Nigerian observer 15 112 13

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 NO.355• FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 • N100.00 ART ALIVE Page 28 Determination will make you go extra miles - Pikolo

Gov receives US-based medical team

By QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole says until

Nigerians transcend national barriers and premodial interests, the desire to build a better

world will remain unachievable.

The governor stated this yesterday in

Government House when he received a delegation of Moses Continues on page 2

modern and responsive force, initiated a reform Programme to provide all what it takes to overhaul the police.

The Programme was also aimed at making the force more professional, effective and efficient in the discharge of their duties. As a result, a take off grant of N78 billion was approved by the late Alhaji Umaru

Musa Yar’Adua regime.

Thereafter subsequent provisions of N25 billion, N15 billion, N22 billion were made in the Appropriation Acts of 2011, 2012, and 2013 respectively.

They however, expressed worries that despite the take off grant and the subsequent appropriations amounting to N135 billion, “there is still

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Senate canvases state police

By JOSES SEDE

REFLECTION Page 23 Surrender to Jesus, Now!

ABUJA - Disturbed by deteriorating state of the Nigeria Police Force despite whopping N78 billion expended so far on their reform, the Senate of the Federal Republic yesterday, mandated her Committee on Police Affairs to conduct a holistic investigation into the reform Programme.

This is even as Senate issue is that the system President, David Mark that we have at the and majority of senators moment, we are not added their voice for running it properly. creation of State Police, There are basic to fill the gap created by problems with the the federal police in current system but we crime control efforts in must try to address them the country. in a manner that has “I used to be a strong nothing to do with politics advocate of federal in any form at all government Police or because if this country central Police. I am sure does not survive we will you have noticed that not play politics also”, the sometimes ago I also Senate President changed my mind to say continued. that maybe we should In a motion by Sen. experiment with State Abubakar Tutare and 17 Police and see what it is. others, the Senate noted There are merits and that the government had demerits in the two in its determination to systems. No one system transform the Nigerian is perfect. But the crucial Police Force into a

nothing to show that the reform agenda was ongoing in the Nigerian Police Force.

The senators further noted that the myriads of problems that have hindered the police in the discharge of their statutory responsibility of prevention, detection of crime and protection of lives and properties, resulting to absolute failure in carrying out

their functions.

“Extra judicial killings and non observance of the rule of law became the order of the day”, the senate further noted.

Also commenting on the Police Reform Programme, Sen. Mark noted that the police poor condition has attracted wide discussion “because the Police is a major factor in sustaining Continues on page 2

... soft pedals on Oduah

By JOSES SEDE

ABUJA - Senate of the Federal Republic has rescinded its earlier resolution to summon the embattled Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah alongside Chief Executives of Aviation Parastatals to appear before them over the state of aviation sector and high number of airplane mishap and crashes.

The minister was scheduled to appear before the red chamber

yesterday before the sudden reversal. She will now appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation at an undisclosed date.

Presenting a motion yesterday on the rescission, Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba recalled that the decision to make the aviation minister and her team to brief the Sen. Hope Uzodinma led Senate Committee on Aviation was taken at the Senate executive session.

TIT BIT “Some of the things that define our personalities may not be pleasing to all, but as a loving wife puts up with her snoring husband, we must learn to accommodate what we cannot change in others.

- Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

He therefore moved that the earlier decision of the Senate be rescinded and in its place, the minister should be invited to brief it’s Committee on Aviation accordingly.

FORUM: Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (3rd right) discussing with Prof.

Richard A. Anao, former Vice Chancellor, UNIBEN (2nd left) while Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Managing Director, (MD) LAPO (2nd right) and Prof. Christiana Okojie, Chairman, LAPO Scholarship Board look on during the 20th LAPO Annual Development Forum, held on Wednesday at Uyi Grand Hotel, Benin City.

Photo: QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO.

Iyayi led by example

Continues on page 2

BENIN CITY Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Festus Iyayi who died in an auto crash as man who gave his all in the struggle and led by

- Oshiomhole

example, saying his death was a rude shock to him.

Oshiomhole stated this yesterday in Benin City when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late

professor.

The Governor said “I am here on behalf of the good people of Edo State to condole with you and members of your family on the death of Professor Festus Iyayi.

The Iyayi family cannot be defined in terms of the wife, the immediate children, as well as family members.

“Iyayi was a member of a much larger family that cuts across the length

Nyiam: Edos in US demand formal

By ANDY EGBON

BENIN CITY- The Edo United for Homeland Empowerment with headquarters in

Massachusettes, United States of America has said Colonel Tony Nyiam’s citing of booing as an excuse for his unprovoked assault on

apology

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is unacceptable and

therefore demands formal apology from him to Governor Oshiomhole, people of the state and the nation Continues on page 2

and breadth of Nigeria.

For me and I believe for all those who knew him, it was a rude shock. In fact, I was extremely shocked.

It was extremely shocking when somebody showed a text message and suggested in that message that Iyayi might not have survived that accident. I told the man not to spread false rumour.

“A week before then, I saw him on television along with his colleagues Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

News

Senate canvases state police

Continued from page 1

democracy in this country”.

“Their role is important; they are the ones that have direct contact with the ordinary people on the street; the moment you can’t control crime in the country then you are heading for real disaster.

The people who control, prevent crime and arrest people for committing crimes is the Police; and the rate at which crime is going, we will

certainly need to take drastic action.

This motion is basically to know how the Police is utilizing the money contributed for reforms. The Police cannot reform itself and we may need another body to reform the Police”, he added.

Majority of the senators who contributed to the debate chorused urgent need for

state police.

As for the majority leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba: “The problem of the Nigeria Police goes far beyond the issue of funding. It is a structural, attitudinal and mentality. The mentality of the Police is still rooted in our colonial history. No matter how much you bring you are not going to change the Police.

The idea of a single Police

to lead the federal government delegation to the United Arabs Emirate for the final of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup between Nigeria and Mexico (last Thursday).

“I think we should oblige the Senate President that opportunity to preside over the session because he was passionate about it and he would have been around today but for the last minute national assignment given to him” Ekweremadu stated last Thursday in response to Mark’s request which came after the executive session.

Senators yesterday relied on Order 53, Rule 6 of the Senate Standing Order that reads “it shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Senate has come to a

conclusion during the current session except upon a substantive motion for the rescission”, in arriving at the decision.

The Senate President before ruling on the motion to rescind the aviation minister’s summon asked Senators at plenary “any comment from anybody?” But, there was neither objection nor support, so he put the question which was unanimously carried.

The aviation minister has been in the eye of the storm for the controversial purchase of two BMW 760Li Series bullet-proof cars for her by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The controversial armored cars cost N225 million.

Again, the aviation minister has been criticised for denying additional landing rights to some international airlines to commence both Cargo and passenger flights to Kano and Abuja apart from Lagos where they now operate.

The airlines are: Emirates (Dubai, Kano, Abuja); Turkish (Instanbul, Kano, Abuja); Etihad (Dubai, Kano, Abuja); Qatar (Doha, Kano , Abuja) and Asky airlines (Lome, Niger, Kano).

Emirates and Turkish

for all the country is inconsistent with a federal system. In the US, States, Counties and even schools have their own Police. So, we must go back to that fundamental structure of decentralizing the Police. I have never heard of the IGP in the US. This motion afford us the opportunity to restructure the Police in line to what is obtainable in a federalism”.

... soft pedals on Oduah

Continued from page 1

The minority whip, Sen. Ganiyu Solomon corroborated the senate leader, adding that “the minister should rather appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation”.

The Senate had last Thursday suspended its first scheduled meeting with Oduah over the Senate President’s David Mark absence. The Senate Leader had informed lawmakers that the Senate President had signified his intention to “personally” preside over the Senate session with Oduah a request that was speedily granted by Senators at plenary presided by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

The Senate President was

Iyayi led by example

Continued from page 1 providing intellectual backing as to why the federal government should deliver on their commitment to ASUU as per the agreement signed in 2009. I played a part in the signing of that agreement after both parties shifted ground.

“When I learnt that our comrade died in such gruesome manner, only a stone hearted person would not be moved. I do not know how to convey not just my feeling, but the feelings of those who have known him.

“I had known him when I was in the NLC and ASUU at that time was not part of the NLC. Iyayi along with his colleagues provided intellectual backing to support and encourage the NLC to articulate its position on a variety of socioeconomic and political issues. So he was always there”, he said.

Oshiomhole noted “in line with the ASUU tradition of selfless service and sacrifice in the truest sense of that word, he would always travel by road covering long distances where even junior officers and lower people would rather take flights.

ASUU leaders would always go by road to any part of the country, leading by example.

“When people talk of selfless service, commitment to nation, leadership by example giving your all to what you believe in, constituting yourself to a one man liberation army driven by national passion to

reposition our great country to lead the continent to the way God had intended, Iyayi represented the best of that tradition”, he noted.

Oshiomhole insisted “even those who disagree with his logic could not his his position. Even those who faulted his logic could not fault his patriotism that informed those positions.

Those are the kind of leadership every community needs if Nigeria would be different from what it has been.

“When I came here, I was troubled by the position of Ambrose Alli University and I wanted people who have dedicated their lives to the cause of education, Professor Iyayi and Dr Peter Ozo-Eson are people I knew all their lives they have worked persuading government to accord the appropriate recognition and sufficient allocation to the university system in order to build the much needed competent human capital.

“I approached them to be members of the governing council which they readily accepted and offered their time generously along with others to provide leadership for the AAU. When I say that we feel the pains, it is not a matter of rhetoric”, he said.

Responding on behalf of the family, Professor Austine Ebewele thanked the governor for the visit and said the death was a big loss not only to the family but also to the university community.

airlines have however received conditional approvals to fly the Kano-Abuja routes.

The aviation ministry attached strict conditionalities to the effect that they must pay “Royalty Per Passenger”.

Meanwhile, speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of yesterday’s Senate plenary, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma denied reports of “pressure” from the presidency to give the embattled Oduah a “soft landing”.

“I don’t know where you heard what you heard but what I had just said is the decision is in order. I think it (rescinded summon) is proper and it is in order and in accordance with the Senate rules.” Senator Uzodinma submitted.

“The Senate decided to do a thorough investigation into all issues. Recall that the invitation to the minister was just in relation to the crash of the Associated air crash.

Now, during this period, fresh issues emerged which called for a holistic and well researched investigation and as it is the practice of the Senate, such investigation is better started from the committee and then the report will be submitted to the plenary.

Gov receives US-based medical team general surgery cases and

Continued from page 1 Lake Medical Team from the

United States of America.

The Medical team which has been in Benin City for the past two weeks courtesy of the Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council, Hon. Osaro Obazee had performed free surgeries and given other free medical services to about 3,000 people of the area.

Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbare who received the team on behalf of the state Governor, acknowledged the organization for the free medical exercise which he noted was a demonstration of social consciousness and humaneness.

Prof. Ihonvbare particularly commended the Chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Osaro Obazee for the initiative, just as he assured of the sustained partnership with the United States medical team for council areas in the state to benefit.

President of the U.S. medical team, Dr. Lateef Olaniyan said the non-profit making organisation which came into being in 2008 has the primary motive to give free medical attention to less privileged persons.

According to the team, about three thousand (3,000) persons have been treated including 23 surgeries, 12

eleven plastic surgery cases.

Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council, Hon. Osaro Obazee said he is fulfilled with the success of the free medical exercise being part of his electioneering promises to the people of the locality.

The U.S. based Moses Lake medical team later presented Action Leadership Award to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, while the Chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Obazee received a compassionate leadership award.

Omo N’Oba Urged To Assist In Protecting Govt Properties

By RAYMOND OSOGBE BENIN CITY – Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin has been urged to prevail on the Enigie and other traditional rulers in Edo State to assist the State Government in protecting government properties, especially in the newly rebuilt primary and secondary schools, that have gulped billions of Naira from the State Government.

The Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Stephen Alao, the Yerima of Fugar, who made the plea for the Benin Monarch’s assistance, also informed the Oba of Benin that adequate arrangement had

reached an advanced stage to start the teaching of a Benin Language in schools all over the state, explaining that all ethnic groups from the state are of the same stock.

Prince Alao also told the Palace that the present Board of SUBEB had been mandated by the State Government to ensure that children of school age are all at school and warned teachers lobbing for posting to desist from doing so, as the State Government strongly believed that rural areas as parts of Edo State equally need the services of the teachers.

Omo N’Oba advised the Chairman and other Board members to put in their best for the benefit of all.

LAPO Forum seeks end to extreme poverty

By TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN

BENIN CITY- The 20 th Edition of Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) Annual Development Forum was held at Uyi Grand Hotel, G.R.A in Benin City on Wednesday, with participants seeking ways to end extreme poverty in Nigeria.

The Forum with the theme: “Ending Extreme Poverty in Nigeria: Issues and Way forward” drew participants from government, civil society, academia, market women and partners in development and was chaired by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Secretary to Edo State Government, (SSG).

Following exhaustive discourse of the Paper presented by Professor R.A Anao of the Benson Idahosa University and Dr. Henrietta Agun, Executive Director, Woman Action Initiative who spoke on “Value Reorientation: Tool for Addressing Poverty in Nigeria” and “Role of PublicPrivate Partnership in Poverty Reduction in Nigeria” respectively, the forum issued a 10-point communiqué on ways to end extreme poverty in Nigeria.

In the communiqué, participants observed that there was a clear need to reorientate the value system of the country to bring about a safe and orderly society where everyone is adequately catered for and called on Nigerians to imbibe such values as compassion, integrity, hardwork, diligence, patience and perseverance,

equity, justice and fairness, anchored on a mechanism for meting out appropriate sanctions on those who deviate from the norm.

The forum canvassed for increased access to affordable credit to Nigerians for wealth creation towards expanding the economy and sued for accelerated synergy between the public and private sector towards poverty reduction in Nigeria, noting that the Public and Private Partnership (PPP) remained an important tool for poverty eradication, accelerated growth and development.

The forum which also urged that moral values be promoted from the family unit to the general society equally recommended that Nigerians should be more productive and galvanise their resources capable of creating the wealth thereby ending extreme poverty.

It stressed that society should discourage the celebration of ill-gotten wealth through the conferment of traditional and national honours, honorary degrees and fellowship by higher educational institutions as well as cease to reward and celebrate unethical conduct.

The forum seriously frowned at the break up of indigenous culture and its ethical values, the absence of which encourage graft and acquisitiveness, which in turn promote poverty.

Edos in US demand formal apology

Continued from page 1 at large.

Members of the group in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan said their position was arrived at after a review of Nyaim’s apology in his letter of resignation to the president dated November 3, 2013.

Nyiam, a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue, prior to the said resignation, shouted down the governor who was presenting his brief at a public session organized in Benin City by the Advisory Committee.

The group’s letter was signed by Frank Omokaro, Emmanuel Okunmwendia, Dr. Sam Edo and Omolayo

Omoruyi, President/CEO, Director/Publicity Secretary, Director of Security/Research and Director/Secretary respectively.

They noted that Nyiam’s action was premeditated and a negative impact on the functioning of the federal government, saying it is, “a national disgrace which tends to question the authenticity of our progress among emerging democratic nations.

“That when a visitor defiles the number one citizen of a state, it is no longer a child’s play or partisan politics, rather it is an affront to the entire state”, they said According to them, there was no excuse whatsoever

for Nyiam to undermine all manners of civility by engaging in profound childish and uncivilized profanity in an occasion intended to be a precursor for charting a new road map for the nation, while not exonerating the federal government from culpability in the act.

“The unruly conduct of Col. Nyiam has unambiguously cast a dark shadow on the credibility and supposed capability of the committee to successfully organize the national conference”, they said, while urging the federal government to look beyond partisan politics in nominating people to serve in such committee.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

News

Edo Govt Commends TOTAN Shelter Over Laudible Initiative

By HUSENAT MOHAMMED

BENIN CITY – The Telecom Operators and Technicians Association of Nigeria (TOTAN) has received a boost with the Edo State government declaring its support for the TOTAN SHELTER initiative of the organisation.

This was made known by the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Arch. Francis Evbuowan when he played host to the executive members of TOTAN in Benin City.

The commissioner who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Urban/ Rural Planning and Design, said that his ministry was not unaware of the existence of TOTAN and its activities.

He stated that the meeting became necessary because of the need for the ministry to have a first-hand knowledge and broad base of the whole idea of TOTAN. “We have gone through

your letters and there are some areas that we need clarification which is the reason we invited you”, stated the commissioner.

Earlier, the president of TOTAN, Mr. Lord Osas Osunde, described TOTAN as a registered body that

overseas the affairs and wellbeing of all telecom operators/technicians across the country with specific focus towards empowering the youths, including the less

privileged ones to enable them earn a living.

He said besides his organisation’s objective of empowering the people

The Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (1st right), receiving Action Leadership Award on behalf of Governor Adams Oshiomhole from Dr. Lateef Olaniyan and John Fajimi of the Moses Lake Medical Team (MLMT) during a courtesy visit yesterday in Government House, Benin City. Photo: QUEENETHH A. OROBEDO.

LAPO Institute Graduates 30 Students

By TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN

BENIN CITY – Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) Institute For Microfinance And Enterprise Development on Tuesday graduated a total of 30 students who had undergone a three-month course in Basic Computer Appreciation, as part of effort to strengthen the capacity of youths in enterprise development.

In his remarks at the historic graduation ceremony, at the Institute’s S & T Road, Uselu premises, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute and Managing Director of LAPO, Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe said the institute was set up in line with LAPO’s vision and goal to train LAPO staff as well as members of the host community particularly

in ICT and Enterprise development.

Mr. Ehigiamusoe who underscored the importance of information technology in the computer age stressed that with over 3,500 staff, LAPO was in the business of creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths, adding that the graduands, with the requisite training had the opportunity to work in LAPO in years to come.

While thanking management of the Institute for its commitment, he however advised the graduating students to be disciplined, focused, hardworking and determined, in order to distinguished themselves.

Also speaking, the Director of LAPO Institute for Microfinance and Enterprise Development, Dr.

Kenneth Okakwu said the institute in collaboration with the Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) was offering training on Enterprise development as well as Basic Computer Appreciation, Development of Programming and few Banking software application.

Dr. Okekwu said the training qualifies the graduands to work in the

Information Technology (IT) section of LAPO and other organisations.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of Certificates to the graduands by the Chairman, Governing Council of the Institute, Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, assisted by other members of the Board, such as Dr. Henrientta Agun and Dr. Hassan Oakhena who were present at the occasion.

through phone boot business TOTAN would help enhance the economic growth of Edo State, the beautification

Reps Urge Federal Ministry Of Power To Construct 132KV Sub-Station In Gwaram ABUJA - The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Power to construct a 132KV sub-station in Gwaram Local Government in Jigawa as a remedial measure to address the power outage challenge.

It also urged the Kano Distribution Company to urgently improve and increase electricity supply to Gwaram to enable the people have a taste of civilisation.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Rep. Yusuf Galambi (PDPJigawa) on Thursday in Abuja which was adopted without debate when put to vote by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.

The motion was entitled: “ Need to Construct a 132 KV sub- Station in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa”.

Galambi, while moving the motion, said that better living conditions would continue to elude the people of Gwaram without adequate and stable supply of electricity.

He expressed concern that

Jesus Breed Ministries Holds Annual Thanksgiving Nov 17 BENIN CITY – The Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service 2013, of Jesus Breeds Ministries International Incorporated, comes up on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at the church hall 4 – 16 Osayi Street, off Ewah Road, Benin

City.

Chairman of the occasion is expected to be Bro Presley Osasere Asemota while Snr Deaconess Dora Aibangbee is the chairlady.

The occasion will begin at 10 a.m. prompt.

agenda of the comrade governor Adams Oshiomhole with the TOTAN Shelter initiative, as well as eliminate all illegal phone books trading in the city and to help optimise the revenue profile of the state.

Chief Eduwu Ekhator, Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, Chairman of the occasion during a workshop on industrial harmony between Multinational Companies and Host Communities in Edo State organised by Edo State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Public Petitions and Labour Matters in Benin City recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN

a situation whereby people were left without electricity supply for upwards of 30 to 40 days portends a “ grave threat to their socioeconomic activities’’.

The lawmaker was worried that Gwaram, which is one of the most populated local government areas with highest electricity consumers, had been without electricity for a long period.

