being more from irritability and emotionality, that are perhaps unmindful of the vagaries of the inherent causative factors why the nation is in floundering chaos; because, mob and insurrectionist- reversalaction or radicalist eye on a break-up, are hardly an equation to the puzzling predicaments of the populace: for even if the nation is split into bits of smithereens to the levels of one’s own preference for a given existing geographic locality, for example, it would still bear no difference; for as long as it is virtually the same spirit and culture and sociology that relatively rule the people as inhabitants that may only be so geographically different.

This is given the selfconsciousness and parochial nature of humans and the attendant sensitive selfinterest along with intricate moral hazards that are ever in conflicts amongst any given people who share common demographic dwellings - even from the family fold, through the ambits of communities to the strata of the conurbating larger societies - such that were being the curious issues of social concerns: needless to say that this universally puerile stigma

Magazine

of the humans had been the relatively necessitated the formular of the Rule-of-Law as encapsuled in the instrumentality of democracy - more or less as arbiter and the Danielcome-to-Judgment and as a Goal of harmony and tranquility for the Body of Mankind; but this is the same skillful devise for ‘Peaceful Co-existence’ as envisioned by man for man, that has been so defiantly abused and bastardized by the acts of the same man out of which are the spillage of all the sordid ills that are antithetical to the orderly environments in which a society may thrive: save that the antidote against these social pestilences beyond the law cannot be from anywhere else than the nugget of proficiency with which the State’s POWER are managed at the prerogatives of the State’s Leadership Stakeholders in given democratic sphere.

This is contextually, for the Government of the Day to bank doggedly on the will not to get distraught or lost in the morbid density of the prevailing socio-political clouds that now plague the nation; but to have vibrant administrative thrust that must zero-in on ideological strategy to eliminate the social canker of disunity: as the adherence to the tenets and dictum of corporate oneness of purpose is a Golden Key to lock out the bitter fears of one another; especially as the distrusts that hunt the psyche of the diverse ethnic, multi-lingua and cultural interests that would be the integrated background for a functional concord as the leeway for the spectrum of our peculiar society to flourish democratically towards a worthwhile future; while it suffices to say specifically that the Nigerian Nation’s peculiar situation comes across as a rippled water as per the prevailing sociopolitical events under which the leadership stakeholders have been in the eye of the storm for obvious reasons: This is such that calls for a need for the imbalances in the political ‘covenant’ between the nation’s leaders and the citizens to be

Nigerian Leadersh

By PAUL AMEN-AIFUWA

streamlined, with priority for conciliation and remedial normalization: for the vista of the two interests to be seen to ally in agreeing to agree as hitherto illustrated, like the saying that two hands can only be clean when the Right and the Left do the washing together just as the scriptural admonition which says: “when two or three are gathered..., shall their

being sought against the circuitous challenges that confront a nation like Nigeria: for which is the desperate want that something should ‘give-in’ exigently and exclusively on the part of the leaderships, to serve as a culturing and psychological balm and/or olive-branch from the leaderships in preparatory towards the redress of the dismal trends

President Goodluck Jonathan

request be granted.” This sanctified sociopolitical understanding between the citizenry and the leaderships that had long eluded the nation, must be the providential era to dawn for the nation to be due to be recipient of the long sought breakthroughs in facilitated socio-political-economic progress ... only at the threshold of the obedience to a nationally mutual empathy and accommodativeness of the leaders and the rest of the people!

It’s at this juncture again, that the order of the protocol of nature takes precedence: as regards what needs to be done as it borders on the imperatives of the ‘first thing-first’: as a seeming preamble that precedes the conjuring of an answer

impactful approach be adopted that would be an edifice akin to the pragmatic decisiveness of action in the 1930 Historical Year of depression in United States of America - about which the peculiar Nigerian nation’s version should be in the tone of the Albert Eistein’s “Big Bang Theorization”; such that would aptly flow with the wake of the ‘Centenary New Start’, towards the Nation’s Socio—Political and Economic

ince inc Gov Pre Mem of P who Stat Cou patr sav that eatthe Sch be a

Senate President, David Mark

that had rightly or wrongly but allegedly so attributable to the excepted errors and omissions of the said Leaderships, which had formed the vicarious ground of disgruntlements amongst the populace; from which are the ensuing uproars with manifest upsurge of anarchical and multi-facetted anti-social vices!! Indeed this is for there to be a remarkable gesture of what-to-give as a token of good- turn by the leaderships to the People from whom to expect much and also to deserve another.

A NATIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE PLAN (NASOWEP) TO BE FLOATED This is that something of somewhat bureaucratically unorthodox but resultoriented, and demonstrably

Transformational line: such that would be a symbolism of exclusive monument to deliberately animate and rekindle the warmth and endearment of the populace to the leadership: such that would be an occasioned horizon in a manner of a RITE that’s compatible with the cleansing of Augene stable for the nation, in support of an invigorated new beginning: and this would be better premised in accord with the said order of the ‘first-thing-first’: that an immediate All-EmbracingSocial-Welfare-Plan be put in place; and that this initiative be funded at the instance of the Hierarchy of the said pedigree of the Nation’s Political Leaderships — that is, of all the collective lineages of the Nation’s Leaderships from

Acc exe sup wh we Com the the wel Wis and is a We Reg the MO intr thr wh rep be e ‘id con neig or i wan bac fun

THE

NIGERIAN

17

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Midweek

hip Can Make It

eption as dignitaries that lude: the Heads of vernments and esidents, Cabinet mbers and other Doyens Political Office holders, o would for proof of tesmanship and love of untry, be sufficiently and riotically provoked at ing the Fatherland; and t they magnanimously -the-apple-pie, to flag-off funding of this Welfare hedule which is aimed to a robust Multi-Trillion-

count - a monumental ercise that would be of the pports of other concerned o-is-who amongst the ll-to-do pre-eminent mpatriot-Leaders of — Civil Society, including Religious Institutions: as ll as friends and Well shers of the nation fard-near: even as this also an SOS motioning to the est and other Humane gions of the World, where re may be any strayed ONEYS of Nigerian rinsic resource(s) ough any source(s), ich recovery or atriation to Nigeria may encumbered due to either entity’ or legal nstraints: such ghboring foreign Nations interests, who would not nt to be seen as holding ck on such questionable nds, neither to be seen as

detractor- accomplices that had hands in the economic drainage of Nigeria, which had been a part of the cause of her underdevelopment; but that such international ByStander(s) would thusly wish the nation the wellness to be good for the good of our Common-World to which Nigeria ever conversely remains eternally good that the Omnibus Account be open for the Coordination and Administration of the

ultimate best for the nation, it is to be seen that it’s successful utility and implementation are not just only for there to be a psychsutchured fabric of hope, to pacify the frailed temperaments of the socially-shell-shocked populace, neither to serve as incentive to stimulate patriotic fervor, but to secure an inroad to social ability of atmosphere with disinfectant effect against the horrors of the rampaging

Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Reps

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at the behest of the National Council of State: to principally serve the immediate basic stipend needs for categories of the nation’s needy and extremely, down-trodden: the under privileged: the disadvantaged and the unemployed - all from which are relative sources and parts of the hatchery of the epidemics of the afflictions and metastasis of social ills against the nation, that is now almost being choked to a total ruin; and for all such sediments of sociological toxins to be detoxified out of her Body-Scheme-ofThings; and that while this NASOWEP phenomenon may also translate as a kind of Centenary Memorial and a nostalgia of shared impassioned love of the Leaderships towards the

insecurities and torrents of heinous criminalities in the land: and more so to enlist a bang-wagon of cooperation and collaborative interests of majority of the citizenry — whose creative endowments now in lull and dormancy would spontaneously yield to a harness towards contributive and all-inclusive productivity of one-and-all for a fast-tracked antidote to the nation’s economic WANTS, which haunt and taunt banefully as penury for many. This is to note in passing, that the cardinal essence of the NASOWEP ‘Project’ is with the ambitious over-view to serve a successfully fulfilling need of the immediate national social demands, to precede and/or be a precursor to the action of Government of the Day, to find her feet

Magazine and rise out of its bureaucratic order-of-things to articulate and consolidate on the said Welfare Plan, in a way and style to enhance the dividends of democracy to percolate dawn the spectrum of the segments of the citizenry - a gesture that would be an initiation and a baptism of the populace into unalloyed nationalistic consciousness and selfmotivated patriotism. This is also to stress that any ‘excess’ of the seed proceeds which may accrue beyond the envisaged Fiscal Benchmark of the said NASOWEP Project, would be prudently extended to cover other infrastructure as the ‘jinxed’ POWER, Petroleum REFINERIES, EDUCATION, AGRIC, etcetera; so that the NASOWEP would therefore be a readily an opportune ground of plausible compromise for the leadership hierarchy being stakeholders as the nation’s POWERmanagement-CURATORS, to be enjoined to use this medium in all its fullest ramifications: to bring about a cordial atmosphere for a clear COAST that should be conducive for the leaderships’ Undertakings to reposition and rejuvenate the Father Land: just for the same LeadershipStakeholders to reminisce with thanks to the Almighty, that one is still alive to witness the nation at her Centenary; about which this moment would be seized for one to be that invaluable part of the process by which it is a glorious look-ahead with confidence for better days for the nation: with vows to burry all hatchets and sink all differences with fellow Nationalist-Leaders, who in reflects through the pages of the ages cannot but by now discern how comparatively the nation ‘s ship of destiny ought to be best steered about which one would now feel privileged to be a component part of the worthy leadership legacy of Service Contribution which would be extolled upon the rebirth of the Nigerian Dream as are the wishes of the Ancestors and Posterity.

And as hitherto Metaphysically alluded, may it be saliently and

particularly acknowledged also, that this revival submission for the NASOWEP to be spearheaded from the Chambers of the Leaderships - nay the collective Alumni of the incumbency of the Nation’s Political Office Holders from inception through the current Leadership contemporaries, is with all humility, as factored on a homage in honor to whom honor is due ostensibly in. special favor of the nation’s leaderships that had been the hands that rocked the cradle of the fate of the nation from the beginning — to be a precision of a never-failingefficacy, as primed appositely from the point of all that went wrong. as drawn especially from the vociferous public concerns and outcry, with all eyes that turned sensitively on the podium of the Leadership.

In other words, it is to that which against which or whom the indignant brickbats and frawns are targeted that subsume the epicenter from which the same publics expect demonstrable action as a token, to disabuse their minds by what may symbolize as a prospect of hopes; such as being the socio-political push-andpull that should give way for the polity to flow with the leaderships on a course of the consensus for uninhibited national reconstruction through the Federal Government envisioned Transformation Agenda. And all of the notions of the above exposé, should come to pass for the providential release of the overall Heavenly increase which would now gratifyingly activate in surplus through the facets of the yet to be harnessed potent endowments of the nation.

Thus, of note-worthy is the overriding importance of the foregoing, for the fact that, as hitherto observed, teleologically that nations are of purposeful geographic components for human demography in the Order of Creation. This being an equally natural sequence which emphasizes the superlative significance on existence of nation(s) and the origin of the attendant art

of nation- building which the Art of Governance presupposes; this is as of existential essence to different earthly demographic planes; just as shelters are of indispensible relevance for the humans: which goes without saying, that the personage(s) who participate in Public Service are of rare privilege that is not just as of the bequeath of the human Golden diadem, but like a celestially hallowed Crowning amongst the accredited few who are of the divine admission into the architectural site of the Master Creator; as the Service Delivery of such incumbent personage(s) are of the direct Stewardship to the said Supreme Omnipresent, Omniscient Almighty, from whom are mysteries of the spiritual reward to be due for all the generations of the said individuals and groups who would muster imputes to forester such nation(s) to ideal success on behalf of the said Supreme Creator.

This is needless to say that it would be fundamentally a laudable and commendable moment of ovation to behold, in the sight of the Jury of the High Heavens, when Nigeria would now have a recuperative sigh of reliefs: just is the said concerned Heavenly Father, The Giver-Owner of the Nation’s Estate would spontaneously, and supernaturally cause the interests and fates of such Nation’s Compatriots to be inscrolled individually and collectively in His Eternal Sand of Time; even as their Now through their Here after would be so measured in the fervor as of His HeroBy-Products with whom He’s Well Pleased and as of who were Sent forth and who Came and Saw and Conquered at long last even against all odds — and all of whom with whom He would now and through hereafter abide as Regenerative and Faithful Offspring’s; for their ameliorating, magnanimity and courageous GiantLeaps towards the Transfiguration nay the Rebirth of the Nigerian State at This Her Centenary Anniversary!

