Nigerian observer 13 05 2014 by Nigerian Observer

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 • NO.480 TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 • N 100.00 CUTTING EDGE Page 15

Avoiding the ides of 2015

Non-Remittance Of Consumption Taxes

EIRS seals 25 Hotels, Event Centres consumption taxes to the sealing up of the hotels as ‘Consumption Tax

By VICTOR OMOALU BENIN CITY – The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) said it has sealed over 25 hotels and event centres in Benin City over non-remittance of

state government. The Agency’s Director of Tax Intelligence/ Enforcement, Victor Okube gave the hint during a chat with newsmen in Benin City. According to Okube, the

became expedient, following a court order to ‘distrain’ hotels and event centres that flaunted the hotels and event centres occupancy and restaurant consumption law of Edo State, known

Law.’ The Tax Intelligence/ Enforcement Unit Director assured that the revenue agency would do everything within the ambit of the law towards Continues on page 2

Chibok Latest

PERSPECTIVE Pages 16 - 17 Recalling the Beijing Conference

A Grand

consolidation

Fed Govt rejects Boko Haram . DSS parades 5 suspects conditions By JOSES SEDE

ABUJA – The federal government yesterday rejected conditions given by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau for the release of more than 200 school girls held hostage by the Islamists, even as the combined operatives of the Nigerian security forces paraded five Boko Haram suspects alleged to be masterminds of the Workers Day Nyanyan bomb blasts. Asked yesterday, if the Nigeria frees all militant Interior government would reject prisoners, Minister Abba Moro the suggestion by Abubakar Shekau in a retorted: “Of course.” “The issue in question new video that the girls is not about Boko may be released once Haram… giving

conditions,” he said. Shekau made the claim in a video obtained by AFP yesterday, claiming to show about

130 of the 276 girls abducted from their school in the remote northeastern town of Chibok, in Borno state, on April 14.

“We will never release them (the girls) until after you release our brethren,” he said. The militant leader, who has made prisoner

exchange demands before, said that some of the teenagers had converted from Christianity to Islam. Continues on page 2

Insurgents show kidnapped By JOSES SEDE girls in New Video ABUJA - A new video released by Islamist militants Boko Haram claims to show around 100 girls kidnapped from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014. Blood thirsty Islamist Boko Haram had abducted more than 200 girls from Federal Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State of the north east Nigeria on April 14 and threatened to sell them. However, the random global condemnation of the act and rising enrollment of technologically advanced countries to

join Nigeria in search and rescue for the girls have forced the captors into the option of negotiation. As a result, Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, was alleged to have declared yesterday that the girls would be held until all his members who are currently in custody in Nigeria are released. Meanwhile, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has insisted that the abducted girls were yet within the borders of Nigeria, noting that he has information on the whereabouts of the about 200 schoolgirls, which he has since passed to the military for

TIT BIT “Every war develops in three stages, the

need to control the fate of others by our wishes, the imposition of our wishes through tyranny, and the greed for the expansion of our wishes.” - Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

necessary verification. Also, France’s president Francois Hollande has offered to host a summit on Boko Haram, where Nigeria border countries namely, Niger Republic, Cameroon, Chad, and others, would brainstorm on how to end the terrorists activities in the region. “I suggested, with Nigerian President

Goodluck Jonathan, a meeting of Nigeria’s

SUSPECTS: Cross section of the Boko Haram suspects during their parade at DSS Headquarters in Abuja yesterday. Photo: OMOYE AMINU.

We ’ll fight terrorism with all resources - Mark Continues on page 2

BEIJING - The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, said yesterday in Beijing, China, that Nigeria would spare no resources declared war on Nigeria at its disposal in the fight and we will fight them against insurgency in the with all the resources at country. Mark stated this at an interactive forum with members of the Nigerian By JOSES SEDE community in Beijing. KANO - Meeting of “Boko Haram has become a real nuisance, Progressive Governors and the menace is kicked off yesterday in unacceptable. They have Kano amidst water tight

our disposal. “We will not allow it to go on for too long;

government is very serious about it. “It is an avoidable

distraction and it is something we do not need at this point in our history when we are trying everything possible to bring development to Continues on page 2

Strategic roads leading to the Government House, venue of the

meeting have been sealed and closed to commuters by security

agents at the city centre and adjourning streets to Continues on page 2

APC Govs in Kano amidst tight Agents. There was heavy security security presence of security

News

EIRS seals 25 Hotels, Event Centres

Continued from page 1

ensuring that government collects all revenues owed it. Noting that governments across the globe must seek alternative sources of revenues with a view to meeting its development

promises to the people, Okube however urges the people to support the government by paying their taxes. He warned taxpayers not to pay tax by cash to anybody rather, to visit any IGR banks

nearest to them or any points of Sales Terminals located at the various tax offices in the state to make their payments, with their Automated Teller Machine (ATM). It will be recalled that the

EIRS had organized a stakeholders enlightenment/ sensitization workshop for hoteliers in November 2011 and the operators of restaurants/even centres on the process of administration of the consumption tax law.

Insurgents show kidnapped girls in New Video

Continued from page 1 neighbouring countries; Cameroon, Niger and Chad, would be invited to the security summit. “If the countries agree, it should

take place next Saturday” Francois Hollande said.

Aides said the US, UK, EU and France which have already pledged technical assistance to the Nigerian government,

are likely to attend. Meanwhile, President Jonathan said an Israeli counter-terrorism team would arrive in Nigeria to help in searching for the

schoolgirls, who were abducted last month. French troops entered Mali last year to push out al-Qaeda affiliated militants.

We ’ll fight terrorism with all resources Continued from page 1 Nigeria to attract foreign investors. “So, the message should go out loud and clear to anyone who is either a sponsor or a member of Boko Haram that we will fight them with all resources at our disposal,’’ Mark said. The Nigerian Charge d’affaires in Beijing, Mr Suleiman Tanko, who welcomed the Senate President on behalf of the Nigerian community, said Nigeria has a large community in China. “We have 12,000 Nigerians in China; out of this number, 10,000 live in Guangzhou, and are largely in trading because. It is a little bit difficult to penetrate the real business system here,’’ Tanko said. He, however, lamented that it was not easy for Nigerians to establish businesses in China, adding that this was an issue of serious concern to them. “If any Nigerian tells you that he has a business here, then it means that he is married to a Chinese lady; otherwise it is only merely petty trading that Nigerains are engaged in here,’’ Tanko said. He appealed to the Senate President to intervene on behalf of Nigerians willing to establish businesses in China so they could have easier access to facilities. He expressed regrets that a large majority of Nigerians were staying in the country

illegally due to strict visa regime of the country which, he noted, resulted in many of them being in jail. “We have about 463 Nigerians in various jails. Ninety per cent of the crimes they committed are drugrelated, and 90 per cent of

them are from only one state in Nigeria,’’ Tanko said. He said that the Nigerian mission in China was engaging the government of that state to find out how the embassy could intervene. Tanko also urged Nigerian law enforcement authorities to

be more proactive and responsive to ensuring proper screening of intending travellers. “It is really embarrassing that most of those arrested came straight from Nigeria; and this is posing a huge embarrassment to Nigerians in China,’’ he said.

Imo, Rivers, Zamafara, Oyo, Yobe, and the host Kano in attendance is holding at the African House of the Government House.

Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Nassarawa, Ekiti sent in representation while the remaining Governors in the All Progressive Congress fold were being awaited.

APC Govs in Kano amidst tight security the Government House.

Continued from page 1

Anyone going into the Government House venue of the meeting was frisked by stern looking state actors. The meeting which have Governors of Adamawa, Edo,

Fed Govt rejects Boko Haram conditions Continued from page 1 The International Crisis Group said in a report published last month that Boko Haram had written an open letter in 2011 to the governor of Northern Kano State, demanding the release of detainees. Shekau repeated the demand in a video released last week claiming responsibility for the mass kidnapping that has sparked global condemnation and calls for action. Nigeria’s military has been accused of rounding up thousands of Boko Haram suspects, including women and children, and holding them in atrocious conditions that have been criticised by rights groups. On March 14, Boko Haram

fighters stormed the notorious Giwa military barracks in the state capital of Borno, Maiduguri, freeing hundreds of militants. Meanwhile, combined operatives of the Nigerian security forces, yesterday, paraded five suspects, alleged to be the masterminds of the devastating Workers Day bomb blasts that killed about one hundred persons. Some of the casualties were torn to pieces and some burnt to ashes. Majority of the injured were yet languishing In various hospitals where they were rushed to for treatment, while some bodies were yet to be identified and claimed by their bereaved families. The Joint Information Centre on the Counter Terrorism Campaign

EFCC secures 117 court convictions

PORT HARCOURT - Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said yesterday that the commission secured 117 court convictions in corruption-related cases in 2013. Lamorde made the disclosure at a workshop on “Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes’’, in Port Harcourt. Represented by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Osita Nwaja, he said that the EFCC was anticipating much high figures of conviction this year due to its several ongoing investigations. “The commission is actively engaged in the investigation and

prosecution of persons and organisations implicated in the oil subsidy fraud, through which the nation lost billions of Naira. “Some suspects involved in the subsidy scandal are being prosecuted in court, while tangible recoveries of assets had been made. “This development also applies to fraud in the pension sector and theft of crude oil in the creeks which everyone is really concerned about,’’ he said. Lamorde said the commission was reviewing its strategies to enable it meet with peculiar challenges it was faced with in some environment it operates. He said that the commission had intensified public enlightenment

campaigns to assist people to know about crime prevention and know how to give out the right information. He said that the workshop was aimed at improving public consciousness of the ills of economic and financial crimes on the nation’s economy. “Nigerians must buy in and take ownership of the fight against corruption in view of the fact that the commission cannot win the fight against economic crimes alone,’’ he said. He, therefore, called on stakeholders particularly the media to collaborate with the commission and make the fight against financial crimes a success.

disclosed the arrest at a joint media briefing in Abuja. Deputy Director, Public Relations Department of State Security, Marilyn Ogar who led the joint media briefing released the names of the suspects as follow: Ahmad Rufai Abubakar 43 years old ( Jigawa state), Mohammadu Sani Ishaq, 30 years old (Kano state), Adamu Yusuf, 43 years old (Bauchi State), Yau Saidu , 28 years old (Kano State) and Anas Isah , 22 years old (Kastina State) According to Ogar, Rufai Abubakar Tsiga, a Boko Haram leader who is currently at large is the mastermind of the bombing incident. Rufai Abubakar Tsiga was once arrested as a member of Boko haram but was ordered released by a high court judge for want of prosecution by the lackadaisical prosecuting officers, and following sustained pressured mounted on the federal government by amnesty groups. The Joint media spokesperson further told journalists that Tsiga was actively aided by a comastermind Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche from Benue State who is also at large. Meanwhile the security operatives have offered the sum of 25 million-naira rewards for anyone with useful information on the where about of the two masterminds Rufai Abubakar Tsiga and Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche. Marilyn Ogar expressed that Nigerian Security forces shall not rest until every individual or group of persons involved in the Nyanya bombing are brought to justice.

2014 GES commences in By DOROTHY Edo EGBOBAMWONYI BENIN CITY – The 2014 Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES) has commenced in Edo State. Consequently, all registered farmers who were captured in the GES and had received alert have been enjoined to proceed to redemption centre nearest to them to redeem their farm inputs. In their separate remarks, the State Director Federal

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Wellington Omoragbon and the Director, of Agriculture Service of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Momoh Anogie advised farmers who have not registered to avail themselves of the opportunity of getting registered in the redemption centre closer to them so as to be captured immediately.

Lagos State to enforce Anti-Smoking Law By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - Following the signing of Anti-smoking law at public places in Lagos, the state government is to embark on the arrest and prosecution of anybody caught smoking in public places in Lagos State with effect from 17 August, 2014. In view of the proposed enforcement date, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, (LASEPA) is to organize a stakeholders meeting today (Tuesday) to sensitise people in compliance with the law which banned smoking in all public places in the state. The General Manager, LASEPA, Engr. Rasheed Shabi, at a news conference in Lagos, said enforcement would begin on 17 August, 2014, reiterating that government did not banned smoking in Lagos entirely, but banned smokers from smoking in public places. He said when the smoking bill was signed into law by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on 17 February, 2014, six months grace was given to enable proper sensitization to be carried out before enforcement. According to him, with the passage of the law, smokers have been banned from smoking in places, such as hospitals, eateries, hotels, schools, crèche, restaurants, bars, school buses, event centres and

bookshops. “We have engaged hoteliers and told them to create a place where smokers can smoke and such places must be ventilated. Industries, event centres and others should carve out specific places where smokers can smoke but not in public places. “We are the agency that will implement this law and enforcement will start on 17 August. Our staff will go round to ensure that people comply with this law by not smoking in public places. We are up to the task and if there is need for more staff, we will request for such,” he added. According to Shabi, the agency would flag off its sensitization campaign tomorrow at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium and expected that between 3,000 and 4,000 stakeholders would attend the event, saying that “sensitization is the first step to educate the people.” “We are also going to have road shows, jingles and adverts on radios and newspapers to sensitise the people. We will unveil the non-smoking signs that will be put in public places to stop people from smoking in such places and we will be doing this sensitization in collaboration with the British Tobacco Company,” he added.

Speaker Igbe assures disengaged Edo Teachers of justice By KEN ABU

BENIN CITY – The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly Hon. Uyi Igbe has assured the teachers who claimed to have been disengaged from the State Teaching Service that the state government would look into the plight of those with genuine cases. The Speaker made the assurance in Benin City yesterday while addressing some of the affected teachers who marched to the House on a protest. He urged them to send their petition to the House and enjoined them to go about the

protest in a peaceful manner as government would address the issue. Spokesperson for the teachers, Mr. Osagiede Omoruyi had stated that their disengagement was carried out after the screening exercise embarked upon by the state government. He appealed to the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to also extend the magnanimity which he showed to the core civil servants during his worker’s Day address to teachers stressing that their disengagement has brought untold hardship to their families.

Produce C’ttee Chairman Receives Award By ADAMS OYIBOKE

BENIN CITY-The Executive Director Chairman, Edo State Produce committee Mr. Omoike Romeo has been honoured with an Award of Excellence by “J-One Gospel vibes”, Christian Gospel Entertainment Organisation in Edo state. The Award ceremony which took place at the Government House, Benin City was in recognition of the excellent discharge of his job as Executive Director/ Chairman, of the committee. In his presentation, the president J-One Gospel vibes, represented by the National Secretary Mrs. Faith Ogungbeje extolled the leadership qualities and light sense of humility and fear of God exhibited by Mr. Omoike in the performance of his job. According to him, “you have shown high sense of administrative acumen in the affairs of your committee in the state. “We as Christian Gospel entertainment organization, have taken a cursory view of your committee in relation to

your inter-personal relationship with all religious bodies in the state and in your dealing with staff under you. You have only helped to boost the revenue base of the state, but successfully closed all loopholes in the monitoring of produce within and across Edo state. “As a team player, you have demonstrated that government is a collective responsibility, inrespective of the office headed. “None can do what you have been doing without the fear of God and humbleaness of heart, typocal of your person” he stressed. In his response Mr. 0moike Romeo thanked the President, executive and members of the organization for the honour done him. “Let me express my thanks to the management and Executive members of your orgainsation for the award; it will no doubt spur me to do more work. “This award will be dedicated to the Almighty God for His favour, my parents and the ever dogged, resolute and performing comrade Government Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state,” said.

Inside Edo Regional Security:

Jonathan Leaves For Congo

Executive Director/Chairman, Edo State Produce Committee, Mr. Omoike Romeo receiving a plaque for an Award of Excellence by J-One Gospel Vibes from the National Secretary, Mrs. Faith Ogungbeje at a ceremony in Benin City.

Illegal Revenue Collection

Council Boss Convenes Stakeholders Meeting IGARRA-The Chairman, Akoko Edo Local Government Council of Edo State, Hon Joseph Folorunsho Akerejola has convened an emergency meeting in

revenue generation in the locality. The meeting is a fallout of the riot act read to the Chairmen of the 18 local government councils by the state Governor,

Edo Govt Committed To Polio Free Status - Commissioner By FRIDAY OBANOR BENIN CITY- Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr (Mrs) Aihanuwa Eregie said that the State Government is committed to maintaining the present polio free status of the state. Speaking in Benin City during the state level briefing on the second Round of National Immunization Plus Days (NIPPs) the commissioner commended

everyone all those who contributed to the success of the last Immunization exercise in the state a. Dr (Mrs.) Eregie who noted that there was room for improvement enjoined all stakeholder to be more committed to all Immunization programmes of the state while appealing to be alive to their responsibility of protecting the children. She used the occasion to present an award to the wife of the former sole

administrator of Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Lady Edith Ighodaro for her commitment and selfless service to the cause of mothers and children during Immunization programmes in Orhironmwon Local Government Area. The state Director, primary Health Care (PHC) Dr. Eghe Abe had said the meeting was organized to review the meeting was organized to review the Implementation of the just concluded NIPDS in

Catholic Women in Edo and Delta States under the aegis of Ladies of St. Mulumba (LSM) in a protest march in Benin City to call for the release of the Chibok Schools girls who were kidnapped on April 15, 2014.

the state and to assess the level of success, challenges and the way forward, and as well thanked development partners for their collaboration The state Immunization officer, Mrs. Justina Akhuele delivered the state report while the PHC co-ordinators of the 18 local Government Area of the state delivered the reports of their respective local Government councils.

Edo Chief Judge To Visit Prisons BENIN CITY – The Chief Judge of Edo State Justice Cromwell Idahosa and members of the State Administration of Justice Committee will on Wednesday July 2, 2014 begin visits to four prison formations in the state. A statement endorsed by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Hilary Enemaku indicated that the visit would commence with Oko Prison and Central Prison both in Benin City on Wednesday July 2 and Thursday July 3 respectively beginning at 9am each day. On Friday July 4, 2014, the Chief Judge and members of the committee would visit Ubiaja Prison, Ubiaja at 10am and the Auchi Prison, Auchi at 1pm.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over illegal collection of revenue. Stakeholders at the meeting included contractors on revenue collection, security agencies, principal officers of the council, including council secretary, councilor, head of the Revenue Department. Hon Akerejola informed the stakeholders that the meeting became necessary as a result of reservations the governor expressed over the conduct of revenue collectors across the state, as the illegal activities of some of them have become source of worry for the state government. He observed that revenue collection in the locality over the years has been left in the hands of unserious minded people who are out only for monetary gains. According to him, the drop in revenue of the local government is a direct result of the attitude, character, and personality of revenue collectors. Consequently the Chairman announced the resolution of the council’s executive arm of government to include total ban in the application of road blocks and thuggery for revenue collection The Council Chairman also announced a ban on the use of contractors for revenue collection, and in its place, said the local government would enlist the services of revenue collectors who must collect revenue at government approved rate. Noting the state governor. resolved to give revenue collection a human face, Akerejola declared as illegal outfits, the Peace Corps and Vigilantes Group of Nigeria, saying they “must cease to exist in the locality because they are not recognised” by any relevant laws in Nigeria.

ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan left Abuja yesterday for Oyo in the Republic of Congo to consult with his Congolese counterpart, President Denis Nguesso, on regional security. This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and publicity, Dr Reuben Abati. Abati said that both presidents would hold consultations on the current security situation in West and Central Africa ahead of the meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council which would open in the Congolese town on Wednesday. He said that the president, who was accompanied by some of his principal aides and advisers, would return to Abuja on Tuesday.

Baptist Convention Marks Mothers Day BENIN CITY - The New Benin Baptist Church an arm of the Nigerian Baptist Convention has marked the 2014 Mothers Day. Host Pastor, Rev. Wellington Jesurobo in a sermon on the Topic, “Today, a Day of Reconciliation” enjoined the congregation to honour their mothers and take good care of them while they are alive, rather than waiting to honour them after death. He also told the congregation to endure mothers, especially the aged who expectedly behave as children because they are old, reminding them that their mothers tolerated their excesses in childhood. The minister advised those with mother-in-law to respect them and always give them gifts in order that their daughters in-law may respect them, saying, “we will all reap whatever we sow.”

News

FG, USAID, GE Sign $20m Health Care Agreement

ABUJAThe Federal Government has signed a 20 million dollar agreement with two international donor agencies to reduce preventable child and maternal deaths. Health minister, Onyebuchi Chukwu said while signing the agreement in Abuja with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and General Electric (GE) Healthcare, that the funds, estimated at N3.2 billion, would be used to address MDGs 4, 5 and

The MDG 4 is on reduction of child mortality, MDG 5 is to improve maternal health, while MDG 8 is on global partnership. Chukwu said that the funds would be used to improve healthcare equipment, training of healthcare workers and upgrading of healthcare facilities to reduce preventable maternal and child mortality. “President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has been working with governments

Tambuwal Urges Youths To Embrace Education FUNTUA (KATSINA STATE) - The Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday in Funtua, Katsina State advised youths to resist any attempt to discourage them from acquiring education. Tambuwal, who made the call at the 18th graduation ceremony of Madarasatul Hisburahim, an Islamic education forum, described education as the pillar of development in any society. “There is the need for stakeholders to work conscientiously towards imparting moral education in the younger generation,’’ he said. The Speaker later donated N3 million to the school’s management, and N50,000 to each of the 53 graduating students who successfully memorised the Holy Qur’an. Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, said Islam preaches peace and harmony and reiterated his call that Muslims were not terrorists. Abubakar explained that only unity and peace would save the country from the present security challenges it was facing. He urged the graduates to consider the memorisation of the Holy Qur’an as a step to the pursuance of knowledge and pledged continued support to the school. The Sultan also donated N1 million to the school. While speaking, the state Governor Ibrahim Shema, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Adamu, said his administration had initiated the Qur’anic school feeding support programme. He said the state had also supported over 400 religious institutions in the state. “Our administration is committed to education and stakeholders should support our efforts to promote sound moral upbringing for children,’’ Shema said.

The School Head Teacher, Malam Salisu Tasiu, said the school has 2,329 students, with 252 of them very good at reading the Qur’an. He said 53 others had memorised the holy book this year. Reports state that the event was also attended by Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC-Katsina South), among other dignitaries.

at all levels to achieve reduction in maternal and child deaths. “The Federal Government has continued to support primary healthcare centres; we have deployed over 6,000 healthcare workers that are providing services to expectant mothers. “We have also upgraded some of the general hospitals that are referral to primary healthcare facilities,’’ he said. Chukwu said the programme, known as ‘Healthy Imagination: Mother and Child Initiative’ would have each of the partners contributing towards the 20 million dollars in the first phase over the next five years. The USAID Nigeria Director, Mr. Michael Harvey, had said that the focus of his organisation was to promote and support stronger governance, financial and human development for the benefit of all Nigerians. “Indeed, the programmes with potential to improve the health and wellbeing of the population are critical focus of USAID’s activities in Nigeria.

“USAID is proud to serve as a strategic partner to the Federal Ministry of Health and GE Foundation Healthcare in support of the imitative,’’ he said.

Also speaking, the GE Foundation spokesperson, Mr. David Barasch, acknowledged Nigeria’s efforts at reducing maternal and child mortality. He said that lack of quality equipment could hinder effective progress at reducing maternal and child mortality, adding that most

laboratory equipment were underutilised. “Healthcare workers need functional equipment for effective and efficient health service delivery,’’ he said. Barasch pledged his organisation’s commitment to support Nigeria with advanced technologies and other services.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (left), welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the groundbreaking ceremony of NIMASA Shipyard and Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko in Warri at the weekend.

FG To Train 300 Small-Scale Mining Co-ops ABUJA- The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development said it would train 300 smallscale mining cooperatives through its Extension Services Programme this year. Mr Obiora Azubike, the Director of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Department in the ministry, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. He said the training programme would be carried out in the NorthWest, North-Central and SouthSouth geo-political zones of the country. He added that “we are looking

at a maximum of 50 mining cooperatives within the three designated zones, with NorthWest zone having the highest number of cooperatives we intend to train.’’ Azubike said “it will be like a case of train-the-trainer, as each of the 50 mining cooperatives to be trained in the three zones will in turn train one cooperative in the various localities.’’ The director said that the training programme would enhance the production and processing capacity of the miners, as well as their safety.