He said that the construction of a 132KV sub-station in Gwaram would ameliorate the suffering of the people as well as address the prevailing perennial blackout.

The lawmaker said that the construction of the station would have multiplier effect on neighbouring local governments of Jigawa and Bauchi state.

Galambi urged the House to look into the matter in order to alleviate the suffering of the people in the area.

Meanwhile, the House has fixed November 20 for the service chiefs to appear and brief it on the security situation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa following a request by President Goodluck Jonathan for an extension of the state of emergency declared in the three states.

The Speaker, told the House that there was a communication from the offices of Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff that they were outside Abuja for an important assignment and could not appear on Thursday, as earlier scheduled.

The service chiefs had requested the House to oblige them a new date.

The House had on Wednesday invited the service chiefs to brief it yesterday on the current security situation in the states.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

News Anambra Guber Poll: LAGOS - A National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Lai Olurode, has said that sale of

INEC Warns Against Sale Of Voter Cards

voter cards was tantamount to annulment of citizenship rights.

Olurode said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He said that sale of voter cards was unpatriotic and should be avoided by all Nigerians.

The commissioner was reacting to reports that voter

cards were being sold in Anambra State for N5,000 ahead of the November 16 governorship poll in the state.

He noted that INEC had on

Hon Osikhena Boih Donald, Commissioner for land and Survey (Centre), Rev (Dr) Samuel Osazee Uhannuagho Ag. Permanent Secretary (left) and Mrs Queen Egomwan Director of Finance and Account during the C o m m i s s i o n e r ’s appearance at Edo state House of Assembly recently.

PHOTO: GODWIN ISEGNAN.

Hon (Barr.) Washington Osifo, Commissioner for Secondary Tertiary Technical Education (right) presenting the brief of his Ministry to Mr James Omoataman, Deputy Clerk Legislative Matters Edo State House of Assembly during the c o m m i s s i o n e r ’s appearance at the House recently.

PHOTO: GODWIN ISEGUAN.

Eating Of Processed Food Can Cause Cancer, Expert Warns ILORIN - Prof. Ibrahim Katibi, an expert in cardiovascular diseases, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, has warned that eating processed foods containing additives and preservatives could cause cancer.

Katibi told newsmen in Ilorin that cancer was the second leading cause of death of the cardiovascular disease both in the developed and developing countries.

According to him, processed foods such as canned foods, and those containing chemicals and additives to prolong their shelf lives were carcinogenic.

He cautioned that saturated fats from red meats, such as hamburger or steak, and high-fat dairy products were linked with several cancers.

“It also appears to increase the risk for cancers in the breast,

colon, kidney and gallbladder,” he said.

The cardiologist said that alcohol consumption also increase the risk of cancer of the oesophagus and stomach, especially when combined with smoking.

Katibi warned that “exposure to electromagnetic radiation, invisible, high-energy light waves such as sunlight and Xrays, accounts for a small percentage of cancer deaths”.

According to him, among the 14,500 annual cases of cervical cancer in Nigeria, over 40 million women are at risk.

He said there was need for people to be aware of the symptoms and management, adding that the commonest cancer cases in the country were breast, cervix and prostate.

Katibi called for the creation

of National Cancer Institute to promote research and training in cancer.

He said various challenges that

contributed to cancer morbidity and mortality in the country was everybody’s problem as government could not tackle them alone.

Caretaker C’ttee Takes Over Edo NYCN BENIN CITY – A seven member caretaker committee has been appointed to run the affairs of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Edo State Chapter.

The seven member caretaker committee was appointed at a meeting held on November 8, 20013.

In a statement issued in Benin City, the former Executive led by Comrade Solomon Odiogbe was

purportedly dissolved in line with the NYCN constitution.

Meanwhile, Comrade Uyigue Ekpen will act as chairman of the committee while Mr. Fidelis Okhuegbe will act as secretary.

Dr. Carl Nosakhare Isibor, Ukwame dua Nwame Constance, Dan Eheremwen Erowoshomwenma, Zomor Esther Onyeka and Ukana James Oruvofu will as well serve as members of the committee.

October 2, in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral System, carried out voters Education in Anambra State.

He said that the exercise was to demonstrate the commission’s readiness to conduct free, fair and credible governorship election in the state.

“It is surprising that people are still defacing and selling their cards.

“We are not going to use card reader in Anambra, but the features on the card, the photograph and the pin number will not make it possible for anybody to use the card unduly.

“We have trained our people to look very cleverly and patiently at the photograph on the voter card.

“We assure you that no other

person can use a voter card in place of another because it will mean an attempt to erode the right of citizens to choose their leaders,’’ he said.

Olurode advised members of the electorate not to allow themselves to be deceived into selling their cards for money, food or promise.

He noted that it would be criminal to buy and attempt to use another person’s card to vote.

He gave the assurance that purchased voter cards would not be used for the Anambra gubernatorial poll.

Olurode, who is also the Chairman, Board of the Electoral Institute, called on the mass media to continue to educate members of the electorate on why they should not sell their cards.

AGBOR (DELTA) – Pastor Louis Adione has urged Nigerians to pray for divine intervention in solving the problem of violence and unemployment.

Pastor Adione, in a chat with The Nigeria OBSERVER disclosed, that believe have received the answer, he said it is a great idea dropped in my spirit which, I believe when implemented will bring solution to Nigeria’s problems automatically.”

Pastor Adione said, first of all the Government should introduce free and compulsory Education up to the first degree level, for youths below the age of 40 years, attach all the students to our national development projects.

Government he said, should also simultaneously build 36 new petrol refineries-one in each of the 36 state of the federation and send all the qualified unemployed youths to work there from foundation to finish with good salaries.

Pastor Adione said this is possible because scores of illegal refineries have been reportedly discovered and destroyed by the Y.T.F and the finished products, would be exported to earn foreign exchange and create more jobs.

In addition, Pastor Adione said, Government should simultaneously build an all purpose agriculture farm and Industrial village estate in each of the 774 local

government areas in Nigeria using the youths with good salaries to produce surplus food to feed the nation and export to other countries.

He also advocated for a replication of the Abuja Modern City (Miniature) in each of the 774 local government areas.

He said to implement this great national project the federal government should partner with the state and local government multinational and national universities, banks and financial institutions, universities and tertiary institutions, N.Y.S.C., N.G.Os, Youths Organizations, U.N.O, market unions Labour Unions, Town Unions etc even the church and Religious organizations will be willing to help this Godly Project. Government should mobilize the entire citizenry, all Nigerias at home and in the diaspora for this great assignment. He said since we have more than enough resources to do it. Our oil and Gas, Vat and taxes, foreign reserves and Excess Crude, Cocoa, Cattle, Palm produce, Groundnuts, Solid Minrals e.t.c are more than enough to finance it.

In addition all students enjoying free education will be ready to spend their vocation/holidays in building roads, Bridges, Sports Arenas and other Infrastructures voluntarily supervised by their lecturers and engineers/ professionals.

Clergy Proffers Solutions To Nation’s Problems

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

South South Imbibe safe Environmental Practices, Imoke Urges Nigerians CALABAR- Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River has in Calabar restated the need for people and companies operating in the country to always imbibe safe environmental practices.

Imoke said this at the 9th Annual Conference of the Society for Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (SOSEH) taking place at the University of Calabar.

Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, Imoke said the theme for the conference which is “Impact of Resource Exploitation and Land Degradation, Public Health and Livelihood Patterns” was appropriate and timely.

Imoke also reiterated his administration’s belief in Public Health as an entry point to adequate healthcare delivery in the state.

He stressed the need for balance between man and the environment, to ensure protection for man and the environment.

Imoke also decried environmental hazards such as Ozone depletion and extinction of animals occasioned by environmental degradation.

He said that his administration had in 2012, set up a Task Force on Anti-Deforestation to ensure the protection of forests and mitigate the impacts of deforestation activities on the environment.

He called on the association to join hands with the government to ensure that the activities of companies and people would not be harmful to them or the environment.

He expressed optimism that the conference would add to the approaches adopted by other stakeholders in making the environment suitable for social and economic activities of mankind.

In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. James Epoke, commended Imoke over the proposed plan to construct a specialist hospital, which he described as a demonstration of the governor’s passion for Public Health.

In his address, the National President of the association, Dr E. C. Okorocha, said that the association would continue to support the government and other stakeholders, to ensure safe environmental practices at all times.

Supervising Minister for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike Award to the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy, Maj.Gen. Emeka Onwuamaegbu at the presentation of TETFUND National Research Fund Intervention Project Award in Abuja recently. With them is the Chairman of TETFUND, Dr. Musa Babayo.

Supervising Minister For Education, Mr Nyesom Wike (5th-L) in a group photograph with beneficiaries of TETFUND National Research Fund Intervention Project Award in Abuja recently.

Uduaghan Tasks Community Health Workers ASABAGovernor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta has called on community health practitioners to consider themselves strategic for effective healthcare delivery in the country.

Uduaghan made the call at the 21st National Scientific Conference of the Association of

Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria in Asaba.

He was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Daniel Omodon.

He said the community health care practitioners should lead the way if the country would make progress in healthcare delivery.

Uduaghan said the health workers should help in enlightening the public on how to live a healthy life and on the various government health programmes.

“When patients are systematically provided information and skills to reduce health risks, they are more likely

to reduce indulgence in risky behaviour.

“Providing them with such information would help to reduce behavior that can significantly reduce long term burden and healthcare demands,’’ he said.

The governor said the state government had initiated some programmes such as free maternal health for pregnant women to reduce the burden of accessing health care among the

Man, 24, Docked For Killing Mother YENAGOA- The police have arrested a 24-year old man for allegedly killing his mother at Oloibiri community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

It was learnt that the suspect hurriedly buried the remains of the 67-year old woman.

Sources, however, told newsmen that the body of the deceased, buried behind the house, was exhumed by the community leaders.

It was further gathered that the suspect allegedly slaughtered his mother, who was asleep.

Members of the community described the

incident as a taboo.

“The Oloibiri community views this incident as a desecration of our land and, as such, there must be a traditional cleansing of the land.

“The man has been behaving somehow as if mentally ill and disturbed.

“He sneaked into the house,

killed his mother with a machete and dragged her body through the window to the back of the house, dug a shallow grave and dumped the body there.

“He later covered the grave,” Ataribo said.

When contacted, the police spokesman, DSP Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the incident.

He said that the case had been transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for investigation.

“The family claimed that the suspect is psychologically disturbed, but the police have commenced investigation into the matter,” Akhigbe said.

populace.

Uduaghan said the free programme also covered children under five years.

The National President of the association, Alhaji Adeoye Tadese, said the conference would afford the association the opportunity to discuss issues bothering on their welfare and the health sector.

“Although substantial progress has been made toward achieving the MDGs four and five, the rate of decline in maternal, newborn and underfive mortality remains high to achieve these goals by 2015.

“We are equally aware that much progress has been recorded in the combat of HIV/ AIDS, but can the trend be sustained to achieve the MDGs by 2015 and beyond,’’ Tadese said.

He called for strategies and programmes to convey essential intervention packages for improving maternal, newborn and child health.

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News Residents Appeal For Assistance As Water Scarcity Hits Iseyin

Representative of the Director-General, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Dr. Priscilla Ibekwe (left), being welcome by the Ujah of Anaguta, Mr. Jauro Magaji, during the launch of NACA Free Medical Outreach Campaign in Jos recently.

RCCG Holds Men Programme BENIN CITY – The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Upper Room Parish, Edo Province will hold a victorious Men’s Fellowship Weekend on the 14th to 17th of November, 2013.

The ceremony which has been scheduled to hold at Redeemed Christian Church way, Off AGGS Road, GRA, Benin City, Edo State has as its theme: “Dependable Man, his Family will be hosted by Bro. Edward Iyamah, victorious men’s fellowship.

According to the programme of event, on Thursday 14th November, 2013, there will be faith clinic followed by visitation to orphanage homes and hospitals.

There will be jogging for life which service at between 4pm – 7pm while thanksgiving service takes place on Sunday November, 17th 2013.

The statement also added that those ministering at the ceremony will include Pastor Olawale Rufus, AP ACCG, Mount Zion Parish, Pst Grace Iyoha, Glory Gate Ministry, senior Pst, Rev. Dr. E. Adagbonyin, Marriage Councillor Head of Department C.G.M and Rev. Sam Obadan.

Medical personnel attending to people during the launch of NACA Free Medical Outreach Campaign in Jos recently.

scarcity has led to a boom in the sale of sachet water across the metropolis, and people selling water in tankers now make brisk businesses.

In separate interviews with newsmen some residents of the new areas, who pleaded anonymity, alleged neglect by successive governments.

“We don’t mind digging wells or bore holes by ourselves but all our efforts to do so have yielded no result because of the hard terrain,’’ some residents of Barrack said.

A resident of Oja-Agbe, Pastor Abiodun Bambo, said some of the people had resorted to getting water from sources that could lead to them contracting water-borne diseases. “‘We now get water from stream to wash and do other house cleaning, and we buy sachet (pure) water to drink and sometimes cook.

“Those who cannot afford sachet water drink water from wells and streams, I am sure you know what can happen to such people.’’

A resident of Koso area, Alhaji Ismail Abidemi, appealed to the state government to assist the residents in getting potable water.

“There is just one well that serves most us in this area, and we must wake up early to get clean water otherwise we will fetch polluted water.

“We appreciate government’s efforts to construct good roads in town but must we all die before the road is ready?’’

When contacted, Alhaji Ilaysu Adebayo, Deputy

Seminary Awards Certificates To 20 Recipients

BENIN CITY – The Edo State Satellite Campus of TCEM Faith Evangelical Seminary, Tacoma, Washington, USA has awarded foundation certificate, masters and Doctorate degrees to 20 recipients in Benin City.

In the award ceremony which was held at the weekend

CMC Holds Thanksgiving

By HUSENAT MOHAMMED Nov 17 BENIN CITY – The 2013 annual thanksgiving service of Christ Miracle Church of God Inc, (Victory centre) will hold on the 17th of November 2013.

The ceremony which has as its theme, “Harvest of

ISEYIN (Oyo State)Residents of Iseyin in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State has said that scarcity of potable water had brought hardship to the people.

Reports say that almost all parts of the town experience the scarcity. developing areas like Barracks, Bismarck Avenue and Sawmill have no access to water from the state’s water corporation.

Koso, Oja-Oba, Oluwole and Enkule, located in the older part of the town, that normally have water now have to endure the scarcity because of the road expansion work that has affected water supply.

Reports say that the

celebration” takes place at 356 3rd Isibor Street, Off Jehovah, Off 100 Road, Off St Saviour Road, Benin City.

According to the programme of event, the host at the thanksgiving ceremony shall be pastor Godwin Afenkhare.

in Benin City, Rev. Isaac Churchill Acha, the Executive Administration of TCEM – Faith, urged the recipient to be prepared for the major task ahead.

According to Rev. Acha, “every true, called and ordained child of God is to be fully prepared on how to go about combating the increasing ignorance about the word of God among Christians and non-christians.”

He urged all Christians, ministers of the gospel, individuals and groups to support the mission of the seminary in training and producing men and women

grounded in the word of God. Earlier in a sermon, Rev. Dr. Priston Walter, advised the graduands to work with love, if they must succeed, saying

“one must be humble, and work with the power of God, that without the holy spirit, one cannot accomplish anything.”

Manager, State Water Corporation, Iseyin Water Works, confirmed that most of the new areas had yet to get water.

Adebayo said that the disruption in water supply to Koso, Enkule and other areas was due to the ongoing road construction.

“We are working round the clock to install pipe and supply water immediately the contractors are through with the affected areas,’’ he said.

Pa Timothy Igbinobaro Idemudia passes On At 83

By HUSENAT MOHAMMED ABUDU - The Ohen Obaro family of Ikhueniro in Uhunmwode and Aghimien of Iguelaba in Orhionmwon Local Government Areas of Edo State have announced the demise of their father, grand and great grand father, late Pa Timothy Igbinobaro Idemudia at the ripe age of 83.

According to the burial arrangement signed by his eldest son, Dr. Femi Nosa idemudia and statement from the eldest daughter Mrs. Edna Aghatekokhian Osagiede, the body leaves Stella Obasanjo Hospital Mortuary in a motorcade at 10.00 am to his residence, No 55 Iyobosa Street, Opposite Edo College gate, M. M. Way Benin City.

The statement also indicated that there will be a social dance/ entertainment of guests on Saturday November 23, 2013 at his residence, while thanksgiving takes place next day.

However the Osagiede family of Ehiozevbaru Village has commiserated with their inlaws in this period of bereavement and wish their late in-law pa Timothy Igbinobaro Idemudia eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.

El-Shaddai Ministries Holds Convention Nov 15

By HUSENAT MOHAMMED

BENIN CITY – The annual convention of Kings Circle of Oasis of Love Church (El-Shaddai Ministries) has been scheduled to hold between Friday November 15 and Saturday 17, 2013.

The convention which is

tapped: Creating wealth is expected to take place at the church hall, 11 Imadiyiosa Street, Off Evbareke Spare Parts, Off Textile Mill Road, Benin City beginning from 5:pm.

Pastor Sam Omorebokhae is the host, while Rev. Chris Ukwa will be the guest speaker.

Late Pa Timothy Igbinobaro Idemudia

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Lagos NPA Retirees To Be Included In National Pension Scheme LAGOS - The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos announced plans to include the company’s former workers who retired between 2006 and 2007 into their pension scheme.

The plan followed a directive from the DirectorGeneral, Budget Office of the Federation.

In a letter dated November 6, 2013, the Ministry of Transport directed the NPA management to include the retired workers in the pension scheme.

The letter was signed by Mr Oqua Ete, Director, Human Resource Management, Ministry of Transport.

“I am directed to forward the attached selfexplanatory clarification letter dated October 25 from the Budget Office of the Federation on its circular dated August 23, 2009.

“The letter is on the enrolment of 2006/2007 severed staff into the defined benefit pension scheme for your information and compliance,’’ it said.

NPA workers who retired between 2006 and 2007 had on October 3, 2013 protested their exclusion from the national pension scheme.

The former workers were demanding the payment of 10 per cent pension and gratuity from the NPA management for what they termed premature retirement.

Mr Charles Binitie, the Chairman of NPA’s 2006/ 2007 Retired Workers Association, said the management of NPA had refused to listen to their demand in spite of their letters and pleas.

All attempts to reach Mr Iheanacho Ebubeogwu, NPA’s General Manager, Public Affairs, were unsuccessful.

However, Ebubeogwu had recently told newsmen that a committee had commenced the computation of the pension entitlement for the retirees.

“We have a committee that is already working out the entitlement of the retirees. We are already looking into their issues.

“It is a committee made up of the finance, legal and human resource departments,’’ he said.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (right) discussing with the Founder Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates (left) during his courtesy call on the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja recently.

Nigerian Airways Pensioners Urge Jonathan To Pay N70bn Pension Arrears IKEJA- Retired workers of the defunct Nigerian Airways Ltd. (NAL) have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to use his good offices to pay them N70 billion pension arrears.

The retirees made the appeal during a meeting at the secretariat of the Airport Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

The pensioners’ leader, Mr Ibraheem Hussein, said that many of their colleagues had died, some hospitalised and others weak and frail because of their struggle for payment of

People wading through flood in Lagos recently.

Association Urges FG To Resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Plant

LAGOS - The Chairman, of the Nigeria Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Lagos Branch, has urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

Ukaegbu spoke in an interview with newsmen at the ongoing 2nd Annual NATEWEX Exhibition and Workshop in Lagos.

He said that local engineers needed steel that would be produced by the factory.

“Engineering and steel go hand in hand.

“You have gone round our exhibitors’ stands and would have realised that the common denominator for most of them is that they all used steel as an input in their innovations.

“The shame there is that the steel they used were all imported; it has resulted in rise in cost of production which will result in an increase in the price of the innovations,“ Ukaegbu said.

He said that Nigerian engineers looked forward to

the government making available raw materials for local scientists and technologists.

“We want the government to look into areas that are not functioning in the economy and make them functional,’’ the NATE chairman said.

Ukaegbu said that more than 25 exhibitors were represented on the second day of the exhibition and workshop.

