Nigerian observer 15 07 2014 by Nigerian Observer

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 39 • NO.034 • TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014 • N100.00 OPINION Page 13

Food security and national development

NUTRITIONAL HEALTH AND DIETETICS

Page 14

Herbal Medicine

Botanicals, Phytotherapy

Women confab holds in Benin July 17 BENIN CITY Concerned about societal issues in Nigeria, and Edo state in particular, a heterogeneous group of Edo Women based in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, in

collaboration with respectable international and national partners, have concluded plans to organise a non-political Conference on Edo Women’s Issues and Concerns in contemporary Nigeria

and internationally. Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is expecfed to declare the conference open, while Nigeria’s first

female Senator, Chief Francis Afegbua and for Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih will serve as resource persons. The conference with the theme, “ Our issues, Continues on page 2

We are behind you,

APC leaders tell Oshiomhole

BENIN CITY - The National Leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has condemned the act of impunity, indiscipline and political rascality by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo State House of Assembly, saying that such actions negate the rule of law and must not be seen to be rewarded. The National Chairman He said, “After due of APC, Chief John considerations at a Odigie Oyegun disclosed meeting held on Friday, this yesterday when he we decided that it was led some National immediate and urgent Leaders of the Party on that we pay a visit to you, a solidarity visit to the to come and tell you and governor, Comrade of course the Legislators Adams Oshiomhole at that we know what you Government House, have been passing Benin City. through, we understand

and we are glad with the way you have been managing what you have been going through. “This kind of rascality and indiscipline must not be seen to be rewarded. Against all odds, you

have remained firm and this is the spirit of the new APC. Oyegun also said that, “Besides the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, you are the most current target of

attack in their quest to destabilize APC Governors. For this simple reason you are not alone. “What the Party, APC has come to realise is a properly mapped out war

by the PDP to destabilise the APC. According to Oyegun, “The APC has decided strongly that it is time that this rascality of the PDP should have Continues on page 2

Study leave without pay

EDHA wants affected civil servants reinstated

By KEN ABU BENIN CITY – Edo State House of Assembly has adopted a resolution calling on the state government to recall or reinstate some civil servants who were affected by the nonpersonability of study leave without pay. The adoption of the resolution is sequel to the consideration of the report of the House Standing Committee on education on a petition titled “Restoration of years of study leave without pay; a clarion call for justice to all affected

officers in service and need to redress the double standard approach adopted by the government,” signed by Mr. Peter Imhansoloeva for and on behalf of others. Parliament while considering the 8 points findings of the committees report urged officers who are now due for retirement among the category of people to commence the processing of their retirement papers. The committee in its findings stated that the office of the Head of

TIT BIT

“There is no woman, who is experiencing as much discomfort in life as the woman, who cannot comfort any man.” - Kinglsey Ogbeide-Ihama

Service of the federation had earlier issued a circular on the restoration of officers who embarked on study leave without pay and the circular was adopted by the Edo State Government. The report further revealed that the exercise was earlier put on hold by the past administration but was restored by the State Governor, Comrade Continues on page 2

SOLIDARITY VISIT: L-R: Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Senator Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Kwara State during a Solidarity visit of APC National leader to Governor Oshiomhole in Benin City, yesterday.

APC Women Prayer Ministry seeks God’s intervention Assembly Crisis:

BENIN CITYApparently dissatisfied with the lingering crisis which has paralysed

legislative activities at Edo State House of Assembly, the Women

ABUJA The ministers of health, employment, labour and productivity in Abuja yesterday appealed to the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to

suspend its ongoing strike. The ministers made the appeal at a meeting with officials of the NMA at the instance of the House of

Intercessory prayer ministry of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have taken their

cry to God for immediate solution. The women gathered in their thousands at the

Representatives Committee on Health. Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Minister of Health, said the ministry was ever ready to work with the association to

end the strike. He said “I want to join my colleagues to appeal to the president and members of the medical association to call off the Continues on page 2

FG appeals to NMA to suspend strike

State Secretariat of the party to seek God’s intervention as remedy to the Crisis rocking the State House of Assembly. The prayer session which was at the instance of the state woman leader of APC, Dr. Anne Aisosa Amadasun was spiritually motivated to seek the face of God, since all entreaties and Continues on page 2

News

Women confab holds in Benin July 17 Continued from page 1

Our Voices”, according to a statement issued in Benin yesterday and endorsed by the Conveners: Prof Yinka Omorogbe, Dr. Roseline Okosun, and Dr. Esohe Aghatise, will take place on 17th of July, 2014 at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Airport Road, Benin City, from 9.30 am to 5pm. It is expected to attract “Who is who” in Edo State and Nigeria at large. Organisations behind the Edo

Women Confab, the statement said, “include Iroko Onlus, Association Against Women Export (AAWE), Dr Irene Ighodaro Memorial Foundation, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Benin branch.” “We believe that it is necessary for a gathering that will include Edo Women from all walks of life, from the successful

market woman or farmer to the university professor or senator, to put heads together to discuss how to address the many issues that affect us. Quite as importantly, the Conference is also intended to showcase how much Edo women have been able to achieve, and to begin to actively put them forward as role models

We are behind you,

Continued from page 1 consequences. So, we are not going to sit back any more and roll over and accept what is being dished out to us because the level of impunity is becoming totally unacceptable”. “The rate at which institutions of state, especially security institutions, are being undermined and destroyed can no longer be accepted and tolerated”, he asserted. “We read in newspapers, the way the Police have been used to protect eight (8) 0r nine (9) people against lawful decisions of court, against lawful and majority controlled House of Assembly”. Oyegun urged the Comrade Governor to continue with the provision of good governance to the people of the state, stressing that the leadership of APC will continue to give him their support. According to him, “We have come to Edo State to let you know that the Party is fully behind you”. Responding, Governor Adams Oshiomhole on behalf of the State and Leadership of the Legislature thanked the National Chairman, Chief Oyegun and other members for leading a high powered delegation of APC on a Solidarity visit to Government House. He said, “Let me thank you sir, for your decision to pay us a visit and all that you have said. Of course, this is your state, you know the actors and all that are involved. You are very familiar with the environment and you are one of the leaders of Edo Community. “I think what people refer to basically as crisis in Edo State is something so described because we are not English people and we do not have the right words to use. Oshiomhole said, “My view is that, the refusal by four (4) suspended members of the PDP of a 24 member House would be a decision validly taken by their own House on the basis of rules governing the House that they are a part of, so, their insubordination has not in any way translated to a crisis. Oshiomhole added, “Ordinarily, this should be seen as the internal affairs of the House that should bother only the members of the house. “Whether the House chooses to suspend a member or appoint a member on assignment or whatever, given the principles of separation of powers, that should not have anything to do with anyone but members of the House, particularly when it has become traditional that various Houses of the Assembly at one time or the other either for the right reasons or the wrong reasons, at the State and even at the National level have had course to suspend their members and it has never become an issue leading to the

blockade of the economy of the state. Governor Oshiomhole argued that “It is more of the way the Police managed or intervened in the suspension and providing security cover to force these people into the House that has become an issue. “I think you hit the nail on the head when you condemned the act of reckless misuse of State apparatus, taking the instruments of coercion, such as the Police because in a democracy, the police itself must be seen as instruments of creation of the law and the protection of lives and property and not otherwise”. He said, “It is these four (4) PDP members now six that first approached the court. One approached the State High Court, the others approached the Federal High Court, asking the court for their protection, restraining the speaker from declaring their seats vacant and taking disciplinary actions against them. Governor Oshiomhole also explained that the court upheld their first prayer that they should not declare their seats vacant but that on disciplinary actions, the Court cannot direct the

House on acts of misconduct by their members. “The House in line with their rules went ahead to suspend the four PDP members who had refused to obey the suspension even when the 15 APC lawmakers had sought judicial intervention and of course, if they were to resolve to self help in a 24 member House, and four or five were suspended, these five do not have the capacity to overwhelm the majority members physically. “Whereas the suspended four PDP Lawmakers have continued to enjoy the ruling of the Federal High Court that says that their seats should not be declared vacant, they have refused to obey the order of the State High Court”. On the delegation of the National Chairman were APC Leader, Dr Ogbonanya Onu, Rivers State Governor, Dr. Rotimi Amaechi, Former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, APC National Secretary, Mainala Boni, National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, Minority Leader House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila among others.

for the aspiring Edo girl.” the statement said. Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will declare the conference open while experienced national and international experts will lead discussions, chair and present papers. Some of these resource persons include: Chief Franca Afegbua, first female Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Iyom Josephine Anenih, former Minister of Women Affair, and former Women Leader, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); as well as Delegate to the National Conference. Others are: Senator Daisy Danjuma, the first Benin female Senator, Lady Winifred Onyeonwu, first Permanent Secretary, Bendel State, Nigeria; Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh former Head of Service, and Chairman, Civil Service Commission; Dr Nosa Aladeselu, Founding President, Africa Women Empowerment Guild (AWEG) ; chair, Edo State Agency for Community Social Development Projects (World Bank supported); The rest are: Madam Blackie Ogiamien, Leader, Market Women of Edo State; Mrs. Stella Ojeme, Chair, Federation of International Women Lawyers, FIDA Benin Branch; Chief Dr Irene Ododo OsulaOdaro, retired Solicitor-General, Edo State Ministry of Justice and past Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Benin branch as well as Mrs. Regina Oviaesu, Chairperson, Great Edo Women’s Movement. “The Conveners see this as an opportunity for concerned Nigerian citizens- men and women- to meet and discuss pragmatic solutions to issues raised, thereby encouraging societal change in Edo State and ultimately, Nigeria.

EDHA wants affected civil servants reinstated

Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, adding that letters were to be issued in three batches. However the petitioners were not given restoration letter which made parliament to call for their reinstatement. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe in his submission directed that clean copies of the resolution be sent to the State Governor for his immediate action. Also during the plenary

yesterday the House observed a minute of silence for the repose of the soul of Comrade Bamidele Aturu, a legal practitioner and human rights activist who passed on recently. The House through the Majority Leader, Hon. Philip Shaibu and the member representing Egor Constituency, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu described the late Bamidele Aturu as a man with a clear belief and ideology who confronted and stood

against military dictatorship and was part of the struggle that reclaimed the stolen mandate of the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole which has led to the political liberation of Edo people. The House also felicitated with the foremost Noble Laureaute, Prof. Wole Soyinka on his 80th birthday, extolling his numerous virtues and contributions to the development of humanity and the country.

Continued from page 1 dialogue initiated by the Benin Monarch, could not yield positive result. Welcoming participants drawn from the 18 Local Government Areas, Edo State Woman Leader of APC Dr. Amadasun expressed concern over what she termed gradual sliding to anarchy, if the feud which has enveloped the House is not immediately put under control. She said the unfolding events at the State Assembly gives room for concern, as Law makers, who are supposed to act as vanguard of development, now constitute nuisance to the larger society. Dr. Amadasun recalled

similar role the women played through prayers which facilitated the restoration of the mandate to the Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2008. She hailed the courage, doggedness, commitment and personal sacrifices, offered by the women to nurture the growth of the fellowship, Dr. and admonished them not to relent until the battle is over. Also speaking, Chairman of APC, Edo State, Barrister Anselm Ojezua expressed confidence that at the end of the prayer session, normalcy would return to the House of Assembly. (He said as a law abiding party, the APC will continue to explore avenue of

dialogue to resolve issues and commended the women and religious ministers for initiating the prayer programme. In a sermon, Rev. Stephen Okugbe praised the organizers of the session, saying it is expedient at this point in time for God’s Intervention in the affairs of the state. The religious minister reminded the crowd of the potency of prayers and walking with God, to overcome challenges, adding that present challenge which the House of Assembly is passing through would soon be overcome. He enjoined All APC women to sustain the tempo of seeking God’s face to find

Continued from page 1

Truck, Toyota Corolla BENIN CITY – An autocollide crash involving a truck loaded with laterite with Registration number EDO. BEN 860 USL and a Toyota Corolla with Registration Number EDO BEN 199 CH occurred near Ben Oni junction, Airport Road, Benin City at about 4:00pm yesterday. The truck, which was coming from the Oba Ovonramwen Square end and heading towards Oko, skidded off its lane and rammed onto the Toyota Corolla that was coming from the opposite direction and compressed it against the walk-way destroying the front part of the car beyond repair. The NIGERAIN OBSERVER gathered that the driver of the truck escaped soon after the accident happened just as the driver of the corolla car and another occupant in the car miraculously survived but the car driver was taken to an undisclosed hospital. Commenting on the autocrash, the Head of Operations of Edo State Traffic Management

(EDSTMA), Amadin Owas, who promptly mobilized officers and men of the Agency to the scene, said it was the commissioner for Transport Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP) that alerted him about the accident. He disclosed that the truck driver was on top speed and lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid another vehicle that was making a UTurn from the other lane. Mr. Owas wondered why the truck driver should be driving on such a dangerous speed within the metropolis as it was in the character of many of the truck drivers. According to him, the Agency will communicate the leadership of the truck drivers on the need to have a proper training, pointing out that the truck drivers were in the habit of violating traffic rules including disobeying traffic light and endangering the lives of other road users. It took the effort of the Nigeria Police, Airport Road Divisional Headquarters and EDSTMA to control vehicle traffic and tow the accident vehicles from the scene.

FG appeals to NMA to suspend strike

Continued from page 1 strike.’’

He added that he was at the national delegate meeting of the association to appeal to the striking doctors to call off the strike. Mr Emeka Wogu, the Minister of Labour, also appealed to the striking doctors to suspend the two weeks old strike “for at least three months to allow government and the association to dialogue on the matter. “I appeal to you to give the Federal Government and Nigerians the opportunity by suspending the strike. “I urge you to suspend this strike for dialogue to continue.

APC Women Prayer Ministry permanent solution to the problems, bedeviling the State House of Assembly. The chaplain of the Women Intercessory Prayer Fellowship, Pastor Eni Brai reminded political office holders to keep faith with the oath of office they subscribed to and be accountable to the people. The prayer session featured different prayer points for peace, harmony and stability in the state. It was attended by APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, Women Leaders from Edo Central, Edo North and South Senatorial districts, and a cross section of women from different background.

“I made up my mind before I came here to appeal to you to suspend the strike.’’ Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP-Delta), said the strike was impacting on the health of Nigerians negatively. He urged the striking doctors to suspend the strike for at least three months to allow the committee to dialogue with relevant stakeholders to resolve the matter. In a remark, Dr Kayode Obembe, the NMA President, said the strike would continue unless government addressed the issue of relativity and skipping. He said “until the issue of relativity is solved, doctors will not return to work. “If government wants this strike to end, it should pay the six months relativity allowance.’’ He said that the association was not interested in embarking on strike unless the situation warranted it. “We are not interested in strikes, we always try to stop it before it begins. “I want to tell you that we are not strike mongers, we are life savers.’’ Meanwhile, the committee had invited the head of service, the secretary to the government of the federation, the minister of finance, as well as officials of the Salaries and Wages and Budget Office of the Federation for a meeting on July 16.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Egberanmwen Odubuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 57th Birthday Anniversary In Pix

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu welcoming guests to the ceremony marking his 57th birthday anniversary.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu and his wife, Deaconess Endurance cutting his 57th birthday anniversary cake.

The Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State, Barrister Anslem Ojezua (right) exchanging pleasantries with party faithful during the event.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu (5th right), his wife Endurance (4th right), Majority leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Philip Shaibu (7th left) joined by other government functionaries to cut the deputy governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 57th birthday anniversary cake.

Edo State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Chris Ebare (left) and a leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Hon. Charles Idahosa at the ceremony. With them is Vice Chairman, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council, Hon. Benson Osifo.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu (left) welcoming a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo North Senatorial district, Prince Malik Afegbua to his (deputy governor) 57th birthday anniversary in Benin City. With them is the Chief of Staff, Government House, Benin City. Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon (2nd right).

Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Deaconess Endurance Odubu (middle) joined by other Government functionaries to cut the 57th birthday anniversary cake of the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu in Benin City.

Photos: MOSES OBOH

Across The Nation

Lagos Moves To Prevent Ebola Disease LAGOS - The Lagos State Government has advised the public to observe personal and environmental hygiene as part of precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of Ebola disease in the state. Dr Jide Idris, the Commissioner for Health, gave the advice in a statement issued in Lagos. He said the advice was necessary because of the increase in the number of cases and deaths caused by the disease in some neighbouring West African countries such as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. He listed the measures to include regular washing of hands with soap and water and avoiding close contact with

people infected by the disease. He also advised that objects used by such people should be properly disposed to reduce the risk of infection. The commissioner said that Ebola was caused by a virus whose natural reservoir was not completely known. He said that fruits and bats had been considered to be the natural host of the virus. “The virus can be spread through close contact with the blood, body fluids, organs and tissues of infected animals as well as direct contact with blood, organs or body secretions of an infected person. “The transmission of the virus by other animals like monkey and chimpanzee cannot be ruled out, ” he said.

Negligence: 3 Security

Guards Docked

ABUJA- The police have arraigned three security guards in a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Life Camp, Abuja, on a threecount charge of negligence of duty, house breaking and theft. The prosecutor, Insp. Audu Bitrus, told the court that the accused, of Fort Knox Security Company committed the offence that contravened sections 79, 196, 356 and 288 of the Penal Code Law. Bitrus told the court that on June 22, one Fred Ohwahu of Plot A5, Sahara Estate, life Camp Extension, Abuja, reported the accused at the Life Camp Police Station. According to him, Salihu Aradu, 22, Umula, 25, and Julius Olvche, 25, conducted themselves in a manner that allowed three unknown armed men to invade the estate. He said that the accused allowed the armed men to break into his house on the same day and stole 10 golden wrist watches valued at N1 million. Other items stolen, according to the prosecutor included five laptops valued at N700, 000. Other stolen items are one Android tablet valued N50, 000, one blackberry valued at N80, 000 and three belts valued at N45, 000. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Senior Magistrate,

Akanbi Asanuah granted them bail in the sum of N20, 000 each and a surety each. The sureties, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court should deposit their driver’s license or national identity card with the police, according to the magistrate

Idris said that those at the risk of easily contacting the disease were health workers and families or friends of an infected person. He said the disease could be contacted in the course of feeding, holding and caring for victims. “Early symptoms of Ebola include: fever, headache, chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, backache, and joint pains. “Later symptoms include: bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and rectum, swelling of the eyes and the genitals and rashes all over the body that often contain blood. “It could progress to coma, shock and death, ” he said. The commissioner said that presently there was no specific treatment for the disease. He said that infected persons would have to be admitted in hospital for specialised care and treated in isolation. “The Lagos state government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health is

putting measures in place to prevent the entry and spread of Ebola in the country. “These measures include: sensitisation of health workers,

active search for cases of the disease, and continuous sensitisaton of the public, ” he said. Idris urged health workers to

L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress; Senator Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Kwara State, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, former Governor of Abia State during a solidarity visit of APC National Leaders to Governor Oshiomhole in Benin City, yesterday.

Live Modest Lives,

Onaiyekan Tasks Religious Leaders

ABUJA - The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on ordained ministers to live modest lives worthy of emulation.

Onaiyekan made the call in Abuja in an interview with newsmen at the Silver Jubilee celebration of Religious Vows of the Sister of Saint

Louis. During the celebration to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the sisterhood order, Rev. Sisters Catherine

L-R: Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Minority leader, House of Representatives, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Kwara State and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State during a Solidarity visit of APC National leaders to Governor Oshiomhole in Benin City, yesterday.

We’ll Not Aid Terrorism In Lagos - Arewa Community

LAGOSThe Arewa community in Lagos said that they would neither aid nor tolerate any terrorist activities in Lagos. In a statement issued in Lagos by the Chairman, Council of Arewa Chiefs and the leader of the Hausas in Lagos, Alhaji Sani Kabir, the group assured that “ the Arewa community will neither hide nor aid terrorists in any way”. It also condemned the activities of the Boko Haram sect, saying

be on alert by wearing personal protective equipment, observing universal basic precautions when attending to suspected or confirmed cases of the disease.

that their activities do not represent the teachings of Islam. “Nigeria is facing challenges that is unprecedented in our recent history perpetrated by terrorists disguising as a religious group. “We have enjoyed peace in Lagos and for that reason, we are sensitising our people on the need to maintain peace and to be

security conscious. “We have also directed all our Imams to consistently intensify the message of peace among the community. We have also directed that people should not be allowed to sleep in mosques and other places designated for worship” the statement said. The group also said that its leadership had instructed its members against sleeping or

camping under the bridge or indiscriminate parking of vehicles along major highways. It, however, urged its members in Lagos to participate in the proposed government’s registration of residents. “We believe that these measures will further strengthen the bond of friendship among other ethnic groups in Lagos,” it further said.

Ologunagba, Perpetua Idowu, and Felicia Alaba renewed their religious vow. Onaiyekan expressed concern that instead of ensuring that souls were converted to God, some religious leaders were distracted by material wealth. He said modesty should be the standard for anyone who pledges to serve God. The Cardinal explained that though the body needs the material things to function, there should be a limit on how they are applied. He said that Catholic Priests and Sisters do not live in poverty as the Church provides the best it could afford to make them comfortable. He cautioned religious leaders who had access to wealth not to display them on worldly acquisition to the detriment of the poor in society. “Men of God should not parade their wealth in front of the poor to make them miserable. “If you have excess wealth, you should distribute them among the poor,’’ he said Onaiyekan urged priests to strive to keep to their religious vows to enable lay people of God emulate them and keep their marital vows. “If we cannot be faithful to our vows, we cannot expect the lay faithful to be able to be faithful to their marital vows,’’ he said.

South/South JTF Destroys 110 Illegal Refineries PORT HARCOURT: The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta destroyed 110 illegal refineries in seven months operations in Rivers State. Lt.-Col. Olusegun Oladuntoye, the Commanding Officer of 29 Battalion of the 2 Brigade of the Army, told journalists in Port Harcourt, that the illegal refineries where destroyed in Soku, Akuku-Toru local government Area of Rivers State. Oladuntoye said the success was recorded with the use of “Swamp Buggy” machines, which completely crushed metal storage tanks, reducing the capability for oil thieves to revive the refineries. He said that the operation would continue until all the illegal refineries in the area were completely destroyed. He disclosed: “We have destroyed over 40 illegal refineries in Alakiri, Dutch island and Victoria Island (in

Rivers), and in Soku oil field areas; we have also destroyed over 70 illegal refineries. “In early 2014; there was a review of (JTF) strategy which has to do with the use of swamp buggy (machine) for the destruction of illegal refineries . “So far, the use of swamp buggy is very effective, in the sense that previously when we destroy and set ablaze illegal refineries; the metal cooking pots (storage tanks) still remained because the metal cannot be burnt. The challenges that we have had is that within three days (of destructing the refineries), the criminals put in (repair) one or two places that had been burnt and start their illegal operation all over again.” “The strategy had been very effective because most of the illegal refineries that had been destroyed had not been able to be re-activated back.” Oladuntoye said that no arrest was made at the

refineries because oil thieves with the help of civilian informants, usually fled the refineries on speed boats on sighting JTF troops, “adding that “the JTF leadership endorsement of the strategy was in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah’s mission to optimise the army capacity to reduce national and global security threat.” The Commander maintained that in spite of the new approach, the task force would carry out constant air and ground surveillance of the creeks to ensure that new illegal refineries did not spring up.

Encomiums As Delta COMPOL Retires By INNEH BARTH

ASABA- Encomium pours freely at the valedictory thanks giving service for the retiring

Nigeria Loses N376bn To the Bill would go a long a Pipeline Vandalism that way in accelerating the UYO- The Managing Director of Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Prince Haruna Momoh, said Nigeria lost N376 billion between 2008 and 2013 to pipeline vandalism. Momoh stated this in Uyo at a capacity building workshop for energy correspondents Momoh was represented at the workshop by Executive Director Commercial, PPMC, Mr Francis Amego. The MD said the activities of vandals had made it difficult for PPMC to meet up its obligation in delivering oil and gas products to their various destinations across the country. “Pipeline vandalism has been a major challenge to downstream sector as it truncates effective product distribution within the network “The vision that drives PPMC is to provide petroleum products to the domestic market at affordable prices. “But the activities of these unscrupulous elements have been a hindrance to achieving these objectives”, he said. According to him, the PPMC pipeline network’s current assets amount to 5,120 Kilometres. He added that the company had 21 petroleum products depots, eight liquefied petroleum gas depots, two offshore product terminals and four jetties across the country. The PPMC boss called for

the speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill in the National Assembly. Momoh expressed optimism

Girl’s education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai (2nd-left), cutting her birthday cake with other children during a dinner in her honour in Asaba on Saturday night.

development of the downstream sector and also open ways for deregulated market to reduce cost.

Delta state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, at the Diocese of Asaba Anglican Communion, Chapel of Divine Compassion, Bishops Court, Asaba. Clerics, well-wishers, Journalists and friends of Aduba that graced the occasion were full of praises for a man they described as intelligence, dedicated and a crime buster. Ministering at the session, Rt Rev. Justus Mogekwu, the Asaba Diocesan Bishop, said

Girl’s education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, speaking at a dinner in her honour to mark her 17th birthday in Abuja on Saturday night.

people should not always criticized those in public service, but to also encourage them, He said Aduba has done well to reduce the rate of crime in the state and will be missed by all. According to him; “What we thought that was impossible became possible when Aduba served as the CP in Bauchi state, and since he came on board here in Delta he has done well. The church must recognized excellence. “Some people criticized all punblic servants and fail to recognize that there are some people who are different. Aduba is one of those people you can look up to.”, he said Taking his sermon from the book of Matthew 25: 14-30, Rev. Mogekwu pleaded with the mighty in the society not to use their influence to shade criminal elements and called on government to use all weaponry in its possession to combat crimes in the country. “They should ensure that cultism does not polarize the state. We in the church must recognize what is right and who ever that does what is right whether he is a Christian or not must be appreciated. God is a

Uduaghan To Intervene In Delta NUJ Crisis By INNEH BARTH

ASABA - The lingering crisis between some members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Delta State Council may soon be a thing of the past as the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has promised to intervene in order to leave a peaceful NUJ before he quit office in 2015. The governor promise came when members of Asaba Correspondent stood up before

the governor to complain about the state NUJ executive during the former’s press briefing at government house Asaba, the state capital. “Not quite long ago we resolved NUJ crisis and now I noticed there is crisis again. You must know that when you are in crisis as a professional body you may not know the extent the crisis may be affecting your profession. Whatever the crisis is

allow the executive because it will not last forever. I will soon have meeting with you with a view to resolving it because I don’t want to leave a shattered NUJ.” Uduaghan however pleaded with Nigerian Medical Association NMA, to call off the ongoing strike embarked upon saying it will not be good at this time the nation is being attacked by the terrorist.

