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The Nigerian
P U B L I S H E D S I N C E MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 39 No. 101 • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 • N100. 0 0
Commissioner eulogises out-going Perm Sec
ART ALIVE Page 20
BENIN CITY – The Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties, Comrade Didi Adodo has eulogized
The history of Ora, 14722002 by E.T. Obaigbe Orhewere
CULTURE AND TRADITION Pages 24-25
Udo: The only sovereign municipality in Benin Kingdom
the outgoing permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr. Alfred Omorogbe Olaye for his dedication to
duty. Comrade Didi Adodo made the observation in a brief ceremony to mark the handing over
from the out-going permanent secretary, Mr. Alfred Omorogbe Oloye to Mrs. Julie Olatunji, a Continues on page 2
I’m not vying for APC Presidential ticket - Oshiomhole
BENIN CITY- Governor Adams Eric Oshiomhole of Edo State has laid to rest insinuations on his purported bid for the presidential ticket of his party, the All progressives Congress (APC), saying while he remains committed to the Nigerian project, his focus now is on accelerating the pace of development in Edo State. In a statement “Today, I believe my personally signed by him, party, the APC, has Governor Oshiomhole enough credible materials said: “following persistent to pick from to fly the inquiries from friends, party’s flag in the 2015 political associates and presidential election. well-meaning Nigerians “Anyone conversant with both at home and abroad over speculations of my interest in the 2015 presidential election, and media comments by my aides, I wish to categorically state that I am not contesting for the 2015 presidential election. My focus now is to continue with our efforts to accelerate the pace of our development programmes to take Edo State to the next level.
my antecedents will attest that I am not the type who does things half-heartedly. If I had resolved to run in 2015 I would have come out boldly and
publicly declare my intention. “Recalling that in 2007 shortly after the expiration of my tenure, as two-term President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC),
I similarly came under pressure from wellmeaning Nigerians from across all the divides (including foremost human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Gani
Fawehinmi of blessed memory) to vie for the presidency. “But convinced that anyone genuinely interested in service could do so in any capacity, I insisted against popular demand not to contest the presidency but the Governorship of Edo State in 2007 and, to the Glory of God, I won. Continues on page 2
Akpata’s death, colossal loss - Oshiomhole
BENIN CITYGovernor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the death of a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), Chief Tayo Akpata, as a colossal loss. In a condolence letter addressed to Chief Olabisi Akpata, widow of the deceased, Governor Oshiomhole said Chief Akpata’s legacies will always stand him out as one of Nigeria’s greatest.
Oshiomhole said: “it is with a very heavy heart that I write to commiserate with you and the entire family over the passing of your beloved husband and lifetime companion, Chief Tayo Akpata. His demise is a colossal loss not only to Edo State, but indeed, the entire nation, which he served devotedly in several capacities, as an a c a d e m i c i a n , e d u c a t i o n i s t , a d m i n i s t r a t o r, businessman and philanthropist. Continues on page 2
TIT BIT
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” - Abraham Lincoln
PRESS BRIEFING: Members of Edo State House of Assembly at a press briefing yesterday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto on the ordeal of the Speaker of the House, Hon. Uyi Igbe and the Majority Leader, Hon. Philip Shaibu (2nd left) in the hands of EFCC yesterday. Hon. Frank Aghedo (right), Hon. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Ativie (2nd right), and Hon. Simon Oloruntoba.Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
EFCC detains EDHA Principal officers By KEN ABU
BENIN CITY – Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu and Foly Ogedengbe, Chief Whip of the House have been detained by authorities of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. The Nigerian OBSERVER reports that the Lawmakers had last Monday at Plenary session disclosed that they have already
received letters of invitation from the Commission to appear before it on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. It would be recalled that the crisis that bedeviled the assembly started
since June 9, 2014 and was last two weeks heightened, following the attack on the PDP lawmaker, Momoh Abdulrazak, representing Etsako West (II) in the
House. In a press briefing at the legislators’ quarters on Thursday, Kabir Adjolo, House Committee Chairman on Information said
the lawmakers who were at the Commission’s office were however detained over alleged forgery of Abdulrazak Momoh’s signature during the impeachment of the former Deputy Speaker, Continues on page 2
2015: US calls for pledge against
LAGOS - The U.S Government has called on Nigerian politicians to publicly take a pledge against
violence
violence ahead of the 2015 general elections. The U.S. Ambassador to
Nigeria, James Entwistle, made the call at a reception for
the Mandela YALI Fellows at the U.S. Consul-General’s Residence in Lagos. Continues on page 2
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
News
Commissioner eulogises out-going Perm Sec
Continued from page 1
senior director in the ministry. The establishment and special duties commissioner stated that nature abhors vacuum, hence the ceremony, admonishing the out going permanent secretary to see transfer as a normal routine in the civil service, and urged him to bring his wealth of experience in the service to improve the lots of ministry where he is posted. Commissioner Adodo with nostalgia recalled the relationship that existed
between the outgoing permanent secretary himself and other staffers of the ministry, especially his fatherly disposition to all the staff and appealed to him to work in tandem with the commissioner. He equally admonished the staff of the ministry to cooperate with Mrs. Julie Olatunji to ensure that she succeeds in her new assignment. In his speech before the hand over ceremony, the out going permanent secretary, Mr. Alfred Omo Olaye described Comrade Didi Adodo as an easy going
person who is ever friendly with all. Alfred Omo Olaye thanked the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole whom he described as God sent and recalled that before his swearing in as permanent secretary, he was involved in an auto accident that nearly claimed his life. Thereafter the issue of officers on extension came up and by the magnanimity of the governor was restated back to the service
saying that miraculously before the day of his retirement the governor announced the abolition of 35 years in service. Responding after signing the handover document, Mrs. Julie Olatunji pledged her loyalty to the commissioner and promised not to betray the confidence reposed in her. The ceremony featured the handing over of documents from the out going permanent secretary, Mr. Alfred Olaye to Mrs. Julie Olatunji.
integrity. “Chief Tayo Akpata is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most cerebral and resourceful public servants, a national icon in his own right, who has established solid reputation for original thinking and an uncommon depth in policy articulation especially in relation to national development and
public welfare. “We in Edo State have fond memories of his contributions to our development efforts. Overall, in the respected Chief, I found a remarkably frank and patriotic elder statesman that was always deeply committed to the
pursuit of a better Nigeria; a kind and humane gentleman of uncommon simplicity, humility and decency; and a person worthy of emulation. “We beseech our Heavenly Father to grant his soul a peaceful repose. We also pray for God’s consoling grace on the family and the entire people of Edo State.”
collapsed twice at the agency’s office was denied access to medical treatment as well as the Majority Leader who was bleeding profusely as a result of the removal of the bandage that was used to protect a deep cut sustained in his palm when the APC Lawmakers were attacked by suspected thugs last Saturday. According to him, you were all aware that last week, there was an attack on the legislators quarters and Philip Shaibu sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. The Speaker was wounded,
including the Chief Whip, Foly Ogedengbe whose residence was seriously vandalized. “The three principal officers were wounded. EFCC arrested them, not minding their health conditions. “We were reliably informed this morning (yesterday) that the Speaker of the House collapsed twice. Philip is bleeding profusely and they are being denied medical attention. “As we speak, the reason for their arrest is simple.
Akpata’s death, colossal loss
Continued from page 1
“We, however, take solace in the knowledge that in passing on, Chief Akpata leaves behind a legacy that will forever stand to his credit and assure him of a lasting place of honour among Nigeria’s greatest public servants, particularly men of
EFCC detains EDHA Principal officers Continued from page 1
Festus Ebea. Adjoto who described the action of the anti-graft agency as laughable noted that it was degrading that it has reduced itself to mere involving in signature forgery case that is ordinarily meant for Police. He however added that the lawmakers would be compelled to mobilize one million man-march to the Commission office if the lawmakers were not released within the next few hours. He also disclosed that the Speaker of the House who
US calls for pledge against Continued from page 1 violence
“The media and individual Nigerians can make it clear that if a candidate wants your vote, he or she must take the pledge that he will not advocate, foment or condone violence before, during and after the elections,’’ he said. The ambassador said that the U.S. would always support free, fair, peaceful and inclusive elections. Entwistle said that Nigeria could effectively conduct free, fair and peaceful elections with the commitment of the citizens, particularly politicians. “As we saw recently when Ebola was effectively contained, great things can be done, and are being done in Nigeria, particularly when we work together. “The challenges faced by Nigerians are significant, but so are the opportunities for growth, development and success,” he said.
I’m not vying for APC Presidential ticket
Continued from page 1 Again, in 2012, I sought reelection and resoundingly won. “I remain absolutely committed to the Nigerian project. “I offer this clarification to clear the air once and for all.”
He stressed the need for Nigeria to apply the same commitment and efforts it used in defeating Ebola in addressing other challenges. Entwistle said that the country could apply same to defeat polio, educate every child and improve the healthcare in communities. According to him, the U.S. and Nigeria share interests in trade and economic development, promoting democracy, ensuring security and advancing access to education and healthcare. He said the Mandela YALI Fellowship was America’s premier youth exchange programme in Africa. “At the Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos, we worked hard to select a diverse, nationwide slate of YALI Fellows, including youths from Maiduguri, Sokoto, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt. “We reached out to men and women from all sectors of the Nigerian society to make sure that this group really represents all Nigerians. That was not just a symbolic goal. The Mandela YALI Fellowship is not just an investment in you as individuals. It is an investment in you as a team. “What is really unique about this programme is that it is not just connecting you with people and organisations in the United States, it is connecting you with a team of 50 incredibly talented
Nigerians and 450 more inspiring young leaders across the African continent. “It is about connecting Abuja to Kinshasa, Sokoto to Bangui, Maiduguri to Lusaka, Port Harcourt to Maseru, Ibadan to Dakar and Lagos to Pretoria,” the ambassador said.
Reps to deliberate on confab reports next week By EDITH IMOISILI
ABUJA - The House of Representatives yesterday confirmed that it has received the report of the National Conference and will commence deliberations on the document next week. While members are almost set to deliberate on the thorny Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. Speaking yesterday, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mohammed Zakari, told House of Representatives press corps that the report of the National Conference has been sent to the House by the presidency and distributed to every member to study. “We have the report and the report has been shared to every member to study and may be, by next week or there about, we will start deliberations on the conference report.”
The EFCC said they forged the signature of Abdulrazak Momoh when the former Deputy Speaker; Festus Ebea was impeached. “Our concern is this; when does the EFCC becomes an agency to investigate alleged forge of signature? When the forgery of signature become a financial crime. Impeachment of either Mr. Speaker or Deputy Speaker, this is purely an internal affair of Edo State House of Assembly. EFCC has no business whatsoever to do with this. “We are surprised that EFCC can reduce itself to investigating a crime that has already been spelt out. It is a criminal offence to forge signature and the penalty has also been spelt out in the criminal code. EFCC is not set up to investigate forgery of signature that it has reduced itself to. It is most unfortunate,” he said. Adjoto however posited that the information available to the lawmakers revealed that the arrest and the detention of the legislators was orchestrated by the Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also alleged that the Edo State leadership of PDP are meeting with EFCC in Abuja and that President Goodluck Jonathan who was aware of the happenings has given directive to the agency that the three Edo Lawmakers should be charged to court and remanded indefinitely. Adjoto however, appealed to Nigerians to call to order the so called “agents of PDP”, noting that the anti-graft agency was set up to clean up the financial system in the country. He gave a profile of cases of financial crimes that have been recently committed in the country by some personalities that were to be investigated by the Commission. Meanwhile, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER gathered as at press time yesterday that the Principal officers have been released. Details will be made available later.
Attack on Edo lawmakers, an act of insurgency By SURAJU RAJI - Olulade LAGOS - Hon Segun Olulade, the mouthpiece of the Lagos State House of Assembly has condemned last Saturday’s attacks on the All Progressive Congress (APC) lawmakers at their residence (legislative quarter) in Benin City. Olulade who is the chairman of Lagos State House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, while responding to questions from journalists in Lagos, condemned the action of the hoodlums, calling it an act of terrorism and insurgency. “It is nothing but terrorism and insurgency. It was carried out in broad-day light massive weapons were used and the perpetrators dared the existing government security agency in the State. So what more do you call it?”, he enquired. Hon Olulade, the Epe Constituency II representative, expressed dissatisfaction about the roles of the police in the entire saga.
He noted that in a country where lives and properties are constantly threatened by every terror group or criminals without check, leaves so many questions to be answered about security of lives and properties of the citizenry. 0The lawmaker said, “Allowing the police force to degenerate to mere political tool by the Federal Government is worrisome; it is even more worrisome when you are tagged an opposition whenever an act like this is condemned”, he said The lawmaker added that the country is fast degenerating into a state of anarchy, day by day. According to Olulade, the attack on the APC lawmakers in broad day light does not guarantee future victory for the PDP at the future polls as the masses are aware of the right path to take. He lamented the level of properties destroyed by the hoodlums in the attack, adding that it has set back the economy of the country.
Edo govt committed to empowerment of Girl Child
BENIN CITY – Edo State Government has put measures in place for the empowerment of the girl child. Wife of the State Deputy Governor, Deaconess Endurance Odubu made the assertion yesterday in Benin City when she received a delegation of the management of Edo /Delta Zone of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP). Deaconess Odubu told the NAPTIP delegation that the state government has established Skills Acquisition Centres for the youths, especially the girl child to equip them with knowledge and skills in life. The deputy governor’s wife urged the management of the agency to sensitize the people on the dangers of human trafficking and prostitution. She explained that such sensitization would expose unsuspecting young girls to the dehumanising nature of prostitution and inculcate in them, the dignity of
- Mrs Odubu
womanhood. Deaconess Odubu however noted with happiness that the craze to travel abroad for prostitution has reduced, while calling for collaboration between the agency and the state government. The Zonal Commander of the agency Mrs. Cordelia Eberinga said Nigeria is regarded as a source, transit and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labour and sexual exploitation. Mrs. Eberinga stated that the social menace calls for concerted action as Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress in its human capital development index with sustained depletion of the youths. She recalled the robust contributions of her husband, Dr. Pius Odubu in the National Assembly which were geared towards the protection of the values and dignity of Edo in general and Benin in particular The agency’s zonal commander later made a presentation to the deputy governor’s wife.
EDSG to ensure success of BENIN CITY – Edo State NHIS government said it will do all it takes to make a success of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the state. The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu gave the assurance on behalf of the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole when the Executive Secretary of the Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas paid an official visit to Government House, Benin City. Dr. Pius Odubu urged the management of the NHIS to enlighten the people on the importance of their services so that more persons and organisations could embrace it. The deputy governor said the NHIS takes care of the beneficiary’s present and
future health needs. He appreciated their Community Health Insurance programme which extends their services to the grassroots and expressed government’s continued readiness to partner with the NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas said the scheme would sustain its partnership with Edo State to make the scheme successful. He noted that with a healthy citizenry, productivity will increase stressing that all the negative indices of maternal mortality and infant mortality will be reversed with the successful implementation of its programmes. The Executive Secretary, NHIS presented souvenirs to the governor and the deputy governor.
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News Library Director Expresses Satisfaction Over Reading Culture By GODWIN OSAGIEDE
L-R: Mr. Kim Fejfer of APM Terminals; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and President Goodluck Jonathan during the visit of APM Terminal top management team to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
BENIN CITY- The Acting Director of Edo State Library, Mr. Friday Olayinka Eke has expressed joy over the reading habit of people in the state, describing it as encouraging. The Acting Director disclosed this to The NIGERIA OBSERVER in an exclusive interview in Benin City yesterday. He said the library which was established during the military era by the then administration of Midwest state, Brig-Gen Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia was to provide the needed
information and increase the reading habit of the public as well as to provide reference services. According to him, “the public do not need library identity card before accessing reading materials because the library provides free services to all and sundry. He however advised the general public to make use of the opportunity to expand their horizon. While recalling the library’s effort to make students in primary and secondary school imbibe the culture of reading, he said there is a department in the library that goes around
LG Boss Assures NMA Of Assistance BY GRACE OSAGIE/ ONI GLORIA
AUCHI (Edo) - The Etsako West Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. (Barr.) Hassan Kadiri has assured the chairman and secretary of the Nigerian
Medical Association (NMA) Edo State Chapter of his readiness to support and assist the association in executing its project in the local government area. The local government boss
who gave the assurance while playing host to members of the association in his office at Auchi, the administrative headquarters of the local government area said he will do everything within its power to assist them in their free
medical treatment in the locality. Hon. Kadiri, while applauding the doctors for the project said he is ready to partner with the association to see to the success of the free medical exercise in the local
tobacco and tobacco products in the country is the illegal production. “Also the distribution and advertising of the product by many vendors lead to the cause of many diseases and untimely death of many Nigerians. “This gathering has an onerous task of assessing issues not limited to just tobacco distribution, sale, advertising, manufacture and sponsorship. “But also issues like age restriction and penalties, effects of second-hand smoke both in children and adults smoking in public places and implementation of these regulations hereafter,“ he said. He said, as a member of World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, by adopting treaty on Tobacco Control, the Nigerian Government and National Assembly had to live up to the mandate. Mark added that the Nigerian Government and National Assembly would ensure that the adverse effects and burden of tobacco and its products on public health system was sustainably controlled. “We must understand that for this bill to be sustained, it
needs more than government backing. We must shun illegality in this business sector in its entirety. “Our customs, judicial system and relevant health agencies have to be on deck to provide succour where and when needed,“ he said. He enjoined all stakeholders at the hearing to contribute gainfully, to help the Senate Committee on Health to arrive at a more informed and conclusive decision.
6.4m Nigerian Adults Exposed To Tobacco Smoke - Senate
ABUJA - The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa (PDPDelta) has said that statistics had shown that about 6.4 million Nigerians were exposed to tobacco smoke in restaurants while 5.6 per cent used its products. This was announced at a public hearing to consider the harmonised National Tobacco Control Bill (Senate Bill) 2012 and 2014 Executive Bill. Okowa, who attributed the statistics to the 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Survey, further disclosed that about 600,000 people die annually globally from second hand tobacco smoke. He said it was in view of the alarming negative effect of tobacco on peoples’ health that the Senate decided to hold a public hearing. According to him, the bill will provide the legal framework for the control of production, manufacture, sale, labelling and advertising, promotion, sponsorship and use of tobacco products and exposure to tobacco smoke. The chairman further said the bill would provide for the prohibition of advertising, promotion and sponsorship as well as regulation of tobacco
products. “The bill we are considering today provides for health warnings and other information required on tobacco product packaging. “It further provides for the protection of tobacco policies from commercial and vested interest of the industry as well as education, communication and public awareness as it relates to Nigerian public,“ he said. The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, while declaring the public hearing open, said the bill would help protect future generation of Nigerians from the devastating health consequences. He also said it would protect Nigerians from social, economic and environmental consequences of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke amongst others. Mark said that anything with adverse effect on public health such as effect of tobacco, deserved the right awareness and attention. “The statistics surrounding the impact of tobacco in the world at large and in Nigeria in particular, is staggering, a seemingly slow-killer that must not be ignored. “Much to the contribution of the negative effect of
government and its environs as it concerned the health of his people at the grassroots who are more vulnerable. The NMA Chairman, Prof. Afekhide Omoti said that their visit was to solicit assistance in terms of partnering with the association in its visit to Etsako West local government area to carry out free medical examination on the indigenes of the local government and its environs. According to him, the exercise is not only diagnosing free, but also treatment would be given and where necessary surgery on the patients. Secretary of the association, Dr. Leonard Atsikidi added that the exercise is targeting over 10,000 people to be examined including free eye examination and free glasses to be given where necessary. The free medical examination and treatment will last from October 23rd-25th 2014 at Iyamho Comprehensive Health Centre, Iyamho.
to sensitise students in primary and secondary schools on the need to patronize it. The Acting director lauded the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for his financial effort that has made the library as standard one which can compete with other library across the country. He therefore enjoined parents and the reading public to embrace the opportunity to engage their children in reading and research, saying that the library was not established to generate fund but to offer free services to the public.
CGM Thanksgiving Holds Oct 18 By MUKORO MERCY/ ERIC OGIE
BENIN CITY- The Church of God Mission International (Divine Legacy Centre), will tomorrow Saturday, October 18, 2014, hold its Annual thanksgiving service. Tagged: Celebration of the God of all Grace, the thanksgiving service will hold at the Church Hall, No 13, Ehondor Street, between Akpakpava /Forestry Road, Benin City beginning at 10 am. A statement by the host pastors Rev. and Rev (Mrs) Alex Iduh said the thanksgiving service will offer opportunity for the congregation to God for His manifold blessings and abundant grace in the year 2014.
The Executive Chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Hassan Kadiri (left), listening to Edo State Branch Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Atekhide Omoti during a courtesy visit to the Chairman in his office in Auchi recently.
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Across The Nation
Butchers’ Boss Describes Chief Adun As A Living Legend By LUCKY EFESE
President Goodluck Jonathan (7th right), Vice President Namadi Sambo (8th left), Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (5th right) with serving and newly appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries after their inaguration in Abuja on Wednesday.
HIV/AIDS Prevention
BENIN CITY- The State Chairman of the Butchers’ Union in Edo State, Comrade (Pastor) Ikponmwosa Orhue has described Chief Dr. John Osamede Adun JP, The Ayobahan of Benin Kingdom, as a living legend, who had remained an illuminating light not only to the Butchers, but to the great people of Benin Kingdom. Comrade Orhue disclosed this to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER weekend, during
Group Advocates Holistic Approach ABUJA - The Nigeria Network of Religious Leaders Living with HIV/ AIDs (NINERELA+), a civil society group, has appealed to the Federal Government to adopt a holistic approach for the prevention of HIV/AIDs in the country. Mallam Ibrahim Doma, the National Coordinator of the association, made the call at a three-day stakeholders’ forum to develop advocacy strategy plan and communication plan on SAVE model in Abuja. The reports state that SAVE stands for Safer Practices, Availability of and access to treatment, Voluntary counselling and testing, and Empowerment. The ABC approach, which has been used prominently, refers to Abstinence, Be faithful and Condomnised. Doma, who described the holistic model as SAVE, faulted the ABC approach to HIV prevention, adding that it only centre on the transmission of HIV through sex. “The ABC model, which is the most prominent model applied throughout the country in preventing new infection of HIV/AIDs for over two decades, has drawn attention to one thing that is the only mode of HIV infection is through sex. “While the SAVE model is not limited to sex but cover other modes of HIV transmission which makes its more comprehensive and intensive as universal best practices of HIV prevention. “Despite the importance of ABC messages, it has acted as a catalyst for stigma, shame, denial, discrimination, inaction and miss-actions suffered by people living with HIV in Nigeria that holds with high
esteem religious and moral values,’’ he said. Doma said other interventions such as the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV, stigma reduction, treatment and care, among others, have been applied as isolated interventions. He said the effect has brought about the missed opportunities where a person who receives an intervention like prevention, misses out on the opportunity of other
interventions. According to him, the SAVE model addressed these gaps completely. Doma said that the SAVE model has been tested in four states of Edo, Benue, Plateau and FCT from 2010 till date. He said there was a remarkable achievement as some theological schools has adopted the model in their schools’ curriculum. He said NINERELA, an affiliation of International Network of Religious
Leaders Living with HIV/ AIDs (INERELA), has trained SAVE champions in some states in all the six geopolitical zones. Doma further said that the National Agency for the Control of HIV/Aids (NACA) has launched the campaign on the SAVE model in Nigeria. “We believe that this model will build on the strength of our existing interventions as well as reduce the weaknesses inherent in them,” he said.
the 60th birthday celebration thanksgiving service held at the first church in sub Sahara Africa, the unique Benin Church, the Holy Aruosa along Akpakpava Road Benin City. He stressed that it was a bliss to have a person of Chief Adun as an indigene of Benin Kingdom because of his stupendous contributions to the growth of the kingdom. The Butchers’ boss said that God in his infinite mercy never made mistakes to have brought the transport gum through the Benin Kingdom alive. He especially made reference
to his singular contribution towards the growth of the nation’s economy and described him as a business icon of great disparity. He prayed for the long life and prosperity of the High Benin Chief to enable him use his old age to protect what he had started well on this earth, just as he also urged all Butchers’ in the state to rally support around Chief Adun, who also is their national president to enable him succeed on the task of transforming the Union to a greater height.