He expressed the hope that the five- day exhibition,

the Federal Government and some stakeholders on eradicating polio by 2014,’’ he said.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, said that Nigeria was very grateful for the investment of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in various sectors of the nation’s economy.

stakeholders to collaborate to ensure overall development of the nation’s health sector.

He said that this would enable Nigerians to have unhindered access to healthcare services.

Dangote called on Nigerian entrepreneurs to “join us in improving the health and wellbeing of Nigerians’’.

Gate, Dangote Foundations To Eradicate Polio Dangote said that there LAGOS- The Bill and In Nigeria By 2014 was the need for all Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with the Dangote Foundation, is set to eradicate polio in Nigeria by 2014.

Mr Bill Gates, CoFounder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, gave the assurance in Lagos at a news conference held at the end of his two-day polio eradication campaign visit to Nigeria.

Gates, also the Chairman

of Microsoft, said that his campaign visit to some parts of the country was very successful.

He said that Jonathan’s administration had shown full commitment to ending polio as well as improving the nation’s health sector and wellbeing of Nigerians.

“We have received tremendous support from

which started on Monday, would be success.

According to him, more exhibitors from different parts of the nation have indicated their intentions to participate before the end of the event.

He said that the exhibition was an improvement on the first edition which was held in Abuja in 2011.

Some participants, who spoke to newsmen said that the exhibition had given them more exposure.

Mr Bartholomew Obeleagu, an exhibitor from the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), told newsmen that more visitors were visiting exhibition stands.

Obeleagu said that the NAFRC had the opportunity to showcase woodworks, mini soap factory and brick molding machines.

He said that local engineers needed such an exposure.

He urged governments and local industries to encourage the engineers through financial support.

their pensions.

He noted that since the liquidation of NAL on May 21, 2003, the Federal Government had only paid the retirees five years pension arrears out of 25 years pension arrears.

He urged the government to pay the retired workers the outstanding pension arrears.

He said that the government owed the pensioners N70 billion as at January.

“We made several attempts in the past to seek audience with President Goodluck Jonathan; we wrote two correspondences through the aviation workers’ unions and the Trade Union Congress (TUC),” he said.

According to him, there were 5,700 NAL pensioners and workers at the time of its liquidation, but regretted that many of them had died.

Hussein noted that NAL was rated Number Four in the aviation world and had the best pilots and engineers.

Another NAL retiree, Mr Andrew Inalegwu, said that the treatment being meted out to the pensioners was improper.

“NAL pensioners were not responsible for the airline’s liquidation,” he said.

He claimed that NAL employees who served in New York, Rome, London and other West African countries had been paid 25 years pension arrears.

“Why is it that those who worked in Nigeria were paid five years pension arrears?’’ he asked.

Mrs Josephine Iwasomi, a retired communicator in NAL, said that she had not been paid gratuity.

“I don’t have money to feed or sponsor my children’s university education; I had to borrow,” she said.

She said that many of the retirees had become beggars and lost their dignity.

Mrs Nike Abioje asked, “How long will this continue?’’

Alhaji Yisa Sunmonu, Alhaji Ibraheem Mohammed and Mr Ojewumi Yisa, also appealed to the Federal Government to pay the arrears of pension to reduce death among the retired workers.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Across The Nation Conspiracy:

Court Remands 9

MAKURDIA Makurdi Magistrates’ Court has remanded nine people in prison custody on charges of criminal conspiracy, attempted culpable homicide, inciting public disturbance and belonging to an unlawful society.

The Prosecuting Officer, Insp. James Zungwe, told the court that the case was transferred from ‘C’ Division Police Station in Northbank, Makurdi to the State Criminal Investigation Department on October 21 through a letter.

According to the letter, one Mujahid Garba, had reported at the station that some cult boys, numbering about 10 armed with cutlasses, knives and other dangerous weapons attacked him, his brothers and friends.

The complainant stated that one of the suspects, Tersoo Avine, gave him a deep cut with a knife on his head and the rest inflicted all kinds of injuries on his brothers and friends.

During police investigation, Avine, John Igba, Anyebe Omeje, Bem Vembe, Usman Garba, Suleiman Ozailo, Abdulrahim Garba, Hassan Ibrahim and Baba Yakubu were arrested in connection with the crime.

The prosecutor said that a heavy iron, Nokia handset and blood-stained shirt were recovered from the suspects.

Zungwe said the offences contravened sections 7, 230, 116 and 99 of the Penal Code.

Then the case came up for mention, the accused did not take pleas for want of jurisdiction.

The prosecutor informed the court that investigation into the matter was still in progress, asking for another date for further mention.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Theresa Wergba, adjourned the matter to December 19, for further mention.

L-R: Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue, Dr Akilu Indabawa, Chairman, Sen. Femi Okoruonmu and Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Alhaji Ishaq Hamza, at the presidential Advisory committee on National Dialogue Conference in Kaduna recently.

Kebbi To Ensure Compliance With National Curriculum

BIRNIN KEBBI- The Commissioner for Education in Kebbi, Alhaji Sama’ila Ganda, has said the state had commenced inspection of schools to ensure compliance with the new national curriculum.

Gana told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that both government and private schools would be inspected as part of efforts to improve the standard of education in the state.

He complained that some private schools were not using the national curriculum in compliance with the national policy on education, adding that “after the inspection, violators will be sanctioned.

“Also, schools that do not have qualified teachers,

conducive teaching and learning environment will be sanctioned.

“The measures are part

of the state government’s deliberate steps to raise the standard of education in the state.’’

The commissioner said that the newly recruited teachers in the state would soon be deployed to

Anambra Governorship Election: ONITSHA (ANAMBRA)The Campaign for Democracy (CD), an NGO, has urged the police and other security agencies in Anambra to disarm vigilance groups to prevent them from being used by politicians during the November 16 governorship polls in the state.

Mr. Vincent Ezekwueme, chairman of the group in the state made the appeal on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen in Onitsha.

Ezekwueme said that all efforts must be geared toward ensuring credible, fair, free

NGO Urges Police To

Disarm Vigilante Groups

and generally acceptable election that would meet international standard.

“CD is appealing to the presidency, INEC, security agents and all stakeholders to ensure that all aspirants and political parties adhere strictly to the electoral laws,’’ he said.

The chairman, however, decried the huge amount of money being spent by the candidates in the election.

He advised security agents to be on the alert to checkmate the activities of political party

Participants at the presidential advisory committee on National Dialogue Conference in Kaduna.

schools.

He said that contractors handling the state’s school feeding programme would soon be paid to ensure the success of the programme.

agents that would use money to influence people at the polling booths.

“Anambra electorate and youths should vote wisely during the November 16, governorship election in order to ensure that a man of impeccable integrity will emerge as governor-elect.

“Parents should advise their

children against being used as thugs during and after the election’’.

He warned that Anambra people would not accept any attempt to impose a candidate on them; adding, “our people will accept the outcome of the election if it is credible’’.

Kebbi govt inspects schools to ensure compliance with national curriculum

Bad Roads: Lokoja

Residents Tasks Govt LOKOJA- Some residents of Lokoja, the Kogi capital, have called on the state and Ajaokuta Local Governments to repair bad portions of the road network in the area.

The residents made the appeal in separate interviews with newsmen in Lokoja.

Mrs. Binta Daoda said they had been agonising over the bad road network over the last five years.

Daoda, a provision seller and native of Okene, said the bad roads had become a nightmare to residents and motorists in the area.

“Motorcycle operators always increase their fares to the area or they will tell you they don’t want to go to that side.”

Another resident, Mr. Sodiq Aliyu, said he regretted building a house in the area, adding that his car suffered wear and tear daily.

“I have to take my car to the mechanic virtually every week because of the bad roads.”

He added that the bad roads were also causing accidents in the area.

Aliyu advised the council chairman and the councillor representing the ward to make themselves popular with the residents by repairing the road.

He also urged the state government’s urgent intervention, stressing that the road was deteriorating.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Abuja

nPDP Set To Receive 5 New Governors, Replaces Oyinlola

ABUJA - Rising from the November edition of the monthly meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC), the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) has set up a sixman committee to coordinate the welcome of five new governors who have indicated intention to join its fold.

Presided over by National Chairman of the faction, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the meeting named Hon. Dr. Sam Jaja, the national vice chairman of nPDP as Chairman while Hon. Nasir Isa Abubakar, the national organising secretary is Secretary.

Other members of the committee are Engr. Abubakar G. Umar, the national treasurer; Hon. Binta Masi Garba, the women leader; Mr. Timi Frank, the youth leader; and Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the national public secretary.

The committee was directed to submit for immediate consideration by the G7 Governors the, venue, logistics and modalities for receiving the five governors, ex-governors, nationalists and key members of the National Assembly who

have indicated interest to the group.

According to National Publicity Secretary of NPDP, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the NWC received with utmost happiness the ruling of the Appeal Court returning His Excellency, Prince (Barr) Olagunsoye Oyinlola back to his seat as National Secretary of PDP; and pleaded with him to ensure that the impunity in PDP becomes something of the past while other court rulings that will restore the Baraje-led NWC as the authentic NWC of the party are awaited.

After considering the opinion of its legal adviser, Barrister Eric Opia, NPDP decided that Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola does not need any other oath of office to return to work as PDP National Secretary, as he subscribed to PDP’s oath of office alongside other members of the NWC that were sworn in at the Eagle Square on 24th March 2012.

According to the Opia, the import of the appellate court’s verdict, which did not attach any condition to its ruling, is that Oyinlola is the validly elected PDP National Secretary.

“That has also been the position of INEC, which monitored the National Convention of PDP held on 24th March 2012,” Eze wrote in a statement.

“As things stand, Oyinlola remains the national secretary of PDP and only the Supreme Court can reverse that decision.

The nPDP NWC is therefore of the view that Prince Oyinlola should resume office immediately without waiting for any directive from any quarters. Any other person who parades himself as the national secretary of PDP should be committed to prison for contempt of court.”

Also at the meeting, National Organising Secretary of nPDP Hon. Nasir Isa Abubakar was appointed to replace Oyinlola in acting capacity, pending further directives from the G7 Governors and the nPDP Caucus.

The faction commended and congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan by once

Man, 70, Sues EFCC For Invading ABUJA - A 70-year-old defendants from further His Privacy the businessman, Mr. Kingsley invading his house to harass and Uche-Mba, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before an Abuja High Court sitting in Lugbe for allegedly invading his residence.

The plaintiff, a fuel merchant living at No. 213, Cadastral Layout, Jikwoyi Phase 1, Abuja, in an originating motion filed by his counsel, Mr. Shaka Awaliene, joined Mr. Nicholas Elechi, a lawyer in the suit.

In his submission, Awaliene said that operatives of the EFCC forced their way into his client’s apartment at about 5.40 a.m. on Aug. 31, without a warrant on the instigation of Elechi.

He said that the operatives entered his client’s residence with sophisticated weapons and handcuffs with the intent to arrest him while he was away in his village.

He added that the operatives harassed the wife and daughter of his client.

Awaliene said that when his client contacted Elechi, who led the operatives to his house, he (Elechi) claimed the plaintiff benefitted from a land transaction in Dec. 2011, for which he must refund N2.5 million.

He said that one of the operatives told his client’s son to tell his father to pay the said amount or risk being arrested and taken to the EFCC Port Harcourt office from where they came.

The plaintiff, therefore, prayed the court to declare the alleged act of the EFCC operatives a violation of his fundamental human right and his right to personal liberty and family life.

“The illegal and forceful entering into the applicant’s

premises without warrant, the harassment, threat of arrest and demand for ransom, amount to violation of his right to dignity of human person.

“The action is also tantamount to violation of his personal liberty and right to private and family life as guaranteed under Section 34, 35 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution,’’ Awaliene said.

Awaliene urged the court to enforce the fundamental right of his client by granting an order of perpetual injunction restraining

threaten his family.

When the case came up for mention, the defendants were absent and were not represented by counsel and the plaintiff’s counsel moved a motion for substituted service of the court processes on them.

Justice Angela Otaluka, however, refused to grant the motion and insisted on personal service on the respondents and adjourned the case to November 28 for them to be properly served and appear in court.

again improving on his democratic credentials by directing the immediate reinstatement of Oyinlola as duly elected National Secretary of PDP “despite plots by some undemocratic within the system who want to portray our party

in bad light by embarking upon on an exercise in futility by trying to lure the South-West PDP to write a petition against Prince Oyinlola and use it to invite him to the Alh Dikko’s Disciplinary Committee and after suspends him.”

Continuing, Eze wrote: “To us, this plot, apart from being childish, exposes Tukur and his cohorts as true enemies of PDP and the force behind the continuous crisis in the party, which they don’t want its end because of their myopic and selfish goals but thank God for the intervention of President Jonathan to end this undesirable macabre dance.

L-R: representative of the Senate President, Sen. Danladi Sankara; Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe and Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Baba Farouk, at the Conference For Parliamentarians Focal Ministers, Ministers of Finance of Niger Basin Authority members countries in Abuja recently.

Civil Defence Denies Land Racketeering ABUJA - The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has distanced itself from involvement in any land racketeering in the FCT and Nasarawa State.

The land racketeering led to the seizure of 61 houses and 45 plots of land from NSCDC officials by the ICPC. The organisation denied any kind of complicity in the scam via a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr.

Emmanuel Okeh, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement said that the NSCDC management had absolved itself of any complicity in land scam.

“The NSCDC CommandantGeneral, Dr Ade Abolurin, has emphasised for the umpteenth time that the organisation is not involved in sales of land.

“The NSCDC did not at any

Participants at the Conference For Parliamentarians Focal Ministers, Ministers of Finance of Niger Basin Authority members countries in Abuja recently.

point in time delegate persons, organisations or agents to do so on its behalf,’’ it said.

The statement stressed that the corps did not have any land for sale, adding that it did not have any housing estate in its name as well.

It quoted Abolurin as saying that the mandate of the corps as a paramilitary agency of government was to protect and safeguard the critical infrastructure of government and the country’s national assets.

It listed some of the assets as petroleum pipelines, power transmission equipment and telecommunication installations, among others.

“The corps, therefore, does not have any business with the purported land sales and the officers who are culpable must be sanctioned according to the law.

“The corps will like to make it unequivocally clear that the property seized by the ICPC does not belong to NSCDC; rather, it belongs to some indicted officers who are currently under investigations,’’ Abolurin was quoted as saying in the statement.

The statement said that the director-general said that the prosecution of the affected officers by the ICPC had commenced.

THE NIGERIAN

10

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Business + Economy Africa’s Largest Gas City Underway In Delta

By BETTY IDIALUWARRI

WARRI - Africa’s Largest Gas City worth 26 billion dollars underway in Delta State as Governor Uduaghan calls for cooperation of stakeholders to ensure its success.

A Stakeholders meeting to pave way for the construction of Africa’s largest Industrial

Gas city in Ogidigben, Warri South West Local Government Area was held yesterday in Warri with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan asking for cooperation from all communities in the area to ensure that the project got underway smoothly.

The multi-billion dollars project would be located back to back with EGTL (Escravos

Gas To Liquid) project almost similar to the one being constructed by Chevron Nigeria Limited and expected to be completed in seven years.

The project which will occupy a land space of over two thousand eight hundred hectares will have among other things a refinery, a gas plant, a

fertilizer processing plant and a petrochemical plant.

The plant when completed and fully operational is expected to provide

Subsidy Fraud

Absence Of Accused Stalls Trial IKEJA - The absence of an accused, Emmanuel Morah, has stalled the trial of three oil marketers charged with alleged N789.6 million fuel subsidy fraud.

Morah, who was charged alongside Adamu Maula and George Ogbonna, is standing trial before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court.

They are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside their firms Downstream Energy Sources Ltd. and Rocky Energy Ltd. The EFCC alleged that the marketers did not import the 10,862 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for which they received subsidy payment from the Federal Government.

Morah’s counsel, Mr Eubena Ahmedu, in an application dated Oct.25, informed the court that his client was involved in an accident and had travelled abroad for surgery.

Ahmedu also tendered a medical report and photographs of Morah at a hospital in the

United States of America, where he was recuperating.

He said Morah would not return to Nigeria until end of November and, therefore, asked the court to vacate the dates earlier fixed for the case.

The EFCC counsel, Mr Tayo Olukotun, did not opposed the application.

Okunnu, granted Ahmedu’s application and adjourned the matter to Feb. 14, 2014 for continuation of trial.

LAPO FORUM: The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman of 20th LAPO Annual Forum (centre), flanked by Managing Director, LAPO, Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe (right) and Prof. R.A. Anao (left), Guest Speaker at the event which held in Benin City Wednesday.

Pay Greater Attention To Science, IT, Expert Urges Govt LAGOS - The President of Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr Bayo Banjo, re-emphasised the importance of science, technology, innovation and intellectual property (IP) rights in national economic development.

He told newsmen that science, technology and innovation were the major drivers of modern societies.

“Without harnessing its power, we will not be able to create a healthy, educated or inclusive society,” he said.

Banjo said that greater emphasis on science, technology and innovation was imperative toward a sustainable national economic development.

According to him, conscious

leveraging and protection of intellectual properties (IP) such as patents, copyrights and other peculiar rights remain the key factor of promoting socioeconomic growth and national development.

“It will encourage innovation, invention and the development of new technologies.

“It will also promote both

GRADUATION: L-R: Dr. Hassan Oakhena of Economics Depatment, University of Benin, Dr. Tony Osawe of AAU, Managing Director, LAPO, Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe and Dr. Herienta Agun at LAPO Institute for Microfinance and Enterprise Development graduation ceremony.

domestic and foreign investments, facilitate technology transfer and increase agricultural and industrial production,” he said.

Banjo said that IP was an indispensable mechanism for the translation of knowledge into commercial assets.

“IP rights create a secure environment for investment in innovation and provide a legal framework for trading in intellectual assets,” he said.

Banjo also argued that it was imperative for government to put in place effective and dynamic IP policies and laws for the enhancement of Knowledge-based creation.

“An investment in knowledge creation, and the maintenance of a robust and balanced IP system should feature prominently in any strategy, to ensure sustainable economic growth,” he said.

Banjo noted that innovation benefits in the economic, social and environmental sub-sectors remain the major drivers of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

“Policymakers should redouble their efforts to develop the legal and policy frameworks for technology, including intellectual property legislation and policy, so as to release the country’s untapped potential,” he added.

employment for more than two hundred thousand persons of different skills and professional qualifications.

An excited Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan while briefing the stakeholders enjoined the people of the area to cooperate with the Federal Government, the NNPC and the contractors handling the project to ensure that the project got underway without hitches.

Dr. Uduaghan explained that the project is a blessing to Delta State as it will help to strengthen the economy of the state and provide employment opportunities for people in the state and the country.

He also asked the people to shun negative actions and comments that may send wrong signals to the international community. His words: ”I appeal to you all to cooperate with us in ensuring that this project gets underway and is successful. We have done it with the EGTL project so we already have a template for success. All we have to do is to activate the same template and ensure that this project is delivered on schedule”, he said.

According to the Governor the project will help to ensure that the gas been flared is also utilized rather than being wasted and used to pollute the environment.

The Group Executive Director Gas and Power of NNPC, Mr. David Ige while briefing the people about the project said the project is privately-driven, aimed at proper utilization of the nations hydrocarbon reserves and expanding the wealth of the country.

Mr. Ige who commended Governor Uduaghan for his spirited effort in ensuring that the project remained in Delta State appealed for necessary cooperation so that the project will be delivered within the stipulated time.

Participants at the stakeholders meeting expressed delight at the project explaining that they will do all within their powers to ensure that the project went on smoothly.

They said the benefits are enormous and that every community in the area would join hands with the State and Federal Government to ensure that the project went on without hitches.

The Communities which cut across the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje promise to cooperate with the government but urged that everyone should be carried along.

