Nigerian observer 14 08 2013

THE NIGERIAN

The NIGERIAN

1

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 NO.293 • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013 . N100.00 MIDWEEK MAGAZINE Pages 16-17

Leadership And Democracy In Africa

Group urges FG to respect pact with ASUU

UMUAHIA The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation has urged the Federal Government to honour the pact it entered into with the Academic Staff Union of

Universities “as a matter of priority.”

The group made the appeal in a statement jointly signed by its National

President and National P u b l i c i t y Kamaleedden Akintunde and Suleiman Ukandu

respectively.

In the statement, made available to journalists in Umuahia yesterday, the group urged the Federal Government to take steps to restore normalcy in the

Continues on page 2

Kidnappers free 3 Edo teachers

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

NATURAL MEDICINE Page 19

Self healing of the body

BENIN CITY – The three female teachers reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen at Orogbua Primary School, Upper Ekewan Road have been freed after a traumatized two weeks in the custody of their abductors. hospital A dependable source undisclosed told The NIGERIAN following their traumatic OBSERVER that the experience in the hands of female teachers were their abductors.

Though the source released about 2 a.m. yesterday after their declined to state how and husbands collectively where the women were paid a reasonable freed, it was however amount of ransom to the disclosed that, on receipt of the ransom, a spontaneous kidnappers. outbursts of jubilation The source further revealed that the victims, accompanied by sporadic Mrs. Momodu Aisha, Mrs. gunshots enveloped the Patience Okoshone and camp of the kidnappers.

The gunmen had on Mrs. Patience Osadolor have been admitted in an their initial contact with the

spouses of their victims demanded N70 million ransom which they eventually reduced to N7.5 million.

Unconfirmed

source stated that N5 million was paid for the freedom of the female teachers.

The source, however, appealed to Edo State

Government to compensate the affected teachers who were on active duty when the incident occurred.

It would be recalled that the three primary school teachers were at their duty posts at Upper Ekewan Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 when they were abducted.

A parent said to have

Continues on page 2

Ihonvbere underscores need for community-led of the project. projects completion He also solicited more

By QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO

BENIN CITYSecretary to Edo State Government, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere said Community-driven Projects are strategic to improving the livelihoods of the people.

He stated this yesterday in Government House while receiving a delegation of several associations from Iuleha clan, Owan-West Local Government Area, who came on a ‘thank you’ visit over the successful completion of the renovation of Ekearoma in the community.

Commending Edo Community and Social Development Project (Edo –CSDP) for the work it is doing all over the state, prof.

Ihonvbere said such projects, if properly structured and led by the right agencies like CSDP could positively

impact the lives of the people tremendously.

The SSG, however, advised the people to use the market properly, keep it clean and ensure it creates opportunities to expand businesses in the area.

He also promised to look into constructing an Abatoir and providing a proper borehole for the market.

Leader of the delegation from Iuleha, Chief Herbert Dogo Omogbai, said the visit was to appreciate Prof.

Ihonvbere for paying the counterpart fund on behalf of the community, a development said helped to fast-tack the

developmental projects to be carried out in the constituency.

Representative of EdoCSDP, Engr. Osarume Osazuwa said about 170 stalls were renovated with-the budgeted sum of five million naira as against the initial 120 stalls earmarked for the sum, adding that the next project earmarked is the Computer Centre.

VISIT: L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Mrs. Omoluru Aigbokhae Eriye, President and Mrs. Ebhomoyo Bosede Patricia, 1st Vice President singing during the visit of the Executive members of the National Council of Women’s Societies, Edo State chapter paid a courtesy visit to the Governor in his office, yesterday.

Verification: Teacher can’t

read own Affidavit

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

BENIN CITY - It was a drama of sorts at the verification of certificates of Primary School teachers in Edo State yesterday as a teacher at

Asologun Primary School, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Benin City, Mrs

NCWS hails Oshiomhole

Appointment of Women:

By ADAMS OYIBOKE BENIN CITY – The President, National Council of Women Societies of Nigeria,

Augusta Odemwingie could not read a sworn affidavit she tendered as part of her credentials.

Mrs. Omoluru Aigbolehae Eniye has lauded the appointment of women into

Adams Oshiomhole.

She gave the commendation when the executive members of the council visited him

the State Executive Council by the Comrade Governor, Continues on page 2

Governor Adams Oshiomhole who paid an unscheduled visit to the State Staff Training Centre, venue of the exercise was appalled that a teacher could not read, saying “if you can’t read, what do you teach the pupils, what do you write on the board?”

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo

State, Comrade Patrick Ikosimi who was also at the screening to monitor the exercise said the woman’s failure was “an embarrassment”.

On arrival at the centre, the governor took time to peruse some of the teacher’s credentials and documents presented.

When Mrs. Odenwingie took her turn for the

Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

2

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

News

Group urges FG to respect pact with ASUU

Continued from page 1 university system.

It stated that respecting its pact with ASUU would end the current industrial action by the union that had paralysed academic activities in the nation’s state and federal universities.

It also noted that an end to the impasse would save the university system from decay and imminent collapse.

The group attributed the differences arising from the nation’s multi-religious faith on “ignorance, lack of understanding and incorrect interpretation of the revealed holy books from Allah.”

It called on Nigerians to embrace peace and “to emulate the act of justice exemplified by the messengers and prophets of Allah.”

It commended the House of Representatives for the

passage of the bill on Local Government autonomy but urged the Senate to have a rethink on the same matter.

It enjoined the nation’s youths to create a platform for collaboration and synergy in combating the various challenges militating against their growth and national

development, irrespective of religious affiliation.

“We urge divergent and adverse interests to take Nigerian unity into consideration foremost by taking actions capable of strengthening our unity,” it stated.

According to the organisation, “Nigeria, if properly piloted, will rise to take its proper place in the comity of nations.

Continued from page 1

the hoodlums.

A vehicle belonging to one of the teachers used to whisk them away was recovered a day after the incident.

Spokesman, Edo State

Police Command, DSP Moses Eguavoen could not be reached for comment.

At the wake of the abduction, DSP Eguavoen

assured the victims families and members of the general public that the police were working intensely to ensure that the female teachers were released unhurt.

around.

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Ikosimi who described Mrs Odemwingie failure as an embarrassment said the union was in tune with the state government on the need to sanitise the school

He said: “We are committed to partnering with the government to reposition Education in the state. What this teacher has just displayed is a show of shame, it shows the decadence in the education sector.

Kidnappers free 3 Edo teachers

visited the school to check on his child at the time the abductors struck was allegedly hit by bullet fired by

Teacher can’t read own Affidavit “As the Chairman of NUT, I system.

Continued from page 1 exercise, the governor who listened to her defence asked her to read the affidavit she presented.

She was stuttering and read the affidavit as if a kindergarten were learning to read, to the consternation of everybody

have written to the governor that we are in total support of what he is doing. He should properly involve the NUT so that together we can fish out the culprits who are not viable as far as the system is concerned,” he said.

NCWS hails Oshiomhole

Continued from page 1

yesterday at Government House, Benin City.

Mrs. Omoluru appreciated the state governor and his team for their support towards uplifting the welfare of Edo women especially the appointment of Woman Head of Service, Princess Ekiuwa Inneh, many women commissioners and Senior Special Assistants.

She said since the coming of the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State infrastructural facilities have tremendously increased.

The National Council of Women appealed to the governor for financial assistance towards mobilizing their women to Abuja for the up-coming National Conference on Women and Presentation of Achiever Award to the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

She said the award ceremony comes up on Thursday at International Women Conference Centre by 7 p.m., stressing that the physical presence of the governor was very important.

In his response, the Comrade Governor Oshiomhole assured the National Council of Women of his maximum support, stressing that his government is pro-women.

He said government is looking beyond creating job in order to impact on future of the Edo child.

He said that education remains the major priority of the government adding that free healthcare for children under 5 years and pregnant women is being pursued vigorously, with a view to reducing the number of death among women.

According to him, “mothers need to be supported,

protected and helped to provide resources to ensure that those women who are wives are not exposed out in the cause of child bearing”, he stressed.

He however, promised to meet all the requests put

forward by the women council to facilitate their journey to Abuja.

Those present at the occasion were the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Pius E. Odubu, Head of Service, Princess Ekiuwa Inneh, C. O. S., Rt. Hon. Patrick

Obahiagbon, Women Affairs and Social Development Commissioner, Mrs. Blessing Maigida, Commissioner for sports and youth Development, Lady Omorede Osifo and Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Idehenre amongst others.

Re-Appointment of SSA

ANEEJ lauds Edo Gov

BENIN CITY - Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice has commended the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over the reappointment of Mr. Efosa Kayode-Iyasere as the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society Matters.

In a press statement signed by the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Reverend David Ugolor, ANEEJ said the reappointment of Efosa KayodeIyasere shows the commitment of the comrade governor to create a space for

all members of the civil society organizations to strengthen governance in the state.

ANEEJ said the reappointment of Efosa KayodeIyasere is evidence that the comrade governor recognizes the developmental efforts of human rights activists in the state.

Delta Police parade 5 MASSOB members

By INNEH BARTH

DELTA STATE - The Delta State Police Command has arrested five members of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafran (MASSOB) for allegedly attacking members of the public in power line area of Asaba the state capital.

Parading the suspects, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba who spoke through the Command Public Relation Officer, Mr. Lucky Uyabeme, ASP, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of B Division received information that vigilante men at power line and Ominigboma areas in Asaba were being attacked by MASSOB Members.

He said a team of operatives moved to the area at about 9:30pm and arrested five members of the group including a 52year old leader of the group, Mr. Emeka Okafor and recovered 114 Biafran flags, 2 boots, 129 Biafran pounds and ten shillings, 32 membership

forms, 10 pairs of complete Biafran police uniforms with name tags, 3 cutlasses, 7 hard cover note books of their minutes of meeting from 2010 till date.

Other items recovered were 2 military belts and one

expended cartridge.

While reiterating its warning that he will not allow any part of the state to be used as breeding ground for any criminal activity, the CP said the suspects will be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Use social media to promote business, SME operators urged LAGOS- Operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been advised to use the social media to advance their businesses.

Mr Eke Ubiji, Executive Secretary, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), gave the advice in an interview with Journalists yesterday in Lagos.

Ubiji said that the social media had become a global tool for advertising goods and services.

“The world is changing drastically and SMEs have to move with the trend so as not to be left behind.

“The most popular social media we have now are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, H15 and even the Blackberry Messenger,” he said.

Ubiji said that adverts on most social media were free and users could enjoy a wider reach of prospective customers.

According to him, once you register your company by creating a personal profile, you can advertise your products.

He said that pictures of products could be posted on the media with addresses and phone numbers.

Ubiji said that this was the time to key into the trend because Nigerians were gradually embracing online marketing of products.

“SMEs can also sell their products through some of the online shops that are currently springing up in Nigeria.

They can sell clothes, shoes, bags, household items, electrical gadgets, cosmetics online and payment is made with the use of debit cards or at the point of delivery,” he said.

Ubiji said that entrepreneurs could also acquire skills and knowledge to enhance their business growth through the social media.

ABUJA - Akwa Ibom Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum disclosed Tuesday in Abuja that the ruling party has made significant progress in reconciling its aggrieved members.

The governor spoke to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.

He said he was in the Villa to brief the president on the progress made towards the August 24 South-West congress and the August 31 national convention of the party.

Akpabio said there had been series of meeting with major stakeholders towards total reconciliation in the party.

“I am happy with the progress being made to ensure total reconciliation and I am very hopeful that at the end of this exercise Nigeria will continue to enjoy good governance.

“All the steps being taken at the moment are steps

in the right direction to ensure cohesion and bring back all the party faithful.

“Particularly, the body of governors will come together to work as one for the interest of Nigeria and the interest of the PDP. “I can assure you that, there is jitter in the camp of the opposition with the meetings of the PDP governors and the national convention that is coming up.

“This is because as soon as the PDP puts its house in order, the result is that Nigerians will follow us, because that is a truly national party in Nigeria.

“That is the only party without cleavages of ethnicity or tribalism and that is the only party without a godfather,” he said.

The governor stressed that, the fact that PDP remains the only national party, no politician worth its salt, will want to quit it for any other unpopular group.

Akpabio assures total reconciliation in PDP

Akerejola tasks politicians on positive attitude IGARRA - Politicians have been admonished to exhibit affirmative attitude towards public office and affairs in the cause of accomplishing the daily task. The charge came Monday at Igarra, the administrative headquarters of Akoko-Edo local government at a meeting called by the Council Chairman, Hon. Folorunsho Akerejola.

The meeting which lasted about two hours, the LG boss said was called to intimate all political office holders of the development in the council within the last few months of the administration led by his humble self and also to sermonized them on the need

to work as a team in other to justify the mandate given to them by the entire people of the local government.

According to Akerejola, “our attitude towards this administration is very vital to us whichever way you see it, you are part of it. You have taken oath of office, you must live up to the expectations and the truths you know don’t be selfish with it.

Akerejola opined that elected officer is no longer a private person as it were before elections. “Before election you were only for your party but after your election you now belong to everybody both party and none

party members alike.

He said his failure is the failure off all his lieutenants. “If this administration fails, is all of you.

“Therefore, let us all work as a team to move the local government forward. There are a lot of things to change, that is why we are here to effect such positive transformation.

The chairman who harped on the low and dwindling Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of the LG said all hands must on the deck to exploit all the available means to meet up with the enormous infrastructure development.

The LG boss used the opportunity to highlight the various projects his new administration has executed and have also gotten approval to start over twenty progressive missions that will cut across all the wards to include two thousand single seats and tables for all the primary schools.

Hon. Akerejola said he would not engage in any project that cannot be completed. “Like I used to say any project we don’t have money to execute we will not venture go into it.

Communities that have not been touched will be reached at the appropriate time.

THE NIGERIAN

3

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

South-West Corrigendum OUR attention has been drawn to a story on page 6 of our Thursday July 18th edition, titled: “Benin Monarch Approves Installation of Trad Ruler”. We erroneously referred to the Owee Oba N’Iguiko as Traditional Ruler.

We have since discovered that the Owee Oba N’Iguiko is not a traditional ruler. The error is regretted.

Editor.

ILORIN - An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court has remanded a mechanic, Suleiman Mumini, 31, at the Federal Prison, Ilorin, for allegedly defiling an 11-year-old girl.

The Magistrate, Mrs Ibijoke Olawoyin, ordered that the accused be remanded in custody pending conclusion of investigation and since the offence was not ordinarily bailable.

Court Remands Man For Defiling 11-Yr-Old Girl Mumini, who resides at Adeta area of Ilorin is facing a three-count charge of indecent assault, assault and escape from lawful custody.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. AlHassan Jubril, told the court that Mumini committed the offence sometime in April at Odore Village, a suburb of Ilorin.

Imam Seeks Dissolution Of Marriage IKORODU (LAGOS STATE)-Imam Jamiu Bello of Jamaitul Islam of Nigeria, Ikorodu, Lagos, prayed a customary court to dissolve his six-year-old marriage to Busola, his third wife.

Bello, 60, who lives at No. 62, Lagos road, Ikorodu, told the court that he was fed up with his marriage to 25-year-old Busola who, he alleged, was troublesome.

He told the court that

Busola embarrassed him in public many times with her “troublesomeness”.

“I want this court to separate us because I am not enjoying the marriage anymore; she fights everyone in the neighbourhood and I suspect her of infidelity,” he said.

Busola, a trader, who did not consent to the dissolution of the marriage, told the court that she had never disrespected her husband in public.

“I have not offended him in anyway. He has never seen me with any other man.

“Even though he has not been able to provide for my upkeep, I still love him,” Busola, a mother of one told the court.

She added that Bello had stopped giving her feeding allowance.

The president of the court, Mr. Raheem Daudu, adjourned the case to Sept.

9 for possible reconciliation.

Jubril said that the accused lured the young girl, who was hawking vegetable, into a bush and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

He said that after committing the offence, the accused fled the area and was only sighted on July 31 by his victim, who reported at the nearest police station.

The prosecutor said that after his arrest, the accused assaulted PC Kola Issa, gave him a head butt and escaped from police custody.

Jubril said that policemen on duty pursued the escapee and later apprehended him.

He said that the offences committed by the accused contravened Sections 285, 267 and 172 of the Penal Code.

The magistrate adjourned the case to Augusg 22 for mention.

OSOGBO-Dr Olayinka Ajala, the Head of Geography Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, said desertification was a major cause of flooding in parts of the country.

Ajala said this in Osogbo in an interview with newsmen on the imminent flood in parts of the country as predicted by NIMET. “One of the major causes of flood is desertification.

Desertification implies the encroachment of desert with adverse effect on the vegetation.

“Desertification is peculiar to the North East and the North West sub-regions of the country. So, flood sets in as a result of loss of vegetation in that part of the country.

“The South West zone is located in the humid tropical region which makes the environment prone to flooding and erosion.

“Unless government is proactive enough to engages experts in the area of land use, planning and mapping

Desertification Causes Flood - Don

of the soil resources through inventory, the situation may be worse,’’ he said.

He said logging was exposing the soil to run-off and gave room for chlorocarbon gases to be emitted into the space.

The lecturer attributed the menace of flooding and ocean surge in the coastal strips to the emission of gases, which caused climate change.

The university lecturer called for aggressive forestation programme and sustainable development to control and prevent future occurrence of the calamity.

He also urged the government to make cooking fuel affordable to people to discourage the use of firewood.

“Government should tackle flooding through conversion of waste that blocked water channels to synthetic materials, ’’ he added.

THE NIGERIAN

4

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Across The Nation

Minister Unveils Electronic Teaching ABUJA - The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, said in Abuja that the Nigerian Universities Electronic Teaching and Learning Platform has been unveiled in 12 public universities.

Rufa’i spoke at a meeting with Task Teams for the 2013 Mid-Term Review of the fouryear strategic plan for the development of the education sector.

She said that the platform would support integration of ICT in teaching, learning and research processes in the

institutions.

“This initiative is the first phase in a programme, which is expected to cover 78 federal and state universities in the country.

“This will enable the remote learning and exchange of information among these institutions with each of the institution having access to local digitised content through the virtual library,’’ she stated.

The minister added, “we are also supporting our lecturers in the higher institutions of learning to attend local and international conferences to enhance collaboration and

research.’’

She said that 5,999 lecturers had been sponsored for local conferences and 2,869 sponsored for conferences outside the country.

She also said that three billion naira had been

committed to the National Research Fund.

“It is again targeting our tertiary institutions towards having access to funds to encourage research,’’ she added.

The minister said that there had been a boom in

infrastructure transformation in the tertiary education sector.

She said that in each of the institutions, all areas of infrastructure challenge were being addressed through the provision of new facilities and the rehabilitation of existing

Microsoft Introduces Scholarship Programme LAGOS - Microsoft Corporation has introduced the 4 Africa Scholarship Programme, in recognition of the International Youth Day. The company said in a statement that it was shifting its focus from the white space technology, to announce the Microsoft 4 Africa Scholarship Programme.

Mr. Patrick Onwumere, Director of Youth Enablement, Microsoft 4Afrika, said that the initiative was designed to help ensure that Africa could become globally competitive.

“And investing in our highly motivated youth is a critical step toward making that a reality,” he said.

According to the statement, the latest 4Afrika Initiative effort is designed to help develop Africa’s future leaders, by ensuring they have access to the education and skills they need to succeed.

It also said that Microsoft would deliver mentorship, training, certification, university-level education and employment opportunities for promising young African leaders, at no cost.

The 4 Afrika initiative was designed to help ensure that Africa could become globally competitive, and investing in the highly motivated youth was a critical step toward making that a reality.

It said that the company was committed to helping millions of Africans to get critical skills for entrepreneurship and employability, through the 4Afrika Initiative and Youth Spark Programme.

The statement also urged young women to apply for the programme, to redress gender disparity in higher education in Africa.

The Acting General Manager, Bendel Newspaper Company Limited, publishers of the Observer titles, Pastor Monday Aigbe (right) in a handshake with the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Culture and Tourism/Convener, Dream Alive with Pikolo Daniel Eromosele during a visit to the GM yesterday in Benin City.

ones.

She said that more than N109 billion had been provided for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Rufa’i said the effort was aimed at enhancing the institutions’ facilities and encourage their development as centres of excellence through the High Impact Initiative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

According to her, the three billion naira had been committed to Book Development Fund and meant to encourage scholarship in higher institutions through the production of books and journals.

“Apart from encouraging publication of research outputs from our institutions, it provides for the distribution of journals to libraries of tertiary institutions free of cost,’’ she said.

The minister revealed that the measures were part of the Federal Government’s initiatives to promote quality in higher education.

Nwodo Faults Removal Of Immunity Clause

ABUJA - Chief Charles Nwodo, a former Chairman of the defunct Progressive Action Congress (PAC), has told the National Assembly that there was no need to remove immunity clause from the country’s Constitution.

He contended that the legislature had enormous powers in their oversight functions to investigate what the President, Governors and others were doing and sanction them accordingly rather than removing immunity.

Nwodo made his views

known during an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He stressed that the removal of immunity clause could disrupt governance and therefore advised those calling for its removal to desist from doing so.

He, therefore, faulted the House of Representatives’ bill seeking to remove immunity for the President and others facing criminal charges.

“So, there is no need removing immunity clause.These same people will

come back as Senators and Representatives.

