THE NIGERIAN
The Nigerian
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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 HEALTH Page 22 Family Planning
Steps for designing behaviour change communication
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
• Vol. 38 NO.354• THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 20 13 • N100.00
Edo to construct 26 more roads By KEN ABU
BENIN CITY- Edo State Government has expressed its preparedness to consolidate on the
prospective contractors. Also, the need to amend the laws establishing Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) has come up on the floor of Edo State
development strides of this administration by awarding 26 more road projects which have completely undergone the phase of design, to
House of Assembly. There were germane issues resonated during plenary when Edo State Commissioner for Works, Barr. Osarodion Ogie
Continues on page 2
N7.4bn Shoprite Mall
Oshiomhole lays foundation By ADAMS OYIBOKE/OYENMWEN OMOROGBE
MAN AND NATURE Page 27
Towing the path of virtue
BENIN CITY - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has laid the foundation stone for a N7.4 billion ($45 million) ultra-modern Shopping Mall in Benin City with an assurance that government will continue to create conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive in the State. and all of the other Oshiomhole said things we have been government’s doing is to make Edo investment in State so attractive not infrastructure and the only for the people urban renewal here but to also programme is to make attract those who are Edo State attractive to not here. investors from within “I like to recall that and outside the state. six years ago, during He said “our my campaign in investment in urban 2007, anytime I was renewal and our coming from Lagos to investment in other Benin, there was only infrastructure by way of one old aircraft with road expansion and about fifteen or building new ones in twenty passengers both urban and rural seat, house rent in areas, the provision of Benin was very low, electricity, procurement many houses were of transformers, abandoned. This is to building health centres make the point that
as we speak today, we have two or three airlines that now fly to Benin “Edo people are moving in and out of Edo doing businesses. There is no better way to measure the progress of a community, a neighbourhood and a state. We have also witnessed the construction of several new hotels; you hardly find spaces in those hotels, which means
more people are coming to Benin to do businesses. “Today we are witnessing the ground breaking ceremony of a facility that would be the very first modern shopping mall anywhere in Edo State under a group that has built a reputation for itself that is popularly known and
referred to as Shoprite”, he said. The governor stated, “I think for this community, they readily understood that this is truly bringing development to this neighbourhood. In addition, as we speak, the company has employed and will employ more people to work on this site.
“Let me state for the records that this government recognizes our position of being here because you ask us to be here by your votes and that we hold our office at your pleasure and that our future is in your hands. To keep the privilege of being entrusted with the Continues on page 2
Conflict Management
Speaker urges multinationals to enforce best practices
By KEN ABU BENIN CITY Towards the effective management of conflicts between multinational companies and their host communities in Edo State, the strict adherence to the Policy of Corporate Social Responsibility must be enforced in line with best practices. The Speaker of the
Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe gave the advice recently in Benin City during a workshop on industrial harmony between multinational companies and host communities in Edo State, organised by the Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Public Petitions and Labour Matters. Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe in his
TIT BIT “Life could turn around a certain bend, and events turn out bright and nice - if we realise that all good seasons beget the judgment of attitude, we should never engage such gains in celebrating the misfortune of others.” - Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama
opening address said that the theme of the workshop: “ Industrial Harmony between Multi-national Companies and Host Communities” was Continues on page 2
FOUNDATION-LAYING CEREMONY: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (2nd right with mic) unveiling the plaque at the Foundation-Laying ceremony of an ultra-modern Shopping Mall in Benin City, yesterday. With him (right) is Mr. Olumide Akinsanya, MD Median Development; Hon. Frank Evbuomwan, Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development (left) and Mr. Holden Marshall, MD Resilient Africa.
Governor eulogises Prof Iyayi
BENIN CITY Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the late Prof Festus Iyayi as a true and committed Nigerian who gave up his personal comfort and joined the masses in the
trenches of fighting for a better society. In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “Iyayi was a distinguished Nigerian
By JOSES SEDE ABUJA - Senate of the Federal Republic has pegged one
hundred and sixty Naira to the United States Dollar for 2014 to 2016 fiscal years and seventy six Dollar, fifty Cents per
who served not only ASUU, but the whole Nigerian academic community. He had a passion for education and I am proud that he came from Edo State. I found him so resourceful
that I appointed him a member of the Governing Council of the Ambrose Alli University. “The history of popular struggles in Nigeria today will not be complete without a mention of Prof Iyayi’s
Senate pegs crude oil price at N160 to dollar barrel of crude oil for the same period. This is even as the presiding Senate President David Mark
sounded that keeping external reserves at the expense of enormous and pressing local needs Continues on page 2
selfless sacrifices and intellectual contributions. “He was a radical comrade capable of interrogating power and facing those in authority eyeball-to-eyeball on critical matters that affect the people, without calculating the political or economic consequences of his actions. Iyayi not only stood up and spoke out, but he inspired many to do same through his Continues on page 2
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
News
Edo to construct 26 more roads
Continued from page 1 and Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Ambassador, Orobosa OmoOjo (JP) respectively briefed the House in Benin City yesterday. The State Commissioner for Works, Barr. Osarodion Ogie
made the disclosure yesterday during the presentation of briefs on the activities of his ministry. Barr. Osarodion Ogie in his presentation said that over 500km of roads projects in the state have been completed while others were still on-
going indicating a 37% of work completed while the state government had perfected plans to pay contractors for another 20% of works already completed. The commissioner further said that the recent short fall
Continued from page 1 responsibility of managing this state we must continue to ask God to guide us and guide our thoughts such that we will deliver the greatest good to the good number of Edo people”, he said He said: “Today, God in his infinite powers has used us, your stewards, to attract to Edo State a company that has international reputation to build a shopping mall. We agreed to allocate this government land to them, demolish whatever is left of the building, so that in its place we will have a modern facility that both the rich and the poor can patronize. “As a matter of necessity, the company in their design must deal with the problem of flooding so that their property can be secured. If they do not deal with the problem of flooding, the facility would not be accessible and when they deal with problem of flooding, the entire neighbourhood will now benefit”, he said. Oshiomhole assured the company that “Edo State government will give you all the support you need and I will urge you to fast track the pace of construction so that I will have the opportunity of
commissioning the shopping mall”. In a remark, the Commissioner of Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Hon Frank Evbuomwan said the coming of Shoprite and other international brands to Edo State is a clear endorsement of the far reaching urban renewal drive and initiatives of the Oshiomhole administration. He said “several investors in different parts of the state are working hard to create industries, markets, housing estates,
agricultural estates all of which is part of an integrated plan to develop the state and create well paying employment for our teeming youth”. The spokesman for the company, Mr. Huarden Marshall said the choice of Edo State is as a result of the economic viability of the state and the need to create job opportunities for primary and secondary workers. He said the project would gulp about $45million and the company would strive to meet its completion date of eighteen months.
Continued from page 1 apt as these companies as a result of the aggressive agitations for the complete enforcement of the policy of Corporate Social Responsibility in states like Delta State, are leaving in hurry to come to Edo State to do business owing to the prevailing atmosphere of peace peculiar to the state. The speaker who was ably represented by the Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly further said that beyond merely building boreholes, Schools, Health care Centres, that are poorly manned, these multi-
national companies should formulate policy that would create employment for members of the host communities as a panacea to bridging the gap between development and the attainment of the social needs of the host communities to avert possible disaffection and conflicts. The workshop with the theme; industrial harmony between multi-national companies and host communities organised for members of communities host to some of the multinational companies had in attendance resource persons and experts who in their presentations agreed that multina-national companies should open up channels of communication between them and their host communities. According to Dr. John Anegbode of the Department of Political Science, Ambrose Ali University, in his presentation said the frequency of conflicts between multinational companies and host communities, resulting from the complete lack of social, economic, infrastructure, lack of basic amenities and high rate crime and unemployment, can be addressed when channels of communication between them and their host communities are opened up through social dialogue. While he submitted that social dialogue remains the key strategy for conflict prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts, he concluded that the state of host communities latent consequence of environmental degradation and pollution which has remained a constant source of friction between both parties can be resolved through effective communication in line with the enforcement of the policy of corporate social responsibility.
Oshiomhole lays foundation
Speaker urges multinationals to enforce best practices
Governor eulogises Prof Iyayi Continued from page 1
literary engagements and academic interventions in his quest for social justice, equity and fairness in the country. “As comrades in the struggle, we had robust debates, and sometimes disagreements on the best methods to achieve the best results, but there was never a doubt of his patriotism, his unrepentant commitment that the country ought to be much better than it is. “Even as he had left ASUU as President, his passion for education led him to continue to play an active part in the affairs of the Union. “Today is a sad day for the people of Edo State, it’s a sad day for the Progressive Forces, it’s a sad day for the radical movement and it’s a sad day for the community of Academic and even Non-Academic Staff. We truly have lost an illustrious Nigerian, a Pan-Nigerian who believes that this country can do better. My heart goes to his family and friends, the ASUU President and the entire Nigerian Academic Community and I pray God to console them and grant the late Iyayi eternal rest. Meanwhile, The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its National Executive Council meeting planned to hold in Kano yesterday the union’s President, Dr Nasir Fagge, has announced. Fagge announced the decision at a news briefing in
Kano yesterday and explained that the union found it necessary to suspend the meeting following the sudden death of Prof Festus Iyayi. Iyayi, a former president of the union, died in a motor accident in Lokoja on Tuesday, while he was going for the meeting at which the union was expected to decide on its nearly five-month-old strike. Fagge described the death of Iyayi as a great loss to the country and added that the deceased was a strong pillar of the union. “You (journalists) have to bear with us because we are in mourning because we lost one of us, who was a strong pillar,’’ he said. Meanwhile, a student, who preferred not to be named, expressed sadness over the development. “We are not happy with the situation because we have overstayed at home,’’, the student said. Another student called on ASUU to fix a new date for the meeting in order to resolve the lingering crisis. “We are not really happy but since it is the death of their member, they were right to have suspended the meeting. “But we thought they will fix a new date for the meeting before leaving the venue,’’ he added. Reports say that chairmen of various branches of the union who came for the meeting left for their stations from Bayero University, Kano, where the meeting was scheduled to hold.
in the allocation from the federal revenue allocation coupled with the advent of the rainy seasons has slowed down the pace of work noting that every road projects earmarked for construction will be completed in due time. According to Barr. Osarodion Ogie, the ministry generated N239.48m as internal generated revenue while N89.87m from an approved N130m as personal cost and N8.39m from an approved N25m as over –head cost was accessed, noting that the ministry received N12.65bn from an approved N33bn for capital expenditure. Also during briefing at the plenary session yesterday the commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas Ambassador Orobosa OmoOjo (JP) in his presentation said that the ministry has generated N120million from January 2013 till date. The commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas appealed to parliament to help seek an amendment to the laws establishing EDSOGPADEC to enable the Ministry have a supervisory function over the activities of the commission for effective performance for development in the oil and gas producing area. Amb. Orobosa Omo-Ojo further said that the commission had completed projects ranging from construction of boreholes, market stalls, health Centre in the 3 oil producing local government councils. According to the commissioner, 27 projects have been completed while 28 others are ongoing in Orhionmwon, 17 completed and 19 ongoing projects are in Ikpoba-Okha while 21 others are completed and 22 ongoing projects are in Ovia North-East. While Hon. Friday Ogierhiakhi commended Amb Omo-Ojo for painstakingly making the ministry viable and efficient within a short period of assumption in office, Hon. Johnson Oghuma said that parliament should consider the need to amend the laws establishing EDSOGPADEC just as Hon. Patrick Osayinwen canvassed a synergy between the ministry and the commission for development purpose. In the same vein, the commissioner for Energy and Water Resources and his counterpart in the ministry of Arts and Culture were on hand to make their presentation. The commissioner for Arts and Culture, Ms. Jemitola Anena revealed that a total of N199.3m was approved for the ministry from which N 27. 7m was accessed for capital expenditure and N10.95 as recurrent expenditure while a total of N9.08m was generated.. The Commissioner Energy and Water Resources, Mr. Chris Ebare in his presentation disclosed that his ministry generated N4.63m.
Competition for Clara Oshiomhole Trophy Kicks Off BENIN CITY - The annual inter-local government area cleanliness competition for the Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole Trophy kicks off from November 13, 2013. The annual competition is organized by the Rural Health Society International (RHSI), non-profit, nonpolitical and nongovernmental Organisation (NGO) of humanitarian volunteers for the improvement of the health condition of rural dwellers. The monitoring and evaluation team of the RHSI will physically assess two randomly chosen wards in each local government areas of Edo State.
According to a statement signed by Dr. (Sir) M. A. Osumah (KSJI) and Dr. O. P. Edugbi, president and secretary respectively of RHSI, members of the monitoring and evaluation team will inspect local government councils in Edo South senatorial district from November 13 to 19, 2013, while it will be the turn of Edo Central Senatorial district from November 20 to 26, 2013. The team will visit Edo North Senatorial District from November 27 to December 3, 2013, in preparation for the award ceremony for the presentation of the gold cup in December 2013.
Good leadership, Panancea for poverty reduction - Ihonvbere By QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO BENIN CITY – Secretary to Edo Stare Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere says there is need for Nigeria to move beyond pockets of progress by ensuring good leadership and adequate political structure, toward poverty reduction. He stated this yesterday in Benin City, while addressing the 20th edition of Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), Annual Development Forum with the theme, “Ending Extreme Poverty in Nigeria: Issues and Way forward.” Prof. Ihonvbere who remarked that good leadership must begin from the home, lamented that “there is no way the present political structure in Nigeria can promote development and growth,” adding that the prevailing structure can only yield pockets of progress. According to the SSG, to eradicate poverty, “the problem of inequality and injustice must be addressed rather than hiding them with statistics”.
He equally observed that leadership is about compassion, credibility, integrity, focus, amongst other qualities; just as he noted that people must have the courage to speak the truth, ask questions and weigh what leaders tell them. Prof. Ihonvbere therefore submitted that the political structure, process and engagements should be sanitized and allies of integrity and patriotism must be built. Managing Director, LAPO, Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, in his welcome address said people can only enjoy the good life if they are productive and able to galvanize resource to create wealth that can expand the economy and provide for the teeming population of the poor. Papers were delivered by Prof. Richard Abulimen Anao on “value reorientation: Tool for addressing Poverty in Nigeria”, and Dr. Henrietta Agun on “Role of Public – Private Partnership in Poverty Reduction in Nigeria.”
Senate pegs crude oil price at N160 to dollar Continued from page 1 is not acceptable. These resolutions followed adoption yesterday of the 2014 to 2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), preparatory to President Goodluck Jonathan presentation of 2014 Budget. The report which was presented by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led National Assembly Committees on Finance and Appropriation observed that “oil theft came into prominence in 2012 with a daily loss of about 150,000bpd” and that “by July 2013, the loss had risen to about 400,000bpd. Government needs to take some drastic steps to halt this development”. The joint committees further stressed the need for government to work seriously on some of the key macroeconomic indicators such as the growth of GDP and its impact on unemployment; inflation rates, interest rates, the status of the Sinking Fund
and Debt Sustainability Analysis of 2013 and 2014, the alarming rate of uncompleted projects, debt profile and their status and the future of AMCON are equally of concern. “If these issues are not effectively looked into or controlled”, the report continued, “the economic and infrastructural development aspirations of the nation would remain a mirage”. “As can be observed, the key indices contained in the current MTEF/FSP do not show significant improvement in terms of their contributions to economic growth and development. Moreover, the continuous building up of the nation’s external reserve above the internationally recognized standards of three months national import, at the expense of the provision of critical infrastructure whose multiplier effect on GDP would boost national development, should not continue unchecked”, the report added.
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Across The Nation
Kerosene Scarcity Hits Awka
AWKA - Residents of Awka, the Anambra capital have bemoaned the high prices conducted kerosene, following the scarcity of the product.
A market survey by newsmen showed that the product was being sold at between N110 and N140 per liter as against the official pump price of N50 sold
at the NNPC Mega Station in Awka. Some attendants at independent filling stations
visited said the high cost of kerosene was due to nonavailability of the product to dealers.
Mr. Ifeanyi Nwamuo, an attendant with Total Filling Station at Ukwuoji, Awka, said that the product had not been supplied to the stations in many months. He said that the process of getting the product was hard and that failed attempts to secure supply had compelled their station to stop the procurement of kerosene. Mrs. Tina Nwaegbo, a private dealer also attributed the high cost of the commodity in Awka to the means of procurement and the large-scale bribery before getting the product. Nwaegbo said that dealers needed to recover their expenses after procurement and that it was the end users who would bear the cost.
She said that the Federal Government should make the business policy easy so as to eliminate third parties involved in kerosene procurement. The NNPC Mega Station Manager in Awka, Mrs. Ngozi Onyiliofor, said that the station had been selling the product to the public at the approved pump price of 50k per liter He colleague, Mrs. Florence Nwaokoye, said that the supply of the product to station had been steady, compared to previous months when kerosene was out of supply in Awka and environs. She urged the government to ensure availability of the product this season, to facilitate the celebration of Christmas.
Utoka-Urumwon Boundary
Panel Upholds Palace Report L-R: Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), former Head of State; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC leader at the 5th anniversary ceremony of the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the official launch of the APC in Edo State Tuesday.
Edo CJ Rewards Outstanding By ROLAND OSAKUE/ Staff CASSIUS LAMAI BENIN CITY As part of efforts to promote efficiency and reward excellence, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Cromwell Idahosa yesterday presented plagues and certificate to some outstanding staff of the judicial service commission in the state. Those who benefited from the gestures were mainly staff within the cadre of the gardener, drivers, secretaries among others, whose activities and contributions to work have elevated the status of the judicial commission, Speaking at the ceremony, Justice Idahosa stated that the award had become necessary for the deserving staff following their outstanding performance and dedication to work, which he said was a challenge for others to emulate. The chief judge further explained that the High Court Judges were not parties to the selection of the awardees, even as he assured the people that the event would be of annual exercise. While commending the efforts of some counsel, particularly Olayinwola Afolabi, Mr. Osayande and late Barrister Gaja, whose contributions have overtime complemented the quick dispensation of justice in
the state. Justice Idahosa urged them to put their duty first, as there are rewards for tomorrow. Also, in his contribution, a Notary Public, Barrister Olayinwola Afolabi said he was impressed with the current rate of dispensation of justice, even as he donated a refrigerator, a bag of rice and a copy of the Holy Bible to one of the awardees, Mr. Taiwo Aikharia, who is the registrar, Customary Court of Appeal, Beneficiaries of the prestigious worker outsanding awards in the judicial service commission are Mr. Ekiomado Okhaide and Miss Evelyn Arhete, while Miss J. Iyoha, Mr. P Ashaba, Mr J. Uwota, Mr. A. Imaghodor, Mr. J. Orawemen and Mrs. C. Emoekpere got the dedidcated and loyal staff awards. Those who got the best staff in the High Directorate were Linda Ifueko Eghomowanre, Aitokpa Evelyn, Bernard Osayi, Palmer Oronsaye, Aminetu Bello, Ayeni George, Akalu Andrew, Wilson Eriagbonye, Omoretin Odigie, Michael Adebayo and Mrs Suzan Omorogbe. The ceremony was well attended by staff of the Judicial Service Commission, as well as the President Customary Court of Appeal, Benin, Justice Peter Isibor, among others.
BENIN CITY- The panel set up by the Association of Enigie in Benin Kingdom to look into the disobedience of the Enogie of Utoka to the Oba Palace decision on the boundary dispute between Utoka and
L-R: 1st Vice President, National Assembly of Djibuti, Mr. Mohamed Hoomed; former UN Undersecretary, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and former President, African Development Bank, Dr. Babacar Ndiaye, at the 1st Africa Legislative Summit in Abuja on Monday.
Monarch Extols Late Admiral Akhigbe
By LAMAI CASSIUS
EKPERI -The traditional ruler of Ekperi kingdom, HRH Alhaji D. Y. E. Kanoba, the Egiegbai II has urged the people of Etsako Central local government to emulate the
virtues of late Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe (GCON) whom he described as a military gentleman who never used his military powers to oppress or intimidate anybody in the society. The royal father stated this at
his palace in Ekperi land while reacting to Vice-Admiral Mike Akhigbe’s death saying that the death has created a great vacuum in the local government and the state at large.
court that a reliable surety would be provided if bail was granted. Nongo, however, opposed the bail, saying that the man the accused claimed to have collected the fake dollars from was still at large and bail might distort police investigations. He also said that cheating by personation, which attracts five
years’ imprisonment, was not an ordinarily bailable offence. The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N800,000 with a surety in like sum. Kagarko said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and adjourned the case to January 15 for hearing.
The monarch who has a long
Police Arraign Prophet For Cheating, Possession Of Fake $4,200
ABUJA - The police has arraigned a prophet, Olasibekan Olayemi, 22, of Utako village, Abuja, in a Karu Upper Area Court in the FCT, on charges of cheating and being in possession of fake dollars. The prosecutor, Cpl. Isreal Nongo, told the court that one Bolaji Iman of Airport Junction Road, Abuja, lodged a report against the accused at the Apo Police Station on November 1. He also said that Olayemi
deceived Iman and Iman’s friend, Ahmed Isa, by introducing himself to them as a prophet sometime in October. Nongo alleged that Olayemi showed the complainants fake 4,200 dollars (about N672,000) and deceitfully collected the sum of N500,000 and N250,000 respectively from them. He alleged that during
Urumwon Communities has submitted its report to the palace. The panel’s report presented at the palace, upheld the earlier palace report to the effect that, Ogbonmwen River is the boundary between Urumwon and Utoka Communities and not the purported moat. According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the Oba of Benin, the panel therefore recommended that both parties should abide by the palace panel report on the matter as approved by the Omo N’Oba in a palace ruling dated 3rd June 2011. The statement further stated that, considering the report of the panel, the suspension which was earlier placed on the Enogie of Utoka has been relaxed having showed remorse for his act of disobedience to the palace of the highly esteemed Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin Kingdom. It will be recalled that a panel was recently constituted by Enigie from the Royal palace to investigate allegations of act of disobedience to royal Benin Palace by the Enogie of Utoka.
investigation, Olayemi admitted to collecting the said fake U.S. dollars from his boss, one Somi of Ekiti State. The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 324 and 319 of the Penal Code, but Olayemi denied the charges. The defence counsel, Mr Tajudeen Adebite, applied for bail for his client, assuring the
relationship with the late Admiral, even before he became the military governor of Ondo and Lagos states described Admiral Akhigbe as a man who had his people in mind adding that if not for him, there would have been nothing like roads today linking AuchiEkperi to Agenebode road, Fugar to Ekperi road. Paying special tribute to the late admiral Akhigbe, the traditional ruler said admiral was one of the leading voice against the oppression of the Edo north people especially when some people said it was not the turn of Edo north to produce the governor, but today it has not only produced the governor but the best and that was as a result of the late Admiral’s efforts. The traditional ruler said the Admiral’s death was a big blow to Etsako Central local government as the vacuum will be very difficult to fill because he was a man who believed in the truth.