THE

NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Issues

FOR some time now, I have been counting my graduation time in months, weeks and even into days but if the present reality is not sorted out, there is a likelihood of an extension of the time frame. At a time, the news filtered in that ASUU (Academic staff Union of Universities) was planning on going on strike, but we just allowed the news pass as a rumour. But the saying that “within every rumour there is a truth embedded came to pass, as on the entrance into the month of July was greeted by flashing headlines in the media of the announcement of an indefinite strike by ASUU. Also, the ASUU National President, Isa Fagge informed journalists of the development at a news conference via telephone at the University of Lagos (Premium Times). The decision to have the strike was reached at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of ASUU held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.

The reason for the strike according to him was the inability of the federal government to implement some of the issues contained in a 2009 agreement it had with ASUU. Furthermore, let me emphasise on the contribution I stumbled upon on the internet “in The opinion of many Nigerian parents, guardians (especially those not rich enough to send their children abroad for tertiary education,) and most importantly patient helpless Nigerian University students, the word “strike” has become synonymous with ASUU in recent times...the strikes on 2007, 2008, and 2009 are still very fresh in the minds of Nigerian students) — Zahraddin Abdullahi , Director, standing committee of Human rights and Peace (‘SCORP,), Nigerian Medical students Association.

Hence, though as troubling as it may sound, it is almost an “when is it going to happen” issue.

As I read the words of Isa Fagge that the strike will be “Comprehensive, total, and indefinite,” what came to my mind was the plight of fellow students like who are going to be bear the brunt of the whole saga.

This means no supervision of project for final year students, no classes for students of any level, post graduate students will have their programmes put on hold, students would be left idle, plans have changed etc. with so many consequences that will come with this decision. One question continues to linger in my heart: is strike the only option? To ASUU what is the strike supposed to do, turn the hands of government officials that have most of their children studying outside Nigeria’? To the government; must these teachers down their tools before they get sour attention? Student, what can we do in this situation because we are tired of always suffering the inefficiencies of the two elephants? All these questions are ones that if properly answered; matters will be put into proper

perspective and solutions proffered.

I logged on into my Facebook account this morning and this was the post of my friend: “ Arsenal need to sing ASUU and Thunder in their striking force, that they are very good at striking”: Smiles of sadness and amusement filled my face as I read and digested that article garnished with the thought of how these strike actions have affected Nigerian leaders of tomorrow. The privileged few have chosen institutions in Ghana and recently Benin Republic as escape routes to the strike prone government tertiary institutions, also private schools like Redeemers, covenant. Babcock.

Afe Babalola University etc have enjoyed the patronage of those that want uninterrupted and quality education, with the capacity to provide it. But again, to what extent can a nation, whose educational system is beleaguered with strike, develop?

Although the strike is one of the smallest problems affecting this sector, but its own consequences are obvious.

Moreover, the academic and non — academic staff have gone on strike when their so called “rights” but who goes on strike when students are intimidated by their lecturer? Who goes on strike when results are manipulated selfishly or as an act of wickedness? Who goes on strike when students are made to learn under harsh conditions of learning (that even the people in authority now did not go through? Sometimes our lecturer’, tell us they had access to chicken, quality teachers, and comfortable hostels etc. have these things suddenly disappeared?). Who downs tools when students are extorted of the little money they bring from home? The answers to these questions are left in your minds to answer. If we refuse to learn, we will suffer the consequences and even protests have a limit so that you can graduate well, who defends the right of a Nigerian student?

Even with the sometimes, not favourable and low quality environment of learning. that we are managing, trying as much as possible as we can to survive, we still have to suffer strike also. Is this fair? I do not want to stand on the side of any of the elephant. because we are just the innocent grasses that suffer, hence supporting any will do us no good. But I will appeal to both sides to put the future of this nation at the back of their minds before we make decisions. Do you love this country, or you are just fighting to get your own share of the national cake? ASUU and the FG. God is looking at both of you oh. If these students decide to table the matter before God, every side sill be affected, because God always brings justice (sounding religious? Yes OH).

In my bid to present the matters of the University student, let me also emphasise the fact that polytechnic students have

ASUU Strikes And The Suffering Grasses

By OLUGBEMIRO M. OPEYEMI

been at home for two months because ASUP( Academic staff Union of Polytechnics) has been on strike. Can you imagine two months of your life as a student out of school? Is this fair for God sake? And from what I have observed, what forms a bulk of poly students, are people that tried getting into universities and they couldn’t make it and now you put them again into further mental and psychological stress.

Again, (ask who is fighting for the rights of students? What is our gain in this strike? The good lecturers have always been good (allowance or no allowance), the

shortcomings of the system let us do the right thing always, let us shun vices and conduct ourselves as worth leaders in the making.

For the time comes that as a city set on the hill, nobody will be able to hide you. Continue. Try as much as possible as you can to make good use of the strike period for personal development in all areas of your discipline, if the lecturers have down tools pick up the tools and let the work continue.

To ASUU, happy striking oh. It is our prayer that the government responds to your requests, so that my fellow students can go back

transforming the world.

Experience is essential and very important, but innovation and new imports drives any development. We don’t want to be attending our teachers burial while still in school, please we need you to serve and go and rest we love you. And please if government did not answer you quick, please come back to the class because the investment you make by imparting Knowledge in class can pay you allowances that the government cannot afford.

Hence think on the beautiful proceeds of your honourable profession and the innocent student and help us out. God bless you.

To the government! “Our Ogas

bad lecturers remain bad (allowance or no allowance), so what is our gain apart from the suffering?

To my fellow students let us continue to pray for this nation.

Things are going worse but it is only “Us” that can make it better.

Our generation is a generation of promise with the mandate to turn things around for the better. If our fathers have failed us and are still failing us, let us take the bull by the horn to make things better.

Let us survive this hardship with the best of mindsets, coming out to make things right so that the future generation does not go through the same predicament.

The excuse has been that the thorns will always try to inhibit the growth of the crops, but not if the crops work together in unity and learn how to survive and blossom in the midst of the thorns. Can we make sure our children do not suffer the same fate? YES WE CAN! Please, let us shun examination malpractices, irrespective of the

to class. We have enjoyed a strike tree period for some time and thought that matters like that no more existed, but since according to you, it is a painful but necessary decision, more grease to your elbow. I believe, if government does not answer you for months, the students too will not receive lectures for months is that fair? Okay! Come to think of it, do they pay you people for the period you are on strike? If they do, God is still in heaven O and he is looking very well.

Anyway some of the requests made sense, only one sounded very odd to me, some of you still want to lecture till 70? 65 years is not enough? Haba, why don’t you just retire at 65 and if you are agile to continue and you are contributing immensely to the university, you are given a contract. If all lecturers have to get to 70 before they retire. when will the young ones bloods will be injected to the system (it’s just a suggestion). Things are changing and the internet is

at the top”, I pay homage to your honourable offices and I bring you greetings from the student environment, especially those who are going to be staying at home till you and ASUU resolve your problems. We appreciate the free time, probably the thought was that the students have been too stressed, let us just give them some time. Thank you sirs and Ma, but this is detrimental to our education. We need to graduate and start working so that we can join in taking this nation to the next level, and strikes will not help the issue. If it is on the matter of Unemployment (probably if we graduate fast we will increase unemployment rate), do not worry, we are learning to be self’ sufficient now, with the heart to make this country better. Please see to the continuation of our academic calendar. I know that some of your people have their children in private schools or outside Nigeria, but please the bulk of Nigerians have their children in

Federal institutions and it will not be fair to put us through this situation. Please help us SO that we can help you back. I do not want some of my classmates or fellow students to start “Yahoo Yahoo” or get involved in some other vices during this free time and also, you people are trying, but please try more to help improve the conditions of ’ learning. Please make our lecturers comfortable too, so that they can teach us well and also our parents so that they can send us pocket money and allowance.

We will really appreciate more allocations to the educational sector; at least reduction in the cost of governance will provide enough money for this. 1 do not want to remember the amount I was hearing that some government officials were earning during the fuel subsidy

protests, but we can just cut costs and divert the funds to several other important areas. If you people properly fund our schools, some of the things you pay for expertise abroad, we will be doing it. So please encourage research and every other aspect of’ our educations.

Still to my “ Ogas at the TOP”, students in the Arts and Humanities need scholarship too, almost all scholarship are for the sciences and Engineering and it has been discouraging quite a number of students, so as you look into the ASUU matter. Look into this too. Please sirs and Madams do not allow this strike stay for too long, we need to go back to class. Even though they are not so comfortable, but for the glory ahead we have decided to endure them.

On the general, let all hands be on the deck for developmental issues as it affects this country.

Let the strike stop and let the rights of the students he more protected. Nigeria. Good People, Great Nation.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Natural Medicine

With Dr. MAO 08030717341

Herbal Blessed Seeds HAVE you read the book titled WHAT YOUR DOCTOR DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS? It was written by a lay man who later became a celebrated natural healer. His name is Dr. Raymond Strand.

He became interested in nutritional supplements in natural medicine when his wife Elizabeth had fibromyalgia. All attempts to use orthodox drugs to treat it failed woefully. It was at this juncture, he resorted to the use of natural remedies, most especially food supplements, which eventally cured her.

One of the supplements he employed in healing his wife contained procyannidolic Oligomers (PCOS). These are groups of substances known as proanthocyannidins obtainable from blessed seeds. Dr. Raymond Strand, over time, has popularized the seeds through his epoch –making book while researches have expanded the healing frontiers of the herbal seeds.

Such researches have empirically shown that blessed seeds have great antimicrobial action as well as other therapeutic benefits. Firstly, let’s look at the anti-germicidal activity of blessed seeds. In the hierarchy of natural, anti-microbial agents, the seeds are the same cut-edge category of Colloidal Silver, Amazon A-V, Chanka Piedra, Bioflavonoids, Golden Seal Root and Echinacea.

You may want to know why blessed seeds are formidable broadspectrum germicides. The reason is this, the seeds disrupts the membranes of germs which eventually lead to their death within fifteen minutes whether in strong or weak dilution at the cellular level. Infact, it is to ensure a high concentration of the seeds in the body that

is why it is recommended that they are only chewed and swallowed without water atleast 30 minutes before drinking water or eating food.

Given their medical profile, blessed seeds are very useful for managing urinary tract infections and sexually –transmitted diseases. I give three case showing how the seeds were employed for treating some infectious and disease conditions.

First Case. A patient had gonorrhoea which was treated with orthodox drugs. However, the patient was complaining of pain during urination. He spent abnormal period each time he wanted to urinate while he experienced frequency of small urination.

Laboratory examination revealed that he had an opportunistic infection of Klebsiella germs.

Following this discovery, the patient was advised to take 6-8 blessed seeds thrice a day. In two weeks, the germs were cleared. He recovered from his chronic gonnrrhoea infection.

Second case. Another patient with urinary tract infection and cloudy urine did a laboratory test. He was diagnosed with pseudomonas aeruginaso which during culture was discovered to be resistant to all anti-biotics. Because of this condition, the patient was given blessed seeds by a knowledgeable nature medicine man as a preliminary measure.

While this thereapy was going on, the patient’s germ sensitivity to orthodox anti-biotics was measured through laboratory culture test every week. Within the second week the test showed that the germ became sensitive to orthodox anti-biotics. He was then given the drugs and he was healed.

Third case. A patient had urethral discharges. He carried out microbiological examination which

revealed an infection of staphylococcus aureus.

Orthodox anti-biotics were administered but after the infection appeared to go, it reoccurred. Worried by his predicament, he sought help with blessed seeds.

shown other uses. To start with the seeds contain flavonoids called proanthocyanidins which are known to increase Vitamin C levels within the cells. It is for this reason that it is advisable that

own. Their anti-oxidant value is 50times stronger than that of vitamins C and E researches have indicated.

Additionally, the seeds support the formation of collagen fibres used to

Also, the seeds enhance the muscular tone of veins as well as promote liver and pancreas performance.

Hence, the seeds have beneficial health values for varicose veins, diabetes and liver insufficiency.

Have you bothered to check the healing contents of VISUAL EYES a nutritional supplement for

They cured his infection.

He became well.

Similarly, escheridia coli infection has been successfully treated with blessed seeds. Invariably, all one is saying is that the seeds have a promising potential and capability in the management of urinary tract infections as well as sexually transmitted diseases when used alone or in combination with other natural nutritional supplements/orthodox anti-biotics.

