THE NIGERIAN
The Nigerian
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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968
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LAW Pgs. 16/17 World Press Freedom Day
Unchaining The Nigerian Watchdogs
ARCHIVAL MATTERS Pg 21
Nigeria And The Battle Against Impunity
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
• Vol . 38 NO.274 • MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013 • N100.00
Industrial devt: Govt to empower stakeholders
BENIN CITY - Edo State Government has resolved to fast track the disbursement of loan facility to would—be beneficiaries with a view to boost the industrial
development of the State. The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry
in the State, Barr. MacDonald Obasuke stated this in Benin City in a keynote address at
the EDSG-BOl Stakeholders’ Meeting held at Edo Hotels G.R.A. The Commerce and Continues on page 2
Crime Fighting
Oshiomhole rallies support for police
ABUJA – Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has called for continued support for the Nigeria Police to enable them fight crime in the society. at the weekend on the Governor Oshiomhole occasion of the launch of made the call in Abuja
N100,000,000.00 fund for the construction of the chaplain building.
Oshiomhole who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Pius
Egberanmwen Odubu was Chief Launcher at the occasion.
While applauding the police plans to build a Continues on page 2
ICT Institute Partners By VICTOR OMOALU NIIT
BENIN CITY – The Oseni Elamah I n f o r m a t i o n
STOP OIL BUNKERING
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People of Edo State, Government has discovered that inspite of measures taken by security agents in the State to stop illegal oil bunkering, perpetrators of this shady business have continued unabated. The State Government is warning all those still involved in oil bunkering in the State to, in their own interest, stop this shady and dubious business forthwith as stiffer penalties await them. Any person or group of persons caught in the illegal business will be dealt with according to the law. All vehicles and equipment used will be burnt. Be patriotic, report any person suspected to be in the business of oil bunkering to the authorities concerned. Join Government to rid the State of enemies of progress. Edo State must continue to move forward. This message is from the Edo State Ministry of Information and Orientation
Communication Technology (ICT) institute at the weekend entered into what was termed as franchise agreement with the Nigerian Institute of Information Technology (NIIT). The agreement is aimed at enhancing the institute’s vision of providing ICT educational knowledge for youths. NIIT is a leading global ICT corporation aimed at building skilled manpower pool for global industry. Speaking after the Continues on page 2
Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker Edo State House of Assembly (left), receiving a report from Chief Pius Akpabio, Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Abuja during the Commission’s courtesy call on the Speaker in his office last Wednesday. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
LAGOS The Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association yesterday commended the Federal Government’s initiative to partner with countries prepared to invest in
Nigeria. The association made the commendation in a statement issued in Lagos by its President, Mr. Augustine Etafo. According to it, the initiative will facilitate
Labour hails MoU with China development of infrastructure and contribute to the growth of the country’s
economy. The association hailed the bilateral agreement between the Nigerian and Chinese governments and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Roads: Commissionernetwork lauds Oshiomhole across the 18 By FUNMI BABATOPE
BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development,
Mrs. Blessing Maigida has commended the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for providing good road
Local Government Areas of the state. Mrs. Maigida made the commendation at the weekend during the
monthly market exercise held at Urhokpota ground, Oba Ovonramen Square, Benin City. Continues on page 2
with the China Civil E n g i n e e r i n g C o n s t r u c t i o n Corporation (CCECC). It expressed satisfaction that CCECC would invest in real estate, cement manufacturing, sea ports, railways and steel industry, among others. It noted that already CCECC’s entry into Nigeria had resulted in the employment of about 20,000 Nigerians. Continues on page 2
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
News
Oshiomhole rallies support Continued from page 1
house for worshiping God, Oshiomhole called on Christians and non-christians alike to support the police by donating towards actualising the project. According to him, “the primary role of the police, conventionally is protection of lives and properly, but here in Nigeria, you have decided to take added responsibility of winning souls for Christ. “And that is why you have decided to build for God. I believe it is one laudable initiative that everybody must support”, he added. Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Tele Ikuru commended the police for combating crime in Rivers State and other parts of Niger Delta region. According to him, “Believe me, there is no way we would have been able to fight criminals who give themselves beautiful names like militants. “There is no way we would have been able to fight them to a standstill, but for the
sacrifice made by the Nigeria Police. They showed strength, they showed courage in the fight. “That is why irrespective of anything, for helping us to restore Rivers State; for helping us to get back our state; we will continue to
support the police. “As a matter of fact one will wonder why will Rivers be interested in being here today, especially when you know we are having issues with the police. “But the bottom line is whether we have issues or
Govt to empower stakeholders
Continued from page 1
Industry Commissioner said to this end, the State Government led by Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole in collaboration with the Bank of Industry is to distribute a loan of five hundred million naira to small and medium scale enterprises to enhance their production capacity. Commissioner Obasuke asserted that this sector of the economy is a veritable vehicle for the achievement of economic objective of employment generation, wealth creation, poverty reduction as well as development of
entrepreneurial capabilities and indigenous technology. Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ms. O. Idahosa chronicled the loan scheme to 2009, when Edo State Government and Bank of Industry decided to put funds together to serve as loans to medium and small scale industrialists who are into processing and manufacturing. The Permanent Secretary explained that the State Government provided two hundred and fifty million which is 50% of the total sum while Bank of Industry
ICT Institute Partners NIIT
Continued from page 1
signing of the agreement, the institute’s founder, Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah, stated that the partnership became necessary because of the need to advance the institute’s vision of providing the adequate knowledge of ICT to targeted audience. “It became clear to have a strong international partnership that has the technical know-how and the capacity to be able to provide all that is needed technically to give Edo people a sound ICT education and knowledge”, stated Chief Elamah. He noted that Edo people will soon be pushed into the
digital and ICT world. According to him, with the partnership, it would be easier for both parties to create in Edo State an ICT resource/processing center that would serve not only Africa but the developing world. Highlighting human factor as one of the vital factors needed in operating ICT environment, Chief Elamah called for support for the initiative through sponsoring candidates in their immediate constituencies. In his remarks, the country Head of (NIIT), Mr. Pankaj Meheswari lauded the partnership initiative, saying it is in line with both
Commissioner lauds Oshiomhole Continued from page 1 She attributed the early arrival and punctuality of the women to the accessible nature of roads across the three senatorial districts of the state, saying it made it possible for the rural women to convey their local farm produce and wares to the venue of the market. Mrs. Maigida appreciated the chairpersons of Women Development Programme (WDP) for mobilizing the rural women to showcase and sell
their farm produce to the urban women at subsidized rate. She acknowledged that the turn out was encouraging and therefore enjoined the women to improve on their participation in subsequent editions of the market. The chairpersons thanked the commissioner for creating the enabling environment for them to display their local farm produce and pledged their unalloyed support for the sustenance of the exercise.
party’s synergy to establishing a talent skilled manpower towards capacity building in Edo State and Nigeria generally. He described Nigeria as one of the fastest growing ICT industries in Africa, adding that the franchise agreement would help create a training pool of human resources in Edo State and beyond.
The association, however, regretted that there were only 35 Nigerian members of the company’s senior staff in the entire Nigeria as against 1000 expatriates. According to the body, this is against the extant law on
expatriate quota. ‘’What happens to Nigerian professionals who are supposed to work in the establishment? “If this continues, we may be left with no option than to conclude that China does not intend to transfer technology
contributed the other 50%. She disclosed that the interest rate is minimal because the State Government graciously waved its part of the interest, while Bank of Industry collects just five percent. on his part, the Zonal Manager Bank of Industry, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed said the loan is a revolving loan. What this means according to him is that beneficiaries need to payback in record me so that others can also benefit from the loan facility. He however stated categorically that only credible and duly scrutinized enterprises will benefit from the loan. Stakeholders at the ceremony which include NACCIMA, BENCCIMA and MAN applauded the State Government for the gesture and sued for its sustenance. High point was the presentation of letters of offer to four beneficiaries by the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. MacDonald Obasuke. The meeting featured questions and answers session.
Family Remembers Late Frank Ebare BENIN CITY – The family of Late Frank Ebare remembers him today, a decade since he passed on. A statement by Emma Ebare for the family indicated that the late Ebare who was described as “ever indelible, quintessential Frank Ebare” is greatly missed by his widow, children, grand children and in-laws. While appreciating God
Almighty for his love, faithfulness, goodness and grace upon the family during this past decade, the statement expressed happiness that the late Ebare lived a good life and is now resting peacefully with God. The statement therefore prayed God for his glory and blessings to forever abound in the lives of members of the family.
By TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN BENIN CITY - Dr John Abhuere, former Director, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), now investing in Youths Development, has called for effective mobilization of Today’s Youths in order to develop the country. Abhuere, now Executive Director, “Centre For Child care and Youths Development”, with headquarters in Uromi, Edo State, stressed that, “Government has helped, but certainly not enough to develop the youth for NationBuilding. He said: “Government, at various levels may have been doing their utmost best. I tell you it is not enough. There is a need to train the youth, in line with good ethical conduct. “Also, we need to reorientate them and put them in a good stead to bail Nigeria out, in times of trouble, like we have seen in Borno State today, where Boko Haram is spreading Violence”. “The Youths have the capacity, the strength, to withstand Boko Haram, in addition to what the Nigeria
to Nigerians,” the association said. It urged that the interest of Nigerian workers should be protected in the MOU. The association hoped that Nigerians would take over the jobs of expatriates in Nigeria after understudying them.
Hon. Aigbodion made the promise when the chairman of the committee, Maj. Gen. Charles Omoregie (rtd) paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat in Sabongidda-Ora. Aigbodion said the issue of security of the people of Owan West Local Government Area is paramount to him, especially due to its is strategic location and as a transit area to other local government and a boundary to neighbouring Ondo State. While pledging his support to the committee in its effort to fighting crime in the state,
Army and other security operatives are doing right now. They can check insecurity. They are doing that right away in Borno”. “My interest in Youth Development stems from the fact that they are the Foundation of any nation. They give happiness and sustain hope. They are also carriers of social values to which they are recipients”. “Any adventure the youth Support, becomes a success, otherwise a nation stands to run the risk of weak foundation when her youths are not developed, empowered are denied the the opportunity to spark their own God-given talents; they are, indeed, the Vanguard of Development, and Nationbuilding. “So, the essence of Youth Development is to develop the nation”, Abhuere emphasized “In a country where you have about 60% Youth as workforce, we cannot afford but help their development. This singular fact informed the setting up of my NGO, which is “Centre for Childcare and Youth Devt” with headquarters at Uromi, in Edo state. Ethical conduct, good moral standard and leadership skills are what we teach and pursue therein” Abhuere enthused.
Pan Ocean Holds HSE Week By THOMPSON ERHOMONSELE BENIN CITY – In order to keep physically fit to continuously achieve organizational goals, the management and staff of PAN OCEAN Oil Corporation, Benin Operations Base on Saturday embarked on a 4.5 kilometre road walk in Benin City. The exercise, is part of the annual Health, Safety, Environmental (HSE) and People Week, with the theme “Safety Through Teamwork,” scheduled for July 11 – 16, 2013. It commenced from the company’s operations base on Sapele Road through to Itohan Girls Grammar School along the road where they engaged in other aerobic
Owan West Neighbourhood Watch to Aigbodion said crime fight crime Hon. fighting demands collective
SABONGIDDA-ORA THE Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr) Godwin Aigbodion has promised to collaborate with the Edo State Neighbourhood Watch in the fight against crime in the state.
Labour hails MoU
Continued from page 1
we do not have, when we see good things we support it,’’ he said. It would be recalled that Governor Rotimi Amaechi, had accused the police of taking side with the opposition in political crisis rocking the state.
Nation building: Abhuere advocates youth mobilisation
effort from every member of the society so that there would be meaningful development and growth that would make the society a better place. He commended Omoregie Maj. Gen. Omoregie and other members of the committee for their efforts at reducing crime and for sensitizing the people on the activities of the Neighbourhood while urging them to ensure adequate supervision of those in the composition of the committee so that the aim will not be defeated.
activities with two male instructors as their guide. Tests for diabetes, blood pressure, kidney and sugar level were among the medical examinations conducted for participants before and after the exercise by the medical team for the programme. Officers and men of the Nigerian Police and Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) were on ground to ensure peace and safety as well as smooth flow of human and vehicular traffic on the everbusy Benin – Sapele Road during the exercise which lasted for over four hours. The PAN OCEAN, Benin Operations Base Manager, Monday Ikhureigbe said, “the Health Walk is an integration of the HSE and People Week, 2013 to promote wellness of staff and teamwork.” “It is to create an environment for staff to have some fun. It is an annual event but can be reduced to a quarterly event and I advise all staff to participate in the exercise,” he concluded. Also, the Community Relations Manager of PAN OCEAN, Olabanji Ajijola hinted that though the exercise was restricted to only the staff, he would sell to the top management of the company the idea of involving the company’s host communities whom he described a “ the company’s best neighbours,” in the health improvement undertaking as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Inside Edo Abandoned Dam
Trad Ruler Calls For Completion By ADAMA AUDU
ERRAH (OWAN EAST) – The Udale of Errah land, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abu Haruna has called on relevant authorities to prevail on the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority to complete the abandoned Ukhun/Errah Dam irrigation project in the locality. The traditional ruler who spoke with newsmen in Eshiolili said the project is designed for the proposed rice/cassava/maize farm in the community. He said the project was abandoned after a large expanse of land was acquired for the purpose while the only bridge linking the community with the nearly Ukhun community in Esan West Local Government Area was damaged in the course of the project execution. According to the traditional ruler the multiplier effects of the abandoned project was
taking its toll on people of the community who now resort to seasonal farming instead of the usual all year round farming. Also, he prayed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to execute its proposed market in the community saying it would enhance economic activities when completed. He commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole for providing the community with a water borehole in fulfillment of his electioneering promise to the people.
The traditional ruler however decried the shoddy job executed by the contractor handling the project. According to him, the contractor has been using a tanker lorry to get water from the nearby stream which he in turn used to fill the borehole overhead tank twice since 2010. He therefore called on the state government to prevail on the contractor to make the borehole functional so that the four Errah communities could have greater sense of belonging.
By ROLAND OSAKUE
Benin Native Law and Custom without hindrance. In his judgement in suit No. UDCC/4m/2012, the court also ruled that arrangement be made by both parties in the case for the burial ceremony with Master Williams Ikponwosa Igbinovia at the fore-front of the funeral while other members of the family cue behind him. The plaintiff Mrs. plaintiff, Mrs. Patience Igbinovia had
Funeral Rites: Court Rules In Favour Of Mrs. UHROKUOSA - A District Customary Court sitting at Urhokuosa in Uhumwode Local Government Area of Edo State has ruled that one Master Ikponmwosa WilliamsIgbinovia should be allowed by his family members to carry out the funeral rites of his late father, (Williams Aigbosuria Igbonovia) according to the
NPC Federal Commissioner for Anambra, Prof. Chika Moore (2nd left), and State Director, Mr. Joachim Ulasi leading the road show against teenage pregnancy in Awka recently.
Etsako Central V/Chairman Eulogises Late Legogie FUGAR – The Vice Chairman, Etsako Central Local Government Council, Hon. Charles Omobumhe Eshiesimua has described Late Senator Albert Legogie as a hero. Hon. Eshiesimua who gave the hint in a chat with newsmen at Fugar, said the Late Legogie was an Elder statesman whose contributions
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah (right) in a handshake with the country Head representative of the Nigeria Institue of Information Technology (NIIT), Mr. Pankaj Maheshwari during the signing of a franchise agreement between the Oseni Elamah ICT Institute and the NIIT in Benin City weekend.
to the unity and progress of the country would remain fresh in the memories of Nigerians. According to the Vice Chairman, as Deputy Senate President, Legogie was able to coordinate the House of Senate to the admiration of Nigerians a development which endeared him to the heart of people in his locality. According to him, “I want to
use this opportunity to state that our great political leader was a mobilizer and a selfless politician that would be greatly missed by his people, the state and the country at large. “It is my prayer that Almighty God would grant the family, Ekperi Community and Edo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, he stated.
Igbinovia
approached the court for an interim injunction restrain the defendants, Mr. Lawrence Evbuomwan Igbinovia, Mrs. Esther Enomayo, Mr. Osemwengie Iyare and Mr. David Igiede (Okaegbe) from burying late Williams Aigbosuria Igbinovia without the full participation of the plaintiff, as his wife and his only son (Ikponmwonsa Williiams Igbinovia) as required by the Benin native laws and custom. The plaintiff also sought an order of the court for such further orders as it may deem fit to make in the circumstances of the matter of the case. In a judgment delivered on Friday, President of the court, Deacon N.I. Imasogie with two Honourable members, Ben Edionwe and N.A IsiborObaseki said Master Ikponmwosa Williams Igbinovia is the only legal child of the deceased (Late Williams Aigbosuria Igbinnovia) and should be allowed to carry out his father’s burial ceremony in accordance with the Benin native law and custom. According to the President, “Ikponmwosa is the chief mourner of his father and he should be allowed to carry out the last respect for the father, being the eldest and only child of late William Aigbosuria Igbinovia.” “In fact, he should be at the fore-front while other members of the family cue behind him during the burial ceremony”, the court added. Earlier, the court carried out two issues for determination-on whether there was a marriage ceremony between the plaintiff and the deceased and whether if Master Ikponmwosa was not the son of the deceased? The President, who relied on the submissions of the counsel to the plaintiff, Nicholas Omobude Esq. and that of the defense counsel, Mr Daniel
Okem, said there were photographs taken on the day of marriage between the plaintiff, (Mrs Patience WilliamsIgbinovia) and the deceased, as well as dowry paid, with all family members in attendance, which he said were factual evidence to the case. The court also ruled that the claims of the defendants that they were holding forth to the instruction of their late brother by making the plaintiff swear to “ogunoba and ebomisi” shrines were all fabricated, as the court reiterated that it would not withdraw the paternity of Ikponmwosa from his late father. The President said the court had no contrary evidence from the defendants to prove that
Ikponmwosa was not the legal child of the late Williams Aigbosuria Igbinovia, as the evidence of the defendants, particularly that of Esther Nomayo were uncontroverted affidavit which corroborated that of the plaintiff. Meanwhile, Suit No UDCC/ 3/2013 filed by the younger brother to the deceased, Lawrence Evbuomwan Igbinovia against his late brother ’s wife, Patience Williams-Igbinovia which sought her to return the husband’s property was withdrawn by his Counsel, Daniel Okem. This was not objected to by Nicholas Omobude Esq, who said the case had already over taken by the earlier judgment. The President then struck out the case without any cost awarded.
Elder Akhademhe For Burial By VICTOR OMOALU
BENIN CITY – The burial ceremony of the late Director of Tax Audit/Investigation, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) Elder Amos Okpo Akhademhe is to begin on Wednesday July 17, 2013 with a Service of Songs at his residence, No. 2 Akhademhe Street, off Idunmwowina Road, Urorra Quarters, Benin City, beginning from 4 p.m. A statement endorsed by Mr. Elisha Akhadmhe on behalf of the family indicated that on Thursday July 18, 2013, the body would be taken from Faith Mediplex, Airport Road, Benin City to the Corporate Headquarters of EIRS, No. 80 New Lagos Road, later to his residence and finally to his home town Uneme-Erhunrun in Akoko Edo Local Government Area
of Edo State a for lying-instate same day. According to the statement, there would be a Special Service at the Anglican Church, Uneme town on Friday July 19, 2013 beginning at 9 a.m. while interment would follow thereafter. The burial ceremony would climax with entertainment of guest at noon the same day.
• Late Elder Amos Akhademhe
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
South South Group Calls For Investigation BENIN CITY – The Of UNIBEN Don Stakeholders on Conflict
Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue (left), and Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa at a Peace Meeting in Lafia recently.
Resolution and Early Warning (SCREW) has called on the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN) Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin to ensure that the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Chike Okolocha appears before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee of the university. This was contained in a statement endorsed by its Executive Director Comrade Igbotako Nowinta. SCREW in the statement indicated that the ad-hoc committee set up by the institution’s management to “look into the obstruction of examinations by the Student Union Government (SUG) of the institution in the
morning of March 25, 2013 to register their protest against the illegal sales of lecture books in the faculty” had recommended that Professor Okolocha appears before the panel. SCREW in the statement also indicated that it is aware that Professor Okolocha has allegedly been asked to refund the money he made from the sales of illegal faculty Public Lecture Services to students of the faculty, beside the alleged regular compulsory sales of faculty journals to final year and Post Graduate students. If Professor Okolocha is made to appear before the panel, the statement said Professor Oshodin will be introducing, “a process of reforming and sanitizing the university system”.
Monthly Stipend: Trad Rulers Sues For Government Intervation By AUDU ADAMA
Stakeholders from Benue and Nasarawa States at a Peace meeting in Lafia recently.
BNCL Co-op Society Records 29.27 Dividend Increase
BENIN CITY – The Annual General Meeting of the Staff Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society of Bendel Newspaper Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of the OBSERVER titled was held on Friday at the company’s premises, in Benin City. Welcoming members to the meeting, the President Mrs. Mabel O. Imoisili thanked them for given her and other entire executive of the co-operative the opportunity to serve, promising that the present executive will continue to serve the interest of members. She informed members that the co-operative society has acquire 20 plots of land for 23 members who have
become land owners. Presenting the audited account of the co-operative, the auditor, Mr. Sylvester Oboh said that during the financial year, there was an increase of 3.27 percent on dividends on share capital over that of last year while an increase of 39.6 percent was recorded on dividends on thrift savings. Members thanked the present executive for a job well done especially on the acquisition of land which has now made some members land owners. They applauded the executive and ask them to do more so that more members can benefit from the cooperative.
Those who received gifts included the General Manager, Pastor Monday Aigbe; Deputy General Manager, Marketing Mr. Kola Okhakhu; Deputy General Manager, Admin,
Mallam Momodu; Mercy Ekhetor and Pius Ede. Highpoint of the event was a lucky Dip for members present. Gifts were presented to members who made outstanding contributions to the co-operative during the financial year.
SOBE (OWAN WEST) – The Sobe Traditional Rulers Council in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State has appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole to intervene into the delay in paying the monthly stipend, of its late traditional, His Royal Highness, Fredrick Ebozehi Ozogula III who died July 1, 2013. The Odiadelua of Sobe land, Chief Cletus Owuze who make the appeal on behalf of the council in a chat with The Nigerian OBSERVER in Sobe, said the delay has occasioned backlog of arrears running into years. According to Chief Owuze, the late traditional ruler was last paid in July 2009, a development which
has created financial challenge for the late traditional rulers family. He commended the state governor for given the people of the community a greater sense of belonging through the appointment of one of their children, Barrister McDonald Obasuke as member of the state executive council. Chief Owuze used the occasion to appreciate the state government for the ongoing renovation of the Sobe High School and the St. Stephen Anglican Primary School, both in Sobe but however prayed the state government to complete the Sobe Water project. He called on all indigenes of the community to shun all forms of bitterness and complement the state government development strides in the community.
Utilise Education Programme, Principal Urges Parents By ADAMS OYIBO/ VICTOR IMADE
IDOGBO – The Enogie of Idogbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, of Edo State, His Royal Highness (HRH), Edorodion Osarobo has admonished students of tertiary institutions in the state to avoid any form of social vices that are inimical to their educational pursuit. He gave the admonition when the National Union of
Benin Students, Auchi Polytechnic Chapter President him an Award of Excellence in his palace at Idogbo. Enogie Edorodion extolled the vision of the union members in promoting and protecting the Benin Cultural Heritage and philosophy on campus. He said that his dukedom is committed to discouraging all manners of social vices that would slow down
developmental in his domains. In his address, the President, National Union of Benin Students, Auchi Polytechnic Chapter, Comrade Okunrobo Emmanuel Osarobo said the union decided to bestow the Award on his Highness due to his immense social/Economic Contributions toward Edo Land and the Protection of Benin Cultural Heritage, especially among the people of Idogbo
community. On his part, the community Development Association (C.D.A) chairman, Mr. Budy Agbontaen commended the Benin Students for taking cognizance of the Enogie contribution to Edo Land. He said the Enogie and elders of the community are committed to ensuring the safety of Land development in the community in order to enhance socio-economic development of the community.
