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THE NIGERIAN
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The Nigerian
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 NO.315 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2 013 • N 100.00 VIEW POINT Page 22 Avoiding ember months’ tears
Nigeria spends $3.bn annually - IITA Wheat importation:
By DOROTHY EGBOBAMWONYI
BENIN CITY – Team leader of the International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Mr. Mazundar Samiran said Nigeria spends $3.6billion on importation
of wheat flour annually. This is coming on the wake of disclosure by the Regional Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development, Mr. M. O. Odey that Federal government has saved $200 million with the use Continues on page 2
FG Employment
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INTERNATIONAL FEATURES
Page 24 Violence, Threatens Philippines’ booming economy
Stop application fees collection, Reps urge MDAs ABUJA - The House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja resolved to direct Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to stop collecting processing fees from prospective job applicants. ( APC-Ogun) which was It also urged the Senate unanimously adopted. to expedite action on the Leading the debate, cyber crime bill before it Balogun said that many to enhance the fight Nigerians, in desperate against Internet crime. search for employment, The House further were falling victims of mandated the fake recruitment committees on Police advertisements on the Affairs and Public Safety, Internet. as well as National According to him, such Security to interface with advertisements are the Police, SSS, NSCDC usually posted by and other security dubious persons acting agencies. on behalf of public and It enjoined unemployed private organisations. Nigerians to be cautious “These scammers and always confirm the usually use the names credibility of all Internet of big organisations jobs advertisement. such as oil companies The resolution was and security agencies to sequel to a motion moved carry out their nefarious by Rep. Abiodun Balogun activities,” he said.
According to him, most worrisome is that they add international dimension to their
operations by offering fake job opportunities outside Nigeria. The legislator said that
the Federal Government was doing its best to confront the ugly situation through various
programmes and initiatives. In his contribution, Continues on page 2
PDP Crisis: Tukur seeks
Chinese party’s support
ABUJA - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has promised to cooperate with the Chinese Peoples National Congress to strengthen its leadership, control, sustainability and dependence. The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday when Mr. Zhang Dejiang, the Chairman of the congress visited him. “The need for the enactment of true party values between both parties and their countries are of paramount importance to us all. “This will help to streamline ideologies, modify beliefs, manage conflicts and accelerate functionality of internal party democracy,” Tukur said. He added that such cooperation would help
set new roles and make those entrusted with the leadership of the PDP to acquire more zeal and exposure internally and internationally. “Certainly, when bilateral ties are concretised, political actions will be stimulated to eliminate impending political barriers and complexities of diversity will be minimised,” he said. Tukur also stressed the need for both countries to expand their areas of cooperation for mutual benefits and the world at
large. He noted the unequalled powers vested on party leaders in the Chinese Communist Party and the excellent orientation of its members. Continues on page 2
SIGNING OF MoU:Tead Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Irene Jumbo-Ibeakuzie (left) and Executive Director, Wholesale Finance, Bank of Agriculture, Alhaji Ahmadu Waziri, signing an MoU on Agricultural Credit for Niger Delta Farmers in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
No plans to relocate AAU Medical College - PRO By OSE EHEBHA
EKPOMA - The management of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma, Edo State has denied media
report of state government’s plans to relocate the University’s College of Medicine to Governor Adams Oshiomhole home townIyamoh. A statement signed by
the University’s Spokesperson, Chris Adamaigbo KSC described the college’s
FG assures of prudent budget in 2014
ABUJA - The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, says the country will have a prudent 2014 budget which will be all inclusive. Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Coordinating
Minister for the Economy, gave the assurance when he briefed newsmen on the state of nation’s economy in Abuja on Wednesday. “We are still at the
middle of drafting the budget and we don’t want to come to you with some figures and later on, change it. “But it is true, we will have what I call a very prudent budget because
Nigeria is living in a world and global environment, therefore, we have to watch it. “All of you would have heard about the discovery of gas and oil Continues on page 2
purported planned movement as strange to governing council, senate and management of the university. The statement clarified that the present students population of the institution had nothing to do with action or otherwise of state government, but due to National Universities Commission (NUC) enrolment guidelines for
universities. On the issue of appointment of a substantive Vicechancellor of the university, the statement said it was receiving the attention of the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the university. A group, Esan Elders Forum had recently alleged in a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Chief Julius Akpede, National Vice Chairman, Prof. Continues on page 2
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
News
Nigeria spends $3.bn annually
Continued from page 1
of cassava flour for baking. The amount, Mr. Odey said would have been committed to the importation of wheat flour. The disclosure was made
yesterday at the inauguration of the training of Master Bakers drawn from within and outside Edo State. The training programme was organised in Benin City by the International Institute of
Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Noting that Nigeria is the world highest producer of cassava, Mr. Odey urged the
Stop application fees collection Continued from page 1 Rep. Nkiruka Onyjeocha ( PDP-Abia) called on security agencies to live up to their statutory mandate by apprehending and prosecuting offenders. Rep. Tobi Okechukwu (PDP-Enugu) said that there was a need to enlighten the Nigerians on the activities of Internet fraudsters. Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (APC-Lagos), who described Internet scam as a dangerous trend, urged the National
Orientation Agency (NOA) and the media to carry out elaborate sensitisation campaign. Rep. Nkem Abonta (PDPAbia), who spoke against the motion, said that it had been overtaken by event, since there was a bill on cyber crime passed by the House and waiting for concurrence in the Senate. Meanwhile, the House had urged the federal government to release the arrears of subventions to the National Commission for Museums
and Monuments. This was to enable it give face-lift to the Benin wall moat and palace of the Enogie of Obazagbon. This resolution emanated from a motion moved by Rep. Nosakhare Osahon (APCEdo) which was adopted without debate. According to him, subventions for the maintenance of the structures declared national monuments by the federal government in 1959 and 1961 were stopped since 1986.
Tukur seeks Chinese party’s Continued from page 1 support
Tukur also noted the validity of ideologies and the vast experience of the dynamics of party administration in the communist party. “We shall, therefore, imbibe your system of power control, mobilisation, tradition, disciplinary trends, internal conflict resolution, funding,
support and techniques in our political structure.” Responding, Dejiang said that his visit was prompted by the invitation he received from President Goodluck Jonathan, when the president visited China in July. He promised to share
experience with the PDP on party building as the ruling party in Nigeria, adding that the congress would teach the party how to develop party politics. Nigeria shares a lot in common with China in areas of culture, economy, politics, governance and infrastructure.
master bakers to embrace the use of cassava flour because of its cost effectiveness. Also speaking, the State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Wellington Omoragbon said the training which is being sponsored by Melinda and Bill Gate Foundation became necessary to promote the use of cassava flour in Nigeria in order to reduce the importation of wheat flour. Taking the participant through the tests and observations carried out on the flour before recommendation for public use, Mr. Sam Kore of IITA stressed that flour last longer in terms of Cold and Shelf storage, protein, energy and fat. The two days training had participants educated on the importance and cost benefits to the national economy, brief seminar on 29 percent and 40 percent cassava – wheat composite flour bread, food safety hygiene, practical sessions on the production of cassava-wheat composite bread under the supervision of resource persons.
FG assures of prudent budget in 2014
Continued from page 1 being made all over the world, it was announced that an Austrian company has found oil in acetic,” she said. Okonjo-Iweala said the country had to prepare itself ahead of the discovery of oil around the world to avoid being caught by surprise. She said, “though, the price of oil was still on the high side now, but our job is to try and plan ahead. “This will enable the country take everything in its stride and does not feel any stress. “That is why we are taking a prudent approach, with all these discovery of gas and oil, we have to be cognisant because that is what other countries are doing. “We should not be too optimistic and then, caught off guard, that is why we are
No plans to relocate AAU Medical College
Continued from page 1
Patrick Onolememen, Director of Publicity and Strategy, Lawrence Odiase and Chairman Budget, Finance and Planning, Sunny Ehiagwina stated that the Edo State Government planned to relocate the College of Medicine of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University to Iyamoh, the governor’s home town. The group in a newspaper report (not The NIGERIAN OBERVER) also complained about alleged gross decline in students population and none appointment of substantive Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Bursar for about three years now.
going to run what I call a prudent budget.” The minister said the proceeds would be channelled to ease areas that were causing bottlenecks and stopping the economy from growing. She said the ministry was working closely with all stakeholder and relevant committees in the national assembly to ensure a good budget. On implementation level of the 2013 budget, she said that N850 billion had been released as at present. The minister said, “the real facts are, we have released N850 billion now, we released N400 billion in first quarter. “We released N200 billion in the second quarter and another N250 billion for the third quarter. “We have cash backed fully what we have released, we tried to get away from the practise of releasing without cash backing”. She said that out of the N250 billion released for the third quarter, only N210 billion had been loaded on the system. “Out of the N600 billion released from the first and second quarter, Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have used 76 per cent on the average. “By the end of the Federation Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC) meeting, the remaining balance of N40 out of the N250 billion would be paid. “On the general well being of the economy, I can say that it was reasonably doing well,” she said. The minister said there were indications on the ground showing the state of the economy, adding that jobs
had been created through various government programmes. “In agriculture, over 2.5 million seasonal and full time jobs have been created, for example in Rice, 460, 000 jobs created were seasonal. “On manufacturing, an Indorama company would be making an investment of about 1.2 billion dollars in Petro-Chemical, especially in fertiliser. “Protea and Gamble of the U.S had invested N250 million in manufacturing of
baby products in Ibadan, among others. “I was sure that the SUREP and YouWin programmes, also created jobs and government will continue to work to ensure economic growth. “This administration is determined to ensure that lives of ordinary Nigerian are touched.” The president on Tuesday presented the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper to the Senate.