Beyond these health benefits of blessed seeds, several studies of it have

Vitamin C are taken with the seeds. Working in synergy, both Vitamin C and the seeds help To prevent capillary vessel leakage associated with internal bleeding, anemia and bleeding piles. Also, such leaking capillaries may predispose a person to eye disorders, a condition which can also be caused by blocked capillaries.

Lest one forgets, blessed seeds are anti-oxidants which neutralize free radicals that ravage the body causing degenerative illnesses. But the seeds are in special class of their

build cellular matrixes in the body. Without these matrixes therefore, new cells cannot be built while damaged ones cannot be repaired. Given these two uses of seeds they can be employed in the management of gastric and leg ulcers.

This isn’t all. The seeds are known from trials to shrink cholesterols deposits in arteries and lower total cholesterol levels. This is why natural medicine practitioners tell you that the seeds help in preventing hypertension, heart disease and stroke.

the eyes? Please do so. If you do, you will find that it contains blessed seed. On a final note the seeds are one of the best herbal blood cleansers known in natural medicine.

So far, four major causes have been identified as being responsible for illnesses. Namely, they are: malnutrition, toxicity, infection and free radicals.

It is only malnutrition that blessed seeds cannot be used to manage. The others benefit from the seeds’ healing potential.

Therefore, why do you not give the seeds a trial today?

“Additionally, the seeds support the formation of collagen fibres used to build cellular matrixes in the body. Without these matrixes therefore, new cells cannot be built while damaged ones cannot be repaired. Given these two uses of seeds they can be employed in the management of gastric and leg ulcers.”

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

New Horizon Riches Of The World, An Illusion LISTEN to this message of the Supreme Lord “It will he easy to thread the head of a camel into the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”.

Richness as stated above will be analysed into three categories for sake of clarity.

There is no specific definition of richness but here we are talking based on the undisputed categorical pronouncement of the supreme God, as stated above -Read that again to get it right and digest it after reading to be able to reach for the essence of this message. An adage says, “A madman picks everything on the ground. So don’t pick everything you see on the ground-translation don’t look for money at all costs- this is common in today’s hard struggle to survive with a staggering 85 percent of the world population, caught up in this virus -money at all cost.

1.

RICHNESS THROUGH ONES OWN SWEAT: This challenging statement is direct and must be directly achieved otherwise one is a thief, you may accept or not. Here we have two areas to look into.

Those employed and the employers, Businessmen and women of any category. How do you earn your daily living our father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, they kingdom come GIVE US THIS DAY, OUR DAILY BREAD ? These categories of people are very rare. They suffer from the common hands of the majority of cheaters and oppressors. They live average life and prone to tolerance, patience, forbearance, humble, fearful, never in a hurry about life, considerate and fear of God. They are always being cheated, denied of their rights and seen as unwise or uncivilized. They hardly get to the top because they are

always thrown out from time due to their ruggedness in insisting to do things conscientiously from start to finish. Some of these gentlemen and women could be found amongst the civil servant, businessmen, Teachers, the Armed forces personnel of the forties, fifties and down to 1960 just before our independence after which thing began to fall apart to this present day of multiple unrest and corruption to the marrow of almost all Nigerians including our dear clergymen and women. A person of this category must be humble and live by his own examples. He does not say, “do what I say and not what I do, but do what I say and do”. If you question most of our clergymen in their affluent lire they live today in the mist of their congregation, the answer is “Do what I say and not what I do”. That is to say that you don’t have to imitate your superior other than accept what he tells you.

This one idea gives room to open corruption and transgression of the laws of God and nature. “Do unto others what you want other to do unto you. Majority of the poor class belong to this category who go after their daily bread. Same category of workers in the civil servant live by their pay packet and the little support from their wife. So also to the business class who will do their business with minimum profit and fear of God at heart and not maximum profit that leads to the present day inflation and cut throat market prices in all market scenes. A person in this category is never greedy, inconsiderate, and ungrateful to God for giving him something for his daily bread.

People in this category are very rare. In this category, you will find people who will build just one bungalow for 10, 15, to 20 years. A friend, Reverend Pastor Eyo (late)

built his three bedroom bungalow from 1967 -1982 when he took his ordination ceremony and opening of that three bedroom bungalow.

That day was his happiest day because his ordination goes with the opening of his house built within 1 5 good years.

That’s a man of God expressing his joy after 15 years of constant trials and failures to build one bungalow

material. It requires some austerities which most people are not prepared to bear. Most people go for the shortest possible short cut to make do with richness. What does it benefit a man to gain the whole world and loose his soul. Don’t loose your soul for material gain.

2.

RICHNESS THROUGH HOOK AND CROOK MEANS Who will accept to be called

just to hide his head and his family at old age. Compare this one act to what you see today with our clergymen.

Reverend Pastor Eyo in his eighties had no bicycle nor a car but trekked all through his days and always remained healthy until his last day on earth because he was contented in that position. In that last minute, he achieved being a Pastor, a Reverend and finally moved into his three bedroom apartment with all glory and joy. People of this nature are very rare in the present day of human nature.

The reverse being the case for now because many are called but just few are chosen. To live by ones only means is highly spiritual and not

a crook. Infact everyone is a saint out there. The Bible clearly stated that “We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.” This world is a place for atonement but how many of us are really prepared to embrace what it takes to face this atonement squarely. Ninety percent of the world populations are involved indirectly in this hook and crook business. It is now a means of survival whereby some areas formed clubs, gangs, cartels, cults, groups, mafia, fraternity etc all these names exist at various level and statutes all over the country and the world over.

In the civil service, business Houses, market places and even in places of worship of God, Our Lord, Jesus Christ demonstrated this wonderful act when he sent the Jews trading in His Fathers synagogue packing out of the church premises for their illegal act. This is still going in most places of worshiping God. Our Lord Jesus is coming again and as he comes what is going on in our places of worship -illegal activities or sanctified activities? Watch out for yourselves and don’t

“Do what I say and not what I do”. That is to say that you don’t have to imitate your superior other than accept what he tells you. This one idea gives room to open corruption and transgression of the laws of God and nature.

“Do unto others what you want other to do unto you. Majority of the poor class belong to this category who go after their daily bread. Same category of workers in the civil servant live by their pay packet and the little support from their wife. So also to the business class who will do their business with minimum profit and fear of God at heart and not maximum profit that leads to the present day inflation and cut throat market prices in all market scenes.

A person in this category is never greedy, inconsiderate, and ungrateful to God for giving him something for his daily bread.”

With VICTOR ANIUKWU be a slave to it. It is warned that we should be in the world, but not part of the world. In politics, if you cannot beat them, you join them, but in the true worship of God, if you cannot beat them in their nonsense activities, don’t join them because you know there must be a repercussion in the days ahead. Shakespeare warned the world that “The evil that men do, lives after them” And at present, it is stated that “The evil that men do does

not only live after them, but lives with them during their life time. People even when alive suffer for some of their misdeeds. For example, people are caught in their acts and penalized. Others are very rich and die through serious illness and diseases.

Others are very rich but end up in life imprisonment or even being hanged as in many other countries etc. Definitely due to poor preaching amongst preachers about Karma and the presence of the devil, people are cajoled into believing that Karma does not exist. You can do whatever you like and get away with it because Lord Jesus is coming again to take away our sins as he did in the past. And secondly, t-he devil is always responsible for all our bad deeds and so people feel that their bad deed does not affect them especially when you believe in Jesus and you are born again. All these believe and born again of a thing are just a prelim stage to righteousness. Our Lord Jesus told the man who wanted to live eternal life to first of all go and follow the Ten Commandments, which he

claimed to have been in the practice for long. And Jesus said to him, Go and sell your belongings, give the money to the poor and come back to me.

This gentleman who wanted eternal life regretted for going to Jesus, walked away and never returned as directed by Jesus. Most of us are in this category, assuming that we are pure and ever qualified to go to the kingdom of God any time and any day. First of all no one is a crook, but we all go to church or the mosque or temple. We can access ourselves with the Ten Commandments. What is your score ten over ten or what have you. Please let the answer be your New Year resolution to make progress in becoming pure in Heart.

Definitely the pure in heart, shall see God, but it is not through specialization, imagination, assumption, imposition, false ego, position, pastorship, Reverendship, Bishopship, Arch-Bishopship, professising, visionary -No, One must develop the spiritual not material qualities of a saintly ambassador who has a qualified genuine spiritual guide to lead one to the spiritual abode. No one can go to the spiritual world nor become pure in Heart just on his own. The science to go back to the kingdom of God is not taught in schools and higher schools because in todays world, science and technology leads the world, directs the world at the expense of the human material slavery that has entangled about eighty five percent of the world population thereby given room to various forms of riches through hook and crook means in this World of illusion that we are living in. The world was made to move on a circular basis but due to poor consciousness of the world leaders which has been extended to the followers, the world seem to be in a pendulum state -moving up down and up again and never revolving as nature predicted.

This is due to so much deviation from the laws of nature. Three ways one can be free from hook and crook ways of becoming rich.

1. To live within your income 2. To knock and it shall be opened unto you.

3. To seek help from friends, relations and well-wishers. A borrower or beggar is better Continues on page 22

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Place Of Prayer

How Intimate Are You With God? (5)

INTIMACY is the essence of our creation; it is the primary reason why God created humans. Your relationship with God was not established by your deeds but by the covenant made

by Jesus on the cross of Calvary when He shed his blood.

However you can be in a relationship with a person and not be intimate with the person. A clear illustration of this can be drawn from the example of the relationship between a child and his parents. You are the child of your parents based on the covenant of marriage that was established by them, your relationship as a son stems from that covenant, without that you cannot claim to be a legitimate son. However, not all genuine sons benefit from their parents, what brings a difference in benefits is the level of communion and intimacy.

Taking a look at our text for today’s study, Psalm 23:1-6, we see a very beautiful illustration with the imagery of a Shepherd and his sheep. The Lord is my shepherd... likens our relationship with God to the one that exists between a Shepherd and his sheep. David, the writer of this Psalm, had himself been a keeper of sheep, and understood needs of the sheep and the many cares of a shepherd. He compares himself to a creature weak, defenseless, and foolish, and he takes God to be his Provider.

Preserver, Director, and, indeed, his everything. It is well to know, as certainly as David did, that we belong to the Lord.

There is a noble tone of confidence about this sentence. There is no “if’ nor “but”, nor even “I hope so”; but he says, “The Lord is my shepherd.” We must cultivate the spirit of assured dependence upon our heavenly Father.

The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, “My,” David does not say, “The Lord is the shepherd of that world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as His flock”, but “The Lord is my shepherd;” if He be a Shepherd to no one else, He is a Shepherd to me; He cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me. This is an indication that Intimacy with God is carried out on an individual basis, not as a group, in intimacy; it is you alone with God. No one, no matter how close or dear to you must share your intimacy period with you, here you build a personal intimacy between the Most High God and yourself.

When you spend time in intimacy with God on a consistent basis, you become so intimate with Him that you know His mind at all time and can easily interpret signals he waves at you just like the sheep, over time, can interpret and obey the signals of the Shepherd. When God is your Shepherd and you submit to His leading and get to know Him very intimately by spending time with Him, you will enjoy the following benefits: 1. All your needs will be provided. I shall not want vs 1. God is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider and He graciously provides all the needs of they that spend time consistently with Him in intimacy.

Does He not feed the ravens, and cause the lilies to grow? How, then, can he leave His children to starve? You may not possess all that you wish for, but “you shall not want.” Others, far wealthier and wiser than you, may want, but you shall not. “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Psalm 34:10.” Come what may, if famine should devastate the land, or calamity destroys the city, “you shall not want.” Old age with its feebleness shall not bring you any lack, you have all things and abound; not because you have a good store of money in the bank, not because you have skill and wit with which to win your daily bread, but because the Lord is your shepherd and you spend time daily with Him in intimacy.

2. You will dwell in fertile territories. He makes me lie down in green pastures vs 2. Green Pastures in that scripture refers to ever fresh blessings and up to date miracles. It infers that your breakthroughs and blessings will come in the right season; this speaks of early satisfaction. When you dwell consistently in intimacy with God, He will make the lines fall unto you in pleasant places Psalm 16:6 and what ever you stretch forth your hand to do will prosper because God’s hand is upon you.