He noted that the ministry would distribute safety kits to members of the cooperatives via its extension services programme, for their protection during mining operations. The safety kits include hand gloves, garments, helmets, nose mask, ear muff, safety boot and rain boot. He advised miners to conduct their mining activities in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral and Mining Act 2007, while complying with environmental regulations. Azubike said that the ministry had factored the elimination of

child labour in mines and quarries sensitisation campaign into its extension services programmes so as to dissuade people from using children in mining activities. He said “we have sensitised mining operators on the need to ensure that children are not seen at mining sites when they ought to be in school. “Child labour is something that the UN and the Federal Government are trying to discourage because children of school age, who are supposed to be in school, go out to work. “This is not in the interest of our country because children are the future leaders of tomorrow

and if properly developed, they will take over the management of the country’s affairs in the future.’’ The Director said that the ministry would establish three additional extension service outposts in Chanchaga in Niger, Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State and Auchi in Edo this year. He added that the extension outposts were to ensure that mining activities were carried out in a proper way. Azubike said the extension outpost officers would be natives of the localities who could speak the language of the people and report what was happening in the mining fields

LAPO Combats NCD Prevalence In Rural Communities

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) in a handshake with the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRH, Chief Pattani Heaven at the groundbreaking ceremony of NIMASA Shipyard and Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko in Warri at the weekend.

BENIN CITY - Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) has intensified measures to curtail increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) in Nigeria. General Manager, Sabina Idowu-Osehobo who stated this at a performance review session said the organization screened 28,375 community members and clients in target communities across the country for common diseases during the first quarter and referred those with special condition to governmentapproved health facilities for treatment. Idowu-Osehobo expressed

worry that NCDs including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell, heart diseases and cancer are currently responsible for about 20% of all deaths and 60% of admitted patients in most tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. In his comment, LAPO Health Manager, Obadiora Ayobami Honestus advised the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle and regular health examination towards facilitating early detection and management of common diseases, noting that health education and screening constitute a major component of LAPO health intervention initiative.

South-West Desist From Jungle Justice, Police Warn Residents

L-R: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed (left), welcoming Vice President Namadi Sambo during threeday prayer for the late mother of FCT Minister in Bauchi at the weekend.

IKERE-EKITI (EKITI STATE)-The Police Command in Ekiti State has warned residents in the state to desist from jungle justice, henceforth, or face the wrath of the law. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Victor Babayemi, gave the warning while speaking with journalists in Ikere-Ekiti. He said that the warning became necessary because of the rampant cases of jungle justice in the state. The police image maker specifically referred to the recent unlawful killing and burning of a woman suspected to be a kidnapper at Ikere-Ekiti by an irate mob. The reports state that the suspect was said to have been caught by some residents while trying to kidnap a three-yearold girl at Ori Audu Area of the town. According to him, the action of the people of the town is not

Ondo Disburses N2.5m Loan To Women AKURE- The Ondo State Micro-Credit Agency (OSMA) has disbursed N2.5 million as loan to 50 poor women at Ago Ireti Leprosarium in Akure North Local Government Area. Mrs Banke Sutton, the Chairperson of OSMA, who presented the loan, said the state government meant well for all the people, especially the women. “Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has shown his eagerness toward eradicating poverty through means of empowerment by giving loans to as many that are willing to invest. “He has taken it as compulsory the eradication of poverty and suffering among the female folks. “As a result of this, N2.5 million is now being given to 50 women here in Ago Ireti. “Each beneficiary will receive N50,000 each,” Sutton said. She added that the governor

had directed that no interest should be charged on the loan, saying that prompt payment would attract juicy opportunity. “Mr Governor has told us that we should not charge any interest on this loan because it is meant

Tunji Fatimehin, the General Secretary of the leprosarium, thanked the government, saying that it was the fifth time that such benefit would get to them. He said that the husbands of the

loan beneficiaries would influence the prompt payment of the loan. Responding, Mrs Funke Falokun, one of the beneficiaries, promised that they would make good use of the loan.

Implement Curriculum, NERDC Urges School Administrators LAGOS- The Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has advised school administrators to faithfully implement the new Senior Secondary School (SSS) curriculum. Dr Moses Salau, the Director/ Head in South-West Zonal Office of NERDC, told newsmen in Lagos that its implementation would address the growing rate

National Festival

Monarch Tasks FG On Calendar LAGOS- The traditional ruler of Isolo Town, a suburb of Lagos, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, the Osolo of Isolo, urged the Federal Government to make available a calendar of national festivals. Agbabiaka told newsmen that the calendar would enlighten and update individuals, tourists and visitors about festivals in the country. “The Federal Government should work collaboratively with the appropriate authorities to produce a calendar of national festivals. “The calendar should be produced annually and the festivals to be celebrated in different parts of the country listed,’’ Agbabiaka said. The monarch mentioned national festivals like Eyo, OsunOsogbo, Abuja, Egungun,

to cushion your pain and challenges. “Therefore, if you can pay back the loan as being speculated, greater benefit will be given,” Sutton said. Commending the gesture, Mr

only illegal but also condemnable. He stressed that only the police or other security agents had the constitutional right to handle such case at preliminary stage for onward prosecution in court. “It is a barbaric action for people to kill and set ablaze a suspect without reporting to the security agencies to effect arrest and investigate the suspect. Babayemi added that police investigation would have led to the arrest of other suspects for their alleged role in the matter. The PPRO said the command had, in another development, arrested a woman for allegedly beating her 9-year-old house girl to a pulp. He said the woman, who lived in Ekute Area of AdoEkiti, was apprehended following a tip-off by a concerned neighbour living in the same area with her. The police image maker alleged that the woman used sharp object to inflict bodily injuries on the girl. It was learnt that the little girl, receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in AdoEkiti, was brutalised her mistress for her inability to operate a washing machine.

Fishing and Yam festivals. He urged the government to play active role in celebrating these festivals. Agbabiaka said he was optimistic that such festivals would fetch the government huge revenue if properly funded. “Different tourists and visitors will fly into the country to witness and celebrate the festivals and will also like to see new things and the different cultures of the people,” he said. According to him, national festivals will bring cultural integration among the different ethnic groups in the country. “The northerners will visit the westerners to celebrate each other’s festivals and vice versa. “Doing these will bring cultural and social integration among Nigerians,” the monarch said.

same position and expect changes, the only thing permanent is change”. Salau said that the students who could not further their education could start a trade and business on small scale with the training they had received at the secondary school level. “If the curriculum is faithfully implemented, it will solve growing unemployment rate; students will have a skill that will make them become self reliant, rather than roaming the streets and constituting nuisance “With the new curriculum, students will be trained in any of

the 35 trade/entrepreneur subjects”. He listed these subjects to include garment making, “There is nothing difficult with of unemployment among youths. plumbing and pipe fitting, Salau said that the new the curriculum to implement; we furniture making, catering and advised schools curriculum was designed to train have craft practice, cosmetology, students in any trade to become administrator to adopt the Public dyeing and bleaching, auto entrepreneurs and self employed. Private Partnership (PPP) to electrical work, auto mechanical He said that the curriculum was make it cost effective. work as well as painting and “Partnership between the not difficult or expensive to decorating. implement as claimed by some schools and private organisations Other subjects are air will reduce the cost of setting up school administrators. conditioning refrigerator, “The curriculum will curb of workshops in all schools; photography, fisheries, GSM unwholesome behaviour, armed schools should have structures on maintenance and book keeping. robbery, prostitution, kidnapping how the subjects will be taught. Speaking on the phasing out of “We do not love innovation in and drug addiction among the the old curriculum, Salau said that youths. Nigeria; we want to remain in the the old curriculum would be phased out by September 2014/ 2015 session. He said that primary, junior and senior secondary schools would operate fully on the new curriculum by September. He said that the old senior secondary curriculum would be phased out systematically over a period of three years -September 2011 to June 2014. “The old curriculum is only operational in the primary school level; by September the new curriculum will become effective. “The first phase of implementation is ending in June when the senior secondary school students will write examination based on the new trade subjects. “Senior and junior secondary schools have started the new curriculum,“ he said. Reports state that the SS 1 to 3 Vice President Namadi Sambo (5th right), Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi (6th right) and other dignataries during three-day prayer for the late mother of FCT curriculum started in September 2011, with the first set graduating Minister in Bauchi at the weekend. in June, 2014.

Lagos Journalists Protest Abduction Of Chibok School Girls LAGOSSome journalists in Lagos have staged a peaceful protest against the abduction of students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. The protest was organised by the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). The protesters carried placards with various L-R: Former Chairman, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ikeja District, Mr. Joshua Oderinde, Chairman, inscriptions and chanted Mr. Francis Egba and the Vice Chairman, Mr. Seyi Ogunjobi, at ICAN Stakeholders Forum in Lagos at the weekend. solidarity songs to bring back the kidnapped girls. Some of the inscriptions read: “Bring back our LAGOS- The Lagos State such cases or hand over the girls,” “Release Chibok Government has warned that suspect(s) to law enforcement girls now,” “We support perpetrators of acts of “jungle children on May 7 at Iyana- agencies in their areas. justice’’ in the state would be process for prosecuting and Ipaja. He added: ‘‘Kidnapping and foreign assistance’’ apprehended and brought to showing evidence in court so According to him, both other criminal acts are Mrs. Eno Okon, Vicethat proven criminals can be suspects were reportedly condemnable. justice. Chairman, NAWOJ, told Mr. Ade Ipaye, State properly punished according to lynched and set ablaze by angry “It is equally unacceptable newsmen that the Attorney-General and law,’’ Ipaye said. for citizens to take laws into residents. Ipaye cited two recent cases continued detention of the Commissioner for Justice, gave Ipaye said that even if the their own hands by summarily the warning in a statement in of a woman accused of mob was right, instant justice punishing or killing those girls was an “unfortunate attempting to kidnap three could never be the answer to suspected of any criminal act. development Alausa, Ikeja. to Jungle justice is a form of primary school pupils at Abule- such crimes in any civilised “The mob may well be wrong womanhood.’’ extra-judicial killing, lynching Egba in Lagos and another society. and the helpless victim(s) may “It is not something that or meting out punishment on alleged to have kidnapped two He advised people to report be anyone’s child or relative.” can make anybody happy. suspected criminals without right to fair hearing and legal Malaria Control: “It could have been any defence. of our children, so, we LAGOS- The DirectorSeveral people had recently expect their immediate General, Nigerian Institute of been killed through jungle Medical Research (NIMR), that, the complications that release. suspected cases of malaria. justice, a popular act in some Yaba, Prof. Innocent Ujah, has “Our security agencies “We must get the tenet of arise from malaria will be parts of the country. Ipaye said the barbaric identified environmental defeating malaria. We should reduced and therefore, deaths should collaborate with the

Jungle Justice: Lagos To Prosecute

Perpetrators

Researcher Urges Personal Hygiene

practice of lynching suspected criminals would not be condoned by the authorities irrespective of the offences the suspect might have committed. He noted that the warning was necessitated by recent media reports that some persons were attacked in the state based on mere allegations of kidnapping, stealing and ritual killings. ‘The government totally condemns these attacks as the suspects could easily be wrongly accused. “Even if they did commit the alleged offences, there is a

sanitation and cleanliness as an effective way of preventing malaria. Ujah told newsmen in Lagos that a clean environment could go a long way in preventing the growth of mosquitoes. He said that in addition to a clean environment, the citizenry must cultivate the habit of using Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) to prevent mosquitoes from biting them. The professor also advised people, especially pregnant women, to quickly visit the clinics closest to them in

LAGOS- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has filed a charge before a Federal High Court in Lagos, against a 30-year old businessman, Afiz Isah, over alleged drug trafficking. The accused, a resident of Atubaje St., Agege, Lagos, committed the offence on July 23, 2013. The prosecutor, Mr. Jerry Aernan, said that the accused was arrested in his residence, on a tip - off by officers of the NDLEA.

He said that about 3.9 kilogrammes of Optalidon, a psychotropic substance similar to heroine, was recovered from the accused, who allegedly engaged in illegal sale of the drug. The offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004. The offence of drug trafficking could attract a sentence of life imprisonment, if convicted. Justice Okon Abang fixed June 3 for the arraignment of the accused.

have environmental hygiene, we must have cleanliness, we must have personal hygiene, we must use insecticide treated nets. “And then of course, case management. As soon as you have fever, you must go to a hospital or health facility so that they can have the malaria microscopy done and if it’s confirmed, you have the treatment. “And I think that once we do

from malaria will be reduced.’’

foreign countries who are rendering Nigeria assistance to fight terrorists to ensure speedy release of our girls,” she said. Mrs. Uche Akwuobi, Secretary of NAWOJ, told newsmen that the innocent girls should be released without any delay. “Boko Haram should know that the girls are innocent of whatever their grievances may be; they should release them and leave women alone. “It is only cowards that attack women and children,” she said. Mr. Deji Elumoye, the chairman, NUJ Lagos state chapter, told newsmen that three weeks in captivity must be a real trauma for the girls. He expressed joy with the foreign assistance being rendered to the federal government in search of the missing girls. Also speaking, Mr. Jola Ogunlusi, former National Secretary of the NUJ, commended the organisers of the protest. “A nation that kills its own youths is a nation struggling to die. “I join NAWOJ to ask for the release of the girls,” he said.

Education Key To Tourism Devt

LAGOS- Mr. Segun Adeshina, the Director of Studies, Lagos School of Travel and Tourism, said that effective education was the key to manpower development in the tourism industry. Adeshina told newsmen in Lagos that the industry was the second largest industry in the world.

“The tourism industry is the highest employer of labour and the second largest in the world. “It has enormous potentials that can be used for economic growth,” Adesina said. He said that the industry’s potential were available in the airlines, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, national parks, national museums and

Man Docked For Drug Trafficking

Water Gushing out from a failed portion of Apata Road, Opposite Moore Plantation Staff school in Ibadan on Sunday.

- Stakeholder monuments and wildlife parks among others. Adeshina stressed the need to spend more money to educate those involved in the tourism industry if the country was to meet up with international standards. “It is only through sound education that we can develop the right manpower to develop the country’s tourism industry in line with international standards,” he said. He said that because of the cost of running full tourism programmes, only few schools were offering the course at the higher national diploma level. “It is quite expensive to run a full tourism programme in schools, which is why many schools are running it under other departments,” the director said. The director suggested that government at all levels should assist in funding schools offering courses in tourism to enable them to produce the required manpower for the industry. Adeshina said that the country would gain more economically, if manpower training was given adequate attention. He said that “there is a lot to reap if the country’s vast tourism potential is developed”.

South-South Open Up Farmlands For Youths: ASABA - A graduate farmer from Edo, Nosa Amayo, has called on Federal and State Governments, to open up farmlands in every local government area in the country for youths to farm on. Amayo, who is the President of the Edo Cooperative Farmers

Agency, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Asaba. He argued that government’s current efforts to revolutionise agriculture in the country, would achieve more if governments opened farmlands for the youth to cultivate instead of granting

them agricultural loans. He said that with the N250, 000 currently given to graduate farmers as loans through the Bank of Agriculture, graduate farmers would not be able to achieve a lot. “In my state for instance, you need N110, 000 to hire a

Graduate Farmer Advises Govts

bulldozer to open up a 2 hectare virgin land in a day. You have to pay the operator additional N10,000. “You also have to provide 200

litres of diesel amounting to N32,000 at the rate of N160 per litre for the machine to work for eight hours. “You find out that you will spend over N150,000 out of the N250,000 loan just in a day, if you want to plant cassava, for instance. “If you want to go into the real farming that most of us desire, the remaining amount can’t take you anywhere through the planting season,” he said. The president of the agency said that the country would fare better in agriculture if governments opened up farmlands and supply farmers with inputs such as fertilizers, feeds, stems and herbicides. “Government should do all these and after the harvest, remove the cost of production and give us our profit,” he said. According to him, the first experience his cooperative

society had with a bank almost discouraged him and his colleagues from farming. “Eleven young graduates, including me, formed a cooperative society and went into fishery. “We, at a point, needed some money to complete feeding our fish, but the Bank of Agriculture refused to assist,” he said. According to him, some bank officials in the country preferred giving agricultural loans to business men and politicians, who in return, offered them gratifications and refuse to repay. He added: “I believe that if this approach is adopted, Nigerian youths will embrace agriculture fully. “When we produce surplus food, there will be food security in the country as well as raw materials for industries that will provide employment for our youths.

YENAGOA-The Bayelsa Government said it will seek legal intervention to address challenges in the prosecution of rape cases and violence against women in the state. The Attorney-General and

Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kemasuode Wodu, stated this in Yenagoa when he received members of the Committee on Violence Against Women and Girl-Child in his office. The five-member committee which was inaugurated two weeks ago by Gov. Seriake Dickson is headed by Mrs Vivian Odiowe, a retired permanent secretary. Wodu said there was an urgent need for a new law to provide legal framework in dealing with challenges facing prosecutors in getting justice for victims of rape and violence against women in the state. “Felony is a criminal offence which is punishable. So, it’s injustice that most times cases of rape and violence against women suffer prosecution. “For justice to be achieved, there is an urgent need for legislative intervention to help the prosecution process. “We may have to propose a law to the governor to make it a criminal offence for a person who knows a case of rape or any form of violence against women and refuses to report it. “It will also apply to a person who has evidence in a case of such and refuses to give out such evidence to support the prosecution process,’’ he said. Wodu decried instances whereby parties involved in rape cases decide to abandon legal prosecution and settle out of court. “It is injustice to the victim who bears the pain and lives with stigma for life. Most times, some of these victims end up committing suicide because of the stigma that goes with it. “As the Attorney-General of this state, I want to assure you that we will support the work of your committee in a collective resolve to getting justice for all victims of rape and violence against women.’’ Earlier, Odiowe had informed the commissioner of the committee’s task and terms of reference.

Rape: Bayelsa Seeks Legislative Intervention

Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu (left), with the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimu II, during three-day prayer of the late mother of FCT Minister in Bauchi at the weekend.

APC Chieftain Charges Youths To Remain BENIN CITY – As part of his selfless efforts to reposition youths Focused for greatness, a Chieftain of APC Oshiomhole and his deputy, Rt. in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Governor on Security (Riot Control) matters, Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun, has charged youths across the country to remain focused so that they could be more relevant in the larger society. Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun, who is also the Chairman, Akugbe Ventures Limited stated this recently in his office in Benin, while holding a sensitisation meeting as to the way forward in the political circle of Edo State. He posited that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, who are expected to show good example to the general public for the purpose of development. Speaking further, the business guru, who has empowered more than one thousand youths in the state, noted that youths have been used and dumped by some Nigeria elites without recourse to the moral implications it had in the societal values. He particularly cited how youths have been subjected to political thuggery, kidnapping, armed robbery, bunkering and other social vices with the influence of a stipend by some Nigerian elites and later dumped them after achieving their aims. Comrade Adun, who attributed all these to poverty, poor implementation of government policies and programmes, corruption, unemployment among others, cautioned youths not to allow themselves be used by Nigerian elites, especially the high ranking politicians to actualise their dreams, just as he advised the government at all levels to pursue youths friendly policies and programmes for rapid developments, because, according to him, no nation in the world today developed without the inputs on the youths as the veritable tools. He especially thanked the Executive Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Aliyu

Hon. Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, for their humanitarian dispositions toward youths empowerment in the state, which have hitherto been deleted by past governments. The Oredo politician, urged youths not to breach the confidence reposed in them by conducting themselves in a manner that would attract praises and developments to the state. He further assured them of his continuous support towards alleviating the poverty level of youths and solicited for their cooperations to promote the course of youths to a greater height, just as he urged the youths to support the governor and his deputy to carry out their responsibilities diligently in the state. On the issues of the rescheduled Wards Congress of the APC in some Local Government Area of the state, Comrade Adun advised party members in the affected wards to shun any forms of violence arising from the conduct and urged them to imbibe in the culture of tolerance and discipline before, during and after the congress for the purposes of peace and love to exist.

L-R: Representative of the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Eugene Eze, Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Saleh and Governor Isa Yuguda, at the presentation of Relief Materials by NEMA to Bauchi State Government in Bauchi recently.

National Youth Council To Train 250 Youths ASABA - The Delta chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) says it will train 250 youths in the 25 local government areas of the state this year. The State Chairman of the council, Mr. Hope George, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Asaba. George said that the youths would be trained in various skills so that they could become selfemployed and productive members of the society.

He said that in addition to reducing unemployment, the programme would also help to keep the youths away from vices. According to him, the trainees will be in two categories comprising secondary school dropouts and unemployed graduates. “‘The unemployed graduates will be trained to acquire entrepreneurial skills, while the secondary school dropouts among them would be engaged

in skills acquisitions programmes. “The skill acquisition programme will cover soap making, tailoring, welding, computer training, hair dressing, catering, bead making and more,” he said. The chairman said that in the course of the training, the youths would acquire skills that would enable them to key into the state government’s youth empowerment programmes.

He said that after the training, they would have the opportunity to benefit from the Delta micro credit scheme. George said that registration for the programme would commence soon in the various local government areas. He told newsmen that the council trained over 500 youths in the state between 2011 and 2013 and that the programme had been helping in solving youth unemployment in the state.

Abuja Child Upbringing

Security Firm To Hold Exhibition

Expert Tasks Parents

ABUJA - Mrs. Abiodun Koleoluwa, an Abuja-based business woman and psychologist, has advised parents to mentor their children to be outstanding in the pursuit of their education. Koleoluwa, who gave the advice in Abuja in an interview with newsmen said that parents should also help their children discover the best method of learning. She said that parents should pay attention to the thing that interest their children and encourage them to do that particular thing well. “Find out what interest your child and help him/her explore that thing. Let your child show you the way he likes to learn. “It is also very important for parents to tune into how their children learn. Many children use a combination of modalities to study and learn. “Some learn visually through making and seeing pictures, others through tactile experiences, like building block towers and working with clay. ‘Still, others are auditory learners who pay most attention to what they hear. They may not learn the same way their siblings or their parents do. “By paying attention to how your child learns, you may be able to pick his interest and follow it up. “You can even explain tough topics by drawing pictures together, creating charts, building models, singing songs and even making up rhymes,” she said. Koleoluwa said that most parents were guilty of not monitoring what their children had learned in school or help them do their assignments. She urged parents to find time to read together with their children and read aloud with them regularly. “If your child is a reluctant reader, reading aloud will expose him/her to the structure and vocabulary of good literature and get him/her interested in reading more. “Also, when we connect with what our children learn every day, it makes learning part of their everyday experience,’’ she said. Koleoluwa said that parents should ensure their children spend minimum time watching television, adding that watching lots of TV programmes do not give children the opportunity to develop their own interests.

“The programmes were the first ever academic programmes to be offered in the world in the field of cultural diplomacy.’’ ICD is an international nonprofit, non-governmental organisation founded in 1999 with headquarters in Berlin, Germany and the U.S.A. The programme is to promote global peace and stability by strengthening and supporting intercultural relations at all levels.

ABUJA - Chief Frank Ohwofa, Managing Director, Homeland Security-Africa, a private security organisation, has said his company would soon organise an exhibition and a conference on protection of lives and property. Ohwofa stated this in Abuja during an interview with newsmen. The security expert said that the conference would identify and highlight new technologies that would help in enhancing security in the country. Ohwofa stressed the need to sensitise the general public on security issues, noting that the people had a key role to play in obtaining, distilling and using information to enhance the nation’s security. He said the conference would also educate security agencies on how to protect informants from being harmed. The managing director dismissed the perception in some quarters that the fight against insurgents was solely for the government to handle, saying that everybody must be involved. “It is we that own this fight and not the government, because we are direct victims of the insurgency; government’s assets destroyed cannot measure up to the lives lost in this fight. “You could also see that most of the top government officials have security agents attached to them for protection, leaving the masses more prone and vulnerable to attacks.