Edo NUJ commends Benin BENIN CITY – The Oba of Monarch Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo CFR has been commended for his fatherly disposition towards journalists in the state. The commendation was made by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Desmond Agbama while receiving items donated by the Oba of Benin towards the quarterly Media Pally with Journalists in the state. Items donated by the Oba of Benin include a cow, two bags of rice, tubers of yam and cash. Comrade Agbama said journalists in the state received the items with great joy and expressed immense appreciation to the Benin Monarch for sustaining the Quarterly Media Pally, especially during the tenure of the current executive of the NUJ. The number one journalist in the state said they will continue to revere the Oba of Benin as a Royal Father and Grand Patron of the NUJ in the state. Comrade Agbama
assured the Oba of Benin that journalists in the state will continue to use their profession to promote and preserve the rich culture and tradition of Benin Kingdom. On behalf of journalists in the state, Comrade Agbama wished the Oba of Benin good health and many years on the throne of his fore-fathers. The items were delivered by the Personal Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Osazuwa Guobadia. In a letter accompanying the items, the Oba of Benin wished journalists a happy and successful feasting, pointing out that he could not host them in the palace due to tight traditional engagement. The State Chairman Comrade Agbama has asked journalists in Edo State to attend the media pally which comes up on Sunday, September 22, at 12.00 noon.
Development Association (ODA), a Pan-Ora ethnic nationality and sociocultural organisation has announced plans to hold its 2013 Annual General Meeting fixed for October 45. A release issued by the association and signed by its President, Prof. S.I. Akhonkhai, Secretary, Barr. E.S. Ohiro and AGM Committee Chairman, Mr. Daniel Omoruan at Evbiobe yesterday, said the meeting will commence with the usual visits to the six units of Ora clan to deliberate on
units and Ora at large. The visits which are scheduled to take place on October 4, 2013 begins with Evbiobe at 10.30 – 11.00 a.m. The association will then depart to Uhumora-Ora at 11:20 a.m. and Eme-Ora at 12:05 p.m. The convoy would arrive Ohia at 12:50 p.m. and Oke-Ora at 2.30 p.m. The visits would be rounded off at Ovbiokhuarin at 3:10 p.m. The AGM proper holds on Saturday October 5. The release urges all members to participate in both events actively.
Ora-Ekpen Dev Association holds AGM SABONGIDDA-ORA – Oct 4-5 The Ora-Ekpen matters affecting individual
Mrs Odubu bemoans HIV/AIDS prevalence By FRIDAY OBANOR
BENIN CITY – Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, Deaconess (Mrs.) Endurance Odubu said yesterday that Nigeria is reported to have the second highest number of persons living with HIV/Aids. Speaking at the launching ceremony of the 2013 HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and malaria Preventive Education Project in Benin City, Mrs. Odubu stated that HIV prevalence rate among persons of between 15 – 49 years of age is put at 0.9 percent. Mrs. Odubu who said malaria is not commonly associated with poverty also said that experts have proven over time that it is a major hindrance to Economic development. According to her, “Experts report that the average per capital GDP, adjusted for parity of
purchasing power between countries with malaria and countries without malria, gives a five fold difference.” “Against the back drop, she commended the initiator of the programme which she said would help tremendously to stem the increasing rate of infection among the public.” “It is even more gratifying to note that this project which commenced in 2006 has so far been taken to 16 states of the federation.” On his part, secretary to Edo State government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere thanked the organiser for complementing the state government’s effort at providing qualitative and affordable health care to the people of the state. Prof. Ihonvbere, therefore called on other corporate organisations operating in the state to
emulate the organiser in areas of collaborating with government at ensuring that the much needed dividend of democracy is provided for the citizenry through improved of infrastructure as well as health care needs of the people. In an address, the management of TOTAL up and down stream companies in Nigeria, Mr. Guy Maurice and Atesis Vork said the awareness campaign was first launched in Lagos in 2006, with the leveraging on the companies extensive distribution network of over 500 service stations nationwide. Represented by the General Manager, HSEQ Total Nigeria Plc, Engineer Koleade Adegunle, they averred
that the modalities adopted in the deployment of the initiative were in full compliance with the United Nations recommended standards which involves interaction with the host communities as well as addressing specific issues of concern and capacity building for peer educators. High point of the awareness campaign was the presentation of Hi-tech screening machines and Reagents/consumables to the General Hospital, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area through the Deputy Governor’s in Company of the Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Festus Ebea for onward delivery to the General Hospital via the state ministry of Health.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Inside Edo Igbanke Community Celebrates By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM New Yam Festival OMOLUA - The beat of drums echoed as the men and women including children sang and danced. The occasion was the celebration of the annual New Yam (Ime-Egu) festival at Omolua (Igbanke) Palace in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. The Enogie H.R.H Isaac Ogbeiwi Uwaifo, the Enogie of Omolua (Igbanke) beamed with smiles as he acknowledged greetings from family members, guests and well wishers from all walks of life, who had come to felicitate with him on the auspicious occasion. In a speech, H.R.H Uwaifo who is also the Vice Chairman of Enigie in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, remarked that the new yam festival offers bountiful opportunity for the people to give thanks
to God for all he has done right from planting season to harvest time. H.R.H also said that new yam (Ime-Egu) festival is an occasion to remind everyone that the ceremony is also to thank God Almighty for the provision of adequate rain and sun shine to yield bumper harvest from their farms. Enogie Uwaifo thanked the presidency and the Edo State Government through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the11/0.415 KVA power station and overhead Gen. Extension Cable to boost the electricity power supply to Omolua Community through the instrumentality of Hon. Samson Osagie of House of Representative. He appealed to Omolua sons and daughters both at home and diasporas to contribute their quota to
support in the facelift for Omolua town hall. H.R.H Uwaifo, having expressed the joy in the achievements as listed above. He however decried the painful condition of the only Secondary School in his community which has been blown off by rainstorm resulting in destruction of property. H.R.H Uwaifo, appealed to Edo State Government to come to the aid of the community, to enable the students have a conducive place for learning, saying that education is thebedrock of human development.
Quality Health Care: Ministry To Partner
BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie has expressed the ministry’s readiness to partner with interest groups, associations
President Goodluck Jonathan (6th left), Senate President David Mark (3rd right), Chairman, National Peoples Congress, People’s Republic of China, Mr. Zhang Dejiang (5th left) and members of the Chinese delegation during their visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja recently.
Emmulate Ideals Of Active Unionism, Lawmaker Urges SUG BENIN CITY - Hon. Johnson Oghuma, member representing Etsako Central Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, has urged the Principal Officers of the Student Union Government (SUG) of Auchi Polytechnic to emulate the ideals of active unionism in the purist of their goals than resorting to violent demonstration. The lawmaker gave the charge in Benin City during the presentation of an award of Excellence as an ambassador of peace to him by the Executive officers of the SUG in recognition of his
contribution to youth empowerment and development The students were however told not to allow themselves be used as instrument of violence to forment trouble in their environment. He called on eminent people in the society not to pay lip service to the ideals of youth empowerment in order to enhance the quality lives of the youths. Hon Johnson Oghuma advised public servants at the peak of their career to desist from age falsification and other unwholesome practices
President Goodluck Jonathan (right), welcoming the Chairman, National People’s Congress, People’s Republic of China, Mr. Zhang Dejiang to the Presidential Villa in Abuja recently.
as a means to avoiding retirement, saying it is a malady that militates against youth development. Mr. Smart Abraham, representing the head of the delegation noted that the decision of the council to honour Oghuma was informed by the recognition of the lawmaker ’s contributions to youth empowerment and development. Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of the plaque of the award of the lawmaker by Mr. Abraham.
Associations
and unions in the health sector with a view to providing quality health care for the people. The commissioner gave the hint while playing host to members of four different unions in the health sector who visited her in Benin City. The unions are Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Edo State branch, Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria, Nigerian Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists and the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria. Dr. Eregie said that
Government requires quality control and assurance in all aspect of healthcare services and therefore enjoined all healthcare providers to put in their best in the interest of patients. The Commissioner said to look into their various requests for positive shortage of manpower in health facilities was a general one which the State Government was already addressing. The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria through the State Chairman, Comrade Sunny Osayande had appealed to the Commissioner to ensure that all the staff of the Ministry are entitled to the payment of the Consolidated
Health Salary Structure which is presently restricted to medical and health personnel only. While pledging the workers absolute loyalty and support to the commissioner, Osayande assured of their co-operative and commitment towards improving the health care delivery services of Edo State.. On their part, the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria through its chairman, Dr. Otamere Aigbogun expressed its desire to partner with the ministry in checking quackery in private practice, saying “our members are in every nooks and crannies of the state and can pass useful information to the ministry for appropriate sanctions on erring health facility.”
