Nigerian observer 11 09 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 39 • NO. 075 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 20 14 •N 100. 0 0 SPOTLIGHT Pages 16-17 Exposing those behind Boko Haram sponsorship

OBSERVER Board holds inaugural meeting ...inspects facilities

BY IKPONMWOBA OSAZEE JOEL BENIN CITY – The Board members of the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of

The NIGERIAN OBSERVER titles have inspected the facilities in the c o r p o r a t e headquarters of the company in Benin City.

other members of the board were earlier conducted round the premises and various departments of the newspaper house for inspection by the

The members yesterday had their maiden meeting after the inauguration of the board by Governor Adams Oshiomhole since July 25, 2014.

The Board Chairman, Mr. Dan Owegie who led

Continues on page 2

Sack Jega now, Southern leaders

LEADERSHIP Page 22 Good leaders and their qualities

.They ’re ignorant Jega tell Jonathan

By JOSES SEDE

ABUJA - Elders under the aegis of Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly yesterday, accused Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission of bias in his assignment and called for his immediate removal.

2015 general This is even as the elections.

INEC Chairman blamed Out of the figure, the the elders’ decision on north has been ignorance, hoping that allocated 21,615 while further education and the remainder of 8,412 enlightenment would goes to the south. make them see reason.

The allocation to the The bone of contention northern states are as is INEC’s proposed follows: Benue additional 30,027 polling 1,144; Kogi - 305; units to beef up the Kwara 534; existing 119,973, Nasarawa - 1,110; bringing the total to Niger - 1,683; Plateau 150,000, preparatory to

- 1,542; Adamawa - 890; Bauchi - 1,111; Borno 1,336; Gombe - 403; Taraba - 761; Yobe - 790; Jigawa 393; Kaduna - 2,384; Kano - 1,735; Katsina - 1,174; Kebbi - 681; Sokoto - 1,276;

Zamfara - 1,163 and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) - 1,200.

Conversely, those of the Southern states are as follows: Abia - 344; Anambra - 121; Delta -

697; Edo - 725; Ebonyi 425; Enugu - 121; Imo 154; Akwa-Ibom - 496; Bayelsa - 121; CrossRiver - 286; Rivers - 762; Ekiti - 121; Lagos - 2561; Ogun - 605; Ondo - 222; Osun - 121; and Oyo -

528.

However, the southern elders queried the rationale behind the increase, when in their assertion, the number of registered voters had Continues on page 2

Edo won’t cede territory - Gov BENIN CITY- Edo State Government said it will not cede any part of its territory to neighbouring states.

The state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole represented by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu made the declaration at Orogho Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area following the recent skirmishes between the community and Seplat Oil Company.

Addressing the Orogho Community on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor said the community boundary matter is being handled by the state government.

He appealed to the youths of the community to be civilized in their agitations and avoid violence while assuring that their rightful benefits would be paid to them when the conflict is finally laid to rest.

Dr. Odubu also urged the security officers at Seplat Oil Company to

TIT BIT “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

- Steve Jobs

exercise maximum restraint and minimize force in handling peaceful assemblage, stressing that the right to freedom of association and free speech is constitutionally

INAUGURATION: APC National Chairman,Chief John Oyegun, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Chairman, Agura Hotel, Chief Kanu Maxwell, at the inauguration of Imo Liaison Office in Abuja yesterday.

Oshiomhole assures security agencies of cooperation

Continues on page 2

Combating Crimes:

BENIN CITY Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured Security Agencies in

the State of his administration’s continuous support and cooperation in combating crime in the

state.

The governor gave this assurance yesterday when he received the new AIG Zone 5, Mr.

Musa Daura, in Government House, Benin City.

According to Comrade Oshiomhole, “We

APC intact in Igueben

BENIN CITY- A Chieftain of the All progressives Congress (APC) in Igueben Local Government Area,

- Party chieftain

Edo State and Board member of the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publisher

of the OBSERVER titles, Elder Macaulay Ovienria said the recent defection of Chief Tom Ikimi from

APC does not diminish the status of the party in Igueben.

In a statement made available to The Continues on page 2

appreciate that nothing is possible without security.

Maybe in the distant past, not many Nigerians understood the issue of security as something that is a precondition for every other thing you want to do. Over the past few years, more and more Nigerians have come to recognize that without security, there Continues on page 2

News

OBSERVER Board holds inaugural meeting

Continued from page 1 Acting General Manager of the company, Reverend Monday Aigbe.

Hon. Owegie appreciated the Acting General manager and his management team

for keeping the company alive till date, considering the deplorable condition of the company by making sure the newspapers were on news stand everyday.

The chairman further

restated that the board has been given the mandate to revive the company so as to regain its past glory.

“Observer was the envy of everybody in those days and the best in the country; once

were introduced in 1996 and since then, there has been “exponential” growth of Nigeria’s population and severe demographic shifts resulting from new settlements in major urban areas, with congested polling units on election days.

In order to ameliorate the

situation, overcrowded polling units were shared into “Voting Points” of manageable numbers of about 300 registered voters, which “has continued to elicit suspicion by political parties in the runup to elections, with some even accusing the Commission of secretly

you see Observer anywhere in the country, you are proud of it. So, my team will make sure that in the nearest future, Observer can compete favourably with all other national dailies”, he said.

Sack Jega now

Continued from page 1 reduced drastically from 70 million to 57 million.

The Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly made up of elders from the three zones that constitute the Southern part of Nigeria, feared that Prof. Jega has some hidden plots to rig the 2015 elections, and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sack him forthwith.

Meanwhile, in a press briefing yesterday, Prof. Jega acknowledged that the Assembly was made up of respected elders who needed explanations and adequate information on the proposal, and promised availing them with it.

Jega noted that other factors rather than political factor necessitated the planned distribution of the 30,000 polling units, adding that the new polling units will not confer any political advantage on any individual or political group.

He explained that the proposed increased polling units of about 150,000 were required to ensure right-sizing as per increased registered voters which initially was 73.5 million but later scaled down to 70,383,427 after Voters’ Register clean up.

According to the INEC boss, the current 119,973 polling units In the country

N I G E R I A N OBSERVER in Benin City, Elder Ovienria said other members of the Party are intact and would continue to enjoy the development strides of the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Elder Ovieria, in the statement, also appreciated the governor for upgrading the status of the college of Education, Igueben to a university.

According to him, “when the comrade

A member of the community who spoke on behalf of the people urged Seplat Oil Company to fulfill its social responsibilities to Orogho as host community.

He also urged the company to behave as a responsible corporate entity by giving job opportunities and other

incentives to the community.

Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Okwudili Fidelis Azinta and Commander 19 Battalion, Lt. Col. F.S Etin said nobody was shot during the fracas.

The Deputy Governor was accompanied by Orhionmwon Local Government Council Chairman, Chief Roland Ibierutomwen; Permanent

Secretary Ministry of Oil and Gas, Mr. Dan Aigbavoa, Surveyor-General of the state, Mr. Osayande; Ugu Ward Councilor, Hon. Macy Ogiku and others.

The Enogie of host community, Orogho H.R.H. Patrick Akenzua was on hand to receive the Deputy Governor and his entourage.

Oshiomhole assures security agencies of Continued from page 1 and criminality but cooperation ofwecrime can be no order and there also have enough

can be no peace”.

He continued: “So it is clear that we all need to contribute our quota in supporting security forces to contain law and order in our state. So I want to assure you that you can take our support for granted. In any way and any matter you want to consult with us, feel free and if we have any, we will not hesitate

to reach out to you”.

Oshiomhole, who acknowledged the efforts of Security Agencies in the state, said “Let me use this opportunity to also thank the Commissioner of Police as well as his Officers and men for their contributions in making Edo a relatively safer place compared to other South-South States”.

“We have had our fair share

governor met with the leadership of APC in Igueben Local Government in his office recently, the governor surprised Igueben people by telling us that he has decided to upgrade the college of Education in Igueben to a university of Education.

“Right now, the college of Education, Igueben has the full right to be awarding degree like Ekiadolor University of Education will be awarding.

“We the people of Igueben appreciate the kind gesture of the

comrade governor”, he said.

He assured the governor that the people of Igueben are solidly behind him and his administration.

Elder Macaulay Ovienria

EDSG rolls out poultry, Goat Value

By DOROTHY Road Benin City at 9 am Chain EGBOBAMWONYI Commenting on the forth BENIN CITY- The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will tomorrow September 12, 2014 roll – out poultry and Goat/ Sheep value Chain of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (EGS) in

“There is no sectional or parochial agenda in this decision”, he continued, “the basic aim of the exercise we are presently undertaking is to ease the access of voters to the ballot box in the 2015 general elections” the INEC boss stressed.

Edo won’t cede territory

Continued from page 1 guaranteed.

APC intact in Igueben

Continued from page 1

creating additional polling units”, Prof. Jega explained further.

the state.

The roll-out which will be done by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Abdul Oroh is billed to take place at the ministry’s Headquarters, Central

coming roll-out, the Director of Agricultural Services, Mr. M. I Ainogie said registered poultry, sheep and goat farmers in the state are invited to the occasion, while enjoining them to be punctual.

evidence that criminals have paid heavy tolls as a result of the efforts of the Police and other security agencies”.

While congratulating the New AIG on his recent posting to Edo State, Oshiomhole said, “Most people who have served here as AIG’s and CP’s have left here for higher ranks, so I believe that your posting to Edo State is a preparation for something better in future”.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the great people of Edo State definitely will enjoy the assistance of your friendship and I want to assure you as fellow citizen who shares same commitment for a better Nigeria, that we will do everything to make your stay here comfortable”, he said.

Earlier, the New AIG, Zone 5, Musa Daura said he was in Government House to inform the comrade governor of his recent posting to the state as the new AIG, Zone 5.

He said, “Before coming here, I was briefed by the CP on how you have assisted the Security Agencies generally in fighting crime in the state. There is no way we can achieve peace and order without the assistance and cooperation of the State Government. You have done a lot and I have no doubt in my mind that you will continue. I was going round this week and I saw a lot of achievements made during your regime and I have no doubt that you are equal to the task”.

Education: Oshiomhole

calls for National Summit BENIN CITY - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has called for the convening of a National Summit to formulate realistic education policy for the country.

The governor stated this yesterday, when he received Members of House of Representative Committee on Education led by Hon. Aminu Suleiman in Government House, Benin City.

Governor Oshiomhole said, “I believe that Nigeria needs to have a very objective National conversation on education policy. Beyond politics and political divides, it does not seem to me that all of us in leadership are demonstrating sufficient courage and sufficient concerns to deal with these issues.

“I believe that Nigeria needs to have a realistic conversation between ASUU, between government, opinion leaders, Community leaders, church leaders so that we can come out with an education policy that understands and is informed by reality that the world is knowledge driven and we can’t use 20th century tools to deal with the challenges of the 21st century.

The governor declared, “I am convinced that it is in our interest, all of us in privilege positions to refocus public policy in a way to secure our tomorrow, we must invest in education. We must redefine and revisit our concept of free education to include free qualitative education.

“When we share tears about the result of our abysmal performance in WAEC, it is crocodile tears because it is a simple fact that if the people have not learnt, it is only because the teachers have not taught. Nobody will give what he doesn’t have.

Oshiomhole said, “Primary education is the foundation of education in the country and if we don’t get it right at the primary level, we can’t get it right at the secondary level and if we don’t get it right at

the secondary level, obviously, the tertiary level will be there by mere signboards.

“If we don’t pay attention to education, this country is finished. Some of the crisis we are dealing with are the consequences of complete negligence of successive governments over the years.

The governor said, “We have paid a lot of attention to the issue of education. When I assumed duty here in 2008, though they all talked about free education but the truth is that parents were expected and they did contribute money for payment of examination, and under the guise of PTA, pupils were levied to provide the basic consumable tools including providing for the security of schools and a lot of our schools were without roofs and the picture of what I saw was that the previous government has privatised primary and secondary education by refusing to invest in primary and secondary education and as a result of that, even the poorest of the poor have to find a way to send their children to private schools.

By default, the State divested from public education, creating a society in which only the children of the few rich can go to quality private schools. The children of the poor who find public schools completely unacceptable had to send their children to mushroom private schools where they do not have basic facilities, not even qualified teachers.

“It’s a sad commentary on our future and even on our current state of affair that every one of you on that role, we are encouraging our children to go to Ghana. We can see the consequences on our security, whether it is militancy, or Boko Haram, all these are consequences and the cause. So many Nigerians have nothing to live for and dying makes more sense to them than living, but somehow, many prefer to die with someone who wants to live.

BENIN CITY - The Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has expressed satisfaction with the quality of work at the Central Hospital, Benin City.

The Governor stated this yesterday, when he paid an unscheduled inspection visit to access the level of work at Central Hospital.

Governor Oshiomhole said, “You know this hospital suffered a setback arising from certain structural defect which have now been corrected with the combination of steel reinforcement and in some cases, completely new concrete reinforcement and from the quality of the job that I have seen, both through the eyes of a layman like me and the eyes of expert engineers, I believe that you guys are doing a fantastic job “I know when the history of this hospital will be written, you will be proud to say we did that work. Although you

are working here for salary, but in a sense you are also working for yourselves because this hospital is our own. For children who are yet to be born, this will be their hospital.

Oshiomhole, while expressing satisfaction with the quality of ongoing work, said: “When this Hospital was built in 1903, even my parents were not yet born, so this one we are doing now, because it is stronger than the one that was done before, will do more than 200 to 300 years. Edo people cannot wait to have this hospital completed because right now, too many of our people have to go overseas to treat simple ailments”.

The Governor added: “I believe when this hospital is completed with the quality of the construction, we will put in state-of-the-art equipments, ensure we have doctors and nurses and medical personnel who are qualified and well trained so that our people can have access to quality healthcare”.

...commends work on Central Hospital project

News Assembly Urges Suswam To Investigate Communal Clashes

MAKURDI- The Benue House of Assembly has advised Governor Gabriel Suswam of the state to set up a judicial panel of enquiry to investigate the incessant crises between Utange and Mbaakura communities.

The reports state that Utange is a district in Ushongo Local Government Area while Mbaakura is another in Buruku council.

The house gave the advice after passing a motion cosponsored by Mr Terkimbi Ikyange and Mrs Ngunan

Addingi, who represented Ushongo and Buruku state constituencies respectively.

The motion was seconded by Mr Benjamin Nungwa, representing Kwande constituency, stating that it was apt and timely.

In a lead debate, Ikyange said that there had been incessant crises between the two communities over time, especially during farming seasons.

He disclosed that crisis was still looming between the two

YOLA- The Adamawa Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has said that the October 11 governorship by-election in the state would hold in spite of security concerns in the area.

The assurance is contained in a statement jointly signed by AIG John Abakasanga, Chairman of ICCES, and the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Kassim Gaidam.

It announced the suspension of the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards in Adamawa North Senatorial District, comprising Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha local government areas.

The statement said: “ For the avoidance of doubt, the date for the Adamawa State by-election stands 11th October 2014, and these resolutions are subject to the approval of the Chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega,” the statement said.

It said the distribution was suspended “until such a

time when normalcy is restored to the aforementioned local government areas, meaning that voters in those areas shall use their Temporary Voters’ Cards (TVC) to vote for the elections”.

Meanwhile, INEC began issuing Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the state ahead of the governorship by-election.

The exercise, which commenced at 8 a.m., saw many eligible voters coming out at polling units in Yola to obtain their cards.

At Bako polling unit in Yola, many people were seen checking their names on the voters’ register while those who identified theirs queued to echange the cards.

Malam Musa Ibrahim, who collected his card, expressed delight at the development and expressed the hope that the election would be successful.

Hajara Yakubu, on her part, said she had yet to trace her name but would continue to check for it carefully before lodging a complaint if she failed to trace it.

communities, adding that tension had heightened as the season was still in progress. ‘’If the tension is not doused, it will explode to a communal war which will lead to further loss of lives and property,’’ he said.

The Speaker, Mr Terhile Ayua, called on the chairmen of the councils to wade into the crises to bring lasting solutions to the communities.

Ayua also directed traditional rulers of both communities to join forces with the chairmen in order to prevent any further crisis between the communities.

He urged them to report the progress of their efforts in curtailing the crisis to the house within one month for further action.

Adamawa Governorship By-Election Stands, Security Committee Affirms

Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Council, Barr. (Mrs) Lucy Omagbon and the Chairman, Association of Enigie in Ovia North East Local Government Area, His Royal Higness Prince Edun Akenzua during the traditional rulers’ visit to the council

Alice Owee For Burial Sept 13 BENIN CITY – The families of Owee and Ezomo both of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State have announced the death of Late Madam Alice Atti Owee, who slept in the Lord on June 6, 2014.

She was aged 105 years.

A statement signed by Mr. Francis Owee for the family indicates that on

Friday 12 September body leaves Suyi Hospital to the family residence at 5, First Victory Lane, Family rites/interment and social dance holds on Saturday 13 September, 2014 at Oguola Primary School along Aburimen Street, New Benin, Benin City.

The burial ceremony will climax on Sunday

Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Lucy Omagbon (left) presenting some amount of money to the President, Ovia North East Market Women Association, Comrade Roselyn Arue Nbosea on behalf of the association.

September 14, 2014 with thanksgiving service at Blessed Teresa Catholic Church, off Adolor College Road, Uwelu, Benin City.

Late Madam Alice Atti Owee is survived by four children, amongst whom are Mr. Andy Owee, CDA Chairman, Ekowee Community.

Late Madam Alice Atti Owee

Labourer Jailed For Assault

MARARABA (NASARAWA STATE)- A Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, has sentenced a labourer, Peter Sunday, 28, to 24 months imprisonment for causing grievous hurt.

The presiding officer, Mr Albert Maga, gave the sentence after the accused, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the charge.

Maga, however, gave the convict an option to pay a fine of N8,000 and compensation of N15,000 to the complainant.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, had told the court that

Odeh John of Sharp Corner, Mararaba, lodged the complain at ‘A’ Divisional Police Station.

Adaji said that on Sept.1, John was standing under a pedestrian bridge, Mararaba, waiting for bus when the convict attacked him.

He said the convict hit him several times on the shoulder with a log of wood, adding that during police interrogation, he could not give satisfactory account of why he did that.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 244 of the Penal Code.

South West Ogun Assembly Passes SEMA Bill Into Law ABEOKUTA- The Ogun State Assembly has in Abeokuta passed a bill for the establishment of the Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Mr Israel Jolaosho, the House Majority Leader, moved the motion for the third reading of the bill while the motion was seconded by Mr Olayiwola Ojodu.

Mr Obafemi Olowo-Oloja, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, said the passage of the bill would empower SEMA to access fund from donour agencies.

According to him, it will also give legal backing to its activities in line with the provision of the law.

Olowo-Oloja said the agency would be more proactive in response to disaster management in the state.

“SEMA will formulate

policies in relation to emergency research and technology, and construction of emergency management facilities.

“It will also collate data from relevant agencies on disaster and risk areas in the state so as to enhance forecast and field operation on disaster management.

“The bill will allow the agency to liase with the Ministry of Education to ensure introduction of disaster management and safety education in school curriculum at primary, secondary and tertiary level.’’

The lawmaker said that a state emergency management agency would go a long way in managing disasters when they occurred.

The house also passed into law a bill to provide for the establishment, functions and powers of the Ogun State College of Nursing.

Mr Akinpelu Aina, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, said the bill was to transform and upgrade the three former schools of nursing located in Abeokuta, Ilaro and Ijebu Ode to a college status.

He said that the college would provide studies and training in Nursing Midwifery, Public Health, Family Health and development of techniques in applied sciences and other spheres of learning.

Aina said that the bill would also provide facilities for courses of instruction and awards in scientific and others at the intermediate or higher level of manpower including upgrading of nurses.

The Speaker, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, directed that clean copies of the two bills should be forwarded to Governor Ibikunle Amosun for his assent.

Master Bakers Decry Scarcity Of Quality Cassava Flour

LAGOS - Mr Jacob Adejorin, Chairman, Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, has expressed worry over the scarcity of quality cassava flour in Lagos.

Adejorin told newsmen in Lagos that scarcity of the product could frustrate the Federal Government’s 20 per cent cassava flour inclusion in bread making.

He urged the Federal Government to invest more in the cassava value chain if the country must achieve the target by 2015.

“Bakers travel as far as Oyo and Ogun states to get good quality cassava flours.

“The Lagos State Government also needs to invest more on its cassava farmers if we don’t want our aspirations for eating cassava bread to be a mere paper work.

“When I mean cassava flour, I don’t mean the ones you use in making garri or fufu, but high quality one, just as the name implies.

“The cassava flour that the shelf life would be long without growing mould.

“So the things to put into consideration are especially the quality of cassava tubers themselves, harvesting, processing and packaging.

“All these are capital intensive and that’s why we want to call the attention of the government to it now,” he said.

He lauded the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi and the various flour mills for offering master bakers trainings on cassava bread making.

The reports state that a research carried out amongst

bakers in 2014 revealed that Nigeria would need cassava flour worth N16 billion annually to achieve the 20 per cent inclusion.

The worth of the cassava bread needed to meet the target is put at 550 million loaves annually.

The Federal Government in 2012 officially launched the

cassava bread initiative.

The government said that by 2015 it would be illegal for bakers to bake bread without including 20 per cent cassava flour.

Although the bill legalising this is yet be signed into law, trainings have been held for bakers all over the country in preparation for the initiative.

Physically, Mentally Challenged Trainees Wed

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS - Two physically and mentally challenged trainees of the Lagos State Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with disabilities were recently joined in matrimony at the Lagos Centre in Ikorodu.

The wedding of Samiat Abiola, a 20 year old inhabitant of the Centre with no known relative and who had been under the care of the state government for more than 10 years, and Dare Akinyemi, a former trainee, age 42 years was witnessed by members of the groom’s family and officials of the Office of Youth and Social Development.

Simiat has a low intelligence quotient (IQ) and cannot write her name despite several years of tutoring while Akinyemi has an extremely low IQ and speech impairment but had improved after a lot of mentoring at the Centre and had also undergone vocational training in shoe

making at the Centre.

