THE NIGERIAN
The Nigerian
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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 OPINION Page 22 Another inconsequential cry!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
• Vol. 38 NO.334• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 20 13 • N100.00
Omo Omoruyi, a political scholar per excellence - Mark By JOSES SEDE
ABUJA - President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has
lamented the death of University Scholar and former Director- General of the defunct Centre for
Democratic Studies (CDS) Professor Omo Omoruyi, whom he described as a political encyclopedia .
Senator Mark, in a reaction to the demise of the elder statesman, said the nation has lost one of Continues on page 2
Human Trafficking
NAPTIP rescues 50 victims
KANO - The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) said it rescued over 50 victims of trafficking in the Kano Zone of the agency from January to September. The states in Kano
EDO STATE EMPLOYMENT AND EXPENDITURE FOR RESULTS (SEEFOR) PROJECT AND EDO STATE RAPID RESPONSE AGENCY.
Zone are Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa and Plateau. Malam Aliyu Kalli, the agency’s Head of Public Enlightenment in the zone, told reporters in
Kano yesterday that the agency recorded 32 cases of human trafficking, child labour and child abuse within the period. “The victims have undergone various counselling and rehabilitation both medically and psychologically before
they were reunited with their families.’’ According to him, the agency has concluded investigation into 20 of the cases and has also
prosecuted those involved in the offences. He said that the remaining cases were still under investigation. Kalli said that the
APC begins membership registration
CREDIT NO 5022 RFQ NO: ED/SEEFOR/NS/PW/2013/LOT1-8 Re: REQUEST FOR QUOTATION EXTENSION OF DEADLINE With reference to the above named advert published in the NIGERIAN OBSERVER of Wednesday 2nd October, 2013, (Page 10), the SEEFOR Project has extended by one week, the submission of bids for its public works contract. The extension is to make up for the public holiday. The new deadline for submission is THURSDAY 24TH OCTOBER, 2013 by 2pm prompt. The Project Coordinator, State Employment and Expenditure for Results, (SEEFOR) Project, Ministry of Budget and Planning and Economic Development. 8th Floor, Palm House, Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State E-mail address: edoseefor@gmail.com
TIT BIT “When you assist a fallen man to his feet, you may discover that he is lying on the key you have been searching for, all of the ‘time”. - Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama
agency had secured conviction of six persons for human trafficking and child abuse within the period under review. The public enlightenment officer solicited the cooperation of the populace in tackling human trafficking and other related offences. He commended the media as well as Continues on page 2
COMMISSIONING: The Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe cutting the tape to officially commission the Free Health Care Service/Mobile Clinic organised by Hon. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Ativie of Edo State House of Assembly, at Ewan in Isi-South Ward, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State. With him is the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Festus Ebea. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
ABUJA - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it would begin the registration of its members nationwide “tentatively” in November. The Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this known during an interview with newsmen of the party in Abuja. “We have to plan the logistics, if you do not plan well you are not going to achieve anything. “So what we are doing
now, we are at the level
Speaker faults timing of Nat Confab
LAGOS - Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has observed that the proposed national conference is good idea but its timing is faulty. Hon. Ikuforiji made the observation at Epe Town during the Eid-el-Kabir Celebration. He said, “The president should have given the direction earlier, National Conference is a good
idea”. He expressed worry over the timing of the conference, asking why it comes up nearer to the election time.
The speaker further explained that it is difficult to get good meaningful outcome 14 months to the 2015
election time. Ikuforiji explained that the conference should have come first year of the p r e s i d e n t ’ s
ILORIN - The Kwara Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Mr. Olanrewaju Salam,
yesterday called on Nigerians to always promote and celebrate
the rich cultural heritage of the nation. Salam, who made the
Continues on page 2
administration. He added, “No good number of people would take the president serious”. He emphasized that on May 29, 2015, there
Continues on page 2
OPC calls for promotion of Nigeria’s call in a statement made cultural heritage available to newsmen in Ilorin, said that a nation’s cultural
Continues on page 2
THE NIGERIAN
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News
‘Omo Omoruyi, a political scholar per excellence’
Continued from page 1 the best and fertile minds in politics and academics. According to him, “Omoruyi was an academic and political giant who was very vast in the political
history of Nigeria and Africa,” saying that a vacuum has been created with his exit. He said, “Nigerians and generations yet unborn would
remember Omo Omoruyi as a scholar who was ever ready to offer useful direction especially during difficult times.”
Continued from page 1 would be new administration in Abuja and if leadership has failed few months to the end of its tenure people will not have trust.
He said few percentage of Nigerians do not take the president serious, citing Lagos-Ibadan Road as instance of contract not fulfilled by the president.
On security, Hon. Ikuforiji maintained that security must be proper but nothing is shown in that respect. He revealed that the problem in
Senator Mark urged the government and people of Edo state especially the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that Omoruyi lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.
Speaker faults timing of Nat Confab Nigerian is artificially created by some selfish people. Ikuforiji therefore advised Nigerians to be their brothers’ keeper and uplift Nigeria together.
APC begins membership registration (INEC) and the security
Continued from page 1
of planning because the
exercise will take place all over Nigeria,” he said. According to him, the nationwide membership registration will strengthen the party and enable it to contest all future elections in the country. Mohammed said that the party had harmonised and finalised the process as well as create a format of its activities that would enable it to participate in future elections. He told newsmen that harmonisation of membership registration into the party would also be carried out from ward level to ensure that all its members are registered. He said APC had successfully conducted its primaries in Anambra, noting that, “it is on record
that we are the only political party that has a transparent and direct primary. “This simply means that our party loyalists voted from the ward to the state levels,” he said. Muhammed expressed
optimism that the party would excel in the forthcoming Nov. 16, governorship election in Anambra. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission
UBIAJA - As Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid-elkabir festival, Nigerians have been admonished to shun all violent and anti social vices capable of destroying the unity and peaceful coexistence of the nation. Yunusa Usman, the Imam of Ubiaja central mosque, in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State gave the admonition as part of his sermon to mark this year’s festival. The Imam in strong tearms condemned the activities of Boko Haram
set, describing it as evil and satanic agents sponsored against Islam . Meanwhile, at Irrua community in Esan Central Local Government Area, it was fun at the palace of the traditional ruler, HRH, William Momodu II, where Moslem faithful were treated to a party. Addressing newsmen, HRH, thanked almighty Allah for forgiving their sins and keeping them during the period of fasting while calling on all Muslims to pray for
agencies to discharge their responsibility credibly. “We just hope that INEC would create a level playing ground, the security agencies will do the same, and violence will be curbed,” he said.
Protect nation’s unity, Imam By OKOH INNOCENT urges Nigerians
themselves and Nigeria. Also at Ewu community, it was festivity all the way as the people were seen in groups feasting and in meriment. At the palace, the traditional ruler, HRH, Rasak Ojeifo the III, who equally treated Muslim faithful and friends to a banquet, wished all a joyful and peaceful celebration while enjoining faithful to emulate prophet Mohammed, by avoiding excessive intake of alcohol and be law abiding.
Ativie-Flags Off Free Medicare for Uhunmwode By RAYMOND OSOGBE
EWAN (UHUNMWODE) Hon. Ehizabeth Ativie, member representing Uhunmwode Constituency in Edo State House of Assembly has reiterated her resolve to give back to her constituents a worthy free health care. The House of Assembly member disclosed this yesterday at Ewan Village in Isi-South ward of Uhunmwode Local Government Area. Delivering a brief address Hon Ativie lamented the prevalence of poverty in the locality, which she said inspired her to embark on the free health care programme for the people of her constituency. She expressed her resolve to sustain the free health care programme for all Uhunmwode constituents with the collaboration of sensitive stakeholders. Hon. Ativie explained that the health initiative that parades a mobile state of the art clinic and seasoned medical and para-medical personnel will go round the ten wards in Uhunmwode in the first phase of the exercise. She called on the hospital at Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Area. Also speaking, Speaker of Edo State House of
Assembly, Rt Hon. Uyi Igbe, lauded the brilliant and humanitarian initiative of Hon. Ativie. He called on the chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Hon. Roland Alori, to key into the programme with a view of minimizing cost and continuously sustain the initiative. Others who spoke on the occasion appreciated the
initiative of Hon. Ativie and praised her courage being the only woman member of the House of Assembly for launching such a gigantic constituency project. The speaker was accompanied to the trip by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Festus Ebea and other dignitaries, including Chairman Edo State Medical Association, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro, comrade Desmond Agbama, Chairman, Nigeria Union of
Journalists, Edo State Council and the Enogie of Ewan, His royal Highness Owenaze Idemudia. Highlights of the event was the cutting of the tape to formally commission the mobile clinic and the free health programme and subsequent check of the speaker and deputy speakers health status inside the mobile clinic. Meanwhile the free health initiative train moves to Obadan in Ohuan ward of Uhunmwode today.
OPC calls for promotion of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage Continued from page 1 heritage was its identity. The OPC boss, who is also the Chairman of Olokun Foundation in Kwara, said this year’s Oya Festival would hold between Nov. 15 and Nov. 26, at Ira in Oyun Local
NAPTIP rescues 50 victims
Continued from page 1
traditional and religious leaders in the zone for their support, calling for greater collaboration with the agency in its fight against human trafficking.
Government Area of the state. According to him, the organisers of the Oya festival— Olokun Festival Foundation — is an organisation promoting the cultural heritage of the Yoruba. Salam said, “A nation’s culture is the total way of life of the people, hence the need for the Yoruba nation to always promote its rich cultural heritage’’. He said that culture had become a global phenomenon where every nation of the world showcased its culture to the outside world. “Festival is a culture and not
a religion. Hardly can you see a state without the Ministry of Culture. “At this point, we need to celebrate our heroes/ heroines and deities and showcase them to the outside world for them to see our rich and diverse cultural heritage,’’ he added. Salam called on the Governments of Kwara and Kogi States to collaborate with the organisers of the Oya Festival to make it a grand success. “We hereby call on Kwara and Kogi Governments, the Ministry of Culture and the National Museum to give total support and fully participate in this year’s edition of Oya Festival,’’ Salam said.
Keffi residents throng recreation parks for Eid-el-Kabir KEFFI (NASARAWA) Residents of Keffi in Nasarawa yesterday thronged recreational parks and other social gardens to celebrate the Ed el-Kabir festival. Our correspondent who went round the town, reports that gaily dressed residents of all ages moved round town in search of recreation spots. Hajia Maryam Sani, the proprietor of Peace Garden, Keffi, told newsmen that she was enjoying high patronage from fun seekers. Sani said the garden had a massive picnic space as well as facilities for various games which had attracted many families. “Parents are bringing in their children to play and enjoy our services. They find the patronage satisfactory and we are expecting more families,” she said. Another parent, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, said he had always brought his children to the park during festivities as the garden was peaceful and well organised. Mr Nasir Musa, a fruits vendor, said he brought his fruits to the garden because he believed that patronage would be high as a result of the celebration. “Most families are here with foods and drinks, but none is here with fruits,” he observed. Mr Joseph Ibrahim, a photographer, expressed surprise at the upsurge in patronage by customers anxious to keep memories of the celebration. Similarly at the Keffi Motor Park, commuter cars and buses were busy conveying passengers to various destinations within and outside the state.
A passenger, Alhaji Suliman Ago, told newsmen that his family preferred to celebrate with members of his extended family in Lafia. Hajia Safia Bello, another passenger travelling to Lafia, said that there were better recreation parks for her children there. She, however, appealed to the government and private investors to provide more recreation centres in all local government areas to minimise the long journeys in search of such facilities during festivities. “If we had enough parks in Keffi, we will avoid unnecessary movements of children to other destinations to seek for recreation centres,” she said. Another passenger, Hajia Gogo Salau, a widow, however, told newsmen that she was on her way to Lafia to attend a Sallah party for widows and orphans. Some other Muslims resident in Tamah and Laminga, both suburbs of keffi, said they were marking a low profile festival. One of them, Malam Tanimu Iliya, a lecturer at the Nasarawa Polytechnic, said that although workers’ salaries were paid, one would have to spend wisely. “The next salary will be in November, so we have to minimise expenditures,” he pointed out. Another resident, Mrs. Rukaya Mohammed, said that with the recent crises around the state, there was no need for elaborate celebrations.
Only God can determine my governorship ambition - Lagos Speaker LAGOS - Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, said only God could determine his governorship ambition. “As a believer, I know that when the time comes, the Almighty God will show the light and make it clear that this is your next direction and your next seat. “No matter the noise, the plotting of the coup and counter coup, what God has destined to be, no man can stop,” Ikuforiji told newsmen in Epe, during the Eid-elKabir celebrations. He said that he became the speaker by
the will of God, and that only God would determine his next political step in 2015. He called for peaceful co-existence among Muslims and Christians, saying that both religions preach brotherliness. “We have to be our brother’s keeper; no God ever sent anyone to go and kill on His behalf. “We cannot say we want to serve God without serving people; God has brought us together for a purpose. “God, in His wisdom, brought us together and we must make use of the advantage of our unity in diversity,” he said.
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News APC On Rescue Mission In Anambra
Flood Wreaks Havoc UYO- Heavy down pour has In Uyo rendered hundreds of Uyo residents in Akwa Ibom homeless and destroyed property worth millions of naira, newsmen report. Residents of Anua, Nsikan Eduok and Atan Offot on Olusegun Obasanjo Way were mostly affected as some of them lost household items including clothes, chairs and beddings. Some residents of Eniong and Mbiabong Housing Estate said the downpour had destroyed their household items worth millions of naira. The rain, which started on Monday night, lasted several hours; it submerged many houses and obstructed vehicular movements in some parts the state capital. Mrs. Affiong Udoh, a house wife at Atan Offot Village, told newsmen in Uyo that she had hectic day salvaging some property from the flood. She lamented that the rug, refrigerator and other electrical appliances in her house were completely soaked and may not be useful again. Udoh, who called on the State Government to come to the aid of the residents, blamed the flood on indiscriminate development in the state capital. Also, the President of Mbiabong Estate Residents Association, Mr Anselm Etuk, said his house was completely submerged by the flood. Etuk said that flooding was a perennial problem in the estate and appealed to the state government to extend its flood control technology to the area. Another resident of the estate, Mrs Florence Eyo, whose house was submerged, said: “in 2011, I
lost all my property and started all over; in 2012, I had the same experience.” Eyo said the residents of the estate had been tormented over the years by flood and appealed to the government to come to their aid. Newsmen recalls that N13.6 billion had been invested in “pipe jacking flood control technology’’ by the state government. The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Mr Enobong Uwah, whose Ministry oversees flood control, did not respond to text messages on measures taken to curb flood in the affected areas.
- Ngige
Vice President Namadi Sambo (left), presenting a giant greeting card to President Goodluck Jonathan, when he led FCT residents to pay homage to the President during Eid-el Kabir celebration in Abuja on Tuesday.
Omoseniomwan Imuagbonhen Passes On
L-R: Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; IG Mohammed Abubakar and the National Security Adviser, Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, exchanging greetings during Eid-el Kabir homage to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Tuesday.
NGO Empowers Citizens With N1.2bn Equipment
ONITSHA (ANAMBRA)The Civil Awareness Economic Empowerment Initiative says 20,000 people would benefit from its programme in Anambra. The South East Supervisor of the Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr Steve Ugwu, announced the gesture in Onitsha, Anambra while distributing some of the empowerment materials. Ugwu said the equipment worth N1.2 billion comprised of tricycles, laptops, grinding machines, sewing machines, plumbing machines and vulcanising machines, among others. He said the move was to complement the efforts of the various levels of government to create employment and fight poverty and hunger in the country. “The initiative is a partnering with both local and international organisations to provide the materials to Nigerians at a very low rate so that they could be economically engaged and stay off
AWKA- Senator Chris Ngige said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) was in the state on a rescue mission. Ngige, who is the party’s flag bearer in the Nov. 16 governorship election, made the declaration while inaugurating 16 subcommittees for his campaign. The sub-committees are expected to work in collaboration with the national and state campaign committees which were earlier inaugurated to actualise the governorship ambition. He named Chief George Muoghalu as the Director-General of the Ngige Campaign Organisation and charged him to ensure his victory. Ngige said that if elected as governor, his administration would ensure the security of lives and property in the state. “Victory for APC on Nov. 16 will bring a lot for the state. It will give Anambra people the security of their lives and property.
crime. “A total of N1.2 billion equipment had been mobilised to Anambra and more is still coming. “We have discovered that the major cause of crime in Nigeria is joblessness; that is why we are assisting the government to fight evil through job creation. “Our major appeal is that these
first set of beneficiaries should redeem their commitment so that we can extend it to others,” he said. Also speaking, the Anambra Coordinator of the group, Dr Ignatius Chukwuma, regretted the slight delay in distributing the materials. Chukwuma attributed the delay to the painstaking adminis-
New Tax Law: IKWO (EBONYI)- The Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions at the Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, has give the state 21 days to reverse its new tax regime. The Chairman of the committee, Mr Greg Esheye, warned that an industrial action loomed unless the tax was reversed. Esheye said the ultimatum which commenced on October 14
trative process for ensuring the authenticity of the beneficiaries. The empowerment process is on and about 20,000 people of Anambra are targeted; it is almost free, all we need is a guarantor and it is open for youths and women,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the other beneficiaries, Mr Francis
Ibeekendu thanked the organisation, saying he did not believe it was a reality. He expressed happiness that the day of idleness was over and promised to keep to the terms and conditions of the agreement. The reports has that tricycles were given to the beneficiaries at N590, 000 and they were expected to N 30,000 monthly for 18 months.
OKADA - The death has been announced of MRS. O M O S E N I O M WA N IMUAGBONHEN (nee Osemwota) of Okada in Ovia N/ E Local Government Area of Edo State at the age of 94 years. In a release signed by the Son, Comrade Johnson Imuagbonhen said that the burial will start on the 18th October 2013 with lying in state at her residence No, 2, Uwadia Avenue, Off Mission Road, Okada on the 18 October 2013 followed by night-wake and interment while the thanksgiving service will take place at Church of Christ Okada congregation. Until her death she was a successful traditional midwife. Late Mrs. Imuagbonhen was survived by Comrade Johnson Imuagbonhen, Mr. Stephen Imuagbonhen, grand and great grandchildren.
Unions Seek Abrogation
was part of resolutions at the congress held in the college. He noted that other issues which the congress addressed included streamlining the condition of service for college staff, constitution of governing council for the institution and the introduction of pension and gratuity for its staff members. Others were entrenchment of 65 years retirement age for lec-
turers as obtained in other institutions of higher learning in the country, payment of two years leave allowance owed to the staff members and payment of arrears of the new salary structure awarded to workers in November 2012. According to Esheye, the new tax law which came into effect in September is outrageous and designed to impoverish the work-
ers. He said the new tax regime was increased by more than 500 per cent, noting that such development was capable of triggering industrial unrest in the institution. “We took a survey of 22 federal and state colleges of education across the country and discovered that no college
Late Mrs. Omoseniomwan Imuagbonhen
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Across The Nation Eid-El Kabir: Plateau Spends N42m On Gifts
JOS- The Plateau Government says it spent over N42 million to purchase some items which were distributed to some Muslims in the state as Eid-el-
Kabir gifts. Malam Idi Waziri, the state’s Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, made the disclosure in Jos.
He said this while presenting some of the items to inmates of the Jos prison and some disabled persons at the city’s central mosque, which is otherwise
known as “Masallachin Juma’a’’. The commissioner said the donation to the Muslim faithful was a clear indication that the Gov. Jonah Jang administration
has the interest of all Muslims residing in the state at heart. “The donation of these items is part of the governor’s kind gestures to the Muslims in the state, as is done during every festive period. “This year, he insisted that in the distribution, keen attention should be paid to the less privileged and the vulnerable in the society, which is a clear indication that this administration has the interest of everyone at heart. “This suggests why we have come to present some of these items to those at the prison and the disabled as well,’’ he said. Waziri said the love Gov. Jang has for the Muslim faithful led
to his recent sponsorship of over 400 people in the state to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj. He said about 200 of the over 400 were however sponsored by the various local governments in the state, adding that this had cost the state government over N300 million. The commissioner called on Muslims to pray for the peace and development of Plateau, saying “what peace can’t give someone, violence will not as well’’. Reports that items distributed included 500 rams and 1,000 bags of foreign rice.
Revert To Old Pension Scheme, FG Urged
L-R: Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT Chapter, Rev. Israel Akanji, Bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and Acting Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Sheik Ibrahim Makari, during Eid-El Kabir homage to the President in Abuja yesterday.
AWKA- Some retirees from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka have urged the Federal Government to revert to the old system of pension scheme which ensures a substantial payment of gratuity. The group, who are mostly junior staff and comprising retirees from 2007 to date, made the demand in a statement signed by their chairman, Mr Patrick
General Perception Wrong
Body Odour:
- Dermatologist
ABUJA- Dr Olanrewaju Falodun, a consultant dermatologist at the National Hospital in Abuja, has said the general perception that some people were born with body odour was wrong. Falodun told newsmen that body odour was caused by the process of bacteria breaking down in the sweat, and the sweat causing the odour. “There are two types of sweat glands in the body. These are the eccrine gland which is found all over the body, and the apocrine gland which is found primarily in the ancillary (armpit) and genital areas. “The two sweat glands are usually connected to hair follicles, and much of the thing we call body odour is as a result of the apocrine gland. “The glands do not mature or start functioning until when a person reaches the age of puberty, and that is why the real issues about odour are more pronounced after puberty,” he said. Falodun said obesity also triggers body odour in people who are overweight, as the sweat is trapped between the folds of skin. The dermatologist however said body odour could be prevented, as long as the person diligently maintained cleanliness of the body.
Falodun also added that the use of anti-perspirants and deodorants should also be routine. “Deodorants work by masking the smell of sweat with fragrance, while anti-perspirants reduce the amount of sweat the body produces,’’ he said. The dermatologist also noted that it was also essential to wash clothes thoroughly, particularly clothing that comes into contact with sweaty areas such as socks, underwears and shirts. “Wash the body with soap daily, particularly the armpits, groin and feet, where there are many sweat-producing glands. “Washing removes sweat and reduces the number of bacteria which act upon them,’’ Falodun said.