“When you denied the victims of terrorism medical support when they were already out of school because of bombing it will not be fair and that will be a plus for the dreaded group.” He added. He then lambasted the opposition parties for not doing preparing for the forthcoming council poll unlike the PDP who are already carrying out their consultations noting that when they lose at the election they attribute it to rigging. He also denied appointing any candidate for the election.

God of peace and who ever that preaches peace God will bless that person.” He declares. According to Mogekwu, there are religion that does not promote peace otherwise some people could not have been slaughtering their fellow human being in the name of religion. “No matter what you do, use it to bear fruits for the people.” He added. Mrs. Elizabeth Agu, the branch manager Central Bank, Asaba and Mr. Agbuduta, the Special Assistance to the Governor on Religion Affairs, extolled the virtues of Ikechukwu Aduba described him as humble and a crime buster. They commended his diligence to duty saying Asaba hitherto dreaded of is now a choice destination because Aduba was able to curtail all manner of crime and bring them to the barest minimum. On his part, CP Aduba said he was overwhelmed by the honour done him by the church, saying it was the greatest honour he has gotten in his life. Recalling his service in the different parts of the country, Aduba attributed his success to prayers, noting that God has always been there for him. “The recent Ekiti state governorship election remains the freest and safest election I ever experience throughout my service. “Nigeria is the greatest concentration of black race in the world and we must continue to pray for the survival of this nation.” He added. The valedictory church service features intercession for the nation, Delta state, the Nigerian Police and the abducted Chibok girls.

Lagos 3000 Co-Operative Societies Revalidated LAGOS - Lagos State Government has confirmed the revalidation of over 3000 Cooperative Societies in the State for easy identification and planning purposes. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal disclosed this in Alausa at a press briefing to kick-start activities marking the 2014 International day of Cooperatives in collaboration with Lagos State Cooperative Federation Ltd. (LASCOFED). According to the Commissioner the theme for this years celebration is “Cooperative Enterprise Achieves Sustainable Development for All” and the event is celebrated annually on every first Saturday in July to increase awareness on the cooperative way of life and to highlight the goals and objective of the United Nations (UN). While urging societies that are yet to be captured to register at Co-operative Area Offices for the revalidation exercise, he commended the Cooperative Arbitration Panel and other advisory units of government for providing succour and financial security as well as resolving disputes among cooperatives and Cooperators in the State. As parts of activities marking the week, a thanksgiving service was held at Chapel of Christ the Light Alausa on Sunday 29th June followed by visitation to Care Homes across the state.Gifts ranging from Mattresses, Hairdryers, toiletries, packed foods and other daily needs were distributed. The Lecture/Raffle Draw and exhibition on July 2nd witnessed a very large turn-out of Cooperators and well-wishers at the Johnson-Agiri Co-operative Hall, Oko-Oba, Agege. Speaking at the occasion, Prince Gbolahan Lawal said the gathering was to assess and celebrate the cooperatives achievement as part of the 2014 International Cooperative Day. He said political, economic and social changes in general have put pressure on government to limit their involvement in economic and social affair adding that fiscal stabilization programmes, institution building, privatization and liberation require civil society to take more active role in economic, social and political affairs. He said the cooperative model of joint ownership and management is increasingly being used by employees to buy out their own enterprise in the transport services and manufacturing sectors, as a means of protecting and generating jobs in an era of continued downsizing, resulting from globalization and technological changes. Lawal added that the theme for this year “Co-operative Enterprise, Achieves Sustainable Development for All” is apt and relevant as cooperative societies have clearly demonstrated that they are set to redefine the sustainable development models prioritizing social equity. “The cooperative formula is seen as a solution that is not only durable but contemporary, resilient and relevant and therefore significant in establishing a more solid economic development through their economy, defense of the collective interest and the democratization of the

entrepreneurial sector” he noted. The raffle draws provided lots of consolations gifts to Cooperators in all the 20 Area Offices while the star prize, a Kia Saloon car was won by AJA Cooperative Multipurpose Society. The first runner-up Badagry CMS won a Giant Freezer and the second runner-up, Surulere CMS went away with a Power Generating set. A special Jumat Service which held at the Secretariat Mosque on Friday July 4th was followed with a Novelty Football Match between the State Ministry of Agriculture and the Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED) drawing a score line of 2-1 in favour of the Ministry. To round up the celebration was a Merit Award/Gala Nite held at the Sheraton Hotels and Tower, Ikeja on Saturday 5th July with the Governor of Lagos state, Mr. BabatundeFashola SAN as the Special Guest of Honour. Represented by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL Toyin Ayinde, Governor Babatunde Fashola, said the theme for this year was adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) to further promote the cooperative identity and values while reinforcing her concern for the community. He said Government all over the world can never underestimate the contributions of the Cooperators to good governance nor ignore the need to involve them in efforts at National development. He noted that in Lagos State, the participation of the movement in the Transportation programme especially the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Scheme is highly commendable. “In reciprocating this kind gesture, this administration has continued to provide the enabling environment for profitable investment of cooperative funds. The Cooperative Arbitration Panel and other advisory units of government have also been providing succour and financial security to the movement in this regard”, he disclosed. He said further “As you are all aware, this administration places high premium on capacity building, and one of the major reasons why government established the state Cooperative College at Oko-Oba Agege is to encourage the act of cooperation and increase the knowledge and skills of co-operative toward reducing fraud and conflict within cooperative societies in the state”. Fashola revealed that the College has trained 2,935 Cooperators in the last two years since it became operational, while urging other Cooperators to patronize the college and make maximum use of its services. He further disclosed that government has created comprehensive and up-to-date data base with the newly installed capacity building software (COOPRATA) and assigned COOPRATA Statistics Manager in all the 20 Cooperative Area Offices to network with the Headquarters at Alausa. He said the essence of this software is to enhance record keeping, standardization of posting of books and annual accounts of Societies while also ensuring effective monitoring and supervision of the Societies.

Commissioner Honoured BY RAHEEM IBRAHIM

Lagos Multi-door house court under lock and key due to the ongoing strike by judiciary workers in Lagos yesterday.

Representative of the Lagos State Governor and a member of Lagos House of Assembly, Mr. Oluyinka Ogundemu (left) and Chairman, Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Mr. Huntoyon Bamgbose, planting a tree to mark tree planting day in Badagry yesterday.

LASG Marks 7th Year Planting Campaign LAGOS - The Lagos State Government marked the 7th year of its Tree Planting Campaign yesterday, July 14, 2014 as part of its effort to mitigate the impact of climate change and encourage planting of trees in the state. The theme for this year’s celebration: “Life is better with trees”, is aimed at further emphasizing the importance of trees to the survival of human life and its benefit to the environment as it purifies the air we breathe, reduces the effect of noise and flooding, as well as enhances the value of property.Without trees, human life would be unsustainable. The State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola is

expected to lead the planting session at Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie Road, Sangotedo, Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area where he would flaged off the tree planting campaign. The campaign which will hold simultaneously in six other ceremonial sites would have the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji leading the tree planting exercise at Apple Junction, Amuwo Odofin LCDA and the Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire at Gbadaga General Hospital, Kosofe Local Government Area. The First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola would be at King’s College

Annex Victoria Island, while the Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule would also be at Beckley Road, Ojokoro. The Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Ayotunde Phillips will hold forte at Ikeja High Court,Ikeja. The Tree planting exercise would also be holding in all 57 LGAs and LCDAs including military formations, institutions, industries, schools etc. The Lagos State Government enjoins all and sundry to once again team up with it in the crusade to achieve a sustainable environment by joining the tree planting campaign at the nearest venue and in their various homes, offices and companies.

LAGOS - The National Union of Lagos State Students (Yaba College of Technology Chapter) has presented an award of Achievement to the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway as a reward for commitment, resilience and dedication to work Receiving the award at his office in Alausa Ikeja, Holloway expressed appreciation to the Union for the award bestowed on him, stressing that it will encourage him to be more dedicated to work. The Commissioner revealed that students of the University of Lagos Akoka and Corona School Gbagada recently paid fact finding visits to the Ministry recently adding that the Ministry is always open to dialogue and suggestions from students and all stakeholders. He urged the students to form a carnival group similar to that of Unilag while making preparations to perform in the next Lagos Carnival scheduled for next year. According to the Commissioner, participation in the street party is free with Government providing costumes and floats in what has become an annual event in Lagos Island. Presenting the plaque to Hollway, on behalf of its General Secretary, Awotungase Bolarinwa said the award is in recognition of the Commissioner’s contribution to cultural renaissance and efforts to promote the Yoruba culture, language, tradition and way of life. He re-affirmed the Union’s commitment to the promotion of cultural excellence, stressing that deserving Lagosians who have contributed to the social and cultural development of Lagos State will be honoured. The National Union of Lagos State Students [NULASS]; Yaba College of Technology Chapter is an indigenous Association established for the dynamic and objective co-existence of Lagos State students in higher Institutions.

Club Holds Ramadan Lecture BY RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - The Lagos State Public Service Club (1979) will hold its annual Ramadan Public Lecture titled “Come Alive with Ramadan” The programme is aimed at bringing all Muslims faithful together to enlighten them on issues that could be of help to them during and after the 30 days fasting period. This year’s lecture is billed to hold on Sunday 13th July, 2014, at the club Secretariat 14, Sobo Arobiodu Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. The Guest lecturer is Fadeelat Sheik Lukman Abdularasaq (AlMubarak), the Chief Missioner and Imam, Ansar Ur Deen Society of Nigeria, Igbogbo, Ikorodu Branch while the Chairman of the occasion is Alhaji Abdul Fatai Abiodun , Otun Baba Adinni of Ikorodu.

Lagos Flags-Off Health Care Programme By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - The Lagos State Government has flagged off the School Eye Health Programme in Education District VI to ensure all round educational development of children in all primary schools. The Tutor-General/ Permanent Secretary, Education District V1, Mrs. Iyabo Osifeso, emphasized the significance of the eye to human existence and urged teachers and parents to pay attention to the eyes of their pupils and children and reports any defect to the eye clinic. She said, “I will advise teachers and parents observe their pupils and children to ensure that their eyes are good as early detection of eye defect can be dealt with by eye specialists.” The Education Secretary, Ikeja Local Government Education Authority, Mrs. Bolanle Shittu reiterated the importance of school eye health programme to primary education in the State. According to her, “the introduction of the Lagos State School Eye Health Programme is one of the ways of ensuring that sights of children are taken care of in ensuring that they have brighter future.”. Dr. Funmilayo Sokunbi, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, appreciated the pupils and parents in Education District VI. She said teachers have been trained in all the education local government education authorities (LGEAs) to conduct eye screening on pupils and refer those with defects for free eye treatment at government hospitals. According to her, ‘’eye specialists will go round all the schools to treat pupils that have been identified with eye disorder and visual impairment during screening”. The representative of the commissioner disclosed that, “Vision corridors have been installed in selected schools in all LGEAs and the teachers have been trained on how to make effective use of the vision corridors to detect those pupils with poor sight”. The high point of the ceremony was the unveiling of the vision corridors screening site by the Tutor-General/ Permanent Secretary,Education District VI, Mrs. Iyabo Osifeso. Other dignitaries at the occasion were the Oba of Onigbongbo, HRM Olatunji Yusuff and Bale of Omole, Alhaji Nasiru Bakare.

Across The Nation Zoning Favours Political Weaklings - Senator ABAKALIKISenator Paulinus Igwe-Nwagu (PDP Ebonyi Central), has said that zoning of political office is meant to favour political weaklings in a democratic setting. He made the statement on Sunday in Abakaliki while interacting with newsmen on his intention to contest the 2015 governorship election in the state. He said that zoning favours those who were not ready to serve the people and urged other governorship candidates in the state to present their programmes to the electorate. “We should not sacrifice merit on the alter of zoning. “Anybody discussing zoning is selfish; if Obama, a black Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State (right), being received by the State American, can win that country’s I as an Ezza man and Head of Service, Alhaji Bature Shinkafi during a one week induction course for presidency, a Nigerian should be allowed to civil servants in Sokoto yesterday. With them is the former state Head of Service contest for the governorship of Abdullahi Wali. the state.

Participants at a one week induction course for civil servants in Sokoto yesterday.

Shun Materialism, Newly Ordained Priests Advised

NSUKKA (ENUGU STATE) - The Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese Godfrey Onah, has urged newly ordained priests to shun materialism and focus on Jesus Christ to succeed in God’s vineyard. Onah gave the advice at Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, Nsukka, during ordination of 18 priests, He urged the priests to strive to satisfy Jesus as they worked in God’s vineyard, since He is the only one that could reward them on the last day “Remember the vow you take today that you will serve God every minute of your life, whether good or bad, always bear in mind that God is watching everything you do. “I plead with you to shun materialism or anything that will pose a stumbling block as you labour in God’s vineyard. “Pray always as that is the only instrument you can use to overcome all temptations and find uncommon favour with God”, he said. He urged parents, family members, friends and relations to avoid mounting unnecessary

financial pressure on priests. According to the cleric, priests are ordained for spiritual welfare of faithful and not to build mansion, buy exotic cars or become breadwinners for their parents. “If you love priests and want them to excel in God’s vineyard, the highest gift you will give to them is constant prayers. “Do not allow satan to use you as instrument to lead them into temptations or pull them down’’, he warned. The bishop challenged catholic faithful in Nsukka to show their faith in their work places, schools, markets, saying that the church, with over 80 per cent population in Nsukka, should lead by moral example. “We must practice our faith and strive to be good ambassadors of Jesus Christ wherever we find ourselves. “We must teach others how to do good as well as condemn evil no matter whose ox is gored. “We should be good Christians everywhere and not only when we

come to church; we should attract other people to Christ.” Some of the newly ordained priests included; Valentine Mbah. Dickson Asogwa, Franklin Ugwu, Comas Ugwu, Paul Ochada and Marcelinus Nwodo. Responding on behalf of others, Mbah said the day

remained his happiest day and thanked God who made it possible for him to be ordained as catholic priest. “I will not disappoint God and the church as I will put all my strength in working in Gods vineyard. 280 priests, 150 Rev Sisters and 400 seminarians attended the ordination.

“Our people do not need a weakling who would be favoured by zoning or government nomination, but a strong-willed person who would improve on already established structures,” he said. Nwagu said he was the most qualified candidate to contest for the governorship seat having served in most political offices available in the country. “I have been a Councillor, Local Government Chairman, Member of the House of Representatives, and now a Senator. “I have been practicing politics for the past 36 years,” he said.

Forum Urges Govt To Dev Human Capital BIRNIN KEBBI - The Kebbi Development Forum, an NGO, has urged the state government to accord priority to human capital development to boost rapid economic growth and end the ongoing strike by workers. This is contained in a statement signed by, Usman Abubakar, the Secretary-General of the group in Birnin Kebbi. The statement commended the state government for providing infrastructure that would guarantee sustainable development. It also commended the state government for adopting measures that would bring to an end the indefinite strike embarked upon by the state’s chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). “The decision of the government to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage and the demands by the NLC was commendable as it would boost service delivery, and end the strike,” the statement said. It, however, urged the government to conclude negotiation with the NLC in order to put an end to the ongoing workers strike. The statement also urged the state government to sustain the prompt payment of workers’ salaries, considering the fact that the civil servants were relevant in the implementation of government’s policies and programmes.

Kwara To Guide Against Environmental Hazards

IIORIN - The Kwara Government said it would guide against all forms of environmental hazards across the state to ensure the well-being of the citizens. The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, stated this at a two-day trainers’ training workshop organised by the Ministry of Environment in llorin. Gold called for the cooperation and support of the people of the state to enable the government achieve its aim to sanitise the environment.

He warned residents of the state living in flood-prone areas to relocate to avert disaster. Gold advised them to dispose of refuse properly, and abide by all environmental laws to prevent future flooding and other environment-related hazards. Gold said that the trainers were expected to train 1,100 youths engaged under Quickwin programme of the state government for environmental purposes. He urged the trainees to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the workshop to

impact positively on the youths in particular and the state as a whole. The Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Alhaji Abubakar Mora, said the participants were drawn from the16 local government areas of the state to enhance healthy environment in their various domains. The Director, Centre for Ecological and Environmental Research Management and Studies, Kwara State University, Dr Henry Sawyerr, said the training would focus on 16 major areas of the environment.

Abuja

Experts Want Promotional Programmes For Indigenous Languages

ABUJA-Some culture experts have called on the Federal Government to draw up promotional programme for Nigerian indigenous languages. They told newsmen in Abuja that the progrmmes would help in reviving languages and stop them from going into extinction. The Coordinator of a nongovernmental organisation, Good Access, Mrs Adama Ahmed, warned against the looming extinction of Nigerian languages from failure of speaking the languages. Ahmed stressed the need for parents to speak the language as non-speaking of the language was capable of wiping it. The coordinator of the nongovernmental organisation said the country would achieve a greater level of development using the mother tongue. She suggested that the government should make the study of the three Nigerian indigenous languages compulsory from the primary school level to higher institutions. “This is to ensure that the

younger generation understands the language from the early state of their lives. “As a matter of fact, it will globalisation had eroded the also ensure the promotion of country’s culture. easy communication among the various ethnic groups in the country,’’ she said. Mr Stephen Adeolu, Coordinator, Global Vision, decried the spate at which the elites view their languages as inferior to the foreign language. Adeolu noted that most elites did not consider speaking their indigenous languages in their homes neither do they train their children with it. According to him, indigenous languages should be made as a medium of instructions in schools as this will promote the development of languages in Nigeria. “It will be very good if the higher institutions can make compulsory the study of the indigenous languages as one of its general courses. “This will give Nigerians students the opportunity of learning the culture of other people,’’ Adeolu said. He said language was a versatile medium binding people with common mother tongue and noted that

“Advancement in technology also required a progressive

indigenous language society.’’ This, he said, would be obtained through programmes of learning that would facilitate the speaking of mother tongue.

He, however, called on parents, especially mothers, to encourage the teaching of local languages for its speedy revival.

Girls’ Education C a m p a i g n e r, M a l a l a Yousafzai (left), being welcomed by President G o o d l u c k Jonathan to Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.

Criminal Breach Of Trust

Court Remands 6 Mechanics

ABUJA- A Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court has ordered six mechanics be remanded in police custody pending hearing in their bail application. The accused - an electrician, Mustapha Abbas, 39; a trader, Abduljajih Ademola, 32; Chistain Onoja, 29; Emeka Onoja, 34; Onyebuchi Onoja, 26, and Ahmed Oladipo, 35, - are all mechanics. The accused, who are residents of the FCT, are charged with three counts of joint act, criminal breach of trust and cheating The Magistrate, Mr Mohammed Anka, ordered that the accused be remanded in police custody until July 14. He said the court would reconvene on that date to listen to the application and pick a date to open their case for hearing. Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Francis Tanko, said that on July 3, Tajudeen Ahmed of Flat 5, Kigonna Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, reported the accused at the Wuse Zone 3 Police Station. He said Ahmed reported that sometime in June, he gave an Acura Jeep MDX with registration number GW 803 ABC to Abbas (first accused) to sell for N1.5 million. He said Abbas formed a common intention with the other accused persons while at the shop of one Emeka

Onoja at Wuse Market to dishonestly steal the jeep. According to the prosecutor, the accused persons stole the jeep and handed the keys to one Timothy Imeh of no fixed address who is now at large. Tanko said that the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 79, 312, and 322 of the Penal Code. If found guilty as charged they shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both. The six accused pleaded not guilty to the offences.

L-R: Father of Malala, Mr. Ziauddin Yousafzai; Girls’ Education Campaigner, Malala Yousafzai; President Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of State (1) for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri during the visit of Malala to Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.

Family Pilgrimage: Commission To Begin

ABUJA-The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) says it will commence the transportation of intending pilgrims for the 2014 Family Pilgrimage on July 26 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The commission’s Head of Media, Mr Celestine Ogugua disclosed this in a telephone interview with newsmen. Reports state that ‘family pilgrimage’ is an initiative of the NCPC, which started in 2013 and is aimed at expanding the scope of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria. Under the initiative, family members have the privilege of embarking on holy pilgrimage on special arrangements by the commission in collaboration with some individuals and

churches. Ogugua said that logistics and other relevant arrangements for the smooth inauguration of the exercise had been completed ahead of the July 26 commencement date. “I want to confirm to you that the family pilgrimage for this year will be flagged off at the Abuja airport on July 26. “I will not disclose to you but a distinguished member of the federal cabinet will perform the flag off ceremony for this year,’’ he said. Ogugua said that the commission would consolidate on the successes recorded in the inaugural edition of the exercise. He said that it would also make family pilgrimage ‘a household name’ among members of the Christian

Airlift July 26

community in Nigeria. The NCPC spokesman said that wealthy individuals and churches in the country were in partnership with the commission to ensure a successful 2014 family pilgrimage. “I like to explain that the success of this exercise depends largely on the participation of churches and private individuals because the family pilgrimage is entirely driven by private individuals and some churches in the country,’’ he said. On the 2014 October/ December pilgrimage, Ogugua said that the commission had released the package for the

2014 exercise, which had been pegged on a concessionary exchange rate of N150 to 1 U.S. dollar. He said that intending pilgrims to Israel alone would pay the sum of N367, 540, while it would cost N460, 093 for intending pilgrims to Israel and Rome or Greece to embark on the exercise. Ogugua said that the commission was making adequate arrangements to ensure that it adhered strictly to the schedule for the 2014 pilgrimage. He said that a team from the commission had already visited about 10 states in continuation of its nationwide sensitisation of

intending pilgrims for the 2014 exercise. The NCPC spokesman also disclosed that the commission had fixed July 19 for the first phase of the screening exercise for the medical team that would participate in the 2014 exercise. Ogugua called on interested medical experts to apply online before the slated date for their examination. He said that the commission was putting everything in order to complete all processes ahead of the commencement date for the 2014 October/December pilgrimage. It would been recalled that the commission had at a ceremony in April received bids by airlines and ground handlers for participation in the 2014 October/December pilgrimage.

News Contractors To Attract 1 Percent Deduction, Gov Wada Declares

Representative of wife of Bauchi State Governor, Jajia Talatu Barwa (2nd left), presenting ramadan items to women leader, Dawaki ward in Bauchi, Hajia Aisha Adamu, to be distributed to women yesterday. Left is the Bauchi State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, Alhaji Adamu Imam.

LOKOJA - All contracts awarded to foreign and indigenous companies in Kogi will henceforth attract one per cent deduction of the actual value as contribution to the State Security Trust Fund. Governor Idris Wada of Kogi announced this during the public launch of the Fund in Lokoja. He said the scope and sophistication of the security challenge in the country had made it difficult for government alone to handle, hence the resolve to involve corporate organisations and wealthy individuals. Wada said government had done its best to ensure the

security of lives and property, stressing the need to provide security agencies with adequate and sophisticated equipment to handle the menace of terrorism. The governor said that money realised from the deductions would be spent on the procurement of jammers, bomb detectors, CCTV cameras and metal detectors, among other equipment. He said the security trust fund was deliberately tailored along public-private-partnership model for the purpose of accountability, transparency and efficiency, whereby deployment of equipment would be devoid of the usual civil service bottleneck.

them where necessary. “We should ensure that Jude’s death does not affect the children.’’ Juliana thanked the senate

leader for the show of love, as well as the assistance he gave the deceased when he was alive. She appealed to the senator to continue to relate with the family as he did when Okwe was alive.

Senate Leader Seeks Welfare Fund For Journalists

CALABAR- Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba has appealed to Cross River Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to institute a welfare fund for its members. Ndoma-Egba made the appeal in Calabar when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Mr Jude Okwe, the state correspondent of This Day Newspaper. He said members could draw from such fund to take care of exigencies such as

death of members in the Ndoma-Egba asked the course of duty. The senate leader, who had children of the deceased to earlier signed the condolence take heart and be assured that register at the NUJ Press he would try his best to assist Centre, was led to the family house of the deceased by officials of the union. He was received by Okwe’s eldest daughter, Juliana, and the deceased’s brother, Dominic Orim.

Wada acknowledged the contributions made so far to the fund by the MTN, Dangote Group and some banks. The governor said there was need for more money if the state was to meet its target of ensuring a safe environment. The Director-General of Kogi State Security Trust Fund, Chief Joseph Faniyi, called for generous donations to the fund, assuring that money realised would be used judiciously. He thanked the Lagos State Security Trust Fund for its advice to the state in the course of establishing the fund. Chairman of the occasion, Mr Tunde Ayeni, later led invited guest to realise about N200 million for the fund with N50 million of the amount coming from Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Other donors were Chief Jide Omokore, N25 million; Ayeni, the Chairman of the fund raising ceremony, N24 million; while all members of the National Assembly from the state, donated N10 million, among other donors.