3. He will lead you by His Holy Spirit. He leadeth me beside the still waters vs 2. Still waters in this place refers to the peace that anyone that is led by the Holy Spirit has. When you submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, your steps are ordered by the Lord and you will never make an unfruitful move; His Spirit attends to us in various operations, like waters—in the plural—

to cleanse, to refresh, to fertilise and to cherish They that are led by the Spirit of God live a victorious life, they have no business with failure and disappointment.

4. Restoration. He restoreth my soul vs 3. When the soul grows sorrowful He revives it; when it is sinful He sanctifies it; when it is weak He strengthens it. When you dwell in intimacy with God, He will bring back to you those things you lost in the past; He will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar Joel 2:25.

5. You receive grace to live a holy life. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake vs 3. When you dwell consistently in intimacy, you will not struggle with sin, divine grace to live above sin will naturally rest upon you

6. You will be as bold as a Lion. Yea thought walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil vs 4. As you spend more and more time with God, His nature begins to rub off on you; you will begin to live and speak in boldness even as your covenant rights and privileges are revealed to you on a daily basis as a consequence of your consistent fellowship with divinity. The kind of boldness that keeps you standing fearlessly even in midst of fearsome situations will rest upon you making the devil and his agents flee at your approach knowing that you cannot be intimidated by their tricks.

7. God’s presence will never depart from you. For thou art with me vs 4. God will always stay with all those that acknowledge His presence, if you give God attention, He will give you direction. When God is with you, you can be rest assured that nothing can go wrong. The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it sleeps in its mother’s bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it. All those that are intimate with God can rely absolutely on God’s ability to save them at all time just like that little baby; you are assured of perfect comfort and absolute security because He is always with you.

8. Divine Guidance. Thy rod and thy staff comfort me vs 4.

The shepherd carries a staff or rod with him when he goes forth to feed his flock. It is often bent or hooked at one end. With this staff he rules and guides the flock to their green pastures, and defends them from their enemies. With it also he corrects them when disobedient, and brings them back when wandering. Those that spend time in intimacy with God are guided and directed

With Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae SMS Only 08030809339

by God. He will keep them daily from failure, evil, accidents, sorrows, regrets, setbacks, loss etc all because they depend absolutely on Him for guidance.

9. Prosperity even in the midst of opposition. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies vs 5. Whether your enemies like it or not, they will see you prospering, try as much as they may, they cannot bring you down because the Most High will be a wall of defense around you at all time. You don’t have to kill them with your prayers, all you have to do is worship God and He will handle your battles for you and grant you victory over and over again.

10. Anointing. Thou anointest my head with oil vs 5. When you dwell in intimacy with God, you receive a fresh anointing

for the day’s duties. Every Christian is a priest, but he cannot execute the priestly office without unction, and hence we must go day by day to God the Holy Ghost that we may have our heads anointed with oil. A priest without oil misses the chief qualification for his office, and the Christian priest lacks his chief fitness for service when he is devoid of new grace from on high.

11. Overflowing Blessings. My cup runneth over vs 5. All those that spend time consistently with God will be granted exceeding abundantly above whatever they ask or think Eph 3:20. They will always have more than enough; they will not just be rich but will have enough to spare. This is the state of being established, at this stage you can no longer be shaken from your wealth.

12. Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life vs 6. These twin guardian angels will always be at your beck and call when you are intimate with God. Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer that spends time consistently in divine intimacy, Goodness and mercy follow him always.

13. Eternal life. I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever vs 6. All those that are truly intimate with God will not only enjoy the benefits of divine intimacy here on earth but will also enjoy the benefit of spending eternity in heaven with the Most High God. They will live as Kings both here on earth and in heaven when the Lord finally comes to take His people home.

Pastor Samuel 0. Osaghae E-mail: sarnuelosaghae@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

International

Compiled By ISAH STELLA .O.

2 Buses Fall In River As Bridge Collapses

CHINA-Rescuers in mountainous western China pulled three people from a raging river following a bridge collapse Tuesday amid heavy flooding that has forced thousands to evacuate their homes.

Three cars and a delivery van fell into the torrent when the nearly 50-year-

old Qinglian bridge broke apart just before noon in the city of Jiangyou in the western province of Sichuan, the local government said in a statement posted on its official website. It said an earlier report that a pair of passenger buses had plunged into the river was incorrect.

The two-lane bridge was built in 1967 and a replacement span is under construction. China has been pouring resources into building infrastructure, but many older bridges and dams are of poor quality and urgently need repairs or replacement.

China’s Civil Affairs Ministry announced Tuesday that flooding in Sichuan since Sunday has affected an area that is home to 360,000 people, damaging or destroying 300 homes, and forcing 6,100 to evacuate CHANGE OF NAME

AGUARIVE – I, formerly Miss Tina Aguarive now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tina Ukato. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Former Miss Tracy O. Iyawe and her husband, Mr. Lateef F. O. Adeniyi after their marriage at Oredo Local Government Marriage Registry on June 28, 2013.

Dignitaries present include parents of the couple, relations, friends and well wishers.

MOMOH – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jeminatu Glory Momoh now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jeminatu Momoh Bruchner. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

The wedding ceremony between former Miss Osaze Susan Iyengumwen (daughter of the Late Mr. Osaze Ogbomo, former staff of the BNCL) and Ogieva Osaretin Eric took place last Saturday at the Jesus Breeds Ministries Int’l, 2 Oriakhi Street, Off Upper Lawani Street, Benin City.

Mr. And Mrs. Ogieva Eric during the solemnization. Congratulations from the Observer family.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

New Horizon Riches Of The World...

Continued from page 20

than a thief. If you are in business, sell with minimum profit and the world will be abetter place to live. Don’t be Mr. Shylock who believes in cutthroat buying and selling.

Be Mr. Anthonio who gives out loan to people without asking for interest as it is common in today’s attitude of lending money to people. When you give, work, assist, recommend, recognize etc without sinister intension, it is twice blessed.

When you give, work, assists, recommend with some expectation, ii becomes direct or indirect extortion; in the nursery rhymes, it is stated that, ‘There was a crooked man, and he worked a crooked mile. He found a crooked six pence against a crooked stile, He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse and they all lived together in a crooked house. Nigerians from top of the ladder to the bottom must learn how not to be crooked in all our dealings because we will be bound to live in a crooked house which will never be recognized no matter how beautiful it is decorated.

3. RICHES GOTTEN THROUGH BLOODSHED In Bethmann Bible, it is stated, ‘Whosoever sheddeth man’s blood by man shall his blood be shed”. Ill-gotten wealth through bloodshed is neither direct nor indirect.

Direct bloodshed is done through armed robbery, terrorism, invasion, piracy etc.

These are aimed at becoming richer and expansion of one’s territory. The resultant effect of all these richness by individuals and countries, through various means of bloodshed remains unhealthy, madness, un-natural, uncalledfor, uncivilized, unfriendly, untraditional and unwholesome. When God created the three worlds, there was neither clash nor crashes, which showed that the world from start was peaceful. But today in the world with the people of the world, what do we see, more killings everywhere. It has been clearly staled that the rate presently has greatly increased as this inferno becomes world-wide.

Becoming rich and richer nor richest becomes a yardstick to one’s status quo. In the past there was no mad rush to become rich, it is rather slow and steady. But today in the present dispensation. people go much crazy about wealth. That

makes it a do or die affair.

Try to view Edo Broadcasting Service crime Watch. Its all about youths between 18-30 years bursting all available avenues to grab money. This mad rush for money at all cost has eroded our culture, tradition, natural laws, discipline, regards for elders, proper behaviour at home, in public, at place of worship, places of work, at market places, schools, hospitals etc. It must be motioned here that in some schools of thought around the world, there is belief and practice of ritual killing as a right to be rich nor richer. In the past and present, there is a cult in which members hunt for some vital parts of the body, such as the human eyes, tongue, Heart, breast, Head, the private part for rituals leading to richness for its members. All these means leads to avoiding poverty at all cost. Many say, let me be rich come what may. Better to be a rich man in hell than a poor man in Heaven. This world is Hell and people prefer to be rich here in hell no matter the way one makes it. What happens to the King and Lazarus. On earth, the rich man was very rich and yet hatred Lazarus the poor beggar.

The rich man could not allow the poor Lazarus to eat from his dust bin and sent his dog to bit Lazarus, who later died of dog bite. Lazarus was well received in the high Heaven where he was well placed. When the rich man died, He was given the opportunity to stay next to Lazarus with less advantage that the rich man could not have access to water to drink, while Lazarus have more to eat and drink but has no right to distribute them.

The rich man in his agony to get water pleaded for help at all cost. He did not know that the person above him was Lazarus.

So his eyes was opened a little and all he saw was Lazarus the beggar in a comfortable position than

himself. Both are separated and no one has any right to move about as it is here on earth. The man had no choice but to ask Lazarus for just a drop of water to quench his agony of dry throat. Lazarus could not help the rich man because over there you are no more in control but you are being controlled. The rich man was made to realize his good days on earth which he misused as a rich man but after death to meet with agony. He could not believe himself in this predicament of life after death. Life after death is real for every one no matter your class, creed nor status must account for his or her deeds, committed by thoughts and actions. Now is to rethink about your words, thoughts and actions which reflects your consciousness and at death this consciousness takes you to your next life. Remember, only the pure in Heart shall see God. Are you pure in Heart. Sincerely answer this question to yourself and score yourself. Virtually everyone is rich as far as you spend money every day.

That money you spend, small, big or great- How did you get it, from what sourcelegal or illegal, genuine or ingeniune, truly or falsehood, clean or unclean etc. The great administrators of God will ask these questions at death so prepare yourself and your mind now.

Finally “it will be easier for you to tread the head of a camel into the eyes of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” HOLY BIBLE QUOTE. Once upon a time, a poor man being inquisitive about his situation confronted a rich man to know how he was able to be a rich man.

The rich man sat him down to a full analysis of how he has manipulated, toiled, maneuvered, his ways to become a rich man. This poor man managed to hold his breath after which he declared –“It is better for a poor man to remain poor, than trail the horrific ways to become rich -quite incredible”. Yes, so it is to all types of riches. No form of riches comes through the straight path.

International

Compliled By

ISAH STELLA

South Sudan’s ‘Midwives’ Attack Kiir Over Corruption And Abuse KHARTOUM - A group of U.S. activists who helped to bring about South Sudan’s secession have blasted the government of Africa’s newest nation in an open letter for allowing “shocking” human rights abuses and corruption to undermine stability.

Two years ago, the oil producer won independence from Sudan under a 2005 peace deal that ended one of Africa’s longest civil wars, helped by a group of U.S. activists who lobbied the United States to press Khartoum to let the south hold an independence referendum.

The group, often known as South Sudan’s “wonks” or “midwives”, still wield influence with U.S. policymakers, and have long shielded South Sudan from rising criticism over human rights violations.

But an open letter to President Salva Kiir distributed by email, they said they could no longer be silent about violence by security forces against civilians, critics of the government and journalists.

“We joined you in your fight against these very abuses by

the Khartoum regime for many years. We cannot turn a blind eye when yesterday’s victims become today’s perpetrators,” said the activists, who include former U.S. State Department official John Prendergast and professor Eric Reeves.

“This violence is shocking and has included rape, murder, theft and destruction of property.”

While normal South Sudanese had no access to hospitals or schools, people stealing public funds had sent their children to private schools abroad or to get

CAIRO - Egypt’s interim rulers issued a faster than expected timetable for elections to try to drag the country out of crisis, a day after 51 people were killed when troops fired on a crowd supporting ousted President Mohamed Mursi.

The streets of Cairo were quiet yesterday but Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement called for more protests later in the day, raising the risk of further violence.

Under pressure to restore democracy quickly, Adli Mansour, the judge named head of state by the army when it brought down Mursi last week, decreed overnight that a parliamentary vote would be held in about six months.

That would be followed by a presidential election.

In an important positive signal for the transitional authorities, the ultraorthodox Islamist Nour Party said it would accept ex-finance minister Samir Radwan as prime minister, potentially paving the way for an interim cabinet.

The stakes were raised dramatically by the bloodshed on Monday, the worst since Mursi was toppled by the military. The army opened fire outside Cairo’s Republican Guard barracks where the deposed leader is believed to be held.

The bloodshed has also raised alarm among key donors such as the United

States and the European Union, as well as in Israel, with which Egypt has had a U.S.-backed peace treaty since 1979.

Officials said troops fired in response to an attack by armed assailants. The protesters disputed that account, insisting they were conducting peaceful dawn prayers.

