Nigerian observer 18 12 2013

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 NO. 378 •WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 20 13 . N 100.00 PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Page 13 Journalists

Why are they watch dogs?

ECHOES Page 23

Born equal, yet unequal

EDHA confirms 5 Civil Service Commission nominees

By KEN ABU

BENIN CITY – The Edo State House of Assembly has confirmed the five nominees designated as chairman and

members of the state Civil Service Commission.

The nominees are Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa

Inneh (Chairman), Mr. Oshonebo Tony, Prince Matthew Ogedengbe, Chief Lugard Aimiuwu and Mr. Jim Akhimien.

The confirmation followed the House adoption of a resolution after the presentation Continues on page 2

ASUU suspends strike

MINNA - The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday suspended the sixmonth-old strike it embarked.

The union embarked He said ASUU expected on the strike on July 1, to demand for the the government to implementation of the faithfully implement the FGN/ASUU 2009 resolutions.

They include immediate agreement.

The ASUU President, commencement of the Dr. Nasir Fagge, revitalisation processes as announced the contained in a letter with suspension at the reference FME/PS/398/ Federal University of C.I/Vol 1.I/110 dated Technology, Minna, after December 12, 2013, titled the National Executive ‘Opening of a Dedicated Council meeting of the Account for Revitalisation of Nigerian Universities. union held on Monday.

The ASUU president Fagge said: “NEC said that the revitalisation resolved to suspend the strike embarked upon on funds for five years would provided by 1st July, 2013, with effect be from Tuesday, December government.

“We expect the 17th, 2013 and directs its branches to resume work implementation monitoring committee to ensure that forthwith.”

. Orders immediate resumptions of Work

the funds released will be used to meet the genuine revitalisation needs of the Nigerian public universities, with strict and disciplined supervision of the implementation process

by the universities themselves.”

He said the union and the government agreed that an Implementation Monitoring Committee should meet to verify

the level of implementation of the Earned Academic Allowances.

The president also said that the Federal Government agreed to provide fund for the

payment of outstanding balance.

Fagge said ASUU expected government to act quickly to engage the services of the universities in special Continues on page 2

NMA urges FG to prevent strike

IBADAN - Prof. Ade Malomo, the Chairman Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State chapter, has called on the Federal Government to do everything possible to avoid the impending doctors’ strike by meeting the demands of the association.

Malomo made the call in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Ibadan.

He said that doctors strike was dangerous to the society.

Malomo urged government to pay attention to the demands of the association, adding that the lives of ordinary Nigerians would always be at risk during the strikes of the doctors.

“It will not be easy for the poor populace at all.

The lives of people will surely be at risk because their health are at stake.

People are bound to die and suffer,” he stressed.

Malomo, however, said that the association would embark on

TIT BIT “I simply cannot think of just one thing we can do without the help of each other, even our death, someone else has to confirm.”

- Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

warning strike from Wednesday to Sunday if the government failed to respond to its demands.

“If nothing happens till Wednesday, doctors would consider themselves as having no righteous and proper option than to continue the Continues on page 2

COURTESY VISIT: The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (right), in a handshake with Theophilus Ibodeme, President, Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network, during a courtesy visit, yesterday in Government House. Photo: QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO.

Oshiomhole admonishes Christian Pilgrims to Holy Land Christians with holiness of mind in all ramifications.

He gave the admonition yesterday

during a farewell ceremony for the 2013 pilgrims to Jerusalem at Government House in Benin City.

G o v e r n o r

Oshiomhole who was represented by the Head of Service H.O.S, Edo State, Mr. Jerry Obazele said ‘

elections would provide the platform for the desired democratic growth and maturity in

Nigeria.

Oyegun told newsmen in Benin that such

also provide the people with better alternative

the visit is purely Christianly stressing that it should not be taken as opportunity for tourism.’

According to him’it is a holy mission for you and your family and for Edo State, maintaining that it is the hope of government that you go in that spirit and return in that same spirit, he stressed.

In his speech, the chairman, Edo State Pilgrims Welfare

Continues on page 2

Continues on page 2

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

BENIN CITY - Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has admonished the 2O13 pilgrims to the Holyland of Jerusalem to conduct themselves as

Free, fair elections ’ll strengthen BENIN -The first e m o c r a t i c democracy - Oyegun denvironment executive Governor of would Edo, Chief Odigie Oyegun, yesterday said free and fair

News

NMA urges FG to prevent strike

Continued from page 1 strike. It’s very painful but there is nothing we can do.

“The association had earlier issued several ultimatums to the government, clearly highlighting the major challenges and potential dangers in the health sector, but they were all neglected.”

He said the association demanded that the government should act on the unfair adjustment of salaries in the health sector.

“Other categories of staff are allowed to keep a step in their salary scale while doctors are barred from enjoying the same.

“Government should look at the issue of designating some hospital workers as directors and neglecting medical doctors who are on the same or even higher grade level than the designated directors.

“Also designating as scientists, people whose functions are technical and prompting them to act independently as medical

laboratory experts, who are proper independent and medical lab scientists.

“Let the government respond to our resolutions. If the warning strike does not yield result, we will embark on an indefinite one since strike

roles.

“But undermining the status of rigorous intellectuals and comprehensively demanding peak of professionalism, which medicine is, will not be in the interest of future generations,” he said.

so that those choices are not mortgaged.

“The right by the electorate to make their choice of candidates is still lacking, judging from the recent elections in Delta and Anambra states.

“Elections conducted in these states tell us in clear terms that we still have a long way to go in terms of achieving free and fair elections in Nigeria.”

Oyegun reiterated that free and fair election in any democratic

basic and fundamental requirements that guaranteed the development of institutions.

On the defection of some PDP governors to the APC, Oyegun said: “The PDP provided the platform for them to defect.”

He said the defection became possible because of a ready strong and viable alternative party in the APC, “otherwise they would have remained in the PDP.

Free, fair elections ’ll strengthen Continued from page 1 democracy environment were the ch oices during

electioneering periods.

He, however, said the country had made some significant progress in the improvement of the lives of Nigerians.

He added that the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC) would present the people with a genuine and better choice while exercising their franchise.

‘Nigerians can now choose from parties of equal strength; we still need free and fair election

ASUU suspends strike

Continued from page 1 co nsulting services as contained in the resolution.

“This is one of the challenges that the universities have been asking the government to throw to Nigerian universities; we are more than ready to meet the challenges,” he said.

He said the union would have preferred to undertake the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement in second quarter of 2014, but it was prevailed upon to shift the date to the third quarter.

The ASUU president urged parents and guardians to demand better funding, better living conditions, laboratories, freedom for their children to enable them to get all round education.

“We appeal to parents to

is the only language the government understands.

“Anyway, there will be emergency treatments.”

Malomo, however, explained that doctors were not angry with healthcare workers but appreciate their

take more interest in the proper education of their children and work with us for the revitalisation of public universities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has constituted two committees to monitor the N200 billion infrastructure funds for the universities following the suspension of the strike.

The Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, who made this known in Abuja yesterday, named the committees as the Allocation and Logistics Committees.

Wike said the committees were set up to ensure that the funds were used for their intended purposes.

He said Prof. Mahmood Yakub, former Executive

Pilgrimage as a tool for Spiritual\Rural Transformation and Rebirth’. About seventy [70] pilgrims of Edo State origin are participating in the 2013 pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Non-Academic Staff Union of universities (NASU).

“It is important to note that we are neither implementing the projects nor giving out contracts for the projects. Our duty is to allocate and monitor the use of the funds,” he said.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have advised the Federal Government to always honour its agreements to forestall future occurrences of industrial actions by ASUU. Dr. Michael Oke, of the Department of Banking and Finance, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), told newsmen in Akure that stakeholders were happy over the suspension of the strike.

“It is good that the strike is finally over. It is now clear that ASUU is not fighting for their selfish interest, but for the survival of university students.

Similarly, Dr Akinyemi Oluwadare, Department of Mathematical Sciences, EKSU, described the suspension of the strike as a bold step to save the country’s university education.

“To be sincere, all the stakeholders had been frustrated before this giant step by the Federal Government was taken,” Oluwadare said.

House and Chairman of the committee explained that Princess (Mrs.) Inneh is an experienced person in the Civil Service, having served as Head of Service and Permanent Secretary.

Hon. Shaibu attested to the qualification of the other nominees to serve as members of the commission consequent of which the lawmakers endorsed all their nominations.

Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) would head the Allocation committee, while the Logistics committee would be headed by Mrs. Hindatu Abdullah, Director, Tertiary Education, Federal Ministry of Education.

The minister said the Allocation committee would allocate funds to the various universities according to the report of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities.

He said the Logistics committee would ensure smooth operations of the Allocation committee.

The minister said the committees would also have representatives from universities management, TETFund, NUC, ASUU, the Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU), Ministry of Finance and the

Oshiomhole admonishes Christian Pilgrims to Holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem Continued from page 1 Land has as its theme’

Board, Most Rev. Andrew Obiyan said the Pilgrims for this year 2013 to holy land is restricted to Greece and Israel only.

He said that members would spend two [2] nights in Greece before going to Israel stressing that Pilgrims would not be allowed to visit Mount Sinai because of security report.

Rev. Obiyan however said that “we remind you again on the purpose of this exercise.

First and foremost is to see for yourselves what you have

read from the bible and to see the journey as opportunity to witness the atmosphere of the environment to pray for yourselves and the state.

This year 2013

EDHA confirms 5 Civil Service Commission nominees Continued from page 1 and consideration of the report of the House Standing Committee on Rules, Business and Government House on their screening.

Majority Leader of the

FG Suspends UNN Chairman Governing Council ABUJA -The Federal Government yesterday in Abuja suspended Dr Emeka Enejere, the Chairman/ Pro-Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Governing Council with immediate effect.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, the

Special Assistant on Media to the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike.

The statement said that the suspension was announced by the supervising minister of education.

It would be recalled that Enejere was appointed as the Chairman of UNN Governing Council in April this year.

ABUJA- Mr Yusuf Buba, the Chairman of the workers union in the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), says trade unionism is not to antagonise the government as being widely perceived.

Buba told journalists in Abuja yesterday that labour movement was to promote the welfare of workers for enhanced productivity.

Buba is also the Chairman of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE) in CAC. “Union leaders are widely seen as antagonists in this country, but the truth is that we are partners in progress for the good of our organisations and that of our nation.

“Ours is to ensure that workers get their entitlements and in return give their best in terms of service delivery for the good of their respective organisations.’’

Buba, who was recently elected, said that one of his priorities was to foster harmonious working relationship between the workers and management of CAC. “In the next three years, we will maintain an open channel of communication with management to foster understanding between both parties.

“The welfare of our

members remain paramount and we will continue to explore the middle ground in our engagement with the management.’’

The AUPCTRE chairman commended the CAC management for honouring the agreement recently signed with the union after a two-day strike.

Reports state that AUPCTRE embarked on an indefinite strike action on October 4 over nonpayment of some entitlements of its members, among others.

The strike was suspended on October 6 following the intervention of Mr Dauda Kigbo, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Buba said that the management had so far kept to the terms of the agreement which included the payment of 50 per cent “palliative to the workers”.

He said the management had also agreed to begin payment of arrears of 108.32 per cent enhanced bonus to some members of staff by the end of December.

The agreement also included the setting up of a joint technical committee to work out modalities to bridge the gap in the salary structure of executive and non-executive staff of the commission.

“A committee was set up and it has completed its assignment; its report will soon be submitted to the management and we expect prompt and positive action,’’ Buba said.

Labour Unionism, not to antagonise government - Union leader

FRSC deploys 34,000 personnel, 4 helicopters for Xmas patrol ABUJA - The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has deployed 34,000 operatives and 484 vehicles for Christmas and New Year special patrol.

This information was contained in a statement issued by Mr. Jonas Agwu, the Corps Public Education Officer, in Abuja yesterday.

According the statement, the exercise will begin on Thursday and last till January 12, 2014.

It stated that 53 Advance Life Support Ambulances and 17 tow trucks consisting of eight heavy duty and nine light trucks, and 102 motorcycles had been deployed to support the personnel and vehicles.

“In addition, four helicopters for aerial surveillance have been deployed to consolidate the efforts to reduce road traffic accidents during the period.

“The exercise tagged `Operation Zero Tolerance’ has become necessary due to the usual increased movement of people and goods across the nation’s roads.”

The commission had identified 23 road corridors and 65 routes nationwide for

the special exercise.

They are: Sagamu-OreBenin, Lokoja-Benin-Auchi, Onitsha-Ihiala-Aba, AbujaKeffi-Akwanga-Hawan-KiboJos, Minna-Birnin-KebbiSokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria and Kabba-Umuoke-Ekiti-IdoIlesha roads.

“The operational focus will be on traffic control/calming, clearing of obstructions, checking speed limit and overloading violation, dangerous driving, use of phone while driving, light signal violation and other road vices,” it said.

The statement added that 20 critical traffic control camps had been set up to ensure seamless response to road crashes and traffic gridlocks.

It stated that the patrol would be conducted in collaboration with other agencies such as the military, police, National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The FRSC urged motorists to comply with all traffic rules and regulations, adding that Mobile Courts would be set up at strategic points on the highways for prompt trial of traffic offenders.

News Federal Unity Schools PTA Adopts New Name

L-R: I-G, Mohammed Abubakar; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubike Ihejirika and Chief of Defence Staff, Adm. Ola Ibrahim at the launch of the Emblem for the 2014 Armed Forces Rememberance Day Celebration in Abuja on Monday.

Arokho Community Yearns For Amenities

AROKHO - The Edo State Government has been called upon to grade and asphalt the Arokho / Ohami /Uokha road which is currently in a deplorable condition.

This call was made by the Aidenuan of Arokho Chief Sunday Oisa in a chat with The Nigerian OBSERVER in Arokho, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Chief Oisa also enjoined the state government to salvage the community from the gulley erosion that is currently threatening the Ewai quarters axis saying has cut off the bridge linking Iyarebe quarters.

The traditional ruler also called on the State Government to provide a borehole for Iyarebe quarters as the residents had to rely on nearby stream for water for their domestic use.

Chief Oisa stressed that the Arokho secondary school founded by the late professor Ambrose Alli’s administration is now in a deplorable condition as the original four buildings, including a Science Laboratory have since given way. He stressed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members lodge need renovation. Chief Oisa, however pledged the continued loyalty of members of the community to the State Government and promising to continuously partner with it in the area of development.

Meanwhile, Chief Oisa has expressed appreciation to the chairman of Owan East Local Government Council, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai for the free exercise books distributed to pupils in public primary schools in the area, the provision of chairs with desks for the schools,

renovation of the school’s infrastructure as well as the ongoing project at the Arokho maternity.

However, he urged the

council boss to fulfill his electioneering promise of rebuilding the dilapidated Akugbe Primary School building in the community.

He also appealed to the council boss to assist the community with modern market, Town Hall, Medical facility as well as construct a drainage facility for Iyarebe/ Evbogua quarters in the community.

ENUGU – The National Parents Teachers Association of Federal Unity Schools (NAPAFUSS) has adopted a new name – National Parents Teachers Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC).

The association is the umbrella body of all Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of Federal Government Colleges in Nigeria.

The new name was adopted at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Enugu.

National President of the Association, an Associate Professor in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Dr. Paul Aigbodun Eric told newsmen that the change in name was a fallout of the Federal Ministry of Education’s efforts to restructure the association in order to accommodate other stakeholders in the colleges.

The restructuring, he said is an initiative of the supervising Minister of Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike as part of federal government transformation agenda.

Dr. Aigbogun pleaded for the understanding of other members of the association as the change was in good faith and would make the association more relevant in

the education sector.

During the association’s courtesy visit, the Udezuluigbo III of Nike, Igwe (Barrister) J. U. Nnaji paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of Unity Schools in Nigeria and commended the association for its tremendous support to the sustenance of the schools.

In a chat with newsmen, Dr. Erie expressed disappointment that the federal government was not represented at the AGM. He disclosed that the association’s constitution has been amended in line with ongoing restructuring, stating that when adopted, it would stern the incidence of conflicts as well as standardize the operations of PTAs in the Unity schools.

Dr. Paul Aigbodun

Chief Eshiorameh For Burial

Traders display their wares on the Upper Mission Road by New Benin Market. A case of street trading still ongoing in Benin City. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

AFOKPELLA – The death of Chief Eshiorameh Ogah Ichaba has been announced.

He was aged 59.

The late Chief Eshiorameh Ichaba who hails from Imioko village – Afokpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, died on November 27, 2013. He is survived by aged father, mother, wife, Mrs. Doris .O. Eshiorameh and eight children amongst who are Mr. Onah, Irekpila,

Edo Govt To Apprehend Dealers On Fake Substandard Products

BENIN CITY – Concerned over the incidence of fake and substandard products, Edo state government has mandated officials of the ministry deployed to the consumers protection council to apprehend any persons engaged in the illicit act.

State Commissioner for Commence and Industry, Barrister Mcdonald Obasuke who gave the mandate in Benin City while X-raying the activities of the ministry

in recent time said the fake and substandard products have given the state government cause for concern due to the dangers they pose to members of the society.

While cautioning those in the habit of producing and selling fake and substandard products to refrin from it in order not to incur the wrath of government, he urged well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to assist in boosting the business sector of the state through genuine

investment.

The commissioner disclosed that industrial and commercial sectors of the state would continue to receive adequate attention from government.

In this regard, he said the state government in collaboration with Trust Fund Microfinance Bank and the Bank of Industry has advanced loan facility to small and medium scale enterprises to enable them improve on their businesses while creating employment

opportunities for the populace.

He implored beneficiaries of the loan scheme to put their money into judicious use so as to ensure timely repayment.

Urging those yet to benefit from the scheme to be patient, the commissioner advised business operators in the state that are yet to be registered to do so.

The commissioner also urged operators of registered businesses to pay their renewal levies promptly.

Omoh, Blessing, Joy Ogah, Martins and Princess Ogah Eshiorameh respectively.

According to the burial arrangement, on Wednesday December, 18, 2013, there would be service of songs at his residence followed by social wake in Masaka, Nasarawa State. While corpse leaves Maitama General Hospital, Abuja for his home town, Afokpella – Okpella at 6.00pm.

There would be social wake till down, followed by interment and thanksgiving service at Church of Grace Temple, Ogute-Okpella on Sunday, December 22, 2013.

News FG To Phase Out NonBiodegradable - Minister ABUJA - The Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with UNIDO, in Abuja on Tuesday, began the process of phasing out non-biodegradable plastics, to ensure the nation’s environmental sustainability.

The Supervising Minister of Environment, Mr. Darius Ishaku, said this at the stakeholders’ workshop on the phase-out of non-biodegradable plastics in the country.

Ishaku said that the ministry began the process of phasing out bio-degradable plastics with a stakeholders’ workshop, to sensitise Nigerians and develop an action plan for its phase-out.

Non-biodegradable plastics are plastics that either do not break down at all or that requires mechanical or chemical process break down.

Represented by Mr. Taiye Haruna, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ishaku said that plastic waste accounted for more than 20 per cent of the municipal solid waste in the country.

“The Federal Government recognises that the uncontrolled use of plastic materials and indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste particularly shopping bags and pure water sachets, is detrimental to the environment.

“The large-scale flooding of major Nigerian urban cities and villages in recent years, particularly in 2012, is a clear testimony to this danger.

“Several attempts have been made by governments at all levels, to reduce the burden of

plastic waste.

“One of such measures is the establishment of plastic recycling plants in 26 selected cities in Nigeria,” he added.

In his address, Haruna said that the project had been completed in nine sites where they were now operational.

The permanent secretary was represented by Mrs. Olufunke Babade, the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department in the ministry.

Haruna observed said that other recycling plants were at various stages of completion.

According to him, on completion the plants are expected to handle a significant volume of the plastic waste generated in the country.

“The plants, would among

other things, provide employment for Nigerians, attract investment in this sector and provide raw materials to plastics manufacturers.

“It will provide materials for re-manufacturing while at the same time, ensuring cleaner and healthier environment,” he said.

According to him, the ministry is keeping up with international best practice and the Federal Government’s transformation agenda, to establish a programme for the phasing-out of nonbiodegradable plastics in the country.

Several countries have adopted measures to reduce the production and use of plastic materials by the imposition of taxes, fines, restriction or outright ban of shopping bags.

KATSINA - A former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie has advised the Federal Government to revise the process of recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force to weed out bad eggs.

He said the police in every country was a superior body vested with the responsibility of protecting lives and property, as such it should not be allowed to degenerate into an all comers affair.

The former IGP gave the

advice yesterday in Katsina in an interview with newsmen on Nigeria’s centenary celebration.

He said there must be clear criteria for recruitment into the force, which should include thorough verification of the character of those aspiring to join the police, in order to stop recruiting people of questionable characters.

“The police are charged with the constitutional responsibility of maintenance of law and order in any nation, hence the need for them to be of sound character and

Dr. Mrs. Justina Adavbiele, receiving an award on behalf of Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku, Vice-Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma from Hon. Omorede Osifo, Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports. The award was presented to Prof. Mrs. Agbebaku, by the Association of Community Newspapers in Benin City recently. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

Former IGP Tasks FG On Effective Police Force

Chairman, Egor Local Government Council, Comrade Victor Osayande Enobakhare presenting chairs/desks to the headmistress of Okhoro Primary School, Benin City.

educational background.

Police are the ones appointed and given the legalities to maintain law and order, preserve peace and public order, which means, you have placed them superior over everybody else.

“It therefore means we should be very meticulous in who is employed into the force, which person we are placing the responsibility of protecting our

lives and property to”.

He also called for increased funding of the force to enable it transform “into a very progressive and responsive police”.

“It is very important to provide the police with the required training, matching resources and apparatus to be able to perform their functions efficiently and effectively”, the former IGP said.

Committee of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Midwest Zone has suspended fiver of its members from the Association over their unconstitutional and antiassociational disposition in Warri Unit.

The suspended members are Messrs Tony Okpemi, Sunny Owuzo, Bayamin Omoefe, Henry Okenini and Theophilus Aruna, while the committee referred that of Austin Irabor to the National Executive Committee of IPMAN for appropriate disciplinary action A release signed by the Uwayoba of Benin Kingdom, Chief Solomon Ogbewe and Ezekiel Olusegun, zonal Chairman and Acting Zonal Secretary respectively stated that the suspension of the members was as a result of their flagrant

disregard for the association.

