Nigerian observer 11092013 by Nigerian Observer

THE NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 NO. 308 •WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 . N 100.00 NATURAL MEDICINE

Page 19 Healing plants of man

Academic activities resume in schools BY EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU/GEORGE OGBOLU BENIN CITY – Academic activities have resumed in public and private schools in Benin City metropolis on

Monday after the third term vacation. Investigations by The NIGERIAN OBSERVER revealed that schools were

in session with pupils in attendance. Most of them were seen either cleaning their classes or

discussing about the holiday. At Ogbe Primary School, teachers were seen in various classes as some pupils expressed delight over

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Title Renunciation

NEW HORIZON Pages 20 and 24

Understanding Krshna and Christ

Olu of Warri rescinds decision By BETTY IDIALU (With Agency Report)

WARRI - After four days of protest over his decision to renounce the title ‘Ogiame’, The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II, has bowed to the wishes of his subjects. The Itsekiri monarch be disclosed title, but the yesterday succumbed decision did not go down to the wishes of his well with the entire subjects not to Itsekiri people. The Olu of Warri, who renounce the title when tension claimed the title Ogiame heightened around his is associated with “Sea palace. goddess’’, said he had Atuwase II had nothing to do with the allegedly planned to deity. The Itsekiri people relinquish the traditional title of began the protest on 7 by “Ogiame’’ for a yet to September

besieging the Atuwase II’s palace to press home their demand that their monarch should rescind his decision. A statement issued by 22 Palace Chiefs at the height of the

protest, criticised the decision of the monarch to renounce the title of Ogiame. The statement read by one of the Chiefs, Mrs. Rita LoriOgbebor, noted that Ogiame had nothing to

do with the worship of any deity. Meanwhile, the Itsekiri protest entered its third day, there was an unprecedented crowd around the Palace of

the Olu of Warri and the Olu of Warri play ground at Ajamimogha in Delta State. Yesterday, protesters came out as early as 7am dressed in red

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Salary harmonisation

Edo Assembly strikes out petition By WINIFRED OSASOBO

BENIN CITY- Edo State House of Assembly has struck out a petition on the harmonization of Salary by states, brought by one Mr. Omede Thomas for lack of merit. According to the House, the pension act does not permit harmonization of pensioner in the state. The House struck out the petition after the presentation and consideration of the report of the House Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Development on the petition. The petition was titled, “re-payment of my monthly pension at 50 percent at Edo, 50 percent at Lagos, application for 100 percent payment at Edo State dated November

20, 2012 and signed by Mr. Thomas. According to the committee findings, Mr. Omede Thomas, was employed by Lagos State Hospital’s Management Board on May 1, 1980 and was transferred to Edo State Hospitals Management Board on August 2, 1983. The committee noted that Mr. Thomas was retired on October 1, 2000 and his pension benefits have been paid by both states, noting that issue of one state paying on the behalf of other is

no longer the practice. The committee added that the State Pension Board has no power to harmonize pension of two or more states and cannot screen any pensioner of other state.

VISIT: L-R: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, President, Association of Esan Professionals, Mr. Mike Osime and Rear Admiral Peter Ebhaleme, during the association’s visit to Government House on Tuesday. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE.

Education: Esan By ADAMS OYIBOKE

professionals lauds Oshiomhole

BENIN CITY – Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has been commended for recent steps in taking education to an enviable level in the state.

The commendation was made by the President, Association of Esan Professionals (AEP), Mr. Mike Osime

during a courtesy visit to the governor in government House, Benin City yesterday. According to him, “apart

Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP) has advised youths of Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas to eschew

factionalisation and be united in order to attract infrastructure from oil and gas operators in

their communities. He gave the advice during the Newcross

Commissioner warns oil, gas host communities

By THOMPSON ERHOMONSELE BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Ambassador

Continues on page 2

from building and reconstructing schools, infrastructural development in schools has also been improved upon”. Mr. Osime expressed the association’s support for the state government in all areas in order to provide dividends of democracy for the people. He specifically pointed out that the recent

teachers verification exercise in the state was a right step in the right direction meant to take education to a higher level. He, however, lamented the lean financial resources at government disposal, urging government to partner with the association to enhance the educational

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THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

News

Esan professionals lauds Oshiomhole

Continued from page 1 sector in the state.

“Association of Esan Professional has therefore planned to set up education foundation to enable them c o m p l e m e n t government efforts in the state and Esan land in particular”, he said. While appreciating government efforts in the area of the provision of water for Esan land, the association’s president sued for more through

public/private partnership that would guarantee flow of water in every ward in Esan land. Responding, Governor Oshiomhole said he has directed the Commissioner for Works to carry out feasibility study for the construction of more schools in areas where none has been build. He assured the association

of Esan Professionals that government would continually collaborate and partner with the members, stressing that government would soon revisit education curriculum in order to give prominence to local languages in schools. According to him, “Our identity must be preserved through effective teaching of our dialects in schools, especially at the

kindergarten level”. “Holistic reforms in education to eliminate corruption, wrong postings and god-fatherism that have bedeviled the Civil Service Commission must be checked to ensure sanity in the system”, he said. He, however, advised parents to ensure that their children and wards are in school, maintaining that plans are on to punish parents who refuse to send their children to school.

the Ogiame Title. According to them, when the Olu was enthroned he told us that he is a Christian and we accepted him and we are very loyal to him despite his faith. But there is no Ogiame without the Olu and no Olu without Ogiame. Itsekiri,

according to them, was erroneously translated to mean king of water but rather, the first Olu of Warri, King Ginuwa who was a son to the Oba of Benin was sent to Warri to rule over the people across the water hence the title Ogiame, meaning the king across the water.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of C o m m u n i t y Development, Amb.

advice at IguosodiNegbemaba, while inaugurating the newly elected Chairman of the C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t Association (CDA). He expressed dissatisfaction over the selection of youths as executives and member of CDAs. The commissioner said that he was very happy with the IguosodiNegbemaba Community because they elected responsible and matured citizens who have means of livelihood as executives and members of their CDA. He said crises prevail in most communities where youths are selected into CDAs. Commissioner Odion advised factionalized communities to unite and resolve their differences, warning that any CDA ridden with crisis and refuses to harmonize and settle their crises, would have its certificate of registration withdrawn pending when a new CDA would be put in place. According to him, only the chairman of the

Olu of Warri rescinds decision

Continued from page 1 Master’s Degree in Law

which they say was symbolic and to inform the King that there was danger looming in ’Iwere ‘land if the Monarch fails to rescind his decision of dropping the ‘Ogiame ‘Title. Mr. Fredrick Omaghumi and Mr Ekens Gbubemi both Itsekiris while speaking with the NIGERIAN OBSERVER said what every Itsekiri is saying is that the title ‘Ogiame’ was handed over to them by their fore fathers and that no one can stop the King from practicing his Christian faith but that the Ogiame Title is sacrosanct to the Itsekiir people and Itsekiri tradition. Speaking further, “this is about age long tradition, the first Olu of Warri to become a Christian was the 6th Olu who after his education brought the crown from Portugal and was never stopped from practicing his Christian religion, adding that the present Olu who holds a

Academic activities resume in schools

Continued from page 1

the resumption for the new academic session. The situation was not that different at Oliha and Ohuoba Primary Schools, as pupils and teachers expressed joy over the resumption. Agbado Primary School witnessed an appreciable turnout of pupils while some parents were bringing in their wards to school. At some private schools visited, pupils seem to have settled down for class work as academic activities were already in full swing.

and has spent 26 years on the throne has been ruling them well and there has been no problems between the Monarch and his subjects. That he is the 10th Olu to be a Christian. They however blamed some Chiefs in Itsekiri Kingdom who they said misinformed the King on

Teachers’ Screening

Anglican Synod lauds Oshiomhole government at all levels to By ANDY EGBON

AUCHI – The first synod of the Etsako Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has commended the recent screening of teachers by Edo State government, describing it as “worthwhile, expedient and essential.” In a communiqué at the end of the 2013 Synod held at Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, the synod also recommended that the exercise should continue until corrupt officers are screened out of the system. The communiqué was signed by the President of the Synod/Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev’d Jacob Bada, Diocesan Chancellor, Prince Alan Omogbai and two others. It appreciated the state government on the mutual understanding and restored relationship with the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT). While imploring

invest more in education, the Synod also appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to as a matter of necessity and in the best interest of students, parents/ guardians and the nation at large call off their strike. It called on teachers and workers in Edo State to learn to use dialogue in resolving issues of state concern rather than strikes which are capable of portraying the state in bad perspective. Calling on all Christians to pray for the release of Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev’d Ignatius Kattey and his wife by kidnappers, the Synod expressed the urgent need to overhaul the nation’s security system. It, however, commended federal government for the appropriate measures taken to arrest and stem the insecurity insurgence in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Commissioner calls for all inclusive dev community issues are D e v e l o p m e n t BENIN CITY – family matters which Associations a Youth associations Commissioner for should be settled in a affair. Femi Okuo gave the Information and Orientation, Hon. Louis Odion has advised communities in Edo State not to make Community

Commissioner warns oil, gas host communities Continued from page 1 Petroleum Limited Oil Prospective Licence (OPL) 283 (PSC) 2013 Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting with its host communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State, held in Benin City. Ambassador Omo-Ojo noted that the oil companies would capitalize on their factionalisation and clashes to continue their operations without paying attention to the development of host communities, using the recent Urhonigbe crisis as reference point. As Newcross Petroleum Limited progresses in its seismic and other operations in Orhionmwon, the commissioner tasked members of PAC including representatives of the host communities to furnish the ministry with progress report in order to determine where the flow-station would be sited so that the state would benefit from the revenue accruable on the long run when full exploration and production

of crude oil and gas commences. He emphasized the need for adequate plan on how to reduce gas flaring and ensure its optimum utilization. In order to ensure responsible revenue drive, he enjoined Orhionmwon Local Government to grade the earthen road in the locality leading to the operational base of Newcross in Edo State, pointing out that the oil and gas operator had proven itself to be a responsible corporate body by working with its host communities. Commenting, the Starategy and Planning Adviser of Newcross Petroleum Limited, Bashir Idowu disclosed that the company was still carrying out appraisal on the OPL and that on completion of the entire process, the Oil Mining Licence can commence. He thanked the host communities, Traditional institution and the Edo State Ministry of Special Duties, Oil and Gas for being cooperative and supportive.

Youth Association in the community should be elected as member of the CDA to represent the interest of the youths, saying that youth activities are supervised by the State Department of Youth in the Ministry of Youth and sports. He said the certificate of registration of youth associations and youth clubs in the ministry should not be substituted for CDA certificate of registration, and explained that the main objective of CDAs is to bring development to communities. He advised prominent citizen of communities such as retirees, professionals and businessmen resident in Benin City to be frequent in their villages and take interest in village affairs otherwise, irresponsible persons would appropriate their community resources to themselves and their immediate family. He also advised the communities to explore all avenues for amicable settlement of their differences using dialogue before a matter is taken to the police or court of law, as

family way. In his inaugural speech, the Chairman of Iguosodin-Nigbemaba CDA, Col. S. E. Omolusi expressed appreciation to his people for finding him worthy to be Chairman. He thanked the commissioner for attending the ceremony, promising to effectively organize his community to be a reference point in the state. Col. Omolusi also promised to carry everyone along and settle grievances through dialogue, promising to liaise with relevant authorities to bring development to the community. Also speaking, the Principal of the Local Secondary School, Mrs. Kadiri, said the audience has been fully educated on CDA by the Commissioner, describing his speech as a workshop paper. She appealed to the newly elected chairman to assist develop the secondary school through communal efforts so that the school can be approved for WAEC Examinations.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

News Etuno-Ohiku-Egbira Desendants Union Meets Sept 14 IGARRA- There will be a general meeting of the ETUNOOHIKU-EGBIRA Descendants on Saturday 14th September, 2013 at uttua town hall, Igarra. The time is 10.00am prompt. A statement by Mr. John Mokayi, National Publicity Secretary said all Etuno-Ohiku Igbira descendants are cordially

invited to attend the meeting. The statement further informed members that the National Executive officers and members from Nasarawa, Kaduna and other States will attend the meeting where the president will inaugurate the Executive officers of the Etuno chapter

By DANIEL EDOBOR

000 belonging to Innocent Mama of Okada Junction. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced accordingly by the presiding magistrate, Mrs. I. O. Iyoha.

Court Jails Man For the accused person on August 30, at Iguobazuwa market did Stealing 2013 stole a half bag of rice valued N8,

The Bishop of Jesus Breeds Ministries Int’l Incorporated, Rev (Dr) Eddy Omoruyi-Okundaye JP, on Sunday September 8, 2013 commissioned the Jubilee Academy. Dr Omoruyi - Okundaye, 2nd left cutting the tape to commission the school. Right, is Rev (Mrs) R.N. Okundaye and other member of the church. Photo: SUNDAY OSADEBAMWEN

IGUOBAZUWA –An Iguobazuwa Magistrate Court has sentenced one Mr. Gabriel Matthew, aged 29 on a one count charge of stealing a half bag of rice to one year imprisonment or an option of fine of N50,000. Investigating Police Officer, Insp Muyiwa told the court that

1,437 Die In Road Crashes sensitisation campaign organised by the FRSC and ARM Pension Managers. Chidoka, represented by the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer, Mr. Hussaini Alhassan, said 6, 831 persons were injured during the period. “Within the last seven months,

speed violation accounted for about 65 per cent of the causative factors of road accidents and fatalities in the country. “Between January and June 2013, a total of 1,397 buses were involved in road traffic accidents, killing 1,437 and injuring 6,831 persons,’’ he said.

AUCHI: The criminal case preferred against one Festus Joseph in Auchi Magistrate Court in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo state has suffered a setback following the absence of the 9th prosecution witness in court. In the case with charged No MAU/1C/2013A, the accused person, Festus Joseph – is standing trial before Magistrate

Ikwuemosi Osayande (Mrs.) for allegedly having carnal knowledge of his daughter and also giving false information to the Police, an offence punishable under Section 125 A (A) (b) and 357 of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, hearing in the case could not continue at the last adjourned date following the failure of the prosecutor to call his witness to appear in court and give evidence.

The Magistrate, who had at the last sitting adjourned the case to a later date due to the failure of the prosecutor to call his witness, however urged the prosecutor to ensure his witness appear in court in the next adjourned date for continuation of the case. Magistrate Osayande (Mrs.) then adjourned the case to October 17, 2013 for further hearing

Olaye (aka Iye-Abana), at the ripe age of 103. She died on Sunday, August 11, 2013.

Ikpoba-Okha local government area, both in Benin Kingdom. She was a devoted Christian of

the Baptist Faith as well as a community leader. Madam Omorogbe-Olaye is survived by three children, 50 grand children and 75 great grand children amongst whom is Mr. Alfred Omorogbe Olaye, Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Establishment, Training and Management Services, office of the Head of Service, Benin City. According to the burial arrangement released by the family, on Friday, October 4, 2013, there will be a service of songs at No 4 Alagodaro Lane, off Ehaekpen, Uzebu quarters, while interment will take place same day. On Saturday, October 5, 2013, there will be social dance at Idah primary school, back of Yanga Market, along Obakhavbaye street, beginning at 12noon while the thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at Abehe Baptist Church, Abehe street, Benin City at 9am.

JOS - The Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), said that a total of 1, 437 deaths were recorded between January and June in 1,397 road crashes involving buses nationwide. The Corps Marshal, Mr. Osita Chidoka, made this known in Jos in a message to the opening of a

Absence Of Witness Stalls Prosecution By ROLAND OSAKUE/ INNOCENT OMOAKA

Madam Okunsogie Omorogbe-Olaye Until her death, she was the BENIN CITY-The death has occurred of Madam Okunsogie oldest woman in Ogbe quarters, Dies At 103 Abieyomwanmon Omorogbe- Benin City and Ute-Ekoko in

Late Madam Okunsogie Abieyomwanmon Omorogbe-Olaye

Chidoka said that the situation needed to be urgently addressed, and called on the stakeholders to embrace the use of speed limit devices. “The use of speed limiting devices presents us this opportunity as it makes it impossible for drivers to go beyond the regulated speed. “Speed limiting devices have been found to be an effective means of preventing speed violation and resultant consequences,’’ he said. He listed other benefits to include fuel economy and increase in driver’s ability to maneuver in the event of accident. In his address, the Regional Head of ARM pension managers, North Central, Mr. Godswill Egbe, urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the FRSC to reduce road accidents. Egbe, described as worrisome the high rate of accidents involving buses, saying this

prompted the company’s collaboration with the FRSC, to create awareness and reduce road accidents to the barest minimum. “Since the installation of speed limit devices in vehicles has been adjudged as one of the most effective ways of addressing over speeding, all stakeholders should commit themselves to the initiative,’’ he said. Earlier, the Acting Sector Commander of the FRSC in Plateau, Mr. Lawrence Igwe, had thanked the company for sponsoring the campaign. The campaign brought together members of the NURTW, security agencies, tricycle owners, commercial motorcyclists, bus drivers, students and host of others. Various papers were presented during the event while the NYSC Safety Club of Jos North Local Government staged a drama on safe driving.

Assault

Court Adjourns Case Till Sept 19 By DANIEL EDOBOR IGUOBAZUWA- An Iguobazuwa Magistrate Court has adjourned till September 19, 2013 a case of Assault preferred against Godwin Akena and Godwin Amos. Investigating police office told the court that on August 27, 2013, the two accused persons at Ajife village in Ovia South West Local Government Area did unlawfully assault one Mr. Uroupagha Rapheal by beating him with fist blows and slaps all over his body. The accused persons pleaded not Guilty to the charge and the charge was adjourned till September 19, 2013 for further hearing.

Front view of the school after the commissioning last Sunday. Photo: Sunday Osadebamwen.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

South-South Uyo Specialist Hospital To Provide Medical Tourism UYO - The Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Health, Dr Emem Bassey, said the specialist hospital being

constructed in Uyo would provide medical tourism in the state when completed. Bsssey told newsmen in

Uyo, that the state government was committed to making the hospital, called “20th Anniversary Hospital”,

a referral centre of international repute. He said that Gov. Godswill Akpabio had made huge

investment in the health sector and was currently building additional three general hospitals in the three senatorial districts of the state. He said that at the completion of the 20th anniversary hospital, Nigerians and other African countries would seek medical care in Uyo, instead of Indian and other western countries. The commissioner said that the state government was looking out for international investors in the health sector who would manage and sustain the projects for 15 years. According to him, no fewer than three top Indian hospitals had indicated interest in managing the hospitals. He said that at the expiration of the concession period,

-Commissioner

indigenes of the state would have been trained to take over the running of the hospitals. “We accept the fact that we, at the moment, have some manpower shortage and that if we decide to run it ourselves, we probably will not be able to offer the kind of services inherent in a referral centre. “We are looking at being able to provide quality medical care, the kind of service you will find in hospitals in Europe, U.S. and India. “By the time we are able to offer the kind of services obtainable in the above mentioned countries, Akwa Ibom will become a medical tourist destination,’’ Bassey said.

