Nigerian observer 14 02 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

Inflation rate stands at 8

ART AND CULTURE

Page 19 cmyk

• Vol. 38 NO. 420• FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2 014 • N100.00

Edo Traditional Days

VIEW POINT

Page 20 St Valentine’s Day and Hypocritical love

ABUJA - The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday said the inflation rate stood at 8.0 per cent in January, the same rate recorded in December, 2013.

per cent

This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr

- NBS

Yemi Kale, and made available to journalists.

According to the statement, in January, the

Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measured inflation, has risen by 8.0 per cent year-on-year.

“Growth rates have held relatively Continues on page 2

Edo supports police widows with N14m

BENIN CITY - Edo State Government, yesterday, presented cheques totaling N14 million to seven widows of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Also, the Government applauded the officers supported the education and men of the Nigeria of each child of the fallen Police, Edo State seven policemen with Command in their N500,000. efforts to get rid of Comrade Adams criminals in the State Oshiomhole who made said “many now freely the presentation tell me more and more yesterday said the people were able to visit security of lives and Benin City during the property is the irreducible Christmas and New minimum responsibility Year Celebrations. of every Government to “The ember months the people. which used to represent The Governor who a season where armed

robbers are in control and very ordinary people are hiding, during the Christmas and New year

celebrations, the armed robbers were the ones hiding and our people were moving freely.

G o v e r n o r Oshiomhole said “I believe that objectively speaking, you have

made a difference by your conduct and your leadership style and by Continues on page 2

Oshiomhole receives best performing governor award

By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR BENIN CITY - Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been conferred with the award of the “Best Performing, governor in the Country” by the Udaba-Ekperi Youths Association.

Receiving the award on behalf of the governor the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere thanked the group for the honour done the governor. Prof.

Ihonvbere noted that the comrade governor has high regard for the

youths, adding that any government that ignores the youths is bound to fail.

The SSG appreciated the Udaba-Ekperi Youth Association for acknowledging the transformation agenda of the Oshiomhole-led administration in the state and urged that the governor will leave no stone unturned in determination to take Edo State to higher heights.

Edo State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Barr. Donald Osikhena-Boih appreciated the governor for all he has done for

TIT BIT

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

- Nelson Mandela

Udaba-Ekperi community in Etsako Central Local Government Area.

The commissioner who is from the locality enjoined youths from the area to learn to conduct themselves in an orderly manner for the overall development of the community.

In an address read by the leader of UdabaContinues on page 2

PRESENTATION OF CHEQUE: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole (right) here meets with Mr. Stanley Kennedy Ozegin during the presentation of Cheques to widows of seven police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, yesterday. With them is Mrs. Caroline Ozegin and Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, Commissioner of Police, Edo State Police Command. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBOESERE.

FG to continue licensing private varsities - Wike

ABUJA - The Federal Government has said that it would continue to

LG Polls:

By ROLAND OSAKUE BENIN CITY – Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City yesterday dismissed four petitions filed by the

licence private universities that met laid down requirements for access to quality tertiary

education in the country.

This is contained in a statement yesterday signed and issued by Mr

Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant (Media) to the Supervising Minister of

local government election for Esan North East Local Government Area of the state for lack of merit.

The three-man Tribunal headed by Justice Alero Eruaga which awarded N10,000 cost against each of the petitioners, however, upheld the Continues on page 2

Tribunal dismisses 4 PDP petitions Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Councillorship Candidates in the October 22, 2013 re-run

Education, Chief Nyesom Wike.

The statement stated that Wike made the remark when he received the management of Nigerian-Turkish Nile University in his office on Wednesday in Abuja.

It said that the federal government would continue to collaborate Continues on page 2

News

Edo supports police widows with N14m Continued from page 1

the way in which you have motivated your officers and men to do the job so that we may have the peace we always enjoy in the State.

“So I want to thank you, appreciate, commend and to counsel you to continue to do your best as the reward for hard work is more work.”

He said “whoever must work hard also desires to be compensated even harder by appropriate authority” maintaining that the Police work like several other types of work is a team work.

“The captain can inspire the officers and men to work. But every member of the team could be the source of the strength of the entire team, one member can also be the source of weakness”, he stressed.

He noted that “there is no country in the planet that is not grappling with one form of criminality”, acknowledging that the people only talk of the police when they record a failure but no one talks of the successes recorded.

The Governor who sympathized with widows and children of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty said “it is the way we look after widows, those who were widowed in the course of their husband duty and those who are orphaned or fatherless in the course of their father’s work; how we treat them, more than what we say, will send the correct signals to those in uniform that whatever happens in the line of their duty, society appreciates.”

He said “crocodile tears will not suffice; we need concrete measures designed to alleviate their suffering, which cannot be equal to the loss of a loving husband or a caring father.

Governor Oshiomhole also used the occasion to make another donation of Five Hundred Thousand Naira

(N500,000.00) to the children of each of the seven wives of the fallen police officers as education support.

He however called on the Commissioner of Police Mr. Foluso Adebanjo to ensure the maintenance of vehicles and other equipment at the disposal of the police.

Earlier, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo said the command under his control in

the last one year has reduced crimes in the State to Zero tolerance.

He appreciated the support by the Comrade Governor in the fight against criminality and making the State unsafe for criminals.

While assuring the people of Edo state to go about their businesses, he maintained that hard time awaits any criminal caught in the State.

According to him, “they

should relocate, repent or have themselves to blame”.

He appealed for the provision of more vehicles to enhance police patrol in the State.

The fallen police officers are ASP Sunday Paul; Inspector Bakare Kong; Inspector Sunday Ewansiha; Inspector Akpada Michael; Sergeant Kennedy Ozegin; Corporal Timothy Edward and Inspector Paul Agbonavbare.

in Abuja, and was attended by members from all parts of the country.

He said the governor was honoured as part of efforts to acknowledge and cherish his developmental strides since he came onboard five years ago.

Comrade Atsenokhai thanked the governor for giving succour to the 2012 flood victims in Udaba-Ekperi as well as for appointing three sons of the locality into his progressive cabinet as Senior Special Assistants and commissioner.

the participation of the ministry in the International Olympiad to be organised by the university.

It also quoted the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Huseyin Sert, as stating

quota to the development of Nigeria’s education sector.

The statement quoted the Vice Chancellor as saying that the institution runs primary and secondary schools in seven states of the federation.

Oshiomhole receives best performing governor award

Continued from page 1 Ekperi Youth Association, Comrade Favour Atsenokhai, The association said the decision to honour the governor was taken at the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the body which took place

FG to continue licensing private Continued from page 1 the school would varsities that with international agencies continue to contribute its

to develop university education.

It said that the framework established by President Jonathan’s administration through the National Universities Commission (NUC) had given rise to quality international and local private universities across the country.

“We are happy that the Nigerian-Turkish Nile University has played a key role in the development of university education in the country.

“We shall continue to partner with your government and other key development agencies in Nigeria to develop our university education,’’ the statement said.

The statement said that the minister accepted an invitation by the university’s management to tour its facilities, and also approved

Inflation rate stands at 8 Continued from page 1 per cent unchanged for the second

consecutive month and continue to find support in the single digit range in line with trends exhibited in 2013.

“Food prices have risen at the same rate over the past three months at 9.3 per cent (year-on-year), with the largest increases observed in the bread and cereals, meats, sugar, honey, chocolate and confectionery classes.

“Prices of yams, potatoes and other tubers increased at relatively the same rate over December and January, while

Tribunal dismisses 4 PDP petitions Continued from page 1 petition of a PDP councillorship candidate

in Ward 3, Lucky Isadoh also at the cost of N10,000 against the respondents.

The judgment yesterday by the Tribunal was in respect of the petition filed by Isaac I. Owobu of the PDP against Moses Idemudia of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with No. ED/LG/PET/21/13 in Ward 9, Joseph Ugege (PDP) against Gabriel Ewah in Ward 5, David Osaghele (PDP) against Celestine Okhuelegbe (APC) in Ward 11, as well as that of Mathias Osezua Igberase (PDP) against Christopher A. Ebewele of the APC in Ward 7.

Delivering judgment in ED/ LG/PET/21/13, Isaac Owobu Vs Moses Idemudia Justice Eruaga said the court would not rely on a hearsay evidence as it was not tenable in law.

He stated that it was trite in

law that whoever assert must have the onus to prove, citing Kekere Eku JSC Salami JCA; “Omoboriowo Vs Ajasin” where it averred that election matters are hinged on documentary evidence.

The chairman of the Tribunal also noted that the Petitioners who filed their cases individually forgot to call on the 5th respondent (Returning Officer) to prove their case, instead believed in the information of their agents, who were not also called to give evidence at the Tribunal, citing the case of “Ogwazor Vs Udenwan” supra, “Buhari Vs Obasanjo” supra.

“With all due respect to the learned counsel to the petitioners, we have looked through the length and breadth of the petition and we find no merit in the matter.

The petition is accordingly dismissed with N10,000 cost to the respondents”, he said.

Similarly, in ED/LG/PET/28/ 13, Joseph Ugege against Gabriel Ewah in Ward 5, the

judgment read by Justice Emma Aikhomojie said the reliefs of the petitioner was at variance with the evidence lead during trial, even as the petitioners refused to call the 5th respondent who was at the centre of the matter to give evidence.

He therefore dismissed the petition with N10,000 cost awarded against the petitioner.

Also, in ED/LG/PET/23/13, David Oseghale against Celestine Okhuelegbe in Ward 11 could not also see the light of the day when Justice Uwuigbe (Mrs) dismissed the petition with N10,000 cost against the petitioner for lack of merit.

In suit No. ED/LG/PET/18/ 13 filed by Mathias Osezua Igberase against Christopher A. Ebewele the petitioner failed to prove his case with credible evidence, even as he (Petitioner) could not call any of the officers or agents to give evidence in the case.

The petition was consequently dismissed with

N10,000 cost against the petitioner.

prices rose at a faster rate in meat, fish, dairy and fruit classes,’’ it stated.

The statement said price increases in the food subindex were weighed down by moderate increases in the vegetables, and oils and fats classes.

“In January 2014, there were moderation in various classes which contributed to the index, including actual and imputed rental prices, garments, solid and liquid fuels.

“Others are some household furnishings, reflecting an easing of demand following the end of year prices,’’ it stated.

The statement said the urban composite CPI was recorded at 152.2 points in January, representing an 8.2 per cent increase from levels recorded in January, 2013.

It added that the urban composite index was, however, higher by 0.1 percentage points from the 8.1 per cent year-on-year change recorded in December. “ The corresponding rural national CPI recorded a 7.8 per cent year-on-year change in January 2014, easing marginally from rates recorded in December 2013, representing 7.9 per cent.

“The rural all items index was recorded at 0.68 per cent (month-on-month), marginally down from 0.76 per cent recorded in December,’’ the statement added.

It said the corresponding 12-month year-on-year average percentage change for the urban index was 8.7per cent, while the corresponding rural index was recorded at 8.3 per cent.

The statement said both were marginally lower from the previous 12 months rates of change by 0.1 percentage point.

Govt warns against House-to-House sales of domestic gas

By THOMPSON EROMONSELE BENIN CITY – Edo State Government has warned traders of domestic gas to stop henceforth the house-tohouse sale of liquefied natural gas to unsuspecting consumers.

It also condemned and cautioned against direct sale of domestic gas from trucks to gas cylinders of consumers in the state especially as it could lead to circulation of adulterated gas for domestic use.

The Commissioner for Transport in Edo State, Ambassador Orobosa OmoOjo (JP) gave the warning during a meeting with members of Edo State Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association in Benin City yesterday.

According to the commissioner, members of the association should ensure that they avoid underdispensing and overdispensing of the products as an over-filled cylinder could lead to explosion and fireoutbreak thereby endangering lives and property.

He said the essence of the

meeting was to inculcate into members of the association safety consciousness and to prevent gas-related fire incident.

While assuring them that the Ministry will set up a committee to check under-age persons engaging in the sale of domestic gas to members of the public, Hon. Omo-Ojo advised the executive of the association to compile a list of all their registered members and their addresses just as he decried re-filling of gas cylinders at the odd hours by unscrupulous persons, adding that effort will be taken immediately to curb house-tohouse commercial dispensing of domestic gas to consumers in their respective homes.

At the meeting, the chairman of the Edo State Liquefied Petroleum and Gas Association, Mr. Friday Ehi Osara commended Hon. OmoOjo on his effort in transforming the transport sector and disclosed that the association was ready to partner the ministry in sanitising the operations of its members.

He appealed for support of the ministry in the safety training of the members before venturing into the business of domestic gas sales.

Environment Commissioner Tasks Staff On Dedication To Duty

By TESSY OTENE BENIN CITY - The Hon. Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities, Prince Clem Agba has charged staff of Edo State Waste Management Board to be committed and focused as they discharge their duties, adding that State Government will always reward deserving and hard working staff.

He gave the advice yesterday during the presentation of cash awards to 10 staff of the board who have been very dedicated in the discharge of their duties.

He added that it is expedient that all government staff show commitment and the ability to work without supervision, stating that government will always reward deserving and hardworking staff.

Prince Agba thanked them for ensuring that the state government effort in beautifying the state is sustained.

He, however, called on those who are still not serious in the discharge of their duties to emulate the awardees, noting that there is reward for hard work.

Earlier, the acting General Manager of the board, Miss Gillian Ochugbue said that the awardees have proven to be hard working.

She hinted that the awardees were dedicated and committed all through 2013, adding that they were never absent from work even in the face of challenges.

She congratulated them for their show of love towards the board and their efforts in ensuring that the board succeeds.

One of the awardees who spoke on behalf of others thanked the Commissioner, Prince Clem Agba, the Permanent Secretary, Major Lawrence Loye, the Acting G.M of the board, Miss Gillian Ochugbue, Directors of the Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities, Edo State for the awards, promising that they will continue to do their best in the discharge of their duties.

The awardees are Oshomah Stephen, Peter Udo Oshomah, Mr. Benjamin Omoregbe, Omoruyi Erinmwingbovo, Edosa Oviasuyi, Giwa Isoken, Abu Ramanu, Miss Favour Igbinoba, Esewi Erhabor, and Charles Aigbagbe.

Army destroys illegal oil truck BENIN CITY – The 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army yesterday destroyed a truck containing suspected illegally refine Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The truck which was intercepted last month along Sapele bye-pass was set ablaze after a laboratory test confirmed that the substance to contained contaminated

PMS emanating from illegal refinery.

The destruction exercise according to the Army Public Relations Officer, Captain Abubakar Abdulahi was aimed at sending a clear warning to all those involving in illegal oil theft and refining to desist from it before being apprehended by the command.

Inside Edo LG Gives Community Electricity Transformer OKPELLA - The Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Council, Hon. Abdulmalik Suleiman Afegbua has inspected the installed 500 KVA electricity transformer at Okugbe, Okpella.

The Council Chairman said his attention was drawn to the epileptic power supply in parts of Okugbe by Hon. Shaka Jamilu and Hon. Sunny Peters Representing Ward 8 and Ward 5 respectively, consequent of which he discovered that Egbulo slope along Awuyemi road requires a new transformer.

Expressing satisfaction with the project, he said that he remains a man that always keep to his promises to the people.

A resident in the area, Mr. Kennedy Tafila who spoke to newsmen said that this

is the first time they ae experiencing steady power supply.

He stated that black out is now a thing of the past in the locality.

While thanking and praying for the council chairman, he called on him to provide an industrial water borehole as a solution to the water problem in the area.

Mrs. Cordellia Tunde, Another resident in the area also narrated her experience, noting that the chairman’s intervention has brought relief and succour to them.

Mrs. Rachael Unuayokhe who spoke in local language said that the provision of the transformer has not only boosted the economic activities of the area but the social life of the people.

Local Government Council, Hon. Abdulmalik Suleiman Afegbua has expressed his administration’s commitment to the execution of people oriented projects in the area.

He stated this in Imiegeli while inspecting the industrial water borehole constructed in the community.

The council boss who expressed delight over the project said that it was the firs of its kind in the area, noting that water has been distributed to the doorstep of the people.

He however promise to do more of such projects in Etsako East.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

He however promise to do more of such projects in Etsako East.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Momoh Ahmed Musa who accomplished the council boss noted that the project

is an eye mark and therefore called on the people to support the All Peoples Congress (APC) controlled government at all times.

Mrs. Oyoyo Abekhale Musa who spoke in Local Language stated that Hon. Afegbua has fulfilled his electoral promises to the people.

Apostle Ademeko and

L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed; former Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim; President Goodluck Jonathan; Managing Director, Suntrust Investment Ltd;, Alhaji Mohammed Jibril and Minister of Steel and Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Musa Sada at the inauguration of FMBN Aviation Village in Abuja yesterday.

NASU Protests FG’s Indifference

AUCHI - The Auchi Polytechnic Chapter of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) has held a rally to protest the Federal Government’s refusal to

…Expresses Commitment To Provide OKPELLA – The Welfarist Projects Chairman, Etsako East Chief Garba who spoke to newsmen said that they have never, enjoyed the type of water before, noting that the joy expressed by the people is in appreciation to the council chairman for fulfilling his electoral promises.

The project is completed and ready for commissioning.

negotiate with the union on labour issues.

Members of the union who took their protest letter to the Rector of the institution, Mrs. Philipa Idogho, said that the government had refused to attend to their plight.

The union had embark on strike for three months following their demands for the payment of arrears of CONTISS 15, Migration of NASU members and the Renegotiation of the 2010 FG/ NASU agreement for the polytechnics.

Other demands are the budgetary provision for the continued implementation of CONTISS 15 Migration, inclusion of NASU members in the assessment committee of

public polytechnics and adequate funding of polytechnics in the country.

The Union’s Chapter Chairman, Mr. Andrew Oshiogbele, said that the Federal Government had refused to return to the negotiation table with the union, saying that it led to the indefinite strike since Novrmber 4, 2013.

“The Federal Government had refused to negotiate with the union and we decided to

hold a rally to call on the government to negotiate with us and meet our demands.

“The non-implementation of these demands is responsible for the ongoing strike by our members nationwide,’’ he said.

Addressing the union, the Rector of the institution, Mrs. Idogho, advised them not to take laws into their hands while protesting.

She said their letter would be sent to the appropriate authority for redress.

Etsako East LG Renovates AGENEBODE – The High Court Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Council, Hon. Abdulmalik Suleiman Afegbua has commenced the

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (left), with his wife, Gift, during their pulling out in Abuja yesterday.

renovation and provision of furniture for the state High Court in Agenebode, the administrative headquarters of the council.

The council Chairman while inspecting the project acknowledge the significance of the judiciary as an arm of government and its role towards the entrenchment of genuine democracy in Nigeria.

The council boss who stressed his commitment towards the development of every segment of the society, maintained that he has not only engaged in the complete renovation of the High Court Complex but also the provision of quality furniture, adding that men of the bar and the bench require conducive atmosphere to carry out the onerous task of dispensing justice to the people.

The project expected to be completed within two months.

News NGO Condemns Commercial Sperm Donation

Vice Chancellors Commend World Bank For Grant ABUJA - The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities has in Abuja commended the World Bank for approving 80 million dollars (about N1.1 billion) grant for 10 Nigerian Universities.

The beneficiary universities include Redeemers University in Ogun, University of Ibadan, African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, African University of Science and Technology, Pan African Materials Institute, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Others are Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment, Ahmadu Bello University, Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology and University of Jos, Phytomedicine Research and Development.

Prof. Michael Faborode, the Secretary General of the Committee, praised the World Bank for the gesture in an interview with newsmen.

“We commend the World Bank for its continuous interest in Nigeria’s education sector and alternative efforts to support research and development activities in the country.

“We got 10 out of the 18 slots for West and Central Africa.

This is a very big number. It is more than 50 per cent success which is very good.

“Actually, when the call was made about 53 submissions from Nigeria were made and then it was reduced to 23 and forwarded to the African competition, so it is a plus to the Nigerian university system,’’ he said .

Faborode said that the committee deemed it fit to organise the workshop on deepening research for Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

“Nigerians have to show that they can really establish good centres that will help in national

and global development.

“The result of that research must be properly disseminated and must be properly exploited so that it can lead to development of Nigeria that is our concern.

“It is not just going to be for research sake. It is a research that will impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

Faborode said such research could be in the areas of knowledge, humanities, social sciences, biological and medical sciences as well as physical science and technology would impact positively in the economy.

Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (right), welcoming Hon. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Ativie, member representing Uhunmwode Constituency to plenary. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.

Improper Storage: NAFDAC Warns Food Manufacturers ENUGU - The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned food manufacturers and vendors against improper storage and packaging, saying it is detrimental to health.

The Director General of agency, Dr Paul Orhii, gave the warning in Enugu at a two-day workshop on national food safety organised for food manufacturers in the South East.

Orhii, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the agency, Dr

Sampson Adebayo, said that improper food storage and packaging negated the mandate of the agency.

The DG said that observing scientific and systematic approach as well as the control of hazards during food manufacturing, processing and storage would improve food safety.

He said that any operator found wanting would be punished according to the provisions of the law.