The bride was given out in marriage by the Director, Rehabilitation, Office of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olabode Ajao through a traditional wedding ceremony and an inter denominational Church Service.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Enitan Dolapo Badru, who was represented by Mr. Olanrewaju Rufai, Director, Finance and Administration charged the grooms family and members of the Society to assist the State Government in reintegrating the couple into the Society so that they could adapt to a new life of marriage and family.

While wishing the couple a happy married life, Dr. Badru urged the husband to take good care of his wife since he had already been trained and empowered by the State Government in shoe making.

Inside Edo 2015: Odubu Urges Apc Members

To Ensure Victory For Party

BENIN CITY – Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has advised All progressives Congress (APC) members in the State to redouble their efforts to ensure total victory in the next general elections.

He gave the advice when he received at his residence in Benin City. Mr. Adaze Wilson Imafidon who aspires to occupy the Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Constituency seat at the House of Representatives.

The deputy governor urged Mr. Adaze Imafidon and party members to always work for the common good of the party.

He remarked that unity and determination among

Mr. Adaze Wilson Imafidon

members would move the APC from strength to strength.

Mr. Imafidon in his remarks, expressed gratitude to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the deputy governor for rescuing the state from the shackles of underdevelopment, stressing that the state government has extended its development efforts to all parts of the state.

The APC stalwart said he was motivated to take advantage of his wealth of experience nationally and internationally in order to

further fast-track development in Orhionmwon/ Uhunmwode constituency.

While pledging his continued resolve to promote the interest of APC, Mr. Imafidon said he has the capability and willingness to bring a new lease of life to the people in terms of job creation and other critical areas of empowerment and development.

Mr. Imafidon was accompanied by music maestro, Victor Uwaifo and other APC faithful.

By VICTOR IMADE

national assembly election.

Emiohe, who spoke in Benin City said the visible transformation recorded by the administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the last six years across the three senatorial districts is a clear testimony that the forthcoming elections would be a walk over for the party coupled with the massive mobilization of members.

He said the result of the grassroots mobilization and

support for the party has informed the decision of members who had long left the APC to return and build the party describing recent decampees as ‘migrant politicians’.

While commending the move by the Chairman of Esan Central local government area, Hon Solomon Eromosele to pay

overcome them and forge ahead.

Akenzua said the visit was to congratulate her for a job well done.

Meanwhile, the Council boss, as part of her administration’s empowerment programme, made a donation of N150,000 to Ovia North East market women to assist them improve on their businesses.

The amount was received by

the President of the Market Women Association in the area, Comrade (Mrs) Roselyn Aruevbosee.

In a related development, the council boss also assisted a youth, Mr. Ahmed Uwa Asemota with the sum of N200,000 to support his music career.

Responding to the council boss benevolent gesture, the recipients expressed appreciation over the gesture and prayed God to sustain her.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu (right), Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier Generarl Okwudili Fidelis Azinta, Commanding Officer at Seplat Oil Comany and the Commanding Officer 19 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. F.S. Etin during a visit to Seplat Oil Company in Oregho Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

2015 Elections: APC Chieftain Confident Of Victory

IRRUA - A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in ward 10, Ugbegun in Esan Central local government area of Edo state, Comrade Matthew Emiohe, yesterday expressed strong optimism that in spite of the defection of some members, the party is well structured to ensure overwhelming electoral victory in the 2015

Royal Fathers Commend Ovia N/East LG Boss

By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

OKADA – The Association of Paramount Chiefs (Enigie) of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State has commended the Local Government Council Chairman, Barr. (Mrs.) Lucy Omagbon for her effort to turn the fortunes of the local government within a short time.

Chairman of the association, His Royal Highness, Prince Edun Akenzua, the Enogie of

Obazuwa made the position of the royal fathers known during their visit to the Council Chairman at the council’s secretariat in Okada.

Prince Akenzua said they (chiefs) were aware of the huge debt profile and other challenges the council boss inherited when she assumed office, but however, expressed joy that the council boss has been able to

the 5 months salaries owed casual workers who were laid off by the past transition administration, he urged them to be patient as plans were underway to ensure they are paid.

Reacting on the recent defection of APC members, the party chieftain stated “ I can assure you that even those who are celebrating that the APC is losing members to the PDP should wait and see the implosion that will hit the PDP after their primaries”.

“In fact, the signs are very visible and like I have stated earlier, a lot of them are already discussing with us over their plans to return to the APC. So, we are not perturbed in any way because they will retrace their steps soon”, he said.

“Some of these people who are busy shouting from their roof-tops that Oshiomhole is a dictator are just doing that for their selfish aggrandizement and not for

the interest of the people.

These are the same people who were rejected by their people during the last party wards and local government congresses. Election is coming in the next six months, we are waiting”, he added.

He further commended the Governor’s determination in ensuring that the APC is alive and strong in spite of the political distraction in the state due to the defection of some members.

Comrade Matthew Emiohe

Cleric Warns Men Of God To Desist From Lying

L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, her Oyo Counterpart, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, Guest Speaker, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Funsho Amosun at the National Women’s Summit in Ibadan recently.

BENIN CITY- The General Overseer of Deliverance Healing Miracle Church of God World Wide, Senior Apostle A. Omorodion has warned men of God to desist from lying or face the wrath of God. The General Overseer in a message to men of God and made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER said that the warning is a revelation from the Holy Spirit , saying that destruction will come upon such ministers who bring God’s name to disrepute.

He said some will sleep and wake no more and some will die by the road side because they have turn the word of God to suit their purpose to amass wealth, thereby leading the

people astray.

He further stated that some will be destroyed by sudden attack, and there shall be earth quake in some places as a result of disobedience to the will of God. He affirmed that the sermon these men of God preach is to enrich themselves thereby, making them famous in iniquity and bringing reproach to God’s name.

He then referred to 2 Peter 2:1 which says “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction”.

Lagos 31 Vessels Berth In Lagos Ports LAGOS The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said 31 vessels laden with petroleum products and other commodities have berthed at the Lagos ports.

This is contained in NPA’s daily bulletin, “Shipping Position” released to journalists in Lagos.

According to NPA, out of the ships, seven carried petroleum products, including aviation fuel, four have bulk rice, fresh fish, bulk malt and containers.

It said that 20 other ships were currently discharging empty containers and various commodities at the ports.

It listed the items being discharged to include general cargo, bulk wheat, steel products, bulk sugar and base oil.

It also said that 59 ships carrying various items would also sail into the Lagos ports from September 9 to October 2.

“Seven of the ships will arrive with petroleum products, 25 of the vessels will come with bulk wheat, general cargo, bulk sugar, bulk rice, semi trailer, crude palmolein, ethanol, bulk gypsum and steel products.

“The remaining 27 will come in with other goods,” it stated.

Court Jails Trader For Stealing Cables

Executive Chairman, Plateau Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Lyop Mang (left) with Commissioner of Police, Plateau, Mr. Nasiru Oki, during the Commissioner’s familiarisation visit to the Executive Chairman in Jos recently.

Christian Leaders, Activists Fault Govt’s Handling Of Insurgency

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS -Christian leaders and activists have joined others Nigerians and foreigners to support the Federal Government in declaring a full scale war on the Boko Haram terrorists that have captured several towns in North-Eastern parts of the country.

Nigerians appear to have lost confidence in the government as the insurgents continue to gain upper hand over the Nigerian

armed forces daily as the deadly Islamic group has scaled up its offensive against the nation, killing thousands of people, capturing towns and declaring them Islamic Caliphate.

Speaking with our correspondent the Christian leaders and others expressed dismay at the way the crisis in the North-East was being handled by the Federal Government and asked it to step

up its offensive against the sect.

According to Dr. Ola Makinde, former Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Boko Haram has defied almost every solution with the government not doing enough to salvage the situation.

According to him, “The Federal Government should be determined to act. If it has been external aggression, from Cameroun, they would have

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Plateau Ministry of Health, Mr. Elias Pede, Commissioner for Health, Mr. Fom Dakwak and representative of Commissioner for Information, Mr. Harris Dawurang, at a stakeholders meeting on Misoprostol and Chlorhexidine Project Implementation in Jos recently.

Lagos SACA Holds Sensitisation On HIV/AIDS Prevention

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS- The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has held another sensitization programme for more than 100 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) on issues relating to HIV/AIDS, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Universal Safety Precautions (USP).

Delivering a lecture on PMTCT, Mrs. Olaide Oyenuga, a retired Deputy Director, Health Education said transmission

could occur during pregnancy if proper care was not taken or during delivery and when breastfeeding the baby .

According to her, with the intervention of the informed Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), patients would be better informed to make healthy lifestyle decisions for the sake of their unborn babies.

Mrs. Oyenuga reiterated that it is imperative for a mother to feed her child exclusively with

breast milk for at least the firstsix months of life or could use infant formula exclusively should she so decide, adding that a child would be more vulnerable with mixed feeding while urging HIV positive mothers to access Anti-Retroviral (ARV) treatment which would reduce the load of the virus in the body and as such would not be able to transmit the virus to the child during breastfeeding.

Condom demonstration

session was conducted by Mrs. Olushola Adebambo in which participants were taught and encouraged on the correct and consistent use of condoms.

Similarly, Dr. Dayo Lajide took the TBAs through the cause, symptoms and prevention of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and encouraged them to observe personal hygiene especially with constant hand washing and use of Universal Safety Precautions at all times since there is no known cure for now.

swallowed us up. We have had enough, we have lost so many lives and now the Chibok girls have not been rescued”.

“We have not been serious in fighting them and it is time for the Nigerian government to fight them. We should have the courage to fight them and find their sponsors,” he said.

The National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr. Felix Omobude lamented the impunity with which Boko Haram is killing both Christians and Muslims and others in the northeast and challenged the Federal Government to declare full scale battle against the insurgents to salvage the nation.

According to him, the Federal Government must wake up and confront the insurgents, saying that plans to islamise the nation would not come to reality.

He added, “We call on the president and the military to defeat these people because on daily basis, they are gaining the upper hand and in control”.

A Lagos -based lawyer, Festus Keyamo said there had been lots of misinformation about Boko Haram from the Federal Government as government was not telling the people the truth.

“We now have a serious problem on our hands. Boko Haram has now been mixed with religion, politics and tribalism.

The Federal Government should declare full scale war on Boko Haram,” he said.

Comrade Abiodun Aremu, an activist, said the nation is already in a state of war because of the irresponsibility of the Federal Government, saying it is clear sabotage on the part of government, adding that the president has indirectly declared war on the people.

He said one could not explain why the military could not be properly equipped to fight the insurgents and why the military ran away from their duty post in the midst of serious security challenge.

LAGOSA Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has sentenced a trader, Daniel Odoh, to three months in prison without an option of fine for stealing armour cables.

The Magistrate, Mrs Yetunde Pinheiro, said that evidence before the court showed that only two bundles of cables were found in the complainant’s bag as against 12 bundles as levied against the accused.

She said “I hereby find you, Daniel Odoh, guilty of stealing and you shall be convicted accordingly.

“The accused is hereby sentenced to three months in peison which will run concurrently without an option of fine.”

It would be recalled that Odoh was first arraigned on March 15, for allegedly stealing 12 bundles of cables worth N500,000.

The prosecutor, Insp. Ignatus Okeke, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 13 at No. 11, Adebisi St., Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State.

He told the court that the accused broke into the premises of Mr Chuks Ema, an engineer, and stole the cables.

The prosecutor added that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2014.

Beggar Arraigned For Kidnapping

LAGOS - A beggar, Gboyega Dauda, who allegedly attempted to kidnap a toddler, Ismail Abdullahi, has been charged before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Dauda, 31, of no fixed address is standing trial on a one-count charge of attempted kidnap.

The Prosecutor, CPL. Koti Aondohemba, told the court that the offence was committed on September 8, at about 4 p.m., at No. 15, Idita St., Elegbata, Lagos Island.

Aondohemba alleged that the accused attempted to run away with the toddler, but was caught.

“But as he crossed the road, some passers-by who noticed the strange movement of the accused quickly apprehended him before he could abscond with the boy,’’ the prosecutor said.

Aondohemba said that the offence contravened Section 404(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Dauda, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him.

The Magistrate, Mr M.L. Owolabi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till October 10, for report on legal advice.

Across The Nation Hospital Encourages Suspended Doctors To Challenge Court Verdict

LOKOJAThe management of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, has said that it would encourage four of its doctors recently suspended for professional misconduct to appeal against the decision.

The Chief Medical Director

of the hospital, Dr Debo Eleshin, told newsmen in Lokoja that the management was convinced that the doctors would get relief at the Court of Appeal.

He said that the aim was to safeguard the integrity of the hospital and restore public confidence in it.

Eleshin said that the hospital was the best in quality services and patients’ welfare in Kogi State and its environs.

The Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Council Tribunal on September 4

banned the doctors from practice for periods ranging from three to six months.

According to the tribunal, the doctors’ negligence led to the death of a woman and her baby.

The affected doctors are Temitayo Onile, Charles Nnana, Musa Ochala and Tayo Akinro.

However, Eleshin, said that the doctors observed the best practices in the handling of the

case, adding that it was unfortunate that the woman and the baby died.

The chief medical director said that the hospital had never treated professional misconduct and indiscipline with levity.

He said that the hospital dismissed two doctors in 2013 while some other categories of workers were downgraded for indiscipline and other offences.

Eleshin said that the hospital had more than 150 doctors,

including 56 specialists.

He added that the centre had more than 250 nurses on its payroll.

According to him, the hospital receives N2.1 million as overhead cost per month and spends N5 million on purchase of diesel and N1.5 million on electricity.

He appealed for the understanding of members of the public, and gave the assurance that the hospital would continue to give the best of services.

FRCN To Embark On Grassroots Reportage

Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu (right) with members of his Emirate during the investiture ceremony of Falakin Dass, Alhaji Danlami Takko as the first Falakin Dass in Bauchi recently.

JOS- Mr Silvanus Namang, the Zonal Director, North Central, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), has said in Jos that the corporation would soon embark on aggressive grassroots news coverage.

Namang said this when he paid a courtesy visit to newsmen Zonal office in Jos. He said that the corporation had embarked on a deliberate policy of sending reporters to each of the three senatorial

Imo Warns Against Encroachment On Schools’ Land

OWERRI -The Imo Commissioner for Primary, Secondary and Non-formal Education, Mrs Uche Ejiogu, has warned individuals and communities against encroaching on lands belonging to government schools in the state.

Ejiogu gave the warning in a statement signed by Mr Jonnie Ofoleta, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the ministry.

The statement quoted her as saying that all lands ceded to schools by communities and backed up with survey plans remained the property of the schools and the state government.

She said that the ministry would do everything possible to end the incessant encroachment on such lands by trespassers.

The commissioner said that fact-finding teams would be sent to the affected schools with a view to obtaining a first-hand assessment of the claims made.

Ejiogu encouraged communities and well-meaning individuals in the state to contribute to the free education programme of the state government.

She noted that such contributions could be donations to already existing state-owned schools or the

building of new schools which would be handed over to the state government.

“The state government encourages public private partnership; you can contribute to the progress of the state and the Free Education Programme of the governor by making donations which will support the scheme.

“Well-meaning individuals, communities and groups can also build schools and hand them over to the state government,’’ she said in the statement.

districts in every state to drive the policy.

According to him, this will soon spread to all the local governments areas.

“We need to adequately cover the people in the rural areas.”

Namang said that the FRCN was willing to cooperate with newsmen to achieve its ideal, not as a competitor but as a partner.

Responding, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, newsmen Zonal Manager, said the the agency

District Heads of Dass Emirate Council praying during the investiture ceremony of Alhaji Takko as the first Falakin in LGA of Bauchi recently.

APC Will Provide Good Governance - Wamakko

SOKOTO- Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has expressed confidence on the ability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to provide good democratic governance in the country.

Wamakko said while addressing party supporters during the APC’s zonal

meeting in Sokoto that the party would address the yearnings and aspirations of the people by implementing people-oriented policies.

He said the party would address insecurity, poverty, education and unemployment among the youth in the country.

He said that the large turnout of supporters at the rallu indicated that the country needed political transformation.

Wamakko also called on party supporters not to engage in anything capable of causing confusion in the country.

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of

Zamfara had earlier said the party remained the only alternative to the electorate.

Governor Adams Oshomole of Edo also said that Nigerians had no reason to live in poverty because the country had all the potentials needed to ensure its political growth.

was willing to partner with the FRCN in that regard.

Sheyin said that newsmen also had a grassroots policy which allowed rural dwellers to express their views.

Masari Tasks INEC On Credible Elections SOKOTO -Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to evolve acceptable methods of ensuring conduct of credible elections in the country.

Masari gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto.

He urged the commission to enhance its preparations for 2015 general elections, to meet the expectation and yearning of Nigerians.

Masari urged Nigerians to cooperate with INEC to ensure free, fair, credible and acceptable general elections in national interest.

He said that the recent governorship and senatorial byelections in Ekiti State, Osun and Niger respectively were clear indications that INEC needed to do more in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

On security, the former speaker called on the Federal Government to introduce stringent security measures to guarantee peaceful co-existence in the country.

He said that Nigerians must leave in peace with one another, irrespective of religious, tribal and political differences.

Masari said the current insecurity in some parts of the country posed a great threat to the continued existence of the country.

Across The Nation Niger To Appoint Credible People As Council Chairmen

appropriate authorities.

He also urged his subjects to continue to pray for peace in the country as nothing was impossible for God. Malam Musa Muhammad, who spoke on behalf of the IDPs, said most of them left Doron-Baga area of Borno state.

our towns and villages by the insurgents. I lost contact with some members of my family, especially my nine children as I managed to escape with only their mother.

Musa said he lived in Borno for 30 years. “I have no option other than to leave.’’

MINNA- Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger has said that only credible politicians would be appointed as caretaker committee chairmen in the 25 local governments of the state.

He said this during a stakeholders’ meeting with all political appointees in Minna.

Aliyu said that this would ensure that the dividends of democratic rule were felt by the people at the grassroots.

“We need politicians who are interested in giving their all to the people. We must therefore ensure that the people at grassroots are carried along at all times. We will no longer tolerate politicians who are only seen when there is election,” he said.

Aliyu said that the government would

ZARIA (KADUNA STATE)- The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, has taken delivery of two new “Bell 206 Helicopters” to boost the training needs of its students.

The rector of the college, Capt. Sam Caulckric, made this

known to newsmen in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Taking delivery of the helicopters at the college on Tuesday, Caulckric said the choppers had been in the pipeline for a while.

“We are happy today it has come to full operation and this is another chapter for us.

“The helicopters will

certainly be used for training, 100 per cent, not for any other thing.

“It may interest you to note that we have more helicopter pilots in Nigeria because of the oil industry— since the country depends largely on oil,” he said.

Caulckric, who did not give the cost of the

L-R: President, International Federation of Accountants, Mr. Warren Allen; Golden Jubilee President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu and representative of the President, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, at the 44th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja recently.

Jega LG Receives 130 Displaced Persons “We were chased out of given temporary shelter -

JEGA (KEBBI STATE) - The Jega Local Government Area in Kebbi has received 130 people who fled from Boko Haram attacks in Borno.

Chairman of Jega local government area, Alhaji Haruna Haruna, received the refugees who are mostly indigenes of Kebbi state.

Haruna told newsmen in Jega on Tuesday that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would be reunited with their families.

He said the IDPs arrived in Jega enroute Maiyama, Bunza and Argungu local government areas, adding that none of them was from Jega local government area.

He said the IDPs were

food and medical care, pending when they would be reunited with their families.

He said the IDPs had been subjected to rigorous screening by security agencies and medical personnel to ensure that they were not threats to the society.

He emphasised that the medical checkup was done to ascertain their health status.

He commended the people of the area for complementing the efforts of government in providing clothes, food, drinking water and medicaments to the people.

The District Head of Jega, Alhaji Muhammad Bawa, called on the general public to be vigilant by reporting any suspicious stranger to the

CP Commends Peaceful Conduct Of APC Rally SOKOTO- The Sokoto State Police Command, has commended politicians in the state for their maturity that led to the peaceful conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) zonal rally held in Sokoto on September 8.

Alhaji Shuaibu Gambo, the State Police Commissioner, made the commendation in an interview with newsmen.

He said that the cooperation the police received from the politicians led to the orderly conduct of the rally.

He promised that the command would continue to provide a level playing ground for all politicians in the state to ensure smooth conduct of elections in the state.

Gambo advised politicians to

do more in sensitising their supporters to tolerate each other.

He warned that the command would not tolerate any form of violence from politicians.

The CP said the command had put stringent security measures in place to arrest any person or group of persons who wish to disrupt the peace and harmonius relationship existing among the people of the state. “ We have deployed plain clothes security personnel to gather intelligence reports that will aid us in preventing crime across the state,’’ he said.

The commissioner urged the people to carry on with their legitimate activities, adding that security measures had been put in place to guarantee their safety.

appoint people ready to promote the interest and aspiration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The governor decried the internal wrangling among party members, adding that it would affect the fortunes of the party in future elections.

On the just concluded Niger East senatorial by-election, Aliyu said that it was an eye opener for better things to come in 2015.

“I am pleased with the outcome of the byelection, but we must use the conduct and process as a wakeup call to all political appointees and elected politicians that they should always be grassroots based if they want to serve the people,’’ he said.

helicopters, said the college also procured additional simulators for effective students’ training.

While commending the efforts of the Federal Government for the procurement, the rector appealed for more of such to enable the college discharge its responsibilities diligently.

Aviation School Gets Training Helicopters

Participants at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), 44th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja recently.

Business + Economy Borno To Distribute Buses To NURTW Members A 92-year old Ya Duma Musa and her grand children who survived Insurgency from Shuwa town in Madagali Local Government Area at the internally displaced persons camp at Bhajabure in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa yesterday.

