Nigerian observer 11 12 2014

The Nigerian

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l . 39 • NO.140 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 20 14 • N 100.00 ENVIRONMENT Page 13 The world at the verge of thermonuclear war

Oba Erediauwa organises prayer session

BENIN CITY - As a prelude to the commencement of the annual Ugie which is celebrated by the people of Benin Kingdom, the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa yesterday organised a prayer session to call for

God’s intervention in the affairs of Edo State and the nation at large.

The session was presided over by OhenOsa Harrison Okao who offered prayers for the wellbeing of the Monarch, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, members of the royal

family, various categories of traditional rulers as well as other stakeholders in Benin Kingdom.

Prayers were also offered for local governments in the country, Edo State, the

Nigeria nation as well as for violent free and successful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

The presiding cleric in his homily admonished those present to have the courage to forgive one another’s wrong doings.

Continues on page 2

Libel

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Page 22

Know when your kidneys are failing!

2015:

Court orders IGP, SSS to confiscate Obasanjo’s book

ABUJA - An FCT High Court has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Director-General of State Security Services and Controller General of Nigeria Customs Services to confiscate Obasanjo‘s book from public vendors.

Justice Valentine Ashi, therefore show cause gave the order after within 21 days of the former President order served on him on Olusegun Obasanjo why he should not be allegedly went ahead to punished for contempt of publish his book titled “ court.

My Watch’’ in spite of a “ The Inspectorcourt order made on General of Police, the December 5, restraining Director-General of State him from making the Security Services and publication. the Controller General of “ I am of the view that Nigeria Customs the defendant having Services are hereby gone ahead to publish directed to recover the the book, he should

book from sales vendors,” the Judge ordered.

He directed that the book should be kept with the registrar of the court pending the determination of the suit.

Ashi also restrained the defendant from further printing, publishing or circulating the book “ My Watch’’ which, he said “touches on the subject matter of the suit before the court.’’

Earlier, counsel to Obasanjo, Mr Realwan Okpanachi, told the court that the book was published before the order was granted.

Okpanachi argued that the book had been in

circulation since November and the order was made on December 5.

The Counsel to Buruji Kashamu, Mr Alex Izinyo, SAN, submitted Continues on page 2

INEC to train security operatives - Jega

ABUJA The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said in Abuja it was working closely with security agencies to provide additional training of security officials on election duty.

Its Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, told newsmen that the additional training became necessary because election duty “requires specialised training“.

Jega said the additional training would be on a train-the-trainer basis whereby officers trained would train other officers in their various organisations ahead of the 2015 general

elections.

“In the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, we have severally discussed the need to ensure that security agencies are well trained.

“A number of programme of activities has been designed for the training of security officials on election duty.

“Security officers are trained on their jobs of maintaining law and order but election duty also requires specialised training.

“As I speak with you, the Electoral Institute of INEC is working closely

TIT BIT “There seems to be some perverse human characteristic that likes to make easy things difficult.”

- Warren Buffet Buffet

with many security agencies trying to organise what we call a training of trainers so that each organisation will send some people, who will be trained at our institute, so that they can go back and train others Continues on page 2

PANIC BUYING OF PETROL: Panic buying of petrol at a filling station at Ijora in Lagos yesterday.

Twin explosions kill 6, injure 7 in Kano

KANO Police Command in Kano State has confirmed the death of six persons, including two female suicide bombers following a twin blast at Kantin Kwari market, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kano yesterday.

The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Aderenle Shinaba, confirmed the figures while briefing newsmen at the scene of the incident.

He explained that the incident happened around 3: 30 p.m. when the two female bombers in Hijab had wanted to enter a

branch of Unity Bank near the market area.

He said that the security men attached to the bank stopped them

because they saw them as people who should not have anything to do with the bank.

“They later moved

away toward the market area and asked for public utility and immediately after, one of them detonated the bomb.

‘Shortly after the first one was detonated, the second one went off and as a result six persons Continues on page 2

Court fixes Dec 15 to hear suit by LAGOS - A Federal impeached Speaker High Court in Lagos has fixed December 15 to hear a suit filed by the impeached Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Omirin, challenging his

impeachment.

Justice Saliu Saidu also granted the plaintiff leave to serve copies of the originating processes on the 12 defendants.

The judge granted the plaintiff leave to serve the defendants with the processes, outside their jurisdiction by substituted means, which is by

placing advertisements in some national dailies Reports state that the suit was filed by Omirin, his Deputy, Adetunji Continues on page 2

News

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Court orders IGP, SSS to confiscate Obasanjo’s book

Continued from page 1

that the defendant‘s application was a calculated attempt to deceive the court.

Izinyo argued that the defendant admitted in his motion papers that the book was published on November

10 and in another paragraph, it was also stated that the book was published on November 2.

“My lord, the burden of proof lay with the defendant to show the court three volumes of the

book,’’ he said.

Ashi adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2015, for hearing of the substantive case.

It would be recalled that the plaintiff Mr Buruji Kashamu, had earlier dragged former President Olusegun Obasanjo before the

court for libel.

Further recalls that Kashamu alleged that the former President addressed him as an ex-convict in the letter he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan titled, “Before it is too late’’.

and dialoging with government, trying to argue that INEC staff members discharge special, risky responsibilities and therefore deserve special salary scale.

“And we are doing our best; our hope is that sooner or later we will be able to have a separate salary structure for the

staff members of the commission.

“But even before we are able to get that, we have been doing everything possible to improve their welfare and their conditions of work.’’

He said the new INEC management had given some of the commission’s offices a facelift.

Jega said the headquarters of the commission had been

decongested by renting offices nearby.

He said, “whatever we can do within the limit of our resources and permissible by law, we have been able to do and will keep on doing.

“The welfare of our workers is primary and whatever is possible within the law we will do so that they can be contented and motivated to give their best to the country.’’

Continued from page 1 di ed including the

security agencies were working in conjunction with officials of the market traders to prevent people from coming under the pretext of sympathising with people to loot in the market.

“The police ordinance unit are

already working to ensure that there was no laden explosives hidden somewhere in the market,’’ he said.

He also called on people to be more security conscious in order to check the activities of insurgents in the state.

INEC to train security operatives - Jega

Continued from page 1 in their own organisations.

“So, I want to assure you that everybody - both INEC and the security agencies have seen the need to provide additional training for security personnel who are going to be involved in elections.

“And a lot of measures are being put in place to ensure that is done before the 2015 general elections.“ The INEC chairman said the commission was working hard to see that the salaries and wages of staff members of the commission were improved and made commensurate with the “special“ and “risky“ nature of their jobs.

“Since we came in as a new commission, we have done our best to improve the welfare of our workers.

“The only thing we have not been able to do is to increase their salaries; and that one is difficult because salary and wage review is normally done at a higher systemic level.

“But we have been pushing

Twin explosions kill 6, injure 7 in Kano

bombers,’’ he said.

He said that seven other persons were also injured during the incident and had since been taken to hospital for treatment.

“We have also taken the dead ones including the two suicide bombers to the morgue,’’ the commissioner said.

He said that the area had been cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from using the opportunity to loot property at the market.

Shinaba said that the

Speaker

Continued from page 1

Orisalade, alongside 17 other members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the House.

Joined as defendants in the suit are: Hon. Dele Olugbemi, Hon. Samuel Ajibola, Hon. Adeojo Alexander, Hon. Adeloye Adeyinka, Hon. Israel Ajiboye, Hon. Fatunbi Olajide and Hon. Olayinka Abeni.

Others are: the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, Mr. Kayode Oso and Chief Toyin Ojo. Reports say that the plaintiffs had filed the suit, seeking to stop legislative functions in the Assembly, pending the determination of the suit.

The application was brought pursuant to the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rules 2009, the Criminal Code and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In the application, the plaintiffs are seeking an order restraining Hon. Dele Olugbemi

Oba Erediauwa organises prayer session Continued from page 1

He urged them to imbibe positive attributes so as to have a violent free society.

In a chat with newsmen, Secretary to Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor said the prayer session was a regular session for the purpose of averting unpleasant circumstances.

( the first defendant) and Hon.Olayinka Abeni, (the seventh defendant), from parading themselves as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively, of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

They also want an order of interim injunction restraining them, whether by themselves or their privies, from illegally carrying out legislative functions of the Assembly, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Besides, the applicants are seeking an order of interim injunction restraining the 10th to 12th defendants from parading themselves as Commissioners of Ekiti State, or transacting any business in furtherance thereof.

They are also seeking an order of mandatory injunction, compelling the defendants to grant them unfettered access to their legislative quarters, in order to carry out their constitutionally bestowed duties.

The applicants also want an order restoring the rights and privileges of their respective offices, in accordance with their constitutional mandate.

Reports say that Justice Saidu had fixed December 15 for hearing of the motion on notice.

In the suit, the plaintiffs are claiming that their constitutional obligations are directly being affected for as long as the infraction in the house is permitted to continue.

It was also reported that Hon. Omirin and his Deputy, Orisalade, were impeached by seven PDP lawmakers on November 20 on the floor of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

Church to confer award on 5 Edo citizens BENIN CITY- Gospel Defender Ministries Int’l. Inc, is to confer Peace and Excellence awards on five prominent citizens of Edo State during its annual Harvest ceremony tagged: “Enter into His Gate with Thanksgiving”, coming up on December 13, 2014, at the Church Cathedral, along Lucky Way, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, at 10am.

A statement by the Bishop of

the church, Fred Aghedo listed the awardees as Chief Eduwu Ekhator; Chief Solomon Iyobosa Edebiri, HRH S.O. Oikhumhen; HRH Solomon Izuware Ojeaga and Senator (Professor) Oserheimen Osunbor.

Bishop Agedo said the award is in recognition of their outstanding qualities and contributions to the body of Christ.

Applications for company registration can be processed directly - CAC JOS - The Head of the Jos Office of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Mustapha Dogondanji, says applications for registration of companies can now be done directly by business owners or first directors.

Dogondanji made the announcement yesterday in Jos, during an enlightenment campaign on direct registration of businesses at a private dialogue, organised by a body, Growth and Employment in States.

He disclosed that until January 2012, only lawyers, chartered accountants and chartered secretaries were eligible to present applications to CAC for registration of companies under Part “A” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. Dogondanji said that the policy, however, attracted a lot of criticism from local and international fronts, as it was perceived as a major contributing factor responsible for the huge cost of starting a business in Nigeria.

He said the policy was also responsible for the negative rating of Nigeria in the global competitiveness index.

According to him, in a bid to improve Nigeria‘s rating, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, made a policy which now allowed business owners or first directors to directly apply for the application.

He said the policy was principally targeted to benefit Small and Medium Entrepreneurs who might not

afford the services of accredited agents.

Dogondanji said that the policy was expected to encourage informal businesses to register and in the long run deepen access to finance for those classes of businesses.

According to him, the Federal Government recently reduced the filing fees payable for new companies.

He called on business owners who are yet to register their businesses to do so as business registration has a lot of benefits.

He cited the benefits of registration to include access to government funds, eligibility to open and operate a corporate account, biding for and securing of contract and application for business visa.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Commissioner advocates parental access to basic facilities

By VICTOR OMOALU/ support.

HANNAH ANYANWU

BENIN CITY - The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie has emphasized on the need for parents to have access to basic facilities that would guarantee them a better family planning.

The commissioner made the emphasis at a seminar tagged “NURHI-Benin Field Office End –of-Project Dissemination Meeting held yesterday in Benin City.

Commissioner Eregie who stressed the importance of family planning noted that the health of every nation begins from the family.

She advised parents to always bear the number of children they can adequately cater for, while stressing on the need for an improved awareness/ sensitization campaign on family planning.

She used the forum to acknowledge the successes so far recorded by the Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), organiser of the event.

The Project Director, NURHI, Dr. (Mrs.) Mojisola Odeku, said the NURHI has been able to give a kiss of life to the issue of family planning in Edo State.

She said the event was organised to evaluate the successes achieved over the period under review, and commended the state government for its partnership

The Deputy Project Director, Mr. Bola Kusemiju who spoke on the topic; Sustaining the Gains of the NURHI projects in Benin City said there could never be a better way of sustaining the project than taking ownership of the executed projects.

While harping on core package of essential approaches/ activities with guidelines for adaptation as the legacy the NURHI intends to leave behind, Kusemiju cited cultural issues, lack of political will as some of the challenges militating against family planning.

Speaking on the topic, “Reflecting on the NURHI project in Benin City: Achievements, Challenges and Lessons Learnt”, Dr. (Mrs) Adetoke Akinbumi, said about 22 clinical providers on contraceptive management system and 23 non-clinical providers on family planning inter-personal counselling/ communication skills institutionalized monthly integrated supportive supervision.

She stressed the need for continuous advocacy to policy makers with a view to ensuring the actualization of an improved family planning service delivery.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving individuals, corporate organisations, including the Bendel Newspaper Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of the Observer tittles.

Auchi Poly recognises 49 former Inofficers a remark, Rector of the

BY MORRISON HAYBLE

AUCHI - A total of 49 past and present Chairmen of Governing Council, Rectors and Principal Officers of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo state were today (Wednesday) recognised by management of the institution for their contribution to its success story.

The occasion which is part of activties marking the 50th anniversary of the Polytechnic witnessed the award of meritorious service to the officers who distinguished themselves between 1974 till date, including six deceased, posthumosssly recognised.

They include amongst others: Prof A. K. Yesufu, a former Rector, Mr Gabriel Otaru former Registrar, Dr Pius Igharo also a former Rector and Friday . O. Eboreime, immediate past Rector.

Others are: the present Chairman, Governing Council, Prof Gabriel Yomeri, Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Mrs Philipa Idogho as well as serving principal officers.

Polytechnic, Dr Mrs Idogho noted that the collective responsibility and sense of commitment to their call to duty had resulted to the existence of a relevant, strong and viable institution.

She added that no better testimony could be found for the efforts than the current rating of the Polytechnic as the first in Nigeria, first in West Africa and second in the whole of Africa by Webometrics, an international rating agency of tertiary institutions across the world.

The rector expressed satisfaction that products of the institution all over the country were found to be doing very well in industry, business and in other professions, pointing out that the Polytechnic has had a glorious past, triumphant present and a bright future due to their efforts.

Responding, one of the awardees and a former librarian , Professor.

Sam Ifidon commended what he described as wonderful infrastructural facilities in the Polytechnic, adding that the achievements of management was a pointer to the fact that the sacrifices were not in vain.

Court dismisses application to stop coroner probe

Synagogue:

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS -The coroner probing the September 12 Synagogue building collapse in Lagos has dismissed Prophet T.B. Joshua’S application to put on hold further inquisition into the cause of death of the victims of the distorted building.

Magistrate O.A. Komolafe while dismissing the application seeking a temporary suspension of the inquest described it as an abuse of court processes.

The founder of the Synagogue Church Of All

Nations (SCOAN) Prophet T.B. Joshua filed the application asking Komolafe to put on hold further inquisition into the cause of death of the victims of the collapsed building.

It would be recalled that about 116 persons lost their lives and many more sustained varying degrees of injuries in the September 12 tragic incident and the Lagos State Government has set up a coroner court to probe the incident.

Joshua’s application for stay of proceedings dated November 11, 2014 came on

the heels of an application he had filed before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

In the said application before Justice Lateefat Okunnu, Joshua asked for a judicial review of the coroner ’s proceedings, which began on October 13.

Among others, he had asked the High Court to determine whether the witness summons served on him to appear before the coroner to give testimony was not a violation of his right.

He further contested that the coroner had been extending his inquisitions into areas beyond its statutory purview.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

News PDP Nat’l Convention: 3050 Delegates To Ratify Jonathan’s Endorsement ABUJA - Over 3,050 delegates from across the federation are to vote to ratify the position of some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) and President Goodluck Jonathan’s endorsement at its National Convention.

The convention is holding on Wednesday and Thursday at the Abuja Eagle Square.

The members of the PDP NWC whose position would be ratified through voting by the expected delegates are Alhajai Adamu Mu‘azu, the party‘s National Chairman and its National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

The delegates would also ratify the position of the PDP National Auditor, Mr Wole Adeyanju.

Although President Goodluck Jonathan had been endorsed by all organs of the PDP as its sole presidential candidate for the 2015 presidential election, delegates are also expected to revisit and affirm his endorsement.

The ratification of President Jonathan and the affected members of the PDP NWC will be done by the delegates on Thursday.

Mr Olisa Metuh, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, had earlier said that although

President Jonathan had been endorsed as the party‘s sole presidential candidate, he had to be ratified by election.

This, he said, was in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution.

“Immediately after Thursday, when our endorsed candidates will officially be the candidate of the party, we will welcome the opposition to issue based campaign.

“Issues based on performance, ideology and manifestoe, not lies and propaganda,’’ the PDP spokesman said.

He added that the PDP desired political campaigns ahead of the 2015 general elections to be elevated above the usual insult, name callings, lies and propaganda by politicians in the opposition.

Metuh urged the opposition to limit its campaigns to issues based on the manifestoe and the alternative ideas to develop the country.

He expressed optimism that

with President Goodluck Jonathan‘s antecedent in promoting the country‘s unity, stabilising the polity which had led to sustaining democracy, the PDP would emerge victorious at the 2015 presidential election.

The PDP spokesman, while commenting on the insistence of Prof Akasuba Duke-Abiola, one of the widows of chief MKO Abiola, to remain in the PDP presidential race, said she was welcomed.

“Nobody and nothing can stop her from running for election as long as she has complied with the party‘s requirements and observed the election guidelines.’’

Reports state that the Eagle Square, venue of the PDP convention,has been decorated for the event, while security around the area has been beefed up.

Over 100 diplomats, 30 foreign chapters of the PDP and party stalwarts from across the federation are expected to attend the two-day convention.

L-R: NEMA Northwest Zonal Coordinator, Musa Illalah and NEMA staff, Bulus Jekada, presenting medical items to Director, Pharmacy, Kano State Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Madaki and Chief Medical Director, National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala, Dr. Salihu Mohammed, during NEMA distribution of medical consumables to 9 hospitals in Kano for treatment of victims of recent mosque bomb blast recently. With them are, Director, Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Yusuf Maigoro; Fl-Lt. Abubakar Danbatta of the Military Hospital and Abdullahi Minjibir of the Kano State Emergency Managment Agency.

... As Security Operatives Manage Traffic Diversion realised that the process to confirm our president as PDP candidate for the general election begun today. “ I always look forward to the PDP National Convention because it is usually colourful and to me, its like a carnival.

The red and white colours are good combinations that cannot be resisted,’’ she said.

On his part, Alhaji Haruna Mandara, another civil servant, the blockage was to checkmate influx of non delegates to the venue.

Mandara, however, said the diversions brought some measure of discomfort but held that it was worth it.

“We may be in pain and discomfort for now, but we must realise that it is a process to select a party’s presidential candidate. We should be happy that we practise democratic governance,’’ Mandara said.

In a related development, the hospitality industry is having brisk patronage as delegates from across the 36 states continued to place their demands on the facilities.

The pressure on the hotels and apartment within the city centre has brought smiles on faces of owners of similar facilities in Karu, Nyanya and Mararaba areas of Abuja.

The influx of the people is also felt in other suburban near FCT, thereby escalating the impact of commercial activities in those places.

Scene of a fire outbreak at Masad House, Victoria Island, in Lagos recently.

brought some pressures on road users who plied the routes.

Policemen and other plain clothed security operatives are mounted at vantage positions to ensure that the motorists complied with the diversion rules.

A cross section of road users who spoke to newsmen described the development as “momentary inconvenience’’.

Some of them said that they were prepared to bear the pains as part of contributions toward nation building.

Mr Cletus Ameachi said “my brother, these things do not just come, it is an election year and we are in the capital city; so expect this, it is not a surprise’’.

According to him, “the PDP is a party with taste and sense of organisation and be sure that this is done in order to have a peaceful convention’’.

Madam Alice Yakubu, a civil servant, said the police and the Federal Road Safety Commission had done well in managing the pressure from the Nyayan axis.

“I was initially angry, but on reaching the city centre, I now

ABUJA - The President, Seed Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN), Mr Richard Olafare, called for measures that would make improved and quality seeds available to farmers at affordable prices.

Olafare stated this at the ongoing National Retreat on Seed, organised by the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) in Abuja.

The President, however, noted that with the introduction of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) the country had witnessed improvement in the seed industry.

Olafare said when in three years that ATA started in Nigeria, the adoption rate of quality seed had increased from 12 per cent to over 25 per cent, “which is above ATA aims to achieve

within five years.’’

“With improvement of the industry, we have quality seeds being distributed to Nigeria farmers.

“Over the years, before 2011, all quality seeds that could be harnessed within the country was just about 4,000 metric tons; but today, we have been able to produce over 150,000 tons of assorted seeds.

“Before 2011, there were only eight surviving companies; multinationals came and then went back because they couldn’t stand the test of time; huge over head, no income, because farmers were not picking (the seeds).

He expressed confidence that the two day retreat would offer quality recommendation that

ABUJA - Security operatives on Wednesday barricaded all entry points leading to the popular Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention holding between Wednesday and Thursday.

The development had

Baptist Conference Holds Concert Dec 14 BENIN CITY- The Music Committee, Edo State Baptist Conference will hold its 5th annual Christians Concert on Sunday December 14, 2014 at the New Benin Baptist Church, New Benin, Benin City, Beginning from 4 pm.

Theme of the concert is, Hallelujah: Jesus is Born.

Association Wants Affordable Seeds For Farmers He said there could not be any sustainable agriculture or food security programme without quality seed.

“One important thing that we have to look at and tackle critically is that we are dealing with Nigeria farmers that are poor resourced in nature. “ When you look at agricultural sector or production sector of Nigeria, over 70 per

cent live in the rural areas; about 50 per cent live below poverty level.

“We are talking of seeds; not very many farmers have the capacity or funding to buy quality seeds. They cannot even buy fertilizer.

“Nigeria situation is that our farmers need to have access to funding and have market to sell their produce.’’

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Across The Nation

L-R: Acting Director-General, National Agricultural Seeds Council, Dr. Philip Ojo, Representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Martins Fregene and General Manager, Maslans Seeds Company, Mr. Emmanuel Otobo, at the National Seed Retreat in Abuja recently.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

INEC Extends Issuance Of PVCs

KADUNA - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday said the issuance of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in Kaduna State would continue in areas the exercise was yet to start.

The issuance of the cards, which began on Monday, was scheduled to end yesterday.

The commission had supplied only two million cards out of the 3.5 million to be issued to verified voters in the state.

It had said that the balance of 1.5 million cards would

Kwara Community Groans Under Water Scarcity

OKUTA (KWARA) Residents of Okuta in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara has cried out for help over the perennial water shortage in the border community.

A cross-section of the people who spoke with newsmen urged governments at all levels to urgently alleviate their plight of lack of adequate potable water supply in the community.

Malam Aliyu Umar, the Gunubero of Okuta, told the newsmen that the waterworks in the community had not been operated in the last three years, to supply it with pipe-borne water.

This, according to the traditional ruler, is due to its network of pipes, which have gone bad.

“Our major problem here is the distribution network, which has gone bad. The pipes have become broken in the last three years and nothing has been done about restoring the network.

“There is need for new pipes to be laid and for the distribution network to be extended to other areas that were not covered in the past, because of the rapid growth of the town”, he said.

The Gunubero said that the present sources of water in the community were through wells, hand pumps and one motorised borehole, which he said, were not adequate for the town’s population.

“We are seriously facing the problem of perennial water shortage. It has started now and if you come here by January, you

will pity our situation,” he told newsmen.

Umar explained that shortage of water was peculiar to Okuta than its other neighbouring communities in the local government.

He appealed for urgent assistance from government and bemoaned how a dam project by the Federal Government through the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, which was sited in the community but was later diverted to another community, a few years ago.

Also speaking on the issue, Mrs Hassanat Abubakar, a housewife, explained how women in the border area suffered to get water for domestic use, once the dry season sets in.

She pleaded with government to assist in the provision of adequate water supply to the area, to ease the difficulties faced by women and children in

sourcing for water.

