Nigerian observer 17 11 2014

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THE NIGERIAN

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The Nigerian

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 39 NO.122 • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2 014 • N 100.00

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Can Nigeria Learn From China’s Economic Growth?

Ogbemudia restates commitment to search for Oshiomhole’s successor By TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN

BENIN CITY – Elder statesman and two-time Governor of defunct Midwest and Bendel

State, Dr. S.O. Ogbemudia has restated his commitment towards the search for a worthy successor to the

O s h i o m h o l e administration in Edo State. Dr. Ogbemudia, who disclosed this in a

statement entitled: “A Defining Moment: A message to the People of Edo State”, said he Continues on page 2

Boko Haram

ARCHIVAL MATTERS Pg. 21

Still Searching For NDLEA

Rights groups seek UN sanctions against supporter countries

LAGOS – No fewer than four human rights groups yesterday urged the UN Security Council to sanction countries aiding and abetting the Boko Haram attacks in North-East Nigeria. The groups made the The groups are: the plea in an open letter Socio-Economic Rights addressed to members and Accountability of the UN Security Project (SERAP); Council which was Enough is Enough obtained by newsmen in Nigeria Coalition; Civil Lagos. Society Network Against Corruption and Women

Government Special Announcement CONTINUOUS VOTER’S REGISTRATION

The Continuous Voterís Registration in Edo State commenced from Wednesday, November 12 and will last till Monday, November 17, 2014. This exercise is for those who had not previously registered or who just attained the age of 18. However, it has come to the notice of the Edo State Government that INEC deployed only one Direct Data Capture Machine per Ward across the State. We are aware that one Direct Data Capture Machine is grossly inadequate to cater for the needs of people who wish to register across the State, a situation which has led to needless tensions and in some cases the chasing away of INEC officials in some Units. The Government wishes to appeal to the people to remain calm in the face of this unwarranted provocation and take full advantage of this registration exercise which will lapse on Monday November 17, 2014. We appeal to the people to be, calm queue up, remain orderly and register. Chasing away the INEC officials from conducting the exercise will only lead to the loss of right of many people to vote in the forthcoming elections. Signed: PETER OKHIRIA Chief Press Secretary

Empowerment; and Legal Aid Initiative. The five permanent members of the council are: China, France,

Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States. The 10 nonpermanent members

elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly are: Argentina, Australia, Chad, Chile, Jordan,

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, and Rwanda. In the letter signed on their behalf by Mr Continues on page 2

... As US soldier berates Jonathan’s gentle posture ADO-EKITI A Nigerian-born U.S. Army Captain, Sunday Adebomi, yesterday said that war against Boko Haram could be won if President Goodluck Jonathan set aside his gentility. Adebomi told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti Continues on page 2

WORLD DIABETES DAY: Walk on taking steps to prevent diabetes in Lagos weekend.

By DANIEL EDOBOR/ MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

donated his salary for the payment of 60 youths in Ovia South West Local Government Area who were recently engaged in a job creation exercise he recently embarked upon in the locality.

Commissioner donates salary to youths

BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Public and Private Partnership and other Related Matters, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has

The youths are made up of six from each of the 10 political wards in the local government area. Hon Idahosa also

donated the sum of N1 million towards mobilizing eligible voters in the locality to come out enmasse for the ongoing voter ’s registration exercise. Idohosa announced the gestures in Benin

INEC extends voter’s registration exercise in Edo

BENIN CITY - The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor

Attahiru Jega has approved the extension of the ongoing

continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise in Edo State by

two days. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Baritor Kpagih confirmed this to Continues on page 2

City at an enlarged meeting of leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ovia South West Local Government Area. According to him, “I am from Iguobazuwa; I schooled here and know the hardship my people face on a daily basis and as such decided to give 60 persons (Six from each ward) jobs in the local government to be Continues on page 2


THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

News

US soldier berates Jonathan’s gentle posture Navy begins online sales “The question we need to state of emergency in the Continued from page 1 that the war could be won if the Federal Government was determined to introduce a hard stand. “There are several ways of wiping out the sect and ending the killings. If government is determined to end Boko Haram today it will be achieved. “Who are those in the sect that dare face the government? But unfortunately, I suspect there are some bigwigs behind these people. “Mr President is being too gentle in his handling of the killings; but unfortunately, it is daily assuming dangerous dimension; gentility cannot win the war. “Although gentility is not a crime but Mr President will have to be more aggressive because this is a security threat to the entire nation. “Mr President will have to take a stand on the matter either to continue to tolerate the sect and leave Nigerians to be mourning every day with the several killings. “Mr President should give a matching order to the military to wipe them off once and for all. “Not until a strong stand is taken Nigerians may not be able to sleep with their eyes closed,” he said. Adebomi said the military had been doing a good job in the affected states but “they are fighting unknown faces and faceless groups. “Government will have to first identify the cause of the problem, the root, sponsors, as well as where and how these insurgents get their weapons. “The security agencies do not also understand the terrain they are fighting the war because most of them are alien to the battle fields. “They know nothing about the sect, how then will they fight such war and think they will win; it is difficult.” The U.S. captain said he led over 5,000 U.S. soldiers to war during the PreMobilisation in 2010 and expressed optimism that the sect could be wiped out. He said that the sect meant nothing to the Nigeria security agencies if genuine commitment was there, adding “all they need is the Presidential directive.” He appealed to President Jonathan to read the riot act to the governors of the affected states or be made to face the wrath of the Federal government. Adebomi said that the President could also compel the governors in the states to account for each soul lost to the insurgents. “What am simply saying is that the matter deserves an aggressive reaction; enough of a gentleman approach, because you don’t dialogue with faceless groups,” he said.

ask ourselves is: “When will enough be enough? I woke up this morning with this thought in my mind asking Nigerians when enough will be enough. “I ask the President when enough will be enough. I ask members of the Senate and House of Representatives when enough will be enough. “Is it not time the government declared full

affected region? “Since this insurgency, what concrete intelligence step has the government taken apart from fire for fire exposing ill equipped military men and women to excessive fire power of Boko Haram. “Let us ask, when will enough be enough? Nigeria is dripping blood on daily basis; it is time the

government woke up to its task.” Reports state that Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have been under the attack of the Boko Haram insurgents, loosing several lives and property. Adebomi hails from IseEkiti in Ise/Orun local government area of Ekiti and had been in the U.S. Army for almost two decades.

Commissioner donates salary Continued from page 1 funded with my monthly salary; this will continue as long as I remain in office.” Speaking further, the commissioner said the job will benefit the widows, youths and citizens across the 10 wards in the Local Government area, adding, “I do this out of love and respect for my people; I have them at heart and will continue to do more for them to put smiles on their faces.” Hon. Idahosa solicited for the unity and understanding of all APC members in Ovia South-West as this is the only means of winning the forthcoming elections. “To ensure total victory, we must unite as one and work

hard for the party’s victory.” “This we can achieve if we all have our voters card that will give us the right to vote.” “To this end, I donate N100,000 each to each of the 10 wards to mobilize them to participate in the registration exercise in the state.” Continuing, the commissioner said the money is to be used to mobilize those that have not yet registered to go and register to enable them participate in the forthcoming general elections. The executive Director for Land Use and Revenue, Edward Idahosa commended the kind gesture of the commissioner and thanked him for putting

smiles in the faces of the Ovia people by creating the job opportunity that would make life better for them. He said the only way the people can pay back is to be united and ensure that APC win all the available positions in the forthcoming election in the state. A senior Lecturer in Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma, Engineer Omorodion Ikponmwosa expressed appreciation for the exemplary leadership style of the commissioner for giving hope to the Ovia people. He expressed the readiness of Ovia people to team up together and ensure that APC remains in power.

Ogbemudia restates commitment Continued from page 1 remains available to support the legitimate demand for Good Governance and pleaded with all Edo people to troop out to obtain their voters’ cards. He also used the opportunity to appreciate all those who sent him warm salutations during his 82nd Birthday two months ago, and particularly the ceaseless prayers for his good health. While noting that the sitting Government of Edo State was midway in its second term, Dr. Ogbemudia stressed that only about 18 months was left “to prepare for our desired goal of electing a worthy successor to the Oshiomhole administration”, adding, “it is, therefore a good time to reveal the broad results of the background efforts that have taken place during the period of my “silence”. He disclosed that the Edo Mass Movement (EMM), an organisation he described as the dominant plank of the PDP in 1999 had been revived, with its leadership, membership and followers drawn from across the entire state to reflect the fundamental non-partisan yearning for good governance. He further said: “The EMM is equipped for consequential grassroots mobilization, saying “it will support

candidates for State and National Assembly positions based on individual merit and suitability. Thereafter it will be formally proclaimed as a prelude to determining the candidate and political party it shall back in the 2016 Governorship Election in Edo State”. The two-time Governor

also revealed: “after extensive community visits and serial one-to-one and group meetings, a pool of citizens imbibed with the spirit of service and competence, is also being developed. At the right time, one of them will be projected as a personality we shall repose our trust for the 2016 Governorship election”.

INEC extends

Continued from page 1

newsmen in Benin City yesterday. He asked all those who had earlier registered to ask for a transfer and not to register afresh so as to avoid double registration.

The exercise will now end on Wednesday November 19, 2014. Kpagih also advised eligible voters who have not registered to avail themselves of the extension in the days of the registration.

of Application Form

BENIN CITY – The online sale of application forms for Nigerian Navy 2014 recruitment exercise has commenced and will end on November 30, 2014. A statement by Odion Ogun for Secretary to Edo State Government requests interested candidates, especially indigenes of the

state to register online during the designated period and as well as ensure strict compliance with the instructions contained therein. The statement added that the date for the aptitude test for qualified candidates has been scheduled for December 8, 2014.

By OSE EHEBHA

Adamaigbo confirmed the incident and said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined. He hinted that the university’s management may likely set up an investigative committee to unravel the incident, with a view to ascertaining the cause of the inferno, and the extent of damage. It would be recalled that similar fire incident occurred in the department of Political Science in May this year, destroying the building and property. The political science department fire was preceded by two fire incidents in Students’ Affairs Department and the student hostel respectively.

Fire razes another Dept in AAU

EKPOMA - A devastating fire on Saturday engulfed Micro-Biology Department of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State resulting in destruction of valuable property of the university. The inferno which started at night reduced important documents of the department to rubles, just as more than half the building was equally destroyed. Other properties destroyed included, air conditioners, office cabinets, refrigerators, television sets, ceiling fans, computers, rug carpets, electric stabilizers, as well as other office equipments. The university’s spokesman, Chris

Army recaptures Chibok town from insurgents - Military ABUJA - The 7 Division of Nigerian Army yesterday in Abuja said it has captured Chibok town in Borno from insurgents. This information is contained in a statement issued by Col. Sani Usman, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army. It said the military was still carrying out Mopping-Up Operation on the surrounding environment. The statement added that Chibok was fully secured. The insurgents had stormed the Government

Girls Secondary School in Chibok on the evening of April 14 and forced 276 students onto trucks in a mass abduction. Fifty-seven of the abducted girls have since then managed to escape. The insurrection by Boko Haram, which wants to create an Islamic state in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria, has claimed more than 10,000 lives in the past five years. They have seized more than 20 towns and villages in the northeast in recent months.

Rights groups seek UN sanctions

Continued from page 1 Adetokunbo Mumuni, the Coordinator of SERAP, the group noted that thousands of Nigerians had been killed or displaced by the insurgents. They asked the council to sanction any neighbouring states that might be aiding Boko Haram through weak border controls and banks that failed to monitor financial transactions involving the sect. According to the groups, initiating, supporting and adopting the proposed resolution will send a powerful message that the

international community has not abandoned the victims. “Support from all memberstates is important to demonstrate that an important institution of the UN committed to promoting international peace and security stands with the people of Nigeria,” they said. The group asked the council to “request the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative on the situation in the NorthEast of Nigeria. According to them, the representative is to investigate the complicity of

any ECOWAS memberstate, individuals or organisations and to report to the Council at regular intervals on the implementation of the proposed resolution. “We strongly believe that the human rights and humanitarian situation in the North East of Nigeria now meets the threshold of definite threat to international peace and security in Article 39 of the UN Charter. “We believe that memberstates now stand at a crossroads in their approach to the human rights and humanitarian tragedy in

North-East of Nigeria. “Now is the time for member-states to stand with the victims of serious violations of human rights in Nigeria if they are not to be accused of double standard in the discharge of the important mandates of the Security Council. “We are seriously concerned that the crisis continues to have devastating effects on the civilian population, in particular, the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sector of the population such as the poor, children, women and elderly.’’


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News

Foundation Donates N.5m To Widows By ROLAND OSAKUE ABUJA A NonGovernmental Organisation, (NGO), “First Child and Prisoners’ Care Foundation” has donated the sum of N500,000 to five widows in Abuja and its metropolis, as part of its empowerment programmes for them. The widows who received N100,00 each were also given clothing. Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Abuja recently, the President of the foundation, Ambassador Efe Martins said the gesture is particularly aimed at empowering widows, offering education to orphans, as well as empowering ex-prisoners who have nothing to do after serving their jail terms. Ambassador Martins, who described women as the most vulnerable stated that they needed to be empowered as they possess the potentials of changing their economic status, as well as that of their immediate society around them.

He disclosed that the foundation was building a Skills Acquisition Centre to train widows and ex-prisoners in Edo State, pointing out that the foundation would soon extend the gesture before the end of this year. In her remark, wife of the President of the foundation, Mrs. Efe Martins appealed to spirited organizations, government and well-meaning individual to always give greater sense of belonging needy in the society by assisting them. Also speaking at the ceremony, the Assistant Director, Nigeria Incentive based Risk Sharing system for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Osa Amadasun, advised the women to ensure the prudent utilization of the money so that it would help them cater for themselves and the needs of their children. He advised them to come together and form a cooperative society so that they can access funds from financial institutions to set up businesses that would

grow for the purpose of eradicating poverty from their homes. Fatima Suleiman, a beneficiary said she lost her husband in 2012, adding that since then life had been difficult for her to cope with. “It has even been difficult for me to pay school fees for my four children.”she said. She however promised to start up a trade with the money received so as to sustain herself and her children. Earlier in a lecture titled “Widows and Prisoners Empowerment, Sustainable Transformation for Societal Development” by Ambassador Austin Mang enjoined the widows not to loose hope in the scheme of development.

President, First Child and Prisoners Care Foundation, Mr. Efe Martins with his wife,, presenting a cheque for N100,000 as empowerment fund to one of the five beneficiaries of the foundation’s Widows Empowerment Programme, Mrs. Blessing Alexander (middle) in Abuja.

Boundary Dispute: Community Calls For By ROLAND OSAKUE

IGUAZIGBON (Edo) -The inhabitants of

Edo State Commissioner for Public and Private Partnership and Other Related Matters, Hon. Dennis Idahosa flanked by the Executive Director for Land Use and Revenue, Hon. Edward Idahosa (right) and a former Vice-Chairman, Ovia South West Local Government Area, Hon. Joel Oliha during an enlarged meeting of All Progressives Congress Ward leaders in the locality.

Monarch’s Intervention

Iguazigbon community in Uhumwode local government area of Edo state have appealed to the Benin Monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa to wade into the renewed boundary dispute between the it and Ugbogun community in the locality. The people stated that the current face-off is threatening the existence of peace in the area, as it appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid. It would be recalled that the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa had earlier warned communities within his domain against tampering with existing

against destroying the monumental structures used for the boundary demarcation, but as I speak to you now those things have been uprooted and destroyed”. he said. In his remark, the head of boundary demarcation, Chief Oka Avbiogbe of Benin, who was represented by Joseph Ajayi at the Oguedion of Iguazigbon at a reconciliation meeting on the boundary disputes between Iguazigbon, Iguovbobo and Ugbogun communities, warned that the curse of the land would be melted on those who violate the order of the Oba. He noted that as the demarcation had been carried out by the palace, the aged- long lingering boundary crisis should have been a thing of the that the 10 years old victim refrain forthwith or be ready was defiled in her father’s past. to face the full wrath of the

traditional boundaries with their neighbours. Speaking with newsmen after an enlarged meeting in the community, the Chairman, Community D e v e l o p m e n t Association (CDA), Iguazigbon, Alexander Omoregie said his community land has been seriously encroached upon by the people of Ugbogun community, inspite of the Oba’s directive. He therefore urged the Royal father to call to order. “They are aware of the Oba’s order even when he sent some palace Chiefs to the two communities to resolve the boundary dispute and asked us live in peace. The chiefs even warned

I Turned Gay After My Girlfriend Jilted Me - Suspect By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON BENIN CITY - A 30-yearold man arrested over alleged homosexuality has blamed his broken relationship for his involvement in homosexuality. The suspect, who gave his name as Blessing Ofuegbe, is now in the maximum cell of Edo State Police Command headquarters, Benin City for

allegedly luring a 14-year-old boy into his room and had anal sex with him. According to the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, the suspect “one Blessing Ofuegbe ‘m’ aged 30yrs, a co-tenant to the victim, a 14 years old boy in Ologbo, Benin City called him to his room. As he entered, the suspect slot in a blue film, and started romancing the victim and

thereafter forcefully had unnatural carnal knowledge of him against the order of nature through the victim’s anus.” Confessing his level of involvement, Blessing Ofuegbe stated that, “Me and the boy come dey inside my room; we come dey watch blue film; we be want do the thing before, but we never start when he brother come open my door; even my Jeans trouser still dey my waist; the boy is 17 years before, but

when he reach police station, he come talk say he be 14. “Me and my girl non dey again; she say I nor dey take care of am; she come leave me; e don reach four to five months when she leave me,” he recalled. Also, the Commissioner of Police revealed that a five, eight, 10 and 11-year-old girls were defiled by 27, 46, 38 and 25-year-old men respectively, at different homes in the state. The COMPOL disclosed

bedroom by a man who lives with her parents. He further stated that an 18year-old girl was kidnapped at a food canteen in Igbogiri town by three boys who also gang raped her before they were apprehended by operatives of Edo State Police Command. Commissioner Adebanjo however warned those involve in these acts of bestiality to

law as the police have finetuned strategy to detect and clamp perpetrators. He therefore appealed to parents and guardians to always be mindful of whose care they entrust their children and wards. Those arrested he maintained would be charged to court on completion of investigation.