Reuben Abati, stated in Abuja. It said that Jonathan welcomed the ANC’s victory with over 60 per cent of the votes cast in the election to the South African Parliament and provincial legislatures. The president said that the victory was an affirmation of the enduring popularity of President Zuma and the party of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and other great heroes of the anti-apartheid movement. Jonathan also said that the victory was a reaffirmation of the confidence of the majority of the people of South Africa in the ability of the ANC Government to progressively achieve more inclusive national economic development and prosperity. Abati said that President Jonathan and Nigeria felicitated with the people of South Africa on the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections which were the first since the passing L-R: Consultant/Trainer, Nigeria Bible Translation Trust (NBTT), Mr. Jon Lewis, Executive away of Dr. Nelson Mandela. Director, NBTT, Mr. Yakubu La’Ah and Executive Chairman, NBTT, Retired Col. Samuel The president said he Umaru, during an exposition seminar on activities of Nigeria Bible Translation Trust in believed that the elections and Jos Sunday.

the ANC’s fifth consecutive victory at national polls were a well-deserved tribute to the Madiba (Mandela). He said that the Madiba’s contributions to the emergence of a non-racist and truly democratic South Africa remained legendary. Abati said that the president looked forward to continue to work with President Zuma and his ANC Government. According to him, this is with a view to further strengthen the cordial and mutually-beneficial relations between Nigeria and South Africa, especially in the area of bilateral trade and investments. The president also noted that under the continued leadership of the ANC, Nigeria and South Africa would keep on working together with others for the attainment of greater peace, political stability, economic development and progress in all parts of the African continent. He wished President Zuma and the ANC enduring accomplishments in the service of the people of South Africa.

L-R: Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Fulvius Rusticus, German Ambassador, Mrs. Dorothee Janetzke-Wenzel, Baby Arrion, wife of the Head of EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, and the Head, EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS Mr. Micheal Arrion, at a reception to Mark EU Day in Abuja.

German Institute To Offer Scholarships To Nigerian Youths

ABUJA - The Berlin-based Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) said it has concluded arrangements to launch an international programme to support Nigerian youths. The Institute made the disclosure in a statement issued by Mr. Dickson Omorigie, its Country Representative, made available to newsmen in Abuja. The statement quoted Omorigie as saying that the programme would be within the framework of enabling greater access to educational and professional development opportunities. He said the development opportunities would include financial scholarships for more Nigerians. He added that the organisation would officially launch the programme during an international conference scheduled to hold in Abuja in

September. The country representative stated that “in the framework of this programme to support Nigerian youths, the ICD will enable access to higher education opportunities and university programmes for thousands of Nigerians in Europe. “Ìt will also open an international career centre in Abuja and Berlin, where Nigerian citizens will be able to receive professional support and information, as well as job opportunities.’’ Omorigie said that the organisation would offer free training courses for young Nigerian professionals both domestically and in Europe. According to the statement, the training will be dedicated to providing the participants with professional development skills and strategies for professional success both at

home and abroad. “Since 2011, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy successfully developed BA, MA and PhD graduate programmes to students from around the world. “The programmes were codeveloped with Furtwangen University, the University of Bucharest, the University of Siena, the University of Mauritius and Babes-Bolyai University.

Election Victory: ABUJA President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated President Jacob Zuma and his party, the African National Congress (ANC) on their resounding victory in the South African general elections. A statement by the Presidential Spokesperson, Dr

Jonathan Congratulates Zuma

Business + Economy NSA’s Office Mulls Crisis Response Training For Maritime Sector ABUJA- The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said in Abuja that it was coordinating a Crisis Response Training for agencies in the maritime sector. This is contained in a statement signed jointly by Lt. Cdr Way Olabisi for Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Mr Karounwi Adekunle, Special Adviser Media to the NSA. It listed the participating agencies to include the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Port Authority, Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service. The statement said that the office was working in conjunction with the European Critical Maritime Routes in the Gulf of Guinea (CRIMGO) to enhance inter-agency cooperation in maritime crisis situation. “ The training exercise, which is being hosted by the Headquarters Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos, focuses on four specific objectives.

“These are; building a common understanding of the scale of the threat in the Gulf of Guinea and the need to address it among the countries in the region and the international community. “Helping governments of the region build robust institutions, maritime administrations and multi-agency capabilities to ensure maritime awareness, security and the rule of law along the coast. ‘’Supporting prosperous economies in the region in line with national and regional development strategies, “To create employment and

assist vulnerable communities to build resilience and resist criminal or violent activities. “Strengthening cooperation between the countries of the region and the regional organisations to enable them to take the necessary actions to mitigate the threats at sea and on land. ” it said. The statement explained that the training, which is ongoing since May 8, would terminate with a joint sea exercise, code named ‘EXERCISE AJOWA’ on May 12, at a location 8 nautical miles South East of the Lagos Fairway Bouy.

Women purchasing plantain at Zuba fruit market in Abuja on Sunday.

FG Urges Banks To Fund Solid Minerals Sector

ABUJA - The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has appealed to banks in Nigeria to fund the solid minerals sector with a view to boosting the national economy. Mr Obiora Azubike, the Director of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Department in the ministry, made the call while speaking to newsmen in Abuja. He said that commercial banks in South Africa, Canada and Australia were funding mining

operations in those countries, adding that the bulk of these countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) were derived from mining. Azubike said that if banks could finance the mining sector in other countries, Nigerian banks should also participate in funding solid mineral sector in the country.

Men selling water melon at Zuba fruit market in Abuja on Sunday.

“In South Africa, banks are the key financiers of mining activities; even in Canada, they are supporting mining. “But our banks are not funding mining sector, why,’’ he asked. Azubike stressed the need to encourage banks to participate in developing the sector, saying that this would facilitate industrialisation, generate more jobs and additional revenue. The director said that the World Bank, through its Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project, had trained bankers on ways to interprete the feasibility studies in the mining sector. He said that during the training, series of meetings were held between some commercial banks, including the NigeriaExport Import Bank, on the possibility of granting loans to miners. Azubuike said the ministry initially felt that the banks did not understand the mining mechanisms. He said it later become clear that the banks were only shying away from granting loans to miners because of the long gestation period of mining.

Dangote Group To Invest $2.3bn In Northern Nigeria

ABUJA- The Dangote Group has pledged to invest 2.3 billion dollars in sugar-cane and rice production in the Northern part of the country by 2017. The Executive Director, Dangote Group, Alhaji Mansur Ahmed, made the pledge in his speech at the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and United States Investors’ Summit held in Abuja. “In three to five years Dangote Group would be investing about 2.3 billion dollars in the Northern part of the country, the current

investment is low and we are prepared to upscale it,’’ he said. He said that the conglomerate would require about 250,000 hectares of land for sugar cane production and 130,000 hectares for rice farming. Ahmed explained that the investment was capable of generating a total of 180,000 direct employment for the inhabitants of the region. The Executive Director said: “the group will not be deterred

by the security situation in the region.’’ “There is nothing wrong attracting foreign investors to the country. “But I think it will work well for all of us if local investors set the pace as that would raise the confidence level of other conglomerates to do business here. “So Dangote Group is prepared to lead the way for the industrialisation of the north and

the country as a whole,’’ he said. Ahmed explained that the region had comparative advantage in several areas, adding that it was time to rise above sentiment to improve the socio-economic status of the region. “Northern Nigeria has comparative advantage in all fronts to feed the World with agro-allied products. “The leaders of the region must continue to provide good leadership that would promote enterprise,’’ he added.

The director said that the ministry had invited bankers to its seminars and conferences to sensitise them on the need to extend credit facilities to miners. He said that most of the bankers complained that returns on mining were very slow and that recouping investments in the minerals sector might be somewhat difficult. “They said that if the same money is invested in other sectors, the returns on investment will be guaranteed and faster,’’ he said. He, however, observed that if miners were given bank loans at their high interest rates, it would be quite difficult for the beneficiary miners to have a breakthrough. Azubike appealed to the banks to fund and support the development of mining operations in the country.

“Banks should look at the mining sector and support its development because if the sector is properly developed, it will be in the interest of everybody,’’ he said. The director commended the World Bank for its 120-milliondollar mining development grant, adding that artisanal and small-scale miners got 10 million dollars from the grant for their activities. “The World Bank had actually committed money for the development of the mining sector. UNIDO is also doing something to assist the sector,’’ he said. Azubike said that the Australian Government was also assisting the ministry in the training of its officers in new mining technologies. He said that the Canadian government was currently sponsoring studies in some areas of the country’s mining sector via the World Bank.

ABUJA- Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue has urged investors to utilise the friendly atmosphere of the state to invest in agriculture and energy. Suswam made the call while speaking to newsmen at the venue of the joint Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and United States Investors’ Summit held in Abuja. The governor said the state required investment in agriculture and energy in order to realise its status of being called the “food basket of the nation.’’ He explained that adding value to agriculture produce entailed stable electricity, adding that Benue was yet to be linked to the national grid since its creation in 1976. Suswam declared that infrastructure deficit being

experienced by states in the north; especially Benue made the region a destination point for investors in the sector. He said that Northern governors were making efforts to reposition the region. “Benue state has coal and with the recent discovery of gas in commercial quantity, exploring and exploiting energy to support industrialisation in the state has become profitable,’’ he said. Noting that River Benue was a huge resource that must be exploited, the governor warned that improper management of the water could aggravate extinction of the ecosystem. On the clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state, the governor said the situation had been brought under control.

Suswan Woos Investors

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (12/05/14) Stocks

Open

Change

Deals

Units

Value

NESTLE

1070

1057.3

-12.7

138,503

146,960,373.20

2018

2036

34,612.00

18,000

9,000.00

7UP

85.8

3.8

192,959

16,292,739.98

NEWGOLD

ABCTRANS

0.84

30,400

24,892.00

NIGERINS

0.5

ACCESS

9.4

9.19

-0.21

23,296,456

213,218,317.10

NNFM

22.01

418.2

AFRIPRUD

3.2

3.16

-0.04

4,748,599

15,013,852.92

NPFMCRFBK

0.95

820,636

760,972.83

AGLEVENT

1.6

1.52

-0.08

235,302

358,139.04

NSE30

1737.43

1740.9

3.47

156,258,604

3,453,103,218.00

1884.74

1886.65

1.91

178,296,619

3,657,661,465.00

950.94

1,876,867

2,402,389.76

AIICO

0.8

0.79

-0.01

778,238

615,592.72

NSE50

AIRSERVICE

2.24

2.15

-0.09

169,878

375,291.62

NSEASEM

ARBICO

5.3

124

624.96

NSEASI

38554.19

38560.69

6.5

230,247,196

4,028,242,562.00

ASHAKACEM

20.98

20.01

-0.97

711,096

14,274,077.69

NSEBNK

398.03

398.53

0.5

100,939,686

1,334,078,932.00

BECOPETRO

0.5

281

140.5

NSECNSMRGDS

955.24

955.81

0.57

17,699,592

1,403,727,265.00

2506.94

2521.7

14.76

2,731,201

307,565,876.10 12,406,539.89

BERGER

9.5

9.82

0.32

289,950

2,816,294.52

NSEINDUSTR

BETAGLAS

18.9

359.2

NSEINS

141.84

140.78

-1.06

17,047,119

CADBURY

71.32

67.8

-3.52

127,541

8,751,322.44

NSELOTUSISLM

2692.3

2691.79

-0.51

12,082,611

640,380,862.20

CAP

25,102

979,488.30

NSEOILGAS

322.97

322.65

-0.32

4,216,376

114,179,884.70

CAPHOTEL

4.55

100

433

NSLTECH

0.5

100

15.97

-0.03

3,786,432

60,278,151.89

0.55

0.53

-0.02

1,405,100

744,803.00

CCNN

9.3

155,869

1,457,162.41

OANDO

CHAMPION

13.79

2,400

31,464.00

OASISINS

CHAMS

0.5

61,800

30,900.00

OMATEK

0.5

300,100

150,050.00

CONOIL

49.2

17,129

815,496.53

PHARMDEKO

1.57

100

157

CONTINSURE

1.04

1.05

0.01

945,000

991,404.55

PORTPAINT

4.41

4.63

0.22

156,805

726,007.15

35.2

35.01

-0.19

255,592

8,958,596.18

0.58

104,763

59,667.28

CORNERST

0.5

30,829

15,418.50

PRESCO

COSTAIN

1.3

145,779

191,762.94

PRESTIGE

0.58

COURTVILLE

0.71

29,500

20,060.00

35.5

218,401

7,687,023.17

CUSTODYINS

2.93

2.79

-0.14

2,814,811

8,005,163.94

REDSTAREX

4.51

4.4

-0.11

351,300

1,543,240.00

CUTIX

1.8

1.89

0.09

53,333

100,299.42

ROYALEX

0.62

0.59

-0.03

146,888

86,663.92

1.19

1.14

-0.05

295,825

337,240.50 1,534.39

CWG

5.48

20,000

104,200.00

RTBRISCOE

DAARCOMM

0.5

1,000

500

SCOA

5.06

319

DANGCEM

224

225

1,212,975

273,219,116.90

SEPLAT

682.33

650.11

-32.22

428,124

283,597,910.20

DANGFLOUR

120,558

954,686.49

SKYEBANK

3.65

3.7

0.05

3,545,188

12,994,815.08

DANGSUGAR

9.2

9.3

0.1

774,170

7,136,562.42

SOVRENINS

0.5

15,100

7,550.00

0.5

8,800

4,400.00

DIAMONDBNK

6.36

6.4

0.04

4,661,737

29,882,731.47

STACO

ETERNA

3.61

5,847

20,055.21

STANBIC

21.2

-0.8

857,173

18,184,120.09

ETI

13.01

0.01

396,884

5,194,094.25

STERLNBANK

2.2

2,531,501

5,585,252.67

EVANSMED

2.7

4,000

10,280.00

TOTAL

155.35

160

4.65

54,795

8,746,634.50

FBNH

13.03

13.17

0.14

22,176,534

291,138,862.10

TOURIST

3.88

110

407

3.7

3.63

-0.07

11,745,853

42,814,094.38

2.13

12,000

26,280.00

FCMB

3.62

3.74

0.12

5,292,028

19,684,713.68

TRANSCORP

FIDELITYBK

1.95

17,414,017

33,955,874.97

TRANSEXPR

FIDSON

2.36

2.43

0.07

1,185,063

2,905,605.61

UAC-PROP

22.1

-0.9

1,345,250

29,953,300.56

FLOURMILL

79,739

5,546,553.39

UACN

547,348

30,660,969.13

FTNCOCOA

0.5

29,607

14,803.50

UBA

6.77

6.8

0.03

12,336,325

83,775,967.50

2.3

2.34

0.04

18,147,314

41,437,977.67

GLAXOSMITH

68.3

-1.7

233,277

15,868,844.81

UBCAP

GUARANTY

26.85

23,033,489

617,125,049.80

UBN

10.19

-0.19

1,684,242

16,843,965.32

GUINEAINS

0.5

8,000

4,000.00

UNHOMES

0.5

25,050

12,525.00

GUINNESS

180

60,774

10,911,545.35

UNILEVER

48.68

0.32

772,803

37,623,957.88

HONYFLOUR

3.77

3.79

0.02

827,924

3,127,073.31

UNIONDICON

14.11

2,000

26,820.00

0.5

1,045,000

522,500.00 5,000,000.00

IKEJAHOTEL

0.58

250,070

146,620.60

UNITYBNK

INFINITY

1.61

5,000

8,400.00

UNIVINSURE

0.5

10,000,000

INTBREW

20,415

510,620.80

UPDCREIT

11.02

10,000

104,700.00

INTENEGINS

0.51

0.52

0.01

6,808,581

3,420,065.21

UPL

3.97

74,932

295,335.84

IPWA

0.52

78,000

40,480.00

UTC

0.51

71,734

37,301.68

17.5

17.56

0.06

5,100

89,506.00

4.18

4.24

0.06

284,499

1,188,368.94

JAPAULOIL

0.5

122,507

61,253.50

VETGRIF30

JBERGER

68.5

71.91

3.41

160,000

11,499,708.90

VITAFOAM

JOSBREW

3.42

15,000

48,750.00

WAPCO

110

111.04

1.04

126,051

13,993,070.51

LEARNAFRCA

1.52

1.59

0.07

366,745

582,674.55

WAPIC

0.76

0.79

0.03

2,073,507

1,635,756.02

LIVESTOCK

3.47

3.3

-0.17

369,194

1,226,406.20

WEMABANK

0.97

0.95

-0.02

466,196

443,563.40

ZENITHBANK

22.63

22.74

0.11

14,105,152

320,644,552.90

MANSARD

2.34

2.25

-0.09

1,063,096

2,401,660.80

MAYBAKER

1.7

1.65

-0.05

781,146

1,308,398.64

MOBIL

135.87

131

-4.87

74,446

9,845,610.40

MRS

51.72

50,020

2,457,982.80

MULTITREX

0.5

3,637

1,818.50

NAHCO

5.07

5.28

0.21

622,442

3,251,389.29

NASCON

11.91

11.82

-0.09

6,908,691

80,800,368.88

149

151.01

2.01

7,172,595

1,076,235,651.00

NEM

0.82

0.85

0.03

2,018,586

1,670,490.02

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NEWGOLD NSEINDUSTR NSEASI TOTAL 7UP NSE30 JBERGER NB NSE50 WAPCO

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS

Gain

2036 2521.7 38560.69 160 85.8 1740.9 71.91 151.01 1886.65 111.04

18 14.76 6.5 4.65 3.8 3.47 3.41 2.01 1.91 1.04

Stock SEPLAT 32.22 NESTLE 12.7 MOBIL 4.87 CADBURY 3.52 GLAXOSMITH NSEINS 1.06 ASHAKACEM 0.97 UAC-PROP STANBIC NSELOTUSISLM 0.51

Close 650.11 1057.3 131 67.8 68.3 140.78 20.01 22.1 21.2 2691.79

Loss -1.7 -0.9 -0.8 -

THE crushing poverty level in today’s Nigeria has become so overwhelming that over 70 percent of Nigerians have unwittingly bowed to the pangs of biting hardship. POVERTY is today a generic term and has been so since attempts at its classification by various study and academic groups with Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) ever more vehement and critical on the problems associated with large scale poverty and ways to improve the economic status of those classified in the group. SOCIAL scientists in attempt at plausible stratification and definition of the term find it necessary to contrast it with such opposite terms as richness, wealth, comfort, affluence and the likes as the terms carry inherent semantic undertones that most climes solicit sympathy, empathy and compassion from those afflicted with the plague which poverty has come to symbolise. HOWEVER, by daily interactions within society and among communities and nations, it is clear that poverty has striking universal perception and similarities because of its cross country feature and characteristics. The basic feature being that people suffer hunger and deprivation with not enough to eat, lack shelter and clothing as well as basic necessities required for human existence. FOR instance, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights aptly sums up poverty as a “human condition characterized by the sustained or chronic deprivation of the resources, capabilities choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of all adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”. THERE is, as a result, conscious efforts by many organizations to mitigate time harsh effect of poverty which is more endemic in developing countries and many parts of Asia

THE NIGERIAN

Reducing Poverty In Nigeria while in Nigeria, government’s effort at providing palliatives and putting in place workable measures from some of its economic policies that cause poverty shocks are yet to yield the desired impact. IT is the concern for the world’s poor and to find solution to speeding poverty crisis that the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is celebrated worldwide in order to push people up the ladder of comfort where health care, food, shelter, clothing’s among others are assured the citizenry without experiencing the pain of deprivation. IN Nigeria, however, government has put in place social programmes as National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS), the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to tackle problem of youth unemployment, a crucial poverty indicator among the socio cultural stratification. IT presents a sad scenario that despite several policy initiatives the menace of poverty is a staggering reality and may have accounted for the loophole in myriad of social vices, most notably are high incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping, corruption, advance fee fraud (419), prostitution Rings, human trafficking and “the likes perpetuated and perpetrated by the authors as the quickest route to scale the poverty barrier. THE United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP) in its 2011 Human, development report on Nigeria, states that 64.4 per cent of Nigerians are in abject poverty while massive unemployment of people and the under utilization of resources are the order of the day. Since the report, nothing about the poverty level changed dramatically. IN assessing Nigeria’s poverty level, based on its oil wealth which it described as a mixed blessing, the report explained that it was not the oil resources that are the problem, but the management of those resources. A general overview of Nigeria’s poverty crisis indicates therefore that there is a fundamental problem which the Federal Government needs to identify and tackle in order to address the continuing poverty level in Nigeria. The NIGERIAN OSERVER urges the government to re-appraise some of its economic policies and those geared towards poverty eradication. Beside, it is remarkable that government insensitivity to suggestions put forward to it is increasing and is not being addressed as they should. A holistic reappraisal is therefore inevitable at all sectors of the economy and mitigating measures put in place if government is to succeed in it poverty eradication drive. IN the face of glaring discontent at the increasing poverty level, the World Bank proffered in its report that “oil and natural gas will generate continuing wealth for many years on which Nigeria can build, if it manages this wealth well. If it channels more of this wealth to the development of its people and to the productive use of its land and other resources, then Nigeria has a promising Future”. WE implore the Federal Government to continue to put policy measures in place to scale down poverty level. Corporate bodies and organisation can play a part by partnering with the various governments to alleviate poverty in the land.

Issues Health WOMEN face special stresses, and have unique needs when it comes to stress relievers and healthy lifestyle choices. The following are different ways women can make lifestyle changes to promote their health. Social support can be a great stress reliever. Friends can help us in many ways, from offering a supportive ear to lending a helping hand. Studies have shown that those who have strong social support tend to be healthier, happier and less stressed. For women, especially, this is an important part of life to nurture, as women tend to deal with stress more often by sharing feelings and forming supportive networks. One stumbling block to friendships for women is that we find ourselves more and more busy these days. Demands of work, children, or other commitments can take over the time that was previously free to pursue friendships, so it’s important for women to make an effort to develop social support in their lives. Women today play many roles at once, and because any one of these roles can be all consuming, finding the right balance of time to devote to different areas of life can require strategic planning. However, without planning, prioritizing and paring down, commitments can take over every spare moment of time, leaving little or no time in a woman’s schedule for important and self-nurturing activities Like “ time”, friendships and even sleep. DOWN TIME With our busy lives, its easy to find that, after fitting all responsibilities into your schedule, there’s little time left over for hobbies, exercise, “down time”, or even enough sleep - the “me time” activities that really help manage stress! It’s important for women, including mothers, to take regular time to do things that nurture our souls and keep us feeling alive; if we don’t , we could face burnout, and we won’t be as helpful to others in our lives anyway. A regular

stress management practice is a must, and it can come in the form of a hobby, a type of exercise, a tension taming practice, or some other habit, but its important to make the for such things that can keep you feeling your best. EXERCISE As our society becomes more health-conscious, there has been an increased focus on the importance of exercise. Many people exercise to control weight and get in better physical condition to become more healthy or physically attractive, but exercise and stress management are also closely linked. Exercise can be an extremely effective stress reliever for several reasons: DISTRACTION Physical activity itself can take your mind off of your problems and either redirect it on the activity at hand or get you into a lighter mood. Exercise usually involves a change of scenery as well, either taking you to a gym, a dojo, a boxing ring, a park, a scenic mountain, a biking trail or a neighbourhood side walk, all of which can be pleasant, low stress places. RESILIENCE TO STRESS That’s right; research suggests that physical activity may be linked to tower physiological reactivity toward stress. Simply put, those who get more exercise may become less affected by the stress they face. So, in addition to all the other benefits, exercise may supply some immunity toward future stress as well as a way to cope with current stress. If that’s not a great reason to get more active, I don’t know what is! FRIENDSHIPS Research shows that healthy and supportive relationships can reduce stress and improve your overall health and sense of well-being. However, all relationship are not equally supportive. Building a network of supportive friends, or even just one supportive relationship, can be vital to

Stress And Women’s Health By ELIZABETH SCOTT

your well being. SLEEP Why A Power Nap? Facts on sleep: While small children typically take naps in the afternoon, our culture generally frowns upon midday sleep; however, even in those who get enough sleep (but particularly in those who don’t). many people experience a natural increase in drowsiness in the afternoon, about 8 hours after waking. And research shows that you can make yourself more

accident. (Interestingly, too much steep-more than 9 hours-can actually be harmful for your health; recent studies show that those who steep more than 9 hours per day don’t live as tong as their 8hour-sleep counterparts!) THE EFFECTS OF MISSED SLEEP: Sleep is cumulative; if you loose steep one day, you feet it the next. If you miss adequate sleep several days in a row, you build up a “sleep

hours of morning steep have special benefits of their own). The body seems to be designed for this, as most people bodies naturally become more tired in the afternoon, about 8 hours after we wake up. HOW LONG SHOULD I SLEEP? When you sleep you pass through different stages of steep, known together as a sleep cycle. These stage include tight sleep, deep steep

alert, reduce stress and improve cognitive functioning with a nap. Midday sleep, or a “power nap”, means more patience, less stress, better reaction time, increased learning, more efficiency and better health. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of steep and how a power nap can help you! HOW MUCH SLEEP DO YOU NEED? The body needs 7 - 8 hours of steep per day; 6 hours or less triples your risk of a car

deficit”, which impairs the following- reaction time; judgment; vision; information processing; short-term memory; performance; motivation; vigilance; patience. Fatigued people also experience more moodiness, aggressive behaviors, burnout and more stress. THE BENEFIT OF A POWER NAP: Studies show that 20 minutes of sleep in the afternoon provides more rest than 20 minutes more steep in the morning (though the East two

(which is believed to be the stage in which the body repairs itself), and rapid-eye movement steep or REM steep (during which the mind is repaired.) Many experts advise to keep the nap between 15 and 30 minutes, as steeping longer gets you into deeper stages of sleep, from which its more difficult to awaken. Also, longer naps can make it more difficult to fall asleep at night, specially if your sleep deficit is relatively small. However, research has shown that a 1 hour nap has many more restorative effects than a 30 minutes nap, including a much greater improvement in cognitive functioning. The key to taking a longer nap is to get a sense of how long your sleep cycles are, and try to awaken at the end of a sleep cycle.