The director general expressed optimism that the workshop would expose participants to safe practices in primary food production and storage, food labelling and other guides on exportation of food products.

“In view of the serious and negative public health effect and the economic impact of unsafe food which is more in subSahara Africa, NAFDAC in fulfilling its mandate must play a role in assuring food safety.

“One of such role is educating

2013 Batch ‘A’ corps members during their passing out in Gombe yesterday.

relevant stakeholders, especially primary producers, small and medium food processors, state and local government food inspectors and others,’’ he said.

In a lecture, the Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in the agency, Mrs. Ogochukwu Mainasara, urged manufacturers to maintain the World Health Organisation (WHO) keys to safer food.

She listed the keys to include clean hands, safe raw materials, safe food temperature and cooking thoroughly.

Mainasara advised food vendors to always in-print manufacture and expiry dates on their products to ensure effective security.

Some of the participants commended NAFDAC for the workshop, saying that it would help them to maintain clean environment during food production.

Mr. Michael Eze of Sunchi Integrated Farms Ltd, Enugu, said the workshop had also enlightened them on food storage temperature.

“We have learnt how to handle food, the safety and the precautions. We will apply this in our poultry, on how we handle our chicks and finished products better,’’ he said.

NMA Insists On Relativity For Health Workers

IBADAN - Prof. Adefolarin Malomo, the Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Oyo State, has urged the Federal Government to maintain relativity in salary structure for health workers.

Malomo told newsmen in Ibadan that doctors were not opposed to allied health workers getting to the peak of their careers. “ What we mind is the destruction of relativity because doctors are not just paid for curricular capabilities but also for responsibility in planning

and execution of the health care policy of individuals in a comprehensive manner. “ To deny the fundamental and disproportionate burden of the medical profession in this outlook may be neither true nor good. “ No matter how much people are paid, as long as there is relativity in the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), we are happy, ‘’ he said.

The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) of teaching

hospitals in the country are demanding appointment into the position of Chief Medical Director and the payment of CONHESS Level 10 for members.

JOHESU also embarked on a warning strike between Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 to press home its demand.

The neurosurgeon also described medical doctors as the flagship of health institutions, adding that they

should continue to exhibit leadership as Chief Medical Directors and Chairman, Medical Advisory Council.

Malomo, who said the NMA had continued to exercise courage, love and maturity required of its calling, implored the Federal Government to dialogue with all stakeholders.

He also advised government to promote education about basic remunerations and

allocation of authority in all sectors.

The NMA boss said the union had continued to demonstrate understanding by yielding to the health ministry’s appeal and urged other health workers to imbibe the spirit of unity “ We call upon our coworkers in the health sector to pursue the good of their members vigorously; but not to do so in ways which in the long run will short-change the nation,” he said.

LAGOS - The Chairman, Global Prolife Alliance, an NGO, Dr Philip Njemanze, has decried the high rate of young men’s involvement in commercial sperm donation.

Njemanze, in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, advised them against commercial sperm donation to prevent fertility problems later in life.

He said that most times, young men were being given stimulating hormones or drugs to make them to produce more sperm.

“The boys donating sperm now for N50,000. Each time you give out a part of yourself, it has a detrimental effect.

“What happens is that sperm can be got from masturbation, but after a while, there will be a detrimental effect.

“Because you needed N50,000 today, tomorrow you need more money and you will need more money and tomorrow they start giving stimulating hormones.

“This will eventually have a telling effect on your ability to have good sexual life when you need your own children, no more for donation.

Principal Blames Parents For Declining Education Standard

ILORIN - The Principal, Government Secondary School, Ilorin, Dr AbdulGaniyu Quadir, has said that Nigerian parents were gradually killing the country’s education system.

Quadir told newsmen in Ilorin that the decline of education in could be traced to parents.

According to him, parents encourage their children to cultivate the habit of exam malpractices by registering them in “miracle centres’’ to sit for their SSCE exams.

“It is common among parents to buy results for their children with huge amount of money just for them to make their good results at a sitting,’’ Quadir said.

The principal said that many parents preferred spending on expensive clothes and jewelries to buying necessary textbooks that their children required in school.

He also faulted the recruitment of unqualified teachers as a tool contributing to the decline of the education.

“Quack and unqualified teachers flooded our schools and has nothing to offer the students,’’ Quadir said.

He, therefore, urged parents to make the education of their children their priority, saying that teachers could not do it alone.

News Police Kill Notorious Armed Robber WARRI (Delta) - The Warri Area Command of the Nigeria Police has said it has killed a notorious armed robber identified as Etuma at the Igbudu Market, Warri.

The Area Commander, ACP Hussani Rabi’u, told newsmen in Warri that other members of the gang ran away with various degrees of bullet wounds.

He said “Etuma has been on police list of wanted persons.’’

He added that the robbers attempted to snatch a bag containing some money from a woman, noting that the woman was still in coma in an undisclosed hospital in Warri.

The efforts of the robbers were foiled with the assistance of a vigilance group, he said.

The area commander

said a cut-to-size riffle was recovered from Etuma “and his remains have been deposited at the mortuary, while investigation continues.

“The command has put in place effective security measures to ensure that there is no hiding place for criminals in Warri and its environ.

“We have identified some black spots and we have intensified patrol.

“I commend the vigilance groups for giving useful information to the police.’’

Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker Edo State House of Assembly congratulating Master Aghogho Ajiyien, at the House shortly after exhibiting an unmanned aircraft made by him. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.

Environmentalist Urges Shell To Pay $11.5bn Fine

YENAGOA An environmentalist, Mr Nnimmo Bassey, has called on Federal Government to ensure that Shell Nigerian Exploration and Production Company pays the $11.5 billion fine imposed on

it without delay.

Bassey made the call in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa.

He said that the December 2011 oil spill from the Bonga oil facility belonging to the oil

Ogun Owes N35.6b ABEOKUTA - The Ogun Government says the balance of infrastructural loans taken under Gov. Ibikunle Amosun’s administration is N35.6 billion as at December 2013.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

The statement said that the administration had since May 2011 repaid “approximately N20.3billion in capital in line with its medium term financial strategy.’’

It added that the figure included loans taken from banks as well as the balance of loans inherited from the past administration.

“Also inherent in the loan profile is the sum of N1.7billion which remains unused.

“The unspent loans include counterpart funds relating to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are awaiting roll-out,” the statement said.

It added that the loans had been utilised to finance its investment in security, education, environment as well as the ongoing state-wide urban renewal programme.

The statement said the administration complied with the state’s law relating to the process of obtaining loans, adding that the House of Assembly gave approvals before they were obtained.

- Commissioner

It added that in the 2014 appropriation law, the House of Assembly approved that the government could source for N29.3billion of its total proposed expenditure of N201billion through loans.

Government, the statement added, was able to maintain the loan profile at that level.

It said this was because it had “continued to comply with the repayment schedule which qualifies it to take new loans as

it has a high level of credibility with lenders.’’

Other commitments, according to the statement included the N6.4billion contractor -finance obligations, the N16.9billion foreign denominated long term debts advanced by the World Bank and other multilateral agencies.

Of this amount, he said N14.4billion (86 percent) was inherited from the past administration.

company caused a huge damage on the country’s maritime environment.

“The impact of the Bonga spill will continue over an indeterminate period of time and we do not have information of what chemical dispersants Shell used to combat the spill.

“Aquatic life in the impacted area remains at risk. Indeed all of us who consume sea foods from the region are vulnerable to the toxic impacts of the spill,” he said.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) had imposed the fines on Shell

Master Aghogho Ajiyien exhibiting the unmanned aircraft made by him at Edo State House of Assembly, while enthusiastic admirers look on.

against the impact of the spill.

It will be recalled that that the Director-General of NOSDRA, Mr Peter Idabor, announced the fine on February 4 in Abuja.

NIMASA recommended a $6.5 billion compensation for the impacted communities, while NOSDRA recommended an administrative fine of five billion dollars against the oil company.

Bassey commended the regulatory agencies for taking firm stand on the massive environmental pollution that resulted from the spill.

“Government should stand firm on these fines and place further sanctions if payment is

delayed,” he added.

He said that the fine for the spill that discharged 40,000 barrels of crude into the Atlantic, would make oil firms operating in the country to take environmental issues seriously.

Meanwhile, Shell has said that there is no evidence to support the allegation that any community is impacted by the Bonga oil spill.

A statement issued by Joseph Obasi, a spokesperson of the company, quoted Mr Chike Onyejekwe, its Managing Director, as denying that its officials frustrated government agencies’ efforts to access the spill sites.

Corps Members Donate To Orphanage

CALABAR - Some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have in Calabar donated food items and toiletries to Infant Jesus Orphanage.

The corps members belong to the Community Development Service (CDS) Group on Charity and Welfare.

They donated three bags of rice, three cartons of tinned tomatoes, six packets of Maggi, salt and groundnut oil to the home.

President of the group, Mr Desmond Ikenna, said that it was important to care for the needy in the society, adding that the children were future leaders of tomorrow.

Another member of the group, Ms. Philomena Etuk, advised the children not to be discouraged by the circumstances of the time,

but to always have positive outlook to life.

Ms. Blessing Bisong, an official of the NYSC, who accompanied the corps members, thanked the children for welcoming them.

Bisong advised the children not to see themselves as being forgotten or abandoned, but to always look unto God for better tomorrow.

According to her, the NYSC would always remember the less privileged in its activities.

In her speech, Ms. Patience Okon, head of the orphanage, thanked the corps members for their goodwill and initiative.

The donation was part of the activities marking the passing out parade of 2013/2014 ‘Batch A’ corps members in the state.

South-West

Child Abandonment: ADO-EKITI - It may soon become a crime punishable under the law for any husband to abandon his wife after childbirth in any part of Ekiti.

Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, the wife of the state governor, Kayode Fayemi, gave the indication in Ado-Ekiti while on a sympathy visit to one Mrs. Bosede Omole.

Omole’s husband had run away after she was delivered of triplets at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

Fayemi lamented the uncaring manner in which mothers were usually abandoned by their husbands soon after delivery of new babies, especially multiple

births.

“Such a behaviour is not only callous and wicked, but a betrayal of the marriage trust between couples,’’ she said.

Mrs Fayemi promised to sponsor a bill at the state House of Assembly to prevent future occurrence of such behaviour, under her pet project called Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF).

She said the law, while in place, would make it impossible for husbands whose wives were carrying pregnancies to either run away or abandon their responsibilities.

Fayemi assured the mother of the triplets that EDF would take up the children’s care, as

Ekiti To Sanction Fathers

well as empower her financially to set up a business.

Omole, who could not

control her emotion when government plans for her were rolled out, thanked Fayemi profusely.

She said she found it difficult to believe that God could provide her succour

through the governor’s wife after her husband’s disappearance.

Public Complaints Commission Resolves 630 Complaints OSOGBO - The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Osogbo, Osun state has said that it had resolved 630 of the 1,187 complaints brought before it in 2013.

Prof. Razaq Abubakre, PCC Commissioner in the state, said in a statement that the rest 557 complaints were being investigated, including others from the previous years.

“The commission also recovered N4,193,695.97k for many complainants and respondents at no cost to them, in line with the law which established the commission,” he said.

The statement quoted the commissioner as advising members of the public to always lodge complaints on administrative or social injustice with the commission.

“This can be done through personal visits, letters, emails, phone calls, text messages or anonymous petitions,’’ Abubakre was quoted as saying.

Chief Tony Osunbor (centre) during the Izakhue ceremony for the late Oloi Esther Erediauwa, the Eson N’Erie of Benin Kingdom and late wife of the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Erediauwa. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.

Osun Rehabilitates Mentally Challenged Persons

OSOGBO - The Osun government has said it rehabilitated 65 mentally challenged persons in the state under its human rehabilitation programme tagged “OREHAB’’.

The Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, told newsmen in Osogbo that the persons were also assisted financially and re-united with their families for further care.

He said that feedback messages from the victims and their families had been encouraging and pleasant, adding that the state government was

committed to human capacity development.

He said that the patients were released into the society based on medical reports that they were fit to live normal lives.

“The present administration provided a rehabilitation centre for the training and development of patients after they had been medically

treated,’’ Okanlawon said.

On repatriation of patients to neighbouring states, Okanlawon said the state government has a mutual understanding with the

states, describing repatriation as an acceptable practice worldwide.

He called on the society to embrace the patients after their rehabilitation, adding that stigmatisation was a major challenge against victims of mental illness.

NGO To Educate Women Entrepreneurs

LAGOS - The Women’s Technology Centre (W.TEC), has said that it would be hosting a panel discussion for women entrepreneurs on how to use social media to grow and

Cultural troops entertaining guests at the burial ceremony of late Oloi Esther Erediauwa, the Eson N’Erie of Benin Kingdom and late wife of the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Erediauwa in Benin City. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.

promote their businesses.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen, in Lagos by the Executive Director of the Centre, Ms Oreoluwa Somolu.

She said that the one-day panel discussion, with the theme: “A Connected Africa is the Future,“ was part of activities for a Social Media Week slated to take place on Feb. 20 in Lagos.

“W.TEC is organising a panel discussion, which brings together a group of successful women entrepreneurs.

“These women are using social media in innovative and interesting ways to grow and promote their enterprises.

“They will share key experiences of using social media tools and, through a facilitated discussion, will explore the benefits and challenges they encountered,“ Somolu said.

She said the panellists would be women (business and social) entrepreneurs at various stages of enterprise lifecycle (from start-up through to experienced entrepreneurs).

The W.TEC Chief said that the panellists would also include women who consult for organisations for provision of support in deploying technology solutions.

Somolu said that social media had rapidly become a vital part of many Nigerian businesses’ marketing and branding toolkit.

According to her, this was not surprising when it was realised that the number of online Nigerians is estimated to be 48 million (about 28 per cent of the entire population), which represents significant business opportunities.

“Social media, with all its advantages, need to be applied within a strategically thoughtout plan, with an understanding

of how it fits within each company’s unique circumstances.

“The knowledge that participants will get from our panel will empower them to go forth and use social media appropriately,“ Somolu explained.

The Executive Director said that the participants would be founders or managers of organisations, or planning to set up one soon.

W.TEC is a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) which builds the capacities of Nigerian girls and women, to increase their economic power and ability to speak about issues affecting their lives.

Its main capacity building tools are information technology training, technology-based projects, mentoring and research.

They work in partnership with local and international NGOs, educational and research organisations.

Lagos

Remittance Of Tax: Lagos LAGOS - The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), says it has sealed eight more companies for failing to remit N66.7 million personal

income tax of their workers to the state government.

Mrs. Folasade CokerAfolayan, Head of the Distrain Unit of the LIRS, told newsmen

in Lagos that the companies were sealed.

Coker-Afolayan, who led the enforcement team, said that the affected companies’ tax

Shuts Firms

liabilities ranged for periods between one year and five years.

The team leader said the enforcement would continue until taxpayers imbibed the culture of voluntary tax compliance.

“Tax payment is a civic responsibility of everyone because that is the only way government can provide the

necessary infrastructure for the citizens and also improve their standard of living,” she said.

Coker-Afolayan urged taxpayers and organisations to remit their taxes promptly to avoid sanctions.

She said that the tax authority sent demand notices to defaulting companies to notify them of their tax liabilities.

The LIRS official said that notices of intent were sent to the

affected companies in accordance with the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) amendment 2011.

The LIRS sealed 23 companies in January over nonremittance of N326.6 million personal income tax of their workers.

Some of the affected companies had claimed that the state government of not giving them fair hearing.

meet their families’ obligations.

Mr. Wasiu Osho, a welder, said that he spent about N20, 000 weekly on diesel to operate his wielding business.

“It has never been this bad in Ijegun as far as electricity supply is concerned, but it appears that privatisation of the sector has altered the situation.

“In the last two months, power supply to the community has become erratic and this has affected social, business and commercial lives.

“Some artisans, who cannot afford generating sets, have taken to Okada and commercial tricycles,” he said.

Alhaja Kafayat Raji, a frozen food seller in Ijegun, said the electricity supply in the area had degenerated since the privatisation of the power sector.

“We were told before now that privatisation is the only way to ensure efficient power supply in the land.

“What we are witnessing now, especially in Ijegun, is a reversal of fortunes and this is not healthy for economic and industrial growth of this area.

“The development is forcing some small businesses to close down,” she said.

Mr. Thomas Chukwu, a cyber café operator at Jakande Estate, said that he had lost many customers due to the poor power

supply.

“We have lots of work left undone since December as a result of power failure.

“We now spend a lot of money fuelling our generators. Small scale businesses, which received a boost late last year, have started collapsing because of the inefficient power supply,” he said.

Mr. Friday Dada, a barber at Jakande Estate, urged the Federal Government to urgently look into the problem.

“We all know that efficient power will be a great improvement to industrial development of a nation. We want more efforts to be put in place.

“We will be happy if the new electricity distribution companies live up to people’s expectations,” he said.

Mr. Pekun Adeyanju, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Ikeja Distribution Company, however, said the outage was due to faulty 60 KVA transformers at Akowonjo transmission station.

Adeyanju said that engineers from Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) were working on the transformers.

He assured the affected consumers that power supply would be restored as soon as possible.

Artisans Decry Worsening Power Outage

Deputy Governor of Bauchi, Alhaji Sagir Saleh (right), with the Commssioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed at a workshop for medium and large scale cotton farmers in Bauchi recently.

Alleged Battery

LAGOS - Some artisans in Ijegun, Jakande Estate and OkeAfa Isolo communities in Lagos have decried the persistent power outage in their areas after the privatisation of the power sector.

They told newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos that the poor situation has rendered them less productive.

According to them, most of the artisans have been forced into other trades to earn a living and

Man, 33, Docked

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - A 33-year old man, Ibrahim Yekini is now cooling his feet at the maximum prison, Kirikiri Lagos for allegedly battering his neighbours, a couple and their son, because the child refused to run an errand for him.

Yekini was arrested and charged before a Senior Magistrates’ Court sitting at Ijaiye/Ojokoro, Lagos State, for allegedly stabbing Mr. Sanusi Okeniyi with broken bottles

after pouring live charcoal on his neck for trying to stop him from beating his wife, Risiqat Okeniyi and son, Ibrahim over the latter’s refusal to go on an errand for him.

The suspect was arraigned on a five-count charge of assault, breach of peace and resisting of police arrest.

The offences, according to the police, are punishable under Sections 170, 243, 171, 166 and 172 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011, but the

Man Beats Son To Death

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - A middle-aged man has allegedly beaten his fouryear old son to death, padlocking his mouth to prevent him from shouting while the beating lasted, with the belief that he was an Ogbaje (evil child that die and reincarnates repeatedly’.

It was reliably gathered that the man, Mr. Chris Elvis, who claims to sell computer accessories, allegedly locked his son, Godrich in the room in the afternoon at 7, Adetola Adelaja Street, Meiran area of Lagos, padlocked his mouth and beat him to death with an object that inflicted deep cuts all over his body, claiming that the boy was an Ogbanje (evil child that dies and reincarnates repeatedly).

The man landed in trouble when his landlady, Mrs. Popoola who was in the market, was informed that something was happening in her house. She rushed home and discovered

that the boy had been beaten to death by his father.

The landlady who confirmed the incident and feared that the man may escaped called the attention of others residents in the street to hold him before she rushed to Meiran Police Station to report the matter and the police immediately stormed the house around 9 O’clock last night to arrest Elvis who was about to escape.

After allegedly killing the boy, he locked him in one of his rooms. He told the police that nothing happened but when the police forced the locked room open, they found the dead boy with padlock in his mouth.

Husband of the landlady, Mr. Olusola Adejumo told our correspondent that the deceased boy was four years old and that the man had been acting strange since he packed into the compound last year.

accused, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at 1, Baale Compound, Ikola Ilumo, Meiran, Lagos State, where they reside as relatives of the traditional ruler of the community.

Risikat alleged that trouble started when she went to ask Yekini why he beat up her son and Yekini got angry and beat her mercilessly for challenging him, adding that as a result of the assault, she suffered a swollen face and almost lost her consciousness before their neighbours came to her rescue.

The police source said when Sanusi returned home from work and saw that Yekini had battered his wife and son, he went to meet the suspect but met similar experience his wife had as Yekini threatening to deal with him.

“When I saw the injuries and swollen faces of my wife and son, I was angry and I went to ask Yekini what happened. I asked him why he assaulted my family and he became angry and threatened to deal with me. He went and took the live coal my wife was using to fry plantain and poured it on me. He almost poured the hot oil on me”, said the battered husband.

He said Yekini also stabbed him in the head with a broken bottle and when the matter was reported to the police and it was alleged that Yekini resisted arrest.

It was also gathered that Yekini escaped arrest by an antirubbery squad who came as reenforcement after his purported resistance to honour police invitation.

However, when he was eventually arrested and interrogated, Yekini denied the allegations but admitted beating the son.

He said that he could not beat Ibrahim because he is his relative’s son and was acting on the order of Ibrahim’s father who told him that he can discipline the child whenever he refuses to go on an errand for him.