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News Embrace Love, Unity Archbishop Charges Christians IKORODU (LAGOS STATE) - The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, has urged Christian faithful to embrace love and unity in order to build a stronger Christian community in the country. Martins gave the charge at the weekend at Ikorodu, Lagos

state, when he visited the catholic Deanery in the community. He said that his visit was to encourage and support the spiritual growth of Catholics in the deanery. He told the people that where there was unity, there was love and all things were bound to be well, adding that

they should allow love to be among them. “Where there is love, there is unity; where there is unity, there is progress; where there is progress, there is love of God, and there is a road that is leading to eternal happiness. “This community should be like that first Christian community which was

recognised by the love they had for one another. “That is what should distinguish a Christian community. So, let this community be a further demonstration of the Christian community in the Acts of the Apostles.’’ Martins said. The archbishop lamented that many Christians paid excessive emphasis on their physical development at the expense of spiritual growth. “Where people know Christ, love Him and live Him, physical development will naturally follow, because

people would already have found what they need to motivate them in carrying out physical development,’’ he said. He, therefore, urged Catholics to take advantage of spiritual activities in the archdiocese and commended the faithful in the deanery for embarking on various expansion projects. Welcoming the archbishop earlier, the Dean of Ikorodu Deanery Very Rev. Augustine Medaiyedu, observed that there was a disconnection between facts and value,

SOKOTO - The Sokoto state chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists ( NAWOJ) at the weekend donated relief materials to the 63 victims of a recent fire incident at Government Girls’ College, Sokoto. The items donated by the association included notebooks, pens and clothing materials. Handing over the items to

the Principal of the college, Dr Fatima Musa, the Chairperson of NAWOJ in the state, Hajya A’isha Maina, said the gesture was the association’s contribution towards alleviating the plight of the victims. Maina described the inferno at the school as an “act of God” and expressed happiness that no life was lost in the incident. She advised the school authorities to take measures to avert recurrence of such incident. Receiving the items, the principal commended the association for the gesture and urged others, including organizations and individuals in the state, to emulate it.

NAWOJ Donates To Fire Victims

Crime suspects with recovered weapons paraded by Edo State Police Commissioner, Foluso Adelanjo in Benin City.

2015: Defection ’ll Not Affect Our Fortune ABEOKUTA - Mr from one party to another, -Ogun Lawmaker Olakunle Oluomo, member, and in spite the defections, Ogun State House of Assembly, has said defection of some members of the House to other parties would not affect the chances of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections. Oluomo, who represents Ifo1 in the assembly, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He said those that defected exercised their democratic rights to move

APC was still the leading party in the state. He added that “if you think that the party you are in cannot serve you right, you have the right to leave that party and go to another party of your choice; this is the time people are looking for juicy places to be, this is politicking.’’ The lawmaker said that the APC still had the majority at the assembly, adding that the APC had 13 members; the PDP had 10;

while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had three. He said the Ibikunle Amosun administration in the state had done creditably well through massive transformation of all the three senatorial districts in the state. Eight lawmakers on Tuesday last week formally defected from the state’s ruling APC to the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) on the floor of the House.

National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Taraba, Dr Robert Gulkawi, at the weekend described the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as a “weapon” for the electorate to vote non-performing public office holders out of office. Gulkawi, in a statement made available to newsmen in Jalingo, Taraba State urged the electorate to use the card to “wisely vote” for reputable candidates who would usher in development for the people. “Ignore politicians who do not touch the lives of the common man. With the PVC, you have the power to stop any of them from going back to office if he underperforms,” he said. He urged adults of 18 years and above to ensure that they

obtained the voter card, saying that failure to do so would disenfranchise them during the 2015 general elections. He also called on parents to ensure that their children and wards were not used by politicians as political thugs.

“Do not allow your children to be used by desperate politicians to incite violence. “Children of such politicians are always kept in safety zones while those of the poor are the ones being arrested and prosecuted,” Gulkawi said.

ILLAH (DELTA) - Mr. Raymos Gwanah, proprietor of a private Farm in Illah, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, has called for more government’s support for farmers to enhance food production. Gwanah made the call in an interview with newsmen at the Benin Owena River Basin, Illah. He urged government to

provide tractors for farmer as well as access roads to farm settlements to boost production. He said that with such infrastructure in place, more private individuals would be encouraged to venture into farming and produce more food. He noted that rice cultivation was herculean, adding that mechanisation of farming remained the only way of

Also, five lawmakers defected to the PDP, while three others moved to the SDP.

principles and practice among the public, especially in Christian life. “Our society is increasingly witnessing great moral evils, discrepancies and decadence. “Many Catholics have shelved their sacramental and conventional duties and prefer to remain in permanent spiritual infancy. “They have refused to grow by praying and witnessing,’’ he stated. He appealed for the establishment of Catholic schools and other educational facilities in the deanery, disclosing that Catholic schools in Ijebu-Ode were populated by children from Ikorodu are of the archdiocese. In his speech, Rev. Fr. Damian Alozie, the Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Odogunyan, in Ikorodu, expressed appreciation for the archbishop’s visit and assured him of the deanery’s resolve to pursue spiritual growth. “The people of Ikorodu have been renewed through your presence, prayers and words of encouragement. “Our parish is growing and we are working hard and that is why we don’t want to rest with the little achievement we have made. “We know that there is a lot to do because a lot of people are coming into Ikorodu,’’ he said. Ikorodu deanery comprise six parishes, twenty-six outstations and has 17 priests.

PVC Key To Removing Non-Performing JALINGO - The Director, Politicians -NOA

Some of the suspects paraded by the police

Delta Rice Farmer Calls For Govt Support ensuring mass production of food for consumption and exportation. The proprietor said that the river basin authority had few tractors and with its current scope of irrigation, farmers could not do dry season planting. Gwanah, however, said his farm had placed order for the importation of 10 water-pumpfitted tractors to enable it to go into all season farming and

cultivate more hectares of land. “What you are seeing her today is 102 hectares of land ready for cultivation; in 2012, we cultivated 30 hectares of rice, but flood washed it away. “This year, we acquired two brand new tractors, a sprayer and other implements and cultivated 60 hectares. During the harvest, we had challenges with threshing, winnowing, bagging and drying. “But by the grace of God,

today, we have a multifunctional machine which harvests, threshes and winnows, and we are currently expecting a grain dryer. “However, one big challenge we have is lack of access road to the farm to enable us to evacuate the produce after harvest. As you have experienced, it is difficult to get to the farm especially during the rainy seasons,” he said.


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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

News Customs Agents Bemoan Slow Cargo LAGOS – Some customs debunked the agents’ Delivery agents have complained allegations. about delays experienced in cargo delivery at the APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos. The agents, after a joint meeting in Lagos, told newsmen that they were not comfortable with the operations of the terminal operator in terms of cargo handling and delivery. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF). Others at the meeting were the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO). Mr Olumide Fakanlu, the spokesman of the associations and Chairman of ANLCA, Apapa Chapter, said 200 containers being positioned daily for examination by the company were too low. He said that if the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had not introduced the Fast Track Scheme, the situation would have worsened. Fakanlu urged the management of the terminal to improve on its services in positioning more than 200 containers in order to bring down the storage charges levied by the terminal operator. “We have been on strike at the APM terminals in Apapa port since Nov. 3, and we have also withdrawn our services since that time but the management of the terminal remains adamant. “We have handed over our grievances to our national bodies to take the case up

with the management of the terminal, to dialogue with them for positive outcome, “ Fakanlu said. The customs agent urged the Federal and State Governments, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to assist customs agents in the smooth operations at the ports. In his response, Mr Bolaji Akinola, the spokesman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), of which APM Terminals is a member,

SOKOTO - The Sokoto State House of Assembly has approved the state government’s request to participate and access N2 billion loan under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Fund (MSMEDF) in Sokoto state. This was disclosed by the House Leader, Alhaji Abubakar Buda (APCDange/Shuni) at the assembly after consideration of a letter to the assembly by Governor Aliyu Wamakko. The letter said “this is to increase access to finance for micro- enterprises that abound in all the states of the federation. “Pursuant to this, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted N2 billion loan to each state as well as FCT Abuja for the disbursement to micro, small and medium enterprises, “ it explained. The letter further stated that the preparation for accessing the loan in line with CBN’s guide line had been completed. “The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been set up and Irrevocable Standard Payment Order (ISPO) has also been signed and

dispatched for consideration of Minister of Finance and copies sent to both Accountant General of the Federation and CBN Governor.” It added that the state government would disburse the secured loan in the State accordingly. The house leader said that accessing the funds would help to boost the capital base of small and medium scale enterprises in the state. “ This will serve as the catalyst of economic development that will raise the economic and social status of our citizens,” Buda explained. Earlier, Alhaji Bello Goronyo (APC- Goronyo) said that the motion did not require much deliberation by the assembly. “In fact, the vital idea of the access to the loan is to enable the government to deliver its responsibility for the interest of the people we represent, especially the masses,” he state Goronyo stated that this would reduce the level of unemployment, poverty and criminal activities, among other things.

(SEC) has in Akure called for introduction of capital market into the curriculum of secondary schools in the country. Mrs Bukky Rufai, the Head, Operation Division, Lagos Zonal Office, made the call in Akure, Ondo State during the commission’s 5th National Quiz Competition on Capital Market for Secondary Schools. Rufai explained that the nationwide quiz competition was aimed at enlightening the students on the need to be introduced to the capital market early in life. “Apart from the fact that we want schools to introduce capital market into their curriculum, we feel that quiz

competition will enable the students to study hard as well as stimulate their interest in the subject,” she said. Six schools participated in the competition with Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, winning the first place with 55 points, followed by Becky Parker High School, Akure, with 45 points. The third position went to Saint Peter Unity School, also in Akure, with 30 points. According to the zonal head of operation, the winner of the competition in Ondo state will lock horns with winners in the remaining five states in the South West in the competition that will hold in Ibadan on Friday. Rufai, who said that zonal

political zones of the country on Friday, adding that prizes to be won range from I-Pads to laptops and desktop computers. She advised students to take keen interest in learning about the capital market as they do with their other subjects, adding that “there are lots of opportunities in the subject, which include savings, investments, trading in shares and career opportunities.’’ Dr Akindele Ige, the Deputy Director, Secondary and Higher Education, Ondo State Ministry of Education, commended the SEC for what he described as a laudable project.

He said the allegations were “baseless and unfounded”. “We have a situation where people are resistant to change and want to maintain their old ways of doing things in this era of automation. “We will not be arm-twisted by any group and we stand by our members in this. “Terminal operators in Nigeria have invested massively to build capacity, modernise and upgrade our ports and we will not allow anyone to undermine our efforts, ‘’ he said.

Sokoto Assembly Approves N2bn Loan For State Govt

SEC Wants Capital Market In School’s AKURE - Security and competitions would hold Curriculum quiz Exchange Commission simultaneously in the six geo-


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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Across The Nation

INEC Tasks Journalists On Ethical Standards

L-R: National Vice Chairman (North-East), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Alhaji Abubakar Adamu; National Vice Chairman (South East), Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi; National Legal Adviser, Mr. Ifeanyi Mbaeri, screening the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh (right), an Aspirant for Anambra Central Senatorial Seat at the Party’s Headquarters in Awka recently.

FG Promises To End Insurgency

MAIDUGURI - President Goodluck Jonathan weekend said the Federal Government was determined to liberate all territories occupied by Boko Haram insurgents in the NorthEast. Jonathan gave the assurance at the launch of the Presidential Initiative for the North-East (PINE) in Maiduguri. Represented by Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, the Minister of State for Power, Jonathan said government was in the process of deploying more troops and resources to ensure quick liberation of the occupied territories. He said government would unveil a Marshall Plan for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and redevelopment of the area soon after the insurgents had

been dislodged. The President added that government had introduced numerous intervention programmes to alleviate the sufferings of the people affected by the insurgency. He named some of them to include the Presidential Initiative for the North-East headed by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and the Presidential Committee on Distribution of Relief Materials headed by NEMA DirectorGeneral, Malam Sani Sid Others are the Victims Support Fund chaired by former Defence Minister, Lt.- Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, and the Safe School Initiative coordinated by the Minister of the Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

ENUGU - The Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union, Enugu State Chapter, Mr Maurice Eze, said at the weekend that health workers in state hospitals had begun an indefinite strike to protest the non-implementation of the 2009 Salary Structure. Eze told newsmen in Enugu that the approved 2009 salary structure for health workers and professionals had not been fully implemented by the state government. He said the state government had implemented the doctors’ Salary Structure, but that it had yet to implement that of the health workers. “All the states in Nigeria have implemented the

structure, except Enugu,” Eze said. “We have written and appealed to the state government to pay us but to no avail. “Even when they took us to court, the court ordered them to pay us because it is our entitlement but the government refused to carry out the order. “Our two months’ salaries for April and May 2009 were seized because we went on strike to press for our demand and up till this moment, we are yet to be paid the seized salaries. ‘We will not call off the strike until the state government meets our demands, “ he added.

Enugu Health Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Abdul Bulama, who attended the PINE launch, lamented the magnitude of destruction meted out to residents by the insurgents in the North-East. He said “the Federal Government has for long

realised that boots and guns alone cannot solve the problems in the North-East. “The underlying factors causing the insurgency to thrive must ultimately be addressed holistically so as to stem the possibility of re-occurrence.’’

LAGOS - Some financial experts have urged the Federal Government to invest more in mining and sugarcane production as alternative revenue sources that would complement oil revenue. The experts told newsmen that the current drop in oil revenue to the country resulting from decline in global oil price had made it imperative for the government to seek other sources of revenue by diversifying investment. They said that it was time that the government began to redirect funds to areas where it would derive better comparative advantage. It would be recalled that crude oil price had been on the decline, with its latest price at 82 dollars per barrel, thereby causing apprehension in the economy over the 78 dollars per barrel bench mark proposed in the 2015 national budget. One of the experts and retired director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Titus Okuroumu, said that financing the budget would not had been an issue if government had given adequate attention to the mining sector. According to Okuroumu, mining has the capacity to effectively execute the nation’s budget if government supports prospective investors in the sector through workable policies. “A workable policy will be the game changer, like what is

obtainable in South Africa’s mining sector where incentives like access to capital and proper business regulation prevail. “The sector can generate funds for the government instead of relying solely on earnings from crude oil whose prices have dropped at the international market due to market dynamics,” he said. Mr Peter Ochueleigbe, a chartered accountant, in his contribution said that sugarcane was another big revenue earner, which if the Federal

LOKOJA - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the weekend urged journalists to operate in line with the ethics of the profession. The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, represented by Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, gave the advice while delivering a paper at the justconcluded training workshop for journalists in Lokoja. Newsmen reports that the workshop, tagged: “Effective Coverage and Reportage of 2015 General Elections’’ was organised by the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), in conjunction with UN Development Programme. According to Jega, the media represents critical stakeholder in the democratic process and their optimal performance is essential to any true democracy. He said “some have argued

that democratic elections are indeed impossible without the media, because of the role they played in the democratic process. “The media also provide the platform for debates, so that the electorate will be able to make choice based on the programmes of candidates.’’ The INEC boss said that for democracy to thrive in any society, the media must provide the people with information they needed to guide them and safeguard their choices. Jega said such would go a long way in bringing about healthy democracy in any part of the world. He urged participants to see it as a duty to always discharge their duties in such a way that would not overheat the polity. “I urge the media to continue with their role of shaping public opinions and perception of institutions, systems and processes,” Jega added.

Government invested in its massive production, could execute its annual budgets. Ochueleigbe said that investment in sugarcane and its by-products, including ethanol fuel, would earn the country reasonable foreign exchange. “There are many other agricultural commodities that are begging for attention. “Nigerians did not have to be afraid due to decline in crude oil sales if agriculture was well exploited,” he said. On his part, the Chief

Executive Officer of Torac Ventures, Mr Chidi Obigbara, said that prudent diversification of the nation’s economic base was the panacea to desired development of the country. He said that the prevailing situation where entrepreneurs were facing difficulties in accessing funds to grow their businesses would not had arisen if the nation was running a mono-product economy. Obigbara urged the government to manage the country’s resources prudently.

Experts Urge FG To Diversify Economy

Labour Party Gombe Governorship Aspirant, Mr. Hassan Maku (left), submitting his nomination form to the Party Chairman, Alhaji Sale Lawal in Gombe weekend.


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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Abuja

Suspension Of Additional Polling Units: Political ABUJA - The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and some registered political parties have commended the suspension of additional polling units by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) until after the 2015 general elections. They told newsmen in Abuja that the suspension was in response to the public outcry against the planned exercise. Mr Godson Okoye, IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, said that INEC listened to the views of the people and their complaints. Okoye, who is also Acting National Chairman of United Democratic Party (UDP), said it was a sign that good things had started happening in INEC. “It is heartening that at least INEC has listened to the voice and complaints of the people. “Like we say when the political parties were briefed, the idea behind it was beautiful, the concept was fantastic, timing is all that was. “ In situations like this, timing is everything.

“Run up to 2015 that predictions have been made as to the outcome throwing something like this up some months to the election is something that will exacerbate the whole crises, “So, having reacted the way Nigerians did and the political parties expressed their views and I think after considering all these, INEC in its wisdom has decided to suspend it. “We commend them because it takes courage to realise the mistakes that have been made, it is courage to admit a fault and then say let move forward. “We thank them for being reasonable and considerate. As we say, it is a sign that new things have begun to happen in INEC. “It is no more a kind of envelope of situation where you say, ‘take it or leave it’. “So we commend them and we believe it’s a sign of better things to come.’’ The National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA), Sen. Tunde Anifowose-Kelani, also said the decision was a demonstration that INEC

Parties Laud INEC

management had listening ears. “It shows that we have a cooperative and collaborative INEC, who is ready to listen to the views of political parties. “It means that our quarterly meeting and now monthly meeting is justified;it is not a waste. “And we are happy that INEC can change that stand by suspending the creation of new polling booths. “This is a welcome development and it good. It shows that INEC is sincere and has an open mind. “ And we can be sure that we are going to have a free, fair and credible elections in 2015.It is a good sign . “I commend Prof. Attahiru Jega and his team for the wonderful decision.’’ Also speaking, Alhaji Ganiyu Galadima, the Acting National Chairman of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), said that additional polling units was

Senate Approves Arbitration Commission

good but the timing was wrong. “I think the INEC chairman has done well by listening to the force of reasoning at least by suspending the action until after the election. “ But ordinarily, there is nothing wrong in INEC creating

more polling units. “The impact is, it will give more credibility to the elections. “ If you look at those that are criticising it, they have been polarised between North and South,between religious and political divides.

“Ultimately, if INEC did not reverse its self it could lead to the people casting aspersion on the 2015 general elections. “I think, INEC has done well and it cannot in any way affect the outcome of the elections.’’ INEC had on Tuesday announced the suspension of creating additional polling units across the country. The planned exercise was widely criticised.