55 Jailed For Alcohol Consumption

KANO- The Kano State Hisba Board has said that 55 people were arrested and convicted for alcohol consumption in Kano during the ongoing Ramadan fasting. The board’s DirectorGeneral, Alhaji Abba Sufi, told newsmen in Kano that the convicts were apprehended last week following raids of their hideouts in Kano. “All the 55 persons were sentenced to four months imprisonment without option of fine in order to serve as deterrent to others who might contemplate doing same. “From those arrested, 50 of them are married men while the remaining five are women. “Even if we are not in the month of Ramadan, nobody should take alcohol because the state is implementing Sharia law,’’ Sufi said. According to him, the board has also arrested another 27 people for the same offence and they will soon be taken to the court. He said the board would continue to raid the hideouts with a view to arresting them for prosecution. On street begging, Sufi said

the board had arrested over 400 beggars for violating the anti-begging law. “We arrest beggars on daily basis but we release first offenders after warning.’’ Sufi warned that any person caught in the business of begging would be arrested and charged to court, while beggars from other states would be repatriated.

Women sharing ramadan items distributed to them by wife of Bauchi State Governor, Hajia Aisha Yuguda in Bauchi yesterday.

Don Advocates Strong Capital Market

OMU-ARAN (KWARA) A don, Prof. Richard Abiola, has said that the country should chart a new direction through a strong reliable capital market to achieve the status of a developed economy. Abiola made the remark during a lecture at the 4th International Conference of Nigerian Society for Financial Research at Landmark University Conference Hall, Omu-Aran, Kwara. Abiola, who is of the Department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure,

Ondo State, said the numerous economic and financial reforms embarked upon so far by the government, had not been fruitful. He delivered a paper entitled “Effect of Global Economic and Financial Reforms on Developing Economies: A Reassessment”. “Capital market contributes significantly to the growth of nations. There are lots of reforms of capital markets in developing countries to enhance growth of the economy. “For example, in Nigeria there are lots of new

regulations in the stock exchange market which have improved the capital market operations. “The depressed market is now coming up gradually; there is now need for government to continue to improve on this for the country to achieve the desired development of the economy,” Abiola said. The don defined developing or undeveloped economy as those economies that have not reached a certain level of development in terms of structural transformations and improvements. He listed some of the barriers

to the country’s economic development as poor educational standards and policies, low ability for technological advancement and high growth rate of population. Abiola highlighted the major past economic and financial reforms in the country to include Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), Tax reforms, Pension Acts Reforms and Financial deregulation reform. He also suggested adequate funding of educational institutions as one of the factors

that would assist to sustain the development of the nation’s economy. “It was found that these reforms have not helped developing economies to develop in any significant way. “However, it is hoped that the availability of a strong and reliable capital market will improve the situation,” he said. Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder of the Living Faith Ministries and Chief Mrs. Olufunke Adedoyin, a former Minister of State for Youth were installed as patron and fellow of the association respectively.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (14/07/2014) Stocks

Open

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MOBIL

135

11,157

1,505,682.11

1.91

10,000

18,200.00 1,180,569.96

7UP

100.03

102.53

2.5

27,823

2,839,423.72

MORISON

ABCTRANS

0.9

0.86

-0.04

1,722,775

1,497,907.75

MRS

62.43

63.18

0.75

19,901

ACADEMY

1.71

11,500

18,796.36

MTI

0.5

5,025,000

2,512,500.00

ACCESS

9.8

9.76

-0.04

13,951,922

136,397,128.00

NAHCO

4.99

4.97

-0.02

272,365

1,350,482.00

AFRINSURE

0.5

1,250

625

NASCON

11.4

486,978

5,436,615.40

AFRIPRUD

3.39

3.36

-0.03

902,261

3,024,412.90

174.43

174.6

0.17

1,091,655

190,509,791.50

AGLEVENT

1.39

13,444

19,123.40

NCR

15.2

30,030

470,161.84

AIICO

0.82

0.8

-0.02

4,824,483

3,878,042.05

NEIMETH

1.21

1.22

0.01

339,063

416,186.53

AIRSERVICE

2.34

2.23

-0.11

116,900

262,337.00

NEM

0.81

0.82

0.01

6,015,397

4,886,697.81

ALUMACO

7.75

1,699

12,521.63

NESTLE

1110

198,947

220,822,177.90

ASHAKACEM

32.55

34.17

1.62

761,130

25,531,544.76

NIGERINS

0.54

0.52

-0.02

338,000

176,160.00

AUSTINLAZ

1,000

1,900.00

NNFM

19.75

1,000

19,700.00

AVONCROWN

1.69

70,812

119,672.28

NPFMCRFBK

0.98

0.97

-0.01

185,005

177,613.38

BECOPETRO

0.5

250

125

NSE30

1945.69

1950.39

4.7

295,353,807

5,893,557,616.00 6,070,368,524.00

BERGER

62,416

542,764.37

NSE50

2102.61

2108.25

5.64

422,539,179

BETAGLAS

16.3

76,457

1,303,467.16

NSEASEM

948.56

2,000

2,800.00

CADBURY

74.25

373,856

27,331,692.60

NSEASI

42832.85

42936.06

103.21

468,557,126

6,200,242,150.00

CAP

38,294

1,503,903.67

NSEBNK

438.08

443.44

5.36

76,542,082

1,235,671,931.00

CAVERTON

6.47

6.79

0.32

441,395

2,987,742.05

NSECNSMRGDS

1053.69

1049.77

-3.92

24,391,482

1,398,652,903.00

CCNN

11.4

213,467

2,460,423.93

NSEINDUSTR

2705.31

2723.95

18.64

1,679,295

64,699,833.26

CHAMS

0.5

40,000

20,000.00

NSEINS

148.19

150.34

2.15

23,583,608

21,035,717.12

CHELLARAM

3.95

4,586

17,243.36

NSELOTUSISLM

2836.03

2828.26

-7.77

22,027,040

1,329,223,711.00

364,750.00

NSEOILGAS

477.63

478.04

0.41

8,100,797

293,354,560.10

CILEASING

0.5

729,500

CONOIL

65.6

117,598

7,538,742.33

OANDO

28.01

27.97

-0.04

6,501,104

181,767,808.80

CONTINSURE

1.19

1.14

-0.05

345,000

402,120.00

OKOMUOIL

550,503

18,102,141.04

CORNERST

0.5

60,000

30,000.00

PHARMDEKO

1.5

3,000

4,550.00

COSTAIN

1.37

1.31

-0.06

134,612

176,341.72

PORTPAINT

5.13

4.92

-0.21

221,300

1,099,739.60

CUSTODYINS

3.71

3.7

-0.01

2,362,703

8,721,999.45

PRESCO

38.06

72,000

2,691,870.00

CUTIX

1.8

87,333

159,509.43

PRESTIGE

0.53

0.54

0.01

345,028

185,245.12

CWG

200

980

36.75

-0.75

389,878

13,946,829.43

DANGCEM

239

241

56,938

13,709,105.22

REDSTAREX

4.85

223,025

1,074,721.65

DANGFLOUR

8.09

8.2

0.11

374,575

3,060,141.56

REGALINS

0.5

350

175

DANGSUGAR

9.1

9.35

0.25

2,052,002

18,727,553.02

ROYALEX

0.54

475,219

256,618.76

DEAPCAP

0.91

10,000

8,700.00

RTBRISCOE

1.14

44,589

48,860.40

DIAMONDBNK

6.39

6.27

-0.12

3,018,075

18,835,877.88

SCOA

4.91

1,250

5,837.50

207,932

262,848.38

SEPLAT

702

700

-2

108,910

74,483,181.29

DNMEYER

1.26

EQUITYASUR

0.5

110,000

55,000.00

SKYEBANK

3.3

3.21

-0.09

5,362,561

17,390,460.02

ETERNA

4.45

4.25

-0.2

1,033,172

4,394,314.78

STACO

0.5

2,400

1,200.00

ETI

17.99

17.5

-0.49

1,223,081

21,300,982.71

STANBIC

27.05

27.5

0.45

906,597

24,679,222.83

EVANSMED

2.31

2.3

-0.01

260,303

598,865.26

STERLNBANK

2.31

2.32

0.01

4,259,727

9,832,444.42

FBNH

16.23

16.29

0.06

157,972,383

2,559,125,604.00

STUDPRESS

2.4

1,000

2,280.00

FCMB

4.15

4,947,859

20,273,779.05

TANTALIZER

0.5

100

FIDELITYBK

1.96

-0.04

4,688,390

9,265,113.17

TOTAL

171.05

16,801

2,894,623.80

FIDSON

249,000

744,939.00

TRANSCORP

5.8

5.78

-0.02

33,123,791

191,351,433.30

1.97

15,430

29,323.10

FLOURMILL

76.7

-1.3

369,557

27,999,500.39

TRANSEXPR

234.06

235

0.94

401,064

94,072,818.37

UAC-PROP

17.44

277,257

4,834,969.10

GLAXOSMITH

53,072

3,488,353.67

UACN

61.59

61.1

-0.49

335,405

20,522,953.84

GNI

0.5

UBA

7.85

10,580,114

84,122,096.19

GOLDBREW

0.71

2,000

1,480.00

UBCAP

2.17

2.24

0.07

3,260,110

7,179,009.98

GUARANTY

29.97

1.03

23,783,451

715,697,865.20

UBN

9.65

9.51

-0.14

1,240,635

11,854,417.19

GUINEAINS

0.5

2,000

1,000.00

UNHOMES

0.5

25,050

12,525.00

GUINNESS

205

199.5

-5.5

372,777

74,313,704.57

UNILEVER

51.5

50.24

-1.26

15,960,164

801,839,002.50

HMARKINS

0.5

UNITYBNK

0.5

61,099,800

30,549,900.00

HONYFLOUR

4.27

4.4

0.13

2,532,685

10,827,603.93

UPL

4.23

4.4

0.17

333,510

1,446,789.16

IKEJAHOTEL

0.76

0.74

-0.02

1,377,476

1,024,957.48

UTC

0.5

250

125

INFINITY

1.61

1.68

0.07

138,000

227,315.00

VANLEER

12.08

100

1,208.00

INTBREW

29.5

12,625

363,992.05

VETGRIF30

19.49

19.55

0.06

11,500

224,206.00

INTENEGINS

0.5

0.51

0.01

1,903,229

953,514.50

VITAFOAM

4.38

147,960

634,874.58 2,723.56

JAPAULOIL

0.57

0.59

0.02

9,700,711

5,682,106.54

VONO

1.44

1,988

JBERGER

66.15

66.01

-0.14

2,374,448

153,447,721.90

WAPCO

112.03

113

0.97

161,960

18,389,375.12

LASACO

0.5

18,000

9,000.00

WAPIC

0.88

0.91

0.03

10,711,877

9,471,695.24

LAWUNION

0.5

2,024,467

1,013,863.50

WEMABANK

0.98

1.02

0.04

37,591,441

36,561,740.25

1,950,291.46

ZENITHBANK

25.01

25.15

0.14

8,434,126

210,975,546.60

LEARNAFRCA

1.66

1.65

-0.01

1,226,387

LENNARDS

3.15

1,000

3,000.00

LINKASSURE

0.5

500

250

LIVESTOCK

3.05

3.03

-0.02

561,042

1,710,977.52

MANDRID

5.35

200

1,040.00

MANSARD

2.52

2.62

0.1

730,025

1,898,461.50

MAYBAKER

1.77

32,928

55,918.32

MBENEFIT

0.54

0.56

0.02

428,426

227,340.52

MCNICHOLS

1.34

2,000

2,800.00

TOP 10 GAINERS

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS

Stock

Gain

Stock

Loss

NSEASI NSEINDUSTR NSE50 NSEBNK NSE30 7UP NSEINS DANGCEM ASHAKACEM GUARANTY

42936.06 2723.95 2108.25 443.44 1950.39 102.53 150.34 241 34.17 31

103.21 18.64 5.64 5.36 4.7 2.5 2.15 2 1.62 1.03

NSELOTUSISLM GUINNESS NSECNSMRGDS SEPLAT FLOURMILL UNILEVER PZ ETI UACN PORTPAINT

2828.26 199.5 1049.77 700 76.7 50.24 36 17.5 61.1 4.92

-7.77 -5.5 -3.92 -2 -1.3 -1.26 -0.75 -0.49 -0.49 -0.21

The United Nations Office in Nigeria recently put the figures of those directly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency at six million people in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in the north East of Nigeria. ON the strength of this number, the House of Representatives last week in a motion raised by Hon. Abdulrahman Terab from Borno state asked the Federal Government to establish rehabilitation camps for the estimated six million internally displaced persons. WE are worried that the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to dealing with the issue of insurgency since it broke out five years ago has been most uninspiring. It is shockingly sad to note that it took the United Nations for Nigerians to be informed that over six million citizens have been displaced by the insurgents. Sadly too, in terms of reality, there is little effort at rehabilitating those affected. ALL Nigerians, particularly in the Northern part and the Federal Capital Territory where innocent and hapless citizens are being bombed in worship houses and other public places, several towns and villages had long been deserted, leaving the victims to roam about with no one to help them. ASIDE being the location of a large-scale Boko Haram abduction in April, Chibok and its neighbouring villages have recently been the target of the deadliest attacks. Only recently, gunmen murdered at least 44 people in Kwada and Kautikari Villages, some 15km away from Chibok. The attacks have led to a mass exodus of villagers, who are citing constant threats to their lives. Leaders of the community revealed that the village is not only unsafe, it has been hit by famine. MORE worrisome is the obvious fact that the internally-displaced persons include women, children and the vulnerable who are

THE NIGERIAN

Rehabilitation For Six Million Displaced Nigerians lacking in basic healthcare, sanitation, clothing, food and shelter. IT is shameful that despite the vulnerability of people around these three states, there is no official camp to settle them, compelling them to squat in horrible and untold environments. This situation from various reports has made the victims vulnerable to various hazards such as snake bites, weather extremes and diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, among others, more especially among women and children. FROM the foregoing, there is clear failure of relevant government agencies to perform their duties. The National Refugees Commission, National Emergency Management Agency and all such care giving institutions of government have abdicated their responsibilities to the victims even at a time when such services were most needed. THIS is why we align with the push of the House of Representatives for the urgent rehabilitation of all victims of insurgency, not only in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe but also in Kaduna, Taraba, Benue and even the Federal Capital Territory. WE call on the Federal Government to make adequate provision for the upkeep of the victims and placing them in transitional settlements. WE call on the National Border Commission and the National Refugee Commission to

swing into action immediately to build the camps for the displaced six million Nigerians. HOWEVER, the Federal Government should redouble its efforts to stem tide of insurgency and senseless bloodletting in the country. Nigeria has never witnessed the scale of near daily attacks, killing thousands of innocent citizens who know nothing about the reasons for the insurgentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; action. The heartless, cruel and inhuman slaughtering and butchery currently being unleashed in the north must be arrested. THE Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah has continued to assure that government would put an end to terrorism in Nigeria and has been sounding like a broken record lately. However, we urge the COAS and his counterparts in other armed forces and police to take urgent steps to route the insurgents out of the country and its borders. Mere lip service is not required at this time, but concerted effort. The fifth columnists within the armed forces in the war against terror should be identified, fished out and dealt with as well. The security agencies owe Nigerians a duty to free all kidnapped citizens, particularly, students of Government Secondary School Chibok from the hands of the mindless terrorist to free their parents and loved ones from the agony of heartaches. WE also, call on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international friends helping to deal with terrorism to increase their assistance to the nation for quick results as Nigerians are daily looking out with high hopes for major breakthroughs in the war against terror. THE judiciary on its part, should accelerate the trial of all terror suspects and ensure that all those found wanting are adequately punished for their actions. We believe that dealing with the insurgents head-on remains a permanent solution to the displacement of hapless citizens and time to do that is now.

Opinion Food Security And National Development

IT has been predicted that there would be a catastrophic widespread food famine, the type the world has never witnessed before the year 2020. It is of common knowledge that the quality of the food a people eat is a reflection of their lives. In African setting, one of the achievements of a man is his ability to provide quality food for his family, an idea which the Holy Bible also prescribes. By extension, any country that is self — sufficient in food production, and does not depend on other countries for the provision of food for her citizenry has reasons to be proud among comity of Nations. Considering the abundant agro-opportunities around our country, Nigeria, there is no justifiable reason for her to be part of the over 1 billion people currently experiencing hunger across the world, despite the governments resolve to make the country one of the top 20 economies by the year 2020. Food Security is an essential tool for national development. It might interest you to know that with little co-coordinated efforts to utilize the abundant human and Natural Resources, Nigeria can be reposition on the map of the world as a leading food producer. Most of what Nigeria needs to attain this enviable height is within her reach. Compared with any country of the world, Nigeria has one of the best climate and land resources for produce would be enough for consumption, exportation and industrialization. There is a wide range of crops in which it enjoys comparative advantage. Achieving food security in Nigeria is pivotal to national development. This is because it serves as boost to other sectors of the economy. It is a common saying that a hungry man, is an angry man, therefore a nation with a fragile food security will have a fragile internal security that could produce nothing better than a population of people with bottled anger, awaiting exposition. It is a common knowledge that good food enhances immunity and good health, a well fed child can develop intellectually to justify investments in his education. Besides, the nutritional values and industrial potentials, food is an International Identity, as world-class exported food tends to become cultural

By OJO ESTHER OFUJE ambassador for a country and its people. According to a food expert, Mr. Kennedy Nwakapa, “food security exists when all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary and food preferences for an active and healthy life style”. This is a fact that tends to have ended the intelligence of leaders of this nation, Nigeria. Nigeria is predominantly an agrarian society, as a reasonable percentage of the population engages in Agricultural production though at subsistence level. Agriculture holdings are generally small and scattered. It provides about 41 percent of Nigeria’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1999 this percentage represented a normal decrease of 24.7 percent from 65.7 percent GDP in 1957. The decrease is still ongoing because, as economic development occurs, the relative size of agricultural sector usually decreases? The fertility of the Nigeria soil and the wide range of varieties in climate allow it to produce a variety of food and crops. The staple major food crops include yam, cassava, corn, plantain, rice, sorghum and a variety of fruits and vegetables. The leading cash crops are cocoa, citrus, cotton, groundnuts, palm oil, palm kernel, beans seed and rubber; they form part of Nigeria’s major exports commodities in the 1960s and early 70s. Chief among the export destinations for Nigeria’s agricultural products were Britain, USA, Canada, France and Germany. Other aspects of the nations agricultural sector involves cattle herding, fishing, poultry and lumbering which contributed more than two percent to the GDP in the 1980s. According to the United Nations food and Agricultural Organization (UN-FAO) 1987 estimate, there were 12.2 million cattle, 13.2 million sheep, 26 million goats, 1.3 million pigs, 700,000 donkeys, 250,000 horses, and 18,000 camels, mostly in Northern Nigeria and owned mostly by rural dwellers. Fishing out pet range from 600,000 to 700,000 tons annually in the 70s but statistical data indicated that all these aspects

of our agricultural sector have dropped to it’s lowest ebb due to numerous factors which must be overhauled if the nation must be on course for vision 202020 No country can truly be a truly great nation if it is not capable of feeding its citizens. Recent estimate put the number of hungry people in Nigeria at over 50 million, just less than 30 percent of

proffered. If Nigeria truly takes food security seriously. This is because developments go hand in hand with the issue of food security in every nation of the world. Although agriculture contributes about 42 percent of the country’s GDP. Provided employment means of livelihood for more than 80 percent of the productively engaged population, it receives less than 10 percent of the annual budgetary allocations. Under funding in this regard is central to the crisis

Akinwumi Adesina, Minister for Agriculture the country’s total population in food production and food of about 160 million out of security in Nigeria which which about 52 percent live explains the high incidence under the poverty line. of poverty and As earliest stated in this underdevelopment. write up, Nigeria was self Akin to this problem is the sufficient in food production seemingly irresolvable and was indeed a net exporter incoherence in governments’ of food to other regions of the policy formulation and world. However, things implementation strategies. changed dramatically for the The fact remains that the worse following the global Nigeria agriculture is still too economic crisis that hit feeble to compete with the developing countries forces of Nature and the beginning from the late 70s, dynamics of the International coupled with ;the discovery of Market. The farmers are crude oil and subsequent incompetent to contend with rising revenue from the the challenges of the climate nations petroleum sector. change. These provided a platform for With too little or too much the neglect of the agricultural rains, the Nigerian farmers sector and turned Nigeria into are still the losers because an a net importer of food. average farmer has no By 2009, for example, the stabilizing factors to cope Federal Ministry of with the challenges. The Agriculture and Rural farmers, still depends largely Development estimated that on traditional implement. Nigeria was spending over 3 The Nigerian farm is still a billion Dollars annually on model of incompatible food Importation. marriage between new ideas Numerous factors are such as improved crop responsible for this ugly trend varieties and crude age-long in the nation’s agricultural working tools of bare — foot sector, these must be revisited old farmer. and appropriate solution

More so, with so many Agricultural and research institutes, Nigeria hardly needs more paper work. Nigeria needs to move from crude to mechanized farming. The machines can produce better than the crude method of farming by the fast ageing population of the poverty — ridden rural dwellers, struggling to feed million of Nigerian people. Basic infrastructural facilities like good roads to access the rural areas where the bulk of the agricultural crops are cultivated are inadequate; lack of farm labour due to rural — urban drift, trade restrictions, illiteracy on the part of farmers, little or nongovernment assistance in providing some basic facilities like fertilizers, dams for Irrigation, storage facilities and credit facilities coupled with acts of nature such as drought and flooding are some of the factors militating against food security in Nigeria. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina recently in an interview with newsmen identified the appalling level of financing in Agriculture in comparison with their African Nations. According to him “Nigeria spends only 3% or less of her entire budget on Agriculture.” Other countries, much smaller than Nigeria do far more than this. Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique spend between 10-15 percent or more in agriculture. The Minister pointed out that agricultural production low, nothing that yields of farms in Nigeria are extremely low, with the average yield of seed crops in Nigeria still at approximately one ton per hectare compared to the global average of five tons per hectare. The minister went on to say that “as big as Nigeria, only one percent of our farmers use modern seeds.” He pointed out that Nigeria is presently using 13 killogramme. Per hectare of fertilizer,” According to him “Now the global average is 100 killogramme, China is close to 400 per hectare. Most of the food we produce comes from expanding cultivated areas, not from increasing productivity per unit area.” In addition, he said a lot of what we produced is lost due to lack of proper storage and processing facilities, explaining that Nigeria farmers have been poor managers of agricultural resources due to poor planning. The Minister concluded that, Nigeria is now the largest importer of tomatoes paste from China

and Italy when we have tomatoes in abundance, wasting away on a daily basis due to no storage facilities. The ongoing co-ordination between the ministry and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the efforts to reposition the agriculture sector is enjoying the support of industry analyst who seek enhanced Agriculture Productivity and the attainment of food security. Attention was again drawn to the abysmal performance of the nations agriculture sector when the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi reeled out the facts and figures on why existing agricultural policies should be reviewed with the aim of improving out put from the sector. Just as the CBN governor’s revelation show that Nigeria is incurring a total food import bill of $4.2 billion (about N638.4 billion) annually due to the neglect of agriculture, the governor proposed a completely new agriculture policy. With all these problems bedeviling the nation’s agricultural sector, it must be reiterated that no government in Nigeria has displayed ignorance of the possibilities of food security in National Development. Whether their policies and programmes have been mere white elephant protect or paper tiger, whether they are blue print or mere political statements, whether they are genuine intentions or mere channels of siphoning public money are puzzles Nigerians have found difficult to give accurate definition. It is high time Nigeria translated the country’s huge agriculture potentials into realities by encouraging local production and strengthening the value chain so as to make Nigeria self-sufficient and generate income and wealth for the Nigerian farmers. If country must move from its current level to higher heights in food production and, if she desires true national development, then, food insecurity which is as a result of the under performance in the agricultural sector can only be turned around with more commitment on the part of policy makers. In this is a sure way to put the nation on the part to attaining the millennium Development Goals and the transformation agenda of Mr. President. Besides, food security should be given greater priority in order to enhance self sustainability which is one of the prerequisite for National growth and development.

Nutritional Health And Dietetics

With

Botanicals, O.C. Madu Phytotherapy Herbal Medicine: THE herbal pharmacy is a rich specific organ systems and there are some herbs that have stimulating effect while others have a relaxing effect etc. Lymphocytes are your immune system’s disease fighting cells and are produced and stored mainly in your lymphatic tissue-thymus gland, spleen and lymph nodes. Hundreds of miles of lymphatic tubules allow waste to be collected from your tissues and transported to your blood for elimination, a process referred to as lymphatic drainage. When your lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build and make you sick (Roberts 1991). Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. This is where herbs come in, most especially immuno-stimulant plants and leaves. Herbs increase your lymphocytes count. Increased lymphocytes speed up the removal of toxins from your tissues, which promotes healing. Therefore, herb or the oil when properly used improves the function of your thymus gland and other components of your immune system. Herbs may promote healing by boosting your lymphatic system. An Indian study in 2011 found that some herbal leaf extract showed better anti-bacterial activity against both grampositive and gram-negative bacteria, especially-antimicrobial herbs. While some people may dismiss herbal remedies as quackery, the use of botanical is well rooted in medical practice. Ancient doctors methodically collected information about helps and developed well defined pharmacopoeias to treat a variety of ailments more than a quarter of all drugs used today contain active ingredients derived from those same ancient plants. It is estimated that nearly 50

percent of the world’s population use herbs for some aspect of primary healthcare. In the United States, more than 1,500 botanicals are sold as dietary supplement, top-selling herbs include Echinacea, garlic, golden seal, ginseng, ginkgo, saw-palmetto, aloe, ephedra,

plants. People use herbal medicines to try to maintain or improve their health. Many people believe that products labeled “natural” are always safe and good for them. This is not necessarily true. Herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing that

widely practiced toady. Modern medicine recognizes herbalism as a form of alternative medicine as the practice of herbalism is not strictly based on evidence gathered using the scientific method. Modern medicine does however, make use of many plant derived compounds as the basis for evidence tested pharmaceutical drugs (pharmaceutical drugs and

suberian ginseng and cranberry. Therefore, learn to use herbs to treat some common health conditions like allergies, indigestion and even anxiety. For more counseling, the writer will be of help to you. It is my duty to make the people of the world healthier through the power of information. An herb is a plant or part of plant part used for its scent, flavour or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines are one type of dietary supplement. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, tea, extracts and fresh or dried

drugs do. Some herbs such as comfrey and ephedra can cause serious harm. Some herbs can interact with prescription or over-the counter medicines. If you are thinking about using herbal medicines, first get information on it from reliable sources. Make sure to tell your health provider about any herbal medicines you are taking. Herbalism (herbalogy or herbal medicine is the use of plants for medicinal purpose and the study of such use. Plants have been the basis for medical treatment through much of human history and as such, traditional medicine is still

phytotherapy work to apply modern standards of effectiveness testing to herbs and medicines that are derived from natural sources. The scope of herbal medicine is sometimes extended to include fungal and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts. A number of ancient cultures wrote on plants and their medical uses. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 50 percent of the population of some Asian and African countries presently use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care. Herbal

“Plants have been the basis for medical treatment through much of human history and as such, traditional medicine is still widely practiced toady. Modern medicine recognizes herbalism as a form of alternative medicine as the practice of herbalism is not strictly based on evidence gathered using the scientific method.”