THE NIGERIAN

11

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (14/11/13) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MBENEFIT

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,001

500.5

7UP

68

68

0

0

60,560

4,311,440.00

MRS

45.37

47.63

2.26

0

914,101

43,424,500.63

ABBEYBDS

1.49

1.49

0

0

1,000

1,420.00

NAHCO

5.95

6.03

0.08

0

312,804

1,882,197.85

ABCTRANS

0.81

0.8

-0.01

0

1,005,300

811,876.83

NASCON

11.51

11.81

0.3

0

457,233

5,399,841.53

173

170

-3

0

1,056,108

179,698,255.20

ACCESS

9.33

9.64

0.31

0

9,776,247

93,601,458.94

NB

AFRIPRUD

2

1.97

-0.03

0

233,654

459,319.10

NCR

16.83

16.83

0

0

300

4,797.00

AGLEVENT

1.5

1.57

0.07

0

100,485

154,702.03

NEIMETH

1.04

0.99

-0.05

0

86,000

87,235.00

AIICO

0.78

0.81

0.03

0

2,894,041

2,323,839.64

NEM

0.57

0.58

0.01

0

5,241,374

2,930,217.85

1102.5

1129

26.5

0

229,115

256,801,954.70

AIRSERVICE

3.38

3.38

0

0

24,200

81,950.04

NESTLE

ALUMACO

7.75

7.75

0

0

1,020

7,517.40

NSE30

1762.94

1754.29

-8.65

0

128,655,608

2,448,284,626.00

ARBICO

5.05

5.05

0

0

4,750

23,845.00

NSE50

1920.92

1917.13

-3.79

0

222,245,822

2,819,805,948.00

ASHAKACEM

22.35

21.45

-0.9

0

469,091

10,063,007.54

NSEASI

37949.11

37772.86

-176.25

0

278,728,463

2,928,250,966.00

400.63

404.03

3.4

0

88,939,593

1,193,219,343.00

BERGER

8.12

8.12

0

0

34,947

291,141.03

NSEBNK

BETAGLAS

13.75

13.75

0

0

69,150

984,975.00

NSECNSMRGDS

1090.07

1074.96

-15.11

0

5,965,537

737,400,586.60

BOCGAS

6.35

6.35

0

0

6,714

40,552.56

NSEINDUSTR

2279.95

2275.94

-4.01

0

1,896,354

116,290,382.20

CADBURY

59

58.9

-0.1

0

475,959

27,653,797.15

NSEINS

135.87

138.09

2.22

0

37,998,434

46,308,192.74

2702.04

2676.31

-25.73

0

4,331,629

468,234,282.00

CAP

51.65

51.65

0

0

240,265

11,829,072.38

NSELOTUSISLM

CCNN

9.95

9.95

0

0

194,959

1,943,721.35

NSEOILGAS

278.24

286.4

8.16

0

23,771,263

414,541,966.30

CHELLARAM

4.15

4.15

0

0

5,000

19,750.00

NSLTECH

0.69

0.69

0

0

45,330

29,917.80

CILEASING

0.5

0.52

0.02

0

1,497,538

749,869.00

OANDO

11.1

11.65

0.55

0

20,342,874

235,236,038.90

42.39

42.39

0

0

466,540

19,764,706.80

CONOIL

72.39

76

3.61

0

770,597

58,391,391.38

OKOMUOIL

CONTINSURE

1.13

1.13

0

0

365,636

397,844.94

PORTPAINT

4.45

4.45

0

0

61,670

287,818.90

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

0

299,745

149,872.50

PRESCO

38

38

0

0

285,978

10,798,447.30

COSTAIN

0.9

0.9

0

0

38,000

32,680.00

PRESTIGE

0.55

0.55

0

0

20,000

10,600.00

37.36

37.36

0

0

268,998

10,020,111.81

COURTVILLE

0.56

0.58

0.02

0

100,010

58,005.60

PZ

CUSTODYINS

1.7

1.78

0.08

0

16,973,303

29,798,819.16

REDSTAREX

4.33

4.5

0.17

0

3,584,005

14,796,110.60

CUTIX

1.85

1.76

-0.09

0

229,643

406,751.76

REGALINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

215,000

107,500.00

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,000

2,500.00

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

0

17,000

8,500.00

0.53

0.55

0.02

0

2,165,648

1,149,621.80

DANGCEM

188.25

185

-3.25

0

343,377

63,713,261.21

ROYALEX

DANGFLOUR

9.7

9.7

0

0

136,003

1,332,138.08

RTBRISCOE

1.18

1.18

0

0

315,323

373,653.83

DANGSUGAR

10.88

10.84

-0.04

0

928,369

10,001,125.88

SKYEBANK

4.15

4.05

-0.1

0

1,484,413

6,001,417.13

DIAMONDBNK

7.1

7.1

0

0

19,198,611

136,340,580.40

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

97,500

48,750.00

19.4

19.4

0

0

1,559,336

30,257,409.71

DNMEYER

1.57

1.57

0

0

122,925

195,839.25

STANBIC

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

0

20,142

10,071.00

STERLNBANK

2.36

2.28

-0.08

0

2,359,994

5,545,028.68

ETERNA

2.73

2.82

0.09

0

1,078,854

3,029,452.56

STUDPRESS

2.52

2.52

0

0

4,800

11,520.00

ETI

13.95

13.9

-0.05

0

1,707,733

23,802,588.65

TANTALIZER

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,000

2,500.00

160.11

162

1.89

0

69,039

11,132,656.60

ETRANZACT

3.13

3.13

0

0

101

300.98

TOTAL

EVANSMED

3.22

3.22

0

0

243,500

745,110.00

TRANSCORP

3.15

3.3

0.15

0

37,176,219

122,387,973.70

FBNH

16.1

16.15

0.05

0

6,608,076

106,654,924.30

TRANSEXPR

1.2

1.2

0

0

4,500

5,130.00

FCMB

3.6

3.5

-0.1

0

7,234,088

25,341,971.60

UAC-PROP

17.94

18.38

0.44

0

717,708

13,046,583.10

64

63.5

-0.5

0

240,329

15,256,114.93

FIDELITYBK

2.59

2.55

-0.04

0

7,246,852

18,419,969.98

UACN

FIDSON

2.08

1.98

-0.1

0

4,152,256

8,282,288.57

UBA

7.82

7.72

-0.1

0

11,359,860

88,503,784.20

FIRSTALUM

0.5

0.5

0

0

3,220

1,610.00

UBCAP

1.31

1.3

-0.01

0

4,247,811

5,549,147.45

FO

115.64

115.64

0

0

538,324

56,792,142.68

UBN

10.11

10.11

0

0

683,098

6,911,151.86

0.5

0.5

0

0

9,116,449

4,578,224.50

GLAXOSMITH

67

67

0

0

7,890

531,126.54

UNIONDAC

GUARANTY

26.25

26.8

0.55

0

12,594,820

334,473,343.60

UNITYBNK

0.52

0.53

0.01

0

27,203,980

13,849,010.51

GUINEAINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,000

2,500.00

UPDCREIT

10.5

10.5

0

0

10,000

100,000.00

GUINNESS

235.11

233.01

-2.1

0

895,535

210,151,195.60

UPL

3.75

3.75

0

0

34,480

135,506.40

0.66

0.66

0

0

105,000

68,103.46

HMARKINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

85,000

42,500.00

UTC

HONYFLOUR

2.85

2.89

0.04

0

269,000

774,500.00

VITAFOAM

4.15

4.15

0

0

374,429

1,561,111.64

IHS

2.79

2.79

0

0

5,000

13,500.00

VONO

1.76

1.76

0

0

49,000

82,320.00

IKEJAHOTEL

0.73

0.71

-0.02

0

255,027

181,020.65

WAPCO

104

106

2

0

253,252

26,770,633.06

0.83

0.85

0.02

0

11,814,590

10,034,411.23

INTBREW

22.48

22

-0.48

0

551,626

12,170,844.85

WAPIC

INTENEGINS

0.53

0.52

-0.01

0

4,082,970

2,169,722.10

WEMABANK

1.29

1.3

0.01

0

4,267,646

5,448,426.71

IPWA

0.7

0.73

0.03

0

365,468

263,437.60

ZENITHBANK

21.01

21.28

0.27

0

22,527,965

479,620,019.90

JAPAULOIL

0.5

0.5

0

0

163,900

81,950.00

JOSBREW

3.33

3.33

0

0

5,332

16,902.44

LEARNAFRCA

1.71

1.79

0.08

0

120,000

214,600.00

LINKASSURE

0.5

0.5

0

0

161,000

80,500.00

LIVESTOCK

3.58

3.42

-0.16

0

580,750

2,011,053.67

MANSARD

2.09

2.15

0.06

0

291,244

613,336.92

MAYBAKER

2

2.05

0.05

0

498,996

976,904.70

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NESTLE NSEOILGAS CONOIL NSEBNK MRS NSEINS WAPCO TOTAL GUARANTY OANDO

Close 1129 286.4 76 404.03 47.63 138.09 106 162 26.8 11.65

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain 26.5 8.16 3.61 3.4 2.26 2.22 2 1.89 0.55 0.55

Stock NSEASI NSELOTUSISLM NSECNSMRGDS NSE30 NSEINDUSTR NSE50 DANGCEM NB GUINNESS ASHAKACEM

Close 37772.86 2676.31 1074.96 1754.29 2275.94 1917.13 185 170 233.01 21.45

Loss -176.25 -25.73 -15.11 -8.65 -4.01 -3.79 -3.25 -3 -2.1 -0.9

THE NIGERIAN

12

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 THE media have been awash with assorted commentaries since the United States based online publication, Sahara Reporters blew the lid on the aviation minister that she compelled the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to purchase two BMW cars worth N255 million for her. As has always been the case with big political cases as the one making the rounds, there were denials from the ministers quarters until the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Mr. Joe Obi confirmed that the two armoured BMW cars were truly purchased by NCAA to protect his boss from “imminent threats.”

WE are surprised that in a country with chronic poverty statistics where 70 per cent live on less than $1US and disturbing human development index, a serving minister could authorise the spending of a whooping N255m on two bullet proof cars. It further reinforces our positions on rising profligacy and corruption in the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration. From all indications, it is a case of outrigh corruption and stealing because the same brand of armoured cars are said to sell for N76million, so why the inflation to N255million?

THE nation in general is today facing serious security challenges and we wonder why Ms. Stella Oduah feels that it was now her responsibility to secure herself by dipping her hands into the public till. What about the security of the rest 160 million Nigerians whose lives are daily being threatened by Boko Haram, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Egbesu, Oodua and Bakassi Boys insurgency, armed robbery, kidnapping and others ? Who will purchase their bullet proof cars for them? The story making the rounds, to say the least is condemnable.

WE are pleased that the National Assembly statutorily charged with oversight duties have swung into action by ordering its Aviation committee to probe the allegations giving the committee one week to come up with a report.

This is what was long expected of the parliamentarians given the commitment of the

THE NIGERIAN

Why Is Odua Being Shielded?

present administration to war corruption.

ALSO, we are pleased with President Goodluck Jonathan raising a panel of inquiry to also carry out a quick investigation into the scandal that was already taking something away from the office of the president as his silence in the face of the issue going viral in both conventional and social media was suspect, necessitating fresh allegations by analysts that he may be shielding Oduah as one of the sacred cows of his regime.

FURTHERMORE, we are worried over reports that the whistle blower on the minister is being declared a criminal by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority who are said to be on a manhunt for the whistle blower in spite of the freedom of expression guaranteed by the United Nations convention and Freedom of Information Act. We condemn the management of NCAA for their action which seeks to punish the whistle blower, instead of seeking ways to reward him for his anti-corruption efforts and patriotism.

IN the same vein, we are concerned about what appears to be very desperate moves by the aviation ministry at cover-up. Spokesperson of the Nigerian Airport Management Authority (NAMA), Mr. Supo Atobatele has only recently described the reports on purchase of cars as “frivolous, malicious, and mischievous.” He came up with an explanation that “for the avoidance of doubt, “this evil story, as being promoted is patently false in its enirety and is calculated to

put the agency and the office of the minister into disrepute.” This assertion in our considered view is an afterthought and runs contrary to the confirmation from the personal aide of the minister who said the bullet proof cars were purchased to save the minister from persons who plan to eliminate her because of “her reforms.”

BUT most importantly, we need to know what has become of the due process office in our country given the astonishing figures. The committees probing the scandal need to know who authorised the purchase of the cars, who benefited from the inflated figures and other piercing issues.

NIGERIANS are saddened that the alleged fleecing of the aviation sector by those in charge of affairs with such impunity at a time when university teachers are on strike for more than three months over poor funding of the Nigerian public universities with the same Federal Government complaining of lack of money to respect agreement it entered into with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

WHETHER innocent or otherwise, we expect the Minister of Aviation who is at the centre of the storm to tow the path of honour by stepping down from office. That is what is done in civilised societies. It will be wrong for her to seat in the same office while investigations are going on as that could afford her the opportunity to cover her tracks, if she is truly guilty as alleged. It is for this reason that we call on President Goodluck Jonathan to suspend her from office immediately pending the outcomes of the various probe panels investigating the matter.

WE equally call on all agencies probing the sleaze to be very thorough in their task with a view to ascertaining the veracity of the allegations and come up with various recommendations that will ensure that all those found wanting are made to face the law to serve as a deterrent to all those managing public resources.

THE NIGERIAN

13

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

International Features Al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), both linked to AlQaeda, have increasingly fought against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, in Hasaka, Aleppo and Raqqa provinces.

Their aim, analysts say, is to establish control of key border points to ensure easier transit of fighters and equipment.

The Islamists also see Iraq and Syria as one large, contiguous battlefield.

“It’s an ideological thing for them,” said Aymenn alTamimi of the Middle East Forum think-tank.

Tamimi said ISIL in particular “sees Iraq and Syria as one battleground. It’s part of the wider project of achieving the first goal of building an Islamic state in Iraq and Syria.”

He noted that borders had been a focus for jihadist groups seeking to establish secure supply lines for reinforcements and military supplies.

Bashir Al-assad, Syria President

Iraq Keeps Eye On Kurd-Jihadist Battle In Syria

AS the latest JihadistKurdish military showdown eases in northeast Syria, Baghdad is keeping a close watch on a battle which threatens even greater instability in Iraq.

Kurdish forces and AlQaeda-linked groups have for weeks fought over territory, with the Kurds taking over a key border point late last month.

But with the likelihood of more fighting to follow, Baghdad is worried of jihadists securing a wider corridor between eastern Syria and western Iraq.

“This border point is significant for both AlQaeda, and the (Syrian) Kurds,” said Ali al-Haidari, a Baghdad-based security analyst. “At the same time, it threatens the Iraqi government’s security as well.”

“For Al-Qaeda, it is a border point through which they smuggle explosives, fighters and suicide bombers.”

Iraq and Syria share a 600kilometre (375-mile) border, and jihadists and Kurdish forces have for weeks fought fierce battles to the frontier’s east, culminating with Kurdish fighters seizing the Al-Yaarubia crossing in late October.

Iraq’s security forces reinforced their side of the border as the clashes raged in a bid to prevent jihadists from retreating into the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh.

The clashes do not directly threaten Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s embattled president who has fought against an armed rebellion for more than two years.

But their proximity to Iraq and the strategic importance of the border point are the latest example of the Syrian civil war’s potential spillover into Iraq.

“If it (Al-Yaarubia) fell into

the hands of the (Islamist Al) Nusra Front or other terrorist groups, our area would be in danger,” said Naif Sido, the mayor of Snoni, an Iraqi town near the border.

Sido said security forces —

both from the central government as well as Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, which are often at odds — and local officials were holding weekly meetings to keep tabs on the situation.

And he warned that the Kurds’ seizure of Al-Yaarubia did not mean the fighting was over.

“It’s not going to stop,” Tamimi said. “It’s still going to be a pretty bad situation for the Iraqi government.”

Iraq has long voiced concern over the impact of

the bloodshed in Syria, AlQaeda’s expanding role in the conflict and the potential spillover of the violence.

Unrest in Iraq has surged dramatically in recent months — more people died in October than in the first three months of 2013 combined — which officials and diplomats say is partly due to the conflict in Syria.

The war across the border, they say, has emboldened Sunni militant groups linked to Al-Qaeda and opposed to Iraq’s Shiite-led government.

ISIS has “succeeded in rebuilding some of its capacity in some areas (of Iraq),” Iraqi deputy national security adviser Safa Hussein told AFP. Hussein said the main reason for the group’s resurgence was the conflict in Syria, noting: “Now they have an open border, and strong – very strong – allies in Syria, and finance and weapons are almost open to them.”

“They (jihadists) realise that the battle with Assad is a long battle,” he continued. “If you like, the intermediate goal is having control of those key areas, or areas they think are key to their strategy.”

Al-Qaeda chief Ayman alZawahiri has ordered the Iraqi faction to stop meddling in Syria and anointed AlNusra to carry the network’s banner in the war. But ISIL continues to issue statements under its name.

Russia’s Move To Hurt Ukrain - EU Pact

WHEN Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov was trying to warn former Soviet satellite Poland against joining the U.S.-led NATO military alliance in the 1990s, he laced gallows humor with veiled menace.

“We know we can’t stop you joining NATO. And you know that we know that we can’t stop you joining NATO,” the late Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek quoted Primakov as telling him. “Just don’t expect us to enjoy it.”

As Moscow has tried to dissuade former Soviet republic Ukraine from signing a farreaching trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union this month, there has been less humor but plenty of menace.

“My assumption is that my country will make it very expensive,” said Sergei Karaganov, head of Russia’s Council for Foreign and Defence Policy think-tank and a former adviser to President Vladimir Putin.

More than two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is still suffering from phantom pain in its amputated limbs. It aches each time a former Soviet republic takes a step towards integration with the West.

The pain is greatest in Ukraine, a country of 46 million with a $330 billion economy, which voted for independence from Moscow in 1991 but which many Russians regard as the historic cradle of their own

nation.

Putin managed to prevent Ukraine and Georgia joining the path to NATO membership in 2008, when German and French opposition coupled with Ukrainian public hostility thwarted U.S. President George W. Bush’s drive to expand the Atlantic alliance to Moscow’s southwestern borders.

Western negotiators said at the time the diplomatic understanding was that Russia would not object if those countries built closer civilian economic ties with the EU. However, Moscow’s Cold War hackles have been raised again now that Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are preparing to seal association agreements with the 28-nation bloc at an Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 28-29.

“Unfortunately in Russia, this is seen only in geopolitical terms, as an attempt by the European Union to flex its geopolitical muscles,” Karaganov told Reuters.

“NEAR ABROAD” The Kremlin has used trade sanctions and the threat of disruption to energy supplies to try to strong-arm countries it calls its “near abroad” into joining a Russian-led Eurasian customs union instead of opening up to the EU’s single market.

In Machiavelli’s words, Putin seems to think it is better to be feared than loved.

Armenia, geographically isolated in the South Caucasus,

buckled to trade pressure and agreed in September to join the union formed by Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in 2010.

But elsewhere, Europe’s “soft power” of economic and political attraction is set to outgun Russian hardball tactics such as halting Moldovan wine and Ukrainian chocolate imports and threatening to cut Kiev’s gas supplies in winter again.

Senior EU officials fully expect Moscow to put at least some of its threats into practice - for a while at least - if, as seems likely, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich signs the agreement in Vilnius.

That could force the Europeans to provide emergency gas supplies and possibly standby financing with the International Monetary Fund, although Yanukovich has so far balked at the conditions for IMF credit.

After Russian monopoly Gazprom twice turned the taps off on Kiev in payment disputes in 2006 and 2009, European energy firms have braved Moscow’s ire by adapting pipelines that carry Russian gas to the west so they can reverse the flow and pump gas to Ukraine from Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.

Some analysts say Gazprom, whose pricing power and grip on the European market have been eroded by falling demand and the

U.S. shale gas boom, can ill afford a long cut-off to Ukraine.

Yet the EU seems just as poorly prepared to take more responsibility for an economically dysfunctional partner riddled with corruption and political feuds that is struggling to service its debts.

The association accord provides for 1 billion euros in aid over seven years, tied to reforms.

But Kiev would need far more to endure a prolonged commercial war with Moscow.

Ukraine ranks an abysmal 144th out of 175 nations in the annual Corruption Perceptions Index compiled by the independent watchdog Transparency International (TI).

That puts it level with Syria, Congo Brazzaville and Bangladesh, and worse than Pakistan, Nigeria, Iran and Russia itself.

Little has improved since TI wrote in a report last year: “Corruption in Ukraine is a systemic problem existing across the board and at all levels of public administration. Both petty and grand scale corruption are flourishing.”