Labour:

ABUJA - The Senate has approved the establishment of the National Commission for Conciliation and Arbitration, National Labour Council and the Office of the Registrar of Trade Unions. The approval followed a bill brought by Sen. Victor NdomaEgba, aimed at administering the provisions of labour laws in Nigeria. Ndoma-Egba, who is also the Senate Leader, said the bill when passed, would address the seemingly poor relationship that existed between most employers and employees in the country. According to him, trade disputes in the country is currently governed by the provisions of the Trade Disputes Act Cap T8 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. “The greatest challenge of the present dispute settlement is that the entire process from negotiation, conciliation up to arbitration is domiciled in, activated by and operated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity. “Under section 9 of the Trade Dispute Act, the minister appoints the chairman, vice chairman and all members of the industrial arbitration panel. “This scenario is totally at variance with the best practices in dispute settlement as it is difficult to see how such a body can be impartial where government Is a party,’’ he said. Ndoma-Egba said the legislation was aimed at creating labour institutions that were independent, impartial, flexible, simple and functional. He said the law would administer the provisions of all labour laws in the country as it affected freedom of association, industrial relations, working conditions, health and occupational safety.

According to him, it is also aimed at enforcing compliance with the principle of tripartism as enjoined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 144 to which Nigeria ratified. Ndoma-Egba further said “it is intended to promote the prevention, containment and speedy resolution of labour disputes’’. “Mr President, the Industrial Arbitration Panel established under the Trade Dispute Act during the military era in 1976 was crafted to suit the military agenda and the prevailing labour environment then. These provisions have become obsolete and its implementation and enforcement is now at variance with current labour realities,’’ he said. Supporting for the bill, Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) said it was high time the country was delivered of an unbiased piece of legislation to guide labour activities. “You would agree with me that the country’s workforce has not been treated fairly as issues of mistreatment, controversial retrenchment, non-payment of pensions, poor salaries have continued to linger. “Criminalising some of the abuses in the sector would reposition the country’s work environment for maximum productivity,’’ he said. On his part, Sen. Smart Adeyemi said the legislation would compel employers of labour to conform to the provisions of ILO. “It is this law that will finally end decades of workers oppression and abuse. “It will give the reality meaning to service and productivity and reposition the country as a nation that values its workforce. “It would also give room to

aggrieved workers to seek justice in a natural panel,’’ he Adeyemi said. The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, said the bill was important legislation that would bestow workers in the country with unquantifiable leverages to excel and live well. Earlier, Mark announced at plenary, a receipt of a letter from President Goodluck Jonathan urging the confirmation of Justice Mahmud Mohammed as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Similarly, the senate approved the appointment of Dr John Madugu to represent Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states in the Federal Civil Service Commission. Mark said the approval was given based on the conviction of the senate that the three states would benefit from Madugu’s representation in the commission. Reports says that a total of eight new bills were presented for first reading.

Member, Presidential Job Board, Tony Elumelu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the inaugural meeting of the Presidential job board in Abuja recently.

Assistant Suprintendent, Fire Service 2, Mr. Oduye Sunday (right) speaking at the Ministry of Information, Security sensitisation workshop in Abuja recently.

Fayose Decries Poor Power Supply ABUJA - Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has in Abuja said that protracted poor power supply to the state was militating against the economic and social growth of the state. Fayose made the call in Abuja during a courtesy visit on the Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi. He, therefore, appealed to the commission to liaise with Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) whose operations cover the state to help in restoring power supply to the state. Fayose said that most parts of the state had been in blackout over the past 10 months. “Ekiti has been in blackout

since I came in as governor. All that I want is a solution to the blackout that has persisted in the state,” he said. According to him, some communities in the state have protested the continued blackout by destroying property and beating up workers of the electricity distribution company. “Members of the communities have to block highways preventing people from going about their businesses but following my intervention they re-opened the roads,” he said. Fayose said that as soon as he got back to the state, he would redeem the pledge of N5 million he made to settle part of electricity bills owed by the

communities. He urged the commission to do everything within its powers to ensure that power was restored in the affected communities as soon as possible. “If we leave the matter hanging, it may portend danger because there have been protests by the communities in recent times,” he said. Responding, Amadi said that the blackout in parts of Ekiti state was as a result of hitches in the transmission process, adding that the commission was working out solutions to address the challenge. “The case of Ekiti is as a result of failure in transmission,” he said. He said that service providers

had the obligation to provide consumers with quality service while the consumers on their part had the obligation to pay their bills promptly. Amadi said that the commission would not encourage indiscriminate disconnection of consumers from power by distribution companies. He assured Fayose that the commission would meet with the management of the BEDC to proffer solution to the problem. An official of the BEDC, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said that repair work on the transmission line to Ekiti state was in progress.


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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

EPZ: Itsekiris Want

Across The Nation

Stakeholders’ Intervention

WARRI (DELTA) – The Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) has urged stakeholders, including President Goodluck Jonathan, to resolve the crisis over the multi-billion dollars Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Ogidigben, Delta, to avert escalation. The youths, led by their President, Mr Esimaje Awani, made the call when they besieged the entrance to the palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 11, chanting songs and displaying placards. According to reports, some of the inscriptions on the placards include “Government, Stop the Marginalisation”, “Nobody Can Stop EPZ Groundbreaking in Ogidigben’’, ‘’Uduaghan Has Betrayed the Itsekiri Nation’’ and “EPZ is bigger than Senatorial Ambition”. It would be recalled that groundbreaking of the EPZ project which was scheduled to be performed by Jonathan last Friday was postponed indefinitely by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources due to suspected security reasons. Ogidigben where the EPZ is cited is one of the five communities that make up Ugborodo in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of the state. Addressing the crowd in the presence of policemen deployed to ensure law and order, INYC president said that the Federal and Delta Governments had failed the Itsekiri people, alleging that both governments were supporting Ijaw agenda. He urged the Federal Government to urgently reschedule the groundbreaking ceremony, saying that if that was not done, they would cease to support Jonathan’s re-

election bid. ‘’We are gathered here today to protest the gross marginalisation of Itsekiri people by the Federal Government. ‘’About six days ago, it was announced that the president will be at Ogidigben to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the EPZ but it was called off. ‘’If President Jonathan fails to heed to our call to come and perform the ceremony, we will stop supporting him,’’ he said. Awani accused the Ijaws of sabotaging the progress of the Itsekiris, recalling that headquarters of Warri SouthWest Local Government earlier sited in Ogidigben was relocated to Ogbe-Ijoh because of “greed”. ‘’We will not fold our hands and allow things to happen in that manner again. ‘’EPZ is a project that can eradicate poverty in Delta and indeed, Nigeria, so we should not play politics with it,’’ he said.

Wife of Gombe State FRSC Sector Commander, Mrs Anjelin Omiyale, presenting assistance to an accident victims at the Specialist Hospital, Gombe to mark the Africa Road Safety Day and World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Crash Victims recently.

YENAGOA – The Bayelsa government said it was working hard to link the three senatorial zones in the state by road for accelerated economic growth. Mr Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Development, made the disclosure in Yenagoa after inspecting some ongoing projects in the state. Ehwrudjakpo said that the importance of roads, seaports and airports to economic development all over the world could not be over-emphasised. He added that “roads and airports are major means of

Govt Reiterates Commitment To Link Senatorial Zones road construction at the central district is in progress. “At the east senatorial zone in Nembe Local Government Area, the intention was to hand-over the road in December 2014 but shifted to match 2015 due to difficult terrain. “I believe when those roads are completed, people can get to Nembe and other communities in the state easily and move about with ease.’’ The commissioner said that in the west, the Sagbama-Ekeremor road in Sagbama Local Council

had also gone far “and we will achieve our dream of linking the three senatorial zones.’’ On the cost of the project, Ehwrudjakpo said it would be revealed when compiled. Some of the projects inspected were the new governor/deputy governor’s office, first fly-over bridge and tower hotel. Others include the Bayelsa palm-Elebele road and bridge, cargo international airport, ecumenical centre and OpoloAIT road. Commending the massive

Ujomu made the assertion in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of activities marking the 2014 World Diabetes Day (WDD) in Lagos. WDD is a day set aside by the International Federation for Diabetes to increase the awareness about diabetes. WDD is marked annually on November 14, and the 2014 campaign marks the first of a three-year (2014-16) focus on healthy living and diabetes. Ujomu said: “The number of people with diabetes may be on the increase because there are so many predisposing factors that are all over the place. “Like every other statistics in Nigeria, there is always controversy about the number but right now, we believe that about six million people are living with diabetes in this country. “Some of the factors are the kind of foods we eat; culture, lifestyle and other things that

happen to us. “These are all signposts of an imminent danger in the increase of the number of people living with diabetes’’. According to Ujomu, there is need to expand the message horizon by talking to communities as almost half of the people with diabetes remain undiagnosed. “For this year’s WDD, we had a walk, which is about sensitisation and awareness creation and over 500 people were screened. “At our level, all we are doing is education, testing, making sure that people know their status and encouraging early treatment. “Internationally, stem cells are being developed for all kinds of ailments but we do not have any proof of that yet in the country,’’ he said. Dr Afoke Isiavwe, Medical Director, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki, Lagos, said, that “Diabetes often times has no symptoms and by the time

most people realise it, the cost of treatment and management becomes high. “Majority of people who have diabetes are between the ages of 40 and 59 years. “But again, the younger age groups are getting diabetes now, especially as a result of feeding habits and lifestyles. “Eating healthy breakfast will help to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Healthy breakfast should consist of water, green vegetables, fruits, nuts and cereal,’’. Dr Paul Amaze, a Consultant Endocrinologist, said that there were different types of diabetes. “There are different types of diabetes such as Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes and a few others. The Type 2 Diabetes is common and affects the older people. “The predisposing factors to Type 2 Diabetes include obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, advancing age, strong family history,

hypertension and western diet. “Younger children usually have the Type 1 Diabetes. “We also have Gestational Diabetes, which is found in some women during pregnancy. Constant exercise and healthy diet are the only ways to prevent and manage diabetes,’’ he said. Amaze urged Nigerians to be careful with their feeding pattern. “We should watch what we eat. Avoid too much intake of fatty and oily foods, smoking, alcohol, carbonated drinks as well as sugary food and drinks. “Exercise regularly to burn calories and keep fit always; by so doing the rate of diabetes would be reduced. “ Nigerians should be conscious of regular checkup to enable early treatment and management of positive cases. “The rapid test for the check takes less than five minutes to be done,’’ he said.

Over 6m Nigerians Live With Diabetes

LAGOS – Mr. Peter Ujomu, Executive Director, Health Matters Inc, has said that an estimated six million people were living with diabetes in Nigeria.

Return Nomination Forms Latest Nov 25 Aspirants Urged ABUJA – Mr. Heck Okpani, National Secretary Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP) has called on all State Chairmen and Aspirants to ensure that all collected nomination forms are submitted on or before November 25. Okpani said this in a statement and was made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja. He said this was according to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s approval of the calendar for primaries in all the political parties.

transportation in Nigeria and most part of Africa and these are necessary in efforts to woo investors. “I must say that we are on top of the game to link the central and the east senatorial districts to the west by road to create an enabling environment for business. “It is necessary to link the three zones because this will help us to tap into most of our wealth in coastal areas. “We are doing all these to reposition Bayelsa as one of the economic hubs in Africa. The

infrastructural development in the state, Mr Tonye Bernard, an indigene, described the projects, especially the roads as “good omen” to the people of Bayelsa. Bernard urged indigenes of the state to support the restoration initiative of the present government to move Bayelsa forward. He said infrastructure was key to boosting agriculture and other businesses. He added that “with these developments, our crops from farms will be easily transported to the cities and across the nation.’’

“You are required to submit the completed nomination forms to the National Headquarters on or before November 25, 2014.’’ He said the primaries for the State Assembly, House of Reps and Senate of MPPP aspirants will hold on December 3. According to him, the primary of the Presidential candidate will be on December 8. He, therefore, called on all concerned to comply with the rules of the party. Okpani said the leadership of the party would do everything to ensure smooth primaries in the country.

-Experts


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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Analysis Issues IN 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) named Nigeria as one of the 38 countries that are set to meet the Millennium Development Goal 1 target of reducing hunger by half before the 2015 target date. The recognition earned Nigeria an award at the high-level FAO conference ceremony in Rome. The first goal of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) — “Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty’’ — is targeted halving the proportion of the population who suffer from hunger and those whose income is less than 1dollar (about N162) a day. The other targets of the goal are to reduce the prevalence of underweight children under the age of five years and the proportion of the population whose food intake is below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption. The progress of Nigeria’s achievement was measured from 1990 to 1992 and 2010 to 2012, against benchmarks established by the international community at the UN General Assembly in 2000. FAO’s Director-General José da Silva commended Nigeria and the other 37 countries for “leading the way to a better future”. A report on the MDGs in Nigeria indicated that recent economic growth, particularly in agriculture, had markedly reduced the proportion of underweight children from 35.7 per cent in 1990 to 23.1 per cent in 2012. Dr Precious Gbeneol, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, said that Nigeria had been able to attain the target of MDG 1 relating to hunger reduction.

“We have been able to reduce hunger from the 1991 prevalence of 19.3 to 8.25, well ahead of the 9.6prevalence rate set-target for 2015,’’ she said. Gbeneol attributed the feat to pragmatic government initiatives which scaled up poverty eradication programmes and encouraged agricultural production via distribution of improved inputs to farmers. At the onset of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pledged that efforts would be made to add 20 million tonnes of food to the nation’s food stock by 2015. He said that additional 15 million tonnes of food were produced between 2011 and 2013, thereby reducing drastically the menace of hunger in the country. Moreover, the country’s research institutes, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), have produced more nutritious food crops, thereby increasing the body mass of infants and adults, in line with target of MDG 1. Such crops include yellow-fleshed cassava and potato varieties which are rich in Vitamin A, maize hybrids that are resistant to metsulfuron methyl herbicide and the noxious parasitic weed striga hermonthica. Besides, improved rice varieties, fingerlings, livestock, poultry and feeds were distributed to farmers nationwide through the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme at subsidised rates. Value chains on staple and

Assessing Nigeria’s Strategies To Eradicate Hunger, Poverty

cash crops, which include rice, cassava, soyabean, sorgum, millet, cocoa, ginger and groundnut, among others, were introduced to encourage agri-businesses and stimulate increased food production. Nevertheless, there are mixed reactions to the feats recorded by Nigeria in efforts to attain MDG 1. While many farmers attest to the effectiveness of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), a crosssection of Nigerians insist that the effects of ATA on the society have been minimal and inconsequential. Increasing food prices, unrest in some parts of the country, increased rural-

By MAUREEN OKON/ MAGDALENE UKUEDOJOR

urban migration due to factors such as hunger and unemployment are some of the factors plaguing the society, some observers say. Mr Segun Ade, a civil servant, said that a lot of Nigerians were still living in extreme hunger and poverty. “There is poverty in the land; we stay here in Abuja and give statistics but whether you like it or not, a lot of people are quite hungry; they cannot afford good meals. “Even many of the government workers find it difficult to feed, not to talk of taking care of their families; we are merely

“The farmers have more crops to sell but how can they bring them out from their farms? They spend so much on transportation and there are no storage facilities around to preserve the produce.”

striving to survive. “These officials should go to core villages and see the things happening there, they should even endeavour to visit the slums around here in Abuja,” he said. Similarly, Mr Efe Osagie, a mechanic, also rejected claims that hunger and poverty had reduced considerably in Nigeria. “The gap between the poor and rich keeps widening; people still live in abject poverty; so, why should we not strive to wipe out poverty completely? “We can do it because Nigeria is a very rich country, the problem is that a few citizens want to take over everything,” he said. Mrs Rita Onah, a trader at Garki Market in Abuja, said that food production in the country had increased considerably due to the feats recorded in the agricultural sector. She, however, noted that some factors such as inadequate storage facilities, bad roads and high transport

fares had lessened the impact of the achievements. “The farmers have more crops to sell but how can they bring them out from their farms? They spend so much on transportation and there are no storage facilities around to preserve the produce. “If the roads are good, food prices will definitely come down. We buy the food from farms and markets in interior places but due to our transportation problems and the number of days we spend on the road, food prices cannot come down,” she said. Experts, therefore, underscore the need for improved infrastructure, agricultural mechanisation, food preservation facilities and hitch-free government interventions in efforts aimed at improving the country’s food security. They also call for more concerted efforts in meeting the targets of all the MDGs, as they all aim at facilitating the country’s socioeconomic development in a pragmatic way.