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medicines can be grown from seed or gathered from nature for little or no cost. Research shows that the pharmaceuticals currently available to physicians have a long history of uses as herbal

remedies including opium, aspirin, digitalis and quinine. The bark of the cinchoma tree contains quinine, which is widely prescribed for the treatment of malaria, especially in countries that cannot afford to purchase the more expensive anti-malaria drugs produced by the pharmaceutical industry. Herbal remedies are very common in Europe. In Germany, herbal medications are dispensed by apothecaries e.g. Apotheke prescription drugs are sold alongside essential oils, herbal extracts or herbal teas. Herbal remedies are seen by some as a treatment to be preferred to pure medical compounds which have been industrially produced. Research also shows that in India, the herbal remedy is so popular that the government of India has created a separate department AYUSH under the ministry of Health and family welfare. The National Medicinal Plants Board was also established in 2000 by the government of India in order to deal with the herbal medical

system. Infact, Indians have succeeded to indoctrinate many countries to sell and use their drugs in the name of employment, profit and so on and so forth. Man be indigenous, use what is in your culture to become the real human beings of that culture including food and herbs. It is never a mistake you are born into a particular culture. According to an adage, “Nku na, mba na ehere mba nri” (what is in a particular culture solves problem for that particular area). Avid public interest in herbalism in the UK has been recently confirmed by the popularity of the topic in mainstream media, such as the prime time hit TV series BBC’s Grow Your Own Drugs, which demonstrated how to grow and prepare herbal remedies at home. Herbs that clear your arteries of plaque-garlic can prevent and treat plaque build-up in the arteries. It is typically taken in capsules, but fresh garlic is also effective. Clinic trials have found that consuming fresh garlic or garlic supplements can lower cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots and destroy plaque says the University of Maryland Medical Centre. Turmeric-the active compound in tumeric-curcumin can prevent blood platelet coagulation and help rid arteries of plaque formation according to animal and preliminary human studies cited by the University of Michigan Health system. In traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric has been used to invigorate the blood says the Herb Growing and Marketing Network. It is very rich in antioxidant. The first wonder drug-the Ebers papyrus, named after Egyptologist George Ebers, is a papyrus written around 1600 B.C. that refers to more than seven hundred plant medicines including peppermint, myrrh and castor oil. This early medical text recommends applying a mody piece of bread to open wounds. In 1928, thousands of years later, by pure happenstance, Sir Alexander Fleming noticed in his laboratory that bread mould was a potent antibiotic. His observation led to the development of penicillin and spawned the era of the wonder drugs. Today, you don’t have to be a gardener or a chemist to use herbs safely and effectively.

Encounter

MR. Tobi Idaomi is the former co-ordinator of Abiola Campaign Organisation University of Benin (UNIBEN) Chapter, treasurer of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) UK Chapter and the Director of Trident Universal Ventures Limited. He is a political commentator, analyst and advocate of good governance. He is intelligent, bold and brave and one citizen who believed in the course of the comrade governor to continually deliver the dividend of democracy to the people of Edo state. In this chat with Richard Okoro Eweka of the NIGERIAN OBSERVER Mr. Idaomi expresses delight in the developmental stride achieved by the Comrade Governor since he assumed office six years ago. He commend the governor for embarking on people’s oriented project to better the lives and living standard of the people. He however frown at the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly calling the honourable members of the House to settle their differences and caution the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Legislator never to drag the governor into it issue because the governor is not a legislator. These and other interesting issues are here for your reading delight. Excerpts: are now more educated, How will you access wiser and now know better the performance of the about governance. No Comrade Governor leader will be allow to loot piloting the affairs of Edo the treasury any more, as a state for the past six people we will ask years? questions on how our It is difficult to score his resources are been spend performance because he has and can equally monitor it over performed and set a effectively, all thanks goes standard that may be to Oshiomhole. He has set difficult for others coming the standard, never again after him to follow. should will allow any one Oshiomhole has really done to go below the standard well to develop the state and which will now be the yard move it to the present level stick of measuring it is today. Before he came development in the state. to power, the state was What are the changes backward in terms of you can easily point to development, there was no when you walk the streets good roads, schools, market across the state? and other facilities that A blind man will know would make life better for and can tell and equally the people but when the point to what Oshiomhole Comrade Governor took has done for the people. over he revive the state When you walk around, from total collapse from you will see new roads, bad governance. He street lights, water fountain constructed roads, build in king square, buses to schools, created jobs, woo make transportation easier investors to the state; he did for the people. How many a whole lot of unexpected will I begin to list? He is a things. The transformation man with the love of the is just massive and electorate at heart that is unprecedented in the why it was easy to work for history of the state. The the people and ensure they state is now one of the most enjoy the dividend of developed in the country as democracy. His a result of the achievement d e v e l o p m e n t a l of the present achievement cuts across the administration. three Senatorial Districts in How is this achievement significant to the people of the state? It is very significant I must confess. With this achievement, it has become difficult for any leader to tell us Edo state don’t have money. The achievement has opened our eyes to the reality on ground and it is now difficult for any one to deceive us any more. We

APC Will Win Edo 2016 Governorship Election

Edo state. The governor has made a huge difference in governance and the people will ever remain grateful to him. Will it be right to say Edo people are enjoying the dividends of democracy? Certainly, we are enjoying the dividend of democracy. We are now the centre of focus for other states. Oshiomhole has

present administration and the dividends of democracy public schools have more pupil now compare to 10 years back. Oshiomhole is the Messiah the Edo people have since longed for and finally have gotten. He will long be remembered years after leaving office. What is your comment on the crisis in the state House of Assembly? The crisis is getting out

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

moved us from darkness to light and our state is now like western countries, the state is working and the standard of life has improved and we have moved from the era of share the money to work with the money for the benefits of the people, can dividend of democracy be glorious than this? People are happy coming into the state to see the finger print of the Comrade Governor and wondered if this is Edo state or another new state. Due to the confidence in the

of hand and should be handled carefully so that it will not make the state ungovernable for the governor who has done so well for the people of the state. They should all tread with caution and not destroy what the comrade governor has laboured to build in the last six years of his administration. The governor is being accused as the cause of the crisis in the state, do you agree? Who ever is accusing the governor for the present

- Idaomi

crisis is doing so for selfish reasons. How can they accuse the governor for what he knows nothing of? Is he a lawmaker or legislator? Does he work with them in the House? On what basis is this allegation? All they want is to distract the governor but their plans has failed because we have a dogged governor who will stop at nothing to ensure development gets to all corners of the state. We are right behind the governor to support him to continue is good work of effective leadership to the entire people of the state. Is this crisis a fall out from the Ekiti governorship election? Ekiti and Edo state are not same. What ever is happening in Edo state is not connected to Ekiti. What ever you see in the state today is caused by enemies of the state. We have people who are not benefiting in the system as such will always make trouble to discredit the government in power. Edo is an APC state and it will always remain so because the person now knows better. A lot of issues happen in Ekiti that lead to APC losing the election and the party is still investigating which they will made known later. However one obvious fact that all saw and leads to APC losing the election was the unfriendly atmosphere created by PDP using the federal might. Oshiomhole is a grassroots man, what happen in Ekiti can not happen in Edo because the governor has done well for the people. Any lessons from Ekiti governorship election? Off course, we have lots

of lessons to learn from the out come of the election and the power play that took place before, during and after the election. There is rumour that Fayemi lost the election because he is not a grassroots man. If that is the case no governor is more grassroots than comrade Oshiomhole, oshiomhole has a good link with the people. What happened in Ekiti state can not happen in Edo state because the people comes first in the mind of the governor. Do you see APC wining 2016 governorship election in Edo state? Edo state is APC state and can not be won by PDP. The people will decide if they love light or darkness. There is good roads, schools, clean water, and relaxation spot in the capital city, why should the people vote for another political party. The people will not forget in a hurry where they are coming from, we now have hospital, roads, schools and other basic needs of lives. The state now has a future and no politicians can take it from us. We will certainly win the election based on our credibility and performance. Advice to the people of the state? I call on the people to be calm despite the situation in the state. We should all join our hands together with the comrade governor to ensure the state is in peace and unity. We should continue to pray for the governor for good health as this will enable the development continue in the state.

“A blind man will know and can tell and equally point to what Oshiomhole has done for the people. When you walk around, you will see new roads, street lights, water fountain in king square, buses to make transportation easier for the people. How many will I begin to list? He is a man with the love of the electorate at heart that is why it was easy to work for the people and ensure they enjoy the dividend of democracy.”

Perspective

WHEN Amnesty International visited Papua New Guinea and spoke to women’s organisations and gatherings of women, the organisation heard from and about women who had experienced grave forms of gender-based violence - a woman who had been burnt to the bone with a hot iron on suspicion of practicing witchcraft; a woman who had, been raped by a group of men while walking alone in an area where tribal fighting was underway and then later severely beaten by her husband for the shame she had caused him; a woman who had been raped by her brother-in-law but then pressured not to pursue the case because of the hurt it would cause her sister and the family; and numerous women who had lacerations, scars, missing teeth, bruises and broken bones inflicted upon them by angry or drunken partners, often using bush knives or other conveniently located implements. These are not isolated cases. Every day the local media delivers new stories of women being subjected to violence and exploitation. Available data on the scale and scope of violence against women is largely out of date or incomplete but, nonetheless, the picture it reveals is of widespread and pervasive violence against women and girls in the home and community. In addition to directly violating women’s rights to physical and mental integrity, gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea curtails women’s freedom of movement and in turn limits women’s access to education and employment and their ability to participate freely in public life. Further, violence against women is a contributing factor to the spread HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea. The purpose of Amnesty International’s visit to Papua New Guinea, however, was not to collect a litany of horror stories but rather to explore how the State and civil society are responding to genderbased violence against

Violence Against Women: Re women. All States have a duty under international human rights law to prevent, prohibit and punish violence against women, regardless of the identity of the perpetrator. States also have a duty to provide redress, including compensation, to women who have suffered violence. Amnesty International found that in practice the Government of Papua New Guinea has done little to fulfill this obligation. Although more than a decade has passed since Papua New Guinea ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and although the Constitution guarantees women equality, women continue to be denied their enjoyment of human rights because of genderbased discrimination, of which violence is an extreme form. Survivors of GenderBased Violence Neglected Healthcare, counselling services, emergency accommodation and other forms of support for survivors of gender-based violence are almost non-existent outside the capital Port Moresby. Even where they do exist, referral protocols are not in place to ensure that women are in a position to access available resources. “For us it is lose, and then lose again. First we suffer violence and then we have no health care to help us.” Woman from Mandi East Sepik Likewise, it is almost impossible for women to obtain legal advice, particularly on matters relating to family law. The Public Solicitor’s Office has extremely limited capacity, as do government welfare officers. For most women who suffer gender-based violence, access to justice is illusory. The formal justice system offers women the promise of equality, protection and redress but in practice it is

remote, inaccessible and ineffective. Although often simply ignored, crimes of violence against women are also frequently ‘resolved’ through informal dispute resolution mechanisms at the community level or by the state sanctioned Village Courts. The emphasis of these mechanisms is on the restoration of ‘peace and order ’, which is often achieved at the expense of recognising women’s human rights and frequently involves the enforcement of norms which do no afford women equality. The government has done little to challenge the authority of these alternative systems of dispute resolution and in the case of the Village Courts, has both failed to provide appropriate training to Village Court officials and totally neglected oversight and accountability mechanisms. Police Missing In Action The police services have proved ineffective in combating violence against women. Police are mostly confined to reactive work, unable or unwilling to take steps designed to prevent gender-based violence, including by being present and visible in places where violence against women is known to occur. Women reporting incidents of genderbased violence are often sent home by police and told their problems are not of a criminal nature. Where complaints are recorded, investigations are primarily limited to collecting statements from those willing to attend the police station. “My husband took a second wife and I had to live with them both in my house. When I came home one day and found everything in a mess, I said ‘This is my house and you should keep it clean.” My husband broke my nose and hit me with timber over the back of my head. I went to the police to tell them to arrest him - they said they would do it but they didn’t.

Guinea Expe

Last month, my husband kicked me in the face and broke my teeth. I went to the police bleeding from my mouth and nose. They said they would go and get him and have a word with him but

women as a pre-condition to investigating complaints to the gang rape of women in custody. Similarly, domestic violence within the police barracks is rampant and, contrary to official policy, is

information; failed to give consideration to the ongoing safety of the victim; and abrogated their responsibility by placing pressure on women reporting genderbased violence to make

vio bro pol res num sho of

they have done nothing. I am tired of the police - they’re useless.” Woman from Angoram, East Sepik In addition to their inaction, police have also been directly implicated in violence against women, with allegations ranging from the request of sexual favours from

in practice tolerated. Although police expressed frustration that women who reported crimes involving gender-based violence often later withdrew their statements, the police were unable to offer any evidence of steps they were taking to support women through the criminal justice process in a way which might give them the confidence to proceed. On the contrary, Amnesty International found that police: failed to avail themselves of information about support services in the community; failed to refer women to those services; failed to properly inform women about their rights and about the progress of investigations; failed to afford women any privacy or sensitivity when recording their statements and other

decisions themselves about whether and what charges they wanted to lay. Further, although police also expressed frustration that cases involving gender-based violence were often ultimately resolved privately with the payment of compensation (rarely to the female victim herself), again police offered no evidence of any proactive strategy designed to ensure that perpetrators of gender-based violence were brought to account before a court of law. Many police seemed to accept that the payment of compensation precluded further action on their part. Some actively participated in negotiations. Police weaknesses in responding appropriately and effectively to gender-based

cou imp me the the

“The police services have proved ineffective in combating violence against women. Police are mostly confined to reactive work, unable or unwilling to take steps designed to prevent gender-based violence, including by being present and visible in places where violence against women is known to occur.”

trai and is f me that Pol acc righ extr and alo inv the pub Aff resp inv aga peo

Perspective

ecalling The Papua New erience

olence are indicative of a oader break down in basic licing. This is, in part, a sult of limited police mbers and severe resource ortages. However, a history human rights violations,

upled with effective punity for perpetrators, also an police do not enjoy support and cooperation of community.

Police have received ining on domestic violence d on human rights but there functioning accountability echanisms which ensure t training is put into justice. lice are rarely held to count for grave human hts violations including ra-judicial executions, rape d other forms of torture, let one for failures to early vestigate crimes reported to em. There is very little blic confidence in Internal fairs Directorate which is ponsible for overseeing the vestigation of plaints ainst police, and most ople do not bother to make

complaints because they do not consider that their complaints will be acted upon. Failure to Tackle Harmful Attitudes and Practices

The success of public education programs on women’s human rights has been limited the fact that such programs are ad hoc, not delivered uniformly to different regions and subsections of the community, take little account of existing levels of knowledge previous programs, are not supported by the ongoing provision of information, advice or other services, and are generally not followed up by any assessment of their impact and success. “There has been lots of awareness on violence towards women but practices have not changed. This is because the culture has not changed - even amongst educated people.” HI V/AIDS peer

counsellor, Port Moresby Traditional customs, often distorted by changed circumstances, are still invoked to justify gender discrimination and subordination. “Bride price” has led to the commodification of women. It is a common belief that with the payment of bride price, omen are effectively

purchased by their husbands who are therefore entitled to control and ‘discipline’ their wives as they think necessary. Where bride price has been paid it is very difficult for a woman to leave a violent relationship. “People know that violence against women is wrong but they hide under the cover of custom.” Human Rights Trainer, HELP resources, Wewak Polygamy is also a contributing factor to intimate partner violence. Polygamy often has the effect of pitting women against each other in a competition for their husband’s resources and affords men even greater power in domestic relationships. In their modern form,

customs like bride price and the practice of polygamy, have provided men, who have access to cash and resources, with a license to be promiscuous and violent, often without accruing any longer term obligations to provide for the women and girls they effectively “purchase” or for the children born of the union. Neither bride price nor polygamy nor other harmful cultural practice have been effectively addressed by the government as factors which continual to violence against women, even though women’s organizations consistently identify such practices as problematic. Women Overcoming Challenges to Respond to Gender- based Violence. Women’s organisations and women human rights defenders in Papua New Guinea do not accept that violence against women is either acceptable or inevitable. They have long been at the forefront of efforts to prevent gender based violence against women and to improve the services available to victims of genderbased violence. Unfortunately, these women and the organisations they work with receive little support and recognition from the government. On the contrary, rather than working in partnership with government they are often required to fill a void left by dysfunctional government agencies, particularly in caring for survivors of genderbased violence. The problem is that without state support and funding, NGO service provision itself is necessarily

ad hoc and intermittent, does not have national reach and is constantly dependent on and subject to shifts in donor priority. This in turn impacts on the effectiveness and sustainability of responses to violence against women. It also serves to distract from the fundamental fact that is the government, and not NGOs and women human rights defenders, which bears the primary obligation to implement CEDAW. Barriers to Change Amnesty International found that interviews with women human right defenders about the frustrations and difficulties they encountered in their work provided a clear lens through which to view some of the main obstacles to realising women’s human rights in Papua New Guinea. These obstacles include: • Women are chronically underrepresented within all formal power structures. Women and women’s organisations are generally confined to the periphery of public decision making and face a constant struggle for legitimacy and to get problems like gender-based violence on the “real” agenda. • Lack of state resources is consistently invoked as an excuse for the government’s failure to address genderbased violence. There are no avenues through which women are able to demand a reasonable proportion of available resources, even if the resources available are limited. • Gender-based violence and other forms of gender discrimination are explained

away or justified on illdefined ‘cultural’ grounds. There is little recognition that, under international human rights law, ‘culture’ is no excuse and that, in fact, the government has an obligation to adopt all available measures to modify or abolish norms and practices which discriminate against women. • There is no effective protection for those who face threats to their personal safety as a result of their human rights activism. There is no recognition or support for human rights documentation, monitoring and advocacy which is not linked to service provision. Both these factors curtail targeted human rights advocacy. There is an absence of independent mechanisms tasked with monitoring government compliance with human rights standards and empowered to demand accountability from government agencies. Recent history has proven in Papua New Guinea that an acknowledgement of the problem and the passing of time alone will not bring about a decrease in violence against women nor overcome the barriers to women’s enjoyment of their human rights. Without monitoring and scrutiny of the government’s efforts to meet its obligations under CEDAW, and without campaigning for accountability and reform when the government has failed to live up to those obligations, institutional inertia and excuses will prevail. Courtesy WHO

“Polygamy is also a contributing factor to intimate partner violence. Polygamy often has the effect of pitting women against each other in a competition for their husband’s resources and affords men even greater power in domestic relationships...Lack of state resources is consistently invoked as an excuse for the government’s failure to address gender-based violence. There are no avenues through which women are able to demand a reasonable proportion of available resources, even if the resources available are limited.”

Agrosphere

Cell Phone: Effective Communication

Tools For Agricultural Services

Introduction IN our previous edition, the confer emphasised on the role of ADP as the extension arm of the state Ministry of Agriculture and

and can easily be carried about to any farm locations in Nigeria by farmers. This implies that as an electronic device, it can easily transfer messages on

By OLUMESE MARK Edo State government. Previously, one of the World Bank recommendation is that

are the farmers. In conclusion, it is suggested that more

Farm Rich Foods By DABOR DOROTHY

Natural Resources. What is Agricultural extension? Agric Extension can be defined as an informal or out of school system of transferring Agricultural information on new innovations to farmers and the public. What is communication? Communication involves sending of messages from a source to a receiver. It involves a 2-way process that is the sources, the sender. THE CHANNEL AND THE RECEIVER The focus of this article is on “using cell phones as an effective channel of communicating extension in formation to farmers”. The cell phone is an effective communication tool that is easily affordable by any farm family in Nigeria today. It is mobile

Agricultural technologies sent through text message by ADP Extension officers to farmers. For example, bulk text messages can be sent by cell phone on the same Agric technology like spacing distance for maize or rice or yam to over 20 farmers at different locations at the same time by the ADP Extension agent. On the other hand, farmers can equally send back their responses or problems through text messages to the ADP zonal managers for appropriate solution using the cell phones media. This writeup is also to motivate the ADP field workers especially in the 3 urban local government areas of Edo State namely Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-okha local government areas where the use of motor bikes have been banned by

any Agric officer employed by government must own a motor bike or a car before he or she can be deployed by ADP to do the work of an Extension Agent in the villages where they are posted. Through cell phones, these Extension Agents can easily communicate their extension in pact points learnt every for tightly from the FNTs held across the 3 senatorial zones of Edo State every for fright to their target group which

incentives should be given to ADP Extension officers such as regular training and re-training, payment of kilometer claims for

officers using their cars to do ADP extension work and so on. There is need for ADP to be given priority in all Budgetary allocations as the saying goes, no farmer, no Nation. To be continued.

IN nutrition diet is the sum of food consumption by a person or other organisms. The word diet implies the use of specific intake of nutrition for health or weight management reasons. In Genesis chapter 2 God gave Adam an instruction on what to eat and what not to eat, the forbidden food according to God will cause death, today there are many of such forbidden food that we should avoid, in the course of reading this article you will know some of them. Here are some healthy foods to include in our diet: 1. Fruits: example apples, oranges, mangoes etc. a. Apples: Apples are an excellent source of antioxidants, which combat free radicals, Free radicals are damaging substances generated in the body that cause undesirable changes and are involved in the aging process and some disease. Researches at the Florida state University said that apples are a “miracle fruit”. In their study, the investigators found that older women who starting a regime of eating apples daily experienced a 23 percent drop in levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and a 4% increase in good cholesterol (HDL) after just six months. Other researches also found

that consuming fruit with white edible portions such as pears and apples, can potentially reduce the risk of stroke by 52%. They reported their findings in the journal stroke” Journal of the America Heart Association. Mangoes, oranges offer vitamins C which help to fight diseases and boost our immunity Oily fish: Examples of oily fish include mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines. These types of fish have oil in their tissues and around the gut. Their lean fillets contain up to 30% oil, specifically Omega 3. Fatty acids. These oils are “ to provide benefits /for the heart as well as the nervous system. Oily fish are also known to provide benefits for patients with inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. Leafy green vegetables. Studies have shown that a high intake of dark-leafy vegetables, such as spinach or cabbage may significantly lowers a person’s risk of developing diabetestype2. Spinach, for example is very rich in antioxidants especially when uncooked, steamed or very lightly boiled. It is a good source of vitamins A, B, C, E and K as well as selenium, zinc, phosphate, copper, folic acid, potassium, calcium, manganese and iron.

“Oily fish are also known to provide benefits for patients with inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. Leafy green vegetables. Studies have shown that a high intake of dark-leafy vegetables, such as spinach or cabbage may significantly lowers a person’s risk of developing diabetestype2.”

Edikang-Ikong. This is a traditional Nigeria soup (originating from the southsouth part of Nigeria) that is full of fresh vegetables with recipe which usually include pumpkin water leaf, green leaf, tomatoes, onions crayfish etc. as revealed by Harvard school of public health, regularly consuming fresh vegetables such as those found in Edikang can reduce the risk of certain cancers, stroke and digestive system problems. Note; pumpkin leaf is rich in iron, it is a good blood builder. Anaemic people (those whose blood volume are low, are encouraged to take fresh pumpkin leaf. To prepare it, fresh pumpkin leaves are washed, squeezed and the liquid from it is extracted, filtered and you drink Crayfish are rich in Omega -3 fatty acid. Omega3 fat offer important hearthearth benefits such as increasing “good” highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and reducing triglycerides. Bitter leaf. A typical Nigeria food that finds its way into a number of traditional dishes. The bitter leaf is abundant in antioxidants and according to “journal of Agricultural and food chemistry” antioxidants are compounds that combat harmful processes. Antioxidants was discussed before in Apples Eat more of whole grains. Choose healthy carbohydrates and fibre sources especially whole grains, for long lasting energy Whole grains are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants, which help to protect against coronary heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes. Examples are whole wheat brown rice, millet.