The release stated that upon the petition it received on November 25, and December 5, 2013 which bordered on anti-IPMAN activities, a Disciplinary Committee was set up to look into the allegation levelled against them in line with the IPMAN Amended Constitution.

It further stated that the members did not only fail to honour the invitation by the committee but neglected it in a flagrant show of disobedience and went ahead to send text messages to members informing them to disregard the invitation.

The release however , alleged that the suspended members instead, went to the Association office at No. 86 Sapele Road, Benin City to hold a meeting on how to displace and disrupt the zonal committee activities, as well as that of the Unit in Warri depot.

IPMAN Suspends 5

BY ROLAND OSAKUE Members BENIN CITY- The Zonal

Murder: Police Parade Deceased Wife, Pastor

BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON BENIN CITY- A 39 –year-old mother of three alleged to have conspired with her secret lover, a pastor, to kill her husband, were yesterday paraded in Benin City by the Edo State Police Command.

The woman, Mrs. Enebong Victor Isonguyo and Prince Udoka Nkanchukwu, a pastor of a Pentecostal Church (name withheld) in Benin City, said to have been having secret extramarital affairs with the woman were among the 19 crime suspects paraded by the Police Commissioner, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo.

According to Adebanjo, on Monday, December 2, 2013, the woman reported to the police that

her husband, Mr. Victor Gabriel Isonguyo, a Staff of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company was missing.

Mr. Adebanjo stated that the said missing husband was found burnt in his private vehicle along Sapele Road, Benin City, the following day.

The Police Commissioner disclosed that covert investigation revealed that the woman also gave out the husband’s official car, a Volkswagen Passat car, 2013 Model to the pastor in whose possession, the vehicle was recovered.

He revealed further that the original vehicle registration plate number was found to have been changed and replaced with fake

one.

Adebanjo added that: “ The pastor, Prince Udoka Nkanchukwu confessed to be a secret lover of the wife of the deceased and that both of them planned to kill the deceased”.

He promised to charge the case to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

Speaking to journalist at the State Police Command Headquarters, Mrs. Enebong Victor from Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State stated that after dinner on Friday November 29, 2013, her husband said he was not feeling fine and drove out to the hospital.

She stated that efforts to reach him thereafter failed, prompting

her to report a case of missing person to the police.

Mrs. Enebong said they have been married for 17 years and blessed with three children.

She denied having extramarital affairs with Prince Udoka whom she said has been their family Pastor for the past two years.

She said that in a bid to see her missing husband, she used the official car to sow a seed to the Pastor who was assisting her in prayers.

Prince Udoka Nkanchukwu denied having extra marital affairs with Mrs. Enebong Victor, but admitted changing the vehicle plate number since it has been

used to sow a seed.

He equally denied involvement in the killing of Mr. Victor Gabriel Isonguyo.

Paraded in connection with the murder were one Christopher Odiase and Amen Osemwhenkai, who were said to be the mechanic of the vehicle and the woman who facilitated the change of the number plate.

Other suspects were paraded for various crimes, including defilement, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.

Exhibits paraded along with the suspects included, six locally made guns, 22 live cartridges, 352 empty shells of cartridges and four recovered vehicles.

These, he added, would help to ensure that the personnel receive the required training, while resources for their daily activities and welfare could easily be mobilised.

“If we fail to do that, we will continue to deteriorate”, he said.

According to him, the level of competence in the police has gone down over the years due to inadequate funding, recruitment policy and other policies of government.

“Before independence, we were good, after independence before the military interventions, we were very good, during Gowon’s time, the police was still good, but later things started to drop and very little is being done to keep it up.

“Instead, a lot of things have been done to reduce its status and effectiveness; we have created other security agencies, gave them police jobs and priority rating.

“Now as I am talking, the man in charge of EFCC, NDLEA and FRSC were ex-police officers, they earn more than the Inspector-General; is there justice and fairness in that,” he said.

NUJ, Information Chapel Holds Press Week Dec 19 BENIN CITY – The Press Week of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Information Chapel would hold Tomorrow, December 19, 2013 at the Royal Hall of Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, Airport Road, Benin City beginning at 10am.

A statement by the chapel chairman, Mrs. Rose Imonikhe indicated that Chief Eduwu Ekhator, the Obasogie of Benin Kingdom would be the chairman of the occasion.

The ceremony would feature lecture on social media as a vital tool for Information Management in Government and Redefining Public Relations Practice in Public Service.

It would also feature investiture of patrons and patronesses.

South South Delta Records 10 Tricycle Crashes Between Jan/Nov ASABA - The Delta Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Roland Igbakpa said the ministry recorded 30 tricycle crashes between January and

November, on the BeninAsaba highway.

Igbakpa, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba,

attributed the crashes to impatience and speeding on the highway.

Agbakpa said tricycles were not expected to ply the

highways, but minor roads and streets in the state.

He said that if operators of the tricycles could comply with traffic laws, the rate of accidents involving them would be controlled.

The commissioner said the ministry would soon enforce the law on tricycle operators, adding that adequate public enlightenment and training would be carried out, before the enforcement.

He said the operators were registering their tricycles under the state identification code number, warning that any operator who failed to register would be sanctioned.

Igbakpa said the ministry would also establish a data bank where operators would be accessed online, whenever necessary.

He also said that the ministry had acquired computerised towing trucks

AUCHI (EDO) - Mr. Francis Okanigbuan, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Auchi branch, has urged lawyers to comply with professional ethics to promote justice and equity.

Okanigbuan made the plea at a meeting of the association held in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Council of Edo.

According to him, lawyers’ oath to promote justice and equity, that should always remain their guiding principle.

Okanigbuan gave an assurance that the forthcoming branch election of the association on March 31, 2014, would be free and fair.

“Our election should be free and fair. We cannot have any moral justification to criticise people if we as a body cannot conduct a transparent election,’’ he said.

Okanigbuan said that succession had been the problem of the association and advised members to

that would remove any vehicle illegally parked along the roads in the state.

The commissioner said the drivers of the trucks were trained on how to operate them and warned that any trailer parked along the road would be removed.

He said it would cost owners of such trailers N100,000 to recover their vehicles, while owners of buses would pay N50,000 and cars, N25,000.

Comply With Professional Ethics, NBA Chairman urges Lawyers

People marching at the inauguration of Eleme Local Government Chapter of Save Rivers Movement, at Eleme Local Government Area on Sunday.

Deputy Governor of Rivers, Mr. Tele Ikuru (left), greeting the oneEh Eleme the X, King Samuel Ejire, during a courtesy visit on the Majesty before the inauguration of Eleme Local Government Chapter of Save Rivers Movement at Eleme on Sunday. With them is the Secretary, Eleme Development Authority, Prince Awalanta Ejire.

Police Are Neutral In River Assembly Crisis -PPRO PORT-HARCOURT The Rivers Police Command said it was neutral in the ongoing crisis in the state House of Assembly.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Mr. Ahmad Muhammed, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the police were non-partisan.

N/Delta Militants Call For Inclusion In Amnesty Prog.

YENAGOA - A Niger Delta ex-militant group, “Ebipa-Opre ex-Militants Forum,’’ has called for inclusion into Federal Governments amnesty programme.

The Leader of the group, Mr Ramsey Oyakemeagbegha, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa.

He said the group was among the last batch of militants who willingly surrendered their arms to the JTF in 2011 but have yet

to be included among beneficiaries of the amnesty programme.

Oyakemeagbegha, however, said the group was late in complying with the directive to lay down arms because its members initially doubted the credibility of the programme.

He said they were convinced to drop their arms and join the programme after they had observed and their

confidence was boosted at the diligent implementation of the amnesty programme.

He noted that the group had confidence that the series of meetings it had with Mr. Kingsley Kuku, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, and officials of the Amnesty Office would bring their efforts to reality.

“Our hopes have been rekindled that a presidential

directive could ensure our integration into the amnesty programme,” he said.

The ex-militants’ leader appealed to the Federal Government to review the group’s case and sustain the tempo of the implementation of the programme.

He said “it is on record that after the pronouncement of the amnesty offer by the Federal Government by late President Umaru Yar’Adua, some

unite in order to move the association forward.

“There is urgent need to reposition the branch and return it to its lost glory.

“All members of this branch should show commitment to the present efforts to revive and reposition the branch,’’ he said.

Reports say that a threeman Caretaker Committee headed by Mr. Ojo Osoemoha has been constituted.

The committee’s mandate is to pilot the affairs of the association, conduct election within three months and handover to elected executives by March 31, 2014.

frontline militants and freedom fighters dropped their arms publicly.

“Some dragged their feet a little before dropping their arms and were considered for the second phase of the amnesty programme.

“My group belongs to the third set which willingly surrendered arms to the JTF but still waiting to be included into the amnesty programme.’’

He said that the police, as a professional body, had never taken side in the assembly crisis since it started.

The PPRO said that the police did not escort any legislator to sit in the assembly as it was reported in some national dailies, adding that it had no intention to do that.

Muhammed also denied that some persons broke into the premises of the assembly complex.

He said that the police would continue to close the complex until it received a court order to reopen it for the legislators to resume their legislative functions.

The PPRO assured the legislators and residents of the state of police protection at all times, irrespective of party affiliations.

He advised journalists to always cross check their facts before reporting, to avoid misleading the general public.

News 3 Businessmen Remanded Over Alleged Fraud IKEJA - An Ikeja High Court in Lagos has remanded three businessmen in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over an alleged N33 million fraud.

Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya remanded Sam Obi, 57; Chidi Ogboko, 63, and Tony Anowa, 50, after their arraignment on December 16.

The men were remanded pending the ruling on their bail applications, fixed for December 20.

Reports say that the defendants are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.

Obi lives at No.1B, Owukoni Crescent, Alaka Estate, Surulere, Lagos, while Ogboko is resident at No. 12, Oluwasesa Adekoya St., Ejigbo, Lagos.

Anowa also gave his address as No. 35, Adedamola Ojomo St., Surulere, Lagos.

The EFCC counsel, Mr. Musa Isah, told the court that the defendants had conspired with others still at large to commit the offences in October 2010 in Lagos.

Isah said they had obtained N33 million from one Mr. Robinson Ezejelue, under the pretence of exporting crude oil from Cotonou in Benin Republic to Nigeria.

He said the defendants, after obtaining the money, failed to supply the product, as earlier agreed.

According to him, their offence contravene Sections 1(3) and 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.

Isah said it also contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Reports say that the offence of obtaining money by false pretences attracts a minimum of seven years imprisonment, if the offender is convicted.

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

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old man, Kingsley Oluwasegun, has appeared before an Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun for allegedly defrauding one Folake Ashabiyi of N100,000.

The accused, who lives at No.

5, Adejobi, St. Ota, Ogun, is facing a one- count charge of fraudulently obtaining money.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Rosemary Brown, told the court that the accused committed the offence on November 24 at Olugbode Area, Itele-Awori in Ota, Ogun.

Brown said the accused fraudulently obtained the N100,000 from the complainant with the intention of leasing two vacant shops to her, which he failed to fulfill.

She said that the offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

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

The Magistrate, Mr. Aliu Soneye, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Soneye said that the sureties must show evidence of residence within the court’s jurisdiction, be gainfully employed and provide one year tax clearance.

He added that one of the sureties must be a civil servant in the employment of the Ogun government, as part of the bail conditions.

Soneye adjourned the case till February 5, 2014, for mention.

L-R: Assistant Director, Consumer Protection Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Hassan; Deputy Director, Hajiya Khadijah Kasim and Consumer Protection Consultant, Alhaji Faruq Shehu at a news conference to mark the commencement of consumer awareness campaign in Jos recently.

Expert Blames Successive Govts For Decay In Health Sector BENIN CITY - An expert on reproductive health, Prof.

Friday Okonofua, has attributed the decay and dwindling fortunes in the health sector to the failure of successive governments to prioritise the sector.

Okonofua, a professor of Gynecology, said this in Benin in an interview with newsmen.

The professor, who is a member of the board of Women’s Health and Action Research Centre, an NGO, said that the sector had not experienced the desired growth due to such neglect.

“Successive governments in Nigeria have not been socially conscious to show enough political commitment to develop the health sector.

“They prefer to construct roads and build bridges whereas, socially conscious government will prioritise the health sector and invest in child and maternal health which guarantees the future of the people and the nation.

‘The three spheres of government in Nigeria have failed in this aspect because none has given the health sector the needed support and the priority it deserves.

“Except for former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late President Yar’Adua has no health in his sevenpoint agenda and the sector is also not being mentioned in

the present dispensation.’’

Okonofua attributed the reason for poor investment in the health sector by successive governments to the fact that there were no open indicators to indicate the level of investment in the sector.

He however, commended the Ondo state government for “it’s massive’’ investment in

the health sector.

He said that though the state could not boast of any federal health service delivery facility, a keen observer would notice indicators of good health service delivery in the state.

He commended the government for prioritising its health sector through its Pupils of Malam Aminu Adam Tsangaya School at Yelwa in Bauchi State recently.

ABIYE health project.

Man, 28, Arraigned For Fraudulently Obtaining SANGO-OTA (OGUN) - amount after their sale, a with others still at large, charge.

The Police in Ogun have promise which he sfailed to descended on the complainant Cows The Magistrate, Mr. Aliu arraigned one Saidu Akibu, fulfill. and beat him up. charged with obtaining under false pretences, four cows worth N385,000 from one Mr. Sule Yahaya.

Akibu, 28, who lives at No. 36, Ifelodun St, Iyana Iyesi, Ota, Ogun, is standing trial on a three-count charge of assault, obtaining money under false pretences and conspiracy, before an Ota Senior Magistrate’s Court in Ogun.

The Prosecutor, Insp Oluwatuyi Ajayi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on November 15 at noon at Kara Cattle Market, Isheri Olofin in Ota, Ogun.

Ajayi said that the accused fraudulently obtained four cows valued at N385,000 from the complainant, on the pretence that he would pay the

He said that when the date agreed between the parties lapsed, Yahaya demanded payment of the amount or the return of the animals.

The prosecutor said that this infuriated Akibu, who,

Ajayi said the action of the accused contravened Sections 351,419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Revised Law of Ogun, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the

Soneye, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Soneye said that the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and should show evidence of payment of tax to the Ogun

State government, as part of the bail conditions.

He also ordered the police to verify the addresses of the sureties and adjourned the case till January 8, 2014, for mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Solomon Oladele, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on December 1 at 9.30 a.m. at Oloja-Ibala Village in Osogbo.

Oladele said that the accused, who is unemployed, attempted to rape the nursing mother as he ambushed her and her baby on the way to the farm.

The accused assaulted the woman and gave her several

blows with his fist in an attempt to forcefully have carnal knowledge of her, the prosecutor added.

He noted that when the woman resisted, the accused subsequently hit her with a hammer on the head, thereby inflicting injury on her.

He said that the accused fled when he saw the victim bleeding, pointing out that the offence contravened sections 359, 351 and 355 of the

Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun 2003.

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

Mr. Remegius Ngwu, counsel to the accused, applied for his bail but the prosecution opposed the application on the grounds that he may jump bail.

The prosecution argued that the crime was grievous and could attract a sentence of life imprisonment.

Man, 23, Jailed Over Attempted Rape OSOGBO - An Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded a 23-year-old man (name withheld) for alleged attempt to rape a nursing mother.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Adebayo Lasisi, ordered that the accused be remanded in Ilesha Prison, pending ruling on his bail application.

Lasisi adjourned the case to January 14, 2014 for ruling in the accused’s bail application.

Lagos Court Adjourns Trial Of 3 Ex-Fin Bank IKEJA - Justice Lateefat Bosses Okunnu of an Ikeja High

Man, 52 In Court Over Alleged Theft LAGOS - A 52-year-old salesman, Adolphus Njokwu, has appeared before an Ojo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, over the alleged theft of goods worth N250, 000.

Njokwu is facing one-count charge of theft.

The Prosecutor, ASP Godwin Eze, told the court that the accused committed the offence in July at Coconut Warehouse, on the ApapaOshodi Expressway.

According to him, the accused stole the N250,000 realised from the sale of motor spare parts belonging to Mr. John Agbonavbere and converted it to his own personal use.

“More evidence and facts will be brought to court at the next adjournment as investigation is still ongoing,” Eze said.

L-R:Representative of the Zonal Director, NTA Enugu Network Centre, Mr. Oladele Yakubu; representative of the Controller of Prisons, Enugu State Command, Mr. Julius Ezugwu and Zonal Director, FRCN Enugu, Mr. Chigozie

3 Re-arraigned Over Alleged N25m Fraud

IKEJA - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned three businessmen in Lagos over an alleged N25 million fraud.

The trio of Roland Enang, Sam Onuoha and Theo Ohiagu, were charged alongside their company, Claysworth Oil Ltd., before Justice Lateef LawalAkapo.

Reports say that the men were earlier arraigned on June 4, before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

The EFCC had charged the accused persons with conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were each granted bail in the sum of one million naira.

It was also reported that the re-arraignment was necessitated by the transfer of Onigbanjo to the Commercial Division of the Lagos High Court.

Mr Francis Usani, the EFCC counsel, earlier informed the court of the development.

Usani, therefore, asked the court to order the accused persons to re-take their pleas.

The judge acceded to his request and the accused persons were asked to take their pleas.

Usani alleged that they fraudulently obtained N25 million from Africoat Ltd. on March 17, 2011, in Ikeja.

He said that they falsely obtained the sum in the pretext of securing a guarantee from the HSBC Bank, Hong Kong for a company, Delta Omega Ltd. According to him, the offences contravene Sections 1(2)(3) and 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other FraudRelated Offences Act, No. 14 of 2004.

The judge permitted the

accused persons to enjoy the bail

Reports say that if convicted, the accused can be jailed for 20 years.

All the accused, again, pleaded not guilty to the twocount charge.

terms earlier granted them by Onigbanjo.

He adjourned the matter till February 3, 2014, for trial.

Court has adjourned the trial of a former Managing Director of Finbank Plc., Mr. Okey Nwosu and three others indefinitely.

Nwosu and three former directors: Dayo Famoroti, Danjuma Ocholi and Agnes Ebubedike were charged for allegedly stealing N10.9 billion, belonging to Finbank (now First City Monument Bank).

Reports say that Okunnu’s decision to adjourn the matter indefinitely was premised on three separate judgments delivered by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on November 21.

The Court of Appeal had, in the judgments, struck out the theft charges preferred against Nwosu, Famoroti and Ebubedike by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The appellate court held that the Lagos High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the charges because they emanated from capital market transactions.

It also held that such a

L-R: DirectorGeneral, Consumer Protection Council, Dupe Adoki; Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Executive Secretary, N i g e r i a n Communications Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Tunji Olaopa at a news conference in Lagos recently.

NCP Debunks Merger With Other Pol Parties

LAGOS - Mr. Ayodele Akele, National GeneralSecretary, National Conscience Party (NCP), has denied that the party had merged with other political parties in the country.

Akele said this while addressing news men in Lagos.

“The NCP has not merged and will not merge with any other political party.

“This is to dispel all

rumours and put the records straight in the overall interest of our members.

“At the NCP National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held on Dec. 13 and 14th in Abuja, which I was part of, the issue of alliance was not part of our agenda.

“The statement credited to our national chairman is personal to him as the NWC

never took such decisions at the meeting, “ Akele said.

Reports say that the NCP National Chairman, Dr Yunusa Tanko, was on Saturday reported as saying that the party had resolved to go into a working alliance with four other parties.

The parties, according to Tanko, include the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Advance Congress of

Democracy (ACD) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Akele said that the position of the NCP and the wishes of its members, which had not changed, were that the party could not loose its identity and reputation due to a merger.

“Therefore the reported alliance talks, as far as I know, are yet to take place and nobody can rail-road the NCP into any merger or alliance, “ he said.

capital market-based case should be handled by the Federal High Court.

During Monday’s proceedings, the counsel to Ocholi, Mr. Lanre Ogunlesi (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the charge against his client because of the appeal court’s judgments.

The EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), however, informed the court that the prosecution had filed an appeal against the three judgments at the Supreme Court.

“We have filed a notice of appeal in respect of the three judgments.

“The records have been compiled and our brief will also be filed this week.

“In the interest of justice, the matter should be adjourned sine die,” Jacobs said.

Yuletide

LAWMA Intensifies Night Collection Of Waste IKEJA - The General Manager, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ola Oresanya, says the outfit will focus more on night services during the Yuletide festivities.

He told newsmen in Ikeja that the strategy was in response to the anticipated 100 per cent increase in waste generation during the period.

“We don’t intend to congest traffic during the Yuletide by deploying more compactor trucks; rather, we will do more work in the night during this period.

“Christmas and New Year are big festivals and we are anticipating 100 per cent increase in waste that would be generated during the period.

“We are changing our services and we intend to move in the night. We will distribute waste bags and cans to improve storage.

“Residents will during this period, begin to see waste collectors coming to their houses at night, especially on Monday night to collect your waste,” he said.

Oresanya urged residents to cooperate with LAWMA, assuring that the outfit was poised to make the Christmas and New Year celebrations rubbish free.

He wished people living in the state a happy celebration in advance and urged them to shun acts that could undermine the cleanliness of the environment.

Across The Nation CLO Calls For 4-yr Employment Blue Print ONITSHA (ANAMBRA) The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has advised the APGA led state government in Anambra to develop a four- year employment blue print to check youth restiveness and vices.

The CLO made the appeal in a statement issued at Onitsha and made available to newsmen.

The statement, signed by the State Chairman of CLO, Mr. Aloysius Attah, said that proliferation of youth groups that held Anambra captive could be linked to high unemployment rate.

“While the government argues that it doesn’t provide jobs, but an enabling environment for job creation, it is clear that the enabling environment cannot be feasible while there is youth restiveness.

“That is why we are gladdened on the ongoing recruitment of teachers and members of the civil service in the state.

“There are also fears that the exercise may have been a campaign tool by the present administration,” the CLO said.

It said those who were sceptical about the recruitment could not be blamed if government’s elections promise to recruit new workers had not been fulfilled.

It said that it was regrettable that even as at the third week of December no name had been made public on the recruitment exercise.

The CLO said that the implications of reneging on this public statement would not be

good for the image of the outgoing administration and the succeeding one.

“We therefore urge the state government not only do the needful by publishing the

recruited people and empowering them to start work immediately,’’ it said.

