Nigerian observer 20 01 2014

THE NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 NO.401• MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014 • N 100.00

Christ’s Chosen Church elevates 70 pastors

ARCHIVAL MATTERS

BY ROLAND OSAKUE

Pg 21

BENIN CITY – It was pomp and ceremony at the Headquarters of Christ’s Chosen Church of God International following the elevation of

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Being Smart In Life

POLITICS Pg. 11 PDP Defections

A Pointer To APC Take Over In 2015

116 Ministers in the church to higher apostolic offices for the expansion and evangelization of the

work of God. The spiritual leader of the church, Most Snr. Apostle (Dr.) Joshua Osasuyi (MFR) whose

BENIN CITY - The Head of Service, Edo State, Mr. Jerry Igbakemhen Obazele has again assured that the state government will do all that is humanly possible to promote the welfare of its workforce. various policies to boost He gave the the welfare of the assurance when he workers. received the Mr. Obazele disclosed Management of Credit that the government will Direct Limited. not hesitate to partner He maintained that the with any organization or Governor of Edo State is person with genuine conscious of the needs intention to uplift the of its work force, hence welfare of the civil it has put in place servants.

He told his guests that the government is going through financial stress to meet with the core basic services of the populace as well as meeting the needs of the

address was read by Apostle Pius Igberase told the congregation that the church had already moved forward and labourers were needed in the lord’s Continues on page 2

Govt will promote workers welfare - Obazele civil servants.

Mr. Obazele recalled that the State

Government in the past has negotiated with commercial banks to

grants loan facilities to civil servants.

To this end, the Head of Service stated that the Edo State government will therefore welcome Continues on page 2

Entertainers honour Edo Gov

By ADAMS OYIBOKE

BENIN CITY – Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has been honoured with an Award of Excellence by the concerned Entertainers of Edo State for remodeling Benin City from ancient to modern city with high tourist attractions.

Governor Oshiomhole received the Award at the early hours of yesterday during a musical concert, the state government organized in Benin City in collaboration with concerned Entertainers in honour of youths in the state.

The governor who was highly elated by the award said: “I accept this award and I am humbled; I promise to create opportunity for our youths to realize their potentials.”

“We will do our best for the great people of Edo State and for Nigeria; for me, the future begins today and that future belongs to you; you must have faith in your country.

“We may have missed yesterday; it may even continue at the moment, but it will get right tomorrow; I believe the future is still very bright for our country.

He called on youths in the state to have faith in Nigeria, maintaining that the future belongs to them.

He thanked the group for honouring him, stressing that it would spur him to greater work.

The governor enjoined the youths in the state to join hands with the state government to taking Edo to higher level.

Members of

CHAN 2014

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concerned Entertainers of Edo State had appreciated Governor O s h i o m h o l e ’ s development strides in all spheres of human endeavour through songs rendition and commended by guest artists and comedians.

In their separate songs and performances, they were unanimous in their observations that Governor Oshiomhole Continues on page 2

EDO YOUTH SUMMIT: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (middle) and Barr. Festus Keyamo (right), Dr. Joe Odumakin (2nd right), and CEO Arise, Toyosi Akerele (left) at Edo Youth Summit organised in Benin City by the State Government. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE.

Collaborate with govt, commissioner tasks NGOs

BENIN CITY – The Commissioner for Establishments and Special Dutiese, Hon. Didi Adodo has called on non-governmental

organizations to collaborate with the state government in her determined efforts to spread development to every nook and crannies

of the state.

He made the call when the conference of non-government organization (CONGOS) Edo State Chapter

visited him in his office, adding that for the state to develop there has to be a well planned synergy between the government and non-

BENIN CITY – Oloi Esther Omoye Erediauwa, eldest Queen of the Benin

Monarch, His Royal Majesty Oba Erediauwa has passed on after a brief illness, according to

a palace source.

She was 75 years old on August 5, 2013.

The Nigerian

OBSERVER gathered that she passed on at about 11 a.m. on Saturday January 18, Continues on page 2

Oloi Esther Erediauwa passes on

government societies.

The Commissioner promised to operate an open door policy, assuring that in no distant time his ministry will engage all nong o v e r n m e n t a l organizations in the state with a view to letting them into how government policies are Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

News

Christ’s Chosen Church elevates

Continued from page 1 vineyard.

The premises of the church which had been agog since the commencement of its week-long 2014 Annual Conference with the theme “Beauty for Ashes” featured prayers and ministration, dispensing of holy healing water, as well as the ordination and promotion of apostles, ordination of seventy pastors, among others saw a large number of faithful from different denominations in attendance.

Traffic on the ever-busy Benin – Agbor Road where the church’s International headquarters is located witnessed heavy gridlock on Saturday, as the influx of human and vehicular traffic posed a heavy task for the ushers of the church and

officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps to handle.

He stated that the annual conference was that of promotion, elevation and healing. He also explained that the church had for the first time made history on the recently inducted 17 ordained apostles, 29 ordained pastors elevated to apostles and 70 pastors to the rank of staff pastors.

Apostle Osasuyi, further gave the ministers apostolic charge and urged them not to rub their garments given them by God with oil, pointing out that the task ahead was a hotter one.

Earlier, a welcome address by Apostle (Dr.) Nosa Atoe (JP) on behalf of the host Division Congratulated the General Overseer of the church, Most Snr. Apostle Joshua Osasuyi

for making history for the church worldwide, as well as the successful Baptismal tour which held before the conference.

Highlights of the ceremony, was the consecration and presentation of the ministers before the church, administration of oath, as

well as, the decoration of the ordained Apostles with new cassocks and the staff of office.

The newly ordained ministers could not hide their feelings, as celebration of sort became the order of the day within and outside the church.

Continued from page 1 partners to assist her in the creation of employment for the teeming youths in the state.

He reasoned that the partnership is sealed with the organization, apart from giving loans to civil servants, it will also provide jobs for Edo people.

Mr. Jerry Obazele directed the leadership of the

Continued from page 1 initiated and implemented.

He further assured that his ministry will not deny the public any information as people peddle rumours and falsehood when they lack the necessary information.

He enjoined those critics to be factual in their criticism saying that criticism done in good faith spread dividends of democracy.

Reacting to the strikes experienced in the state in the recent times, the commissioner reiterated the desire of the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole to engage the NLC, TUC, NUT and NMA to addressed issues, saying that the governor will not fight labour.

Commissioner Adodo assured the organization that he will raise the issue of bus promised the organization by the governor, while the problem of multi bodies registering nongovernmental organizations will also be looked into with a view to streamlining the process.

Earlier the President of Conference of nongovernmental organizations (CONGOs), Edo State Chapter, Mr. Jude Obasanmi while congratulating Mr. Didi Adodo for his appointment stated that the ability of the commissioner to build industrial harmony is not in doubt because of his antecedent.

The CONGOs President

informed the commissioner that they had in the past engaged in election monitoring, policy advocacy, rehabilitation of flood victims and promoting health practices.

The organization urged the Edo State Government to take urgent steps to stop incessant strike and the casualization of workers in the civil service.

At the ceremony was the Special Adviser on NonGovernment Organization, Mr. Kauyode Iyasere Efosa and Senior Officers of the Ministry.

company to send its proposals to his office for scrutiny to enable him make his recommendations to the Comrade Governor.

Mr. Thod .Ochie Omogiede, Regional Head of Credit Direct Limited stated that the company which was formed in 2007 is a intervention company to assist civil servants obtain loan with ease without collateral as obtainable in conventional banks.

Mr. Omogiede explained that the company’s style of operation was borrowed from South Africa Miners and hinted that the borrower will access loan within 24 hours.

He further disclosed that the company will give employment to over 100 people who must be indigenes of Edo State.

At the courtesy call were the Permanent Secretary, Establishments, Mr. A.O. Olaye, the Permanent Secretary, Finance, Mrs. A. Esele, Directors and other senior officials.

Workers welfare

Collaborate with govt

Half of Nigerian politicians are in politics by accident - Jonathan ABUJA President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday in Abuja said half of Nigerian politicians were not meant to be in politics, but got

Entertainers Continued from page 1 has done well for Edo people and therefore sued for their continued support.

Some of the Artists and comedians at the musical concert included Banky W; Harry song, Sneezy, Dr. Peclean, Terry G’, Wande Coal, I go save, Basket Mouth, Eadris Abdulkareem and K-Cee. Others included Wizkid, Scale, Ambassador I go die, Sir. Victor Uwaifo, Sir. Benji Igbadume, Ambassador Joseph Osayomore, Maleke, Sound Sultan, Trancluzee, the Senator, Bushi and Timaya.

Side attractions at the Entertainment night which commenced on Saturday night included colourful fire works, dancing and comedy.

The popular Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium which was venue of the event shook with personalities from all works of live.

involved in it by accident.

The President who spoke at a post-national pilgrimage church service held at the Presidential Villa’s chapel was responding to a sermon by the Primate of the Anglican Church, Rev. Nicholas Okoh.

The Primate had accused Nigerian politicians of being unforgiving.

Oloi Esther Continued from page 1 2013 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital where she had been on admission since December.

A visit to her family house along Sakpoba Road, Benin City revealed that friends, relations and associates around were in sober mood while there were heavy human traffic going in and out of the house.

However, as at Press time, there was no official statement on the incident from the palace.

• Mr. Jerry Igbakemhen Obazele

AIDS services.

She, however, noted that the LACAS, headed by the local government chairmen, were not doing much in terms of funding the agency.

The officer said the situation had compelled EDOSACA to solely depend on World Bank funds for its operations.

She said “we thought that local government councils will contribute some percentage of funds to support HIV/AIDS services at their own levels.

grants from the World Bank due to some ongoing restructuring, nothing has taken place at the local government levels.”

She, therefore, urged other organisations involved in the fight against the scourge in the state to identify areas that require HIV/AIDS services, especially in the rural communities.

She said areas identified would be keyed into programmes aimed at reducing the peoples’ sufferings.

Edo SACA seeks more support BENIN CITY - The Edo since EDOSACA has from LGs not“Butbeen State Agency for the Control able to disburse of HIV/AIDS (EDOSACA) has solicited for more support from local government councils in the state to enable it to reduce the HIV/AIDS scourge in the state.

The agency’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mrs. Itohan Osunde, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Benin City.

Osunde said the Local Action Committees on Control of HIV/AIDS (LACAS) were established to support the EDOSACA by ensuring that communities in the state embraced HIV/

Masquerade shooting

Police nab 9 suspects BENIN CITY - The police command in Edo State yesterday in Benin, confirmed the arrest of nine persons over Wednesday’s shooting of two youths in a masquerade festival fracas in Igarra.

The State Commissioner of the Police (CP), Mr. Folusho Adebanjo, made the confirmation in an interview with newsmen.

He said the suspects would be transferred from Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area to the command headquarters in Benin City.

Adebanjo added that victims of the shooting were responding to treatment at different private hospitals in Igarra.

On the Otaru of Igarra’s allegation against the police in the fracas, he said the police had no hand in the problem.

The problem, he noted, was with the people in the community, stressing that if the police were involved in the matter in anyway, they would not have arrested any suspect.

He, however, said efforts were being made by the command to bring the parties involved in the issues that led to the fracas “to a dialogue table to resolve the matter and make peace.’’

Adebanjo advised the people against taking the laws into their hands and assured that the police would continue to ensure the safety of lives and property in every part of the State.

Investigation revealed that the shooting resulted when youths believed to be loyal to the Otaru, Emmanuel Adachie Saiki II, while trying to enforce alleged ban on the Ekuochi masquarade festival, allegedly ambushed some youths.

The ambush, it was learnt, led to a fracas during which dangerous weapons, including guns, were allegedly used, and in the process, two youths sustained gunshot injuries.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police said investigation into the incident had commenced and would be comprehensive.

BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Health Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie says it is worrisome that Edo State has the highest burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria.

The Commissioner expressed this in her office at the weekend while playing host to the Chairman, National Lassa Fever Stakeholders forum of Nigeria, Prof. George Akpede who was on advocacy visit to the Health Commissioner.

Dr. Eregie called for the need for all relevant agencies to be seriously involved in the task of tackling the spread of Lassa fever in Edo State, adding that Edo State Government has been carrying out enlightenment and advocacy programmes to educate the people on how to prevent the spread of Lassa fever.

Commending the European Union for donating the mobile Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Laboratory to the Institutes of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua, she expressed the State Government’s readiness to partner with the Federal Government and all other notable bodies to eradicate the deadly disease from the state.

Briefing the Commissioner earlier, Prof. Akpede said that they were in the Ministry to inform the Edo State Government through the Ministry of Health, of a workshop on the

commissioning of the mobile PCR laboratory and emergency preparedness on Lassa fever slated for 16th to 22nd February, 2014 in Benin City.

Prof. Akpede who is the Chairman Local Organizing Committee of the workshop and the immediate past CMD, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital disclosed that the Mobile PCR Laboratory was donated by the European Union for molecular diagnosis of any disease infection.

He said that the machine is very good for Lassa fever control and appealed to Edo State to show much committee to the programme as Edo State has the highest burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria.

Prof. Akpede said that the Minister for Health, Prof.

Onyebuche Chukwu will personally commission the mobile PRC machine on 20th February 2014 while Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will be special guest of honour.

In his contributions, the Head, Epidemic Prevention and Control, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Aniefeok Moses expressed the need for Edo State Government to take the leadership position in the advocacy of the control of Lassa fever in the State.

He said that the Minister has vowed to do everything possible within his powers during his tenure to eliminate Lassa fever in Nigeria.

Lassa Fever: Edo hardest hit - Commissioner

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

News Stakeholders Decry Street Trading

LG Bans Use Of Public Schools For Driving Lesson

BY IFUNANYA ONYEKAOZURU BENIN CITY – The beautification exercise of Edo State Government is under threat as the outlawed street trading has continued unabated.

Without recourse to the sensitization process put in place by government aimed at checking the trend, street trading, especially around major markets and the Oba Ovonramwen Square in Benin City is still a regular feature, especially in the evenings.

The efforts of members of War Against Indiscipline (WAI) though seem to be yielding desired result during the day always turns contrary immediately they close from work.

Investigations revealed that the WAI officials have severally chased the street traders into the markets but at other times seized their wares as part of measures to check the illegal trend.

Traders who spoke with The Nigerian OBSERVER while expressing misgivings over the unbecoming attitude of the street traders express the need to build more and expanded markets in Benin City metropolis.

Miss Uwa Esele, a trader at the Oba market said activities of traders were depriving traders inside the markets of their customers.

A motorist, Mr. Eric Eze said trading by the road side was making it difficult for motorists to park their vehicles and go into the market for their purchases as parking spaces have been taken over by traders.

Mrs. Itohan Enogie, on her part disclosed that activities of street traders was making it difficult for customers to move freely in the market as they have to struggle through the few available space, during which process their pockets are piffed.

She therefore appealed to the state government to put measures in place to forestall street trading in Benin City.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (left) exchanging pleasantries with the immediate past President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele at a Youth Summit organised in Benin City by Edo State government.

BENIN CITY – The authorities of Egor Local Government Council has banned the use of public schools premises for learning how to drive.

Chairman of the council, Comrade Victor Enobakhare said during a chat with newsmen that using public school premises for such has resulted in damages to public property, including school’s buildings.

The council boss was particularly piffed that, after such damage(s), those responsible never deem it fit to report the incidence to appropriate authority or effect repair.

While enjoining those who

intends to go for driving lesson to patronize accredited driving schools, he noted that every responsible government would view with seriousness the destruction of public property.

Comrade Enobakhere also cautioned against the habit of parking and or abandonment of vehicles on public road in the name of leaving it at the mechanic workshop, saying it is an offence for which the council would prosecute offenders.

He assured people that mechanics in the locality would soon be relocated to the Mechanic village as he is waiting for when the road leading to it would be ready for rehabilitation.

Police Framed Us - Suspect

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

LAGOS - An Ikeja High Court in Lagos was recently into shock when two alleged robbery suspects narrated how they were framed up by the police for refusing to offer bribe after their arrest since December 2008.

The whole court was shunned when two men, Kingsley Ogwunze and Benjamin Nwafor dropped the bombshed while testifying before Justice Lateefat Okunnu on Monday.

Led in evidence by their counsel, Mrs. Tate Akingbote, the defendants told the court that they were arrested separately at Charity Bus Stop on ApapaOshodi Expressway on 7 December, 2008 and had never meet until the arrest.

According to them, “We have never meet before, not until 4th February, 2009 when we were ‘paired up’ by the police for arraignment first at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos and

charged for robbery”, adding that they were remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, Lagos, after their arraignment on a four-count charge of conspiracy and robbery.

Ogwunze, the first defender who claimed to be an undertaker, said he was arrested by plainclothes policemen while he was going to collect money from a customer, saying “Despite that I showed the policemen my identity card and driver ’s

No Unmerited Promotion, Uduaghan Tells Teachers

By INNEH BARTH

ASABA - The Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has ruled out automatic promotion to teachers in the state public service, noting that henceforth, merit and hardwork will be a yardstic for any promotion.

Uduaghan who stated this in an interactive session with

journalists in Asaba, the State capital, stressed that only hardworking teachers would be promoted after assessment. ’Teachers always seek for promotion but I have directed that only hardworking and committed teachers should be promoted when due.”

He called on elder ones to always act as mentors to the younger generation and also appealed to the youths to follow

the footsteps of elders.

“Youths should engaged in actions that will positively position them for the challenges of life and to avoid crimes.

“Youths should also avoid land speculation as a profession but be positively engaged in activities that would add values to the society.’’

licence, they still bundled me at gun point into a commercial bus they used in the raiding along with some other persons”.

The first defendant said, “When we were inside the bus, they told me to cooperate and that I should give them money.

But I refused because I had done nothing wrong. As we were going, the bus stopped and some persons came and gave the policemen money to release their relatives and friends, who were also in the bus”.

According to him, they were later taken to Makinde Police Station, Mafoloku, where they were detained for several weeks.

Ogwunze said the police seized his wallet and mobile phone which prevented him from reaching his family members in Abia State.

“From there, I was taken to Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, where I was tortured physically for several weeks to make a confessional statement.

Later, one Inspector Cyprian came to meet me that if I could raise money that they will let me

go, but I told him I had no money”.

Ogwunze said he was eventually charged to court for allegedly conspiring with the second defendant and others at large to rob people of their mobile phones.

Under cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Femi Adamson, the first defendant insisted on his innocence, saying “I have never met the second defendant and I do not know him. My Lord, the job I do is far better than snatching of mobile phones and I want the court to strike out this case because I do not know anything about it and my future is at stake”.

Also testifying, Nwafor, who claimed to be a trader, corroborated the first defendant’s claim, declaring that he had never met Ogwunze and was surprised when they were charged to court together.

The case has been adjourned to March 3rd 2014 for adoption of final addresses.

LG Boss Charges Nigerians To Identify With Dependants Of Fallen Heroes USELU – Egor Local Government Council Chairman, Comrade Victor Osayande Enobakhare has re-echoed the need for Nigerians to identify with the dependant of the Nigerian fallen heroes.

Disclosing this during the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day on the locally, the council chairman said the Local Government

joined the rest of the country to mark this year Annual Armed Forces remembrance day in Egor Local Government Area”.

Comrade Enobakhare who inspected a Guard of Honour during the events marking the day said it was important that members of the society identify with dependant relatives of the fallen heroes and give them sense of belonging.

Vice Chairman of the

Nigerian Legion of Ex-Service men, Egor Local Government Area chapter, Major Christopher Obazee appealed to government and other relevant authorities to fully identify with relations of the fallen heroes.

Highlight of the occasion was the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph by the council boss, principal officers of the local government including the chairman, Hon. Desmond Ugbo.

project which had started.

The chairman who spoke against the backdrop of speculations that the local government had abandoned the Adolo College Road project described the insinuation as the handwork of mischief makers.

Disclosing reason for the stoppage of work in December as the rainfall, he also disclosed that the contractor handling the

project had since mobilised men and materials to site.

Comrade Enobakhare also disclosed that the water borehole project at Olua Primary School has been reactivated as well as the Primary Health Care Centre at Okhoro community while the rehabilitation of earth roads in Ward 10 had since commenced.

Rehabilitation Of Adolor College Road On Course - Egor LG Boss

L-R: The immediate past President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, Chief Executive Officer, Arise, Toyosi Akerele, Dr. Joe Odumakin and Barrister Festus Keyamu at a Youth Summit organised in Benin City weekend by Edo State government.

EGOR – The Chairman, Egor Local Government Council, Comrade Victor Enobakhare said the rehabilitation of Adolo College Road is still on course.

Comrade Enobakhare while inspecting the road said the road rehabilitation has not been abandoned as the administration would not record abandonment any

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

News Botmang, Former Plateau Governor Dies At 76

JOS - A former governor of Plateau State, Mr. Michael Botmang, is dead, his son, Mr. Dadung Botmang, confirmed.

Dadung said his father died at his Zawan country home in Jos South Local Government of Plateau at about 2 a.m. on Saturday after a long struggle with kidney disease.

He told newsmen that the remains of Botmang had been deposited at the mortuary of Air Force hospital, Jos. Dadung further said that arrangements were being made by the family members to give the late political icon a befitting burial.

Botmag was the deputy to former Governor Joshua Dariye, before he took over

as governor following the political crisis which forced Dariye out of office.

He ruled the state as governor for a period of six months before Dariye regained his mandate.

The deceased took ill shortly after leaving office and had been on treatment till his death on Saturday.

In his comment, Mr. Silvanus Namang, a former Commissioner for Information under the late governor, described Botmang’s death as “very unfortunate’’.

Namang said the late political icon would be greatly missed considering his wealth of wisdom and experience.

Iyi-Agu Water Falls As National Sites

- PPA Chieftain Makes Case OWERRE-EZUKALA (ANAMBRA) - A chieftain of the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA), Mr Godwin Ezeemo, has called on Federal Government to list Ogba Ukwu Cave and IyiAgu Water Falls as national tourism sites.

Ezeemo, a former governorship candidate of the party in Anambra, made the call on Thursday in Owerre-Ezukala, Anambra, when he visited the sites.

“I did not believe what I have seen today; I am highly impressed, these sites can earn our youth good jobs, generate good revenue for the state.

“These sites are capable of placing the state as a tourist destination in the world.

“We all need to do something about this God given gift,” he said.

Ezeemo said the state was highly endowed with many natural sites that needed to be harnessed for the economic benefit of the people.

According to him, sites like Ogunike and Ogbunka caves should be developed to mitigate rural-urban migration.

“What is happening in Calabar can happen here in a different angle if well tapped and channelled.

“In Kenya, Brazil, sites like these give huge revenue and bring development to the host communities and those within it,” Ezeemo said Earlier, the Regent of Owerre-Ezukala, Prince Joel Madu, who received the

Aso Chapel: L-R: Mother of the President Madam Eunice Jonathan, first lady, Dame Patience Goodluck, Jonathan, Executive Secretary National Christian, Mr. John Kennedy Okpara and Hon. Ndidi Elumelu, at the 2013 Post National Pilgrimage to Jerusalem thanksgiving service by the President at at Aso Villa chapel state house Abuja yesterday.

Police Arrest 2,245 Suspects In 2013 - CP

Ezeemo family in his palace, said officials of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism had visited the two sites.

“We are still awaiting the response from that visit,” he said.

OWERRI -The Imo Police Command said it arrested 2,245 suspected criminals in 2013, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina, has said.

Katsina made the disclosure when he briefed newsmen of

SOKOTO - Sokoto State Government has denied reports that Governor Aliyu Wamakko would return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Reports say that the denial is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Bako, in Sokoto.

Wamakko had recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP with his teeming supporters.