Drumbeats Power Of Dreams: Between Dream

Killers And Promoters PRINT and electronic media have constantly aired reports on how a couple and their five children were murdered by armed robbers. We have also read and seen how Militants and Boko Haram killed people at random. Incident of numerous people that were killed by hypertension, cancer, AIDS, horrible diseases and accident abound every where in our society and the world at large. Nobody rejoices over the death of his family, friends and

capable of doing. Samson thought toiling with the sin of adultery will aid his dream and enhance his popularity. Little did he know that Delilah was an agent of satan sent to destroy his dream and carrier. “Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there a harlot, and went in unto her. And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quite all the night, when is day, we shall kill him.

neighour. Incidence like these usually bring pains, discouragement, sadness and weaken our desire to live. Suffice it to say that dream killers also abound every where. Below are factors that destroy ones dream. Number one is procrastination. Procrastination has destroyed the dreams and aspiration of numerous people across the world. Why postponing what you know you can execute today. The thought that postponing your dream for a convenient time will help you to execute it, is a far cry from the realities on ground. Number two is Sin. Sinning against God, ourselves and the society we live, will not enhance our dream but will rather kill it. Sin will never give you notice of what it is

And Samson lay till midnight, and took the door of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of a hill that is before Hebron. And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the Lords of the Philistines came up unto her and said unto her entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieu, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him, and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred piece of silver And Delilah said to Samson, tell me, I pray thee wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightiest be

bound to afflict thee” Judges chapter l6vl-6. Sin will always drain our strength and eventually kill us and our dream. The third factor is Disobedience. Disobedience has never enhanced the dream of anybody, rather it will kill it. When we are disobedient at executing the dream which God mercifully entrusted into our care it will not be long before such dream evaporates into the air. May your dream not become a mirage in Jesus Name. Amen The fourth factor is People’s

Opinion- Negative opinion from our family or those who call us friends will destroy our dream. A man may have a dream of going into politics or to build a viable industry, but if he is not careful others may dissuade him from carrying out his dream. The fifth factor is Satan. Satan never rejoices over the success of anybody, neither does he have a free gift. The success or blessing others claim to have received from satan were success in disguised form. Satan and his agents have ruined the dream of numerous people across the world and yours won’t be an exception if you sell yourself and your dream to him. The wise dissociate from him while foolish and ignorant people cleave to him, thereby

forfeiting their goals, vision and dream. Satan tried to ruin the dream of Jesus Christ and he failed woefully. May he also fail woefully when he comes to destroy your dream in Jesus Name. Amen The last but not the least factor that has ruined the dream of many people is Wrong Association. Wrong association could lead you into aborting your dream and pursue the dream of others, Evil communication corrupts good manner says a wise man. A bad man or woman will certainly advice you wrongly thereby souring your dream and destiny. I will therefore

admonish you to dissociate yourself from wrong company if you want your dream to be actualised. Dream Promoters A child or pupil who did well academically will certainly be promoted to the next class. Incident abound everywhere of how employer promoted their employees to a higher level and reward them handsomely, I have seen how an employer promoted his staff to assume the position of Managing Director of his company. God specializes in enhancing our society to a higher level and surpassing the positive records predecessors in office. It is only a fool and a bad man who does not rejoice over the

With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593 success of others. If God deems it necessary to exalt us to the next levels of life positively, then I see no reason why our God given dream will not promote us and enhance our destiny. Below are factors that enhance or promote our dream. Number one factor that enhances the promotion of our dream is faithfulness. God is not committed to our talents but to our faithfulness. Our faithfulness to God, our institution, Government, our parents, friends and enemies will help to enhance the promotion of our dream. “And Mirian and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married, for he had married an Ethiopia woman. And they said, hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. And the Lord spoke suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Mirian, come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out And the Lord came down in the Pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Mirian, and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words, if there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so who is faithful in a mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold, wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed”. Number 12v1-9. The biblical passage of the scripture unveils to you God’s anger towards people who speak evil or plan to harm God’s servant who are faithful in his vineyard. Faithfulness will promote your dream and showcase you to the world. The second factor is obedience. Obedience to God and constituted authority will enhance your dream. I am yet to see anybody that lived in

obedience and suffer or live in abject poverty. Obedience is the key to your satisfaction and fulfillment of your aims and objectives in life. The third factor is holiness. Holiness in the sight of God and man will aid the actualization of your dream. A holy man and woman have easy access to God and receives answers to his or her needs and wants. Without holiness no one can see God. Lack of holiness will abort our dream and destabilize our destiny. The fourth factor is kindness. If I may ask, how kind are you to Gods vineyard and to your fellow brothers and sister in our society? A kind man has access to God, stand the chance of being a references point positively to those who do not see the need of helping others. Significantly, numerous people across the world do not deem it necessary to show kindness to others. Each kindness you show to others in their hours of need will always enhance your dream and longevity of life. The fifth factor is endurance. Many people are patient with their dream. You cannot achieve tangible result when you live and act in hurry. Learn to endure with God and your dream, The sixth ways of enhancing your dream quickly is through prayer. Effective prayer will accelerate your dream and aspiration in life. During Jesus earthly missionary assignment he prayed earnestly. This attribute helped to see the fulfillment of his dream. Any man who wants other people to rejoice with him and be famous must make prayer a daily activity in Ins life. Prayer will help to enhance your dream and remove obstacles that will hinder the actualization of your dream. The last but not the lease factor that will aid the promotion of your dream is praise and worship. Praise and worship have been known to elevate the dreams and destiny of numerous people across the world. The more you indulge in praise and worship the easy it is for you to actualize your dream. God’s greatest demand for mankind is to praise him always. Praise and worship will help to celebrate God in your lift and enhance your destiny.

TO be an elder, the aged or the elderly, is a topic of popular attention for discussion because of the obvious attractions and challenges posed by this phenomenon of human existence and growth. Permit me therefore to congratulate the leadership of the Good Women Fellowship in Region 13 of Edo/Delta provinces of the R.C.C.G, for the boldness taken to choose this topic for discussion. Some people, Choose to trivialize “this age of life”. Such will soon discover that like DEATH, it is a “ROAD” they must pass through to ETERNITY. It is therefore wisdom to keep it in view, plan for it, and cultivate a disciplined, obedient, holy life style approach that can only guarantee the overflowing blessings that will go with the fulfilled elder into perpetuity.

DEFINITION OF TOPIC, OVERFLOWING ELDER a. What is an overflow? This is, an activity effort to fill up a container/or a vessel to be full to the brim until it begins to run over. Ps. 23;5, says “Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over”. b. Who is An Elder? An elder was a newborn child that has grown from childhood in physical, mental, and spiritual endowments and strength until the attainment of a certain age level. For the R.C.C.G and some organizations, the elderly age bracket begins to run from between 45 and 50 years upwards. Naturally at age 50, the elder is at his/her best in virtues and strengths. ‘At age 60, and above there is gradual decline in human activities, and physical weaknesses in strengths begin to grow until

Opinion Attributes, Strength Of The Elder By LAZ O. ONEBAMOI

one is unable to help himself/ herself any further. From these two definitions above, the topic: “The Overflowing Elder implies that this Elder has no limitations, at all. He/she is constantly and continually being loaded, filled up to the brim, full and running over, ceaselessly in strengths, endowments, grace and virtues. It presupposes an elder filled with the Holy Spirits endowments and strength, beyond human capacity, appointed and chosen to flow and run over every known limitation, powered by grace and anointing from above. These deposits in the disciple/ or elder will make him/her to be like JESUS, Provided he/she remains and abides in Him to

honest. (I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6). This elder must respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit in all his/her natural responsibilities to the children and youths of society. (Jn. 14:1&17; Acts 1:8). * A man/woman of prayers, sound doctrines, ready to teach, preach and defend the faith, serving as loving and humble Pastors and Spiritual leaders to the flock of Christ. (Titus 1:6,1 Peter5:2; Titus 3:3). * The overflowing elder obeys and follows strictly God’s instructions while labouring with diligence and zeal for the Word of God. (Deut. 28:1-2) 4. ATTRIBUTES AND

who overflows in grace, anointing, experience and strengths has the following responsibilities to the other natural groupings of society viz (1) Children (2) Youths and (3) ‘Elders” (Creatures) to: Teach and preach to them from the word of God. (2 Tin 3: 14-17; 2 Thess. 3:1, Act 28:31) * Guide them to follow Jesus in disciplined leadership and truth * Solve their problems; (physical and spiritual, and other wise by directing and proffering positive solutions, and advice). Produce results that will glorify God.

the end. (Jn. 15:4-5). 3. QUALIFICATIONS OF AN OVERFLOWING ELDER * This elder must be able to seek, to find and love the Lord God, Almighty with all his/her heart, soul and strength. (Deut. 4:29). * Genuinely, must be born again and remain saved. (JN3:16). This elder must be blameless, not double tongued and having children who are not rebellions; (Titus 1:6-7). Living a Holy life style (Heb. 12:14). * He/she must surrender his/ her all to Jesus. (Ps. 24:3-4). A faith and trust in God that guarantee total victories in Christ for all true disciples. (Phil. 4:13; I Tim. 3:9). * This elder must be a husband/wife married to one spouse, sober and vigilant. One that rules his/her family well, high in integrity, faithful and

STRENGTH OFTHE ELDER: An outstanding elder, full and overflowing with grace to shine for Christ, and hence impact his/her generation must possess the following attributes; * Divine wisdom and understanding (James3:17; Job 12:12). * Fruitfulness and Productivity (Gen. 1:26-28;Jn. 15:16). Integrity, skillfulness and diligence (Ps. 78:72) * Honesty and a sincere Heart to care (Ps. 78:72). * Strength and Honour: able to settles and put matters in order in times of crisis. (Pro. 31:23-26). * Willingness, Obedience, Righteousness and Grace (Isaiah 1:19; 3:10). 5. RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OVERFLOWING ELDER: Characteristically, an elder

* Evangelize, and preach Christ Jesus, with a passion and commitment that can turn a nation of idolaters to Christ and His God, as it was in the case of Elijah. (I King 18:37-41; 2 Cor. 4:5; Act 28:31) *Praise/pray always and even while in captivity: Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God to bring down His glory that set them free from captivity (Acts 16:24-26:33). *Produce light as leaders for the people to see and hence excel as shining stars. (2 Cor. 4:6) Examples can be seen in the lives of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as outstanding elders whose lights outshone their environment and generations that have impacted on our lives today. (Daniel 1:17-20). Worship God in Spirit and Truth (Jn. 4:23-24). *Carry the Holy Spirit as a sweet partner, who overflows and equip the elder to do signs

and wonders, healing all the oppressed and performing miracles. (Acts 1:8, 10:38). *Present a strong, healthy, holy living sacrifices that can touch the heart of God to do the unexpected. Solomon offered such sacrifices in the Old Testament and Apostles Paul and John, among many others in the New Testament, stood out as clear examples in these areas (Romans 12:1-3; Acts 28:20; Rev. 1:9; Heb.11:17, 24). 6.CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE OVERFLOWING ELDER: Since challenges in every sphere of human activities are inevitable, the elder that would impact his/her generations would consciously take up such challenges and plan for them. Such challenges are mentioned below: Loneliness: This becomes a limitation. No willingness to go out, as there is no more attractions to offer. *Falling Health: This limitation comes up due to wear and tear of his/her biological and physiological properties in the body chemistry (Ps.71:8). *Declining Strength: This comes with age as we grow older Strength begins to fail and sluggish behaviour creeps in. In this stage, the elderly are avoided, as they are seen as liabilities (Ps. 71:9). Physical Limitation/ Mental Slumber (I King 1:1, 15, Gen 48:10): There is gradual loss of memory. Remembrance becomes slow and sluggish and at times it goes into mental stupor. There is total dependence on others. Loss of hearing and sight may occur in extreme cases. Income decline can cause undue hardship at old age, if no effective retirements plans are done. *Service to God is no more with the usual zeal. To pray and fast now becomes painful, as the night has come; when no man can work. 7 . S U G G E S T E D SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES: Plans for old age retirements, should starts early enough while still active and strong (I Kings 12:6-12). *The church should absorb the responsibility of providing leadership assistance; in the areas of regular home visits and quality fellowships activities in the House Fellowships Centres (Joshua 24:2, 14, 15 and 29). *Sharing the word, prayers and intercessions, love feasts and the breaking of bread in central Homes for Old People’s Homes can solve some of these problems as appropriate. (Malachi 3:16; I Kings 1:15). * Failing health and strength. family care and old age exercise like simple walking around can

help. * Nursing and Old People’s Home should be set up where persons are trained as personnel to help minister to elders need. Divine healing through faith prayers, clean environmental living conditions, clothing and provisions of other basic necessities of life would go a long way to get the aged to live a longer life span. 8. BENEFITS THE OVERFLOWING ELDER ENJOYS: * He/she receives the support of Jesus as the blessings of God are released (Phil. 4:19). * There is supernatural joy, happiness and peace of God that flows from Jesus Christ to the elder (I Thess. 5:16). * He/she will behold and see the Lord Jesus Christ in His splendor, power, glory and honour at His second coming (Rev. 1:1-6). * The victorious elder shall sit on the throne of judgment with the Righteous Judge, the Lord Jesus. * The overflowing elder will have as a reward the crown of righteousness. * The Lord has promised an all round financial, material, physical and spiritual blessings to the seven churches in Asia. Including the present day church especially to those members who have read, heard, and kept (obeyed) the words of His prophesy in accordance with Revelation 1:3-8. * The overflowing elder will rule and reign with Jesus Christ during the millennium reign. 9 CONCLUSION: The overflowing elder has come a long way in anointing, and grace to do the will of God in his/her lifetime. This has been made possible by the constant infilling to the brim of the Holy Spirit “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come up you” (Acts 1:8). This power is to help us influence our generations for greater works (John 14:12) for the Lord God, Almighty. In all these areas of endowments; strengths, gifts and virtues, our responsibilities to the church, and larger society cannot be overemphasized. A meaningful fellowship is needful and this can come from the body of Christ. It is therefore necessary that while we are strong and overflowing with God’s grace in our lives, wisdom demands of us elders to plan early and sow as individuals, and as a church into the lives of our children, and youths, so much so that when we get there, others will likewise sow into our lives as elders. May the Holy Spirit give us the overflowing grace and anointing to remain relevant in service to the master to the end.

Issues Nature Science

Parasitic Worms

WORMS are lowly wriggling animals with long soft bodies and no backbone. Grubs and caterpillars, which have worm-like bodies, should not be called worms because they are the larvae of insects. There are three large groups of worms-the flatworms, which include tapeworms, liver flukes and bilharzia; the roundworms or nematode worms, which include Ascaris (roundworm in man), Filaria and Ankylostorna (the hookworm in man); and the segmented worms, which include the earth worm. Many worms of the first two groups are internal parasites and cause serious diseases in man and animals. Tapeworms are well-known

dogs. The eggs are set free into the soil or on vegetation; they are very small round, thick-walled bodies, each with six hooks. These eggs maybe swallowed by feeding pigs or cattle according to the species of tapeworm, and in the animal’s gut they penetrate a blood vessel. Carried by the blood stream, they reach the muscles of the animal and here they grow into small bladder-worms known as cysterci. If such infected beef or pork is eaten undercooked, cysterci find their way into a man’s intestine. A new head with hooks and suckers soon grows out of the cysterci and a new tapeworm begins its life in a new host. Dogs often suffer from

by which it attaches itself to the host. The liver fluke lives in the bile duct of the host and causes fatal damage to the liver. It has both male and female organs in one individual and produces eggs which are deposited in the bile duct of the host. These eggs pass into the alimentary canal and out to the exterior with the animal droppings. In damp weather the eggs develop into swimming larvae which may reach the bodies of small water-snails, Limnaea, which live in moist vegetation or at the edges of water. The larvae penetrate the tissues of the

water contaminated by sewage, to several different species of water- snail, e.g. Planorbis, Paludina, which is the inter mediate host. Cercariae are set free into the water and people bathing in, or drinking, the water become infected. The disease can be cured by injections, but it can be prevented by keeping bathing places and water supplies free from contamination by sewage, and by boiling all drinking water. Natural bathing pools should be kept free of weeds at their edges to prevent the snail living there. Proper sewage

flatworms which are parasitic on man and domestic animals. In man the tapeworm lives in the intestine and attaches itself to the lining of the gut by means of a small head provided with four suckers and a ring of hooks. The body of the worm is like a long flat tape and is made up of many identical segments, called proglottides. The animal, surrounded by the digesting food, lies in the tract of the host and absorbs food through its entire body surface. It has no mouth or food canal and only moves very slightly. As the animal grows, new segments develop from the head end and the older ones are pushed further away; in this way the worm may become several feet in length. Each proglottide can produce young, and from time to time ripe segments, full of eggs, break off from the end of the body and pass out to the exterior. Segments can sometimes be seen being passed out in the faeces of

tapeworms through scavenging or through eating infected meat. Tapeworms do harm by robbing the host of food, and the secretions from the worm are harmful. The cystercial stages of one type of tapeworm parasitic on man is found in fish, and a type which occurs in dogs has its cystercial stage in man and causes a serious disease. The proper disposal of night- soil, careful meat inspection and sufficient cooking of meat to kill cysterci, are methods of pre venting tapeworm which is still common in rural Africa and Asia. Drugs are available for killing tapeworms, and children and domestic animals should be dosed at regular intervals. Liver flukes are flatworms which attack animals and cause a disease of the liver in sheep and cattle. The parasite is shaped like an ovate leaf, about I in. long. At the blunt end there is a triangular projection bearing the mouth, and just behind it is a sucker

snail and multiply in its body. Eventually large numbers of small free-swimming creatures, known as cercariae, escape into the water from the body of the snail which then dies. The cercariae settle on the grass or other vegetation and, as the swamp dries, form thick-walled cysts which do not dry out. When the grass is eaten by sheep or cattle, the cyst wail is digested and the cercaria finds its way to the bile duct, there to become another adult fluke. Schistosoma or bilharzia is closely related to liver flukes, and causes a serious tropical disease in man. It lives in the veins of the host. The male and female worms are separate individuals, but the female is smaller and is carried in a groove on the under-surface of the male The female lays eggs in the walls of the intestine or bladder causing inflammation and bleeding. The eggs are excreted with the body wastes and find their way, through

disposal and purified water supplies prevent the disease in urban areas. The roundworm or Ascaris is a common roundworm or nematode which lives in the intestine of man. It has a small thread-like body which it can wriggle weakly, a small mouth and a straight alimentary canal which ends in a small anus. When fully grown it may reach 6 cm. in length and it remains attached to the intestine. Several hundred of them in one individual may cause serious deprivation of food for the host, and damage and irritation to the lungs and the trachea may be caused by the young worms moving in the blood stream. Hookworms are very similar to roundworms but their effects are much more serious than Ascaris. These cause serious anaemia and general weakness because they become attached to the small intestine by hooked teeth and there they suck

blood. Filaria spp. are roundworms which are wide spread in the tropics; they are parasitic in the blood of man but they require an intermediate host. Guinea worm is perhaps the best known of these parasites; it is the large female of Filaria medinensis which lives beneath the skin in the arms or legs of man. The worm may be up to 3 ft. in length and it penetrates through the skin to the exterior in order to lay its eggs. These become washed off in water and infect a minute water animal, Cyclops. When water containing Cyclops is drunk, a person may become infected and in this way the parasite is spread. The opening made in the skin by the guinea worm should be washed with cold water daily for fourteen days, until all her eggs have been laid. Whilst she is emerging she can be coiled on a clean twig each day. Filaria bancroftii causes elephantiasis blocking the Iymphatic vessels. The fully grown male is about 3 + in. long and the by female up to 6 in. The microscopic larvae are set free by the female into the lymphatics and reach the blood stream, where they are sucked up by mosquitos. They penetrate into the muscles of the mosquito and multiply; later they enter the salivary glands so that the parasite is distributed into new hosts when the mosquito feeds. Filaria loa loa causes swellings in the body known as Calabar swellings and is distributed by the red Chrysops fly. The worm sometimes passes over the eye, below the conjunctiva, usually at night, but as drugs are now available which kill the worms in the blood, no attempt should be made to remove a filarial worm crossing the eye-ball. Only a skilled surgeon can remove it without danger of damage to the eye, and in any case the patient would not reach hospital before the worm had left the eye. There are other species of Filaria, some of them very small, which have no harmful effects as far as is known. However, these small worms moving about in the blood stream and lymphatics may cause unpleasant swellings and large worms in the body tissues may be dangerous; so, if possible, treatment should be taken to kill the worms. Roundworms are regarded by

some biologists as the most abundant of animals in the world. They inhabit fresh water and soil and are very common in plant tissues of all kinds; they abound in very large numbers of animals from insects to cattle. A single horse or pig may contain several million roundworms in its body. Other endoparasites. Some insects may be regarded as endoparasitic because their larvae burrow, live and feed in living flesh of the host. The eggs of the Tumbu fly, a large Tabanid, are laid on clothes and bedding and penetrate human skin on contact. They develop into maggots which live by eating the flesh, and they cause a painful boil-like sore. As they grow they require more oxygen which they obtain from the air through a small hole in the skin. They emerge from the host to pupate, but if the swelling is covered with Vaseline or skin cream and then bandaged or taped, the larva emerges to breathe and adheres to the dressing which can be taken off the following day-a quite painless extraction! Cattle, sheep and horses are also attacked by flies, called Bot-flies, whose larvae have the same foul habit of burrowing in the flesh of the host and living there. In some cases the eggs are licked by the host animal and swallowed. The resulting maggots grow and attach themselves to the animal’s stomach. At some stage or other of their life history most groups of insects are ‘liable to attack from one or more parasitic insects. The eggs, nymphs and larvae are more commonly attacked than the adults. Thus the parasite is often protected during this stage of its own development, since it may spend the whole of its larval life concealed in the host’s body, which is often only a little bigger than the parasite. Ichneumon wasps parasitise the caterpillars of moths. One remarkable ichneumon is able to lay its eggs in the grubs of the wood-boring beetle which lives inside a tree-trunk. The wasp has a very long thin ovipositor which finds its way vertically down through the wood into the grub, but how it knows that the grub is there is not known. Some very small related wasps even live in ant larvae. Tachnid flies, which look like small bristly house-flies, parasitise caterpillars, but other Diptera do not. No vertebrate has adopted the parasitic habit: Culled from Andir Book of Science

Issues

Statement Of Source And Application Of Funds

Public Sector Accounting: THE system of recording transactions in government is expectedly meticulous because all receipts or payments must be vouched for on set out forms. Accordingly, the Financial Regulation of 1976 as Revised, FR. 601 — 627 gives detailed guidelines of payment procedure. Suffice it to say that the rules outlined in the various relevant sections of the Financial Regulation must be observed for payments on receipts to be valid. The government being an enormously large set up, many transactions arrangement are in place to take care of its huge scale of operations and complexity. What are these transactions arrangement? That is how do government units effect payments or collect money?

By ANI WILSON UCHENNA

Treasurer of the Federation will remit all foreign cheques received to the Central Bank of Nigeria for negotiation. The same treatment shall be given to the foreign currencies received. (3) Transactions routed through the Federal Pay Offices in the States. Actually the Federal Pay Office exists in the states as Sub offices. The Federal Pay Office is the Federal Government Cash Office in each state capital in the federation. It is in reality a miniature sub-treasury. Federal Pay Offices are entrusted with the receipt, custody

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister Precisely at least five possible transactions arrangement exist in the area of main Government Accounting. It should be noted that the “Government” here refers to the Central or Federal Government. Simpler but elaborate systems exist in the other tiers of Government. TRANSACTION ARRANGEMENT (1) Transactions carried out in Self-Accounting and SubSelf Accounting units. The Central Post Offices of such ministries and departments effect these transactions. Remember that a Se1f Accounting unit is a Ministry or Department that maintains detailed accounts in form of cash books and ledger accounts, using the transcript to send information to the Treasury Central Accounting Unit for consolidation. A SubAccounting Unit on the other hand jeeps a single entry cash book and the double entry of its book-keeping is completed not in its unit but in the Sub- Treasury’s Cash Book. (2) Transactions conducted through the Federal SubTreasury The sub-treasury is the Federal Governments main cash office. This office receives public monies, pays from public funds, supplies cash to pay offices, supplies receipt books, safes, cash tanks, etc. to Ministries and other extraministerial departments. This unit of the Treasury Department maintains the Federal Governments current and other accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Transactions routed here include those of Non-self Accounting Units and other Federal Government ‘s transactions which may be of peculiar nature. An example is the Financial Regulation Provision on FR 817 that “The Sub-

and disbursement of public money in the states and are required to keep the Treasury Cash Books. About six days into a new month, Federal Pay Offices are expected to present their monthly accounts of the previous month. Documents to submit which should summarise his transactions include: (i) Original Cash Book folio with cash specification as the last page. (ii) Original and duplicate receipt and payment voucher (ii Balance statement (iv) Bank certificate (4) Transaction carried out through the host state government This takes place when the Federal Governments Treasury delegates the receipts or payment of money to State Government. Such State Government will now route such transactions through its own sub-treasury. A variant of transactions under this arrangement are transactions between Federal and State Governments.

