Nigerian observer 17 01 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 ART & CULTURE

cmyk

Page 19 Understanding evil culture

PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH Page 23

Professor Agbegbaku

Amazon of AAU

• Vol . 38 NO.400• FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2 0 14 • N100.00

West Idahosa dumps PDP for APC

BENIN CITY – A former three time member of the House of Representative, Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa yesterday in Benin formerly announced his

defection from the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the All

Progressive Congress (APC), saying that he has come to join the

progressives in its determination to move the state and Nigeria forward.

Idahosa and hundreds Continues on page 2

Jonathan fires service chiefs . Appoints new ones ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has approved changes in the high command of the country’s military, the Presidency said yesterday in Abuja. from Lt.-Gen. Azubike A statement from the Ihejirika as Chief of Army Special Adviser to the Staff.

President on Media and He said Rear Admiral Publicity, Dr Reuben Usman Jibrin will take Abati, said that Air over from Vice Admiral Marshal Alex Badeh is Dele Ezeoba as Chief of now the Chief of Defence Naval Staff.

Staff.

Abati said the Badeh, who is the President directed that former Chief of Air Staff, the changes should take is taking over from immediate effect.

Admiral Ola Ibrahim, He said the President while Air Vice Marshal in making the new Adesola Amosu takes appointment exercised over from Badeh as the powers conferred on Chief of Air Staff. him by the provisions of Abati said also that the 1999 Constitution.

Maj.-Gen. Kenneth “The President has Minimah will take over briefed the leadership of

the National Assembly on the new appointments.

“Also, the President, in keeping with the provisions of the law, will request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes,’’ the presidential aide said.

Badeh, the new Chief of Defence Staff, was born on January 10, 1957.

He joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 21 Regular Course.

On his part, Minimah who was born on July 27,

1959 joined the Nigerian Army as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 25 Regular Course.

Until his new appointment, he was the Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps at Jaji.

Also, Jibrin was born

on September 16, 1959 and joined the Navy as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 24 Regular Course.

Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was Director of Training at Defence Headquarters.

Amosu, who is the immediate-past Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, was born on August 1, 1958.

Continues on page 2

Oshiomhole assures of project completion

By ADAMS OYIBOKE BENIN CITY – Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has re-assured residents of Benin City metropolis of government commitment to completing all roads and drainage under construction, especially the Benin City water storm in order to end the perennial flood problem in the city.

Governor Oshiomhole gave the assurance yesterday during an inspection visit to project sites at Upper Ekehuan Road, Evbuotubu, Upper Siluko Road, Uwelu Road and the popular ‘5’ Junction

by New Lagos Road all in Benin City.

At Asoro Grammar School, Upper Ekehuan Road, the governor commended the management staff and students for their

TIT BIT “We may not appreciate God’s effort in making nature to be still for our sake until death and other forms of natural disasters reveal the flip side of nature.”

- Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

commitment at maintaining the school’s infrastructure provided by government.

According to him, “Let me appreciate you staff and students for your commitment and dedication in maintaining facilities put in place by

TUKUR’S EXIT: President Goodluck Jonathan shows the way while his aides and the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, behind and former PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur (right) move out of the PDP’s 63rd NEC meeting in Abuja yesterday.

Missing $49.8bn: NGF

wants NASS to audit Federation Account

Continues on page 2

ABUJA - The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), yesterday called

on the National Assembly to institute an independent firm to audit the federation account,

following alleged misappropriation of fund.

The forum under the chairmanship of Rivers

Governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, made the call in a communique issued after its meeting in Abuja.

and Philemon Leha, who retired from the force after reaching 60 years old.

Akpoyibo, until his

retirement, was DIG in charge of Training while Leha was DIG, Operations.

They were enlisted into

the police in 1980 as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

Continues on page 2

Police pull out 2 DIGs

ABUJA - The Nigeria Police yesterday pulled out two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Marvel Akpoyibo

“On the issue of the missing 49.8 billion dollars (about N8.5 trillion), there is no evidence that the amount was paid into the federation account or dully appropriated.

“We accordingly call on the National Assembly to institute a comprehensive Continues on page 2

News West Idahosa dumps PDP for APC

Continued from page 1

of his supporters who were received at the APC State Secretariat by the state executive members led by Chief Osaro Idah said: “I have come with my teeming supporters, with those who have helped to mould me, with those who have assisted me over the years to say that we are at home. What happened today (yesterday) is that we have come to the National platform of the progressives in Nigeria.

“For many years, they made history against all obstructions, against all obstacles to put this platform together, the APC and I say, it is time for change.”

He said that his belief was that the people of Nigeria were entitled to gainful employment, energy, water, good roads and other social amenities.

He praised Governor Adams Oshiomhole for his

development strides in Edo State, saying: “I have seen Edo State, I have seen what is happening; it was the very reason of our decision to join this party, the APC.” “Take a look at the roads, the schools, and look at the power of the power, how they defended their votes in the

last election, that is progressivism and I believe with your power we will change this country’s government and bring in a government that give 40,000 megawatts of electricity.”

He added that there was no better platform for him to express his views and in

Oshiomhole assures of project Road by five junction, completion Lagos he inspected the Benin City

Continued from page 1 government through taxpayers money.

“I am happy that you students can now see the changes in your school between then and now.

“I promise to give priority attention to this school as soon as the 2014 Budget is passed so as to provide more furniture and equip the Laboratories”, he stressed.

Governor Oshiomhole also inspected the on-going road construction and the drainage system at the

return to constitutionalism in the country.

Governors at the meeting were those of Rivers, Lagos, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Imo and Ekiti States, while Nassarawa, Kwara, Zamfara and Kano States, were represented by their deputies.

water storm project spanning from Eghosa Grammar School through five junction to Ugbowo and linking Upper Siluko Road to Evbuotubu (Powerline) flowing down to Ogba river.

In an interview with a resident of Uwelu road, Mr. Sunny Enoma, he commended the Comrade Governor for his prompt attention to Uwelu road.

He said: “Let me tell you, we have suffered terribly from past government of People Democratic Party (PDP) both at Egor Local Government and at the State level.

“We thank God that the Comrade Governor has decided to come to our rescue; I think we are going to now spend less in mechanic workshop unlike before”, he maintained.

“Their brilliant contributions accounted for the successes of the present police management and transformation in the Nigeria police,’’ he said.

The I-G said that one notable attribute of the two retiring senior officers was their strong dedication and commitment to the service of the nation.

He urged them to continue to support the police in every aspect of their lives even as they “permanently drop the arms and uniform’’.

Akpoyibo, who spoke on behalf of the retiring officers,

pledged their support for the police in retirement, saying “we shall continue to support the system in our own little way’’.

According to him, the wellbeing of the nation is the wellbeing of every one.

“By the grace of the almighty God, this nation Nigeria will attain her goals and become the envy of other nations,’’ he said.

Many dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Delta, Prof. Amos Utuama, former Kogi Governor, Idris Ibrahim and representative of Bauchi Governor, attended the ceremony.

exemplary leadership that epitomised respect for the rule of law and electoral sanctity at all times.

According to him, politicians are Nigerians and events in the nation’s politics reflect the character of the country’s body polity.

“If politicians are able to manipulate the electoral processes with their power of incumbency, this is because the entire socioeconomic and political configurations of the country are conducive for such level of political

corruption.

“The quest to secure our democracy beyond 2015 is indeed a collective struggle.

He cautioned politicians bent on destroying the nation’s democracy, in the pursuit of their political ambitions, to be reminded that “whenever the house falls, the roof falls with it.”

Ekweremadu, who is also the chairman, Senate Constitution Review Committee, assured that the National Assembly would stand with Nigerians to protect the nation’s democracy.

Teacher’s House.

At Uwelu Road construction work, Governor Oshiomhole admonished residents of the area to be patient with government, stressing that the road would be completely tarred and with street light.

He stressed that no project would be left uncompleted before the end of his second tenure in office.

Governor Oshiomhole also stopped over at the New

NGF wants NASS to audit Federation by seven governors and four Account Continued from page 1 deputies, also called for a

independent forensic audit by an international reputable firm.

“We fear that the recent decline of state revenue is not unconnected with the financial diversion,’’ the forum said.

The communique, read to newsmen by Amaechi, condemned the recent killings in Borno and the attack on the father of Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso.

It also condemned the violation of citizens’ right to freely assemble in Rivers by the Police, and the alleged shooting of Sen. Magnus Abe on Jan. 10, in the state.

The forum also called on the Federal Government to convene a meeting of statutory institutions as enshrined in the constitution.

Such institutions, it said, include the National Economic Council (NEC), Council of States, Nigeria Police Council and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

It linked the alleged financial irregularities in public accounting and the

moving the state and nation forward than to join the APC. Receiving him into the APC, State Chairman of the party, Chief Osaro Idah said that he was welcome back home, adding that the party will give all its members who want to contest for elective position equal opportunity to realize their dreams.

continuous breach of the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act to the non convening of such meetings.

According to the forum, the NEC meeting, where such issues could be discussed, was last held four months ago.

The NGF meeting, attended

Police pull out 2 DIGs

Continued from page 1 The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, described them as officers who had exhibited courage, operational sagacity, uncommon tactical expertise and professionalism in service.

“It can therefore be said that they had given a good account of themselves by successfully serving the Nigeria Police with impeccable records.

“Today, it is befitting, we honour these DIGs, whose lives have been a profound inspiration to us.

2015: NASS to strengthen electoral system

ABUJA - The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, said the National Assembly will strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws before the 2015 general elections to remove all forms of impunity in the electoral system.

This information is

Jonathan fires service chiefs Continued from page 1 He joined the Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 25 Regular Course.

Until his new appointment, Air Vice Marshal Amosu was the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.

contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja on Thursday.

Ekweremadu gave the assurance in a keynote address at the 11th Daily Trust Dialogue with the theme: “Incumbency and Impunity in Politics: Safeguarding Our Democracy Beyond 2015”.

He expressed regrets that political impunity remained the number one enemy of the country’s democracy.

He said the political elites were expected to provide

3 Govs To Grace Edo Youth Summit BENIN CITY Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Babangida Aliyu of Niger State are among the top speakers expected at a youth summit to be organized by the Edo State Government.

A release issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Government, Peter Okhiria says the summit which holds on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Imaguero College Hall, has its theme: “Nigerian Youth: Defining the Issues and Setting Agenda for the Future.”

The release added that guest speakers expected at the summit included:

Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, President Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Comrade Peter Esele, former President, Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Others expected to grace the occasion include Miss Toyosi Akerele, CEO Arise, Youth organizations, civil society groups, students’ union leaders and many other stakeholders.

The release also adds that a New Year musical concert holds the same day at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium beginning from 5.00pm till dawn.

Those featuring in the concert according to the release include Wizkid, Wande Coal, Eedris Abdulkareem, Timaya, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Osayomore Joseph, K-Cee, Harry Song and Group among others.

Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee has invited to a crucial meeting, the Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council, Hon. Osaro Obazee, Chairman and Executive members of Oba Market Union as well as the President and Executive members of Oba Market women.

Date is today, Friday

January 17, 2014 at the Boardroom, office of Secretary to Edo State Government, Government House, Benin City beginning at 9.00a.m.

A statement endorsed by the Chairman of the Committee, Chief Eduwu Ekhator Obasogie indicated that attendance is mandatory for all those invited.

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

Peace, Conflict Resolution C’ttee invites Oredo Council boss, others BENIN CITY – The

Electricity Coy Assures On Quality Service

By RAYMOND OSOGBE

BENIN CITY – The Chairman, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mr. Victor Gbolade Osibondu has assured the people of Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo States of quality and improved services delivery.

Osibondu disclosed this yesterday at the Oba’s Palace, Benin City during a courtesy visit to the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa.

The BEDC Chairman hinted that Benin Disco is one of the luckiest among all the Discos in the country just as he said that the location of the Disco has a lot of favourable comparative advantage.

He told the monarch that BEDC covers the four states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti with a total of 744,750 customers across the states.

In the same vein, he

emphasized that, the company has six business units in Benin City, which oversees a total of 42 service units and numerous service centres to carters for customers’ satisfaction.

According to him, “presently, Benin City has the highest number of pre-paid meters in the entire country.”

He, however, sued for the support of the monarch, the chiefs and people of the four states to him and the management team so as to succeed in the service to the people.

Earlier, the New Head of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Office, Mr. Charles Egurido led top functionaries of the Examination body on a courtesy call to the palace.

Also yesterday, the Oba resolved the misunderstanding between Oba Market women and the Oredo Council Chairman, Hon. Osaro Obazee.Saved as Disco (F)

News Reposition Yourselves For Higher Glory, Cleric Urges Believers

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

AGBOR – The General Overseer of God’s Own Revolutionary Church (GOREC) Rev. Professor Oke Akokotu, on Sunday December 8, 2013, charged Christians to reposition themselves for higher glory in the year 2014.

Speaking with newsmen in his headquarters church at Agbor during his Sunday service.

Rev. Prof. Akokoto, said some Christians are in sin, carelessness, pride, arrogance, wickedness disobedience, stubbornness, sexual i m m o r a l i t y , prayerlessness and stinginess.

The General Overseer said Christians should reposition or change their

position for their lives to be more glorious.

“Reposition yourselves for God to make you an important person in the body of Christ, be a Christ disciple of Christ in the church rather than being a visitor or an ordinary member of your church”, he stated.

He urged them to be givers rather than always being receivers, be prayerful, rather than being a prayerless person (Christian).

Rev. Prof. Akokotu then prayed for Christians, Nigerians and Political Office holders to reposition their lives rightly, so that Nigeria can see God’s Glory in the year 2014.

He prayed for the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, President Dr. Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan, God’s wisdom, strength, resources to pilot the affairs of their offices to a greater level.

Fallen Heroes: Reflect On Plight Of

Relations, LG boss urges

AFUZE – Owan East Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. (Barr) Jimoh Ijegbai has urged Nigerians to use the annual celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to reflect on the plight and conditions of the families of the nation’s fallen heroes

and render them assistance.

The council boss made this call in Afuze, the administrative headquarters of Owan East Local Government during this years’ Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.

He said the call has become necessary in view of the rare

Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue, Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah in a handshake with one of the award recipient during the agency’s end-of-year party ceremony.

APC Chairman Urges Members To Prepare For 2015 Elections

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

IGUEBEN Evbhosa – The Acting Chairman All Progress Congress, in Ward Nine (9) Evbhosa, in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State, has advised his members both home and diaspora to get ready for the coming 2015 elections.

Mr. Francis Asiikhui who is

Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service,Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah (2nd right), representative of the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Hon. Patrick Obayagbon (2nd left), former Executive Chairman (FIRS) and lead presents, Mrs. Ifueko OMoigun-Okoro during the stakeholders sensitization ceremony held in Benin City recently.

the acting Chairman in his ward, gave the advice in a chat with The Nigerian OBSERVER, saying that coming 2015 elections will favour the All Progressive Congress of Nigeria.

He said the party is ready to deliver its people, since Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disappointed the nation. Mr. Asiikhui, also advised, All Progressive

Congress members not to allow any person from any other party deceive them or influence them to accept anything material to avoid bringing ridicule to the party.

He prayed for the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, his Deputy Rt. Hon. (Dr) Pius Odubu, God’s wisdom, strength and resources to move Edo State to the highest level.

patriotism and heroism demonstrated by the departed heroes to keep Nigeria united.

Hon. (Barr) Ijegbai remarked that this rare display of patriotism should be appreciated when viewed against the backdrop of the role played by the Nigerian Military Forces in conjunction with other law enforcement agents in restoring peace and order in Nigeria, especially against the senseless and brutal killings of innocent Nigerians and wanton destruction of property by the Boko Haram sect.

According to the council Boss, “they have paid the supreme sacrifice by laying down their lives so as to ensure the peace, orderliness and overall development of the country.”

“Let us therefore use this occasion to reflect soberly on the plight and conditions of the families of the fallen heroes as well as the numerous survivors who are represented by the legionnaires with a resolve and determination to assisting them” the Council Boss said.

He charged the Nation’s security outfits and all Nigerians to ensure that the territorial integrity, sovereignty, unity and peace of Nigeria is preserved and sustained.

He disclosed that Owan East Local Government has over the years been rendering assistance to the ex-service men by way of employment and financial assistance so that their labour will not be in vain, while and promising to sustain it.

In his homily, the President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Owan East Local Government Chapter, venerable Samuel Ifeku urged governments at all levels to always remember the families of our fallen heroes, not necessarily during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.

He therefore called on government to stem the rate of corruption which he noted has become a cankerworm that has stalled development.

Chairman of the Legion, Lt. Col. Amos Igbaruma (CNC) in his address,

appealed to Nigeians to always remember the fallen heroes, the disabled soldiers as well as their dependents who are still alive.

He appreciated Owan East Council Boss for his efforts at making life comfortable for the ex-service men and people of Owan East, with his numerous development projects, just as he pledged the legion’s unalloyed loyalty to him.

Highlight of the ceremony which attracted politicians, traditional rulers, staff and management of the council was the launch of the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem by Hon. (Barr) Ijegbai, who also laid wreath at the cenotaph in honour of the fallen heroes.

Other persons who laid wreaths were the leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Hilary Ozogo; Secretary to the Local Government, Capt. Abubakar Afege (Rtd); the Divisional Police Officer, Afuze; Chairman of Owan East Traditional Council, HRH, Godfrey Elakhe; Chairman of the Legion, as well as a representative of All Progress Congress (APC), Alhaji Yahaya.

with The Nigerian OBSERVER in his country home (Idumuesah) said there is no government presence in his community.

HRH Nbunichen appealed for the provision of potable water boreholes, construction of link roads in Idumuesah community, building of modern market center.

HRH also called on Idumuesah sons, daughters including those at home and diaspora to

come home and contribute their quota for the development of the community.

He also appealed to Delta State government for monthly stipends, because he stays in the palace settling matter in the community and does not go to his farm or business, to enable him run the affairs in the community.

He invited all indigenes of Idumuesah to come home and contribute their quota.

Trad Ruler Appeals For Amenities

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

IDUMUESAH, Delta – The Okpara-uku of Idumuesah Community in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State has urged the state government to provide socio-economic amenities and infrastructural development in his community to reduce the suffering of the people.

HRH Nburichen Odili who made the call in a chat

South South Commissioner Counsels Communities we have gone UYO - The Akwa Ibom On Vandalism percentage, beyond 90 per cent and are Commissioner for Rural

The Chairman, Owan East Local Government Council, Hon. (Barr.) Jimoh Ijegbai laying wreath at the cenotaph in honour of our fallen heroes during the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Afuze.

Development, Mr. Effiong Abia, has called on communities to regard government property as theirs and guard them against vandalism.

Abia, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Uyo, noted that vandalism of transformers had become common occurrence.

“Our people should learn to cherish and protect what we have. The cost of erecting substation has increased.’’

Protect Democracy In Honour Of Fallen price.

UYO - Governor Godswill Heroes Akpabio “It was love for our human Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has urged Nigerians to commit themselves to acts capable of protecting the country’s democracy as an honour for Nigeria’s fallen heroes.

Akpabio made call after laying a wreath in honour of the fallen heroes at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Uyo. He also called on Nigerians to eschew all tendencies that could lead to wasting the country’s human and material resources through wars anymore.