Ministerial nominee, Mrs. Etim Eyakenyi (left), being congratulated by Senator Ita Enang after her confirmation by the Senate in Abuja on Wednesday. With them are Rep. Robinson Uwak (2nd left) and legal practitioner Mr. Asuquo Okpo.

Across The Nation Improved Petrol Supply

Motorists Commend Marketers MAIDUGURI Availability of petrol has now improved considerably in Borno State.

Motorists, in Maiduguri, gave commendations to petroleum products marketers in the state for the improved supply.

Reports say that following its availability, a litre of petrol now sells for N97 at some petrol stations of major marketers and the NNPC retail stations.

Bulama Baba, a bus driver, commended the marketers for ensuring adequate supply of the commodity, adding that the supply had eased difficulties motorists encountered in getting fuel.

Baba said the availability of petrol would boost socioeconomic activities in the state.

Alhaji Kaka Ndume, the Manager, NNPC retail station in Maiduguri, said the station had supplied more than 900,000 litres of

petrol to meet the local demands.

Ndume said the station was selling a litre of petrol at N97, diesel for N155 and kerosene for N50.

“The station is supplying fuel on daily basis; we supply three trucks daily.

“The only commodity we don’t get constantly is kerosene, which comes once in three months,” he said.

According to him, the station has taken measures to improve availability of kerosene to reduce hardship being faced by consumers.

Environmentalists inspecting oil spill impacted site at Ikarama, Yenogoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa recently.

Alleged Tax Evasion

Kaduna To Close 200 Schools, Hospitals

KADUNA - The Kaduna State Government has said that it would close 200 private schools, hospitals, eateries and federal institutions that failed to settle their levies.

Alhaji Muhammad Tanko,

the Executive Chairman of the State Board of Internal Revenues, said this in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.

Tanko, therefore, directed the organisations to settle their levies within seven

days or be closed.

He said the action became necessary as the state government lost N18 billion as revenue in 2013.

He said the failure of the organisations to remit taxes

financial institutions.

Sule said that the fund was expected to cover over two million micro, small and medium enterprises over a period of 10 years.

He said that 60 per cent of the fund was targeted at women entrepreneurs.

According to the branch controller, the state governments are closer to the

people at the grassroots, hence the need to partner with them.

Earlier, Gov. Umaru AlMakura, who declared the workshop opened, said the workshop was organised in line with the transformation agenda of the present administration to reduce unemployment and restiveness in the state.

Al-Makura, who was represented by Mrs. Asibi

had impacted adversely on government activities, especially on the projects being executed in parts of the state.

“Although we have 70 revenue generating MDAs,

CBN To Disburse N2bn To SMEs

LAFIA - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that it has earmarked N2 billion for disbursement to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators in Nasarawa State.

Mr Usman Sule, the Branch Controller of the apex bank in Lafia, disclosed this at a sensitisation workshop in Lafia.

He said that N2 billion

earmarked for the in the state was part of the N220 billion earmarked for disbursement to two million small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the country.

According to him, the fundamental objective of the fund is channelling long-term low interest fund to the micro, small and medium enterprises through the participating

Umeri, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said government was determined to empower the citizens of the state, especially youths and women.

He commended the apex bank for the initiative, saying that it would bring about economic growth.

Omagbon Congratulates APC Members Over Membership Registration

By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

Nigerian Navy ship NNS Thunder on arrival at Port Harcourt Base after its 6 months in the Royal Australian Navy’s International fleet review in Sydney recently.

the board and the state Ministry of Land are the two major revenue sources in the state.’’

Tanko said the ministry had taken measures to boost its revenue generation, adding that the state government would reinforce its revenue machinery to improve its generation.

“We will also work with the legislators to ensure that relevant laws are initiated to replace obsolete ones to enhance revenue generation.

“We will enhance revenue collections at various levels, to enable the state government to implement the budget as planned.’’

OKADA - The Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Council, Barr Lucy Omagbon has congratulated members of All Progressive Congress (APC) over their successful membership registration exercise which lasted from Wednesday last week and scheduled to end today.

Barr Omagbon registered as APC card carrying member on the first day of the exercise, at Okada Grammar School, Okada West (Ward 1) in booth 4.

She re-affirmed her loyalty

and commitment to APC. While urging members of the party to sustain their tempo of enthusiasm and loyalty for the party, she said the overwhelming turnout of members and enthusiasm displayed while the exercise lasted was an indication of more victories to be recorded in the area in subsequent elections.

The council boss also commended the APC leadership for extending the period of the registration by two days, saying that there was wisdom in their decision, which she said has given room for more members to come in.

Abuja Senator Hails Decentralisation Of ABUJA - The Chairman, Law School delivery for all of them.

Senate Committee on Rules and “The decentralisation is a Business, Senator Ita Enang says the decentralisation of the Nigerian Law School has added value to the quality of legal education in the country.

Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom), told newsmen in Abuja.

He said that the provision of valuable education to the large number of aspiring lawyers would have been difficult without the establishment of more campuses of the Nigerian Law School.

The Nigerian Law School formally started operations in Lagos in 1963 while additional five campuses were established between 1997 and 2009 in Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Adamawa and Bayelsa.

According to him, the need to increase the number of campuses became necessary toward achieving effective impartation of knowledge and

efficient administration of the school.

“With the number of lawyers we have in the Nigerian Law School today, it will be very cumbersome and almost impracticable to give them good lectures and lessons in one location.

“When we were in the Law School, we only had one campus in Lagos. But now that place cannot accommodate even 20 per cent of the students in the law school.

“So it became necessary and appropriate for us to have about six campuses of the Nigerian Law School in Bayelsa, Enugu, Abuja, Kano, Adamawa, and Lagos.

“You have Deputy DirectorsGeneral and one DirectorGeneral covering all of them. It is to allow for concentration of lecturers, lessons and good

positive development, which is necessary for the promotion of qualitative legal education and professional legal practice in the country, ‘’ he stressed.

Enang told the newsmen that the lack of prompt prosecution was the major factor affecting the fight against corruption and not necessarily the absence of stiffer penalties.

He agreed that although stiffer penalties were required, those prosecuting corruption cases should put in more effort to secure more convictions against corrupt officials under the existing laws.

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (left), receiving a painted portrait from the wife of Cross River’s Governor, Mrs. Obioma Imoke at the State House in Abuja recently.

Jonathan Promises To Leave Legacies ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that his legacies would outlive his administration.

The President gave the assurance at the launch of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) in Abuja.

Reports say that both programmes, initiated and spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, are aimed at launching the nation’s industrial revolution.

The President said his administration was ready to build a great economy based on solid industrial sector, with well diversified minds and sources of revenue.

The NIRP and the NEDEP, he added, would create vibrant micro, small and medium enterprises sector that would create jobs and provide leverages.

He said “as we celebrate our centenary, it is clear to us that the measures put in place by the nation cannot be detached from the dependability of its economy.

“The Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan and the National Enterprise Development Programme will help to fast track the attainment of these goals.

“The programmes are targeted at transforming Nigerian businesses and changing the lives of the ordinary people.

“They will accelerate inclusive growth and job creation and save the drain on our reserve, caused by the importation of what we can locally produce.’’

The President said the programmes would serve as the bedrock of the National Transformation Agenda by urshering in a new era of value addition, enterprise development and industrialisation.

Jonathan said he would soon inaugurate the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Council which would be chaired

by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

He said the Nigeria NIRP

Presidential Advisory Group which would meet with him periodically, would also be established.

He noted that both bodies would constitute parts of the institutional framework to monitor and provide guidance for the implementation of the programmes.

Jonathan said that his administration believed that the Nigerian economy must be developed solidly and accounted for the resolute execution of the Nigerian agenda for economic reform.

The President said “our track record in this regard is strong, every year since we came into office we have consolidated Nigeria’s fiscal position.

“We have launched the boldest transformation of the agriculture sector and we are on the way to increasing Nigeria’s food production by 20 million tonnes per annum.

“This administration has reorganised the power sector by privatising 11 distribution and four generating companies and brought in private sector capital and expertise.’’

He said the administration had upgraded facilities within the Nigerian aviation sector to standards never seen before in the country.

L-R: Former South African Minister of Reconstruction and Development, Mr. Jay Naidoo and an Environmentalist, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, listening to a briefing by a community leader, Chief Amangi Daniel, on the first oil well in Nigeria located at Oloibiri, in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa recently.

National Confab Should Address Ethnic Fears - NGO ABUJA - The National Coordinator, Ethnic Nationalities Movement (ENM) Mr Solomon Asemota, has said that the upcoming national conference should adequately address the relationship among ethnic groups that make up the country.

He said this in Abuja at the Ethnic Nationalities

Conference with the theme ‘Towards A Truly Representative National Conference‘ organised by ENM. Asemota said addressing the manner of the relationship among the ethnic nationalities would eliminate mutual suspicion and promote national unity.

He said the conference should

afford the nationalities the opportunity to discuss on how each of them could bring their strength to bear with a view to promoting peaceful coexistence and integration.

He, therefore, said the manner in which the ethnic nationalities would relate with each other in the ‘Nigeria of our aspiration’ should be the focal point of the conference.

they have proved their strength in offices they occupy.

“Ministers who are hardworking deserve to be commended; look at the ongoing transformation in our airports today.

She assured that women were willing to support the president if he will contest in the

upcoming elections, adding that they would leverage on their large number to ensure women participated.

According to her, women need to ensure that they go beyond state and council chairpersons, but emerge in party primaries as well, adding that “the political terrain is not easy for women’’.

NCWS Charges Women On Active Participation In Politics ABUJA - Mrs Nkechi Mba, the President, National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), has advised women to desist from ‘pull her down syndrome’ and support women participation in governance.

Mba told newsmen in Abuja that it was important for women to take advantage of their large number to secure political relevance.

She appealed to the state

governors and political parties across the country to carry women along to also be at the helm of affairs and create an enabling environment for them.

“No nation can afford to overlook the values women contribute to nation building if the nation must move forward.

“Women have justified the 35 per cent affirmative action as

“We are peoples of independent Nigeria who are indigenous on account of our descent from the nationalities that constitute Nigeria.

“With the discussion on our relationships, the distinction between colonisers and colonised would be buried for all time, we need our own Nigerian dream,” Asemota said.

Chairman of the conference, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe, urged Nigerians of ethnic nationalities to take advantage of the conference to proffer solutions to the challenges facing them.

“Conferences like this should enable us to put together ideas on how to move the country forward,” he said.

He said that constructive controversy was the ideal for the development of any society, adding that “it is important to keep the country together”.

Business + Economy Experts Decry Bogus Promos By Some Coys

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; a member of the Committee, Senator Joshua Lidani; Chief Engineer, Ministry of Aviation, Mr. Bayode Boluwaji; Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe and Chief Engineer, SSC Nigeria Limited, Mr. Etim Frank, during inspection of Kashimbilla Multi-Purpose Dami in Taraba recently.

LAGOS - A Brand Promotion Specialist, Mr. Adeyemi Cole, has expressed concern over the over-rated and bogus promos and bonanzas by some business organisations.

Cole, while speaking at a seminar on ‘‘Promos and Bonanzas: Customer Appreciation or Bogus Profitmaking’’, said that many promos were exploiting the unsuspecting members of the public.

Reports say that the seminar was organised by the Crystal Business Consult.

According to him, many business organisations are ripping customers of their hardearned monies by making promises they are not ready to fulfill. ‘’Customers in Nigeria have been fooled over the years with the promise of better standard of

PEF Saves N14.4bn Through E-Loading

ABUJA - The Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) has said that it assisted the nation to save N14. 433 billion through its “Project Aquila” from January to November 2013.

Mrs Adefunke Kasali, the Executive Secretary of PEF, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

According to her, ‘Project Aquila’ is the high-tech electronic loading and delivery system initiated by PEF to check leakages in the system to enthrone transparency and due process.

She said PEF had been able to check fraudulent activities among marketers and ensured transparency in the system.

“The new initiative, also

known as the ‘e-loading’, ensures delivery of petroleum products at the right destination and has saved the nation huge sums of money by curtailing unwholesome practice of some marketers,” she said.

Kasali said that through the project, the agency had been able to reduce period of payment of claims to marketers from one year to four weeks.

He said the project had also been able to remove encumbrances that normally caused distortions in supply chain such as the issue of prompt payment of bridging claims.

Bridging claim is the money paid marketers to take care of logistics in movement of

NIMASA Poised To Protect Marine Environment - DG

LAGOS - Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi, the DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has said that the agency was opposed to all forms of pollution to the marine environment.

He made the declaration at his office in Lagos, when members of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) paid him a courtesy visit.

Mr. Akpobolokemi said the agency’s dedication to protecting the marine environment made it to push for the maritime protection laws to be gazetted.

“A few days ago, we were at the National Assembly over pollution-related issues because we are very opposed to any form of pollution.

“We do not want to tolerate pollution. Our life is the ecosystem and the ecosystem is our life.

“We have a mandate to protect the marine environment. That

was why we did everything we could to get our marine protection laws and deregulation gazetted.

“The laws are targetted against pollution that emanates from ships, shipping activities and other pollution to the marine environment.”

He said that the agency was winning the war against piracy, in collaboration with the security agencies.

“Definitely, we are winning the war against piracy, but in collaboration with the security agencies, especially the Navy.

“We have been able to chase pirates out of our territory and it is no longer safe for them.

“They are going out, so it is left for us to go ahead and collaborate with our sistercountries,” he said.

The NIMASA chief said the agency had sent out marine notices to all indigenous vessel owners, warning them not be involved in any way in the act of piracy.

products and ensure uniformity in prices of petroleum products across various regions in the country.

Kasali said the project, which has been successfully deployed in all parts of the country, ensured automated data capture and enhanced processing and payment of claims.

The executive secretary said that PEF was set to deploy phase two of ‘Project Aquila’.

She said the ‘Project Aquila 2’ was intended to further fasttrack payment within one week.

“We are confident that one week payment of verified claims is achievable.

“By the time we roll out ‘Project Aquila 2’, which is intended to monitor movement of products from the depots to retail outlets, this will enable us have the required information within a very short period of

time.

“We should be able to make that happen,” she said.

Kasali said the second phase of the initiative would not only ensure prompt delivery of the products from depot to different outlets, but would ensure its

availability.

The PEF boss said the project would also help in checking diversion of products or any other fraudulent act.

“We are working on the final detail to be able to monitor products from depot to the outlets.

“We are also working with the marketers to achieve the goal and objectives,” she said.

ABUJA - The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said that it was compulsory for all employers of labour to provide life insurance policy for their workers.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Daniel Fola, said this in Abuja when he visited the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar.

Fola said that Section 9 (3) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA), 2004, made it mandatory for employers of labour, with more

than four employees, to take the group life insurance policy for the workers.

He, however, lamented that state and local governments as well as private employers had refused to comply with the law.

Fola solicited the support of NLC in getting employers to comply with the law on workers’ insurance.

“The Pension Reform Act, 2004, is a national legislation, not a federal law that is binding only on the Federal Government.

“It is worrisome to note that

living. ‘’Business organisations promise them gifts like cars, houses, household items and even aero planes in return for their money. ‘’The telecommunication sector is the guiltiest with customers being asked to send costly text messages ceaselessly to be able to win gifts.’’

Miss Ajiro Phillips, a Business Consultant, said that winners of promos and bonanzas were often doctored, adding that there was no transparency in their selection of winners. ‘’Business organisations often make noise on radio and television about how many of their products you need to buy in order to win gifts. ‘’They bombard our phone lines with text messages endearing us to participate in their promos. ‘’Winners of such promos are often invisible people, we don’t see them in our neighbourhood and they are nobody’s family members. ‘’They seem arranged to take photographs and pretend to have won one gift item or another,’’ she said.

Mrs Adeola Goriola, a Customer Service Executive with Je-gorj Oil and Gas Ltd., said that there should be proper regulation of promos and bonanzas.

NAICOM Solicits Support On Insurance Coverage For Workers

Ongoing construction work at Kashimbilla Multi-Purpose Dam during the visit of the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe in Taraba recently.

only the Federal Government is fully compliant as it currently insures all its workers under the group life insurance scheme,” he said.

“The problem now is with states and local governments as well as the private sector operators, who attach little or no importance to the welfare of families of their workers,’’ Fola said.

“One of the objectives of the NLC, which is in sync with the Pension Act, is the enhancement of the quality of life of Nigerian workers and the welfare of their families.

“The NLC should look at this situation and institute remedies aimed at getting the states, local governments and private sector employers to comply with the law,” he said.

Responding, the NLC President, expressed the readiness of the congress to partner NAICOM to get defaulting employers to comply with the law.

Omar suggested the setting up of a joint committee by NLC and NAICOM to streamline efforts in that direction, saying, “the Nigerian worker is at the lowest level of the ladder when it comes to the issue of welfare.

“But the truth of the matter is that workers are the ones most in need of protection because of the critical role they play in national development.

“I assure you that we will partner with NAICOM in this laudable effort to engage employers of labour on behalf of Nigerian workers”.

Issues

THE world is gradually moving towards destruction. The sins that afflicted Sodom and Gomorrah which led to their destruction in the Biblical days of lot have penetrated the current generation. Now, Adam marries Steve while Eve now marries Evelyn. This is an abominable act that should not be tolerated by righteous people. People have been celebrated for engaging in same sex marriage. Regrettably, some men of God who vowed to spread the good news of the Lord are readily available comsummate such sinful and shameful union in the UK, USA and some other Countries in the World.

The struggle to legalise same sex marriage has become topical and a major theme in Global discourse in recent times.

Some developed and industrialised Nations are in the fore front of the campaign which strongly supports this abominable act not minding that it goes against scriptural command and God’s injunctions. According to authentic research, eleven out of the fifty states in United States of America (USA) have approved same sex marriage for her citizens calling on others to follow suit. Yielding to the American call, some countries have given their citizens who practise homosexuality and lesbianism the Iicences to go ahead and even marry if they so desire.

This evil practise is largely not African. Most African Countries have consistently refused to yield to the America call to join the bandwagon of sodomy but hitherto only South Africa has ignoriously decided to follow the America step.

Same sex marriage has been approved and a few of such have been shown on National Television for public visibility. What a big shame? This act is not African because Africans value culture, tradition and heritage. Nigerians have rejected same sex

Same Sex Marriage Has The World Gone Crazy?

By RICHARD OKORO EWEKA

marriage in totality. Our leaders voted against it in the upper and the lower chamber of Parliament which led to President Goodluck Jonathan to sign into law a bill which forbids same sex marriage in the Country. A penalty of 14 years imprisonment is prescribed for outlaws. The signing into law of the bill has elicited reactions from home and abroad as religious, political, academic and cultural groups as well as, students and all well-many Nigerians have appropriately applauded the courage of the president despite the condemnation from the western world which is threatening to sanction Nigeria on the issue.

Commending President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the anti-gay law. Assistant Inspector General of Police and a-two-time Military Administrator in Taraba and

her to the man. He did not create man and man nor woman and woman. People who are advocating same sex marriage should remember that those who practised same sex marriage and disobeyed God in Prophet Lot’s generation were violently killed with brick stones and fire. Lot and his two daughters only survived in that generation because they obeyed God. The situation we have created for ourselves is not only sinful but ungodly. God created man and woman for procreation and other things but it has gone his own way sinfully. Man will soon go into extinction. The act of same sex marriage is against the will of God. God is tolerant but could be angry and punish mankind for committing such grievous sin. Anger is traceable to God in the book of NUMBERS 14 verse l8 - which traces

Oyo state, Dr. Prince Edore Oyakhire said that same sex marriage is a sin, unnatural, ungodly and not in our culture, as Nigerians. Same sex marriage is wrong because it will end procreation. Mankind will go into extinction if continuously practised. We are commanded to go into the World and multiply. All the 25 Scriptural Prophet married except Jesus. Prophet Muhammad married nine wives but believers in God as Muslims are allowed to marry four. This clearly shows that celibacy is a sin against God. Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Job, Muhammad and others individually married wives and had many children. Dr. Oyakhire gave a vivid illustration of what transpired in the Garden of Eden where God created Adam. Eve was created by God from Adam’s rib. This act shows that God had compassion and mercy for human beings. God said it is not good for a man to live alone and as such He created the woman and brought

anger to God and says, “I, the Lord, am not easily angered.

I show great love and faithfulness. I forgive sin and rebellion”. It is bad to fall negatively into the hands of God. The World is playing negatively into the hands of God. Our sinful actions clearly indicate that we are due for destruction. Prince Oyakhire said that the new law which outlawed same sex marriage is not strange because as a people, Nigerians are against sodomy. Our people are unhappy because of such ungodly act. The fact that it is being practised in Europe does not make it right. Europe is the home of knowledge. The UK is believed to be the place where the Bible was first written but her stand on same sex marriage does not make the act right. Nigeria has distanced herself from such evil act. The world has gone crazy by actualising same sex marriage. We have abused the freedom God gave us. There is no freedom that is unlimited. We should be very careful, otherwise,

“This evil practise is largely not African. Most African Countries have consistently refused to yield to the America call to join the bandwagon of sodomy but hitherto only South Africa has ignoriously decided to follow the America step.

we will experience the anger of the Almighty God sooner than we expect.