Such transactions between Federal and State Governments are accounted for through current accounts. Two below-the-line accounts are allocated for transactions between the Federal Government and each state Governments. These are: i. Current Account (Outwards) ii. Current Account (Inwards) The current account outwards takes care of payment made by the State Government, while the Current - Accounts Inwards cover the credits due to the State Government. Code numbers are allocated to these current accounts. “ The codes are: Group 1204 — 1211 and 1231- 1250. For example in Lagos State the current account numbers are: (i) For current account outwards-Code No.1237 (ii) For current account inward –Code No. 1238 . When for instance the amount due to the Lagos State Governments is determined by the cash supply section, a subsidiary journal is raised crediting code 1238 — Lagos State Current Accounts Inwards while the Federation account, the Pool account, is debited. Likewise when an amount is paid on account to the Lagos State Government, a payment voucher is raised and a cheque is issued. Code No. 1237 — Lagos State current account outwards is debited while the credit goes to the sub-treasurers cash book, a ledger account in Federation accounting. Balances on these current accounts are reflected under the Treasury Clearance Fund in Statement No. 2 of the Federal Governments Published Financial Statement known as the Statement of Assets and Liabilities which is a variant of the conventional sheet at the end of accounting period. At such periods, where the Outwards Accounts exceeds the Inwards Account, the difference represents debt due to the Federal Government from the concerned. Where on the other hand the Inwards Account more than the Outwards Account the excess stands for liability to Federal Government in favour of the particular state. (5) Transactions carried out by other agencies, e.g. crown agents, government coastal Agency, Nigeria Airways Shipping Lines and the Treasury Pay Office in London which functions as part of the Nigerian High Commission Accounts Department. The Crown Agents Unit handles the accounts of the Nigerian High Commission, London and the Crown Agents. CONCLUSION It should be noted that transactions carried out Government Parastatal have not been considered under section. A separate article specifically deals with the accounts Parastatal of diverse peculiarities. . For purposes of incorporation of these several transact of these several transactions outlined above into the Treasury Central Accounting System Transcripts used by the self and Sub-Accounting Units while Federal Pay Offices and State Governments utilize control sheets or control books. These summary statements are usually prepared monthly and sent to the Treasury. While the Transcript require detailed analysis and classification of expenditure and revenue heads, the control sheet is simply a summary of the cash hook analysed revenue and expenditure. As these summary statements are vital sources of information for the preparation of Treasury final accounts they form the subject of the discussion.

“At such periods, where the Outwards Accounts exceeds the Inwards Account, the difference represents debt due to the Federal Government from the concerned. Where on the other hand the Inwards Account more than the Outwards Account the excess stands for liability to Federal Government in favour of the particular state.”

Law

Appeals Et Al

THE preparation of the record of appeal and the transmission of same to the Supreme Court is the responsibility of the appellant. The Supreme Court cannot hear the appeal in the absence of the record even where the manuscript of the proceedings got destroyed by a cause not attributable to the appellant. If the original proceedings from which the record may be compiled is available, the appellant discharges this duty by de positing in the registry of the court, the amount ordered by the Registrar during the settlement of records. The deposit must be made within the period ordered by the Registrar. An extension of time to do so can only be granted by the Supreme Court not by the Registrar or the Federal Court of Appeal. The record of appeal shall consist of all documents settled during the settlement of record. In addition it shall include: (a) The notice of appeal together with any other relevant document filed in connection with the appeal; (b) A schedule of the fees paid by the appellant; (c) A brief statement containing particulars of the case; (d) An index of the contents of the record. The record shall be certified as correct by the Registrar of the Federal Court of Appeal. A copy of the record shall be for the appellant, one for the respondent, and ten copies for the Supreme Court. The cost of the record for the appellant and for the Supreme Court shall be borne by the appellant, and shall be appropriated from the deposit made by him. He will pay the full cost for his own copy, and one tenth of the cost for each of the ten copies for the Supreme Court. The respondent shall pay for his own copy (0.7 r.9). (ix) Transmission of the Record of Appeal The cost of transmitting the record of appeal to the Supreme Court shall be borne by the appellant. In forwarding the ten copies of the record to the Supreme Court, the Registrar shall also forward: (a) The original notice of appeal;

Registrar of the Court, precedent to the hearing of the appeal. An appeal is not properly before the Court where all or some of those conditions, precedent were not complied with. If the appellant fails to make the deposit for the record and also fails to comply with the order for security, the Registrar of the Federal Court of Appeal shall not prepare the record of Appeal but shall certify the fact of noncompliance to the Supreme Court which shall on the receipt of the certificate order the appeal to be dismissed with or without costs to the respondent. Similarly if the respondent alleges that the appellant has failed to comply with the provisions, and the Supreme Court is satisfied of the allegation, it may dismiss the appeal (0.7 r. 19). An appellant whose appeal was dismissed on the above grounds may for good and sufficient cause, shown in an application by motion or notice, get the Supreme Court to restore the appeal (0.7 r.19(4)). The Supreme Court may extend the time for the appellant to comply with the order, and for that purpose decline to dismiss the appeal. (xii) Exhibits All documents tendered at the trial and admitted as exhibits, as well as those tendered but rejected, shall remain in custody of the Federal Court of Appeal, and forwarded to the Supreme Court together with the record of appeal. Any party in possession of such document shall deliver it to the Registrar immediately an appeal in the case is filed. Exhibits other than documentary ones may be retained by parties and produced at the hearing of the appeal to the Supreme Court. Parties may seek for and obtain directives of the

(b) A certificate of service of the notice of appeal on the respondent; (c) A certificate that conditions imposed by him with regard to the deposit for record, and the security for costs and for prosecuting the appeal, were duly fulfilled; (d) The case file including the case file received from the High Court, where applicable, and all the documentary exhibits in the case (0.7 r.12 and 20(5)). The parties who filed address for service shall be notified of the transmission of the record to the Supreme Court (0.7 r.12). (x) Security The security ordered by the Registrar of the Federal Court of Appeal by deposit of money or by bond, for costs of the appeal and for due prosecution of the appeal, must be satisfied as ordered. Enlargement of time to do so can be made only by the Supreme Court, and not by the Registrar nor by the Federal Court of Appeal.’ The Supreme Court may require additional security for cases to be given by the appellant (0.7 r. 11). The bond shall be in favour of the respondents: shall be executed by all the appellants: and non-compliance may be fatal to the appeal. But security by bond may be satisfied by de posit of the cash amount of the bond. (xi) Non-Compliance with the Conditions of Appeal The prosecution of the appeal consists in the due compliance with the requirements of the rules, conditions and orders of the

Registrar of the Federal Court of Appeal on how to comply with these requirements (0.7 r.20). The Registrar of the Supreme Court shall retain all exhibits forwarded to him till the determination of the appeal. The release of any exhibits to a party while the appeal is pending can be effected only by the Registrar of the Supreme Court or by the Supreme Court itself, on such conditions as may be imposed (0.7 r.20(5)). Documents impounded by order of the Supreme Court shall not be inspected or delivered out of the custody of the court except by order of the Supreme Court. But the Attorney-General or the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation or a State may on his written request take such document without the order of the Court (0.7 r.26(9). (xiii) Withdrawal o7Appeals Any time before an appeal is called on for hearing, the appellant may withdraw the appeal by filing a notice to that effect in the registry of the Supreme Court. A copy •of the notice shall be served on the respondent (0.7 r.17(1)). An appeal which has been withdrawn shall be deemed to have been dismissed and so cannot be revived (0.7 r.17(5)). The withdrawal may be a unilateral act of the appellant or with consent of the respondent. Where all parties to an appeal consent to the withdrawal, the notice of withdrawal shall contain that fact and the notice shall be signed by all the parties or by their solicitors. The Registrar shall then strike out the appeal and it stands dismissed without reference to the court. The appellant is entitled to withdraw

By A. OBI-OKOYE

any money deposited as security in the appeal. If the withdrawal is a unilateral act of the appellant, the appeal shall come up in court to be formally dismissed by the court and for disposal of other matters such as costs of the respondent, and who may be entitled to any deposit for costs (0.7 r.17 (2) and (4)). (xiv) Entry of Appeal The appeal to the Supreme Court is entered when the record of appeal is received and entered in the cause list of the Supreme Court in accordance with the rules (0.7 r.12(2)). It is not the giving of the notice of appeal that constitutes the entering of the appeal. In other words, the notice of appeal is given in the Federal Court of Appeal while the appeal is entered in the Supreme Court. Once an appeal is entered, all applications in the appeal shall be made in the Supreme Court not in the Federal Court of Appeal or in the lower court, except those expressly provided in Order Seven of the Supreme Court Rules that could be made in the court below (0.7 r. 21). The Supreme Court cannot therefore after an appeal has been entered, entertain an application first where it is one which should be made in the court below first; nor does the court below lose a jurisdiction which is expressly conferred on it, such as to stay execution of its judgment pending appeal. (xv) Filing of Briefs Briefs are filed in the Supreme Court by the parties to an appeal; oral argument at the hearing is allowed only to emphasize and clarify the written brief. Failure to file a brief deprives a party of the right to address the court at the hearing of the appeal except with leave of the court (0.9 r. 6(5)). Within eight weeks of the receipt by him of the record of appeal, the appellant shall file ten copies of his written brief in the registry of the Supreme Court, with a copy for service on the respondent. Within six weeks of the service on him of the appellant’s written brief, the respondent shall file ten copies of his own in the registry of the Supreme Court, with a copy for service on the appellant. The appellant is at liberty to file a Reply Brief within 21 days of his receipt of the respondent’s brief. The Reply Brief shall be filed so as to be served on the respondent at least three days before the hearing date of the appeal, unless there be good and sufficient cause why this provision cannot be complied with (0.9 r.3). Briefs may be filed out of time only with the leave of the Supreme Court obtained on a formal application to that effect with affidavit explaining to the satisfaction of the court the reasons for the default. Should the appellant fail to file his brief within the enlarged time, the appeal may be dismissed on the application of the respondent (0.9 r. 7). A brief should be settled by counsel, and shall be a succinct statement of the party’s argument in the appeal. It shall contain the issues arising in the appeal for determination It is not necessary to summarise. in the brief, the judgment appealed against except to such an extent as to support the argument of the party. Similarly the brief need not contain statutory provisions or the account of the proceedings or the facts of the case. But the reasons upon which the argument is to be founded shall be stated and those reasons should be supported by particulars of the titles, duties and pages of law reports and other authorities to be ruled upon. If a party intends to abandon any point taken in the court below, he should say so in the brief giving particulars of the point. Also if he intends to apply for leave to introduce a new point at the hearing, . he shall say so and give the particulars. Where a party intends to invite the court to depart from its previous decision the brief shalt indicate clearly in a separate paragraph that this court will be taken. The brief shall freely make reference to the documents and exhibits tendered at the trial (0.9r.3) Joint briefs will be filed by all appellants or respondents; but if there be anyone with interest in an appeal he may file a separate brief (0.9 r.4(1). Parties having passive interest in an appeal need not file a brief, but they should ensure that their position is explained in the brief of a party (0.9 r.4(r)). A respondent who cross-appealed or who filed the respondent’s notice, shall file an inclusive brief to accommodate his ambivalent position (0.9 r.4 (3)). At the hearing only one hour is allowed to each side for oral argument, unless otherwise directed by the court (0.9 r.6(3)). Request for additional time shall be made in writing not later than one month after the service of the appellant’s Brief on the respondent. It shall be served on the respondent and shall state clearly and in precise terms the reasons why the argument cannot be presented within one hour (0.9 r.6(3)). Only one counsel will be heard on each side. But where there are several parties, more counsel than one may be heard on each side by permission of the court. The court may not give the permission where the intention or the effect is only to present divided arguments (0.9 r.6(4)). The appellant shall begin and may reply after the respondent has been heard. Where, how ever, there is cross-appeal, the court will decide who may begin and close the argument (0.9 r.6(2)). Where parties fail to appear at the hearing and Briefs were duly filed by them, the appeal shall be deemed to have 9 been argued (0.9 r.6(6)). If only one brief was filed, the appeal will be deemed to have been argued only in that brief (0.9 r.6(2)).

International Israel Shoots Down Gaza Drone As Calls For Truce Mount

GAZA/JERUSALEM Israel said it shot down a drone from Gaza a week into its offensive yesterday the first reported deployment of an unmanned aircraft by Palestinian militants whose rocket attacks have been regularly intercepted. Hamas, the Islamist group which runs Gaza, said its armed wing had sent several drones to carry out “special missions” deep inside Israel - a development which, if confirmed, would mark a step up in the sophistication of its arsenal. More than 166 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed, Gaza health officials said, in seven days of fighting that has shown no sign of ending. Israeli aircraft and naval gunboats attacked 204 targets in the Gaza Strip overnight, said the army, in the worst flare-up in Israeli-Palestinian violence in almost two years. Health officials said at least 20 people were wounded. Palestinian militants fired more than 20 rockets into Israel, causing no casualties, the military added. The Israeli military said the drone was intercepted near the port of Ashdod by a U.S.-built Patriot missile, used largely ineffectively by Israel against Iraqi Scud missiles in the 1991 Gulf War. The force was trying to locate debris in the area about 25 km (15 miles) north of Gaza, and determine whether it had carried explosives. There was no sign of any sharp escalation of Israeli attacks in the northern Gaza Strip, where Israel threatened on Sunday to step up strikes against rocket-launching

sites in parts of the town Beit Lahiya and urged thousands of its residents to leave. A U.N. aid agency said around a quarter of Beit Lahiya’s 70,000 residents have fled deeper into the Gaza Strip. Al-Mezan, a Gaza-based Palestinian human rights group, said 869 Palestinian homes have been destroyed or damaged in Israeli attacks over the past week. U.S. Secretary of State John

Kerry, whose bid to broker a wider Israeli-Palestinian peace deal collapsed in April, offered on Sunday to help secure a Gaza truce. The call was echoed by France and by Germany, which will send its foreign minister to the region on Monday. But with the United States and European Union, like Israel, shunning Hamas as a “terrorist” group, Middle Eastern intermediaries were mooted.

An Egyptian-mediated truce doused the last big Gaza flare-up, an eight-day war in 2012. Cairo is now again seeking calm, but its military-backed government is at odds with Islamist Hamas, complicating any mediation

There have been no fatalities in Israel since border hostilities intensified last Tuesday. Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system has intercepted many of the rocket salvoes.

Clashes On Syria-Lebanon Border Kill Several BEIRUT — Heavy clashes along the Syria-Lebanon border killed several people, including a number of Hezbollah fighters

and Syrian rebels, Lebanese officials and a Syrian activist group said yesterday. The area has long been a flashpoint in the Syrian civil war. Since November, Syrian government troops, backed by Lebanese Hezbollah militants, have been on the offensive in Syria’s mountainous Qalamoun region, trying to clear it of opposition fighters. The government side has so far captured most towns and villages there but hundreds of rebels are still active in the rugged region. The latest clashes broke out on Sunday after Syrian rebels tried to infiltrate into Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah fighters, said officials in eastern Lebanon, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. They said the fighting, which took place near the Lebanese village of Youneen, ended at dawn yesterday after Hezbollah

took control of the nearby hills. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting left seven Hezbollah fighters dead and 31 wounded. The activist group said 17 rebels were killed and 23 wounded, and that Hezbollah fighters captured 14 rebels. The Lebanese officials confirmed that a number of Hezbollah fighters were killed in the battles, without giving a figure. Facebook pages close to the Lebanese Shiite group said six Hezbollah fighters were killed, listing their names and hometowns. Qassem al-Zein, a Syrian doctor who works at a makeshift hospital in the Lebanese border town of Arsal, said they received the bodies of three people killed in Syria on Sunday as well as 15 wounded. Syrian rebels enjoy wide support in Arsal, which is predominantly Sunni — as are most opposition fighters.

Clashes In Paris As Thousands March Against Israel Offensive Palestinians flee their homes to take shelter at the United Nations School in Gaza City on Sunday.

Rival Militias Battle To Control Libyan Airport CAIRO — Rival militias battled Sunday for the control of the international airport in Libya’s capital, as gunfire and explosions echoed through the city and airlines canceled some international flights. A member of a revolutionary battalion attached to Libya’s army chief of staff that took part in the battle said fierce fighting raged between Libyan forces and allied militias and a powerful militia from Zintan that controls the airport. Those living close by said troops surrounded the airfield and fired rockets at buildings inside. Thick columns of black smoke rose overhead and could be seen from downtown Tripoli. There were no immediate casualty figures from the fighting. Authorities had said Saturday that the airport was to have been handed over into government control. The government largely relies on the same militias to police the streets as its security forces remain in disarray. Libya has seen fierce fighting between rival militias since the 2011 civil war that toppled dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Egypt’s national carrier EgyptAir said it canceled two flights Sunday to Tripoli as hundreds of travelers remained inside the airport waiting for it to re-open. Both British Airways and Turkish Airlines also canceled flights Sunday.

efforts. Qatar and Turkey have also been suggested as possible truce brokers. Gaza health officials said 138 civilians, including at least 30 children, were among the dead.

Smoke rises on the horizon in Tripoli, Libya, early Sunday. Explosions and gunfire have been heard around the international airport in Libya’s capital as airlines have cancelled some international flights.

PARIS - Clashes erupted in Paris on Sunday as thousands of people protested against Israel and in support of residents in the Gaza Strip, where a six-day conflict has left 166 Palestinians dead. Several thousand demonstrators walked calmly through the streets of Paris behind a large banner that read “Total Support for the Struggle of the Palestinian People”. But clashes erupted at the end of the march on Bastille Square, with people throwing projectiles onto a cordon of police who responded with tear gas. The unrest was continuing early Sunday evening. In the northern city of Lille, meanwhile, between 2,300 and 6,000 people protested peacefully, according to differing figures provided by the police and organisers. The descent into violence in the Gaza Strip began on June 12 when three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and later murdered, triggering a major military

Fighting Breaks Out Near Libya’s Tripoli Airport, 7 Dead TRIPOLI - Heavy fighting broke out between rival militias vying for control of Libya’s main airport on Sunday, killing at least seven people and forcing a halt of all flights in the worst fighting in the capital for six months. Explosions and anti-aircraft gunfire were heard from early morning on the airport road and other parts of Tripoli until the situation seemed to calm down in the late afternoon. Residents said that militiamen from the northwestern region of Zintan who had controlled the airport came under fire, and local TV footage suggested that the attacking rebels were from the western city of Misrata. The fighting is part of growing turmoil in the North African oil

producer, where the government is unable to control battlehardened militias that helped to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but continue to defy state authority. Many Libyans are weary of militias whose members theoretically work for the government but who in reality appear to do as they please — fighting each other or seizing oilfields and ministries as they press their own financial and political demands on authorities. Zintan forces, which have controlled the airport since Gaddafi’s ousting, and Misratis had been put on the state payroll in an unsuccessful attempt by the government to secure their

cooperation and try to bolster the rule of law. Seven people were killed and 36 wounded in the latest clashes, the Health Ministry said. Comments on pro-Misrata websites suggested that the force was freeing the airport from Zintani control to hand it over to authorities. The central government denounced the attackers as illegal.”The operation is led by civil leaders belonging to brigades and troops ... moving without orders and legal cover,” the government of Prime Minister Abdulllah al-Thinni said in a statement. Local news channel al-Nabaa showed men in military vehicles

with Misrata insignia opening fire with heavy weapons. Heavy smoke could be seen rising above the airport as an official said: “All domestic and international flights have been halted.” Nabaa TV showed a Libyan Airlines plane and a transport aircraft engulfed in smoke while vehicles fired anti-aircraft volleys and fighters took up positions next to a field of sheep. Social media websites said that several rockets had hit the airport perimeter. Photographs on Facebook showed thick smoke at what was said to be the parking lot in front of the terminal. Families were trapped inside the building, local websites said.

crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank and an escalation of rocket fire from Gaza. The brutal revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager by Jewish extremists on July 2 added further fuel to the fire, turning into an all-out conflict on July 8 when Israel launched an air campaign against Gaza militants. The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s punishing air campaign has hit 166. So far, no Israelis have been killed, although militants in Gaza have pounded the country with nearly 700 rockets since the fighting began and a further 150 have been intercepted by the Jewish state’s Iron Dome defence system. “I came to say no to this massacre,” Amid Hamadouch, 30, told AFP at the Paris protest while it was still peaceful, with a sticker reading “Boycott Israel, Racist State” on his jacket. “They are bombing innocent people. There are missiles being launched by Hamas, but the Israeli response is disproportionate. They are attacking the civilian population and not Hamas officials.” The crowd, very young, shouted slogans such as : “We Are All Palestinians!” and “Only One Solution, End the Occupation!”. Many protesters carried banners on which they had stuck photos taken from the Internet, reportedly showing Palestinian children killed or injured, houses razed to the ground or clouds of smoke emerging from bombed districts in Gaza. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, a majority of those killed in Gaza so far — 70 percent — have been civilians, of whom 30 percent were children.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Haruna Rukayetu wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person called Aruna Rukayetu as it was written in my voter ’s card. Henceforth, I am now properly known and addressed as Haruna Rukayetu. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OKUOIMOSE – I, formerly known as Okuoimose Rudolf Osayuwamen now wish to be known as Okuoimose Richly Osayuwamen. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Ayemere Philips Ehiagwina Sunday wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Ayemere Philips Sunday and Ayemere Ehiagwina Sunday as appeared in my various documents. Henceforth, I am now properly known and addressed as Ayemere Ehiagwina Sunday. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME IMHANKON – I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Christy Cordelia Imhankon now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Christy Eseigbe. All former documents remain valid. Esan West Local Government Council, Ekpoma, other concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWAUDE – I, formerly Miss Nwaude Nnenna Faith now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Ikhiena Nnenna Faith. Former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), other concerned authorities and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AGBI - I, formerly called Miss Maureen Eghe Agbi is now known and called Mrs. Mauree Igho Imadonmwiyi. All former documents remain valid. Universityof Benin (UNIBEN), concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

International Thousands Of Palestinians Flee N/Gaza

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Thousands of Palestinian residents of the northern Gaza Strip fled their homes on Sunday and sought safety in U.N. shelters, heeding warnings from the Israeli military about impending plans to bomb the area in the sixth day of an offensive against Hamas that has killed more than 160 people. The fighting showed no signs of slowing, despite international calls for a cease-fire and growing concerns about the mounting CHANGE OF NAME

TENABE – I, formerly called Mrs. Anne Emoshokeme Tenabe is now known and called Mrs. Anne Ikena Akahome. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

EHIMARE – I, formerly called Miss Eunice I. Ehimare is now known and called Mrs. Eunice .I. Ogbomo. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

THE OKOMU OIL PALM COMPANY PLC

NOTICE TO ALL FORMER EMPLOYEES PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT THE COMPANY HAS RETRIEVED THE EMPLOYEES CONTRIBUTIONS TO NICON INSURANCE BEFORE THE PENSION ACT 2004 WAS ENACTED INTO LAW. THE PENSION COMMISSION HAS DIRECTED THAT FORMER EMPLOYEES WHO MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO NICON INSURANCE BUT DID NOT HAVE A RETIREMENT SAVING ACCOUNT (RSA) AS AT THE TIME OF DISENGAGEMENT, SHOULD OPEN AN RSA WITH A PENSION FUND ADMINISTRATOR OF THEIR CHOICE AND FORWARD THEIR ACCOUNT DETAILS TO THE COMPANY (OKOMU OIL PALM COMPANY) FOR PROCESSING AND REMITTANCE OF THEIR ENTITLEMENT BY THE COMPANY’S ACCREDITED PENSION FUND ADMINISTRATOR (NLPC) WHERE THE FUND HAS BEEN DEPOSITED. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE TO ANY ONE WHO MAY BE AFFECTED. Management

civilian death toll in Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and voiced U.S. “readiness” to help restore calm, while Egypt, a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, continued to work behind the scenes. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate cease-fire in a statement issued late Sunday by his spokesman’s office. Ban “strongly believes that it is in the interest of both sides that steps toward dangerous escalation be replaced with immediate measures to end the fighting, thus preventing further casualties and greater risks to regional peace and security,” it said. Ban condemned Hamas’ indiscriminate firing of rockets against Israeli civilian targets as “a violation of international law,” it said. He abhorred “the image of Israeli families hovering in shelters in fear of their children’s safety” and demanded “an immediate cessation of these indecent attacks.” At the same time, the U.N. chief is “deeply worried about the impact on Palestinian families of Israeli military action. Too many Palestinian civilians have been killed, and any Israeli ground offensive will undoubtedly increase the death toll and exacerbate civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip,” it said. Ban noted that despite the U.N. Security Council’s demand for a cease-fire, “the situation in and around the Gaza Strip appears to be worsening,” it said. Amid the diplomacy, Israel said

it was pushing forward with preparations for a possible ground invasion of Gaza. Thousands of troops have massed along the border in recent days. “We don’t know when the operation will end,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet on Sunday. “It might take a long time.” He said the military was prepared “for all possibilities.” Israel launched the offensive last Tuesday in what it said was a response to heavy rocket fire out of Hamas-controlled Gaza. The military says it has launched more than 1,300 airstrikes, while Palestinian militants have launched more than 800 rockets at Israel. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza says 166 people have been killed, including dozens of civilians. There have been no Israeli fatalities, though several people have been wounded, including a teenage boy who was seriously injured by rocket shrapnel Sunday. Early Sunday, the Israeli air force dropped leaflets around the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahia ordering people to evacuate their homes. Israel says much of the rocket fire has come from the area, and overnight Sunday, the military carried out a brief ground operation on what it said was a rocket-launching site that could not be struck from the air. Four Israeli soldiers were lightly wounded before returning to Israel. The U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, said some 17,000 Palestinians had headed to special shelters set up in 20 United Nations schools in Gaza.