An official of the Kwara Water Works Scheme in the town, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said that poor power supply compelled

the unit to stop work about three years ago.

He added that the situation had now been compounded with the rusty distribution pipe network, as well as the need to expand the network, following the

growing population of the town.

The source, however, declined to provide estimates required to restore full operations at the facility.

Okuta, with an estimated population of over 100, 000 persons, is the largest town in the Baruten local government area of Kwara.

be supplied to it at a later date from Lagos.

Consequently, the issuance of the cards has not commenced in many polling units across the state.

The commission, in a statement signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Haliru Tambawel, made available to newsmen in Kaduna, stated that lapses emanated from it and would, therefore, “not penalise the general public through no fault of theirs”.

It stated that the exercise would not end on Wednesday in places it was yet to start.

It said “the commencement of the exercise in any local government area, wards and polling units affected will be the first day of the exercise in such areas”.

INEC also reminded prospective voters that the collection of the PVCs was a continuous exercise until a day to the 2015 general election.

APC delegates voting at the Lagos Central Senatorial District Primary in Lagos recently.

Be Careful On The Roads, NURTW Scribe Counsels more money from incidence of road mishaps levels has a greater role to OSOGBO - Mr Ramon Motorists the transporting people. during the festive season.

Adeyemi, the Secretary of the play in the area of ensuring National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun State, has advised motorists to be more vigilant while driving on the highways.

Adeyemi gave the charge while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Osogbo in view of the forthcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He urged motorists to stop the habit of speeding on the highways during the Yuletide for the purpose of making

According to him, motorists must be more conscious of their life and that of their passengers by not engaging in a mad rush for money through reckless driving this festive period. ‘’Cases abound, where those who had been reckless because of the lust for money on occasions like this, eventually died and lost the chance of enjoying the money they made. ‘’It is always advisable for motorists, especially commercial drivers, to be

patient and conduct themselves in a manner that can afford them the opportunity to live to witness another festive period. ‘’Also, those who are travelling with their private cars should not be in haste to get to their destinations, they must have known that it is better to get to one’s destination late than to be the late,” he said.

Meanwhile, the NURTW official called on the government to rehabilitate bad roads in order to reduce

Adeyemi said the number of road users naturally increased during the festive period, which would put more pressure on the roads and the attendant accidents, if the roads were not in a good condition.

Dodging of potholes on the highways by motorists, according to him, had been the major cause of fatal accidents on Nigerian roads, which had claimed many lives and left others incapacitated. ‘’The government at all

accident-free celebration, it is no more news that many of our roads are nothing but death traps. ‘’The government must strive to fix the roads to make them more passable, as the number of vehicles plying the roads will increase during festive periods. ‘’Motorists should also desist from dodging potholes on their lanes as this often result in head-on collisions; it is better to enter a pothole than to have accident with an incoming vehicle,’’ he said.

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

News Navy Hands Over 12 Suspects, Stolen Diesel To NSCDC PORT HARCOURT – The Nigerian Navy has handed over 12 suspected oil thieves and 161, 280 litres of stolen diesel to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Cdr. Chindo Yahaya, the Base Operations Officer of the Navy Ship Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, said the suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the theft of the diesel valued at N30 million during several raids off the waterways in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

Yahaya, who handed over a tug boat, a barge, three wooden boats, and 172 drums containing the stolen diesel to NSCDC, said the barge, MV Saviour, contained 120,000 litres of diesel, while the wooden boats carried 41,280 litres of the stole diesel.

“On November 25, we went on patrol along Alakiri creek (Asari-Toru LGA)

based on intelligence report of the presence of two barges, a tug boat, and some speed boats lifting crude oil and illegally refined AGO (diesel).

“On arriving at Alakiri creek, the patrol team intercepted a tug boat and a barge with five suspects.

“Also, on December 1, based on intelligence report, we intercepted three wooden boats loaded with about 172 drums containing a substance suspected to be illegally refined AGO at Iyalama creek.

“Upon interrogation, they (seven suspects) were unable to offer any convincing answers and as such, we have to hand them over to NSCDC for detailed investigation and prosecution.

“We advise that criminality is not a way of life because based on our mandate, we are going to be unrelenting in our efforts towards curtailing

crime particularly along the waterways.“ Yahaya said the navy was currently succeeding in its fight against oil theft adding that it had impounded several vessels, barges, and boats just as it destroyed several illegal refineries in the course of 2014.

The naval operative said the arrests and seizures had led to a significant reduction in oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

He said the navy would sustain the intensity of its water and air patrol to further reduce the attacks on the nation’s oil and gas facilities.

The Deputy Commandant of NSCDC in the state, Mrs Christy Abiakam, who received the suspects, said the corps would carry out detailed and speedy investigation of the case.

She said that if found culpable, the suspects would be arraigned in a law court to serve as deterrent to others.

“It has been done elsewhere and I am sure we can do it.

“In Egypt you will find their micro insurance is just a one-page document and it tells you what it covers and what it does not cover.

“Particularly, what it does not cover, you will find that in red; so from the beginning you are not in any doubt as to what you have bought,’’ Daniel said.

He said the commission would also create a situation in the policy where people could actually return products that did not suit the purpose for which they had bought it.

Also, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi OkonjoIweala, said the insurance sector was a new sector that could grow and in the long run enable growth in Nigeria’s economy.

Okonjo-Iweala said the insurance summit was aimed at changing the attitude of insurers and the insured, bringing in more products, simplifying insurance policies and ensuring more claims.

According to her, when people have confidence that their claims will be paid, it will encourage them to insure more.

ABUJA – The Police in Abuja have arraigned a 32-yearold panel beater in an FCT Area Court in Lugbe, on a two-count charge of breach of trust and cheating.

The accused is Ojo Bello, a resident of Tudun Wada Village, Abuja.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Anigbo Paul, told the court that one Hajiya Olabisi Olajimoke reported the matter at the Lugbe Police Station on December 6.

Paul said that the complainant claimed that she paid Bello the

sum of N100, 000 to repair her car, a job she said the accused failed to do.

He also said that the action contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and the Senior Judge, Gambo Garba, granted him bail in the sum of N40,000 and one surety in like sum.

He said the surety must live within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case until January 14, for further hearing.

Insurance NAICOM To Boost Awareness ABUJA – The Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Fola Daniel, said the commission would boost grassroots awareness on insurance as it posed a major challenge in the sector.

Daniel said this during a news conference at the oneday Insurance Summit 2014 in Abuja tagged ‘Transforming the Nigerian Insurance Sector: A threeyear agenda’.

“I think one of the things you will see after this summit is that insurance companies will begin to create more meaningful awareness, grassroots awareness.

“Because one of the biggest gaps we have is that people really are not aware, they do not understand insurance mechanism,’’ he said.

He said the commission would also ensure that there was a simplified ‘policy wording’ because the policy for most insurance wordings was filled with jargons.

He said the jargons discouraged people from reading and also going into insurance policies and the commission was set to tackle the problem.

Panel Beater Docked For Cheating

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

News Man Docked Over Damage To Property

Chairman, Benin Area Command Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Evangelist Dr. (Mrs.) H.E. Odemweigie (standing) delivering her address at the end of year party organised by Benin Area Command. L-R are the Area Commander, ACP Musa Uba and Major Bello Osagie (rtd), Vice Chairman, Benin Area Command.

LAGOS - A transporter, Chinonye Ezechukwu, 26, who allegedly damaged the windscreen of a vehicle belonging to one Patrick Ifeanyi, has appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Ezechukwu, a resident of No.32, Makanjuola St., Orile Iganmu, Lagos, is facing a charge of wilful damage to property.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. John Iberedem, told the court that the accused committed the offence on December 2 at No.30, Owoyemi St., Ajegunle, Lagos.

Iberedem said that the accused maliciously damaged the windscreen of a KIA vehicle with Reg. No. BJ 534

Nigerians Advised To Protect Their Rights

ABUJA – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged Nigerians not to allow constituted authorities or individuals to trample on their rights as human beings.

The commission’s Deputy Director, Legal Services, Ms Aver Gavar, told newsmen in Abuja that Nigerians needed to claim and assert their rights at all times.

Gavar gave the advice against the backdrop of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights

Day observed annually on December 10 to mark the anniversary of the presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Nigerians have sat on their rights for a long time based on ignorance and this is traceable to a long period of military regime.

“So we need to create confidence in the public that when you know your rights and you claim or assert them you will be supported.

“That is the role of the commission - to make people

2015 Polls

INEC Advises Trad Rulers On Peace ABUJA - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged traditional rulers to encourage their subjects to promote peace and avoid conflict through regular meetings, to ensure peaceful 2015 general elections.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, gave the advice at a one-day summit organised by the commission in Abuja with traditional rulers in attendance.

Jega also called on the stakeholders to do every possible to promote peaceful conduct of elections, mitigate conflicts and prevent violence.

He stressed that peaceful elections were absolutely necessary to consolidate and deepen the country’s democracy.

“It is important to note that free, fair and credible elections do not begin and end with only the procedures that INEC puts in place for the conduct of such elections.

“No matter how well elections are conducted, if the outcome is conflict-ridden and violent, it will lose its essence of deepening democracy.

confident that the commission will support them.“ According to Gavar, the theme for the 2014 Human Rights Day: “Human Rights 365“, is a call on all Nigerians to ensure that they know their rights and assert them every day of the year.

“This year’s theme talks about 365 days; it is about living your life; it is about knowing your rights and living your rights every single day of the year.

“It is about speaking out; it is about building confidence; it places a lot of burden on the commission that we need to do more sensitisation, more awareness creation.

“It places a lot of responsibility on all human rights institutions globally that there needs to be more human rights education until the citizens can speak out and claim and enforce their rights.“

The deputy director said that the commission was working hard to be pro-active rather than reactive as part of its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians had the right information on what to do when their rights were violated.

“The overall mandate of the commission is to create an enabling environment for the

enjoyment of human rights.

“And the easiest way for us to achieve this is to create awareness. To bring about public awareness on human rights so that citizens and people resident in Nigeria would become aware of their rights.“ Gavar said that the 2012 amendment of the Act

KRD, valued at N 40,000 property of Ifeanyi.

“The complainant said that he was told by his neighbours that some boys, who were harassing residents, had damaged the wind screen of his car.

“Patrick said his neighbours, who were there when the incident happened, said it was Ezechukwu who broke his windscreen.

“He said Ezechukwu was caught by some soldiers who were monitoring the All Progressives Congress election around the area,’’ Iberedem stated.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Section 348 prescribes twoyear jail term for anyone found liable of willful damage to property.

The Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till December 22 for trial.

Threat To Life: Man Seeks Dissolution

ADO-EKITI – A 38-year-old man, Victor Ilesanmi has approached an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court, seeking dissolution of his 8-year-old marriage to his wife, Omobola, over allegation of threat to life, disrespect, among others.

The case first came up for mention on August 8.

Victor listed other reasons for seeking the dissolution of the marriage to include: “ lack of rest of mind and lack of care for their only child.’’

He also said that he was responsible for house chores and doubt if his wife can ever

All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates on a queue awaiting to cast their votes during the party’s primaries for Edo Central Senatorial District weekend. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

Of Marriage

change.

Omobola,35, however, denied all the allegations leveled against her, saying she “gives her husband due respect.’’

She said when she delivered her child through caesarian operation; her family was responsible for the welfare of the child.

Omobola said she was responsible for the child’s upbringing and the payment of

school fees.

She told the court that her husband was not a responsible man, because he does not stay at home, and does not bothered about the welfare of the child.

Omobola prayed the court to award her the custody of the child, since she had been responsible for the upkeep of the child.

The President of the Court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi adjourned the case till December 12 for judgment.

SANGO-OTA (OGUN) – A 53-year-old man, Emmanuel Adeola, has been arraigned before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, for allegedly issuing a dud cheque.

The accused, who lives at No. 13, Akinwale St. Iyana Iyesi, Ota, is facing a twocount charge of fraud and forgery.

He was accused of issuing a cheque of N1.9 million to one James Olawuyi that bounced.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Itaita Ebibomini, told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 24, at Yuppy Area of Afobaje, in Ota. He said that the accused fraudulently converted 15,000 litres of kerosene, worth N1.9

million, belonging to one James Olawuyi to his personal use.

According to him, the accused forged a fund transfer form of the Zenith Bank and also issued a dud cheque to deceive the complainant that he had actually paid the money.

Ebibomini said that the offences contravened Sections 1, Subsection 409 (b)465 (h) and 285 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Titi Bello, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Man Docked For Issuing Dud Cheque

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

News NOA Director Tasks Politicians On Peaceful Elections Bookmark

Barrister Akhamien nest delivering his speech during the 18th graduation ceremony of Oghosa Eduation centre in Benin City recently. Seated are the Proprieters of the school Evang. (Dr.) Mrs. Helen Atekha Odemwingie (right) and Rev. (Dr) Obviobo. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.

Centenary Lottery Scam

Commission Warns Nigerians ABUJA - The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) has warned Nigerians to beware of fake centenary celebration lottery text messages.

Mr Adolphus Ekpe, DirectorGeneral of NLRC, told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday that some people had taken advantage of Centennial Lottery to “play smart and defraud people.

“People always take advantage of what is on ground to defraud others. If you did not play and you are getting text massages asking you to come and collect your prize, why would you go

knowing full well you did not participate?’’

Ekpe said the centenary lottery was being handled by a company, Secured Electronic Technology (SET), and not by the commission.

He also explained that the commission was not in charge of monitoring messages concerning the lottery and so could not do anything about scam messages.

The director-general said the commission’s sole mandate was to play a regulatory role and ensure that consumers were not defrauded and that winners got their prizes from lottery companies.

He also noted that the commission monitored such lotteries to ensure that the companies followed the rules of the game being played.

On the deadline for the lottery, Ekpe said the company handling it felt it was not making profit as there were few players and more prizes to be given.

“The company, being profitmotivated, finds out that it was not making it the way it expected; so it has to stop and change the modalities of the lottery.’’

He, however, said the commission would ensure that the rules of the game were

observed and winners collected prizes within the stipulated 180 days.

“If you claim that you played and won but denied your prize, come to the commission and report and. We will confirm if you really won the prize.

“We have the names of every winner and the category of prizes they have won and the stipulated day for you to redeem your prize is within 180 days from the day of the draw’’, he stated.

The centenary lottery was initially scheduled to last for 90 days but was extended due to logistic problems.

The lottery has since been reopened after the issues were addressed.

PORT HARCOURT - Mr Oliver Wolugbom, the Rivers Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday advised politicians to always accept defeat after elections, to strengthen public confidence in the country’s electoral system.

Wolugbom told newsmen in Port Harcourt that if politicians could imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, there would be nothing like electoral malpractice.

He urged them to emulate the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi, who accepted defeat after the recently concluded governorship election in the state.

The director advised politicians to endeavour to accept defeat so that elections in the nation would stop

experiencing thuggery and other forms of violence.

Wolugbom called on them to see the interest of the nation as a priority and place it above any other self aggrandisement.

He appealed to them to do away with the idea of engaging the youths in violent activities to earn electoral victory.

The director reminded politicians that if they destroyed society and the polity, their entire families would also be affected.

He urged them to be Godfearing and always concern themselves with peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic nationalities in the nation. “ It is the right of the people to choose who should lead them. If they choose you fine, but if they refuse to vote for you, try and accept it in good fate, “ he said.

Malaria Prevalence Down By 43 Percent - Official ABUJA - Dr Humphrey Aniebo, the Programme Manager of the Malaria Elimination Programme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday said malaria prevalence in Nigeria had dropped by 43 per cent.

Aniebo said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He said attributed the achievement could to the effort of the various anti-malaria initiatives in the country.

Aniebo said the agency had trained 30 model care givers to help in eradicating malaria in the territory.

He said the training was conducted by the National Malaria Elimination Programme in collaboration with the FCT malaria Elimination Programme.

He said the beneficiaries would later train 124 caregivers in the six area councils, adding that the caregivers would help communities in the prevention of malaria.

“When people have fever, they will test them for malaria using (Rapid Diagnostic Test) RDT test kit.

“They will treat those who are positive with Artemisininbased Combination Therapy (ACT).

“Those that have severe malaria would be sent to the nearest health centres for proper care,’’ he said.

Aniebo said about 20 people were also trained to train patent medicine vendors in the selected areas to be able able to treat malaria patients.

Man Docked For Criminal Breach Of Trust, Cheating

Cultural dance by students of Oghosa Education centre, during the school’s graduation ceremony in Benin City recently. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.

ABUJA - The police have arraigned Victorious Chukwuemeka of Suite 43D, Anon plaza, Gudu, Abuja, in a Gudu Upper Area Court, FCT, for criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Isreal Nongo, told the court that Mr Uda Okechukwu of No. 37, Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, reported the matter at the Apo police station on Aug. 1.

He said the complainant gave the accused N500,000 to purchase a plot of land at Lugbe sometime in May 2012.

The prosecutor said the accused, however, converted the said amount to his personal use and fled to an unknown destination.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the penal code.

The accused, however, denied the charges.

The presiding officer, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N550,000 with a reliable surety, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case until September 2, for hearing.

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

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era ereht fi dna ;yrenihcam eht nwo t’nod uoy fi neve ,senihcam ruoy ssecorp dna erih nac uoy ,ti .dias eh ”,ecudorp fo tol a ,mih ot gnidroccA ,stnavres livic gnidulcni ,elpoep deen dna gnimraf otni era yb ecudorp eht brosba ot stekram egral dna muidem ,tnasaep eht .sremraf elacs semehcs naol suoirav nO eh ,tnemnrevog yb detaitini

otni meht nrut ot yrenihcam rof stcudorp level-dnoces y b e r e h t , g n i t e k r a m e v i t c e ff e .ecudorp hcus fo etsaw ot gnidael eht si deen ew tahW“ dna llams fo tnemhsilbatse ot seirtsudni elacs muidem dnoces ot ecudorp eht mrofsnart .level ot evah lliw tnemnrevoG“ tsom sa noitcerid siht ni tsissa teg ot erehw wonk t’nod elpoep

i j a h l A ,r e m r a f l a i c r e m m o c no dellac sah ,oruwabaB miharbI ot tnemnrevog fo sreit eerht eht elacs muidem dna llams hsilbatse ssecorp dluow taht seirtsudni -dnoces otni ecudorp larutlucirga .seitidommoc level na ni llac eht edam oruwabaB ni nemswen htiw weivretni .yadsendeW no ebmoG decudorp dah sremraf dias eH on dah tub sporc fo tol a

THE NIGERIAN

9

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Abuja Democracy Not About Quarreling - Jonathan ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has called on politicians to shun “ceaseless quarreling” and engage in robust political debates that would strengthen the country’s democracy.

Jonathan made the call at the public presentation and official launch of the Kukah Centre, founded by prominent cleric and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah.

Among other aims, the centre was established to strengthen national debate, improve governance and encourage Nigerians to take an active role in the country’s leadership.

Jonathan said that the nation’s democracy should be deepened by robust debates, stimulation of innovative ideas and healthy engagements by all actors.

“I call on everyone, the political class, our citizens and more importantly, the academic community to rise up to these challenges posed by this initiative (centre).

“I think we are over defining our democracy today by quarreling as if democracy is about competitors quarreling just

like motor park workers,” he said.

The president urged politicians to use the 2015 elections to renew their commitment to the country’s unity.

He said: “As elections draw close, I call on all politicians to see this as another opportunity for us to renew our commitment to deepen our democracy and strengthen our bond of unity.

“Democracy is not about political parties and politicians alone, it is not just about winning or losing elections; it is about freedom, about development and above all a forward march of our civilisation and encouragement of creativity.

“It is in this regard that we must seek to identify and support the growth of structures and institutions that will help strengthen our democracy to meet our aspirations as a people.”

Jonathan noted that policy research institutes like the Kukah Centre had been pivotal to the social economic transformation of leading countries of the world.

According to him, such centres have served as the laboratories of the

development, inter-relation and the refinement of key government policies.

He likened the Kukah Center to the Brooklyn Institute in America, which pioneered fact-based studies

of government policies, using science as a key to analysis.

The president then challenged Nigerian politicians to draw inspiration from it.

“I’m personally convinced that the centre could not have finer mentor than the revered gentleman of long patriotic standing, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah,” he added.

Cross section of ministers at the 73rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja recently.

Don Advocates Application Of Nanotechnology ABUJA - Prof. Joydeep Dutta, Vice President, Asian Institute of Technology, has advised Nigeria to use nanotechnology to address challenges in oil and gas

APC Lagos Central Senatorial Aspirant, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, being interviewed after emerging winner at the senatorial primary election in Lagos recently.

industry to boost national economy.

Dutta gave the advice in Abuja during the maiden Nigeria International Conference on Zeolite organised by the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

“According to Wikipedia e n c y c l o p e d i a , nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular and supramolecular scale.

“Nanotechnology is a modern science and engineering technology used in the design and construction of useful technological devices whose sizes are a few billionths of a meter.

“Every country needs to embrace this technology because it is one area that is

developing very fast and has huge potential to improve lives.

“It is a new domain of science and engineering which we call the 21st century manufacturing technology,’’ he said.

He maintained that Nigeria could achieve better quality and quantity of products if nanotechnology was applied in its oil and gas industrial sector.

According to him, one of the problems facing people in developing countries is the contamination of water.

He said that nanotechnology could be effectively used to remove bacteria directly from water, a process referred to as nano filter.

He added that nano filter had been tested in developing

Citizens Call For More Sensitisation On Open Data Initiative ABUJA - Stakeholders in Abuja have called on the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology to carry out more sensitisation on the ministry’s Open Data Initiative.

The Open Data Initiative, introduced by the ministry on January 23, is aimed at opening up high value datasets from

across government ministries to Nigerian citizens, businesses and the rest of the world.

The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, said at the event that publishing nonsensitive government data online was aimed at delivering value-adding insights for the benefit of the people.

The centre also aims at promoting conversations among Nigeria’s faith communities, as well as between leaders in faith and public policy.

Mr Emmanuel Federicks, a Data Analyst with a first generation Bank PLC, said in an interview with newsmen that the ministry should do more sensitisation on the initiative.

We know the importance of the initiative because we use

data for all our transactions. “ What is the point of having a world class programme on ground through which government talks openly and freely about its policies if the public is unaware of it.

“There is a need to inform the public on how the initiative works and the importance of shared information,” he said.

Federicks said the initiative had enabled his bank to share information with other banks and other stakeholders in the industry.

He called on other corporate organisations and individuals to be more data-conscious because the more informed they are the better for their businesses.

countries with excellent result.

“Most of the casualties of water borne diseases are in developing countries. Nano filter technology can make water safer for people to drink,’’ he said.

He listed other areas to which nanotechnology could be applied as medicine, chemical, agriculture, energy, Information Technology among others.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, Vice Chancellor, Al-Hikman University, Ilorin, Nigeria, disclosed that Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria had successfully produced a pilot synthetic zeolite.

He said that the pilot synthetic zeolite was ready for commercialisation and could be used for water cleaning and as a catalyst for chemical reaction in the laboratory.

“Zeolites have been in existence from time; synthetic zeolite is what is new.

“This can be used for cleaning water or as a catalyst to speed up rate of reaction,’’ Abdulkareem said.

THE NIGERIAN

10

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Business+Economy Youth Empowerment

PTDF Collaborates With Bank

ABUJA- The Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr Femi Ajayi, says the fund is collaborating with Heritage Bank Limited to empower youths on entrepreneurial development.

Ajayi announced this in his opening address at the first PTDF Youth Empowerment Scheme in Abuja.

Although the executive secretary did not give the financial implication of the partnership, the Bank said the global figure of the soft loan to be guaranteed by PTDF was about N500 million.

The PTDF boss said that as part of the funds commitment to capacity building, a special training and educational scheme was further set-up to develop the capacity of youths.

“Under this scheme, 120 youths from the Niger Delta and other parts of the country were trained in vocational skills including ICT, diagnostics/fault detection in heavy duty equipment.