ENUGU - The Enugu State House of Assembly has recommended effective security for Millennium Development Goals (MDG) contractors and their equipment. The Chairman, House Committee on Economic Development and Poverty Reduction, MDGs and NGOs, Mrs Nkechi Omeje-Ogbu made the recommendation while presenting its report during
plenary in Enugu. Omeje-Ogbu advised the house to ensure that the MDG office notified benefitting communities about projects sited in their areas and their assistance for protection of the projects and contractors. She said that the MDG contract awarding agency should properly inform the benefitting local governments with the details of such contract for a follow-up, to ensure that such projects were properly executed. The lawmaker also recommended that contractors, either in the communities or at the local government levels, should be summoned whenever they failed to execute the projects assigned to them properly. The chairman said that during an investigation by the committee, it discovered that N200m was meant for each local government annually as state intervention fund on health, education and water sanitation.
Enugu Assembly Urges Security For MDGs Contractors
Adopt Preventive Therapy, NGO Advises Nigerians
ABUJA - Mr Chinedu Aroh, Head, Corporate Communication Department, Innovative Vaccines Ltd, an NGO, has advised Nigerians to adopt preventive measures against diseases for a healthy life. Aroh told newsmen prevention of sicknesses was better than curative measures at ensuring total eradication of illnesses in the society. According to him, preventive vaccines were better than cure in terms of diseases and sicknesses. Reports state that the NGO was established to promote and produce high technological diagnostic for antibody titre testing. The strategy would determine the level of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases and allow for the administration of precise vaccines required by persons. Aroh explained that preventive measure would go a long way in assisting people from been infested with any kind of sickness or disease. He decried the number of people that died daily as a result of Typhoid, Malaria fever and Polio, among others, which ordinarily would not have affected them let alone caused their death. The spokesman said that there were vaccines that would immune or prevent people
against been infested by those diseases for life. He said the organisation had produced Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever, Hepatitis and Meningitis vaccines, among others. “These vaccines have been scientifically tested,’’ he said. Aroh, however, appealed to parents and guardians to ensure
that they immunise their families against diseases, adding that it is more expensive to cure diseases than prevent them. “Prevention, they say, is better cure. Save your family against untimely deaths by keying into available vaccines and ensuring that they are immunised against diseases and infection. “It is high time we embrace
preventive medicine no more curative. There are diseases like Typhoid Fever, Meningitis, Hepatitis that affect people today which ordinarily they should not even suffer from again. “We want to emulate what is happening in the western world when after giving birth to a child as you are giving that child the best education you can also give such child the best health protection.
President Goodluck Jonathan (6th right), Vice President Namadi Sambo (6th left), Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (right) and newly appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries after their inaguration in Abuja on Wednesday.
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News
Rice Farmers Seek Incentive From FG
LAGOS - Rice farmers, on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate incentives to enable them boost production. Those who spoke to newsmen also want government to compel its agencies to patronise locally produced rice. They urged President Goodluck Jonathan to give directive to all ministries and
departments to patronise firms that are into local rice production. According to them, that would be the best measure to encourage local producers and stem rice importation. A leading rice farmer, Mr. Bayo Adebayo, said government should take
Oshodi-Isolo LGA Improves Primary Health Care LAGOS – Mr. Idris MusaAriyo, the Chairman, OshodiIsolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, has said the council had improved primary healthcare in the area. Musa-Ariyo told newsmen in Lagos that the council had enabled other health centres in the area to provide 24-hours services through the provision of electric power generating sets. “We have been around now for almost three years, and we have done a lot in the health sector. “When we came on board, there was no healthcare centre providing services 24 hours. “As I speak now, we have five healthcare centres out of seven, which are providing 24-hour services. “And we try to make sure that we provide security at our healthcare centres. “At the same time, we try to make sure that we make the environment conducive for them by making sure that there is electric power 24 hours a day by providing power generating sets and we still go ahead to make sure that we make the place clean. “I mean, when someone is about to be delivered of a baby; we make sure that the place is clean; we have done a lot of campaign about maternity healthcare. “And, we give many free healthcare services such as bringing dentists around to provide free check-up for people in our local government as well as educating mothers on how to go about taking care of their kids.“ The chairman also said that his administration provided free education materials for pupils and students and renovated some school buildings to make the environment conducive for learning. “We have done a lot for the development of education as well. “There is no child in Oshodi, at the moment, that will tell you that he or she has not benefited from this programme. “We were able to procure school bags, school uniforms, sandals, and stationeries for students. “At the same time, we make
the place conducive for both the teachers and the students. “We also renovated schools; we constructed a block of six classrooms at Aregbe Primary School.
practical approach towards self sufficiency in rice production by assisting local rice farmers. “Committed rice farmers are requesting to meet with the president and decision-makers to discuss how to implement practical solutions to support the rice sector. “This approach will make all rice importers to embrace backward integration. “ Those that bring vessels to neighbouring countries and smuggle the commodity into the country should be treated as saboteurs,” he declared. A rice dealer, Mr. Odion Egbele, said that Nigeria had not done much in making stable food available and affordable.
Sam Adegboyega Varsity Produces Second Female Prof OGWA (Edo) - Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, a tertiary Institution of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, LAWNA Territory, situated in Ogwa, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo state, has produced her second Professor, few months after she appointed her first female professor. She is Professor (Mrs.) Bridget Inegbeboh. Professor (Mrs.) Bridget Inegbeboh, a Nigerian, had her primary and secondary education at C.M.S School, Akuku Akumazi (now Ekuoma) and Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Ughelli (Nigeria). She proceeded to College of Education Abraka (Nigeria); University of Benin (Nigeria), Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma where she bagged her numerous degrees and the Nigerian Law School, Abuja (Nigeria). Fom her sojourns in the citadels of learning, she now holds Nigerian Certificate in Education (French and English option), Bachelors of Arts in English, Masters in English, Masters in Educational Administration; LLB; a Certificate of Call to Nigeria Bar; LLM (Masters in Laws) and a Doctorate Degree in English and Literature. Her work experience started with the Post-Primary Education Board Edo State
Professor (Mrs.) Bridget Inegbeboh
(Nigeria) after her early school years where she taught as a classroom teacher of French and English Language and later rose to the position of Principal Special Grade. Thereafter, she joined Benson Idahosa University, Benin City Nigeria as a Lecturer of English and Literature in the year 2002. During this period she taught many courses in English and Literature and held the positions of Head of Department of Arts, Education and English. As a result of her Academic excellence and wealth of experience, Professor (Mrs.)inegbeboh was elevated to the rank of Associate Professor in 2010. In 2011, she joined Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State Nigeria; and since then she has been functioning in various capacities as chairman of various committees and has vowed to impact positively and conctribute to the development of the University. Professor (Mrs.) Bridget Inegbeboh has been profiled on who is who in the Nigeria Law School 2002/2003; and who is who in the Nigeria Bar Association Edo State, Nigeria. She is a recipient of the Award of Fellow of Strategic Institute for Natural Resources and Human Development. She has Academic papers published in both national and international journals and she has attended many conferences. Presently, Professor (Mrs.) Inegbeboh is the Director, Centre for Research and Development of Esanland (CERDEL). Professor (Mrs.) Bridget Inegbeboh was elevated to the rank of a Professor in August 2014 by the Governing Council of Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State. Her elevation was indeed a reward for hard work. Professor Inegbeboh has made positive foot print in her chosen career. She is married with Children.
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News Hand Washing: NGO Organises Seminar
Members of Road Transport and Keke NAPEP Unions during their Solidarity visit to Government House in support of Alhaji Aminu Hamayo a candidate for the 2015 Governorship Election in Bauchi yesterday.
Expert Recommends Health Habits In School Curriculum
ENUGU - Dr Paulinus Osai, Director of Public Health, Enugu State, has called for the introduction of health habits in all primary and secondary schools’ curriculum in Nigeria. Osai made the recommended in an interview with newsmen in Enugu. He said the state ministry of health had been canvassing for the introduction of health
habits in all schools in the country to reduce diseases and to become a habit for children. “We have been advocating for health habits as a course or programme in all primary and secondary schools’ curriculum, as the children grow up to adulthood, it will become part of them. “By so doing, it will reduce a lot of diseases, hospital attendants, resources that are wasted on healthcare delivery and time,” Osai
said. The director said hand washing as the major health habit should be seen as a culture in the society. According to him, most of the communicable diseases like Cholera, Ebola, Lassa fever, Dysentery and Typhoid fever are contracted through the hands. “Most of the communicable diseases entered the mouth through the use of hand, for this reason; there was need for regular washing of hand,” he
Experts Say Noise Is Hazardous problems to mention but a LAGOS - Some health To Health heart few. experts have advised the public to reduce the noise level in the environment as it was potentially dangerous to the physical and mental being of people. The experts gave the advice while fielding questions from the newsmen in Lagos, ahead of ‘A Day without Horn in Lagos’. NAN reports that the Lagos State Government had declared Oct. 15 to mark the day. It is a day that motorists in the state would be discouraged from honking their car horns or siren while driving. Dr Gbenga Olosa, a Public Health Specialist, said: “Broadly speaking, noise pollution occurs when there is excessive noise or unpleasant sound in an environment, thereby causing temporary disruption in the natural balance. “The various causes of noise pollution include indiscipline, shouting, industrialisation, poor urban planning, transportation, household activities, noise from generator sets, industrial machines and vehicles, to mention but a few. “Due to lack of foresight, our cities have been poorly planned, not taking into consideration
human and infrastructural expansions. “Now, we are over populated and concentrated in limited areas, and our numerous activities, coupled with lack of discipline lead to noise pollution every now and then,’’ he said. Olosa also observed that “at social events, noise is at its peak. At home, the TVS and radios are blaring. “You go outside, motorists honk the horns of their cars indiscriminately, conductors and commuters shout on top of their voices. “It is quite a pathetic situation and we are used to it. But, this lifestyle is really dangerous not only to our health but to the society at large’’. Dr Ndubuisi Onwuka, Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist), noted that Noise Pollution had some health effects. “Apart from damaging the eardrums and hearing problems, noise pollution can lead to headaches, aggressive behaviours, sleep disorders, emotional instability, communication gaps and fatigue. “It can also give rise to tension, anxiety, hypertension, cardiovascular and stress related
“Excessive noise has effects on reproduction. It also affects developmental, reading and understanding abilities in children,’’ he said. According to Onwuka, studies have also shown that noise pollution has effects on animals, as animals in aggressive environments tend to react same way too. On his part, Dr Femi Ajayi, Public Health Consultant, said that noise had become a major public concern in modern day living. “Noise has become a major public concern with the advancement in technology, migration and quest to make a living. “The effects of noise are enormous. People who are constantly exposed to noise exhibit more annoyance. This is detrimental to health and contributes to lowering quality of life. “The Lagos State Government has taken a step towards reducing noise on the roads. It is commendable. Unnecessary honking can distract the driver, passenger or commuter, and lead to accident,’’ Ajayi said.
said. According to him, with the help of the United Nation for Children Education Fund (UNICEF), the state health ministry has been emphasising on hand washing even before Ebola Virus Disease broke out. The director said the exercise on hand washing was done by going round schools and communities, teaching people on how to wash their hands regularly with soap and clean running water. Osai advised people to indulge in hand washing because clean water could be found almost everywhere. He said that people who could not afford soap could use ashes and clean running water to wash their hands regularly.
BENIN CITY-The Rural Health Society International, a Non – Governmental Organistion (NGO) has organized a one day seminar on Hand Washing and Sanitation to commemorate the 2014 Hand Washing Day in Benin City. President of the NGO, Dr. (Sir) Michael Osumah said at the occasion that only about five percent of the people wash hands properly. While advising on the need to develop the habit of better and more freguent hand washing as a first line of deface against infection, he noted that it is also a “Do-ityourself –vaccination”. Dr Osumah disclosed that the NGO is committed to healthfully emancipate
the 70-80 percent of the population regarded as neglected few that are dwelling in abject poverty in the rural area out of ignorance and preventable disease burden. According to him, “a clean individual begets a clean or sanitary surrounding which is capable of preventing about 70 percent of tropical diseases. Noting that cleanliness brings good health, Dr. Osumah noted that most of the efforts of the Lagos state government and the federal government that led to the successful checking of the Ebola Virus Disease spread recently are due to improved personal hygiene, clean environment and limited and healthy bodily contact with people.
559 Kano Pilgrims Return From S/Arabia KANO -The first batch of 559 pilgrims from Kano State, who performed the 2014 hajj in Saudi Arabia, have returned to the country. Alhaji Mohammed Yola, the Accepting Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Kano Zone, disclosure this in an interview with newsmen in Kano. Yola said the pilgrims arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on board a Max Air Boeing 747 aircraft around 9:53 a.m. on Wednesday.
An erosion site on Erio Road in Ekiti .
He said the returning pilgrims were from Ajingi, Albasu, Gaya, Takai, Warawa and Wudil, adding that the Aircraft had also come with 496 main luggage and 330 hand luggage. According to him, the pilgrims are in good health and have arrived with their luggages. He said the second flight was being expected any moment on Wednesday. Newsmen report that 5,750 pilgrims from the state performed the 2014 hajj.
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Lagos Analgesics Administration Before Polio Immunisation Reduces Efficacy -Expert
Fraud
Court Discharges Ajudua IKEJA - An Ikeja High Court yesterday discharged a socialite and businessman, Fred Ajudua, of $1.69 million (about N252.8 million) fraud charge. Justice Kudirat Jose discharged Ajudua and his co-defendant, Charles Orie, following the withdrawal of the charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “The charge against the defendants is hereby struck out. The defendants are accordingly discharged,” the judge said. Earlier, EFCC counsel, Mrs A.E. Sanusi, told the court that some principal prosecution witnesses refused to come to Nigeria to give evidence in the matter. “Our witnesses are foreigners who are reluctant to come to Nigeria. “They are citing Ebola virus disease as one of the reasons they do not want to come. “The first defendant (Ajudua) is at present being remanded in the Kirikiri Prisons; in the circumstances, we are constrained to withdraw the charge. “We are asking the court to discharge the defendants until we are able to get our witnesses,” Sanusi said. The defendants were arraigned in 2003 over alleged fraud against two Dutch businessmen – Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen.
Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, Col. John Agim (left), presenting an award to the best student in A2 Video Production Course, PTE Eze Onyekachi, at a combined graduation of Army School of Public Relations and Information Students in Lagos yesterday.
LAGOS- A medical researcher, Dr Bamidele Iwalokun, yesterday said that giving analgesics to children before polio immunisation could reduce the efficacy of the vaccine. Iwalokun, a molecular biologist at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, made the observation in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. He said: “Many mothers give analgesics to their children before they
Man Docked Over N64,000 Fraud
LAGOS - A 58-year-old Tianshi distributor, Richard Njemanze, who allegedly defrauded a jobless graduate of N64, 000, was yesterday arraigned in an Abule Egba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Njemanze, who resides at Block 213, Flat 6, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence. The prosecutor, Insp. Racheal Williams, told the court that the offence was committed on August 18 at Ipaja in Lagos. She said that the accused, and one other at large, collected the sum of N64,000 from one Wasiu Oladejo, under the pretence of getting him a job in Chevron Nigeria Ltd. “Since then, the accused has been on the run; all efforts by the complainant to locate him proved abortive until today when he was seen and apprehended,” the prosecutor said. According to her, the offences contravene Sections 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000, with two sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case till November 10 for mention.
Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, Col. John Agim (middle) and graduands at their combined graduation in Lagos yesterday.
NRC Re-Opens Burnt Station
LAGOS- The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) yesterday began a test-run of operations at its station at Itoki, Ogun, four months after it was shut on June 10. The station was shut after it was torched by miscreants protesting over the increase in fares of the Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS), which saw them paying N230 instead of the fomer N150. The protesters also kicked against the N750 fare on the newly introduced airconditioned coaches and vandalised new Diesel Multiple Unit trains launched by Vice President Namadi Sambo. Mr Akin Osinowo, Lagos Railway District Manager (RDM), told newsmen in Lagos that the operations at the station were being test-run ahead of its official reopening. He said that the test-run was to ascertain the security of their staff members and property at the station, which would be officially reopened on October 20, if well secured. According to him, NRC management initially mandated
the Itoki community to solely repair the burnt station but later decided to carry it out. Osinowo urged the community leaders along the railway corridors to ensure the security of their staff and property. Some passengers yesterday expressed delight that they could board trains at the station again. Mr Kabiru Adegbenla, a trader who plies Iddo/Agbado route told newsmen that Itoki passengers and traders found it difficult to cope when the station was closed. He said that the closure adversely affected trading in the community while it lasted. Adegbenla said that the protest over increase in fares should not result in destruction of facilities meant for the masses. He, however, urged the NRC management to reconsider its decision by reversing the fares, stressing that the increment would further encourage hanging and other illicit activities on train. Mrs Cecelia Agbamu, a trader at the station, said that the closure grossly affected their
sales and they had to look for another means of making money. “We commend the NRC for the reopening; we appeal to the people not to embark on destruction of government’s property because they are our property. “While we are dissatisfied with the new fare, we are not in support of vandalism because all of us will still suffer the consequence,“ Agbamu said. She advised the corporation to revert the old fares to help the masses while the newly
introduced trains should be at low cost. Mrs Lucy Edward, who joins the train from Itoki to Oshodi, where she sells clothes, said that the closure of Itoki Station made passengers to pay more to get to their destinations. “This is because we had to either go to Ijoko or Agbado to join the train, which is extra N100. “The increment in fares, though outrageous, should not lead to wanton destruction of property.
LAGOS- The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) yesterday said it would encourage the Federal Government to institute policies that would facilitate trade in the nation’s maritime industry. Mr Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary of NSC told newsmen in Lagos. Bello said the NSC move followed a consensus reach after a meeting with maritime operators on how to reduce human contact in cargo clearing at the ports. “The NSC will direct some of the resolutions to the government because we need the government to take action on some certain
issues that have been discussed. “We will convince the government to implement the issues. They are many but we may not discuss them now for strategic reasons but they are on trade facilitation. “This is our third meeting and at each meeting we reached some achievements. It is going to continue until we ensure that Nigerian terminals are competing favourably with other terminals in the world,’’ Bello said. The NSC secretary, who declined further details, said that
receive polio vaccine to reduce side effects, such as mild fever, associated with the vaccine. “However, research done in other countries has proven that administering an analgesic before giving the vaccine could reduce the efficacy of the vaccine.” According to him, a child who receives an analgesic before vaccination may be unable to raise enough immunity to prevent future exposure to the virus that causes polio. He urged health workers to advise mothers to give analgesics after children had received the vaccine. The molecular biologist said that appropriate administration was essential to optimal safety and efficacy of vaccines. He called on stakeholders to implement programmes to monitor quality immunisation services. “Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. It has no cure but it is preventable through immunisation. “All vaccine providers should receive training on vaccine administration to children,” he said. Iwalokun identified some initial symptoms of polio as fever, vomiting, stiffness on the neck and pain in the limbs. The World Health Organisation said in its 2014 report that polio vaccine, given multiple times, could protect a child against polio for life.
Association Urges FG To Boost Maritime the purpose of the meetings was to Trade prepare the ports for more trade in
Nigeria. He said that operators also discussed modalities on how to reduce the cost of doing business in Nigerian ports. According to him, Nigerian ports are competing with other ports in the sub-region and operators have to streamline their clearance procedures to attract cargo to Nigerian ports. He said that the measures were in line with the customs targets because they are strategic partners of terminal operators, shipping companies and freight forwarders
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Across The Nation Summit Solicits Support For Girl-Child ABUJA - Participants at a two-day women and girls summit in Abuja have solicited support for the Nigerian girlchild in the areas of education, economic empowerment, security and provision of healthcare. The women participants in their various submissions at the summit with the theme: “Reinforcing the Agenda for Girl-child Education’’, stressed the need to support the Nigerian girl-child in all ramifications. They contended that urgent steps needed to be taken by government and stakeholders to address all issues affecting the girl-child, especially in the face of current national challenges. This, according to them, was the only way to enable them play their roles in nationbuilding. Dr. Mojisola Odeku, a Public Health Physician, suggested that the laws protecting the girl-child should be reviewed and updated, and the girl be enlightened to enable her speak up on her rights. Dr. Grace Ongile, UN Women Representative to Nigeria urged government to partner with communities as a means of tackling security challenges as they affected the girl-child. On her part, Dr Mrs Chizoba Wonodi, a U.S.-based Epidemiologist, underscored the health challenges faced by the Nigerians, saying that many were dying of preventable diseases for lack of vaccination. “Vaccination is required at different stages of the girlchild’s life. Before the child is one year old, she should have received seven different types of vaccines. “Every year, about 800,000 Nigerian children die of preventable diseases such as malaria, measles, tetanus, among others, before their fifth birthday,’’ she said. A woman entrepreneur, Dr Titilayo Akinlade, in her submission, urged Nigerian women to imbibe the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship and impart the same on the girlchild to empower them. “Every woman should be creative and imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship so as to impart it on the girl-child at the early stage of their development and empower them economically,’’ she said. The summit which ended on Tuesday drew participants from Nigeria and across the world.
I’m not vying for APC presidential ticket —Oshiomhole
Advocates for Collective Transformation (ACT) in a rally in Lagos.