“Some of them are also celebrated and are being given one award or the other even though they are perceived as corrupt”, Nwodo added.

It will be recalled that the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed 85 new clauses to the 1999 Constitution (As amended).

They included the rejection of immunity for the President and state Governors facing criminal charges.

According to the new immunity clause, the President, Vice-President, Governors and their deputies will vacate office if convicted of any criminal offence.

A total of 339 out of the 360 members of the House voted to pass the clauses.

On immunity, 306 members voted to remove it, 17 opposed it, while 14 abstained.

However, the House retained four years as the tenure of office for elected officials.

Don’t Wait For White Collar Jobs

By VICTOR OMOALU

The Acting General Manager, Bendel Newspaper Company Limited (BNCL), Pastor Monday Aigbe (4th left) flanked by the Editor, Barr Solomon Imohionse (3rd right) and members of the ‘Dream Alive with Pikolo’ led by by the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Culture and Tourism/Convener, of the project, Daniel Eromosele (aka Pikolo) during a courtesy call on the GM yesterday in Benin City.

BENIN CITY- The Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Culture Tourism/ Convener Dream Alive with Pikolo, Daniel Eremosele has expressed his resolve to empower youth in the state from reliance on white colar jobs to self reliance.

The SSA popular known as Pikolo gave the indication yesterday when he led his team on a courtesy call on the Acting General Manager, of The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Benin City.

The SSA who noted that as part of his effort as the SSA to governor on culture/ Tourism towards augmenting the phenomenal achievement of the comrade governor,

expressed his commitment towards using the entertainment industry as a veritable tool to achieving the set goal.

Speaking through the public relation officer, Dream Alive with pikolo, Uyi Simeon the SSA averred that the project is a talent hunt project aimed at discovering, nurturing and projecting young talents that abound in the streets in the area of music, comedy and dancing.

He disclosed that the event will witness the auditioning of talents in the three categories of music, comedy and dancing between August 27 and 29, 20 13 with prize winners.

He described the project as a brain child of the office of the SSA on culture and Tourism, adding that eminent scholars from all strata of the economy

- Youths Urged are expected to grace the grand finale which holds on Sunday, September 29, 2013.

He used the opportunity to appeal to the GM for support interims of publicity throughout the event.

Responding the Acting General Manager Bendel Newspaper Company Limited, Publishers of the Observer tittles, Pastor Monday Aigbe commended the organisation for its initiative aimed at taking the youths out of the street.

While noting that the project will go a long way toward addressing the social vices associated with the youth in the society, the G.M. however pledged the company’s support for the project.

THE NIGERIAN

5

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Inside Edo Accident Prevention

Oredo LG To Partner FRSC Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lady Omorede Osifo (left) receiving an award plaque on behalf of Governor Adams Oshiomhole from the Acting P r e s i d e n t , National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Edo State chapter, Comrade Solomon Idiogbe at a ceremony to mark the 2013 International Youth Day in Benin City.

BENIN CITY – The authorities of Oredo Local Government Council is to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to curb road traffic accident in the locality.

Chairman of the council, Hon. Osaro Obazee disclosed this when officials of the FRSC, Edo State Command visited the council secretarial in Benin City.

The Edo State Sector

Bribery: Lecturer Docked

By ROLAND OSAKUE/ INNOCENT OMOAKA

EKIADOLOR (BENIN CITY)-The former Assistant Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Benin, Isu-Ochiora Okogeri has been arraigned in court for allegedly taking bribe to facilitate the transfer of a female student to the Faculty of Law of the Institution.

The Isu- Ochiora Okogeri is standing trial on a one count charge by corrupting himself as a public officer for receiving the sum of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Omoluwabi Elogho with a promise to effect her course transfer to the faculty of law, an offence punishable under Section 98(b)(11) of the criminal code.

Giving evidence in the case with Charge No MCK/94C/2013, the 1 st Prosecution Witness, (PW1),Edoseghe Oghogho Idahosa who is the Head of the Intelligence Unit in the Security Department of the University, led by the State Counsel, Kenneth Ugiagbe Esq said the accused person committed the offence on December 31, 2012.

The witness told the court that the accused person, who was also

a member of Intra-Faculty Transfer Board requested and received the alleged sum of money from the prospective student, who wanted to be transferred from the Faculty of Art to the faculty of Law. He said following intelligent reports, when his team gathered the report and analyzed it, they went into action by calling the female student and asked her to play along.

He stated that on the , the team got a telephone call from her, that the lecturer had asked her to bring the raw cash to him in his faculty office instead of paying the said money into a bank account.

The witness further explained that his surveillance team closely monitored them to the faculty, where the accused person asked the female student to enter his jeep car and dropped her off near the main gate of the school, where he (witness) ordered the security officers at the gate to stop all the out- going vehicles, as the lecturer was being monitored According to him, “I confronted the accused person over the said money allegedly given him by the female student and pleaded with him that search

be carried out on his vehicle over the said money, he became shocked and dumfounded. I also cleared the way to enable him parked his car at the security office which he rebuffed and sped off.”

The witness further stated that they pursued him with a motor bike to where he went to drop the said money in the exhaust pipe of an abandoned truck in the fueling station inside the school and drove off from the scene, unknown to him that he was closely monitored.

The security officer also told the court that having engaged the accused person in a hot chase with a Volvo car; he was later apprehended near the fire-service station inside the campus and taken to the security post for interrogation, where he obliged statement.

The security officer further said that the sum of N17, 000 was recovered from him and the said N 100, 000 was recovered from where he had earlier hidden it.

Under cross examination by the defense counsel, Austin Okochime (Esq) leading P. W Chima, Joshua Omodiagbe, Robinson Imade and J.O Igwealor (Mrs), the witness r d

Exclusive Breast Feeding

Council Chairperson Admonishes Nursing Mothers BENIN CITY – The Chairperson, Oredo Local Government Council, Mrs. Christiana Obazee has expressed the need for nursing mothers to imbibe the culture of exclusive breast feeding of their babies.

It was at the opening ceremony of the 2013 Breast Feeding Week organised by Oredo Local Government.

The week has as its theme: ‘Breast feeding support close to the mother’.

Addressing nursing mothers in

the local government area, the Oredo chairperson disclosed that milk is the best medication for baby that provides a strong bond between mother and child, thereby fostering good relationship.

She noted that breast milk is cheap, accessible and contains anti-biotics which protect the child against common diseases.

The representative of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Nwaneri of the Institute of Child Health, in a

lecture stressed the need for exclusive breastfeeding of babies during the first six months after birth.

Vice Chairman of the local government Hon. Sweet Ikponmwosa in her remarks appreciated the initiative of the chairperson, saying that the one week programme would contribute to improving the health status of infants.

The programme featured a sensitization exercise and road show round the king square, Benin City.

the continuation of hearing in the case to Monday August 21, 2013.evealed that after obtaining statement from every parties in the matter, the file was given to

his superior, who later handed over the matter to the police for investigation.

Magistrate Oghoator then adjourn.

Commander, Ken Nwaegbe who led the officials said their visit was to solicit for the council’s partnership in making roads in the area to be accident free.

The FRSC boss noted that safety on the roads is a shared responsibility among road users and others stakeholders.

He lamented the scarcity of some logistic which he said, now hinder the performance of their duties.

He also prayed the councils partnership for the continuous education of road users and other stakeholders on safe driving habit

Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, lady Omorede Osifo (standing), delivering an address on the occasion of the 2013 International Youth Day celebration organised in Benin City by the Ministry. With her are the Acting Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Edo State chapter, Comrade Solomon Idiogbe (left) and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Jerry Obazele.

Conference Makes Case For Teaching Of Arts

By MORRISON HAYBLE

AUCHI – The maiden National Conference/Exhibition of the school of Arts and Design, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State has ended with a call on government to introduce creative and Art courses in the curriculum of Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities in Nigeria.

The Conference held in Auchi Polytechnic was held in collaboration with the Nigeria Researchers Forum.

In an eight point communiqué signed by the chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Otoba Festus, the conference advised that cultural and creative Arts be made compulsory in primary and secondary schools with an encouragement for strict

implementation of educational policies on cultural and creative Arts by educational authorities.

The conference also called for the setting up of more skills acquisition centres, including art galleries in all local government areas and state capitals across the country.

It was recommended that take off capital be made available to skilled graduates to enable them establish ventures and generate employment for others so as to reduce poverty among teeming youths.

It urged Legislative Houses in the country to speed up the process of passage of the law making the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) Charttered.

The five day conference with the theme, “The Synthesis of Art and Culture for Peace, Stability and National Development” drew participants from the Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities nationwide.

It examined the contributions of Art and Industrial Designs towards the preservation of cultural heritage, skill acquisition, self reliance and job creation while the conference also examined the impact of Art in the development of other fields of academics such as Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, conflict resolution, credible election and good governance.

THE NIGERIAN

6

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

South-West Police Arrest Robbery Suspects ABEOKUTA - The Police in Ogun State said they have arrested 11 suspected robbers at Itori-Oke in the Abeokuta metropolis.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, made this known in a press statement in Abeokuta.

The statement said policemen attached to Ibara Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Oyewole Emmanuel, arrested the suspects at about 4.15a.m on Sunday.

“The arrest followed a distress call received by the DPO in Ibara, who responded swiftly.

“The suspects were arrested shortly after their operation in the area and identified by the victims of their series of operations in Abeokuta metropolis.

“One of the victims (name withheld) has identified one of the suspects to be a member of a robbery gang that robbed him in his house on August 3 at about 4a.m.

“The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered that the suspects be thoroughly investigated while they are kept in the SCID, Eleweran’’, the

statement said.

The statement solicited the cooperation of residents and to trust the police by supplying information that aid the arrest of criminals.

OKITIPUPA (Ondo State) - Angry youths in Kajola, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, went on rampage, burning a truck which crushed one of their colleagues simply identified as Mikel.

Youths Protest Colleague’s Death Reports say that Mikel was crushed at about 8a.m. on Sunday at the Ore-Ijebu-Ode Expressway following which

Commanding Officer, Special Military Operation Unit in Mubi, Lt.-Col. Beyidi Gurama (2nd right), displaying some arms, ammunition, explosives and money recovered from suspected insurgents in Mubi, Adamawa State yesterday.

the truck was set ablaze.

The youths later blocked the four lanes and prevented vehicular movements.

An eye witness told newsmen that the deceased had gone to ease himself in the bush after which he wanted to cross the road but was knocked down by the truck and died instantly.

“He was an agile person, a footballer who was preparing to travel out of the country to play professional football before his sudden death.”

The source further told newamen that the deceased was nick-named Mikel because he was good in the midfield and used to wear number 12 shirt like the Nigerian international football player, Mikel Obi, in Chelsea.

Spokesman for the police in the state, ASP Wole Ogodo confirmed the story, adding that the blocked roads had been cleared while the matter was being investigated.

Ex-Lawmaker Rallies Support For Political Office Holders

Currencies, arms and ammunitions recovered from insurgents by Special Military Operation Unit in Mubi, Adamawa State yesterday

IBADAN - A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Wale Okediran, has described Nigerians who are hostile toward political office holders as ignorant and unpatriotic.

Okediran said in a statement made available to newsman in Ibadan, Oyo State that such attitude was detrimental to the development of the nation.

He said good leadership was everyone’s responsibility, adding that people had the right to redress their discontent at elections and also contest if they could deliver.

According to him, Socrates statement which said, “the greatest punishment for the wise who refuses to rule is to suffer the

rule of idiots,” was what informed his decision to join politics.

“What is needed is a faster rate of change to achieve our goals if we want to place the future of our country in the hands of the right people.

“Low opinion of politicians to my mind is a hangover of the period when politics was believed to be the past-time of never-do-wells.

“With the emergence of more well educated, honest and principled individuals in the political arena, the twisted view of politicians should change gradually,” he said.

Okediran, a consultant to the Senate Committee on Health, said “a politician is expected to consecrate his or her life to the service of humanity.”

He attributed the loss of faith in politicians by the populace to electricity would soon be a thing political office holders who did of the past,” the governor said. not have viable political Mr. Morounkola Thomas, a ideologies, corruption and a doformer commissioner in Oyo State, welcomed the registration or-die attitude.

According to him, the media of the APC. “This is the beginning of the also have a role to play in bridging the gap between end of Nigeria’s problems.

“All the problems that have political office holders and the become almost intractable for the electorate by adopting a positive present government to solve in approach to news reporting.

Nigeria will come to an end with “As humans, politicians have the coming on board of the APC,” their limitations and are prone to he said. mistakes.

Reports that the inauguration “This is why every member of was attended by Chief Iyiola the civil society must work Oladokun, a former Deputy Governor in the state and Chief ji together in harmony in order to Akin Oke, the Oyo State create the kind of society we can be proud of,” he said.

Chairman of the defunct ACN.

Ajimobi, Olunloyo, Others Grace APC Inauguration IBADAN - Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State , Chief Omololu Olunloyo, a former governor of Oyo State and Chief Michael Koleoso were among dignitaries at the inauguration of the Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They joined other members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) to inaugurate the APC in Ibadan.

Ajimobi, who spoke at the forum, commended the parties in

the merger, saying it signalled a movement for change.

He said that the emergence of APC also marked an end to poverty, corruption and violence in the country.

Ajimobi congratulated the people of Oyo State for their support and cooperation with his government, stressing that APC would usher in more democracy dividends.

He urged members of the three merging parties to eschew rancour and bitterness but work together to ensure success for the new party in all future elections.

Similarly, Chief Michael Koleoso, the former National Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD), stressed the need for party members to ensure unity and harmony within the party.

He urged members to give maximum support to the Ajimobi administration in order to ensure more dividends of democracy for the state.

“We have not all made a mistake in voting for Ajimobi in 2011 given his brilliant performance and the all-round development in the state through massive infrastructural revolution and urban renewal programme,” he said.

Mr. Layi Okanlawon, the Acting Chairman of the defunct CPC, commended the idea behind the rally and said that the APC would be the party to beat.

“CPC is lucky to join the moving train. I believe we are heading toward a huge success.

We are moving together as a party. We have experienced people handling the affairs of the APC and we have confidence in them,” he said.

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun told newsmen after the rally that the nation would embrace the APC. “The various problems confronting the nation such as lack of water, unemployment,

THE NIGERIAN

7

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Across Lagos The Nation Excessive Rainfall Farmers Lament Sadiq Ala’amin, Aftermath Bauchi, described the situation as ‘alarming’, adding that if there

Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko (right) socialising with some participants in the Customs and Social Media workshop on the Benefits and Risks of Social Media in Abuja yesterday.

BAUCHI - Farmers in Bauchi have expressed concern that the excessive rainfall being recorded in the state, is retarding the growth of their crops.

Some of them who spoke to newsmen in Bauchi, said although rainfall was desirable, their crops had been having more than enough for the past two weeks.

They explained that crops like groundnut, beans, maize and tomatoes, needed some break from rainfall, to progress.

“This is the third time within 10 days that I will be planting beans. The ones I planted earlier, did not germinate because of excessive rainfall. From the look of things, even the ones planted last, may not survive,” complained Jarmai Madaki, a farmer in Fadaman Mada area of Bauchi.

Another beans farmer in

NEMA Releases N10m Relief Materials Flood Victims: KATSINA - The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has released relief materials worth N10 million as assistance to victims of the recent flood disaster in Katsina State.

Alhaji Musa Ilallah, Coordinator of NEMA in

North-West Zone presented the materials to Katsina State Government in Katsina.

He said the materials were meant for distribution to recent flood victims in five local government areas in the state.

He named the Local

UMUAHIA The traditional ruler of Ofeme community in Abia, Eze Elijah Udoka, has called on PHCN to restore electricity to the area.

He also called on the government to provide them with portable water.

The monarch, who made

the call in an interview with newsmen in Ofeme, said the community had been in darkness for over four months.

He urged the PHCN to take steps to rectify the problem with the transformer in order to restore power to the area.

ENUGU - The police in Enugu State has foiled a robbery attempt at Ugwuonyeama near Enugu on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, according to an official.

A statement from the spokesman of the police in the state, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said the police also arrested one Monday Ogbodo of Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area in connection with the attempted robbery.

The statement noted that the suspect was arrested after a severe gun battle as the hoodlums tried to rob the occupant of a

Honda CRV with registration number ABJ 831 AA. It stated that two of the hoodlums escaped with gun injuries sustained during the battle with the men of the command.

The statement noted that investigations had commenced into the incident.

“The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, applauded the efforts of the operatives and called for more positive results toward fighting crime in the state,” it stated.

Government Areas as Charanchi, Kankia, Daura, Zango and Mashi.

“NEMA provided the relief materials based on its assessment of the extent of the damage in the affected areas.”

The coordinator also said

the gesture was to assist the victims whose houses, farms and other properties were ravaged by the flood.

Ilallah thanked God that no life was lost in the incident.

He expressed sympathy with the victims and the state government over the incident.

He urged the State Government to ensure that

Community Wants Electricity Restored He called on the Federal Government to extend the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme to his community “in view of our efforts to safeguard oil pipelines.’’

He applauded Gov. Theodore Orji’s youth empowerment programme, saying that the initiative had helped to check youth restiveness, crime and other social vices in the state.

the materials were distributed to the victims.

Responding, Alhaji Hassan Rawayau, Executive Director, state Rehabilitation and Emergency Relief Agency (RERA) who received the items on behalf of the state government, commended NEMA for the support.

He assured that the items would be distributed fairly to the victims, including those affected by the collapse of Kankia Dam. The items donated included: 600 bags of cement, planks, 100 bundles of roofing sheets, 100 bags each of rice, millets, maize and guinea corn, among others.

Police Foil Robbery, Arrest Suspect

L-R: Deputy-Comptroller-General of Customs (Enforcement, Investment and Infrastructure), Mr. Yinusa Saka; Assistant Comptroller-Genera (Headquarters), Mr. Tahir Musa and Board Secretary, Assistant Comptroller-General, Mohammed Modu, at the Customs and Social Media workshop on Benefits and Risks of Social Media in Abuja yesterday.

were no change, poor harvest of some crops, particularly beans and maize, might be recorded this year.

A tomato farmer in MagamaGumau town of Bauchi, Audu Luka, said that his tomatoes that had already started producing flowers, were completely destroyed by excessive rainfall.

“I had calculated that in two months time, I would start harvesting my tomatoes, but the plants rot away due to too much rainfall.

“I spent about N50,000 on the farm and have now given up any hope of breaking even. The only crop that will survive this rainfall, is rice,” he said.

Our Correspondent who visited some villages in the outskirts of Bauchi, namely Tirwun, Badaromo, Inkil and Dabe, reports seeing farmlands washed away by rainfall.

Usman Ali, a farmer in Badaromo, said that his groundnut farm was completely covered by flood in the first week of August.

“When the water finally drained, the damage had been done as the leaves turned yellowish. I am not sure of getting anything reasonable this year,” he lamented.

It is observed that because of this development, some farmers who intended planting crops that detest excessive rainfall, have been forced to suspend planting for now.

“I am watching to see if there will be a change. If there isn’t, then I may have to plant rice instead of initial plan for beans,” stated Shuabu Usman, a farmer in Inkil.

Commenting on the development in an interview with newsmen, a Director with the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme, Malam Ja’afaru Ilela, said seeds normally need slightly warm temperature, to germinate.

“By the time there is excessive rainfall and the ground is cold, the seeds become dormant and if there is no change after some time, they will die off.

“My advice to farmers is that they should delay the planting of some of these vulnerable crops till the middle of August, when, hopefully, the situation would have changed.

“But if the crops must be planted now, then I suggest they make ridges and plant on top of the ridges. These ridges will help drain excessive water for the seeds to have the desired temperature for germination,” he suggested The Federal Ministry of Environment had issued an alert, warning that heavy rainfall could be witnessed in some states, namely Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Benue.

THE NIGERIAN

8

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Across The Nation Oil Theft: Army Lack Operational

PORT HARCOURT-The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Army Division Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Olaniyi, said the shortage of gunboats and fastassault craft were partly responsible for increased oil theft in the Niger Delta Region.

The GOC made the disclosure to newsmen in Port Harcourt after an operational tour of the Joint Task Force (JTF) SectorTwo operation formations in Rivers.

Olaniyi said that the tour had enabled him to better access troop’s readiness to combat oil theft and meet with stakeholders to discuss ways of improving JTF’s operations.

He said that shortage of gunboats and fast assault crafts had weighed down their renewed strategy to effectively patrol creeks round the clock.

“If the JTF had adequate gunboats and fast assault crafts; it will improve our patrol and monitoring of the creeks, as well as guarantee quick response of our troops to reported crime scenes.

“Constant patrols and monitoring of the creeks will discourage oil thieves and

Materials - GOC

pipeline vandals from perpetrating their nefarious activities of sabotaging the economy of the country.

“If these facilities were sufficiently provided by the government; the efficiency and proficiency of our troops in policing the creeks will witness significant improvement.

“Communities can also assist the JTF by providing us timely information that will lead to the arrest of oil thieves so as to discourage youth involvement in illegal oil bunkering activities,’’ he said.

Olaniyi said that the fight against oil theft was the responsibility of Nigerians, irrespective of their class, to ensure economic growth and prosperity of the country.

He said that any soldier or officer found to be involved in complicity would be severely dealt with in accordance with the Army Code of Conduct.

Reports say that the GOC held meetings with the officials of Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), the Independent Petroleum

Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), amongst others.