He said that in 1966, an act of indiscretion by some military men who failed to resist the allure of power and ensure the sustenance of democracy led to avoidable civil war.

“It is a lesson for the military and civilians alike to learn from.

“We must do everything to ensure the sustenance of democracy within our shores by ensuring that conditions are not created which would necessitate our sons and daughters losing their lives in war.

“If we let the power of love overcome the love of power, we will have peace in this country, and see the end of conflicts within our shores.” he said.

The governor called on Nigerians to mourn the fallen heroes who passed away by living in peace and by leaving today an imprint of our collective gratitude.

He said that the laying of the wreaths to the ‘Unknown Soldier ’ was aimed at honouring his life and celebrate his legacy.

Akpabio said: ‘’we come to remind his family that his tomb is a reminder of what we lost in wars and conflicts; and a legacy of the freedom they bequeathed to us with their blood.

According to the governor, a lot of us do not have a personal experience of war and we may not have gone through the anguish of enforced separation and the agony of waiting for information to confirm that your loved ones are still alive in the battlefield.

By ROLAND OSAKUE

were elected via voice vote, with Pa. Michael Akonze and Barrister Egbe Evbuomwan as Patron. While Messrs Felix Okunmahie and Matthew Oviasogie were elected as Vice Chairman and General Secretary respectively.

Also elected were Mr. Anthony Egharevba Financial Secretary; Deacon Abel Evbuomwan, Public Relations Officer and Paul Akonze as Welfare Officer.

However, the positions of

Akpabio said war brought agony and grief if loved ones do not come back from the battle field.

“It was love that moved the Unknown Soldier to fight for the freedom of the human race in the World Wars, particularly the Second World War. “It was love that spurred him to pay the wholesome

race that motivated the Nigerian contingent, which fought in Burma, and distinguished themselves as the best fighting unit in that theatre of war.” he said.

The State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Mr. Linus Eyo, called on the governor to fulfill his promise of building a secretariat for the legion in the state.

He revealed that Community Projects Maintenance Committee would be established this year to check vandalism of transformers as part of efforts to protect government property, According to him, the committee would be in charge of monitoring and reporting any act of vandalism to the appropriate government agencies for prompt action.

He said that over 90 per cent of rural communities in the state had been connected to the national grid.

He said the present administration was determined to ensure that all communities in the state were electrified before the end of its tenure.

“In terms of targeted

Commissioner Tasks Farmers On Agriculture YENAGOA - The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Thomas Commander, has urged the state chapter of the All

L-R: HRH Godfrey Elakhe, Clan Head of Ivbimion, HRH S. Elabor, Clan Head of Ivbiaro and HRH J. Awudu, the Ukor of Ihievbe during the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at Afuze, Administrative Headquarters of Owan East Local Government Area.

Ebuenehian Community Gets CDA

E B U E N E H I A N (UHUNMWODE) – A Community Development Association (CDA) has been inaugurated for Ebuenehian Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.

At an enlarged meeting of indigenes of the community held at the community square, members of interim executive

chairman and Assistant Secretary could not be filled due to reservations expressed by a section of the people present over the nomination of Messrs Sunday Agbonifo and Osamwonyi Ebuchi for the two respective positions.

General Secretary of the association in his brief remark commended the large number of indigenes who turned out for the meeting.

He listed the objective of the association to include, fostering

peace and unity in the community, mobilizing the people for self help project as well as liaising with relevant government organ for the purpose of developing the community.

Mr. Onasogie also disclosed that the certificate of the registration with the relevant government ministry would soon be ready.

Barrister Egbe Evbuomwan who made a public presentation of the association’s constitution

really working hard to surpass this in the remaining period of this administration.

The commissioner, who assessed his ministry’s activities in 2013, added that “our focus in 2014 is to ensure that this pilfering is reduced.

“We will ensure adequate purchase of materials for prompt maintenance.

“We have a team of about 20 electrical engineers in the ministry who are always in the field monitoring our substations daily to ensure constant rural electricity in the state’’, he said The commissioner assured that all ongoing rural electrification and water projects would be completed before the end of the present administration.

before it was adopted advised the youths to be good ambassadors of the community and attract investors to the community.

Odionwere of the community, Pa. Asia Adabuwa who prayed for the success of the association urged members to be vanguard of developing Ebuenehian community.

He also thanked Barrister Evbuomwan for facilitating the process for the inauguration of the Community Development Association.

Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) to focus attention on issues that would develop agriculture in the state.

Commander gave the advice during a meeting with members of the association in Yenagoa.

He decried the lingering leadership crisis in the association, stressing that embracing peace and unity would ensure development in the sector.

“Agriculture is not what we should be politicising; my concern is practical agriculture. So, let us leave politics aside.

“We should come together to move forward the agriculture sector. I urge you to come together and form a unifying AFAN in the state.

“The state should not lag behind in agriculture. Our land is very fertile; we have tested rice, yam and cassava plantation and they survive.

“I advice you to eschew politics and focus on the much desired agricultural development.

Responding, Mr. Kennedy Azibato, one of the farmers, commended the commissioner for intervening into the association’s leadership crisis, saying that AFAN was ready to move agriculture forward.

South West 2013: Osun House

Clerics Sue For Peaceful Coexistence

Passes 7 Bills, 10 Resolutions - Official OSOGBO - The Osun House of Assembly passed seven bills in 2013.

Mr Ajibola Akinloye, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, disclosed this to newsmen in Osogbo.

He said that the assembly also passed more than 10 resolutions in 2013.

Akinloye said the bills were on protection against domestic violence, signage, hoarding and advertisement, local government administration and appropriation.

He said that the Building and Civil Engineering (Construction) Material Quality Control Bill, High way (Removal Obstruction) Bill and Mass Education Agency (Establishment) Bill were also passed.

The lawmaker said nine other bills, which had scaled through their first reading, were pending before the assembly.

The pending bills, he said, were those on stock roaming, agricultural land holding, waste management, state public partnership, street trading and illegal market (prohibition).

The remaining bills were on regulation of sand dealing and dredging.

The lawmaker also said that the assembly, which was inaugurated June 2011, had passed more than 20 bills and 41 resolutions.

Akinloye commended the executive for prompt implementation of some of

the resolutions passed by the assembly.

The lawmaker assured the people of the state of passage of more bills, which he said, would bring progress, development and transformation to the state.

“If the assembly could pass meaningful bills in 2013, the people of the state should not expect anything less from us this year.

“We are fully prepared for the task ahead of us and we shall pass bills that will bring progress, development and transformation to the state.

“The electorate will be happy for electing us as their representatives,” he said.

Akinloye said that the assembly would welcome private sponsored bills from the public as long as they would bring development to the state.

Legal practitioners and admirers of late Gani Fawehinmi on a Freedom Work from motorway Centre, Seven Up, Alausa, Ikeja.

L-R: Wife of the Guest Speaker, Mrs. Layide Bakare; General Overseer, Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, former President, Court of Appeal, retired Justicfe Ayo Salami and former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa at the 10th late Chief Gani Fawehinmi annual lecture symposium in Lagos.

Abducted 83-Yr-Old Woman Released

IGBOTAKO (ONDO STATE) - Mrs. Theresa Akindeju, the mother of Mr. Benson Akindeju, the Chief Executive Officer of Big Soul Hotel, Igbotako, Ondo State, who was kidnapped on January 8, has been released.

The 83-year-old woman was released at about 9.00 p.m. on Tuesday on the Irele-Okitpupa road in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

The victim told newsmen at her Igbotako home that the kidnappers took good care of her for the seven days she was in their custody.

She said that it was God that rescued her, adding that she kept praying that the kidnappers should release her alive to see

her children again.

“I was afraid when they kidnapped me but I was fervent in prayers until they released me yesterday night on the Irele

road. I thank God they did not hurt me,’’ she said.

Also speaking to newsmen, Mr. Akindeju said the kidnappers abducted her mother

ABEOKUTA - The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Ogun said it resolved 219 cases out of the 472 brought before it in 2013.

Mr. Wale Ogunbanjo, the commission’s head, told newsmen in Abeokuta that it recorded “tremendous achievements” with the

resolution of the cases.

He said that the complaints so far treated by the commission included cases relating to contracts, public nuisance, fraud and labour.

Ogunbanjo said that investigation of complaints and their resolution were made at no cost to the residents, adding that they were also treated with confidentiality.

He, however, expressed optimism that all pending cases would soon be resolved.

Ogunbanjo also urged residents to take advantage of the commission’s service.

He said that the service was not the exclusive right of a selected few.

“The commission is independent of government bureaucracy.

“It had been given extensive powers regarding disclosures and access to all government information.

Commission Resolves 219 Cases In 2013 - Official

Knocking Down Pedestrian: Trailer SANGO-OTA (OGUN) - A 41-year-old vehicle driver, Nurudeen Aminulah, who allegedly knocked down a pedestrian on the highway, was charged before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.

The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing charges of manslaughter and reckless driving.

The prosecutor, Insp. Peter Molokwu, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on December 9, 2013 at 6.30 p.m. at old Toll Gate on

Driver Docked

Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Sango-Ota. He alleged that the accused drove an unregistered Volvo trailer with registration no. FST 819 XF recklessly and killed one Ibrahim Mukaila in the process.

Molokwu said the offences contravened Section 6 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Titi Bello, granted the accused bail

in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties must show evidence of gainful employment and tax payment to Ogun Government as part of the bail conditions.

The sureties should be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, Bello added.

The case was adjourned to February 21 for mention.

because they thought he was wealthy.

Akindeju, a former Marketing Manager of Wale Adenuga Production, the production firm of the popular comedy series, “Papa Ajasco and Company,’’ said the kidnappers released his mother without any ransom.

“The kidnappers came for my mother due to wrong information that I am a politician who embezzled money. “ I have never worked for government, I have been doing private business for over 30 years now. “ When the incident happened, I just kept praying, although, the incident destabilised me and my business but I thank God that they released my mother safe and sound without any ransom.

“I appeal to the government to provide jobs for the youths because this is why many of them venture into such businesses as they revealed to my mother when she was preaching to them,’’ Akindeju said.

Sympathizers had been trooping to the Akindeju Quarters in Igbotako to rejoice with the family over the release of the victim.

LAGOS - Clerics in Lagos have called on the Nigerian Muslim community to promote peace, unity and love each other in the spirit of Maulud Nabiy.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, the clerics noted that Muslims should see themselves as vanguards of change in the society and as such live an exemplary life reflecting the legacies of Prophet Muhammad.

Alhaji Sherif Yussuf, National President, Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih (NASFAT), called on Muslims to shun acts inimical to the progress of Nigeria and emulate the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad to solve the leadership problems in the country.

He said: “It’s a thing of joy; we always mark it every year, that is the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Mohammed.

“It’s just a reminder for the Muslims faithful and in fact the entire world that there was a man that came to the world and came with the revelation of Allah which we now describe as Islam in another language.

“Message to Nigerians is for us to live in peace and harmony, in brotherhood in compassion and understanding with each other. That is the essence of being Muslims.

“And I believe all other religion that believe in one God preaches the same thing, so we should uphold that we are from one source we are all creations of Allah and he wants us to live in peace, harmony and happiness together.

Imam Luqmon AbdulRaheem, a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, said that the birth of Prophet Mohammed was a time for sober reflection.

He urged Muslim faithful to use the opportunity to reflect on their lives and the exemplary life of Prophet Mohammed.

“The birthday of Prophet Mohammed is a day of sober reflection; it is not a day for merry making and dancing because in Islam there are two festivals; the one after Ramadan and the one popularly called Sallah.

“But for his birth, every Muslims is expected to reflect about his legacies, his actions and inaction and to model their personalities and character after him.”

The clerics urged Nigerians to be united in whatever capacity they were – as politicians, students, civil servant, traders and transporters – in offering prayers for the survival of the country.

Sta

Lagos

LASWA Seizes Sub-Standard Life Jackets LAGOS - The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said it had confiscated more than 450 substandard life jackets from boat operators in the state in 2013.

The Managing Director of the Authority, Mr. Olayinka Marinho, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Marinho, who said the authority had mandate to make waterways safe for travellers, warned boat operators to provide standard life jackets for their passengers.

“We have now reached a stage where we have been able to move about two million people per month. So, safety should be more paramount to

us.

“Our mandate is to make the state’s waterways safe for all travellers because we cannot afford to be losing men to water mishaps.

“One of the ways of ensuring water safety is the use of standard life jackets. That’s why we will not give up with the crusade against sub-

L-R: President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Prof. Garba Sharubutu; Senior Policy Adviser, Netherlands Embassy, Fidelia Onoghaye and Registrar of VCN, Dr. Markus Avong at the VIV International Nigeria Summit in Abuja.

standard ones.

“Last year alone, we confiscated not less than 450 sub-standard life jackets. We have started the exercise this year by seizing more than 100,” He said the failure to use life jackets and the use of poor quality ones had contributed to the loss of several lives across the waterways.

“We enforce all laws regarding the safety of our waterways. So, paramount among them is to ensure standard life jackets before embarking on water travel,“ he said.

Marinho said that the state’s Water Guards had the mandate of enforcing the use of standard life jackets and to ensure that passengers complied with safety requirements.

“There is an enforcement of the use of life jackets and our water guards are saddled with the responsibility of inspecting jackets at all jetties.

“Every boat must be inspected and certified before

45-Yr-Old Welder Docked Over Alleged Theft

LAGOS - A 45-year-old welder, Obasi Kelvin, who allegedly stole two rolls of barb wire worth N50,000 has been charged before an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Kelvin, who resides at Amuwo Odofin, a suburb of Lagos, is standing trial on a one-count charge of stealing.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Inedu, told the court that the accused stole the two rolls of barb wire on January 1.

“The accused capitalised on the New Year holiday to steal the wire belonging to the Amuwo Odofin Local Government,” Inedu said.

He told the court that the accused committed the offence at Diamond Estate,

Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

“Kelvin was caught with the stolen wire by the security men guarding the Estate and was later handed over to the Police,” Inedu said.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravenes Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011.

Section 285 of the Criminal Law stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr. Adeyemi Amos, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20,000.00, with one

surety in like sum.

Amos ordered that the surety must show evidence

of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, as part of the bail conditions.

Further hearing on the matter was adjourned till February 13.

being allowed to operate, to enhance safety,” Marinho said.

The managing director also said that the state had been donating standard life jackets to travellers and communities

around the waterways.

He said that the Lagos State Government had invested heavily in water transportation as part of efforts to decongest the roads.

By SURAJU RAJI

any country. Ikuforiji therefore called for strategy partnership in order to deal with mutual democratic challenges, he also condemned disregard for democratic rules and values by government at the centre.

Ikuforiji added that parliamentary privilege, legislative immunity, assembly powers and rights are extant law and as defined in Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice.

Present at the conference are: Edo State speaker, Uyi Igbe, Rasaq Atunwa-Ilorin State Speaker, Suraju Adekumbi-Ogun State, Deputy Speaker Lagos StateKolawole Taiwo, Hon. Gambo Salau-Kano State Speaker, Dr. Omi Adewale-Speaker Ekiti State, Dr. Adebayo AdeyeyeLeader Lagos Assembly, Olusegun Ganiu Abiru-Clerk of the Assembly and Hon Segun Olulade-Chairman House committee of Information & Strategy and others.

Ikuforiji Slams Arrest Of Kano Speaker, 10 Others LAGOS - The speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has condemned the arrest of speaker Kano state house of assembly and 10 other principal officers of the house He condemned the arrest during Progressive speakers Conference held in Lagos.

Ikuforiji said the act constitutes a fundamental violation of our constitution and parliamentary privilege.

He explained that Kano State Assembly invasion was upon a petition written after the Kano State governor and speaker defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He lamented that if care is not taken, democracy will be taken away from APC. “The ruling party is peopled by democratic pretenders (PDP); who have done nothing but empowered the people.” Ikuforiji asserted. He stressed that repression and intimidation can never advance peace or security in

Participants attending a session on broiler chain production at VI|V International Nigeria Summit in Abuja.

Canadian Govt Plans To Host Education Fair ABUJA - The Canadian Government has concluded plans to hold the 11th edition of the Canadian Education Fair in Nigeria, a statement said in Abuja.

The statement, issued by the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Marrcello DiFranco, said the fair would

hold on January 21 and January 22 in Abuja and January 24 and January 25 in Lagos.

The statement said more than 60 Canadian institutions, including universities, colleges and secondary schools would present their expertise, capabilities and

programmes to Nigerian students.

It said the fair would enlighten Nigerian parents on how to make decisions on schools and courses for their children and wards.

The statement also said that the fair would increase the awareness of opportunities in

Canadian secondary and postsecondary education among Nigerians.

The statement said that representatives of participating schools and institutions from across Canada would highlight the advantages of studying in Canada.

It stated that Canadian Government officials would be present to provide information on study permits in both Abuja and Lagos.

The fair, according to the statement is free for students, parents, Parent-Teacher Associations and staff from secondary schools.

Police Arraign 2 Over Alleged Rape LAGOS -Two men, Tolani Wale and Monday Afebai, have appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over the alleged rape of a girl.

Wale, 25, and Afebai, 42, of no fixed addresses, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, detaining, assault and having unlawful sexual intercourse.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, Cpl, Adekemi Adeniran, said that the accused committed the offences on November 13, 2013 at Victory Home School, Ojota, Lagos.

Adeniran explained that the offences contravened Sections 409, 261, 144 and 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Sections 258, recommends life imprisonment, if an accused is convicted.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Omolade Awope, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till February 5, for trial.

Across The Nation Kwara Donates Cancer Drugs To UITH

ILORIN - The Kwara Government has in Ilorin donated drugs to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) for cancer patients.

Presenting the drugs, Elder Peter Kisira, the Deputy Governor, said the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) donated the drugs to the state government during the society’s annual conference.

Kisira said that the donation was made in public interest and in line with the policy of the government to make the wellness of the people a priority.

He said that the UITH had been chosen to receive the drugs because it possessed relevant manpower to make use of the drugs which would be widely accessed by patients.

The Deputy Governor commended the management of the UITH for the swift response to the drugs presentation and prayed for better collaboration between UITH and the state government.

Receiving the drugs, Prof Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UITH, commended the government for the contribution to the well-being of the mankind.

Olatinwo described cancer as a deadly disease and whose

cause had not been fully ascertained.

The CMD said that the cost of drugs for treatment of cancer patient was enormous, adding that “the drugs will go a long way to ease the suffering and

expenses of patients”.

In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Cecilia Ayo-Bello, Director Administration of UITH, described the state government intervention as “timely”.

She reminded the government of other requests made by the UITH to boost the health sector.

KOSUBOSU (KWARA) - A don, Dr. Abdulrasheed Adeoye, has challenged Nigerians to wake up from “their persistent slumber and ensure that their votes count in the 2015 general elections”.

He made the call in Kosubosu, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara, in an interview with newsmen.

Adeoye, who is the Head,

Ogoni youth protesters in Bori, Khana Local Government Council of Rivers recently.

2015

Don Tasks Nigerians On Credible Polls Department of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, urged the citizens to resist any form of intimidation “that always characterised elections in the country”.

“In our country of today, the culture of impunity has characterised our elections.

“In a civil or democratic society, elections should be done in such a way that people would have confidence in the electoral umpire.