“Also in Auto Rotary Technology at a City and Guilds Certified Centre in Cotonou, Benin Republic,” he said.

Ajayi said that the scheme was designed to run in batches of 20 and this was the first set selected based on their theoretical and

practical performance at the training centre.

He explained that the fund in partnership with the bank had designed the PTDF youth empowerment scheme to equip beneficiaries with resources required to set-up small and medium scale businesses.

Ajayi said that the essence was to ensure that knowledge and competences gained are maximised as well as to guarantee self-sufficiency for them in line with the Transformation Agenda of Mr President.

“Most of the support will be in material form, the bank will buy most of the equipment that is needed, and of course they will calculate the monetary equivalent of it.

“The bank will supervise the preparation of the business plan and how the businesses are set up so the amount of money involved will vary depending on the business,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Group Head of Heritage Bank Limited, Mr Jide Dada, said the support given by the bank was not a grant but a soft loan with interest rate at a single digit.

“We have a global figure of about N500 million, this is just the pilot scheme and once we see the success of these ones, then

we will begin to deploy the other ones.

“The loan that can be given to an individual would not exceed N10 million so that it can go round, although we are still deliberating on it as individual needs depend on business plan.

“We are going to administer the loan just the way we administer our regular loans, the loans are going to be at a concessionary rate and at a single digit interest rate which I think is fair enough,” he said.

The Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Miss Timipre Wolo, who enjoined the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the opportunity, said that the success of this first batch was very critical.

“There is going to be a serious monitoring, if we find out that some of you are slacking by the way, you could be pulled out because there is a long list of your colleagues waiting for this opportunity,” she said.

Mr Blankson Yenesom, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, said the gesture would go a long way in resolving the agitation and challenge of making the best use of the skills acquired due to lack of finance.

The scheme, according to him, would help the beneficiaries to set up their small scale businesses in the oil and gas sector.

Boundary Dispute

Sambo Meets Kogi, Anambra Govs ABUJA- Vice President Namadi Sambo has met with the governors of Kogi and Anambra to discuss the longstanding boundary dispute between the two states.

The meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had in attendance, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi and the Deputy Governor of Anambra, Mr Nkem Okeke, who represented Governor Willie Obiano.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Wada and Okeke said that they were satisfied with the way the vice president handled the matter and expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved by the end of the year.

“We are making a lot of

progress. Under the direction of Mr President, the boundary commission (National Boundary Commission) is tracing the boundary between the affected states in our area.

“And by the grace of God, by the end of this year all these issues will be behind us.

“Security is a dynamic issue.

Kogi is relatively peaceful by the grace of God and every effort is being made to maintain peace and tranquility in Kogi,“ he said.

On his part, Okeke said that a peaceful resolution of the dispute was top on the priority list of the Anambra governor.

“I’m here representing my principal, Chief Willie Obiano, who is unavoidably absent because of the burial of Dora Akunyili. I think this is one thing that is foremost on his mind to

solve.

“Nobody wants senseless killings; killings for no reason.

So, he sent me here to make sure that we get things moving, and I’m quite pleased with the way the Vice President handled the meeting.

“He gave directive to the National Boundary Commission to set a date to do all the necessary surveys and establish the boundary between us and Kogi state, and I believe in the near future things will be sorted out,“ he stated.

Okeke also said that Anambra was committed to the maintenance of peace and security with Kogi and ensure the matter was trashed out.

“His Excellency, you know security is foremost on his mind; my principal has been working hard on security.

Participants during a ceremony to recognise Small Holder Women Farmers for their contributions to food production and processing in Jos at the weekend.

L-R: Executive Director, Help International, Dr. John Jinung; Jos Branch Manager, Union Bank Plc, Mrs. Grace Bietdat and Plateau State Coordinator, Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN), Mrs. Jessica Vonkat at a ceremony to recognise Small Holder Women Farmers for their contributions to food production and processing in Jos at the weekend.

FG Moves To Ensure Improved Electricity Supply ABUJA- The Federal Government has said it would ensure that it paid the bills of electricity generating companies as part of efforts to improve power supply.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, disclosed this to State House correspondents in Abuja at the end of a closed door meeting on power, held at the Presidential Villa and chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

Nebo said that other issues in the electricity value chain were being addressed and expressed the hope that stability in power supply across the country would improve by October.

“The generation companies have been complaining that they

need to have all their bills paid.

“The good thing about this is that arrangements are being made to make sure that all the generation companies get their money as and when due.

“We are working on that. That was part of the meeting that was chaired by Mr Vice President.

“The next thing is how far we have gone with the issue of even settling the gas question. The gas question has remained for quite a while.

“But thankfully, the Minister of Petroleum Resources and I, the central bank governor and chairman of NERC (Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission) met many times to

APBN Urges FG To Check Housing Deficit LAGOS- The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has urged the Federal Government to provide social housing, to check the huge housing deficit in the country.

APBN President, Mr Bala Ka’oje, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Ka’oje urged the Federal Government to ensure that its earlier promise on social housing becomes a reality.

It would be recalled that social housing means homes that are owned by local authorities, let at low rents.

The houses are given to those who are most in need or struggling with their housing costs.

“Once the promise of a social housing scheme is realised, many Nigerians will live in decent neighbourhood.

“This is because it will help to reduce the emergence of slums as the houses would have necessary infrastructure and facilities which are lacking in the present schemes.

“The government should ensure funds are available for developers to engage in aggressive housing development.

“This can also be done through mortgage arrangements for people who want mortgage loans.

“The recapitalisation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) is, therefore, very important for government to achieve more in housing delivery,’’ he said.

Ka’oje said that when government engages in social housing, some of the impediments in the Land Use Act would be surmounted.

He said that it had been difficult for individuals and developers to have access to land for housing development.

The APBN president added it had been difficult to get title documents that would help them source for money to develop the available land.

According to Ka’oje, construction professionals categorise all lands and

address those issues.

“And that eventually ended in finding resources to take care of the indebtedness of the generation companies to the gas companies.

“So, once we take care of the backlog, we’ll insist that the gas companies will eventually produce more gas.“ The minister said the efforts had paid off with better power supply across the country in the past one week following improved gas supply.

“The cheering news from all of these is that if you have noticed throughout the country in the past one week people have been getting much better power supply.

“The gas is now beginning to come back and it’s something that gives all of us a lot of joy.

“And we know that it will continue to grow that way even until December.

“Now some of the facilities, maintenance, repair works on the gas equipment and so on, the gas producers have come to a place where almost all of these is being taken care of.

“And, then, the new gas we are expecting we have then trickling in right now.

“So that part of the shortfalls we’ve had in production up to this time, we hope that by beginning of October, we will see a much better stabilisation of the entire power delivery system in the country.

“So, first, I would say we rejoice that for the first time in a long time we have been averaging over 4,500 mw when we include nearly 300 mw of spilling reserve, which is always put there to make sure that the reliability and stability of the grid is ensured at all times.

“So, we are really moving forward; it may not be as rapidly as Nigerians expect, but it is important to let everybody know that indeed we are advancing, we are making progress and we will continue to make progress.

THE NIGERIAN

11

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

THE NIGERIAN

12

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014 THE violation of women’s rights both at the national and domestic strata have become burning and vexatious issues. What we find happening this country as regards the denial to women of certain privileges and rights, much more pervades other nations of the world to some varying degree and extent. In some countries women are never heard but they are only seen and are not offered opportunities to make their contributions to national growth and development.

THE refrain has always been that we are in a male dominated society and as such the dominance is carried over to other sectors of life, where it becomes very obvious that the male—folks are always in the position to wield power and control. However, the tendency to keep women at the background in most societies is derived from the tradition and custom of old in predominantly medieval communities where women are consigned to basic task of up-keeping of the home and the rearing and hearing of children.

AGAIN, there is the perceived social and environmental factors that women are not endowed with equal natural abilities seen against the superiority and innate physical attributes of man, which makes him the stronger sex while she women are regarded as the weaker sex.

WHILE it is still in contention that women are spiritually more gifted than the men, there are however, certain, religions practices in traditional, religion, Christianity and Islam, and many other faith-exercising beliefs where women are barred from priestly role for reasons peculiar to those faith.

OVER the years, however, women have risen to these challenges to combat and eliminate these practices and to elevate womanhood to the pedestal of dignity and to take their pride of place in society.

THESE situations have also given rise to such concepts as women liberation and women empowerment to such extent it appears that there has been an attempt to rewrite the English language to make it reflect the sense of womanhood where such words as “Chairman”

THE NIGERIAN

2015 And Women Participation and “mankind” are facing the challenges of some etymologists and lexical experts to make them lose their male connotations.

WHILE the war to institute the female privilege and the sense of womanhood in the language sector is a continuing one, there are still other areas of human endeavour where our womenfolk are carrying on the battle. It is a matter of fact, that women more often than not now concern themselves with issues such as the problem of development, female health reproductive issues, prostitution, trafficking in women, wife-battering and the political participation of women in the affairs of state.

FOR instance, a study by the population reference bureau, “conveying concerns: women write on Reproductive Health,” indicate that the global community is beginning to recognize crucial, yet long overlooked piece of development puzzle. The study states that the ideas and participation of women are essential for planning appropriate, comprehensive and effective development programs.

A DEVELOPMENT effort of particular significance to women, it says is the design of reproductive health policies and programmes to meet the needs of all women, at different stages In their reproductive lives, Irons different socio economic setting, of different religious and cultural backgrounds.

IT also noted that efforts in the past to provide women, reproductive health services seemed to have been implanted without fully understanding the needs and sensitivities of the women they

were to serve, following ‘which many women and women’s group because disillusioned with the development process.

HOWEVER, “the increasing problem that women face in our world is that of discrimination which is occasioned by traditional practices in all ramifications, even discrimination in office places and in appointments. In effect, no matter how highly placed a woman might be in respect of achievements and in office; her status is still low because of male chauvinism and its dominating characteristics not to regard a woman’s profile as worth anything not even by even who may have achieved less.

WOMEN’s standing has risen dramatically in recent times due mainly to their efforts and that of the international community and many non governmental organizations who insist on use rights and privileges which not only they should take Irons society between the constitutions and codes of human freedom had also conferred on them.

IN this regard a number of international decisions which have helped to legitimize the rights and privileges of women include the 1952 convention on the political rights of women, the 1979 convention on the political rights of women, the 1979 convention on the elimination of Discrimination ‘Against Women and the 1995 Beijing Conference, Chin sponsored by she Untied Nations. It was the fourth world conference on women with 189 governments and 2,600 non-governmental groups in attendance. RESOLUTIONS at the conference agreed to a set of strategic objectives and action including efforts to advance the role of women in politics and environment stewardship.

BESIDES, the Commonwealth has also been committed to the problem of gender inequality and presented plan of action at the Beijing Conference as well as an-update to it in 4997.

AT this point, we urge women groups yearning for improvements in women conditions nationally and globally to pursue the course relentlessly and not give up. Further, we implore the Nigerian government and other nations globally to address the socio-cultural factors that hinder women from the realization of their full potentials.

THE NIGERIAN

13

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

tnemnorivnE

egreV ehT tA dlroW ehT raW raelcunomrehT fO

morf troppus ticilos yb cilbup eht fo srebmem g n i s i c i l b u p snrecnoc latnemnorivne no sngiapmac gnigats dna sihT .sevitcejbo cificeps na evah ylevitisop lliw eht no tcapmi fo seicilop latnemnorivne

lacol dna lanoitan .slatatsarap ’stnemnrevog erusserp tup osla nac sihT roop htiw seinapmoc no ot sdrocer latnemnorivne na fo yaw eht wot fo level elbatpecca latnemnorivne .noitcetorp gnitnuad fo ecaf eht nI gnitnorfnoc segnellahc metsys-oce lasrevinu eht ytisrevid-oib dna sag yb denoisacco dna segallips lio ,gniralf erom ,tnedicca raelcun ot evah spets citamgarp OCSENU yb detpoda eb .ecanem eht ecuder ot fo ngiapmac ehT fo eussi eht gnisserdda enozo eht gnitcetorp tfel eb ton dluohs sreyal eht rehtar sertnec nabru ot eb dluohs tnemnrevog etanimessid ot elba larur eht ot noitamrofni .srellewd

AHKEWMESO AUNIGI EWIAKE yB

ni tcapmi na ekam seinapmoc eht gnizitisnes deen eht fo aera rieht ni latnemnorivne eb ot .yldneirf hctaw doohruobhgieN

lla tnemevorpmi ot dael .dnuora ytiliba eht ,noitidda nI doog tcartta ot rieht ,seeyolpme dna ytivitcudorp

eht ecneulfni nac a fo ecnamrofrep sti hguorht ynapmoc gninnalp ot edutitta roF .snoitacilppa dna gniniatniam ,ecnatsni doog a gnitacinummoc latnemnorivne evah nac ecnamrofrep ssenisub tnacifingis .eulav dedda , l l a t i n w o r c oT nac spuorg erusserp

eb nac tnemtimmoc ynapmoc a fi decnahne evitisop a tneserp dna egami latnemnorivne demrofni ffats sti speek ni devlovni dna latnemnorivne .stnemevorpmi doohruobhgien ehT lacol ,seitinummoc ,seitirohtua tnemnrevog lacol eht dna ,”O.G.N“ ot desoppus lla era aidem

laicnanif ,eroferehT dna sknab ,srotsevni ot deen oot srerusni eht dna sksir eht ssessa fo ytilibaiv mret gnol .ni tsevni yeht seinapmoc s s e n i s u b ,r e v e w o H ot trap a evah srentrap na peek ot mrof a rof yalp

fo drocer tnellecxe latnemnorivne si ti ,ecnamrofrep eht rof tnatropmi ti hcihw htiw seinapmoc ot ssenisub seod detalupits sti dnatsrednu seicilop latnemnorivne ot elba eb dluohs dna siht ot gnidrocca dnopser ,drager siht nI .noitcerid a dna noitarepooc nac hcaorppa elbitapmoc

eussi eht gnisserdda fo ngiapmac ehT“ ton dluohs sreyal enozo eht gnitcetorp fo e h t r e h t a r s e r t n e c n a b r u o t tf e l e b ot elba eb dluohs tnemnrevog larur eht ot noitamrofni etanimessid ”.srellewd

edisa tes yad a si raey yreve rebmetpeS fo H T 6 1 ot deen eht fo ssenerawa gnitaerc rof OCSENU yb eb dluoc sreyal enozO .reyal enozo eht evreserp ot doG yb dengised tatibah larutan a sa denifed dlrow eht gnigamad morf nus eht fo taeh eht etaredom .metsys oce ot del dah tsap eht ni reyal enozo fo noitelped ehT imanusT ot gnidael gniwolf revo aes ,gnimraw etamilc .noitadarged lacigoloce dlrow rehto dna fo ssenerawa gniworg a si ereht ,yltneuqesnoC sselnu taht noitasilaer eht dna smelborp latnemnorivne ,htrae tenalp eht draugefas ot spets citamgarp ekat ew sah ti sa efil gniniatsus fo elbapac eb regnol on llits ti .sraey fo snoillim rof enod napaJ no kcatta aciremA fo stceffe suortsasid ehT raW dlroW dnoceS eht gnirud ikasagaN dna amihsoriH eht dna ebonehC ta tnedicca raelcun naissuR eht dna sevil eht demialc evah taht egakael edicitsep naidnI enozo dlrow eht fo xepa eht era elpoep ynam os fo .skcatta reyal evah edurc htiw dewodne seirtnuoc ni segallips liO erom gnimoceb era elpoeP .swen enildaeh edam emusnoc yeht retaw fo ytilauq eht tuoba evisneherppa sag yb denoisacco niar dica ot eud sisab yliad no .gniralf rac fo stceffe eht tuoba denrecnoc osla era yehT fo ecnaraeppasid eht dna nerdlihc rieht no tsuahxe .statibah efildliw lacol ylppa ot gnieb sah snrecnoc eseht fo tluser ehT ssenisub no dna ,noitca ekat ot tnemnrevog no erusserp d n a t c a r i e h t p u n a e l c o t n o i t a z i n a gr o r e h t o d n a morf erusserp ,ecnamrofrep latnemnorivne evorpmi smrof fo yteirav a sekat erofereht noinipo cilbup sa nwonk ylralupop stcudorp fo sreyub htiw gnitrats rieht gnisaercni yliad era yeht sremotsuc era yeht ,yltneuqesnoC .ssensuoicsnoc latnemnorivne noitcudorp ni sesahcrup fo edom rieht gnitceles won era taht sdoog htiw yfitnedi ot ekil yehT .secivres dna won elpoeP .elbalcycer ro elbadargedoib degakcap ton od taht sredwop gnihsaw ezinortap ot referp tnemnorivne eht ro retaw ni slairetam cixot etutitsnoc dael fo dioved si taht lortep gnimusnoc sa llew sa .nosiop remusnoc setomorp tnemnrevog eht .K.U eht nI dna erutcafunam eht egaruocne ot noitamrofni ssel era hcihw stcudorp fo noitubirtsid .tneiciffe-oc ygrene erom dna lufmrah yllatnemnorivne worrob nac airegiN ni tnemnrevog fo sreit eerht ehT s’ n o i t a n e h t g n i g r u y b . K . U e h t m o r f f a e l a noitca fo nalp a etalumrof ot seicnega latnemnorivne .noitcetorp latnemnorivne tsoob lliw taht ,erofereht dnamed remotsuc ralupop ot esnopser nI ot dradnats gnillebal gnicudortni era seirtnuoc ynam latnemnorivne eht fo erusaem a sremusnoc eht evig .stcudorp fo slaitnederc dna sdoog erutcafunam ssenisub a rehtehW ylekil era sremotsuc sti ,secivres edivorp ro sessecorp .ycilop latnemnorivne sti tuoba wonk ot dnamed ot ot tnaw seinapmoc ni serahs thguob ohw elpoeP .detcetorp llew si tupni rieht taht erus yletulosba eb gninrecnoc sisab yliad no deksa gnieb era snoitseuQ evah yeht seinapmoc fo tcapmi latnemnorivne eht tnemnorivne eht tuoba snrecnoc erongi oT .detsevni dluoc tnemnrevoG .erahs ssenisub fo ssol ot dael dluoc eht teem ot gniliaf rof seitlanep tnegnirts ecrofne doog elihw dradnats yldneirf latnemnorivne debircserp y c n e i c i ff e s e g a r u o c n e t n e m e g a n a m l a t n e m n o r i v n e .secruoser dna ygrene fo etsaw ssel hguorht

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Youths Take Caution Ajuwaya Today

14

OVER the years youth in a certain country plays significant role in the decision making of that particular country that is, youths have a say in the political economical and social change development and stability of a country which is why the adage says that train a child and build a nation because it is presumed that the youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow.

The scenario is also the same in Nigeria, the only problem associated with that of the country (Nigeria). Is that the way the youths are being used or better said the way they allow themselves to be used is the focus of this write up.

There are two major categories of youths in Nigeria and they are classified by their involvement in the political activities and their participations before, during and after the elections.

The first category of the youths are the ones used for the smooth running of the electoral process those whom the body that is saddled with the responsibility of carrying out all elections related activities used in getting their jobs done and they are fresh graduates who are within their service year otherwise known as the National Youths Services Corps members (NYSC) which is why the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has been in partnership-with for over four years now to see that these youth contributing their own quota to the success of the elections The commission however to things in place by training the corps members on the electoral process, just last week INEC officials nationwide emback on a

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

By ORIYOMI TIJANI A.

one day training programme for all corps members serving in all the states in the country on how to distribute the Permanent Voters Cards (PVC( in exchange for the old Temporary Voters Cards (TVC) Some of the corps members are still on training as we speak because they are saddled with the responsibilities of continuous voters registration which is scheduled for November12 2014 and are also to prepare their minds towards the forth coming elections slated for February 14 2015.

The second category of the youth are the ones who these write up is focused on because they are the those who because of one reason or the other allow themselves to be used by politicians and political parties as instruments of destruction they go by the name area boys, hoodlums or thugs.

Thuggery as defined by the advanced leaner dictionary as a process of acting violently especially in the area of crime.

Political thuggery can be defined as the illegal means of seeking political power while political violence is seen as the illegitimate and unauthorized use of force to influence decision against the desire or will of the people.

These are the set of youths who will go to any length to a-certain that their political godfathers have their way in the elections through the use of force to influence voters decision.

They go as far as brutalizing and at times kill the political opponent of their godfathers in other to ensure that power and authority is bestowed on those who had sent them to

carry out the devilish act, the question to be asked is if these set of people do not have thing to do or that the growth and development of the country is not their concern?

The answers to these questions are not farfetched, most of these youths who are used by these politicians for political hooliganism and violence are those who can hardly eat three square meals per day without begging or forcefully

collecting from those who are at their mercy and those in these category are traders and market women who mostly see these set of people as the ones maintain law and other when the police and other law enforcement agencies are nowhere to be found.

Though among those who do these dirty works are some learned ones who actually went to school but ended up becoming a member of a secret cult and because of the power they

seem to have pass through the illegal possession of illegal arms, ammunitions, mystical and fetish powers becomes aids to this so called political Godfathers.

Most of which has made their money through looting of government funds from the various offices they hold or has held as the case may be and some through affiliation with those of them whom they have helped into political offices through their thugs and hoodlums.

They don’t seem to care

if those they use to get to their power place end up dead all they care about is to see themselves or their candidate in the office and after that is done they make those thugs their personal aid and body guards They might as well put them in office meant for the serious minded educated graduates who knows how to do the job well will fit in but they give it to the hoodlums in other to keep them closer in case of other assignments and the person who ought to be doing such

“The second category of the youth are the ones who these write up is focused on because they are those who because of one reason or the other allow themselves to be used by politicians and political parties as instruments of destruction they go by the name area boys, hoodlums or thugs.�

jobs ends up on the streets because their places have been filled by the hoodlums.

The implications of these to the society is of grave concern because if the so called youth of today who are meant to be future leaders are the presents hoodlums of today then I wonder the type of leaders the country will produce when the time comes.

So this piece is aimed at telling those youths to

opportunity for them to think twice about their future for generations to come will remember them and give them what they deserve either to pray for them or to course them for having mismanaged their future for a token.

So this is a call on all those who wants to use this forth coming elections as a way to get themselves hooked to a political godfather to be used continuously as a devil tool to take caution, because

watch their ways because an election is around the corner and this is the time for them to set their head straight and work for the betterment of this country because at the end it affects them more than they expect some of them have younger ones at school who will eventually graduates and needs to get a job and it is that time that it will struck them that they have sold out their future and that of their younger ones And it means they have not only failed themselves but they have failed their people and generations to come will never forgive them for having sold them out and having exchanged their mandate and future for those that cannot offer them anything than eternal destruction.

This is a change and an

the prayers of the youths who have graduated for years and are still struggling to make ends means without doing anything bad is to see that person that will deliver the country from the chains of unemployment and lack of simple social amenities for the masses will be answered.

Either they like it or not this forth coming election will be free fair and credible and the faith of the hoodlums will be in the hands of God On a final note this is an advice for the youths in general do not sell your future for it is whatever you do today that if not your children will get in the nearest future because if care is not taken you would be surprised that they will from today destroy the lives of the children that will come of tomorrow as it is said a word is enough for the wise.

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Child Health And You I thought a long time before I decided to include this chapter, and I think I hesitated be cause the handicapped, of all people, have enormous right to question Cod. I’m beginning it now, suddenly, with a fresh sense of certainty. Why? Evidently working through this book is helping me too. I’m learning.

The questions are going to come. The “pat answers” won’t, but why dodge the questions?

Because I am not physically handicapped is no reason to duck. After all, I hope I’m pointedly calling attention to the danger of attempting “pat answers” in response to any question about any human misfortune.

A friend, kind enough to read some of this manuscript even before it was finished, said: “I m excited about it. Every page is as honest as pain.”

I thought about her remark as I began to write this chapter.

Could I continue to be as “honest as pain” and write only about the handicapped themselves? What of those whose responsibility they are?