His Deputy, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari, however, refused to defect to the APC. Twenty seven out of 30 members of the State House of Assembly also defected to the APC, while three lawmakers restated their loyalty to PDP. “The attention of the State Governor has been drawn to statements in one of the national dailies quoting the Governor of Niger as saying that the five governors that left PDP for APC are returning as soon as the PDP is restructured.

“Governor Wamakko hereby restates categorically and undoubtedly that he,

along with his teeming supporters, have no such plans.

“He repeats and restates his avowed commitment to the cause he has embarked on based on the unshaken belief that the APC is the platform on which social justice,

his stewardship in 2013 in Owerri.

He said that 649 were kidnap suspects, 503 armed robbery suspects, 261 baby

factory operators, 302 electoral offences, 510 trade in fake and illegal drugs and 20 burglary suspects.

The commissioner

Wamakko Denies Plan To Return To PDP equity, equality and good governance can be better achieved in this great country.”

The statement said Wamakko had restated that his decision to defect to the APC was taken with the “fear of Allah at heart and in response to the desires and

wishes of the electorate that put him in office”.

Governor Wamakko, the statement also said, advised Niger State Governor to desist from making statements on behalf of other Governors, adding that no such decision was taken at any time in the recent past.

attributed the success of his campaign against crime in the state to the Special Ambush Squad which he constituted on assumption of office.

Katsina commended senior officers of the command for identifying with his vision in the fight against crime.

He said he gave award to 23 officers for their exemplary service to the command and posthumous award to three officers who died in the line of duty.

He said that 51 criminals who turned themselves in would be rehabilitated, and advised others to abandon crime or face prosecution.

He said the police would not spare anybody in its bid to rid the state of crime.

President Goodluck Jonathan; Chairman, Board of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Dr. Nicholas Okoh and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupke, the NCPC thanksgiving service at Aso Village chapel, in Abuja yesterday

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

News Traffic Jam Returns To Lagos As Schools Re-open LAGOS - Traffic jam has returned to many roads in Lagos State as public and private schools resumed for the second term of the 2013/2014 academic session.

The schools resumed on Monday but recorded low turnout because of a misconception at the weekend that Monday was public holiday instead of Tuesday.

School children, teachers and school buses were in large numbers on the roads yesterday as early as 6.30a.m., causing traffic congestion.

Traffic in the state started becoming heavy last week as many companies resumed worked for 2014.

Many private companies closed for two or three weeks in mid December for Christmas and New Year celebrations, relieving the commercial city of the gridlock that characterised it.

Some school children and teachers were trekking to their schools while others were in school buses.

Some were being carried in private cars.

The children were in cheerful mood as they hung their bags on their shoulders and carried their lunch boxes in their hands.

A primary four pupil of Holy Family School, Ikotun, Miss Blessing Kelechi, told newsmen that she was happy to return to school after the Christmas

and New Year celebrations.

The Principal of Queen Mary Schools, Ojodu, Mrs. QueenMary Ugbemena, told newsmen that the turnout of pupils were low on Monday, compelling her to ask the few who resumed to go home until Wednesday.

“Though some parents came to school with their children on January 13, the turnout was too low; so, we advised them to return,” she told newsmen.

The Proprietor, Prevailer Schools, Ikotun, Mr. Austeen Agali, commended the state Ministry of Education for directing that all public and private schools should resume at the same time.

He advised that private schools which failed to comply with the directive should be sanctioned.

Some commuters who spoke with newsmen said that they were expecting the traffic jam.

LAGOS - The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has appealed to the Federal Government to consider the participation of graduates of the university in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme.

Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Vincent Tenebe, made the appeal at a news conference organised to announce activities lined up for the institution’s 3rd convocation ceremony in Lagos.

Tenebe noted that the nonparticipation of the graduates of the institution was part of the reasons for the slow rate of acceptability of the university by both parents and prospective students in the country.

“I want to appeal to the people of Nigeria and the Federal Government, in particular, to please consider the full participation of graduates of this institution in the NYSC programme.

“I want to believe that the exclusion of these graduates from the scheme is part of the reason why the public do not seem to reckon much with what it represents and what it has to offer.

“This University is a fullfledged Federal university,

running full and well-accredited courses in diversified areas of life’s endeavours.

“The current practise of giving exemption or exclusion letters to graduates of the institution, even to those who are still legible for the scheme, is not encouraging,” he said.

According to Tenebe, there is no justification in candidates and their parents struggling for very limited space in the conventional universities, if NOUN is commissioned for the scheme.

He added that there was nothing that the conventional universities were doing in terms of quality academic service delivery, that NOUN was not doing.

The NOUN vice chancellor said that records had shown that graduates of the university were better equipped with skills and knowledge, when compared to their counterparts from the conventional universities.

Tenebe added that there was need for Nigerians to change their attitude towards NOUN. He explained that the university would not relent in its effort to eradicate illiteracy in the country.

Tenebe said this will be done

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

NOUN VC WAnts Own Graduates For NYSC

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

through its democratisation and liberalisation mode of teaching and learning, which was in line with the transformation agenda of the current administration.

He said that over 6,000 graduates of the university would be conferred with certificates, diplomas, Masters and Bachelor ’s degrees in various disciplines during the convocation ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, January 18.

He added that there would also be awards of prizes and honorary degrees to deserving members of the public.

The vice chancellor assured

that certificates of the graduating students were fully ready and would be collected at the venue of the convocation.

“I am happy to announce to you also that we shall be graduating our first set of graduates in Mass Communication and Law, with Bachelor’s degrees.

“In NOUN, despite the fact that we admit and graduate en masse, we do not compromise quality.

“The kind of graduates we are turning out are those who have been found worthy in character and in learning, fully equipped with skills.

“We believe that our graduates can compete favourably with their

NASARAWA - The Emir of Nasarawa, in Nasarawa State, Alh. Hassan Ahmed, has cautioned religious leaders against inflammatory statements capable of creating threat to the existing peace of the country.

The royal father stated this during a religious gathering in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the call has become imperative due to the inflammatory statements made by some religious leaders, while preaching.

He said: “If there is no peace, we cannot organise this gathering, not to talk of coming together, so religious leaders should be cautioned against inflammatory statements while preaching.

“Such inflammatory statements are capable of creating threat to the existing peace, unity, progress and development of our state and the country at large.

“Peace is paramount, priceless; non negotiable and necessary requirement to the development of any society.

“So, religious leaders and other Nigerians should desist from making statements capable of creating tension and confusion that could lead to violence in the country.

“I want to challenge all of us, especially the religious leaders to preach the word of god according to tenets and injunctions of the religion.

“This will allow the younger generation to embrace and practise peace and the country would be good for it.

“Religious leaders must be prudent and just in the propagation of their religion, so as to safeguard the lives of the followers.

“We should always preach against immoral acts such as selfishness, smoking, indecent dressing, prostitution, armed robbery and homosexuality among

counterparts from the conventional universities, from any part of the world,” he said.

Tenebe, however, pleaded with the Federal Government to improve the subvention given to the university as the available one was not enough to cater for the needs of the institution.

The university had 53 study centres nationwide with a population of about 204,464 students currently enrolled.

The institution which offered about 102 programmes in 2010, had increased to 134 with 997,770 course materials fully developed and uploaded on the institution’s Website for students’ use.

Tenebe also called on publicspirited individuals to assist

Traditional Ruler Cautions Religious Leaders Against Inflammatory Statements others.

He said the acts had become worrisome to the society and there was the need for all hands to be on deck to fight the menace.

“We should continue to preach peace to our subjects and people must embrace same irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.

“It is only when we practise this that the country can achieve speedy development for the benefit of all.”

The royal father charged his subjects to be loyal and respect constituted authority, as well as to seek for religious and western education to meet up with global challenges.

Ahmed appealed to the people of the state to live in peace and tolerate one another.

He called on parents to inculcate moral discipline in their children for a better Nigeria.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Photo News

General Overseer, CCCGI, Most Senior Apostle (Dr.) Joshua Osasuyi addressing the congregation

L-R: One of the newly ordained Ministers, Apostle (Dr.) Nosa Atoe, Apostle Agbonavbare, Spiritual Leader of Messiah Gospel Church and the General Overseer, CCCGI, Most Senior Apostle Joshua E.E. Osasuyi (MFR) after ordination of ministers of the church.

About to be ordained Apostles/Pastors

Most Senior Apostle (Dr.) Joshua Osasuyi (2nd right), standing on the altar with his Vice, preparing to ordain pastors/Apostles.

About to be ordained Apostles

L-R: Most Senior Rev. (Mrs.) Grace Osasuyi, Rev. (Mrs.) M. Unuefe and Snr Rev. (Mrs.) Onaghise at the occasion.

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Lagos Anti-Gay Legislation: Clerics step. It’s high time we began the western world know Hail FG tothatletthey cannot impose their

LAGOS - Some clerics has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the bill prohibiting same-sex marriage into law.

They told newsmen that same-sex marriage negated the country’s norms and values.

The National President of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih (NASFAT), Alhaji Sherif Yussuf, said that homosexuality was wrong adding that Allah gave us the wisdom to abolish it.

He said: “We have to look at it from all dimensions, from the spiritual perspective, you can’t fault it in a country where 99 per cent are either Christians or Muslims.

“All religions forbid same sex marriage. Looking at our social background; our life style, our culture; it is completely an anomaly for anybody to even think about it.

“So, if we make a law that says, ‘don’t even talk about it’, it is perfectly in order.

“If you ask Nigerians to go and vote, of course 99 per cent of Nigerians will vote ‘we don’t want same sex marriage’.

“So, I think Mr President is very correct, he did the right

thing’’.

The spokesman, African Traditional Religion of Nigeria (ATREN), Otunba Lekun Ajirotutu said that legalising same-sex marriage did not conform to the African tradition.

“Culturally, traditionally, religiously to the African people it’s a taboo and to us the traditional religionists, it’s not acceptable.

“We believe it’s like looking for the wrath of the gods and goddesses if that should be allowed.

“So, we thank President Jonathan that such is not approved in Nigeria that we believe it’s a circular state that embraced different religions.’’

The Director of Social Communication, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu said the Federal Government’s prohibition of same-sex marriage in the country was commendable.

“We say kudos to President Jonathan and the Federal Government for taking that

ideas or values on us.

“And that we cannot take everything hook, line and sinker; we don’t believe in it, it’s against our tradition, it’s an aberration, it’s not African at all’’.

The Senate in Abuja on Tuesday unanimously passed a harmonised Conference Committee report banning same sex marriage in the country.

Newsmen also reports that the Senate had passed the Same Sex Marriage Bill, 2011 on November 29, and the House of Representatives passed it on July 2.

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and Most Rev. Nicolas Okoh arriving the Aso Villa Chapel for the 2013 Post National Pilgrimage to Jerusalem thanks giving service by the President at the Aso Villa Chapel state House Abuja yesterday.

UCH Carries Out First Successful Heart Bye-Pass Graft

IBADAN - Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said that the tertiary health institution was the first to carry out a successful heart coronary bye-pass graft in the country.

Alonge made the

disclosure at the official launch of the institution’s Interventional Cardiology Programme at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall at UCH, Ibadan.

“The UCH successfully carried out the first heart coronary artery bye-pass graft on the 13th of January, 2014, ‘’ he said.

He said the cardiology programme, which commenced in 2013, had undertaken 14 cardiac catheterisation procedures with four requiring angioplasty and stenting.

Alonge, however, appealed to Nigerians to endow various aspects of the

programmes such as the UCH Heart Centre, the Ultramodern Cardiac Operating Room and the Catheterisation Laboratory.

Others, he added, were the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and a Step-Down High Dependency Unit.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Mrs. Jumoke Akinjide, represented by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Jordan, Mr. Taofeek Arapaja, commended the institution for the programme.

“Given the Federal Government’s commitment to revolutionising health care in Nigeria, the era of going abroad for heart surgeries

will soon be a thing of the past.

“The UCH should be supported since it now has a qualified cardiac team and effective equipment to work with,” she said.

Also speaking, the wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, commended the cardiac team and its partners.

She described UCH as a worthy partner of her ABC health initiative and pledged her continued support to the programme.

Dignitaries present at the occasion included emeritus professor, Olajide Ogunlesi, and the wife of the deputy governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Janet Adeyemo.

Arrival Report: Customs Agents Want Stakeholders Sensitised President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo with members of the Federal Character Commission Board after the inauguration of the Board by the President in Abuja recently.

LAGOS Prince Olayiwola Shittu, President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), has urged

Exclusive Breastfeeding: Pediatrician Calls be stopped.

LAGOS - A Pediatrician, “Once the mother starts Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, has For More Awareness urged stakeholders to increase awareness on benefits of exclusive breastfeeding both to the infants and the mothers.

Ezeaka, who is of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, told newsmen in Lagos that exclusive breastfeeding could reduce the risk of neonatal deaths.

She also advised medical practitioners to give uniform and accurate information on exclusive breastfeeding to increase the number of

mothers who breastfed their babies.

She said: “Breastfeeding is key, breastfeeding is best, breastfeeding is superior; the mother should do exclusive breastfeeding.

“We need a lot of support because it is not easy; the mother has to be quite determined right from antenatal.

“So, we have to tell her from antenatal. During delivery she has to be aware of starting to breastfeed within one hour of

delivery.

“And, the health workers, all of us are liable; we need to give the same message and shouldn’t give conflicting messages.

“Then, the government – a lot of legislations – we have the child health policy, we have the infant and young child feeding, we have the breastfeeding policy in this country.

“All these will have to be implemented. So, we need a lot of awareness that on no account should breastfeeding

breastfeeding, she has to continue on demand, because the more the baby sucks on the breast, the more milk that comes.

“The earlier the baby starts sucking, the earlier the feedback on the production of the milk; that is the physiology.

“A lot of information has to be given to the mother to promote, to protect and to support breast milk.”

She said that breastfeeding alone had been seen to reduce neonatal and infant mortality by up to 45 per cent.

stakeholders to continue to sensitise members on the efficiency of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).

Shittu told journalists in Lagos that in spite of the hitches being experienced in the implementation, PAAR was still the best option to facilitate trade through the nation’s port.

According to him, the challenges which agents and importers are currently facing in processing the new customs e-clearance regime will soon be a thing of the past.

He said that PAAR was more effective and would leave up to the expectations of stakeholders with time.

The ANLCA president said that once the Nigeria Custom

Service solved the problem of the establishment of the actual value of goods, the PAAR scheme would meet the expectation of stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the executives of ANLCA had warned its appointed officials to pay up levies for the building of the association’s national secretariat and its insurance policy.

The association said that the earlier deadline of Wednesday had been extended to January 20 to enable more people to pay their money.

The association said that about N50 million was expected to be raised for building of the secretariat and instituting an insurance policy.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Across The Nation NMA Offers Free Treatment To 9,956 Patients BIRNIN KEBBI - The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kebbi State has spent N12 million on the free treatment of 9, 956 patients across the state in 2013.

Dr Umar Kangiwa, NMA Chairman in the state disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

He said the beneficiaries were offered free surgery, medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as paediatrics, ear, nose and throat treatment during the period.

The chairman said out of the figure 116 patients had bladder and cancer ailments and were treated in Gulma, Argungu Local Government Area.

He also said 1,116 persons were screened for Bilharzia during the period.

“No fewer than 60 per cent were positive and seven patients had cancer of the bladder.

“The association provided 500 free eye glasses to patients, trained 350 traditional birth attendants on safe delivery

methods, in addition to the training of 300 medical laboratory scientists,” he said.

Kangiwa, commended the state government for sustaining its free drugs programme for pregnant women and children under the age of five.

He said that the programme had helped to reduce child and maternal mortality in the state.

The NMA chairman called on the people to always visit hospitals whenever they have an ailment and avoid self medication.

He urged well-to-do individuals in the state to support the association to enable it to continue with the free medical services programme.

L-R: mother of the President, Mrs Eunice Jonathan; Chairman, Board of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; President Goodluck Jonathan; NCPC Executive Secretary, Mr JohnKennedy Opara; Member, House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, at the NCPC thanksgiving service at Aso Villa Chapel, in Abuja yesterday.

9 Nigerians Receive Small Grant Award ABUJA - Nine Nigerians have been awarded a total grant of 45,000 dollars to undertake various entrepreneurial projects under the U.S Alumni Small Grant Award.

Mabogunje Takes Over As Ipas Country Director

ABUJA - Dr Lola Mabogunje, an expert on reproductive health, has been appointed as the new Country Director of Ipas Nigeria.

Ipas is a reproductive health rights international non governmental organisation which focuses on improving sexual and reproductive health rights for women in the country.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Ugoji, Ipas Nigeria Communication Advisor, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The statement said that Mabogunje took over from Dr Ejike Oji, who voluntarily retired after serving in the same position for over 11 years.

It stated that Mabogunje, the former Programme Manager for Malaria Global Fund Round 8 Project at African Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), had a long track record in maternal and child health programmes.

It also stated that the new country director had a wide range of skills and expertise in maternal and child health programming, management and human resources

Cholera kills 11 in Jigawa - Official

management among others. “ Mabogunje has a long track record in maternal and child health programming, holding positions of increasing responsibility in the USAID project and DFID’s project on HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria.”

Mr Bill Strassberger, Cultural Affairs Officer, U.S Embassy in Abuja, presented the award to the recipients on behalf of the U.S Government.

Strassberger said the projects would focus mainly on job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities for youths in northern Nigeria.

He said that a total of 95,000 dollars had so far been disbursed to 19 Nigerian beneficiaries since the grant’s inception in 2012.

According to him, the small grants of 5,000 each will be used to support alumni community projects intended to empower at-risk youths in the northern part of the country.

He explained that youths would be trained in such skills as tailoring, bead making, fish farming, among others.

“They will also be provided with start-up funds after the training to enable them earn a living,’’ he said.

A recipient and Kadunabased journalist, Elizabeth Anche, told newsmen that her project tagged, “Dress for Life’’, would target lessprivileged young girls in four communities in southern Kaduna.

Anche said 30 young girls would receive training in hairdressing, manicure and pedicure under the scheme after which a small start-up grant would be provided them.

Ogunnubi quoted the

World Health Organisation as projecting it in an interview

Anche is a 2008 International Visitors and Leadership Programme alumna.

Another recipient, Kingsley Banguell, said he would work with 25 youths in Lugbe community in Abuja to develop multi-media skills and tailoring under a project tagged, “Skills House Lugbe’’.

“They would learn photography, web-design, video production and tailoring; basically they do not need an office space to startup a business.’’

Banguell said the project would also mentor young people on how to effectively run small scale businesses.

DUTSE - No fewer than 11 persons were killed by cholera outbreak in Jigawa State, the state commissioner for health Dr Abubakar Tafida, has said.

This is contained in a statement signed by Malam Mati Ali, the Public Relations Officer in the state Ministry of Health in Dutse.

The statement said that a total of 153 cholera cases were reported in the state from January 1 to date.

It added that only four people died at the hospital while the remaining seven died at home.

The statement said that the cholera cases were reported in Taura, Birnin Kudu, Garki, Ringim, Babura and Gwaram local government areas of the state.

It added that the situation was currently under control.

The statement said that the National Centre for Disease Control has donated drugs and other medical supplies to the state government for the control and treatment of the disease.

The statement said that the Federal Ministry of Health has set up a seven- member technical team to inspect all the affected local government areas.

The team is also to conduct a rapid assessment, analysis and review the situation to enable rapid interventions to forestall further spread of the disease.

Expert Says Mental Illness To Top Causes Of Morbidity with newsmen in Lagos.

LAGOS - A psychiatrist, second commonest cause of psychiatrist, something must He said that Nigerians In 2030 Dr Peter Ogunnubi, said morbidity by 2030 all over be wrong with the brain. were more predisposed to the world. mental illness would be the

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr John-Kennedy Opara, presenting an award to winner of the best staff award to the NCPC System Analyst, Mr Temitayo Oladiran, in Abuja weekend

mental illnesses because of poverty, anxiety, stress, depression, increased social vices, insecurity and violence.

“People need to know that their mental health is something they should take seriously.

“We in psychiatry have seen that mental illness is on the increase and don’t forget that by 2030 mental illness condition is projected to be second commonest cause of morbidity all over the world.

“But, people should also be aware that from time they should walk up to the hospital and get screened.

“Unfortunately, people have even misrepresented mental illness condition because we are now trying to say that whoever sees a

“So, government should change those policies as much as possible.

“They should pass the National Health Bill so that a mental health service is made free, available, accessible and affordable to the individuals.

“It also talked about discrimination against those who are mentally ill.

“This bill is all encompassing. Before you get any employed job, you will go through psychology screening.”

According to him, stigma remains a very critical barrier for addressing emotional and psychological issues.

The psychiatrist said that a national policy on mental health would help to provide better understanding of mental health and good mental healthcare.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Abuja

Low Blood Pressure Is Dangerous - Expert ABUJA - Dr Baba Ahmed, a public health physician, with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), said that severe low blood pressure left untreated could lead to long term brain damage.

Ahmed told newsmen in Abuja that such a condition could also restrict blood flow to the brain and other vital organs.

He said further that low blood pressure in pregnancy could cause complication and lead to stillbirth, adding that hypotension or low blood pressure could be as dangerous as hypertension.

He, however, advised the public especially those with such a condition to be conscious of their health and condition by going for regular check-up with a qualified doctor for proper management.

“Just like any other disease, if low blood pressure is not treated timely, it can cause complications such as long term damage to the brain, heart and other organs.

“Hypotension is the medical term for low blood pressure; while blood pressure is the force of pushing blood against the walls of the blood vessels as the heart pumps.

“As such the heart is going to contract and then relax; this contraction and relaxation is

what we hear as heart beat.

“So for optimal blood to be pumped out, it must be between certain range of the blood pressure,” Ahmed explained.

He said if the blood pressure was higher than normal; “it becomes hypertension but if it is lower it is called hypotension.”

Ahmed said that normal range for blood pressure was between 90/60 for the lower point to the higher point of 140/90, adding that the number in the front is diastolic.

He also said that the higher number was the contraction point saying “at that point the pressure goes up while it comes down when the contraction relaxes.”

According to him, for a diagnosis of a low blood pressure to be made, the blood pressure must be lower than 90/60.

He said that “for low blood pressure to be considered as abnormal, there could be signs like dizziness, fainting, coldness of the skin, loss of sight and lack of coordination.

“This is because the people that have normal low blood pressure do not feel any problem; it does not affect their normal activity.

Ahmed said that physical activities could also contribute to the fluctuation of normal

blood pressure as such could lead to much stress.

“Other factors are age; conditions like disease process and gender as well as substance abuse among others; so all these factors affect normal blood pressure.

“Heart problems such as low heart rate, heart valve problems, heart attack and heart failure prevent sufficient circulation of blood in the body and trigger low blood pressure.

“Others are diabetes; dehydration due to fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and strenuous exercise among others, which can lead to sudden drop in blood pressure,” he said.

Ahmed also said severe infections that spread through the bloodstream could cause low blood pressure leading to poor circulation and lack of perfusion of vital tissues and organs.

He described perfusion as the process of a body delivering blood to a capillary bed in its biological tissue He also said anaemia caused by lack of vitamin B12 and foliate leading to insufficient production of red blood cells

could cause low blood pressure.

Ahmed said pregnancy could sometimes cause low blood pressure because the

hormone progesterone dilates the walls of the blood vessels; a common feature during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.

He advised that people

Aso Chapel 4 and 5: L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, first lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, Mother of the President Madam Eunice Jonathan, Chief of Staff to the President Asiwaju Mike Oghiadomhe, and the Executive Secretary Christian Pilgrimage, Mr. John Kennedy Okpara at the 2013 Post National Pilgrimage to Jerusalem thanksgiving service by the President at the Aso Villa Chapel State House Abuja yesterday.