Seplat Donates To Host Communities ORHIONMWON – Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited has donated six community development projects to its host communities, comprising, Iguelaba, Oben, Ikobi and Obozogbe N’Ugu, all in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State. The projects were executed in a Joint Venture with its major partner, Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The projects included Community Guest House and Solar-Powered street lights both at Iguelaba, open Market stalls and Teachers’ Quarters at Oben Secondary School both in Oben Community as well as four blocks of Market stalls at Ikobi and a Civic Centre at Obozogbe N’ Ugu Community which were
all commissioned at a ceremony. Similar commissioning had earlier been done in its Delta State host communities. Before the commissioning of Oben Secondary School Teachers’ Quarters, Edo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Ambassador represented by the Ministry’s Director of Accounts and Finance, Mrs. Mercy Akpoli commended the Oil and Gas Operator for being a responsible corporate body by executing the projects for the development of its host communities in Edo State. He enjoined the benefiting communities to ensure proper and optimal utilization of the projects and as well protect same from vandalism since they belong to the communities. Seplat Operations Base Manager, Prince (Dr.)
Chukwumah Igelenyah, represented by the Community Relations Manager, Mr. Lucky Obiuwebi said the projects were carried out as part of the company’s CSR and in line with the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) that the company entered into with its host communities. While recalling previous CSR activities carried out by Seplat, Prince Igelenyah stressed that the company had continued to fulfill its scholarship obligations granted children of host communities and assured them of more community development projects. In her remarks, the Representative of NPDC, Miss Esther Lelei of External Relations Department, sued for peace and support of the host communities so that they could benefit more from the oil and gas prospecting companies.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
News Settle PHCN Workers’ Benefits, Union Urges Govt LAGOS - The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has urged the Federal Government to complete the payment of workers’ benefits before handing over PHCN assets to private investors. Mr Mbang Etukubes, the Vice-President, Lagos/Ogun Branch of the NUEE, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. Etukubes said private investors that bought assets of PHCN should steer clear of the facilities until the workers’ entitlements were paid. He said that the union had written the Presidency through the Minister of Power and insisted that all workers’
benefits should be paid in full. “We urge government to address all union matters in relation to the privatisation process of the power sector, especially as it affects the resolution of labour issues. “ We, therefore, advise that all investors should steer clear of PHCN facilities until all labour and labour-related issues are conclusively resolved and implemented,’’ Etukubes said. He said that the workers’ agitation was borne out of the haphazard implementation of payments of the terminal benefits and non-payment of retirement savings fund to the Pension Fund Administrators.
Kaduna Earmarks N100m To Empower Women
lectures on career prospects, ICT workshop, novelty match and awards,’’ he said. The monarch also disclosed that the association was planning a stakeholders’ forum to discuss ways of eliminating the “decay’’ in secondary school education in the country.
ZARIA (KADUNA) - The Kaduna State Government has flagged-off the distribution of N100 million poverty alleviation materials to 2, 340 women across the state. Hajiya Fatima Yero, the wife of the state governor, said at the occasion in Zaria that the gesture was to transform the lives of the women, especially the less privileged. “The decision to embark on this programme is to complement government efforts toward poverty reduction, empower the women at the grassroots and give them a sense of belonging. “Our role as mothers and wives is very significant to the development of any society, hence the need for us to be economically empowered to contribute to nation building. “Therefore, today’s presentation will no doubt restore hope to a lot of women, who otherwise would have not been able to cater for the basic needs of their families,” she said. The governor’s wife assured that the state government was committed to reducing poverty to the barest minimum through various means. She lauded the efforts and contributions of ALGON in the realisation of the programme. In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Makadi, urged the beneficiaries to use the items to empower themselves. Makadi said the programme would be inaugurated in all the three senatorial districts of the state with a view to reaching out to women at the grassroots. On his part, the ALGON Chairman in the state, Mr Akuso Danjuma, pledged sustained support to pave way for the total success of the programme. Akuso charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items to become selfreliant and employers of labour. Reports say that items distributed included knitting, sewing and spaghetti making machines as well as irrigation and welding machines.
ABUJA - No fewer than 8,771 Nigerian pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, for the 2013 Hajj since the transportation of intending pilgrims began on September. 14. Alhaji Uba Mana, the Head of Public Relations, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen. “The pilgrims and the air carriers have been prompt and we are right on schedule with all departures so far,’’ he said. Mana said that the 8,771 pilgrims were transported in about 18 flights from different zones across the country and that
eight of the flights landed directly in Medina. “We hope that before October. 7 when the transportation of intending pilgrims is scheduled to end, all the pilgrims and officials, expected to perform the Hajj, would have been conveniently and successfully transported to the Holy Land.’’ He said that the commission had made all necessary arrangements to ensure a successful hajj, adding that the usual challenges faced by pilgrims and the commission had been overcome. Reports state that about 76,000 Nigerians are expected to perform this year’s hajj.
Deaconess (Mrs.) Endurance Odubu, wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, being welcome by Hon. Festus Ebea, Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly to 2013 Expanded HIV/AIDS Preventive Awareness and Care Project organised in Benin City. Photo: MOSES OBOH.
Kebbi To Sanction Flood Victims BIRNIN KEBBI - The Kebbi Government will sanction flood victims in Yauri and Shanga Local Government Areas who refused to relocate to the plots of land allocated to them by the government. Alhaji Hussaini Raha, the Commissioner of Lands and Housing, issued the warning in Birnin Kebbi, while speaking with newsmen. He said that the ministry had allocated 203 plots of 1,000square metre residential land to the victims of the flood which ravaged the area between 2010 and 2013. Raha, however, expressed regret that some of the victims failed to relocate to the land that was allocated them. He warned that if there was a recurrence of the flood disaster, the government would not bear the burden of those who failed to relocate to the plots allocated to them. He said that his ministry had identified some flood prone areas in Gwandu and Yauri emirates.
Deaconess (Mrs.) Endurance Odubu, wife of Edo State Deputy Governor, being welcome by Mr. Albert Mabuyaku of Total PLC to an Expanded HIV/AIDS Preventive Awareness and Care Project organised in Benin City. Photo: MOSES OBOH.
Infrastructure: ABEOKUTA - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has committed N500 million towards infrastructure development at Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta in Ogun, an official of the school’s Old Students’ Association has said. The association’s National
School Gets N500m From CBN
President, Oba Afolabi Ayorinde who is also the Alakija of Ikija in Egbaland, disclosed this in Abeokuta at a news conference. Ayorinde, who commended the bank for the gesture, said the
3 Policemen Dismissed For Killing Pastor’s Son MAIDUGURI - The Borno Police Command says it has dismissed three policemen accused of killing a pastor’s son at the Mobile Police Training School in Liman-Kara area of the state. Alhaji Lawal Tanko, the state Commissioner of Police, said at a news briefing in Maiduguri that the policemen had beaten the deceased to death for allegedly killing a dog belonging to one of them.
The commissioner said the policemen were dismissed after they were found wanting by an Orderly Room Trial. he added that the command had handed the policemen to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for prosecution after full investigation. “The three policemen have been dismissed from service following a recommendation by a trial panel.
“The case had been pending before I resumed in the state. I approved the dismissal after going through the file and the recommendations of the panel,” he said. Tanko said that the aim was to prevent other policemen from taking laws into their hands. “A policeman should not be seen as taking laws into his hands. “We believe that the dismissal will serve as deterrent to others who might want to do a similar thing,” he said.
money would help fund putting in place some facilities. “The gesture is part of the apex bank’s intervention policy in schools, and the facilities which will come from the funding will go a long way in raising the standard of education in the school,’’ he said. Ayorinde said the projects would be inaugurated during the school’s upcoming anniversary celebration. He said a number of activities had been lined up to herald the 70th anniversary of the school, scheduled to hold between September 23 and Sept. 29. “Projects to be inaugurated during the programme include a science laboratory, two administrative staff quarters, a library, a 200-seater school bus and a hall,’’ the old students association’s national president said. “Other programmes slated for the occasion include seminars,
Over 8,000 Pilgrims So Far Transported -Official
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South-South Court Declares Ukachukwu PDP Governorship Candidate In Anambra
Former Miss Victoria Adesuwa Eguavoen, daughter of Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Edo State Command, DSP Moses Eguavoen and her husband, ASP Ifa Uwadiae Ebenovbe (middle) receiving the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Sword from ASP Akaneyene Akpan of Lagos State Police Command, during their wedding ceremony in Benin City at the weekend. The Sword is a symbol of authority for the groom to protect his wife and children. Photo: MIKE OSAROGIAGBON.
PORT HARCOURT -The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has, disqualified Tony Nwoye, as the PDP governorship candidate for Anambra election slated for November 16. The court gave the order in a judgment following a suit filed by Nicholas Ukachukwu, one of the aspirants in the August 24, Anambra PDP governorship primaries. The judge, Justice Suleiman Aliyu, said that Nwoye was not eligible to participate in the November 16 governorship poll in Anambra on grounds of irregularity in his tax payment as prescribed in the electoral guideline on the PDP primaries. He said that Ukachukwu,
Adhere To Road Safety Rules, Sanitation Boss Urges Drivers PORT HARCOURT - Mr. Ade Ogun, the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Sanitation Authority, has urged drivers to adhere to road safety rules to avoid killing sanitation workers on road duty. Ogun made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt. He observed that reckless driving had terminated a lot of lives, including those sanitation workers on duty. Ogun cited accidents involving the workers and said that such accidents were preventable, if the parties involved were conscious of safety. “There was an accident on a sanitation day involving a middle-aged female sanitation worker (a road sweeper), who was not even on the road. “She was on the median and a reckless driver ran unto the median and killed her. “This means that even if she was not a sweeper, the vehicle would still have killed her because of the recklessness of the driver.” Ogun condemned the negligence of some drivers who failed to observe necessary safety rules, especially when the roads become extraordinarily free during sanitation hours. He urged drivers to remain safety conscious no matter how free the roads were, especially, during sanitation hours. The sanitation boss also urged workers to adhere to the in-house safety education being emphasised by the sanitation authority. According to him, “accident that killed one of the male workers was blamed on him. “This is because we always instruct the workers not to hang behind the sanitation vehicles; but on that fateful day, he was hanging on a refuse disposal vehicle. “Unfortunately, a reckless
who came second in the party’s primaries in Anambra state, was its duly nominated candidate to contest the November 16 governorship election. Justice Aliyu also restrained Nwoye from parading himself as the party’s candidate for the governorship election in Anambra state. He restrained the PDP National Working Committee and INEC from recognising Nwoye as the party’s candidate in Anambra state. The judge ordered INEC to recognise and screen Ukachukwu as the rightful candidate of the PDP for the Anambra state governorship election. Justice Aliyu also ordered INEC to publish Ukachukwu’s name as the PDP candidate for the November 16 poll in Anambra state.