What of the mothers of cerebral palsied children? The parents of sightless, deaf, crippled, or retarded children?

What questions do they fling at God—alone at night—in their beds at last? Do they ask Him, as someone asked Jesus when He healed the blind boy, whose fault it is that this child is handicapped? Why is my child blind or deaf or palsied?

Is it my fault? Have I failed somewhere in what I had to give to this child genetically?

Am I being punished for something I could or could not have helped. Do I over help my child with his handicap? Will I ever learn to live with the dread of what is going to happen to my child if I die first? Will I ever be really rested inside?

One such mother said to me: “Some days I just get so tired that I think I’d give ten years off my life for a week away from this precious, constant, frightening responsibility of caring for my son every minute.” And then she laughed a little. “Of course, you know that if I ever got that chance, I couldn’t and wouldn’t take it!

I’d be even more tired wondering if Bob is all right.”

All of these questions and confusing reactions are valid.

God thoroughly understands them; He knows how to take them. He knows exactly what they mean and what they do not mean. And from observation, I’d say He gives adequate grace every day to those whose responsibility it is to care for a handicapped loved one. Each person in each

The Handicapped

individual circumstance must be willing to accept that grace, and it seems that many do -willingly, gladly. Most parents, wives, husbands, brothers, sisters-even friendswhose lives revolve around the needs of an incapacitated loved one appear to make the most of being so needed. Their cheerful hourly gifts to their charges are hourly gifts to God, too.

Still, it is normal for them to question-even to doubt. And it is wrong to add false guilt to their already burdened hearts.

Their burdens are as heavy as the loved one’s handicap.

Just in time to use parts of it, with her permission, this letter came from a creative, happy young woman in Missouri: Dear Genie Price, I am a twenty-five-year-old who’s a victim of cerebral palsy and confined to a wheel chair most of the time, except for walks I sometimes take using an a crutch inside our house. But please don’t feel sorry for me! I think I must surely be one of the luckiest people God ever made! My wonderful mom and I live alone. My dad passed away as a result of a heart attack in 1957.

I’ve just been having a marvelous time with your book The Wider Place. This is not a letter about my handicap. It is a letter about my freedom.

This young lady had grasped the message of freedom while sitting in her wheelchair. She had typed page after page-each filled with her joyous comments on certain chapters, although typing is obviously real work for her. My heart soared, and all I could think as I read was that here is a free, intelligent spirit-a happy child of God. And I must add that she probably could not be this way if her mother, who carries her responsibility alone now, were not a happy, intelligent, free spirit too.

Her comments on one or two chapters of the book are selfexplanatory: At the beginning of Chapter 1, it says: God grants liberty only to those who love it.

(Daniel Webster) So, if the Son liberates you-makes you free men-you are really and unquestionably free!

How true I have found this to be in my own life. I can sit in my wheelchair and feel so sorry for those people walking around who have never known, never experienced the real freedom Christ gives, would give to them, if they

By EUGENIA PRICE

would only trust Him and ask in simple, childlike,, faith.

Concerning the gist of another chapter, she wrote: You said, Genie, that God is not the author of confusion; He is, in Jesus Christ, the light of the world; the clarification of man’s perplexities. This is the

Thinking of this young lady, words like activist, explorer, and adventurer pop into my mind. Words such as those about a twenty-five-year-old confined to a wheelchair? Just as there is no pat answer to her affliction, so there is none for her joy-none that can be curbed

lost count of the copies I’ve bought. I know the story well, but each time I give away my last copy, I have to order more because I go on learning so much from what Roger Winter has learned in the years since we’ve been friends. You see, I know how bitter he was at first—how bitter and frightened, lying helplessly in

liberating news. I certainly know that God is not the author of confusion! I have had cerebral palsy since birth, so I at least know what He has taught me through it. I know I am not confused because otherwise I might have been so much slower to learn about the true liberty I now enjoy.... I am a living example of the unchanging truth that God wants to go all the way with us in making us free. Some people don’t believe it, but I now have a real and lasting purpose for my life.

You also wrote in The Wider Place: Why do we go on expecting the worst?

According to Jesus Christ, there need only be the joy of expecting the best-not according to what we imagine we want, but according to what God knows to be the best. To that, I can only add that Jesus knows how to make the best out of the worst life can hand us. Your new book is going to be right, Genie. At least, here is one child of God who doesn’t need a “pat answer” for her affliction. I’m having too much fun learning to be free in the midst of it!

As I sit here reading her letter, I find only the perplexing, blood-tingling, tumultuous joy which makes no sense at all to those who keep trying to cause God to “make sense” with us.

by words.

On a recent trip to Atlanta, I learned of the suicide of a young man in his early thirties.

As a small boy he had been paralyzed from his waist down by polio. He lived with his affliction as long as he could and then took steps to end it.

His sister told me that since the Salk vaccine had made the crippling disease of polio almost unheard of now, her brother ’s bitterness had increased until he took his life.

He wanted an explanation of why the crippler of little children had not been controlled in time to prevent his tragedy.

I understood his desperation.

I also thought of a dear friend whom I haven’t seen now for many years—Roger Winter, the author of I’ll Walk Tomorrow. I met Rog and his lovely wife, Tres, not long after this once strapping athlete had been stricken with polio, so that for the remainder of his life he will be able to move only his head. Every so often Tres slips a contraption around Rog’s neck to help his breathing. In order to speak, he has to “pump himself’ up a little until that span of breath is “talked out,” then pump again. He types with a specially carved stick in his mouth and handles his own business from home. And now he has written his story. I’ve

that iron lung. I know the questions that tortured his mind.

I also know some of the questions other people used to ask me about this young man.

“If he’s such a terrific Christian, why doesn’t God heal him?” “Roger Winter is a member of a church which believes in physical healing?

How come he hasn’t been healed?”

In his book, I’ II Walk Tomorrow, Rog writes of a letter he once received from a correspondent whose own spiritual stability appeared shaken by the fact that Rog wasn’t impatient at not being healed. This person wrote: “God can’t use you until you are healed” “I have thought back to that statement many times,” Roger says, “reflecting on all that has happened in my life since that day. It is obvious now that the author of the letter had underestimated God. When conditions are set by man, they limit the power of Christ within us.... What Jesus Christ has done in my life is to convert a potential tragedy into a meaningful, joyful event.”

How could he write that last line? Is there a sensible answer as to how almost total paralysis for life can be converted “into a meaningful, joyful event?”

An answer, yes, but not a humanly sensible one. Is it

enough to say that had this disease not struck Roger Winter, his Christian witness would have been far less effective? Does God really think this way before a tragedy strikes? Does your intelligence permit you to believe that God is like this? Is He so limited that He has to sit on some remote throne and make decisions such as: “Now, let me see, I’ll afflict Roger Winter with polio so that he will never be able to draw a breath again without conscious effort, and then he will be a fruitful witness for me”?

Roger was headed for football stardom. Wouldn’t it have brought far more glory to God if, in answer to the prayers for divine healing which have ascended in Rog’s behalf, God had healed him?

Or are we to resort to the ancient, masochistic, once widely held religious belief that only in this state of rigid incapacity could Roger Winter have been taught patience and self-denial?

Isn’t God able to teach us anything He wants us to learn, no matter whether our lives are tragic or uneventful? In fact, most of us live rather uneventful lives. What about us? Doesn’t God want us to be taught patience and courage too?

Do you see?

There are no answers the human intelligence can accept which cover the problem of the handicapped, either. No separate answers for this tragedy and that. No line of questioning and no line of reasoning which does not slam ultimately into a thick wall of silence.

Roger Winter believes healing must be sought Typical of his fine, rational mind, he reminds us that there’s no other way to obtain it. “But,” he warns, “even the greatest amount of faith can only carry us to the point of God’s touch.

It is for Him to extend His healing power as it best suits our total life?’ Knowing Roger Winter, I’m sure he would agree with this addition: Only God knows what suits.

Handicapped persons, such as Roger and my new young friend with cerebral palsy, who are joyful, interested, and creative have simply come to the place of letting God decide.

That explanation of mine may also seem a bit pat, and perhaps it is. But these two have stopped the bitter questioning.

They have exchanged questioning for questing-and from wheelchairs, they are both romping in their minds and in their spirits-finding the exploration good and the treasures infinite.

FOOTNOTE!

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Development

Post-2015 Develop

Pundits Say Cartoon Africa Intl Biennia THE 2nd edition of “CARTOON AFRICA I N T E R N AT I O N A L BIENNIAL (CAIB) festival” hosted by the Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Center, in Benin City, Nigeria, has been described by pundits, social science cum art critics and other stakeholders as a potential catalyst for social reengineering, public awareness and behavior changes across Africa and the rest of the world.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing that you have done to bring together international cartoonists here in Benin City, and it’s the hope that you get increasing support for this particular event so that you can hold it continually”, said an American, Professor Jean Borgatti, at the CAIB festival exhibition opening penultimate Thursday.

The CAIB festival seeks to explore how Art, in synergy with allied fields/professions, can provide ANSWER to a wide variety of issues and concerns in favour of Africa’s sustainable development and productivity while professionally researching, showcasing, promoting, rewarding excellence in the use of cartoons and graphic humour to address issues of public interest, in the context of public education.

Every other year, since 2012, visual journalists , artists of talent and culture practitioners across Africa and other parts of the world meet in Nigeria -through their comedic Art - to draw attention to, and spread awareness on, some vital social, political, economic, cultural issues and concerns in favour of Africa’s development, global peace and progress. Over 130 artistspress cartoonists, illustrators, photographers, cartoon animators, etc, from over 20 countries of the world participated in the 2nd edition of CAIB festival, 2014, which opened in Benin City on Thursday November 27, 2014.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Edo State,

Mr. Daniel Eromosele, speaking at the event penultimate Thursday, observed that “…it’s a project that we all need to support because it’s a brand new one in the area of art especially, and we in the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, we always want to encourage anything that we know can encourage and uplift the image of our country, the image of our tradition, anything that can bring peace and unity to our existence. So, I think that through these cartoons we can preach peace, we can do so many things for the development of our society. So, I see it as a program that every one of us has to encourage so that people can now begin to see it like other cultural activities happening in Nigeria.”

On her part, the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, and chairman of the occasion, Honourable Aanena Jemitola, during her address, went down memory lane to recount how cartooning shaped lives, characters and opinions. She said, “I have already had a look at the exhibition inside, and I must say it is an eyeopener; … Cartoons are almost extinct in Nigeria today, and I know a lot of us grew up on cartoons. You know, that was the days when children actually believed in

cartoons, when children actually lived cartoons.

Cartoons then were cartoons that shaped our lives. Even in the newspapers- I remember when I was old enough to read newspapers, I usually went to the cartoon page first, and from the cartoon page you also learn about what is going on in the country- the social problems, the economic problems, …so, even if you were not old enough to appreciate those problems, but at least it was already forming in your mind and you have ideas of what the world was holding in forth for you.

“It’s apt that it is titled “AFRICA OF THE FUTURE”, and I must say, with good cartoons we can have Africa of the future we all dream of…” the Commissioner said.

Mr. Ighoroje Aaron, a social critic, commented after touring the exhibition, that “ I think there is much work to be done in Africa…Sad at our current stage, we are kind of far behind…May God help Africa.” However, for Miss Cherry Ise, “Well, I think the artistic work and pictorial illustrations here are natural and appeals to the average man or average Nigerian and interpretes the world around us”; and for Mr. Brown Ndukwe, all were “beautiful works, nice concepts; first of its kind in Benin, Edo State.”

The curator of the National Museum, Benin City, Mr. Theophilus Umogbai, also aired his mind: “This is great…this is great. I’m greatly impressed.

Please make sure all these works are well documented in catalogue form. That is the only way more people will get to know and benefit from the wealth of information here. This clearly promotes cross cultural dialogue”.

Since the pilot edition of the CAIB festival in November, 2012, Mr. Umogbai and his

Culture and Tourism, host of the ongoing 2nd edition of CAIB festival; Hill Communications (Canada), sponsors and managers of the CAIB official website; National Gallery of Art (NGA) Benin City outstation, who handled exhibition mounting logistics; Muse Concepts Artmosphere Ltd, etc. Media partners of the project so far include

sanitation and hygiene challenges in Africa in the context of the United Nation’s post – 2015 Development Agenda, MediaBFI and Horizon International have collaboratively produced a special Youth engagement advocacy comic book series entitled “Schoolchildren Battle Malaria and Other Diseases” which was also exhibited at the 2nd cartoon Africa Int’t Biennial Festival

seen, heard buildi youth devel produ of in comm mate carto mult carto audio journ inform throu

Some visitors to the 2nd Cartoon Africa International Biennial interacting over the exhibitio

Chairman of the occassion, Hon. Aanena Jemitola, Edo State Commissioner of Arts, Culture and Tourism.

“Even if you were not old enough to appreciate those problems, but at least it was already forming in your mind and you have ideas of what the world was holding in forth for you. It’s apt that it is titled “AFRICA OF THE FUTURE”, and I must say, with good cartoons we can have Africa of the future we all dream of…”

By FRANCIS ODUPUTE

enthusiastic staff at the National Museum, Benin City, have been very supportive of the CAIB project in kind by hosting (as well as participating in) the Jury selection exercises.

Other pioneer partners and supporters include the WHITE SPACE, Ikoyi, in Lagos State, who hosted the pilot CAIB exhibition in Lagos in 2012; the Edo State Ministry of Arts,

Professor Jean Borgatti, pointing out some things to the exhib U. Odupute.

the Global Free Press (Canada), the NIGERIAN OBSERVER Newspapers (Nigeria), Vanguard Newspapers (Nigeria), MediaBFI (Nigeria) and Horizon International (USA).

Already, as integral part of the CAIB project in addressing the water,

and is now being freely distributed worldwide. . It is available on the Horizon International Solutions Site at http://www.solutions-site.org and on the MediaBFI Blog: www.mediabfi.blogspot.com * Y O U T H ENGAGEMENT: To secure a better future, today’s young people should not only be

onlin strate innov produ devel future “W sanita comic anima being

THE NIGERIAN

17

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Development

pment Agenda

al Will Fast Track Public Awareness

, but they MUST be d. By involving and ing capacity of African hs in the post-2015 lopment agenda, in the uction and dissemination nformation education munication (IEC) erials, editorial ooning, comics, imedia/new media oon animation ovisuals, visual nalism, etc, in mation and news sharing ugh social media, print/

at Yale University, New Haven, CT, in collaboration with the media service of Beautiful Feet International (MediaBFI), a non-profit organization based in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The comics are being created to positively engage youths in the fight against diseases related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

The 12-page colored comic book, draws upon the content of Horizon’s book and its accompanying DVDs, “\t

ons.

environmental health, climate change, environmental engineering, and population research. The book was published by Wiley-Blackwell in collaboration with Horizon International in November 2011.

The comic book, “Schoolchildren Battle Malaria and Other Diseases,” was created and designed by Francis Odupute, initiator and curator of the CAIB festival, and his MediaBFI team in Nigeria. Francis U. Odupute is Founder and President of Beautiful Feet International and an artist for Horizon International, USA. This is the first edition of a planned 12 part series entitled “WASH 4 All.” Young boys and girls of school age in developing countries where WASH culture is relatively very poor, the health implications of which takes its toll on the lives and education of these children, are the main audience. The audience not only includes youths aged 7 to 19, but also those in their early adulthood.

“Parents, schoolteachers, and community-leaders and health care workers through the entire world who can use the comic as a learning tool, are also part of our audience,” said Odupute. “They all play strategic roles in WASH

to help youth especially in countries where the need for greater understanding of the importance of WASH is greatest. And to thus engage youths to tackle WASH challenges in the spirit of securing their future.”

“Through the comic book,” says Janine M. H. Selendy, Chairman, President and Publisher of Horizon International, “we employ simple stories with powerful graphics to convey complicated health concerns, devastating health problems destroying childhoods and killing millions of children, and to provide some examples of preventive measures that can be taken by families, schools, and communities.”

This first comic book focuses on malaria and touches on other water-related diseases.

In the school of Dan and Ann, “somewhere in a remote part of Africa,” their classmates are suffering from the symptoms of and dying from malaria. In one of its informative side bars, the comic book states: “Malaria is a dangerous disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes, a disease vector, Every year, over 600,000 people die from malaria…especially children under 5 and pregnant women in tropical Africa. 3.4 billion people, almost half the world’s

bition curator, Francis Mr. Theophilus Umogbai, Curator, National Museum Benin City, at the CAIB2014 exhibition.

ne media, etc, CAIB egically targets media vation, paradigm shift, uctivity and moral capital lopment for Africa’s e leaders.

WASH 4 ALL” (water, ation and hygiene for all) c book series and short ated cartoon videos are g produced by Horizon

“_blank”Water and Sanitation Related Diseases and the Environment Challenges, Interventions and Preventive Measures.”

It was completed with comments and reviews from several of that book’s 59 authors, experts from the fields of public health, medicine, epidemiology,

education efforts.”

As Odupute says, “Cartoons and comics are a unique art form and powerful information, education communication tool for public education and behavioral change, especially among youths. Working together with Horizon International has given us the opportunity to apply our talents

population is at risk.”

“Every minute a child dies from malaria, according to World Health Organization (WHO),” says Selendy. “Meeting WASH needs is vital to the health and well-being of everyone. We will focus on various diseases while building on the knowledge of what can be done to prevent them.”

“An estimated 2.4 to 2.6 billion individuals lack access to any type of improved sanitation facility according to the WHO,” says Selendy.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of the developing world, more than 35 % of the world’s population lack access to adequate sanitation. And, poor sanitation and hygiene are inextricably linked to water quality.”

“With roughly 884 million people lacking access to an improved water supply, water that is protected from outside contamination, in particular from contamination with fecal matter, 1.2 billion individuals are exposed to water-related illness from their drinking water.” Selendy adds.

“The lack of this most fundamental service contributes to an estimated 1.87 million annual deaths due to diarrhea- more than 90 % of which are in children under 5 years of age,” writes Jay Graham, Assistant Professor and Director of the MPH in Global Environmental Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services in the book, “Water and Sanitation Related Diseases and the Environment: Challenges, Interventions and Preventive Measures.”

“The magnitude of health problems caused by inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene are so immense that most people have difficulty grasping the consequences. For example, diarrhea remains the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age globally, and nearly one in five child deaths, around 1.5 million a year, is due to diarrhea. This equates to the

death of one child every 15 seconds, meaning more than 4,000 child deaths every day, and exceeds the death rates from such killer diseases as malaria and tuberculosis according to the World Bank.”

The late Dr. Lee jong-wook when he was DirectorGeneral of the World Health Organization, expressed the importance of addressing water and sanitation so well when he wrote, “…once we can secure access to clean water and to adequate sanitation facilities for all people, irrespective of the difference in their living conditions, a huge battle against all kinds of diseases will be won.”

“The focus of the second edition of the WASH 4 All comic book series will focus on the sensitive, often neglected, subject of opendefecation,” Odupute said.

“While six billion people worldwide have mobile phones, only 4.5 billion have access to toilets or latrines – meaning that 2.5 billion people, mostly in rural areas, do not have proper sanitation, according to UN figures,” said Selendy. “In addition, 1.1 billion people still defecate in the open.”

Media are invited to announce and provide PDF copies and links to sources where the comic book can be downloaded. It is available on the Horizon International Solutions Site at http:// www.solutions-site.org and on the MediaBFI Blog: www.mediabfi.blogspot.com.

The “WASH 4 ALL” comic books, other free comics, cartoons and more information about the Cartoon Africa International Biennial (CAIB) festival can also be freely downloaded from their official website: http:// www.cartoonafricabiennial.org Sponsors are also urgently needed, locally and internationally, to sustain the project.

“Cartoons and comics are a unique art form and powerful information, education communication tool for public education and behavioral change, especially among youths.”

THE NIGERIAN

18

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Health CHILDHOOD Pneumococcal Vaccine helps children avoid the suffering and danger of ear infections, meningitis and pneumonias. And a new study suggests it may provide an added bonus: cutting down on infections from antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”.

First used in children in 2010,the pneumococcal vaccine was linked to a 62 percent reduction between 2009 and 2013 of drugresistant infections of bacterial pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections for children under 5. “The vaccine is an important tool against antibiotic resistance,” said lead researcher Sara Tomczyk, an epidemic intelligence service office in the Respiratory Disease Control and Prevention.

“Along with appropriate antibiotic use, it is part of the solution to protecting ourselves against the growing threat of antibiotic resistance”, she added.

The preumococcal vaccine is currently recommended for all children age 5 and younger. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause ear infections, pneumonia and meningitis. It is the most common vaccinepreventable bacteria cause of death, the researcher noted.

Antibiotic-resistant strains are especially worrisome because stands drugs to not seem to help fight these bacteria.

But the advent of the pneumococcal vaccine may have lessened the danger. According to Tomczyk, more than 4,400 cases of antibioticr e s i s t a n t , invasipneumococcal disease were prevented between 2010to 2013.

“Not only does this vaccine prevent pneumococcal infection, which means fever, antibiotics are prescribed, but it also prevents antibiotic-resistant infections” she added.

Childhood Vaccine That Cuts Superbug Infections, Diseases Tomczyk said the vaccine has been so effective that the U.S government’s Healthy people 2020 goal of reducing bacteria-resistant

pneumococcal disease from 9.3 to 6 cases per 100,000 children was achieved nine years early and has since dropped to 3.5 cases per 100,000.

The vaccine is required in three-quarters of states before a child can be admitted to daycare, Tamczyk noted, and 85 percent of U.S children have by now received the recommended four doses.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is given in four doses, at 2, 4 and 6 months of age and 12 through 15 months.

The results of the study were scheduled to be presented in Philadephia this October at IDweek, the annual meeting of a number of groups focused on infections disease.

Experts note that findings presented at medical meetings are typically considered preliminary

By STEVEN REINBERG until published in a peerreviewed journal.

Dr. Adriana Cadilla, a pediatrician at Miami,

p n e u m o c o c c a l polysaccharide vaccine six to 12 months later.

There are more than 90

of the pneumoccoccal vaccine is recommended for adults 19 and older who have certain cancers, HIV or kidney failure, followed by doses of polysaccharide

said, “Its wonderful news that we have proof that the vaccine works as well as it does”.

It has clearly reduced antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal disease, she added. “It seem to be doing a great job. It is something parents should make sure their children have”.

The vaccine is not just for kids, Tomczyk stressed. One dose is recommended for all adults 65 and older, followed by dose of the

types of pneumococcal bacteria, she noted. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine protects against 13 of the most common severe pneumococcal infections among children, while the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria, including those most likely to cause serious disease, which is why both are recommended for older adults.

Additionally, one dose

vaccine, Tomczyk said.

Need A flu Shot?

The American Academy of Paediatrics updated their influenza vaccine recommendations to advise that the youngest kids should have two initial doses of vaccine to build immunity.

The AAP also wants parents of children aged 2to 8 to consider getting their kids the nasal spray vaccine instead of the Flu shot if its readily available.

“Its important to get the

vaccine as soon as it’s available”, said lead author Dr. Henry Bernstein, a specialist in pediatrics at North shore-LIJ Health System in New Hyde Park, N.Y. The recommendations were published Online on September 22 in the journal pediatrics.

Last year, slightly more than 100 children died from flu, according to the US Centres for disease Control and Prevention of these, almost half had no underlying medical conditions, according to the AAP. More than 90 percent of children treated for influenza in Intensive care Units weren’t vaccinated for flu last year, the AAP reported.

Getting the flu is much worse than getting vaccinated Bernstein said.

“This is a vaccinepreventable disease and there is no question that the more people who get vaccinated, the better off we all are: Bernstein said.

Although this year’s flu vaccine protect against the same type of flu as last year’s vaccine children still need to get vaccinated, even if they were vaccinated last year, he said.

“People still need to get the vaccine, because people’s immunity wanes Overtime”, Bernstein said.

Infact, antibodies to flu drop 50 percent in the six to 12 months after vaccination, according to the AAP.