L-R: Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Terrority, Mr. John Chukwu; Vice President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, during Eid-el Kabir homage to the President in Abuja yesterday.
Okafor. They told newsmen that the present pension scheme was not favourable to them. The retirees said a greater number of them had passed away due to lack of money. “The new pension scheme allows pension managers to pay retirees only half of his or her gratuity, while the other half is kept with the managers. “The only advantage the new scheme has is that retirees receive their money as at when due, while in the old system the retirees receive a substantial amount of money as gratuity. “But now some pension managers now give only a third of the gratuity to retirees and do business to enrich themselves with the remaining two-thirds,” they alleged. The retirees said it was completely embarrassing to them as retired civil servants who had served in various capacities to better the country. “By the new pension scheme, the Federal Government failed to realise that not all retired civil servants were able to build a home for themselves before retirement. “We never had any agreement with government nor with the pension managers that our benefits be kept with pension managers to do business with. “So, we are begging the Federal Government to look into our pitiable case and kindly bring back the old pension system,” they said.
Man Arrested For Importing Cocaine LAGOS- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a 39-year-old man, who imported 7.45kg of cocaine valued N82 million. Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency’s spokesman, who made this known in a state-
ment, said that the suspect was intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. Ofoyeju said that the discovery was made on October 12 “during inward screening of passengers on-board an Ethiopian Airline flight from Brazil.
“The drug, which was industrially concealed inside food flasks and kitchen utensils, tested positive to cocaine and weighed 7.45kg. “It is estimated to cost N82 million. It is the single largest seizure recorded at the Abuja Airport since
January.’’ Ofoyeju said investigations into the case had commenced, adding that the agency’s ‘Operation End of Year Screening’ made the discovery possible. “The agency is prepared to counter the tricks of drug traffickers.
“As the year is coming to an end, we have launched ‘Operation End of Year Screening’. “This is targeted at preventing drug cartels from carrying out their criminal acts this season,’’ he said. The spokesman said that the suspect would soon be charged to court.
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3 Die As Vehicle Plunges Into River IBADAN- Three men were killed and one person injured in Ibadan when an articulated vehicle plunged off the Soka bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Reports state that the driver of the vehicle marked XA 626 KDG had swerved off the road while trying to avoid ramming into a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) from the rear. Confirming the incident, the Oluyole Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Sanya Adeoye, said the driver of the SUV sped off as soon as the incident happened.
“It was not the fault of the articulated vehicle driver. “He was trying to avoid ramming into the SUV due to the bad portion of the road. “Unfortunately, the articulated vehicle went off the bridge and into the river killing three of the four occupants. “We have recovered and deposited the bodies of the three men at the mortuary of Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan. “The injured person is receiving treatment at the Ibadan Central Hospital, Ososami area of Ibadan, ‘’ he told newsmen.
South-West
L-R: Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Alhaji Lateef Oyebola; Alhaji Muibi Oguniyi and others, praying during Eid-el Kabir celebration in Ibadan Tuesday.
157 Convocate At Caleb Varsity
Palace musicians entertaining during Eid-el Kabir celebration at Dass Local Government Area, Bauchi State Tuesday.
IBADAN- No fewer than 157 graduates of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, would participate at the third convocation ceremony billed for Saturday. This was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan. The vice- chancellor said the convocation ceremony would mark another milestone in the history of the university which took off in 2008. “As at today, the university has continued to enjoy the National Universities Commission’s full accreditation status, thereby confirming our core objective of ensuring the production of quality graduates
Britain, Oyo To Partner On Trade, Education IBADAN- Britain has said it would partner with the Oyo State Government on trade, gender and educational development. Mr. Peter Carter, the Deputy High Commissioner in the British High Commission, said this when he visited Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State in Ibadan. ‘‘The British Government is ready to help Nigeria to develop its educational sector, gender equality related matters and trade. ‘‘Education is highly fundamental and the British Government is ready to work with Oyo State on gender equality. ‘‘As there has been legislation on gender equality in Nigeria, it is important for the country to utilise all its human development capacities,’’ Carter said. According to Carter, his country has plans to train over 200 school teachers in Oyo State
through the British Council. He said Ibadan was rapidly developing, adding that ‘‘trade investments and other opportunities abound in the city.’’ On the 3,000 pound visa bond, the Deputy High Commissioner said the matter was a proposal. ‘‘The issue of 3,,000 pound visa bond does not exist. It is a proposal being considered by the British Government. We have good visa relationship with Nigeria,’’ he said. He also said that Britain would continue to encourage Nigerians to come to that country to do business. Responding, Ajimobi commended the offer of partnership, noting that ‘‘Oyo State is the largest producer of cassava in West Africa and also has the largest concentration of research institutes in the country.’’ Ajimobi urged the British
Government to help in developing the state’s education and industrial potentials. ‘‘I want you to concentrate more on middle level human development by encouraging vocational training in schools, start-
ing from the foundation level. “Many investors, who come to Nigeria, have made Oyo State one of their preferred destinations because of its peaceful environment, landmass and its support to investors,’’ he said.
who would contribute positively to national growth,’’ he said. Olukoju said that three of the graduates bagged first class, 42 had second class (upper division), while 70 graduated in the second class (lower division). He added that another 32 had third class. The vice-chancellor further said that the convocation programme would commence on Thursday with a one-hour special prayer while the preconvocation luncheon would hold on Friday. Highlights of the convocation programme, he said, included convocation lecture, conferment of honorary doctorate degrees, award of first degrees and presentation of prizes to deserving graduates. Olukoju said that the third convocation lecture was entitled : ‘Impact of Government Policies on Growth of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the Nigerian Economy.’’
Doctor Tasks Journalists On Lifestyle
ABEOKUTA- A medical practitioner, Dr Gbemileke Oguntoyinbo, has advised journalists to take care of their health inspite of their busy lifestyle. Oguntoyinbo, an Ear,Nose and Throat (ENT) Consultant Surgeon at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, gave the advice at the monthly NUJ Congress in Abeokuta. He observed that most professionals often neglect their health due to heavy work schedule and stressful
lifestyle . “We do so much for other people through our work but we neglect our health. It is important to take care of our health. Professionals are lacking in these areas,” he said. He said, gone were the days when communicable diseases were major killers, adding that conditions like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are the major killers. Oguntoyinbo said that such diseases seldom show
signs or symptoms, hence the need for regular medical checkups. He also stressed the need to create awareness among professionals for them to take their health seriously. According to Oguntoyinbo, it is advisable for people to be aware of some factors like age and family history of diseases “that will serve as a pointer to what to watch out for.’’ He warned against smoking which could narrow the
blood vessels, high alcohol consumption and high salt intake. Oguntoyinbo also recommended regular exercise, dietary adjustment, regular medical check up and weight reduction while refraining from self medication. The NUJ Chairman, Wole Shokunbi, thanked Oguntoyinbo for the health tips and urged journalists to strictly adhere to the instructions.
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News
Royal Father Bows To Pressure, Takes New Wife By BETTY IDIALU
IGBODO, DELTA - Similar to the Ogaime imbroglio in Iwere land in which the Olu of Warri, who renounced the title later recanted a few weeks ago, the traditional ruler of Igbodo in Ika North East Local Government
Area of Delta State, Obi Nkeobikwu Osadume, has finally bowed to the wish of his people by taking a new wife from his kingdom. The king gave in to the wish of his people as he takes a new wife in line with the age long custom and tradition of the
Igbodo people, following his official presentation of the queen to his people last week. It will be recalled that the monarch had earlier resisted the pressure from his people to take a second wife; his first wife having been rejected by his people for being a foreigner whom they
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, answering questions from journalists after the Eid-el Kabir prayer at the Central Mosque Lagos on Tuesday.
said cannot be a mother to the heir apparent. Obi Osadume, a lawyer, was a born again Christian and worshipped with Living Faith Church, a.k.a Winners Chapel. The monarch did the presentation of the new queen at a colourful ceremony held at the ancestral palace of Igbodo Kingdom. He thanked God for the peaceful resolution of all the issues surrounding his marriage. The monarch gave the reassurance that he would continue to uphold the custom and tradition of the kingdom and appealed to his people to work towards the development of the community. He also thanked the state government for intervening in the matter. The royal father expressed happiness over the unity of purpose that exists among the Obiin-Council and the Igbodo Development Union (IDU), urging his people not to compromise the peace and unity of the people. The traditional Prime Minis-
ter of Igbodo Kingdom, Dr Ifeanyi Unomah, said the turbulent period was over and thanked the traditional ruler for listening to the wise counsels of those who intervened on the matter. Dr Unomah said that the choice of a queen from the community was in line with the custom of Igbodo Kingdom. The president-general of IDU worldwide, Chief Peterson Ozili-Chiemeke, said Igbodo was an agrarian community yearning for development. He said that the controversies over the marriage of the Obi to a lady from Igbo land was a distraction, adding that the matter had been finally resolved. Chief Ozili-Chiemeke paid glowing tribute to the State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Otuama, the Obi of Owa Kingdom, Emmanuel Efeizamor the second, the Obi of Umunede Kingdom Agadagidi Ezenwani the first and the transition committee chairman of Ika North East Local Government, Princess Ijenwa Okunoke for their personal intervention and their interest towards the peaceful resolution of the matter. A member of the Obi-in-Council, Chief Gilbert Nwaije main-
events, especially political issues. Dr Douglas Anaele, philosophy lecturer at the University
of Lagos, said the 720-page book, contains many historical facts about the war. Anaele, who reviewed the book, said although the book was not devoid of errors, the author was not biased.
Afenifere Chieftain Endorses National Conference
LAGOS - Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a chieftain of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, has said the proposed national conference would promote the unity of the country. Adebanjo spoke at the public presentation of a book entitled: “The Untold Story of the Nigeria-Biafra War’’, written by Dr. Luke Aneke. It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had on Oct.1, set up an Advisory Committee to establish the modalities for a national dialogue or
conference. Adebanjo said, “I support the idea of a national conference. The future of Nigeria is in our hands. Nigerians should treat each other with truth’’, he said. Adebanjo, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said the book would make the younger generations to appreciate the civil war better. “The history of Biafran war had to be told clearly and honestly.’’ Prof. Anya O. Anya, the President-General of Ndigbo, Lagos, urged Nigerians to be more positive in their thinking and assess-
ing the country. Anya urged the media to always project positive image of the country in their reportage of
Sallah: Adamawa Celebrates Amid Tight surveillance mission. prayer grounds. YOLA- Muslim faithful in by President Goodluck Jonathan Security Sniffer dogs were also deIn Yola, Gov. Murtala Nyako, Adamawa observed the Eid-Eldue to terrorist activities. Kabir amidst tight security, the reports state. Adamawa is one of the three north eastern states affected by the emergency rule proclaimed
Police Kill Robbery Suspect BAUCHI- The men of the Bauchi State Police Command have killed a suspected armed robber and recovered a stolen vehicle after a shoot out with a five-man robbery gang. The command, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Haruna Mohammed, said it received an intelligence report that the gang had attacked a widow in Jos and made away with her car and other valuables. “On receiving the report that the robbers were heading toward Bauchi, the police laid ambush in Zaranda area where they engaged the members in a shoot out. “During the shoot out, one of the robbers was killed while others escaped with bullet wounds, abandoning the vehicle, a black Toyota Highlander with registration number Lagos LND 950 BJ, and other exhibits,” the statement said. The statement listed other items recovered from the gang to include one AK 47 rifle, one locally made pistol, 55 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition, five
cartridges and one magazine. The statement quoted the state police commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Ladan, as calling on members of the public to assist
tained that now that the marriage issue was over, attention would be on the development of the kingdom. High point of the ceremony was the decoration of the queen with beads by the Obi who also led his wife to her seat in the palace as the queen of the community. Several notable sons and daughters of Igbodo community who witnessed the ceremony also paid homage to the King and the queen. It will be recalled that Obi Osadume, a Law graduate from Madonna University, after ascending the throne of his forefathers, took a wife from Igbo land against the tradition of his community which stipulates that a serving monarch can only raise a heir apparent from a woman married from the Igbodo kingdom. The kingdom of Igbodo was thrown into turmoil late last year as the king, who stood against the request that he should divorce his ‘strange’ wife based on his Christian religious faith, stood his gun not to accede to their request. His wife was chased out of the palace by the people and his palace deserted, living him to live a life of seclusion. He was said to have rented an apartment in Asaba where he kept the woman, while he paid nocturnal visit to her said to be against the tradition of royal fathers.
Security operatives, comprising soldiers, policemen and men of the State Security Services (SSS), manned strategic places in major towns across the state. The reports state further that air force jets and helicopters flew across the state’s sky on
ployed by both the police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps for close quarter checks at prayer grounds in Yola, Mubi and Ganye. However, the heavy presence of the security operatives did not in any way affect attendance at
National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, were among the faithful at the prayer ground.
the police by watching out for the fleeing armed robbery suspects who might be seeking medical attention in their neighbourhood.
Ajimobi Explains Delay In Reconstituting Cabinet IBADAN - Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has defended the delay in reconstituting his cabinet. Addressing newsmen at the Government House on the significance of Eid-el–Kabir celebration, Ajimobi said he was waiting for leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to submit their nominees. “I am waiting for APC leaders to submit lists of their various nominees to guide me in constituting a new cabinet,’’ he said. The governor said he dissolved the cabinet to reinvigorate administration of the state. Ajimobi said the dissolution
was due to the series of complaint from APC leaders that they were not carried along in the selection of members of the former cabinet. “Those who served before performed well, but others should be allowed to serve so that they can have their own opportunity to contribute to the development of the state,’’ he said. ‘‘This time around, I wrote to party leaders asking them to send their nominees and even local government areas are involved in the process.’’ he said.
A cross section of Muslims praying at the Obalende praying ground during the Eid-el Kabir celebration in Lagos on Tuesday.
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Across The Nation Anambr a Nor th Vows To Suppor edAnambra North Supportt Cr Credib le Go ver nor ship Candida te ible Gov ernor norship Candidate
AWKA - The people of Anambra North Senatorial Zone have vowed to vote for a credible candidate from the zone in of the November 16 governorship election. The zone comprising nine local government areas took the vow at a meeting convened by the Omambala Solidarity Forum at Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area. The leader of the group and former Health Minister, Dr Tim
Menakaya, said the zone had many qualified persons who were contesting for the position, but could not win an election without the full support of their people. Menakaya urged the people not to vote for candidates from other zones as it was the turn of their zone to produce the next governor after 22 years of the state’s creation.
“We must work hard to achieve it. It is now left for us to take the opportunity given to us with our votes. Nobody
will take it away from us,’’ he said. Menakaya commended Governor. Peter Obi for zon-
ing the seat to Anambra North and assured him that the zone would provide a visionary leader for the state in 2014.
Ok or oc ha AtOkor oroc ocha trib utes Success To tributes ary programmes. Divine Direction The National Chairman of the
OWERRI - Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo has attributed his successes in life and politics to divine direction from God. Okorocha made the declaration in Owerri while receiving members of the Nigeria Rescue Missionaries Network, a group of missionaries from different denominations. He said the achievements his administration recorded would not have been possible without divine direction. The governor also said the 10minute mid-day prayer instituted in the state was part of the success story. He commended the missionaries for mobilising themselves for a common course of interceding for peace and progress of the state and Nigeria in general. Okorocha called on other ministers of God to pray for the nation instead of leaving everything in the hands of politicians to ensure positive transformation. “If politicians fail, men of God must not fail,” he said. The governor, who volunteered to be the group’s patron, donated undisclosed amount and a bus to the group to assist in its mission-
group, Pastor Cyracus Jacob, said the organisation comprised five thousands ministers of God from the six geo-political zones and worked for the peace and progress of the country. Director-General, Rivers Tourism Development Agency, Mr. Sam Dede (left), with some media executives after their meeting on 2013 Rivers Carnival in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Lagos, Security Agents To Pr event Unauthoriz ed Pre Unauthorized Stor age Of Fir ewor ks Stora Fire orks
New fire fighting trucks inaugurated by Governor Tanko al-Makura in Lafia recently.
LAGOS - Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State says his administration will partner with law enforcement agents to ensure greater enforcement of measures put in place to prevent unauthorised storage of fireworks. The governor said this in Lagos on Monday when he received the report of the panel of inquiry set up to look into the fires that razed parts of Ojo-Giwa and Okoya markets in Lagos on December 26, 2012.
Eid-El K abir egbesola, Other s Pr eac h Ka bir:: Ar Are Others Preac each ance P eace olerance Peace eace,, Toler OSOGBO - Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has said that Nigeria needed peace, security and cooperation among its diverse peoples to prosper. The governor said this in his Eid-el-Kabir message, signed by Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the Director of Communication in the Governor’s Office. He urged Muslims to live in peace, while exhibiting tolerance towards adherents of other faiths. Aregbesola, however, called on the adherents of all religions to protect the sanctity of human life, saying in all the Scriptures, God never commanded or appointed anyone as judge over other human beings. “Political leaders and followers, religious leaders and their adherents must come together and
In his remarks, Sen. Emma Anosike urged the people from the area to be vigilant before, during and after voting to ensure that their votes were protected. “Any credible candidate from here will have our votes, not political parties. We want to take over the government house next year. “We must ensure that no single vote will leave Omambala for elsewhere. Our son must be fully supported,’’ he said. Reports say that the candidates from the zone include Dr Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Chief Basil Iwuoba of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). The two candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Nwoye and Mr. Nicholas Ukachukwu, both from the zone, are still engrossed in a legal battle for their candidacy.
forge a harmonious relationship for the love of their country, as preached by Prophet Muhammad,’’ he said. Aregbesola urged the people of the state “to live in peace and extend the hands of fellowship to their neighbours’’. He called on the Muslim faithful to emulate Prophet Ibrahim and his son, whose unshaken belief in perseverance and fulfilment of God’s salvation, everlasting and divine compensation was unparalleled. Besides, Governor Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State called on Muslims to follow the teachings of the festival, which included sacrifice and total obedience to the will of Allah. In a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Re-
lations Malam Halilu Dantiye, the governor urged Muslims to celebrate the festival peacefully, while praying for the peace and prosperity of the country. He thanked the citizens of Kano State for their cooperation and support which, he said, resulted in the successes which his administration had so far recorded. In his message, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, Kogi’s Deputy Governor, called on Muslims to use the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to build harmonious relationships with their neighbours. Awoniyi, in a statement issued in Lokoja by his Press Secretary, Mr. Michael Abu, said that the celebration was a period for displaying the virtues of tolerance and understanding. He called on Muslims to fol-
low Allah’s teachings, urging them not to see the period as a time for merriment only but to see it as an opportunity to engage in sober reflections on the significance of the season. Awoniyi advised Muslims and, indeed, all Nigerians to eschew all forms of vices that could hinder peace and their harmonious relations with people of other faiths. “We must continue to appreciate the fact that our strength as a nation lies in our ethnic and religious diversities,” he said. Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Kwara has said that it would begin 24-hour operations so as to tackle emerging road traffic challenges during the celebration. Mrs. Mary Wakawa, the FRSC Sector Commander in Kwara, said this in an interview with newsmen in IIorin. She said that the command has
mapped out some strategies to ensure a hitch-free traffic situation throughout the festive period. She said that the command had deployed 300 officers to all strategic locations across the state to enhance safety on the roads. Wakawa also said that the command also deployed 100 Special Marshals to complement the efforts of its regular personnel. She said some of the Special Marshals would be stationed at the headquarters of the 16 local government areas of the state. She also said that the commission had deployed more towing vehicles to evacuate broken-down vehicles on the roads during the season. Wakama advised road users to always abide by road traffic rules and regulations to avoid accidents.
Fashola said that such collaboration was necessary to prevent fire outbreaks and enhance the safety of the people’s lives and property in the state. “We are getting to that part of the year where the risk goes from flood to fire, and we must be at alert to improve advocacy that inflammable materials must not be stored at home. “Precisely, on Boxing Day last year, there was a fire incident in these areas and preliminary investigations showed that this was due to storage of firecrackers,” he said. Fashola thanked members of the panel and assured them that the report would be treated with the urgency which it deserved. “I assure you that this report will be looked into as quick as possible; hopefully before the end of the year, to precipitate the season when this risk is at its highest,” he said. The panel’s Chairman, retired Justice Sunday Ishola, said that they had come to formally present the report to the state government for its perusal and consideration. He said that the panel, in the course of its assignment, received 18 memoranda and took evidence from several witnesses.
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Abuja Ex-Soldier Demands N270m Compensation
Demolition Of Property: ABUJA- An ex-soldier, Yerima Solomon, has urged an Abuja High Court to compel the Chairman of the Bwari Area Council, to pay him N120 million compensation for the demolition of his property. The plaintiff, in the suit filed by his counsel, Mr Ogaranya Imegi, joined the FCT Minister as co-defendant, demanding an additional N150 million as exemplary damages from both parties. Imegi also asked the court sitting in Lugbe, Abuja, to grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further trespassing into his land located at Yerima village, Bwari, Abuja. He prayed the court to also compel the defendants to, “in the alternative to the injunction, relocate and resettle the plaintiff to a better or similar expanse of land fit for human habitation within the FCT.’’ When the case was first men-
FCT Presents Vehicles To Traditional Rulers ABUJA- The Minister of State for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, has in Abuja presented 13 vehicles to traditional rulers in the territory. Akinjide, while presenting the vehicles, said the administration gave out the vehicles to fulfil the promise it made to cater for the needs of traditional rulers in the FCT. “This event is in exercise of the premium placed by the FCT administration on traditional institutions as strategic partners in the development of the territory,” she said. She called on them to improve on their leadership work, especially in the areas of security and peaceful co-existence, adding that “to whom much is given, much is expected’’. “The FCT administration expects quality leadership from all graded chiefs, most especially in areas which include security, community sensitisation, peaceful co-existence and elimination of harmful cultural practices,” she said. She said that the last time cars were given to the chiefs was 12 years ago. In his response, the traditional ruler of Abaji, who is also the Chairman, FCT Councils of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, thanked the administration for the vehicles. He said that the chiefs would make judicious use of the Ford four-wheel drive vehicles and assist the government in ensuring crime-free society.
tioned, the counsel to the second defendant, Ms Nkechi Okpara, had raised a motion of preliminary objection to the plaintiff’s suit, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction and the suit was “incompetent”.