Commenting on the just release Time Table by Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Prince Edore Oyakhire express doubt as to whether the activities of Prof Attahiru Jiga and the Electoral Body will lead to a free, fair, peaceful and transparent election come 2015. “The problem of our democracy is the lack of credibility on the part of INEC. Since 1999 democracy has continued to suffer losses due to the failure on the part of INEC. If we must develop, INEC should be transparent and patriotic in the conduct of election so that the best among us are truly elected into strategic positions.

Where is INEC’s biometric programme which consumed millions and millions of naira recently?

Indeed positions, it is in National interest that a retired Judge of Supreme Court be appointed as INEC Chairman. Nigeria’s political stability will be enhanced by INEC’s election of good, knowledgeable, compassionate, merciful and God-fearing citizens into leadership. To assemble the best informed minds, brightest brains, most resourceful and patriotic citizens to tackle the problems of the Country. The best part of Nigeria’s prosperity has been lost to corruption.

Corruption harms society, weakens democracy, impedes developmental growth and undermines the rule of law.

Corruption, cupidity, indolence, ineptitude, incompetence and indiscipline have majorly inhibited Nigeria’s development and growth.

Government must show sincerity of purpose and demonstrate strong political will in dealing with ethical issues including indiscipline and corruption decisively.

THE Federal Government says 86 persons out of 1, 623 reportedly infected by the cholera outbreak in some parts of the country have died. As its response, the Federal Government directed the Nigeria Centre for disease Control to immediately coordinate all its response activities and report to the ministry of health daily on both the patterns of occurrence. The Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, in a statement by his Special Assistant (Media and Communications), Mr. Dan Nwomeh, directed all federal health facilities in the country to provide free services to cholera patients.

AS at the last checks, the cholera outbreak has affected a number of states including Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Lagos with fears of possible spread to other parts of the country. There is also gastro-enteritis outbreak in Sokoto and Katsina states which have not been confirmed to be cholera.

WE are alarmed at the sudden outbreak of cholera in the country and the fast rate of its spread. The death toll is also disturbing because it show the parlous state of our attention to basic hygienic practices in the country.

IT is shameful that while other countries in sub-Saharan Africa are making progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goal on Sanitation, Nigeria is off track. Also shameful is the fact that Nigeria is off track in meeting the Millennium Development Goal for Water.

Cholera, as we all know from basic science or hygiene is a water-borne disease. It is sad that in spite of billions of dollars earned from crude oil since its discovery in commercial quantity in 1958, access to potable water is still a mirage to many citizens as 42 per cent of Nigerians still take water from unwholesome sources.

WE also decry a situation where the Federal Government still saddle itself with provision of water to Nigerians, a responsibility it ought to

THE NIGERIAN

Curbing The Spread Of Cholera have devolved over the years to the States and Local Governments, which are the tiers of government closest to ordinary citizens.

ALSO, owing to the failure of government to provide potable water to its citizens, many resort to self help with poor regulation of the sector by government whose responsibility it is to regulate the sector. Many boreholes are located near sewage and pits while a good number are located near graves in residential premises. Some citizens as a result are practically drinking their faeces. These situations predispose citizens to water- borne diseases such as the cholera epidemics that is ravaging parts of the country.

IN some parts of South-West of Nigeria, human faeces and wastes are exposed close to sources of drinking water in such a way that the outbreak of cholera is as good as a time bomb waiting to explode.

WE therefore call on governments at all levels to rise up to their responsibility of providing safe drinking water to Nigerians and take steps to regulate the sector in such as way that private persons involved in water provision for self-use comply with international best practices.

WE urge governments of affected states to take a cue from the federal government by ordering free medical services to all cholera patients in

secondary and primary health institutions across the country.

AS the nation is currently undergoing the process of amending the 1999 constitution, or producing a brand new constitution as being demanded by Nigerians from the national dialogue advisory committee, we urge the law makers and conference participants to make access to water and sanitation a right for all Nigerians. It should be expressly stated in the constitution. This is, more so, when a number of International instruments and convention exists governing the right to water and sanitation. However, governments of all countries need to domesticate these instruments for the rights of citizens to be assured.

ON 30 September 2010, the UN Human Rights Council affirmed for the first time that the human right to water and sanitation is legally binding. Nigerian authorities need to guarantee this right for all citizens. The right to water and sanitation is derived from the right to adequate standard of living, which is recognised in several international treaties.

These include the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) to which 160 States are party, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has reached nearly universal ratification.

IT is instructive to note that the Council’s resolution helps those denied the right to water and sanitation to hold governments to account.

It is for these reasons we call on Civil society and those at risk to actively claim this right from duty bearers. The Society for Water and Sanitation, NEWSAN, Nigeria’s umbrella body for Civil Society Organisations working in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector to rise up to the occasion by holding government to account and ensuring that Nigeria moves speedily in guaranteeing the rights of all citizens to WASH.

Insight

WITHOUT being immodest and with gratitude to Allah it is significant to refer to the piety of late M.K.O. Abiola who built sixty three colleges, eighty four churches, thirty seven Mosques, forty one libraries and twenty one water projects in twenty four States in Nigeria. He placed over two hundred Nigerians on Scholarship. He catered for numerous widows, orphans, elderly, needy and handicapped. He gave zakat (alms) throughout the Country. He was a Grand patron to one hundred and forty nine Associations. He earned one hundred and ninety seven titles from sixty eight communities in Nigeria. He was a populist Muslim. His inspirational life is a symbol for emulation and for societal reformation. May the soul of the departed rest in peace.

ISLAM in which Hijrah is uniquely pivotal, is a Decent way of life, a Culture and a Religion for mankind in the World. Islam is Divinely designed in the best Traditions of Salvation, redemption and fulfilment to serve the long term interests of Nations. Islam is a kind and gentle Doctrine which connotes peace, obedience, surrender and total submission to the WILL of Allah. On completion of ISLAM as a RELIGION which Allah chose for mankind, Allah revealed as follows to Prophet Muhammad, “This day, I have perfected your Religion for you, completed My Favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”. “We have sent to you the Book that is, The Quran as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves to Allah as Muslims”. “Allah graciously sent His Messenger, Muhammad, with Guidance and the Religion of Truth (Islam) that He may make it superior over all Religions”. It upholds moderate positions in all matters. Modesty is required in worship, prayers, fasting, speech and in all Islamic tenets. Islam ignores colour, creed, tribe, race and Nationality. It epitomises the equality of mankind before Allah. Besides, it is a symbolism of universal brotherhood. Isiam is a Heavenly System for all the dwellers of the earth. It is a mighty Treasure and unsinkable SHIP on earth if only humanity realises its authenticity. ISLAM is Allah’s own University. Indeed, Islam is Allah’s Religion - (Q6, The Holy Quran is its approved Syllabus. Prophet Muhammad is a facilitator.

The World is the Lecture theatre for prayers and Angels are the examiners. Allah enjoins every true Muslim to be righteous and to pass His examination in order to secure a place each in Paradise (Al firdaus). Islam and knowledge are inseparable companions no crime can destroy, no misfortune can suppress and no despotism can ever enslave. Islam is a Religion without men to propagate it while Christianity has men but without a Religion. It approves of the unity of Government and Religion in every Country and not the separation. Islam is about firmness and fairness, not vengeance or retaliation but a medium course between negligence and exaggeration. In Islam, there is a defined order Of doing things because The Right Path is distinct from the wrong path. Islam is incisive, penetrating, rigorous and greatly rewarding. Islamic faith and jurisprudence are not mere reflections of the apparels Muslims wear. Islam enjoins people to dress properly, neatly and decently. Islam recognises Allah as a Single

Hijrah 1435 A

By DR. PRINCE OYAKHIRE

entity (monotheism) and not in duality, trinity or multiplicity. In other words, it recognises the “Oneness of Allah” absolutely as authenticated in the Holy Quran 59, 1936, 2192, 3370 374 3910111&65, 5413 and 1121-3 as well as in the Holy Bible, Deuteronomy 10b0&17, Exodus 202-4, Isaiah 455, John 434, 530 and 72-17, Luke 1818&19, Malachi 36, Mark 122831 and 1 Timothy Chapter 2 respectively. There is no FAITH as perfect as ISLAM Islam is the truth and the way into Paradise.

Embrace it, hook, line and sinker. Practise it for success in life and in the Hereafter.

The Noble Quran is the most widely read Book in the World. It is confirmed that over four billion out of seven billion people in the World have read it. Indeed, over one billion out of two billion people in the British Common Wealth of Nations have also read it. The Holy Quran is the most eloquent Arabic prose in history. It is the pinnacle of literary excellence. It is a Miracle in and of itself. It is not a thing for amusement. There is no similitude in existence. It is the character of the Prophet. The Holy Quran is the Word of Allah, truth in manifestations and a compendium of Scriptures. The Quran is the primary source of the teachings of ISLAM, a unique Religion that provides moments and times for everything in life. It guides the activities of true Believers daily and throughout the odyssey of life. The Quran is the Power House of a Religion called ISLAM which has no custodians and no propaciators It contains the Ten Commandments, the Gospel, the Psalms and Prophet Abraham’s Writings and Records held greatly in Honour by Allah in the Heavens.

It is a comprehensive Divine Book which contains the basics of knowledge, faith, economics, politics, system of governance, justice, psychology, penal law, sociology and all sciences relevant to the needs of mankind It is for all Nations. The Quran separates truth from falsehood and commands strict laws for mankind which cut the roots of evil. It is a collection of precepts. The contents have no variables, no contradictions and no variations. The Quran is a clear insight, a guidance and an evidence for mankind as well as a mercy for people who have faith with certainty The Quran does not contain a single statement that is assailable from a Modern Scientific point of view. It has an inimitable style. It has no old or new versions whatsoever but has many translations. It is the only BOOK known today to have been authored by God alone. Almost every Muslim has read the Quran at least twice or more thoroughly in a language he or she understands but comparatively only a few Christians can claim to be so assiduous in reading the Bible. The entire principles, practices, laws and regulations contained in the Ouran, Hadith and Sunnah are thoroughly and meticulously

“Islam and knowledge are inseparable companions no crime can destroy, no misfortune can suppress and no despotism can ever enslave. Islam is a Religion without men to propagate it while Christianity has men but without a Religion.

It approves of the unity of Government and Religion in every Country and not the separation. Islam is about firmness and fairness, not vengeance or retaliation but a medium course between negligence and exaggeration.”

explained. Allah is faithful, just and true. Muslims are enjoined to read the Quran daily. The part that is read could cover a page, a paragraph, a sentence or just a word.

Muslims who disobey or deliberately fail, have by implication begun to exit from the World. Muslims must painstakingly study the Quran so that they can easily recite it and do not forget. There is an appointed ‘term for everything. Besides, there is a recompense for all things that have been done by mankind. Piety exalts a Nation

but sin is a reproach which destroys mankind. Allah does not diminish the wages of righteous people. The most useful 5-letter-Word in the Quran is ALLAH. Worship HIM IN ISLAM sincerely and in humility.

The expectations of the public from Muslims as actors in Societal Reformation are very high. Muslims as Agents of Societal Reformation must first be at peace with themselves absolutely, physically and spiritually, vis-à vis with other creatures. A true Muslim is not arrogant, not ignorant, has absolute faith in Allah, prays diligently and regularly in humility, does righteous deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, relates decently to people, seeks knowledge avidly and remains in appreciative contentment. He or she is generous, impeccable ill character and impacts positively on mankind particularly on all faithful neighbours. Every Muslim is the brother or sister of another Muslim. The good news in Democracy is that it is dynamic, allows free participation, advocates freedom of choice and the right to seek power by all qualified people. True Muslims with credible antecedents are earnestly urged to participate in partisanship because when good people govern, citizens generally rejoice but citizens lament when bad people rule. Many Muslims are eligible, suitable and properly disposed to participate in partisanship. Truly, many Muslims are well groomed, highly exposed, vociferously articulate, adequately versed in modern management practices, emotionally intelligent as individuals with sound diction and have a good

Insight

Ah Awareness command of English Language. Muslims are strong, well informed, modest, visionary and God-fearing. Muslims are men and women of goodwill and many have been tested, tried and trusted as good leaders. Muslims must patiently persevere, watch carefully, work diligently, pray regularly, listen attentively to ideas and words of wisdom, consult widely, research extensively and give charity often to the poor and the needy. Besides, Muslims must be modest, resilient, decent, appreciative and pious. Insha

Allah, as true Muslims, we must continue to apply our disciplined investment approach, excellent technology, financial capabilities and corporate citizenship in support of Nigeria and her people in order to reduce despondency, poverty and increase good public policies. Poverty reduction is a major key for Societal Reformation and National development. True Muslims must be patient when denied, overlook when cheated, forgive when offended and be grateful when gifted so that Allah’s blessings for them will be more fulfilling tomorrow than yesterday. May Allah accept the efforts, sacrifices, piety and near sinless conduct of Muslims always and moreso during this season.

Muslims must be mindful of the role expected of them in Societal Reformation. Government Policies must, therefore, be critically examined. In Nigeria, for instance the advent of democracy in 1999 has progressively thrown up a political leadership that has consistently put Nigeria on a steady decline in all parameters of governance.

Consequently, Nigeria has gone on a tangent far from the blissful future once envisaged for her economically, educationally, ethically, morally and politically.

Government has unconsciously left the generality of Nigerians since then in a constant state of denial that neglects the basic needs of many citizens. The clime is one of blackmail, blurred vision, deal making, manipulation, multiple talks, frivolity, shifting positions, criminality and near State failure. Political leaders have proved, time and again, that they are inept, indifferent,

insensitive and out of touch with the plight of despondent masses. Sadly, leaders have continued to preside over a Democracy in which the State is gracious enough to rig in elections. The pre-occupation of many current politicians is the flagitious pursuit and primitive accumulation of unearned wealth, fame and materialism.

Nigeria’s middle class has been completely destroyed.

Democracy has not failed but many politicians have not fared well. A responsive Administration makes the welfare of citizens the centerpiece of its economic policy because governor is about people, security and welfare. Misrule by the political elite has greatly consigned a vast majority of Nigerians to a life of despondency, attendant misery and penury. Ours is not politics of class, diligence, merit or selfless service but of economic interests, corruption, materialism, primitive wealth accumulation, fame and patronage. Parliamentary System is better, simpler, less costly and more accountable than the Presidential System of governance. Government protects lives and property effectively and reduces the apprehension of citizens as its Constitutionally bound duty but when it fails, its legitimacy diminishes particularly in a Democracy.

Indeed, security is a key responsibility of Government.

Our Administration has suddenly become cruel and wicked. Society is criminalised and citizens are pauperised by unpopular, oppressive, undemocratic and unfavourable policies. Poverty level in 1999 in Nigeria was 46% but by November 2011 it reached 66%. May Allah save the President !!!

Deregulation as a policy of some strategic economic areas in a Country with due flexibility is desirable for Societal Reformation, development and National growth.

Its implementation in Nigeria is faulty as it has absolutely no conception of general good for citizens. The complete deregulation of the downstream oil sector which surrenders the Country completely to exploitation and sheer market forces is the worst domestic policy mistake in Nigeria’s political history. The only people the Policy works for are those the President himself chooses to help, the wealthy and the well connected. Such people are working mainly in Oil and Drug Companies. Deregulation has essentially benefitted the wealthy, precipitated job losses, stimulated high prices for petroleum products, high cost for education, expensive health care delivery services and turned many Nigerians into penury. Nigeria is wrongly deregulated. When Government is entrusted to undeserving people, integrity is lost and citizens suffer untold hardships. Many politicians constitute outposts of Nigeria’s political decay. Corruption, cupidity and indiscipline are among Nigeria’s major problems.

Corruption must be drastically reduced so that it cannot impede development by creating institutions, traditions and laws which will make it extremely difficult for people in public positions to corruptly acquire, steal or peculate

public funds. The general development of Nigeria and the real progress of Nigerians will be achieved from the wellbeing of Nigerian people, levels of health, opportunities for employment by earning a fair reward for labour, access to qualitative education and adequate security for lives and property. The best part of Nigeria’s prosperity has been lost to corruption. Six out of ten most corrupt Countries in the World are in Africa. Sadly, Nigeria is one of them. Corruption harms society, weakens democracy and undermines the rule of law. Imperatively, there must be the primacy of purpose for qualitative education, energy (electricity), healthcare delivery services, security, agriculture and infrastructural development. Instructively, wealth creation, mass employment, capacity building and poverty reduction are among the long term antidotes for crime reduction and societal stability. Good people including Muslims in governance will greatly reduce diseases, ignorance, injustice and poverty. Indeed, poverty reduction is a major key to development.

Now, we are honoured and privileged to listen to one of us, Ustsoh Abdulttafeez Thanni Esquire, a Nigerian in whom Allah is well pleased. He is being continuously blessed by Allah in the course of his odyssey through life. He was born about four decades ago.

He hails from Avbielle, near Auchi in Edo State. He attended the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Warri.

He is an erudite scholar. He is a firm believer in good of civilised conduct, a strong enforcer of discipline, a visible of sacrifice and a strong defender of the oppressed. He is a true Muslim in patience, perseverance, piety and prayers. He is clad in candour, decency, truth, modesty and morality.

He is married and blessed with four children. He is eloquent, witty, extremely meticulous and a diligent Technologist of immense professional talents. He is incredibly intelligent, smart, highly informed, comprehensively generous, a symbol of unfettered humility and a faithful servant of Allah. Our Brother, Ustsoh Abdulttafeez Thanni, is the Vice President M.S.S.N, Edo/Delta Unit. He works as a Laboratory Technologist in the Faculty of Pharmacy in the University of Benin, Benin City. He has a credible history of excellent activities in the propagation of Islam. Today’s event bears credence to this testimony. Indeed, he is the public Orator and the Lecturer for today’s occasion. He is a gentleman.

He is good in character, brilliant in learning and impressive in performance. May Allah continue to prosper him in good health, make his name famous and keep him in the ranks of the Righteous. I wish all Muslim brothers and sisters a peaceful, pleasant and a rewarding Hijrah 1435 AH/2013. It is pertinent to emphasise that our conduct must consistently reflect Societal Reformation generally and moreso with the current Hijrah which commenced in the month of November being one of four sacred months in Islamic Iunar calendar. Please, listen attentively to our Brother as he speaks in diligence and in humility ON THE ROLE OF MUSLIMS IN SOCIETAL FORMATION. AsSalamun Alaikum.

“The best part of Nigeria’s prosperity has been lost to corruption. Six out of ten most corrupt Countries in the World are in Africa. Sadly, Nigeria is one of them.

Corruption harms society, weakens democracy and undermines the rule of law.”

Art Alive

With FRANCIS ODUPUTE

Biological Rate Of Deterioration Of Our Cultural Wooden Objects

By ALASAN U. MODUS

WOOD is naturally very durable in moderate, sheltered environment’ it can last for thousands of years without substantial change.

Biological deterioration is principally found in the form of insects and fungi. This activity can results in the complete destruction of an object and when decay processes becomes evident in historic object, there is justifiable cause for alarm. Most of the biological damage is started in poor environment condition for storage and display. Continuously biological decay is dependent upon four (4) conditions. If anyone is removed, the decay is arrested. These conditions are; Supply of oxygen Supply of moisture Supply of food Moderate temperature range SUPPLY OF OXYGEN A continuous supply of oxygen is required by terrestrial life forms, including these which consume wood. When the supply is diminished or removed entirely the consumption ceases and the organism will be destroyed.

This is fact a new method of eradicating wood destroying organisms.

These so called “anoxic” methods require the use of sealed chambers which are sometimes a good alternative to pesticide SUPPLY OF MOISTURE Control of this condition can be difficult. The moisture content of wood is dependent upon the amount of moisture in the immediate surroundings.

The terms “relative humidity” is derived from the relationship of moisture in the air and temperature of that air. The amount of moisture (in the form of water vapour) can be stable in a given volume of air, and as that air is heated and cooled, the relative humidity changes. Since the capacity of warm air to hold water vapour is greater, the relative humidity is ‘lower than a cooler room with the same amount of water vapour. Conversely, as the

air is cooled, the relative humidity goes up. Relative humidity is usually reported as a percentage, comparing the amount of water vapour in the air at the temperature is the amount that is held if the air is saturated (100% relative humidity) Wood, like many materials will reach a balance of moisture content with the surrounding environment.

Wood takes on moisture in

seem terribly self-evident, in some cases, the actual food source for some organism is not wood. In the case of fungi (molds and mildew), the food source may be on the surface of the wood.

Handling an objects may leave residues which support the growth of these organism, under the right conditions. Fungi are

high relative conditions, and releases it when the humidity is lower. In extreme changes the wood can swell (high humidity) and shrink (low humidity).

Excessive high moisture content for good preservation’ but even moderate conditions can support decay. Some insects such as termites can generate their own moisture as they consume wood.

SUPPLY OF FOOD While this factor may

probably the agent of the greatest destruction of wood in nature. Often fungi damage wood, which makes it more inviting to insect. Insect which completely consume an object or historic structure before they are detected.

TEMPERATURE Organism which destroy wood have been found in virtually every e n v i r o n m e n t .