“It is the duty of the citizens to ensure that elections are protected anytime they have the opportunity to cast their ballots,” he said.

Adeoye, an associate professor, said the culture of impunity was among factors festering electoral process in the country.

Citing the 2013 Anambra governorship polls, the don stressed the need for INEC to enhance efforts on free, fair and credible elections in 2015.

On the horse-trading bothering on President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility for the 2015 general elections, Adeoye

Lawmakers Donate To Tourism Result PANKSHIN (PLATEAU) Members of the Plateau House of Assembly has donated N300,000 to support Dakyil Resort, a tourism outfit based in Pankshin.

Mr. Titus Alams, Speaker of the House, who announced the donation when he visited the resort, said that the house would soon enact a law to promote tourism and protect the industry.

He said the sector had made the state famous home of peace and tourism.

“Plateau is well known as the home of peace and tourism and there is therefore the need to support outfits that seek to showcase that feat,” he said.

Alams added: “As lawmakers, we are very impressed by this initiative and shall consistently support it.”

Alams, who visited the outfit along with five others, urged investors to explore the state’s tourism potentialities, to shore up their economic fortunes.

Mr. Istifanus Mwansat, member representing Pankshin South, commended the foresight and effort of the proprietor, Mr. Pedro Bakfur, and advised others to explore the massive potential in the sector.

The Interim Administrator, Pankshin Local Government, Mrs. Huldah Fwangchi, described the resort as “one of the best“ in the country.

He said it was “a money spinning project“ that would ensure the growth of the industry.

Bakfur, in his response, said he was inspired into the venture to explore the potentials and promised to make the place “one of the best” in the next 10 years.

Bakfur appealed to the state government to assist the resort by providing electricity to the site.

“We also need eagle-eyed security men to secure the resort,” he said.

Vehicles burnt by hoodlums during a rampage at the Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State recently.

NDLEA Arrests 43 Suspects Seizes 2,157.48Kg Of Drugs MINNA - The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Niger said it arrested 143 drug suspects and seized 2,157.48kg of drugs in 2013.

The NDLEA Commander in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, made the disclosure when he briefed newsmen on the activities of the agency in 2013 in Minna.

Abdul said the suspects comprising 140 males and three females were arrested in Minna, Suleja, Mokwa, Kontagora, Kainji, Kagara and Babanna Areas of the state.

He said that of the seized drugs 2,148 kg were Indian hemp, 8.5 kg were other psychotropic substances and 18 pinches of substance suspected to be cocaine.

The commander said that out of the 143 suspects, 20 drug dependent people were treated by the agency.

“Each of the suspects spent at least two months in our minirehabilitation centre in Minna during which special counselling methods were used to treat them,’’ he said.

He said 242 others were arrested by the NDLEA and

other security agencies were counselled and released to their relations.

Abdul said other seizure made during the year included 600 grammes of marijuana seeds seized in Babana Border Area of the state.

He said the command also seized one locally-made pistol and two single barrel guns with 10 live cartridges.

The commander added that the three persons arrested in connection with the arms and ammunition was transferred to the police.

Abdul also said that the

agency arrested and transferred four fake medical doctors to the state Ministry of Health for appropriate action.

He said that the command secured conviction of 46 people, while other cases were at various levels of completion.

He said that the agency had stepped up public enlightenment campaigns to reduce demand for illicit drugs in the state.

“Public awareness lectures were organised for school children, tertiary institution students, market places and parks’’, he noted.

said that the president was constitutionally eligible.

The don, who expressed concern that politicians were unnecessarily heating up the polity, called on them to eschew such action.

He said that until corrupt officers, especially those in the key establishments, were brought to book, the problem would remain pervasive.

Peace Keeping

Gov Commends Nigerian Armed Forces YENAGOA - Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their roles in peace keeping operations around the world.

Seriake made the commendation during the celebration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Yenagoa.

He said that the contributions of soldiers to nation building could not be over-emphasised and urged Nigerians to support them in ensuring peace and tranquility.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, retired Rear Adm. John Jonah, described the Armed Forces Day as “symbolic” to Nigeria.

“It is symbolic in the sense that this occasion has become one of the sources of the bond of unity to Nigeria.

“The day also coincided with the centenary celebration of our dear nation as one indivisible entity.

Dickson urged Nigerians to use the occasion to rekindle nationalism in all Nigerians.

The governor said that the state government would continue to discharge its duties towards enhancing the welfare of the legionaries about their pensions.

He, however, charged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of peaceful co-existence to reduce the burden on security operatives because “security is everybody’s business”.

The governor said that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace, security and stability.

Mr. Igirigi Effiom, Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Bayelsa Chapter, said that the fallen heroes should not only be remembered by laying of flowers on their graves.

“We should imbibe the spirit of taking care of the families they left behind as well as harnessing issues militating the retired soldiers’ pensions,” he said.

Abuja MDGs: 63 NPC Members To Hold Plenary ABUJA - The National Planning Commission (NPC) said the 12th plenary of the 63 member countries on ‘Innovative Financing for Development’ will help the group to raise funds to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

A statement issued in Abuja by the Head of the Commission Information Unit, Mr. Salisu Haiba, said the plenary would be held in Abuja on January 17, 2014.

The statement quoted the Supervising Minister of NPC, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, as saying that the group also aimed at establishing predictable and stable mechanisms for raising funds for development to complement official development assistance According to him, the group seeks to promote the implementation and definition of innovative financing mechanisms around the world.

Yuguda said the Federal Government had been promoting global best practice through the instrumentality of innovative financing for development in line with the transformation

agenda and the Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020.

He said Nigeria undertook to pursue refocusing of the group to strongly influence the post 2015 MDGs activities of the United Nations and other regional or economic blocs.

“It was also along this line that the group organised two high level side events on innovative financing at TICAD V in Japan in June 2013 as well as at the 68th UN General Assembly in New York in September last year.

“Other activities recorded under Nigeria’s Presidency according to him include; the production of a draft resolution on innovative financing which was presented to the 68th UN General Assembly,’’ the minister said.

According to him, although the resolution is yet to be adopted as presented, the subsequent adoption of a resolution on financing for development by the UN, would be positive outcome of Nigeria’s presidency.

He enumerated some of Nigeria’s innovative financing mechanisms adopted by government to include, the air

ticket tax and effective management of aid under a newly reviewed Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy.

These, he added, were in line with the Government Transformation Agenda and the Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020.

He recalled that the group was founded in 2006 as a platform with 63 member countries at differing levels of development alongside international and Non Governmental Organisations.

The minister said “the presidency of the leading group resided in NPC with the Minister of the Commission as a coordinating/presiding chairman of the group for the tenure regime which ended in December, 2013.

“Nigeria, through the commission, was elected presidency of the leading group at the end of the 11th plenary held in Helsinki, Finland Republic on February 6, 2013.

The country spent 10 months as president of the group.

“The 12th plenary to be hosted in Nigeria, is in line with the tradition of the group that the holder of the presidency should host the plenary to signify the end of its tenure.’’

Cross section of members of the Federal Character Commission Board taking their oath of office during the inauguration of the Board by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja recently.

Anti Gay Law: Jonathan Deserves

Commendation -Tahir ABUJA - The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Tahir Umar, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition law.

In a statement in Abuja, Umar said by signing the law, the president spoke the mind of many Nigerians, who rejected the idea.

He said the proposal also negated the teachings of Islam and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad.

“The institution of marriage, as ordained by Allah and practised by the prophet is a legally contracted union between a man

and a woman.

“Engaging in gay marriage, lesbianism and other forms of marriage which contradict what is laid down in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith, is a major sin before Allah,” he said Umar described the law as a triumph for the administration, which had been working hard to ensure greater understanding and promotion of peace and harmony among Muslims and Christians.

He said same-sex marriage was an unnecessary distraction capable of breeding discontent in the Nigerian society.

He said the signing of the law coincided with the period when Muslims in the country joined

ABUJA - The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency says it will embark on intensive capacity building programmes on hydrological forecasting as measure to forestall flooding in the country this year.

The Director-General of the agency, Mr. John Shamonda, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Shamonda said that staff of the

agency and their counterparts in related ministries and departments would benefit from the training, which he described as “pertinent”.

He said: “We have really come up with a lot of programmes, including capacity for hydrological forecasting, in the first quarter of the year, to look at the natural situation, and not the one that is being modelled outside.

their counterparts all over the world to celebrate Maulud Nabiyyi.

Umar said because of the importance of Maulud Nabiyyi, President Goodluck Jonathan dispatched a delegation to Niger Republic and Senegal for international prayer session to mark the birth of Muhammad.

The delegation was led by the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Saminu Turaki.

“Maulud Nabiyyi is a period in which we are constantly reminded of the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, who preached the virtues of peace, tolerance and love for one another.”

Umar called on Muslims to imbibe the teachings of the prophet by living peacefully with one another.

Floods: Agency Plans Training

Managing Director for Africa, Dr. Nicholas Wescott (left), and Head of the delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Michael, Arriom at EU news conference in Abuja recently.

FG To Set Up 14 Staple Crop Processing Zone -Minister

ABUJA - The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said that the Federal Government would soon establish 14 Staple Crop Processing Zones (SCPZ) in the country.

Adesina stated this in Abuja while briefing newsmen ahead of the launch of the SCPZ programme.

The minister said that the establishment of the crop processing zones was aimed at reducing post-harvest losses by setting up crop processing industries in the rural areas.

He said the crop processing zones would help to process the raw foods produced by farmers

into finished foods and other economic products that would benefit the area. ‘’Ultimately, 14 SCPZ will be set up across the country; they will cover a number of crops including rice, sorghum, cassava, fish processing, horticulture and livestock; this will reverse the rural-urban migration.

“The successful implementation of the SCPZs is estimated to add N660 billion to N1.4 trillion to the Nigerian economy and estimated to create 250,000 jobs.

“Alape SCPZ in Kogi will focus on the production of starch and sweeteners; it is expected to produce 62,000 tonnes of starch,

5,000 tonnes of sweeteners, 720,000 tonnes of cassava root and create income impact of about 90 million dollars to the economy of Kogi.

SCPZ is a vast zone where there is commercial production of food that would attract the private sector to set up food processing plant to process food into finished items and other products.

Adesina, who was recently crowned the 2013 Africa Forbes Man of the Year, stressed the need to industralise agriculture in the country, saying it was high time Nigeria stopped being an import-dependent country.

He said the government was determined to grow wealth

through agriculture by ensuring value addition to local produce, to generate employment opportunities for the populace. ‘’If it is not produced in Nigeria, processed in Nigeria, eaten in Nigeria, it is not good enough. ‘’Nigeria can no longer be an import-dependent country; we must unlock the potential of our agriculture by ensuring that we process what we produce. ‘’We must ensure we do not export only raw materials, we must revive our rural economy by ensuring that agriculture becomes industrialised.’’

He said Nigeria was in

partnership with the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) which is providing assistance in the development of the master plan of the SCPZs. The minister confirmed that six master plans for the zones in Kogi, Kano, Lagos, Anambra, Enugu and Niger states had been finalised.

Adesina said investors would be equipped with the necessary infrastructure and services while the surrounding zones would be developed to ensure optimum productivity.

“We will use our own local situation to come up with the parameters that will be used in that modelling.

“We are not limiting it to ourselves alone but will involve all other ministries, departments and agencies that focus on issues of hydro-methodological services as well as water resources management and development.”

He listed some of the line agencies that would benefit in the programme as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Federal Inland Waterways and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Shamonda stressed the need for increased manpower in the agency to carry out its daily activities, which include reports from hydrological sites “for effective prediction and forecasting of flood and drought in the country”.

He said that the agency had worked closely with NIMET to maintain a reduced effect of flooding in 2013 through forecasting and issuing of alerts on the hazards of flood waves from major rivers.

Business + Economy Adesina Presents Cassava SCPZ To Wada

ALAPE (KOGI) Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Akinwumi Adesina has presented the Staple Crop Processing Zone (SCPZ) masterplan for cassava to Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State as prospective investor also inspected the farm site.

Speaking at the ceremony in Alape, Kogi, Adesina said that the Federal Government was determined to make Nigerian farmers rich just like their colleagues in other parts of the world.

Adesina said the only way to achieve that was to grow agriculture as a business and not

a way of life or a developmental programme.

The 2013 Forbes Person of Year said government was determined to add value to farmers’ by facilitating the construction of storage and processing facilities, to reduce post-harvest losses.

“We are determined to be number one in processing cassava in the world. This project would produce 6,200 tonnes of starch and 4,600 tonnes sweetners that would replace the sugar we import.

“It will increase income of this area by about N14.5 billion and bring improved road network, improved power

supply and improved gas supply as we shall lay 23 kms of gas pipeline to be used by Cargill and Obajana Cement Factory for processing,” the minister said.

Earlier in his remark, Wada expressed his joy that his state was chosen to kick-start the

establishment of the SCPZ being one of components of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda programme.

Wada noted that Kogi was the largest cassava producer in the country and had already planted 200 hectares of the crop in readiness for the commencement of the project.

“We already have cultivated 200 hectares of land for the take-off of this project and over the coming years, we will expand to plant 15,000 hectares of cassava and this will comprise smallholder farmers who will key into the programme.

“This will advance our

economy, empower our farmers, bring development and wealth to this part of our state and to Nigeria as whole.”

Wada thanked the community leaders for making land available for the project and promised adequate compensation to members of community.

Utilise FADAMA ICT Service, Farmers Advised LAGOS - Mr. Folusho Ajijola, the Lagos State Coordinator of FADAMA Project, has advised communities benefiting from it to always utilise its Information Communications Technology (ICT) Service for greater agricultural productivity.

Ajijola said in Lagos that the ICT service provided under its FADAMA III programme would help them to realise high agricultural yields in the state.

He told newsmen in Lagos that the service being funded by the Lagos State Government and the Japanese Social Development Fund promoted information on agriculture.

“The service will increase

Army Donates Borehole To Community DAMATURU - The Three Division Special Operations of the Nigeria Army Damaturu, donated a borehole to Sani Daura Ahmed housing estate in Damaturu.

Yobe Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, who inaugurated the water facility, commended the security agency for complementing government efforts to improve the lives of the people.

He urged the benefitting community to maintain the facility for maximum usage.

Col. Aliyu Abdullahi, commander of division said the gesture was in appreciation of the cordial relationship between the army and the host community.

The army appealed for improved relationship with the public in its determination to promote peace and security across the state.

Meanwhile, Yobe State government has assisted families of three officers killed in previous insurgency attacks with N1 million each.

farm productivity and rural household income in the poorest sections of the benefiting communities.

“The service is to enable farmers upload farming data, sources of commodities, obtain market prices and send text messages among others,” Ajijola said.

The Facilitator of the service, Ms Blessing Chukwuma of Cellular Consultancy, told newsmen that the service was to enable farmers maximise the information at their disposal

L-R: Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State; Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar at the Northern Traditional Rulers meeting in Kaduna recently.

Expert Calls For Market Forces

Capital Market:

ABUJA - A capital market analyst, Mr. Segun Williams, has advised the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to allow market forces to determine the capital base of operators in the capital market.

Williams gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He said that re-capitalisation of the firms was not necessarily the most important thing needed to boost capital market activities in the country.

It would be recalled that the board of SEC, in December 2013, approved a new minimum capital requirement for all categories of capital market operators.

The regulatory body approved the minimum capital for market operators pursuant to Section 313(6) of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007.

The minimum capital requirement for broker/dealer was increased from N70 to N300 million.

For brokers, the capital

requirement was increased from N40 million to N200 million, while that of dealers was increased from N30 to N100 million.

The minimum capital

requirement for issuing house was also increased from N150 million to N200 million, while that of underwriter was increased from N100 million to N200 million.

“My suggestion is that they should allow market forces to do these things.

NGO Plans Agric Business Programme

ABUJA - An NGO, Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative, says it plans to involve the youth in agriculture business to boost their

Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga (left), releasing pigeon at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Kaduna recently. With him is the GOC 1 Div. Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab.

participation in economic development.

Nnaemego told newsmen in Abuja that the participation would include involving youths in the upcoming agriculture festival.

According to her, the festival will involve stakeholders in the agriculture sector, government agencies and public-private partnership.

“There is much emphasis on youth empowerment; the festival will be an avenue for the youth to be empowered and also understand the processes in the agriculture sector.

“We will be looking at the business angle and different other areas, like raw materials, the processing industry and ways they can help young farmers.”

Nnaemego said the festival would be like a mini trade fair to celebrate what young people were doing in the sector.

She said that the festival would involve aqua culture and

animal husbandry.

“The whole idea is to help government to achieve the African Union Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security, which stated that 10 per cent of national budgets should be allocated to the development of agriculture.

“Although 2014 has been declared the ‘Year of Agriculture’ by the African Union, the festival will go a long way in increasing public investment in agriculture.”

The Second Ordinary Assembly of the African Union in July 2003 in Maputo, African Heads of States and governments endorsed the “Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security.”

The declaration contains several important decisions regarding agriculture but prominent among them is the “commitment to the allocation of at least 10 per cent of national budgetary resources to agriculture and rural development within five years”.

NIGERIA is blessed with abundant human and natural resources which nature has endowed her with. The country’s climatic conditions favour wide variety of agricultural activities, including the cultivation of wheat. Additionally, Nigeria is the most populous country in the Continent of Africa, with abundant economic resources, which, when properly harnessed, may enable the country to achieve the status of a rich and developed nation.

ALTHOUGH its industrial sector is underdeveloped due, in part, to inadequate capital for investment and lack of technological knowhow, yet the country has prominent industrial concerns such as giant oil industry, iron and steel complexes, steel rolling mills, pharmaceutical companies, food processing Industries, car assembly plants and so on. Although most of these Industrial concerns are not functioning optimally and many of them depend on imported inputs, they can serve as a basis for industrial take-off, if we put our acts together this New Year 2014.

HOWEVER, despite Nigeria’s extensive landmass, growing population, agricultural and industrial potentials, the country remains economically backward, indeed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had at a time classified Nigeria as a heavily indebted country with difficulties in meeting debts servicing obligations; Certainly, these attributes are a minus in our national drive towards socio-economic and political development.

THERE are divergent opinions on the relationship between effective leadership and the economic organization of Nigeria, and how to expand the productive base of the country.

Literally, economics is the distribution of scarce resources for optimum development of a society.

Thus, successive governments had pursued vigorously, policies that will strengthen economic growth and development in Nigeria. But despite the economic efforts of past and present governments, Nigeria is yet to achieve basic economic aspirations.

LITERATURES on the Nigerian economy have cited leadership problems as a major cause of the

THE NIGERIAN

Leadership And Nigeria Economy country’s inability to effectively mobilize her resources. Critics have shown quite clearly effective leadership is a great obstacle to development in Nigeria. Leadership problem has hampered the country’s progress in the political, economic, military and socio-cultural sectors. Poor leadership lies at the root of our continuing social, moral, economic and political crises. Practically, all our misfortunes in Nigeria have been due to poor leadership. It seems, therefore, that the Nigerian leadership structure determined to place the blame for the unstable situation the frustration and difficulties confronting them on their leaders.

THUS, in contemporary Nigeria, we have observed and rightly too, that there is a great yearning for the total transformation of the process of producing appropriate leadership. This yearning, which grows more urgent by the day, is both legitimate and understandable. After decades of hopes raised and hopes dashed, it should not be surprising that Nigerians are wary and weary.