Meanwhile, three persons suspected to be kingpins behind re-occurring rupturing of pipelines in Rivers were arrested and paraded before reporters.

Olaniyi said the suspects were trailed and arrested by troops from the 2 Brigade Sector-Two of the JTF Operation Pulo Shield command.

According to him, the suspects have made confessional statements of regular puncture of pipelines and investigation is still ongoing to unravel their sponsors and partners.

Olaniyi said that repair works had commenced on the damaged pipeline facilities to ensure increase in crude oil production.

“Production level of oil producing companies will soon increase due to JTF renewed strategy and commitment towards the elimination of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta Region,’’ he said.

National Secretary, Joint Action Front (JAF), Comrade Abiodun Aremu, leading Nigerian students on a protest to Save Public Education in Lagos recently.

Health Insurance: Scribe Urges

Community Participation

ABUJA- Dr AbdulRaman Sambo, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has called on Nigerians to form associations to benefit from its community-based health insurance programme.

Sambo made this call during an interview with newsmen in Abuja when he said that the NHIS had a prepared package for such associations and the informal sector.

He also told newsmen that the health insurance scheme would go a long way in assisting people particularly at the grass roots who could not afford exorbitant medical fees.

He said that NHIS had slightly over a million enrolees registered under the community-based health insurance programme.

The executive secretary said that the community-based insurance scheme would be handled by the community itself, while the NHIS would offer technical support.

He said that the NHIS would pay the contribution for pregnant women and children under the age of five years for the first three years in such communities.

Sambo also called on lawmakers to assist their

constituencies through the establishment of communitybased health insurance programmes.

“My call to Nigerians will be to form community-based insurance health schemes across the country.

“We can form cooperative societies amongst us and buy into community-based health insurance programme.

“We believe that if you have a group of say up to a 1000 people coming together, NHIS has

designed benefit package that the individual of that particular community would look at and buy into.

“Contributions will be based on that community; they will form their own board of trustees, their own associations to manage their funds and NHIS will provide technical support for that particular community.

“Not only that, NHIS will also pay for the contribution of pregnant women and children under five years for three years

Chairman, Bokkos Local Government Area, Mr. Zakka Akos (right), presenting some relief materials to an internally displaced woman in Bokkos, Plateau recently.

Body Wants Compulsory Health Insurance

ABUJA-The Acting Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr AbdulRahman Sambo says the scheme is repositioning itself for better service delivery.

Fielding questions at a forum with newsmen in Abuja Sambo said the scheme would make quick strides if enrolment was made compulsory.

“The major disadvantage of not making it compulsory is that you will have individuals who would otherwise be able to contribute but because of some reasons,

cultural, religious, or whatever, or not wanting to be one’s brothers’ keeper would not pay.

“Health insurance is something that you put down money for something that you pray never to use, because you put down money for use when you are ill, but you don’t pray to be ill, but that money that you are putting down will assist your brother or sister or somebody down the line who may be ill.

“There’s that certainty of illness in the society, you pray it doesn’t affect you but you know it will certainly affect another person.

“Unless you make health insurance compulsory, those who have the ability to make their own contribution will not do so.

“Let me tell you why they must do so, health insurance are of two types, social health insurance and

Nwodo advised the APC not to engage in exchange of words with the ruling PDP at this moment if its quest to wrest power from it was to be achieved.

He, however, urged the party to engage more in capacity building to make sure it established offices in all the 36 states.

He said: “They should not negotiate with the members of the ruling party or any other political party to join them as it may affect the party negatively.

“Good products sell themselves; they should come up with good programmes that can attract people to join them.”

Nwodo stressed the need for the party to ensure internal democracy in the nominations of candidates for elections.

He said that would avail it a good opportunity to win the general elections in 2015 and beyond.

He expressed optimism that with a level playing ground, APC would be the party to beat in 2015 general elections.

2015: Ex-Party Chair Tasks APC ABUJA- A former Chairman of the defunct Progressives Action Congress (PAC), Chief Charles Nwodo, has urged the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC) to do more to take over power in 2015.

Nwodo, who gave the advice in a telephone interview with, described the registration of APC as a welcome development that would provide an alternative for Nigerians.

“The registration of APC marked a water shed in recent

times in Nigeria politics, the first time that major political parties have successfully come together and transformed into one political party. “ Before now, it has been alliances or mere merger, which has never seen the light of the day,” he said He said that the emergence of the party was a process, which involved mutual agreement by the merging parties contrary to the undemocratic means of forcing such mergers.

private health insurance.

“Social health insurance is what you and I will subscribe to, where contribution is based on a percentage of income, contribution is based on the ability to pay, but the benefit package that you get from that contribution is the same.

“You find that the rich will subside for the poor, the healthy will subsidise for the sick, the one with a small family will subsidise for the one with a large number of family.

‘Same contribution, a percentage of income, same benefit package irrespective of the individual’s contribution, irrespective of the individuals’ place or status in the society.”

Sambo also told newsmen that the scheme had helped in injecting funds into the health system as most of the capitations paid to some hospitals were being used to develop that aspect of health delivery.

He added the scheme had been able to improve the lives of not

less than 1.9 million pregnant women and children under the NHIS/MDGs project, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality.

“We have largely attained the 10 objectives listed in the law establishing the NHIS. “We have been able to provide cover to give more than two million citizens or employees of the Federal Government, financial cover against health expenditure.

“We have been able to inject significant funds into the health sector through the payment of capitations or fee-for-service, “If you look at the number of enrollees at the federal level, 2.7 million – that is just at the federal level; we haven’t included community-based health plan.

For each of these more than two million enrollees, FG pays N750 per person, per month, per hospital, and of you do your arithmetic, that’s the quantum of funds that goes into hospitals monthly to date.

“We have been able to see to the establishment of hospitals in rural areas.

THE NIGERIAN

9

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Across The Nation

Women In Politics: Group Identifies Importance Of Funding

ABUJA - Dr Felicia Onibon, the National Coordinator, “100 Women Lobby Group’’, an NGO, has said that funding is an important factor for increasing women’s participation in politics.

Onibon told newsmen in Abuja that access to finance would also ensure the success of women’s participation in politics.

“It is the problem of finance, funding is an issue; when you see a woman that is successful in politics today in Nigeria, she has some financial backing.

“That is why we are saying that we should not hinge everything on money because we have best hands, we have very good hands that don’t just get there.

“The reason may be because they don’t have godfathers or

that they don’t have the kind of money that is required and those are the kind of women that you cannot cajole easily,” she said.

She said all citizens must demonstrate the political will to improve the political position of women in Nigeria.

Onibon said that the lack of finance had limited women from achieving their aspirations and access to leadership positions.

She also identified “godfatherism’’, social and cultural factors and the belief that women were to be used for rallies and not fit for elective positions as factors hindering women participation in politics.

“In today’s politics, there are women that are being cajoled,

they have struggled to get to a particular position and are almost there.

“Then someone goes around to talk to your brother, uncle, father, anybody that you find as mentors, and encourage them to encourage you to leave the position for them,” Onibon said.

He stressed the need for the relevant authorities to integrate strategies to influence the political parties to support gender democracy.

She also called for more support for women in political parties in Nigeria to enable them to achieve gender parity.

The coordinator urged the

government to institute genderbased electoral quota that would bring more women into politics.

She called for the expansion of the political space with adequate consideration for women to ensure that political parties nominated more women for elective offices.

“Women must be made

make presentations during the summit.

“There will also be exhibitions and marketing presentations by dredger manufacturers and vendors, equipment dealers and other service providers”, he said.

Chilaka further said that participants at the three-day summit would also go on excursions to tourist destinations and dredging sites around the ancient slave port city.

Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama (left), with the Deputy Governor of Niger, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Minna recently.

Urologist Recommends Pelvic Exercises

Urinary Incontinence:

ABUJA - A Urologist, Dr Celsus Undie, has advised women suffering “urinary incontinence”, also known as involuntary leakage of urine when coughing or sneezing, to do pelvic exercises to help stop the leakage.

Undie, a doctor with the National Hospital, Abuja, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen, saying that involuntary leakage of urine was caused by

Vegetable Consumption

Urologist Urges Moderation

Association To Train Nigerians On Dredging

ABUJA - As part of preparation for the forthcoming 7th Nigerian Dredging Summit and Exhibition, the Dredging and Sand Dealers Association of Nigeria says it has concluded plans to train 20 deck-hands and 12 dredge masters.

The Chairman of the association, Mr Edmund Chilaka, told newsmen in Abuja that the summit would hold at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry, in September.

Chilaka said that the association would sponsor another batch of 20 high school students from across the country to attend summit.

According to him, it is a way of attracting young Nigerians to take up employment opportunities and skills in the dredging sub-sector, which serves the oil and gas industry.

He said that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Lagos Channel Management (LCM) and Nigerian Westminster Dredging and Marine would

relevant in political parties, INEC must not be constrained as an umpire to transform the women’s stand in politics,’’ Onibon said.

She called on civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders to contribute to the ongoing constitution review in order to ensure it favoured women.

The “100 Women Lobby Group’’ is a platform to sustain the momentum on issues and concerns of women, especially in politics.

weakness of the neck of the bladder.

He said the female urethra is shorter than that of the male, while the female pelvic floor is also weaker than that of the male.

Undie also said that females had bigger hips and their pelvic cavity wider anatomically to

allow babies pass through.

He said that females have three passages through the pelvis as against two as found in the males.

“The genital passage in the male doubles as a passage for urine while in the female there are two separate passages, one for urine and the other is genital and the third passage is for

stool,’’ he said.

The urologist said that the pelvic floor exercise, also called Kegel exercise, involved contracting and relaxing the muscles around the anus and the neck of the bladder.

He said that the exercise would help to strengthen the pelvic floor and hold the bladder up.

“Women who leak urine should do pelvic floor exercises, contract and hold their anus as if they want to stop watery stool from leaking through.

Fake Visa Agent Arraigned

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) in a handshake with the leader of the Mara Group, Mr. AshishThakkar during their visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja recently.

ABUJA - The police arraigned one Alexander Victor, 38, in an Abuja Grade 2 Area Court, Kado, for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Police Prosecutor, Inps.

Christopher Roko, told the court that on July 5, two brothers, Okechukwu and Uzoma Madukwe, of NAFADA Street, Kubwa, Abuja, reported the matter to the Utako police station.

He said that the complainants told the police that sometime in March, they entrusted the sum of N700, 000 to the accused to process a student’s visa for them to Malawi.

Roko said the accused, who collected the money, claimed to be an agent of the High Commission of Malawi.

After collecting the money, he said, the accused failed to process the visa, claiming that he gave the money to another one Mr Smile of Deo- Gratias Plaza, suite 101, Utako District, Abuja.

He said that during police investigation, Roko confessed to the offence and wrote an undertaking to refund the amount.

The prosecutor said the accused had paid N100, 000 only, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The offence carries a maximum of seven years imprisonment or with fine or both.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge, saying the court should allow him to explain all that happened.

ABUJA - Dr Celsus Undie, a Urologist with Kelina Hospital, Abuja, FCT, has advised that vegetables such as cabbage and lettuce should be eaten in moderation to avoid kidney stones.

Undie gave the advice in an interview with newsmen .He added that kolanut, tea, coffee, cocoa-based drinks and coke should also be taken in moderation to avoid stone formation in the kidney.

He explained that these food items contain oxalic acid which is a main component of stone formation in the kidney.

“Most stones contain calcium oxalate and most food items we eat contain calcium, especially bones and food of animal origin,” he said.

“But calcium is not the problem. The real problem is the oxalic acid. We all need vegetables and fruits to be healthy, but these are the main sources of oxalic acid.”

Undie added that Vitamin C also turns to oxalic acid in the body and should also be taken as prescribed.

According to him, most adults do not need more that 70mg of vitamin C, which is less than the 100mg single standard tablet daily dose.

He however said that doctors should advise people to drink a lot of water as a preventive measure.

“The more water you drink, the less concentrated your urine will be.

“Water is good so that the sediment in their urinary tract can get flushed out with the urine to prevent build-up of kidney stones,’’ he said.

According to the urologist, people who are predisposed to kidney stones are those who have urinary tract infection.

“Urinary tract infection results in change in pH of the urine and calcium phosphate which tends to build-up in infected urine to form phosphate stones. ’’ Undie added that another category of people who were likely to develop stones were men with enlarged prostrates or people who suffered from narrowing in the urinary tract.

“People who find it hard to pass urine such as people who have spinal injury can easily have stones also.’’ he said.

THE NIGERIAN

10

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Business + Economy Cassava Processing Plant

Farmers Hail FG

L-R: Former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Olukayode Oyediran, former UNESCO Director, Prof. Johnson Ekpere and Chairman, Development Policy Centre, Ibadan, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, at the Annual African Sustainable Development Network Summit in Ibadan recently.

Seeds Consumption Hazardous To Health ABUJA - Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Managing Director of Maslaha Seeds Ltd, Gusau, Zamfara, has urged farmers to desist from the consumption of seeds as it is hazardous to the health.

Abdullahi told newsmen in Abuja said that seeds were usually treated with chemicals and colouring to preserve them and make them “true to type”, stressing that consumption of these chemicals amounted to “food poisoning”.

He said that seeds were to be planted while grains should serve as food but he observed that some farmers instead consumed the seeds and planted grains.

According to him, this practice will negatively affect the health of the farmer and his yield as well.

He explained that seeds were developed from various parent varieties of crops to produce something of a better and higher quality.

“Seeds production takes time because hundreds and thousands of varieties had to be compared, monitored and selected before the best ones would be chosen and bred.

“The production of seeds start with what we call the production of a breeder seeds, which takes a lot of time and a lot of years before parent lines are produced from which breeder seeds is produced.

“So, it takes time to do the selection process and do the combination and also do what we call test crossing before you

- Expert

produce a good variety that is adaptable to a particular situation.

“From the breeder seeds, you now develop what we call foundation seeds and it is from foundation seeds that you will produce the certified seeds which will be sold to farmers.

“The farmers will plant the certified seeds in their farms and what the farmers will harvest from the seeds they planted, are grains which are not to be replanted.

Abdullahi stressed that grains were harvested product of the seeds and were not meant to be replanted but eaten.

L-R: Chairman, Development Policy Centre Ibadan, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, at the Annual African Sustainable Development Network Summit in Ibadan recently.

waste” of the produce.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, had made known the Federal Government’s plan to establish a cassava processing plant in the state.

Adesina, who, disclosed this during a courtesy call on Gov. Godswill Akpabio recently in Uyo, stated that the proposed industry would have the capacity to produce about 7,000 tonnes of cassava products.

He commended the state government for supporting Federal Government’s efforts on fertiliser distribution to farmers, saying that there were expectations that Nigeria would soon become a food exporter, considering the volume of investments in the agricultural sector.

The minister observed that the provision of funds to women in the Women Agricultural Development Empowerment Programme (WADEP) had raised the level of food production.

He gave an assurance that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would continue to remain partners with the state in food production.

Akpabio had thanked the minister for considering Akwa Ibom for the project and expressed the hope that it would impact positively on the lives of many people in the state.

The governor expressed happiness that the Ibom International Airport had been chosen for perishable goods exports, saying that the state was ready to engage in several efforts towards raising the standard of agriculture.

Environmental Degradation: Expert Calls

YENAGOA- A Yenagoabased environmentalists, Mr. Alagoa Morris, has called on the Federal Government to establish Environmental Offences Tribunals.

Morris told newsmen that the tribunal would handle environment-related crimes, such as oil theft.

According to him, the slow pace of handling cases by the judiciary has made it imperative to establish the tribunals.

Morris, who is Head, Operations, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of

Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), a non-governmental organisation, said the tribunal was overdue in the country.

The National Economic Council (NEC) last month approved the establishment of a special court to try suspected oil thieves.

He advised the Federal Government against making the special courts a taskforce, pointing out that the situation called for a more permanent institution which the taskforce approach lacked.

“Such arrangements are usually ad hoc in nature and

JTF To Rescue Crude Oil Barge

YENAGOA - The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta says that efforts are underway to rescue a crude oil-laden barge that ran aground in St. Nicholas River in Bayelsa.

Residents of Odioama Community in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa had reported that the barge sank in the river on Friday, adding that the crew was evacuated by security forces.

Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Media Coordinator at JTF’s

UYO - The Federal government’s plan to set up a cassava processing plant in Akwa Ibom has attracted commendation from farmers in the state.

Mrs Uduak Archibong, who was among some prominent farmers who had reacted to the development, told newsmen in Uyo that the move was a “welcome development” and “very essential”.

Archibong said:“If actually established, the industry will encourage more farmers to go into the production of more cassava in the state both for local consumption and for export.”

She said that apart from creating job opportunities for some people, the cassava plant would check “undeserved

headquarters in Yenagoa, told newmen that the maritime component of JTF was assisting in the rescue operation.

Nwachukwu said that the area had been secured to ensure that oil thieves did not tamper with the cargo, while rescue efforts were going on.

He confirmed that the accident occurred on Friday when the barge ran aground some nine nautical miles on the shallow waters of St. Nicholas River.

The coordinator said the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base, FORMOSSO, Navy Capt. Balla Idris, had commenced moves to evacuate the crude cargo to enable the barge to float.

He said the JTF had repelled efforts by unidentified persons to rescue the barge with a tug boat, adding that the JTF was collaborating with oil firms operating in the area to trans-load the crude.

For Tribunal

could easily be used as a toll for witch hunt, but a regular tribunal is an established institution that will stand the test of time,” he said.

He said that the NEC proposal, if actualised, would fast track the

trial of oil thieves and environmental offenders in the Niger Delta region.

He said the regular courts had not responded timely enough to bring oil thieves to justice, a development he said, was partly

responsible for the escalation of oil theft menace.

“We in ERA/FoEN had recommended the establishment of an environmental tribunal as a specialised court to deal with crimes against the environment, however, we are very apprehensive about a taskforce,’’ he said.

Plateau Company Signs N1.3b opportunity to carry out the MoU project.

JOS - The Plateau government has signed a N1.35 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private firm, TEQBRIDGE Ltd, for the upgrade of the Plateau Geographical Information System.

Mr Yilji Gomwalk, the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, signed on behalf of the state government, while Mr Chiemeka Ngwu, TEQBRIDGE’s managing director, signed for the company.

Speaking at the occasion in Jos, Gomwalk described the event as very significant and crucial for smooth running of the ministry and management of lands in the state.

“Today is very significant to us as a state government and the lands ministry, seeing the signing of this MoU of N1.35 billion contract coming to pass after approval by

Gov. Jonah Jang.

“This is the beginning of good things to come in our effort to have very smooth management of landed properties in the state.

“We are optimistic that by the time the project is completed, the issuance of certificates of occupancy (C-of-O) and rights of occupancy (R-of-O) will be done without any problem,’’ he said.

Gomwalk also said that when completed, other ministries would key into the project for data storage and collection.

He urged the company to ensure proper execution of the project, and completion within the specified time frame.

Responding, Ngwu thanked the state government and the ministry for giving his company the

“What I can promise is that TEDBRIDGE, in conjunction with our partner, Thomson Reuters, will deliver not just on time but a high quality international standard upgrade.

“We are not going to give you your C-of-O in months, but this is going to come in days by the time we are through with our job.

“If there is any emergency Cof-O that needed to come up and there is no problem of survey and property issues, other than creating the certificate, it can be gotten within hours,’’ he said.

Ngwu said that with the signing of the MoU, the state government had laid a solid foundation for social and economic transformation, especially poverty reduction through massive land distribution.

THE NIGERIAN

11

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

View Point

A Tool For National Development Education:

EDUCATION in a broad sense is a process by which an individual acquires the many physical and social capabilities demanded by the society in which he/she is born into to function. In an ideal sense, education is an ultimate values and hence, through the provision of social service, it is an agent of change. It is to a nation what the mind is to the body, just as a diseased mind is handicapped in the coordination and direction of the bodily activities.

Therefore, the single most significant complex of socialcontrol tools for national development is found in the educational system be it formal or informal.

In ancient Greece, the cradle of Western Scholarship, education was a highly functional search-light beamed on society, it transcended reading and writing. While the Nigerian state were still under colonialization, modern education had already taken place in advanced countries which brought about successful engendered industrial revolution and breath-taking development.

Development on the other hand, is a progressive unfolding of the potentialities of a given reality. As it applies to human, it is the integration of the various giving, natural, physical, acquired, by human towards the full working out, permanently and cumulatively of their being, as persons of their nation and their real productivity the essence of education whether formal or informal is to produce a person who will be a useful member of a society.

According to Joe F. Dogle, it must engender in the individual a disposition of personal autonomy, responsibility and relevant forms of life thought and action. The word relevant as used by her is the matter of cultivating individual interest and potentialities while autonomy stands for a person who is able to judge, act and think accurately as well as rationally.

For me, educational standard is supposed to be designed to suit the requirement of a society, hence in the precolonial era when Nigeria communities were small and largely rural and selfsufficient the system of education was with a few exceptions, not specialised.

Education also helps in

nation building whereby nation building which is the implementation of processes that are geared towards recomposing the nation’s institutions so that they can reflect the wishes, needs and aspirations of the wider society. Since education is the pathway to any nationbuilding enterprise, it provides the following goodies to nation-building and development.