Visa Scam
Police Arraign Couple
Chancellor Archdiocses of Eleme, Mr. EmekaI Ichoku, Archbishop of Episcopal Province of Niger Delta and Dean of Anglican Church in Nigeria, Most Revd. Ignatius Kattey and Chairman, Clergy Association, Archdioceses of Eleme, Ven. Richard Okpara, at a news conference by Kattey over his release from abductors at Eleme in Rivers on Wednesday.
Imbibe Healthy Attitudes, Corps Members Urge Nigerians
PORT HARCOURT - A medical team of Corps members serving in Port Harcourt and Obiakpo Local Government Area, Rivers, has urged Nigerians to imbibe a healthy life style to live longer. Mr Augustine Oviosun, the President of the group known as Corps Medical Team (COMET), gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt. Oviosun stressed the importance of routine medical check as it would aid any avoidable terminal sickness. He said that the country was improving in making health institutions accessible to its citizens
through the free medical health programmes. Oviosun urged the public, especially the low income earners and people at grassroots level, to access the hospitals for free medical care. He said that the group would reach out to many communities within the council, to enable them to cultivate a better healthy habit. He said that the free service was to sensitise the public to the danger of not knowing their health status. Miss Godsgift Jonathan, the Port Harcourt City (PHC) Group Leader, advised the public to patronise COMET for their
blood pressure, weight and to see doctors on any health problem. “Most Nigerians don’t know that they have high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and other sickness, but with routine check, all these will be discovered and corrected. “We refer patients with serious case to appropriate health centres where they will be treated; some people walk about with high blood pressure without knowing.’’ She urged the people in the state to come out en mass and embrace the free medical care being offered on mobile health services in motor-parks, markets,
churches and schools. Uchenna Onyekachi, the Project Co-ordinator, said the team would execute projects that would improve the lives of the people in various host communities of their primary assignment. “We will soon complete a bore hole that will serve over 250 houses and affect the lives of 1,000 people in Ozuboko rural community. “We are ready to carry out some other projects that will contribute to the wellbeing of Nigerians,`` he said. Onyekachi called on private companies to execute projects that could bring positive change in their host communities.
AUCHI (EDO) - A couple, Abdulazeez Umar, 50 and Hajiya Fatima Umar, 48, were arraigned at an Auchi Chief Magistrates’ Court for an alleged visa scam. The couple, facing a 13count charge, allegedly collected N1 million from a woman, Princess Zainab Alamah, to get a Saudi Arabian visa for her. Some of the charges against them are conspiracy, felony, obtaining money under pretence, stealing and fraud. The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, Cpl. Andrew Edmond, told the court that the accused persons allegedly collected the money from one Princess Zainab Alamah between June and October 2011. “My lord, this couple collected the money at different times to assist Alamah to procure document for her to attend the 2011 Muslim pilgrimage. “The accused persons fraudulently and unlawfully converted the money to their personal use, without processing the visa as promised,’’ he said. The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Criminal Code of the defunct Bendel State 1976, as applicable in Edo. The Magistrate, Mrs. I.A. Osayande, granted the accused persons bail, each for N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned to October 16 for further hearing.
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South-West Army Hands Over Abducted Boy To Family IBADAN - The 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Odogbo, Ibadan, has handed over a 16year-old boy, Jamiu Memudu, to his family after he escaped from suspected ritualists. Reports state that Jamiu was abducted on September. 7 after boarding a bus heading for Ajegunle from Badagry where he had visited his uncle, Mr Murtala Jimoh. Lt-.Col. Mustapha Ankar, the Assistant Director, Public Relations, 2 Division, told newsmen at the handing over that Jamiu was found wandering around Letmauck Cantonment, Mokola, Ibadan. The army spokesman said the victim was taken into custody by some soldiers at the 81 Battalion following his claims that he was kidnapped in Lagos and that he did not know how he got to Ibadan. Ankar, who noted that the victim escaped from his abductors and took refuge in the cantonment, further said: “His uncle took him to the motor park in Badagry and put him in a white -coloured bus headed for Ajegunle. “The bus took Jamiu and other unsuspecting passengers to an undisclosed location in Ibadan, Oyo state.’’
Ankar, however, said that it was not established where the abductors took the passengers to in Ibadan as they were blindfolded throughout their ordeal. He said the army had sent a team of investigators to Lagos to verify the authenticity of the victim’s claim. Ankar urged the public to be at alert and sensitive to the machinations of unscrupulous elements in the society. The victim’s mother, Sherifat Memudu, said she was grateful to God over the escape of her son, adding that the military authorities deserved commendation for returning him to his family.
L-R: Member, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Ojo; Nigerian flag designer, PA Akinkunmin and Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mrs Monsurat sunmonu, during PA Akinkunmi’s visit to the Assembly in Ibadan on Wednesday
Illiteracy Eradication: Nestle MD Tasks OWODE (OGUN) - The Managing Director, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon, has said the task of eradicating illiteracy in the country should not be left in the hands of government alone. Gordhon spoke while handing over two blocks of six classrooms renovated by the company to Saint Paul’s Anglican Nursery and Primary School, Orile Imo, Owode Egba
Stakeholders To Support Govt
in Ogun. He said that all relevant stakeholders needed to contribute their quota to ensure the provision of qualitative education to all Nigerians by 2015. “We should assist to improve literacy which will lead to
greater economic productivity, happier families and better communities,’’ he said. According to him, one of the key objectives is to reduce poverty and hunger and improve the quality of life in non-urban areas, where the majority of poor people reside.
He said that a major step to achieving the goal was to promote high quality education which was rear in rural areas. The managing director said that in line with government objectives, Nestle was committed to improving the nutrition, education, access to clean water and improved
sanitation of the people to reduce rural poverty. The Olu of Orile Imo, Oba Olubiyi Kolawole, urged other companies and individuals to emulate the benevolent gesture of Nestle. He said that the community lacked a good learning environment until Nestle waded in and rendered support.
Ex-Banker Advocates Direct Report OSOGBO - Mr. Emmanuel To CBN Soremi, a retired bank auditor, Dud Cheques:
Peaceful demonstration by coalition of Onitsha-based Human Right Groups on Wednesday over alleged molestation and stripping naked of a female police officer by an Onitsha-based wealthy man at the bridge-head, Onitsha.
says the war against issuance of dud cheques would be won faster if victims could report directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Soremi, who spoke with newsmen in Osogbo, said that the problem of dud cheques must be tackled headlong to further sanitise the economy. ‘’The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria have done a lot to restore sanity and professionalism to the banking industry. ‘’The recent directive by the CBN for the compilation of names of issuers of dud cheques is another right step. ‘’It is my hope that the step will not stop only at the compilation of such names’’, Soremi said. He said that there were possibilities that some banks might want to protect some of their customers.
Osun Trains 61 Community Leaders
Citizenship, Leadership: EDE (OSUN) - No fewer than 61 community leaders began a four-day training in citizenship and leadership in Ede, Osun State. Participants in the capacitybuilding programme were drawn from various community development associations in the state. Mr Kunle Ige, the Special
Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development and Community Affairs, said the government attached importance to leadership programmes, aimed at exposing them to better beneficial skills.
‘’It will also go a long way in promoting participatory development at the grassroots”, he said. The adviser urged the participants to exhibit ‘’a high sense of patriotism, discipline and commitment
during the training. Mr Lere Oriolowo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, said the desire of government to was
create a well-informed citizenry. Oriolowo stated that the training would equip the community leaders with skills for promoting peaceful co-existence.
‘’In most cases, those who issue dud cheques need not do so, but attempts to live fake lives make them do so’’. ‘’It is not only criminal for an individual to issue a cheque that will not be honoured to an unsuspecting third party, it is also deceptive’’, he added. Soremi called for a secured medium through which victims of dud cheques could report directly to the central bank.