MIADUGURI - The Borno government said that it planned to distribute 500 buses to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state on loan.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, made the disclosure in Maiduguri when officials of the National Union of Road Traffic Workers (NURTW) paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Mustapha said that the gesture was aimed at addressing the shortage of vehicles for commercial activities in the state.

He said the prices of the buses would be subsidised by the state government to enable the beneficiaries to obtain them.

Poor Infrastructure Bane Of Nigeria’s Poor Economic been responsible for the slip ABUJAFormer Expert Performance in the nation’s previous Managing Director of defunct Citizens Bank, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, said if Nigeria’s economy must perform better in global competitiveness, there must be infrastructure development and continuity in policy implementation.

Unegbu made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Speaking at the backdrop of recent low rating of Nigeria’s economic performance on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) of World Economic Forum, he attributed it to regular reversals of policy in the nation’s foreign exchange deals.

It would be recalled that the GCI ranking released on Tuesday had Nigeria drop from 120th position in 2013 to 127th in 2014, out of 144 global economies.

“There is a lot of policy summersault in the foreign exchange sector. Any Central Bank Governor that comes in will start doing something without examining what was done in the past and see if there is any mistake to be corrected.

“They will just throw the existing policy framework into the dustbin and start something new,’’ he said.

According to him, the policy summersault has contributed to the slow infrastructure development in the country over the years.

He explained that the World Economic Forum Group that handled countries’ competitiveness ratings looked at policy implementation and other economic indices in rating

economies.

Unegbu said that poor infrastructure in the country was one of the major factors that made the country to slip from its 2013 ranking.

“Look at our road infrastructure, flood everywhere; the fact is that most of the infrastructure built, are also not in tune with international standard.

“And this is as a result of influence of corruption on those that run our system .If you look at the corruption perception index published

by United nations , you will discover that corruption is one of the indices against us,’’ he said.

“Corruption also contributed to the nation being rated below where it was in the previous rating just as insecurity was another major challenge,” he added.

Unegbu said that though government did well in containing the Ebola outbreak which could have contributed to further low rating of the nation’s economy, much was expected in other areas to ensure economic growth.

He therefore urged government to put in more effort to ensure that infrastructural facilities were properly developed “not just for foreign investors but for local ones also.”

“If local investors are making good money, you find out that investors, whether local or foreign, will be attracted to the economy.

“But if we keep wasting our money and assisting them to come, they will not

come because they know where their foot lies,’’ he said.

The former bank chief executive also urged government to take more measures in curbing corruption and insurgency in the country.

The President, National

Association of Nigerian Traders, Mr Ken Ukoha, in a remark, said that the nation’s poor performance in global competiveness could affect foreign investment flow into the economy.

He called on the Federal Government to address those indices that may have

rating.

It was also recalled that the WEF report indicated that infrastructure remained Nigeria’s toughest challenge, with weakness in its public finances as a result of lower oil exports, continuing institutional frailty and deterioration in national security.

The deputy governor said that the state government had also deposited N3 billion in its Micro Finance Bank as loan to individuals to boost their economic activities.

He said the state government had also released N100 million to the Borno Express Transport Cooperation to rehabilitate and update its facilities for better performance.

Mustapha assured that the gesture would be extended to other organisations to enable them to perform better.

He also assured of continuous government assistance to families of NURTW members who lost their lives to insurgency.

Earlier, Alhaji Gambo Yakubu, the Chairman of NURTW, Biu Local Government Area chapter, who led the delegation, commended the state government for the numerous developmental efforts in spite of the current security challenges facing the state.

Yakubu appealed to the state government to help the union complete its new primary school in Biu, headquarters of Biu Local Government Area.

He also urged the government to assist members of the union who lost their vehicles to Boko Haram insurgency.

Children and their mothers who escaped from Insurgency in Gulak Town at the internally displaced persons camp at Bajabure in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa yesterday.

SMEs: MAN To Bridge Skills Gap training for youths, ailing

LAGOSThe Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said that it would bridge the skills gap in industrial training for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to expand their growth.

Mr Frank Jacobs, the new president of the association, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Jacobs said that MAN would invest more on skills

industries and companies, and also on the upcoming SMEs in the country.

“There is a great need to train Nigerian youths on appropriate technical skills that will meet the requirement of the industrial sector.

“MAN, therefore, plans to collaborate with tertiary institutions and research institutes to bridge the gap between the manufacturing sector and the academia,

thus improving the skill requirement of industries.

“We plan to establish a centre for entrepreneurial studies which will train and develop entrepreneurs, add value to the society and reduce the yearning for paid employment,” he said.

Jacobs also said that the MAN Resource Centre would be updated to reposition it to assist small businesses with their business plans and accounts.

Reports say that Mrs Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, the Director-General, Industrial Training Fund had last week lamented the hindrances to effective industrial training in Nigeria.

She said lack of training institutes and skilled workforce, wrong attitude of people toward skills acquisition, as well as training, rising insecurity, lack of funds were major impediments to training.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (10/09/2014) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MRS

55.96

55.96

0

0

2,850

151,534.50

7UP

134

134

0

0

33,824

4,759,036.80

NAHCO

5

5

0

0

1,213,074

6,102,818.00

ABCTRANS

0.71

0.74

0.03

0

315,508

226,366.94

NASCON

9.97

9.48

-0.49

0

1,085,722

10,411,078.56

ACADEMY

1.55

1.55

0

0

1,000

1,480.00

NB

177.01

177.01

0

0

566,733

100,241,537.20

ACCESS

9.3

9.6

0.3

0

21,354,163

196,345,094.10

NCR

13.5

13.5

0

0

10,035

132,484.00

AFRIPRUD

3.34

3.34

0

0

770,309

2,573,171.13

NEIMETH

1.1

1.05

-0.05

0

622,473

660,052.94

AGLEVENT

1.52

1.52

0

0

33,240

48,274.80

NEM

0.78

0.76

-0.02

0

1,476,452

1,128,605.92

AIICO

0.81

0.8

-0.01

0

1,431,333

1,147,010.75

NESTLE

1010.01

1010.01

0

0

75,023

75,897,296.77

AIRSERVICE

2

2

0

0

6,000

12,600.00

NIG-GERMAN

7.36

7.36

0

0

3,148

22,036.00

15,189.57

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

317,194

158,597.00

ALUMACO

7.75

7.75

0

0

2,061

ASHAKACEM

33

33

0

0

566,257

18,610,465.25

NIWICABLE

0.5

0.5

0

0

28,100

14,050.00

ASOSAVINGS

0.5

0.5

0

0

60,000

30,000.00

NNFM

22.05

21.99

-0.06

0

95,398

2,097,812.02

AVONCROWN

1.75

1.75

0

0

1,761

2,940.87

NSE30

1862.67

1863.86

1.19

0

186,362,184

3,466,518,692.00 3,559,482,376.00

BECOPETRO

0.5

0.5

0

0

30

15

NSE50

2017.84

2018.98

1.14

0

206,401,440

BERGER

8.6

8.6

0

0

20,680

179,619.50

NSEASEM

955.35

955.35

0

0

3,600

2,052.00

BETAGLAS

18.85

18.85

0

0

3,180

58,986.00

NSEASI

40868.02

40885.4

17.38

0

386,561,444

3,788,274,318.00

BOCGAS

5.48

5.48

0

0

513

2,672.73

NSEBNK

429.82

431.98

2.16

0

132,166,746

2,027,829,403.00

CADBURY

57.83

55.01

-2.82

0

309,726

17,069,698.95

NSECNSMRGDS

997.75

997.55

-0.2

0

7,135,770

335,350,584.80

CAP

39.7

39.7

0

0

129,024

5,038,743.04

NSEINDUSTR

2658.53

2657.84

-0.69

0

1,744,261

86,397,547.99

CAVERTON

4.99

5.14

0.15

0

264,050

1,342,996.00

NSEINS

142.23

142.52

0.29

0

18,561,469

11,443,219.08

CCNN

14.7

14.5

-0.2

0

469,352

6,757,908.51

NSELOTUSISLM

2650.79

2648.52

-2.27

0

8,382,467

497,909,370.40

CHAMPBRIGHTS

1.88

2.28

0.4

0

60,066,051

114,674,491.30

NSEOILGAS

462.33

461.09

-1.24

0

14,493,168

396,704,228.40

CHAMPION

7.91

7.91

0

0

53,000

429,400.00

OANDO

25.99

25.69

-0.3

0

13,158,837

336,732,698.80

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

0

2,320,000

1,160,000.00

OKOMUOIL

33.5

33.5

0

0

77,220

2,594,098.70

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,245

2,622.50

PAINTCOM

1.6

1.6

0

0

310

496

CONOIL

58.89

58.89

0

0

33,562

1,878,409.40

CONTINSURE

1

0.98

-0.02

0

550,600

539,850.00

PORTPAINT

5.03

5.01

-0.02

0

128,000

658,750.00

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

0

227,830

113,915.00

COSTAIN

1.01

0.96

-0.05

0

1,232,632

1,191,078.12

COURTVILLE

0.55

0.55

0

0

11,000

6,050.00

CUSTODYINS

3.9

4

0.1

0

809,951

3,216,324.04

CUTIX

1.82

1.82

0

0

59,666

111,755.48

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

0

20,000

10,000.00

DANGCEM

219.99

220

0.01

0

113,632

24,976,907.21

PREMBREW

3.48

3.65

0.17

0

78,547

286,696.55

PRESCO

36

36

0

0

143,721

5,105,374.26

PRESTIGE

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,500

2,750.00

PZ

34.22

34.22

0

0

174,980

5,852,665.15

REDSTAREX

4.79

4.79

0

0

132,975

606,366.00

REGALINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

15,000

7,500.00

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

0

100,000

50,000.00

8.46

8.46

0

0

4,666

41,434.08

DANGSUGAR

8.69

8.41

-0.28

0

2,809,388

23,735,494.74

ROADS

DIAMONDBNK

6.2

6.2

0

0

5,778,066

35,816,945.95

ROYALEX

0.61

0.61

0

0

1,022,643

631,960.71

1

0.95

-0.05

0

362,360

345,297.00

DNMEYER

1.15

1.15

0

0

5,000

5,500.00

RTBRISCOE

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

0

6,175

3,087.50

SCOA

4.91

4.91

0

0

5,930

27,693.10

ETERNA

4.05

4

-0.05

0

1,035,190

4,037,252.50

SEPLAT

650

650

0

0

8,121

5,414,620.55

ETI

18.19

18.2

0.01

0

6,200,074

113,451,740.80

SKYEBANK

2.94

2.93

-0.01

0

6,783,772

19,875,352.18

EVANSMED

2.1

2.1

0

0

43,430

86,875.06

STANBIC

30

30

0

0

112,734

3,386,734.74 12,086,129.69

FBNH

14.75

14.8

0.05

0

19,079,390

282,679,897.40

STERLNBANK

2.2

2.2

0

0

5,521,458

FCMB

4.2

4.15

-0.05

0

7,217,561

29,924,576.92

TOTAL

176.02

180

3.98

0

36,655

6,603,993.61

FIDELITYBK

1.98

2

0.02

0

15,360,266

30,686,520.73

TRANSCORP

6.4

6.32

-0.08

0

16,068,930

101,967,834.90

FIDSON

3.35

3.3

-0.05

0

540,640

1,784,447.00

TRIPPLEG

1.88

1.88

0

0

1,680

3,007.20

FIRSTALUM

0.5

0.5

0

0

3,000

1,500.00

UAC-PROP

15.3

15.3

0

0

228,374

3,440,827.32

FLOURMILL

64.76

64.76

0

0

50,974

3,183,646.12

UACN

59.02

59.05

0.03

0

3,986,245

235,163,151.10

FO

225

220.02

-4.98

0

161,955

35,911,928.91

UBA

7.22

7.3

0.08

0

11,735,886

85,802,045.38

FTNCOCOA

0.63

0.6

-0.03

0

83,282,191

51,840,196.65

UBCAP

2.12

2.1

-0.02

0

61,181,271

128,665,875.60

GCAPPA

14.46

14.46

0

0

500

6,870.00

UBN

10.38

10

-0.38

0

10,829,591

113,619,640.70

GLAXOSMITH

65.7

65

-0.7

0

730,628

47,462,313.08

UNHOMES

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,000

500

GOLDBREW

0.74

0.77

0.03

0

100,000

77,000.00

UNIC

0.5

0.5

0

0

7,424

3,712.00

GUARANTY

30.01

30

-0.01

0

42,362,101

1,270,546,715.00

UNILEVER

48

48

0

0

239,384

11,293,200.04

GUINNESS

173.52

173.5

-0.02

0

391,540

67,864,232.15

UNIONDAC

0.5

0.5

0

0

550,000

275,000.00

HONYFLOUR

3.98

4

0.02

0

639,231

2,558,401.15

UNIONDICON

14.11

14.11

0

0

1,400

18,774.00

IKEJAHOTEL

1.2

1.24

0.04

0

1,392,378

1,700,085.40

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,100,000

550,000.00

INTBREW

28.11

28.26

0.15

0

368,543

10,416,027.56

VITAFOAM

4.3

4.3

0

0

243,975

1,017,527.67

INTENEGINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

3,622,600

1,811,300.00

VONO

0.88

0.88

0

0

4,100

3,772.00

JAPAULOIL

0.51

0.51

0

0

1,690,049

857,116.09

WAPCO

118.52

118

-0.52

0

254,160

30,003,917.00

JBERGER

63.99

63.99

0

0

27,393

1,672,552.77

WAPIC

0.75

0.75

0

0

1,472,860

1,084,918.08

JOSBREW

2.46

2.46

0

0

10,912

25,534.08

WEMABANK

0.9

0.91

0.01

0

691,934

626,950.10

LASACO

0.5

0.5

0

0

150,000

75,000.00

ZENITHBANK

24.21

24

-0.21

0

6,241,369

149,599,218.50

LAWUNION

0.5

0.5

0

0

66,000

33,000.00

LEARNAFRCA

1.6

1.6

0

0

7,551

11,877.52

LENNARDS

3.15

3.15

0

0

12,426

37,278.00

LIVESTOCK

3.19

3.19

0

0

248,661

787,571.20

MANDRID

5.35

5.35

0

0

125

636.25

MANSARD

2.5

2.5

0

0

107,955

278,995.03

MAYBAKER

1.5

1.45

-0.05

0

190,190

274,614.50

MBENEFIT

0.54

0.54

0

0

12,827,245

6,916,327.30

MOBIL

174.5

180

5.5

0

64,119

11,388,410.63

MORISON

1.91

1.82

-0.09

0

67,351

122,578.82

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NSEASI MOBIL TO TA L NSEBNK NSE30 NSE50 CHAMPBRIGHTS ACCESS NSEINS PREMBREW

Close 40885.4 180 180 431.98 1863.86 2018.98 2.28 9.6 142.52 3.65

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain

Stock

Close

Loss

17.38 5.5 3.98 2.16 1.19 1.14 0.4 0.3 0.29 0.17

FO C A D B U RY NSELOTUSISLM NSEOILGAS GLAXOSMITH NSEINDUSTR WAPCO NASCON UBN OANDO

220.02 55.01 2648.52 461.09 65 2657.84 118 9.48 10 25.69

-4.98 -2.82 -2.27 -1.24 -0.7 -0.69 -0.52 -0.49 -0.38 -0.3

THE need to conserve our forest through scientific research to improve the quality of forest trees in Nigeria becomes more important than ever.

Forests area source of wealth and beauty which we should collectively conserve. FOR Instance, there Is the need for governments at all levels to encourage the planting of neem frees.

The neem tree, particularly in the Northern part of Nigeria, is one of the most economic trees you can find anywhere.

RESEARCH has revealed that apart from using It to reduce the effects of desertification, it has been discovered in the last ten years that there are so many things that can come out of the neem tree.

FIRST, there is the neem oil. Sold all over the world and used by most cosmetic industries, the neem oil is a by product of the neem free. The neem seed when crushed, produces one of the best cosmetic oils anywhere in the world.

THERE are also other byproducts which come out of making the oil and many of them are being used at the moment for making soap, detergents and paints, it has been discovered lately that a good part of local paints used all over the North for painting mud houses, are also byproducts of the neem tree.

BASED on the above, deliberate efforts need to be made, more than ever before, to conserve our forests, for the economic, social and agricultural value.

FORESTS are an important component

THE NIGERIAN

Imperative Of Forest Conservation of the national environment which play a significant role in water and soil conservation. The importance of forest lies In its ability to hold rain water, which is gradually released to the soil below and streams which flow through them.

BESIDES, forests act as protective cover for the soil against the action of rain and wind. It also reduces the speed of wind and devastating effect of erosion.

Forests any where in the world provide home for wild life.

INDEED, forests, especially the luxuriant rain forest in Nigeria is being depleted at an alarming rate. Apart from serving as a source of timber, forests are daily destroyed for farming activities.

Added to the above is the destruction of this natural environment for the sitting of industries, residential buildings and road construction.

WHEN the forests are destroyed the soil is left bare and consequently exposed to erosion and in some cases, flooding.

Therefore, many plant species are lost and the natural home of wild life destroyed. The above factors conspire to reduce the number of wild life available.

THIS accounts for why some hitherto

thick forested regions of Nigeria are now left as a barren semi desert today.

HOWEVER, there is the urgent need to strengthen the selective felling of frees WHAT we have seen over the years were mere rhetorics rather than pragmatic tree planting policies by government at all levels. T1 efforts towards forest conservation will be far from success unless the issue of bush burning is addressed. Bush burning has led to the destruction of forests, wild life and loss of soil fertility. Sometimes, this damage and soil degradation become irreversible.

GOVERNMENT should therefore introduce protective legislative measures to prevent the incidence of bush burning.

HOME to several plants and wild life, conserved forests will serve as tourist centres as it is obtainable in a country such as Kenya.

TOURISM will help to diversity the economy of Nigeria, provide employment and provide huge revenue required for national - development FINALLY, the conservation of our forests should not be restricted to the confines of government alone.

Traditional rulers, Non Governmental Organisations (N.G.Os), private firms and the public should adopt the culture of preserving the work and gift of nature bearing In mind that not every country of the world has this same blessing.

Therefore the duty lies on all of us to protect and preserve our forests for future generations.

Opinion

Anatomy Of Corruption In Nigeria

THE fight against corruption has suffered too many casualties in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria which is the subject matter here, to the point that people begin to wonder if there would ever be a chance now or later, of winning this controversial fight.

The long list of our fallen heroes is actually very scary because we cannot tell who is next on line to fall, yet heroes keep falling on daily basis and would never stop falling in a much as we remain mortals.

Hardly have we seen any man of integrity in Nigeria go into power and come out unblemished, traumatised or scandalised. One rhetorical question that may agitate one’s mind is “what makes power so attractive and irresistible in our clime?”

Another question is that.

“Why do great folks irrepairably damage their good record and image in a bid to enjoy the benefits that comes with occuping an exulted seat in the corridor of power which won’t last forever?”

During the recent clamour on who should become the PDP gubernatorial candidate for Adamawa State, it was evident from past records that Nuhu Ribadu did not necessarily have jump into PDP to get any positive.

Although some people have argued that he may also have been very corrupt, while others hold the view that he has been very transparent with clean records were it not for false allegations against him sometime ago.

Corruption is however, not limited to those in politics alone, almost everyone fall into the temptation of this ‘sugar packaged poison’, thereby making it almost impossible to find saints and angels in all works of life including religious leaders. It should however be noted that corruption is not only synonymous with people in government alone!

It has become endemic and all pervasinve! Corruption takes different shapes and shades which must be examined if one should appreciate the magnitude of the great challenge before us.

Some aspect of corruption are subtle while others are very obvious. The simple forms of corruption usually emanate from societal needs.

To some people in Nigeria, poverty is a crime, and

By OMEIZA ROBINSON

whatever that must be put in place to avoid poverty is not going to mean anything to them; so that, even when they hurt people and the nation, it does not matter to them so long as they have what they want.

However, our government have also not created good enabling environment for her entire citizenry on grounds to ameliorate the chronic suffering associated with long being under-privileged in the society.

Therefore, poverty, evidently, has become the major springboard upon which corruption regulates.

Since poverty takes different shapes and shades, it would also mean that the rich may also be poor. Mental poverty may subject a man to treating his fellow mankind as slaves in a democratic setting. The rich and poor in any given society may suffer from anykind of poverty which may be responsible for the many corrupt practices among the rich and poor alike.

Even in our legal system, there has also been noticed traces of corruption here and there. For those who are conversant with the unfolding events in the judicial affairs in Nigeria, it would have been noticed that there has been a systematic decline in judicial reliability. Even the President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali, was moved to issue a cautionary note against the propensity of the judiciary to court trouble for itself by engaging in unethical dealings and interactions.

He cited specific instance of presiding judges hobnobbing with, and compromising its sanctity by allowing itself to be manipulated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Assets Management

Company (AMCON) and warned that this has become a dangerous trend that must be stopped. This is another evidence that goes to prove that corruption is almost everywhere in Nigeria. This position also is a factor that we cannot afford to ignore the grave and utter danger of exposing our judiciary to the

being overrun and totally hijacked by powerful government agencies and its ‘foot-soldier’. There is no corruption worse than ‘kangaroo actions’ in law courts.

Concerning corruption as it relates to media practitioners the media in Nigeria may have been forced to depend almost totally on government patronage for survival and would obviously have their ‘hands tied” when it has to do with the process of discharging their traditional

Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, Chief Justice of the Federation

whims and caprices of those who may use and abuse their unfettered power to oppress and intimidate fellow citizens.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mouktar, a woman of immense courage and brilliance who has been involved in the fight against corruption has tenaciously tried to sanitize the judiciary.

The great task is how to wrestle her constituency from

obligations as expected.

Journalists are not masquerades from heaven; they are humans too, who have families looking up to them for succour. They are exposed to the same temptation of getting involved in corrupt practices as it may appear that they must survive as well with the people depending on them.

Ordinarily, the media gets its income from adverts but that’s not the case as it is

experienced in Nigeria.

Adverts in Nigeria are difficult to come by because it is basically related to who you know and not how good you truly are.