Okpara, also asked the court to strike out the first defendant’s name from the suit. Similarly, the counsel to the first defendant, Mr Fortune Ibanga, had in his statement of
defence, denied most of the plaintiff’s claims. Ibanga had urged the court to dismiss the plaintiff’s suit for
being “speculative, gold-digging, vexatious, frivolous and without legal basis’’.
Justice Angela Otaluka adjourned the case to Oct0ber 31 for definite hearing.
Ex-Defunct CPC Scribe Wants Criminal Code Reviewed ABUJA- Mr. Okoi Obla, the Deputy National Secretary in the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to reform the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Act. In an interview with newsmen in Abuja Obla said the two needed to be in tune with the prevailing social and political order in the country. “These laws were made over 70 years ago and they are in dire need of reform because of the dynamism of the society. “A law must conform to the prevailing social and political order,” he said. He said that a judge could only adjudicate on a case in the light of the extant law. The former scribe also called for the granting of autonomy to local governments in the country. He said that the autonomy was essential to enable the third tier of government have direct access to its funds among other advantages. Obla argued that local governments, being the closest institution to the people, would be more effective while development would be accelerated at the grassroots, if given the autonomy. “If the local government is independent of the state gover-
nors, we will have a better local government system and better dividends of democracy will reach the grassroots,’’ he said. Obla called on the Federal Government to increase efforts in ensuring the welfare and the security of lives and property of the citizenry. Obla called on Nigerians to adhere to righteousness and shun vices, so that the country could growth and develop in all facets of life.
The Onire of Itireland, Kabiyesi Oba Lateef Dauda (left), and Otun Oba of Itireland, Alhaji Chief Tajudeen Shola Odubiyi, briefing the press after prayer session on the celebration of Eid-el Kabir festival at his palace in Itire, Lagos. Photo: PULLEN OWAMAGBE.
A cross section of doctors attending to patients during the Commissioning of Mobile Clinic and free Healthcare Service organised by Hon. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Ativie of Edo State House of Assembly at Ewan, Isi-South Ward in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State on Wednesday. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
Great Green Wall Project To Cost N310m ABUJA- The Federal Ministry of Environment says it will spend N310 million on infrastructure, seedlings, boreholes, tractors and irrigation under the African Union (AU) Great Green Wall (GGW) programme. Mr Bukar Hassan, the Director, Drought and Desertification Amelioration Department of the ministry, said this yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. The GGW project would bring together 11 countries to plant trees across Africa to literally hold back the Sahara desert. The countries are Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad and Sudan.
FG
He said that although N40 billion was released by the Federal Government for the GGW project, N310 million would be spent on seedlings this year. He said that this would be
done with a buffer of trees and vegetation designed to lessen the effects of desertification and improve the lives and livelihoods of communities. According to him, six mil-
lion seedlings, representing 40 per cent of the seedlings required for the project will be provided by the communities “since it is a community-based project’’. Hassan said that the 40 per
cent of the seedlings would be from the frontline communities while the remaining would come from individuals, institutions, NGOs, private organisations and state governments.
Status Of Unity School Teachers
NUT Drags Association To Court ABUJA-The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has dragged the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) before the National Industrial Court (NIC) over the status of Unity School teachers. The union is praying the court to interprete the Trade Union Act with regard to the scope of
the two unions. The claimant, through its counsel, Mr Anthony Itedjere, is praying the court to determine which of the two bodies could have the teachers as its members. unity schools are owned and funded by the Federal Government, and supervised by the Federal Ministry of Education.
NUT, in its statement of facts, contended that the teachers in the unity schools were not different from those in other secondary schools in the country. It also contended that it (the NUT) was the only body that could unionise all teachers in primary and secondary schools
in the country, and urged the court to “declare as pleaded’’. The state that the case was transferred from the Federal Ministry of Labour in July following its inability to resolve the dispute amicably.
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Across The Nation FRSC To Install Devices In Vehicles To Reduce Road Crashes Gov Murtala Nyako of Adamawa (left), in a handshake with the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, during Eid-ElKabir celebration in Yola on Tuesday.
AUCHI (Edo) - Mr. Luka Ikpi, the new FRSC Sector Commander in Edo State, yesterday said that arrangements had been concluded to install speed limit device on vehicles to reduce road accidents in the country. Ikpi said this when he visited the Auchi Unit of the FRSC in Etsako West Local Government Area. “A speed limit device can be installed in a vehicle to check speeding. “Once you get to a particular speed, you will find out that you can never exceed that limit.
REC Calls For Increased Funding Of INEC
UMUAHIA - The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Abia, Prof. Jacob Jato, has called for increased funding of INEC to enable it INEC over come logistics problems. Jato made the call when he led management and staff of the
commission on a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia Council in Umuahia. He attributed the logistic problems encountered in the previous elections in the country to inadequate funding, among other factors. Jato said that the commission
always relied on hired vehicles for the distribution of election materials, adding that it posed serious challenge to the commission. The commissioner cited cases of disappointments from vehicle
owners and delays in the distribution of materials for election to voting centres as instances. Jato, however, denied the allegation that the commission often depended on politicians for logistics support during elections due to the challenge. He said that on the contrary,
Maid, 23, Jailed For Stealing $20,000 ABUJA - A Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, has sentenced a maid, Elizabeth Dogo to four years in prison for stealing 20,000 dollars (about N3 million) belonging to her employer. The Senior Magistrate, Mr. Shuaibu Usman, convicted Dogo, 23, after she pleaded guilty to the charge. Usman also ordered the convict to pay back the 20,000 dollars to Mrs. Maris Asuku, her employer. Earlier, the prosecutor, Christian Munonye, had told the court that the matter was reported at the Garki Police Station on July 27 by Asuku, who lives at Iwopin Close, Area 1, Section 1, Garki, Abuja. Munonye said Asuku discovered that the amount was missing after she had sent her housemaid to bring her medication for her from a wardrobe in her bedroom where the money was kept. The prosecutor added that the money was to be used by the complainant on an official trip to the U.S. He said the maid left the house after stealing the money but was traced and arrested in Lagos, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 289 of the Penal Code. Section 289 of the code states that an employee who steals the property of an employer or master, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years with or without an option of fine. Dogo had told the court that she gave the money to an unidentified man from Port Harcourt.
Roasting of Sallah Rams during Eid-El-Kabir celebration in Sokoto on Tuesday.
the commission always hired vehicles rather than seek assistance from politicians. “If the commission is adequately funded to acquire its own vehicles, that will help us to overcome the challenge of hiring vehicles and the problems associated with it,” he said. He also spoke on the preparations by the commission for the nationwide voter registration billed to commence soon. The commissioner said that INEC would utilise its staff members for the 15-day voters’ registration, saying that training was already being organised for them. He said that the commission would soon embark on a statewide sensitisation of the public on the registration to ensure that eligible Nigerians got registered. Jato appealed to the mass media to assist the commission in creating the necessary awareness toward a successful exercise. He expressed optimism that the new measures introduced by INEC leadership would give Nigerians “credible and fair election in 2015 and beyond”.
NIPOST Still Relevant In Information Dissemination
ILORIN – Mr. Lawrence Tunwase, the Area Postal Manager of NIPOST, says the organisation is still relevant in information dissemination and not moribund as being speculated in some quarters. Tunwase said this yesterday in Ilorin during the celebration of World Postal Day and Customers’ Forum. He said inspite of the technological advances over the years, NIPOST mission of providing qualitative mail services was relevant. Tunwase said through the
distribution of information in various forms, NIPOST had become an important player in the information society. “Even though e-mail and emessaging are replacing some personal letters, e-commerce via the internet is also bringing new business. “Physical products ordered over the internet are being delivered through the postal network,” he said. According to Tunwase, such actions reaffirms the role of the institutions as one of the
segments that made the economy to function. He, however, said NIPOST was facing challenges in the area of poor road network, poor street naming and house numbering. In his goodwill message, Mr. Gabriel Chima, a senior laboratory system specialist with Management Services for Health, an NGO, said NIPOST had been of tremendous help. He said engaging the services of NIPOST had effectively aided the NGO in
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the areas of logistics and distribution of drugs to patients across the country. Chima also said that the use of NIPOST in the delivery of goods and services had reduced cost of transportation by about 60 per cent. Reports say that many school children, who attended the programme, were sensitised on the importance of writing and posting letters.
“This device is in use in many countries and it has been successful,” he said. Ikpi said that excessive speeding was one of the major causes of road accidents across the country, adding that Edo had the highest number of road crashes in the country. The sector commander said that the command had deployed more patrol teams to Asaba-Benin-Onistha, BeninAuchi-Okene and Benin-OreLagos corridors since September. “We want motorists to feel our presence on the highway, and we want to carry out a motorised public enlightenment campaign as a result of the need to ensure road safety during the “ember months”, he said. Speaking, Mrs. Achibong Nseobot, the FRSC Unit Commander in Auchi, noted that the redeployment of Ikpi to the Edo sector was borne out of his achievements in efforts to reduce road crashes in Adamawa, Delta and “Many travellers pass through the state to other parts of the country. So Mr. Ikpi’s posting to Edo is to mitigate road crashes in this axis,” she added.
Transportation Of Kaduna Pilgrims Begins Oct 19 KADUNA The transportation of prospective Christian pilgrims from Kaduna State will commence on October 19, an official said. Rev. Joseph Yari, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Christian Pilgrims Board, told newsmen in Kaduna that most arrangements had been concluded for the transportation. He said 800 prospective Christian pilgrims were expected to embark on the 2013 pilgrimage to Israel. Yari said the board would screen the intending pilgrims before they leave, adding that “the pilgrims will hold a national prayer in the Holy Land on October 24. “The prayer is to intercede for peace, unity and development in Nigeria.” He warned the intending pilgrims against absconding in the Holy Land and urged them to obey the laws of their host country. The executive secretary said “only persons between the ages of 30 and 70 years are allowed to participate in the pilgrimage. “There will be no refund to any intending pilgrim who missed his or her flight or cancelled the trip.”
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
International Features
Turkey Missile Deal Shows China’s Rising Profile
CHINA’S likely sale of sophisticated missiles to Turkey over the objections of its NATO allies might have angered Washington and other capitals, but it should not have been a surprise. Even as the U.S. has spent billions of dollars and lost hundreds of lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, Beijing has been quietly upping its presence in the Middle East. Militarily, the U.S. which maintains a permanent aircraft carrier presence near the Gulf as well as dozens of other warships and major bases in Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates - is by far the dominant regional power. China has tended to follow Russia’s lead on the Middle East, sometimes appearing sidelined on issues such as Syria. Beijing’s economic, political and diplomatic clout, however, is growing fast. China’s Ministry of Commerce said last month ChinaArab nation trade now reaches $222 billion a year, 12 times its 2002 level. That would outstrip U.S.-Mideast trade, valued at $193 billion in 2011. Militarily too, China’s footprint is rising. As well as maintaining a threeship antipiracy task force in the Indian Ocean and occasionally sending ships to the Mediterranean, Beijing has deployed UN peacekeepers to Lebanon. Turkey’s choice of a $3.4 billion deal to acquire the Chinese FD2000 missile defense
system rather than rival U.S. or European systems may be a sign of things to come. “It is a wake-up call,” said Christina Lin, a former U.S. official and now fellow at the School for Advanced International Studies who last year briefed the Pentagon’s Joint Chiefs on the issue. “China is looking to get a lot more involved in the Middle East and is being increasingly accepted there.” China’s interests in the region, she said, ranged from energy and investment to countering the spread of jihadist militancy, a major worry for Beijing in its Muslim provinces. The firm that makes the missile system, China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CPMIEC) is under US sanctions for violations of the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act. While Turkish officials said the deal was not yet officially finalized, it was likely to go through. U.S. and other NATO officials complain it may not be compatible with other NATO systems and may increase the risk of cyber attack or other interference across the alliance. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Western states were overreacting to what was essentially simply a commercial decision. Mixing commerce and geopolitics, experts say, is at the heart of Beijing’s approach. Chinese officials have become regular visitors to most
Mideast states while a range of regional leaders including Turkey’s Tayyip Erdogan, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah have all visited China. The aftermath of the
month. “We are interested in building on this relationship... because China plays a vital role in promoting world peace and stability and has an influential role in regional issues.” Beijing has long been a major supplier of small
players in Iraq and Iran and Beijing is both Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner and the biggest single purchaser of Iran’s crude. That purchasing power has effectively allowed China and other Asian powers to determine how successful U.S. and European sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program can be.
Jingpin Xi, China President
“Arab Spring” and Wa s h i n g t o n ’s abandonment of longtime proxies such as Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, some analysts say, has left some governments keen to find alternative allies. Even longtime U.S. partners feel the draw. “I personally have close friendly relations with various Chinese leaders, current and former,” Jordan’s Abdullah told Chinese media last
“The firm that makes the missile system, China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CPMIEC) is under US sanctions for violations of the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act. While Turkish officials said the deal was not yet officially finalized, it was likely to go through.”
arms to the region - the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute this month reported 200610 sales to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar. Still, the Turkish deal is seen as a major breakthrough for its advanced weapon sales. China’s soaring energy needs are seen as a major motivator, coming just as the U.S. gets closer to energy independence and budget constraints and public reluctance hit its military presence. The International Energy Agency expects China’s Mideast oil imports to grow from 2.9 million barrels per day in 2011 to 6.7 million in 2035, a projected 54 percent of total Chinese oil imports. Already, Chinese national oil companies are amongst the biggest
In the long run, some analysts suggest Beijing’s oil needs could actually bring it closer to the West, particularly on Iran. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute says Chinese defense sales to Tehran have already notably fallen. “If Washington (were to) substantially reduce its military presence in the region, oil security concerns might compel Beijing to play a larger role in defusing the primary threat to the free flow of oil - the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” former CIA energy analyst Erica Downs told a congressional probe into Chinese trade practices earlier this year. China’s regional ambitions, however, go well beyond defense deals and oil. While some 75 percent of U.S.-
Mideast trade remains energy-related, China has deliberately diversified and says more than half its regional trade is now non-energy. Last month, China hosted a five-day ChinaArab States Expo in Its north-west Ningxia Hui Autonomous region. “Though the trade growth is fast, there is still room for improvement,” Zhu Weilie, director for the Centre for ChinaArab States CoOperation Forum Studies told Xinhua. “The two sides should enhance mutual trust to improve communications in political, economic and cultural fields.” Infrastructure projects have been a major focus. Port operator Cosco owns part of Egypt’s Port Said container terminal. Rail ventures include Medina to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Mediterranean to Red Sea in Israel and Ankara to Istanbul in Turkey. In the longer term, there is also talk of linking Turkey and Central Asia to China by rail, providing Chinese goods access to Europe through what some analysts call “a new Silk Route”. Ultimately, Chinese investment may prompt the kind of backlash already seen in Africa. Its attempts to befriend everybody may also prove unsustainable - its stance on Syria has already irritated some Gulf states and prompted an angry protest at its embassy in Libya. For now, however, it remains broadly welcomed. In July, a Pew Centre survey showed China viewed more positively than the U.S. in every Mideast state except Israel. “If you talk to diplomats in the Gulf, they are very impressed,” former U.S. official Lin said. “Chinese ambassadors in the region tend to speak very good, classical Arabic while the Americans still expect everyone to talk in English.” (Courtesy Reuters)
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THE Federal Government recently said the country was currently losing between 60,000 and 80,000 barrels daily to crude oil theft. At the price of crude oil in the international market put at about $113 per barrel, and going by the figures quoted by the President, the country would be losing between $6.78m (N1.08bn) and $9.04m (N1.45bn) daily. President Goodluck Jonathan gave the figure in Abuja while speaking at this year’s Annual Banking and Finance Conference. Since then, several figures, and fears have been tumbling in. ALSO, figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the economy grew at a slower rate in the second quarter at 6.18 per cent than the 6.56 per cent in previous quarter owing to oil theft and pipeline shutdown. WE are worried of the daily announcement by various government organs in charge of crude oil management shouting loud of unbridled theft of crude oil from the nation’s production system. Also, recently, the Federal Government said 43% of crude oil produced in the country are stolen by oil thieves. Not-too-long ago, Shell, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant raised the red flag of the theft of its crude oil produced off shore. HOWEVER, our concern is heightened by the fact that those responsible for securing the nation’s crude oil are the ones shouting hoarse and the common man on the streets of Nigeria, who daily, are weighed down by hopelessness and helplessness from duty bearers are the ones government is complaining to. Little wonder the nation’s economy have
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 THE NIGERIAN
Oil Theft In Nigeria been performing poorly as revealed by members of the National Assembly who have criticised the performance of this year’s budget. Even the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, who represented President Jonathan at the annual Banking and Finance conference, admitted that in recent times, the oil sector had brought about nothing but serious shocks to the economy. It is even more disturbing when you juxtapose the figures being bandied by government officials, which are in themselves understating the magnitude of the problem with what other sector analysts are coming up with. Some sector analysts put the theft rate at 400,000 barrels per day. The situation has even made some oil companies to shut down production. Fingers have been pointed to ex-militants in the creeks of Niger Delta and because of their seeming closeness and comfort with the federal government, it does seem as if government is looking the other way while their illegal businesses flourish to the detriment of the nation’s economy. SADLY however, reports are rife that those
involved in oil theft are those powerfully connected to government, including some unscrupulous security agents. We therefore call on President Goodluck Jonathan to rise up to the challenge and bring all perpetrators to justice because Nigerians look unto him for solution to their problems having been elected president and not the other way round. A situation where the government, whose duty it is to provide security for lives and property is the same complaining is unacceptable. Government must be honest in dealing with the matter. WE also believe that to help mitigate the impact of oil sector shocks on the economy, the banking sector must come to the rescue by increasing funding to the real sector since everyone have been clamouring for the diversification of the nation’s economy. Sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing among others should be given priority in terms of funding. WE strongly believe that the financial sector can develop the real sector faster than the real sector can develop the financial sector, and that’s why we call on government to put appropriate policies in place and take necessary steps to ensure that the financial sector is supportive of the real sector. President Jonathan needs to put the security operatives on their toes to move swiftly and burst the powerful rings and cartels involved in this economic crime and punish all offenders. Lamenting the situation endlessly would help no one and amount to nothing to Nigerians.
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How Not To Meet Mr Wrong THE most important part of finding the right person is honestly defining yourself and your needs in life. Defining the things that matter most to us and evaluating the importance of a potential partner’s level of concern for those same issues is something many of us don’t do until after we’ve invested significant time and energy in a relationship. Perhaps the most important thing you need to know is who you are. Sounds simple. But sometimes people observing us can see things about us that we’ve grown so used to, we no longer even notice. Think about what you know about yourself. Make a list. •Do you like to get up early, or do you like to sleep in? Do you like to party until the bars close, or would you rather spend an evening in pajamas watching TV •Are you religious or not? •Is family important to you? Would you like to have children? If so, how soon, how many? •What hobbies do you enjoy? Are you an active outdoors person, or do you prefer doing things indoors and leisurely? •Are you a health nut or a smoker? Most of us are very open-minded about what we like. If a person we are dating is different, it can seem exciting and become a fun opportunity to try new things. We might even learn we like something we’d never thought of trying before. But sometimes we allow our initial excitement to cloud potential conflict areas. It’s fine to be openminded. But it’s very
important for us to know which things are important to us—which things we won’t compromise—prior to engaging in a romantic relationship with another person. Both women and men are waiting longer and longer to get married for the first time, according to the Census Bureau, and fewer women are having babies before their 40th birthdays, the Centers for Disease Control reports. Interestingly, more and more women are having babies well into their 40s. Could it be that it has become more difficult for couples to connect romantically? Finding Mr. or Ms. Right requires taking your eyes off of work and focusing on yourself more. What can you do to become the person you would want to date? She offers some tips for finding “the one.” Figure out what you’re looking for. Have you thought hard about what kind of person you’re looking for? One trick is to visualize your perfect day. Are you at the beach? Traveling? Is the man with you quiet or chatty? Is the woman serious or funny? Does he want children? Does she go to church? This will help you identify the characteristics and values of your Mr. or Ms. Right so you can recognize them when he or she comes along. Get happy in your own head. Once again, it’s all about attraction. Putting out positive, confident energy will attract the same. Besides, it’s never a good idea to rely on other people to make us happy. If you need to recover from
old hurts, lose weight or find a job, take care of that business first. Think you’re ready? Test yourself with this quick quiz. 1. Are you happy with yourself? (Or are you miserable because you’ve put on 50 pounds since your divorce?)
attract the man (or woman) who is perfect for me?” It’s not about changing you; it’s about being your best you. Part of that is your mojo – your self-esteem. If your mojo is slipping, you’ll attract control freaks, players and jerks. Pump it up with a makeover, a workout, a sincere inventory of your
2. Are you looking for someone to rescue you or take care of you? (If you answer “yes” to this one, you may not be ready.) 3. Is there room in your life for a relationship? (Or do you have three kids and work a 60-hour week?) 4. Has enough time passed since your last relationship? (Or are you still wounded?) Now, get yourself fabulous. Rather than, “Why can’t I find a good man?” ask yourself, “Who do I need to become to
attributes. Get out there! Put on your sexy jeans get yourself out the door. Where to start looking? If you enjoy working with your hands, volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity project. If you’ve always wanted to learn Italian, take a class. If you love to do \t “_blank” yoga, check out a new studio (ladies, you’ll find a surprising number of guys there.) Perhaps you find a new church or take a class on blank” Buddhism. The list
“Part of the criteria for any “Mr. Right” should always be: “He really wants to be with me.” If he doesn’t—he can’t possibly have been Mr. Right for you. If he choses to end the relationship, he likely has done you a favor. Respect his right to decide what is best for his own life. And have faith in your ability to find the man best suited to your needs.”