Kiev stalled last week on signing a deal with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to create an ombudsman to help fight corruption and improving the investment climate for foreign businesses. Failure to sign could cost Ukraine hundreds of millions of dollars in lost EBRD funding.

“Basically we don’t see any positive change in our country.

The situation is as bad as in previous years,” Oleksii Khmara, executive director of TI Ukraine, told Reuters in an interview.

“There is less petty administrative corruption because of the extension of egovernment, but we have more problems in grand political corruption than two years ago.”

Khmara sees the EU agreement as a great opportunity to clean up Ukraine because Kiev will be required to adopt large swathes of the EU’s rulebook, including bringing procurement by opaque stateowned enterprises under legal scrutiny.

But how effective the deal proves in practice is uncertain as it holds out no prospect of EU membership, at the insistence of west European countries such as France where “enlargement fatigue” is rife.

Whether the EU-Ukraine deal is signed at all now hinges on Yanukovich’s willingness to release from jail his main political opponent, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and let her travel to Germany for medical treatment.

EU envoys have made 26 visits to Kiev to negotiate terms for her release, so far in vain.

Some European officials are counting on Ukraine’s business oligarchs, unlikely allies but who have a strong interest in access to the EU market, to push Yanukovich into letting his rival go at the last minute.

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Art Alive

With FRANCIS ODUPUTE

Determination Will Make You Go Extra Miles - Pikolo

A law regulating, guiding and benefiting the entertainment industry in Edo State is underway by the Edo State Government. This is a fallout of the recent E n t e r t a i n m e n t Stakeholders’ meeting held in Benin City at the instance of the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr. David Ehigie Eromosele, popularly known as Pikolo.

In this interview anchored by the Arts Editor, FRANCIS U. ODUPUTE, the SSA spoke on a number of issues bordering on Government’s commitment to Art, culture and tourism development in Edo State, as well as other related matters.

Excerpts: On the recent entertainment stakeholders meeting in Benin City: Yes, it was an entertainment stakeholders’ conference where we called on all the major stakeholders to come so we can discuss the way forward in the industry. And the discussion was of paramount interest in the sense that it was going to talk about the progress in the industry, that was why we had to vonverge in Oba Akenzua cultural center and then we had that stakeholders’ conference.

Outcome of that meeting: It was very successful because we had the major stakeholders in this town, they were there, we discussed and I think the agenda was clearly stated and everybody contributed and at the end we had the conclusion of what we were going to do next and that is exactly what we are doing now. This is what we call the after effect of the stakeholders’ meeting. We concluded that there should be an enabling law backing up these actions so that when next these people are coming in to town, they should be able to appreciate the local content because, we

‘Pikolo’ fielding questions.

actually discussed involving our local content each time you are having an event here because that is one way they can also empower the youth, that is one way you can engage the youth meaningfully. So I think we had a successful end.

Other salient issues that meeting addressed: Like I said we had so many issues that we’re addressing; we addressed the issue of registration for the entertainers in Edo State with the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism. We addressed the issue of unity among artistes; we addressed the issue of getting our stars here involved in any event organized here whether by the State Government or by private entities. And we also addressed the issue of seriousness- going back to the roots and taking very seriously whatsoever you’re doing as an artiste, manager or promoter, etc, because people that were in that meeting were not just only the performing artistes, we also had in attendance people who are into management- artiste management- people who are into production; we also had in attendance Nollywood film makers and all that, we had directors, it was all about different associations coming together to discuss one agenda.

Is your office only meant to address the problems of performing artistes and entertainers…?

My office is not limited to just performing artistes alone.

I am a Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts, Culture and Tourism. We are interested in developing our culture to a level that everybody will appreciate because Edo State has a very great culture. The last time we had a stakeholders’ meeting was on tourism, we held a tourism stakeholders meeting here, same venue, and it was

David Ehigie Eromosele, popularly know as ‘Pikolo’, SSA to the Governor on Arts. Culture and Tourism.

massive. Now we’re going into entertainment because entertainment is part of the Ministry’s functions. So, we want to make sure that every area we are supposed to touch we’re doing well.

Your plans for the Visual Artists in Edo State: Like I said earlier, we have plans to touch all the areas we have been assigned to work.

People who are close to me know that I have passion for that angle. So what we’re planning to do is that we also want to meet with them and discuss the way forward because we know that they have a great role to play when we talk about culture, tourism and all that. So, what we want to do is that we also want to give them…we’re going to encourage them to do better than what they are doing right now and make sure we bring them to prominence as well.

Your major challenges since assuming office as SSA on Arts, Culture and

Tourism: I will say it is finance, because there are many things that you’d ordinarily want to do but because of financial pressures you will be limited.

I will say the major challenge is finance; we have the atmosphere…the Comrade Governor has given us a very good atmosphere to work; I think everything is available except that sometimes the major constraint is finance.

That is why sometimes we also call on you corporate bodies to also come to our aid so that we can do what is necessary because it’s not only about Government… people think most times because you are in Government, Government will provide everything.

Remember that the Government has so many things to do – it has to tare roads, it has to do this, it has to do that…so we have to help the Government for the Government to help us.

Any practical plan to motivate public private partnership in this regard?

Of course yes. The purpose of these stakeholders’ meetings was to synergize with the stakeholders and the Government so that there will be a cordial relationship. You know, two good heads, they say, are always better than one. Now, by the time we had that our first meeting you saw that everybody was bringing out ideas, and they actually were lauding the idea behind the stakeholders’ meetings…

So, I’m sure that with one or two more meetings like this, the people will have reasons to collaborate with

Government, so that things can be achieved easily.

Fans and friends recently talked about the project DREAM ALIVE WITH PIKOLO. Can you tell us more about that project?

Yes, “Dream Alive with Pikolo” is part of my initiative to empower the youth, to meaningfully engage them so that we can take them off the streets. It is a talent hunt programme that cut across music, dance and comedy; it’s a three-in-one show. We were looking for talents in the comedy and dance and, of course the music part. So, at the end of it all, in each of the categories, we had one winner. In Music we had a winner, in dance we had a winner and in comedy we had a winner. And then, what we’re doing, like we always tell people: it is not rewarding them with cash that matters.

It is the level of prominence that you’re able to bring them into. Because you can just reward them – like we said we’re giving them a hundred thousand…you can just give them hundred thousand and even two hundred thousand naira and because of happiness they can be over excited and spend it and they will have no record of the fact that they are good, they will be looking for another talent hunt to go for. There is no reason why a person who has qualified or who has emerged as a winner from a talent hunt to go about looking for another talent hunt. The next work should have been that the person should be promoted and projected so that everybody would know

that this is the person that came out from the Dream Alive talent hunt by Pikolo.

So, that is the stage we are right now.

Was it a solo effort or you got some government support?

It was my own personal dream to compliment the Government. It was my personal dream, it was a solo effort.

How easy was it for you getting the funds?

It was not easy at all…WAS NOT EASY AT ALL! You know, only that, like I always say that determination will always make you to go extra miles in achieving what you want to achieve. It wasn’t easy, it was Gad and some good people who actually assisted me in one way or the other, and then, of course, the participants – the people that contested. So, we thank every one of them but all thanks be to God because He made it possible.

What should the public expect next…when next is Dream Alive expected?

We’re hoping to organize the season two in April, 2014.

Your final word to the general public on the project: I am appealing to the public to please see this idea as a laudable idea, key into it and let us bring out stars, especially from Edo State.

What’s their gain at the end of the day for keying in?

Their gain is that they are part of making destinies.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013 With Ambrose O. Ekhosuehi 08057378438

Art And Culture

Festival Drums Of Edo Culture

FESTIVAL drums are instruments of percussion play on joyful celebrations and certain ceremonies in culture. Traditional Benin Emugie Festival drums ensemble consist of two emaedo and two emaighan.

According to tradition, emaedo was invented in the middle of the fifteenth century in the reign of Oba Ewuare,

Benin bronze plagues and in the contemporary literature, there are few references to emaedo.

There is a traditional story on how emaighan was introduced to Benin.

According to this tradition, there was a young man called Atakparhakpa who live during the reign of Oba Esigie.

Atakparhakpa was

king’s Palace.

In the Palace, Atakparhakpa saw the Ighan drums - emaighan, which a stranger must not beat. Once upon a time, however, when the Ighan people went out to work in the fields, he then took the state drum, placed it on the ground and began to beat it as the Ighan did.

When the Ighan people heard the sound of the

Ighan drum that can be used in conjunction with the Edo drums in ceremonies and festivals.

The Ighan people were then accommodated and were given land to settle and became subjects to the Oba. Since that time, the drum of the Ighan people - emaighan, has been used in festivals together with the Edo

small drums called Ema Uke, the Esan calls the large variant Uba, the medium sized variant Osaigbo and the small variant alukpe or Igherebe.

The Urhobo and Isoko call the large drums Igede, the medium sized ones Ukiri and the small ones Umukiri.

Ensembles of another combination of large, medium sized and small drums are used often to accompany chiefs in the county area, during annual festivals to the deities.

with the surface above the holes.

The small drums are carried slung in front of the body, whereas the medium sized ones are stood on the ground while being played.

The middle sized ones used in festivals are generally known as emaedo, thus this kind of drum is called ubegan by Esan, adoko by Etsako and alukpe by Ivbiosako.

The emaedo and its counterparts among the other Edo speaking people can also be found

“The middle sized ones used in festivals are generally known as emaedo, thus this kind of drum is called ubegan by Esan, adoko by Etsako and alukpe by Ivbiosako.”

Emaedo

who wanted a drum that would imitate the sound of rain drops falling into brass dish.

Musicians playing drums of emaedo type are carved on a nineteenth century wooden chest. There is no other historical information by which to corroborate the oral data, but drums looking like the emaedo are depicted on some of the

Emaighan

very good at stealing. As his name implies, imitate to steal, had imitated some various Chiefs and had stolen from them. He was very successful for some time and promised to stop the stealing in Great Benin.

Atakparhakpa, then left Benin and went to Ighan in Igala Kingdom, where he made friend with the king and was allowed to live in the

drum, they were astonished and returned back to town but Atakparhakpa had fled with the drum towards Benin and the Ighan people pursued him to Benin.

Atakparhakpa, having arrived Benin went to the Oba Palace and said that he had brought to Benin, a whole people of Ighan as a present to the Oba. He showed him the

drum - emaedo of the Edo people.

This traditional story can be seen of the Benin Victory over the Igala people at the beginning of the sixteenth century.

Festival drums Emaugie ensemble often consists of one or two large drums known as emaighan, one or two medium sized emaesakpaide, and sometimes one or two

“Since that time, the drum of the Ighan people - emaighan, has been used in festivals together with the Edo drum - emaedo of the Edo people.”

Ema Ekaba is covered with leather on both ends. The bracing cords are stretched along the body in parallel lines, and are tied at each end to circular cords which are rolled up in the edge of the skins.

Pegged drums are often used on important festivals. The skin is fastened with long pegs which are driven through holes in the edge of the skin into holes in the drum body.

The fastening is reinforced by stringing a cord through small holes in the membrane near the rim.

The cord is drawn over each peg in loops. These pegs often project far above the drum head driven diagonally, making an acute angle

in various deities where they often have individuals names such as Izeduma, Emauke, Edo deities are usually conceived of, as monarchs living in splendour with many wives, children, and subjects.

These gods may be of great importance and are greatly worshiped thus Ekpo festival reinforces solidarity against forces that threaten it. In like manner, there is similarity with Ovia Festival, linked up with the kingdom at large through the mythology of the masks whereas drums are percussion idiophones used especially in religious ceremonies and accompaniment in Ugie festival of culture.

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Avoiding The Madness Within

Rape, Defilement:

Ours is a world where people don’t know what they want and are willing to go through hell to get - Don Marquis male figures, she fears and I was at the children’s loathes them. Please, help welfare centre, Ministry of her, help us.”

I looked at the little girl Women Affairs, Edo State the week before when a and drew her close to me, middle aged man and his offering her the seat beside scary-faced eight year old me. She shook her head daughter walked into the vigorously.

“Why dear? Won’t you centre. The little girl had to be supported to enable sit?”

“It hurts her to her lift her legs to climb the sit…”The father offered. lone stair case at the frontage. She kept looking “She only lies or sits by her up at her father as if she side. It’s the pain.”

“Oh, dear, so sorry.” I would only keep going if she continues to find the told her, but I won’t let her encouraging smile on his stand all through the face, the smile that prods session. So I took her and her to keep up her spirit. It helped her to sit more was a sad sight to behold, comfortably, on her side. my heart bled profusely, so She had to wedge herself much so that I could feel by holding tight to the edge invisible tears forming of the plastic chair. It was rivers of blood and still painful, but it was pumping through my better than standing.

The little girl (name heart’s cavities.

The young girl had withheld) was defiled the palpable fear in her tearful previous week by three of eyes. It appeared she had her neighbours, siblings been crying nonstop since from one biological the sad incidence. Now it’s offshoot, three brothers not just her tears that have aged 16,14, and 11 years clouded her eyes, but there of age. The elder one had were those clear signals of gone to her while she was effusive fears, so effusive playing in the compound, that you could even touch home alone, and after beating her to stupor, it.

She finally got into the carried her weak frame room and her eyes started into their own apartment blinking nonstop. She was where he took turns with taking all that pain to size his siblings to defile her; everyone in the room up the 16 years old was the and seeing that her father one who inflicted all the was the only male in the scars she had on her arms room, she calmed down and legs, because he again, her pupils relaxed. wanted her to fully submit Her father explained to us: to him when it was his “She cannot trust any turn, but she kept male figure again. We are screaming. It was actually frustrated and we don’t her screams that attracted know what to do again. I another neighbour who am here to get justice as rushed to her rescue and well as to get help for my saved her from imminent little daughter. If she grows death, but not before they up like this, she may end had torn her body with up hating and even doing their organs and sheer something cruel to any brutality.

Well, the young girl man that comes her way, even her relatives. She has would recover, hopefully, totally lost trust for the but in respect of her fears

Watch Out For These Symptoms Of Mania!

Excessively “high” mood Irritability Decreased Need for sleep Increased energy and activity Increased talking, moving and sexual activity Racing thoughts Disturbed ability to make decisions Grandiose notions Being easily distracted.

which may later culminate into hatred for men, someone said: “Let her be with her fears. Let her fear men. Let her hate them if she wants. Her fears and hatred would ultimately save her from this raging madness.”

I don’t fully agree with

on-one contact with them when all other well meaning adults are not in close range.

Familiarity should no longer be entertained since there is no bounds to who rapes who these days.

Even blood relations can

her because except in this case where the rapists are young persons who are not even up to the age of facing the wrath of the law, the people who often defiled young children are adult males. I don’t know how the hatred or fear of an adult male who uses muscles and bravery, to track down their innocent prey would help that prey from escaping in future.

The rapists don’t always show niceties: They often track their victims down and discharge their orgies, except the rape that occurs between familiar ‘strangers’ and ‘friends; even among family members.

However, in as much as I do not support any young girl to grow up hating and being afraid of all men, I would still want them to retain a level of suspicion of ALL MEN around them, reduce socials to the barest minimum and avoid one-

no longer be trusted.

Mothers of female children should be wary about those in whose company they leave their little girls.

In fact, from the moment a woman does that last maternal push and the baby pops out and she’s told “it’s a girl”’ she should watch that baby girl as she goes from hand to hand. It is as bad as that. Sons should also carefully be watched. The movies they see, their access to internet and the sites they foray, should all be screened. To say the least, the mother of those three rapists has failed woefully in discharging her maternal responsibility to her children. How could three sons be so debased?

Indeed, there is madness in every sexual orgy that is called rape.

There is more madness in the defilement of infants and young children than in

FEMINIQUE With IJEOMA UMEH email: ladywithegoldenpen@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08182382839 others. Mothers should know this, that there is a propensity for madness in every man, from the man that begat them, to the one they are married to, and from the land lord to the

gate man, even to the religious cleric. No one should be trusted with the life and future, the dignity and self worth of your girlchild. It’s as bad as that, and it is not your fault.

Having said that, there are other measures they should also take in shielding their little girls from mad men rapists.

Don’t even think ‘she’s a baby’ and leave her nude, even in your bedroom.

Always cover that vulnerable body, even from the eyes of family members. Cover her up until she’s old enough to cover herself.

And…always teach her

how to dress decently.

Leave no room for loopholes. Teach her not to visit her girl friend’s house when family members are not home, not to stay in class alone with any male teacher, whether in school or in private lesson, in church, mosque or traditional ground.

Let every woman do what she can to protect their girl-child. You could put your own life on the line, if you must. Don’t let the mad man get through!

Now, for the mad rapists. I don’t know why you have to go all that length to satisfy an orgy. It hurts, doesn’t it, to squeeze into that virgin land, isn’t it? You end up messing everything up, devastating the future of an innocent child, even killing her in the process.

It’s madness and you need help. I learnt that some women in the Niger Delta have devised a way to make mad rapists become sane again: They chop off their penis and choke them with it! I do not support any woman to take the laws into her own hands, but I support those women who chop off the mad rapists, penis with a sharp object. No don’t use your teeth! It’s unhealthy!

The madness has to stop! Now! Let all the mad men turn a new leaf or get ready for Armageddon!

Back to the little girl.

We are ensuring she recovers, physically, emotionally and mentally.

She will, you should too!

You are not a victim, you are a survivor, a victor!

Again, three sons from one biological root are ending up in a remand home this week! What else can we do?

Words on Marble In the last analysis, our only freedom is the freedom to discipline ourselves.

- Bernard Baruch First, we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits, or they will eventually conquer you!

Dr. Rob Gilbert If you want to win anything - a race, yourself, your life – you have to go a little berserk George Sheehan

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Issues

Global Warming: Challenges To Cultural Conservation

GLOBAL warming is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the green house effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs and other pollutants.

It’s also the rise in the average temperature of earth’s atmosphere and oceans since the 19 th century.

Global warming also refers to the rise in the average temperature of planet due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as a result of various natural and human activities.

These greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, have the tendency to trap the sun’s heat in the earth’s atmosphere, in a phenomenon referred to as the greenhouse effect, and contribute to the problem of global warming.

Rising temperature, extreme weather conditions, melting glaciers, rising sea level, extinction of plant and animal species, and many more are the centre stage among the various environmental issues that threaten the planet today all posed by global warming issues.

The causes of global warming can therefore be categorized into two parts which are; Natural causes and Anthropogenic causes (i.e causes triggered by humans). Although, the natural causes, such as the solar variation, feed back effect, natural release of the methane gas, volcanic eruption etc don’t cause much harm to the planet, in fact, these, natural causes play a vital role in regulating the temperature of the planet, and absence of these would have resulted in freezing conditions on the planet, thus making it virtually impossible for the life

By ANGELA OJOR – PAUL

forms to survive.

While the anthropogenic causes, on the other hand, include several human activities which result in accumulation of various green house gases in the atmosphere.

These activities include pollution caused by vehicles and industries, methane release triggered by mining and cattle rearing, depletion of oxygen as a result of deforestation, e.t.c.

However, the effect of global warming can not be over-emphasized as it leads to a series of domino effect on the planet, for instance, economic amount of fresh water is stored on the planet in the form of glaciers, which when at a high altitude melt due to the rise in nearsurface temperature, they cause flash floods in the vicinity, contribute to the sea level rise by flowing into the ocean and deplete the store of fresh water on the planet, thus leaving us devoid of water to drink.

Due to these problems, over the last decade or so, several countries have been trying their best to do their bit in fighting this menace. The European Union and Australia for example, have banned the manufacturing or import of incandescent light bulbs and replaced them with energyefficient fluorescent bulbs, which save around 80 per cent energy. If this solutions are being implemented by various other nations across the world, we will be able to curb or stop these problems associated with global warming to a great extent.

Global warming can therefore link us or take our minds back to the cultural conservatives of our nation which can be

described as the preservation of the heritage of one nation, or of a shared culture that is not defined by national boundaries. Other variants of cultural conservatism are concerned with culture attached to a given language such as Arabic.

The climate change

centres on two primary themes. The first is the scientific consensus that human behanviours is causing a rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) levels, and that these gases are altering the global climate. The second is the policy consensus that the solution of this problem lies in technological development and behaour change that must be spurred by a governmentinduced carbon price. This

also indicate that climate change is also a cultural issue.