HAVING gone through decades in which their faith in their national leadership have been abused and affronted, Nigerians impatience with their leaders and almost total distrust of government functionaries can no longer, be-dismissed as mere cynicism.

AT independence, expectations throughout Nigeria were high and the possibilities for greatness were almost limitless. Considering her vast resources, the country appeared set for good attainments, and fulfills what the international community saw as her destiny to lead the black race into the main stream human and technological civilisation.

REGRETABLY, the Nigerian economy has hit an all

time low. There is massive under utilization of resources. What is more painful is that our industrial sub-sector is not producing at full capacity. Despite being blessed materially and humanly, our cost of production remains high with growing unemployment. Also only crude oil is being seriously tapped, and production was negatively affected by the Niger-Delta crisis, thanks to the amnesty programme which has largely restored the oil sector. Our concern here is that outside oil, resource mobilization efforts are rather disappointing. In our estimation, if the attention given to crude oil had been extended to other minerals and the agricultural sector, definitely.

Nigeria would have attained desirable and sustainable development.

THERE is no doubt that Nigeria is richly endowed. The country has all It takes to become a super power. Somehow, our major problem is the leadership question, which has inevitably impaired our ability to mobilise our resources. However; we believe that our system of government has contributed to this poor leadership problem. Our political structure especially the adoption of a warped federalism has combined effectively to deprive Nigeria of a sound process of getting the right leadership Even democracy which is expected to produce effective leaders is now, a major political problem in Nigeria. WE believe that problems such as corruption, and inter-ethnic wars and suspicion, which have contributed a lot to the failure of leadership, can be adequately tackled, particularly as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has braced up to the problem in recent times.

AT independence in 1960, the international community amazed at the economic potentials of Nigeria, was quite certain that if our resources were appropriately managed, Nigeria would one day become the giant of Africa. Unfortunately, due to the failure of our leadership to strategically mobillise our resources for political, socio-economic and cultural advancement of our nation and people, Nigeria is yet to make appreciable gains in development, worsened by a very poor infrastructure base.

Issues

A Culture Of Low Expectations

ONE of the most tragic aspects of Nigeria’s aborted promise is that too many Nigerians have now imbibed a terrible culture of low expectations. They look daily at the series of crises bedeviling their country, and they manage, somehow, to see something admirable.

It is sad to encounter this attitude in Nigerians who have never traveled outside their country, and who are, therefore, blind to the dramatically higher levels of efficiency in most other countries, including some of Nigeria’s neighbors on the western hump of Africa.

Lacking a reference point, these Nigerians may be forgiven for believing that the intolerable state of affairs in their country is a mirror of how things happen elsewhere in the world.

But it’s always a case of sheer exasperation when one comes across well-traveled Nigerians infected with the virus of low expectations.

These world-wise Nigerians have no excuse. They have been to other efficiently-run countries; they have seen other societies where institutions work fluidly and high quality services are expected and delivered; often, they function within these well-choreographed societies, helping to sustain a culture of excellence.

So, why do some of these “exposed” Nigerians nevertheless rush to rationalize, defend or excuse their country’s mediocrity and ghastly performance?

Visiting London last week, I was interviewed by Kayode Ogundamisi on his live political program on BEN Television, “Politricks with KO.” The interview touched on the subject of presidential performance. I asserted that President Goodluck Jonathan, like Olusegun Obasanjo before him, had failed to deliver result-

oriented leadership. Soon after, two or three callers questioned my assessment.

One, a resident of London, reeled off a few roads he alleged that the Jonathan administration was building.

He, or another caller, reminded me that the president had set up new universities. They insisted that the president deserved praise for getting round to roads and the setting up of new universities. Another, resident in London, sought to remind me and viewers that Mr. Obasanjo’s presidency was marked by impressive feats, among them the payment of a huge chunk of Nigeria’s external debt and the husbanding of mobile telephony.

The sense of fervor in the two callers’ voices was sad to behold. If they had never been to a society where things work, I would have understood their misplaced advocacy. I reminded them that no serious leader today would have the temerity to list the building of roads as one of his or her achievements. The mayor of London, I argued, would be run out of the city if he ever tried to campaign on his road repair record. British citizens and residents take good roads for granted, which is, as it should be. On the matter of Mr. Jonathan’s new-fangled universities, it was enough to tell my interlocutor that the government had not lived up to its obligation to fund existing universities. What, then, was the sense in creating more?

Mr. Obasanjo’s payment of jumbo sums to Nigeria’s external creditors never struck me as an achievement – not when he made the payment and not in retrospect. A more visionary leader might have used all that cash to improve his country’s ghastly infrastructure. Why transfer

By OKEY NDIBE

nearly $20 billion to creditors when Nigerians have no healthcare, no electric power, no dependable network of roads, and no waste disposal system? Why hand over such princely sum when our public schools, from kindergartens to universities, are in heartrending shape?

Why invest in the Paris and London Clubs when the failure to address Nigeria’s electric power woes remains a huge impediment to

Nigerian Musa, Okoye and Adebayo?

One of the callers to BEN Television scolded me for the sin of holding a Nigerian president to the same expectations I would apply to President Barack Obama.

Nigeria was not America, he stated. It was, on the face of it, a salient point; but it was also a deeply troubling point.

Here’s why.

Nigeria is in such dire straits that it is in more

Nigerian businesses, hampers economic enterprise, and leaves hordes of Nigerian graduates unemployed? What was the sense in serving the interests of external creditors – many of them complicit in the mismanagement of the loans they gave – when Nigeria’s climate of insecurity gets worse by the day? In short, why hasten to pay the foreign Peter and Paul whilst neglecting the plight of the

desperate need than America (or Britain, Norway, Germany) for tested, committed leaders. In other words, Nigerians need a leader with vision, energy, passion, and drive far more urgently than do Americans.

And there are Nigerians who have the intellectual acumen, vision and leadership skills to stand toe to toe with the best leaders anywhere in the world. For some reason, however, the Nigerian state

“It baffles that some Nigerians are at peace with the lavish payments to Nigerian public office holders, from municipal officials to the president. Yet, these same Nigerians raise their hackles the moment a critic demands that our obscenely remunerated officials demonstrate a semblance of engagement.

It boils down to that disease of low expectations.”

is rigged by and for mediocrities.

Here’s another slice of the argument. Many Nigerians are quick to contend that it’s unfair to demand Americangrade performance for Nigerian public officials. But the same Nigerians are hardly ever outraged at the outlandish payments and perks enjoyed by their officials. Consider this fact: Each member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives hauls away enough cash in a year to pay Mr. Obama’s

expectation? If they’re in the highest paid league, what’s wrong with insisting that their performance be Messilike?

Nigerians who have never had the privilege of traveling to other parts of the world – and who, therefore, have never seen the fruits of true leadership – deserve our patience when they mistake the substandard roads most Nigerian governments build as evidence of sagacious leadership. As one caller to BEN Television noted, many

salary several times over. In fact, many local government chairmen take home enough cash to make Mr. Obama – whose salary is $440,000 a year – look, by comparison, like a chump.

It baffles that some Nigerians are at peace with the lavish payments to Nigerian public office holders, from municipal officials to the president. Yet, these same Nigerians raise their hackles the moment a critic demands that our obscenely remunerated officials demonstrate a semblance of engagement. It boils down to that disease of low expectations.

Given how much money Nigerian officials are paid – to say nothing of the additional sums they steal – why is it out of place to hold them to the highest levels of

Nigerians are so dehumanized that they praise governors for paying salaries!

The greater tragedy – absolutely inexcusable – is when those who have seen the world, who ought to know better, embrace the culture of low (even no) expectations.

In the end, as I tried to tell the viewers of “Politricks with KO,” Nigeria – on such indices as healthcare, education and social services – lags many countries with significantly less resources.

Countries like Ghana, Uganda, Jamaica, South Africa, Botswana and the Philippines are way ahead of Nigeria where it counts. Part of the reason is this: Nigeria is cursed with “leaders” who intone that they’re “moving the nation forward.” But they neither know what “forward” means nor how to move in its direction.

Insight IT is for the gravely weighty implication of the above observations that one would digress cursorily, with the Caution: that the seeming combative engagements of the pro-Northern Stake-holderships against the Spirited Efforts of the Federal Government in the face of the recrudescence of the insurgents’ aggression, were as unfortunate as they are ironically uncalled for: that is, given if there’s not more to it than meets the eye; neither any intent for pussy-footing on the part of either party; and if political differences must be sunk in lieu of the gravity of the looming offensives, it is to be found that options of more resultoriented and tactfully logical attention and action abound: this is what exigently calls for a pertinent arid pertinacity of the exact response by every concerned interests; from the purview of what ought to be done initially, that should be considered aptly expedient even now. — this is in order of First thing- First, that centres on due process with judicious dissection of the peculiarity of the very reasons and for grievances of the warring Sect: that a first-hand spontaneous reaction be dispassionately established, from the stand point of the fraternity and aboriginal concerned Body of the Muslim Hierarchy, and the pantheon assemblage of the Northern Governor’s Stake-

holderships, with the eminent personages of Northern descents, along with the ex-Heads of States, together with the Royal Fathers including the Emirs and the preeminent Sultan - all together of whom with such majestic patriarchate to say “NO! “That the out-break of the terror incident is abominable to our Founding Fathers, and to our Motherland, and even as it is a profanity and anathema to the peaceful Brotherhood of Islamic Faith, and our common humanity under Allah”!

That all of the stakeholders to meet jointly in the spirit and manner in which a parent would, for example, tend to one’s child or ward with a first-aid attention, in a situation of sudden injury or attack of affliction— such as this to be the initially mediatory exercise to be complemented in earnest with fairness and firmness, to ‘spare not the rod and spoil not the child’; and a thrust of a skin-deep conciliatory rapport with the said sect, that their mind may be tempered, by the robustly unassailable clouts of the said leaderships of the Northern Statesmen, which include the overriding advantage of the congeniality of their kindredship as fellow indigenes; and in the order of the conducive logistics and proximity of the geographic locality in which the sect operates predominantly - with the candor and sincerity of purpose that are bound by the comparative aboriginal lineage, nay

the dog-don’t-eat-dog goodwill, as would be conjured by the inherently collective filial aura of the said Northern Prime Movers, that can not fail to put the ‘Northern intervention’ to be drastically on top of the matter: Such amicably tactical moves in a family setting to be equally anchored by the Federal Government (perhaps by the representation of the Amnesty Committee), that cannot but yield much sooner to a fullscale peaceful resolve; this is as such calculated moves would have enhanced in-depth scrutiny into the anatomy of the Sect’s posture of the said insurgency ... which would have provided a chance for the eminent Islamic Doyens and worthy Northern paternity to deploy suasion and enlightening didactics towards their reorientation; to enlist their remorse towards voluntary surrender of the unprovoked hostilities.

This is more so against the backdrop of the Sect’s enigmatic and hard-todecipher culture of guerilla-warfare inclinations: this now being a way that would be in favor of their longings perhaps, for a selfassertive bid for clemency that they maybe saved to save them from themselves: needless to say that this would be a concisely dignified way to meander tidily out of the Sect’s spasmodic insecurity menace; and of noteworthy would be the foray of this envisaged

Nigeria Lead

trouble shooting masterpiece, that it is not only without prejudice to the limits of the concerns and commitments of the Federal Government so far (especially with the Schedule of the State-ofEmergency), but would ultimately be seen to reflect an all-sided judicious decisiveness, in which the embattled Federal Government is not entrapped with a precipitate political step that may turn out to be a boomerang of a I dangerous precedence, that would seem to scotch-the snake-in-thebush...:, an action that would not be a seeming open license for other similar criminallyminded to be rather spured in their ‘trade-instock’, as regards the handling of the somewhat amorphous magnitude of the unfortunate insecuritsi àga: just as one would be equally mindful of the victims of the fratricidal attacks who now lurk in the waiting and moaning for a befitting justice! This is for the so bewildered Northern Region and the rest of the Nation to heave a sigh of relief; and that the aftermath degree of I success thereto, would be a triumphant credit to the overall leadership sagacity of which the North is traditionally not known to be a push-over neither a lilliputian but an inimitable stalwart. This is also not only for the hostility of the insurgency

“This is for the so bewildered Northern Region and the rest of the Nation to heave a sigh of relief; and that the aftermath degree of I success thereto, would be a triumphant credit to the overall leadership sagacity of which the North is traditionally not known to be a push-over neither a lilliputian but an inimitable stalwart. This is also not only for the hostility of the insurgency war to be won preferably with ease, and at its costeffective ratio, but for the preservation of ultimate peace that is the ensuing desire ...

Just yet as such victory would have evinced a profound breakthrough in a somewhat”

war to be won preferably with ease, and at its costeffective ratio, but for the preservation of ultimate peace that is the ensuing desire ... Just yet as such victory would have evinced a profound breakthrough in a somewhat Litmus Test for the nation’s leadership generally; such that would usher in opportune moment not only for hopes in the said nation’s leadership to rise to the dellght of the citizens, but would attract a farreaching and gratifying nods by the international community to be resilient in the confidence that Nigeria, after-all, has

emphasis of a notion again, that all of these passing diabolical incidences plaguing the LAND are simply the signs and apparitions of the hang-over the toomany-a-systemic-defect in the administrative machinery of the nation’s statehood: such as hitherto sketchily alluded to, as being the cumulative a background with a somewhat metaphysical undertone, that formed the retarding stasis which reversibly demagnetizes the nation’s otherwise stupendous endowments from GROWTH way back in time; and this is as is deductible to originate

President Goodluck Jonathan what it takes in latent Leadership Preserve to be so entrusted with the leadership chair, not just of the Continental Negroid Race, but as a formidable se/f-esteemed leadership that can be reckoned with at the strata of the lar er World that is now a global village.

Thus from the foregoing, it bears

from the basis of the said Arrows of Disunity, as are present in the twists of the prevailing fragile ethnic cohesion — being another angle of a dire implication of the Bicrhythm of Nature: which goes with the immutable laws of recompense: as the course of sowing and reaping likewise I the concept of “nothing-

g f d in u b c e a in t p a s s f s p in c b r le o

Se

t oth tha T ag wo ev bib aph or tog pra thi dem est gap

Insight

dership Can Make It

goes-for-nothing”; — all for which there is desperate need for nvestible cord of mutual understanding within the body of the nation’s citizenry: towards equitable win-in-win aggregation of equality of nterests to be instilled in he mainstream of the populace at inter-personal and inter-group levels; such that should derive statutorily and habitually from within the endearing spirit of participatory and partnering social ncentives as in faith and confidence-building between the symbiotic relationships of the eaders as a party on the one hand, and

and-the have -nots; therich-and4he poor, etcetera: for there to be a malleable ground of positive co-relationships amongst the populace that should he at ease, in other to get carried along with sufficient enthusiasm and solidarity in a bandwagon of cooperation with the Leaders in their onerous administrative dispensations — while this also is that the nation becomes constructively better pedestalled with a regime of leaderships that are predeterminably and regimentally focused on the nation’s progress target It’s on this premise

enate President, David Mark

the followers on the her. This is as saying at it is only the Two who are iii reement that could ork together This is en as buttressed blically in the horism that when two three are gathered gether..., shall their ayers be answered: is is ostensibly to mystify the aura of trangerments in the ps between the haves-

that the simmering public outcries and social restiveness in the land, cannot but be viewed with ironic mix-feelings: that some well meaning iratemembers of the society are suing for radical change, which strikes as their pentup angers and apparent reaction to the diluvia of difficulties and challenges that had overwhelmed the nation: such mob cynicisms being more from

irritability and emotionality, that are perharps unmindful of the vagaries of the inherent causative factors why the nation is in floundering chaos; because, mob and insurrectionist- reversalaction or radicalist eye on a break-up, are hardly an equation to the puzzling predicaments of the populace: for even if the nation is split into bits of smithereens to the levels of one’s o preference for a given existing geographic locality, for example, it would still bear no difference; for as long as it is virtually the same spirit and culture and sociology that

fold, through the ambits of communities to the strata of the conurbating larger societies - such that were being the curious issues of social concerns: needless to say that this universally puerile stigma of the humans had been the relatively necessitated the formular of the Ruleof-Law as encapsuled in the instrumentality of democracy - more or less as arbiter and the DanieiJome -to- Judgment and as a Goal of harmony and tranquility for the Body of Mankind; but this is the same skillful devise for ‘Peaceful Coexistence’ as envisioned by man for man, that has

Speaker, House of Rep, Aminu Tambuwa relatively rule the people been so defiantly abused as inhabitants that may and only be so geographically bastardized by the acts of different. the same man - out of This is given the self- which are the spillage of all consciousness and the sordid ills that are parochial nature of antithetical to the orderly humans and the attendant environments in which a sensitive self-interest society may thrive: save along with intricate moral that the antidote against hazards that are ever in these social pestilences conflicts amongst beyond the law cannot be any given people who from anywhere else than share common the nugget of proficiency demographic dwellings - with which the State’s even from the family POWER are managed at

the prerogatives of the State’s Leadership Stakeholders in given democratic sphere. This is contextually, for the Government of the Day to bank doggedly on the will not to get distraught or lost in the morbid density of the prevailing soclo-political clouds that now plague the nation; but to have vibrant administrative thrust that must zero-in on ideological strategy to eliminate the social canker of disunity: as the adherence to the tenets and dictum of corporate oneness of purpose isa Golden Key to lock out the bitter fears of one another; especially as the distrusts that hunt the psyche of the diverse ethnic, multi-lingua and cultural interests that would be the integrated background for a functional concord as the leeway for the spectrum of our peculik society to flourish democratically towards a worthwhile future; while it suffices to say specifically that the Nigerian Nation’s peculiar situation comes across as. a rippled water as per the prevailing socio-political events under which the leadership stakeholders have been in the eye of the storm for obvious reasons: This is such that calls for a need for the imbalances in the political ‘covenant’ between the nation’s leaders and the citizens to be streamlined, with priority for conciliation and remedial normalization: for the vista of the two interests to be seen to ally in agreeing to agree as hitherto illustrated, like the saying that two hands can only be clean when the Right and the Left do the washing together just as the scriptural admonition which says:

“when two or three are gathered..., shall their request be granted.” This sanctified sociopolitical understanding between the citizenry and the leaderships that had long eluded the nation, must be the providential era to dawn for the nation to be due to be recipient of the long sought breakthroughs in facilitated sociopolitical-economic progress ... only at the threshold of the obedience to a nationally mutual empathy and accommodativeness of the leaders and the rest of the people!

Ifs at this juncture again, that the order of the protocol of nature takes precedence: as regards what needs to be done as it borders on the imperatives of the ‘first thing-first’: as a seeming preamble that precedes the conjuring of an answer being sought against the circuitous challenges that confront a nation like Nigeria: for which is the desperate want that something should ‘give-in’ exigently and exclusively on the part of the leaderships, to serve as a culturing and psychological balm and/or olive-branch from the leaderships in preparatory towards the redress of the dismal trends that had rightly or wrongly but allegedly so attributable to the exceptederrors and omissions of the said Leaders/i/ps, which had formed the vicarious ground of disgruntlements amongst the populace; from which are the ensuing uproars with manifest upsurge of anarchical and multifacetted anti-social vices!! Indeed this is for there to be a remarkable gesture of what-to-give as a token of good- turn by the leaderships to the People from whom to expect much and also to deserve another

Art Alive Breaking Into The Auctions

Make Sure You Get It Right If you’re like most every artist anywhere, you’ve probably dreamed about having a work of your art go on the block at a major auction house and watching the international art collecting elite battle over it with their bank accounts. The bidding is furious, the hammer falls, it sells for a record price and the news goes viral. At last you’ve achieved that most elusive of all goals— financial freedom for life— the ability to auction your art whenever you need the pocket change. From this point on, creating a work of art will be not much different than printing up money.