Firstly, education creates an enlightened society. This is a crucial prerequisite to nation – building because the more the people become enlightened the more they would refrain from doing practices that will endanger the nation secondly, nation – building requires a ‘meritocratic’ bureaucracy in order to make the state’s institutions effective.

Therefore, with education, the country will have the best human resources that are competent enough to carry the day-to-day affairs of the state. Most states collapse as a result of a low level of education because the human resources is so weak that it is incapable of filling state institutions. But with education, this problem is averted.

Thirdly, nation-building requires a democratic society that allows the contribution of all, rich or poor. With education, there will always be an increase in democratic participation.

And this participation will in turn enhance nation-building initiative because the participation of all the citizen is counted in nationbuilding.

Fourthly, education is very crucial in the formation of cross-cutting cleavages that embrace diversity.

Accepting differences is very important to nation building because until we accept our differences and come together to build the nation, progress will never be made. With education, this fear is allayed.

Fifthly, education creates a large middle-class ‘professionals, teachers, doctors, technicians etc).

This class is very important to nation-building because they provide the necessary expertise that is needed to building a nation. This is the more reason why emphasis has been laid on education because an educated society is always a strong society, and a society that is set for development.

By IYORE ENADEGHE/MARY OKOSODO

It has been observed in the life of every child, that there are three important institutions that play a crucial role in shaping its outlook and future prospects. These are the family, the school and the community. It is these institutions that socialize, inculcate values and norms, as well as anchoring the child.

They educate, train and shape the young both formally and informally into a valuable adult. We all are

people. Thus, if we could get education right we could solve all other problems that exist in our society such as crime and unemployment.

More often than not, our schools are a reflection of the communities in which they are located.

If the surrounding community is stable, the school may enjoy some degree of stability. Because, public schools are essentially community schools, these schools have to play a direct role in the

Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I, Minister of Education therefore products of our society. If we are successful in life, we owe that success to our families, schools and society and if we fail, our society must take a certain amount of the blame.

There is no educational system in the world that is culturally, politically and ideologically neutral. Every educational system in every country serves the philosophical, economic and cultural needs of its society.

Often, times, public schooling which ought to make a major contribution by providing appropriate education needed for effective development of the people is lacking in its duties. Thus, it can be effective if properly anchored in the philosophical and cultural ethos of its society.

Unfortunately, in our case it is not quite so. Our education system is still culturally alienating to black

development of our communities.

The public schooling system and adult education have to confront the challenge that threatens to reverse or slow down the process of nation building.

Research carried out have shown that about six million of our citizens cannot read and write. This, unfortunate

situation has and continues to have disadvantages to our people in their quest to better the quality of their lives.

Unless we help our people out of this quagmire, our efforts at nation building will be severely hampered.

Illiteracy excludes our people from the mainstream activities that are geared towards building the nation.

They become marginal to the nation building project. That is why the much-vaunted deepening of democracy becomes mere idle talk if the supposed participants can hardly do a simple act like voting without being helped.

Have you ever thought of the humiliation and helplessness visited upon our people by being unable to read and write? This imposes on them a condition of perpetual dependency. To break the backbone of illiteracy is a mammoth task that requires commitment and dedication from all of us.

Otherwise the noble project of nation building is immensely weakened.

Judging from the first postindependence National Educational Nigerian Conference on curriculum development organised in 1969 by the Nigerian educational council with the following resolutions: (1) provisions and expansion of educational faculties to ensure education gets to the door step of every Nigerian child. (i) Overhauling and reforming the context of general education to make it more responsive to the socioeconomic needs of the country. (ii) Development and consolidating the nation’s higher education in response to the manpower needs of

the country.

Developing technological education in order to meet the growing needs of the nation. All these resolutions failed to achieve its purpose in the educational system because several attempts were made for the nation to evolve in a systematic, workable and stable national development programme, the defects in our implementation and adoptive style has compounded its success. As a result of this there are many quack graduates, incompetent leaders with selfish motives , an act gotten from the colonial masters, they are just there creating more problems for the impoverish and the nation at large, I am of the opinion that government should review this existing curriculum because higher education, particularly university education, is the bedrock of research for development. Therefore the shelves in the various should be dusted off and their recommendations used as veritable materials for solving many of our developmental problems.

Finally, education correlates with nationbuilding. Both of them complement each other. A nation cannot be built without education. When you build a house you do not expect to finish it in one day and occupy it the same day. With education, professionals are nurtured that will enhance nationbuilding. In the same vein, education leads to efficient usage of a nation’s resources which in turn is very crucial to nationbuilding because without efficient usage of a nation’s resources, nation – building will not be successful. This is evident in the development nations. To continue to build their nations, they educate their citizens, because education shapes the attitudes, behaviours and values of citizens. These are qualities that are needed for nationbuilding and it is only education that will bring those mechanics.

“Finally, education correlates with nation-building.

Both of them complement each other. A nation cannot be built without education. When you build a house you do not expect to finish it in one day and occupy it the same day. With education, professionals are nurtured that will enhance nation-building. In the same vein, education leads to efficient usage of a nation’s resources which in turn is very crucial to nation-building because without efficient usage of a nation’s resources, nation – building will not be successful.”

THE NIGERIAN

12

SUB-SAHARAN Africans have every cause to heave a sigh of relief from malaria which has been responsible for the alarming under five mortality rate with the discovery of a malaria vaccine which provides 100 per cent protection against the disease.

A research finding published at the weekend in the journal Science, the malaria vaccine has become the first to provide 100 per cent protection against the disease, confounding critics and far surpassing any other experimental malaria vaccine tested.

The researchers said the vaccine, which is being developed in the United States (U.S.), protected 12 out of 15 patients from the disease, when given in high doses; and will now be tested further in clinical trials in Africa.

WE are enthused with the progress made towards the development of effective malaria vaccine which we consider a welcome development especially to Nigeria because of the high malaria burden on our citizens, particularly pregnant women and children.

WE are equally glad with further explanations from the World Health Organisation and other experts who say there are about 20 other vaccine projects for malaria prevention at various stages of clinical trials globally and that the leading vaccine candidate in the group, RTS, S is currently undergoing the phase III trial and is likely to come into use by 2015 if all goes well as expected. The vaccine, according to the global body is being developed by Glaxo SmithKline Biologicals and PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) with funding support from Bill and Melinda Gates Founda-

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

Discovery Of Malaria Vaccine tion.

WE applaud the donor community for their relentless efforts in trying to combat major diseases plaguing mankind, particularly those prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and others. We appeal that once the malaria vaccine comes into full use, the donor community, Non Governmental Organisations and other development partners should help fund the mass production , so that it could be added to the vaccines administered to new born babies during the early years in life with an aim of ending the daily loss of lives to malaria.

THIS laudable feat notwithstanding, we must also sound a note of caution. Nigeria as a nation which will benefit from the new research finding must be careful because this is just a research that is inconclusive and from every indications, is yet to be commercialised.

IT is also very important to note that when a vaccine does become available it would only complement the tools already been deployed to fight malaria, and not necessarily replace them. This is more so when results of on-going trials have not indicated full protection against malaria.

FOR every disease condition, experts have always suggested that prevention is better than

cure. That is why the new vaccine leads the pathway to roll back malaria, other traditional preventive measures should be stepped up. We must continue to do what we should do to keep malaria at bay like keeping the environment clean without stagnant water, sleeping under insecticide treated nets, among others.

ALSO, people should continue to use Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs); pregnant women must continue to demand for Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp) at antenatal visits; and every one with suspected malaria must get tested and treated with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) if found positive for malaria.

THE media and Civil Society Organisations as well as government agencies should increase public enlightenment campaign against malaria, with emphasis on preventive measures, while taking early steps to treat sufferers.

GOVERNMENT at all levels should equally enhance the annual budgetary allocations to the health sector with a view to dealing a death kneel on child killer diseases. Primary health care institutions need to be equipped with the required manpower and facilities to fight malaria head on.

UNDOUBTEDLY, keeping our environment clean is the task of all citizens, but there is need for the enforcement of existing environmental laws and bye-laws to compel citizens who always wait for the push to comply, this is because we strongly believe that only a holistic approach will see to the successful campaign to roll back malaria from our communities.

THE NIGERIAN

13

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

View Point

My 9 Year Old Daughter Must Vote our monumental tragic situations? If core Islamic countries like Egypt and UAE forbids a girl from marrying before eighteen (18) years, why should followers of a borrowed religion in Nigeria, typified by our Moslem lawmakers be more Islamic than the Sheikh of Saudi Arabia? We are fast loosing it as a country, creating headlines for the various

age 9. Refusal to do this is infringement on their fundamental human right, since they have been psychologically robbed of their childhood, even denied their fundamental child right.

Didn’t the women activist raised down the heavens in the ‘mama na boy’ MTN advert?

Where have they suddenly gone to or are they only equal to multinational companies,

they cannot fall their ‘big brother’ hand before ordinary Nigerian like you and I by voting against it. No amount of tears or apology from the Southern Senators can erase the mortal blow they have inflicted on their kinsmen who voted them in to stand up against immorality in times such as this. Whatever reasons offered is not just just.

The girl child that the senators want to marry say they want pen, not your uncircumcised pennies, they want to be asked about their books, not boobs. They earnestly crave for education, not ejaculation. Yes they want to call you daddy, not hubby.

Is this too much for them to ask?

media houses when they could be avoided, yet cry unpatriotic when they are published. From MEND to Boko Haram and then to amnesty, suddenly state of emergency etc and now a law legitimizing early child marriage beginning from age nine (9).

Now this is no one concern if a parent choose to marry out their new born baby girl to hundred Lustful lawmakers, after all, being betrothed as a kid to a man of twenty (20) Is to be married, but let all thing be equal with my humble submission. Any married lady is deemed mature and in every right thinking nation, they are eligible to vote. As the law gain an overwhelming support by the Senators, let a law be quickly passed allowing 9 years old to vote and be voted for and who knows, we could have a Guinness book of record certificate for electing the world youngest president at

which are owned by foreigners, when under their nose, worse sacrilege are committed by their own people whom they stood under the sun and rain voting for?

As Nigerian pedophile Senators begin their lobby to their counterpart in the House of representatives and the various state house of assemblies, let no one be deceived that these set of lawmakers who stood by the masses during the fuel subsidy saga of January 1st 2012 will be ‘foolish’ enough not to endorse what their senior counterpart have unanimously agreed upon.

The majority of the houses of assembly members are from the North where Yerima come from and in my own estimation are grateful to Yerima for speaking their minds (I’m no tribal” or’ religion bigot). ‘Scratch my back, I scratch your back’ says a local parlance, that is to say

I stand to be proved wrong, but this bill is passed into law already and like every other day, a new event will overtake it, confining it to the dustbin of history. But woe betides any civil women group or feminist who will challenge any man authority for being an obsessive lord over his wife or any woman on the street should they fail to fight aggressively to stop the passage of this satanic law.

They either speak now or forever remain silent.

Let’s take this as no joke that the proponent of this law have spotted 9 to 13 years old damsels and desiring to marry them needed such law to give them backing, knowing full well that the ‘children of anger’ will go tweeting against it, after the Yerima 2010 saga.

This time, the child bride will not be imported from Egypt where a huge dowry will be paid, but will be at our backyard and she could even be your daughter reading this

2015 Election: “I’VE always held that early marriage is a sure indication of second-rate goods that had to be sold in a hurry” - Martin Harris Why must anyone blame Yerima for raising a motion for the amendment of early child marriage in the Nigerian constitution? I thought the National Assembly is a chamber for honorable lawmakers and distinguished senators whose duty it is to make, re-make and amend the laws of the country? I don’t know if I’m mistaken but I stand to be corrected. I thought this distinguished senators where elected by the Nigerian citizenry, why the hue and hullabaloo when they chose to make a law allowing ‘underage’ girls or are they now ‘ladies’ to be married at age nine (9)? Let nobody give me the crap that they are elected, after all the entire nation did not go into flames as other countries would have done if there was rigging.

Why is anyone calling for the head of distinguish Senator Sani Yerima for been the champion of this early child marriage crusade after giving him an overwhelming vote to represent us in the hallowed chamber? This country and its electorates must be the greatest joker of the century. Where were they when the election was conducted? Where were the so called feminists when Senator Yerima (then Zamfara state governor) imported a thirteen (13) year old girl, Mariam Maged Elady as a wife from Egypt paying a scandalous bride price of $100,000 and now they are screaming blue murder on this act? These country citizens must be the joker of the century. “I live in a city where young girls at the age of 12 have already become serial fornicators and cannot count the number of men they were intimate with. I live in a city where school children divingin themselves behind toilets on valentine day. I live in a city where young girls flood the street at night looking for men that would give them N500 to be intimate with them. I live in city where parents send their daughters out overseas to prostitute and send dollars down. I live in a city where government officials pick undergraduate from university car parks with coastal buses to wild sex

parties. I live in a city where abortion is so common that even a chemist shop owner can perform abortion with just N2500. These are your daughters, and this should worry you not Yerima’s private matters. So ask me again why I support early child marriage and I will slap the Jinn out of you”-Senator Yerima.

This statement from Yerima though not yet confirmed by me is a slap on the nation and a firsthand revelation of the moral decadence of our elected and appointed government officials. Yerima is a government official and wouldn’t be making false claim about his colleagues rampaging our universities to pick up young damsels in their teens to ‘service’ their wrinkled grand pa body. Did we hear him right that they don’t ‘pick’ the girls with the government cars that we collectively fuel but with coaster buses? Oh my Allah!

That must be a night of orgy.

This is where the battle should begin.

Yerima has opened a can of worm, imaginations that were only in our brains, ideas that we only get from Nollywood and stories that we only read about. Now the horse has spoken, questions must be asked and no other person will be in a better position than our dear ‘Prof’ Yerima who live in this city. For all I know, Yerima live in two cities, namely Zamfara and Abuja and in both cities, he holds sway, as an ex -governor in Zamfara and a serving Senator in Abuja. The question is: Since the Senator knows the happenings in these cities, why didn’t he propose a law banning the daughters of Eve from parading the streets of Zamfara and Abuja in search of vulnerable, wayward and loose men like our honorable members and government official? Can deceitful, sorry, distinguished Senator Yerima name any of the chemists who perform abortion and for a ridiculous price of N2500?

Let the questions begin from there and every other thing will follow. That the Senators could be convinced on the altar of religion is the dumbest excuse ever conjured from the planets. It simply goes to show that puppets have been elected to represent us. Come to think of it, is early child marriage the solution to

By FEJIRO OLIVER

piece.

As the 2015 election approach, I need no law passed for me to register my ten (10) year old daughter to vote for the candidate of my choice. Yes! I need no law as everyman is now a law to himself. This is just the beginning of the Yerima kind of law as a law would soon be made mandating all pregnant women to go for scan to determine the sex of the unborn baby. If it happens to be a female child, the lawmakers will debate among them who will marry her.

Verily verily I say unto you, ladies may claim to run the world on their BBM display pictures and status, but evidences on ground

convinces beyond reasonable doubt that this is unarguably a man’s world. So bad that the men have now chosen to run it this way.

Now let’s test the law.

Distinguished Senator Sani Yerima, I am using this platform to publicly ask for the hand of any of your fourteen(14) year old daughter in marriage with a bride price of $5000 and still willing to take all the floggings that go with it. I’m waiting.

Oops! It’s almost l0 am and I’m missing my flight to Russia’ there I’m taking my 10 year old daughter, Princess to, to continue her education to avoid her being kidnapped and forcefully married pending the 2015 election when she will come back briefly to register and cast her vote. She’s very beautiful you know.

This little things matters...

THE NIGERIAN

14

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

15

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Politics

APC, A Formidable Opposition - Erhahon RECENTLY, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) took the political terrain by storm by its registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move which the electorate described as welcome even as party stalwarts say it is long awaited.

Political scientists also view this development as a necessary leveler for the political equation and a ‘storm calmer’ in the unstable political hegemony which would ultimately decide he outcome of the 2015 General Elections even as they buffeted INEc for wobbling in indecision until a controversy resulted, which they opined, is major reason why the soul of the acronym APC is still being battled for.

Despite the upend controversies INEC registered the APC, ANPP and CPC which are determined to wrestle power off the high tower juggernaut, the PDP in 2015. how would this play out? What are the expectation from the new APC? How are they –parties from diverse associations contending with their new status? Comrade Godwin Erhahon, former chairman of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Edo State Chapter spoke to our principal features writer, Ijeoma Umeh, on the new status and other issues.

Excerpt: once we are able to ensure – Niger Delta, Boko Haram What does the that public find is spent for find that those in power are registration portend? public purpose only there not stealing public fund and First, the right thing that it will be enough to cater fox social justice is prevailing in should in the circumstance, the legitimate needs of our the country insecurity and so it is not a favour. people PDP. civil unrest will abate.

However, we commend There are feelers that the First, APC is not only a INEC in view of the formidable opposition, it is APC is a heady expiries circumstances and condition also a dominant one and wrangling among its rank under which they are therefore, what is left for and file? How true? operating, in a regime that PDP to do now is to start It is to be expected that those does not believe in fair play returning their loot to public who failed in their bid to stop and orderly contest. treasury and steal no more the registration of APC will Predictably, APC registration because APC government sponsor divisive and certificate that was issued by would defend the common destructive rumour. As I INEC is a quit notice to PDP interest of the Nigerian speak unity and harmony from government at all people and protect public among the APC leadership at levels.

We appeal to property at all levels. all levels.

Nigerians in our bid to send APC – What LG A Election in Edo State. out PDP from political Yes, it is what Nigeria needs The Ovia North East election powers at all levels in this and actually goes beyond is still hanging in some country, now that their failure what Nigerians expect. quarters that election. This is obvious and indisputable Insecurity new status would affect the to us in APC, we believes that First, the reasons PDP conduct in some quarters our successful merger is government has not been that. enough proof that the able to guarantee the security It depends on their opposition is no longer ready of lives and properly is that definition of affect.’ The to succumb to the divide and the head of its government contest was more behaviour rule tactics of the PDP. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is a PDP and ACN in that local There is palpable anxiety woman’s man hiding under government now that ACN in the political atmosphere, his wife’s under wear. The has transformed into APC the governed themselves happenings in Rivers state whatever election material are anxious about this new confirms that. Its obvious that bore the name ‘ACN’ for development. What should that in his home he is the wife the election in question has they are expecting? and madam is the husband. been invalidated because They should expect This should not surprise us, ACN is no longer in political salvation from the because he is alien to popular existence. misrule of vampires and struggle even as a man from Station, EDSIEC is bound sadist capitalists, who are Niger Delta he has never to take notice of that and only interested in seeing been part of the struggle for adjust its own arrangement more people suffering from justice. Even the amnesty and documentation to meet the draft constitution and programme that he inherited the current state of affairs to manifestoes of APC it is from his Northern boss, Late that extent, the registration of already obvious that we are Musa Yar ’Adua, has APC should affect the going to cure Nigeria of the collapsed in his hands election in question. political cancer and because of his effeminate Defections will only be one leadership malaise called approach to governance. way: From PDP to APC corruption and indiscipline Once the militant at all levels today, for instance, two

“First, APC is not only a form able opposition, it is also a dominant one and therefore, what is left for PDP to do now is to start returning their loot to public treasury and steal no more because APC government would defend the common interest of the Nigerian people and protect public property at all levels.”

different groups from PDP have met with me to discuss their plan to defect to APC

Inter in leadership well, we are waiting for clear directive from the national

Self in the political Equation First, as a comrade think less of self my interest in that the

Comrade Godwin Erhahon, former Chairman, CPC, Edo State

while some of my associates believe that whomever is

2015: What should be the expeditious?

So, Nigerians should not be scared at all.

“Its obvious that in his home he is the wife and madam is the husband.

This should not surprise us, because he is alien to popular struggle even as a man from Niger Delta he has never been part of the struggle for justice. Even the amnesty programme that he inherited from his Northern boss, Late Musa Yar’Adua, has collapsed in his hands because of his effeminate approach to governance. Once the militant at all levels – Niger Delta, Boko Haram find that those in power are not stealing public fund and social justice is prevailing in the country insecurity and civil unrest will abate.” coming from PDP should be warmly and unconditionally welcome to APC unconditionally welcome to APC I have resolved that only those who are not too soiled in the PDP murdy water of corruption and criminality should be accepted.

APC is too clean and too conscientious to accommodate just everybody.

Where as, some people have predicted that it is going to be hot and may be violent, I foresees a very smooth, peaceful and orderly transition, because PDP would have lost its steam by the end of 2014. First they will be minority in the National Assembly and left with fewer governors and so there is not going to be much resistance of the struggle by APC to take over from PDP.

party to which I now belong must be strengthened to take over power from PDP, even if I am not in the executive.

In Edo state politics, I have attained leadership rank whether I am elected official or not. So I am not bothered at all about what is in it for my person. As a good leader, I also want to prove to people that I can be a good follower when I find myself under some one else leadership.