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
News Commissioner Tasks Civil Servants On Dedication To Duty
LAFIA- Alhaji Danladi Madaki, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, has urged civil servants in the state to be dedicated to their duties to move the state forward. Madaki made the call in Lafia during a send off gathering organised for the out-going Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Gamaliel Monday. The commissioner said it was by keeping good records that civil servants would be remembered when transferred to an-
other place or retired from service. He urged staff of the ministry to be hardworking and exhibit good conduct at all times for better service delivery. The outgoing permanent secretary, who was transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, commended the management of the ministry for the gesture. He advised staff of the ministry to support the commissioner to enable him to succeed.
ASABA- An Asaba Chief Magistrates’ Court remanded a 29-year-old tricycle operator, Patrick Adinomie, in prison custody for alleged possession of live ammunition. The accused is standing trial on a one-count-charge of unlawful possession of live ammunition. The prosecutor, Mr Faith Esenwa, told the court that the accused, who resided in Cable Point, Asaba, on Sept. 13 unlawfully had a pistol in his possession. Esenwa said that the offence
contravened the Robbery and Firearms (Special provision) Act of 2004. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Augustina Monye, who did not take the plea of the accused, said that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case. Monye ordered that duplicate copies of the accused case file should be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. The chief magistrate adjourned the case to November 29 for mention.
Court Remands Tricycle Operator Gen Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State (right) and Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the 5th Anniversary ceremony of the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and official launch of the APC in Edo State recently.
Fadama III
70 Farmers Get Water Pumps K I R I K A S A M M A (JIGAWA)-The Fadama III programme in Jigawa has distributed water pumps to 70 farmers in the Kirikasamma Local Government Area of the state. The Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Abba Daguro, while distributing the items, said 70 tube wells were also provided to the benefiting farmers. “The gesture is to assist the farmers and encourage irrigation activities in the area,’’ he said. Daguro said the donation was being executed as a collaboration between the local council,
the state government and Fadama III programme. He said the council had paid its counterpart fund to the Fadama II and Fadama III programmes, to enable people in the area participate in the programme. Also speaking, Malam Yakubu Babura, a director of the State Project Office, said the programme was supporting farmers to enhance agricultural activities. “It also helps to provide means of livelihood and encourage infrastructure development at the grassroots,’’ he said.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left) and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC leader at the 5th Anniversary ceremony of the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and official launch of APC in Edo State recently.
Kwara Inaugurates New Security Outfit
ILORINGovernor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara inaugurated a new state security outfit tagged “Operation Harmony’’ and donated 15 Toyota Hilux pickup vans to it. The reports state that opera-
tives of the outfit were selected from the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Corps and State Security Ser-
NYSC Orientation Camps Closely Monitored -Bozimo
SOKOTO- Chairman, Governing Board of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),Mr Gordon Bozimo, said that NYSC Orientation Camps nationwide, were being closely monitored by security agents to ensure the safety of Corps members. The Chairman gave the assurance in Sokoto in his address to batch “C” 2013 NYSC members posted to the state. Bozimo, who was represented by a member of the board, Mr Dominic Yahaya, said “far reaching measures have been put in place to contend with the present security challenges affecting not only Nigeria, but the
whole world. “We are mindful of the isolated cases of kidnapping, sectarianism, insurgency, terrorism , rape , assaults and communal cross-fires, among others, which sometimes affect Corps members directly or indirectly. ‘“Although these challenges affect other persons in our society, Corps members are a unique set of people who deserve special protection,” he said. Bozimo stated that the security agencies had promised to ‘keep watch over all corps mem-
bers’ orientation camps spread across the federation. “We also wish to assure you that the distress call centre, established two years ago, is operating smoothly. “It is meant to ensure that the corps members report any form of threat to their lives and safety, using their mobile phones, for quick response by the security agencies,” he stated. He said that the visit to the camp, was to assess the state of the facilities on ground, as well as the welfare and comfort of the Corps members.
Bozimo assured that the federal government was fully committed to adequately funding the scheme. ‘“The scheme is serving the larger interests of Nigerians and it is contributing to national integration and unity,” he added. Also speaking, the Sokoto state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Thomas Yamma and the Chairman of NYSC Board, Alhaji Halliru Tambuwal, assured the Corp members of adequate arrangements for their security and welfare.
vices. In his speech at the inauguration, Ahmed appealed to the operatives to assist the government to reduce crime in the state. He said the inauguration of the outfit was an indication of the confidence his administration had on the abilities of the operatives to sustain peace if given the necessary incentives and support. The governor commended the officers and men of the various security agencies in the state for their roles “in keeping our streets safe, our homes secured and our neighbourhood protected.’’ The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, said the inauguration of the outfit was timely, “in view of the expected upsurge in crime and criminality
as the year draws to an end.’’ In another development, Gov. Ahmed also swore-in 15 of the 16 newly elected chairmen of local councils in the state. The chairman of Offa Local Government was not among those sworn-in as he had recently been sworn in. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, the governor called for more resources and responsibilities to states and local governments for the development of critical sectors of the economy. He listed the critical sectors to include agriculture, water supply, health, environment and road construction. He stressed the need for devolution of more powers to states and local councils, saying they were closer to the people and in a better position to improve the wellbeing of the people.
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News Pandemonium As Robbers Attack Bus ENUGU- There was pandemonium at Coal Camp in Enugu following sporadic shooting by gunmen suspected to be robbers. An eyewitness told newsmen that the popular auto parts market in the area was thrown into confusion following the shooting which left one person dead and two others injured. The spokesman of the state police command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement that the police had begun investigations into the shooting. Amaraizu said the dead man was the driver of a bus belonging to a company based in Enugu and that it appeared the hoodlums trailed the bus from somewhere. He said the police suspected that the driver and the other occupants of the bus were conveying some goods and undisclosed amount of money. He said the corpse of the dead man had been deposited in a nearby hospital mortuary while the injured were also being treated in the hospital. The spokesman advised members of the public to always apply for police cover whenever they had to move valuables from one location to another. He also announced that policemen from the Awkunanaw Division in the coal city had nabbed three notorious armed robbery suspects who terrorised the people of the area. Amaraizu said the gang which included a woman specialised in terrorising members of the public within Liberation Road, Awkunanaw and its environs with a tricycle. He said the police recovered a loaded locally-made gun and a tricycle from the hoodlums and that they were helping the police in their investigations.
Girl-Child Education Central To National Devt - Commission
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (middle), Hon. Clem Agba, Commissioner for Environment, Pa Pullen Erhabor, Odionwere of Princess Ukpomwan Ezomo Street, Hon. Charles Idahosa and Hon. Osarodion Ogie during the commissioning of Princess Ukpomwan Street, Off Airport Road, Benin City. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBOESERE.
L-R: Rt. Hon. Pius Odubu, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and Rt. Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon during the commissioning of Princess Ukpomwan Street, Off Airport Road, Benin City. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE.
Democracy Ke To Africa’s Stability ABUJA- President Goodluck Jonathan has said in Abuja that to institutionalise political stability in Africa, democracy must evolve within the context of the continent’s history. Jonathan made the observation while declaring open the First African Legislative Summit organised by the National Assembly at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Reports say that the three-day summit is being attended by parliamentarians from African countries, Europe and Canada.
The Summit with the theme “Emerging Legislatures in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities”, is also being attended by the Vice President of Liberia, Joseph Boikai and former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae. Declaring the summit open, Jonathan noted that while Africa had gradually moved on from the era of one-party state and authoritarian military regimes, democratic evolution must reflect the past experiences and history.
Court Adjourns APC’s Case Against ENUGU- An Enugu State try. ENSIEC High Court has adjourned the The Counsel to ENSIEC, Mrs case filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Enugu State Independent Electoral commission (ENSIEC) to January 21, 2014 for definite hearing. The state Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezurike, adjourned the case to enable him to give fair hearing to the matter. Reports say that the APC in a
MINNA - The Acting Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), Malam Ibrahim Yamta, said the education of the girl-child was central to national development. Yamta said this in Minna at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop for the commission’s Women Development Officers. “The education of nomadic girls, who are mothers of tomorrow, is an absolute necessity for the social, economic and political development of the society. “In this regard, there should be no excuses to justify the lev-
motion filed on October 31 challenged the disqualification of some of its candidates by ENSIEC from contesting in the November 2 Local Government election. The APC is also seeking the judicial interpretations of the constitutional provision regarding the eligibility of candidate to contest election in the coun-
Amaka Madu, in her motion argued that the case should be disposed off and closed for lack of merit. The local government election was held November 2 and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all the 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship seats available.
tion of African leaders must be - Jonathan to win the war against ethnic
“State formation in the western world did not follow the same pattern as we are in Africa. ‘Africa was in its own process of state formation built along historical, cultural, political, economic and military context when the twin-scourge of slave trade and colonialism disrupted the emerging pattern in our development. ‘We experienced the misfortune of being treated purely as factory for slaves and raw materials and for the convenience of the colonial power. “The building blocks of state formation were turned and juggled up, leading to a further fragmentation of our society. “Even though we have gone through different stages of selfgovernance and political independence, most African countries are still struggling to achieve true nationhood,’’ he said The president said that the greater task before the genera-
bias, religious intolerance and political instability. He noted that the legislative arm of government, as true representatives of the people, was critical to the success and workings of democracy. Jonathan said legislation, oversight functions and appropriation by the legislative arms must stimulate economic growth and foster political cohesion and stability.
ity with which girl-child education is treated,’’ he said Yamta said the workshop’s objective was to enhance the capacity of participants to articulate viable programmes to overcome some challenges impeding the education of the girl child at the grassroots. “The essence of this workshop is to enhance the capacity of our women development officers in developing the Nomadic Education Programme, especially the girl-child education,” he said. The acting executive secretary said the programme had come at a critical time when the Federal Government was focusing on women empowerment, poverty alleviation and girl-child education. “Government’s focus is in line with the four-year strategic plan of the education sector,’’ he said. Earlier, while declaring the workshop open, Alhaji Muhammad Shettima, Chairman of the Governing Board of NCNE, said participants were expected to equip others with information on skills they acquired. “The participants will also create awareness on the importance of girl-child education for the benefit of adolescent nomadic mothers,’’ he said. The NCNE board chairman called for the commitment and dedication of stakeholders in the implementation of the Nomadic Education Programme. “This will help in the bid to attain national and international goals such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) and Education For All (EFA),’’ he said. Shettima thanked the Niger Government for the support and attention it had given to the programme over the years. Reports say that those attending the workshop are from the six geo-political zones of the country.
Man Arraigned For Car ENUGU- An Enugu High Snatching Court, presided over by Justice Catherine Nwobodo adjourned a case of robbery involving one Chukwuma Udeh to January 20 for adoption of final addresses. Udeh was accused of snatching a KIA Optima car with registration number LG 04 UWN from one Celestine Nnaji on July 18, 2010 at Ndiagu-Amaechi Awkunanaw, Enugu. The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Dele Orimogunde, alleged that
the accused also stole two handsets, identity cards, weighing machine, a handbag and N13,000 from the car. The accused who pleaded not guilty, said he was arrested in a bar where he was drinking with his friends on that fateful day. He said that he did not have a gun and that he never robbed anybody.
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South West
Hospital Bill: Ekiti Gives 58 Persons N33m ADO-EKITI- Ekiti State government gave cheques for N33 million to 58 critically ill persons for payment of their medical bills. Reports say that the beneficiaries who are of both sexes are from diverse
background from the 16 local government areas of the state. Governor Kayode Fayemi, who personally gave out the cheques, did not state the amount given each patient at the event which took place at Okeyinmi Basic Health
Centre in Ado-Ekiti. The governor said he decided to settle their bills out of concern for their welfare and well-being. According to him, the issuance of cheques to people
suffering one health challenge or the other started in 2011 when he came into office. He said Monday’s exercise would be the seventh in three years, adding that N190
million had so far been given out. The Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasuba, lauded the governor’s resolve to help the people in spite of the state’s
lean resources. Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ajoke Ojo and Mr Bamidele Kayode expressed gratitude to the governor for the assistance.
Man, 35 , Arraigned For Stealing N2.5m
I BADAN- The police arraigned one 35-year-old Rasheed Osingbelu in an Ibadan. Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Iyaganku, charged with stealing N2.5 million. Osingbelu was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money on false pretext and stealing. The prosecutor, Insp Aliu Samad, told the court that the accused person conspired with two others now at large to steal the amount, belonging to one Mustapha Monsuru of Challenge Area,
We’ll Allocate Land To Genuine Investors - Commissioner
ABEOKUTA- Only genuine agricultural investors would be allocated land by Ogun government in its bid to boost food production, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Ronke Sokefun, said. The commissioner stated this at the harvest of 80 hectares ofada rice by a private rice investor, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area. Sokefun called on genuine investors to be part of the state government’s determination to enhance the state’s sustainable agricultural production. The commissioner, however, warned investors and those that had been allocated land for agricultural purposes to stick to the terms of agreement. “They must not convert them to other uses as the government will enforce the agreement to the letter,” she said. The commissioner said the 80 hectares ofada rice farm is a public-private partnership initiative. “The project is complementing the state government’s one thousand hectares’ rice cultivation in Eggua in Yewa North Local Government Area,’’ she said. Ashimolowo expressed gratitude to the state government for its technical support, and promised to increase cultivation in 2014.
Ibadan. Samad said the offence was committed on September 21 at Challenge Area, Felele, Ibadan, contrary to sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State 2000. However, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olaide Amzat, granted bail to the accused person in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum. Amzat said one of the sureties must be a civil servant or a land owner, as he adjourned the case to November 13 for further hearing.
Mrs Blessing Magida, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development (right) presenting the brief of her Ministry to Mr. James Omoataman, Deputy Clerk Legislative Matters, Edo State House of Assembly during the commissioner’s appearance at the House. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
Board Laments Shortage Of Funds
OSOGBO- Mr Babatunde Ibirogba, the Board Chairman of Osun State Capital Territory Development Authority, says the board has financial and man power challenges. Ibirogba stated this when members of the board paid a courtesy visit on the House of Assembly Committee on Lands, Urban and Physical Planning in Osogbo. “This agency was created in 1991 with the objective of overall development of the state capital and the
environment. “But due to financial and manpower constraint, the board is in the state of moribund and we need the intervention of the house.’’ He said N100 million was allocated to the agency in 2012 for the development of the state capital and nine local government areas. The board chairman further said that other government ministries and agencies had taken over the functions and responsibilities of the agency. “We are on the same page with the transformation
agenda of the government but we need free hand to operate in accordance with the law,’’ Ibirogba said. He urged the house to review the law establishing the board and to also ensure adequate budgetary allocation to the board to enable it to perform its functions effectively. The chairman of the committee, Mr Johnson Ojo, promised that the house would assist the agency to perform effectively, and urged the board to be alive to its responsibilities.
Mr Akintunde Adegboye, the deputy speaker, asked the board to send its requests to the house for consideration.
“The house is ready to give you necessary financial support if we see that you are working.’’
OSOGBOOsun Government has given all contractors handling road projects in all local government areas (LGAs) of the state up to December to complete the job or face its wrath. Mr Oladepo Amudah, the Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Works and Transport, gave the
ultimatum in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo.
Osun Issues Contractors Ultimatum
Barr. Henry Idahagbon, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice (right) presenting the brief of his Ministry to Mr. James Omoataman, Deputy Clerk Legislative Matters, Edo State House of Assembly during the Commissioner’s appearance at the House recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
“The performance of some contractors constructing or rehabilitating road projects in the state is discouraging and below expectations,’’ he said. Amudah warned that any contractor who failed to comply with the state government’s directive on project specification would be adequately sanctioned. ‘Government has provided all the necessary logistics and funds required for good quality job and timely completion as far back as June,’’ he said. The special adviser noted that due to inclement weather the government had to extend the time to September to give room for adjustment. He said however that a greater number of the contractors was still not measuring up to the standard required by the government in spite of this development. Amudah lauded some of the contractors who had so far performed creditably, and admonished them to continue in the same spirit. He reminded the contractors that the Aregbesola-led state administration would not tolerate any shoddy job.
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Lagos Security Challenges: Expert Tasks Counselling Association LAGOS- A security expert, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Badewole (rtd), on Monday called on the Counselling Association of Nigeria to use its services to assist in tackling security challenges in the country. Badewole told newsmen in Lagos that such services would have more impact when professional counsellors partnered with the mass media to reach a wider audience.
“Counsellors are character therapists,’’ he said, adding that they could properly mold and guide students and other youths away from vices. He noted that the youth were the most vulnerable to violence, and needed constant counselling. He noted that rape, incest, kidnapping, cultism and killings were rampant in Nigeria, and urged the association to
counsel the youth appropriately. The security expert said that the association was yet to make much impact in the Nigerian society, and advised it to make itself more relevant through effective services. The retired army chief urged more men to be part of the association, saying that the members of the association at the moment were mostly women.
LAGOS- A businessman, Olumuyiwa Banjoko, was charged before an Itire Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing the sum of N300, 000. Banjoko, 58, who resides at No. 39 Raymond Njoku St., Ikoyi, Lagos, is facing a threecount charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing. The prosecutor, Inspector Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that the accused committed the offences on October 27 at about 9: 45 a.m. at No. 25, Olatilewa St., Lawanson, Lagos. Shonibare said that the accused broke into the residence of one Mr Joseph Essien at No. 25 Olatilewa St., Lawanson, Lagos, and stole the sum of N300, 000. He said that the offences con-
travened Sections 279, 305 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. Section 305 stipulates seven years imprisonment, if con-
victed. The Magistrate, Mrs A O Gbajumo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned till December 10 for trial.
Theft: Business Man Docked
Fraud: Witness Tells Court Of Director’s Involvement LAGOS- A businesswoman, Mrs Modupe Olawale, has told a Lagos High Court, sitting at Igbosere how her company director, Olu Osho, allegedly obtained N100 million loan from First Bank of Nigeria Plc, with fake documents. The reports say that Olawale made the allegation at the resumed trial of one Olu Osho and Osbourne Park Ltd., before Justice Ebenezer Adebajo.
Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway
FG Mobilises Contractor
LAGOS-The Director, Federal Highways, South West, Alhaji Kabir Abdullahi, has said that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc had been mobilised to reconstruct the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway. Abdullahi told newsmen in Lagos that Julius Berger, the contractor handling the project, had been paid N2 billion as mobilisation fee, to repair bad portions of the road. He explained that the contractor previously worked on the project without any budgetary allocation, adding that it moved out of site in 2012, due to lack of funding. “We met with Julius Berger and they promised to mobilise back to site, to continue work. “They were working last year, but unfortunately it was zero budget; that was why they demobilised. But this year, government has put some money and they are trying to mobilise. “We were already owing them N1.6 billion and this year’s budget was N2 billion; so with the balance of N400 million, they are going back to work, to at least attend to the critical sections of the road,” he said. The director said that the construction firm was being persuaded to resume work without delay. On the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Abdullahi said that negotiations had reached an advanced stage for the release of funds for the project by the Infrastructure Bank. Also commenting on the Third Mainland Bridge, the director said that a contract for the determination of the stability of the
Hon. Festus Ebea, Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and Hon. Jude IseIdehen, Chairman, Edo State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Public Petition and Labour Matters during a workshop on Industrial Harmony between Multinational Companies and Host Communities organised by the Committee in Benin City recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
bridge was awarded in August. He explained that engineers would work both underwater and on the surface of the bridge, to ensure its safety. “The Federal Government has awarded a contract to a consultant to carry out full investigation of the condition of the Third Mainland Bridge,” he added.
According to the charge, Olu Osho, 45, Sunday Akinyemi, 47 (now deceased) and Osborne Parks Ltd,, on July 23, 2006 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of N100 million by false pretences from First Bank Plc. The charge sheet had since the death of Akinyemi been amended to read: Olu Osho, and Osborne Parks Ltd as first and second defendant, respectively and were re-arraigned on April 25, 2013. Testifying in the case, Olawale, who was led in evidence by an EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said she detected some fraud against the first defendant and the deceased, sometime in 2008. Olawale, who is the Executive Director of Texas Connection Ferries, said: “ I detected that the defendants forged minutes of meetings which enabled them open accounts at FCMB, Zenith, Ecobank, GTB and
Afribank. “They had been operating the accounts and diverting funds to the accounts, in the name of the company.” According to her, the discovery made her to report the matter to the EFCC, which later investigated the case. “It was the investigation that led to the detection of a N10 million deposit paid into the account of Osborne Parks Ltd by the first defendant,” she said. Olawale alleged that the de-
fendants had forged documents to obtain the loan as the documents shown to her in court by the EFCC counsel did not bear her signature. However, the defence counsel, Mr O.A Owolabi, affirmed during the cross-examination that Mr Olu Osho was not aware of the whole transaction. The matter was later adjourned till December 9 and December 12, for continuation of cross-examination. Reports say that Akinyemi (deceased) was the Managing
Director of Texas Connection Ferries, while Osho was the Executive Director of the same company. Both directors were joint signatories to an account opened for Texas Connection Ferries in First Bank Plc. The deceased allegedly took a loan of N100 million and used the company as corporate guarantor, but the money was allegedly transferred to Osborne Parks Ltd. The offence, according to the charge sheet, was contrary to Section 1 (3) and (8a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
Accused Not My Lover, Complainant Tells Court
Theft:
LAGOS- The complainant in a case of theft of a wristwatch worth N20 million on Monday denied giving the watch to one of the accused as a compensation for be-
ing his lover. Mr Tope Agbede, 36, told a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos that the accused, Vivian Clark, was not his girlfriend, and that he gave
A cross section of participants at the workshop organised by the Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Public Petition and Labour Matters in Benin City recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
her the wristwatch to give to his security guard, Ibrahim Abdullahi, when she allegedly stole it. Agbede was being crossexamined by counsel to the accused, Mr Eze Uzoamaka. Clark, 22, was charged along with her stepfather, Ayodele Djamasi, 51, and Abdullahi, 41. Agbede testified that he met Clark during a meeting at the Golden Gate Restaurant and Bar, Ikoyi, Lagos, where she came in company of his business partners. “Since then she has been putting calls across to me for us to meet but I refused,” he said. However, the defence counsel submitted that Agbede could not have handed over a wristwatch of that value to someone other than a close friend or relative. He said that Agbede gave the watch to Clark to hold until he would be able to give her money. The counsel said that Clark was Agbede’s girlfriend who he regularly compensated with money.