Navy Arrests Oil Thieves, Impounds Vessel YENAGOA - The Nigerian Navy in Yenagoa announced that it has impounded an oil vessel with a 10-member crew, including a Cameroonian national over alleged oil theft. A statement by the Central

Naval Command said the captain of the vessel could not tender relevant documents when he was apprehended. The vessel was impounded offshore Brass River in Brass Outgoing Commander, Special Task Force (STF), Maj.-Gen. Henry Ayoola (left), handding over the Force’s Flag to his successor, Maj.-Gen. David Enetie in Jos recently. Local Government Area of Bayelsa, according to the Road Constructing statement signed by the Command’s Operation Officer, Commodore E.O Enemor and made available to newsmen. It said that the crew members were arrested on Sept. 6 aboard a vessel identified as MT ELIOPARANWO (RIVERS) Pauline which was laden with - The Elioparanwo community in the Obio/Akpor Local loaded over 360,000 litres of Government Area (LGA) of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) Rivers has commended the state suspected to have been stolen. government for constructing the “The vessel lacked the five-kilometre road linking it to Nigerian Ports Authority other parts of the state. bunkering permit, the The community’s certificate of registration with spokesperson, Mr. Sam Wahunoro, told newsmen in Port the Joint Military Task Force Harcourt, that residents of the and the approval for the area were impressed with work movement of petroleum done so far on the road. products by the Naval “We thank the state Headquarters. government for awarding the “On September 6 at about contract to rebuild the road. The 8.00 am, a Naval patrol team road is a gateway to other parts from the Forward Operating of Obio/Akpor LGA and the entire state. Base (FOB), Formoso, “We are pleased with the Outgoing Commander, Special Task Force (STF), Maj.-Gen. Henry Ayoola, addressing officers and men of intercepted and impounded MT drainage work done by the Pauline offshore Brass Rivers STF during his hand over ceremony in Jos recently. contractors. The new drains have in Brass Local Government saved our community from Area of Bayelsa State loaded flooding and we can imagine how with over 360,000 litres of it will be when completed,’’ he said. ASABA – Mr. Charles “This is a federal government diesel. Wahunoro, who is the former Ovweigho, the Manager, Asaba “Ten crew members made up project and it is all over the Chairman, Elioparanwo Area Office of Benin-Owena country. So, no restrictions or of 9 Nigerians and a Community Development River Basin Development He said the benefits of the discrimination is placed on Cameroonian were arrested,” it The manager said the Committee, said the road when Authority, says the rice farm remaining portion was for the project to the host communities said. anybody. completed would assist farmers irrigation project at Illah in Delta normal farming season. were enormous, listing them to The command, however, said “However, the people from the in the area. will soon be inaugurated. “The contract for the irrigation include food security, job immediate community are given investigations had begun into He said this would help them Ovweigho told newsmen in was awarded in 2012 and the creation, economic to evacuate farm produce to Asaba that the N200 million project will soon be inaugurated empowerment and infrastructure priority in choosing who to have the source of the suspected farms on the land,’’ he said. markets in Port Harcourt city. stolen petroleum product. project in Illah, Oshimili North by the Minister of Agriculture,” development. Ovweigho said farmers “When the road is ready, it will Local Government Area (LGA) he said. It said the arrest and others Ovweigho said interested take less than 20 minutes to get was for dry season rice farming. Ovweigho said the farm project large-scale farmers would be presently on the land only paid recorded in the past were a clear to Port Harcourt and residents of He explained that 100 hectares extended to the neighboring Ebu allowed to farm on the land after for the cost of land preparations indication of the determination Elioparanwo will be saved the of land, out of the 200 hectares community, where 100 hectares fulfilling some obligations, and harrowing, adding that when ordeal of driving through bad earmarked for rice farming along was acquired, adding that 15 adding that there were four such the irrigation system becomes of the navy to check oil theft, roads,’’ the community official the Asaba-Illah Road, was hectares had also been cleared in farmers currently utilising the operational the cost would also illegal bunkering and other illegal activities in the area. said. irrigated for dry season farming. farm. be subsidised.

Community Commends Govt

Irrigation Project To Be Inaugurated Soon -Basin Authority

the community.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

South-West Man, 25, Arraigned belonging to one For Theft purse Salewa Olujide.

FOI Act

Ex-Info Commissioner Tasks Journalists IBADAN - Chief Areola Oyebola, a former Commissioner for Information and Local Government Matters, has called on journalists in the country to take advantage of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to expose corrupt politicians. Oyebola told newsmen in Ibadan that the law would boost the capacity of journalists to engage in investigative reportage. “I am imploring Nigerian journalists to cash in on the passage of the Act to curb corruption in the land for the country to move forward. “It is very disturbing to hear that public office holders are stealing tax payers’ money and some are getting away with this unpunished,” he said. Reports say that the 77-yearold Ibadan High Chief, who was one of the longest serving Editor of the Daily Times, was a commissioner in the David Jemibewon military administration in the old Western Region.

Traffic jam caused by an accident on Iwo Road at Olorunsogo in Ibadan on Monday

ABEOKUTA - A 25year-old man, Rotimi Abayomi, has appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court sitting at Isabo, for allegedly snatching a woman’s purse. According to the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Augustine Ozimini, the accused allegedly committed the offence on July 23 at about 8.30 p.m. at Tego Street Ibara Housing Estate, in Abeokuta. He said that the accused, a motorcyclist snatched a

Varsity Nabs Candidate Over Impersonation Post-UTME:

OKITIPUPA (ONDO STATE) - The Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) , Okitipupa, said that it had arrested a candidate for impersonation at its 2013/2014 computer-based Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

Prof. Amos Akinwande, the institution’s Director of Academic Planning, told newsmen in Okitipupa that the suspect had been handed over to the police. “The security operatives arrested him because his document and passport photograph did not correspond

with what we have on our website and he has been handed over to the police,” he said. Akinwande said the suspect was arrested for impersonation out of the 501 candidates that took part in the examination. “Candidates were now conversant with the e-screening exercise. It was not to fail anyone but to fight against moral and educational decadence in tertiary institutions,” he said. Akinwande stressed that candidates who did not score the 180 cut-off marks would not be offered admission into the institution, adding that the results would be released on September 13. Meanwhile, some candidates and parents, who spoke with newsmen, lauded the institution

over the conduct of the examination. Mr Kingley Emidun, a candidate, said that he was impressed with the conduct of the examination, saying that the candidates were tutored on how to use the computer without stress. “I am impressed with the way we were guided with the computer. They also conveyed us with their vehicles from the main gate to the examination hall,’’ Emidun said. Mrs Oluwatoyin Idowu, a parent, said that security men were alert to forestall any criminal act, adding that the institution’s management created a friendly environment for candidates.

Mother, Son Docked under false pretence and Over Fraud money stealing.

Scene of an accident on Iwo Road at Olorunsogo in Ibadan on Monday

IBADAN - A 68-year-old woman, Alimat Adebayo, and her 38-year-old son, Taiwo, were arraigned before an Ibadan Magistrates’ Court for alleged fraud. The prosecutor, Cpl. Sunday Ojeleye, said the defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining

Osun To Publish Names Of Paid Road Contractors OSOGBO – Mr. Bisi Odewumi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government in Osun, says government will publish the names of contractors handling local government roads who have been paid. Odewumi stated this while briefing newsmen in Osogbo on

the level of work done on local government roads. He said that out of the 101 ongoing road projects in the state, no fewer than 69 contractors handling them had been paid 50 per cent of the contract sum as second installment. “ Names of contractors who have received second payment

will be published soon to checkmate those that may likely sabotage the good intention of the government, ’’ Odewumi said. He implored the contractors to mobilise to site immediately, saying the ministry’s task force would soon start to move round project sites. “ The governor will not

condone any shoddy job by contractors as none has any reason not to deliver,’’ he said. He also said the government was committed to providing good roads that would boost the socio-economic growth of the state. It would be recalled that the state government had awarded road contracts worth N16.6 billion in the 30 local governments.

He said the accused persons committed the crime on Decenber 15, 2012, at Apete area of Ibadan by fraudulently obtaining N260, 000 from one Alhaji Aliu Azeez. Ojeleye said the money was the price collected for a nonexisting land, an offence which contravened sections 516, 419 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II, Laws of Oyo state of Nigeria, 2000. The two accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge. Magistrate Kehinde Omotoso granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. Omotoso said one of the sureties must be related to the defendants while the other must have three years tax clearance certificate. She adjourned the case to October 18 for further hearing.

He added that the purse contained identity card, ATM card, phones and a sum of N2500 all valued at 20,000. “The accused snatched the purse and zoomed off on his motorcycle,” he said. The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun, 2004. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing levelled against him. The Magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Adekunte, granted the accused bail in the sum of N 50,000 with one surety in like sum. He further adjourned the case to October 4 for further hearing on the matter.

Sexagenarian Remanded Over Murder IBADAN - An Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded a 60-year-old man, Adamu Serifigia, in prison custody over alleged murder of two boys of ages 10 and 13. The accused, whose address is unknown, is charged with conspiracy and unlawful killings. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abiodun Idowu , ordered that the accused should remain in prison custody pending the advice of the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the case. Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Olalekan Adegbite had told the court that Serifigia allegedly matcheted a 10year-old boy to death. He also said the accused and others still at large shot and killed another13-yearold boy. He said the offences were committed on August 6 at Alakala Village, Ibadan. The offences contravened Sections 316 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State 2000. The case was adjourned to September 25 for mention.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Defilment

Crime

Security Guard Jailed

IKEJA - A Juvenile Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a 21-year-old security guard, Abubakar Muhammed, to 14 years imprisonment for defiling a fouryear-old girl. The Magistrate, Mrs. E.B. Daudu, handed down the verdict after Muhammed had pleaded

guilty to two of the charges preferred against him. She sentenced the security guard to seven years imprisonment on each of the two counts, and ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.

Alleged Sodomy: Teenager,

Man, 29, Arraigned

LAGOS - The police in Lagos have arraigned a teenager, Moses John, and a 29-year-old man, Charles Onwuegbuchi, who allegedly engaged in homosexuality. Charles lives at No. 24, Segun Adetiba St., Ajegunle, Lagos, while the address of 19-year-old Moses was not made known. The accused are facing a twocount charge of conspiracy and sodomy. The prosecutor, Insp Ahonle Luggard, told the court that the duo

Evangelist Docked Over Theft LAGOS - A 30-year-old man, Azubuike Ogamba, was charged before an Ojo Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing seven fairly-used refrigerators valued at N171,000. The accused, an evangelist, resident at No. 33, Masebinu St., Shibiri, Ojo, is standing trial on a charge of stealing. The prosecutor, ASP Godwin Eze, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on Feb 8. He said the complainant, one Mr. Stephen Agbo, a dealer in electronics at the Alaba International Market, Ojo, entrusted the refrigerators to the accused, to auction on his behalf. Eze said the accused took possession of the refrigerators, but nothing was heard from him afterwards. “He did not remit any proceeds of the sale, or give any explanation as to the whereabouts of the goods, despite repeated demands,” the prosecutor said. Eze said that on several occasions when the complainant visited the residence of the accused, he was told by Ogamba’s wife that her husband had been in the “desert” for prayers. The prosecutor said that when it became clear that the accused had something “fishy”, the complainant reported the matter to the police. Eze said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Mrs. Adenike Shonubi, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case to Sept. 27 for mention. Newsmen reports say that stealing attracts three-year imprisonment, if the accused is convicted.

committed the offence on Sept. 1 at Charles’s residence. “After having canal knowledge of Moses, the second defendant, Charles, refused to pay him as they agreed. “In the process of fighting and shouting, neighbours were attracted to the scene, and they contacted the police,” he said. According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Sections 136 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Newsmen reports say that Section 136 prescribes three years imprisonment for any person who commits any act of gross indecency with another person. Also, Section 409 provides for two years imprisonment for conspiracy. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni, granted each of them bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case to October. 29 for mention.

Newsmen reports state that the convict had pleaded guilty to charges of indecent treatment and defiling of a child. He, however, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of stealing. Consequently, the magistrate fixed Oct. 10 to hear the case of stealing. The prosecution said the accused committed the offences at 6.00 a.m. on Sept. 3 at the home of the girl on Ajao road, off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja. Muhammed was alleged to have also stolen N45, 000 at the house after defiling the girl. The offences contravened Sections 135, 137 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Vice Chairman, Igbo World Union (IWU), FCT Chapter, Mr Obinna Dike (left) and Chairman, FCT Traditional Council, Ochigbo Jerome Nwagbara, at IWU Awards ceremony in Suleja on Monday

President, Solid Women Initiaztive for development, Chief Queen Ume-Ezeoke (left), receiving a merit award from the chairman, Igbo World Union (IWU), Niger Chapter, Mr Moses Onyegbule, at IWU award ceremony in Suleja on Monday.

Pastor Docked For Murder

ABEOKUTA - A 25-yearold pastor, Samson Bamgbose, was arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, for allegedly causing the death of a church member who drowned during spiritual bath. Bamgbose, a pastor at the Celestial Church of Christ, Alaapa, is facing a one-count charge of negligence. The police prosecutor, ASP Paul Etusi, told the court that the offence was committed on Aug. 15 at about 3.00 p.m.

at Ogun River, Alaapa Village, Abeokuta. He said the accused took some church members, including the deceased, Toheeb

Odusanya,13, to the river for spiritual bath. “Bamgbose took the little boy to the river without his parent’s consent. He did not take the necessary precaution and

allowed the boy to drown,” the prosecutor said. Etusi said the offence contravened section 344 of the Criminal Code of Ogun, 2006. The accused, however,

Man, 23, Docked For Burglary LAGOS - A 23-year-old man, Abiodun Jimoh, who allegedly burgled the home of a woman and stole her property, was charged before an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. The accused, who lives in

Ijegun Imore Satellite Town, Apapa, is being tried for conspiracy and stealing. The prosecutor, ASP Austine Onwuemene, told the court that the accused with another man still at large committed the offences on

Aug. 1 at No. 30, Community Road, Ijegun Imore, Satellite Town. He said the accused stole a mobile phone valued at N3, 000 and N19, 000 cash belonging to Mrs. Chiamaka Okafor. “The accused broke into the

Suspected Robber Arrested By TOSIN AJUWON

AKURE - Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected armed robbery suspect identified as Ernest Otulor, a native of Oneke in Ebonyi state who was caught with a Russian made single barrel. According to the command, the arrest was made through a tip -off that an operation was on at the Energy filling station, Pele in Ondo town. The Command image

pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mr. Anthony Araba, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to Oct. 2.

make, Wolo Ogodo said a patrol team from Fagun division was mobilized to the scene of the crime which led to the arrest of one of the robbery suspect Ogodo also revealed that Otulor arrest paved way for the apprehension of one Jeremiah Akpan who served as their informant. ‘’ Otulor was the one that tricked and sent the security attached to the filling station on an errand for the robbers to have a free day’’. He said a cartridge used for

the operation was equally found in his house when it was searched, while three of the fourman gang reportedly escaped with the sum of N250,000 and two handsets. Meanwhile, a Police Constable, Omoniyi Edema attached to Bolorunduro police station near Ogbese Division was reportedly attacked on his way to the office by suspected hoodlums. The hoodlums were said to have hide in an uncompleted building along Bolorunduro road

and shot the police man on the head with several machete cuts. Edema’s motorcycle was taken away, while his corpse has been deposited in Akure specialist hospital mortuary awaiting autopsy. Police sources confirmed that three suspects, Ameh John, Aboh Michael and Olowolagba Toyin who received the deceased motorcycle have been arrested and confessed to the crime while investigation is ongoing.

room of Mrs Chiamaka Okafor and stole her Nokia mobile phone worth N3, 000 and N19, 000 cash among other items. “He was apprehended by Okafor’s neighbours and handed over to the police,’’ Onwuemene said. Onwuemene noted that the offences contravened Sections 285 (1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused denied the charges preferred against him. The Senior Magistrate, Mr. M. K. Fadeyi, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum. He said the surety should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions. The News reports that the accused may be sentenced to three years imprisonment on conviction. Further hearing has been fixed for September. 13.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

North Sokoto State Disqualifies 9 Pregnant, Sick Prospective Pilgrims SOKOTO - The Sokoto State Government has disqualified nine pregnant and sick prospective pilgrims from performing the forthcoming hajj in Saudi Arabia. The Chairman of the state’s medical team for the 2013 hajj, Dr Bello Ahmed, said this in Sokoto in an interview with the newsmen. Ahmed said this while reviewing the medical screening exercise of the intending pilgrims which had so far been conducted in 21 out of the 23 local governments of the state. He said that the affected intending pilgrims were from Tambuwal, Binji, Wurno, Goronyo, Silame and Rabah local government areas of the state. According to him, five of the prospective pilgrims had more than four months pregnancy, while two other female intending pilgrims are suffering from uterine fibroid and uterine inconsistency. “The two male prospective pilgrims barred are suffering from severe hypertension with stroke,” he added. Ahmed said that any intending pilgrims with pregnancy above three months or suffering from some severe

ailments would not be allowed to travel for the pilgrimage. These sicknesses he said include: diabetes, severe hypertension, blindness, deformities and old age, among others. Newsmen reports that the

medical committee comprised six medical doctors, six nurses and midwives. “We will be diligent enough to ensure that all the pilgrims are healthy both in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia. “We will try our best to do

this and referrals would only be done when it becomes absolutely necessary,” Ahmed said. In a related development, Gada local government area has commenced the inoculation of its 389 prospective pilgrims

against yellow fever and cerebra-spinal meningitis (CSM). The council’s Director of Health, Alhaji Abdullahi Yabo, told newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday that the two antigens were being administered to the

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), John Kenndedy Opara (right), with FCT Chairman Chairman Christian Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Israel Akanji during the screening exercise of intending pilgrims for 2013 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja yesterday. Photo: OMOYE AMINU

Sokoto Pilgrims Agency Creats Hajj Tribunal SOKOTO - The Chairman of the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), Alhaji Muntari Maigona, said that the agency had set up a hajj tribunal for pilgrimage offences. The chairman stated this in Sokoto in an interview with newsmen adding that the transportation of prospective

pilgrims for this year’s hajj exercise would commence on September. 14. The chairman said that the hajj tribunal set up by the agency would summarily prosecute all offenders who would misbehave in Nigeria and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He appealed to the pilgrims to

be law-abiding so as not to flout the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian laws governing the smooth conduct of hajj exercise. According to Maigona, the transportation exercise is expected to start with the 389 prospective pilgrims from Gada local government area of the state.

SOKOTO - The Sokoto State Police Command said it had adopted “stringent security measures” to arrest members of a syndicate that used motorcycles for robbery operations in petrol filling stations in Sokoto. The Police Commissioner, Alhaji Shaibu Gambo, told newsmen in Sokoto that effective operational order on the exercise had been issued to the officers and men of the command across the state. He said that plain-clothed security personnel had been deployed within the metropolis and its environs to ensure success of the strategy. He also called on security men and petrol attendants to be security conscious while discharging their official duties. “Filling stations should not be a place for parking cars or waiting for passengers as that gives room for criminals to strike.” Gambo called on the public to assist the command with intelligence reports that could

lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals in state. He said the command would continue to initiate various forms

of security strategies that would enable the people to conduct their normal activities without any hindrance.

Police Adopt Measures To Arrest Criminals

He said, “all the necessary arrangements had been concluded to ensure the success of the exercise both in Nigeria and in the Holy land.” “We had since booked accommodation for our 5,170 prospective pilgrims in Makkah, and very close to the Grand Mosque of Ka’abah. “The State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, has released all the required funds we need for all activities in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia,” he said. Maigona commended the

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), John Kenndedy Opara (middle), Chairman Christian Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Israel Akanji (left) and Federal Commissioner NCPC, Helene Ughoro during the screening exercise of intending pilgrims for 2013 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja yesterday. Photo: OMOYE AMINU

governor for his sustained support to the agency. He promised that the hajj officials and committee members at the state and the 23 local governments levels, would do everything possible to ensure the success of the spiritual endeavour. Maigona also urged the pilgrims to offer prayers for themselves, families, Sokoto State and Nigeria in general.

pilgrims. Yabo said that the inoculation exercise was to ensure that the pilgrims were in good health conditions to perform the rigorous hajj rituals in the Holy land.

Hajj-Board Submits 5,195 Passports For Visas KANO - The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board said it had forwarded 5,195 out of 5,648 passports to the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Kano for the issuance of visas to its prospective pilgrims. The Public Relations Officer of the board, Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi, said this in Kano during an interview with newsmen. He said the document was submitted to the consulate last week in order to facilitate quick issuance of visas to the state’s pilgrims. Badamasi said the remaining 453 passports would be forwarded to the Consulate on Sept. 9 to enable it to commence the process for the issuance of the permit. “We have a total of 5,648 prospective pilgrims who will perform this years’ Hajj in the Holy land,” he said. Badamasi said the board had completed all the necessary arrangements to ensure a successful Hajj operation this year. According to him, the induction course being organised for the pilgrims will be completed on Sept. 11, while the practical Hajj demonstration will be conducted at the Hajj camp on Sept 12. He called on all the prospective pilgrims to attend the practical Hajj demonstration to enable them to see how the practical aspect of the Hajj rites were being conducted.