The CLO also advised the government to work out modalities on ways to engage the teeming unemployed in the state annually until the next four years,’’ it said.

National Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Retired Col. Micah Gayya (right), d e c o r a t i n g President Goodluck Jonathan with the Emblem for the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja recently.

L-G Distributes Textbooks To Pry Schools KADUNA - The Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, Alhaji Samaila Suleiman, said the council distributed 240,000 textbooks to 42 public primary schools in the area.

Suleiman made the disclosure during a media tour by the Kaduna State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Reports say that the NUJ tour was aimed at assessing the state of healthcare and primary education in the 23 local government areas of the state.

The council chairman said the books distribution was in line with the council’s efforts to improve access to quality education at the primary school level in the area.

According to him, more than 90 per cent of teachers in the 42 primary schools in the area are qualified to teach.

He said the council has 14 Primary Health Centres (PHC) and had distributed delivery kits to 500 pregnant women in the local government.

The council had also paid the medical bills for the surgery of 300 patients, while 13,000 persons were treated for minor ailments at the PHCs, he added.

Suleiman restated his commitment to alleviate poverty and joblessness in the area.

Speaking during the tour, the state NUJ Chairman, Malam Yusuf Idris, said the media tour was initiated in 2010 to promote good governance.

Idris said the tour was to ensure that elected officers honour their campaign promises to the people.

He attributed the high crime rates in the society to poor access to quality education, adding that the transformation in the education sector would improve other areas for the better.

“If the education sector is given the necessary attention, the society will be a better place for us,” he said.

The NUJ chairman lamented the absence of projects in some local government areas visited.

penalties for baby traffickers, especially those who use them for rituals, adding that such measures

would serve as deterrents to others.

“Life sentence should be given to convicts of baby traffickers, especially those who use them for rituals.

“This should be one of the ways to tackle proliferation of baby factories and problems associated with it,’’ Aleke said.

He regretted that the phenomenon was predominant in South East zone of the country.

The director said that the motherless babies’ home was established by the Nigeria Reformed Church in 1993 to tackle increased cases of post natal maternal deaths.

He said that the home funded by individuals, local and international organisations had catered for about 400 children whose mothers died due to complications during or after delivery.

“This home has admitted, cared, supported, discharged and integrated an estimated 400 inmates since its inception in 1993,’’ Aleke said.

Director Decries Proliferattion Of Baby Factories

IZZI (EBONYI) - Mr. Victor Aleke, the Executive Director of Oswanka Motherless Babies Home in Izzi Local Government of Ebonyi, has expressed worry over the proliferation of baby factories in the country.

Aleke was speaking at Izzi during celebration of the 20th anniversary of the home.

He said that people now operate baby factories in the

guise of orphanages and use it to indulge in baby trafficking, rituals and other unwholesome practices.

The director called on federal and state governments to ensure that operators of homes and

orphanages were duly registered and monitored.

Aleke also called for stiff

Court Remands Farmer For Alleged Armed Robbery MAKURDI - A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded 18-year- old farmer, Emmanuel Ushahemba, for conspiracy and armed robbery.

Ushahemba of Jorpoo St., Logo 1, Makurdi is facing twocount charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Alex Akule, told the court that one Blessing Ejeh, had reported the case at ‘E’ Division Police Station, Makurdi on November 27.

Akule also said that Ejeh was robbed while she was on her way to night vigil at a church in Makurdi, He said that the woman was attacked by the accused and his gang whose name was not known and still at large.

The prosecutor said further that the accused attacked Ejeh with an axe and knife and snatched her handbag with valuables valued at N3, 900.

Akule said that the complainant raised alarm when her bag was snatched and some sympathisers pursued and arrested the accused who was armed with an axe.

“During police investigation,

the accused voluntarily confessed to have committed the offence,’’ he said.

He explained that the offences contravened sections 97 of the Penal Code and 6 (c), and 1 (2), of the robbery and Firearms Special Provision Act, 2004.

When the case came up for mention, no plea was taken from the accused.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Dan Ogo adjourned the matter till December 23, for further mention.

A cross section of members of the Nigerian Legion at the Launch of the Emblem for the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja recently.

Court Dismisses Atuches Bid To Quash N25.7bn Theft Charge

IKEJA - An Ikeja High Court has dismissed an application by former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, seeking to quash the N25.7 billion theft charge preferred against him and two others.

In her ruling, Justice Lateefat Okunnu, held that Atuche should wait for the outcome of his pending appeal against the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the charge at the Appeal Court.

She consequently adjourned the matter to March 10, 2014 for

continuation of trial.

Reports say that Atuche and his wife, Elizabeth, are standing trial alongside a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu, for theft.

Atuche’s counsel, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), had in an application dated November 27, asked the court to quash the charge, citing lack of jurisdiction.

The application was premised on a judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal, Lagos on November 21.

The appellate court had in the judgment struck out the theft charges preferred against a former Managing Director of Finbank Plc, Okey Nwosu and others.

The Court of Appeal in

Nwosu’s case held that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charge because it emanated from capital market transactions.

The appellate court held that such capital market-based matter was an exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

Idigbe argued that Nwosu’s and Atuche’s case were similar,

stressing that the lower court had a judicial duty to follow the decision of the appellate court.

However, counsel to EFCC, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), in his notice of preliminary objection, urged the court to strike out the application for being frivolous and vexatious.

Pinheiro had argued that the Court of Appeal decision in Nwosu’s case was inapplicable in Atuche’s case.

Abuja

Expert Cautions Against Bush Burning during Harmattan ABUJA An environmental expert, Mr. Olaoluwa Toyin has in Abuja cautioned against indiscriminate refuse and bush burning as the harmattan period sets in.

Toyin told newsmen that burning of bushes and other combustible materials could lead to damage to lives and property.

“People burn materials like tyres, wastes from plastic and wood indiscriminately, thereby, emitting carbon that contributes to global warming.’’

He said such materials could be transformed into clean cooking energy as an alternative to kerosene.

Toyin blamed the act of bush burning and indiscriminate burning of waste products in open spaces to the lack of policy to regulate the practice.

“With a policy on ground, people’s activities in terms of burning waste materials will be regulated and these waste products will be transformed to wealth.’’

According to him, bush burning contributes to climate change, resulting to global warming, which affects the environment as well as agricultural outputs.

He opposed the idea of establishing Renewable Energy Department in different government agencies, saying that such move would amount to duplication of functions.

He said that the Renewable Energy Department should be in one and the most suitable ministry other than the ministry of environment.

He stressed the need for sensitisation programmes across the country to enlighten Nigerians on climate change.

Toyin, however, solicited private sector support to establish plants that would convert waste to wealth.

He said it would provide job opportunities and contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

APC’s Call For Jonathan’s Impeachment Irresponsible -PDP

L-R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; the Speaker, House of Rep. Aminu Tambuwal; Senate President David Mark and Vice President Namadi Sambo welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the Launch of the Emblem, the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Abuja recently.

FRC can Translate Nigeria’s Income To Devt, Says Former Chairman ABUJA - The pioneer Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Dr Aliyu Yelwa, says the commission has the capability to ensure the prudent management of public funds to achieve Nigeria’s rapid economic development.

Yelwa said this in Abuja at the send-forth party organised for him and some former commissioners of the agency.

He recalled that the commission was established to enthrone a regime of prudent, ethical and efficient management in spending public funds.

Yelwa however expressed concern that the level of development in the country had not been commensurate with the country’s earnings from natural resources since independence.

“When you think of all the revenue we have generated through crude oil sales over the years and you look at what we have been able to achieve, it does not tally.

“Many Nigerians will agree with me that the development we are seeing is not commensurate with all those trillions of dollars we have made from these sales.

“It is for this reason that the FRC was set up, to be the eagle eye of the people and make sure that public funds are well managed and judiciously spent,” he said.

Yelwa however praised the stewardship of the pioneer staff

of the commission, which he said had grown with less than six members of staff in 2007 to over 130 presently.

“We began operations from the basement of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. But today, we have our own offices with over 130 staff,’’ he said.

The former FRC chairman appealed to the commission’s staff to support its interim management team and continue to work as a team to achieve the mandate of the organisation.

In his remarks, the commission’s Secretary, Mr. Victor Muruako, appealed to the Federal Government to

reconsider a proposal by the Steven Oronsaye-led committee to scrap the commission.

He commended the sacrifice and selfless service of the pioneer commissioners, noting that since the commission was established “the management of public finance has not been business as usual’’.

ABUJA - The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) party’s call for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan as irresponsible and immature.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Olisa Metuh, said this in a statement in Abuja.

Metuh said that the call by the APC was part of the party‘s larger agenda to truncate the country‘s democracy.

He said that the PDP was, however; “ ready, willing and able to stop them in their tracks’’.

Metuh said the APC made the call “upon their realisation that they will not win in the 2015 general elections following the failure of their plans to break the ranks and strength of the PDP. “They now seek to use all means to cause confusion in the land.’’

The publicity secretary said that the APC knew the implication of the call, “which is to cause massive turmoil and destroy the unity of our dear nation’’.

The ACP had in a statement, signed by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, its interim National Publicity Secretary, called on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Jonathan over an alleged gross misconduct.

L-R: Chairman, N a t i o n a l Te a c h e r s ’ Institute Governing Council, Mr. Ali Birnin-Kudu; DirectorGeneral, Dr. Ladan Sharehu and Permanent S e c r e t a r y, Ministry of Education, Dr. M a c J o h n Nwaobiala at the opening ceremony of the Nationwide C a p a c i t y b u i l d i n g workshops for Primary School Teachers in Abuja recently.

UniAbuja VC, UATH CMD Bag ANAN Awards

GWAGWALADA (FCT) The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. James Adelabu, has received the Selfless Leadership Award of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).

Reports say that Adelabu received the award at the ANAN Award Night Dinner which took place on Saturday in Gwagwalada, FCT. The Chief Medical Director (CMD), UniAbuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Dr Peter Alabi, and the Chairman

of Kwali Area Council, Mr. Daniel Ibrahim, also received ANAN awards at the occasion.

Also, Alhaji Abubakar Giri, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, received an award.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor appreciated the award given by the accounting body and dedicated it to the glory of God. Adelabu, who was represented by a lecturer in the university, Dr Buba Ado, said the award would challenge him to do more.

“I urge ANAN to extend the award to other hardworking Nigerians,’’ he said.

On his part, the CMD UATH said he was humbled at being chosen to receive such a prestigious award from ANAN. “For the past five years while in office, I have ensured that I deliberately did the right things that will turn around services in the teaching hospital for the benefit of the people,’’ he said.

Alabi said he regarded his contribution to the development

of UATH and the medical profession as a service to God. He promised that the award would spur him to do more for Nigerians in the health sector.

On his part, the Chairman, Kwali Area Council described the award as a testimony to his remarkable achievement in the council.

“The award will be a catalyst for me to serve humanity better.

“These humanitarian services will entail delivering the dividends of democracy in the

areas of healthcare, sanitation, roads construction and education,’’ he said.

Ibrahim urged professional accountants to avoid sharp practices and bring honour to ANAN, their umbrella association.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the ANAN Chairman, Gwagwalada, Dr Damagu Nasiru, had congratulated the recipients.

Business + Economy Potential Investors Have Nothing To Fear, Says Orji ISINGWU (ABIA) - The Governor of Abia, Chief Theodore Orji, has re-assured potential investors in Abia that the government would continue to provide congenial atmosphere for investment.

Orji gave the assurance in Isingwu, near Umuahia, while inaugurating an Information Communications Technology (ICT) facility and block of classrooms, donated to Community Secondary School, Isingwu by an oil company, Techno Oil Ltd. He said that potential investors had nothing to fear in the state, noting that government had stamped out social vices in the state, including kid panning and other related crimes.

“We confronted kidnappers in Abia State head on and won the battle decisively,’’ the governor said in his message read by the

Kwara Releases N7.6m for School Of Nursing

OMU-ARAN (KWARA) The Kwara Government said it had released N7.6 million to facilitate the take-off of the School of Nursing at Oke-Ode. This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Alhaji Jibril Haruna.

The statement directed the college’s authorities to start academic activities without delay.

It said the government’s directive followed the successful tour of the college’s facilities by its Accreditation and Assessment Team.

The statement also said the fund’s release was important as government was fully committed to an effective take-off of the college.

“Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has released N7.68 million to aid the effective take-off of the School of Midwifery in earnest.

“The Accreditation Advisory Team has come and gone, and the governor has pledged to carry out necessary provisions as highlighted in the report of the team.

“The government is sure of a good report coming from the team, granting the college the final go-ahead,’’ it said.

The statement further said the Leader of the Accreditation Advisory Team, Dr Gloria Obong, commended the state government for its commitment.

It said Obong also lauded the provision for the college by the state government of an expansive land, as well as good structures and other facilities.

The Provost of the college, Mr. Maloma Luke, thanked the state government for its zeal in ensuring the smooth take-off of the school.

“We want to praise the visiting team for doing a thorough job and the government for its support,” he said.

state’s Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals Development, Chief Don Ubani.

Orji promised that the State Government would also continue to provide tuition-free education in the state, to give citizens an opportunity to discover their potential.

He praised the management of Techno Oil for providing classroom blocks and ICT facilities for Community Secondary School, Isingwu, saying that the facilities would give students life-changing opportunities.

The Managing Director of Techno Oil Ltd., Mr Tony Onyeama, said that the company provided the facilities to the school as part of its corporate social responsibility, aimed at creating opportunities for indigent students.

He said that the ICT Centre was expected to open new opportunities for students in Isingwu and its environs to make them face the challenges of the 21st century.

Onyeama said that the company had built similar facilities in other communities in parts of the country, having embraced the call by government for corporate bodies to partner with government to promote education.

The Principal of the school, Mr. Godfrey Akomas, expressed

his appreciation to the company for providing facilities that would assist students to discover themselves.

He said that the school was in

dire need of infrastructure but commended the State Government for partnering the private sector in its bid to provide quality education in the state.

The Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Odochi Orji, presented books and other educational materials to students of the school to reduce the burden faced by parents in providing such

materials.

The high-point of the occasion was the conferment of chieftaincy titles on the Executive Vice-chairman of Techno Oil, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, and the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Onyeama as well as cultural displays by students.

Nigerian, Chinese Entrepreneurs To Sign Joint Venture Deal

Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), undergoing free medical examination during their special monthly forum and end of the year party in Lagos recently.

L-R: Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, National Planning Commission, Alhaji Zekeri Lawal; Coordinator, Programme Operations, SURE-P, Mr. Ali Fatoma and the Technical Adviser, Mr. Meekam Mgbenenwena at a workshop on Development Performance Management plan for SURE-P Project Implementation in Kaduna recently.

ABUJA - The Nigeria Entrepreneurs Forum says it will soon sign a partnership and joint venture deal covering key sectors of the economy with the China Industrial Oversees Development and Planning Association (CIODPA).

The NEF President, Mr Sidney Inegbedion, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He said the agreement was the outcome of Friday’s meeting in Abuja between representatives of two Chinese companies, Yadoo Investment Co. Ltd., and Gomon New Energy Co. Ltd., and NEF members.

Inegbedion said that the deal would give members of the forum access to the association’s investment portfolio.

The president said that CIODPA’s investment package covered banking, manufacturing, mass transportation, electricity and real estate, among other critical sectors.

In financial terms, he said that the actual size of the investment would be known after the agreement was finalised.

“This is an opportunity for NEF members to present our financial needs to them, and this agreement will translate into more funds to expand our investments in the nation’s economy.

“It is going to be a funding, joint venture and partnership agreement between CIODPA members and Nigerian enterprises under the umbrella of NEF,’’ he said.

Reports say that CIODPA is a Chinese industrial organisation of enterprises, individuals and related planning, design and research institutes which have invested or are planning to invest overseas.

It serves as a bridge between the Chinese government or private enterprises and industries overseas.

NASS To Harmonise Oil Price Benchmark Soon - Evang

ABUJA - The Chairman of the Senate Business and Rules Committee, Senator Ita Enang (PDP–Akwa Ibom), on Sunday said the National Assembly would soon resolve the oil price benchmark issue.

Enang, who said this at a news briefing in Abuja, explained that the National Assembly was committed to reaching a common position on the oil price benchmark issue.

He said this was to enable President Goodluck Jonathan present the 2014 budget.

Reports say that the two chambers of the National Assembly had been unable to agree on a unified position on the oil price benchmark.

This had been holding back the passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

Enang said the National Assembly was working to ensure that the Federal Ministry of Finance furnishes it with the records of the Excess Crude Accounts funds.

“The two chambers of the National Assembly are cautious to ensure that the MTEF is adopted before the budget was presented, so as to avoid legal issues if laws guiding budget preparations were breached.

“Now, if the President decides to submit the budget without the MTEF, it may raise some legal issues. I think we should be a

little patient,’’ he said.

The senator however said it was not unusual for the legislature to work, agree or disagree on issues of revenue.

“I think that what is happening now on the table of the legislature is not unusual.

“We will soon resolve it and pass what we have to give to Mr. President,” he said.

Enang acknowledged that the disagreement between the Senate and House of Representatives could delay passage of the 2014 budget, but argued that it would not affect the economy.

‘The Constitution had anticipated this situation. So, it will not affect the economy of the country at all.

“It doesn’t affect salaries. It may only affect capital projects.

But then, contracts for most of the capital projects have just been awarded.

“The National Assembly is working the best way it can and there is nothing abnormal in where we are and what we are doing,” he said.

Enang said the Fiscal Responsibilities Act (FRA) provided the procedures for preparation of the budget before the executive presented it to the National Assembly.

He said a strict adherence to

the provisions of the law would also eliminate budget-related disputes between the legislature and the executive.

“We should do things according to what our laws have said. Now, both parties have agreed that the appropriate thing should be done.

“We should have the MTEF which the President will now use in preparing the budget. So, the legislature may not have the excuse of either increasing or decreasing the amount of money available.

Humble Reflections

Laying The Foundation For Greatness

By ABIODUN BOLA REBECCA

IT was once said, that leaders are not born they are made by hard efforts.

Which is the efforts and price all of us must pay to achieve any greatness that is worthwhile.

The journey of greatness begins at an early stage of life which is the youthful stage. Just imagine becoming successful at an age, when your mates would be pursuing shadows at your college, you won’t be bothered with life as you’re quite satisfied with the way life unfolds. Great people are great because they think apart and to say it modestly, they think smart too.

The youthful. Stage is the time to define each an individual. It is the time to lay the foundation of your greatness.

At this stage, you are faced with so many challenges and distraction. The urge to taste every bit of life becomes so high and this has destroyed the lives of so many young people who would have become great in life.

The kind of future you will have depends on the decision you make in your youthful age.

Joseph in the bible was 17 years old when he dreamt of becoming great. At the age of 21 Mark Zuckerbrg invented facebook and this was as a result of the foundation he laid for him self as s teenager, Christiana milian became a famous singer, a song writer, an actress, a model and a dancer at a very young age. By the time she got to her twenties she was already one of the Holywood biggest stars, having an album that received two Grammy nominations, three singles in the bill board, hot 100 chart

songs in the UK top 40, plus nomination by the teen choice upwards We all know that a good number of great people on earth achieved greatness without God as their foundation, but its not advisable because God gives his children divine insurance on earth and after life on earth.

Tips On How To Lay A Good Foundation for Greatness Keep Godly friends: the friends you keep will either affect you positively or negatively, David’s best friend in the bible was Jonathan and he was loyal to him, but do not be deceived, evil communication corrupt good manners. I cor 15; 33.

Determination: the three Hebrew boys in the book of Daniel determined not to compromise their faith and God delivered them from the burning furnace.

Your determination to succeed can cause a change in this generation. Because when purpose is known, success is inevitable.

Development: develop your talents; when David was a shepherd, he was called to play music for the king, Saul. He was skillful at playing instrument and gifted in his ability to write psalms. This is the right time for you to develop your talents, don’t wait until you get old, start now, it’s in you, develop it and it will make you great.

Fear God, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. David was called a man after God’s own heart because he put God first above everything else he kept his heart pure and devoted to God. The choices he made

produced a heart that was rare in the relationship with God. Ask yourself this question Persistence/ perseverance; there is a saying that desperate people reach their goals.

When you fall, get up and keep moving.

STRESSED TRY THE NATURAL WAY. We experience stress every minute of our lives whether slight or intense,

be the next wave of technology.

These innovations while convenient, have only added to an already rising national stress level. This stress is a state of tension that is created when a person responded to the demands and pressures that come from work, family and other external sources as well as those that are internally

it is always there and most likely escalating especially in these times of rapid change, advancement in technology and general uncertainty. We are in the midst of a technological as and communication revolution, popularly called future stock people are talking on their cell phones while driving and pagers are almost obsolete.

Computers and computer notebooks allow information to flow to and from us 24 hours of the day and palm pilot seems to be the next wave of technology.

These innovations, while convenient, have only added to an already rising national stress to

generated from self imposed demands, obligations and self critism. It is essential to put an end to this rising menace.

Stress is both additive and cumulative. It adds up over time until a state of crisis is reached and symptoms appear.

Studies have shown that too much challenge, hardship or change cause an increase in the risk of illness. Experts refer to stress as the “silent killer”. Its symptoms may manifest psychologically as irritability, anxiety, impaired concentration mental confusion, poor judgement, frustration and anger, they may also appear as physical symptoms, some of which include muscle

tension, headaches, low back pain, insomnia and high blood pressure. According to report, stress prevents the brain from functioning properly and directly target the body’s immune and endocrine system. The immune and endocrine control some of the most vital parts of the body if not treated, these symptoms may

lead to physical illness and sometimes death.

Keeping stress at a comfortable level seems to be the key to physical and mental well-being, albeit an elusive one.

By understanding what we are experiencing when under pressure and learning relaxation, that is, techniques and new coping behaviour, which is the major prerequisite for a healthy, living. We can manage our stress levels with greater efficiency thereby avoiding both panic and the health threatening effect of stress. Since we are undergoing some kind of change 24 hours a day, it is wise to start

identifying and expressing feelings both physical and emotional as a way to smooth out Jagged edges.

Developing this ability also serves as a buffer against such times when this changes in our lives take a radical turn in any direction. Meditation is one of the stress management strategies used to cultivate a quite

way of living.

Meditation has been proven to slow the breath, quite the mind and produce more harmonious brain activity. It only takes about 15 minutes a day to achieve positive result.

Focusing on the breath is one way to meditate.