$100bn Aid Available For African Countries - ICTSD

ABUJA - Mr. Joachim Monkelbaan of International Centre for Trade and Sustainable

Aso Chapel 4 and 5: L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, first lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, Mother of the President Madam Eunice Jonathan, Chief of Staff to the President Asiwaju Mike Oghiadomhe, and the Executive Secretary Christian Pilgrimage, Mr. John Kennedy Okpara at the 2013 Post National Pilgrimage to Jerusalem thanksgiving service by the President at the Aso Villa Chapel State House Abuja yesterday.

Development (ICTSD) has said that there is a pool of 100 billion dollars for African countries to improve trade.

Monkelbaan, Head, Global Platform on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainable Energy of ICTSD, made the statement in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Monkelbaan said the initiative would fast-track Africa’s development but expressed regrets that in spite of the huge amount of money, only few countries had applied to draw from the fund.

“There is almost 100 billion dollars in aids for trade waiting for the next few years, this is an enormous amount and there are not many applications for the money up till now which is very striking.

“There is a lot of money

waiting but countries simply don’t apply for it because they may not be aware how easy it is to get the money,” he said.

Monkelbaan said that the initiative could improve trade performance and improve lives, especially those of women in developing countries.

According to him, the initiative can also play an important role in enabling firms in developing countries to connect or move up value chains.

Monkelbaan said that the fund covered a wide range of issues that were currently confronting countries on the continent.

He named the issues as trade, environment, development and climate change, among others.

He, however, said that there was no concrete commitment on climate change funding by the rich countries during the climate

World Bank Gives Passmark To FADAMA lll, Extends Programme To 2015

ABUJA - The World Bank has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of National Fadama Development Project (Fadama III) aimed at increasing food security, income of its users and reduction of rural poverty.

Ms Marie-Francoise MarieNelly, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, conveyed the institution’s contentment in an interview with newsmen, during a World Bank Programme Assessment Meeting in Abuja.

“Fadama” is a Hausa name for irrigable land, usually lowlying plains underlaid by shallow aquifers found along major river systems.

In addition to providing a source of water for livestock

during dry seasons, Fadama also supports large and diverse residence for transient wildlife including herbivores, carnivores and migratory birds.

The World Bank-sponsored Fadama III Project, is being implemented in 35 states and the FCT and it is a follow-up to the Fadama II project which impacted the lives of rural farmers, raising their incomes by 63 per cent.

In view of the success recorded, the director told newsmen that the Fadama III project had been extended for another two years with additional 200 million dollars provided for the period.

should go for check up whenever they experienced signs like dizziness, fainting, coldness of the skin, loss of sight and lack of coordination among others.

“We had initially put almost 300 million dollars; we have just added 200 million dollars additional financing because it is extending for another two years and will carry on till the end of 2015.

“What we really need is to align Fadama with the Agricultural Transformation Agenda which the government has decided it wants to see agriculture as a business.

“So instead of producing in small quantities, we have farmers consolidate their production for example in the case of Kogi State.

“They have the project to transform cassava by

developing staple crop processing zones, building cassava plants and factories.

“We make the farmers aggregate their production and also scale it up to produce throughout the year, so it’s a beautiful project.”

She explained that in one of her visits to a Fadama site in Kogi State, women cooperative groups were seen actively involved in the processing and transformation of cassava.

“In producing garri, some were harvesting, pilling, washing, cleaning, transforming and drying with a special oven.

“It is fantastic to see the value chain and to share the

revenue among themselves.

“Fadama is fantastic; it’s just amazing, it is a communitydriven approach so the communities decide what they want to do, they put 10 per cent of their own resources in addition to the Fadama fund.

“Fadama is doing a lot in livestock, poultry, cassava production and more importantly, I see a lot of transformation of products which need to be scaled up.

“What I like very much is the fact that farmers have developed Fadama User Groups, where women and men have organised and grouped themselves for more sustainable agricultural activities.”

change negotiations in Warsaw in November 2013.

According to him, the rich countries are not willing to pay for damage that climate change has caused in the developing countries.

Monkelbaan said that all that was required for any country to access the fund was a feasibility plan on how the money would be expended.

“Africa can benefit a lot from Aid for Trade because aid for trade is a very flexible concept, there is no definition of it.

“The only thing African countries need to do is to show that they have good plans for spending the money, to put in good applications for this money.

“But countries need to train and get ready to apply for these funding, then they should be able to get their money for anything that has to do with African countries long-term plans,” he said.

He said that the challenges of climate change would continue for the next few decades, warning countries that it was not a problem that could be solved in the near future.

“Every solution that we think we found to climate change is not a real solution; it even makes the problem worse.

“If you look, for example, at bio-fuels, bio fuels seemed very promising few years ago but now many bio-fuels have bigger emission impacts than many of the traditional fossil fuels.

“Also the growing of bio-fuels can lead to higher food prices, food crisis, social problems, and poverty problems.

“So, it is important for African countries to have long term planning and to include their resilience against climate change in their long tedevelopment plans.’’

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Busines+Economy Ebonyi Gets N99.8bn Budget For 2014

Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen, member representing Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, Edo State House of Assembly (arrowed) in a group photograph with the President and members of Egor Local Government Farmers Co-operative Union shortly after he reeived an award of Excellence of a Distinguished Lawmaker from the Union for his contribution to the development of his Constituency in Benin City recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.

ABAKALIKI - The Ebonyi State House of Assembly passed the 2014 budget of N99.8 billion sent to it by Governor Martin Elechi.

‘Budget of Stabilisation’, was presented to the House on December 23, 2013.

It had a marginal reduction of 4.45 per cent, amounting to N104.3 billion compared to that of 2013.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Chief Oliver Nwachukwu, (PDP-Abakaliki North), presented the committee’s report on the budget to the House for deliberation.

“We consulted relevant agencies responsible for the drafting of the budget such as the State Planning Commission,

Capital Requirements For Stockbrokers

Operators Call For Downward Review LAGOS - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been urged to review downward in its new minimum capital requirements for capital market operators.

Mr Emeka Madubuike, President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Madubuike said that the stockbrokers were worried over SEC’s inability to engage stockbrokers over the issue since December 20.

It should be recalled that SEC, on December 19, 2013, issued new capital requirement sfor capital market operators and pegged December 31, 2014 as deadline for the operators to comply.

According to the new requirements, a broker/dealer now requires N300 million from

N70 million as his or her minimum capital base.

Issuing houses operational capital base rose to N200 million from N150 million, while underwriters are now expected to have N200 million as minimum working capital from N100 million.

A registrar ’s operational capital base was reviewed to N150 million from N50 million ,while a trustee’s capital base rose to N300 million from N40 million.

A Rating Agency is to have N150 million from N20 million.

Madubuike said that the new capital base would increase the rate of unemployment in the country.

He said that the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and ASHON ,on Dec.20, 2013, wrote to the commission for a meeting to address the grey areas.

He said that the stockbrokers

were still expecting the commission’s response for a discussion. ‘’We wrote a letter to SEC for us to meet, the letter was sent late last year and we are waiting for a response and we have done a reminder,’’ Madubuike said.

Madubuike said that brokers wanted the commission to

address the outstanding issues in the market before coming out with the new capital requirements.

The ASHON president said that many brokers would find it difficult to raise the funds due to the prevailing economic situation.

BIRNIN KEBBI - The Kebbi State Government said it has released N176 million for the payment of tuition and registration fees for 62 students sponsored to study in Indian and Sudanese universities.

The Executive Secretary of the state Scholarship Board, Alhaji Sahabi Birnin-Yauri, announced this to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

He said 20 male students were

studying in the Khartoum College of Medical Science while 12 females were at the Ahfad University for Women in Sudan.

“They will specialise in Dentistry, Human Medicine and Pharmacy.’’

Birnin-Yauri said 30 students were in the Bharati Vidyapeth University in India studying Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy.

operational costs,’’ the statement read.

Dati explained that the terminal radar approach control, which is also known as en-route controller, monitors all airplanes that depart an airport’s airspace.

“Before July 2011, the TRACON project was completed with approach radar control in Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port-Harcourt while Area Radar commenced in Lagos and Kano airports by 2013.

“Also, before July 2011, control tower solar power for navigational aids was unavailable.

“Eleven control towers have since been successfully deployed and six navigational aids were made available in 2013.

‘The AIS Automation, which was also not implemented before July 2011, has reached 65 per cent completion as at October 2013.

“These have significantly increased airspace capacity for the Nigerian aviation industry,’’ Dati was quoted as saying.

Dati also noted that a major success was recorded in the area of search and rescue in 2013.

He said that the success was enhanced by the real-time radar playback which was made available through the TRACON project.

According to the statement, most of the achievements recorded were as a result of the aviation master plan known as the “Aviation Road Map’’, a concept created by the aviation minister.

the budget by the executive arm of the government”, he said.

The House passed the budget after deliberation on the committee’s recommendations.

The motion was moved by Chief Sam Nwali, the House Leader and seconded by Mr Chris Usulor (PDP-Ezza South).

Chief Chukwuma Nwazunku, Speaker of the House commended members of the committee for painstakingly carrying out their duties.

Businessman Arraigned Over Alleged Unpaid N5.5m Hotel Bills

LAGOS - A businessman, Brown Graham, who allegedly failed to settle his hotel bills amounting to N5.5 million, has been charged before an Apapa Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Graham, 40, who lives at 15, Port Johnson, Port Harcourt, Rivers, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, breach of peace and failure to pay accumulated hotel bills.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, ASP Soji Ojaokomo, told the court that the accused with others still at large had occupied some rooms at Plot 2204, Nnamdi Ajagu Close, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, from September 6 to December

Kebbi Govt Spends N176m On Medical Students

TRACON Project Has Increased Nigerian Airspace Capacity - Official ABUJA - The Ministry of Aviation has attributed the current increased capacity and safety of air travellers to its new air traffic management system deployed under the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON).

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Yakubu Dati, the Spokesperson of the Aviation Ministry and issued in Abuja.

According to the statement, the introduction of the terminal radar control and the en-route phase of flights had enabled reduced separation minima for aircraft.

“It has also helped airlines save on flight times and fuel consumption which has significantly reduced their

State Ministry of Finance, Director of Budget, among others.

“We pointed out our findings to the bodies and they reviewed them before we arrived at this final draft”, he said.

He added that the committee painstakingly carried out its duties considering the technical nature of the budget.

“We urge the House to accept this final draft as the recommendations would ensure a successful implementation of

He said that all the students were doing well in their studies in the universities.

“Additional students will be sponsored to foreign universities to study medicine, as part of efforts to end the dearth of doctors in the state by 2015.’’

He said 500 youths would also be sponsored to British universities to acquire different skills.

30, 2013.

He said that while the accused occupied the rooms in the hotel, the bill had accumulated to N5.5 million.

“Graham promised the hotel management that he would offset the bills immediately he finished his business transactions in Lagos but failed to do so.’’

Ojaokomo said the proprietor of the hotel, Mr Samuel Idowu, invited the police after unsuccessful efforts to collect the money from the accused.

The offences contravened Sections 321, 323 (1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 323 (1) stipulates seven years imprisonment for fraud, while Section 409 prescribes two years imprisonment for conspiracy.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.

She ordered the surety to deposit N100, 000 with the court’s registrar and also show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

Further hearing in the case has been fixed for January 29.

A parade of officers of the Nigerian Army, Navy and the Airforce getting set for the 21 gun salute in honour of the fallen heroes.

THE NIGERIAN

11

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Politics

PDP Defections

A Pointer To APC Take Over In 2015 THE gale of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress, APC has been received by many commentators with mixed feelings. While some brazenly wave the defectors aside with uncouth commentaries, others have seen it as the desired light at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria’s chequered history. The PDP has suffered very serious depletion lately and the gale has not ended.

Many more are warming up to dump the party that has prided itself for too long as the largest political party in Africa. Some of its members had boasted to citizens that the party will rule Nigeria for sixty unbroken years.

The nation’s political landscape is daily becoming interesting with increasing dumping of the Peoples Democratic Party by its erstwhile loyalists.

In the PDP of today, there is apathy, distrust, hatred, oppression, favouritism, impunity, dog -eat -dog, and several other negative attributes.

But events of the last six months have seen the PDP high and mighty already jittery as we approach 2015 general election where the APC hopes to take over the leadership of the nation. From the letter of formerPresident / PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan and the reply of the letter by Mr. President

, and all the letters that followed thereafter indicate a PDP House of Commotion with several cracks. To stave off the obvious catastrophe of the dipping party, President Jonathan plans to change his cabinet any moment from now. Last week, he had to sack his entire service chiefs and the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur whose tenure was largely characterised by unlimited crises of various shapes and sizes was also pushed away. All who had defected from the party had insisted on the ouster of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur but a defiant Jonathan had insisted on keeping him on as his core ally whom he believes will give him the much sort after second term. But the rest today is history.

Before President Goodluck Jonathan could spell Jack Robinson, the party under his watchful eyes had broke into two factions- One led by Bamanga Tukur and a splinter group led by Alhaji Abubakar Baraje.

From one litigation to another and from one funny court verdict upon another, the new PDP moved en masse into the APC. Five Governors of Kwara, Rivers, Sokoto, Kano, and Adamawa and their loyalists soon after defected to the APC. This shook the PDP to its foundations. Two other Governors of Niger and

BY DAN OWEGIE

Jigawa who were part of the G7 Governors offered to tarry awhile.

Only recently, 49 members of the House of Representatives formally

members of the party, including those who have been boasting of being the alpha and omega of the nation.

The reasons for what has

candour and spirit to surmount the nation’s myriad socio-economic and political problems.

Unarguably, the APC is already providing the right alternatives in the states it is currently

• Bisi Akande

• Lai Mohammed

dumped the PDP and joined the All Progressive Congress which has altered the equation at the House. Today APC stands majority! A similar scenario is playing out at the Senate where more than 22 senators had gone to court to challenge the plot to declare their seats vacant should they defect to the APC. This move and fear of the APC has stalled the resumption of the Senate after the Christmas holidays.

The consequence of bad leadership and greed in the PDP is now face-to-face with all card carrying

party.” Another issue is that the PDP leaders have no regards for the party’s constitution. Several incidences abound where national officers are removed by a state chapters with the backing of the National secretariat and

killed the PDP are not farfetched. Leaders of a party in power ought to have listening ears from the generality of its members, this seems to be lacking in the crisis-ridden party.

Those who left the PDP had told Nigerians that “In gross violation of the PDP constitution, which stipulates that the NEC meeting must hold at least once in a quarter, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and a few people have been running the party like a personal fiefdom without recourse to that important decisionmaking organ of the

“But events of the last six months have seen the PDP high and mighty already jittery as we approach 2015 general election where the APC hopes to take over the leadership of the nation. From the letter of formerPresident / PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan and the reply of the letter by Mr. President , and all the letters that followed thereafter indicate a PDP House of Commotion with several cracks.”

the presidency.

Again, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike has been accused by the defectors of hiding on the back of the President to unleash mayhem in Rivers State. The Presidency have continued to deny having hand in the madness in Rivers State where, even the Nigeria Police, Force, Rivers State Command appear to be the official head office of the PDP! What a shame!

But assuredly, the APC is set to take over the affairs of this country as it is gaining popularity by the day. More and more Nigerians are pouring into the party as its nationwide membership registration gets under way. The APC is already showing to Nigerians that it has the xfactor to take over the governance of the country from the decadent PDP. More importantly, the APC will throw up candidates with experience in governance, candidates with energy,

controlling. In Edo, ably led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole there are ample evidence of good governance and accountable leadership.

Lagos is being properly transformed by Babatunde Fasola, Imo is being remodeled by Chief Rochas Okorocha and so on. Clearly, APC’s emergence is for all Nigerians to get away from unfulfilled promises of the PDP, clean break away from abject poverty, disease and squalor and return of confidence to citizens. The APC is committed to putting the nation back on the track of development to catch up with the rest of the world in infrastructure, science and technology, democracy and governance as well as social order in a globalized world.

• Mr. Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

THE NIGERIAN

12

SINCE 2012 when the global corruption watchdog, Transparency International, ranked Nigeria as the 35th most corrupt nation in the world, the country has not faired better. Corruption Perception Index released then, revealed that Nigeria scored 27 out of a maximum 100 marks to clinch the 139th position out of the 176 countries surveyed for the report.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER is disturbed about this ranking which has become an annual humiliating ritual. We are also disturbed about the unimpressive remarks of the anti-graft watchdog. Our worries are heightened by the revelation that Nigeria, sharing the position with Azerbaijan, Kenya, Nepal and Pakistan, is said to have remained entrenched in corruption without making much progress to fight the menace.

IT is sad that Since 1995 when TI commenced annual CPI publication, ranking countries by their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys, Nigeria has not fared better in fighting a menace widely believed to be responsible for the impoverishment of vast majority of its populations and underdevelopment of the nation at large.

IT is shameful that instead of facing the issue with the zeal and equanimity that it deserves, the authorities in Nigeria is grandstanding and mouthing its citizens whom they accuse of being responsible for the countries annual dismal outing.

IT is quite reprehensible that the CPI 2012

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014 THE NIGERIAN

Nigeria’s Feeble War Against Corruption confirmed recent media reports that President Goodluck Jonathan lied to the citizens when he claimed in his Independence day broadcast on October 1 that Nigeria was rated second after the United States by TI. TI denial of issuing such a report even paints Nigeria in black colours.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER is displeased that the report particularly criticized Jonathan for paying lip service to anti-graft war and not showing enough drive to fight corruption, especially corruption involving past and current actors in his administration.

IT is equally shocking to note that the anticorruption watchdog carpeted President Jonathan for his reluctance in promoting transparency by failing to publicly declare his assets. The mere claim that he declared his assets alongside his late boss, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007 is not enough ground for him not to declare his assets immediately he was sworn in as President for another four year tenure.

IT is obvious that ranging from the monumental fuel subsidy scam to the massive corruption uncovered in pension administration as well as the scams at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the

Bureau of Public Enterprises, many Nigerians have already rated the Jonathanled administration very low in the fight against corruption.

GOVERNMENT cannot deny the fact that its officials, including some of President Jonathan’s associates have been named in the brazen theft of public funds. Sons of both a past and incumbent national chairmen of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party were indicted and are currently facing trial for robbing the country of several billions of naira under the fuel subsidy regime. Oil block licensing scam and widespread corruption and stealing in the oil industry suggest that Nigeria is far from combating graft.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER expects the President’s aides to face the issues raised by Transparency International. The Ministers of Finance and Information, Dr. Nngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Labaran Maku should stop insulting Nigerians who they accuse of volunteering information used by the watchdog. The present administration should rise up and progressively fight corruption in Nigeria, NAME calling, back biting accusations and counter accusations would not in any way help at this time. The anti-corruption agencies should be made independent and autonomous so that they can get their revenue directly from the consolidated federation account. They must be allowed to do their jobs and stop being used as instrument for the persecution of perceived political enemies.

THE NIGERIAN

13

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

World History

The Brink Of War THE international conference at Munich on 29th September 1938 had a practical task: to solve the problem of the three mission German speakers Czechos1ovakia and so to prevent a European war.

Apparently, it succeeded in this task. The Czechoslovak territory inhabited by the three million Germans were transferred to Germany; the Germans were satisfied: there was no war. Those who welcomed the Munich conference and its outcome represented it as a victory for reason and conciliation in international affairsappeasement as it was called at the time, jaw, not war, as Winston Churchill said of a late occasion. The opponents of Munich saw in it an abdication by the two democratic powers, France and great Britain; a surrender to fear; or a sinister conspiracy to prepare for a Nazi war of conquest against soviet Russia. Munich was all these things.

The German-speakers were a tolerated minority in Czechoslovakia. They were discontented and grew more so with the resurgence of national pride in Germany.

Those in the west who called out, stand by the Czechs, never explained what they would do with the Czechoslovak Germans. In fact as later events proved, hernia was the one area in Europe where partition would not work. The Czechs themselves recognized that there was no room in Bohemia for both nationalities.

When i n d e p e n d e n t Czechoslovakia was restored the end of the war, the Germans were expelled a solution which is likely to prove final.

Neville chamberlain, the British prime minister wanted to restore tranquility in Europe and believed that this could be done only if German grievances were met. Concessions must be offered to Germany, not extracted under threat of war.

Chamberlain set himself two tasks. First the French must be induced not to support their ally, Czechoslovakia. Second the Czech government must be

persuaded or compelled to yield to the German demands. He succeeded in both tasks, but not in the way that he intended. The Czechs were threatened with the horrors of war unless they gave way.

When chamberlain flew, to Munich on his first visit to Hitler, it was not as the emissary of even handed justice. He came in a desperate effort to advert war which the western powers dreaded. Thereafter fear, not reason, was his main argument, and the principal moral which the British drew from Munich was not that conciliation has triumphed, but that they must push on faster with rearmament.

At the Munich conference there was certainly an abdication by the western powers. France especially had been the dominant power in Eastern Europe since the end of the First World War. Germany was disarmed, soviet Russia was boycotted; all the new states of Eastern Europe were France’s allies. She regarded these alliances a source of strength. As soon as her allies made demands on her, she turned against them. France had been bled white in the first war and French men were determined not to repeat the experience.

They believed that they were secure behind their fortified frontier, the Maginot line. Hence they did not care what happened beyond it.

The British recognized that German predominance would take the place of French. But this did not trouble them. Eastern Europe and the Balkans was no great prize economically. If they absorbed German energies and ambitions, it was the entire move likely that Germany would leave Western Europe and the British Empire alone.

Fear of war was also a dominant motive at the Munich conference, but for the western powers it was war that was feared rather than defeat. The French had confidence in their army, the British in their navy. But while they did not expect the Germans to defeat them they doubted whether they could defeat Germany except at a terrible price. In those days, every one believed that aerial

bombardment would reduce the cities of Europe to ruin within a few weeks.

European civilization would come to an end. This was the peril which chamberlain sought to avert.

The Czechs themselves shared this fear of war.

Czechoslovakia reemerged with unbroken spirit, at the end. In contrast, Poland was guaranteed by the western powers, which went to war for her sake. As a result, six million poles were killed.

Warsaw was reduced to a leap of ruins, and Poland,

chamberlain and Halifax journeyed to Rome. Once more they urged Mussolini to play the moderating part which he had done at Munich. Mussolini was frightened. He knew that Italy was in no state far for war and, more wisely than others, recognized that great Britain might go to war if Hitler pressed too hard. From this moment he importuned Hitler for a firm written alliance — seemingly a

President Benes believed that Hitler was bluffing and would give way if faced with a firm united opposition.

When Hitler did not give way, even Benes in the last resort preferred surrender to war. The Czechs were abandoned by the western powers. Their country fell under German tyranny for six years. But only one or perhaps two hundred thousand of them lost their lives. Prague, their capital was the only great city of central Europe to remain undamaged in the Second World War, and

though restored, lost much of her territory and of her independence.

The Munich conference was supposed to inaugurate a new era in international relations. The ‘slave treaty’ of Versailles as the Germans called it was dead. A negotiated settlement had taken its place. Greater Germany had at last come into existence, and Hitler himself professed to be satisfied. He declared: “I have no more territorial demands to make in Europe”.

In January 1939

move towards Germany. But on Mussolini’s eyes’ the essential clause of this alliance finally concluded in may 1939, was that the two powers agreed not to start a general war before 1942 orl943, and many things could happen before then.

Neville chamberlain, much against his will, had to speak words of protest and even of resistance.

Secretly, chamberlain, Halifax, and the rest wanted to settle with Hitler. They believed that the war would achieve nothing excerpt the ruin of Europe.