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Across The Nation
Group Urges FG To Review Tax Policy
L-R: Deputy Governor, Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Saleh; Chairman, Governing Council, Giwo Science Academy, Alhaji Bello Kirfi; Governor Isa Yuguda and State Commissioneer for Education, Alhaji Sani Burra, at the inauguration of Giwo Science Academy in Bauchi recently.
ABUJA- The Tax Justice Network Nigeria, a civil society group, has called on the Federal Government to review its policy of granting tax breaks and waivers to foreign investors. Mr Tunde Aremu, the Policy and Campaign Manager of the network, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. He called for strict sanctions on foreign companies that were operating outside the agreed terms and conditions. Aremu said that he was against tax breaks and waivers to foreign investors in the country. “The World Bank and indeed other global economic institutions agree that tax incentives are the least important thing to investors when they are moving into a country. “The key attraction of investors to a country is the market prospects and infrastructure that can support
their businesses,” he said. Aremu said that Nigeria was losing most of its accruable revenue by signing various trade treaties with other governments on tax incentives. “Because we have situations whereby a company is entitled to a five-year tax break and where there is need for extension, it should not be extended more than two, three years. “But you find a situation whereby companies are now perpetually on incentives. “There is evidence that there are some companies that are given five-year tax break, but they have been operating in our jurisdiction for over 20 years and they have not paid tax. “There are also companies that come to Nigeria, they operate for five years, after getting tax incentives, they then claim that due to some challenges, the company is being sold. “The regulatory bodies do not check the list of the board
members. “The company will just change its name and claim that it has transferred ownership and then negotiate for another five-year incentive,’’ he said. Aremu also said that there were cases of companies that were not contributing to the development of their communities in the areas of energy, water supply and road construction. He called on the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigerian Customs Service, among others, to use their offices to tackle these issues. “All agencies of government should be streamlined and their functions defined. “For instance, the Nigeria Investment and Promotion Council (NIPC) has no business granting incentives or negotiating incentives on behalf of any company. “Its job is just to promote the country and make the country attractive to foreign investors, not negotiating incentives.
Yuletide: NURTW Tasks FG On Road Maintenance
Students of Giwo Academy welcoming Governor Isa Yuguda to the inauguration of the academy in Bauchi recently.
Man Demands N1bn Compensation Over Son’s Death
JOS,-A retired Police Officer, Yakubu Chollom, has dragged the Special Task Force (STF) before a Jos Federal High Court over the killing of his son, Victor, 33. Chollom, 55, accused the STF of allegedly causing the death of his son, who died on July 24 after the deceased was manhandled by the task force personnel. He accused the task force for arresting, detaining and torturing Victor for “no just cause”, which led to his death and demanded for N1 billion as compensation. Also joined in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation; Chief of Defence Staff; Chief of Army Staff; Commandant General, NSCDC, and STF Commander as 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th respondents, respectively, among others. Chollom, through his Counsel, Mr Gyang Zi, told the court presided over by Justice Ayo Emmanuel, that officers and men of the STF maintaining peace in Plateau arrested Victor at his home only to torture and murder him in cold blood. In his application, Chollom prayed the court to declare the
arrest, assault, torture, humiliation, embarrassment, insult, harassment, detention and murder of Victor by the respondents as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. He also sought an injunction restricting the respondents either by themselves, servants or officers from arresting,
ABAKALIKIThe National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has appealed to the Federal Government to make all roads motorable ahead of the festive period. The NURTW Chairman in Ebonyi, Mr Anthony Ewa, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki. He said this would guarantee the safety of road users during the festive period. The NURTW chairman said government had done much to improve the transport sector, but noted that safety of the commuters and drivers should also be considered. “I commend the Federal Government’s effort to improve transport system in Nigeria. “This is one of the transformation agenda of Mr President to cushion the effect of oil subsidy removal and we are indeed happy with this step,” he said.
According to him, the Christmas period, like any other festive period in the country, is always a busy period, especially on the roads. “The season is one of the most critical periods for the FRSC and other related agencies on road traffic management in an effort to ensure safety of commuters,” he said. On efforts to improve NURTW services during the Christmas season, Ewa said additional buses would be on the roads to move the large number of commuters during the period. He said the union has fashioned out ways to ensure accident-free festive season, which he said, would involve drivers paying more attention to their fitness and complying with road safety rules. The NURTW chairman also promised to ensure that drivers received professional training in partnership with other unions to reduce road accidents and make it safer.
the deceased was trying to settle a quarrel between him and his business partner. “In the process, the accused became infuriated by the deceased’s intervention and stabbed him with a broken bottle. “He inflicted injuries on the deceased which led to his death,’’ Takim said. He said the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The reports state that the court had in January adjourned the case pending the DPP’s report and ordered that the accused should be remanded in prisons.
detaining, torturing, humiliating and killing of innocent Nigerians. According to Chollom, his son, a professional photographer, had on May 19, gone to Jenta, Kabong in Jos metropolis, to cover the birthday party of his friend, Mr Emmanuel Joseph, who at the end gave a car to drop
him at his home at Alheri, Zaria road, Jos. He argued that the trio, Ahanan Peter, Yawul and Chosen, who dropped Victor later returned with some STF personnel who had allegedly stopped them on their way back and inquired where they were coming from.
The prosecutor, Insp. Chris Takim, had on January 30 arraigned the accused, a mechanic, for allegedly
killing Osadolo. He told the court that the accused, who resides at No. 26, Eran Road, Ijanikin, stabbed Osadolo, a co-tenant,
with a broken bottle on the head and neck. According to him, Tofiko committed the offence when
Rabi Musa, were arraigned before the court on October 9 for alleged conspiracy and assault. They were dragged to court by one A’isha Usman of Calabar St., Kaduna, who told the court that the three had conspired to beat her up and stripped her naked for no just cause. Only Ibrahim was in court when the case was first mentioned, but the presiding officer agreed to release them on
bail through the father of one of the accused, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad. At the resumed hearing on Monday, non of the accused persons was in court, a situation which prompted the prosecution to ask the court to order for their arrest. The judge granted the request by issuing a bench warrant against the three before adjourning the case to November 14.
Murder: Beninoise Has Case To Answer - Court
LAGOS-A Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court has ruled that a 23-year-old Beninoise, Kaliso Tofiko, had a case to answer in the alleged murder of a 22-year-old Nigerian, Ikoponwonsa Osadolo. Magistrate Bola FolarinWilliam gave the ruling at the resumed hearing of the case following a report by the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). She said that the DPP’s report showed that a prima facie case had been established against the accused.
Court Issues Warrant Of Arrest On 3 Women KADUNA- The Magajin Gari Sharia Court II in Kaduna, Kaduna State, has issued warrant of arrest against three women accused of jumping bail. The order was issued by the Presiding Officer, Khadi Ibrahim Muhammad, after the Police prosecutor, Cpl. Bitrus Haruna, applied for the arrest of the three women. Reports state that the three accused persons; Rafiya Ibrahim, Kudirat Bolaji and
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Abuja Court Adjourns Case Against Ogbulafor, ABUJA- An FCT High Court the National Economic IntelliOthers
on Monday adjourned to December 17, for adoption of written addresses by the counsel to the ICPC, Vincent Ogbulafor and two others. The ICPC is prosecuting the former PDP chairman and Minister of Special Duties, Ogbulafor, alongside Emeka Ebilah and Jude Nwokoro, on a 17-count charge of conspiracy and award of fictitious contracts worth N107 million. Justice Ishaq Bello, gave the order after ICPC counsel, Chief Gboyega Awomolo (SAN), fin-
ished cross examination of Ebilah. Ebilah had in his testimony denied knowledge of any payment vouchers lodgments of N28 million he made to Ogbulafor. Ogbulafor, who is answering to a 17-count criminal charge, was alleged to have conspired with Ebilah and Nwokoro to defraud the Federal Government via fictitious contract payments. The ICPC alleged that he used his position as the head of
NGO Urges Govt To Tackle Inequality
ABUJA- Actionaid Nigeria, an NGO, has called for alternative development strategies to tackle structural inequality and ensure justice in the country. Hussaini Abdu, the organisation’s Country Director, made the call at the start of a two-day media consultation on alternative development strategies, in Abuja. Abdu said that in spite of the politicisation of issues of poverty and the reluctance to admit its frightening growth,“it stares us in the face everywhere in the country. “The state of poverty in our country, the deepening of inequality as revealed in many studies conducted by Civil Society Organisations and other researchers, can only be well addressed in a people-focused, human development targeted development strategy,’’ he said. According to him, the essence of convening this forum is not to merely continue the unending discourse on Nigeria development strategies or to conduct another round of assessment “as our nation has never been in want of brilliant documentation of her development policies. “Our priority is how to move forward from doing mere analyses to proposing and organising for ‘alternate development strategies’ that would tackle structural inequality and ensure justice. “As agreed in 2011, we have in the time between then and now prioritise three areas of women’s rights through recognition of the care economy (since called Unpaid Care Work). “Education financing, (named Promoting Right in
School) and tax justice, which is tailored to addressing issues of redistributive and progressive tax system.” He explained that through a progressive tax regime, we could address inequalities in our social, productive and care sectors. “The researches and other works done in these areas and in the area of food security and food rights have been done not alone as Actionaid, but with some of us here,’’ he added. Abdu said that those collaborating in the project include labour, women groups, youths, the unemployed, academia, professionals and state agencies. He said that all these were in agreement on the need for more progressive alternate development strategies. “What we seek here therefore, is that we combine our efforts, build more on the collaborative efforts we have commenced in the past two years. Dr Rukaya Gurin, Deputy Director, National Universities Commission, said that individuals should strive for partnership development through education. She said Federal government on its own part should be able to provide access to education adding, if individuals were educated, then they would have the opportunity to contribute to national development. “Both government and individuals have responsibility of promoting national development,” she said.
gence Committee, NEIC, which was setup to verify debts owed local contractors, and okayed as genuine several forged documents, which it said were relied upon to certify that three bogus companies executed jobs worth over N2.2billion. The three fake companies the accused persons allegedly flaunted in 2001 to siphon N82.6million, 11.5million and N6.2million respectively, were listed by the anti-graft agency in its charge sheet as, Henrichiko Nig Ltd., DHL Consultants and Chekwas Industries. Besides, ICPC told the trial court that its investigations allegedly revealed that Ogbulafor collected kick-backs of N2 million and N28 million from the second accused person, Ebulah, and one Mr Chris Nwoke, respectively, to facilitate the release of the funds to the fake companies.
Senior Lecturer, Department of Telecommunication Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Dr. Aibinu Musa (right), explaining their research work to Supervising Minister of Defence, Mr. Labaran Maku (2nd left), his Science and Technology counterpart, Mrs. Omobola Johnson (3rd right) and Chief of Defence Staff, Adm. Ola Ibrahim (left) at the Air Force Inter-Command and Most Innovative Research and Development Project competition and exhibition in Abuja recently.
Poverty Eradication
NLC To Hold Solidarity Conference
Equipment exhibited at the Air Force Inter-Command and Most Innovative Research and Development Project competition and exhibition in Abuja recently.
FCT National Dialogue C’ttee Submits Recomendation ABUJA- The FCT Steering Committee on National Dialogue has submitted 20 recommendations to the FCT Administration for onward delivery to the National Advisory Committee on National Dialogue. The Chairman of the committee, former Minister of FCT, Dr Aliyu Moddibo, presented the recommendations to the FCT Minister, Mr Bala Muhammad in Abuja. Moddibo said top on the recommendation list was adequate funding for the FCTA to develop its capital infrastructure, resettlement and compensation, as well as employment opportunities for original inhabitants. He said “the committee has come up with 20 recommendations for the FCTA but we are not going to read everything
today. “This is because we are going to present it to the National Advisory Committee on National Dialogue on Wednesday.’’ However, he said, the call for a mayoral status for Abuja by original inhabitants was not captured in the recommendations. He added that independent memorandum from FCT residents would be welcomed. Responding, the FCT minister commended the committee for timeliness, resourcefulness and credible work done, adding that the leadership role of the chairman of the committee was commendable. He said the proposed dialogue would provide an avenue for FCT residents to air their views
as the National Advisory Committee on National Dialogue would hold its public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday. It would be recalled that President GoodLuck Jonathan inaugurated the National Dialogue Advisory Committee on Oct. 7 to examine and resolve long standing impediments to efforts on nation-building. Also, the FCT minister constituted a 26-member FCT Steering Committee on National Dialogue on November 5 to come up with recommendations on problems faced by the city since its inception.
ABUJA- The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it is ready to rally in support of other African countries to end poverty in the continent. Mr Issa Aremu, the NLC Vice President, said this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming Trade Union Federation in Africa conference. Aremu explained that the trilateral conference was the third in the series to be organised by the NLC in conjunction with the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (COSATU) and the Ghana Trade Union Congress (GTUC). He said that the unions must strengthen solidarity and speak with one voice about the desired changes they would want to see in the continent, noting that all three countries had the problem of poverty in spite of being well endowed. Aremu said the forum would also create an opportunity for the unions to exchange views on how to promote closer cooperation among unions in the three countries. “The theme of the conference is “Working Class Solidarity for Poverty Eradication: The Imperative of Re-industrialisation and decent jobs in Africa’’. “The main highlight of the programme is the opening ceremony which will be declared open by Vice President Namadi Sambo on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
THE NIGERIAN
10
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Business + Economy Stockbroker Predicts Lull In Capital Market LAGOS- Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, a stockbroker, has predicted that there would be lull at the capital market from now till December. Yussuf told newsmen in Lagos that the market would not witness any major development during the period as investors would be taking stock of their investments. “Major investors are already taking stocks of their invest-
ments ahead of 2014 and their mission is to avoid reduction in profit associated with end of year activities”. Yussuf, the immediate past President of the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), said that only major policy pronouncement could cause any serious price movement during the period. Meanwhile, investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)
LAGOS- Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed flat with the market indicators recording a marginal growth of 0.07 per cent. Reports state that the NSE All-Share Index appreciated by 27.43 points or 0.07 per cent, to close at 37,898.30 points, against the 37,870.87 points achieved on Friday. The market capitalisation, which opened at N12.100 trillion, grew by N8 billion or 0.07 per cent to close at N12.108 trillion, following marginal gains by some blue chip equities. Conoil topped the gainers’ chart with N5.27, to close at N56.75 per share. Forte Oil followed with N5.24 to close at N110.14 per share, while CAP garnered N2.20 to close at N49.20 per share. MRS increased by 96k to close at N42.75, while Transcorp grew by 22k to close at N2.48 per share. Conversely, Nestle led the losers table with N5, to close at N1, 215 per share. Julius Berger came second on the losers’ chart, dipping N3.34 to close at N71.66, while Cadbury lost 81k to close at N59 per share.
Mobil share price declined by 50k to close at N115, while Dangote Flour dipped 46k to close at N9.72 per share. Wapic Insurance emerged the most sought equity at the close of trading, with an exchange of 54.04 million shares worth N48.35 million. FTN Cocoa trailed with an exchange of 33.19 million shares valued at N16.59 million, while Transcorp accounted for 32.06 million shares worth N79.27 million.
NSE Index Grows By 0.07 Percent
traded 1.83 billion shares worth N22.96 billion in 23,840 deals last week. This was against the 1.71 billion shares valued at N16.47 billion traded in 22,925 deals in the preceding week. The Financial Services sector was the most active with 1.34 billion shares worth N12.80 billion traded in 12,795 deals. The Conglomerates sector followed with 313.37 million shares worth N820.51 million traded in 1,948 deals, while the Consumer Goods sector sold 38.27 million shares worth N3.76 billion in 3,777 deals. The NSE All-Share Index rose by 105.05 points or 0.28 per cent to close at 37,870.87 compared with 37,765.82 achieved in the previous week. Similarly, the market capitalisation rose by N34 billion or 0.28 per cent to close at N12.100 trillion last week, against the N12.066 trillion posted in the preceding week.
Nigeria To Host World Economic Forum Africa In 2014 - Okonjo Iweala
ABUJA- The Minister for Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, says the scheduled World Economic Forum (WEF) in Nigeria will be an opportunity for Africa to showcase its investment potentials. Okonjo-Iweala made this
Naira Records Mix Performance Against Foreign Currencies LAGOS- The Naira depreciated marginally against the dollar at the official and parallel markets, newsmen reports. The Naira at the official market was sold at N157.88 as against N156 offered on Friday, November 8. It exchange for the dollar at N165.5 from the N160.5 it achieved at the Bureau de Change (BDC) on November 8. At the “black’’ market, the
L-R: Zonal Controller, Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMARIV), Mr. Oche Molokwu, representative of Rivers Commissioner for Health, Dr. Okere Iragunima and Assistant Zonal Co-ordinator, NEMA South South Zone, Mr. Godwin Tepikor at Post Crash Development Seminar in Port Harcourt recently.
Naira traded for N164 to the dollar, the same amount sold on Nov. 8. The currency against the Pound was sold at N243, gaining N1 from the N244.50 it was offered on Nov. 8 at the official market. It also appreciated against the Pound at the BDC but traded at N261 higher than N262 sold at the “black market’’ on Friday.
known in Abuja at the official inauguration of the 24th WEF on Africa, tagged “Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs’’. According to her, the forum, scheduled to take place between May 7 and 9, 2014 in Abuja, would attract Head of Governments and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs’) of global firms, among others. “The WEF is a non-profit foundation based in Switzerland, dedicated to improving the states of the world through the facilitation of business en-
gagement. “The African edition began in 1990 and it has been held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. In 2014, it will be in Nigeria. “We are honoured to have been chosen as the venue for this important meeting. “It is a reflection of the growing attraction of Nigeria to the international capital as one of the world’s most rewarding new market”. The minister said that WEF would be an unprecedented op-
portunity for Nigeria to showcase its vast economic opportunities and deepen dialogue on economic reforms between the international and Nigerian private sector. “The theme chosen by the WEF for the 2014 summit aligns perfectly with the medium and long-term aspirations and commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria. “Hosting WEF next year will not only ensure that Nigeria remains the largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Africa.
with newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos, urged the new investors to improve electricity supply in the country. The Chairman, Ojokoro Housing Estate, Ikorodu, Mr Felix Badru, said that power outage had been a major problem to the economic growth. According to him, power outage had pushed up the cost of production of manufacturers. Badru said that the problem of power supply had made the nation uncompetitive as an investment destination.. He said that in spite of the population of over 160 million, the problem of power outage had made the nation one of the world’s largest untapped market. “To substantially boost electricity generation and supply in the country as well as to make the sector commercially viable, President Goodluck Jonathan on Aug. 26, 2010, unveiled the road map for power sector reform. “The President outlined government’s strategies to end
the decade-long electricity crisis,’’ Badru said. He expressed optimism that the power sector would be revitalised with the successful conclusion of the sale of the generation and distribution companies. Badru said that expectations were that electricity-starved Nigerians would soon begin to enjoy regular power supply. The Chairman, Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja, Alhaji Idris Haruna, said that electricity supply was still erratic in spite of the successful handing over of PHCN to investors. Haruna said that the new investors should look inwards and finding lasting solutions to epileptic power supply in the country. “Beyond the rhetoric dished out by government functionaries, the expectation of a typical Nigerian is to have a stable supply of electricity, but reverse is the case,’’ he said.
Power: Expectations Of Nigerians High, As New Owners Take-Over
LAGOS-Some stakeholders have urged new investors in the power sector to make accountability and efficient power supply their watchwords. The stakeholders, who spoke
Officials of Road Safety Corps at Post Crash Development Seminar in Port Harcourt recently.