Simply giving attention to the in and out breath can help to calm the body and the emotions and thereby increase natural health. Focusing on a word or repeating a mantra is another way to refocus the mind and cause it to become calm and peaceful. These exercises can be done at any time and in any setting.

MORE than any other issue in Nigeria today, the greatest concern has been the security condition of the country.

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 Alhus 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.

FOR instance, last Friday, Boko Haram slaughtered over 40 people while praying in a Borno mosque.

Also, three primary schools teachers were kidnapped by unknown gunmen while on duty at Orogbua Primary School, Upper Ekenwan Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. They were released only on Wednesday after some undisclosed huge ransom was paid by their spouses.

ASIDE these incidences, local Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, had until late, been orchestrating series of isolated attacks predominantly in Northern Nigeria.

The sect is believed to be targeting centres of international attraction, especially in the

THE NIGERIAN

Need To Contain Insecurity 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 be 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, in 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, funded 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 be technologically equipped and funded to carry out their assigned tasks, would need to be restructured. The structure and duties of our security agencies must be revisited so as to ensure that each organ very well knows its specific roles and function, while the laws establishing these agencies must be made clear on who does what.

THE government at 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 wellcoordinated 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 be strengthened and sustained, as such the government and people of Nigeria cannot afford to leave this to the whims and caprices of miscreants.

People And Events Journalists: JOURNALISTS are called the watch dog of the society because they practice a type of sniffy instigative profession. It refers to a restless activity, inclined work aimed at holding accountable public personalities and institutions whose functions impact on the people’s social and political life.

Today, journalists continue to see the watchdog role as central to their work, just like a dog finds sniffing integral to their security role. Nearly nine out of ten journalists believe the press “keeps political leaders from doing things they should not do” and the watchdog role was second, after informing the public.

Among the answer journalists volunteered as to

Why Are They Watch Dogs?

press. Help the public to understand what the press is supposed to do and why the sweeping write of “freedom of the press” is in the first amendment.

Fear of the abuse of power was the galvanizing force in American revolution and continues to be the strongest justification for a challenging and thoroughly independent press. The press, in turn, is obliged to perform the honest fairly and with agility at all times. Watchdog journalism is being a private eye for the public’s good.

Watchdog journalism is at the heart of what we do, an important function of our paper through the full range of what we do, not just isolated or farmed off in a section in the

By RUTH ATSEGOR only on the side of truth, not taking sides based on your own opinion. The most important part of watchdog/accountability journalism is to watch and listen and make sure the two match up.

COMMON SECTOR THAT WATCHDOGS/ M O N I T O R GOVERNMENT. There are watchdog organization monitoring government at all levels, from that local school board mentioned above, right up to national government and the united nation. In the US, for instance, the congressional accountability project keeps an eye on the activities of members of the US congress

watchdogs is to gather and provide information that is not available elsewhere. Much of what they report is learned only from determined digging, or from whistle blowers who won’t talk to the press or to official investigators.

As a result, they are often able to inform the public about things that government, business, or others would rather they not know.

IV To prevent bad consequences that could cost the community economically or socially by pointing out circumstances that need to be corrected, a watchdog can help a community avoid the possibility of a law sulky an environmental cleanup, racial conflict, or other result that could be costly or even

well, and ultimately they may find themselves caring as much about other’s interest as they do their own.

II. To defend those with little-political or economic power, and help them learn how to gain and use that power. Too often, politicians-corporations and others with dout choose to use it at the expense of those with. Little funding for health and human service. Programs that benefit low income families is cut at the first sign of economic difficulty.

A watchdog group can speak on behalf of those who haven’t yet gained the skills to know when and how to speak for themselves. Can model those skills, and can recruit budding leaders from among that population, so they can act as their own watchdog.

III To keep citizens aware of what is happening in their community and their world.

Perhaps the primary function of

disastrous.

V. To promote social justice and social change. Watchdog activity can help to assure that everyone is treated fairly, that all members of a community get what they need, and that people understand and support the need for change to make the community a better place to like.

VI. Simple justice.

Sometimes, the doing of a particular entity-a government body, a corporation, an institution a social group are just plain wrong. It may be overtly harming others, dishonestly meeting others to do so, enriching itself at other’s expense, or willfully refusing to correct condition that harm individuals, groups, or the community as a whole.

Watchdogs can expose It’s activity or motion, held it up to the light of public scruting, and see that it answers for the warm it’s caused.

The Journalist

The Dog

what distinguished their profession from other types of communication based professions is ‘the duty of the journalists to keep powerful people in check. Journalists do it in every country and it can range from political officers to leaders of nations that abuse their power and offices.

Journalists also stated that the idea of the watchdog is misunderstood.

Chicago journalist and humourist.

Finley Peters Dunne translated the watchdog principle to mean “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable”. The concepts is deeper and more nuanced than the literal sense of afflicting or comforting would suggest.

As history showed us, it more properly means watching over the powerful few in society on behalf of the many to guard against tyranny. One of the prerequisites for greater understanding of watchdog journalism is to demystify the

and the Corporate Accountability Project publicize the doings of multinational corporations.

MEDIA In the US, there are media watchdogs many of them at both ends of the political spectrum. Fair (fairness and accuracy in reporting) tries to keep the media honest from the liberal side. The media research center is it’s conservative counterpart.

There is another type of media watchdog whose concern is freedom of the press.

The committee to project journalist, a US based organization that highlights threats and violence against journalists and a free press

have to do with doing the right thing and serving society, but the first one list here is probably the most powerful, and the one behind most watchdog activity.

I. Self interest: often, a group begins acting as a watchdog because something it considered important is being threatened, or something that it wants to see done is not happening. Members of environmental watchdog organizations are likely to enjoy the outdoors, for instance, members of organizations that see themselves as protecting the rights of tax payers are usually concerned about the size of their own tax bills. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with that.

Self-interest can act to make people passionate about things that are important for others as

newsroom, it’s an enterprise wide activity. It’s about holding government institutions and officials accountable and explaining their actions in a way that is relevant to readers and connects with their lives.

Watchdog journalism is digging deeper on a daily basis.

It’s journalism that holds power brokers accountable. Watchdog journalism is how we protect our readers and should be as broad as it can be. Watchdog journalism is afflicting the comfortable half of that old saying.

Watchdog journalism is working out for the civic interests of our readers by pursuing an aggressive and independent agenda of stores both in words and visually, in print and outline…that uncovers problems in the community and offers.

Watchdog journalism is more currently called accountability journalism.

This type of reporting is

and the congress as a whole.

The government accountability project looks at the US government as a whole.

At the local level, government monitoring might be simpler. We have already mentioned the possibility of keeping watch on the local school committee, other local watchdogs might be concerned with zoning and/or planning boards-the board of health, the sewer commission or water resources board, the capital planning committee-any local government entity, infact, since all of their decision are funded by taxpayer’s money and affect the whole community in some way.

CORPORATIONS AND BUSINESS Watchdogs may observe the whole business arena, pay special attention to specific areas within it (technology firms, for instance), or focus on the activities of particular corporations. Corporate watch

around the globe, is one example. It’s function is to publicize the plight of journalists who have been arrested, threatened, brutalized, or killed in the course of trying to report the truth, and to promote freedom of the press around the world.

HUMAN RIGHT While some watchdog organization have a clear political agenda, amnesty international is a prime example of a watchdog that plays no political favourites. In a short span in 1977, the organization was awarded the nobel peace prize, accused by the then right-wing Argentine Government of being a front for the soviets KGB and accused by soviets of being founded and financed by the American C.A. WHY ACT AS A WATCHDOG? There are obviously a number of reasons why you or your organization might want to act as a watchdog. Most of them

Education

Auchi Polytechnic Breaks Another Jinx At 27th Convocation

By SAM DADA AYOKHAI

The 21ST Convocation ceremony of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State which held on Saturday, December 7, 2013 will go down as one with a lot of panache.

Expectedly, the ancient town of Auchi and its environs was practically locked down in total submission to the gravitational pull.

This routine administrative effort to undertake massive remedial resurfacing of bad access road within the campus paid huge dividends in terms of public goodwill and acknowledgement. Many of the attendees at the convocation were held spellbound by the foot print of progressive transformation the school has witnessed in recent times.

They were in agreement also that Dr. Idogho and her team have done so well in transforming and repositioning the school and wished she will get the needed support and co-operation from the right quarters in her last lap.

Three major high points of the convocation was, first, breaking the jinx associated with combined convocations, second the Rectors acknowledged successful stewardship and thirdly the ovation that herald the cheering news about the commencement of degree programmes by the school.

For so long, Auchi Poly has formed the obnoxious habit of having combined convocations where two or three sets of graduands convoke at the same time.

According to stakeholders, such developments often resulted in delayed issuance of certificates.

The graduands are then forced to parade the labour market in search of elusive jobs with ordinary letters of attestation, many years after leaving s c h o o l .

In her speech, Dr. Idogho enumerated the

challenges she faced in her determined bid to reposition the school, stating they later became the tonic which propelled her into action and, today, the school was a lot better off than she met it.

As proof, In the past few years according to her, Auchi Poly has attracted attention from admission applicants across the country and this is evident in the geometric increase in the number of those seeking admission into the school. Also the school consistently maintained its premium position on the Webometrix ranking index as the second best tertiary Institutions in Nigeria and on the polytechnics category, the school ranked best in Nigeria and in Africa. In addition, Dr. Idogho also announced that Auchi Poly has won the Nuxart art prize - arts exhibition on fabricated products competition among tertiary institutions in Nigeria - for keeps, having won it thrice.

She also revealed that Auchi Poly signed a memorandum of understanding, MOU, with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State on the award of degrees in 11 courses namely Electrical/ electronics, civil engineering, Accounting and others, in a bid to enrich the school’s academic content and tender to growing needs.

Already, she noted that the Senate of the University after an assessment tour of the facilities and infrastructure approve the affiliation and awaiting that of National Universities commission (NUC) which will carried out an independent assessment of available facilities and manpower and certified the agreement as adequate.

On the pursuit of academic excellence, she said the school will not relent in its attempt to institutionalize the culture of inaugural lectures. To this end, all Chief Lecturers with doctorate degrees engaged in teaching and research by the school must comply

with directives and ensure they deliver their inaugural lectures in their respective fields. So far, only two accomplished scholars have performed this academic ritual, namely Late Dr. Okhaishe Idokpesi and Dr. Philipa Idogho, the current Rector.

Similarly, as regard staff development, the school secured a working relationship with the University of

accidents that often resulted in deaths, including those of students and staff of the school while crossing.

According to her, the speed breakers was only a remedial measure taken to secure the safety of staff and students and expressed joy that finally a permanent solution is on the way with the ongoing construction of an overhead pedestrian

a total of 66 recognised and accredited academic programmes at both national and higher national levels.

Instructively, all of them are duly accredited by the National Board for Technical Education ( N B T E ) .

Fellowship of the school was awarded to deserving recipients such as Nigeria’s former high commissioner

fathers, Rector, Chairman and Members of the School Governing Council and other Dignitaries.

In a convocation lecture titled “Climate Change and Biodiversity: Implications for National Development”, Prof.

(Mrs.) Medina Kadiri of the University of Benin alerted policy makers to the dangers inherent in climate change.

The former Edo State Commissioner of Environment and Mineral

Dr. Idogho (Rector) (left) with Fellowship Award recepient, Hajia Momoh and the Edo State Governor’s mother, Hajia Oshiomhole at the Convocation ceremony.

Wolverhamption in the United Kingdom on training of academic staff and students and 4 academic staff has benefitted from the gesture.

Again under the TET Fund, 98 academics staff are undergoing Post graduate studies in higher institutions across the country with 30 pursuing doctorate degree. This will improve and increase number of PhD holders in the school which stood at four between 1973 and 2008.

On the safety of both staff and students, she promised that her administration will continue to place premium attention on them. To demonstrate this, she cited example of the construction of seven speed breakers on the busy Auchi-Benin highway, which is notorious for ghastly motor

bridge by the federal ministry of works, following strong appeals by the school authority.

Also, as a measure not to overstretch the existing facilities due to influx of student population at its main campus, the school management develops a second campus called Phillipa Idogho Campus.

In recognition of her noble effort and strides in school administration, Dr. Idogho have received a total of 60 recognitions from both National and International bodies. Recently, to crown her efforts, Dr. Idogho was recently appointed the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Council of Heads of Polytechnic and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria ( C O H E A D S ) .

Currently, Auchi Poly runs

to Canada, Ambassador Aziz Garuba; Ogbashi of Auchi kingdom, Alhaja Zulietu Abu Momoh and the traditional ruler of Igueben and Okaigun of Esanland, HRH Ehizogie Eluojerior 1.

On the high table to grace the occasion were the Representatives of the Minister of Education and Edo State Governor, Royal

Resources and University of Lagos trained Botanist, drew national attention to the menace of flooding, erosion and other ecological issues while urging that we must stop paying lip service to these danger signals and begin to act proactively in order to forestall or prevent the coming holocaust.

Sam Dada Ayokhai Edo State

“They were in agreement also that Dr. Idogho and her team have done so well in transforming and repositioning the school and wished she will get the needed support and cooperation from the right quarters in her last lap.”

Opinion

Wasted Youthfulness, Regrettable Adulthood

The youthful age is the age between the time one is born and adulthood or full grown adult age- old age, an age in between premature, mature and overmature age. It is an age in which physical boys and girls grow certain features on their physical bodies, learn new lifestyles, condescend or compromise behaviours from peer groups either good or bad, age of social, physical, emotional, spiritual, economic and even political growth. The drift from unknowing age to the knowing age of what is good or bad for them. Youths are the crèches, toddlers, and kindergartens of those yesteryears born of a woman and man in which the former carries the pregnancy for about 9 months. They are born into homes -humble or rich background- in a family setting.

As a nuclear family consist of father, mother and children.

Amongst these children are boys and girls in the family. It is still the same in the extended family system which form the nuclear family of father and mother and children are also fathers, brothers and sister of their extended relationships.

Those can be categorized into well known names as we all known as uncles -father, brothers, aunties -mothers, sisters, children of the uncles and aunties which are called cousins-nephews.

The youthful stage of any child is the impressionable change of any child, it is like any good or bad, positive or negative impressions, characters, behaviours, attitudes based on early environmental influences, other people’s opinions, self image, the company you keep what you think and your choices in life.

We shall examine these factors one after the other. For example, EARLY ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES, most peoples’ attitudes are absorbed from their early environments. Where and how you grow up will affect you negatively or positively.

For instance, if you were born, brought up and bred in a slum or ghetto- I mean that are somehow unfit for living or seeking livelihood. There is bound to be problem acquired growing from youthful age to adolescent, except by special grace of God in which may be, the children have been brought up in a Christian way that would make them to continue to live the Christian way they have been brought up without deviating from it.

In another instance, if you were brought up by a divorced parent, it is likely to affect the young child negatively. As a divorced mother, she may give her child reasons to believe that all men are bad. It can go a long way as reality for her Sons and daughters. A young girl also may grow up hating the opposite sex

because of the many maltreatment stories told about the father. This result to her weariness when she finally decides to get married and settle down. Her attitude towards the opposite sex becomes a negative one because her mother gave her an early negative foundation.

Likewise a son raised in that environment may have a negative self image because of the mothers influence. Poverty here should not be looked in isolation.

Poverties, because we have poverty of knowledge, ideas, wisdom e.t.c. All these combined, make the youth poor and reeked of poverty. If such persons change location but they do not change on the inside, they will still have a poverty mentality.

This is the primary reason why

leaders in third world countries grab all the money they can and store it away for themselves. For many from that environment from birth to early adulthood, life has been a matter of survival of the fittest. They grew up from childhood knowing that whoever comes back home first gets to eat all. Therefore, when an individual from that environment is placed in a political title, his attitude will be to eat all. Some were born with or no silver spoons in their mouth. Some their parents are alive to see them through the tutelage of life though while experiencing the process of life they are not brought up to think independently, grow in a matured manner and either over pampered or not pampered at all. So they experienced poverty of wisdom, understanding hence they live with or without the support, over support or no support from the parents. So all these factors applicable to youths of different background, environment,

By ABAYOMI SHOYOMBO

political, socio-economic experiences especially when they are a blown-grown adult coming into play in their day-to-day activities reminiscent of their past years. All these culminate in the micro setting they found themselves and grow to an uncontrollable level in the macro society.

The resultant effect is that for every action of theirs either positive or negative, have an equally formidable bearing on the larger society. This is the crux of the matter. I implore Christian

and Muslim parents alike to work on themselves, work on their wards inside out and make sure that they get rid of negative influences you may have acquired over the years. We need to change the world and not vice versa. Have you not head of man separating from woman and vice versa without any reason whatsoever. How many would you count in an over lapping teeth in normal mouth that is originally supposed to accommodate 24 teeth. Another factor to consider is other peoples’ opinion that tends to shape the destinies of these youths, either for good or bad! They intend to absorb, hook, like and sinker what other people say, think or do that falls within the precept of their own thinking or analogy. They are not on their own. They are not independent.

They rely so much on what others also say, think, to shape their own thinking, behavior and attitudes too, forgetting that no two people are created or born the same; even the twin, triplet, quadruplets

e.t.c born from the same womb came differently in this world though in the same vehicle so to say. It is wrong to form an

agreed price for that obnoxious action. Youths should believe in themselves if they are going to achieve the purpose for which they are been created.

SELF IMAGE A lot of the youths are selfdoubt. They don’t believe in themselves. The ones that even manage to have a little faith in

are vulnerable to step into paths that the adults lay down either voluntarily, socially, economically and religious wise!.

So we too have to be very careful in handling them by showing love, putting them on a right path, giving them what belong to them and trying as much as possible to see them through the lives

“There is a parable that says “birds of a feather flock together”. In essence it goes to illustrate the fact that when you show me your friends, I will tell you who you are.”

opinion of oneself from what others say about one or us. Such statements may be borne out from opinions, bias, prejudices, envy, jealousy covered with a fur coat of genuine opinions or advice.

Since only God knows us intimately, any other person, youths should never allow anybody’s opinion to determine their attitude. Politicians nowadays hampers on this lapses by working on youth sentiments to parry along with them to see their political opponent as the opponent of everybody and should be dealt with hence they are sent on messages of no return, depending on the nature of the assignment, either to carry ballot boxes, disperse eligible voters and counting officers or absolute killing of the opponent with arm and ammunition. An action they are bound to regret now or sometimes in their lives when God must have touched their hearts even as the dubious politicians might refuse to pay the

themselves cannot react anywhere in life because of circumstances they find themselves in the country.

Attitude comes through selfimage, if you have a negative self- image, you must change it on the inside, otherwise it will affect your outward action negatively. That is why a lot of our today’s youths are subconsciously satisfied with the lives they are living. They don’t see any reason why they should move a step further to improve the standard of their lives, it’s really pathetic. And these are people we hold on to for our future and future generation.

We the adults and the old ones also refer to them as our future leaders, but what sort of future leader are we talking of if they cannot properly manage their youthful age. This means a lot of trouble for them, the nation as a whole. Since some of them are reduced in their self images or mirror image, they are open to all sorts of vices just like the open wound in which only truth can heal it.

For their short coming, sometimes they lay the blames of their woes on the doorsteps of the adult and the elders. Some of the adults too grow from this kind of self defeating image that we are accusing the youths.

There is no gain saying the fact that some adults and elders don’t live lives that show good example.

Whether in government, at home, in schools, religious houses, they are found wanton. So whenever and wherever we have the guts and the effrontery to accuse the youths of any misbehavior or misdemeanor, they are quick to point to our own mistakes or misdeeds too.

We have adults all over the places occupying important position in government, business organizations, departments, ministries and parastatals, primary school to tertiary institutions, churches and mosques e.t.c.

Youths of low esteem copy or

endeavours or else...

THE COMPANY THEY KEEP The company you keep, your friends, associates and people you keep relationship with all have one thing or the other to share with your behavior, attitudes, opinions, values, ethics, appearances, belief!

There is a parable that says “birds of a feather flock together”. In essence it goes to illustrate the fact that when you show me your friends, I will tell you who you are.

The Bible says that, whoever walk with the wise shall be wise (Prov. 13:20). The Bible even go further by saying “Be not deceived, evil communication corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:33). There are people you walk with who affect your attitude negatively and before you realize it you are not walking right or straight. It is like the kind of group behavior that youths or people exhibit that makes them look unstraight forward. Hence nobody reckons with them.

What about those who see nothing good in every situation that opens up to them. They have nothing but sad and bad stories to tell. Every time you meet them, it is all negative stories. If you associate too long with such people before you know it, your own attitude too become negative and vice-versa.

Don’t keep company with someone who is going nowhere.

According to the late Afro beat Fela Anikulapo Kuti which goes thus “If you dey follow follow them go, Na inside cupboard you go quench, make u no follow book oooo, you come and use your sense. If you dey follow follow make you open your eye make you open your sense by the time you no go follow, my brother make u no follow book oooo u come and go your way”.

Don’t follow everybody as if you don’t have your mind, conscience, ambition etc to head you to your goal in life. Use your brain, choose your company wisely.

Midweek Magazine IN Nigeria and all over Africa today, traditional rulership has given way to the modern system of governance which was never the less imposed on us by foreign powers and in the case of Nigeria, by the British imperial Majesty in London.

Although, the British foisted on us a system of government that was almost totally alien. They did not however, succeed in wiping out traditional rulership, which in Nigeria runs parallel to the western governmental system.

In Benin Kingdom, now Edo state, in modern Nigeria, traditional rulership is very much intact and is well reverenced and respected all over the country and throughout the world. The efficacy of its rule can be seen and felt in its performance to duties and order throughout the kingdom and it is most comprehensibly delectable during the Christmas period of Igue festival (Guahuenyen and Iselogbe to everyone).

That Nigeria is institutionally corrupt and is experiencing a failing democracy is an understatement as it does not require an empirical study or evidence to prove. Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has developed and enacted four constitutions and about four other fruitless constitutions that did not become a working constitutional instrument either because the instigator was overthrown in a military coup, killed or murdered probably by “Ashawo” - Allah ‘gbua. Most part of Nigeria’s independence was marred by military rule and as a result, was the period in which the constitution was replaced by decree and edict.

constitution that proclaims the country a democracy was carefully and craftily removed to protect any future usurper of the country’s democracy and previous perpetrators from being prosecuted thus paving the way to yet more military intervention in our country’s democracy.