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
South South Divorce: FIDA Cautions Couple
R-L: The Community Relations Manager, Olabanji Ajijola, Benin Operations Base Manager, Monday Ikhureigbe, Chief Security Officer, Joseph Ugbenu and Maintenance Manager, Semiu Fadeyi ready for the road walk during the 2013 HSE and People Week of PAN OCEAN Oil Corporation in Benin City on Saturday.
Foreign Investment To Provide 100,000 Jobs CALABAR - Governor. Liyel Imoke of Cross River has urged youths to take advantage of government’s envisaged job creation from foreign investments. Imoke said about 40,000 direct and 74,000 indirect jobs were being expected from foreign investments in the state. He gave the advice at the Bridge Leadership Foundation 2013 Career/Founder’s Day in Calabar. According to Imoke, there has been tremendous entry of
foreign investments into the state, based on the economic climate created by the administration. “These investments will provide about 40,000 direct jobs and about 74,000 indirect jobs, meaning that youths need to equip themselves with the prerequisite practical skills which the proposed Polytechnic, Ugep, will provide,” the governor said. Imoke, who is the founder of the foundation, gave the assurance that it was a veritable
- Imoke
platform to develop the innate talents in youths. According to him, participants in the activities of the foundation “do not need to see the governor to succeed in life”. He enjoined participants, who were mainly youths, to take
advantage of the numerous intervention agencies put in place by the state government, to better their lot. “The unemployed graduates among you should take advantage of the Micro-finance Entrepreneurial Development Agency and grow their businesses.”
PORT HARCOURT - The President, International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA), Mrs Hauwa Shekarau, has called on couples to always consider their children before taking harsh decision on divorce. Shekarau made the call while speaking with newmen in Port Harcourt adding that FIDA had interest in the rights of women and children. She said FIDA recognised men’s role as heads of the family unit, but noted that part of FIDA’s objectives was to ensure that women enjoyed their right as human beings. “What we are doing about protecting women’s right is not about trying to downplay the role and the importance of men in the society. “The position of men is the position given to them by God; we cannot take that away from them but what we are saying is that women are human beings. ‘Women’s rights are human rights, just as the man has right; the women also have their rights. “But a situation where the man, as the head of the family, now thinks he is the Alpha and Omega, and treats the woman unjustly, this is where we come in to say he cannot do that,“ Shekarau said. She said every human being, old or young, had some basic
Igbo Daughters Hail Oshiomhole Cindy’s Appointment:
By MATTHEW OKAGHA BENIN CITY – The umbrella body of Igbo Daughters (Umuadaigbo) Edo State branch, has commended Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for appointing the state president of the body, Chief (Mrs.) Cindy Nkeiru Nnaji as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs and Social Development, Umuadaigbo in a statement jointly signed by The Vice President, Mrs. Maha and Secretary, Mrs. Ngozi Nnamdi, described the gesture as a practical demonstration of the belief of the Comrade governor
• Chief (Mrs.) Cindy Nnaji
in the spirit of one Nigeria, inrespective of tribe or religion. They noted that chief (Mrs.) Cindy Nnaji has all the qualities to merit the appointment as she has consistently mobilised Igbo Daughters in Edo state towards garnering support for the policies and programmes of the comrade Adams Oshiomhole – led administration. The spokespersons of the Igbo Daughter described the comrade governor as a principled and detribalised Nigerian who plaees merit above tribal or political sentiments. They pointed out that the appointment of Chief Mrs. Cindy Nkeiru Nnaji into the administration in Edo state would further galranise non-Edo indigenes resident in the state to work harder towards the entrenchment of egalitarian society where all people are given equal opportunity to exhibit their God-given talents for the good of the society. They therefore, congratulated chief (Mrs.) Cindy Nkeiru Nnaji on her well deserved appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Management and Staff of PAN OCEAN Oil Corporation, Benin Operations Base doing aerobic activities as part of the company’s 2013 HSE and People Week in Benin City on Saturday.
rights that were indelible unless in the case of crime, the court would take away some of the rights. Shekarau said that the federation was also promoting peaceful co-existence between the men and the women. “All we are asking for is give women the opportunity to be the proper helpmate so that they can support you to do the best you can do in the home as God ordained,“ she said. Shekarau said that there were issues of the children’s right in case the marriage could not work and the couples decided to go their separate ways. She said that FIDA was interested in seeing a wellbalanced society where the rights of men and women and the children were protected and people lived in peace and were happy.
Security Chief Calls For Peace
PORT HARCOURT - Chief Anabs Saraigbe, Security Adviser to former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers, has advised politicians to allow peace reign in the state. Saraigbe, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, also harped on the need for politicians to forgive one another. He said the interest and security of the state as well as the wellbeing of the people should be paramount in all their activities. “Let there be peace in the state; politicians should learn to forgive one another to enable the people of the state enjoy the peace that had been existing in the land,’’ he said. The security chief also urged politicians to play the game according to the rules, respect the constitution and constituted authority to ensure orderliness in the society. He appealed to Gov. Chibuike Amaechi and President Goodluck Jonathan, not to allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians. Saraigbe also urged Amaechi and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), to resolve their differences in order for peace to prevail in the state.
Utilise Education Programme, Principal Urges Parents PORT HARCOURT - The Principal, Government Senior Secondary School, Elekahia, Rivers, Mr. Lambert Nwika, has urged parents to utilise the state government’s education programme to train their children. Nwika made the call in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt. He commended the government for providing more than 250 new primary and six secondary schools, fully equipped in the state.
Nwika said that the government also provided freeteaching and learning-aids such as books and school uniforms. He urged the parents not to jeopardise the future of their wards by keeping them at home. “Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s government is making learning interesting by refurbishing schools and building new ones to provide for conducive learning environment.
“Parents should send their children to school as there are no fees to pay; the child gets school books and uniforms free. “With the provisions, a large burden in education sponsorship is taken away from the parents, so no parent in Rivers has any excuse for not sending his ward to school,” the principal said. Nwika warned parents against sending their children to hawk goods, advising that they be enrolled in schools in the next
academic session. “These parents should disengage their children from hawking and engage them in schools to join their mates that are already in school learning,” he said. He commended Amaechi for providing learning materials in schools to enhance education. “The materials, such as text books, school uniforms and other materials, have put a smile on the faces of pupils, students, parents and teachers,’’ he said.
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Imam Urges Muslims To Pray For Peace ABUJA - The Chief Imam of Ahmadiyya Mosque, Abuja, Malam Abid Abdul-Waasi, has urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for peace and stability in the country. The imam made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja shortly after the Friday Jum’at prayer. “I will like to implore Muslims in the country to use this holy month of Ramadan to come closer to Allah and pray for the peace and stability of this great nation,’’ he said. He decried the state of insecurity in the country, and stressed the need for sustainable peace for meaningful developments to occur in the country.
Abuja
Abdul-Waasi also urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to read, memorise and reflect on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. He added that “whenever we recite the Holy Qur ’an, we should take time to reflect on the meaning and not just for the sake of reading.’’ The imam called on government at all levels to make it a priority to provide education, job opportunities and social amenities for the masses to curb violence and youth restiveness. He said the Ahmadiyya mosque was working with other Islamic organisations and NGOs to preach peace and national development.
N6.5b Pension Scam: Court
Grants Bail To Ex-Director ABUJA - The Federal High Court has granted bail on stringent conditions to Sani Teidi, former Director of Pension Accounts in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. Teidi is standing trial on a 22count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences, conspiracy to commit fraud and concealing the illicit origin of about N6.5 billion stolen pension funds. In giving the ruling, Justice Adeniyi Ademola granted the bail application to the tune of N500 million with two sureties in the like sum. Ademola admitted Teidi on bail alongside Udusegbe Omoefe with similar conditions. He said the bail conditions were stringent because of the grave nature of the offences as contained in the charge sheet. The judge said the two sureties for each accused person
must be relievable and must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. He further said that the title deeds of the said property must be deposited with the deputy chief registrar of the court. He added: “The accused persons should also deposit their travelling document with the court registrar and must not travel without the permission of the court. “Once the travelling passports are with the court, they shall be transferred to the registrar of this court.’’ The court deferred ruling on the bail application last week and remanded the accused persons in prison following a petition by Teidi to the Chief Justice of the Federation, alleging that the court was biased in the handling of his case. Reports say that the case has been adjourned to Oct. 23 for commencement of trial.
L-R: Dr. Uche Amazigbo, Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, Mr. Uzochukwu Alutu, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Dr. Chika Unigwe, Miss. Roseline Ejindu and Prof. Francisca Okeke, all indigenes of the State showing cheques presented to them by the governor in honour of their scholarly achievements in various academic fields in Awka last Saturday.
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (middle), presenting keys of a security patrol vehicle to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, during the distribution of 250 security vans to various vigilante services in 177 communities of the state in Awka last Saturday
Teenage Pregnancies: Director Advises
Young Girls
ABUJA - Mr. Saleh Bello, the FCT State Director at the National Population Commission (NPC), has urged teenage girls to always speak up when they are sexually abused by anybody, including their relations. Bello told newsmen in Abuja that one of the reasons teenage pregnancies were rampant was because some of the young girls chose to remain silent in the course of being abused. The NPC defines teenage pregnancy as pregnancy in a female child below the age of 20. The director noted that another reason for the prevalence of teenage pregnancies was the absence of severe punishment for the perpetrators of the abuse. He added that one out of every five teenage girls at a given period had already given birth by age 18. Bello advised that sexual education and enlightenment programmes should be encour-
aged among teens to create awareness on the dangers of teenage pregnancies. “One of the reasons while the cases are rampant is because we have maintained the culture of silence; because more often than not, it happens within families. “Because it is an uncle, or a brother sometimes in the family that is trying to abuse these young girls and they are afraid of telling their parents, maybe because of the fear of the unknown - the relationship in the family may be smeared. “Another reason is the punishment; the punishment is not enough, it’s like there is no punishment at all, if people that are involved are properly punished it will serve as deterrent to others.’’ Bello advised parents not to give their daughters out in early marriage as that could hinder their progress in future. He added that education would do a lot of good because “depriving a child of that age from con-
tinuing education will cause a lot of damages than good to the nation.’’ He said one of the consequences of teenage pregnancy was that the victim would stop school because “one cannot be pregnant and be a student at the same time.” He also said that apart from the stigma victims faced, some might decide to procure abortion, which could lead to death or other fertility problems in future. Bello advised that government should improve on public education while parents should create more time for their children or wards and give them sex education. He added that shying away from discussing such issues with children could lead them to learning wrongly from their friends or peers. The NPC reported recently that the rate of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria had declined since 1990 and that in 2008, about 23 per cent of teenagers aged between 15 years and 19 years had begun to bear children. He said “teenage pregnancy
varies in northern and southern zones, as well as urban and rural areas. “They are higher in the rural areas of the northern geopoliti-
cal zone; one in every three teenage girls in the north has started child bearing in 2008, compared with one in every 10 in the south.’’
ABUJA - The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mr. Tanimu Turaki said the Federal Government would identify victims of crises in the country in order to support them. This is contained in a statement signed by Innocent Abu Chief Information Officer in the office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation and made available to newsmen in Abuja. It said Taraki gave the assurance when the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts in the North met with the Executives of the Christian Association of Nige-
ria (CAN). Minister Turaki said there was no part of the country that had not experienced one crisis or the other, be it political, communal or religious. He reiterated that the Committee’s meeting with stakeholders was to enable the government to find out the underlying factors responsible for security challenges in the country. According to him, identifying the factors will enable the government to address all the issues frontally and create a more secured environment for all Nigerians. Turaki also appealed to the
NPC also said that Katsina State stood out as the state with the highest rate of teenage pregnancy and motherhood at 65 per cent, while Edo recorded the least percentage at 2.9.
FG To Support Victims Of Crisis -
leaders of CAN as well as the entire Christian Community to offer advise and suggestions on how the committee could succeed in its assignment. He said the committee needed their prayers as there is nothing prayer cannot do. In his response, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of CAN urged the members of the committee to be diligent it their task. Oritsejafor, however, expressed some reservations about the work of the committee with regard to the constitution of the membership and the timing of its interaction with CAN.
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Lagos Moderate Sugar Free Gum Reduces Tooth Decay LAGOS - Some dentistsDentists in According to him, research has Lagos have said that chewing shown that increased saliva flow sugar-free gum after meals will carries more phosphate and calreduce the risk of tooth decay. cium which help to strengthen They told newsmen in inter- tooth enamel. views that moderate chewing of Dr Fred Omoba, who works sugar-free gum was an essential with the Optimal Clinics, part of oral healthcare. Isolo,Lagos, added that moderDr Femi Ojo of the Crystal ate chewing of the gum would Dentistry, Suruletre, Lagos said help to eliminate bad breath. that it was essential to sensitise “Some people also take gum people to the need to moderately to keep awake but excessive chew sugar-free gum, especially chewing of gum has negative efafter meals. fects on the teeth. “The saliva that neutralises “Dentists advise that you brush plaque acid, thereby preventing your teeth twice a day for at least tooth decay, is stimulated when two minutes, using fluoride sugar-free gum is taken. toothpaste, as well as visit your “It works in such a way that, if dentists at least two times in a you chew after eating, the in- year,“ he said creased flow of saliva will help A microbiologist, Dr Nkechi to neutralise and wash away ac- Nwosu, advised that excessive ids. chewing of the gum should be “These acids are produced avoided. when food is broken down by the “It is worthy to note that, like bacteria in plaque on your teeth. in every other thing in life, ex“Over a long period, the acid cessive use of sugar-free gum is can break down tooth enamel and not good. give rise to decay,“ he said.
L-R: Executive Director, Roll Back Malaria, Dr. Fatoumata Nafo-Traore; Director, Global Malaria Programme, Dr. Robert Newman and Executive Secretary, African leaders on Malaria, Dr. Joy Phumaphi at the +12 African Union’s Special Summit on HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Abuja last Saturday.
Use FOI Act To Make Govt Accountable, Don Urges Media
LAGOS - Prof. Biodun Jeyifo of the Harvard University, U.S. has urged the media to use the Freedom of Information Act to make government accountable at all levels. Jeyifo, a professor of African and African American Studies, stated this at the 5th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series in Lagos According to him, endemic corruption has made the Freedom of Information Act ineffective. Jeyifo spoke on: “The Freedom of Information Act and the Dictatorship of Corruption and Mediocrity``. He said that corruption and mediocrity work together, and wondered why Nigerians were not making use of the Freedom
of Information Act. He urged Nigerians to use the Act to ask questions from the government, political leaders and the business community. He added that corruption had its root in all sectors of the economy, politics, oil, education, health and transportation. “So far, even though the media practitioners fought for a long time before the FOI was passed, it has not been used effectively. “In the case of monumental corruption and unaccountability of government, people have lost faith that the FOI can work. “We must hold our leaders and government accountable by asking questions, as well as follow the issue to the end. “The media must make use of the FOI Act, and it must followup its reports to a conclusion. “There is a crisis of under-
utilisation of the FOI Act,`` Jeyifo said. He said that the challenges facing the FOI Act was not insurmountable, and urged that the people must insist on a corruption-free society. He commended the civil rights activists for putting the Act to test, adding that the press must be vibrant by putting the Act to use. Contributing, Mr Peter Carter, Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said that the British government believed that “information is power”. Carter said that the Nigerian government attitude to the Act and how ready to provide information to its people, would determine the effectiveness of the Act. He, however, said that the
implementation of the Act in Nigeria would take some time before it could become as effective as it was in the UK, U.S., Canada, Australia and other African countries. According to him, the British government receives over 120,000 requests and questions from the people each year. “Britain has a long history of
secrecy and the FOI Act has made information available to everybody, as well as revealed some of our secrets of the past, including our colonial history. “Freedom of information allows people to look inside government to understand how things are made, how much they cost, what mistakes they made and why politicians conduct themselves as they do.
“Citizens have the right to know whatever the government is doing, that is the essence of democracy,” he said. In her presentation, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, urged the National Assembly to reveal the salaries and allowances of its members to the public.
ments, while amending the 1999 Constitution. It is considering empowerment of each local government to have a separate account. The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, said that he supported granting of financial autonomy to local councils. “For a local government to perform its constitutional duties, it must be autonomous. “I believe in total federalism, where all tiers of government are independent of each other. “This will make the people to question their council chairmen on how allocations to their councils were spent,” Taiwo said. He said that financial autonomy would also end allegations by some councils that their allocations were being illegally deducted by their state governors. Mr. Wale Ogunade, a lawyer and the Executive Director, Voters Awareness Initiative, a nongovernmental organisation, said that financial autonomy for councils would promote transparency and accountability. Ogunade told newsmen that the local government was an organ recongnised and respected by the
autonomy, it is the local government because it is the grassroots government. “The local government is the one that has a direct impact on the lives of the populace, especially in the provision of potable water, primary healthcare, markets and schools,” Ogunade said. A human rights activist and social critic, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, urged that adherence to the principle of federalism should not hinder development at the grassroots. He said that the financial autonomy for councils would result in facilitated development at the grassroots and address unemployment and poverty. However, a former Chairman of the Ikeja branch of the NBA, Mr. Adebamigbe Omole, told newsmen that financial autonomy for local councils was not in line with the practice of federalism. “Under a federal constitution, what we have is the central government and the federating units which are the states. “The issue of granting autonomy to the local government or making it the third tier of government does not arise at all,” Omole said.
Lawyers Differ On Financial Autonomy joint accounts be- Constitution. For Councils abrogating “If any organ should be given tween states and local governLAGOS - Some prominent lawyers have differed on granting of financial autonomy to local governments. The lawyers expressed their views in interviews with newsmen in Lagos. Reports say that the House of Representatives is considering
L-R: Chairman, 8th Annual Ramadan lecture, Alhaji Sani Dauda; Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Abubakar Jijiwa and Zonal Director, FRCN Kaduna, Malam Ladan Salihu at the 8th Annual Ramadan lecture in Kaduna last Saturday
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South West Be Role Models, Sambo Urges Muslims
IBADAN - Hajiya Amina Sambo, wife of the vice-president, has urged Muslims to use Ramadan in transforming their homes and families to role models for children and others. Sambo, who was represented by Alhaja Adijat Olajide, wife of the Secretary to Oyo State Government, made the appeal at the 2013 Ramadan lecture organised by the University of Ibadan (UI) Muslim community. She said that Muslims needed to signpost their commitment to more noble conduct in their families, the society, and also to stand against misdeeds in their families. Sambo thanked the community for allowing women contribute to religion development, and urged Muslims to pray for the nation to enjoy greater and lasting peace. Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem, Head, Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos and Lagos University
Violence:
Teaching Hospital, called for a functional complementary role in the family. In her lecture on “Effects and Implications of Widowhood and Single Parenthood on the Muslim Family”, Abdulkareem described widowhood and divorce as distressing events in the life of individuals. “The rate of single parenthood is increasing worldwide due to various reasons namely, unsatisfying marriage, poor understanding of Islam and financial independence of some women. “Others are excessive anger, violence, cruelty, character assassination, alcoholism, extramarital affairs, decreasing societal values and lack of role models,’’ she noted. She said that the parenting role in widowhood and single parenthood would be inefficient since the primary role of raising the children rest on an individual. The professor said that several studies had shown that children raised in a motheronly family are disadvan-
taged and maladjusted. Abdulkareem stated that some of the effects of single parent were negative social stigma, reduced educational attainment, economic deprivation and anti-social behaviour. She said the sanctity of the Muslim family must be upheld to prevent single parenthood and
provided, including providing women with economical, empowerment and education in every aspect of life. She urged Muslims to ensure strict adherence to the teachings of the holy Prophet on widowhood and divorce, adding that it of-
L-R: Ven. Ladapo Eso praying for graduating students of Bodija International College at the graduation lecture of the school in Ibadan recently
Islamic Council Tasks Muslims
IBADAN - The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on Muslims nationwide to observe Ramadan as a period to pray for peace and unity of the country. The apex Islamic body, in a statement issued in Ibadan and signed by its Secretary, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, urged Muslims to shun any provocation that might lead to violence and pray for leaders at all levels. “We also call on all leaders to be conscious of Allah and discharge fully their responsibility to the followers,” the statement said. It said the NSCIA, under the leadership of its President-General, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, expressed joy with Muslims nationwide on the beginning of Ramadan. It said Dickson’s gesture amounted was a display of understanding of religious tolerance in a pluralistic society such as Nigeria.
ameliorate the negative effects of widowhood. Abdulkareem also said that the sanctity of the family unit should be restored and parenting seen as a divine call. According to her, conscious effort should be made to avoid divorce, and also support network for divorcees should be
L-R: Member, Rivers House of Assembly, mr. Michael Chinda and Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, when the Minister visited him in the hospital in Port-Harcourt recently.
Protect Children Against Sexual Harassment, SAN Advises Parents IBADAN - Chief Folake Solanke, first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Saturday urged parents and guardians to protect their children and wards against sexual harassment and exploitation. Solanke gave the advice during the 2013 Valedictory Service and Graduation of the Bodija International College, Ibadan. She said her advice was necessary because of increased cases of rape and exploitation in the society. Solanke said: “We have cases of harassment of young girls; but we cannot go into
what the law says now; nobody should be harassed. “Whoever is proven to have harassed somebody should be made to face the law. “As parents, we should prepare girls to resist attempts of assault whenever they can. “We have the human trafficking law. This should be properly enforced to prevent our children from being moved into slavery in foreign countries where they are exploited. She urged youths to realise that “they don’t have to follow the crowd to do evil”, adding that “they should stand up for what is good and honest to elevate the
country”. Solanke advised the graduating students to make good use of the skills they acquired while in the school, to better their lives and the society; and listen to their parents and do the best for the country. The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, reminded the students that the journey had just started for them, adding that the future was full of challenges. He said: “You are all preparing to commence another journey in the next phase in your lives. “Most of you, if not all, shall become university students.
“There are many cases of young men and women who have been asked to withdraw from the university owing to poor performances. “It is better to begin the sensitisation to let you know what lies ahead in the next phase of your career.” Mrs Funmilayo Williams, the Director of the school, said the occasion was the beginning of another phase in the life of the graduands, adding that the next phase would lead to self discovery. “The graduation ceremony is the end of a phase and the beginning of another.
fered the solution to the problem. Reports say that the occasion was attended by Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, and Prof. Daud Noibi, Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South-Western Nigeria. Others are Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli, Chairman O’dua Investment Company Limited; Prof. Suleiman Gbadegesin, Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, and Prof. Abdur-Rahman Oloyede, the Chief Imam, UI Central Mosque.
Aregbesola Inaugurates N14.55b Bypass OSOGBO - Governor. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has inaugurated the construction of18 km Osogbo east bypass dual carriageway, worth N14.5 billion. Aregbesola said at the inauguration in Osogbo that the new road network would boost economic activities on completion. According to him, the road will complement the Gbongan-Akoda dual carriageway to reduce traffic congestion as well as beautify the ancient city. The road, which the governor named after the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, will be financed by Sterling Bank with an agreement on reimbursement. He said that a bridge to be constructed on the road would be called “Nov. 27”, in remembrance of the Governor’s inauguration on November. 27, 2010. The governor also said that the road network which would link neighbouring towns would boost trade within and outside the state. Reports say that the new road starts from the IwoOsogbo roundabout and terminates at the roundabout along Osogbo-Ikirun road. The west side of the road was constructed in 1994 under a World Bank-assisted Multi-State Roads Project. Top government functionaries, members of the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly as well as various interest groups attended the occasion.