Reporters are seen and treated like lambs of God who must carry the sins of the whole world and die for a thankless nation. Since Africans have not yet reached the stage where celebrities can help a magazine sell millions of copies, and people have also not imbibed a reading culture, journalists may demand a fortune to kill a story that may affect some prominent people.

This is what has turned

limitation to the effect that they no longer believe in themselves. The inherent abilities that has been embeded in them by the Almighty God from creation is forced to remain latent because they have been made to believe that they cannot write and pass examinations by their personal effort which should ordinarily constitute the foundation of their academic excellence.

Most teachers are involved in this process. Public and private school owners also engage in these corrupt practices. They even encourage parents to pay certain amount so that their

Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman

many journalists into ‘pen assassins’ who believe the only way to get some revenue from rich people is by blackmailing them, so that their purse may get filled in an attempt to staying afloat above the drowning threats of poverty.

Corruption has eaten deep to the point that even secondary schools students who aspire to gain admission into tertiary institution have been engrossed with so much

“Therefore, poverty, evidently, has become the major springboard upon which corruption regulates. Since poverty takes different shapes and shades, it would also mean that the rich may also be poor. Mental poverty may subject a man to treating his fellow mankind as slaves in a democratic setting.”

children can be made to write examination in “special centers,” with the guarantee that the students cannot fail.

Even parents who ‘toe that line’ by providing the money for their children to write such examination in special centers are not left out of the corruption cycle.

It is therefore evident that the physiology of corruption in Nigeria is not limited to those who hold political office alone, but it has spread through the nooks and cranny of the nation to the point that almost over a hundred and fifty million Nigerians are infected by this ‘seemingly virus’ which uptill this present moment has deffered cure like HIV/AIDS. This issue of corruption in Nigeria has obviously become a case of “everyone for himself and God Almighty for everyone”.

Development A report of a recent World Bank mission to Nigeria recommended that the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme would serve as an appropriate tool for fighting poverty in the country.

However, the report noted that more detailed analysis would be required to provide sufficient information for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of appropriate programmes in the scheme.

The CCT scheme is aimed at reducing poverty by making welfare programmes contingent on the beneficiaries’ actions by which the government or a charity transfers money to people who meet certain criteria.

The criteria may include enrolling children into public schools, getting regular medical check-ups and receiving vaccinations, among others.

Observers, however, note that the programme will break the cycle of poverty among the citizens via the development of human capital.

They believe that the programme is necessary considering a report of the 2004 Nigerian Living Standard Survey, which estimated that more than 75 million Nigerians were living in poverty.

In Nigeria, the CCT scheme is particularly aimed at meeting one of the eight goals of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) — to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.

In 2013, however, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that Gombe State was among the states which had more than 70 per cent poverty rate.

In view of the report, the state government, in conjunction with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, initiated the CCT scheme in which 1,500 people have so

far benefitted.

The beneficiaries, who comprise people with physical disabilities and widows, among others, were selected across the 11 local government areas of the state.

In the programme, which started in October 2012, beneficiaries are given a stipend of N5, 000 each, while N10, 000 is deposited in their bank accounts for 12 months as investment fees.

During the period, each of the beneficiaries is expected to provide a next-of-kin who would be trained in a trade of his or her choice.

At the end of the training, working tools and part of the funds saved for the trainees are given to them to set up businesses in the various skills they have acquired.

Observers note that the project is a potent poverty alleviation and hunger reduction tool because the

Alleviating Poverty In Gombe Via Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme trainees are equipped with pragmatic skills which they can use to earn a living.

Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo, who spoke at the graduation ceremony of the 1,500 beneficiaries in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area recently, expressed the belief that the CCT scheme would achieve the desired goals.

He particularly noted that programme would curb transfer of poverty from one generation to the other in the state.

Dankwambo lauded the skills’ acquisition component of the CCT scheme, saying that his government would replicate it in all ministries, departments and agencies handling poverty alleviation programmes in the state.

“It is generally believed the world over that artisans and small-scale businesses

By ILIYA HABILA

constitute the real engine for sustainable growth and development of any society.

“Conducting skills’ acquisition schemes such as these will no doubt empower our people and enhance their capacity to be self-reliant.

“It will also greatly assist efforts towards boosting small-scale industrial development and generating employment opportunities to our teeming youth,’’ he said.

The governor, however, called on the beneficiaries to dedicate themselves to establishing the trades they learnt, while utilising the funds given to them appropriately.

Speaking, Dr Precious Kabala-Gbeneol, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, said that the prompt payment of

beneficiaries and deposit of funds in their accounts aptly demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to the scheme.

She stressed that if the country’s resources were well-harnessed, the citizens’ living standards would be appreciably improved.

Alhaji Adamu Audi, the Special Adviser to Gov. Dankwambo on MDGs, said that the CCT scheme was a huge success in the state.

“This programme is to alleviate poverty and prevent the traditional transfer of poverty line, which exists within the community, across the 11 local government areas of the state.

“The programme is widely accepted because it touches the roots of the community where the poor are identified

“Before they were selected for the programme, they could hardly meet their needs; they hardly sent their children to school.. Now, after the commencement of the programme, beneficiaries have been able to maintain themselves and send their children to schools.”

and assisted,’’ he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Malam Mohammed Umar-Gombe, the Director in Charge of the MDGs in Gombe, said that the CCT scheme had positively changed the lives of the beneficiaries.

“Before they were selected for the programme, they could hardly meet their needs; they hardly sent their children to school.

“Now, after the commencement of the programme, beneficiaries have been able to maintain themselves and send their children to schools,’’ he said.

He said that the benefits of the scheme had also spilled over to other members of the families of the 1,500 beneficiaries.

Umar-Gombe said that because of the benefits of the CCT scheme, the state government was planning to sign up over 3,500 people as future beneficiaries of the programme.

A beneficiary, Malam Shuaibu Adamu-Yaro, a 60year-old blind man, said that his son, Ibrahim, who received training in animal husbandry under the programme, was now living a new life.

Another beneficiary, Malam Shamau Ado, 55, whose son, Sadiku, received trained in carpentry, thanked the Federal Government and the state government for the scheme.

Ado said that prior to the scheme; he was producing sweet candy, popularly known as alewa, adding that he was then unable to meet most of the needs of his family.

Sadiku echoed his father’s viewpoint, recalling that his father was unable to fund his education and that of his siblings due to his meagre resources from candy sales.

He said that with the programme, the standard of living of his family had changed dramatically, while some members of the family had enrolled in schools.

Alhaji Umaru BubaWajari, the Vice-Chairman of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Council, commended officials of the Gombe Office of the MDGs for assisting people at the grassroots.

In spite of the achievements of the CCT scheme, observers underscore the need to identify and empower more people in Gombe State via the programme.

(NAN).

Child Health & You Further Benefit Beyond Mother And Child (1) infer that ‘assure the health of a mother; assure the health of the family’. The woman in the reproductive age-bracket who practises EBF and OBF is able to maintain optimal health prepregnancy, in pregnancy, after childbirth to continue to be productive in supporting the household for the assured comprehensive health of the family. It is quite informative to appreciate this fact that EBF and

same vein, ‘a family that breastfeeds together, stays together’. This guarantees the desired bonding among all members of the household mirroring the desired bonding between mother and child. This bonding among members of the household facilitates a very strong family harmony which creates family stability for the optimal psychosocial and personality formation and development of the children within the family; the nucleus of

babies to the Newborn Nurseries.

With the BFHI and the practice of EBF and OBF, mothers and their newborn babies resume breastfeeding coupling relationship within a half-hour of birth on the delivery couches in the Labour Wards and are transferred to the Lying-in Wards to be attended to by the same sets of nurses where the mothers attend to the breastfeeding needs of their nurslings who are breastfed exclusively on demand. The BFHI encourages rooming-in with mothers and their babies in the same room; mothers on the beds and their babies in the cots by their bedsides. In fact, some hospitals practise bedding-in with mothers and babies on the same beds. Yet others practise Kangaroo Mother Care with babies on their

OBF facilitate the capacity of a woman to effectively combine productive and reproductive works.

Family Harmony In places where fathers are well and completely integrated into Comprehensive Family Reproductive Health Programmes, they are present as desired at the delivery of their babies and, therefore, participate actively in the successful initiation of breastfeeding within the first half-hour of birth on the delivery couch in the delivery room/ suite. This is critical for the honest and sincere cooperation of the father with the prescribed steps and undertakings necessary for the mother to succeed with EBF and OBF. With the father as head of the household deeply and actively involved with EBF and OBF, all other members of the household cooperate and participate actively as required to allow the mother the essential Triad for successful breastfeeding: Space, Time and Support. As it is said, ‘a family that prays together stays together’. Indeed, and in the

society.

BENEFITS OF EBF TO THE HOSPITAL Optimal Resource Utilization Before the advent of the BabyFriendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), and the practice of EBF and OBF, hospitals had the practice of providing care for mothers in the Lying-in Wards (Postnatal Wards) and care for the newborn babies in the Newborn Nurseries. This had implication for the provision and disposition of hospital personnel and resources. The separate wards were furnished and manned with trained and skilled nurses to attend to the special needs of the mothers after childbirth and the newly delivered babies. For the newborn babies, nurses would be assigned the duties and responsibilities to prepare baby foods, feed them to the babies at scheduled feeding times (not feeding on demand). Also, after delivery in the Labour Ward, different levels of personnel were required to transfer and transport the mothers to the Lying-in Wards while others would transfer and transport the

mothers especially for the premature small babies who, therefore, particularly benefit from their mothers’ warmth in addition to the close bonding that is facilitated by this mode of caring for the baby. Several trained and skilled nursing personnel are thus released from the Newborn Nurseries, which no longer exist in BFHIdesignated hospitals, and are thus available to be deployed to other useful services of the hospitals. The BFHI is, therefore, a facilitator of optimal utilization of human and material resources of the hospital.

Staff Capacity-building Benefits The BFHI has ‘Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding’ which every Health Facility offering maternity services to mothers and their newborn babies must practise and implement to be designated and remain ‘Babyfriendly’. These ‘Ten Steps’ were exhaustively reviewed in two presentations of the ‘CHILD HELTH AND YOU’. Indeed, the ‘First Step’ to successful breastfeeding requires that every such ‘Baby-friendly’ Health

Exclusive Breastfeeding:

GENERALLY, when the benefits and advantages of Breastfeeding are discussed, it is more fashionable for the populace to capture children and their mothers as possibly the sole beneficiaries. A discussion of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) is even more likely to excite a more restrictive imagination of the benefits as largely relevant and applicable to babies only.

However, our earlier presentations in the Weekly Thursday Feature in the Nigerian Observer, ‘CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, exhaustively reviewed the protean benefits of EBF to both Mother and Child but Breastfeeding, in fact, benefits ALL: Child, Mother, Family, Hospital, Nation, Environment and the International Community among others. In this presentation, we shall review some of the benefits of EBF to these other entities beyond mother and child.

BENEFITS OF EBF TO THE FAMILY Family Planning: The desired family size, through having children by choice and not by chance, is best achieved through EBF. It, indeed, offers the most effective means of achieving the desired number and spacing of children in the family. The protective effect of EBF against pregnancy for a woman is best manifested in a mother whose ‘menstrual period’ has not resumed after childbirth with a child less than six months who is breastfeeding frequently, effectively and exclusively on demand. This protection is more effective than any other method of childspacing known to man! This method of Family Planning and Child-Spacing is technically referred to as the ‘Lactation Amenorrhoea Method (LAM)’ and is especially facilitated by EBF on demand. In addition to being superior to, and more effective than, the other methods of Child-Spacing, it is a low-cost high-impact method that costs virtually nothing and without the usually feared side-effects of the other methods.

Optimal Family Income Utilization With Optimal Breastfeeding (OBF), which was well discussed in a previous presentation of ‘CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, the child is on breastmilk exclusively for the first six months of life and continuously for at least the next eighteen months until the child is two years or beyond. This guarantees the child optimal growth and good health. There is a reduced prevalence of several childhood illnesses and monumental savings on health bills previously paid by families on frequent hospital admissions of their children. Family income is increasingly spent less on drugs and such health-related challenges. More instructively and additionally, the family does

By PROF C.O. EREGIE not spend money on infant and baby foods, feeding bottles and teats, sterilizers and sterilizing chemicals and energy-costs of preventing contamination of the foods and consequent infections.

The energy-costs of sterilization include proportion of the family/ household electricity bills, costs of fuels like kerosene and the real cost of fetching and hewing firewood. Also to be considered, but not paid for by the family in relation to the cost of feeding the infants, is the cost of waste disposal accruing from the infant foods and the empty cans among others. More interesting and instructive is the fact that there is huge family savings from doing things differently in an informed child feeding practice.

Before now, the breastfeeding mother would require special foods and drinks to support her ability to successfully breast feed her infant and to be provided at a cost to the family. With good nutrition education and information, it becomes clear that the whole household is fed and maintained on only one family budget line that ensures adequate feeding of the pregnant and later the nursing mother, exclusive breastfeeding of the baby and appropriate complementary feeding of the infant beyond six months with local foodstuffs in the homes while also assuring the adequate feeding of other members of the household. This should be contrasted with the previous uninformed practice of feeding and maintaining the household on three family budget lines: for the pregnant and later the nursing mother, for the baby, its foods and feeding utensils and sterilization costs plus health bills and for the remaining members of the household.

Practising breastfeeding properly as recommended, exclusively and optimally, is indeed optimal utilization of a family’s scarce income and other resources.

Optimal Comprehensive Family Health Health for all in the family is guaranteed by EBF. The health of the mother, who provides care for all in the household, is facilitated by EBF. It is only a healthy mother that can discharge the usual daily household chores from which all other members of the household derive their well-being and guaranteed health: daily meals, neat and hygienic home environment, close observation of the state of health of every member of the household and prompt and appropriate health interventions when deserving, assuring that such interventions including prescribed drugs are complied with appropriately and the guarantee of all the platform for the optimal growth and health of the nursling. ‘Develop a woman and develop the family’; one could almost extrapolate and

Facility must have a ‘Written Breastfeeding Policy’ which is routinely communicated to all healthcare staff. More applicable to ‘Staff Capacity-building Interventions’ is the ‘Second Step’ which requires all healthcare staff should be trained in the skills, knowledge and techniques necessary to implement the ‘Written Breastfeeding Policy’ of the facility. This means that healthcare staff are trained and constantly retrained to build their capacity to protect, promote and support EBF and OBF. It is sad to state a very painful fact that many healthcare staff lack the requisite knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to successfully support breastfeeding mothers and, indeed, achieve and sustain ‘Baby-friendly’ status of the facility as a means of practising optimal infant and young child feeding for improved child survival, health, protection and development. This includes all healthcare staff: doctors, nurses and other health personnel. The BFHI, in fact, requires that all hospital staff, healthcare personnel and non-healthcare personnel, are trained as feasible and learnable in the skills and techniques to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in the facility and also in the community where they reside. It is quite bothersome learning of some of the interventions of trained and skilled healthcare staff when providing presumed solutions to common breastfeeding difficulties and challenges. It remains true that ‘you cannot give what you do not have’! Strict implementation of the BFHI to protect, promote and support breastfeeding certainly guarantees that the healthcare staff are properly trained and retrained in the emerging facts and science of breastfeeding and continuously updated with the state-of-the-art Technology and Interventions for breastfeeding.

This presentation has reviewed some of the numerous benefits of EBF and OBF to relevant entities beyond the mother and her child. Specifically, some of the benefits to the family have been highlighted. A few of the benefits of EBF and OBF to the hospital have also been reviewed. It is hoped that the populace will now more readily appreciate the benefits of breastfeeding to others, beyond mother and child, and will become more convinced about their responsibility to protect, promote and support breastfeeding for optimal child survival, health, protection and development. In a future presentation of ‘CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, we shall review further benefits of EBF and OBF beyond mother and child. Keep a date with this Weekly Thursday Feature for this ‘must read’.

PROFESSOR C.O.EREGIE, Professor of Child Health and Neonatology, Institute of Child Health, University of Benin Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, University of Benin Teaching Hospital ’CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, a Weekly Thursday Feature in the Nigerian Observer, is a collaborative initiative between the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, and the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Benin City.

Spotlight

WE all know the country is currently in turmoil as a result of the increasing level of insecurity perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect, who are bent on ‘Islamizing’ parts of northern Nigeria and go against any form of westernization. And daily, it seems as if the Nigerian Security Operatives and our Political Leaders are becoming helpless, and running out of options on how to tame the growing insurgency activities and terror attacks perpetuated by the Boko Haram sect. The major reason why it seems as if the terrorist activities of the Boko Haram sect in the country appears insurmountable, is simply traceable to the fact that those behind and sponsoring their evil activities have not been clearly exposed, arrested and adequately prosecuted with the full wrath of the law.

And as long as those behind the terrorists’ activities of the Boko Haram sect are shrouded in secrecy, Nigerians will unfortunately continue to suffer these terror attacks in different parts of the country, particularly in northern Nigeria. However, like many Nigerians, we sincerely pray this would change, especially with recent developments.

When it was recently reported that the Australian negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, who was hired by the Federal Government to negotiate with Boko Haram for the release of the over 200 Chibok school girls had named former Governor Modu Sheriff of Bornu State and former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika as sponsors of the terror group, many Nigerians were bewildered and left speechless as to the authenticity and reliability of such mind bugling revelation.

Though, both accused men have reacted furiously to Dr. Davis’ allegation, with the former Borno governor threatening to travel to Australia to sue his accuser while Gen. Ihejirika accused former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El Rufai, of being a

“commander” of Boko Haram, the said revelations have however opened more can of worms and has raised more questions regarding the sincerity of the Nigerian Government and Security Operatives in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

First, it is sad to observe that since the said revelation by the Australian negotiator neither has the relevant Federal Government authorities nor the Security Operatives come forth to publicly explain to Nigerians what they are doing with the information? That is, if they are investigating the allegations made by the Australian to ascertain its authenticity and reliability.

Also, how come the Australian negotiator decided to go public with his findings rather than report them to the country’s security operatives to act on? Was this done out of the fear that possibly, his report on the sponsors will be swept under the carpet and not made known to Nigerians or was the Australian negotiator simply acting out a written script? Come to think of it, if we are to take what Dr. Davis reported seriously, was it possible that the Boko Haram members willingly gave and revealed to Dr. Davis the names of their sponsors, knowing fully well that doing so might jeopardize their ‘evil goals’ since the exposed sponsors will be prosecuted? Or was the Boko Haram members banking on the fact that the Nigerian authorities will not be able to do anything tangible even if the names of their sponsors were made known? Or was the names revealed by the Boko Haram members just another tactic to divert the attention of Nigerians from not looking at other suspected sponsors of their evil activities? Or was all of this another ‘grand plan’ by the real sponsors of the Boko Haram insurgency to confuse, complicate and divide the attention of Nigerians and relevant authorities to allow them continue their evil deeds?

Whatever the case may be, one thing is sure; there is the

Exposing Those Behind

By ZIK GBEMRE

urgent need for the Federal Government of Nigeria and the relevant Security Operatives to come over board and muster the political will and military might to expose, arrest, and promptly prosecute those secretly behind the sponsorship of the terrorists’ activities in Nigeria, no matter how highly placed such persons may be. There are a whole lot of things stated by the Australian negotiator which

Haram sect. According to Sahara reporters, Dr. Davis said that he did not want to name the CBN official as this may prejudice investigation

by Nigeria’s security services. Also, asked to explain why Mr. Ihejirika, a non-Muslim who hails from the predominantly Christian southeastern part of Nigeria, became a Boko Haram “sponsor,” Mr. Davis said, “Boko Haram commanders and some connected with

Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), Former Chief of Army Staff

the relevant Nigerian authorities should not treat with kid gloves or leave lying low.

While reiterating his stand in a more recent report, Dr. Davis also accused an unnamed senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as a man based in Cairo, Egypt, whom he claimed operates as “Boko Haram’s bagman”. He said both men, in addition to Mr. Sheriff and former General Ihejirika, were major players in the funding and continued existence of the deadly Boko

them told me on several occasions Ihejirika was one of their sponsors.” He also disclosed that Mr. Sheriff always had the best military protection in Nigeria’s violence-plagued northeast, a protection he claimed the exgovernor enjoyed after he left office.

Dr. Davis reiterated that his allegations were informed by discussions he had with several Boko Haram field commanders over a long period of time. Asked if President Goodluck Jonathan was aware of the insurgents’

“Boko Haram commanders and some connected with them told me on several occasions Ihejirika was one of their sponsors.”

sponsors and their specific roles, Dr. Davis said he was unsure of the extent of information currently before President Jonathan. He added that Mr. Jonathan had been weakened by lack of military loyalty and a history of security negligence. He gave the example of repeated attempts to bring the growth of Al Qa’eda associated cells to the attention of NSA’s since 2006, only to have them dismiss such reports as baseless. “By the time Goodluck Jonathan became president Boko Haram had

Obasanjo found out that Abiye Sekibo, who was then Mr. Obasanjo’s Transport Minister, had contracted the assassins who killed a prominent politician, Harry Marshall. He said he tried to persuade Mr. Obasanjo to prosecute Mr. Sekibo, but the then president declined, stating that such a trial could bring down his government.

Dr. Davis touched on several aspects of Boko Haram activities, showing that he was quite knowledgeable about the sect’s actions. He revealed

Former Minister of FCT, Nasir El Rufai

become a potent weapon with a command structure embedded in 16 northern states fanned by support from corrupt politicians.”

He further gave the example of Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Aliyu Gusau, whom he accused of basically leaving Mr. Jonathan to carry his can without taking any responsibility for his work.

The Australian negotiator also revealed that his years working with Nigerian presidents on matters of terrorism had shown that, even when some prominent individuals are known to be involved in criminality, the presidents are simply too afraid to take them on. He cited the example of the Niger Delta region. He told Sahara Reporters that he and former President Olusegun

that Boko Haram runs about six major camps in the northeast and neighbouring countries, adding that 700 fighters inhabited each camp.