THE NIGERIAN

10

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Finance

Statement Of Source And Application Of Funds

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

By ANI WILSON UCHENNA

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

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

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

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

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


THE NIGERIAN

11

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT FRIDAY(14/11/2014) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

NAHCO

4.75

4.72

-0.03

0

703,065

3,320,866.01

7UP

148.83

148.83

0

0

9,648

1,496,313.04

NASCON

8.49

8.28

-0.21

0

2,505,632

20,746,813.33

ABCTRANS

0.62

0.62

0

0

118,372

73,605.64

NB

160

162.17

2.17

0

1,703,504

275,211,144.90

ACADEMY

1.08

1.08

0

0

10,145

10,689.60

NEIMETH

0.92

0.92

0

0

106,967

97,119.09

ACCESS

8

7.68

-0.32

0

34,143,632

262,399,873.40

NEM

0.8

0.76

-0.04

0

8,754,808

6,658,665.08

AFRIPRUD

2.98

3

0.02

0

1,526,168

4,566,808.14

NESTLE

947.6

900.22

-47.38

0

333,267

300,018,391.70

AGLEVENT

1.31

1.31

0

0

108,440

141,065.20

NEWGOLD

1916

1912

-4

0

10

19,120.00

AIICO

0.79

0.82

0.03

0

1,533,225

1,230,209.59

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

25,000

12,500.00

AIRSERVICE

1.66

1.66

0

0

71,500

117,490.00

NPFMCRFBK

0.9

0.9

0

0

143,000

128,770.00

AVONCROWN

1.59

1.59

0

0

130

206.7

NSE30

1560.35

1584.58

24.23

0

336,832,005

6,079,726,150.00

BERGER

7.6

7.98

0.38

0

81,814

652,845.72

NSE50

1701.89

1724.83

22.94

0

355,643,115

6,143,289,995.00

BETAGLAS

22.05

22.05

0

0

30,900

712,854.00

NSEASI

34515.47

35381.02

865.55

0

453,098,689

7,144,107,307.00

CADBURY

46.63

46.63

0

0

132,487

5,965,034.66

NSEBNK

359.46

353.97

-5.49

0

147,016,654

2,083,276,133.00

CAP

36.6

36.6

0

0

41,941

1,523,893.70

NSECNSMRGDS

875.42

883.14

7.72

0

48,935,191

1,230,883,402.00

CAVERTON

3.97

3.97

0

0

51,300

197,429.64

NSEINDUSTR

2084.34

2183.83

99.49

0

14,023,978

1,548,417,492.00

CCNN

11.46

11.03

-0.43

0

154,871

1,714,426.91

NSEINS

145.76

146.63

0.87

0

39,440,902

25,472,875.17

CHAMPION

7.93

8.32

0.39

0

25,185,800

202,011,836.00

NSELOTUSISLM

2199.76

2265.19

65.43

0

22,936,025

2,118,881,918.00

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,203,850

601,925.00

NSEOILGAS

403.7

407.86

4.16

0

20,021,944

467,841,559.70

CHELLARAM

3.95

3.95

0

0

500

1,880.00

NSLTECH

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,000

2,500.00

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,793,815

2,896,907.50

OANDO

20.89

21.93

1.04

0

19,751,393

432,536,408.90

CONOIL

49.23

49.23

0

0

490

22,917.30

OKOMUOIL

29.72

29.72

0

0

35,926

1,015,725.04

CONTINSURE

0.93

0.97

0.04

0

6,091,798

5,875,374.06

OMATEK

0.5

0.5

0

0

370,000

185,000.00

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

0

665,946

332,973.00

PAINTCOM

1.6

1.6

0

0

1,000,000

1,568,918.84

COSTAIN

0.81

0.81

0

0

127,981

103,966.43

PHARMDEKO

2.48

2.48

0

0

434,465

1,077,473.20

COURTVILLE

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,103,000

551,500.00

PORTPAINT

5.21

4.95

-0.26

0

53,360

264,132.00

CUSTODYINS

4

3.8

-0.2

0

1,578,078

6,237,611.30

PRESCO

27

27

0

0

116,253

3,136,503.00

CUTIX

1.41

1.34

-0.07

0

323,007

443,807.65

PZ

22.89

22

-0.89

0

2,244,195

49,234,718.81

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

0

30,000

15,000.00

REDSTAREX

4.2

4.2

0

0

35,500

142,000.00

DANGCEM

196.37

205.9

9.53

0

5,133,299

972,759,560.90

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

0

450,000

225,000.00

DANGFLOUR

6.55

6.55

0

0

14,425

89,867.75

ROYALEX

0.53

0.53

0

0

45,789

24,268.17

DANGSUGAR

6.51

6.19

-0.32

0

10,249,568

65,462,538.18

RTBRISCOE

0.66

0.69

0.03

0

309,888

213,672.72

DIAMONDBNK

6

6.1

0.1

0

3,052,350

18,569,813.08

SEPLAT

458.96

436.02

-22.94

0

1,649,462

719,202,450.10

DNMEYER

0.91

0.87

-0.04

0

80,000

69,600.00

SKYEBANK

2.55

2.57

0.02

0

2,684,055

6,736,207.04

ETERNA

3.37

3.21

-0.16

0

85,175

273,731.75

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

600,000

300,000.00

ETI

17.23

17.2

-0.03

0

5,114,863

87,316,845.02

STANBIC

28

28

0

0

2,348,197

65,770,272.36

FBNH

9.85

9.36

-0.49

0

64,774,851

607,567,035.00

STERLNBANK

2.31

2.3

-0.01

0

2,994,825

7,090,424.17

FCMB

3.41

3.4

-0.01

0

37,741,992

125,018,720.10

TOTAL

159

159

0

0

1,607

262,814.41

FIDELITYBK

1.7

1.78

0.08

0

3,988,967

6,972,944.05

TOURIST

3.51

3.51

0

0

2,200

7,348.00

FIDSON

3.32

3.4

0.08

0

487,000

1,637,130.00

TRANSCORP

4.14

4.12

-0.02

0

36,297,834

146,027,169.20

FIRSTALUM

0.5

0.5

0

0

3,000

1,500.00

UAC-PROP

11.5

10.93

-0.57

0

128,901

1,445,001.00

FLOURMILL

52

52.5

0.5

0

1,854,519

94,168,319.14

UACN

46.9

46

-0.9

0

573,566

26,359,478.14

FO

202.99

199.98

-3.01

0

156,600

30,557,868.96

UBA

4.47

4.33

-0.14

0

19,708,902

89,070,461.97

GLAXOSMITH

51

51

0

0

571,705

29,129,352.02

UBCAP

1.8

1.8

0

0

1,745,915

3,080,132.46

GUARANTY

23.92

23.12

-0.8

0

20,586,267

483,810,362.40

UBN

8.05

8.07

0.02

0

681,695

5,497,798.80

GUINNESS

168.01

160

-8.01

0

467,914

75,098,821.05

UNHOMES

0.5

0.5

0

0

50,000

25,000.00

HMARKINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

12,453,300

6,226,650.00

UNIC

0.5

0.5

0

0

500

250

HONYFLOUR

3.5

3.45

-0.05

0

168,465

578,989.04

UNILEVER

34

35.7

1.7

0

3,887,997

138,494,583.40

IKEJAHOTEL

3.5

3.67

0.17

0

8,199,833

28,824,650.70

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

0

17,589

8,794.50

INFINITY

1.45

1.45

0

0

1,200

1,800.00

VETGRIF30

15.53

15.6

0.07

0

1,500

23,480.00

INTBREW

29

29

0

0

64,850

1,850,981.00

VITAFOAM

4.06

4.02

-0.04

0

112,920

455,050.08

INTENEGINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

200

100

VONO

1

1

0

0

29,000

30,450.00

JAPAULOIL

0.5

0.5

0

0

300,000

150,000.00

WAPCO

80.75

80

-0.75

0

7,075,274

565,573,815.70

JBERGER

67.2

67.2

0

0

100

6,384.00

WAPIC

0.61

0.61

0

0

1,504,354

921,085.94

LASACO

0.5

0.5

0

0

20,112,666

10,056,333.00

WEMABANK

0.99

0.99

0

0

734,075

726,844.49

LEARNAFRCA

1.35

1.36

0.01

0

310,987

432,115.60

ZENITHBANK

20.6

20.8

0.2

0

54,061,098

1,115,811,403.00

LIVESTOCK

2.4

2.35

-0.05

0

423,681

978,702.62

LOTUSHAL15

10.06

10.06

0

0

466,000

5,023,950.00

Stock

Close

MANSARD

3

3

0

0

3,105

9,234.50

35381.02

MAYBAKER

1.63

1.55

-0.08

0

255,600

403,833.00

MBENEFIT

0.51

0.51

0

0

150,000

76,500.00

MOBIL

165

165

0

0

26,679

4,187,818.29

MULTITREX

0.5

0.5

0

0

200

100

NSEASI 865.55 NSEINDUSTR NSELOTUSISLM NSE30 NSE50 DANGCEM NSECNSMRGDS NSEOILGAS NB UNILEVER

TOP 10 GAINERS

2183.83 2265.19 1584.58 1724.83 205.9 883.14 407.86 162.17 35.7

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain

Stock

Close

Loss

99.49 65.43 24.23 22.94 9.53 7.72 4.16 2.17 1.7

NESTLE SEPLAT GUINNESS NSEBNK NEWGOLD FO UACN PZ GUARANTY WAPCO

900.22 436.02 160 353.97 1912 199.98 46 22 23.12 80

-47.38 -22.94 -8.01 -5.49 -4 -3.01 -0.9 -0.89 -0.8 -0.75


THE NIGERIAN

12

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 AGAIN, there was panic in Kano on Friday evening as a bomb blast killed at least six people and injured several others when the residents were returning home after the close of business. The dead included the suicide bomber, three policemen and two others. RECENTLY too, over 60 lives perished on following the suicide bombing of a bus at a motor park in Kano. This latest terrorist act is again traceable to Boko Haram. The unfortunate event which shook the c of Kano to its foundations came at a time when some powerful forces in the for are asking for amnesty for Boko Haram and dialogue with them. SINCE the latest attack, a lot of condemnations and protestations have trailed the blast from the UK, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and lawyers of note in the country. THE NIGER OBSERVER strongly condemns this latest Boko Haram orchestrated terrorist attacks. But beyond that, we call on the Federal Government to urgently prosecute those already arrested and those with records of complicity. The reason for this position is not far-fetched. ALMOST on a daily basis, there are accounts of several security threats arising from armed robberies, assassinations, armed militancy and banditry, kidnapping, bombings and of recent, the blood-let from a religious sect called the Jaamatus Aihus Sunnah Lid Daawatis Wal Jiliad (otherwise called Boko harm) who say they are opposed to Western education and are ready to attack every vestige of western civilization. INDEED, the rate of crime and criminality, as exemplified in the high incidence of kidnapping, bombings and other organised crimes has sadly moved from the realm of security threat to an area of real and present danger. THE frightening security condition in Nigeria has not only been a source of worry, it has also dented Nigeria’s International status.

THE NIGERIAN

Kano Bomb Blast FOR instance, on August 26, 2011 the terrorist group, Boko Haram bombed the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s Federal capital city. The consequences of that attack, as of today, are yet to abate. IN the wake of the UN building attack, Nigeria, lost her hosting right of the global food security meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAQ) which was moved from Abuja, to Senegal. The meeting was an assemblage of experts and food administrators all over the globe. ASIDE the UN building bombing on August 26, 2011 that claimed 23 lives including 11 UN personnel, local Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, had until late, been orchestrating series of isolated attacks predominantly in Northern Nigeria. The sect’s believed to be targeting centres of international attraction, especially in the Federal Capital Territory. CURIOUSLY, the presidential committee on security challenges in the North East Zone has identified security lapses, inter-service rivalry and lack of collaboration as factors that have encouraged the proliferation of security crises in the Northern part of the country. It also blamed the security breaches on high level of poverty. unemployment and other social ills. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER is however of the considered opinion that serious security collaboration and intelligence sharing must he urgently evolved to arrest security breaches and this needs to go beyond the shores of the nation. The federal government must build inter-agency cooperation through diplomatic channels/pacts, and international intelligence to ensure that crime of whatever scale is nipped in the bud.

MOST importantly, there is the overriding need to promptly move to demilitarize the Nigerian society and reduce the heavy influx of arms and ammunition in the country which have unfortunately gone into the wrong hands. TO this extent, the Customs and Immigration Services, to tandem with the Ministry of Interior should work round the clock to protect the porous Nigerian borders. SOMETHING fundamental equally needs to be done to reduce, if not totally eliminate the existence of private militias that were established, landed and used by politicians and individuals who later dumped them after having been trained to handle arms. ALSO, the various security agencies, beside the need to he technologically equipped and funded to carry out their assigned tasks, would need to he restructured. The structure and duties of our security agencies must he revisited so as to ensure that each organ very well knows its specific roles and function, while the laws establishing these agencies must he made clear on who does what. THE governmental all levels, particularly the federal government, urgently needs to carry out reforms in the security sub-sector to eliminate inertia created by inter-agency rivalry and react decisively to security threats with dispatch. ON their part, the citizens must cooperate with the security agencies by supplying them with prompt, useful and relevant information on likely security breaches, this can be facilitated by the existence of a well-coordinated biometric database of Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike indicating where people live, their nature of jobs and background. This will assist in fishing out the bad eggs in the society. DECISIVE steps should be taken to cripple Boko Haram Sect and their operations as well as end their menacing reign. If anything, a safe, secure and peaceful environment is what the present democracy needs to he strengthened and sustained, as such the government and people of Nigeria cannot afford to leave this to the whims and caprices of miscreants.


THE NIGERIAN

13

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Issues business flourishing because consumers will want, and be interested in doing business with you. However, to create a good image, your advert must be persuasive, distinctive, informative, truthful, instructive and relevant. Advertising arouses latent interest in products and services. As emphasized in the beginning of this piece, advertising is aimed at persuading to influence sales. An advertisement about your products and services that encapsulate the basic ingredients of a good advert will arouse interest in the minds of consumers. Good advert will leave consumers with no option than to develop interest in getting the product advertised or hiring the services advertised. Knowing-fully well that there are so many products of the same kind being advertised, you must strive to cook your advert with all the basic ingredients to stand out from the crowd. In today’s world, its not easy to convince consumer with adverts because of the increasing rate of so many deceptive adverts. Good

Importance Of Advertising MANY scholars of advertising have defined the concept in different ways but all definitions aimed at a particular goalinfluence sales. However, following a contest for the best definition of advertising organized in 1932 by the advertising magazine, ADVERTISING AGE, the following definition emerged from a combination of the best features of all the definitions offered. “Advertising is the printed, written, spoken or pictured presentation of a person, product, service or movement, openly sponsored by the advertiser and at his expense, for the purpose of influencing sales, use, votes or endorsement. It must be made clear that “advertising” is different from sales promotion, publicity, public relations, personal selling and propagated. What this suggest is that for any display to be considered as advertising, it must be paid for, it must have an identified sponsor, must pass through appropriate media, have a specific idea and objective, and be aimed at a particular audience. It must be state that for advertising to achieve it’s goals, it must be informative, instructive, distinctive, truthful, persuasive and relevant to consumer needs. Any advert that lacks any of the above ingredient will hardly achieves its aim. However, in today’s multifarious world in which the peak of competition is being practiced among business men and women, the need for advertising cannot be overemphasized. This is because advertisement has become a trend and a must to succeed in today’s world. Everything from education to career building to

buying soap or a mobile, one has to rely upon advertisements. Nothing is seems can be achieved without advertisements. They are the ones that tell us what soap to use, which biscuit to eat, what brand to wear, which pens to write, etc. Generally speaking advertising is relevant in the following ways. One important function of advertising is identification function, that is, to identify a product and differentiate it from others; this creates an awareness of the product and provides a basis for consumers to choose the advertised product over others products. The identification function of advertising includes the ability of advertising to differentiate a product so that it has its own unique identity or personality. There are four additional ways to differentiate your offering from the competition and increase your differentiation: leveraging the brand innovating your offering, as well as designing product and packaging in a way that creates an aesthetic beyond the functional. Advertising is important to the manufacturer whether he sells locally, regionally, nationally or internationally. He must inform the public about the advantages of his product. It, therefore, helps to establish a direct contact between manufacturers and consumers. Communicate information about the product, its attributes, and its location of sale; products information communication to customers in manner that meets their information needs is very important. Most consumers tend to discount the information in advertising because they understand that the purpose of the advertising is to persuade. Making an advertising message

By STANLEY UGAGBE

believable is not easy; though often it is sufficient to make the consumer curious enough to try the product. This overwhelming function of advertising cannot be overemphasized. Through advertising your prospective customers get know about your product. Making them aware of your product will help to establish a contact between you and them. It must be roared that in today’s competitive world, if you don’t advertise your products, your company or even yourself then you stand no chance of making it. Advertisement is the way so embrace and exploit its advantages. Advertising makes the consumer aware of the choice of available goods and services. It improves his knowledge and may also minimize, time-consuming shopping. How will consumer gets to be aware of your multiple products and services if you don’t get to tell them about it? If Mr. John wants to buy a phone and he doesn’t know that you sell, can he buy from you? Truth should be told, I cannot go to Mr. Femi’s house to ask if he sells rice, if I don’t have any knowledge if he sells or not. That is why advertising is very important. Advertising will make the consumers and the general public at large to be aware of your products and services. Consumers knowledge of available products and services is very important. This is because there are multiple of products available in the market. So, if I don’t make consumers aware of your products and services, them you stand a chance of risking your business. Furthermore, advertising helps

to create a good image and reputation not only of the product but also of the advertiser. In this way, it helps to create goodwill for the manufacturer. The image making about a product and services cannot be overemphasized. This is because the image you create about your products, services and even yourself (advertiser) will determine if your business will flourish or not. As a matter of fact, any advertiser who does not have a good image has automatically endangered his business. This is because nobody (not even bad people) will want to buy things from someone whose business life is not pure. Tenaciously, a “good image” will make your business while a “bad image” will definitely mar your products. Today, Dangote is flourishing in his business because he has established a good image for himself and his business. However, advertising will help to create a good image and reputation not only of product but yourself. And the beauty of a good image is that once you are established, that will automatically boost your business and you will see your

adverts will cajole consumers to go for your products and services. Indomie advert has succeeded because it encapsulated the genuinely of advert. If you want your advert to succeed, then you must be truthful. Without advert, you hardly succeed as a businessman in today’s world. As such, you must take advantage of the benefit of advertising to expand the coast of your business. Advertisement will take your business to a height you cannot even imagine. Consumers are waiting on you to make them aware of your products. Advertising gives the employees a feeling of pride in their jobs and to be associated with an organization of repute. It thus inspires the executives and workers to improve their efficiency. This has to do with the organization level. When the organization and its employees are advertised at the national level, employees will be delighted to see. Themselves on public domain. There will be a feeling of pride and that will spur them to do better to improve the efficiency of the organization. It must be roared that employees motivation is very important in organization management. And one sure way to motivate them is advertisement motivated,

automatically will do more for the development of their organization. Advertising is the key to success in today’s business. Also, advertising encourages large-scale production thereby creating more employment opportunities to the public directly or indirectly in various jobs. Advertising helps to expand business! How? Good question! When goods are being advertised and brings about huge sales, it will definitely expand the business because the owner of the business get more goods and will automatically need more hands in running the organization; that has created employment. The power of advertising cannot be overemphasized because it goes a long way in creating job opportunities for the masses and also expand business. Advertising reinforces the customers satisfaction with purchases. That is, it helps to remind and stir them up to get products. Customers get to be reinforced about the need to get products. In a nutshell, the main task of advertising is to establish awareness, create favourable attitude towards the idea, product or service and stimulate demand for it among potential consumers. Advertising is a catalyst for economic development and industrial growth. It helps to speed up innovations in industry, the introduction of new products and the improvement of current product lines thereby enhancing brand loyalty while encouraging the build-up of store traffic. Ultimately, people advertise to sell ideas, goods and services. Large-scale production, mass distribution and accelerated forms of communication make advertising and necessary part of the marketing economy. Because of constant competition for consumers’ discretionary income, information about products, services or ideas must be constantly directed towards potential buyers. Advertising is, thus a collective term for public announcements designed to promote the sale of specific ideas, commodities or services. It is a form of mass selling employed when the use of direct person-to-person is impractice, impossible or simply inefficient. Advertising structures the world, it creates image and it is the soul of products. If you really want to prosper in today’s competitive world, then you must get your products and services advertised. Advert is the way and the key. Key into it and you will see the benefits!

“Advertising gives the employees a feeling of pride in their jobs and to be associated with an organization of repute. It thus inspires the executives and workers to improve their efficiency.”