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Relationship With IMOISILI EDITH 07089364470
of meeting spots for singles is a long one: bookstores, dance clubs, supper clubs, book clubs, gyms, golf courses, rowing clubs, dog parks. It’s not the end of the world. Remember your evaluation process? Well, if he’s wise, he has one as well. And even if he’s everything you think you want or need, he may have
best for his own life. And have faith in your ability to find the man best suited to your needs. Get to know your partner. You’ve gone out for a few months now, and it seems to be going well. You are getting to know one another very quickly, and all the listed requirements are being
noticed something about you that won’t work for him. That’s OK. You can be a bright, beautiful, dynamic person, and still not be “right” for every man out there. Nobody is right for everybody. If someone doesn’t see you as compatible, that’s not rejection, it’s a fair evaluation. Just as you know you’re not suited for every job that’s out there in the world, you’re not suited for every lifestyle, either. Part of the criteria for any “Mr. Right” should always be: “He really wants to be with me.” If he doesn’t— he can’t possibly have been Mr. Right for you. If he choses to end the relationship, he likely has done you a favor. Respect his right to decide what is
met. He’s everything you defined, and he says you’re what he’s been looking for. What now? Be sure to meet Mr. Right’s friends and family before investing too much in the relationship. It’s very easy to be Prince Charming when he’s away from those who know him best. How does he act with his; mother, his brother, his friends and his coworkers? Is he the same man you’ve been seeing for the last three months? Or is he someone you don’t recognize? When associates make jokes about him, do you wonder who they’re talking about? Or do you laugh because you’ve seen the same endearing shortcomings in him already?
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
An Overview Of NYSC Annual Programme
“TO every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven” says the scripture. A time to attend primary school a time for secondary level; A time to pass through tertiary institution, and a time for service. You may ask what the writer is trying to inculcate? This is the time to know, what National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) entails. The drive of the scheme is primarily to inculcate in Nigerians Youths the spirit of selfless service to the community and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians irrespective of Cultural or social background. The history of our country since independence has clearly indicated the need for unity amongst all our people and demonstrated the fact that no cultural or geographical entity can exist in isolation. However, the NYSC scheme is the mandatory one year of National Service that every graduates of a university, polytechnic, monotehnic and colleges of education must pass through immediately upon graduation. To qualify for the programme, the graduate must not be above 30 years as at the year of graduation. Nigeria currently consist of 36 states and a federal capital territory and Nigeria can boast of more than 250 ethnic Nationalities. In view of these, the NYSC scheme ensures that youths are posted to states other than their states of origin and away from their geographical, ethnics and cultural background. This posting strategy ensures national integration as the corps members learn lifestyles, way of reasoning and culture different from the one they are used to. NYSC scheme also instills discipline and
By MBA P. NGOZI self reliance on the youths that take part in the programme. Moreso, a typical NYSC year programme is made up of four phases, they are, NYSC orientation programme, primary assignment, Community Development Service (CDS) and winding-up/ passingout parade programme. The NYSC orientation programme takes place during the fist three weeks of the service year. This orientation course takes place simultaneously in specific camps located in every state in Nigeria. The course gives corps members better understanding of the objective of the NYSC scheme and enable them internalize its ideals. To acquaint members with their environment in the political, cultural, social and economic setting. To prepare corps members for their particular roles in the scheme, equip them with practical, social and leadership skills that will enable them meet the challenges of the service year. Inculcate in them the spirit of national consciousness as a basic ingredient in a nation building. To give corps members adequate physical and mental training and imbibe them with the spirit of collective responsibility. To achieve the above objectives, the orientation course opens with a swearing –in/opening ceremony presided over by the executive Governor of the state/FCT Minister. The oath of allegiance and the National pledge are administered by the chief judge of the state/ FCT. However, the orientation course content involves physical training, drills, lectures on the people and traditions of the host states, professional lectures for
corps health personnel’s, skill acquisition training and other phenomenone like participation of social actives designed to create opportunities for them to interact. Immediately after the orientation course, corps
members are posted to different establishment for their primary assignment while the NYSC management takes into consideration the areas of specialization of corps members in carrying out the posting exercise. It is expected that corps members should accept the posting and be agent of change contributing towards the development of their host communities. During service year, the corps members are paid a monthly allowance of
N19,800. The community Development service (CDS) is aimed at harnessing the skills, creativity and innovativeness of corps members. They are expected to identified the needs of the host communities and strategies plans to meet
such needs. This account for the reasons why corps members carry-out projects like construction of signpost to pass certain messages to the people, messages on breast cancer or HIV, health care centres, culvert, market stalls, classroom block, sensitization of adults on vital issues on the dangers of sexual diseases, road safety campaign, literacy campaign, extra-moral classes for students and so on. Finally, at the end of the service year (usually at the
Ajuwaya Today “However, the NYSC scheme is the mandatory one year of National Service that every graduates of a university, polytechnic, monotehnic and colleges of education must pass through immediately upon graduation.”
12th month), corps members are gathered in their respective zones for assessment of the services year and debriefing session. It is the period when corps members presents their final clearance letters from the employers and submit same to their zonal/ local government Inspectors. Passing-out parade ceremony is usually presided over by the executive Governor of the state. During the ceremony, those with outstanding performance
during the services year are given different awards. For a corps member to merit an award, he/she must have made an indelible impression in the orientation course, primary assignment, community development service and winding-up exercise. In a nutshell, National youth service programme is an intriguing experience therefore, answer the clarion call and relinquish selfless service to the father land.
“Immediately after the orientation course, corps members are posted to different establishment for their primary assignment while the NYSC management takes into consideration the areas of specialization of corps members in carrying out the posting exercise.”
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Child Health And You
Female Genital Mutilation
WHAT is female genital mutilation? In dealing with this topic, we have to first look at the dictionary meaning of the term “Female Genital and Mutilation”. Who is a female: A female may be a plant or animal that can produce fruits or lay eggs or give birth to babies/offspring’s. Genital: Is connected with the outer sexual organs of a person or an animal. Mutilation: To damage somebody’s body very severely, especially by cutting or tearing off part of it. From the definitions above, we now understand the above concepts. Female genital mutilation (FGM); also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision, is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genital, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons”. FGM is typically carried out on girls from a few days old to puberty. It may take place in a hospital, but is usually performed, without anaesthesia, by a traditional circumciser using a knife, razor, or scissors. The practice is carried out by some communities who believe it reduces a woman’s libido (sexual desire). PREVALENCE AND ATTEMPTS TO END THE PRACTICE: According to WHO, 100140 million women and girls are living with FGM, and this includes 92 million girls over the age of 10 in Africa. The practice persists in 28 African countries, as well as in Arabian Peninsula. Nicholas Birch of the Chiristain Science monitor claims there is circumstantial evidence for its existence in Syria, western iran, and southern Turkey. It is also practiced in Indonesia but largely symbolically by pricking the clitoral hood until it bleeds. Several countries have enacted legislation against it, including Burkina Faso, Central Africa Republic, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Togo and Uganda. President Daniel moi of Kenya issued a decree against it in December 2007. In Mauritania, where almost all girls in minority communities undergo FGM, 34 Islamic scholars signed a fatwa in January 2010 banning the practice. In Egypt, the health ministry banned FGM in 2007 despite pressure from some (though not all) Islamic group. Two incidents in particular forced the government’s hand. A 10year-old girl was
photographed undergoing FGM in barber’s shop in Cario, Egypt in 1995 and the images were broadcast by CNN; this triggered a ban on the practice everywhere except in hospitals. Then, in 2007, a 12 year old Badour shaker died of an overdose of anaesthesia used during an FGM procedure for which her mother had paid a physician in an illegal clinic the equivalent of S9.00. The AlAzhar supreme council of Islamic research, the highest religious authority in Egypt, issued a statement that FGM had no basis in core Islamic law, and this enabled the government to outlaw it entirely. The TWO has offered four classification of FGM. The three major types are: Type I: removal of the clitoral hood, almost invariable accompanied by the removal of the clitoris (a small sensitive organ just above the opening of a woman’s vagina which becomes larger when she is sexually excited) itself (clitordectomy); Type II: removal of the clitoris and inner labia (the four folds of the skin at the entrance to a woman’s virgina) and Type III (infibulation): removal of all parts of the inner and out labia, and usually the clitoris, and the fusion of the wound, leaving a small hole for the passage of urine and menstrual blood-the fused wound is opened for intercourse and childbirth. Forty out of 85.0% of women undergo FGM experience types I and II and 15 percent undergo type III. These are the most common procedure in several countries including Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti. Several miscellaneous acts are categorized as Type IV. These range from a symbolic pricking or piercing of the clitoris or cutting into the vagina to widen it (gishiri cutting), and introducing corrosive substances to tighten it. Opposition to FGM focuses on human rights violations, lack of informed consent, and health risks, which include fatal hemorrhaging epidermoid cyst, recurrent urinary and vaginal infections, chronic pain and obstetrical complications which can also lead to excess bleeding. Since 1979, there have been concerted efforts by international bodies to end the practice such as sponsorship by the United Nations on an international day of zero tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation 6th February since 2003. Sylvia Tamate, a Ugandan scholar writes that
there is a large body of research and activism in Africa women, and they reject the idea that FGM is nothing but a barbaric rejection of modernity. Tamate suggested that there are cultural and political aspects to the practices continuation that make it’s opposition a complex matter. CLASSIFICATION AND H E A L T H CONSEQUENCES: The age at which the procedure is performed varies.
without anaesthsia, using unsterile cutting devices such as razors, knives, scissors, cutlass, sharpened rocks, and fingernails, while applying suturing materials such as agaves or acacia thorns. Affluent people in urban settings may have the procedure done in a safer medical environment. FGM has immediate and late complication effects on the individuals. Immediate complications are increased when FGM is performed in
pelvic infection, dysmenorrhea, dypareunia and infertility. In some cases, complete obstruction of the virginal results in hematocoplos and hematometra. Other complications include epidermoid that may become infected, neuroma formation typically involving nerves that supply the clitoris, and pelvic pain. FGM may complicate pregnancy and place women at higher risk of obstetrical problems (birth difficulties), which are more common with the more extensive FGM procedures. Thus, with women who have developed vasicovaginal or rectovaginal fistulae, holes allow urine and
Comfort Momoh, a specialist midwife in England, writes that in Ethiopia the Falashas perform it when the child is a few days old, the Amhara on the eight day of birth, while the Adere and Oromo choose to perform at four years while other communities may wait until adulthood. Others may still wait till a lady is ripe for marriage or just after the first pregnancy. The procedure may be carried out on one girl alone, or a group of girls at the same time. It is generally performed by a traditional circumciser, usually an older woman known as garden without anaesthesia or sterile equipment, though richer families may pay instead for the services of a nurse, midwife, or doctor using a local anaesthesia. It may also be performed by the mother or grandmother, in some societies such as, Nigeria and Egypt, by the local male barber. IMMEDIATE AND LATE COMPLICATIONS: FGM is typically carried out by traditional practitioners
traditional ways, and without access to medical source. The procedure complications include acute urinary retention, urinary tract infection; and hepatitis and HIV from re-use of instruments. According to Lewnes’ UNICEF report, it is unknown how many girls and woman die from the procedure because “few records are kept”. Fatalities caused by FGM “are rarely reported as such, Momoh says that the short term mortality rate is around 10 percent, due to complications such as infection, haemorrhage, and hypovolemic shock. A film shot in Lunsar, Sierra Leone, by Mariana van Zeller in 2007 discusses how girls who bleed excessively are regarded as witches. Late complications may vary depending on the type of FGM performed. The formation of scars and keloids can lead to strictures, obstruction of fistula formation of the urinary tract and bladder with infections and incontinence. Genital tract include virginal and
feaces to sip into the virgina making it difficult to obtain clear urine. In more serious conditions, cervical evaluation during labour may be impeded and labour prolonged. Third degree laceration, anal sphincter damage, and emergency caesarean section are more common in FGM women than in controls. Neonatal mortality is increased in women with FGM. The WHO estimated that an additional 10-20 babies die per 1,000 deliveries as a result of FGM; the estimate was based on a 2006 study conducted on 28, 393 women attending delivery wards at 28 obsteric centres in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. In those settings, all types of FGM were found to pose an increased risk of death to their babies. Psychological trauma related to cultural context: Damage may occur to women who undergo FGM particularly when they are moving outside their traditional circles and are
By NOSA OJO
confronted with a view that mutilation is not the norm. Women with FGM typically report sexual dysfunction and dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse), nevertheless several researchers have written that FGM does not necessarily destroy sexual desire in women. Elizabeth Heger Boyle reported several studies during the 1980’s and 1990’s where the women said they were able argued that FGM is related to the high incidence of AIDS in some parts of Africa. CONCLUSION: Putting an end to the practice of FGM has several dimensions that need to be addressed. There is a need for enabling environment at the political and legislative level. The health sector must be fully involved in the prevention of FGM as there is a risk of increased medicalisation of the Practice. Teachers and the education sector can be strong allies in activities that promote awareness and empowerment of children and youth. The culture sector (media, entertainment) is crucial in disseminating information and promoting an open dialogue on a sensitive issue like FGM. In many developing countries those sectors of government are suffering from a lack of resources; financial resources, human resources and technical expertise. Deveploment cooperation can play an important role in supporting the in-house capacity at government can play an important role in supporting the in-house capacity at which government level. In all approaches, whether through support to the government or to civil society activities, specific action should be taken to engage women and girls from FGM communities to promote their empowerment, their ability to claim their rights as well as their decision making position in relation to their community and to the various policy structures that affect their lives. Their active participation should the core of all abandonment strategies. NOSA OJO Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria ***************** ‘CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, a Weekly Thursday Feature, is a collaborative initiative between the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, and the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Benin City. Comments on this page should be forwarded to The Editor, Observer newspaper or Director, Institute of Child Health University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Spotlight AMIDST reactions by the opposition party to the proposed sale of Edo House, Lagos by the State Government, the Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhle during a media chat with top media Executives in his office, Wednesday, explained Government’s position on the issue. Here is the excerpts: estate. And from what we see, where FIRST, let me use the can opportunity of this governments have such meeting to brief you on a properties, it hardly ever matter that I thought is makes money from it. It actually self explainatory is the agents who are but considering the level connected, who get of mischief in our appointed either as environment; there are managing or as tenant or end up things you take for whatever benefiting from the asset. granted thinking that everybody understand, Now, having reviewed but there are people who the whole situation, we either out of mischief or ask ourselves whether or cheer ignorance seem to not for example we need create confusion in the the Edo Liaison Office in Lagos. minds of the public. That office was built at We reviewed like we a time when Lagos was have done in every other aspect of our state; that still the capital of Nigeria we look at whenever we and I believe every State every have asset, whether those Government, regional government had assets are performing and the need to maintain the a Liaison Office in one that are performing Lagos. Some also use and what we can do to part of the Liaison Office make sure that all our as hostel, hotel or guest investments, whether house where people or they are where we can put indigenes from the state them back to work. are able to reside when Where we can’t, we sell they are posted to Lagos, them off so that private they had a ready people can better utilize accommodation to stay. Edo House happen to be them. Around the world, I in a very prime area in think the days are gone Lagos. When the capital when government claim of Nigeria was relocated to be able to control the to Abuja, the status of commanding height of Lagos changed. Lagos is the economies of states or still a very important city; nations and everyone but is now a commercial now agrees that and industrial heartbeat government is better at of Nigeria. Is no longer political providing infrastructures, the providing the enabling headquarters. If you own environment for private a property in Lagos, you know that like every people to go in. Obviously, Edo State responsible government, Government doesn’t Lagos State Government have the competence to will expect that you pay indulge or manage her rent. Every responsible government would
Proposed Sale Of Edo Hou change on property or the Land used, like we are trying to do in Edo State. Now, since my assumption of office here, I have gone to Lagos with several of my commissioners at one time or the other. I have also gone there to assess the state of affairs in our Lagos Office and we were shocked to find the state of disrepair. The building has been abandoned for long with their lease with private individuals who use part of it as hotel. They don’t remit the money to government, you try to make them remit the money, they go to court. We are moving through one court to the other spending money on lawyers and so on. Meanwhile, the property is there wasting away. I have to ask myself whether it makes economic sense or whether it will be in the interest of the good people of Edo State to continue to maintain that property and take Edo tax payers money to pay ground rent and other charges. Just recently, we had a bill of about N60 million (Sixty Million Naira) from Lagos State Government for us to settle various charges associated with ownership of our property of that value in Lagos. Now, the question that I have to ask myself is. Does it make sense for one to make money from
Explains Governm Edo State to go and service our property in Lagos? If so, what do we get in return? Since being a Governor, I have never stay in the guest house in Edo Liaison Office in Lagos. My predecessors never stay, there. Perhaps, the last time anybody stay there would be many, many years ago when one or two military Sole Administrator probably had cause to stay there. If I go to Lagos, I stay in a hotel and Edo State Government paid for that hotel. So, what now is the value of retaining the property. It’s not yielding income for Edo State and is attracting charges. We deliberated on this matter at the state executive council and we felt that the primary purpose or reason for acquiring that property in the first instance is no longer valid by reason of the fact that the capital has relocated to Abuja. Consequently, we have built Edo House Office where we have staff and officials who liaise with Federal Agencies also handle protocol issues, when any of us is going to Lagos or anybody who have any enquiring to make in respect with what Edo State is doing. So, we now have a building in Abuja, we also have a land we are going to develop, but the building in Lagos is
“My predecessors never stay, there. Perhaps, the last time anybody stay there would be many, many years ago when one or two military Sole Administrator probably had cause to stay there. If I go to Lagos, I stay in a hotel and Edo State Government paid for that hotel. So, what now is the value of retaining the property. It’s not yielding income for Edo State and is attracting charges.”
By ADAMS OYIBOKE
therefore no longer relevant. We have decided to put it on sale. But when I got to know what the PDP
We have two outstanding viable projects if God willing and we saw in the time being available, and I
Gov Adams Oshiomhole
government did before, we decided that the process was to be transparent and there is only one way to make the process transparent; get the necessary agents, advertise the fact that we want to sell the house. Rather than doing selective bidding, we opted for open advert so that whoever have the money to buy can buy. Our intention is; when we sell a property, whatever is realized can be use to build a property in Benin.
intend to accomplish before the end of my tenure all the projects in Benin City. The most central one in my heart is building a Five Star Hotel with a Conference Centre and banquet facilities and seminar home in strategic place in Benin City because giving our location, gathering to the West, the East, North and to the South/South. Thirty minutes ride to Benin, 35 mins to Abuja, Benin City is simply the heart of the centre of
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
use: Gov
Spotlight
Oshiomhole ment’s Position Nigeria. We must not forget that we are called the heart beat of Nigeria. The major weakness which we have why we can’t host major big events is
states of the Niger/Delta and for me, it is about thinking of the future. Now, having decided to put Edo House in an Open Market, whatever money we realized from
the absence of banquet facilities or conference facilities among others. So, I am convinced that with a 5 STAR HOTEL completed with such facilities, we can take advantage of our location and the fact that we have very good air link both to the industrial capital of Lagos and the political capital of Abuja and we enjoy three hours (3HRS) drive from PortHarcourt and we are part of the oil producing
it, makes more sense for Edo people to divest from Lagos and use the money and bring the investment down to Edo State and use it in terms of preference, or as a priority to build a 5 Star Hotel. Even if the money is not enough, it can be used to start the construction and find other resources to complete it or partner with the private sector. Incidentally, during my last visit to Washington, I had a discussion with
the American Ambassador, Nelson Bar to fund the construction of a hotel in partnership and if that comes to past, we expect to raise and attract as far as $150 million (One Hundred and Fifty Million Dollars). If we get that, we can have 5 star marior hotel that will forever change and make a bold statement about our tourist potential as a state. Therefore, we will rather relocate the house in Lagos to Benin. But if we can’t physically move it to Benin, we will put it in the market, bring the proceed to develop the city. My mandate is not to develop Lagos, my mandate is to develop Edo State and therefore, I have no apology for those who felt that barely for political reason, we keep our landed asset in Lagos to be wasting away. The responsibility of a Governor is to think not just about today but about the future. Secondly, we have designs that are completed to build a Benin City Business District (B.C.B.D) and some of you may remember the Agidigbe House and the Bureau de-Exchange house around the King’s Square, the design is ready to have a very beautiful edifice around that King’s Square that would cover the Agidigbe and the Bureau de-exchange where the Comrade Buses are
presently using as park. The Comrade buses have to be on the road moving. Now we want to build the Benin City Business District (B.C.B.D) and it will complete the statement we want to make around the King’s Square because you will recall at the beginning when they said we were just planting flowers but now they should know that we are not just planting flowers, we are constructing and we are building and I also said if you recall in our previous interaction that our vision is clear. By the time we are through, substantial part of our urban renewal programme in Benin City must have been completed. When you stand at the King’s Square at night, it will be a beautiful site to behold. This is because you have the Sokponba Road already lighted, well built. Also, we have the Akpakpava Road which is already done. We are working on Forestry Road and Mission Road. We have already completed the job on Oba Market Road, Airport Road has been completed and when all of these are lighted up and you are at the heart of Benin City, you could see a Modest City. Everything I have said we are working on, some have already been completed. I think the only two left now are the mission and Forestry Roads in which the only difficult part which is the construction of the side covet is almost completed. Once these are completed, the heart
of Benin City will be such that every Edo person will be proud of and we will now find resources to build the Benin City Business District where you will have all kinds of facilities, office space, banks, hall; the design even have a space for cinema. Then, we have a city centre that truly works. So, for me, that is my challenge and if selling Lagos out will give us resources to transform Benin City, I will do so. The other day, I saw on the Television an advert where they claim that we said we are not bound to sell to the highest bidder and that means that we will not give in to them. There are standard format for advertising sale of property just like you have standard format for advertising contract. In the case of contract you might receive all files in courts that say we are not bound to award it to the highest bidder. But the fact that we advertised shown that we are more transparent, honest and more committed because the Previous P.D.P Government sold all kinds of property in the G.R.A. Today, we don’t have any Guest House, you tell me, you have been in this state before me, tell me if any of those property were advertised. One of the PDP senators acquired a Land here that he paid less than a million Naira on a G.R.A Land. That case is not yet closed, we are still looking at it with a view to recovering it or sell it on its market value, if he can afford it, good. If he can’t afford it, it will be
confisticated and put into public use. So they sold them underground. We advertised and they are making noise. Now if we as the bid revealed that we are not bound to sell to the highest bidder, then I am the Chief bidder. It is a standard format but we would rather want to be challenged if any of them comes out to buy and I’m believing the fact that they should have the money because they owned the cow and the head, let them bid. In any case, it should be shown that you are a serious bidder. You will be expected to attach 10% to the value of your bid to be sure that you are not just a busy-body bidder so that those who bid are people who are truly interested in buying the property. However, I believe Edo people know better. We will try the best we can to protect the best interests of Edo State. Nobody in this government is entitled even to bid on that property not to talk of acquiring it. None of us is interested. So I ask you to monitor the process as transparently as you can, devout every time to carry out investigation. When we begin to receive biding. You find out how much it is sold and investigate who bought it. I am sure you will have all the skills to discover what is on the paper and what is under the paper if there is anything under the paper. We are not being distracted, we are proceeding with the sales and we will use the money realized to develop this great city of Benin.