“Research shows that healthy and supportive relationships can reduce stress and improve your overall health and sense of well-being. However, all relationship are not equally supportive. Building a network of supportive friends, or even just one supportive relationship, can be vital to your well being.”

(It’s actually more the interruption of the sleep cycle that makes you groggy, rather than the deeper states of sleep.) As there are pros and cons to each length of sleep, you may want to let your schedule decide; if you only have 15 minutes to spare, take them! But if you could work in an hour nap, you may do well to complete a whole sleep cycle, even if it means less sleep at night. If you only have 5 minutes to spare, just close

your eyes; even a brief rest has the benefit of reducing stress and helping you relax a little, which can give you more energy to complete the tasks of your day. TIPS FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE NAP If you want to obtain more sleep, and the health benefits that go with getting enough sleep, here are some tips for more effective napping and sleep at night: • Avoid caffeine after 3.00p.m. It a stimulant that can disrupt your steep and stay in your system longer than you think; its half-life is four to six hours! • If you don’t want to nap a long time, set an alarm. * If you don’t have time for a power nap, or don’t feel comfortable napping during the day, try meditation; it gives your body a rest and produces slower brain waves similar to sleep.

Nutritional Health And Dietetics

Health Is Wealth

IT is often said that Health is wealth and only healthy person thinks and plans on what to do, to better his or her lot. Health according to WHO does not necessarily mean mere absence of disease or infirmity, but a complete physical, mental and social wellbeing of an individual. There are illnesses or sicknesses that require that the victim be placed on therapeutic diet as good food or meal is equally regarded as good drugs. It is hard for one who feeds well to be attacked by some of those many diseases which are rampant with many people in the society. Good feeding helps to build up the body nutrients, which in turn, is ever ready to fight against foreign bodies. Adequate diet could do the magic. You can live to 100 years if you cherished fresh food, instead of fast foods or processed or canned foods. Common nutrient deficiencies nutrient deficiency can lead to anemia, kwashiorkor, marasmus, scurvy and other deficiency is a common problem which can lead to osteoporosis, but it cannot be corrected easily later in life by eating calcium rich foods. The risk of osteoporosis is influenced by the diet eaten before the age of 35 years. Nutritionists say that nutritional disorders are caused either by a deficiency of the correct nutrient in a diet or by a failure of the body to assimilate the correct nutrients. There can also, be too much of a nutrient in the diet such as excess of carbohydrates-obesity. Conditions such as appendicitis, constipation, diverticulitisis diseases and irritable bowel syndrome are aggravated by a diet rich in refined carbohydrates and containing little vegetables fibres/roughages are important ingredients of any balanced diet. Many people who drink too much alcohol, eat too little food is the cause of many problems, such as,

cirrhosis-liver cancer or problems. Nutritional disorders can also, result from fad or crash diets, voluntary or psychological refusal to eat some or all foods or from an increased intake of food. A healthy appetite is one of the greatest assets in life.

with plummer-vinson syndrome and iron deficiency anemia. (James William) Spoon-shaped or spooning fingernails refers to concavity in the fingernail itself resulting in a depression in the nail that gives an appearance of a

deficiency (Fawcett, Roberts, et all). On the other hand, overload of iron in the body scientifically known as hemochromatosis rest to bone pain, joint pain, neck stiffiness and headaches in the sinus region, fatigue, lightheadedness etc.

The whole body seems to respond to the sight, smell and taste of a well-prepared meal. Every organ responds to the occasion. The glands work more vigorously, the digestive organs operate more efficiently, and the nervous tensions relax. That is why eating is such a pleasure, especially when you are healthy. Koilonychias is as a result of nutrient deficiency. It is also, known as spoon nails. It is a nail disease, that can be a sign of hypo chromic anemia. It refers to abnormally thin nails (usually of the hand) which have lost their convexity, becoming flat or even concave in shape. In a sense, koilonychias is the opposite of nail clubbing. Koilonychia is associated

spoon shape to the entire nail. This growth disturbance in the nail is medically known as koilonychia. The spoon is typically such that water droplet maybe placed and held in the depression within the nail. The pattern can sometimes be seen in normal infants, but it disappears as the child ages. Koillonychia is a component of the nail patella syndrome, a genetic disease characterized by numerous abnormalities including musculoskeletal and kidney abnormalities. Spooning finger can also, result from trauma, exposure to certain solvents or it maybe associated with chronic medical conditions. In particular, koilonychias is associated with iron

Nutritional disorders can usually be cured or prevented by eating a varied, well-balanced diet. All health professionals, especially, nutritionist dieteticians can help you plan an appropriate diet, if necessary. A healthy diet should provide the body with all of the substances necessary to maintain growth, to keep in good health and to repair damaged tissues. A healthy diet is based on three things moderation (not too much of one thing and not too little). Variety (within the food groups as well as between the different food group) and balanced a match between intake of calories and body’s energy needs). Whenever you eat something very salty, you

With

O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608 crave something very sweet afterward. It is a body’s way of trying to balance the food you eat. For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. This is a law of nature. It cannot be changed. These forces are complementary opposites and everything exists in a constant state of flux between these two forces. Eating certain foods together interferes with digestion, which ultimately leads to poor health and unwanted excess rounds or kilograms. Eating starch-rich foods in combination with proteinrich foods is the most common mistake people make in their diet. Avoiding this mistake is the underlying premise behind food combining, because eating proteins and starches together unnecessarily, taxes the digestive system, proteins and starches requires different digestive enzymes which function at different PH levels in the body. Pepsin digests protein in the highly acidic environment of the stomach and starches prefer alkaline environments such as the intestine. Combing these two types of food, Dr. Hay said traps them and slows down the digestive process. The undigested food causes digestive problem such as gas, bloating, constipation and weight gain. The digestive process Dr. Hay said zaps more energy from us than any other bodily function. Food combining is a simple plan to follow and if practiced properly, will result in

“Nutritionists say that nutritional disorders are caused either by a deficiency of the correct nutrient in a diet or by a failure of the body to assimilate the correct nutrients. There can also, be too much of a nutrient in the diet such as excess of carbohydrates-obesity.”

preserving your health and vitality. One really simple way to understand why food combining works is a lesson in chemistry. Imagin your stomach as a beaker. When you eat a protein (fish, chicken, meat, eggs, dairy), your mouth sends a signal to the brain to put an acid-base in the stomach to digest the protein. When you eat a starch (bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, grains), your mouth sends a different signal to brain to send an alkaline base to digest it. Acids and alkaline neutralize each other. When you eat proteins and starches together, everything gets neutralized, and nothing gets digested. Its scientific. We derive absolutely no nutritional value from undigested food. Infact, food that is left undigested, just rots in our stomachs. The rotting causes a toxic response by turning into poison and alcohol, leaving us with a toxic mess worse than Chernobly to clean up. Once we eat, food has two choices: it either digests or it doesn’t, proper combination leaves up with only one choice, and that is, proper digestion. It also, sets a stage for more energy and less weight. If you try only food combining and eliminating dairy from your diet, you will not believe how dramatically your body will respond. It is right at your doorstep or on your plate. Best guidelines-do not mix acid and or sub-acid fruits with sweet fruits at the same meal. Fats and oils combine with everything except fruits but should be used in limited amounts because, while they won’t inhibit digestion, they will slow it down. Wait for the following length of time, between meals that do not combine. Two hours after eating fruits, three hours after eating starches etc.

Avoiding The Ides Of 2015

Cutting Edge With Obuseh Jude

2015 is a year of great expectations; a year that is pregnant with a simulacrum of shocks and surprises; a year that is expected to be defined by awe-inspiring occurrences. Come this magical year, the future of the Nigerian State and its people will be ultimately tested and decided by the

frightening omens that have been divined for Nigeria by soothsayers from home and abroad; premonitions of a tragic fate that will befall the Nigeria State and its people. Apart from being a general election year, when the citizenry will, once more, attempt to alter the leadership structures, as

being expressed across the country and beyond as bookmakers and casual observers of the macabre dance of death on the national stage continue to ponder on what will be state of the Nigerian State when 2015 comes. Some of the questions that have been raised by the dress

internecine struggle for the resources and the minds of the Nigerian State and its people by the greedy political class; a zero-sum struggle for the very soul of

interplay of all the forces animating its institutional structures - the drivers of the leviathan -in tandem with those of its occupantsthe general populace. From the East to the West, North to South, forces, both of divine and human contriving, will move to shape the “New Nigeria”. The march to 2015, since it commenced, has thrown up plethora of pertinent questions; questions that are due mainly to the

currently constituted - an election that has been defined as a potential war by pundits - 2015 is expected to play host to other cataclysmic events, one being the expected balkanization of Nigeria, as forecasted by the doomsday prophets. There is a maxim that, “the anticipation of death is worse than death itself”; a saying that is being literally played out by the general apprehension and paranoia

rehearsals to 2015 are: Come 2015, what will be the fate of the Nigerian State? Will the federation remain standing when this highly anticipated year comes, or will it crumble like a pack of Dominoes? If this giant edifice crumbles what will its fragments metamorphose into? If it remains intact what will its new form look like? Put more succinctly, what is likely to break up the Nigerian Federation? Is the

Nigeria that threatens the continuation of the union as currently constituted, if care is not taken? Will it be a culmination of the raging war of attrition between the Nigerian State and insurgent groups in the North Eastern part of the country; a war that has stretched the Country’s military capability to breaking point? Will it be a fall-out of the visceral animosities among the various ethnic and other

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“Put more succinctly, what is likely to break up the Nigerian Federation? Is the internecine struggle for the resources and the minds of the Nigerian State and its people by the greedy political class; a zero-sum struggle for the very soul of Nigeria that threatens the continuation of the union as currently constituted, if care is not taken?”

nationalists groups domiciled within the borders of the country that goes back to antiquity; an issue that has constantly pushed the country closer to the precipice? Or will it come in the form of a general uprising by the disenchanted populace whose tolerance of the intransigencies of the unpatriotic political establishment might finally run out consequent to the events of 2015? The arrowhead of the secret services of the United States of America, the civilian branch of its military, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) — the world’s master spy agency — has predicted that Nigeria will crumble come 2015. The agency went ahead to list a plethora of structural/background, in tandem with other exacerbating, factors that are likely to result in the expected breakup of the country. Since then, events in the country have been playing out in precisely the pattern suggested by the CIA’s forecast, despite claims to the contrary by the authorities who have attempted to douse the general asseverating trepidation this American prediction has generated by painting it as a mere ruse without substance. However, CIA prediction aside, the early warning signs of a country in critical ferment are there for all discerning and impassioned observers of the endless dramas on Nigeria’s political stage to see. From an emasculating state of asphyxiating insecurity that has cast a thick cloak of fear across the country, an oppressed and angry populace at the brink of revolt, a power obsessed and drunk political class at daggers drawn, worsening

inter-group relations that threatens to explode into allout confrontations, to legions of other potential forces (centripetal and centrifugal, state and nonstate) of open violence, the Nigerian State teeters precariously on the jagged edge of a deep gorge; a little nudge and it could go splattering catastrophically down the hill — sucked into an infinite black hole. Like Humpty Dumpty, whose fall was so great that all the Kings horses and men could not put him together again in the popular nursery rhyme of old - the Nigerian State is at the brink of imminent implosion. That is the truth of the matter. Just in the same manner Spurina - the Roman Haruspex - warned the Great Julius Caesar about the imminent Ides of March, prior to his gruesome assassination on the floor of the Roman Senate by Senators Brutus, Cassius and other co-conspirators, the forecasts of an obviating apocalypse in Nigeria come 2015 by the prophets of doom — or at any possible future date for that matter — together with the early warning symptoms rearing their ugly heads in these dark times, should not be taken with a pinch of salt. In the face of recent tragedies that have stimulated the country’s gradual descent into anarchy of the atavistic kind, all stakeholders - local and international – must take steps to prevent the worst possible scenarios from rearing their ugly heads. We must beware of the “Ides of 2015”. It is an avoidable iceberg that must not be allowed to capsize our ship of state. God save Nigeria! Mr. Obuseh Jude, a peace researcher and practitioner, writes from Benin City, Edo State.

Perspective THE series of UN world conferences held in the 1990s were from the very beginning intended to create an integrated global agenda for development. They were designed not only to achieve concrete programmes of action, but also to open the world’s eyes to the reality that the issues they addressed were interconnected. As mentioned earlier, all of them were also strongly linked to women’s lives: the environment, human rights, sexuality and family planning, social development and poverty, as well as food and human settlements. Furthermore, the UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali stated in his introductory Overview to the UN Blue Book Series on The Advancement of Women in early I 990s that “the goals they ( the conferences) seek are all dependent upon the advancement of women” (United Nations, 1995b, paragraph 220). With this statement the Secretary-General made it clear that the Fourth World Conference on Women 1995, being one of the series, was also a very particular one, since its outcome were to be decisively important to the implementation of all the others. It was already known from December 1990 that the Fourth World Conference on Women would be held in 1995. This awareness influenced and gave direction to the work of preceding conferences, and women’s activism in connection with them. But it was particularly effective to mobilize women and raise their awareness with the view to the forthcoming Conference on Women. In December 1992 the General Assembly accepted China’s invitation and confirmed that the Fourth World Conference on Women would be held in Beijing from 4-15 September 1995. However, the gathering of the world’s women in China’s capital would prove more complicated than anticipated. The challenges were both political and practical; political reasons were often presented by the Chinese hosts as “technical problems,” and practical organization problems were turned into, and interpreted as, “political problems.” Women all over the world were asking themselves if holding a world conference in Beijing would imply supporting the Chinese government, which many regarded as totalitarian and a major violator of human rights. They wondered which would be the best way to support change in the lives of Chinese women: go there and participate in the conference in order to bring the diversity of women’s thoughts and views to the doorsteps of the Chinese, or boycott the Chinese government by staying at home? Originally the NGO Forum was to be held in a large sports stadium in central Beijing, a site considered appropriate for accommodating tens of thousands of people. However, the Forum ended up being located in Huairou, a small town some 60 kilometres (about 40 miles) from the centre of Beijing. In Huairou the necessary meeting facilities and accommodation would have to be constructed. Transport connections from Beijing were by no means adequate to serve the large number of people who would be attending the Forum. The Chinese government promised that all necessary structures would be built and transport problems solved in time. The Greatest Success of All Time The Beijing Conference was a massive success both in terms of its size and results. The official conference was attended by the delegations of 189 governments, more than any other UN conference. It had some 17,000 participants with 6,000 government delegates, more than 4,000 accredited NGO representatives, about 4,000 journalists, and many officials from all the organizations of the UN system. The NGO Forum also broke all records, despite the fact that meeting facilities in Huairou were limited and hotels still uncompleted. In addition, its streets and alleys were turned into mud baths every other day by torrential rains. Some 30,000 participants came from all over the world, in addition to 5,000 Chinese. Around 40,000 people including journalists, visiting official delegates, lecturers, performers and Chinese police and security officers swarmed around Huairou every day. Notwithstanding these problems, those present at the NGO Forum regarded it as something to always remember because of the diversity of the women and the hundreds of well-known women who could be seen and heard in person from all parts of the world. There were also thousands of interesting and colourful events and meetings, as well as personal encounters, new friendships made and reunions with old friends. It was an unforgettable experience for the “first-timers” as well as for those with experience of previous fora. It was also easy to see at the Forum why it was worthwhile to organize the official conference and parallel events in China. First, this allowed for the participation of over 5,000 Chinese women and their interaction and discussion, as well as hearing experiences and views of women from other countries. In addition, a large number of young Chinese women and men worked at the conference and therefore got a chance to observe, establish contacts and gather impressions— which they probably never would have had the opportunity to do otherwise. Coverage of the conference by the Chinese media provided a constant flow of information to Chinese society at large; such large-scale exposure to an international event was no doubt another

Recalling The Beijing Conference: comparative advantage of holding the conference in China. The 4,000 NGO representatives accredited to the official conference were provided with good working and meeting facilities in the immediate vicinity of the Beijing conference site. The facilities were used daily by 40 to 50 issue caucuses, each focusing and lobbying on their chosen section of the basic documents. Many had already participated in every preparatory committee session, studied successive drafts of the final document, and worked on it in the different preparatory stages for two years. At the official conference site the work of these issue caucuses was coordinated by the Linkage Caucus, which comprised about 1,300 women from over 70 countries. At eight o’clock every morning a “morning assembly” was held by the Linkage Caucus, at which the UN Secretariat gave an update on progress of the conference proceedings, and representatives of different caucuses reported on the progress regarding their respective issues. The joy experienced by members of the caucuses as they managed to push an amendment through was shared by all in these meetings. The more difficult the issue the greater the sense of accomplishment! Around 85% of the recommendations that were not approved at the preparatory committee meetings and that were still in square brackets at the beginning of the conference—including the concept of “gender”—were adopted for inclusion into the final document by government delegations (WEDO, 1995). In Bella Abzug’s words: “We did not get everything that we want.... But it is the strongest statement of consensus on women’s equality, empowerment and justice ever produced by the world’s governments. It’s a vision of a transformational picture of what the world can be for women as well as men, for this and future generations” (WEDO 1995). The Beijing PFA—An Agenda for Women’s Empowerment The official document adopted by the Beijing Conference is called the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for Equality, Development and Peace (PFA). The mission statement at the beginning of the PFA says that “the Platform for Action is an agenda for women’s empowerment” (United Nations, 1996b). Thus, the emphasis is no longer merely on achieving equality and eradicating discrimination but on the empowerment of women so that they become full and equal partners in all policies and decision-making processes in their communities. Equality with men in a male-dominated culture and society alone is not enough. Women need to be empowered to bring their own views to policy making and the development of society, and to set their own priorities in accordance with their inherent values. The PFA provides first an introduction to and assessment of the global situation at the time from women’s viewpoints. It then specifies 12 Critical Areas of Concern, which are interrelated and inter dependent, and sets strategic objectives and proposals for actions to be taken for the achievement of these targets. “Governments, the international community and civil society, including non- governmental organizations and the private sector, are called upon to take strategic action in the following critical areas of concern: —The persistent and increasing burden of poverty on women; — Inequalities and inadequacies in and unequal access to education and training; — Inequalities and inadequacies in and unequal access to health care and related services; — Violence against women; — The effects of armed or other kinds of conflict on women, including those living under foreign occupation; — Inequality in economic structures and policies, in all forms of productive activities and in access to resources; — Inequality between men and women in the sharing of power and decision making at all levels; — Insufficient mechanisms at all levels to promote the advancement of women; — Lack of respect for and inadequate promotion and protection of the human rights of women; — Stereotyping of women and inequality in women’s access to and participation in all communication systems, especially in the media; — Gender inequalities in the management of natural resources and in the safeguarding of the environment; and — Persistent discrimination against and violation of the rights of the girl child.” In the final analysis, the Beijing PFA is a grand consolidation of all the decisions that had already been made by the preceding world conferences on women and the world conferences on environment, population, human rights and social development held during the 1990s. According to projections about the results of the Beijing Conference, it would have been a “good” outcome if gains made could be maintained and not watered down, given

A Gra

By HILKA PIETILA

the alliance of conservative forces present at the conference. But the Beijing PEA proved to be much more than this. It compiles the previously adopted decisions into a coherent Platform for Action, supplements and specifies them, and brings them forward. The PFA defines women’s reproductive rights more specifically than the Cairo document. One of the largest chapters of the PFA deals with violence against women. It is the first-ever programme adopted by governments that addresses discrimination against and the exploitation, abuse and other problems of girlchildren thoroughly and in great detail. it also calls for men’s equal responsibility as sexual partners and partners sharing family responsibilities, and demands that these objectives be taken into account in early childhood in the home and school. It demands that these issues be taken into account and addressed everywhere. In adopting the PFA, governments committed themselves to effective mainstreaming of a gender perspective throughout their operations, policies, planning and decision making. The principle of “main streaming a gender perspective” is emphasized

class as After One of name o Progra Survey becom it was proces The W years e Nor ca effects socio-e live an men do are arti How represe that all

throughout the PEA. Governments also adopted the obligation to carry out gender impact assessments of the effects of government bills or political decisions on women and men respectively before the decisions are taken. The clause to this effect is specifically repeated in connection with every critical area in the PEA. “In addressing ( the issue), Governments and other actors should promote an active and visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies and programmes so that before decisions are taken, an analysis is made of the effects on women and men, respectively” (Platform for Action, 1996, paragraphs 79, 105, 123, 141, 164, 189, 202, 229, 252 and 273). The Beijing PEA is such a wide ranging, comprehensive and demanding programme that it will guide the work of Member States in the years to come for the empowerment of women, mainstreaming the gender perspective and bringing forward more balanced development. The Breakthrough of the Gender Concept The concept of gender did literally break through in Beijing in 1995. It did not appear in the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies as they were adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Women in Nairobi in 1985. However, a group of women development researchers and thinkers from the Global South presented their report Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) during the Nairobi Conference, which challenged the underlying processes of development as it was generally understood (Sen. and Grown, 1987). They used both gender and

Confe bracke becam The and un and cu influen way o perspe the aim empow Thro percep of men that bo and in men a which partic legitim balanc As s in 199 perspe in the this ob