In addition, there are a range of smaller camps within Borno State, which are often temporary and to which kidnapped girls are taken to be used by the insurgents.

The Australian revealed that earlier this year Boko Haram was a loose coalition of three Islamist militant groups that worked with one another, claiming that, since four months ago, the sects had merged into one single entity, become more cohesive, strategically effective and powerful. “They are now linking with other terrorist group in the region and will soon be very difficult to dismantle. If these political sponsors think they can turn

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Spotlight

d Boko Haram Sponsorship

ese groups off after the 015 elections, they are going be surprised to find it is out their control.”

On why he had chosen to peak out publicly at this me, Dr. Davis stated that, om experience, any terrorist oup that has lasted more an eight years after its rmation would likely exist r another 20 or more years efore it can be dismantled. thus becomes embedded or a generation and the kelihood of dismantling it as very low. “If we don’t do

extradition from the Sudan of Aminu Ogwuche, a suspected terror mastermind who reportedly planned the deadly bombing of an Abuja bus station, the intelligence agency had yet to interrogate Mr. Ogwuche about his links with the three young men he reportedly contracted to carry out the bombing. Dr. Davis said the young men were three in number and that they lived in the home of a CBN official who also carried out banking transactions for Boko Haram through the CBN. He said two other

ormer Borno State Governor, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff

ur utmost now to dismantle oko Haram then we may not e able to do so for another eneration. That is a very oomy scenario for igeria.” He touched on rmer National Security dviser, Owoye Andrew zazi, whom he described as terly corrupt. He said Mr. zazi, who was a retired rmy general, was planning buy into the Hilton hotel hain in London to the tune f $100 million before he ed in a helicopter crash on ecember 15, 2012. Dr. avis painted a portrait of igeria’s various intelligence nits as operating in silos that fuse to share information at could tame terrorist oups. To illustrate his point, e Australian cited the xample of the State Security ervices. According to him, onths after the SSS won the

young collaborators in the Nyanya Motor Park bombing remain on the run.

The Australian hostage negotiator vowed to make more revelations about Boko Haram’s sponsors, adding that he believed the sect could only be dismantled if their sponsors were exposed and prosecuted. In particular, he said he could not see why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had not already moved on Sheriff for his extensive looting of public funds when he was the Borno State governor, and for leaving the roads in Borno State in a terrible shape that has enabled Boko Haram to ambush Nigeria troops and massacre them mercilessly.

He also added that the former governor should face the ultimate trial for financing the

recruitment of young men to the Boko Haram sect. Dr. Davis dismissed Mr. Sheriff’s threat to travel to Australia to sue him for his statements as grandstanding and seeking to divert attention from the real issue of Mr. Sheriff ’s involvement with Boko Haram. He added that he would be pleased to meet the former governor at the airport whenever he developed the courage to come to Australia.

In a related twist, the Senate was stunned recently when Senator Buka Ibrahim revealed that the Boko Haram sect employ threat tactics in getting influential persons to fund their activities. Senator Buka was recently nominated

by Boko Haram along side Gen Mohammadu Buhari, to lead their negotiation with the Federal Government over some of their grievances. Gen Buhari has dissociated himself from the sect, citing a spear campaign by the government and further announced his refusal to speak for them. Buka said “Today people are being forced to partially fund Boko Haram because of the activities of these people.

“They kill one, two or three people around, they frighten everybody and now everybody is succumbing to their demands. So today people are being forced to partially fund Boko Haram because of the activities of these criminals.”

Looking at the above statement by Senator Bukar, and all the revelations made by the Australian negotiator, we all would agree with the fact that no reasonable and sincere government, law makers and security operatives will sit down and fold their hands without taking practical steps to properly investigate and unravel the truth in all that have been said by Dr. Davis and the Senator. Come to think of it, how come it took an Australian negotiator (a foreigner) to come forth with

such mind bugling revelations about the operations of the Boko Haram sect that have been terrorizing Nigerians all these years? What have our Nigerian security operatives and intelligence been doing all this while to not have attained such results shown by one man? Nigerians need to see the ‘political will’ evident in our political leaders and security operatives in addressing the

Service (SSS) are doing what is expected of them in intelligence gathering, we strongly believe that by now they should have been able to identify and expose those that are sponsoring and aiding the Boko Haram sect in their terror activities. The SSS should have also been able to identify the source of the armory and arsenal/IEDs used by Boko Haram to perpetuate their crime. If the relevant authorities are

by the ruling and opposition governments in Nigeria. The level of ineptitude exhibited by Nigerian Governments in the fight against terror is so sickening and disturbing that we wonder what hope we have of things getting better.

Already, relevant stakeholders in the country are calling for the immediate prosecution of those accused as Boko Haram sponsors by the Australian negotiator. The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the prosecution of former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff over his alleged role in funding of insurgency in the

“Buka said Today people are being forced to partially fund Boko Haram because of the activities of these people. “They kill one, two or three people around, they frighten everybody and now everybody is succumbing to their demands.” insurgency by the Boko Haram sect. Mr. President should acknowledge the failures of the security agencies. In particular, the failure of the intelligence services to contain the recurring security breaches.

The spate of bombings has once more brought to limelight the need for a different approach by the government in addressing this problem. Mr. President has to act decisively to execute his Office, and this can be achieved by implementing the antiterrorism law and punish culprits of such heinous crimes capable of causing instability in the nation. The long-term effect is that the on-going terrorism will discourage potential investors in Nigeria.

The issue of effective and efficient intelligence gathering cannot be overemphasized if we are to win this fight against terrorism in the country. If the relevant security operatives, especially the State Security

serious with their work, by now Nigerians should have known those financing the Boko Haram sect. And if anyone is found wanting, no matter how highly placed they are, they should be dealt with by the full wrath of the law. So, instead of the SSS for instance, wasting time in showcasing themselves on national television or parading their men, they should maintain the “discreet nature” of their job and effectively use Intelligence Gathering to expose those behind Boko Haram terrorist activities.

It is really sad that it took the massive killings/bombings of hundreds of innocent Nigerians and the recent abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State, before the Nigerian Government woke up from their slumber to take things seriously. Even at the moment, the ‘sincerity’ of that ‘seriousness’ is questionable.

“Valuable time”, that could have been used to address the insecurity situation in Borno State, was lost in the name of ‘politicking’ on media outlets

North-east. APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, called on the government to hand over Sheriff and General Ihejirika to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation and prosecution. Lagos lawyer and Human Rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), in a statement titled: “Arrest and Prosecute Boko Haram Sponsors”, said Dr. Davis had revealed the identities of the sponsors of the terrorist organization and that the Federal government should take necessary steps if there are no political undertones to the issue.

The crux of the matter is that our Nigerian political leaders have not demonstrated sincerity of purpose and the patriotic spirit in their so called efforts towards the fight against terror/ insecurity in our land. This ‘indifference’ attitude and lack of empathy/care has to change.

Nigerians need to see our political leaders rising up to the challenge in addressing this issue. They cannot be saying one thing and doing another.

Enough is enough!

“The crux of the matter is that our Nigerian political leaders have not demonstrated sincerity of purpose and the patriotic spirit in their so called efforts towards the fight against terror/insecurity in our land.”

With Obuseh Jude Syncado2006@yahoo.com 08033510173

Security Issues

Between Peacemaking And Peacekeeping THIS piece examines the relationship between Peacekeeping and peacemaking, two very important conflict management strategies. The questions to be answered are: What is peacekeeping and peacemaking? What is the relationship between peacekeeping and peacemaking? How well have these relationships contributed towards making the world a more peaceful and tranquil place? What can be done to make these tools more effective in the peace process?

In answering these pertinent questions, the study briefly clarifies the concepts of peacekeeping and peacemaking, establishes the nexus between both concepts, and concludes with recommendations on how to make them more effective tools in the peace process.

In the course of this discourse, three major concepts will be frequently repeated.

These concepts are: Peace, Peacekeeping and Peacemaking. These concepts require clarification within the framework of conflict management, with due regard to the manner in which they have been interpreted at the United Nations Organization.

We commence with the more general phenomenon of Peace.

“Peace” is derived from the Latin “Pax”. It is, in technical terms, a political condition that ensures justice and social stability through formal and informal institutions, practices, and norms. Several conditions must be met for peace to be reached and maintained: a balance of political power among the various groups within a society, region, or, most ambitiously, the globe; legitimacy for decision makers and implementers of decisions in the eyes of their respective group as well as those of external parties duly supported through transparency and accountability; recognized and valued interdependent relationships among groups fostering long-term cooperation during periods of agreement, disagreement, normality, and crisis; reliable and trusted institutions for resolving conflicts; a sense of equality and respect, in sentiment and in practice, within and without groups and in accordance with international standards; and mutual understanding of rights, interests, and intents and flexibility, despite incompatibilities (www.beyondintractability.org).

Peacekeeping is a term mainly used to describe actions sponsored by the UN.

Peacekeeping operations are authorized by the Security Council, endowed by the UN Charter with primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

The Congo intervention was the only occasion where the UN tried to act as an independent power in its own right (http:// www.answers.com/topic/ p e a c e k e e p i n g ) .

A traditional peacekeeping operation is established when parties to a conflict, typically two states, agree to the interposition of UN troops to uphold a ceasefire. Limited numbers of lightly armed troops are introduced and situated between the combatants, and they provide a symbolic guarantor of the peace. The Security Council maintains authority over the operation, expressed through the Secretary-General of the UN and the military commander, authorized under Chapter 6 of the Charter, although the term ‘peacekeeping’ is conspicuous by its absence. UN troops, voluntarily provided by member states, can use force in self-defence or in defence of their mandate. They are to be impartial throughout the operation and derive their legitimacy from representing the international community as a whole (IBID).

Examples of traditional peacekeeping operations include the operations in Cyprus, which have separated the Greek and Turkish communities (UNFICYP, established in 1964) ; in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, disputed by India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP, 1949) ; and in the Golan Heights, between Israel and Syria (UN Disengagement Observer Force, 1974). Often referred to as ‘Blue Berets’ or ‘Blue Helmets’, the military units in peacekeeping operations remain members of their own national armies with their own command and control, but serve under a UNappointed local commander.

For a peacekeeping operation to succeed, it needs to secure not only the co-operation of the conflicting parties, but also of the international community, including regional and nongovernmental organizations, donors, and member states (IBID).

The term “peacemaking” is used in several different ways.

According to the UN, peacemaking is “action to bring hostile parties to agreement, essentially through such peaceful means as those foreseen in Chapter VI of the

Charter of the United Nations; Pacific Settlement of Disputes.”In this sense, peacemaking is the diplomatic effort intended to move a violent conflict into nonviolent dialogue, where differences are settled through representative political institutions. The objective of peacemaking is thus to end the violence between the contending parties. Peacemaking can be done through negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. International law provides another channel through international courts (www.beyondintractability.org) United Nations peacemaking

Peacemaking excludes the use of force, unless imposed action is taken by the Security Council to facilitate the peacemaking process (IBID) The nexus between peacekeeping and peacemaking are not farfetched - both concepts re-enforce each other. They are U.N mechanisms for achieving the much desired goals of global peace and security. They come into play when conflict prevention initiatives fail to stop a conflict. They are both closely intertwined stages in the conflict management process. While peacemaking

inferred that both peacemaking and peacekeeping are very significant aspects of the peace process that are employed in curtailing the escalation of violent behavior and to work out a peace agreement satisfactory to conflicting parties. This re-enforcing relationship is facilitates the achievement of the goals of the peace process, which is to restore calm in the conflict theatre, and ultimately, achieving positive peace.

Again, it should be noted that the therapeutic function of peacemaking is dependent on the preventive function of peacekeeping. The diplomatic activity of peacemaking, which is geared towards a formal end to hostilities, is given ample support by the deterrent activities of a well-coordinated peacekeeping initiative. In short, a successful peacekeeping operation is that

is an extension of the parties’ own efforts to manage their conflict. When they cannot, the parties, the Security Council or the General Assembly may call upon the United Nations Secretary General to exercises his “Good Offices” to facilitate the resolution of the conflict.

The Secretary General may also undertake independent peacemaking initiatives by offering his “Good Offices” to parties to resolve the conflict in a peaceful way. In An Agenda for Peace, former United Nations Secretary General Boutros-Boutros Ghali defined peacemaking as “action to bring hostile parties to agreement, essentially through such peaceful means as those foreseen in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations; Pacific Settlement of Disputes.” These actions are carried out during a conflict, violent or latent. They entail the diplomatic process of brokering an end to conflict, principally through the use of mediation and negotiation skills. United Nations

concentrates on the goals and attitudes of any conflict, peacekeeping focuses on the behavioural components.

Peacemaking activities by individuals or organizations, such as elder statesmen, the International Committee of the Red Cross, acting as intermediaries, might be on while the belligerents continue to use coercive forms of conflict behaviour against one another, so that in the initial stage of any peace initiative, the task of the third party may be the conclusion of a prior agreement to limit violence as a preliminary to discussions about substantive issues.

In his “Agenda for Peace”, former U.N Secretary General, Boutros-Boutros Ghali states that, “peacemaking and peacekeeping are required to halt conflicts and preserve peace once it is attained. If successful, they strengthen the opportunity for post-conflict peace building, which can prevent the re-occurrence of violence among nations and peoples”. Thus, it can be

which is able to prevent or deter fighting during its (brief) deployment, while peacemaking activities continue to seek for ways of brokering an agreement between the conflicting parties after which there would no longer be need for an interposition force.

From the foregoing, it can be inferred that the success or failure of a peacekeeping operation owes a lot to how far it is able to facilitate the peacemaking process. For instance, a successful peacekeeping operation can have any of the following outcomes: an operation can either be successfully completed (as in the Congo, when the cause of the conflict is eradicated), or temporally settled/stabilized to the status quo (as in the case of Cyprus, Lebanon and Liberia, up till 1993).

Essentially, peacekeeping controls the use and spread of violence by conflicting groups, while peacemaking attempts to diplomatically root out the

background conflictgenerating factors, transform the conflict and return the hitherto hostile parties to a more peaceful and lasting relationship. Peacekeeping provides a conducive environment for negotiations.

It makes it possible for disputants-turned negotiators to focus on the matters at hand without worrying that the other side is acquiring a tactical advantage during the parley.

Recent theories on civil violence urge people to think of conflict as a highly fluid situation (George and Stephens 2002:43). Since peacemaking efforts are closely intertwined with peacekeeping and other tools of conflict management – for instance Preventive Diplomacy and Peace Building – the diplomats and soldiers involved in these missions must attain a high level of communication to ensure

common goals and shared information.

However, it is hoped that Preventive Diplomacy will prevent the outbreak of violent conflicts. If these efforts fail, third party diplomatic efforts must continue in the form of peacemaking, ably supported by peacekeeping forces. As a last resort, especially in the face of widespread human devastation, peace enforcement units must be seen as viable solution. The point of peacemaking efforts diplomatic and otherwise - is to get the belligerents to the bargaining table, at which point peacekeeping units can help to guarantee any agreed-upon ceasefire.

MR OBUSEH JUDE, A PEACE RESEARCHER AND PRACTITIONER, IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CONFLICT PREVENTION AND PEACE BUULDING INITIATIVE. HE WRITES FROM BENIN CITY. TEL:08033510173.EM A I L : Syncado2006@yahoo.com.

INTRODUCTION is x?

We recall that a triangle is threeSolution: sided figure bounded by straight By complementary angles, lines. Though there are different o o = Sin 50o kinds of triangles - Equilateral Cos 40 = Sin (90 -40) Sin (0 + 30)o = Sin 50o scalene, Isosceles and the rightor 0 + 30o = Sin 50o angled triangle. The sum of the three

Mathematics With Stanley Osobase 08023454887 Osobase2001@yahoo.co.uk

Complementary Angles angles of any triangle is 180o(Supplementary).

For the purpose of this topic this week, we shall consider the the rightangled triangle as shown below, where the angles 0 and (90 - 0) add up to 90o(complentary).

A 0

B

(90 - 0)

C

A + B + C = 180o or 0 + 90 + (90 - 0) = 180o When you open the bracket and collect like terms, the equation balances!

Applying the rule of Basic Trigometrical Ratio (SOH CAH TOA) to the diagram above we have: BC (1). Sin 0 = Opposite = AC Hypotenuse (2). Cos 0 = (3). Tan 0 =

Adjacent = A B AC Hypotenuse Opposite Adjacent

Similarly, AB (4). Sin (90 - 0) = AC BC (5). Cos (90 - 0) = A C

=

BC AB

Example 5 Given that Sin(90o - 50) = Cos(180o - 0), Find the value of 0. o o o :- 0 = 50 - 30 = 20 Answer (WAEC)/Further Maths) (A). 15o (B). 22.5o (C). 30o (D)45o Example 2 Solution: If Sin x = Cos 70o, 0 < x < 90o, By the rules of complementary Find x. (WAEC) angles, Solution: Cos (180 - 0) = Sin [90 - (180 - 0)] o o From RHS, Cos 70 = Sin (90 - 70) Sin (90 - 50) = Sin[90 - (180 - 0)] or 90 - 50 = 90 - (180 - 0) = Sin 20o or 90 - 50 = 90 - (180 + 0 :- Sin x = Sin 20o Collect like terms to get: or x = 20oAnswer 60 = 180o Dividing both sides by the coefficient Example 3 of 0, we get: If Sin (x - ) = (x + ), what is x?

180 60 = Solution 6 6 By complementary angles, :- 0 = 30o Answer Cos (x + ) = Sin [90 - (x + )] Example 6 Sin (x - ) = Sin [90 - (x + )] Solve the equation Cos70 = Sin50, or x = 90 - (x + ) Where 0o < 0 < 90o. (WAEC 2007, or x = 90 - x F./Maths) Solution: collect like terms to get: From the RHS, the law of 2x - + = 90o complementary angles says or 2x = 90o Sin50 = Cos[90 - 50] Dividing both sides by the Cos70 = Cos[90 - 50] coefficient of x, we get: or 70 = 90o - 50 Collect like terms to get: 90o 2x = 70 + 50 = 90o 2 2 or 120 = 90o o :- x = 45 Answer Divide both sides by the coefficient of 0, we get: Example 4 90o 120 If Cos x = Sin 50o, what then is x? = 12 12 Solution: :- 0 = 7.5o Answer Applying the rule of

AB complementary angles to the Right AC Hand Side (RHS) of the given (1) = (5) and (2) = (4) equation, we get: i.e. Sin 0 = Cos (90 - 0) Sin 50o = Cos (90 - 50)o and Cos 0 = Sin (90 - 0) or Cos x = Cos (90 - 50)o APPLICATION EXAMPLES Cos x = Cos 40o Example 1 :- x = 40o Answer o o If sin (0 + 30) = Cos 40 , What

and (6). Tan (90 - 0) =

Drill (1). If Cos x = Sin 68o, Find x Answer: x = 22o (2). If Cos(x -3) = Sin(x + 3), what is x?

Answer: x = 45o Until next edition, remain blessed solving Maths and remember to watch EBS TV, Thursday at 4pm!

Motoring With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452

Understanding Car Braking

Problems And Solutions

System:

What Next For Car Of The Future WHAT feature will the car of the future come with?

Perhaps it is not possible to answer in a few straight words. The response are likely to be as varies as the respondents — a car that is fuel efficient; a car that is sophisticated in every letter of the world; a car that comes with state of the art technology; a car that is easy to drive; a car that comes with supersonic speed; a car that comes with aesthetics and comfort.

Then, if we take a close look at the car of today, we’ll discover that all these features are present. The passing millennium produced some of the best automobile in the terms of performance, beauty, appeal technology, sophistication, comfort and much more. Today’s automobile comes in different shapes, sizes, and efficiency of performance. In fact some of the cars of today could best be described as crazy, weird or peculiar in design and construction.

Surprisingly, the dramatic land-marks in automobile technology were achieved within the last half of the century.

In the period preceding World War I, cars were merely “houses on four wheels”. like houses, they were less appealing and the interior and exteriors were far from what obtains today in terms of aesthetics, comfort and sophistication. Yet they served their purpose as reliable means of transport.

Today’s cars are more than means of transport. They show class, status and personality. They show the best science and technology can offer. Cars that will offer different users, separate from the old service of getting a passenger from place to place in little time in the early days of the automobile they were made to serve this major purpose. But within the last twenty years cars were increasingly made’ to serve as both means of mobility and as home. How else do you explain the limousine which comes with the attributes of a luxury living room, in addition to being on wheels.

The furniture is the best around. As if this is not enough the television set, computer telephone, compact disc, refrigerator, air conditioner, dining and dressing tables all add the lure of the modern house on wheels. Limousine and other sophisticated cars has facilities for you to make phone calls, send and receive E — mail and surf the Internet. If you are less busy, you can play computer games, watch television, listen to music or even dose off in a good bed.

If you don’t have a limousine, you should be contented with a compact disc and digital radio, telephone facilities, roomy interior and other value — added features of the hollow metal. In the passing millennium cars went compact, shapes went

bizarre. Hard metals were replaced by fibre glass, plastic and aluminum, all in a bid to meet customers expectations.

Again, craftsmanship and pride of ownership were widespread.

With these came individual companies with separate identities. From France came Peugeot and Citroen; from Germany came, Volkswagen

and Mercedes Benz, from Italy came Fiat and Alfa Romeo, from Sweden came Volvo and MAN, from Japan came Toyota and Honda and from USA came Chrysler and General Motors, to mention a few. Today, pride of ownership has gone, mergers and acquisitions are producing cars of many nationalities.

THE possible causes of road accidents in the “ember” month (September, October, November and December). a) Increased Traffic Density: A lot of people move from their work places to their places of origin to celebrate Christmas and New Year or on end year vacation, thus increasing the inter-city traffic. More vehicles on the highways could increased the stress on the road, which could result in more conflicts (crashes) b) The Lust of Money: The urge to make more money at expense of human safety and comfort by commercial vehicle operators especially, result in overloading of vehicles, violation of traffic regulations as more trips are made and total neglect of their operating vehicles believing that the time “wasted’ at the workshops could be used to make more

money. c) Urge to Fulfill Aspirations: The urge to fulfill all aspirations earlier set at the beginning of the year at all-cost is another problem. Some road users suddenly realize that the year is coming to an end, yet their target as earlier “decreed” are yet to be “actualized”. They immediately set in motion all plans to get their ambitions, sometimes unrealistic goals fulfill.