Hence, many scholars and academia have called for the annulment of the 1999 constitution because in the actual fact we are not operating the 1979 constitution as the democratic rights of the Nigerian society have been obliterated by the head of the military Junta, General Abdusalami Abubakar.

Anyway, corruption was so blatant and rampant in the government’s circle in the 2nd republic and also the action of the then ruling party NPN, in rigging elections to win any elections at all cost, forced the leader of NPP at that time to warn and issue a statement, titled: “History will vindicate the just” in which he left the riggers to God’s judgement (News Watch, 20.5.1985) The military coup d’état that ended the 2nd republic yet again blamed their action on the failing democracy especially regarding the same issue of corruption.

However, in the 3rd republic, the failing of Nigeria’s democracy is not difficult for anyone to see, for example, in terms of development, the country is growing by about 7% (CBN, 2013) which is among the fastest and biggest growing economies in the world, but ironically, the growth is not being realised by society at large. The country is experiencing one of the highest poverty phenomena in the world, 90 per cent of Nigerians are reported poor by the Central

Nigeria’s Failing Democracy: education standard, hyperinflation, fear, poverty, high moral decadence such as; prostitution, lawlessness, robbery, kidnapping, thieving, child abuse, human trafficking, drug peddling, religious robbery, faith robbery and other vices = failing democracy.

The anti-graft agencies that are meant to bring culprits to book are dragging their legs especially in high profile cases and when they seldom bring cases to court, it is done so abysmally that the accused are hardly successfully prosecuted and found guilty for want of evidence in our courts of justice.

A visit to these anti-graft agencies would reveal a wardrobe that is beyond their official earned income.

Considering that the American declaration of independence in 1776 that came into effect in 1791 has lasted the test of time and has only been amended on a few occasions and Britain has no formal written constitution except what she has in the statutes book, law book, and also not too long ago, Bill of Rights that was imposed on her by being a member of the European Union, but Nigeria’s constitution since independence in 1960, has been re-written more than four times; at least two more never came to fruition because of military intervention. There have also been many amendments; the recent one was in 2011 when some lacunae were found in the Constitution following the death of President Yara’dua. Although I have said it all, but please excuse me to take in verbatim

a phone card, and handing it over to some scruffy bloke who showed up at his office in order to allow his crude oil out of the country.

Corruption, theft, and graft can take many forms: falsifying a CV (I don’t mean enhancing, I mean pretending you’re a Lead Piping Engineer of 12years experience when actually, until yesterday, you were a fisherman); selling positions in a company; stealing diesel from the storage tanks you’re paid to protect; issuance of false material certificates; impersonating an immigration officer to access an office, from which you then tap up the people within to fund your latest venture; selling land which isn’t yours; deliberately running down the country’s refining capacity in order to partake in the lucrative import of fuels; falsifying delivery notes of said refined fuels in order to receive greater government subsidies; deliberately restricting the country’s power generation capacity in order to benefit from the importation of generators (which must be run on imported fuel); theft of half-eaten sandwiches and opened drink containers from the office fridge; tinkering with fuel gauges at petrol stations to sell customers short; conspiring with company drivers to issue false receipts indicating more fuel was supplied than actually was; supplying counterfeit safety equipment; falsifying certificates related to professional competence (e.g. rope access work); paying employees less than stipulated in their contract

“At societal level, there are ills and vile such as: terrorism, unemployment, a compromising education standard, hyperinflation, fear, poverty, high moral decadence such as; prostitution, lawlessness, robbery, kidnapping, thieving, child abuse, human trafficking, drug peddling, religious robbery, faith robbery and other vices = failing democracy. “ When the Army seized power in 1966 to end the 1st republic, the necessity for the coup was blamed on the way the civilian government ran the affairs of the country especially regarding corruption.

Again in 1983 when the military yet again struck to end the 2nd republic of Shagari’s civilian government, a failing democracy and corruption was again blamed. The constitution of 1979 was the product of a constituent assembly of elected citizens acting as representative of the people, and it is undoubtedly the best constitution that Nigerians have yet had by virtue of participation. The present constitution (1999) was virtually taken verbatim after the army junta head of state General Abdul Sallami Abubakar had deceived the nation that Nigerians wanted the 1979 constitution , but before the constitution was promulgated section one of the

Bank of Nigeria (2012) which in all honesty is an indication of failing government.

Rev. J.T. Franklyn of Rhema Springs International Ministries, Benin City, on 21/01/12 lamented in his preaching on poverty that the middle class has been eroded from Nigerian society. Election malpractices are the order of the day and the organs of government, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary are supposed to act as checks and balances on one another for the sake of democratic expediency, instead, they end up check mating their financial prowess. Elections into political offices are a fraud, rule of law is a laughing stock, and there is no effective census of population. The Executive Presidential system of government that came into being in 1979, which gives executive powers to the President, is in shambles.

At societal level, there are ills and vile such as: terrorism, unemployment, a compromising

what Mr Tim Newman said of his experience in Nigeria.

“There is no getting away from the fact that corruption in Nigeria has infested almost every aspect of life, work, and society. I can’t think of a single area where I didn’t encounter a scam of some sort. Some of them were pretty normal – policemen hassling motorists for bribes, for example – with others being less common elsewhere. Filling brand named alcohol bottles with local hooch was widespread practice. Not so bad in itself, but these were being sold through supposedly legitimate suppliers and turning up in established bars. Others were unique to Nigeria. I knew a guy in charge of oil shipments for a foreign oil company who received a call from somebody in the authorities saying he was not going to release the multimillion dollar cargo until somebody had bought his cousin’s $10 worth of phone credit. My acquaintance found himself going to the shop, buying

(or not at all); cloning satellite TV cards, meaning the legitimate user gets their service cut off when the other card is in use (the cards are cloned by the same people who issue the genuine cards); the list is literally endless.

There is no beginning or end to corruption in Nigeria, it is a permanent fixture.

Nepotism is rife: family members are employed and promoted before anyone else.

Outright theft is rife: from a pen lying on a desk, to billions from the state coffers. Dishonesty is rife: from the state governors to the street urchin, lying to enrich your-self is the norm. You name the scam’ it is being done in Nigeria. Eventually, nothing surprises you” Newman (Home commentary, 22. 8.13. p. 5) I beg your pardon: mind the phrase used by Mr. Newman “there is no beginning or end to corruption in Nigeria, it is a permanent fixture”!

Although, Mr Newman has no right either to educate or remind

Lessons

us about corruption in Nigeria because they, the British put the cat on the window: in his tableau on Nigeria, Mr Newman failed to say why he was in Nigeria and how he came to know about his experience or experiences. He might have been involved in scams in Nigeria which in all earnest and purpose makes him an accessory to corruption. He has no good intention for Nigeria. However, Nigeria has become the laughing stock of the world. It is high time we did something positive about corruption to earn our global respect in the world, consequently shaming people like Mr Newman whose intension is to damage Nigeria’s interest beyond reproach anywhere in the world.

This is the more reason why I believe that a study of preconquest and the present Benin Kingdom system of governance could go a long way in helping to solving the ailing and failing Nigerian democracy.

The federal and state governments should not be ashamed or afraid to take a leaf from it. It might not be a panacea to all the problems facing Nigeria but it will definitely go a long way in helping Nigeria to solving her problems. Posit below is the delectable and enviable Benin Kingdom system of government that has been locally, nationally and internationally acclaimed and could help Nigeria in its delirious position especially in the area of democracy, corruption and human capital development. .

Benin Kingdom The Benin Kingdom has been in existence since 400BC and was called Igodomigodo (Eguavoen, 1962). Though history has it that the Binis or Edos migrated from Egypt, they actually left Egypt at the same time as the Israelis when God commanded the Israelis to leave Egypt, which makes them to be one of the Israeli’s tribes that emigrated from Egypt. The pinnacle of its strength was in the 17th -19th century, in which the British maliciously and vindictively in what they called “a punitive expedition” inhumanely in 1897 brought the empire to an abrupt end. The empire spread all over the coastal region of the Atlantic Ocean as far as the now Republic of Benin and Ghana (Banbury, 1970). The people of Benin republic, the Fante, Ewe and the Ga Adame people of Ghana detailed their origin to Benin, in Nigeria. That Lagos, or Eko (camp) as named by the Binis was founded by the Binis or Edos has never been in doubt. Unfortunately this great peoples’ empire was abruptly brought to an end by the war mongers of the British imperial order in 1897. How did these people that in present day Nigeria with a population of less than 6 million people come to build a vast and strong empire that was resolute, acclaimed, respected and revered throughout the world? The

By IMUETINYA answer is simple: the system was built on good governance, strong, affable and delectable leadership, collective responsibility, adherence to the rule of law, checks and balances, transparency, accountability and respect with strong belief in tradition, culture and religion.

Even up till date the Benin monarchical institution, its democratic principles and system of governance are still in place and well respected throughout the history of mankind.

Let’s Posit Its Facets. (Great Edo)

The Benin Kingdom headquarters was Benin City or Edo as the Edos affectionately love to call it and it is also the capital of modern Edo state of Nigeria. Today the Kingdom is confined to the present Edo state, partly because of states creation, and is bounded in the north by Kogi state, east by Delta, west by Ondo state and in the south by Atlantic Ocean.

The administrative organisation of the kingdom has remained intact despite the British crude and unjust so called punitive expedition that brought the empire to an abrupt end in 1897. At the head of administration is the paramount King, therefore the paramount ruler of the Benin Kingdom (Omo N’ Oba Ne ‘doUkuAkpolokpolo) Oba of Benin, whose ascension to the throne is by principle of primogeniture and is also hereditary. He was and still is the focus point of the Benin Kingdom and his powers are spiritual, social, religious and political. The King or Omo N’ Oba rules from the palace in Benin City and his authority is unequivocally accepted by all the Edos. The King

is mag delec all h leads conse the E are un any o The leade view and p Ce The leade three chief

di res th ad str Uz co th Eg als En res im co an aft Iw ap att loo be mu res ha rea fac of wi or vil ac Uz to Eg

Midweek Magazine From The Benin Kingdom

YAN PRESS JOHN UGIAGBE

affable, assiduous, gnanimous,sedulous, ctable, blissful and pious in human ramifications. He s by example and equently the flag bearer of Edos. His personal qualities nequivocally unparalleled to other person in the society. administration and ership structure could be ed from two folds: central provincial. ntral e central administration and ership structure comprises of different sets of functional fs of importance each with

fferent functions and sponsibilities to perform. At e helm of the central dministration and leadership ructure is the Uzamanihiron (7 zama) and the Uzama omprises of Eghaevbo (chiefs): e Eghaevbo no re and ghaevho no gbe. The palace so has its own chiefs (Eguanigie) that are assigned different sponsibilities and functions of mportance. The palace chiefs omprise of the Iwebo, Iwague nd the Ibiwe. The Iwebo, looks ter the King’s (Oba) regalia, wague looks after the king’s partment and are his private tendants and confidants, Ibiwe oks after the King’s wives. To e an Uzama or Eghaevbo, one ust be some one of high repute, solute, tested, and credible and as proven himself beyond all asonable doubt in society. In ct anybody elected to the office chieftaincy whether to work ith the king or within the palace r outside the palace, and the llage provinces must pass the cid test of credibility. The zamas are the kings makers and gether (Eghaevhonore and ghaevhonogbe) constitute the

administrative council of the palace.

The central administrative council is headed by the Iyase of Benin who effectively is the prime minister and therefore occupies number two positions in Benin Kingdom.

In a way they act as the cabinet ministers in which the Omo N’ Oba presides over to discharge his duties to society.

Consequently the council assists the Oba in the administration and discharge of justice at the Oba’s palace. The Institutions of the Benin Kingdom were and are still guided by its democratic principles which were and are

never compromised in any circumstances. It is based on a system of checks and balances but when a decision cannot be reached the King’s decision is paramount and therefore final.

Province The provinces are semiautonomous. Every village has its own Odionwere (Head) and to be an Odoinwere one does not necessary has to be the most senior person but the choice has its own characteristics which are governed by the custom of the land: for example when such a person was first initiated to the village staff order by the elders in council in the village’s hall (Oguedion). Some villages are assigned with Enogie (Chief), by the Oba (King) and when this happened the Enogie would become the head of that community, and also some villages have priest/ess (Ohen), who is chosen by divine means, all of them play their role for the smooth running of the provinces.

The organ of policy makers in the village consists of Enogie (Chief) or where there is no Enogie, the Odionwere (Head

Man) would be joined by his council of ministers comprising of four of the most important senior elder men of the village, town or community in case of a City. The women are also very important and constitute an integral part of the community.

Every village has its Women’s forum that is headed by the most senior woman of the village.

They hold meetings when it is necessary and when it is called for by the women’s head or ordered by the Odionwere (Head-man) or Enogie (Chief) to discuss issues affecting their Communities, take decisions and consequently report their decision to the Men’s Council

of Elders for action. However most decisions are handled by the village general assembly which consists of all the adults both young and old in the village (Igbamas and Edions) Any dispute that is not satisfactorily settled could be referred to the Enogie of the area for settlement and any serious dispute unsettled by the village assembly headed by the Odionwere that could not be settled by the Enogie would be taken to the Omo N’ Oba’s palace, which act as the last Court of Arbitration, and the King ( Omo N’ Oba) decision in the dispute is final (Gievbonbase).

How corruption was checked!

Perhaps the way corruption

was checked to enhance democracy, rule of law and transparency is the most affable characteristics of the Benin rulership. These were heavily guided against by the use of religious spiritualism. At a time of serious discord, the Chief Priest/Priestess (Ohen) would be used to seal the faith of the dispute by way of special divine intervention. The Priest’s/ priestess’s duty was to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevailed in the land and in time of discord, turmoil or trouble the priest/ess would be called upon to discharge his/her spiritual know-how either to cleanse, appease, or discharge a curse depending on the event at hand at that time. The Benin Kingdom was backed up by strong religion and spiritual belief.

Every city, town and village had its deity which they all passionately worshipped, and the villages had an Oguedion (Village Hall) that housed a special ancestral shrine, where the consent and conscience of someone could be judged and proven. It was also a place where the village was cleansed of evil and ancestral spirits were appeased when the gods were not happy with them. Most importantly as I said earlier, both decisions were made and disputes were settled there. The people adhered to it and believed in it very strongly, therefore to indulge in corruption, lie, theft, incredulous act, or anything unethical to the community was alien to the people, for example there were revered and feared deities such as: Awuanuho, Ovia, Ova ‘du nigieduma, Olokun nu rhonigbe, Okhuahe, Osun, Arho ‘sun oba, Ododonikan, Azelu, Ikoko, Ayelala.

These deities helped to strengthen the Oba’s power with fears, reverence, respect, honour, and also helped to harness compliance, allegiance and loyalty of his people. Most importantly it helped to check corruption of all proportions and vices and vile acts such as robbery, theft, graft, adultery, and prostitution. These were seldom heard of. The Ohens (Priests/ Priesses) were very important in the administration of law and order. In time of crime, crisis, turmoil, trouble, the Oracle would be consulted and the Ohen’s (Chief Priest) findings and decisions were taking seriously and were final. His/her judgement was never in dispute or in any doubt whatsoever, and obiter dicta.

Therefore religion was a very powerful force in checking corruption and other vices of the society. Consequently the fear and influence of gods and the

Priests/priestesses helped to influence and moderate behaviour and this immensely assisted the Oba in the maintenance of law and order that resulted in good governance that helped build a corrupt- free society of great honour and respect throughout the kingdom. It was also the driving force behind political behaviour, social mindedness, economic and religious piousness.

The Oba (King) was the mirror that the people look at themselves, therefore he leads by example. In Bini parable; “Oba men Edo” ( The King is the Edos role models).

Besides religion, the Benin Kingdom also had high regards and respect for elders and seniority.

They also believe very strongly in their tradition, custom, ethics, value, belief systems, norm and most especially in freedom of expression, transparency, liberty and collectivism as against individualism, consequently ours and not mine was the order of the day.

The Igue Festival was also a powerful force in harnessing the unity amongst the people of the Benin Kingdom. The festival period was a time whereby all the sons and daughters residing far and near would get together with their parents and families to share their best flocks in harmony and it was also a time when the land was properly and thoroughly appeased and cleansed of evils by the Ohens (Priests and Priestesses) and the people concerned with the land.

This is similar in value and significant to the Jews’ feast of Passover in the Bible. (There was more on this in my previous article (Nigerian observer 17.12.12.) .

Before the so called punitive conquest by the imperial British of 1897 the villages in the provinces were asked to raise the Army by which the land was defended and the capital city, Edo (Benin City) was heavily fortified and impregnable to enemies. There were Moats dug around Edo and the entire periphery. As I have said before the Oba never ruled alone.

He had advisors and had cabinet ministers, together they made and took decisions for the land and as such earned his due respect and loyalty and allegiance from his people. Anyone found to be wicked, unscrupulous, or bringing the land into disrepute could be ostracized from society. It was practically impossible to honour anyone without proven moral or social standing.

The Benin or Bini Kingdom system of governance was based on a system of effective checks and balances of the sort that made effective governance to flourish. It is similar to the so called three arms of government adopted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria: Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, but it is different in meaning, value, integrity and form.

It is a reflection of true democracy and expedient governance and no wonder the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo

UkuAkpolokpolo was and is still so revered all the world over. Let it be known that this kingdom had an empire that probably surpasses any in Africa and was never defeated in any battle and war until the British in their nefarious crude way to dominate and control the trade in Benin Kingdom, and Nigeria as a whole, and under the pretence of the so called punitive expedition descended on the Kingdom with their world’s best machine guns of that millennium to end the empire in 1897. With the Kingdom defeated, it was never the same again, the king, Oba Idugbowa Ovonramwen Ogbaisi (1888-1897) was exiled to Calabar where he passed to glory in 1914.

There was a vacuum of leadership created in the kingdom until Oba Eweka 11 was installed in 1914. It is a fact and on record that when the Portuguese visited Benin in the 16th century, they had enthused, that Benin City was comparable in size, beauty and status or better than Amsterdam, the capital city of Holland. However, from 1897 and up to 1960 when Nigeria became independent, the People of Benin Kingdom were in mourning, development and progress stopped.

They refused to send their children to school to gain the so called “western education” in rebellion to the misdeeds and anarchy into which the greediness of the British had plunged them. It was not surprising that at Nigeria’s independence, it was difficult to come by an Edo person or from now Edo state who was a university graduate. We all know the consequences of that in a praetorian society like Nigeria for development and progress of the place as the favoured opportunistic powers denied the place of any meaningful development and progress for a long time. However since the 1960s, this great Edo people have since found their feet in the messy democracy of Nigeria.

I am not advocating that our Government officials should be asked to swear their allegiances to any deity of one kind or the other, but let us go to the basics of tradition that binds our morals and values together and find a way that can be used to harness and to redeem our almost lost souls and identity to the so called aegis of civilization of the Western and Eastern world in the name of “I swear to the Quran or Bible and so help me God or Allah”, they do not believe in it, it is gimmickry and alien to them and I am sure the pre- colonial Benin Kingdom method of governance will go a long way in assisting the ailing and failing Nigerian Democracy.

I wish everyone, most especially my family, Members of Rhema Springs International Ministry, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, Neighbours and friends, the Nigerian Observer Staffs, UBTH/UNIBEN Staff and those in the Diaspora happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Guahueyen and Iselogbe to everyone.Omo N’ Oba Gha To ‘kpere –Ise.

“Consequently the fear and influence of gods and the Priests/priestesses helped to influence and moderate behaviour and this immensely assisted the Oba in the maintenance of law and order that resulted in good governance that helped build a corrupt- free society of great honour and respect throughout the kingdom.”

Natural Medicine MAN cannot live without the sun. It is always up there in the sky. No one can climb a ladder, reach it and have its luminosity, heat and ultra – violet radiations adjusted to suit human conditions or remove it entirely from its mount.

What God has put together, no one can put asunder. And, so, the sun remains with us. It is a source of heat for warming the earth and living things within it. Without its light also green – colouring plants won’t be able to manufacture their own food through a process known as photosynthesis.

They will die of hunger.

Therefore were there 5 is no sun, man, too, will follow suit. After all, he depends on plants for food.

Also, most animals he eats depend on plants for sustenance.

In other words, as a source of heat and light, the sun is a valuable creation of God. In addition, the sun enables the human skin to manufacture vitamin D without which calcium metabolism cannot take place. Consequently, we become predisposed to osteoporosis or weak bones.

Don’t forget too, that the sun is the source of light for our in and out door environments. Where there is no sunlight, where will we find solar light for illuminating our homes, streets and offices.

Similary, tell me where we would find the power to light up all the worlds where there is no sunlight, our principal source of light on earth.

Today, the sun is still up there in the sky. However we now have a new sun that much more dangerous source of rays (radiations), heat and light.

Why? It is because of it discharges, these elements with greater intensity these days following the depletion of the ozone layer by the negative effects of increased hydrofluoric carbons, methane, carbon dioxide

With

Dr. MAO

08030717341

Living With The New Sun

as well as other greenhouses gases in their. What I am saying is that man’s activities in his environment has resulted in the creation of holes in the ozone layer in the sky which acts as a shock absorber for the sun’s heat and rays. Hence, the sun reaches us with intensity these days in our new unfriendly climate.

Trust, several more serious consequences today accompanies this development. Firstly, the blue rays of the new sun cooks the eye lens and retina faster resulting in refractive disorders of the eyes as well as a gradual reduction of visual acuity. This is not all, the new sun, because it is now hotter, tans the skin very quickly. This is why you find a greater population of air-skinned people becoming darker in colour in their exposed parts of the body like the face, hands and legs.

Secondly, the new hotter sun these days quickens the thickening of the top, dead layer of the skin. Invariably, this part of the skin is rougher, more scaly, drier is the harsher effect of the new sun overhead.

Thirdly, with the increase intensity of the new sun nowadays, the first living skin layer is becoming thinner and thinner. In addition, the collagen and elastic of the skin – which respectively hold up the skin and make it stretch as well as snap back easily – are now damaged faster today. It is not surprising; therefore, our skin now ages very fast today. Literally, the sun is roasting our skin with its intense heat. Maybe with the way things are going, we may be able to warm our soup with sun

heat one of these days. Yes, who knows. Then, we will have solar soup warmer or even cookers!!