OK. Dreamtime over. The truth is that auctions don’t operate this way. In fact, performance at auction can compromise an artist’s marketability just as easily as enhance it. So before you attempt to turn your auction fantasies into reality, take a moment to learn about how this sector of the art business works in order to maximize your chances for success.

To begin with, major auctions almost exclusively accept art by artists with established track records of selling for substantial prices at major auctions. Yes it’s a Catch-22, but auctions are in business to make money and they want to be as sure as possible that every piece they sell nets a certain minimum dollar amount. Depending on the parameters of a particular auction house or sale, that amount might be $5000, $10000, $50000 or more. If they have doubts, they probably won’t auction it, and the best way to dispel those doubts is with concrete proof that the art already sells consistently at auction at or above those minimum dollar levels.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, artists who make the auction cut at the highest levels have received so much publicity and recognition during the course of their careers that the mere mention of their names in press releases, auction announcements and auction catalogues is enough to attract major private and institutional buyers to a sale. The demand for their art is typically equal to or greater than the rate at which they produce it, they’ve had numerous successful shows both at major museums and galleries, and the foremost critics, curators, collectors and other and art world professionals agree that the impact of their art on the art world is significant.

Artists with little or no auction experience, but with relatively consistent careers usually debut at lesser sales. Here again, an artist’s resume, exhibition history and name recognition have to be respectable as the auction needs some kind of evidence that their art stands a

reasonable chance of selling for certain minimum amounts of money. The downside here is that in order to maximize the possibility of the art selling, the auctions often require presale estimates (price ranges they suggest to bidders that art might sell for) to be significantly below the artists’ typical retail values.

For example, a piece of art that would normally sell at a gallery for $10000 might be estimated to sell for $3000-$5000 at auction, perhaps even less.

Rather than rely totally on the accomplishments of the artists to attract bidders, the auction houses tilt the odds in their favor by additionally offering the prospect of purchasing the art at relatively bargain prices. Being amenable to lower estimates is usually worth the sacrifice from the artist’s standpoint if that’s the only way an established auction house will agree to accept their art. If you’re lucky enough to make the cut, don’t be insulted; be delighted. Getting your art into auction is anything but easy, and that first sales result is absolutely critical to establishing your credentials in the auction realm. In the meantime, do everything you can to maximize the chances not only of an auction house accepting your art, but way more importantly, selling it. In other words, keep making quality art and getting quality shows.

A less common way that artists with little or no previous auction experience occasionally break into higher level sales is when their work is in famous collections that are placed up for sale at auction houses in their entireties. The biggest names in the collections draw the crowds as does the importance or celebrity of the collectors (like Warhol, Mapplethorpe or Kennedy, for example). Artists who make their auction debuts in this manner tend to be presented not so much in terms of their own accomplishments, but rather as talents whose art the high-profile collectors felt was significant enough to include in their collections. Regardless of how the auction represents the art, this is a great way to get that all-important first shot.

However your art finds its way to auction (and it will usually be through individuals or entities other than yourself like dealers or collectors), know that the majority of sales take place within or slightly above or below the auction houses’ presale estimates. Record or near-record prices, or sales that substantially exceed presale estimates are the exception. Also know going in that the large majority of art sells below what it would be priced at in retail galleries, so don’t be disappointed if yours falls into that category. Except for the upper echelons of the trade, and particularly with respect to rare

and highly important artworks, or in cases of isolated celebrity sales, auctions are basically wholesale dispersals of goods.

The good news is that knowledgeable buyers understand the difference between auction prices and retail prices, so don’t worry if your art sells for somewhat less than

established exhibitions at respected institutions (regional, national or international), and most importantly, have some level of consensus from art world professionals that your art may be ready for auction and that it stands a reasonable chance of fetching a respectable price. The auction option is still worth

exclusively of art by artists similar in stature and accomplishments to you, this is especially good. Whatever the circumstances, hopefully you have a good number of collectors, they’ll be advised of the forthcoming sale, a reasonable number will attend, and most importantly, bid.

retail (50% or more). Worry if it sells for way less than retail or doesn’t sell at all.

Whenever a work of art sells at auction, the hammer price becomes a matter of public record. Even if the art fails to sell, that non-sale or “buy-in” is still recorded. All auction sales results from significant regional, national and international auctions (currently in the vicinity of 300,000-500,000 total artworks per year) are published annually in online databases, or sometimes in DVD formats.

Online databases include artnet.com, artprice.com, artvalue.com, artfact.com, findartinfo.com, and others.

Anyone can access these sales records at anytime, usually for a fee, and plenty of dealers and collectors do. Studying auction sales results helps them decide whether or not to buy particular works of art or to patronize particular artists. Experienced higher-level buyers tend to pay more for artists who consistently sell well at auction and tend to be cautious about or completely avoid those who have no auction records at all or who perform poorly or erratically. They also recognize that the greater the discrepancy between an artist’s retail and auction prices, the weaker or less stable that artist’s overall market tends to be.

In order for your art to stand a chance of being accepted at auction, you should be represented by at least one gallery, have a reasonably solid collector base, a consistent sales history with steadily increasing prices, favorable reviews in respected arts publications (online and otherwise), have been included in significant

considering without all of the above, but the fewer qualifications you have, the less likely the chances that an auction will accept your art in the first place, and if they do, the lower the presale estimate will be and greater the risk that it will either sell low or not sell at all. Neither of these outcomes is particularly good for an artist’s career.

Begin auction inquiries by speaking with your galleries, dealers or representatives.

Hopefully they’ll agree with you that approaching auctions is a good career move at this time— and hopefully they’ll be the ones to oversee this. The object of these conversations and inquiries is to find a third party consignor, preferably someone known to the art and auction community, to offer your work to the auction house. (Don’t think for an instant that you can do this yourself; auction houses hardly ever accept first-time consignments directly from artists.) Whoever the consignor turns out to be, they should be prepared to present a reasonably solid case that your art will sell for whatever minimum price the auction house requires for its consignments.

That person should typically approach auction houses in locations where you have the highest name recognition and where your work is the most collectible. As for the auction itself, make sure they have someone knowledgeable about art on their staff, and that they have consistent success selling contemporary art (you don’t want your art consigned to a firm with no little or no experience or history of selling art). If they conduct themed sales that consist

Regarding the art itself, do your best to make sure that whoever approaches the auction house offers a better quality work for consignment. Good choices include a piece from a show that nearly sold out, one that was pictured in an online or magazine review or exhibit catalogue, one that’s not easy to find on the open market, or one that’s similar in composition to pieces your collectors prize the most. You don’t want the art to be anything that you want to get rid of or think is second rate. That tact could backfire and net you an embarrassingly low selling price.

As previously stated, if your art is accepted, be prepared to deal with low presale estimates and also for the art to sell below retail. Look at this as the start of a long term investment in your financial future— the prospect of your art regularly selling at auction— and not an insult or slap in the face. To repeat, getting that first sales record is the hardest, but once you’ve got it, other auction houses will be more inclined to see you as marketable in their realms, and from that point on (assuming you continue to advance onward and upward in your career), auction selling prices will likely increase.

If your art fares reasonably well, avoid the temptation to go overboard and view auctions as a panacea. Over-consigning or giving collectors the impression that your art is easy to come by is never good. In order for your auction selling prices to increase over time, you must continue to advance your agenda in traditional ways— through gallery shows and significant

With Francis U. Odupute institutional exhibitions— and use the auction option judiciously and strategically along the way. For example, good times to place an artwork or two up for sale might be immediately after or in conjunction with a successful museum or gallery show, when you receive a lot of publicity or a major commission, or at any other moment when your career makes a noticeable move in the upward direction.

As your “marketability” improves, your art will likely be placed up for sale at auction by more and more people— dealers, brokers, collectors, estates and so

on. This process typically evolves over years and often decades from the date of your first consignment, but sooner or later, consistent strong performance at auction pretty much becomes selfperpetuating.

For those of you who have little or no hope of getting into auction at this time, one possibility is to approach a smaller local or regional house with the idea of having a theme sale dedicated to art by local or regional artists. If you, your fellow artists, and some dedicated supporters with a little clout in the art community can put together enough good art and convince the auction house that attendance will be healthy and sales good, this concept might work. No matter what your approach, make sure you’ve got the support of those who buy, sell and collect your art.

Consigning to an occasional charity or fundraiser auction is also a decent way to get your feet wet, the keyword here being “occasional.” Do not donate art to every fundraiser in sight; that could significantly compromise your career by making your art too easy to come by outside of traditional venues like galleries.

If your art sells consistently well in charity circumstances, approaching an actual auction house at some point would be recommended. To learn more about how to maximize your success at fundraiser auctions, read Art Auction Fundraiser Tips..

Articles and content copyright Alan Bamberger 1998-2011. All rights reserved. website by erin healy

With Ambrose O. Ekhosuehi

Art & Culture

Understanding Evil Culture EVIL culture is having repulsive appearance that produces unhappiness, calamity, harm, wickedness, depravity, maliciousness, under the influence of un-propitious star The human history has been the narrative of dour combat with the powers of evil, finding self in the midst of battle field where every person has to struggle to do what is right, good and evil intermingle, and every person, and every group is interested only in its own affairs in the world of vanity and malice, where activity from being ordered to the service of God and humanity is distorted to instrument of evil.

Evil denotes disorder, both physical and moral.

Physical evil is a punishment for moral and a trial of virtue. It is a purification, an asceticism, a transcending of the material and a share in redemption achieved through suffering.

There are several possible positions such as direct link to physical violence, dissipation, passion, irresponsibility and theory of divine punishment.

An indirect link leads to human wickedness that contributes to social misconduct, symbolized by physical evil, and is a sign and question of fate.

It is regarded as an undesirable interior state which people want to get rid of, even if the punishment is what makes them conscious of the guilt.

Evil is an attack on divinely ordered world,

and offends the society, breaking relationships with the spiritual guardians of the people, simply the transgression of arbitrary and positive law.

Evil differs from breaking a taboo.

Breaking a taboo is foolishness not necessarily sinful but evil and shame are interchangeable that consciousness of evil often makes the person appears as the passive object of an external agency.

Evil is caused by a harmful deity which is sent by other gods to cause trouble and leads people into danger, temptation to break law and order.

The main deity is the Devil. An image of the deity-“Esu” in olden days and even nowadays in some building is usually kept in a niche at one side of the house or compound gate in order to ward off bad things away.

There are legends about the causes of evil, the purpose of evil and relationship of evil.

There was the legend that an accusing angel as a tempter and executioner, injustice and condemnation appealed to God to spare some of the demons so that Mastema might execute power on human beings.

The Almighty God apparently thought it was good idea and permitted one out of ten demons to remain at large in the service of Mastema, the angel of hostility. It is claimed that Mastema helped the sorcerers when Moses and Aaron

appeared before Pharaoh to perform their magical tricks.

Another worthless is the prince of darkness, supreme adversary and

standard bearer, seducer of mankind and demon with seven serpent heads, fourteen faces and twelve wings, taught men to fashion swords and

ebbs at the opening day”.

Gadreel makes people familiar with the weapons of war.

Evil culture may not be associated with spirit

punishment for moral evil, trial of virtue but not the ends of justifying the means of theories of Divine punishment and is a question of fate or destiny.

In the prayer ‘lead us not into temptation but

the angel of lawlessness —Beliar as the exemplar and epitome of evil.

Then the angel of silence, of stillness, of vindication-Duma as having tens of thousands angels of destruction, with twelve thousands myriads of attendants charged with the punishment of evil doers and sinners, a thousand eyed angel of death armed with fiery rod or sword.

The evil Azazel is said to be the chief of the order of human spirits, Satan

shields while women learnt finery and art of beautifying the eyelids from the angel.

The poison angel is the prince of demons and angel of death. Samuel has been regarded as good and evil, as one of the greatest and as one of the foulest spirits. Dogs howl at night when great Samuel, the angel of death

possession where it is believed that a spirit is submerging someone’s personality, speaking and acting through the person or Glossolalia where the possessed person feels double and is not in control of what he/she is saying but a refraction of supreme being, unclean that denotes disorder, extreme dualism that separates evil from God and systems which emphasize witchcraft as source of evil.

God tolerate evil as

deliver us from evil” we say that God give us grace not to yield to temptation, and free us from all evils, seen and unseen.

“Yield not to temptation for yielding is evil, shone evil companion, bad action disdain”.

Evil, therefore, denotes disorder both physical and moral, having repulsive appearance that produces unhappiness, calamity, depravity stealing and maliciousness under the influence of un-propitious star of evil culture.

bears his apts away through the town, “They flee forgotten as dream

“God tolerate evil as punishment for moral evil, trial of virtue but not the ends of justifying the means of theories of Divine punishment and is a question of fate or destiny.”

2014

It’s Back To The Basics!

I will be amazed to find someone who is still singing Christmas carols at this time. In fact, you would hardly hear it being hummed in someone’s sub-

long as there is day and night, rain and shine, sleeping and waking…even life and death… then there are, still staring us starkly in the

What are the chances that you would love others when you are loveless, unfeeling and are a bundle of bottled-up emotions, sad memories, hatred for self over unachieved goals, being suicidal, suffering internal wranglings and aggression – how on earth

consciousness. It is as good as that!

Again, you won’t find anyone still dilly-dallying at the cross-over service.

There’s no such service anymore. Church has dismissed! The haze, the trappings and euphoria of the yuletide have all given way. It’s back to reality, it’s back to the basics, to those things we shelved, those things we kept in view (KIV), those things we pretended to, or deliberately ignored in order to have an unencumbered yuletide.

Here we go again! So

face, those vital things that make us live, rather than merely pass through life.

The way we handle such vitals, to a large extent, determines how the year, twelve whole calendar months, 365 seemingly endless days would end for us.

One of those vitals is self.

Of course, people would say, in a way of being nice, others first, self last, but I say to you, you cannot give what you don’t have. What are the chances that you would be happy with others when you are not happy with, and within, yourself?

can you give love, exude happiness, spread joy and laughter that way?

So, what are we saying?

You have to work on yourself first, like the British Philosopher Jean Cruse, said, “touch your own soul with love and see it spread on to others.”

There is no pretences about the amount of love we can give to others so long as we first love ourselves: the love is boundless. We can’t continue to act like all is well with us and expect those around us to be joyful when in essence, we don’t have the joy that could

“I just told my friend who has been trying several unpopular means of getting a baby to see an IVF specialist and when she did, she’s now singing a new song in this very New Year.”

infect and affect others positively.

This year, starting this January, build a well of love and joy within you, let it well up, let it swell, let it get to bursting point and like the arteries that spread blood all over the body, let it spread all around you.

Truly, people don’t start building that well if there are emotions, angst, anger, pain, boredom, hatred, moral hangovers, indebtedness, even crime that lie within the walls of the arteries, clogging the receptacles and stopping them from functioning optimally. So, what’s the point? There’s a well within where all this negatives dwell, but…they shouldn’t be there! Empty the well and let the right atmosphere invade the space!

If someone has hurt you so bad that all you want to do is inject them with lethal virus and watch them die…hey! Stop that hatred and vindictiveness, stop that spirit of vengeance from taking the better part of you. Learn to forgive.

Haba! Is forgiveness alien to our culture? No! Forgiveness is a spirit from Nigeria! Forgive, let go…be free…see life

FEMINIQUE With IJEOMA UMEH email: ladywithegoldenpen@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08182382839 coming back to your soul.

Forget it; the offenses the other person may have committed may be legion: infants are being sexually assaulted; incests are going on as we speak; partners are cheating at the speed of light; children are being wayward, disobedient and leaving the family fold for their own lack-lustre shells; government is insensitive to the plight of the citizenry; the economy is not improving; creditors won’t stop knocking,…what more?

There are some personal, very private failure, too.

Sexual ‘incompetence’ and incompatibility, low libido… now, fill the gaps and then delete! Remove these failures from that beautiful cocoon where love and joy should be and throw those ogres into the abyss of nonentity where they belong.

Start on a clean slate. I just told my friend who has been trying several unpopular means of getting a baby to see an IVF specialist and when she did, she’s now singing a new song in this very New Year. There’s hope for her!

She wouldn’t need to ‘steal’ anyone’s baby, she wouldn’t need any ‘Babalawo’ or ‘Miracle Prophet.’ She’s going to have her own biological child, this year!

That’s what we are talking about making a uturn. Being decisive. Doing the best you can and littering procrastinations.

And…that goes with all other things – family, faith and finances (T.D Jakes did well by focusing on that).

Listen, your family is the

bedrock of your development. Don’t joke about that. The way you make your bed…fill the gaps. You are what your family is. There are no two ways about it. Let’s be attentive to those still small voices that speak words to us about our families: this my partner is this, I wish to make her that,, this man is like this, I wish he were like that; I could kill him; I could violate her; I could send her packing; I could displace her; I could show him pepper…haba! What is it?

Speak positive words to yourself and shut the still small voice up if it is speaking incognito words to you. Still that voice!

Again, you know the state of your finances is actually what you make of it. If the business of the days of yore didn’t favour you, forget dwelling in those relics.

Start something else. No one is too old to start something new! There is no age barriers with success; there is none too with wealth.

You would care about letting me bore you with stories of those who succeeded by making a last – minute decision to change their fortunes and propel a fresh tide towards their finances; so I would not bore you.

Look within yourself: how far? Check your present position, your career; even your environment – how far?

Make a move now! Tell your partner ‘I love you: It may be all you need for now. Tell God, ‘I need you.’

Great! Happy New Year.

Words On Marble For every problem under the sun, There is a solution or there is none.

If there is a solution, go for it, If there isn’t never mind it.

- Rev. Humphrey Arheghan

Opinion On January 1, 1914 the northern and southern protectorates were officially amalgamated into one nation giving birth to the modern entity ‘Nigeria’. This was done by the British colonial Governor Lord Lugard.

January 1, 2014 marks 100 year of union as a firm body called Nigeria.

Since the coming together of these protectorates in 1914, the nation Nigeria has been able to weather the storms and made some element of progress and achievements in diverse fields of endowing Notwithstanding the height of struggles, trends, challenges that this period has taken the nation through.

Yet, it is still questionable to many Nigerians, do this period of 100 years deserve celebration by the citizens and government of Nigeria?

A big question mark and a cause for intellectual rigour for many well meaning Nigerians and government foes. As this discourse unfolds there have been major pockets of questions as the nation is currently faced with series of socio political, economic and security challenges.

Celebrating the nations year has been criticized on the ground that such project would be an unjust opportunity to shift attention from the major problem confrontation the country, especially the security challenges. This was why some members of the house of representatives bluntly refused approving this celebration analytically saying that the Federal

Is Nigeria Worth Celebrating 100?