THE NIGERIAN
11
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (13/11/13) 7UP
68
68
0
0
64,765
4,624,221.00
MRS
42.75
43.21
0.46
0
2,102,819
89,885,374.38
ABCTRANS
0.85
0.81
-0.04
0
1,856,417
1,547,187.09
NAHCO
5.99
5.95
-0.04
0
1,580,937
9,446,957.50
ACCESS
9.35
9.4
0.05
0
6,419,581
60,717,920.04
NASCON
11.75
11.85
0.1
0
897,681
10,673,400.81
AFRIPRUD
2.07
2
-0.07
0
1,412,489
2,829,092.81
NB
178
173
-5
0
1,236,987
216,002,703.10
AGLEVENT
1.57
1.5
-0.07
0
253,655
380,522.50
NEIMETH
1.09
1.04
-0.05
0
640,435
666,052.40
AIICO
0.8
0.78
-0.02
0
5,770,503
4,602,934.67
NEM
0.59
0.57
-0.02
0
3,084,680
1,768,277.60
AIRSERVICE
3.38
3.38
0
0
47,400
158,824.12
NESTLE
1205
1160
-45
0
134,863
157,177,786.50
ARBICO
5.05
5.05
0
0
100
502
NPFMCRFBK
0.84
0.84
0
0
100,000
84,000.00
BERGER
8.12
8.12
0
0
63,951
527,751.24
NSE30
1783.4
1762.94
-20.46
0
137,099,758
2,726,839,754.00
BETAGLAS
13.75
13.75
0
0
96,138
1,345,082.26
NSE50
1938.13
1920.92
-17.21
0
235,174,608
3,186,075,032.00
BOCGAS
6.35
6.35
0
0
33,612
203,388.48
NSEASEM
958.91
958.91
0
0
300
150
CADBURY
59
59
0
0
334,708
19,489,290.73
NSEASI
38293.59
37949.11
-344.48
0
291,729,981
3,330,020,581.00
CAP
49.2
51.65
2.45
0
1,007,066
50,146,720.66
NSEBNK
402.59
400.63
-1.96
0
113,936,503
1,738,790,019.00
CAPHOTEL
4.55
4.55
0
0
20
95.4
NSECNSMRGDS
1113.7
1090.07
-23.63
0
11,436,714
566,055,744.10
CCNN
9.8
9.8
0
0
380,517
3,726,734.85
NSEINDUSTR
2276.64
2279.95
3.31
0
3,936,917
246,441,533.50
CHAMS
0.5
0.5
0
0
20,000
10,000.00
NSEINS
138.87
135.87
-3
0
38,165,457
34,339,084.84
CHELLARAM
4.15
4.15
0
0
100
395
NSELOTUSISLM
2732.34
2702.04
-30.3
0
7,458,893
499,605,716.00
CILEASING
0.5
0.5
0
0
330,873
165,436.50
NSEOILGAS
274.26
278.24
3.98
0
11,586,224
301,387,428.70
CONOIL
65.67
68.95
3.28
0
1,589,554
109,525,694.70
NSLTECH
0.69
0.69
0
0
114,330
75,457.80
CONTINSURE
1.12
1.08
-0.04
0
863,037
931,362.67
OANDO
10.99
11.1
0.11
0
7,219,470
80,032,694.96
CORNERST
0.5
0.5
0
0
631,300
315,804.98
OASISINS
0.5
0.5
0
0
65,196
32,598.00
COSTAIN
0.9
0.9
0
0
140,558
121,209.88
OKOMUOIL
43
42.39
-0.61
0
478,836
20,265,534.50
COURTVILLE
0.58
0.58
0
0
841,999
477,638.44
PHARMDEKO
1.85
1.85
0
0
1,500
2,640.00
CUSTODYINS
1.79
1.75
-0.04
0
3,242,917
5,688,493.09
PORTPAINT
4.41
4.45
0.04
0
342,000
1,535,426.00
CUTIX
1.77
1.85
0.08
0
177,464
327,768.14
PRESTIGE
0.53
0.55
0.02
0
449,800
240,610.17
DAARCOMM
0.5
0.5
0
0
615,000
307,500.00
PZ
37.36
37.36
0
0
256,518
9,602,393.42
DANGCEM
190
188.25
-1.75
0
49,964
9,414,807.40
REDSTAREX
4.55
4.33
-0.22
0
153,094
662,897.24
DANGFLOUR
9.7
9.7
0
0
171,338
1,681,452.90
ROYALEX
0.53
0.53
0
0
1,323,524
686,999.24
DANGSUGAR
10.9
10.88
-0.02
0
5,354,013
57,215,802.09
RTBRISCOE
1.18
1.18
0
0
1,220,298
1,451,248.68
DIAMONDBNK
7.1
7.1
0
0
4,820,770
34,239,278.40
SKYEBANK
4.18
4.03
-0.15
0
1,128,717
4,559,638.68
DNMEYER
1.63
1.57
-0.06
0
453,341
713,335.37
SOVRENINS
0.5
0.5
0
0
5
2.5
ELLAHLAKES
4.26
4.26
0
0
80
340.8
STACO
0.5
0.5
0
0
15,296
7,648.00
ETERNA
2.87
2.73
-0.14
0
496,952
1,373,345.36
STANBIC
19.5
19.4
-0.1
0
167,509
3,252,520.09
ETI
13.8
13.95
0.15
0
27,969,644
390,150,249.30
STERLNBANK
2.27
2.36
0.09
0
6,332,154
15,020,544.82
FBNH
16.3
16.12
-0.18
0
4,621,558
74,717,656.35
TOTAL
160.11
160.11
0
0
16,872
2,672,679.80
FCMB
3.55
3.6
0.05
0
5,491,875
19,299,345.76
TRANSCORP
2.86
3
0.14
0
62,364,441
185,927,653.90
FIDELITYBK
2.55
2.56
0.01
0
6,139,908
15,559,749.01
TRANSEXPR
1.26
1.2
-0.06
0
105,000
126,300.00
FIDSON
2.03
2
-0.03
0
1,060,894
2,106,531.18
UAC-PROP
18.88
17.94
-0.94
0
221,846
4,003,002.50
FLOURMILL
84
83.06
-0.94
0
323,008
26,867,731.47
UACN
65.6
64
-1.6
0
1,173,981
75,701,786.09
GLAXOSMITH
67
67
0
0
37,000
2,503,597.75
UBA
7.9
7.89
-0.01
0
8,245,223
65,066,209.81
GUARANTY
26.2
26.25
0.05
0
6,564,504
172,301,822.10
UBCAP
1.36
1.32
-0.04
0
3,378,144
4,436,586.81
GUINEAINS
0.5
0.5
0
0
2,000
1,000.00
UBN
10.25
10.15
-0.1
0
450,219
4,577,933.75
GUINNESS
238
235.11
-2.89
0
133,717
31,300,569.07
UNHOMES
0.5
0.5
0
0
62,500
31,250.00
HONYFLOUR
2.87
2.85
-0.02
0
1,687,760
4,836,939.00
UNILEVER
59
59
0
0
234,078
13,836,331.03
IHS
2.83
2.79
-0.04
0
366,578
999,632.00
UNITYBNK
0.52
0.52
0
0
14,828,875
7,761,121.93
IKEJAHOTEL
0.76
0.73
-0.03
0
140,677
104,244.21
UPL
3.75
3.75
0
0
21,647
84,316.95
INTBREW
22
22.05
0.05
0
571,086
12,596,066.62
VITAFOAM
4.15
4.15
0
0
36,192
151,056.40
INTENEGINS
0.55
0.53
-0.02
0
3,098,027
1,678,911.38
WAPCO
103
104
1
0
1,729,498
177,432,184.30
IPWA
0.7
0.7
0
0
737
508.53
WAPIC
0.88
0.85
-0.03
0
23,969,290
20,496,183.13
JAPAULOIL
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,040,960
520,480.00
WEMABANK
1.24
1.29
0.05
0
1,187,465
1,517,447.44
JBERGER
71.66
71.66
0
0
147,047
10,287,820.95
ZENITHBANK
21.35
21.01
-0.34
0
45,865,783
976,596,673.60
JOSBREW
3.33
3.33
0
0
8,721
28,854.85
LEARNAFRCA
1.71
1.71
0
0
7,714
13,195.94
LIVESTOCK
3.41
3.58
0.17
0
951,172
3,338,554.88
MANSARD
2.16
2.09
-0.07
0
135,409
286,158.03
MAYBAKER
1.93
2
0.07
0
297,779
596,912.00
MBENEFIT
0.5
0.5
0
0
18,516
9,258.00
MOBIL
115
115
0
0
42,672
4,892,082.65
TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NSEOILGAS NSEINDUSTR CONOIL CAP WAPCO MRS LIVESTOCK ETI TRANSCORP OANDO
Close 278.24 2279.95 68.95 51.65 104 43.21 3.58 13.95 3 11.1
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain
Stock
3.98 3.31 3.28 2.45 1 0.46 0.17 0.15 0.14 0.11
NSEASI NESTLE NSELOTUSISLM NSECNSMRGDS NSE30 NSE50 NB NSEINS GUINNESS NSEBNK
Close 37949.11 1160 2702.04 1090.07 1762.94 1920.92 173 135.87 235.11 400.63
Loss -344.48 -45 -30.3 -23.63 -20.46 -17.21 -5 -3 -2.89 -1.96
THE NIGERIAN
12
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
UNFORTUNATELY, the on-going indefinite ASUU strike now in its 4th month has claimed the life of one of ASUU’s former President, Prof. Festus Iyayi. The erudite scholar died in an auto crash on Tuesday on Abuja-Lokoja Road in Kogi State, while on his way to Kano for an ASUU Congress meeting. CURIOUSLY, penultimate Monday, the nation ernestly expected the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end its indefinite strike action following President Goodluck Jonathan’s 13-hour meeting with its officials. But that was not to be. However, at the end of the meeting, Nigerians were offered hope of a possible early call-off by ASUU officials. FOR almost four months running, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been prosecuting an indefinite strike action to press home their demand for the implementation of a 2009 agreement reached with the Federal Government and a Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the same government based on the 2009 agreement and how best to implement. FROM our understanding, the crux of the matter is the Federal Government’s irresponsibility as it enters into agreement with the striking teachers only to renege on implementation. We consider the action of government as irresponsible and we condemn such official rascality, given the fact that ASUU in 2011 also dislocated the nation’s public universities for the same grievances. WE are deeply concerned with the severe impact of strike actions on our public Universities across the country, which has led in the past to even loss of academic calendar and incalculable losses as it pertains to dislocation of learning process by affected university students. STRIKE actions have also contributed significantly to the decline in the quality of graduates of our public universities as students are hurried with lectures as soon as such strike actions are called off. Also, as a result of hur-
THE NIGERIAN
Still On ASUU Strike
ried academic calendars, little attention in most cases is paid to research, which is an important component of academic pursuits. THE on-going ASUU strike undoubtedly has disrupted examinations in a number of public universities and paralysed academic activities in all others. This is unacceptable and we urge both parties to the dispute to always consider the future of the students first, above all other considerations. IN the light of the forgoing, while we believe that the university lecturers will from time to time have legitimate grounds to be angry with their employers, the frequent resort to the strike option is also unacceptable. WE are, however, disappointed at the poor handling of the dispute between it and the University teachers by the Federal Government as evident in the empty claims of the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai who merely tells the teachers to call of strike action after some poor coordinated meetings of some officials. WE urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to be a responsible corporate citizen who respects agreements with other parties and institutions. Government disputes with university teachers lately have been largely due to broken promises and unfilled agreements, very often on the part of government. WE expect ASUU to equally resort to alterna-
tive dispute resolution mechanisms used by organized labour in other parts of the world to safeguard our public University system, which is the only option available to children of the poor who would not be able to afford private university education. ON funding, ASUU must understand that Government (Federal or State) alone cannot fund university education in Nigeria. It is important for ASUU and university authorities to begin to look inwards for internal revenue generation. Elsewhere, public Universities’ research and business activities operated by the universities generate substantial amount of income for funding teaching and learning. A situation where public universities depend almost one hundred percent on government is deplorable. IT is on this score we want to call on the federal government to immediately revisit the issue of university autonomy with a view to divesting its grip on the nation’s universities and provide a policy framework for responsible internal revenue generation and transparent as well as accountable and judicious use of such revues for the overall development of each of the public universities. ALSO, we call on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to respect its 2009 agreement with ASUU and implement all provisions to the letter. LASTLY, we want the federal government to carry out a comprehensive review of all conditions of service of all government workers whether academic, non-academic, hazardous or non-hazardous with a view to harmonizing all wages/salaries, allowances and entitlements across its workforce and eliminate all disparities that tend to fuel all kinds of chain agitations from various trade unions and professional associations with an ultimate goal of ending the resort to strike actions once and for all.
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Relationship
Signs You’re Falling In Love! By GIFT ONAGHAMA
FALLING in love is one of the most mysterious and amazing things in the world, and it can be hard to know whether or not someone is falling or not. There’s a huge difference between liking and loving or even lusting and loving someone. If you’re careful and watch for the signs, you’ll be able to identify someone falling in love. Watch to see how many times a person brings up a friend or loved one. If they’re constantly talking about how great that friend is, then it could be a sign that the friendship is more than that. When someone is in love, the object of their affection is constantly on their mind, and they would want to talk about them as much as possible.
loved one to their family, it’s a sign that this person is a major part of their life and someone special. Additionally, if this friend or loved one is invited to major family functions, this could mean love is in the air. If two people can talk for hours without getting bored, this is another sign that the friendship or relationship is something more than casual. Think about what is talked about: If the subjects range from casual to intimate, it could be a sign that two people are in love, as they trust one another with personal details and thoughts. There is no other feeling quite like the feeling you get when you’re falling in
wants first. When you are in love with someone you will move heaven and earth to make them happy. Just the thought of doing something that makes your significant other smile gives you an
In the beginning of the relationship you might even find their flaws cute or attractive. They say love is blind, and in most cases that saying rings true. This can be a double-edged sword, however, because
falling in love. When you find yourself having long, m e a n i n g f u l conversations for hours on end, you just may be falling in love. These long conversations are important because you will get to know your
significant other asks you to come to her family reunion this weekend, chances are she’s really falling for you. Most people don’t introduce their dates to the family if they’re not very serious
you may look past certain character flaws that could present major problems in the future. Long Conversations: Getting to know each other is a big part of
partner’s personality. After you get to know him, you can decide if he is the type of person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Family: If your
about the relationship. This is especially true in cases of single mothers because they don’t want to introduce a father figure to their children unless they’re sure he’s the one.
“From butterflies in your stomach to never ending giddiness, new love is euphoric and intoxicating. In the beginning, you might find yourself questioning whether what you’re feeling is truly love or just a classic case of passionate lust. Not to worry, there are certain characteristics of true love that will let you know when you’ve found your knight in shining armor.” Think about how this person makes plans: Do they always ask the same person to come along to every event? How often do they spend communicating with their friend or loved one? If they talk every single day - on the phone, through letters or email and in other forms - it could be a sign that they’re truly starting something. How does the person look when they talk about their loved one or when they are with them? Are they constantly smiling? Do they lean into their partner and hold their gaze? When a person is in love, they’ll seem to light up around them or when talking about them. If someone has introduced their friend or
love. From butterflies in your stomach to never ending giddiness, new love is euphoric and intoxicating. In the beginning, you might find yourself questioning whether what you’re feeling is truly love or just a classic case of passionate lust. Not to worry, there are certain characteristics of true love that will let you know when you’ve found your knight in shining armor. Selflessness: Selflessness is one of the main indicators of true love. Just as a mother puts her child’s happiness before her own, you will often find that you put your partner’s needs and
intense feeling of satisfaction. Inner Beauty: When you are falling in love with someone you seem to look past their quirks and see their inner beauty instead.
Words On Marble Words On Marble WHERE HAS LOVE GONE? These days, falling in love is so much bassle and staying in it is even harder. Every time I hear sad stories of heart breaks, even acid poured by Jealous lovers on their “hearththrob” to get even brides, grooms have been known not to show up on their wedding day. Babes have walked out on relationship unceremoniously without the slightest quarrel marriages have broke up barely six months
after wedding. Others have vowed never to love again or to get married. What has gone wrong? Why does it hurt or pain so much to love and be loved. When it should be shear bliss. I use to think that love was one aspect of life that was soothing, relaxing and comforting. But now I see pains, agony, sorrow there is so much deceit, lies, pretence, bitterness, rancor, the list is endless only few people are in love married or single
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Maximizing Your Camping
COLLECTION of call-up letters; buying of kits; photocopying of necessary credentials; getting transport fare; arranging of all necessary materials into a bag; looking for and booking of buses; all these and many more were the order of the day in the various residence of 2013 Batch C corps members some days ago. Now, you are ten days old on orientation camp – your father’s land, but strange environment. How has your days been? Does the environment agree with you? Anyway, “no option” is the keyword on camp. There may be mixed feelings, notwithstanding, camp is an interesting arena. However, do you understand that coming to orientation camp is not the principal issue? But maximizing the golden opportunities that avail with it matters a lot. In fact, uncovering and grabbling these benefits of camp is the beauty and central kernel of the exercise. One of the easiest and cheapest benefits you can derive from NYSC orientation camp is a life changing companionship. Develop a little quality of an extrovert and make friends that could impact positively on your life. Do not stand aloof. Move closer to both members and non-members of your platoon. By doing this, there is a tendency of locating somebody compatible with you. A friend indeed can be an instrument of your greatness in life, friend can take you to great heights but be wise and be selective in the act of friendship. Another core benefit on camp is a module of skillfully structured lectures slated to be delivered by technically eloquent speakers or orators. Some corps members are fond of staying in hostel while lecture is in progress, this is not good enough. To be candid, any corps member who intentionally decides to stay in hostel while lecture is on prefers frivolity to precious and scarce gold. A single word in a lecture
By OGUNYEMI ADEBAYO
could be a panacea to a life of struggles threatening hardship or difficulties. Do not be busy consuming bitter kola while others are taking pure honey. However, skill acquisition programme is another juicy and life changing exercise associated with orientation camp. Unfortunately, many have misused this opportunity in the past, forgetting that camping is three weeks and life experience that will never repeat itself. Oh! Opportunity is a stranger or passer-by, even a visitor. Learn the vocation you have chosen on camp wholeheartedly. The skill acquired on camp may proffer solution to the hurdle of seeking for unavailable job after NYSC scheme. “Had I known” is one hundred per cent unwise statement. What is hindering you from knowing the right thing at the right time? Be known now and prepare your ground in season. Apart from lecture and skill acquisition, showcasing of talents in inter-platoon competition cannot be underestimated. Rediscover yourself by unbury your talent and display it conspicuously. Talent is an instinct valuable asset. The joy of appreciating your natural skill while on camp can motivate you to put it in saleable context after living the camp. In fact, one of the major factors responsible for mass unemployment among the contemporary Nigeria graduates is the absolute sacrificing of talent on the altar of university degree. Remember, certificate is an artificial product of human knowledge while talent is a divine in-built mechanism. My fellow corps members, which of the two is superior, certificate or talent? God’s programme is incomprehensible, mysterious and excellent. However, have you ever been told that you are too funny by anybody? Have you ever noticed that people often listened to you with
enthusiasm while talking? If your response to these questions are affirmative and you fold your arms when members of your platoon are having drama rehearsal, you are systematically jeopardising your natural gift. The people around you may look strange, join them, they are Nigerians. Some are guru in preparing yummy meal. Some are creative in adding spice and
therefore, come up with your creative ability and listen to possible professional constructive criticism. Such criticism will help you to put your idea into proper perspective. Are you a footballer? Do you often derives pleasure while playing football? If yes, NYSC orientation camp is another avenue of showcasing your skill. Join your platoon team in football competition and prove
AJUWAYA TODAY possible challenges during and after services year and possible ways of addressing some difficult situations. On my way to Benin City after 2013 Batch B orientation camp, there was an autocrash which led to conflagration but the knowledge I acquired during Man O war exercise played a vital role in escaping the inferno.
if you are deployed to a village where English Language is not ideal mode of communication. Interpreter may not be readily available in all occasion. It is unarguable that there is a close relationship between language and admiration. When a stranger understands your language, you will develop interest in his or her
Participating in the drilling is not enough but developing an analytical mind of relating each stages of the drilling to real life situation is paramount. Your mind and your colleagues may discourage you from participating in the tedious parts of the drilling but summon courage and be determined. You may need the experience to overcome certain hurdle in the future. Besides, such experience can be of good help in aptitude test. Nevertheless, communication is ineffective when the parties involved lack agreed symbols of exchanging idea. Languages training of the host community may sound irrelevant while on camp but learn the little you have the capacity to assimilate and try to improve on it later. This is necessary in order to avoid plunging into deaf and dumb
welfare while reverse would be the case when a stranger is handicapped in term of his or her host community language. Endeavour to learn the local language of your host community right from the camp as it could be of immesurable benefit in the course of your service. Other activities such as volley ball, match parade and environmental sanitation competitions have one positive impact or the other. They pass certain social, physical and psychological benefit. The more you engage in a given event, the more you understand the merits inherent in it. As you are passing through the camp, let the camp pass through you. “There is a season and purpose for everything under the heaven” says the scripture. Make judicious use of the opportunity you have before the brighter day is succeeded by night. Remain flourishing during and after the camp.
Showcasing of talent at NYSC Orientation Camp.
giving new shape and context to existing meal. Some can easily come up with new brand meal without receiving any formal training in food technology. If you are endowed with such gift, demonstrate it irrespective of your gender during interplatoon cooking competition. Contributions of other corps members in relation to the gift can later metamorphose to valuable asset. Do not shy away from what you have the natural strenght to carry out. The idea of the fast food that has now become the order of the day was popularised in 1950s in the United States. You may be the next person to come up with another innovation. NYSC orientation camp is a reservoir of intellectual
yourself. Doing that may be a stepping stone for you. The senior National Football Team Coach, Stephen Keshi invited Stephen Morah to the Eaglets Camp in preparation for AFCON qualifiers having seen his competence in NYSC football competition. Stephen Morah would not have enjoyed the privilege if he showed nonchalant attitude to inter-platoon football competition while on camp. Man O war drilling is another core are a of NYSC orientation programme. While some corps members often embraced the exercise, some sees it as waste of time and dangerous activities. Really, the drilling must be given its place of pride. The drilling is a reflection of
“In fact, one of the major factors responsible for mass unemployment among the contemporary Nigeria graduates is the absolute sacrificing of talent on the altar of university degree. Remember, certificate is an artificial product of human knowledge while talent is a divine in-built mechanism. My fellow corps members, which of the two is superior, certificate or talent?”
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Healthy Living
Health, Nutrition Benefits Of Fruits WHILE growing up I never knew the important of fruits till I saw the effect on my body when I grow up. It is important to eat fruits because it provides health benefits people who eat fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk for some chronic diseases. Fruits provide nutrients for vital health and also the maintenance of your body. Health Benefits • Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk of heart disease, including heart attack and stroke. • Eating a diet rich in some vegetable and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may prevent certain types of cancers • Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. • Eating fruits that are also food are lower in calories per cup instead of some other highercalories food may be useful in helping to lower
Nutrients • Most fruits are naturally low in fat. Sodium and calories. None have cholesterol. • Fruits are sources of many essential nutrients that are underconsumed including potassium dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid). • Diet rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Fruit sources of potassium include bananas, prunes and prune Juice. Dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honey dew melon, and orange Juice. • Dietary fiber from fruits, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Fiber is important for proper bowel function. It helps reduce constipation such as fruits helps provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories. Whole or clit-up fruits are sources of dietary Juices contain little or no fiber. • Vitamin C is important growth and repair of all body tissues helps heal cuts and wounds, and keeps teem and gums healthy.
By KIKA CLARA
supplements. This reduces the risk of neural tube defects, spina bifida, and anencephaly during fetal development. Any fruit or 100% fruit juice as part of the fruit
• Peaches • Pears • Papaya • Pineapple • Plums • Prunes • Raisins • Tangerines
grove. Fruits may be fresh, canned frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed. Commonly Eaten Fruits • Apples
Berries • Straw berries • Blue berries • Rap berries Melons • Cantaloupe
“Diet rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Fruit sources of potassium include bananas, prunes and prune Juice. Dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honey dew melon, and orange Juice.” calorie intake • Eating vegetables and fruits in potassium as part of an overall healthy diet may lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss.