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Viewpoint THE study of world power has been blighted by Eurocentric historians who have distorted and ignored the dominant role China played in the world economy between 1100 and 1800. John Hobson’s brilliant historical survey of the world economy during this period provides an abundance of empirical data making the case for China’s economic and technological superiority over Western civilization for the better part of a millennium prior to its conquest and decline in the 19th century. The International Monetary Fund says China has overtaken the United States as the world’s largest economy in recent times. According to business insider report, the IMF estimates that the size of the US economy is $17.4tr, while Chinese economy comes in at $17.6tr. China’s share of the global economy is 16.28 percent, the IMF said this as part of its out look for the world economic growth. These figures are adjusted for the relative costs of living in both countries, known as “purchasing power parity.” As recent as 2005, the Chinese economy was less than half the size of US economy. Moreover, the IMF projects that China’s economy will be 20 percent bigger than that of the US by 2019. China remains the biggest foreign holder of US government debt, holding an estimated $1.27bn is US Treasury Bonds. The United States accuses China of lowering the price of the exports by manipulating its currency. Earlier this year, China and Russia agreed to a measure to undercut the domination of the US dollar as the international reserve currency by paying each other in domestic currencies. China’s re-emergency as a world economic power raises important questions about what we can learn from its previous rise and fall and about the external and internal threats confronting this emerging economic superpower for the immediate future. Under the arrangement we will endeavour to outline the main contours of historical China’s rise to global economic superiority over

Nigeria Can Learn From China’s Economic Growth By OMEIZA ROBINSON OFUJE

West before the 19th century, following closely John Hobson’s account in the Eastern Origins of Western Civilization. Since the majority of Western economic historians (liberal conservative and Marxist) have presented historical China as a stagnant, backward, parochial society, an “oriental despotism”, some detailed correctives will be necessary. It is especially important to emphasize how China, the world technological power between 1100 and 1800, made the West’s emergency possible. It was only by borrowing and assimilating Chiinese innovations that the West was able to make the transition to modern capitalist and imperialist economies. In the second part, we will analyze and discuss the factors and circumstance which led to China’s decline in the 19th century and its subsequent domination, exploitation and pillage by Western imperial countries, first England and then the rest of Europe, Japan and the United States. In part three, a good consideration shall be given to the factors leading to China’s emancipation from colonial and neo-colonial rule and analyze its recent rise to becoming the second largest global economic power. Finally, the past and present threats to China’s rise to global economic power shall be evaluated, highlighting the similarities between British colonialism of the 18th and 19th centuries and the current US

imperial strategies and focusing on past and present Chinese responses. China: The rise and consolidation of Global Power 1100-1800. In a systematic comparative format, John

surpassed the West down to the 18th century. Its innovations in the production of paper, book printing, firearms and tools led to a manufacturing superpower whose goods were transported throughout the world by the most advanced navigational

agriculture resulted in China’s per capita income matching that of Great Britain as late as 1750. China’s dominant global position was challenged by the rise of British imperialism, which had adopted the advanced technological, navigational

system. China possessed the world’s largest commercial ships. In 1588 the largest English ships displaced 400 tons, China’s 3,000 tons. Even as late as the end of the 18th century China’s merchants employed 130,000 private transport ships, several times that of Britain. China retained this pre-eminent position in the world economy up until the early 19th century. British and Europeans manufacturers followed China’s lead, assimilating and borrowing its more advanced technology and were eager to penetrate China’s advanced and lucrative market. Banking, a stable paper money economy, manufacturing and high yields in

and market innovations of China and other Asian countries in order to bypass earlier stages in becoming a world power. Western imperialism and the decline of China The British and Western imperial conquest of the East, was based on the militaristic nature of the imperial state, its nonreciprocal economic relations with overseas trading countries and the Western imperial ideology which motivated and justified overseas conquest. Unlike China, Britain’s industrial revolution and overseas expansion was driven by a military policy. According to Hobson, during the period from 16881815 Great Britain was

President XI Jinping of China.

Hobson provides a wealth of empirical indicators demonstrating China’s global economic superiority over the West and in particular England. These, may include some striking facts: as early as 1078, China was the world’s major producer of steel (125,000 tons); whereas Britain in 1788 produced 76,000 tons. China was the world’s leader in technical innovations in textile manufacturing, seven centuries before Britain’s 18th century “textile revolution” China was the leading trading nation, with long distance trade reaching most of Southern Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. China’s agricultural revolution and productivity

“Even as late as the end of the 18th century China’s merchants employed 130,000 private transport ships, several times that of Britain. China retained this pre-eminent position in the world economy up until the early 19th century.”

engaged in wars 52% of the time. Whereas the Chinese relied on their open markets and their superior production and sophisticated commercial and banking skills, the British relied on tariff protection, military conquest, the systematic destruction of competitive overseas enterprises as well as the appropriation and plunder of local resources. China’s global predominance was based on ‘reciprocal benefits’ with its trading partners, while Britain relied on mercenary armies of occupation savage repression and a ‘divide and conquer’ policy to foment local rivalries. In the face of native resistance, the British (as well as other Western imperial powers) did not hesitate to exterminate entire communities. Unable to take over the Chinese market through greater economic competitiveness, Britain relied on brute military power. It mobilized, armed and led mercenaries, drawn from its colonies in India and else where to force its exports on China and impose unequal treaties to lower tariffs. As a result, China was flooded with British opium produced on its plantations in Indiadespite Chinese laws forbidding or regulating the importation and sale of the narcotic China’s rulers, long accustomed to its trade and manufacturing superiority, were unprepared for the ‘new imperial rules’ for global power. The West’s willingness to use military power to win colonies, pillage resources and recruit huge mercenary armies commanded by European officers spelt the end for China as a world power. China had based its economic predominance on ‘non-interference in the internal affairs of its trading partners’. In contrast, British imperialists intervened violently in Asia, reorganising local economies to suit the needs of the empire (eliminating economic competitors including more efficient Indian cotton manufacturers) and seized control of local political economic and administrative apparatus to

Continues on pg. 15


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Viewpoint Continued from pg. 14 establish the colonial state. British’s empire was built with resources seized from the colonies and through the massive militarization of its economy. It was thus able to secure military supremacy over China. China’s foreign policy was hampered by its ruling elite’s excessive reliance on trade relations. Chinese officials and merchant elite’s sought to appease the British and convinced the emperor to grant devastating extraterritorial concessions opening markets to the detriment of Chinese manufacturers while surrendering local sovereignty. As always the British precipitated internal rivalries and revolts, further destabilizing the country. Western and British penetration and colonization of China’s market created an entire new class. The wealthy Chinese ‘compradores’ imported British goods and facilitated the take over of local markets and resources. Imperialist pillage forced greater exploitation and taxation of the great mass of Chinese peasants and workers. China’s rulers were obliged to pay the war debts and finance trade deficits imposed by the Western imperial powers by sequeezing its peasantry. This drove the peasants to starvation and revolt. By the early 20th century (less than a century after the opium wars) China had descended from world economic power to a broken semi-colonial country with a huge destitude population. The principle ports were controlled by Western imperial officials and the country side was subject to the rule by corrupt and brutal warlords. British opium enslaved millions. British Academics: Eloquent Apologists conquest. The entire Western academic profession first and foremost British imperial historians – attributed British imperial dominance of Asia to English ‘technological superiority’ and China’s misery and colonial status to ‘oriental backwardness; omitting any mention of the millennium of Chinese commercial and technical

progress and superiority up to the dawn of the 19th century. By the end of the 1920s’, with the Japanese imperial invasion, China ceased to exist as a unified country. Under the aegis of imperial rule, hundreds of millions of Chinese had starved or were dispossessed or slaughtered, as the Western powers and Japan plundered its economy. The entire Chinese ‘collaborator’ comprador elite were discredited before the Chinese people. What did remain in the collective memory of the great mass of the Chinese people – and what was totally absent in the accounts of prestigious US and British academic – was the sense of China once having been a prosperous, dynamic and leading world power. Western commentators dismissed this collective memory of China’s ascendancy as the foolish pretensions of nostalgic lords and royalty – empty Han arrogance. The rise of China from the ashes of imperial plunder and humiliation: The Chinese communist revolution. The rise of modern China to become the second largest economy in the world was made possible only through the success of the Chinese communist revolution in the mid-20th century. The people’s liberation ‘Red’ army defeated first the invading Japanese imperial army and later the US imperialist – backed comprador led kuomintary “nationalist” army. This allowed the reunification of China as an independent sovereign state. The communist government abolished the extraterritorial privileges of the Western imperialists, ended the territorial fiedfdom of the regional warlords and gangsters and drove out the millionaire owners of brothels, the traffickers of women and drugs as well as the other “service providers” to the Euro-American Empire. In every sense of the word, the communist revolution forged the modern Chinese state. The new leaders then proceeded to reconstruct an economy ravaged by imperial wars and pillaged

...China’s Economic Growth by Western and Japanese capitalists. After over 150 years of infamy and humiliation the Chinese people recovered their pride and national dignity. These socio-psychological elements were essential in motivating the Chinese to defend their country from US attacks, sabotage, boycotts, and blockades mounted immediately after liberation.

Communist China’s vast free educational and health systems created a healthy, literate and motivated work force. Its highly professional military prevented the US from extending its military empire throughout the Korean peninsula up to China’s territorial frontiers. Justice as past Western scholars and propagandists fabricated a history of a “stagnant and decadent”

power began in 1949 with the removal of the entire parasitic financial, compfradore and speculative classed who had served as the intermediaries for European, Japanese and US imperialists draining China of its great wealth. China’s transition to capitalism began in 1980 when the government initiated a dramatic shift in its economic strategy over

empire to justify their destructive conquent, so too, their modern counterparts have rewritten the first thirty years of Chinese communist history, denying the role of the revolution in developing all the essential elements for a modern economy state and society. It is clear that China’s rapid economic growth was based on the development of its internal market, its rapidly growing cadre of scientists, skilled technicians and workers and the social safety net which protected and promoted working class and peasant mobility were products of communist planning and investments. China’s rise to global

the next three decades, it opened the country to largescale foreign investment, it privatised thousands of industries and it set in motion a process of income concentration based on a deliberate strategy of recreating a dominant economic class of billionaires linked to overseas capitalists. China’s ruling political class embraced the idea of “borrowing” technical know-how and accessing overseas markets from foreign firms in exchange for providing cheap, plentiful labour at the lowest cost. The Chinese state redirected massive public

President Goodluck Jonathan.

Contrary to Western and neoliberal Chinese economists, China’s dynamic growth did not start in 1980. It began in 1950, when the agrarian reform provided land, infrastructure, credits and technical assistance to hundreds of millions of landless and destitute peasants and landless rural workers. Through what is now called “human capital” and gigantic social mobilization, the communists built roads, airfields, bridges, canals and railroads as well as the basic industries, like coal, iron and steel, to form the back bone of the modern Chinese economy.

“China’s new capitalist strategy as well as its double digit growth was based on the profound structural changes and massive public investments made possible by the previous communist government.”

subsidies to promote high capitalist growth by dismantling its national system of free public education and health care. They ended subsidized public housing for hundreds of millions of peasants and urban factory workers and provided funds to real estate speculators for the construction of private luxury apartments and office skyscrapers. China’s new capitalist strategy as well as its double digit growth was based on the profound structural changes and massive public investments made possible by the previous communist government. China’s private sector “take off” was based on the huge public outlays made since 1949. The triumphant new capitalist class and its Western collaborators claimed all the credit for this “economic miracle” as China rose to become the world’s second largest economy. This new Chinese elite have been less eager to announce China’s worldclass status in terms of brutal class inequalities, rivaling only the US. China from imperial dependency to world class competitor China’s sustained growth in its manufacturing sector was a result of highly concentrated public investments, high profits, technological innovations and a protected domestic market. While foreign capital profited, it was always within the framework of the Chinese state’s priorities and regulations. The regime’s dynamic ‘export strategy’ led to huge trade surpluses, which eventually made China one of the world’s largest creditors especially for US debt. In order to maintain its dynamic industries, China has required huge influxes of raw materials, resulting in large-scale overseas investments and trade agreements with agromineral export countries in Africa a nd Latin America. To be contd


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Family Planning

With Eranga Isaac - 08059233001

“Mrs. Olayinka Yayioba, Mrs. Fumi Odedoyin and Mrs. Olumatoyin Eken all pregnant women that visited Orisunbane PHC, said they were satisfied with the services rendered and the friendly nature of the health personnels. They however call for supply of more bed sheets.” bring patients by midnight, they don’t grumble when opening the center’s door,” she said. The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Orisunbare PHC Mrs. Giwa Folake, thanked the Ward Health Committee members for their undying effort in restoring normalcy to health delivery services of Alimosho Local Government Area. “Here we have antenatal clinic, child delivery

immunisation center, patient department and family planning unit. Before it was eight hours duties we were having but now more staff including nurses, midwives and laboratory technicians, have been employed. We now work for 24 hours. This is the effort of the WHC”, she said. A visit at Akowonjo PHC also in Alimosho Local Government Area revealed similar feat. According to the

Orisunbare PHC under Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. She added that nurses now do shift work in the centers. “We were trained around March 2014, we were trained on how to mobilise people to our PHC, to make sure that the PHC is functioning and we use to go to our CDA’s and talk to them. We also work hand-in-hand with CDA’s chairman and the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in the community. We also make use of Bale in the community to encourage their people to attend the PHC”, she said. Alhaja Quadri said the greatest challenge at Orisunbare PHC used to be electricity but expressed joy that PATHS2 has helped in providing a Mekano generator set for the center. She also added that the attitude of the health workers have been encouraging. “Even when we

Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr. Odufuwa Kayode? Alimosho is one of the areas in Lagos that has high mortality rate. As at two years ago the mortality rate was almost 900 per 100,000. According to Dr. Kayode, with the help of Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Haemorrhage which is a common thing after delivery has reduced. He said the board help with the supply of misoprostol. “We have nutrition tracker. We go into the community in order to know those people that are malnourished, we bring them to the PHCs to rehabilitate them, he added. The MOH also said there was post abortion care in the case of spontaneous abortion but when it is a serious case, it is refered. He added that Alimosho Local Government Area has 30 PHCs, out of which, two operates on 24 hours basis. He said

Improving Maternal Health Services Via Community Partnership

THE role of community partnership in the fight against poor maternal health services cannot be over-emphasised, especially when we consider the maternal health indicators and statistics which revealed that in Nigeria alone, maternal mortality rate reaches up to 3,200 women (number of mothers per 100,000 births dieing within 42 days after the childbirth); in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the project target area this rate is even higher. The maternal mortality rate is even higher in areas where many women have many babies in short time spans under malnutrition, unhygienic conditions and lacking access to medical treatment. Recently, the Development Communications (Dev Coms) Network, under its NOTAGAIN campaign project, supported by Mac Arthur Foundation a Maternal Health (MH) investigating reporting tour in some communities in Nigeria. The field trip which is an activity under the MAC Arthur founded project is to strengthen Maternal Health Accountability in Nigeria. The purpose of the tour was to bring the attention of policy makers, governments, and the public, the current state of maternal health care in visited community. Issues looked at

include accessibility of health care facilities to the people, attitude of women towards the facilities, the preferred places of delivery and reasons, state of available primary health care, including staffing, funding and availability of drugs. The tour also created awareness about opportunities, challenges and lessons learnt in the delivery of maternal, newborn and child health care. The United Nations (UN) have defined “Maternal Health Care” as one of their top eight priorities for this millennium, As reliable members of the society, women and mothers play a vital role for sustainable development of family life in African nations, although women often still lack fundamental human rights such as the right of health and freedom from bodily harm. In the Maternal Health (MH)

field policy tour to Lagos, the team came a cross a group the Ward Health Committee (WHC), which consist of members trained by Partnership for Transforming Health System in Nigeria (PATHS2) as Primary Health Care (PHC) mobilizers. According to the Chairperson of the WHC, Alhaja Afisatu Quadri, the members of the group which meets twice in a month, have achieved success in mobilising people to the PHCs. This is a good way communities can partner with the government to promote maternal health services. Alhaja Afisatu Quadri said before the training by PATHS2 which led to attendant high scale mobilisation of patients to the PHCs, patients scarcely visit the health centers. The chairperson said the WHC has bought fans for the

“We have nutrition tracker. We go into the community in order to know those people that are malnourished, we bring them to the PHCs to rehabilitate them”.

Akowenjo PHC is a model PHC where major issues are referred to. According to Nkire Chichi, member, Lagos State Civil Society Partnership Development Consultant, PATHS2 work in partnership with Ministry of Health, maternal and child health but basically at local community level to uptimum, services delivery at the delivery at the PHC level. She said before PATHS2 can work with any local government, permission must be gotten from the local government chairman. Nkire Chichi said members of WHC were trained to ensure good management of the PHCs. This they do, according to her, by working hand-in-hand with the staff. She added that PATHS2 also donate drugs but based on government with the local government chairman. “The WHC is the voice of the community. The monitor stock level of drugs to ensure every month, drug is available”, Nkire said. Mrs. Olayinka Yayioba, Mrs. Fumi Odedoyin and Mrs. Olumatoyin Eken all pregnant women that visited Orisunbane PHC, said they were satisfied with the services rendered and the friendly nature of the health personnels. They however call for supply of more bed sheets. Mrs. Mustafa Aminat, Mrs. Abiola Johnson who are pregnant women registered with Akowonjo PHC said they were happy to be part of the success story but call on the local government to add more structure to the existing building block to accommodate more people. This write up is a clarion call to other local government in the country to emulate their counterpart and Alimosho by setting up a structure similar to that of the Ward Health Committee (WHC), for prompt and effective maternal health service delivery.


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Science

With OYAKHILOME CLEMENTINA

comprises of compound eyes and three ocelli and a pair of antennae. The thorax is further divided into three portions which are the prothorax, mesothorax and the metathorax with each carrying a pair of walking jointed legs. The mesothorax carries a pair of wings while the metathorax carries a pair of modified wings called the halteres which serves as balancers or stabilizers during flight. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF HOUSEFLY 1. Housefly is a vector of disease – causing microbes like typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery poliomyelitis and yaws. 2. They pollinate flowers like Dutchman’s pipe with bad smell. 3. The maggots help to speed up the decomposition of organic matter, thereby reducing the food quality. 4. Housefly feeds on sores thus delaying healing process. METHODS OF CONTROL OF HOUSEFLY 1. Store household refuse in covered bins. 2. Burn, bury or cover all garbage or destroy all breeding places. 3. Kill housefly directly. 4. Compost/manure should be stored in pits with fly-proof covers. 5. Sewage should be properly disposed. 6. Spray maggots and adult flies with insecticides. 7. Maintain a clean environment that is good.