Perspective

and Consolidation

s vantage Points to examine development programmes and strategies. r Nairobi, the gender concept slowly began to appear in UN language. f the signals of its forthcoming was given when UNDP changed the of its Women in Development Unit to the Gender in Development amme in 1992. Around the same time, the drafting of the Third World y on the Role of Women in Development was beginning and it was to me the basic back ground document for the Beijing Conference, In fact, then the major document to launch the new language into the UN s (United Nations, 1995c). World Survey confirmed what the DAWN report had pointed out ten earlier: “Policies that target women only cannot achieve the best results. an those which assume that public actions are gender-neutral in their . Hence, promoting gender equality implies a profound change in the economic organization of societies: not only in the way women work, nd care for the other members of the households, but also in the way o, and in the way their respective roles in the family and community iculated with the need to earn a living?’ wever, the term “gender” was so disputed among government entatives during the drafting process of the Beijing Platform for Action, l references to the word gender were in square brackets when the

erence started in 1995. But during the process in Beijing, all square ets were removed, gender literally broke out, and the concept of gender me an accepted UN language. issue is not only about words and concepts, it is also about perceptions nderstandings concerning the relationships of men and women in society ulture. It is about recognizing that men also have gender, which nces their thinking, attitudes and behaviour. This new perception and of thinking has become part of UN thinking. Today, the gender ective has partially replaced traditional equality thinking as such, albeit m is the equality of men and women as a prerequisite for women’s werment. ough the gender lens, equality is no longer only a technical and statistical ption. It is also an understanding that the views, values and experiences n and women are different in many ways and, therefore, it is essential oth male and female views are equally heard and recognized in society, n economic and political planning and decision making. Only then can and women equally and democratically influence progress in society, h shapes the conditions and prerequisites of their lives. Thus, the equal ipation and impact of women in society becomes not only their mate right, but also a social and political necessity for achieving more ced and sustainable development. stated earlier in this chapter, by unanimously adopting the Beijing PFA 5, UN Member States committed themselves to mainstreaming a gender ective into all areas of societal development in their respective countries years to come. Later in 1997, ECOSOC’S agreed conclusions placed bligation on the entire UN system to apply gender mainstreaming

throughout its work (see the following section). During the Beijing+5 review and appraisal process, the Fourth World Survey on the Role of Women in Development in 1999 continued this discussion. It reviewed the consequent phases of progress in development discourses and studied the problems of the Women in Development (WID) approach and policies (United Nations, I 999b). It also pointed out the inadequacy of WID programmes due to their emphasis on women alone, and for not addressing the basic structures of inequality between women and men. This realization opened a whole new debate and resulted in greater emphasis being placed on the concept of gender, implying that all issues are to be studied from the point of both women and men. This new orientation has eventually paved the way for a new approach called gender and development (GAD). where “gender” as a category of analysis has taken the central stage. This approach has, to quite an extent, replaced the former WID perspective over the years. The GAD approach differs from the WID approach in three ways: —the focus shifts from women to gender and the unequal power relations between women and men; —all social, political and economic structures and development policies are re-examined from the perspective of gender differentials; —it is recognized that achieving gender equality requires “transformative change?’ In this conceptual reorientation, the politics of gender relations and restructuring of institutions, rather than simply equality in access to resources and options, have become the focus of development programmes, and “gender mainstreaming” has emerged as the common strategy for action behind these initiatives. The Fourth World Survey elaborates the consequences for society: “Achieving gender equality requires that gender roles and the basic 7 institutions of society—the market, Government, and the family— are reorganized. During the 1990s, with the shift to GAD, political rather than economic aspects of development have become the main issues of concern. Now women have to take initiative as equal partners in a participatory and ‘bottom-up’ process of development.” It also has to be seen that enabling women to take their equal position in society does require supportive institutions and services, and for men to take a greater share of family responsibilities. Empowerment, first and foremost, requires awareness which is created by knowledge. Thus, gender mainstreaming involves a dual strategy. One type of action places gender at the centre of the global agenda. A series of UN world conferences held in the I990s have been especially effective in this regard. Another type of action is focused on producing gender-aware knowledge, mainly in the fields that directly concern relevant economic and social policy. In this respect, the 1999 World Survey gives particular credit to the growing work of feminist economists and non governmental organizations. THE UN SYSTEM AS A PIONEER IN GENDER MAINSTREAMING As mentioned above unanimously adopting the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995 Member States committed themselves to implement this programme in their respective countries, ultimately, the realization of the UN programmes and decisions depends on the citizens in each of the countries and their ability and awareness to claim accountability from their governments. After all, the governments made commitments to their citizens, in this case particularly to women citizens in each country. . Furthermore, two years after the Beijing Conference Member States made another unanimous decision whereby they obliged the whole UN system to mainstream a gender perspective in all their activities, which implies, in fact, the implementation of the Beijing PEA throughout. This crucially important decision on “Mainstreaming the gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system” was made in the UN Economic and Social Council, ECOSOC (ECOSOC Agreed Conclusions, 1997/2, A/52/3, pp. 27-35). This obligation covers the whole UN system, all decisions and activities as well as their implementations including the major UN conferences, their reviews and appraisals. The ECOSOC decision even gives detailed guidance to gender units and focal points—DAW, UNIFEM, IN STRAW, etc.—to support and give their expertise in this task to all other entities of the UN system. ECOSOC monitors the implementation of this obligation in its substantive sessions every year. In the UN system hardly any other decision has been made that is as comprehensive and firm in its decisiveness and targeting as the ECOSOC Agreed Conclusions 1997/2. This particular resolution is a large and detailed document that lists by name a large number of UN bodies and institutions that are obliged to see to it that gender mainstreaming is incorporated into their decisions and actions. In several points it also emphasizes the need to mobilize “adequate

and, if need be, additional human and financial resources” for this purpose. The bodies and units in the UN system dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women and mainstreaming gender have been strengthened in recent years and new positions have been established in the Secretariat. This applies to the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), which is assisting and facilitating the Commission on the Status of Women, the political organ in charge of gender mainstreaming and all other gender-related issues in the UN. It now also has the task to follow up and coordinate gender-related issues within the work of other functional commissions. Since the Mexico City Conference in 1975, there have been two autonomous agencies within the UN system that work for women. The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the autonomous fund in association with UNDP, undertakes concrete work in many forms with women in the South as well as monitoring the gender-related issues in the political process. The other autonomous agency, the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women ( works on gender-related issues but is still struggling within the limits of its extremely scarce resources due to its inappropriate financing procedure. Both of these agencies have distinct roles in looking after the advancement and empowerment of women within the UN sys One of the enhancement measures has been the promotion the Inter Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE) to the status of a standing sub-committee for coordination and collaboration of Gender Focal Points in United Nations offices, specialized agencies, funds and programmes. In 1997 secretaryGeneral Kofi Annan established a new, high-level post — the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI)—to advise him on integrating gender issues into the policies of the United Nations. In January 1998, the Secretary established another high position, next to his own, of Deputy Secretary-General and appointed a highly merited woman to that position. The work and resources of these organs within the UN system can be seen within the framework of the overall obligations of the whole UN system to implement the Beijing PM and mainstream a gender perspective into all of its policies and programmes. In recent years the proportion of women in decision-making positions within the UN Secretariat has increased significantly. Progress made within the UN in this regard probably exceeds any administration in the Member States (United Nations, 1 999b). The progress described above indicates that the UN system itself is, indeed, making every possible effort to implement the recommendations and decisions made on gender mainstreaming and advancement of women within its own proceedings— contrary to often repeated prejudices about the UN failing to implement its own decisions and betraying women. Unfortunately, the UN often gets the blame for the failures and shortcomings appearing in implementation of programmes and resolutions at the country level in Member States. Therefore, it is crucially important to make clear who is accountable for what and at which level. After all, the UN system today is a pioneer not only in processing and adopting multilateral gender-related programmes and recommendations but also in implementing them in the global process. The UN has the legitimate mandate to follow up and review regularly implementation of these programmes and recommendations by the governments in Member States. This has an imposing effect on the governments not to forget their commitments agreed upon at the UN. Consequently, civil servants in charge of gender-related issues in each national administration have to acquire awareness and knowledge of existing UN programmes and recommendations and work towards their implementation in their respective countries. Thus the process trickles down through the inter-governmental structures from the UN to the national level in the Member States. On the other hand, women citizens in each democratic Member State are entitled to hold their governments accountable for the promises they have made in the UN. These women constitute the global women’s movement to widely inform their sister citizens—and brothers, too—in all countries about intergovernmental agreements and instruments and to exert the necessary political will. Civil society organizations and NGOs in each country are the channels and frameworks through which citizens can take actions for change. The unfortunate fact is, however, that the vast majority of civil society—and the private sector in particular—are unforgivably ignorant about the revolutionary process taking place in gender thinking in recent times due to the UN system. This lack of knowledge is an enormous obstacle to progress in gender mainstreaming, the advancement of women and more equal and balanced development altogether.

Education FOR us to go further in this topic, it is important that we should understand the purposes of education - why schools, teacher and the curricula exist. All subjects, be it home economics, physical education, business education, integrated science, educational technology, mathematics, Nigerian and foreign languages, the pure sciences or art — all are part of the educational programme. Each field of specialization needs to keep its sight on the purposes of general education if it is to justify its rightful place in the schools. If each area of specialization in secondary education established its own objectives irrespective of the overall goals of education, chaos would result, and programmes of education would probably conflict and become distorted, depriving the students or pupils of a well-balanced educational experience. There is the need for educationists and teachers to understand that each area of learning must realize that it is a part of the whole in trying to achieve the objectives of general education and that this desired whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I shall state in brief the purposes of general education as self-realization, human relationship, economic efficiency and civic responsibility. For purposes of this discussion, our concentration will be on economic efficiency which has to do with employment. The problem is how to manipulate these purposes as to have practical value in the lives of individuals as they live from day to day. School Services: The services that schools are expected to render to children, youths, and adults are an important consideration for young people who are preparing for a professional career, and also for those individuals who are al ready on the job in communities throughout the country. However, ser vices cannot be considered in a meaningful

Why Do Schools Exist?

manner by themselves. They must be considered in relation to the settings where they are taught. The preparation an individual has had in respect to general education, and such courses as psychology, methodology, skills, and other aspects of training programmes will play a part in the selection of a setting. For example, a person who has prepared for elementary school teaching will obviously be interested in teaching at that Educational level just as the person who has prepared for junior or

It is important to match personal abilities with the job and setting. At an early age Einsten showed an uncanny aptitude with figures, and Henry Ford showed superior ability working with machines and gadgets. These eat leaders had abilities that helped them to be successful in their work. Some people have greater ability than others in the aria of research which might better qualify them for College or

the setting where there is greatest interest should offer a better chance for success because the person will be doing what he or she wants to do. However, if other factors such as abilities are not taken into consideration, it- may mean the job will not be done well. Since interests may change, it is also important to carefully evaluate them in other to cement realistic

upon his selecting the right position or field of work. There are thousands of positions to which one may turn for work. It may be that the chances of obtaining employment in one setting may be brighter than in another. The individual is just anxious to select the one that is best suited to his personal ability, skills and make up. Availability of job is a

senior secondary school teaching wants to be posted in an institution of higher learning. Such preparation has oriented the individual to a particular setting and provided knowledge; understanding and skill to do an effective job in the location. In the same token, if schools rear-up individuals with the notion that government must employ or find job for them, then, the individual’s setting will be that he or she must be employed by the government. ABILITIES:

University work. Others may demonstrate ability in working with children, which might better qualify them for elementary school work. Each person should match his or her own abilities against several settings as a means of arriving at the right decision for a successful career. Strong preference should be given to those setting where there is tangible evidence that outstanding ability exists. The schools should be able to identify the abilities. INTEREST Other things being equal,

desires and rule out passing fancies. JOB AVAILABILITIES Professional preparation, abilities, and interest are important, but at the same time there is a practical consideration-job availability. After a person spends sixteen years -.6-3-3-4 preparing for a career, he or she naturally wants to find a job in his field. Work is an essential for all individuals. Children and youths should have job opportunities. The happiness and success of an individual is dependent to a great extent

consideration that can not be overlooked. The process of selecting can prove very disheartening without some type of professional guidance. Schools should assume part of the responsibility of seeing that their students are guided into those positions where they will be the happiest and where they will be able to serve society best. JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Home Economics The student studying home economics might think that the only place he can get job Is in the class room. He may not know that there are job opportunities in other areas as: Flight stewardress, interior decorator, cloth maker, waitress, technical writer, advertising analyst, appliance sales, dietary consultant, social service worker, cook, cosmetologist, cloth designer, occupational therapist,

By G.C. NDUKA, F.N.J. ERESIMAELU

“It is important to match personal abilities with the job and setting. At an early age Einsten showed an uncanny aptitude with figures, and Henry Ford showed superior ability working with machines and gadgets. These eat leaders had abilities that helped them to be successful in their work.”

extension service specialist, vocational teacher, food sales, funeral bed decorator, research fellow. SUMMARY; Education is the preparation for the “good. life” Education can help direct a person’s life toward worthwhile goals, provide training for a job, develop skill to achieve and enable a person to utilize his abilities to the fullest. The goal therefore is to help people develop their potentialities and guide them

in such a way that they can live a healthy, satisfying, and useful life. It is the business of education to Impart knowledge, skills, understandings, techniques, culture, and my other necessities that prepare a person to live a type of life that will be satisfying not only ‘from this standpoint but also from the view point of society. The schools have the potentialities for playing an important role in helping people to live a meaningful and purposeful life by securing a job. It would seem, however, that the schools have failed us in rendering the contributions of which they are capable. Perhaps by the end of this educational forum, you will discover for yourself that the controversy as regards education and employment opportunities is tar from being over. The ‘pot is only being stirred, but it is unclear how it will jell.

Drumbeats Secret Of Billionaires: IF there is anything billionaires are commended for, the most of them all is their ability to take major risks. Many Billionaires have lost billions of nairas and dollars due to risk taken, and they have also made billions of nairas and dollars due to risk taken. Risk taking is part of the life and daily activities of billionaires. To them failure to take risk to achieve their aims and objectives make then empty and purposeless in nature. Imagine the level of risks which Wilbur Wright (Wright Brothers) took when they were inventing Air plane? Many years ago, most people believed that human being couldn’t travel by Air plane, but the Wilbur Wright through risk proved every one of us wrong. If Garrett Augustus Morgan had not invented traffic signal, I wonder how human being with our limitation would have being controlling traffic system with our hands in this modern world. If Benjamin Franklin had not invented electricity, I wonder how we would have been travelling and carrying out business activities by night. Think of the risks, Emil Berliner encountered when he was inventing Record Player. Where it not for him our travelling by water, road and air would have been boring without music to entertain us. If Kenrad Zuse and Charles Babbage had not embarked on a major risk of inventing computer, human being would have had major setback as regards productivity in their various companies and offices. What do you think of the risk Philip Peis went through when he was inventing telephone? His risk make communication easier for every one of us in the world to enjoy today. If I may ask, can you imagine the level of risk which property developer and contractor who build skyscraper around the world faces when embarking on their project? Risk taking defines and glorifies billionaires and makes them fulfilled. “And again he entered into Capernaum after some days, and it was noised that he was in the house. And straight way many were gathered together, in some much that there was no room to receive them, no not some much as about the door, and he preached the world unto them. And they came unto him, bringing one of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh into him far the press, they uncovered the roof where he was, and when they have broken it up, they let down the bed where in the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy; son, thy sins being

forgiven thee. But they were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately, when Jesus perceive in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, why reason ye these, or to say”, arise, and take up thy bed and walk? But that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy). I say unto thee, arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thy house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed and went forth before them all, in so much that they were all amazed, and Glorified God, saying we never saw it on this fashion”. Mark 2v 1 -12. The risk which the friends of the man who was sick of palsy took led to the healing of the man. In embarking on risk, Billionaires don’t mind offending people to achieve their aims and objectives and fulfill their goals in life. I appeal to you who is labouring day and night to become billionaires to examine the level of risk you have taken or are willing to take? Risk must be taken in season and out of season. If Abraham had not taken risk to obey God and depart from his father’s house to a land of Canaan which God told him to go, he would not have lived a fulfilled life and become a reference point and example for our motivation in life. Moses through risk and in obedience to God led the children of Israel out of Egypt to the promised land. If you will do what famous scientists and billionaires did by taking risk, then you will also achieve what they also achieved. Saving is very important in the life and activities of billionaires. Many billionaires will have ten billion dollars in their savings or fixed deposit account and prefer to go to financial institution like bank or mortgage house to borrow billions of dollars or naira to enhance their project. Don’t eat your tomorrow today, saving ten or twenty percent of our salaries or interest in our businesses will not reduce our money rather it will enhance it. “If you set dollars today, and squirreled it always in a savings account that paid 5% simple interest, and if you saw to it that your account was updated each year, your family will have one million dollars by the year 2262. Your family would be billionaires by the year 2403,and would be as wealthy as the combined fortunes of the Rockey Fellers, Rothschild, Dugouts, and Melons by the year 2453. You would be a

They Take Risks!

With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593

trillionaire by the year 2544”. The above excerpt was called from George Stern secret of millionaires. Don’t disobey the rules and regulations of nature and expect to be a winner overnight, there are principles you must adhere to in order for you to succeed in all your endeavours. Saving is one of these principles you must not disregard in your quest for success. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whose ever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved”.

Noah if he had refused to build the ark which God instructed him to build? Noah did not build the ark when the rain started. A word they say is enough for the wise. Allow the culture of saving that characterize the lives of billionaires to be part of your daily, monthly or yearly life and see if success, wealth and fame will be to you like a mirage. BILLIONAIRES ARE NEVER SATISFIED WITH THEIR SUCCESS: THEY STRIVE FOR MORE Many of my Billionaire friends and the ones I have seen and read about are never satisfied with their successes. They always strive for more. A Billionaire with a high foresight will never see himself as someone who has arrived, each

hundred thousand members he told his wife that he will never increase his goals and desire for more members so as to enable him to enjoy his life with his wife, children and live a longer life. Here, Dr. Yonggi Cho in his book, “My Church Growth Stories” and seen if he has relent of his promise to his wife of never to increase the members of his church above five hundred thousand members. I have been in the ministry

John 3v 16-17. In the above passage the Bible says God sent his son to save the world. Friends, God did not only give his son, he also saved his son in his heavenly account to get the world back to himself. Joseph used this principle of savings to deliver the entire land of Egypt from being destroyed by poverty. Friends, you could not have convinced me of saving ten or twenty percent of my money some years ago. In fact my first saving began in my early twenties. After saving about thirty thousand naira I went back to the bank the following week and withdrew over fifteen thousand naira and four months later I went to the manager and convinced him that I have some major things to do with my money and that the money I had in hand was not enough for me and that 1 wanted to close my account. This was how I closed my first savings account, but today I have discovered that saving is very important for my daily life. What would have happened to

year he has major goals to pursue and achieve, and if he fails to achieve those goals he then sees himself like a barren woman who has been barren for over ten years and earnestly eager to give birth to a child. In his book “ the Fourth Dimension” Dr. David Yonggi Cho, narrated an incident in his life of many years ago how he told God to allow him to have one hundred and fifty members and that if God answered his prayer he will remain satisfied with that number the rest of his life. Within two years of that prayer God answered his prayer. When he discovered that God had answered his prayer, he changed his mind and asked God to please increase that number to three hundred members and having reached that numbers, he began to increase his desire of having thousand of members. From six hundred members, they grew to one thousand, to three thousand, six thousand, ten thousand, fifteen thousand, twenty thousand, fifty thousand, one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, three hundred thousand and when he got five

now for thirty years, and I have established three leading churches in Korea by the help of God. Now we are having 600,000 registered members, and this year we have received about 1 8, 000 new converts in our church. Since we cannot accommodate them all, we are starting another church South of the Han River, right near the Olympic complex. We have already purchased the land and have started to dig the foundation. In two years we will complete that building. The size will be almost as large as this church. We are going to connect two churches by closed circuit television, and with a big screen we are going to have service together. Then finally I think we can accommodate all of those people and we will have one million active members in our church. All the programs are progressing because God gave this vision to us, and this is possible because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit”. Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church has continued to shine as one of

the leading light in Christian Community around the world. It is on record that the Redeemed Ministries has over one hundred thousand branches world wide with total membership of over ten million. Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, General overseer of Deeper Life Ministry has thousands of branches across the world with a total membership of over five million. Assets base of the church runs into billions of dollars and yet you still see the leader striving for more successes in order to obey God and live good legacies behind. Bishop David Oyedepo, General Overseer of Living Faith Church has several branches and thousands of members to his credit. It is on record that their University (Covenant University) is one of the best universities in Nigeria. The Church assets base runs into billions of dollars and the bishop who is the leader of the church said in their recent program that this is just the beginning of greater things to come in their ministry. The church leaders has set a goal of opening one thousand branches in 2010. Chris Oyakhilome, General Overseer of Christ Embassy and President Believers Love World Incorporated has thousands of branches with a total membership of over five million. Each year he sets goals of Billions of dollars and meets them. His style of leadership, teaching and quality lifestyle he set for himself has continued to baffle his critics. Late Arch-Bishop Benson Idahosa, General Overseer of Church of God Mission is popularly referred to as the Father of Pentecost by many Clergy men in African continent region and a major voice in Christian Community around the globe. He has over ten thousand branches and the total member is over Five million. The assets base of the church worth billion of dollars. Jimoh Brahirn, Alico Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Donald Trump, William Bill Gate, Warren Buffertt and many other Billionaires across the world continue to set goals that run into billions of dollars each year and are still striving for more success. I have made up my mind never to allow little success to prevent me from setting bigger goals and reaching them. As long as God tarries He expects me not to relent in my effort of setting greater goals and reaching them. Friends to be candid with you, God rejoices over success that we achieved positively.

Society

Exogamy And Incest Taboo

ONE fact that may keep the society on, is the requirement that one should marry out of and into a particular group. For example, one cannot marry into the family of orientation such that marriage necessarily brings two different families together. In several African cultures one should not marry into ones lineage, village or clan- The general term describing the marriage rule in which one must marry outside one’s own group is called exogamy.

The collary of this is what is called endogamy. Though one must marry outside a group, people are encourage to marry into one’s own cultural or language group. In an endogamous units, people must marry into that group. Incest taboo on the other hand is the avoidance or prohibition of sax between close relatives.

The emphasis is on sex not on marriage. Of course, persons who cannot engage in sex cannot marry, but perhaps incest taboo is the root of out— marriage and therefore of the family. What is the explanation1 for incest taboo? Biological Explanation: A situation in which close relatives mate with one another and therefore produce offspring’s is described by biologists as inbreeding and this may lead to the transmission of genetically inherited

abnormalities or diseases. Disease such as sicklecell, albinism, hemophilia can be transmitted in this Way. The point is that early man or primitive man show discovered this. giving rise to the rule of out-marriage Objection on this explanation is that inbreeding may not be damaging unless recessive traits are known to be present, such as the for

By DEM OMOKHODION

hemophilia in the English royal families. Account of brother sister marriage or the royal families in Hawaii, Inca of Peru ancient Egypt and

would disrupt family harmony which would in turn affect other social, cultural activities like reproduction and economic. cooperation

repression. According to Sigmund Freud, when culture or society was still at its infancy, men lived in hordes or poorly organised communities and where sexual’

eons are filled with a sense of guilt and remorse and in atonement for their sins, did two things: (i) They symbolized father and identified him with an animal called Totem, from which now

“In atonement for desiring their mothers and sisters, they imposed a ban on sexual relations between people descended from totemic father. They would then give their women to other groups who would reciprocate in kind. Out marriage or exogamy became a law of man.”

abnormalities are not known. FUNCTIONALIST E X P L A N AT I O N : Anthropologists like Maiinowaki of the functionalist school believe that incest taboo functions to maintain the integrity ‘and stability of the family. A ‘situation where father and son or two brothers would fight for daughter or sister

However, function does not explain incest beyond the immediate family since incest taboo may involved member of the same lineage or clan who do not - normally live together in the same lineage or clan who do not normally live together in the same household. Freud’s Theory: This theory can also be called the theory of guilt and

behaviuor was promiscuous (everybody mated with everybody else). There is a patriarchal leader who monopolized females, however and the sons hated their father or patriarch also desired women for themselves. They therefore killed their father, ate his body, so that they may incorporate his powers - afterwards, the

traced their descent. They then imposed a taboo upon eating this animal except on ceremonial occasion (ii) In atonement for desiring their mothers and sisters, they imposed a ban on sexual relations between people descended from totemic father. They would then give their women to other groups who would reciprocate in kind. Out marriage or exogamy became a law of man. Though this is a good explanation for incest taboo, it is believed that the story is based on an ancient Greek mythology or a hero who killed his father and married his mother.- The gods are not to blame. Levi Strauss: Levi Strauss offers a structuralist approach in which two men are potentially hostile to one another. This social deficiency is meditated by the principle of exchange which underlie the social order. The two men agree to exchange each sister for wife hence conflict is turned into friendliness. Apart from exogamy and endogamy which determine marriageable partners some other Marriage rules are known. Cross cousin and parallel cousin marriages are closely related to the principle of exogamy.