• Foliate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant should consume adequate folate from foods, and in addition 400meg of symmetric folic acid from fortified foods or
• Apricots • Bananas • Cherries • Grape fruits • Grapes • Kiwi fruits • Lemons • Limes • Mangoes • Nectarines • Oranges
• Honeydew • Water melon Mixed fruits • Fruit cocktail 100% Fruit Juice • Orange • Apple • Grape • Grape fruits
Food groups and related topics Fruits Vegetable new! Grains Protein foods breastfeeding women Dairy Oils Teachers Empty calories
Audiences preschoolers kids new! college students dieters pregnant
&
Educators/ Health care Professionals partners
10 Tips Nutrition Education Series The ten tips nutrition education series provides consumers and professionals with high quality, easy-to-follow tips in a convenient, printable format. These are perfect for posting on a refrigerator. Mesa tips and ideas are a straight point. You will find a wealth of suggestions here that can help you help get started towards a healthy diet. Choose a change that you can make today, and move towards a healthier you. Mesa tips are also available in Spanish. v Choose my plate (color, b/w) v Add more vegetables to your day (colour, b/w) v Focus on fruits (colour, b/w) v Make half your grains whole (colour, b/w) v Build a healthy meal (colour, b/w) v Healthy eating for vegetarians (colour; b/w) v Smart shopping for veggies and fruits (colour; b/ w) v Linen up your meals with vegetables and fruit (colour; b/w) v Kid friendly veggies and fruits (colour; b/w) v Be a healthy role model for children (colour; b/ w) v Cut back on your kid’s sweet treats (colour; b/w) v Salt and sodium (colour; b/w) v Eat seafood twice a week (colour; b/w) v Eating better on a budget (colour; b/w) v Use super tracker your way (colour; b/w) v Enjoy your food but eat less (colour; b/w)
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Spotlight THE role of the media is now universally accepted as a given in building and sustaining a democracy. That role is even more critical in an inchoate democracy such as Nigeria. Traditional communication theorists often assigned to the media such roles as political integration, literacy, economic self-sufficiency, and the eradication of diseases (Dominick, 2009, p. 420) in emergent democracies. These were the predominant national goals of immediate post-colonial Africa. The interface between the mass media and these policy trajectories formed the basis of the development theory of the media. More than half a century after freedom from colonial rule in Africa, such mediatory role for the media has generally receded. Their contemporary role is more diverse and diffused, compounded by the challenges of managing a modern nationstate tied to the economies and politics of other states in the international system. In other words, the functions of the mass media in developing countries are also influenced by the priorities and proclivities of the developed world because they operate in a globalised environment. Media as Sentinel, Channels and Public Sphere In the functionalist approach to mass communication, media theorists assign specific roles to the mass media, among them is the function of watching over the environment or the surveillance function. This means that the media play a lookout role; they act as the sentries, they survey the environment to tell their operational communities what is going on (Baran and Davis, 2006; Dominick. 2011). This function approximates news gathering and information dissemination. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) stations, African Independent Television, Channels TV, Silverbird (radio and TV], all the national and local newspapers and newsmagazines are engaged in the business of gathering and presenting reports on the state of the nation on a daily, even hourly basis. The news and information function would, therefore, qualify, without controversy, as the most important function of the mass media. An assertion credited to the late British writer, Dame Rebecca West, sums it up authoritatively: “A community needs news for the same reason that a man needs eyes. It has to see where it is going.” (http://www.brittanica.com). This function is even more significant in the new global environment in which national communities are faced with the potentials of crises arising from internal as well as external sources. Though developing nation-states face many local conflicts, they also experience conflicts of global dimensions, such as terrorism. Dominick (2011) identifies two aspects of the surveillance function, namely, Beware surveillance and Instrumental surveillance. “Beware surveillance occurs when the media inform us about threats from terrorism, hurricanes or volcanoes, depressed economic conditions, increasing inflation, or military attack” (Zoll, p. 31). Instrumental surveillance has to with the provision of information that is useful and helpful in everyday life. From both perspectives, the critical influence of the mass media on the public is not debatable. Beyond the sentinel
Conventional Media, Social Media And Mediat introduction has already made the point that every crisis of public proportion is mediated by the mass media. So let us focus briefly on the other factors. Conventional Media The term conventional media is now used interchangeably with traditional media; it has become more widely used since the advent of the term new media. The term covers newspapers, magazines, radio, television, fIlm, and books. They contrast with the Internet- based platforms that are generally referred to as new media. But really, as of 2013, the term new media has begun to sound archaic. Campbell, Martin and Fabos cited a 1978 New York Times article which noted that the “long predicted convergence of such consumer electronic products as television sets, videotape recorders, video games, stereo sound systems and the coming of videodisk machines into a computer-based home information-entertainment centre is getting closer” (2012, p. 49). Technological media developments that emerged towards the end of the 20th century were truly “new media” in relationship to what the world was familiar with up to that point. Today, more than a decade into the 21 century, most media platforms have been merged into hybrids that are no longer neither “old” nor new” and the
still run out of printing presses; radio and television still have programmes and programme schedules and their products are still beamed from transmitters, and so on. The Social Media The social media are part of the new hybrids. They are offspring of the new media but they are in the ascendancy because they provide platforms that, for the first time in the history, mass communication have enabled the production and dissemination of usergenerated content. They are accessible to all who have Internet-enabled gadgets, such as cell phones, smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (POAs), desktops, laptops, and palmtops, and whatever else is lurking in the creative minds of the entrepreneurs of the digital revolution. Rather than try to define social media, it is better to operationalize them as Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, Flickr, Badoo, Twitter, and many more that are not as well- known as these, With the advent of social media, those who have something to say no longer depend on the sufferance of the editorial page editor, or the broadcast phone-in programme producer. They simply subscribe to one of the social media networks, Not surprisingly, many of the social revolutions/ upheavals of this early part of the 21st Century, such as the successful uprisings in Libya,
“Not surprisingly, many of the social revolutions/upheavals of this early part of the 21st Century, such as the successful uprisings in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen as well as the civil war in Syria, have been given a social media dimension.” function, the media also serve as channels for communicating important information that they have picked up on their radar screens. In other words they see and tell. Thirdly, they constitute the public sphere postulated by Jurgen Habermas: they are forums for public discussion and debate. As McQuail sums up the concept of the public sphere. In general, the public sphere refers to a notional ‘space’ which provides a more or less autonomous and open arena or forum for public debate. Access to the space is free, and freedoms of assembly, association and expression are guaranteed (2010, p. 179). All this is to say that the publics construction of reality about events and life in any society is mediated by the mass media. They mediate discussions, debates and controversies about everything that is of public significance, including the public’s knowledge and perception of crises. This extensive introduction sets the background for focusing on the four variables indicated in my topic: conventional media, social media, mediated crises, and social responsibility. The
distinction between conventional (or traditional] and new media has become very blurred. Thus, on a computer screen, a user can access television shows, music, movies, books, magazines, newspapers and pretty much that hits his or her fancies. All the “old media” TV, radio, magazines, newspapers, films, and books have been born again into the new media family. The usage of traditional” or “conventional persists only because the production systems of these older media forms persist: hard copy newspapers and magazines
Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen as well as the civil war in Syria, have been given a social media dimension. The framing of the Boko Haram insurgency in our country, for example, has been greatly influenced by both the conventional media and social media. However, unlike the conventional media that devote pages and pages or multiple news bulletins and discussions to crises coverage, the social media depend on disseminating laconic messages to thousands, possibly millions, of those in their social networks
throughout the nation (or the globe), influencing imperceptibly the way such issues are perceived or understood. The recent terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya, is a case in point; the attackers cornered in the building by Kenyan security forces sent out a constant stream of tweets, creating confusion between what they said and what official sources put out. The increasing reliance of
media to strive at a creditable and credible performance. in other words, they have to perform their professional functions within the context of social responsibility. The social responsibility theory of the press is essentially an American concept because it was conceived to provide practical guidelines for the operations of the media in a republican democracy. The theory is, in fact, a normative
social media on mobile technology has made their impact on events even more widespread than is often obvious. As Campbell has argued, this is so because mobile communication technology supports “mediated social connectivity while the user is in physical motion” [2013, p. 9). Helles supports this viewpoint in asserting that, “The user (of the mobile phone) becomes a mobile terminus for mediated communicative interaction across the various contexts of daily life” (2013, p. 14). Mobile media have thus greatly strengthened the scope of social media because they have made physical space more accessible and manageable for diverse political, economic, and cultural purposes (Jensen, 20 13). Social Responsibility Because the public is so heavily dependent on the media for its construction of reality, including crises situations, there is an obligation on the part of the
theory. Normative theories propose an ideal way. In this context, the theory describes an ideal way to structure and operate media systems (Baran and Davis, 2006). Because it describes an ideal, the theory in its application continued to reflect the realisation of the democratic ideals of the founding fathers of the American republic. Its success in this native habitat has recommended it to many other polities that pretend to democracy. In the developing countries, especially those emerging from one-party states have shifted from the development theory of communication to social responsibility. Additionally, the social responsibility doctrine was introduced because of disillusionment with the libertarian theory. This theory promoted unbridled freedom for the press, limited only by the people’s ability to discern truth from falsehood. Government interference in any shape or form was unacceptable because “any
gov ide (D ma the ple ple for to dis an res lai
and wer to th resp of c betw whi W of jo repo they Wre mor reas disg info lega ques the m In issu of fr to m obli oper vacu thei the (An Cr in N M agre proc
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Spotlight ted Crises: Context Of Social Responsibility By ETIM ANIM
vernment restriction on the expression of eas infringes on the rights of the citizen” ominick, 2011, p. 427). That seemed to ake sense, until it was realised that under e theory the press did pretty much as it eased. Should the media, in fact, do as they ease? What should the media do or not do r a community? Should the media, in trying fight corruption, for example, use shonest means to expose corrupt politicians d their surrogates? The social sponsibility theory was a response to the ssez faire content of the libertarian theory
a search for answers to the questions that e being asked by those who had no access he media. Succinctly put, the basis of social ponsibility is ethics. Ethics refer to rules onduct that serve as a guide in the choice ween doing that which is right and that ch is wrong. Campbell et al. ask: What is the moral and social responsibility ournalists, not only for the stories they ort but also for the actual events or issues y are shaping for millions of people? esting with such media ethics involves a ral response to a situation through critical soning...Today, journalists continue to use guises and assume false identities to gather ormation on social transgressions. Beyond al considerations, though, a key ethical stion comes into play: Does the end justify means? (2012, p. 425). n other words, the social responsibility ue is this: The media enjoy a certain latitude reedom and privileges which enable them meet their role expectations. They owe an igation to society because without the rational community they cannot exist in a uum. They, therefore, ought to perform r functions in such a way as to preserve society and sustain its cherished ways nim, 2006). rises Coverage: The Nature of Conflicts Nigeria Many authorities, dating back to Weber, ee that conflict is part of the development cess of human society. In fact, many
authorities in the field assert that conflict is important for the development of human organisations (Kreitner, 1995; Mcshane and von Glinow, 2000). According to Adamu (2013), “Evolutionary biologists acknowledge that the origin of conflict, particularly human conflict, has been an integral part of living systems for the entire history of life on earth,” (p. 32). Thus, Leakey and Lewin (1994) conclude that conflict is as old as mankind. Therefore, conflict and crises in Nigeria are not strange happenings. The major concern is with the diversity of the nature of conflicts in the country and their escalation to crises levels. Let’s briefly look at the nature of Nigerian conflicts. Apart from the conflicts which naturally arise from the struggle for power in the political terrain — political disorganisation and fragmentation, conflicts in Nigeria are perennially characterised by religious, linguistic, ethnic, and other inter-communal antagonisms (Rotberg, 2004). Not surprisingly, significant parts of the northern states are almost permanently embroiled in conflicts of religious coloration in the last three decades (from the Maitatsine upheaval of 1980 to the on-going violent conflicts in Plateau State) because history has demonstrated an almost permanent antagonism between Islam and Christianity, in spite of protestations to the contrary. Lewis and Jratton (2001) assert that in the north of Nigeria, Christian and Muslim identities have been the mainstay of religious differentiation and conflict “with Nigerian Muslims more likely to demonstrate or articulate a religious identity than Christians” (2001, p. 5). Such religious conflicts increasingly sharpen ethnic and linguistic identities. Rotberg pushes the point vigorously when he asserts that: When mixed with Muslim irredentism, persistent rivalry between north and south, and a growing spirit of fundamentalism and mistrust… the danger that northern Nigeria could become a haunt of international terrorists is real (2004, p. 3). The emergence of armed militancy in the Niger Delta
region was a major shift in the texture of violent conflicts. It differed from the ethno-religious conflicts in that it was a manifestation of decades-old discontent with the character and structure of governance and plunged the country into resource allocation-related insurgency. The country is still grappling with its aftermath. It is important at this juncture to state that though conflict and crisis often tend to be used interchangeably, crisis is actually an escalation of conflict. Best [2007) points out that crisis is the third stage and peak of conflict: “In violent conflict this is the stage of war and intense fighting, leading to killings, injuries, large scale population displacements, and the use of small arms and light weapons” [p. 65]. Thus it bears restating that the country has been embroiled in conflicts of crises proportion for decades. The most recent and the most intractable is the Boko Haram insurgency, a fulfillment of the prediction by Rotberg cited above. The insurgency responds uncannily to the criteria of crisis enunciated by Best. In summary, these crises have threatened the very foundation of our nationhood. Therefore, an enormous responsibility rests on the media in their roles as purveyors of crisesrelated news, opinions, discussions and debates. The media have been described as a two-edged sword which can be used both destructively and constructively, “especially in societies undergoing change, destabilised by conflicts or in the throes of political liberalisation” (Frere, 2007, p. 1). She argues rightly that while the media and their functions can strengthen democratic processes, they can also be used to “manipulate information in the service of warmongering strategies, promote anti- democratic reflexes, and, more or less consciously or perversely, create the roots of deep divisions within society” (p. 1). The Basis of Social Responsibility in Media
Coverage of Crises To revisit the social responsibility theory briefly, McQuail gives its main contentions as follows: • The media have obligations to society and media ownership is a public trust • News media should be truthful, accurate, fair, objective and relevant • The media should be free but self-regulated • The media should follow agreed codes of ethics and professional conduct Based on what has been said so far, this paper will, from this juncture, propose guidelines for news reporting and media coverage of crises in general. The guidelines are: Accuracy In a crisis environment, a pivotal requirement in reporting is accuracy. Brooks, Kennedy, Moen and Ranly (2005) emphasise this point: “Accuracy is the most important characteristic of any story, great or small, long or short. Accuracy is essential in every detail. Every name must be spelled correctly; every quote must be just what was said; every number must add up” (p. 13). Besides, accuracy is refined by providing context. This is particularly important in reporting crisis. The circumstances and intent of what was done or said, how it was said or done will affect the way the matter comes through to the public. The best advice that a reporter can receive as an insurance against inaccuracy is: Check and check again. That is the graveyard of Nigerian reporters; a tendency towards sloppiness in presenting the facts in the news, There is a fair amount of laziness and lack of painstakingness in the Nigerian reporter’s approach to the news because the problem starts with gathering the facts. There is often little concern about getting the facts correctly. In stressing the importance of accuracy, an editor of the American Gannet News Service offered this viewpoint: “The best newsrooms are places where people live in fear of being wrong. Good journalists can’t stand errors” (Mencher, 2006, p. 33). In crises situations, there are
not just parties to the conflicts; there are interests. The parties protect a variety of interests and they watch every report, comment, or assertion with the instincts of predators. Fairness Fairness is often confused with objectivity. Objectivity has become a very controversial doctrine in professional journalism. This is not the forum to expatiate on this controversy; but suffice it to say that many authorities are wary of stenographic journalism; that is, a faithful recording of what was said, an objective report. To be preferred is a report “that gives a truthful, comprehensive, and intelligent account of the day’s events in a context that gives them meaning...It is no longer enough to report the facts truthfully. It is now necessary to report the truth about the fact.” (Mencher, 2006, p.48). That comes to fairness. Fairness requires that the reporter must find every viewpoint to a story. It is often said that there are two sides to every story; in good journalism, that is incorrect. There is hardly ever one viewpoint; there are always more than two. Fairness means the news person must reach all the points of view. in a crisis situation, that may not always be possible and the reporter must make that fact known. More importantly, ample opportunity must be allowed for response from the points of view that have been left out through no fault of the reporter’s. That is fairness. Mencher puts forward the essentials of fairness by citing the Washington Post’s Deskbook of Style: i. No story is fair if it omits facts of major importance or significance. So fairness includes completeness. ii. No story is fair if it includes essentially irrelevant information at the expense of significant facts. So fairness includes relevance. iii. No story is fair if it consciously or unconsciously misleads or deceives the reader. So fairness includes honesty — leveling with the reader. iv. No story is fair if reporters hide their biases behind such subtly pejorative words as refused,” “despite,” “admit”. So fairness requires straightforwardness ahead of flashiness. v. No story is fair if innocent people get hurt Completeness One of the glaring deficiencies in Nigerian media reports is the tendency to leave unanswered questions at the end of a report. As a reader I often come to the end of a news story and then I say to myself, “So?” A few weeks ago I watched Channels TV and the Minister of Education was explaining that ASUU was being unfair to the government in its demands. She then said something to the effect that it was not true that the government is not improving budgetary allocation to education. She added: “We are improving.” In the midst of a major crisis in the university system, there was nothing from the minister to say how the government is improving. No data. No figures. That news segment was incomplete: The story added nothing to the current state of public ignorance about why ASUU is on strike and what the government is spending on education. To be continued
“One of the glaring deficiencies in Nigerian media reports is the tendency to leave unanswered questions at the end of a report. As a reader I often come to the end of a news story and then I say to myself, “So?”
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Issues National Security: NATIONAL security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic power, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States after the World War II. National security has traditionally been about the survival of the state against military threat posed by other states. National security is also a misleading term, implying that the referent object is the nation when the central meaning more usually applies to the state. Although in the case of more or less nation states (Norway, Japan, France) this confusion does not matter much, but in the case of multinational states (Russian, UK, Afghanistan) or where the nation is distributed across more than one state, it does because the nation and the state may be different and opposed referent objects. National security is particularly potent because the state claiming to be the highest form of political organization, and because state possess both much of the legitimacy and much of the capacity to act in the name of security. In Nigeria for instance, government has arranged at last for “Security” to take the iron share of our nation’s budget for next year. According to the president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who delivered the budget speech 29th October, government would spend? 921 billion to ensure the security of lives and property “By Tonnre Iredia”. National security also relates to globalization which is the view that the level of interaction and activity within the human sphere and the impact of this activity on the rest of ecosphere is becoming bigger, faster and more intense and this is now the dominant feature of the international system. Globalization also affect the economic activity which war as the during force behind both the state and world politics. The existence of a global economy plus a very uneven distribution of wealth and welfare creates system-wide dynamics of migration which states find it difficult to control at an
acceptable cost. The Internet like the social media (facebook, twitter) enables people to contact each other, to access information and to organize worldwide. This empowers both global civil society (charities, pressure groups) and global uncivil society (criminals, terrorists) pollution has not just local consequences, but global ones that are beyond the capacity of single states to address. Obviously, globalization must threaten the essence of the state, and/or it must make national security less important. This is because if globalization is seen as largely driven by increasing human numbers and density, plus rising levels of wealth, ever improving technologies for transportation and communication, then there is not much the state can do other than dropping out into isolation and selfimpoverishment. In Nigeria, for instance, there is no doubt that the insecurity situation in the country calls for extraordinary measures to combat it. As a result, even if our entire budget were to be dedicated to dealing with the subject, many people may not raise an eyebrow, so therefore, for us, our discomfort is in our government’s definition of the term ‘security’ which seems to harp on the narrow dimension of defence and military might. Nationals security is wider than it seems, in the sense that there are other basic dimension like ‘Job’, ‘water’ and ‘food’ security, otherwise a national security policy would be of no use to the unemployed and hungry citizens that constitute the majority of the population in a poor country like ours. National security cannot be equated to military might/ defence or law enforcement alone. It goes beyond all of that to accommodate far more reaching issues shortly explained national security is the ability of a state to overcome any of its challenges no matter what the challenge is. In 2010, America president Barack Obama canvassed an all-encompassing worldview in his own definition of America’s national security
Challenges Of The Endangered Female Population By ANGELA OJOR-PAUL
interests which included a strong innovative and growing us economy in an open international economic system that promotes, opportunity and prosperity”. Although, Obama approach does not appear persuasive to Nigeria whose body language implies that national security is the aggregation of the activities of security agencies. According to our national Bureau of statistic there are about 35 million unemployed youth in the country who are forced to resort to anything that can serve as means of livelihood for them, the guys going into robbering, while the girls forced into prostitution, now, this bring me into talking about the challenges for the female population. Gender-based violence occurs in all societies of the world, within the home or in the wider community and it affects women and girls disproportionately. Women’s right around the world is an important indicator to understand global well-being. Despite many successes in empowering women numerous issues still exist in all areas of life, ranging from the cultural, political to the economic. For example, women often work more than men, yet are paid less, gender discrimination affect girls and women throughout their lifetime and most time some women loose their self esteem, women and girls are the ones that suffer poverty the most. Many may think that women’s rights are only an issue in countries where religion is law, such as many muslim countries. Gender equality furthers the cause of child survival and development for all society, so the importance of women’s right and gender equality should not be underestimated. The world we live in is characterized with violence against women. This is basically present in many forms like wife battering, sexual assault and abuse, female genital mutilation and rape, in war and peacetime. Gender-based violence is the fate of millions of women all
“Nationals security is wider than it seems, in the sense that there are other basic dimension like ‘Job’, ‘water’ and ‘food’ security, otherwise a national security policy would be of no use to the unemployed and hungry citizens that constitute the majority of the population in a poor country like ours.”
over the world and these are affecting their productivity both in the homes, where their husband wouldn’t see them as help-mate but as the weaker one, who can’t do things on her own if he does not sanction it, communities where they think training a female child is waste of time and money, but should be given into marriage, thinking after a female child is trained, she would still live her father’s name and still in community when a woman is married and has not yet give birth to a male child is regarded as not being a woman and will even suggest a second wife for the husband, increasing
every five of the world’s female population has been physically or sexually abuse at one time-Gender-based violence arises from the patriarchal system, which since time immemorial, has exerted control over women’s lives. Gender-based violence affects both the physical and psychological integrity of women in relation to her inter-personal life and cognitively. Gender-based violence is categorized into three levels, these are the home or family level, the community levels and the state level. For the home family level, domestic violence is the most prevalent, a good example
families, inside homes and out of sight. Violence against women within the general community, physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community include battery, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and intimidation in school or work, forced treatment and abuse medication, the exploitation and commercialization of women’s bodies which is related to increased poverty that is mainly a result of unbridled economic liberalism. Violence against women perpetrated by states that priorities custom or tradition
President Goodluck Jonathan polygamy and lastly into their place of work, where a female is seen as a sex toy, who is expected to go out with the manger before given a job, go to bed with her boss to get promotion and for the case of marketers in the bank who will sleep with big business takoons to get invest with their bank. The challenges faced by the female population cannot be over-emphasized, because gender-based violence is a universal reality existing in all societies regardless of income, class and culture. It would be difficult to find one woman whom at one time or the other in her lifetime had not been afraid merely because she was a woman. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least one in
occurs when a man beats his female partner. Physical, sexual and psychological violence against women within a couple and in the family battery sexual abuse, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to girls and women, marital rape, dowry-related violence, incest, non-spousal violence. Despite all these available data on genderbased violence, there is no accurate information on gender-based violence in some countries. A culture of silence surrounds cases of violence against women in most countries like Nigeria, making it difficult to get a true picture of its extent, this is because most of the genderbased violence occur in the proucite sphere-within
ruler the respect of fundamental freedom in some countries, the rise of religious fundamentalism is extremely disturbing as regards women’s right to their economic autonomy and their freedom of choice. Women are considered second class bring of lesser value, deprived of their fundamental rights, whereby if a woman goes to the police station to release someone they wouldn’t not want to release the culprit to her which is not legalized in our constitution. Efforts should be made to address the numerous challenges faced by the female population, the dangers posed to women and the girl-child and such efforts should be properly captured in all legal documents set out to address issues of national security
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Issues
Development Strategies In Times Like This
THE legitimate yearnings and aspirations of the citizens are hardly met because of the inability of African continents to achieve set goals. The continent suffers from all types of social tensions and social behaviours- social unrests, wave of armed robbery, massive corruption, assassination, criminalization of the state and so on. (Egonmwan , 2008). A report from the African Union Department of Foreign Affairs Document July 2001, states: in Africa, 340 million people or half of the population live on less than US $1 per day, the mortality rate of children under five years of age is 140 per 1000, and life expectancy at birth is only 54 years. Only 5890 of the population have access to safe water. The rate of illiteracy for people under 15 is 4190. There are only 18 mainline telephones per 1000 people in Africa, compared with 146 for the world as a whole and 567for high income countries. Now, an initiative by African leaders: The New partnership for Africa’s development, established 2001, pledged... that African leaders have a pressing duty to eradicate poverty and to place their countries both individual and collectively, on path of sustainable growth and development…. This program which African leader pledged for the renewal of the continent, requires participative processes involving the people; even though it is the leaders role to
articulate the plants and programs and to lead the implementation processes on behalf of the people. Therefore, African leaders especially the Nigeria government though faced with development challenges SHOULD ACT jointly to meet the following challenges for developed reliable societies. They
should as a matter of urgency crave to: • Strengthen mechanism for conflict prevention, management and resolution at the regional and continental levels; and to ensure that these mechanisms are
By COLLINS AIGBODION
used to restore and maintain peace; • Promote and protect democracy and human rights in their respective countries and regions, by developing
developing appropriate standards and targets for fiscal and monetary policies, and introducing appropriate institutional framework to achieve these standards;
clear standards of accountability, transparency and participative governance at the national and subnational levels; • Restore and maintain macroeconomic stability, especially by
• I n s t i t u t e transparent legal and regulatory framework for financial markets and auditing of private companies and the public sector; • Revitalize and extend the provision of education, technical training and health services, with high priority given to tackling HIV/AIDS, malaria and other communicable diseases; • Promote the role
“A report from the African Union Department of Foreign Affairs Document July 2001, states: in Africa, 340 million people or half of the population live on less than US $1 per day, the mortality rate of children under five years of age is 140 per 1000, and life expectancy at birth is only 54 years.”
of women in social and economic development by reinforcing their capacity in the domains of education and training, by the development of revenue-generating activities through facilitating access to
framework, as well as maintain law and order; • Promote the development of infrastructure, agriculture and its diversification into agro-industries and manufacturing to serve both domestic and export
credit, and by assuring their participation in the political and economic life of African countries. • Build the capacity of the states in Africa to set and enforce the legal
markets. Reference: Egonmwan, J.A, 2008. “Organizational theory Behaviours”, pp. 456-458
“Promote the role of women in social and economic development by reinforcing their capacity in the domains of education and training, by the development of revenue-generating activities through facilitating access to credit.”