“The fact that in a span of almost a few hours, 10,000 people sought refuge in these 15 schools is an indication to the difficult situation on the ground,” said Sami Mshasha, a UNRWA spokesman. Some raced by in pickup trucks, waving white flags. “Once we received the message, we felt scared to stay in our homes. We want to leave,” said one resident, Mohammed Abu Halemah. Shortly before nightfall, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahia. Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV station reported four airstrikes in a 10-minute span, and a large plume of black smoke could be seen over the area from the Israeli border. There were no immediate reports of casualties. “They want us to put down our arms and leave the resistance,” said Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official, on his Facebook page. “They started the battle, and we will stay on our land and fight to protect our future.” Despite Israeli claims that it has inflicted heavy damage on the group, Hamas says it is largely unscathed, and Palestinian medics say most of the dead have been civilians. The outbreak of violence follows the kidnappings and killings of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank, the kidnapping and killing of a Palestinian teenager in an apparent revenge attack, and wide-ranging Israeli moves against Hamas militants and infrastructure in the West Bank. Hamas has demanded that hundreds of recently arrested activists be freed as part of a cease-fire.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The target was the Gaza police chief. He survived the Israeli airstrike on a cousin’s home with critical injuries, but 18 family members were killed, including five children and teens. The weekend attack highlighted Israel’s broad definition of military targets in its current offensive against the Islamic militant group Hamas. The army says those targets include senior Hamas activists and their homes, even as it insists it is doing the utmost to spare bystanders by warning them to clear out. However, the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs said Sunday that civilians made up the majority of Palestinian casualties over the past six days — 133 of 168 killed and nearly half of more than 1,100 wounded. And a human-rights researcher said some of Israel’s strikes appear to have violated rules of war. The issue of Israel’s targets cuts to the core of conflicting narratives. Palestinians — and not just those loyal to Hamas — say Israel is punishing all of Gaza’s 1.7 million people and is killing civilians with impunity. The situation in Gaza “has become unbearable,” Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a longtime rival of Hamas, said Sunday. Israel has portrayed its

offensive against Hamas as selfdefense, saying it is trying to halt the group’s indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli communities. Gaza militants have fired more than 800 rockets over the past week, disrupting life in large parts of the country but so far causing no deaths, according to the Israeli military. A senior army commander said Sunday that Israel is trying to cause maximum damage to Hamas, which seized Gaza in 2007 and seeks Israel’s destruction. The military sometimes holds back because of concern for civilians, said the officer who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, citing military regulations. “I could kill a lot more Hamas commanders, but the way I’m operating now is consistent with my values and my conscience,” he said. Trying to highlight its attempts to warn civilians, the military released a recording of a phone call to a resident in an area about to be targeted. The caller is heard saying he is speaking on behalf of the Israeli army. “You speak Hebrew? Excellent,” he says to the Palestinian on the other line — in Hebrew. He then urges residents to clear out because a house is about to be targeted. “In five minutes, we are bombing,” the Israeli says. Members of the extended family of Taysir al-Batsh, the

police chief in Gaza, said they did not receive any call before Israel flattened the two-story home of one of the chief’s cousins late Saturday, just as worshippers streamed out of a nearby mosque after evening prayers. Al-Batsh was in stable condition Sunday at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital. Eighteen of his relatives were killed, said Dr. Ayman Sahabani at Shifa. Among the dead were the owners of the home, Majed and Amal al-Batsh, their seven children ranging in age from 13 to 28, and a 2-year-old granddaughter, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. Also among the dead were two more children, ages 7 and 12, and a 17-year-old from other branches of the clan. Clan member Kamel al-Batsh, 22, said he heard the strike while he was in the mosque and then rushed to the scene. “In a second, the place became a mass of dust and destruction, mixed with blood and body parts,” he told a radio station. “My cousins who I used to play with ... shared joy and sad moments with, have gone,” alBatsh said. “What did we do for them to target our clan? Is it because of Uncle Taysir? He was not hiding. From the first day, he was working all day long in the street. He is the police commander who cared about people safety and stability.”

Israeli Strike Kills 18, Stirs Debate Over Targets

International Features

Despite Offensive, Gaza Rockets Still Hit Israel ISRAEL says its punishing air assault on Hamas militants, their property and their weaponry has delivered a devastating blow to the Islamic militant group. Yet rocket fire at Israel has continued almost unabated. The military says that due to years of generous Iranian shipments, thousands of rockets remain in Gaza, and there is no quick way to eliminate the threat. It says its goal is to inflict so much pain on Hamas that it will be deterred from attacking Israel again — just like Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon have largely remained on the sidelines for the past eight years. The military also says it wants to punish Hamas for the violence. But both goals are hard to quantify in the short term. A similar offensive in November 2012 was also deemed a military success, though it left Israel vulnerable to rocket fire. Israel also launched a large offensive in late 2008 that delivered a tenuous cease-fire. “There is no knockout, it is more complicated,” said a senior military official involved in the fighting, who spoke on condition of anonymity under military guidelines. But, he added, “if there is a map of pain that the enemy sees, it will have to think about things.” The rocket threat has been in the making for well over a decade. In the early 2000s, Hamas began firing rudimentary, homegrown rockets that were inaccurate, flew short distances and carried a tiny payload. Today, the army says the group has an arsenal of some 10,000 rockets, including longer-range, foreign-made weapons capable of reaching virtually anywhere in Israel. The current round of fighting has seen air-raid sirens sound in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa, Israel’s three-largest cities. There have been no fatalities, in large part because of dozens of interceptions by the high-tech “Iron Dome” rocketdefense system. Israel launched its offensive last Tuesday in what it says was a response to weeks of heavy rocket attacks out of Gaza. It has carried out hundreds of airstrikes, systematically targeting what it says is Hamas’ rocket-launching production and launching capabilities. On Sunday, Israel sent special forces into Gaza for a brief ground operation, its first in the latest fighting, in an attempt to take out rocket launching pads that could not be destroyed from the air. Israeli analysts say that most of the remaining long-range rockets are believed to be stashed beneath residential buildings, and that the only way to completely remove the threat

would be to re-conquer Gaza, from which Israel withdrew in 2005, and stay there for a lengthy period. Such a scenario would carry great risk, and Israeli leaders are wary. “There is no attempt here to solve the conflict. We are talking about managing the conflict and as long as it goes on, quiet will only be temporary,” said Shlomo Brom, a retired Israeli general who is now an analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies, an Israeli think tank. “It’s a mistake to think that if you have established deterrence it will stay that way. Deterrence must be maintained.” Israel cites the example of Lebanon as a potential blueprint. It battled a bloody monthlong war with Hezbollah in 2006 that saw thousands of rockets fired at Israel and 160 Israelis killed. About 1,200 Lebanese were killed in an Israeli air and ground offensive that hammered Hezbollah strongholds. While the fighting ended in a stalemate, the border has remained largely quiet as Hezbollah, despite its fiery rhetoric, has refrained from provoking Israel. Israel hopes the same thing will happen with Hamas. In the six days of fighting since Tuesday, Israel launched more than 1,300 airstrikes that it says have killed dozens of militants, knocked out scores of rocket launchers, flattened Hamas installations and even destroyed the homes of its senior leaders. But militants have fired more than 800 rockets at Israel at a rate that hasn’t slowed down. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said the military estimated 20 percent of the rockets in Gaza have either been fired or destroyed by Israel. Besides diminishing Hamas’ future capabilities, he said Israel’s assaults were mostly aimed at convincing Hamas never to try it again. “When they come out of their bunkers and they look around, they are going to have to make a serious estimation of whether what they have done was worth it,” he said. “And people will look in their eyes and say ‘Why did you do this? What did you gain from this?’” Moussa Abu Marzouk, the No. 2 leader of Hamas, defiantly rejected the notion, saying the current round of fighting would only strengthen his movement’s resolve. “They (the Israelis) are doing all of that (the airstrikes) to force us to raise the white flag,” he wrote on his Facebook page Sunday. “The future is ours and if there is a truce it’s going to be a temporary one. This is not the last battle.” Fathi Sabbah, a Gaza-based writer for the London-based AlHayat newspaper, said Hamas’ popularity on the Palestinian

street had actually grown during the operation and he did not foresee it putting down its arms. “This is just a round, like the previous ones, and there’ll be

more to come in the future as long as no political solution is found to the Palestinian cause,” he said. Writing in the Yediot Ahronot

daily, commentator Yossi Yehoshua argued that any ceasefire that does not guarantee a complete demilitarization of Gaza would be a failure for

Israel since it would then invariably “find itself in the next round within a very short period of time.” Courtesy AP

An Israeli soldier adjusts the barrel of a tank at a military staging area outside the Northern Gaza strip yesterday.

Iraq Parliament Postpones Decision On New Leader

IRAQ’S deadlocked parliament failed Sunday to overcome the deep divisions hampering the formation of a new government, making no progress on choosing new leaders who could help hold the nation together and confront the Sunni militant blitz that has overrun much of the country. The legislature is under pressure to quickly choose a new speaker of parliament, president and prime minister — the first steps toward a new government. The international community has pressed lawmakers to put their differences aside, while the United Nations has warned of chaos if the political impasse drags on for too long. But just 30 minutes into Sunday’s parliament session, acting speaker Mahdi al-Hafidh announced he was breaking off the proceedings until Tuesday “due to the absence of any agreement on the names of the nominees for the three posts.” “There are still deep differences,” he said. “We need more discussions to agree on the names.” Hopes had been raised that lawmakers might at least vote on a speaker of parliament after Sunni blocs announced late Saturday that they had agreed on a candidate for the post, Salim alJubouri. But even that proved difficult, and lawmakers dispersed amid mutual recriminations. “We have presented our candidate for the post of the parliament speaker,” said leading Sunni lawmaker Osama alNujaifi. “We hold other blocs responsible for the delay.” Another Sunni legislator, Saleh al-Mutlaq, said that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki agreed to

support al-Jubouri’s candidacy on the condition that Sunnis back al-Maliki for a third consecutive term. “This will not happen as we do not accept that,” al-Mutlaq told The Associated Press. Mohammed Saadoun, a lawmaker from al-Maliki’s State of Law bloc, confirmed that alJubouri will not receive support without Sunnis first guaranteeing they will back al-Maliki for prime minister. “All sides that get our votes should be clear and giver their votes to us,” he told AP. Under an informal arrangement that took hold after the 2003 U.S.led invasion, the speaker’s chair goes to a Sunni, the presidency to a Kurd and the prime minister’s post to a Shiite. The greatest disagreement is over prime minister, the most powerful position in the country. Al-Maliki has held the post since 2006, but is now under pressure to step aside. His opponents, and even many of his former allies, accuse him of trying to monopolize power and alienating the Sunni community, and are pushing him to not seek a third consecutive term. AlMaliki has so far refused to withdraw his candidacy, and points to his State of Law bloc’s capturing the most seats in April elections to claim he has a mandate. The candidates aren’t the only point of contention. There is also disagreement on whether to choose the speaker, president and prime minister individually, or to agree to all three as a sort of package deal — which has been the case in the past. The urgency for Iraq’s

lawmakers to bridge their differences and forge an agreement stems from the threat the nation faces from the Sunni militants who swept across much of northern and western Iraq over the past month, raising the prospect of an Iraq cut in three along ethnic and sectarian lines. On Sunday, the insurgents barreled unopposed into the town of Duluiyah, some 80 kilometers (45 miles) north of Baghdad, seizing the mayor’s office, police station, local council and courthouse, a police officer said. They also blew up a bridge that links the town with the predominantly Shiite city of Balad nearby. The Iraqi military launched a counterattack that drove the militants from part of Duluiyah, but clashes were still raging around the police station and mayor’s office, the officer said, adding that six members of the security forces and six progovernment Sunni militiamen had been killed in the fighting. A medical official in the nearby city of Samarra confirmed the casualty figures. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. The insurgents are led by the Islamic State extremist group, which has declared the establishment of an Islamic state ruled by Shariah law in the territory it has seized straddling the Iraq-Syria border. The jihadi group has been joined in Iraq by an array of other Sunni militant factions, including the Army of the Men of the

Naqshbandi Order — a collection of former members of Saddam Hussein’s now-outlawed Baath party. An audio recording purportedly from Naqshbandi leader Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri surfaced overnight, in which he hailed the militants’ “historic victories” in recent weeks and reserved special praise for the Islamic State group. “Our great Iraqi people along with their brave forces have achieved a great victory through a tough and bloody struggle since more than 11 years,” the man reported to be al-Douri said in the nearly 15-minute recording. The authenticity of the audio could not be immediately confirmed, though it sounded like previous recordings made of al-Douri. The fugitive al-Douri is the highest-ranking member of Saddam’s toppled government to escape the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and elude security forces. He was the “king of clubs” in the deck of playing cards issued by the U.S. to help troops identify the most-wanted members of Saddam’s regime. In the recording, the man believed to be al-Douri said the militant offensive marked a “historic and great turning point in the nation’s march of jihad to achieve its freedom and unity and to build prosperous future for coming generations.” He praised the tribal leaders and other militant groups who have taken part in the fighting, but especially “the heroes and the knights of al-Qaida and the Islamic State, to whom I send a special salutation full of appreciation and love.”

Courtesy AP

Education

Solution To Nigeria’s Unemployment Problem

Lifelong Education: NIGERIA is Black Africa’s most populous nation; a country that has the largest concentration of Black persons anywhere in the world. It is also a country that many Black peoples, wherever they may be expected to provide leadership in the emancipation of the human race. The potentials are there and may be utilized in the future. Much depends upon the nation’s approaches to the solution of some vexing problems now facing it. One such problem is unemployment. This Paper takes a brief look at Nigeria’s unemployment problem. It proposes an approach to life-long education as a way of improving the situation. THE PROBLEM Unemployment is not new in Nigeria or indeed in any other nation. However, the unemployment situation in Nigeria in the last several years would seem to have become intolerable. Even the Government pronouncement that there are three million unemployed persons in the country may be an underestimate. It would seem that economic recession, bad planning and management, reckless and selfish leadership, a poorly articulated and even more poorly executed education delivery system, the youthfulness of the population and other associated matters are to blame. In the words of a retired principal, Okike as quoted in the African Concord (130: 17-18) of February 24, 1987 “we had the opportunity of building labour intensive industries in the early and mid 1970s when petroleum commanded a hand some price but we frittered this money on elephant projects.” Then followed the sharp decline in the price of crude petroleum which contributed more than 80% and abrupt increase in the prices of imported materials in an economy that depends mainly on imports. The reaction of Government was to restrict importation . Inevitably, this slowed down the functioning of the few available industries and gave rise to job losses. According to the African Concord more than 50,000 persons lost their job in Nigeria between 1983 and 1985. However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) considers this an underestimate. It position is that more than one million persons have lost their jobs between 1982 and now because its membership has gone down from 3.5 million five years ago to 2 million this year. In the view of the African Concord the unemployment situation has also been aggravated by the expansion of formal education. It (130: l8) states. The number of people churned out yearly by both the nation’s

By PROF. OGBONNA OHUCHE

secondary and post-secondary schools has been on a steady increase in the last 10 years. But experts say the real problem is not so much the over production of school leavers as it is the production persons with little or irrelevant skills. Sometime ago the Vice-Chancellor of one of the nation’s University said the problem of graduate unemployment resulted from the

Strategic Studies, he (1986:2) stated among other things: Independent Nigeria was born on 1st October, 1960 amid the blare of trumpets and cymbals all round the world. The new state, composed of many nations,. appeared somewhat overweight in relation to the emergent new states in Africa. When years later

same amount for the rest of us ,j over 90 million. Okigb then drives home to the point on bad planning and management when he (1986:4) states. If Nigeria maintains a regular output of crude oil for export at around one million barrels per day, even at a realised price of

disproportionate emphasis placed on the Arts and Social Sciences by our Universities. He contended that so long as the Universities favoured these two areas in their admission policy, so long shall the problem of graduate unemployment persist. As an academic in one of our universities, I have difficulties accepting this view ascribed to one of our Vice-Chancellors. Clearly, arts and social science majors predominate in Nigerian Universities. However, the reason for this is not because the universities favour these courses of study. Rather pre-university education has been deficient in preparing students for alternative courses and our attempts at remedial programmes for science and technology have been haphazard, uncoordinated and minimally productive Also, current unemployment in Nigeria has hit persons trained in science and technology. Indeed, the acquisition of skills is important and should be emphasized. Yet, the issue extend beyond the cognitive demain to the affective where we have to worry about attitudes acquired during training and attitude to work. This is a matter we shall return to. As for reckless and selfish leadership and bad planning and management, Okigbo (1986) has spoken on both in the same breadth. In his lecture at Kuru on October 31, 1986 in the Annual Distinguished Lecture Series of the Institute for Policy arid

new States arrived, each, of them, except Zaire, turned art to be less than a tenth of the size of Nigeria in geography, demography and natural resources endowmnment. Nigeria held out much promise, but it was clear that the promise would be realised only if the outstanding endownment of resources was matched by an equally outstanding endowment of leadership. It was clear, too, to the ex-colonial masters that the only way to cut Nigeria down to the status of the other new States in Africa lay in frustrating the emergence either of a virile nation or of a dedicated leadership. Nigerians themselves were not at all reluctant to provide that frustration. It is this sense that Nigeria economic problems were, and have always been, at bottom, problems of leadership rather than of resources. We are all witnesses to how reckless and selfish that leadership was during the Second Republic. We have read in our newspapers and have heard through other media of missing billions, missing millions, deals with European and American partners and what have you. In his “Sorcerers, Astrologers and Nigerian Economic Recovery” which I recommend highly to all who are interested in these matters Okigbo makes the further point that while at present we spend about 20% of our budget to keep 300,000 men it uniform and arms, we have only about the

some U.S $12 - $ 15 per barrel, we should be already in the region of some U.S. $ 5 billion per year of external earnings. If, as I suspect, petroleum revenues drop to no more than 60% of public revenues from all sources, we are already dealing with a public resource picture of some N8.5 billion. I have not taken into account at all what impact the SFEM will have on the naira resources of the Governments which will yield a multiple of this figure. My main contention is that Nigeria can and should learn to live comfortably on an external annual revenue of U.S. $ 5 billion, and that this is adequate for her to maintain’ a competent domestic administration, run an efficient public service, maintain a defence system compatible with her domestic and regional responsibilities exercise a virile role in African and international affairs and still leave more surplus for the acquisition and extension of state property. Another factor that has tended to confound our unemployment problem is the youthfulness of our population. As a friend put it recently when age is considered a variable the population of Nigeria is bottom-heavy compared with that of economically more stable countries. For instance, even if we succeeded in formulating and executing an effective self employment strategy, most of those who will be self-employed will be too young and

inexperienced as to be able to absorb others in their service. Let us finally consider education as a factor in our unemployment problem. Ten years ago we released what is still popularly known as the (new) national Policy on Education (NPE). The revised version of the policy (1981:5) states in part: Education in Nigeria is no more a private enterprise, but a huge Government venture that has witnessed a progressive evolution of Governments’ complete and dynamic intervention and active participation. The Federal Government of Nigeria has adopted education as an instrument par excellence for effecting national development. It goes on to point our Governments’ intention of using it as an organ for clarifying the Philosophy and objectives of education in Nigeria, Besides, the introduction in which this view is presented the NPE. as many of know, has twelve sections as follows philosophy of Nigerian education, pre-primary education, primary education, secondary education, higher education including professional education, technical education, adult and non-formal education, special education, teacher education, educational services, administration and planning of education, and financing of education. It is indeed commendable that Nigeria has formulated such a comprehensive policy to guide its educational delivery system. If, therefore we criticize the articulation of the policy it is with a view to helping all of us arrive at an improved policy in the nottoo-distant future. Moreover, formulation is one thing, execution is another. Some of us have the feeling that, even given the tireless efforts of the National Education policy implementation Committee, the implementation of the NPE has been treated in a haphazard manner in many States of Nigeria. In fact, we went through a very trying stage during which most States of the Federation seemed to be giving the impression that the policy was that of the Federal Government and not of national policy. Let us consider the articulation of NPE in relation to employment which is certainly of interest to us on this platform. It sought with justification to diversify school curriculum. To this effect, a two-tier secondary school plan, was developed with three years of junior secondary school intended to be both pre-vocational and academic as the first tier. The second tier is then a three year academic’ senior secondary school with a core of six subjects and a list of more than 28 elective subjects from which to select three as appropriate. indeed it can be said of the formulation that a serious attempt has been made to encourage

Nigerian youngsters of secondary school age to show interest in acquiring skills in a variety of areas Instead of a secondary school which was strictly academic, the new senior secondary school provided for parallel, science, business and commerce, teacher training, and vocational technical streams. Implicit diversification of areas of post-secondary employment is obvious. However, the articulation in the policy, seems to make streams other than academic, apologia for failure to gain admissions into training which would lead to nuture strictly academic pursuits. Also, it is well known that employment in both the public and private sectors is so streamlined and structured that artisans and persons with special skills are at the, bottom of the ladder. Is it any wonder that most Nigerian parents are unlikely to allow their children and wards to be put into the “inferior” streams? ‘In actual practice, as at the moment, the situation is even worse. Nine of the 19 states including Anambra initiated the junior secondary school when it was supposed to be in 1982. The pioneer students are now in the second year of the senior secondary school. Yet, there is little, if any, evidence of the diversified senior secondary school which the NPE purports to champion. Indeed, State schools in Nigeria seems to be taking their time in adjusting to the demands of the National Policy on Education. There is one aspect of the NPE which needs discussion in our context. Section 7 is titled adult and non-formal education. It is stated on page 32 that the objectives of adult and continuing education are: (a) To provide functional and remedial education for adults who have never had the advantage of any formal education. (b) To provide functional and remedial education for those young people who prematurely dropped out of the formal school system; (c) To provide further education for different categories of completers of the formal education system in order to improve their basic knowledge and skills; (d) To provide in-service onthe-job, vocational and professional training for different categories of workers and professionals in order to improve their skills; (e) To give the adult citizens of the country necessary aesthetic, cultural and civic education for public enlightenment. These are noble objectives which should be pursued with vigour. In particular objective (d) on out-of-school education of the working Nigerian has the potential of generating more employment through the improvement of the productivity of employed persons, including those who are self-employed.

2014 FIFA World Cup...2014 FIFA World Cup...

Loew’s Secret Message Inspired Goetze To Eclipse Messi

GERMANY manager Jogi Loew whispered words of encouragement to 22year-old Mario Goetze as he prepared to send him on as a sub in the World Cup final. WHAT HAPPENED “I said to Mario Goetze, ‘okay, show to the world that you’re better than Messi, show that you can decide the World Cup,’ “ Loew said. Such words might seem the crackpot ravings of a manager piling far too much pressure on a young player who has perennially been no closer than the fringes of the squad. But Loew knew exactly what he was doing. “That’s what I told him, and I had a good feeling,” Loew grinned. “Goetze is a wonder boy who has these immense abilities, this outstanding skill. He can always decide a game and he scored a great goal today.” That much is matter of record: Goetze amazing World Cup winning goal in 3D Mario Goetze struck a wonderful extra-time winner as Germany beat Argentina 1-0 to claim the 2014 World Cup at the Estadio Maracana. Loew’s feeling was more than a hunch: the young striker isn’t just exquisitely talented on the pitch - he also has that unique ability to steal the limelight. Rather like football’s other Super Mario: Balotelli. And like Balotelli, Goetze’s fledgling career has already been packed with controversy. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MARIO GOETZE - When he first emerged as a star player at Borussia Dortmund, he was quickly dubbed the ‘German Messi’ - and the press asked him what he thought of the label. Quick as a flash came his answer: “I don’t want to be Messi, I want to be the Cristiano Ronaldo of Germany.” - Last summer, when still just 21 years old, Gotze made a contentious 37 Euro million move from boyhood club Borussia Dortmund to rival Bayern Munich. It was seen as an unforgivable betrayal by Dortmund fans, who showed their feelings with some of football’s greatest ever banners,

including one which read “The pursuit of money shows how much heart you really have. F*** off Gotze!” - Perhaps trying to show he doesn’t care about money after all, Goetze turned up to his first Bayern Munich press conference wearing a Nike shirt - the problem being that Bayern is both sponsored and part-owned by Adidas. Hasty apologies all round quickly followed. - Goetze was a favourite of new manager Pep Guardiola but still struggled to hold down a starting spot at times. He finished the season with 15 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. - In just five years as a pro he has already won three Bundesliga titles, two DFB Pokal (German Cups), the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and the World Cup. WHAT GOETZE SAID “I’m more than happy. And I’m happy with the team and what happened here in Brazil. I guess it’s more or less indescribable how I feel. It is absolutely sensational... It’s an unbelievable feeling, I don’t know how to describe it. I just took the shot and didn’t know what was happening. It’s unbelievable. For us, the dream has become reality. I’m very proud of the team and extremely happy about everything that happened in Brazil. Every player in our team deserves named here and we’re very proud to have won this trophy.”

Germany World Cup winners 2014

Germany Earn $35m For World Cup Win

Germany’s Mario Goetze after the FIFA World Cup

Super Mario Wins The World Cup For Germany MARIO Goetze struck a wonderful extra-time winner as Germany beat Argentina 1-0 to claim the 2014 World Cup at the Estadio Maracana. The Bayern Munich the tournament in South forward came off the bench America. to coolly chest and volley The match had begun at home a sublime goal after a lightning pace but faded great work by Andre badly in the second period Schuerrle on the left to end and looked all set for a a 24-year wait for Die shoot-out until Goetze Mannschaft. struck. It came with just seven Argentina’s Gonzalo minutes of extra-time Higuain blazed a glorious remaining and saw opportunity wide early on Germany secure a fourth before having his moment world title, becoming the of redemption stolen away first European team to win when he was correctly

flagged offside while finishing off a sublime move involving Lionel Messi and Ezequiel Lavezzi. For Germany super sub Schuerrle’s effort was beaten away by Sergio Romero before Benedikt Hoewedes somehow contrived to crash a free header against the post from inside the six-yard box on the stroke of half time. Lionel Messi could, and should, have had his big

World Cup moment after the restart but dragged wide and it proved to be the best of the action until extra-time when Schuerrle tested Romero and Rodrigo Palacio lobbed off target when clear. Goetze finally made the breakthrough with his clinical finish and Argentina couldn’t recover as Joachim Loew’s side held firm to move level with Italy on four world titles - just one behind Brazil.