3 Men Docked
Fraud:
ABEOKUTA - The police in Ogun have arraigned three men — Tajudeen Akanji, Yahya Adeyemi, and Abdulahi Lateef — for allegedly defrauding a businessman of N4 million. The trio — Akanji, 34; Adeyemi, 36; and Lateef, 40 — is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing at an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court. According to the prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eiagbejiale, the accused committed the offences on August. 6 at Housing Estate, Olomore in Abeokuta. He said the men collected N4 million from one Suleimon Omosowo under the pretext of employing spiritual means to double money for him. “The accused collected N1 million at first from Omosowo and claimed to have doubled it by giving him N2 million. “They demanded another N4 million and he gave it to them only for him to discover that he had been duped,” he told the court.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Lagos Council Donates N1m To Fire Victims
Oil Pollution Ejigbo Residents Threaten To Sue PPMC LAGOS - A legal practitioner, Mr. Simon Phillips, has threatened to take legal action against the Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) over alleged neglect of ruptured petrol pipeline. Phillips, who claimed to be the legal representative of residents of Animatu Ilo St., Ejigbo, a suburb of Lagos, said the area had suffered from oil pollution. He told newsmen in Lagos that the residents had earlier petitioned the management of PPMC and the police over alleged oil pollution. Phillips said that neither the management of PPMC nor the police responded to their petitions. He said that rather the situation degenerated to “unlawful arrest of some residents on Aug. 23 by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps”. “We urge the management of PPMC to urgently find a lasting solution to the ruptured pipeline in our area or we will be forced to take legal action. “NNPC and PPMC should state clearly to the public reasons for the incessant oil spillage in the area to avoid unnecessary arrest of innocent residents by the NSCDC,’’ he said. Phillips said that most residents in the area had dug their wells since 2002, but recently discovered that water in the wells started mixing with fuel. He said that the general manager of NNPC in Ejigbo depot had also confirmed that the depot had received report about fuel in wells. The counsel said that the
Commander, 435, Base Services Group, Air Commodore Sunday Wukangha (Right), showing Authentic Air Force Uniforms to Newsmen at a workshop on Mis-Use of Military uniforms in Lagos on Wednesday
LAGOS - Mr. Jide Jimoh, the Chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has pledged to continue people-oriented programmes to bring smile to the faces of residents. He said the one million naira cash gift to victims of fire incidents in January in Iwaya and Abule-Oja areas of the local government was meant to sympathise and give assistance to the victims. The donation took place at the Adventist Day Nursery and Primary School, Abule-Oja and St. Francis Junior Grammar School, Iwaya. “It is the responsibility of the government to assist in whatever way that can bring
... To Upgrade Tourism Sites
L-R: Chairman, Faculty of Radiology, National Post-Graduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Donald Nzeh; former Secretary, Association of Radiologist of West Africa (ARAWA), Dr Abiodun Adeyinka and Chairman, Local Organising committee, Dr Abiodun Adeyomoye, at the 2013 Radiology Faculty Day of the College in Lagos on Wednesday
Expert Wants Wrecked Vessels Removed From Marine Environment
LAGOS - The Vice-President, Nigerian Hydrographic Society, Mr. Olumide Omotoso, says the removal of wrecked vessels and ships from the marine environment was crucial to the growth of the sector. Omotoso told newsmen in Lagos that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had removed 30 wrecks from the Nigerian marine environment in the last two years. “In the last two years, the NPA has removed about 30 wrecked vessels and ships both in the Lagos Pilotage District and the Port-Harcourt-Bonny Pilotage District, “ he said. Omotoso said every coastal nation must have a strong and vibrant hydrographic department to ensure that the waterways were clean of wrecks and derelicts. He said that beside the aesthetics, the issues of corrosion, pollution and all the negative effects of wrecks like navigational hazards in the water must also be considered. The official said that the removal of wrecks out of the water meant a lot to the nation
joy to the faces of the people which we have done today. “Therefore, the money should be shared as the community deems fit,” he said. Jimoh commended those who have assisted the victims in cash and kind, adding that the LCDA had set up a fire service unit to combat fire outbreaks in the area. “We have set up a fire service unit in our council area, which is the first of its kind in the state to combat fire incidents,’’ he said. The News newsmen reports state that the sum of N500, 000 each was presented to the two community leaders - Chief Abdulrazaq Kolawole and Mr. Yusuf Osho. Responding, Osho applauded the chairman’s gesture on behalf of the residents.
and in terms of the resources in the water. “All over the world, when you go through coastal nations you see that wrecks are not a site to behold. “So, for us to have a beautiful coastal environment, wrecks have to be removed. “By wreck removal, we will also be protecting the resources that we have under the water, “ Omotoso said.
He also said that priority for removal of wrecks was based on the location, but aside from priority, all wrecks must be removed from the marine environment. “Our concern is about prioritising the wrecks that constitute danger to navigation. The high priority areas fall
within the navigational part in the water or the one very close to it. “We also give priority to wrecks on the slope and those that will also fall into it when we carry out our dredging works, but all will be removed with time, “ he said.
and how their findings could be relevant to the society. The university teacher urged researchers and organisers of seminars to publish and make the research findings available to the relevant sectors of the economy for necessary application. Abba lauded the contributions of the Foundation toward improving the education sector. “I am sure that the late Babs Fafunwa will be happy in his grave that the family and the friends he left behind are remembering him and his contributions to his profession,’’ he said.
Mr Tunde Fafunwa, son of the former minister, said the Foundation would partner with the academia, individuals and the government to accomplish the task of improving education in the country. He said some state governments had shown positive interest in some of the foundation’s initiatives. According to him, the organisation will continue to highlight important issues in the nation’s educational system. “There are lots of problems in the education sector, but the organisation seeks to make its
Omotoso said that huge budgets were needed to remove wrecks and it was only realistic to carry out the work gradually. “Removing wrecked vessels from the marine environment costs millions of dollars, so it must work with budgets, “ the official said.
VC Tasks Researchers To Proffer Solutions To Nigeria’s was to enable access to the work own contributions to the Problems LAGOS - The Viceof academics in the universities problems that can be solved. Chancellor, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Prof. Alkasum Abba,has said researchers should go beyond laboratory and library researches in proffering solutions to Nigeria’s problems. Abba gave the advice at the 9th Annual Post-Doctoral seminar, organised by the Fafunwa Educational Foundation (FEF) at the University of Lagos. Reports state that the late Prof. Babs Fafunwa, a one-time Minister of Education, died on Oct. 11, 2010. He noted that the essence of seminars and paper presentations
“We make sure we package the presentations in paper format and online so that it is available for public consumption,” he said. Dr Mohammed Jajuwa of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife, Osun, who presented a paper at the event, said scientific findings and researches should be used to solve human problems. The theme of the paper was“Cognitive styles: Resourcebased inquiry and brainstorming instructional strategies on chemistry of problem-solving skills of secondary school students in Adamawa’’.
LAGOS - Mr. Jide Jimoh, the Chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area in Lagos State, has said that the council had concluded plans to upgrade its tourism sites. Jimoh told newsmen in Lagos that the upgrading and renovation of the tourism sites would boost the council’s revenue and also create employment opportunities for youths. He listed the tourism sites in the area as the Casino Town Hall, Makoko Water Front, Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School and Rowe Park. Others, he said, included Yaba Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, the 66-year-old Yaba College of Technology (Nigeria’s first indigenous tertiary institution), Tai Solarin Freedom Square and the popular Sabo Market. “A lot of projects are being implemented to boost tourism in the local government area. “The community is small, but it has many places of interest which could be turned into viable tourist centres,” Jimoh, a one-time member, Lagos State House of Assembly, said. The chairman said the council was also committed to promoting some of the cultural festivals being organised by the people in a bid to attract investors and tourists to the area. “We call on local and foreign investors to identify with the council and invest in the tourism potential of the local government to make it tourists’ first destination in the country.”
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Across The Nation Vigilante Group Arrest 19 Boko Haram Members MAIDUGURI - The youth vigilante group in Borno, popularly called ‘Civilian JTF,’ has arrested 19 Boko Haram suspects in five villages in Konduga Local Government area of the state. A member of the group, who gave his name as Ibrahim Yakub, disclosed this in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen. He said the suspects were arrested after a three-day intensive ‘search and hunt’ for
the fleeing Boko Haram members in Konduga town and neighboring villages. Another member the group, Abubakar Adam, said the 19 terror suspects were pursued to Konduga and communities bordering the Sambisa Games Reserve Forest. “The fleeing Boko Haram sect members have been hiding in the forest. “But with the destruction of their training camps and hideouts by the Special
Operation Forces of the Nigerian Army in June, they
fled to towns and villages bordering the forest,’’ he said. The Commissioner of Police in
Borno, Alhaji Lawal Tanko, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects by the vigilante group,
said some rifles and ammunitions were recovered from them.
Kwara IPMAN Tasks FG
Pipeline Vandalism: IIORIN - Alhaji Rasheed Olopade, the newly elected Chairman of Kwara Chapter of IPMAN, has urged the Federal Government to be committed to the elimination of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft. Olopade made the call in IIorin, the Kwara State capital, during an interview with newsmen. The IPMAN chairman said that activities of vandals were causing untold hardship across the country and there was need for the Federal Government to intensify efforts at checking the menace. Olopade, who decried the huge resources the country was losing to activities of vandals, emphasised the need for concerted efforts among security agencies in salvaging the situation. He said that the Kwara chapter of IPMAN recently presented two patrol vans and four motorbikes to the state command of the NSCDC to strengthen the security of oil pipelines across the state. Speaking on the recent IPMAN by-election, Olopade commended all members of the association for ensuring his victory and promised to
implement ongoing programmes of the association for better results. Olopade, who was the immediate past vice chairman under the late Alhaji Jamiu Agbolade, promised to review the IPMAN constitution to address any succession tussle in case of the demise of any executive member.
Security men struggling to prevent some NLC members from entering the Senate wing of National Assembly, during their protest over removal of minimum wage from exclusive legislative list to concurrent list in Abuja on Wednesday.