“The preumococcal vaccine is currently recommended for all children age 5 and younger. Pneumococcal bacteria can cause ear infections, pneumonia and meningitis. It is the most common vaccine-preventable bacteria cause of death, the researcher noted.”

THE NIGERIAN

19

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

A]. INTRODUCTION Example 2 differential calculus is also x2 -3x - 4 Evaluate Lt known as defferentiation. It is a rate x 4 x-4 measurer and it measures the rate at (WAEC) which a function is changing its Solution: value compared with that of the Again you observe that directly

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

Differential Calculus variable upon whic it depends.

One of the essential elements of Differentiation is the is the idea of limits. In line with the objectives of the New Curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), students should be able to find limits of functions at given point(s).

Limit of a function: The limits of a function is that value obtained when a substitution is done.

Note: Limit = Lim. = Lt.

B].APPLICATION EXAMPLES

Example 1 x2 - 4 Evaluate Lim x-2 x 2 (WAEC)

However, when the limit of a function as the variable does not tend to a real value, we divide both the numerator for x will lead to 0 (undefined). and denominator by the highest power 0 Hence, factorising the numerator we or degree of the given function. Next, we simplify and the result follows! get Example 5 Lt (x + 1)(x - 4) 2x2 - 4x + 5 Lt Evaluate x-4 x 4 ×× x2 - 2x - 3 x Lt (WAEC) x+1 = x 4 Solution: (On cancelling x - 4) × Simply note that whenever x Now substitute for x to get 4 + 1 = 5 the next thing is to divide through.

Ans

Example 3 Evaluate Lim 2 Cos2x -3 sinx 3 Cos x x 0 (WAEC)

=

4-4 2-2

=

0 0

= 2

Answer

Solution: (As x × , 4/x, 5/x2, 2/x and 3/x2 all of Simplifying the above, we have them will tend to zero.)

3 sin x 2 (Cos x)2 Example 6 Lt 3 Cos x Evaluate 3 Cos x x 0 2x2 - x - 3 Lt

Solution: We observe that directly Lim 2 ubstituting x = 2 will result in =x 4 3

x2 - 4 x-2

Thus, we write 2x2/x - 4x/x2 + 5/x2 Lt x ×× x2/x2 - 2x/x2 - 3/x2 2 2 - 4x/x + 5/x2 Lt = = 1 x ×× 1 - 2/x - 3/x2

(

(

Cos x - tan x Since Sin x = tan x Cos x

x

5x2 - 2x + 1 (WAEC)

××

Sustituting for x = 0, we get: 2 Cos (0) - tan (0) x 3 2 2 = x1-0 = 3 Answer 3

Solution: Divide both the Numerator and Denominator by the highest power (x2) to get: Lt 2x2/x2 + x/x2 - 3/x2 ×× 5x2/x2 - 2x/x2 + 1/x2 x

to indeterminate form. Hence we factorise the numerator to get:

(1). Evaluate Lim

= indeterminate or undefined or no defined value..

Hence, applying the identity of Example 4 difference of two squares’ we reLt 2 + 1/x - 3/x2 = 2 write the above as x + x 6 x ×× 5 - 2/x + 1/x2 Lim Evaluate 2 x-2 x 2 2 2 = x 4 x -4 Lim 5 Answer as Lim (Post UTME) x 2 x-2 (As x x 2 x-2 × , 1/x, 3/x2, 2/x and 1/x2 all tend Solution: or to zero).

Substituting for x directly leads us Drill (x - 2)(x +2) x-2 On canceling

Lim x

2

We get

Lim x

2

Lim

x + 2. At this point

We can substitute for x to get 2 + 2 = 4 Answer

x =

(x + 3)(x - 2) 2 x-2

Lim x

x + 3 = 2 + 3 = 5 Answer 2

x2 - 9 -3 x + 3

x

(2). Evaluate

Lt x

Ans = -6 2

××

4x - 2x + 3 7x2 + 4x - 5

Ans = 4/7 Until next edition, remain blessed solving Maths and don’t forget to watch EBSTV on Thursdays at 4pm!

THE NIGERIAN

20

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014 With Osagie Aifuwa

Motoring

Understanding Car Air Conditioner

AN air-conditioning system is a mechanical device, which used various equipment and a chemical medium to absorb heat from inside and remove it to the outside air, The maintenance equipment employed the compressor, condenser, receiver/dryer, expansion valve and evaporator. The chemical medium in the system is from R-12 or simply the refrigerant. The compressor, which is belt driven by the engine draws in the refrigerant vapour and compress it. The

of cold air which is sent into the car.

The temperature inside the car can be controlled by stopping the refrigeration cycle using a compressor clutch. When the electrical circuit to the clutch is closed, the compressor starts compression and the refrigerant cycle is operational. If the circuit is opened, the clutch will disengage and the compressor will stop working: The dash board control consists of a threespeed fan switch and a thermometer switch.

desired position.

Basic Safety Rules Keep your vehicle in good condition. Pay particular attention to light, brakes, steering, tyres and direction indicator. Keep windscreens and windows clean and free of abstractions.

1. Use your rear view and wing mirrors before moving off, overtaking, turning slowing down or stopping.

2. Signal your intentions in good time and before executing them.

3. On the highway, keep well within your lane. Do not wander from lane to lane

If your vehicle breaks down, push it off the road so that it does not abstract traffic or other road -users.

8. Do not drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

9. Be polite and courteous to other road users.

Seat Belt: No matter how you will drive there is always a chance that you will be involved in an accident. You cannot predict when it may happen. From statistical analysis of road traffic accident in Nigeria since independence, the chances that one will be

compressed gas, now of high temperature and pressure, is forced into the condenser located in front of the engine-cooling radiator.

The refrigerant vapour traveling inside the tubes of the condenser gives up its heat to the airflow drawn by the radiator fan. The result is that vapour condenses a cool liquid, which is forced on the receiver and dryer.

The receiver, dryer, amongst other functions, filters and soaks up any traces of moisture from the refrigerant before it flows into the expansion valve located at the inlet of the evaporator.

The liquid refrigerator metrix located in the air — conditioning unit; because of the high temperature of air blown over the evaporator boils up (vapourises) and absorbs the heat in the air leaving stream

The thermometer switch controls the compressor clutch circuit, and works together with the temperature switch. The position of the temperature switch determines the rate of cooling and the “on” or “off’ Operation of the compressor clutch. To prevent over heating of the gas, a pressure switch is provided on top of the receiver/dryer.

This switch also prevents excessive high pressure in the system. To ensure efficient air -conditioning, the dashboard control need settings as follows: Put the vent controls to “off: Put the temperature controls lever to “cold” or area coloured ‘blue’ Car control lever should be put at recalculating position usually marked “FREE”.

The speed of the fan, which blows across the evaporator, can be controlled to the

or change lane suddenly.

4. Always obey traffic officers in the lawful performance of their duties 5 Do not reverse into a major road or expressway and on any road at all. Do not reverse for more than eight metres.

6 Get to know the major traffic signs and road making and obey them.

7. Park only where you will not abstract other road users or be a danger to them.

injured in an accident in his life time is that he may be killed in an accident the best protection inside the vehicle is the use of seat belts. Seat belt in your car and make sure they are always used even on shot.

In the events of accidents seat belt properly used will reduce the severity of injurite by at least) 50%.

Where possible you should make sure the other passengers wear seat belts.

Drowsy, Drinks and Drugs: Do not start or continue a journey if you feel drowsy or tired. Don’t try to fight never drive after consuming alcoholic drinks or while under the influence of drugs.

If you have to take drugs in the course of medical treatment, consult your doctor about their possible effect on driving ability.

Your Vision: Your safety depends on what you are and then how- you react. If you need spectacles to meet the official eyesight standard wear them. It is an offence to drive with uncorrected defective vision.

No Tinted told Spectacle: At night or in conditions or poor visibility, do not use tinted optical equipment of any kind (sun- glasses, goggles or tinted helmet visors).

Long Distance Driving: Driving for long distances tends to make you feel sleepy. To help prevent this make sure there is plenty of fresh air in your vehicle or stop in a convenient place, rest and then walk around to let your blood circulate and feed brain adequately. Stop to relax or take a nap if necessary. Do not rely on stay-awake, drugs or kola nuts.

Avoid Fatigue: Do not drive if you are unwell, exhausted or tired from work. A lot of accidents occur as a result of driver’s fatigue: Your driving and ability to co-ordinate become impaired when you are under stress, be it emotional or physical. There is no substitute for rest.

Truck drivers, those operating special shifts and those involved in social parties and gathering are especially enjoined to take caution.

ENFORCEMENT OF SPEED LIMITERS N A T I O N W I D E COMMENCE BY JUNE 2015 -FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps has concluded plans with other relevant stakeholders for a nationwide enforcement of the maximum speed limiters for vehicles in Nigeria from 1 June 2015. This formed part of a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja recently with the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Association of Luxury Bus Owners, Road Transport Employees Association, Chief Executives of Transport Companies, Standard Organization of Nigeria and other relevant partners in attendance to work out modalities on the National Policy on Maximum Road Speed Limiters for Vehicles.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other stakeholders will embark on mass awareness across the nation to sensitize public,” the communiqué said.

Fielding questions from journalist present, Corps Marshal and Chief executive Officer (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi said the Corps was empowered to apprehend any one to violate speed limit.

According to him, speed limit violation has remained a major concern to the FRSC and efforts are been made to reverse this trend.

Oyeyemi said: “There is an existing law against speed limit in the country but speeding still constitutes high cause of accidence on our roads.

“With the introduction of maximum Speed Limiter on vehicles, drivers will not be able to go beyond the limit.

“We will commence the implementation of the Speed Limiters by June next year after consultation with stakeholders and approval of Standard Organization of Nigeria,” he said.

“According to him, speed limit violation has remained a major concern to the FRSC and efforts are been made to reverse this trend.”

THE NIGERIAN

21

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

ytilautiripS

ireN pilihP tS :stniaS fO seviL ehT morF snosseL tA ”.kooc lauteprep ,suinoraB koob a saw ereht emit taht sremrofer eht yb dehsilbup noitcarted dna ynmulac fo lluf ehT .hcruhC eht tsniaga daerps ot siht desu sremrofer os hcruhC eht tuoba live nioj dna evael dluow elpoep dednammoc pilihP .meht eht fo yrotsih a etirw ot raseaC eht — did eh hcihw hcruhC selannA“ suomaf did hcihw ”icitsaiselecE eht tcaretnuoc ot hcum suoinmulac eht fo ecneulfni .”grubedgaM fo seirutneC“ saw suinoraB raseaC retaL ylno dna lanidraC a edam stsetorp tneloiv sih fo esuaceb morf tpek eh saw ti tsniaga .epoP detcele gnieb ynam erew erehT ni secnerrucco lanoitpecxe ,snoisiv dah eH .efil s’pilihP desselB eht yb deruc saw ot ytiliba eht dah eh ,nigriV selcarim ynam dna sluos daer gnirud mih ot debircsa erew yrots eht llet yehT .emitefil sih gniyd saw ohw namow eht fo saw pilihP .htribdlihc ni yas ot reh deredro dna dellac ,droL“ :reyarp gniwollof eht em deredro sah pilihP rehtaF .”eid ot ton flaheb ruoY no fo evol siH .retteb tog ehS ydob sih neve demraw doG dah reven pilihP retniw ni dna syad tsedloc eht no neve ,taeh sih morf detaidar htmraw — hcus htiw taeb traeh siH .ydob draeh eb dluoc ti doG fo evol yspotua na htaed retfa dna sbir owt tsrif sih delaever rieht ot denioj regnol on erew owt eht taht dna segelitrac drawrof decrof neeb dah sdne rieht fo tuo niks eht rednu .noitisop reporp rehtaF yppah eht devil oS ,sekoj gnillet — pilihP gnisuac ,skcirt gniyalp sih fo eno gnivah ,rethgual esuma ot ecnad selpicsid ekoj a morf gnidaer ,elpoep fo sdnik lla gniod ,koob yllacisab tub — scitna egnarts .yoj htiw doG ot sluos dael ot ta gniyd ,efil gnol a devil eH saw eH .tnias yppah a ,ythgie mih tel doG ,doG ot esolc os taht htaed fo ruoh eht wonk sih llet ot elba saw eh nehw wenk yeht os selpicsid .dne sih tcepxe ot

sih rof suomaf saw eH neves eht ot segamirglip siH .emoR fo sacilisab rojam erofeb tuo trats dluow puorg sehcruhc wef a tisiv dna nwad yloH gniviecer ,esruoc fo — tsafkaerb neht ,noinummoC — sacilisab rehto ot no dna dna cisum dna hcnul neht yad eht gnidne dna eniw yehT .neves lla detisiv gnivah dna sgnos lautirips gnas tnew yeht sa seinatil deticer

tI .skcossac rieht no snottub desu suitangI .tS taht dlot si pilihP ot noissefnoc ot og ot pilihP ,mih ssarrabme ot dna sih ffo snottub eht llup dluow eurt t’nsi siht ebyaM !kcossac saw pilihP ,erus rof tub .ti fo elbapac sih morf gnarps yaw siH .ytilautirips fo dnarb euqinu meed ot eno on detnaw eH esiugsid ot dna tnias a mih detca eh ,mih nihtiw saw tahw

ssenevigrof s’doG gnisnepsid llew eH .doG fo tnega na sa r o f n a l p s’ d o G w e n k ylno ton — noissefnoc eb elpoep tel tub snis evigrof nevigrof erew snis( rieht erus eH .noitulosba yltseirp eht yb rof ’ni-dnats‘ a meht rof saw .tsirhC taht lanoissefnoc eht ni si tI sih edam yllaer pilihP rehtaF !thguat eh snossel tahW .kram namow a taht dlot si yrots A

.ireN pilihP .tS

dluow ereht skaerb laem ta — .snaicisum dna eniw ,doof eb eH .cincip lautirips a saw tI ytrap eht fo efil eht eb dluow tac sih koot ylbairavni dna dna def llew saw ohw gnola yeht sa pilihP yb detcetorp ot gninetaerht yb mih desaet eht ni lla dna teksab ,tac worht e s e h t r o f d e z i c i t i r C .r e b iT eh scincip lautirips lufyoj no doow pohc nac yehT“ :dias peek yeht sa gnol os kcab ym ”nis morf fo yteicos a dednuof eH on koot ohw stseirp raluces rof dekrow tub hcus sa swov erehw hcruhC eht fo doog eht sih fo enO .tseb demees ti saw selpicsid suomaf tsom saw raseaC .suinoraB raseaC yrtnuoc a tub nam tnaillirb a htiw pu denioj eH .nikpmub kooc eht edam saw dna pilihP eh erehw tniop eht ot neve — eht no etorw dna ti fo kcis tog raseaC“ :llaw nehctik

ruof yad enO .nwolc a sa — mih tisiv ot emac seloP — ’tnias a ees ot detnaw yeht mih dnuora meht detaes eh os ekoj a morf meht ot daer dna sih fo spiuq gnidda ,koob dluow eh ,cilbup ni rO .nwo .tS ni emit eht ekil ;no yrrac a ot pu tnew eh nehw s’ reteP suoiruxul a htiw draug ssiwS s’draug eht dekorts eh ;draeb ta ylsuoivne dekool dna draeb dna — eno regaem nwo sih dna gnihgual tuo ekorb od ot esle enoyreve gnisuac sserd dluow eH .esiwekil ni semitemos — ylhsidnaltuo semitemos ,epac der dlo na semitemos ,seohs etihw htiw .devahs ecaf sih flah ylno htiw fo evol sih edih ot detnaw eH ot detnaw osla eh tub doG saw eh sa hgual elpoep ekam kram eht saw yoj decnivnoc ,mih ’ roF .naitsirhC a fo tnew ssenippah dna sseniloh .dnah-ni-dnah

— pissog dessefnoc dna emac ezilaer ot mees t’ndid ehs tub eh oS .nis reh fo ytivarg eht ot ecnanep reh rof reh dlot tekram eht ot og ,wollip a ekat eht tuo ekahs dna ecalp wollip eht gnirb dna srehtaef doG ,lleW .mih ot kcab pils pilihP rehtaF yzarc siht sselb a h t i w t n e w e h s ff o d n a eht htiw gninruteR .elkcuhc dlot ehs pils wollip ytpme enod evah I ,ereh“ — pilihP ,dias eh ,’oN“ .’ecnanep ym tsrif eht enod ylno evah uoy“ pils wollip eht ekat woN .trap srehtaef eht lla pu kcip dna r e h t a F t u B “ ” .w e r t s u o y si taht“ ,deilper ehs ,”pilihP si ti oS“ ”.elbissopmi odnu ot uoy rof elbissopmi ruoy yb enod mrah eht ehs nossel sihT ”,eugnot .derebmemer lufthgiled rehtona si erehT uoy fI .mih fo dlot yrots on evah stiuseJ eht ,eciton

dna redlo tog pilihP sa tub elihw a rof enif dekrow sihT“ mih ot yrassecen demees ti ,elpoep htiw devlovni ylpeed erom asoR onaisreP rehtaF ,rossefnoc siH .erom efil sih erutcurts ot ffo og ot detnaw dah pilihP .tseirp a emoceb ot mih decudni eht nhoJ .tS fo noihsaf eht retfa timreh a eb ot aera tresed a ot rehtaF tem eh taht ti sah nwod dednah yrots a tub ,tsitpaB ”.emoR eb ot saw tresed sih dlot saw dna asoR

rednu suoigiler ylpeed saw eH tuo thguos dna yteiag sih gnoma ,teerts eht ni sluos motsuC eht ni gnikrow srehto rof latipsoh eht ni dna esuoH sruoh ddo nI .selbarucni eht erutcel ni rednaw dluow eh yhposolihP nrael dna sllah nam gnuoy A .ygoloehT dna a dah noos ohw laedi na htiw .gniwollof rof emit egnarts a saw sihT sraey wef a ylnO .emoR neeb dah emoR ylsuoiverp dengissa saw siht dna dekcas a sa srehcaerp ynam yb rieht rof doG morf ytlanep depees neeb dah emoR .snis saw ytilarom dna sessecxe ni eht emac woN .bbe wol a ta ohw mood fo stehporp fo snis eht tsniaga derednuht na dehcaerp ,elpoep eht dna enilpicsid eretsua yaw elbissopmi na dednamed yehT .elpoep eht fo efil fo eht no dna detcejer erew lautirips eht semoc enecs sih ni yppah ,pilihP ,pmart sih ni etaredom ,neim doG fo evol eht fo setadnam evah ot gnikees tey dna .mrofer elpoep elihw a rof enif dekrow sihT dna redlo tog pilihP sa tub htiw devlovni ylpeed erom ot yrassecen demees ti ,elpoep .erom efil sih erutcurts ot mih r e h t a F ,r o s s e f n o c s i H ot mih decudni asoR onaisreP dah pilihP .tseirp a emoceb tresed a ot ffo og ot detnaw eht retfa timreh a eb ot aera e h t n h o J . tS f o n o i h s a f dednah yrots a tub ,tsitpaB rehtaF tem eh taht ti sah nwod tresed sih dlot saw dna asoR .emoR eb ot saw pilihP ,asoR rehtaF htiw oS — tseirp a deniadro won — eh — etalotsopa na detrats .ega fo sraey ruof-ytriht saw noitaicossa na demrof yehT taht — ’doohrehtorb‘ a — ,syadnuS no teem dluow noinummoC yloH eviecer etapicitrap neht dna rehtegot taht elbat dnuor lautirips a ni rieht pu dliub ot dengised saw ereht ,sediseB .efil lautirips ekil ytirahc fo stca eb dluow eht ni stneitap eht rof gnirac ni dna latipsoH elbarucnI raeY eelibuJ eht gnirud 0551 ot smirglip rof derac yeht yloH eht rof emac ohw emoR yeht taht wohs sdroceR .raeY evif sa ynam sa rof derac .yad a derdnuh s’ p i l i h P d e p o l e v e d o S dluow elpoeP .etalotsopa sih kees ,mih dnuora kcolf .lesnuoc sih wollof dna ecivda ,thguos eh saw yllaicepse tuB saw ereH .noissefnoc rof tuo ,tsirogir on saw ohw tseirp a sih etareb ton dluow ohw tca ton did ohw ,stnetinep morf gnillaf rieht ta degartuo dna ssendnik htiw tub ecarg dluow ssenlufreehc neve fo egelivirp yltseirp sih ylppa

yadot devil pilihP .tS DAH derrefer neeb evah dluow eh .”pilihP rehtaF yzarc eht sa ot tub gnihtyna saw eH ni ekoj a was ,lanoitnevnoc na ekil desserd ,gnihtyreve no deirrac dna deb edamnu roF .ecalpyna dna emityna eht fo dioved saw eh emos tseirp a thguoht yeht ytingid erom eht ot ,evah dluohs ot tub htuocnu saw eh ’etile‘ eh ,mih wenk yllaer ohw esoht erif no ,doG fo nam a saw tnias a ;doG fo evol eht htiw .doG fo efil sih ,trap tsom eht roF htiw pu deit saw emaf dna dna ecneulfni sih dna emoR namoR eht no saw krow ni nrob saw eh tuB .enecs emit a ta nrob dna ecnerolF eht fo saedi wen eht nehw gnimoc erew ecnassianeR fo ega na saw tI .gnieb otni dna ytrebil ,modeerf ega eht saw ti ,tnemnethgilne saw ytinaitsirhC nehw ,teY .sremrofer yb deretnilps stnias taerg fo ega eht saw ti suitangI ,alivA fo asereT — dna reivaX sicnarF ,aloyoL .srehto raey emas eht nrob saw eH a fo dna 5151 ,asereT .tS sa deid rehtom siH .ylimaf roop gnuoy rehtar saw eh nehw .sretsis owt dna mih gnivael ohw remaerd a saw rehtaf siH ni delbbad dna elttil denrae yad emos gnimaerd ,ymehcla ylimaf ehT .htlaew taerg fo tneps eh sa flesti ot tfel saw krow retfa sgnineve sih ot syaw no gnitnemirepxe pilihP oS .dlog ecudorp gnignah ,aera eht demaor fo spohs suoirav eht dnuora dah eh tuB .doohrobhgien sih . tS f o s k n o m e h t f o e v o l a eh dna ecnerolF ni s’kraM yna‘ :ecneulfni rieht fo skaeps morf semoc em ni doog a tog eh ,esac yna nI .’meht ,noitacude na fo gnirettams dah tub doG evol ot denrael .efil rof nalp on rehtaf sih neethgie tA a ot tuo mih mraf ot thguoht ohw evitaler hcir yldesoppus yaw-flah ,ateaG ni devil .selpaN dna emoR neewteb elttil htiw tnew pilihP ffo oS ot tog eh nehw dna egaggab elcnU sih tuo dnuof eh ateaG — h c i r o o t t’ n s a w o l u m o R .emoclew taht t’nsaw eh dna eh ,pilihP gnieb pilihP detnioppasid t’nsaw ylbaborp sih pu deit ,dehgual tub — dedaeh dna sgnignoleb wef taht emoh wen a — emoR rof .evael reven dluow eh a htiw emoh a dnuof eH denrae dna enitnerolF wollef s’tsoh sih gnirotut yb peek sih doog a dah evah tsum eh( nos .)taht rof noitacude hguone eht ni emoh sih morF tsoh sih rof( esuoH smotsuC e h ) l a i c i ff o s m o t s u C a s a w .flesmih rof efil a tuo thguos

THE NIGERIAN

22

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Health And Wellness MANY people who have chronic kidney disease don’t know it because the early signs can be very subtle. It can take many years to go from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to kidney failure. Most people with CKD live out their lives without even reaching kidney failure. People with stage 3 CKD have about an 80% chance of never having their kidneys fail.

At any stage of kidney disease, knowledge is power.