“Today, we don’t have any Guest House, you tell me, you have been in this state before me, tell me if any of those property were advertised. One of the PDP senators acquired a Land here that he paid less than a million Naira on a G.R.A Land.”
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Environment AS we stand at a pedestrian crossing or walk by a bridge, and a vehicle passes by, letting out a cloud of smoke in our face, our immediate reaction is to fan it away with our hands. We are also quick to give the driver of the vehicle a stare and even make a comment about how unclean and unsafe the air in the atmosphere around us is. That would be the air outdoors which is polluted every moment due to poisonous emissions from fuels of cars, buses and trucks. But have we ever paused to think about how safe is the air which we breathe inside enclosed spaces like our workplaces, homes, restaurants/pubs, schools, campus hostels and public transport? Indoor air pollution most commonly includes tobacco smoke and smoke from the combustion of solid fuels. Apart from these, other indoor air pollutants could be cooking oil smoke, kerosene smoke, incense smoke, mosquito coil smoke and pesticides. TOBACCO SMOKE Do we see no harm in smoking in front of our two year old child? Does the smoke exhaled by the passenger in the taxi have no effect on the taxi driver? How bad can that be? It’s just a bit of smoke. Exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) causes a high burden of disease as does the direct use of tobacco. This burden is higher in low-income countries and affects women and children most of all. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) rightly avers that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Worldwide, passive smoking or second hand smoke causes about 603,000 premature deaths in nonsmokers every year. Women are at least 50% more likely to be exposed to SHS than men. While adults suffer from lung cancer, heart diseases and chronic respiratory diseases, children suffer from asthma, other respiratory infections and sudden infant death syndrome as a result of this totally avoidable exposure. Some countries have introduced laws forbidding
Addressing Menace Of Air Pollution Breathe In And Out: smoking in public areas. But what really matters is how well these laws are followed. Strong antismoking legislations have to be backed by equally strong implementation, which alas does not happen often. Surely, many of us have had our building corridor smell of smoke that is coming from the neighbour’s flat. Many of us must have also enjoyed the sweet odour of the flavoured sheesha/ hookah from the table next to ours in an outdoor restaurant. But then if we have smelt it, we have inhaled it. How many of us smoke in our home verandah and then take our 3 year old in our arms the very next minute? In an online survey held recently, 26.7% of the respondents said that they smoked in enclosed public areas where smoking wasn’t banned. 9.68% said they smoked in the car, taxi or auto rickshaw. About 10% smoked at their workplace and inside the house. While 57.14% said they would move away from other people who were not smoking, 17.86% said they would only do that if the others objected. According to Kathryn Seymour, Communications Officer at International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) who spoke to Citizen News Service – CNS: “Every person has a right to breathe clean air that is not contaminated by carcinogens and other harmful substances. Smoke free indoor public places are one of the key measures that can be implemented to protect this right. Under the smoke free policy, bans on smoking should be implemented in all indoor and crowded outdoor areas, as well as campus vehicles. Designated smoking rooms within these areas should not be allowed because there is no truly efficient means of containing or extracting tobacco smoke. In order to improve compliance, it is strongly recommended that
By CAROLYN KAVITA TAURO
managers of facilities consider offering cessation support to staff who smoke or referring them to a separate cessation service. Banning the sale of tobacco products and banning tobacco advertising will also
87.2 % of rural families and 33.6% of urban families in India use pollution creating cooking fuels. However, there has been a migration toward the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) especially in the urban areas
kerosene in the past few years, “It used to be very difficult for us when we used cow dung to cook our food. The house was always full of smoke and we were constantly coughing. Now that we have the LPG cylinders our visits to the doctors have decreased,
help with compliance.” SOLID FUELS AND BIOMASS The other most common form of indoor air pollution, especially in low income countries, is the pollution due to the combustion of solid fuels like coal and biomass such as cow dung and firewood. Globally, about 50% of all households and 90% of rural households use solid fuels as the main domestic source of energy. Data from the Indian Census 2011 shows that
in recent years. Most of urban India now uses LPG and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) while rural India still relies on solid fuels and biomass. This is not so much due to a lack of awareness but more due to lack of availability, accessibility and, most importantly, affordability of cleaner fuel options. Sunita (name changed), who lives in a slum in Mumbai, says that most slum dwellers have changed from solid fuels to LPG or
although the cylinders are expensive to buy”. Efforts aimed at the prevention of airborne diseases for children under 5 years of age, will not only improve the general health of our future generation but also reduce the child mortality rate in the country. Along with this, interventions to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution will also help us in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) — the end to
the requirement of collecting fuel for cooking will help women by decreasing the time burden promoting gender equality and empowerment (Goal 3); it will also result in more time being made available for education and other activities that could help them generate more income to help eradicate poverty (Goal 1); a nation’s progress towards environmental sustainability can also be monitored through the
proportion of the population using solid fuels (Goal 7). Air has been taken for granted far too long. Everyone has a right to breathe in clean and safe air and so every person has the responsibility to provide themselves, their families and their communities this right. Along with legislations that aim to reduce indoor as well as outdoor air pollution, let each one of us do our bit to contribute toward a cleaner and safer environment.
“Air has been taken for granted far too long. Everyone has a right to breathe in clean and safe air and so every person has the responsibility to provide themselves, their families and their communities this right.”
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Education THE history of strike action by teachers in Nigeria could be traced to the second republic (1979—1 93) when in some parts of the federation there was the policy of free education, especially in the South— Western States that was mainly controlled by the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) under the leadership of Late Chief Ohaflrni Awolowo. With the introduction of free education, there was increase in students’ enrolment, as well as the establishment of more schools to cater for the explosion in students’ population. There was also the recruitment of more teachers, especially the NCE graduates. However, most of the Western States, including Bendel State had little fund to successfully prosecute the free education programme conclusively, because there was no much money from the Federation Account, and the Internally Generated Revenue was inadequate to meet all the demands in the education sector. The results were that teacher’s salaries were owed for months, while facilities and infrastructure began to decay in the various schools. This forced the Nigeria Un ion of Teachers (NUI) in the affected States to embark on Industrial Action or Strike to demand for their unpaid salaries and improved working conditions. When the military took over power in December I 983, the education sector was already in a
state of comatose, but was further neglected through under funding, lack of infrastructure and facilities, inadequate teachers, poor remuneration etc. which led to low teachers morale and low standard of teaching and learning. In 1993/94 academic session, the Universities in Nigeria were closed due to strike action by Academic Staff Union of Universities. (ASUU). Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, there have been series of strike action by ASUU, thereby making University education unstable and strike ridden. Hardly could a year pass without ASUU going on strike for one reason or the other. For example, in 1999, ASUU went on strike For 5 months. In 2001 it was for a week, while in 2007 the ASUU strike lasted three months. In 2008 it was a week strike and in 2009 it lasted four months. In 2010, ASUU strike lasted 5 months and a week, while in starting 2011 from 4th December 2011 to February 2012. The current 2013 ASUU strike started on 1 st July and uptill now (October 2013) there is no hope that the University lecturers will call off the strike. At this point, it must he stated that strikes have created instability in the nation’s education system and has become a major challenge facing the education sector in Nigeria, especially at the tertiary level of education. Although, ASUU reasons for embarking on this current indefinite strike could be justifiable
Strike: in a way, especially when viewed against the background of inadequate funding, lack of teaching Facilities and infrastructure as well as research grants, but the frequency of the strike has given all Nigerians reason to worry. This is so because, education remains the only tool with which any nation can
achieve its desired National goals and objectives. Therefore, any nation that toils with its educational system will experience progressive decay and will find it difficult to realize its National goals and objectives. The effects of strike on the Nation’s education system over the years have been too much. Apart from the man hour lost, it has led to reduction in the
A Postmortem By DESMOND AGBAMA
standard of education. as researches have shown that frequent strike action affects student’s academic performance negatively. Furthermore, frequent strike create hardship for students and their parents, as a result of undue elongation of the period of
and Federal governments’ position concerning the strike is no doubt having negative impact not just on the education system, but on our collective psyche. Perhaps, it is a way for the leaders at all levels and the very rich members of the society to
their course of study, thereby making them spend more time and money for a particular course of study. Besides, frequent strike action makes mockery of the education system, to the extent that both local and international communities will no longer take it seriously. Little wonder why no Nigerian University is rank among the first one thousand best Universities in the world today. The current ASUU
perpetually provide poor quality education to the majority of average Nigerians. No doubt, incessant strike is not the solution to the problems confronting education in Nigeria. Nevertheless, it beats ones imagination why dialogue is no longer effective in resolving conflicts of this nature in Nigeria. Is government right for not keeping to its agreement? Certainly, no. Is the action of ASUU Justifiable in this present circumstance? The answer is no because in the past strike actions had not had positive impact on education system. Again, does the Federal government and our leaders at all levels have the political will to improve the education sector? Why is it difficult
“Although, ASUU reasons for embarking on this current indefinite strike could be justifiable in a way, especially when viewed against the background of inadequate funding, lack of teaching Facilities and infrastructure as well as research grants, but the frequency of the strike has given all Nigerians reason to worry.”
for the ruling class to appropriate adequate fund for the education sector? These are questions begging for urgent and concrete answers if they mean well for the people. Be that as it may, if the Nigeria quest to achieve Education for All Goal by 20I5 is to become a reality and if it is to achieve its national set goals by the
year 2020, then greater priority must be paid to the education sector and fund should be allocated to it to meet the world standard of 26 percent of the country’s annual budget. In addition, the quality of teaching and learning must be improved upon through provision of research grant, training and retraining of teachers at all levels of education, as well as the provision of teaching and learning facilities in schools. Nigeria cannot attain t e c h n o l o g i c a l breakthrough, when students are taught science and technological only in theory. Therefore the need to build and equip science laboratories, vocational and technology workshop in schools across the country becomes very imperative
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Motoring
With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452
Advantages Of CNG As Fuel
Major Cause Of Accidents Damaged Tyres:
ACCORDING to research, damaged and badly maintained tyres are the most common among widespread factors that contribute to accidents. Tyres are undoubtedly the most critical safety component on a vehicle as it affects traction, handling, steering, stability and braking “Drivers often forget that only correctly inflated tyres can do their job properly, delivering the right level of handling performance. Our comprehensive tyre tests show that under-and also over-inflation can have a significant impact on the car ’s overall driving behaviour and its stopping distance. But it impacts not only the car’s safety, it also decreases the tyres’ potential mileage and the car’s fuel efficiency” says Lize Hayward, Goodyear Group Public Relations Manager. “Drivers frequently make one of three classical mistakes: either they don’t check their pressure be-
fore departure, or alternatively, they check the pressure when the tyre is warm, which results in incorrect readings, or they put it at a level that does not take into account the weight of the car-empty or fully loaded, it makes a difference.” Proper inflation for better driving stability properly inflated tyres are necessary to keep the vehicle’s handling performance at optimal levels, especially its cornering and braking abilities. Many problems start with a gradual and unnoticed loss of inflation pressure. “When a tyre is under-inflated, the car’s weight is concentrated on the outside part of the tyre tread, increasing pressure on the tyre’s sidewalls (the tyres’ shoulders as we call them), rather than being spread out evenly across the width of the tyre. This means that as the tyre rolls, the sidewall heats up more than it should, and that affects both performance
and safety. Under-inflation means less evenly distributed pressure on the road. It also reduces the tread area that is in the direct contact with the road. These effects reduce the tyres’ grip and especially in combination with a heavily loaded car, can have a significantly impact on the ear ’s driving behaviour, stopping distances become longer and cornering abilities can become sloppier and less direct, which can lead to uncontrollable driving behaviour. Our tyres are highly performing products, equipped with sophisticated technologies. To make use of their abilities to the full extent, the right tyre pressure must be applied”, ex-
plains Harris. Don’t kick your tyres — check them properly Tyres may loose up to 0.2 bar air pressure in a threemonth time period, solely as a result of the everyday diffusion processes in the tyre, “Too many drivers make the mistake of thinking that a kick to their tyres or a visual check will tell them if their tyre pressure is correct. A visual inspection cannot detect a 0.2 bar decrease in pressure. Studies carried out by the European Union have shown that more than 64% of all cars have under-inflated tyres. Most drivers simply don’t check their tyre pressure often enough, which can have a significant effect on vehicle safety.”
• Natural gas for vehicles has higher octane number than gasoline (125 vs. 90), what provide combustion without self-ignition, even in engines of higher compression and efficiency. • Furthermore, combustion is total, because the mixture between CNG and air is perfect at any ambient temperature.. • The oil that lubricates the engine is less contaminated if natural gas is employed, and intervals between oil changes are twice as long. • There are no sediments and the spark plugs are kept clean. The walls of the engine cylinders are not washed, what results in better and more effective lubrication. • Combustion gases are not corrosive. By not damaging metals, the life of the exhaust pipe and silencers is longer • The gaseous nature of the fuel eliminates the scanning actions in the cylinders during fast acceleration periods, with the advantage of reducing the corrosion of metal surfaces. • The engine presents great performance flexibility during accelerations without irregularities or backfires, even at low direct speed. . • Converted vehicles may switch from using CNG to gasoline by simply pushing a button or turning a knob while driving. • CNG — gasoline bifuel system doubles the car’s driving range. • Natural gas vehicles operate in all terrains, even across mountains. In this sense, a truck — with a 37 — tones load — drove above 4,800 meters high in the Peruvian Andes in May 2008. • CNG works fine under any climate condition. Since the fuel does not freeze not even at low temperatures — the vehicle will always be ready to be used. CNG components are tested at — 40°C during its approval process. Natural gas only liquefies at — 165°C. • What is more, the speeds it may reach are similar to racing cars’ speeds. A biogas Audi A4 entered the Guinness Book of Records by achieving 364.6 km/h in April 2009, thus becoming the fastest NGV/CNGdriven car of the world. The milestone was reached on the Formula One Nurburgring race track in Germany.
“Tyres may loose up to 0.2 bar air pressure in a three-month time period, solely as a result of the everyday diffusion processes in the tyre, “Too many drivers make the mistake of thinking that a kick to their tyres or a visual check will tell them if their tyre pressure is correct.”
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Technology Is Technology Good Or Bad For Work-Life Balance?
THE number of mobile internet devices is set to outnumber humans by the end of this year. There’ll be more smartphones and internet-connected tablets and monitors than there are people on the planet. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), it has seen been an increase in active mobile phone subscribers in September. It believes that the increase is mainly due to promotions and efforts exerted by the telecom industry to boost customer satisfaction in the country. NCC reported that at the end of September last year, Nigeria’s active mobile phone subscribers have gone up to 107.4 million, a 2.2 million increase from the previous month’s 105.2 million recorded subscribers.NCC added that Nigeria’s teledensity has increased to 76.7% from 75.2% recorded in August. GSM numbers have risen by 2.52 million, taking it to 103.65 million current users. Africa will be one focal point of the boom in smartphones. Microsoft/ Huawei and Samsung are launching new smartphones for the African, and Blackberry is already well established there. Over 2012-17, Africa is predicted to have the strongest mobile data traffic of any region, increasing more than 17-fold over the period. Clearly, smartphones are hugely empowering for Africa. They’ll spur the growth of entrepreneurship
By JOANNE BUSHELL
and local businesses, and bring improvements to areas of life including healthcare and education. But, at the same time, 24/7 technology brings market with it stresses and strains, making workers feel they’re always on call. These feelings may be exacerbated as manufacturers find new ways to keep us online. In the US,Sergey Brin of Google and other early adopters are already wearing the Google Glass – spectacles which allow wearers to use the internet. And it’s widely expected that Apple will launch a smartwatch. If we don’t even have to reach into our pockets for our phone in order to connect to work, it’s going to be harder than ever to switch off. Positive or negative? In a recent global survey by Accenture, 78% of workers said technology lets them be more flexible with their work schedules. But 70% said technology brings work into their personal lives. Feelings are clearly mixed. T e c h n o l o g y hasfacilitatedthe 24/7 working culture, but other things have fed into it too. Businesses are interacting with customers and colleagues in different time zones, and staff are increasingly expected to be available for late-night or early-morning calls.And the global downturn forced many workers to take on additional duties, which led to them working longer hours.
The positives of workanywhere technology So don’t let’s blame everything on technology. And let’s not forget the very positive changes that technology has brought to
possible because technology allows people to work anywhere. It’s no coincidence that the launch of devices such as the Blackberry in 2003, the iPhone in 2008 and the iPad in 2010 has been accompanied by a steep rise in the
In the latest edition of the Regus Work-Life Balance Index, 41% of respondents globally said their companies were doing more to help employees reduce commuting than two years earlier. In several African countries, including Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania and Tunisia, the percentage was higher than the global average. Working remotely can save the average employee 79 hours of com-
other people. As smartphone ownership and usage proliferate in Africa, we need to intensify the debate about worklife balance and people’s availability in a 24/7 world. Sure, people may need to do late-night conference calls, but they may be happier to do so if flexible working patterns let them cut their commuting time or juggle home and work
muting each year. It also cuts their travel costs and car emissions. It’s probable that flexible working and other measures to cut commuting are some of the reasons why61% of people in the Regus Work-Life Balance Index2012 said their worklife balance was better than in 2010. The negatives of 24/7 management models The negative aspects of 24/7 mobile technology arise because of management cultures. People use mobile devices and technology for work outside office hours because their bosses or clients expect them to.So it’s not their phones that are preventing them from relaxing, it’s
commitments. And office workers may need to think about their own habits too. One reason why colleagues and clients can seasily reach us out of hours is that we’re already online – using social media or checking the football scores. We’re more likely to hear the ping of an email arriving, so we’re more likely to deal with it. The sender assumes we’re happy to work out-of-hours, and bombards us even more in future. It’s not just employers who need to learn the lessons about technology, presenteeism (at the desk or on the end of the phone), and how we can work most productively, it’s also ourselves …
• Smart phones
work and work-life balance over the past decade. Think how much easier it is to do your job when the cloud means you no longer have to go to the office to access corporate information or applications. Remember how video-conferencing has reduced the need for time-consuming corporate travel. Both those benefits are
number of people using Regus business centres and drop-in business lounges to work. There are now over 1 million customers in 100 countries using Regus flexible workplaces, because people are choosing to work at locations that suit them and their customers, instead of doing the old-fashioned fixed, daily commute.
“As smartphone ownership and usage proliferate in Africa, we need to intensify the debate about work-life balance and people’s availability in a 24/7 world. Sure, people may need to do latenight conference calls, but they may be happier to do so if flexible working patterns let them cut their commuting time or juggle home and work commitments.”
THE NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Opinion
Another Inconsequential Cry! I laugh hysterically each time I see the funny nomenclature of Chief Dan Orbih, Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, constantly exhibiting his unpopular political gimmicks and sentiments on television, I am neither a politician nor a stooge of any political actor, but a true and concerned Edo indigene who believes in the development and overall upliftment of our great state. In as much as we all have our individual rights to speak on issues of public concern as it were, we must learn not to abuse such rights either individually or collectively by misinforming and misleading the populace just to earn some cheap and ridiculous political points; because posterity will always have a way of paying us back. Being in the opposition in a state or country does not automatically make parties and individuals oppressors and hindrances to development all because they do not share similar ideologies with the government and political party in power. In advanced climes, grievances and political differences are put aside immediately after elections, and cohesion is thereafter ensured to bring all parties together with the sole aim of uplifting their economy.