The House Fly WE have two kinds of metamorphosis which are the complete and incomplete metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is the series of gradual changes that occur during the development of an animal from the zygote to the adult stage. The complete metamorphosis is from the egg? Larva ? Pupa ? Adult or Imago. The butterfly and housefly are examples of complete metamorphosis. In the housefly, adult male and female mate in two or three days, the fertilized eggs are laid, this takes place during the day. This is done on decomposing matter like animal or human faeces, decaying dead bodies of animals, spoilt fruit and food. The eggs are laid in 5 or 6 batches of hundred to one hundred and fifty. Egg is about 1mm in length, banana shaped and creamy white. They hatch within 6 – 12 hours depending on how favourable the temperature of the day is from the egg, they hatch into a larva or maggot. LARVA – The larva has a small head with a pair of hooks or spine which enable it move along and for tearing of food. The head can be withdrawn into the body at this stage, it neither has legs or eyes. It has small pads on the segments which aids locomotion. The first three segments form the thorax. The larva stage, is a stage where it feeds continuously, it mounts twice before pupation. To pupate, the larva contracts its length and forms a barrel shaped body. This stage lasts between five to fourteen days. It has a pair of spiracles on the last segment for breathing. The PUPA – At this stage it is motionless, a stage where it rest or resting stage. It does not feed during this period. This stage involves re-organisation of tissues and organs to form the adult organs. These new organs include wings, antennae, legs, proboscis etc. In about 14 days the pupal case splits, this pupanum cap is forced open by the ptilinium which enable the fly come out of the soil. The IMAGO – As soon as the fly comes out from the soil surface, it rest a little, unfolds the wings while the body walls are becoming hardened. Immediately, it starts searching for food in a few days, it finds a partner and mates and the whole process starts all over again. The adult housefly is divided into the head, thorax and abdomen. The head

THE MECHANISM OF HEARING AND BALANCE 1. The ear pinna is made in such a way so as it can collect sound waves and direct them into the ear canal. 2. At this point the sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate. 3. The eardrum in turn causes the three bones of the ear or the three ossicles of the ear in the middle ear to vibrate. 4. In the middle ear, the vibrations are magnified about thirty times (30 times). 5. Vibrations of the oval window cause vibrations in the round window and the perilymph of the ear. 6. The perilymph in turn causes the endolymph to vibrate. 7. Vibrations in the endolymph of the cocklea stimulate its sensory cells to generate nervous impulses. 8. These impulses are transmitted to the brain when they are decoded and interpreted as sound. (pitch quality and loudness of sounds and thus hearing takes place. The limbic system enable the brain decide which sounds to pay attention to and which to dismiss. For instance when somebody consciously hear a sound and it is that of play from happy people is very different from when you respond to the alarm of cry. HOW TO CARE FOR THE MAMMALIAN EAR 1. Avoid the use of sharp objects because they may damage the eardrum. 2. When there is ache or any discharge coming out from the ear, try to seek the attention of a medical doctor immediately. 3. Earmuffs should be worn by workers in noisy environments so as to prevent excessive and prolonged noise that may cause deafness. 4. Hot liquids should not be introduced into the ear. 5. Never insert fingers into the ears or else they may be contaminated by bacteria. 6. Avoid receiving blows to the side of the ear, else the eardrum may burst. 7. If much wax is produced in the ear, it may blocked the ear, all you need do is to see a doctor who will use a syringe and warm water to wash off the wax from the ear. 8. Children have to be immunized against deadly diseases like polio, measles and diphtheria which may cause deafness in some cases. 9. Sometimes when someone travels to some other places, the bathing water may have effect in the persons ear, before stabilizing. After return it is adviced, when traveling, and you need to bath, cover your ears with cotton wool, when bathing, to avoid such pains.


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International

Prayers Saved Me From Bomb Attack -MP KABUL - An outspoken female Afghan lawmaker survived a suicide bombing attack on her vehicle yesterday suffering slight wounds, but three civilian bystanders were killed, a police spokesman said.

Member of parliament Shukria Barakzai is a women’s rights advocate and a close ally of new President Ashraf Ghani, who condemned the attack in a statement. “I survived because of my people’s prayers,” Barakzai

told Reuters by telephone from her hospital bed. The bombing was the latest to target members of the U.S.backed Afghan government, which is fighting a fierce onslaught by the Islamist Taliban movement as most foreign combat troops prepare

to leave Afghanistan by the end of the year. Hashmat Stanekzai, a spokesman for Kabul’s police chief, said three civilians were killed by the suicide attacker and more than 10 wounded. Stanekzai said social media reports that

Barakzai’s daughter had been killed were not correct. Barakzai told Reuters in a 2005 interview that she had run a secret school for girls during the Taliban’s five-year rule, during which harsh restrictions were imposed on women. The Taliban’s government was toppled by U.S.-backed Afghan forces after it refused to hand over the al Qaeda planners of the Sept. 11, 2001,

attacks on the United States. Barakzai is a member of the team Ghani appointed to help choose a new Cabinet after he took office in late September after a lengthy and bitter dispute over election results with rival Abdullah Abdullah finally ended in a coalition government. Continued disputes between the two camps have delayed the new Cabinet’s appointment.

CAIRO/BEIRUT - Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria claimed in a video posted online yesterday that they had beheaded American hostage Peter Kassig. The video did not show the beheading but showed a masked man standing with a decapitated head covered in blood lying at his feet. Speaking in English in a British accent, the man says: “This is Peter Edward Kassig, a U.S. citizen.” Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the footage, which appeared on a jihadist website and on Twitter feeds used by Islamic State. Kassig, a 26-year-old from Indiana, is also known as Abdul-Rahman, a name he took following his conversion to Islam while in captivity. Kassig’s parents have said through a spokesperson their son was taken captive on his way to the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zor on Oct. 1, 2013. A former soldier, Kassig was doing humanitarian work through Special Emergency Response and Assistance, an organization he founded in 2012 to help refugees from Syria, the family has said. If confirmed, Kassig’s

beheading would be the fifth such killing of a Westerner by Islamic State, following the deaths of two U.S. journalists and two British aid workers. In an apparent reference to testimony about Kassig by former fellow captives, the masked man says: “Peter, who fought against the Muslims in Iraq while serving as a soldier under the American army, doesn’t have much to say. His previous cellmates have already spoken on his behalf.” The announcement of Kassig’s death formed part of a 15-minute video in which the group issued warnings to the United States, Britain and others including Shi’ite Muslims. It also shows militants beheading several men identified as pilots and officers loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. “To Obama, the dog of Rome, today we are slaughtering the soldiers of Bashar and tomorrow we will be slaughtering your soldiers,” the masked militant said. British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was horrified by the “cold-blooded murder”. Britain’s Foreign Office said it was analyzing the video.

Islamic State Beheades US Hostage, Kassig

Kassig standing in front of a truck filled with supplies for Syrian refugees. A new graphic video purportedly produced by Islamic State militants in Syria released yesterday claims U.S. aid worker Kassig was beheaded.

Car Bomb Wounds 5 On Perimeter Of Baghdad Airport BAGHDAD - A car bomb exploded on the perimeter of Baghdad’s heavily guarded international airport complex yesterday, wounding five people, security sources said. The blast occurred at a security checkpoint close to a parking lot where passengers are searched before boarding airport taxis, three sources said. The checkpoint is several kilometers from the terminal building. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack. An airport official said authorities tightened security while air traffic was normal.

Around two hours later, a roadside bomb exploded in a commercial area of Baghdad about five kilometers (three miles) from the airport. Three people were killed and seven wounded, said security sources and medics. OPEC oil producer Iraq is facing its worst crisis since a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. Islamic State militants who swept through the north of the country in June and hold large parts of western Iraq have claimed responsibility for suicide bombings and other attacks in Baghdad and further afield. The presence of the Sunni

insurgents has fueled sectarian tensions, deepening a security crisis and drawing U.S. air strikes after Western hostages were beheaded. The air campaign, which includes neighboring Syria, has helped prevent any further Islamic State advances in recent weeks.

The United States’ top military officer told American troops on a surprise visit to Baghdad on Saturday that the momentum in the battle with Islamic State was “starting to turn”, but predicted a drawn-out campaign lasting several years.

Cameron Horrified By Islamic State Hostage Murder LONDON - British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was horrified by a video posted online by Islamic State militants which claims American hostage Peter Kassig has been beheaded. Kassig is also known as Abdul-Rahman, a name he took following his conversion

to Islam while in captivity. “I’m horrified by the cold blooded murder of AbdulRahman Kassig. ISIL (Islamic State) have again shown their depravity. My thoughts are with his family,” Cameron, who is in Australia for a meeting of G20 leaders.

Afghan police stand at the site of a blast in Kabul yesterday.


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International Tunisia Set For Presidential Elections

TUNIS — Campaign posters and banners for next week’s presidential elections have covered the walls of Tunisia’s cities and towns, papering over the flaking posters from the parliamentary elections just three weeks ago. The presidential campaign, featuring 25 competitors, kicked off in early November and it’s the first time since Tunisians overthrew dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011 that they will choose their head of state through universal suffrage. If no candidate wins a majority Nov. 23, there will be a runoff between the top two vote-getters on Dec. 28. Alone among the countries that experienced the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011, Tunisia’s transition has remained on track. The favorite to win is Beji Caid Essebsi, an 87-year-old veteran politician who served under Ben Ali and his predecessor Habib Bourguiba, and whose party won the most seats in parliament — 39 percent — in the October elections. After 3 1/2 years of a stormy

transition marked by high unemployment and terrorist attacks, Tunisians voted for Essebsi’s party Nida Tunis (Tunisia’s Call) hoping to bring back stability and prosperity. Essebsi started his campaign in Bourguiba’s coastal home town of Monastir and evoked nostalgia for this towering figure of Tunisia’s history who won independence from France and created a modern state defined by a well-educated middle class — albeit with little room for dissent. The possibility of an oldregime politician and his party controlling both the presidency and parliament has raised some concern. “There are many fears of the return to the one-party state, of course,” said Michael Ayari, Tunisia analyst at the International Crisis Group. “There is a fear of returning to centralization, a single ‘pater familias’ (head of the household) who will become an omnipresent figure.” Despite his age, Essebsi has been campaigning vigorously all

Mexican President Promises Answers On Luxury Home

MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has said that the government would next week give answers about a luxury house acquired by his wife that has raised questions about the ethical standards of his administration. Days after the government canceled a $3.75 billion rail contract won in an uncontested bid by a Chinese-led consortium, local media reports identified the property as linking one of the Mexican partners in the group to Pena Nieto. Reports about the house have swelled a recent tide of public anger about the government, which has been under heavy fire for its management of the disappearance of 43 students in the southwest of the country in late September. Opposition lawmakers claimed the rail deal had been fixed. It was won by a consortium including a company called Grupo Higa just before Pena Nieto went on a visit to China. Reports stated that one of

Grupo Higa’s subsidiaries had built a $7 million house for Pena Nieto’s wife Angelica Rivera and that the property was still in the company’s name. The government said a week ago she had agreed to buy the house in 2012, but details of the deal were unclear. The government said she would become owner once payment was complete. Returning to Mexico late on Saturday, Pena Nieto said his office would provide documents and information on the house in the coming week to clear up “imprecise and baseless assertions” on the matter. He did not offer further details. Last weekend the door to Pena Nieto’s ceremonial presidential palace was set on fire by demonstrators angered at the government’s response to the students’ disappearance. The government says the 43 students were likely killed by a drug gang working with corrupt police, but has yet to provide definitive proof.

over the country to packed stadiums, and Saturday night was no exception in the Tunis neighborhood of El Menzah, where a giant screen was set up for the many supporters who couldn’t enter the thundering stadium.

Essebsi told the cheering crowds that youth is a “state of mind” and that Tunisians will decide if he is fit enough to take the helm of the nation. “We will not exclude any party,” he told the crowd, and addressing fears that his victory

could usher a new era of oneparty dominance. “Just as we reject violence, we are against exclusion,” he said. Following their parliamentary election loss, Islamist leaders, many of whom were once imprisoned by colleagues of

Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Mayas: The Language of Beauty” at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

Essebsi, assured their rattled supporters that a police state was not returning. Essebsi’s main competitor in parliamentary elections was the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party, which ruled during much of the nation’s stormy transition but finished second in the parliamentary vote. The party chose not to field or endorse a presidential candidate. Under the post-revolution constitution, power resides largely in the hands of the prime minister and his parliamentary coalition. The president presides over foreign affairs and defense. Candidates are uniformly promising to address Tunisia’s 15 percent unemployment — more than twice that for young people — and securing the country from attacks by extremists. Moncef Marzouki, a veteran human rights activist who is now the interim president, is seeking a full term. His popularity and reputation have suffered over the past few years, however, and his party lost nearly all of its seats in the parliament. Yet as a lone warrior against Ben Ali’s dictatorship, he remains a symbol of the revolution and could become a rallying point against Essebsi.

Obama Toughens On Putin Over Ukraine BRISBANE, Australia - U.S. President Barack Obama has said that Russia would remain isolated by the international community if President Vladimir Putin continued to violate international law in Ukraine, some of his toughest remarks yet on the crisis. Putin has come under intense pressure from other leaders at this weekend’s G20 summit in Brisbane over his government’s backing for pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine, where a conflict has killed more than 4,000 people this year. Obama, who described his meetings with Putin this week as “blunt and business-like”, said that he had made it clear Russia would remain isolated if it continued to provide support to separatist rebels. “We are also very firm on the need to uphold core international principles. And one of those principles is that you don’t invade other countries or finance proxies

France’s President Francois Holland speaks at a press conference on the final day of the G20 summit in Brisbane yesterday.

and support them in ways that break up a country that has mechanisms for democratic elections,” Obama said at a press conference. On Saturday, Western leaders warned Putin that he risked more sanctions if he failed to end his country’s backing for the separatists. Russia has denied any involvement. Obama said more sanctions were a possibility. “At this point the sanctions we have in place are biting plenty good,” said Obama, speaking after the Group of 20 meeting in Brisbane, Australia. “We retain the capability, and we have our teams constantly looking at mechanisms in which to turn up additional pressure as necessary.” On Syria, President Bashar al-

Assad was warned against his military engaging U.S. warplanes conducting operations against Islamic State militants on its territory. “We have communicated to the Syrian regime when we operate going after ISIL in their airspace, they would be well advised not to take us on,” he said, using another name for Islamic State. Obama ruled out a political solution to the civil war in Syria that would leave Assad in power and denied reports that his administration was conducting a formal review of its military policy in the country. He accepted, however, that it was the “nature of diplomacy”, that Washington would eventually have to deal with some of its rivals to bring peace

to the war-wracked country. “At some point the people of Syria and the various players involved, as well as the regional players, Turkey, Iran, Assad’s patrons like Russia, are going to have to engage in a political conversation,” he said. Switching to domestic politics as he wraps up a week-long swing through Asia, Obama said that he was taking a wait and see approach to the Keystone XL pipeline bill approved by the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. A similar measure struggled to get enough support in the Senate, and Obama has indicated he might use his veto if the bill does get through Congress. “We are going to let the process play itself out,” he said.

BRISBANE (AUSTRALIA) French President Francois Hollande has said he would not be pressured into delivering two warships to Russia, after delaying their handover due to the Ukraine crisis. “I will take my decision without any pressure, wherever it may come from, and based on two criteria — the interests of France and the appreciation I have of the situation,” Hollande told a press conference after the G20 summit. “There is no pressure of time either,” he said, adding that for now the contract had not been broken and so there was no compensation issue. Russia on Friday reportedly warned of “serious” consequences unless Paris delivers the first of two Mistralclass helicopter carriers on order by the end of November. The handover has been delayed due to Western concern at Moscow’s role in the Ukraine

crisis. President Vladimir Putin called on Hollande to “minimise the risks” between their countries after months of growing tensions when they met on the margins of the summit, but did not mention the warships. “The Mistral question has not been raised at all here, neither by G20 partners nor by President Putin during our meeting because it was not the place,” Hollande said. With Moscow expecting the first of the two French carriers to be delivered on November 14, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti quoted a high-ranking Moscow source as saying Friday: “We are preparing for different scenarios. “We are waiting until the end of the month, then we will lodge serious claims.” Under the original deal signed in 2011 when Nicolas Sarkozy was president, the cost of the two vessels was put at a combined 1.2 billion euros ($1.5 billion).

Sarkozy on Saturday urged Hollande to “honour his word” and authorise the delivery. But with this year’s Ukraine crisis and the rapid decline in the West’s relations with Russia, France has come under intense pressure from allies, particularly the United States, not to supply the vessels. In September, Paris postponed the delivery of the ships indefinitely and Hollande has repeatedly said the ceasefire in Ukraine had to be fully respected before the first ship could be handed over. Russia denies involvement in the Ukraine conflict, but Western powers fear a possible escalation in fighting. Seven months of fighting in eastern Ukraine have claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people, according to UN figures. The ceasefire agreed in September has stopped fighting along much of the front line, but not artillery bombardments around strategic hotspots.

France Won’t Be Pressured Over Warship Delivery To Russia


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Agriculture “During Obasonjo rule of political inceserity so many researchers in our tertiary schools reveal different findings as a way forward for agricultural sovereignty of this country but only paid lip service to his pledge.”