There is wide debate within the conservative movements over how differing ideologies can fall under one common category. The following list attempts to clarify the discussion, focusing on conservative politics in the US, these are the most widely accepted and they

conservative which is often confused with social conservatism. In the US, the term often incorrectly describes members of the religious right because the two share ideologies on social issues. Christian conservatives tends to like being described as cultural conservatives, because it implies that America is a Christian nation. True cultural

largely absent from the study and discourse of why climate change remains an undecided and frequently polarizing policy problem, which most academic policymakers have narrowed their discussion to the relative value of different economic and technical fixes.

The challenges of cultural conservation can be brought to a bearest minimum if global warming can be reduced, by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide personally

are,

conservatives worry less about religions in government and more about green house gas and using politics to prevent fundamental changes to the culture.

The goal of cultural conservatives is to preserve and maintain the way-of life both at home and abroad.

The scientific community as regard to the cultural dimensions of climate change has concluded that human activity is a major cause of GHG (Green House Gas) and these emission influences global warming.

However, there is clearly more than science at play in shaping the public and political debate on climate change.

Curiously, academic fields that study cultural, social and organizational phenomena have been

release into the atmosphere, this is also known as a person’s carbon footprint. The burning of fuel in cars and trucks are one of the biggest creators of carbon dioxide gas in the air, so fewer cars on the highway can reduce less emissions released into the atmosphere.

Replacing of plastic water bottles with a reusable one and the need for recycle and reuse is because many people tend to ditch items when they are broken, and purchase new items, thereby, creating more trash in the land fills, which contributes to global warming.

The economy can therefore help to reduce the fear and challenges faced in cultural conservation by helping to regulate global warming in the society.

1. C r u n c h y conservative 2.

Cultural conservative 3.

Fiscal conservative 4.

Neoconservative 5.

Paleo conservative 6.

Social conservative Although my major focus will be on cultural

“Rising temperature, extreme weather conditions, melting glaciers, rising sea level, extinction of plant and animal species, and many more are the centre stage among the various environmental issues that threaten the planet today all posed by global warming issues.”

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Beauty Guide

Stay Fit By Walking

By GIFT ONAGHAMA

LIFE is all about living a healthy and fit life style, even with something as simple as a walking program. Walking is every day transportation that’s taken for granted. We typically don’t see it as exercise, although it can improve heart health and help control weight.

Walking does not only get us from point one to another, it’s also free and easy exercise without limitations. A brisk pace can strengthen muscies, prevent disease and enhance wellness.

Monday through Friday we ought to walk to our offices, mayact and our shop. Just because we rely on water every day to hydrate doesn’t also mean we can’t and cucumber and a pinstripe straco to enjoy a refreshing time of our life.

According to Andrea Metcalf “walking forward with one foot in front of the other is the most traditional way to walk? He also said that you will engage the back step and glute muscles.

It will also help reduce back pains because of a stabilized pelvis ane hip extension.

The benefits of walking is that, walk for at least 30 minutes each day. To boost your fitness and make a goal to walk two miles at a fast pace as close to every day as possible.

Make sure your walking is vigorous on a moderate to intense level, if your busy day doesn’t permit an open window for 30 minutes of walking, take shorter walks throughout the day. Use walking as a time for

catching up with a friend or freeing your mind through outdoor walk. While pushing a stroller just keep moving because nothing can beat the joy and effectiveness of walking.

Also one of the simplest things one can do to stay fit is do walking is one of the free activities that does not need any sort of training and can change someone health for better and active.

Walking does matter for any age and fitness level regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of illness, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, storage and also cancer.

It does not matter the type of shoe you are putting on, it only need adequate support and wear loose fitting clothing and it will allow you to move freely.

Choose this layer rather thin heavy. If you are walking to work, you can just wear your usual work clothes with good shoes that will make you look comfortable.

To get the benefits of healthly, walking, you need to be of moderate – intensity, aerobic activity.

The above words means that you need to walk fast enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat. The easiest way to walk more is to make walking a habit.

Think of a way to include walking into your daily routine, this means that walk part of your journey to work, walk to shop, use the stairs instead of the lift, leave your car behind for short journeys, a regular walk with a friend. All these will make you stay healthly.

A major way to tell a story is that you will be able to talk but not to sing words to your favourites song. Try as much as possible to walk steps everyday. Most of us walk less steps a day to begin with it you can walk fast for a couple of minutes, that’s fine. Don’t over do it on your first time or day.

You can brace up your activity into 10-minutes, as long as you are doing your activity at a moderate intensity, start every walk slowly and gradually so as it will not weak you, increase your pace after a few minutes. Towards the end of your walk, gradually slow down your pace to cool

“Walking does matter for any age and fitness level regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of illness, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, storage and also cancer.”

Glowing ... From The Inside

By IJEOMA UMEH

IF not that ladies make it all seem difficult, I may be able to convience you that there are no hard and fast rules about looking great than as nature has so generously made possible.

Our ladies go out of their way, explore the internet and

shop online, fix all the artificial beauty ‘gadgets’ – from lashes to toenails, lens, silicone, wigs, and …. artificial gap tooth … it’s as bad as that – then they still appear looking worn out and frazzled.

For crying out loud, it could be better, only if there’s that inner glow which accentuates all other efforts

at looking beautiful. How do you achieve that great look that keeps people wondering what makes you stand out with or without beauty gadgets it’s the joy, the peace, the harmony with nature and everyone around you, the smile, laughter and sense of humour you share around you! Take time to look within and glow.

down then finish off with a few gentle stretches which will help improve your flexibility.

The importance of walking and stay fit is that walking can be done anywhere, at any time and in any weather. It is also a thing you can do on a daily routine.

Research has shown that “the average person walks

between 3,000 and 4,000 steps per day and 1,000 steps is the equivalent of around 10 minutes of brisk walking you can see that by putting it to your own level around the house, across the office, windolo shopping, to school or to the park, you may find out that you walk almost 10,000 steps a day or that you walk less than you think. Knowing how far you walk in a day will help your

motivation.

Somebody weighing 60kg that is about 10 stone can burn about 400 calories by walking 10,000 steps. If you are trying to lose weight, you should aim to burn 600 more calories than you take in through food and drink everyday. This is best achieved by a combination of diet and exercise.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Surrender To Jesus, Now!

YOU may have so many options but you have only one choice to make in this life.

There may be so many roads ahead of you but you have only one way to follow at a time. Out of so many girl friends you must choose one as a wife. Out of so many boy friends you must choose one as a husband. This is true of your vocation; you cannot eat your cake and have it back.

You must make a fundamental choice. You need to choose between good or bad, light or darkness, heaven or hell, life or death, earthly possessions or heavenly possessions; above all, you need to choose between serving the living God, the creator of heaven and earth and serving Satan, the master of darkness. What is your own choice?

When the early missionaries came to Nigeria, they were preaching the gospel of repentance and salvation. They were able to convince the people concerning the negative effect of idol worship. A lot of people renounced their idols and gave their lives to God. Most of the shrines were burnt down. Churches were then built where people worshipped the Living God. There was a clear distinction between idol worshippers and children of the light. People like Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi who were ordained at that time also preached the undiluted word of God. They fought tenaciously to bring an end to idol worship in Igboland.

That is why among all the Nigerian missionaries he is the only one that is being considered for canonization, as a Saint.

As the era of the early missionaries is fading away gradually the tone of preaching has changed drastically. Most men of God are no longer preaching against idol worship. Even in the name of “inculturation” most of the idols that were destroyed by the early missionaries are being resurrected in most churches, just to please the people and carry everyone along. People go to churches on Sundays and they use the rest of the week visiting witch doctors, herbalists, and ritual churches

where they are looking for solutions to their problems.

Churches are now seen as solution centers and no more worship centers. The most popular message nowadays is prosperity, breakthrough, Promotion, fire-fire! etc.

The Church have become a place where people are free to join whatever cult or secret society they want so long as they come to church on Sundays and then contribute to the financial development of the church. Most of the rich cultists are even holding position of authorities in most churches today. Ironically they are the first to fight against any serious prayer group that raises fire against accultic kingdoms. Ritual killers are now hiding in the church. Abomination! After all, money, they say, speaks louder than anything you can think of. With blood money you think you can silence or deceive the preacher of the gospel? You may succeed in deceiving human beings but you cannot deceive God. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32).

No amount of trick of deception can set you free only the truth can set you free.

Living a false life is living in bondage.

Truth can only be found in Christ Jesus, as he said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Christianity is not just a religion among other religions; it is a spiritual entity; a place where Truth is celebrated. It is a place where the gospel of Truth is proclaimed without fear or favoritism. Christianity is not a social gathering; it is a way of life that requires a radical response. Jesus told the woman of Samaria, “The hour is coming when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him” (John 4:23). We cannot worship God carnally.

God is Spirit. Those who worship God must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The worship of God is even a privilege. The psalmist asks, “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a

“When the early missionaries came to Nigeria, they were preaching the gospel of repentance and salvation.

They were able to convince the people concerning the negative effect of idol worship. A lot of people renounced their idols and gave their lives to God.”

pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false; and does not swear deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4).

Not all that glitters is gold.

To whom much is given much is expected. In the gospel of Luke 14:25-33 Jesus said, “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” There is no two ways here. You either belong to Jesus or you belong to the world. God is not ready to

there is no dual citizenship.

You are either a citizen of heaven or a citizen of hellfire – the choice is yours. You cannot be hot and cold at the same time. God said in the book of Revelation chapter three, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot!

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). You must make a choice!

Joshua assembled the Israelites and told them bluntly, “Now therefore, fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods which your

share you with any other being or idol.

Jesus is the choice of the faithful. He is the Sufficient God. To have Jesus is to have all. To possess him, to possess all; Jesus is enough!

One with God is with majority. With Jesus on your side you have nothing to fear.

He is equal to every task.

According to St. John, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). With Jesus, you do not need any other spiritual attachment. You don’t even need any charm. Jesus is enough!

God cannot share his glory with any man or woman.

Jesus said you cannot serve both God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). You are either for God or for Satan.

You either belong to the light or to darkness. You are either a saint or a sinner. In God,

fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-17).

Child of God, what about you - who are you going to serve?

Will you serve the Living God or godfathers? As Joshua rightly said, we belong to God. We have chosen Jesus as our Lord and Saviour – no going back!

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). He is the way that leads to eternal life and the Truth that sets us free. He came into this world so that we may have life and have it abundantly. “The thief, the devil, comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). Idol worship is the work of the devil. Occultism is a satanic practice; witchcraft is the work of the

Reflections With Rev Fr Danian Adazie devil. Ritual killing is the work of the devil. Marine worship is the work of the devil; Kidnapping and robbery attack is the work of the devil. Injustice, bribery and all kinds of corruption is the work of the devil. But the reason why Jesus, “the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:8). Every true minister of God must also engage in the destruction of the work of the devil and not glorifying them. Light and darkness has nothing in common. Cultural

make money – Jesus is enough! You don’t need to destroy other people’s reputation before you can become popular – Jesus is enough!

Child of God, if you give your life completely to Jesus things will surely work out for you. You will have nothing to regret. With Jesus, all things are possible. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.

He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

value is different from idol worship. By their fruits we shall know them!

You don’t need to use your fellow human beings for ritual sacrifice before you can make money – Jesus is enough! You don’t need to join cult before you can become a political leader – Jesus is enough! You don’t even need to visit witch doctors to obtain powers before you can perform miracle as a man of God – Jesus is enough! You don’t need to kidnap your fellow human being before you can

You are nothing with Christ.

Without Christ, you are heading into crisis. This is the right time to surrender to Jesus, tomorrow may be too late. Avoid anything you know that can separate you from Christ Jesus. Avoid smoking, alcohol, pornography, bribery, corruption and other forms of immoral and anti-social behaviours. May God deliver you from idol worship, and from every contrary spirits and may He keep you forever united with our Lord Jesus Christ – Amen!

“Child of God, if you give your life completely to Jesus things will surely work out for you. You will have nothing to regret. With Jesus, all things are possible.”

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

International Pakistani Taliban Rubbishes Reports Of Rift Among Its Ranks WAZIRISTAN - A Taliban spokesman has confirmed Fazlullah’s appointment and said there would be no more peace talks with the government.

Operatives from al Qaeda and the Haqqani network, a

powerful militant group based in the mountains of North Waziristan, are also working hard to smooth over any disputes, sources say.

Mullah Omar, the reclusive, one-eyed leader

of the Afghan Taliban, is said to have stepped into the debate and backed Fazlullah’s candidacy.

Fazlullah knows Omar personally, having fought alongside his men in Afghanistan in 2001.

Fazlullah is still holed up

in his base in Nuristan, a thickly forested Afghan region favoured by many Pakistani militants hiding from U.S. drones. To

reassert control over feuding groups he would have to come back and establish a foothold in Pakistan.

“He is a non-resident commander, he is not

present physically,” said a Pakistani intelligence source. “But he has two advantages: He’s got a lot of money and he has Afghan support.”

Iraq: Suicide Bomber Kills 22 Shiites At Ritual BAGHDAD - Iraqi officials say a suicide bomber has struck a group of Shiites marking a somber religious ritual in eastern Iraq, killing at least 22 people.

Two police officers say the bomber set off his explosives-laden belt yesterday among a gathering

of Shiites in the town of alSaadiyah, 140 kilometers (90 miles) northeast of Baghdad.

The Shiites were observing the Ashoura, an annual commemoration of the 7th century death of Prophet Mohammed grandson.

The officers say the attack

Bangladesh Factories Agree To Pay Rise, But Protests Continue

DHAKA - Bangladeshi garment factory owners said yesterday they had agreed to a proposed 77 percent rise in the minimum wage, but police used teargas and rubber bullets to break up new protests by stonethrowing workers calling for a bigger increase.

Bangladesh’s official wage board had proposed the rise to $68 a month as the minimum wage, up from $38, after a string of fatal factory accidents this year thrust poor pay and conditions into the international spotlight.

The factory owners agreed to the proposal at a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday night after several days of violent protests by workers.

“We have agreed to the new wages after the prime minister assured us she would look into our problems,” said Mohammad Atiqul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association.

He said the new wage, to be officially approved by the wage board, would be effective from next month.

“In the greater interest of our garment sector, we agreed to it.

But many small factories cannot afford the rise,” Islam told Reuters.

Workers demanding a $100 a month took to the streets, blocking major roads and attacking factories in the Ashulia industrial belt, on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka.

Police used water cannon, fired rubber bullets and lobbed teargas to disperse the stonethrowing demonstrators, witnesses said. More than 50 people, including police, were wounded.

“We will continue protesting until we realize our demand,” a protester said.

Violent protests over the pay rise have forced the closure of more than 100 factories this week. About 200 were shut yesterday.

Labour Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju urged workers to go back to work. He said continuing unrest could threaten livelihoods and warned of action against trouble-makers.

“We are working to ensure decent pay for garment workers,” he told reporters after a meeting trade unions.

“Culprits who are trying to destroy the industry won’t be spared.”

The new wage would still be the lowest for garment workers in the world, said Khandaker Golam Moazzem, a research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue think-tank.

The protests have coincided with violent anti-government protests and strikes led by the main opposition party demanding next year’s elections take place under a non-partisan government.

wounded around 70 people.

Two medical officials confirmed the causality figures. All spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to talk to media.

Earlier in the day, a bombing south of Baghdad killed nine Shiite pilgrims.

Ashoura is often targeted

by Sunni extremists who consider Shiites to be heretics.

Ethiopians gather as they wait to be repatriated in Manfouha, Southern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Cambodian worker and protesters in phnom penh. Cambodia.

Sri Lanka Defends Rights Record At Commonwealth

COLOMBO - The president of Sri Lanka lashed out yesterday at reporters and critics who questioned his nation’s human rights record, saying the government deals with any complaints of abuses committed during or after its bloody 27year civil war.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was speaking on the sidelines of a summit for the 53 nations in the Commonwealth of Britain and its former territories. The group has been accused of making a mockery of its core values of democracy and human rights by holding this year’s summit in the seaside capital of Colombo. The summit host generally chairs the Commonwealth for two years

until the next summit.

“We are open. We have nothing to hide,” Rajapaska said, despite so far refusing demands by world governments and the United Nations for an independent investigation into alleged atrocities committed by both rebels and soldiers during the war.

“If anyone who wants to complain about human rights violations in Sri Lanka, whether it’s torture, whether it is rape, we have a system,” Rajapaksa said. “If there is any violations, we will take actions against anybody, anybody. I am ready to do that.”

The leaders of Canada, India and Mauritius have stayed

away. Other leaders, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, have been forced by rights groups to justify their attendance by promising to call Sri Lanka to task.

Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Kamalesh Sharma defended having the summit in Colombo by saying it allows Sri Lanka to meet with leaders who have dealt with issues of human rights, rule of law and judicial independence in their countries.

He said “it shows the Commonwealth in action.”

Since the war ended in 2009 with Sri Lanka’s Sinhalesedominated armed forces smashing a sustained ethnic Tamil rebellion for an

independent homeland, the government has denied that its side committed any rights abuses.

It accuses journalists of fabricating allegations of atrocities, and rejects criticism of nepotism, even though five ministries are controlled by Rajapaksa and his three brothers. The parliament is also dominated by Rajapaksa’s coalition.

Yesterday, Rajapaksa again lauded the war victory, saying “people were getting killed for 30 years. At least after 2009 we have stopped it.”

Yet postwar reconciliation remains a far-off goal. Troops are still heavily deployed throughout the northern Tamil

heartland in the teardrop-shaped island off southwest India, and local journalists still regularly report harassment. Provincial elections in September were seen as a step toward granting Tamils more autonomy, but also drew criticism for falling far below what is needed for reconciliation.

On Tuesday, a British documentary maker was blocked by pro-government protesters from traveling by train to the north.

A court yesterday banned protests in Colombo until the end of the Commonwealth summit, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said, explaining that the move was intended to prevent traffic jams.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

International Features

Obama Healthcare Numbers Out

THE Obama administration has finally released the first health insurance enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act, and – drumroll please – they’re low.

All told, 106,185 people selected a plan through one of the government-run marketplaces between Oct. 1, when open enrollment began, and Nov. 2, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Wednesday.

Only one-quarter of them, or 26,794 people, came via HealthCare.gov, the buggy (but improving) federally run website that serves residents of 36 states. The rest, or 79,391 people, came from the remaining 14 states plus the District of Columbia that run their own sites. California alone accounted for 35,364 enrollees.

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These numbers are substantially lower than the administration’s original estimate that 500,000 people would sign up in the first month. But they are hardly surprising, given the problems with

HealthCare.gov and some of the state-run exchanges. More important, they do not necessarily portend doom for the Affordable Care Act, say health industry analysts.

“We learned what we already knew,” says Caroline Pearson, a vice president at the consulting firm Avalere Health. “For starters, the website has not been working well.”

She points to the difference in enrollment numbers between HealthCare.gov and the state-based marketplaces, which speaks to the number of people who went to the federal site and failed to get anywhere.

“There’s been so much bad press, it’s probably depressed the number of people who have actually been trying,” Ms. Pearson says. “Second, we knew all along that people were going to be slow to enroll and would wait until closer to the deadline, and closer to when their coverage could actually start.”

Consumers must enroll by December 15 for coverage that begins on Jan. 1, but people have until March 31 to enroll in health insurance without paying a penalty.

In addition to those who enrolled in private health insurance, another 975,407 people have been deemed

eligible to get insurance through the marketplace but have not yet selected a plan, HHS reported. Also, 396,261 Americans qualified either for Medicaid or for the Children’s Health Insurance Program in the Affordable Care Act’s expanded eligibility for those programs.

But far more important than enrollment numbers during the first month is the question of whether HealthCare.gov will be working more or less

smoothly by the end of November, as emergency manager Jeffrey Zients has promised. In recent days, Mr. Zients has suggested the site might not be as far along as he had hoped. Still, HHS said Tuesday that it would start sending e-mails to people who had been frustrated in their efforts to create accounts at HealthCare.gov, encouraging them to try again.

At a congressional hearing Wednesday, the HHS official who led the technical design

President Barack Obama of US

of HealthCare.gov said the site will perform much better by the end of the month.