But they needed to be

By IKHUENBOR O. VIKRAN

stronger, if they were to bargain at all and so became the prisoners of public opinion.

On 3rd April he had told his generals to be ready for war with Poland in September, though he added an assurance that he would go to war only if Poland were isolated. On 28th April he denounces the nonaggression pact with Poland of 1934 and the AngloGerman Naval agreement of

1935. He still declared that he wanted agreement over Danzig and looked forward to friendship with the British later, when they too had given way over Danzig.

Then having stated his terms, Hitler withdrew into silence.

There were no official exchanges between Germany and great Britain until the middle of August, and none at all with Poland until the day war broke out.

Russia feared the military aggression of Hitler and sought to strike an alliance with Great Britain, which somewhat fell through.

“Fear of war was also a dominant motive at the Munich conference, but for the western powers it was war that was feared rather than defeat. The French had confidence in their army, the British in their navy. But while they did not expect the Germans to defeat them they doubted whether they could defeat Germany except at a terrible price. In those days, every one believed that aerial bombardment would reduce the cities of Europe to ruin within a few weeks. European civilization would come to an end.

This was the peril which chamberlain sought to avert”.

THE NIGERIAN

14

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Opinion

Need To Promote Reading Culture

READING is an activity which is done over a period of time in order to acquire knowledge, skills and attitude. In other words, reading is a fundamental building block of learning.

Reading enhances the general development of man and his society. No nation can develop without its people developing the right reading culture, besides, reading makes a man, and it helps to develop the mind to be informed, thoughtful and constructive, with better understanding of issues, events and situations.

That is why it is often said that if you teach a child to read, you have made him a king.

Unfortunately, reading culture is declining everyday in Nigeria, especially among the younger generations, who are of course the future leaders.

This has continued to have adverse effects on the nation’s literacy rate which is currently at 48 percent. It must be realized that no nation can develop without its people developing the right reading culture. And for Nigeria to realize its quest for sustainable development, emphasis must be placed on developing reading culture in the people.

Nowadays, students and youths no longer have interest in reading, and many factors are responsible for this negative trend. First is the neglect of education over the years, to the extent that many primary and secondary schools lack libraries and where it exists there are no books.

Secondly, is the change in value system in Nigeria, where merit is sacrificed for mediocrity. Hard work and intellectual is no longer recognized or

rewarded. Positions in government and administration which are meant for the educated are given to illiterates, touts and the never do wells in education.

Furthermore, the massive quest for wealth and materialism by Nigerians has eroded the desire to search for knowledge, this is coupled with the economic hardship confronting many families, to the extent that they cannot afford the cost of buying books for their children or ward.

Books on its own have become very expensive, quite beyond the purchasing power of average Nigerians.

The introduction of ICT, internet, home videos, blackberry, I-pad and other electronic gadgets have also help to erode reading culture among Nigerians. Many students and youths spent more time watching home videos and surfing the internet via blackberry, Ipad and computers to the detriment of reading books.

At this point, it must be stated that every knowledge a man needs to develops himself and his society have been deposited in books. It is only available to those who search for it. The greatest treasures in Iife are in books.

Nigerians have become a laughing stock in the eyes of international communities, due to the very poor reading culture among them, Little wonder why it is now said that if you want to hide anything from Nigerians, place it in a book, because they will never go there.

Developed countries of the world pride themselves with high level of reading culture, because the lack of it acts as barrier to development

By DESMOND AGBAMA

and international competitiveness. We must realize that the economic, social and political life of a nation depends on building literate citizens that are able to read

and intellectuals of world standard, the problem is that they are not encouraged to give their best, because the environment they find themselves impede

widely and apply it practically for development. It must be noted here that because reading culture and literacy among Nigerians is declining daily, Nigeria’s quest for sustainable growth and development is being hindered. But there is no doubt that Nigeria is blessed with academia

learning, research and development.

Having highlighted some constraints to the improvement of reading culture in Nigeria, government at all levels should begin to put strategies in place to improve and develop reading culture among Nigerians.

Government should

give library top priority in the development of the education sector. It should be stocked with modern books. There should be the introduction of library user education and the creation of library period in the time table of primary and secondary schools. This will help arouse their interest in reading and sensitized

Government should support authors and publishers of books so that it could be available and cheap for people to buy.

Parents on their part should discourage their children from getting addicted to watching of home videos, and they should be guided in the use of I-pad, blackberry phone, computers and other electronic gadgets so that

them on the importance of library.

More libraries should be established at the local government levels to bring the facility nearer to the people at the grassroots. A situation where there is only one central library in the state capital does not promote reading culture.

they don’t neglect the reading of books.

Importantly, parents who can afford it should establish a mini library at home to encourage and motivate the children to read.

The task to build a highly literate population rest upon the government and the people, and the time to start working towards its realization is now.

“Parents on their part should discourage their children from getting addicted to watching of home videos, and they should be guided in the use of I-pad, blackberry phone, computers and other electronic gadgets so that they don’t neglect the reading of books.

Importantly, parents who can afford it should establish a mini library at home to encourage and motivate the children to read”.

THE NIGERIAN

15

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Science

Intricate Nature Of The Human Ear THE two ears of mammals are solely responsible for hearing and balancing.

The mammalian ear is divided into three parts, namely the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.

The outer ear It is made up of the pinna, the auditory canal reffered to as the meatus and the eardrum also known as the tympanic membrane.

The pinna receives mainly sound waves which it directs into the meatus. The meatus has glands which secretes wax that stops foreign particles from entering into the ear.

THE MIDDLE EAR It contains three little bones known as the three ossicles of the ear, they are the malleus (hammer) the incus (anvil) and the stapes (stirrup). The middle ear cavity is filled with air that is linked to the pharynx by the eustacean tube which enable air enter the middle ear to result in a balance of air pressure.

THE INNER EAR It is a cavity, filled with a fluid known as perilymph. The cavity has a cochlea, an organ that is sensitive to vibrations. They three semi – circular canals, the utriculus and the sacculus, these organs are responsible for balance.

They are known and referred to as the membranous labyrinth

and inside these canals there is a fluid called the endohymph.

How the ear functions Sound waves are collected by the pinnas, these sound waves passes through the meatus and goes straight to the ear drum making it to vibrate.

These vibrations are then transmitted through the middle ear by the three ossicles of the ear, resulting in the vibration of the oval window which now stimulates the sensory cells of the cochlea to generate nerve impulses which are then transmitted through the auditory nerve to the brain from the brain the impulses are interpreted into sound.

ORGAN OF SIGHT The eyeball of all vertebrates are spherical in shape and held in hollow bony sucket by six muscles that moves it.

The eyeball has three layers namely the sclera, the choroids and the retina.

THE SCLERA (Outer Layer) This is the white part of the mammalian eye which is a continuation of the cornea. This layer is thick, it protects the inner part of the eye and maintains rigidity of the eye. The conjunctive is a transparent and thin layer which is a continuation of the skin in front of the eye beneath it, is the cornea.

The cornea is a protective and transparent layer hence it is able to refract

light.

THE CHOROID (middle layer) This layer has a red background because it is richly supplied with blood vessels, which

retina is the fovea or yellow spot, but the blind spot is not a sensitive layer of the retina but a part of the retina, through which the optic nerve leaves the eyeball.

When the light rays from an object gets to the conjunctiva, they are slightly refracted by the cornea before passing through the acqueous humour where the light

front of the retina and cannot be seen clearly.

It can be corrected by putting on a concave lens to diverge light rays before penetrating into the eyes.

enables it nourish the outer tissues of the eye.

There is also a black pigment that is able to absorb excess light and prevents internally reflected light from making the image blurred within the eyeball usually, the choroids forms the iris in the front part of the eye while the pupil is the small opening in the iris through which light enters into the eyes.

THE RETINA (Innermost layer) This is the light sensitive layer, but the most sensitive part of the

Attached to the choroids lawyer is a transparent biconcave lens that is attached to the ciliary muscles by suspensory ligaments which changes the shape of the lens whenever there is a light focus on the retina.

The eye has two liquid filled and transparent layers which are the acqueous humour and the vitreous humour. Their main function is to maintain the spherical shape of the eye.

How the mammalian eye functions

again is been refracted, before passing through the pupil into the eye lens where the light rays are again refracted.

The light rays are further refracted in the vitreous humour and brought into a sharp focus on the fovea of the retina in an inverted position that is usually smaller than the real object itself.

At this point in time, impulses are sent to the brain through the optic nerve and the actual object is being interpreted and the inverted image is corrected and the object is erected.

Accommodation is the ability of the mammalian eye to focus images of near and far objects on the retina.

Defects of the eye Short – sightedness or myopia This is as a result when the eyeball is elongated than in normal people as a result far objects fall on

Long – sightedness or hypermetropia The eye ball is short, as a result far objects can be focused on the retina and seen clearly but close objects are focused behind the retina and cannot be seen clearly.

It can be corrected by using a convex lense to converge the light rays before they get to the eyes.

Astigmatism This is as a result of unequal curvature of the lens, which has resulted in not all the light rays being brought to a focus on the retina the images appears blurred.

It can be corrected by wearing cylindrical lences.

Presbyopia It does occur on many old age people, the lens has lost a lot of elasticity as a result it cannot accommodate. It can be corrected either by wearing wreak convex lenses or bifocal lenses.

“The eye has two liquid filled and transparent layers which are the acqueous humour and the vitreous humour. Their main function is to maintain the spherical shape of the eye.”

THE NIGERIAN

16

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Interview

IT is no longer news that Nigeria has formally registered her stance against gay practise within Nigeria’ s territorial space by the recent passage of the Anti-Gay Law by the National Assembly.

The law, as much as stipulating sanctions which includes a 14-year jail term for offenders, among other things, clearly expresses Nigeria’s palpable apprehension over the gay phenomenon which majority of the people regard as reprehensible and abominable and should, as a matter of maintaining a national spirit and cohesion, be held in abhorrence.

The United States of America, a major domo in the charting of world affairs and a haven for gay practitioners, has indicated its intention to slam a diplomatic sanction on Nigeria over the country’s antagonism of gay practise and the subsequent signing of the Anti-Gay Bill into law.

Nigerians, miffed by the United State’s mien towards the nation, are rising in one accord to further express their angst against gay practise, which they opine, is alien to Nigeria’s and by extension, Africa’s culture which is deep-rooted in moral and spiritual frameworks, even as they condemn the U.S. for its position.

Among staunch advocates for the U.S to allow Nigeria’s moral fibers to remain inviolate is Rev. Humphrey Arheghan, Former Chairman, Edo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, one time General Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), among other top public and private offices which he has held and in various capacities. Currently occupying the position of Assistant Director of Administration, Human Capital Development/ Corporate Affairs Church of God Mission International, Rev. H.E Arheghan remains, till date, a social responsibility crusader and an advocate for the proper and constructive engagement of Nigerian Youths through productive activities. He spoke with our Principal Features Writer, IJEOMA UMEH, on what this potential strained relations between America and Nigeria portends for Nigeria’s fledgling economy. Excerpts: It’s in the news now that the U.S.A has said it is going to sanction Nigeria over the AntiGay Marriage Law recently signed what’s your take on that?

I have always believed that no other country has the right to determine for us what we want. America would always behave as the “headmaster”, thinking that they are the “moral policeman” of every

other country. They want to suspend what?

America needs us more than we need America.

America’s survival hinges on the raw materials they get from the African soil. Even the intellectual power deplored by America is not based on Americans alone, but also on Africans who have migrated.

So, they owe us more

Anti-Gay Law: America

Our Faithfulness

Rev. Humphrey Arheghan

than we owe them.

America lost its moral rights to police the world over the period when they rejected every moral

injunctions from God and began to work and live in accordance to their own thoughts. And how has it helped America?

“We continue to depend on others rather than on ourselves for our own development, yet the resources abound here. That high dependence on the crumbs from America’s table must, of necessity, stop.”

American society today is the most dangerous society you can think about. Everyday they kill themselves because of their depravity. The only thing that is holding the African fabric together are moral injunctions and fear of God which Africans hold in high esteem. Do we have to lose it just because someone wants to give you a million dollars, then you lose your integrity and generations of lives to depravity, then it is not worth it. Thank

God the Nigerian President has signed the bill.

The U.S has also threatened Uganda, although in Uganda it is even harsher. I would not have advocated for death penalty but if you call it a crime, a crime is a crime; God hates it; the African society hates it. So, we cannot mortgage our hatred for it; it is not something that can be traded for anything So, I think for the Americans it is far more than what they think they have capacity to handle. What have they done to Russia and some other countries that have similar things?

We cannot be harassed

by America. I think Nigerians and indeed the rest of Africa have a big lesson to learn from this, we lost our respect and honour because we conceded to America and the westerners. Now all we hear is: Why do you do this, why must you do that?

When we consider our bilateral relations with America what impact do you think this sanction would have on Nigeria’s economy?

It may have likely effect because we have lost our bearings as Africans. Corruption is on the high; we have refused to develop ourselves. We continue to depend on others rather than on ourselves for our own development, yet the resources abound here.

That high dependence on the crumbs from America’s table must, of necessity, stop. It is our undoing. That is why they can afford to tell us whatever they want at will.

Come to think of it, how many countries have they placed sanctions on?

Sever have inwar stron has s survi Zimb If o ourse care o We any c capri Amer our ow thing Amer is al Amer they threat in. Ch side. will econo who w It’s to see by at We h in th threa victo resol hope comm sanity in th conti freed achie void.

Mo envir too fr assum

It is even comm Nige inter confr polit econ unem they gover on. Is or sh Of may

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Interview

a’s Threat Is Litmus Test Of s - Rev Humphrey Arheghan

ral, yet those countries e continued to look rd and are coming out ger and tougher. Iran sanctions; is Iran not iving?

Even babwe. only we can discipline elves, then we can take of ourselves. should not pander to country’s whims and ces. Must we travel to rica? Can’t we stay in wn country? There are gs we do that the ricans cannot. Nigeria so too important to rica. They know that if go ahead with that t, the Asians will come hina is waiting by the If they go on, Nigeria link up other viable omies of the world. So, will lose? all talk. They just want e how faithful we are ttempting to rattle us. have to stand firm and he midst of all these ats, come out rious. We have to be lute if for once, we e to attain a mendable level of y in this nation, even e rest of the African inent, if not the dom we fought for and eved will be null and

reover, the diplomatic ronment in the world is ragile for anybody to me they hold the ace.

s general knowledge, n the international munity knows, that eria has her own nal issues which daily ronts her – insecurity, tical instability, nomic downturn, mployment, etc, that expect that rnment should dwell s gay issue a priority, hould it be?

course, yes, gay issue not be the highest of

Jonathan’s ambition?

Rev. Humphrey Arheghan

our priority at the moment, but in governance, issues are treated as they manifest, you don’t let them pile up before treating them; you may score better points by treating them altogether; so, why not nip in the bud the strong moral problem that we already have? If gay activism comes into this country, it is an added problem, a big blow to our moral framework. It is important to consider the foundation of a person; once the moral foundation is broken, the economic foundation cannot be repaired.

It takes a man of integrity, courage to build a nation. Yes, there are problems, America has its own too. Even with its

free speech they also have issues, big time problems too. There is corruption in America, there are high tech-crimes. None of these vices emanated from Africa. ‘Corruption’ itself was a word borrowed from the western climes.

It did not originate from within us, same with terrorism and all manner of depravity, including bestiality. They are alien to our culture.

There is a widespread notion that Barack Obama succumbed to supporting the gay rights because of his candidacy in the presidential election where he needed to garner all the support he could get; back here in Nigeria, if the same has to be considered in the 2015 elections, how would it affect President Goodluck

Fortunately, no, it would not affect anything. This is because whether Moslems or Christians, there is none here that supports gay, unlike what obtains over there where there are clusters of lack-lustre groups of free-thinkers. In Nigeria the Moslems and Christians are the two major or dominant religions we have in this country. So, it doesn’t really affect anything, however, if he had not signed it, it would have affected his strategizing; the Moslems are more vehement about the gay malady and being more fundamental than Christians, they would not hear of it. Christians have their own strong reservations just as their Moslem counterparts.

These two are the dominant religious environments we have in this country. Even the traditional African Religion abhors it; there is no segment of society that likes the gay abnormally.

That was why it was easily passed by the National Assembly. His signing it is better for him politically than if he did not sign.

Now, what is your own state of mind as a cleric knowing that the various groups – PFN, CAN, the Church as a whole have expressed their stand on the issue?

I am absolutely happy.

You see, from the very beginning when a lady came to the National Assembly to put up defense for the gay, I felt sad. We are talking of a vice, an aberration, an oddity and then a few people are talking about it with passion as if without it their existence is cut off, or their humanity extinguished. It is not something we should be talking about. The Bible that we make reference to condemns it, the Quran that our friends hold condemns it. It is not everything that they practice in the West that we should assimilate and practice here. Even animals that are lesser to humans don’t practice it.

We are a different breed of a people; we hold God in awe.

Your final word, in form of an advice to both government and the generality of the people who are obviously anxious at the moment?

I advice both government and the governed not to be deterred, but remain resolute in this common struggle to entrench what is right and just. The U.S. threat, as I see it, and as I expect the host of Nigerians to see it, is a test of our faithfulness as a people, to God and to ourselves.It will be our greatest undoing if we succumb to this mad compulsion to depravity.

Like any storm in a tea cup, it will pass and we will come out healthier and stronger.

“They know that if they go ahead with that threat, the Asians will come in. China is waiting by the side. If they go on, Nigeria will link up other viable economies of the world. So, who will lose?”

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Discourse

Knowing Your Communication Style

By FAITH AKINA AYEDI THERE are three different styles of communication used by people knowingly or unknowingly. They are; Aggressive, Assertive and Passive or Nonassertive.

You can be assertive and aggressive at the same time while others cases, you can be aggressive and passive at the same time. It all depends on the kind of person you are or the kind of character you possess.

Passive communication is a style of expression that is ineffective and maludaptive.

Those with a passive communication style are generally afraid of confrontation and do not feel they have the right to make their wishes and desires known. This style of communication can lead to feelings of anxiety, anger, depression and helplessness and is common among those with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Also known as passivity. Example: passive communication usually involves vague requests for helps, such as,” I wish the house were tidier for our guests this evening” or a failure to assert an opinion.

Passive people value themselves than others. They feel that their rights, opinions and feelings are unimportant.

Passive Aggressive behaviour is a form of convert abuse when someone hits you or yells at you, you know that you’ve been abused. It is obvious and easily identified. Covert abuse is subtle and veiled or disguised by actions that appear to be normal, at times loving and caring.

The passive aggressive person is a master covert abuse.

Passive aggressive behaviour sterms from an inability to express anger in a healthy way. A person’s feelings may be so repressed that they don’t even realize they are angry or feeling resentment. A passive Aggressive can drive people around him/her crazy and seen sincerely dismayed when confronted with their behaviour. Due to their own lack of insight into their feelings, the passive aggressive often feels that others misunderstand them or are holding them to unreasonable standards if they are confronted about their behaviour.

Common passive Aggressive Behaviours are; Ambiguity: I think of the proverb ‘Actions speak louder than words,” when it comes to the passive aggressive and how ambiguous they can be. They

rarely mean what they say or say what they mean. The best Judge of how a passive aggressive feels about an issue is how they act.

Normally they don’t act until after they’ve caused some kind of stress by their ambiguous way of communicating.

Forgetfulness: The passive aggressive avoid responsibility by “forgetting.” How convenient is that? There is no easier way to punish someone than forgetting that lunch date or your birthday or better yet, an anniversary.

Blaming: They are never responsible for their actions.

If you aren’t to blame then it is something that happened at work, the traffic on the way home or the slow clerk at the convenience store. The passive aggressive has no faults. It is everyone around him/ her who has fault and must be punished for those faults.

Lack of Anger. He/she may never express anger. There are some who are happy with what ever you want. On the outside anyway. The passive aggressive person may have been taught, as a child that anger is unacceptable. Hence they go through life stuffing handed way.

Fear of Dependency. From Scolt Welzer, author of living with the passive aggressive man “unsure of his autonomy and afraid of being alone, he fights his dependency needs, usually by trying to control you. He wants you to think he doesn’t depend on you, but he binds himself closer than he cares to admit.

Relationship can become battle grounds where he can only claim victory if he denies his need for your support.

Aggressive style of communication: This is an interaction whereby you trample on the rights needs and feeling of others to be treated with respect (anger, meaness, hurtfutness put – downs, spitefulness). Thus, aggressive communicators are verbally and/or physically abusive.

Aggressive communication is born of low self-esteem (often caused by past physical and/or emotional abuse).

Unhealed emotional wounds, and feelings of powerlessness.

Aggressive communicators will often -Try to dominate others .

-Use humiliation to control others.

Criticize, blame, or attack others Be very impulsive Have low frustration

tolerance Speak in a load, demanding and overbearing Voice.

Act threateningly and rudely.

Not listen well.

Interrupt frequently.

Use “you” statements.

Have piercing eye contact and overbearing posture.

The impact of a pattern of Aggressive communication is that these individuals.

Become aliented from others.

Alienate other.

Generate dear and hatred in others. Always blame others instead of owning their issue maturely.

The aggressive communicator will say,

believe, or behave like; “In superior and right and you’re inferior and wrong”.

“I can dominate and intimidate you” “I can violate your rights, “I get my way no matter what”.

“You’re not worth anything” “Its all your fault” “I react instantly” “I’m entitled” “You owe me”.

“I own you” Sometimes people may react to the their difficult feelings by being aggressive to people around them, whether they are friend, family, partners or strangers. Aggression can be either verbal or physical.

Some people only behave aggressively in very particularly situations, for instance after drinking alcohol or when they feel that they are being taken seriously or when they are very upset and raw. Whatever causes the aggression and what ever form or takes, it can cause a range of difficulties. There include physical risk to self or other people, police or other authority involvement, feelings of intimidation, feelings of loss of control,

guilt and increased isolation.

At first, using aggressive behaviours can help us to feel that we are getting what we want and that can control other people. However, gradually this behaviour may feel quite frightening and out of control, as we push people further away and feel more alone. It can feel particularly distressing to find that we are using aggression when we have been on the receiving end of aggressive behaviours ourselves, perhaps earlier in our lives through bullying or from adults who should have cared for us.

or two, use this time to stop and think about why you are so angry, what could happen if you act.

If you find that your feelings are too much for you to manage by yourself then talk to someone about them. You may try talking to a friend or family member or you may refer to talk to someone separate from your everyday life such as counselor.

Assertiveness and the style of communication.

Those of us who grew up in dysfunctional families may have learned to communicate effectively in relationships.

We may be passive and not

If you have difficulties with aggression, some of the following may be helpful.

Try to work out what triggers your aggression and, if possible, avoid these situations. Example are drinking alcohol, feeling situations, feeling misunderstood and not explaining yourself.

Learning to take time to think before reacting can help you keep control of your behaviour.

Try counting to ten in your head before doing anything or walking away for a minute

advocate for ourselves, aggressive and attempt to run roughshod over others, or passive aggressive and smile while sabotaging others behind their backs. No wonder we have so many problematic relationships and feeling so isolated. In order to build healthy relationships, we must learn to be assertive, that is, to be clear direct and respectful in how we communicate.

Assertive Communication is a style in which individuals clearly state their opinions and feelings, and firmly

advocate for their rights and needs without violating the rights of others. Assertive Communication is born of high self-esteem. These individuals value themselves, their time, and their emotional, spiritual and physical needs and are strong advocates for themselves while being very respectful of the rights of others.

Assertive Communicators will state needs and wants clearly, appropriately, and respectfully.