BY AKAR MOVUN MARVELLOUS

Government planned centenary celbration was a means to drain the Nigeria economy of billions, while FG is still saying there is no money to implement budgets.

Yes, Nigeria as a nation has recorded a lot of stories in its history, but we cannot therefore lose sight of the ills that comes with the identity of Nigeria to the artside world. It would not be a complete fallacy that the Nigeria factories have not recorded the expected growth as projected in the earlier days of Nigeria economical graith. All these have gradually diminished over the years while poor infrastructure, lack of good quality education, poverty, corruption insecurity e.t.c have now lingered and bedeviled the country. Nigeria has been derailed from the fundament plans of our past heroes to attain a lofty height and build our nation.

A nation that has come a 100 years long in oneness must see to live in unity and togetherness, the call for Nigeria disintegration is a very serious difficulty swhich can no longer

be neglected or ignored. It seems as a religious crise, while to others it is as a result of ethnic clash. Religious prejudice is a very important cause of conflict, muslims call non muslims infidels and justifies Jihad against them, Christians call non Christian unbelievers.

Nigerians must keep in mind that a secular nation is not a godless nation but a nation which the religious belief of all and ensures that no single religion imposes belief on others by force without this change of attitude to what is justifiable base on religious belief Nigerians cannot build a secured civil society based on the rule of law.

Another school of thought ascertain that celebrating Nigeria centenary year is worth while, stressing that there is no need to be negative as it has given Nigerians a bases of opportunity to celebrate the nation’s unity. It is important to underscore that the arralgamation of Nigerian northern and southern protectorate in 1914 is the foundational on-set of our journey

Problem Of Insight In Property Acquisition

By RUTHERFORD CHIDI Most clients that are not well-informed and who want to purchase a property often do so on their own without consulting with experts in the field. So with minimal experience they plunge into it. In a situation like this, they are unable to make the right judgment with regards to the best choice of property. They get carried away by their emotion. In fact, sometimes such clients fall in love at first sight with a property which upon more investigation reveals other issues to put into consideration in making a choice.

The seemingly low price tag of a given property is enough to sweep an unwary client off his feet. They get overwhelmed. The anticipated feeling of satisfaction and joy resulting from the likely purchase wash over them. This creates a tunnel vision situation. The potential seller may have a hidden agenda for wanting to sell the property. Unless you are a guru in the field you may never spot the underlying seller’s motive.

To illustrate, a seller may figure out that his property is situated in a position where, later in the future, will be the confluence of erosion. Armed with this awareness he puts out the property for sale.

Unsuspecting buyers soon begin to submit bids.

The transaction proceeds with haste and sold quickly even before the buyer has enough time to assess the property properly.

Then in no distant future, erosion begins to find home for itself near your property. When the surrounding plots are developed, erosion which would have been absolved by the vegetation, now moves closer to you and if care is not taken it finds a permanent home with your property. Gradually, the veil that prevented you from sensing this situation soon disappears, you now know that you are in for trouble.

This is the situation for some who have spent their entire savings erecting a befitting structure on the land. At such a critical time that they need a comfortable abode after retirement, the dreaded erosion comes with such a terrible speed to chase them out of their beloved home. To get a better grasps of this situation, I urge you to observe your

surroundings very carefully and you are likely to see abandoned buildings.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO THEN TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO YOU? Well, you don’t have to worry too much. We, as veterans in the field, are poised to help you through the entire process. We will carry the burden for you. A well known proverb in Nigeria says: “what an old man will see while sitting, a young man will not have a glimpse of it even when he climbs the Iroko tree.”

This is particularly true in our case. With our years of experience will know virtually everything regarding the purchase of properties.

Consider this: if you have typhoid you don’t go about buying any drugs and popping them in unless off course you want to kill yourself. But rather you consult your doctor for a prescription. If you want to learn to drive you request the services of a competent driver unless off course you want disaster by attempting to do it all alone. Similarly, resolve to consult with an expert before you attempt to make a purchase. Have you ever experienced the type of situation described above?

as a nation for success, growth experienced challenges that have anseveral occasions challenged the unity of our nation Nigeria, leading many to call for sovereign National conference based on our coexistence.

Many have blamed the woes of Nigeria on our incompatible ethnic/cultural groups but Nigeria still remains one of the few nations of the world still standing despite its large cultural diversity many of such nations as Nigeria has divided. Nations like Britaain, China, India, United States of America, Brazil, Indoriesia, Pakistam, Germany, Haly do not have ethnic group as large as Nigeria.

It is worth acknowledging that Nigeria is still together as a nation, we had a civil war from 1967 to the 1970s.

Nigeria is literarily caned as the giant of African, the heart beat of Africa, it has existed to unravel the blessing of the black race. The fear of uncertainty is one that will binds us together stronger and in unity of a nation to achieve a great height.

We must use the ocassion of our centenary celebration to affirm to ourselves that Nigeria is not an acceded, we must therefore as Nigerians be ready to replace pessimism with optimism, lifting to a greater height the nations identity on one indissoluble Nigeria based on the shared colonial experience common humanity and national destiny. Considering all these diverse ideology brought together by citizenry and government of this great nation. It therefore become very meaningful for Nigerians to recognize that as a nation we have gone through a lot marked of history both positive and negative we have made a lot of mistakes we have overcame some and others have pounced on us, we have met with obstacles, we have experienced ups and down in several ocassion each passing generation had sought to the best of its ability to tackle these snags with all these waves and trails that we are still a united nation in sufficient cause of celebration.

Personality Of The Month

Prof Agbebaku: Amazon Of AAU

SHE is a quintessential woman in a world dominated by men. The world of the Ivory towers is a tough terrain, it is only an environment women fit and proper in academics can venture to thread. There is no doubt that the cap fits her. Since the establishment of the Ambrose Alli University, (AAU), then Bendel State University in 1981, it has grown tremendously in academic pursuits and has produced men and women of substance who today are proud to be part of a history that no one gave a chance, for the reason that serious controversy surrounded the naming and siting of the school. Then Governor of Bendel State, Late Professor Ambrose Alli, politically astute and shrewd took the bull by the horn and sited it in Ekpoma. He did not name it after himself but posterity had come to reckon with his contribution to the establishment and growth of the institution, with government pronouncement later renaming the university after the late political icon.

However, since, then, no female Vice-Chancellor had headed the institution until the government of Adams Oshiomhole in its wisdom on May 2nd, 2011, appointed Prof. (Mrs.) Cordelia Ainenehi Agbebaku as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university she holds an enviable record in the university as one of the pioneer students admitted to read law in the university, in 1981, then known as Bendel State University. She graduated in 1985 with the LLB degree as the best graduating female student and thereafter proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos between 1985 and 1986 where she bagged her B.L. degree.

She also holds a Master’s degree in Law (LL.M) from the same university.

Her profile speaks volume of the capacity she has built up over the year as an astute academician. Born in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State in January 1961.

She started her working career as an Assistant Lecturer in 1987 in the Faculty of Law, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. She rose through the ranks to the position of Associate Professor in 2003. She was appointed Associate Professor of Law in Igbinedion University, Okada in 1999, and finally rose to the Professorial position in 2003. She was appointed the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in May, 2011 while she was serving as the Dean of Faculty of Law.

Prof. (Mrs.) Agbebaku has veritable wealth of experience both in administrative and editorial matters including but not limited to the following: Acting Vice-Chancellor, AAU., Ekpoma, May 2, 2001 till date. Dean, Faculty of Law, AAU, Ekpoma, Sept. 2008 – May 2, 2011. Member, Finance and General Purpose

Prof. Cordilia Agbebaku, Acting VC, Ambrose Ali University (AAU)

Committee, 2009 till date. Head, Department of Jurisprudence & International Law, 2006 – August 2008.

Head, Department of Private and Property Law, 2005 – 2006.

Head, Department of Public Law, 2003 – 2008. Acting Head, Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, 1998

– 2002. Co-ordinator, Evening Law Programme, 1995 – Sept. 1997. Acting Head, Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, 1995 – Sept. 1997. Member, Senate Representative, Student’s Disciplinary Committee, 2000 till date. Member, Senate Representative, Library Committee, 1996 – 2000. Member, Senate Representative, Board of Governors, University Schools, 186 – 2000. Member, Faculty of Law Journal Committee, 1995 till date. Editor, Edo State University Law Journal, 1995 till date.

Prof. (Mrs.) Agbebaku an erudite scholar and distinguished academic has 15 publications to her credit.

Besides, Prof. (Mrs.) Agbebaku is a pace-setter and has knack for being the best and first in almost everything. For example she is the first female, Acting Vice-Chancellor from the Faculty of Law, AAU. At present, she is the most senior female Professor in the University.

As a distinguished academic of international standing, she has to her credit numerous publications in national and international journals. She has traveled locally and internationally presenting academic papers in reputable academic fora.

Prof. (Mrs.) C.A. Agbebaku is a socialite and a good mixer who creates time in spite of her busy schedule to serve our creator, the Almighty God. She is a Knight of St. John, (lady) a member of the Catholic Diocesan Justice Development and Peace Committee (JDPC), member of the Committee for the Welfare of Widows and a Legal Adviser to the Catholic Women Organization.

Prof. (Mrs.) C.A. Agbebaku is a woman of cardinal virtues, honour, cool and calculating, fair but very firm.

These attributes she has brought to bear on her responsibility as the Ag. Vice-Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University. Indeed, she has proved herself to be an astute administrator and a strategist.

Prof. (Mrs.) Agbebaku is happily married to Prof.

Phillip E. Agbebaku of the Department of Political Science, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma and they are blessed with beautiful children.

Development

Emuhu Community: A

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

EMUHU DELTA - Emuhu is a town in Ika Local Government Area of Delta State. Emuhu is located between Umunede and Agbor through Lagos Asaba Expressway. Emuhu is one of Ika towns that have ancestral trace to the Benin Kingdom. From the intelligence study of 1935, Emuhu, Oligie and Agbor had been independently autonomous communities whose traditional sovereignties were recognized by the Obas of ancient Benin Kingdom. The Oba of Benin gave Ada and Ebeni (staff of office) to the Eze of Emuhu during the time of our ancestors.

The customs and cultures had been kept till date. The same 1935 intelligence report vividly specified that Emuhu clan has a native court presided by the Eze of Emuhu. In those pre-colonial periods, all recognized clans have such native courts where they dispense justice and equity.

Consequently, the colonial and post-independent governments had always paid monthly stipend to the office of Eze of Emuhu town. The stool was recognized under the Midwestern region until 1972/1973 land dispute between the Obi institutions of Agbor and Emuhu. When Obi Ikechukwu of Agbor lost the land case in court, he resorted to vengeance by using every available resource and connection to stop the payment

of stipend to the Eze of Emuhu Clan. A large chunk of land belonging to Emuhu was to be annexed but people of Emuhu refused and that was the bone of contention. So our major request is for the government of Delta State to go back to the records so that review could be effected to reinstate the payment of stipend to the Eze of Emuhu through the instrumentation of staff of office from the state government. This is long over-due because the good people of Emuhu had officially notified the Delta State government that the administrative head of Emuhu, Eze K.G.O. Abiamuwe II had been selected to sit on the throne of his fathers.

Recently the Delta State Government began construction of 1 kilometer road into Emuhu but we did not know what happened, after laying about half kilometer, the road construction stopped. As the rains are with us now, the existing mud roads in Emuhu are now death traps and nonmotorable despite the geographical location of the town between Agbor and Umunede by the Benin/ Asaba New Expressway. Our secondary school needs electricity and ICT facilities. The existing health centre has few nurses and the buildings do not have windows, doors nor toilets. We appeal to the State Government and Ika South LG Chairman to

come to our aid since our wives and children have to travel outside Emuhu for medical treatments.

No patient can sleep in rooms without doors or windows. We request that Commissioners, Governor and other government officials visit Emuhu to see things for themselves, (Eze designate) has been in-charge since the demise of his father. The entire villages that make up Emuhu has installed the next Eze which is Abiamuwe since their kinship primogeniture in Emuhu Kingdom. Abiamuwe as our Eze or traditional ruler since the demise of his father, the Kingship in Emuhu is hereditary. Documents backing the legitimacy of kingship and independence of Emuhu town are available dating from 1935 and 1940. The people of Emuhu are peaceful, law abiding and nonviolent in approach to general life affairs. We shall continue to appeal to the government to intervene in this delay in the presentation of staff of office to our traditional ruler, Eze of Emuhu so that we can get the fresh breath of social justice and equity.

Besides, we are faced with poor infrastructure, the only major road passed at the centre of Emuhu was built in 1953 and it is nearly washed away by gully erosion.

There are no furniture in the 2 primary schools in Emuhu. The schools Itameze 1 and 2 primary and Eni primary schools

Retrospect

respectively. The people of Emuhu requested for a modern market, since Emuhu’s main occupation is faming and also it is a basket of food not only in Delta but in Nigeria at large; Solar energy street lights and food processing mills because they have surplus agricultural produce all the year round.

Poverty alleviation programme have never been heard of in Emuhu in Ika South LGA till date. The

community and palace chiefs jointly requested the Delta State Government to come to their aid through an interventional project that can improve their living standards.

They particularly appealed to the State Governor, Dr. Ewetan Uduaghan, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama to respond urgently to

their plight by presenting staff of office to their Eze. Some of the people we met on ground were Chief Mouka James (Iheme-ihemeihe), Chief Peter Young Community Leader, Chief Dr. Monday Odiakaose, Chief Peter Ebeigobi (Onye nwe ihe), Hon. Paul Onyegbunwa E.O. (Rtd. Principal), Chief Sunday Ekwuye (Okiroro).

Godwin Onyemaech, The Eze of Emuhu Community in Ika South LGA, Delta State.

International Egypt Voters Have Backed New Charter CAIRO - An overwhelming majority of Egyptians who voted on the country’s new constitution have backed the draft charter, a senior Egyptian official said Thursday.

The official told The Associated Press that unofficial results, after most of ballots have been counted, indicate that more than 90 percent of the voters have said “yes” to the constitution.

He declined to give an estimate on the final turnout and

spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the media.

The vote held Tuesday and Wednesday is a milestone for Egypt’s interim government, installed by the military after the ouster last July of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

The draft is also a key piece of a political roadmap toward new elections for a president and a test of public opinion about the coup that removed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood. It is a heavily amended version of a

constitution written by Morsi’s Islamist allies and ratified in December 2012 with some 64 percent of the vote but with a nationwide turnout of just over 30 percent.

Morsi’s Brotherhood boycotted the referendum while the country’s second-largest Islamist group, the ultraconservative Salafis, also stayed away from the polls in response to a crackdown against Islamists that included confiscation of their assets, shutdown of their TV networks

But instead of helping her, the men lured her to a secluded spot and raped her repeatedly, according to police.

One of the suspects was found with the victim’s glasses case and 1,000 rupees ($16) in cash, a police statement said. The other suspect had an iPod and a pair of earphones. He also had a mobile phone that police said was purchased with money stolen from the victim.

The problem of sexual violence in India has gained widespread attention since the horrific gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in December 2012.

Public fury over the case has led to more stringent laws that doubled prison terms for rape to 20 years and criminalized

voyeurism and stalking.

But for many women, daily indignities and abuse continue unabated and the new laws have not made the streets any safer.

Still, there has been a surge in the number of rapes being reported recently, suggesting women are emboldened to speak up. Between January and October last year, 1,330 rapes were reported in Delhi and its suburbs, compared with 706 for all of 2012, according to government figures.

Foreigners also have been targets, including a Swiss woman who was cycling with her husband in central India when she was gang-raped.

The cases threaten India’s lucrative tourism industry. Last year, the Tourism Ministry launched an “I Respect Women” campaign to reassure travelers.

Tourism accounted for 6.6 percent of India’s GDP in 2012, the latest year for which figures are available.

Suspects In India Tourist Rape Are Jobless - Police NEW DELHI - Two suspects arrested in the gang rape of a 51-year-old Danish tourist in New Delhi are unemployed young men who allegedly attacked the woman for nearly three hours before fleeing with her belongings, police said Thursday.

The two were picked up late Wednesday from a park near the scene of the crime, police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said.

Investigators were closing in other suspects after the two provided details during questioning, he said.

Police said the tourist was raped at knifepoint Tuesday near Connaught Place, a popular shopping area in the heart of New Delhi. The woman got lost and approached a group of men for directions back to her hotel.

and the banning of their top clerics from preaching in mosques.

This left traditional Islamist strongholds across Egypt seeing only a trickle of voters during the two-day balloting.

By contrast and raising the prospects of a continued polarization among Egyptians, long lines formed outside polling stations in major urban areas and big cities, with crowds brandishing posters of the country’s military chief, chanting in support of the army and women ululating.

Such patriotic outbursts followed an intense campaign by

the government and the overwhelmingly pro-military media, which portrayed the balloting as key to the nation’s security and stability.

In the weeks before the vote, hundreds of thousands of fliers, posters, banners and billboards urged Egyptians to vote “yes” in the referendum and people were arrested for posters and campaigns calling for a “no” vote.

The current interim government is looking for a big “yes” majority and large turnout to win undisputed legitimacy and perhaps a popular mandate for the military chief, Gen. Abdel-

Fattah el-Sissi, to run for president later this year. But silencing dissent has raised questions about the legitimacy of the process.

El-Sissi has yet to say outright whether he plans to seek the nation’s highest office, but his candidacy appears increasingly likely every day.

Following the referendum, Egypt’s Interim President Adly Mansour is expected to also announce changes in the roadmap, scheduling presidential elections before the vote for the next parliament, a switch from the initial plan. This could give Egypt a new president before the summer.

Election of voters empty a ballot at the end of the second, final day of a key reference on a new construction, inside a polling station in Cairo, Egypt.

Amid Bangkok’s Protests, Smattering Of Foreign Faces

Buddhipongse Punnakana, a leader of People’s democratic reform Committee, the group organising the shut down Bangkok protest.

BANGKOK - Jörgen Movérare considers himself a proud Swede. An avid skier, he enjoys his homeland’s cold weather and is thankful for life in a stable, wealthy democracy.

But as an expat in Thailand of three years’ standing, the 45year-old has a different prescription for his adoptive home: a military coup, and soon.

“This sounds really stupid because I come from a democratic country (but) Thailand is not ready for democracy,” he said at one of the protest sites that have shut down much of Bangkok.

Kenyan President Excused From THE Hague - Kenyan Parts Of ICC Trial Vice President William Ruto is not required to be present for his entire trial for crimes against humanity, the International Criminal Court ruled Wednesday.

“The Chamber hereby conditionally excuses Mr. Ruto from continuous presence at trial,” said ICC judge Chile Eboe-Osuji at the court based in The Hague.

Ruto became the highestranking serving official to go on trial before the ICC in September 2013 on charges of masterminding some of the 2007-08 post-election violence in Kenya that claimed more than 1,000

lives and displaced several hundred thousand people.

The court ruled in October that Ruto could be excused only under “exceptional circumstances”, reversing an earlier decision excusing him from most of his trial.

The court’s latest decision stipulates that Ruto must however be present for the entirety of the reading of the verdict and, if applicable, the sentencing.

He must also be present “when victims present their views and concerns in person” and for the first five days of hearings following a

recess.