Comrade Godwin Erhahon, former Chairman, CPC, Edo State

THE NIGERIAN

16

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Midweek Magazine Continued from last week

AFRICA is a large continent with 54 independent nations and a population of about 700 million. While some of these states are strong, populous and economically diverse, many are mininations, landlocked, resource starved and located in the periphery of the global divisions of labour, power and exchange. The reasons for this situation are not farfetched and it is important to understand them in order to put any discussion on Africa into proper perspective. Let me list some of the factors and forces that have shaped, and continue to shape politics, power, production and exchange in Africa: • The history of colonialism, neocolonialism and underdevelopment that ensured the distortion and disarticulation of the political economy; • A peripheral location and role in the global divisions of labour and power that has made Africa vulnerable to external pressures, manipulations, shocks and influences; • Science and technology backwardness that has left most of Africa unddeveloped and thus stuck in backwardness: • Weak institutions and structures of politics, economy and society, thus unable to meet the basic human needs of the majority of the people; . The existence of a larger part of society outside the structures of power, authority and influence, especially in the rural areas, inner creeks, mountain regions and villages; . A weak, unstable, unsteady and non-hegemonic state that is unable to exercise control and hegemony over society and thus promote some rational primitive accumulation and policy consistency and

predictability; . A corrupt, dependent, weak, fractionalized and fractionalised bourgeois class with a very weak sense of mission and very limited sense of nation; . Bureaucratic inefficiency and ineffectiveness which affects policy making, processing, implementation and monitoring, hence, the overall delivery of services to the people; . Poverty, alienation, and anger amongst impoverished, neglected, oppressed and marginalized social classes — women, the youth, the girl child, workers, and the aged — thus leaving most of the larger society outside the purview of national production, GDP, and accumulation; . The emergence of dictatorships and the nurturing of an undemocratic political culture especially under military rule, one-party regimes and “big man” rule; . The suffocation of civil society, thus negating democratic and popular discourses, constraining press freedom and human rights and forcing most of its creative and innovative minds into exile or underground; The failure of democratic resurgence through several false starts, endless “political transitions” and the existence of several illiberal democratic administrations and regimes that in themselves encourage authoritarian nostalgia and contaminate genuine democratic commitments and consciousness.

Based on the above and more, we can understand why many Africans are poor, feel alienated from the state and government, and tend to distrust their leaders. There is no point in denying the fact that at the beginning of the new millennium Africa v as the poorest, most technological-backward, most politically unstable, most crisis—ridden, mostindebted and most foreign-

Leadership And Dem

dominated and exploited as we as the most marginal continent in the world.

Foreign debt represents up to 80 percent of GDP in net present value terms in most countries, inflation rates average between 12 and 45 percent, unemployment rates (excluding the informal sector) ranges between 12 and 25 percent, while the savings rate in Africa is the lowest in the world. As well, 15 of the world’s 20 most, impoverished nations are in Africa, with over 3 million refugees and 18 million internally displaced persons.

It is estimated by international agencies that over 250 million Africans lack access to potable water, while over 200 million have no opportunities to access basic health services. More than 2 million children die before their first year, over 150 million youth are illiterate, and almost half of rural females do not attend formal schools. Africa looses more than 23.000 professionals annually while it expends US$4 billion on the services of 100,000 foreign consultants and advisers. Civil wars violence decayed values, failed policies, bad leadership and governance have contributed to the brain and brawn drain and scare away genuine investors. The statistics can be disheartening and intimidating (see data from the African Union, Global Coalition for Africa.

Economic Commission for Africa, and the World Bank).

These may look rather distressing. It is also evidence of the failure of governance and leadership.

Governance has meant pains, domination, exploitation and poverty while leadership has represented same. Yes, there have been episodes of

resources, our Continent has 97 per cent of world reserves of chrome. 85 per cent of world reserves of platinum. 64 per cent of world reserves of ’ manganese. 25 per cent of world reserves of uranium, and 13 per cent of world reserves of copper, without mentioning bauxite, nickel and lead; 20 per cent of world hydro-electrical potential, 20 per cent of traded oil in the world (if we exclude the United States and the USSR); 70 per cent

direction. Of course, the contradictions, fault lines, errors, false starts, and deliberate contamination of democratic tenets are evident all over the continent; we can see signs of change. These include: The gradual disappearance of dictators, acutely corrupt regimes. frequent coups and counter-coups, civil and interstate wars, apartheid and minority rule, and wanton human rights abuses including acts of genocide; • Renewed efforts to address misplaced priorities, institutional decay, social

of world cocoa production; one-third of world coffee production. 50 per cent of palm produce just to mention a few.

With these resources, Africa can make greater progress with good leadership, democracy and democratization.

A New Democratic Wave in Africa?

Today, Africans are generally excited about the slow but steady return to democratic politics. The continent is not yet at the peak of democratic practice but it is moving in that

dislocations and violence within and between communities, institutions, and constituencies; New emphasis on strategies of conflict resolution through mediation, negotiation, compromise, dialogue, constitution reviews, inclusion, tolerance and respect for difference, gender and pluralism; . A renewed commitment to multiparty democracy, respect for human rights, periodic elections, and the doctrine of separation of power; Efforts at compacting new

By PROF JULIUS IHONVBERE

“miracles” progress, democracy, purposeful leadership, and political rationality. But these “Islands of hope”, progress and prosperity have been few and far between and have remained unconnected.

The good news is that Africa is changing. This is because it is now poised to correct the errors of the past, build new platforms of democracy and exploit its abundant resources to improve the living conditions of the people.

co ex un an th tr pe in re • ag an A u go pr m se •

Prof Julius Ihonvbere

According to the Lagos Plan of Action (1981).

Africa’s underdevelopment is not inevitable. Indeed, it is a paradox when one bears in mind the immense human and material resources of the continent. In addition to a reservoir of human

“Today, Africans are generally excited about the slow but steady return to democratic politics. The continent is not yet at the peak of democratic practice but it is moving in that direction. Of course, the contradictions, fault lines, errors, false starts, and deliberate contamination of democratic tenets are evident all over the continent; we can see signs of change.”

G O de m th po th pr • ri fo an an an ne •A pl th co

THE NIGERIAN

17

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Midweek Magazine

mocracy In Africa

onstitutions or reviewing xisting ones to expunge ndemocratic provisions nd make it more pro-people hrough a consultative, ansparent, inclusive and eople-driven approach that nvolves the people and their espective organizations; Declarations and greements within nations nd at the level of the African Union prohibiting nconstitutional overnments and rescribing sanctions for military and other illegal eizure of power; The resurgence of Non-

and the consolidation of democratic institutions and processes; • The rise of new leaders, new voices, new ideas and new discourses that shape polities and society within the context of deepening, widening and strengthening democratic values and engagements; • The new commitment of international organizations and foreign governments to the new democratic agenda that emphasizes transparency, accountability, human rights, and

G o v e r n m e n t a l Organizations (NGOs) edicated to organizing, mobilizing, and educating he youth. women and oliticians and emphasizing he need for democratic ractices; A new concern for the ghts of children, sanctions or erring politicians, free nd fair elections, human nd socio-economic rights nd issues of basic human eeds for the less privileged: A new appreciation of the lace of free enterprise and he private sector in the onsolidation of democracy

democracy in Africa with some insisting on conditionalities for foreign aid and investment.

These indicators of change are evident all over Africa and they signal a new dawn in African politics.

Leadership and Democracy There is substantial consensus on the relationship between leadership and overall growth, stability, development and prosperity of society. A nation or institution without adequate leadership is doomed to

disintegrate and end up in chaos. The history of Africa shows that even well laid out plans and basic problems of development have been complicated by bad leadership. The bureaucracy, even the private sector has been rendered ineffective by had leadership. While followership has been corrupted and contaminated by bad leadership, it is the values and institutions of society that suffer decay, dislocation, and disintegration. Democracy and its institutions cannot thus c under bad leadership.

It is reflective of the new commitments to democracy that new leaders are emerging in all sectors to drive the new democratic spirit in Africa. They are establishing NGOs. joining political parties. running for political offices, and setting up newspapers to promote advocacy that would deepen democracy. Many have received and continue to receive assistance from international NGOs and partner nations and organizations. Similarly, new leadership institutes and training centres and opportunities are emerging all over the continent.

The new discourses on leadership in Africa have placed emphasis on the need for leaders that are enlightened, educated.

Creative, innovative, compassionate, courageous, disciplined. solidly prodemocratic, and capable of addressing the dreams, hopes and demands of the people. There is consensus on the need for leaders with undiluted commitment to infrastructural development, building democratic institutions, nurturing the values of transparency and accountability, and inspiring the people to the highest points of the creative and productive abilities.

It is only leaders with these qualities that can be trusted to promote, defend and consolidate democracy in Africa. Contrary to President Obama’ s position that Africa does not need strong leaders but strong institutions, I believe that Africa needs both. The real issue is to have leaders with the qualities above and institutions that are credible, viable, efficient, effective, renewable, ICT-driven and open to the people. In any case, plural societies cannot afford weak leaders that cannot pull the various trends, tendencies, and power blocs together in the quest for nationhood.

Finally for democracy to thrive in Africa, the current repressive and non hegemonic post-colonial slate must be restructured and repositioned to serve democratic ends. It must shed itself of all the inherited violent, repressive and exploitative tendencies that have tended to promote poverty, instability, corruption, waste, and underdevelopment. Only strong, democratic and hegemonic state can contain contending forces, build strong institutions, promote a conducive environment for capital accumulation, and ensure and assure policy consistency.

Africa must strengthen civil society, promote holistic development mobilize the people around some clearly defined national ideology, and create opportunities that will enhance patriotism and national and continental pride.

For democracy to thrive, the continent must strengthen the private sector and encourage private initiative. This can happen with policy consistency and continuity; a viable credit system, enforcement of

contracts. promotion of ICT, training new skills for industry, and where necessary protecting strategic industries. The role of the state must be rolled back to fully unleash the creative abilities of the people.

Africa must take advantage of global economic developments while strengthening regional markets in order to increase intra-African trade, more people-to-people exchanges, regional projects such as those under NEPAD, and regional security.

A Note on Nigeria Nigeria is a typical Africa state that suffered colonialism, neo-colonial transition to independence, coups, counter-coups, brutal dictatorships, civil war, and a lot of wasted opportunities.

The false starts have been many and illiberal democratic conducts have characterised the practice of democratic politics. Bad leadership and the closure of democratic space have made structural development and meeting of basic needs very difficult. Yet, Nigeria is also changing for the better.

True, the road to reliable, effective, transparent, accountable and pro-people governance is still far.

However, the end of military dictatorship and the emergence of new political parties, new discourses, and new voices and leaders since 1999 have altered the content and context of Nigerian politics. Most of the contradictions and coalitions we see today are indicators of struggles between the old order and emerging blocs of power, and it is clear that the old. corrupt and s violent order is in retreat. New institutions to fight corruption have been established. scores of new political parties registered, the judiciary is alive to its responsibility, there is a vibrant debate on constitution review and the

rule of law, the press is not compromising its freedom, civil society remains virile, the private sector continues to reinvent itself for the better, and the new interest in ICT is changing communications. organisations and engagements. These are clearly indicators of progress even if not at the pace and depth to make oppressed and exploited social classes rejoice.

Like most African states, Nigeria is open for business with numerous incentives to investors, less emphasis on public sector employment or public involvement in business, a reformed banking and credit system, and continuing privatisation of inefficient and moribund government enterprises.

However, these potentials must not be taken for granted. Nigeria like other developing social formations is still coup and crisis prone and political rascality and indiscipline could precipitate costly reversals and rapid political decay.

Conclusion There is hope for Africa.

The continent has the market, the consumers, the resources, and the opportunities to become truly great. It only needs to put its house in order by carrying out far-reaching restructurings. building strong institutions, empowering the people and the communities, expanding and strengthening the private sector, building new leaders, and promoting democracy in all sectors of society. If Africa fails to build structures of accountability, fiscal discipline, transparency, social justice, the rule of law, and pro-people developmental strategies. it would have missed an opportunity to reverse centuries of marginalization and underdevelopment in spite of all the opportunities and resources at its disposal.

Concluded

“Nigeria is a typical Africa state that suffered colonialism, neo-colonial transition to independence, coups, counter-coups, brutal dictatorships, civil war, and a lot of wasted opportunities. The false starts have been many and illiberal democratic conducts have characterised the practice of democratic politics. Bad leadership and the closure of democratic space have made structural development and meeting of basic needs very difficult.”

THE NIGERIAN

18

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Issues

Taming The Raging Fire BLAZING to the high heavens, the smoke was oozing out from the rubrics as t he flames warped through the windows and doorframes.

With eyes red as fire, and the sharp shrill of alarm, echoing in the whole compound, they tried to savage some valuables from the raging flames that was chewing up the building.

As sweat pored like rain from her bony face, she roared like a lion when she saw the orange clutches of fire wrapping its fiery finger round the building she had spent the sweat of her life to build.

Mrs. Emordi, tip-toed into the incinerator-turned building.

When she succeeded in ruminating the incinerator-turned house, a box of clothes that has been half-cremated into ashes, was her companion. At this point, her eyes could not restrain the fluid as she cycled like a whirlwind to the ground.

Before the battalion of men that hauled sand and water to the house turned chimney could triumph, the light blue building was partly fried in the fiery cauldron.

Fire disasters/mishaps, have become a perennial occurrence in the country.

There is hardly a day that passes without reports of one fire disaster or the other.

Recently, “residents of Kajola – Illesha in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State were thrown into mourning following the death of four members of family who were burnt to death in a midnight inferno that razed their house.” Even in Edo State, not quite long ago, fire gutted some parts of the Ministry of Education Secretariat in Benin City, destroying valuable property.

Similarly, a two-month old baby and her parents lost their precious lives in a fire inferno

By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

that razed their house in Kajola, Osun State. There was also a story of 50 shops gutted by fire at Trinity Spare Market at Olodi Apapa Area of Lagos State.

Back in April, about 50 houses, a mosque, shops, vehicles and other properties is worth millions of naira were lost to a fire disaster at Imitowoju and Inalende areas of Mokola Ibadan, in Oyo State. When a petrol tanker fell. Early this year, over 30 shops were gutted while millions of naira worth of goods and properties were lost in the inferno.

According to the Director, Disaster Management Centre and Development, ABU, (Ahmadu Bello University), fire outbreaks in Nigeria is about 7,000 yearly. He said these fires occur in houses, markets, shops and factories.

In an attempt to qual fire infernos in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in partnership with Federal and State Fire Services conducted a research across the six geo-political zones in the country. One of the reasons adduced for the raging fire according to their report, was carelessness and recklessness while using electrical gadgets and other appliances. According to an Indian safety expert, Srinivas, Kaffa, electrical conductors that are damaged, overloaded sockets and extension cords, faulty wiring, loose electrical connections, blown fuses among others are causes of fire incidents. Media reports showed that the fire that gutted a room in a dormitory at UNILAG College of Medicine, was due to an electric cooker that was not switched off during power outage.

Also, there have been

instances where students sleep off while reading with a burning candle in plastic table beside curtain. In other cases, gas cylinder cap are infirmly keyed and left while children are often seen playing with matches and other ignitors.

Besides, smoking has been identified as a common cause of fire outbreak. Most smokers do not properly douse their cigarette and so it might be reignite leading to an inferno.

A disaster management experts, Prof. Edwin Iguisi, has revealed that there are over 1,000 deaths recorded in about 7,000 fire outbreaks.

While between January – December 2009 in Kano State, fire disasters took about 1,017 lives (Tell Magazine, December 14, 2009). In 2012, Rivers State

Government announced that 73 persons suffered different degrees of injuries and that 230 persons lost their lives in 222 fire disasters.

Similarly, the Oyo State Fire Service Department stated that N1 billion worth of goods were destroyed in 607 fire incidents. In the Federal Capital territory (FCT), in 2012, at least 69 people were left dead due to fire disaster just as 223 died in fire incidents in Rivers State in 2012. For

Bauchi State, about 88 deaths were recorded while 195 people lost their lives in Lagos between January and October, 2012.

According to experts, Precious lives that could have contributed to the growth of the nation are lost due to the ravaging fire

“Therefore, to curb the effects associated with fire disasters, there is need to sensitize the masses on prevention of the inferno. Nigerians need to botch that “Not my portion or God forbid,” mindset that has crippled the need for adopting safety measures to “water the fire”. In this light, the Fire Service and other relevant stakeholders must do their work by enlightening the masses on safety measures.”

incidents in the country.

Families have equally been left devastated with Psychological trauma as a result of fire accidents.

Moreover, properties worth millions of naira have been cremated to ashes in fire infernos. It could be more devastating when it is the only source of livelihood for the victim(s). According to reports, N3.2 billion was lost in 2012 through fire incidents in Abuja. For Osun State, N27.7 million was gulped by fire in Osun State.

In a research conducted by Fire Disaster Prevention and Safety Awareness Association of Nigeria

regulations to guide the operation of shops and usage of electrical gadgets. Most shops and offices in the country do not have firefighting equipments as extinguisher. This has been left unpunished and therefore is fueling fire inferno.

For things to pan out well in the fight against fire, shops and offices that do not have these equipments should be punished while campaigns geared towards imprinting that attitude of having them (fire fighting tools) must be carried out.

Apart from the above, there is need to create escape route(s) in houses/offices and

(FDPSAAN), there is a low level of awareness on fire safety in Nigeria.

Therefore, to curb the effects associated with fire disasters, there is need to sensitize the masses on prevention of the inferno.

Nigerians need to botch that “Not my portion or God forbid,” mindset that has crippled the need for adopting safety measures to “water the fire”. In this light, the Fire Service and other relevant stakeholders must do their work by enlightening the masses on safety measures.

Let the people know the need to be pro-active, and not reactive in combating fire.

Furthermore, there is need to put in place strict rules and

business places in case of fire.

Doing this will in no small measure help in saving lives when fire mishaps take place.

These escape routes should be made in a way that will lead to ease during mishaps.

Again, reports have noted that better fire fighting service

by Fire Service Agencies must be provided. Instances are replete where the Fire Service arrive when the deed had already been done. If this (better fire fight) is done, then the incidence of fire disaster, would be trimmed down.

Until the issue of fire inferno ravaging the nation is squarely tackled, then there is bound to be a continuous surge in the raging fire.

THE NIGERIAN

19

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Natural Medicine

With

Dr. MAO

08030717341

Self Healing Of The Body

HAVE you witnessed a lizard’s tail cut through mere injury or an attack?

If you have, didn’t you notice that the tail healed and later regrew on its own?

Certainly, some of you have seen this development.

What it demonstrates is that an animal is capable of self-healing. Since man is an animal, this principle applies to him, too. One suggestive occurrence that specifically attests to this facts is when you have a viral cold characterized by running nose, dry cough, fever and itching throat.

Without taking a single drag, the cold goes in seven days atleast. This is because the body “burns” the cold off capturing this fact, the Spanish have a proverb which says: “If you don’t treat it, it goes in seven days. “What a beautiful figurative expression on the body’s self-healing abilities!!

However, if the body is to be empowered to carry out self-healing, certain conditions must be fulfilled.

Condition One Don’t over-eat. When you do, the body spends extra hours metabolizing the food.

Therefore, it has no energy left to heal the body. For instanc, Dean Ornish, MD, Director of Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Sausalito, California notes. “The body has a great capacity to heal itself if we give it a chance. But if three times a day, we are putting more

fats and cholesterol into the body that it can metabolise, then it never gets the chance to heal itselt”.

Condition Two Eat right.

If you want your body to maintain, develop and sustain its ability for selfhealing, then you should only eat nourishing whole foods that supply, your body with the requisite carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals trace elements and anti-oxidants.

The implication here is that you should eat lots of nuts, seeds, grains, fruits and vegetables. Avoid junk foods which is the fashion these days. No white sugar.

No white flour. Try and limit “mama puts” and eating out. These are sources of consuming junk, dead foods that clog our system and destroy it.

Condition Three Avoid smoking and limit alcohol use. Smoking is one of the fastest ways of shutting down the body’s abilities to heal itself. Imagine, you are inhaling carbon monoxide into your body along with thousands of harmful chemicals. By so doing, you minimze the body’s access to oxygen, a life elixir and healer. Do you therefore need to be a medical doctor to realize that the habit of smoking is harmful to the body?

Consuming alcohol is not advisable either. But if you must do so, limit it.

Moderation is the word. If you ignore this counsel and go on abusing alcolol, you will end up with damage to your liver, kidneys, heart,

throat and brain sooner than later. Cancer will be knocking at your door.

Note, I am not placing a ban on wines. Some of them are good. Take red wine, for example. It contains resverastrol which is healthy for the heart.

Condition Four Use anti-oxidants daily. Antioxidants fight off the damaging effects of free

blood always pure. When the blood is carrying an overload of toxins, it suffers deceit in its abilities to carry nutrients and oxygen to cells and evacuate toxic wastes from them. This explains why sometimes you may notice that you have fatigue. This situation is comparable to a car running on fake, adulterated fuel. You will notice that the car jerks.

blood boost and helps the body to heal itself.

Condition Six Ensure your colon is clean. The colon is located in the lowest part of your human anatomy for holding wastes briefly before elimination. Therefore, it is not only harmful to retain wastes in the colon, the habit compromises the self healing abilities of the body.

Other Conditions Sometime, you should allow your body to rest by not comsuming heavy foods. This way of life energizes the body, giving its self-healing potential a boost. A way to rest the body is to fast on fruits or on vegetables, not both at the same time. Drink lots of water during the process to flush out all the toxic

radicals which cause degenerative illnesses and fast, progressive ageing.

Since free radicals are produces daily in the body and even consumed through our foods and drinks, we need to take anti-oxidants from fruits and vegetables, whole foods as well as nutritional supplements.