Express feeling clearly, appropriately, and respectfully, and Use “I” statements Communicate respect for others Listen well without interrupting Feel in control of self Have good eye contact Speak in a calm and clear tone of voice Have a relaxed body posture Fell competent and in control Not allow others to abuse or manipulate them. Stand up for other rights The impact of a pattern of assertive communication is that these individuals : Feel Connected to other Feel in control of their lives Are able to mature because they address issues and problems as they arise.

Create a respectful environment for other to grow and mature. The assertive communicator will say, believe or behave in a way that says.

“We are equally entitled to express ourselves respectfully to one another.

“I am confident about who I am” “ I realize I have choices in my life and I consider my options”.

“I speak clearly, honestly, and to the point” “I can’t control others but I can control myself” “I place a high priority on having my needs met in right, and respectful manner.”

Respect the rights of others” “I’m 100% responsible for my own happiness.

Assertiveness allows us to take care of ourselves, and is fundamental for good mental health and healthy relationships

“Passive communication is a style of expression that is ineffective and maludaptive. Those with a passive communication style are generally afraid of confrontation and do not feel they have the right to make their wishes and desires known.

This style of communication can lead to feelings of anxiety, anger, depression and helplessness and is common among those with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Also known as passivity”.

THE NIGERIAN

19

INCONTESTABLY, prosperity driven leadership is compulsorily embracive of dynamic, patriotic, consolidate able and above all, nationalistic and unparochial administrative cum political and by extension, socio-economic acumen.

This in turn is predicated on the ability of a leader to successfully evolve, midwife, nurture and entrench people friendly and nourishing developmental policies.

Considerably, the unwavering commitment of our democratic leadership towards making a meaningful difference in our surgeon to a purposeful, developmental driven and bequethable nationhood is not in doubt.

Presiding over the affairs of a prosperity destined and most populous African nation maximally endowed with distinct human and natural resources, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is no doubt committed towards engraving undeletable landmark footprints on the historic sand of time as he is apparently set to accord the Nation its desired pride and place in the international committee of Nations through unrivaled achievements in all facet of the Nations endeavors.

Just recently, precisely on January lst, this year, 2014, the President made bold his resolve never to be deterred by unnecessary criticisms and frivolous allegations cum accusations targeted towards misdirecting and tactically diverting current patriotic and pro-national development focus of his well meaning and dynamically focused administration.

As a patriot and Nationalist , he shunted aside, sentiments and pronounced Dr Paul B. Orhii as tested, certified, suitable and therefore reappointed him for a second

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

term as substantive Chief Executive/Director General of the nation’s health boosting organ-the National Agency For Food, Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC. This was against several obstackies, particularly against the wish of some Nigerians who were in favor of previous retrogressive stereotyped practice where according to them, directorship of the agency was allegedly ceded to a particular professional body. The Pharmacists being a visionary and wisdom filled leader, he is conscious of the uniqueness of dynamism and patriotic tendencies as catalysts embraceable for socio-economic and political advancement as “variety is the spice of life” Notably since Dr Orhii took over the pilotage of the agency it has recorded very fantastic and unique achievements such that currently NAFDAC has become the cynosure of all eyes both locally and internationally.

This laudable and highly celebrated patriotic performance would have eluded Nigerians if the reappointed NAFDAC helmsman were to be a mere Pharmacist as canvassed by some unpatriotic elements.

Undoubtedly, Dr Orhiis assorted intellectual exposure via acquisition of comprehensive and diverse theoretical and practical knowledge in the aspect being critically consideredPharmacy, Foods and Drugs as viz; a Medical icon {medical doctor),Legal luminary and Pharmacologist makes him more competent for the job which statutorily specified experience that cuts across Pharmacy, Foods and Drugs which invariably is in accordance with the legally stipulated requirement for the job It is apparently evident

Issues Embracing Patriotic Stewardship At NAFDAC

that the broadness of Dr Orhii’s academic exploits, knowledge and, professional exposure has in turn imparted very positively on the agency and its operations such that today, NAFDAC has become excellent in administration, awesome

By MARTINS F.O. IKHILAE

wealth of legal experience to bear on the agency’s enforcement activities culminating in the successful apprehension, prosecution and conviction of numerous NAFDAC

Dr. Orhii, NAFDAC Director-General in infrastructural regulated products advancement. Distinct in counterfeiters. (ie human resources pharmaceuticals) among development and which is the famous won application, out rightly case of the deadly My sophisticated in its mode of Pikin teething mixture etc. operation while This feat is simultaneously playing a acknowledged as very domineering role in global unique being first of its anti pharmaceutical kind in the history of the products- counterfeiting agency’s enforcement activities. endeavor since its For instance, in spite of inception. the seeming stressful and It is equally obvious that frustrating nature of our his distinct and judicial process occasioned i n t e r n a t i o n a l i z e d by undue postponement of experience as a Medical cases as well as other scientist (medical doctor) operational bottlenecks and Pharmacologist has which often leads to delay equally enabled him record in judgement delivery, he numerous outstanding successfully brought his breakthroughs in NAFDAC From infrastructural perspective, both operational and administrative facilities have been evolved, refurbished and upgraded to conform and comply with international sophistication, leading to availability of strategically localized modern laboratories with state-ofthe earth operational paraphernalia/ technologies.

Dr Orhii, though of a minority Tiv tribe in Benue state, North-Central Zone of Nigeria, he has patriotically accorded Nigeria a distinct global reputation and status conferring on it an enviable position of being a premier nation to conceptualize and inculcate cutting edge technologies in combating NAFDAC regulated products counterfeiting.

Dr Orhii, though of a minority Tiv tribe in Benue state, North-Central Zone of Nigeria, he has patriotically accorded Nigeria a distinct global

reputation and status conferring on it an enviable position of being a premier nation to conceptualize and inculcate cutting edge technologies in combating NAFDAC regulated products counterfeiting.

Absolutely guided by patriotic tenets in accordance with the desire of the nation’s president Dr Goodluck Jonathan, stringent efforts have been intensified to boost dependence on indigenous pharmaceutical production via facilitation of loans with minimal interest rate which will lead to more employment opportunities, conservation of foreign exchange etc. This is however in partnership with the nation’s Bank of Industry.

Already, the agency’s heroic status has earned for it an international trust and responsibility as the United Nation has assigned to it, the task of directing numerous countries worldwide on the mode of evolving suitable techniques for boosting quality of life-saving pharmaceutical products

approved for it save multimillion lives by next year (2015) programme.

Sincerely, health boosting commodities outrightly deserve care and respect both in production, distribution, display, sale and application ,consequent upon which the establishment of ultramodern regional drug markets tagged: Mega Drug Distribution Centers (MDDCs) and State Drug Distribution Centers (SDDCs) are being maximally encouraged and vigorously pursued.

It is a known fact that much has been achieved by the Dr Paul Orhii led NAFDAC management team also in Food safety, sanitization and regulation.

The agency has equally achieved tremendously in this regard. It evolved the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Plan for food safety, leading to examination, monitoring, registration and certification of numerous food products as well as ensuring that caterers and bakers company with the stipulated good hygienic practices of the agency.

While it has successfully put in place dynamic inspection and certification mechanisms to effectively and efficiently guaranty consumable bottled and sachet water with a view to coping with the prolifying trend in the sector, numerous unpubIicized successes have indeed been made by NAFDAC under its now extended leadership. It is certain however that by re-appointing Dr Paul .B. Orhii as NAFDAC boss, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has once more demonstrated his commitment towards boosting and bettering effective and efficient healthcare services for the generality of Nigerians. On his part, it is needless to emphasize that Dr Orhii will further engineer and propel more unique breakthroughs’ and successes in this second phase of his leadership at the agency, since to whom much is given they say, much is indeed expected”.

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Media

Journalists As Endangered Species

JOURNALISTS world over are often at the receiving end of societal battering, yet a noble profession, a profession of intellects with plenty of reading and writing skills, the kind of effect the everyday journalist has on the socio-economic well-being of any sovereign state cannot be over emphasized.

The journalists, like the politicians, have equal stake in the political and socioeconomic development of the country and therefore deserve to be treated with respect.

By virtue of their noble profession, journalists need the protection of the law to be able to perform their sacred duties satisfactorily, but the reverse seems to be the case as some have lost their lives, lost valuables and even become disqualified in the line of their duty, yet the job must be done.

At times in my wondering state, I try to justify why journalists are not appreciated.

Nigerian journalists deserve an enabling environment to function without any hindrances. A journalist is seen in the line of his duty being harassed like a common criminal for the simple offence of asking a question or taking photographs.

Although government seems not to value the lives of Nigerians, this is no justifiable excuse to continue to expose the lives of journalists to unavoidable dangers in the hands of aggrieved public officials, security operatives and assassins.

The long term effect is compromised news coverage.

The fear of the unknown syndrome has gradually infiltrated the profession that editors are cautions of government news. They view government news from a

distance apparently, nobody wants to spend his or her precious time behind bars or having to be banished from the country.

Sometimes, I can’t help but imagine how the society can be a better place when the simple, but better truth like some would call it cannot be told. The essence of having media houses or organisations I believe is for information dissemination.

Successive administrations in the country, military and civilian have never widen the unwarranted and undeserved disdain they have for the helpless, hapless and defenseless journalists in the country”.

Those in government have cultivated the habit of not regarding and treating journalists as patriotic partners-in-progress.

The authorities at various levels are yet to realise that the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, being the traditional arms of government, also require the steadfast support and cooperation of the journalists which is also know as the fourth estate of the realm to succeed in their respective official engagements.

The journalists is at the mercy of law enforcement agencies, they are viewed as the devils advocate hence the unjust treatment meted out to them. This trend explains the stigmatization associated with the profession.

Journalists in Nigeria face a “prevailing culture of brutality”. Libel is still a criminal offence, with journalists forced to prove their innocence.

A fraternity between the press and the government is virtually impossible because of traditional surveillance role of the press. The task of promoting press freedom is formidable but not

By BOZIMO EBIOENRE NANCY

insuperable because of the caliber of journalists in the country.

Late Babatunde Ajose, Peter Enahon, Tom Borhteny Oduke Maya, Olusegun Osoba, Tony Momoh, Nevile

ranks among the best in the world as they are said to be the highest paid profession in the United States of America, praise and investigative reporting are it’s trademarks, ironically as the saying goes

Ukoli, Lateef Jakande, Sam Amuka, Dan Agbese and Ray Ekpu to mention but a few are among the first generation of Nigerian journalist that expurgated under the military.

It is intolerable that federal authorities can do as they wish with journalists with security agencies carrying out their dirty work with impunity.

The Nigerian journalist are undaunted in its belief in press freedom, social responsibility, democracy and the use of law for all Nigerians.

The Nigerian journalist

“a prophet has no honor in his home or a king is not respected in his home town is evident in the Nigerian polity.

If the truth must be told, a typical Nigerian journalist has in his memories, tales of horrid encounters with agents of the government, which lingers interminable. Cover means have been employed to say in business to fear of harassment.

This precarious trend dates back to the news watch era, when the profession lost one of its finest products to the agents of darkness. Not just that we were witness to the

“The journalists is at the mercy of law enforcement agencies, they are viewed as the devils advocate hence the unjust treatment meted out to them. This trend explains the stigmatization associated with the profession. Journalists in Nigeria face a “prevailing culture of brutality”. Libel is still a criminal offence, with journalists forced to prove their innocence.”

numerous sacrifices elders of the profession made to keep their lives and flag flying during the military regime, they saw encountered and conquered. They strived to disseminate information under nauseating environment. Some media houses were shut down, editors taken into hostage, all for the advancement of the profession.

closure of channels television in Lagos Nigeria for days, the organisation was under lock and key. What was the offence? Verified news report news items are supposed to be verified before going to press, but in a polity where a lot has been said about the president and his health status, resigning from office was not far fetched in the minds of the citizen if you will agree with me.

It was indeed a sad encounter and I believe some almost called it quit. But today though the story has not changed but has taken a sophisticated dimension. In the art, the journalist or reporters has become an enemy of the state and a fugitive in his own country.

The police are the guiltiest in this era. The police on the street has a number one enemy in the journalist, and they have lived up to that responsibility by ensuring that the journalist is always battered and humiliated at the slighted opportunity, Nigeria journalists are often subjected to violence on the lest pretext, without anyone ever being punished.

These acts at intimidation and constant harassment have brought about a death of personnel in the profession, which is not healthy. The journalist today has become endangered specie, some bare witness to the brazen display of absolute disregard for the profession when the federal government ordered the

The list is endless! Do we talk about our colleagues we have lost to men of the Nigerian Police Force?

Journalist have been treated unfairly, but the solace we have is in the fact that we have continued to weather the storm and churning out quality news at all times.

But for how long will this trend continue? As it stands we are on the verge of extinction because we might not utilize now that some of our brightest have been sent to their early graves by people and avoidable acts.

If my opinion were to count, I will suggest that the senate passes a bill that serves as a shield to every journalist on the street. A penalty or fine is laid down as penalty for harassing a journalist, to act as a deterent to others. Some will laugh this off as a huge joke, but what else can I say?

This piece of outing is not intended to attract sympathy from any quarters, but to draw our attention to a noble profession on the verge of extermination.

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Archival Matters

Being Smart In Life SMARTNESS is both an art and a science. It involves the act of deploying methodologies without any considerations for their morality in pursuance of goals which are of paramount interest to you. In addition, success in life is often a measure of how smart you are, not how industrious you are.

Dr. Michael Leboeuf in his celebral book THE MILLIONAIRE IN YOU explains further: “People who reach the winners’ circle don’t work harder. They work Smarter. Success doesn’t hinge on how you work. It depends on how intelligently you work.”

Invariably, what he is saying is that success in a endeavour is a rich harvest of smart intelligence.

Indeed, never experiment with mummu-ism in life or else dem go catch you mugu. Yes always listen to the Urhobo man whenever he tells you that there is no word in his dictionary like CHEAT. Therefore, don’t call him a Cheat if he dribbles you. All he is doing is demonstrating that SENSE pass SENSE. When you take a critical look at world events overtime you will agree with me that being smart is part of our history saved. First of all, let’s examine this evidence.

There was one head teacher of a primary school whom a paymaster friend in the Nigerian Army gave money for safe keeping during the civil war.

The smart head teacher used the money to build a hotel using his enterpreneural discretion. When his paymaster friend got wind of the hotel from the grapevine, he rationalized it as his own de jure investment and mentally commended the head teacher’ initiative.

How mistaken he was!! His conceptualization was proved wrong one day when he demanded for the turn-key to the hotel built on the hilly top of a town in Edo State .

The head teacher informed him that he took bank loan to build the hotel. Therefore, it belonged to him-not the paymaster.

The headmaster then told the paymaster: “Sir your money is intact in the bank. I never touched it. Give me sometime and I will go to the bank, withdraw the money

By MICHAEL ODIGBE

and return it to you.”

The next day, the head teacher refunded the paymaster’s money through the instrumentality of an overdraft. He had outsmarted the paymaster who since then the paymaster came to appreciate the wisdom on a mammy –wagon’s body inscription which read IN GOD I TRUST. NOT MAN. True, true, sense pass senseooo. Enter Nigeria. It has played two smart card, also, in international matters. On the first occasion, Abacha cashed in on a disingenuous strategy to eliminate Sergeant Foday Sankoh, leader of the Revolutionary United front rebels, from the dreary war equation in Sierra Leone. All that Abacha did was to invite him for a negotiated settlement to Nigeria which Abacha presented as a neutral country in the Sierra Leonean crisis.

Fofah Sankoh jumped at Abacha’s offer. Quickly, he boarded a plane for Nigeria.

But on arrival at Murtala Muhammed Airpor, Ikeja he was picked up by Nigerian security operatives initially on the charge that he was carrying body arms. Within hours, later on, he was flown to free town his country’s capital. There, he was put on trial during which he died in fetention. Tell me, isn’t this a smart betrayal of trust?

Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo working in tandem with African Union, ECOWAS and the Western word- played a fast one on Charles Taylor. All of them eased Taylor out of power as Liberia’s elected president with sweet political nothings while Obasanjo granted him “a secured asylum” in Calabar. Then in 2006.

Nigerian security operatives, acting on his advice, “arranged with Taylor to escape from asylum through the Nigerian – Camerounian border.

Unwise Taylor grabbed the rare opportunity with both hands and legs!! However, when he crossed the border and was in a neutral, noman’s land, his Nigerian guides arrested and hand – cuffed him. He was driven to a waiting plane in Calabar.

Liberia, here we come, Yes,

he was flown to his country’s airport in monrovia as a common criminal. To fulfill the righteousness of international law, Nigeria handed over a bemused Taylor to his country, as he watched helplessly unable to believe that he was presiding over his own funeral while

to put one Somalian called Mohammed Hassan on trial for seizing a Belgian ship POMPEY and its crew in 2009 which were released only when ransom was paid to his gang of pirates.

It was not possible to pick him up in Nairobi, capital of Kenya to where he had settled down after he quit piracy in January 2013. So, the Belgian

Olusegun Obasanjo still alife!!

Ooops, from Monrovia Airport, Liberia he was then flown to Hague where he faced trial for war crimes and allied offences.

Today, he is in the United Kingdom serving 50 years in prison courtesy of a sentence passed on him by the International Crimminal Court in Hague.

What Abacha did to Foday Sakoh in the nineties played out recently in Belgium with some modifcation. The country had always wanted

smile on their lips. They whisked him away. Today, he is on trial in Belgium for kidnapping, piracy, money laundering as well as other crimes committed against Belgium.

You cannot discuss smartness as a strategy without bringing in American, the world’s No 1 smart policeman. In early 2000, America told a lie that president Saddam Hussein of Iraq, possessed chemical weapons of mass destruction.

9th, 2001 bombing of the twintowers in New York.

Again, America deployed its smartness to harangue Syria into agreeing to unbundled all its chemical weapons by accusing the nation of using them on its people on August 31, 2013 killing hundreds of unarmed civilians in the suburbs of Damascus. Later, America took another smart manoeuvre to Tripoli in Libya in October 2013. Its special troops stormed the

Charles Taylor authorities harped on a trick.

They got a film maker in Belgium to invite Mohammed Hassan to the country for a multl-million dollar contract to shoot his biography which will contain escapaded of his life as a sea pirate.

The mouth-watering contract was too much for him to reject. Pronto, he boarded a plane for Brussel Airport, Belgium. As soon as he landed, the Belgian police welcomed him with open arms hand handeuffs and

Using this as an excuse, America aggregated a coalition of willing nations to invade Iraq, took it over, captured Saddam Hussein and handed him over to a puppet regime it had installed which hanged him for crimes against humanity.

America is not done yet with its super smartness. It mobilized this attribute to breach Pakistan’s sovereignty by invading the country with special troops and killing Osama Bin Laden, its No 1 ememy living there and implicated in the September

city, without authorization from the Libyan government, seized an Al-Quedda militant called Anas Al-Liby and took him to America for trial over terrorist acts in Kenya and Uganda in the late 1980s.

Over here in Nigeria, have our leaders and people ever displayed positive smartness in the management of our problem? A big No. what we have here, instead, is superlative smartness in corruption. Sure, this is an achievement to show case!!!

Or, what do you think?

“You cannot discuss smartness as a strategy without bringing in American, the world’s No 1 smart policeman. In early 2000, America told a lie that president Saddam Hussein of Iraq, possessed chemical weapons of mass destruction. Using this as an excuse, America aggregated a coalition of willing nations to invade Iraq, took it over, captured Saddam Hussein and handed him over to a puppet regime it had installed which hanged him for crimes against humanity.”

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Family Planning CONTRACEPTIVE security is a critically important aspect of family planning programs.

Global experience shows that a great number of women and men want, like, and use long -acting and permanent methods (LA/ PMs) of contraception.

Yet contraceptive security efforts often have not addressed the requirements for LA/PM service provision. The truth is that greater attention to LA/PMs is needed to ensure complete contraceptive security, so that many more women and men will have access to the full range of contraceptive method options from which to choose how best to achieve their reproductive intentions.

Most contraceptive security efforts have focused on forecasting, procurement, distribution, and advertising for “resupply” methods of family planning condemns, pills and injectables. Clinical methods – hormonal implants, IUDs, female sterilization, and vasectomy collectively known longs acting and permanent method have been relegated to the bottom. But LA/PM plays a very important role in family planning.

Firstly, LA/PMs is effective and convenience. LA/PMs are the most effective family planning methods with one in 100 women becoming pregnant in the first year of use. For many women and men, effectiveness and

convenience are among the principal reasons for choosing a family planning methods and thus methods offering longer duration of effective action are often strongly favoured.

Secondly, there is wide use when available and accessible. Thirty-nine percent of married women worldwide rely on LA/ PMs for their contraceptive protection, and LA/PM use is high – in absolute terms and as a proportion of modern method use in all regions of the world except subSaharan Africa (PRB 2008).

Female sterilization is the most widely used of all modern methods, and the IUD is second (PRB 2008).

Studies have shown that family planning managers, providers, planners, and donors often do not fully appreciate that many clients will choose LA/PMs when they are made more

By ERANGA ISAAC

Contraceptive Security:

The Role Of Long-Acting And Permanent Method of Planning widely available and accessible, even in country like Nigeria.

Thirdly, LA/PMs is not effective. Although unit costs of LA/PMs are typically higher than for resupply methods, LA/ PMs are cost effective in terms of cost per couple year of protection (CYP).

A recent analysis of commodity costs and service delivery costs, such as provider time, equipment expendable

supplies, and other related expenses, revealed that the IUD is the least expensive method, at approximately US$1.75 per CYP vasectomy and female sterilization also have low service costs per CYP, at slightly more than US$2 per CYP and slightly less than US$4 per CYP, respectively.

Furthermore, LA/PMs save lives and improve health. Perhaps the most compelling rationale for

greater attention to LA/ PMs within contraceptive security efforts and family planning programs is the health benefit that would accrue to women if LA/ PMs were more widely and fully available.

According to a modeling study, if only 20 percent of the 18 million subSaharan African women using the pill and injectables who desired long-acting methods switched to hormonal

“Family planning condemns, pills and injectables.

Clinical methods – hormonal implants, IUDs, female sterilization, and vasectomy collectively known longs acting and permanent method have been relegated to the bottom. But LA/PM plays a very important role in family planning.”

implants, 1.8 million unintended pregnancies, 567,000 abortions (many of them unsafe), 300,000 cases of serious maternal morbidity, and 10,000 maternal deaths would be averted. Similar or greater benefits would accrue to women switching from other short-acting methods or traditional methods to any of the LA/ PMs. In addition, there is usually unmet need for contraception. One of every five to two of every five married women in sub-Saharan African has demand to delay or space a birth by at least two years. Yet in almost all the countries, the majority of married women of reproductive age who have demand to space or delay a birth are not using any method, and their use of IUDs and implants is

minimal. Although more limiters than spacers are using some form of contraception in most of the countries, and their use of LA/PMs is higher than spacers and delayers, relatively few women who want to limit are using any of the four LA/ PMs. Finally, beyond unmet need, in many countries of the world, women’s reproductive intentions and their use of particular contraceptive methods of ten do not align well. That is, many women report that they want to space, delay, or limit births, but in contrast to women in industrialized countries, they either are not practicing contraception at all, and are using withdrawal, or are using short-acting resupply methods.

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Tourism

Harnessing The Potential Of Nigeria’s Wildlife Parks

BY Chinyere Omeire

THIRTY years ago, Nigeriaís zoological gardens and parks were among the best in Africa.

During that period, the University of Ibadan Zoological Gardens; the Yankari Game Reserves, Bauchi; the Jos Zoo and Wildlife Park and the Old Oyo National Park were the delight of tourists.

Today, however, the story is somewhat different, as the countryís wildlife parks have suffered a lot of neglect due to factors such as poaching and poor funding.