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Mastering The Gear
Driving Lesson: A DRIVER changes up or down in order to take account of the vehicle’s changing speed. He changes up to select a gear which is appropriate to the vehicle’s increased speed while he changes down to select that gear which is necessary for the vehicle’s reduced speed. Improper use of the clutch is responsible for the stopstart jackrabbit driving of many learners. The vehicle
jerks and may stall, if the clutch is engaged suddenly. It is quite understandable if learners jerk the vehicle on his first few trials at gear selection. It takes some time to coordinate all the various tasks, which are associated with moving a vehicle from rest. The tendency is for the fresh leaner to forget one procedure or the other and then to suddenly remember it when it is almost too late. The essential thing is to take the task in easy stage. Master engaging gear one from rest first and then go on from there to learn how to shift into gear two and from
two to three and so on since the introduction of synchromesh gear boxes gear changing has become an almost pairless art. There are two other things, which should be resisted taking your eyes from the road to look at pedals and resting your foot on the clutch. When the left
But it is certainly not just a matter of identifying the right pedal and depressing it at the appropriate moments. Braking is much more than this. Ironically one of the most important issues under this subject is strictly not a technical problem at all. This is talking about driver
foot is not operating the clutch. Park it off the pedal. If everything fails, and a learner still cannot select gears properly after many trials, he should listen to the sound of the engine which softens when the clutch is almost completely engaged. At this point, the vehicle might not move but it would need just a little more “give” on the clutch pedal before it does. So all the learner does, is select gear one, allow the clutch pedal to come up until the engine noise changes and then use the opportunity. Braking is an art and it can he mastered by any one who is sufficiently interested in it.
anticipation or the lack of it On tile highway, good driver anticipation is almost as necessary and valuable as a set of fresh pads. It is particularly useful for the learner’s drivers to incorporate the life saving idea of thinking ahead into the armory of his driving skills. In most large cities there are areas with a large concentration of schools. When these institutions close and the kids head for home. Drivers of vehicles on road near them need to be extracareful and alert so as to prevent fatal knockdowns. A driver who thinks ahead would automatically reduce his speed on approaching the
“In most large cities there are areas with a large concentration of schools. When these institutions close and the kids head for home. Drivers of vehicles on road near them need to be extra-careful and alert so as to prevent fatal knockdowns.”
places where the children cross or congregate. If he had been going at 90 kph. He might come down to 3Okph, which is more manageable. But a driver who lacks this anticipatory faculty would rush through at a high speed if a careless child runs into the road in front of him at this high speed. Even given the best brakes in the world, or a state or the art ABS
system. It might still be impossible to avoid hitting the child. The brake pedal is the central one of the trio on the floorboard. It is usually the same size as the clutch pedal. The hinged pedal activates cables or levers which in turn work the front disc pads and the rear drum shoes. With a high proportion of the vehicles manufactured these days the brakes are operated with engine-generated vacuum or servo assistance. The most significant effect of servo assistance is to reduce the pedal effort required to work the brakes. It is almost like getting something for free. It is easy to find out what braking is like without servo help Park on a slope, facing forward, switch off the engine and let the vehicle coast. Apply the brakes continuously, by the fifth or sixth application all the servo assistance is gone and you can then experience unassisted braking. Once a learner becomes proficient enough to take a
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Motoring With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452
vehicle onto the highway he or she needs to advance his knowledge of brakes. Above a certain speed it is more efficient to “pump” the brake
rather than apply one hefty push. However, at slow of speed there is absolutely nothing wrong with “one time” brake application. One
Auto Tips
Automatic Transmission (i) “P” and “R” must never be selected when the car is moving forward (ii) DL and ‘R” must not be selected when the engine is running at high speed. (iii) Except in an emergency, “L” must not be selected at speed above 85Km/h. (iv) At above 4,800Km interval check the level of oil in the unit. NOTE: The need for frequent stopping up indicate leakages, which must be rectified immediately. BLEEDING THE BRAKES This is necessary when ever air has entered the braking system to prevent spring pedal and break failure. The main steps in this operation are: • Ensure that the brake fluid reservoir is full. • Attach one end of rubber tube to bleeder valve and immerse other end in fluid contained in jar. • Open bleeder valve and slowly pump pedal until air bubbles cease to appear. Close bleeder valve as pedal is being depressed. • Repeat at all wheel cylinders. • Top up reservoir. Bleeding of Braking System with ABS: It is important that the engine is kept working throughout the bleeding operation or which you are replacing brake pads ensure that the electronic system is active during the servicing operation. Bleeding must be done only through the nipple provided. Don’t bleed by slackening any pipe. Start the bleeding operation from the farthest nipple to the brake pedal.
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THE NIGERIAN
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Health
Family Planning: Steps
For Designing Behaviour Change Communication STEPS for designing behaviour change communication IN their “Tools for behaviour change communication”, Salem, Ruwaida M., et.al., (2008 devised a five steps behaviour change communication programs design and it is regarded as the P-Process. The P-Process outlines the following five steps: analysis; strategic design; development and testing; implementation and monitoring; and evaluation and revision. Step1: Analysis understand the dynamics of the health issue (security and causes of the problem, facilitators and barriers to behavioural change, aspects that can be addressed through communication). Identify the primary audience (those at risk for the problem) as well as those who influence their health behaviours; determine current levels of knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and media access/ habits. Conduct participant analysis and identify the potentially most effective means of reaching this
By ERANGA ISAAC
behaviour change choose the type of appeal (empowering, entertaining) and tone (humorous, authoritative) pretest the messages and materials with members of the intended audience. Revise messages and materials on the basis of the pretest results. Step4: Implementation And Monitoring develop and implement a dissemination plan manage all aspects of the process: activities, staffing, budget, and responses from the audience and
birth and 8,000 newborn babies die during their first month of life. Newborn deaths account for 43 percent of all deaths among children under age 5. 3 million newborn babies die every year mostly due to easily preventable or treatable causes such as infections, complications at birth and complications of prematurity. 60 percent of infant deaths occur in the first month of life. Among those, nearly three-fourths (2 million per year) die in their first week. And more than a third (1 million per year) die on their day of birth.
“Newborn deaths account for 43 percent of all deaths among children under age 5. 3 million newborn babies die every year mostly due to easily preventable or treatable causes such as infections, complications at birth and complications of prematurity.” audience. Step2: strategist Design define the objective of the program the desired changes in knowledge, attitudes, social norms, and behaviours. Develop a conceptual framework to indicate how program activities are expected to achieve these objectives. Use this framework to select monitoring and evaluation indicators. Prioritized communication channels to be used Develop a creative brief to share with those who will develop the messages. The brief should characterize the intended audience, identify the behavioural change objectives, and describe the benefits to the audience and outline key messages. Draw up an implementation plan including activities, partners’ roles and responsibilities, timeline, budget and management plan. Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan. Step3: Development And Pretesting develop messages and materials, based on formative research and the strategic plan outlined above Tailor messages to the audience’s stage of
other stake holders. Monitor the program and make midcourse adjustment. Step5: Evaluation measure outcomes and, if the study design permits, impact. Disseminate results to partners, key stakeholders, the news media, and funding agencies Record lessons learned and achieve research findings for use in future programs Revise and redesign the new program after evaluating findings. The above is a state of the art for designing family planning communication programs and is firmly established. Mothers and Newborn: Vital Statistics Every year, 40 million women give birth at home without the help of a skilled birth attendant. Every day, 800 women die during pregnancy or child
Nearly all newborn and maternal deaths (98 and 99 percent, respectively) occur in developing countries where pregnant women and newborn babies lack access to basic health care service before, during and after delivery. 2013 MOTHER’S INDEX RANKINGS Top 10 Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Bottom 10 Country Rank Finland 167 Sweden 168 Norway 169 Iceland 170 Netherlands 171 Denmark 172 Spain 173 Belgium 174 Germany 175 Australia 176
Country Cote d’Ivoire Chad Nigeria Gambia Central African Republic Niger Mali Sierra Leone Somalia DR Congo
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Religion HARVEST is usually a time to reap what you have sown. If you have sown nothing then you have nothing to reap in harvest time. In order o reap financial harvest if you are a Christian you have to sow in your tithes and offering. Believe me, it works wonders! I like my readers to know I was in the early years of my ministry shy to talk of tithing let alone practise it. My church and the members dwindled into financial insignificance. It was when I learnt the secret of tithing and I began to encourage my congregation with biblical proofs to tithe and they began to practise it that things began to change dramatically for the mission and the members. 1 am about to unfold this secret to you. Please you can help yourself by simply removing any trace or ioata of biasas and open the scriptures with me to understand what God wants you to learn it can change your own situation also. The history of tithe dates hack to the Abrahamic period Abraham was the first to tithe and he tithed to Melchizedek the king of Salem (Gen 14:1820, 1-leb 7:11-2). “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high
Financial Harvest
“God is absolutely rich. He is the source of divine wealth. Every genuine wealth that is achieved can be attributable to him. I don’t mean fraudulent wealth. Genuine wealth is from God whereas fraudulent wealth is linked to Satan Now I am talking of tapping from the wealth of God.” God … Abraham gave a tenth part of all” Heb7:1-2 Melchizedek received the tithe and blessed Abraham. Melchizedek in biblical theology “is like unto the son of God”. He had no beginning and no end (Heb 7:3). Then on mount Sinai the lord through Moses the prophet, established the tithe as an ordinance to the people of Israel and was a condition for which he would recycle blessings unto the people. They were to observe it faithfully. They were to pay one tenth to God of their harvest in fruits or herd or flock or convert the product in cash or money Ler27:32-34, Deut l4:22-25. If they tithed, then he added, “that the lord thy God may bless thee in all thy work of thine hand which thou doest” Deut 14:29 Then came the era of the generation of Malachi the prophet, the people stopped or became nonchalant with their tithe and paid less attention to it - God saw it as a way to forsake him and to abandon the ordinance. Nothing worked out well for them. For they had forsaken God and God had equally forsaken them. Mal 3:6-7. That
With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA
same way a child of God who refuses to tithe is seen as forsaking God and God will equally forsake him; so he will never get his prosperity from God. Now God spoke to the People of Israel what to do for a remedy. “Return to mc and I will return to you, saith the lord of host: Mal 3:7. How were they to return to God? “But ye said, where in shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed, me in tithes and offerings Mal 3:8. Now the lord commanded “Bring yea all the tithes to the storehouse that there may be meat in my house AND PROVE ME NOW HERE WITH ... lF I WILL NOT OPEN YOU THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN, AND POUR YOU OUT A BLESSINGS THAT THERE SAHL NOT BE ROOM ENOUGH TO RECEIVE IT” MAL 3:10. The prophecy explained further how the lord would do it: “ I WILL REBUKE THE DEVOURERS FOR YOUR SAKES and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field . And all nations shall 4 all you blessed”
Mal 3:1 1-12. What is obvious is that the tithe is an ordinance from. God - for which the lord is delighted and for which sake he can release super natural abundance to those who tithe. He will “open the windows of heaven ,” is a synonym of the supernatural move of God in provision of abundance to them that diligently tithe to God. That is why tithing and offering can be regarded as sowing financial seed in the house of God for which you will reap abundantly by the supernatural hand of God as your financial harvest. Hence the Apostle Paul wrote: “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall
reap also bountifully” 2Cor 9:6. I believe in tithing an offering as planting a seed faith for my financial harvest. God will do it supernaturally. Believe this, try it out by faith and see what the lord will do in return; for Gods word shall stand forever. Isa 40:8. TAPPING FROM GOD’S RESOURCES God is absolutely rich. He is the source of divine wealth. Every genuine wealth that is achieved can be attributable to him. I don’t mean fraudulent wealth. Genuine wealth is from God whereas fraudulent wealth is linked to Satan Now I am talking of tapping from the wealth of God. A Christian who lives n penury and disease or a defeated life of failure lacks knowledge of God. He has not taken his proper place with God. He dose not know that he is also God’s heir. He does not know he is a prince or a princess of the kingdom. As soon as you realize that you are a prince or a princess and your heavenly father is a king with abundant resources under his absolute command then you should begin to believe and act as a prince or a princess not as a beggar. A
prince who turns to be a beggar is no longer a prince but a prodigal son, for though he had enjoyed the benevolence of the father, he had squandered it. As a child of God, and a born again Christian, I am a prince. My heavenly father is the king of the whole universe. So why then must I suffer lack? Cant you try to imagine this misnomer as a strange anomaly? The Bible tells us deafly that our God is rich and owns the whole universe - in the following bible verses: The earth is the lord’s and the fullness there of Ps 24: 1. “For every beast of the, forest is mine; and the cattle upon a thousand hills. ... For the world is mire and the fullness there of” Ps 50:10-12. “The silver is mine and the gold is mine saith the lord of host” Hag, 2:8. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights” Jas 1:17 Moses had said also to the people of Israel that God is the repository of divine wealth. “BUT THOU SHALL REMEMBER THE LORD THY GOD: FOR IT IS HE THAT GIVETH THEE POWER TO
GET WEALTH” DEUT 8:18 THERE SHALL BE NO POOR AMONG YOU; FOR THE LORD SHALL GREATLY BLESS THEE” DEUT 15:4. Now if these words are Gods words, which never lie and which standeth forever according to the scriptures Num 23:19, Isa 40:8); then why should a CHRISTIAN SUFFER LACK, POVERTY AND DISEASES? Our lord Jesus told us what to do first to begin to receive abundance from God. When he said: “SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU” MATT 6:33 Now if you are a born again Christian sure you are a heir in Gods kingdom, you are to exercise the authority of a heir to tap from God’s resources. I will teach you some principles: but first let us learn the lesson of the ants. The proverbist wrote “Go to the ant thou Sluggard, consider her ways and be wise which. ... provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep . .sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? So shall thy poverty come” Prov 6:6-Il. What do you understand from above? That even though you are born again full of prayers don’t go walking the streets, thinking of picking coins on the ground for a testimony. Yes if you are born again and you happen to see some lost coins on the ground, or a bag of money, presume in the first instance it is a lost amount of money for which the owner is weeping and is looking for it. Kindly return such money to the rightful owner; for it will do you greater good than pocket what does not belong to you and pretend it is “manna “ from above. When “manna” “ falls from above you surely will know it by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. So you must not be a. sluggard. You must work and not sleep away your precious and valuable time if you want God to bless you.
“What do you understand from above? That even though you are born again full of prayers don’t go walking the streets, thinking of picking coins on the ground for a testimony. Yes if you are born again and you happen to see some lost coins on the ground, or a bag of money, presume in the first instance it is a lost amount of money for which the owner is weeping and is looking for it.”
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
International News
Israel Cancels Plan To Build Settler Homes In World Bank
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Tuesday cancelled plans to build 20,000 new settler homes in the West Bank, hours after their announcement sparked US and Palestinian criticism. Netanyahu ordered Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel “to reconsider all of the steps for
evaluating planning potential (for the settler homes) that he distributed without any advance coordination,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said. Netanyahu told Ariel the plan was “meaningless” legally — “and an action that creates an unnecessary confrontation with the international community at a time when we are making an
effort to persuade elements in the international community to reach a better deal with Iran,” according to the statement. Ariel was said to “accede” to Netanyahu’s “request”. Intelligence Minister Yuval
Steinitz on Wednesday urged “coordinated” settlement building. “The prime minister is right when he says that at such a sensitive time, while we’re trying to persuade the
Americans, Europeans and Russians to amend a problematic deal with Iran, things must be coordinated with the prime minister,” Steinitz told Israeli public radio. The prime minister’s order came after Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned the construction plans, announced
FOX Weds
AFOLABI The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Fox Elena Victorovna (based in Washington USA) and Mr. Afolabi Edosomwan (a business man) took place on Friday 8th November, 2013 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. It was witnessed by family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple at the Registry. Congratulations. Photo: SONNIE. E. PUBLIC NOTICE
BALM CITY THE KAIROS CHURCH The general public is hereby notified that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1. Pastor Kennbriz Efekomwan (President) 2. Pastor Dianabriz Efekomwan 3. Pastor Solomon Igiebor (Secretary) 4. Mr. Humphrey Osazee Odeh 5. Mrs. Philomena Egharevba 6. Mr. Bright Edoseghe 7. Mr. Philip Patrick Obongha 8. Dr. Obosa Aibieyi AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Christ. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed:
Pastor Kennbriz Efekomwan (President)
CHANGE OF NAME
RUFUS – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rufus Agatha Iwalewa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omojowo Agatha Iwalewa. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE
CAVEAT EMPTOR
This is to bring for the information of the general public, property agents and property speculators that the house which situate; lying and known as No. 13, Etinosa, Ihogbe quarters, off Wire Road, Benin City is the bonafide property of Mrs. Kehinde Iyamu, nee Lawrence. It should be known that the house is not for sale and buyers beware! Signed: Tony Iyamu Iwinosa (Eldest son)
earlier Tuesday by Ariel’s ministry, would prompt him to declare the peace process over if they went ahead. Washington expressed “deep concern” at the move, which threatened to add sharply to the 550,000 Israeli settlers already living in the occupied West Bank, including annexed Arab east Jerusalem. Netanyahu made it clear the housing ministry’s call for tenders for the homes threatened to distract from his efforts to convince world powers to not sign a deal with Iran, over its nuclear programme, he considered inadequate. “At this time, the attention of the international community must not be diverted from the main effort — preventing Iran from receiving an agreement that will allow it to continue its military nuclear program,” Netanyahu said, according to the statement. Iran and the world powers it is negotiating with over its nuclear programme came close last weekend to agreeing a preliminary accord opening the way to a more comprehensive pact. But differences prevented a breakthrough, and the two sides are scheduled to meet again in Geneva on November 20. Netanyahu has furiously denounced the agreement being worked on as “dangerous” claiming it is entirely in Iran’s favour and does nothing to halt a nuclear programme he and the world powers fear is aimed at developing atomic weapons. He has said Israel will not shy from military action on Iran if necessary to prevent any nuclear threat directed at it. Faltering peace process US Secretary of State John Kerry, who rushed to Geneva last weekend to lead the US negotiations with Iran, was in Israel and the Palestinian territories last week in a bid to rescue the peace talks there already faltering after just three months of meetings. CHANGE OF NAME
JEMIDE – I, formerly known as Miss Oritsemueyiwa Jemide wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oritsemueyiwa Ohiro Atakpu. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
Saudi Officially Rejects UN Security Council Seat
NEW YORK - Saudi Arabia officially told the United Nations on Tuesday that it would not be taking up a UN Security Council seat — opening the way for Jordan to take the place. Saudi envoy to the United Nations Abdullah al-Mouallimi wrote to UN leader Ban Kimoon to inform him of the move
and reaffirm a Saudi protest over the way the council has acted over the Syria conflict. UN spokesman Martin Nesirky confirmed that a letter had been received about the Security Council seat, but did not give details. “The matter is now one for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the
Security Council and the member states to consider,” he said. Saudi Arabia won a seat on the Security Council for the first time last month. But the following day the Saudi government stunned leading powers by announcing it would not take up the place.