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Business + Economy
Responsibility Commission Wants Law To Apply To States, LG
ABUJA - The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) wants the law establishing it to apply to states of the federation and local governments to ensure greater accountability and prudence in the management of the nation’s resources. Its Commissioner, Policy and Standards, Dr. Sylvester Mordi, told newsmen in Abuja yesterday that such amendment was pertinent since the states and local governments spend 48 per cent of federally-collected revenue. The Fiscal Responsibility Act was enacted in 2007 to provide for prudent management of the nation’s resources and to ensure long-term macroeconomic stability. He said that currently, not more than 52 per cent of federally-collected revenue was covered by the Act since the commission had no jurisdiction in the states and local governments. “In Nigeria the Federal Government’s share of federallyallocated revenue is not more than 52 per cent. The rest goes to the states and local governments. “So if Fiscal Responsibility Act applies to only 52 per cent, the impact on the economy will be reduced. So we want the states to come along. “Originally, the Fiscal Responsibility Act was proposed to cover the entire federation, but the states through their agencies, the National Assembly and so on argued that the Nigerian federation is a unique one. “That states are free to manage their resources in their own way. So the law should not bind them. “Eventually the law was
passed with the states removed and then the punishments proposed removed.’’
Mordi also told newsmen that compared to other countries
municipals. Within two years 26 states out of 28 states have adopted. That is 92 per cent. “But in Nigeria where we are told not to harass the states, as at today, not more than seven have established Fiscal Responsibility Commission. “Another 19 per cent have placed their law in their respective assemblies for approval, reasonable quantity are also preparing their draft. But about 7 per cent have not done
DACCIMA Urges Delta To Grant Loans To SMEs
L-R: Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Abolo, receiving his award from the Chairman, FCT NUJ, Comrade Chuks Ehirim at the 2013 FCT Press week’s award night in Abuja recently
ASABA - The Delta State Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), has pleaded with the Delta Government to grant credit facilities to Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs). The association also appealed to the government to take urgent measures to improve power sup-
... Slams Defiant Govt Agencies
ABUJA - The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) yesterday in Abuja, bemoaned the delay in submission of budget monitoring reports by the Budget Office of the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Commissioner, Policy and Standards at the FRC, Dr. Sylvester Mordi, told newsmen that the delays made it impossible to monitor budget performance. He said the delays also made it impossible to correct mistakes.
“The first quarter report is supposed to come in 30 days after the end of the quarter which is April, the second one July, third one September/October, the final one January the following year. “Based on our experience, empirical evidence, these reports are submitted on the average, three months behind time so we reported that this is not good for monitoring purposes. “The purpose of the report is to tell the people how far we have
Partner Professionals On Business Mgt, Expert Urges SMEs
LAGOS - The Chief Executive Officer of Quest Advisory services Ltd., Mr. Bayo Rotimi, has advised Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators to partner professionals to guide them in the management of their businesses. Rotimi gave the advice in Lagos yesterday in an interview with newsmen. He said the SMEs could still flourish, in spite of the difficulties in the nation’s business environment. ‘’The business climate is harsh but we can overcome, if we develop the right kind of strategies and partners who can guide us on ways to run our businesses,’’ he said. Quest Advisory Services Ltd., is a financial services provider located in Lagos. Rotimi said that the tough business climate was not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that SMEs needed to develop the right strategy for effective business growth.
where fiscal responsibility was being practiced, Nigeria was doing poorly because states were
not compelled to join, but were rather persuaded to do so. He added that on the average, the level of implementation of the Act five years after its enactment was not more than 25 per cent. “If you go to India, there are 29 states. India adopted the Nigerian style, within two years, 27 of the states have adopted. That is 93 per cent. “In Brazil, the law applies to the central government, to the states and to over one thousand
He said that there was a lot of business opportunities in the country, in spite of the huge decay in infrastructure. The managing director said that Nigeria had one of the largest markets in the world, pointing out that any product of good value in the country would definitely find a market. ‘’The business environment is challenging but it is not peculiar to Nigeria. ‘’Even in Europe and North America, the economies are struggling, in China, the economic growth is slowing down. ‘’Of course, we have challenges in term of infrastructure among other things, but there are significant opportunities because Nigeria has one of the largest markets in the world. ‘’It therefore, means if we are able to offer something that is of value it will find a market that will buy,’’ Rotimi stated.
fared; we are going into the next stage so that we can nudge the implementers to ensure that the budget is achieved. “But if the budget comes after the subsequent quarter is finished, the report dies before it reaches Fiscal Responsibility Commission. “It’s not an accusation, it is a comment as well as an advice.’’ Mordi told newsmen that the FRC was not in the habit of making accusations, but would make observations since the submission of budget reports was a provision of the Act establishing the commission. He said that a provision of the Act demanded that the Execu-
tive, through the Minister of Finance, particularly through the Budget Office should prepare quarterly reports on budget implementation, evaluating financial targets and submit these reports to the Joint Committee of the National Assembly and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. He also expressed the commission’s displeasure with the NNPC over its non-submission of audited accounts. He said that it was unimaginable that the NNPC which operated in a lucrative sector could claim to be making losses and as such was not returning its operating surpluses.
ply and other basic infrastructure in the state. The President of DACCIMA, Chief Uju Udeme, who made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Asaba, said that a lack of access to loans and poor state of infrastructure were hampering the sustenance of SMEs in the state. Udeme said that it was difficult for most “struggling” entrepreneurs in the state to obtain loans from banks to develop their businesses. He said that many of the entrepreneurs were forced out of business because of inability to access loans. The DACCIMA president also said that electricity was crucial in the development of the state, noting that if nothing was done to improve power supply, the economy of the state would be adversely affected. According to him, the poor power situation poses great challenge on the survival of SMEs in the state. He assured that the association would continue to partner with the State Government to develop the state’s economy.
L-R: Wife of the FCT Minister, Mrs. Aisha Mohammed receiving her award from the President, Market Women Association of Nigeria, Chief Felicia Sani at the 2013 FCT Press week’s award night in Abuja last Friday. with them is the representative of the FCT Minister, Chief Ikemefuna Awodu.
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NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT FRIDAY(12/07/13) Stocks
Open
Close
Change
Deals
Units
Value
MBENEFIT
0.5
0.5
0
1
1,000
500
7UP
53
55
2
20
254,251
13,781,187.42
MCNICHOLS
1.67
1.67
0
1
30,000
45,300.00
ABBEYBDS
1.53
1.53
0
1
300
414
MOBIL
117.81
117.81
0
28
37,055
4,315,465.79
ABCTRANS
1.11
1.1
-0.01
26
1,124,812
1,261,413.68
MRS
19
19
0
19
37,229
771,194.95
ACADEMY
2.04
2
-0.04
4
132,900
257,515.00
NAHCO
7
6.99
-0.01
40
351,328
2,451,681.58
ACCESS
11.08
11.3
0.22
229
63,596,937
712,604,877.70
NASCON
13.49
13.2
-0.29
87
1,606,140
21,330,591.08
AFRIPRUD
1.77
1.75
-0.02
53
1,730,535
3,001,367.93
NB
163.56
165
1.44
183
977,836
161,309,910.37
AGLEVENT
1.6
1.45
-0.15
6
245,477
383,891.65
NCR
18.7
18.7
0
2
608
10,232.64
1.3
1.3
0
5
40,874
51,091.28
AIICO
0.91
0.92
0.01
48
2,243,444
2,057,139.04
NEIMETH
AIRSERVICE
4.6
4.6
0
8
33,078
150,438.80
NEM
0.72
0.76
0.04
26
2,641,274
1,971,413.17
ASHAKACEM
26.1
27
0.9
57
1,883,343
51,764,362.97
NESF
552.2
552.2
0
1
100
49,698.00
BETAGLAS
11
11
0
1
10,043
102,338.17
NESTLE
1000
999.99
-0.01
63
67,277
67,331,363.80
BOCGAS
7.5
7.5
0
2
1,647
13,176.00
NNFM
26.5
26.5
0
3
6,240
166,670.40
CADBURY
54.53
52.6
-1.93
57
315,094
16,625,907.78
NPFMCRFBK
1.06
0.96
-0.1
11
640,300
619,712.00
CAP
51.4
48.5
-2.9
24
324,022
15,954,744.50
OANDO
12.3
12.3
0
229
10,108,985
124,304,875.87
CAPHOTEL
4.59
4.59
0
1
1,000
4,140.00
OKOMUOIL
46.6
45.85
-0.75
48
397,088
18,301,250.05
CCNN
10.13
10.28
0.15
25
352,012
3,557,336.11
OMATEK
0.5
0.5
0
1
11,127
5,563.50
CHAMS
0.5
0.5
0
1
200,000
100,000.00
PAINTCOM
1.9
1.89
-0.01
10
524,800
944,308.00
CILEASING
0.5
0.5
0
1
100,000
50,000.00
PORTPAINT
6.1
6.58
0.48
27
700,097
4,496,079.31
CONOIL
23
23
0
15
23,666
550,655.80
PRESCO
39
39
0
24
217,993
8,590,764.10
CONTINSURE
1.28
1.28
0
1
42,000
48,720.00
PRESTIGE
0.52
0.52
0
20
1,515,792
788,413.94
CORNERST
0.57
0.57
0
4
103,001
53,560.52
PZ
40.01
39.36
-0.65
84
876,929
34,818,970.03
COSTAIN
1.53
1.43
-0.1
28
1,209,510
1,752,362.50
REDSTAREX
4.8
4.95
0.15
11
241,650
1,162,920.00
COURTVILLE
0.62
0.67
0.05
10
1,138,815
715,089.15
RESORTSAL
0.5
0.5
0
3
105,000
52,500.00
CUSTODYINS
1.53
1.6
0.07
25
1,608,408
2,561,044.03
ROADS
9.06
9.06
0
1
11,000
109,560.00
CUTIX
1.98
1.98
0
5
42,800
82,014.00
ROYALEX
0.55
0.55
0
7
915,861
504,483.80
DANGCEM
190
189
-1
39
297,150
56,403,762.15
RTBRISCOE
1.54
1.63
0.09
40
861,261
1,382,991.72
4.85
4.78
-0.07
118
5,551,424
26,795,872.90
DANGFLOUR
9.65
9.5
-0.15
50
308,794
2,933,805.30
SKYEBANK
DANGSUGAR
12.4
12.34
-0.06
111
2,697,087
32,899,979.97
SOVRENINS
0.5
0.5
0
2
45,800
22,900.00
DIAMONDBNK
6.8
6.79
-0.01
85
6,457,769
43,866,068.58
STANBIC
15.3
15.3
0
37
918,383
14,069,808.91
DNMEYER
1.47
1.48
0.01
10
177,414
261,306.64
STDINSURE
0.5
0.5
0
6
68,500
34,250.00
EQUITYASUR
0.5
0.5
0
1
2,000
1,000.00
STERLNBANK
2.61
2.63
0.02
38
6,916,631
17,592,403.17
ETERNA
3.35
3.35
0
14
491,000
1,635,670.00
TANTALIZER
0.5
0.5
0
1
1,900
950
ETI
15.03
15.2
0.17
84
820,050
12,397,074.46
TOTAL
159.99
159.99
0
12
16,062
2,528,025.02
EVANSMED
3.5
3.85
0.35
26
931,704
3,544,750.70
TRANSCORP
1.35
1.35
0
153
18,869,469
25,408,681.60
FBNH
17.6
17.8
0.2
439
15,113,193
268,638,509.78
TRIPPLEG
2.29
2.29
0
2
10,000
20,700.00
FCMB
4.9
4.9
0
74
11,099,375
54,389,010.62
UAC-PROP
14.9
15
0.1
8
80,350
1,195,275.00
FIDELITYBK
3.09
3.03
-0.06
74
1,703,328
5,208,269.50
UACN
54.55
58.5
3.95
85
631,417
36,731,945.56
FIDSON
2.02
2.02
0
33
1,475,059
2,999,207.39
UBA
8.3
8.3
0
323
12,868,529
106,872,339.33
FLOURMILL
85.03
85.03
0
64
425,828
36,289,869.28
UBCAP
1.1
1.1
0
137
13,595,479
15,240,731.32
FO
20.34
20.34
0
19
131,906
2,950,737.22
UBN
12.09
12.05
-0.04
72
441,590
5,332,685.59
FORTISMFB
6.6
6.6
0
1
15,000
99,000.00
UNILEVER
58
58
0
77
3,081,219
178,603,565.94
FTNCOCOA
0.5
0.5
0
1
20,000
10,000.00
UNITYBNK
0.62
0.64
0.02
55
6,705,710
4,199,138.84
GLAXOSMITH
60.3
54.27
-6.03
61
1,047,632
57,031,618.74
UNITYKAP
0.5
0.5
0
1
2,000
1,000.00
GUARANTY
26.17
26.27
0.1
385
10,406,440
273,278,040.52
UPL
4.77
4.77
0
5
58,431
278,969.67
GUINNESS
251.11
251.11
0
60
71,779
18,178,966.33
UTC
0.65
0.65
0
4
3,291
2,040.24
HMARKINS
0.5
0.5
0
1
1,000,000
500,000.00
VITAFOAM
4.49
4.49
0
11
55,649
249,194.61
1.71
1.54
-0.17
1
52,092
80,221.68
HONYFLOUR
3.29
3.28
-0.01
48
2,001,650
6,532,838.00
VONO
IHS
2.36
2.59
0.23
1
50,000
129,500.00
WAPCO
99.99
99.98
-0.01
34
2,131,461
213,078,380.79
IKEJAHOTEL
0.85
0.93
0.08
23
3,955,276
3,516,697.20
WAPIC
0.9
0.91
0.01
9
721,163
662,859.57
INTBREW
25.5
25.5
0
21
90,440
2,229,655.40
WEMABANK
1.12
1.17
0.05
34
1,041,403
1,188,696.44
IPWA
0.75
0.82
0.07
4
170,000
139,400.00
ZENITHBANK
20.31
20.79
0.48
224
4,857,336
100,055,129.14
JAPAULOIL
0.52
0.53
0.01
45
1,901,826
1,005,309.00
JBERGER
70.02
70.02
0
19
107,462
7,576,737.17
JOHNHOLT
1.42
1.42
0
8
8,911
12,475.40
LEARNAFRCA
1.62
1.76
0.14
6
110,478
194,123.58
LIVESTOCK
4.72
4.95
0.23
74
1,673,912
8,146,129.83
MANSARD
2.1
2.01
-0.09
33
1,910,599
3,876,975.90
MAYBAKER
2.44
2.68
0.24
32
916,465
2,395,234.89
TOP 10 GAINERS Stock UACN 7UP NB ASHAKACEM PORTPAINT ZENITHBANK EVANSMED MAYBAKER IHS LIVESTOCK
Close 58.5 55 165 27 6.58 20.79 3.85 2.68 2.59 4.95
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain 3.95 2 1.44 0.9 0.48 0.48 0.35 0.24 0.23 0.23
Stock GLAXOSMITH CAP CADBURY DANGCEM OKOMUOIL PZ NASCON VONO DANGFLOUR AGLEVENT
Close 54.27 48.5 52.6 189 45.85 39.36 13.2 1.54 9.5 1.45
Loss -6.03 -2.9 -1.93 -1 -0.75 -0.65 -0.29 -0.17 -0.15 -0.15
THE NIGERIAN
12
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
NIGERIANS woke up on July 8 to be greeted with the news of crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly. First, it was reported by the Federal Government controlled electronic media that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Amachree had been impeached. Later in the day, the true picture unfolded that the plan by five estranged members of the House loyal to the Federal Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Nwike had attempted to change the leadership of the House controlled by 27 lawmakers loyal to Governor Chibuike Amaechi. The attempt hit the rocks with a bloody fracas that ensued. WE condemn the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly as it has exposed the political intolerance of the ruling class in Nigeria. We equally condemn all those who hid behind the scene to sponsor the mayhem no matter who they are and the interest they represent. SINCE the unfortunate and avoidable crisis, there have been accusations and counter-accusations of the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem. BUT we are concerned about accusing fingers pointed at the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his wife in the Rivers crisis, an accusation that has been denied by his aides. Given the exalted office, we expect
THE NIGERIAN
Rivers State Crisis And Presidency’s Denials that current occupiers ought to be more diplomatic and circumspect than they are currently. We believe that the Presidency needs to go beyond mere denials to demonstrate to Nigerians, that it truly does not sponsor violence in Rivers State. THE battle in the Nigerian Governors Forum NGF where 35 governors participated in an election to pick principal officers saw the election of Governor Chibuike Amaechi for second term polling 19 votes to defeat Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau who got 16 votes seems to have given the presidency away as the main sponsor of the crisis in Rivers State. THE ruling Peoples Democratic Party has suspended Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers and have set up a panel to probe his alleged offences against the party. Whereas the party has not come up with any clear accusations that may have found him wanting, Nigerians are stupefied at the desperation to get at him by the holders of federal might. The grounding of the Rivers State Government owned jet and many other actions raises public eyebrow as to the anxiety to fight one
man. THE impunity being exhibited by Mr. Nyesom Nwike who works directly with President Jonathan is also worrisome and another major reason why the presidency denial is questionable. Nigerians believe that President Jonathan could easily call him to order with one word of caution if he wants peace in Rivers State. AGAIN, the partial stand of the Nigeria Police Force as represented by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu who has literarily assumed the governance of the state, reeling out all kinds of anti-democratic orders on citizens at his own whims and caprices without caution from President Goodluck Jonathan or the Inspector General of Police gives both men away as partners in foisting the raging crisis in Rivers. WE are, however, glad that leading human rights and pro-democracy activists in the country and abroad have condemned the presidency stance in the Rivers imbroglio and we want to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in calling on President Jonathan to back out of this macabre dance which could take something away from the nation’s highest office in the eyes of the comity of nations. WE believe that there are more decent ways of winning elections. We believe that performance is the best way of wining the confidence of the electorate in any democracy.
THE NIGERIAN
13
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Dynamics Of Gender Inequality Cont’d from last week
THE term “Human Rights” can be traced to the origin of man and nature. Human rights had its philosophical ancestry in the Natural Law School. Its concept has passed through various stages to metamorphose into the present politico-socioeconomic formation of the stability of any society. One great attribute of human rights is freedom. This was accredited in the biblical books of Chronicles, Nehemiah and Ezra, where it was written that Cyrus released the followers of full Judaism from slavery and allowed them to migrate back to their land. The Persian Empire also granted same rights to men and women. The Islamic Caliphate, 610 and 661 BC, includes the period of Muhammad misdison and the rule of the four immediate successors who established the Rashidon Caliphate, made reforms in human rights. It is generally agreed that Islamic Social reforms in areas such as social security, family structure, slavery and the rights of women and ethnic minorities improved on what was present in existing Arab Society at the time. The concept of human rights is premised on natural justice, equality and freedom of all persons. A Greek Legislator “Sohen” posited that: Justice could be attained in the society only when those who are not injured by injustice would be as much outraged as those who have been. This is also true in the contemporary societies. Pope John Paul II enunciated that: All these human rights taken together are in keeping with the substance of the dignity of the human being, understood in its entirety, not as reduced to one dimension only. In the 19th Century, the natural rights apologists were greatly discredited by the positivists led by Jeremy Bentham, an ultra positivists philosopher, who commented that: “Rights is a child of law, from real laws come real rights, but from imaginary laws of nature comes imaginary rights, a bastard opposed to, and in contradiction to natural rights which is simple nonsense, natural and imprescriptibly rights, are rhetorical nonsense upon In reality, initial human rights instruments were divided on gender issues. The main human rights instruments failed to specifically address the women’s rights issues. It
seemed that there was a division on gender issues. The main human rights instruments, (Bill of Rights) found in most national statutes failed to address the issues of women as oppressed and vulnerable social groups. Discrimination is the act or process of discriminating the selection or preference for a particular class of people. However, there have been several definitions of discrimination against women. CEDAW defines it as “any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women irrespective of their marital status on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other fields”. Some have argued that since Adam of the Great Book, the Bible was the first human being to be created by God that Eve who was later created remained inferior and a second class human being to Adam, if she was regarded as human being at all. Notwithstanding, that the same bible stated that all are equal before God. Attempts to mitigate criticism of human rights as being ‘western’ and to reflect particular perspectives can be found in the regional human rights instruments2. The African Charter states by asserting the importance of the virtues of African Civilization which should inspire and characterize their reflection on the concept of human and people’s rights. Both the preamble of the ACHR and article 2, the nondiscrimination provision30, specifically include sex as a ground upon which discrimination is prohibited. Similarly, differential treatment between the sexes is prescribed by the requirement that there be equality before the law and that all should enjoy the equal protection of the law. The Principles of nondiscrimination and equality before the found in articles 2 and 3of the African Charter were considered by the African Commission in the case of Legal Resources Foundation v Zambia. The case was brought by a nongovernmental organization challenging an amendment to the Constitution of Zambia, which provided that before a person could contest for the country’s Presidency, he or she had to prove that both her or his parents were of Zambian descent. It was well known that the change had
been passed to preclude the erst while President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, from running for office, it being alleged that his father had not been born in Zambia, Specifically, the complaint contended that the amendment violated Article 2 of the African Charter as it discriminates on the basis of birth, social origin, or other status, article 3, which guaranteed equality before the law, article 13 on the right to be involved freely in government, and article 19, which provides for equality of all peoples, irrespective of place of origin. Finding for the compliant, the commission noted that: The right to equality is very important. It means that citizens should expect to be
6(a) which provides: Woman is equal to man in human dignity, and has her own rights to enjoy as well as duties to perform, and has her own civil entity and financial independence, and the right to retain her name and lineage. Women complain about discrimination a lot in the average African Society. The definition of discrimination was amended a bit. Discrimination against women shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women irrespective of their marital status or human rights and fundamental freedoms in all spheres of life.
Hajia Maina Zainab, Minister of Women Affairs
treated fairly and justly within the legal system and be assured of equal treatment before the law and equal enjoyment of the rights available to all other citizens. The right to equality is important for a second reason. Equality or lack of it, affects the capacity of one to enjoy many other rights. In 1990, Arab Foreign Ministers meeting in Cairo adopted the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam 1990 (hereinafter Cairo Declaration), the Declaration is premised on obedience to God. It contains a nondiscrimination provision: All men are equal in terms of basic human dignity and basic obligations and responsibilities, without any discrimination on the grounds of race, color, languages, sex, religious belief, political affiliation, social status or other considerations (emphasis added). One salient question to be asked is whether dignity means the same thing for women as it does for men. This is dealt with in article
A human right is something of which no one may be deprived without a great affront to justice. While the significance of national and regional backgrounds must be borne in mind, it is the duty of states regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems to provide and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms. 1.4. Characteristics of Human Rights 1. They are indivisible, inter-related and interdependent. 2. Universal; Human rights belong to all human beings, without discrimination regardless of gender, HIV status, race, religion, sexuality, age, colour, language, class or other beliefs or other status including real or perceived ignorance. 3. Inalienable, No one can take our rights from us except in specific situations e.g. the right to liberty can be restricted if a person is convicted of crime in a proper court. 4. They are founded on
LAW With IKHUEBOR VIKRAM OSARUMEN respect for the dignity and worth of each person. 5. Accountability, States have a responsibility to ensure that rights are fulfilled. 6. Participation; To fulfill our rights, we all need to recognize our responsibilities and the roles we must play to fulfill them. Which take us to same internationally accepted principles of human rights. They are; 1. Non discrimination, equal protection and equality before the law 2. Life; 3. The highest attainable standard of the physical and mental health 4. Liberty and security of person; 5. Freedom of movement; 6. Seek and enjoy asylum; 7. Privacy; 8. Freedom of opinion and expression and the right to freely receive and impart information; 9. Freedom of association; 10. Employment; 11. Marry and form a family; 12. Equal access to education 13. An adequate standard of living, 14. Social security, assistance and welfare; 15. Share in scientific advancement and its benefits; 16. Participate in public cultural life; 17. Be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; 18. The right to shelter; 19. The right to self protection and to be protected against sexually transmitted infections including HIV/ AIDS; 20. The right to be informed of one’s health status and on the health status of one’s partner. 21. The right to protection against stigmatization; 22. The right to dignity. It must be amply demonstrated at this point that chat “gender” refers to the sociologically defined roles and responsibilities of men and women, boys and girls in the society. Gender understanding can herald a gale of changes in a split second; “Gender is not in title, name or nomenclature, but in responsibility, roles and leadership. The foundation of gender is the most ossified platform upon which a nation can build any structure. This is the problem of the world and must be given ample opportunity to die. When men
slept knowledgably, ignorance saved thorns amongst social roses and the resultant effect is what we have now. We must go back to the drawing board, and strike the card of understanding and recognition for a good play of socio justice and allied matters. Let men hear these words and cohere and let every continent of the earth embrace life and dignity”. Is civilization and globalization one and the same? What relationship has civilization and human rights? Press to answer these questions as you would discover a whole world of problems caused by man’s obedience to sheer ignorance. 1.4 Conclusion / Recommendation Given its focus, CEDAW is the best known of the human rights instruments pertaining to women. There has within the UN system been an attempt at mainstreaming women’s right to reflect the injunction of the UN Secretary General that for every human right, violation, there is a gender dimension. The adoption of the African Protocol and women’s Rights in 2003 put women’s rights on the continent centre stage. However, the radicalism of the document is not reflected in state enthusiasm to ratify it to incorporate the vision into national policy, hence years after adoption, it is yet to come into force. The apparently slow ratification of the African Protocol on women’s rights and CEDAW is indicative of the mere general problem that has been manifest through-out ages. This begs the question, what good is a visionary document without visionary leaders prepared to commit themselves and their governments to improving the lives of women and girl children within their societies. The prime fulcrum of gender dynamic is leadership. We must understand that the roles of both are not one and the same. We need congruence of thought and coherence of understanding. I dare to say, that there is no justice in the court but in leadership. Most African women are three times removed from the levers of the international framework and two time removed from the state, framework. “Equality in leadership is the enthronement of mankind”.