Cross section of Ministers at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
Jonathan To Inaugurate NHIS Registration Format ABUJA - The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said President Goodluck Jonathan would soon launch a new National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration format. The minister said this while presenting his ministry’s score card at the 2014 ministerial platform held at the National Press Centre, Abuja. Chukwu said that under the new registration format, Nigerians could enroll for the scheme using mobile telephone technology. “I want to announce to this gathering that Mr President will soon launch the mobile phone format of registration for the NHIS. “It will reduce the difficulties associated with queuing up in offices to be registered for the NHIS and it will improve health insurance coverage for Nigerians. “We want every Nigerian to enjoy a form of health insurance and this we want to do in a number of innovative ways,’’ he said. He said the aim of the new registration format was to upscale healthcare financing and improved health insurance coverage beyond 30 per cent targeted by the Federal Government. The minister said about 24 million Nigerian children had been scheduled to be enrolled under the new registration format, adding that it was part of the strategic plan for universal health coverage. Chukwu assured Nigerians that registration for the scheme would be made easier when the new format was inaugurated by the Federal Government.
Board Disqualifies Intending Pilgrims
ENUGU - The Enugu State Pilgrims Board says it has disqualified 12 intending pilgrims from travelling to Israel for various reasons such as illhealth and fear of absconding, among others. Speaking with newsmen in Enugu yesterday the Executive Secretary of the board, Mrs Chinasa Nwaebiem, said the disqualification was done at the end of the screening of the 300 intending pilgrims. Nwaebiem noted that some of
the disqualified applicants were too young and did not have a means of livelihood. She said that the board would conduct what she termed “mopup” screening, to replace the disqualified ones. She noted that of the 260 intending pilgrims from the state, the government was sponsoring about 130 persons while the
IGP Tasks PCRC On Community Police
ABUJA -The Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has advised the leadership of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) nationwide to re-invigorate the tenets of the committee. A statement issued by Acting Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Ojukwu, the force spokesman, said Abba gave the advice when he met with the leadership in Abuja. The statement said the advice became necessary to deepen the concept of community policing. The acting police boss described
community policing as a veritable instrument in achieving the mission statement of the current leadership. He ordered the withdrawal of the members’ identity cards with immediate effect, to checkmate the illegal proliferation of PCRC cards. The acting inspector general said that some criminally minded elements used the identity card to impersonate members of the PCRC and defrauded unsuspecting members of the public.
remaining 130 were being sponsored by different local governments. The executive secretary expressed optimism that the intending pilgrims would travel to Israel between November. 1 and November. 7. “No fewer than 12 intending pilgrims were disqualified. Of the number, some are too young, not married, do not have any source of livelihood, especially the young men. We are afraid that they are going to abscond. “A woman was also disqualified because she is pregnant; some elderly people were also disqualified due to ill health. “We are going to do a mop-up screening to replace the people disqualified and screen those that had not been screened. “We screened about 300 pilgrims but we narrowed it down to those who have sponsors and that is why we are calling on wealthy individuals to sponsor our people to the holy land. Government is sponsoring over 130 intending pilgrims. We are looking at travelling this year with 260 pilgrims to Israel and some of them will also go to
Rome and Greece. “Right now, out of the pilgrims, we have only five persons that have indicated interest to go to Rome. “We are working towards travelling by the first week in November.” She appealed to the local government chairmen sponsoring their subjects to pay promptly, to hasten their travel arrangements. On Ebola screening, the executive secretary said the medical team would screen the people before and after the exercise. “Although we have not heard of any case of Ebola in Israel, the medical team from the state is well equipped in case of any health issue. “They have their drugs and thermometer to check the temperature of the pilgrims before and after the pilgrimage. “But we do not envisage any problem,’’ she said. Nwaebiem advised the intending pilgrims to avoid trading and unnecessary shopping during the exercise. “We must pray for Enugu State, Nigeria and our families because that is the essence of pilgrimage,’’ she said.
He said scaling up healthcare financing had been one of the achievements of the Goodluck Jonathan administration since 2011. Also fielding questions at the forum, the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr Femi Thomas, said government was planning to assist Nigerians to access subsidised healthcare in both public and private facilities around them. He said 700 healthcare facilities had been registered to run the insurance scheme, while 300 more facilities would be accredited before the end of the year to increase the figure to 1,000. Thomas said the objective was to expand the options available for Nigerians both in private and public healthcare facilities.
2015
Police Warn Against Violence OWERRI - The Imo Police Command yesterday warned that it would not tolerate political violence or any form of electoral offence in the state during the 2015 general elections. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Abdulmajid Ali, issued the warning in Owerri while declaring open a two-day seminar on anti-electoral crime and violence. The seminar was organised by the Association for Public Policy Analysis of Nigeria in collaboration with the police. Ali, represented by his deputy, Mr Austin Agbonlahor, advised politicians to play according to the rule, warning that the law enforcement agents would deal with anybody fomenting trouble during the polls. He, however, noted that Imo was not known for electoral violence, adding that there was a need for improvement on past election experiences in the state. “Arrest and prosecution of electoral offenders will be achieved to the fullest; police will maintain neutrality while performing its duties, before, during and after the elections,” he said. In a keynote address, Mr Princewill Okorie, the National President of the association, said that electoral violence caused bad governance and crime in the nation. Okorie said there was the need for political stakeholders to stepup sensitisation of the people, to forestall electoral violence. “Electoral crime and violence are inhuman, anti-development, destructive and unpatriotic; no democracy grows in the face of such monsters,’’ he said. He further called for the establishment of a joint committee on anti-electoral crime and violence in the state, to ensure crime and violencefree election.
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Across The Nation Kwara To Hand Schools Back To Owners ILORIN - Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has restated the readiness of government to hand over grant aided schools to proprietors who expressed the desire to wholly run the schools. Ahmed made this known during an interaction with stakeholders in the education
sector drawn from faith and community based schools in the state. He also said that government was ready to fully take over schools whose owners were willing to hand them over to the government. Ahmed said that government had sent the enabling bill to the
State House of Assembly for appropriate legal backing for the new education policy. The governor assured stakeholders that government would pursue every opportunity to guarantee that every child would have access to quality education for the greater good of the society.
He said the new policy would be guided by transparency, collective responsibility and focus on the future of the Kwara child. “If we want a brighter future for our children and the nation to compete favourably in the international community, we must be concerned about the
quality of education we deliver to the future leaders,” Ahmed said. He said that government would ensure equity, justice and fairness to make quality education accessible to Kwara children. Ahmed told the stakeholders that it was imperative for government to review the concept of grant aiding faith and community based schools in compliance with modern realities.
“Every stakeholder in all sectors of the society must comply with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees freedom of worship for all and sundry. “This is the way we can continue to live in peace,” he said. The Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya, commended the state government for initiating the session between government and stakeholders in the education sector.
LOKOJA - The Kogi House of Assembly has condemed the state of roads in the state and mandated its committee on works to look into the remote causes of the poor delivery of road projects by contractors. The house gave the mandate at Wednesday’s plenary after considering a motion by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Emmanuel Omebije. The motion was calling on the state government to establish a laboratory for analysis of materials for projects. Omebije said most roads in the state, and particularly in Lokoja metropolis, were in dire state of disrepair as they were dilapidated following poor quality materials used in constructing them. He said that the state Ministry of Works had consigned the responsibility of testing the materials to contractors who capitalised on their ineptitude to deploy poor quality materials resulting in poor jobs. Seconding the motion, the Minority Leader of the House, Mr Yori Afolabi, said because of the poor quality materials, patches hardly lasted 24 hours.
“When they patch today, tomorrow it is removed and they patch again.” He said that the best way to ensure quality job was to establish a laboratory where the quality of materials would be ascertained before deployment. He added that the ministry engineers must be tasked to ensure quality job. In his contribution, Gabriel Daudu (PDP-Ogori-Magongo) said it was ironical that the roads mostly affected were those in the state capital. He said that if established, the laboratory would carry out analysis of materials for use in constructions. Henry Ojuola (APC-Yagba East), also supporting the motion, said it was a shame that the main township road in the state capital, from Nataco to Zango, had been allowed to deteriorate to the present state. Saidu Akawu-Salihu (APCKoton-Karfe), in his contribution, blamed the poor execution of public projects on non-implementation of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
Kogi Assembly Decries Poor Condition Of Roads
L-R: Chairman, Niger Delta Ministers Forum, His Eminence Julius Ediwe; Leader, Rivers Converge, Mr. Nimi WalsonJack; his wife, Didi at the Prayer for Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Impunity Fuelling Corruption - Activist ABUJA - Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, a human rights activist, says the major cause of corruption in Nigeria is impunity and lack of political will by governments at all levels to fight the scourge and economic crimes. Onwubiko, National Cordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. He said the legal frameworks for waging war against corruption were usually impeded by bureaucratic bottlenecks and the snail speed at which the justice system worked. According to him, there is total dysfunctionality in the wheel of justice in Nigeria. “Basically the prosecutions of corrupt cases are deliberately weakened by corrupt-minded persons in the law enforcement agencies charged with the statutory duties of investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption. “Those persons, especially in top government positions, who are caught in the webs of corruption and alleged economic crimes are seen to be too powerful and too rich to hire top flight lawyers to frustrate proceedings.” Onwubiko said that in the competent courts of law, hearings/proceedings of
corruption-related litigations in the Nigerian court system are often delayed unnecessarily. Through needless adjournments, occasioned by frivolous interlocutory applications which most times take longer period of time to go through the processes of appeals at both the Court of Appeal and the Nigerian Supreme Court. The Nigerian Bar Association does not find reasons to sanction their members that use these delay tactics to frustrate the course of justice because it is almost like an epidemic among mostly senior lawyers. Onwubiko said the hierarchy of the nation’s judicial system had deliberately refused or failed to adopt proactive and effective practice direction that would make corruption-related cases as priority cases. He said the cases ought to enjoy speed and should naturally be fast tracked. According to him, there is urgent need for very comprehensive amendments of the enabling laws setting up both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices panel. He said the way such operatives operated now was such that they, and officers of the Nigerian Police, formed the bulk of the top staff and this had not gone down well in making them to achieve their mandates.
“It is therefore not expected to be the place from which the major players and holders of top flight positions in the EFCC and ICPC which are pivotal in the fight against corruption should be drawn.’’ EFCC and ICPC must be made up of men and women of highest integrity with the requisite law enforcement and
legal experiences to administer a monumental war against corruption. Hard core public relations and media scholars must be employed to play professionally strategic role in providing the national momentum for mass support for the anti-graft regime. He stressed that the fight
ABUJA - Some residents of Abuja have said that they had reduced their nightlife activities because of the current security challenge in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Three of the residents, told newsmen in an interview, that they were also putting a stop to clubbing at nights. Christopher Opara, a regularly guest at the Meantime Lounge, Wuse II, Abuja, told Newsmen that he no longer enjoyed live in Abuja since the Boko Haram attacks in some relaxation centres. Opara, a civil servant who resides at Wuse Zone VI, noted that the measures taken by the FCT authorities to secure the city made the situations more difficult to cope with. “You can imagine a situation whereby relaxation centres including nightclubs and beer parlours were told to close their business activities at 10 p.m. “These are places we hangout to unwind after the day’s stress;
I no longer spend my weekends in the FCT. “Lately, I prefer Owerri and Asaba for my relaxation at weekends because of the growing nightlife in these cities,’’ Opara said.
Insecurity: Abuja Residents Avoid Night Life Kingsley Obasi, a member of staff of the Ministry of Works, told newsmen that the city was generally boring and people no longer stayed around during the weekends. He said that he could not
spend his weekends in the town because his family and friends do not live in the FCT. “My family doesn’t live here in Abuja with me, and the town is super boring for me; that is why I travel during weekends.
A prayer session for Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan in Port Harcourt yesterday.
THE
NIGERIAN
10
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
Business + Economy Airtel Re-Launches Volunteer Scheme
LAGOS - Airtel Nigeria yesterday re-launched its ‘Employee Volunteer Scheme’. The scheme was introduced in 2011 to chart a new course in the way the company, in collaboration with its employees, can make a difference in the lives of Nigerians. The Group Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, Mr
Christian De Faria said in a statement in Lagos that the scheme was introduced in 2011. De Faria said that the aim of the scheme was to chart a new course in the way the company, in collaboration with its employees, could make a difference in the lives of Nigerians. He charged the employees to go beyond their jobs to do more for
the society by imbibing the spirit of giving. The Group CEO, who pledged a monthly donation to support the scheme in Nigeria, urged the Nigerian employees to make the company proud through by their contributions so as to make impact on the lives of Nigerians. The Chief Executive Officer
of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, said that giving did not only mean donating money, but also time and knowledge. Ogunsanya said that donating money, time and knowledge were instrumental towards earning any organisation its social licence to operate. He added that organisations that gave never lacked the patronage and admiration of the society. According to him, Airtel Nigeria, in its renewed spirit of social responsibility will avail all employees, specific number of days in addition to their regular leave days to engage in personal social responsibility activities.
He said that such personal social responsibility activities would be monitored, reported and recognised. ‘’The activities should also include mentoring younger people, who have high expectations of corporate executives in terms of guidance and motivation as they pursue their developmental and career objectives,’’ Ogunsanya advised. He said that the re-launch of the scheme was to further enhance Airtel’s commitment in positively contributing to society in which they operate. ‘’It is good to receive and even better to give. We work for an organisation which cares about and supports in the provision of
the needs of the less privileged in our society. ‘’We believe that our customers and indeed the people of Nigeria are more than just a telephone connection,’’ the CEO said. According to him, the Airtel Employee Volunteer scheme provides a platform for employees to support charity causes through the contribution of time, knowledge and cash or material resources. ‘’The objective of the relaunch is to bring all employees on board of the scheme and encourage them to become active participants in making a difference in the society.
Corporation (NTDC) has started the compilation of a calendar of cultural festivals across the country. Mrs. Grace Ukah, NTDC Head, Public Relations unit, disclosed this to neswmen in Abuja yesterday. Ukah said that the purpose of the compilation was to stimulate domestic tourism and boost the development of tourist sites in the country. She called on states, local
governments and other relevant tourism agencies across the country to forward details of their cultural festivals to ensure speedy completion of the exercise. Ukah said that the exercise would foster proper inclusion of the festivals into the National Domestic Tourism Cultural calendar. “Submission should include the name of the festival, sites of the celebration, period of celebration as well as a brief
description of the festival. “Other requirements should include the historical significance of the festival stating if it is a masquerade, water regatta, a fishing or yam festival,’’ she said. Ukah also advised tourism stakeholders to forward details of the festival calendar to the corporation not later than Dec. 31 to fast track the documentation process.
NTDC Starts Compilation Cultural ABUJA - The Nigerian Festivals Calendar Tourism Development
Super Eagles’ supporters celebrating their team’s victory during Nigeria-Sudan Nations Cup qualifier in Abuja on Wednesday. Eagles won 3-1.
NERC Stakeholders Meeting Holds Today BENIN CITYElectricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) today hold a stakeholders consultative meeting on Aggregate, Technical, commercial and collection loses and impact on the electricity retail tariff. Venue is the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, Imo State, beginning at 10am. A statement by the Benin Electricity Distribution Commission (BEDC) requests its customers and stakeholders to attend without fail.
People savouring their choice dishes during world food day at Muda Lawal Market in Bauchi yesterday.
Nigerian Coys Win Off-Grid Energy LAGOS - Four Nigerian companies yesterday emerged winners of the Power Africa Off-Grid Challenge sponsored by three multinational development organisations. The Off-Grid Challenge is part of Power Africa, U.S President Obama’s initiative to increase access to reliable, affordable, cleaner and more sustainable power in SubSaharan Africa. The sponsors ar the General Electric (GE), the U.S-Africa Development Foundation (USADF) and the U.S Agency for International
Development (USAID). Mr Phip Griffit, the GE Africa’s Global Supply Chain Leader, announced the winners during the Innovation Barometer Award of the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge in Lagos. He said each of the companies would receive a grant of 100,000 dollars (N16 million). He also said the grant would be deployed to power socioeconomic activities within communities in Nigeria that were not connected to the national grid. The winners are Ginphed
Challenge
Nigeria Limited, based in Cross River State and Quintas Renewable Energy Solutions, based in Ofosu Community of Ondo State. Other are Sky Resources Ltd., based in Nawgu Community of Anambra and Topstep Nigeria based in Kaduna State. Griffit said that the winners joined other grant winners from Liberia, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya. He said that 300 entries
were received across the continent. According to him, GE is impressed with the quality of the projects and the thinking that had gone into them. “This further validates our belief that adequate investment in human capital is a key driver of socioeconomic growth,” he said. Presenting cheques to the winners, Mr James Entwistle, the U. S. Ambassador to Nigeria, commended GE and
partners for bringing Power Africa initiative to life on the continent. He said that the fact that some communities were already benefiting from this effort in Nigeria and Kenya was very fulfilling to the U.S government. The three-year initiative was launched in 2013 with six winners drawn from Kenya and Nigeria receiving N16 million towards renewable energy projects. The final round of the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge will take place in 2015.
Nasarawa Varsity Receives N308.4m From TETFUND
KEFFI - (Nassarawa) Nassarawa State University, Keffi, yesterday said it received over N308.4 million from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for academic staff training and infrastructure development between 2008 and 2012. Mr Bankole Adeowu, the acting Director, Physical Planning Unit of the institution said this in an interview with newsmen in Keffi. He said that the special intervention by the Fund had led to postive changes in the physical structures of the university and the quality of its academic content. “This institution has benefited a lot from TEFUND intervention projects from 2008 to 2012. “As you can see by yourself, the development that has taken place within the period under review changed the institution positively. “Through special intervention from TEFUND, the institution has constructed the Faculty of Law, basket ball and volleyball courts as well as the administrative block office of the Faculty of Agriculture. “Through funding from TEFUND, the institution has also furnished and equipped the Faculty of Law, bought 18-sitter buses, constructed a Law library and a 500-capacity lecture hall, among others.” Adeowu further said that the money was used to construct lecture theaters of the faculties of Law, Social Sciences and Administration. According to him, the training of academic staff has led to improved productivity and quality service delivery.