Unfortunately the optimum temperature range of 2432°C is one that humans are

comfortable in, so temperature is not a practical way to control the organism. Amazingly, a newly-discovered species of termites has been discovered which even operate at sub-freezing temperature.

Only sustained high temperature have shown any success in arresting development or destroying wood-

consuming organism. And unfortunately, the object may be severely damages as a result of extreme low temperature, since it may be dried out and shrink in this condition, high temperature can cause damage to surface decoration and paint and may cause glue to release.

Common types of wood destroyed organism. There are two (2) main types of wood destroying of an object. In fact,, infestation by one usually lead to infestation by the other

“Recognition and treatment of deteriorated wood damage is often noticed when debris is found on the floor. As such, the object should be removed from the rest of the collection and completely wrap and sealed ion polyethylene sheeting.”

wood, fungi and insect from a biological cycle which has been perfected over millions of years.

Fungi includes, molds and mildews and are everywhere in the environment Fungi are simple plant like organism which do not have chioropyll is produce their own food. In essence, they have a parasitic relationship with their host.

The rapidly multiply in a supportive environment,

and send seed-like spores out (sometimes air –home) to extend their ranged.

Some fungi do affect the strength of woof cellulose (polymer back bone) and ligain (cellular aglue).

Utimately the wood residue crumbles to a powder.

There is almost no point trying to eradicate or exclude fungi since they are so ubiquitous. However, we can successfully control their consumption of wooden object. Simply put it the relative humidity is kept moderately (less 60% there will be virtually no problem with fungi.

Insect such as beetles in their larval stages are among the most destructive.

These insects lay eggs in wood, the maturing larval cat continuously, only emerging to male and continue the cycle. The emerging adult will leave a small exist or fight hole

while unfavourable conditions may slow their development, the ususl life cycle is completed within a year.

Termites can pose a threat to furniture but are usually more interested in the wood building surrounding the collection.

Other insect present a special problem since they may not even use wood for food some ants and bees tunnel through wood creating galleries for shelter. There are not usually a problem with furniture but can be major destructive agent in historic buildings.

PROTECTIONS OF WOODEN OBJECT From the above comments, you may gather that the removal of one or more of the favourable growth conditions is sufficient to arrest the spread of biological deterioration.

The simplest method to defer fungal and insect damage is to maintain and monitor a moderate environment, •since the most controllable factor is the moisture content, good collection care will include maintenance of a 40-60% relative humidity. Wood have variable degrees of natural resistance to decay.

Wood with low resistance can be treated with preservatives insect and fungi show little interest in penetrating paint and varnished to consume wood, so those objects which are or can be coated will be better off.

Recognition and treatment of deteriorated wood damage is often noticed when debris is found on the floor. As such, the object should be removed from the rest of the collection and completely wrap and sealed ion polyethylene sheeting.

Inspect the rest of the collection for damages infested object can be treated by a professional extermination company and extermination procedure should be carried out in the company facility.

Fungi damage is usually noticed in advanced stages of development. Fungal growth can be removed by wiping or vacuuming the surface with a wet dry vacuum and the filter replaced or thoroughly cleaned afterward. Cleaning should be done outdoors.

Art And Culture

With AMBROSE EKHOSUEHI

Edo Traditional Days EDO traditional days represent the four cardinal points or the four quarters of the earth.

The four days are EkenEast, Orrie-West, AhoSouth, Okuo-North. The cruciform represent the four divine cardinal directions — Ikadale ene n’ Osa ya d’ agbon yi, the four days in Edo week, the unfolding of the day — Morning — Owie, afternoon — Avan, evening — Ota, night — ason, at the time of creation.

The circled cross are quadrival, a basic cosmological form (Aghadaghada) meaning cross-road and the sun never misses the day (oweni ba ede ku).

Eken-East, the rising of the sun (owen owie) is the rest day of the God, when priests stay at home adoring their gods. It is a day of rest observed by every person, but people may do minor works at home. Councils are usually held on Eken day.

Orrie — West, the setting of the sun (Owen Ota) is usually the direction of some rituals for purifications. Human beings were usually buried directing their legs/feet west wards. Houses and places of worship were usually planned to face the east or the West. It portends longevity.

Important rituals are performed on this day, such as the rite for marriage, starting new project, digging of foundation, beginning of funeral rites and other important ceremonies.

Orrie is also known as Ado Eken edegbe — a day after Eken.

Aho-South, the southern hemisphere (owen Igie), the second day after eken.

It is called Adesede — middle of the days or Eken n aka, little Eken as it is between Orrie and Okuo.

It denotes some favourable fortunes from the OceanOkun. It forbids certain traditional rites.

Okuo-North, the Northern hemisphere (Owen Than) is the day most rites and ceremonies are performed and festival begins. It is also known as akhue’ eken — “Tomorrow is Eken” Brides were usually taken to their groom on this day, to meet up with nuptial rites on the seventh day — (Ede ne oha tuo vbe Ukpoo).

The other days were calculated by numbers, today, tomorrow, next day forth day, fifth day, sixth day, seventh day etc (Erre — today, akhue, Tomorrow, Irakhue-next day, Unien erre- 4 Usien erre ( Edehan erre (6th) Uhunmwu-erre ( or one week — Izola-okpa.The month was calculated from the observation of the phases of the moon and contained 29 or 30 days beginning from the new moon. (Ede ne a mien uki; A ghogho n’ uki).

Young and old, children, youths as well as pregnant women would hail the new moon. The new moon marks stages of pregnancy, birth time and juvenile age.

It also counts for planting season and time of harvest.

It creates awareness for festivals and agricultural seasons. It gives light.

The year was made up of twelve Lunar months, but a thirteenth Lunar may be added to re-establish solar year, if the twelveth new moon came out too early, a thirteenth lunar month is added to complete the season for the end of year festival and to begin

agricultural season for a new year.

Towns and villages establish their market days, favourably to the

Aho — Ekenaka day (Adesede). Eki Ehor, Ehor market, Iguobazuwa, Uromi, Sabogida Ora Markets. Etc.

engage in a cultural rite, such as marriage ceremony, chieftaincy celebration, or festival; even anniversary in certain

traditional day of the elders choice and sanctioned by the monarch.

In Benin City — Eki Edo — New Benin market has the official day of Eken.

Oba market — Eki Oba is sanctified for Orrie, Eki Osa for Aho, and Agbado for Okuo. These form notable days in Benin City.

In the county areas and country sides, markets were fixed for patronages

by Merchants. There are important markets like urhonigbe market — Eki Urhonigbe, established for

On Okuo day, towns and villages like Egbeta, Eki Adolo, Ugo, Uzeba, Umunode, Afuze, Truekpen etc were established.

Eken has Eki Ohuan (Ekenhuan) Eki Evboesi, Ozigolo, Udo, Fugar Igbanke, Ewatto etc.

Orrie has Eki Uvbe, Agenebode, Ebue, Ozanisi, Ibillo, Odighi, Okada, Oka etc.

Edo traditional days are particularly important for persons in diasporas, who may wish to perform specific rites, or may

act of culture.

Edo traditional days were universally known in the olden days, and the neighbouring communities call the days in the same forms.

The Igbo use the words, Eke for Eken, One for Orrie, Afor for Aho, Nkwo for Okuo and there are not much differences among other ethnic groups.

Children born on market days are usually called Eki, Edeki, Eki Oghawuogho, etc, and in Igbo land children bear Eke, Okorie, Okafor, Okonkwo and

may be peculiar to other ethnic groups too.

Period of year events were reckoned such as year of Locust, Ukpo ne agbe Irhiso, year of influenza, Ukpo egboghogbogho, year of salt rationing — Ukpo ne

Umwen ghanren etc.

A complete calendar should have the traditional days, phases of the moon, events and the Christian calendar now in use.

Moon calendar from the New moon to the last phase, from the first day of the moon to its 2 or 30 day as the case may be has been much appropriate in certain culture, therefore writers of Benin traditions should endeavour to keep to the traditional names universally known in Edo Culture.

“Young and old, children, youths as well as pregnant women would hail the new moon. The new moon marks stages of pregnancy, birth time and juvenile age. It also counts for planting season and time of harvest. It creates awareness for festivals and agricultural seasons. It gives light.”

View Point

St. Valentine’s Day And Hypocritical Love “Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any Care, but for another gives it’s ease, and builds a heaven in hell’s despair” William Blake OUR world is bedraggled by hideous physiognomies, grotesque intermezzos and lugubrious fixations. We are steeple chasing down the gedarene slope of self-induced annihilation through the short-circuiting of the beatific vision. We are fatalistically and wearily facing the ineluctable fate of doom. It is this state of homosapental hopelessness that stimulated martyrs of altruism to start searching for therapies and antidotes to man’s mundane morass.

One of such heroes of hope is the Monk ST VALENTINE, who, without vacillating, initiated and enunciated the matrix of love as the basis for a common humanity. He said in “The Canons of St. Valentine” that “Any attempt to combat a philosophy with methods of violence will fail in the end, unless the fight takes the form of attack of the new spiritual attitude of love”.

In “The World Book Encyclopedia 1973

garments (Agbada).? Is there love in a world where the Hitleric proclivies of Putin of Russia against Ukrain and David Cameron of Britain and 8 European Union (EU) Countries have resolved to

Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), Sudan, Liberia, Somalia, IvoryCoast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Burundi, Chad, Rwanda, etc are sandwiched in a culture of macabre bloodletting?

Love is an enchiridion of uncontrollable emotion. It is to lay

genocidally wipe out the innocent people of Iran and Lybia from the face of the earth. Is there love in Delta State where the Urhobos, Itsekiris and Ijaws are at each others economic and political jugular, sunken in bellicosity and hate?

Where is the love in Africa were the

down our lives for our fellow man. It is not selfish, arrogant and solipsistic. It is kind, liberal, humble and forgiving. Almighty Jehovah called by or known by any other names is the Creator and generalissimo of the cosmogony. He is the perfect embodiment and

By BOBSON GBINIJE

edition, volume 20 page 204 it is stated that “Valentine’s Day comes on the feast day of two different Christian Martyrs named Valentine. But the customs connected with the day came from an ancient Roman festival called LUPERCALIA” which took place every February 15. The festival honored Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage and Pan the god of nature.

But in contemporary times Valentine’s Day celebration transcends the contours of religions, politics and tribe. It is now a global and g l o b a l i z i n g phenomenon, which entails the exchange and sharing of letters, cards foods, drinks etc with a sweetheart as the hallmark of love.

Truly, love is the reason for the Valentine’s Day or season. But what type of love? Is there still love amongst humanity sunken in the banality of materialism and moral degeneracy? Is there still love in a world ambience or global scenario where our leaders luxuriate in injustice, oppression of the people of the Niger Delta by Federal Hegemonists and their surrogates in coronal

“Truly, love is the reason for the Valentine’s Day or season. But what type of love? Is there still love amongst humanity sunken in the banality of materialism and moral degeneracy? Is there still love in a world ambience or global scenario where our leaders luxuriate in injustice, oppression of the people of the Niger Delta

by Federal Hegemonists and their surrogates in coronal garments (Agbada).?”

exemplification of love through Jesus Christ.

Those who claim to know Him, but have no love for their fellowmen are enshrined in the configurations of the illusionist CRUDITY. This Morbid world is what it is today, because of the dearth of love. The Essayist Victor Hugo asserted that “The supreme happiness of live is the conviction that we are loved”. The celebrated poet Virgil

said Omnia Vincit a mor (love conquers all).

Whither goeth mankind without love?

As we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day let it be the vaulting ambition and consuming desire of our leaders, religious groups, politicians, tribal jingoists, youths, professionals, robbers, assassins, workers of iniquity, kidnappers and sons of perdition to turn a new leaf. We must reaffirm our total submission to consolidating and pursuing the globalization of love.

A love- based St Valentine’s Day

celebration that c o r r o b o r a t e s shakespeare’s advice in his book “Love Labour Lost” “And when love speaks, the voice of all gods make heaven drowsy with the harmony”. – The every minute, every second, every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year love that cuts across the totality of mankind. Let our Valentine’s Day Celebration take

cognizance of the admonitions of God Almighty in Romans 23: 12-13 that “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the amour of light.

Let us walk properly, as in the day not in revelry and drunkenness, not in sexual intercourse and lust, not in strife and enmity, but in one true love” God bless, and a Happy Valentine’s Day to all Mankind.

Bobson Gbinije MANDATE AGAINST POVERTY (MAP) Warri.08023250378

Personality The Religious Burial: Priestess Janet

Omorariagbon Okunorobo (1895-2013)

By ANDY EGBON

“IN 1915, she was the oldest among the 14 maidens selected to be initiated with Ohen Evbiehae of Uteh Community.”

“Evbiehae is a community shrine in Benin Kingdom while Uteh is a historical part of the kingdom where she was born in 1895.

“She was the daughter of the Odionwere of Uteh Ekoko (Oga N’Uteh), Edionmwan Okunorobo Izevbokun and Princess Atagaogie, the daughter of the Enogie of Igueben, the great grand father of the reigning Enogie of Igueben in present day Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.”

“Her paternal grandmother hails from Ayen, few killometres from Uteh.”

“She was betrothed to the Enogie of Ahor who gave her in marriage to his heir apparent, Prince Idelegbagbon, the father of the Enogie of Ahor Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.

Her name is Princess Janeth Omorariagbon Okunorobo, mother of High

Priest Osemwegie Ebohon, the only surviving son out of the eleven children, she gave birth to for the late Aiyanyi Ebohon.

The other children died before they were seven days old, except for Osawaru who lived for two years and the only girl, Osayuki who lived for 30 days.

However, after 118 years sojourn on earth, the sun set for her on September 29, 2013.

Though seven days traditional burial rites and social activities were held in the second week of December last year, the religious burial referred in some quarters to as final traditional and religious sendoff would hold in Benin City tomorrow.

The tomorrow’s ritualreligious burial ceremony is restricted to 201 invited guests who shall participate in the social aspect while the about 20 priests and priestess of the traditional African religion also invited will feature in the religious – ritual aspect of the ceremony.

The event attests to her

high status in the African traditional religion.

Ordinarily, if a deceased belongs to a traditional religious congregation like the Olokun worship, faithfuls of the religion or those who are the religious children have to send the

person out of the congregation, otherwise, the spirit will continue to visit spiritually and in the process, might disturb the spiritual essence of the congregation.

The case is simple where the deceased is a believer

Priestess Janet Omorariagbon Okunorobo

and faithful of t raditional religion and all his/her children belong to other religious congregation like Christianity or Islam; they have to inter their mother or father with all the paraphernalia of the religion which he/she possessed since non of the children may be willing to inherit them.

In cases where some or any of the children belong to the same religion as their mother/father, it is a pathetic case because, it is like sending someone away (with rituals) never to return to the congregation, inspite of his/her contributions while alive.

According to High Priest Osemwegie Ebohon, these are ritual observances that are sacred to those involved. It takes faithfulness of the religious conviction to observe these rituals.

These sacred observances are not different from those of the traditional burial. Any person who has not buried his/her late father/mother is restricted from or participating in certain traditional observances,

otherwise, he will be incurring the wrath of some unseen forces.

According to High Priest, Ebohon, in Benin Kingdom, there are two types of burials; the first is the interment (putting the corpse into the ground and covering it with earth), while the second phase begins with Iwaorinmwin which normally lasts for seven days for the citizens.

However, some palace Chiefs of affluence can extend their burial ceremony if their status in the chieftaincy deserves it; it maybe, up to 14 days, then, some priests and priestess, depending on what sub-god or sub-goddess or deities, hero and heroin they were initiated into and served.

Interment is a pre-burial activity even though it is mostly done along with the other burial activities. It could be done and wait for as long as one pleases before embarking on the burial

proper.

The seven days burial ceremony, ordinarily begins with Iwaorinmwin and ends with isuerhanfua.

However, with some religion, burial ends with internment.

Perspective

The Many Faces Of Governor Orji

By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

EVEN though that the Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji has recently said that there were diverse calls for him to run for Senate in 2015, but he was yet decide on the calls, there is every suggestion that he has such an ambition, but for the fact that he knew he has botched the people’s hope in him and would run away from the state after his tenure as governor, he was making flippancy excuses, saying at the National Council of State meeting that he did not authorise the alleged posters that have swarmed the state capital, proclaiming his senatorial ambition.

As a man known for his twofold-speaking on every issue and is not stanch, Governor Orji told newsmen that the posters were placed by curious people, who wanted him for the senate; a statement that invariably showcased the governor to be in the-know of the people, who were placing the

posters. Not trusty as Governor T.A Orji is, he said that he could not stop the poster-pesters, because they were expressing their opinion, as far as such was within the purview of the law.

Yet, this was a man who had taken to visiting the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abuja, to seeing that his cotravellers and him influence the national leadership of the party not to formally re-admit his political mentor and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (popularly called OUK, among his peers), whom he served for eight years, as Chief of Staff.

There was no how Governor Orji could decide for the senate, because he knew that our people have lost hope in him, as a man who knows the proclamation of the rule of law and how to develop a state, but sadly only in the media. He knows that the Abia Central senatorial zone and the entire Abia

people are fading up with him and are regretting how he blatantly became governor again in the 2011 elections, when Dr. Kalu had apologised to our people that he regretted using his hardearned money to campaign for the elections of Governor Orji in 2007, and he became governor.

Mr. Femi Adesina, the Managing Director of The Sun newspapers in one of his decent essays on his column dubbed Governor Orji an ingrate, owing to how quick the governor forgot how persons like Adesina and Mike Awoyinfa traversed the city of Abuja to pressure for his release from prison and he came back to occupy the seat as governor and started seeing ghost in Dr. Kalu, in all things. The All Progressives Grand Alliance’s chieftain, Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba vehemently told newsmen on February 3, 2014 that why Governor Orji is misbehaving is because he (Orji) stole his mandate in the 2011 elections; and what Orji

has got in that supposedly miscarriage of habit are bad governance, booing and molestation anywhere he went, for stealing his (Ufomba) mandate.

Only those without shame and good conscience can behave in the way and manner Governor Orji is behaving. This is a governor who cannot give a tangible account of all the money he has received from the federation account in his stewardship mounting to nearly eight years now. All that he is bent on doing is to be frequenting Abuja to romance with President Goodluck Jonathan in order for Mr. President to see him as a loyalist and trust him in his future political career.

What President Jonathan should know is that Governor Orji cannot be trusted, because it is glaring that he bit the finger of Dr. Kalu that fed him and wants to destablise Dr. Kalu in all ramification of life, not only on the ex-Governor’s political escapades.

Governor T.A Orji is

unrepentant on how to delude those like Dr. Kalu that once trusted him to a fault. Mr. President, beware!

From all indications, Governor Orji can only take an oath in the church and go free that he does not know anything about the posters bearing his personality for senate making recent news in Umuahia; he cannot take an oath before Amadioha and go free of being ignorant of the sponsorship and funding of the posters.

One sacrosanct aspect of these calls that Governor Orji has been telling the world that different people and groups are calling him to come out for the senate in 2015 is that, the governor has not been hearing clearly. What the people (not those he has been sponsoring to arrange his poster around Abia State for senate) are calling for him is to run away from the state, because he has pummeled the state to the ground and has run the state aground with his family members and his cronies and unprincipled media aides.

Even persons who have not been to Governor Orji-led Abia State knew through the complaints of the people that the governor has not performed as a governor and that his clamour for senate is the height of jokes in the 21 Century. He’s the one creating the news that our people want him for senate.

What the likes of President Jonathan should know is that Governor Orji cannot be relied on.

It is in history that he ran away from the PPA, on which platform he became governor to the APGA. When what he went to APGA in 2010 did not favour him, he did not stay upto a week and ran away to the PDP. Today, his ambition would be to run to the All Progressives Alliance (APC), when the national leadership of the PDP must have formalised the re-entry of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu into the party, Kalu was a foundation member; Kalu having willingly given the party the sum of N500, 000, 000 in 2008 for the formation of the party, when the likes of Governor Orji could not boast of N20, 000 in cash.

Relationship COULD be companionship, someone you trust completely, someone who makes you laugh, someone who is there for you no matter what, someone that knows everything about you and knows all of your secrets and love you anyway.

The following are ten things that you should look for in friend: Humility- per haps the most important thing to look for in a friend is their ability to say. “I’ m sorry” when they have wronged you. No friendship can survive over time without apologies when someone have been hurt. Without humility, relationship quickly turn into a pile of bitterness and competition.

Along with apologies.

It’s also important that your friends is willing to forgive you.

GENEROSITY- even the most humble of friends will start to annoy you if they are super sting or constantly take advantage of you.

Friends who always seem to “forget their wallet or constantly fail to ‘get you back” for that drink last week are not friends worth having.

R E L I A B I L I T Y- y o u know you have great friends when you can call them up’ almost’ any time to talk about an issue, or to crash at their place for the night or for dinner, or whatever. Friends who gossip about you with others or who seem to avoid you regularly to hang out with someone else, are not to be trusted.

CARE/INTERESTWhile many people might seem to “care” about you in a surface – deep way it become obvious during the tough time who truly care about you.