Nuisance: 2 Minors, 2 Men Docked
M A R A R A B A (NASARAWA STATE)Four persons, including two minors, has appeared before a Grade 1 Area Court in Mararaba area of Nasarawa State charged with constituting public nuisance. They are Haruna Shiwaki, 19 and Ahmed Yellow, 28 along with the two minors, all wheel barrow pushers at the Orange Market in Mararaba. The prosecutor, Friday Idache told the court that on September. 16, at about noon, the accused persons were
arrested with some substances, suspected to be Indian hemp. He said that they smoked openly, thereby, polluting the
atmosphere and endangering people’s lives. The accused persons pleaded not guilty and were granted bail by the presiding officer,
Mr. Albert Maga, in the sum of N100,000 and a surety each in like sum. Maga ordered that the surety must be a traditional title
holder with landed property and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. The case was adjourned till October. 3, for hearing.
Anambra Needs A Tested Politician As Governor - APC Chairman AWKA -The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra, Mr. Chuks Chinwuba, has said that the state needed a tested and proven politician to take the state to the next level of development. Chinwuba made the remark in Awka, saying the state is too advanced to be left in the hands of “political neophytes who want to learn the art of governance”. He described the APC governorship candidate, Sen. Chris Ngige as “ tried, tested and familiar” with the terrain in the state. “We don’t believe that Anambra is a kindergarten state, where people come to learn the art of governance, given the developmental strides by Gov. Peter Obi. “We need someone who is competent and capable of handling the state” he said. Chinwuba said that time had come to take the state to a new
height, adding that only a party like APC could do it. He appealed to the people of the state to support the candidate of the party in the November.16 governorship election. On the postponement of the local government elections in the state, he said that the APC was not surprised because they saw it coming as the whole exercise was faulty. He, however, commended the management of the Anambra State Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), for shifting the election from Oct. 5 to Dec.14. Chinwuba said that there was no way the local government election would have been held as the commission had no clear cut plan on how to conduct the election in spite of its assurances. He also said that there was a statutory provision guiding the conduct of this kind of election which the state electoral body did not comply with.
The Nigeria Labour Congress protesters block the entrance to the lobby of National Assembly during their protest against the Senate recommendation to remove national minimum wage from the exclusive list to concurrent list held in Abuja recently. Photo: OMOYE AMINU
Man, 22, Docked Over Rape
IKEJA - A 22-year-old man, Ugochukwu Agudosi, has appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged assault and rape. The accused, whose address is unknown, is standing trial on a fourcount charge bordering on
rape and assault. Prosecutor Romans Nnuigbe told the court that Agudosi committed the offences on Aug. 27 at 8.00 p.m. at NEPA Senior Staff Quarters, Ikeja, Lagos. He alleged that the accused assaulted the 22year-old woman before
raping her. Nnuigbe, an inspector, said the offences contravened Sections 258, 260, 261 and 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, denied the charges. The Magistrate, Sule
Hamzat, granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. The News reports state that the accused, if found guilty, may be sentenced to life imprisonment. The case was adjourned to October. 30 for mention.
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PDP Crisis: No ABUJA - The Senate President, David Mark has said the National Assembly has no intention of declaring any member ’s seat vacant on account of the ongoing crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Mark, stated this in Abuja when Alhaji Kawu Baraje, led a PDP delegation to visit him. The Senate President told his visitors that, “Even, if you have a knife in my head, I will stand for justice, fairness and equity”. He urged them to come together and uphold a strong and united party. He said he would remain in the PDP and would not live to see a fallen party just as he
Abuja
Intention To Declare Members Seats Vacant - Mark
pleaded with party faithful not to abandon the ship. “We are stronger and better as one big, strong and united party. We need to work together and make our democracy sustainable,” Mark told his guests. He advised them to be honest, objective and upright in making their grievances known to the leaders of the party. He said no member of the party stands to gain anything in an atmosphere of rancour and counselled them to lay the cards on the table honestly and objectively. Earlier, Baraje, who spoke on behalf of the party leaders, thanked Mark for his leadership style.
He demanded among other things, the recall of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers from suspension and his recognition as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). Baraje said, “we also
demanded the reversal of the dissolution of the party executives in Rivers and Adamawa states.”
The News reports state that Govs Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers
were present during the visit. Others were, Ahmed Fatai of Kwara, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano state and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto state.
COSON Wants Special Police Unit To Fight ABUJA - The Copyright Piracy Society of Nigeria (COSON) says it has become imperative for the authorities to establish a police unit to combat the violation of intellectual property rights in the country. The Chairman of the society, Mr. Tony Okoroji, said this in a statement by Miss Mayree Uket, the society’s Senior Executive, News Media, in Abuja. Okoroji said the measure was necessary in view of the London Police’s inauguration of a unit to protect its creative industry. The COSON chairman said the establishment of an Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) in London was laudable. “I commend the forwardthinking approach of the London police and I am certain that Nigeria can borrow a leaf from this action. “This is a noble idea and the kind we expect to see in Nigeria soon,” Okoroji said. According to him, the step underscores the important role intellectual property played in the lives of everyone and the progress of the nation’s economy. He said the world today was driven by innovation from intellectual property. Okoroji said there was a need to protect the property if the value they added to the world was to be continually enjoyed. “I do not know of any successful business anywhere in the world that thrives without intellectual property and so when we push for its defence, we are pushing for a stronger economy for Nigeria.” He said that the society, in conjunction with the Nigerian Music Industry Coalition, recently organised a digital music licensing summit. According to him, the aim is to take urgent steps to align the industry with developments in digital space in other parts of the world. Okoroji said the PIPCU would be funded by the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom to the tune of about N450 million over the next two years. He said the unit would comprise a team of 19 members,
based in the London Police Economic Crime Directorate, and would work with national and international partners to curb the wave of intellectual property theft.
L-R: Promoter, Bash Ali’s Guiness world record fight, Otunba Benson Akingboye; the Boxer, Bash Ali and supporter, Mr George Ogbormeh, at a news conference on the Guiness world record fight in Abuja recently.
CNPP Spokesperson Threatens To Sue BPE
Scene of an accident on Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway, at Minister’s Hill junction in Abuja on Tuesday
ABUJA - Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, has threatened to sue the BPE if the agency fails to provide information on the privatisation of Enugu Distribution Company Plc (ENUGUDISCO) within seven days. Okechukwu, also a chieftain of the APC, issued the threat in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja. He said that the request was in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FoI) 2011, and advised the BPE to comply with the law or risk litigation. The spokesman had earlier in a letter dated Sept. 12, requested the BPE Director-General to
Group To Conduct Surveys On HIV Drug Resistence
ABUJA - The National HIV Drug Resistance Technical Working Group has said that it would conduct a survey to provide understanding of HIV drug resistance in Nigeria. This is contained in a statement by Mr Dennis Mordi, Head of Communication Unit of the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), on in Abuja. According to the statement, the institute hosted a threeday meeting with the group, where it was agreed to conduct surveillance of drug
resistance to HIV-1 among children. “The survey is on drug resistance among children of below 18 months that are newly diagnosed with HIV,’’ it said. In the statement, Dr Nicaise Ndembi, Director, Laboratory Research, IHVN, said that no study had been conducted in Nigeria on HIV drug resistance. According to the statement, Ndembi said that the studies would provide data that would help policy makers to make decisions on improved
treatment for people living with the virus. “When these protocols are approved by the National Health Research and Ethics Committee, we will be able to commence the survey,’’ it said. The statement said at the end of the meeting, a draft protocol on paediatric drug resistance, acquired drug resistance and transmission of HIV were put together in preparation for the survey. In the statement, Cochairman of the working
group, Prof. Suleiman Akanmu, expressed optimism that the survey on paediatric drug resistance would begin in October. ‘I want to be able to go out there in the midst of our colleagues, our peers, to say this is what is happening in Nigeria and we are talking not only from the text book information but data that are coming out of Nigeria,’’ he said. It said the experts also decided to push for the establishment of one or two WHO certified laboratories in the country.
provide him with relevant information and documents covering the exercise, including expression of interest. “Valuation, technical valuation and technical proposal, emergence of the preferred bidder, share purchase agreement, payments made so far (with dates) and all other relevant documents, relating to the sale of the company,” part of
2 Arraigned For Cheating ABUJA - The police have arraigned two men, Sale Suleman, 30, of Jahi Tipper Garage and Bala Salihu, 40, of Ushafa in a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court for alleged cheating. The police prosecutor, Mr Abdulahi Alhassan, told the court that Clifford Williams, of No. 14, Aba Close, Area 8, Garki, Abuja, reported the matter at the Mabushi Police Station on Sept. 10. Alhassan said the complainant entrusted his truck to the first accused to use for commercial purposes on the understanding that he would remit N150,000 monthly to him. He said the accused conspired together to run the business and converted the money they made in 12 months to their own use without the consent of the complainant. The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 79, 312 and 317 of the Penal Code.
THE NIGERIAN
10
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Business + Economy
Trade: Nigeria, France Sign MoU
ABUJA- Nigeria and France have signed two agreements on trade and investment structure development in their efforts to enhance their respective economic growth.