GERMANY will be awarded $35 million in prize money for winning the 2014 World Cup, while each player will get a $408,000 bonus from their national football federation (DFB) for lifting the trophy. Mario Gotze’s winning goal in extra time ensured coach Joachim Low’s side will earn the biggest share of the $576 million prize fund, up more than $150 million from the 2010 World Cup. Spain earned $30 million of the $420 million pot for winning the tournament in South Africa four years ago. Argentina will be paid $25 million for finishing as runners-up in 2014, while each of the 32 nations that reached the finals in Brazil have earned at least $8 million. The fund includes payments to clubs worldwide and an insurance policy to cover injured players’ salaries. Before the tournament, the DFB has promised all 23 players in the squad a bonus of 300,000 euros ($408,000) for winning the title, Germany’s fourth in World Cup history and the first to be won by a European side in the Americas.

2014 FIFA World Cup...2014 FIFA World Cup... Loew On Win

‘Joy Will Remain Forever’ Germany head coach Joachim Low believes that their World Cup-winning tournament was the result of many years of hard work. Germany coach Joachim Low claimed his “joy and happiness will remain forever” after he guided his side to World Cup glory with a 1-0 win against Argentina’s in Sunday’s final in Rio. Low reserved special praise to the contribution of Jurgen Klinsmann in the revival of German football, that was started when the current U.S. national team coach took over the Die Nationalmannschaft after they hit rock bottom following an early exit from the Euro 2004 finals. A decade on and the project

Leow raises World Cup

Luck Was On Germany’s Side, Admits Hummels

Germany’s Mario Goetze scores the winning goal against Argentina

Analysis:

Germany defender Mats Hummels has admitted that Joachim Low’s men enjoyed some fortunate moments in Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina. The South Americans got a number of chances to grab the lead, but Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi and Rodrigo Palacio all failed to beat Manuel Neuer in oneon-one situations before Mario Gotze eventually fired Germany to glory with his goal in the 113th minute. Hummels was quick to praise the team’s work ethic following Germany’s fourth world title but conceded the clash at the Maracana could

have gone either way. “You can only win the World Cup when you act as a team,” Hummels told reporters. “We have tried to make that very clear right from the start and have succeeded in doing so, even if we had our fair share of luck in the final. “We were already getting ourselves ready for spot-kicks. “I am still completely caught up in a different world. I’m physically too exhausted to be able to celebrate all euphoric. But it will all sink in the days to come.” Germany have won four out of the eight World Cup finals they have played following their victory over Argentina.

Why Germany’s Win Is Great For Football

When a goal-laden group stage sparked ‘Best World Cup Ever’ chatter, the common rebuttal held that this was a tournament high on goalmouth action but lacking a truly great team. In a couple of weeks, the script Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, has flipped. Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Sami Only one match in the Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, knockout stage produced more Thomas Mueller – all could make than three goals (no prizes for a strong case for inclusion in the guessing which), but we saw the team of the tournament. crowning of a wonderful German Just because you lack a standside that bears comparison with out player, it doesn’t mean you any in the competition’s history. lack outstanding players. Deciding whether Jogi Loew’s Unlike Argentina and Brazil, men could beat Brazil ’70 or Germany had the depth not to Argentina ‘86 is a parlour game rely on individuals. for another day. Brazil lost Neymar and What we do know is that suffered the most shocking Germany were the best team at collapse in World Cup history. this World Cup, and they Argentina, too, suffered from exhibited all the qualities Sergio Aguero’s lack of fitness, required of great champions – especially with Gonzalo Higuain skill, discipline, unity and misfiring. determination. Germany were not immune to And while the narrative for the such misfortune. In their final final pitted an exceptional pre-tournament friendly Marco individual in Lionel Messi Reus - widely considered the against an exceptional team, one team’s most important attacker, should not lose sight of the fact suffered an ankle injury that ruled that Germany were packed with him out of the tournament. wonderful players.

They suffered an outbreak of flu in the squad after travelling from scorching Recife to chilly Porto Alegre and back up to Rio de Janeiro. In Sunday’s warm-up Sami Khedira – so influential in midfield - picked up a knock to keep him out of the final. His replacement, Christoph Kramer, lasted 32 minutes before he went off injured. Where other teams would have let circumstances throw them, Germany rolled with the punches and pressed on regardless. None of their injured players were missed. Mario Goetze started the first game against Portugal as a ‘false nine’ but found himself dropped for the patently running-onfumes Miroslav Klose. Lesser men would have sulked and pouted. Goetze waited for his chance and scored a brilliant World Cup-winning goal. That seems like a good time to pay tribute to absent friends – unlike Brazil, whose

outrageously mawkish reaction to Neymar’s injury surely sowed the seed of their demise. The apparent interchangeability of players and squad unity leads us to believe they are homogenous entities that just roll off a production line, programmed to win. This German relentlessness is what leads them to be portrayed as unfeeling teutonic machines crushing everyone and everything in their way. It is obviously an unfair stereotype, and not even one that has its roots in fact. The ability to stay united, to overcome setbacks, to suppress your ego and give everything for the team no matter what, takes extraordinary human qualities. A successful World Cup squad requires enormous empathy and emotional intelligence – the like of which England have sorely lacked in recent times. Sure, you can laugh at Jogi Loew and Hansi Flick’s

matching outfits – but their sartorial unity reflects a setup in which everyone pulls in the same direction. It is no accident that Loew hugged his players’ wives and girlfriends. This is a coach who seems genuinely to care about his their happiness and wellbeing. Germany like to win World Cups the hard way. Their first, in 1954, saw them defeat a supposedly invincible Hungarian side, and 20 years later they crushed the dreams of an equally vaunted Dutch side. In 1990 they beat the reigning European (Holland) and World champions (Argentina) in Italy. This time their path to glory went through the Ballon d’Or (Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo), their former coach and playing legend (USA’s Juergen Klinsmann), a dangerous dark horse (France), the hosts and pre-tournament favourites (Brazil) and a team sporting both the world’s best player and the advantage of playing across the border from home (Argentina).

Klinsmann promoted alongside his appointed assistant Low reaped the more glorious success imaginable in Rio’s Maracana, much to the delight of the politely spoken German head coach. “We started this project 10 years ago and this is the result of many years of work, beginning with Jurgen Klinsmann,” reflected Low. “Over these years, we made constant progress, but champions will do what they have to do. If there is anybody who deserves it, it is this team. We have always played good football. The team has developed an unbelievable team spirit and they have the willpower to carry this out. “We are very proud of winning a World Cup in Rio, in Brazil, in the home of football. With all these emotions and the pressure that has accumulated on us, it’s difficult to realize what is happening, but this joy and happiness will remain forever. “This team gave everything they had. I told them before the match that they will have to give more than they ever had before.” Low reserved praise for his match-winner Mario Gotze, who came off the bench to score the iconic extra-time winner that ensured a fourth golden star to signify their latest World Cup success would be sewn into the Germany shirts when they next play an international match. “From the beginning, we knew that we would not have only 11 players, that we would need 14 and everyone must be in top shape during the tournament,” stated Low. “This was important. You saw in the final phase and in extra time that Argentina was getting tired.” “Gotze is a miracle boy. He can play any position and has superior technical qualities. I know he is able to decide a match and he scored a great decider today. “I told Gotze to show the world that you are better than [Lionel] Messi and that you can decide the World Cup. I had a good feeling with him.” Low offered up a final note of thanks to the Brazilian people, who rallied behind his team to beat their South American rivals Argentina after Germany inflicted a harrowing 7-1 semi-final defeat on the host nation last Tuesday. “Brazil organized a great World Cup,” added the successful Germany boss. “There was a lot of positive energy. It was one of the highlights of my career. “After we beat Brazil 7-1, the disappointment was enormous in the country. When we left the stadium, there were thousands of Brazilians who applauded us. We saw the people on the sidewalks with German flags.”

2014 FIFA World Cup... 2014 FIFA World Cup...

Riot Police, Fans Clash In Argentina

RIOT police fired tear gas and rubber bullets late Sunday to restrain a group of vandals who disturbed a peaceful rally celebrating Argentina’s gutsy performance in a 1-0 defeat to Germany in the World Cup final. Maradona, who lifted the Parents with small children championship trophy for could be seen fleeing in fear after Argentina in 1986 and led the police, who initially remained on Albiceleste to their last World the sidelines as jubilant fans Cup final, against West Germany poured into downtown Buenos in 1990. “But this here is a party. Aires, began chasing down the We’re all proud of our warriors.” A crowd of about 20,000 vandals on motorcycles. The youths, many of them with people filled the capital’s Plaza their faces covered and drinking San Martin to watch the match heavily, responded by hurling on a giant screen, climbing atop rocks, destroying store fronts and lamp posts to get a better view and shouting every time the team breaking into a theater. Police said 20 officers were entered German area. “I feel an enormous sadness,” injured and at least 60 people were arrested. The vandals tore 19-year-old Soledad Canelas, down street lights and ripped up carrying a blue-and-white the stone from some streets to Argentine flag, said after the game. “I had the illusion of throw at officers. Thousands of fans watched seeing Argentina become their team peacefully in Buenos champion for the first time in my Aires before riot police were life.” In Germany, a quarter of a needed to disperse the crowd. The disturbances in Buenos million fans reacted with Aires came after thousands of unbridled joy, mixed with shock, Argentines gathered peacefully at when Mario Gotze struck late in the Obelisk with families and extra time. The supporters, packed into the neighbors to applaud Argentina’s best World Cup performance in “fan mile” in front of the German capital’s famous Brandenburg 24 years. Cars honked staccato rhythms, Gate, screamed as one when firecrackers were tossed into the Goetze took the ball on his chest air and fans of all ages jumped in and let fly inside the far post from place shouting “Argentina! a narrow angle. Fans cheered, clapped and Argentina! Argentina!” with shouted, with groups of fans barely a tear in sight. “We have nothing to regret, we hugging and jumping into the air played first rate,” said 53-year- together, making so much noise old Horacio Laseiras, carrying his the commentary on the large six-year-old daughter on his screens could no longer be heard. Flares illuminated the stage and shoulders. Amid the outpouring of sent plumes of smoke into the gratitude, there was a hint of sky. “We’re going to be world frustration that Lionel Messi, the four-time world player of the champions! We’re going to be year, didn’t turn in a stronger world champions!” yelled the compere of the public viewing performance. “Messi still isn’t Maradona,” event, even before the second said 31-year-old Eduardo period of extra time was over in Rodriguez, referring to Diego Brazil.

Messi Not Thrilled By Golden Ball

THE World Cup Golden Ball award was no consolation for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi after Argentina were beaten in the World Cup final. Messi was named the tournament’s best player and was presented with his prize immediately after La Albiceleste had lost to Germany after extra time. The Argentina captain told reporters after the match that his only target was to win the World Cup, and anything else is an irrelevance. “Right now I don’t care about the prize. I don’t care about anything. I wanted to take Argentina to the World Cup for all the people,” AS reports Messi as saying. “We deserved it a bit more after the game we played. It’s

very painful to lose the way we did because we were near penalties. “I believe this World Cup deserved another final because we had chances. “We reached the final, while other Argentinas didn’t get past the quarter-finals. But we’re disappointed not to have won this game. There’s a lot of anger. “While they had control of the ball I think we had the clearer chances. We weren’t lucky enough to be able to take them but I believe our chances were clear. “We had three clear chances - mine [Gonzalo Higuain’s] and Rodrigo Palacio, but we couldn’t get it. Now we have to go forward.”

Thousands of fans gathered at Munich’s Olympic Stadium to watch Germany seal a fourth FIFA World Cup crown following a 1-0 victory over Argentina at the Maracana on Sunday. Cars drivers blasted their horns,

whooped and yelled, before captain Philipp Lahm had even lifted the trophy at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium. Once he did, a massive fireworks display took place around the Brandenburg Gate, where fans had begun gathering

six hours before kickoff. “They made it exciting,” Leon Tober of Fuerstenwalde, east of Berlin. “It was a long wait, especially after twice coming third. It’s great for the young generation. They’re a super

Scolari Out As Brazil Manager

Argentina Fans Clashed with riot police in Buenos Aires after the World Cup final on Sunday night

Messi Reacts after Argentina lose the World Cup final to Germany

Pele Would Be Booed In This Team -Fred FRED has defended himself against the fierce criticism he endured during Brazil’s ignominious end to the World Cup after announcing his retirement from international football, claiming “even Pele would have been booed” had he been in the current Selecao side. Brazil were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the semifinal before losing 3-0 to Netherlands in the third-place playoff on Saturday. That failure to win the trophy on home soil has led to speculation over the futures of many of those involved, with TV Globo reporting on Sunday night that head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will not be given a new

contract after his current deal expired at the end of the tournament. Jeered when substituted against Germany, Fred was spared more of the home fans’ ire against the Dutch as he remained on the bench in Brasilia. After finishing last year’s Confederations Cup as top scorer, the Fluminense forward failed to meet expectations as he struck only once in six outings at the World Cup, and repeatedly found himself the focal point for public and press barracking. The 30-year-old said he felt the criticism directed at him personally should have been aimed at the whole of Scolari’s

troupe of players. They can go on now and win even more.” News agency dpa reported that a man was stabbed and later died from his injuries at a public viewing event in a cinema in the northern city of Bremen.

squad. “We weren’t good in the final two games. But the criticism should be directed at the whole squad, not this or that individual,” Fred, who scored 18 times in 39 appearances for his country, told O Estado de Sao Paulo. “Of course I have my part of responsibility for this failure, but it’s shared. Our squad did not work. “I was whistled at when I was taken off at 5-0 down against Germany. But who wouldn’t have been in such a surreal context? Even Pele would have been booed by the fans if he had endured such an evening. In any case, it certainly wasn’t only Fred’s fault.”

LUIZ Felipe Scolari is out as Brazil coach, according to a report by Brazilian TV station Globo. Brazil will be searching for a new coach after dismissing Luiz Felipe Scolari, according to a report by TV Globo. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have decided not to ask Scolari, whose contract expired at the end of the World Cup, to return as manager on a new deal, with an official announcement planned for Monday, according to Globo. Scolari took over as manager of Brazil for the second time in 2012 and led his players to the Confederations Cup title in 2013, but he came up short at the main event this summer. The favoured hosts finished fourth in the World Cup. Eventual champions Germany hammered them 7-1 in the semifinals, and the Selecao followed that up with a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in the third-place game. Scolari, 65, will conclude his time in charge of Brazil with a record of 19 wins, six draws and four defeats. At his final news conference after the loss to the Netherlands, Scolari was coy on his future. “If we won or lost, my position was always going to be vacant,” Scolari said, referring to his expiring contract. “When we started, we had a deadline to quit our jobs at the end of the World Cup regardless of the result. That is exactly what we are going to do, which is what was agreed upon with the final report for the [CBF] president.” He did have the support of the CBF’s president-elect, Marco Polo Del Nero, who will take over as CBF chief next year. But that apparently will not be enough for Scolari to keep his position.

Luiz Felipe Scolari

NFF Court Case Set To Be Withdrawn

REPORTS have it that the civil suit at the Plateau State High Court in Jos which has created a lot of problems for Nigerian football could be withdrawn on Monday. This would enable the reinstatement of the Aminu Maigari-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation and then ensure Fifa lifts its suspension of the country from international football. “Mrs. [Ebiakpo] Baribote has agreed to withdraw the suit, but is asking for the 15-year ban on her husband to be lifted, and for him to be reinstated as second vice president of the NFF,” reports SL10. “The suit will most likely be withdrawn on Monday, and Maigari and his board will be reinstated but that will not be the end. This move is only to comply with FIFA’s directive, and get the suspension lifted.” Fifa has given Nigeria until Tuesday July 15 to

Aminu Maigari

reinstate Maigari’s board or face the consequences of staying in international football wilderness for a long time. A prolonged ban will see Nigeria fail to participate in next month’s Women U20 World Cup finals in Canada as well as African qualifiers of the male U17 and U20 as well as derail the country’s hopes of qualifying for and defending its title at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Woods Drawn With Stenson, Cabrera For British Open

Tiger Woods

Youth Soccer Championship

Edo Gov’s Cup Kicks Off Today AS soccer enthusiasts across the world continue to savour the euphoria of the 2014 FIFA world cup which ended Sunday night in Brazil, youth footballers comprising under-17 boys and under -16 girls from the 18 local government areas of Edo state, are F. Akerejola and the Otaru expected to participate in the official opening of Edo of Igarra, Oba E. A. Saiki State Executive Governor’s Gold Cup Youth Soccer have been designated as Championship billed to hold today in Igarra, AkokoEdo local government area of the state. SPORTS Writers The championship billed under the auspices of Youth Association of Nigeria to run from July 15 to 22, Sports Federation of (SWAN), Edo State Chapter, 2014, is being organized Nigeria (YSFON) and has commended the State hosted by the authorities of Comrade Governor, Adams Akoko-Edo Local Oshiomhole for his Government Council under commitment towards sports the chairmanship of Hon. development, particularly the Folorusho Akerejola. on-going Federation Cup in YSFON in statement which Bendel Insurance signed by Emmanuel Football Club of Benin and Aiguobasimmwin, said the Dynamite Force Football official opening ceremony Club of Okpekpe have will hold at Anglican qualified for the Round of 16. Grammar School Bendel Insurance FC playground, Igarra at 3. 30 defeated Sunshine FC by lone pm. goal in Round 64 and won on Edo State Commissioner penalties after a 1-1 draw by for Youth, Sports and beating Bobbies FC of Warri Social Mobilization, Mr. 4-3. Chris Okacben is expected to declare the championship open while the Executive Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Hon

Chief host and the Royal Father of the Day respectively,

SWAN Hails Oshiomhole Over Bendel Insurance Ahmed Aigbona, the On their part. Dynamite Force FC beat Ranchers Bees of Kaduna by four goals to nil to qualify for Round of 32 and also won through penalties in the Round of 32 after a 1-1 draw with 3SC Shooting Stars of Ibadan. SWAN in a statement, called on Edo State Government and football fans to continue to support the Clubs representing Edo in the on-going Federation Cup. In the statement signed by its state Chairman, Comrade

U-20 Women’s World Cup

South Africa Seeks To Replace SOUTH Africa has made in the country. Nigeria football a bid to replace Nigeria in the FIFA claimed that Nigeria U-20 Women World Cup scheduled to hold from Aug. 5 to Aug. 24 in Canada. This followed FIFA’s suspension of Nigeria Football Association from the activities of the world football governing body on July 9. South Africa’s delegation to FIFA was led by Mr. Danny Jordaan, President of the South African Football

FORMER world number one Tiger Woods has been drawn to play alongside twice major winner Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson in the first round of the British Open on Thursday. The trio will tee-off at 0904 local time at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, organisers said on Monday. World number one Adam Scott will launch his campaign at 1427 alongside last week’s Scottish Open champion Justin Rose and U.S. PGA champion Jason Dufner. Title holder Phil Mickelson goes out at 1405 with former winner Ernie Els and U.S. Masters champion Bubba Watson.

Association. FIFA source said the delegation said their team had been on standby so as not to disrupt the programme. According to them, there is no sentiment in such a situation. Nigeria was suspended over an alleged interference by government in the running of

violated Article 13 of its statute mandating member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence of third parties. “The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup unless the suspension is lifted by July 15.’’

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams

Association maintained that the teams were giving a good fight against bigger teams, and expressed optimism that they will progress beyond Round of 16 with their gallant performances so far. In another development, SWAN has commended the Honourable Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Mobilization, Mr. Chris Okaeben for approving a media centre at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for sports writers, describing it as a welcome development and great achievement, because the last time SWAN had an office in the Stadium was in 2001. SWAN also noted that the present Edo State government led by the Comrade Governor has resuscitated sports in the state through its numerous sporting programmes. It further noted that given the abundant human resources in sports which the state was endowed with, the Comrade Governor has acknowledge the need to do away with the lethargic and out-dated approach to sports development and focus on how it can create wealth in order to tackle the challenges of unemployment and poverty among the Youths through Sports.

CMYK

BACK in the days when republican Rome sat astride global politics, Julius Caesar was one of the most prominent figures that sat over its affairs like the mythical Colossus. An average Roman looked up at him like a god mainly because he impacted on his life like never before. But while popularity was his other name, trachery, induced by envious friends, allies and opponents became the unending pain he had to endure. In the end, it became the incurable fixation that not only drove them into murdering him unfairly but also became their collective albatross. As Mark Antony beheld Caesar’s mutilated body, made by the many murderous holes dug into him by the conspirators who wanted his office, he just could not gloss over the one made by Brutus’ dagger. In an emotion laddened voice, he mused, “...this is the unkindest cut of all.” For the past few weeks, Edo state has had to contend with a near state of anarchy occasioned indubitably by the ambitious machination of the opposition. Until it snowballed into a contentious charade, everyone saw it as nothing beyond the ordinary. But for reasons not unconnected with desire of the central ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to conquer the entire country, particularly the All Progressive Congress, APC, administered states, it has left nothing, including the Machivellian option, to achieve its goal. The details are as open as a blistering sun on a bright noon but as rumoured, their intention is captured in an alleged telephone conversation between one of the protagonists and a party member. He is rumoured to have demanded that the person he called dumped the APC to join

him as he would become “the speaker in a few weeks” and “governor in a few months.” Arguably, the attempt to achieve that objective led us to where we are now-five house members, exclusive of the four originally suspended, are being remote controlled into holding the entire state to ransome, using sundry ribaldly puerile justifications. Certainly, the thrust of this piece is not about the rumoured call. It is about the former deputy speaker’s Brutus-like betrayal brought about by inordinate ambition. Before his rumoured romance with the opposition PDP, not a few were convinced that the idea was unthinkable given the moral debt he has not paid. Gradually however, it metamorphosed from mere speculations as his jolly-good-fellow association with political scavengers took visible form. Of course he could not summon the courage to openly declare his intention to dump the APC, the same party that gave him any form of relevance, but he left no one in any doubt when, in what appears to be an attempt to get into a house through the back door, he went to court to obtain an injunction to, like the one obtained by his three other bolder colleagues, bar the state assembly from declaring his seat vacant. For all intents and purposes, the move catapaulted him into the same inglorious realm as Julius Caesar’s Brutus. A peep into history will further explain the point being made here. When the former deputy speaker declared his intention to contest the Esan South East Local Government seat in the state house of assembly, he was a man the PDP would have nothing to do with. Majority of the people of Ubiaja, his home base, were no less convinced that he lacked what it takes to make a reliable representative as evidence of history stood against him-his father is said to have given a-less-than-

MATTERS IN FOCUS With

satisfactory antecedents as a representative of his people in the First Republic. In particular, the former deputy speaker did not have a dime-not even enough to either obtain a nomination form, acquire a campaign office or print campaign posters. He got everything covered by the goodwill of party leaders

survived what unarguably would have been a lost battle for one of his limbs. One good turn, the axiom says, deserves another. As it appears , there seems to be no moral honour is compelling enough to compel any recompense. Today, he walks unaided but unlike his people and former

honour, is sacred. I do believe that he still has the presence of mind to remember that there is honour even among

and others who shared the APC vision. By a stroke of fate, just as he contended against the avalanche of short comings, Ebea suffered an unfortunate car crash that almost had one of his legs

allies, he forgot to be grateful certainly, to his benefactors who did the needful that he may not walk with a stick for life. He is fighting the hand that fed him. If he had any iota of honour, he ought to have

thieves. For that and more, it goes without saying that he has many apologies to tender. He needs to apologise to his people for misrepresenting them. He needs to apologise to God

Ernest Omoarelojie

An Unkind Cut

Hon. Uyi Igbe, Edo State House of Assembly Speaker

yanked off. For months on end, he was practically bed-ridden in the accident ward of the Central Hospital, in the heart of Benin City. Without money to get the required treatment, it was obvious that the affected leg would have to go. But the same people who provided money for him to pursue his on-going political ambition prevailed on the governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, to help. The governor listened and provided the funds with which he was flown abroad for treatment. So, he

been more circumspect. Ebea told the world that his defection was not about himself. It is, according to him, because there is no state government project in his constituency, the Esan South East Local Government Area. Haba Ebea! How can that be true? I am certain that the former deputy speaker could not have forgotten that “honourable” is an identity his former office imposed on his name. I want to believe that he has not forgotten that truth, an inherent ingredient of

for standing against truth because at the last count, Ubiaja, alone, has many projects standing to be counted. For instance, besides the reconstructed St. John Bosco’s Grammar School, Central Primary School and numerous others, there is also the Ubiaja General Hospital and High Court funded by the state but constructed as constituency project by the deputy former speaker himself. It is confounding that a man who has “honourable” attached to his name, would choose to brazenly turn truth on its

head. Lest I forget, Ebea knows now that he has a date with the court he has defamed in very noxious languages. He has one heck of an explanation and apology to tender. He will not stop at that because he also needs to apologise to those who sacrificed their time and resources that he may become a member of Edo state house of assembly. He let them down by not consulting them before dumping the mandate they helped him to secure freely from the general electorate. One of them was on a flight from Lagos to Benin City to help raise funds for the purpose. Mid air, the plane developed a technical fault and found itself in Benin Republic after a hair raising ride. He needs Ebea’s apology just as the former deputy speaker must apologise to the Comrade Governor and the majority of the people of the 10 wards that make his constituency. He betrayed all of them. If he fails to tender an unreserved apology, he needs not be reminded that effectively, he has signed his polutical death warrant. The reason is not far to seek. In the first instance, the people of Edo state are not fools and they cannot be fooled by any form of buffoonry coloured in altruistic garbs. They are aware that every move incidental to the political quagmire unfolding in the state today is the machination of familiar Abuja faces. Nothing said or done by Ebea or his co traducers can fool them into thinking otherwise because even as they hear the voice of Jacob, they recognise the hand of Esau. It is a bad dream they want to stop before it becomes a nightmare.

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor. BARR. SOLOMON IMOHIOSEN (KSJI)-(07030699646). Deputy General Manager (Marketing) (08023457566), Assistant General Manager (Advertisement) (08023808856) Lagos Office: 25A Alli Street, Off Tinubu Square, Lagos Island, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)