Fourthly, following the new sun’s intensity today, our fabrics are getting faded worn and torn faster. Also, we are becoming thirstier, dehydrating faster and becoming more prone to the signs/symptoms of water insufficiency in our bodies.

Fifthly, lest I forget, as a result of the new hotter sun, man is predisposed to more glares from the sun. You are exposed to them when you read near water bodies and windows through which the sun’s light enters your eyes causing eyestrain. In case you don’t know, eyestrain is one of major factors responsible for eye disorders. Also, reading outdoors, reading white-paged books as well as shining, polished surfaces send out sun glares into the eyes. Now with the new sun more intense than before, the damaging effects of sun glares are increasing. More people are having eye problems related to overexposure of the eyes to sunlight bombardment.

What are the ways out of all these problems? To start with, you should realize that the new sun is less of a friend today because of the effect of climate change.

Therefore, be stricter in following the rule of restricting your outdoor movements at midday when the sun is hottest; as well as between 11am-12pm and 12pm-4pm when the sun is still very hot although gradually declining in intensity.

During such periods, use an umbrella. Don’t assume

“Therefore, choose the appropriate contact lens for your eyes. Also, have polarized sunglasses handy. They help to eliminate sun glares and provide full cover for the eyes from the sun unlike the contact lenses which only cut off sun glares from limited areas of the eyes.”

as some of us do ignorantly that we only need umbrellas during the rainy season. Also, develop the habit of using sunscreens with a sun protection factory (SPF) of at least 15.

This helps to block out at least 98% of dangerous sun rays from your body.

This brings us to the utility of contact lenses.

Some of them screen out sun glares which give us eyestrain. Therefore, choose the appropriate contact lens for your eyes.

Also, have polarized sunglasses handy. They help to eliminate sun glares and provide full cover for the eyes from the sun unlike the contact lenses which only cut off sun glares from limited areas of the eyes.

Other things you should do to protect your eyes from the new hot sun is to wear a protective cover like a hat, face cap, and avoid looking at the sky without sunglasses between 11am – 4pm when the sun is up.

Also, drink lots of water since you now sweat and perspire more. Beware of soft drinks. They are not substitutes for water.

Ignore the advertisement which says soft drinks breaks thirst. What they do is cause water loss, bring on thirst, surgeries the body and introduce artificial, harmful chemicals into your body.

Finally, I said earlier on that the new hotter sun these days tans the skin very fast. Because of this, a lot of fair women may panic and start to use creams/soaps with bleaching hydroquinone.

Well, watch it. This is unhealthy. Bleaching robs your skin of its elasticity and epidermal thickness.

Therefore, your skin begins to wrinkle with ease making you look older.

Secondly, your skin injuries now heal slowly.

This, of course, includes surgical wounds which arise when the skin is cut through and then stitched.

Surgical wounds don’t heal normally and properly when the skin has been eroded by bleaching.

Happy sunny day!! That is my wish for you.

Natural Medicine Body odour is present in animals, including humans and its intensity can be influenced by many factors.

Body odour is an unpleasant smell of human or animal body.

Body odour, as defined by the web is the malodourousness resulting from failure of bathe, it is further explained as a perceived unpleasant smell of our bodies. It occurs when bacteria that live on the skin break down sweats into acid. It is the result of bacteria breaking down into certain acid, it usually emanate from the skin, armpits, hair, feet, belly button, genitals, groins and so on. Body odour becomes evident when an individual reaches the age of puberty that is the age of 14-15 years for the female and 15-17 years for the male. It is also usually evident in fat or obesed people, those with health issue like diabetes, people who eat spicy. food on regular basis, those with hypertidiosis that is, those who sweat much are usually affected with body odour.

Body odour is known as osmidiosis, bromhidiosis, ozochrotia, fetid sweat and malodourous sweating.

Sweat is virtually odourless to human but what causes odour is the rapid multiplication of bacteria in the presence of sweat. Body odour can also have a nice and specific smell that is used for identification of an individual, it is usually influenced by the persons gender, diet, medications, health etc.

Bad body odour are usually identified by some symptoms which include, heavy sweating, nervous behaviour and anxiety. In most cases the individual may on his or her own get to know or a good friend or relation may tell them. Body odour, breath odour or foot odour does not most time need medical attention, there are some self care technique that an individual practice that could treat the problem successfully.

Causes of bad or unpleasant body odour Everybody sweats, perspiration is the body’s biological way of cooling down. Bad body odour can be caused from poor hygiene, body fluids, normal aging process, discharge from virginal or penis, stale sweat, high stress situation, excess intake of caffeine, strenuous exercises, emotional problems, psychological problems, smoking and many other things causes bad body odour.

Bad body odour could also be gotten from medication administered to a person, a common side effect of many drugs is sweating and this can cause very bad odour if not taken care of properly. The food we eat can also cause bad body odour, bad breath or mouth odour and also bad foot odour that is if taken in abundance. Food that are commonly associated with odour issue are onions, garlic, ginger, mustard seed, red meets, egg yolks, beans, yogurt, sea food etc. if these food are consumed in excess it can lead to bad odour. Hormonal changes also causes bad body odour, the most common of it is menopause, increase in perspiration is a side effect of menopause, it is usually caused by hot flashes, when more sweat is produced, the more the risk of getting body odour if not tackled properly. Genetics and human biology plays a very big role when it has to do with body odour. For example, the japaneses, chinese and the Korean they tend to have wet ear wax this is due to their gene, this factor contribute to auxiliary body odour.

Tackling Body Odour

By IFUNANYA ONYEKAOZURU

Treatment options or remedies for bad body odour Generally the most sensible thing an individual does to prevent bad body odour is to wash regions where odour is usually produced for example the armpits, the ear, the foot, the pubic region that is the virgina, the penis, the skin, the thighs. This reduces the bacteria on the skin surface. We are going to examine self care technique treatment options for bad body odour.

Bad body odour comprises of skin, breath or mouth, feet, hair, skin odour. These odours can be generally treated. Some treatment includes.

1.

Drinking of plenty water, this helps to flush out body toxins from the body system.

2.

Regular bath; washing of the skin regularly or daily helps to reduce the odour it produce, washing of armpit, ear, neck, thigh, helps to reduce the odour it produces, individual with body odour has been advice to bath three times daily that is, in the morning, afternoon and in the evening to get better result.

3.

Use of deodorant or antiperspirant; the use if body deodorant or antiperspirant makes the skin more acidic which makes the environment difficult for bacteria to thrive, it blocks the sweating actions of the gland which helps in the decrease of sweating, the use of roll-on for the armpit, body spray and perfumes for the skin helps a lot in the reduction of bad body odour.

4.

Apply powder and after batting, for you skin to be dry your have to apply powder on regions or areas that produces the odour that is face, neck, armpit, back and thigh region.

5.

Shaving of hair, this has to do with the armpit and the pubic region (virgina and penis), the hair under the armpit slows down evaporation of sweat and it gives the bacteria time to break down into smelly substance, cutting or shaving the armpit and

pubic region regularly helps to control body odour.

6.

Use of damp cloth/towels: it is advisable for people who sweat a lot to use damp cloth or towels to clean off their sweat that is produced by the sweat glands during perspiration so as to keep their skin dry.

7.

Clothings: the type of clothings worn by an individual matters, an individual with skin odour should wear cloths made from natural fibres which include wool silk or cotton, this is because it allows your skin to breathe which will result to better evaporation of sweat.

8.

Change of clothing daily; individual should always change their clothings on a daily basis this helps to reduce the odour, changed cloths are to be washed and kept neatly, for ladies and men with discharge odour change of underpants twice daily helps also in the reduction of bad body odour.

9.

Use of anti bacteria soaps and deodorant: anti bacteria soaps helps to fight germs and bacteria that can cause body odour, so regularly use of it to bath daily helps to reduce odour.

10. For foot odour; those with sweaty feat should wear cotton stocks and change them from time to time, they should also wear open sandals, rather than wear closed shoes so as to allow air penetrate.

11. Applying baking sodo on your armpit destroys malodourous bacteria and absorb sweat, wiping the armpit with vinegar also helps to control odour.

As we earlier mentioned that food sometimes causes bad odour but it is advisable to eat food with wholesome grains, leafy greens, soyamilk, fresh fruits and higher fiber food. To avoid bad body odour, food like sprey food, sugary foods, fried and processed foods, red meat, low fiber food, raw onion, garlic, ginger, alcohol, caffeine and cigarette should be taken in little or avoided.

New Horizon

HOW time flies, it is time to celebrate another Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ who is considered the son of God and the Saviour of the world. With the birth of Jesus, Christianity essentially begins; thus Christmas also celebrates the beginning of Christianity.

Christmas is been celebrated every December 25 of every year by Christians all over the world, even in countries like Idian that has small population of

With VICTOR ANIUKWU

What’s The Reason For Christmas?

born. Nature of Santa Claus during Christmas season, many people not only give gift to loved celebrate this year you have no food to eat ones, but also donate Stories By OROBOR IMUETINYAN Christmas in a right and on that day, celebrate time and money to winter solstice and the themselves in immoral happy way even when because a Saviour was charities. worship of the sun. But dealings and criminal the Christians decided to activities, relationships celebrate Christ on that broken all in the name day, as a means to win of celebrating those sun worshipers to Christmas.

Christ.

But if you know this The reason for Jesus, you are qualified Christmas is Jesus to celebrate Christmas Christ of Nazareth who because he is the reason was born by Joseph and for the season. So

“But if you know this Jesus, you are qualified to celebrate Christmas because he is the reason for the season. So celebrate this year Christmas in a right and happy way even when you have no food to eat on that day, celebrate because a Saviour was born.”

The Historical Roots Of Santa Claus

Christians.

Although, the exact date when Jesus was born is not stated in any historical record none in old and new testament of the Bible. That is why many people argued against the celebration of Christmas.

It was also believed that Christmas day December 25 originated from Rome, the celebration of pagan the

the virgin Mary through the confirmation of the holy spirit. He was sent to this world, to redeemed us of our sins.

He is the reason for the season.

If you don’t know this Jesus, there is no need to celebrate Christmas because of you do, you will celebrate wrongly that is why home are been broken, girls and boys engaging

The historical roots of Santa Claus come from many sources. The earliest known inspiration from the legend comes from the fourth century in the form of Saint Nicholas of Myra, a Greek Christian figure known for his generosity to the poor.

Mentions of Santa Claus types of figures appear in Germanic Lore and various northern European religions that thrived before Christianity took hold. The American

version of Santa Claus seems to have originated from a Dutch legend about Sinter Kla as which settlers brought to America in the seventeenth century.

Americans embraced the idea of Santa Clause, followed by other countries of the world.

The American Santa Claus was said to deliver gifts to good boys and girls on Christmas eve.

To many people, Santa Claus embodies the spirit of giving. To celebrate the

actions, by forgiving someone you needed to forgive.

Lewis B. Smedes wrote in his book, “Forgive and forget when you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you get a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself”.

So forgive any person that you need to give in

other to keep Christ in your life this Christmas.

Helping and giving gift to the needings like the orphans, the disable and the poor is another way to keep Christ in your life in Christmas. Celebrate Christmas in a right way knowing that the reason for Christmas is Christ however, is the best way to keep Christ in Christmas.

Keeping Christ In Christmas THE only one way to keep Jesus Christ in Christmas celebration, is to have him present in your daily life. If you are not sure what it means to become a believer in Christ, check if you have already accepted Jesus as your saviour and made Him center of your life.

Keeping Christ in Christmas is all about the

way you live your life in Christmas season by doing the right things rather than the things you say as “Merry Christmas”.

Keeping Christ in Christmas means daily revealing the character, love and spirit that dwells in you, by allowing these traits to shine through your

Place Of Prayer

Ingredients Of Intimacy Last week, we discussed the first two ingredients of intimacy which are Solitude and Consciousness of Gods Presence. We shall continue this week with a detailed discussion of the third ingredient of intimacy which is WORSHIP. Consciousness of God’s presence is what leads us to the next very important ingredient of intimacy which is Worship.

In Psalm 65:1, David writes, “Praise waiteth for thee, 0 God, in Zion”. The amplified version of the Bible renders it this way, “to you belongeth silence, the submissive wonder of reverence”. “In this scripture, we notice that before David began to praise God, he first pondered on the personality of God, His glory, power and might, and he came to the conclusion that God deserves his worship. It is only in silence that your heart can search out God’s personality and His mighty deeds.

Worship is a very important ingredient of intimacy.

Intimate worship includes: thanksgiving, praises, adoration and confession of sins.

We thank God for His goodness.

We praise Him for His power.

We adore Him for who He is.

In Mark 7:6 7, we see that all those who jump into worship without first dwelling on the personality of God are only rendering lip service because real worship must come from deep within the heart. When you do not develop the consciousness of God in your heart, which is the propelling force for quality worship, then you are doing lip service worship. God only accepts a worship that rises from a heart that has meditatively dwelt on His awesome glory and power.

Your heart must be able to attract God’s and bring Him close to where you are.

Worship can only be done if the consciousness of God’s presence is maintained in your heart; this consciousness is an instrument that activates worship. Major worship in the bible was provoked by a consciousness of Gods presence. God deliberately created His consciousness to

provoke the people to worship Him. Below are three instances in which God deliberately created His consciousness in the heart of His people to activate worship: Exodus 34:5 8, God revealed His power and might to Moses and this made him to bow his head to the ground and worship God I kings 18;36 39, when the people saw a physical manifestation of God’s power, they fell on their knees and worshipped God 2Chronicles7:1 4, after Solomon’s prayer, there was such a strong manifestation of Gods glory that the people were provoked to worship From these examples we discover that the people could only render quality worship after the consciousness of God had been instilled in their hearts.

In the Old Testament, they sensed physical realities, in the New Testament, we sense spiritual realities. Just like Hebrews 12:18-22 put it, “we have not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest; but we are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God”. We have come to Gods presence that cannot be explained with a physical mindset, but is experienced from an orientation that is created by the power of your mind. You don’t need physical things anymore to motivate your worship; it must now be motivated from a consciousness of God in your inner man. The time has come when the true worshippers will worship God in spirit and in truth.

Worship is a very important ingredient of intimacy and must be sustained from the beginning to the end of intimacy because God inhabits the praises of His people. Only worship will keep Him in the place of intimacy, it is the sustaining power of Gods presence.

We must learn to dwell so much in the presence of God that people are able to, through us, experience the God that we had fellowship with. People cannot see God; they can however experience Him through us because we are the witnesses of God and reveal His invisible presence. When you begin to worship God, the

ability and personality of God is reflected on your body system.

2 Samuel 6:12 15, reveals to us that worship is the sustaining strength of Gods presence for

can be derived from spending quality time worshipping God. The first three benefits of worship can be seen in Denial 4:34 36. In that scripture, we are told that after seven years of

intimacy, while moving the ark of God, David and the people did not just praise God once and stop. As they moved, the worship continued at regular intervals. We are the New Testament ark of God and as Arks of God we carry the presence of God wherever we go. We must therefore always have this consciousness everywhere we go, we must not spend hours without saying a word of worship to the father.

Worship must become a lifestyle to us; from time to time we must burst out in worship and praise of the name of God. His awesome works exist all around us and therefore there is always something around us that we can praise Him for.

Worship from a sincere heart is the best offering we can give to God; it is the only sacrifice that can move Him to act on your behalf. All through scriptures, we see a lot of instances where worship moved God to come to the aid and defense of His people. The benefits of worship are innumerable; however, for the purpose of this study, we will point out 15 benefits that

living as an animal!

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon! lifted his eyes unto heaven, and his understanding returned unto him and he began to worship God. Take note that he first became conscious of Heaven before worship was activated in his lips. Heaven is a spiritual concept that reveals and describes divinity and the supernaturalism of God. As he continued in worship, he enjoyed the following three benefits: 1. Worship brings about Restoration “at the same time, my reason returned unto me and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me, and my counselors and my lords sought unto me”.

2. It increases you “and excellent majesty was added unto me” 3. It establishes you “and I was established in my kingdom” In 2 Chronicles 20:22 30,we see some more benefits of worship: 4. The lord begins to fight against your enemies. As the

“Even though Hannah had a problem, she worshipped God, and God remembered her, No matter what you are going through and how long it has lasted, worship will make God remember you.”

With Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae SMS Only 08030809339

people of Judah began to praise and worship God in the battle front, the Lord set ambushment against their enemies.

5. It brings prosperity that you did not labour for. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches and precious jewels which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

6. You will always end with joy. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, to go again to Jerusalem with joy, for the lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

7. Your enemies will be scared of you. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the lord fought against the enemies of Israel 8. You will have rest. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest round about Other benefits of worship from, other scriptures are: 9. Worship provokes your remembrance. 1 Samuel 1:19.

Even though Hannah had a problem, she worshipped God, and God remembered her, No matter what you are going through and how long it has lasted, worship will make God remember you.

10. Worship provoke heaven to pull you out of captivity. Acts 16:25 31; Jonah

2:1, 9-10. From Jonah’s story, we read that God spoke to the fish to release Jonah. Paul and Silas also were set free from chains as they began to worship God. When you Worship God, He will pull you out of captivity.

11. You become productive.

Psalm 67:5-6. Productivity is a product of worship. As you begin to worship God, the earth shall yield her increase unto you and God will bless you.

12. You cannot be cursed.

Matthew 8:1-3, 5-8. Curses are broken when you worship God. Also, diseases, pain and infirmities are lifted from you as you spend time worshipping God. 13. God’s willingness to help you is activated. Matthew 8:13. You cannot increase or activate Gods power, it is always constant. What you can do however is to provoke His willingness to help you. As you worship God, His willingness to help you is activated.

14. Worship strengthens you. Psalm 8:2; Matthew 2l:16.

As you begin to offer God praise that comes from the depths of your heart, you receive strength to still the enemy and the avenger.

15. Worship provokes instant response to your cry for help. Matthew 14:30-31. As soon as Peter began to sink in the sea, he cried saying, Lord, save me. That word Lord is worship unto God. As peter worshipped God, by calling Him Lord, Jesus responded immediately and rescued him.

Midweek Leisure

Tears Of A Clown *Talking Seriously!

By ADUGBA SAVIOUR I remember one of our family neigbhours back home, a young muscular man who is about 6.5 feet tall.

Waking up one morning, he started to complain bitterly to everybody who cared to listen about how hungry he is and how harsh the economy has been on him, criticizing vehemently the policies of the then government of the day.

Firstly, the young man was a healthy man without any disabilities whatsoever, so his complaint about hunger was amusing to me.

Secondly, the young man complaining about government policies was used as a political thug in the election that ushered in the same government.

So the young man who surprisingly was pitied by some people that day had no pity from me, because he was just one among a bunch of clowns.

And thirdly, what some of us have turned ourselves into in the society, clowns to the amusement of some international observers.

There is a point that most of us agree on, though, past and present governments of Nigeria have not been living up to expectation. But the question is, who exactly voted these leaders into government? Oh, now you are going to come up with the

the other, lazying around and criticizing the government that they themselves had destroyed even before coming into power.

Please, allow me to ask you a question that has been bothering me. Did you honestly think that a politician would give out two thousand naira each to supporters in a large rally (which would amount to hundred of million) and not attempt to get his money back when he comes into power? So now you see that the misfortune you are complaining about was brought on by yourself don’t you?

When I talked to some young people about their take on people selling their votes, I was amazed at answers I got. A 200 level student of a reputable institution in this country had this to say “I think it is better if we eat off the politicians before they get into office, that way we would not regret the negligence they would give us when they are in power” Another young man who described himself as a hustler told me without mincing words that he is struggling to make a

clowns.

Enough from the political angle. There is another group of clown that amuse me a lot even when I am sad. They are those sets of young men who have refused to engage in any work and yet they expect to eat. If you offer these set of people a job, they would look for one excuse or the other not to work yet, when the sun set, they would be the first to step into the beer palours and start criticizing the policies of the government. I think they need to be reminded

“It is high time we had come to realize that no one is responsible for our success or failure in life not even the government. If you turn out as a poor man, it is you who would be labeled poor not whoever or whatever you would want to blame for your failure.” issue of rigging for sure, but who assisted these people in the snatching of ballot boxes?

Their votes? Which people assisted them in murdering potential opponents? How many times have we chosen to vote credible people in this country?

And yet you find young people who should be engaging in one business or

headway in life. And as such he can do anything for money including selling his role. Even as I am writing this, I still feel perplexed by the foolishness of this set of people. How can one for instance, say he wants to make headway in life when he is selling his future for just a couple of hundreds of naira? -

of the biblical injunction that a man that does not work should not be fed.

Seriously, it is high time we had come to realize that no one is responsible for our success or failure in life not even the government. If you turn out as a poor man, it is you who would be labeled poor not whoever or whatever you would want to blame for your failure. It is true

that the government and the society that we are in is not helping us but that does not stop you from making a difference. Sitting down and criticizing the government would not help put money in your account or pocket.

So why don’t you start engaging in activities that would help make you more fulfilled in life.

I have said this before and I would still emphasize it here that the easier way to

make it in life is by solving problems and not complaining about them so why not put your thinking cap on and start solving problems today as opposed to complaining about them? As a matter of fact, complaining is in itself a problem.

So by complaining, you are adding more problems to the society which I am sure you would not like to do.

As for the young men

who prefer to cry when they should be working, those who have turned themselves into free public crodics of the governments, they assisted to force on the people. For those people who have thrown away their chances in life and are now fast becoming a public nuisance, it is advisable for you to change your ways and start planning for your life and your future, for he who fails to plan, plan to fail.

Be Yourself!

By FAITH AKINA AYEDI

BE yourself, because no one else is better qualified to be the way you are. Ask yourself two questions. If I try to be like him, who will be like me”? If I am not myself, who will I be? The more you develop your potentials the less of other persons you would aspire to be.

Trying to be like some

one else will take you nowhere. Why do you want to be like somebody? Why don’t you think or plan to be above that person you want to be like? Why don’t you work hard for others to be like or to imitate you?

Why must you be the one to imitate somebody? Ask yourself these questions.

Do you want to stand out

in the world? Then be yourself.

Be what you really are. This is the first step towards becoming better than what you are now.

No man could be ideally successful until he has found his place so, please to be yourself.

Avoid following the crowd.

Be an engine not a carbus.

According to Herman Melville “it is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”

The average would rather be wrong than to be different.

“Ask yourself two questions. If I try to be like him, who will be like me”?