The management of the wildlife parks has not been able to replace aged and dead animals due to paucity of funds; while the cages of many zoological gardens across the country were empty with no animals.

Mr Wale Odeyemi, the Head of South West National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, bemoaned the pathetic state of wildlife parks and zoological gardens across the country.

“About 30 years ago, Nigeria’s zoological gardens were the best in Africa.

“Nigeria’s zoological gardens were then a major revenue earner in the tourism industry.

“The lack of maintenance of the animals has adversely affected major zoos across the country, he said.

Odeyemi said that inadequate budgetary allocations, lack of maintenance and illegal killing of animals were some of the major setbacks of the zoos.

“Some states could not allocate enough money to maintain the animals.

Therefore, the animals were not well fed and they eventually died, he said.

Odeyemi suggested that all tiers of government should make adequate budgetary provisions for the rehabilitation of existing zoos in their domains, while setting up new ones.

Mr Yakubu Kolo, the

Conservator of Kainji Lake National Park, New Bussa, Niger, noted that animals like elephants were fast disappearing from the parks.

According to him, inadequate funding is the major factor responsible for the extinction of some animals in the parks.

“Adequate funding is the key to adequate management of wildlife conservation.

“There is need to replace some of the animals that have gone into extinction at the Kainji Lake Park and other wildlife parks in the country.

“The funds will also facilitate the transportation of animals from distant places to the parks.

“It is, however, very important to make concerted efforts to stamp out poaching.

“It is also important that water does not dry up in the parks during the dry season, while providing the types of food required by the animals, he said.

Besides, Kolo called for cooperation between the communities where wildlife parks were located and the management of the parks.

He said that such collaboration would stop poaching and illegal trade in animal products such as elephantís tusks that were used in the production of ivory.

Kolo urged government to equip the rangers with adequate patrol vehicles and modern communications equipment to enable them to protect the parks efficiently.

He also called for the training and re-training of the rangers to improve their skills in wildlife management.

However, Mr Lanre Awoseyin, the National Coordinator, Nigerian Hotels Association, said that adequate wildlife conservation would boost tourism development and attract more tourists.

He noted that Nigeria had

eight national parks, unlike some African countries like Kenya and South Africa which had 52 and 56 games reserves respectively.

Awoseyin underscored the need to improve wildlife conservation in Nigeria, as part of efforts to boost the countryís tourism potential.

“Adequate funding of wildlife conservation would

to educate farmers around game reserves to desist from bush burning because of its adverse effects on wildlife.

“Apart from the economic benefits of a viable wildlife park, it also beautifies the environment and preserves nature, thereby attracting lovers of beauty and nature, he said.

Awoseyin stressed that as

South Africa, he said.

Awoseyin reiterated that the law prohibiting poaching of wildlife was not stringent enough, adding that tougher sanctions ought to be imposed on offenders.

He also noted that Nigeriansí taste for “bush meat had somewhat

well-managed, they would be able to earn more foreign exchange for the country.

Nevertheless, Mrs Sophia Anyafulu, a lecturer in Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, advised all tiers of government to develop zoological parks in their areas, while educating the people on the usefulness of animals in the ecosystem.

She attributed illegal killing of wild animals to the lack of knowledge of the importance of these animals by residents of various communities, especially

enhance its development, while generating more employment opportunities for the people.

“Nigeria is naturally endowed to have good game reserves which could attract tourists and boost its economy, if properly funded and managed, he said.

Awoseyin, however, suggested that the activities of farmers, who had encroached deeply into the demarcated areas mapped out as game reserves, ought to be checked so as to preserve the existing reserves.

He urged the government

part of efforts to tackle the menace of wildlife poaching, the Federal Government should review the jail term for poachers from one month to five years.

He said that such review would serve as a deterrent to potential poachers, while saving the nationís wildlife from extinction and making game reserves more viable.

“The existing punishment, which gives an offender one month jail term with an option of fine, should be extended to five years jail term, just like what obtains in Kenya and

encouraged poachers to continue illegal killing of wildlife.

He underscored the need to regulate and reduce the consumption of “bush meatíí so as to forestall a situation where some species of wild animals would go into extinction.

The tourism expert also advised the government to improve the security arrangements put in place for existing game reserves, while demarcating more areas for wildlife conservation.

Awoseyin stressed that if the games reserves were

farmers.

“However, government should from time to time import different species of animals for continued existence of the animals,íí she said.

All the same, conservationists urge the government to initiate decisive measures to address the menace of poaching in the national parks.

They also advise the government to demarcate more areas for wildlife conservation, as part of calculated efforts to boost ecotourism in the country.

(NANFeatures)

“Adequate funding of wildlife conservation would enhance its development, while generating more employment opportunities for the people. Nigeria is naturally endowed to have good game reserves which could attract tourists and boost its economy, if properly funded and managed, he said.”

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

International US Envoy Kennedy Tweets Concern At TOKYO - US ambassador to Japanese Dolphin Hunt

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban takes part in a march in Bangkok recently

Japan Caroline Kennedy has tweeted her concern at the “inhumaneness” of a Japanese village’s traditional dolphin hunt.

“Deeply concerned by inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing. USG (US Government) opposes drive hunt fisheries,” she tweeted on January 17.

Every year the fishermen of Taiji corral hundreds of dolphins in a secluded bay, select a few dozen for sale to aquariums and marine parks and stab the rest to death for meat.

This year fishermen and divers in the village have caught at least 25 dolphins in a process to select captives before the mass slaughter,

Opposition Vote To Join Peace Talks

West Hails Syria

ISTANBUL - Western leaders have hailed a decision by Syria’s opposition to attend an international peace conference next week alongside representatives of a regime they despise and remain determined to overthrow.

After weeks of hesitation and threats to boycott the talks, the deeply divided National Coalition said it will go to Switzerland next week, with the sole aim of toppling President Bashar al-Assad.

Assad’s government, which brands rebels fighting his regime as “terrorists”, made concessions ahead of the conference that opens on Wednesday but said the president will not step down.

These diametrically opposed positions cast a shadow over the so-called Geneva II conference

aimed at setting up a transitional government to lead Syria out of a nearly three-year war estimated to have killed more than 130,00 people and forced millions from their homes.

US Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the “courageous” decision by the National Coalition to attend the conference, describing it as a “path that will ultimately lead to a better future for all Syrians”.

“We all know that the process ahead will be difficult, but I say directly to the Syrian people: we will stand by you every mile of the journey as you seek to achieve the freedom and dignity that all Syrians deserve,” Kerry added.

Britain, France and Germany were equally elated with the opposition’s decision to overcome internal divisions and

go to Switzerland.

The Coalition voted on Saturday by 58 to 14 to attend the peace conference, with only 75 of the around 120 delegates taking part in the secret ballot — a sign that strong disagreement persists.

Coalition leader Ahmad Jarba said the group was going to Switzerland only for the purpose of removing the “butcher” Assad from power.

“The Geneva II negotiation

table is a one-way road aimed at achieving all the demands of the revolution... and first and foremost stripping the butcher (Assad) of all his powers,” he said.

The head of the rebel Free Syrian Army, General Selim Idriss, called for a “peaceful resolution” to the Syria war, and urged the opposition to work to end Assad’s 14-year grip on power.

environmentalists said Saturday.

On Sunday a fishing industry official in Taiji said some dolphins had already been slaughtered, although he did not disclose the number.

Activists from the militant environmental group Sea Shepherd have streamed live footage of the dolphin capture in Taiji, which drew worldwide attention in 2010 when it became the subject of the

Desert Gives Al-Qaida Refuge After Mali Defeat

SEBHA, Libya - Swathed in a white turban and robes, Eissa Abdel Majid sits in his militia barracks on the edge of the desert describing a losing battle to stem the flow of armed militants with suspected links to al-Qaida — who use it as a freeway across northern Africa.

He says he’s fed up with trying to guard borders and oil installations in a power vacuum left by the fall of Moammar Gadhafi: “They are getting weapons and building their strength,” he says, “because the government is weak.”

In the Rocky Mountains and dune-covered wastes of southwestern Libya, al-Qaida’s North African branch has established a haven after French and West African forces drove them out of their fledgling Islamic state in northern Mali a year ago. Now, according to

Bomb Hits Military Convoy, 20 Pakistan Soldiers Killed

PESHAWAR (PAKISTAN) A bomb claimed by the Pakistani Taliban killed 20 soldiers and wounded more than 30 when it ripped through a military convoy in the restive

An anti-government protester cries during a condolence ceremony for the slain protester Prakong Chujan who died in friday’s grinade attack at Lumpini rally site in Bangkok, Thailand weekend.

northwest on Sunday, officials said.

The attack happened in the city of Bannu, near the North Waziristan tribal region which is a known stronghold of militants linked to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

“A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device caused the blast,” a senior military official told AFP, adding the exact circumstances were unclear.

“The explosion took place in one of the vehicles of the convoy, killing 20 soldiers and wounding more than 30,” he said on condition of anonymity.

The official said the convoy was about to leave for the town of Razmak in North Waziristan when the blast hit one of the civilian vehicles hired to move troops.

A Frontier Corps official confirmed the attack and casualties.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid claimed responsibility.

“It was part of our fight against a secular system,” he told AFP by telephone from an

Academy Award-winning documentary “The Cove”.

The town’s fishermen defend the hunt as a cultural tradition, and “The Cove” was met by protests from right-wing activists when it was screened in Japan in 2010.

The fishing industry official, who declined to be identified, said dolphins died almost instantaneously when their spinal cords were cut.

undisclosed location.

“We will carry out more such attacks in future.”

Taliban insurgents have led a bloody campaign against the Pakistani state in recent years.

They have carried out hundreds of attacks on security forces and government targets, mainly in the northwest.

An eyewitness told AFP by telephone that the vehicle hit by the bomb was transformed into scorched metal.

“I collected human remains including hands and legs from the site after the attack,” he said on condition of anonymity.

Body parts and soldiers’ personal belongings littered the scene.

“I also helped rescue workers in moving injured people to ambulances,” the witness added.

Bannu has been the scene of several past attacks on security forces.

Pakistani troops have for years been battling homegrown insurgents in the tribal belt, which Washington considers the main hub of Taliban and AlQaeda militants plotting attacks on the West and in Afghanistan.

interviews with local soldiers, residents, officials and Western diplomats, it is restocking weapons and mining disaffected minorities for new recruits as it prepares to relaunch attacks. It’s an al-Qaida pattern seen around the world, in hot spots such as Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan and increasingly here in North Africa: seemingly defeated, the terror network only retreats to remote areas, regroups and eventually bounces back — pointing to the extreme difficulties involved in stamping out the threat.

Mohamed, an officer in the Libyan army based in Ubari — the last major town in the south before the Saharan sands reach the borders of Niger and Algeria — said that his soldiers frequently run into SUVs filled with armed bearded men from Mali, Algeria and Libya coming here to buy weapons and supplies.

“There are occasional clashes with them but their forces are stronger than ours,” said the officer who wore surplus U.S.style digital camouflage with Libyan army patches sewed on.

He asked that his last name not be used for fear of being targeted by jihadists. Mohamed said many people in Ubari are active sympathizers or at least trade with these militants, whom he described as linked to al-Qaida.

“Most people know who they are but without a central government, you can’t really do anything,” he said. “We can do little on the borders and sometimes we just let them through.”

U.S. officials have confirmed the existence of al-Qaida-linked camps in southwest Libya, and a U.N. official based in Sebha, Libya’s main southern city, described the extremist group as being “all around” the area. A high-level Algerian army officer based in the Saharan city of Tamanrasset also confirmed al-Qaida’s presence in Libya and said his forces were remaining vigilant along the Mali border despite plans for a new African force once the French pull out.

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

International BANGUI, Central African Republic — Gunmen wielding machetes attacked Muslims fleeing sectarian violence in the Central African Republic, killing 22 people and leaving survivors with gashes spurting blood, Save the Children said yesterday. Three children are among the dead.

Spokesman Mike McCusker said doctors described gory scenes and harrowing accounts after gunmen ambushed a convoy of refugees, firing a rocket grenade to halt the vehicles and then attacking with firearms and machetes.

“Our doctor said there was bloody everywhere, just pouring out of people like tap water,” McCusker told The Associated

Sectarian Violence: Gumen Kill 22, 3 Kids Press in a telephone interview.

Friday’s attack took place in the remote northwest of the country outside the town of Bouar and shows African and French peacekeepers are not reaching remote areas where violence goes unreported, said the British charity’s country director Robert Lankenau.

Life remains precarious in the “still fraught and highly dangerous” situation, he said.

“An incident of this magnitude has only come to the forefront because of our internal contacts at the hospital,” McCusker said.

“Maybe a lot of these stories are

not being reported.”

Central African Republic has a history of coups and dictatorship. More than 1,000 people have died since December alone and nearly 1 million have been forced from their homes since a rebel leader seized power last year. Michel Djotodia stepped down a week ago as international criticism mounted over his inability to halt killings some warn could explode into genocide.

A transitional national council is to vote today to choose a new interim president from among 24 candidates. But

there are fears that whatever choice they make could further ignite violence that has pitted rival tribes and Christians against Muslims.

McCusker said many lives were saved because Save the Children has been working at the hospital, providing drugs and other medical supplies, and local

staff alerted them to Friday’s carnage. Four surgeons quickly set up an operating room where they worked to save the most critically injured, including children.

Voters Overwhelmingly Back New Egypt Constitution CAIRO - Almost everyone who cast ballots supported Egypt’s new constitution in this week’s referendum, results announced Saturday show, but a boycott by Islamists and low youth turnout suggest the country is still dangerously divided.

Nearly 20 million voters backed the new constitution, almost double the number of those who voted for one drafted in 2012 under the government of toppled Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Only a narrow sliver of voters — 1.9 percent — voted against the charter, after a massive government-sponsored campaign supporting it and the arrest of activists campaigning against it.

“Despite a milieu of intense social upheaval and acts of terrorism and sabotage that sought to derail the process, Egyptians have now marked yet another defining moment in our roadmap to democracy,” presidential spokesman Ehab Badawy said. “The outcome represents nothing less than the dawning of a new Egypt.”

The expected overwhelming support for the charter is seen as key to legitimizing Egypt’s military-backed interim government, and the political plan put in place since Morsi’s ouster in July. Analysts say it also suggests military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who led the coup against Morsi, has enough popular support to make

a rumored run for the presidency himself.

It was the first vote since the military removed Morsi following massive protests in July. Hundreds celebrated in the streets after officials announced the results, including Hoda Hamza, a housewife who waved an Egyptian flag in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and carried a picture of el-Sissi with an inscription reading: “By the order of the people, el-Sissi is president.”

Hamza called the passage of the constitution a foregone conclusion.

Now, “I wish el-Sissi will be president,” Hamza said. “We have no better man. ... If it weren’t for the army, we wouldn’t have food on the table.”

Morsi supporters, who boycotted the vote, immediately challenged the results. Despite being outlawed and labeled a terrorist group, Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood and its allies continue to hold near-daily protests that often devolve into clashes with police.

“Even if 38 percent of the voters took part, that still means that 62 percent of the public rejects” the interim government, said Imam Youssef, a member of the Brotherhood’s coalition against the July coup and an ultraconservative Islamist party.

“They are trying to legitimize their coup.”

Egypt’s High Election Commission said 38.6 percent of

the country’s more than 53 million eligible voters took part in the two-day poll Tuesday and Wednesday. Judge Nabil Salib, who heads the commission, called the participation of 20.6 million voters an “unrivalled success” and “an unprecedented turnout.”

In 2012, some 16.7 million voters cast ballots on the constitution drafted under Morsi,

Holding national flag and potraits of military Chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, Egyptians celebrate the passage of new constitution after 98.1 percent of voters supported Egypt’s Military-backed constitution in a two day election, in Tahrir Saquare, Cairo, Egypt on Saturday.

28 Wounded In Blasts At Bangkok Protest Site BANGKOK -Two explosions shook an antigovernment demonstration site in Thailand’s capital yesterday, wounding at least 28 people in the latest violence to hit Bangkok as the nation’s increasingly volatile political crisis drags on.

Police said the blasts near Victory Monument, in the north of the city, were caused by fragmentation grenades — the same kind that killed one man and wounded dozens Friday in a similar explosion targeting protest marchers.

The demonstrators, who control several small patches of Bangkok, are vying to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government and derail February 2 elections she called in a bid to quell the crisis.

Witnesses said the explosions occurred about two minutes apart. The first blast went off about 100-200 meters (yards) from a stage set up by protesters,

leaving a small crater beside a vendor’s stall. The second went off near a row of vendors selling anti-government T-shirts, leaving bloody clothes and a ripped white-and-blue plastic tarp scattered across the ground.

Protester Theerayuth Uthakapintanont said that the second blast struck two vendors who were selling merchandise to protesters in the street.

The Erawan Medical Center, which tracks casualties, said 28 people were wounded.

Bangkok, a vast city of 12 million people, is calm, but such incidents have occurred nearly every day over the last week, including shooting attacks at protest venues and small explosives hurled at the homes of top protest supporters.

It is unclear who is behind the unrest. But prolonged violence, even on a small scale, increases the chance that the military will stage a coup. Such a scenario would benefit protesters, who have called on the army to take sides and do not have the numbers to bring down the government on their own.

Thailand’s army has staged

about a dozen successful coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. The last coup, in 2006, toppled then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra — Yingluck’s brother — and touched off a societal schism that in broad terms pits the majority rural poor who back the Shinawatras against an urbanbased elite establishment supported by the army and staunch royalists who see Yingluck’s family as a corrupt threat to the traditional structures of power.

Yingluck’s opponents — a minority that can no longer win at the polls — argue the Shinawatras are using their electoral majority to impose their will and subvert democracy.

The crisis boiled over again late last year after the ruling party attempted to push through an amnesty bill that would have allowed Thaksin to return from self-imposed exile. Thaksin has lived abroad since 2008 to avoid a prison sentence for a corruption conviction.

Late Saturday night, a gunman opened fire on anti-government protesters in Bangkok’s Lad Prao

district, where protesters have taken over a key intersection. A 54-year-old man was shot in the back and seriously wounded in the shooting. He underwent surgery and was in the intensive care unit yesterday, the Erawan Center said.

The shooting took place about 300 meters (yards) from a protest stage, police Col. Komsak Sumangkaset said. The wounded man was a volunteer guard at a barricade tasked with checking vehicles and people entering the protest area, he said.

On Friday, a grenade hurled at a crowd of marching demonstrators in another part of Bangkok killed one man and wounded dozens of people, police said.

Anxious about triggering military intervention, Yingluck has ordered police to go out of their way to avoid confrontations with protesters.

The strategy is aimed at averting violence, but it also has undermined rule of law and the government’s authority, with police staying away from the scattered pockets of Bangkok controlled by demonstrators.

Tunisia Assembly To Examine Final Articles of New Constitution

Tunisian MPs attend a session at the National Constituent Assembly to debate a new constitution recently in Tunis.

TUNIS - Tunisian lawmakers will review the final articles of a draft constitution yesterday, the vice president of the assembly said, as they inch closer to a vote over the longdelayed charter.

Lawmakers pushed through another 15 articles on Saturday and will examine the final ones yesterday afternoon, said the National Constituent Assembly vice president Meherzia Labidi.

The assembly is pushing ahead with adoption of the longdelayed new constitution, examining it article by article, as required before a vote on the whole text can take place.

A two-thirds majority of parliament’s 217 elected members is then needed to adopt the charter and avoid it being put to a referendum.

Articles approved on Saturday included ones concerning decentralisation.

Often sharp differences between the majority Islamist Ennahda party and the secular opposition have repeatedly obstructed the process, which was due to be completed by January 14, the third anniversary of the revolution that toppled Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Adopting the new

constitution is seen as key to getting Tunisia’s democratic transition back on track, after a political crisis triggered by the assassination of an opposition MP last year by suspected Islamist militants.

The head of Ennahda’s parliamentary group Sahbi Atig on Saturday hailed progress in pushing the charter through, saying it will “be the pride of all Tunisian men and women”.

But others in the party are unhappy about compromises over the rule of Islam in the new document, with Ennahda hardliner Sadok Chourou denouncing it as “still-born”.

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

International Thousands Protest For Maid Ill-Treatment In Hong Kong

Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan addresses a meeting in Istanbul recently.

HONG KONG - Thousands of people rallied in Hong Kong yesterday to demand justice for a young Indonesian maid who was badly beaten by her employer in a case that has sparked widespread outrage and a police investigation into accusations of torture.

The ill-treatment of foreign domestic workers in Asian and Gulf regions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Dubai has been a longstanding problem but the severe injuries suffered by the Indonesian maid have drawn fresh attention to the risks faced by this migrant community.

“We are workers. We are not slaves,” chanted a crowd of several thousand domestic workers and their supporters as they marched to Hong Kong’s government headquarters.

Some waved the red and white flag of Indonesia, while others held up grisly photographs of the

Craft Probe Backlash: Turkey Purges

ANKARA - Turkey has extended a purge of official bodies to the banking and telecoms regulators and state TV, firing dozens of executives in moves that appear to broaden Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s backlash against a corruption investigation.The authorities have already reassigned thousands of police officers and about 20 prosecutors, and fired some state television officials in response to the corruption investigation, the biggest challenge to Erdogan’s 11-year rule.

Investigators are believed to have been looking into allegations of corruption and bribery involving trade in gold with Iran and big real estate projects, although full details of their charges have not been made public.

The combative prime minister says the investigations, which began a month ago with arrests of high profile figures including the sons of three of his cabinet ministers, are part of an attempted “judicial coup”.

His opponents say they fear a purge of official bodies will destroy the independence of the judiciary, police and media.

“It’s like reformatting a computer. They are changing the whole system and people in

Regulators, State TV

various positions to protect the government,” said Akin Unver, assistant professor of International Relations in Istanbul-based Kadir Has University.

Among dozens of officials dismissed in the latest sackings, Turkish media reported on Saturday that the deputy head of the banking watchdog BDDK and two department heads had been removed.

Five department chiefs were fired at the Telecommunications Directorate (TIB), a body that carries out electronic surveillance as well as serving as telecoms regulator, and a dozen people were fired at Turkey’s state channel TRT, including department heads and senior news editors.

A government official said the firings were carried out for “the benefit of the public” and more could come: “Right now we are working on this issue and if we identify cases problematic to the public’s benefit, more dismissals could be considered.”

Pictures of money-counting machines and reports of cash stacked in the homes of people linked to the graft probe have caused uproar among the

Turkish public.

Unver said the aim of the purge at the telecommunications watchdog could be to prevent further videos and pictures being published on the Internet.

“They are seeking a monolithic structure over the

Internet,” he said.

Several thousand people took to the streets in Turkey’s biggest three cities on Saturday demonstrating against a government-led draft bill to increase controls over the Internet.

battered face and body of the 23year-old maid, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih.

“We have to end modern day slavery like this,” said Ila Hasan, 32, a domestic worker from Indonesia’s island of Java, who wore a red shawl and a blue bandana emblazoned with the word ‘Justice’.

“The employer isn’t human.

These things shouldn’t happen.”

Hong Kong, a former British territory that returned to Chinese rule in 1997, has around 300,000 foreign domestic helpers, most of them from the Philippines and Indonesia.

While cases of such harsh treatment are rare, Hong Kong’s policies on migrant workers have often made maids reluctant to report abuse for fear of losing their livelihoods and being deported if they fail to find new jobs swiftly.

Hong Kong police and the labor bureau are now investigating the case and will interview Erwiana on Monday, said Eni Lestari, the head of advocacy group the International Migrants’ Alliance, which has been in close touch with the victim.