“They shot us with teargas, birdshot, rubber bullets everything. Then they used live bullets,” said Abdelaziz Abdel Shakua, a bearded 30year-old who was wounded in his right leg.

The bloodshed shocked Egyptians, already tired of the turbulence that began 2-1/2 years ago with the overthrow of autocrat Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising. However, many Egyptians seemed to accept the official account that the troops had come under attack and had fired back.

“Of course I condemn this: Egyptian versus Egyptian. But the people attacked the army, not the other way around,” said Abdullah Abdel Rayal, 58, shopping in a street market in downtown Cairo yesterday morning.

Winning the support of Nour for a new prime minister would be an important step to show that violence has not derailed the transition. Nour is the main Islamist group apart from Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood, and the authorities aim to show their transitional arrangement is acceptable to Islamists.

Radwan emerged as favourite to lead a government

the world’s best medical service.

“In a remarkably short period of time, the name of your country has become synonymous with corruption,” the letter said.

Kiir last month suspended two ministers over alleged fraud but critics say such measures are mere window-dressing to address rising criticism from donors.

Kiir also wrote last year to 75 current and former officials to ask them to return $4 billion in stolen public money, but diplomats say this has not been backed up by any prosecutions.

Taliban Close Qatar Office To Protest Flag Fracas

ISLAMABAD - The Afghan Taliban have closed their office in the Gulf State of Qatar at least temporarily to protest the removal of a sign they had put up identifying the movement as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, a diplomat and Taliban official said yesterday.

The office was opened less than a month ago to facilitate peace talks, and has also come under pressure for using the same white flag flown during the Taliban’s five-year rule of Afghanistan that

Egypt Seeks End To Crisis With Quick Elections

ended with the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. Qatar removed the sign and flag last month after Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded their removal.

Both officials, familiar with the peace talks in the Qatari capital of Doha said the offices have been temporarily closed.

“They (Taliban) do not go out of their homes in Doha and have not gone to the office since the removal of the flag and the plaque,” the Taliban official said in a telephone interview. He said the Taliban blamed Karzai and the United States for the breakdown in talks, accusing both of using the name and the flag as an excuse.

A diplomat in the region who is familiar with the talks said: “The (Taliban) Political Commission has stopped all international political meetings and is not using the office.”

When the office opened in early June it was seen as the best hope of finding a political end to the protracted 12-year war that unseated the Taliban and brought Karzai to power. But it was quickly mired in controversy when Karzai protested the name and accused the Taliban of using the occasion to set up a government in exile. Both the U.S. and Qatar quickly chastised the Taliban and accused them of reneging on a promise to refrain from using either the name or the flag.

The two Taliban spokesmen at the Doha office did not respond to telephone calls by the Associated Press. The Taliban official said all communications with the movement’s negotiators have been cut.

In a statement released Tuesday ahead of the start of the holy month of Ramadan, when devout Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, Karzai called on the Taliban to embrace peace.

“On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, I once again call on Taliban, especially those Taliban who are sons of this homeland, to respect the holy month of Ramadan, to take the way of peace, compassion and kindness and to stop killing of people,” the Pashtu-language statement read.

“After opening of the Qatar office, the Taliban would have known that neither their honor nor their flag is safe in foreign countries,” Karzai said in his statement.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

View Point

A Tool For National Development Education:

EDUCATION in a broad sense is a process by which an individual acquires the many physical and social capabilities demanded by the society in which he/she is born into to function. In an ideal sense, education is an ultimate values and hence, through the provision of social service, it is an agent of change. It is to a nation what the mind is to the body, just as a diseased mind is handicapped in the coordination and direction of the bodily activities.

Therefore, the single most significant complex of socialcontrol tools for national development is found in the educational system be it formal or informal.

In ancient Greece, the cradle of Western Scholarship, education was a highly functional search-light beamed on society, it transcended reading and writing. While the Nigerian state were still under colonialization, modern education had already taken place in advanced countries which brought about successful engendered industrial revolution and breath-taking development.

Development on the other hand, is a progressive unfolding of the potentialities of a given reality. As it applies to human, it is the integration of the various giving, natural, physical, acquired, by human towards the full working out, permanently and cumulatively of their being, as persons of their nation and their real productivity the essence of education whether formal or informal is to produce a person who will be a useful member of a society.

According to Joe F. Dogle, it must engender in the individual a disposition of personal autonomy, responsibility and relevant forms of life thought and action. The word relevant as used by her is the matter of cultivating individual interest and potentialities while autonomy stands for a person who is able to judge, act and think accurately as well as rationally.

For me, educational standard is supposed to be designed to suit the requirement of a society, hence in the precolonial era when Nigeria communities were small and largely rural and selfsufficient the system of education was with a few exceptions, not specialised.

Education also helps in

nation building whereby nation building which is the implementation of processes that are geared towards recomposing the nation’s institutions so that they can reflect the wishes, needs and aspirations of the wider society. Since education is the pathway to any nationbuilding enterprise, it provides the following goodies to nation-building and development.

Firstly, education creates an enlightened society. This is a crucial prerequisite to nation – building because the more the people become enlightened the more they would refrain from doing practices that will endanger the nation secondly, nation – building requires a ‘meritocratic’ bureaucracy in order to make the state’s institutions effective.

Therefore, with education, the country will have the best human resources that are competent enough to carry the day-to-day affairs of the state. Most states collapse as a result of a low level of education because the human resources is so weak that it is incapable of filling state institutions. But with education, this problem is averted.

Thirdly, nation-building requires a democratic society that allows the contribution of all, rich or poor. With education, there will always be an increase in democratic participation.

And this participation will in turn enhance nation-building initiative because the participation of all the citizen is counted in nationbuilding.

Fourthly, education is very crucial in the formation of cross-cutting cleavages that embrace diversity.

Accepting differences is very important to nation building because until we accept our differences and come together to build the nation, progress will never be made. With education, this fear is allayed.

Fifthly, education creates a large middle-class ‘professionals, teachers, doctors, technicians etc).

This class is very important to nation-building because they provide the necessary expertise that is needed to building a nation. This is the more reason why emphasis has been laid on education because an educated society is always a strong society, and a society that is set for development.

By IYORE ENADEGHE/MARY OKOSODO

It has been observed in the life of every child, that there are three important institutions that play a crucial role in shaping its outlook and future prospects. These are the family, the school and the community. It is these institutions that socialize, inculcate values and norms, as well as anchoring the child.

They educate, train and shape the young both formally and informally into a valuable adult. We all are

people. Thus, if we could get education right we could solve all other problems that exist in our society such as crime and unemployment.

More often than not, our schools are a reflection of the communities in which they are located.

If the surrounding community is stable, the school may enjoy some degree of stability. Because, public schools are essentially community schools, these schools have to play a direct role in the

Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I, Minister of Education therefore products of our society. If we are successful in life, we owe that success to our families, schools and society and if we fail, our society must take a certain amount of the blame.

There is no educational system in the world that is culturally, politically and ideologically neutral. Every educational system in every country serves the philosophical, economic and cultural needs of its society.

Often, times, public schooling which ought to make a major contribution by providing appropriate education needed for effective development of the people is lacking in its duties. Thus, it can be effective if properly anchored in the philosophical and cultural ethos of its society.

Unfortunately, in our case it is not quite so. Our education system is still culturally alienating to black

development of our communities.

The public schooling system and adult education have to confront the challenge that threatens to reverse or slow down the process of nation building.

Research carried out have shown that about six million of our citizens cannot read and write. This, unfortunate

situation has and continues to have disadvantages to our people in their quest to better the quality of their lives.

Unless we help our people out of this quagmire, our efforts at nation building will be severely hampered.

Illiteracy excludes our people from the mainstream activities that are geared towards building the nation.

They become marginal to the nation building project. That is why the much-vaunted deepening of democracy becomes mere idle talk if the supposed participants can hardly do a simple act like voting without being helped.

Have you ever thought of the humiliation and helplessness visited upon our people by being unable to read and write? This imposes on them a condition of perpetual dependency. To break the backbone of illiteracy is a mammoth task that requires commitment and dedication from all of us.

Otherwise the noble project of nation building is immensely weakened.

Judging from the first postindependence National Educational Nigerian Conference on curriculum development organised in 1969 by the Nigerian educational council with the following resolutions: (1) provisions and expansion of educational faculties to ensure education gets to the door step of every Nigerian child. (i) Overhauling and reforming the context of general education to make it more responsive to the socioeconomic needs of the country. (ii) Development and consolidating the nation’s higher education in response to the manpower needs of

the country.

Developing technological education in order to meet the growing needs of the nation. All these resolutions failed to achieve its purpose in the educational system because several attempts were made for the nation to evolve in a systematic, workable and stable national development programme, the defects in our implementation and adoptive style has compounded its success. As a result of this there are many quack graduates, incompetent leaders with selfish motives , an act gotten from the colonial masters, they are just there creating more problems for the impoverish and the nation at large, I am of the opinion that government should review this existing curriculum because higher education, particularly university education, is the bedrock of research for development. Therefore the shelves in the various should be dusted off and their recommendations used as veritable materials for solving many of our developmental problems.

Finally, education correlates with nationbuilding. Both of them complement each other. A nation cannot be built without education. When you build a house you do not expect to finish it in one day and occupy it the same day. With education, professionals are nurtured that will enhance nationbuilding. In the same vein, education leads to efficient usage of a nation’s resources which in turn is very crucial to nationbuilding because without efficient usage of a nation’s resources, nation – building will not be successful. This is evident in the development nations. To continue to build their nations, they educate their citizens, because education shapes the attitudes, behaviours and values of citizens. These are qualities that are needed for nationbuilding and it is only education that will bring those mechanics.

“Finally, education correlates with nation-building.

Both of them complement each other. A nation cannot be built without education. When you build a house you do not expect to finish it in one day and occupy it the same day. With education, professionals are nurtured that will enhance nation-building. In the same vein, education leads to efficient usage of a nation’s resources which in turn is very crucial to nation-building because without efficient usage of a nation’s resources, nation – building will not be successful.”

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Opinion

Need To Clamp Down On Fraudulent Marketing Companies

MARKETING companies in recent times have flooded most cities and mega cities in Nigeria in the bid to marketing and advertising different products of various price range.

Marketing companies are most times small marketing outlets that sells other companies products with the help of marketing personnels or sales representatives marketing outlets such that employs capable hands to sell their goods around a particular location of a city.

The companies structure is that employers/ marketers are paid based on commission.

Commission is incentive paid to salespersons for successfully making a sale.

The more sales the salesperson completes, the more commissions he earns.

Under this structure, the worker who sells the most is compensated the most.

According to carter Mc Bride, “How to calculate a commission percentage”

By UKIRI CLEMENTINA EGWOLOMENA

most sales person work on commission which means they get a certain percentage of each sale they make for example if your commission rate is 10 percent and you make a N1000, then you will receive N100. If you know the sales price and the amount you received as a commission, then you can calculate the commission rate.

This is useful if you do not know your commission rate.

This commission structure comes in different packages, some companies adopts 10 percent, 15 percent or 20 percent paying rates.

But even at this rate, that has left these companies with little risk, there are complaints about most companies not paying their

YOU’Ve probably already picked out where you’re going to stop for all of your maternity clothes, but you may not have given a lot of though to which shoes you’ ll wear during your pregnancy.

And, if you haven’t already; you probably should.

According to media report online, WWW.About.com, Swollen feet, increased sweating, hormonal changes, and back and leg aches are a few of the bodily changes you might experience during pregnancy. All of these issues can affect your feet, and consequently the shoes you are able to wear while you’re pregnant.

If you’re noticed that a lot of your shoes aren’t as comfortable as they were before you were pregnant, then you’ll want to have a look at some of the shoes shopping tips and picks below.

What pregnant women should look for in shoes. *Flats, or low, wide heels –around 2’or lower *Good arch support: This can be accomplish through buying from noted comfort shoe brands, or by using an insert that adds arch support.

• Breathable uppers (canvas or leather) that won’t trap moisture.

• Shoes that slip-on, as laces may become more difficult to tie.

• Larger or wider shoes –swelling may make your regular size and width uncomfortable • Additional Tips for foot care • Wearing socks with closed –toe shoes may increase your comfort.

• Avoid standing for long periods without a rest

workers. Worst still, is that some fraudsters have taken the cities like Benin, Warri, Yanagoa and so on. They pretend to be marketing companies, and starts recruiting vulnerable youths to market their products. This go no for a while and just when at time to pay salaries, they go into oblivion. They are no where to be found.