Knowing the symptoms of kidney disease can help you get the treatment you need to feel your best. If you or someone you know has one or more of the following symptoms of CKD, or you worry about kidney problems, see a doctor for blood and urine tests. Remember, many of the symptoms can be caused by other health problems. The only way to known the cause of your symptoms is to see a doctor.

Symptom 1: Changes in urination Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, the urine may change. How? You may have to get up at night to urinate Urine may be foamy or bubbly You may urinate more often, or in greater amounts than usual, with pale urine.

You may urinate less often or in smaller amounts than usual, with dark coloured urine.

Your urine may contain blood.

You may feel pressure or have difficulty urinating.

What patients said: “When you go to use the restroom, you couldn’t get it all out. And it would still feel just like fightness down there, there was so much pressure”.

“My urine is what I had started noticing. Then I was frequently going to the bathroom and when I got there nothing’s happening. You think, they, I’ve got to go to John; and you get there, 2, 3 drops”.

“I was passing blood in my urine. It was so dark it looked like grape Cool-Aid. And when I went to the hospital they thought I was lying about what colour it was”.

Symptom 2: swelling Failing kidneys don’t remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands.

What patients said: “I remember a lot of swelling in my ankles. My ankles were so big I couldn’t get my shoes on”.

“My sister, her hair started to fall out, she was losing weight, but her face was really puffy, you know, and everything like that, before she found out what was going on

with her”.

“Coving to work one morning, my left ankle was swollen, real swollen, and I was very exhausted just walking to the bus stop. And I knew then that I have to see a doctor”.

Symptom 3: Fatigue: Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin (a-rith-ro-po’-un-tin), or EPO, that tells your body to make oxygen carring red blood cells.

As the kidneys fail, they make less EPO with fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain tire very quickly. This is anemia, and it can be treated.

What patients said: “I was constantly exhausted and didn’t have any pep or anything”.

“I would sleep a lot. I’d come home from work and get right in that bed”.

“It’s just like when you’re extremely tired at the time.

Fatigued, and you’re just drained, even if you didn’t do anything, just totally drained.

Symptom 4: Skin Rash/ Itching Kidneys, remove wastes from the blood stream. When the kidneys fail, the build-up of wastes in your blood can cause severe itching.

What patients said: “It’s not really a skin itch or anything. It’s just right down to the bone. I had to get a brush and dig. My back was just bloody from scratching it so much”.

“My skin had broke out, I was itching and scratching a lost”.

Symptoms 5: Metallic taste in mouth/ammonia breath A build-up of wastes in the blood (called uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. You may also notice that you stop liking to eat meat, or that you are losing weight because you just don’t feel like eating.

What patients said: “Foul taste in your mouth.

Almost like you are drinking iron” “you don’t have the appetite you used name”.

“Before I started dialysis, I must have lost around 10 pounds.

Symptom 6: Nausea and vomiting A severe build-up of wastes in the blood (uremia) can also cause nausea and vomiting loss of appetite can lead to weight loss.

What patients said: “I had a lot of itching, and I was nauseated, throwing up all the time. I couldn’t keep anything down in my stomach”.

“When I got the nausea, I couldn’t eat and I had a hard time taking my blood pressure pills”.

Symptom 7: shortness of breath

Know When Your Kidneys Are Failing!

Trouble catching your breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave your body oxygen starved and short of breath.

What patients said: “At the times when I get the shortness of breath, it’s alarming to me. It just fears me. I think may be I might fall or something so I usually go sit down for a while”.

“I couldn’t sleep at night. I

read a lot”.

“I was always fired and dizzy”.

“It got to the point, like I used to be at work, and all of a sudden I’d start getting dizzy. So I was thinking may be it was my blood pressure or else diabefes was going bad. That’s what was on my mind”.

Symptom 10: leg/flank pain The most common causes of CKD do not cause any pain.

And, much of the pain that is near the kidneys is not cause by a kidney problem. But

than labour pain. And I would be crying and my husband would get up, everybody, rubbing my legs”.

Risk factors for CKD When you have a risk factors, it means you are more likely to have a problem than someone who does not have it.

But it doesn’t mean that you will definitely have the problem.

Some risk factors like your age or family history, are out of your control. But you can control other risk factors and perhaps slow down or even prevent some diseases. For

couldn’t catch my breath, like I was drowning or something, and bloating, can’t breathe, can’t walk anywhere. It was bad”.

“You go up a set of stairs and you are out of breath, or you do work and you get tired and you have to stop”.

Symptom 8: feeling cold Anemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm room.

What patients said I notice sometimes I get really cold, I get chills”.

“Sometimes I get really, really cold. It could be hot and I would be cold.”

Symptom 9: Dizziness and trouble concentrating Anemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen.

This can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness.

What patients said: “I know I mentioned to my wife that my memory I couldn’t remember what I did last week, or maybe what I had 2 days ago. I couldn’t really concentrate, because I like to work crossword puzzles and

some people who have CKD do have pain some people with kidney problems may have pain in the upper back (where the kidneys are) or on the same side as the affected kidney.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which causes large, fluid-filled cysts on the kidneys and sometimes the liver, can cause pain.

Kidney infections and kidney stones can cause severe pain, often in spasms.

Bladder infections can cause burning when you urinate. People who have medullary sponse kidney say it is painful.

What patients said: “About 2 years ago, I was constantly going to the bathroom all the time, my back was always hurting and I was woundering why and they diagnosed kidney problem.

“And then you’re having to get up all time through the night and then you have the side ache, a backache, and you can’t move”.

“At night, I would get a pain in my side. It was worse

instance, keeping your blood pressure and sugar in their target ranges may help your kidneys work longer. First, know your risk factors for CKD, then work with your doctor to prevent or delay kidney failure.

Kidney disease risk factors you can change Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure. There is no such thing as “a touch of the sugar 44% of new dialysis patients have diabetes.

What you can do Kidney disease does not have to happen to people with diabetes. Good blood pressure and blood sugar control can help prevent it tight control can have big pay offs in reducing the risk for kidney disease. It can also help protect your blood vessels, limbs and eyes.

High blood pressure (hypertension) High blood pressure puts extra stress on all of your blood vessels, including your tiny, fragile kidney filters

(nephrons). Hypertension is the number two cause of kidney failure.

Normal blood pressure is less than 130/85 this is the target for the general public.

If you have diabetes or protein in your urine, the target is 125/75.

Weight control, exercise, and medications can control blood pressure keeping your blood pressure in the target range can help prevent or slow the rate of CKD. What you can do: Take blood pressure pills as they are prescribed so they will work properly. It is not true that you can “feel” high blood pressure it can have no symptoms at all. If you can’t afford your blood pressure pills or they have side effects you can’t live with, tell your doctor. He or she can give you samples, switch you to a less costly drug or suggest of the options for you.

Two classes of blood pressure medications can help protect the kidneys, especially if you have protein in your urine. These are: (1) A n g i o t e n s i n converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors generic names end in “pril”- catopril, ramipril, etc.

(2) Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) generic names end in “sartain” – telmisartan, valsartan, I sartan, olmisartan.

If you have high blood pressure and are not taking one of these drugs, ask your doctor if it would be a good choice for you.

Other risk factors that we will consider subsequently are: block ages, over use of pain killers and allergic reactions to antibiotics (water out for drugs with these ingredients – Ibuprofen (Advil, motrin) Naproxen (Aleve), Acetaminophem (TylenoI), Drug abuse, inflammation, x-ray Dye tests, etc.

There are kidney disease risk factors you can’t change but should know about them, i.e a family history of kidney disease, premature birth, age, trauma or accident, certain diseases – diabetes, high blood pressure, systemiclupus, erythematosus (a connective tissue disease), sickle cell anemia, cancer, AIDS, Hepatitis c, congestive heart failure, etc.

Courtesy: Life Options.

THE NIGERIAN

23

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Religion

Marriage Thesis: THE Christian marriage is a sacrament and is supposed to be sacerdotal. But in modern times there have been a lot of abuses attached to it how horrible to read and hear many cases of divorce among Christians; how funny to hear that some Christians take marriage simply as a contract; worse still the madness in modern time of some Christian churches approving same sex marriage in the name of human advancement.

This paper seeks to address issues of this nature and to bring credibility to the Christian marriage. If you read and apply the principles enunciated in this paper, you surely will enjoy your marriage. ..

THIS PAPER IS STRICTLY TAILORED FOR CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES. WHAT IS MARRIAGE Marriage as a concept in the academic discipline belongs to sociology and anthropology Even though I may make some references to this discipline, I will like to base my analysis more on the scriptures, the word of God. So how does the Bible see marriage? God created Adam the man and created the woman Eve out of the ribs of the man and joined them together as husband and wife declaring: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh” Gen 2 vs 24.

The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia describes the Christian marriage thus: “The most intimate of unions into which by personal consent one man and one woman enter on the basis of mutual love and fidelity. It is nourished by sexual intercourse and perfected in a lifelong partnership of united Endeavour” So the Christian marriage is the formal or legal union of man and woman as husband and wife based on love and by mutual consent.

FORMS OF MARRIAGE Sociology / anthropology has identified the following forms of marriage1.

MONOGAMOUS SYSTEM —“The system in which a man is permitted only one wife and the woman only one husband” 2.

POLYGAMOUS SYSTEM - In which the man may have more than one wife or the wife may have more than one husband. If the man may have more than one wife we call this Polygyny. If the woman may have two or more husbands we call this practice polyandry. (as practised among the Todas in south India and the Nyakusas in Cameroon)

Lessons

For Couple 3. GROUP MARRIAGE — “An agreement that has developed from polyandrous arrangement. No modem society seems to practice it.

4. SURROGACY: The practice of giving birth to a baby by another woman who is unable to have babies herself.

5.

CONTRACT MARRIAGE OR MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE — Marriage that is made for practical financial or political reasons and not because the two people love one another.

6.

SAME SEX MARRIAGE- The modern societal aberration to the sociological concept of marriage where a man gets married to a fellow man or a woman to a woman. It is recognized by law. In certain parts of the world, even the so called developed world.

WHICH IS THE IDEAL FORM OF MARRIAGE FOR THE CHRISTIAN? The ideal Christian marriage is monogamy WHAT IS THE IDEAL CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE? ANSWER MONOGAMY i. We believe,, teach and practice simple monogamy not serial monogamy. ii. That means a man is married to a woman without divorce in marriage (Except on the grounds of un-chastity as the Bible explains) iii. All the Apostles of Jesus and the disciples each married one wife or remained single for the gospel sake like Paul the Apostle “Am I not an apostle? ... Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife as well as other apostles. And as the brethren of the, lord, and Cephas?” 1Cor 9:1-5. iv. The early church practised monogamy and it is the recommendation for the church today.

“Nevertheless to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife” 1Cor 7:2 “A Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife” 1Tim 3:2 “Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well” ITim 3:12 Refs Eph 5:23,25-3 1.

THE IDEALS OF THE CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let everyman have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband ... for it is better to marry than to burn” 1Cor 7:2,9 “Who findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favour of the lord” Prov 18 :22 God is therefore favourably

With REV. A. A. OPARA

disposed to marriage. When persons have attained the age of puberty they should think seriously and prayerfully the next stage in Gods plan- which is marriage. (except such has the gift of continency. I Cor 7:7.

2.

HUSBAND’S RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE WIFE 1. Love your wife as Christ loves his church Eph 5:25 2. Be sensitive to her weakness as a woman “Likewise ye husbands dwell with them according to

the pride and happiness of the wife (iii) Not denying your wife your husbandly attention when she needs it. (iv) Protecting your wife from external aggression etc.

(5) The husband should nourish and cherish his wife as his own body Eph 5:28,29 “Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it ... so ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself’ Eph 5:25, 28.

(6) The man should provide leadership in the home subject to the leadership of Christ. Such leadership must not be authoritarian but

wisdom ... rejoice with the wife of thy youth” Prov 5:1,17 Finally in all this the man must be a man and be in charge of the home not be a weakling for that will not be profitable to the family. “Give not thy strength unto woman,, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings” Prov 31:3.

W I F E ’ S RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE HUSBAND 1. The wife should be submissive to the husband.

Eph 5:22, 24; Colossians 3:18.

2. The wife should honour the husband. The husband is the crown of the wife. A woman should never, never abuse the husband Esth 1:20, Prov 31:23

Prov 31: 11 So a wife should be able to love the husband to the extent she is his confident. Your husband can confide in you.

The wife should support the husband in the home- while the man is the bread winner, a working class wife should be seen playing supportive roles to the husband. Prov 31: 15 ,27 “She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idealness Prov 31:27 5. A wife should be a home builder “That they may teach the young woman to be sober , to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word

knowledge, giving honour unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel” 1 Pet 3:7 3. The husband should provide for the family upkeep.

1Tim 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” I Tim 5:8 4. The husband should give to his wife conjugal rights (1Cor 7:3) “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence” 1Cor 7:3 “Giving honour unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel” I Pet 3:7 some of these conjugal rights to be considered can include — (i) Not getting involved in domestic violence or wife beating (ii Not getting yourself involved in extra-marital affairs that wounds or injures

consultative especially in family decisions.

‘I would have you know that the head of everyman is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man” 1Cor 11:3 *There cannot be two captains in a boat so there cannot be two leaders in the home.

The man should learn to say sweet things to the wife, praise her with her values (but politely correct her frailties or inadequacies) learn to use love and pet words to your wife as “Darling; “honey”, “sweetie” etc.

Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies ... her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her Prov 31:10,28.

(8) A husband should often try to keep the wife happy.

This will be profitable for the home.

“My son attend unto my

3. The wife should obey the husband.

“Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him lord” 1Pet 3: 6 “as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” Eph 5:24 The last line is suggestive that obedience of the wife to the husband is in the lord — obedience according to the will of God- so a wife cannot be a moron if the husband is leading her astray out of the will and purpose of God. Hence it is also written “wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the lord” Eph 5:22 4. The wife should love the husband. The wife should demonstrate unfettered love to the husband and be his CONFIDANT. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil

of God be not blasphemed” Tit 2: 4-5.

The woman should keep the home, make the husband happy; bring up the children in the absence of the husband; teach them good things -be domestic in the home , show hospitality, make for peace in the home; please her husband.

6. The woman must never deny her body to her husband.

“Defraud ye not one the other except it be with consent for a time that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayers and come together again. That satan tempt you not for your incontinency” 1 Cor. “The wife hath not power of her over her own body but the husband and likewise the husband hath not power of his own body but the wife” 1Cor 7:4 This is clearly related to sexual relationship the Christian marriage.

THE NIGERIAN

24

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

International S/Leonean Doctors Strike Over Ebola Care

Russia’s deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, speaks with journalists after his meeting with the Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, at the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, in Beirut, Lebanon.

FREETOWN - Sierra Leone’s junior doctors went on strike for a second day on Tuesday, a move they dubbed a “tactical retreat” to demand better care for medical workers who catch Ebola after a spate of deaths.

The Ebola outbreak has infected more than 17,800 people, most in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Hundreds of health workers have become sick, but the problem in Sierra Leone has been getting special attention.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study that found the rate of lab-confirmed Ebola infections this year has been 100 times higher in medical workers in Sierra Leone than in other adults.

The study cited a broad range of breaches in infection control

and prevention practices. But it said that in recent months more training and availability of protective equipment may be helping.

Sierra Leone lost three doctors in the past week, prompting a strike of the junior doctors’ association that started on Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the doctors demanded a facility dedicated to the treatment of medical workers. They had previously demanded access to life-saving equipment, like dialysis machines.

The deaths of doctors “might have been as a result of the absence of a specialized unit,” the statement said. It didn’t use the word strike but said the junior doctors would “re-strategize” while awaiting the special treatment unit.

“This strategy can be

compared to the ‘tactical retreat’ of soldiers in the warfront ... in order to protect the lives of other soldiers,” it said.

Just such a facility opened in Sierra Leone last month — as part of a British-built treatment center at Kerry Townv, but that treatment center has come under criticism lately, including confusion over who the clinic for health workers is open to.

Officials clarified Monday that any infected front-line health worker could be admitted there.

Still, Dr. Jeredine George, president of the junior doctors’ association, said Tuesday that the government has also promised that beds will be set aside for health workers at another treatment unit.

Also on Tuesday, the United Nations’ Ebola chief announced that enough will be operating in the country by the end of January to ensure that the number of new cases starts dropping.

VILLACOUBLAY, France - France’s last hostage abroad returned home yesterday after three years in captivity and was welcomed

by President Francois Hollande who warned citizens not to travel to highrisk zones.

The release of 50-year-old Serge Lazarevic, who was kidnapped by al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM in northern Mali in late 2011, was a boost for Hollande, though questions remained over how he was freed.

A beaming Lazarevic met his family and the president on the tarmac of Villacoublay airport near Paris after getting off a flight from Niger.

“Being a hostage is a bit difficult, it’s not easy. But life

French Hostage Returns Home

the U.S. military effort in Iraq and Syria, said Monday that about 1,500 trainers have been pledged by a variety of countries in Europe and the Middle East, with details yet to be worked out.James Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral and dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, said Tuesday he believes training and advising Iraqi troops ultimately will require 8,000 to 10,000 troops. He called the provision of 1,500 trainers from allied countries the most

encouraging new development in the fight against IS. “Heavy weapons and more airpower would help, but building a true coalition with international partners is more important,” Stavridis, a former commander of NATO forces in Europe, said in an email exchange. “This battle will be won or lost by allied boots on the ground, doing the hard work of training, advising and inspiring a shaky Iraqi army, not through throwing high-caliber weapons systems at the problem.”

is beautiful, to be freed again,” Lazarevic told a waiting group of TV cameras and reporters. “I forgot what freedom is, don’t ever forget.”

“Be careful because freedom is the most priceless thing.”

Lazarevic was released on Tuesday and Hollande has denied that France any pays ransom.

Both Niger and Mali were involved in the release, said officials, but authorities provided no details of the liberation.

“Welcome, Serge Lazarevic. We’ve been waiting for you for three years. Three years you’ve suffered,” said Hollande, with the ex-hostage at his side. “You’re back. It’s a joy to welcome you back.”

Hollande mentioned Philippe Verdun, another Frenchman kidnapped alongside Lazarevic who was killed by his captors in northern Mali last year, and warned French citizens to avoid risky zones.

“Make sure you don’t go where you can be kidnapped - we’re in a dangerous world.

There are zones where you shouldn’t travel ... we know the risks,” Hollande said.

for talks expected to focus on Moscow’s efforts to bring all sides in Syria’s seemingly intractable civil war to the negotiating table.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov arrived in the Syrian capital yesterday for a two-day visit. He told reporters

that he would meet with the Syrian leadership, but did not elaborate.

Syria’s pro-government AlWatan newspaper said Bogdanov would meet with President Bashar Assad and Foreign Minister Walid alMoallem during the trip.

Damascus is the last leg of

meetings with Syrian opposition leaders as well as Lebanon for talks with senior government officials and Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

Bogdanov says Russia is trying to arrange a meeting between Syria’s warring sides without preconditions.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks to the media after meeting with Iraqi officials, in Baghdad, Iraq.

Iraq: US Firepower Is Not The Answer - Hagel

BAGHDAD - As the first American defense secretary to visit Iraq since the U.S. officially ended its long war three years ago, Chuck Hagel’s message to Iraqi leaders was plain: U.S. military power didn’t solve Iraq’s problems last time, nor will it now.

“As Iraqi leaders and the people of Iraq know, only they can bring lasting peace to their country — if they are resolved to do this,” Hagel told reporters on Tuesday after meeting Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other top Iraqi officials.

Hagel offered assurances that Washington is committed to helping Iraq regain the territory it lost to Islamic State fighters this year, and he emphasized the importance of building a durable international coalition to combat the extremist group. But equally important was his insistence that no amount of outside assistance can substitute for Iraqi will.

He acknowledged that alAbadi had asked him for more American air power and more

U.S. heavy weaponry. “We need that,” the prime minister could be heard telling Hagel as they began their meeting in alAbadi’s office. Asked by reporters later how he had responded, Hagel pointedly declined to say whether he agreed with al-Abadi.

U.S. warplanes have been attacking Islamic State targets across much of northern and western Iraq since August. In the months ahead, the Pentagon hopes to increasingly use air power in conjunction with Iraqi ground counteroffensives to retake territory. But Hagel’s remarks seemed intended to encourage the idea that the Iraqis’ main focus should be on strengthening their own forces rather than appealing to Washington for a silver-bullet solution through U.S. firepower.

Hagel, who resigned under pressure barely two weeks ago, stuck to the Obama administration’s insistence that Iraq’s problems ultimately are rooted in political weakness that

created the conditions for the Iraqi army’s collapse last June, when Islamic State fighters swept across northern Iraq, captured the city of Mosul and stirred fear in Baghdad. In recent weeks the Iraqi security forces have staged a modest rebound, essentially halting further IS advances.”For these gains to be sustainable, the Iraqi government must continue to build an inclusive government that represents all its people — a government that all of the Iraqi people can have confidence in and trust,” Hagel said.

While it encourages the Iraqi government to pull together, the U.S. is working to build an international coalition that would help rebuild the Iraqi army. Four sites for the retraining of Iraqi forces are to be set up, with trainers from the U.S. and other countries.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. James Terry, the top officer overseeing

Senior Russian Official In Damascus DAMASCUS - A senior regional tour that has taken For Talks Russian official is in Damascus Bogdanov to Turkey for

THE NIGERIAN

25

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

International

Former Top Chinese Official Jailed

BEIJING - The former deputy head of China’s top planning agency was jailed for life yesterday over a bribery scandal that exposed graft at the highest levels of China’s government, and ensnared several companies including Toyota Motor Corp.

The sentence, handed down by a court just outside of Beijing, capped the downfall of Liu Tienan, who was sacked as deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) last year, a position that carries ministerial-level status.

Liu was the first ministeriallevel official to face an investigation after Xi Jinping became Communist Party head in late 2012 and launched the most aggressive anti-graft campaign China has seen in decades.

Xi has pledged to take down high-ranking “tigers” and lowranking “flies” in his fight against a pervasive problem he says could threaten the Chinese Communist Party’s rule.

Although the number of officials investigated for corruption has increased, the government’s campaign has not targeted high-level “princelings”, the privileged children of the revolutionary founders of the People’s Republic of China.

Analysts are divided on the motivations of Xi’s campaign.

Some say the drive is seen as a tool to remove Xi’s opponents, while others say that it is necessary to weed out people standing in the way of his implementation of economic reforms.

“Corruption is the biggest hindrance to China’s reforms,” said Zhuang Deshui, the deputy director of the Clean

Government Center at Peking University. “In reality, the anticorruption campaign is the fight against interest groups and to change the present distribution system of power.”

Liu’s trial has offered a rare glimpse into the amount of power amassed by top officials, especially within the NDRC. The agency sets policy for strategic industries, approves big

investments, mergers and acquisitions, and has the authority to influence prices for everything from liquor to gasoline.

The presiding judge in the court of Langfang city in Hebei province said Liu had “violated the integrity of the duties of the nation’s workers”.

Prosecutors had charged Liu and his son, Liu Decheng, with

pricing division at the NDRC, and Zhang Dongsheng, who was the head of the employment and income distribution division at the agency.

The government has also launched a series of probes into the energy sector that has brought down senior officials in the National Energy Administration and state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation.

Zhou Yongkang, the most senior leader targeted in a corruption probe since the party took power in 1949, had built a vast network of friends and allies in the energy sector over several decades. Last Saturday, authorities said they had arrested Zhou and expelled him from the party.

In a front-page article on Tuesday, the official People’s Court newspaper said “the entire (Supreme People’s) Court and the police agree to firmly support the central government’s decision into the handling of the Zhou Yongkang case”.

MANILA The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has said no fewer than 800,000 workers in the Philippines

had been affected by Typhoon Hagupit with their source of livelihood damaged or disrupted overnight.

ILO said in a statement on yesterday in Manila.

ILO added that about 370,000 of these workers were in vulnerable employment, living in poverty and accepting whatever work is available to them.

Over 350,000 workers or roughly 20 per cent of the total employed in Central Philippines were affected by Typhoon Hagupit.