“HealthCare.gov will be greatly improved for the vast majority of users by Nov. 30,” said Henry Chao, deputy chief information officer of HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The administration is also trying to reassure consumers that the site is secure and will not compromise their personal data.

But perhaps the biggest challenge the administration

faces is the blowback against President Obama over his repeated promises that people who liked their plans could keep their plans. Some 4 million policy cancellations later, Mr. Obama is under intense bipartisan pressure to put in place a fix that would allow him to keep that promise. Former President Clinton’s statement Tuesday might have been the unkindest cut.

“I personally believe, even if it takes a change to the law, the president should honor the commitment the federal government made to those people and let them keep what they got,” Clinton told the website Ozy in an interview.

Five Democratic senators have signed on to legislation proposed by a fellow Democrat, Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, that would allow people to keep their plans.

Similar legislation is in the works in the House.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday that Obama is about to address the matter.

“You can expect a decision from him and announcement from him sooner rather than later on options that we can take to address the problem,” Mr. Carney said.

Saudi Migrant Crackdown Raises Fears

THE mess is because foreign workers on which many businesses rely are fleeing, have gone into hiding or are under arrest amid a crackdown launched November 4 targeting the kingdom’s 9 million migrant laborers. Decades of lax immigration enforcement allowed migrants to take low-wage manual, clerical and service jobs that the kingdom’s own citizens shunned for better paying, more comfortable work.

Now, authorities say booting out migrant workers will open more jobs for citizens, at a time when unemployment among Saudis is running at 12.1 percent as of the end of last year, according to the International Monetary Fund. But the nationalist fervor driving the crackdown risks making migrant workers vulnerable to vigilante attacks by Saudis fed up with the seemingly endless stream of foreigners in their country.

Since the Saudi government began issuing warnings earlier this year, hundreds of thousands of foreign workers have been deported, though some were able to avoid arrest by getting proper visas in an amnesty program. That amnesty ended last week, and some 33,000 people have since been placed behind bars. Others have gone into hiding.

With fewer people to do the job, the state-backed Saudi Gazette reported that 20,000 schools are without janitors.

Others are without school bus drivers. Garbage became so noticeable around the mosque housing the Prophet Muhammad’s tomb that a top city official in Medina helped sweep the streets, the state-backed Arab News website reported.

About 40 percent of small construction firms in the kingdom also have stopped work because their foreign workers couldn’t get proper visas in time, Khalaf al-Otaibi, president of the World Federation of Trade, Industry and Economics in the Middle East, told Arab News.

Saudis say dozens of businesses like bakeries, supermarkets, gas stations and cafes are now closed. They say prices have

also soared for services from mechanics, plumbers and electricians.

Adam Coogle, a Middle East researcher for Human Rights Watch, told The Associated Press that if the kingdom wants to be serious about the problem, authorities should look at the labor laws and not at the workers. Saudi Arabia’s sponsorship system, under which foreign laborers work in the kingdom, gives employers say over whether or not a foreigner can leave the country or change jobs, forcing many into illegal employment.

“The entire system by which Saudi Arabia regulates foreign labor is failing,” he said.

The owner of a multi-million dollar construction company in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, said he had to halt all of his projects. He told the AP he was not the legal sponsor of most of his laborers but that they made more money working as freelance hires.

“These people have worked in this country and their blood is in the stones and buildings,” he said, speaking anonymously for fear of government reprisal. “You cannot just, like that, force them out.”

Despite feeling the loss of the everyday work the foreign laborers provided, Saudis largely have cheered on the police.

Residents have taken matters into their own hands on several occasions, despite police calling on the public not to make citizen arrests.

Over the weekend, Saudi residents of Riyadh’s poor Manfouha neighborhood fought with Ethiopians, detaining some, until police arrived more than two hours later. Video emerged of a crowd of Saudis knocking on the door of an Ethiopian man’s house, then dragging him out and beating him in the street. A Saudi and a migrant were killed and dozens wounded in the clashes.

The violence began when east Africans protesting the

crackdown barricaded themselves in the narrow streets of Manfouha, throwing stones, threatening people with knives and damaging cars. Days earlier, an Ethiopian man was killed by police chasing down migrants.

Violence broke out again days later in the same neighborhood, and a Sudanese man was killed in clashes Wednesday. In the Red Sea coastal city of Jiddah in the poor al-Azaziya neighborhood, clashes also broke out when police combed the area for migrants.

“This is not racism or a lack of respect for diversity, but you cannot imagine how much negative comes from these groups instead of positive. These people, every day, cause problems,” said Jiddah resident Abdulaziz al-Qahtani, who posted online video from the Riyadh clashes that he said a friend took.

Since the weekend clashes, Saudi officials say 23,000 Ethiopians, including women and children, have turned themselves in to the police. Authorities are now holding them in temporary housing ahead of deportation, saying many have no documentation at all, having made their way into the kingdom with the help of smugglers by way of Yemen.

Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that officials in Addis Ababa sought an explanation from Saudi Arabia’s envoy over the “mistreatment” of Ethiopians in the kingdom.

Workers from neighboring Yemen also face harassment.

Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkol Karman posted a picture last week on her Facebook page of what appeared to be a Saudi man in his car grabbing hold of a Yemeni man for a police officer.

Saudi columnist Abdul-Rahman al-Rashed cautioned Saudis to remember that without “a strong state and oil revenues” they too may have emigrated in search of work.

“Those deprived of the chance of a proper life can understand the feeling of those wanting to seek a better life,” he wrote in the Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

International Features Leader’s Death Plunges Pakistan Taliban In Disarray

THE killing of one of Pakistan’s most wanted Islamic militants in a U.S. drone strike has exposed centuries-old rivalries within the group he led, the Pakistani Taliban, making the insurgency ever more unpredictable and probably more violent.

Hakimullah Mehsud’s death this month has set off a power struggle within the outfit’s ranks, which could further unnerve a region already on tenterhooks with most U.S.-led troops pulling out of neighboring Afghanistan in 2014.

When a tribal council declared Mullah Fazlullah as the new leader of the Pakistani Taliban last week, several furious commanders from a rival clan stood up and left.

“When Fazlullah’s name was announced, they ... walked out saying, ‘The Taliban’s command is doomed’,” said one commander who attended the November 7 ‘shura’ meeting in South Waziristan, a lawless Pakistani tribal region on the Afghan border.

Others at the shura declared loyalty to the hardline new leader and stayed on to map out a plan to avenge Hakimullah’s death through a new campaign of bombings and shootings.

“This is the start of our fight with the Pakistan government, an American puppet,” the Taliban official said.

“Those who forced the Soviet Union out of Afghanistan are capable of breaking up Pakistan,” he added, alluding to senior commanders whose rite of passage into war started with the rebellion against Soviet troops in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

The Pakistani Taliban have always been divided, a loose alliance of militant bands united only by jihadist beliefs and their hatred of the government and all things Western.

The group operates independently of its Taliban allies in

Afghanistan, who are fighting U.S.-backed forces there.

But the death of Hakimullah, a member of the dominant Mehsud tribe, and the rise of Fazlullah, a Swat Valley native and hence an outsider in the eyes of tribesmen, changes the picture in the Tehrik-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban.

Under Hakimullah, the TTP had been open to the idea of peace talks with the Pakistani government, even though no meaningful negotiations had taken place.

Fazlullah ruled out any talks and declared the start of a new campaign to attack government and security installations in Punjab, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s political base.

“Mehsuds are not only not happy with this appointment but there are reports of serious infighting among them that might come to the fore in the near future,” said Saifullah Mahsud, director of the Pakistani think tank FATA Research Center.

“I think for now the antipeace talks group among the TTP has prevailed and hence the appointment of Fazlullah,” said Mahsud, who compiles data based on information provided by his sources on the ground in the tribal Pashtun areas.

Fazlullah’s threat against Punjab has unnerved Pakistan’s most prosperous and populous province, where attacks have so far been rare.

Various Pakistani militant groups, including the Sipah-e-Sahaba, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jaish-e-Mohammad, are based around Punjab and have been long tolerated or even sponsored by Pakistan’s powerful military and intelligence establishment.

Some of them were set up to fight Indian forces in disputed Kashmir, but they have turned on Pakistan in recent years thanks to the

growing influence of the TTP and al Qaeda, and have become increasingly involved in Taliban affairs.

“The situation is getting out of control and the ISI knows that,” said one

During a recent meeting with Reuters in the Pashtun city of Mardan, a group of militants - who sat cross-legged on the floor of a mud-brick safe house sipping tea and eating biscuits - said the

decide. If there is a need to fight, we will recruit and send people there.”

Sitting next to him, Farhatullah, a middle-aged man with the Hizbul Mujahideen group, said he used to fight against Indian forces in Kashmir but was now ready to go to Afghanistan.

Pakistan Taliban Western diplomat in the capital Islamabad, referring to the Pakistani military’s powerful intelligence arm.

As the dynamic within the militancy evolves, powerful Punjabi groups are also beginning to turn their heads westwards, with many seeing the pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan as a chance to expand their reach to tribal areas.

Afghan cause was close to their hearts “We want peace in Afghanistan under Mullah Omar’s leadership,” said Abdurakhman, a militant with Jaish-e-Mohammad, a group usually focused on Kashmir, others nodding in agreement. Mullah Omar is the chief of the Afghan Taliban.

“When the Americans leave, elders will sit down with Mullah Omar and

“We are the reserve force,” he said. “If needed I will ... take my gun, go there and fight.”

The TTP publicly rubbishes any talk of a major rift among its ranks.

A Taliban spokesman has confirmed Fazlullah’s appointment and said there would be no more peace talks with the government.

Operatives from al Qaeda and the Haqqani network, a powerful

militant group based in the mountains of North Waziristan, are also working hard to smooth over any disputes, sources say.

Mullah Omar, the reclusive, one-eyed leader of the Afghan Taliban, is said to have stepped into the debate and backed Fazlullah’s candidacy. Fazlullah knows Omar personally, having fought alongside his men in Afghanistan in 2001.

Fazlullah is still holed up in his base in Nuristan, a thickly forested Afghan region favoured by many Pakistani militants hiding from U.S. drones. To reassert control over feuding groups he would have to come back and establish a foothold in Pakistan.

“He is a non-resident commander, he is not present physically,” said a Pakistani intelligence source.

“But he has two advantages: He’s got a lot of money and he has Afghan support.”

(Additional reporting

by Mehreen ZahraMalik; Writing by Maria Golovnina; Editing by John Chalmers and Raju Gopalakrishnan)Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud (C) sits with other millitants in South Waziristan October 4.2oo9 in this videograb taken from footage released october 5.2009

“I think for now the anti-peace talks group among the TTP has prevailed and hence the appointment of Fazlullah,” said Mahsud, who compiles data based on information provided by his sources on the ground in the tribal Pashtun areas.”

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

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THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Baggies Want Video Replays league, accordWEST Brom chairman For Refs toingthetoPremier the Daily Mail, deJeremy Peace has urged the Premier League to introduce video technology in the wake of his side’s controversial draw with Chelsea.

The Baggies were leading 2-1 at Stamford Bridge when a penalty was awarded for a questionable foul on Ramires, with video replays suggesting

the midfielder went down a little too easily.

The decision angered both West Brom manager Steve Clarke and his chairman, with the incident at Chelsea the latest in a string of perceived poor decisions against the club.

Peace has now sent a letter

City Prepare Bid For Inter Keeper MANCHESTER City could be preparing a surprise bid for Inter shot-stopper Samir Handanovic as Joe Hart’s future at Platt Lane is cast in doubt.

The England International hasn’t featured for the Citizens since his last minute error in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea which allowed for Fernando Torres to score the winning goal.

According to talkSPORT, City have two possible ‘keepers to choose from: Handanovic or Malaga’s Willy Caballero.

The report also suggests that English club could offer about Ä24 million for the Slovenian, enough to entice Inter’s management into considering the deal.

Inter are also said to be interested in City striker Edin

• Samir Hadanovic

• Thomas Rosciky

Dzeko, which could open the door for a swap deal.

manding they look into bringing a video review system into football to prevent further injustice.

The Baggies chief will ask for the issue to be debated at a Premier League shareholders’ meeting, while he is also seeking a meeting with Mike Riley, head of the Professional Game and Match Officials Ltd. The Premier League introduced goal-line technology this season at a cost of £250,000 per club, though it has not been widely used.

• David Moyes

Moyes Will Succeed At Utd TIM Howard is sure Manchester United will soon be David Moyes’ team and believes his former Everton manager has the ability to succeed at Old Trafford.

The U.S. international goalkeeper played under Moyes for seven years at Goodison Park after the Scot signed him from United, and he feels the 50-year-old’s man-management skills enable him to get players to perform to their full potential.

And Howard, who regards Moyes as a father

- Howard

figure, said he “loves” the new United manager and calls him the biggest influence on his career to date.

Howard told reporters: “What is the definition of a Manchester United manager? I think Moyes is a top manager who always gets the best out of his players, so if that’s what it takes to be a Man-

chester United manager, then the answer is yes.

“Change is difficult and following Sir Alex [Ferguson] is never easy.

That’s why they gave him a six-year contract, because it takes time to mould and shape things.

Soon it will be David Moyes’ team.”

Howard appreciated Moyes’ honesty and said

after Nicklas Bendtner, Abou DIaby and Theo Walcott, after joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2006.

Rosicky has had to endure frustrating periods to his career at the Emirates, missing

tendon injury.

This season, however, he has already made 11 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s team, but missed the 1-0 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday because of illness.

Arsenal Set Terms for Rosicky TOMAS Rosicky will rethe whole of the 2008/09 seaDeal portedly be handed a oneson because of a hamstring year contract extension at Arsenal - if the injury-plagued midfielder plays 25 matches for the club this season.

The Czech international is in the final year of his contract with the Gunners, but it is believed the extension clause will be triggered if he reaches the mark this season.

The 33-year-old is currently the fourth longestserving player at the club,

he benefited from the Scotsman’s willingness to criticise his players.

“When I look back on my career in a few years, when it’s all said and done, then David Moyes will have had the biggest influence on my career,” Howard said.

“I don’t think everyone takes to this, but I’ve always been the type of player who wants it on the chin. If it’s good, then I want a pat on the back, but if it’s bad, then let me know. Moyes was like a father figure to me in that respect.

“He trusted me a lot but, with that trust and responsibility, I sometimes got

the short end of the stick.

The main thing is I always appreciated his honesty.

“It seemed like he was rollicking me every week, but when he places that much responsibility on your shoulders then he expects a lot of you and I wouldn’t be where I am now without him.

“He gave me the opportunities that some people would never have given me. I have played hundreds of games for Everton and there are probably a few where I shouldn’t have been selected, but he trusted me to keep going. I love him.”

Howard is currently in the U.S. squad preparing to face Scotland in a friendly at Hampden Park on Friday.

De Gea Believes Struggles Made Him Better MANCHESTER United goalkeeper David De Gea believes the bad start to his career in England has made him a better player.

The former Atletico Madrid man faced widespread criticism after a string of poor performances, but has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers.

De Gea is now confident he can challenge Alex Stepney’s record of 433 appearances by a United keeper.

“They were difficult times.

It was hard for me,” he told The Sun. “It wasn’t easy hearing criticism but I tried to use it to motivate me and make

stronger.

“I like to think that from bad things you can derive good results.”

The Spanish U21 international has admitted that he found it difficult to move away from Madrid and that he felt the weight of expectation following his £17.8m move to the Red Devils.

“I was very young. I had arrived at a new club from another country, I was learning a whole new language, I was adapting to a new style of football and new team-mates,” he said.

“That’s a lot to take in and I think it’s natural that it will take a little bit of time to settle.”

• David De Gea

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

‘Messi First Genius Of The 21st Century’

‘Balotelli Will Be Sold Or Win Ballon d’Or MILAN captain Riccardo Montolivo believes either Mario Balotelli will ‘be sold or he’ll win the Ballon d’Or’.

The controversial striker’s future has once again been cast into doubt after failing to hit the back of the net regularly as well as having spent most of the time sidelined through suspension.

Montolivo, however, is calm in which ever route is taken and he admits he can see two different possibilities occurring on vast ends of the spectrum.

“Mario seems relaxed to me, not worked up in any way, and he also seems the same at Milan,” the midfielder said while in camp with the national team.

“The club selling him? I’m not afraid of losing him. Everyone’s always looking to write exaggerated headlines about him: either he’ll be sold or he’ll win the Ballon d’Or. “We all know how valuable Mario is. He’s got thick skin.

He knows there are ups and downs and that he’ll receive both praise and criticism. I don’t believe he’s particularly stressed out.

“At Milan we’re all aware of the situation we’re in and doing everything we can to get past it.”

• Messi

Dortmund Fan Banned For Nazi Salute

BORUSSIA Dortmund have handed a four-year stadium ban to a supporter for a Nazi salute during the recent Bundesliga game against Stuttgart.

The Champions League against Stuttgart. runners-up have taken measA picture, published by ures against a man who disDortmund fanzine Die played a Nazi salute during Kirsche, showed the barethe goal celebration of Robert chested man on the fence Lewandowski’s fourth goal in wearing red tracksuit trouser Dortmund’s 6-1 victory and a black jacket with his

The Best Is Yet To Come - Bale REAL Madrid midfielder Gareth Bale believes he still is yet to reach his best form despite his recent impressive performances for the club.

The Wales international joined the Whites from Tottenham Hotspur on a record fee at the start of the season having failed to complete preseason training due to the dragging negotiations.

As a result, he battled with niggling injuries at the start of the season but has bounced back to score three goals in his last four matches for Madrid, while providing assists for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.’

“The best is yet to come.

I’ve just finished my pre-season and I can still give more,” he told the club’s website.

“Now I’ll be able to score more goals and help the team achieve success.

“It was just a matter of time until I got to 100 per cent.

Now everyone is seeing what I can do. I need to keep working and hopefully there will be more goals.”

Prior to Bale’s move to the

Santiago Bernabeu, questions were raised regarding his compatibility with Ronaldo, but the Welshman believes they are combining well.

“Cristiano is incredible, he scores hat-tricks every week,” added Bale. “It’s a pleasure to play with him.”

right arm up in the air.

The person was immediately identified and on Nov. 4, three days after the game, Dortmund banned the man from all German stadiums until June 30, 2017, the maximum penalty in German football.

The incident was brought to wider public attention by

Spiegel Online, the biggest German online outlet, which ran a feature about the ‘New Right’ in German football, leading the article with the picture of the man.

Der Spiegel reported of a right extremist network of 17 hooligan firms, called the GnuHonnters, which over the past few months have been trying to take over the German football stadiums.

The ‘New Right’ has been a main subject of discussion in German football this season, following incidents in several towns and throughout the upper tiers of German football.

According to the report the new network have targeted several ‘left wing’ Ultra groups in German stadiums.

Muller Wants To Be “Invincible” BAYERN Munich forward Thomas Muller believes his side can go the entire Bundesliga season unbeaten.

Last season’s treble-win-

• Thomas Muller

ners have not lost a league game in 41 matches, and recently broke the record for the longest unbeaten run in Germany. And the 24-yearold, who has been a key player during this period, sees no reason why Roten can’t remain unbeaten all season long.

“Arsenal did it in England, and last season we got very close but lost to Leverkusen,” he told Bild.

“It’s not easy, but it’s certainly an incentive for the season. We believe we can do it.”

Muller also discussed the upcoming clash with Dortmund on November 23, saying he feels it now has a simi-

lar level of importance to El Clasico in Spain.

“It’s always been a big game, but recently it’s become even more explosive because of the huge success of both sides,” he added.

“It has the potential to be the biggest game in Europe, like El Clasico has been over the years.

“It’s a shame it takes place straight after the internationals, but it’s something we have to accept. We haven’t won there for a few years, and it’s time we produced a better performance there.

“These patterns of results have to come to an end at some point.”

THE former Real Madrid director feels his fellow Argentine is one of the best players ever and says that the 26-year-old attacker is currently at his peak Jorge Valdano has taken the time to praise Lionel Messi, describing the Barcelona star as “the first genius of the 21st century”.

The 26-year-old Argentine - who is currently out of action with a hamstring tear had been the subject of criticism in recent weeks as he struggled to hit his best form in La Liga, but Valdano insists that his compatriot has few equals in the history of the game.

“Messi seems like a very calm person to me. He was born to play football,” the former Real Madrid director told RAC-1.