This brings to mind the experience of a friend who recently had an awful experience with a seemingly fraudulent marketing company. She got recruited into this company as a sales representatives, without suspecting a blow she worked for two months marketing products from one place to another.

With high expectation of what she saw

on the company’s advert, where they claimed to pay their employees within the range of N20,000 and 60,000 respectively. So vigorously, she hawked from place to place. Two day into when she was expecting her first pay after completing her thirty day’s she was given a letter of appointment which prescribe her salary structure based on 15 percent. That was when she realized that the company pays based on

target. She felt really disappointed. But soon she mustered the courage to keep up her job as there was nothing to fall back on.

The next working day, she resumed in a cheerful mood expecting to take home her first commission, based on the fifteen percentage. Lo and behold, she met an empty apartment. Without a manager. According to her, she almost collapsed she quickly brought out her phone to call the manager, but he refused picking up the calls but after several calls,

he reluctantly picked up and told my friend that the company has relocated from Benin to Warri on the interim.

The manager quickly asked her to bear with him until they resume again in Benin. What a story you would ask, but it is real and this trend is very rampant these days.

So, there is a clarion call for jobs applicants to watch out for dupes before putting in their efforts and finances.

Let the government also through its security agencies fish out fraudulent marketing companies and prosecute them for such a fraud against the general public. This and many are stories of victims, who where even asked to pay some token of money for registration before jobs are offered to them for which at the end, they all get duped and exploited.

“So, there is a clarion call for jobs applicants to watch out for dupes before putting in their efforts and finances. Let the government also through its security agencies fish out fraudulent marketing companies and prosecute them for such a fraud against the general public. This and many are stories of victims, who where even asked to pay some token of money for registration before jobs are offered to them for which at the end, they all get duped and exploited.”

Shoes To Wear During Pregnancy

By ISEMHENBITA FAITH

• Elevate legs when possible, and if your feet are feeling extra achy try soaking them Loafers: A Good shoes choice for pregnant women for work, or for running errands, loafers and other slip-ons are a great choice. They provide flat or low heels and a casual, stylish look and they’re ideal for pairing with jeans or dress pants.

Sandals for Pregnant Women: If the weather permits you to wear sandals during your pregnancy, you might enjoy the added air circulation, and their less restrictive nature.

Sporty styles with arch support and cushioned insoles are a comfortable choice for everyday wear, but if it’s style and versatility you’re after, look for

espadrilles, skimpy metallic thongs, or dressier sandals with low, wedge heels.

Easily Slip into Mules and Clogs When You’re Expecting: Provided they fit you well, mules and clogs make great maternity shoes. In addition to the built-in comfort features offered by many clogmakers wearing a solid-soled, flat, or mid-heeled blackless shoe reduces pressure on the back of your feet plus, they’re great for quickly slipping on and off.

Casual styles are ideal for pairing with jeans or dress pants, while dressier style work well with jeans, pants, skirts and dresses.

“A Good shoes choice for pregnant women for work, or for running errands, loafers and other slip-ons are a great choice. They provide flat or low heels and a casual, stylish look and they’re ideal for pairing with jeans or dress pants.”

THE

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

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THE

NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

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THE

NIGERIAN

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2013

Pardew Confirms Interest In Striking Duo

NEWCASTLE’S United manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that the club are interested in signing both Darren Bent and Loic Remy.

A source told ESPN that the Magpies boss has urged his new director of football Joe Kinnear to bring in the duo as he looks to bolster his frontline for next season.

And Pardew has since revealed to the Northern Echo that the Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers strikers are both on the club’s shortlist, along with a number of other transfer targets.

“Both of those players are on our list. I make no bones about that,” he said. “But they are under contract at other clubs. It’s difficult, you have to be careful.

It’s nice for our fans to hear names, but I don’t want to disrupt other clubs’ preparations.

“We have a list of four or five strikers who will push [Papiss] Cisse, Shola [Ameobi], Adam Campbell and Yoan Gouffran because that will be important next season. We do

Durban Is Choice For City Training Camp MANCHESTER City have opted to use Durban as their base for a 10-day stay in South Africa, where they will play two friendly matches and continue with their pre-season build-up.

City plan training every day they are not playing or traveling, some times up to three sessions daily in the coastal city.

On Saturday they fly to Johannesburg, and then travel onto Pretoria by bus, on the eve of their match against SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld, which kicks off at 3pm on Sunday, after which they will return directly to Durban.

The match against SuperSport will be the first in charge for new manager Manuel Pellegrini, who took over just a fortnight ago.

It will be the only travel element of their tour, with Durban firmly their base for the rest of the 10-day stay.

Their second match is against AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday, July 18. The kick off time is 8pm.

City will name their tour squad on Tuesday but it is unclear whether Spanish internationals Jesus Navas, recently signed from Sevilla, and David Silva will accompany the squad. Both have just competed the Confederation Cup in Brazil where Spain finished runners-up and are expected to be given time off for some holiday.

City, runners-up last season in England and champions in 2012, depart South Africa on Sunday July 21 for Hong Kong where they play in a four-team tournament on July 24 and 27 along with fellow premier league clubs Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.

need two strikers. Last year, I didn’t think there was enough competition in that area for a Premier League team.’’

Villa boss Paul Lambert has made it clear that Bent does not fit in with his plans and is up for sale, although Christian Benteke’s transfer request may change the Scot’s stance.

Remy, meanwhile, attracted an £8 million bid from Newcastle in January, but the France international opted for a more lucrative offer at QPR instead.

Yet with Harry Redknapp’s side having been relegated to the Championship last season, the former Marseille man is also available at the right price.

Sources close to the Magpies had previously indicated that the club had no interest in reviving a bid for a player who had initially turned down the opportunity to move to St James’ Park.

However, that may be about to change following speculation that Redknapp has asked for defender Steven Taylor in a player-plus-cash deal.

Liverpool Hold Suarez Talks With Agent LIVERPOOL have held talks with Luis Suarez’s agent after they rejected a £30 million bid from Arsenal for the striker.

Suarez’s representative, Pere Guardiola, arrived on Merseyside recently to discuss the Uruguay international’s future with manager Brendan Rodgers and managing director Ian Ayre, sources have told ESPN. It is understood that the meeting was amicable, and had been planned before news of Arsenal’s bid broke on Monday.

Guardiola did not submit a transfer request on behalf of Suarez, although the forward is still believed to have reservations about staying at Anfield.

Liverpool insist that Suarez is not for sale - a position they have maintained since the former Ajax player announced at a press conference in his native Uruguay in May that he wanted to leave.

Suarez has a clause in his contract allowing him to speak to any club who put in a £40 million bid, but no offers in that range have been received. Even if one

Wayne Rooney

Rooney Can Learn From Ronaldo Exit

RIO Ferdinand believes Wayne Rooney should remain at Manchester United, pointing to the number of trophies Cristiano Ronaldo has won since joining Real Madrid as a motivation to stay put.

Rooney has been heavily at your club who has been linked with the likes of there for the length of time he Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona [Rooney] has been there, he’s and Bayern Munich recently, more than clued up to but new United manager understand the dynamics of David Moyes insists the the club,” said Ferdinand. striker is not for sale.

“He’s mature enough Ferdinand concurs with now and old enough to make Moyes’ stance, claiming that his own mind up. I’m sure in while Ronaldo has excelled time he’ll have his say. personally away from Old “I don’t see where you go Trafford, the desire to win better from here. For instance, silverware remains a Cristiano has been ridiculous footballer’s top priority. as a football player “I think when someone is individually but has he won

Shakhtar Confirm Mkhitaryan Sale

SHAKHTAR Donetsk have announced the sale of Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Borussia Dortmund for +27.5 million.

Mkhitaryan, 24, had been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool only for Dortmund to emerge as the favourites for his signature.

Recently, it was confirmed that the Armenia international was on the brink of joining last season’s Champions League runnersup on a four-year contract.

And on Tuesday, Shakhtar announced on their official website that “all the necessary formalities” had

been resolved for the transfer to go ahead.

Mikhitaryan, who has 37 Armenia caps to his name, scored 25 goals in 29 matches in Ukrainian’s Premier Liga.

He will wear the No. 10 shirt at Dortmund. “We are delighted that we got a fantastic new signing for the attacking midfield role in Henrikh Mikhitaryan,” sporting director Michael Zorc said.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Borussia Dortmund’s chairman of the board, added: “It was not an easy transfer, but we really wanted to have Henrikh - and now we have

more trophies since leaving than what we’ve won? That’s the way I look at it.

“I wouldn’t say that he shouldn’t have gone there; it was his dream to go there, so you have to respect that. But I just look at things in a plain, black and white way - I want to win trophies so why would I leave here?”

Ferdinand, meanwhile, says he is delighted to play out his career with United as he embarks on his 12th season with the club.

“I’ve had loads of offers over the years to go to other football clubs and there’s been loads of speculation in the papers every other year, but

Asmir Begovic

I’ve never really wanted to go anywhere,” he said.

“I came to Man United for one simple reason and that was to win trophies, so I could retire and say how many trophies I’ve won and look back and say I’ve made a success of my career.

“That’s all you do and I’m sure most young players, or players in their prime, when they’re asked to come to Manchester United, that should be the question they ask themselves: ‘Have I got a chance to win?’ Do you want to be part of that history of the club? Normally the answer is yes.”

did come in, Liverpool would not automatically be compelled to sell at that price, and it is understood they would attempt to hold out for a larger fee somewhere in the region of £50 million.

The 26-year-old has publicly courted a move to Real Madrid, stating that it “would be difficult to say no” if they came in for him - although they have not made a bid.

He subsequently claimed that he had to leave Liverpool because he was being victimised by the British media and the Football Association.

Suarez is currently on a break in South America following his exertions at the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

He is scheduled to report for pre-season training on July 22, although it has not yet been decided what part, if any, he will play in Liverpool’s tour of the Far East and Australia.

Begovic Going Nowhere STOKE’S City manager Mark Hughes is confident that Asmir Begovic will be his firstchoice goalkeeper come the start of the new season after revealing there have been no offers for the Bosnia international.

Begovic, 26, has been linked with a host of clubs over the summer - including Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal - but now appears certain to start the new campaign at the Britannia Stadium.

That means Hughes will have to decide whether to loan out Jack Butland next term, with the England international eager for regular playing time in the build-up to the 2014 World Cup. The Potters boss is relaxed over Begovic’s future, though, telling the Stoke Sentinel: “There’s nothing happening there. Asmir is No. 1 at this club at the moment and that’s what most ‘keepers want to be.

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Viola Eager To Sort Out Jovetic Future

Schelotto, Silvestre Frozen Out, Obi In

AFTER completing the signing of Mario Gomez from Bayern Munich, Fiorentina are now keen to know where the future of Stevan Jovetic lies.

The Montenegro international forward has made no secret of his desire to leave the Viola this summer, but one of his prime suitors, Juventus, appear to have already concluded their summer spending spree - at least on forwards - by handing Bianconeri shirts to Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.

With Gomez now on the wage bill, Fiorentina are looking to remove one of their biggest earners as soon as possible, and the honorary president of the Viola, Andrea Della Valle, has invited Juve to satisfy their demands immediately, or risk missing out on the player.

“Either they give us +30 million, or it’s off,” he said. “If they don’t give it to us, we will give him to somebody else. We need to know if they have the money or not. I believe they do have it. We’re not going to accept anything to offset the fee; we are not dropping below +30 million and we’re not going to wait much longer.”

While Juve dither, and appear reluctant to sign a third forward this

summer, the focus is now turning to other potential destinations for the 23-yearold, with the Premier League emerging as his most likely destination.

Arsenal and Chelsea have been monitoring Jovetic‘s progress, while Manchester City now appear to be throwing their hat into the ring after missing out on Gomez. The Germany international, meanwhile, explained his decision to join Fiorentina via Facebook.

ANZHI Makhachkala chairman Konstantin Remchukov has dismissed rumours his club are interested in Manchester United winger Nani.

Nani is reported to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, and the Portugal international admitted last month that his future at the club was uncertain.

Anzhi have been touted as a potential destination, and Izvestia in Russia had claimed talks with the player’s representatives had begun, but Remchukov insists his side have no interest in the forward.

“The rumours about Nani are not accurate. At all,” he tweeted.

Nani, 26, has a year rem

Joel Obi

ERIC Abidal has described his decision to join Monaco as “a simple choice” and expressed his joy at a “special” return to the Stade Louis II, where he made his professional debut.