A second maid, identified only as Susi, who claimed to have been abused by the same employer, also gave a statement to police, saying she had frequently been beaten and

abused.

No formal charges have yet been made against the Hong Kong employer, who also reportedly threatened to kill Erwiana and her family if she revealed the abuse she suffered.

Erwiana is now recovering from her injuries at a hospital in Sragen, a city in central Java, after flying out from Hong Kong in early January.

“I want the ones who tortured and wronged my daughter to be prosecuted and have justice done,” said her father, Rohmad Saputra, speaking at her bedside.

The maid had suffered extensive injuries but her condition was stabilizing, a hospital spokesman said.

“She was subjected to intense heat. Most of the bruises are on the face, legs and arms. And she is in a very poor, weak condition,” said Sri Yoko, the spokesman.

“Even what should be light activity is difficult for her. Now the progress is very good, but she still hasn’t been communicating properly.”

Rights groups demanded a review of Hong Kong’s migrant worker policies to tackle issues such as overcharging by job agencies and the “two-week rule”, referring to the deadline by which maids must leave the city after losing their jobs.

Bangkok Blast: Seven Seriously Hurt,

Military Urges End To Crisis BANGKOK - Twenty-eight people were wounded, seven seriously, in explosions yesterday at a camp of antigovernment protesters in Bangkok, the latest violence in a prolonged political crisis dividing the country and threatening the Thai economy.

The explosion comes a day after the military urged both sides to settle their differences in the more than two-month long dispute, in which protesters are trying to bring down the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

“There were 28 people injured from the blast at the Victory Monument,” Suphan Srithamma, director general of

the Bangkok Emergency Medical Centre, told reporters. “Among these 7 people were seriously injured.”

Witnesses said they heard two explosions.

“The first blast I heard was from behind the stage,” said Teerawut Utakaprechanun, who told Reuters Television he had been turning out for the protests every day.

“People were looking around.

I saw the security guards running after a suspect. After one minute I heard another bomb blast.”

On Friday night, one man was killed and 35 protesters were wounded in a grenade explosion

in the capital. That takes to nine the death toll since the protests started in November.

They form the latest episode in an eight-year conflict pitting Bangkok’s middle class and royalist establishment against poorer, mainly rural supporters of Yingluck and her brother, the self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The protesters accuse Thaksin of nepotism and corruption, and aim to eradicate the political influence of his family by altering electoral arrangements, though in ways they have not spelt out, along with other political reforms.

A ceremony for the dead man

was being held at a Buddhist temple in Bangkok on Sunday, where hundreds of people had gathered. It is expected to be attended by the firebrand leader of the government protests, Suthep Thaugsuban.

Earlier in the day, Suthep led thousands in a march through Bangkok demanding that Yingluck resign, and collecting bundles of cash from supporters in the streets in what has become a trademark of his public appearances.

However, there are signs the protests against the government could be running out of steam.

The government has allowed protesters to take over key buildings without confrontation and, crucially, the military has so far remained neutral.

After Palestinian Rocket Attacks

Israel Targets Gaza Militant GAZA - Israel said it carried out an air strike yesterday against a Gaza militant who it blamed for cross-border rocket attacks last week, and Palestinian medics said two people, including a 12-year-old, were wounded.

The so-called “targeted attack” against a man the Israeli military identified as Ahmad Sa’ad, a senior Islamic Jihad operative, was a sign of growing Israeli impatience over a recent upsurge in rocket fire out of the Gaza Strip.

The military said Sa’ad was personally responsible for the launching of five rockets at the Israeli southern city of Ashkelon on Thursday that

were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system.

Palestinian medics said Israeli aircraft attacked a motorbike in the northern Gaza Strip, and that a 24-year-old man and a 12-yearold boy were wounded. They did not identify the two, but the Israeli military said Sa’ad was hit in the strike.

An Israeli military official said on Thursday that Gaza’s ruling Hamas Islamist movement should intervene to stop rocket attacks, which he blamed on smaller militant groups backed

by Iran.

After months of unusual quiet along the fence that separates southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, some 20 missile launches

have been detected in the last month, the Israeli military said.

In a statement on Sunday’s air strike, the military said it “targeted an integral component of the Gaza terrorist mechanism” and would not tolerate “aggression from the Hamas territory”.

The military said Sa’ad was planning further rocket strikes soon against Israel.

Earlier yesterday, a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip struck southern Israel, causing no casualties. Israel responded with air strikes on two sites in the territory.

Hamas said two of its training camps were hit in the attacks, but no one was hurt.

A Pakistani policeman stands guard near the site of a bomb attack on a security convoy in the city of Bannu yesterday.

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

The Nation

Nigeria’s Hundredth Birthday THIS first day of the year of our Lord 2014 was significant for Nigeria because it marks three celebrations, namely Nigeria’s centennial as one political entity, world peace day and new year day.

Nigeria has never had it so much in one day. As Nigeria clocks 100 on lst January, 2014, let us pray for peace and the sustainability of the amalgamation. All powerful and merciful Father, You are the God of justice, love and peace. You rule all over the nations of the world, Power and might are in your hands, And no one can with stand you. We present our country Nigeria to you. We praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.

We are sorry for the sins we have committed and for the good deeds we have failed to do. In your loving forgiveness, keep us safe from the punishment we deserve. Lord we are weighed down not only by uncertainties but also by moral, economic and political problems. Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you. God of infinite goodness, our strength in adversity, our health in weakness, our comfort in sorrow, Be merciful to us your people.

Spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.

Bless us with your kingdom of justice, love and peace. We ask these through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

For our great country Nigeria, it has been from one anniversary celebration to another since 1985. Precisely on 1st October 1985 during the presidency of Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd) Nigeria celebrated her silver jubilee as an independent state.

In 2010 during the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, she also celebrated her golden jubilee as an independent nation.

1st January 2014 was another red letter day for all Nigerians where ever they may be in the universe because it marks the centenary of our dear country Nigeria as one political entity.

We therefore cordially invite all nations to come and celebrate with us this once in a life time event. Nigeria was not one country as it is today.

Nigeria consisted of the Northern Nigeria protectorate and the Southern Nigeria protectorate which were amalgamated on January 1914 by Lord Lugard of blessed memory. The quest for easy administration prompted the merger. The colonizer considered it

By FOSTER A.O. OGBORO advantageous to place the two territories under a single fiscal system, a common railway policy and identical laws - more especially if one controls the coast area and the other has no access to the seaboard. It is completely necessary that this event be marked with a commemorative plaque and a commemorative stamp.

Hopefully Nigeria will celebrate her diamond jubilee as an independent nation come 2020.

If I remember rightly, Italy had her centenary celebration as one political entity in 1961 and her 150th anniversary of the same event in 2011. Deo Velente (L) God willing, like Italy, Nigeria will celebrate her 150th anniversary in the year of our Lord 2064. On 1st October 1960 when Nigeria became independent (Zik of Africa) of blessed memory appealed for unity. He asked Nigerians to be just to one another, they belong he said, to different tribes, spoke different languages and had acquired different cultures “yet after one century of British connection we have been obliged to live together as natives of one country. In other words, the cement which now holds us together is one nationality. In essence he was advocating for unity in diversity as a source of great strength for all Nigerians. Nigeria had truly and really had difficult moments which almost led her to dismember but through divine intervention continued to remain a single entity. The civil war of 1967-1970 still lingers in memories of millions of Nigerians.

Immediately after the end of the civil war, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) said “All Nigerians are unanimous on their desire to live together in peace and harmony with one another irrespective of ethnic origin or creed. We cherish peace and stability, we desire progress, justice and the right atmosphere to live happily as one family and bring our children up as citizens of one united country.

Alh. Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (Frm. president) and first ever executive president of Nigeria said in his post election press conference in Lagos in 1979 “Come and join me in building a united peaceful and stable nation. In his address to state Governors on assumption of office in 1979 said “The state which each of you govern is simply a part of Nigeria and a part cannot indeed be greater than a whole”. Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (rtd) in his inaugural speech as head of state said

“This generation of Nigerians and indeed the future generation have no other country but Nigeria. We must all stay and salvage it together.

The fore going speeches are all geared towards the indivisibility of Nigeria as a Nation since 1st January 1914 (Nigeria’s birth day).

Since Nigeria did not dismember as a result of the bitter civil war, there is no

also chief celebrant of the above event, is indeed remarkable.

We having lived together for a century as natives of Nigeria, now look forward to a new Nigeria where: Corruption which has eaten into the bloodstream of Nigerian life will be followed by punitive action and a blind eye will not be turned to it election rigging which is an offshoot of corruption will be a thing of the past. Rather fail with honors than to succeed by fraud. (Sophocles)

President Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria way she will ever disintegrate. Nigeria is indivisible, indisolvable, inseparable and has come to stay. Nigeria one nation one destiny. It was like at the amalgamation, the marriage vow of “for better or worse we stay” was taken.

Therefore what has been joined together let no man separate (Mk. 10:9). Every kingdom divided against itself is trouble to desolation and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. Luke 3:25. Those who would tear this country down we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security we support you; God save our gracious president. Long live our president. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

There is no government or president anywhere that God has not placed in power.

(Romans 13:1) It is extremely interesting that President Gooduck Ebele Jonathan who was Chief celebrant at the golden jubilee celebration of our freedom from colonial rule in 2010 is also chief celebrant at our country’s centennial celebration as one political entity: That President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is

Dishonest success is a low form of failure. “No one is good enough to govern another man without the man’s consent’ (Abraham Lincoln). A stolen election is not a democratic election at all.

There will be the “four freedoms” freedom of speech which is the corner stone of democracy, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear.!

No one will be oppressed and government more responsible for the safety of Nigerians both at home and abroad.

There will be no nepotism.

The basic rule of justice

will not be allowed to take the back seat and her legal process will be respected.

There will be no perversion of the meaning of democracy There will be profound respect for public opinion A travesty of justice will not be allowed and the bank of justice is not bankrupt The people will not spend beyond their means and government will not spend more than it raises in taxes.

Money will be judiciously used because political control means access to large sums of money The ruler rules for the benefit (well being) of the ruled “Politics is the conduct of public affairs for private advantage” (J.F Clarke) Government should be an opportunity for public service not private gain. There should be a code of conduct to ensure that those who serve the public trust avoid any actual or apparent conflict between their personal and public interest (Goerge W. Bush) There will be no place for hate or revenue There will be governance transparency there will be religious and political tolerance Those in power will be made accountable to those who voted them into power Unity in diversity will be a source of great strength.

The great sore of unemployment shall be healed and poverty reduced to the barest minimum. “No society can surely be flourishing and happy of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable (Adam Smith).

Politics will not be taken as big business of money making amassing wealth by unjust means but as a duty to serve the people and the nation.

More job opportunities would make all citizens feel they are part of the government.

There will be heroes and not celebrities People will only come to power by the ballot paper and not by the barrel of the gun (23) There will be continuous democracy and democracy will not be turned authoritarian (24) Those who have been intoxicated with power will willingly abandon

it.

Politicians will not promise to build a bridge even where there is no river and translate promises to serious action.

There will be no thuggery and political mudslinging in the battle for votes during electioneering.

The game of polities will be played according to the rules and election result will not be known before the election and official result will not be made up.

There will be free, fair and transparent election the outcome of which will reflect the will of the people.

There will be free and fearless press.

There will be a government of all the talents.

There will be enlightened, educated and committed defence and security forces.

There will be a well designed constitution which will not be destroyed.

The honorables will not do dishonorable things eg fighting.

There will be no gerrymandering and corrupt election commission.

Education which is the foundation of good citizenship will be made available to all equal terms because when the people are educated government will ‘not cheat them anymore and failure to take or send children to school will be criminalized.

Water, electricity and fuel shortages will not be problematic The people will vote for issues and not for personality.

There will be no sacred cows and people accused of crime will get convicted.

There will be no gender discrimination Prosperity from the oil wells will be evenly spread Honor will be preferred to wealth, truth to sophistry, kindness to covetousness, modesty to vain gloriousness, service to recognition, humility to grandeur and usefulness to reward.

We pledge to Nigeria our country.

To be faithful loyal and honest To serve Nigeria with all our strength To defend her Unity And uphold her honour and glory So help us God.

“Alh. Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (Frm. president) and first ever executive president of Nigeria said in his post election press conference in Lagos in 1979 “Come and join me in building a united peaceful and stable nation.

In his address to state Governors on assumption of office in 1979 said “The state which each of you govern is simply a part of Nigeria and a part cannot indeed be greater than a whole”. Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (rtd) in his inaugural speech as head of state said “This generation of Nigerians and indeed the future generation have no other country but Nigeria. We must all stay and salvage it together”.

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Wenger Cheered

By MultiFaceted Cazorla ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger believes Santi Cazorla is back to his best after he scored his first Premier League goals in two months to keep his side top of the table.

Cazorla was sidelined for six weeks earlier in the season after suffering an ankle injury in the north London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur on September 1.

But Wenger, the Arsenal manager, feels that the player’s two-goal display in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Fulham at the Emirates Stadium provided confirmation that he is ready to play a key role in his side’s title bid.

“He was out for a long time at the start of the season and had some injury problems. After that he had an ankle problem and only recently, since midDecember, has he come back to his level,” said Wenger.

“When you play in your opponents’ half, in the final third, he is one of the players who can create something special, either through his pass or through his finishing. He is two-footed, and that makes him very dangerous.”

Cazorla linked superbly with Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud to put Arsenal ahead in the 57th minute before pouncing on a weak clearance five minutes later to rifle home the second.

Wenger added: “Wilshere is getting sharper now as well and he was at the start of many moves with little bursts to speed up our game.”

The manager remained tightlipped on suggestions he is eyeing a move for Juventus forward Mirko Vucinic in the January transfer window, although he conceded that he was hoping to strengthen his squad.

“We are looking at potential possibilities for us to get someone in, but we are not especially in for Vucinic,” he told reporters.

“We are not on any special case. I would love to announce something that would excite you and me, but I don’t have the possibility to do it.”

With or without reinforcements, Wenger declared himself satisfied with his side’s progress.

“Look, we have played 22 games and have 51 points,” he said. “If you compare that to any other season you will see that it is one of the best, if not the best ever. So let’s just continue.

“We have a good solidarity in the group and we rotate a bit and sometimes great players are on the bench. I am happy with the performance of my team because we have been remarkably consistent.

“Let’s not forget that we had a difficult start and we have shown all kinds of ingredients technically, but as well mentally, to respond to what happened to us at the start of the season (when they lost 3-1 to Aston Villa).

“It was not easy and we played two more games in the Champions League as well.”

Point Means Progress, Says Rodgers LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers claimed the point his side secured from their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa should be seen as a mark of the progress they have made this season.

Villa took a 2-0 lead in the Premier League clash at Anfield with goals from Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke, but Liverpool fought back to earn a point.

Daniel Sturridge pulled a goal back just before half-time and Liverpool equalised with a controversial penalty won by Luis Suarez and converted by skipper Steven Gerrard.

Rodgers felt the result in the context of this campaign could prove to be a valuable one as Liverpool, fourth in the table, strive to qualify for the Champions League.”It’s a mark of how we are doing. We played Stoke and then Aston Villa last year at the same time last season and we didn’t get any points, we lost both games,? Rodgers said.

“This time we have four points out of the six. It could prove to be a very important point for us.

“It’s a mark of the mentality

Manuel Pellegrini

Pellegrini On The Attack MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini is delighted his work is bearing fruit as his team brought up their century of goals for the season. match to score a lot of goals.

“The first 45 minutes was one City broke took their tally of the best 45 minutes we played from 99 to a remarkable 103 as this season. It is important to they beat Cardiff 4-2 at the continue in the same way.”

Etihad Stadium to stay within a They took the lead in the 14th point of Barclays Premier minute when referee Neil League leaders Arsenal.

Swarbrick - in a demonstration Pellegrini has made clear his of the effectiveness of the Goal love of attacking football since Decision System - indicated that taking charge last summer and Edin Dzeko’s shot had crossed his free-scoring side are the line before Kevin delivering impressively.

McNaughton cleared.

The Chilean said: “I think it is Craig Noone scored a brilliant very important for the team. equaliser after a weaving run but “It is not easy to score 100 and Jesus Navas quickly responded.

103 goals just a little bit past the Cardiff battled early in the middle of the season. second half but Yaya Toure and “It reflects how we think about substitute Sergio Aguero made this team must play and I think victory safe in the last 15 the players feel comfortable in minutes, before Fraizer what we are doing.

Campbell grabbed an injury“We are always a creative time consolation. team and we have chances every

Pellegrini said: “I think we are in a very good moment, and the confidence of the whole team, not only 11 players, is very high at the moment.

“Of course if the season continues in this way in the last month there will be pressure for all the teams.

“I hope we will continue in this way. It will be a very close Premier League until the end.”

Pellegrini was not overly concerned about the goals his side conceded.

He said: “It is better to be concentrating but this team is playing very often, a game every three days.

“Cardiff didn’t have many chances to score goals. One in

the last minute and one play they did in the first half.

“We missed five or six clear goals. It is better not to concede goals but it is not my first worry at this moment.”

Cardiff’s defeat left them bottom of the table but the competition is tight and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took plenty from their performance.

Solskjaer said: “We felt that with 15 minutes to go we had the crowd turning - not against them but they weren’t sure of the three points.

“We made them make a few mistakes. It was a great response after the poor start we had.

team that we weren’t at our best and could dig out a result. It was a good point in the end considering we were 2-0 down.

“We couldn’t get going and get any rhythm. We couldn’t get any flow in our game, but in the second half we showed great spirit.

“We weren’t great, but it was going to be very important we got something from the game.

We’ve shown yet again great character to come back.”

Rodgers also addressed the game?s most controversial moment when Suarez went to ground in the penalty area after Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan came off his line and referee Jon Moss awarded a spot-kick.

Television replays were inconclusive as to whether Guzan had touched on the Uruguay striker.

“It was a clear penalty,” said Rodgers. “When you watch it closely, the goalkeeper’s left arm made contact with Luis Suarez’s foot.

“I also thought we were unlucky not to get another penalty when Leandro Bacuna handballed it.”

Villa manager Paul Lambert exonerated American international Guzan of any blame and felt it was a harsh decision which went against his side.

“I think Brad Guzan pulled his arms away which could be a biased view,” Lambert said.

“I think the referee was in a good position. But, as I said, I thought Guzan pulled his arms away. I don’t think it was a penalty.

“With the magnitude of the game you have to be 100% sure.

You are up against the Kop End, and that can be intimidating.”

The point left Villa, who have now lost just one of their last five visits to Anfield, in mid-table.

And Lambert admitted there were plenty of plus points after they came into the game on the back of a defeat to leaders Arsenal and being knocked out of the FA Cup by League One Sheffield United.

Stars Want To Join United

DAVID Moyes has insisted Manchester United remain the world’s biggest club and is

Arsenal’s midfielder Santi Cazorla (middle) celebrates Scoringwith teammates during an English Premier League football match between agaisnt Fulham at the Emirates Stadium in London weekend.

- Moyes

adamant that high-class players still want to join them.

United go to Chelsea on Sunday only seventh in the Premier League after a difficult start under Moyes, which has included elimination from the FA Cup, and the former Everton manager has struggled to sign new players, with Marouane Fellaini his only major addition so far.

However, he believes United have not lost their lustre and that major talents are still eager to sign for them.

Moyes told British Sunday newspapers: “Manchester United are not only the biggest club in this country but the biggest club in the world. Some of the results have been not what you want but I wouldn’t say the aura is fading. In fact, I think the opposite.”

Moyes has scouted a number of players, including Atletico Madrid’s Koke and the Juventus trio of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal

and Claudio Marchisio, as he looks for reinforcements.

He also failed in summer bids to sign Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara, Daniele De Rossi, Sami Khedira, Ander Herrera, Leighton Baines and Fabio Coentrao.

But he added: “The amount of big players wanting to join United is incredible. Maybe players want to go for the money to other clubs but, if you ask them where they really want to be, they want to wear the badge of Manchester United.

“It’s because of the club and what it stands for in world terms.

Players are not looking at the share price. They are looking at the football club.”

Despite their disappointing start to the season, Moyes has not given up hope of retaining the title, saying: “There are plenty of games to go.”

The Scot believes the press are making the most of United’s difficult spell, asking: “Are people enjoying United squirming? None more so than the media.”

THE NIGERIAN

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MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Lens Tracking Opare

Burundi Eye CHAN Last- Eight After Late Show BURUNDI on Saturday left it late to shoot to the top of Group D of the 2014 CHAN after they stunned Mauritania 32 in Durban.

The youthful Burundi are now top of the group with four points, while Gabon are second also with four points after they defeated DR Congo 1-0.

DRC have three points while point-less Mauritania have been eliminated from the competition.

Burundi skipper Yamini fired home the winner in stoppage time with a superb long-range strike when it had looked like this match would end in a draw.

Mauritania scored the opening goal in the first minute through

Ghana To Play Montenegro In March GHANA will play Montenegro in an international friendly in March to prepare for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

Although the Ghana FA is yet to confirm, a local website Ghanasoccernet, claims the match will be played at the City Stadium in Podgorica on 5 March.

According to the Montenegro FA, the agreement to play the match in the European country was reached on Friday evening.

Ghana will face two European countries; Portugal and Germany in Group G at the 2014 World Cup finals.

This confirmation puts to rest earlier reports that Colombia had reached a deal to play the Black Stars on the same date.

Ely Cheikh, when he darted into the box and fired from an acute angle to beat Arthur Arakaza by the near post.

Burundi equalised after 11 minutes courtesy of a free header from inside the box by the lively Fiston Razak Abdul.

Yamini missed a golden opportunity to put his country in front in the 26th minute, but his penalty was saved by goalkeeper Brahim Souleymane.

Burundi went in front in the 61st minute courtesy of Christophe Nduwarugira, before Mohamed Taghiyoullah levelled for Mauritania in the 70th minute.

In the first match of this group earlier on Saturday, Erwin Nguema gave Gabon an early start when he scored with a header after just two minutes and this would eventually prove the match winner.

The final matches in this group will be played on Wednesday with Mauritania tackling Gabon and leaders Burundi up against DR Congo.

FRENCH Ligue 2 side RC Lens have been linked with Ghana defender Daniel Opare.

According to L’Equipe, head coach Antoine Kombouare is wants to sign him in the summer.

The Blood and Gold are confident of securing promotion to the French Ligue 1 next season and are already Lens are currently third on the league table and will be promoted if they maintain their position.

Opare has six months left on his current contract with Belgian side Standard Liege.

There are reports that stellar European clubs are chasing his signature.

Italian giants AS Roma and a host of French Ligue 1 sides including Marseille and Lille are interested.

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid Coach

Ancelotti Hails Madrid Professionalism

REAL Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti lauded his side’s preparation after they disposed of struggling Real Betis 5-0 at the Benito Villamarin. to take Madrid level on points Cristiano Ronaldo rounded off with Barcelona and Atletico a fine individual week with a Madrid at the top of La Liga. stunning 25-yard effort to open Defeat leaves Betis rooted to the scoring before Gareth Bale the foot of the table and without doubled Madrid’s advantage a win in 13 league games from a free-kick with his first stretching back to September. goal in two months.

Ancelotti was pleased that Karim Benzema then despite the hosts’ predicament, registered his 100th goal for the his side showed ruthless club, whilst Angel di Maria and efficiency in front of goal to put Alvaro Morata got their names them to the sword. on the scoresheet after the break

French Footballers Face Under-Age Prostitute Trial FRENCH footballers Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema go on trial today charged with having sex with an underage prostitute who later gained fame as a lingerie model and designer.

Bayern Munich winger Ribery, 30, and Real Madrid striker Benzema, 26, are facing up to three years in prison and fines of up to 45,000 euros ($55,000) each on charges they paid for sex with Zahia Dehar while she was under 18.