Need For Agriculture To Take Centre Stage

IT may seem glaringly obvious to say that Nigeria as a country is dominated by peasant agriculture. Yet until recently, the importance of agriculture in this country, economic of scale and social lives was to some extent unapparent. Government and the private sector paid little attention, preferring to let a liberalised global market take it’s course in the importation of foreign product. To this end 2015 had been earmarked for banning the importation of rice and the nation is yet to provide for the short fall occasioned by this policy. Today, agriculture is systematically returning to centre stage and much is being asked so as to ensure food sovereignty provide jobs for a rapidly growing population, especially in the rural environment and offer people a moderate decent living and to export cash crops like cocoa, rubber, palmoil etc by some well organised limited liability companies-inorder to attract foreign currency. The only way to consolidate on what we have at hand is by modernizing agriculture

By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA

innovations which may come in various forms, just as there is wide variations in the country current situation, the geographical circumstances and the political system. Stricking figures highlight agriculture as the main stay for national emacipation now and for several years to come. The agricultural sector still have the potentials of employing a large majority of about 85% of the aggregate teeming unemployed youths in this country. With a possible population explosion in about decades from now, jobs will obviously be created for more than 300 million Nigerians. In the industrialized nations of the world, there

is usually about one or two persons out of 50 workers in farming. The development in farming technique started gradually and then accelerated. All the stages was traumatic for all families and the process still continues in a developing country such as Nigeria. If one examines how development in farming had changed people standard of living these days; one can now fully understand the abundance of wealth the development had brought to the highly developed countries of Europe and America. Amazingly, one of the huge steps turning around from peasant farming in the U.K; became a remarkable land

mark in the 12th century when a horse collar was invented. This innovation in modern farming enables a horse to perform duty without choking. This allowed horses to accelerate faster and longer than the donkey that were hitherto employed for the same purpose. Consequently food production was now increased by more than 100%. Iron plows were now employed on land that were in the past difficult to manage. Some plant that are naturally designed to enrich the quality of soil such as beans, clover and peas which revitalize the soil with Nitrogen were planted. The law of nature reveals that richer soil increases the chance of abundance food. This new development were sufficient to encourage farmers to grow food in

abundance. Some villages systematically become towns where manufacturers and tradesmen could work and purchase bulk of the food items. This led to industrial revolution which produced or invented farming equipments. In the UK an English man manufactured a horse drawn seed drill that replaced hand sowing which was in the past responsible for waste of grains. The Americans improved on this by inventing a horse drawn mechanical reaper that could harvest grains about ten times faster than could do with a hand. During the 17th century turn around in agricultural development, the Andean coast of south America were already producing fertilizers above local consumption and were now exporting to Europe to earn foreign exchange the use of agric machines and fertilizer increased productivity of food supplies. Modern farming made industrial revolution possible by providing supplus of affordable food for the urban dwellers. This revolution started first in the united kingdom around 1700. Many families have to join the rural –urban drift-to be gainfully employed in iron foundries ship –yard and textile mill. They had little choice custer

“Stricking figures highlight agriculture as the main stay for national emacipation now and for several years to come. The agricultural sector still have the potentials of employing a large majority of about 85% of the aggregate teeming unemployed youths in this country.”

farmers who could not purchase new farming equipments were not financially bouyant and consequently logged in meeting up with other social demand. They had to migrate to over crowded disease ridden slumps. Instead of family working together in a farm individual had to seek for job away from their abode. In the confusion that ensured, child labour was systematically gaining steam of acceptability as factory workers and other countries who strive to emulate this new dimension of development also became victims of circumstances. In the 18th century many European nations were wealthy enough to go into research to put paid to other challenges confronting agricultural development. The result of this effort in scientific study of Agriculture has led to continued change down to the present day. For instance, plant breeders studied genetic and developed plants with greater yields or disease resistance. Researchers also unravel the exact mixture of nitrates and phosphates needed for specific crops. During Obasonjo rule of political inceserity so many researchers in our tertiary schools reveal different findings as a way forward for agricultural sovereignty of this country but only paid lip service to his pledge. In my own submission, I think it is high time our leaders should desist from politicizing the issue of agriculture. If our leaders refuse to do the right thing, our future generation will not forgive their financial recklessness in the management of our crude oil endowment.


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Guus Hiddink Is The Wrong Man For Holland WHEN Louis van Gaal announced that he would step down as Netherlands coach after the 2014 World Cup, Ronald Koeman appeared to be sitting in pole position to replace the current Manchester United manager. The ex-Barcelona star was the ideal candidate thanks to his sublime work at Feyenoord and openly stated that he wanted to take charge of the national team. The Dutch football association (KNVB) decided differently, though, and ignored Koeman’s open invitation. Instead, they opted for a more conservative approach appointing the experienced Hiddink for a second spell as Oranje boss following his previous reign between 1995 and 1998. That decision was not only met with surprise, but with plenty of scepticism as well. The 68-year-old has not enjoyed much success in the past decade - enduring disappointing spells with Russia, Turkey and Anzhi Makhachkala – and there were plenty of question marks over whether the veteran still had the hunger and passion to lead a young team in transition such as Netherlands.

Was he really the right man for the Dutch? Barely four months into the job - with one win and four losses from five games - the answer to

this particular question appears to be a resounding no. Admittedly, the conditions at the time of his first working day were nothing like those when he

accepted the KNVB’s offer. When Hiddink signed his twoyear deal back in March, Netherlands were not even among the top 10 countries in the

Louis Van Gaal

England Boss Not Taking Scotland Lightly

ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson insists he is taking the Scotland friendly seriously, despite always having planned to rest key men for the Celtic Park showdown. On Tuesday, the Three Lions take on the auld enemy north of the border for the first time since 1999 - a match they head into buoyed by maintaining their winning start to Euro 2016 qualification. Wayne Rooney’s penalty and a Danny Welbeck brace saw off Slovenia 3-1 in a match which Hodgson always highlighted as being more important than the Scotland match. The England boss said there was “no comparison” between

the two games and, at one stage, had planned to send as many as three players home ahead of the trip to Glasgow. An injury to Leighton Baines means only Joe Hart will be rested against Scotland - a match Hodgson insists is important to him. “We will take the game very seriously,” Hodgson said. “Please don’t get the impression that I don’t take the game seriously and don’t have a lot of respect for it because I do. But that’s the same for every game, to be fair. “That was the case with Norway and Denmark in recent friendlies because that’s the way we operate.

Roy Hodgson, England Manager

“I make it clear to the players that you don’t get many international possibilities, whether you are playing San Marino or whether you are playing Argentina or Germany or Brazil. “It’s the same shirt, the same cap and one game might be easier to win than others but it doesn’t affect your attitude towards it. That’s my message, the mantra if you like, and I hope the players pick up on it.” Tuesday’s match will be the 112th meeting of international football’s oldest rivals, but Hodgson admits there were not many standout moments from previous encounters he could reel off.

He does, though, remember leading Switzerland to a win in Berne and a draw in Aberdeen en route to qualifying for World Cup ’94 - results counterpart Andy Roxburgh still jokes with Hodgson were behind his reason to leave Scottish football to take up a post with UEFA. The only other time Hodgson has taken on Scotland was last year ’s 3-2 friendly win at Wembley - an entertaining affair and one which underlined that this will not be a blood and thunder affair. “I think Scotland are a footballing team,” he said. “They have a lot of ball players - James Morrison, Graham Dorrans, I’ve worked with these guys. “They are good footballers and I think we’ve got good footballers, so I think it will be more of a fierce footballing contest rather than a fierce physical contest.” Off the field, however, there will certainly be some verbal jousting following the recent devolution debate. It was a subject Hodgson was coy about when asked, just as he was with the myth that this encounter might mean more to Scotland - even though Gordon Strachan said he would rather miss out on victory in the vital Euro 2016 qualifier against Ireland than get a tanking off England. “I don’t think any coach should ever accept a tanking,” Hodgson retorted. “With the team he has got and the way they are playing, I would have thought a tanking from us is the last thing on his mind. “I would have thought he goes to bed dreaming and thinking of victories.”

world and weren’t even expected to make it out of the group stages at the World Cup. Unfortunately for Hiddink, Van Gaal performed a miracle and guided them to third place in Brazil, thus hugely raising expectations for his successor. Had the Dutch not survived Group B, Hiddink would have had nothing to lose. In the current situation, he has nothing to win. Oranje are expected to cruise though their Euro 2016 qualification section. Each defeat or draw is a major disappointment following their successful World Cup. That’s not to say Hiddink is a victim of the circumstances, however, as his shortcomings have been clear to see right from day one. The former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss achieved his biggest success in 1988, when he guided PSV to a historic treble. But whereas football has evolved considerably since, Hiddink is still very much the same. The Dutchman is renowned for his man-management skills, but he is by no means an innovator, nor is he a tactical genius. And this has cost Oranje in the past few months. Ahead of the friendly against Italy, Hiddink stressed that Holland would no longer employ the 5-3-2 that was such a success at the World Cup, but would use a more traditional four-man defence. Yet after one loss, the veteran coach inexplicably returned to a five-man back line versus Czech Republic, despite the fact their opponents fielded just one attacker. Hiddink shifted back to 4-3-3 at half-time, but the damage was already done as defeat number two arrived. A hard-fought win over Kazakhstan in October briefly calmed the storm, but the shock 2-0 defeat versus Iceland days later was further proof that the Oranje coach was at best treading water. Whereas Lars Lagerback’s men had a clear gameplan, the

Dutch seemed lost right from the start - with Hiddink looking on apathetically from the sidelines. “I think Hiddink doesn’t really have a game plan,” former Netherlands midfielder Ronald de Boer said after the game. “With all due respect for Guus, he’s 67 years old and I think he’s done. “He doesn’t show the guys ‘this is the way we want to go’. Of course, he has a great record, but his ideas now are oldfashioned. “Guus is more of a people manager who puts an arm around the players when they need him, but these Holland players need guidance.” Indeed, Hiddink last enjoyed success when he worked with a group of seasoned professionals, rather than a bunch of hungry youngsters, as Chelsea caretaker manager in 2009. Unfortunately for the 68-yearold, this Oranje group needs a more creative and disciplined boss to lead them. Under Van Gaal’s strict regime, Netherlands thrived. Under Hiddink, the team’s limitations have been exposed in each and every game. Hiddink is all too aware of the situation he has got himself into and has even stated that he will step down if Netherlands don’t beat Latvia on Sunday evening. If it was up to the fans, however, not even a win over Fifa’s 99th ranked side would be enough for the beleaguered coach to stay on. A recent poll by Dutch daily De Telegraaf revealed that 80 per cent of the 40,000 people who delivered their vote want Hiddink out. A defeat to Latvia at the Amsterdam ArenA on Sunday could prove to be a blessing in disguise. Due to the new 24-team format of the European Championship, it will be very difficult for the Dutch not to qualify for the finals. But when they do travel to France, they have little chance of repeating their Brazilian heroics if Hiddink is still in charge.

Neymar Joining PSG Is Possible’ - Marquinhos

PARIS Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos believes Brazil and Barcelona star Neymar could join him at the Parc des Princes in the future. Neymar, who joined Barca from Santos in an 86.2 million euro deal in May 2013, is the leading scorer at the Nou Camp this season, with 12 goals in the league and Champions League. The 22-year-old was one of the few Brazilian players to emerge from the 2014 World Cup on home soil with his reputation enhanced and has been shortlisted for the 2014 Fifa Ballon d’Or. Marquinhos, who is one of five Brazilians already at the PSG, believes Neymar is just the type of star player the French champions should be recruiting. He said: “Neymar at PSG? Everything is possible if the club wants. “The owners of PSG are in Paris to win titles. They structure the team and always looking for new names to strengthen the group. Anything could happen.

“No doubt the large group of Brazilians in PSG could be persuasive.” PSG already have Brazil centre-back David Luiz playing alongside Thiago Silva in the heart of defence, while Maxwell and Lucas Moura are also at the Ligue 1 champions.

Neymar


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Isco: Madrid, Spain Home To World’s Best Players THE 22-year-old playmaker stole the show against Belarus, but admits he faces a fight to feature for club and country in the coming months The 22-year-old curled home from outside the Belarus box to give Vicente del Bosque’s side the lead after 17 minutes in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Huelva and admitted he was satisfied with his first international goal. “I just shot and luckily it was a good effort,” he told reporters after the game. “It opened the scoring and it helped us - but it could have ended up in the clouds!” Isco is enjoying his finest form since moving from Malaga to Madrid in the summer of 2013 and spending most of last season on the bench. “I feel good,” he said. “I’m making the most of my opportunities. I don’t know if this is my best moment. When I wasn’t playing I just tried to work hard and keep going.” Despite his purple patch, however, the midfielder is under no illusions he will be a regular starter for club or country in the coming weeks and months. “That doesn’t depend on me,” he said. “I just try to work hard and earn it day in, day out. It’s up to the coaches. “The national team and Real Madrid have the best players in the world. I just try to make things difficult for the coaches to decide.”

Isco

Kostas Tsanas Named Interim Greece Coach

Claudio Ranieri

One was enough. Federer was riled by a line call when he dropped serve in the first game of the decider and the 33year-old’s mood darkened further when, serving at 4-3, Wawrinka saved one of two break points with a fluky volley off the frame. But Wawrinka will have nightmares about 10th game. Match point arrived but he watched a Federer forehand whistle past him. Another came, and this time Wawrinka netted a feeble volley. Wawrinka’s nerve failed him again on a third match point when he could only spoon a volley, which Federer fizzed back past him before going on to win the game. A tiebreak was needed to settle it and Wawrinka eeked out another match point, but this time his service return went long. With the 17,500 fans, many in Swiss red and wearing Federer masks, making a deafening din, Federer had the coolest head in the cavernous arena, taking the next two points, and the match, with sumptuous drop volleys. “I think I got lucky tonight.

Stan played better from the baseline and that usually does the job on this court,” a relieved Federer said. “But I kept fighting. It’s tough but I’m thrilled to be in another final in London.” He will now do battle with Djokovic for a 37th time, though he has precious little recovery time. That said, Djokovic was complaining of “mental exhaustion” after ending Nishikori’s impressive debut at the Tour Finals. The Serb was rattled by a midmatch onslaught from the Japanese, who came back from a poor start to dominate the second set, only for his challenge to fizzle out in the decider. After dropping only nine games in group stage wins against Marin Cilic, Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych, it looked like plain sailing again for the Serb but a double-fault, loudly cheered by the crowd who wanted a Nishikori fightback, threw Djokovic off track early in the second set. He gestured sarcastically to the fans and admitted his tetchy loss of focus could have cost him dear.

San Marino Hold Estonia To End 61-Match Losing Streak SAN Marino held Estonia to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night to secure an historic result that saw them end an astonishing 61match losing streak. The microstate has a Liechtenstein in 2004 but this has population of just over 30,000 a different meaning,” Selva said. “I have been waiting for a and prior to the point against Estonia, which was their first- result like this for 11 years. We ever in European Championship are upset about some qualifying and sparked wild opportunities we didn’t take over celebrations at full-time, they had that time. “We searched for this result for scored just one goal in their last 15 matches and conceded 72 years and now we have found it. “We want to dedicate this times. San Marino beat Liechtenstein result to Federico Crescentini, a 1-0 in a 2004 friendly and have former international who died drawn against Turkey and Latvia some years ago.” Coach Pierangelo Manzaroli in World Cup qualifying, but have lost every other was earning one of his 38 caps international game in their on the pitch the last time San Marino earned a competitive history. Thirty-eight-year-old captain point - in a 1-1 draw away to Andy Selva, who was playing in Latvia in World Cup qualifying his 67th international, was in 2001 - and he said the nation worked hard to get the result. ecstatic after the match. “In recent months our “I remember the win in workload has increased and the work has paid off,” Manzaroli said. “This result is a reward for the players and it will be an incentive threatened to derail his evening – to gain other good results sooner he sent the ball wide when one- than in 12 years’ time.” on-one following a sumptuous On the wrong side of history, Santi Cazorla pass – he recovered Estonia coach Magnus Pehrsson well, continuing to open his box refused to accept San Marino of tricks to bamboozle the were worthy of their point Belarusian backline. claiming his side helped them by His goal, a powerful, lashed making too many errors. effort that slammed into the roof “We made a lot of technical of the net, was just reward for a mistakes during the game,” fine performance which should Pehrsson lamented. “I think there are three main also have included an assist – but Paco Alcacer could only head reasons for this result: first the against the bar following his players didn’t recover well from the match against Norway three clipped ball into the box.

Pedro Shows He Is Still One Of Spain’s Finest

PEDRO may have been forced down the pecking order at Barcelona by the signing of Luis Suarez, but he turned in a performance of the highest quality against Belarus in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday evening. The 27-year-old created numerous opportunities against the European minnows in Murcia, scoring the third goal in a 3-0 win for Vicente Del Bosque’s men. The winger has seen his playing time limited this season at club level, but put forward a strong case for a regular starting spot with his display against the minnows, who are ranked 107th in the world. It is not fair to tar Pedro’s performance with the fact that Belarus are ranked below St Vincent and Grenadines in the Fifa rankings, with his professional display an example to his team-mates. He consistently dropped off to receive the ball from his position as a striker, before bursting through the lines when Spain chose to break. Though his early miss

expected. “San Marino played the game we expected from them: deep defence and counterattacks. “We have made a lot of history in recent days by winning in Norway and now helping San Marino gain a point.”

“The Hellenic Football Federation announces that the role of interim coach for the friendly match with Serbia with be Kostas Tsanas and Nektarios Pantazis,” EPO said in a brief media statement. EPO chief Giorgos Sarris had made clear the organisation’s intentions to part company with Ranieri on Saturday following the humiliating 1-0 defeat to the Faroe Islands which left Greece bottom of Euro 2016 qualifying Group F. Ranieri was appointed after the 2014 World Cup, taking over from Portuguese boss Fernando Santos on a two-year deal amid enthusiastic media hype. Under the former Chelsea, Juventus and Monaco boss, Greece showed incredibly poor form and a total lack of ideas in attack. Greek media termed the national team’s shock 1-0 home defeat by Faroe Islands as a “black night” for football in the country. Local media linked two Greek coaches — Giorgos Donis and Angelos Anastasiadis — with the post.

GREECE named youth coach Kostas Tsanas as interim coach of the senior national team on Sunday but there was no official confirmation yet of the sacking of Italian Claudio Ranieri. The country’s football federation (EPO) has effectively suspended Ranieri for the time being as both sides work out the financial settlement surrounding his 1.6 million euro contract. Ranieri, 63, was expected to stay on for Greece’s friendly with Serbia in Crete on Tuesday but that is no longer the case.

Pedro

days ago. Moreover, we haven’t been able to develop the ideas and tactical opportunities we worked on ahead of this game. “I blame myself for this and take full responsibility. Finally we seemed too stressed about this game and we didn’t perform as

Federer Reaches London Final

SIX-times champion Roger Federer survived a late-night Swiss semi-final thriller against Stanislas Wawrinka on Saturday to set up an ATP World Tour Finals showdown against Novak Djokovic. After a week of one-sided group stage action at London’s O2 Arena, the season-ender burst to life with world number one Djokovic battling past Japan’s Kei Nishikori after a mid-match meltdown before Federer saved four match points in a near threehour duel with compatriot Wawrinka. Federer eventually prevailed 46 7-5 7-6(6) against the man he will join forces with when Switzerland take on France in next week’s Davis Cup final. Djokovic, bidding for a third consecutive season-ending title having already secured the number one ranking, beat Asian trailblazer Nishikori 6-1 3-6 6-0 after losing his cool with another capacity crowd at the O2 Arena. The real drama was saved to last, however. Federer, sublime in a 6-0 6-1 thrashing of home favourite Andy Murray in his final group match on Thursday, was the big favourite to claim a 15th victory in 17 career clashes with Wawrinka, but he was in for a rollercoaster ride. Australian Open champ Wawrinka seemed determined to tear up the script, which had Federer and Djokovic lined up to contest the final match of the ATP season on Sunday. He outplayed 17-times grand slam champion Federer in the opening set and went toe-to-toe in the second before cracking in the 12th game when a missed smash gave Federer three set points.