Out of contract following Barcelona’s decision not to prolong his

stay in Spain, Abidal, 33, has signed a one-year deal with an option for a further year at the club where he made his Ligue 1 debut in September 2000.

“It was a simple choice. It’s allowed me to come full circle.

After Barcelona, I wanted to continue playing. I fought for that. Monaco were my number

Munich prosecutors after being investigated over tax evasion allegations, Bild has reported.

In January, 61-year-old Bayern president Hoeness filed a voluntary disclosure which showed he had not paid tax on a Swiss bank account.

Reports at the time suggested German prosecutors would decide in July whether or not he should face charges. In May, Hoeness offered to resign, but his offer was turned down by Bayern.

The Munich economic and tax criminal chamber is to press charges against Hoeness within the next few weeks, Bild said.

If Hoeness is found guilty, he could face imprisonment. Under German law, tax evasion of over +1 million is punished by a prison sentence. “We are still investigating,” a prosecution

spokesman told the paper, refusing to comment further.

The Hoeness tax case has made front-page headlines in Germany, and a statement released on behalf of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, earlier this year said she was

Guardiola’s first press conference as Bayern manager, but has since retreated from the spotlight.

“Uli has withdrawn himself a bit. I think that is wise and right. I wish and hope this story ends on a positive note for him,” Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was quoted as saying.

SANTI Cazorla has admitted that Arsenal had a “confidence” issue last season - but feels that their strong run-in as well as a good summer can finally consign such problems to past.

Speaking in the latest issue of Arsenal: The Official Magazine, Cazorla acknowledged that the period between October and February had been hugely difficult for the club but said

a subsequent 14-game unbeaten run had brought a change.

“Every team in the league has a complicated period at some point and their level drops,” the Spaniard said. “When the team doesn’t win and we don’t get the results we want, the collective confidence does drop a little and that’s natural. Now, we’ve put in a spectacular run-in and you can see the difference in mentality.

“We have great players. I’m sure next season we’ll be a better team

EZEQUIEL Schelotto and Matias Silvestre will have to go in search of another club after they weren’t called up to Inter’s preseason camp.

Meanwhile, the news is a The duo’s future has been at particular blow for Schelotto, the centre of constant who had frequently expressed speculation after Silvestre was his desire to remain at the club offered to Parma in a deal which throughout the offseason, and would see Ishak Belfodil go the who has only been at the club other way. for six months.

New arrivals Mauro Icardi and Belfodil have been included in the list. Alvaro Pereira and Yuto Nagatomo will join the camp late on as they have been granted an extension to their holiday due to their involvement in the Confederations cup.

Also included in the list is Nigeria’s Joel Obi. He looks destined to remain at the club despite reports suggesting he may leave after spending last season sidelined through injury.

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic, Luca Castellazzi, Juan Pablo Carrizo

Defenders: Walter Samuel, Cristian Chivu, Andrea Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Jonathan, Ibrahima Mbaye, Hugo Campagnaro, Marco Andreolli, Yuto Nagatomo, Alvaro Pereira Midfielders: Esteban Cambiasso, Ricky Alvarez, Mateo Kovacic, Gaby Mudingayi, Joel Obi, Fredy Guarin, Zdravko Kuzmanovic Forwards: Rodrigo Palacio, Diego Milito, Samuele Longo, Ishak Belfodil, Mauro Icardi

GHANA international Kwadwo Asamoah has tipped Juventus to win a third consecutive Serie A title next season.

The midfielder won his first career league title last season after joining from fellow Serie A side Udinese.

Asamoah believes the signing of strikers Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente have fortified the Bianconeris to defend their title for the third

time.

“I am convinced Juve are getting stronger,” Asamoah has been quoted by Tuttosport.

“The third successive title is what we want. I am desperate to stay at Juve and play next season.”

Asamoah was one of the key players for Juventus last season where he managed 27 appearances and scored two goals.

Asamoah Backs Juventus To Win Third Straight Serie A Title

Anzhi Deny Interest In Nani

Choosing Monaco Was Easy

Hoeness ‘To Be Charged In BAYERN Munich president Tax Case’ “disappointed”.

Hoeness appeared at Pep Uli Hoeness will be charged by

- Abidal

one choice. It’s true that I had quite a lot of offers from other clubs. I respect my word,” Abidal, who held talks and even underwent a medical at Monaco on June 10 to determine his fitness following last year’s liver transplant, said at his official unveiling.

“It’s special. I started at Monaco aged 19. It was an objective of mine to come back to the principality where I have a lot of memories. The president Dmitri Rybolovlev and everyone at the club have put their faith in me. Quite a few people had doubts given the state of my health. I’m happy to be at Monaco and in good health.”

Having been preferred to Lille prospect Lucas Digne, for

whom French media had reported Monaco had agreed a fee with their northern rivals, Abidal is now also determined to pip his rivals to a place on the plane for next summer’s World Cup. “Of course it remains an objective. But it starts with matches in the league, in the cups. I have to perform as well as possible for my club. Only after that can I push for a place in the France team,” said the former Lille and Lyon defender, who won the last of his 61 caps in February 2012.

Mentality Has Changed, Cazorla Says and we’ll improve. There are young players. It’s clear this squad has plenty of potential to improve.

Next season, we hope we can be even better and win trophies and the supporters can enjoy it. That’s what Arsenal really wants. I hope I can keep developing too.”

Reflecting on his own debut season, in which he was named the club’s player of the year, Cazorla highlighted his strike in the 5-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates as his favourite moment.

Kwadwo

Kevin Prince Boateng Set To Quit AC Milan

GHANA’S midfielder KevinPrince Boateng has expressed his desire to leave Italian giants AC Milan,according to reports.

The fact is that Milan are yet to receive real offers for the exPortsmouth man who was heavily linked with Monaco last month.

The Rossoneri are ready to sell him for 15 million Euros and will use that money to sign Japan star Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow.

Boateng, whose contract runs out in 2014 and on a salary of 2.5 million Euros, is said to be no longer in the plans of coach Massimiliano Allegri.

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Berlusconi Confident Of Club’s Squad

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has said the club’s squad is already strong enough to win Serie A next season, but did not rule out gifting a big-name signing this summer.

Berlusconi arrived by helicopter on the first day of the Rossoneri’s pre-season preparations on Monday, meeting the players and the coach before emerging for interviews with a broad smile on his face. He is confident that smile will be even broader next May, with a piece of silverware to parade.

“I cannot exclude that there could be the possibility of another new signing to strengthen us, but we are all convinced that we are capable of winning the title the way we are,” he told the club’s Milan Channel television station.

Berlusconi revealed that he does not want to contemplate the sale of the club, saying: “There’s no chance. For me and my family, Milan is a matter of

the heart and, if I had to sell all of my assets, Milan would be the very last one.”

Berlusconi also said he had no intention of selling forward Stephan El Shaarawy, who has been linked with an exit but said he wanted to stay after talks with vice-president Adriano Galliani last week.

“El Shaarawy made a very positive impression when he showed such huge dedication to Milan,” Berlusconi added. “He told us that he would not have wanted to play for any club in the world but Milan.”

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is another to have been linked with a summer exit, but clearthe-air talks with Berlusconi and Galliani last month saw

the situation resolved.

That was the second time doubts had been raised over Allegri’s future after a difficult first half to last season, but Galliani said the coach deserved credit for the Rossoneri’s recovery to finish in third place, qualifying for the play-off round of the Champions League.

“We picked up 45 points in the last 20 games of the season, which is two more than Juve,” the vicepresident added. “It’s just a shame that we needed eight games to get settled in, but Allegri then did really well to insert the auto-pilot, and that’s the reason why he is

still here today.”

The coach, who had been linked with Roma, insisted he never had any doubts over his future, saying: “I’m here because I have a contract with Milan, and Milan have always been my priority. ; “I’ve read lots of things about me, but I remained serene because I was always

an important member of the Spain side. We’re hoping he will score lots of goals.”

Asked whether or not he could believe his club had secured the signature of a player of Villa’s calibre for such a minimal price, Cerezo said: “The money is the least important part. We’re extremely happy because many Spanish and foreign sides were fighting to sign Villa.

“The most important part of the deal is that we’ve got a player that we’ve wanted for a long time, even when he left Zaragoza for Valencia.”

Meanwhile, Villa has taken to Twitter to thank Barcelona for a three-year spell in which he won two league titles, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

the talking and Allegri listening more to his head.

“Juve are still favourites,” he said. “They’ve strengthened with two excellent players [Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez] and we’ve still got to improve to close in further on the Bianconeri - but we have great potential.”

Ronaldo has long been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu, with a move back to Manchester United frequently speculated with the player and club still at an impasse over a new contract.

But Perez, who last month was forced to respond to an ‘unhappy’ Ronaldo, again exuded confidence that the world star would finish his career in the colours of Los Blancos.

“The person who wants to retire at Real Madrid is Ronaldo, and Real want him to retire here too,” Perez told broadcaster Univision.

“There haven’t been any negotiations [on a new deal] because he is on holiday. Be in no doubt, Cristiano will retire here because he wants to. Just as [Zinedine] Zidane and other great players have done.”

wants striker Gonzalo Higuain to stay at the club amidst revelations there have been “no offers” for the Argentine international.

The 25-year-old Higuain has been linked with a move to Arsenal throughout the summer, after the player admitted he wanted to leave

the Spanish capital.

‘Ronaldo Will Retire At Madrid’

REAL Madrid president Florentino Perez has again reiterated his belief that Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo “will retire” in the Spanish capital.

The 28-year-old

Cerezo Extremely Happy To ATLETICO Madrid Sign Villa President Enrique Cerezo has spoken of his delight at the signing of David Villa from Barcelona.

Barcelona announced on Monday that Villa would be heading to the capital, with Atletico paying an initial fee of just +2.1 million and a potential total of +5.1 million.

Villa passed his medical yesterday morning, and Cerezo told Radio Nacional de Espana the former Barca striker had long been a target and “could be an excellent replacement for Falcao”, who left for Monaco earlier this summer.

“Villa has got many seasons ahead of him,” Cerezo said of the 31-yearold. “He’s a natural-born goalscorer, and we’re hoping for great things because he’s

convinced I would stay.

“I speak with the president every week, which I always have done. Of course there are differences of opinion from time to time, but that’s normal between an employer and employee.”

The pair appear to disagree on who is favourite for the Scudetto, with Berlusconi letting his heart do

No Offer For Higuain REAL Madrid president - Perez Florentino Perez admitted he

Cristiano Ronaldo

Referee Beheaded In Brazil After A referee was lynched and decapitated by a mob in Killing Footballer northeastern Brazil after he fatally stabbed a player who refused to leave the pitch during an amateur soccer game, according to local press reports.

The gruesome killings occurred in the town of Pio XII in Maranhao state on June 30 but details of the case only emerged last week.

Local police said the referee, 20-year-old Otavio Jordao da Silva, got into a fist fight with 31-year-old player Josenir dos Santos Abreu, who had refused to comply with an order to leave the pitch.

During the fight, the referee stabbed the player, who subsequently died on the way to hospital, the reports said.

THE agent of Christian Eriksen has said he is still in contact with a number of clubs regarding a move for his client, while insisting that Borussia Dortmund’s signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan does not rule out the possibility of a switch to Westfalenstadion for the Ajax midfielder.

Eriksen has been linked with a switch to both Dortmund and Liverpool in recent months, although that talk seems to have dried up lately.

Shakhtar Donetsk confirmed the +27.5 million sale of Mkhitaryan to the

Bundesliga side yesterday, while the Reds have opted for Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto instead.

Eriksen’s representative, Martin Schoots, however, says the Denmark international could still very much be lining up for a new side come the start of next season.

“Yes, we are still in contact with certain clubs, and that will always be the case with a player like Christian,” Schoots told sporten.dk. “At the moment, it’s difficult to say whether this contact will result in a transfer, so we won’t speculate now.”

Eriksen spoke of his desire

In retaliation, three people stoned the referee to death before dismembering his body.

Local police said a 27year-old man confessed taking part in the assault although he denied delivering the fatal blows.

Two other suspects are still being sought.

But Perez poured cold water on the speculation, hoping to keep Higuain for the use of new Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.

“We don’t want Higuain to leave,” Perez told Univision.

“What’s more no-one from Arsenal has come to us and made us any offers at all for him. There are no offers on the table.”

Meanwhile, Perez confirmed the club is looking to sign cover for Xabi Alonso with rumours suggesting Madrid will sign Under-21 Spanish midfielder Asier Illarramendi.