THE
NIGERIAN
11
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (16/10/2014) Stocks
Open
Close
Change
Deals
Units
Value
MAYBAKER
1.91
1.82
-0.09
0
2,350,224
4,337,165.43
7UP
155.11
162.86
7.75
0
891,387
145,093,786.80
MBENEFIT
0.55
0.54
-0.01
0
631,400
340,956.00
ABCTRANS
0.67
0.67
0
0
812,796
541,303.40
MOBIL
174
174
0
0
100,339
17,423,296.16
ACADEMY
1.32
1.32
0
0
50,707
66,481.86
NAHCO
5.05
5
-0.05
0
1,833,348
8,841,901.21
ACCESS
8.5
8.35
-0.15
0
28,384,951
240,203,030.80
NASCON
8.99
8.55
-0.44
0
476,667
4,109,082.85
AFRIPRUD
3.17
3.02
-0.15
0
416,779
1,259,303.33
NB
171
170
-1
0
3,777,118
643,906,799.20
AFRPAINTS
2.72
2.72
0
0
1,500
3,885.00
NEIMETH
1.03
0.99
-0.04
0
387,413
385,240.87
AGLEVENT
1.33
1.33
0
0
116,508
160,625.32
NEM
0.75
0.72
-0.03
0
1,691,250
1,222,250.00
AIICO
0.8
0.8
0
0
11,885,385
9,508,308.00
NESF
552.2
552.2
0
0
1,880
986,229.20
AIRSERVICE
2.01
2.01
0
0
7,250
13,870.00
NESTLE
980
980
0
0
265,532
260,110,229.40
ASHAKACEM
32
30.7
-1.3
0
2,481,559
75,977,500.79
NEWGOLD
1938
1952
14
0
7
13,664.00
BERGER
8.5
8.5
0
0
60,519
526,127.39
NPFMCRFBK
0.94
0.9
-0.04
0
171,000
154,260.00
BETAGLAS
20
20
0
0
11,230
220,370.00
NSE30
1775.14
1737.25
-37.89
0
403,152,390
7,194,393,281.00
CADBURY
52.5
52.51
0.01
0
823,954
43,185,183.94
NSE50
1927.18
1890.8
-36.38
0
480,234,812
7,563,454,217.00
CAP
40.9
39
-1.9
0
349,287
13,606,450.06
NSEASI
39278.47
38490.67
-787.8
0
524,220,985
7,659,640,964.00
CAVERTON
4.6
4.4
-0.2
0
162,100
713,227.00
NSEBNK
397.74
383.6
-14.14
0
269,140,857
4,077,975,143.00
CCNN
14.85
14.13
-0.72
0
133,306
1,883,021.16
NSECNSMRGDS
972.8
972.18
-0.62
0
15,945,791
1,500,220,538.00
2692.2
2603.81
-88.39
0
6,092,942
286,700,778.70
CHAMPION
14.94
14.94
0
0
79,033
1,125,255.00
NSEINDUSTR
CHAMS
0.5
0.5
0
0
100,000
50,000.00
NSEINS
147.26
146.74
-0.52
0
32,559,782
26,403,561.67
CILEASING
0.5
0.5
0
0
23,455
11,727.50
NSELOTUSISLM
2603.3
2561.53
-41.77
0
8,838,532
765,496,480.30
CONOIL
51.82
49.23
-2.59
0
69,242
3,408,783.66
NSEOILGAS
437.32
420.16
-17.16
0
4,911,619
172,768,017.80
CONTINSURE
0.95
0.95
0
0
11,699,191
11,114,271.45
OANDO
23.28
22.12
-1.16
0
4,388,601
97,237,995.10
CORNERST
0.5
0.5
0
0
30,726
15,363.00
PORTPAINT
5.08
4.84
-0.24
0
634,255
3,121,712.50
COSTAIN
0.81
0.8
-0.01
0
353,874
288,113.22
PREMBREW
3.98
3.98
0
0
14,300
54,197.00
COURTVILLE
0.55
0.53
-0.02
0
1,177,050
651,993.50
PRESCO
35.5
35.5
0
0
300
10,400.00
CUSTODYINS
4.08
4
-0.08
0
23,600,719
95,370,760.84
PZ
30.33
30.33
0
0
60,714
1,749,777.48
CUTIX
1.88
1.97
0.09
0
1,437,500
2,708,455.00
REDSTAREX
4.2
4.2
0
0
1,375,690
5,698,029.00
CWG
4.8
4.8
0
0
600
3,000.00
ROADS
6.29
6.29
0
0
11,266
74,355.60
DAARCOMM
0.5
0.5
0
0
600,000
300,000.00
ROYALEX
0.53
0.51
-0.02
0
126,007
64,463.57
DANGCEM
215
215
0
0
791,992
166,061,134.30
RTBRISCOE
0.91
0.93
0.02
0
302,200
279,534.00
DANGFLOUR
6.55
6.55
0
0
19,925
124,132.75
SKYEBANK
2.78
2.65
-0.13
0
8,719,916
23,426,675.33
DANGSUGAR
7.6
7.22
-0.38
0
1,782,321
13,098,907.31
STANBIC
31.11
30
-1.11
0
1,061,480
32,292,862.38
DIAMONDBNK
5.85
5.57
-0.28
0
22,905,726
130,492,010.40
STERLNBANK
2.34
2.33
-0.01
0
13,574,793
31,699,382.69
DNMEYER
1.05
1.05
0
0
1,908
1,927.08
TOTAL
172.14
171
-1.14
0
76,988
13,174,077.10
DUNLOP
0.5
0.5
0
0
676,975
338,487.50
TRANSCORP
5.1
4.85
-0.25
0
23,891,117
117,638,818.40
ETERNA
3.75
3.75
0
0
77,340
276,307.80
TRIPPLEG
1.86
1.86
0
0
15
26.55
ETI
18.5
18.05
-0.45
0
75,811,146
1,402,310,507.00
UAC-PROP
14.5
14.5
0
0
173,256
2,406,757.60
EVANSMED
2.05
2.05
0
0
9,700
18,925.00
UACN
56
53.2
-2.8
0
1,004,293
53,501,217.30
FBNH
11.5
11
-0.5
0
92,680,337
1,033,853,409.00
UBA
5.59
5.32
-0.27
0
11,944,187
63,571,842.84
FCMB
4.3
4.17
-0.13
0
14,699,041
60,465,484.10
UBCAP
1.97
1.97
0
0
2,821,039
5,531,187.97
FIDELITYBK
1.92
1.95
0.03
0
9,532,340
18,491,188.41
UBN
9.02
8.71
-0.31
0
2,445,162
21,241,032.92
FIDSON
3.5
3.5
0
0
971,350
3,381,191.53
UNITYBNK
0.5
0.5
0
0
579,300
289,650.00
FLOURMILL
61.75
61.4
-0.35
0
5,317,602
325,635,345.90
UPDCREIT
9
9
0
0
300
2,790.00
FO
218
207.1
-10.9
0
199,109
41,247,558.01
UPL
4.14
4.14
0
0
10,000
39,400.00
FTNCOCOA
0.5
0.5
0
0
105,000
52,500.00
UTC
0.5
0.5
0
0
25,883
12,941.50
GLAXOSMITH
58
56
-2
0
2,032,120
113,776,244.00
VETGRIF30
17.8
17.5
-0.3
0
2,500
43,750.00
GUARANTY
27.05
26.9
-0.15
0
18,476,688
484,621,466.30
VITAFOAM
4.29
4.29
0
0
126,456
522,746.95
GUINNESS
188.98
182
-6.98
0
197,291
35,972,749.83
VONO
1.35
1.35
0
0
2,150
2,773.50
HONYFLOUR
3.69
3.85
0.16
0
1,546,012
5,523,645.16
WAPCO
123
116.85
-6.15
0
193,294
22,596,007.49
IKEJAHOTEL
3.05
2.9
-0.15
0
8,778,660
25,460,114.00
WAPIC
0.66
0.65
-0.01
0
6,621,330
4,200,988.22
INTBREW
31.47
31.5
0.03
0
400,816
12,572,065.90
WEMABANK
0.93
0.94
0.01
0
8,482,401
7,929,023.39
INTENEGINS
0.54
0.54
0
0
80,500
41,860.00
ZENITHBANK
22.1
21.08
-1.02
0
77,345,948
1,661,918,007.00
IPWA
0.5
0.5
0
0
67,000
33,500.00
TOP 10 GAINERS
JAPAULOIL
0.5
0.5
0
0
2,506,500
1,253,250.00
Stock
JOHNHOLT
1.08
1.08
0
0
1,800
1,854.00
LEARNAFRCA
1.44
1.44
0
0
29,500
40,415.00
LENNARDS
3.15
3.15
0
0
1,000
3,000.00
LIVESTOCK
2.93
2.79
-0.14
0
812,975
2,270,517.09
MANSARD
2.99
2.99
0
0
500
1,425.00
NEWGOLD 7UP HONYFLOUR CUTIX FIDELITYBK INTBREW RTBRISCOE WEMABANK CADBURY
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS
Close
Gain
Stock
CloseLoss
1952 162.86 3.85 1.97 1.95 31.5 0.93 0.94 52.51
14 7.75 0.16 0.09 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.01
NSEASI NSEINDUSTR NSELOTUSISLM NSE30 NSE50 NSEOILGAS NSEBNK FO GUINNESS WAPCO
38490.67 2603.81 2561.53 1737.25 1890.8 420.16 383.6 207.1 182 116.85
-787.8 -88.39 -41.77 -37.89 -36.38 -17.16 -14.14 -10.9 -6.98 -6.15
THE
NIGERIAN
12
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
OCTOBER 15, 2014 was World Hand Washing Day. It is a day set aside by the United Nations annually to remind the global community of the need for continued and sustained hand wash and hygiene promotion across the globe. THE theme for this year’s global hand washing is: “Choose hand washing, choose health.” As we Nigerians and indded the global community marked the day there was a reminder of how over 1.5 million people die annually from water and sanitation related diseases. THE Federal Government last year said 86 persons out of 1, 623 reportedly infected by the cholera outbreak in some parts of the country died of the preventable disease. As its response, the Federal Government directed the Nigeria Centre for disease Control to immediately coordinate all its response activities and report to the ministry of health daily on both the patterns of occurrence. The Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, in a statement by his Special Assistant (Media and Communications), Mr. Dan Nwomeh, directed all federal health facilities in the country to provide free services to cholera patients. CHOLERA outbreak has affected a number of states including Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Lagos with fears of possible spread to other parts of the country. There is also gastro-enteritis outbreak in Sokoto and Katsina states which have not been confirmed to be cholera. WE are alarmed at the continued outbreak of cholera in the country and the fast rate of its spread. The death toll is also disturbing because it shows the parlous state of our attention to basic hygienic practices in the country. IT is shameful that while other countries in subSaharan Africa are making progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goal on Sanitation, Nigeria is off track. Also shameful is the fact that Nigeria is off track in meeting the Millennium Development Goal for Water. Cholera, as we all know from basic science or hygiene is a waterborne disease. It is sad that in spite of billions of dollars earned from crude oil since its discovery in commercial quantity in 1958, access to potable water is still a mirage to many citi-
THE NIGERIAN
Promoting Hand Wash For Healthy Lives zens as 42 per cent of Nigerians still take water from unwholesome sources. WE also decry a situation where the Federal Government still saddle itself with provision of water to Nigerians, a responsibility it ought to have devolved over the years to the States and Local Governments, which are the tiers of government closest to ordinary citizens. ALSO, owing to the failure of government to provide potable water to its citizens, many resort to self help with poor regulation of the sector by government whose responsibility it is to regulate the sector. Many boreholes are located near sewage and pits while a good number are located near graves in residential premises. Some citizens as a result are practically drinking their faeces. These situations predispose citizens to water- borne diseases such as the cholera epidemics that is ravaging parts of the country. IN some parts of South-West of Nigeria, human faeces and wastes are exposed close to sources of drinking water in such a way that the outbreak of cholera is as good as a time bomb waiting to explode. EQUALLY shameful is he fact that there is no public toilets in most cities of Nigeria and there are urban homes without toilets and latrines making the country to record 34 per cent sanitation coverage. WE therefore call on governments at all levels to rise up to their responsibility of providing safe drinking water to Nigerians and take steps to regulate the sector in such as way that private persons involved in water provision for self-use comply with international best practices.
WE call on the three tiers of government to build public toilets, provide clean potable water to the poor and vulnerable groups and put measures in place for their sustainability. They should also promote sanitation and hygiene culture in schools, markets and other public places to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea and other sanitation related diseases. AS the nation is currently undergoing the process of amending the 1999 constitution, or producing a brand new constitution as being demanded by Nigerians from the national dialogue advisory committee, we urge the law makers and conference participants to make access to water and sanitation a right for all Nigerians. It should be expressly stated in the constitution. This is, more so, when a number of International instruments and convention exists governing the right to water and sanitation. However, governments of all countries need to domesticate these instruments for the rights of citizens to be assured. ON 30 September 2010, the UN Human Rights Council affirmed for the first time that the human right to water and sanitation is legally binding. Nigerian authorities need to guarantee this right for all citizens. The right to water and sanitation is derived from the right to adequate standard of living, which is recognised in several international treaties. These include the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) to which 160 States are party, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has reached nearly universal ratification. IT is instructive to note that the Councilís resolution helps those denied the right to water and sanitation to hold governments to account. It is for these reasons we call on Civil society and those at risk to actively claim this right from duty bearers. The Society for Water and Sanitation, NEWSAN, Nigeria’s umbrella body for Civil Society Organisations working in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector to rise up to the occasion by holding government to account and ensuring that Nigeria moves speedily in guaranteeing the rights of all citizens to WASH.
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What is called Nigeria today was neither a country nor a nation before 1914. I was Allah’s deliberate design to make this vast land with diverse tongue and tribes a single country. The British colonialists who merged tribe into a country called Nigeria were a mere pencil used in scripting that impression. And through thick and thin, this country has come of age. 54 years after the British Colonial masters lowered the Union Jack and the Green— White—Green flag was hoisted, and the people danced all night long. “Thank God Nigeria is free at last” This was the statement of the majority in 1960. Nigeria may be free politically, because Nigeria is been governed by Nigerians. Are Nigerians truly free? Nigerians now, are ever more divided than in the years of Independence because of the selfish, fanatical, tribal and parochial tendencies of some of our leaders. As a country, Nigeria has passed through several eras: The first was the era of seeking dignity through agitation for freedom. That was the era in which the British colonialists held sway on the soil of Nigeria. The second was the era of probity and accountability. That era was the immediate post—independence era which was limited to the first five years after Nigeria’s independence otherwise called Nigeria’s First Republic. The system of governance in that era was Parliamentary where all legislators were elected and the choice of the Prime Minister was left to the Parliament through an electoral college. No separate election was conducted for the office of a Prime Minister. To me that system is better and less expensive. In that system, Nigeria was both a federation and a republic. In the federation, there were three regions for the first three years until 1963 when the Midwest Region was created and became the fourth. The other three regions were the North, the West and the East. The third era which began in January 1966 was the era of prodigality and vandalism. It was call the military era. That was an era initiated and championed by some sectional soldiers on the basis of tribalism. It was the era that changed Nigeria’s federal system of governance to a unitary one. This notorious era styled a corrective regime by the major actors who forcefully overthrew the democratic government and turned Nigeria upside down thereby creating the violent heritage of today’s Nigeria. By the time that era roiled off the stage what was left of Nigeria was not more than a mere debris of her old self despite the massive oil money into which the country had East zoomed. The fourth era which began in 1979 called the 2nd republic and facilitated by the military could at best be called an era of squander mania. And that was why it ended tragically after 51 months in December 31, 1983. Thereafter, another military era began that was to last for 16 years. It was in this era that the middle class which is the backbone of any national economy was demolished through the introduction of a ‘Structural Adjustment Programme’ (SAP). The next era ushered in a decade of material wastage and democratic violence that began in 1999 and continued till date. It brought about an era in which democracy is reduced to a mere mockery as a campaign slogan of ‘DO or DIE’ was invented courtesy of the bull in the china shop. But for the grace of Allah, this bull would have dragged Nigeria to the gallows through an illegal elongation of his tenure. The Presidential slogan of ‘DO or DIE’ thus created an atmosphere for political terrorism in Nigeria.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
Voice Of
Islam
Every Friday With Mallam Abdulfattah Enabulele Chief Imam of Benin
“Almighty God gave an example about a community which has a resemblance with Nigeria in His Glorious Book (16-112): “That He sets forth for you the parable of a City which enjoyed security and peace; its provisions came to it in plenty from every quarter; but it denied the favours of Allah, So Allah made it taste hunger and fear which clothed it like a garment because of what they used to do”
Our Beloved Nation With the experience of this era, Nigerians came to realize that neither desperation nor wish nor even sentiment could fetch a worthy leadership for a beheaded country. As a people, we have tried all options in our search for getting things right politically. But all seem to have been in vain as every loot taken has proved to be wrong. The country is today largely divided between North and South, and Christians and Muslims. These divisions have been aggravated by the current regime, by his supporters and aides whose fanatical zeal to win election at all levels has become truly worrying and by his distrustful kinsmen who have distorted the lines between decency and indecency, between democracy and tyranny, and between sense and nonsense. Unfortunately, we all seem to ignore the disturbing questions about the potential of these divisions. Nigeria has the potentials of becoming one of the greatest nations in the world because we have the abundant human and material resources. What we need is the fighting spirit of the Japanese, the determination of the Germans, the attitude of the Chinese and the patriotism of the Americans. What is now missing is a befitting leadership. That is why it becomes necessary to pray either as individuals and groups or as tribes and religionists for a leader who will transform Nigeria from a pariah country that it is now, into a solid nation that is the dream of well—meaning citizens. The problem with Nigeria, as the late prof Chinua Achebe told us, border squarely on leadership. Nigeria has been so unfortunate in the area of leadership, since the attainment of self—rule in 1960. We must therefore, use this period to soberly reflect and pray to Almighty God to bestow on Nigeria good leadership that will lead Nigeria to the promised land. We need exemplary, patriotic leaders with
vision and strength of character who with the right kind of followership who will propel this great nation to greater heights. As a nation, we should always uphold the moral virtues of justice, equity and fair—play, and reward and celebrate hard—work, honesty, sincerity and trustworthiness, because when hard—work and integrity are not encouraged, corruption is promoted. Almighty God gave an example about a community which has a resemblance with Nigeria in His Glorious Book (16-112): “That He sets forth for you the parable of a City which enjoyed security and peace; its provisions came to it in plenty from every quarter; but it denied the favours of Allah, So Allah made it taste hunger and fear which clothed it like a garment because of what they used to do”. Nigeria has become like a 54 year old man still crawling on a slippery floor. To thread the right path to the future therefore, the need to look back with a retrospective view is a sine qua non. On the eve of another general election, we call on all Nigerians to see it as a patriotic duty to elect leaders who can rise to the occasion. The future is here once again. It behoves us to do the needful for the seek of Nigeria. And this is why we need to pray to Almighty Allah for a worthy leadership for this country. At this current stage we need to pray, Nigeria is desperately in need of our prayers and supplications. Oh! Allah, give us a leader from amongst us whose piety will be the basis of his leadership; whose conscience will be the scale of his conduct and whose words will be his bonds. Oh! Allah, appoint for us a leader who will have your fear in his heart and show compassion, sympathy and kindness to the people. And whose policies and programmes will have human face and not the leader whose
“On the eve of another general election, we call on all Nigerians to see it as a patriotic duty to elect leaders who can rise to the occasion. The future is here once again. It behoves us to do the needful for the seek of Nigeria. And this is why we need to pray to Almighty Allah for a worthy leadership for this country”
programmes will be unbearable and obnoxious. Give us a leader who will be truthful, disciplined and steadfast enough to know that leadership is a privilege and not a right; whose temperament will reflect a decent background and civilization. Give us a leader oh Allah, who will not use his hands to sign legislations into law and then trample on the same law with sadistic disdain, and who will not legislate separate laws between the rulers and ruled; and between the privileged ones and the less privileged ones. Give us a leader who will see with human eyes, hear with human ears and feel with human touch, not one who will become a wild bull in a china shop Don’t appoint for us as a ruler; a pathological liars who encourage stealing and corruption. because corruption is the tap root of insecurity in Nigeria. Whoever wants to secure Nigeria must stop corruption by example. Choose for us a leader who will not assess his own performance and give himself a pass mark even where his failure is glaring and indelible. Let a leader emerge from amongst us who will respect the opinions of other people and value their advice but not one who will claim to be the custodian of all the wisdom in the world even as he becomes a laughing stock in the society due to his parochialism. Never allow a greedy person to lead us again who may take Nigeria for his personal estate and witch—hunt imaginary and perceived opponents with brutal agencies under the pretext of upholding the rule of law. Oh! Allah, let Your choice of a leader for us be one who will not mistake apprehension for respect and fear for love. Give us leader who will not promise us light and spend our hard—earned billions to throw us into a permanent dungeon of darkness. Enrich us with a leader who will not use our police and other law enforcement agents as official hooligans to terrorize and intimidate us in our country. Oh! Allah, Give us a leader who will know that the greatest wealth of a nation is human resources and develop such wealth for the future of our country. Oh! Allah, we pray for a leader who will hold security of lives and property sacrosanct, not one who will be indifferent to disasters. Oh! Allah, we pray for a leader who will sincerely stand by his oath of office and not one who will rule by his notions and caprices to the detriment of the constitution. We are praying for a leader who will be just enough to spread the privileges and opportunities in the land across board without treating non—members of his party. tribe and religion as enemies to be haunted days and nights. Oh! Allah, we are praying for a leader who will be large hearted enough to be gallant in vanquishing and magnanimous in victory; not one who will be so vindictive as to play tribes against tribes, Muslims against Christians or Christians against Muslims. We believe that the qualities we are hereby praying for in a leader are those that embody civilization in all its ramifications. Oh! Allah, You instructed us to recourse to You in time of need and be confident in your ability to rescue us from the evil conspiracies of the oppressors in our environments. You also promised to grant such prayers as long as we remain upright and steadfast. Kindly grant us a leader that will be loved and admired by all and not one whose natural trade in stock is hatred and resentment. To You we pray oh! Allah, and from You along we expect mercy.
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THE
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
THE
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
Insight NIGERIA as a nation has witnessed, since its birth in 1914 a series of Educational Systems. Immediately after independence. There were a lot of ills and shortcomings in the educational system in Nigeria as it was based in the British educational system which didn’t really address the yearnings, needs, aspirations and interests of the Nigerian nation. This situation paved way for the introduction of a conference in 1969. this conference, “The 1969 curriculum conference” focused on Nigerian children in Nigerian societies with National policies on education in 1977, 1981, 1998, and 2004 respectively. All with the sole purpose of improving the quality of education in Nigeria. Nigeria being a multiethnic nation, possessing diverse cultural entities of not less than 350 district ethnic groups and indigenous languages with over 140 million inhabitants. Education being the best legacy a country can give to her citizens and must be passed down from generation to generation to stimulate growth and development. Education, being this important is a human right and should be made accessible to all. Education has the ability to develop any society and the youths who are to occupy position in the country should be properly educated in order to improve the society. Therefore, schools at various levels should educate future leaders and develop the high level of technical capacities needed for growth and development. The utmost importance tagged to education in Nigeria was clearly underscored in the National Policy on Education (FRN, 2004). The Federal Republic of Nigeria, in this policy, adopted education as an instrument, “Par excellence” for effecting national development. But despite the government’s commitment to education, the quality of
education in our schools has declined tremendously, thereby giving successive governments serious concern. Thus, the question, what is wrong with the Nigeria Educational system? It is no gainsaying that despites laudable programmes put in place by various governments in Nigeria to improve the quality of education in Nigeria, not much has been achieved in carving out policies that will suit the entire nation. This calls for concern as taking education to the grass root level is paramount for the sustenance of the Nigerian society. The 6-3-3-4 system of Education: The introduction of this system of education presupposed that the old system of education (6-5-4) was archaic, whereas the new system is modern, dynamic and progressive. It should be recalled that early education policies failed to meet expected goals and objectives because it placed great emphasis on paper qualification. However for the proper understanding of the 6-3-34 system of education, the national objectives and philosophy of education must be made known. To ensure a free democratic society, a just and egalitarian society, a united, strong and self reliant nation, a great dynamic economy and a land full of bright opportunities for citizens. The above objectives were geared towards self realization, better human relationships, national consciousness, national unity as well as social, cultural, economic, political, scientific and technological progress. However the 6-33-4 has helped in various ways. For example, students are now staying longer in school, the system has provided more matured youths who are able to make decisions on their own. The system somehow has helped in catering for individual differences in intelligence, physical ability, interest,
By OGUNGBE AYOBAMI SEWANU/MBADUGHA KINGSLEY L.
On
However changes in leadership structure of the nation eventually prevented co-oriented approach at the implementation of the policy. Financial problems in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. The presence of this problem is not far fetched, since the success of basically anything depends heavily on funds made available, most of the equipments and facilities required for the system to thrive could not be bought as they are imported from other
endure through secondary school. Because of this reason students drop out thereby no completing the full course of the 6-3-3-4 educational system, hence it’s failure. Another scheme planned by the federal government to ensure education for all is the “Nomadic Education Programm. It is designed to acclimatize the beneficiaries, into effective participation in national development. The constant move of the nomads in search of
Nomadic Education backing up of Decre of December 1989 ( The objective Nomadic education included the inculc the spirit of human make nomads realize a member of the N society by exposing formal educatio introducing this sch avenue was set up t the nomadic child t in development immediate envir thereby improving h conditions thus elim
developed countries. The case of “Public Enlightenment” is another issue the general public seems not to be aware of the benefits of the programme and so deems it a waste of time. People who reside in rural areas with extensively large families see no point in sending their children to school when they can be of help on the farm or go learn a trade. Families that have the luxury and exposure to send their children to school only and cater for the first six years of education, with a little persuasion or motivation
Greenland for their cattle has made it difficult to integrate their children into conventional schools. After independence, concerted efforts were made by both states and federal government to settle the nomads. The federal government under General Gowon in the 1970s attempted to settle the herdsmen in some states of the federation. It was during the regime of General Babangida that the national cap was put on nomadic education. The federal government launched the programme on 1st November 1988 by the then Minister of Education in person of Professor Jubril Amini who inaugurated a thirty two member National Advisory Committee on Nomadic Education headed by retired Colonel Bello Khaliel with the establishment of the
the constraints in his All these basica geared towards prepa nomadic child to d rapidly, physicall intellectiarry so as with the demands contemporary world a practices alien t environment. With the objectives stated, the has also been progre the country du constraints. Ba political const Financial adequacies facilities, unprepared nomads, inef implementation stra lack of man powe started the growth scheme. In September, 19 Universal Basic Ed was founded by President Olu Obasanjo for the acq of further knowledge
Educational Sector: individual achievement, oriented goals and aspirations. This affords the individual the opportunity to develop his/ her potential. With all these lusty achievements, however this educational system cannot be said to have been effective over the years. If not for a handful of Nigerians who through hardwork, still reflect the indices of being educated, we should be talking about the total collapse of the sector. The problem of implementing the language
policy arising as a result of non-available of adequate textbooks for the language as well as the shortage of teacher. The average Nigerian loathes being a teacher, most people who are teachers only do it for the meager salary due to the state of the country’s economy, Hence the lack of devoted and seasoned teachers is evidence. Political issues has also gone through some evolution since the inception of the 6-3-3-4 educational system. The idea for the system was conceived by the military government that favoured centralization.
“Families that have the luxury and exposure to send their children to school only and cater for the first six years of education, with a little persuasion or motivation endure through secondary school.”