Condition Five Keep the

A way out of eliminating bad blood from your system is to purify it through a process of detoxification. You cannot replace your blood and put in another one as you change the fuel in your car.

What you do is to have a daily detoxification programme for your body using herbal teas or other natural substances. Clean

In case you don’t know, waste in the colon decompose just like the wastes on compost heapsor’ s dump sites.

Hence while the wastes in the colon are doing damage to the internal environment of the human body, the compost heaps/ dump sites are destroying our external environment.

Two evils of a kind.

Prof Ellie Metchnikoff of Pasteur Institute, France says it all: “Colon wastes are murderers of men.

When they are not quickly e l i m i n a t e d , autointoxication occurs.

There is accumulation of baccilus coli in the kidneys and bile ducts. Serious operations become necessary such as the removal of the gall bladder..”

wastes that your body is eliminating during this period.

Other approaches that enable the body to carry out its God-given abilities to heal itself include having adequate sleep daily. All adults require about eight hours of sleep each day…. Keep your liver healthy so that it can efficiently perform its functions of detoxification, deamination and metabolism of medicines…. Drink atleast eight glasses of pure water each day… Limit or avoid stress completely. Stress kills. It inhibits the immunological capacity of the body to fight off infections ….Build up your immune system.

When it is strong, you keep diseases at bay.

“Avoid smoking and limit alcohol use. Smoking is one of the fastest ways of shutting down the body’s abilities to heal itself. Imagine, you are inhaling carbon monoxide into your body along with thousands of harmful chemicals. By so doing, you minimze the body’s access to oxygen, a life elixir and healer. Do you therefore need to be a medical doctor to realize that the habit of smoking is harmful to the body?”

THE NIGERIAN

20

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

New Horizon

Man, Know Thyself (3) FROM time immemorial, the living entity travels in the different species of’ Life and different planets, almost perpetually. The processes is explained in the BhagavadGita- “under the spell of’ Maya ( Illusion), everyone is wandering throughout the universe on the carriage of the body offered by the material energy.”

Materialistic life involves a series of actions and reactions. It is a long film spool of actions and reactions, and one life span is just a rash in such a reactionary show. When a child is born, it is to be understood that his particular type of body is the beginning of another set of activities, and when an old man dies, it is to be understood that one set of reactionary activities is finished.

The living entity creates his own body by his personal desires, and external energy of the Lord supplies him with the exact form by which he can enjoy his desires to the fullest. The tiger wanted to enjoy the blood of another animal, therefore by the grace of the Lord, the material energy supplied him the body of a tiger, with facilities for enjoying blood from other animals. After death, one forgets everything about the present bodily relationships.

We have a little experience at night, when we go to sleep.

While sleeping we forget everything about this body and bodily relations, although this forgetfulness is a temporary situation for only a few hours.

Death is nothing but sleeping for a few months in order to develop another term of bodily engagement, which we are awarded by the law of nature according to our aspirations. Therefore one has only to change the

aspiration during the course of this present body, and for this there is a need for training in the current duration of human life. This training can be begun at any stage of life, or even a few seconds before death, but the usual procedure is for one to get the training from very early life. Originally the living entity is a spiritual being, but when he desires to enjoy in this material world, he comes putting himself downwards knowingly or unknowingly. We can understand that the living entity first accepts a body that is human form, but gradually due to his degraded activities, he falls into lower form of life into the animals form, plant form, aquatic form and by gradual process of evolution, the living entity again attains the body of a human being and is giving another chance to get out of the process of transmigration. If he again misses his chance in the human form to understand his true position as spirit soul, he is again placed in the circle of birth and death in various types of bodies.

This science of transmigration is completely unknown to modern scientists. So called Scientists do not like to bother with these things because if they would at all consider this subtle subject matter and the problems of life, they would see that their future is very dark. Modern civilizations is based on family comforts and the highest standard of amenities, and therefore after retirement every one expects to live a Life in a well furnished home decorated with fine ladies and children, without any desire to get out of such a comfortable home.

High government officials and ministers stick to their prize posts until death, and they neither dream nor desire

to get out of such homely comforts. Bound by such hallucination, materialistic men prepare various plans for a still more comfortable life, but suddenly cruel death comes without mercy and takes away they great plan maker against his desire, forcing him to give up the present body for another body. Such a plan maker is thus forced to accept another

to be saved from the danger of spoiling the human form and being attached to unreal thing one must take warning of death at the age of fifty, if not earlier. The principle is that we should take it for granted that the death warning is already there, even prior to the attainment of fifty years of age, and thus at any stage of life, one should prepare himself for a

body in one of the 8,400,000 species of life according to the fruits of the work he has performed on earth before death.

In the next life, persons who were too much attached to family comfort are generally awarded lower species of life on account of sinful acts performed during a long duration of sinful life, and thus all the energy of the human life is spoiled. In order

better next life. When we die, this material body composed of five elements earth, water, air, fire, and ether decomposes, and the gross materials of the body returns to the elements. Or as the Christian Bible says “Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shall return”. In some societies, the body is burned, and in others its buried, and in others, it thrown to animals. In India, the Hindus

“When we die, this material body composed of five elements earth, water, air, fire, and ether decomposes, and the gross materials of the body returns to the elements. Or as the Christian Bible says “Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shall return”. In some societies, the body is burned, and in others its buried, and in others, it thrown to animals.”

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

burn the body, and thus the body is transformed into ashes. Ash is simply another form of earth. Christians bury the body, and after some time in the grave the, body eventually turns to dust, which again like ash, is another form of earth. There are other societies-like the Parsee community in India that does not burn the body, but throw it to tile vultures, and the vultures immediately come to eat the body and eventually the body is transformed into stool. So in

every part of our body is influenced by the respective stars, and a living being obtains his working body to fulfill his terms of imprisonment by the manipulation of such astronomical influences. A man’s destiny is therefore ascertained by the birth time constellation of stars, and a factual horoscope is made by a learned astrologer. It is a great science, and miscue of science does not make it useless.

The subtle arrangement of

any case, this beautiful body, which we are soaping and caring for nicely, will eventually turn into either stool, ashes or dust. At death, the final elements (mind, intelligence and ego) carry the small particle of spirit soul to another body to suffer or enjoy, according to ones work.

Astronomical calculations of stellar influences upon a living being are not suppositions, but are factual, as confirmed in srimadBagavatam. Every living being is controlled by the laws of nature at every minute, just as a citizen is control led by the influence of the state. The state laws are grossly observed, but the law of material nature, being subtle to our gross understanding, cannot he experienced grossly. The laws of nature is so subtle that

astral influences is never a creation of man’s will, but is the arrangement of the superior management of the agency of the supreme lord.

Of course, the arrangement is made according to the good or had deeds of the living being. Herein lies the importance of pious acts performed by he living being.

Only pious acts can one be allowed to get good wealth, good education and beautiful features. Note that the term “learned astrologer in this write up refers to one fully learned in exacting Verdict Science of astrology, in comparism with which modern popular astrology is a foolish exercise in sentimentality compounded with errors. That subtle form exist in the ether has been proven modern science b Continues on page 24

THE NIGERIAN

21

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Place Of Prayer Dominion By Sincere Praise PRAISE is expression of admiration for somebody’s good works or good qualities.

Every king is provoked by praise and a satisfied heart to do extraordinary things. Most traditional rulers have praise singers who herald their coming with beautiful songs that tell of their greatness and wonderful achievements.

When a king is happy, he will do things he would not do under ordinary circumstances. When Esther made King Ahasuerus happy, the king was so pleased that he promised to grant her every request up to half his kingdom.

No one deserves praise more than the Most High for He alone is God and His faithfulness to His children endures from generation to generation. No King can be trusted to watch out for the welfare of His subjects like God does. He owns the world and all that is in it and does not withhold its beauty from man. God wants man to praise Him all the time; this is the only thing we can really give to Him in return for all His magnanimous provisions and faithfulness even when we do not deserve.

Just like Kings are provoked to releasing extraordinary blessings and provisions to any of their subjects who satisfies their heart, so also is God moved to grant you the best of the heavens when you make Him happy. One sure way of making God happy is singing His praise and worshipping Him from a sincere heart. God will gladly handle that problem that has weighed you down so much if only you will take your eyes off it and focus your attention on making Him happy with your praise and worship.

Praising God is not optional; it is an instruction given to us in God’s word which we, as responsible sons and daughters of God, are expected to obey. The Bible expressly commands us to praise God as seen in the following scriptures: Psalm 33:2, Psalm 100:1-4, Psalm 106:1, Psalm 117:1, Psalm 135:1-3, Psalm 148:1-14, Psalm 149:1, Psalm 150:1-6, lsaiah6l:11 ,Jer. 20:13, Rom. 15:11, Heb. 13:15.

In Psalm 65:1, David writes, “Praise waiteth for thee, o

God, in Zion”. The amplified version of the Bible renders it this way, “to you belongeth silence, the submissive wonder of reverence”. In this scripture, we notice that before David began to praise God, he first pondered on the personality of God, His glory, power and might, and he came to the conclusion that God deserves his worship. It is only in silence that your heart can search out God’s personality and His mighty deeds.

Worship can only be done if the consciousness of God’s presence is maintained in your heart; this consciousness is an instrument that activates worship. Praise that is done carnally, to impress man, is not acceptable to God. Major worship in the bible was provoked by a consciousness of God’s presence. God deliberately created His consciousness to provoke the people to worship Him. Below are three instances in which God deliberately created His consciousness in the heart of His people to activate worship: Exodus 34:5 8 God revealed His power and might to Moses and this made him to bow his head to the ground and worship Him 1 Kings 18:36 39 when the people saw a physical manifestation of God’s power, they fell on their knees and worshipped God 2Chronicles 7:1 4 after Solomon’s prayer, there was such a strong manifestation of God’s glory that the people were provoked to worship From these examples we discover that the people could only render quality worship after the consciousness of God had been instilled in their hearts.

Thankfully, the New Testament believers do not have to behold physical manifestations to know God’s might. We have come to God’s presence that cannot be explained with a physical mindset, but is experienced from an orientation that is created by the power of your mind. You don’t need physical things anymore to motivate your worship; it must now be motivated from a consciousness of God in your inner man. The time has come when the true

With Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae

worshippers will worship God in spirit and in truth. If you don’t practice meditative worship, your worship will be in the flesh. The more you spend time worshipping God from a heart that is filled with knowledge of His awesome personality, the more appreciated your worship will be to Him. You should make Praise and Worship a lifestyle; from

all that God has. When you pray, you have something, but when you worship, you have all Whereas prayer is a curative strategy, worship is a preventive strategy. As you praise and worship God for covenant provisions, He ensures that these provisions are manifested in your life.

Praise and worship should not be a factor of whether things are good or bad. You

in your life and make you experience His glory in that area of need. By the stripes of Jesus, we were healed I Peter 2:24. God also has promised to supply all our needs according to His riches

in the future. The praises of God must always be in your lips, do not ever be too busy or too downcast to praise Him. As you begin to praise God regularly from a sincere heart from this day forth, I

time to time burst out in worship and praise of the name of God. His awesome works exist all around us and therefore there is always something to praise Him for.

Worship from a sincere heart is the best offering we can give to God; it is one sacrifice that is guaranteed to move Him to act on your behalf.

When King Solomon worshipped God and made an offering of 1000 cattle, God said to him, “ask anything, and I will grant it to you”.

Worship gives you access to

don’t have to feel like praising God before you do so. If you violate the instruction to praise God, then you will not escape the consequence. Praising God for covenant provision is a preventive strategy, not a curative strategy. If you do not want to see evil in your life, then begin to praise God daily for all you intend to see in your life even if the present evidence is contradictory. As you worship God constantly for what you are yet to see, He will bring it to fulfillment

in glory Philippians 4:19.

Search through scriptures and discover more of the glorious benefits available to you as a son of the kingdom, then begin to worship God for them daily. Manifestation is a product of meditation.

What you worship God for constantly will soon be manifested in your life.

God has done so much for us that is worth thanking Him for. It is our gratefulness for what He has done for us in the past that will qualify us for more blessings now and

assure you that you will see Him move mightily in your life and bless you beyond your wildest dreams and imaginations.

In this season, I want to admonish you to Praise and Worship more and pray less; for the truth is that Christ Jesus has made provision already for all your needs, worshipping God from a genuine heart will bring about the speedy manifestation in your life of all the beautiful things He has made available.

SMS Only 08030809339

“Praise and worship should not be a factor of whether things are good or bad. You don’t have to feel like praising God before you do so. If you violate the instruction to praise God, then you will not escape the consequence.”

THE NIGERIAN

22

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

News Extra Egyptian Government Yet To Decide On Pro-Mursi Vigils

- Report

CAIRO - Egypt’s interim leaders are still debating how to end protests by supporters of deposed President Mohamed Mursi, the state-run al-Ahram newspaper reported on Tuesday, signaling no imminent police crackdown on the sit-ins.

After a National Security Council meeting late on Monday, Al-Ahram cited presidential sources as saying security forces were likely to cordon off the Islamist protest camps rather than take a more forceful approach that could lead to bloodshed.

The two main camps at Cairo’s al-Nahda Square and around the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque have become the focus of the political crisis since Mursi’s overthrow by the military on July 3.

Thousands of his supporters have gathered there, denouncing the toppling of Egypt’s first freely elected leader and saying they will stay until he is freed from detention and reinstated.

That poses a problem for the military-installed government as it presses on with its own plan for elections in nine months. ome officials wish to avoid a bloody showdown, which would damage the government’s efforts to present itself as legitimate, while hardliners in the army and security forces fear they are losing face to the Muslim Brotherhood and want to move in.

“The consultations are continuing among all government bodies. The most probable path is to encircle the two sit-ins, to choke them instead of (launching) a security intervention that could cause casualties,” Al-Ahram reported.

International efforts to resolve the crisis collapsed last week.

Foreign mediators say Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood must accept that he will not now be returned to power.

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH I, Mrs. Momodu Aisha, hereby notify the general public, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Benin City, and other concerned authorities that my correct and actual date of birth is February 1, 1970 and not February 1, 1973 as wrongly stated in some of my documents. That the affidavit deposed to by my elder brother, Mr. Ogbemudia A. Akhuewu dated May 25, 2001 that my date of Birth is 1st February, 1973 has been discovered to be incorrect. That from authentic records now available to me, my correct date of Birth is February 1, 1970. However, all documents bearing the aforementioned dates remain valid. All concerned should take note for record purposes, please.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

OSSAI – I formerly Miss Christiana Onakpoma Ossai now wish to be called, known and addressed as Mrs. Christiana Ogiuvoro Ubrroda. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank of Nigeria Plc and the general public should please take note.

UWAGWU – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Uwagwu Ogoegbulem Mabel now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mowuogwu Ogoegbulem Mabel.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the general public should please take note.

The Solemnization of Marriage Covenant between Ejobotodo Enor and Orobor Augustine takes place on Saturday, the 17th of August, 2013. The ceremony which begins at 11 am is scheduled to hold at Spirit and Life Bible Church, TV Road Chapter, Uwa Street, (Beside NTA) off TV Road, Benin City to be followed immediately by reception at the institute of continuing Education (ICE) Benin City.

OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT OKADA EDO STATE, NIGERIA INVITATION TO TENDER Tenders are hereby invited from reputable contractors currently registered with the Local Government for the execution of the underlisted projects on behalf of the local government.

LIST OF PROJECTS TO BE ADVERTISED 01. Construction of 600 units of Double sealer school desk/bench and 300 units of teachers tables and chairs.

02. Purchase of hospital equipment for PHC Centres.

03. Renovation of block of five [5] classrooms Headmaster’s office, store and toilet at Ekosodin Primary School; Ekosodin.

04. Renovation of block of three [3] Classrooms, Headmaster’s office Toilet, and Store at Ekosodin Primary School, Ekosodin 05. Completion and Fencing of PHC Centre at Egbeta 06. Sinking of Bore Hole with Generator House, Generator and Reticulation to areas in the community 07. Construction of a block of Six [6] Classrooms, Headmaster’s Office, Store and Toilet in Iguomo.

08. Reconstruction of Odiase Primary School, Ago-Ekpanu.

The Tenders are to be accompanied with the following: i) Evidence of Current Business Registration with Ovia North East Local Government as a contractor in the appropriate category. ii) Tax Clearance Certificate for the immediate past three years. iii) Current Bank Guarantee of Credit Worthiness. iv) Evidence of jobs previously executed with the Local Government or other Government Agencies. v) Evidence of Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission. vi) Evidence of Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificate of the Director of the Company. vii). Evidence of Payment of Non-Refundable Deposit of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000.00) only to the Local Government Treasury.

Documents showing the Drawing and Specification of the above listed Projects are available for inspection between the hours of 8.00a.m to 4.00p.m in the Office of the Director of Works, Land and Surveys.

Tenders should be addressed and submitted in a sealed envelop and marked “Confidential and the Contract Code” at the top left hand corner of the envelop and addressed to The Executive Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government, Okada, Edo State.

Please take note that Tenders closes on Wednesday, 25th September, 2013.

Ovia North East Local Government is not bound to accept the lowest of any Tender, nor is it bound to give reasons for the rejection of any Tender.

SIGNED: Mr. Odigie Uwadiae Secretary to the Local Government For: Executive Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government, Okada.

THE NIGERIAN

23

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

24

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

New Horizon Continued from page 20

transmission of television, by which forms or photographs of one place are transmitted to another place by the action of ethereal elements. Within the Srimad Bagavatam is the potential basis of great scientific research work, for it plains how subtle forms are generated from the ethereal element, what the characteristics and actions are, and how the tangible element namely air, fire, water and earth, are manifested from the subtle form.

Mental activities or psychological activities of thinking, feeling, and willing, are also activities on the platform of ethereal existence. The statement in the Bhagavad-Gita that the mental sit nation of the next birth is also corroborated in many place in the Bagvatam.

Mental existence transforms into tangible form as soon as there is an opportunity.

Factually, there is life after death, and there is also the chance to free oneself from the circle of repeated birth and death and attain a life of immorality. But because we have accustomed to accepting one body after another since time immemorial, it is difficult for us to think of a life that is eternal. And the life of material existence is so troublesome that one may think that if there is an eternal life, that life must be troublesome also. For example, a diseased man who is taking very a bitter medicine and who is Ring down in bed, eating there and passing stool and urine there, unable to move, may find his life so intolerable that he thinks, Let me commit suicide”.

Similarly, materialistic life is so miserable that in desperation one sometimes takes to a philosophy of voidism or impersonasim to try to negate his very existence and make

every thing zero.

Actually however, becoming zero is not possible nor is it necessary. We are in trouble in our material condition, but when we get out of our material condition, but when we can find real life, and of course eternal life, karma is the aggregate furtive activities conducted to make this body comfortable or uncomfortable. We have actually seen that when one man was about to die, he requested his physician to give him a chance to live four more years so that he could finish his plans. This means that while dying, he was thinking of his plans. After this body was destroyed, he doubtlessly carried his entire plans with him by means of the subtle body, composed of mind, intelligence and ego.

Thus he would get another chance by the grace of the supreme Lord, the super soul, who is always in the heart.

An in the next birth, one acquires remembrance from the super soul and begins to execute plans begun in the previous life. Situated on the vehicle given by material nature and reminded by the super soul within the heart, the living entity struggles all over the universe to fulfill his plans. A man gets his next life’s birth according to what he thinks of at the time of death. If someone is too attached to his wife, naturally he thinks of’ his wife at the time of death, in the next life he takes the body of a woman. Similarly if a woman thinks of her husband at the time of death naturally she gets the body of a man in her next life. We should always remember, as it is stated in the Bhagavad-Gita that both the gross and subtle material bodies are dresses.

They are the shirt and coat of the living entity. To be either a woman or a man involves only one’s body dress. In dreams we sometimes see things that we have never

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

Man, Know Thyself (3)

experienced in the present body. Sometimes we think that we are flying in the sky, although we have no experience of flying. That means that once in a previous life, either as a demigod or an astronaut, we flew in the sky.

The impression is always there in the stockpile of the mind, and it suddenly expresses itself’. It is like fermentation taking place in

is that the mind is the store house or various thoughts and experiences undergone during our past lives. Thus there is a chain of continuation from one Life to another, and from this life to future lives. A living entity too much absorbed in material activity becomes very much attached to the material body. Even at the point of death, he thinks of the present body and the relative connected to it. Thus

body of a dog in his next life, he chooses not to leave the present body. Therefore he lies in coma for many days before leaving his body as dead.

Death is a symbol of sin committed in our past and present lives. No one wants to accept to he a sinner everyone wants to be called a saint. A typical example is Sodom and Gomorra. When God wants to punish them, there was

before their death, the valiants never test death but once.

Of all the wonders that I’ve seen and heard it seems to me most strange that men should fear death, seeing that death is a necessary end that will come, when it will come. An intelligent person, who knows this fact, prepares himself for death. those ho are spiritual balanced, prepare

the depths of water, which sometimes manifest itself in bubbles on the water surface. Sometimes we dream of coming to a place we have never known before in this life time, but this is a proof that in a past life we experienced such.

This experience is kept within the mind and sometimes becomes manifest either in dream or in thought. The conclusion

he remains fully absorbed in the bodily collection of life.