LG Boss Urges Immunisation Of Children Polio:

BAUCHI - Alhaji Sa’idu Sale, Acting Chairman, Ningi Local Government, has called on the people of the area to ensure that all eligible children are immunised against Poliomyelitis. A statement made available to newsmen said that Sale made the call at Gidan Baki community while inaugurating the exercise. He reminded parents and guardians that it was possible to eradicate the disease as “some deadly diseases were gotten rid of in the past 50 years”. Sale added that the government had spent huge amount to kick polio out of the state in particular and the country in general. “Governments in the country are spending a huge sum of money in their efforts at kicking out the disease,” he said. He called on parents to present their children from the ages of 0 to 5 for the programme, to ensure a healthy future generation.

Delivering a goodwill message, Dr Hassan Gunda of the World Health Organisation (WHO), expressed delight at the exercise. He said although Ningi was not a high risk area, the exercise must be intensified due to the five cases recently identified in the state. He also commended traditional rulers for their support to the fight against the disease. Responding, Alhaji Auwal Iliyasu, the district head of Ningi, assured that traditional rulers would continue to support the exercise. Hajiya Ramatu Isiyaku, Director, Primary Health Care of the local government, said that 177,761 children were expected to be immunised during the September round. Newsmen recalled that five cases of the disease were recently recorded in Toro and Bauchi local government areas.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Abuja Terrorism: Army Pledges Adequate Logistics

ABUJA - The army authorities have pledged to provide adequate logistics to the newly formed 7 Division of the Nigerian Army to wipe out terrorism in the NorthEast. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, made the pledge when he addressed officers of the division in Maiduguri. This is contained in a statement, signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade. Ihejirika said that the formation would enjoy enhanced fire power, backed by adequate logistics to facilitate the accomplishment of its goals. He said the target of the division should be the task of dealing with terror in the North East and establishing an enduring security in its entire area of responsibility. The army chief said that he would also ensure that “all the units of the division will possess necessary integrity and cohesion from the onset”. Ihejirika commended the general officer commanding and all the officers and men for the

professional way they had managed the transition in the operation from the Joint Task Force. The army chief said that the commitment of the troops to the country’s security was commendable, assuring that President Goodluck Jonathan was interested in their welfare and the success of the operation. He said the entire leadership of the armed forces was equally keen to render necessary support to the formation. The statement also said that the COAS had audience with Air Force pilots involved in the operations. It said it that he commended them for their outstanding input in making the operation to achieve its objectives. Earlier in an interactive session with troops the army chief was quoted to have assured that all requests made by the Division towards enhancing the mission would be handled with dispatch. Also speaking in Ibadan, Ihejirika re-stated that the creation of the 7 Division in Borno would help to fight

insurgency in the northern part of the country. He spoke at the inauguration of the Ihejirika Gardens, built by the 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan. Ihejirika said that the 7

Division was established in Maiduguri, due to the porous border and to curtail proliferation of arms through neighbouring countries. “The division has settled down to take over external and internal

aggression as the case may be. “They are currently undertaking operations to secure the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens in that part of the country.” He commended the effort of the

GOC, 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Jibrin, for turning waste into wealth. “This site used to be a dumping area but it has now turned into a beautiful garden, I am highly delighted,” he said.

Issue Permanent Voter Cards,

Analyst Urges INEC ABUJA - A public affairs analyst, Mr Laitan Agbeja, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure speedy distribution of the permanent voter cards as a major step towards conducting credible elections in 2015. Agbeja made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. “The commission should double its effort at building a professional electoral management body capable of delivering free, fair and credible elections in 2015 and beyond,” he said. He said that the management of the electoral process by the commission should be well planned and organised to avert unnecessary hitches at the crucial moments. He called on the commission to carry along all stakeholders, including civil society organisations interested in credible polls in 2015. “We can deploy all the structures, processes, personnel

and technology towards credible elections; we will still need the collective support of all stakeholders. He identified political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies and professional bodies as critical stakeholders in election management and urged for greater collaboration to strengthen the system for optimal performance, ahead of the 2015 elections. According to him, the commission’s effort at distributing permanent voter cards before the next general elections is a major step in the right direction towards engendering maximum participation of the electorate. He said that massive citizens’ participation in the elections in 2015 would go a long way towards making the process more credible and acceptable, adding that the issuance of permanent voter cards should be concluded ahead of the elections.

Intending Muslim Pilgrims from Oyo State at their orientation camp in Ibadan on Monday

Group Lauds PPMC For Rebuilding Petroleum Depots

ABUJA - A youth group in the Niger Delta has commended the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) for rehabilitating petroleum products depots in parts of the country. The Niger Delta Youths for National Change (NDYNC) told newsmen in Abuja on Sunday that rehabilitation of the depots, especially those in the Niger Delta would open opportunities for businesses in the country. The President of the NDYNC, Mr Sufuyanu Ikharo, said that the Managing Director of the PPMC, Prince Haruna Momoh, had demonstrated rare leadership by making the depots to function again after being inactive for many years. “The repair of the depots has brought renewed hope to our economic growth because the energy sector is the live-wire of

the economy,’’. Ikharo said that some of the depots had been moribund since the past seven years, “a situation that had threatened the economy and made life difficult for the populace, especially those in Niger Delta communities. “We take special notice that under the leadership of Haruna Momoh, the Port Harcourt-Aba, Warri-Benin and Jos-Gombe pipeline networks have been repaired to perform the functions for which they were built. “Momoh has also seen to the rehabilitation of moribund depots in Gombe, Makurdi, Enugu, Minna and the one in Aba, which

has been out of service for over 10 years. “The Warri, Aba and Calabar Depots have all been upgraded from analogue to digital loading meters, while the Liquefied Petroleum Gas butanisation plants in Ibadan, Kano, Gusau, Enugu and Gombe have all being commissioned under Momoh’s watch. Ikharo said there was need for Nigerians to recognise excellence and performance just as it was also vital to criticise and condemn when people in privileged positions failed to live up to expectation in their exalted positions.

“Prince Haruna Momoh has made us proud as citizens of the Niger Delta. We thank President Goodluck Jonathan for recognising competence when he singled out the management of the PPMC for commendation during his progress report at the just-concluded Special PDP Convention, held in Abuja. “We also understand that Haruna Momoh has tackled the notorious System 2b Pipeline, stretching from Atlas Cove in Lagos to Ilorin in Kwara State. It is only a focused leadership that can achieve these feats in so short a time,’’ Ikharo stated. The youth leader dismissed recent attacks, made by one General Okunbiri, also known as

Alumni Donates To Orphanage, ABUJA - The Abuja Chapter Prison, Mrs Clementina Chukwu, of the Alumni Association of the Prison thanked the association for the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru has donated some items to an orphanage, prison and hospital in the FCT. Some of the items donated include toiletries, wrappers, cartons of noodle, spaghetti and bags of rice. The Chairperson of the association, Dr Kate Nwafor, said the event was part of the body’s corporate social responsibility to society. Nwafor said the gesture, done annually, was aimed at reaching out to less-privileged people in society.

At the Abuja Children’s Home in Karu, she said that the visit was to give the children sense of belonging. The association also visited Kuje Prison, where Nwafor urged the inmates to use the opportunity to change their ways and desist from the criminal activities that led to their incarceration. “So far you are not dead, God is with you, don’t allow what brought you here to bring you back again,’’ she said. In their separate remarks, the Matron of the Abuja Children’s Home, Hajia Olutokun Agbaje and the Assistant Controller of

gesture. The matron said that 50 children between the ages of one and 19 were being catered for at the home. She solicited help from wellmeaning Nigerians for the provision of basic amenities for the children and renovation of the home. Also speaking, Chukwu said that the items would be properly utilised. The group also visited the Kubwa General Hospital and donated gift items to some patients.

Intending Muslim Pilgrims from Oyo State checking their names at the orientation camp on Monday.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Business + Economy Medical Director Urges NHIS To Invest In State Hospitals SANGO-OTA (OGUN) - The Chief Medical Director, State Hospital Ota, Dr Babatunde Banuso, has urged the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to invest more in state hospitals to improve the quality of service to the people. Banuso told newsmen in Ota, Ogun state, that the government does not have all required resources to fund the state hospitals. “The government cannot fund the hospitals alone, there should be collective efforts between the stakeholders and Government to develop the state hospitals,’’ he said. Banuso said that there was the need for more participation of people to move the state hospitals from where they are to a more desirable level.

NAMA Spends N200m On Equipment Calibration Annually -MD IKEJA - The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said it spends at least N200 million annually on the calibration of navigational equipment in all the airports across the country. NAMA’s Managing Director, Mr. Nnamdi Udoh, disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr. Supo Atobatele, General Manager, Public Affairs, and obtained by the newsmen. He said the ongoing exercise which started at the weekend in Lagos with the routine calibration of the two Instruments for Landing Systems (ILS) would last two weeks. Udoh named the ILS as the Very High Omni-directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/ DME) and the Path Approach Precision Indicator (PAPI), all at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. “The calibrated equipment are the recently installed ILS/DME, Conventional Omni-Directional Radio Frequency (CVOR)/DME at Enugu, Makurdi, Uyo, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt airports. “The newly-installed airfield lighting system at Makurdi will equally be flight-checked by Flight Calibration Services of the UK, using DA42 multi-purpose platform aircraft.”

“There should be deliberate steps by the government to educate the public on the need to invest more in state hospitals as they had invested in many other sector of the economy,’’ he said. Banuso said that NHIS had a role to play in strengthening and enhancing the development of the state hospitals. He also said that some state hospitals lacked major amenities such as good X-ray machines, admission wards and bigger generators to power their equipment that could boost their daily operation. “The NHIS should think of what it can offer the state hospitals than immediate benefits it can get,’’ he said Banuso said that the NHIS should invest in people’s treatment that would yield huge benefits in the long run.

L-R: President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), Dr Solomon Nyagba; Vice President, Agriculture, Funsho Oridedi and Director-General, Mr Joe Wenegieme, during the 8th Pre-Trade Fair News Conference in Abuja on Monday.

Nigeria: Economic Obstacles Fail To

THE entrepreneurial spirit across Africa is unwavering, according to new research commissioned by Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces. The international study includes East, North and South Africa. Small and micro businesses are vital for economic growth but face serious challenges. Even though some might have fallen into business ownership through redundancy, a staggering 85 per cent of entrepreneurs globally reported that given the chance they would do it all over again. The figure tops 90 per cent in Mexico, Germany and the Netherlands. Even at the bottom of the scale, in Australia and Brazil, more than 75 per cent of entrepreneurs would dive right back in. In Nigeria micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME’s) account for approximately 50% of GDP and provide employment to almost half the workforce. A recent survey conducted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria revealed that 80% of entrepreneurs in Nigeria concur that one of the biggest obstacles is access to finance. The banking industry in Nigeria has pledged to increase lending to the country’s MSME’s and make loans for this segment of

the market more affordable. This latest Regus research, canvassing over 26,000 business managers and owners in 90 countries, confirms that nimble and flexible entrepreneurs regard lack of access to credit (76%) as the biggest deterrent to setting up a business today. Red tape (74%) and lack of government support (61%) followed. Half the entrepreneurs who took part in the survey also cited the state of the economy and market domination by large corporations as serious hindrances. Commenting on the findings,

Deter Entrepreneurs

Regus VP for Africa, Joanne Bushell says: “Thank goodness for the Unstoppable Entrepreneur! Who knows what state the economy would be in if they decided to play safe and downsize like a lot of their larger and arguably better resourced competitors. The challenges they face are not new, but they are clearly saying that little impact has been felt from state support initiatives, despite the best efforts of government.

SMEs are “engines of growth” accounting for up to 99 per cent of businesses and 40 to 50 per cent of GDP. In Nigeria in particular, they provide employment to almost half the national workforce. Globally, 50 per cent of all jobs are generated by SMEs, yet, in spite of this, they attract just a tiny proportion of overall investment across the G20. Bushell adds: “Entrepreneurial firms will need to remain nimble

build Africa’s largest refinery, petrochemicals and fertiliser manufacturing complex in Nigeria. He expressed gratitude to the consortium of banks providing a 3.3 billion-dollar credit facility for the project. He also expressed the Federal Government’s appreciation of the support being given by Nigeria’s

private sector to the implementation of his administration’s agenda for national transformation. Jonathan noted, with delight, the Dangote Group’s massive investment in refining, petrochemicals and fertiliser production. He noted that such investment would contribute significantly to

to navigate choppy waters and succeed. The lack of institutional support means that business owners will continue to increasingly favour flexible working in order to avoid lengthy leases and free up their working capital so they can concentrate on growing their business.” “Already, more than half of entrepreneurs are using flexible working locations for most of the week, compared with 39 per cent for those that do not own their businesses.”

We Will Remove Impediments To Investment ABUJA President Goodluck Jonathan says his administration will keep on implementing policies and measures that will continuously improve the operating environment for entrepreneurs and investors. Speaking at an audience with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of the Dangote Group and other leading Nigerian investors and bankers, Jonathan said his administration was fully committed to progressively removing all major impediments to greater investment in Nigeria. The President applauded plans by the Dangote Group to

- Jonathan

the attainment of government’s priority objective of job creation. He, therefore, thanked him and the Chief Executives of the Nigerian banks that helped to finance the project for being patriotic and having the confidence to invest in their own country.

Agric Trade Fair Opens ABUJA The FCT Administration has assured farmers in the territory of continued support to ensure the attainment of food sufficiency and

L-R:Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Habiba Lawal; Executive Director, Advocacy Nigeria, Mrs Bilkisu Yusuf and National Programme Officer, UN Women, Mrs Adekemi Ndieli, at the forum on the elimination of discrimination against women (CEDAW) report to the UN in Abuja on Monday.

success of the Federal government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda. The Minister of State, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide, gave this assurance while declaring open the 8th All States and Local Governments Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Trade Fair. Akinjide, represented by Mrs. Olvadi Madayi, the Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, said this objective would be achieved through the provision of subsidised inputs and well organised extension services. The fair is organised annually by the Local and General Agricultural Development Foundation (LOGADEF), an NGO, with the FCT as the host. Akinjide assured LOGADEF that the FCT administration would continue to support the organisation. “The FCT administration will maximise agricultural productivity through provision of subsidised inputs and well organised extension services.’’

She added that this would contribute greatly to the improvement of living standard of FCT residents. The main objective of the fair aims to alleviate poverty and encourage sustainable national food security through states and local governments. Earlier, in his address of welcome, Mr. Ibrahim Anas, the Executive Director, of the foundation, said that the fair provided a platform for both local and international agricultural stakeholders to launch new products and canvass for favourable policies. He said that participation would avail access to agricultural development opportunities. “Participation will also enhance income generation capabilities, reduce poverty, expand revenue base and enable access to optimum support for the rural development programmes.’’ He identified the challenges facing the organisation as dearth of funding, coordination and inadequate manpower to harness activities.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (10/09/13) Stocks

Open

Change

Deals

Units

Value

LINKASSURE

0.5

2,000

1,000.00

4.19

3.96

-0.23

743,894

2,960,702.25

7UP

55,144

3,581,678.89

LIVESTOCK

ABBEYBDS

1.53

1.65

0.12

50,498,274

83,187,618.12

MANSARD

2.17

5,500

12,210.00

2.08

2.1

0.02

289,092

605,602.36

ABCTRANS

0.82

0.81

-0.01

583,513

475,060.66

MAYBAKER

ACADEMY

1.9

96,763

168,388.77

MBENEFIT

0.5

500

250

ACCESS

10.4

212

7,931,470

82,346,553.29

MOBIL

112

106

-6

30,438

3,209,540.69

AFRIPRUD

1.81

-0.19

432,121

813,655.63

MORISON

2.01

24,145

48,290.20

AFROMEDIA

0.5

200

100

MRS

36.14

7,500

243,975.00

AGLEVENT

1.55

150,432

247,863.58

MULTITREX

0.63

7,821,650

4,927,639.50

AIICO

0.79

0.82

0.03

3,455,382

2,770,557.49

NAHCO

6.3

6.29

-0.01

196,071

1,237,528.15

AIRSERVICE

3.35

84,981

272,942.30

NASCON

11.7

737,914

8,613,225.04

ASHAKACEM

185,390

3,788,638.34

163.2

162

-1.2

192

893,772

145,481,170.38

AUSTINLAZ

527

948.6

NEIMETH

1.14

187,422

214,577.13

BERGER

8.7

1,762

14,069.62

NEM

0.7

0.71

0.01

1,959,923

1,392,542.10

BETAGLAS

11.87

50,200

595,874.00

NESTLE

930

65,110

60,485,529.15

BOCGAS

6.5

7,321

43,762.85

NIGERINS

0.5

264,000

132,000.00

CADBURY

147,156

6,884,407.25

NNFM

28.49

25,695

659,076.75

CAP

43.4

15,068

637,556.89

NPFMCRFBK

0.72

1,800,000

1,206,000.00

CAPOIL

0.5

200

100

OANDO

11.8

193

2,249,984

26,685,825.18

CCNN

8.63

67,758

599,785.54

OKOMUOIL

46.11

-0.11

1,228,875

56,579,364.94

CHAMPION

15.33

3,010

41,549.80

OMATEK

0.5

100

2.13

20,900

44,517.00

CHAMS

0.5

300

150

PAINTCOM

CILEASING

0.5

49,072

24,536.00

POLYPROD

1.05

840

798

2,779,677.64

PORTPAINT

4.51

35,112

156,555.84

CONOIL

28.8

104,131

CONTINSURE

1.22

1.21

-0.01

5,404,655

6,486,636.00

PRESCO

146,481

5,087,045.00

CORNERST

0.53

0.51

-0.02

138,200

70,001.83

PRESTIGE

0.6

0.55

-0.05

147,520

83,296.00

COSTAIN

1.22

231,624

280,691.68

41.5

-2.5

163,436

6,413,588.02

COURTVILLE

0.6

0.66

0.06

1,398,491

873,932.06

REDSTAREX

3.91

4.23

0.32

532,002

2,142,908.00

CUSTODYINS

1.43

1.44

0.01

276,130

394,556.24

RESORTSAL

0.5

200,000

100,000.00

CUTIX

1.82

0.18

225,438

446,288.55

ROYALEX

0.55

0.56

0.01

431,429

240,525.95

DANGCEM

193

191.5

-1.5

132,374

25,124,502.69

RTBRISCOE

1.4

1.26

-0.14

453,438

580,778.53

DANGFLOUR

9.01

628,198

5,660,372.48

SCOA

5.32

3,426

16,410.54

DANGSUGAR

10.28

10.33

0.05

153

4,201,268

43,394,044.69

SKYEBANK

4.38

4.32

-0.06

2,794,509

12,237,645.06

DIAMONDBNK

6.4

6.2

-0.2

1,220,216

7,624,270.42

STANBIC

17.8

211,988

3,776,488.08

DNMEYER

1.78

37,287

69,685.30

STDINSURE

0.5

1,000

500

DUNLOP

0.5

1,000

500

STERLNBANK

2.42

2.38

-0.04

2,809,947

6,744,887.31

ENAMELWA

32.27

1,440

41,832.00

THOMASWY

0.73

64,000

46,783.00

EQUITYASUR

0.5

700

350

TOTAL

157.9

3,718

573,610.00

ETERNA

2.73

183,081

502,427.19

TRANSCORP

1.44

1.38

-0.06

184

19,667,710

27,796,638.78

ETI

14.07

0.07

4,624,564

65,074,627.82

TRANSEXPR

1.14

1.03

-0.11

1,538,412

1,736,475.72

ETRANZACT

3.13

10,000

28,200.00

UAC-PROP

16.18

119,029

1,792,212.95

903,878

49,728,665.15

EVANSMED

3.44

3.1

-0.34

1,043,640

3,237,566.40

UACN

FBNH

15.6

15.7

0.1

470

3,090,375

48,138,091.60

UBA

7.33

7.3

-0.03

265

10,308,415

75,562,504.96

1.34

1.3

-0.04

3,507,630

4,482,081.25

FCMB

3.92

3.9

-0.02

795,724

3,111,854.81

UBCAP

FIDELITYBK

2.7

2.65

-0.05

107

3,226,220

8,561,679.27

UBN

10.66

259,669

2,790,301.49

FIDSON

1,087,896

2,174,292.00

UNIC

0.5

744

372

FLOURMILL

113,198

9,043,240.37

UNILEVER

214,343

12,228,439.59

35.7

236,265

8,371,719.67

UNIONDAC

0.5

200

100

FORTISMFB

6.6

2,000

13,200.00

UNITYBNK

0.52

0.53

0.01

4,635,589

2,431,810.22

FTNCOCOA

0.5

200

100

UNIVINSURE

0.5

4,625,290

2,312,645.00

GLAXOSMITH

67.2

-3.2

2,928,892

190,193,630.40

UPL

120,073

449,335.33

GNI

0.5

200

100

UTC

0.65

494,750

323,305.50

12.68

437

4,990.54

25.1

24.63

-0.47

384

13,124,795

324,466,633.25

VANLEER

GUINEAINS

0.5

200

100

VITAFOAM

3.97

4.01

0.04

249,075

1,001,175.01

GUINNESS

247.29

245.01

-2.28

57,325

14,083,763.83

VONO

1.52

1.67

0.15

277,286

463,067.62

HMARKINS

0.5

1,800

900

WAPCO

139,110

12,612,197.21

HONYFLOUR

2.94

2.9

-0.04

1,092,311

3,173,896.15

WAPIC

0.85

0.9

0.05

1,349,903

1,196,273.95

GUARANTY

IHS

3.01

322,000

914,036.00

WEMABANK

1,609,910

1,610,744.84

IKEJAHOTEL

0.75

0.82

0.07

898,086

723,472.80

ZENITHBANK

19.56

19.4

-0.16

296

2,581,372

50,241,230.39

INTBREW

21.49

20.12

-1.37

1,624,437

33,103,527.52

INTENEGINS

0.81

0.76

-0.05

721,820

545,611.08

IPWA

0.9

113,138

104,386.00

JAPAULOIL

0.5

268,453

134,226.50

JBERGER

74.7

-0.7

794,009

56,693,940.73

JOHNHOLT

1.26

32,042

38,025.97

JOSBREW

5.15

5.66

0.51

67,900

384,314.00

LASACO

0.5

600

300

LEARNAFRCA

1.65

1.78

0.13

2,998,986

5,109,392.20

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock JOSBREW REDSTAREX CUTIX VONO LEARNAFRCA ABBEYBDS FBNH IKEJAHOTEL ETI COURTVILLE