If I am not myself, who will I be?”

Echoes

Born Equal, Yet Unequal

By GIFT ONAGHAMA

THE law, they say is no respecter of persons.

This, implies that under the law we are all equal and none has an advantages over the other. But how equal is this fact, we say? Aristotle may have exaggerated the point when he wrote in his book of politics that from the hour of their birth some

The Rich

are marked out for subjection and some for command. There can be little doubt that even if all men are-born equal, in time, some out grow others in status, wealth charm or guile.

As it is, the symbols of politics in our time may be from populist democratic thoughts, but the reality can often be understandable and from the view point of elitist theories.

The power we enjoy under the law depends on us. When for any reason, we find ourselves in the warm embrace of the criminal code, and let us admit it on our status or our connections with those who make the law or enforce it.

There is an element of “luck” in the way we fare with the law. Ultimately, crime may be no more than discovered wrong and surely in the life of many of us, there are dark deeds that merit that.

While being caught in the act, yet under some fortuitous circumstance we escape detention and so to the eyes of the world, we retain our reputation of innocence.

Many of us do not really mind the loopholes to the law or its subjective interpretations that enable

us and our friends to escape its meshes without those loopholes or occasional incompetence in favouritism or veniality of those who administer the law, our prisons would surely be bursting with thousand of people who today walk our streets as decent citizens There have been several instances in our history of rich and powerful men extricating themselves from

The Poor

troubles with the law, they are either for warned by their friends at court to escape or cover-up their indictable tracks. At other times, their accusers are said to have no locus standing to prosecute them on themselves and are charged to court for giving false information to the police.

It is thus not surprising that many court trials or commission of inquiry involving some prominent people have ended in smokes. Like the documents or

even public building that once contained the exhibits of their crime or that such people have been allowed to pass through the net of the customs with suitcase of contraband goods untouched. While the paltry souvenirs of small men are seized by the unctuous agents of the law until it can be redeemed by suitable bribery while we respect the supreme majesty of the law, I suspect that even judges must sometimes act from purely subjective or personal consideration such that their own state of mind at the time of their entry into judicial knowledge of the offender or his ethnic professional affiliation which may mitigate his punishment as the case may be.

Occasions have also arisen in our judicial history when the political prejudices of the judge have affected their decisions. Some judges for instance invariably taken the view that the government can do no wrong and that citizen has no business criticizing the government or that what they call malignant attacks against government tend, directly or indirectly to disturb public order.

Justice as we know it is not limited to what happens in the law court but extends to the whole web of relationship among men, different individuals and groups. It is difficult for those who have no home, food, job to cling the best elements of culture that their society has to offer in order to have a feeling that justice exists for everybody.

As we have known in our history, much law but little justice, or in which the law makers are themselves law-breakers. There is a bobble standard in law enforcement. The law may spread so wide that no sinner may hide from its sweep to sneak through its meshes, yet the big fishes often escape from its wondrous long arms.

A rich man may have difficulty in entering the kingdom of heaven, as the Christian Bible assures us but he certainly finds it easier than the poor to enter the higher caucus of state or companies. In the animals side, the illusion that all animals are equal, or should be so, is often a powerful tool in translating the ideal into reality.

In conclusion I say we are not equal, either in our talents or our tastes, in any cross section of time, but we are equal to our total existences and despite the aberrations of nature or the law, the doctrine of equality has inspired men’s best instincts throughout history. In the sight of God, we are all equal.

“Justice as we know is not limited to what happens in the law court but extends to the whole web of relationship among men, different individuals and groups. It is difficult for those who have no home, food, job to cling the best elements of culture that their society has to offer in order to have a feeling that justice exists for everybody.”

International No Credible Evidence In Alleged Diana’s Murder

LONDON - British police on Monday said they had finished examining new information about the 1997 death of Diana, princess of Wales, but had found “no credible evidence” she was murdered.

Scotland Yard police headquarters announced in August it was checking the credibility of recently received information about the deaths of the princess and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, including an allegation that she was murdered by a British military figure.

“The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) undertook a scoping exercise to assess the relevance and credibility of that information,” the force said in

a statement issued Monday.

“That scoping exercise is now complete,” it stated, adding that a formal statement would be made on Tuesday.

Diana and Fayed were killed in a car crash in a Paris underpass in the early hours of August 31, 1997, along with their driver, Henri Paul.

It is understood that the claim a member of elite British army regiment the Special Air Service (SAS) was involved was made by the former parents-in-law of an ex-soldier, based on information he had talked about in the past.

“The final conclusion is that

whilst there is a possibility the alleged comments in relation to the SAS’s involvement in the deaths may have been made, there is no credible evidence to support a theory that such claims had any basis in fact,” said the police statement.

“Therefore the MPS are satisfied there is no evidential basis upon which to open any criminal investigation,” it added.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley has provided all involved parties with a summary report of the probe.

Operation Paget was the name of the two-year police inquiry into

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual state of the nation address at the Kremlin in Moscow recently.

the numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the crash.

Led by John Stevens, formerly Britain’s top policeman, it concluded in 2006 that all the allegations it assessed were without foundation.

It rejected the murder claims voiced by some, including Fayed’s father, the Egyptian tycoon Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Dodi Fayed, 42, and driver Paul — the deputy head of security at Al-Fayed’s plush Hotel Ritz in Paris — were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The Mercedes-Benz car had smashed into a pillar and spun around.

Diana, 36, the ex-wife of Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, and the mother of Princes William and Harry, died later in hospital.

Bodyguard Trevor ReesJones, a member of the AlFayed family’s protection team, survived.

Seeking to outrun chasing paparazzi photographers, Paul was found to have been speeding. His blood alcohol level was found to have been more than three times over the French limit.

Diana married Charles in 1981 but their shaky marriage fell apart soon after Harry’s birth in 1984, with both sides admitting adultery. They separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996.

Putin’s Prison Amnesty Plan Set For Approval In Russian Duma MOSCOW - A prison amnesty that President Vladimir Putin has portrayed as an act of mercy and could free members of punk band Pussy riot came a step closer on Tuesday when Russian lawmakers gave it preliminary approval.

Putin submitted his proposal last week for the amnesty to mark the 20th anniversary of Russia’s postSoviet constitution, after long debate about how many it would free and whether it would apply to inmates his critics call political prisoners.

Rights activists say will free

only a small fraction of the country’s more than half a million inmates.

The proposal would leave Putin foes such as former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky in jail and will not benefit Alexei NavaPulny, an opposition leader serving a five-year suspended sentence on a theft conviction he says is politically motivated.

Approved in a initial vote by the lower house of parliament, it could, however, lead to the early release of two Pussy Riot members who are due to be freed in March after two years in jail for an anti-Putin protest in Russia’s main cathedral.

Analysts say the Kremlin may believe freeing prisoners such as Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, whose punishment has been condemned in the West as excessive, could ease criticism before Russia hosts the Winter Olympics in February.

Environmental group Greenpeace has said that under the

current wording, the amnesty would be unlikely to benefit 30 people from 18 nations who face trial over a September protest against Russian oil drilling in the Arctic.

But Russian media reported that before a final vote expected by the pro-Kremlin dominated Duma on Wednesday, the text could be changed in a way that would end their prosecution, which has also drawn criticism from the West.

Even if they are freed, rights activists estimate the amnesty will lead to the release of fewer than 1,500 convicts out of a prison population of about 680,000 - far fewer than a plan backed by members of Putin’s own human rights council.

Out of some 30 people on trial or facing prosecution over a protest on the eve of Putin’s inauguration to a third presidential term last year, it is likely to benefit only those few who are not accused of violence against police.

International

Pope Francis (right), is flanked by Vatican Almoner Archbishop Konrad Krajewski as he welcomes four men at the Vatican. (Courtesy L’Osservatore Vatican Newspaper) yesterday.

South Sudan On Edge As Army Hunts Coup Plotters

KAMPALA, UGANDA Sporadic gunfire continued to ring out in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, as the military “cleared out remnants” of a faction of soldiers accused of mounting a coup attempt, the foreign minister said Tuesday amid growing tension over the likely fate of the former deputy president who is accused of leading the failed plot.

Barnaba Marial Benjamin told The Associated Press that the military had arrested five political leaders with suspected links to the coup attempt and that many more were yet to be traced. Chief among the wanted is former Vice President Riek Machar, he said, who is now believed to be in hiding after he was identified by President Salva Kiir as the political leader favored by a faction of soldiers who tried to seize power earlier this week.

“They are still looking for

Kerry Arrives In Manila To Strengthen US Ties With Old Ally MANILA- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday played down tensions with China over territorial disputes in the East China Sea, saying U.S. efforts to strengthen maritime security in South East Asia were part of a normal process to help allies defend themselves better.

Kerry said disputes between countries should be resolved peacefully through arbitration and the United States would speak out when China took unilateral actions that raised the potential for conflict.

A day after announcing $32.5 million to stiffen maritime security in South East Asia, the bulk of it to Vietnam, Kerry said the United States would provide $40 million to the Philippines over three years to build its capacity to police the South China Sea. “We don’t view the situation as one of rising tensions and we don’t want rising tensions,” Kerry told a news conference with his Philippine counterpart Albert del Rosario.

“What we are involved in are normal processes by which we work with other countries in order to raise their maritime protection capacity.”

Kerry said the United States had not taken a position on any particular claims by countries but did not agree with the way China had asserted itself in a dispute with Japan in the East China Sea. “We are not approaching this with any particular view towards China except to say when China makes a unilateral move, we will state our position and make clear what we agree and disagree with,” Kerry told a news conference.

He said the United States would stand by its allies in the region who are trying to resolve disputes with others through legal means.

Beijing’s assertion of sovereignty over a vast stretch of

the South China Sea has set it directly against Vietnam and the Philippines - the two countries Kerry is visiting - while Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia also lay claim to other parts of the sea, making it one of Asia’s biggest potential trouble spots.

The Philippines has a $1.7billion spending plan to upgrade military capabilities, particularly surveillance and monitoring systems, on its maritime borders in the South China Sea. Maritime security will also feature prominently in Kerry’s talks with government officials in the Philippines, as it did on his previous stop in Vietnam.

Regional tension with China has escalated over the territorial claims in the South China Sea. Separately, China and Japan are embroiled in a dispute over islands in the East China Sea. The United States has said it is not taking sides in any of the disputes but has moved in recent weeks to defend allies against new moves by Beijing to control regional waters.

On Wednesday Kerry will travel to Tacloban in the central Philippines, the epicenter of super typhoon Haiyan, which

decimated towns and villages on November 8. The storm has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced 4 million.

US marines and humanitarian groups have joined in a multimillion-dollar relief effort to deliver aid to survivors.

While the United States has said it does not intend to open new military or naval bases in the region, Kerry will discuss ways that the U.S. can help respond quicker during disasters in the region such as typhoon Haiyan.

The heightened tension with China has raised concerns that a minor incident in the disputed sea could quickly escalate.

U.S. and Chinese warships narrowly avoided collision in the South China Sea last week, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement on Friday.

France’s then interior Minister Claude Gueant (centre) leaves after a meeting with outgoing France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace in Paris May 7, 2012.

South Sudan Hit By Clashes For Second JUBA - Clashes broke out south clashes. again in the South Sudanese two years ago.

This week’s violence is the Day President Salva Kiir said on capital Juba on Tuesday, a day latest setback for one of Africa’s after President Salva Kiir said security forces had put down an attempted coup by supporters of his former deputy.

Constant gunfire and explosions in the early morning were followed by a few hours of relatively calm before sporadic gunfire restarted, witnesses said.

Donald Booth, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, told the BBC: “The situation remains clearly tense and unsettled”.

The fighting has killed at least 26 people and exposed deep ethnic rifts in Africa’s youngest nation, which ceded from Sudan

Monday the fighting between army factions was a bid to seize power by the former vice president, Riek Machar, whom he sacked in July.

The two men, from opposing ethnic groups which have clashed in the past, have long been political rivals. Analysts said divisions run deeper and rivalries in army ranks have long simmered.

Poor communications in Juba, where the mobile phone system has not operated since Monday evening, meant it was difficult to obtain a broad picture of the number of dead during the clashes, which have involved heavy arms and artillery.

Makur Matur Kariom, a doctor and Health Ministry official, told

Reuters at least 26 people had died among the casualties brought to Juba Teaching Hospital, where he has been treating many wounded.

Residents near Juba airport, which has been closed since Monday, were woken before dawn by gunshots and blasts, a U.N. worker said. Others also reported bouts of shooting.

South Sudan’s government has struggled to create a functioning state since it declared independence from Sudan in 2011 after years conflict with Khartoum during a war that often saw south-

poorest states. Oil production, South Sudan’s main source of revenue, was shut down for 15 months till April because of a row with Sudan, which hosts the export pipeline.

Cutting off oil earnings and the flow of cash exacerbated tensions in a population of 11 million people desperate to see early benefits of independence, but who say the news state is plagued by old Sudan’s problems of corruption.

“Stopping the export of oil was a Humanitarian agencies say are unable to find out how many people have been killed or wounded as they are not allowed on the streets.

more ... who are suspected of being behind the coup,” Benjamin said, referring to the military.

Machar, he said, “is wanted by the government.” The United States Embassy in Juba and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan denied they are harboring Machar, he said.

The hunt for Machar, an influential politician who is one of the heroes of a brutal war of independence waged against Sudan, threatens to send the world’s youngest country into further political upheaval following months of a power struggle between Kiir and his former deputy. The international community continued to urge South Sudan’s leaders to exercise restraint amid fears the military’s actions in the aftermath of the attempted coup could spark wider ethnic violence.

Hilde Johnson, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for South Sudan, warned against “hate speech” that could spark violence against certain ethnic groups.

“At a time when unity among South Sudanese is more needed than ever, I call on the leaders of this new country and all political factions and parties, as well as community leaders to refrain from any action that fuels ethnic tensions and exacerbates violence,” the statement said.

Kiir fired Machar as his deputy in July, sparking fears of political upheaval. Machar, the deputy leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, has said he will contest the presidency in 2015. He has openly criticized Kiir, saying that if the country is to be united it cannot tolerate a “one man’s rule or it cannot tolerate dictatorship.”

At the time of Machar’s ouster, part of a wider dismissal of the entire Cabinet by Kiir, the U.S. and the European Union urged calm amid fears the dismissals could destabilize the country.

Kiir addressed the nation Monday in combat fatigues and vowed the plotters would face justice and announced a dusk-to dawn curfew in the capital city.

It remains unclear how many people —civilians or soldiers — have been killed or wounded in the latest violence, in which mortar and heavy machinegun fire has been heard.

Emma Jane Drew, South Sudan director for the aid group Oxfam, said she “strongly condemns the use of violent force against civilians, particularly women and children,” urging all armed groups to respect human rights.

The latest violence has forced up to 13,000 people to seek shelter inside or in the immediate outskirts of two U.N. facilities in Juba, Toby Lanzer, the U.N.’s humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan, said in Twitter post Tuesday.

South Sudan’s government has given little details about how the coup was planned, saying an investigation is under way. But Benjamin said Monday that a group of renegade soldiers attempted to steal weapons from an army barracks in Juba but were then repulsed, sparking gunfights Sunday night and early Monday.

Benjamin described the alleged coup plotters as “disgruntled.”

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 23, 2013 LUCKY 1.2. X SELECTIONS 6 INTERNATIONAL NOS. HOT PAIRS 21 4 24

21 24 33 49

BANKERS

49

21 24 OUTLOOK

N 41

} }

31 32 33 45 46 49

1. WEST BROM

6 XXB

2. CREWE

18 XXB

3. MANCHESTER UTD 3 2XB 4. CREWE

18 505

PRESTON

24

5. Q, OF THE SOUTH

41 USE

SHEFFIELD

16

6. CLYDE

45

7. ALDERSHOT

49

CREWE

18

8. CRYSTAL P.

1 CBK

YORK CITY

38

9. SUNDERLAND

5 CBK

10. MANSFIELD

33 XXX

SUNDERLAND

5

11. DANGENHAM

30 XO

CLYDE

45

12. LEYTON O.

19 X1

13. DUNBARTON

39 XXX

}

X

14. YEOVIL

17 TIP

15. STOKE

4

16. YORK CITY

38 XO

NP

17. STENHOUSEMUIR 44 XOX 18. NOTTS CO

21 XX

19. PRESTON

24 NN

20. MILLWALL

14 ??

} } }

XOX

XOX

CCB CCB TIP TIP

BIG BELLS PRESTON

24

ACB

NOTT

21

XBK

ALDERSHOT

49

CBK

Q. OF THE SOUTH 41

DEP

CLYDE

EAT

45

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

SATURDAY RITUALS

12 16 36 37 45

GOSSIP NAP

4 24 49 NAP

18 38

}

PAIR

IF NOT NOW WHEN?

5

A 45 P 49

45

EVERY WEDNESDAY, WEEK 23, 2013 WATSON WEST 1.2.X FORECAST

By SAM EHEBHA GSM:08056626091

Your Star

EDITOR’S NAP

RICHWELL NAP

NAP 24 XX 24 XX 24 NAP 21 XX 21 XX 21 PAIR 43 Vs 44 PAIR 4 OR 21 GOODLUCK LET IT BE

J. B. NAP

SUNNY NAP

MURPHY NAP NAP 4 XX 4 XX 4 PAIR 12 OR 14 EXECUTIVE

PAKER NAP

NAP 18 XX 18 XX 18 PAIR : 14 or 16 BE A WINNER

NAP 38 XX 38 XX 38 PAIR 5 OR 45 FOR SURE

OKUNS NAP

PAUL NAP

ODION NAP

NAP 6 XX 6 XX 6

NAP 17 XX 17 XX 17 PAIR 44 0R 45 DRAW IS DRAW

NAP 41 XX 41 XX 41 PAIR 6 OR 9 BE MY GUEST

NAP 49 XX 49 XX 49

PAIR 3 OR 6 WATCH OUT

PAIR 33 OR 30 THERE IS HOPE

GUESSING GAMES

21

49

36 45

@

24

SMOKING GUN BEWARE

3 9 13 19 20 23

46 26 27 33 34 43 47 FOR THREE DRAWS?

2013: Success Galore For Nigeria’s Sports

BY ERUKUBAMI OMOLADE The success of a nation at times goes beyond amassing wealth, fame or achieving a favourable result in a particular act. Success can also be viewed as the joy and uncontrollable happiness in the minds of people and a country at large.

As the year runs to an end, sports pundits both in Nigeria and Diaspora can conclude in their minds that the year has brought about success in different sporting activities.

The year 2013 can be recorded as one of the best years due to the achievements recorded by the nation in the area of sports, and the immeasurable happiness and fulfillment it has given to the populace in the country.

It is essential to acknowledge the achievements recorded by the nation in 2013, because in a very long while, Nigerians have never enjoyed such wonderful feat in the area of sports. The qualification of the Super Eagles of Nigeria for Brazil 2014 World Cup marked an ice-on-the-cake of the successful achievements the country recorded in sports. The Super Eagles who have be drawn alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnian in 2014 World cup will want to keep the successful momentum flowing by performing or excelling well in Brazil 2014.

However, while acknowledging the upward progress and resurgence in the sporting sector, it should be of great concern to every Nigerians, because as stakeholders of Nigeria sports, there is need to maintain and ultimately sustain the progress in order for it to yield more success that can be termed as further achievements in the future.

With so much to celebrate in 2013, it will be easy to describe the year as being successful due to the disappointment the nation experienced in 2012. Ranging from the poor performance of the nation showcased at the 2012 London Olympics, to the disappointment of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Nations Cup. The year 2012 was really a year to forget because the country was unable to win a medal at London 2012 Olympic. The sports sector caused more havoc than good in 2012 by not qualifying the super Eagles, the ‘giant of Africa’, to the Nation’s cup that was held by Gabon and Guinea in 2012. What else could be more devastating if the supposed ‘giant of Africa’ could not even qualify for the Africa soccer fiesta?

Undoubtedly, 2012 could be tagged as being disgraceful and disappointing in the area of sport. But 2013 has helped to soften and healed the hearts of wounded and patriotic Nigerians. This year (2013) is filled with memorable events that will continue to linger in the minds of millions Nigerians.

A quick review into the achievements of the nation in sports, starting from February, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, against all odds, won the Africa Nation’s Cup held in South Africa. The Eagles broke a 19year jinx of not lifting the prestigious trophy. It is highly impossible for one to forget the great performance and achievement of the Golden Eaglets.

The Golden Eaglet on November 8, won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup held in United Arab Emirates with a commending performance, and for a record, forth time, making Nigeria the first country to lift the trophy four times. It should be recalled that the home base Super Eagles also qualified the nation for the Championship Africa Nation’s Cup (CHAN) to be staged in South Africa by 2014, and the qualification of the Super Eagles to Brazil 2014 World Cup, for the fifth times, is another achievement worth mentioning.

Similarly, the Athletics Federation has also done the nation proud in different categories, and it will be unjustifiable not to mention or recall some of the achievements recorded by the federation in 2013.

Nigeria won the inaugural Africa Youth Athletics Championship held in Delta state in March. The athletics contingent that represented the nation in Mauritius in September won the African Junior Athletics. Justice will never be done if one failed to mention the achievement of Blessing

FIFA U-17 victorious Golden Eaglets

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi - Minister of Sports

Okagbare. She represents Nigeria at the IAAF World Championship held in Russia and recorded two medals for the country. She cancelled out the plague of 14year disappointment of not winning a medal at the IAAF World Championship game.

With the listed achievements being recorded by the nation and comparing those with other past events in the previous year and beyond, it will never be fallacious to regard 2013 as a successful year.

The success in 2013 can be acknowledged and related to every stakeholder, ranging from the major active participants who are the players, athletes, coaches and other technical staff. One should also commend the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan, who provided the enabling environment that ensured that the right lessons were learnt from the national embarrassment recorded in 2012. it is on a record that the president wisely used his convening authority to convoke the first ever presidential retreat on sports.

Recommendation must also be given to the Minister

Blessing Okagbare

of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who stood out not \just when things turned good, but for knowing what to do when things went wrong too. The media especially journalists also need to be commended because of their ever objective reports, constructive criticism, and their ever frequent ‘watch-doggy’ function on how to reshape and restructure Nigeria’s sports.

Nigerians, the ever faithful citizens, who never relent in the clamour for success in Nigeria’s sports fully deserve commendation.