Roger Federer


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Nwosu, Temile, Akinwunmi, Others Applaud Super Eagles Victory Against Congo SOME stakeholders and football fans on Saturday applauded the victory of the Stephen Keshi-led Super Eagles 2-0 victory over the Congo national team in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. against South Africa,'' Nwosu The two goals, scored in the told newsmen. econd half by Ike Uche and Also speaking, exAaron Samuel gave Eagles the international, Clement Temile, victory and a valuable three said the team deserved all the points. credit for pulling a victory in Nwosu, Temile, Akinwuni and Congo. others applauded victory against ``It was a great game in which Congo in Brazzaville. both sides gave the best they Henry Nwosu, former Super could. Eagles Captain, expressed ``We are proud of the team and delight over the victory and I just want them to continue to congratulated the team for doing concentrate as they play against what seemed impossible in South Africa,'' Temile said. Congo. Seyi Akinwunmi of Lagos ``It was a great match, the team State Football Association played with their heart and never (LSFA) also applauded the team gave up. I congratulate the squad for coming out victorious. for this victory. According to him, the victory ``Sincerely, that victory was a has raised the hope of Nigeria great one that proved the team's featuring in the 2015 Africa Cup quality. of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. ``Now, they have to ``It is a great result, the team concentrate, with good can now concentrate and confidence, on the next match hopefully defend its title in

NSSF: Cross River Are 4th

Time Champion

CROSS RIVER on Saturday emerged winners of the seventh National School Sports Festival held at Otukpo, Benue. The Otukpo victory made it the fourth consecutive time the state triumphed over others in the festival. To win the festival tagged "Mark of Excellence", the state’s athletes hauled 124 gold, 91silver and 84 medals. It was followed by Anambra with 82 gold, 102 silver and 119 bronze medals while Lagos came third with 74 gold, 51 silver and 50 bronze medals. Declaring the games closed, Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo, described it as successful. Danagogo said that the National Sports Commission would monitor, groom and support the talents discovered at the festival towards realisation of the transformation agenda in sports. While observing that the festival was not held with the best facilities, he said that there was a lot of experience from Otukpo, which could help the development of sports in the country. He said that his ministry

had supported the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) over the years and lauded the President of the Senate, David Mark, for his interest in the development of youth sports. In his remark, NSSF President, Ibrahim Mohammad, congratulated the participants, Cross River contingent that won the festival, and urged governments of absentee states to reconsider their stance on the development of the Nigerian child.

Equatorial Guinea. ``However, there is much to be done in the Eagles' attacking tactics,'' Akinwunmi said. Busay Afolabi, a football fan, said the team had done well against all expectations, noting

that the return of Coach Stephen Keshi had been well justified. ``I am happy about the victory, Keshi got the tactics right, and most especially, Captain Vincent Enyeama's penalty save gave the team the

Jonathan Applauds Super Eagles Triumph Over PRESIDENT Goodluck Congo

Stephen Keshi

THE Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) on Saturday began a week-long camping, ahead of a continental championship in Zimbabwe, later in the month. Tunji Fasimoye, the NRFF Technical Director, told newsmen after the team's first training session in Lagos, that they would display class in Zimbabwe. He said that the squad included Lasisi Kazeem, Olanrewaju Azeez and Salihu Abdulmalik, all from the Nigeria Police. Others are: Oduntan Olatunji, Christian Ogar, John Oladele, Ayinla Hafis and Azeez Ladipo, from the Cowrie RFC, as well as Peter

Rugby Federation Begins Camping, Ahead Of Continental Championship Ambrose from Plateau Tigers. Also on the team are: Abubakar Sadam of Zaria RFC and Samaila Agwam of Hamilton RFC from South Africa. Lawal Saulawa of Abuja RFC; Kelechi Anozie of Hawkster Athletics RFC and Monday Alex of Racing RFC also made the list. ``I am excited over the selection of one foreign-based player and eleven homegrown players, ahead of the Africa Rugby 7’s.

The away victory reawakens the chance of the African Champions’ qualification for the most prestigious continental soccer fiesta in Equatorial Guinean. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had on Friday awarded the hosting right to Equatorial Guinean after Morocco shelved its earlier bid to host over fear of Ebola Virus Disease. Alfa Ibrahim Yusuf, an operator of a soccer show centre in Kaiama, the headquarters of Kaiama Local Government Area of the state, said the entire Nigerian fans were delighted

match. ``The match is good and I am delighted with the result. I pray to God to see us through the remaining match. ``Nigeria should put up a similar excellent performance against South Africa because it is not yet over until it is finally over’’. He also commended Stephen Keshi, the Eagles’ Head Coach, for coming on top of the game in the second stanza after the Congolese dominance in the first 45 minutes. Also, Mr Abdulrasak Rafiu, a soccer fan, noted that if Eagles could defeat South Africa on Wednesday, Nigeria could qualify

South Africa tops group A with 11 points having defeated Sudan, 2-1in home soil, while Eagles victory puts them in second position, though level on seven points with Congo.

AFCON Qualifier:

Jonathan has congratulated the Super Eagles on their victory over the Red Devils of Congo in Pointe Noire on Saturday, describing it as “dogged and hard-fought”. The Eagles defeated their Congolese rivals 2- 0 to revive the country's hope of qualifying for 2015 African Nations Cup Finals.

Fans Applaud Super Eagles’ Outing Against with the outcome of the Congo FOOTBALL enthusiasts

in Kwara on Saturday applauded the excellent performance of the Super Eagles of Nigeria against their Congolese counterparts in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. They called for a repeat of the good outing in their last qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South African at home in Uyo on Wednesday. The Eagles came back from their poor performance in the first half to defeat their hosts 2-0 in a make-or-mar match amidst tension in Brazaville, the Congolese capital.

belief that they could win. ``We hope they continue like this and go and defend their title in Equatorial Guinea,'' Afolabi said.

``We are really delighted that we have talents from local teams to represent Nigeria at the championship,’’ Fasimoye said. According to him, picking the team from the just-concluded Independence 7’s tournament is an indication that talents abound locally. He said that the invitation of Kelechi Anozie and Monday Alex was aimed at incorporating young players into the camp to enable them learn. Fasimoye said that Bamidele Coker remained the Technical Adviser of the NRFF. He, however, explained that the need for an advance game pattern necessitated the appointment of Fabian Juries, a South African, for the team.

Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, applauded the Super Eagles’ "patriotic, determined and courageous display in front of a vociferous and partisan home crowd". The victory, he said, had placed Nigeria in good stead for qualification to defend the African Nations Cup, which it currently holds, at next year’s finals, to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea. "On behalf of all soccer loving Nigerians, the president heartily commends the Super Eagles for their winning performance in Pointe-Noire. "The victory has wiped away the disappointment of their earlier outings in the qualifying series and rekindled the hope of Nigerians in the team’s ability to bring further glory to the country. "Jonathan joins other Nigerians in looking forward to seeing the Super Eagles complete the task of qualifying to defend the title at the 2015 Nations Cup Finals with victory against South Africa in Uyo, next week. "He assures the Super Eagles and their handlers of the fullest support of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria for that final qualification match," the statement said.

President Goodluck Jonathan


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Laporta: “I Didn’t Talk About Mourinho Nou. FORMER Barcelona The Portuguese, and With Mendes” president Joan Laporta, current Chelsea boss, who could stand for reelection in 2016, has denied he has held discussions about recruiting former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. Laporta has been critical of current Barca president Sandro Rosell and met with super-agent Mendes, who counts Mourinho among his many highprofile clients, after confirming his intention to stand against his successor. However, Laporta, who

• Lionel Messi

oversaw the rebuilding of Barcelona through managers such as Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola, told Spanish newspaper L’Esportiu that he did not discuss Mourinho with the agent. “My style of coaching is with the [Johan] Cruyff philosophy,” Laporte said. “Mourinho is a great professional and I respect him, but I did not mention him with Jorge Mendes, a person with whom I have a good friendship for many years.

“From time to time, we talk about things.” Despite previously working at the Blaugrana, as a former coach of Madrid, Mourinho is hugely unpopular at Camp

endured numerous run ins with Barca during his time at the Bernabeu, including poking the Catalan club’s then assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye.

Lionel Messi Would Be Better In Premier League - Xavi

XAVI has told BBC Sport that Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi would be even better in the Premier League because he would be able to exploit more space than in La Liga. Messi, 27, is just one goal short of equalling Telmo Zarra’s all-time La Liga goalscoring record of 251, and won four Ballon d’Or awards between 2009 and 2012.

The Argentina captain is one of the 23 nominees for the 2014 prize, and despite his achievements in his 10year career at Camp Nou, Xavi believes Messi would be an even more fearsome player had he moved to England. “I think he’d be even better in the Premier League because it is not so defensive,” Xavi said. “When defending against Barcelona,

Bale’s Agent Claims Man Utd Offered More Than Madrid THE agent of Gareth Bale has revealed that Manchester United offered more than Real Madrid to sign him, before he moved to the Bernabeu in a worldrecord 100 million euro deal last summer. Bale, 25, scored decisive goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals to help his new side to two major trophies in his debut season and has impressed during his time in Spain. But the Welshman could have moved to Old Trafford if he had decided to take up a more lucrative offer. “It was one of the greatest, if

• Gareth Bale

not the largest [transfers],” agent Jonathan Barnett told AS.com. “And to complete it was a great honor for me because I met Gareth when he was very young and I was able to help make dream come true ... He always wanted to play for Madrid. He could have gone to United and other clubs, but he wanted to Madrid.” When quizzed if Man Utd had offered more money, he replied: “Not much more, but more. “I know that at one time Barcelona were also interested in him, but he said he did not want to go there. There were two agents who called me...”

they [English clubs] play on a 1 vs. 1 basis, defending with passion, a lot of energy. But Leo would find more spaces than in La Liga.” Barcelona added Luis Suarez to the squad this summer to play alongside Messi and Neymar in the front line, and Xavi thinks the trio deserve the plaudits due to their match-winning talents. “The press give those three the top headlines and they

are the ones that can make the difference on their own,” he said. “It’s a luxury to have them at the club and from there we have to take advantage of that.”

Francesco Acerbi: I’m Reborn After Chemotherapy For Cancer SASSUOLO defender

Francesco Acerbi said chemotherapy “helped me realise many things” on the way to his Italy debut.

• Francesco Acerbi

Martinez: Barkley Will Be

England’s Best Ever

BARKLEY has long been tipped as a future England regular and has racked up nine senior caps since making his debut against Moldova in September last year. The 20-year-old has become a key figure in Everton’s side under Martinez and his strong performances at Goodison Park last term helped earn Barkley a spot in England’s World Cup campaign, where he made appearances in all three

• Joan Laporta

games as Roy Hodgson’s men crashed out at the group stage. And having recently urged his star youngster to embrace comparisons with England legend Paul Gascoigne, Martinez believes Barkley has all the tools to become his country’s greatest ever performer. Martinez said: “There is no doubt in my mind he will be the best player England has ever had. “Ross has everything.

The 26-year-old was diagnosed with a testicular tumour in July 2013, then the cancer returned in December that year. He has fully recovered and after playing regularly this season earned a call-up for Italy’s friendly against Albania on Tuesday. “I didn’t expect it, so this is a step forward and I am very happy,” Acerbi told Sassuolo Channel. “I think I’ve done well this season and thank everyone, as my teammates helped me get to this point. “The first game with Sampdoria I was aware I could do well, but also agitated and after such a long time out I was pretty tense. “My goal against Parma was the icing on the cake, but this unexpected Italy call was wonderful. It reminds me I must always be concentrated and ready for anything. You must never take your foot off the gas, especially when things are going well. “Of course I thank my family, that goes without saying. I was ill for many months, but I rolled up my sleeves and got working. “I have always thanked the Coach, my teammates, Sassuolo and many people who helped me to get out of that situation.” Although the first tumour was removed, Acerbi underwent a course of chemotherapy when the

second tumour was discovered and saw it as a life-changing experience. “I think chemotherapy is the key to this rebirth. It helped me realise many things, all that I had been losing over the past two years. I thank chemo, as it helped me understand where I was going wrong and brought back in me that desire to be a protagonist on the field.” Acerbi said he had been fortunate to recover, but always kept a thought for others around the world dealing with cancer. “I wish them all the best and to keep mentally strong. For those close to them to show their support, as that can only help emerge from that. I hope they can all have a happy ending, though I know that’s not always possible.” Italy (probable): Buffon; Darmian, Ranocchia, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Candreva, De Rossi, Marchisio, Pasqual; Zaza, Immobile Italy bench: Sirigu, Perin, Moretti, Rugani, Parolo, Bonaventura, Bertolacci, Soriano, El Shaarawy, Cerci, Pellè, Giovinco Croatia (probable): Subasic; Srna, Corluka, Vida, Pranjic; Brozovic, Modric; Rakitic, Olic, Perisic; Mandzukic Croatia bench: Kalinic, Vargic, Vrsaljko, Jedvaj, Lovren, Leovac, Halilovic, Badelj, Kovacic, Sharbini, Cop, Kramaric


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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014

Edo State And Coming Of Adams Oshiomhole THIS article is a product of my reminiscences of the times and seasons in Edo State prior to the advance of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and I always have the cause to thank God while heaving a sigh of relief and also appreciating the man for his bravery in stepping his feet into the then rough waters of Edo politics. I once read an interview on him on the topic “I MUST GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS”, published in the PUNCH Daily News papers of Thursday, 27 October, 2005. Page 48. After I have read the interview, I prayed a deep inner prayer silently muttered by my lips “LORD BRING THIS MAN, WE NEED HIM IN THIS STATE”. In the last paragraph of that interview, he said “When we come out, we will come out first because we understand what Nigeria’s problems are. Two, because we believe we can do it differently. Three, we will be able to demonstrate the way the resources are and where we can get the resources to do what we believe should be done and in a matter of months, people would be able to see the difference. That I can say at this point. Following the article referred to above I woke up one morning after a night rest from the previous day labour on my way to the office and saw bill boards and posters with various inscriptions, inviting Adams Oshiomhole to come and serve his people. The summary of all the tones was something like this “AFTER YOU HAVE SERVED THE ENTIRE NATION OF NIGERIA, COME HOME AND SERVE YOUR STATE, EDO.” A lot of tongue wagging followed this action all in disbelief that the man in question cannot breakthrough the thick canopy that had covered the political atmosphere of

the State. Na joke, na joke, THEN CAME IN OSHIOMHOLE as the Gubernatorial candidate from Action Congress (AC) party and the battle started. The rulers ignored him and relegated him to the background, but the people took him serious as their Messiah. The rulers did not know that God had anointed him or chosen or preferred him as the next number one citizen of Edo State. In his book, A TALE OF TWO CITIES’, Charles Dickens described the situation there as “It was the time of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity. It was the time of hope, it was the epoch of despair. It was the time of peace, it was the epoch war. It was the time of freedom, it was the epoch of bondage.” The situation before Adams Oshiomhole was synonymous with the last verse in the Biblical book of Judges which says “In those days, there was no King in Israel, everyone did what seemed good in his eyes.” The vehicular traffic at major junctions especially in Benin City which is our major metropolis was like life in the jungle, THEN CAME IN OSHIOMHOLE and order came in with him. After the general voting, the rulers of the Land were taken aback to discover to their alter amazement that the people by the ballot system spoke that the man who they ignored and called a ‘joke’ was their chosen one. Although his genuine mandate was there and then hijacked and stolen in broad day robbery and given to another but the winner remained resolute that he would not give up. After then, rumour and news filled the air that he has been ‘settled’ by the ‘Snatchers’ of the people’s mandate. One Friday afternoon, I drove out of office on my way for school-run. At the Ring Road, Benin City, I saw a manmount crowd trooping in from Sapele Road ushering into the Ring Road, and then in an open space Jeep Car, CAME IN ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE in the midst of cheers. He had gone

to file his papers in the election Tribunal demanding the return of his stolen mandate. With joy, I swiftly drove ahead his trail, stopped, came out and raised my hand and said to him “May you win in Jesus name” and he said “Amen”, and I drove off.

Oshiomhole’s election case then came in with him Forensic machines in multiple. With him election manipulators have now known all over the nation and beyond that one cannot commit election fraud and expect to go free. He must be

MATTERS IN FOCUS By REV. DR. RAPHAEL U. OIZII However, with the clear revelations of multiple voting by Forensic machines, THEN CAME IN OSHIOMHOLE with the campaign of ‘ONE MAN, ONE VOTE.’ Today, a great

Blaise Campaore The case went on. The rest is history. He won. THEN CAME IN OSHIOMHOLE as the Executive Governor of Edo State. Then came in a Governor who is not swollen —headed with office power and accolades of the word ‘your Excellency’ or ‘His Excellency’ but said simply call me “Comrade Governor” or “People’s Governor” later, out of his simplicity and fatherly nature, the people gave him a third name “Oshio Baba.” Prior to the advance of Oshio Baba, forensic machines were, special very top security facilities limited to the Headquarters of the Police, the State Security Services (SSS), the Army, Air-force and Navy, for top crime detection. However, with the celebrated case of

detected if screened with Forensic machines. The electoral Law of Nigeria stipulates that an individual is entitled to vote only once but the corrupt order of the day had been that people voted more than once in an election.

deal of sanity has come in to our electoral process. When Oshiomhole has not come it is needless to say the fact that infrastructures in all areas were alien to Edo State people. THEN CAME IN

OSHIOMHOLE with full

blown infrastructures in Roads, Schools, Hospitals, Portable Water supply , A g r i c u l t u r e , Transportation, Manpower development, Erosion Control Drainages etc. It was in one of his frequent inspections of projects that he came to Ivbiye lane area, New Benin one day. We were about to start evening church service when we heard what sounded like commotion. My wife went out to see what it was and she called me and said “Darling is your friend O.” And I said “who is that”? “Oshio Baba.” She replied. So I came out and all of us stood outside in front of the Church to see him. THEN CAME IN THE P E O P L E ’ S G O V E R N O R unassuming and with great air of humility. He took time to respond to cheers and chatted with kids and adults alike. Then he walked to my wife and I, offered us a hand shake and chatted with us. I am not writing this to idolize or heroes-worship him. A righteous man is one who does what is right. Since this righteous man came as Governor to Edo State the people have been rejoicing. May Edo State people, continue to rejoice with their God — given Governor. Amen. God bless Co mrade Adams Oshiomhole. God bless Edo State. God bless Nigeria.

“The situation before Adams Oshiomhole was synonymous with the last verse in the Biblical book of Judges which says “In those days, there was no King in Israel, everyone did what seemed good in his eyes.” The vehicular traffic at major junctions especially in Benin City which is our major metropolis was like life in the jungle, THEN CAME IN OSHIOMHOLE and order came in with him.”

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


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