Close 5.66 4.23 2 1.67 1.78 1.65 15.7 0.82 14.07 0.66

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain

Stock

0.51 0.32 0.18 0.15 0.13 0.12 0.1 0.07 0.07 0.06

MOBIL GLAXOSMITH PZ GUINNESS DANGCEM INTBREW NB JBERGER GUARANTY EVANSMED

Close 106 64 39 245.01 191.5 20.12 162 74 24.63 3.1

Loss -6 -3.2 -2.5 -2.28 -1.5 -1.37 -1.2 -0.7 -0.47 -0.34

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

THE world has for too long watched the mindless killings, barbarism and crude display of man’s inhumanity to man in Syria. The news reports and footages as well as statistics since the civil war broke out over two years ago remain frightening. WE are grieved that the world waited for a long time before ‘friends of Syria’ was established to provide technical support to opposition forces. Such support notwithstanding, the world literarily stood aloof while the cruelty continued in the more than two years upheaval in the middle East country with its President, \o “More from guardian.co.uk on Bashar al-Assad”Bashar al-Assad playing god. IT is quite heart rending that at the last count by the United Nations, over 100,000 persons have been killed, 1.9 million Syrians are refugees, three quarter of this number are women and children. UNICEF puts the figure of children at over 1 million. Over 4.25million citizens have been internally displaced leaving the worst ever human catastrophe to bear on hapless Syrians just because one man wants to remain their president. The way the war is progressing, we fear that Assad may wake up one morning to discover that he is the only Syrian left alive. WE condemn the use of chemical weapons last Wednesday and we call on President al- Assad to tell his horendous stories to the marines. He should stop trading blames on the use of chemical substances with the opposition forces

THE NIGERIAN

Time To End Blood Letting In Syria because, Syria remains the fourth nation in the world that have stockpiled chemical weapons under his regime. What with the delays in allowing the UN team access into the areas where chemicals were used to kill over 1,500 defenceless civilians, most of whom were women and children, including pregnant women? Why were the UN officials who remained in Damascus for almost a week denied access to the site only for them to be fired with snipers when the exercise eventually commenced? WHILE we salute all world leaders who have expressed disgust at what is happening in Syria and are pushing for more actions and sanctions, we wish to remind them that they have a duty to stop the blood- letting of millions of citizens of that war- ravaged country. We strongly believe that today, not tomorrow is time to act decisively to bring the war to an end. WE therefore condemn Russia and China for arming the Syrian dictator against his people, and for withholding their support for a United Nations common action against al-Assad. It is a shame that in the face of the condemnable holocaust, Damascus had taken delivery of advanced S-300 sir defence systems from Russia

that could vastly improve its defence capabilities and strengthen the dictatorship. Russia and China must stop profiting from the blood of innocent Syrians. WE applaud the UK and the US’ threat of a “serious response” if it emerges from the UN investigations that Syria used chemical weapons last week. We urge Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama to take the lead for a universal action against the Assad regime. In the same vein, we applaud \o “More from guardian.co.uk on Turkey”Turkey which says it would join any international coalition against Syria even if a wider consensus on action could not be reached at the UN security council. We are equally glad to note that 36 to 37 countries are discussing various alternatives to end the crisis. We encourage the coalescing countries to act fast to stop the pogrom. INSTEAD of embarking on wishful boasts a la Hitler, Muamar Ghadafi, Sadam Husein and others, we call on President Assad to step down and allow the war torn country breath a fresh breath because we believe that there is no sacrifice too big for any Syrian to halt the mindless killings going on in that country. WE therefore call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to join forces with the planned coalition of progressive nations to intervene militarily in the Syrian crisis since political options appears to have failed as Assad remains defiant.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Memorial

Remembering Archbishop Benson Idahosa

BENSON Andrew Idahosa was born in September 11, 1938, into a non-Christian family, in a predominantly nonChristian community. His family’s home was a mud house, which was same as others in that community. As a young child, Benson was spurn by his father because he was always sick. He constantly had spells as a child, and in one occasion, his father John Idahosa told the mother to go throw the child away and so, he was abandoned by his mother who dumped him at a dump-site, presuming he was dead. But as God may have it, he regained consciousness after some hour and started crying for help. His mother immediately came to his rescue. Benson grew up in a poor household and this was the major contributing factor to his late entry into school. He was said to have started his education at fourteen years of age. Archbishop Idahosa was a charismatic Pentecostal preacher and founder of the Church of God Mission International with headquarters in Benin City Nigeria. He was the first Pentecostal Archbishop in Nigeria and was famously known for his vigorous faith. His impact was mightily felt to the point that T.L. Osborn remarked on him as the greatest African Ambassador of the Apostolic Christian Faith to the world. Archbishop Benson who was not born into a Christian home but later got converted into Christianity by a minister of God, Pastor Okpo and became one of the first members added to his nascent ministry. Benson was very faithful and active in the ministry and was evangelising to people from place to place converting them to Christians. As time went on, he had an experience which he believed was a

revelation from God calling him into the ministry. And so he started with conducting outreaches before starting up his own ministry in Benin City. By 1971, he had opened churches all over Nigeria and Ghana. He was practically instrumental to the strong wave of revival in Christianity and marked

By PRAISE EGHWRUDJE

broadcast reaching a potential viewing audience of 50million people. The headquarters of his ministry, Faith Miracle Centre, is a big cathedral

“Your attitude determines your altitude”, “It is more risky, not to take a risk”, and many others. In his lifetime, he took the gospel to 145 nations in the

Christ Bible Institute, Word of Faith Group of Schools, Christian Fellowship International and Benson Idahosa University. He had four children from his marriage with

Texas (1971), Doctorate of Divinity from the Word of Faith college in New Orleans (‘981), Doctorate in Law at the Oral Roberts University. Archbishop Benson

world and met with great men of God such as T.L. Osborn, Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn, Billy Graham, Kenneth Hagin, Reinhard Bonnke, Morris Cerullo among others. Also prominent Nigeria pastors were his protégé’s, ministers in the likes of Ayo Oritsejafor, David Oyedepo, Felix Omobude, Fred Addo, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and Chris Oyakhilome. With a desire to meet the needs of the total man, he was led to establish several other arms of the ministry apart from the church. They include: The Faith Mediplex, All Nations for

Archbishop Margaret Idahosa, comprising three daughters and a son. The son Rev. F.E.B Idahosa is currently in-charge of his university, Benson Idahosa University and his wife, Archbishop Margaret Idahosa is the current presiding bishop of the church. Before his death Archbishop Benson, who could not attend school at early age because of his poor background was reported to have earned different certificates, like Diploma in Business Administration, Diploma in Divinity from Christ for the Nation Institute in Dallas,

Idahosa was recorded to have passed on in a meeting with his team after he had preached on a message he titled “The Benefits of Death”, like he knew he was going to die soon. His wife confirmed that the Bishop was not sick in any manner before he passed on. The Archbishop passed on in March 12, 1998. He is been celebrated in his church worldwide today 11, 2013 as he would have been 75 years of age if he were to be alive. Papa you are being missed (physically) in the household of faith.

Late Archbishop Benson Idahosa

conversions from animism that occurred between the 1960’s and 1970’s in Nigeria. Benson Idahosa was known for his boldness, power and prosperity-based preaching, as well as an enormous faith in the supernatural. He is regarded as father of Pentecostalism in Nigeria by Christian folks. He was the founding president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). The major task of the bishop was evangelism, he therefore launched Idahosa World Outreach Television Ministry (IWO TV), which was a

which seats up to 10,000 people. His ministry, Church of God Mission has spread its tentacles all over the world from Europe to Africa, Asia to America. He was used by God to perform many miracles like the cancellation of the worldwide witchcraft meeting that was supposed to hold in Benin City, healing the sick, raising the dead, healing the blind and many other miracles. He was also known for his many notables quotes which people around the world have adopted and are using. Quotes like: “A big head without a big brain is a big load to the neck”,

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Opinion Illicit Drug Use Among Youths

A World Survey DRUG abuse is the overt use of illicit drugs, or the abuse of prescription of over the counter drugs; the abuse of legitimated drugs in a manner that is reckless. This can happen when people use the drugs in qualities other than directed, or for purpose that are not legitimate. Evers morning, the monitoring the future (MTD) survey measures drug alcohol, and tobacco use among the youth in the following order. Drug Facts: High school and Youth Trends: Every year, the monitioring the future surveys drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and related attitudes among 8th, 10th, graders. and 12 th Following are fact and statistics about you in substance use from the 2012 MTF report. Illicit Drug Use: Illicit drug use among teenagers due to the popularity of marijuana: Marijuana use by adolescents declined from the late 1990s until the mid –to late 2000s, but has been on the increase since then. In 2012, 6.5 percent of 8th graders, 17.0 percent of 10th graders, and 22. 9 percent of 12 th graders used marijuana. In the past month –an increase among 10th and 12 th graders from 14.2 percent, and 18.8 percent in 2007. Dails use has also increased, 6.5 percent of 12 th graders now use marijuana every day, compared to 5.1 percent in 2007. Rising Marijuana Use reflects changing perceptions and attitudes.

By IKIKA CLARA

Historically, as perception of risks goes down, use goes up (and vice versa). Young people are showing decreased perception that Marijuana is dangerous. The growing perception of Marijuana as a safe drug may reflect recent public discussions over medical marijuana and marijuana legalization. Synthetic marijuana is a new end major concern which is also known as spice or R2. Synthetic marijuana refers to herbal mixtures laced with synthetic cannabinoids, chemicals that act in the brain similarly to the main alternetive ingredients in marijuana Rose mixtures could be obtained legally until recently and are still wrongly perceived as a safe alternative to marijuana. Synthetic marijuana was added to the MTF survey in 2011. In that year, 11. 4 percent of 8th graders, 8.8 percent of 19th graders, and 11.3 percent of 12th graders reported past-year use. Nonmedical use of prescription and Over-TheCounter medicines remains significant in the past year. Data for specific drugs shows that the most commonly Abused prescription drugs by teens are the stimulate Addrella and the pain reliever vicodin. Positive tends in the past several years include reduced use of in halants and less use of cocaine in halant use is at its lowest levels in the history of

survey past years inhalant use by younger teens dropped significantly between 2007 and 2012, from 8.3 percent of 8 th graders and 6.6 percent of 10th graders dropped from 5.2 percent to 2.7 percent from 2007 to 2013. other drugs, such as herion, methamphetamine, hall

ucinogens are holding fairly steady. ECTASY (MDMA) is seeing a significant drop among teen past-year use of ecstasy by 12 th graders decressed from 5.2 percent in 2011 to 3.8 percent in 2012. among 10 th 8 th graders it dropped from 4.5 to 3.0 percent and from 1.7 to 1.1 percent, respectively. Alcohol use among teens has dropped to Historically low levels. In 2012 3.6

percent of 8th graders, 14.5 percent of 10th graders, and 8.1 percent of 12th graders (0.3 percent, 1.0 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively in 20120). In 2012, 23.7 percent of high-school seniors reported being drinking (defined as sor more drinks in a row in the past 2 weeks) – a drop of one-quarter since the late

1990s. Tobacco Fewer teens smoke cigarettes than smoke marijuana. Cigarette smoking by high-school students peaked in 19961997 and has declined continuously since then. In contrast, marijuana use has been rising in recent years. Now while 17.1 percent of 12th graders were current (past month) cigarette smokers-the lowest it has

“Nonmedical use of prescription and Over-TheCounter medicines remains significant in the past year. Data for specific drugs shows that the most commonly Abused prescription drugs by teens are the stimulate Addrella and the pain reliever vicodin.”

“When young adult leave home for college or work and are on their own for the first time, their risk for drug and alcohol abuse is very high. Consequently, young adult interventions are needed as well.” been in history of the survey-22.9 percent were current marijuana smokers. Other forms of smoked tobacco are remain pipes and small cigars has raised public health concerns and has recently been added to the MTF survey in 2012, 18.3 percent of 12th graders

emotional, and educational challenges, at the same time, they may be exposed to greeter availability of drugs. These challenges can increase the risk that they will abuse alcohol, tobacco and other substances. When young adult leave

had smoked a hookah in the past year, and 19.9 percent had smoked a small cigar. THE DANGER OF Drug ABUSE IN YOUTH IN THIS SECTION. Research has shown that the key risk periods for drug Abuse are during major transition in children’s lives the first big transition for children is when they leave security of the family and enter school, they often experience new academic and social situation, such as learning to get along with a wider group of poors it is at this stage - early adolescencethat children are likely to encounter drugs for the first time. When they enter high school, adolescents face additional social,

home for college or work and are on their own for the first time, their risk for drug and alcohol abuse is very high. Consequently, young adult interventions are needed as well. Because risks appear at every life transition, prevention planners need to choose programs that strengthen protective factors at each stage of development and it is dangerous to the immune system and could result to kidney failure, early death as well as affect these youths sciocological funny and strange things tend to happen and it could just be dangerous to stop it in order for any one to live more than their expected lifespan when they are using drugs, they should stop using drugs. It is suicidal.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Issues

Do Maritime Laws Reflect Realities In The Sector? THERE is no gainsaying the fact that shipping serves as a catalyst for the economic development of any country with a thriving maritime sector. The importance of shipping and its contribution to a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) can never be underestimated because it enables the country to engage in large-scale imports and exports. It is, therefore, not surprising that tangible efforts are always made by the government and all the stakeholders to develop a thriving and businessfriendly maritime sector. In a bid to fast-track the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector, the Federal Government initiated the reorganisation of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) to create a more efficient port system, as part of efforts to boost the national economy. The NPA reforms are aimed at reducing the turnaround time for vessels, while enhancing the security of cargoes and reducing cargo dwell time. Perceptive economic analysts note that these reforms have resulted in improved cross-border trading within the West African sub-region. Mr Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), said that the reforms had induced changes beyond Nigeria’s borders. He stressed those maritime ties between Nigeria and some countries

By FOLASADE FOLARIN

like Niger and Chad, which ceased over 10 years ago, had been restored via the instruments of the reforms. “Now, shippers from those countries have realised that Nigerian ports are efficient and more competitive than the ports they were hitherto using. “We informed them about the opportunities and the competitive nature of our ports and they think we should work on how the movement of transit cargoes will be restored. “If we do that, we’ll have about three million tonnes of cargo coming through Nigeria and the advantage is that it will boost our economy “Reports obtained from Nigeria Maritime Ports and Terminals (NIMPORT) Conference indicates that shipment of cargo into the country has grown significantly in recent times as a result of the reforms. “The number of vessels that called at the ports has increased significantly. “Similarly, the cargo throughput increased from 46,150,518 tonnes in 2006 to 82,763,384 tonnes in 2011. “This performance is a direct result of the Federal Government’s reform policy, which has reduced the diversion of cargo to neighbouring ports,’’ Bello said. However, maritime experts have been asking questions as to whether or not the extant maritime laws reflect the current realities in the sector.