Western diplomats now say Jordan will take up the seat. Jordanian officials have confirmed that the move is being discussed but not confirmed the country will take up the seat. Jordan did however withdraw its candidacy from the race for a UN Human Rights Council position so that Saudi Arabia was guaranteed a place in an election
held on Tuesday. Jordan is believed to be wary of taking up the seat because of its sensitive position on the frontier of the Syrian civil war. A new UN General Assembly election will have to be held to allow a new country to take up the two year seat that Saudi Arabia should have started on
January 1. “I wish to inform you that the government of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to advise you that Saudi Arabia will regrettably not be in position to assume its seat in the Security Council to which it was elected,” Mouallimi wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by AFP.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
International Features
Yemen Fighting Risks Deepening Sectarian Divisions
A deadly assault by Shi’ite Houthi rebels on a Salafi Islamic school planted in their mountain heartland could ignite wider sectarian conflict in Yemen, where instability has already helped al Qaeda militants to take root. The Houthis, who belong to the Zaydi branch of Shi’ite Islam, have bombarded the sprawling Dar al-Hadith seminary in Dammaj village for two weeks, killing at least 100 people. Late on Tuesday, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsular (AQAP) pledged revenge for the assault. Political rivalries may have helped to start the violence, but the struggle over a Salafi outpost deep in Houthi territory is also part of a regional contest between Shi’ite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia that has been sharpened by the war in Syria. Zaydis have for years been alarmed by young Sunnis flocking to Dar alHadith, in the northern province of Saada, to study ultra-orthodox Salafi doctrines that cast Shi’ites as heretics. Houthi militants, whose rebellion is fuelled by the
accumulated grievances of many Zaydis, dominate Saada after fighting government forces on and off for nearly a decade. They detest Dar alHadith, proclaiming on October 30 that the Salafis had “turned Dammaj into a launch-pad for their criminal actions and a training center (for) thousands of armed foreign elements from more than 120 countries”. Dar al-Hadith’s leaders, who deny any such activities, have condemned al Qaeda, but some militants, including the “American Taliban”, John Walker Lindh, have been through the school, and its founder was linked to a 1979 Islamist uprising in Mecca. The Dammaj fighting is one of many crises besetting Yemen, where state failure could further empower an al Qaeda wing that has targeted Western ships and airliners in the past. JOCKEYING FOR POSITION Yemen’s best hope may lie in national reconciliation talks begun in March to draft a new constitution and defuse threats from Houthis, southern secessionists and Islamist
insurgents. That effort followed the negotiated removal of veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh after mass protests against his rule that began even before a wave of Arab revolts in 2011. Under the deal, interim President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi must hold elections next year and try to reach a workable compromise among Yemen’s myriad tribal and political factions. The Houthis’ onslaught on Dammaj may be a gambit to strengthen their bargaining power before any such deal. “We are coming to the conclusion of the dialogue and each party is trying to consolidate its presence on the ground,” said Yemeni analyst Abdul-Ghani alIryani. “Dammaj is deep in Zaydi territory. The Houthis are trying to capture it militarily.” Houthi-Salafi strife could further poison the oncerelaxed relations between Shi’ites and Sunnis in Yemen, already strained by Iranian-Saudi rivalry and feelings heated by the sectarian hatred that now imbues Syria’s struggle
between Sunni Islamist rebels and a president whose Alawite sect derives from Shi’ism. “Yemenis don’t hate each other for sectarian reasons,” Iryani said. “But that does not preclude this outcome, down the line, if this crisis is not fixed quickly.” Saleh, the former president, exploited sectarian sentiments during his successive wars with the Houthis, according to Ibrahim Sharqieh, a Yemen expert at Doha Brookings think-tank. “This conflict did not start last week,” he said. Zaydis dominate the rugged highlands of Yemen, which their Imams ruled for 1,000 years until a 1962 military coup. They are well-represented in Yemen’s political, military and tribal elites, but have generally kept their faith out of national politics - even as Salafi influence began to rise in mosques funded by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf neighbors. SAUDI ROLE The Houthis emerged in the north in the 1990s in response to economic deprivation and waning Zaydi political influence, as
well as Salafi inroads in the area, symbolized by Dar alHadith. Saleh’s military attempts to crush the Houthis from 2004 to 2010 prompted Iran to adopt their cause as fellow-Shi’ites, albeit from two very different branches of the sect, although Tehran denies Saudi accusations that it armed them. In 2009 Saudi Arabia even fought a brief war with the Houthis, who control territory just over its southern border. Riyadh’s links to Yemen go deep. It has long subsidized the government, as well as funding unruly tribes in a complex quest for influence in its impoverished and more populous neighbor. Wealthy and often wellconnected donors from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations have bankrolled Sunni religious centers in Yemen, including Salafi ones such as Dar al-Hadith. The seminary’s founder, Sheikh Muqbil al-Wadi’i, studied in Saudi Arabia in the 1970s after converting from Shi’ism. He fell in with radical preacher Juhayman alOtaybi, who led the twoweek seizure of Mecca’s Grand Mosque in 1979 by militants seeking an
would be to simply leave out of any accord any reference to a “right to enrichment,” but this option reportedly does not suit the Iranians, who want to see the right enshrined in any agreement. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who has spoken for months of Iran’s right to enrichment, vowed again Sunday that Iran will never give up its “nuclear rights,” including enrichment. “The rights of the Iranian nation and our national interests are a red line,” Mr. Rouhani said. “So are nuclear rights and the framework of international regulations, which include enrichment on Iranian soil.” Obama administration officials from the president on down have spoken of Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy, but they almost always twin that “right” with an obligation to offer verifiable guarantees that any nuclear activities are not being diverted to military purposes. “There is no right that is specific within the NPT about enrichment,” Secretary of State John Kerry said flatly in an interview Monday with the BBC. Repeating later that “right” is the “wrong word,” Mr. Kerry went on to speak of “standards” that, if met, could allow the Iranians some level of nuclear activity. “What they have to see is that … there is a standard by which they might be able to do something, provided they meet certain standards in order to do it,” Kerry said.
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month, Wendy Sherman, the administration’s chief negotiator with the Iranians, was even more adamant, saying “it has always been the US position that [the NPT] does not speak about the right of enrichment at all, doesn’t speak to enrichment, period.” The US position, she added, is to look at each country individually and on its merits. President Obama offered a further nuanced interpretation of Iran’s rights when he said in September that the US respects “the right of the Iranian people
to access peaceful nuclear energy in the context of Iran meeting its obligations.” By “obligations,” Mr. Obama was no doubt referring to the safeguards that the NPT also calls on countries to accept to ensure that nuclear fuels are not being diverted to non-peaceful purposes. Beyond the Iran nuclear stalemate, how the “right to enrichment” question is resolved will influence global perceptions of the big powers and their handling of other issues. NPEC’s Mr. Sokolski says he realized this several years ago
Islamist revolution. Otaybi and dozens of his followers were beheaded after the revolt was crushed. Sheikh Muqbil, who did not take part in the attack but was accused of writing a statement for Otaybi, was deported to Yemen, where he set up Dar al-Hadith. Within a few years it began drawing thousands of Yemeni and foreign students. According to Mohammed alAhmadi, a Yemeni expert on Salafis, up to 7,000, including hundreds from the United States, Canada, Europe and southeast Asia study there, some living with their families on the compound in Dammaj, a complex of white-washed concrete buildings in a lush valley surrounded by mud houses. Former students describe a monkish lifestyle of memorizing the Koran and studying the sayings of the Prophet Mohammad. The books of medieval theologian Ibn Taymiya, those of the founder of Wahhabism, Sheikh Mohammed ibn Abd alWahhab, and of Sheikh Muqbil himself, fill the seminary’s library. While many students pay for their education, donations by Gulf businessmen helped fund Dar al-Hadith, although these were curbed after Courtesy: REUTERS
Does Iran Have A ‘Right’ To Enrich Uranium? By HOWARD LAFRANCHI
THE Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty does not explicitly cite a ‘right’ to enrich uranium, and how the US and other powers resolve this dispute has implications beyond Iran. Iran’s assertion that it has a guaranteed international “right” to uranium enrichment – and its demand that this right be formally recognized in writing – have emerged as key factors in the failure of negotiators to reach a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear activities. Yet what sounds like an easily answered question – Does Iran or any other country have such a right or not? – turns out to be far from clear, with fervent believers on both sides and some in between. The US now says Iran has no such right – but that was not always the case. Less than a decade ago, during the Bush administration, some officials held that it did. The source of the confusion is the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, or NPT, which says that its 190 signatories (of which Iran is one) have an “inalienable right … to develop, research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.” No mention is made of uranium enrichment, an activity that can serve as a crucial part of peaceful nuclear energy production – or lead to production of fuel for a nuclear
weapon. Yet supporters of Iran’s position say a right to enrichment is implicit in the treaty’s stated right to production of nuclear energy. How this question is resolved may well determine whether or not a deal on Iran’s advancing nuclear program can be reached when negotiators from six world powers meet with Iran again next week in Geneva. And as important as the question of a “right” to enrichment has become to the Iran talks, how it is resolved will also have far-reaching repercussions around the globe, some nuclear experts say, because of its potential for setting off a chain reaction of destabilizing enrichment activity. Countries from Saudi Arabia to Vietnam and South Korea, either contemplating or in varying stages of nuclear development, could seize on any “right to enrichment” that was set in stone. “The problem is that the US and others want this [Iran accord] to be a one-off, and the truth is it won’t be,” says Henry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC) in Washington. “They know very well that whatever they agree to in the Iran case is going to have collateral impact well beyond the Iranian issue.” One solution in Iran’s case
Hassan Rouhani, Iran President
when a high-ranking Iranian official told him that establishing the “right to enrichment” was important to Iran for more than just the nuclear issue. “What he told me was, ‘If we are doing what it is our right to do, then you look like you are beating up on us and being the bully,’ ” Sokolski recalls. For senior officials like Kerry to be pointing out that a right to enrichment “is not in the NPT is a good start,” Sokolski says, as it suggests the US may not be afraid of looking a bit like the bully if it means getting the looming program of nuclear fuels proliferation right.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
International Features
Rice Looted In Philippines Amid Aid Shortage
THOUSANDS of people stormed a rice warehouse on an island devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, authorities said Wednesday, highlighting the urgent need to get water, food and medical supplies into an increasingly desperate region. Five days after one of the strongest tropical storms on record leveled tens of thousands of houses in the central Philippines, relief operations were only starting to pick up pace, with two more airports in the region reopening, allowing for more aid flights. But minimal food and water was reaching people in the devastated city of Tacloban, on Leyte island, which bore the brunt of the storm, and outlying regions due to a lack of trucks and blocked roads. “There’s a bit of a logjam to be absolutely honest getting stuff in here,” said Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. “You’ve had quite a lot of security coming in over the last couple of days, less so other things. So then it gets here and then we’re going to have a real challenge with logistics in terms of getting things out of here, into town, out of town, into the other areas,” he said from the airport in Tacloban. “The reason for that essentially is that there are no trucks, the roads are all closed.” In the first reported deaths as a result of looting, eight people were crushed to death Tuesday when a wall collapsed as they and thousands of others stormed a rice warehouse on Leyte Island, said National Food Authority spokesman Rex Estoperez. The looters in Alangalang municipality carted away up to 100,000 sacks of rice, he said. Since the storm, people have broken into homes, malls and garages, where they have stripped the shelves of food, water and other goods. Authorities have struggled to stop the looting. There have been unconfirmed reports of armed gangs involved in some instances. Police were working to keep order across the ravaged
wasteland. An 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was in place. “We have restored order,” said Carmelo Espina Valmoria, director of the Philippine National Police special action force. “There has been looting for the last three days, (but) the situation has stabilized.” U.S. Brig Gen. Paul Kennedy said that later Wednesday his troops would install equipment at Tacloban airport to allow planes to land at night. Tacloban, a city of 220,000, was almost completely destroyed in Friday’s typhoon and has become the main relief hub. “You are not just going to see Marines and a few planes and some helicopters,” Kennedy said. “You will see the entire Pacific Command respond to this crisis.” A Norwegian ship carrying supplies left from Manila, while an Australian air force transport plane took off from Canberra carrying a medical team. British and American navy vessels are also en route to the region. At the damaged airport in Tacloban, makeshift clinics have been set up and thousands of people were looking for a flight out. A doctor here said supplies of antibiotics
and anesthetics arrived Tuesday for the first time. “Until then, patients had to endure the pain,” said Dr. Victoriano Sambale. At least 580,000 people have been displaced by the disaster. In some places, tsunami-like storm surges swept up to one-kilometer (mile) inland, causing more destruction and loss of life. Most of the death and destruction appears concentrated on the islands of Samar and Leyte. The damaged infrastructure and bad communications links made a conclusive death toll difficult to estimate. The official toll from a national disaster agency rose to 2,275 on Wednesday. President Benigno Aquino III told CNN in a televised interview that the toll could be closer to 2,000 or 2,500, lower than an earlier estimate from two officials on the ground who said they feared as many as 10,000 might be dead. “There is a huge amount that we need to do. We have not been able to get into the remote communities,” U.N.
humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said in Manila, launching an appeal for $301 million to help the more than 11 million people estimated to be affected by the storm. “Even in Tacloban, because of the debris and the difficulties with logistics and so on,
we have not been able to get in the level of supply that we would want to. We are going to do as much as we can to bring in more,” she said. Her office said she planned to visit the city. Relief officials said comparing the pace of this operation to those in past disasters was difficult. In Indonesia’s Aceh, the worst-hit region by the 2004
tsunami, relief hubs were easier to set up than in Tacloban. The main airport there was functioning 24 hours a day within a couple of days of the disaster. While devastation in much of the city of Banda Aceh was total, large inland parts of the city were undamaged, providing a base for aid operations and temporary accommodation for the homeless.
A soldier carries one-day-old baby Ian Daniel Honrado to a waiting military transport plane Wednesday Nov. 13, 2013 from the damaged Tacloban airport at Tacloban city, Leyte province in central Philippines. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms on record, slammed into central Philippine provinces Friday, leaving a wide swath of destruction and thousands of people dead.
South Sudan Can Restore Oil Output, Defend New FX Fate - Minister
SOUTH Sudan, which has just devalued its currency by 34 percent, can use some of its almost $1 billion in foreign exchange reserves to defend the new rate, Finance Minister Aggrey Sabuni Tisa told Reuters. He also predicted his country’s oil output should return to levels reached before a row with neighbouring Sudan “maybe within the next four to five months. It’s not very far (off).” South Sudan has had a currency problem ever since it gained independence from Sudan in July 2011. Its oil exports have been disrupted by disputes with Khartoum, as well as by endemic corruption, leaving it struggling to get the hard currency to pay for the food and other imports that it depends upon. It devalued its pound currency against the dollar by 34 percent on Monday to bring it onto a par with the black market rate, a move that risks fanning inflation.
But Tisa, speaking on the sidelines of a UN debt management conference in Geneva, said: “We don’t expect it to affect inflation all that seriously, simply because already the prices in the market are based upon the parallel (black market) exchange rate.” South Sudan will finish paying back foreign loans within 2-3 months and is discussing rescheduling its debt to domestic creditors, Tisa said. “We should be close to a billion U.S. dollars,” he said of the country’s foreign exchange reserves. “It’s not bad, which enables us to protect the new position and at the same time enables South Sudan to import for at least three months.” But he added: “We will have to use part of our foreign exchange, particularly dollars, to protect the new
position of the South Sudanese Pound.” In devaluing its currency late on Monday, South Sudan followed the example of Sudan’s central bank which has devalued its pound by 22.6 percent against the dollar, the second such move in little over a year. On Tuesday, Bank of South Sudan indicated the official foreign exchange rate as one dollar to 4.5 pounds from 2.95 pounds before the devaluation. The central bank said in a statement on Monday the devaluation was part of reforms intended to bring such markets into the formal economy and create jobs. “It will lower short-term exchange rate volatility, provide more reliable access to foreign exchange by the business community and members of the public and help to build buffers for the economy
to deal with unanticipated shocks,” it said. Stability in South Sudan is vital for the crude oil producers from China, India and Malaysia operating in the country and for east African neighbours Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda which were swamped with refugees during the civil war. Economic analysts warned of quickening inflation. “Adjusting the rate is very unfortunate for South Sudan but there is no way out. We now can’t avoid inflation, definitely prices are going to go up,” Kenyi Spencer, a World Bank economic consultant and a director of Equity Bank told Reuters. “The black market will increase their rate, it will increase beyond five SSP (South Sudan pounds) for a dollar, this is going to affect a lot of businesses,” he said. Spencer said fuel shortages and rising fuel prices were
also imminent after heavy rains flooded and blocked the main road to Uganda, a key link for South Sudan’s food. Taban Albert, treasurer at Eden Commercial Bank said neighbouring Uganda and Kenya, South Sudan’s main trading partners, would also be affected by the price hikes. “We think a better idea would have been to inject dollars into the market, that would be a better way to combat the black market,” he said. But minister Tisa said the government could not afford to keep “selling its foreign currency cheaply to the central bank and then to everybody else.” He also said the government was encouraging businesses outside the oil sector. “Before the oil shutdown in January 2012 we were terribly neglecting our non-oil sector revenue and we were collecting only something like 35 million South Sudanese pounds,” he said. “We have since moved to
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Towing The Path Of Virtue
MAN can easily observe the will of the creator, for he has the Ten Commandments, the messages of God and he lives in the midst of the work, which the creator has created. From this alone, he is able to read everything that is contained in the laws of
hard for people to awaken within them, the virtue of humility, because, in the end this also, requires the recognition of God, the sensing of Divine Greatness and Power. WHAT THEN IS VIRTUE?
The virtue of compassion particularly, affects the relationship between men. For this also, has man long since found a substitute: pity, as a product of the earthbound intellect, born of vanity and self-love or earthly scheming. Personal benefit
as the taking which originates in an expectation that takes things for granted, in a demanding and asking or in an entitlement to be helped. Vollmann says that there is something else, inherent in compassion: the just severity that sees only the spiritual benefit of the other, which includes also earthly, whereas, letting oneself be helped from pity is much more pleasant and convenient, but also,
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Man And Nature With O.C. MADU 08056379608 do except give thanks. In conclusion, let us just deal briefly with diligence, which is of special importance in the life of man, irrespective of whether it is to be counted among the virtues or among the good qualities of the human spirit. Here too the original concept Vollamnn says has been dragged down to the earthly. One person strives with persistent diligence for a carefree and comfortable earthlife, another with pertinacious diligence for power and respect
he makes the best of an unpleasant circumstance, rather than occupying himself with the virtues as such. And yet, with this word a far-off chord should touch his soul, if it still carries within it a spark of longing. A chord that breaks through the dark veils, giving way to luminous lays, refreshing, invigorating rays from eternal, inexhaustible springs that will once again endow man with the
“But in the present time of the great, spiritual impasse, of the ceaseless rushing in of bad impressions, of inner dissension of the soul and deadening of the individual personality, mankind is farther away than ever from this ideal of striving.”
creation. These laws shape and guide the whole happening in creation, and arbitrary deviation from them is impossible, because such would be contrary to Divine perfection. If man has thus, found the courage for true serving while maintaining his full personality, the gate to humility will open for him and with humility another virtue enters his soul modesty. He who is modest, never presumptuously over reaches himself and always takes only in due proportion of that which creation offers him. In the present age of remoteness from God, it is especially
Virtues belong to the abilities of spirit which are the “talent” entrusted to it, which it is to make the most of, that is to say, it is to make use of its abilities, so that, they will bring blessing (interest). Therefore, virtues come from God. They are most noble gifts with which the creator invested the human spirit. Hence, virtues are eternal and do not change. Herbert Vollmann says that man was not immediately equipped with read-made virtues, he himself must see to it that they are awaken and blossom. For this purpose, he again needs corresponding radiations from the universe, which help him to do so.
and advantage mostly take first place, the desire really to help others is nearly always lacking. On the other hand, compassion in its spiritual greatness, is different. It arises from the pure, spiritual intuitive perception of man, from kind-heartedness and not from selfish striving as in the case of pity. It helps for the sake of helping and has not thought of personal advantage, because its aim is of a spiritual nature. Therefore, it also observes the law of Balance between giving and taking the giving which is done out of scheming or vanity transgresses this law as much
“Through the fatal consequence of pity, the harmony of the mutual relationship between men has already been severely disrupted for a long time, because the giver as well as the taker act wrongly in this matter and seek only after earthly gain.”
promotes spiritual indolence. How important it is to be active is indicted by a Chinese saying: “If you give a man fish he has food for a day. If you teach a man to catch fish he has food for life” This simple words strike precisely at the core of a genuine help which is really beneficial to men. They could even be taken as the genuine foundation of help for the developing nations, which today is often offered only out of pity. How much is given here solely from a desire to dominate, for external matters, for a comfortable life, for the moment. But how little is done to awaken, to encourage and to further the natural self help, the inner and outer activity, which only then brings blessing. Through the fatal consequence of pity, the harmony of the mutual relationship between men has already been severely disrupted for a long time, because the giver as well as the taker act wrongly in this matter and seek only after earthly gain. Compassion, however, swings in the laws of creation and can therefore, only release joy and gratitude. Gratitude should be unlimited only towards God, because, for all that man receives from him there is nothing he can
and with laborious diligence, a third does his everyday work without joy. But who knows the right concept of spiritual diligence, which is closely linked with the law of continuous movement in creation? That diligence which unremi-Hingly tries with quite confidene to strive for a high, luminous goal, to ennoble itself and its fellowmen and thereby, to advance spiritually, without unnecessary extremes, without restraint and without haste. In accordance with the law of movement, a harmonious spiritual swinging thus, arises, which is subsequently transferred to the earthly working and which allows neither love of comfort and indolence nor an unwholesome excess of zeal to emerge. Such diligence striving comes to an end during the necessary periods of rest and thus, at the same time again draws new stimulus for fresh activity. Diligence which is rooted in the spiritual, produces fruits for eternity imperishable works, that also, help other people. But with this diligence there arises on earth a joyful blessed working in honour and gratitude to the creator. So should it be, if man had kept to the path of virtue. But this path has become a lonely one man makes a “virtue of necessity”, which means that
impetus for what is ideal and pure, noble and beautiful. But in the present time of the great, spiritual impasse, of the ceaseless rushing in of bad impressions, of inner dissension of the soul and deadening of the individual personality, mankind is farther away than ever from this ideal of striving. It weighs heavily upon them that they have so completely closed themselves to the radiant helps from the height and yield instead to the enticing currents of the darkness making a vice out of every virtue and changing all good qualities to the contrary. Thus courage to cowardice, compassion to pity, truthfulness to falsehood, grace to vanity, humility to arrogance, wisdom to sham knowledge and faithfulness to unfaithfulness. Difficult and hard therefore, is the struggle for a new human image, so difficult because it is to become a clear and pure image which must this time remain valid for all time. This image cannot be moulded without the virtues. For it is just these which bestow on the image an eternal splendour.