Do they just like to hear themselves talk, or do they actually listen and want to know how they feel?.

Do they exercise

What To Look For In A Friend discretion with their words and actions regarding sensitive issues?

Do they show you appreciation on special days like your birthday?.

SENSE OF HUMORContrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean that your friends is full of hilarious jokes (There aren’t many people out there like that).

It doesn’t mean that they are always laughing or always optimistic either.

Rather, it might mean that they can take a joke, or that they are not regularly offended by what you do or say or that they can see the lighter side of certain situations.

SIMILAR MORALSIt’s almost impossible to find two people with the same exact moral beliefs and if such a situation exist, it would probably be a some what boring friendship. In any case, It’s best to make sure that your closest friend have similar moral believs as you when it comes to thing that count (cheating on your partner, drug use, etc).

Respect-There is a certain aspect of some one’s character that can only be described as “respectful”.

It’s the part of a friend that cares about your reputation, even when you don’t.

It’s the part of friend that doesn’t let you give up on yourself. It’s the part of a friend that doesn’t “Judge” you even when they judge you.

FUN-What good is a friend if you don’t enjoy being with each other?

They might have many of the qualities listed above, but you just don’t ever have fun together, while they may be a fantastic person, they might not be the best match for you as good friends.

Having fun together is what builds lasting memories.

FLEXIBILITY-An open mind, thought over praised at times, is always valuable. It’s to have friends with strong opinions who hold their ground on certain issues (like when your stupidity

S I M I L A R / COMPLIMENTARY IN TERESTS- You might not be marring you friends, but it tends to work out better when you have interests that compliment each other.

If friends A follows base ball, and friend, B love football, at least they

important quality of a good friend. It is necessary when some problems arise between you and your friend.

Everyone make mistakes and some times say things they font mean.

Forgiveness is important for maintaining your friendship and nobody

needs to be reckoned with, or when you are trying to decide where to eat) but it’s also quite mandatory that your friends are willing and able to be reasonable when you disagree.

Not only does this allow for much more interesting conversation, but it allow your friendship to grow.

can both “talk sport” sometimes.

It’s not that interests must align, and it’s true that opposites attract (even among friends), but some common interests are still usually a helpful corner stone.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD FRIEND FORGIVENESSForgiveness is an

will lose his or her best friend for a misunderstanding or a small conflict.

CARING-A real friend will always care for you, in good and bad situations.

If you are sick he/she will try to visit you as much as possible. He or she will always care for you no matter what

By VIVIAN AMAJOYI

problem you have, and will give you the necessary support needed RESPECT –Every one have different opinions and it is important your friend show respect for you point of view. It is not necessary he/ she agrees with you points and can sometimes try to change your mind but he need always to respect

you even if he/she disagree with you.

PATIENCE-There are circumstances where patience of your friend is necessary.

It is possible you complained about certain issues which you can’t share with someone else, patience is an important quality your friend needs to help you through this process.

“A real friend will always care for you, in good and bad situations. If you are sick he/she will try to visit you as much as possible. He or she will always care for you no matter what problem you have, and will give you the necessary support needed”

Reflection

Jesus Is My Valentine

INDEED, today is a special day. Almost every media station has been talking about Valentine’s Day. Married couples are ready to renew their marriage vows. Even young men and women are all dreaming of this special day. As you walk through the streets today you will find people dressed in red materials, a colour they believe that is associated with valentine day. What is the essence of this celebration? Why is this celebration gaining much momentum in the secular world? Should a Christian celebrate valentine day? If yes, how should a Christian celebrate it? By the way, who is your valentine?

Valentine’s Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church . In the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular calendar because not much is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14.

Valentine day is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated not just by some churches but also by the secular world. Most countries around the world observe this feast, but not as a holiday. Saint Valentine of Rome , according to a popular legend, was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire .

According to the legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Before his execution he wrote her a letter which he signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell. Could this be the origin of such common expressions: “You are my valentine”, “Be my valentine”, or “she is my valentine”?

Whatever be the case, the feast of Valentine is generally known and celebrated as lover’s day.

It is a day when most Married couples renew their marriage vows. It is an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, gifts, and exchange of greeting cards known as valentines.

Intending married couples also use this day to exchange their engagement rings.

Gradually and unfortunately the feast of valentine is being reduced by most young people as a day to practise romantic love, a day to get drunk and eat the forbidden fruit.

This is not what Valentine is all about. Valentine is not a celebration of romantic love. It is a celebration of agape love, which a sacrificial love. It is a day to reflect on God’s love.

God is the reason for our valentine. He is our lover. We are his beloved children. The Christian bible is the best love letter the world has ever known.

The Song of Songs is an expression of God’s love for humanity. God has used so many ways and so many languages to prove to us that He is our Lover.

He assured us through the prophet Jeremiah, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:1). The love of God is not like human love. Human love can expire. Even marital, the love of husband and wife is limited and can end with death but the love of God is an everlasting love. It has no end!

One of the best love letters in the bible is the one God wrote to ‘you’ through the Prophet Isaiah.

In this letter, we read, But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob he who formed you, O Israel (you can incite your name because this message is for you): “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine (meaning, you are God’s beloved, you are God’s darling, you are God’s sweet heart, you are God’s honey-honey; you are God’s precious child).

With this affectionate

address, God continues his love letter with litanies of promises, which nobody has ever made to you, “When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of

Israel , your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.

Because you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you, I give men in return for you, people in exchange for your life.

Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you” (Isaiah 43:15). This is the most affectionate letter in the

world. The letter is real.

The promises in the letter are not just fiction, they are factual. God is ready to do anything to prove his love for us.

He assured us through this love letter that he would be with us even when we pass through water or fire. That was exactly what he did.

According to St. John , “God so loved the world

that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This is the highest gift one can offer to those he loves. Nobody and no being have ever express such love. It is a selfgiving love. Jesus affirms what God said, he told his followers, “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is our

With Rev. Fr. John Damian Adizie, OCD 08076635886

companion.

St. Paul , in his letter to the Philippians, gave a much clearer picture of God’s love that is made manifest in Christ Jesus.

According to him, “though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philip 2:6-11).

Through Christ Jesus God has fulfilled the promise which he made through Prophet Isaiah. God became one like us. When the apostles were facing the storm he was there in the boat with them. When they were attacked and rejected he was rejected with them. They insulted him and gave him all kinds of names and finally for our sake he was crucified on the cross of Calvary .

He died a shameful and painful death because of those he loves.

Jesus himself said that this self-sacrificial love is the highest and indeed the best expression of love: “Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Anybody can present gift or card on valentine day but nobody can give his life for others. Not even a married couple. That reminds me of a burial I went some time ago. The

wife of the deceased was crying uncontrollably. No one was able to consol her.

When it was time to lower the casket into the grave the woman was struggling that she must follow her love. After much pleading I told the people holding the woman to leave her, let’s see what she will do.

They were all surprise that I could say that. They told me if they leave this woman they are sure she will fall into the grave. I insisted that they should leave her. Reluctantly they left her. The woman actually ran to the grave.

She stopped at the grave side and collected some red sand from the grave and with tears she told her dead husband, “Honey, you know how much I love you. I would have followed you but who will take care of your children and property. Well, go in peace I will join you later.”

That was it! She could not do more than that. It was only Jesus Christ of Nazareth that actually died for those he loves.

I may not know your valentine. I don’t even care who you choose as your valentine, as for me Jesus Christ remains my own valentine. He is my Lover, my Provider, my Comforter, my Companion, my Lord and my Saviour. He is my all in all, without him my life in this world is meaningless. Even Jesus told his followers, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Child of God, without Jesus you are nobody.

Without him you will not succeed in life. As you give your life and your love to Jesus I wish you happy valentine. Remember, Jesus loves you!

“God is the reason for our valentine. He is our lover. We are his beloved children. The Christian bible is the best love letter the world has ever known. The Song of Songs is an expression of God’s love for humanity. God has used so many ways and so many languages to prove to us that He is our Lover. He assured us through the prophet Jeremiah, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:1).”

International S.Sudan Vows Accountability For All Behind Violence

Slow moving motorists are seen on a freeway leaving downtown Charlotte as snow continues to fall in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

LONDON - South Sudan’s foreign minister warned Wednesday that all those behind the recent violence would be held accountable, regardless of ethnic origin, as he announced the arrests of about 100 army officers from President Salva Kiir’s Dinka ethnic group.

“We will equally hold accountable those who got engaged in targeting, killing, trying to use the ethnic card, definitely within the organised forces,” Barnaba Marial Benjamin told reporters during a visit to London.

“A good number of officers have been arrested — about 100 who were engaged in this — of the Dinka members within the army who targeted the Nuer community (of former vicepresident Riek Machar). They will be held accountable.”

British Foreign Office minister Mark Simmonds, who met Benjamin earlier

Afghanistan Frees Detainees US Calls ‘Dangerous’ KABUL - Afghanistan released 65 accused militants from a former U.S. prison yesterday despite protests from the American military, which says the men are Taliban fighters who will likely return to the battlefield to kill coalition and Afghan forces.

The move further strains relations between Washington and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, whose increasingly antiAmerican rhetoric and refusal to sign a longnegotiated bilateral security

deal has heightened uncertainty ahead of the yearend withdrawal of most international combat troops.

Karzai ordered the detainees released several weeks ago, less than a year after his government took over the prison from U.S. troops.

The decision prompted angry denunciations from Washington. U.S. forces in Afghanistan say some of the men are responsible for killing or wounding dozens of international and Afghan soldiers, as well making

ATLANTA, US - A deadly winter storm gripped the southeastern United States on Wednesday, crippling travel, grounding flights, knocking out power to 363,000 customers and encasing magnolia and palmetto trees in ice.

The weather was blamed for at least 13 deaths in the region, including three people killed when an ambulance transporting a patient skidded off an icy road in Carlsbad, Texas.

Winter storm warnings and advisories were in place from Arkansas east to much of the Atlantic coast, the National Weather Service said. The storm is expected to sock the northeastern United States in the next two days with up to 15 inches of snow.

“We definitely consider this to be a high-impact event, and we’re definitely telling everyone to stay off the roads and stay inside as much as possible,” said Carl Barnes, a weather service forecaster in Sterling, Virginia.

Snow and freezing rain that pummeled South Carolina and North Carolina created a

dangerous commute for drivers in a hurry to get home as the snowfall got heavier and the ice thickened.

A possibly historic accumulation of ice as well as heavy snow was expected to add up to nearly 8 inches of frozen precipitation for Charlotte, North Carolina, and 9 inches were forecast for Spartanburg, South Carolina, meteorologists said.

More than an inch of ice was possible from central Georgia into South Carolina

by Thursday morning, according to forecasters.

Traffic on interstate highways ground to a halt, and at least one snow plow went off a North Carolina highway into a ditch.

Todd Pekks, a chef at Duke University, was just half a mile into his drive home to Raleigh when he began to skid so badly he gave up, his wife Sherri Pekks said.

He made his way back to work on foot, and returned to the kitchen, she said.

“He’s definitely gone for the night. I wonder if he’ll be able to make it back tomorrow,” Pekks said.

Fatal road accidents were

bombs that have killed civilians.

The prisoners were freed just after 9 a.m. from the Parwan Detention Facility near the U.S. Bagram Air Field, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) north of Kabul, according to prison spokesman Maj. Nimatullah Khaki.

They were laughing and smiling as they boarded a bus to leave the facility, he said.

The U.S. had argued for the

detainees to face trial in Afghan courts, citing strong evidence against them — from DNA linking them to roadside bombs to explosive residue on their clothing.

However, Kabul cited insufficient proof to hold them.

Karzai has referred to the Parwan prison as a “Talibanproducing factory” where innocent Afghans have been tortured into hating their country. The president had

long demanded that the U.S. turn over the prison to Afghan authorities, a process completed last March after lengthy negotiations — largely over American concerns that some of the most dangerous detainees would go free.

The U.S. military strongly condemned yesterday’s release, saying some of those set free were directly linked to attacks that have killed or wounded 32 U.S. or coalition personnel and 23 Afghan security personnel or civilians.

where some residents may have to wait up to a week for power to be restored, said Georgia Power spokeswoman Amy Fink.

About 5,000 people were without power in Birmingham, Alabama, with more than 6 inches of snow expected. Roads were closed

across the northern part of the state, authorities said.

In the path of the storm, the White House delayed a yesterday event to mark the launch of My Brother’s Keeper, a campaign to help young black men. Federal offices in Washington were closed.

Snow, Ice Storm Hit US South, East Coast reported in Mississippi and South Carolina. In Georgia, a man died of exposure near his home in Butts County, south of Atlanta, and North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory told CNN two people had died in weather-related incidents.

Governors declared states of emergencies from Louisiana to New Jersey, and hundreds of schools, colleges and offices throughout the region shut down. The basketball game between archrivals Duke University and the University of North Carolina was called off.

About 6,700 U.S. flights were canceled or delayed yesterday, and another 3,700 were scrubbed for yesterday according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com.

About half of the yesterday flights to and from Washington and New York were called off.

The U.S. Department of Energy reported that 363,000 power customers were without electricity as of midafternoon. More than a third of them were in Georgia,

Wednesday, welcomed this assurance and stressed the need for a “credible and independent process to provide accountability”.

Thousands of people have been killed in South Sudan in the last two months in fighting pitting soldiers loyal to President Kiir against a loose coalition of army defectors and ethnic militia nominally led by Machar.

Many fear the conflict has slid out of the control of political leaders, with ethnic violence and revenge attacks between the Dinka people of Kiir and the Nuer of Machar, the country’s two largest groups.

“There is a Dinka-Nuer ethnic sort of fight,” Benjamin acknowledged, but said it was “in a limited zone, it is within the national army as well as the rebel army. It is not among the citizens”.

He added: “We don’t want these internal problems to look like what we see in our neighbours like Central Africa.”

The minister said his government was “completely determined and committed” to the January 23 ceasefire, which has been repeatedly violated.

Benjamin said that four political prisoners held in Juba since mid-December, a source of contention between the two sides, would stay behind bars until the necessary “legal processes” were complete.

If they are found guilty, he said, “it will be up to the president because our constitution gives the prerogative to the president where he can sometimes issue pardons”.

At their meeting, Simmonds stressed that the new round of peace talks taking place in Ethiopia this week “must be inclusive, and have a role for those political leaders who were detained at the start of the conflict”.

Responding to criticism about the presence of Ugandan troops in South Sudan, Benjamin explained they were there to drive out the Lord’s Resistance Army guerilla group.

Ugandan forces will move out after we have completed the project, that is the elimination of the LRA in the region,” he said.

South Sudanese children from the Dinka ethnic group pose at cattle camp in the town of Yirol, in Central South Sudan.

International Syrian Airstrikes, Shelling Kill 51 In ALEPPO, SYRIA- At sharp rise in violence on the Aleppo

least 51 people, including 13 rebels, died in a single day of Syrian government airstrikes and shelling of oppositioncontrolled districts of Aleppo, activists said yesterday as international mediators were trying to salvage faltering peace negotiations in Geneva.

The Britain-based Observatory for Human Rights said most of the victims were killed by airstrikes and barrel bombs dumped on eight rebel-held districts of the northern city on Wednesday.

The rest died from artillery shelling, sniper fire and in clashes between forces loyal to President Bashar Assad and rebels fighting to overthrow him.

The bombings in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, are part of a campaign by Assad’s forces to wrest control of neighborhoods that were seized by rebels in mid-2012.

The Observatory has been documenting Syria’s conflict since its start in March 2011

through a network of activists on the ground.

It released its report on the latest Aleppo casualties yesterday, ahead of a trilateral meeting between senior U.S. and Russian officials and U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, and Syrian government and opposition representatives in Geneva.

A second round of talks started in Switzerland on Monday but the discussions quickly became mired in acrimony as government and opposition delegates hurled accusations for the bloodshed taking place back home, failing to even agree on the talks’ agenda.

From the outset, the talks have been accompanied by a

ground.

The Observatory said that at least 4,959 people have died in Syria in the threeweek period since Jan. 22, when the government and opposition delegates sat down for the first round of face-to-face meetings in Geneva. The Observatory said in a report Wednesday that the period has seen the highest death toll since the uprising against Assad started nearly three years ago.

More than 130,000 people have died in the conflict since then, activist say. Millions of Syrians have been driven from their homes, some seeking shelter in neighboring countries and others in safe parts of their homeland.

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday wished Egypt’s military chief victory in the nation’s presidential vote as Moscow sought to expand

its military and other ties with a key U.S. ally in the Middle East.

Putin said at the start of his meeting with Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi that

Putin Backs Egypt Army Chief’s Run For President

Blast Kills 11, Wounds 33 ISLAMABAD - An explosion targeting a bus full of Pakistani policemen killed 11 and injured 33 near the southern port city of Karachi yesterday, officials said, in the latest incident of violence while the government and the Taliban are engaged in peace talks.

Many of the wounded policemen were badly hurt and in critical condition, said Dr. Seemin Jamali, head of the emergency department at the city’s Jinnah Medical Center.

It was unclear whether the blast was set off by a suicide bomber or a

A Democratic Republic of the Congo soldier, part of an African peacekeeping force, patrols a street in Bangui recently.

roadside bomb, said senior police officer Rao Anwar.

The bombing follows an attack on the home of a slain policemen that killed nine members of a progovernment militia on Wednesday, and a grenade attack on a cinema on Tuesday that killed 13.

Both attacks were in the northern city of Peshawar.

None of the attacks has been claimed by the Taliban.

The violence comes amid peace talks between government and Taliban representatives aimed at trying to end Pakistan’s violent insurgency. Both

sides are supposed to refrain from major attacks during the talks.

But many question whether the Taliban, who have repeatedly said they reject democracy and want Pakistan ruled according to a strict brand of Islamic law, will be able to strike a compromise with the government.

Others worry that there are too many militant groups in Pakistan to negotiate with. Several such groups, not included in the talks, have carried out bloody bombings of markets, churches, and mosques.

Passengers of different airlines wait for delayed flights at the Sabina Gokcen Airport recently.

he’s aware of his intention to seek the presidency.

“I know that you have

made a decision to run for president,” Putin said, according to Russian news

reports. “That’s a very responsible decision: to undertake such a mission for the fate of the Egyptian people. On my own part, and on behalf of the Russian people I wish you success.”

Italian Govt In Crisis As PM Letta ROME - Italian Prime Fights Calls To Go Minister Enrico Letta faces a showdown with his own centre-left party yesterday that could lead to his resignation and the appointment of Democratic Party leader Matteo Renzi as head of a new government within days.

Letta, a low-key moderate appointed to lead the crossparty coalition patched together after last year’s deadlocked elections, is fighting for his political future after growing criticism from Renzi over the slow pace of economic reform.

A meeting of the 140strong leadership committee of the Democratic Party at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT) will decide whether he has the backing of his party to continue, or will be forced to stand aside less than a year after taking office.

The latest bout of turmoil in Italy, the euro zone’s thirdlargest economy, has so far had little impact on financial markets, in contrast with the volatility seen during previous crises, such as the deadlock after last year’s election.

However, the continual uncertainty has held back any radical effort to revive an economy struggling to emerge from its worst slump since World War Two and cut levels of unemployment not seen since the 1970s.

If Renzi succeeds in ousting Letta, as most media and political commentators expect, he would be Italy’s third unelected prime minister in succession after the technocrat Mario Monti

and Letta, named as premier after weeks of fruitless wrangling between rival parties.

Renzi, an ambitious 39year-old whose main experience of government has been as mayor of Florence, is not a member of parliament and has never stood in a national election.

Having burst onto the political scene promising renewal and a break with the Byzantine traditions of Italian politics, he could now gain power in a backroom maneuver reminiscent of the revolving door Christian Democrat governments of the past.

“This is a very dangerous operation by Renzi both for the country and for himself,” Giovanni Toti, political adviser to former centre-right Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, told RAI state television.

“He was supposed to be the outsider who was going to renew the PD. Now as soon as he gets close to power, he’s behaving exactly like all the others,” he said.

Tensions have been brewing ever since Renzi’s overwhelming victory in a party leadership primary in December, but the pressure on Letta has suddenly intensified this week as powerful lobbies including the main industry association Confindustria have joined calls for faster action on reforms.

Yesterday, Angelino

Alfano, head of the New Centre Right party that supports the ruling coalition, said Letta could count on a “loyal, correct and fruitful alliance” as long as he retained the backing of the PD. But he left it open whether he would continue to support the government if Letta were forced to step down in favor of Renzi, who has backed a number of policies unacceptable to the centreright, including support for gay civil unions.

“We’re not taking anything for granted, and we will consider this possibility once it is confirmed,” he told Canale 5 television.

If the centre-right withdraws support, Renzi, who is viewed with deep skepticism by the left of his party, may seek the support of the small Left Ecology Freedom party.

Italian media have also speculated that he may be able to attract some defectors from the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, but it remains unclear how stable such support would be in the testing parliamentary battles needed to pass any wideranging reforms.

His accord with Berlusconi to overhaul the muchcriticized electoral law, a measure touted by all sides as a necessary step to creating stable government, has already encountered delays in parliament as scores of amendments have been tabled.