THE NIGERIAN
14
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
The Nation
Beyond Sentimental Politics
Nigeria’s Development:
DEVELOPMENT is anchor on the full utilization of both human and natural resources available for the transformation of society. It is a concerted effort to bring about tangible change for the benefit of the general populace. By implication, it is necessitated on the individual/government willingness to affect the lives of the masses positively. The burn desire to better people’s lives is often reflected on individual capacity to people around them with their meager resources and participation in politics to affect more lives positively. Unfortunately, the reason why many Nigerians go into politics is far from rendering services to the people whom they claim to serve and this is responsible for government inability over the years to touch the lives of millions of Nigerians who are languishing in abject poverty, resulting from unemployment. People, who ordinarily do not qualify to hold political offices, find themselves at the helm of affairs in Nigeria. What change or transformation should we expect from such people? The answer is the very state our country has been plough into after more than five decades of independence with little
By OLUYOLE OMOTOLA
or no direction toward development. A country where political office holders have turned lord over the people, who are suppose to hold on to real power. Today, we see cases of human right violations by those who are suppose to protect us and other acts that negate the principles of the rule of law. The masses quest for real power has not been formidable due to sentiment among Nigerians in the form of ethnicity, regionalism and religiosity, making it difficult for people to demand credibility from their leaders. Our leaders have been able to capitalize on the divisibility among Nigerians to their advantage by embezzling the resources of the country and hope to hold on to power for life, this explains the greed for power without a genuine interest to confront the problems affecting us as a people. Sentimental feelings have blinded us to constructive criticism/ selection of people for political offices, allowing mediocrity to reign supreme above merit. Governance is no longer about merit but the place of the candidate, where he/she
is from; the north, south, east or west or whet her he/she is a Hausa/ FLilani, Yoruba, lgbo, Ijaw etc. Even when leadership failure is pronounced, we still find sentimental feelings being expressed and this
persecuted for embezzlement are celebrated with award of chieftaincy titles. This stolen money is often times used by our leaders to cause disaffection/oppression among their own people/ community, becoming power brokers to the
direction; the masses are on a daily basis getting poorer while the rich gets richer and richer through exploitation of the already impoverished masses. The poor becomes a tool in the hand of the rich for political manipulation. It is time we do away
political office seeker should not be our major concern but we should focus on the credibility of the candidate for the position he/she is vying for. Such a person should be one who will not renege on his/her promises to the electorate.
has impeded our development as a people because by such act, we encourage non performance from our leader thereby increasing the rate of corruption in our country. Corrupt leaders who are supposed to be
detriment of their immediate environment. Our huge human was not built in a day, when in reality there is nothing to show that we are on the path to development since our independence in 1960. We are like people without
with ethnicity/ regionalism/religiosity and stand up as one people/nation and begin to demand credibility from our leaders at all levels. We should take a clue from the United States of America that came to the understanding of uniting despite their diversity for political, economical and technological transformation. The quest for credibility saw President Barack Obama, a Blackman becoming the president of a white populated country, the United States. The place of a
As we approach yet another election in 2015, an opportunity to decide our future and that of unborn generations, we should be mindful of selfish politicians who are already out again indicating interest to run for various positions, so as not to repeat the mistake of the past, as any mistake we make may take us another four whole years to correct, during another election. Let us embrace credibility and say no to politics of ethnicity, regionalism and religiosity for the prosperity of Nigeria.
“The masses quest for real power has not been formidable due to sentiment among Nigerians in the form of ethnicity, regionalism and religiosity, making it difficult for people to demand credibility from their leaders.”
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Development
Nigeria’s Efforts To Eradicate Hunger ONCE upon a time, the generally accepted image of an African child was that of a skinny child whose flesh could barely hold up the few scraps of clothing he was wearing. In today’s global village where correct information is easily accessible on the web, the image of a starving African child with a swarm of flies surrounding him still persists in some foreign nations. To a degree, this is an accurate representation of some hapless children in few African countries where hunger is the major cause of deaths of under-five children but Nigeria is not one of those countries. Certainly, Nigeria is one of the 38 countries that have been able to fulfill the antihunger aspect of the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG). The objective of MDG One is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger in the world by building sustainable food systems, doubling productivity and income and preventing food from being lost or wasted. According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Nigeria has met the internationally-set hunger eradication targets to halve the percentage of hungry people by 2015 By all means, this achievement is commendable but looking at the bigger picture, 2015 is fast approaching and the other aspects of MDG One as well as the remaining four MDGs have yet to be achieved. All the same, Nigeria’s efforts to reduce hunger have led to an unexpected and disturbing trend in the country. For instance, while many citizens are no longer starving; malnutrition persists as many people are not getting enough nutrients from the foods they consume. A side-effect of the 21st Century civilisation is a busier schedule for families and in the process of working, schooling and running around; most people only have time for fast foods. The implication of this is that many Nigerians have now resorted to eating processed foods and even traditionally prepared meals are now subjected to repeated freezing and microwaving to the point
that most nutrients are lost. Grabbing a quick meat-pie, instant noodles or fried chips at a nearby restaurant may provide quick meals for individuals with busy schedules but in the long run; these foods are taking a toll on the people’s health. Doctors call this kind of food the Western diet — a diet rich in red meat, processed foods, sugar and saturated fats but low in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood and poultry. Medical experts, however, insist that this convenient diet contributes to premature aging, adding that it has been linked to hypertension, heart d i s e a s e , hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, obesity and colorectal cancer. It is for this reason that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been urging developing countries to make pragmatic efforts to tackle the emerging threat of childhood obesity. According to a statement by Francesco Branca, the Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, 75 per cent of overweight children live in developing countries, with the prevalence in Africa almost doubling in the last 20 years. “While it is vital to maintain efforts to reduce malnutrition, the world needs to do much more to prevent and care for the growing number of people that are overweight or obese, living in low and middle income countries. “A food system that does not deliver a sufficient amount of quality food can lead to poor growth or excess weight gain. “A child, who has grown poorly in his first years of life, may turn into a short but overweight adolescent and then later in life, develop a chronic disease as an adult,” Branca said in the statement. The WHO official underscored the need for policy makers to focus on improving the nutritional status of the next generation, so as to avoid a massive explosion of nutrition problems in the coming generation. To this end, WHO has presented a package of 24 essential nutrition programmes. These include improving nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding women, early
By OLAYEMI OKENIYI
initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, continued breastfeeding up to two years and promoting appropriate solid foods for young children. The global health agency noted that the implementation of these actions in Brazil, Ethiopia and Peru had been highly successful. Prof. Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba, said that “in food security, there must be enough food to eat and then, the knowledge of what food to eat.” The traditional ruler, who is
position to make sacrifices that would enhance their children’s health through proper dieting. Sharing similar sentiments, Prof. Phillip Abiodun, a nutritionist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, stressed that dietary decisions made in infancy could have future consequences. Beginning with breastfeeding, Abiodun explained “how studies show the breast milk reduces the likelihood of being obese by about 20 or 30 per cent.’’ He said that in the past, people attempted to help
a former Professor of Nutrition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S., expatiated that while not everybody could afford available food items, there were healthy foods that could be obtained on a small budget. Edozien said that sound education would enable families to decipher the kinds of healthy foods which they should procure and the changes they could make to boost the dietary content of the children’s foods. He noted that this approach worked in the past, saying: “In the old days, kwashiorkor was prevalent because in most homes, the parents ate the meat and fish and gave the soup to the children because they didn’t know the importance. “What we did then was to educate mothers whenever they came to hospital,” he added. dozien said that informed parents were in a better
children with low birth weight to catch up with their contemporaries by giving them baby formula in addition to breast milk. “Those who were on the formula at that time were growing too fast and people detected that these children developed hypertension, diabetics and other diseases, which we thought were adult diseases,” he said. He said that if a two-yearold child was obese, the child was likely to become obese in the future. He said that in the case of obesity, Nigeria could also suffer some economic disadvantages like the cost of treatment and the loss of labour force because of early deaths brought about by obesity. Abiodun concluded that no baby formula could provide as much nourishment as breast milk but added that in situations where the formula became expedient, the one
with reduced protein and more amino acids was the best option. After establishing a good foundation for a child’s development with breast milk, the next step is to aid the child to develop good eating habits early in life. However, Prof. Emmanuel Ekanem, a paediatrician, urged parents not to relent in efforts to ensure that their children ate balanced diets. “Picky eating among children is a serious condition that should not be ignored, as it has the tendency to affect their physical and mental development later in life,” he
said. He explained that picky or choosy eaters were often selective with regard to the kinds of food they ate. He said that such behaviour among children could be temporary, warning, however, that if efforts were not made to deal with it appropriately and on time, it might lead to serious health problems. Ekanem noted that children, who were picky eaters, were often unwilling to try new foods, adding that they habitually maintained a narrow range of foods which they would accept and often complained at the meal table. He said that such children usually had a liking for foods that were not rich in macronutrients, while rejecting new foods and taking a long time to eat. The professor urged parents to be vigilant during the period when the child was being introduced to new foods and when the child was
acquiring independent eating skills because that was the phase when picky eating usually became visible. He suggested a twopronged approach to tackling the menace of picky eating, saying: “Firstly, parents should be good role models because their child is watching how and what they are eating. “Secondly, parents should involve the child in the selection and preparation of foods; let the child see that he or she is part of that process. “If that is not effective; then, parents should introduce nutritional supplements, beginning with fruits and vegetables as well as vitamins-containing tablets so as to bridge the gap in
situations where recovery is slow. “Picky eaters tend to be deficient in important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin D, iron and calcium; all of which are strong contributors to health and mental development. “It’s important also to give the child adequate time to eat. On the average, the child will require 20 to 30 minutes to have a good meal and most importantly, the child should avoid distractions during mealtime,” he said. Ekanem said that distractions such as television, computer games and cell phones during meals should be discouraged. He also appealed to parents not to force the child to eat faster, adding that children should also not be compelled to consume all the food on their plates; as such approach could trigger rebellion in the children.
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Focus
Values And Natio DEVELOPMENT is a contested concept. From its earliest concept, there have been competing meanings of development. When the modernisation paradigm held sway, development was viewed as total transformation of a traditional or pre-modern society into the types of technology and associated social organisation that characterise the ‘advanced’ economically prosperous and politically stable nations of the western world. This view was later challenged by several schools of thought not in terms of the goal of development but in terms of whether it was achievable as envisaged by the modernisation school. For the modernisation school development was achievable by the application of rational management techniques and planning. The dependency school forcefully maintained that the global economic structures make development unachievable by periphery. In the last two decades we saw the shift from the view of the state as the central agency of development to a view that perceived the market and the private sector as the engine of development. At the centre of this debate are the generation of prosperity and the spread of this prosperity to a majority of the population of a country, the role of the state in the process, the cost of the social and environment transformation that it entails, as well as the distribution of the burden among the various strata of society Generally, development is related to the human capacity to improve the quality of life by transforming the way production and other human activities are carried out in order to eradicate poverty, unemployment and social inequalities.’ Dudley Seers (1972) defines economic development as the progressive elimination of poverty, unemployment and inequality while Arnartya Sen. (1999) places emphasis on the concepts of capacities and entitlements (or social rights). In general development has six components according to
Goulet 1992. These are: An economic component dealing with the creation of wealth and improved conditions of material life, equitably distributed. A social ingredient measured as well-being in health, education, housing and employment. A political dimension including such values as human rights, political freedom, enfranchisement, and some form of democracy. A cultural dimension in recognition of the fact that cultures confer identity and self-worth to people. A full-life paradigm, which refers to meaning systems, symbols and beliefs concerning the ultimate meaning of life and history. A commitment to ecologically sound and sustainable development so that the present generation does no undermine the position of future generations. VALUES Value can be defined as broad preferences concerning appropriate causes of action or outcome. Values are understood as the principles around which a society or group of individuals orient (or want to orient) their cohabitation. It reflects a person’s sense of right and wrong or what ought to be “equal right for all. Society is generally defined as a self perpetuating group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interest, participation in characteristic relationships, shared values and a common culture. While there are societies in the plural sense existing within Nigeria, reflecting the characteristics
spelt out by the definition, the Nigerian concept is yet to transform into a society in the singular sense In order to appropriately suggest the values a good society should be built upon, it would be necessary to identify what the particular Society holds dear. Values are what the society care about as a group; they are what motivate people from within. Values can be good and bad. However when a society adopts the bad values such as materialism, greed and nepotism, the resultant effect is the kind of tragedy that befell nations such as Sierra Leone, Liberia and Rwanda. Good value system ultimately produces good and sustainable societies while bad value system produces bad weak and unsustainable societies. In deciding the essential values a good Nigerian society should be built on would demand an examination of the values that had sustained these societies, explore what can be done to bring those values into the Nigerian concept and build on them in order to move the nation forward. A look at the traditions of most of societies that now constitute Nigeria would reveal unsurprisingly that all of these societies were value based. Cutting across all these traditions are values such as high moral integrity, fair play, sense of social justice, honesty, concern for others, respect, social decorum, hospitality and patriotism expressed in loyalty to the family and group. Most of the institutions that facilitated these values were local and built around kings, Chiefs, Emirs, clan system and the extended family system. These are no different from values that dominate in successful countries all around the world, the only difference being that these values were successfully infused into modem leadership style in those other countries. For
By EMILIA AYENI
centuries these values were central to both the society at large and societal cohesion in the various societies constituting Nigeria before the formation of the Nigeria nation. However at the attainment of independence, Nigeria had to adopt a new style of governance that recognises a central government alien to these societies. Most times our values inform our motives which cause our action in daily life, in our social interactions, in our community. The sum of these individual actions can be seen in the larger society Values are formed during these significant periods 1. Imprint period from birth to 7yrs. 2. Modeling period from 8yrs to 13 yrs. 3. Socialisation period from l3yrs to 2lyrs. Personal values provide an internal reference for what is good, beneficial, important, useful, beautiful, desirable, constructive etc. Value generated behaviour and help solve common human problems for survival by comparative ranking of value, the result of which provides answers to questions of why people do what they do and what order they choose to do it. Cultural values is a system that share a set of common values in which such values permit social expectations and collective understanding of the good, beautiful constructive etc. culture have values that are largely shared by their members. Values are related to the norm of a culture, but they are more global and abstract than norms. Norms are rules for behaviour in specific situation, while value identifies what should be judged as good or evil. VALUES AND N A T I O N A L DEVELOPMENT
“Value can be defined as broad preferences concerning appropriate causes of action or outcome. Values are understood as the principles around which a society or group of individuals orient (or want to orient) their cohabitation. It reflects a person’s sense of right and wrong or what ought to be “equal right for all.”
The Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, has identified urgent value reorientation and attitudinal change among Nigerians as the factors that can ensure the achievement of the nation’s desired economic goals. He said the elements of the new value system should include honesty, accountability, cooperation, discipline, and industry. Aganga said this while delivering a paper titled
identified dearth of pos values in the society as major cause of agoni poverty and unmitig suffering of the ordin Nigerian in the midst of pl Ayoola made the remarks message he sent to a one anti-corruption clubs’ sum for schools in Oyo State. paper titled “Strengthe integrity values through corruption clubs in secon schools. “He said, “ distortion of cultural va and norms over the years also done incalculable dam
• Edem Duke, Culture and Tourism Minister
‘Economic Transformation Through Values ReOrientation’ at the 11th Convocation of the Pan African University, Lagos. According to him “There is a consensus among the young and old that there is a big crack on the pillars of our core values, on which our society was built”. This is despite the fact that many of us were born and bred in a society built on core values; a society where hard work mattered; where honesty, honour, respect for the elderly, integrity, protection of the family name and contentment were the guiding moral principles”. Again, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, has
to our ethical foundation the acquisition of illicit we is not only condoned encouraged by society its The appalling situation we ourselves today as a na demands that we do the thing by cultivating emphasising the virtue integrity.” In a paper written by V E. Dike, he state that the socioeconomic conditio Nigeria and the inability o leaders to create condit necessary for higher nati development after year civil rule (or democrac should be a concern to person who cares ab Nigeria. The concept national developm (economic, political social) is said to bring w valuable and positive cha that improves the liv
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Focus
onal Development
itive s the zing ated nary lenty. s in a e-day mmit . The ning antindary “The alues s has mage
ns as ealth but self.” e find ation right and es of
Victor poor on in of the tions ional rs of cy?), any bout t of ment and ith it anges ving
standards of the people, as it creates employment opportunities and equality of opportunity, and reduces poverty, among other things. In particular, economic development increases the efficiency of a system in the production of goods and services to meet the basic needs of the people in a society. The achievement of these objective hinges on the character and attitude (moral compass) of the leaders entrusted with the management of the society.
Experts have noted that “strategic planning at a macrolevel is a pre-condition for successful and long-term national development.” Dike in his article focused on “values education and its implications for national development”. As it were, “values education” involves “educating for character” and for good “moral values.” It is the teaching of respect and responsibility (and other values) to the citizens for good character development and for the health of the nation. As Thomas Lickona pointed out in ‘Educating for Character ’ “respect and responsibility are the two foundational moral values” that a society should teach its citizens. Others values are honesty, fairness, tolerance, prudence, self-discipline, helpfulness, compassion, cooperation, courage (the
Virtues of Aristotle) and other democratic values. However, rule of law, equality of opportunity, due process, representative government, checks and balances and democratic decision-making are “procedural values” that define democracy. All these would enable the people to create a viable humane society and to act “respectfully and responsibly.” Thus taking responsibility for the things we do wrong as well as the things we do right is the way to move the society forward in order
words. RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS! The increasing moral problems in Nigeria (corruption, greed, dishonesty, violent crime, political killings, drugs (peddling and use) and other destructive behaviors, call for ‘values education’ in the society. Presently, corruption drives and shapes social values in Nigeria, and for some individuals, the quest for ‘easy money’ is a justification for breaking the laws of the land and distorting policies directed toward national development. Consequently, unnecessary display of illacquired wealth threatens Nigeria and its democratic political process. When the leaders and the people think of public service instrumental
way, accountability declines, and national development is adversely affected. Non-the-less, morality would not be important to the young ones if it does not matter to adults. The youths need inspiring role models who make positive contributions to their communities because many of them that are ‘ethically illiterate’ are growing up not knowing that corruption is socially injurious. And because of moral decadence among the youths many of them do not seem to realize that cheating (dishonesty) in public examinations or campus gang violence and prostitution are anti-social behavior. Therefore, without good moral up bringing of the youths today the nation may not produce enough good leaders to manage its affairs tomorrow. Experts in ‘moral education’ believe that ‘moral development’ “promotes critical thinking and moral reasoning which positively impact national development. The leaders abuse their office and plunder public resources, and bastardise public policies toward national development. Some individuals and institutions with morality problems are known to have “aided and abetted frauds” in examinations leading to the frequent cancellation of results. A society may not develop if the leaders and followers do not posses the appropriate character to enable them get committed to democratic values and to work for socioeconomic development. The founding fathers of American democracy had noted that “moral education” or ‘values moral education’ is “essential for the success of a democratic society.” Because the people must posses the appropriate character to build a free and just society and the moral foundations to make democracy thrive in the society where it had never been
cultivated. And Thomas Jefferson had noted that good character and ‘loyalty to these democratic virtues must be instilled in the people at an early age.’ However, the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, defined good character as ‘the life of right conduct in relation to other persons and in relation to oneself ’ (Palmer 1986). Therefore, good character consists of knowing what is good, desiring what is good and doing what is good. Other attributes of a good character include respect for the rights of others, regard for the law of the land, taking responsibility for ones actions in public and private life concerning the common good. These virtues are necessary for leading a moral life amongst individual land for the health of the nation and, therefore, ‘strong personal character should manifest itself in service to “organisations and communities’’ Moral education should include ‘political education’ to enable the citizens develop critical political awareness to guide their actions. Would democracy survive in a society where rule of law and human decency is cast to the wind? Again, how would Nigeria develop without the citizens developing the critical and creative minds needed to manage its democratic system? As experts have noted, the success of any democratic system depends on the individuals’ ability to analyze problems and make thoughtful decisions. Democracy thrives on the productivity of its diverse constituencyproductivity fostered by free and critical and creative thought on issues of common interest. For Nigeria to be become a truly democratic society, and for it to develop economically, the citizens must posses the appropriate character and integrity to administer the laws of the land. As William Bennett (1980) has
noted, people who have good character “act truthfully, loyally, bravely, kindly, and fairly without being much tempted [or pulled] by the opposite [forces to indulge in anti-development behaviours].” Undoubtedly, the extractive behavior of the political leaders in Nigeria has continued to drag the society behind economically, socially and politically. That seems to show that honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability, respect and responsibility have been cast to the wind! What doe ‘responsibility’ mean when the political leaders and their handymen gang up to abduct a Governor; Chris Ngige of Anambra State and forged a letter of resignation (as the Supreme Court ruled)? And what does ‘respect’ and ‘responsibility’ tell Nigerians to do when they see someone steal public money and tell lies to damage another person’s reputation? The leaders have continued to play politics with public education by denying them the resources for effective teaching and learning (human capital development) because many of them do not seem to realize the undeniable linkage between ‘values education’ and national development. They lack moral values to understand what is right and to do what is right. Workers are not paid regularly and that points the fact that there is a decline in empathy in the society. They do not have respect for life and responsibility toward others. But how would Nigeria develop if the workers are not paid when due? Nigeria’s longterm economic and national policy goals should be placed higher than individual political interest or idiosyncrasy. To prepare for life in a modem society the citizens should be exposed to qualitative education and acquire good moral values to enable them create a humane society and to
function effectively in a democratic political environment. However, the leaders should understand that ‘values education’ does not occur in a vacuum - the leaders must plan it. The challenge for the political leaders is to confront Nigeria’s problems with innovative ideas and include ‘values education’ (teaching of respect and responsibility and other democratic values) in the nation’s school curricula for good character development and sustainable national development. Ten Value of a true Nigerian as deliberated upon and then endorsed by young Nigerians at the GOTNI Leadership Summit in Abuja are:I. Make a positive impact on everyone you meet everywhere you go 2. Be a positive role model worthy of emulation. 3. Be a solution provider and not a problem to the solution. 4. Be the best in all you that you do particularly the things you are naturally good at. 5. Do the right thing at all times regardless of who is doing the wrong thing. 6. Value time and make the use of it. 7. Care and show that you care in all your words and action. 8. Consciously build a great legacy starting today and everyday. 9. Live the life of honour and integrity. 10. Make your family, nation and creator proud. Be someone’s claim to fame. In conclusion, Ogbonnaya Onu, The Chairman of ANPP during an interview on the ongoing reforms in ANPP and what INEC should do to guarantee free and fair poll in 2015 said that Nigeria has suffered an erosion of values and any nation that does not have values would have problems in terms of development.