However, exceptionally, he is not required to attend his trial on Thursday and Friday as President Uhuru Kenyatta is travelling in Angola.

Ruto, 46, and Kenyan radio boss Joshua arap Sang, 38, stand accused of stoking the worst violence in the East African country since independence in 1963.

Both Ruto and his onetime foe and now political partner Kenyatta, who also goes on trial on November 12 on similar charges, have pledged their cooperation with the court and are maintaining their innocence

As tens of thousands of Thais take over the streets of the capital in the latest push to unseat caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the protests have been marked, as they have throughout Thailand’s multi-year political crisis, by a smattering of foreign faces.

Foreigners were a feature, too, when pro-Thaksin red shirts took over downtown Bangkok in 2010. After a bloody crackdown that killed more than 90 people, a Briton and Australian were arrested and briefly jailed. The Briton, Jeff Savage, caused a flurry of Internet interest - and conspiratorial mutterings - after an online video emerged of him calling for the destruction and looting of a shopping mall, which was later burned down

after the crackdown.

While not nearly so dramatic, the latest round of protests has seen the participation of foreigners who feel they too have a stake in Thailand’s future, earning a warm welcome from Thais who share their belief and the scorn of those who do not.

With a Thai-flag ribbon tied under the collar of his business shirt, Movérare, who owns a marketing company in Thailand, concedes that, strictly speaking, the current crisis is “not my fight.”

The protesters have been calling for the overthrow of Yingluck, and the eradication of the political influence of her brother, exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

They want to replace her with

a hand-picked “people’s council” to unravel Thaksin’s grip on politics, in which he and his allies have won every democratic election this century - a feat his detractors claim is thanks to his buying of the votes of the country’s uneducated rural masses.

Jan Plantenga, a retired Dutch banking consultant, has taken his involvement further. On December 22, he took to one of Bangkok’s protest stages to express his support for the movement.

On Monday, he was on stage for a second time, but was more cautious.

“I was on the stage again with my girlfriend but I didn’t say anything because I was a bit worried about my visa,” he told Reuters while sporting the red, white and blue Thai flag wrist bands, a symbol of the antigovernment protest.

Final Destruction Of Syrian Chemicals Slides had so far been shifted ROME - The removal and To End June chemicals to a Danish vessel in the Syrian destruction of the most dangerous agents in Syria’s chemical arsenal may not be completed until the end of June because of logistical and security problems, the head of the U.N. chemicals watchdog said on Thursday.

The destruction of “primary” chemicals - mustard gas and the components for making Sarin and VX - had originally been foreseen completed by the end of March, but the civil war, bad weather and bureaucracy have slowed it.

Nonetheless, Ahmet Uzumcu,

head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, told reporters in Rome he was confident that all the chemicals could be destroyed by the end of June, the deadline set for only the destruction the less dangerous “commodity” chemicals.

“I am still confident that we can meet this deadline of the end of June ... We will do our best to meet this deadline,” he said.

Uzumcu said that more than 16 tonnes of the total of 560 tonnes of the “primary”

port Latakia, conceding: “The quantity of the first movement is not that high.”

The ship is now waiting in international waters offshore for more shipments.

Uzumcu is in Italy to address parliament about the transfer of the primary agents at an Italian port from the Danish vessel to an American one, where they will be destroyed at sea. The Calabrian port of Gioia Tauro has been chosen for the chemical transfer, an Italian government source said.

International Features

Catalonia Defies Madrid With Push For Independence Vote

MADRID - Local lawmakers in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia voted to seek a referendum on breaking away from Spain on Thursday, setting themselves up for a battle with an implacably opposed central government in Madrid.

The Catalan Parliament in Barcelona voted 87 to 43, with 3 abstentions, to send a petition to the national parliament seeking the power to call a popular vote on the region’s future.

The independence movement in Catalonia, which has its own language and represents a fifth of Spain’s national economy, is a direct challenge to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who has pledged to block a referendum on constitutional grounds.

Independence for the region, which already has significant self-governing powers, is thus considered a remote possibility, but Catalan President Artur Mas is buoyed by a groundswell of public support to defy Madrid with plans for a referendum.

Polls show roughly half of Catalans want independence, but as many as 80 percent want the right to vote on the matter.

Pro-independence leaders in Catalonia say Rajoy should follow the example of British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose government opposes Scottish independence, but is allowing the Scots to decide in a vote later this year.

Outside the Catalan Parliament building, a few dozen demonstrators gathered, both for and against staying in Spain. Many flew the separatist banner - a lone white star in a blue triangle, against the background of Catalonia’s official red-and-yellow-striped flag.

“Rajoy is totally resistant to change. I don’t think he’s even aware of what is going on. He thinks this is a small spark that will fade away if he buries his head in the sand,” said demonstrator Isabel Guerrero, a 58-year-old retiree.

PRESSURE ON RAJOY Business and political leaders of all stripes have piled pressure on Rajoy to diffuse the situation, perhaps by offering Mas greater control over taxes in exchange for dropping the referendum idea.

Isidre Faine, chairman of Barcelona-based La Caixa, Spain’s third biggest bank, this week called on Spanish and Catalan political leaders to negotiate a “grand pact”.

But Rajoy has so far refused to engage in public talks with Mas. Critics worry the prime minister’s inertia has fanned the flames in Catalonia. But time may once again be on the side of Rajoy, who over the last two years successfully resisted pressure to seek an international rescue to ward off a sovereign debt default and to force out cabinet members or party leaders during a corruption scandal.

Several factors play into his hands.

An incipient economic recovery could take off, easing tensions over tax distribution, one of Catalans’ main beefs with the central government. The independence drive could falter on internal political tensions in Catalonia or on quiet opposition from big business. And, without international support, Catalans could balk at the idea of having to leave the European Union or give up the euro to gain independence.

STALEMATE LOOMS Thursday’s vote in the Catalan Parliament will trigger a chain of events that will likely lead to stalemate.

First, the national Parliament in Madrid will almost certainly turn down the Catalan petition.

Then, Catalan leader Mas will set a date without permission from Madrid, which the Constitutional Court will block.

Mas has indicated that once all legal roads are exhausted, he will use Catalonia’s next regional election

in 2016 as a proxy.

He could call early elections but he is more likely to wait until his conservative Convergence and Union (CiU) political alliance gets a poll boost from an expected economic recovery. If he held the proxy vote now, opinion polls show he would lose to the more radical independence party, Catalan Republican Left, ERC. “The biggest concern is the absolute disconnect between Madrid and Barcelona. There’s no room for a negotiated solution right now,” said Antonio Barroso, political analyst with Teneo Intelligence.

Rajoy has little incentive to negotiate, said Barroso.

fed by perceptions of unfair tax burdens, frustration with Madrid’s resistance to handing more power to the regional government and friction over the region’s Catalan-language school system.

In 2012 and 2013, millions of Catalans took to the streets on their national day, September 11, demanding the right to vote on breaking away from Spain.

Opinion surveys show that Catalans would be less enthusiastic about independence if it meant losing the trade and currency benefits of the European Union and euro zone.

There are enormous uncertainties over how Catalonia’s economy would weather a difficult transition period if it

Catalonia President Artur Mas (centre) receives applause after a vote in the regional parliament in the regional parliament in Barcalona to send a petition for referee to the parliament yesterday

He doesn’t want to give Catalonia a tax deal that will anger Spain’s other 16 autonomous regions nor launch a complex and controversial constitutional reform.

Asked about Catalan independence on a visit to Washington, D.C., this week, Rajoy insisted, “It’s not going to happen.”

Such intransigence doesn’t go down well in Catalonia.

“It’s nonsense to say there is no problem and that it will never happen,” said Joan Maria Pique, Mas’s press secretary. “You can’t avoid a question as important as this. The Spanish government thought the protests were a soap bubble, but it hasn’t disappeared.”

UNCERTAINTIES Catalonia has always had a strong movement for greater autonomy, but a more radical independence movement took hold in the last few years during a prolonged economic slump that hit all of Spain. The movement is

had to reapply to enter the European Union, which is the official stance from Brussels.

Mas’s government has not set out specific plans on what currency the region would adopt if it were blocked from joining the euro, whether it would set up its own central bank or how to handle Catalonia’s portion of the Spanish national debt.

All of which gives Rajoy seeds of doubt to sow.

Pro-independence politicians in Catalonia say they are confident Europe’s democratic traditions would lead to it re-writing the rules to respect self-determination if Catalans showed in a vote that they wanted their own country.

“Rajoy can ignore us all he wants. When we have a popular mandate, we’ll take it to the international community and we’ll go for independence and ask for international support,” said Alfred Bosch, a leader of the ERC party.

“Critics worry the prime minister’s inertia has fanned the flames in Catalonia. But time may once again be on the side of Rajoy, who over the last two years successfully resisted pressure to seek an international rescue to ward off a sovereign debt default and to force out cabinet members or party leaders during a corruption scandal.”

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Liverpool Host Struggling Villa LIVERPOOL will aim to extend their winning streak in the Premier League when they host Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday night.

The Reds won their second straight league game in style last weekend with a historic 53 away win over Stoke City.

Luis Suarez continued with his scoring spree by netting a brace to take his tally to 22 goals in 16 matches, while Daniel Sturridge came off the bench to score the fifth goal.

However, Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood says they are not overawed by the challenge of coming up against the onform Reds and is hopeful of a repeat of last season’s 3-1 win.

“It’s part and parcel of your job, if you get fazed by players like Suarez then you’ll never win a game in your career,” said Westwood. “It’s our job; we just go out there and play our own game.

“We turned Liverpool over at Anfield last season and we’ll go there and hopefully do the same again. We’ve gone there and beaten them before so there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Brendan Rodgers’ side are currently in fourth place on the

log standings with 42 points, while Villa are in 11th place with 23 points.

Paul lambert’s side lost 2-1 to Arsenal on Monday night but there was some good news as forward Christian Benteke ended a fourmonth goal drought and Westwood believes he will carry the confidence into Saturday’s game.

“Christian’s got his goal and hopefully that will kick him on now,” he added.

“He was the talk of the premier League last year and I’ve got no doubt he can get back to that.”

When the two sides met earlier this season Sturridge scored the only goal to hand Liverpool a 1-0 win at Villa Park.

Matric Returns To Chelsea

CHELSEA re-signed Serbia midfielder Nemanja Matic on a five-and-a-halfyear contract from Portuguese giants Benfica on Wednesday, the two clubs announced.

In a statement to the Lisbon stock exchange, Benfica said that they will receive 25 million euros (20.8m pounds, $34m) for the sale of Matic, who is now set for his second spell at

Stamford Bridge.

After arriving from MSK Kosice in 2009, he made three substitute appearances in the 2009/10 season and left in January 2011 as part of the deal which brought David Luiz from Benfica to west London.

“I am very happy for this opportunity to be back at this club,” the 25-year-old Matic told Chelsea’s website on Wednesday.

Matic made his name at Kosice before first being signed for Chelsea by then manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Matic made his Chelsea debut aged 21 during a 4-0 league victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and also featured in the titleclinching final-day 8-0 win over Wigan in 2010.

In August 2010, he went on a season-long loan to Vitesse Arnhem to gain more firstteam experience and although the transfer to Benfica was agreed mid-season, he remained in the Netherlands for the rest of that term.

During the 2012/13 season Matic was named Portugal’s player of the month on three occasions and played in all but one of Benfica’s matches on their way to the Europa League final, where they were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea in Amsterdam.

comments he made about referees after Manchester United’s 2-1 Capital One Cup semifinal defeat to Sunderland.

The United manager, who had until 6pm UK time on Jan. 15 to respond to the charge, has requested a non-personal

hearing.

The Scot had said that United were “beginning to laugh at referees” after what he called “terrible” decisions. He had also claimed that the Premier League champions were “playing referees as well as the opposition.”

Moyes was charged on Friday when an FA statement said: “It is alleged the comments called into question the integrity of the match officials appointed to that fixture and/or appointed to Manchester United fixtures generally, and/or implied that such match officials are motivated by bias; and/or brought the game into disrepute, in contravention of Rule E3(1).”

Moyes had also been critical of the officials after Tottenham won 2-1 at Old Trafford on New Year ’s Day, saying referee Howard Webb’s refusal to award a penalty when Hugo Lloris challenged Ashley Young was “an incredible decision, one of the worst I ever saw” and “scandalous.”

Moyes Accepts FA DAVID Moyes has accepted Charge an FA charge of misconduct for

Blues Face United Challenge

CHELSEA will look to boost their own title aspirations and pile further misery on Manchester United when the clubs meet on Sunday at Stamford Bridge for a Premier League clash.

The Blues find themselves third on the log standings, two points adrift of leaders Arsenal, but looking in solid form after racking up five successive victories in league and cup competition.

That sequence of results has seen Chelsea return to their familiar formula of the first Jose Mourinho era: a rock-solid defence allied to a dangerous ability on the counter attack.

Such has been their improvement that many pundits are now installing Chelsea as title favourites.

But this weekend they face the challenge of a wounded Manchester United, who head to West London on the back of a 20 win over Swansea last weekend but find themselves in the unfamiliar position of seventh on the log, 11 points off the pace of the top.

A frustrating season for United looks to be compounded in this January transfer window, as they have yet to hint at any moves in order to bolster their squad. In this regard, Chelsea are again ahead of the Red Devils, as they have strengthened their side with the return of defender Nemanja Matic from Benfica on a fiveand-a-half-year deal.

Mourinho has already begun his ‘mind games’ ahead of Sunday’s clash, stating that United are “not happy: in their current situation under manager David Moyes, though he was quick to add that he believes the Scot will succeed in the long run at Old Trafford.

“I feel very good because of that and just want to say I will give my best to help the team and make the Chelsea fans happy.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, whose side are two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, added: “I am very pleased that Nemanja is returning to Chelsea.

“He has grown as a player in Portugal and has become a fantastic all-round midfielder,” the Portuguese boss added. “I am sure he will become a very important member of the squad and help us to achieve our ambitions.”

The transfer window move was completed just a day after Portugal’s A Bola sports daily quoted Matic saying: “Now is a good time to leave.

I want to improve, I want to play in a better league and I want to go to Chelsea.”

Michael Essien

Essien Set To Leave Chelsea

MICHAEL Essien’s agent has confirmed that the player is likely to leave Chelsea this month.

The Ghana international with a possible loan bid to has been strongly linked the end of the season, but with a move away from are yet to make contact Stamford Bridge this regarding any possible January after struggling for deal. first-team football under “The player will leave Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea and I have had a Milan have been linked

lot of contact from various clubs,” Fabian Piveteau has told Tuttomercatoweb this week.

“But Milan are not among them, not at least have I had direct contact with the Rossoneri.

“I will have some

NEWCASTLE United striker Papiss Cisse has ‘no interest’ in a move to Qatar.

Cisse has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, but according to a source close to the player he has no interest in a move to the Middle East at this stage.

Newcastle United will be aiming to end a threegame losing streak when they take on West Ham on Saturday.

Cisse Has No Interest In A Move To Qatar

Papiss Cisse

Reports have surfaced this week that an unnamed Qatar outfit had made a £9 million bid for the out-of-form marksman, but according to an article published by The Chronicle, the Senegalese striker rather wants to stay on Tyneside and fight for his place.

important meetings this week, then I will fly to London to assess with the club and the player the best solution.”

Read the original article on Football Italia - The ultimate website for English-speaking fans of Italian football

David Moyes

Xavi Hernandez Denies New York Link XAVI Hernandez has dismissed speculation that he could be set to leave Barcelona for one of the two New Yorkbased MLS clubs.

On the cusp of his 700th senior competitive appearance for Barca, as well as his 34th birthday, Xavi has been linked with a summer move to either the new Manchester City-linked franchise New York City, or New York Red Bulls, where he could join up with his former Blaugrana teammate Thierry Henry.

However, the Spain international told Mundo Deportivo that he has not spoken to anyone about moving to the Big Apple.

“Nobody has made me any proposition,” he said. “I know nothing else about New York apart from that it is very cold there. Henry has not called me, nor have I spoken with him. I do not have his telephone number.”

The Catalan playmaker did, though, admit that he almost joined Bayern Munich in 2008, only for Pep Guardiola — having just taken over as Barcelona coach — to persuade him to stay at the Camp Nou. “It was pretty serious,” Xavi said. “There was even a meeting with a Bayern coach and [FIFA agent Giovanni] Branchini.

There was not time for anything.

Pep grabbed me and said I could not go, that he had in mind for Barca to revolve around some certain players, including me, that I could not leave the club.

And I was not wrong. It was another good decision, as my desire is to retire here at Barca.”

Xavi believes it is ironic now, with Guardiola having taken over as Bayern boss last summer

after leaving Barca the year before.

“And who was going to say this,” Xavi said. “Now it is Pep who is at Bayern, these are the turns that football takes. It is incredible.”

Guardiola is the best tactical teacher he has ever had, Xavi added.

“He revolutionised Barcelonismo and world football,” he said. “He brought us to excellence through his demands. We played at an unsurpassable level. He is the coach with whom I have learned most tactically. He said to us, ‘if you pay attention, we will win’.

An interventionist.

He anticipated everything.”

Juventus Welcome Rejuvenated Samp

JUVENTUS’ domination at the top of the table will be put to the test when they host a Sampdoria side reinvigorated under Sinisa Mihajlovic.

The match at the Juventus Stadium on Saturday evening will kick-off at 21h45 (CAT) The Bianconeri asserted themselves as the league leaders after they distanced themselves eight points ahead of title chasers Roma, before brushing aside Cagliari 4-1 last Sunday afternoon.

Carlos Tevez and Fernando

those who aren’t necessarily regular starters - and the results are clear to see.

“One hundred points is something to aim for, but our main objective is the Scudetto, regardless of the number of points we pick up,” he continued. “If we manage the third league title in a row then I think we can talk about the best Juve ever.

“We need to concentrate on what we’re doing - on our path

and the games we’ve got coming up - as opposed to the first year, when we were in pursuit of Milan for almost the whole of the second half of the season.

“If we keep working as hard as we are and maintain our desire to win, we can definitely achieve our Scudetto objective.”

They will, however, have to deal with a Sampdoria side buoyed by their 3-0 win over Udinese and a run of just one win in seven fixtures since Mihajlovic’s takeover.

Portuguese.

And whilst Martino congratulated Ronaldo on winning the prize for a second time, he backed Messi to bounce back in 2014.

“We have to congratulate Cristiano Ronaldo and all of those who won a prize,” he said ahead of Barca’s Copa del Rey last 16, second-leg tie against Getafe on Thursday.

“It is one thing to be the player rewarded for one year and another to be the best and we have the best.”

Messi has made two

substitute appearances in the past week on his return from two months out with a torn hamstring and all but put the tie against Getafe to bed with two late goals to give the Catalans a commanding 4-0 advantage going into the second-leg.

However, despite Barca’s advantage, Martino hinted that his compatriot could start for the first time this year at the Alfonso Perez Coliseum on Thursday.

“Obviously he has come on

in the second-half of the last two games and looked good.

“Tomorrow is a good chance for Leo to continue getting minutes on the field and we need to see if it is convenient to start him or bring him on in the second-half again.”

Andres Iniesta has been left out of the squad to travel to Madrid due to the knock to the knee he picked up in the 0-0 draw away to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, whilst Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are rested.