THE
NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
Insight
n The Brink Of Collapse?
n was the ee No 41 (FRN). s of the scheme cation of nity and e they are Nigerian g them to on: by heme, an o enable take part of his ronment his living minating
s life. ally was aring the develop ly and to cope of the and also to his
above scheme essive in ue to asically traints, , lack of dness of fective ategies, er have of this
999, the ducation former usegun quisition e, shills
fields. It involves a variety of formal and non-formal education activities. This scheme, according to the FRN 2000 aims at equipping an individual with knowledge, skills and attitudes which
would enable him live a meaningful life through contributing to the growth and development of the society
CALL it senility or elderly rascality of the old brigades, you will not be too far from the best adjective that befits some members of the so called Northern Elders Forum, NEF and opposition politicians whose foray into politics have yielded next to nothing for the people they claim to represent. Succinctly put, our political landscape and airwaves have been taken over by aged mischief-makers parading as elders. The same men whose politics, practices, actions and inactions have knocked the engine of progress not just in the North but the whole of our dear country Nigeria. Foul-mouthed old men who have shamelessly put the country in the greatest abyss of development have suddenly found their voices, behaving like exuberant rascals and hiding under the cover of the sectional hegemony to threaten the existence of our dear nation. With no resume of hard work and contribution to Nigeria’s development, these men have continued to pollute the landscape, inciting the people especially gullible Northerners against the Government and the person of President Jonathan. The polity, in recent times, has been so much charged, over heated by threats coming from the North by the group of old men clustered under the umbrella of NEF who should be in their homes churning out wise counseling for the growth and development of our dear country, Nigeria. For over thirty years, these same men and their cronies and cohorts sat, nurtured and backed military coups led by soldiers from the North who are today parading themselves as Billionaires having stolen oil blocks from the South and the treasury of the nation with reckless impunity. They trumpet the cacophony of hate, fanning the embers of disunity with the worn-out appendage on the President as “clueless and incompetent.” That appendage-”A clueless and incompetent President” has now become the singsong of all those who cannot stand a Jonathan Presidency and those who see nothing good in the administration. A former minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a latter-day activist is on the vanguard of this infamous and disingenuous branding of the President of the Federal Republic. Disrespectful, cheeky and self-righteous, this accidental public servant now aspires to be governor of Kaduna State. Imagine! The people of that state will decide his fate assuming he manages to secure the ticket of his party. Professor Ango Abdullahi, a former Vice President of the Ahmadu Bello University, an elite university, a supposedly educated Northerner who
having attained the highest level of academic qualification, debased himself and champions the group throwing tantrums at the President. But as the opposition struggle to convince Nigerians that President Jonathan is clueless and incompetent and that only a Northern Presidency has the solution to Nigeria’s problems, let us take a peep into the successes of the man from the creek who is our President: It is President Jonathan, a southerner, from the creek who initiated the building of over 100 Almajiri schools in 13 Northern States of Nigeria. The decision was to take children from the streets who most of them have become willing tools in the hands of terrorists. We have had over 35 years of Northerners as leaders and none considered the huge number of children from the North without education, a priority. And to further encourage education in the North that have often enjoyed “soft landing” in terms of admission to tertiary institutions, President Jonathan established Federal Universities in Lafia, Nasarawa State; Lokoja, Kogi State; Kashere, Gombe State; Wukari, Taraba State; Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State; and Dutse, Jigawa State. For the past years the Railway system had shut down, no one remembered it as a veritable means of transportation. But under President Jonathan, the railway system is back. The LagosKano line is back, the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri line is being rehabilitated KanoMaiduguri, Kaduna-Abuja and Lagos-Port-Harcourt rail-lines are also under construction and will be available before the end of the year. But the so-called Northern leaders and opposition politicians do not see all these. They rather want Nigerians to believe that we have “an incompetent and clueless President.” The President has also not turned blind eyes to the many death traps called roads. He has since his administration continued to develop new roads and rehabilitated old ones
and in return derive maximum social, economic and cultural benefits from the society and also
discharge civic obligations competently. However admist all the educational schemes in Nigeria, it should be borne in
mind that education is just an integral part of a people’s life. Making teachers comfortable and alive to their responsibilities is tantamount to satisfying an aspect of the polity. With regards to this the polity being a system made up of
different interrelated and interdependent parts, it is incumbent on those whose responsibility is to dispense national resources and wealth to carry out the task without rendering a part inconsequential.
for it.
Between Lies, Mischief And Elderly Rascality Northern Leaders:
By JACKSON UDE
road, which has as at today been completed. There is significant progress on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway in Lagos; the Benin-Ore-Sagamu dual carriage-way; the OnitshaEnugu-Port Harcourt dual carriage-way; the KadunaMaiduguri dual carriage-way; Lokoja – Benin road; LagosIbadan Expressway; MokwaBida road; Akure-Ilesha road; Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega road; Enugu- Abakaliki- Cross River road; Ogoja – Ikom road;
and the government is also undertaking the dredging of the River. Seaport construction and the expansion of existing ports, including Warri, Baro, Calabar, Onne, Owerri and Onitsha are also on the list of achievements recorded under President Jonathan. These cabals have shown high degree of disdain, disloyalty and hatred for a man who has not done anything wrong to them other than being
foundation for the nation’s economic boom, enduring all the name calling and insults hauled at him. What baffles my mind is that most of the so called Northern elders hauling invectives and warning of consequences should President Jonathan seek a reelection, supervised and backed the 38 year usurpation of the Military that produced many coup-plotting Generals among whom are General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the
Vandekiya-Obudu road; and the East-West road.? Work on the dualization of the KanoMaiduguri and the AbujaAbaji-Lokoja roads have reached advance stage. The Onitsha Head-Bridge Flyover (Ojukwu Gateway) and the Oweto Bridge across River Benue have been completed. The Second Niger Bridge is under construction
born from a relatively unknown geographical entity not recognized by “Northern leaders” as qualified to produce a President of Nigeria. It is on record that never in the history of Nigeria, has a President from the hitherto unknown Otuoke, Bayelsa State, South-South of Nigeria, succeeded in laying the
rest. They forced Nigeria into the Organization for Islamic Countries, OIC, created lopsidedness in employment where Northerners both qualified and unqualified dominated Federal Civil Service and the Military and yet have nothing in the North in terms of developments to show
Now that a minority from the South-South has seize the opportunity to right th many wrongs, he is bein disparaged and calle “clueless an incompetent.” The vilification is jus nauseating, th unwarranted attac malicious at best. Whethe they like it or not, Nigeri is moving forward. All th indicators point to the fac that we are still the giant o
Africa and Presiden Jonathan’s administratio has succeeded in placin
Nigeria back to the zenith of th international community wit prospects.
Ude, a Journalist an Strategic Communication expert has a Masters Degree i Political Management.
“What baffles my mind is that most of the so called Northern elders hauling invectives and warning of consequences should Presiden Jonathan seek a reelection, supervised and backed the 38 year usurpation of the Military that produced many coup-plotting Generals.”
THE
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
Art Alive
With Francis Odupute
The History Of Ora, 1472 - 2002 By E.T. Obaigbe Orhewere
Book Review By EHIMIKA A. IFIDON, P.h.D NATIONS are not objective and timeless communities, nor are they necessarily territorially delimited. From the standpoint of technical language discourse, nations are aggregates of individuals that have history, culture and language in common, and are aware of these commonalities. The idea of the nation refers primarily to peoplehood rather than to statehood. It is therefore not an over-simplification to equate the nation to the ethnic group. While the possession of a common language and culture does have concrete expressions, not so the feature of a common history. In fact, the common history meant is devoid of concreteness and by it is meant ‘perceived common history’ incorporating elements of myth, created history and evidencebased history. Ultimately therefore, nations are constructed, and as defined by Benedict Anderson, they are imagined political communities. Common language and culture may induce community, but these can be shared with those that are considered ‘outsiders’. It is perceived common history, and particularly perceived common origin that is truly behind the idea of the nation as an imagined community. Here the historian is very crucial. As Arndt succinctly put it, “A nation’s identity depends more upon its historians than upon any other group and upon history than any other discipline”. But for perceived common history to play this critical role, it must first be documented. The vehicles for such history (books, pamphlets, documentaries, among others) must be widely circulated and their contents widely known. That the Jews still have a strong national identity today is associated with the accounts of the Old Testament of the Bible; that there is a Yoruba identity hinged on the Oduduwa story cannot be ignored; and that Bini ethnic consciousness has benefited from Jacob Egharevba’s A Short History of Benin, first published in 1934, is irrefutable, What about the Ora? Is it possible to refer to Ora ethnic identity or consciousness or peoplehood? In fact, do the Ora constitute a nation or an ethnic group? It should not be too
controversial to assert that there is no Ora consciousness, and without consciousness the question of identity is problematic. This is not because of the absence of a common language or of a common culture; not even of a common history objectively considered. There simply is no perceived common history that is generally accepted and contained in a readable text that has wide circulation and dissemination. Of course there have been publications in Ora history but they are now known only to a few. With the publication of The History of Ora 1472 — 2002, the possibility of redressing this flaw and engendering Ora consciousness would seem to loom large. I will now invite you to follow me into the Ora world created by Chief E.T.O. Orhewere in his recent publication. The work opens with a brief geographical introduction, incorporating a description of the flora and fauna, and a linguistic introduction that already virtually contained one of the main themes-the derivation of much that is Ora from Benin through Okpame’s temporary exile: “As for the people’s dialect turned language after careful study, it derives from, and so is greatly similar to that of Edo. In fact, Edo Language was the language spoken by the migrants under Okpame...” (p. 39). If this is the case, then Ora origins could not be before Okpame’s exile. In fact, the work dates the origin of Ora people to about 1540 with the establishment of a sense of community among the settlements established by the sons of Oraekpen, who was the son of Okpame that was enthroned as Ozolua, the Oba of Benin (p. 46). In spite of this early sense of community, Ora developed as six distinct units, each with its own identity, until the formation of pan-Ora organizations as the OraProgressive Union, institutions as the Holy Trinity Grammar School and the Ojeship all of which fostered a sense of oneness (Pp. 5051). Chapters 3 to 7 recount the events that led to the banishment of Okpame from Edo, his sojourn in his new place of abode and his recall
and enthronement as Oba Ozolua. By the time Okpame returned to Benin, Oraekpen was still a minor. He however had the opportunity of visiting his father on several occasions. He realized, as he grew, that the mantle of leadership had naturally landed on his laps. He thus commenced the organization of his community. Chapters 8 and 9 treat these matters in some detail, and of Ozolua’s death, Okpame’s visit to Benin and of the negotiations for the obsequies. By about 1581 when Oraekpen died, his six sons had already established six separate settlements: Ohia, Ovbiokhuanrin, Evbiobe, Uhonmorra, Oke, and Eme. While Chapter 10 introduces these Ora communities individually, Chapter 11 deals with interactions among them characterized by conflict and cooperation. So far, the work had concentrated on the emergence of the proto-Ora community of Okpame and then of its expansion and fission into the original six Ora communities. Questions relating to internal administration, structure of chieftaincy, traditional political practices, the age- grade system and the judicial and market systems are taken up in Chapters 12 and 13. The Ora communities were not insular, they did not just relate with themselves. They had relations with neighbouring communities as, for example, Ozalla, Otuo, and the Emai, as well as with more distant communities and interests (Yoruba, Christian and European). These relations were characterized by conflicts and episodes of cooperation (see Chapters 14, 15 and 16). The Ora people entered the 19th century still as distinct communities. When Benin fell in February 1897, the Europeans took it for granted that all of Benin’s neighbours had also been conquered. By 1900, however, the sovereignty of these communities had been eroded with the declaration of the protectorate of Southern Nigeria. Chapter 17 examines the administration of the Ora communities under colonial rule and highlights elements of colonial administration that cut across the communities, Chapter 18 the impact on the Ora of Christianity and Western
education, Chapter 19 intra-Ora organizations and associations, and Chapters 20 and 21, a listing of prominent Ora individuals and their role in the development of Oraland. The History of Ora, 1472 — 2002 by E. T. Obaigbe Orhewere with 348 pages is quite a huge work. When the array of issues covered is taken into consideration, however, perhaps the world could not have been smaller. Historical research is quite an arduous and tasking exercise, and its completion in the form of the publication of findings is always a thing of joy. I therefore congratulate Chief Orhewere for the publication of The History of Ora. He cannot list enough the impediments he had to overcome to get to this stage. Congratulations once again, sir. However, there is no historian, academic or otherwise, that would sit back believing that what he has written is the ‘gospel truth’. In fact, for historians, truth is whatever there is extant evidence for. History writing is dynamic, and history is always being rewritten in the light of new evidence, the interpretation thereof and new methodologies.
The cover page that bears the gold imprinted title, The History of Ora, 1472 - 2002 should capture the attention of any critical reader. Does the title refer to the Ora as a people or Ora as a unified location? From the content, it appears as if what is intended is the Ora, that is the Ora people. Why insist on 1472 as the starting point of analysis? Is this date meaningful among the Ora? The author believes that Ora became because Okpame was exiled from Benin. In other words, in the vast area that became Oraland, were there no inhabitants before Okpame’s arrival? The author also claims that Ora language “derives from, and so is greatly similar to that of Edo” (p. 39). The logic is easy to follow: if an Edo exile group created the original Ora settlement then language derivation is a necessity. What if it is demonstrated that the Ora language is not an offshoot of the Bini language that Okpame brought, would it affect the theory of the Benin origin of the Ora people? Linguistic evidence is increasingly pointing to a “savannah-area origin for all Edo speakers”, while the northern Akoko-Edo
area and “not near the BiniUrhobo dichotomy” is agreed to be the location of the proto-Edo. Who was Uguan? This should not be an important question. However, when two accounts disagree as to his identity, then the question should be asked. For Egharevba, Uguan was one of Ozolua’s sons, and the progenitor of the Ora people. But for Orhewere, Uguan was the alias of Okpame (p. xi). Who then was Uguan? There is no research that is final. For a work to be considered worthy, it must raise further questions, and motivate further inquiry. This work has engaged positions that have drawn and will draw critical comments; it has therefore achieved the goal of being a book that will be read, not just by members of the Ora community, but also by researchers. It is hoped that the work will be made widely available and affordable so that perhaps it will help to engender Ora consciousness. Ehimika A. Ifidon, Ph.D is Professor of History Department of History and International Studies University of Benin, Benin City.
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Art And Culture
Souls In Culture
SOUL-ORHION’ is the living strength of a person, life that thinks, feels, desires, the ego, the spirit, embodied or disembodied, and is said to sit on the heart-ekokodu, during one’s life time. When the person dies, the soul disembodied and attaches itself to the wall like a flying mammal. It listens to all that is said and the prayers given about the deceased. “hence” ede ne a wu ore Ia abo evbo”; looks at the sacrifices, dances, lying in State, but only when the body is taken to be buried, does the soul leaves the house, hence compound burial. The soul leaves for paradise together with the Guardian Angel move to the seat of judgement to render account. Edo makes distinction between two spheres of existence-the visible tangible World of the living-Aye and the invisible sphere occupied by supreme being-Osa, Deities, Angels, Spirits and supernatural-Oron. The paradise-Oron and the mundane World-Aye can be translated into the dead and the living. Relations between the living and the dead take many forms. The deceased is believed to travel hazardous route to the spirit World to seek acceptance. The journey and acceptance are constant theme of the burial rites which indeed indispensable for their accomplishment. The rites draw parallel between the progress of the deceased towards acceptance by kins people, neighbours and associates and the progress of successor in the mundane World. The purpose of these rites is to transform the dead to reside indefinitely in the spirit World; watching over
descendants and demanding their attentions, yet in songs, entreaty and prayer the dead is constantly urged to return and also to intercede. The dead is remembered for the deeds and by establishing the roots of the descent group in the past, has the function among others of legitimizing the family; Lineage heads and providing sanctions for the maintenance of proper relations. Edo religious life involves not only the dead but supreme God-Osa and deities associated with natural environment or hero figures that provide the focus of the components of human personality. Communication with the dead accounts for high proportion of all activities and every kind of social group that forms a congregation for the Worship in certain forms. There are many kinds of dead. Each kind corresponds to status category among the living. There are dead that have been assigned constitutional position among the living by deliberate act of reincorporation, unincorporated or Ghost of several varieties. They interact with the living but are distinguished from each other by the attitudes and behaviour of the living. The incorporated dead acts justly in demands upon the living who are morally obliged to submit to authority and sustain them. They are capable of conferring positive benefits in the form of vitality and prosperity. The incorporated dead are associated with separate fields of authority. These fields of authority are distinguished from each
other, not only by their operational contexts in the family, lineage, territorial communities, associations, but also by different configurations of principles such as age, descent, citizenship, obedience and services is based. These rites ensure the
group renews itself. There are at least a dozen Angels of death. They are not necessarily evil angels but remain at all times legate of God and in God’s Services. In Christian theology, Michael the Arch-Angel is the Angel of death who leads souls into the eternal light, at
deceased a rightful place in the spirit world-(Agbon ne oghe erinmwin) faithful departed. Re-formulate and regulate relationship with those among the living for whom the dead has relevance; prefigured effect or symbolize in transmission. The consequences of bad relations are sickness, death or failure to produce and keep children, especially between kins and spouses. The dead is the perpetual guardian and judges, and the reservoir from which the
yielding up of all good Christians. There are six (6) more angels of death-Gabriel the Archangel over the lives of young people, Kafziel over Kings, Meshabber over animals, Mashhit over children, AF over men, Hemah over domestic animals. AF meaning “Anger” is one of the Angels of destruction, a prince of wrath and a ruler over the dead of mortals. In the paradise of culture “Any one who is thirsty has the right to drink
“There are dead that have been assigned constitutional position among the living by deliberate act of re-incorporation, unincorporated or Ghost of several varieties.”
With AMBROSE EKHOSUEHI
“There are at least a dozen Angels of death. They are not necessarily evil angels but remain at all times legate of God and in God’s Services.”
from the spring water of life without paying for it, but cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, those who practice magic, those who worship idols and all liars, the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulphur, which is the second death, the one who has gone forever (Neo le erinmwin wi rua). The earth shook, the rock split, the graves broke open and many of God’s people who had died were raised to life. They left the graves and went into the Holy City where many people saw them “Mathew 28 vs 52-53. Also there were backsliders, their suffering was a thousand times worse than any one else. They were shouting and begging the lord for mercy but the words of the lord says “for going on sinning after acquiring the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer left any sacrifice for sins but dreadful
anticipation of judgement and of fierce fire that is to devour those who oppose God. In the book of Revelation, the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense which are the prayers of God’s people Rev. S v 8. On November first and second, the Church celebrates the feast of all saints and all souls respectively. The church honours the saints as glorified members by praying to them and by their prayers for the church, it is therefore holy and wholesome to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from sins-2Maccabees 12 v 46 as the hymnal would sing “Help lord the souls that thou has made, the souls to thee so dear in prison for the debts un-paid of sins committed here” in communication to the souls in culture.
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Opinion NSA Unveils Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Programme THE National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, has unveiled the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Programme, Nigeria’s grand strategy to tackling terrorism. Dasuki, who unveiled the programme at an event: “Policy Dialogue: Nigeria’s Soft Approach to Countering Violent Extremism, said “no nation has the monopoly of knowledge, especially when it comes to dealing with terrorism.” He said the ultimate success of the programme would depend on how closely Nigeria worked with and supported by its partners, the international community and local oganisations. Dasuki said that the strategy was developed, taking into account the root causes of terrorism, adding that the approach was to understand the problem in order to apply appropriate solutions. “What we have learnt is that there is not one particular path that leads to terrorism; rather, there are many, often complicated paths that led to terrorism. “The prgoramme seeks to prevent attacks before they happen by preventing our people from becoming terrorists in the first place. “The soft approach to counterterrorism has resulted in the development of the programme that is vertical and involves the three tiers of government. “The programme is also
horizontal, involving civil society organisations, academics, traditional, religious and community leaders.” According to the NSA, the programme utilises existing structures within and outside government to deliver targeted programmes and activities that will further the overall objective of stemming the tide of radicalism. Dasuki said that the approach had been divided into four streams and that the first stream was deradicalisation of convicted terrorists, suspects awaiting trials, and those who might be released through court orders or such order from government arising from the ongoing engagement and dialogue with repentant terrorists. “The deradicalisation programme is prison-based and the Ministry of Interior, along with the prison service will drive the programme. “The initiative will require substantial capacity building of prison staff in areas such as psychology, sports and arts therapy, faith-based instructors and vocational training experts that will engage beneficiaries. “The objective is to engage violent extremist, convicts/ suspects in theological, ideological, physical and entrepreneurial value change that leads to a change in their behavior. “Families, community leaders and NGOs will be given access to participate in the process in a
THE business of God, is simply about winning and re winning of souls for His kingdom. And this could only be achieved by preaching the gospel, having people saved, telling people about Jesus Christ’s birth and mission on earth. As a result, we should engage ourselves in the business of God, the very area, where the buck load of Christianity lies. John 3:16, says, “for God, so love the world and He gave His only be gotten son, and whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”. In fact, that is the good news because it brings us to eternal life. While the bad news is sin, because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 6:23.). On this ground, we must tell people about this account, and make them understand convincingly by the words of believers, full of care and love. Sinners and unbelievers should be made to understand that forgiveness and liberty awaits them as they repent and turns to the ancient of days, creator of heaven and earth and the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Elijah. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. All Christians, must fulfill this mission, Christ, has made us to understand that the harvest for the kingdom of God, is plenteous but the laborers are few. We are all called to this ministry of evangelism and soul winning which is the primary duty of all Christians, born of the spirit. It is time Christians, should start rekindling the fire of God’s love, it’s time we display or exercise the spirit of reconciliation with all boldness and confidence. Souls cannot be allowed to perish anymore, and if truly you love God, above all things as well love your neighbors as yourself then you should realise that your neighbours whether Christians or non Christians needs eternal life and this should drive your passion. Speak the word today, to whosoever cares to listen. Souls must be rescued from the kingdom of darkness, don’t be timid or shy but pray for the Holy Spirit, to fill and empower you for this unstoppable task. Convince sinners and unbelievers to repent and accept Jesus Christ, today as their Lord, and saviour, this should be done with love. Isaiah 1:18-20. Let the drunker understand that alcoholic drinks shall soon make him poor, they should also be told that alcohol blinds true reason. The thief must hear the word of God, and he too needs to repent and
fair and transparent manner to speed up easy assimilation of convicts/suspects back to society,” he said. The second stream, he said, was “a whole of society approach in our counter terrorism thinking. “We believe that we can win the war against terror by
mobilising our family, cultural, religious and national values. “Through fear and violence, extremist groups are bent on changing the way we see and relate with each other and the only way to defeat this is to remain united and confront the threat as one nation under God. “The counter radicalisation
• Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), National Security Adviser
stream seeks to build community engagement and resilience through building trust, creating awareness and resilience. “Government is partnering with faith based organisations, community based organisations, NGOs and other stakeholders to deliver counter radicalisation programmes at community levels. “It is our expectation that this process will be shaped and delivered by civil society actors, especially those who are already intervening in conflict resolution, peace building and inter faith advocacy,” he said. The NSA said that his office had set in motion, a robust partnership with states and local governments that would over the next 18 months build structures, strategies, partnerships and programmes that were relevant and sensitive to those states. “It is through these programmes that youth discover themselves and become imaginative and inquisitive, the skills so critical to an emerging 21st century nation. “Schools must retrace their steps and return to being the primary laboratories of peace. A place where children go to learn
about diversity, tolerance, and how to commune with those of different faiths and ethnicities. Dasuki said plans have been concluded to institutionalise strategic communication in the training curriculum of the Nigerian Defence Academy. “Through this training, our armed forces will be able to analyse terrorist messaging, conduct psychological operations, evolve civil military relations and be equipped in media relations through better appreciation of the requirements of our democracy.” In December 2013, he said President Goodluck Jonathan tasked leaders of the Northeast region and the NSA to develop a joint regional redevelopment plan which would serve as foundation for a federal-state partnership to revitalise the region’s economy. Towards, this, Dasuki said, his office had been working with the Ministries of Agriculture, Power, Finance, Works, Water Resources, Health, Education, Transport, Communication, Culture and Tourism, IndustryTrade and Investments, Solid Minerals Development, Science and Technology, Youth Development, and Lands and Housing, among others.