Sadly, it is a different ball game in this part of the world where backbiting and continuous pulling down is the day’s order, Opposition back here believes they cannot remain relevant in the society if they do not do everything necessary to distract the government in power with their unfounded criticism and bias. In Edo State, the situation is precarious. I have overtime watched the continuous show of shame put up by Chief Dan Orbih and some selected embryos of the PDP publicly displaying their ignorance and political ineptitude as a way of getting back to the executive governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for unprecedentedly disorganizing their ranks in the state five years ago. Often times, I can’t but ask my self why these crops of selfish elements still want to be relevant in our society when they unpardonably collapsed the economic structures of the state in their ten years of holding on to power with nothing but rapid diminution as their achievement for the long stay in government. If we must have people that will fight our course as Edo People, it certainly cannot be Chief Orbih and his cronies in the PDP who are the chief initiators of the rot and decay that
By NELSON OMOREGIE
Oshiomhole is trying so hard to clean up. The recent interview granted to Chief Orbih concerning the planned sale of Edo House in Lagos is not only laughable but also downgrading of a man of his caliber watched disgustingly on one of
magnificent structure in Lagos as our inheritance from the defunct Bendel State, the Ironic question is: How many Edo indigenes are directly or indirectly benefiting from such a building especially when it has since outlived its purpose of being built so
House has been erected for diplomatic purposes. What Edo people should be concerned about is whether the proceeds from the sales will be deployed to productive channels to uplift the economy of the state and not to be swayed by the opinions of some retrogressive politicians who are still in shock
Chief Dan Orbih
Gov Adams Oshiomhole
the indigenous television stations some days back how Chief Orbih childishly carried a placard and chanting a song of solidarity that he ordinarily could not recite properly, to protest the proposed move of the government. Even though we appreciate the existence of a deteriorating
television and pages of news papers, I believe it will be more productive when such an edifice is built back here which every Edo Son and daughter will be proud to see with their two eyes and not some television recording of a ghost structure. I am of the strong opinion that economic issues must
many years ago? As an Edo indigene and stakeholder of the state, I see no reason why we must keep holding on to such a gigantic structure which will continue to drain the state’s scarce resources in the midst of daunting economic challenges. If a section of the public is mesmerized by the enormous look of the structure on
“I have overtime watched the continuous show of shame put up by Chief Dan Orbih and some selected embryos of the PDP publicly displaying their ignorance and political ineptitude as a way of getting back to the executive governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for unprecedentedly disorganizing their ranks in the state five years ago.”
not be politicized if we must see the change that we constantly yearn for. Does it make any economic sense to hold on to a property that costs the government a whopping sum of N60 Million taxpayers’ money to continually service its existence when the government does not even get up to that as turnover from the so-called State Property”? The state government in its wisdom has also thought it wise to dispose off the building owing to the fact that the capital of Nigeria has since been moved from Lagos to Abuja where a better and more Sophisticated Edo
over their unbelievable defeat at the polls. The Comrade Governor has proven to be an accountable office holder which is the reason why there are visible developments on ground, unlike the dark and unproductive years of the PDP in the state. I suggest we rally round the present administration in the state because of its commitment and determination in tackling the numerous challenges that abound. God bless Edo State. Nelson Writes from Benin nelsonomoregie@facebook.com
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Religion
With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA
A Treatise On Divine Prosperity KING David wrote in the psalms- “o taste and see that Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” psalm 34:8. He wrote further: “o fear the Lord, ye his for there is no want to them that fear him” psalm 34:9. Did you hear that there is no want to them who fear him -why? Because if you declare yourself a child of the great king the mighty God; he will guide you and if you listen to Him he will lead you to your blessings. “ Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel” Ps 73: 24 John 16:13. And if he guides you with his counsel and you listen and obey and follow; what is the obvious result? -The palmist says: “the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want” Ps 23:1 He shall lead you because there is no lack in him because the “earth is the lords and the fullness thereof Ps 24: 1 50:12 Oh what a wonderful God! Ignorance is a disease and Satan has used it effectively to discourage our faith in the lord. That’s why Hosea said, “My People perish for lack of knowledge” Hos 4:6.Childrcn of God cannot be beggars but “askers’. Ask your father the king of kings and he will release his blessings unto you - the faithful. Don‘t go begging the Psalmist tells us not to do so., because for you a child of the king begging, then it means you have been forsaken; for the child of a king cannot beg but ask-“ask and it shall he given you, seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you” Matt 7:7. Jesus said if we as mortals know how to give good gifts to our own beloved children when they ask our favour how much more shall our God give to the faithful ones who ask genuinely? “If ye then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more- shall your father which is in heaven give good things to thorn that ask ii? Matt7: 11. Therefore the Psalmist testifies. “1 have been young and now I am old, yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken nor his seed begging bread’ Ps 37:25. A MISNOMER! Somebody yelled at me or should I say yapped at my writing saying: “why do you preach riches? Have you not come across these verses in the scriptures that warn against riches?” Viz: I. “A good name is rather to be chosen than riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together. The lord is the maker of them all” Prov 22: 1—2. This is my reply to the above: that God surely is against riches the’ come from evil sources; such riches are usually not enduring and such persons though rich have bad names attached to them. The rich and the poor meet together when they die; God will pot discriminate between the rich and the poor because he created the rich and the poor but he did not make the circumstances of their poverty or riches; that rests on the individual’s effort. A lazy man, who is a loafer and a sluggard would probably become poor; whereas a hard worker, full of drive and initiative, could probably do better in his circumstances than the sluggard. Listen to what the scripture says: “I love them that love me and those that seek me early shall find me, riches and Honour are with me yea durable riches and righteousness” Prov 8:17-18 But for the lazy man the Bible says: “How long wilt thou sleep o sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?... so shall thy poverty come” Prov 6: 9, II 2. Another verse that caught my attention is this verse in the scripture: “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” Matt 6:24. Mammon is symbolically equated with ill-gotten money: but figuratively in demonology it is a demon responsible for unrighteous riches -ill-gotten wealth. So Jesus said you cannot be doubly yoked. You cant be
under God and be responsible to that demon- mammon. You cannot serve Jehovah (God Almighty) and equally be attracted to ill-gotten wealth; money achieved by dubious means. If you are a child of God will your conscience not prick you? 3. There is this verse in the scriptures again that warns against riches. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare ... for the love of money is the root of all evils which
world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Malt 16:26. John the apostle wrote this admonition to his beloved brother in Christ the Elder Gaius; and this admonition is good for everyone seeking divine prosperity. “BELOVED, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and he in good health even as thy soul prosperth” 3 Jn 2
the testimony of Elijah the prophet who suffered lack in the wilderness by the brook cherith and cried to God and God sent him to a widow in zerephath; whom the lord said would feed Elijah (l kgsl7:l-9) and Elijah got there, saw the widow who said the famine equally affected her and she had her as meal to cook and to eat with the son and die. Elijah asked her to cook for him first to eat then for herself and the son. She obeyed-As she
while some coveted after they have cited from the faith” I Tim 6:9 10. Now the desire to be rich must first be preceded by your salvation. You must not seek after wealth when you have not yet sought for your salvation. The Bible says: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” Matt 6:33 You must seek after the salvation of your soul before earthly riches otherwise the demon mammon could take you over. For this reason the Bible warns clearly. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole
As you now proceed to read my treatise on divine prosperity, learn to pray this prayer of the proverbist -king Solomon, “Two things have I required of thee: deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee and say, who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” Prov 30:7-9. JEHOVAHJIREA. Jehovah Jireh is hebrew, which if interpreted in English means ‘God is my provider? Did you not read
went the spirit of God spoke through Elijah the words of abundant supply: “For thus saith the lord God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste neither shall the cruse of oil fail until the day that the lord sendeth rain upon the earth” I Kgs 17: 14. And the Bible says the prophetic words were fulfilled “And the barrel of meal wasted not neither did the cruise oil fail according to the word of the lord which he spoke by Elijah” lKgs 17:16. There is a principle in operation which I shall wish to explain later. But suffice me to say here that God is great provider and he can do and undo. God is the king of the whole universe -he is “the Lord and Kings of Kings” Rev l7: 14. He says if he opens tie door of blessing for you nobody can shut it “I HAVE SET BEFORETHEE AN OPEN DOOR AND NO MAN CAN SHUT IT” 3: 8 God as the king of the universe has the world and its
“You must seek after the salvation of your soul before earthly riches otherwise the demon mammon could take you over.”
resources under his full control. The Bible says: “THE EARTH IS THE LORDS AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF: THE WORLD AND THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN” PS 24: I, 50:12 God obviously is the God of abundance. If the whole universe and its resources are under his command then the God if heaven whom we serve is a rich God. Moses the
prophet of God attested to this when he spoke these words: “FOR IT IS HE (GOD) THAT GIVETH THEE POWER TO GET WEALTH” DEUT 8:18 The lord greatly blessed Abraham with riches and wealth (Gen 24:25) He blessed Isaac in the city of Gerar n the midst of famine and Isaac “waxed great and went forward and grew until lie became very great” Gen 26:12-13. To Solomon the king God had said “wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee and I will give thee riches and wealth and honour” 2Chron 1:12. Indeed God is the source. “And thou say in thine heart my power and the might of mine hand hath given me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the lord thy God; for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth” Deut 8:17-18 The proverbist put it this way; “the blessing of the lord maketh rich and he added no sorrow with it” Prov. 10:22.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
International Features ON the day of his induction, Baraa Rantisi was told to wait near a mosque. At the appointed time, a white car drove up. Baraa and the driver exchanged passwords — the name and nickname of an early Muslim leader — and Baraa got in. Then a man in a sparsely furnished room instructed Baraa and two other recruits on the values of Islam. Baraa placed his hand on the Quran, the Muslim holy book, and swore “unwavering loyalty and obedience.” With that oath 10 years ago, Baraa joined the Muslim Brotherhood, an exclusive movement that sees itself on a divine mission to establish Islamic rule. The story of Baraa, 24, and his extended family shows how the Brotherhood’s cohesion and discipline have built it up into a successful movement that seized power in the Arab Spring. But some argue that the same closeness and authoritarian nature has worked against the Brotherhood, which now faces challenges in Egypt, Gaza and Tunisia. “They fail to make the transition from a closed organization into an open and broad-based transparent government,” said Fawaz A. Gerges of the London School of Economics. “They behaved, while in government, exactly as they behave internally.” Over several months, AP reporters had rare access to the Rantisis, a Brotherhood family that is perhaps the closest thing to a political dynasty in the movement in Gaza. Baraa’s father Mohammed, his mother Kifah and some of his siblings, uncles and cousins are Brotherhood members. The movement forms the core of their lives. It was the Brotherhood that selected devout Kifah from a wealthy family to marry Mohammed, now 55. It also gave him $2,000 to set up a clinic. In return, the orthopedic surgeon treated patients for free at a local mosque and paid 2.5 percent of his salary in monthly dues. The Rantisis reflect the basic recruitment principles of the Brotherhood: Family and religion.
The neighborhood mosque serves as a base. From there, Brothers coach football, organize trips and tutor students for free while scrutinizing potential recruits, said Baraa’s uncle Nabhan, 58, a former recruitment chief. Smokers and slackers are disqualified. The most dedicated mosque regulars are offered try-outs, where they must perform their five daily prayers at the mosque and discuss religious books assigned to them. They must also score at least 70 out of 100 on written and oral exams: Nabhan said the failure rate during his tenure was 10 percent. Probation is up to three years. Baraa’s uncle Salah, 52, a gynecologist, is a supervisor in charge of about 500 Brothers, who decides how to spend the monthly membership dues. One member recently got 300 shekels ($84) toward his university tuition, and another $200 toward wedding expenses. Hamas, the Brotherhood branch that has ruled Gaza since 2007, is unique in the global movement because of its violent struggle against Israel, but it adheres to the organization’s principles. As in Egypt, the Brothers in Gaza have built a network of clinics, kindergartens, schools and welfare programs. The Brotherhood extends from North America to Bangladesh. Brothers in Qatar, Turkey, Malaysia and other countries offer scholarships to Gaza students, such as Salah’s son Mohammed, who is studying medicine in Tunisia. Despite its close-knit nature, the Brotherhood — along with the Rantisi household — is now split over direction, amid a crisis of power in Egypt and its spillover into Gaza. Former president and Brotherhood leader Mohammad Morsi of Egypt was ousted in a July coup. Hamas, meanwhile, is losing millions because Egypt’s military has largely closed smuggling routes to Gaza. For embattled Brothers, the biggest question is how tolerant they should be in power. Hardliners hold sway in Gaza. But the Brotherhood is finding that power has
Photo shows Mohammed Raxntisi, 55, offers the Fajr, the first of the five daily prayers, at a mosque in Gaza City. On the day of his induction, Baraa, Mohammed’s son, was told to wait near a mosque. A white car drove up. Secret passwords were exchanged. And then he was sworn into the Muslim Brotherhood, an exclusive movement that sees itself on a divine mission to establish islamic rule.
Muslim Brotherhood Cohesion Is Also Its Pitfall
not translated into popularity. An internal Hamas poll in February showed 70 percent of Gazans have a negative view of the government’s campaign to collect revenues, Baraa said, after years of anarchy without paying bills. An independent poll in September showed only 21 percent in Gaza had a positive view of their government, down from 36 percent three months earlier. More than half of 1,200 respondents said conditions are bad or very bad. One reason may be the financial squeeze. Hamas has only paid partial salaries to government employees for three months, and some ministries have slashed budgets by 80 percent. In Egypt, the backlash against the Brothers grew in response to their attempts to entrench Islamic rule. Gaza, a conservative Muslim society of 1.7 million, often goes along, but has pushed back at times. In April, even some Hamas members protested when police rounded up more than two dozen
young men who wore lowwaist pants or gel-styled spiky hair, and shaved the heads of several. Baraa criticized the headshaving policemen on Facebook. His uncle Salah said police acted properly. And his mother came down somewhere in between: She opposed the police crackdown, but said personal choice has its limits. With her two grown daughters, the debate is not over whether to wear Western clothes, but over how loose or tailored their Islamic robes should be. Hamas has cracked down hard on women. Few dare appear in public without a headscarf, and Hamas police has stopped young couples in the streets, demanding to see a marriage license. There is some protest, even within the Brotherhood, where women have a separate organization and are mostly involved in social work rather than politics. During a recent meeting, Kifah said, one participant demanded to know how much longer women would be kept out of the top decision-making body, the 15-member political
bureau. Yet the Brothers consider themselves moderate, particularly when compared to Salafis, who preach an ultraconservative form of Islam. Baraa embodies both the tradition and the modern pressures within the movement. The strict tone of the Rantisi household was set by Kifah, 47, one of the first Gaza women in the 1980s to veil her face. Kifah is the highestranking Rantisi in the movement, among just five women in Gaza’s 51person Shura advisory council. Baraa, stylish with RayBan sunglasses, slim-fit khakis and beige moccasins, has challenged his mother’s contention that music is a gateway to sin. “From fifth grade, I had hot discussions with her,” said Baraa, who writes poems and downloads opera and rap from YouTube. “She’d say, ‘someone needs to break your head,’ and I told her, even if they did, it wouldn’t change my views.” But he has also embraced the Brotherhood way. As a child, he learned the
Quran by heart. In his early teens, he once stole his school principal’s keys to get into locked classrooms to distribute the Hamas student magazine. He was accepted into the movement at 14, instead of the usual 17. Two years ago, Baraa asked his mother to find a bride from a respected Brotherhood family, with fair skin and soft hair. After visiting seven families, his mother settled on Abrar, daughter of a founder of the Hamas military wing. Baraa and Abrar, 21, married eight months later. They live in the same building as Baraa’s parents with their 10-month-old son, Mohammed. “I am very happy with her,” Baraa said. “My first present for her was a face veil. My wife is mine. No one else should see her face.” Baraa says the Brotherhood gives his life meaning but goes astray when it imposes its views on others, especially while in power. “I believe Hamas is for its members,” Baraa said, “But the government is the mother of all.” (Courtesy AP)
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
International Death Toll From Philippine Quake Hits 107 LOON, Philippines- The death toll from a Philippine earthquake rose to 107 yesterday, as rescuers dug through the rubble of a church and a hospital in search of more victims. At least 23 people are missing, some under a collapsed public hospital, church and a home in the town of Loon on Bohol island, 630 km (390 miles) south of the capital, Manila. Close to 3 million people were
affected by the quake, which caused landslides and widespread damage to infrastructure in the popular tourist destinations of Bohol and nearby Cebu. The number of people injured in the quake climbed towards 280. The national disaster agency said at least 97 of the dead were in Bohol, which took the brunt of Tuesday’s earthquake of
JOHANNESBURG - Two toddlers were found dead inside a communal toilet in a South African slum north of Johannesburg on Tuesday, in another case of increasing brutal violence against children, police said. The bodies of the girls, aged two and three years, were discovered early in the morning by a resident of Diepsloot township. They had been missing since Saturday. “It is not clear how the children were killed,” said police spokesman Lungelo Dlamini. Unverified local media reports said they were strangled. No arrests have been made, but the killings sparked rioting in the densely populated neighbourhood, where residents had blocked the streets with rocks and rubble. Police spent the day patrolling the area, amid growing anger in the community. “There is a high level of anger among the community members but police are keeping a close eye to the situation,” said Dlamini. Last month, the body of a fiveyear-old girl was found in a dumpster in the same area. Dlamini said police were investigating a possible case of a serial killer targeting children. The latest killings drew the attention of President Jacob
Zuma, who expressed shock and dismay. “These gruesome incidents of extreme torture and murder of our children do not belong to the society that we are continuously striving to build together,” said Zuma. Diepsloot, which borders one of the country’s wealthiest gated estates, Dainfern, is among the most impoverished areas in Johannesburg. Some parts of the squalid slum have no running water and residents share pit latrines or mobile toilets. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Official crime statistics showed that around 16,000 people were killed in the yearlong 2012-2013 reporting period.
Killing Of S/African Toddlers Spark Outrage
magnitude 7.2. Officials feared the toll would rise further as communications with damaged villages were re-established. “I think this is a growing number,” Loon mayor Lloyd Lopez told Philippine radio. “Yesterday we had a partial communications block-out.” At least a third of the Bohol deaths were in Loon, a town of about 43,000 people. Among them was a schoolgirl whose body was found late on Tuesday under the rubble of a collapsed high school in the adjacent town of Maribojoc. “We have not reached all barangays (villages), many are cut off, the roads are blocked by big boulders,” Lopez said. Another nine people were killed on Cebu and one on Siquijor island, the disaster agency said. Many of the millions hit by the quake spent the night outdoors, including patients at some hospitals in Cebu, because of aftershocks. More than 840 aftershocks have been recorded, with one of magnitude 5.1, the volcanology agency said. “There are so many aftershocks, we are afraid,” Elena Manuel, a 64-year-old grandmother, told Reuters after her family and neighbors spent the night in the grounds of a centuries-old church that collapsed in Loon.
“We don’t have any more food and water because stores are closed, and the bridge ... is damaged. After the quake, water and mud came out of cracks on the ground in our backyard.” Officials said 18 of the 20 damaged bridges in Bohol were
being held on $1 million bail. Police had stepped up patrols and increased its checks on employees after the blasts took place Sunday night and then again Monday night. Bennett took the dry ice from a plane and placed it in an employee restroom Sunday night and another device that was found on a tarmac outside the international ter-
minal, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly. Police had previously said they didn’t believe the explosions were an act of terror because of the locations of the devices and because people weren’t targeted. No one was injured in either incident, although some flights were delayed Sunday.
Aggenstein, a 30-year-old German businessman based in Bohol, adding that most residents of Loon did not want to return to their damaged homes and had been staying outdoors.
A security guard walks past the Bell Tower Church of Historic Basilica Minore of the Nino that fell down after an earthquake hit Cebu City, Central Philippines .
Employee Arrested In Airport Blasts LOS ANGELES - A baggage handler has been arrested following a police investigation into two dry ice explosions at Los Angeles International Airport. Dicarlo Bennett, a 28-yearold employee for the ground handling company Servisair, was booked Tuesday for possession of a destructive device near an aircraft. He is
The incidents could be the work of a disgruntled employee due to an internal labor dispute, said Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Michael Downing, who heads the department’s counter-terrorism and special operations bureau. Swissport recently agreed to acquire Servisair and the transaction is expected to
close by the end of the year. An afterhours message seeking comment from Servisair was not immediately returned. It wasn’t immediately known what Bennett’s motives were, but he was riding in a van with several others, including a supervisor, when he decided to plant one of the dry ice bombs, the official told The Associated Press. Those in the van were aware of the dry ice, the official said, but no other arrests have been made. State media said Yuyao was hit hardest in Zhejiang. The rainfall, the worst in a century, caused more than 70 percent of Yuyao to be flooded and economic losses of nearly 7 billion yuan ($1.15 billion), according to the China News Service. The local government has not released the number of casualties. Riot police officers stood guard in Yuyao yesterday morning to prevent any further protests, according to photos posted by Chinese rights group, Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch. The founder of the group, Liu Feiyue, told Reuters he had received the photographs from residents in Yuyao.
China Blocks Flood Victims From Staging Protest
Egypt-US Relations In Turmoil - Egyptian Foreign Minister
CAIRO - Relations between the United States and Egypt are in deep-seated turmoil which could hurt the entire Middle East, the Egyptian foreign minister said in remarks published yesterday. Nabil Fahmy told the staterun Al-Ahram newspaper the extension of the period of instability in ties would “reflect negatively on the entire region, including American interests.” “We are now in a delicate state reflecting the turmoil in the relationship and anyone who says otherwise is not speaking honestly,” he said.
impassable, while four roads in the province were still closed. Seventeen churches, many of them centuries old, suffered irreparable damage to their old coral-stone structures. “The church here is now only powder,” said Benjamin
Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil Fahmy addresses the 68th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York recently.
BEIJING - Authorities in eastern China dispatched hundreds of security officers to block a possible second day of protests yesterday after thousands of angry flood victims clashed with police to demand official help for the worst floods in a century. More than 800,000 people in Yuyao in eastern Zhejiang province were affected by last week’s massive floods after Typhoon Fitow hit eastern China. On Tuesday thousands of flood victims marched in front of their city government office, criticizing what they said was ineffective relief efforts and urging the party secretary and the mayor to step down, according to accounts on microblogs.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
International Features THE U.S. Senate prepared for a last ditch effort yesterday to avoid a historic lapse in the government’s borrowing authority, a breach that President Barack Obama has said could lead to default and deliver a damaging blow to the global economy. After a day of stop-andgo negotiations, the top Democrat and Republican in the U.S. Senate were said to be close to agreeing on a proposal to raise the debt limit - and reopen the partially shuttered government - for consideration by the full Senate yesterday. The measure’s fate remained uncertain in the fractured Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which failed twice Tuesday to produce its own plan. The Senate was scheduled to meet at noon (1600 GMT) yesterday, and the House at 10:00 a.m. (1400 GMT). With borrowing authority set to run out today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican leader Senator Mitch McConnell “are very close” to an agreement, Representative Chris Van Hollen, a top House Democrat, told MSNBC late Tuesday night. “This is now back on track,” Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp told CNN late on Tuesday, after a day of chaotic developments that frayed the nerves of many members of Congress and global financial markets. McConnell and Reid resumed stalled talks after a roller coaster day that saw two separate legislative efforts in the House buried after it became apparent too many Republicans were rebelling against their leaders’ plans. Following weeks of bitter fighting among Democrats and Republicans, the layoff of hundreds of thousands of federal workers and turmoil for stock markets, the deal under discussion - if eventually enacted - would basically give President Barack Obama what he has demanded for months: A straight-forward debt limit hike and government fund-
Barack Obama delivers a speech at the University of Cape Town in South Africa on June 30, 2013.