Bello said that some of the maritime laws are not addressing the current trends in the maritime industry, stressing that the laws ought to be reviewed to maximise the potential of the sector. He stressed that the statutes establishing the nation’s maritime agencies,

“You will agree with me that there has been passage or a fusion of time since that time and international trade has grown in leaps and bounds. “Here, we are in the age of electronic interface, we are in the age of multimodernism, door-to-door cargo delivery and so many other nuances of trade and a law has to codify such

for instance, were no longer in tune with current realities. “The need for the reform of Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act is imperative because it is an old Act which was enacted in 1978, more than 35 years ago.

developments,’’ he added. Bello said that the statutes establishing the agencies as public authorities did not take into account the fact that they could be run by the private sector. He noted that although the NSC Act gave the council

“Now, shippers from those countries have realised that Nigerian ports are efficient and more competitive than the ports they were hitherto using. We informed them about the opportunities and the competitive nature of our ports and they think we should work on how the movement of transit cargoes will be restored.”

some regulatory functions, the functions were largely advisory. Bell particularly stressed that the government could no longer manage the roads, the railways, freight and sea ports without encouraging private participation which, he said, was never envisaged by the laws. All the same, in spite of these reforms and their accompanying success stories, the general consensus of opinion is that without efficient laws, the reforms will not be able

monitor the shipping companies and the concessionaires will not produce tangible results. “Without a commercial regulator in place, government might as well go back to the other models specified in the NPA Act of 1999,’’ he added. Amiwero, nonetheless, argued that the port reforms had not justified all the promises made by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) with regard to a reduction in the cost of doing business in the country.

to fully achieve its desired goals. Mr Lucky Amiwero, a freight forwarder, said that the port reforms would not be effective if they were not duly legalised. “This is because the existing laws are not in consonance with the Federal Government’s port reform policy. “Ports’ concession, for example, is not backed up by law; it is outside the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Act 38 of 1999. “Besides, ports’ concession without a commercial regulator to

“If government is serious about generating jobs and wealth in the maritime industry, it needs to review some of its policies. “Port concession is a new tool; the policy document does not specify functions of the various government agencies,’’ he said. All in all, stakeholders insist that the success of the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s maritime sector largely depends on if existing reforms, policies and laws are restructured in sync with global maritime practices.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Midweek Magazine Continued from last week IT is important to understand the root of our current predicament. While it is true that the Nigerian state is not constituted to build democracy, its custodians are much worse. It is the character and hollowness of the world-view of this elite that has precipitated Nigeria’s contemporary predicament and the difficulty of refederalization. This is the more amazing given the obvious relevance of refederalization to the resolution of deepening political crisis and violence in the country. One of the consequences of colonialism in developing societies is the legacy of the reification of power, because the colonial state was absolutist in every sense, it combined the power of life and death and dispensed power without consultation or accountability. The colonial governor or district officer was the executive, judiciary, and legislature all rolled into one. The indigenous elites that had been structurally incorporated into the power and economic networks of colonialism following World War II were nurtured in the context of these undemocratic values. Indeed, many actively participated in the brutalization of their peoples and were, rewarded with all sorts of decorations. Given the tenuous relation of the African elite to productive activities, political independence witnessed the capture of political power without economic power. Consequently, accumulation, survival, and domination could only he guaranteed through the unmediated control of state power. The new elite was thus forced to devise strategies of ideological containment. Depoliticization, diversion, violence, and human rights abuses to ward off opposition. This situation in itself raised the premium on power to flew and frightening proportions. To capture, control and effectively deploy political power therefore, villages were raided, taxes were imposed, communities were punished for not voting rightly, and suspects or enemies of the state were found in all nooks and crannies of the society. The military formations, strengthened as private security outfits, were set up and armed to the teeth. External scapegoats were found abroad and promptly blamed for the failures of misguided policies. In short, the postcolonial African elite squandered all opportunities to mobilize the people and deploy their unbounded energies to the task of decolonization, development, and democracy. It is no wonder that one alter the

The Nigerian State As Obstacle T

New Constitutional Co

other, the postcolonial regimes were sacked or consumed by the very contradictions they had created. The battle between factions and fractions of the power elite revolved around how to capture and monopolize the state at the expense of popular groups and other marginalized constituencies. The last concern for such beleaguered elite was sharing the power that they had managed to grab through all sorts of underhand and clearly extra-legal methods. Yet, the entire theory and practice of federalism, especially in plural societies, is anchored on power sharing. What has become power sharing in the context of Nigerian federalism would normally be a good political agenda designed to open up opportunities to disadvantaged communities and give all nationality religious, and cultural groups an almost equal opportunity to manage the affairs of the nation. But in the Nigerian context, we need to be very cautious if we are to understand the driving forces behind the strident calls for power sharing that has become a national obsession. The truth is that Nigerian politicians have been calling for new patterns of power sharing not because they are genuinely interested in gaining a share of power in the interest of their respective nationality, religious or interest groups, but because they see such arrangements as an easy route to grab power and deploy it for private primitive accumulation. There is no evidence of any correlation between the access that Nigerian elites have enjoyed under the guise of power sharing and an improvement in the conditions of living of the Nigerian people. It is actually possible to contend that the politics of power sharing has not in any Way been of benefit to the generality of Nigerians. In fact, members of the political elite have grabbed power direct]y and through the working of various power sharing arrangements and have turned around to use that power to dominate, abuse, marginalize, terrorize, exploit and intimidate non-bourgeois communities and constituencies The criminal looting of public funds, the mismanagement of the public services, the gross inefficiency of the bureaucracy, and the

By PROF. JULIUS IHONVBERE

absence of basic facilities needed to make life comfortable for the majority are indicators of the failure of the Nigerian elite and its use of political power. Nigerians, in spite of the production and exportation of oil and the collection of well over $250 billion since 1958 from oil sales, have grown poorer and poorer. As a federal state, power-sharing arrangements have revolved around the following: (a) Rotation of party/ political positions among geoethnic zones; (b) Federal character arrangements in p o l i t i c a l appointments guarantee in the constitution and (c) Zoning arrangements designed by political parties to ensure the distribution of party/ political Positions. However, in spite of all the arguments, quarrels, and conflicts over power sharing since 1960, the results have failed to reassure minorities and marginalized communities just as it has failed woefully in generating a sense of inclusion, patriotism, or belief in the national project. It has not bridged the distrust between Christians and Muslims; between north and south or east and west; between oil producing and non-oil producing communities; between the military and civilians; or between the state and civil society. As well, it has not resolved the perpetual distrust and conflicts between majority and minority ethnic groups in the country. With the pathological fixation of the Nigerian elite on power grabbing by any means to facilitate private accumulation, it is in no position to address these contradictions, Power sharing requires some degree of discipline and an ability to rely less on the direct deployment of state control in the interest of private accumulation. Power sharing requires that the political elite respect the rules of political competition and earn to accept defeat. Rather, the Nigerian elite does not accept defeat. The state is seen as a private domain. Those that control power make no

distinction between their personal bank accounts and the public purse. As well, the power elite does not believe in the give-and-take that informs and strengthens democratic politics. Many have been known to fund military coups against legitimately elected governments. The irrationality of the Nigerian power elite, often rationalized in the name of speaking for or representing particular ethnic and regional or religious communities, has worked directly to encourage the excessive concentration of power at the centre and the near total erosion of federalism. As indicated earlier, military rule, in which the elite robustly participated at all levels, did not help the situation. Now that the military has temporarily disengaged from formal politics, its proteges appear incapable of carrying out the necessary political restructuring needed to support the consolidation of democracy. Why has this been the case in Nigeria? Among other explanations, the answer can be found in the premium placed on power in the postcolonial era. The state has become the quickest instrument of capital accumulation. The challenge is to penetrate it by any means necessary and preside over its resources. The reality is that the resources are not generated from tax collection by the socalled federal government. Rather, especially since the end of the civil war in 1970, the resources have come from the production and exportation of oil found mostly in the now ravaged Niger Delta, Since the elite is rabidly corrupt and largely unproductive, it required undemocratic mechanisms to control the communities so that it could cheat them out of its resources. This is exactly what is behind the numerous dubious and diabolical revenue sharing arrangements, the undemocratic power arrangements, and the robust alliance between the military and the Nigerian power elite. For those that have come to locate their visibility, accumulation, opportunities, and power at the center and the ability of that center to control oil resources, the devolution of power or refederalization is

hardly on the political agenda. As is the case with Olusegun Obasanjo since May 1999, it is easier to harass the governors, threaten martial law or state of emergency, issue shoot-onsight orders to the police, set up commissions that are designed to keep the status quo, and refuse to open up the constitution review process to the people of Nigeria. As was to be expected, the combination of the contradictions above have generated more agitations and conflicts for and overpower sharing as restless minority communities, especially in the Middle Belt and Niger Delta continued to make strident demands for the right to be involved in decision making and in the governance of the country. Militarization and Defederalization It will not be wrong to conclude that the military has practically mined the political future of Nigeria. Of course, it is still possible to correct the terrible legacies of military brutality, mismanagement, corruption, and negative politicking. With the first intervention in politics in 1966, the military not only set the basis for eroding all structures and features of federalism but also began to build new authoritarian structures and attitudes deliver from its grossly undemocratic, intolerant, and commandist nature and structure Though the military once again retired to the barracks in May 1999, today, Nigeria is certainly less united and peaceful Yet, if the military created several states and local governments, introduced a new anthem and pledge, created a new capital, constructed some highways (without feeder roads), and created more multimillionaires, it failed woefully to reassure minorities and other disadvantaged communities that there was a future for them in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. More Nigerians have been killed in peacetime under the military than ever. Religious, ethnic, and classbased jots have become part of everyday life only because the military was insensitive to the demands of nationality groups. More often than not, it treated such demands as irritants and relied on repression. cooptation, violence, and temporary measures to deal

with agitations for increased minority participation in power structures and the return to true federalism. By “defederalization” we refer to the process of making unitary what was once federal. In other words. defederalization is a deliberate process of eroding or dismantling a federal

R in a s r g n d e T

Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, SSG, Edo system and replacing it with unitary arrangement. The military not only concentrated power in itself and the centre, but also ensured that the states were reduced to mere administrative units taking orders from the centre. The excessive centralization of power, resources, and opportunities also encouraged the rise of authoritarianism and other forms of despotic rule, and the negation of democratic values. As well, the personalization of power and politics under the military was made possible by the centralization of power and resources at the center. Hence, under the Generals Babangida and Abacha juntas for example, Nigeria was perceived or discussed in terms of their personal whims and caprices.

o c e in m f n a to n u A s w f r h ju … r s th B h s

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Midweek Magazine

To Federalism:

ompact

Relying on violence and ntimidation, the military arrangement introduced ail sorts of undemocratic values, eified existing contradictions, generated new conflicts, and negated the fledgling democratic platforms that were emerging in the first republic. The reliance on decrees that

Towards A

between himself and few trusted locals. If you were not from Kano or of Kanuri or Lebanese extraction, you didn’t qualify for any worthy post. Those who were allowed at the outer peripheries of power were either those who did him favours or those who did his dirty jobs, in such a situation,

where can you locate anything federal” in this assemblage? If you say that this group, most probably conducting their strategy meeting in vernacular, would not be tempted to see the matter as an us versus them, you are probably lying. If it concerned labour unions, you would add the Minister of Labour, Aihaji Ahmed Gasua and you would end up with the same unfederal assembly! If he summoned the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy

political programs for engaging the neocolonial state. The fact that the non-hegemonic military-dominated state was incapable of instituting a truly inclusive and democratic system has become rather obvious to minorities in the country. This realization is what has increased the militant agitations for autonomy and local control over local resources. The national gyrations of state creation led to the emergence of states that

it was very easy not to see the problems of Nigeria beyond the needs of Abacha and his acolytes and courtiers. Let’s take a typical situation for example. Were Abacha to desire an advice on the legal situation of Chief Abiola’s pending case in the Supreme Court, he would have had in attendance, his Special Adviser on Legal matters Professor Anwalu Yadudu, Attorney General, Aihaji Abdulahj Ibrahini, the Chief Justice, Muhammed Uwais, National Security Adviser, Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo, his Chief Security Officer, Major Hamza elMustapha, the Director-General of Military Intelligence, Brigadier Sabo Mohammed and perhaps, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Alhaji Gidado Idris.,. But tell me,

IG, AIGs and Commissioners of Police, you would still have the same sectional assembly and sectional solutions to a federal problem. There is nothing equally federal in a situation where people from one section of the country are solely in control of all the border posts of the immigration, and almost all the area administrators of the customs. That simply amounts to deliberately holding the rest under siege. The situation described above, reflecting a situation of near absolute defederalization, is not imaginary. All protests against this “unfederal” development were met with unmediated repression. This tactic drove opposition elements abroad or forced them to generate more militant and

were not viable and only ended up in strengthening the central government on which they were all totally dependent for revenues. In any case, each new state generated its own minority question and thus compounded the sites of contradictions and conflicts all over the country. To the extent that the control of power was still coterminous with accumulation and the definition of self-worth, those that dominated the state continued to monopolize it at the expense of power sharing options. Under the military, Nigeria became a federal state in name only. All power came from Lagos or later, Abuja. All opportunities came from Abuja. All major contracts came from Abuja or from the offices of the representatives of the

o State

oust the jurisdiction of the law courts and by disrespecting existing social and cultural nstitutions, the Nigerian military destroyed possibilities or inter-ethnic harmony; nation-building opportunities, and platforms of pluralism and olerance within and between nationality groups. It was not unusual, especially under the Abacha junta that the top ten senior positions in the country were all occupied by persons rom the same ethnic and/or eligious group. As Pini Jason has aptly noted, the Abacha unta … in a space of five years emoved every remaining semblance of Federalism from he governance of the nation. Being no respecter of any rules, he reduced the affairs of the state to a conspiracy, an affair

Commander-in-Chief in the various states. AU Decrees came from Abuja and yet, the lord” in Abuja was not elected by any one and was not accountable to anyone. The almighty federal government paid the salaries of primary school teachers in the states. It constructed and repaired roads in the states and supplied drugs to state owned hospitals. In the days of Genera’Abacha, a super federal government agency, the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) was even established to perform the task of several federal and state ministries. Those that were shut out of power had no choice than to either toe the established line or exist on the fringes of power. Central planning became the ideological basis for growth and accumulation though it was hardly accompanied by any clear-cut ideological frameworks for combating d e p e n d e n c e , underdevelopment, and instability. The socalled mixed economy became an excuse for using public funds to subsidize the confused accumulative strategies of an equally confused political elite. The state was turned into the accumulative machine of the bourgeois class. As they looted the state, largely aware that they could not be probed under junta that was accountable to no one, they tightened their control over the state, its institutions and resources and did everything possible to keep others out. This generated deeper contradictions not only within and between nationality groups, but more specifically between elites that felt shut out of power and those that dominated power. This was also acted out within the military as coups and countercoups became avenues for expressing the misguided ambitions of some military officers as well as a strategy for contesting the power space. The Majors Saliba Mukoro and Gideon Orka coup of April 1990 that was ostensibly executed on behalf of the Christians and southern states of the country was a typical example of this trend. The advent of military rule, therefore, represented a major assault on Nigerian federalism. In fact, federalism was summarily abolished as powers hitherto guaranteed to the regions were abolished or gradually taken over by the federal government. The very first misguided assume on Nigerian federalism by the military, in a direct sense, was when General Aguyi Ironsi

promulgated Decrees No. 33 and 34 of May 24, 1966 abolishing federalism and replacing it with a unitary form of government. Thus “National Government” was to replace “Federal Government” in this new political adventure of trying 0 force unity on Nigerians without the adequate political arrangements even as lronsi was seen as favouring the Ibo ethnic group in his appointments and policies. Of course, this only gave further impetus to the contradictions that eventually culminated in a civil war that led to the death of millions of Nigerians. Given that the constitution had been suspended regional parliaments abolished as were political parties, all powers were now concentrated in the so-called “supreme headquarters’ in the person of the “Commander-inchief” and head of the Supreme Military Council (SMC). Regional police forces were abolished, the military commands were centralized education became a federal affair, and all-important appointments at the slate level by state military governors reflected a set pattern of politics dictated by the military head of state. Finally, on the military, it has completely destroyed the fabric of Nigerian federalism thus making it an almost insurmountable challenge for post-military democratic governments to reclaim lost ground. This is so because in the last three decades and more, most of the civilian elements that now occupy the seat of power in the new Obasanjo dispensation were virtually made by and under the military. The worldview and attitudes that they carry, more frequent1y than not, reflect the culture of military authoritarianism. To be suit, part of the explanation can be found in the historical origins of the Nigerian military: a force created by the undemocratic colonial state to visit violence on the peoples of Nigeria. On seizing power it saw the Nigerian social formation as a huge barrack under the command of the Commander- in-Chief with “obey before complain” as its philosophy of governance, and thus incapable of grappling with Nigeria’s robust and vibrant, even quarrelsome civil society. Believing in legitimation (or compliance) by repression, the commandist, repressive, insensitive, and undemocratic character of Nigeria’s military juntas have precipitated an almost firm condition where power is dominated directly by the retired and/or active, or by surrogates of the military.

To Be Continued

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Political Platform THERE is a saying that no matter how dark the night may be, it will surely give way to the bright rays of the sun. For the West African nation of Mali, after going through an ethnic uprising, an islamist insurgence and what some observes would call a “mini-war”, the saying best describes their present situation. On July 28th, the people of Mali marched to the polling booths to elect who will lead them into the promised land. Although about 18 candidates were in contention for the presidential seat, but it was more of a two-horse race between former prime minister, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita(IBK) and ex-finance minister, Soumaila Cisse. With the first round of voting unable to get a candidate with the majority, there was a run-off election on August 11 which gave Keita an overwhelming 77.6% of the vote, with his rival, Sounaila cisse, trailing on 22.4%”. According to reports, by observers in Bamako, the elections were largely peaceful with few cases of voting irregularities. The Christian Science Mirror, captuned the peaceful voting as “vote was peaceful and orderly. In the morning, Malians braved torrential downpours to cast their votes”. Speaking also, the United Nations Secretary- general, Ban Ki-Moon, noted that though the election in mali was not perfect, the result must be respected by all. “The result, even if election is imperfect, must be respected by all parties”, he explained. As the Washington post puts it succinctly in its editorial, “in past 18 months, Mali, an and, landlocked nation of 16 million people in the heart of West Africa, has seen more than its fair share of troubles and traumas: An ethnic uprising uprooted the social fabric and, in the months that followed, a sect of radical

Islamists with ties to al-Qaeda joined forces with ethnic Tuareg separatists to carve up the country’s north, imposing sharia law and destroying the ancient city of Timbuktu in the process. Then came the military coup in Bamako, the capital; the January arrival of French military troops to stop Islamist advance in the north; and the frantic flight of some 200,000 refugees seeking asylum anywhere but home. After all of these upheavals, Mali, a country without a parliament and run since March 2012 by an unelected, makeshift government, has somehow emerged from a surprising peaceful election that shows promise for future, if not immediate stability”. Even though Cisse, noted that there were “some irregularities” and that “the votes has been marred by fraud and intimidation”, he in an uncharacteristic of manner of most leaders, after election results, conceded defeat to his opponent keita. He did not just concede defeat but also congratulated him wishing him success. Cisse tweeted that he had just left the family house of the “future president of mali, to congratulate him for his victory. May God bless Mali”. He was also quoted as saying to Mr. Keita “that you can have the strength to take up the enormous challenges that awaits you. Cisse’s move to congratulation Keita is something unique, especially in the African continent where leaders and political aspirated, see elections as do or die. Similarly, the citizens are not left out of the historic landmark (cisse’s concession). For them, it is a clear vision that the country is in a mission to mend it broken fences in the past 18 months or thereabout. A taxi driver, Boubacar Diarra noted that, “For us, it is really good because if you realize you have been defeated and you go and congratulate the other for his victory, that will make our democracy better.

From Mali With Lessons By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

For some observers and diplomatic source, “We now have a legitimate President that has been elected by a popular mandate, in probably the freest and fairest election, the biggest turnout, and the highest number of women

come Mali’s way” as donors who met in Mali’s Bamako capital in May, agreed on an aid package of 2.7bn euros (2.7 bn pounds) aimed at stabilizing and boosting

human rights and the implementation of key reforms that will lay the founda-for sustainable peace, stability and development to the benefit’s of all the Malian

“determines and certifies to the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations that a democratically elected government has taken office. We intend to continue close coordination with our partners in the international

participating in Mali’s history”. Unlike most elections in the continent, the Malian election is a prototype of a peacefully conducted polls. Sources have noted that security situation during the elections has been excellent apart from some minor incidents”. Moreover, the election are seen in many quarters as an important step towards recovery after the turmoil and “unlocks the donor funding, and now the funds can start to

recovery in the country whose economy has been threatened by the uprising earlier in the year. In a statement on UN’s site, the body equally pledged its commitment to partnering the newly elected president in his quest to bring the country back on track. According to them, “The United Nations also stands ready to support the re-establishment of state authority in the north of Mali, the protection of

people”. For the United States, the elections were “peaceful, inclusive and credible” and has opened a path towards resuming their aid to the nation. “This election has helped restore Mali’s democratic tradition. We look forward to working closely with the new government to broaden and deepen the ties between our two nations”. In another statement by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, the elections

donor community and with the newly elected Malian government to ensure that any renewed assistance addresses Mali’s most pressing needs in efficient and effective manner”. For the elections, there are many lessons that other African countries and should even be a “protype” for future elections in the continent. Indeed, Mali is an the path to its glory days.