“Through this training, our armed forces will be able to analyse terrorist messaging, conduct psychological operations, evolve civil military relations and be equipped in media relations through better appreciation of the requirements of our democracy.”
Divine Empowerment By OKOH INNOCENT start earning money through genuine jobs. Those possessed with witchcraft powers must hear the word of God, and confess their sins and be born again. The prostitutes too, must hear the word of God, and be converted, nurtured and sustained in the love of God, through Christ. Perhaps, this journey is tedious but the grace of God, abounds to afford us the strength and courage to spread the good news of everlasting life at the uttermost part of the earth. Christ, and some of His apostles suffered and were killed in the course of doing this, and we too should have it in mind that persecution will arise but we’ll overcome if the right sacrifices are made to forsake those things we love most even our loved ones. Luke 9:23-26, 16:1-3. God, is in need of those who will surrender their lives for His name to be glorified, John 12:23-26. Until the desire of the flesh is allowed to die in the lives of Christians, the fire of God’s love, is never rekindled. In that case, we are advised to live the crucified life in order for the fleshly spirit to die in us and awake the passion for soul winning. Surely, it’s a great honour and grace to be a representative of God, while walking with the Lord, Luke 4:16-19. Christ, and the apostles have done and achieved their part, it’s now time for you and I, to continue from where they stopped because judgement day, is near and there are countless souls to rescue. Believe it or not, God’s business is wonderful, because heaven is involved as there is great joy in heaven over one repented soul. Therefore, dedication and seriousness must be put into this great task, it should be done because one’s life depend on it and angels are involved too. Take this message to the streets, hotels, club houses,
market places, beer parlours, campuses and red light districts where prostitution is legalised. Tell them that heaven is real and only the righteous and repentant souls are eligible candidates of eternal life. STEPS TO SUSTAIN DIVINE EMPOWERMENT. ( 1) Repent from all known sins, be washed in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and live a holy life which enables the holy Spirit, to dwell permanently with us. ( 2) Fast and pray earnestly, for great faith and courage to always at any point in time preach the gospel of the kingdom of God. ( 3) Study the Holy bible regularly and become rooted in the things of God. Listen to great men of God and meditate in these teachings. ( 4) According to Dr. D.K. Olukoya, the general overseer, mountain of fire and miracle ministry, worldwide. In one of his ministrations, “Lord make me a radical minister to threaten and not to be threatened”. He went further to explain that except those who preach the word of eternal life are wild, people will continue to take them for a joke. ( 5) As a minister of God, you must know a understand the power of God, in you, how powerful in the midst of other gods. You must hunger for souls rather than money and material gains. John 10:20, Acts 26:24-25. ( 6) As evangelists, one must take the risk of going where others are afraid to go. A child of God must be determined ruggedly to depart from current level they are to a new and better level, this can only be achieved when one is a prayer addict. ( 7) You must identify your spiritual weaknesses and deal with it. This may include deficiency, flaws, flops, frigileness and lack of strength. (8) Be Persistent. Continue to persist that your converts listen to the word of God, and drive your points home to the converts. God bless you in this new level of divine empowerment.
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Health
Ebola, The Hygiene Therapist By OMORODION LAWRENCE/OLALEYE OYIDAMOLA
EBOLA which has been known and feared by the public is one virus that has posed fear and sense of consciousness in every mind of Nigerians who wish to stay free and safe from the dreaded virus. Ebola has come to Nigeria to serve different purposes and different functions that is, depending on which one is visible and obvious to you as a person affected by the fear and alarm caused by the emergence of the virus in our environment. And no thanks to a Liberian Patrick Sawyer who thought of Nigerians with a good heart. Ebola came to Nigeria with many good and bad things in stores. But we can never equate the bad with the good because sickness or diseases never have a positive effect on anyone who come across or whoever has contracted it. Before the emergence of Ebola in Nigerian, Nigerians have been living their lives so blindly in the aspect of personal hygiene that they take the most important aspect or parts of life so unserious and feel so reluctant on the awareness about personal hygiene. Before now, we used to have numerous NGO’s and government parastatals who engage themselves in enlightening the general public on how to keep themselves and their environment clean. However, these calls have been ignored and while some people take these issues with kids glove.
Most of our health workers and centers are so porous that some of them can not boast of sanitizers to keep their environment and surroundings clean. Even most times, they seems to be the ones anchoring campaigns on personal hygiene and the period is over, so is their cleanliness. Most health centres like hospitals and clinics are home for mosquitoes and flies. These insects feed on the blood of the admitted patients who have to receive treatment against malaria fever. Every time we hear how government and private bodies donate medical apparatus to hospitals and clinics, but these people always miss out on the most important things needed to curb and control any out-break of any disease. Sometimes, sanitizers are not seen as important and relevance to the society and the public health. Washing of hands campaign which has been on ground since the time of colonialism due to the enlightenment given by the British, who teaches and emphasizes more on hygiene and cleaningness. The colonial masters who stayed and governed Nigerians took personal hygiene very serious and important even before and after they came, there was high rate of mortality. The Malaria fever tend to always end their lives in a very easy way. But the mortality rate was reduced
when they knew that they should be careful and conscious of the environment they reside. They started cleaning the
persons and making cleaningness a priority to everyone who does not want to die because there is no cure and vaccine for
environment on a daily basis and washing their hands regularly as possible. Even in this Ebola era, there are several schools who think sanitizers are never their responsibility, that is, the well being of their pupils and students is none of their concern. But these principals and students any amount of money to be paid in a very short period of time. However, Ebola has alerted everybody on how to become an hygiene
it yet. Though some school principals and school teachers head strong about the sensitization about Ebola but some or most of them have taken the issues as their number one because it has to do with the issue relating to health and prolonged life. There are bowls, soaps, and even sanitizers in almost every organization and homes because nobody want to be a victim to the feared Ebola virus. No one equally wants to
“Most of our health workers and centers are so porous that some of them can not boast of sanitizers to keep their environment and surroundings clean. Even most times, they seems to be the ones anchoring campaigns on personal hygiene and the period is over, so is their cleanliness.”
“Before the Ebola saga, there were some individuals that hardly wash their hands before eating but with the fear of contracting Ebola Virus, many now wash their hands with soap and water when they are about to do anything, especially eating.”
die a horrible death just as the one Ebola gives. Ebola’s death is not an ordinary death but it is rather a painful and shameful death. Children are now very much aware of the virus and most of them wash their hands with sanitizer and they take care in the way they mingle with people and environment. Kids are even the best campaigners because they often talk about the effect of Ebola and the measures to prevent the spread. Most churches that offers communion with their hands or ask their congregation to take the communion with their hands have stopped the act because they think that can also be a means to spread the dreaded Ebola virus to other people who are not infected. The church heads are very careful with their own lives though they think
God has the final say in a man’s life but precautions cannot be said to be bad. Precautions and preventions is the best measures in any situation, either health, education, politics and social activities. If you want to do something and do it right, first you consult a specialist and know what the problems are and also know the different ways to tackle them. One of the ways of preventing Ebola Virus is to keep ones environment clean and develop the habit of regular washing of hands. Before the Ebola saga, there were some individuals that hardly wash their hands before eating but with the fear of contracting Ebola Virus, many now wash their hands with soap and water when they are about to do anything, especially eating.
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Religion Saints Of God! Let The Dead Bury Their Dead! Thus Saith consider not the The Lord God they JESUS said unto him work of the LORD, “follow me and let the dead bury their dead” Matthew 8: 22. This command was given by the Lord Jesus Christ to one of his disciples who sought permission to go and bury the late father. If we ask ourselves; WHO ARE THE DEAD IN THE SOCIETY THAT JESUS WAS REFERRING TO? The dead (simply defined) are those who have not the spirit of God. They are both in the church (church goers) and outside the church. They are spiritually cut off from God. They are born of another spirit – the spirit of the devil, who also is the prince of the world. The dead are also the wicked and the proud in the society. They have no fear of God. They have no time for God and have little or no reverence for God. It is written in Psalm 10: 4, “THE WICKED, THROUGH THE PRIDE OF HIS COUNTENANCE WILL NOT SEEK AFTER GOD. GOD IS NOT IN ALL HIS THOUGHT” THE WORLDLY AND THE C A R N A L CHRISTIANS are also spiritually “dead”, “FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH”. – Romans 8:6 Our God is a living
God. He is therefore the God of the spiritually living and not the God of the spiritually dead. The death of the spiritually dead (the wicked) is an abomination in the sight of God. Demons take charge of the souls of the spiritually dead after death, and escort them into HELL. Therefore, God does not recognize the names of the spiritually dead, even though they are highly placed in the society. The death of the LIVING, even though poor and not known in the society, is highly recognized by God in heaven. God takes record of such names in heaven. The death of the living [those born of the spirit of God] is precious in the sight of God Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”. The Angels of God take charge of such souls and guide them to Heaven. For example, God did not mention the name of the rich man in the bible who was dead spiritually. His physical death and burial, as a rich man must have attracted the elites of the society. Imagine what kind of burial it would have been! But God had to mention the name of poor Lazarus, a beggar, but born of the spirit of God. Heaven recognized
him, even though when He died there was no record in the bible of his burial. “AND IT CAME TO PASS THAT THE BEGGAR (LAZARUS) DIED AND WAS CARRIED BY THE ANGELS INTO ABRAHAMS BOSOM; THE RICH MAN ALSO DIED AND WAS BURIED. AND IN HELL, HE LIFTED UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS AND SEETH ABRAHAM AFAR OFF AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM” - Luke 16:22, 23 The fact is that the spiritually “dead” are of the WORLD and the world will LOVE THEM. Therefore, their burials are usually very worldly with a flamboyant display of wealth, even if, the money had to be borrowed, all in a bid to impress the world. God is angry with this kind of burials and God’s judgment is upon those who partake in this kind of burials as it is written in Isaiah 5 :11 – 14, “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! AND THE HARP, THE VIOL, THE TABRET AND PIPE (musical instruments), and wine, are in their feasts: but
neither consider the operations of his hands. Therefore, my people are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge; and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore HELL has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.” It is clear from this judgment of God, that many worldly Christians will end up in HELL because of worldly burial ceremonies and because of their compromise with the wicked traditions in burials especially the maltreatment of widows, which negates the commandment of God, that says – “IF THOU AFFLICT THEM (WIDOWS) IN ANYWISE, AND THEY CRY AT ALL UNTO ME, I WILL SURELY HEAR THEIR CRY; AND MY WRATH SHALL WAX HOT, AND WILL KILL YOU WITH THE SWORD; AND YOUR WIVES SHALL BE WIDOWS, AND YOUR C H I L D R E N FATHERLESS”. Exodus 22:23, 24. This is the verdict of God upon those who subject widows to acts of
With OLU GEORGE SERVANT OF THE MOST HIGH GOD
wickedness according to the tradition of the land. Widows are to be cared for and protected according to God’s commandment. As true disciples of Jesus Christ, we should emulate the simplicity in the burial of Jesus Christ, our Master which reads thus: “And when Joseph (himself a very rich man) had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.” AND LAID IT IN HIS OWN NEW TOMB, WHICH HE HAD HEWN OUT IN THE ROCK AND HE ROLLED A GREAT STONE TO THE DOOR OF THE SEPULCHER, AND D E PA RT E D ” Matthew 27:59-60. The example of Christ’s burial, is the true Christian burial! Joseph who buried Jesus was a very rich Disciple of Jesus. He had every possibility to display his wealth while burying Jesus, his
master just the way of the world, but he followed the simple and sober lifestyle of his master who made them to know that they were not of the world, as He, Himself was not of the world as written in John 17: 16, “They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.” Burials, by Christian standards, are moments of sober reflections, when every mortal present at such burials is expected to reexamine his/her own life and to understand that someday, he/she will answer this inevitable call and to think of where he/she will be thereafter - in HELL like the rich man, or in HEAVEN like the poor Lazarus. COURTESY: OLU G E O R G E CHRISTIAN GOSPEL CHURCH (The Truth Centre), Benin City TO BE CONTINUED.
“My people are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge; and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore HELL has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”
“The fact is that the spiritually “dead” are of the WORLD and the world will LOVE THEM. Therefore, their burials are usually very worldly with a flamboyant display of wealth, even if, the money had to be borrowed, all in a bid to impress the world. God is angry with this kind of burials and God’s judgment is upon those who partake in this kind of burials as it is written in Isaiah 5 :11 – 14, “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”
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Reflection
With REV. FR. JOHN DAMIAN ADIZIE PHONE: 08076635886
St Theresa, An Apostle Of Love TODAY is the feast of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, one of the most popular and most influential Saints of our time. Saint Theresa is a saint with so many titles; some call her the Little Flower of Jesus, others call her the Little Way because of her famous doctrine on how one can make heaven through the little and ordinary things of life. For St. Theresa, what matters before God is not great deed but great love. She is indeed the Apostle of Love. The Little Way is one of her famous spirituality: Few months before her death, precisely on September 30, 1897, her sister, Mother Agnes of Jesus asked her concerning her Little Way: “What is this little Way you want to teach to souls?” Theresa answered: “It is the way of Spiritual Childhood, the way of trust and absolute surrender.” The way that leads to heaven is a narrow way. It is a simplehidden way. Only a few discovers it. For St. Theresa, Total surrender to God is the shortest and surest way to heaven. We live in an era where people measure greatness with great achievements, an era where values are placed only on extraordinary things. Incidentally, nobody has ever climbed the position of greatness from above. The path that leads to greatness is always from the bellow. It is the narrow way or what St. Theresa describes as the Little Way to heaven. A visit to the sick people in the hospital can easily lead to heaven. A cup of water to thirsty traveler can gain one a ticket to heaven. These are things religious men and women neglect which God considers as the most essential things. For St. Theresa, love was a vocation, a calling and a way of life. She wanted to know her vocation in the Church. She knew quite well that everyone in this world was created for a purpose. Just as God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew
you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nation” (Jeremiah 1:5). Child of God, your coming into this world is not by chance. There is a purpose for which God brought you into this world. That purpose must be accomplished, in Jesus name! The happy ones are those who discover the purpose of their lives and those who are working according to the plan of God for their lives. Although Theresa was a religious living in convent but she was not satisfied. She wanted to know the purpose of God in her life. She wanted to know her vocation and her place in the Church. She does not want to follow the crowd, as many does. One day while she was meditating on chapters 12 and 13 of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians she discovered that “all cannot be apostles, prophets, and doctors, etc., that the Church is composed of different members and that the eye cannot be the hand at one and the same time. “God has appointed in the Church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers of various kinds of tongues” (I Corinthians 12:28). Having gone through these lists Theresa could not find her place in all the gifts that were mentioned in by St. Paul. However, she was not discouraged. She continued to search for her vocation till she came across the passage where St. Paul raised a thought provoking question: “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gift of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (I Corinthians 12:29). There is no way everyone in the Church can become apostles! One thing people don’t understand is that no one is an island. There are varieties of gifts, but from
the same Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4). It is very difficult to find an individual with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You cannot be a Teacher and a student at the same time. You cannot be a doctor and a patient at the same time. We need each other. A doctor cannot operate without the patients; a teacher cannot exist without
Paul is talking about? St. Paul wrote, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have no love, I am noisy gong or a clanging cymbal and if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (I Corinthians 13:1-3).
if the Church had a body composed of different members, the most necessary and most noble of all could not be lacking to it, and so I understood that the Church had a Heart and this heart was burning with LOVE. Continuing, she wrote, “I understood it was love alone that made the Church’s members act, that if love ever became extinct,
St. Theresa the students. What of those who are neither apostles nor teachers - does it mean they are irrelevant in the Church? For people like St. Theresa who could not find their vocation in the above lists St. Paul wrote, “Yet strive after the better gifts and I point out to you a yet more excellent way” (I Corinthians 12:31). What are these better gifts? What is this excellent way that St.
Love is the essence of our lives, as Christians. Our gifts and talents mean nothing without love. Commenting on this passage Theresa wrote, “Considering the mystical body of the Church, I had not recognized myself in any of the members described by St. Paul or rather I desired to see myself in them all. Charity gave me the key to my vocation. I understood that
“The Little Way is one of her famous spirituality: Few months before her death, precisely on September 30, 1897, her sister, Mother Agnes of Jesus asked her concerning her Little Way: “What is this little Way you want to teach to souls?” Theresa answered: “It is the way of Spiritual Childhood, the way of trust and absolute surrender.”
apostles would not preach the Gospel and martyrs would not shed their blood. I understood that LOVE COMPRISED ALL VOCATIONS THAT LOVE WAS EVERYTHING, THAT IT EMBRACES ALL TIMES AND PLACES… IN A WORD, THAT IT WAS ETERNAL! Then, in the excess of my delirious joy, I cried out: O Jesus, my Love… my vocation, at last I have found it… MY VOCATION IS LOVE! Yes, I have found my place in the Church and it is You, O my God, who have given me this place; in the heart of the Church, my Mother, I shall be Love. Thus I shall be everything and thus my dream will be realized” (Story of a Soul, Page 194).
What a dream come true! Theresa became fulfilled when she discovered her vocation. She was the happiest lady on earth. She wrote in her autobiography, “I finally had rest.” She was not just at peace with herself she was happy and fulfilled. She was fulfilled because she discovered the purpose of God in her life. God brought her into this world for love sake. She lived for love and she died in love. In her manuscript C, she wrote, “I want to be friendly with everybody and especially with the least amiable sister to give joy to Jesus and respond to the counsel He gives (in the gospel of Luke 14:12-14, where Jesus said in our banquet we should invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind who have nothing to repay us back). Commenting on this passage St. Theresa wrote, “What banquet could a Carmelite offer her sisters except a spiritual banquet of loving and joyful charity? As far as I am concerned, I know no other and I want to imitate St. Paul who rejoiced with those who rejoiced” (Story of a Soul, page 246-247). St. Theresa was down to earth. She lived a life of love. She was able to touch the lives of all the sisters in her convent. After her death they all testified how she was able to touch their lives; in a little but influential way. She is now a canonized Saint. She was made the patroness of mission because of her prayer and encouragement to missionaries. St. Pope John Paul II, declared her the 3rd female Doctor of the Church. She was able to attain to this great height because of her devotion to LOVE. Love is the essence of Christianity. It is the greatest commandment. Our Lord Jesus Christ told his followers, “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:12-14). St. John affirms what Jesus said by telling his community members, “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). Love is the identity Christianity. Imagine, what the world would be like if all Christians in the world start practicing this virtue of
love!
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
Culture And Tradition Udo: The Only Sovereign Municipality In Benin
I read with disgust and disbelief the erroneous assertions made by His Royal Highness, Patrick Ekhoeutomwen Igbinidu, the Iyase of Udo, in the article or news feature titled, “Udo: The only sovereign municipality in Bini Kingdom” written by Mr. Simon Ebegbulem, a Vanguard newspaper reporter and/or staff writer, and published on page 2 of the Niger Delta Voice segment of the Tuesday, September 9, 2014 edition of the Vanguard newspaper. The Iyase of Udo is my in - law and my very good friend, but, with all due respect, everything was wrong in the assertions he made in the news feature. The assertions which he made with great force of authority were, to say the least, grotesque misrepresentation of facts and a mischievous distortion of Benin history in a futile attempt to re — write it. The writer, in an apparent paraphrase of the information which the Iyase of Udo supplied him, said: “Unlike other communities in Benin Kingdom where the people are ruled by Enogies, appointed by the Benin monarch, Udo is ruled by Iyase, who is more powerful than the Enogies because of the exploits and awesome physical prowess of one of its progenitors” This assertion is totally false! Before I delve into the falsity of this misinformation, let me first state here that the plural form of Enogie is Enigie, not Enogies, and the name of the kingdom under which they exist is Benin kingdom, and not Bini kingdom. The people are known as and called Benin people (just like the name of the Kingdom) or Benins. See Great Benin, Its Customs, Art and Horrors (1968) by Ling Roth. The Omo N’Oba N’Edo, L Akpolokpoio, Oba Erediauwa, CFR., Oba of Benin, the paramount custodian of all Benin customs and usages, has explained this in different fora and in a pletora of speeches, addresses, pamphlets and books. See, for instance, A Handbook on Some Benin. Customs and Usages, “issued by the Benin Traditional Council on the authority of the Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin,” and The Making of A Philosopher - King: Selected Speeches of Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, CFR., Oba of Benin (2011) compiled and edited by this
By IDU AKENZUA writer. This explanation is necessary to avoid confusion in understanding my subsequent usage of these appropriate words and expressions hereinafter in this write - up. Now, to the Iyase’s claims! Firstly, in Benin Kingdom, Enigie are not appointed; they are born as Enigie or invested with their title by the Oba of Benin. Appointment has a tenure of office or lifespan, but Enigie titles have no life span. They are in perpetuity, from father to eldest surviving son forever, following in the principle of primogeniture that governs the Benin monarchy. Secondly, it is not true that the Iyase of Udo is “more powerful than the Enogies because of the exploits and awesome physical prowess of one of its progenitors.” At best, the Iyase of Udo enjoys the status of an Enogie, albeit falsely; but, most importantly, it is not a hereditary title founded on the principle of primogeniture or from father to eldest surviving son. The title rotates between the Iyase of Udo and the Uwangue of Udo. Where any Iyase of Udo transgresses the Benin monarch, the paramount ruler and overlord of Benin Kingdom, or becomes an Oghian — Oba (enemy of the Oba), for whatever reason, the Omo N’Oba transfers the title to the Uwangue and confers him with the powers to administer Udo. The day may not be too far now when the tide may even pass on to the Eribo if there is any such title there! The present Iyase of Udo will recall, without any effort, that his immediate predecessor - in - title was the Uwangue of Udo. He knows how the title was passed to the Uwangue from the previous Iyase of Udo. I need not go further into that here. The present Iyase of Udo is neither the son (let alone the eldest surviving son) of the late Uwangue of Udo, his predecessor-in-title, nor the son of the late Iyase of Udo who held the title and ruled as the traditional ruler of Udo before the deceased Uwangue of Udo. The Iyase of Udo said he “is more powerful than the Enogies because of the exploits and awesome physical prowess of one of its progenitors.” I guess the progenitor referred to here is Prince Arhuarhuan, half brother to Prince Osawe who later became Oba Esigie of Benin (Abt. 1504AD — 1550AD), both children of
Oba Ozolua the conqueror (Abt. 1481 AD - 1504AD). I can understand if the progenitor had awesome physical prowess because his physical prowess was mythically not in doubt. Mythology has it that he was a giant who had a real physical prowess, and that he used to uproot matured, long palm trees with his bare
Kingdom - Setting The Record Straight CFR., is will always come back in reincarnation to become subsequent Obas of Benin at different times, no matter how distant. We, the children, chiefs, wards and courtiers of the Palace, were told when we were living in the Palace that when a particular section of the Palace was being constructed, Prince Idubor,
Osawe, with which he defeated the acclaimed giant in a series of tests and duels on his way to becoming the Oba (Oba Esigie) of Benin. Upon his defeat by Oba Esigie, the giant (Arhuanrhan, that, is) took refuge in Udo, probably his mother’s village, and declared himself the
Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin MFR.