US Lawmakers Begin Last-Ditch Effort On Debt Ceiling ing bill. The deal would extend U.S. borrowing authority until February 7, although the Treasury Department would have tools to temporarily extend its borrowing capacity beyond that date if Congress failed to act early next year. With the final details not yet nailed down, as it stood Tuesday night, the agreement envisioned funding government agencies until January 15, ending a partial government shutdown that began with the new fiscal year on October 1. Asian stock markets were listless in early trading yesterday as they waited to see if Washington was closing in on a deal to resolve the debt crisis. Stocks showed little change and remained near a five-month peak. Senate aides said the two leaders are looking at two possible ways of speeding the legislation through the chamber, which often can
bog down for days with procedural hurdles. Senator Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Senate Democrat, told reporters: “In order to move this quickly tomorrow or as soon thereafter as possible, we need cooperation of members. If they want to drag their feet, use every objection they can, this could take a few days.” Under one scenario, all 100 senators would agree to let Democrats schedule quick votes to pass the bill. That would mean that Tea Party firebrands, such as Republican Senator Ted Cruz, would give up their rights to delay a vote. Cruz has not publicly announced his intentions but some Senate aides think that the Texas freshman with presidential aspirations has been sending positive signals in recent days.
Cruz and fellow Tea Party activists late last month delayed passage of a government funding bill as they demanded major changes to Obama’s landmark healthcare law. The deadlock led to federal agency shutdowns as Obama and his fellow Democrats stood firm against changing the law. The other scenario would have the House send a formal “message” to the Senate to pave the way for quick Senate action, according to a Senate aide who asked not to be identified. Again, it was not clear whether House Republicans would go along with that option. Assuming the Senate succeeds, House Speaker John Boehner will have to decide whether to allow passage of a bill that many of his fel-
low Republicans might oppose, a decision that could impact the top Republican’s political future. Uncertainty over Washington’s ability to avert a default led Fitch Ratings to warn it could cut the sovereign credit rating of the United States from AAA, citing the political brinkmanship over raising the federal debt ceiling. House Republicans twice tried to come up with a new compromise but failed to satisfy Obama, Senate Democrats or Tea Party conservatives who are determined to win changes to the president’s signature healthcare law before they will agree to concessions on the budget. The first House Republican attempt was shot down in a closed-door meeting that had begun with members singing the hymn
“Amazing Grace.” The second plan was scuttled hours before it was expected to hit the House floor for a vote after the influential Heritage Action for America, a conservative group, urged a “no” vote because it did not do enough to stop Obama’s healthcare law. If Congress fails to reach a deal by today, checks would likely go out on time for a short while for everyone from bondholders to workers who are owed unemployment benefits. But analysts warn that a default on government obligations could quickly follow, potentially causing the U.S. financial sector to freeze up and threatening the global economy. The U.S. Treasury Department seized on Fitch’s downgrade threat to press Congress. “The announcement reflects the urgency with which Congress should act to remove the threat of default hanging over the economy,” a Treasury spokesperson said. After the Fitch announcement, S&P 500 futures fell 9.6 points while Dow Jones industrial average futures sank 60 points and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 7.5 points. Numerous polls show Republicans have taken a hit in public opinion since the standoff began and the government partially closed. A Washington Post/ ABC News poll released on Monday found that 74 percent of Americans disapprove of the way congressional Republicans have handled the standoff, compared with a 53 percent disapproval rating for Obama. Another survey released by Gallup on Tuesday showed American confidence in the U.S. (Courtesy Reuters)
“If Congress fails to reach a deal by today, checks would likely go out on time for a short while for everyone from bondholders to workers who are owed unemployment benefits. But analysts warn that a default on government obligations could quickly follow, potentially causing the U.S. financial sector to freeze up and threatening the global economy.”
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The Resurrection Of Christ’s Physical Body (1) PERFECT is God the Lord. Perfect is His Will, which is in Him and which issues from Him in order to produce and maintain the work of creation. Perfect, therefore, are also, the Laws that permeate creation according to His Will. Perfection, however, excludes any changes from the very beginning. This is the fundamental fact which absolutely justifies doubt in so many assertions. Some doctrines contradict themselves in that although, they quite rightly teach the perfection of God, yet at the sametime, they make assertions exactly to the contrary, demanding belief in things which exclude the Perfection of God and of His Will which rests in the Laws of Creation. As a result, there was implanted in many a doctrine the germ of disease which, boring like a worm within will one day cause the whole structure to collapse. This collapse is all the more inevitable wherever such contradictions are made the pillars of a doctrine, which not only drag into doubt the Perfection of God but directly deny it. This denial of the Perfection of God has even been made part of the qualified declaration of belief required for membership in some congregations. Like any other erroneous opinion, the wrong conception of the resurrection of the flesh is also, an artificially constructed obstacle which they take over with them into the beyond and before which they will then have to halt. They can make no further progress as they cannot get rid of it of their own accord, because a false
belief tightly clings to and binds them in such a way that they are cut off from every independent view towards the Luminous Truth. A man who has passed into the beyond with a wrongly or thoughtlessly accepted belief remains hampered until another conviction awakens him to life inwardly and sets him free, thus, shattering the obstacle which through his own faith keeps him from striding forwards along the right and true path. It requires an enormous exertion to conquer oneself and to develop the strength necessary to become free from such a false belief. Thus, millions keep themselves imprisoned and therefore, cannot gain sufficient strength even to move a step, unless, the living power of God itself sought a way to them. But again this power cannot intervene and help unless there rests in the human soul the spark of a volition which reaches out towards it. Abd-ru-shin the author of “Grail Message”. In the Light of Truth says that the condition of paralysis arising through this simple and natural happening is such that nothing could be more terrible and fatal, for here the blessing of free decision entrusted to man becomes a curse by being wrongly used. Each by being wrongly used. Each individual is always free to adhere or to exclude himself. But it is just when a man blindly embraces a doctrine without careful and serious examination that a terrible punishment will be exacted. Indolence in this matter may cost him his entire being..
Man’s worst enemy in purely earthly matters Abdru-shin opions is indolence. Indolence in matters of faith, however, will result in his spiritual death. To believe what is erroneous means delusion. This holds the human spirit closely and tightly bound here as well as in the beyond Abd-rushin concludes. Abd-ru-shin says that it is always and only man himself who can, shall and
ethereal substance of the beyond? All gross matter and even all ethereal matter, is subject to disintegration in accordance with the eternal Laws of Nature. There are no exceptions or deviations in this because, the Laws of Nature Abd-rushin says are perfect. Hence gross matter cannot ascend into the kingdom of the Father after death has set in, nor even into the ethereal beyond which is also,
must weigh these matters because, he possesses the gift to do so. He himself must also, shoulder all responsibility for everything he wills and does. Resurrection of the flesh. How can flesh of gross material substance ascend to the Primorial Spiritual Realm of God the Father, gross material substance that cannot even enter the
subject to disintegration. Abd-ru-shin says: Due to the perfection of the Divine Laws of Nature such deviations are simply impossible. All this can be quite distinctly observed in a small way in the laws of physics for these, too, demonstrate nothing but the immovable Laws of Creator, which also, penetrate this fiend as they do everything else in the
“Consequently, when Christ, came to this earth to proclaim God’s message of Truth. He was obliged to make use of a physical body, i.e., a body of flesh. Every thinking man should recognize in this the immutability of the Laws of Nature, as also, in His physical death which occurred through crucifixion.”
Man And Nature With O.C. MADU 08056379608
entire existence. All that exists is subject to the uniform Law of origin which clearly and distinctly carry within them the simple but inexorable Divine Will. Nothing can be exempted from them. Quite correctly, every doctrine points to the Perfection of God. If, however, the Origin or the
Primordial Source as such is perfect, it follows that all that issues from it cannot be otherwise than perfect. Consequently, the Laws of Creation resting as they do in the Acts of Will that have issued from the Primordial Source, must necessarily be perfect also. These perfect Law of Creation, namely the Laws of Nature, penetrate and support all that has come into existence. Perfection Abd-ru-shin says means immutability. Thus, no resurrection of the flesh can take place because, the flesh is gross material substance and remains absolutely bound to gross matter. As all the Primordial Laws have proceeded from Divine Perfection, no new manifestation of God’s Will
can take a form different from that which was laid down at the primordial beginning of creation. Consequently, when Christ, came to this earth to proclaim God’s message of Truth. He was obliged to make use of a physical body, i.e., a body of flesh. Every thinking man should recognize in this the immutability of the Laws of Nature, as also, in His physical death which occurred through crucifixion. Abd-ru-shin says that this gross material flesh could not, however, be the subject of any exception after death, but, had to remain in the Gross Material World. It could not rise from the dead in order to enter another world. The immutable Divine or Natural Laws through their Perfection which issued from the Divine Will, do not permit of such a thing. They cannot permit it, otherwise they would not be perfect, which in turn would also, imply that the Will of God, His Power and He Himself are not perfect. Abd-ru-shin says that since this remains forever impossible, as any science in creation can observe for itself, it follows that, it is wrong and a doubt in God’s Perfection if it should be asserted that this gross material flesh was resurrected and ascended into another world after forty days. Abd-ru-shin says that if the flesh is really to come to life again, this can only, be done still connected to the physical body by an ethereal cord, is called back into the body. In accordance with the Natural Laws. This is only possible as long as this cord still exists. Once this cord is severed, a raising from the dead, i.e., recalling of the soul into its physical body, would be impossible. Thanks for reading.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Everton Sweating Over Gibson
EVERTON boss Roberto Martinez is anxiously awaiting news of midfielder after seeing him carried from the pitch on a stretcher. The Spaniard was at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday night as the Republic of Ireland international collapsed in a heap after making a first-half challenge in his country’s 31 World Cup qualifier victory over Kazakhstan. Gibson was treated on the pitch for several minutes before being carried off by medics with his right knee heavily bandaged. Interim Ireland manager
Noel King later admitted the extent of the damage was not yet clear. King said after the game: “I’m not sure. They have to review and check everything, but it wasn’t nice.” However, the Football Association of Ireland had earlier confirmed that the 25year-old would be assessed by Everton’s medical staff following his return to Merseyside. In a statement released via its Twitter account, the FAI said: “Darron Gibson has been assessed by our team
doc and will return to his club tomorrow for a scan with suspected knee ligament damage.” Gibson missed the start of the season with a knee problem and any extended absence would come as a huge blow to the Toffees after their positive start to the campaign. Ironically, he had only just returned to international action after making himself unavailable for Ireland following former boss Giovanni Trapattoni’s decision to leave him sitting
on the bench for the Republic’s entire Euro 2012 finals campaign. He had indicated his intention to end his selfimposed exile in the wake of Trapattoni’s departure last month and was duly called up by King for the final two qualifiers against Germany and the Kazakhs. He played the full 90 minutes in Cologne on Friday night as Ireland went down 30 to the Germans, but managed only 35 minutes at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday before disaster struck.
Sergio Aguero
Rooney Ready To Play Without Headband WAYNE Rooney believes he will not need to wear his protective headband any more. The striker has been wearing it to cover the gash on his forehead that he sustained when Manchester United and England team-mate Phil Jones caught him accidentally with his boot in training at the end of August. But Rooney headed England into the lead in the 2-0 victory against Poland on Tuesday night without his headband, which had fallen off earlier, and he believes that helped him score. “I went for a header just before I scored and it got knocked off, and then I chased back, so I didn’t have time to go and get it,” Rooney said afterwards. “But it probably helped me in some ways that it was off when the ball came in, because I could direct it better.” Rooney is optimistic that he will not need the headband when United host Southampton on Saturday. He added: “I think it is the first time I have headed the ball without it on, and hopefully, come the weekend, I won’t have to wear it.”
VINCENT Kompany could be back from injury as soon as Manchester City’s clash against West Ham United on Saturday evening. The Belgian international was ruled out of his countries two World Cup qualifiers during the course of last week, but seems destined to make a return this weekend. According to the Express UK, Kompany could be back for the Premier League clash against the Hammers and, if not that, then City’s vital Champions League encounter against CSKA
Moscow. Kompany has had a rough ride with injuries over the course of the last two seasons and will be hoping to finally rid himself of his latest setback.
Vincent Kompany
Ozil Picks Up An Injury
City Buoyed By Early Aguero Return MANCHESTER City have been boosted by the news that Sergio Aguero will return to England sooner than expected after Argentina released him. Argentina coach Alex Sabella took the decision to
Kompany Back For West Ham?
ARSENAL star Mesut Ozil is believed to be a doubt for the weekend after he limped off injured during Germany’s 5-3 victory over Sweden on Tuesday. The midfielder picked up a knock with less than 10 minutes remaining of Germany’s thrilling win and immediately went down the tunnel for treatment. Arsenal take on Norwich at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and boss Arsene Wenger may have reason to be concerned regarding Ozil’s fitness. The German was replaced by Julian Draxler after he picked up the knock with the extent of the injury as yet unknown.
allow the City striker, along with Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, to return to their respective clubs rather than keeping them in South America for the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on Wednesday. Argentina have already qualified for next summer’s tournament in Brazil and Aguero, 25, played the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win over Peru that ensured they will finish top of the South American qualifying group. Sabella’s decision increases the chance that City manager Manuel Pellegrini will feel able to select Aguero for Saturday’s match at West Ham. He was only used as a substitute at Stoke in the match following the previous international break. Midfielder Yaya Toure, another who faced a long journey, will also be back in Manchester before many of his teammates. The Ivory Coast international helped his country to a 3-1 win in the first leg of their play-off
FRESH inquests into the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans at the 1989 Hillsborough disaster will be held at a Warrington business park, the coroner in charge has confirmed. town’s Birchwood Park business Lord Justice John Goldring estate. will conduct the inquests, which A spokesman for the coroner are scheduled to start on March said in a statement: “Lord Justice 31 next year, at the Cheshire
LIVERPOOL quartet Glen Johnson, Philippe Coutinho, Joe Allen and Aly Cissokho are all closing in on returns from injury. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that England right-back Johnson, Wales midfielder Allen and France left-back Cissokho are in contention for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Newcastle United. Brazilian playmaker Coutinho, 21, is also stepping up his recovery following surgery on a shoulder injury sustained during the 2-2 draw at Swansea on Sept. 16. Rodgers has indicated that his likeliest return date will be Oct. 26, when Liverpool host West Brom in a league
fixture. Johnson, 29, has not played since suffering an ankle sprain during the 1-0 league victory over Manchester United on September 1. Allen, 23, has been absent since picking up a hamstring injury against Notts County in the Capital One Cup in August, while Cissokho, 26, damaged his ankle in the same game. Rodgers told the Daily Mirror: “Aly has trained and he should be fine and fit for the Newcastle game, and likewise Joe. Glen’s out on the field and hopefully after the international break he’ll be ready to come back.” Allen, meanwhile, has told Liverpool’s official website
Darron Gibson
Ozil picked up Germany’s opening goal and an assist for Mario Gotze’s equaliser before a hat-trick from Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle rounded off his side’s win.
Hillsborough Inquests Venue Confirmed
Liverpool Set For Fitness Boost
that he hopes to have a greater attacking influence when he returns. “I can get involved more in the creative side, in assisting goals,” he said. “That’s a big thing. If I have the chance to play further forward, like I did in preseason, goals are obviously another big one that I’d like to add a bit more to my game. “It’s something I felt was coming at Swansea, and last season sort of stopped a little bit. That’s something I think I can offer looking forward. I pride myself on that fact that I can play a couple of different roles, but that’s a role I have played more naturally and played the most throughout my career.”
Goldring has confirmed that the venue for the hearings for the new Hillsborough inquests will be 305 Bridgewater Place, Birchwood Park, Warrington, Cheshire.” The inquest venue is a little over 20 miles from Liverpool, from where many of the disaster victims’ families will travel for the inquests next spring. Lord Justice Goldring had confirmed in late September that the inquests would be held in Warrington, having announced in April that they would be conducted in the North-West of England, closer to Liverpool, rather than in London. The victims of the disaster were crushed to death on an overcrowded section of terracing at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough, home of Sheffield Wednesday, on April 15, 1989. Original inquests, conducted by Dr Stefan Popper, returned verdicts of accidental death in March 1991. Campaigners have maintained that those verdicts, and the manner in which the inquests were conducted, prevented a proper investigation into the role
Mesul Ozil
of the police and emergency services on the day of the tragedy. An independent report, published in September 2012, cleared fans of any blame for the disaster and highlighted the extent to which the police and emergency services had attempted to cover up their own culpability. That report has prompted a series of legal moves designed to bring those to blame for the tragedy to justice. The original inquest verdicts were quashed in December, two months after the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the UK’s police watchdog, announced that it would carry out a two-year investigation into both the role played by officers on the day and the subsequent cover-up. A second investigation, named Operation Resolve and focusing on possible criminal behaviour by any people or bodies with responsibility for fan safety at Hillsborough, was set up in December and is being headed up by former Durham chief constable Jon Stoddart. Both the IPCC investigation and the Stoddart inquiry have their headquarters in Warrington.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
No Wives, No Lives For MILAN are expected to Milan extend the duration of their
No Rushed Return For Alonso REAL Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso says he is focused on making a full recovery and not in a rush to set deadlines for his return. The 31-year-old is yet to feature for the Whites this season following surgical procedures on his groin and fractured metatarsal. “Hopefully I’ll be back soon, but I’m not going to put a date on it,” he told AS. “You can’t trust this injury at all, it’s vital to take it day by day. “I’m close but there is still a little bit to do. I spend all my time talking to the doctors and we don’t want to speed up my recovery and make things worse. We are working on it. “It’s a nasty injury and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. With some injuries you know that you’ll be back after a certain amount of time, but with this one you just don’t know, even though I feel good right now. “Little by little I’m getting better and getting back on the pitch.” Alonso admits it has been difficult to remain on the sidelines for a lengthy period, missing out on club as well as international action. “It’s been a tough summer,” he added. “I decided not to go to the Confederations Cup, and to have the operation instead. “I think it was the logical thing to do and the best approach both for me and the team, because I wasn’t going to be okay and to compete you need to be 100 per cent. “I’m closer than ever now but I need to respect how my body is feeling and not put a time frame on it.”
Xabi Alonso
training camp stay ahead of their home clash against Udinese on Saturday evening, meaning they will be cut off from their wives and family. The Rossoneri are in the midst of a crisis after another poor start to their Serie A season and it was only highlighted after their 3-0 loss to French Ligue 2 side Caen on Sunday. According to Tuttowebmercato, Massimiliano Allegri and CEO Adriano Galliani met with members of the club in order to discuss ways to rid themselves of their slump. It is said that an agreement had been reached in which the players will remain in camp for an extra day longer in order to thoroughly prepare for the match against Udinese. This seems to be a way to
Sandro Rusell
Barcelona To Charge Kids For Clasico BARCELONA president Sandro Rosell has defended a controversial decision to begin charging under-sevens for entrance to the Camp Nou — starting with Oct. 26’s La Liga game against Real Madrid. The move brings Barca Rosell said. “I prefer a in line with most other headline that says ‘Rosell clubs in Spain and does not let the kids in’ elsewhere, who long ago than one that says ‘Rosell stopped the practice of has killed a kid’. That is allowing youngsters into clear. It is one of those games for free — often by rules you are not lifting them over the necessarily in favour of, turnstiles — but the but it is the law.” Although the highest decision has taken by number of children many in Catalonia as thought to have attended a another sign that Rosell is game in this way moving away from the previously was 10,000, for ‘mes que un club’ ethos. a midday kickoff against Rosell went on Catalunya Radio on Getafe last season, Rosell Wednesday morning to said he had been told that explain the decision, the 6pm start time for the saying it had been taken on Clasico could lead to up to safety grounds and was 40,000 under-sevens actually bringing the club coming to the ground. “The security experts into compliance with a alerted us to the fact that Spanish law that dates at a Barca-Real Madrid from 2007 and says that game, instead of 15,000 everyone attending a game children, 40,000 children must have a ticket. “I am the first who is could come,” Rosell said. against the decision that I “We could have an have taken from a popular attendance of 140,000 point of view, but I had to spectators. It is not a take it due to the problem of respecting the responsibility I have,” law, but that anything could happen in the third
Malaga Targeting First Bernabeu MALAGA’S Weligton be third time lucky. Win says his side will look for believes this could be their “We have to seize the their first away win against Real Madrid when they visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. The Whites have dropped points twice in eight matches this season and only once at home, but the Brazilian
chance to end their poor away record. “It’s about time we won at the Bernabeu,” he told reporters. “I believe we can win points in Madrid. “I’ve almost won there twice already and I want it to
moment and play with nerves of steel. We can beat any team.” Malaga are currently in 10th place with nine points from eight matches, while Madrid are third with 19 points.
tier [of the Camp Nou]. It is not really a problem of the law but of security — any incident could provoke a stampede and there could be deaths. We do not want to run that risk.” Asked if there could be some way of ensuring that children who had expected to attend the biggest game of the season so far were not disappointed, Rosell
said that would be difficult. “No child of less than seven years will be able to understand this step,” he said. “If I were that child of seven, I would not agree with the Barca president. I have also been seven years old and gone to the Camp Nou with my father. It is a tradition that has been there all the time. But it is difficult, because we have all the stadium sold out.”
highlight the defeat to Caen as unacceptable, but also a way to bring the group of players together once the internationals return from their respective duties with their countries. The San Siro giants enacted the same measure on 22 October 2012 last season following another poor start to the season. It came after an away defeat to Lazio.
Reina Cools Barca Rumours
PEPE Reina has played down the constant link to Barcelona, saying he is focused on his spell with Napoli and his future with Liverpool. According to reports, the Spaniard has been earmarked to replace Victor Valdes at the Camp Nou when his contract runs out at the end of the season. Fabregas – Reina would be a good signing However, he says he is not interested in the media speculation and focusing on completing his loan spell with Napoli and his long term deal with the Reds. “It is an invention of the newspapers,” he told reporters. “Even last year it was said that I would take over from Valdes. “It is normal that a player dreams of representing a club like Barcelona or Real Madrid because they are historic and prestigious teams. “But I have a contract with Liverpool until 2016. I do not care about the rumours. “I am excited to be at Napoli and I intend to try and win something here.”