“Experts in ‘moral education’ believe that ‘moral development’ “promotes critical thinking and moral reasoning which positively impact national development. The leaders abuse their office and plunder public resources, and bastardise public policies toward national development. Some individuals and institutions with morality problems are known to have “aided and abetted frauds” in examinations leading to the frequent cancellation of results.”
THE NIGERIAN
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Success World
Effective Business Communication BUSINESS organizations the world over are today faced with a downward spiral in economic trend. The market is getting smaller and competition more intense. Funds are scarce. Employees are losing their jobs in droves. Numerous business organizations are going into oblivion. The onus for survival of your business falls on your ability to differentiate your business from others to your utmost benefit. In an ailing economy, the only way to differentiate your business organization is by making the most “impression” on the market. The quality of impression you make on the market is what retains patronage and expands your customer base. The way by which this impression is made is through Effective Business Communication. Effective Business Communication entails people understanding your intent for communicating; using your communication to establish relationships you can count on for business growth; receiving the requisite action expected by the use of the communication method. In other words, whenever you communicate, people must understand you, a bond should be established between you and the audience that would serve to your benefit. This is Effective Business Communication. Your communication should be effective, whether you are trying to coach a new staff, make a sale or sending out an advert to promote your business, it should achieve its aim, whether your mode is Electronic or Print media, Person to Person presentation, or Letter writing. I remember the story told about two Greek Statesmen and Orators; Cicero and Deinosthenes. At a time when Greece was faced with the challenge of making a quality decision to go to war, the Greek Council was called to debate the need to engage in battle. After several men had spoken, Cicero, an erudite lawyer and eloquent speaker, looked upon by all to be vast in issues; whose opinion was greatly revered, rose up and shared his thoughts on why Gireece had to go to war. At the end of his speech, he was greeted with thunderous applause, a standing ovation. After the applause had ended, Demosthenes, an older man, a lawyer also arose to address the council on the need for Greece to go to battle. But at the end of Demosthenes’ speech, instead of applause, the Council members were aIl chanting war, war, war. The next day Greece went to battle and came out victorious. That is how effective business communication should be. It should not just be people understanding what you have to say, applauding you for your ingenuity and eloquence; it must go forth to achieve its objective of getting the requisite action you need for your business to grow. This is the purpose of all communication, but only effective communication achieves it. “SUCCESSFUL people expect to be successful, in advance.” On August 1, 1975, the leaders of 33 nations gathered in Helsinki, Finland and set out “Fundamental Principles of Freedom” to all citizens of their countries. These fundamental principles of freedom for citizens of each country was later spelt out by the United States and released in January 1978 as “The Human Rights.” There are multiples of human rights laws, with many countries accused of violating them. A closer look at human rights makes us know (as the American Declaration of Independence puts it) that they serve to make us enjoy life and liberty in the pursuit of happiness.* The question then is, “in how many countries of the world are the majority of citizens allowed to really pursue and attain happiness in the light of inalienable rights?” Simply put, why are so many people unable to pursue and attain their objective of being happy, even with all the rights accrued to them? This is because many do know about their rights. And still, fewer people know the most valuable right in the pursuit of happiness — The Right to Succeed! In the pursuit of happiness, we need life, liberty and the
With Ado Erhman
Elements of Effective Business Communication Although there are different avenues by which you can communicate business objectives, they all share the same template to achieve effectiveness. Pay attention to the following when preparing your next business communication: Your Message. What do you want to say? What do you want people to know? If you don’t have a clear idea of what you intend to say, don’t start the communication process. This accounts for a huge percentage of wasted funds in many organizations. Always remember that communication in whatever form is
them and understand your message by relating it to them. No one patronizes a product or service that he does not know, understands or have a relation to. You can only attract patronage by getting to know the people you want to attract. Finally ask yourself, “how can I relay this message to them to create the impression you need?” • How to say what you want to say. Your message creates the appropriate impression and attracts the requisite action when you convey it best. A few years ago, advert experts observed that the world was getting more and more involved in sports and a rare desire for achievement was sweeping the globe, they started producing advert pitches with sporting undertones and motivational messages. Almost every industry has cashed into this to retain its market position and expand customer base — from telecommunication companies to financial institutions, beverages to alcoholic drinks and even politicians. Your key to creating lasting impressions is in saying it BEST. Note I didn’t say RIGHT — words are words, but you have to communicate in the BEST words to create the utmost
one of the ways you spend money in business that might never come back to you, except it is done effectively. Look around you and learn, “How many adverts on TV, radio or billboards, or how many people actually speak to you and get you spurred enough to take action?” Very few make the impression you need to take action. This is often borne out of the fact that their message is faulty. Don’t fall into that snare. Knowing your message is the foundation to making a lasting impression. • Your Audience For any communication to be effective, you must know your audience. Who do you intend to relay your message to? How can you relate the message to them? You must make
impression in order to get the desired action from the hearer. Choose your words carefully, choose them well. Blend them appropriately to convey your message to the understanding of your audience as you relate your product or service to them. This is how you create that lasting impression that attracts patronage. As you advance to make your business grow by effective communication, always remember that effective business communication begins with you. It begins in your heart. Your message must proceed from your heart before it can touch others. The most effective communication is the one that derives requisite action.
Your Right To Succeed right to succeed. The pursuit of happiness with the rights to life, liberty and success would greatly reduce the frequency of migration, because the grass on our side of the fence would be seen as greener as that on the other side of the fence. It is the right to succeed that makes a man start a multibillion dollar automobile manufacturing company in a small garage. The right to succeed makes another drop out of school to pursue happiness by putting a computer on the desk top of every home. This right makes a man sit in jail for 27 years, looking forward to the day his people will be free to rule themselves. The right to succeed! This right must be inculcated by every adult and taught to every child, for us all to be able to attain happiness through achieving our dreams. The right to succeed will spur you to aspire to great heights and back you up with a tenacious determination and resilience for achievement. The right to succeed will implore the poor with a right to life to aspire to be rich. It will implore the prisoner with a
right to Personal Liberty to aspire for a better life in society. It will give the innocent a right to Fair Hearing, hope for freedom. The man who recognizes his human rights, births a dream and holds strongly to his right to succeed will definitely achieve his dream. I write with my right to succeed, believing that hope, faith and purpose will be infused into someone despondent, confused or frustrated — to give strength to a failing heart, put smile on a long face, and give to someone the resilience to pursue his aspirations. You can attain great heights. You can achieve your dreams and aspirations. You have the Right to Succeed! Take hold of your right and work it out. As you on your journey to achievement, take with you the words of Henry David Thoureau, “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dream, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in uncommon hours.”
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Industry
BY most accounts, the Nigerian entertainment industry is threatened by the high rate of copyright piracy. Stakeholders bemoan the development and argue that the entertainment industry will crumble if nothing is done to address the menace. Copyright gives the creator of an original work the exclusive rights on the work, including its publication, distribution and adaptation, but after an agreed period, such work is said to enter the public domain. While holding the right; royalties and revenues from a copyrighted work are paid to the owners of the works whenever an authorised copy of their work is sold or used. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Nigeria because of the activities of pirates; a development which observers describe as inimical to the growth of the country’s entertainment and arts industry. In spite of this, Mrs. Tarja Koskinen-Olsson, an international copyright consultant, described the growth of Nigeria’s creative industry as one of the best, when compared to other sectors in the country. She noted that with the type of Nigerians’ creativity, the country’s economy could grow through public and private investments, promotion, sales and pragmatic approach to eliminating piracy. Koskinen-Olsson, however, urged the country’s film and creative industry to take steps in working on its rights so as to strengthen the copyright industry. Sharing similar sentiments, Prof. Helge Ronning, the Chairman of Norwegian Copyright Development Association, said that the copyright industry in Nigeria could contribute more to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “If copyright is taken seriously, the economy will improve immensely, as the copyright industry in the UK provides more than 2.3 million jobs and 8.4 per cent of the GDP annually,’’ he
said. Ronning underscored the need to protect the cultural, moral, social, political and civil rights of creators, adding that the global recognition accorded to the Nigerian culture was part of the factors that made the country great. He called on the Federal Government to initiate pragmatic policies that would boost the protection of the entertainment industry as a viable sector. In an apparent response to such calls, the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) recently inaugurated the Collective Management Organisation (CMO) for music to foster the rapid growth and protection of the industry. Besides, the NCC, in May 2010, approved the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) as the operator of the CMO to act on behalf of musicians. The society has the mandate of promoting and protecting the copyright of practitioners in the Nigerian music industry. Observers note that this development has promoted the growth of the music industry and the interests of Nigerian artistes, as musicians now receive royalties for the commercial use of their works more than ever before. They add that it has also enabled actors, filmmakers, producers and marketers to enjoy royalties in line with global best practices. Mr. Tony Okoroji, the Chairman of COSON, said that with the involvement of CMO in the royalties’ collection, the society was able to distribute more than N25 million to artistes in 2011 and N100 million in 2012. Okoroji noted that the payment of royalties by commercial users of music works was vital to the survival of the industry. He explained that the massive and continuous abuse of intellectual property rights had discouraged investments in the music industry, while causing a
Protecting The Copyright Industry
drain on the nation’s economy. He, therefore, pledged to enforce the statutes regarding the payment of royalties by commercial music users, warning that those that refused to comply with the regulation would be made to face the wrath of the law. However, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, the General Manager of COSON, said that the society was still making efforts to change the erroneous public perception that “music is free’’. He noted that most people still claimed ignorance that
By KATURAK YASHIM
efforts to enforce royalty payment in the country, COSON had filed law suits against some hotels, radio stations and organisations. “The suits were filed for unauthorised copying and communication to the public of musical works belonging to members of the society. “ Although the law suits were dropped after an agreement was reached with
produce them for sales. “The demand for books and literary works in the market is higher than the supply of the works itself and so, if the genuine works are not available, pirates begin to mass produce extra copies at cheaper rates,’’ he said. Nevertheless, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, the Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Pan-
• Olusegun Aganga, Minister for Trade & Industry
• Afam Ezekude, DG NCC
they were not aware that commercial music users ought to pay certain royalties. Chukwuji warned that persons, who broadcast musical works without obtaining a prior permission, were robbing the artistes of their rights and privileges as creators. “Most people think that music is free but the truth is that music is the creative work of someone and the artistes should be compensated for their creativity and labour,’’ he noted. Chukwuji noted that in its
African University, Abuja, said that most people were not aware of their rights and as such, they could not fight for such rights whenever the need arose. He emphasised the need to educate the media and public about the rights of the people involved in creative works. “There is also need for partnership between institutions, politicians, associations, lawmakers, organisations and the police,’’ he advised. Biakolo said that the partnership would enhance respect and appreciation for creative works and copyrights, as people would be more aware of the potential input of industry to employment creation and the GDP. Calling for the creation another CMO for the film industry, Mr. Ifeanyi Dike, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Actors Guild of
the society; it showed that the society would not relent in efforts to enforce the copyright of artistes,’’ he explained. However, Mr. Vincent Oyefeso, the Assistant Director (Public Affairs) in the NCC, said that the fight against copyright infringement could not be won without the active support of the public. “Another major problem which the industry is facing is that copyright owners do not produce enough copies of genuine works and this gives the pirates the leeway to
“If copyright is taken seriously, the economy will improve immensely, as the copyright industry in the UK provides more than 2.3 million jobs and 8.4 per cent of the GDP annually.’’
Nigeria, alleged that films produced by actors and film makers were used freely, mostly by television stations. He stressed that the establishment of a CMO for the movie industry would enable the actors and movie makers to receive royalties for the commercial use of films. “Protecting the rights of original work creators in the country has been a constant battle but the battle will be won,’’ he said. Dike, however, bemoaned the habit of some artistes who allegedly gave their original
works to pirates to mix with works of other artistes. “Most artistes do that to ensure that their works reach the market fast but they fail to realise that they are engaging in copyright infringement,’’ he said. All the same, Mr. Chris Nkwocha, the Lagos Zonal Manager of NCC, said that that the commission was working towards the establishment of a CMO for the movie industry. Nkwocha, nonetheless, called on writers, musicians, authors and others in the creative industry to make concerted efforts to report those who infringed on their rights. All things being equal, stakeholders in entertainment industry believe that the sector could be developed to generate appreciable revenue and boost the country’s GDP if pragmatic policies are initiated and implemented by the relevant authorities.
THE NIGERIAN
20
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Opinion
As Raining Season Sets In THE cool, wet and pleasant days have finally arrived, when school children are excited with the drops of rain, cheer and relaxation brought about by the coldness fills the heat. Rainy season at the corner and even with its beauty in mind we should not be oblivious of the fact that it also has problems that come with it. The wet, monsoon or rainy season is a time of the year when most places in Nigeria experience annual rainfall. Nigeria is found in the tropics, where the climate is seasonally damp and very humid. Nigeria is affected by four climate types; these climate types are distinguishable, as one move from the Southern past of Nigeria to the Northern part of Nigeria through Nigeria’s middle belt. Climate types found in Nigeria are tropical rainforest also known as equatorial monsoon, is designated by the koppen climate classified as “Af”, is found in the Southern part of the country. This climate is influenced by the monsoons originating from the South Atlantic Ocean, which is brought into the country by the (Maritime Tropical) MT airness, which is a warm moist sea to land seasoned wind. Its worth and high humidity give it a strong tendency to ascend and produce copious rainfall, which is a result of the condensation of water vapour in the rapidly rising air. The tropical rainforest climate has a very small temperature range. Then temperature ranges are almost constant throughout the year, for example Warri town in the Southern part of Nigeria, records a maximum of 28oc (82.4of) for its hottest month while it lowest temperature is 26oc (78.8of) in its coldest month. The temperature difference of
Warri town is not more than 2oc (5of). The Southern part of Nigeria experiences heavy and abundant rainfall. These storms are usually conventional in nature due to the regions proximity, to the equatorial belt. The annual rainfall received in this region in very high, its usually above the 2,000mm (78.7) rainfall in total giving tropical rainforest climates worldwide. The western region of Nigeria around the Niger Delta area experiences H,000mm (157.5) of rainfall. Bonny town found in the Western region of the Niger Delta area of the Southern Nigeria receives over 4,000mm area of the Southern Nigeria receive over 4,00mm (157.5) rainfall annually. The rest of the South East receives between 2,000 and 3,000mm (118.1) rain per year. The Southern region of Nigeria experiences a double rainfall maxims which is characterised by too high rainfall peaks, with a short dry period and longer dry period between and after each peaks. The first rainy period in Nigeria begins around March and last to the end of July with a peak in June. This period is followed by a short dry break in August which is popularly known as August break. This short dry period last for two to three weeks in August, and the break is broken by a short rainy period starting around early September and last till mid October with a peak period at the end of September. The end of short rainy season is October, which is followed by long dry season. This period begins from late October till early March. The Sahel climate or tropical dry climate is the predominant climate type in the Northern part of Nigeria. The annual rainfall total are lower compared to the
By WINNIFRED OSASOBO
Southern and central party of Nigeria. Rainy season in the North last for only three to four months which is from June to September. The rest period of the year is usually hot and dry with temperature climbing as high as 40oc (104.0of). Rain plays a large impact directly in human history aside from climate changes,
weather is messy and people get struck on traffic dam due to water logging on their way home. There are some vital materials that individual must not do without during this rainy season. Umbrellas; is an important tools for rainy period, which is normally used to protect yourself especially your head, they
they have caused gradual drift of population for example Nigeria was greatly affected last year in various states like Delta, Bayelsa, Plateau, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Katisna and Kebbi State. Rainy season is a period where most areas are usually affected with flood and the roads are chaotic because of muddy water. The roads are not motorable and walkable by individuals, the cold
come in different colours can be used by adult and children. Raincoat; rain coat is perfect for this season, it protect your entire body from been drained by the rain. Trend and classic coat go with hand glues. Boots: boots are essentially made for this season, it protect feet against bad flooded water. This outfit are mostly worn with a pair of short that are not easily soaked, it protect your body from sudden temperature.
“Rainy season is a period where most areas are usually affected with flood and the roads are chaotic because of muddy water. The roads are not motorable and walkable by individuals, the cold weather is messy and people get struck on traffic dam due to water logging on their way home.”
Medical report; many people fall sick during rainy season, its are usually cold and sudden fluctuation in the body temperature. Individuals who might fall victims of this problem have to prepare and protect themselves from getting sick for instance when your immune system is low you can instantly catch up with cold, when you are drained and expose your body to this
able to scale through the season without experiencing any problems. (3) Eat vitamins; vegetable leaves is very good for the body, it contains vitamins that give healthy eyes and its nutrients. High intake of vegetable reduces illness vitamin is also very important during cold, doctor most times usually recommends vitamins to prevent cold.
weather, you might claim to enjoy the cold breeze, but in the real sense you are endangering your health. So keep yourself with caution during rainy season. There are some medical tips that will keep your healthy during this period. (1) Reduce smoking and alcohol. There is a normal saying that tobacco smokers are liable to die young. The high intake of cigarette weakens one’s respiratory system, usually one common problem during this period. The best way to prevent it, is to stop smoking and minimize the regular intake of alcohol. If this is done your immune system will be awaken. (2) Exercise Exercise is a physical and mental activity that if done daily, it will keep you more energized and you will be
(4) Shower when soaked by rain, to set a shower when soaked by rain, the problem is that the body might experiences drastic cold temperature and can be infected with disease. (5) Hot food; hot food is necessary especially hot tea and hot soup, which keeps the body system warm and balance at all times. The intake of hot food provides the body with instance relief and flush the bacterial in the body through excretory system. Health they say is wealth, protect your body with materials you wear during this period. Go for rubber shoe and sandals that can not be easily damaged by water. Leave your leather shoes and bags for dry season. All this, should be put into concentration to avoid illness and embarrassment during rainy season.
THE NIGERIAN
21
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Archival Matters
Opinion
Nigeria And The Battle Against Impunity
LAST week, available editorial space didn’t allow me to sufficiently explain the broad perspectives of why Rev. David Ugolor is driving NGOs’ campaign protesting the death of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu while in police hand in Edo State. This accounts for this article, today. In my previous article, I wrote about Ugolor’s NGO activism in campaigning against the extra-judicial killing of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu. However, more appropriately, all Ugolor and the civil societies in Edo State are doing is fighting impunity in Nigeria, stricto senso. Impunity!! Yes that is the words. Under normal circumstances, it is the rule of law that should apply in Nigeria. But the contrary is the case. The rule of impunity prevails. With this development comes the spates of extra-judicial as well as summary killings both by government, its agents and some members of the society. It is because of the need to halt this Hobbesan descent into a state of law lessness that the likes of Ugolor are organizing the civil society to champion the campaign against impunity which is enveloping Nigeria. Civil society organisations and the media have always been in the campaign against impunity. Once again, they held a workshop on the subject at Beniza Hotel, Asaba in Delta State on May 20, 2013. The event was put together by Community Life Project and Media Rights Agenda with support from the
By MICHAEL ODIGBE
Centre For Social Justice, Human Development Initiatives and Ford Foundation Office for West Africa. Twenty-two media practitioners, drawn from all over Nigeria, attended the workshop with the theme STOP IMPUNITU NOW. Therefore, the campaign in Edo State to bring the killers of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu to book is in line with the war against impunity now the theme song on the lips of the federal government that often warehouses impunity, itself. Another perspective from which the killing of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu can be viewed is that his case adds to the worsening scenarion of impunity in Nigeria. This makes it unpardonable to Ugolor and the civil society still with a conscience. They are annoyed that rather than abate, impunity is indeed taking over Nigeria’s social space and giving our democracy a bad name. Where are the facts? See, not a single report on Nigeria’s human rights and criminal justice administration systems is commendable. For instance, take the 2012 World Human Rights Report compiled by Amnesty International. The report reads in part. “Police operations remained characterized by human rights violations. Hundreds of people were unlawfully killed often before or during arrests on
the street”. The report went on. “others were tortured to death in police detention. Many people disappear from police custody. Few police officers were held accountable, leaving relatives of those killed or who disappeared without
371 incidents of impunity which to 1536 brutal killings. A breakdown on this statistics showed that out of this number, 379 accounted for extrajudicial killings while 1157 were summary killings The NGO’s findings revealed that of the 1536 killings documented, 106
minds of Ugolor and members of the civil society, Their value for the sanctity of human life is still sacrosanct in our society known for insensitivity. So far, the experience of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu in Benin reminds us of several cases of impunity in Nigeria in words and deeds. For instance, it is a common scene to find some law enforcement agents brutalizing innocent victims over a N20 bribe or for “obstructing” traffic while these agents are
• Mohammed Abubakar, IG of Police
justice…..” Apparently although written in 2012, this report eloquently captures a similar ambience of impunity surrounding the death of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu, today, in 2013 a year later. Before Amnesty International issued its dismal report, Legal Defence And Assistance Project, based in Nigeria, has a damning one on impunity in our country. In 2010, the NGO recorded
cases were investigated by the law enforcement agents but only 4 of them reached the conclusive, prosecution stage. Now, imagine this scenario. Does it not demonstrate that impunity was high in 2010 in Nigeria? It does. But the unfortunate thing is that the scenario is worsening every year in cancerous progression. This explains why the death of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu in May 2013 in police hand is agitating the
“So far, the experience of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu in Benin reminds us of several cases of impunity in Nigeria in words and deeds. For instance, it is a common scene to find some law enforcement agents brutalizing innocent victims over a N20 bribe or for “obstructing” traffic while these agents are driving against the same traffic in full disobedience and defiance of FRSC regulations on driving.”
driving against the same traffic in full disobedience and defiance of FRSC regulations on driving. It is all a case of taking the laws, which they are supposed to enforce into their hands. Alas, the physicians cannot heal themselves. They are not good examples of professional code of conduct modernized and relaunched on January 10, 2013 by the InspectorGeneral of Police. Behold these other cases of police impunity in Kwale town, Delta State during the year 2011, three drunken policemen shot sporadically killing mourners at a burial ceremony. The icing on the cake of these inhuman policemen was that they were on illegal duty!!
In 2013, January also a police inspector ran amok killing his wife and that of his landlord in Adamawa State. Later in February 2013 an assistant superintendent of police Sanni Tella allegedly beat up a doctor working in the Federal Medical Centre, Abakaiki in Abia State. Tella teargassed the doctor in his office before turning him into a punching bag. In retrospection, we shouldn’t equally forget in a hurry that police impunity makes Mr. Abiodun Mustapha hop on one leg today. During the June 12 1993 protest a police man shot his right leg which led to its amputation. Similarly, during the January 2012 fuel subsidy protest, former DPO of Pen Cinema Police Station, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, shot harmless Egbuzor Samuel, Alimi Abubakar, Joy Monday, Chibuzor Udo and Ademola Daramola in Lagos. The rest survived the shooting but Ademola Daramola died from the police bullets of impunity. Impunity is not a police property alone. Civil society also, engages in it. In 2012, for instance, 4 students of UNIPORT were lynched in broad-day light. Then, while Nigeria is still battling with the impunity puzzle surrounding the extrajudicial and summary execution of 18 men whose corpses werefound on Amansea River on January 19, 2013 another killing occurred at Oja village in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. A 65 year –old woman was set ablaze and burnt to death for witchraft in June 2013. So, you can see that the rule impunity reigns in Nigeria. Therefore, it is worthwhile if the death of Citizen Ibrahim Momodu provides a window for Ugolor and civil society to advocate an end to impunity. Certainly, their effort is little beginning. But remember the Japanese say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.