International

Israel, Palestinians Compromise Over Gaza Patient Treatment

GAZA CITY (Palestinian Territories) - Israel and the Palestinians have compromised in a dispute that saw medical patients from Gaza denied entry to Israel for treatment because their travel documents said “State of Palestine,” officials said Wednesday.

Until recently, official stationery has used the term “Palestinian territories,” but that changed in December, a year after the Palestinians won recognition as a UN observer state over fierce Israeli opposition,.

Earlier Wednesday, a senior Palestinian official said the “Israelis have prevented 70 sick people who need to go to Israeli hospitals from crossing Erez because it said ‘State of Palestine’ on their transfer request”.

“It was only this week that they informed me personally that Israel refuses to deal with this document,” he told AFP. “This is a political decision from the Israelis to exert pressure in the negotiations,” he charged, referring to peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Since mid-December, 40 to 70 patients a day have crossed for treatment in Israel or the West Bank, he said, saying all of the transfer requests had been marked with the “State of Palestine” logo.

A spokesman for COGAT, the defence ministry unit responsible for coordinating civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, confirmed that the permits had been refused because they were submitted on stationery bearing the problematic logo.

But later Wednesday, a Palestinian official said that, after a meeting, a deal had been reached under which patients carrying the new documents would be allowed in if the words “State of Palestine” were blurred.

“The Israeli authorities have assured us that the patients will be able to cross from tomorrow (Thursday),” the official said.

In January, Haaretz newspaper said a Gaza woman had been barred from travelling to the West Bank to care for her cancerstricken mother because the medical report describing her condition was marked “State of Palestine”.

Initially her request was ignored, then it was denied but no reason was given.

Following the intervention of Israel NGO HaMoked, it emerged that her request was denied because of the problematic logo.

In January 2013,

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas ordered that work begin to ensure that all official documents, including passports, ID cards and driving licences, be marked

“State of Palestine” in a move to strengthen Palestinian sovereignty.

Until now, official documents issued by Abbas’s government have been

Civilians standing near Syrian Arab Red Crescent and United Nations vehicles wait to be evacuated from a besieged area of Homs recently.

labelled as issued by the Palestinian Authority.

Gaza is ruled by the Islamist Hamas movement, which has no official contact with Israel, so all requests

must be processed through officials from the West Bankbased Palestinian Authority, some of whom are stationed in the coastal enclave.

Mass Grave Found In Central African Republic BANGUI - African Union peacekeepers on Wednesday uncovered a mass grave at a military camp in Bangui occupied by the Muslim Seleka rebels, as a top U.N. official warned Central African Republic was succumbing to “ethnicreligious cleansing”.

A Reuters witness saw four separate shallow graves containing at least a dozen bodies at the military camp in the 200 Villas neighborhood of central Bangui, where

Rescue workers move an injured policeman, after a bomb blast on a bus, on a stretcher outside Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Hospital in Karachi yesterday.

some Seleka fighters are still stationed.

Pastor Antoine Mboa Bogo, head of the local Red Cross, confirmed there was a mass grave at the camp but said his staff had not yet had time to determine the number of dead.

“We need to send in a team with the proper equipment tomorrow to examine it,” he said.

On a visit to Bangui, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres called for a massive deployment of international peacekeepers to restore stability in a country gripped by violence since March, when Seleka seized power.

Months of looting, rape and murder followed, bringing international pressure that saw Seleka leader Michel Djotodia resign in January. Since then, Christian militia have carried out systematic attacks on Muslims, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee the country.

“We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in Central African Republic,” Guterres told reporters. “There is an ethnic-religious cleansing taking place.”

Turkey Vows To Go Ahead With New Airport Despite Court Order

ISTANBUL, Turkey Turkey vowed Tuesday to press ahead with building what could become one of the world’s busiest airports in defiance of a court order halting the project over environmental concerns.

A court last month suspended work on Istanbul’s third airport after local residents and environmental groups filed a lawsuit arguing that the project would cause serious damage to the environment, the Hurriyet newspaper reported.

But Transport Minister Lutfi Elvan said the suspension would not interfere with construction of the airport in a heavily forested area near Terkos Lake,

50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Istanbul.

“This was a decision only for a temporary suspension pending the environmental impact approval report. In no way will it affect the construction of the airport,” Elvan told reporters.

Environment and Urban Development Minister Idris Gulluce said his ministry would appeal the decision, saying “we believe that there is a factual mistake”, without elaborating.

“No one should come to the conclusion that the airport (construction) will be prevented and Turkey’s world-famous project will be halted,” he said.

The court requested an expert

report on construction plans and is expected to make a final decision on the fate of the project within a year.

The Cengiz-Kolin-LimakMapa-Kalyon Consortium, a Turkish joint venture, won a tender for the project last May after bidding 22 billion euros ($30 billion) for a 25-year lease to build and operate the planned airport.

The first stage of construction is set for completion in four years, and the facility is projected to handle 150 million passengers a year when fully

operational in 2018.

Istanbul’s main Ataturk airport is fast reaching capacity, having seen a record 16.7 percent jump in passenger numbers in 2012, indicating that the new airport could turn the city into a major aviation hub.

The increase was the largest in Europe that year, according to the International Air Transport Authority (IATA).

Istanbul’s second airport Sabiha Gokcen, which began operations in 2001, has eased some of the pressure on Ataturk.

The third airport in Turkey’s

largest city aims to rival Dubai’s Al Maktoum International airport, which opened in October last year and is expected eventually to accommodate 160 million passengers a year.

The CEO of Turkish Airlines, which is 49 percent state-owned and connects Istanbul to more than 200 destinations, was adamant about the need for a third airport.

“It is of course not possible to do without the third airport. It is not possible to imagine something like that. I see this as a temporary thing,” Temel Kotil said.

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Flores Rescues Swansea In Stoke Stalemate SWANSEA defender Chico Flores was back in interim manager Garry Monk’s good books as his goal rescued a 1-1 draw at Stoke on Wednesday.

Monk’s team were trailing to Peter Crouch’s first half goal at a windswept Britannia Stadium, where the game only went ahead after two pre-match safety inspections due to the storm-force winds prior to kick off.

But Flores netted in the second half as the Spanish defender finally hit the headlines for the right reasons.

It has been a difficult few weeks for the 26-year-old, who was accused of diving

to make the most of a challenge from Andy Carroll that led to the West Ham’s striker ’s dismissal and subsequent three-match ban.

A few days later Flores was apparently involved in a training ground bust-up with Monk, who later insisted the incident had been blown out of proportion.

Flores then played his part in Saturday’s 3-0 south Wales derby win over Cardiff as Monk began his managerial career with a bang after taking up the reins from the sacked Michael Laudrup.

And he was in the right place at the right time to net the equaliser against Mark Hughes’ team and keep Swansea in 10th place.

Around 90 minutes before

LUIS Suarez has again protested his innocence over his bust-up with Patrice Evra that landed him an eightmatch ban in 2011.

Suarez has 26 goals to his name this season, and the Liverpool striker is finally attracting headlines for the right reasons following a turbulent first two-and-ahalf years at Anfield.

He was fined 40,000 pounds after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra by the FA, received a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last season and has

regularly been accused of diving.

Though Suarez admits his clash with Ivanovic was a mistake, along with a similar incident involving PSV’s Otman Bakkal when he played for Ajax, the Uruguay international remains adamant he was falsely accused over the Evra incident.

“All the other things were like a movie that people in England believed in,” Suarez told Uruguayan radio station Radio 890 in quotes picked up

by The Sun. “The case with Evra was all false. I was accused without proof. But that’s in the past. I was sad at that moment but I’m happy today.

“Let me tell you, I’ve made only two mistakes in my career. My first was when I was playing for Ajax and I bit an opponent. My second was when I bit Ivanovic.

“Those two were my only two mistakes as a footballer. I said I’m sorry and that was all — end of story. I’ve nothing else to regret.

“I have grown up. I have thought more about things before doing them.

No Regrets Over Evra Row - Luis Suarez

kick-off it appeared highly likely the game would be called off given the battering the stadium received from the gales.

But, unlike Wednesday’s fixtures at Manchester City and Everton, the match was allowed to proceed and it proved the right decision as the winds started to drop by kick-off.

Crouch bagged his eighth goal of the season in the 17th minute, tapping home from close-range after Peter Odemwingie’s effort rebounded back off a post.

It could have been 2-0 in the 20th minute but for Michel Vorm tipping over the crossbar a dipping 20yard effort from Marko Arnautovic.

Swansea were better in the second half, with Wilfried Bony firing just over the angle of bar from the edge of the area 90 seconds in.

Flores then popped up with the equaliser, deftly flicking home a Pablo Hernandez cross beyond the despairing reach of Asmir Begovic in the 52nd minute.

Twelve minutes from time, Swansea thought they had the winner when a Bony shot was nudged goalwards

by Begovic, only for captain Ryan Shawcross to hook off the line.

Then in the 86th minute Begovic pulled off a stunning save to deny substitute Jonathan de Guzman from long-range.

104 appearances for Arsenal. His breakthrough season came in 2007-08, when he scored 30 goals to earn a place in the PFA Team of the Year.

He failed to hit the same heights again during spells at Manchester City, Real Madrid and his first two seasons at Spurs — but now insists he is thriving again under Sherwood’s guidance.

“The last time I was scoring like this was at Arsenal,” said Adebayor following the win at St James’ Park.

“The manager gave me a chance to play and has a big belief

Tottenham Hotspur’s Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor (left) celebrates scoring their third goal at St. James Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northeast England on February 12, 2014.

Moyes Looks To Past For United Inspiration

MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes wants his players to draw inspiration from the club’s history as they attempt to resurrect their imperilled bid for a Champions League place. and Tottenham Hotspur had both United were held to a 0-0 won. draw at Arsenal on Tuesday and Steven Gerrard’s stoppagetheir disappointment was time penalty gave fourth-place compounded by the news that Liverpool a 3-2 success at Champions League Fulham that took them 11 points qualification rivals Liverpool above United, while Spurs are eight points clear of the champions after a 4-0 win at Newcastle United. in me. The aim is to keep United have only 12 games in enjoying my football and see which to reverse the situation if what I can achieve.” they are to avoid missing out on Spurs remain three points a place in Europe’s premier club tournament for the first time behind fourth-placed Liverpool, since 1995, but Moyes refuses to and Sherwood was quick to give up the fight. single out the performance of “All I can do — I keep saying Adebayor at Newcastle. it — but I’ll try and win the next game and see if we can pick it Sherwood said: “He’s an up,” he told journalists at the example for all young players Emirates Stadium. to look up to - someone who “If there’s one club in history who’ve been great at winning applies himself on and off the games in the second half of the pitch. He is a real credit to the season and putting pressure on club at this moment in time. the teams above, it’s been “He never leaves anything on Manchester United.

“We’ll continue to try and do the training field, he works very, that and see if we can make it very hard and mirrors that in work.” matches.”

Asked if United’s multiple

Adebayor Form ‘Reminiscent Of EMMANUEL Adebayor Arsenal’ insists he has rediscovered the scoring touch that made him into a star at Arsenal as he continues to lead Tottenham’s push for the Champions League.

Frozen out at Spurs earlier this season under former boss Andre Villas-Boas, Adebayor has scored nine times in 12 games since Tim Sherwood took the reins at White Hart Lane in December.

His double in Wednesday’s 40 win at Newcastle took his tally to five goals in as many Premier League matches.

Adebayor scored 46 times in

Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny (left) tackles Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney

trophy-winners still had the requisite hunger, he replied: “I believe so.

“I see them, I think they’re great lads, they’re fantastic with their attitude, their training.

Their commitment is first-class.

“You saw tonight (Wednesday), how good Vida (Nemanja Vidic) was, how good Rio (Ferdinand) was when he came on.

“They’re a great group of players, a very experienced group of players, and you have to say they’ve been winners, all of them.

“They’ve all got medals, and when you’ve won, you want to win more. They’re all still hungry and determined to be succesful.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger voiced support for Moyes and said that United’s performance proved that they remain one of the country’s leading sides.

“Man United is a good team who can play against anybody in our league,” he said.

“At the moment they’re not where they can be, but you cannot say with the players they have on the pitch that they are

not quality.”

When pushed on United’s chances of finishing in the top four, however, Wenger would only say that it was “not mathematically impossible”.

Arsenal had been humbled 51 at Liverpool in their previous outing and Wenger felt that the trauma of his side’s experience at Anfield had had an inhibiting effect on their performance against United.

Wenger conceded that his players had been “nervous”, but added: “It’s not worrying because we care about what we do.

“When you concede five goals like we did on Sunday (Saturday), we’re only human beings and that’s always what you get.

“Sometimes you don’t score, but the team was highly focused not to concede today.”

Arsenal would have gone top with victory, but the draw left them only a point behind leaders Chelsea and Wenger said: “We’ve come out of two difficult games and we’re still in a strong position.

Milan Look To African Arrivals For Win

Atletico ‘To Dodge Rap For Missile Thrown’ ATLETICO Madrid are set to escape punishment as the supporter who threw a cigarette lighter at Cristiano Ronaldo during Tuesday’s 2-0 Copa del Rey semifinal second leg win for Real Madrid at the Estadio Vicente Calderon cannot be identified by club officials or police.

After scoring two early penalties in the game to seal Madrid’s 5-0 aggregate passage to the final, Ronaldo was hit by the object thrown from the crowd as he walked from the pitch at the half-time.

Referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco included the incident in his official match report submitted to the Spanish FA after the game and Spain’s authorities could decide to fine the host club up to 30,000 euros and close their ground for one to three games.

Madrid’s Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos have both called for the thrower to be punished, while Atletico director Clemente played down the seriousness of the event after the game.

Atletico are working closely with Spanish police officials to identify the culprit, with no luck so far, however they hope that pictures provided by broadcasters may be of help.

Reports suggest, however, it has been conclusively proven that it was “an isolated incident,” and the club are unlikely to face any sanction.

Spanish media have also been recalling similar past incidents, none of which lead to serious punishment for the individuals or clubs involved. Just last week, in the semifinal first leg at Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, a soft drinks can — which, unlike lighters, are banned from grounds for safety reasons — came close to hitting Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

Atletico keeper Thibaut

Courtois was also hit by a lighter during last season’s Copa del Rey final at the Bernabeu, and received treatment on the pitch before continuing.

Going further back, a lighter was thrown at Barcelona defender Gerard Pique in a Copa game at the Bernabeu last season. Then Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was knocked unconscious when hit by a bottle in a derbi at Real Betis’ Estadio Benito Villamarin during the 200607 season, and a pig’s head was famously thrown at Madrid’s Luis Figo at the Camp Nou in November 2002, when the returning former Barca player was attempting to take a corner.

and Schalke 04 will clash this evening in a Bundesliga clash. Kick-off set for 18h30 (CAT).

The BayArena is the venue for the heavyweight meeting of these two foes as second-placed Bayer take on Schalke, six points behind them in fourth. The hosts go into the game off the back of a key win at fellow European aspirants B o r u s s i a Monchengladbach, their second straight success.

Jens Keller’s visitors can top that, however, after maintaining their 100 percent record in 2014 with a home victory over Hannover 96. That solid start to the year has manoeuvred the Gelsenkirchen club to the fringes of the realm they openly laid claim to before the season start – a top-three finish and a direct qualifying berth in the group stages of the Champions League. completing the season

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) vies with Real Sociedad’s French forward Antoine Griezmann (R) at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on February 12, 2014.

Barca Face Real Test In Cup Final

BARCELONA will face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on April 19 after they drew 1-1 away to Real Sociedad on Wednesday to progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Lionel Messi continued his objectives this year and we return to goalscoring form have managed to make the after netting twice against final in one of them. Now we Sevilla on Sunday, with a fine have to try and win it, but we solo run and finish to put have complied with the Barca in front midway demands until now,” he said. through the first-half.

“It is a long way away, it is The hosts were then a Clasico so it always has thankful to a number of saves special importance. Madrid from Enaut Zubikarai to winning last night made it prevent Barcelona extending even more important for us their lead on the night, but the not to miss this special date.

Basques got some “But it is hard to make a recompense for their efforts judgement because the final three minutes from time when is still two months away.

Antoine Griezmann thumped There are loads of important Chory Castro’s low cross past games between now and then Jose Manuel Pinto. for both teams and we don’t Barca boss Gerardo know how both sides will get Martino was happy to have there in terms of form, reached his first major final confidence or injuries.” since taking charge at the start Martino showed he wasn’t of the season, but said it was prepared to rest on last far too early to judge who will week’s 2-0 win in the first leg be favourites to lift the trophy at the Camp Nou as he named come April. a strong side and the visitors “There were three managed to take the sting out

Leverkusen, Schalke In Gigantic GERMAN football double over Leverkusen, Clash giants Bayer Leverkusen whom they beat 2-0 in the

fourth week of the season, would be a huge step in the right direction. Bayer of course are for their part seeking to make best use of home advantage to open up a formidable nine-point gap on their Royal Blue pursuers.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Leverkusen recorded a 2-0 win over Schalke and finished a place above them in the Bundesliga table.

of the game early on by dominating possession without overly threatening the Sociedad goal.

- Zubikarai made amends However, after Zubikarai had parried a long-range effort from Dani Alves, the ‘keeper would have been disappointed to see Messi’s low strike squeeze under his outstretched arm and trundle into the net.

Zubikarai quickly made amends, though, as he denied Pedro Rodriguez from close range.

At the other end Carlos Vela had Sociedad’s best chance of the first half, but, after knocking the ball past Pinto, Dani Alves was on hand to clear off the line.

Barcelona continued to

look the more likely to score after the break as Andres Iniesta fired just wide from the edge of the area before Zubikarai made a brilliant double save to deny Messi and Cesc Fabregas.

Sociedad did though have clearer sights of goal themselves in the second period and Vela was unlucky to see his sensational curling effort come back off the underside of the bar.

Zubikarai came to Sociedad’s rescue again 15 minutes from time when he blocked Alves’s shot after the Brazilian had been played clean through on goal.

And the ‘keeper’s heroics were rewarded with at least a draw on the night for his side when Griezmann finished off a fine team move involving Sergio Canales and Castro to register his 17th goal of the season.

AC Milan fans will have to wait one more month before seeing Stephan El Shaarawy back in action as he steps up his recovery from an operation on his metatarsal in December.

The 21-year-old’s last Serie A goal came almost a year ago while his last appearance in a Rossoneri shirt was on December 7, when he aggravated the foot injury which had kept him sidelined since September.

In total, El Shaarawy has made four league appearances this season, but an agonising time could soon be behind him.

“These months have been difficult,” El Shaarawy told Il Giorno. “I’ve been out of action for a long time, but the important thing is I’m recovering well and we’ll do further checks soon and if there aren’t any further complications, I can start my rehabilitation.

“I’ve never been out for so long before. I’ve been so angry and so disappointed, but now I

just want to get back to being a key player for Milan because I miss it a lot. I want to score goals again.”

Should his recovery go according to the latest plan, El Shaarawy could be back in action come the end of March.

That would still give him enough time to stake a claim for a place in the Italy squad for the World Cup. “I won’t hide the fact that I do think about the national team,” he said. “If I come back and do well for Milan, then I think the call might arrive. I’ve not spoken to [Italy coach Cesare] Prandelli since the operation, but a lot can happen between now and May.” When he does recover full fitness, he will first have to prove to new Milan coach Clarence Seedorf that he is worthy of a place in the side. With stiff competition for a place alongside Mario Balotelli, that is not something he can take for granted.

WITH the aid of their African arrivals, Michael Essien and Adel Taarabt, Milan will be hoping to bounce back from their first defeat under Clarence Seedorf when they host Bologna on Friday evening.

Kick-off at the San Siro Stadium will be at 21h45 (CAT).

Last Saturday’s match-up against Napoli proved too much for the Rossoneri this time round as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Stadio San Paolo.

New Moroccan import, Taarabt, opened Milan’s account after just eleven minutes of play, but a strike from Gokhan Inler and a brace by Gonzalo Higuain was enough to seal the victory for the title chasers.

Even more shocking than Milan’s demise was that Mario Balotelli was spotted on the bench sheading some tears after he was substitute midway through the second-half.

Much has been made of the controversial striker ’s breakdown on the bench, but Seedorf has repeatedly reiterated that it isn’t abnormal to get emotional at times.

“We are players and there are times when we express ourselves that way,” the Dutchman told Sky Sport Italia. “I see nothing wrong or abnormal in that. I experienced it at times too.

“He too needs to grow in general. He played very well against Cagliari, while tonight perhaps didn’t make the most of the space.

“These are things we can all improve on and I’m happy he has so many areas to improve, as I can help him through that education.”

Meanwhile, Bologna arrive into the encounter in high spirits after they claimed their first victory over Torino at the Olimpico since December 1980.

The Granata fought back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 defeat and help create some positivity in their relegation battle and hand them some buoyancy when they arrive at the San Siro.

With Milan still arguably not out of their crisis, a shock result could be well on the cards.