Neither of the two men are expected to attend the start of the trial in Paris, Ribery’s lawyer Carlo Alberto Brusa said.

Ex-call girl Dehar, who rose to fame under the tutelage of fashion impresario Karl Lagerfeld after the charges emerged, is also not expected to attend.

Brusa said he was confident of an acquittal, after prosecutors recommended the charges be dropped for lack of evidence the men were aware she was a minor.

“We are going in confident and we are going to fight,” he said.

Dehar has also withdrawn as a civil plaintiff in the case. “She is

not asking for anything,” said her lawyer, Daniel Vaconsin.

The two players are accused of having paid for sex with Dehar when she was 16, in Benzema’s case, and 17, in Ribery’s.

Although the age of consent is 15 in France, paying for sex with anyone under 18 is a crime.

The trial is going ahead after France’s highest court, the Cour de Cassation, ruled that only those aware that a prostitute was under-age can be found guilty of breaking the law.

Ribery’s brother-in-law is also charged with soliciting a minor for sex and five other accused face maximum prison terms of 10 years for aggravated pimping in the case.

Ribery has admitted having sex with Dehar after she was flown to Munich in 2009 as a “present” for his 26th birthday, but insists he could not have known she was not 18 at the time.

Benzema, who is accused of paying for sex with Dehar in a Paris hotel when she was 16, denies that any encounter took place.

Dehar, now 21, became a

celebrity following the scandal and has since established herself as a designer of luxury lingerie, thanks partly to being befriended and championed by Lagerfeld, who has described her as a quintessential French courtesan.

Dehar has testified that she had paid-for sex with both players but has said she lied to them about her age.

Dehar’s alleged encounters with the two French internationals came to light after she was arrested in connection with a police investigation into the now defunct Zaman Cafe, a nightclub close to the Champs Elysees that attracted an eclectic mix of reality TV stars, criminals and dozens of prostitutes.

Brothers Elie and Georges Farhat, who ran the club, are among the accused.

News of the investigation into Ribery and Benzema broke just before France’s disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign, which featured unprecedented bickering within the squad that culminated in a brief strike by the players and ended in a first round exit.

“The games are easy in retrospect. Beforehand, every game can cause problems but we prepared well and played well.”

Ancelotti had said prior to the game on Friday that Bale had plenty of margin to improve after a lacklustre start to the year following a calf injury.

The Italian was much happier with the Welshman’s contribution in Seville as he scored his 10th goal of the season.

And he reserved a special mention for Bale’s former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Luka Modric, who once again excelled in midfield.

“Bale played well, as did the whole team. We played with great quality and concentration throughout the game,” he said.

“Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema

were very efficient.

“The whole team gave them a lot of opportunities because we played with pace up front. We had a lot of chances and the help given by the midfielders, particularly Modric, was very good.”

Victory means Madrid finished Saturday joint top of the table for the first time since midSeptember.

Barcelona and Atletico can reopen a three-point gap at the top should they beat Levante and Sevilla respectively on Sunday.

However, Ancelotti was pleased to have put the pressure on Real’s title rivals.

“This game was an important opportunity for us to go top of the table. It might be for just one night, but tonight we will sleep well.”

Kruse Likely To Miss World Cup AUSTRALIA’S Robbie Kruse is likely to miss the World Cup finals in Brazil after sustaining a knee injury that will need surgery next week.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward was injured at training on Friday and scans on Saturday

Robbie Kruse

confirmed he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and would miss the rest of the season, his Bundesliga club said.

Similar injuries have required up to a year of rehabilitation for other athletes, though local media have reported the 25-yearold was considering a different procedure that could see him playing again in three months.

The ligament augmentation and reconstruction system (LARS) uses synthetic components to repair the damage, though its long term success and effects are still unclear.

Kruse was seen as the linchpin of Ange Postecoglou’s attack for the World Cup, where they open their Group B campaign against Chile in Cuiaba on June 13. The Netherlands and world champions Spain are also in the group.

Daniel Opare

Koke Signs New Atletico Deal KOKE has signed a new contract at Atletico Madrid that will tie the midfielder to the club until 2018.

Marca reports that Koke’s contract was originally extended in September but the Vicente Calderon hierarchy were keen to improve the player’s terms once more.

Koke has been a target for Manchester United and it is felt that the Premier League club’s interest was the primary driver behind the decision to renegotiate.

The release clause in Koke’s deal has been upped from +24m to +60m.

Atletico have signed the likes of Arda Turan, Diego Costa, Juanfran, Diego Godin and Tiago Mendes to new deals this season and continued the trend not only with Koke but also Olivier Torres and Javi Manquillo.

Both of the youngsters have also agreed new contracts, with Marca adding that Atelti are happy to maintain three of their home-grown players.

Koke

THE NIGERIAN

30

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Australian Open...Australian Open...Australian Open...

Ana Ivanovic Stuns Serena Williams In Melbourne Thriller A resurgent Ana Ivanovic shook off her girl-next-door image and revealed a delicious mean streak yesterday as she dumped an injury-hampered Serena Williams from the Australian Open fourth round in one of her finest victories in years.

A one-slam wonder long derided as brittle in the clinches, the 26-year-old Serbian overhauled the raging favourite 4-6 6-3 6-3 in a dazzling display of power hitting that left the Rod Laver Arena crowd thrilled and astonished in equal measure.

Restricted by a back injury and numbed with painkillers, world number one Williams struggled with her movement and was well off her best, but was given no quarter by Ivanovic, who attacked the American’s serve with arrogance and closed out the

Ana Ivanovic

Pennetta Into First Quarter-Final ITALY’S Flavia Pennetta advanced to her first Australian Open quarter-final with as much relief as delight on Sunday just weeks after suffering a left wrist injury that she thought could rule her out of the Melbourne Park tournament.

Pennetta had reason to be worried after an injury to her right wrist required surgery in 2012, leading her to spend six months on the sidelines, miss last year ’s Australian Open and watch her ranking drop to 166 by June.

“It was a really difficult moment, because I didn’t know what I had,” the 31-year-old told reporters after she advanced to the quarter-finals following a 61 4-6 7-5 victory over ninthseeded German Angelique Kerber.

“I had an MRI (scan) five days after which turned out to be pretty good because my ligament and my tendon were fine,” she added of the injury she sustained at the Hopman Cup in Perth and forced her out of the Hobart International. “Just a strain.”

Pennetta, who has won nine career titles and broke into the top-10 in 2009, found her original injury and subsequent drop in rankings hard to take.

“The feeling I had was completely not good,” she said.

“I continued to work in a positive way with my team and with everyone, but in the beginning the results were poor.

Flavia Pennetta

“I think I had five or six first rounds in a row.”

Flavia Pennetta talks to Barbara Schett after her threesets victory over Angelique Kerb…

A run to the fourth round at last year’s Wimbledon, however, appeared to indicate an upturn in fortunes and improved her ranking and she then reached the semi-finals at the U.S. Open - her best performance at a grand slam.

“Of course the U.S. Open was really important for me,” she said. “Everything just changed, because I think I had tried to play all the time and worked really hard.”

Serena Williams

The Secret Is Out, SERENA Williams followed her shock fourth round loss to Ana Ivanovic at the Australian Open on Sunday by admitting that “the secret is out” over her condition.

Williams admitted that a bad back sustained during practice hampered her movement, but refused to blame the injury for her stunning exit that blew the Australian Open wide open.

Raging favourite to clinch her 18th Grand Slam title and sixth at Melbourne Park, the world number one was overhauled 4-6 6-3 6-3 in front of an astonished Rod Laver Arena crowd as the resurgent Ivanovic soared to her finest victory in years.

Williams crashed out in a hail of 31 unforced errors and managed only three winners in the third set as the anticipated fightback the American has counted on throughout her career failed to materialise.

Her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who talked up a serious tilt at a calendar Grand Slam before the tournament, said Williams had “blocked” her back during practice before her third round match against Daniela Hantuchova.

Mats Wilander analyses Serena Williams’s shock

Says Serena Williams Australian Open defeat to Ana Ivanovic.

“I guess the secret is out, but I obviously wasn’t hitting the way I normally would hit and wasn’t moving the way I normally would move and making a lot of errors that I normally would not make and I haven’t made in a couple of years,” she told reporters after her 25-match winning streak was snapped.

“But it’s okay. I feel like I know for a fact I can play so much better than what I did today, so with that, knowing that, I’m not disappointed or anything.

“I just know that I can play 10 times better than what I did today.

“I have just been on some — the strongest meds I can take, that are legal, which my body didn’t handle it well because I haven’t been taking anything. So I was like really kind of out of it for a few days.”

The back injury makes three straight Melbourne Park campaigns where Williams, the greatest player of her generation, has suffered untimely fitness problems to exit relatively early.

She was knocked out last year in the quarter-finals by Sloane

Stephens after rolling an ankle early in the tournament and stunned in the fourth round by Ekaterina Makarova in 2012, having suffered another foot injury in the leadup.

Williams said she was unaware of the nature of the back injury but doubted it would affect her for too long.

match with barely a hint of nerves.

The greatest player of her generation, Williams has long traded on her aura and a CV boasting 17 grand slam titles, and 14th seed Ivanovic faced a battle to forget her opponent’s fearsome reputation and her winless record against her.

“We all know what kind of champion she is,” former world number one Ivanovic told reporters after reaching the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2008, when she eventually lost in the final to Maria Sharapova.

“When we were starting the match and they were talking about all her grand slam titles, it was quite impressive.

“I just stayed in the moment physically. I didn’t think much about the occasion and who I was playing, because it can get overwhelming.

“I had to remind myself all the time just to stay in the moment.

Because there were moments in the match where it could have gone either way.

“I could have just made few more errors. But I really just believed in my game and stepped up when I needed to.

“I had to break a spell, fourth round, and what’s the better place to do it than here against such a champion?”

Ana Ivanovic talks to Mats Wilander after her brilliant Australian Open victory over Ser… Having never won a set let alone a match against the American in their four previous career meetings, Ivanovic ended the American’s 25-match winning streak that included last year’s U.S. Open and a perfect end to the season.

Williams’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou revealed the 31year-old had “blocked” her back during practice before the third round but the American refused to lean on it as an excuse.

“I almost didn’t play,” she told reporters. “But, hey, I did, and at least I feel good that I tried the

best that I could on this day.

“At the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world.

“I feel like I’ll win (the title) again. Maybe just obviously not this year, but maybe next year.”

Famous for her disdain for cooler weather, Williams emerged onto the court like a CEO, wearing a smart tuxedo jacket over her matching pink skirt, but it was Ivanovic who was dictating terms from the outset.

The Serbian earned break points against Williams in the first game and broke the American for only the second time in the tournament at 2-2 in the first set.

Affronted, Williams hit back with a string of sizzling returns and broke her opponent twice to seal the opener after bringing up a second set point with a searing backhand down the line.

Ivanovic shrugged off the setback and stayed true to her gameplan, breaking Williams again at 2-2 in the second.

The Serbian raised huge roars from the terraces by lacing a searing forehand winner, one of 33 for the match, on set point to send the contest to a decider.

Ivanovic marched on, breaking Williams’s serve to surge to a 3-0 lead in the third and completed the stunning upset by serving out the match to love.

The most outrageous net cord you’ll ever see Ana Ivanovic needed a bit of luck in her win over Serena Williams - including this aston…

The Serbian will take on the winner of unheralded Australian Casey Dellacqua and 30th seed Eugenie Bouchard, and has her best chance of reaching the last four of a grand slam since she won the French Open title in 2008.

“Last year, I had few occasions when I was really close to beating top players,” said Ivanovic, who made the fourth round of three of the four grand slams last year.

“I’m not afraid of going deep against these top players.

“I’m ready for the battle, and hopefully I can show this game all the way.”

Imperious Djokovic Canters Into going to gain few kilos and have NOVAK Djokovic offered his Quarters to colour my hair in order to do best impersonation of new coach the proper Becker imitation.”

Boris Becker both on and off the court in another flawless performance as he reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Sunday.

The three-time defending champion crushed Italy’s 15th seed Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-3 6-0 6-2 to book his place in the last eight without losing a set.

The Serb dropped just 10 points on his serve - Becker’s speciality - in the entire match and Fognini was left to resort to joking around in the third set in an attempt to distract the second seed.

But the real fun came afterwards when the second-

seeded Serb impersonated the service action, walk and mannerisms of Becker, as the German looked on from the stands.

“I saw his face reactions,” Djokovic told reporters. “The first impression, when I did all the serves, he was happy and was applauding.

“When I said how he is today with his problems in the back and everything, he was not so happy about that. He was upset.

But, no, it’s all for good laughs.

“It’s actually the first time after a long time I’ve actually done Becker imitation. I don’t know how I was. Was it OK? I’m

Novak Djokovic eased into the Australian Open quarterfinals, dropping just five games a…

If Djokovic saved the fun stuff for after the match, he was deadly serious during it as he ripped apart Fognini with ruthlessly efficient hitting. After breaking once to win the first set, Djokovic rattled off 14 of the next 15 points on his way to a 40 lead in the second.

Fognini enjoyed the best year of his career in 2013 but was powerless against Djokovic, who admits he is happy with all parts of his game.

THE NIGERIAN

31

NTF Appoints Korean Coach For National Teams THE Nigeria Taekwando Federation (NTF) on Saturday appointed Mr Kim Jin Beom, a Korean, as a coach to prepare its team for international championships.

Mr George Ashiru, the President of the federation, told newsmen in Abuja that the coach would resume duty on Feb.1 in Abuja.

He said the coach would prepare the national team for all the forthcoming championships like the World Junior Championships, World

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014

Youth Olympics and the African Youth Games.

He further added that the African Senior Championships and Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships were also forthcoming.

Ashiru said the coach would bring additional expertise to the table by developing the game and taking it to a greater height.

“We cannot stay where we are and expect miracles; we need strategic development in the game and the National Sports Commission has gone into higher gear for making this possible.

“We need new training methodologies and coaches already operating at the frequency of our competitors.

“So the foreign coach will add more bite to the skills of our coaching crew,’’ he said.

ABS Unveils 30 New Players • To Pay Premier League Salaries

THE management of Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC of Ilorin has assured its 30 new players that they would enjoy bonus and allowance as players in the Premier League.

The General Manager of (ABSFC), Alloy Chukwuemeka, gave this assurance on Saturday at the unveiling of the new players at the club’s secretariat, Ilorin.

He said that the club would pay the new players Premier League salary and feeding allowance.

According to him, the club will not pay any player a fixed salary

but based on each person’s performances.

Chukwuemeka said that the club would pay only salaries because sign-on fee system had been abolished.

He said performance chart would be used to rate the players, adding that the club would not hesitate to send any player who performed below

expectation away from the team.

The ABS manager said that another 20 youth players would soon be unveiled as the feeder team of the club.

He explained that 10 out of the 20 players would be from the Kwara Football Academy while the remaining 10 would be picked from the streets across the state.

Also speaking, the Kwara Football Association Chairman, Malam Busari Ishola,

Rangers Down Abia Warriors

Olaitan Knocks On Eagles Door Again MICHAEL Olaitan shone again for Olympiacos yesterday to again stake further claim for an Eagles call-up leading up to the World Cup. The Flying Eagles attacking midfielder was the hero of his Greek Super League club when he scored in his team’s 2-0 win over Levadiakos to earn three points.

Olympiacos, who will

battle Manchester United in next month’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie, remain top of the table with 56 points from 20 points.

He scored the opener in the 54th minute, just eight minutes after he came on as a substitute for Konstantinos Mitroglou.

He has now scored three goals in 10 games.

He has been tipped by MTNFootball.com to be considered by coach Stephen Keshi on his 40-man provisional squad for the World Cup in June in Brazil..

Aminu Maigari

Confed Cup:

Olaitan

Egwuekwe Leads Wolves

SKIPPER Azubuike Egwuekwe who is bound for Europe has been registered

by Warri Wolves for the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup. The big Eagles defender is one of 28 players registered

by Wolves for the second-tier continental club competition.

Other players listed by Wolves include former Enyimba skipper Josiah

Maduabuchi, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu from Heartland, Musa Najare, Brendan Ogbu as well as Daddy Bazuaye and Joshua Obaje, who until recently featured in South Africa.

Wolves boss Davidson Owumi has assured that with the quality of players signed by his team, they will make Nigeria proud on the

involved in discovering talents by initiating grassroots programmes in their respective states.

He said the state associations needed to come up with programmes to reposition the sports at the grassroots.

“State associations must have good structures for NBSA to be strong. The

associations should go to the schools and popularise the sports.

“If players are not identified and nurtured at the grassroots, the NBSA will not be able to organise regular national competitions where states can compete.

“So, a lot still needs to be done by the states to strengthen and restructure the sports in the country,” he said.

continent this season. release by the secretary of the club Lawrence Omohwo, disclosed that Mr. Owumi expressed delight that they were able to secure the services of very experienced players both within and outside the shores of the country who have what it takes.

Owumi said the club

signed eight new players and retained 20 from last season to go into the continent and that with the re-engagement of coach Paul Aigbogun, no team will stop them this season on the continent.

Wolves have drawn bye for the second round of the Confederation Cup.

Ishola Williams Urges States To Develop Baseball, Softball

THE President of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Ishola Williams, on Saturday appealed to state associations to develop the sports at the grassroots.

Speaking at a summit organised by the association at the University of Lagos to restructure the sports, Williams said the state associations should be

commended the proprietor of the club, Sen. Bukola Saraki, for his continuous support for the team.

He called on Kwara people to always come out in their numbers to support Kwara Utd and ABS whenever they are playing.

Ishola urged the new players to be focused and disciplined so as to achieve the objective of returning to the Premier League next season.

The 30 players unveiled included four goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven mid-fielders and 10 attackers.

The players, after being unveiled, signed code of conduct and performance contract forms.

The Nigeria National League is expected to kick off on Saturday, January 25, with matches to be played across the country.

He commended Rivers and Lagos states for introducing baseball and softball leagues in 2013, saying that it will go a long way to increase the popularity of the game.

Williams, who is also the President of the Africa Baseball and Softball Association, urged all stakeholders to be more committed to the development of the sports.

Egwuekwe

ENUGU Rangers pipped newly promoted Abia Warriors 10 in a pre-season match at the Nnmadi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Saturday.

The match winner was Razaq Adegbite, whose 15th minute strike was enough to turn back the Umuahia-based outfit emptyhanded.

Abia Warriors paraded several experienced campaigners like Chidozie Johnson, Ogbonna Okemiri, and Onyekachi Okoye, while Rangers lined up Terry Envoh, Ovboka Agbonyi, Bright Ejike, Okey Odita and Yakubu Binuyo.

Warriors coach Emeka Ezeugo described his team as “a work in progress” after the game “It was a good game despite the loss. My players did well in holding their own against a top side like Rangers,” said the former Nigeria World Cup star.

“We still have a lot of work to do before the start of the season and I can safely say that, this project is work in progress.

“We hope to maintain our premiership status when the league starts and possibly be among the top sides. It is very possible and that is our target.

THE NIGERIAN

CMYK

32 “IT must be emphasized that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s knack for excellence, quality job delivery done to specification and completion of job on time has seen him several times visiting and monitoring on-going projects within Benin City and across the 3 Senatorial districts of Edo State” – Quote in Conqueror of The Godfathers (Page 80).

Sometime last year, I was hanging out with friends and the question of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s completion of all roads and drainage under construction, most especially the Benin City water storm project came up. Someone said vehemently that the Comrade Governor, just like most second time Governors will abandon the work he has started.

I rose up in stiff defence of the Governor that the Comrade cannot and will never abandon the ongoing road construction work especially in Benin City and environs. Why did I rise in defence of the Comrade Governor in such gathering of friends? I defended the Governor because I have taken pains to study him. When I was gathering materials for the book: ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE – CONQUEROR OF THE GODFATHERS, I discovered that the man, though, not perfect as a human being, has genuine intentions for the people of Edo State.

I told my friends that apart from the Comrade Governor’s antecedent before he emerged as the undisputed Governor of Edo State on November 11, 2008; that the Comrade Governor will not want to put whoever that will emerge was the Governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo in 2016 in a “tight corner”. Tight corner in the sense that

I am using this opportunity to call on the authorities of the Edo State Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission (NDDC) to wake up to their responsibilities in this year – 2014. I am saying

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2014 linking Amadasun and Yogie Hotels roads in the Oluku locality and after laying of asphalt close to the culvert, the contractor abandoned the job and moved his earth moving

Ugbowo-Uselu-Lagos Road Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will like to fulfil his electioneering promises, especially concerning roads construction and the much talked about Benin City storm water control project.

Last year too, when roads construction across the state slowed down, as a result of dwindling resources from the Federal Allocation to Edo State. As claimed by some representatives of the State Government, the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Barr. Osarodion Ogie said countless times that on-going roads construction and the Benin City storm water project will be completed in due course.

Some of the people who raised the matter with me doubted the assurance coming from Bar. Osarodion Ogie.

But, I remember telling them that the Hon. Commissioner is a man of of his words. Here is a man, I have closely watched when he was Chief of Staff, Government House in the first tenure of Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

As I was driving through the Ugbowo-UseluLagos Road recently I saw that bulldozers and caterpillars, and other earth moving equipments have started doing something on the ever busy and all important road in the state capital. I will come back to the issue of Ugbowo-Uselu-Lagos Road shortly.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State Governor

this because NDDC abandoned most of the roads projects under construction within and across Edo State in 2013.

One of such roads abandoned to fate is the Amadasun/Yogie Hotel roads project in the Oluku axis of Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Investigation concerning the above abandoned road construction project revealed that the contractor who got the job moved to site in November/December 2012 and moved very fast with the job.

After constructing a culvert in a T-junction

equipments outside the locality close to Christmas in 2012.

Since that time the roads project has been left to fate. Investigation further showed that the contractor actually used his personal income and equipments to prosecute the job to that state in Amadasun/Yogie Hotel area before he could no longer continue. The question now is why is NDDC handling its contractors in such manner?

Why has not the contractor come back to finish the good job he had started? Who is to blame for the present fate of the road project?

I remember that close to December 2013, Mr. President charged NDDC board not to embark on any new project, until all existing contractual jobs have been completed. What must have prompted Mr. President to give such directives? I think the reason is not far fetched.

NDDC as a body has failed the people of the Niger Delta woefully and abysmally.

Now, there is something nauseating about the abandoned road construction work in Amadasun/Yogie area, in Oluku axis of Ovia North East Local Government Area.

Today, after the culvert

linking Amadasun and Yogie Hotel Road, the rest stretch of road is sloppy. That is to say that as soon as the rainy season sets in this year, the landlords and residents in that sloopy area are in for real trouble, because erosion is going to torment them.

I am therefore, urging Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to call the attention of the NDDC chairman and his Lieutenants to revisit the abandoned Amadasun/Yogie Hotel road project in the name of fairness, humanity and democratic dividend. I stop for now.

Work has started, again on the UgbowoUselu-Lagos Road with a view to finally complete the all important project, just like the newly reconstructed Airport Road, in Benin City. By the time this road is completing once and for all, it will definitely add a scintillating cap to the glorious achievements of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

This is to encourage Bar. Osarodion Ogie, the Hon. Commissioner for works not to rest in his determination to see that all ongoing roads construction projects across the state, and the Benin storm water control work are duly completed before the expiration of the Comrade Governor’s tenure. I know this government will never disappoint the people.

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor: BARR. SOLOMON IMOHIOSEN (KSJI)-(07030699646), Deputy General Manager-Marketing (08023457566), Assistant General Manager-Advertisement (08023808856) Lagos Office: 3/4 Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way, By Olushosun Bus Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)