Agrosphere

Remedy To Credit Problems In Nigeria

Agriculture: SOURCES OF FARM FINANCING. IN the first edition, he writer dealt exhaustively on what credit is all about, the importance of credits for any meaningful agricultural production as well as various problems associated with obtaining credits for agric use in Nigeria. This secured paper is focused on “remedy for credit problems with emphasis in sources of farm financing. To the average farmer or individual interested in farming, the following are the various sources of financing your farm, projects: 1. Nigerian Agricultural and Co-operative Bank NACB. 2. Commercial Banks 3. Co-operative societies 4. Agricultural credit guarantee scheme 5. National ACGS Directorate of Employment NDE 6. Private money lenders 7. Friends and Relatives 8. Government eg. Ministry of Agricultures and National Resources 9. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s, 10.Companies 11.Hire purchase 12.International agencies 13.Religious organizations 14.Debentures Co-operative societies. The recent government policy on agriculture gives high priority to farmers who belong to co-operative societies. It is the opinion of the writer that very soon, any farmer not registered with a co-operative society will not benefit from government subsidies and incentives such as in area of accessing credits or loans, in proved seeds, fertilizers and Agro-chemicals as well as hiring of farm machineries/tractors and planters. For example, in the ADPs, the Fadama III, project encourages farmers and artisans to form

By OLUMESE MARK

Fadama users group (FUG) and Fadama users Associations (FUAs). These groups are like co-operative societies which gives grants to fugs to carry out their community driven projects CDD assisted by world bank and

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). What are informal credits? Informal credits are private money lenders or “esusu”. This sources also borrow out money to individuals or farmers. The only bottleneck

“It is the opinion of the writer that interested individuals who want credits for agricultural projects can visit any of these commercial banks of their choice to get the necessary information for obtaining credits.”

with informal credit is that they charge very high interest rate even higher than that of commercial banks. Is it true that commercial banks offer credits/ loans for agricultural purposes? Virtually all commercial banks in Nigeria have agricultural

credits department. Their aim is to extend credit for Agriculture purpose to applicants who qualify for the loan according to the bank’s conditionality. It is the opinion of the writer that interested individuals who want credits for agricultural projects can visit any of these commercial banks of their choice to get the necessary information for obtaining credits. Finally, the writer will like to recommend that the ADPs should be given the responsibility of assisting the government in disbursement of loans/credit to genuine farmers if agriculture is to be transformed.

Issues

The Purpose Of Government And Random Issues By RECLAIMNAIJA

ACCORDING to the 1999 Constitution, chapter 2, The people of the country are bigger than the government and have more powers than the government. The government is supposed to answer to the people and to do the will of the people. This part of the constitution is quoted below for us to see: “14. (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. (2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that: (a) Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; {b) The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and (c) The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution From the foregoing, it is clear that the main business of government is the well-being of the people. • It is, therefore, unconstitutional for any government to neglect the welfare of the people. • On the other hand, it is perfectly lawful and constitutional for the people to insist that government provides for the well-being of all its citizens. GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS ITS CITIZENS:

*Exorbitant cost of participation in electioneering; • Bribery and corruption in governance; • Lack of confidence in a woman’s ability to deliver: *Society has not accepted the equality of woman to a man in dignity. • Some people in society still believe a woman is inferior to a man, that she is not as capable as a man; • Some believe that her place should be in the home; • Very few of them are elected in to office. • No woman has ever won any Governorship position since the introduction of civil rule in the country. At best, they just about manage to secure the position of Deputies. • The only woman who ever became Governor for a brief period was because the governor was sacked. This was in 2007 when a Governor was illegally impeached by his State House of Assembly and the deputy who was a woman had to step in as Governor. • It is not a fact that women are not competent or capable to lead, • Women make competent Presidents and Heads of Governments in different regions of the world. Below are several examples of women Presidents around the world. Women Presidents NAME COUNTRY YEAR ELECTED Chancellor Angela Merkel President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President Pratibha Patil President Cristina E. Fernandez de Kirchner Governor-General Dr Quentin, Bryce Prime Minister sheikh Hasina Wajed Prime Minister Jadranka kosor President of the confederation Doris Leuthard President Roza Otunbayeva : President Laura chinchilla Miranda Prime Minister Kamla persad Bissessar Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi

Article 162(d) of the constitution states: The government should ensure that: suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens. Article 17 of the constitution states: 172a. every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law; the independence, impartiality and integrity of courts of law, and easy accessibility thereto shall be secured and maintained. Article 18 of the constitution states: Government shall ensure that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. It should strive to eradicate illiteracy, and where practicable, it should provide: a) free, compulsory and universal primary education; b) free secondary education; c) free university education; and d) free adult literacy programme. THE DUTIES OF THE CITIZENS Article 24 states: It shall be the duty of every citizen to: a) abide by this Constitution, respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities; b) help to enhance the power, prestige and good name of Nigeria, defend Nigeria and render such national service as may be required; c) respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood; d) make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides; e) render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order; and f) declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly. THE NIGERIAN WOMAN AND POLITICS In Nigeria, women make up at least half of the population.. But women are disadvantaged in politics for the following reasons: ‘Men dominate the political space; they plan political activities in a way that is not suitable for women, e.g., night meetings. • Thuggery and use of violence *The practice of dirty politics; that is, character assassination, mudslinging, rigging, etc

Germany Liberia India Argentina Australia Bangladesh Croatia Switzerland Kyrgyzstan Costa Rica Trinidad and Tobago Finland

2005 2006 2007 2007 2007 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010

Prime Minister Julia Gillard Australia 2010 President Dilma Vana Rousseff Brazil 2010 In Rwanda, for instance, Women make up about half of the members of Parliament. In the September 2003 elections, women had in total 36 out of 80 seats, which represent 48.8 percent. • Women make useful contributions to all aspects of life and to national development working both within and outside the home. • They are the majority of workers in agriculture; they make up 70.3% of agricultural workforce. • They are Very active in trading and in small and medium scale enterprises. Also, increasingly women are assuming leadership positions in the different sectors of the society, banking and finance, communications, etc and also becoming more visible in public office. Women are noted to be more honest in their dealings. • If properly mobilised, women make up a very powerful force, and their active participation in politics will definitely make the country better. • In Rwanda, for instance, women make up about half of the members of Parliament. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES • Persons with disabilities are also disadvantaged when it comes to elections. • As citizens of Nigeria, they have the right to vote and be voted for, * All efforts should be made by INEC and everyone connected to persons with disabilities to ensure that they are able to vote and be voted for. • This can be done through the following ways: • Pressuring INEC to ensure that *All voter materials are also produced in the language used by the blind, that is, Braille language • That persons in wheel chair can easily get to the polling units ‘That lepers and persons who don’t have fingers are allowed to vote by other means. • Persons with disabilities are given priority when people line up to register or vote. ELECTIONS: Functions of INEC According to the Constitution, INEC has a number of specific functions: • Organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President, Vice President, the Governor and Deputy Governor of a state, and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the House of Assembly of each State of the Federation • Register political panics in accordance with what the Constitution says as well as the law laid down by the National Assembly • Monitor the organisation and operation of the political parties, including their finances • Audit the funds and accounts of political parties and publish a report on them for public viewing • Conduct the registration of eligible voters from the age of 18 and revise, the register of voters for the purpose of any election under the Constitution • Monitor political campaigns and provide rules and regulations to guide the political parties • Ensure that all electoral commissioners, electoral returning officers take the oath of office prescribed by Law • Delegate any of its powers to any Resident Electoral Commissioner • Carry out any other function under the Act of the National Assembly Registration of Voters • INEC has the mandate to compile, maintain and update a National Register of Voters on a continuous basis. • The registration of voters and the revision of the register of voters shall stop not later than 60 days before any election. To be continued

Issues

The Media: THE position taken here that the ownership structure is the bane of the media of mass communication in Nigeria may not be supported by statistics and all that but come along nonetheless. An analysis of the set goals and objectives, as well as the decision making process, which is a reflection of the ownership structure, ought to show why the media continues to fail, first as a business, and secondly, as an agent for social change. Some of you may recall that some time ago, this writer had taken the position that the calibre of management personnel, which is not well rounded, is largely responsible for the failure of the mass media in Nigeria: That many ace journalists who ended up as media managers don’t have a clue of what is expected of them in the executive suites. And, also, that some brilliant penny—pinching professional managers, who had no idea how the media can still remain an art form, even if it must be run as a profit-making business, did not help matters either. Therefore the lack of nexus between these two orientations, as stated in the previous submission, causes the failure of many media houses in Nigeria. This new position that ownership structure contributes to the failure of the media in Nigeria is an extension, and not a contradiction of that position. This critique will start with the electronic media: If you would trace the ownership structure of the Nigerian electronic media, which, by the way, has not fared better than the print media, you will observe that government federal and regional, then state was the progenitor. The electronic media, traditionally owned by government, have survived because of the availability of

Who Pays The Piper? By LEKAN SOTE

funds provided by the Nigerian tax payers, and not necessarily by the dexterity of the managers. Their staffs journalists, production crew, technicians, artistes, accountants and administrators are civil servants, and are treated as such. Today, some Chief Executives in some government owned electronic media bear the title of permanent

and so are not driven by the profit motive. That explains their boring and humdrum programmes. Some of them provide inane and uninspiring programme that make you want to puke. Until the advent of Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce to the executive suites of Nigerian Television Authority, only the NTA Network News, News line and

Momoh of Channels TV and Larry Izamoje of Brilla FM, entertainment impresarios such as Ben Murray-Bruce of STV Rhythm FM, starry eyed evangelists such as Erastus Akingbola of Inspiration FM, profit-oriented entrepreneurs such as Raymond Dokpesi of AIT/ Ray Power and Alhaji Gbadeyanka of MITV/ Star FM, and hugely ambitious

secretaries, a reflection of their civil service orientation. Their remuneration did not depend on their output. Indeed the bottom line did not matter at all. They are simply government “They are simply government propaganda machines. The organizations are non-profit, are operated as non profit, and so are not driven by the profit motive” propaganda machines. The organizations are non-profit, are operated as non profit,

the Danladi Bako-inspired Morning Ride were the only programmes going for. Add the now rested Village Headmaster and the Masquerade. As soon as Mr. Murray-Bruce left NTA, programming excellence dropped. But the competition from the private electronic media is compelling NTA to strive for better performance these days. Ownership of private electronic media is largely in the hands of individuals as varied as few media professionals such as John

politicians in the mould of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of TV Continental/ Radio Continental) Lately, the idea of community radio, as exemplified by UNILAG FM, also a not for profit organization, has emerged onto the Nigerian media landscape. Because the staff wages is usually the largest element of the overhead cost of the electronic media, the major responsibility of these new fangled media owners is how to find the required

“They are simply government propaganda machines. The organizations are non-profit, are operated as non profit, and so are not driven by the profit motive...”

funds. But compared to the print media, the staff complement of the electronic is usually not very large, except, of course, where the proprietor wants to absorb some sinecure flab. The cost of programming, apart from staff wages, include cost of gathering news, other overhead like electricity, stationery and consumables. Generally, the in- house operational cost is

almost negligible because the media houses found a lazy approach to running their outfits: Apart from news, sports and in-house talk shows, the media houses hardly spend money to produce programmes. They’d rather slot in video or musical CDs of American reruns, which they obtained at next to nothing. They sometimes just sell their air time to independent programme producers, who pay before going on air. The independent producers do not operate the way independent producers, say in America and Western Europe, traditionally do it— which is to obtain good scripts, employ an army of writers, producers, directors, presenters, actors, technicians, production crews, administrators and several others, and produce in their own studios, and then sell the rights to air them to the electronic media houses.

Rather, they bring their script into the studios of the electronic media, and attempt to act out their programmes, using the facilities and personnel of the media houses. That explains why the fare from the so-called independent producers lack quality, and are mere time fillers at best. With this halfway house method, the media owners abdicate the responsibility to ride herd on their staff to produce excellent programmes that will attract advert Naira. In any case, the purpose for which most “The management of a vibrant electronic media must evolve programmes that would attract listeners and viewers, sell air time and harvest advertising revenue”. of the money bag proprietors of Nigerian electronic media put the media is largely egotistical. The management of a vibrant electronic media must evolve programmes that would attract listeners and viewers, sell air time and harvest advertising revenue. An electronic media that is not financially vibrant will have to depend on the paymaster to pay its bills. This way, government- owned media will reflect government view, but the privately-owned electronic media usually do not stand for any thing apart from massaging the ego of the owner. They will not be able to fund earth shattering investigative journalism that would expose evil in society. They only provide boring programmes that turn off viewers. Thus, this very powerful media — radio and electronic becomes unavailable for use either in mobilizing the people for social development, or to promote the political rights of the people. It is instructive to note however, that in addition to largely successful sports programmes, the current upswing of local production of high grade pop music, local musical videos and (not so high grade) soap operas is causing potential listeners and viewers to migrate to the electronic media. This is without prejudice to the inroad of the foreign satellite television stations —like CNN, Al Jazera, MNET, etc. with their high octane television programming.

ADDITION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Omoregie Osemwota Kelvin wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Omoregie Osemwota. Henceforth, I am now properly known, called and addressed as Omoregie Kelvin. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

I, wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am properly called, known and addressed as Obum Francis Udo. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OSAGIE – I, formerly Jude Osagie now wish to be known, called and addressed as Jude Chukwuma. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

ITOR – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Evelyn Itor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Evughe Evelyn. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE EVANGELISM FOR CHRIST THE PILLAR OF THE EARTH OUTREACH The general public is hereby notified that the above named Evangelical Outreach has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990 as (amended). THE TRUSTEES 1. Evangelist Favour Odugwu – General Overseer 2. Evang. Temple Osayande 3. Evang. Eguakun Osas 4. Evang. (Mrs.) Atalor Charity AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. To pray for Nigeria/Nigerians 2. To preach against evil, terrorism and arrogance in Nigeria. 3. To educate parents on their roles in bringing up their children in the Lord so that they can be assets to Nigeria. 4. To enlighten our children and youths on the need to be good citizens and to fear God. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: Evangelist Favour Odugwu

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING LIFT MICROFINANCE BANK LTD (PURSUANT TO SECTION 468(2) OF CAMA

Notice is hereby given to all members of Lift Microfinance Bank Ltd of a General Meeting. Date: Saturday, June 21, 2014 Time: 10.00am Venue: No. 18, Dawson Road, Benin City. Agenda: Consideration of Liquidator’s Final Winding Up Report/Account. Dated this 12th day of May, 2014. Signed: DR. OSAGIE OBAYUWANA Liquidator (08038753327)

CHANGE OF NAME

AGBONGIASEDE – I, formerly known and addressed as Agbongiasede Osazemwen Paul now wish to be known and addressed as Paulosa Osazemwen Paulosa. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

IGBINOVIA – I, formerly called Miss Nosakhare Cynthia Igbinovia now wish to be called Mrs. Nosakhare Cynthia Edobor. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

ORUCHE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Peculiar Okwundu Oruche now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Peculiar Okwundu Durugo. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

OKEREKE – I, formerly called Miss Lilian Chinonso Okereke now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Lilian Chinonso Amatobi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, other concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Edo-Izevbuwa Bunmi Osamagioghomwenwi wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Izevbuwa Bunmi Osasi and EdoIzevbuwa Bunmi Osas as appeared in my various documents. Henceforth, I am now properly known and addressed as Edo-Izevbuwa Bunmi Osamagioghomwenwi. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

International

Iran President Says Tehran ‘Transparent’ TEHRAN - Iran’s president towns of Ardakan and Yazd. In Talks said his country would not Iranian officials said that fulfilled surrender what it considers its right to nuclear development in upcoming talks with world powers, but that it would be “transparent” in negotiations over the contested program. The talks, resuming today face an informal July deadline to hammer out a final deal to limit Iran’s ability to build nuclear arms in exchange for ending crippling economic sanctions it faces. While the moderate President Hassan Rouhani and Iran’s negotiators have the backing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hard-liners increasingly criticize the deal as giving up too much while gaining too little from the West. Speaking to a group of Iranian medical and nuclear experts, Rouhani appeared to be trying to counter hard-liners in his country who say he plans to give up the program in exchange for sanctions relief. “If the world seeks good relations with Iran, it should choose the way of surrendering to Iran’s rights, respecting the Iranian nation and praising Iranian scientists,” Rouhani said in the speech, which was aired live by state television. “The Iranian nation has never

been after a weapon of mass destruction since it does not see it as legitimate,” Rouhani said. “We do not have anything on the table to submit to others except transparency,” he added. The West says Iran’s nuclear program could allow it to build atomic weapons. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes, like medical research and power generation. Iran reached a historic interim deal in November with six world powers — the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. In it, Tehran agreed to stop enrichment of uranium to 20 percent — a level that is a possible pathway to nuclear arms — in exchange for the easing of some Western sanctions. It agreed to dilute half of its 20 percent enriched uranium into 5 percent and turn the remaining half into oxide, which is very difficult to be used for bombmaking materials. It also allowed international inspectors into nuclear sites. In the last week, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations watchdog, visited a uranium mine and a uranium-thickening facility in the central Iranian

Abdullah Wins Key Ally In Afghan Presidential Race

KABUL - Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah received a boost in the race for the Afghan presidency when one of the pre-election favorites dropped out and backed his team ahead of next month’s expected run-off. Zalmay Rassoul, who finished third in April’s first round with 11.5 percent of the vote, told journalists in Kabul he had endorsed Abdullah to strengthen national unity, and because the pair campaigned on similar platforms. Preliminary results showed Abdullah and his closest rival, former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani, sharing over 75 percent of the vote but neither winning an absolute majority. The Afghan election commission will announce official first round results on Wednesday from the election, in which President Hamid Karzai was constitutionally barred from running again. Evidence of widespread fraud reported by the country’s Independent Election Complaints Commission have taken the gloss off the third presidential poll since U.S.-led forces drove the Taliban from power in 2001. The vote marks the first democratic transfer of power in the country’s history, however, uncertainty over the outcome risks stalling crucial foreign aid and economic reform. Analysts said delays could also foment ethnic tensions and leave a political vacuum in which the Taliban could take advantage. Rassoul, another ex-foreign minister, was considered one the pre-election favorites, having won the backing of some members of the powerful Karzai family. The presidential office said on Sunday that Hamid Karzai favored no one candidate. Rassoul’s backing for Abdullah was seen as crucial, given most of his support is from the Pashtun

dominated south of the country. Abdullah, who is half-Pashtun and half-Tajik, draws most of his support from the Tajik community in the north. “Our platforms were similar to Rassoul, which is what brought us together,” said Abdullah. “We want equality among the Afghan people and the next government will be monitored by the people.” Rassoul is the second of the eight candidates to quit the race and endorse Abdullah, after former Kandahar governor Gul Agha Sherzai made the same announcement last week. Ghani, an ex-finance minister, has said he is not interested in deal making and his team will win a run-off on their own.

a series of demands it had for Iran, including releasing information about its efforts to develop a type of explosive detonator that can be used in nuclear weapons. The talks beginning Tuesday hope to iron out a comprehensive deal placing long-term caps on Iran’s enrichment program and other atomic activities in exchange for full sanctions relief. The two sides hope to reach agreement by July 20 but can extend negotiations if both agree to do so. Already, Iran has said it will redesign its Arak heavy water reactor to greatly limit the amount of plutonium it can make, a major concession. On Sunday, the official IRNA news agency quoted Iranian senior nuclear negotiator Abass Araghchi as saying the coming talks will end Friday. “We will enter into the writing of the draft in this round of the talks,” he said. Also on Sunday, Khamenei criticized the West for its demands Tehran restrict its missile power, IRNA reported. “They expect restricting Iran’s missile program while they are continuously raising military threats against Iran. Hence, such an expectation is idiotic and insane.” Iran’s ballistic program has also been a concern for the West since ballistic missiles could be used to deliver nuclear warheads. Iran insists the missile program has no nuclear dimensions but is also adamant that its defense industry is a “red line” as a topic at the nuclear talks. he U.S. has argued that a U.N. Security Council resolution bans Iran from “undertaking any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.” The Sunday remarks by Khamenei came during his visit to an aerospace exhibition in which an advanced CIA spy drone, captured in 2011 by Iran, and its Iranian-made copy was on display. The report said aerospace experts briefed Khamenei on the latest details of a project to reverse-engineer the drone.

Little Miss Iriabijeh Idegbuwatovia recently celebrated her one year birthday at Otuo in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. Congrats.

International Indians Vote In Final Phase Of National Elections NEW DELHI - Millions of Indian voters wrapped up the country’s mammoth national election yesterday, braving the searing sun on the final day of polling in which a Hindu nationalist opposition candidate is seen as the front-runner for prime minister. With 814 million eligible voters, India has been voting in phases over six weeks, with results expected Friday. The main Hindu opposition Bharatiya Janata Party went into the election with strong momentum on promises of economic growth. Early polls suggest there is deep dissatisfaction with the governing Congress party’s 10 years in power. Exit polls, which in India are notorious for being inaccurate, are expected Monday night after the final round of voting ends. Thousands lined up early yesterday to vote in the revered Hindu holy city of Varanasi, where Narendra Modi, the main BJP candidate for prime minister, is seeking election. The temperature was expected to soar to 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit). Modi is locked in a battle with Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of India’s anti-corruption party, and Ajay Rai of the Congress party. “We want to vote for a candidate who is accessible, someone we can go to when we

have problems, someone who can come and help us when we are in need,” said Sofia Shaheen, a school teacher. Girija Shankar, a retired government officer, said he was looking for a clean government. “We should only support a person who can deliver this to us.” A clash erupted as the voting opened in West Bengal state, where Ajay Dasgupta, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) spokesman, accused governing Trinamool Congress workers of firing at his party supporters, wounding four of them. The clash was reported in a village 35 kilometers (20 miles) northeast of Calcutta, the state capital. The Trinamool Congress party denied the charge. A recent poll by the Pew Research Center said 63 percent of Indians prefer the BJP over the incumbent Congress Party. Modi’s chief rival is Rahul Gandhi, the 43-year-old vice president of Congress and scion of the Gandhi family. Indians turned out in large numbers to vote, with the Election Commission saying the turnout percentage over the six weeks in 502 parliamentary constituencies until May 8 was 66.27 percent, up from 58.13 percent in 2009 elections. Elections in India are generally considered free and

fair, with even the powerful often falling to defeat. But there are also challenges, with age-old traditions of caste loyalty, patriarchy and nepotism often influencing voting patterns. This year’s election was bitterly fought, and often marred by religious divisions and personal attacks. The BJP’s carefully crafted and well-financed campaign promises good governance at a time when the ruling Congress party has been plagued by repeated scandals, and its leader Rahul Gandhi has generally failed to inspire the public, leaving many analysts to predict that the BJP will likely emerge with the largest number of seats.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

France Won’t Cancel Warship Deal With Russia

PARIS - France will press ahead with a 1.2 billion-euro ($1.66 billion) contract to sell helicopter carriers to Russia because cancelling the deal would do more damage to Paris than to Moscow, French diplomatic sources said yesterday. France has come under pressure from Washington and some European partners to reconsider its supply of high-tech military hardware to Moscow. It had said it would review the deal in October - but not before.

USA President, Barack Obama

However, French diplomatic sources said on Monday the 2011 contract with Russia for two Mistral helicopter carriers, with an option for two more, would not be part of a third round of sanctions against Moscow. “The Mistrals are not part of the third level of sanctions. They will be delivered. The contract has been paid and there would be financial penalties for not delivering it. “It would be France that is penalized. It’s too easy to say France has to give up on the sale of the ships. We have done our part.” The Russian defense ministry warned France in March it would have to repay the cost of the contract and additional penalties if it canceled the deal. Russia’s Mistral purchase would give it access to advanced technology, alarming some of France’s NATO allies. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said on May 8 that she had qualms about the deal after several U.S. lawmakers demanded Washington put pressure on France to send a strong message to Russia. The long-discussed French sale was Moscow’s first major foreign arms purchase in the two decades since the fall of the Soviet Union. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy had hailed the signing of the Mistral contract as evidence the Cold War was over. It has created about 1,000 jobs in France.