“For some observers and diplomatic source, “We now have a legitimate President that has been elected by a popular mandate, in probably the freest and fairest election, the biggest turnout, and the highest number of women participating in Mali’s history”.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Natural Medicine

Healing Plants Of Man ALL herbs are from the plant kingdom but not all plants in this kingdom are herbs. This raises the question: what are herbs? Herbs are medicinal plants used for the healing enterprise of man. In other words herbs are used for preventing and /or curing diseases as well as sustaining good health. This means that herbs can ensure you keep illnesses away, restore health or guarantee you the continued enjoyment of optimal health. To put it in a more comprehensive and consolidated way, herbs perform the following functions. They enhance one’s health and sustain it. They cure diseases with lesser side effects than orthodox drugs. Sometimes, herbs can even manage diseases that have proved incurable by orthodox medicine, furthermore, herbs promote physical fitness and make us age gracefully. For several centuries herbs have been put to use by man in taking care of his health. However at present only some of them have been scientifically studied and a p h y t o c o p o i e a / pharmacopoeia developed on them detailing accurately their utilities. Of these herbs, Dr. Peter and Barbara Theiss in their great book THE FAMILY HERBAL say: sufficient proof already exists that accompanying substance in herbs such as minerals, vitamins, enzymes, trace elements, amino acids, chlorophyll, aromas and colouring matters can act as catalysts for active (in grients) in any healing substance. Infact, they may

be the very things that make it possible for the active agents in herbs to act at all. What natural medicine does dispensing herbs that have been scientifically investigated-a far departure from what traditional African medicine men or spiritualist do. This explains why natural medicine is totally different from traditional healing. Infact, natural medicine adopts the tested diagnostic approaches of orthodox medicine in arriving at the etiology of an illness. It does not consult oracles or engage in ritual prayers, worship and sacrifice associated with practitioners of traditional medicine. However, this does not mean that natural medicine doesn’t believe that there are spiritual causes of diseases and other medical conditions. Of course, natural medicine accepts the role of spiritualism in the causation of illhealth. But it doesn’t have a solution for such health situations. Hence, it may refer them to traditional health practitioners if the need arises or give up on them, entirely. Now Hear paracelsus: “Against every illness, there is a herb that grows. All that the great healer is saying is that God, using nature as His creative handmaiden provided herbs for man’s healing needs. As at last count, there are about 350,000 pants on earth. Among them are herbs like mistletoe, golden seal, chickweed, almond leaves, fagara, root, lemon grass, stinging nettle, parsley, balsam pear,

dandelion, horsetail, cowsnip. Lady’s mantle, shepherd’s parse, valerian root, yarrow, dead nettle, marigold, lungwort, hawthorne berries, urva ursi, small willow bark, catnip, passion flower and vervain among others.

orthodox medicine. Let me explain what I mean in detail for instance, take phensic tablet. It is formulated by man to treat only pain, headache and fever. That is all. It is a triple barrel drugs. In contrast, take herbs like stinging

Each one of these herbs has broad-spectrum healings power in addition to specific ones. This is because, essentially, they come with all the healing ingredients God placed in them. In other words, there is no fractionalization of each of these ingredients into separate phytoceutical components as you find in

nettle, golden seal, chickweed and mistletoe manufactured by God in His pharmacy. All of them are multi-barrel medicines. Generally, they have altercative phytochemical properties. This means that they can each restore the sicks homeostatis of the normality thus enabling it to reverse disease conditions

“Hear paracelsus: Against every illness, there is a herb that grows. All that the great healer is saying is that God, using nature as His creative handmaiden provided herbs for man’s healing needs.”

With

Dr. MAO

08030717341

to a state of good health. Apart from this fact, mistletoe as a herb is an emetic, a nervine a tonic a narcotic and an antispamodic in action. Then, of course, chickweed is a pectoral, resolvent, discutlent, mucilaginous, refrigerant and demulscent herb. Yes, it can perform all these six function and more. In golden seals case, the

more effective in managing disease conditions than traditional healers known to have erratic relationships with natural beings when not properly appeased by the healers. Therefore, natural medicine is for a better option than traditional healing as far as physical disease prevention, cure and management are concerned.

herb also has both antiseptic, duirectic, tonic, detergent and aperient healing properties. Last, not the least, stinging, nettle builds up, energy, youthfulness and suppleness as well as the blood and immunity. In addition, it can be used treat over 20 diseases alone or in combination with other herbs/natural medications. In the days of yore, natural beings were invoked man in picking, preparing and administrating herbs in efficacious ways. But price science and technology today have taken over these responsibilities under man’s tutelege. Hence nowadays, knowledgeable natural medicine practitioners are

As a parting shot, I must not fail to say here that herbs don’t suppress diseases as orthodox drugs do with their quick, instantaneous effects/ Rather, herbs attack the root of the disease and slowly but steadily eliminate it. No hurry. No rush that causes the disease to rebound not long after a short quick-fix relief. So, go for herbs, now. See what Genesis 1:29 also says about them: And God said Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth. And every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed, to you it shall be for meat.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

New Horizon

Understanding Krshna And Christ

ONCE upon a time, Reverend Father Emmanuel Jungelaussen, a Benedictine Monk, noticing that srlla Prabupad was carrying meditation beads, similar to the Rosary, explained that he also chanted a constant prayer on his Rosary; ‘Lord Jesus Christ, be merciful unto us and the following conversation ensued. Srila Prabupad: What is the meaning of the word Christ? Father Emmanuel: Christ comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning “the anointed one”. Srila Prabupad: Christos is the Greek Version of the word Krsna. Father Emmanuel: this is very interesting. SriIa Prabupad: when an Indian person calls on Krsna, he often says, “Krsta” Krsna is a Sanskrit word meaning “attraction”. So when we address God as “Christ, ‘Krsta’ or “Krsna”, we indicate the same all attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead. When Jesus said, “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name”, that name of Cod was “Krsna. Do you agree? Father Emmanuel: I think Jesus as a son of God, has revealed to us the actual name of God-Christ. We can call God, Father, but if we want to address Him by His actual name, we have to say “Christ”. Srila Prabupad: yes, Christ is another way of saying Krsta and krsna, which is another way of pronouncing Krsna, the name of God, Jesus said that one should glorify the name of God, but yesterday I heard one theologian say that God has no name that we can call Him only “Father”. A son may call his father “Father”, but the father has a specific name. Similarly, “God” is the general name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose specific name is krsna. Therefore whether you call God “Christ”, “Krsta” or ‘Krsna”, ultimately you are addressing the same personality of Godhead.

Father Emmanuel: yes, if we speak of the God’s actual name, then we may say, “Christos”. In our religion, we have the Trinity: the father, son and the Holy Ghost or spirit. We believe we can know the name of God only by

the energy of God. So when we chant the Maha Mantra, we address God together with His energy. This energy is of the two kinds, the spiritual and the material. At present, we are in the clutches of the material energy. Therefore

“Hindu “Moslem”, ‘Christian’, this or that and simply to serve God. We have on our own created Christian, Hindu and Mohammadan religions, but when we come to a religion without designations, in which we don’t think we are Hindus or Christians or mohammadans, then we can

revelation from the son of God. Jesus revealed the name of the Father, and therefore, we take the name Christ as the revealed name of God. Srila Prabupad: actually, it doesn’t matter. Krsna or Christ — the name is the same. The main point is to follow the injunctions of the vedic scriptures chanting the Holy name of God in this age. The easiest way is to chant the maha-mantra: ‘Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Of course Rama and Krsna are names of God simultaneously, and Hare is

we pray to Krsna that He may kindly deliver us from the service of the material energy and accept us into the service of the spiritual energy. That is our whole philosophy. Hare Krsna means, “0 energy of God, 0 God (Krsna), please engage me in your Divine Service’. It is our nature to render service. Somehow or other, we have come to service of material things, but when this material service is transformed into the service of the spiritual energy of God, then our whole life is perfect. To practice Bhaktiyoga (loving service to God), means to become free from designations like

speak of pure religion, or bhakti. Father Emmanuel: Mukti? Srila Prabupad: No Bhakti. When we speak of Bhakti, Mukti, (Liberation from material miseries) is included. Without bhakti there is no mukti, but if we act on the platform of bhakti then mukti is included. We can learn this from the Bagavad Gita 14:26. “One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down under any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman’. Father Emmanuel: Is

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

Brahman Krsna? Srila Prabupad: Krsna is Param Brahma. Brahma is realized in three aspects — as impersonal Brahman, as localized Brahman, and personal Brahman. Krsna is personal, and He is the Supreme Brahman for God is ultimately a person. In the Srimad-Bagavatam (1:2-11) this is confirmed as thus; learned transcendenta-lists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual

God, one acquires Godly qualities, and when one is completely purified, one becomes an associate of the Supreme Lord. Father Emmanuel: But our understanding of the name of God is limited. Srila Prabupad: Yes, we are limited, but God is unlimited. And because He is unlimited, or absolute. He has unlimited names, each of which is God. We understand His names as

substance, Brahman, Paramatma or Bagavan”. The feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate realization of God. He has all six opulences in full: He is the strongest, the richest the most beautiful, the most famous, the wisest, and the most renounced. Father Emmanuel: yes, I agree Srila Prabupad: Because God is absolute, His name, His form and His qualities are also absolute, and they are non-different from Him. Therefore to chant God’s Holy name means to associate directly with Him. When one associates with

much as our spiritual understanding is developed. Father Emmanuel: May I ask a question? We Christians preach love of God, and we try to realize love of Godhead and render service to Him with all our heart and all our soul. Now, what is the difference between your movement and ours. Why do you send your disciples to the western countries to preach love of God. Srila Prabupad: The problem is that Christians do not follow the commandments of God. Do you agree? Father Emmanuel: Yes, to Continues on page 24

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Opinion

Computer And Your Vision By EDEKO A. MICHAEL

IT comes in different sharpes and sizes, in different qualities. It has fake and originated in the United States of America, it’s an electronic, a few years ago was expensive, but now affordable by many. We are all familiar with what a computer is in a contemporary sense. Personal computers (PCs) are found in most aspects of our daily life, and for some it is hard to even imagine a world without them. But the term means more than simply the Macs and Pcs we are familiar with. A computer is, at its most basic, a machine which can take instructions, and performs

computations, based on those instructions. It is the ability to take instructions-often known as programs-and execute them that distinguishes a computer from a mechanical calculations, a calculator. While both are able to make computations, a calculator responds simply to immediate input. Infact, most modern calculators are actually computers, with a number of pre-installed programs to help aid in complex tasks. Computers range from the very small to the very large. Some are capable of doing

CHANGE OF NAME

ENORENSE - I formerly known and addressed as MISS ENORENSE JOY OGHOGHO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBEIFUN OGHOGHOSA JOY. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

OBOH - I formerly known and addressed as MISS FATIMAH ASIMU OBOH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. FATIMAH SULAIMAN. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

The solemnisation of marriage between former Miss Anthonia Osagie and Mr. Efe Faluyi (both based in Russia) took place on Saturday September 7, 2013 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst those present were Mr. Uyi Obasohan, Mr. Emma Asemota, Mr. Austin Faluyi, Mr. Jonathan Akpasubi, family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple at the registry. Congratulations! Photo: SONNIE E.

millions of calculations in a single second, while others may take longer periods of time to do even the most simplest calculations. But theoretically, anything one computer is capable of doing another will also be able to do. Given the right instructions, and

sufficient memory, a computer found in a wristwatch should be able to accomplish anything a super computer can-although it might take thousand of years for the wristwatch to complete the operation. In modern work places, computer holds tremendous importance and some companies many find functioning without them virtually impossible. As a result, computers have become an important part of how companies conduct business as well as how workers perform their job tasks. Computers now can even impact where employees do their jobs, as they can often work miles from their official place of business. Virtually all professions in the present world make use of computer in one way or one way or the other. Accountants, Journalists, Engineers, Farmers, Doctors, Soldiers, Teaches, Fashion designers, and so on, they all now make use of computer. Computer s can increase speed and accuracy of many work processes, which improves overall work efficiency. Documents can be written and edited much more quickly with the aids of a word processing program, and procedures, such as billing and accounting, computers can produce reports with great speed with fewer errors and allow for the easy insertion of enhancements such as charts, graphs and pictures if desired.

Computers also help companies in administrative tasks, such as keeping up-todate and accurate records. It can improve communication both within the workplace and when dealing with customers. An e-mail can convey a large amount of information at the convenience of the recipient. This can eliminate the sometimesendless game of slowness of

sending written information via postal mail. Computers also give customers an additional way of making inquiries or receiving information. As workplaces depend more heavily on computers, the need for paper may also increase some companies may even institute a policy of eliminating the use of paper wherever possible with the ultimate goal of becoming a paperless organisation. Reducing paper may lead to a reduction in office supply cost and open more work space that had previously been used to store paper documents in file cabinets. Paperless offices need to develop contingency plans to guard against computer crashes or the loss of data. No doubt, the importance of computer to our everyday activities cannot be over emphasized. Unfortunately,

there is a negative side of it with regards to vision. Staring at computer monitor for hours has become part of the 21st century workday. And inevitable, all of that staring can put a real strain on your eyes. The name for eye problems caused by computer use is computer vision syndrome (CVS). Experts say CVS is not one specific eye problem. Instead, the term encompasses a whole range of eyestrain and pain experienced by computer users. Research shows computer

double vision, dry/red eyes, eye irritation, headaches, neck and back pain. Ways to relieve computer vision syndrome are however available. Making a few simple changes in your work environment can help prevent and improve the condition. Change the lightening around you to reduce glare on the computer screen. If a nearby window is casting the shades until the glare disappears. Ask your employer to install a dimmer switch for the overhead lights if they’re too

eye problems are common somewhere 50% and 90% of people using it at work have at least some symptoms of eye trouble. In addition, working adult aren’t the only vulnerable to computer vision syndrome. Kids who stare at portable video games or who use computers throughout the day at school also can experience eyes problems related to computer use, especially if the lightening and computer position are less than ideal. There’s no evidence that computer vision syndrome causes any long-term damage to the eyes; for example, cataracts. However regular computer use can be the source of significant eye-strain and discomfort. Experts say, if you have computer vision syndrome, you may experience some or all the following symptoms! Blurred vision,

bright, or buy a desk lamp with moveable shade that distributes light evenly ever your desk. Putting a glare fitter over the screen monitor also can help protect your eyes. Rearrange your desk. Researchers find that the optimal position for your computer monitor is slightly below eye level, about 20 to 28 inches away from the face. At that position, you shouldn’t have to stretch your neck or strain next to your computer monitor and place any printed materials you’re working from on it. Then, you won’t have to look up at the screen and back down at the desk why you type. Give your eyes a break. Look away from the screen about every 20 minutes and blink your eyes as often as you can for about 20second. This is to help in lubricating the eye and if eyes are getting overly dry, try using lubricating eyedrops. Tweaking your computer setting can also help. Adjust the brightness and contrast among other settings on your computer. Finally, visiting your eye doctor is the best recommendation. Regular eye check up will help determine whether you can just wear regular glasses or if you need special computer glasses to help increase contrast perception and filter out glares and reflective lights.

“Staring at computer monitor for hours has become part of the 21st century workday. And inevitable, all of that staring can put a real strain on your eyes.”

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

New Horizon

Continued from page 20

a large extent you are right. Srila Prabupad: Then what is the meaning of Christian love of God? If you do not follow the orders of God, then where is your love? Therefore we have to teach what it means to love God. If you love Him, you cannot be disobedient to His orders. And if you are disobedient, your love for Him is not true. All over the world, people love not God but their dogs. The krsna conscious movement is therefore necessary to teach people how to revive their forgotten love for God. Not only the Christians, but also the Hindus and Mohammadans and all others are guilty. They have rubber-stamped themselves “Christians” “Hindu” or “Mohammadan”, but they do not strictly obey God. This is the problem in the world, today. Visitor: can you tell in which way, Christians are disobedient? Srila Prabupad: Yes, the first point is that they violate the ten commandments. “Thou shall not kill” by maintaining slaughter houses. Do you agree that this commandment is being violated? Father Emmanuel: Personally, I agree Srila Prabupad: Good. So if the Christians want to love God, they must stop kilhng animals. The Bible states that “He who kills by the sword, will die by the sword, and he who kills by the gun, will die by the gun. And so it is in animal killing. Animal killing is also bloodshed and has an equal reaction according to the laws of nature. Father Emmanuel: But that isn’t the most important point Srila Prabupad: Note that if you miss one point, there is already a mistake in your calculation. Regardless of what you add nor subtract after that, the mistake is already in the calculation, and everything that follows will also be faulty. We cannot just accept that part of the scripture we like and reject the part we don’t like, and still expect to get a better result. For example, a hen lays its eggs with its

back part and eats with its beak. A farmer may consider, The front part of hen is very expensive because I have to feed by it. Better to cut it off’. But f the head is missing, there will be no eggs anymore, because the body will be dead. Similarly, if we reject the difficult part of the scriptures, and obey the part we like, such interpretation will not help us. We have to accept all the injunctions of

the scriptures as they are given, and not only those that suit us as witnessed in today’s world of religious warfare-directly or indirectly. If you do not follow the law- Thou shall not kill’, then where is the question of love of God and love of mankind? Visitor: Christians take this commandment to be applicable to human beings, not animals Srila Prabupad: That would mean that Christ was not intelligent enough to use the right word-murder. There is killing and there is murder. Murder refers human beings. Do you think that God was not enough intelligent to use the right word-murder-instead of the word killing? Killing means any kind of killing,

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

... Krshna And Christ and especially animal killing. If God had meant simply the killing of humans only, He would have used the word murder. Father Emmanuel: But in the Old Testament, the commandment Thou shalt not kill’ does refer to murder. And when God said, “Thou shalt not kill”. He extended this

shalt not kill” means, ‘The Christians should not kill”. You may put up interpretations in order to continue to present a way of action, but we understand very clearly that there is no need for interpretation. Interpretation is necessary if things are not clear. But here the meaning is clear. “Thou shalt not kill” is a clear

commandment to mean that a human being should not only refrain from killing another human being, but should also treat him with love. He never spoke about man’s relationship with other living entities, but only about his relationship with other human beings, when He said, ‘Thou shalt not kill”. He also meant in the mental and emotional sense-that you should not insult anyone or hurt him, treat him badly, and so on. Srila Prabupad: We are not concerned with this or that treatment but only with the words used in the commandments. If you want to interprete those words that is something else. We understand the direct meaning. ‘Thou

instruction. Why should we interpret it? Father Emmanuel: Isn’t the eating of plant also killing? Srila Prabupad: The vaisnava philosophy teaches that we should not even kill plants unnecessarily. Just like the Bible says, “Thou shalt not kill”, so in the Bagavad-Gita, 9:26 Lord krsna says: “If someone offers me with love and devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a little water, I will accept”. We offer krsna only the food He demands, and then we eat the remnants. If offering vegetarian food to krsna were sinful, then it will be krsna sin, not ours. But God is apapavidda-sinful reactions are not applicable to Him. He is like the sun which is so powerful that it can purify urine- something

impossible for us to do. Krsna is also like a king, who may order a murderer to be hanged but who himself is beyond punishment because he is very powerful. Eating food first offered to the Lord is also something like a soldier killing during wartime. In a war, when the commanders order a soldier to attack, the obedient soldier

meant to kill and eat animals, materially and spiritually. For if you don’t control your material propensities, you cannot attain sound spiritual realization. And if you stop killing animals and chant the Holy name Christ, everything will be perfect compared to what we see now on various scenes. I

who kills an enemy will get a medal. But if the same soldier kills someone on his own, he will be punished. Similarly when we eat only prasada (the remnants of food first offered to krsna, (God), we do not commit any sin. This is also confirmed in the BagavadGita 3:13; “The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food that is first offered as sacrifice to the Lord. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat sin”. Father Emmanuel: Krsna cannot give permission to eat animals? SriIa Prabupad: Yes, in the animal kingdom. But the civilized human being, the religious human being, is not

have not come to teach you but only to request you to please chant the name of God. The Bible also demands this of you when it says, “call on the name of God from moonrise to sunset”. God has millions of names, and because there is no difference between God’s name and Himself, each of those names have the same potency as God. Therefore which ever designation you accept Christian, Hindu, mohammadan, simply chant the name of God found in your scriptures, following the guidelines, and you will attain spiritual platform. Human beings are meant for self realization. He learns how to love God. That is the beauty of man, no matter where you belong.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Education

Maintaining Standard In Nigerian Schools SCHOOL a six letter word that is famous than US President. “School”-an inevitable arena for those who desire knowledge. What is the secret behind your popularity? Perhaps, you have royal lineage. But Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom is not as popular as you. Yes, you are recognized by all and sundry. The word “school” was unable to find its way to Nigerian verbal repertoire prior to the advent of early foreign Missionaries as well as colonial masters in Nigeria. Until towards the middle of the 18th century, Nigeria was known for informal education. Therefore, it was like a dream in 1845 when the first primary school came on board in an historical first Nigeria a storey building at Babagry Lagos State. The building whose foundation was laid by a British Missionary was Rev. Henry Townsend. However, research clearly show that Mr. Claudius Philip is the first teacher in Nigeria. He started the first primary school in the ancient historical building with 40 men who he taught for 12 years and while graduating in 1857, he gave them certificate and letters of appointment to begin work the same day. What a double achievement? Pioneer may be placed under the scorching sun today and downpour tomorrow but the day of unique and unprecedented celebration is around the coner. Towards the end of 18th century, colonialism began in Nigerian. In the process,

quarter of 18 th century, elementary school became popular in Nigeria and the strangeness associated with the word “school” in the middle of 18 th century automatically faded off. Naturally, when there is emergences of light, the thick darkness must disappear. In the onset, necessity and need were the major motives

dictionary. Today, three or more schools in the same town are bearing the same name. Some states in Nigeria have almost 1,000 nursery and primary schools. It is irrefutable that education is the best legacy parents can give to their wards and based on this, it is not a crime to have as many as possible elementary schools. Notwithstanding, some

behind the founding of school. In contrary, commercial benefit accrues to founding of school is the catalyst of innumerable contemporary proprietors and/or proprietresses. Mushroom nursery and primary schools are springing up everyday as if insufficient school is the real calamity embattling our crawling and epileptic economy. Nigeria private nursery, primary and secondary schools have almost exhausted all the vocabularies in the

questions are begging for answers: how many proprietor or proprietress have what it take to own a school? How many existing nursery and primary school are up to standard? How many founders are employing competent teachers? How many of them encourage teachers to deliver their best via remuneration? How many elementary schools in Nigeria are duely registered? Sometimes ago, Edo

By OGUNYEMI ADEBAYO

indirect rule was adopted because of mass illiteracy in the country. Direct rule and successful missionary are practically impossible when there is no agreed symbols of communication. Language barrier and other related difficulties pressurised the early missionaries and colonial masters to intensify efforts on formal education in Nigeria. However, establishment of school is the sine qua non of formal education. It should be recalled that the first secondary school in Nigeria was established in June 6, 1859. According to two Nigeria seasoned journalists: Felix Kuye and Kabir Alabi imn their book “A History of CMS Grammar School as reviewed by Reuben Abati CMS Grammar School in Lagos which was established in 1859 is the first secondary school in Nigeria. The secondary school which was established by church missionary society (CMS) with Rev Thomas Macaulay has this unique motto “Nisi Dominus frustra” which means “ without God, we labour in vain. The established of Nigeria first primary and secondary school were close to each other but the reverse was the case interms of Higher institution. Yaba college of technology in Nigeria was founded in 1947-almost nine decades after the establishment of the first secondary school. However, by the first

“Notwithstanding, some questions are begging for answers: how many proprietor or proprietress have what it take to own a school? How many existing nursery and primary school are up to standard? How many founders are employing competent teachers? How many of them encourage teachers to deliver their best via remuneration? How many elementary schools in Nigeria are duely registered?”