‘Of these, more than half were in vulnerable forms of employment,’’ it said.

The statement said that in response to the impact of Typhoon Hagupit, the ILO was to allocate 1.5 million dollars and to support the government through emergency employment and sustainable livelihood.

“We are not only putting much-needed cash into these areas, but also helping affected workers to develop new skills, to earn a decent wage and access better working conditions.

“Which include social protection coverage,’’ Lawrence Johnson, director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines,’’ it said.

Report that says with an average of 20 typhoons a year, the Philippines is the third most disaster-prone country in the world.

It added that in recent years, storms have been getting stronger and more deadly.

800,000 Workers Affected By Typhoon

Liu Tienan, then deputy Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), attends a news conference in Beijing.

3 Journalists Killed In Missile Attack BEIRUT - Three journalists from the Syrian opposition television channel Orient News were killed in the southwest of the country when a missile hit their vehicle, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said late on Tuesday.

The U.S.-based media advocacy group said the journalists had been killed on Monday near Sheikh Meskin, a town at the center of a battle between Syrian government forces and insurgents in Deraa province.

Quoting the channel, the CPJ said those killed were correspondents Rami Asmi and Yousef El-Dous and cameraman Salem Khalil and that the Syrian military had targeted the men.

The CPJ said it was unable to independently verify that a missile had directly targeted the car.

Syrian government

taking 35.6 million yuan ($5.74 million) in bribes in dealings with various companies.

China’s crackdown on graft has extended to large companies such as drugmakers, airlines and makers of medical devices.

Liu, 60, pleaded guilty to extensive bribery involving several companies including a Toyota joint venture in September. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate did not respond for comment on whether the companies were being investigated. The firms could not be reached for comment.

State television showed Liu breaking down into tears. He said he has been in “a state of painful remorse” during the past 10 months of investigation.

“Every inquiry and every word has, in fact, been like a whip beating my soul,” he said.

At least two other officials at the NDRC have also been swept up in the probe into the agency including Cao Changqing, who recently retired as head of the

officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

More than 70 journalists have been killed while covering the Syrian conflict, which is now in its fourth year, the CPJ says.

While beheadings of foreign reporters by Islamic State militants have drawn most international attention, the CPJ says the vast majority of journalists killed in Syria have been local.

An investigator examines a passenger bus following an explosion at Maramag township, Bukidnon Province in Southern Philippines.

Suspected Bomb Kills 10 On Philippine Passenger Bus

MANILA - The death toll from a suspected bomb explosion on a bus in the southern Philippines rose to at least 10 with another 34 people wounded, officials said yesterday.

The Rural Transit bus had picked up passengers, mostly students, and was passing near the main gate of Central Mindanao University in Maramag town in Bukidnon province on Tuesday night when the powerful blast sent shrapnel and debris flying through the vehicle, town safety officer Alejandro Navarro said.

The blast killed 10 passengers and wounded 34 others, many of them seriously, police said.

The suspected explosive, probably a mortar round concealed in a bag, went off in an overheard rack, and many passengers who were standing in the overcrowded bus were wounded in the head, Navarro said.

Investigators were trying to determine the type of blast and were searching for other possible explosives at the site in Maramag, about 860 kilometers (535 miles) southeast of Manila,

police officer Rufina Bayarcal said.

Ralph Quilla, a 17-year-old student who was riding on the bus, said by cellphone that the explosion occurred at the back of the vehicle and wounded him in the arm.

“There was a loud explosion that filled the bus with smoke,” Quilla said from a hospital where he and other victims were taken for treatment. “I saw bloodied people and jumped out of a window.”

Muslim rebels and extortion gangs have been blamed for past bombings on buses in the country’s restive south.

The attacks have continued despite a state of high alert for military and police forces in the south because of sporadic bombings and other attacks by hard-line Muslim insurgents opposed to a new autonomy deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim rebel group in the country.

THE NIGERIAN

26

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Iraqi Kurd Urges Regional Rule For Sunnis WASHINGTON — Iraq’s advocated for doing so as a central government in Baghdad must give up much of its authority to local power centers — and potentially permit the creation of an autonomous Sunni Muslim region — if the nation is to survive the fight against Islamic State militants, a senior Iraqi Kurdish official said on Tuesday.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, Kurdistan regional Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani said giving Sunnis broad political control within their own population may be the one way to keep them from joining the Islamic State.

Both Baghdad and the United States have resisted partitioning Iraq along ethnic or sectarian lines, although Vice President Joe Biden

senator in 2006.

Talabani acknowledged that partitioning Iraq now would require “a major culture shift” and was unsure himself if it would ever happen. But the idea has been pushed by Sunnis since U.S. combat troops left Iraq in 2011, and has recently picked up support among military and diplomatic experts.

“It seems counterintuitive, but the only way you’re going to keep Iraq together is to give up power from Baghdad,” Talabani said during the interview at the Kurdish diplomatic mission in Washington.

Asked if he envisioned some sort of autonomous regional government for Sunnis, he said: “Yes, absolutely.”

International Lawmakers Pass Anti-Terrorism Measures

US Secretary of State John Kerry testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on “Authorization for the use of Military Force Against ISIL” on capital hill in Washington.

MISSING DOCUMENTS/ITEMS I, OKORO PRISCILIA AKUOMA of No 36 KC, Emmanuel Street, Bucknor, Ejigbo, Lagos State wish to bring for the information of the general public that the underlisted documents have been declared missing1.University of Benin Degree Certificate 2. NYSC Certificate That all effort to recover the above listed documents proved abortive. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

Signed: OKORO PRISCILIA AKUOMA RECONCILIATION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that Akhogba Abigail Ebayeta and Akhogba Abigail are one and the same person.

Henceforth, I am now properly known, called and addressed as Akhogba Abigail Ebayeta. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OSOBASE –I formerly Miss Rose Ebunuase Osobase now known as Mrs. Ogbeiye Rose Ebunuase. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OSAZUWA – 1 formerly called Miss Osazuwa Grace is now known and called Mrs. Grace Uhwangho. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OLORUNSOLA- I formerly Miss Olorunsola Elizabeth Iyanuoluwa, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Okuo Elizabeth Iyanuoluwa.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

A Chechen Interior Ministry Servicemen stands guard at the site of the counter-terrorism operation, near the Press House in Grozny.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand lawmakers passed antiterrorism measures Tuesday that increase domestic surveillance powers and attempt to stop nationals from traveling abroad to fight for groups like Islamic State.

Lawmakers voted in favor of the bill by 94 votes to 27.

Prime Minister John Key welcomed the result, saying in a statement that the government was enhancing domestic security as well as responding to the rapidly evolving threat posed by New Zealanders fighting abroad.

The law will allow the nation’s domestic spy agency to carry out surveillance for up to 24 hours without a warrant. It also increases the amount of time the government can cancel a passport on national security grounds from one year to three years.

The law was fast-tracked through Parliament and is scheduled to expire in 2017.

New Zealand has had few terrorist incidents in its history.

But Key recently said government agencies have a watch list of between 30 and 40 people who it says are engaged in extremist behavior. He said some had traveled to Syria to engage in fighting with the Islamic State group, some had tried to travel but failed, and some were suspected of funding terrorism.

Chechens Fight Alongside East Ukraine Rebels

DONETSK, Ukraine Chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest), dozens of armed men in camouflage uniforms from Russia’s republic of Chechnya train in snow in a camp in the rebel-held east Ukraine.

They say their “Death” unit fighting Ukrainian forces has 300 people, mostly former state security troops in the mainlyMuslim region where Moscow waged two wars against Islamic insurgents and which is now run by a Kremlin-backed strongman.

Seasoned Chechen fighters, whose combat experience often dates back to the 1994-96 and 1999-2000 wars, fight on both sides in east Ukraine, adding to the complexity of a conflict in which the West says Russian troops are involved.

“This is volunteer battalion Death,” deputy commander of the group who only gave his nickname “Stinger”, told Reuters

in a former tourist camp the unit turned into their base outside of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk in east Ukraine.

“There are about three hundred of us in Donetsk region. We have battlefield experience from 10 to 20 years starting from 1995,” said the man, in his forties, a pistol fixed to his thigh.

He had a little Chechen flag in green, white and red stitched to his cap and speaks Russian with a strong Caucasus accent.

Several cars with Chechen registration plates are parked in the camp.

Russia sides with the rebels in east Ukraine but denies sending serving troops to reinforce them.

Some fighters on the ground admit to being former Russian servicemen, or “on leave”.

Moscow has said any Russians fighting there are volunteers.

In Chechnya, two brutal wars quashed the separatist insurgents but unrest is still

simmering.Gunmen attacked a police post and captured a building in the regional capital of Grozny last week and at least 20 people, including ten police and ten suspected militants, were killed in gunbattles that ensued.

Violence erupted just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin had been due to

give a major speech in Moscow, a symbolic challenge to the man who came to power 15 years ago credited for the Russian army victory in the second Chechen war.

Re-establishing Moscow’s control over Chechnya and then introducing an uneasy peace under Ramzan Kadyrov, whom critics and rights campaigners accuse of heavy-handed tactics and massive rights violations, is

Senate has approved President Barack Obama’s nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.

On a voice vote on Tuesday night, lawmakers backed the choice of Peter McKinley, a career foreign service officer who currently serves as deputy ambassador in Kabul.

McKinley has been an ambassador to Colombia and Peru and a deputy chief of mission to the European Union in Belgium.

McKinley will become ambassador amid Taliban attacks across Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul.

And he takes the post as

seen by Putin’s supporters as a key achievement.

In Ukraine, Stinger’s men are sworn enemies with another group of Chechens who fight on the opposite side of the conflict and support the Kiev government troops.

Some of them have Western passports after fleeing Russia following the two wars. They say Moscow is theirs and Kiev’s joint enemy and that Chechnya is occupied by Russia.

Senate Aprroves Obama’s Ambassador Pick For Afghanistan WASHINGTON — The

American and NATO troops this month end their combat mission in a country still mired in war 13 years after the U.S.led invasion toppled the Taliban regime for harboring those responsible for 9/11.

The Senate also approved the nomination of Richard Verma to be U.S. ambassador to India.

THE NIGERIAN

27

Divine

THE churches are right in saying that God forgives every thing. And really forgives. Contrary to man, who goes on condemning a person even after he has atoned for some trivial offence and thus, burdens himself with a double guilt by such thoughts, because, he does not act according to the will of God. Here human love is lacking in justice.

The activity of the Divine Creative will purify every human spirit of its guilt as soon as it strives upwards, whether through its own experiences or through its voluntary efforts at improvement. If it returns to the Spiritual Realm from these milts in the world of matter, it will then stand pure in the kingdom of its creator, it matters not what its guilt may have been. Just as pure as one who has never yet sinned, but first, his path will take him through the activity of Divine Laws and in this fact lies the quarantee of Divine forgiveness of His Mercy.

Abd-ru-shin says that, it is only what the spirit wills in any action that is decisive for the Divine Laws in Creation. This spiritual will, however, is not thought activity, but the deepest intuitive perception, the actual volition within man, which alone can set in motion the laws of the beyond and indeed does so automatically. So, rid yourselves of the habit of measuring according to earthly standards. God’s Justice and God’s love are concerned with the human spirit material substance has nothing whatever to do with this. It is only formed by the human spirit itself and has no life without spirit.

His forgiveness lies in Justice nothing else. And in this uncondition Justice, also, lies the great love which hitherto have been so misunderstood. But He was and is and remains perfect, regard less of men’s attitude

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

International Forgiveness Man And Nature

to this.

Abd-ru-shin the author of “in the light of truth” says all who once rejected word at the time of Christ are today reincarnated on this earth to settle accounts. Now, they no longer have the right to be forewarned and to make a second decision. In the two thousand years, they have had time enough to change their minds. Also, he who absorbs a wrong interpretation of God and his creation and does not exert himself to grasp it more purely, has not absorbed it at all. Indeed, it is far worse for a wrong belief keeps one back from grasping the truth.

Ignorance they say is never an excuse.

But woe unto him who in order to attract followers, falsifies or perverts the truth because, men find it more agreeable in an easier form.

He not only burdens himself with the quilt of falsification and deception, but in addition, he also, bears the whole responsibility for those whom he was able to attract to himself by making it more convenient or acceptable.

When his hour of retribution comes, he will not be helped. He will fall into the abyss from which there can be no return and right.

This John was also, permitted to see and warn against in his revelation.

And when the great purification begins man will now have no time to rebel or even to stem this happening.

The Divine Laws which man so much likes to picture wrongly will then take inexorable effect. Just in the most terrible tribulation of the times that the earth has ever experienced, humanity will at last, learn that God’s love is far removed from the softness and weakness which man so audaciously ascribed to it.

More than half of all the men living at the present time do not belong on this earth at all. Already, for

thousands of years, this mankind have sunk so low and live so strongly in the darkness, that through their unclean volition they have built many bridges to dark spheres which are far below this earthplane. There live those who have sunk deeply, whose ethereal weight would never have permitted the possibility of their rising to this earthplane.

Abd-ru-shin says that, this formed a protection both for

region.

Gradually, the desire leads to an enganising despair, which may finally, results in the most fervent prayers and where with in an earnest volition to do better. This is how it should be. But through men’s wrong volition things developed differently. Through their dark volition, men built a bridge to the region of Darkness. Thus, they held out a hand to those living there, making it possible for

all those living on earth and for these dark one themselves. They are separated by the natural law of ethereal gravity. Down below they can give full vent to their passions and all baseness, without doing any harm. On the contrary.

There their unrestrained indulgence only strikes those of a like nature, whose base way of living similarly also, affect them. Thus, they suffer mutually, which leads to maturing, but not to further guilt. For through the suffering loathing themselves may in time awaken and with it also, the desire to escape from this

them to rise to the earth through the power of attraction of similar species.

Here they naturally also, found the opportunity for a fresh incarnation, which was not yet intended for them in the normal course of world events.

Abd-ru-shin says that, for on the earth – plane, where through the medium of gross-matter, they can live together with those who are more luminous and better, they only do harm and thereby burden themselves with fresh guilt. This they cannot do in their lower region, for the depravity is

“The time will certainly come when the hearts of all men will be seized with an iron grip, when spiritual arrogance will be uprooted in every human creature with tremble restlessness.”

With O.C. Madu

only beneficial to their homogeneous kind, because, ultimately, they only recognize themselves as they really are and come to abhor their baseness, which helps towards improvement.

Man has now disrupted this normal course in all development through the base use of his free will, with

prospective mother takes more heed of herself and of her immediate surroundings, of those with whom she associates, this can not happen.

Abd-ru-shin opines that, it should be recognised only as love when at last, the final effect of the laws sweeps away from the earth

which he formed ethereal bridges to the region of darkness, so that those who had sunk there could be thrown onto the earth – plane, like a rabble, who now joyfully pepulate the greater part of it.

Since luminous souls must retreat before the darkness, where latter has gained a firm foothold, it was easy for the darker souls, who had no right to be on the earthplane, also to incarnate, sometimes where otherwise, only a luminous soul would have entered. In such a case the dark soul has found an anchorage through some person near the prospective mother, enabling it to assert itself and push aside the light soul, even when mother or father belong to the more luminous ones.

This also clears up the puzzle of how many a black sheep could come to good parents. However, if a

– plane in full justice, those who do not belong here, so that, they fall into that realm of darkness to which by their nature they definitely belong. Thus, they can no longer hinder the ascent of the more luminous ones, nor burden themselves with fresh guilt but perhaps still, after all, mature through disgust at their own experiences.

The time will certainly come when the hearts of all men will be seized with an iron grip, when spiritual arrogance will be uprooted in every human creature with tremble restlessness.

Then, every doubt which today prevents the human spirit from recognising that Divinity is not in him but, high above him, will also disappear. That it can only stand as the purest image on the altar of his innerself.

Peace and joy.

THE NIGERIAN

28

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Juventus Can Go Far In Champions League - Pogba THE Frenchman was in optimistic mood after his side booked their ticket for the round of 16 and backed the Bianconeri to reach the latter stages of the competition Paul Pogba is confident Juventus can go far in the Champions League after they reached the knockout stages of the competition by recording a scoreless draw with Atletico Madrid.

The Serie A champions would have clinched top spot in Group A with a win by two

goals, but Pogba stressed that making it to the round of 16 was all that mattered for Juve.

“We know that our team can go very far, but we must give even more because the games aren’t easy,” Pogba told reporters.

“Atletico kept it very tight.

There was little space between the lines. The draw?

It doesn’t matter. The most important thing was going through.

“Atletico are a strong team.

THE Turkish side’s dismal UEFA Champions League Group D campaign - that resulted in just one point came to an end at the Turk Telekom Arena as Lukas Podolski and Aaron Ramsey ran rampant in Istanbul.

Galatasaray - bottom of the group - found themselves three goals adrift inside the first halfhour, with Podolski’s thirdminute opener and Ramsey’s brace virtually ending the match as a contest.

Dutch star Wesley Sneijder netted a consolation goal for Galatasaray two minutes from the end, but Podolski restored the visitors’ threegoal buffer in the second minute of injury time.

Tuesday’s defeat left Galatasaray winless through the group stage but Hamzaoglu was happy with how his team responded in the second half.

“We conceded an early goal which upset our balance and led to us not playing well,” Hamzaoglu said afterwards.

“In the second half we played better and became the dominant team. We struggled to find the goal we needed, however.

“Although we lost, the display in the second half makes us hopeful. I am pleased with my players and thank the fans who came to support us.”

Hamzaoglu added: “We want to improve as a group, work harder and aim to become stronger.

“We would like to be successful in the league and the cup. We don’t want to let the fans down.”

Hamzaoglu ‘Hopeful’ Despite Galatasaray Loss

THE former AC Milan boss feels his side found it difficult to break down Atletico Madrid on Tuesday but was happy with the point that sends them through Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri admits his side will need to improve in this season’s Champions League after their 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid.

Juve - knowing that victory by two goals or more would see them finish on top of

three years yet,” Hamann told Goal.

The big-spending French team have threatened to do well in the past two seasons but were beaten on away goals in the quarter-finals on both occasions, first by Barcelona and then by Chelsea.

“It’s one thing buying all these players, but you need to form a team, too,” said Hamann. “Last year they lost to Chelsea when Chelsea were probably not in the same league as the German and Spanish teams.”

• Pep Guardiola

I Can’t Sit Still For 90 Minutes THE Spanish coach admitted that he often does not know where he is on the sidelines once he is caught up in the drama of a match Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he cannot sit still for a full game and admits he often does not know where he is when he jumps around on the sidelines.

The coach is famous for passion and constant

Juventus Must Improve In The Knockout Phase - Allegri

Paris Saint-germain Have No Chance Of Winning The Champions League - Hamann THE French club will win Group F by avoiding defeat against Barcelona but the former Germany midfielder believes they have some way to go to become a contender Paris Saint-Germain might make it to the quarter-finals or even the semi-finals of this year ’s UEFA Champions League but they have no chance of winning it, says former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann.

“They’re not going to win it this season and they’re still quite far away from being contenders - a good two or

We played with great personality against a side that reached last year ’s Champions League final.”

Gianluigi Buffon was equally delighted with his side’s progress and stressed that Juventus do not fear any opponent.

“Finishing first or second makes little difference. You’ll need to face the strongest teams sooner or later.

“Atletico are an excellent team. They’ll definitely be one of the front runners in La Liga and the Champions League.

“The situation looked complicated for us after three games, but we did well to turn it around and get through.”

Group A - needed a point to guarantee their place in the next round given that Olympiakos beat Malmo 4-2.

Allegri’s men dominated the Turin contest, but struggled to convert their possession into clear-cut chances, with the best chance of the match falling to Atletico’s Koke who was denied in the sixth minute by Gianluigi Buffon.

Juventus ultimately did enough to progress but Allegri has acknowledged the need to improve.

“It’s always complicated against Atletico, as they defend very well with tight lines, so it’s not easy to find passes between the lines,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“Buffon did very well in the first half with a save and we had chances too.

“In the second half we tried to win, but at the same time, not risk losing.

“We didn’t want to compromise our chances of qualifying and I thought it was thoroughly deserved.

“Of course we need to improve. Against these big clubs, there are times when you have to defend and protect yourself - something Atletico Madrid do for most of the game.”

gesticulations on the touchlines during games, and his activity during his side’s 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday saw him described as “as hot as chip fat” by club sporting

- Guardiola

director Matthias Sammer.

And Guardiola has said that he simply cannot stay put in the heated Allianz Arena dugout for an entire game.

“I just sit down, then I go forward, backwards,

forwards, backwards!” he told Bild.

“At that moment I do not know where I am. But if that happens, of course I must speak with my players.

Sometimes they do not hear me. Then I have to move further forward.”

Monaco Progress Great For French start of the season that we THE Ligue 1 side beat Football weren’t up to the level Zenit to finish top of their group, despite scoring just four goals in the six games, and the coach is delighted with his team’s spirit Monaco’s progression in the Champions League was a breakthrough moment for French football, according to coach Leonardo Jardim.

The club from the principality secured a berth in the Champions League’s second round on Tuesday, overcoming Zenit 2-0 to beat Bayer Leverkusen to top spot in Group C. Jardim clearly took some satisfaction in proving Monaco’s critics wrong with his team having won their last two matches to storm to the top of the standings.

The win saw two French clubs - Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain - reach the last 16, the first time that has happened since the 2011-12 season when Marseille and Lyon progressed.

“This qualification is important for me, but more so for the team, the principality and French

football,” Jardim told Ligue 1’s official website after the win over Zenit.

“Two French teams have qualified for the last 16, which is rare. And remember, in August, Monaco were regarded as the worst team in the group.

“This wasn’t about revenge, but I am happy because we reached our objective.

“The team gave a frank response to the critics, and especially to people in France who said at the

• Leonardo Joachim

needed to qualify.”

Having lost key players Radamel Falcao, on loan at Manchester United, and James Rodriguez to Real Madrid before the season, Monaco have struggled to match their success of last campaign, where they pushed PSG for the Ligue 1 title.

Jardim has come in for criticism in France in his first season in charge of the club as they sit seventh in Ligue 1, 12 points behind leaders Marseille.

THE NIGERIAN

29

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Dropped Points Cost Arsenal’s Wenger Left Frustrated As Gunners Finish Runners-Up

Carvalho Could Move To The Premier League - Silva

THE former Monaco boss believes the draw with Anderlecht on matchday four cost his side top spot in Group D as Borussia Dortmund went through as top seeds on goal difference Arsene Wenger admitted regret over Arsenal’s Champions League group campaign as they once again finished second in their pool.

Wenger’s men were already assured of qualification for the knock-out rounds alongside Borussia Dortmund ahead of Tuesday’s 4-1 thrashing of Galatasaray in their final Group D game.

The result helped Arsenal bounce back from last Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat to Stoke City, but it was immaterial as they finished second in their European mini-league for the fourth time in five seasons.

Those struggles in the first phase have not helped Arsenal’s cause as they have slumped to elimination in the round of 16 in each of the past four campaigns.

And, while Wenger was pleased with Arsenal’s response to the Stoke loss, he was left to rue their 3-3 home draw against Anderlecht - a game in which they led 3-0 that has now proved costly.

“We came out strong and that’s what I wanted from these players,” Wenger told Sky Sports.

“There’s a little bit of frustration that we have finished runners-up, but we knew at half-time we needed to score six goals without conceding.

“We won four games, lost one and had one draw. Looking back, we can maybe regret that point at home to Anderlecht.

“There’s some great teams in the draw for the last 16 and we need to wait and see who we get.”

SPORTING are reluctant to allow the winger to end his loan and move back to Old Trafford after becoming an integral part of their squad, particularly in the Champions League Manchester United have been old’s return would necessitate told they have little chance of significant compensation bringing Nani back from his payments to Sporting. season-loan at Sporting, Goal Sporting have already made it has learned. clear to United that they consider Louis van Gaal had asked a mid-season termination United to explore the possibility impossible, although Goal of recalling the Portugal understands the Portuguese club international from the Lisbon may open to negotiation should club less than 12 weeks after they fail to reach the knock-out allowing him to leave Old stages of the Champions League.