The first agreement was for the establishment of FrancoNigeria Trade and Investment Council (FNTIC), while the second was on the development of Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) between the two countries. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, signed the FNTIC agreement on behalf of
L-R: President, Rivers/Bayelsa Shippers Council (RBSA), Mr. Udofia Ofon; Deputy Director, Nigerian Shippers Council, South-South Zone, Mr. Maurice Effanga and former Executive member of RBSA, Mr. Patrick Udoh at the meeting of Rivers/Bayelsa Shippers Association in Port Harcourt recently.
the Federal Government, while his French counterpart, Mrs. Nicole Bricq, signed for that country. The second agreement was signed by Alhaji Bature Masari, the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), while his counterpart in the French Banque Publique d’Investissement (BPI France), Mrs. Viginie Poncet, signed for the country. Aganga said the FNTIC would identify areas of investment across all sectors of the economy and report the progress made on quarterly basis. He said the private sector would be the key driver in the FNTIC, saying the two ministers would create the environment for it to thrive. “We will identify opportunities and areas for investment across all sectors of the economy and issue a report on quarterly basis on the
progress that has been made. “The FNTIC will not only be working with the Chambers of Commerce and trade associations but will also be the key driver of major decisions that will be made,” Aganga said. The minister noted that trade relations between the two countries had increased significantly over the years. He said Nigeria and France were committed to creating an enabling environment for improved economic and trade ties.
“Trade relations between Nigeria and France date back to about the 18th century; since then, it has grown significantly over the years from about N550 billion in 2008 to about N1 trillion in 2012.’’ In her remarks, Bricq said Nigeria was of strategic economic importance to France, adding that the setting up of the FNTIC was part of France’s efforts toward facilitating more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria.
ABUJA-A don, Prof. Olawale Olukunle, has urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to provide modern facilities and assist inventors in the country to improve their products. Olukunle a lecturer at the Department of Agriculture Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure told newsmen in Abuja
that a major problem inventors faced was lack of equipment to enhance the finishing of their works. According to him, modern facilities will encourage inventors and allow them to manufacture home-grown products that can compete favourably with those from other countries. “Investors cannot provide these state-of-the-art facilities on their own. “It is very important for government and other stakeholders like the banking industry to come to the aid of the investors and innovators to be able to outsource this type of equipment that will aid the outlook of our products. “You will discover that in the automobile industry, the first thing that the buyers want to see is how attractive a car is. “Even where different cars have the same engine, the prices are not the same just because of an improvement in aid-static,’’ Olukunle said. He said that such state-of the art-facilities could be provided in specific locations nationwide in form of cluster or at the state or local government level, where inventors would have access to them. Olukunle also advised government to use invention and innovation as medium for establishing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES), skills and acquisition centres that would create job opportunities. The don said that innovation was what Nigeria could key into but the country was yet to recognise that technology and innovation could generate money. “If we begin to promote home-grown technology, we will begin to have our own oil refinery made here in Nigeria without depending on anybody to either produce or maintain it. “Also imagine the number of generating-sets that are in this country but they are being produced by people from other countries.
Provide Modern Facilities For Investors, FG Urged
FG Targets N320m Revenue From Leather Industry
ABUJA- The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said the Federal Government was targeting about N320 million in revenue from tanneries and leather-related manufactured goods. Aganga stated this while declaring open a two-day leather summit organised by Leather and Allied Products Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (LAPAN) in Abuja. The minister put the current estimated value of finished leather goods annual turnover at more than one billion dollars (N160 billion). He said government would double the earnings in the next three to five years. “Estimated value of finished leather goods annual turnover is over a billion dollars with potential to grow faster and in multiple folds. “It is pertinent to note that the sector is the 2nd highest foreign exchange earner after oil, generating about 680 million dollars in export earnings in 2012,’’ he said. The sector, according to him, has estimated employment capacity of more than one million Nigerians. He said the leather sub-sector was strategic to inclusive economic growth and development, noting that government was rolling out a number of interventions to take it to the desired height. “We have developed the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) through which we
hope to increase the Nigerian manufacturing sector’s revenue by 20 billion dollars over the next 5 years. “Under the NIRP, leather and leather products fit within the strategic sectors under the agro allied and agro processing group.
“Our target is to double the revenue from tanneries and leather-related manufacturing within the next three years.’’ The Team Leader, Leather Transformation Agenda, Mr Bello Yakasai, in his paper at the conference said “Nigerian leather is among the best in the
fashion world’’. According to Yakasai, Nigeria accounts for about three percent of world production of skinbased leather and probably the largest exporter of light leather in the world. He expressed worry over the challenges facing the sector
such as poor quality of hides, leading to rejection of about 30 percent of all hides produced in the industry, as well as the large quantity of uncollected hides in the rural areas .Other challenges, he said, included difficulty in accessing finance for new investment and expansion, high interest rates and lack of access to appropriate technology and training.
...Stakeholders Seek Review Of Industry Laws, Policies
ABUJA- Stakeholders in the leather industry have called for a review of the laws and policies governing activities in the industry to address emerging challenges. The stakeholders made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day leather industry revival initiative summit organised by the Leather and Allied Products Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (LAPAN). The communiqué, signed by Alhaji Bashir Danyaro, Chairman, LAPAN Board of Trustees, expressed concern over the retarded growth in the sector. The association called on the National Assembly to work with other stakeholders to review the laws and policies guiding procurement of hides and skin to ensure patronage. The communique noted, with concern, that in spite of being the second largest non-oil foreign exchange earner, the industry had witnessed a decline in the past decade, especially at local production level. It attributed the retardation to
decline in finance, access to market and quality of product. “There is also a dearth of industry-specific data required for effective planning and institutional control.
“The quality of leather produced in the country is affected by factors such as the limited institutional control of abattoirs, poor technological input and the absence of a
national standardisation process. “The current policy context distorts the local market and makes it more beneficial to finished leather producers to export rather than sell to the local market,’’ it stated.
Chairman, Leather Products Association of Nigeria (LAPAN), Alhaji Bashir Danyaro (left) and Team Leader, Enable-DFID, Mr. Bayo Akindeinde at a news conference on leather industry revival initiative summit in Abuja.
THE NIGERIAN
11
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (19/09/13) Stocks
Open
Close
Change
Deals
Units
Value
MAYBAKER
2.04
2.04
0
13
69,232
132,278.54
7UP
72
72
0
10
9,248
599,783.28
MCNICHOLS
1.5
1.5
0
2
4,500
6,075.00
ABCTRANS
0.81
0.84
0.03
9
252,484
210,817.56
MOBIL
114.5
114.5
0
34
49,452
5,506,655.24
ACADEMY
1.9
1.74
-0.16
3
1,044,400
1,822,140.00
MRS
36.14
36.14
0
3
4,804
156,274.12
ACCESS
9.98
10.15
0.17
178
14,388,407
146,077,401.65
MULTIVERSE
0.5
0.5
0
2
20,675
10,337.50
AFRIPRUD
1.9
2.03
0.13
64
1,035,975
2,029,916.58
NAHCO
6
5.99
-0.01
32
1,415,613
8,393,436.22
AFRPAINTS
2.86
2.86
0
1
3,475
8,965.50
NASCON
11.55
11.23
-0.32
40
491,237
5,547,524.82
AGLEVENT
1.55
1.55
0
7
19,832
32,115.80
NB
161
161.99
0.99
160
2,231,686
359,384,426.95
AIICO
0.79
0.79
0
26
1,375,108
1,093,743.78
NCR
16.83
16.83
0
1
1,000
15,150.00
AIRSERVICE
3.86
3.86
0
6
37,170
137,965.18
NEIMETH
1.15
1.15
0
12
211,873
244,567.68
ASHAKACEM
21
19.99
-1.01
41
623,388
12,441,161.77
NEM
0.65
0.67
0.02
46
4,458,757
3,018,373.19