State government made a decision to close 300 unregistered nursery and primary schools. Ondo State government made the same decision. Anyway, government is not an innocent as well. A large number of public schools are operating illegally with connivance of government ministries and parastatals. Now, turning to the other side of the coin, private university in Nigeria are more than federal universities in fact, establishment of university in Nigeria is systematically becoming competition between Nigerians who are privileged to sit on golden

country, how many parent can easily afford private university fees? If school continues to be our major investment should all graduates become teacher or lecturer as the case may be? Should engineers or technologists who are supposed to be the agent of technology breakthrough continue to teach “A for Apple; “B for Boy” and “C for Cat” in private elementary schools. Can we compare the number of graduates who are working in Dangote group of companies with workers who are working in 51 Nigeria private universities all together? Can we

shares at upper class. Besides, the trend has come to our various churches as well. To be candid, having private university as an individuals or church is not an aberration. Yes, it is not a taboo especially in Nigeria where students seeking for admission to universities are increasing geometrically every year. In fact, many Nigerians are knowing the door of university for years and could not open it. It is even suffer violence right from commencement of National Examination council (NECO) AND THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE. Notwithstanding, some questions are demanding for concise and clear answers. With the current level of poverty in the

compare the number of graduates gainfully employed by Michael – Adenuga in GLO telecommunication company with those private universities. What of those experts who are working in Obasanjo farm? Recently, Mr. Muda Yusuf, Director-General of Lagos chamber of commerce and Industry said that the manufacturing sector only accounted for five per cent of Nigeria Gross Domestic product (GDP) in an interview with the newsmen in Lagos. yes, Nigerians prefer to invest billions in private university without minding lives after the schools. It is high time the rich in our society and various organizations looked beyond establishment of schools as a major investment.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 09, 2013 LUCKY 1.2. X SELECTIONS 1 INTERNATIONAL NOS. HOT PAIRSS 3 1 6

8 14 15 20

BANKERS

} }

14 15 20 25 45 49

}

1. IPSWICH

12 XXB

2. CRAWLEY

24 XXB

3. NEWPORT CO.

38 2XB

4. KODERMISTER

49 505

5. BOURNEMOUTH

10 USE

6. PLYMOUTH

7. PRESTON

OUTLOOK

N 14

XOX

CREWE

XOX

DARTFORD

KIDDERMINSTER

CCB CCB

8. NEWPORT CO.

38 CBK

9. CREWLEY

24 CBK

PRESTON

10. HUDDERSFIELD

11 XXX

MILLWALL

11. MILLWALL

12. NOTTINGHAM F

13. ASTON VILLA

1 XXX

14. PRESTON

28 TIP

15. DARTFORD

45 NP

BOURNEMOUTH

ACB

16. HARTLEPOOL

37 XO

DARTFORD

XBK

17.QUEENS PARK R.

16 XOX

ASTON VILLA

CBK

18. BRADFORD C.

20 XX

CREWE

DEP

19. IPSWICH

12 NN

PLYMOUTH

EAT

20. CREWE

} } }

CREWLEY

TOP TOP

BIG BELLS

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

SATURDAY RITUALS

10 25 28 45 49

GOSSIP NAP

1 10 49

}

NAP

14 15

PAIR

IF NOT NOW WHEN?

A 25 P 28

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 09 2013 WATSON WEST 1.2.X FORECAST

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

Your Star

EDITOR’S NAP

BEST COMPILER

NAP 28 XX 28 XX 28 NAP 49 XX 49 XX 49 PAIR 14 Vs 15 PAIR 24 OR 25 GOODLUCK LET IT BE

PAIR 7 OR 9 WATCH OUT

PAKER NAP

NAP 12 XX 12 XX 12 PAIR 19 OR 20 BE A WINNER

NAP 10 XX 10 XX 10 PAIR 1 OR 2 FOR SURE

PAUL NAP

ODION NAP

NAP 25 XX 25 XX 25 PAIR 37 0R 38 X 15 X

NAP 31 XX 31XX 31 PAIR 8 OR 49 BE MY GUEST

OKUNS NAP NAP 40 XX 40 XX 40

PAIR 37 OR 45 THERE IS HOPE

NAP 45 XX 45 XX 45 PAIR 16 OR 20 EXECUTIVE

J. B. NAP

SUNNY NAP NAP 1 XX 1 XX 1

MURPHY NAP

GUESSING GAMES

14 1

SMOKING GUN BEWARE

5 4 15* 17 18* 29

26 31* 32 37 41 42 47 FOR THREE DRAWS?

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

City Failed In Edinson Cavani Pursuit - Angelo

ROBERTO Mancini failed in a series of attempts to sign Edinson Cavani for Manchester City, a former member of his backroom staff has told Radio Kiss Kiss. Angelo Gregucci, who was Mancini’s defensive coach last season, said that the Uruguay striker was never tempted and did not want to move to England. Mancini had made Cavani, who scored twice for Napoli against City in the Champions League in November 2011, his top target this summer. But then the Italian was sacked and his replacement, Manuel Pellegrini, chose to bring in two other forwards, Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo and Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic, instead. And Gregucci, who was also dismissed in May, said that Mancini had made early efforts to bring Cavani, scorer of two goals in four appearances for PSG, to the Etihad Stadium. “I can reveal that Roberto Mancini had asked several times to bring Cavani from

Naples,” Gregucci told Radio Kiss Kiss. “But City’s option never impressed Edinson. He immediately ruled out a transfer to England.” Instead of joining City, Cavani, who was also linked with Chelsea, joined Paris SaintGermain in June for £55 million, becoming the sixth most expensive footballer ever. The 26-year-old had scored 104 goals in his three seasons at Napoli. Meanwhile, Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero has been quoted in The Sun as saying that City boss Pellegrini made an approach for his services in the summer. He said: “I talked with Manuel Pellegrini before he left Malaga. I knew of his intention to take me with him to Manchester City. But I was unsure whether he would stick with the same ‘keepers he had already.”

season. However, Baresi, who will play alongside his former AC Milan team-mate once again on Wednesday night when they join forces at St James’ Park for Steve Harper’s charity game, is confident Di Canio has the mental strength to turn things

Leverkusen this summer, his agent has told Bild. South Korea international Son made a +10 million switch from Hamburg to Champions League participants Bayer Leverkusen in June, despite having apparently attracted interest from English clubs including Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City. The 21-year-old’s agent, Thies Bliemeister, has now revealed that talks took place over a move to Old Trafford, with Bild reporting that Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother Martin — who worked as the club’s chief European scout — had been to watch Son on several

occasions. “Manchester United were also interested in him,” Bliemeister said. “We also held talks. Manchester also contacted HSV. The interest was a great honour for Son, but Leverkusen just made the best impression. And, as a transitional step, Bayer is ideal for his career.” United, who face Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday next week, endured a difficult summer in the transfer market, missing out on players including Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara, Daniele De Rossi, Sami Khedira and Ander Herrera.

Son Turned Down Man HEUNG-Min Son turned down United Manchester United to join Bayer

Rodgers Hails Toure Impact talent, he’s an international captain, and he’s one of the best left-sided players in the world. “So it’s two experienced players [Agger and Toure], but it’s important that you play together, and they’ve held us together really well.” Carragher – Kolo a good signing for Liverpool. Toure sustained a groin injury during a League Cup clash against Notts County and was sidelined for the Reds’ 1-0 win over Manchester United; however, he may return in time for Monday’s clash against Swansea City.

I’m Not Complete Yet

Edinson Cavani

Baresi Backs Di Canio For Success At Sunfrom their opening three FORMER Italy defender derland league fixtures, face Arsenal Franco Baresi has backed compatriot Paolo Di Canio to make a success of his managerial career. The Sunderland boss has found himself in the firing line after rounding on his players in the wake of a demoralising 3-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace amid a difficult start to the new

LIVERPOOL coach Brendan Rodgers has praised defender Kolo Toure for the qualities he has brought in since joining the club ahead of the new season. Kolo Toure signs for Liverpool. The Ivorian international has quickly become a favourite at Anfield following his solid defensive performances during preseason and at the start of the 2013/14 Premier League campaign. “Kolo is the type of character that I love in a back-four, an organiser and a leader,” Rodgers told Liverpool Echo. “I think whether he’s playing with Daniel Agger or whether he’s playing with Martin Skrtel, you need that leadership. “Daniel’s a wonderful

around. Baresi told the Journal: “When I was playing, I never thought that he could become a manager. But now it is easier to see why it has worked. “He has shown that he has a strong character, with passion. His objective was never to coach in Italy - it was always to come back to England. “I think that Paolo now has a good chance to be a really big success and I don’t think he will want to miss it. He will do his best to show that he can do it. “When I played with Paolo Di Canio at AC Milan, I felt he was really talented and a very good player. “But he only played with us for a short period. He was a strong and very talented player.” Sunderland, who have collected just a single point

at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and then travel to bottom-of-the-table West Brom before Liverpool and Manchester United head for Wearside.

LIVERPOOL striker Daniel Sturridge says he is flattered by the praise he has received from Brendan Rodgers but believes he is far from being a complete player. The 24-year-old has scored three goals as many Premier League matches for the Reds this season and has netted 16 times in 20 appearances since completing his move from Chelsea in January. “It’s always good to hear positive things from your manager,” said Sturridge. “I’m working as hard as I possibly can and I want to improve as much as possible. “I’m not resting on my laurels or thinking I’m complete because I know I’m not. “I’m trying my best to make sure I improve all the abilities I’ve been blessed

- Sturridge

with. I won’t stop until I get to where I believe I should be.” Sturridge missed England’s World Cup qualifier win over Moldova on Friday due to a thigh injury and has now been ruled out of Tuesday night’s clash against Ukraine. However, he is optimistic that he will cement his place in Roy Hodgson’s squad despite the tough competition. “It’s everybody’s ambition to be the best player in their position,” he added. “If you play as a centre-half it’s your ambition to be England’s No.1 centre-half, if you play as a goalkeeper you want to be the best goalkeeper in your country - that’s everybody’s aim. “If you don’t aim for that, you’re aiming for the wrong things.”

Nani Reveals Moyes Motivation

MANCHESTER United winger Nani has revealed that new boss David Moyes convinced him to stay at Old Trafford. Nani was tipped to leave United this summer and it was even suggested he might run down his contract and leave on a free transfer next year. However, the Portugal international ended speculation over his future by signing a new five-year deal last week. Nani admits he turned down offers from other clubs to sign a new deal and that Moyes played a big

role in his decision to guarantee me a place in the pledge his long-term future XI more than any other player. I know I must work to United. “I am very content with hard to get into this team. “That is my objective for my new deal at Manchester this season.” United,” Nani told the Daily Mirror. “This summer was not easy but after a lot of thought and talking to David Moyes I believe it was the best solution. “I feel I can offer many things to United. I had other important offers but without a sufficient challenge to make me want to leave United. “The coach would not Nani

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Ozil Will Enjoy Premier League

Ronaldo On Brink Of New Deal

Negotiations between Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo over a new contract are reportedly ‘virtually closed’ and it could be confirmed inside two weeks. The Portuguese has been

seen as in on-off talks with President Florentino Perez over a new deal since last summer, although with a number of issues seeing progress stall on more than one occasion. However, AS report that

Lyon Condemn Fans’ Saint -Etienne Feud Lyon have denounced groups of their supporters following an escalation in violence between OL fans and followers of their archrivals Saint-Etienne. A Lyon fan, who has since made an official complaint to the police, was attacked last Thursday while a SaintEtienne supporter was the victim of an assault on Saturday as the opposing sides of the Rhone derby continue a conflict that threatens to boil over. Though OL only emerged as serious rivals to SaintEtienne, the dominant French team of the 1970s and early ’80s, at the turn of the century, the animosity on both sides is vehement. The ill feeling has been increased, however, by the theft last April of part of a banner belonging to a major Saint-Etienne supporters’ group, the Magic Fans, by OL counterparts who reportedly wore their hated neighbours’ shirts during a Coupe de France tie with Lorient to carry out their plan. The stolen banner was then

displayed during the derby between the pair later in the month, provoking violent disturbances during the game. With both sets of supporters highly-strung, OL have appealed for calm. “Olympique Lyonnais denounces this behaviour and is determined to make everyone aware that they can intervene at their level and so make it stop,” read a press release on the seven-time Ligue 1 champions’ website. “More than the previous incidents, the attack which a Lyon fan was the victim of last Thursday and that which a Saint-Etienne supporter suffered on Saturday are inadmissable and unacceptable. “Olympique Lyonnais would like to remind everyone that the supporters concerned do not belong to official groups recognised by the club, but are — on the contrary — sympathetic to groups that the club has refused to recognise because they do not correspond to the values of OL, whose conviction to fight against all forms of violence has been reinforced once again.”

the capital club are close to finalising terms of a threeyear extension, which would commit Ronaldo to the Santiago Bernabeu until June 2018. Perez is believed keen to now absolutely close on the package offered to the 28year-old, so as to confirm the news publicly before the club’s meeting with its partners on September 22. Speculation in recent weeks has been that Ronaldo’s new deal will make him the best paid player in the world.

Serie A Clubs ‘Cut Down Wage Bills’

Italian clubs have reduced their wage bills to the level of four years ago, according to an investigation by the Gazzetta dello Sport. UEFA’s Financial Fair Play initiative and the global economic crisis are both contributing to a reduction in the amount of money Italian clubs are willing to spend on players, although back-to-back Scudetto winners Juventus are still bucking the trend, paying over 10% of the wages of the entire Serie A. Their wage bill — an estimated 115 million Euro — is the highest in Italy, where a total of 912 million Euro is spent on players’ salaries.

Peters Backtracks On Boateng Schalke chief financial Boateng caused Remarks Prince officer Peter Peters has something of a stir on Monday, apologised for a statement that suggested racism drove midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng away from Italy. On Monday, Peters told SportBildPlus that Boateng had wanted to leave Italy “because of the racist incidents” he suffered during his time with AC Milan. He claimed that Boateng “had an arrangement with president Silvio Berlusconi that he could leave if AC Milan qualified for the Champions League”.

Kevin-Prince Boateng

During his first press conference as a Schalke player, Boateng said that only “sporting reasons had been behind his decision” to sign for Schalke for a reported fee of +12 million this summer. Peters’ comments sparked further discussion about racism in Italian football, but, later on Monday, he looked to clarify his comments via a statement on the club’s official website. “A statement made by Schalke finance director Peter Peters regarding the transfer of Kevin-

Mesut Ozil

a misunderstanding that Peters deeply regrets,” the statement read. Peters said: “Having spoken to our general manager, Horst Heldt, my initial assumption proved to be completely wrong. He confirmed that racist incidents were definitely not the reason for Kevin’s move to Schalke. “As soon as I’m back at Schalke I will speak to Kevin personally and apologise for what I said. It was certainly not my intention to cast false aspersions on AC Milan or the Italian fans.” Meanwhile, Schalke have acted in the stock exchange to increase a loan, issued last year, by +15 million, leading to suggestions in several German papers that the club were in need of finances to fund the Boateng transfer. Last week, it was reported the club have delayed all infrastructure developments — including a new stadium for the reserve team, new training pitches and a “Footbonaut” [an advanced training facility] — until further notice.

The total has fallen below +1 billion for the first time since the 2009-10 season, with AC Milan and Inter Milan having both significantly reduced their wage bills, although the possible takeover of the latter could release funds to propel them back into the Bianconeri’s category. Juve have reinvested much of their recent prize money on the likes of Carlos Tevez, Angelo Ogbonna and Fernando Llorente as they seek to translate their domestic success into European glory. Though Juve’s heavy investment in wages has translated into league titles over the last two years, the same cannot be said for Roma, who have the league’s highest-paid player among their ranks but missed out on a place in Europe this season. Daniele De Rossi is on a reported +6.5 million a year —

+1 million more than the next biggest earner, Gonzalo Higuain, Gazzetta claims. Inter, another side without European football this season, continue to pay +5 million per annum to striker Diego Milito, who spent much of last season out injured and has yet to return to action this campaign. He still earns +500,000 a year more than Tevez. Even Fiorentina and Napoli — who both spent big this summer — helped balance the books with the sales of Stevan Jovetic and Edinson Cavani respectively. Their wage bills, in spite of the arrivals of the likes of Mario Gomez and Higuain, have largely remained unaltered. The trend is clear: Serie A is adapting to a more frugal climate and, at a time when Gareth Bale’s transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid has broken the world record, it is losing ground on other top European leagues.

Klopp’s Job Safe At Dortmund

BORUSSIA Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has insisted that he will under no circumstances fire head coach Jurgen Klopp. The 46-year-old has been in charge of BVB ever since leaving Mainz in 2008 and has since guided Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and one DFBPokal, achievements that have earned Watzke’s complete confidence. “I will never give Jurgen Klopp the sack, under no circumstances,” Watzke was quoted as saying by Kicker. The Dortmund director added that he remains confident Klopp will not decide to leave the club before the end of his current deal. “Jurgen Klopp does not sign a contract and then breach it. He has never done something like that. He has a contract until 2016 and will fulfil it.” Watzke then admitted that it’s inevitable BVB will occasionally

lose players to other clubs due to their refusal to pay similar wages to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. “Players leaving Dortmund is partially related to the club’s status. How many clubs are there really where no player leaves for a bigger club? “In order to be able to keep all your players, you will have to pay wages similar to Bayern and Real Madrid.”