The result of course Is bang, bang, and bang on the highways as caution is thrown to the wind as efforts are made to realize the set ambition. d) Poor Visibility Caused

by Harmattan: Toward the end of the year, harmattan sets in and this results in impaired visibility which could result in road crashes as most of vehicles plying our highways have poor lighting, and the drivers with poor eye sights.

Causes Of Road Accident During ‘Ember’ Months

* Symptom: Excessive brake pedal travel.

Problems: 1. Low fluid level in reservoir 2. Excessive clearance between lining and drum 3. Excessive push-rod clearance 4. Air in the system 5. Leak in system 6. Cracked breakdrum Solutions: I. Top-up the reservoir with hydraulic fluid 2. Correct lining and drum clearance 3. Correct push-rod clearance 4. Bleed the system to remove air 5. Rectify the leakage in the system 6. Replace brake drum * Symptom: brake pedal feels hard Problems: 1. Seized piston in the wheel cylinder 2. Oil or brake fluid on linings 3. Blinding brake pedal Solutions: 1. Free piston in the wheel cylinder 2. Clean off oil or brake fluid from the linings 3. Free brake pedal Symptom: Brake pedal feels spongy Problems: 1. Low fluid level in reservoir 2. Air in system 3. Defective hose expanding under pressure 4. Master cylinder main cup worn 5. Leak past master cylinder main cup Solutions: 1. Top-up the reservoir with hydraulic fluid 2. Bleed the system to remove air 3. Replace hose 4. Replace master cylinder worn cap 5. Rectify leakage at the master cylinder Symptom: Brake pedal feels springy Problems: 1. lining not bedded-in 2. brake drums cracked 3. Master cylinder loose on its mountings Solutions: 1. Bed lining in 2. Replace cracked brake drum 3. Secure master cylinder on its mounting * Symptom: Brake grap.

Problems: 1. Linings not bedded-in 2. Wrong type of lining 3. Oil or brake fluid on lining 4. Loose back plate Solutions: 1. Bed-in lining properly 2. Use correct linings 3. Clean oil or brake fluid from linings 4. Secure back plate firmly *Symptom: Braking is unbalanced.

Problems: 1. Oil or brake fluid on linings of one brake 2. Distorted brake drums 3. Tyres unevenly inflated 4. Back plate loose on the axle 5. Bolts connecting axle to road springs loose 6. Front spring broken 7. Worn steering connections 8. Lining of different types or grades fitted Solutions: 1. Clean oil or brake fluid off one of the affected brake 2. Replace distorted brake drum 3. Check and inflate tyres to correct pressure 4. Tighten loose back plate 5. Tighten loose bolts 6. Replace broken front spring 7. Replace worn connection 8. Fix lining of correct grade

Issues View Point Encouraging Local Vehicle Assembly Plants

IN an effort to boost industrialisation and encourage local manufacturing in the country, the Federal Government established five vehicle assembly plants in the 1970s.

The plants were Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd. (PAN), Kaduna; Volkswagen of Nigeria Ltd. (VWoN), Lagos; Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO), Enugu; Styer Nigeria Ltd., Bauchi; National Truck Manufacturers (NTM), Kano; and Leyland Nigeria Ltd., Ibadan.

Less than 20 years after, some of the plants became moribund due largely to the effects of global economic recession of the 1990s and early 2000s, leading to the inability of the plants to cope with the challenges of import substitution.

The few surviving ones now operate at far less than their installed capacities.

A fresh pronouncement aimed at reviving the automotive industry through private sector participation was made recently by President Goodluck Jonathan.

This was during his visit to inaugurate Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM) plant in Nnewi, Anambra.

He noted that Innoson’s strides were in tandem with government’s economic policy of encouraging the development of the private sector.

“I am indeed happy that Innoson is not just assembling parts that are

country yearly.

“Nigerians spend an average of N400 billion on the importation of passenger cars, and by the

something that is obtainable in India and other countries where it is easier to set up manufacturing plants than to import vehicles.

“The easiest way to do

time you add trucks and other vehicles, the amount Nigerians spend on imported vehicles will be running to N600 billion annually.

“The market is there; with this market, automotive companies will be willing to invest in the country. But the constraint is the low import duty which made the vehicles cheap.

“Our current policy structure encourages importation and discourages production.

“That is why we are trying to reverse it to

it is by putting in place a tariff structure that will discourage importation and encourage production of vehicles,’’ he said.

Jalal regretted that Nigeria’s import duty regime was not skewed in favour of local manufacturers in order to further encourage them.

“Nigeria’s import duty is 10 per cent for commercial vehicles and 20 per cent for cars; right now complete knock down (CKD) parts is imported at five per cent,’’ he said.

He said that NAC had

By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO

imported from other countries.

“From all indications, it is only the engine that is imported; apart from that, every other thing is manufactured in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, The Chief Executive Officer of Innoson, solicited government’s support through the formulation of enabling policies and creating a favourable investment climate.

“Mr. President, with adequate encouragement, we can go beyond our present level of operation; and when we operate fully, the auto plant alone can employ as many as 3,200 workers.

“Most of the raw materials were raised in Nigeria and all the car parts are made in Nigeria, except the imported engine blocks,’’ he said.

Mr. Aminu Jalal, Director-General, National Automotive Council (NAC), Abuja, appraised Nigeria’s automotive sector, saying that Innoson produced 1,600 units of vehicles in 2012, and called for more patronage for the company.

He said that the plant produced different models of vehicles, amounting to about 300 to 400 units per model.

He regretted that Nigeria spends about N600 billion annually on vehicle importations, adding that about 50,000 new and 150,000 used vehicles were imported into the

“He regretted that Nigeria spends about N600 billion annually on vehicle importations, adding that about 50,000 new and 150,000 used vehicles were imported into the country yearly.”

disbursed seven billion naira in loans to vehicle manufacturers in the country under its auto development scheme.

He said that only five of the 10 companies that applied for the loans had accessed it, noting that PAN got three billion naira; IVM got one billion naira, while Dunlop (Nigeria) Ltd. received

N1.2 billion.

Jalal said that the remaining amount was allocated to microfinance banks for disbursement to other small and medium-scale industrialists.

He also said that the NAC had concluded arrangements to establish automotive test centres in the country where trained mechanics would effectively handle modern vehicles to ensure their durability.

He said that the project would boost the development of local content in the automotive sector.

“It will also not only ensure good operation and maintenance of Nigerian vehicles; it will also help to obtain capacity to conduct approval tests in vehicles.’’

Jalal said that the project would be done in two phases, adding that

the feasibility and consultancy aspects had been concluded.

He stated that necessary and appropriate approvals from government agencies had been obtained, adding that laboratories would be established in some parts of the country to fully realise the objectives of the project.

He said that the laboratories include a component testing laboratory, automotive material laboratory, emission testing laboratory, and a vehicle evaluation laboratory.

According to him, the council had trained some highly skilled mechanics on mechatronics programmes to man the centres.

Mechatronics is a combined training in mechanics, hydraulics, electrical/electronic and computer applications in modern vehicle operations.

Mr. Kolapo Odetoro, NAC’s Director, Industrial and Infrastructural Development, said that the council was collaborating with a Japanese firm to establish an autorecycling company for non-serviceable vehicles in Abuja.

“We have reached an advanced stage of negotiations for the establishment of an autorecycling company.

“The company which will be sited in Abuja is to serve as a model centre, and will be replicated in other parts of the country,’’ he said.

Analysts say more should be done to encourage indigenous auto companies to enable Nigeria join the league of developing countries known as vehicle manufacturing nations.

They include Thailand, South Korea, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh.

Leadership Good Leaders And Their Qualities QUALITIES of good leaders are anchored in the minds of the people and some of the attributes are that such leaders should be responsive, committed with unquenchable passion for the welfare of the citizens.

Great leaders are always at their best when there is crises.

Whatever is inside them comes to the surface at that point in time.

In 1994, Nelson Mandela became the president of South Africa following that country’s first full elections at the end of its apartheid government.

For him, loosing was unacceptable and quitting was unthinkable. The road that found victory was paved with 27 years of Mandela’s life in prison.

Along the line, he did whatever it took him to bail out his people from the apartheid government without looking backwards. He joined the African National Congress, which was outlawed by the apartheid government protests. He went underground and traveled out to solicit for

By PIUS EDE

support.

When he felt that the time was right, he negotiated changes in government with F.W. de Klak. Yet, Mandela described himself as “an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstance” but world leaders saw him as an extraordinary leader because of the strength of his character and his dedication to victory for his people.

I have had cause to tell a friend recently that it is not easy to fight from a distance and win.

When you believe in a cause, you must remain where you are and fight if you are truly a leader who has the interest of his people at heart.

Today in Nigeria, the ‘drama’ is that those we considered to be bigwigs politically are somersaulting from one party to another, apparently because they are unable to satisfy themselves where they are or not sufficiently empowered.

When Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole came to Edo State politics, he

Gov Adams Oshiomhole on a campaign ground.

watched and joined the Action Congress, now APC at a time the party had no structure of any kind, not even a single counselor.

I can still remember very vividly his answer to a question in one of the popular Hotel on Third East Circular Road, Benin City, when he was told Edo people have been hearing people talking tough like

mad man knows when it is unsafe to cross a railway line”. Of course, it was unthinkable for any other party to face the People’s Democratic Party ‘PDP’ with so much money to share.

The slogan then was and is still “share the money”.

Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole whose total commitment for the welfare of Nigerian workers is

stand.

Like King David of ancient Israel, he took it upon himself to face a large professional warrior-Goliath. A lonely shepherd boy, he stood face to face with Goliath, using a sling, he

floored him.

I think we should identify with stories like this because we need people with the right spirit, courage and perseverance and not political prostitutes.

Gov Adams Oshiomhole

Late Nelson Mandela

him. The reporter citied Senator Roland Owie and Lucky Imasuen and the Comrade simply remarked that “even a

“I have had cause to tell a friend recently that it is not easy to fight from a distance and win. When you believe in a cause, you must remain where you are and fight if you are truly a leader who has the interest of his people at heart.”

unquestionable, he finished his battle at the NLC level, came down to the ancient city of Benin and declared his

hurled a rock at Goliath and knocked him down.

Then he cut Goliath’s head off with the warrior’s own sword.

Though I don’t intend to delve so much on his court case, it is now history that the comrade opted for the most civilized way by going to court to claim his stolen mandate from a professor of law and he

Today, there are so many irrefutable facts on ground in the area of roads construction, schools, hospitals, transportation, employment etc.

There is no gain saying that the comrade governor and his team have succeeded in infusing a dose of sanity in the governance of Edo State.

“Today, there are so many irrefutable facts on ground in the area of roads construction, schools, hospitals, transportation, employment etc. There is no gain saying that the comrade governor and his team have succeeded in infusing a dose of sanity in the governance of Edo State.”

Religion

The Holy Spirit The Scripture says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.

Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” 2 Cot 5:17, THIS is the work of regeneration wrought by the Holy Spirit which enables the sanctified believer to walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit no more working after the flesh. The “old man” or old nature in you is removed for “a new nature” as you yield yourself entirely to the Holy Spirit. You have got to yield yourself entirely to the Holy spirit to experience this type of spiritual rebirth called regeneration or being born again. This total yielding of self to the Holy Ghost to do the work of regeneration and sanctification is very important otherwise the “old man” which is the flesh shall continue to rule over you: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts....And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” Eph. 4:22,24.

I have heard and seen many Christians filled with the Holy Spirit who tell you stories about their past lives full of lustful escapades but who today have been transformed very tremendously by the marvelous power of the Holy Spirit. So also at times during counselling I find some christians complain to me about “burning in the flesh” a more polite phrase for being lustful fleshly; I often ask the question - “Are you born again?” if the reply is “No”, I tell them to confess and repent and give their lives fully to Jesusinviting Him into their hearts (Rev. 3:20). But if the answer is in the affirmative that is, if “Yes 1 am born again”, then I tell such a person to yield himself more to the Holy Spirit to have an increase in him; “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind” Eph. 4:23 Some young christians over assume in their faith - thinking that they have already obtained the Holy Spirit and they operate in the fruit of the Holy Spirit - then they begin to expose themselves dangerously - They say ‘Once saved, saved for ever”. Oh no! satan can attempt to pull you down if you are not careful. Paul addressed the church in Philippai admonishing them with these words: “wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). It is important that as a born again believer you hold fast to your salvation by being careful with the kinds of things you do otherwise satan can become a spoiler in your life:

“Where fore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall” I Cor. 10:12.

Do you not know that some shining believers who hitherto walked in the things of the spirit and after the fruit of the spirit have fallen? Why did they fall? they over assumed and gave the devil a chance in their lives; and one way the devil can pull a child of God down is through sensual pleasures. Look at the admonitions of the scriptures about such “former enlightened ones”, for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” Heb. 6:4-6. So please better be warned and yield yourself more and more to the Holy Spirit else satan ensnares you, and of course Satan puts the situation of such an apostate or a backslider in a precarious situation: “for if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled there in and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning, for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them” 2 Pet. 2:20-21.

The Holy Spirit regenerates every true believer who accepts Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour; and inviting Jesus into his personal life. The Holy Ghost will come into your life if you invite him and he will dwell in you. Your-body becomes the temple of God. (Rev. 3:20, 1 Cor. 3:16,6:19).

Now the Holy Ghost would not wish to live inside an unclean body: because he is holy: So as you release yourself entirely to him he begins the work of internal cleansing of old habits; the old nature for a new one in Christ Jesus. Jesus told Nicodemus; “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn 3:3) Thats right!

Because the unregenerated “Old man” works after the flesh and those who work after the flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of God “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither, fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God 1 Cor 6:9-10.

So as you accept Jesus into your

life, his spirit begins to regenerate you as you yield to him to produce in you a sanctified believer; who then possesses the fruit of the spirit: “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

meekness, temperance” Gal. 5:22. The chapter concludes thus: “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” Gal. 5:24.

(Rom. 6:6). Yes, you have crucified the flesh by the work of, the regeneration done in you by the Holy Spirit: but if after this experience you see yourself occasionally “burning in the flesh” then do this: “Live in the

With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA spirit; also walk in the spirit” Gal. 5:25, And if after you are ‘a believer yet you see yourself perpetually “burning in the flesh” I don’t mean occasionally this time; you better do a self re-examination of your faith (2 Cor. 13:5) and humble yourself to take the appropriate steps to redeem your salvation; because I strongly hold the opinion that a sanctified believer possessing

the fruit of the Holy Spirit should not be a slave to his passion but a master to it, being able to subject his passions to self control like Paul (1 Cor. 9:27).

The Spirit Of Shechem JUST as the spirit of Absalom is the satanic spirit of rebellion against divinely constituted authority (for Absalom the third son of David tried to unseat his father the anointed King, so is the spirit of Diotrephes the satanic spirit of insurbodination against ecclesiastical hierarchy. (3 Jn. 9-10). The propensity for premarital relations and adulterous life culminating in cohabitation is equally referred to as the satanic spirit of Shechem.

Shechem was a prince, the son of Hamor the Hivite who was the king over the city of Shechem. (Gen. 33:18,34:2).

When Jacob settled there briefly, his daughter Dinah the child born to him by Leah went out to greet the women bf the land, Shechem noticed her; “And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, Prince of the country saw her, he took her and lay with her, and defiled her Gen. 34:2. And after committing the sin, what followed next?

“And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel” (Gen. 34:3). This is the sin; after committing fornication rather than see it as wrong; both became soul-tied in evil; satanic spirit had bound them together; neither saw anything wrong in what had happened - But when the brothers of Dinah heard, about it they felt bad - “And the sons of Jacob. .….when they heard it .... the men were grieved and they were wrath because he had brought folly in Israel in lying

with Jacob’s daughter; which thing ought not to be done” (Gen. 34:7). I have known some christian ladies getting themselves defiled even with unbelieving male partners and ‘thereafter they begin to negotiate marriage; they forget that light and darkness cannot come together. When Hamor the king and father of Shechem began to seek the hand of Dinah in marriage for his son, the sons of Jacob replied; “ the sons of Jacobs’ answered we cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised that were a reproach unto us” (Gen. 34:14) Don’t you consider it a reproach to see a believing partner courting an unbelieving partner and both defile themselves even before the consummation of matrimony?

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness... or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

(2 Cor. 6:14- 15). I do not encourage in no way courtship or marriage between a believer with an unbeliever because it will sooner or later manifest the gullible spirit of Shechem.

Shechem was very deceitful; for when he asked for the conditions for the dowry to be paid over Dinah before taking her as wife, the sons of Jacob demanded he and all the males of the city also be circumcised (Gen. 34:13-18). Shechem and the father came to the men of the city to win them over to get

circumcised as if it was going to be for the good of the people not letting them know the basis for the bargain where as it was specifically for the selfish interest of Shechem (Gen. 34:2024). All the men of the city agreed to be circumcised. “While all the men were recovering from the circumcision, the two Sons of Jacob struck and killed Shechem, his father and all the men of the city and took Dinah away (Gen. 34:25-26). This is usually the evil end of possessors of the spirit of Shechem: for even behold before the full marriage was yet to be approved; Dinah had packed to the house of Shechem to cohabit.

Evil has often be-fallen persons who have openly or discreetly involved themselves in the sin of Shechem. Reuben the first son of Jacob defiled the father ’s bed by committing adultery with Billah the father’s concubine (Gen. 35:22) what did he get in return? when Jacob was old and called his sons to be blessed; a curse rather than a blessing came unto Reuben because of the sin of adultery: “And Jacob called unto his sons..

Reuben thou art my first born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the Excellency of dignity, and the Excellency of power: unstable as water, thou shall not excel: because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed: then defilest thou it” Gen. 49:34. What an unfortunate day for Reuben he lost his blessing because of adultery. Amnon the first born of David died two years after for the sin of incest he committed against the half

sister Tamar (2 Sam 13:32) Shechem died out of his folly for defiling Dinah (Gen. 34:2526). The unnamed “Christian” in the church in Corinth who committed abomination in the flesh Paul had queried and commanded: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.... deliver such an one unto satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1Cor. 5:1,5) David, the great King of Israel suffered a lot of family problems because of his sin of adultery with Bath-sheba for Nathan the prophet had spoken to him these words: “Thus saith the Lord, Behold I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house (2 Sam. 12:11) Samson was disgraced because of his amorous life with women - for the enemies made sport of him with his eyes plucked off (Judges 1625) Eli’s sons who were priests were described as “sons of Belial” who knew not the Lord (1 Sam. 2:12). They desecrated the priestly office and the lords sacrifice and “they with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation” (1 Sam.2:22); the men abhorred the offering of the Lord (1 Sam. 2:17) Hophni and Phinehas the two Sons died both of them in one day, for the evil they did(1 Sam. 2:34, 4:11).

But where his passion enslaves him and puts him in perpetual enslavement, he should better be careful to reexamine himself because satan the thief is close at hand. (Jn 10.

10:10).

International Zuma In Bid To Rescue Lesotho Peace Deal

British Ebola Victim Plans To Return To Sierra Leone

LONDON - The British volunteer nurse who survived Ebola said yesterday that he plans to return to West Africa to help fight the outbreak, urging world leaders to step up efforts to tackle the deadly virus.

William Pooley made a full recovery after he was flown back from Sierra Leone on a specially equipped British military plane on August 24.

The 29-year-old, treated with experimental drug ZMapp, spent 10 days at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

Pooley thanked the British government for his treatment but urged world leaders to do more to tackle the outbreak of Ebola, which has killed more than 2,000 people.

“It’s a global problem and it needs global level leadership so (Barack) Obama and [David] Cameron... need to show some more leadership on this issue,” Pooley said in an interview with The Guardian.

Pooley — who became the first Briton to contract Ebola while treating patients in Sierra Leone — admitted he would happily return to help tackle the outbreak.

“Sierra Leone needs lots of international healthcare workers working with big NGOs like MSF and Red Cross. All of that needs to be increased,” he told the broadsheet.

“So while I’m happy to be recovered and alive, there’s a lot of stuff on my mind with what’s going on back there. It would be relatively safe for me to go back and work there, and it’s really the least I could do having received all this amazing care and have people look after me and potentially save my life.

CHANGE OF

NAME

IRUOLAJE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iruolaje Afishetu Omoaregba now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iziren Afishetu Happy. All former documents remain valid.

Local Government Service Commission, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF

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SEIDU – I, formerly Miss Tawakalitu Omoze Seidu now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Tawakalitu Omoze Garuba. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

Former French Finance Minister and France’s representative on the next European Commission , Pierre Moscovici briefs Greek and foreign journalists at the French embassy in Athens.

MASERU - Rival Lesotho leaders vowed to resolve an 11day crisis that has spurred calls for regional military intervention in the tiny African nation, after South Africa brokered talks.

The sparring factions agreed to hold further negotiations and present a concrete date for reopening Lesotho’s parliament to South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma tomorrow.

“We had very frank and good kind of discussions,” said Zuma Tuesday after the three-hour meeting, aimed at keeping a week-old peace deal alive.

“We’re just about to get there,” said Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, who suspended parliament in June and has struggled to preserve his coalition government — a rarity in African politics.

Ebola Threatening Liberia’s Existence, Minister Warns MONROVIA - Ebola is threatening the very existence of Liberia as the killer virus spreads like “wild fire”, the defence minister warned, following a grim World Health Organization assessment that the worst is yet to come.

After predicting an “exponential increase” in infections across West Africa, the WHO warned that Liberia, which has accounted for half of all fatalities, could initially only hope to slow the contagion, not stop it.