hands, effortlessly, and use them to sweep the palace (the Oba’s Palace, that is) whenever he felt he wanted to perform domestic chore, in service of the Palace. I lived in the palace of the present Oba of Benin from 1972 when I first completed my secondary school education to 1978 when the then Oba of Benin, Oba Akenzua II, CMG, my grand - father and the father of the present Oba of Benin, passed on to glory (may his soul continue to find repose in the bossom of the Lord till when the Lord sends him back again to become an Oba in Benin Kingdom!). I believe in reincarnation, and it is our belief in Benin Kingdom that great Obas (such as Oba Akenzua 11 was and the present Oba, Oba Erediauwa,
alias Arhuarhuan (pronounced Arhuan) touched a particular portion of the building with his right index finger, to see whether it had dried or had become strong enough, and the finger because of its gigantic size bored a large hole on it and the hole was later converted - to a modern size window. We were shown the window. His physical power was certainly not in doubt! History tells us that he was a giant who had enormous power but did not have sense, hence his nickname “Arhuanrhuan no okemezi, omwen etin nemwen ewaen, meaning “Arhuanrhuan the giant with great power who has no sense.” Sense here or intellect or wisdom was an attribute of his supposed younger brother, Prince
traditional ruler (unfortunately, not as an Oba but as an equivalent of an Enogie) of Udo. But, since he was never invested with the title of Enogie by his brother (Esigie) who was now then the Oba (King) of Benin, his successors-intitle were denied the appellation or title of Enogie. Hence, they became Iyases or Uwangues of Udo, titles that were and are still far below the pedigree of Enogie or, at best, at par, in some material particular, with the status of an Enogie. There is no place in Benin history, whether oral or written, or even Benin mythology, where Arhuarhuan is credited with exploits or conquests like Oba Ewuare the great (Abt. 1440 AD - 1473 AD), Oba
Ozolua the conqueror (Abt. 1481 - 1504 AD), Oba Esigie (Abt. 1504 AD - 1550 AD), Oba Orhogbua (Abt. 1550 AD - 1578 AD) and a host of others. It is safe to say that it was Arhuanrhuan that brought Udo into prominence as little or nothing was known about it before him. I am not saying Udo as a village or community was not in existence before him but there was nothing like Iyase or Uwangue of Udo before him, whereas some past Obas invested their immediate younger brothers and, even, some outstanding warlords, with the title of Enogie even during the Ogiso era or first Benin dynasty (Abt. 1,000 BC - 1190 AD). Some of these titles (Enigie) created by the Ogisos are Ekae (Idumwunogieka), Ukpira, Ihinmwinrin and Avbiama, to mention but a few. Those created by Obas (in the 2nd Benin Dynasty) whose reigns predated Arhuarhuan include, but are not limited to, Etete (by Oba Eweka 1,1200 AD - 1235 AD), Uroho and ldogbo (by Oba Ozolua, 1481 - 1504 AD). See Evolution of Benin Chieftaincy Titles (1992) by Prince Ena Basimi Eweka, with foreword by Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, CFR., Oba of Benin, pages 86, 87 and 89. Notwithstanding some reservations expressed in certain quarters in Benin Kingdom about some of the contents of the book (not in the area under discourse), this book is still an authority in this regard. It is pertinent to note here that some Enigie, to the knowledge of the Iyase of Udo, have eight, nine, 10 or even 12 big villages and/or communities under their respective domain or in their various dukedoms, especially those created by Oba Erediauwa, CFR., on 1st January 1988 (long live the king!), including that of the father of this writer. In the light of the foregoing,’ it is totally untenable for any ruler of Udo to assert without any empirical and historical proof that the Iyase of Udo is more powerful than Enigie because of the doubtful exploits and mythical awesome physical prowess of one of its progenitors. In what sense, one may ask! Another area of disagreement with the views expressed by the Iyase of Udo in the interview or write up is where he said, “You cannot Continues on pg 25
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Culture And Tradition Udo:
The Only Sovereign Municipality In...
Continued from pg 24
compare the Enogie to the Iyase of Udo. Udo comprises of many villages not only in one place. Before, it was from that Ovia Bridge to Ofosu to Usen and many other villages around here then, such as Ofunama, Jakurama and Okomu Ijaw, they all belong to the Udo Community.” As stated earlier, many Enigie have dukedoms which comprise of eight, nine, ten and even more big villages or communities with some of them bigger than Udo village or community itself. Certainly, these
me that Iguobzuwa, the villages in and around Iguobazuwa up to Usen or Ofosu were at any particular point in time in Benin history under the suzerainty of Udo or that Udo is more or less autonomous on his own and the “only sovereign municipality in Bini (sic) kingdom” Celebrated Benin historians like Dr. J. U. Egharevba, Chief D. U. Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Dr. Ekhaguosa Aisien and a host of others too numerous to mention here never said in their various books on Benin history which I have read that Udo extended up to Iguobazuwa, Okada junction,
respect, cannot now recreate in the 21st Century what the Elawure of Usen failed to achieve in the 20th Century. Asked why Udo cannot be ruled by an Enogie like many other Benin communities, the Iyase of Udo, in the said interview or write up said: “Iyase of Udo never joins the meeting of Enogies. He is more or less autonomous on his own.” I have earlier stated in this write — up that it is a blatant lie to say that the Iyase of Udo “is more or less autonomous on his own” as there is no historical data or account to back this claim, So, on this,
The most insulting and misleading aspect of the Iyase of Udo’s cankerterous vituperations in the interview is where he said, “The Enogie is just like Odionwere, Enogies are taking care of very small villages unlike the Iyase of Udo.... Many areas the Iyase is taking care of, you cannot compare the Iyase to any Enogie at all. No Enogie will ever stand before the Iyase to say I am more than you, the Oba knows that.” These outlandish assertions are not only provocative, frivolous and vexatious, but clearly demonstrate the Iyase of Udo’s acute cultural myopia. It is funny that the Iyase of Udo does not know
Usen and Ofosu or that Udo is a sovereign entity in Benin Kingdom or independent of Benin Kingdom. As far as I am concerned and as far as Benin history goes, there is no community, village or dukedom, by whatever name called, in the present day seven local government areas of Edo State (viz, Oredo, Ikpoba - Okha, Egor, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode, Ovia North - East and Ovia South - West) that constitute Benin Kingdom that is a sovereign municipality or independent of Benin Kingdom. All the villages, communities and dukedoms, without exception, are under the suzerainty of Benin kingdom, and the overlord and paramount ruler of the kingdom is the Oba of Benin. Period. It is rather too late in the day now for anyone with a rebellious attitude or imperialist, expansionist policy to declare his village, community, or dukedom in the said local government areas of Edo State independent of Benin kingdom. The Iyase of Udo, with the greatest of
“1 do not intend to go further,” as the late Revered Tietie, then of Cod’s Kingdom Society, GKS, (may his soul rest in peace), would say. The only other aspect of this latter excerpt worthy of reply and correction is where he said, “Iyase of Udo never joins the meeting of Enogies”. He cannot join the meeting of Enigie for obvious reasons. He is neither an Enogie properly so called nor an Ohen, even though he enjoys the status of an Enogie. He is more or less like a hybrid of the two. The Association of Enigie in Benin Kingdom comprises of members who have the appellation of Enigie, not for Iyase, Uwangue, Okao or Ohen of a community, whether or not he rules as the traditional ruler of the community. The Igie- ohen (chief priests) of Benin Kingdom also have their own Association to which I believe the Iyase of Udo cannot also belong since he is also not an Ohen (priest).
the difference between Odionwere and Enogie in Benin Kingdom. If he does, he will not have said “The Enogie is just like Odionwere. For the avoidance of doubt, Odionwere is the head of Edion Nene (the four elders) in a village or community in Benin Kingdom who presides in proceedings at Qgua-Edion (Elders’ ancestral shrine building). In a village or community where there is no Enogie, he administers as the head of the village or communities on behalf of the Oba. Where there is Enogie, the Enogie rules and administers the village, communiity or group of villages or communities on behalf of the Oba. The Enogie is often a direct representative of the Omo N’Oba in his dukedom. Many Enigie are children of past Obas, whereas Edionwere are not. Every village or community in Benin Kingdom has its Odionwere. No Odionwere controls more than one village, even where there is no Enogie in the area, whereas Enigie have more than one village/ community or many villages/ communities under their
Oba Palace villages are also not in one place. More preposterous is his bogus claim that Udo even extended to Iguobazuwa, Okada junction, and even Usen and Ofosu. There are more than 20 villages from Iguobazuwa to Okada junction, such as Igbogor, Okha, e.t.c. which have been indigenous and autonomous of Udo from time immemorial. I don’t know of any particular point in Benin history when Udo extended from Ovia Bridge to Ofosu to Usen, or to Ofunama and Jakuramu (in Siluko village area) which from time immemorial had been indigenous, autonomous and independent entities. One of my history teachers while I was at Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, Benin City, as a secondary school student in the 1970s, Hon. Ambrose Osawe who later became a newspaper publisher and an Honourable member of the Edo State House of Assembly, never taught
control. Odionwere does not have a palace; where he lives is simply called his house (the Odionwere’s house,) whereas Enogie has palace (Enogie palace). Odionwere is not a hereditary title in Benin kingdom. It is generally based on the principle of gerontocracy (eldest man in the village or community who must have first attained the status of an Odion), whereas the title of Enogie is hereditary and is based on the principle of grimogeniture (from father to eldest surviving son who must have performed the full burial rites of his deceased father). So much for the education of the Iyase of Udo on the fundamental difference between Odionwere and Enogie in Benin Kingdom. This is elementary knowledge in Benin Kingdom. Having said that, I don’t know the criteria the Iyase of Udo used in arriving at the wild and unfounded assertion that “...you cannot compare the Iyase to any Enogie at all...,” that “no Enogie will ever stand before the Iyase to say I am more than you,” and that “the Oba knows that”. Who is the Enogie who will not ever be able to stand before the Iyase of Udo to say I am more than you? is it the Enogie of Obazuwa, HRH Prince Edun Akenzua, a veteran journalist and editor of repute, who has more than six or seven big villages or communities in his domain? Is it the ‘Enogie of Evbuobanosa/ Abudu, a professor of medicine and a retired Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, now chairman of the governing board of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who has more than 12 big villages in his dukedom? Is it the Enogie of Ologbo, HRH Dr. Ekiawogho Akenzua, a long - standing medical practitioner who was the medical director of the University of Benin Health Center for many years and who has more than six large villages/communities under his control in his dukedom? Dr is it yours truly, the Enogie of Oghobaghase, a seasoned journalist, political scientist, author and a practicing lawyer who was one time General Manager of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited publishers of Observer group of newspapers and who has ten villages under his control in his dukedom? Needless to state here that some Enigie are engineers (e.g., Enigie of Orogho and Ugolo), journalists (e.g.,
Enogie of Okogbo), university professors/ lecturers (e.g.; Enogie of Egbaen- Ogbeson), retired Directors/Permanent Secretaries (e.g., Ertogie of Evboesi) and university graduates of philosophy, e.t.c. (e.g., Enogie of Uvbe Egbede), to mention but a few. 1 don’t see any of these accomplished Enigie who cannot stand before the Iyase of Udo to say I am more than you as he erroneously claimed. I refrain here from talking about the wealther or businesses/investments owned by these Enigie, if those are the criteria he used and I know not of any traditional criterion he used in making such assertion. He even went so far as to say, “.. - the Oba knows that” I Pity. The. lyase of Udo patently overreached himself in an attempt to claim false superiority over Enigie. In fact, the lyase of Udo is like an Okao of a village or community, a title that is far inferior to the title of Enogie even where he rules in the village or community as a traditional ruler, Reading through the interview, it was evident that the lyase of Udo has a concealed inferiority complex in relation to Enigie. Too bad! As if these insults and derogatory statements about Enigie were not enough, the Iyase of Udo unequivocally stated, “The Enogi.e is under the Iyase of Udo.” What a ridiculous assertion! Hear him again: ‘. . .When you are in Benin, after the Oba of Benin, you get the Iyase of Benin. That is within them. But when the Oba moves from Benin to this place, Ovia South West, where we are now, when the Iyase of Udo is there, he is next to him because the Oba is in his domain.” Who are the them in the “that is within them? is it the Omo N’Oba, the Iyase, Esogban, Eson, Osuna, Esere, Uwangue and Eribo of Benin Kingdom? And whose domain (the lyase of Udo’s domain where the Omo N’Oha is the owner of all domain in Benin Kingdom? There is a saying in Benin that “Oba gharueemwen omwan, a gha zese emietemwen vbe ifaegbua.” (When the Oba is in love with someone, the person will do well to perform sacrifices aginst acts of disgrace and ridicule). The iyase of Udo should think about this! HRH Idu Akenzua, Enogie of Oghobaghase, Wrote from Benin City, Edo State.
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International
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testimony, which is expected to end this week, Judge Thokozile Masipa will rule on what punishment Pistorius must serve after convicting him of culpable homicide for shooting Steenkamp through a toilet door in his home. “My lady, I really believe the accused, Mr. Pistorius, needs to
BANGUI - Six militiamen were killed in an exchange of fire with international troops in the Central African Republic after they refused to lay down their arms, the UN force MINUSCA said yesterday. The deaths came after several days of violence pitting Christians against Muslims that has now left at least 15 people dead, including a Pakistani soldier serving with MINUSCA. An official from the UN force told AFP: “We counted six victims after an exchange of fire... in Bangui between international forces and antibalaka forces on Wednesday. They were refusing to lay down their weapons.” The anti-balaka are vigilante groups set up by the Central
African Republic’s majority Christian communities to seek vengeance, mainly against Muslim civilians whom they accuse of backing a Muslim rebel alliance, the Seleka, which seized power in a coup last year. The Seleka was forced to stand aside in January this year and its leader Michel Djotodia was replaced by a transitional president, Catherine Samba Panza. Four UN peacekeepers were wounded on Wednesday in an ambush by anti-balaka militiamen near Bangui’s airport. The 7,600-strong MINUSCA force took charge of peacekeeping operations in midSeptember. The beefed-up force took over from a smaller UN Security Council-mandated African deployment.
6 Militiamen Killed By Peacekeepers
pay for what he’s done,” Martin testified before the red-robed judge. “My family are not seeking revenge,” Martin said. “We just feel to take somebody’s life, to shoot somebody behind the door who is unarmed, who is harmless, needs sufficient punishment.” Pistorius was acquitted of murder for the February 14, 2013 killing and found guilty of the lesser crime of negligent killing. Masipa has wide latitude when deciding on a sentence for culpable homicide, and could
order a suspended sentence and a fine, house arrest, or send him to prison for up to 15 years. Defense lawyers have argued for a sentence of three years of house arrest with community service. In the first part of the sentencing hearing, they called a psychologist and social workers, who said that Pistorius should not go to prison because of his ongoing emotional suffering. They also said his disability as a double amputee who needs prosthetic legs would leave him vulnerable in jail. Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel
has called suggestions of a house arrest sentence as “shockingly inappropriate” and wants Pistorius to be sent to prison. Martin, the cousin, said a prison sentence would be appropriate for Pistorius and that she understood the rehabilitation program in jail to be humane and dignified, contrary to allegations by one of the social workers who testified for the defense. In her sometimes emotional testimony, Martin said many people had suffered because of Pistorius, including his own family, and
Soldiers Of The UN Force Patrol On A Vehicle In Bangui, Central African Republic recently.
that a sentence that excludes jail time would encourage the athlete to “feel within himself that what he’s done is all right.” Zach Modise, the acting national commissioner for correctional services, testified after Martin, saying that the South African prison system compared favorably with prisons he had visited in Britain and the United States. He acknowledged problems such as overcrowding and gang activity, but said officials had made progress in combatting those problems and that some prison facilities can cater to disabled criminals, including Pistorius. “We will be able to accomodate him,” Modise said. However, defense lawyer Barry Roux referred to reports of an increase in alleged torture in South Africa’s prison system. He also said an imprisoned gang leader allegedly said Pistorius would be under threat if he is incarcerated; Modise said he was not aware of any threat. At the beginning of yesterday’s proceedings, Nel congratulated Judge Masipa on her birthday and people in the courtroom applauded. Masipa smiled, thanked Nel and then the testimony began on the 47th day of proceedings in the case, which began more than seven months ago.
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Suarez Receives Golden Shoe From BARCELONA’s Luis years and it was thanks to Suarez (R) receives the Dalglish this man here (Dalglish) that Golden Boot trophy from former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish in Barcelona October 15, 2014 (Reuters) Suarez received the award having finished last season as joint-top scorer of the most league goals in Europe, along with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair each netted 31 times, Suarez’s goals being notched for Liverpool before his summer switch to Barca. The 27-year-old Uruguay international said on receiving the trophy from Dalglish, who he reportedly had specifically requested be involved in the ceremony: “I want to thank all the most important people in my life, my wife and my children. “And of course everyone
• Barcelona’s Luis Suarez
Ferdinand
Results Will Improve RIO Ferdinand has promised his form and that of QPR will improve. Rangers are bottom of the Barclays Premier League ahead of their eighth game of the season this weekend, against Liverpool on Sunday. Ferdinand has played in all seven games thus far, but Harry Redknapp’s men have been struggling. The 35-year-old former Manchester United defender told the London Evening Standard: “It’s early in the season and things will turn around - I’m confident of that. “We haven’t gelled as a squad so when we do, I’d like to think results will improve. Although it’s not as easy as that - it’s no good just talking about it, we have to go out and do it.” Ferdinand, who has until next Tuesday to answer a Football Association misconduct charge for a comment made on Twitter, recognises he has struggled to adjust to life fighting at the foot of the table. He added: “I’d like to think I can play more good games than bad. If anyone thinks I’m
• Rio Ferdinand
• Mourinho
at Liverpool - all my colleagues, not just last year but over the whole three and a half years I was at the club. “They were spectacular
they signed me, that they noticed me. “Now I am moving on to a new period, and I have to enjoy this next stage of my life - it is a dream come true.
Mourinho Criticism Helps Me Grow - Hazard MOURINHO has been outspoken in his analysis of Hazard’s performances in the past, and was particularly displeased with the Belgian’s defensive effort in last season’s UEFA Champions League semifinal defeat to Atletico Madrid. But Hazard insists that there is no problem between the pair and that Mourinho’s comments are only helping him develop into a world-class talent. “There is a lot of respect - he is the best coach in the world - and he gives me a lot of confidence,” he told Sport Foot. “Even after a bad match, he picks me again. He will have a little dig saying, ‘Today we played with 10 [men]’, but he stops there. He leaves me alone and does not go on at me. “It is the first time I have known this with a coach.
The others tended to protect me. He really wants my potential to explode and he does everything to make it happen. “I had no fears when he came. I was just wondering if I was going to be stressed when he had a go at me. “I remember my first warm-up matches in Asia with him. He killed me once or twice then I thought, ‘Okay, this is the Mourinho style’. When he looks you in the eyes, you feel like the target and it doesn’t feel good at the time. “If you do not give 100 per cent, you know he will not let that go and it might hurt. There have already been great slanging matches in the changing room, but that stays behind closed doors. “It’s funny to see that - as long it’s not about you!”
championship. We can only look at ourselves and think if we want to get something out of the big games we cannot afford to make the mistakes we made on the two goals.
“It was traumatic for me. The way we lost was very difficult to take. The quality of the team is to make the maximum with what you produce on the day and that’s where we failed.”
Manchester City Are The Strongest Team In Premier League ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger believes Manchester City are the most “complete” team in the Premier League, despite Chelsea sitting five points above them at the top of the table.
The Blues have started their league campaign in impressive fashion, winning six games out of seven and only dropping points in the 1-1 draw at City. With new signings Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas settling in quickly at Stamford Bridge, some feel the title is already Chelsea’s to lose, but Wenger is refusing to rule out the
Premier League champions. Sir Alex Ferguson lifts his final Premier League trophy. “I believe that maybe, going forward, City are a bit more complete,” he told beIN SPORTS in quotes reported by Goal. “City are more offensive. Chelsea defensively are better, but it’s very difficult to say who will be in front.” Arsenal, meanwhile, already sit nine points behind league leaders Chelsea in eighth place after just seven games. But despite his side’s frustrating start to the season, which has brought with it four draws, Wenger insists their title chances are not over yet. “What we want to do is be in front of both of them [Chelsea and City],” Wenger said. “[The gap] is massive
— nine points after seven games, I agree completely, but it is not lost.” Arsenal’s last game before the international break was a 2-0 loss at Chelsea, with the Blues ultimately proving too strong for their opponents. The defeat meant Wenger ’s winless run against Jose Mourinho was extended to 12 games, and the Frenchman admits the “traumatic” result was difficult to take. “I’ve watched the Chelsea game again and we were guilty of not taking the first chances which were there for us and guilty of making a defensive mistake on their goal but there was very little between the two teams on the day,” he said. “I think we came out angry and frustrated but also coming that we have an important part to play in this
• Arsene Wenger
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I Don’t Compare Myself To Mourinho - Ancelotti THE Italian insists he only ever measures his performance against his own previous accomplishments, while again backing Iker Casillas despite another tough week for the keeper. As a result, the pair have Carlo Ancelotti says he has never once compared often been compared for respective his achievements at Real their Madrid to those of his accomplishments in the predecessor Jose Mourinho. Spanish capital, but the The former Paris Saint- Italian has distanced himself Germain boss replaced from any comparison. “I’ve never felt like doing Mourinho in the summer of 2013, with the Chelsea better than he did at the club, coach departing after lifting I’ve other things to think La Liga, the Copa del Rey about. I’ve always just tried and Supercopa de Espana in to do my best every day,” he his three years at the told Marca. The future of Iker Casillas Santiago Bernabeu. However, he departed the has again been the subject club amidst great of great debate following controversy, following another disastrous week for reported disputes with the goalkeeper, in which he several first team players lost his spot in Spain’s and ultimately paid the starting XI to David de Gea price for failing to win a after making a crucial 10th Champions League mistake in the shock defeat to Slovakia. title. He has also faces a fight Ancelotti fulfilled that brief in his first campaign to retain his starting berth at in charge last season as the Bernabeu as a result of Madrid beat city rivals the summer signing of Atletico in the final, as well Keylor Navas from as lifting the Copa del Rey Levante, but Ancelotti would not be drawn into a and Supercopa de Espana.
discussion over the 33-yearold’s current predicament. “Discussion over my goalkeeper is closed. I believe that the future of Casillas will continue to be linked to Real Madrid. He is part of the history of this club and when he retires he will come to this forum and accompany [Manuel] Sanchis and [Fernando] Hierro to discuss the European Cups he has won.” Casillas will hope to add to his six appearances this season when Madrid travel to Levante in La Liga on Saturday.