“We are concerned about the state of Xabi Alonso,” Perez said. “Defensive midfield is a very important position and we should be looking to strengthen there.”

Eriksen ‘Still Hoping To Move’

David Villa

to work with Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp in June, although the German club moved to deny reports that they were lining up a bid for the player.

But when asked whether the Mkhitaryan deal might end Eriksen’s hopes of a move to Dortmund, Schoots refused to rule out the possibility.

“There is always speculation about these things,” he said. “We prefer not to contribute to that speculation.”

Eriksen has a year remaining on his contract at Ajax but Schoots says the

player will sign an extension if he does not secure a transfer this summer.

“Christian has already said that he will not let his contract expire and move on a free transfer,” he said. “He will extend his contract if he doesn’t move.”

He added: “This is the first transfer window in which Christian has been open to a move, but that doesn’t mean that he absolutely must change clubs. Christian can control the next step in his career, and he will only leave Ajax if he believes he can develop and become a better player at a new club.”

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Europa League

Nigerians Set To NIGERIA strikers Progress Kehinde Fatai and John Chibuike are close to making it to the next round of the UEFA Europa League.

This is after their club’s secured away wins in the

Kano Pillars Pay Up NIGERIA League leaders Kano Pillars have paid 30% of players’ sign-on fees for this season in a bid to spur them to retain their championship.

The coaches have also been paid 50% of their sign-on fees.

Pillars chairman Abba Yola said following release of N69 million by Kano State Government to the team, the management wishes to motivate the players and coaches.

“We have paid 30% of signon fees to players and 50% to the technical crew. We also settled transfer fees of the players who we recruited at the beginning of the season to their various clubs,” Pillars spokesman Idris Malikawa told MTNFootball.com Abba Yola also commended Kano State Government for its untiring support to the club and pleaded for the release of more funds for a smooth running of the club to actualize their dream of winning the league back to back.

He also thanked the club’s fans for their support to the team.

Appiah For Monaco Pre-Season Training

GHANAIAN youngster Derrick Appiah will leave Accra on Saturday to begin pre-season training with promoted French Ligue 1 side Monaco.

The 18-year-old signed for the club in January this year but could not make his debut for them in the French Ligue 1.

He has obtained his work permit and regarded a first team player by head coach Claudio Ranieri Appiah has recovered from a recent injury and raring to prove a point at the nouveau riche club.

The former Amidaus Professionals initially joined Italian side Napoli as a trainee but was not given a permanent deal.

He was whisked by Monaco who have identified the potentials of the battling midfielder.

first leg first round of the preliminary round.

John Chibuike helped Rosenborg secure a 2-1 away win at Crusaders in Northern Ireland when he scored the team’s equaliser in first half stoppage time.

He told MTNFootball.com that he was excited with the victory.

“It was a good game for us, I am happy to get the goal and the victory was the ultimate for us. I am looking forward to the return leg so we could qualify to the next stage,” he stated.

Kehinde Fatai’s Astra Giurgiu also won away from home as they beat NK Domzale 1-0 in Slovenia.

The former Nigeria U20 and U23 striker was not in action possibly due to transfer talk as it concern his future with Astra Giurgiu.

Another Nigerian striker, Obinna Obiefule, got a goal for Hibernians of Malta, but it was not good enough as they lost 4-1 at home to Vojvodina.

Obiefule was on target for Hibernians in the 78th minute.

Gymnastics Association Appeals For Funds SANI Mohammed, Head Coach, Kaduna State

Gymnastics Association, yesterday appealed to the National Sports

Bolaji Abdullahi, Sports Minister

Mohammed told newsmen in Lagos on telephone that the body lacked the means to execute its programmes for 2013.

“There are no national competitions to engage gymnasts and this has continued to stunt the growth of the sport in the country.

“There are many programmes lined up but we don’t have the money to execute them,’’ Mohammed said.

He added that the NSC could assist in organising at least two national competitions on an annual basis, in addition to the National Sports Festival (NSF) which comes up biennially.

“National competitions should not only be limited to NSF but on a regular basis to bring about growth.

“There is need for them to be engaged at all times apart from their personal training in order to get better,’’ he added.

He said it was only through regular competitions that grassroots talents could be discovered and groomed to represent the country at international competitions.

Keshi Owed Four Months’ Pay

BROKE Nigeria FA have admitted they owe coach Stephen Keshi four months’ pay.

“Yes, we are owing Keshi

However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also disclosed that they hope to offset the salary backlog, which dates back to February, by the end of this month.

about four months’ salary. It is also true that we have not paid him since the AFCON feat in South Africa,” stated NFF technical committee chairman, Chris Green.

“However, we have

Esan West Win Aishetu Oshiomhole mother of the Edo State Cup

By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

ESAN West Local Government Council male and female football teams on Sunday, secured flight tickets to Ghana for international playing tour later this year, following their victory at the just concluded Aishetu Oshiomhole Championship held in Ekpoma, Edo State.

The two teams made the host local council boss, Hon. Henry Irumundomon proud, having emerged champions in the week-long football championship that lit up the university town, Ekpoma.

In the male category (U18), the Esan boys snatched the Gold Cup via 6-5 penalty shootout win over channels FC, after a pulsating ninety minutes of one all draw. While on the other hand, their girls outclassed Edo Queens; beating them 2 – 0 to lift the

Commission (NSC), to assist it with funds.

female Gold Cup. According to the organizers of the U-18 football fiesta, FEYSOC, the maiden edition of Aishetu Oshiomhole Cup, was in honour of the

Governor, Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole and to discover talents in the country, adding that the football championship would now be organized annually in Edo State.

structured our national team in a manner in which coaches get daily allowance, match bonus, free feeding while they are in camp. But we are working round the clock to ensure that by the end of this month Keshi’s outstanding

Fatigue Hit Kenya KENYA deputy coach Kennedy Odhiambo cites fatigue for 2-2 with Lesotho just hours after landing in Zambia.

The Harambee Stars stepped on the pitch just eight hours after arriving from Kenya following a three day delay while the call-ups wrapped-up on league commitments over the weekend prior to departure for Zambia.

Kenya, who are participating as a guest team at this year’s Cosafa Cup, landed at 10:00 Hours CAT time in Ndola before taking a 30 minute drive to Kitwe to face Lesotho in a Group B fixture.

“Late arrival affected us,

our players had fatigue,” Odhiambo said.

“We were recovering in the game.”

Kenya are back on the field on later today for their second Group A match against Swaziland.

“We are trying to build a new team. Most of the players who played in today’s game they are under 23,” Odhiambo said.

“We are here to learn from our Southern African counterparts and we are here to build a team for the future.”

Kenya together with Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland and Kenya all locked on one point each heading into match day two in Group B today in a doubleheader at Arthur Davies Stadium.

Stephen Keshi

are settled.”

Keshi is on five million Naira (about $31,000) a month.

The Nigeria FA are facing hard times financially after their government grant for the year was drastically reduced.

This has forced some costcutting measures including downward review of the win bonus of the Super Eagles.

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Sanitising The Universities “WITH all the billions of dollars that are accruing to the nation from the proceeds of oil, our educational sector is criminally underfunded and allowed to rot. The attendant effect is that the standard of education has fallen abysmally; it has withdrawn systematically over the years, inward and outward. Most Nigerian children have regrettably transformed into full time vagabonds and prostitutes”……QUOTED IN WHERE WE ARE (PAGE 90) Universities that I am In recent weeks events compelled by a sense of have been happening in patriotism to spotlight some quick succession globally of these ugly development and locally. Few days in this column today. On ago the Academic Staff March 25 th . 2013 in the Union of Universities University of Benin, (ASUU) was at it again because the leadership of Student Union with a blanket indefinite the strike called by its Government (SUG) were national leadership. unable to see Prof. Chike Today, the drastic effect Okolocha, the Dean of the of the ASUU strike is Faculty of Social Sciences, being felt across Federal they tried to scatter the and State Universities in scheduled examination, to announce their displeasure the country.

The tension build up in with illegal sales of faculty Egypt has finally led to lecture books by the Dean.

But before I will thrash the military ouster of President Mohammed these negative occurrences Morsi, who has done retarding the progress of everything in the last one robust quality and efficient year to Islamize his educational advancement troubled country. We in our country, I want to must not forget that ex- briefly look at the nagging president Morsi was the strike called by the Nigerian first democratically Union of Teachers (NUT) in elected president in the Edo State that has teaching history of the Egyptian paralyzed nation. Though, I am not activities at the primary in support of the military school level.

I was part of the civil action carried out by the top brass of Egyptian society organizations army, because they delegation in Edo State that would have allowed the met with the Hon. Egyptian masses to Commissioner for Basic show him the way out at and Primary Education the next general election. about two weeks ago in his The other day I was office. By the time Hon. telling a group of friends Patrick Aguinede, the Hon. that the way things are Commissioner gave us an with the ivory towers in insight into the nitty-gritty Nigeria today, I may that has made the striking never do my PhD Degree primary school teachers to here. The reasons are remain adamant; we now not farfetched. There are saw the utmost need for a nauseating things town Hall meeting with all prevailing in our relevant stakeholders on

the matter in Edo State.

Regrettably the town Hall meeting that was convened by the civil society organizations in Edo State to resolve the lingering matter ended in fiasco last Monday. Early on Monday, Edo State Government was ably represented at the town Hall meeting at Urhokpota Hall by Chief Lucky James, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs;

the level of civil society movement in Edo State that a smaller meeting of stakeholders on the nagging strike will be facilitated by Reverend David Ugolor and Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin. It is my humble wish that the leadership of the primary school teachers will allow wisdom to prevail so that our children at the primary school level in Edo State can go back to school in no distant time.

on our universities, which students must bow and tremble for. No matter how highly placed you are outside the university, but once you are a student you are made to ‘perform’ and bring bags of rice or you won’t be allowed to graduate as at when due.

Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, Education Minister

Washington Osifo, Commissioner for Higher and Technical Education and Patrick Aguinede, Commissioner for Basic and Primary Education.

The leadership of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) was ably represented too.

The town Hall meeting was full to the brim, but a golden opportunity to forge ahead was bungled by some stakeholders who made it rowdy.

However, we resolved at

“Even as I agree that education ought to be free at the tertiary level and that President Jonathan should meet ASUU negotiated recent demands because of the kind of resources that will make through the oil industry, some Lecturers or Professors on our Universities are not helping matters at all.”

It is my concern too that Edo State Government should equally shift grounds so that at the end of the day, it will be a winwin situation for the benefit of our children at the primary school level.

Even as I agree that education ought to be free at the tertiary level and that President Jonathan should meet ASUU negotiated recent demands because of the kind of resources that will make through the oil industry, some Lecturers or Professors on our Universities are not helping matters at all. How do we reconcile the fact that a professor allegedly indulged in illegal sale of books to students of the faculty of social science at the University of Benin and illegal collection of money within the faculty? What does the professor want?

It is a fact that some Lecturers and Professors see themselves as tin gods

That is why I said I may never do my PhD here because in most cases you are made to sooth some lecturers and professors who are ready to frustrate you unless you bring cartons of wines and brown envelopes to them. We all know that sexual harassment, blocking and other forms of gratifications occur daily on our universities. It is equally a fact that some professors don’t allow their junior colleagues to have breathing space by indulging in wicked and malicious attitudes. Some

even victimized young and promising upcoming lecturers for no just cause.

If we must sanitize our citadels of learning, that are gradually becoming citadels of violence sand mediocrity any erring professor or lecturers such as the dean of faculty of social science at the University of Benin, who has been allegedly found wanting by the Ad-hoc committee set up by the Vice-Chancellor should face the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for illegal sales of faculty lecture books.

Though, the professor has been allegedly asked to refund the money he collected from the students in the faculty, the ViceChancellor should do the right thing to serve as a deterrent to other allegedly greedy, wicked and unprogressive lecturers in University of Benin. Issues such as this are prevalent in other Universities across the country. If ASUU must have their way from the government; our universities must be reformed, refined and sanitized so that our students can compete favourably with others in the civilized world; so that too, professors can be made to do their job without cutting corners and making the universities hell for their colleagues and students.

NOWINTA, WROTE WHERE WE ARE

TOMORROW ON THIS PAGE

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Rather than attract opprobrium, the signing of the death warrants should portray the Governor as a man who is truly on a rescue mission. If the punishment for an offence is death, after due process of trial, let who is dying die quickly.

”

-Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan

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