THE NIGERIAN
22
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Science
C
Pests And Diseases Of Agricultural Importance PESTS are organisms that cause damage to man, his crops and also to his domestic animals in the course of the pest living its normal life. Pests of agriculture include fungi, nematodes, insects, rodents and birds. They cause damage to the crops we plant in the fields and also during their storage periods. At this time, the crop disease condition renders it unsuitable to be sold in the market, making the farmer, run at a loss, while the domestic animals, become weak and cannot perform their activities anymore. Micro-organisms also cause diseases, they include few parasitic worms. we also have disease causing organisms which include bacteria, viruses and some fungi, other disease – causing organisms are aided and spread by other organism that act as vectors Aphids. Black pod disease of cocoa This is spread by either rain or wind, which will disperse the spores of the fungus to other cocoa, that are not yet affected. Symptoms They have circular brown spots on affected pods followed by the drying and blackening of the affected pods. Control The affected part of the pods or trees should be buried or burnt. Plants could also be sprayed with
chemicals like Bordeaux mixture or perenox. Rust of maize This is spread by wind that scatters the spores of the fungus. Symptoms There are yellowish – brown patches on the leaves and gradually the yield is decreased. Control Crop rotation should be adopted and the planting of resistant varieties to withstand the disease, Foot rot of sheep Animals like sheep, do contact it when their foot come in contact with contaminated marshy pastures. Symptoms There are sores on the skin of feet between the hooves of the sheep, which impair their movement. Control The feet of the sheep is deep into dilute copper sulphate solution. Cassava bacterial blight (bacterial infection) It is spread by infected cassava cutting or contaminated farm implements. Symptoms The leaves have angular spot, they wilt, defoliation and gum exudation occurs. Control Resistant strains of cassava, should be planted, crop rotation method should be strictly adhered to,
With Oyakhilome Cement
pruning of the parts of leaves above the ground and careful selection of planting material should be used. Bacterial wilt of tomato The wounds the source of the tomato bacterial infection. The vascular system turns brown in colour, they develop adventitious roots along the stem, there is droping and willing of plant. Control Implement crop rotation practice and plant resistant varieties of tomato. Fowl typhoid It is contacted from faeces of infected birds and through their eggs. Symptoms They discharge greenish or yellowish wish watery waste material i.e. diarrhea, loss of weight, reduced food intake, raffled feathers, drowsiness, their combs may turn blush is colour. Control Infected birds should be removed from those that are not infected. Birds, should be inoculated when they are about 5 week olds. Veterinary doctors should treat the birds and a clean environment should be maintained. Anthrax of cattle It is spread by the ingestion of contaminated food or water swollen shoot disease of cocoa Swollen shoot disease of cocoa Mealy bug spread the disease Symptoms Cocoa yield is reduced, there is mottling and distortion of cocoa leaves, also the cocoa beans size is reduced as they produce. Control The tree is cut down or burnt and the vectors are destracted. Fowl pox It is spread by mosquitoes, like Aides and stegonyia. Symptoms There are scabs all over the head, eyes, nostrils and comb there is nasal discharge there is tear production the eyes may close due to the lesions existing around the eyelids. There is bloodly exudates from the nasal, oral, reactal and vaginal openings, muscular tremors, rapid pulse, diarrhea and their temperature becomes very might. Control A good sanitation should be mentioned, the birds should be vaccinated, disinfection of the immediate environment and a veterinary officer, should administer a curative treatment to the birds. Cassava leaf mosaic Aphids, wind and grasshopper on the vectors that spread the disease from one plant to the other. Symptoms Leaves mott, turns yellow, distortion and curling of leaves, reduction of leaf area which will reduce the rate of photosynthetic activity then there is excessive branching and stunted growth of the cassava. Control Resistant varieties of cassava should be planted.
THE NIGERIAN
23
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
View Point
My Fears For Nigeria SOME days ago, I listened to a programme on one of the FM Radio Stations in Benin City. The programme asked people to phone in to tell them their greatest fear in life. I tried to contribute to the programme. But no dice. I discovered that I didn’t have the station’s phone number. Therefore, I couldn’t contribute my views on radio. Well, all is not lost. The radio is not only the platform for ventilating an opinion Newspapers also help. It is for this reason, I am using this medium today to address the issue and share my experiences with the great readers of this paper, today. To start with, I have so many fears in life one of them is how Nigeria can survive as one corporate nation after 2015 the year of the presidential election. As far as I see, those threatening the existence of this country at present are our leaders. They want to be in power in 2015 come rain, come shine. For this reason, they are exploiting selfish, tribal and religious sentiments in their campaign even though INEC hasn’t lifted the ban on politics. The saddest thing is that some of these leaders, who come from the major ethnic tribes of Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo feel that they have been destined to rule Nigeria. Yet, we know that it is not only three tribes that make up Nigeria. Altogether, we have 250 ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. So one of my greatest fear is that in 2015 there will be a bitter clash of interests between the major and smaller ethnic groups in the quest of who will rule Nigeria. Such a clash may threaten the existence of the country. My other fear is that another divisive clash of interests is also going on in the area of lingua franca. The major tribes want to impose their Languages on the other tribes. For instance, these tribes always talk about WAZOBIA langua franca which only takes cognizance of their own languages represented by WA (Yoruba)— Zo (Hausa) —— and BIA (Igbo). Not pleased by this development, someone came up with a lingua franca that recognises all the tribes, big and small, in Nigeria. The person drew up what he called CRUOSA LANGUAGE after taking pains to develop a true lingua franca that will unite us as a people. He even compiled a dictionary on his experimental lingua franca for easy learning of the new language if adopted by the authorities. However, his ideas were thrown aboard because he is not from a major ethnic tribe of Nigeria. This action has not gone down well with the minority tribes. Therefore, the fight over which lingua franca to use in the country continues to rage. My fear is no one knows whom the smouldering fire will consume in future. Still my other fear is that good politicians are being frustrated in the country. We don’t seem to like good things and great leaders. What is going on today is a repeat of what happened in the sixties. During this time a group of selfish politicians ganged up and sent Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Enahoro and other progressives to jail for what they called treasonable felony. These evil politicians ensured they tied the hands of the trial judge justice Sowemino so that he sentenced Awolowo to prison. Today, similar politicians are all over the place harassing the few patriotic ones willing to take Nigeria to another level. Here in lies my fear. We may not get to the promiseland of development, give what is now happening in our political environment. Once there is lack of progress, youthful restiveness, unemployment, insecurity, indiscipline and anger
By EKAIWE OMO OMOREGIE
will rule the land. Chaos will follow-not just crisis and conflicts we are already experiencing. Also, my fear is that the 2015 election may not be free and fair, afterall, despite INEC’s assurances. Common sense is already giving us the signs of the bad things that will be done in 2015 either to grab and keep power or to take it by force from those keeping it. The way politicians talk, run their parties without internal democracy as well as their inability to uphold honesty in their private lives, indeed, gives me the feeling that 2015 will be a year of make or break for Nigeria. Over here in Nigeria any thing goes. What does not happen elsewhere in civilized democracy occurs here. Or have we forgotten about the former federal minister of justice and
attorney –general of the federation Chief Richard Akinjide? He was the one who did what other law officers in decent democracy would never do. He gave Nigeria a magical formula that 122/3 of Nigeria State is possible. The court, trying Awolowo’s petition against Shagari’s re-election in 1979 accepted Akinjide’s logic. That is why it ruled in favour of Shagari. Akinjide may not be around today. But other Akinjdes exist today that may manipulate the electoral logic of the 2015 elections. That is my fear. Also, my fear about the trend in Nigeria’s politics is heightened when I remember that truth is still missing from our way of doing things. For instance, the same Awolowo was called a prophet of doom because he said that the Nigerian economy would crash in the eighties if it is not put in the
“Still my other fear is that good politicians are being frustrated in the country. We don’t seem to like good things and great leaders. What is going on today is a repeat of what happened in the sixties. During this time a group of selfish politicians ganged up and sent Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Enahoro and other progressives to jail for what they called treasonable felony.”
right shape. But all he did was to express his candid opinion on the poor economy. Yet, he was shouted down and discredited by those who never wanted him to rule this country. However, when he died, the nation mourned him. The same people who criticized him for speaking the truth began to celebrate him, some said, he was the best President Nigeria never had. What an irony!! Does this behavior of Nigerians not make you fear? If it doesn’t, it does for me. That explains why I fear for Nigeria, knowing that a nation is doomed when it doesn’t give good leaders a chance in their life time. These issues reminds me of my other fear about Nigeria. Of interest is our collective inability to punish offenders to serve as a deterrent to others. Take the case of Babangida. He annulled the first ever free and fair election won by Abiola. Yet he is walking about a free man. Additionally, I have fears over the unprofessional work ethics of the police. Imagine when they kill an innocent civilian,
they call it accidental discharge or label the person an armed robber, Also, some policemen collude with criminals. We got to know about this during the days of Anini, an armed robber, and DSP Iyamu. Today, we still have Iyamus all over the place. Dose this not make you fear for your security? Also, Nigeria is yet to find the killers of Dele Giwa, Bola Ige, Olaitan Oyerinde and Ibrahim Momdu, a Uniben student who died in police hands some months ago. While there are anxieties everywhere over these killings, we still have some restless militants in the Niger Delta, Boko Haram in the North and MASSOB in the South East, In fact, there is so much trouble in the land. In the midst of all these, challenges we have the Nigerian Governor Forum at war with itself. This goes to show the rottenness of our politicians. As 2015 draws near, tongues are wagging. Nigerians are hoping that these politicians don’t put Nigeria asunder. What a terrible situation we find ourselves. Our leaders want to stay in power as long as they like without thinking about the masses. Meanwhile, we all know that Nelson Mandela ought to be their role model. He was jailed for 27 years during the struggle for democracy in South Africa. He was set free in 1990 and became the first black president of the country in 1994. He ruled for one term and left without creating political tension in 1998. But here in Nigeria, our politicians are creating tension all over the place. So, you can understand why I fear for Nigeria.
THE NIGERIAN
24
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
International
Compiled By OKHUELEIGBE FAITH
Zimmerman Cleared In Shooting SANFORD, USA. Neighborhood watch volunteer Of Trayvon Martin George Zimmerman was cleared of all charges late Saturday night in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate across the U.S. over racial profiling, self-defense and equal justice. Zimmerman, 29, blinked and smiled slightly when the verdict was announced. He could have been convicted of second-degree murder or manslaughter. But the jury of six women, all but one of them white, reached a verdict of not guilty after deliberating more than 15 hours over the course of two days. Martin’s mother and father were not in the courtroom when the verdict was read; supporters of his family who had gathered outside yelled “No! No!” upon learning of the not-guilty verdict. The teen’s father, Tracy, reacted on Twitter: “Even though I am broken hearted my faith is unshattered I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY BABY TRAY.” Trayvon Martin’s brother, Jahvaris Fulton, said simply: “Et tu America?” ó a reference to the Latin phrase “Et tu, Brute?” known as an expression of betrayal. The jurors considered nearly three weeks of often wildly conflicting testimony over who was the aggressor on the rainy night the 17-year-old was shot while walking through the gated townhouse community where he was staying and where
Zimmerman lived. None of the witnesses who were called had a clear view of their encounter. Defense attorneys said the case was classic self-defense, claiming Martin knocked Zimmerman down and was slamming the older man’s head against the concrete sidewalk when Zimmerman fired his gun. “We’re ecstatic with the results,” defense attorney Mark O’Mara after the verdict. “George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in selfdefense.” Another member of his defense team, Don West, said he was “thrilled this jury kept this tragedy from becoming a travesty.” Prosecutors called Zimmerman a liar and portrayed him was a “wannabe cop” vigilante who had grown frustrated by break-ins in his neighborhood committed primarily by young black men. Zimmerman assumed Martin was up to no good and took the law into his own hands, prosecutors said. State Attorney Angela Corey said after the verdict that she believed second-degree murder was the appropriate charge because Zimmerman’s mindset “fit the bill of second-degree murder.” “We charged what we believed we could prove,” Corey
Officials: 5 Taliban Killed
In NATO Airstrike
KABUL - Officials say NATO-led coalition forces attacked a group of Taliban fighters in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least five militants. Coalition spokesman Capt. Luca Carniel said yesterday that NATO forces had carried out a “precision strike” in Paktia province the night before, killing five militants.
He gave no further information, but Paktia provincial police chief Gen. Zelmia Oryakhail says the airstrike targeted a group of Taliban moving down a road in a car and on three motorcycles. Oryakhail says his reports indicate 12 Taliban were killed, including a sought-after regional leader. He says there were no civilian casualties.
said. The jurors’ names have not been made public, and they declined to speak to the news media. As the verdict drew near, police and city leaders in the Orlando suburb of Sanford and other parts of Florida said they were taking precautions against the possibility of mass protests or unrest in the event of an acquittal. Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump acknowledged the disappointment of Trayvon Martin’s supporters, ranking the teen alongside civil rights heroes Medgar Evers and Emmett Till in the history of the fight for equal justice. But he urged them not to resort to violence.
A Free Syrian Army fighter (2nd R) reads the Koran as his fellow fighter monitors the area through a hole in a wall in Deir al-Zor.
Pakistan Taliban Set Up Camps In Syria, Join Anti-Assad War
ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR, Pakistan - The Pakistani Taliban have set up camps and sent hundreds of men to Syria to fight alongside rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, militants said yesterday, in a strategy aimed at cementing ties with al Qaeda’s central leadership. More than two years since the start of the anti-Assad rebellion, Syria has become a magnet for foreign Sunni fighters who have flocked to the Middle Eastern nation to join what they see as a holy war against Shi’ite oppressors. Operating alongside militant groups such as the al Nusra Front, described by the United States as a branch of al Qaeda, they mainly come from nearby countries such as Libya and Tunisia riven by similar conflict as a result of the Arab Spring. Yesterday, Taliban commanders in Pakistan said they had also decided to join the cause, saying
hundreds of fighters had gone to Syria to fight alongside their “Mujahedeen friends”. “When our brothers needed our help, we sent hundreds of fighters along with our Arab friends,” one senior commander told Reuters, adding that the group would soon issue videos of what he described as their victories in Syria. The announcement further complicates the picture on the ground in Syria, where rivalries have already been on the boil between the Free Syrian Army and the Islamists. Islamists operate a smaller, more effective force which now controls most of the rebel-held parts of northern Syria. Tensions erupted again on Thursday when an al-Qaeda linked militant group assassinated one of Free
Syrian Army’s top commanders after a dispute in the port city of Latakia. It also comes at a time when Assad’s forces, with backing from Shi’ite fighters from Hezbollah and Iran, have been making gains on the Syrian battlefield. Another Taliban commander in Pakistan, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the decision to send fighters to Syria came at the request of “Arab friends”. “Since our Arab brothers have come here for our support, we are bound to help them in their respective countries and that is what we did in Syria,” he told Reuters. “We have established our own camps in Syria. Some of our people go and then return after
spending some time fighting there.” Known as the Tehreek-eTaliban, the Pakistani Taliban operate mainly from Pakistan’s insurgency-plagued ethnic Pashtun areas along the Afghan border - a long-standing stronghold for militants including the Taliban and their al Qaeda allies. Taliban militants in Pakistan, who are linked to their Afghan counterparts, are mainly fighting to topple Pakistan’s government and to impose their radical version of Islam, targeting the military, security forces and civilians. But they also enjoy close ties with al Qaeda and other jihadist groups who have, in turn, deployed their own fighters to Pakistan’s volatile tribal region on the Afghan border known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, or FATA.
Syrian Troops Advance Against Rebels In Damascus
DAMASCUS - Heavy clashes between President Bashar Assad’s forces and rebels broke out yesterday on the edge of the Syrian capital, where the gov-
A Syrian boy shouts slogans against the regime in front of a flag of the armed Islamic opposition group, the Nusra front, during a demonstration in the Bustan al-Qasr neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria.
ernment has been pushing its offensive to retake key districts that have been in opposition hands for months. The Syrian military has seized the momentum in the nation’s civil war over the past three months, wresting back territory lost to rebel forces and solidifying its hold on contested areas, particularly on the fringes of Damascus. Two of those embattled districts in the capital are Jobar and Qaboun, from which anti-Assad forces frequently launch mortar rounds on the heart of the capital. A Syrian government official said forces loyal to Assad have recaptured 60 percent of Jobar, just south of Qaboun, and were trying to recover the remainder of the area. The remarks, made to reporters yesterday during a military escorted tour of Jobar organized by the Information
Ministry, could not be independently verified. But an Associated Press reporter on the tour saw massive destruction that pointed to heavy fighting in the neighborhood: entire factories that manufactured marble tiles had been razed to the ground, and reporters walked through the devastated area via holes knocked in walls amid warnings of opposition snipers in the area. At least two bodies, apparently those of gunmen, were lying on the floor of a bunker described by the official as a “terrorist” hideout. He declined to be named, saying he was not allowed to make press statements. .”Assad’s government describes the rebels fighting to overthrow him as terrorists playing out a foreign conspiracy hatched by Israel, the United States and some of its Arab allies in the region, like Qatar and
Saudi Arabia. During the tour of Jobar, reporters were taken to a hideout the army said it seized a day earlier after killing 30 rebels and their leader inside. Reporters were shown RPG mortar rounds and explosive devices as well as an alleged chemical material with a strong odor. Arabic graffiti on the walls read: “The al-Tawhid Brigade,” and “the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” ó names of militant groups fighting to topple Assad. Yesterday’s tour came as Syria’s main Western-backed opposition group claimed that 200 civilians were trapped in a mosque in Qaboun, near Jobar, as fighting raged outside between rebels and Assad’s army. It warned that thousands of civilians in Qaboun could be “massacred” by Assad’s army, as armored vehicles and elite forces move into the neighborhood.
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International
Compiled By OKHUELEIGBE FAITH
African Troops Open France’s Bastille PARIS - Troops from 13 Af“the mark of a solidarity that rican countries who backed Day Parade concretely expressed itself in
People dance during a party, on the eve of Bastilla Day in Cremat, near Nice, southeastern, France.
France in a war against alQaida-linked extremists in Mali marched with the French military during the Bastille Day parade in Paris yesterday to honor their role in the conflict. U.N. troops in blue berets who are helping to stabilize the west African nation of Mali also paraded with thousands of other soldiers down the ChampsElysees Avenue in France’s annual tribute to military might. It marks the storming of the Bastille prison July 14, 1789, by angry Paris crowds that helped spark the French Revolution. Despite the triumphal display, which included flyovers by fighter jets, tanks and giant trucks mounted with land-to-air defense systems, the realities in Mali suggest that President Francois Hollande’s military intervention has had mixed results. The mission he launched in January helped the Malian government retake control of much
of the country from al-Qaidalinked extremists who had seized northern Mali and threatened the capital. The nation is to hold elections July 28, but tensions involving rebel Tuaregs in the north linger, along with political instability. Yesterday’s events, however, focused on the positive. “Their presence is a tribute to those who actively helped to banish terrorism of the Malian territory,” Hollande said earlier of the African troops marching in Paris. Hollande oversaw the display of military might that France rolls out each year on Bastille Day with Mali interim President Dioncounda Traore and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon at his sides. Defense ministers from the African countries represented in the parade also were present. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said before the parade that the display is
Mali, and of a common destiny, even beyond the limits of continents, of which we have every reason to be proud.” But some critics say the Mali operation and African presence in the parade reflect France’s ambiguous and sometimes patronizing relations with the continent especially with former colonies such as Mali often referred to as “Francafrique.” The French non-governmental organization Survie, which is fighting against neocolonialism, condemned “the self-proclaimed role of gendarme of Africa that France claimed in Mali.” “”This parade gives a scent of victory to a military operation which is far from being reasonably presented like that, given the numerous shadows that surround it and the remaining uncertainties concerning its outcome,” said Fabrice Tarrit, the president of the association. The critics also include Africans.
Turkish Police Fire Teargas At Istanbul Protesters
Soldiers, who are serving with the Kenyan Contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
ISTANBUL - Turkish police fired water cannon and tear gas on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters who gathered to march to Gezi Park, which has been at the heart of fierce unrest against Prime Minister Erdogan’s rule. Protesters scattered, running into sidestreets where police pursued them, before starting
Zimbabwe Police, Soldiers Cast Early Ballot HARARE - Police officers and soldiers who will be on duty during Zimbabwe’s July 31 election began voting yesterday, the eve of a court hearing to stop the process because Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party says police numbers were inflated. Zimbabwe will hold presidential and parliamentary elections and police chiefs have been campaigning for Tsvangvirai’s arch-rival, President Robert Mugabe, telling rank-and-file to vote for the veteran leader and his ZANU-PF party. The MDC says junior officers were threatened by superiors to rally behind Mugabe, a charge dismissed by the police. Mugabe, 89, has been in power for 33 years and long criticized by political rivals and the West for perceived authoritarianism. While so far largely peaceful, the election process has been criticized as disorgan-
ized, under-funded and plagued by irregularities. The state electoral commission says 69,000 police officers, 2,000 prison officers, 164 soldiers and thousands of election officials were taking part in a two-day special vote starting yesterday. Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has queried the police figures and the High Court will today hear a request by the party to stop the voting. The MDC says only 41,133 members of the police are eligible to vote, according to a Ministry of Finance salary schedule. In 2008, police, soldiers and prison officials were forced to vote in front of their superiors in barracks and camps, but are now casting ballots in public polling centers monitored by all political parties and foreign observers. Police officers could be seen at voting centers in the
capital Harare queuing patiently to cast their votes. Tsvangirai, making his third attempt to end Mugabe’s long grip on power, says nothing has been set in place to ensure a vote fairer than previ-
ous elections. Tsvangirai, who tried in vain to have the next election delayed, said ZANU-PF was using bureaucratic obstacles and tricks such as keeping dead people on the electoral roll to try perpetuate itself in power.
to regroup on Istiklal Street, meters from the main Taksim Square. The demonstrators also clashed with shopkeepers disgruntled by weeks of bad business due to weeks of demonstrations. What had started as a small protest against the planned redevelopment of Istanbul’s Gezi Park triggered a nationwide wave of protest last month against Erdogan, accused by his critics of becoming increasingly authoritarian. Five people died and thousands were injured in the police crackdown on the protests across Turkey, which posed the biggest challenge to Erdogan’s decade-old rule. Saturday’s demonstrations
were triggered by discontent over a government-sponsored bill which stripped an architects’ and engineers’ association involved in the protests, the TMMOB, of its final approval authority on urban planning projects. The bill, passed to become law by parliament this week, is seen by the TMMOB and opposition party members as part of a government vendetta. Architects in the TMMOB had brought a lawsuit against plans to redevelop Istanbul’s Gezi Park, the issue which prompted the first protests against Erdogan. A court has since canceled the redevelopment project but the authorities can appeal against the ruling.
Tanzania Shocked By Darfur Killings ZANZIBAR, Tanzania The killing of seven Tanzanian peacekeepers in Sudan’s western region of Darfur is “shocking to Tanzania, “ the country’s deputy foreign minister said yesterday, as news of the attack spread across the East African country that has recently become more active in regional peacekeeping efforts. Tanzanian officials do not yet have full details of the ambush Saturday in which 17 others were also wounded in the deadliest single attack on international peacekeepers in Sudan, said Mahadhi Juma Maalim yesterday.