El Shaarawy Closing In On Return

“Big clubs always have intense competition for places,” he said. “But I just focus on myself. Of course we’ve signed some quality players, but I’ll do all I can to make the coach’s life difficult. I’ve matured a lot these past months. I’ve changed.

Periods of difficulty help you to grow and mature, and that’s happened to me.”

El Shaarawy

Beckham Gives Cheer In Philippines Typhoon Zone FOOTBALL superstar David Beckham visited the Philippines on Thursday to give comfort to survivors of the Asian country’s deadliest ever typhoon — although not everyone was sure of his identity.

Hundreds of survivors of The father-of-four Super Typhoon Haiyan rushed stopped to greet babies and out of their tent shelters in the children staying in a shanty central city of Tacloban to home made of scrap welcome the global celebrity, corrugated iron and wood. who is nevertheless unfamiliar “Very happy, very happy to many citizens of the to visit everybody,” Philippines, where basketball Beckham told reporters. rather than soccer is king.

“Oh, my God,” a young “He’s so handsome. I heard woman screamed as she he plays for the Azkals,” reached out to grab his gushed mother-of-four Darilyn hand.

Bascug, referring to the He also visited a Philippines’ national football warehouse for relief goods team. donated by the UN in the Shortly after Beckham’s nearby town of Palo. arrival, another woman from Beckham, who ended his the area approached an AFP illustrious career last year, reporter and asked timidly: “Is is on his second visit to the that man a celebrity?”

Philippines in his role as a Wearing a black T-shirt with “goodwill ambassador” for the logo of the United Nations UNICEF. Children’s Fund, the 38-yearThe star, who was old ex-England international travelling with heavy visited a tent city for several security, flew by private hundred families who lost their plane Thursday to homes when giant waves Tacloban, one of the areas unleashed by Haiyan crashed worst-hit by Haiyan. into Tacloban’s coast.

The typhoon, one of the Beckham spent over an hour strongest to ever hit land, inside a UNICEF tent set up as a nursery, where he played with dozens of young typhoon survivors.

left about 8,000 people dead or missing across the central Philippines in November last year.

It also left more than four million people homeless as it tore up 171 towns and cities with winds of up to 315 kilometres (195 miles) an hour.

Weeks after the disaster, Beckham and his wife Victoria, formerly of the Spice Girls, donated 20 boxes of clothes and shoes to the British Red Cross to raise money for the victims.

Local businessman Ramil Sumapig, 42, told AFP he watched Beckham on cable television play for European clubs Manchester United and later on Real Madrid.

He ended his career in the United States.

“He played with artistry. He was able to bend the ball,” said Sumapig, who nevertheless said his three children were too

young to see Beckham in his prime and idolised Argentina’s Lionel Messi instead.

Beckham last visited the Philippines in December 2011, where he played a seven-a-side football match with young Filipinos at a government-run centre for abused or abandoned children.

David Beckham

Swiss Roll Up To Sixth In FIFA SWITZERLAND and place.

Ranking sixthSwitzerland’s Portugal were the notable rise shunted movers in the February edition of the FIFA World Ranking, though the top three remained the same.

Spain, Germany and Argentina continue to make

up the top three, but Portugal rose one place to fourth, swapping positions with Colombia, while Switzerland ascended two spots up to

Saka Yearns For Ghana World Cup Call-Up

ADUANA Stars defender Godfred Saka believes he did enough at the African Nations Championship to earn a place in Ghana’s squad for the World Cup. The right-back was satisfied with his output and believes head coach Kwesi Appiah was also impressed Saka played three matches for the Local Black Stars who won silver at the championship in South Africa.

“I think my performance at the CHAN competition should do the talking for me and help me secure a call-up from Kwesi Appiah,” Saka told Graphic Sports.

“I will also have the chance to convince coach Appiah during the second half of the ongoing league.”

Saka will rejoin his club side for Sunday’s First Capital Plus Premier League match against Hearts of Oak at home.

Sepp Blatter

Godfred Saka

Uruguay down into seventh and Italy to eight, while Brazil climbed above Netherlands into ninth place.

Elsewhere, there was some big movement among the African Nations, as the 2010 African Nations Cup is no longer part of the four-year cycle of matches that the FIFA World Ranking considers.

That meant major falls for 2010 winners Egypt, who dropped seven places to 39th and beaten finalists Ghana, who dropped 13 places to 37th. In contrast, Cape Verde Islands rose to become the third-best team in Africa, rising eight places to their highest ever ranking spot of 27th.

Ivory Coast remain Africa’s highest-ranked team, despite dropping six places to 23rd, while USA lead the way in CONCACAF, climbing up to 13th place.

Iran dropped four places to 38th but remain Asia’s top dogs and 89th-placed New Zealand are the OFC’s No. 1 team again.

The next FIFA World Ranking will be released on March 13.

Hodgson Casts Doubt On Cole Future

ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson has admitted he has “a decision to make” over Ashley Cole’s future involvement with the national team.

Cole, 33, has won 106 caps for England since making his debut in 2001, and has been a mainstay at left-back for his country at five major tournaments since then.

However, the former Arsenal defender has lost his place in the Chelsea team this season, starting fewer than half of their Premier League games since manager Jose Mourinho returned to the

club last summer.

With Everton left-back Leighton Baines the immediate rival for Cole, Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs receiving regular call-ups and Southampton youngster Luke Shaw eyed as a future candidate for England in that position, Hodgson said Cole’s international future is far from certain.

“For years people have been understudy to Ashley,” Hodgson said.

“Now it’s Ashley’s turn to sit back.

“We know what Ashley can do. We know how fit

he keeps himself, how experienced he is. I certainly wouldn’t write Ashley Cole out of any plans because he isn’t playing in his club team.

But he will have to accept, like everyone else, that the competition for his place in the club team and international team gets stronger all the time, and I will have a decision to make.

“It’s a bit of a problem when you are a full-back. If you are a midfield player, there might be three or four positions you can play. Full-backs are like goalkeepers — either you play or you have to be understudy.”

Hodgson had earlier

confirmed that he would not be considering Cole’s Chelsea teammate John Terry for an international return, saying: “As far as I am concerned retirement is retirement.”

Like Terry and fellow colleague for club and country Frank Lampard, Cole’s current Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season.

Hodgson will name his 23man provisional squad for this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil on May 13.

The FA has confirmed, meanwhile, that England will take part in a five-day warm

weather training camp in Portugal at the end of the season. Hodgson will take his squad to the country in the week between the FA Cup final and the Champions League final, from May 19 to 23. It is also understood that Hodgson will next week visit Miami, where England play two warm-up games in June.

Hodgson will inspect the training facilities that England will use in the United States during their stay there and he will also visit the Brazilian city of Manaus, where England play their opening World Cup game against Italy on June 14.

2014 NSF Zonal Eliminations Begin In August

THE zonal eliminations for team games for the 2014 National Sports Festival (NSF) would begin in August across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Mr Ademola Are, the Zonal Coordinator, North West of the National Sports Commission (NSC) disclosed this in an interview with newsmen.

Are expressed the need to kick-off the zonal eliminations early to give room for proper organisation and fixtures for the main event scheduled to begin in Calabar, on November 23.

“It has to be about three months before the festival itself, except if the rules are changed.

“Ours is to conduct the zonal eliminations in the team games which will determine which of the states will represent the zones during the sports festival especially in football, handball, hockey, basketball and volleyball.

“It is not a thing for us; this is what we have been doing and we hope that by the grace of almighty God that everything thing will go well; we will definitely do our best.“ Are, who is also the Chairman of the Zonal Eliminations Sub-committee of the festival, said the six geo-political zones would be treated equally during the elimination exercise.

He pointed out that his

Joseph Yobo

Ejike Uzoenyi

zone (North West) would not receive preferential treatment during the exercise as he would be working with other zonal coordinators to identify talents for the country.

“This will impact positively on all the zones and on the committee because all the zonal coordinators are aware of what is expected of them; they

know what to do towards the zonal elimination.

“It will be an added advantage that I am the chairman of this particular subcommittee because we know ourselves, we know the terrain and we shall definitely deliver.“ He also told newsmen that adequate arrangements were being made to ensure hitch free elimination exercises for the festival tagged “Paradise Games”.

Zenith Women Basketball League To Kick Off March 19 THE Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has fixed March 19 as the date for the commencement of the 2013/ 2014 Zenith Women Basketball League which will now have 16 teams.

This is contained in the communiqué issued after the federation’s three-day

Stakeholders’ Forum held at the National Institute of Sports’ Auditorium at the Abuja National stadium.

The communiqué, signed by the Media Officer of NBBF, Ehidiame Omorodion, said the 16 teams would play in the first two phases of the league.

It said eight teams would

2014 World Cup

NFA Picks Houston As Eagles Camping Site

THE Technical and Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) says the association has no plans to hire a foreign technical assistant for Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi.

The committee said this on Keshi led the Eagles to Wednesday after its meeting qualification for the 2014 in Abuja, assuring that the World Cup slated for Brazil NFA was ready to give Keshi from June 12 to July 13. all the support he needed to Ikpeme who is NFA’s succeed.

Director, Technical said the Briefing newsmen after the committee did not at any time meeting, Emmanuel Ikpeme, approve or recommend the a member of the committee, appointment of any foreign told newsmen the committee assistant for Keshi. needed to make clarifications “It is absolutely very on certain issues. important to reiterate that at He said the task of no point did the Technical and participating at the Brazil Development Committee of 2014 World Cup was the NFA ever recommend for important and the NFA felt it the appointment of a was necessary to give the technical assistant to Keshi.

Super Eagles all-round “Again, it is also important support. to reiterate that the NFA is Ikpeme said the support committed to ensuring that was necessary “especially Keshi has 100 per cent now that the Eagles are about support of the football house. to commence preparations for “This is to ensure that we the World Cup in Brazil’’. have a good outing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,’’ he said.

The NFA director also said Keshi has a running contract with the NFA, and that such a situation would make any negotiation he would have with any other football association baseless.

He therefore described as “mere speculation’’ the reported request by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) for Keshi to come and negotiate with them on coaching the Bafana Bafana.

“To me, those reports are speculations. These are all media stories and I don’t

think there is any element of truth in that,’’ Ikpeme said.

On Keshi’s request for the recall of Sylvanus Okpala, his sacked assistant coach, the NFA official said it was beyond his jurisdiction to comment on.

Speaking further on the committee’s meeting, Ikpeme said it has recommended to the NFA Executive Committee the upgrading of coach Manu Garba and one of his Golden Eaglets’ assistants.

“The committee had recommended the

appointment of Garba as Head Coach of the national under-20 team, the Flying Eagles.

“The committee also recommended to the NFA board the appointment of Nduka Ugbade and Fancy Ewulu as Assistant Coach and Goalkeeper Coach respectively,’’ he said.

Ikpeme said the committee also recommended for the approval of the NFA board the obtaining of a compulsory NFA Coaching Licence for all indigenous coaches.

Stephen Keshi

qualify at the end of the phases to play in the Final Eight PlayOffs.

The communiqué also stated that the 2013/2014 DSTV Men’s Basketball League would commence on March 28, with a pre-season match at the National Stadium in Lagos.

“The 2013/2014 DSTV Premier Basketball League will commence on Feb. 28 with a preseason match at the National Stadium in Lagos between two premiership teams.

“The regular season will commence on March 7 at the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences,’’ it added.

The communique further said all participating teams were expected to upgrade their facilities ahead of their final inspection by the NBBF and sponsors.

It also said they would be responsible for mobilising their fans and ensuring sustainable followership of the league games.

“In support of this, DSTV has introduced a cash reward of N500,000 and other incentives for the team with strongest fan base,’’ the communiqué added.

The DSTV league would be having two newly-promoted teams, Kwara Falcons in the Atlantic Conference and Gombe Bulls in the Savannah Conference.

The communique also announced the ratification of the relegation of Comets and Yelwa Hawks from the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences.

It also disclosed that the premier league sponsor, DSTV, has introduced the “Supersport Man of the Match Award’’ for the best individual player in every match The communiqué further said the federation would appoint a Technical Director to accelerate its developmental projects.

“In order to accelerate the various developmental projects of the federation, a Technical Director to oversee all the technical endeavours of the federation is to be appointed.

“And the new partnerships being developed by the federation are intended to open to new funding windows and attract additional support for the federation’s initiatives,’’ it said.

... Says No Plans To Appoint Foreign Technical Assistant For Keshi THE Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Wednesday said it has picked Houston in the U.S. as the camping site for the Super Eagles in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. Emmanuel Ikpeme, the association’s Director, Technical told newsmen in Abuja the team would proceed to Brazil for the mundial from the city.

Ademola Olajire, the NFA Assistant Director (Communications) had earlier said the association would pick the city after its

agent must have concluded every necessary arrangement.

The team’s head coach, Stephen Keshi, had earlier named two cities, Miami in Florida and Houston in Texas as possible camping sites, pending NFA’s approval.

Meanwhile, Keshi on Wednesday listed Joseph Yobo, the team’s captain, among 23 players invited to camp in preparation for the international friendly against Mexico.

The match, scheduled to take place in Atlanta, U.S. on March 5, is part of the team’s

preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

A statement issued by Olajire said Ejike Uzoenyi, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN), was also invited.

Also invited were Israelbased defender Juwon Oshaniwa, Canada-based striker Bright Dike and Kunle Odunlami, the home-based Super Eagles defender who made CAF’s list of Best Eleven at the 2014 CHAN. New invitees include former junior internationals

Ramon Azeez and Shehu Abdullahi, as well as Belgium-based strikers Imoh Ezekiel and Michael Uchebo.

Other invited players include goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, as well as defenders Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Kenneth Omeruo.

Midfielders Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi, alongside forwards Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike and Obinna Nsofor, also made the list.

CMYK

Christmas: The Morning After - A Commercial Reflection

THE morning after Christmas (26th December) traditionally called Boxing Day is the day most people (including my family) open the various gifts they have received during the Christmas; however, that of 2013 was remarkable, some of the hampers we received contained expired goods; and caused me to wake to hot debate which finally turned legal at my arrival.

This experience made me recall an earlier experience which took place early September 2013 in a consumer shop in Abuja and others too numerous to recount, their legal implication and solution (if any) for the numerous consumers out here in Nigeria.

In that shop in Abuja, a man walked in and asked one of the attendants for sugar free yogurt but was told that all they had was yogurt. He told the attendant that the he was sent and did not know the goods; after much debate, the attendant gave him a pack of yogurt.

Immediately he paid, another person came to the tile with a pack of sugar free yogurt which he identified as what he earlier requested.

He then requested the tile attendant to substitute what he was given for that the sugar free yogurt, but the tile attendant refused him his request. He insisted on speaking with the tile manager who also refused.

After much argument, he requested to leave the yogurt at the shop and pay for a sugar free yogurt which he originally came for and the tile manager told him while they will accept the first yogurt pack which has being paid for and sell him another, they cannot refund his money to him.

This did not impress me who had stood there all along following the various conversations. Since both goods belonged to the same family and were sold for the same price, and since the man had not left the tile, the tile attendant or manager could have substituted the goods for him.

This above scenario left me debating the actual legal remedy available to Nigerian consumers. The events that took place in my house that morning did not only wake me from sleep but woke my commercial legal mind and drove me into deep commercial law research.

Unfortunately, our 121 years old, “Sale of Goods

Law” which existence and content is largely unknown to the citizens of Nigeria does not help much. Other legislations ancillaries to it have not done much with regards to improving the lot of Nigerian consumers.

These legislations include the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Act and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC) Act. Although these legislations are designed to assist the consumers with market place contract, satisfactory services delivery from service providers and good quality of goods supplies, much has not being achieved.

The administration of these various legislations are not central and within the reach of the consumers which they seek to protect. The markets are also not organized in a way that assist the effective administration of these various legislations.

For example, the Market in Lagos Island or shops in Mission Road, Benin City where traders trade within personal shops and shops belonging to other people from one location to another.

It is not always possible to recognize the particular trader who sold what for the customer.

Commercial law Prior to this time, it has being thought that commercial parties should be left to themselves thus; much has not been done regarding the development and implementation of commercial law, locally and internationally.

However, increasing dispute between commercial and consumer parties have revealed the inequalities in bargaining powers between consumers and businesses or commercial parties and businesses to business parties.

At the rise of these, the courts were also not willing to interfere due to the old believe that contracting parties should be left to deal with themselves as free as possible to ensure development of the economy.

The “resent” English case of Kum Vs. Nahtat Bank Ltd (1971), 1 Lloyds’ Rep 439444 alludes to this where Lord Devlin stated that the law should allow so far as it can, commercial men to do business in the way they want to do it.

However, with even more rising consumer contract issues, it became obvious

internationally that the thought contractual equalities do not exist in consumer contract. This inequality is what has plunged most consumers in a very difficult and disadvantaged position of loss.

In a bit to remedy their loss, most have resulted to non judicial means while others just accept the loss.

For the few wealthy or exposed once in most developing countries, they involve in direct importation of all their goods from more reliable and protected markets and country (internet trading). Thus, more support has emerged for the development of commercial law, especially regarding consumer commercial law.

growing consumer market.

This is because consumer contracts do not usually respect the freedom of contracts because it is wide knowledge that the legal means of demanding this freedom is very expensive and time taking for any consumer to challenge a failed contract.

However, while this issue is not peculiar to Nigeria, other countries have dealt more extensively and well so with it than we have.

The United Kingdom and European Union Experience Consumer Guarantees In 1999, the parliament and council of the European Council (EC) adopted a Directive, commonly referred to as the, “Consumer

• Justice Mohammed Adoke The court is also in most recent times willing to act as facilitators of business needs rather than interfering with party contracts.

However, this role of the courts as facilitators, some have questioned as they argue that it may under pine two basic contractual needs which are the “sanctity” and “freedom” of contract.

Regarding consumer contract, due to the inequality of bargaining power which usually is in favour of the business owner as opposed to the consumer, there is need for laws protecting the needs of the consumers.

Effective implementations of such laws and effective judicial facilitation with other means of dispute resolution will have binding effects and consistent decisions to be put in place to support the ever

Guarantee Directive” (1999/ 44/EC) which has been implemented into the United Kingdom Laws by the Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulation.

The regulation applies to any transaction by which goods are sold or otherwise supplied to a consumer (any natural person in the contract covered by the regulation acting for purposes which are outside its trade, business or profession) It does not require that guarantee be given to the consumer but where one is given, it is to be legally binding.

The guarantee takes effect at the time the goods/ services are delivered to the consumer as a contractual obligation owed by the guarantor under the conditions set out in the

By ERAKHOBA ILAVBARE guarantee statement and the associated advertising.

This eliminates the possibilities that the guarantee might be declared unenforceable for want of consideration.

The regulation goes further to define a consumer guarantee as, “any undertaking to a consumer by a person acting in the course of his business, given without extra charge to reimburse the price paid or to repair, replace or handle consumer goods in any way if they do not meet the specifications set out in the guarantee statement or the relevant advertising”.

It also requires details of the guarantee to be set out in plain English language or the language most commonly used in the particular location. Most interestingly, it empowers the Director General of Fair and Trading and Local Weights and Measures Authorities to apply for an injunction to secure compliance by a guarantor with his obligations.

It is instructive to note that the discouraging factor for consumers which usually is the cost and time of litigation or any other means of dispute resolution was taking into consideration in the drafting of this regulation and the responsibility was redirected to the Director General of the Fair Trading, thereby making it more attractive for the consumers to lay complains with the hope of getting sure redress for the wrong done them.

The Director General of Fair Trading and Local Weights and Measures Authorities in the United Kingdom took this responsibility a step further by setting up “Trading Standards” which are “walk in” centers located at the end of every trading street or trading area in most parts of the United Kingdom, depending on the capacity of the particular area.

They are usually walk in centers easily accessible from any market or shopping center compared to NAFDAC OR CPC which have offices only in major cities in Nigeria and radio or and television programs for other states to rely on.

The implementation of this regulation has contributed to

the sale of better consumer goods as most consumer goods sellers in the United Kingdom now include at least a 28 DAYS RETURN, REPLACE OR (AND) REFUND POLICY on goods sold both in store and open market in the event of any error and or complain.

This triple ‘R’ policy which usually comes with flexible conditions, such as goods must retain original shop label; must be returned with original purchase receipt if any; or (and) goods most be in a good re-sale condition that enables a consumer who might have already taken the goods home to return them for either a replacement or refund pending any defect or condition not noticed while in store.

This does not only increase the confidence of the consumers, but increases the popularity of the seller and indeed fosters the desired growth in the consumers sector of the economy.

An adaptation of this regulation to a workable form will be a better place for Nigerian legislature to start, especially now that the SALE OF GOODS ACT 1893 is being considered for amendment.

In the absence of the amendment of the Legislation by the National Assembly, individual States such as Edo State seeking improvement in its consumer sector can take the lead in this innovation.

This is because, issues on commercial development of the Nation and States falls under item 18, Part ll of the Second Schedule (Concurrent Legislative List) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which gives State Houses of Assembly the right to make Laws on some specified areas..

• ERAKHOBA ILAVBARE (BL, LLB ACIArb (UK), LLM) is a Commercial and Maritime Law (UK) expert based in Benin City

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