As the year runs to an end, just some few days to enter 2014, it will be advisable to sustain the success achieved in 2013 by amassing more favourable result will eventually sustain the success in 2014. Also, while the nation should rightly savour the moment, celebrate 2013 sports’ achievements, it is of most important to remember that the real task lies ahead in 2014, as there are competitions like; CHAN, World Cup, Common wealth games and some other sporting activities. And for success to be fully attained in 2014, preparations for those tournaments must commence early.

SA Confident Ahead Of Tanzania THE South African Under-20 women’s side are confident of completing the job when they host Tanzania in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Basetsana are 4-1 up from the away leg ahead of the second fixture to be played at Dobsonville Stadium at 15h30.

Basetsana completed their first training session at Edenvale Football grounds on Monday morning and head coach Sheryl Botes was oozing confidence. She has a full complement of players in camp and added it was all systems go for this crucial second leg clash.

“It a good thing to start preparations with everyone in camp. The only exception is Vuyo Mkhabela who is down with a bout of flu,” the coach says.

Botes has given Mkhabela time off to recover and should be back at training soon.

“The girls looked sharp at training this morning. They are hungry for success and want to make the country proud.”

Troussier Set For Tunisia FORMER Bafana Bafana

coach Philippe Troussier is to return to the helm of a national team after a decade away from top-flight management.

The taciturn Frenchman, in charge of South Africa in their first World Cup finals in 1998, is in talks with Tunisia to take over their national side from Ruud Krol.

The 58-year-old Troussier was last in charge of a national team in late 2005 but stayed with Morocco for just one game, and six weeks overall, and left when the federation refused to employ a retinue of retainers that Troussier sought as support staff.

Since Troussier has worked as consultant in Japan and coach of the Chinese club Shenzhen Ruby, who he left last month.

The ‘white witchdoctor’ has had seven national team jobs, starting with Cote d’Ivoire, then Nigeria, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Japan, Qatar and Morocco. He was also Kaizer Chiefs’ coach in 1993 and coached top French club Olympique Marseille for a brief spell.

Tunisia are seeking a full time coach to begin preparations for the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers, which start in September. The finals are due for Morocco, where Troussier keeps a home.

Krol, the former Orlando Pirates coach, was in charge of Tunisia for two matches as a caretaker when they lost to Cameroon in the 2014 World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Philippe Troussier

Botes said it was important for the girls to remain focussed on the matter at hand until they overcome the final hurdle to the

2014 edition of the FIFA Under20 Women’s World Cup scheduled for Canada.

THE European Commission will yesterday launch a formal investigation into seven Spanish football clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, after complaints they accepted illegal state aid, Spain’s foreign minister

EU To Probe Seven Spanish Football Clubs said.

The EU’s executive declined to

Messi Snr Money Laundering Denied

LIONEL Messi’s management company has denied that his father Jorge has anything to do with an ongoing investigation into the possible laundering of drug money through recent ‘Messi & Friends’ friendlies.

El Mundo reported on Monday The Barcelona player and three morning that Guardia Civil clubmates [Javier Mascherano, investigators were looking into Jose Pinto and Daniel Alves] whether these exhibition games, gave testimony on Nov. 29 to played in summer 2012 and investigators, but this was 2013, were used by Colombian reportedly only to explain how drug traders to launder money. players were contracted for the It was widely reported games, not because they are elsewhere in the Spanish media suspected of any involvement in that Messi senior was not a target illegal activity. of the investigation, which Messi & Friends games were focuses on the use of ‘anonymous played in 2013 in Medellin donations’ at exhibition games [Colombia], Lima [Peru], and ‘charity’ rock concerts to Chicago and Los Angeles. In bring back into circulation the summer 2012 a similar schedule proceeds of drug trafficking. saw matches in Bogota Leo Messi Management [Colombia], Cancun [Mexico] released a statement on Monday and Miami. evening saying it had been made The LMM statement went on clear that Jorge was not involved to say that the 2013 games had at all in this legal process. been organised by an [unnamed] “Leo Messi Management third-party company, and that [LMM] wish to clear up the neither Lionel nor Jorge Messi information published in the benefitted from them financially.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo “The management of all the today Monday December 16 Messi & Friends games has 2013, which made reference to always been identical, until the Jorge Messi and the ‘Messi & last one, played last summer,” it Friends’ games played this year said. “Neither LMM, nor the Leo and last year,” the statement said. Messi Foundation, organised “As sources from the Interior these games — all the organising Ministry and the Guardia Civil was managed by a third-party. In have told news agencies, Jorge the same way, neither LMM nor Messi was never connected to the the foundation received any case. He has not been income from the playing of these investigated, nor called to testify, same games. nor much less been charged.”

“The selection of the local promoter, the organising of the Messi & Friends tour, was done without the intervention or involvement of LMM, nor any member of the Messi family. This promoter was responsible for contacting the players and organising the games… the only objective of the company overseen by Jorge Messi is to guarantee a donation for a local NGO selected jointly by the Leo Messi Foundation and UNICEF. In the case of the game played in Colombia, 100,000 dollars was donated.”

The ‘Messi & Friends’ report is the latest in a series of both legal and media investigations in Madrid involving Barcelona players or directors, including close looks at the 74 million euro transfer of Neymar from Santos last summer.

Blaugrana board spokesperson Toni Freixa said he was happy to have learned that the El Mundo report had been denied by the authorities, while admitting ‘concern’ that a concerted effort was being made to undermine the Catalan club.

“We are pleased that the Ministry of Interior has immediately denied the information published by a news outlet,” Freixa said. “The information published by the outlet is untrue. We want to express our concern because lately there has been an effort to undermine the reputation of our players and our institutions. The board, just as it has done in similar situations, will act strongly. We want to send a message that everything is not fair game and that we are aware of what is going on.”

Maradona Backs Ronaldo To Win Ballon d’or

LFP Confident Over EC Investigation

LA Liga authorities say they are confident an ongoing European Commission investigation into various types of potentially illegal state aid to Spanish clubs is not a concern.

The EC is reported to be examining official links to Primera Division clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna, Valencia and Elche, as well as Segunda Division side Hercules, to determine whether any have received illegal government support or preferential tax treatment.

Should the authorities find evidence against any of the clubs involved, sums running into many millions would need to repaid.

The LFP reacted to the latest reports from Brussels by releasing an official statement saying its clubs always stuck to the law of the land.

The statement read: “At this stage, this National League does not have any official knowledge of the possible opening of a case, by the European Institutions, in relation to the above-mentioned official investigations.

“The LFP would like to publicly show its absolute and unconditional support of the clubs and SADs [Public Limited Sports Companies] affiliated to it, in general, and to those under investigation in particular. This association expresses its deep conviction that, at all times, its actions have been in line with the ‘acquis communautaire’ [the common foundation of rights

and obligations that binds the Member States of the European Union] and with the Spanish legislation in force at all times.

Lionel Messi

Gattuso Under Investigation Over Match-Fixing

GENNARO Gattuso, a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning side, was placed under investigation while four people were arrested in connection with a match-fixing scandal yesterday, Italian police reported.

Gattuso, 35, sacked earlier this season as coach of second division Palermo, is suspected of “associating with criminals

Gennaro Gattiso

with intent to commit sporting fraud”.

The long-running “Calcioscommesse” saga took a further twist with the arrest of the four, all said to have provided the link between players and a clandestine betting ring.

Police declined to say where

comment when contacted by AFP on Monday.

Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia announced in April that the complaints concerned Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna (Pamplona), Valencia, Hercules (Alicante) and Elche.

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo told a press briefing after talks with EU colleagues on Monday the government in Madrid had been informed of a comprehensive inquiry.

It would be the first step to a procedure for violation of EU rules and could lead to sanctions if these rules were in fact broken.

Madrid appeared concerned about the consequences of the Brussels decision and GarciaMargallo said the government would “defend the clubs to the end”.

“As far as I know there was nothing illegal,” said the minister.

“But I am concerned about the prejudice that the clubs may suffer.”

The focus of the investigation is on whether the tax rate imposed on Real Madrid, the FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna complies with European law.

Brussels is also looking into loans granted by the Valencian Community to Valencia, Hercules and Elche.

And Almunia wants the investigation to clarify whether or not Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao real estate operations were proper.

the arrests had taken place, but the nationwide operation was led by the Cremona prosecutor’s office, which initially uncovered the scandal in 2010.

The four were named as Salvatore Spadaro, Francesco Bazzani, Cosimo Rinci and Fabio Quadri, the news agency Ansa reported.

Spadaro is said to be linked with the “Bolognese” gang which was involved with former player Giuseppe Signori, who was arreted in 2010 in the intial investigation into match-fixing.

Bazzani has also been linked with Signori, as well as Almir Gegic, the alleged ringleaser of another match-fixing gang.

Rinci, chairman of the Riccione football club, and Quadri both have links with Spadaro.

Gattuso, renowned as a toughtackling midfielder who spent the best years of his career with AC Milan from 1999 to 2012, is not the only former player suspected of involvement.

One-time Lazio midfielder Cristian Brocchi, 37, who also had a spell at Milan earlier in his career, is also under investigation.

DIEGO Maradona has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or ahead of Lionel Messi this year.

The Argentine has previously been vocal in his support of his compatriot at former club Barcelona, having also worked with Messi at international level.

However, for this year ’s award recognising the world’s best player, the footballing legend has asserted that Real Madrid’s leading man deserves praise.

“Messi has been injured a lot this year, Cristiano Ronaldo should win the Ballon d’Or,” Maradona has commented to Le Buteur this week.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Champions League Musings

Blanc Talks Up PSG’s UCL Chances PARIS Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc believes his side are serious candidates to win the Champions League this season, although he knows money cannot buy the title.

The Ligue 1 leaders were on Monday drawn to face Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, paving what looks likely to be a downhill path to the quarterfinals, and former France coach Blanc says they could go all the way.

“On paper, we are a finalist,” he said in an interview with Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport.

“But the Champions League depends on so many different things. Money does not provide any guarantees, otherwise [Manchester] City would already have won it.

“We have the financial means required, the big players, the ambition and a real project. We may only be lacking a history, but we’re writing that now.”

PSG reached the quarterfinals last season on their return to Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2004. There, they were eliminated on away goals by Barcelona, but they want to do better this time around.

“Let’s say we want to improve on last season,” added Blanc, who admitted the draw had been kind. “It could have been worse. We wanted to avoid Manchester City and Arsenal, who strike fear in everybody, but we respect Bayer — if they’re in the last 16, then there’s got to be a reason why.”

Destiny is the reason why Blanc, 48, believe he finds himself in charge of PSG. He could have been at the helm of Roma instead of compatriot

Rudi Garcia this season, while Inter Milan came calling before he chose to take charge of Les Bleus.

“Football’s unpredictable,” he said. “[Roma] contacted me at the start of and the end of last season, and I would have liked to coach them, but it didn’t work out. On the other hand, I would never have expected to be in charge of PSG in June.

“I love Italy, the language, the culture. Maybe one day, that will influence my choice. It would be nice to return. I was close to the Nerazzurro job, but I chose France instead. But there are enough good coaches in Italy right now, and I’m happy where I am.”

IKER Casillas and Sergio Ramos say Real Madrid have respect for Schalke but also the ‘advantage’ of being at home for the second leg of their European tie.

Los Blancos this week have learned that they will face off against the Bundesliga outfit in the Last 16 of the Champions League.

“They are very strong physically and play well on the break,” club captain Casillas has reflected to his club’s official website this week.

“We have the advantage of the second leg at home but we’ll go to Germany to win and try to go through to the next round.

“Maybe they are not one of the favourites to win the Champions League, but we will have to play very professionally and respect the other team. We hope to go through to the next round.”

Vice-captain Ramos also reflected something similar, pressing that home advantage will help.

“Schalke 04 are a team with

Atletico Will Be Tough DEMETRIO Albertini - Albertini has mused on former clubs

Laurent Blanc

Pellegrini Relishes Barca Challenge

MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini is looking forward with confidence after learning his next Champions League opponents will be Barcelona.

“Barcelona is not the team Far from being intimidated by the Catalan giants, Pellegrini is it was two years ago. We will already relishing the prospect of see how they arrive in a two-legged last-16 tie against February.”

City, particularly at home, the four-time winners in have been in outstanding February.

Being paired with Barcelona form this season.

They scored six against was City’s dubious reward for finishing runners-up to Bayern Barclays Premier League Munich in their group - a leaders Arsenal last weekend, position they could have matching the figure they put bettered by beating the past Tottenham last month, Germans by one more goal than while they have also beaten they did last week - at the UEFA Norwich 7-0 this term.

Pellegrini, who took draw in Switzerland.

But Pellegrini, a former Real Malaga to the quarter-finals Madrid coach, believes Barca last year, is sure Barcelona should be just as wary of facing will already have taken notice of this, particularly with the his free-scoring side.

The Chilean said: “They first leg at the Etihad know Manchester City is a Stadium.

He said: “I suppose they strong team and it will be know about that but you can’t difficult for them.

Iker, Ramos Value Home Advantage

Iker Casillas

Milan and Atletico Madrid’s Champions League meeting determined this week.

The two sides have been paired in the Last 16 of the Champions League and will face each other over two legs in February and March next year.

For one former Diavolo midfield legend, who also spent a season on the books at the Vicente Calderon, Los Colchoneros represent a test for the Italians.

“It will be a tough match.

Diego Simeone’s side plays good football and the stadium will be very hot,” Albertini has reflected this

important players and they are dangerous on the break. They are a team that are not as famous as some others, but it will be a tough game against a team who have deserved to qualify for this stage.

“We have the advantage of playing the second leg at home and that helps, but German teams defend very well and are organized.

“Schalke 04 are a dangerous team on the break and have some important players.

“We’re looking forward to the game because it’s a competition that we really love. Like all Real Madrid fans, we’re hoping to go as far as possible in the competition and we’ll take this game seriously and respect our opponents.”

always expect to score five, six, seven goals at home.

“We always try to do it that’s why I am not concerned about what

happened in Germany.

“But of course it’s an important record and we’ll try to keep it up.”

BAYERN Munich defender Jerome Boateng believes Arsenal are the toughest opponents the reigning European champions could have drawn to face in the first Champions League knockout round.

The Gunners beat Bayern 2-0 in Munich at the same stage last season but went out on away goals - the German side having won 3-1 at the Emirates.

Arsenal now have Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil in their ranks, and Boateng admitted: “They’re the toughest opponents we could have had. They’ll be totally up for

it after what happened last year.

Both matches will be very intense.”

If Arsenal and Bayern both believe they have a tough draw, so too do Manchester City and Barcelona who will face each other.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini insists Barca are not the force they were two years ago despite adding Neymar to their star-studded squad.

“I think it is a beautiful game with two very good teams,” Pellegrini said. “But Barcelona is not the team it was two years

week.

“As always, you think about the history of a club and that’s why we tend to underestimate Atletico, but, at the moment, they are one of the most in-form in Europe.

“If they are in first place with Barcelona and above Real Madrid in the Spanish League then it means that they won’t be easy to deal with.

“However, as always, it depends on how the clubs are doing at the time. Real Madrid could have been a high level opponent, especially for their tradition, but Atletico are not that far behind.”

Demetrio Albertini

Boateng Ranks Arsenal Vs Bayern Draw

Jerome Boateng

ago, so we will see how they arrive in February.

“I don’t know exactly what happened inside Barcelona, but they changed three managers in the last three years and maybe the performance of the players is not the same.”

The other two English sides had, on the face of it, easier draws for the first knockout round with Joe Mourinho’s Chelsea facing their former striker Didier Drogba’s Galatasaray, while David Moyes’ Manchester United take on Greek champions Olympiacos.

Drogba said he was relishing his match against Chelsea, having scored the equaliser and then the winning penalty against Bayern Munich to win the competition in 2012.

“What a draw... I’m the luckiest man in this competition,” he said on his official Instagram account. “In both games I’ll be playing home! See you in few months.”

In other matches, Real Madrid face German opposition in the form of Schalke, last year’s runners up Borussia Dortmund take on Zenit St Petersburg, AC Milan will play in-form Spanish side Atletico Madrid while Bayer Leverkusen face big-spending Paris St-Germain.

Umuahia Township Stadium Ready For Premiership

ADRIS Nigeria Enterprises, the company that handled the re-grassing of the Umuahia Township Stadium, on Monday said it was ready to host the premier league matches.

Mr Iwuoha Chima, the Consultant and the Managing Director of the company, told newsmen in Umuahia that the pitch was ready to go.

“The playing turf has been put in the best shape to host premiership games when the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) resumes in 2014 “The latest technology was applied to bring the turf to international standard.

“The arena, which hitherto was only good enough for the game of water polo and had served as home ground to Abia Warriors FC, can now host all categories of games,’’ Chima said.

According to him, the playing turf could now be compared with the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba and the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

He said all the sparse areas were worked on and filled with mixed soil and that the muddy areas were dried up.

The director said that two types of grasses, carpet and Bermuda, were used in the exercise to get the best result while all the weeds and elephant grasses that posed some problems were removed.

Iwuoha said that special attention was paid to the goalkeepers and the penalty boxes, while the centre circle

as well as the edges of the pitch were also treated against water logging.

Meanwhile, Chief Emeka Inyama, the Chairman of Abia Warriors, has expressed satisfaction that a good job was done in the stadium.

He expressed optimism that the League Management Company of the Nigeria Football Association would approve the pitch for Abia Warriors’ home matches next season.

Abia Warriors was promoted to the elite division at the end of the 2012/2013 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

It will be the first time fans in Umuahia will be watching premiership matches in the state’s capital since its creation in 1991.

Handball

Ekiti Rewards Outstanding Players

Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho Departs For Talks With Man City

SUPER Eagles’ head coach Stephen Keshi on Monday authorised the departure from camp of Golden Eaglets’ forward Kelechi Iheanacho for contract talks with English clubside Manchester City FC in England.

Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Africa from Jan. 11 to Feb. Ben Alaiya, disclosed this in a 1. statement issued in Abuja on “Keshi had to allow the Monday. player to depart for Iheanacho and two other Manchester after his members of the 2013 Golden father, James Iheanacho, Eaglets had been part of the personally put a call to him Super Eagles team camping in on Monday afternoon Abuja. requesting the release of The 30-man Eagles’ squad his son for the trip to had been camping in England,’’ the statement preparation for the 2014 said.

African Nations Championship It said Keshi had initially (CHAN) scheduled for South rebuffed efforts by

Pillars Register New Boys For Champions NIGERIA champions League with their best showing

Kano Pillars have registered several new signings led by Kingsley Udoh for next year’s Champions League.

Other new signings on the squad for the continental competition include Sharks goalkeeper Danladi Isa, Ezekiel Mba and Eneji Otekpa.

Former Nigeria Olympic team international central defender Udoh has teamed up with Pillars from Heartland.

Pillars have also entered their establish stars like Gambo Mohammed, Rabiu Ali, Shehu Abdullahi and Joel Afelokhai for Africa’s foremost club contest.

On February 8, Pillars will host experienced campaigners AS Vita of DR Congo in the preliminary round first leg of the

Champions League.

The return leg will be played in DRC a week later.

This will be Pillars fourth appearance in the competition

Egwuekwe

being a semi-final finish in the 2009 competition.

Two-time champions Enyimba are Nigeria’s other representatives in the Champions League.

someone claiming to be the player’s agent.

“Initially, a young man came, declaring that he was the agent of Iheanacho. But I declined to deal with him until I hear from the family, because the boy is still a minor.

“It was soon after my rejection that I got a call from his father who told me that they have got a travel visa to the UK and that I should oblige him with his son’s release.

“I did and told the young man (Kelechi) to go and do the nation proud at whichever club he finally chooses to settle down with,’’ the statement

quoted Keshi as saying.

It said while Keshi acknowledged that Iheanacho was a talented player, he had also cautioned that the player “should be handled gently and professionally as he navigates his professional career’’.

Manchester City are in the English Premier League (EPL) which they won in 2011/2012.

The CHAN event is for players based on the African continent, and a move to England will automatically rule Iheanacho out of the home-based Super Eagles.(NAN)

2014 W/Cup

Egwuekwe Tips Eagles To Excel SUPER Eagles defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has tipped Nigeria to reach the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The African champions are drawn in the first round of next year’s World Cup with Argentina, BosniaHerzegovina and Iran.

Nigeria’s best performance at the global finals was achieved at the 1994 and 1998 tournaments, where they reached the knockout Round of 16.

However, Warri Wolves

skipper, who is presently in the camp of the home-based Super Eagles preparing for the 2014 CHAN in South Africa, told MTNFootball.com Nigeria have the quality to reach the last eight of Brazil 2014.

“I know we will make the quarterfinals and from there anything can happen,” Egwuekwe told MTNFootball.com “I have confidence in our team and I know that we have quality players who can stand up to any side at the World Cup.”

KAYODE Ayoidowu, Head Coach, Ekiti State Handball team, told the team on Monday not to relent in their efforts to train hard to win all competitions in 2014.

Ayoidowu gave the advice while presenting gifts and awards to outstanding players in the team for the outgoing season at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, AdoEkiti.

The coach said that he initiated the gifts and awards to sharpen the interest, skills and the determination of the players for improved performances.

“The reason behind the recognition of outstanding players is to encourage them to work hard and to also boost the level of their performance next year,’’ he said.

Ayoidowu, who appreciated the commitment of players and the success achieved by the team in the outgoing year, urged them to do more next season.

He advised players who had not been performing well to improve on their skills to enable them compete with their counterparts.

Ayoidowu also urged them to attend training sessions regularly so as to prepare for the National Youth Games in 2014.

Reports that gifts and awards were given to outstanding players of the year, male and female, Best Shooters, male and female and Best Handball Goalkeepers, male and female.

Table Tennis

8 Players For Benin Open

THE Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) yesterday said eight players would represent Nigeria at the 4th Republic of Benin Table Tennis Open.

The Head Coach of NTTF, Nosiru Bello, told nesmen in Lagos that the players would participate in the male and female categories of the tournament holding from Dec. 20 to Dec. 21.

Bello assured that the players had prepared well for the competition and would win laurels for the country.

“They have the zeal and what it takes to deliver at the championship and I am sure that they will do their best to be victorious.

“The players have undergone rigorous training to hone their skills and I must say that they are more than ready to compete,” he said.

The coach and the players will depart Lagos for Cotonou, Republic of Benin on Thursday.