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PFA Plans European Homegrown Rule
2014 W/Cup Brazil Lacks Anti-Doping Laboratory
THE World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), on Wednesday said that the 2014 FIFA World Cup host, Brazil, would be without an accredited anti-doping laboratory for the tournament. The FIFA World Cup is slated to hold from June 12 to July 13, 2014. It will be recalled that WADA had in September revoked the accreditation of LADETEC, the laboratory Brazil was planning to use for the World Cup. A statement by WADA disclosed that a new laboratory in Rio de Janeiro was being set up, but unlikely in time for the World Cup. It said that FIFA had confirmed that samples collected from players during the tournament would have to be flown back to Lausanne, Switzerland for analyses. The statement quoted the WADA president, John Fahey, saying: “Rio didn’t measure up there. We will work with them through our science team to get that back (lab accreditation). “I don’t think that’s going to happen in a hurry, certainly not before the World Cup. Clearly that will involve another laboratory. “You can move samples these days with aircraft and regular flights and I am sure that as the event organiser, FIFA will come to that conclusion. It’s their responsibility”. It said Fahey noted that in spite of time constraints, the laboratory would not be fasttracked because of the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics. “We will do our best to ensure it happens as soon as possible but without compromising the quality that is essential for the work the laboratories must do,’’ Fahey said. Meanwhile, following Fahey’s comments, the World football governing body has confirmed in a statement that the analysis of samples would be carried out outside of Brazil. “As WADA confirmed that following due process the LADETEC laboratory would not be able to achieve reaccreditation in time for the World Cup. “FIFA has no other option but to handle the analysis of samples abroad,’’ FIFA statement said. It added that the LAD laboratory in Lausanne was already mandated on the occasion of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 for the handling of the analysis for the biological profile of athletes
UEFA is set to receive a proposal from the Professional Footballers’ Association calling for European clubs to field at least three homegrown players in their starting lineups, according to the BBC. The PFA will have the issue on the agenda at its annual general meeting on Wednesday in a bid to stem the trend of clubs buying in established players rather than giving young prospects a chance in the first team. Previous attempts to introduce similar plans for quota systems have been blocked under European labour laws, but the union of English-based players hopes that measures agreed upon and implemented across the continent would
Sepp Blatter, FIFA President
be accepted by the European Union. According to the BBC report, the Premier League has the jointlowest total minutes played by under-21 players among Europe’s top five leagues this season, while only the German Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1 have not seen a drop in the number of young players over the last five years. Also on the PFA’s agenda at the AGM is the issue of how players at risk of concussion are assessed and treated — following the recent controversy over Tottenham Hotspur’s handling of their goalkeeper Hugo Lloris — and the lack of black managers in the top four divisions.
Brazil World Cup Will Favour Africa Teams - Hodgson
ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson thinks an African nation has more chance of winning next year’s World Cup than a European one. African nation would win the England are preparing for their World Cup by the end of the 20th final two friendlies of a turbulent century. That did not happen, of yet successful year in which they course, but three African nations qualified for the 2014 World Cup - Cameroon, Ghana and Senegal in Brazil. - made it to the quarter-finals in There, they will be joined by a 1990, 2002 and 2010 whole host of European sides respectively. like Germany, Italy, Holland and The five African nations bound holders Spain, who are one of the for the World Cup will be favourites. decided upon the culmination of Yet Hodgson believes an a playoff next month. African country has more chance As it stands, Burkino Faso of succeeding in South America (ranked 52nd in the world), Ivory due to the similarity in climate Coast (17th), Nigeria (33rd), between the two continents. Ghana (23rd) and one of Tunisia “I think (African nations) may (47th) and Cameroon (59th) look have a stronger chance than any set to qualify. of the European teams to be Hodgson, who worked with perfectly honest because of the Kanu at Inter, plus John Pantsil climate,” said Hodgson in the and Dickson Etuhu more programme notes for the Nigeria recently at Fulham, is sure v Italy game, which is taking African countries are good place at his old club Fulham next enough to go even further. week. “There are many African In some respects, Hodgson’s players out there of excellent point adds up, although both quality now,” Hodgson added. continents are so vast that their “They play in the top European respective climates vary from leagues and that makes the one end to the other. African nations very strong. Pele once claimed that an “Nigeria have traditionally
IVORY Coast will hope to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup when they take on Senegal in Casablanca holding a 3-1 aggregate advantage. The match will be played on Saturday evening, kick-off at 21h00 (CAT). Last month, Sabri Lamouchi’s men put one foot onto the plane boarding for
penalty from Aristide Bance swung the game back to Burkina Faso. Paul Put’s side will be disappointed with the two away goals they conceded, which will allow Algeria to go through if they win the second leg by 1-0 or even 2-1. The Stallions will be cheered by at least 50 supporters in Blida but the rest of the crowd at the 45 000-capacity stadium will be expecting the Fennec Foxes to qualify for their second straight World Cup. “The responsibility is huge, we are all aware, I think that we should not put too much pressure on ourselves,”
Algeria midfielder Medhi Lacen told DZFoot. “It’s still a football game, once we’re on the field we will do everything to win. “We’ve always been united, in good and bad times. Even when we were eliminated from CAN 2013 we stuck together. “I think one of the keys to this game will be not conceding a goal at home; it is very important and then it is up to us to play our football. There is no reason why it won’t work out.” Burkina Faso will be boosted by the return of star forward Alain Traore, who missed the first leg due to injury.
been one of the strongest, with some famous names in their team. “Whoever is at the game on Monday night will see two very good teams and it will be an exciting outcome. Who knows, we may even see a little pointer for how things will go in Brazil.” Hodgson’s team will be put to the test against South American opposition this Friday when they host Chile at Wembley before taking on old foes Germany four days later. England’s preparations were
Brazil when they edged out the Taranga Lions in the first-leg in Abidjan to boost their hopes of a third consecutive World Cup appearance. Didier Drogba converted a penalty after just five minutes at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, while Lamine Sane scored an own goal before Salomon Kalou wrapped up the clash. Papiss Cisse did give Senegal the slightest of lifelines with his stoppage time goal, but Ivory Coast’s performance highlighted that they were yards ahead of their fellow West Africans. Roma winger Gervinho was involved in the third goal for Ivory Coast and his timely return to action has no doubt boosted the Elephants’ attitude approaching the game. Lamouchi does, however, have several noticeable absentees in the suspended duo of Geoffroy Serey Dié and Cheick Tioté. On top of it, Didier Ya Konan, Arthur Boka, Arouna Kone, Brice Dja Djédjé and Siaka Tiene are all out injured for the crucial encounter. Not lining-up on the opposite
end of the field for Allan Giresse’s men will once again be striker Demba Ba, who has once again been excluded from the trip. The Chelsea man is again a victim of Frenchman Giresse’s policy of choosing only players regularly picked by their respective teams. Giresse has also made three changes from his last squad, recalling former Manchester United striker Mame Birame Diouf and Levante midfielder Pape Kouly Diop. Defender Zarco Toure, who plays for French Ligue 2 side Le Havre, has also been drafted in as the Lions seek a formula to make a comeback on neutral territory in Morocco. Senegal will play their ‘home’ match in the Moroccan city because they are banned from using their National stadium in Dakar. At this point in time, it seems all the factors are pointing towards another Ivoirian success, but if history in football is anything to go by, then nothing is guaranteed.
Ivory Coast Close To Third Successive WC
Burkina Faso, Algeria In Final Battle
BURKINA Faso will look to qualify for their first ever World Cup when they visit Algeria in the second leg of their playoff at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida on Tuesday, November 19. The Stallions hold an advantage going into this clash having won the first leg 3-2 in Ouagadougou a month ago, meaning that an away draw would be good enough to send them to the next round. Algeria came back twice through goals from Sofiane Feghouli and Carl Medjani after the hosts had taken the lead through Jonathan Pitroipa and Djakarija Kone, but a late
disrupted slightly by having to move their training venue due to a virus at the national football centre in Burton-upon-Trent. The squad met up in Watford instead of Staffordshire and trained at Arsenal’s London Colney base on Tuesday afternoon. The Under-21s are based at Watford’s training ground, which is located on the same road as Arsenal’s. Manchester United duo Michael
Carrick and Danny Welbeck have pulled out of the squad due to their respective Achilles and foot injuries. An FA statement read: “Danny Welbeck and Michael Carrick have both withdrawn from the England squad due to injury. “The Manchester United duo featured in last month’s World Cup qualifier against Poland, but are ruled out as Roy Hodgson’s men gather for two games at Wembley Stadium. “No additional players will be added to the squad of 26 players.”
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Brazil 2014 Play-Off
Nigeria Set To Clinch World Cup Ticket
NIGERIA will be expected to wrap up their qualification to the 2014 World Cup with another win over Ethiopia in a final playoff on Saturday. Nigeria won the first leg 2-1
Weightlifting Coach Urges NSC To Upgrade Training Facilities
A WEIGHTLIFTING coach, Johnson Obeh, on Tuesday called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to upgrade training facilities at the National Stadium, Lagos. Obeh told newsmen in Lagos that such upgrade would enable athletes to train without hindrance. According to him, the poor state of the facilities has made it impossible for athletes to train to their optimum. He said: “If they (officials) want the country’s athletes to come out in flying colours, they should pay attention to their training facilities. “Let them go back to the beginning and they shall see the good result. Let them come and do the place for athletes to train. “And let there be competitions there like before, they will see what will come out of it.“ He added that most of the athletes, who trained at the stadium were potential world beaters but lacked the medium to fine-tune their skills. The coach described the weightlifting gymnasium as one of the worst training centres which compelled most weightlifters to alter their training schedules.
courtesy of a brace from onform Fenerbahce hit man Emmanuel Emenike and will be looking forward to seal a fifth World Cup ticket in Calabar. Nigeria have lost only once to Ethiopia, a 1994 AFCON qualifier in Addis Ababa, in their previous eight meetings with the Eagles victorious in five of these games. The Eagles will be without Real Betis midfielder Nosa Igiebor and striker Uche Nwofor from Dutch club Heerenveen on account of injury. Igiebor, who was a secondhalf substitute in Addis Ababa, is to undergo surgery for a groin injury, while Nwofor has been replaced by Bright Dike from the MLS side Toronto FC. They also welcome back Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo and defensive midfielder Gabriel Reuben, who features for Scottish club Kilmarnock. Both players have been away from the team due to long-term injuries. Ethiopia, on the other hand, will welcome back South Africa-based forward Getaneh Kebede, who missed the first game due to injury. Kebede is his team’s joint leading scorer in the qualifiers with four goals and has insisted on playing this game even after he was knocked out cold during the South African league match this past weekend. The pace and directness of Egypt-based striker Saladin
Said will again be expected to test the Eagles back four. Efe Ambrose told MTNFootball.com that Eagles are gunning for outright victory. “To me the match against Ethiopia is just like any other game. I don’t feel anything special about it, we are going to approach it like every other game and go for victory,” Ambrose told MTNFootball.com CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa told MTNFootball.com that they are going to approach the game as a cup final. “It won’t be easy and we are not taking it easy. We will approach the game with all seriousness that a cup final deserves. We won’t underrate Ethiopia despite winning the first leg in Addis Ababa,” Musa assured.
Oladipo Charges Eagles To Be At Best THE President-General, Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Raufu Oladipo, on Wednesday charged the Super Eagles to remain at their best in the final leg of the 2014 World Cup qualifier.
Reports say that the Eagles would on November 16 file out in the final match of the qualifiers against the Wayla Antelopes of Ethiopia in Calabar. Oladipo told newsmen on telephone that he does not be-
Minister Gives Sports Federations Six Months To Align With NSC Calendar
THE National Sports Commission (NSC) on Tuesday in Abuja gave the newlyinaugurated boards of sports federations a six-month ultimatum to align their calendar with that of the commission. Bolaji Abdullahi, the
• Bolaji Adbullahi, Sports Minister
• Emmanuel Emenike in action for Nigeria against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa during the first leg play-off.
commission’s Chairman and Minister of Sports, gave the ultimatum when he inaugurated the newly-elected presidents and board members of the 11 sports federations. The federations are those for aquatics, boxing, cycling, golf, hockey, kick-boxing, kung-fu, rowing and yatching, rugby, scrabble and shooting. It would be recalled that the NSC had on November 5 conducted elections into the boards of the sports federations. These elections were the second batch of elections, after the first batch for 21 sports federations were conducted in May, in which one of them was stalemated. “As quickly as possible, within the next six months, we want the federations to
lieve the Antelopes would pose any difficulty to the Eagles; all the same, the team should remain steadfast. “In spite of the Eagles’ 2-1 away win during the first leg, they should even step up their game in Calabar, to further prove their superiority in Africa. “They are African Champions; it is expected that they should maintain their winning spree, to further prove their leadership role in the continent. “They should not approach the match with levity as the Ethiopians may want to pull surprises even in an away encounter,” he said.
Oladipo, who is also the President-General, African Football and Other Sports Supporters Club (AFOSSU), added that the club had mobilised its members across the country to cheer the Eagles to victory in Calabar. According to him, Eagles will do themselves a whole lot of good by ultilising the home
C’ttee To Specify Hospitals For Referees’ Medical Test
THE Referees’ Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Tuesday said it would henceforth specify hospitals where referees would undergo their medical tests. The committee’s Chairman, Suleiman Mu’azu told newsmen that the decision was meant to check the issuance of
Swimmer Urges Aquatics Fed To Organise Competitions SAMUEL Opuakpo, a top Nigerian swimmer on Tuesday urged the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAF) to organise more competitions and foreign training to sharpen the skills of upcoming talents. Opuakpo told newsmen in Lagos that such competitions were necessary if Nigerian swimmers were to perform well in regional and continental competitions. He said because many African countries had repositioned the sport locally, Nigeria needed to do same by ensuring that local swimmers were constantly engaged in international
advantage to score more goals and qualify for Brazil 2014. “The more the winnings, the further their global appreciation via FIFA rankings,” he said. Reports say that the Eagles in the qualifiers had won four matches out of seven, drew three and losing none. A victory at home on Saturday would confirm the Super Eagles’ World Cup ticket.
competitions. ‘We do have strong swimmers from Senegal. They are our major rivals, but some of their senior swimmers are based in France. “We are hoping to see ourselves in training tours like that and we’re urging the federation and the government to do more and to take us to that height. ‘‘There is a standard you get to whereby you need to leave your country to go for training tour. “You will be exposed to other coaches and that is what we’re lacking: training tour.
fake medical certificates. Mu’azu was speaking against the backdrop of the death of a Lagos-based referee, Osita Nwadiashi, during the 2013 fitness test held in Abuja from November 4 to November 8 “What we are going to do now is to designate at least one hospital in each state. “For instance, here in Abuja, the National Hospital; in Kaduna, you say the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Teaching Hospital, so that everyone that is going to have his medical test will do it in that hospital. “We are collaborating once more with the NFA’s Medical Committee to ensure that we get the best of medical services offered to our members. Mu’azu said although the committee together with NFA’s Medical Committee had endeavoured to ascertain referees’ state of health, he noted that the existing measures were not enough.
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Countdown To Nov 22 Boxing Bout
Commissisoner Jemitola Pledges Support For Ekhorowa Stories By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE
EDO State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Aanene Elizabeth Jemitola has thrown her weight behind the much publicized Alex ‘Rudd’ Ekhorowa-Theodore Lokossou international bout, pledging her ministry’s financial and moral support for the Benin-born boxer to realise his goal. The Commissioner made the pledge on Monday in Ekhorowa to train hard and her office when Local be focused so as not to Organising Committee allow his Burkinabe (LOC) for the November opponent Lokossou steal 22 Bout, including hole-in- the show in Benin City. “You have our support, the heart little Favour and I will advise you to Odudu accompanied the make your request specific boxer, on a courtesy visit and official so that we to the Hon. Commissioner. While addressing the know what we can do. You visitors, Commissioner know we are a ministry so Jemitola encouraged everything we do here is
documented”, she said. “We wish you well and we are hoping that you win the bout come November 22, here at Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre so that you present this beautiful belt to our sports-loving Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomole,” she said. As for the little boy Master Favour Odudu who has a hole in his heart and whose sake the boxer Ekhorowa pledged that the boxing bout gate fee will be given to charity, the Hon. Commissioner showed
up their brother at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Benin City. The former champion who earlier expressed worry over the level of decline of boxing and general sports enthusiasm in Edo state, hopes that this international boxing bout scheduled for November 22, in Benin city would be a turning point for the sport in Edo state. “This kind of international fight could be an exposure for our youths”, he said. He urged Ekhorowa to be focused irrespective of who this opponent is so that he can win the fight they said will lead to a world title bout in two
months time to come. “I am happy to be around to witness such an international boxing bout taking place in my state especially for the fact that boxing is my game. I started boxing at the age of twelve, even when I left for USA I still continued doing it, training young ones over there”, Mr Okoh said. “So I like to motivate youth to embrace sports because they have a lot to benefit and that is why I am trying to do my best to support Alex because other Edo youths will benefit”, Mr. Okoh Emphasized. Meanwhile, tickets for the November 22, fight are already on sale at the Cultural Centre
... Former Boxing Champ Urges A former boxing Public Support champion now E D S O P A D E C Commissioner, Mr. Wellington Okoh has called on Edo state sportsloving people to come all out to support Alex ‘Rudd’ Ekhorowa as he (Alex) prepares to trade punches with Burkina Faso’s Lokossou in an IBO, NBBofC sanctioned international bout. The EDSOPADEC chief who is one of Edo boxing greats who represented former Bendel State and the country at different levels in the combat sport in the 80s expressed confidence in Alex Ekhorowa, urging Edo people, especially the youths to come and cheer
Commissioner Aanene Jemitola flanked by Alex Ekhorowa (left) and Mr. Wellington Okoh during a visit to the Honourable Commissioner.
compassion and prayed for God’s intervention in his (Favour’s) life. “I pray that God will also lead other children
who have similar health problem to benevolent people in the society”. The commissioner also called on other wellmeaning Edo people to support this novel idea of Ekhorowa aimed at
supporting the life of little Favour Odudu. The boxer Alex Okhorowa and the LOC spokesman Bishop thanked the Hon. Commissioner for her support and concern for Favour Odudu.
Commissioner Aanene Jemitola admiring the UBO World Lightweight Belt while Alex Ekhorowa explains his mission to win the belt.
Commissioner Jemitola and Mr. Wellington Okoh admiring the UBO World Lightweight Belt.
Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Aanene Jemitola cuddles Master Favour Odudu who has a hole in his heart.
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Governor’s Wife In Government House
ORDINARILY, it might be unethical, or at least seemingly immoral, to be prying into a man’s life; except that the moment a man accepts public office, he also accepts to subject his total being to public scrutiny in which case, his life becomes an open book or a farm that cannot be hidden. This explains why some men who are sensitive in nature may sometimes decline public office, because between the various screenings and confirmation hearings, there is no telling how many touchy questions that could be raised. The second executive Governor of old Kano State, in the Second Republic, Alhaji Bakin Zuwo, was the first to expose us to the open nature of a public office when he espoused his theory of “Government money in Government House; what’s the problem?” His quarrel was not that security operatives who entered into Government House while he was away in detention found some quantity of cash in his house but that they were under-reporting the actual amount he left there. Similar theatricals are currently playing out in the Enugu State Government House where Governor Sullivan Chime may be quietly asking the question, “Governor’s wife in Government House, what’s the problem?” He is getting appropriate answers to his question and within each answer lie bundles of problems. Sullivan Chime’s youthful appearance gives him away. But for his wretched moustache, he could easily pass for a fag at the Immaculate Conception College. When he first became Governor of
Enugu State in 2007, he was single, having divorced his first wife before then, when he was the State Commissioner of Health. He married his present wife, Clara, in 2008. A year later, the couple was blessed with a baby boy. We hear that trouble started for the First Lady
time to the 8th of February 2013 he was in Britain where he sought and received the best possible medical attention. Clara is now down with what increasingly looks like a case of manic-depression. Her current travail may have started when her husband’s case first came to the fore. Perhaps the
health improved by the day while the wife’s condition began to deteriorate inversely. Governor Chime’s immediate reaction to his wife’s deteriorating situation was to place her on solitary confinement in Government House. This is the soul of the problem. There is the mistaking belief that the
• Governor Sulivan Chime
soon after the birth of her son. Sources close to the family inform that “Not long after the birth of her son, about a year into the marriage, Clara suffered a bout of depression. Doctors felt these were occasioned by childbirth and she was treated accordingly. After a while, she came out of it and continued with her life”. The situation at hand is beginning to look more like a poorly organized return match. Governor Chime was diagnosed for cancer of the nose in early September 2012. From that
pressure of seeing her husband battling with something as serious as cancer caused her to relapse. Consequently, when the Governor left the country for treatment abroad, the First Lady was also being managed for her manicdepression. Although Clara was with the husband in the United Kingdom while he was undergoing treatment, it was, no doubt, a trying period for the family as she was also being treated by the side. After they returned to Nigeria, the Governor ’s
marginalisation of women begins and ends with their inadequate placement in government positions. But
if the situation is such that when a man is ill, he seeks the best treatment anywhere in the world, but when his wife falls sick, she is locked up in solitary confinement, what greater proof of marginalisation would anyone be looking for? Such a wife is simply considered a personal property, perhaps less precious than other pieces of furniture in the house! In other climes, lower animals are already being treated humanely. Less than a month ago, an elephant died in Toronto Zoo in Canada. It was thought that the conditions in Toronto Zoo were no longer conducive to elephants. A surviving elephant was quickly transferred by train to another zoo in the USA at millions of dollars to the Canadian authorities. What Clara is currently going through is worse than the old demonological approach to crime control, which has since been abandoned as atavistic. In ancient times, it was thought that criminals were demon-possessed. Criminals were, therefore, locked up in solitary confinement, equipped with the bible for them to read and confess their sins, while they sought repentance. In the case of Clara, she has been denied access to ev-
erything – no bible, no telephone, no lap top and she has, indeed, been cut off from all means of communication with the outside world! In a very subtle tone, she claims that they want her dead. It will be unfair to totally ignore the dilemma of Governor Chime. We are possibly looking at a mental case. What does a man do if his wife has gone totally berserk? How does he export her abroad — cage her or crate her, the Umaru Dikko style? We saw real agony in the face of the Governor when he said, “Na me get my wife. Na me know how to treat am”. On Chief Femi Falana, the embattled Governor quipped rather angrily, “I won’t join words with him. Has he met this client of his as he claimed, to assess her state of mind and determine if she can give him the right brief to guide his case?” In all this, the buck stops with Governor Chime. Our concern is that his wife is entitled to the type of treatment, which he received during his own challenge. How he gets her there is his business. After all, he allowed the situation to aggravate to this level! That good health facilities are still lacking in Nigeria is a crime for which every leader of this country, past and present, stands accused.
“There is the mistaking belief that the marginalisation of women begins and ends with their inadequate placement in government positions. But if the situation is such that when a man is ill, he seeks the best treatment anywhere in the world, but when his wife falls sick, she is locked up in solitary confinement, what greater proof of marginalisation would anyone be looking for?”
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