BARCELONA midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes Mesut Ozil will adjust well at Arsenal and enjoy playing in the Premier League. The German international recently signed a six-year contract with the Gunners from Real Madrid and Fabregas, who spent eight years with the London club, believes he has made the right move. “I think he (Ozil) will be a firm fixture at Arsenal,” he told reporters. “He is going enjoy the Premier League greatly. “It is a league with more space and he is a player that when in space, kills you. “We have already seen him with Real Madrid, he has a brilliant final pass and I think that in the Premier League he will really have fun.” The 26-year-old also shared his thoughts on Barcelona’s new Brazilian sensation Neymar, saying: “He (Neymar) is a very quiet guy. He is adapting well. “He has come to help, to work, to make the team better, more competitive and we are very happy with him.”

Pep Sings Lahm Praises

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has revealed he is delighted to have the opportunity to manage fullback Philipp Lahm. The 29-year-old won his 100th cap for Germany in the country’s World Cup qualifying victory over Austria on Friday and the tributes have poured in. And Guardiola, despite only having bossed Lahm for a matter of months, is already supremely impressed with the defender. Indeed, the Catalan tactician has already bestowed on Lahm the title of the “most intelligent player” he has ever coached. “Philipp Lahm is the most intelligent player I have managed in my career”, he was quoted as saying by uefa.com “I’m delighted to be here, just because I get to manage him”, the former Barcelona boss added.

New Contract For Iniesta

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has announced midfielder Andres Iniesta is set to be offered a new contract. Spain international Iniesta has played his entire career at the Nou Camp with his current contract set to expire in 2015. The World Cup winner has helped the club to a dominant both domestically and on the continent, crowned with three

Champions League trophies. And Rosell, speaking to local station TV3, said the 29-year-old should be rewarded for his faithful service, confirming the club hoped “to be able to announced Iniesta’s renewal soon. “Iniesta is one of the cornerstones. He should have his rightful place behind Messi.”

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

I Lost To A Champion -Azarenka By SUCCESS OSAYI

2013 Tennis US Open women’s runner-up, Victoria Azarenka has bescribed her defeat in the final as having “lost to a great champion”. The second seed female tennis player lost the final of the women US Open for the second year in a row to last year adversary and top seed, Serena Williams, who proved relatively too good for the Belarusian, losing out 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1. Speaking shortly after the match in the routine press conference, Azarenka described Williams as a champion, saying she deserved the victory. “Serena made it happen and in that moment, she was more consistent and deserved to win”, she said, “I did everything I could and the game overall could have been better but I fought as hard as I could but you know, it’s important for me that I lost to a great champion but I’m still going to have my head up”. She however still took

International Friendly Nigeria 4 - 1 Burkina Faso

time to rue her defeat as she felt she missed out on her chances and then lost momentum. “There was a moment in the third set that the momentum changed just a little bit and I kind of felt like I’ve lost this momentum. I wish I could have done something better today. I felt like I had opportunities in the first set but its okay”. Williams on her part, attributed her performance and final victory to calmness within the game as she had initially shown signs of frustration in the first set. “I thought I just had to relax, calm down and play smarter Tennis at that point”, said Williams. “The whole match, I wasn’t playing smart and I just wanted to do better”.

Morten Olsen

Leagues Call For 2022 World Cup Rethink FIFA has been told by Europe’s top leagues that it must not rush into a decision on moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The tournament is currently scheduled to be when temperatures can reach played in June and July 50°C in Qatar, but UEFA president Michel Platini has called for it to be switched to winter, a proposal FIFA president Sepp Blatter has backed. A meeting has been called for October 3 and 4 when a final decision is expected from world football’s the rest of the season and I’ll governing body, but the do everything I can to give Association of European myself the best chances of Professional Football winning it. Leagues (EPFL) has “The atmosphere there is released a statement urging always special - to win it would be the perfect way to a full investigation into the effects of such a move. finish the season.” “The feasibility of any Federer has been an everchange to the calendar present at the Tour finals since 2002, winning the event six involves every aspect of times, but the 17-times Grand football organisation across Slam champion is at risk of all countries, from the grassroots to the major national missing out this time. The Swiss is seventh on the representative tournaments Race to London rankings, just and the leagues,” the 130 points ahead of statement reads. “Any suggestion of staging compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka and Frenchman the World Cup at a time other Richard Gasquet also closing than the traditional period is a crucial issue for the in. Leagues Wawrinka has the chance to European move above Federer when he considering the impact on competes at the Malaysian the organisation of domestic Open this month while championships throughout Gasquet is in action at the Europe, and of the football Thailand Open where he is international defending champion. Federer calendar around the world. “The EPFL is of the view is not scheduled to play again until the Shanghai Masters in that no hasty decision shall early October. be made by the FIFA

Murray Seals Tour Final Spot BRITAIN’S Andy Murray joined world number one Novak Djokovic and newlycrowned US Open champion Rafa Nadal as definite qualifiers for the ATP World Tour finals but Roger Federer faces a battle to make the eight-man field. Despite falling at the quarter-final stage in his defence of the US Open last week, Murray is third in the race to London and guaranteed a spot at the season-ending tournament. Murray has flourished on home soil this year, becoming the first British male since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon and he is now setting his sights on completing a memorable year alongside the River Thames. “It will be great to compete in London again for the first time since winning Wimbledon,” the world number three told the ATP’s website. “It’s a key focus for me for

Eto’o’s Farewell Speech

executive committee of October 3-4.” The statement adds that “such an important decision cannot be rushed with artificial deadlines” and says a full consultation with all football stakeholders should take place, and a proper medical assessment of a summer World Cup in Qatar would affect players and fans. The EPFL also want FIFA to look at the consequences a move may have on the transfer system, any effects on commercial and media contracts and possible effects on the amateur game.

When it was suggested FIFA should have been aware that Qatar’s climate would prevent a summer tournament taking place before they were voted as 2022 host in 2010, Blatter said: “That may well be so, and it may well be that we made a mistake at the time.”

Denmark Coach Sorry For 9/11 Comment MORTEN Olsen has apologised after likening Denmark’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying defeat against Armenia to 9/11.

Zambia Secure Brazil Dream Date ZAMBIA has agreed to play a friendly against fivetime World champions Brazil in China on October 15 in Beijing. The Football Association of Zambia confirmed in a brief statement on September 9 that they have agreed to travel to the Far East to play the five-time champions. “This is to confirm that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is agreeable to play an international friendly match against Brazil,” FAZ stated. Brazil will be in the area during that week to face

THE Indomitable Lions’ skipper Samuel Eto’o announced his retirement from international football to his teammates on Sunday, after Cameroon’s 1-0 victory over Libya at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Present in the changing room during the farewell ceremony, journalist Joseph Valéry Fotso revealed to Camfoot the striker’s last words to his national team. “Thank you guys. Thanks to all of you for what you have done for me. It is thanks to you, to everything we have achieved together, that I am where I am today. I am now leaving you,” said Eto’o. “You chose Nicolas Nkoulou as your new captain. Support him and stand by him. In all families there are problems, there are times of difficulty. The most important is to be able to cope. Stick together. The future belongs to you. “You know that around us people talk too much. Do not listen to gossips. I am leaving you and I am convinced that there is a great Cameroon team in the making. May God protect you and I wish you good luck,” declared Samuel Eto’o before praying to the Lord to “protect my young brothers”. “Okay, I am leaving you. I wish you good luck and I hope that you will reach your goals,” added the player, who holds 110 caps after 16 years in the Lions’ den.

South Korea in Seoul a friendly on October 12. The match has been scheduled for Beijing National Stadium. “Yes it is true. Brazil have embarked on a World Wide Tour and on that day, October 15, Zambia is free while the other ten Africa countries will be battling for Africa’s five World Cup places,” a senior FAZ official told MTNFootball.com. Zambia’s interest in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers ended on September 6 when they lost 21 away to Ghana in Kumasi in their Group D decider.

The Denmark coach is readying his side for the return fixture, after losing heavily at Copenhagen on June 11, and made the comment to reporters in the pre-match press conference. He said: “For us Danes I think that if you are in or around the team, this game in June is a blemish that needs to be washed away. Perhaps it’s a bit rough to compare, but in terms of football, it was our September 11.” Olsen’s comments come almost 12 years to the day since nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in a terrorist attack in New York. However, in an attempt to reverse any offence, an apology was quickly issued from the Danish Football Association’s official Twitter account from Olsen, which read: “I’m sorry if my comparison — despite my reservations — inadvertently offended some people.”

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Eagles Call Up Enyimba Skipper Udoji ENYIMBA skipper Chinedu Udoji is set to earn a Super Eagles call-up after some sparkling displays for his titlechasing club this season. “Udoji has been pencilled down by the Eagles coaches after some great outings in the heart of the Enyimba defence this season,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com No-nonsense central defender Udoji is seen by national selectors as a direct replacement in the country’s ‘B’ team for Godfrey Oboabona, who has moved to Turkish club Rizespor and so will not be eligible for next year’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in South Africa. Kwara United and former Nigeria U20 star Ganiu Ogungbe, who was on the fringes of the CHAN Eagles has also been ruled out as a replacement for Oboabona after

NRA Promotes 25 Refs

SOME 25 referees, including 18 amateurs in Jigawa, who took part in the promotion examinations of the National Referees Association (NRA) have been promoted. The Chairman, Jigawa State Referees Council (JRC), Malam Aliyu Baita, said in Dutse that the examination was held last August. Baita said that four of the referees were promoted from grade II to grade I while three rose from grade III to grade II. The chairman said that 18 armatures also known as Referees in Training were promoted to grade III. He noted that the referees would be deployed to officiate in local leagues matches in the state. According to him, it is the first time such large number of referees from the state would participate and pass NRA’s promotion examination.

he moved to Cyprus recently. Udoji has already got the endorsement of Enyimba coach Imama Amapakabo to be an instant hit at full international level. “Chinedu (Udoji) is a good player any day anytime and he is good enough to get Super Eagles call up,” Amapakabo told MTNFootball.com Without mincing words, he is one of the best central defenders in the Nigeria league now and the major reason why our team have not conceded many goals in the league. I have followed him very closely for two seasons now and he has been very consistent.” Meanwhile, Super Eagles ‘B’ will know their first round opponents in the CHAN on Wednesday. Nigeria secured the ticket for the first time after two failed attempts. Nigeria will contend for the trophy with hosts South Africa, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The tournament will be played between January 11 and February 1, 2014, at the Cape Town Stadium, Athlone Stadium, Free State Stadium and Peter Mokaba Stadium.

IOC Reinstatement A Success To Sports World

- Edeze

Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaeken N’Uselu.

Egor Ready For Edaeken Cup By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

ALL arrangement has been put in place for the Kick-off of the Edaiken N’Uselu annual football competition for U-17 boys and girls, tagged ‘Edaeken Gold Cup 2013, which begins tomorrow in Benin City. According to the confirmed ready to stage organizers of the the youth soccer fiesta. The Organisers competition, the Dynamic statement made available Youth Sports Development to OBSERVER SPORTS of Nigeria (DYSDON), further revealed that some Benin Technical College matches would be football field has been

Wolves Chasing Cup History SKIPPER Azubuike Egwuekwe has said Warri Wolves hope to make history on Sunday by winning a first-ever Federation Cup at the expense of Enyimba. This year’s cup final pits Wolves against two-time winners Enyimba at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. Super Eagles defender Egwuekwe said Wolves have been training hard for the game and have the quality to go all the way against the more fancied Enyimba. “We have not won the trophy before, we want to write our names in gold. We have come this far and can’t allow the trophy slip away from us,” Egwuekwe told MTNFootball.com “It is going to be a tough and interesting game, we are battle ready for Enyimba. It is definitely not going to be easy, but we are not scared of them. We want to win the cup and we are set for the clash.” Warri Wolves will parade Egwuekwe and Oghenekaro Etebor, who has burst on to the scene with his goals in the

- Egwuekwe

league, while Enyimba will rely on the goals of Ifeanyi Edeh and Bishop Onyeudo to wreck

Azubuike Egwuekwe

Wolves. Wolves defeated Akwa United 2-1, while Enyimba pipped Lobi Stars 1-0 in the semi finals to book their places in the cup final.

scheduled for Emotan College, adding that one venue will not be enough for all the matches that will be played. Meanwhile, more than 28 football clubs have so far registered their interest to participate in the oneweek football tourney

specially packaged in honour of the Benin Crown Prince, the Edaeken N’Uselu. However, the host local government Egor team, Amegor FC who were denied the chance of winning the first edition by Oredo’s B.J. Foundation have boasted ahead of this year’s final to be decided on 20th of September, 2013.

AUSTIN Edeze, a former President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), yesterday described the reinstatement of the sport in the 2020 Olympics as a remarkable development to the sporting world. Wrestling, which had featured in the Olympics since its inception in Athens in 1896 was earlier removed from the 2020 programme in February by the International Olympics Committee (IOC). The IOC, however, announced the reinstatement of wrestling for the 2020 Olympics on Sept. 8 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after it won the majority of votes among other competing sports. Reportssay that wrestling won the first ballot, gaining a majority 49 votes, Baseball and Softball won 24 votes while Squash won 22 votes. Edeze told newsmen on telephone that the victory did not only belong to wrestlers and fans across the globe but to the IOC. “You can be sure that I’m happy about this development because it has been long awaited. It is victory moment to the wrestling world and the IOC. “It is also victory to supporters and fans of wrestling because the sport is one of the oldest in the history of the Olympics. “The reinstatement of wrestling in the Olympics is a clear indication of how hard the International body of wrestling, FILA, has worked,’’ he said. He said that it had seemed ridiculing for wrestling to have competed for a slot among other sports that were not on the same pedestal with it in terms of history. Edeze, who is a member of the African Council of Associated Wrestling, noted that the body had made several representations to the IOC for the sport to be reinstated. He added that wrestling had always been an integral part of the Olympics both in terms of history and relevance.

Ahead Play-Offs: Ameobi Urges Ea-

gles To Remain Focussed

NEWCASTLE United striker Shola Ameobi has said next month’s final 2014 World Cup playoffs will be a big test for Nigeria. The African champions booked their place in the 10-team qualifying series to be played on knockout basis in October and November when they beat Malawi 2-0 at home at the weekend. The top five rated teams in Africa by Thursday’s FIFA rankings will be seeded for the draw, which will be staged in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday afternoon. “The big test for us will

be in the playoffs and we have to show how far we have come here,” said Ameobi, who made his debut as a late substitute on Saturday. Emenike tips Eagles to reach Brazil 2014 Ameobi said he is delighted he is finally at full international level with Nigeria after he represented England at various agegroup levels. “It’s a joy to play at the world stage. The coach and the lads have been very welcoming,” he said. Ameobi said he hopes his English Premier League side finish the new season at the top half of the table

after they flirted with relegation last term. “Last season was a gruelling season and this wore on our thin squad, but we hope to finish in the top half of the table this campaign. We did that two years ago and no reason why we should not do that again,” he said. His personal target with The Magpies this season is to get more game time and score more goals. “I want to play more games, give everything I have got and score as many goals as possible,” declared the experienced striker, who is in line to start against Burkina Faso in Tuesday’s friendly in Kaduna.

THE NIGERIAN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 CMYK

A Golden Opportunity

RMAFC:

“THE nation is weeping and bleeding, social, political and economic taboos are common place; idiots, bandits and rogues have perfected this tragedy against Nigeria. In this most pitiless of countries in Africa, where citizens are groaning continuously and suffering miserably, everything must change.” - Quoted in WHERE WE ARE (Page 138). Over the weekend I stumbled on the report of a visit by a delegation of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to General Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, and I was excited with what I read. What gingered me was the revelation by the chairman of the RMAFC, Mr. Elias Mbam, that the review of the existing revenue sharing formula is being proposed. I am not interested in what General Obasanjo said during the visit by RMAFC delegation because he is a big contributor to the present mess confronting us today. Therefore, the proposed review of the existing revenue sharing formula to me is a golden opportunity for our country to get it right in this area. Readers will soon see why I see this development as ‘golden’. Now, many people will not see the on going crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the greatest thing happening to our nation. This is so because since the artificial independence of Nigeria in 1960, a wonderful opportunity such as the one tearing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not presented itself. This is the first time that a monster (PDP) that has destabilized,

Jonathan and his Octogenarian confident within the PDP Board of Trustees are fighting the battle of their lives to maintain the status quo, as the presidential election of 2015 gets closer. Truly, if I were President

Constitutionally, I think by the above implication he has been sworn in twice, i.e. to say that he is now running his second tenure. If we are to start to raise this question now about the non eligibility of Mr. President to run for 2015 presidential election, some beneficiaries of the present order of things will definitely raise eye brows? But, let’s call a spade a spade. Well, I am not in the mood to fly such a kite now, but sincerely if Mr. President drops his perceived

Elias Mbam, RMAFC Chairman dislocated and destroyed us as a people is crashing to pieces, such opportunity failed to appear during the evil days of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the Second Republic Today, the saying that ‘you cannot eat your cake and still have it back’ is now more meaningful as President Goodluck

Goodluck Jonathan, I will honourably decline to run for the presidential election slated for 2015. I say this because twice now Mr. President has taken the oath of office. President Goodluck Jonathan completed the tenure of the late ex-president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and now he is trying to finish his first tenure.

“Today, the saying that ‘you cannot eat your cake and still have it back’ is now more meaningful as President Goodluck Jonathan and his Octogenarian confident within the PDP Board of Trustees are fighting the battle of their lives to maintain the status quo, as the presidential election of 2015 gets closer.”

ambition all the hell and brainstorms within the ruling PDP will cease to exist. Now to the issue of the wonderful opportunity which the present ‘war’ within PDP affords the opposition political parties in our country today nay the brutalized and abandoned ordinary people of Nigeria. I see the present commotion within the ruling party as “God sent’ God sent because since 1999 the cabal within the ruling party has cleverly refused to sanitise the electoral system, so, that competent and brilliant characters will not have access to power except for the few daring personalities and rare opportunities such as we have seen in Ondo, Edo, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti etc. Since 1999, Nigerians have been paying more to fuel their cars, the

economic system we have is still being dictated from the guys and mistresses from the World Bank. The main stay oil of the economy has been ruthlessly mismanaged while those that looted our collective patrimony in the name of the oil subsidy are walking free unmolested. Never before have the affairs of our nation being directed by misfits and men of no ability who are mostly populated within the ruling party. There are many issues to raise here but for space constraint. Is it not the ruling PDP that consciously and unconsciously inflicted the menace of Boko Haram on all of us, according to late National Security Adviser, Gen Azazi? The opposition political parties that are presently assembled in All Progressive Congress (APC) should see the present situation within the PDP as a blessing which they must convent into positive political advantage. The Tinubus, Buharis and what have you should be matured enough to allow a vibrant candidate with mission and vision to emerge as the next presidential candidate of APC. We need genuine change in this country, the ruling PDP has failed us abysmally. We simply cannot need a guy in Aso Rock that will reorder the present ugly situation in our land, that will like by example and make things to work. The enormous opportunities in our country are being wasted savagely because the people’s president has not been allowed to emerge. Well meaning Nigerians should encourage the ruling PDP to fall apart so that we can have a sense

of genuine national direction. It will be tragic if the APC fails to harness resources, close ranks and patriotically select the right man for the job in 2015. History will never be lenient with them if Jonathan and his crew members have their way in 2015. The proposed review of the existing revenue sharing formula is a golden members of the public to help formulate an acceptable concept of sharing revenue in our country. This is to urge civil society organizations across the country to sensitise the people and compel the chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr. Elias Mbam and his team to carry all of us along via seminars, workshops and submission of memoranda etc. As things stand today every sector is gradually being suffocated financially except the political scene where members of the National Assembly are the highest paid in the entire universe. We must compel Mbam and his team to come out with fair and equitable revenue formula for our nation. In doing this all salaries and benefits of political office holders must be reviewed to reflect the harsh economic situation in the land. The campaign that will make Mbam and his team to do the right thing must commence right now. The proposed review of the existing revenue sharing formula is a golden opportunity which we must seize with both hands. Nowinta, wrote WHERE WE ARE

TOMORROW ON THIS PAGE

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The Senator Hope Uzodinma-led Committee simply created two parallel governorship slots because Suntai was considered too till to resume as Governor. Garba should continue to act but in doing so the healthy man must consult the unhealthy one on all important, issues. This turns logic on its head.

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-Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan

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