So much so that even at the point of death he abhors leaving his present body Sometimes it is found that a person on the verge of death remains in a coma for many days before giving up the body. A person may be enjoying the sweet position of a minister or a president, but when he understands that he will be forced to accept the

pleading that God should forgive, and God explained that not one person in the whole of Sodom and Gomorra was sinless. And God at his causeless mercy managed to single out Noah and his wife be to leave the City before the great flood would come.

Noah’s wife erred and was immediately punished to turn to a pillar of salt. That is the nature of woman, their mind is never stable. Shakespeare also added to this analogy, and he said. “Woman, frailty is thy name”. Failty is a disease found in women and any man who bears this quality cannot be a leader because he will compromise so much that things will run down to the detriment of those that are governed. A weak leader is nothing than a bloody coward.

And here again Shakespeare said, “cowards die many times

themselves before death comes. They are fearless in the face of death personified and don’t lament for the dead nor the living. In those days of our four others, when someone dies, it must he buried within twenty four hours. But in today world government provide embalming House for corpses that can he kept for weeks, months on end.

People are employed to care and watch over these corpses. In those days, corpses are fearful to the ears but today corpses are seen as playmates in hospitals.

Really things have fallen apart in which the centre cannot hold anymore. Now who cares. Federal, state nor local government. And the originator of this wise saying Professor Chinue Achebe is gone to the unknown planets leaving this question,

“A man gets his next life’s birth according to what he thinks of at the time of death. If someone is too attached to his wife, naturally he thinks of’ his wife at the time of death, in the next life he takes the body of a woman. Similarly if a woman thinks of her husband at the time of death naturally she gets the body of a man in her next life.”

THE NIGERIAN

25

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Agriculture

Mushroom Farming (2) HOW to cultivate or grow Edible Mushroom. Example is the cultivation of Pleurotus SP. Before explaining the cultivation of edible mushrooms, the writer will mushrooms list some common edible mushrooms.

1. Lentinus squarrosullus 2. Schizophyllum Commune (Local name in Esan dialectis Ikpekperu 3. Volvariella Volvacea -This specie of mushroom grows on paddy rice 4. Volvariella bombyciana5. Termitomyces obustus- is called the king tuber mushroom 6. Termitomyces microcarpum 7. Pleurotus tuberreguim -(Locl name in Esandialect is Oheuru) 8. Lentinus edodes-is the most commonest mushroom in China and Japan.

Mushroom cultivation generally involves the following steps 1. Bed preparation 2. Spawning (ie mushroom seed planting 3. casing 4. picking or harvesting 5. packaging /preservation Each these steps enumerated above requires careful handling for the best results. Not all mushrooms go through these steps before fruiting.

However Agaricus bisporus, the world most cultivated mushroom goes through all the five steps outlined above.

The most difficulty of growing mushroom is that of having for work out specific recipes for different species of mushrooms No one method applies for the cultivation of all mushrooms. Some mushrooms have not been successfully cultivated in the laboratory eg.

Termitomyces sp, the ant hill mushrooms only the ants knows the secret of growing this delicious mushroom!

To be precise, the step that all mushroom must pass through before fruiting however is bed or substrate preparation (Okhuoya, 2000).

The quality, type and nature of the substrate determine the quality, quantity and type of mushrooms that are produced on such a substrate the prevailing conditions in the substrate affect the growth of the mycelium of the inoculated mushrooms.

Mushroom ‘running in the substrate cause hindered if for example the substrate temperature is above or below the optimum. Mush compactness of the substrate can also make the mycelium develop fast. Good ventilation of the medium is also necessary as low oxygen and high carbon dioxide slow down mycelia growth in substrates (Oei, 1996, Okhuoya, 2008) these and other factors must be considered for good substrate preparation.

What is a mushroom substrate?

A mushroom substrate is that medium, material or environmental condition in which one can successfully grow mushrooms.

Example of a mushrooms substrate included Sawdust

By OLUMESE MARK Dried plantain Leaves Drums filled with water

Bambon sticks Paddy rice straw from rice common in Asia for cultivating paddy straw mushroom.

Generally, substrates used in the cultivation of edible mushrooms are denied mainly from agricultural and industrial wastes. The utilization of such wastes has, a direct contribution to solving the global problem of environmental pollution (Zadrazid, 1977).

Star 1: Sources Of Different Substrates WASTES Farm wastes Rice Straw husks Wheat Straw husks Corn husks cob Cassava peelings Soybean (Soybean trash) Yam peelings Pantain/Banana Pseudo stem/leaves Cocoa pods Coconut fruit fibre Grass (Pennisetum leaves)

Rice Farms Wheat farms Corn farms farms, homes, cassava 7 flour mills Farms, soy powder mills Farms, homes, yam flour mills.

Farms Farms Farms.

INDUSTRIAL WASTES Wheat Husks Cotton wastes Sugarcane (bagasse) Sawdust Coffee Pulp Waste paper products Oil Palm Fruit Fibre

Flour mills, breweries Textile mills Sugar Processing Mills Saw Mills Coffee producing companies Surroundings Oil Mills.

S o u r c e : Okhuoya, 1997.

There are many substrates for mushroom cultivation in Nigeria, as in other parts of Africa, these raw maternal have not been fully exploited for mushroom cultivation. A close look at the habitat of wild mushrooms indicate that they are normally found on such sites of natural wastes due to sense scene (e,g on leap litter, fallen logs) or on wastes accumulated on sites of cottage or farm processing of agricultural products.

The common observation indicated the potentials of such wastes for the cultivation of mushrooms (Okhuoya 2000, Okhuoya et al, 2010).

Auricularia auricular This jelly mushroom is eaten by many of the local

people in the rural areas.

They are traditionally collected on wet logs in the woods during the rainy season or on logs under shades in the forest. The technology for its commercial production was developed in Asia where its consumption is

SOURCES

very popular.

In our laboratory log inoculation method has proved very successful in producing fruiting bodies.

In this method, dry logs of rubber (hevea brasiliensis and oil palm Elacis guiensis are drilled to form cavities of lunch deep and

lunch diameter and 6 inch apart. These logs are soathed in water for about three to four days and then air dried for a day. The cavities are then plugged with mycelia spawn and placed under a shade and watered every day.

Mushrooms begin to appear on the log surfaces after about 24 days of invenlation.

The mushrooms degenerate if not preserved either by drying or pickled.

You can consult us on mushroom our farming to get this Agric technology at zonal manager, Edo State Agricultural Development programme, Central Zone Irrua Nigeria and (2) Leutinus squarrosulling cultivated on sawdust.

For Prof. Okhuoya Inaugular lecture

THE NIGERIAN

26

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 05, 2013 LUCKY 1.2. X SELECTION 6 INTERNATIONAL NOS. HOT PAIRSS 7 13 9

19 25 26 35

BANKERS

26

32

} }

14 15 20 41 42 43

}

1. BARNSLEY

11xx

2. BIRMINGHAM

12 0X0

3. ABERDEEN

470X0

4. NORWICH

06 ---

5. MIDDLESBRO

18 ---

x

OUTLOOK

N 35

18

XOX

MILLWALL

19

XOX

WESTVHAM

10

CCB

BANSLEY

11

6. READING

22

7. HIBERNIAN

48

8. MILLWALL

19 CBK

9. CREWE

26 CBK

SHREWSBURY

32

10. WESTHAM

10 XXX

BURY

35

11. BURY

35 XXX

12. BURY

35 O-O

13. GILLINGHAM

27 TIP

14. DERBY

15

15. SUNDERLAND

07

MILLWALL

19

ACB

16. FLEETWOOD

38 ABC

NORWICH

6

XBK

17. NEWPORT CO

39 ABC

SHREWSBURY

32

CBK

18. SHREWSBURY

32 CBN

BURY

35

DEP

19. NORWICH

06 @@

CREWE

26

EAT

20. BOURNEMOUTH

13 @@

}HOT

=

35

} } }

MIDDLESBRO

CCB T0P T0P

BIG BELLS

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

SATURDAY RITUALS

10 11 32 45 48

GOSSIP NAP

11 19 35

}

NAP

25 26

PAIR

IF NOT NOW WHEN?

18

A 36 P 37

38

THE NIGERIAN

27

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 05 2013 WATSON WEST 1.2.X FORECAST

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

Your Star

EDITOR’S NAP

BEST COMPILER

NAP 35 XX 35 XX 35 NAP 11 XX 11 XX 11 PAIR 22 OR 23 PAIR 18 OR 19 GOODLUCK LET IT BE

J. B. NAP

SUNNY NAP NAP 32 XX 32 XX 32

PAIR 25 OR 26 WATCH OUT

NAP 6 XX 6 XX 6 PAIR 27 OR 28 BE A WINNER

PAIR 48 OR 49 THERE IS HOPE

NAP 13 XX 13 XX 13 PAIR 4 OR 6 EXECUTIVE

PAKER NAP NAP 10 XX 10 XX 10 PAIR 18 OR 47 FOR SURE

ODIONS NAP

PAUL NAP

OKUNS NAP NAP 26 XX 26 XX 26

MURPHY NAP

NAP 45 XX 45 XX 45 NAP 27 XX 27 XX 27 PAIR 38 OR 39 PAIR 6 OR 7 HAPPY BETTING BE MY GUEST

GUESSING GAMES

28

7

24 32

@

19

SMOKING GUN BEWARE

1 17 5 12 21 42

01 2 4 29 39 31 37 FOR THREE DRAWS?

THE NIGERIAN

28

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Arsenal Close In On Luiz Gustavo

THE Gunners will talk to the Brazilian, who is surplus to requirements under Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena, in the coming days after having an offer accepted over the weekend Arsenal have had a +20 million bid accepted by Bayern Munich for midfielder Luiz Gustavo, Goal can reveal.

The Brazil international is expected to become the Gunners’ club record signing and Arsene Wenger’s first senior capture of the summer.

Arsenal will step up negotiations with Gustavo’s representatives in the coming days as they attempt to thrash out personal terms.

The 26-year-old is on international duty this week and Arsenal would need to be given the permission of the Brazil national team to hold direct talks with the player if they are to force through a quick deal.

Wenger made his move for Gustavo at the end of last week after Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had admitted that they were willing to listen to offers for him.

Gustavo fell behind Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez in the German club’s central midfield pecking order last season and told Bayern he wanted to quit in search of regular football.

Reports in Germany have suggested that new Bayern boss Pep Guardiola has no plans to utilise Gustavo this season.

The Brazilian had been close to joining Wolfsburg but he is believed to be keen to move to a Champions League outfit as he targets a regular starting position ahead of the World Cup in his homeland next year.

Goal revealed in February that Arsenal had identified Gustavo as a key midfield target in the summer.

Arsenal made an enquiry for Gustavo in the January window but stopped short of making a bid after learning that Bayern were unwilling to sell him in mid-season.

The north Londoners have been keen to sign a battlehardened midfield anchorman since selling Alex Song to Barcelona 12 months ago.

Arsenal pulled out of a move for West Ham powerhouse

Mohamed Diame in January after failing to be convinced he was better than the options they already had in central midfield, most notably Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Abou Diaby.

However, Gustavo’s combination of authority and versatility has impressed Wenger and his scouts. The Brazilian is capable of slotting in at centre-back and left-back as well as his favoured deep midfield role.

The Brazilian, whose Bayern contract runs until 2015, was an intermittent starter for the European champions last season, although he was out for a month at the end of the season.

Fellaini, Baines Staying Put

United Would Be ‘Mad’ To Sell Rooney - Neville Wenger

THE former Red Devil believes the Premier League champions

must do everything in their power to keep hold of the England international striker for the coming season Manchester United now works with him as part of manager David Moyes the former defender’s would be “mad” to sell coaching role with the Wayne Rooney, according to England national team.

Old Trafford fans’ favourite Chelsea have so far had two Gary Neville. bids rejected for Rooney as Neville, who hung up his speculation over his future at boots in 2011, played the Red Devils intensifies. alongside the striker for The 27-year-old has scored seven years at United and 197 goals in 402 appearances

Wigan on Sunday, with Manchester United attempting to hold off the advances of Chelsea despite their star’s desire to leave Old Trafford.

“His mind is fine,” Hodgson told reporters. “He can compartmentalise club and country, which I expect from all players.

“Players cannot bring their club problems to England. If there were any problems with England, they cannot take them

replace them in respect of the numbers he creates but in terms of personality, what he brings, very difficult to replace him. I could argue in the last eight years, he has been the most important player in the Premier League.

“Why would I be over the top by stating that? He is one of the most successful players in the last eight years, won the most championships in that period, been an ever present, played in every single game nearly every season.

“Scoring 20-plus goals in most of them, assisting, fighting for every single ball in every single game. The evidence is there – they don’t grow on trees, Wayne Rooneys.”

Rooney is currently away on international duty with England and could feature in Wednesday’s friendly against Scotland, despite a shoulder injury forcing him to miss Sunday’s Community Shield victory over Wigan.

Marouane Fellaini

No Exit For Defoe And Sigurdsson

Wayne Rooney

Rooney’s ‘Mind Is Fine’, Insists England Coach THE Three Lions manager is certain the Manchester United forward is fit enough to face Scotland on Wednesday and will not let his ongoing transfer situation distract him England manager Roy Hodgson insists Wayne Rooney’s “mind is fine” in spite of the ongoing saga surrounding his club future.

The forward is set to play a part for the Three Lions in their friendly against Scotland despite missing the Community Shield victory over

for United since joining from Everton and Neville is adamant that the Premier League champions must keep hold of the England forward.

“Manchester United, at this moment in time, would be mad to sell him,” Neville said in an interview in The Daily Mail.

“Along with Robin van Persie, he has been the most successful player in terms of goals and assists in the last five years of the Premier League.

“Even last year, which you could argue was a year he was below his best, but he was playing in midfield, playing right side, left side, he still had 22 goals and assists.

“He is a massive contributor to games and you can’t replace personalities. There are very few personalities in football now, big personalities, fighters, he is one of them.

“You can’t just buy them, you might argue you could

EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez says that neither Marouane Fellaini nor Leighton Baines will be heading to Manchester United.

The new Toffees boss insisted United’s interest in midfielder Marouane Fellaini had no bearing on his decision to leave him out of their friendly win over Real Betis this past weekend.

The Belgium international sat out the 2-1 win over the La Liga side at Goodison Park, but Martinez was keen to stress he had been rested ahead of his country’s game with France on Wednesday.

“Marouane would have been available if it was a competitive game,” said Martinez.

“He picked up a cut on the US tour. Bearing in mind he has to join the Belgium squad now and in two days the infection will clear - I didn’t want to risk hurting him.”

As for Leighton Baines, Martinez is not expecting another bid for his left-back from Manchester United either.

Speaking to Jim White on Sky Sports News’ Transfer Centre on Sunday night, Martinez said: “We’ve had no approaches for any of our players. There was a previous approach that was well documented and well known for Leighton. That was a final offer, and that was done.

“I’ll never go away from the fact that when people speak about the players at Everton, they’ve done well and it’s a real compliment.”

back to their clubs. It is two separate identities.

“I expect players, when they come here [to the England squad] to be fully focused on playing for England.”

Asked if Rooney would be fit to face Scotland, Hodgson replied: “I think so. We will see on Tuesday how he reacts to Monday’s session because it might have been a bit more intense than the work he has been able to do while recovering from injury.

THE Portuguese has rubbished reports linking the duo with an exit from White Hart Lane, insisting that both players are part of his plans for the upcoming campaign Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas wants Jermain Defoe and Gylfi Sigurdsson to stay at the club.

Defoe has been pushed down the pecking order at White Hart Lane following the arrival of fellow striker Roberto Soldado from

Valencia, and he is believed to be a target of former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp at QPR. Iceland international Sigurdsson has also been linked with an exit in the transfer window, after failing to feature regularly in Villas-Boas’ side last season.

However, the Tottenham boss insists that neither player is on their way out, with both firmly in his plans for the upcoming campaign.

“They are players we count on 100 per cent,” he was quoted as saying by The Daily Express.

“Sigurdsson is completely in our plans. Defoe is a hero for Tottenham and has been doing well. He faces competition which he has always faced during his career.”

England international Defoe has been at the club since 2009, while Sigurdsson moved from Hoffenheim in 2012 after a brief loan spell at Swansea.

THE NIGERIAN

29

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Messi Is Priceless

THE full-back insists the Argentine is the undisputed world No.1 and admits he has not seen much of Real Madrid target Gareth Bale in action Jordi Alba believes weeks, but Alba admits he Barcelona team-mate has not seen enough of the Lionel Messi is “priceless” player in action to comment and will be the world’s on the proposed +115m best player for as long as figure. he wishes.

“If I’m honest, I haven’t Blaugrana president seen him play alot but I Sandro Rosell claimed know he is a good earlier this summer that footballer,” Alba continued. the Argentine ace would “In each case it depends on command a fee of around the needs of each team, what +580 million should any the club is willing to pay and club ever attempt to prize what the other demands. him away from Camp Nou Then time will tell if a player and Alba has made it clear has been cheap or the 26-year-old is out of expensive.” reach for any potential Alba also praised new suitor. coach Gerardo Martino for “We’re talking about the the way he has taken to the best player in the world. role in the Barca dugout, For us, he doesn’t have a admitting he is happy to price. He is No.1. No work under those who shun player can stand up to him, the limelight. and he’ll continue being “Barcelona has always had No.1 for as long as he calm coaches,” he wants,” he told Marca. continued.

Real Madrid have been “We are happy with Tata linked with a world-record Martino, as with Tito bid for Tottenham star Vilanova. He is a quiet coach Gareth Bale in recent

... Has Two Years Left, Says Scolari

BRAZIL coach Felipe Scolari has predicted that Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be the best player in the world for the next two years.

The Argentine attacker has won four consecutive Ballons d’Or and Scolari believes there is still much more to come from the 26year-old before the hands of time begin to take their toll on his performances.

“I think that Lionel Messi will continue to be the best player in the world for the next two years or so,” Scolari was quoted as saying on the official website of the German football association.

“Messi not only plays for the team, but he also has amazing individual skills.

He can decide a match all by himself with his ability.”

The Brazil coach then went on to say that Neymar, 21, will need time to adapt to European football, but is confident that he will succeed at Barca.

“Now that he’s at Barcelona, Neymar can show his technical abilities

and make the same individual actions as Messi.

“His first year in Spain will mainly be about learning things and adapting to a new tactical formation. In Brazil we don’t think as much about tactics as in Europe and Neymar will have to adapt.

“He is eager to learn, though, and will play at a higher level than in Brazil in the Spanish Liga and the Champions League.”

Neymar could make his official Barcelona debut in their Liga opener against Levante on August 18.

who only wants to talk about football and what happens on the pitch.”

“I don’t think we’re going to change our style nor our

- Alba

way of playing very much.

The truth is I like how we play.”

Lionel Messi

‘Real Madrid Do Not Need signing of Bale.

THE former Spain “At Madrid, both types of Bale’ international feels los player have always had to learn Blancos already have sufficient options in attack, but admits the winger would still prove to be a good signing Real Madrid legend Manolo Sanchis says the club do not need Gareth Bale but believes the Tottenham star would be a good addition if he were to make the move to the Spanish capital.

The Liga giants are keen to lure the Welshman away from his current club, but have so far been reluctant to meet Spurs’ +115 million valuation of the 24-year-old and Sanchis feels Bale’s price tag could prove to be too much of an obstacle.

“Is Bale absolutely necessary? I don’t think so,” Sanchis was quoted as saying

by Marca.

“But if he comes, he will be

a good option, a very good one.

The problem is the price...”

Sanchis then went on to stress that the potential arrival of Bale would not affect the development of the club’s own youth players.

“I would not link the progress of the youth team players to the

to live together and the results have been good. There are also cases of big signings at the club being shown up by youngsters with less experience.”

The 48-year-old Sanchis made over 500 league appearances for Madrid between 1983 and 2001.

LYON striker Bafetimbi Gomis’ proposed move to Newcastle United seems to be on the verge of collapse.

However, close friend Moussa Sissoko hopes new director of football Joe Kinnear can revive a deal for forward.

Gomis is reportedly keen on the move to Tyneside, but the French club are holding firm that they won’t accept a bid

lower than £8 million for the 28-year-old.

Sissoko, who joined the Magpies at the start of the year, is still hopeful that his good friend will join him at the club.

Talking to Mail Online, Sissoko expressed that he had talked to Gomis about a move to the Magpies, with the Lyon striker reportedly telling him he want to move to Newcastle.

“Bafe Gomis is my friend and he says to me that he wants to come to Newcastle, but it is not easy with the president [of Lyon] or his agent,” said Sissoko.

Gomis Deal On The Verge Of Collapse

Monaco Win Appeal Over Two-Point FFF has decided to cancel the THE ambitious Ligue 1 side Penalty deduction of two points and the were initially hit with a points deduction because of an incident involving their supporters, but have won their appeal against the punishment The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced its decision to overturn Monaco’s two-point deduction for crowd trouble on matchday 37 of the 2012-13 campaign.

The Principality side were punished by the Professional Football League (LFP) for supporters’ actions during the aftermath of the 2-1 victory over Le Mans in May, which occurred after Claudio

THE Manchester City man is happy to be given a second chance with the national team and has stressed he has learned from his mistakes Samir Nasri has apologised for his previous misdemeanours with France but says “he didn’t kill anyone” and should be given an opportunity to redeem his actions.

The Manchester City midfielder was handed a three-game ban by the French football federation following his outburst toward a journalist at Euro 2012 and had not been called up by Didier Deschamps ever since.