El Shaarawy Eyes Nou Camp MILAN striker Stephan El tight as Mario Balotelli, Shaarawy admits he is Return Valter Birsa and Robinho, targeting a return to action in next month’s Champions League outing to Barcelona. The Egyptian-born Italian was initially sidelined for a muscle strain, but sustained a hairline fracture in his fourth metatarsal while on the verge of making a comeback. El Shaarawy says that participating in the return-leg at the Camp Nou will be a realistic target for his return, but also underlined he would have to fight for a place in the starting line-up. “Next week I’ll do an ultrasound on my foot, but I should return for the game with Barcelona on November 6,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’ve done some great things in a Milan shirt, but I’ve also done some bad things. I just want to be judged by what I do on the pitch though. “My mind is only on Milan.
I have already stated on several occasions that I want to stay here.” Competition for places is
Stephen El Shaarawy
along with Massimiliano Allegri’s favourite Alessandro Matri, form part of the Rossoneri attack.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Spain Shows Versatility In Sealing Brazil Berth IF Spain have at times been too predictable during their successful World Cup qualification campaign, the holders proved they can adapt when necessary in Tuesday’s 2-0 win at home to Georgia in Albacete. As expected, Georgia opted for the ultra-defensive tactics the majority of Spain’s opponents fall back on but coach Vicente Del Bosque’s decision to add width and pace to his formation from the start paid off handsomely. With Jesus Navas on the right wing and Pedro on the left, backed up by attackminded fullbacks Juanfran and Alberto Moreno, Spain looked much more dangerous than in some of their previous Group I displays. Del Bosque has often foregone a traditional striker and used midfielder Cesc Fabregas as a “false nine” and while it has generally been effective the world and European champions have sometimes looked sluggish going forward. But with the tall and powerful Alvaro Negredo causing havoc in the Georgia defence, and the wide players providing excellent service, there was much more zip to the Spanish forward forays. Negredo, in particular, has shone in Spain’s recent outings and as well as grabbing the opener and hitting a post on Tuesday he also scored in Friday’s 2-1 home win over Belarus. He almost scored a spectacular overhead kick against the Georgians in the 20th minute but was denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Roin Kvaskhvadze. There is stiff competition
for the striker’s role with the likes of Fernando Torres, David Villa, Roberto Soldado and Michu in the frame, but Negredo has improved his chances of making the position his own for the finals in Brazil next year. Unbeaten Spain never looked in real danger against the lesser teams in their group and responded when it counted with a 1-0 win against France in Paris in March that effectively secured top spot ahead of their northern neighbours. Spain will go into next year’s competition on a high as they bid to become only the third nation to defend their world title after Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962.
England Success Delights Rooney
Spain’s players celebrate their second goal during their 2014 World Cup qualify soccer match against Georgia at Carlos Belmonte Stadium in Albacete October 15.
Goals Galore For Germany JOACHIM Loew has admitted having defensive problems to solve ahead of the Brazil World Cup after Germany finished their qualifying campaign with a thrilling 5-3 win over Sweden. Chelsea’s Andre Schuerrle claimed a second-half hat trick as Alexander Kacaniklic. the Germans came from two “We fell behind due to two goals down to claim their ninth particular situations, even victory in 10 qualification though we had had a huge matches. amount of ball possession,” Having already qualified for said Germany coach Loew. Brazil 2014 as Group C “We know that we must not winners, Germany finished make mistakes like that, but it with an eight-point lead while doesn’t always work out for Sweden, as runners-up, now us.” face a two-legged play-off next “In the second-half we were month. much more consistent in front Pride was still at stake at of goal, but the defence has to Stockholm’s Friends Arena improve.” with Germany smarting from Germany are now set to test their 4-4 draw in Berlin last their credentials amongst the October after throwing away a favourites for Brazil with 4-0 lead. friendlies against Italy in Milan But the guests threatened to on November 15 and a planned fall to a shock defeat as even encounter with England four without suspended superstar days later. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden Having last lost a qualifier in raced into a first-half lead with the European Championships goals by Tobias Hysen and
Prandelli Unfazed By Seed Failure
ITALY boss Cesare Prandelli insists Italy’s failure to be seeded for next year’s World Cup will not harm their chances, citing the Azzurri’s Euro 2012 run as evidence they can qualify for the knockout stages from a tough group. Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Armenia saw Italy slip below Switzerland in the world rankings, denting their hopes of being a top seed in Brazil. But Prandelli believes Italy’s progression to the Euro 2012 final, despite facing top seeds and eventual winners Spain in their group, gives him little concern for the World Cup draw.
“We were not a top seed at the European Championship and for that reason I’m not worried,” he said. Prandelli was more worried about his side’s performance against Armenia, as the hosts were twice forced to come from behind. The Italian sent a warning to his players, suggesting he could make a number of changes before selecting his final World Cup squad. “We had a terrible start,” Prandelli told Italian TV station Rai. “Our opening 20 minutes were embarrassing. We then reacted and had spells where we played well but in the second half we gave
away a goal from a corner. “I had asked my players to play good football and they didn’t do that. The important thing for me was to see that the players didn’t give up. “It’s obvious that when you arrive at the last few games having already achieved your aim, you do enough just to take home a result. But that shouldn’t be the case, we should have shown more intensity and determination, otherwise you pay. “I now need to judge their performances because this is football and after this game, I will have to evaluate them in view of the 23 players that will go to Brazil
or World Cup back in October 2007, Germany were heading for a rare defeat until scoring four second-half goals. “It’s annoying to concede three goals, but we have once again shown what power we have when we are going forward,” beamed man-of-the-match Schuerrle clutching the match ball. “That would make it hard for any team in the world.” Loew’s Germany extended their unbeaten run to 32 qualification matches, but captain Philipp Lahm was not impressed. “We have a bit of work to do, not only in defence, but also in attack,” said the Bayern Munich star. Vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, who celebrated his 100th international appearance, admitted it had been a strange game. “It’s always nice when there are a few goals, but the first half was
really odd,” said the 29year-old. “We had the chances, but Sweden scored the goals. “In the second-half, we turned our chances into goals and I think we have had a good qualifying campaign, even though 5-3 isn’t really a good result.” After Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil celebrated his 25th birthday by making it 2-1 before the break, Bayern Munich’s Mario Goetze came on to equalise before Schuerrle’s hat-trick, while Hysen pulled one back for the Swedes. Germany qualify with a national record of 36 goals from ten qualification matches, conceding only ten, but seven of those came in the two matches against Swedes.
URUGUAY will again face a two-legged play-off for a chance to appear at a World Cup despite defeating Argentina 3-2 in the final round of South American qualifying. Uruguay have been left in the fifth spot of the CONMEBOL region the last four consecutive World Cup qualifying phases, forcing La Celeste into a suddendeath show-down with another continental power. And heading into their final game, Uruguay were again in the dreaded fifth position, knowing only a large victory, accompanied by a hefty defeat for either Chile or Ecuador, would secure them direct qualification. But a 2-1 win for Chile over Ecuador nullified Uruguay’s victory, gaining them direct spots to next year ’s World Cup alongside Argentina and
Colombia. Uruguay, 2010 World Cup semi-finalists, will now face Asian play-off winner Jordan. Meanwhile, 10-man Colombia came from a goal down to defeat Paraguay 21 thanks to defender Mario Yepes. Colombia was left reeling as Paraguay took an eighth minute lead before midfielder Fredy Guarin was dismissed for two bookable offences. However, Yepes came to the rescue for the visitors, scoring goals in both halves to claim the victory. Finally, Peru and Bolivia, already out of the running for Brazil 2014, continued their dismal campaign by playing out a 1-1 draw.
Uruguay Face Play-off
WAYNE Rooney maintains getting to the World Cup again with England was all that mattered as the Manchester United forward continued his fine form in the 2-0 win over Poland at Wembley. Rooney’s inch-perfect header from Leighton Baines’ cross just before half-time had set England on their way, with captain Steven Gerrard firing in a late second goal to cap what was another swashbuckling effort from Roy Hodgson’s team to secure top spot in Group H. Rooney has now scored nine goals in his last 10 England matches, with Gerrard claiming his form will be “key” to the nation’s hopes of making an impact in Brazil next summer. For Rooney, though, it is all about collective achievement. “It has been a good qualifying campaign for myself, but the aim was to qualify, which is what is more important,” said Rooney, who now has 38 England goals. “I just need to keep working and hopefully that will continue for the rest of the season. “Someone was asking me before about it being extra motivation, but it definitely was not because qualifying for a World Cup is all the motivation you need, it does not matter whatever country you are, you want to be there.” Rooney had been wearing protective headgear since returning after he sustained a gashed scalp, but it had fallen off just before he scored. We’re sorry! We’re no longer able to display this video. “I went up for a header just before then and it (his headband) got knocked off and then I chased back and it was still up there, so I didn’t have time to go back and get it and put it on,” he said. “It probably helped me in some ways that it was off when the ball came in because I could direct it better with it off and obviously it was great. “I think it was the first time I’ve headed it without it on so hopefully, come the weekend, I won’t have to wear it.” Rooney believes England answered a lot of questions as they produced performances at Wembley when it mattered against first Montenegro and then Poland. “The last two games were always going to be pressure because we needed the six points, but we have dealt with that quite well and put in two good performances,” he said. “It was enjoyable as well for everyone watching, so we are just really pleased to have managed to qualify.”
THE NIGERIAN
31
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Home Based Super Eagles Open Camp Today
THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says the camp of the home based Super Eagles will open on Oct. 17 in preparation for the 2014 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in South Africa. Agbim, This is contained in a Chigozie defenders Azubuike statement signed by Mr Ademola Olajire, Media Egwuekwe, Solomon Officer of NFF in Abuja on Kwambe and Benjamin Francis, as well as Tuesday. The statement said midfielder Sunday Mba. There are Team ‘B’ Stephen Keshi, Head regulars like goalkeeper Coach of the senior Daniel Akpeyi, defenders national team, had invited Ebenezer Odunlami and 28 players to be at the Umar Zango, midfielder Abuja camp. It said the preparation Etebo Oghene and would see the Super forwards Miuhammad Eagles ‘Team B’ play an Gambo, Ifeanyi Edeh, international friendly with Osadiaye Joseph and the Jordanian national Ezekiel Mbah. It is the first in a long list football team in the Jordanian capital, Amman, of international games that the NFF was putting on Oct. 28. The invited players together for the home boys include three goalkeepers, ahead of the CHAN. The statement quoted eight defenders, nine President of the Federation midfielders and eight Aminu Maigari as strikers. Ejike Uzoenyi, a former advising all invited 28 Super Eagles team ‘A’ players to arrive at the regular who returned after team’s Bolton White a stint in France, is a Apartments in Abuja on pleasant surprise on the Thursday Oct. 17 wiåth their international list. passports. Top on the list are the It further said that visa five members of his ‘A’ squad: goalkeeper processing for the trip to
Amman, Jordan, would commence on October 18,
Stephen Keshi
Emenike, Nigeria’s New King Of to the top flight. EMMANUEL Emenike could Goals? them He then netted 14 goals for well be the goals machine Nigeria have long waited for as he now averages a goal every other game for them. Nigeria have long waited for a striker who will take the responsibility of scoring goals for the Eagles since the days of the late Rashidi Yekini. The likes of Julius Aghahowa, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Martins at some point were regarded as the men to take on the Eagles goal-scoring responsibilities, but none of them could match the exploits of the
Gov’s Cup Tennis Championship
More Nigerians Crash Out
MORE Nigerian players on Tuesday crashed out of the ongoing 2013 Lagos Tennis Governor’s Cup Championships. Henry Atseye lost in two straight sets of 6-1, 6- 0 to India’s Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, in the men’s singles. Speaking with newsmen after the match, Atseye said; “I was a little stressed up; I know I did not play my best, but I will certainly do better in my doubles”. Atseye is the sixth Nigerian male player to be ousted from the tournament after the exit of John Otu, Lawal Shehu, Edward C h r i s t o p h e r- A n e f u , Abdulmalik Kabiru and Samuel Omoile.
His ouster now leaves only two Nigerian players, Christian Paul and Emmanuel Ikakah, in the male singles of the tournament. Nedunchezhiyan, ranked 315 by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the number three male player of the tournament, showed his determination to win the game. Two more Nigerian male players in the Futures I tournament, failed in their bid to progress as they also crashed out. Unranked Bolaji Olawepo fell to Ranjeet Vi r a l i - M u g u g e s a n , seeded eight, winning 60, 6-0, while Joseph Ubon lost to fellow compatriot,
while the delegation was expected to leave on October 25.
NIGERIA league leading scorer Victor Namo has said he hopes to justify his firstever call-up to the Super Eagles. Namo has been called up by Stephen Keshi for a friendly in Jordan later this month after he fired 17 goals in the league this season for Nasarawa united. “This is my first-ever invitation to national team and I will do my best to justify my inclusion in the team and impress the coach,” Namo told MTNFootball.com “I thank all my fans for their support and prayers and I promise to do my best in order not to disappoint them and myself.” Another Eagles call-up Yinka Adedeji has told MTNFootball.com he is delighted to be back to the national team setup after he last featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I’m happy for my invitation to the Super Eagles like every other person would. I am happy to be back in national team after a long absence,” said the Sharks left back. “I am assuring the fans I will give my best as usual to justify
Emmanuel Ikakah, 6-1, 62. Unseeded Omoile lost to Dino Marcan, seeded five, 3-6,2-6. Japan’s Hiroki Kondo ranked 276 and the tournament’s number one seeded player, proved his rating as he saw off Slyvain Anibe of Cote d’Ivorie in two straight sets of 6-0, 6-0. Meanwhile, in the female category, India’s Prathana Thombare beat Loveth Nnadozie of 6-1, 6-1, while Ronke Akingbade lost to Anna Norgina of Russia, 6-2, 60. The Futures 1 tournament of the 2-week championships rounds off on October 19.
legendary Yekini. With nine goals from 18 matches for Nigeria, Emenike has emerged as the country’s new king of goals, who if he maintains his scoring rate could outdo the 37-goal milestone set by the great Yekini. He is strong, a cool head in front of goal and has already proved he is a prolific scorer at his various clubs. He is only 26 and if he only he could stay free of injuries and on form, he will plunder many more goals for the African champions. His confidence has been boosted by his exploits at his Africa Cup of Nations debut earlier this year in South Africa, where he emerged as top scorer with four goals to help Nigeria win a third continental diadem. Incidentally, his Eagles debut against Sierra Leone in February 2011 had gone horribly wrong when he was forced out of the game by injury midway through the first half. But like he has shown at his various clubs, his resolve to defy the critics has since seen him become the toast of a country of 160 million football fans. His first Eagles goal was pure class as he lobbed the ball past a stranded Argentina goalkeeper as Nigeria thumped the two-time world champions 4-1 in a friendly in Abuja two years ago. Emenike began his career with Delta Force in Nigeria before he moved to South Africa, where he featured for Mpumalanga Black Aces and FC Cape Town. His stocks rose considerably when he joined a modest Turkish club Karabukspor where his goals catapulted
Karabukspor in the top flight to catch the attention of giants Fenerbahce. In the summer of 2011, Fenerbahce signed him for £7 million, but didn’t play a single game for the Istanbul giants before he was on the move again amid a match-fixing scandal that rocked the club. He moved to Russia, where he teamed up with Spartak Moscow for a fee of £9 million and was an instant hit, he scored his first goal in Russia in a 1-1 draw against city rivals CSKA Moscow and went ahead to score a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow in another derby. He scored 21 goals in 42 games, again an average of agoal-a-game. He has yet to score for Fenerbache since his switch in the summer, but you cannot bet against him to come good yet again.
Emmanuel Emenike
Namo Vows To Shine With Eagles my call-up.” The 28-year-old midfielderturned-defender has played for GIF Sundsvall(Sweden), Shooting stars, Sunshine Stars and FC Pyunik (Armenia). He will battle Benjamin Francis of Heartland for the starting shirt in the game against Jordan on October 28 in Amman.
World Cup
‘Eagles Will Qualify In Style’ OBINNA Nsofor has promised Nigeria will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in fine style next month. Nigeria will host Ethiopia on November 16 in Calabar after they took a 2-1 advantage from Addis Ababa at the weekend. “We are not under any pressure after our win in Ethiopia. They will be the ones under pressure. We will play good football and score loads of goals to qualify for the World Cup,” Nsofor told MTNFootball.com The Lokomotiv Moscow forward admitted the Eagles suffered from the effects of the high altitude especially in the first half. “The altitude affected most of us and we waited for them in the first half to give us what they have,” he said. Meanwhile, second-half substitute Nosa Igiebor has declared that his best is yet to come for the Super Eagles. Igiebor replaced Nnamdi Oduamadi in Addis Ababa to stabilise the midfield of the Eagles and allow Mikel Obi a free role behind the Eagles front men. “It was a difficult game for us all, but we fought as a team to get the needed result,” he said.
CMYK
THE NIGERIAN
32
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013
Still On The Shame Of Our Pensions
IT is barely two months now since we wrote the article, “Pension: Waiting for the Dead man’s Shoes”. The reaction to that work has been absolutely overwhelming; hence we are impelled to return so soon to the issue, as an update to our readers. In our type of situation, salient points cannot escape being repeated. We have not stopped being worried that the pension fund in this country has become the easiest money to steal. Last time, we reasoned that the only language that our system understands is that of strike and service withdrawal. Since the retirees are too feeble to embark on any strike and they have no service to withdraw, the system can afford to deal with them with impunity; hence we recommended stiffer penalties to discourage the reckless embezzlement of pension funds. It is also becoming clear that those who loot the huge sums are perhaps not the real owners of the loots. They are mere commission agents, acting on behalf of the big bosses, hence a man can openly confess to stealing “only N23 billion” and you hand down a fine of just N750,000 on him (.00032% of his loot), which he pulls out of his back pocket; throws at you; and he is a free man forever. Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina has finally resurfaced. It would be recalled that he was the Acting Director of Customs, Immigration and Prison Pension Office. When the National Assembly smelt
a rat around the close to N200 billion in his care, they invited him to come and shed some light on the issue. When he failed to honour their invitation, a warrant of arrest was issued on him by the Senate but the Inspector General of Police was reluctant to execute the
prosecuted by the EFCC for alleged involvement in an N18.3 billion pension fund scam. Shuaibu says he gave N1 billion to Senator Aloysius Etok (PDP/Akwa Ibom) to cover his tracks. The Senator denies the allegation. Meanwhile, the actual
ago. Hear him: “I served for 35 years and received merit awards twice by the Federal Government through two different level 14 officers. I joined the service on 19 May 1967 and I retired May 25, 2002. As we speak, I have not been paid a kobo, both my
• Lamorde, EFCC boss
warrant. We saw how the Executive branch of our national government dilly-dallied on the issue until Maina fled from the country, or so we thought. Maina now says he didn’t go anywhere. We believe him. And history is on his side. James Ibori was a free man until he stepped out of this country. Why would any wise man travel the same route? Does the Senate still want him? Or has his offence expired? For all we know, it is only in this country and it is only with the pension fund that this type of hide and seek game can be played. Enter Dr. Teidi Shuaibu, Former Director, Accounts and Finance (Pension), Office of the Head of Service of the Federation who is being
owners of the money are dying on the pension queue. Since our last outing, many entries have come in but because of space constraint, our readers will permit us to call only two witnesses: One, Mr. Muftau Baruwa retired from the federal Ministry of Works and Housing as a Senior Foreman. That was more than eleven years
gratuity and pension. I have been to the hospital twice since my retirement… I think death is better than this suffering. Most times, I will go into the streets to beg for money to feed. Severally, for two days, I will not feed.” Two, Mrs. Imakop’s case is equally pathetic. She retired from the National Bureau of Statistics in 2007. She narrates
her ordeal: “Since we were retired, no kobo was paid to me. Every time, we would be called to come to Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, to fill one form after another. Sometimes, we sleep at Awolowo Road, on the bare floor, for us to be attended to. In spite of that nothing has come out of it. It was only in 2010 October that I was paid, since then no payment. My children are in school, I can’t provide for them. Anytime they come back, we will starve and they will cry all day till they go back. There is nobody to help me except God. My husband died since 2003.” We have observed earlier that the Pension Reforms Act, 2004 may only have succeeded in increasing the volume of lootable funds available to the system. Meanwhile, Government has succeeded in removing the burden off its neck and handing same over to private companies organised under Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFC). These private Companies are made up of bankers, politicians and big businesses, all within the same clique of the ruling elite.
Essentially, the Act provides a very good example of a bad law. The law sets off having the retiree as its main target but in the end, the same retiree is left totally unprotected. In a very loose form, it provides a “penalty of not less than 2 percent of the total contribution, which ought to have been remitted” for late- and non-remittance of contributions. Whichever way it goes, the retiree suffers: head he loses, tail he does not win! Many contributory pensioners are already groaning under the pains of unpaid pension arrears by pension managers. All available information point to the negative direction that many employers are already defaulting on their remittances. The most offending aspect is that some employers are arm-twisting their worker into virtually converting the workers’ entire salaries to pension contributions as a way of atoning for the contributions, which the employers should make. The future begins today. We wonder for how long Labour Unions will watch on as the labours of our heroes past are being pushed into the mud. After all, they, too, will soon be wearing these tattered shoes.
“Whichever way it goes, the retiree suffers: head he loses, tail he does not win! Many contributory pensioners are already groaning under the pains of unpaid pension arrears by pension managers. All available information point to the negative direction that many employers are already defaulting on their remittances. The most offending aspect is that some employers are arm-twisting their worker into virtually converting the workers’ entire salaries to pension contributions as a way of atoning for the contributions, which the employers should make. The future begins today. We wonder for how long Labour Unions will watch on as the labours of our heroes past are being pushed into the mud. After all, they, too, will soon be wearing these tattered shoes.”
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