• Carlo Ancelotti
Guardiola Reveals United Desire
PEP Guardiola wants to manage Manchester United at some point in the future, according to a new book chronicling his first season in charge of Bayern Munich. Guardiola has long been linked with United but agreed to become Bayern’s coach in December 2012 - before Sir Alex Ferguson announced his
retirement from football at the end of that season. The former Barcelona coach is contracted to the Bundesliga giants until 2016, but the revelations in Pep Confidential: The Inside Story of Pep Guardiola’s First Season at Bayern Munich are likely to at least make United sit up and take notice.
Messi Had Nothing To Do With Tax Affairs, Father Insists MESSI and his father, who have denied wrongdoing, have been accused of defrauding the Spanish state of more than £3.2 million by filing incomplete returns for the years 2007 to 2009. Income from Messi’s image rights was allegedly hidden using a web of shell companies in Uruguay, Belize, Switzerland and Britain. “In actual fact I want to be quite cautious over this (topic),” Jorge Messi said in an interview with Spanish radio. “I have always said it, he
(Lionel) had absolutely nothing to do with it, so there is no need to talk about it. “My lawyers are dealing with this issue so it’s something with me and has nothing to do with him.” Lionel Messi has been resident in Barcelona since 2000 and gained Spanish citizenship in 2005. He is one of the world’s highest-paid athletes and earns just over £25m a season in wages and bonuses, according to Forbes magazine. He also pulls in some £15m in endorsements from partners including Adidas, Samsung, PepsiCo and Turkish Airlines and is fourth on Forbes’s latest list of top-earning athletes.
• Pep Guardiola
Guardiola, who won the Bundesliga title during his first season in Bavaria, gave Perarnau full behind-the-scenes access during his debut season in Germany, during which time his long-standing admiration for United became apparent. “From the start, Pep was well disposed to the overtures from the Bavarian club,” Perarnau wrote, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph. “A year before, in late July 2011, not long after a resounding 3-1 victory in the Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley, Barcelona competed in the Audi Cup in Munich. “Pep liked the set-up at Säbener Strasse [Bayern’s training complex], despite the fact that it was smaller than Barça’s training ground and had fewer technical facilities. “The Catalan was impressed and told Manel Estiarte [his personal assistant] privately: “I like this place. I could see myself coaching here one day. Pep had said something very similar a few months before, at Manchester United. “The day after beating Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, Guardiola and Estiarte travelled to
Manchester to watch their next opponent in action. “It was May 4, 2011, and the pair sat together in the stands of Old Trafford watching Sir Alex Ferguson’s team beat Schalke 4-1. Once again Pep had turned to his friend and said: ‘I like this atmosphere. I could see myself coaching here one day.’ “Guardiola has always felt a deep admiration, almost veneration, for the legendary teams and players of Europe.” A move to United, however, remains unlikely; Guardiola’s contract at Bayern expires a year before Van Gaal’s deal at Old Trafford ends. The book also claims that both Chelsea and Manchester City wanted Guardiola before he agreed a deal with Bayern to bring an end to the year out of football he spend in the US. “During his sabbatical year in New York, the job offers poured in. His ex-colleague, Txiki Begiristain, the director of football at Manchester City, was very insistent. He also met up in Paris with Roman Abramovich, who was prepared to do anything to lure Pep to Chelsea … Within a few months Pep, had chosen Bayern.”
Sami Khedira Set To Return To Training
• Lionel Messi
REAL Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is set to return to team training after recovering from the thigh injury that has ruled him out since August. Khedira, 27, sustained the problem in Madrid’s 4-2 loss at Real Sociedad on Aug. 31 — the second La Liga match of the season. The former Stuttgart player
then made a brief visit to join up with the Germany team ahead of their friendly against Argentina when the injury was diagnosed. Madrid disputed that Khedira suffered the problem while with his club, and claimed that it occurred during his time with the national team. Germany team
manager Oliver Bierhoff, however, insisted that the midfielder “had problems already when he travelled.” Sami Khedira has been sidelined since August. During his spell on the sidelines, Khedira also underwent minor surgery in Germany on his left knee, but returned to Madrid on
Wednesday to resume team training this week. “I will certainly take part in parts of the training, I just don’t know how many,” Khedira told kicker, which reported that the midfielder could return to the Madrid squad for the Clasico against Barcelona on Oct. 25. Khedira is under contract at
Madrid until 2015, and rumours of a possible departure from the club have grown stronger in the past few weeks. According to reports in the British media, Chelsea — managed by former Madrid boss Jose Mourinho — could sign the midfielder on a free transfer next summer.
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Algeria, Cape Verde Through To Nations Cup Finals
A 75th-minute goal from Heldon gave Cape Verde a 1-0 home win over Mozambique in Praia for their third victory in four games and a guaranteed a top-two finish in Group F while Algeria overcame Malawi 3-0 in Blida to keep up their 100 per cent record in Group B. Yacine Brahimi scored after only two for Algeria finals hadminutes the Ivorians beaten and Riyad Mahrez and Islam the Democratic Republic of Slimani added two more in Congo in Abidjan later on a comfortable triumph that Wednesday. ensures their place at next Instead the Congolese January’s finals in Morocco. produced a surprise triumph Cape Verde, with a in a seven-goal thriller, population of less than scoring a late winner through 500,000, were surprise Jeremy Bokila. quarter-finalists at the last The Ivorians, whose first finals in South Africa and goal came from Yaya Toure, continued their remarkable fought back from 3-1 down rise with a competent at half-time. showing in the qualifiers. They had debutant Cameroon, the Ivory defender Franck Kessie sent Coast, Senegal, South Africa off minutes into the second and Tunisia also had a half, but levelled the game at chance to secure 3-3 after a quick double from qualification on a busy day Salomon Kalou, before DR of action, but must wait until Congo’s Bokila scored his the next round of qualifiers second of the night to secure in November. a shock three points. Cameroon scored twice in Tunisia beat Senegal with the opening seven minutes a goal five minutes into to beat Sierra Leone 2-0 in stoppage time from Yaounde and top Group D, substitute Sassi Ferjani, but but would only have been a 2-0 victory for Egypt over sure of progressing to the Botswana in Cairo means
Group G is also not yet settled. Had Egypt failed to win, both Senegal and Tunisia could have progressed.
South Africa would have booked their finals place if they had beaten Congo at home in Polokwane, but were held to a goalless draw
in a match played in heavy rain. Gabon, despite an early dismissal, stayed top of Group C after a 1-1 draw in Burkina Faso, while Ghana top Group E after a 3-1 triumph over Guinea in Tamale. Asamoah Gyan, Dede Ayew and substitute Edward Agyemang Badu all scored for the Black Stars. Ahmed Musa netted twice for holders Nigeria to win their first game of the qualifying campaign, as they
beat Sudan 3-1 to resurrect their Group A hopes. The 2012 winners Zambia also got a first victory as they overcame Niger 3-0 while Angola’s 4-0 thrashing of Lesotho was the most convincing scoreline of the day. The top two finishers in each of the seven groups qualify for the finals along with the best third-placed finisher. The finals are set for January 17 to February 8.
HEAD Coach of the Togo Sparrow Hawks, Tchanile Tchakala has praised the Uganda Cranes defenders for their high levels of awareness. Togo stopped Uganda 1-0 on Wednesday in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier in Lome to move second in Group E behind the Black Stars of Ghana. But despite the two 1-0 wins over Uganda at home and away, Tchakala has praised the Ugandan defenders whom he said are excellent. “They do not play in big Leagues like in Europe, but they are very good and denied us
several opportunities over two legs,” added the Coach. Tchakala pointed out central defenders Isaac Isinde, Savio Kabugo and man-of-the match Godfrey Walusimbi who he rated very highly. “Those guys have have a bright future because the way they contained out attacks and skipper Emmanuel Adebayor was excellent,” he added. It was no surprise that the Tottenham striker Adebayor who failed to score against Uganda on two legs walked straight to the Ugandan defender Kabugo and handed him his jersey after the match on Wednesday.
Togo Coach Praises Ugandan Defenders
Togo Coach, Tchanile Tchakala Ramsey To Return For Anderlecht Clash THE Wales international has missed the last four matches for club and country with a hamstring injury sustained in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham last month. Manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Thursday that Ramsey would miss Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Hull City but would return to training on Monday, and is set to be fit to return against Anderlecht in midweek. “Ramsey will be back in full training on Monday and will be in the squad for Anderlecht,” he said. Wenger also confirmed that Laurent Koscielny had not recovered from an Achilles in problem in time for the weekend, but there was positive news in that the France international defender would not require surgery. Tomas Rosicky should be fit to face Hull after returning from international duty with Czech Republic with a slight knock to his calf.
Aaron Ramsey
Pogba Vows To Be POGBA was commanding The Best in the centre of France’s midfield, scoring a goal and assisting another as Didier Deschamps’ men reached the quarter-finals in Brazil. The 21-year-old’s efforts were rewarded with the Young Player of the Tournament award – continuing his rapid rise in
Australia May Be Nervous, But Not Their Coach
THE 1-0 loss to 96th-ranked Qatar in Doha on Tuesday, coming off a scoreless draw against United Arab Emirates days before, has triggered alarm bells Down Under. Postecoglou, who enjoyed an extended honeymoon period despite Australia losing all three games at the World Cup, has been in the firing line for shaking up his side in the final warm-ups before the continental showpiece. The Socceroos coach has taken full responsibility for the disappointing performances, saying they were a direct consequence of his fiddling at the selection table, but Aloisi said the 49-year-old knew exactly what he was doing. “I don’t think it’s as bad as everyone makes it out to be,” Aloisi told Reuters. “We lost which is not good,
because you want to win all your games and especially against opposition that we should be beating. “There are things that of course Ange would want to improve on and Ange would be unhappy that we lost but it’s still a friendly game and he has tried a lot of different players and a lot of partnerships. “I’m sure that come Asian Cup time they’ll be ready. That’s when we can really judge. “I know a lot of people are getting nervous but he’s not getting nervous. “I think Ange knows who he can really rely on and who his starting 11 will be. I think that you still have to give these other players a chance and also for him to see where they’re at.” If Postecoglou had hoped to unearth new avenues to goal, he may have been frustrated with
his team’s disjointed attack during their Middle Eastern tour. A number of chances went begging against Qatar and players appeared all too eager to leave the job of finding the back of the net to the country’s all-time top goal-scorer, Tim Cahill. Australia have scored 11 goals from 11 matches under Postecoglou, with Cahill contributing seven of them. “We’re relying on Timmy Cahill too much to score the goals,” said Aloisi. “It’s not only that, though, it’s more that players aren’t putting themselves into more positions to score. “I think the ones in the front three should all be looking to get in front of things. If a cross is coming in from the right the left winger should be getting
himself into the box and in a position that he can score. “Sometimes I don’t see that. I see them relying on Timmy to always be the one who gets on the end of it. That at the moment is my biggest (issue) with them. “Ostensibly the last two games, we haven’t been too bad but noone’s really looked like scoring.” Postecoglou has tried to manufacture firepower through Bayer Leverkusen forward Robbie Kruse, who missed the World Cup because of a serious knee injury, rookie Nigeria-born striker Bernie Ibini and James Troisi. With Australia facing Asian Cup champions Japan in their final warmup next month, Aloisi suggested Postecoglou might want to go back to the future and bring Japan-based striker Josh Kennedy back into the fold.
A team-mate of Aloisi’s at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the lanky 32-year-old target man has struggled with injuries and missed out on the World Cup squad for Brazil. He has made a number of timely cameos in recent years, however, not least his matchwinning headed goal against Iraq in Sydney last year which booked Australia’s ticket to Brazil. “Josh Kennedy should definitely be involved,” Aloisi said. “He’s proven, especially against Asian opposition, they struggle to deal with him. “If his injuries are all good and he’s fit to go that would be someone that I would really consider because he’s got goals, we know that.”
football after swapping Manchester United for Juve in 2012. And Pogba, who has reportedly attracted the attention of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, said he is on a mission to achieve his aim. “I’m very proud to receive this award and it was an honour for me to play in the World Cup,” the Frenchman told FIFA.com on Wednesday. “I can’t predict what’s going to happen in the future but I’m going to do all I can to win even more trophies. “I’m going to keep working hard. My aim is to become the best player in the world.”
Paul Pogba
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Nigerians Applaud Super Eagles Victory Over Sudan SOME Nigerians on Wednesday applauded the Super Eagles for their 31victory over Group A counterparts, the Falcons of Sudan in a return-leg match of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The fans told newsmen after the encounter which took place at the National Stadium, Abuja that the team had made the country proud. Sundy Obot, the Secretary General of Nigerian Taekwondo, said that the players had done the country proud by winning but they needed to go back and do more homework. “I am very happy that Nigeria won this game because we have proven that we can do it if we put our heads together. “Football is all about team work and for a while this boys have not been playing together, a lot of them are not in Nigerian league and I think is going to take time. “We need to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do to be winning more matches in the future,’’ he said. Ato Ubby, a football agent based in Norway, said that the team did a good job by impressing Nigerians. “The team had done a good job of impressing Nigerians and their fans. You know Nigeria is African Champion. “So any team or country that is coming to play the team is coming to play the African champion,’’ he said. Sunday Adeleye, a fooball fan said that he gave God the glory for the victory, adding, “the future is bright for the Super Eagle’’. “First and foremost we are thankful to God for giving us this victory; I see the future bright for the Eagle if they continue like this and I have hope for our team,’’Adeleye said.
Mikel Obi
Sacking Of Keshi Will Not Change Anything Says Amiesimaka A former Green Eagles player Adokie Amaiesimaka, said that the dismissal of Stephen Keshi-led technical crew will not change anything in the Super Eagles . Keshi along other technical members of the national team was sacked after beating Sudan 3-1 at the National Stadium Abuja in the 2015 AFCON qualifier. The win came after Nigeria had lost two of its previous encounters and had a draw in the qualifying rounds, placing it in doubtful position of qualifying for the main event. The Nigeria Football
Stephen Keshi
Keshi Fired, Amodu In Temporary Charge
STEPHEN Keshi has been sacked as Nigeria coach and he will be replaced by the country’s former coach Shuaibu Amodu in a temporary capacity before a new foreign coach is hired. This is according to an appointment of a official statement by the consortium of coaches to Nigeria Football lead the Super Eagles for Federation following an ONLY the two emergency meeting of concluding matches of the NFF yesterday the 2015 Africa Cup of morning in Abuja. Nations qualifying series Part of the communiqué (against Congo in read that Amodu has Brazzaville and against replaced Keshi. South Africa in Uyo), “The Committee, after which an expatriate unanimously, praised the Coach will be appointed. excellent contributions of “The consortium, led the technical crew of the by Amodu Shaibu, also Senior national team, has Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Super Eagles, led by Mr. Ogunbote and Aloysius Stephen Keshi, to the Agu. The team also has a g l o r i o u s new co-ordinator in accomplishments of the former international team in the past three Garba Lawal, while years, and hailed Keshi, Toyin Ibitoye is the new Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorounmu as true national heroes. “However, in the EX-NIGERIA coach interest of Nigeria Christian Chukwu has football and the desire to said it was not a shock ensure qualification for Stephen Keshi has been the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the replaced by Shuiabu Committee decided to Amodu as the country’s relieve them of their coach. Keshi’s initial contract duties with immediate ended after the World effect. The statement further Cup in Brazil, where he announced: “Committee led Nigeria to the also, unanimously, knockout stage of the approved the tournament.
media officer and Godfirst Chike is the new equipment manager. Team secretary, Enebi Achor, is retained.” The NFF will pay the sacked coaches their entitlements within a fortnight and have also offered to send them on refresher coaches in any country of their choice. Amodu has returned to the saddle as Nigeria coach four years after he was booted and stopped from leading the country to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. This will be Amodu’s fifth stint with the Eagles having first taken charge of the team in 1994. The 56-year-old Amodu will be assisted by El Kanemi Warriors
coach Salisu Yusuf, who worked under Samson Siasia both with the Flying Eagles and Super Eagles, and Gbenga Ogunbote. The immediate task for the coaches is next month’s 2015 AFCON qualifier away in Pointe Noire, Congo. Nigeria need to win this match to stay in the reckoning for a place at Morocco 2015. They are third on the table with four points, while Congo are second with seven points. The African champions will also welcome Group A leaders South Africa to Uyo next month to conclude their qualifying campaign for Morocco 2015.
Association (NFA) had put in place a consortium of coaches led by Shuaibu Amodu to handle the national team. “We have had 14 coaches since France 1998, does it mean that we do not have qualified coaches that can transform the team? “Sacking Keshi and his crew does not change a thing; how do we expect Keshi to perform magic overnight, our problem did not start today. “At the senior national level we should have elite players from the local league, but since Clement Westerhof, we have stopped producing players discovered from our league. “The crop of players we produce these days shows the level of decline of our football. The former national team player said the NFA must focus on the development of football at the grassroots in order the halt the current slide in the performance of the Super Eagles. Keshi was engaged in 2012 after Samson Siasia failed to qualify Nigeria for the nation’s cup in Equatorial Guinea. Keshi subsequently led the Super Eagles to win the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa and to the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Chukwu Not Shocked By Keshi “And we also know Dismissal that in the coaching He has therefore worked in the last two months with the team without a contract during which time Nigeria have struggled in the qualifying series for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Chukwu, who was in charge of the Super
Eagles to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, said Keshi’s sack was long in coming. “The federation just gave Keshi a soft landing as he has been lined up to be relieved of his duty for some time now,” said Chukwu.
business it is all about hiring and firing. “This is not the first time that Keshi or Amodu will be fired or hired. “Keshi has done relatively well and this shall be good resume for him in his future endeavour.”
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014
Oshiomhole’s Rare MATTERS Anniversary Gift IN FOCUS
NIGERIAN workers suffer some of the most humiliating indignities at the end of their working lives. Whichever level of government that employed them, the norm is that at the commencement of their retirement either after putting in 35 years of active service on the job or at the attainment of 60 years of age, they must be ready for a difficult life. Sadly, even as a lot of questions have been raised on the propriety of the latter alternative, particularly because it tends to undermine the relevance of on-the-job experience as an important productivity ingredient, public workers have continued to retire into tales of woes. Some do not get their entitlements on time just as others get nothing at all. For that and many other reasons, a number of states took up the responsiblity of finding a more amenable retirement option. On Wednesday, October 2, 2014, Edo state governor, Comrade Adams Akiyu Oshiomhole, announced his administration’s decision to abolish the 35 years of service as part of the conditions for retirement. The decision, which was tagged independence anniversary gift to public service workers in the employ of the state is, among other things, meant to ensure that experience is not sacrificed on the alter of expedience. Effectively, the new policy makes retirement mandatory only on the attainment of 60 years of age. The anniversary gift is both innovative and incisive given that expectation that it will take care of some retirement related anomalies which have persisted in the country for as long as any record indicates. This is particularly so because not much appears to have been done at any level of government by way of actually implementing policies to make retirement hassle free. Little wonder it is common to hear of retirees collapsing
and dying on queue while waiting either to verify or update their records. In addition to the above, the new policy is equally expected to put to rest the assumption, particularly in the labour sector that the 35 years service option is designed to punish experience. Indeed, with the completion of its biometric investigation, the state appears set to employ the new policy as an instrument for tackling most of the challenges associated with retirement. Generally, the Oshiomhole administration must beat its chest for initiating a policy that imposes on both the federal government and other states the need to think outside the box with a view to initiating innovative policies geared toward making retirement something to look up to. In particular, every level of government must double the effort to ensure that they take all necessary actions for smooth transition to retirenent long before any public worker retires. In so doing, retirees will be saved from the current unnecessary difficulties associated with retirement. More importantly, making retirement hassle free will enhance productivity. This is so because the moment aspiring retirees are convinced that implementation of retirement issues are being handled satisfactorily, they will likely concentrate more on responsibilities assigned to them. The point here is that retirement related issues do not require much emphasis for its relevance to be comprehended. Suffice to say, however, that it should be understood that retirement is not a retreat to idleness and so they should receive their benefits as quickly as possible if only to use same as a buffer for the little they already have. They will not only be able to start a new life but equally continue to live a productive one. Thus, it is very important that they are not made
to wait unnecessarily for benefits that ought to be made ready long before the commencement of retirement. This expectation is certainly not out of sync, given the number of policy decisions already taken by the
issues will no longer be as troubling as they use to be. That is, if one puts into account the administration’s avowed commitment to giving its workers a new lease of life. Put differently, given the governor’s antecedent as a labour leader of repute,
By ERNEST OMOARELOJIE
production, the new retirement policy is a gift Edo state public workers will remember for a long time. With it, there is no doubt that once again, the Oshiomhole administration
• Comrade Adams Oshiomhole Oshiomhole administration. Already, it succesfully conducted the much talked about biometric investigation to help remove all clogs in the quest to operate a compact and very manageable workforce. The result is that a number of faulty operational processes have been eliminated. One can therefore pressupose that retirement
the administration must put everything in place to set the example that it is possible for retirees’ entitlements to be ready even before the commencement of retirement. The bottomline is that it is no longer fashionable or appropriate for any worker to wait endlessly or die on queue. However, for its intrinsic ability to stimulate
has given both the federal and other state governments something to emulate. A few questions have been raised by concerned observers with regards to whether or not the governor is constitutionally empowered to so act. The issue to be understood here is that there are interests under which both the fed-
eral and state governments can act concurrently. It does not required so much brain powers to understand that in such a matter, which incidentally retirement resides, the states are equally burdened with the task of paying the benefits for its workforce. Certainly, no one can take away their powers to decide how they act on their workers’ behalf. In particular, now that the action taken by the Edo state is in the best interest of its workers, the constitutionality or otherwise of it should not be under any question. Finally, the point must be made that the time has come for all the workers on the payroll of the state to realise that to whom much is given, much more is expected. Therefore, no one will be asking for too much by demanding that they raise their performance bar in appreciation of the administration’s efforts towards providing the right incentive for enhancing productivity and performance. While no one can rightly state that workers in the state are indolent, the point must be made however, that they must show greater commitment to their different responsibilities. By so doing, they will not only be seen as the governor’s team mates, posterity will also count them worthy of mention whenever the history of those who help to place the state on the path of progress is being told.
“Generally, the Oshiomhole administration must beat its chest for initiating a policy that imposes on both the federal government and other states the need to think outside the box with a view to initiating innovative policies geared toward making retirement something to look up to.”
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