Trafford as part of Marcos Rojo’s Currently second in Group G summer transfer. on seven points, defeat at In addition to the £16 million Chelsea coupled with a Schalke transfer fee paid for the defender, victory at Maribor would cost United loaned Nani to Sporting them their place. Even in these at no cost, while covering the circumstances, however, wellvast majority of his lucrative informed sources say a deal contract. would be “difficult” to reach.

But Ed Woodward, United’s United’s Players’ Player of the executive vice-chairman, failed Year in 2011, Nani has recovered to include a recall clause in his decisiveness as a guaranteed Nani’s deal, and any ad hoc starter at Sporting, scoring seven agreement to allow the 28-yeartimes in 14 appearances since his

“Louis van Gaal gave me the option to go,” said Nani in November. “I could have stayed but I chose the best option for me at the time and I think I was right.

“Iam enjoying my game again.

You can accept not playing regularly for one or two years but after that, when you know you have the quality to play, you have

to make a choice. That is what I did and it is working out well.

“It is a possibility that I might come back to Manchester United.

Why not? It is something that eventually we will have to discuss and see if it is possible. But at the moment I am focused on my job at Sporting because it is there where I am doing well.

“To move back in January is a little bit more difficult but you never know. Let’s see what they say. I’m working hard to be at my best. I just want to continue to work very hard and play well.”

ARSENAL tabled a E27 million bid for the Portugal international in August and are one of a number of English teams interested in the 22-yearold midfielder Sporting coach Marco Silva has admitted that William Carvalho could move to the Premier League in January.

Goal revealed in August that the Gunners had made a +27 million bid for the Portugal international after originally having a +25m offer rejected.

Sporting value the player at +35m, though may be willing to drop their asking price, and Silva has confirmed that the 22-yearold midfielder is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs.

And though he wants Carvalho to concentrate on his own game, he cannot rule out a departure in January should a bid of acceptable value be tabled.

“William is a target for English teams, but I want him to play his game,” he told reporters.

“He’s not playing at the same level as last season because last season he was a surprise, but he’s improving.

“William has many offers.

Let’s wait until January.”

THE Anfield boss faces a season-defining winter period after crashing out of the Champions League on Tuesday, with in-form rivals Manchester United next up at the weekend The ‘weather bomb’ is about hit the UK, and the storm clouds are beginning to hang over Brendan Rodgers after Liverpool’s disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Basel.

Despite Steven Gerrard’s late heroics, Liverpool were unable to muster the win they needed to keep alive their European hopes, and a 1-1 draw sees them depart Europe’s premier

competition before the adventure has really begun.

Rodgers beamed with pride over being the man to lead Liverpool back to Europe’s top table after a five-year absence, but he cannot be proud of how his side performed in Group B as they bowed out with a whimper.

When the draw was made back in August, Liverpool were expected to progress through to the knockout stages alongside holders Real Madrid. But the proof has been in the pudding, and the returning Merseyside club are some way behind Europe’s big guns.

VAN Gaal’s squad has been ravaged by injury during this season but they have managed to win five straight games to sit third in the Premier League.

Phelan said Van Gaal’s decision to change former fitness coach Tony Strudwick’s role and alter the club’s training were behind the injuries.

“What’s happened is a continuation of the same players getting injured all the time, so you have to look to the reasons why,” he told the International Business Times UK. “I think Manchester United changed their thoughts on the fitness regime, they looked at it a little bit differently.

“Tony Strudwick, who was operating as head of sports science, was involved day to day with the first team. He

understood the ins and outs of how to keep players fit, how to keep them ready for competition.

Then suddenly they moved him sideways and did something completely different. That may have had an effect. That one area has changed.

“They’ve brought in new people with a different way of doing things. The intensity of training may be one thing - it may be too intense, or not intense enough - but obviously slight changes have been made with the present way of doing things.

“I would have thought [the squad] is big enough at Manchester United, because they can go out and get players in, but obviously they keep breaking down and they don’t seem to be getting any better. They seem to get one back and lose another

two.”

Phelan backed former Netherlands coach Van Gaal to adapt and start learning what his players could handle.

The likes of Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Michael Carrick and Phil Jones have spent time on the sidelines due to injury.

“He knows now roughly the intensity of the Premier League and what his players can produce,” he said.

“He’s been at the highest level, working with the highest players, in different countries.

“It’s just a case of maybe understanding the specific requirements of players, individual players, where they need to be at certain times in order to perform. He’s got enough staff there to sort that out.”

Nani

Manchester United Lose Hope Of Nani Return

Rodgers Has Three Games To Save His Job As Liverpool’s Season Falls Apart

Brendan Rodgers

One win from six games - a last-gasp victory over new boys Ludogorets at home - is a shocking statistic for Rodgers and his coaching staff to mull over as they look to rebuild their faltering season.

Rodgers blamed the officials after the game, feeling they got a number of big decisions wrong, including Lazar Markovic’s red card, but the facts show the Northern Irishman has nobody to blame but himself for an underwhelming European experience.

“We can’t have any excuses,” Rodgers said after the game. “We had enough games to try and get enough points but the key one was away to Basel, where we were disappointing and lost.

“If you deserve to go through you get the points. We really wanted to qualify but we weren’t good enough.

“But you have to remember where we have come from. We have come a long way in a short time.”

Rodgers knows he will come under scrutiny now after failing to build on the feel-good factor around the club after last season’s success, when they so nearly ended their 24-year wait for the Premier League title.”When you don’t qualify, everyone gets looked at,” he said. “Across the board we have been looked at and analysed. For us the solution is simple; we have to be better in our performance level.”

return, including four in five Champions League fixtures. He will miss the Chelsea tie with a minor thigh strain, but is expected to be fit again in a week’s time.

Phelan Questions Van Gaal’s Methods

Louis Van Gaal

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

2014 President’s Cup Football Tournament

Ikere LGA Defeats Ikole LGA

THE football team of Ikere Local Government Area (LGA) has defeated their Ikole LGA counterparts to qualify for the national finals of the 2014 President’s Cup Football Tournament.

Reports state that in the match played in Ado-Ekiti, the game ended 0-0 at regulation time, before Ikere went on to win 7-6 after penalty kicks.

Both teams however displayed good skills and tactics, but the Ikere LGA team proved stronger both in the defence and upfront than their Ikole counterparts.

The Ikole team missed lot of goal scoring chances to seal victory over Ikere team within 90 minutes, but failed due to lack of concentration.

Reacting to their victory, coach Kehinde Anjorin of the Ikere LGA team appreciated his boys for displaying a level of discipline and determination.

He acknowledged that their opponents played better than his boys, but he said his team was able to curtail them.

On his part, coach Bolarinwa Idris of the Ikole LGA team expressed his disappointment at the failure of his boys to take their chances during regular time play.

“I have good and experienced boys in my team and they played better than the Ikere LGA team, but unfortunately my boys lost concentration towards the end of the second half,’’ he said.

Adebayor Returns To Africa Forbeen ‘Personal Reasons’ given permission to THE striker will miss Thursday’s Europa League clash with Besiktas after Tottenham confirmed they have allowed him to take time off Emmanuel Adebayor has been given

Spurs since returning from international duty in November and has not been named in the matchday squad for any of the north London club’s last six games.

“We can confirm that Emmanuel Adebayor has

• Emmanuel Adebayor

return home for personal reasons,” read a statement from Tottenham.

“This is a private matter and so we will not be providing any further comment.”

There was better news for Spurs elsewhere, though, with Kyle Walker included in the squad to face Besiktas as he looks to make his first appearance since March having undergone surgery in the summer.

THE Paris SaintGermain goalkeeper says he loved being spoken about in the same breath as the Italy veteran as a youngster but stresses he has his own identity as a player Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu says he is “tired” of being compared to Juventus and Italy hero Gianluigi Buffon.

The 36-year-old has won a plethora of titles for club and country over the years and has long been considered one of the best in the world.

And though Sirigu says he once enjoyed being mentioned

alongside the 2006 World Cup winner, he insists it no longer means anything to him.

“When I was very young, this comparison made me very happy,” the Italy shot-stopper told L’Equipe. “I was very disappointed when once it was me and then it was another.

“Since then, I have known of 20 or 25 keepers who have been compared to Buffon. So, frankly, today, I’m tired!

“Buffon is still Buffon.

The important thing is that I know who I am and who he is. I would make a mistake if I thought that I was really Buffon.”

reconcile their document in the various leagues to be sure that we do not rediscover people whom have been discovered,’’ Yakmut said.

Yakmut, who is also the Director of Grassroots Sports, National Sports Commission (NSC), said, the tournament will be an annual event.

He said the committee was planning to ensure a long term sponsorship. “ Because it is a brand new event, it has the challenges of sponsorship, but we are all determined to go either

through the challenges or maneuvre the challenges to achieve our objectives.

“It is an annual event; this particular 2014 edition is terminating on the 29th of Jan. 2015 and then we are going to start work assiduously towards the 2015 edition.

“Because there is no one that will be 16 years twice, so there will be no room to miss any year in the annals of the event.

“So, what we intend to do is we go into long term sponsorship. If sponsors do not come in good numbers in the first edition, we will be able to sign a four-year term to sustain sponsorship.’’

I’m Tired Of Buffon Comparisons - Sirigu

President’s Cup C’ttee Reschedules Tournament To Jan 9, 2015 THE Organising Committee of the maiden President’s Cup on Tuesday rescheduled the zonal eliminations of the tournament to January 2015.

The Chairman of the committee Alhassan Yakmut reporters in Abuja that the event would begin from January 9 to January 13 and not December 15 to

Immobile Issues Dortmund Challenge JURGEN Klopp’s men secured top spot in UEFA Champions League Group D by drawing 1-1 with Anderlecht at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday, with Immobile socring a 58thminute opener.

Dortmund’s success in Europe’s elite competition has been a stark contrast to their poor domestic form, though, and they sit just a point above the relegation zone in 14th.

A 1-0 over Hoffenheim last Friday lifted Dortmund off bottom spot and Immobile is seeking nine points from matches against Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen before Germany’s top flight takes its annual break.

permission to return home to Africa due to “personal reasons” and will therefore miss Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Besiktas.

The Togo international has yet to feature for

“I want us to win the three remaining games this year in the Bundesliga so we can go into the Christmas break more relaxed,” he told Dortmund’s official website.

Immobile’s goal was just his sixth since joining from Torino in the last transfer window and his first since he scored in the 4-1 Champions League win over Galatasaray on November 4.

And the Italian was happy to be back among the goals.

“I hadn’t played much in the last few weeks and was looking forward to play again,” he added.

“The goal was good for me, and for the team, and the 1-1 draw helped us to win the group.”

December 23.

He said the change in date was necessitated by unforeseen circumstances in spite of the encouraging responses from the states. “ The response from the states is very encouraging (but), we were compelled to review the zonal elimination upward in terms of the timelines.

“So, we have moved from December 15 to December 23, 2014 for the zonal eliminations to January 9 to January 13.

“And the round of 16 will commence on January 19 with arrival at January 17 and draws on January 18.

“Thereafter, we will conclude the tournament proper on January 29 vis-avis the fact that the third place match will be played on the eve of the first place match.

Reports state that the President’s Cup is a private sector initiative geared towards the growth and development of football in the country.

The tournament is for players within the ages of 16 and 19 and will be played from the local government

levels to the grand finale.

On adherence to age grade at the tournament, the chairman said they would work with the School Sports Federation and the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to tackle the problem of cheating.

“From 2007 till date, we have the data of those who have passed through school sports and we are relying on that data to ensure that people who are above 19 do not have access to this tournament.

“This is because the purpose of this tournament is to have a bottom line of 16 years so that if you are 16 and you are good enough then you can go to the under17 camp.

“And if you are 18, you can be in under-20 camp and if you are 19, you have under23 competitions to participate in.

“So, we don’t see any reason why anyone in particular will dissipate energy on cheating when there is an open window for 16 and 19.

“We are happy that the NFA is directly involved in the technical segment of the tournament.

“And they (officials) will

• Gianluigi Buffon

THE NIGERIAN

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Modric Suffered From Playing Too Many Games - Kovac

THE Croatia boss has revealed that the Real Madrid midfielder is on track to return next March after damaging

his thigh against Italy Real Madrid midfielder Luca Modric got injured after

THE Spain international is usually deployed in a more advanced position, but has been deputising in a deeper central slot in the continued absence of Luka Modric at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And the 22-year-old thinks that his game has improved as a result of the switch.

“We have had several injuries but the coach is very good at managing the squad,” he told Real’s official website.

“Playing in central midfield is helping me to become a more complete player. I want to keep on helping in every way possible.”

Isco’s latest outing came in Tuesday’s 4-0 home

victory over Ludogorets in the UEFA Champions League.

The triumph was Real’s 19th straight win in all competitions, setting a new record for a Spanish team.

Isco is delighted with the run of form, but insists the only thing that matters is winning trophies.

“I’m happy with the run that the team is on and the win against Ludogorets,” he added. “We’re happy with the shape the team is in.

This team is eager to keep on getting better.

“Our aim is to win as many games as possible, but at the end of the season what matters is silverware.”

Central Midfield Role Improving My Game - Isco

playing too many games in the early part of the season, according to Croatia head coach Niko Kovac.

The midfielder suffered a thigh injury in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy and was subsequently ruled out for three months.

His national team coach has revealed that his rehabilitation is going smoothly and feels vindicated for resting him for

the friendly against Argentina just a few days before he picked up the injury.

“We went with the Real Madrid doctor to visit Dr. Muller Wolfhart in Munich so that Luka could get a second opinion,” he told Goal.

“It matched the one given by his Madrid doctor exactly.

It is severe injury but his recovery is going surprisingly well and we are all optimistic

that he will return in March.

“His injury was caused by too many matches and I was criticised a lot for deciding to rest key players in the Argentina friendly.

“I knew that would be a risk to play with Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic in that match because I was a player and I played in that tight schedule, twice a week.

I know how hard it is.

Atletico Did Enough THE Argentine was content with the performance of his side as they ended their group stage campaign with a goalless draw in Italy Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said his side simply did what was required in Turin on Tuesday.

The Spanish champions played out a dull 0-0 draw at Juventus in Group A of the Champions League - a result that saw them finish top.

Simeone’s men did not play their usual pressing game, instead happy to sit back particularly in the latter stages.

But their stubborn defensive display ensured they took the point they needed to top the group, and Simeone was satisfied.

“We played the game we needed to play in order to finish top,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

• Diego Simeone

- Simeone

“It was a very tight first half with two important scoring opportunities and Juve created a few dangers down the right.

“After the break we did what we had to do.

“We expected it to be tough, as Juve are a strong side with many champions and can certainly go forward.

“We are happy, as for the second year running, we topped our group, and for Atletico Madrid, that means a lot in the Champions League.

“We calmly await what destiny brings us in the next phase.”

Simeone also offered praise to a Juventus side who controlled Tuesday’s match and said others would want to avoid them in the draw for the knockout stages.

• Luiz Adriano

No Doubt Cristiano Deserves Ballon d’Or - Ronaldo THE Real Madrid star is up against Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer for the individual prize but the Brazil legend is confident it will be a second win in a row for the Portuguese Brazil and Real Madrid legend Ronaldo has said he has “no doubt” that Cristiano Ronaldo will win the 2014 Ballon d’Or. The Portuguese star is favourite to win the individual accolade for a second time in a row and third overall, but faces competition from Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi and Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

However, the double World Cup-winner feels the 29year-old, who guided his side to the Champions League title this year, has a clear advantage over his rivals.

“It’s very nice to see this Real Madrid team play,” he told Cope. “The team has a lot of quality in midfield and has Cristiano, who is very inspired every time he plays.

The Man Out-scoring Messi And Ronaldo In The Champions League - Luiz Adriano Nine goals in only five Champions League matches this season give him a much better scoring record than both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The part he played in Shakhtar’s 7-0 dismantling of Belarussian champions BATE Borisov on matchday three was historic.

He scored five goals and in the process shattered a whole host of records. “When

I joined Shakhtar, I thought of leaving a trace in the history of the club,” he told Terrikon.

“I managed it. When the dream comes true, I always feel great joy. The history of the club is not an empty sound for us Brazilians.”

He scored the quickest hattrick in Champions League history. He was the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Champions League game. He scored five goals in a Champions League match, joining Lionel Messi on an illustrious list of only two. On matchday four,

he scored another three against BATE. He became the first player to score backto-back hat-tricks in Champions League history and joined Lionel Messi, Mario Gomez and Filippo Inzaghi as only the fourth player to score more than two hat-tricks in the Champions League.

In the blink of an eye he became Shakhtar Donetsk’s all-time leading scorer, a Champions League recordbreaker extraordinaire and a fully-fledged Brazil international.

THE Toffees have already secured top spot in Group H ahead of the visit from the Russian side, and Roberto Martinez is set to hand starts to some of his fringe players Christian Atsu has vowed to impress if given a chance to feature in Everton’s final Europa League group game against Krasnodar.

Roberto Martinez’s side secured top spot in Group H on matchday five with a convincing 2-0 triumph in Germany against Bundesliga high-flyers Wolfsburg.

Everton are unbeaten in the Europa League so far this season, having comfortably dispatched both Lille and Wolfsburg in their previous

two home games and drawing their other away matches.

But Martinez’s men had to wait until late in the day to salvage a point from their trip to Krasnodar, who sit bottom of the group and are already out, back in October, with Samuel Eto’o snatching an 82nd-minute leveller after Ari had put the hosts ahead.It seems likely that Martinez, who has already confirmed that Arouna Kone will start against the Russian outfit after a long-term injury absence, will rest the majority of his first-team squad on Thursday.

And Atsu, who has been limited to a peripheral role at

Everton since his closeseason loan switch from Chelsea, is amongst a number of fringe players that could join the Ivorian forward in the starting XI. “It’s been quite difficult since I came here but I believe things will be okay and go well,” the Ghana winger told the club’s official website.

“I’m working hard for the team and I believe the fans haven’t seen the best of me yet and I know everything depends on the player.

“I don’t know if I will start [on Thursday] but, if I do, I will give my best to the team and fans. I will make sure I will be at my best to help the team win.”

THE Brazilian has earned acclaim in recent weeks thanks to his phenomenal goal output and is in line to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League group stage record.

It only took Luiz Adriano seven years to become an overnight success.

He has scored plenty in the Ukrainian top flight, as well as the Champions League, since joining the perennial title holders in 2007, without making sufficient impression to be regarded as one of the continent’s most feared forwards. It appears that perception is in the process of changing.

Atsu Hoping For First-team Chance

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CMYK

70 Successful Solutions To Poverty Challenges

ANNUAL gathering brought together 174 Government bodies, presenting more than 70 homegrown poverty-fighting initiatives at Organization for American States Washington, DC: 25 November 2014 – Nearly 700 participants from 174 government agencies/ Institutions, permanent missions and embassies joined 24 UN System partners, 71 private sector representatives, 180 nongovernmental organizations and several academic institutions at this year ’s United Nations Global SouthSouth Development Expo (GSSDE).

The 2014 event stressed the role of public, private partnerships in financing development projects, as well as in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. It also highlighted the significant role played by the collaborative frameworks of south-south cooperation in disaster responses, highlighting the positive response to the Ebola crisis provided by effected countries through the provision of humanitarian corridors, deployment of healthcare workers, sharing of best practices and enhancing of public health capacities.

Gina Casar, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the UN Development Programme, declared in her speech on the opening day that south-south and triangular cooperation offer a path to balancing growth and equity in the context of a “new collaborative global partnership for sustainable development” where all stakeholders stand “shoulder-to-shoulder in their political, social and environmental development efforts.”

Several Memoranda of Understanding in the area of south-south cooperation were also sealed at the week-long event. For example, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Gambia and a Chinese enterprise, Henan Qingshuiyuan Technology, agreed to cooperate in the area of wastewater treatment, while the Organization of American States and the United

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) signed an MoU to collaborate on fostering respect for environmental laws and sustainable development.

Yiping Zhou , envoy of the UN Secretary General and Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation said the annual Global UN South-South Development Expo is proving effective in bringing together development organizations from all sectors to establish inclusive and innovative partnerships, south-south, north-south, triangular and public/private so that the impact of successful development solutions can be scaled up.

“Since its inception in 2008, the Global UN Development Expo has featured documented best practices from hundreds of partner countries, UN agencies, private-sector enterprises and civil-society organizations”, said Zhou.

“To effectively build on this broad global partnership, the eight thematic areas of this year’s GSSD Expo 2014 at the Organization for American States (OAS) addressed sustainable development with a particular focus on poverty eradication, food Security and public/ private partnerships.”

About the Expo: The GSSD Expo is a multilateral annual event that identifies and showcases development solutions “from the South to the South”. It is organized by the United Nations Office for South-South cooperation (UNOSSC) to share development successes, to explore new avenues for collaboration, to forge innovative/inclusive partnerships, and to launch concrete collaborative schemes that reduce and eventually eliminate the deep differences in human development between the developed and developing worlds (i.e. the “North” and the “South).

So far, seven GSSD Expos have been successfully organized with the generous hosting of UN partners and other multilateral organizations: by UNDP in New York (2008), the World Bank in Washington, D.C. (2009), the ILO in Rome (2011), UNIDO in Vienna (2012), by UNEP in Nairobi (2013), and this year in

Washington, DC by the Organization for American States.

Examples of showcased solutions Brazil and Mozambique’s cooperation in the “Biofuels Productions FGV Foundation” agreement has resulted in the study and

100,000 jobs have already been created in the first phase; youth have received leadership and management training; dependence on fossil fuel has been reduced by 10 per cent of total consumption; electricity has been distributed to remote communities; and the

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

Matters In Focus India’s IMPEX’s SUNLITE off-grid solar lighting initiative’s goal is to improve the lives of over one million refugees, disaster victims, and impoverished populations through the provision of solar lanterns.

• Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General sustainable exploitation of agricultural potential in 12 countries in the Tropical Belt, 6 of which are located in Africa: Guinea, GuineaBissau, Liberia, Mozambique, Senegal and Zambia. Thus far, this SouthSouth initiative has planted millions of hectares of biomass for ethanol and biodiesel production;

beneficiary population is currently approximately 1 million people.

The Yasuni-ITT Initiative, presents an innovative model to fight climate change, while simultaneously protecting one of the world’s richest areas in biodiversity, as well as the rights and livelihoods of the indigenous people who depend on it.

The aim is to supply over 300,000 such lanterns by the year 2015.

The China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE) and the Gansu Natural Energy Research Institute (GNERI) are sharing with Kenya solar energy equipment engineered in China. As a result, to date 50

solar photovoltaic demonstration systems have been produced, as well as 100 solar water heating systems, and 100 solar cooker systems, all suitable for the conditions of remote villages.

Through Sister Cities International Sino-African Initiative a trilateral partnership between Nairobi, Kenya; Denver, USA; and Kunming, China on the Madaraka Primary School Project in Nairobi recently tackled water and sanitation issues faced by students.

The project has affected the lives of teachers and students. 378 teachers and 18 teachers now have access to safe water and toilet facilities. 30 new students have enrolled at the school.

The Nairobi Department of Education is discussing policy changes based on these results.

The “Programme for SouthSouth Cooperation on Sustainable Development (PSC)” between Benin, Bhutan and Costa Rica, with initial seed-money from the Government of the Netherlands. Through the 36 sustainable development projects implemented, global thinking has been translated into local performance by the people of three countries on three different continents: 26,700 direct beneficiaries; 477 communities have benefited; 1,533 indigenous people have been trained; 3,124 farmers have converted to organic production; 1,160 women have been involved in decision making.

• The above article is a UN report in the 2014 UN Global South-South Development Expo in Washington, DC

“To effectively build on this broad global partnership, the eight thematic areas of this year’s GSSD Expo 2014 at the Organization for American States (OAS) addressed sustainable development with a particular focus on poverty eradication, food Security and public/private partnerships.”

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