“Tanzania is saddened by this attack that led to (the) killings of our soldiers who went there to keep peace,” Maalim aid. “It’s shocking to Tanzania and members of the family of soldiers killed in Darfur.” The Tanzanian government is studying the situation in Darfur and will notify families of the slain soldiers, said Maalim. The assault by a large group of gunmen included sustained heavy fire from machine guns and possibly rocket-propelled grenades, targeting the force some 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of the town of Khor Abeche, United Nations forces
spokesman Chris Cycmanick said Saturday. Tanzania, which is largely peaceful and stable in a region plagued by armed conflict and rebel insurgency, is becoming more active in regional peacekeeping missions. Last year it was the first to offer to send troops to eastern Congo under what will become a brigade of U.N. peacekeepers with a mandate to combat rebels groups there. Even before the deployment becomes fully operational, the brigade ó which also includes troops from Malawi and South Africa ó has been threatened by Congolese M23
rebels who say they will be forced to defend themselves if they are attacked by the peacekeepers. The attack on Tanzanian troops in Darfur was condemned by U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon, who identified the dead as being from Tanzania. A statement Saturday on behalf of Ban said the “heinous attack” was the third on U.N. forces in the region in the last three weeks. About 40 countries have contributed military personnel or police to the Darfur peacekeeping mission, dubbed UNAMID.
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Compiled By OKHUELEIGBE FAITH
Woman Gored During Final Bull Run PAMPLONA, Spain - A bull gored an Australian woman and left her seriously injured during the final bull run of this year’s annual San Fermin festival in Spain yesterday. Four other runners were hospitalized with cuts and bruises. The 23-year-old woman, identified only as J.E., was gored in the back and suffered multiple rib fractures and damage to her right lung that left her in “very grave” condition after an operation at Navarra Hospital, said the regional government that organizes the festival. The Australian was struck by a massive Miura bull as she clung to wooden barriers outside the bullring entrance, said regional health authority spokesman Javier Sesma. It is very rare for women to be gored during the annual festival since most of the runners
are men. Javier Solano, a San Fermin expert working for national broadcaster TVE, said records showed only two other women had been injured by gorings in the recent history of the fiesta. The four injured runners who were tossed by bulls or fell as they ran were identified as a 39year-old man from California, a 23-year-old man from Madrid and two men from Navarra, said the regional government organizers. None of those injuries were serious. Dramatic confrontations between runners and bulls had occurred during the previous two days of the festival. A 19-year-old Spaniard who had stopped breathing after being crushed by large pileup of fallen runners on Saturday has recovered consciousness and begun to breathe without me-
chanical assistance, Sesma said yesterday. A 35-year-old American man from Cleveland, Ohio, who was gored by a bull Saturday was recovering “favorably” from a “rectal perforation” that affected his abdomen and a kidney, said a Navarra Hospital statement. Patrick Eccles, a 20-year-old University of Utah student who was gored Friday, was in a stable condition and improving after having had his spleen removed, the statement said. Miura bulls, which can weigh 695 kilograms (1,530 pounds), are renowned as Spain’s largest and fastest fighting bulls, and yesterday’s bull run was quick, taking 2 minutes, 16 seconds to cover 928 yards (850 meters) from stables just outside Pamplona’s medieval stone wall to the central bullring.
A runner is knocked by a “Miuras” fighting bull during the final running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona, Spain, yesterday.
Spain’s PM Expresses Support For Jailed Mundo. MADRID - Spanish Ex-Treasurer “You must know what Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sent supportive text messages to his party’s disgraced former treasurer until two months after a corruption scandal involving People’s Party (PP) leaders broke, El Mundo newspaper said yesterday. Luis Barcenas, jailed last month as a flight risk and due to testify in court on Monday, has become a thorn in the side for Rajoy as the premier tries to change recession-hit Spain’s image and convince investors a recovery is under way. His government denies its members received illegal payments from a slush fund run by Barcenas, who says photocopies of the payments are shown in a ledger published by El Pais in January. Barcenas gave an interview to El Mundo last week and handed over what he said was the original ledger detailing payments to party officials, including Rajoy. Rajoy’s text messages place him uncomfortably close to Barcenas, who is charged with tax fraud, brib-
ery and other crimes. Rajoy has avoided even saying Barcenas’ name in public and used his parliamentary majority to avoid appearing before opposition politicians to address graft allegations last week. “Luis, nothing is easy but we’ll do what we can. Cheer up,” said one message from 2012. In January this year, when the slush fund allegations broke, Rajoy sent Barcenas a message saying, “Luis, I understand. Stay strong. I’ll call you tomorrow. A hug.” A spokeswoman for Rajoy declined to comment on the report. The scandal has angered Spaniards and, although analysts doubt it will topple Rajoy, support for the PP has plummeted since the November 2011 general election. A March 14 text showed Barcenas was ready to break away from the party. “Mariano, the behavior of the two party lawyers this afternoon was shameful,” he wrote, according to El
you’re all playing at but I am now freed from any commitment to you and the party,” the message said. A corruption scandal in the province of Andalusia has dogged the Socialist opposition and, along with Spain’s slow legal system, has helped the PP ride out the allegations so far.
Pope Spends Day In Hill Town CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Abandoning the traditional yesterday greeting to crowds in St. Peter’s Square for a day, Pope Francis opted for an informal front-door encounter with residents in a hill town outside Rome that hosts the papal summer palace. Unlike his predecessors, Francis isn’t spending the summer at the Vatican residence in Castel Gandolfo, a lakeside town about a 30-minute drive to the Alban Hills southeast of Rome. Instead, he came for the day, escaping the stifling humid weather in the Italian capital for a few hours. Usually when in Castel Gandolfo yesterday, pontiffs appear at a window overlooking
Unknown Attackers Kill 6 In Northern Iraq BAGHDAD - Iraqi authorities say unknown attackers have killed six people in northern Iraq, including a local government official. Police officials say the first attack occurred early yesterday, when gunmen killed two soldiers in an assault on their security checkpoint in the restive city of Mosul, 360 kilometers
(225 miles) northwest of Baghdad. Hours later, a roadside bomb killed a municipal council member and his son in a town near Mosul. Also, gunmen in another area just south of Mosul sprayed a security checkpoint with bullets,
Pope Francis blesses a faithful after he delivered the Angelus prayer at the Pontiff’s residence of Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, yesterday.
killing two policemen. Hospital officials confirmed the death toll. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to media. Violence has spiked in Iraq since the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
an inner courtyard or on a balcony facing the town’s main square. This time, Francis spoke to people at their level, standing at the main entrance, chatting and bending down to kiss babies in strollers. The atmosphere was almost neighborly, with one young man in the crowd reaching and patting Francis on the shoulder and another person telling Francis it was his birthday. Francis said he would like to send a cake to help residents celebrate the feast day Monday of the area’s patron saint, but, he joked, drawing laughter, “I don’t know if they can make such a huge cake.” He was also lunching in the afternoon with fellow Jesuits, who run the Vatican’s astronomical observatory
in Castel Gandolfo, before the drive back to Rome. The Argentine-born pontiff mentioned that he would soon go to Brazil to join young people for the Church’s World Youth Day jamboree. “I’ll leave in eight days, but many young people will head to Brazil even before,” Francis said of his July 22-29 pilgrimage to Rio de Janeiro. He asked for prayers so that participants will be “guided in their steps,” and that they would “open their hearts to the mission that Christ will give them.” The gathering, which often draws hundreds of thousands of participants, is held every other year in a different part of the world and serves as a kind of
pep rally to energize the youngest members of the Catholic church. The Vatican is concerned that many people in South America, where Catholicism is the predominant religion, are joining evangelical Protestant churches seen as more dynamic and attentive to the needs of people in the developing world. Francis last came to Castel Gandolfo in March, shortly after being elected pope, to pay a call on his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who, in the weeks following his historic retirement, was staying at the summer residence. Benedict has since moved back to Rome, settling into a monastery on Vatican City’s grounds, where he plans to spend his days in prayer and meditation.
PUBLIC NOTICE
RECONCILIATION OF NAME
MISSING DOCUMENTS/HP LAPTOP
The general public, concerned authorities and Keystone Bank are hereby notified that Uayemen Mercy and Mercy Abanum are one and the same person. Henceforth, I now wish to be known as Mrs. Mercy Abanum. Former documents remain valid.
I, IGHODARO ISABOTA NICHOLAS of No.9 River side axis, Iguosa Estate, Iguosa Benin City, wish to bring for the Information of the general public that my B.Sc Certificate in Accounting obtained from the University of Benin, Benin City in the year 2009/ 2010 session and an HP Laptop were since discovered missing and that all efforts to locate them have proved abortive. If found please, contact the bearer, of above address. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. Signed: Ighodaro Isabota Nicholas
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Discourse
WHEN in 2001, the Jama’a Ahl al-sunnah lida’wa al-jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram was founded by Mohammed Yusuf, little did the world and Nigerians in particular, know that it was the begining of maiming, and unwanton destruction of properties. The group which is Islamist in nature, seeks to establish sharia law in Nigeria and opposes Western education. Its major targets include churches and schools. Until recently, one would have heaved a sigh of relieve that at last, with the declaration of state of emergency in the BAY states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, by the federal government, the insurgent group has finally been overpowered. That was not the case! On that cool and rainy day in Benin, the news fittered the air. What news would that be? Across pages of national and local dailies, the same story made the lead story. On the nation, it read thus: “Boko Haram kills 20 students in fresh attack” while in leadership newspapers it went thus Islamic Militants kill 30 in Yobe school attack”. According to media reports. “The Nigerian military has said that the casualty figure in the Yobe Secondary School attack has increased to 29”. The report from the military noted that four students also sustained injuries and are in “critical condition”. Regretably, the nature of this recent attack, as “victims were burnt alive by the attackers” in Mamudo town near Pokiskum, the commercial nerve centre of Yobe, generated “chaotic scenes at a hospital in Pokiskum where the bodies of the victims were taken to, as parents struggled to identity the bodies of the children”. According to facts by
agency reports, the gunmen allegedly struck at Government Secondary School in Mamudo around 3am. They set parts of the school ablaze as dozens of students fleed into the bush as parents tried to identify the charred bodies of the victims. A survivor of the attack, 15 year-old Musa said. “We were sleeping when we heard gunshots. When I woke up, someone was pointing a gun at me” Musa equally noted. “He put up his hands in defence and was shot in his right hand, the one he uses to write with, and lost four fingers.” This attack was not the first on schools this year. On June 16, gunmen killed seven students and two teachers in a secondary school in Damaturu, Yobe State. According to the Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lazarus Eli, two of the insurgents were killed while three military personnel were critically wounded even as the insurgent’s according to an eyewitness, attached the school at about 9.30 pm in their hostel room. Few days later, in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, a militant group attacked a secondary school, Ansarudeen private school, and opened fire on the students doing their final year exams. Reports stated that nine students were left dead as several others received varying degrees of injury. The attack was carried out less than 24 hours after another attack on students. All these attacks, came even as the federal government declared state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa State. What people are now asking is of what effect is this state of emergency? With these killings, can the country now beat her hand in the
Who Is At War With Nigerian Students?
chest and say that students are safeguarded in their studies? The case of the “UNIPORT four” that were gruesomely murdered by irate crowd is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians. What message, with these killing of students, is the nation passing across to the entire globe? Is it a picture of a weak future or a
glorious future?. According to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), “..we would say in the strongest possible terms that there can be no justification for the deliberate targeting of children and those looking after them” the body equally harped on the need for
By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU
safety in all schools, to prevent such situation from raising its ugly head again. In the words of Senate President, David Mark, “killing children is akin to cutting down the future of a people.” Mark said that “for no reason, the lives of these
promising children were needlessly cut down by the heartless people. This cannot be a way of life.” As though the problems facing students were not enough the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on July 1, embarked on an “indefinite” “total” and
“Must students and school children be wiped off from Nigeria before drastic steps are taken to curb these incessant killings? Again, must the school system breakdown/close down before the need to restructure the sector is taken to heart? Well, the question that should be echoing on the minds of Nigerians, and the political and elite class is: Are we at war with Nigerian students?
“comprehensive” strike. This, the body said, was due to the inability of the state federal government to implement the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it entered with the Union (ASUU). Strikes have become incessant in the
Nigerian University system. In November 2011, the academic body declared an indefinite strike which was later called off in January, 2012. What preceded this was a three months strike by ASUU in 2009. The industrial action started in July that year and ended in September. Not yet Uhuru, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP), also went on industrial action to press home their demand for adequate funding of polytechnics among others. It now does not seem out of point to state categorically that the government of the day and Nigeria at large, does not value the educational sector. What are they expecting these students to be doing at
homes? Would these students not become tools in the hands of mischief makers? How long would it take the federal government to get the state of the nation’s education sector in the right state? Should the children and students continue to study in environment that is not germane or good for the
growth of education? Yet, every now and then, the poor performance of students across the nooks and crannies of the country, is been lamented. How would the next Chimamanda Adichie, Chinua Achebe, Chike Obi and the likes emerge when the climate does not favour their growth? Must students and school children be wiped off from Nigeria before drastic steps are taken to curb these incessant killings? Again, must the school system breakdown/close down before the need to restructure the sector is taken to heart? Well, the question that should be echoing on the minds of Nigerians, and the political and elite class is: Are we at war with Nigerian students?
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New Fulham Owner Khan Lauds Al It has its unique character, unique history and our goal Fayed would be to develop that, respect
Shahid Khan has paid tribute to Mohamed Al Fayed after he took over from the 84-year-old as Fulham’s new owner. Fulham unveiled their new owner on Saturday, after confirming a deal, reported to be between £150 million and £200 million ($226-$300 million), had been agreed on Friday night. Former Harrods owner Al Fayed’s finances have helped to propel Fulham from a third-tier side to an established Premier League club since he took over in 1997. And Khan, billionaire owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, has hailed the work done by Al Fayed in west London. Khan said at Craven Cottage: “I think it (what Al Fayed has done) is incredible. The man rescued Fulham and had a great vision which he’s shared with me. I think it’s very, very important to all the Fulham fans. “We have to respect history. I am going to listen to the fans and decide...but we have to make sure it’s sustainable.” The idea of renaming Craven Cottage’s Riverside Stand after Al Fayed was put to Khan, who welcomed the suggestion. “I would absolutely be open to that,’’ he said. “I think we have to honour him, we have to respect what he did. That would be something we want to think about, but absolutely I would be open to that and everything. “I think he has an incredible legacy here. I think if you are a Fulham fan, you understand that. How important that is, what the man did for this club. I have a huge amount of respect for that and it’s history. I think we have to respect it but we have to move forward.’’ Khan added: “The goals for this club are very clear. I think it has to do community affairs, we have to have a youth development programme, we have to invest in Craven Cottage. On the pitch, we have to have sustainable results moving forwards. “I have felt that football clubs, whether soccer or NFL football clubs, are civic institutions. We are custodians of that. It is business, yet it is a civic asset. Fulham is going to be Fulham.
that and move it forwards.’’ Asked for his thoughts on the takeover, Khan told Sky Sports News: “I think what has happened has been absolutely incredible, something I’m going to remember forever.” The Jaguars will play one regular season game a season at Wembley for the next four years and, comparing the clubs, Khan added: “These are true distinct clubs that will operate differently and independently - but there is a huge amount of synergy.”
Drogba Set For Sensational Return
Mourinho and Drogba
Moyes Buoyed By Emerging Zaha, Januzaj
David Moyes took heart from sparkling debuts by two emerging stars after his reign as Manchester United manager got off to a low-key start with an upset loss in Thailand. “It’s the first time I’ve A generally flat perfor- worked with him, first time mance was enlivened by the I’ve had a chance to see him eye-catching trickery of Bel- up close so he’ll certainly be gian teen Adnan Januzaj, be- part of the squad and we’ll fore new signing Wilfried see if we can fit him in (to the Zaha came on and nearly first team) as often as we snatched the equaliser. can.” After 27 years and 38 troAfter coming on in the secphies under Alex Ferguson, ond half, Zaha missed a Moyes admitted losing 1-0 to header from close range but the Singha All-Star XI — a with eight minutes left, he team pulled together from the nearly spared United’s best players of the Thai blushes when he rattled the league — “wasn’t a brilliant far post with a curling shot result”. from inside the box. But he was sufficiently enJanuzaj, the top-rated 18couraged by Zaha, the hero of year-old with highlight reels Crystal Palace’s promotion to on YouTube, started the game the Premier League, to sug- on the right but he impressed gest he is in line for his com- all over the pitch with his petitive debut this season. one-touch control, pace, “I thought when Wilf came quick feet and passing. on he gave us a little lift. He And the slight Belgian, was certainly unlucky not to United’s reserve team player score with his attempt at of the year last season, goal,” said Moyes, adding, “I popped up for their best hope so” when asked if Zaha chance of the first half but would get an opportunity this disappointingly volleyed season. Fabio’s cross over the bar. “We’ll see how he does. “I thought he played well We’re bringing him here to tonight, I thought he was a give him a chance,” said the plus for us,” said Moyes of Scot. Januzaj. “It’s always good when you give a young player a chance and he shows up, and I thought he did tonight. The more he plays like that, the more opportunities he’s liable season. to get.” And Martinez told Everton’s Moyes fielded a side missofficial website: “As you know, ing Robin van Persie, captain since Jan Mucha has moved on, Tim Howard was the only goalkeeper at the football club. “It was important to get another goalkeeper with the quality of Joel on a permanent basis. He has experience in the Premier League and was part of the squad that won the European Under-21 Championships with Spain. “He is someone who is going to give us great protection and fight with Tim Howard for the goalkeeping position and push him all the way.”
Howard Told To Expect Robles Battle Roberto Martinez has warned Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard that he faces a fight for his place this season after the signing of Joel Robles. Martinez managed Robles at Wigan after taking the 23-yearold goalkeeper on loan from Atletico Madrid and he helped Athletic win the FA Cup. And they have been reunited at Goodison Park after the Spaniard completed a £650,000 move to Everton. Howard, 34, has been Everton’s first-choice goalkeeper since his arrival from Manchester United in 2006 and has made 310 appearances for the club but his form slipped in the first half of last
Zaha
Nemanja Vidic, Shinji Kagawa and Wayne Rooney, who fuelled transfer speculation when he pulled out of the Asian tour on day one with a hamstring injury. England striker Danny Welbeck, the only forward still on tour, played alone up front with Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Ryan Giggs, Januzaj and Michael Carrick in midfield. Whether the team-sheet can one day match the 19,500 pounds ($30,000) fetched recently by a copy of Alex Ferguson’s debut line-up — for a 2-0 defeat at Oxford United in 1986 — remains to
be seen. But Moyes showed few concerns over the loss. United flew straight to Sydney to continue their tour, with the Premier League title defence not starting until August 17. “I said to (the players), this isn’t the one we desperately needed to win. It’s the one that we need to get prepared to win games from,” said Moyes. “It’s a friendly game, you want to win all your games if you can but in relative terms it’s not of the biggest importance.”
JOSE Mourinho wants Didier Drogba back at Chelsea following mystery talks at the club’s training ground, according to Sunday’s papers. Jose wants Drogba return: Sensational news in the Sunday Mirror, which reports that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has set his heart on bringing Didier Drogba back to Stamford Bridge after the striker visited the club’s Cobham training ground last week for mystery talks with the Portuguese boss. Drogba may be 35 but Mourinho is keen to have him at his side once more and is even prepared to wait until next summer when his contract expires with Galatasaray. Paper Round’s view: Mourinho and Drogba formed an incredibly strong bond during the former’s previous spell in charge of Chelsea and the club have failed to replace a player who scored 157 goals for the Blues before his departure in the summer of 2012. This story makes a lot of sense and could be a great move for all parties concerned - bar Galatasaray, of course.
....Rooney’s Job Is Back-Up Wayne Rooney looks in- confirming that he actually For RVP creasingly likely to leave wishes to extend his nine Manchester United after David Moyes publicly admitted that the player’s most important role is as a back-up for Robin van Persie. “Overall my thought on Wayne is, if for any reason we had an injury to Robin van Persie, we’ll need him,” Moyes said after United’s illfated opening match of their summer tour, which ended in defeat. Moyes also claimed that Rooney wants to stay, but with Jose Mourinho admitting his interest and Rooney not
years at United there is major doubt. And United’s new boss then went on to suggest that the club won’t be manoeuvred into any new deal for the England striker. “Wayne has got a major role to play, we need to get him as many goals as we can. Wayne can play up on his own, he can play dropped in,” Moyes added. “But I’ve also got to make sure we don’t just concentrate on him. Manchester United aren’t about Wayne Rooney. “Manchester United are about the team, the club. We are talking about him now, and rightly so, but what I won’t allow is Wayne to become more important than the football club and the football team.” Moyes’s words are not the only indication that Rooney might be on his way out: United’s new chief executive Ed Woodward insisted that there is no contract under discussion for Rooney despite
the fact that he has just two years to run on his current deal. The perceived wisdom has been if Rooney is to remain at Old Trafford then an extension will have to be negotiated, otherwise United risk either a collapse in the 27year-old’s market value or him leaving for nothing should he remain for a further two seasons. Given their aggressive approach to the financial side of their club, it seemed impossible the Glazer family would allow that to happen. However, speaking to reporters in Thailand prior to Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Singha All Stars, Woodward said that is not the case. “There are no contract renewals that are being discussed. I am not sitting down with any player on an extension and there is no trigger date in the diary,” said Woodward. “Would we be afraid to run a contract down? Of course not.”
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French players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Under-20 World Cup final soccer match between France and Uruaguay at Ali Sami Yen arena in Instabul, Turkey last Saturday
France goalkeeper Alphonse Areola (centre), kisses the trophy after winning the Under-20 World Cup final last Saturday.
FA Chief Aims To Solve England’s Problems GREG Dyke, the English Football Association’s new chairman, on Saturday claimed he is determined to fix the “problems” hindering England’s national teams. Dyke replaced David Bernstein as FA chief earlier this month and he outlined his agenda at the organisations’s 150th anniversary summer council meeting at St George’s Park. The 66-year-old, who has been on the board of directors at Manchester United and Brentford, said his priority as chairman of the English game’s governing body will be assessing the cause of the current malaise in the country’s international efforts. Both the Under-21 and Under-20 sides have experienced disappointing exits from tournaments this year while the senior England team, without a semi-final appearance at a major tournament since 1996, are struggling to dominate in their World Cup qualifying group. “I asked what is it the FA should be doing?” Dyke told thefa.com. “You want the England team to be successful and different England teams to be successful. “You want to encourage as many people as you can to play the game and then there’s discipline. One of the big challenges going forward is how do we get a successful England team? “English football is a great success in many areas, but there are some areas where there are still problems and
USA Routs Cuba In Gold Cup
L-R: Ghana’s Clifford Aboagye, France’s Paul Pogba, Uruguay’s Nicolas Lopez poses with their Bronze, Golden and Silver Ball award for being the best players of the tournament after the Under-20 World Cup Final soccer match between France and Uruguay at Ali Sami Yen arena in Instabul, Turkey last Saturday.
CHRIS Wondolowski scored twice as the United States men’s national team routed Cuba 4-1 in a CONCACAF Gold Cup contest. Wondolowski now has five goals in two Gold Cup matches after scoring a first half hat trick in a 6-1 hammering of Belize on Tuesday. Landon Donovan and Joe Corona Crespin also scored at Rio Tinto Stadium for the Americans, who advanced to the Gold Cup quarter-finals. Cuba started quickly, scoring the first goal in the 36th minute when Jose Nieto Martinez smashed a half-volley past goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Donovan tied the contest by scoring on a penalty kick before the close of the first half after American Edgar Castillo was
France Crowned U-20 World Cup Champs
IT was France who were finally were crowned FIFA U-20 World Cup champions after beating Uruguay 4-1 win on penalties after the match ended goalless. around better and look more France goalkeeper Alphonse Areola saved two of La Celsete’s spot-kicks and the winning spot kick was put away by Dimitri Foulquier. The win gives France their first ever FIFA U-20 World Cup title. The game began slowly and it lacked spark during the first half with both teams not wanting to give anything away or make any mistakes. But Uruguay finished the opening period the better side as Lopez put a shot over from a tight angle. After the break, Lopez was at it again when he let rip a leftfooted drive which sailed wide of the top left corner of goal. Lopez came close again, but sliced his attempt wide after a good ball form Gino Acevedo. France began to pass the ball
composed. It was Alexy Bosetti who volleyed Florian Thauvin’s cross over the bar during a rare second half chance. Then Felipe Avenatti had the
best chance of the game, but Areola was alert in goal and charged down the Uruguayan’s effort. With the game now opening up Jordan Veretout drew the best save of the night from De Amores before then denying Bosetti. The game went to extra-time
and neither side could find the goal to avoid a penalty shootout. Once Velazquez and De Arrascaeta had their efforts saved, Foulquier stepped up to net France’s fourth-successive spot-kick and secure the trophy.