However, Nasri is now ready to make his comeback in the friendly against Belgium and he is keen to prove that he has matured.

“I want to start by apologising again. I did not show a professional attitude at Euro 2012,” the 26-yearold said at a press conference.

Ranieri’s men were officially crowned Ligue 2 champions.

The home supporters invaded the pitch after Monaco’s win, with the referee being hit by a fan during the post-match celebrations.

Monaco were consequently handed a two-point penalty plus a suspended sentence of one more point, while they were also sentenced to playing one game behind closed doors.

Nevertheless, their appeal has proven to be successful as the FFF has now opted to overturn part of the initial punishment.

“The appeal committee of the

suspended sentence of one more point imposed by the LFP’s disciplinary committee following Monaco’s appeal,” a statement on the FFF website reads.

“The FFF’s appeal committee upholds the sentence of playing one game behind closed doors after the incidents that took place on matchday 37 of the 2012-13 Ligue 2 campaign, following the match between Monaco and Le Mans on May 17.”

Monaco started the 2013-14 season with a 2-0 away win over Bordeaux at the weekend.

Bafetimbi Gomis

I Did Not Kill Anyone - Nasri

“I should have dealt with the situation differently. It’s up to me to make sure that this does not happen again.

“I am focused on the present and the future now. I did not kill anyone. Worse things happened in 2010. I have been given a second chance.

“I had not been called up for a year and feared I might not get a second chance. You do not always realise that it is a big occasion when you get called up for the national team. I watched all of France’s games and it hurt that I wasn’t there.”

Wednesday’s game against Belgium is scheduled to kick off at 21:00CET.

Waris To Be Main Striker At Spartak RUSSIAN giants Spartak Moscow will make Ghanaian Abdul Majeed Waris their first choice striker following the decision to sell their Nigerian attacker Emmanuel Emenike.

Spartak Moscow reluctantly sold the in-form Nigerian striker to Fenerbahce following pressure from the player and the Turkish giants.

The Russian only agreed to sell the player to Fenerbahce because their Ghanaian striker Abdul Majeed has recovered from a knee injury.

With the young Ghanaian striker now available for action they agreed on 13 million Euros for the Nigerian star to move too Turkey.

Waris joined Spartak Moscow last season but has failed to replicate the form that saw him win the best player and top scorer award in the Swedish league last season.

A serious knee injury limited him to a bit part role at Spartak Moscow resulting in just seven matches without a goal.

Now with Emmanuel Emenike leaving the club, Waris is expected to step up to the plate to deliver the goals for the Moscow-based club.

Emenike joined Spartak in 2011 and scored 22 times in 49 games.

THE NIGERIAN

30

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Zimbabwe Sends Back Late-Coming Refs ZIMBABWE has sent back late-coming referee of Sunday’s postponed 2014 CHAN qualifier against Zambia.

Hosts’ Zimbabwe were forced to call-off their CHAN final round, first leg qualifier against Zambia at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on August 11.

This is after the Cameroonian match official’s failed to arrive on time due to transit problems in Nairobi en route to Harare.

Zimbabwe Football Association media official Xolisani Gwesela said they have written to CAF requesting

Sepp Blatter

I Might Coach US Again - Bradley EGYPT’s national football coach Bob Bradley has said he would take up the chance to coach USA again if given chance.

Bradley, who was sacked in August 2011 by the US, told MTNFootball.com in an interview at the Sheraton Miramar Resort Hotel in El Gouna, Egypt, this morning, that he has never closed his mind on going back to handle the US team.

The Egyptians host Cecafa regional champions Uganda in an international friendly tomorrow at the El Gouna Stadium. The two teams are using the friendly to prepare for the 2014 World Cup last group stage matches.

Egypt are already through to the next round even before facing Guinea, while Uganda need to beat Senegal on September 7th to make it to the next round of the qualifiers.

Bradley said as a coach his mind is always open and he cannot rule out coaching anywhere around the world.

“It had never crossed my

Samuel Eto’O

mind that I would ever coach in Africa, but I always keep my mind open,” explained Bradley, who says it has been a challenge working in Egypt.

The coach explained that the political tensions, especially in Cairo, have also affected the football environment, as now the league has also been suspended.

“I am really trying my best to work hard besides all the challenges around,” he said.

About qualification for the World Cup, Bradley told MTNFootball.com that he is optimistic he can take the team to the World Cup after 23 years of waiting.

But while it has dominated

the Africa Cup of Nations in the past decade, Egypt hasn’t made it to a World Cup since 1990. To reach Brazil would be a defining moment for Egyptian football, which lately is better known for violence, chaos and its political influences.

will be able to attend Wednesday’s international friendly against Argentina, although some divine intervention may be required for him to see Mario Balotelli in action.

Italy host the Pope’s compatriots at the Stadio

Olimpico in Rome and Prandelli says it would be particularly special if he would attend, although he admits he may struggle to formally invite him at an official audience with the head of the Catholic church on Tuesday. The Pope is a lifelong fan of San Lorenzo.

“We play football games every day, every week, but you only get to visit the Pope once in your life,” Prandelli said.

“This Argentina game has a particular significance as it is our welcome to Pope Francis.

Both sides are staying in the same hotel and there should be a celebratory spirit for everybody.

“I hope the Pope comes to see the game. I don’t know if I’ll be able to ask him myself because I’ll be too emotional, but I hope he will come.”

The entire Italy squad will be guests at the Vatican on Tuesday, including Balotelli,

Cairo considers appointing referees from a Cosafa regional member nation to handle the rescheduled game.

“We are currently arranging with CAF on the way forward,” Gwesela said.

“We insist on giving us a new set of referees from the Southern region.

“Our argument is that it’s cheaper to travel within the region and you avoid travelling complex.

“We protested the appointment of the Cameroonian officials, we wrote to Caf last Monday because of the complex of travelling and the cost, also considering that Kenya Airport had problems because of the fire.”

The rescheduled match will be played on August 18 at Rufaro while the date of the

Eto’O Wants Mou Reunion

INTER and Napoli target, Samuel Eto’o, has revealed he would like to reunite with his former coach Jose Mourinho.

The duo worked alongside each other during the Nerazzurri’s treble winning campaign, and the Cameroonian has admitted no one can compare to the Portuguese tactician.

“In the world there is only one Mourinho,” he told reporters. “I have worked with many Coaches

in my career, but no one has his character.

“We won a lot at Inter together, so I’d love to work with him again.

“Chelsea are a good team, but only when we have all the proposals on the table will my agent and I identify my next destination.”

Prandelli Excited For Audience who remains a doubt for ITALY’s coach Cesare Prandelli hopes Pope Francis With Pope Wednesday’s clash after picking up an injury to the same knee which was operated on during his Manchester City days.

“I’m delighted to be meeting the Pope,” Balotelli, who turned 23 on Monday, said. “What I think of him and what I say to him will remain between us. I hope he wishes me well for my birthday.”

Prandelli, meanwhile, is hoping for a gift from Balotelli for the fans inside the Olimpico.

“He needs to show the determination which can make him decisive,” said the Italy coach, who believes the AC Milan forward and Roma’s Pablo Osvaldo are his number one strike pairing.

“They have enormous potential,” he added. “I’ve watched our friendly against Brazil in Geneva last March and I’m convinced that we showed our biggest attacking strength in that game [when Balotelli and Osvaldo started together].”

final leg remains on August 24 at Levy Mwanawasa in Ndola.

Winner over both legs will

qualify for the CHAN tournament to be hosted by South Africa this January.

Ghana Coach Issues Regular Playing Time Warning

GHANA’s coach Kwesi Appiah has warned his players that regular playing time with their clubs abroad will be the key determining factor in his call-ups to the Black Stars.

The Black Stars trainer insists that regular playing time is the key to achieving the dreams of making their third successive World Cup appearance With some of the key European leagues already underway, Appiah is expecting Black Stars players to fight for stating places with their clubs to aid Ghana’s World Cup ambitions.

Some players struggled for playing time last season but the Ghana coach is hoping for

a change to improve the fortunes of the Black Stars.

“We are all hoping and praying that each and every player of the Black Stars gets a starting line-up place in their various clubs,” Appiah told Radio XYZ. “It’s not going to be easy but it is achievable.

“They all need to fight very hard and win the confidence of their various coaches.

“Once they all get quality playing time, it will not help them alone but it will be a huge benefit to the nation at large,” Appiah hinting that he will rely on players playing regularly for their clubs.

Ghana must avoid a defeat against Zambia in September to reach the final phase of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Balotelli Doubtful For Argentina Clash THE AC Milan forward could miss Wednesday’s encounter after pulling up with a knee injury in training this week Italy coach Cesare Prandelli may have to make do without the services of Mario Balotelli for Wednesday’s international friendly against Argentina.

The AC Milan striker picked up a knee problem in training this week and national team doctor Enrico Castellacci has suggested that Balotelli could miss the match versus the South Americans as a result.

Mario Balotelli

“He has a minor problem with his right knee, the one that he’s undergone surgery on in the past and is occasionally a bit swollen,” Castellacci told the official FIGC website.

“There’s some fluid in his knee, but nothing to worry about it. He left the pitch for precautionary measures.

“Will he play against Argentina? That depends on how his knee reacts in the hours to come. There’s no need for further examination, though.”

Wednesday’s encounter in Roma is scheduled to kick off at 20:45CET.

THE NIGERIAN

31

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

Nelson Mandela Challenge Clash

Bafana Bafana Takes On Their Nemesis

THE 19th edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge sees South Africa take on reigning African champions Nigeria at the Moses Mabhida Stadium today, 14 August 2013, kickoff at 20h15.

However, the good news for In the first of two matches Igesund and his side is that this week in honour of the Bafana’s lone win against great Madiba – SA will also Nigeria was in the Nelson take on Burkina Faso on the inaugural Nelson Mandela Mandela Challenge back in Sports and Culture Day at 2004. On that occasion, South won 2-1 in FNB Stadium on Saturday – Africa Gordon Igesund’s side will Johannesburg.

It is the second successive have the massive challenge of trying to put one over 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners Nigeria.

The Super Eagles claimed their third continental title earlier this year, defeating Burkina Faso in the AFCON final at FNB Stadium.

Returning the country of their recent triumph will bring back good memories for coach Stephen Keshi and his side.

Nigeria also have predominantly good memories of playing against Bafana Bafana, with the West Africans very much the dominant team in the rivalry.

In seven meetings of the sides down the years, the Super Eagles boast five wins Gordon Igesund compared to just one for SA.

year in which Bafana are taking on the reigning African champions for the Mandela Challenge: Last year SA lost 1-0 to Zambia at FNB Stadium, with PSL-based striker Collins Mbesuma scoring the goal.

Overall, Bafana have recorded seven wins, four draws and seven losses in 18 previous Nelson Mandela Challenge matches. Their last

Sunday Mba

Insists Sunday Mba

game and would want to beat the reigning African champions to make a statement that they are a good side.

The Enugu Rangers player, who scored the goal that won Nigeria the last Africa Cup of Nations final against Burkina Faso, revealed that the Super Eagles players will definitely be taking the game seriously.

Stephen Keshi

Igesund Happy With Final Squad

This Is More Than A Friendly Game, THE Super Eagles midfielder has confessed that today’s game against Bafana Bafana is more serious than a friendly match.

Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba has told Goal that Wednesday’s Nelson Mandela Challenge game against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana is not in any way a friendly match.

Mba noted that the South Africans are prepared for the

win was over Norway (2-1) in the 2009 edition.

Igesund has had some disruptions in his preparation, having lost SuperSport United players Innocent Mdledle and Bennett Chenene (Marc van Heerden of AmaZulu has been drafted into the squad) over the weekend, while he also earlier allowed the release of six Orlando Pirates players due to the club’s busy schedule which next sees them participate in the CAF Champions League over the coming weekend.

“That game on Wednesday is not a friendly match in any way.

We are African champions and every team will want to beat us to boost their confidence,” Mba told Goal.

“Bafana Bafana are rebuilding and this is one game that they will want to use to get their confidence back in shape.

“Yes it is a friendly game, but it is more than that. We also need to do well and win the game to get prepared for the next game in the World Cup qualifiers against Malawi in Calabar.

“I am looking forward to a good game because it is a perfect opportunity for us to show Africans that we are a good side that deservedly won the Africa Cup of Nations.

“A lot of our players are back so we are going to get a full squad for the game. I want to do well and make sure we keep our record against the South Africans,” Mba concluded.

Bafana Bafana have never defeated Nigeria since they first clashed in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers.

BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says he has confidence in his squad ahead of two tough clashes against Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

Igesund had to make changes to his initial squad, releasing six Orlando Pirates players due to their commitments in the CAF Champions League, before losing Supersport United duo of Bennett Chenene and Innocent Mdledle to injuries.

Bevan Fransman has also been excused from Wednesday’s clash due to family commitments, while his teammate David Mathebula and AmaZulu fullback Marc Van Heerden have been called up.

“You’re always going to get a situation where players get injured when they play competitive matches for their teams, these things happen and you have to overcome them,” said Igesund.

“I didn’t replace Bennett Chenene because we have enough depth attackingwise; I have just brought in Van Heerden so we can have two left-backs.

“I’ve got a very, very good

squad here; a couple of players put their hands up during the Cosafa Cup but that doesn’t mean that the ones who were not at the tournament are not going to play.

“Whenever I have to select the team I pick the strongest team possible because we have to go out there and win matches and we need to always be competitive.

“It’s always difficult to get the team ready in two days but that is the case with every national team coach in the world.

“Fortunately for us, most of the players who are in this squad have been part of the Bafana setup for a while so they know how we play and what is expected from them.”

Igesund was also quick to dismiss suggestions that the

Keshi Aims To Beat Bafana

NIGERIA coach Stephen Keshi has said he hopes to win today’s friendly against hosts South Africa.

“We aim to win every game we go into and this one would not be different,” he said.

Keshi has named a strong squad for the Mandela Challenge with the likes of Chelsea winger Victor Moses

Mikel To Miss Bafana CHELSEA midfielder Clash Mikel John Obi will not take part in today’s clash against Bafana Bafana due to a minor illness.

The Super Eagles will face Bafana Bafana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Nelson Mandela Challenge and coach Stephen Keshi says the Blues’ man will no longer be part of the squad.

“Mikel will not be playing tomorrow; he has a bit of

Durban-based Van Heerden was an automatic choice to replace Mdledle due to the fact that Bafana Bafana are holding their first camp in the coastal city.

“I don’t pick a team on convenience - I pick a team that can do the job,” he added.

“It’s unfair to Van Heerden because he has been performing very well of late.

“He played a magnificent game against Manchester City and he played a great game against Orlando Pirates; he was nice and aggressive.

“I’ll certainly not pick a team for convenience; we don’t do that type of thing. If I had wanted to call up Ricardo Nunes I would have had him on the plane and had him here tomorrow.

“I wanted Van Heerden and that’s why I picked him.”

stomach ache,” said Keshi.

“I don’t have to push him hard for this game because the most important game is in September where I absolutely need him to be 200 percent.

“So, he’s not going to join us.”

The Super Eagles will host Malawi in a crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on September 7.

listed and hopes to use this game to prepare for the decisive 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malawi next month.

“We hope to use this match to know the best way to tackle our most important game next month,” he disclosed.

However, Chelsea star Mikel will not be available for selection on Wednesday, officials said.

Team spokesman Ben Alaiya said, “We are not sure if Mikel would make it because we have just been informed he is a little under the weather.

“But Victor Moses, Fegor Ogude and Nnamdi Oduamadi would be available for selection. The three players will be part of the final training this evening (Tuesday) at match time.”

The game kicks off by 8.15 pm local time, which is 7.15pm Nigerian time.

THE NIGERIAN

32

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013

CMYK

“

Too Late For INEC

A people’s power must be organized from the grassroots to dislodge the machinery of Federal terror if the coming elections in the country go the way of the previous ones…

Honestly, genuine patriotic Nigerians must stop perpetuating the Nigerian condition by remaining docile and inactive in matters that touch on the democratic destiny of Nigeria”-Quoted in WHERE WE ARE (page 145) Taking Adolor college As I was driving with end of the road to my my family enroute to the destination was another church wedding of one horrorful experience. of my junior sister – Firstly, I drove back to inlaws last Saturday, Ugbowo Lagos Road, what confronted us was before I entered through agonizing and shocking. Adolor college Road What we met on our junction. Adolor college way was so shocking to Road junction’s entrance me because for a long was loaded with granite time now I have not and some big stones that really taken the pains to was throwing every vehicle drive using short cuts, left and right. side streets and At a stage I was afraid adjoining roads to my for my tyres. Honestly if not destination. that the said wedding Those who reside off ceremony involved my Adolor College and sister –inlaw I would have Uwasota Roads axis of turned back almost town know exactly what immediately.

I am talking about. The Indeed my wife and venue of the wedding children were complaining ceremony of my sister – very furiously about the inlaw was situated in an terrible state of the roads. area not too far from From what we saw, I feel Ugbowo Primary really sad and School, off Uwasota, off disappointed with the Campbell Hotel Roads authorities of Egor Local in Benin City. To get to Government Area, that the place was like have sinfully neglected the driving to hell. side streets and adjoining First of all, I decided streets in the Ugbowo to pick up some locality to fate. I really feel materials from my tailor sorry for the residents and in Uwasota road. After I motorists plying those finished with my tailor I routes. made up my mind to Certainly, repair and navigate my way rehabilitation of roads through Eagle furniture should never be left for the or Campbell short cuts Oshiomhole administration to the venue of the alone. We agreed that the wedding ceremony.

Peoples Democratic Party The roads have (PDP) eight years rule in become so badly Edo state ended in gigantic unpassable that I had to fiasco, that the Comrade make a U-turn at a point. Governor is tackling the I then decided to go and issues of roads take Adolor college end. rehabilitation and

construction frontally since he assumed office. At least if the various Local Government Areas are doing their utmost best in this area what I encountered on Saturday would have been minimized?

Now what is the Authorities of Egor Local Government Area doing about complimenting the efforts of the Comrade

Government Chairmen in all the eighteen council areas are alive to their democratic duties of fulfilling electoral promises, most of our adjoining streets and short cuts in our various localities would at least be motorable by now to compliment the drastic developmental efforts of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Prof. Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman

Governor concerning the almighty issue of roads? I saw that the bad portion linking Uwasota road with the Uwelu Spare parts market was being fixed last Saturday. I hope it will be done properly to meet the test of time? Though, I did n’t ask if the fixing was being done by comrade Oshiomhole or the Egor Local Government Authorities.

The point must be made that if Local

We have our ears to the ground; we see glaringly too what some Local Government Chairmen are doing with public funds.

One Local Government Chairman in one of the urban centers of Benin is presently acquiring large expanse of lands, even after extending his small former house to a mighty structure within how many months now in office. In this dispensation a former

“I find this attitude of INEC infinitely sad. The injustice of this recent approach fills one with despair. I see the whole scenario as a theatrically, carefully staged and rehearsed to decive patriotic voters.

One would have expected that such scoundrels masquerading as election riggers cum politicians would have been prosecuted immediately after the general elections in 2011 and subsequent elections to discourage acts of electoral malpractices?”

Local Government Chairman that I know erected a gigantic country home months after leaving office. Facts and stories abound, we simply cannot exhaust everything on this page. Truth is bitter!

Our so called elected representatives at various strata: Local Government, State House of Assemblies and at the federal House of Representatives even at the senate must be told that the people’s welfare must come first, certainly not their own selfish, parochial and greedy interests. Democracy is about the people and democratic dividends should get to the people.

We should never compromise this fact.

Someone said the other day that apart from the public funds some of these politicians are embezzling and putting away to rig election on a latter day that their take home pay should be drastically reduced, to reflect the harsh economic reality in the land today. I have written infinitely on this page that the reason some politicians are willing to do anything to win election is because political jobs are very juicy and attractive in this country.

This is why I am very irritated with the recent decision of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute those that were involved in electoral malpractises during the

last general elections now. Why now? What has been happening at INEC headquarters concerning these enemies of democracy that aided and abetted some of the politicians tormenting us now?

This is certainly a wrong signal in the name of sanitizing our electoral system.

I find this attitude of INEC infinitely sad. The injustice of this recent approach fills one with despair. I see the whole scenario as a theatrically, carefully staged and rehearsed to decive patriotic voters. One would have expected that such s c o u n d r e l s masquerading as election riggers cum politicians would have been prosecuted immediately after the general elections in 2011 and subsequent elections to discourage acts of electoral malpractices?

For me this recent development from INEC headquarters is too late, belated and cosmetics. I stand to be proven wrong. Finally, the on-going process of the amendment of the 1999 constitution still affords us the opportunity to get it right in such areas like federalism, immunity clause, derivation formula, Local Government Autonomy and Electronic Voting etc.

TOMORROW ON THIS PAGE

“

Take away the dirty role of the Airport Manager and the not-too-clean role of the Police in the Benin airport saga and you will find that the other players clearly deserve commendation... In all this, one thing stands out; organisations must learn to promptly remit collected taxes to their owners.

”

-Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor: BARR. SOLOMON IMONHIOSEN (07030699646), Deputy General Manager- Marketing (08023457566), Assistant General Manager- Advertisement (08023808856) Lagos Office: 3/4 Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way, By Olusosun Bus Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631.

All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)