“There will only ever be a few players like him. He is the first genius of the 21st century in football.

“He has unprecedented precision and speed. He scores a lot of goal and is a real strategist when he plays slightly deeper.”

Valdano then went on to discuss Messi’s recent fitness issues and urged the Ballon d’Or holder to listen to his body and take the rest he needs, arguing that if he does so, he can continue playing at a high level for years to come.

“He has boundaries like any other human being. If you push your body, it’s going to protest at some point and say it’s been enough. He needs to relax,” the ex-Argentina international argued.

“What happens in football is that people only talk about what’s just happened. People are all of a sudden talking as if he’s on the verge of his retirement, where in reality he is in the prime of his career.”

Messi has netted 14 goals in 16 official appearances for Barcelona so far in 2013-14.

Song Happy At Barca BARCELONA midfielder Alex Song says he is happy at the club but admits he doesn’t know what the future holds.

The 26-year-old joined the Catalans from Arsenal last season and is still used as a bit-part player, making just six appearances in La Liga for the Catalans this season He has been linked with a possible move during the January transfer window, but he say he is content with his position at the moment.

“Now I am happy in Barcelona. I still have years on my contract but I do not know what will happen in the

• Song

future,” Song to the BBC. “I play in one of the best leagues in the world, everyone treats me very well, there are some of the best players here and I really enjoy working with them.”

The Cameroon international also spoke about new coach Gerardo Martino, who took over the reins at the Camp Nou at the start of the season.

“Tata Martino? He is a different coach,” added Song.

“He did very well in Argentina last season and now we are doing well. We must follow the path that he marks out.”

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

2014 W/Cup: Football Fans Predict Easy

Victory For Super Eagles A cross-section of Nigerians yesterday said they were confident that the Super Eagles would beat the visiting Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia on Saturday in Calabar.

The Nigerian senior men FIFA World Cup qualifier. football team will face The final round play-off their Ethiopian second leg match is billed counterparts in a 2014 for the U.J. Esuene Stadium, with the Eagles FIFpro Seeks holding an advantage after beating the Ethiopians 2Help For 1 in Addis Ababa on Oct. Stranded 13.

Player Speaking to newsmen in THE World Footballers’ Lagos, many Nigerian Association (FIFpro) has urged football fans tipped the FIFA to intervene to help free Eagles to win, saying the French-Algerian player Zahir Belounis, who is being Eagles are a team which prevented from leaving Qatar has now come of age. after a contractual dispute with his former club.

Innocent Emeh, a spare Belounis, 33, is being held in parts dealer at the Lagos Qatar with his wife and two International Trade Fair daughters after attempting to take legal action against El-Jaish Complex, said: “The Sports Club, whom he claims Eagles have no option than failed to pay his wages for two years. to beat the Antelopes.

The striker has repeatedly “For the Eagles to have been denied an exit visa and his won 2-1 against the plight has been publicised and widely condemned across the Ethiopians on their home football world. soil during the first leg, FIFpro has been fighting there is enough evidence Belounis’ corner and secretary general Theo van Seggelen has to show that the return leg now written a personal letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter to demand action be taken to ensure the player’s safe passage out of the country and the full reimbursement of wages owed.

Belounis has sold off most of his personal possessions as he is unable to earn an income, according to FIFpro, which also claims that it is offering support to him and his family as they face imminent eviction from an apartment containing no furniture.

FIFpro also expressed its concern that Belounis’ situation is not a standalone example, with players in Qatar requiring an exit visa sponsored by their most recent club.

The players’ union said on its official website: “FIFPro is aware that there are many more players (and coaches) who are experiencing similar conflicts with Qatari clubs.

“FIFPro is very familiar with issues of this kind in Qatar, the country which will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, having acted to help resolve a similar situation involving Abdeslam Ouaddou, earlier this year.

Belouni Zahir

will be a formality,’’ he said.

Bonaventure Audu, a bookshop owner at Iba Market in Ojo, pointed out that the present Nigerian side have not lost in Calabar, and would not start it now.

“The African champions have not lost in Calabar, and this Saturday cannot change the record,’’ he said.

Bolaji Odu, a civil servant with the Ojo Local Government, on his part said the match is a “must win’’.

“But I don’t expect the Eagles to approach the match with levity,” he said.

Odu advised the coach Stephen Keshi-led team to execute the match with all seriousness and make Nigerians proud with a resounding victory.

Emeka Ekeh, an electronics seller at the

Alaba International Market in Lagos, was of the view that the Ethiopians could not be a hard nut to crack for the Eagles.

“The Antelopes have fallen to the Eagles before,

and they will fall again,’’ he said.

In his comments, Toyon Sonayon, the Chairman of Badagry Divisional Football Association, said the Nigerian side was better positioned to win the match.

“With an array of intimidating stars who

won the 2013 African Nations Cup and the fact that any team in the continent is beatable, it is sure that the Eagles can beat the Ethiopians comfortably,” Sonayon said.

The Eagles need a draw or outright victory at home on Saturday to book their World Cup ticket.

Super Eagles forward Brown Ideye.

Confident Ethiopia Include Fit-Again Kebede

ETHIOPIA coach Bishaw Sewnet has boasted his team can turn the table against Nigeria just as he included Getaneh Kebede in his final squad.

Nigeria won the first leg of the World Cup playoffs 21 last month in Addis Ababa.

But Sewnet has insisted

Ethiopia have not lost all hope of qualifying for their first-ever World Cup. “The principle of the game is to win. We have seen the Nigerians, and the goals we gave away came from our own mistakes. We will try to correct those and face them in their country, and we hope

THE FCT Administration on Wednesday in Abuja made payments totalling N69,175,800 to players and officials of the FCT Queens female football club, being monies owed them between 2007 and 2013.

The monies included unpaid sign-on fees for players and officials for years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013, as well as 2012 and 2013 salary arrears.

The payments were also for accumulated match fees, allowances and bonuses for years 2012 and 2013, as well as debts incurred by the club ahead of the 2007 season.

Reports say that the players had on several occasions since 2011 marched to the FCT Administration offices to demand for the payment of their entitlements.

They had gone on to raise alarm about their situation when unconfirmed reports had it that the club was going to be disbanded by its owners, the

FCT Administration.

Speaking before the payments, Blessing Onuh, the Secretary in FCT’s Social Development Secretariat, said she felt fulfilled that an end had finally come to what looked like a long-drawn impasse.

FCT Queens Get N69m Accummulated Sign-On Fees, Salary Arrears

to qualify there,” the coach said.

“In the very beginning we set ourselves a goal, which was to qualify for the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. To achieve that goal we have had to work very hard and that was our plan. We are training every day and night to achieve our goal. We have 90 minutes more, and we will fight to the maximum. And I am confident we will qualify.”

The 69-year-old tactician has worked with Ethiopia at U17 and U19 levels, before he took over the full

Beach Soccer

Sand Eagles Captain Worries Over Delay In Camping ISIAKA Olawale, Captain, Sand Super Eagles, yesterday expressed dissatisfaction that the team had yet to be camped in preparation for the forthcoming COPA Lagos International Beach Soccer Tournament.

Olawale told newsmen in Lagos that late preparation could negatively affect the team’s performance.

He said that the team needed to begin preparations urgently to be able to triumph in the competition scheduled to hold from December13 to December 16 at the Eko Atlantic Beach,

Lagos.

“There is no magic in it; it is either you prepare and win or prepare to fail,” he said.

Olawale appealed to the relevant authorities to ensure early camping of the team.

“It is sad that we are yet to be called to camp “This was one of the reasons we didn’t win in Casablanca; we didn’t start preparations early enough; that is also why we didn’t qualify for World Cup in Tahiti.

“We are towing the same line,’’ the captain told newsmen.

international team.

He led Ethiopia to win the regional CECAFA Cup in 2005.

Sewnet has included Kebede in his final squad even after the South Africabased forward was flattened out in a league game at the weekend.

Kebede, who has scored four goals in the qualifiers, missed the first game in Ethiopia due to an ankle injury.

Ethiopia final squad vs Nigeria: Samson Assefa, Degu Debebe, Saladin Bargicho,

Biyadgelg Eliyas, Abebaw Butako, Mentesnot Adane, Minyail Teshome, Behailu Assefa, Adane Girma, Omed Okwurry Omod, Alula Girma, Sisay Bancha, Birhanu Bogale, Dawit Fekadu, Jemal Tassew, Thok James, Fasika Asfaw, Gebre Mikael Yakob, Mulualem Mesfin, Dereje Almu, Aynalem Hailu, Asrat Megersa, Moges Tadesse, Medhany Tadesse, Fuad Ibrahim, Yusuf Salah, Getaneh Kebede, Shemeles Bekele, Salhadin Said and Addis Hintsa

A four-man Ghana delegation is in Cairo for a security briefing ahead of next Tuesday’s Brazil 2014 World Cup playoff against Egypt.

The delegation arrived in Cairo in the early hours of Thursday and will visit the match venue, Air Defence Stadium, to inspect the facilities.

They will be briefed Egyptian authorities who have already convinced FIFA about their plans to provide guaranteed security for Ghana’s contingent.

Ghana’s delegation is led

by FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, Abedi Ayew Pele, Alhaji Saeed Lartey of the National Security and Ibrahim Sannie, spokesperson for the Ghana FA. Today’s visit comes just days after a meeting with Secretary General Jerome Valcke in the Togolese capital, Lome where Ghanaian officials were presented with the security plans for the second-leg playoff match.

The match will be played on 19 November with Ghana holding a 6-1 advantage from the first leg.

Ghana In Cairo For Security Briefing

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

More Cash Gifts For Eaglets

2013 National Schools Sports Festival Will Be Spectacular, Says NSSF President THE President of the National Schools Sports Federation (NSSF), Ibrahim Mohammed, on Wednesday in Lagos said he was confident that the 2013 National Schools Sports Festival would be spectacular.

Mohammed told newsmen the festival would be successful because of the sponsorship boost received from private organisations.

Reports say that the festival which will hold from Nov. 20 to Nov. 30 in Ilorin, Kwara will feature 16 competitive events.

Reports say that six other sports will be demonstration sports at the festival in a bid to monitor how well they could be rightly included for active participation.

“This year’s festival will be unique in its own nature. This is because, for the first time in its history, we have corporate organisations which are sponsoring the festival.

“Over the past years, all the funding for the competition have been through our efforts and that of those within the government sector who admire and appreciate what we are doing,” Mohammed said.

He said this time around the competition has “huge sponsorship packages” from the National Sports Commission (NSC), Sterling Bank and Nestle Milo.

The NSSF president said the demonstration sports at the festival would be organised and closely monitored by members of the six sports federations for adequate assessment.

“We will have our executive committee members at all the demonstration events and these demonstration events will be conducted by members of the federation of the respective events,” Mohammed said.

Speaking also, the Kwara Director of Sports, Tunde Kazeem, also assured that all plans had been put in place to guarantee a successful hosting of the festival.

Kazeem said Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara had an interest in Nigerian youths, and was therefore willing to support any initiative that had to do with youth empowerment.

“Right now, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the festival is on ground, working hard to ensure that the festival turns out to be the best of its kind.

“This is a youth programme and our governor has been youth-inclined and is ever ready to support anything that has to do with youth empowerment,” Kazeem said.

Lady Omorede Osifo, Edo State Sports Commissioner

National U-17 Games: Edo Football Team Spank Cross River 3-0 To Qualify

By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

Edo state U-17 male football team yesterday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium defeated their Cross River counterparts 3-0 in the justconcluded Zonal (South-South) elimination games to qualify for the National Youth Games proper billed for December, 2013.

By this victory, The Edo boys emerged winners of Edo Football team is to Group A, comprising Delta and Bayelsa states WARRI Wolves have whom they had earlier announced they will not brushed aside before renew the contract of locking horns with the coach Solomon Ogbeide skillful Cross River boys and his replacement will who also defeated be known Monday.

“We have decided not Rivers and Akwa Ibom to re-new the contract of states in Group B.

represent the SouthSouth Zone in the maiden edition of the National Sports Commission’s Organised Youth Games scheduled to hold in

Abuja come December 2013.

In the same vein, Edo state Basketball (male) team also qualified for the Abuja games.

Wolves Let Go Coach Ogbeide

Omeruo Happy To Be Back After KENNETH Omeruo has ‘Difficult Time’ declared that he cannot wait to return to action for the Super Eagles after “a difficult time” out with injury.

Chelsea defender Omeruo is fully back from a shoulder injury after he last featured

. Basketball Too

for the Eagles in the FIFA Confederations Cup in June.

“I am very happy to be back. I cannot wait to wear the national colours,” he said.

“It was a difficult time for

Kenneh Omeruo back from injury

me, but I am happy now that I am back and ready to go.

“I want to thank all Nigerians for their prayers and especially our coach (Stephen Keshi) who was in touch with me regularly during the period of my injury.”

Omeruo is expected to resume his partnership with Godfrey Oboabona in the heart of the Eagles defence against Ethiopia in Calabar on Saturday.

“We have an advantage from the first leg but we still want to win on Saturday to qualify for the World Cup,” the defender said of the playoff clash against Ethiopia.

Omeruo’s agent Obinna Emelogu confirmed to MTNFootball.com the player is match fit and in high spirits after his prompt recall to the national team.

coach Solomon Ogbeide.

We cherish what he has done and wish him the best in his chosen career,” Wolves spokesman Etu Moses said in a press statement.

“The new man that will take over will be made known to the public by next week and we will also on that day tell the world what we intend to achieve come next season.”

Ogbeide led Wolves to the final of this year’s Federation Cup and the Warri club finished sixth in the league.

Wolves will resume for the new season on Monday.

“The board met and fixed next Monday for the resumption to start preparation for next season and they have advised all the players to report except few who will go due to one reason or the other,” Moses said.

“We shall make the names of those set of players available by Monday. We have also advised them not to fail as we have a lot to do next season.

“We want to do well not only in the league but the Continental assignment which is the Confederation Cup”.

NIGER State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has rewarded world champions Golden Eaglets with cash gifts.

Apart from the cash gift of 12 million Naira and 5 million Naira respectively to the players and technical crew, a cash gift of 3 million Naira was given to the accompanying NFF’s board members and officials.

The Governor honoured the victorious team at a dinner banquet held at Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna on Tuesday as part of activities to mark his 58th birthday anniversary.

He said Nigerians should be proud of the Eaglets’ achievement in the UAE. He said it was gratifying to note that the team was exemplary throughout the competition and therefore deserved to be celebrated.

“We are very proud of what these youngsters have done in lifting the image of the country through their collective efforts,” Babangida said.

“With their performance, these young boys gave us a positive image throughout the world and they showed the resilience of being Nigerians.”

“We want you to remain focused and don’t relent in your efforts; and please don’t neglect your education which is very important,” he said, advising the NFF to keep the team intact for future challenges.

Cross River State Government is expected to also fete the world champions this weekend in Calabar.

Taraba Agree Terms With Bayelsa talking with Plateau Goalkeeper are United’s central defender

NEWLY promoted FC Taraba have agreed terms with several players from the top flight including Bayelsa United goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi.

The club Chairman Tijjani Babangida told MTNFootball.com that the ambitious Jalingo-based team have agreed terms with Bayelsa United goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi, Sharks left

back Mohammed Amodu and Lobi Stars Loter Iyoher.

“We will bring a lot of quality players to fortify the team for the task ahead in the Premier League,” Babangida disclosed.

“We have already agreed terms with Emmanuel Fabiyi, Mohammed Amodu, Loter Iyoher and Soga Sambo. We

Kabiru Ayinde.”

Babangida also confirmed they are in the market for a big-name coach.

“We are also thinking of bringing in a technical adviser. We are talking with some coaches and we will make that public when we agree and finalise with one of them,” Babangida said.

THE NIGERIAN

CMYK

32

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Govt: Escaping The Trap Of Being Creatively Unproductive SINCE October 1st 1960, all government ministries, departments and agencies have been opened for business every weekday; except on public holidays. These institutions have equally been occupied by employees, who get paid according to status; no matter the output which has ceased to be a factor.

The constant buzz around and within their premises creates an impression of activities or actions being carried out by different persons. And it is the understanding of public that these actions are supposed to be solving past and emerging problems.

Expectedly in a dynamic society as ours, problems increase as the society grows in population and expectations.

This however is not an excuse for the inability to solve old problems. And certainly does not make up for why human capacities having been stretched to their limits, should remain dormant or start failing to avail society the necessary solutions; more correctly, when such responsibilities are by appointment or selfinclination as those who decide to contest for elective positions.

One would have thought that a modern society which knows challengingly new problems will constantly keep emerging, should also appreciates the value of enhancing, or if you like optimising the scale of its preparedness against daily occurrences before they get tsunamilike. One credible response to this is to acquire new capacities or methods through training or injections of fresh human resources. This in other words, is the wisdom of putting new wine, in new wineskin.

In Nigeria, the handling of the subject of

capacities can be viewed from two aspects. Firstly, is the capacity contributed by the regular workforce or the structured civil service; and secondly, the irregular workforce or the political class. (Please note that my reference to the political class as an irregular workforce is only owing to the transient nature of their tenure) While the former or regular workforce has been blamed for nepotism and tribalism in its recruitment of personnel, the later which is the political class, and the one expected to control the entire system, is blamed for largely recruiting its personnel without consideration for the capacities or persons that can make meaningful impact. As much as say this without intention of spiting any interest, yet would challenge any disproval which seeks to maintain that our problems have not remained unsolved and bloated even as we have unceasingly been doing all we claim to be doing in most government institutions since October 1st 1960.

As the saying goes that when a fish or a system wants to start getting bad, it commences from the head: Since the political class in most ways superintends the civil service structure, therefore, I am convinced they (political class) own the single-best stroke which could set everything alright in our country, Regrettably however, if the manner of recruiting the human capacities, appropriate to steer the country, including the civil service on the right path is inviolably political, then we must frankly accept t as the price being paid for the general outcome of governance, which is less than desired.

On account of this, there are no small or big

contributors. Indeed, every action counts. The action of a government driver who would always cheat on the quantity of fuel used to run its vehicles, since someone has not deemed it necessary to install special devices that would tag fuel consumption with distant covered: The executive who does not know the diseconomy and dangerous trend of

community’s productive sector, being drafted to be tax collectors and dispensers of executive fiats.

Also on this range of disservice to governance are the Ministers or Commissioners who do not know that the creation of real’ jobs is the platform upon which all matters of boosting the internally generated revenue should be laid; Jobs which can be

FEED BACK

By KINGSLEY OGBEIDE-IHAMA attitude of the medical doctor, who prefers to spend his time on the social media like “facebook” than attending to a patient on emergency.

We can also not forget the irrational preference

• Alhaji Isa B. Sali, Head of Civil Service of the Federation

getting people employed under any scheme or political exigency where the comparative advantage is far less productive; Jobs which essence are purely not manifest in the productive sector: Jobs or youths who are supposed to be the bulwark of a

massively created by identifying how and where to assist the private sector in cutting through the red tapes: We would in addition not forget the action of a civil servant who does not understand that the tardiness with which he treats files is similar to the

of constantly appointing ‘those we know’ (the old hands, who are presumed to be more trustworthy and by far more conservative in their spending habit than the younger ones brimming with gaping greed) This is the culture of having to recycle not only old

hands, but also, old minds. These are the ones with the superficial values, but deludingly called ‘Leaders’ in the political realm: They are the ones that are teaching the young ones how to expect bountiful agricultural produce mainly by belonging to a political party and attending political meetings religiously.

They are the ones who are more interested in luring the youths to the vacancies available at every electioneering period or to the spill-over as protectors of the political spoils, against the antics of critics: These are the Leaders who are more concerned about opening new youth-wing of their political party offices, than factories for the youths to work: Leaders’ whose integrity cannot guarantee Nigeria any foreign direct investment, but who would feel eminently qualified to be amongst the chosen whenever there is a holiday jamboree directed at attracting foreign investments.

From all of these, we can understand why the world considers Nigeria as a country of a highly intelligent and creative people, who end up being diligently unproductive.

“As the saying goes that when a fish or a system wants to start getting bad, it commences from the head: Since the political class in most ways superintends the civil service structure, therefore, I am convinced they (political class) own the single-best stroke which could set everything alright in our country,”

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