LYON’S recent improvement continued as they sank Marseille 2-1 at the Stade de Gerland on Wednesday to progress to the semi-finals of the French League Cup. Goals either side of half-time from Yoann Gourcuff and Bafetimbi Gomis took OL through, with Andre-Pierre Gignac scoring a late penalty for the visitors, and OL’s win means they have now lost just once - against Paris SaintGermain - in their last 15 games in all competitions.

Lyon coach Remi Garde said the victory was deserved but added it should be put into context.

“We are happy to qualify obviously but it is a Cup match so one shouldn’t draw too many conclusions,” he said.

His Marseille counterpart Jose Anigo concurred that Lyon deserved to go through and was scathing about his forwards.

“We should have been bolder and were a little too timid,” he said.

“Offensively we failed to put much together.”

Both sides sent out strong starting line-ups in what was a repeat of the 2012 final, when

Marseille won after extra time, and it was two of Lyon’s form men who combined to put the hosts ahead midway through the first half.

Marseille ‘keeper Steve Mandanda could only beat out a dangerous Clement Grenier free-kick and Gourcuff was on hand to convert the rebound.

Mandanda was a busy man in the latter stages of the first half, notably making a great save to deny Milan Bisevac in the 43rd minute, but he could not prevent Lyon from conceding again in the 74th minute.

Alexandre Lacazette played a brilliant one-two with Gourcuff before squaring for Gomis to finish and seemingly put the result beyond doubt.

However, Marseille came from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the last meeting between the two at the same venue last month and they were given hope of forcing extra time when Jimmy Briand handled inside the area in the 89th minute.

Gignac sent Anthony Lopes the wrong way from the resulting spot-kick, but this time Lyon held on.

Earlier, Nantes got the better

Messi Still The Best For Martino

BARCELONA boss Gerardo Martino has insisted that in his opinion Lionel Messi remains the best player in the world despite Cristiano Ronaldo being awarded the Ballon d’Or on Monday.

Messi missed a large chunk football’s highest individual of 2013 due to muscle injuries, accolade by little more than but still only missed out on two percent in the voting to the

Lyon Sink Marseille To Progress In League Cup

• Lionel Messi

Seedorf Underlines Milan Challenge CLARENCE Seedorf said a pair of Champions League there is “a lot to do” if he is to Ahead crowns. hoist AC Milan back to the heights of European and domestic football after he arrived in Italy on Wednesday.

Dutch veteran Seedorf announced on Tuesday that he is to take over as coach of Milan, a day after the seven-time European champions sacked Massimiliano Allegri in the wake of a shock weekend loss to Serie A strugglers Sassuolo.

Seedorf, the first man to win the Champions League with three different clubs after stellar spells with Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan, has spent the past 18 months with Botafogo in Brazil.

The 37-year-old arrived at Milan’s San Siro ground on Wednesday evening to meet the players in time to see a 3-1 Italian Cup win over La Spezia.

Llorente continued their love affair with life in Turin with their exciting combination play and finishing.

Stefan Lichsteiner, a player who rarely gets the credit he deserves, was in phenomenal form after assisting with two goals and scoring one himself to cap off an all round convincing display.

“After winning the Scudetto two years in a row it’s never easy,” Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio told Sky Sport Italia. “This group have always given their all - even

After Sunday’s reverse, Milan sit 11th in the Serie A table, 30 points behind leaders Juventus and 20 behind Napoli, who occupy the third and last qualifying spot for the Champions League.

Seedorf, who was mobbed by waiting media at Milan’s Linate airport after his flight from Brazil, told the in-house Milan Channel: “There’s a lot to do to hoist Milan back to the top.”

But he reassured the club’s desperate fans by adding: “I can’t really call this a comeback, because I never really went away.”

As a Milan player Seedorf was a figurehead, making more than 400 appearances and winning the Serie A title twice as well as

The Surinam-born star had his first taste of European glory with Ajax in 1995, a second success with Real Madrid three years later and he then won club football’s top prize with Milan in 2003 and 2007.

Seedorf, who added a Rio league crown to his CV last year, had been expected to prolong his stay in Brazil but was widely believed to have had a clause inserted into his Botafogo deal allowing him to leave for a top coaching post.

His performances in midfield helped Botafogo to qualify for the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of Europe’s Champions League, which starts on January 29, for the first time in 18 years.

of Nice in a seven-goal thriller, triumphing 4-3 at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

Nice won at the same venue in the French Cup earlier this month and a brilliantly-struck Didier Digard free-kick put them in front in the first half.

Serbian striker Filip Djordjevic scored twice in four minutes at the start of the second period to turn the tie around, only for Timothee Kolodziejczak to head Nice level again.

Oswaldo Vizcarrondo put Nantes back in front, but when Dario Cvitanich made it 3-3 in the 85th minute, extra time loomed.

Yet, moments later, a brilliant Serge Gakpe strike won it for Nantes.

They are joined in the semifinals by second-tier side Troyes, who ran out surprising 3-1 winners against last season’s French Cup finalists Evian.

Ligue 1 leaders Paris SaintGermain won 3-1 away to Bordeaux on Tuesday, goals from Javier Pastore, Adrien Rabiot and Blaise Matuidi taking Laurent Blanc’s side through to the last four and keeping alive their dream of a domestic treble.

Bayelsa Hopes To Host NSF THE Bayelsa Government

Tennis Championship

Nigeria Outshines Other African Countries

TEAM Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja topped eight African countries participating in the West and Central Africa Junior Tennis Championships (AJTC) qualifiers.

The qualifiers, which is the third edition of the West and Central AJTC qualifiers, is scheduled to hold from January 12 to January 20.

The championship is ongoing at the Package B of the Abuja National Stadium.

NAN reports that all the countries that played in the semifinals of the championship had qualified automatically to represent their countries at the AJTC, billed for March in Kenya.

In the Boys’ U-16 category, Sylvester Emmanuel from Nigeria defeated Antoine Gbadoe from Togo after two sets of 6-2, 7-6.

Michael Michael from Nigeria beat Patheme Diangathebe from Gabon 6-3, 62, to qualify Nigeria for the finals.

Miaga Yacouba from Mali took the 5th position, which also qualified him for the junior

Basketball:

Honeywell Restates Commitment To League Sponsorship HONEYWELL Flour Mills, the sponsors of the ongoing Youth Alive Community Basketball League in Lagos, on Wednesday said it aimed at discovering budding talents for future competitions.

The company’s Commercial Director, Mr Lanre Jaiyeola, told newsmen in Lagos that the company would remain committed to the league.

“We hope that at the end of the day, we would have recruited new basketball players that will take further interest in the game and participate at the senior level.

“The organisers are doing their best by developing young talents and keeping them away from negative vices.

“The whole exercise of partnering with the project is to help to improve basketball in Lagos,’’ Jaiyeola said.

He also said that the company would use the opportunity of the competition to showcase its products.

“We have our brand product, Honeywell Noodles, solidly behind this project; our brand is a youthful brand, which is very familiar to the young ones.

“The youth have been our core target consumers; we believe that one of the ways of giving back to them is to support sporting activities that concern them,’’ Jaiyeola said.

The league is now in its sixth week. It resumed after the Christmas and the New Year holidays with matches played at the Mobolaji Sports Complex, Yaba.

In the matches played so far, Warlord Academy narrowly defeated Strong Tower at 25-24 in the U-18 boys’ category while Deepbond Academy spanked Zion Academy 28-20.

championship.

In the Girls U-16, Zainab Oladimeji and Elizabeth Pam, both from Nigeria, emerged the finalists after defeating their Cote d’viore counterparts, Amandine Kouadio and Marie Sia. Nigerian players emerged the finalists of the U-14 Boys category with Peter Lawal from Nigeria beating Anozie Chidera from Nigeria 6-0, 6-2, to qualify for the finals.

Also, Christopher Itodo from Nigeria defeated Delmas N’tcha from Benin Republic after the two sets of 6-3, 6-2, to join the finalists.

In the U-14 Girls semi-finals, Aichata Keita from Mali beat Charity Patrick from Nigeria 61, 6-1, with Barakat Quadri from Nigeria losing to Ella Avomo of Gabon, to qualify Gabon for the finals.

Yacouba Maiga from Mali and Patherne Diangathebe from Gabon qualified for the finals of the U-16 Boy’s Doubles after defeating Abamu Martins and Timibra Godgift, both from Nigeria, after three sets of 6-2, 2-6,10-5.

on Thursday expressed confidence that the state would one day host the National Sports Festival (NSF) considering the facilities it was putting in place.

The Director of Sports, Isaac Mark-Tubo, told newsmen in Yenagoa that the government was determined to provide facilities in all its stadia.

Mark-Tubo said the State Sports Council had established offices in about five local governments of the state to enhance sports development.

He added that the council had also ensured that it reached out to the various local government councils.

He said the ongoing construction work by the government at the Asuama Community Sports Academy was a step in the right direction.

“The swimming pool is still under construction and the same goes for facilities for other sports; all these are geared toward the day we can host the NSF or any national event in Bayelsa.

“I know equipment is one of the criteria for hosting but we have not got them now.

“I believe that in no distant

Bolaji Abdullahi

Abolition Of Players

Sign-On-Fees A Good Decision - Eguma

LAGOS - The Head Coach of Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt, Stanley Eguma, says the abolition of signon fees by the League Management Company (LMC) was a good decision. good decision but it is too Eguma told newsmen in late to be adhered to this Lagos that though the season. decision was best, it had “This is because the the tendency to generate league was meant to have controversies because it started since last year and was taken at the wrong club managers have time. already engaged players According to him, clubs who are expecting sign-on have already engaged fees. players for the 2013/2014 “If it was brought up season and it will create prior to now, it would have misunderstanding. been a milestone, but it can “The initiative is a good be fully implemented in one as players are now 2015 based on contracts going to be paid on basis that had already been made of performance. It is a very for 2013/2014 season,’’

Eguma told newsmen.

Reports say that following the abolition of the sign-on fees from the 2013/14 season, the LMC said that an enhanced salary scheme would come on stream.

LMC had said that henceforth, no complaint of non-payment of signon fees by players would be entertained.

On preparations by Dolphin FC for the forthcoming season, Eguma said the team had

improved on the intensity of its preparations by engaging in stiffer friendly matches.

“We are preparing well.

We have also been playing friendly matches here and there and soon, we will be on our way to Lagos to play in anticipation of the league.

“Its part of a way of fine-tuning for the season”, he told newsmen.

The Globacom Premier League 2013/2014 season would start on Februay 23.

This was announced b

Abia Warriors Sign 5 Foreign Players

LAGOS - The newly promoted Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia on Wednesday signed-on five foreign players ahead of the 2013/2014 Globacom Premier League starting on January 22.

Igwe Onuoha, the club’s Media Officer, told newsmen on telephone that the players were two Ivoirians, Toure Idriss, a striker, and Ngouan Ibelson, a midfielder.

He said the others were a striker from the

Republic of Benin, Kuassi Judi, a central defender, Xavier Abar and another player from Senegal, Pierre Merch.

Onuoha said that the Warriors had been training twice daily at the renovated Umuahia Township Stadium.

“Some soccer-hungry fans, who have been part of the training sessions, swarm daily to the arena to catch the action, especially to see the foreign players.

The players put up some brilliant performances that won the admiration of the fans with a technical crew led by former Super Eagles player, Emeka Ezeugo,’’ he said.

According to him, Ezeugo expressed his happiness at the arrival of the players, saying their presence has engendered more positive competition in the squad.

Onuoha, however, added that Ezeugo could not, for

now, name the final squad for the season because the club was still playing some friendly matches to determine the final selection.

The media officer added that Ezeugo, the club’s Technical Adviser, was finalising strategies and concentrating on physical training that would see the players through the whole season.

Onuoha said that Ezeugo had also commended the management of the club for its assistance, and promised that they would not disappoint their numerous fans.

time we will be in a position to host such major events,” MarkTubo said.

On the state’s performance in national competitions, the director said it had never lagged behind.

“We have been doing well in national and international events.

Our athletes won the best female wrestler in 2013 Commonwealth Wrestling Competition.

“Beyelsa did well in the 5th Chief of Naval Staff Swimming competition in Oghara, Delta in 2013.

“We clinched the second position, while Delta took first; we won a total of 7 gold and 3 bronze medals,” he said.

Mark-Turbo said that inadequate funding was the bane of sports development, adding that the state’s sports officials had been progressing with the available finance.

We ’ll Do Our Best

- Crown FC LAGOS - Oladuni Oyekale, Head Coach, Crown FC of Ogbomosho, said that the team would strive to have a good outing at the 2013/2014 Glo Premier League season.

Oyekale told newsmen in Lagos that the goal of the team was to stabilise itself in the league, being its second time of participating in the professional league.

Reports say that the Crown FC was among the four clubs that were promoted from the Nigeria National League to the professional league during the 2012/2013 season.

The club was founded in 1994 and got promoted to the professional league during the 2010/2011 season, but was later relegated.

“Any new team that is coming into the professional league after a while, the first thing they want to do is to stabilise themselves in the league.

“And the state government has taken a step towards that direction by employing the person of Lawrence Akpokona as the technical adviser of the team.

“We believe we will do our best under his guidance and I pray that God will give us the strength to achieve our goal,” he said.

The coach said that the team has been engaging in several friendly matches to prepare itself, ahead of the commencement of the league.

Reports say that the 2013/ 2014 season would kick-off in February.

Amindu Maigari

CMYK

Gold Diggers On The Prowl

When Lady Joy Ijie ran into trouble with the law a few months ago, she probably thought the gods were against her. But providence intervened and her sad encounter metamorphosed into good fortune. The end part is familiar to many of us-she became a millionaire shortly after. So peculiar is her case that even in churches (I witnessed this during the prayer session that ushered in the 2014 New Year) her case became a serious prayer point that has continued to elicit thunderous ‘hallelujah’. Now every Jack, Jill and Okoro wants to experience her breathrough without breaking a sweat. In truth, nothing is wrong for anyone to be ‘so blessed’ (no apology to my christian brother who employ the spiritual 419 phrase as a tactic to exploit the unsuspecting), except however, that a number of individthals are capitalizing on her experience to blackmail the state government. Just recently, news made the round that Mrs. Oikhena, mother of Daniel, the stow away young man who escaped death by a hair’s breath when he stunningly rode on the wheel compactment of an Arik aircraft from Benin City, Edo state capital, to Lagos, is running round town with tales of government neglect of her son. The reports have it that she had a meeting with a number of correspondents in the state capital with claims that the state government has reneged on the promise to offer scholarship to her son.

However, upon failing to convince the newsmen, she sought audience with opposition leaders in a desperate attempt to politicize her claims for pecuniary benefits. While the task here is not to question her freedom to meet with or discuss matters she so choose, one must not fail to point out that in an attempt to exercise any such rights, care must be taken to ensure that truth is not

situated on its head.

That is the thrust of this piece. Let me begin by considering reports about her comments on the encounter between Oshiomhole and Mrs Ifijeh, the widow given some money by Edo state

schools in Benin City even though initial evaluation carried out on him indicated that he is intelligent, he lacked the requisite academic qualification or inclination to be there. To prop him up, the state government added the

did not want him to share in the notorious limelight that greeted the young man’s misadventure. Of course, the state cannot afford to have its future leaders reduced to deviants by allowing them to be guided under such a background. In

benefit and services of a qualified psychologist having realized that his desperate conduct is as a result of stark deficiency in terms of parental care particularly as investigations not only revealed that he is from a broken home but also because his mother has no life supporting or sustaining values to inculcate in him, judging from her serial false claims, among which is her lie that her husband was bedridden just because she

other words, the government offered scholarship to the youngman first, to steer him him away from harm’s way and offer him a life time opportunity to do something good with his life when it became obvious that leaving him to be guided by the whims and caprices of the broken home he came from was nothing but an open invitation to a preventable future disaster. As we speak, the boy is still a student of

• Governor Adams Oshiomhole

Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, following an earlier incident that drew genuine people’s ire. If they are anything to go by, it is obvious that rather than a genuine concern for her son’s welfare, Mrs Oikhena’s real intention is more of what she wants to collect from the state government.

She is wondering out loudly that if the widow could be compensated by the governor, she also deserves some. Gladly, opposition elements have, so far, ignored her having obvious adjudged her as inordinately intended.

For the avoidance of doubt, the rumour of reneged promises being peddled by Mrs. Oikhena is certainly not true. In the first instance, the young man is a student of Edo College, one of the best public

By ERNEST OMOARELOJIE Edo College, sponsored by the state government.

Certainly, that is not a promise reneged?

If Mrs. Oikhena is sincere with herself, she should be gracious enough to realize that she ought to have been answering real questions concerning her role in her son’s outrageous misconduct.

That obviously explains why some observers are miffed that she was not questioned for her inability to act as a genuine parent by responsibly monitoring and guiding her son’s conduct prior to the regretably bizzare incident that brought him ignoble global attention.

For them, rather than the iconic and cult image adulation that greeted his risky journey, the young man ought to have been taken straight to a remand home for compromising public safety. Taking such action, they reasoned quite rationally, will, at least, send the message that escaping from economic hardship, as some would have us believe, does not grant to anyone the right to put other people’s life in danger.

Certainly, our laws do not allow that.

For the avoidance of doubt, the seriousness of his action would, by now, have sunk into our tragic consciousness if we had taken the pain to seriously appreciate the fact it could have resulted in the crash of the aircraft and inevitable loss of tens of innocent lives.

It probably would have sunk in faster if any of those precious lives belonged to our loved ones. While thanking God that it did not happen, one cannot but state here that such a worse case reality would certainly have been enough for every right thinking individual and

or group, including Mrs. Oikhena, to pray more for the complete rehabilitation of the like of Daniel whom she failed to guid well. Does she now want to be compensated for failing her son, herself as a true mother or even the larger society which her failure put at risk?

Certainly, that can only be an abuse of goodwill.

Giving the magnitude of what Daniel did and the unusual but commendable rehabilitation benevolence of the state government, it is indeed very difficult to understand why rather than quietly resort to prayers for her son’s complete transformation from being an impudent rascal into a sane realist, Mrs. Oikhena is striving to enarmour his misdemeamor by having him celebrated and or rewarded as the case has been but that she must also be paid, perhaps for her disservice to humanity. That cannot be encouraged by any reasonable government, individual or group. Certainly, even by the standard of the rabble loving opposition in the state, it still cannot be tolerated hence they have not shown any inclination so far to be so irresponsibly identified.

What remains to be done is that Nigerians should rise above sentiments and prevail on Mrs. Oikhena to think more about how to be a real mother known more for inculcating responsible and worthy societal values on her children rather than being one with an uncanny penchant for attempting to reap where she did not sow.

For all intents and purposes, she appears, for now, to be a gold digger on the loose, who must be avoided.

Certainly, that is not a good of a genuine mother worth her name.

“Giving the magnitude of what Daniel did and the unusual but commendable rehabilitation benevolence of the state government, it is indeed very difficult to understand why rather than quietly resort to prayers for her son’s complete transformation from being an impudent rascal into a sane realist, Mrs. Oikhena is striving to enarmour his misdemeamor by having him celebrated and or rewarded as the case has been but that she must also be paid, perhaps for her disservice to humanity. That cannot be encouraged by any reasonable government, individual or group.

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