Black Satellites Earn Third Place
GHANA salvaged some pride from their 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cup campaign when they defeated Iraq 3-0 in their third place playoff match at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul. Joseph Attamah, Ebenezer Assifuah and Frank Acheampong each got on the score sheet for the Ghanaians in Turkey on Saturday evening. Ghana had their first real chance at goal in only the 30th minute of a game that had a subdued start. Ebenezer Assifuah created some space for himself
on the right flank and pulled off a ferocious right footed attempt that brushed the side net of the Iraqi goal. Five minutes later Ghana got the opening goal of the match. Joseph Attamah headed Acheampong’s corner kick as he rose the highest in the box to head home from the near post into the back of the net. With what proved to be the last kick of the first half, the Black Satellites doubled their lead. Acheampong created space for himself on the right side of the field as he evaded his mark-
ers and cracked a low rightfooted drive which went to the back post. Three minutes into the second half, Iraq got a free kick on the edge of the box and nearly halved the deficit, Ali Faez’s effort from the dead ball situation was on target but Richard Ofori in the Ghana posts blocked the effort. Ghana made it 3-0 in the 78th minute when Acheampong was played the ball through and he finished in a style from close range when he hit the top inside roof of the net.
brought down in the box. The Americans then dominated the second half as Corona Crespin notched his first career international goal in the 57th minute to give the USA a 2-1 lead. Wondolowski then scored in the 66th and 84th minutes. The San Jose Earthquakes striker made it three for the US by redirecting Kyle Beckerman’s cross to the near post just over the head of Cuba goalkeeper Odelin Molina in the 66th minute. He capped the scoring five minutes from time by capitalizing on a failed clearance to smash home a late insurance goal.
Ahmed Musa Thrilled To Win Russia Super Cup
AHMED Musa has told MTNFootball.com he is excited to start the new season with a trophy after he helped CSKA Moscow win the Russia Super Cup. CSKA beat Zenit Saint Petersburg 3-0 on Sunday. Musa, who won the league and cup double last season with CSKA, told MTNFootball.com the victory was a great way to start the new season. “I am very happy with the victory. It is a sign of good things to happen to us this season. We worked hard for it and deserved the victory,” he said. “I came here for trophy and I am winning them. I am looking forward to better outing in the league, cup and the Champions League.” Musa’s CSKA will begin their championship defence on Wednesday at Ural Jekateringburg.
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Barcelona Legend Blasts Club’s ‘Lies’ And ‘Persecution’
PEP Guardiola has found a surprising ally following his criticism of Barcelona and the club’s President Sandro Rosell. The former Barca boss told have been backed up by reporters this week that the former Barcelona handball Catalan giants would not legend Enric Masip, who was leave him alone during his at the heart of the team that self-imposed sabbatical in won six European Cups in the New York, whilst expressing 1990’s and later became technical secretary of that his frustration with club. However, his comments section of the club, only to leave his post abruptly last January. The 43-year-old, one of the greatest handball players ever, jumped to Guardiola’s
defence in a statement issued via his personal Facebook account. “It was intense and surprising to hear Pep explaining the persecution he has undergone,” posted Masip. “He was loud and clear in what he said but it was not a shock. I also got a raw deal and suffered through the lies that were either leaked intentionally or written by people on behalf of the board.
“They only thing they know about is to lie, confuse, and try to damage the image of a club so many people have sweated for and is so beloved by all of us. “Anybody who sees this as an attack is wrong, but it must be known what kind of people are at the head of this club. I speak not with malice but sadness. “One day I’ll explain my two-and-a-half years working under these people and about my contract,” he added.
FORMER Malaga striker Javier Saviola is a target for recently-relegated Queens Park Rangers, reports the Daily Express. The 31-year-old is currently a free agent after the Costa del Sol club decided not to offer him a new contract as part of their cost-cutting measures, and QPR are ready to step in and offer him the chance to play in England. It is understood Saviola does not mind the step down to join a Championship outfit, although West Ham United and Celtic are also believed to be interested, and it appears his next move is
QPR Target Former Malaga Striker not motivated solely by money. “Javier is more than keen to link up with Harry Redknapp. He knows his teams play good football and the chance to help QPR back into the Premier League is genuinely appealing to him. “His next move is not just about finances. He wants a footballing challenge and England will give him that,” Sky Sports quotes a source as saying.
Rosell To Hit Back At Guardiola Criticisms
• Pep Guardiola
BARCELONA President Sandro Rosell is to respond to former boss Pep Guardiola’s remarks today. Guardiola claimed he had become frustrated with Barca for not leaving him alone during his sabbatical in New York and, according to Marca, the
Catalans have now drawn up a strategy to answer his allegations. Rosell plans to speak on Josep Cuni’s programme on 8TV
tomorrow, while director of football Andoni Zubizarreta and boss Tito Vilanova will give a Press conference the following day after the squad’s first training session.
Real Madrid, no longer taking charge of domestic clubs. But Nesta believes it is Ancelotti’s background at AC Milan that has allowed his former manager to thrive at clubs such as Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and, in his opinion, will do at Madrid. “He is the best coach for
Madrid,” Nesta said. “Madrid is a difficult place to coach. There’s a lot of pressure and Ancelotti is very good when he’s under pressure. “(At AC Milan, Silvio) Berlusconi and (Adriano) Galliani, all the time, wanted the best for the team. The pressure was very, very hard but Carlo Ancelotti, everyday, had a smile. He was perfect.”
Serie A Going Down - Nesta
FORMER AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has bemoaned the declining standard of the Serie A against Europe’s other premier domestic competitions. The World Cup winner played over 200 games for the red half of Milan, winning two domestic championships, a Coppa Italia, two EUFA Super Cups and two Champions League crowns. Those success laden years followed on from his earlier career with Lazio where he first won the Serie A title, Coppa Italia, Super Cup and EUFA’s Cup Winners’ Cup. But the 37-year-old, now playing in the MLS with the Montreal impact, believes the years of Italian teams dominating Europe are long over, the Serie A falling into disrepair as the world’s best talent choose the Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and the Bundesliga, home of treble winners Bayern Munich, to ply their trades. “There’s no money in Italy at the moment and the best players go to play in other leagues Spain, England, Germany. Italy’s going down,” he told the BBC’s World Football programme. But despite the player drain on the league, including the rumoured departure of Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, there is reason to hope, with club’s able to attract big names to Italy, including Fiorentina’s capture of Mario Gomez and Juventus signing Carlos Tevez. And despite surprising him, Nesta applauded his old foe Juventus for luring a player of Tevez’s pedigree to Turin.
“It’s a very good signing. A player like Tevez, I didn’t think would play in Serie A now. Juventus did a good job,” he said. But it is not only the lack of star players affecting the league, with former Serie A coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti, now of
It is believed the Barca hierarchy has held several meetings since Guardiola’s comments this week and there have been several opinions aired, from those wanting a strong response to those who advise caution and do not wish to enter into a war of words with the Bayern Munich tactician. Rosell is understood to want to offer a pacifying image whilst not replying directly to Guardiola’s words, as he is aware the 42-year-old is Barca’s most successful Coach ever and does not intend to remain at odds with him. In addition, he will make it clear both he and the Barcelona board of directors have never criticised Guardiola and, in contrast, have lavished nothing but praise on him in the past.
High Expectations For Real Madrid’s Illarra
REAL Madrid on Saturday presented their new 32 millioneuro ($42 million) signing Asier Illarramendi, warning him that the fans had high expectations of the new-look team. Club president Florentino Perez hailed the 23-year-old Basque as “one of the brightest hopes of Spanish football”,
• Alesandra Nesta
Benitez Wants Real Madrid Star
NEW Napoli boss Rafael Benitez is looking at Real Madrid’s Raul Albiol as a replacement for Hugo Campagnaro, who has joined Inter. Over the next few days Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti and his assistant Zinedine Zidane are likely to assess their squad before the start of next season to determine which players will be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu. Reports in Spain suggest Albiol could be one of the candidates and Benitez is understood to be keen to take him to the Stadio San Paolo.
Albiol has been with Los Blancos four years following his +15m arrival from Valencia and was a first choice under Manuel Pellegrini. However, when Jose Mourinho took over from the Chilean he struggled to get into the starting line-up and has been a bit-part player ever since. Nonetheless, it will not deter former Liverpool manager Benitez, who could ask his club to meet Madrid’s +8m valuation of the 27-year-old. Roma’s Marquinhos seemed on the verge of a move to Paris Saint-Germain, reports in the Brazilian Press claim he is holding out for Barcelona.
The Roma youngster was said to be ‘not very far away’ from a switch to the French champions on Saturday. But media outlets in his home country claim that the centre back is not keen on Laurent Blanc’s men and would rather wait for a transfer to Camp Nou. PSG were reported to have had a +30m bid accepted from the Giallorossi, whilst the Blaugrana have had their +25m bid rejected. The hierarchy at Stadio Olimpico are resigned to the fact they will lose the 19-year-old and are expecting an improved offer from Tito Vilanova’s men soon.
following his role in Spain’s victory in the European under21 championships. “You will be playing in front of a home crowd that is demanding but unique. These supporters will give their all and they will demand that you do too,” Perez told the former Real Sociedad midfielder. Real Madrid surprised “Illarra” by headhunting him from his boyhood team earlier this month. “A few days ago I would never have dreamt that I would wear a different shirt from that of Real Sociedad,” he said on Saturday. “This is a unique opportunity for me. I will give everything I have for these colours.” Beaten in the league by Barcelona and knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage last season, Madrid are looking to improve under new Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. Illara will play in midfield alongside another new signing, Spain international Isco, who joined from Malaga.
• Javier Saviola
Cesar Set For Napoli Switch JULIO Cesar is expected to leave Queens Park Rangers next week and sign for Napoli. The Partenopei have already brought in one goalkeeper this summer, signing Brazilian youngster Rafael from Santos. And according to several reports in the Italian Press this morning, Rafael Benitez is set to bring in his fellow countryman next week on a short-term deal. The former Inter man is likely to join the Stadio San Paolo side on a one-year loan deal, with the club then having the right to buy him outright. Cesar was one of very few bright sparks for the west London club last term, as the Loftus Road team finished the campaign in the relegation places.
• Julio Cesar
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Anzhi Join Mikel Race BIG-spending Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala have joined the race for Chelsea ace Mikel Obi, MTNFootball.com can specially report. Anzhi, who parade Cameroon superstar Samuel Eto’o Fils, have kept close tabs on Mikel for some time now. Mikel was not part of the Chelsea squad who jetted out to South East Asia for preseason training to further fuel speculations in the local media he is on his way out of the EPL side. And MTNFootball.com has since gathered that besides Turkish champions Galatasaray and free-spending Monaco, Anzhi have returned for the Nigeria midfielder, who is holidaying in Abuja. A top source who is part of the negotiations to take Mikel to Russia told MTNFootball.com: “Anzhi have come back for Mikel. They have made the player an offer and he in turn has asked for an improvement. That is the latest on the Mikel situation.”
Galatasaray have been in pole position to land Mikel after they agreed personal terms with him, but they have 13 foreigners on their books and would need to get rid of four of these players to accommodate the Nigeria star. Meanwhile, another Turkish club Trabzonspor have denied interest in the Chelsea midfield star. Trabzonspor boss Ibrahim said there was no iota of truth in the news as they have not made such contact or pronouncement. There is no such initiative. No contact of such and the report is unfounded,” the Trabzonspor boss said. Last season, Mikel signed a new deal which keeps him at Stamford Bridge till June 2017.
Ghana’s Ebenezer Assifuah (C) celebrates with his teammates
HABU Gumel, Nigeria’s representative at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been reelected the Treasurer-General of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).
2013 FIFA Confed Cup
30 million Viewers Visit FIFA Website In 30 Days LAGOS - The official website of world soccer’s governing body, FIFA, has become a huge success with football fans around the world with 30 million viewers visiting the site in 30 days. The days coincided with the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, held from June 15 to June 30 in Brazil. According to FIFA, the 2013 edition of the competition saw a 66 per cent growth compared to the 2009 edition in South Africa, with 433 million page views on fifa.com, partly due to the increasing mobile audience. FIFA said 11 million of the audience consumed tournament related content, including during the World Cup qualifiers, which saw
Oluyole Warriors’ Coach Hopeful
Nigeria’s Gumel Returns As ANOCA T-General
Gumel’s re-election was at ANOCA’s 15th Ordinary Elective General Assembly on Friday in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, with 53 membernations present. Gumel, regarded as “Nigeria’s Ambassador’’ to the IOC, was returned unopposed after two other candidates from Mali and Botswana pulled out of the election.
• Obi Mikel
Basketball League
three teams from Asia qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. The global football body also said its new daily Live Blog, available in six languages - Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish - proved a particular hit, with users on average following this for 14 minutes on 30 June, the day of the final. The tournament also saw the launch of Facebook pages for the Official Mascot of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and an official tournament page too, further enabling fans to interact with each other around the world. FIFA said an official Facebook page for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil would be launched soon. (PANA/NAN)
Habbib Sissoko of Mali and Negroes Malealea Kgosietsile of Botswana had written letters of withdrawal to the African Olympic body that they were standing down for a worthy candidate’’. ANOCA’s close sources, however, told newsmen at the assembly that the two candidates had earlier filed their nominations papers after they had been misinformed that Nigeria was no longer interested in the position. Gumel, who stoutly denied the allegation, also put up a strong case to convince the electorate. He was later, during the plenary session, declared fully qualified for the election after his past expenditures and the budget were passed. An elated Gumel told newsmen that he was happy to
have won, saying that his immediate tasks would be the early completion of the ANOCA permanent secretariat at Abuja. “My immediate task on returning to Nigeria is to ensure the full completion of the ANOCA building in Abuja, so that ANOCA can settle in Nigeria. “This is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Federal Government of Nigeria and ANOCA. As a member of the executive committee, I will work hard to accomplish this
task. “I also want to help my country to develop the youth programme through ANOCA. This is possible with cooperation with the National Sports Commission,’’ Gumel said. Meanwhile, Ivorian Gen. Lassana Palenfo, was also reelected the President of the body, after being returned unopposed. Zimbabwean Tommy Sithole defeated incumbent, Egyptian Khaled Zein Eldin, for the post of the Secretary-General at 2624 votes after both had earlier tied at 25-25 with two votes voided.
LAGOS - Coach Yemi Abiodun of the Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan has reaffirmed the team’s determination to compete in the Atlantic Conference Final Four of the ongoing DStv/Men’s Premier Basketball League. Abiodun confirmed this on Friday night in Lagos, shortly after the team defeated table toppers, Dodan Warriors of Lagos 63-57. Oluyole had on Thursday lost 58-70 to the Warriors in the first leg encounter played at the same venue, Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos. ‘My team has the right frame of mind to achieve objectives and will stop at nothing to achieve qualification to the Final Four. “We came to Lagos to play and earn valuable winning points; we knew beating Dodan Warriors would be very difficult. “All we tried to achieve after we lost our first match to them was to pick one out of the two matches against Dodan Warriors, and that we did. “There are four matches to go; we will take our next matches seriously and endeavour to pick both games,’’ he said. Coach Peter Ahmedu of Dodan Warriors, told newsmen that his team lost to a determined side. “Oluyole Warriors were the determined side today; we defeated them a day earlier, and it was not favourable to them. “At this stage, every team wants to do their best and pick up any win, which will count for them at the end.
Obi Hails Re-Election Of Gumel MITCHELL Obi, the President, International Sports Press (AIPS-Africa), has commended Habu Gumel over his re-election as TreasurerGeneral of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) in Abidjan.
• Sani Ndanusa, President, Nigeria Olympic Committee
Obi, who was in the Ivorian capital at the invitation of ANOCA as the head of Africa’s sports writing fraternity, disclosed this to newsmen moments after the election. “It is, perhaps, a recognition of the need for continuity and the fact that Nigeria having made its mark as the headquarters ANOCA. “Gumel has distinguished himself in the service of sports both at home and abroad. “Gumel not only stands for continuity, he stands for consistent influence and inspiration to other members of ANOCA to do what is expected of the Olympic family,’’ he said. He said that from the election’s results, it was obvious that there would be a new outlook in the vision for African sports development strategy. “When you have somebody who had been in the corridors of the Olympic power coming
to direct Africa from its secretariat, then you know there is a shift in direction,’’ he said. Obi also commended the second coming of Zimbabwean Tommy Sithole, a one-time secretarygeneral of ANOCA who was returned to the position after a 10year stint at the International Olympic Committee. Sithole, a seasoned sports administrator, is a director of cooperation and development at the IOC. He will round off his term at the IOC in January. Sithole defeated the incumbent, Egyptian Khaled Zein Eldin, 26-24 after both had tied 25-25 with two votes voided. The Zimbabwean served as ANOCA secretary-general from 1997 to 2003 before he left for the IOC in 2003. Sithole told newsmen shortly after his re-election that his sojourn in the IOC was like getting back to school.
THE NIGERIAN
CMYK
32 NOT too long ago, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, had reasons to openly express his candid opinion on the unwilling attitude of state governors towards carrying out one of their very important constitutional responsibilities. Perhaps by sheer coincidence, he did so as a father even on a day (Fathers Day) many would have preferred to talk about the good side of fathers. But like a father truly conscious of his responsibilities towards the safety of his children, his major concern was to remind other fathers, this time the Nigerian state governors, of the need to act and protect the rights of the people from the indiscretion of their aggressive and murderous kits and kin. In an obvious diplomatic way, he made it clear that he was not pleased with the manner state executives tactically shied away from performing their constitutional assignment, particularly in giving their consent to the execution of death row prisoners, convicted for murder by courts of competent jurisdiction. According to him, not giving their approval was wrong because it would give the impression that they place more value on political expedience than the protection of human rights deliberately abused and violated by others. But for advocates of absolute freedom, the presidents admonition was a freeway approval for an archaic order that seeks to give an unrestrained rein to the state governors to violate peoples right to life with impunity. Indeed, the president was in their opinion very wrong in asking state governors to start approving death sentences in their various states as no crime deserves the death penalty, more or less. As if they were in a hurry to be heard, none of them gave a thought to the feelings of those whose lives were ended brutally by the action of the affected death row inmates. Therefore, it was not a surprise that they cried their voice hoarse when news filtered in that Daniel Nsofor, Osarenmwenda Aigbokhan, Chima Ejiofor and Richard Igagu, all convicted murderers long approved for execution by Edo state government, were quietly executed in a prison facility in Benin
City on Monday, June 24, 2013. For them, the execution was not only inhuman, it was also an abuse of legalities as a suit instituted by the convicts (probably unaware that it had been
rian Prisons to carry out the execution order having duly ensured that those so convicted are allowed the right of appeal up to the Supreme Court. Where the convict cannot afford
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
ByOKHAREDIA ERNEST OMOARELOJIE By IHIMEKPEN
When Right Is Not A Right
thrown out) was still before a court. Not done, they made the point that the action was against the spirit of a United Nations non-binding declaration, to which Nigeria is a signatory, that places a moratorium on execution. The Amnesty International, ably supported by other groups including the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Gani Fawehinmi Movement for Good Governance, GFMGG and Conference of Non Governmental Organizations, CONGOs, championed the uproar against the execution. But good as their position appear, they appeared to have deliberately overlooked certain universal facts that are at variance with their position. One of them is that like every other rights, a person’s right to life stops where it interferes with another person’s right. All over the world, the right to life is the most sacred right any man can wish for. It is so important that it is not only protected by the state using the constitution as guide, its protection is such that where it is violated, the state must ensure that anyone found guilty of violating it is statutorily and appropriately sanctioned. That is why it is regarded as inalienable. In the course of finding appropriate sanctions for curtailing violations, individual countries, including Nigeria and the United States, evolved certain measures including execution. For instance, in accordance with the Nigerian statutes, every criminal, found guilty and condemned to death as prescribed by the law in cases involving treason, murder, armed robbery, etc, is certain to pay the full penalty. However, the terms of execution are as spelt out statutorily and in clear terms. One of them is that it will only be carried out having duly been approved by state executives. Even at that, it is the responsibility of the Nige-
legal representation, it is incumbent on the state to provide him with one. This process was duly followed in the case popularly referred to as the Edo Four. This is with a view to avoiding miscarriage of
execution when the court turned down their plea, effectively putting to rest the argument in some quarters that the case was pending. Secondly, in turning them down, the point was made that rather than sentiments, the issue at stake is strictly
of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.” For instance, section 2 (1) goes further to explain the circumstances under which a man’s right to life cannot be said to have been violated. It states inter alia that “A
Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, Chief Justice of Nigeria
justice. It is important to note here that the current governor gave approval for the execution of Daniel Nsofor and O s a r e n m w e n d a Aigbokhan almost twelve calendar months before the president’s admonition. Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion gave the assent for the execution of Chima Ejiofor and Richard Igagu, over a decade ago. Differently, the affected convicts have taken their cases through the prescribed legal processes, including appeals up to the Supreme Court. Interestingly, in giving its judgment on one of the final appeals, the Supreme Court described one of the accused as belonging to hell. However, before carrying the Edo Four execution order, the prison authority showed sufficient proof that it is very familiar with these facts. Little wonder that in waiting this far to implement the execution order, it allowed the convicts to even approach the federal High Court in Benin City, on the grounds that their continuous stay in death row for well over one decade was traumatic, inhuman and cruel. However, they had to effect the
point of law. Therefore while pointing out that the rights of the convicts were violated, those crying foul ought also to have considered the position of law on redressing the rights of those brutally cut, as it is in the case under review. To have ignored that position is, to me, very mischievous. For purposes of clarity, the position of the Nigerian constitution on pre meditated murder law is unambiguous. Section 33 (1) expressly states that every person has a right to life, adding that the right must not be violated because it is protected by the law. Arguably convinced that such right is not absolute, the same section added a caveat that a man “will forfeit his right to life in line with the execution
person shall not be regarded as been deprived of his right if he dies as a result of the use, to such an extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary...,” to among others, “...defend any person from unlawful violence or for the defense of property. “Strictly speaking therefore, the execution as performed in Edo state is a constitutional matter that gives no room for sentiments. As it is in the United States (where Kimberly McCarthy was executed on Wednesday, June 26, for killing Dorothy Booth), so it is in Nigeria and some other member states of the United Nation, the global umbrella body that endorsed the non-binding moratorium that seeks
to put a halt on the execution of death row inmates. Neither the Amnesty International nor its co travelers need rocket scientists to remind them that the protection of the sanctity of human life is a sacrosanct responsibility of every government. Whether legal or moral, there are set rules guiding the manner of carrying out such a responsibility. To the extent it waited for all possible room for appeal has been covered, the state government or prison authorities cannot be said to have pushed aside a consideration for the sanctity of the life and feelings of the convicts. By the way, whose rights matter more here? Is it the rights of convicted violators or those of the victims? Amnesty and others questioning the execution would do well providing an answer to this question before attempting to reinvent the wheel. They must answer this question candidly in order not to risk being seen by the people as merely playing to the gallery in the name of satisfying their sponsors that they are doing their jobs. Unless their mission is that they want the country to subsume its statutes under those of the United Nations. For me, the implementation of set rules meant to protect the less powerful as statutorily prescribed, as is the case with the execution in Edo state, is right and proper. Until it is vacated and or overturned statutorily, all clamour for its eradication is an unreasonably puerile sentiment.
“The Amnesty International, ably supported by other groups including the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Gani Fawehinmi Movement for Good Governance, GFMGG and Conference of Non Governmental Organizations, CONGOs, championed the uproar against the execution. But good as their position appear, they appeared to have deliberately overlooked certain universal facts that are at variance with their position.”
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