“Liberia is facing a serious threat to its national existence,” Defense Minister Brownie Samukai told a meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

The disease is “now spreading like wild fire, devouring everything in its path,” he said.

The WHO upped the Ebola death toll on Tuesday to 2,296 out of 4,293 cases in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria as of September 6.

Nearly half of all infections had occurred in the past 21 days, it said.

The agency also evacuated its second infected medical expert, a doctor who had been working at an Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone.

Emory University Hospital in the United States admitted an American on Tuesday who had contracted the disease in west Africa, but declined to confirm whether the patient was the WHO employee.

The hospital has successfully treated two other infected US nationals.

Ebola, transmitted through

bodily fluids, leads to haemorrhagic fever and — in over half of cases — death.

There is no specific treatment regime and no licensed vaccine.

The latest WHO figures underscore Ebola’s asymmetric spread, as it rips through densely populated communities with decrepit health facilities and poor public awareness

campaigns.

Speaking on Tuesday, WHO’s epidemiology chief Sylvie Briand said the goal in Senegal and Nigeria was now “to stop transmission completely”.

Senegal has announced only one infection, while Nigeria has recorded 19 infections and eight deaths.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is battling a separate outbreak which has killed 32 in a remote northwestern region.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (right) talks with Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk during a government meeting in Kiev.

World Awaits Pistorius Verdict JOHANNESBURG — Guilty or not guilty? The verdict in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial will not be delivered so simply.

Judge Thokozile Masipa will first recount and analyze the evidence given by each of the nearly 40 witnesses in the criminal case that captured considerable international attention. The verdict on whether Pistorius intentionally killed girlfriend

Reeva Steenkamp is expected to take hours, maybe days.

And if there are any convictions on the four charges Pistorius faces — murder and three unrelated firearm charges- sentences will only be decided later at a separate hearing.

Because South Africa has no trial by jury, Judge Masipa must show why she and her two legal assessors reached

their decision on each count.

The process will likely take most of today’s court session and might run into tomorrow.

The judge will give a summary of the testimony of all 37 witnesses. Masipa will then give her assessment of each witness — including Pistorius — and what was accepted or rejected from their testimony. Then, she will give a summary of her own

findings based on how she interpreted the evidence and how it ties in with the law.

Finally, she will pronounce Pistorius guilty or not guilty on the charges: Murder, two charges of unlawfully shooting a gun in public in unrelated incidents and one count of illegal possession of ammunition.

Pistorius will likely be asked to stand while the judgment is read out.

But the parties remained silent on how to tackle the “renegade” Lesotho military commander Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, who is accused of triggering the crisis on August 30, one day after he was fired

by Thabane.

Kamoli allegedly attempted an early morning coup, including the botched abduction of Thabane and an assault on several police stations. Thabane fled to South Africa in the aftermath.

The general has refused to step down and last week led a circle of army loyalists in looting an armoury. Reports suggest he has hunkered down in military barracks outside the capital.

Zuma has refused Thabane’s request to deploy troops from the 15-member Southern African Development Community.

“President Zuma is here to remind everyone of their political commitments from last week,” South African government spokesman Clayson Monyela. “Let’s give diplomacy a chance.”

Any thought of military action comes with the baggage of 1998, when SADC troops led

by South Africa marched into downtown Maseru, Lesotho’s capital, ostensibly to tame postelection violence.

That led to more than 60 deaths and vast property destruction.

Thesele Maseribane, a junior leader in Lesotho’s coalition government, said he was cautiously optimistic after Tuesday’s meeting.

“I can now see a light, that this can be done without bloodshed,” he said. “Kamoli must calm down, come to his senses – and we’ll listen to him too.”

A statement from the party of former prime minister Pakalitha Mosisili, a Kamoli ally, ratcheted up tension, warning of “atrocities and bloodbath” should the general be arrested.

“General Kamoli is quite literally and without exaggeration, the last thread by which Lesotho’s democracy is hanging,” read the statement.

“Mark our words.”

Even if the talks lead to a concrete date for re-opening parliament, Kamoli remains a wild card.

“We can’t talk about moving forward politically when we have this prevailing security situation,” Home Minister Joang Molapo told AFP. “We hope (Zuma) will help us return our military command to civilian control. Until then, we can’t take the option of military intervention off the table.”

International Israeli Troops Kill Palestinian In West Bank Raid

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid on a West Bank refugee camp, Palestinian medics and the Israeli military said.

The soldiers, seeking to detain a Hamas militant, were

confronted by around 50 Palestinians who hurled stones, petrol bombs and burning tires at them, an Israeli military spokeswoman said.

Israel and Hamas, the

Islamist militant group which dominates Gaza, fought a seven-week war in July and August.

The medics named the dead

man as 22-year-old Issa al Qitri, and said he had been shot in the heart in al-Amari camp near the city of

Ramallah.

The Israeli military spokeswoman said he was shot while trying to throw an explosive device at the soldiers.

Palestinians want the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem for a future state.

Peace talks with Israel, which captured those territories in the 1967 Middle East war, broke down in April.

(Reporting by Ali Sawafta; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and John Stonestreet)

DAMASCUS - Syrian Islamist insurgent group Ahrar al-Sham has appointed a new leader and military chief after their predecessors were killed in a blast on Tuesday, a video statement from the group said.

The explosion in northwestern Syria killed at least 12 including Ahrar alSham’s leader Hassan Aboud, according to the hardline group, part of the Islamic Front alliance that has been fighting Islamic State militants as well as the Syrian army.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group that monitors the conflict, said an explosion killed 28 of Ahrar al-

Sham’s commanders, dealing a major blow to the group that is believed to have received funds from Gulf states.

In a video statement, Ahrar alSham said its council had appointed Hashem al-Sheikh, also known as “Abu Jaber”, as leader and Abu Saleh Tahan as military chief. It pledged to keep fighting against Syrian government forces and Islamic State.

The loss of senior leadership came at a significant time for Ahrar al-Sham, said Charles Lister, visiting fellow at the Brookings Doha Center.

“This potentially crippling blow comes during a period in which Ahrar al-Sham’s senior officials have begun adopting more moderate stances in Syria, including considering joining larger moderate coalitions,” he wrote in an analysis.

Some 50 of the group’s leaders had been gathered at a house when the blast went off inside the meeting, according to the Observatory. There has been no claim of responsibility for the blast, which took place in Syria’s Idlib province.

Some observers have described Tuesday’s incident as a gas attack. Abu Baraa, a rebel figure from a group allied with Ahrar al-Sham, said a doctor who examined the bodies said there was little visible sign of external injuries.

The doctor saw bodies with frothing at the mouth and fluid coming from the eyes and noses, Abu Baraa said, adding the group had been meeting in a heavily fortified underground bunker.

“This was a highly sophisticated attack in a location that was very secure,” he said. Photos posted on social media claiming to show the victims of the attack displayed bodies that did not appear to have significant external injuries.

Other reports suggested that the victims had died from smoke inhalation. It was not possible to independently verify any of the reports or pictures or the cause of the deaths.

Some supporters of rival group Islamic State celebrated Aboud’s death on social media, saying that Syria had been “cleansed” of his presence.

Islamist Group Names New Leader

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry waits in a helicopter in Baghdad yesterday. Kerry arrived in Baghdad as he began a tour of the Middle East to build military, political and financial support to defeat Islamic State militants controlling parts of Iraq and Syria.

“Iraq Needs More Than New Government To Address Woes” BAGHDAD- Iraq’s new cabinet lineup is not a major change and much more is needed to address grievances that contributed to the rise of brutal jihadists who seized swathes of the country, experts has said.

Having the support of Iraq’s various religious and ethnic communities, especially members of its alienated Sunni Arab minority, is essential to the government’s fight to regain ground lost to a sweeping offensive led by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group.

But while Iraq has faced heavy international pressure, including from the United States and United Nations, to do this through forming a broaderbased government, other factors are ultimately more important, experts say.

MPs voted Monday to approve 26 cabinet-level nominees, ushering in Haidar alAbadi’s term as premier.

But while US Secretary of State John Kerry praised the “new and inclusive” government as a “major milestone,” the key interior and defence portfolios remain unfilled and the cabinet has not undergone major changes.

The proportion of posts given to members of the Shiite majority and the Sunni Arab and Kurdish minorities is largely the same as the previous government, and almost a third of the new ministers and deputy premiers held such posts before.

Iraq’s new Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi speaks to Iraqi lawmakers before submitting his govern …

“In terms of the sectarian division of the government, it’s actually, if you’re going to take it strictly by numbers, less inclusive,” said Fanar Haddad, a research fellow at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore.

And Kirk Sowell, the publisher of the Inside Iraqi Politics newsletter, said the new cabinet “is not a radical change”.

Both Sowell and Haddad said the focus on government composition is in any case misplaced.

“The last government was inclusive — this is meaningless,” said Sowell. “It’s really a matter of policy.”

Iraqi minister of transportation, Hadi al-Ameri, looks on after inspecting volunteer fighters who jo …

Despite being broad-based, the previous government headed

by Nuri al-Maliki alienated Sunnis and was also frequently at odds with the country’s autonomous Kurdish region.

“Inclusivity seems to be measured by the number of positions doled out to Sunnis and Shiites and Kurds, which of course doesn’t mean anything,” said Haddad “What really matters is the power that comes with that

position,” he said. “That, we’re not going to know for a while, until the government actually starts operating.”

How the government deals with the provinces where fighting is taking place, the Shiite militias that are bolstering security forces, and the Kurdish region will all be key, he said.

Abadi asked for a week to fill posts including the interior and defence ministries, and who obtains them will likely play a key role in relations between the

government and Sunni Arabs.

Former transport minister Hadi al-Ameri, who commands the powerful Shiite Badr militia, has been angling for one of the two posts.

If he “becomes interior minister, that basically puts an end to any kind of security power-sharing with Sunni Arabs,” Sowell said.

“It’s horrendous... he’s a militia leader and an Iranian proxy.”

Haddad agreed, saying:

“Whatever benefits accrued from forming a new government, appointing Hadi al-Ameri as head of defence or interior, I think, would be a big blow to any hope of trying to bring a... critical mass of Sunnis back on board.”

And it will be difficult if not impossible for security forces to push back the militants without the support of the local populations in the predominantly-Sunni areas they hold — something at least partially contingent on their politicians’ relationship with the government.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) listens to new Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi after a meeting in Baghdad.

International

Seek Political Solution To Syria Crisis, ABU DHABI- U.N. Ban Urges Assad Secretary-General Ban Kimoon has urged President Bashar al-Assad to seek a political solution to Syria’s war, saying this would help international efforts against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, al-Hayat newspaper reported yesterday.

In an interview with the pan-Arab daily, Ban said years of war between Assad’s forces and armed rebel groups had allowed militants such as Islamic State to take root in the region.

Asked whether Assad would have any role to play in an international coalition

• US President Barack Obama

Obama Outlines Mission To Fight Islamic Militants WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to outline in an address to Americans an expanded military and political effort to combat Islamic militants in Syria and Iraq, and urge Congress to quickly give him authority to arm Syrian opposition forces.

But administration officials said Obama will press forward with other elements of his plan without formal authorization from lawmakers. That could include wide-ranging airstrikes in Iraq and possibly in Syria. Other elements of Obama’s plan, which he was to lay out in a prime-time TV speech yesterday, included increased support for Iraqi security forces, as well as military and diplomatic commitments from partners in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere.

After an hour-long discussion with congressional leaders Tuesday, the White House said Obama told lawmakers that he “has the authority he needs to take action” against the Islamic State militants.

The White House added that the president still would welcome action from Congress that would “aid the overall effort and demonstrate to the world that the United States is united in defeating the threat.”

For Obama, a sustained U.S. intervention in the Middle East is at odds with

the vision he had for the region when he ran for president on a pledge to end the war in Iraq, where the role of American fighting forces drew to a close nearly three years ago. The timing of his announcement yesterday night was all the more striking, scheduled just hours before a n n i v e r s a r y commemorations of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Among the president’s most urgent priorities will be seeking authorization from Congress to arm more moderate elements of the opposition fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad. The president asked lawmakers earlier this year for a $500 million train-and-equip program, but the plan stalled in Congress.

The U.S. already has been running a smaller CIA program to train the rebels, but Obama is seeking approval for a more overt military effort that could involve staging training locations in countries near Syria.

With Obama ruling out sending U.S. ground troops into combat in Iraq or Syria, bolstering the capacity of the Iraqi security forces and Syrian opposition will be crucial to efforts to root out the Islamic State militant group, which has moved freely across the blurred border between the two

countries. U.S. airstrikes could help give the forces in both countries the space to make gains against the extremists.

Administration officials said Obama also sees a congressional authorization for a Syrian train-and-equip message as sending a strong signal to allies who are considering similar efforts.

Secretary of State John Kerry was traveling to the region for discussions in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The U.S. is already launching airstrikes against Islamic State targets inside Iraq, a mission undertaken at the invitation of the Iraqi government and without formal authorization from Congress. But the scope of the mission has been

relatively limited to strikes that help protect American interests in the region and prevent humanitarian crises.

U.S. officials said Obama was expected to loosen those limitations and open a broader counterterrorism campaign against the militants in Iraq. And following the group’s shocking beheading of two American journalists in Syria, Obama began more seriously considering extending strikes into Syria.

People who have spoken with Obama in recent days said it appeared likely he would take that step. At a private dinner Monday with foreign policy experts, Obama emphasized the importance of viewing the Islamic State as one organization, not two groups separated by a border.

being assembled to fight Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, the U.N. chief said Assad could contribute by working politically towards an end to the war in his country.

“He (Assad) can play a role through ending the crisis as soon as possible and engaging in political dialogue,” the Londonbased, Saudi-owned newspaper quoted him as saying.

Islamic State, a militarilypowerful al Qaeda offshoot that wants to create a jihadist hub in the heart of the Arab world, has made rapid territorial gains in both Iraq and Syria in recent months that have alarmed regional and Western powers.

In July, when Assad was sworn in for a new term as president, he vowed to recover all Syria from Islamist insurgents and dismissed the Syrian opposition abroad as traitors. But he also said he would be willing to work with the country’s internal opposition, without giving details.

The United States has carried out weeks of air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq, but the outlook for U.S. air raids in Syria is much less clear.

While Iraq’s government welcomed the role of U.S. warplanes to attack the militants, Assad has warned that any strikes conducted without his country’s permission would be

Syria President, Bashar al-Assad heads a meeting of his new cabinet in Damascus recently.

considered an act of aggression, potentially plunging any U.S.-led coalition into a broader conflict with Syria.

Asked whether any armed outside intervention in Syria would need the blessing of Assad’s government, Ban said: “I know that some leading countries are trying to discuss the matter, and the position of the U.N. will be declared at the suitable time.

“But it is important that the international community is united and shows strong support for any action that has to be taken to root out this terrorism.”

Assad’s military has stepped up air strikes over the last three months against the group, which controls about a third of Syria’s territory, much of it desert in the north and east.

International and regional powers have backed opposing sides in the civil war, with Russia and Iran supporting Assad and Western powers and Gulf Arab states largely backing the rebels.

Asked whether the formation of a multinational coalition to fight Islamic State would involve Russia, Ban said this was “up to Russia to decide”.

Ban also said a U.N. Security Council decision to support military action against Islamic State would be “an excellent and an appropriate way” to deal with the group but that its brutal killings were why, “some countries took some military action,” in a reference to U.S. air strikes in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia is to host talks with the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and fellow Gulf Arab states today in Jeddah in an apparent attempt to support international efforts to tackle crises in Iraq and Syria.

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected yesterday to outline a plan to deal with Islamic State.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Baghdad as he began a tour of the Middle East to build military, political and financial support to defeat the militants.

Creation Gives Man Everything He Needs “TRUE progress for each person lies solely in the development of its own culture adopted to the soil, the climate and the race.

Man must become indigenous in the purest sense, if he wishes to develop and expect help from the light. He should beware of adopting the habits and customs of people alien to his nature, not to mention foreign opinions. To be rooted in one’s native soil is a basic condition and alone guarantees health, strength and maturity.

In the advancement of its own culture alone lies true progress for each of the people. There must naturally be ascent in everything and no standstill. But this upward progress must always take place upon and out of its own soil, not through adopting foreign things, otherwise, it is never progress.

The word itself in its true sense rejects any imitation.

A person can only progress through the upward development of what it already possesses and not by the adoption of something it has borrowed. Taking something over is not progress, for progress shows itself in the improvement of what already exists.

This alone should cause some reflection. Nor is that which is borrowed or taken over really one’s property, even if one wishes to make it so.

It is not something personally achieved, not a result of the people’s own spirit, of which alone it could and must be proud of.

A great task rests therein for everyone overseas. To let each person there become great within itself, entirely out of itself, through its own abilities which vary so greatly among the many people of his earth. All must come to full blossom according to the nature of the soil upon which they have developed.

They must remain adapted to this soil in order to unfold that beauty which swings harmoniously upon earth with the others. It is just

through the difference in kind that right harmony comes into existence and not through uniformity among all the people. If this had been willed Abd-ru-shin-the author of “In the light of Truth” says then there would have been only one country and one person. This, however, would soon bring about a standstill and ultimately decay and death, because, the refreshing influence of the complementary would be missing.

Man cannot strive against those things to which he like every other creature is subject in as much as he will never achieve anything unless, he takes into account the living laws which are woven into this creation.

Wherever he acts against and disregards them he is bound to suffer shipwreck sooner or later. The later it happens, the more violently it will occur.

Abd-ru-shin says that the earthy body of each human being is in every respect closely linked with that soil upon which he was born.

This is in accordance with the law of creation governing all matter. He has to take this into account at all times. He thinks himself free in this matter, but he is not. He is just as closely connected with it as is the body of an animal. Both physical species are formed by the animistic. In the case of animal, man has closely observed everything and knows about it, too. But he does not wish to place his own body under the homogeneous laws. That is wrong.

The earthy body is connected with that part of the earth, where it was born.

It is also, closely connected

with all the stars of this particular region and with all the radiations that belong thereto. Quite extensively, for more than you can imagine, only that part of this earth gives the body exactly what it needs to blossom forth properly and remain vigorous. The earth also, provides this in its

different zones always at the proper times and in the manner in which the gross material bodies that have been born into Herbs and fruit, therefore, are advantageous and upbuilding for the human body at that time when the earth produces them.

Abd-ru-shin says at those times, the body needs just such nourishment as it provided by that zone in which it came into existence and with which it remains continuously connected.

Strawberries at the time of

Man And Nature With O.C. MADU 08056379608

the strawberry harvest, apples at the time of the apple harvest and so on.

The same applies to all fruits and herbs. Herbal treatments are therefore, beneficial at the time when the herbs are in their full vigour, also, for healthy bodies.

The animistic itself offers

zone in which the place of birth is located. If it is also, to remain healthy in a foreign zone, if it is to retain its full vigour for its activity on earth, then it is necessary that the basis for the feeding of the body must be that provided by the zone where

the physical body a continuous change of foods just as it really needs them, even as the sun, rain and wind remain best for a healthy activity of the skin.

Creation gives man everything he needs for his earthly body and also, gives it in the proper sequence and at the right time . with all his special arts man can never achieve that which creation grants him of its own accord.

Just observe this. On this earth, the earthly body is closely connected with that

it was born. With care, he will then be able to create a bridge which for a time makes it possible to unfold his full powers, but never permanently.

Now and then, he must return in order to obtain new vitality. But in spite of everything, he will also, shorten his life on earth. It is not arbitrary or accidental that earthmen are of different form and colour.

The primordial haws of creation place them in the exact region which alone serves for their maturing an

“Man cannot strive against those things to which he like every other creature is subject in as much as he will never achieve anything unless, he takes into account the living laws which are woven into this creation.”

earth and also, equip them accordingly. The animistic fashions your earthy bodies and at the same time the nourishment for their maintenance. But the effects are only uniform in a particular zone in a particular part of the earth.

You men are no different in these matters from the plants and the animals, for you, too, are a fruit of creation, nothing but creatures who are and remain closely connected with the zone and the radiations of that part of the earth where you came into being.

Therefore, observe and learn from every activity in creation. It is your duty to obey the primordial laws of creation if you wish to achieve that which will benefit you and help in your ascent.

Abd-ru-shin opines that the knowledge of God was always first gives to those people who stood in the knowledge of the activity of the elemental beings and never otherwise. For the possibility to comprehended is never provided before this is achieve. In these matters the entire human race was carefully led by the light.

A man who in purity stands and lives only in the knowledge of the Animistic Realm is to be valued more highly in creation than one who merely stands in an acquired Christian faith and smiles about that which is animistic, considering it fairy tales or myths, the latter it thus, ignorant about it and thereby, never obtains a true support, while the former still possesses the full possibilities for ascent in a strong, undimmed longing for it, which has not been undermined.

Look about you, everything is being shown to you. You are bound to recognize it quickly, if you stand alive in this creation.

Therefore, observe and learn from every activity in creation. It is your duty to obey the Primordial laws of creation if you wish to achieve that which will benefit you and help in your ascent.

QPR Receive Football League Ban Threat QPR are set to announce huge losses from their time spent playing in the Championship last season and could receive a sanction of £40million for breaking UEFA’s FFP regulations.

Chairman Tony Fernandes stated that the London club intend to fight any punishment received, but Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey insists the rules still apply to QPR despite their promotion back to the top flight.

Harvey has now said he would expect any fine to be paid and that refusal to let QPR play in the Football League would be considered as a last resort as a

compromise should be reached before that point.

“Theoretically, that is the position but I would hope there would be resolution long before that option even had to be considered,” he said at the Soccerex conference in Manchester on Tuesday.

“The one thing for certain is that most clubs [in the Premier League] will become a Football League club again.

“Now QPR will of course be hoping it does not happen for some considerable number of seasons but the chances are they will need to return to the Football League fold at some point.

“Certainly, three of the 20 clubs that are in the Premier League will be in the Football League next season.”

Falcao, Blind And Rojo Set For United Debuts At QPR

THREE of Manchester United’s major transfer window signings are set to make their debuts as the team seek a first competitive win under Louis Van Gaal.

Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, a deadline day loan recruit from Monaco, Netherlands defender Daley Blind, signed from Ajax, and Argentina defender Marcos Rojo, brought in from Sporting Lisbon, are all expected to play against QPR on Sunday.

With Ander Herrera,

signed from Athletic Bilbao, also returning after three weeks out with an ankle injury, United are hoping to kick-start their season after picking up two points from three league games and suffering a humiliating 4-0 League Cup exit at third-tier MK Dons.

Club director Sir Bobby

Malouda Dismisses Birmingham Talk

FORMER Chelsea ace Florent Malouda has distanced himself from a link to Birmingham.

The winger is a free agent after leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor last week and Blues boss Lee Clark was said to be interested.

But Malouda has moved to quash any rumours he was in talks about a move to St Andrew’s.

He tweeted: “Just saw another story linking me with a Championship club. I don’t know any Lee Clark. Must be ice bucket challenge collateral damage...”

Malouda spent six years at Chelsea, winning the Barclays Premier League in 2010 and Champions League in 2012.

His final season at Stamford Bridge saw him frozen out after he asked to leave and he trained with the Under-21 squad.

Clark is looking to add flair to his side, though, and saw an ambitious loan move for Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa rejected by the player.

• Malouda

Charlton summed up the sense of anticipation at Old Trafford on Tuesday. “It’s going to be a great adventure of how we pull ourselves back around,” he told the club website.

Dutch international striker Robin van Persie added: “I can’t wait to train and play with the world-class players we signed...That feeling, that we are going to perform well, has only got stronger after the buying of players over the last weeks — I find it very exciting.”

The United side is expected also to include Argentina winger Angel Di Maria, a £59.7m British transfer record signing from Real Madrid and England left back Luke Shaw, signed from Southampton.

The impending unveiling of United’s reshaped team for QPR’s visit eased fears on Tuesday about the fitness of defender Phil

Jones, who limped out of England’s 2-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory in Switzerland after 77 minutes on Monday evening.

Jones was due to be examined by the medical staff in Manchester on Tuesday. If ruled out, he is likely to be replaced by Rojo, in the three-man defence used in manager Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system.

The arrival of Falcao roused most excitement.

Spanish midfielder Juan Mata said the goalscoring South American is “not just a player, but a fantastic striker whose ability to score is extraordinary.

“I am sure he will give a lot to our group, as a person and with his goals.”

United are 14th in the Premier League with two points and without a win while QPR are 12th with one win and three points.

… Phil Jones Injured On International Duty • Radamel Falcao

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott Returning From Injury

ARSENAL winger Theo Walcott has revealed it will be “only a matter of weeks” before he is makes his return from a knee ligament injury that has sidelined him since last January.

Some reports had suggested Walcott was targeting this weekend’s Premier League clash against Manchester City to make a comeback, but those rumours were dismissed by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger two weeks ago and the 25-year-old England winger admits he is still some way off a first team return.

“We’re not setting specific comeback matches, but I’m just pleased it’s hopefully now only a matter of weeks before I’ll be back playing,” Walcott told the Arsenal website.

“There may be one or two under-21s matches I’ll be involved in first. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and playing again.

Theo Walcott celebrates after doubling Arsenal’s lead against Cardiff.The return of Theo Walcott in upcoming weeks, combined with the additions of

Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal, should add up to a potent attack.

“Life’s very good actually. I know it’s a bit different to say that, and of course injuries always get people down, but the way I look at it, is you can’t change the fact that you’re injured.”

Walcott said he’s poured his energy into rehab and is concentrating on the future, adding that the downtime had a silver lining in that he was able to spend more time with his family.

“The time has seemed to fly by and there have been other things going on in my life, like a new baby boy, which makes time go quickly. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.

“I knew how long the rehab would be, it was always going to be around nine months, but I approached it that I had to enjoy it, and that’s what I have done.

It’s given me the opportunity to work on my legs and build up the muscle strength. If anything, I hope to come back stronger

and quicker.”

Walcott is relishing the chance to link up with summer signings Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck, in what he is predicting will be a dynamic forward line.

“I hope we’ll have the fastest forward line in the Premier League,” he went on to tell the Daily Mirror.

“What we can do is build on from the FA Cup and attract these great players to the club.

It will hopefully put Arsenal where we should be: winning trophies.

“These players are very, very fast. They will fit the bill perfectly. Alexis has settled in very quickly and Danny is a good guy. I have worked with him with England. Danny is a hard worker. He always puts his heart on the line.

“When you see the amount of money that has been spent. It’s a massive buzz around the club.

It has been well documented over the years that we haven’t spent as much, but Arsenal are doing it the right way and spending it wisely.”

PHIL Jones looks like he might be out of the game against Queens Park Rangers and possibly longer as he was withdrawn over what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Good news and bad news today, fellow Reds. First the good news, which concerns team news ahead of the QPR game: Ander Herrera, and all of our summer signings, are fit and ready for action.

Now, the bad news: Phil Jones is not, because he was crocked while playing for England, as he is accustomed to do. Which means our

• Jones and Rooney

available centre-back options are likely to consist of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, and probably not a whole lot else. There’s Tyler Blackett, but it seems a bit much to be relying on him at this stage.

Of course, the theory doing the rounds is that Louis van Gaal might be about to swap to a 4-3-3 anyway, which would allow us to only play two of the players who are in the position in which we are weakest. Which seems like a good idea to us.

Still, we signed Falcao, so who cares?

Zaza Wants Dream To Continue

Torres Desperate To Impress, Says Albertazzi TORRES signed a two-year loan deal at Milan last month as he attempts to rectify a career that stalled at Chelsea.

The 30-year-old striker is set to make his debut against Parma on Sunday and Albertazzi said he is determined to impress.

“I see Torres is already fired up,” Albertazzi told Milan Channel.

“You can tell he moves with grit and hunger on the training pitch.

“We are working hard ahead of the game with Parma, following coach Inzaghi and his staff’s indications.

“Parma are a very good side who will be even more eager to prove a point after starting the season with a defeat against Cesena.

“So we must match them in terms of determination.”

Milan started the Serie A season with a 3-1 home win over Lazio last month.

Miroslav Klose

THE 23-year-old made his first appearance as Italy beat Netherlands 2-0 in Antonio Conte’s first game as coach last week, before scoring the opener in his country’s Euro 2016 qualifying opener - a 2-0 win in Norway.

And, after settling quickly into life as part of the national team, Zaza has no intention of relinquishing his place.

“It [the Norway match] was certainly a different game,” he told Rai Sport.

“Perhaps the Dutch were

stronger in terms of quality, but Norway were very determined and we struggled for a while, but eventually achieved our targets.

“I am living a dream week. Now my objective is to stay in this squad and continue to do well.

“Conte’s approach is very tiring, but if you want to do well and play as a team, then you have to run. That’s how it should be.”

Zaza will be back on Serie A duty this weekend as Sassuolo take on Inter.

Mario Balotelli Must Show Hunger, Says Italy Coach Antonio Conte Mario Balotelli

Italy Tame Toothless Norway In Oslow

THE Czech Republic snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Vaclav Pilar’s added time goal after a dreadful mistake by Daryl Janmaat as they opened their Euro 2016 qualifiers on Tuesday.

With the score locked at a goal apiece in the final moments, a grave error of judgement from Newcastle defender Janmaat allowed Czech Republic substitute Pilar a simple tap in to send the home fans into a frenzy – and give coach Pavel Vrba his first win in charge.

The Netherlands started the match very poorly and were

behind on 22 minutes when Borek Dockal put the hosts in the lead with his third goal for his country when he latched onto David Lafata’s lay off and smashed the ball off the post and into the net, leaving Jasper Cillessen with no chance.

That forced manager Guus Hiddink to change his 5-3-2 system to a 4-3-3 and the change paid dividends as the Netherlands drew level when Stefan de Vrij headed in Daley Blind’s cross 10 minutes into the second-half after Czech Republic failed to deal with the initial corner.

THE 22-year-old attacking midfielder only arrived at the Allianz Arena last summer but he is open to the idea of playing outside Germany in the future Bayern Munich starlet Mario Gotze has revealed an interest in moving abroad at some point in his career.

The 22-year-old only joined the German champions from Borussia Dortmund last summer, after the Bavarians agreed to meet his +37 million buy-out clause.

However, Gotze, who has yet to nail down a regular starting berth in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up, has now admitted that he is open to the idea of playing outside Germany in the future.

“Being abroad would be attractive for your character; there are good examples of that,”

the attacking midfielder mused in an interview with Sport Bild.

“But I haven’t yet had any serious thoughts [about it]. I’m very, very happy that I am at Bayern, and playing in Germany. “[I want to play] as long as possible. [Former Germany team-mate] Miroslav Klose is 36 and still playing.

“Since I could have another 14 years ahead of me, you have to wait and see how things go; where the path leads...”

Gotze, of course, was Germany’s match-winner at this summer’s World Cup, scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win over Argentina in the final. However, he is uncomfortable with his hero’s tag.

“Football makes people happy, but it’s not a matter of life or death,” he reasoned

MARIO Balotelli has to demonstrate his desire to play for his country if he is to return to the Italy setup in the near future, coach Antonio Conte has said.

Speaking after the players who are willing to Azzurri had begun their churn up the field, so that Euro 2016 qualifying when the game is over they campaign with a 2-0 win need to lay a new pitch. I in Norway on Wednesday, need people who think Conte told reporters the about playing for the squad he had chosen for team.”

Balotelli was heavily his first two games was largely the one he wanted criticised after Italy’s exit to continue working with. in the group stages of the But he stressed that World Cup — and since players such as Balotelli then, Sassuolo’s Simone could force their way into Zaza and Borussia Ciro the reckoning by showing Dortmund’s the same commitment as Immobile have impressed the players who won in for the national team.

“Zaza has great quality.

Oslo on Wednesday night.

“I need players who are He’s a player with hunger, hungry, not players who like Immobile and many are famous,” Conte told others,” Conte said. “I RAI television. “There’s need these characteristics no going back. I need — the aggression and the pride in wearing this shirt.

He, like everybody here, has given a great sign in terms of belonging to the cause.

“Doctors and nurses - they “We’re trying to create a save lives and do much more than all of us footballers. They team with a capital ‘T’ and

I’d Like To Play Abroad Some Day - Gotze are heroes to me.”

Andres Iniesta

I think we have the ingredients which can give us plenty to be happy about and a team the Italy fans can be proud of. If they are happy, we are happy too.

“This is our present and this will be our future. I’ve been very impressed to find these lads who were so proud to wear these colours.”

Zaza scored his first

international goal to set the Italians on their way against Norway, and said: “It was a dream. Now my goal is to remain part of this squad and carry on doing well.”

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is also set to be offered a new contract that will see him end his career at the club.

His current deal expires in 2017, when he will be 39.

Juve To Offer Paul Pogba Improved Contract PAUL Pogba is one of Juventus’ big names being linked with a move away from Turin, but he is focused on the tough challenge the Italian giants face aiming for a fourthstraight title.

Juventus want midfielder Paul Pogba to sign a new and improved contract, reports in Italy have said.

The France international, who shone in the 1-1 friendly draw with Serbia, attracted interest from a host of top clubs in the summer, and the Serie A champions are eager to ensure that he is not tempted to move.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Pogba currently earns 1.5 million euros a year. Kwadwo Asamoah is ahead of him on 1.6 million, with Martin Caceres earning 1.8 million. Carlos Tevez

is the club’s best-paid player on 3.5 million euros.

According to both Mediaset and Tuttosport, an offer of 4.5 million euros a year — which would make Pogba the club’s best-paid player — is on the table, with a oneyear contract extension until 2019 included.

That salary would still be significantly less than the league’s highest-paid player, Roma’s Daniele De Rossi who is on 6.5 million euros a year.

Defender Luiz

Lingering NFF Crisis ... Lingering NFF Crisis ...

Sports Analyst Proffers Solution To Rift In NFF

By PIUS ABAH/ONEIZA ROBINSON

Sepp Blatter FIFA President

Amadu Writes FIFA On NFA Crisis

THE Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Musa Amadu, has written the world football governing body (FIFA) intimating it of the latest development in the country’s football house.

Amadu told newsmen in Abuja after close of work on Monday that the letter was to inform FIFA that he and few others returned to office and worked in the football secretariat unhindered.

FIFA had on September 3 threatened to suspend Nigeria from football after it declared as illegal the August. 26 election that produced, Chris Giwa, as NFA Chairman.

FIFA had subsequently directed that the Aminu Maigari-led NFA board be returned to office to supervise a fresh election into the NFA board.

It also directed that the Maigari-led group return to office on Monday to perform their duties unhindered.

“I can confirm to you that I did write a letter just now to FIFA which I copied CAF informing them about the event of today.

“The development is in line with FIFA directives that we be allowed to come to the secretariat and do our work unhindered.

“Also those persons claiming to be elected did not come to the office just to allow us to do our work and I think at the end of the day reason has prevailed.

“This is because the crisis is inimical to the development

of football for a big country like Nigeria which is a powerhouse in African football.

“I believe that the event of today will be cemented and peace will return to the Nigeria football,’’ Amadu said.

The NFA scribe explained that his reason for copying CAF was to ensure that Nigeria’s second AFCON qualifying match against South Africa went unhindered in Cape Town on Wednesday.

He pointed out that Maigari and his board members was expected back

Segun Odegbami

any time from now to ensure election into the board was concluded Sept. 25.

“From the letter we got from FIFA on September. 3, it was stated in clear terms that the Maigari-led board will preside over two emergency congresses.

“The first will be to elect members of the Electoral Committee and the Appeals Committee as well as another congress leading to election within the shortest possible time.

“I am not a member of the congress but I know that congress is trying to see that this election is held within the shortest possible time and for us to have election probably

by September 25.

“This is to enable the next NFA board to carry out their mandate from 2014 to 2018,’’ Amadu said.

The Giwa-led faction of the NFA board did not show up at the football secretariat on Monday.

BENIN CITY - Sports financier, Analyst and former Chairman, Edo State Newspapers Distribution of Nigeria, who is also the chief render in Edo NUJ, Pastor Oisoeomaoje Ayodeji has expressed his concern over the ongoing rift in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

Pastor Ayo made his worries known in a chat rift reporters of the weekend.

While expressing his mind he said the NFF system is currently unsettled which if it continues might lead to a tragic end.

Responding to the fact that the NFF coach , Stephen Keshi came back after leaving the country’s football club, he stressed that “Keshi said that prominent Nigerians made him to come back, if not so… because, if you see the NFF, you will discover that they are not helping matters.

Many of them don’t know what it takes to be a footballer, yet, they are the

ones on the helm affairs.

Like what is happening now, some people said they have elected the NFF President; They said the election was a cangaroo and therefore they are still expecting to know who the NFF president is” According to the pastor, “Actually, with what FIFA said, they don’t have president for now, and according to them, on the 8th of September, 2014 is the deadline and if care is not taking, the FIFA may come up and if the one who call himself the NFF president do not leave the office, FIFA may give their verdict”.

Commenting on what the constitution says, the sport analyst said “if the tenure of the boss expires, the congress have to decide and set up a committee that will run their affair”.

In his words of advice to people who loves sports, he said “ I think they should be encouraged by their parents to love and play football because if you look at the football market today. It is the highest paid all over.

FIFA Has No Business With NFF Crises, Says Odegbami NIGERIA legend Segun Odegbami has slammed Fifa for interference in the ongoing crises engulfing the Nigeria Football Federation.

According to him, the problem of Nigeria football is not the lack of talent but lack of a well placed structure to help make the administrative setup work effectively.

“Our football has been developing slowly and steadily but our administration has not been developing at the same pace,” Odegbami told Goal.

“Yes, we have been winning and qualifying for a few competitions and so on but some of us think we should have done better than we are doing now. We ought to have been on a much higher level.

“At this point, we must look again at the structure in place

to elect those who are going to take us to another level because what we have now is structurally deficient and it is fraught with all kinds of possibilities to manipulate, be unfair, bias, to put some people into certain positions and so on,” he continued.

“In all of these, there is a need for us now to make correction and the present crises present us with perfect opportunities to sit back and look at everything microscopically.”

The former Green Eagles winger is disappointed with the manner at which the world football governing body has been managing the crises saying it is none of their business.

“All I think we need to do is to ask Fifa to give us breathing space, sit back and

look back at those areas that are problematic and come up with something that will fulfill the aspirations of Nigerians, to have a football team to be one of the very best in the world.

“Our problem is none of Fifa’s business because it is our internal problem. It is us that took our problems to them and they will just come and give a solution whether it is right or wrong. This time around, we must tell them to stay back for us to look at our issues ourselves and resolve them,” he concluded.

Nigeria seem to have escaped a ban from Fifa after factional NFF leader Chris Giwa failed to turn up at the Glass House on Monday as part of requirements from the Swiss-based organization.

CMYK

Chief (Dr.) John Odigie-Oyegun THIS Column is today taking time off from the murky waters of politics to bring you the profile of a purist; a true democrat of our time; and one man in whom there is hope that Nigeria is still possible – Chief (Dr.) John OdigieOyegun.

This is one man who, in all respects and by all known standards, has distinguished himself in several ways and is already on top of history.

Chief (Dr.) John OdigieOyegun, you were born in Warri, in the present Delta State, on 12 August 1939 to late Daniel Osagiede Odigie-Oyegun, MBE, and Mrs. Shaka Odigie-Oyegun (nee Amurun). You hail from Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

This past weekend, you celebrated your 75 th birthday in the process of which Benin City, the Edo State Capital, was painted red as your friends and well-wishers, across political divides, came from all over the country and beyond. This Column joins in rejoicing with you on the attainment of the age of 75 years. We are confident that you feel self-assured that you have worked hard enough to enjoy the happiness, honour and privileges, which this age confers on you.

Clearly, you have for long been preparing yourself for a respectable leadership role in the affairs of your community and the larger society. There is no better way of appreciating the fact that you have spent a good part of your life for selfdevelopment through education and management training in Nigeria and abroad.

You are indeed a man of great vision and determination. Against all the vicissitudes of life, you had the iron determination to succeed and you were not to be deterred by any obstacle on your way.

Going by the standard of that time, when children were required to stretch their hand over their head to touch the opposite ear as a mark of eligibility for

- Excellence Personified

school enrollment, you went to the Sacred Heart Catholic School, Warri, at a tender age. You later proceeded to Holy Cross Catholic School, Benin City. In 1952, you went to St. Patrick’s College, Asaba for your secondary education. Thereafter, you attended the University College, Ibadan, where you graduated in 1963 with B.Sc. honours in Economics.

Before venturing into career politics, you held several important positions of responsibility in which you distinguished yourself as a prodigy, a man of excellence and an extremely humane individual.

During your working career, you found yourself in positions requiring superior intelligence and judgment. You rendered service to humanity without counting the cost. All these gave your experience a richness that further prepared you for greater responsibilities and service to human kind.

After your University education, you were in the employ of the Federal Government of Nigeria where after 13 years, you were appointed Permanent Secretary at the age of 36 years, thus making you the youngest in your generation. In 1985, you retired voluntarily from the Civil Service.

You had a short sojourn in the business world, where after two years, you became the National Chairman of the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association. The huge successes you recorded in the Civil Service and the business world were foreshadowing for your foray into politics. In 1991, you became the first Executive Governor of Edo State, having been elected on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP. Your involvement in the activities of humanity has been of immense benefit not only to Nigeria but also

to the entire human race.

You have faithfully served a wide and varied constituency, always ensuring that justice is applied with universal equality.

Odigie-Oyegun, we salute you. We salute your courage; and we salute your democratic credentials. We are not in

Secretary in the Diaspora.

Essentially, you were in the vanguard, fighting relentlessly to save the Nation from the shackles of military oligarchy and dictatorship. You kept vigil so that the rest of Nigeria could sleep.

We salute your uncompromising stance as an advocate of the total

litmus test for your smooth operation. While some of your opponents were, as usual, busy climbing the tree from the top, you were quietly engaging the grassroots throughout the

• Chief John Odigie-Oyegun a hurry to forget that at the collapse of the ill-fated Third Republic, you went into the trenches. As a patriot, you sacrificed all to fight and accost the military government in Nigeria on the platform of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, where, you were the

emancipation of man. In all this, you have always refused to be intimidated by the aggressive media campaigns of your opponents.

We admire your style.

The recent struggle for the National chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress, APC, provided a

country. You spread your dragnet from Calabar to Maiduguri; and from Lagos to Sokoto. Your tactical maneuver paid off and in the end, you emerged winner.

It is instructive that although you are a devout Roman Catholic, your greatest support came

from the predominantly Northern Muslim population. To that extent, you are also a unifying factor in this country.

Your Excellency, Sir, you are a man of stoic discipline. There is never a dull moment in your life.

You have a Christian life that is worth emulating.

Among other things, you are an active member of St. Vincent De Paul, a Roman Catholic Church Organization for the upliftment of the poor and the down-trodden.

Morning shows the day.

If this is the solid figure that is leading the progressives to the 2015 war, then, there is hope. Victory is assured!

Chief (Dr.) John OdigieOyegun, Administrator per excellence; humanist; politician extraordinaire; strategist; tactician; adept in political engineering; exponent of human kindness; symbol of political honour, confidence and hope: In recognition of your immense contribution as well as your total immersion in the service of humanity, this column is pleased to confer on you, THE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, with all the honours, privileges and immunities thereto appertaining, this Eleventh day of September in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Fourteen.

Odigie-Oyegun, we salute you. We salute your courage; and we salute your democratic credentials. We are not in a hurry to forget that at the collapse of the ill-fated Third Republic, you went into the trenches. As a patriot, you sacrificed all to fight and accost the military government in Nigeria on the platform of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, where, you were the Secretary in the Diaspora. Essentially, you were in the vanguard, fighting relentlessly to save the Nation from the shackles of military oligarchy and dictatorship. You kept vigil so that the rest of Nigeria could sleep.

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