A French government source said at no point had the U.S. officially expressed any concern over the sale, adding that the carriers would not be delivered with any weaponry.

suspected al-Qaida militants were killed in clashes with security forces not far from the presidential palace in the capital, Sanaa, during the day. The new statement said the three victims were civilians who died in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Defense Ministry said two al-Qaida militants were killed and one was wounded in Sunday’s clashes with government troops in Hadramawt and Shabwa provinces. The statement identified the slain militants as Abu

Mohammed al-Hadrami, who was killed in Hadramawt, and Yahia Baruwais, killed in Shabwa. It said al-Qaida fighter Said Bawazeer, also known as Abu Fatima, was wounded in Hadramawt Outside Yemen, the country’s al-Qaida branch is blamed for a number of unsuccessful bomb plots aimed at Americans, including an attempt to bring down a U.S.-bound airliner with explosives hidden in the bomber ’s underwear and a second plot to send mail bombs hidden in the toner cartridges on planes headed to the U.S.

Armed Men Open Fire On Crowd

KRASNOARMEISK, Ukraine - Armed men identified as Ukrainian national guard opened fire Sunday on a crowd outside a town hall in eastern Ukraine, and an official for the region’s insurgents said there were fatalities. The bloodshed in the town of Krasnoarmeisk occurred hours after dozens of armed men shut down voting in a referendum on sovereignty for the region. One of them identified the group as being national guardsmen. An Associated Press photographer who witnessed the shooting said two people were seen lying unmoving on the ground and insurgent leader Denis Pushilin was quoted by the ITAR-Tass news agency as saying there were an unspecified number of deaths. Several hours earlier, the men came to the town about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the regional capital, Donetsk, and dispersed referendum voting that

US Drone Strike Kills 6 Al-Qaida Militants SANAA, Yemen - A suspected U.S. drone strike in southern Yemen killed six al-Qaida militants yesterday, military and security officials said. The drone hit a car with alQaida fighters in Marib province, in the Husoun al-Jalal area in Abieda Valley, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. They said authorities were checking for the identities of the slain militants. Last year and in early January, drone strikes killed more than 12 suspected al-Qaida militants in

the same area of Marib province. The U.S. considers Yemen’s branch of al-Qaida, also known as Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, to be the most dangerous in the world. The group overran large swaths of territory in southern Yemen in 2011 but the military has pushed back and over the past few weeks, the army and security forces have stepped up an offensive to rout militants from their strongholds. The U.S., which trains Yemen’s counterterrorism forces,

has been waging a heavy campaign of drone strikes in the impoverished country against suspected al-Qaida targets, launching more than 100 such strikes since 2002, according to the nonpartisan public policy institute New America Foundation. However, civilian casualties in the drone strikes have sparked anger in the country and among human rights groups. Yemen’s Interior Ministry corrected late Sunday an earlier press release saying three

“We are not delivering armed warships, but only the frame of the ship,” the source said. The first carrier, the Vladivostok, is due to be delivered by the last quarter of 2014. The second, named Sebastopol after the Crimean seaport, is supposed to be delivered by 2016.

was taking place outside the town hall and they took control of the building. In the evening, more arrived in a van and a scuffle broke out with people who were gathered around the building. Then they fired shots. Witnesses to the shooting posted a number of videos on YouTube. One of the videos shows several armed men holding AK-47s yelling to the crowd “go home, get out of here.” One then cocks his weapon, and seconds later a man from the crowd steps forward and approaches another gunman, also carrying an AK-47, to speak with him. The gunman fires a warning shot over his head, but that doesn’t deter the man. He continues to approach as shots continue and the man is struck by a bullet, falls to the ground and can be seen bleeding from his leg. The video, shot by someone at the scene of the confrontation, has been authenticated based on accounts by AP journalists at the site and was consistent with AP’s own reporting on what happened. Eastern Ukraine has been gripped by unrest for the past month as pro-Russia insurgents occupied police stations and government buildings. Ukrainian forces have mounted a limited offensive to try to drive them out. The Donetsk and Luhansk regions on Sunday conducted referendums on declaring the regions as so-called sovereign people’s republics. Leaders of the vote, which is regarded as illegitimate by the central government and the West, say that sometime after the referendum, a decision will be made on whether to remain part of Ukraine, declare independence of seek annexation into Russia.

International Features UKRAINIAN leader Oleksander Turchinov accused Russia of working to overthrow legitimate state power in Ukraine yesterday after pro-Russian rebels declared a resounding victory in a rebel referendum on self-rule in eastern regions. Russia said it respected the outcome of the referendum, in which separatists in the industrial Donetsk region claimed 90 percent support, and that the results should be implemented peacefully. It did not say what further action it might take. Hours after the vote, dismissed by Kiev and Western governments as illegal, rebel leaders’ plans remained unclear. Some have publicly supported pressing for annexation by Russia, which absorbed Crimea after a similar vote in March. “This land was never Ukraine ... we speak Russian,” said Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, rebel mayor of the separatist stronghold of Slaviansk, threatening to kick out the Ukrainian army. Asked about the possibility of holding a second referendum, on union with Russia, he said: “There has been no decision, but this referendum showed we are prepared ... we can put on an election or referendum at short notice at barely any cost.” Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said rebel forces had made a new attempt overnight to seize a television tower on the edge of Slaviansk, heartland of a rebellion that has widened the worst standoff between Russia and the West worst since the Cold War. “The information war that they are waging against us in the Donbass (east) is more dangerous than a bullet. We must answer back ... the enemy fears this more than special forces,” he wrote on Facebook. But there was some hint of compromise in the port city of Mariupol, scene of fierce fighting between Ukrainian forces and rebels over the last week. Turchinov said local police had

begun patrols with a volunteer militia set up by a company, Metinvest, mostly owned by Ukraine’s wealthiest businessman, Rinat Akhmetov. His words implicitly endorsed the arrangement. A photograph on the company’s website showed steelworkers from his company, dressed in working overalls and helmets, but unarmed, walking with police through city streets. Akhmetov had offered to provide the militia as part of an

arrangement with loyalist police to restore order in the city. Akhmetov had also proposed that the military should not be brought again into Mariupol. Turchinov made no mention of this part of Akhmetov’s proposals but dismissed the separatist vote as a farce. “These processes are inspired by the leadership of the Russian Federation and are destructive to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions’ economies, threaten the lives and welfare of citizens and

have the aim of destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, disrupting (May 25) presidential elections and overthrowing Ukrainian authorities,” he said in a statement. The presidential vote is intended to secure democratic continuity and legitimacy following Yanukovich’s flight to Moscow in February. The referendum opened a new phase of uncertainty in a country historically divided between a Russian-speaking east and a more

THAILAND’s interim prime minister expressed hope yesterday that February’s annulled general election could be re-run soon, and said antigovernment protesters would not succeed in getting the Senate to impose an alternative premier. Ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s caretaker government has remained in office since the Constitutional Court ordered her and nine ministers to step down last week in a nepotism case. That followed six months of political turmoil in Bangkok, the latest phase of a nearly decadelong struggle between former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s brother who was overthrown by the army in 2006, and the royalist establishment. Before being forced out, Yingluck had agreed with the Election Commission to hold an election on July 20, although the date has not been ratified by the king. Caretaker Prime Minister N i w a t t h a m r o n g Boonsongphaisan told foreign

media the government would meet the commission on Wednesday to decide the best date. “Hopefully, we will have an election soon but it may slip, depending on the meeting,” he said. “I can’t guarantee the election will be successful, but I have high hopes.” Protesters intent on removing Yingluck, who they viewed as a proxy for her self-exiled brother, disrupted the vote in February and the Constitutional Court later annulled it. Now Yingluck is gone, the protesters want a “neutral” prime minister to oversee electoral reforms aimed at keeping the Shinawatras out of power, and have said they will scupper any vote that takes place before those changes are brought in. But Niwatthamrong, who served as deputy prime minister and commerce minister under Yingluck and was previously a senior executive in one of Thaksin’s companies, said the election should take place first. “We cannot stop the election, that is against the law,” he said.

“We can have elections first and then reforms.” Former telecommunications tycoon Thaksin won huge support in the north and northeast with populist policies that favored the rural poor, but was increasingly seen as a challenge to the Bangkok-based royalist establishment. Derided by his opponents as a corrupt crony capitalist who manipulates elections with his wealth, he has chosen to live abroad to avoid a 2008 jail sentence for graft that he says was politically motivated. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister in a government run by the pro-establishment Democrat Party, has called on the upper house Senate, the judiciary and Election Commission to step in and appoint a new prime minister. Niwatthamrong said that would not happen. “There are a lot of steps they have to do first. They can try but I don’t believe they will be successful,” he said. Newly elected Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai

called a special session on Monday to look at ways out of what he called the country’s biggest crisis. “We will discuss how to draw up a road map to get Thailand out of this situation,” he said. “A neutral prime minister has not yet been discussed as part of the road map.” The military, which has intervened frequently in politics in the past, has stayed out this time despite calls from some proestablishment forces for it to oust the pro-Thaksin government. “Military heads have never mentioned a neutral prime minister and this is not something they plan to get involved in,” Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the army, told Reuters. “The military is not planning to stage a coup and it will let politicians sort the country’s problems out.” Thailand has seen nine military coups since 1946, when King Bhumibol Adulyadej assumed the throne. The king, who is 86, has intervened to defuse previous crises but has not commented directly since this one blew up. Rival supporters are staging sit-

Ukraine government troops

Rebels Declare Victory In East Ukraine Self-Rule Vote westward looking west. One man was killed in a confrontation on Sunday between a National Guard unit and a crowd of proRussian activists. The authorities are wary of the danger of clashes between security forces and crowds that could stir wider bloodshed. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not comment personally at a state residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi but the Kremlin released a statement on

Interim Thai PM Hopeful To Win Re-Run Election in protests at various places in and on the outskirts of Bangkok, raising fears of violence. Twentyfive people have been killed in sporadic violence since this round of protests kicked off in November. Whilst vowing to remain aloof, military leaders have said they could be forced to step in if the violence were to worsen. Pro-government “red shirt” activists are demanding a new election as soon as possible. “Appointing a so-called neutral, unelected prime minister is against the law and, I warn you, it will provoke a violent reaction,” red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan told Reuters. “Thai people know their rights - they are now politically savvy and will not accept a puppet premier chosen by the elite.” Anti-government protesters started moving from a city park on Monday to a site in front of the United Nations’ regional headquarters and nearer many ministries. “For those joining our final offensive be prepared to stay until we prevail,” Suthep told his supporters on Sunday night.

the referendum. “We condemn the use of force, including of heavy weapons against civilians ... in Moscow, we respect the will of the people of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and are counting on practical implementation of the outcome of the referendum in a civilized manner, without any repeat of violence and through dialogue,” it said. The European Union declared the referendum illegal and prepared to increase pressure on Russia on Monday by taking a first step towards extending sanctions to companies, as well as people, linked to Moscow’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Western leaders, faced with Russian assertiveness not seen since the Cold War, have threatened more sanctions in the key areas of energy, financial services and engineering if Moscow disrupts a presidential election planned in Ukraine on May 25. EU officials have prepared a list of 14 people and two Crimean companies active in the energy sector that ministers are likely to add to the EU sanctions list, EU diplomats said. But the EU will remain far behind the United States in the severity of the sanctions it has imposed on Russia. Some European governments fear tough trade sanctions on Russia could undermine their own economies, just recovering from the financial crisis, and provoke Russian retaliation. Moscow denies any ambitions to absorb the mainly Russianspeaking east, an industrial hub, into the Russian Federation following its annexation of Crimea after a referendum on the Black Sea peninsula in March. The Ukrainian government came to power when President Viktor Yanukovich was toppled in February after mass protests in Kiev. One leading separatist said Ukrainian troops in the east would be declared illegal occupiers. “It is necessary to form state bodies and military authorities as soon as possible,” Denis Pushilin, a leader of the self-styled Donetsk republic said. Roman Lyagin, head of the rebel central electoral commission in Donetsk, also took a strong position on the results. “That can be considered the final and official result,” he said, reporting 89.07 percent for and 10.19 percent against. “We demand the right to selfdetermination, and we will get it.” “With the announcement of the results, the status of the Donetsk region does not change in absolute terms. We do not cease to be a part of Ukraine, we do not become a part of Russia,” he said, although he left those options open. Moscow has massed troops on the border and Kiev fears they may be called in as peacekeepers. Serhiy Pashinsky, head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, said a column of armored vehicles on the Russian side of the border bore the colors of U.N. peacekeeping forces. He offered no evidence or detail.

Health URINARY tract infections (UTI) are so common that most women get at least one bout at some time in their life, and a small proportion of women suffer from them time and time again. Men get them too, but less often, mainly because a woman’s anatomy offers a much easier pathway for infection. The main source of infection is bacteria from the bowel which spread across the skin from the anus into the urethra (the tube which carries urine out of the body and which is much shorter in women). If the bacteria spread up to the bladder, the result is cystitis. Careful hygiene in particular using a bidet, if you have one, after each bowel movementgoes a long way toward preventing UTI, but some women get it however scrupulously as they wash themselves. Sometimes it can be triggered by sex (cystitis”) and a few people are particularly susceptible when under stress or run down. Pregnancy makes women more susceptible because the pressure of the foetus keeps some urine in the bladder, allowing any residual bacteria to breed. THE SYMPTOM

Cystitis is not in itself dangerous, but the symptom can be alarming if you are not familiar with them: you want to pass water every few minutes, and when you do it, burns and stings, even though very riffle urine is actually passed. Sometime the urine is strong smelling, or it may contain blood. If you drink a glass of water at the very first sign of cystitis, and continue to drink copious quantities of fluid (cranberry juice is particularly beneficial), there is good chance that the cystitis will disappear after a couple of days without any further treatment. There are several over-the counter remedies based on citrates, which may also help to cure it. If the symptoms persist, it is important to go to your doctor and get an appropriate antibiotic. If you do not get treatment there is a chance that you will develop pyelonephritis inflammation of the kidney. The symptom of this much more serious condition may include blood or pus in your urine, severe back pain, general feverishness, nausea and vomiting. If kidney infections are allowed to fester

All You Need To Know

Cystitis:

without treatment they can lead to serious long-term illness, By RITA CARTER including high blood pressure and kidney disorders of the affect about one in a failure, and premature nervous system can, hundred women, in labour in pregnant

women. UNNATU RAL CAUSES Repeat attacks of UTI may be a sign of some u n d e r l y i n g abnormality and should always be checked out. Certain

make it impossible to empty the bladder completely, so, an infection can thrive. A partial blockage of the urinary tract is also a condition, called vesicoureteric reflux, which is believed to

“Repeat attacks of UTI may be a sign of some underlying abnormality and should always be checked out. Certain disorders of the nervous system can make it impossible to empty the bladder completely, so, an, infection can thrive”

which the one way valve which leads from the urethra into the bladder ceases to function correctly. Instead of forcing all the urine out, it forces some of it back up toward the kidneys. When the bladder relaxes, the urine flows back again to form a pool of urine in which bacteria can breed. Some cystitis-like symptoms may be due to local injury or irritation rather than infection. Vigorous sexual intercourse, for

example, can bruise the urethra, as can childbirth. PREVENTING CYSTITIS Drink plenty of liquid, preferably water. Wear cotton underwear. Always urinate as soon as you feel the need. Leaning forward after urination to force any residual urine out of the bladder can be helpful. -Always wipe your bottom from front to back, never the other way. If possible, wash your genitals and anus in a stream of moving water (again, from front to back) after using the loo, and before and after sex. -Avoid anything that irritates or hurts your virginal area because it will also hurt the urethra. This may include certain position during sexual intercourse, and it may mean changing your form of contraceptive. Wearing tight jeans, cycling and riding may also have to be ruled out. “Repeat attacks of UTI may be a sign of some underlying abnormality and should always be checked out. Certain disorders of the nervous system can make it impossible to empty the bladder completely, so, an, infection can thrive”

Aston Villa Put Up For Sale ASTON Villa owner Randy Lerner has announced that he is putting the Premier League club up for sale after eight years at the helm. After Lerner took over from Doug Ellis at Villa Park in 2006 the Birmingham club secured three successive sixth-place finishes but were unable to break into the top four and secure Champions League football. On Monday, the day after the club finished their most recent campaign under manager Paul Lambert 15th in the table, the former owner of the Cleveland Browns NFL franchise announced that he would be seeking to sell his stake in Villa. “Several weeks back I said that following the end of the season I would clarify my

Manuel Pellegrini

Pellegrini Keen To Retain Prem League Crown

MANUEL Pellegrini insists he will start work on Tuesday to ensure that Manchester City can retain their Premier League crown. to win the English top flight, A comfortable 2-0 win over said the success felt “very West Ham saw City triumph special” but that after the by two points over Liverpool victory parade on Monday, in the title race, while they work would start for next scored a record 156 goals in season. all competitions this season. He said: “I think it’s very City’s total of 102 Premier important to celebrate and League goals was one short of then on Tuesday start working the league record, but the 156 for next season. We are going tally is nine more than the 147 to do a balance of the whole Chelsea managed last season. year and the positive things Pellegrini, who has become and negative things and way the first non-European coach

Prem Trio In For Barcelona Legend APPROACHES have come from agents and it is claimed the Catalan hero is after a final big move to either Arsenal, Manchester City or United at the age of 34, according to the Daily Star. The paper ‘understands’ that City are in the best position to sign up the Spain hero with a move to America with the club’s New York City outfit also a possibility. Xavi is believed to be after a £150ka-week deal which City will have to find a way of dealing with considering the stringent Financial Fair Play regulations that are set to hit the club. Paper Round’s view:

Etihad Stadium’s top brass Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain know the star well from their time at Barcelona so it is little surprise to see Xavi being linked to the club, along with their sister outfit in New York. It is a time of transition at Barca, who have had a poor season by their own very high standards, and it is regarded as a near certainty that Xavi will leave the club at the end of the current campaign to take on a new challenge. While United probably need the Spaniard the most in their midfield, City appear to be best placed to capture the midfielder.

we can improve our squad. It has been a beautiful season but you always need to continue winning and improving, and we are going to start working as soon as possible to be the strongest team next year.” The team’s style under Pellegrini was in stark contrast to the often-negative tactics under predecessor Roberto Mancini - and the Chilean said he had inherited a disunited squad. “It was my first season in the Premier League and I had

to change a lot of things,” he said. “When I arrived at this club maybe the relations between the squad were not in the best moment so I think it was very important to have calm and try to convince all of them how we can play and how was it was important to be very close all of us managers, players and fans to try to win a very difficult title.” Pellegrini’s record as manager had been scoffed at in some quarters but a man who had been derided as coach who placed emphasis

on style over substance has gone a long way to proving his critics wrong. There was talk of a quadruple at one point this season such was the imperious nature of their early season form and, while that premonition proved unfounded, to secure a league and cup double while simultaneously rehabilitating City’s style of play in his first year in charge is a supreme achievement by the Chilean. An insatiable appetite to improve this squad could very well usher in a period of City dominance.

himself from talk of joining Monaco. Speaking to the BBC after beating Norwich City 2-0 on Sunday he said:

“I wish Monaco well, but there is no interest there.” The win at Norwich - sealed courtesy of goals from Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson saw the return of Jack Wilshere from a foot injury, with the midfielder coming off the bench just after the hour mark. Wenger was in no doubt over the 22-year-old’s availability for the World Cup, with Roy Hodgson set to name his England squad on Monday afternoon. “The World Cup is one month so it is plenty of time,” he added.

future role with the club, and address what had become seemingly constant rumours of a sale,” the 52-year-old said in a statement. “I have come to know well that fates are fickle in the business of English football. And I feel that I have pushed mine well past the limit. “The last several seasons have been week in, week out battles and having now come through this last season unfortunately limping amidst very meaningful injuries and constant sale rumours, I feel further that now is the time for me to look for new ownership and thus new leadership. “I have asked the world of Paul Lambert and Paul Faulkner and they have both delivered selflessly. “On a personal level it is time for me, like the Shunammite, to dwell among my own and get on with other aspects of my career, following a sale. “Above all, the debt I owe Aston Villa whether as owner, chairman, custodian or simply as a fan is to put the club first. To make good on that debt, I owe it to Villa to move on, and look for fresh, invigorated leadership, if in my heart I feel I can no longer do the job.”

Lerner

Wenger Dismisses Monaco Rumours ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed rumours linking him with a return to his former club Monaco. Reports in France had suggested that the bigspending Ligue 1 runners-up were poised to make a move for Wenger, with current coach Claudio Ranieri set to be relieved of his duties at the end of the season. Wenger’s own future has been shrouded in doubt in recent weeks as he continues to stall on signing an extension to his Gunners deal, but he has distanced

Arsene Wenger

“He can play now so it just shows you that there is no problem with him being available for England.” The Frenchman added that fellow World Cup hopeful Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also close to full fitness following a groin injury, hinting that he could be ready to face Hull City in the FA Cup final next Saturday. “He should be back into our squad on Wednesday for normal training. He will be available for Roy to pick him and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s picked.”

Atletico, Barca Ready For Title Showdown ATLETICO Madrid coach Diego Simeone says that next Saturday’s all-or-nothing La Liga decider at Barcelona is a 50/50 game too tight to call. The most dramatic Spanish we are feeling good. Now there title race in decades took even is a 50 percent chance, just like more turns on Sunday in a final. Either of two results afternoon, with Atletico will do for us. We are playing drawing 1-1 at home to Malaga, against a powerful side used to Barca being held 0-0 at Elche, winning titles.” and Madrid’s chances ending Over at Elche’s Estadio with a 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo. Martinez Valero, Blaugrana Atletico remain three points coach Gerardo Martino told his clear in the table, but need a post-game news conference draw at least as second placed the goalless draw had not been Barca will retain the title on the result he had hoped for, ‘head to head’ record should however going into the final they win on Saturday. day knowing a home win will The Colchoneros coach, who seal a title win was not a bad should have 36-goal top scorer place to be in. Diego Costa back from a thigh “It wasn’t what we wanted, strain for the game, told his but we’re pleased with the post-game news conference point given the results from the that nobody outside his club other games,” Martino said. had given them a chance of “The most important thing is even getting this far. to get to the end of the season “We are reaching the last with a chance of winning the game in a place, the Camp Nou, title. We hope to have the where they did not think we support from the fans for the would be three points ahead of remaining 90 minutes of the Barcelona,” Simeone said. season; with the help of our “Nobody thought that would people we can win the title.” happen. And nobody will think Back at the Estadio Vicente we have a chance to win it... But

Calderon Atletico captain Gabi told Canal Plus that his side had played the last few minutes of injury time knowing the Barca game was over and one goal for his side would clinch a first title in 18 years. “In the end we were desperate because we knew the Barcelona result,” Gabi said. “But we are proud of the team. We are going to get something at the Camp Nou and be champions. We still believe in this team. We are used to playing finals like this.” Barca defender Javier Mascherano, who reportedly

has an offer from Napoli for next season, said in his postgame interview that next week’s game could be last for some at the Catalan club. “Only one result [a win] will do for us, and two for them, but if you asked us for this a week ago, we would have taken it for sure,” Mascherano said. “We tried everything but were not accurate in front of goal. This week will now be a nice one. For some of us maybe it could be our final game with Barca and we must enjoy it.”

Camp Nou Can Win Barca La Liga

Gerardo Martino

BARCELONA coach Gerardo Martino has called upon the club’s fans to help the team deliver the Liga title when they host Atletico

Ibra Named Ligue 1 Player Of The Year PARIS Saint-Germain attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named Ligue 1 Player of the Year following his impressive performances in 2013-14, pipping teammates Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta as well as Monaco’s James Rodriguez to the award. The Sweden international netted 25 goals in 32 league appearances to help PSG to their second consecutive league title and is determined to help the reigning champions to more silverware in the years to come. “For the second year in a row, it is a great honour.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

I want to thank all the players, the coach, the staff and the supporters,” Ibrahimovic told gathered reporters. “I think this has been my best season. The team have had a magnificent season. “In the years to come I hope to win the league again, as well as the two cups, the Champions League and more individual trophies.” Meanwhile, PSG shot stopper Salvatore Sirigu was voted Goalkeeper of the Year ahead of Lille’s Vincent Enyeama, while Marco Verratti scooped up the Young Player of the Year trophy and Lille boss Rene Girard won Coach of the Year.

Diego Simeone

Madrid next week. The Catalans sit three points behind the capital club but can clinch the Primera Division crown on headto-head if they beat Diego Simeone’s men at Camp Nou next Sunday. Martino believes that the fans could be key but has admitted that he was left frustrated by the 0-0 draw with Elche this weekend. “We’re going to need the fans’ support. And because, in short, it’s been a season where we haven’t shone and with the fans behind us we can win the league,” he told reporters. “In light of the other results we’ll take the draw. But it’s not what we wanted. Before the game we thought it wouldn’t be enough, but the other results leave us with a chance. “We were always waiting to hear, particularly in the second half. We found it hard to break the deadlock. “[Gerard] Pique calmed everyone down when he said the Atletico game had finished. “At the end we didn’t know if we were taking too many risks or if they scored it would take us out of the race. “I don’t know if we were lacking something but we gave it everything to win.”

Atletico Have Character To Close Out La Liga - Sosa

ATLETICO Madrid have the “character and strength” to go to Barcelona this weekend, beat their only remaining title rivals and seal their first La Liga triumph since 1996, according to midfielder Jose Sosa. Spain’s top flight has gone down to the wire after leaders Atletico (89 points) and second-placed Barca (86) were held to draws on Sunday by Malaga and Elche respectively and Real Madrid, in third on 84 points, dropped out of the race after losing 20 at Celta Vigo. Saturday’s clash between Atletico and Barca at the Nou Camp will be only the third “winner takes all” match on

the final day of the campaign in history and the first since 1951. A win or a draw would be enough for Atletico, while Barca, who are chasing a fifth title in six years, need to beat the Madrid club to triumph by virtue of a superior head-to-head record, used to separate teams if they finish level on points. “We have to keep fighting to the end,” Sosa, who provided the assist for Atletico’s equaliser in a 1-1 comeback draw against Malaga at the Calderon, told

reporters. “We will be full of energy and have our heads held high,” added the Argentine. “The whole team is showing that we have the character and the strength for this season finale. “We have two options but it would be a mistake to go there and try to hold on for a draw.” Barca had written off their chances after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Getafe on May 3 but a 2-0 defeat for Atletico at Levante the following day kept them in the hunt. With Barca drawing 0-0 on Sunday, Atletico came close to

the goal that would have sealed the title in the 94th minute against Malaga but Adrian’s curling effort was brilliantly tipped away by goalkeeper Willy Caballero. “We have been given another chance to win the league and we have to find whatever is necessary to achieve that goal,” Barca fullback Dani Alves told reporters. “It is very tough to achieve things, the fact that the three teams didn’t win gives achieving things even more value,” added the Brazil international. “If we genuinely deserve the title we have to prove it by beating Atletico.

Cole Retires From International Duty ASHLEY Cole has retired from international duty after missing out on a spot in England’s World Cup squad. The 33-year-old made 107 appearances for his country after making his bow against Albania in March 2001. However, he has lost his place in the Chelsea team this season to Cesar Azpilicueta and has seen Everton’s Leighton Baines favoured in recent internationals. Cole made just 15 starts in the Premier League under Jose Mourinho this term, and hours after playing 90 minutes in Chelsea’s campaign-ending 2-1 win over Cardiff City on Sunday the 33-year-old made the announcement via his official Twitter page. He posted: “I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players. I think it best I retire from England team now. “We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan. Thanks to everyone for everything.” Cole’s decision comes on the eve of Roy Hodgson announcing his party for the tournament later this year and the Chelsea man suggested that Baines and Southampton youngster Luke Shaw had been given the nod over him. He added: “Baines and Shaw

Ozil Told To Improve Body Language

are great players, proved this season, and are the future of this country, it was a pleasure to get 107 caps. “Like me or not, trust me it’s hurt me to stop playing for my country.” Cole played every game in the last five major tournaments for his country and is fifth in the all-time list of mostcapped England players. His club future also remains unclear after he tweeted his thanks to Chelsea’s fans following the win over Cardiff, having been reduced to tears after their final home game of the season against Norwich City last week. He said: “Whatever happens it’s been a pleasure you Chelsea fans have to been amazing to me.”

GERMANY coach Joachim Loew has told Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil to work on his body language. Ozil, 25, became the most expensive German player ever when he left Real Madrid to join the Gunners on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2013. He came in for scrutiny when he missed a penalty against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 game against Bayern Munich. His contribution in the second leg was also questioned before he was withdrawn with a torn muscle at half-time.

Ashley Cole

Germany-Poland Preview

Young Stars Get Change To Shine

GERMANY’S fringe players will have the chance to push their World Cup case as a host of stars miss today’s friendly versus Poland. Coach Joachim Low revealed his preliminary 30-man squad for Brazil on Friday as well as the party he will choose from against Adam Nawalka’s side. The starting XI that is likely to choose at the will face Poland in World Cup, however, with Hamburg is set to differ virtually all of Germany’s vastly from that which Low star names unavailable. Indeed, Low is without his from Borussia Samir Nasri Reveals World contingent Dortmund and Bayern MANCHESTER City Cup Fears Munich, who will contest midfielder Samir Nasri has the DFB-Pokal final on said he is not expecting to be Pellegrini has warned that it Saturday. Arsenal’s trio of will be a big mistake if Nasri included in France’s World is left out of France’s World Per Mertesacker, Mesut Cup squad. Cup squad. Ozil and Lukas Podolski Nasri was long ignored by “The manager of France are missing due to the Les Bleus coach Didier hasn’t said about the list, but Deschamps after receiving a I can’t believe Samir Nasri upcoming FA Cup final, three-match ban for clashing won’t be in it because he was while Andre Schurrle and with a journalist following one of the best players in the Miroslav Klose are also France’s exit from Euro 2012. Premier League and very absent. That is good news But despite forcing his way important for our squad,” for the likes of uncapped back into contention, Nasri — Pellegrini said after the West Kevin Volland, Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer. who scored in his side’s Ham win. Premier League title“It will be an important The trio have been clinching 2-0 win over West mistake if he doesn’t play in included in both squads Ham on Sunday — was the World Cup.” and will be desperate to omitted from Deschamp’s last Nasri has won 41 caps for make an impression. At the selection for the friendly France since making his debut announcement of the two against Netherlands in March. in 2007. squads, manager Low “I’ll go on holiday and extolled the virtues of watch the World Cup on TV,’’ adding some young blood Nasri told Canal Plus. to a Germany side that has Some have claimed that grown together since their Nasri has fallen out of favour memorable showing at the once again with Deschamps last World Cup. That due to his below-par tournament saw the performance in the first leg of France’s World Cup playoff emergence of Ozil, Sami against Ukraine in November. Khedira and Thomas Deschamps has denied this Muller among others, and is the case, and Nasri added: Low is hoping to find the “I don’t have much to perfect blend in Brazil. reproach myself with. I had “We need young dynamic one bad game in Ukraine like players like those who most of my teammates. perhaps only recently Everything else, it’s just played themselves into pretenses, false excuses.” Samir Nasri contention,” he added. City manager Manuel

“They can inject fresh impetus into the side.” As well as those players, a number of bigger names on the fringes of the starting XI - such as Lars Bender and Julian Draxler - are also aiming to grasp the opportunity. For Poland, the game offers another

opportunity to finally end a long-running hoodoo against their European neighbours. In 17 matches between the sides, Germany have emerged victorious on 12 occasions with five encounters ending as draws.

Ozil returned to the Arsenal team in late April, and has recently said that he is fully satisfied with his first year at the Emirates. Loew has said that Ozil needs to show greater strength of character at times, but has backed him to overcome the challenges of adapting to English football and to become a better player for it. He told kicker:”During his first year at Arsenal he had to learn that football in Premier League is even more intense and physical than in other leagues. Ozil has been through a low at the end of the last year, after that the injury followed./p> “Mesut needs to work on his body language. He has heard it from me, and, I believe, also from Arsene Wenger. He is an inspired footballer. But when he fails or is not able to solve a deciding situation, he also needs to show that he can swallow that and send out signals like: In spite of that, I am still here and I can still affect the game. “He is in the middle of a learning process, and he will come out on top. I bank on him and I have complete trust in Mesut Ozil.”

CSKA Winger Silva Complains PORTUGUESE winger Of Racist Abuse Toni Silva has claimed he was the victim of racial abuse from an opponent while playing in the Bulgarian league at the weekend, local media reported on Monday. The 20-year-old, who spent three years on Liverpool’s books before joining CSKA Sofia from Barnsley in December, accused Botev Plovdiv defender Veselin Minev of making repeated racial slurs against him during a goalless draw on Sunday. “This continued throughout the whole match,” Silva, who also played for Benfica and Chelsea during his youth career, was quoted as saying. “He showered me with all sorts of insults; he called me monkey most often. He said I should go to pick bananas.” CSKA said they would notify the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) about the alleged incidents and file a complaint. Botev and the club’s defender Minev, capped 19 times by Bulgaria since 2009, were not immediately available for comment. The BFU have stepped up

efforts to eliminate racism but several ugly incidents in the Balkan country over the last few months have checked their progress. In March, CSKA’s Benin midfielder Omar Kossoko said Levski Sofia captain Vladimir Gadzhev insulted him in a racist manner at the end of the “Eternal derby” as matches between the two clubs are known in the Balkan country. Last month, Brazilian midfielder Fernando Silva claimed he was the victim of repeated racial abuse from opponents while playing for Slavia Sofia this season. As well as Bulgaria, other European leagues have witnessed several racial incidents over the past few weeks. Villarreal were fined 12,000 euros ($16,500) by the Spanish football federation after a fan threw a banana at Barcelona’s Dani Alves during a La Liga match at El Madrigal in April. The

supporter was banned for life by the club. Spanish soccer’s image suffered another blow following allegations from Levante’s Senegalese midfielder Papakouly Diop, who complained of racist abuse by visiting Atletico Madrid supporters earlier this month. In Italy, bananas were thrown onto the pitch during AC Milan’s 2-1 defeat at Atalanta in a Serie A match on Sunday.

Toni Silva

NNL: Supreme Court FC Coach Condemns Peter’s Attack well-calculated

THE chief coach of Supreme Court Football Club of Abuja, Henry Haggai, on Sunday condemned what he called the violent action of fans of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin. Reports say that some of the fans had almost invaded the pitch during the match between both sides at the Old Parade Ground. But the timely intervention of policemen detailed to provide security during the match prevented this, but the coach later told newsmen that the fans attacked his

On Referee, Team Officials

team’s officials and the centre referee. The match had seen the home side securing a late 21 win in the 2013/2014 Nigeria National League (NNL) Group A week 15 fixture. Haggai said such violence would not allow for the growth of the game. “This kind of violence will not help our football to grow. The match officials even took some decisions which were against my players, but we didn’t turn violent because of this. “All the same, my players

Dortmund Sets New Attendance Record For Home Games

BORUSSIA Dortmund was the only European club to average more than 80,000 fans per home game in all competitions this season as the Ruhr valley club improved upon their own attendance record. In 24 games, including Bundesliga, Champions League, German Cup and German Super Cup fixtures, Dortmund welcomed 1.855 million spectators, up from 1.841 million last season, the club said on Monday As the club celebrated 40 years at a stadium

boasting the largest terrace for standing spectators on the continent with a 25,000 capacity, Dortmund said their attendance was the highest in Europe at an average of 80,291 per game. “Europe-wide Borussia Dortmund are the only club to have an average attendance of more than 80,000,” it said in a statement. The 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga champions finished second behind Bayern Munich this season and will compete in the Champions League next season.

A coach with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Stephen Nuhu, has appealed to the Abia Government and corporate organisations on the need to support the 2014 Aba

Half-Marathon. The coach told newsmen in Abuja that the event, which is the second edition and is billed for Dec. 21, needs massive support. “I recently met the Aba Half-

were matured in the whole process. If not for the efforts of the securitymen here, who knows, the worst would have happened. “Fans who follow their team should be educated on

the need to avoid violence anywhere they are, whether home or away,” Haggai said. All efforts to speak with the Kwara United FC’s chief coach, Samson

Unuanel, proved abortive. During the match, Issac Itodo had put the Abujabased club ahead of the visitors in the 38th minute after converting Michael

2015 AYC Qualifiers

Flying Eagles Up For Bright Start . Beat Host Tanzania

Coach Manu Garba

Samm Audu, the second round first leg match was watched by a sizeable crowd at the 60,000-capacity National Stadium. During the goalless first half, Nigeria enjoyed more of the ball possession and created more chances with their biggest opening when Yahaya blasted wide from inside the six-yard after 24 minutes. Newly-drafted Tanzanian striker Saad Kipanga also had a glorious chance to put his team ahead after just five minutes, but his header from inside the box missed its target. The home team suffered a major blow when firstchoice goalkeeper and skipper Aishi Manula could not continue after a thigh injury in the first period. He was therefore replaced by Peter Manyika for the resumption of the second half. Four minutes after the break, Tanzania’s worst fears came to be as Yahaya

Marathon’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) at the justconcluded Okpekpe Road Race in Benin, and from what I have seen good support is needed. “Such support will help make the event a huge success,’’ he said. Nuhu also appealed to the Abia Government and corporate organisations to help develop distance running in Nigeria by making events such as the Aba Marathon viable through sponsorship. “Sponsoring events such as this is a form of Corporate Social Responsibility which not only leads to the discovery of new talents, but also keeps the youths engaged, whilst improving the local economy and encouraging tourism. “We therefore need the state government and companies to

standard,’’ he said. Saturn Communications, which is the parent company of Magic FM 102.9 Aba, is organising the half-marathon. Speaking also to newsmen Mr Seye Adebayo, a member of the LOC, said the event was “part of Saturn Communications’ commitment to sports development in its area of operations and Nigeria as a whole’’. He said the Aba Half-Marathon was designed as a way of giving back to the society and the city of Aba. “The initiative is driven by the abundance of talents in athletics in the area, believing that the halfmarathon will showcase and boost the athletic skills, talents, potentials and capabilities of indigenes,’’ Adebayo said. He said efforts were ongoing to make sure the 2014 Aba HalfMarathon was of international standard and hitch-free.

THE Flying Eagles got off to a bright start in the qualifiers for the 2015 African Youth Championship (AYC) after beating hosts Tanzania 2-0 in Dar es Salaam on Sunday. their lead in the 82nd minute The Nigerian under-20 through Taiwo Awoniyi. male football team scored in According to a statement the 49th minute through by the team’s Media Officer, Musa Yahaya and extended

Federation Urges Support For Aba Half-Marathon

Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, Sports Minister

cross. The visitors capitalised on a defensive error to equalize in the 85th minute. But the home team fought back to win the game after Eric Eric scored during stoppage time.

partner with organisations such as the Abia Half-Marathon LOC to help develop distance running in Nigeria. “We have capable coaches and quality athletes and I believe that Nigeria can be a household name in distance running in the nottoo-distant future if we get the necessary encouragement,” he said. The coach further appealed to the LOC to increase the prize money for the competition, while he also commended it for the high standard of organisation witnessed during the 2013 edition. “I am delighted that the Aba event has become a halfmarathon which can compete with any of the popular ones, such as the London, Boston and New York Marathons, in terms of

pushed past Manyika from the near post after a low cross by skipper Musa Muhammed. Kelechi Iheanacho, who replaced Alhassan Ibrahim for the second half, was denied a goal in the 54th minute by a piece of brilliant goalkeeping by Manyika. Flying Eagles goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo ensured he kept a clean sheet when he made a big save in 67th minute and another one late on as Tanzania attacked. But Awoniyi killed off the tie eight minutes from time, when he held off stand-in captain Pato Ngonyani before slotting past the onrushing goalkeeper. The home team created several openings late on to at least reduce the tally, but Abdallah Kheri and Juma Liuzio both failed to find target from inside the 18yard box. “This win away from home is very, very good for us, going into the return leg match in Nigeria,” the team’s coach, Manu Garba, told newsmen after the match. “Tanzania also showed they are a very good side, but they will have to work on their finishing. “Overall, it was the better team that won, even though I was not completely satisfied with the final 15 minutes of the game as we sat back in our defence.” However, Ngorongoro of Tanzania coach, John Simkoko, insisted they have not given up hope and said they would battle harder in the return match in Nigeria in a fortnight. “Nigeria were the better team and deserved to win. But the battle is not over yet, as we will come prepared to Nigeria,’’ he said. The second leg of the fixture will hold in Nigeria in two weeks time.

CMYK

Chibok School Girls Unite The World Against Boko Haram THE mass abduction of over 200 schoolgirls at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno by the Boko Haram insurgents has attracted global outcry against the sect. The girls, whose ages range from 16 to 18 years, were reportedly loaded into trucks and forcefully taken away from their hostels around midnight on April 14. Hajia Asabe Kwambura, the school’s Principal, said: “A total of 230 parents registered the names of their daughters who were missing on the day of the kidnap. “From my records, 43 girls have so far escaped on their own from their kidnappers; we still have 187 girls missing,î she added. However, the Borno State Government said that 276 students were missing, while 53 students had been found but some sources put the figure of the missing students at 180. Few days later, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram sect, threatened in a video recording to sell the abducted girls. Compounding the fears of concerned citizens on the plight of the kidnapped girls, Sen. Ahmed Zanna (PDP-Borno Central) alleged that the girls had been shared among the insurgents as wives and mistresses. Zanna also said that some of the girls have been moved from the country to Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Irked by the perceived slow and inadequate response of the Federal Government to girls’ abduction, Nigerians across ethnic, religious and political divides employed the use of the social media to strengthen the campaign to rescue the girls. The social media aspect of the global campaign has the hash-tag: “#BringBackOurGirls”. “#BringBackOurGirls” protests across Nigerian cities soon went viral and ignited solidarity protests across major cities of the world, putting appreciable pressures on world leaders to act. Following invigorated protests held in countries like the U.S., Britain and Canada; the international community became increasingly involved in efforts to liberate the girls.

Already, superpowers, including France, Britain, China, and the U.S., as well as Israel, Canada, Spain, Japan, among others, have all joined the crusade to rescue the girls. U.S. President Barack Obama said: “Obviously, itís a heartbreaking situation; outrageous situation. Weíve already sent in a team to Nigeria. “They (Nigeria) have accepted our help through a combination of military, law enforcement and other agencies, which are going in and try to identify where these girls might be and provide them help. Addressing the British Parliament, British Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the girls’ kidnap, saying: “This is not just a Nige•rian issue; it is a global issue. “I’m the father of two young daughters and my reaction is the same as every father or mother in this land or the world. “This is an act of pure evil; it has united people across the planet to stand with Nigeria to help find these children and return them to their parents. France is not left out in the growing campaign to liberate the kidnapped girls. France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said: “The President (Francois Hollande) gave me and the defence minister the order to put our (intelligence) services at the disposal of Nigeria. “He asked us to contact the Nigerian president to tell him that a specialised unit, with all the means we have in the region, is at the disposal of Nigeria in efforts to find and recover these young girls. Besides, Canada, through its Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr John Baird, described the girls abduction as “appalling and pledged to work with Nigeria in efforts to rescue the girls and combat the Boko Haram insurgency. “These acts are absolutely repugnant and will never be tolerated. We will closely monitor the situation and work with Nigeria to combat terrorism and secure the welfare of its children and youth,he said. The United Nations (UN) has also expressed its grave concern for the plight of the Chibok schoolgirls. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, who conveyed the solidarity of the global community with the government and people of Nigeria, assured Jonathan of the UN readiness to help Nigeria in every possible way to rescue the girls.

The Chairman of ECOWAS, President John Mahama of Ghana, said that ECOWAS was invoking its protocols on counter-terrorism to support Nigeria’s efforts to rescue the abducted girls and stamp out terrorism. President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed that the Federal Government had accepted some countries offers to help free the girls. The president also held an enlarged security meeting with state governors, security chiefs

assistance being offered to Nigeria by the U.S., Britain, China and other countries to rescue the abducted girls, Ibrahim said. Besides, the Northern States Governors Forum stressed that the Boko Haram insurgency would soon be over. “The coming of the U.S. army to rescue the abducted Chibok schoolgirls was as a result of the meeting which the northern governors held with the American

Matters In Focus With PRUDENCE AROBANI the Chibok schoolgirls in particular. His words: “That horrific video posted on the Internet is a clear manifestation of the mindlessness of the bigots. “The abduction of the schoolgirls has underscored the threat we have been facing as a nation in recent times; the threat from the actions of misguided persons masquerading as adherents of Islam.

While Pope Francis asked the world to unite in prayers for the abducted schoolgirls, fasting and intercessory prayers were also declared by both Muslim and Christian groups for them. “Let us all join in prayer for the immediate release of the schoolgirls kidnapped in Nigeria, Pope Francis wrote in the twitter. Addressing a world press conference in Abuja at the end of the recent World

“Let these people know that the entire civilised world is united against their terrorist act. We are grateful to the world for standing by Nigeria at this trying time, he added. Also speaking, another APC chieftain, former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar, said: “We must make it clear that under no circumstances should any person, group of persons or organisation ever be permitted to prey on the children of Nigeria. In a joint open letter, 46 eminent business, civil society and religious leaders from around the world called for global action and resources to rescue the abducted schoolgirls. The signatories include a Nobel laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and former Secretary-General, Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Salim Ahmed Salim. The letter read: “We urge all local, national and regional governments, with the full support of the international community, to dedicate their expertise and resources to ‘BringBackOurGirls.

Economic Forum on Africa, Jonathan, however, reassured parents and all Nigerians that the Chibok schoolgirls would soon be rescued. He said: “We are quite pleased that the whole world is singing the same message that we must bring back our girls. “I donít sleep with my two eyes closed and I will not sleep with my two eyes closed until these girls are brought safely back to their parents. Earlier, Jonathan said, while declaring the forum open, that with the myriad support coming from countries and individuals across the globe, the days of Boko Haram were numbered. “I believe that the kidnap of the girls will be the beginning of the end of terrorism in Nigeria, he said. Most analysts agree with the president’s sentiment that with the growing determination of Nigerians and, indeed, the whole world to unite in the campaign for the liberation the Chibok schoolgirls, the end of Boko Haram is nigh. (NAN)

Boko Haram insurgents and religious leaders to seek pragmatic ways of freeing the abducted girls and ending the Boko Haram insurgency. A communique issued after the meeting read: “We agreed that the Boko Haram war is not a religious war and, therefore, it is a war against all Nigerians and should be treated as such. The Jamaíatu Nasril Islam (JNI), an umbrella body for Muslimsm, in a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Aliyu, described the kidnap as “barbaric and called for concerted efforts to release the girls. The Muslim Rights Concern and the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria stressed that the activities of the Boko Haram sect contradicted the tenets of Islam regarding the treatment of women and girls. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, expressed support for the Federal Governmentís invitation of foreign powers to assist in efforts to rescue the school girls. “ACF appreciates the

Government, said the Forumís chairman, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger. Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saíad Abubakar, at a recent summit organised by Nigerian Inter-Faith Action Association in Abuja, called on all Nigerians to unite and fight against the Boko Haram sect. “This is because terrorism does not know who is a Christian or a Muslim. What we need to do, as leaders at all levels, is come together to defeat terrorism, he said. Nigeriaís major opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), also drummed support for ongoing efforts to rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls. The party described the Boko Haram insurgents as cowards for targeting unarmed civilians, especially women and children, and commended the Federal Government for its decision to accept foreign intervention. A top APC chieftain, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, condemned the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents and the kidnap of

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