BECOPETRO
0.5
0.5
0
1
300
150
NESTLE
940
940.02
0.02
86
526,744
493,518,453.93
BERGER
8.7
8.7
0
6
22,154
197,819.60
NIGERINS
0.5
0.5
0
2
17,000
8,500.00
CADBURY
49
45.41
-3.59
68
478,625
21,815,180.25
NNFM
25.65
25.65
0
1
100
2,565.00
CAP
43.4
43.4
0
20
63,116
2,691,899.24
NPFMCRFBK
0.78
0.78
0
2
40,300
31,452.00
CAPHOTEL
4.55
4.55
0
1
199
815.9
OANDO
9.32
10
0.68
498
20,686,755
205,136,702.89
CCNN
8.5
8.54
0.04
14
128,880
1,105,461.85
OKOMUOIL
45.53
45.53
0
42
429,734
19,049,803.23
CHAMPION
16.99
16.99
0
2
5,000
80,000.00
PORTPAINT
5.23
5.23
0
2
40,339
220,998.40
CILEASING
0.5
0.5
0
2
18,696
9,348.00
PRESCO
37
37
0
49
515,867
17,326,065.32
CONOIL
28.8
28.8
0
15
25,952
674,758.46
PRESTIGE
0.6
0.6
0
7
813,000
498,172.50
CONTINSURE
1.12
1.11
-0.01
11
1,600,000
1,699,200.02
PZ
38
35
-3
92
899,204
31,946,109.83
CORNERST
0.5
0.51
0.01
6
182,018
91,838.64
REDSTAREX
4.2
4.1
-0.1
7
125,700
513,144.00
COSTAIN
1.2
1.2
0
19
296,039
329,344.37
ROYALEX
0.55
0.55
0
11
253,776
139,364.08
COURTVILLE
0.75
0.75
0
2
6,300
4,284.00
RTBRISCOE
1.38
1.3
-0.08
10
123,750
160,874.00
CUSTODYINS
1.37
1.45
0.08
15
478,757
675,552.87
SKYEBANK
4.21
4.05
-0.16
108
5,851,886
24,207,953.72
CUTIX
1.93
1.97
0.04
20
448,083
828,104.42
STANBIC
18.22
18.5
0.28
38
374,539
6,907,254.39
DANGCEM
190
189
-1
26
250,359
47,318,695.20
STERLNBANK
2.5
2.38
-0.12
24
743,457
1,788,049.36
DANGFLOUR
9.02
9.04
0.02
78
234,357
2,116,978.53
THOMASWY
0.8
0.88
0.08
4
407,076
358,040.04
DANGSUGAR
10.4
10.47
0.07
68
1,067,186
11,207,617.71
TOTAL
157.9
157
-0.9
35
163,427
25,637,594.33
DIAMONDBNK
6.01
6.15
0.14
57
58,804,833
361,490,157.11
TRANSCORP
1.44
1.5
0.06
191
77,204,587
114,462,254.64
DUNLOP
0.5
0.5
0
2
33,974
16,987.00
TRANSEXPR
1.39
1.39
0
11
145,893
221,397.36
ETERNA
2.82
2.82
0
5
125,080
336,654.40
TRIPPLEG
2.29
2.29
0
2
756
1,564.92
ETI
13.5
13.49
-0.01
69
5,563,389
74,143,060.34
UAC-PROP
15.2
15.2
0
15
64,310
980,827.40
EVANSMED
3.29
3.29
0
4
57,000
176,700.00
UACN
55.97
56.1
0.13
81
1,912,549
107,371,917.30
FBNH
15.4
15.5
0.1
512
11,177,593
173,450,745.64
UBA
7.07
7.3
0.23
292
20,671,819
148,798,490.93
FCMB
4
3.88
-0.12
49
455,171
1,765,196.57
UBCAP
1.3
1.3
0
81
3,048,620
3,899,569.63
FIDELITYBK
2.4
2.51
0.11
194
20,437,074
51,200,658.94
UBN
10.39
10.22
-0.17
86
893,488
9,190,533.74
FIDSON
1.96
1.9
-0.06
19
879,500
1,655,355.00
UNILEVER
59
59
0
54
906,286
53,473,003.50
FLOURMILL
83
83
0
46
101,295
7,905,770.60
UNITYBNK
0.55
0.6
0.05
49
10,389,782
6,233,869.20
FO
35.7
35.7
0
17
23,857
858,727.75
UNITYKAP
0.5
0.5
0
2
20,000,000
10,000,000.00
FTNCOCOA
0.5
0.5
0
2
12,046
6,023.00
UNIVINSURE
0.5
0.5
0
1
85,679
42,839.50
GLAXOSMITH
64
64
0
20
89,485
5,742,583.39
UPDCREIT
10.5
10.5
0
1
500
5,250.00
GUARANTY
23.79
24.89
1.1
411
11,237,246
279,030,487.03
UPL
3.6
3.6
0
5
110,520
411,996.80
GUINNESS
248
248
0
44
501,444
124,347,798.83
UTC
0.65
0.65
0
7
100,597
60,992.08
HONYFLOUR
2.74
2.74
0
37
886,500
2,428,970.50
VITAFOAM
4
3.9
-0.1
26
444,434
1,750,771.98
IHS
2.8
2.81
0.01
28
1,649,100
4,812,116.50
VONO
1.5
1.64
0.14
39
2,241,773
3,516,306.75
IKEJAHOTEL
0.8
0.8
0
2
40,000
32,000.00
WAPCO
92
92
0
22
76,748
7,052,975.00
INTBREW
18
19.75
1.75
80
1,389,655
27,133,742.70
WAPIC
0.71
0.78
0.07
41
4,904,891
3,612,922.86
INTENEGINS
0.6
0.66
0.06
8
165,760
109,370.52
WEMABANK
0.91
0.93
0.02
40
4,324,000
3,972,342.90
IPWA
0.75
0.75
0
1
2,390
1,792.50
ZENITHBANK
19.45
19.9
0.45
352
21,559,065
427,589,969.25
JAPAULOIL
0.5
0.5
0
11
769,011
384,505.50
JBERGER
76.95
76.95
0
9
11,116
803,367.91
Gain
Stock
Close
Loss
JOHNHOLT
1.27
1.27
0
2
2,594
3,019.38
JOSBREW
8.19
7.4
-0.79
123
5,258,997
40,479,870.27
LEARNAFRCA
1.95
1.95
0
15
250,000
479,985.00
LIVESTOCK
3.98
3.73
-0.25
52
1,652,063
6,328,758.65
MANSARD
2.13
2.11
-0.02
10
287,556
609,916.28
CADBURY PZ ASHAKACEM DANGCEM TOTAL JOSBREW NASCON LIVESTOCK UBN ACADEMY
45.41 35 19.99 189 157 7.4 11.23 3.73 10.22 1.74
-3.59 -3 -1.01 -1 -0.9 -0.79 -0.32 -0.25 -0.17 -0.16
TOP 10 GAINERS Stock INTBREW GUARANTY NB OANDO ZENITHBANK STANBIC UBA ACCESS DIAMONDBNK VONO
Close 19.75 24.89 161.99 10 19.9 18.5 7.3 10.15 6.15 1.64
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS 1.75 1.1 0.99 0.68 0.45 0.28 0.23 0.17 0.14 0.14
THE NIGERIAN
12
THE Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria voted in favour of the removal of the National Minimum wage from the “Exclusive List to the Concurrent List” in the ongoing constitution review. THE Trade Union Congress in a swift reaction called on the Senators to reconsider their position on the deregulation of the minimum wage. The Union’s President, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama said the decentralisation of the National Minimum wage Law showed clearly that the upper legislative arm was acting contrary to the will of the Nigerian people. WE are tempted to share same sentiments with the Trade Union Congress given the unpopular amendments the Senate embarked upon since it commenced voting on the recommendations of the Ike Ekweremadu-led Committee reports on constitution review. From the obnoxious 6 year single tenure, to the Child Marriage and now moving National Minimum wage out of the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List. WE believe that there are more important constitutional changes Nigerians have been clamouring for to be reflected in the grand norm which the Senate who ordinarily should be the representatives of the people are shying away from in utter preference for their personal issues and those of their political godfathers. Some of the important issues Nigerians want to see in their constitution include but are not
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 THE NIGERIAN
Constitutional Amendment On Minimum Wage limited to the followings: true fiscal federalism or resource control, in the alternative, return to regional government as provided for in the 1963 Constitution, devolution of powers to federating states, Local Government Autonomy, removal of immunity clause particularly with criminal dimension to immunity among others. RATHER than give Nigerians a peoplecentred constitution, we are worried that the Senate is busy chasing shadows and wallowing in self-glorification and perpetuation. This is condemnable because, it is only sheepish for a Senator to vote for Child Marriage only to burst into tears when confronted by his constituents. It goes to show that many of the Senators are not voting according to the wishes of their constituencies. This explains the untoward voyage into the deregulation of minimum wage by the Senators. IT is our contention, therefore, that if the Federal Government should legislate for federal workers and the state government legislates for the state workers, which assembly have the Senators put in place in the same constitution to legislate for
the private sector and other none state actors? CREATING two regimes of minimum wage and excluding the private sector in the fixing of wages in the country, offers shylock private operators a blank cheque to exploit Nigerians in their employ. We expect Senators to have this understanding more than any other Nigerian, hence our utter disappointment and we call on the distinguished senators to rescind their stand. IT is for these reasons, we applaud the Nigeria Labour Congress Protest to the National Assembly led by the NLC President Emeritus and Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to protest the obnoxious voting of the Senators, necessitating the Senate President’s assurance of the Upper chamber’s review of its decision on the matter. WE urge the House of Representatives which has been very progressive in its legislations and resolution since inception of the seventh National Assembly to vote against this obnoxious decision of the senators. WE equally call on the National Assembly Committee on harmonization of both houses positions to throw out this vexations provisions from our statute book when they eventually commence sitting on constitution review. In the same token, we call on all State Houses Assembly to reject the proposal if it comes their way.
THE NIGERIAN
13
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Opinion
Personality
Mrs Philomena Iyekekpolor, Child Marriage Should Be A Jolly Good Fellow pregnancy and child birth Discouraged By OBOH SYLVESTER
A jolly good fellow to Mrs. Philomena Iyekekpolor, one of the greatest personnel assets that have contributed immensely to the smooth running of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL) have recently proceeded on her mandatory retirement leave in preparation for her well deserved retirement. Suffice to say that as reluctant and unwilling as her friends and colleagues who are still in the service may be to let her go, the proficient, humble, strong and very productive worker who is just graduating into the class of senior citizen, must as a matter of respect, necessity and support; be encouraged to start enjoying her retirement. In the greatest sense of it all, Mrs. Iyekekpolor, by her quality and disposition, is the truest definition of a woman, a mother, a Christian, a wife, a worker, a colleague, a friend and a role model. Although she is retiring by joining the senior citizen’s class due to the design and provisions of the Civil Service, her capacity is still very high, enviable and enduring. She is a woman whose personal and ethical qualities are virtuous and unparallel. Even at that, she remained very diligent and punctual. For her over three decades in the service, she never received any verbal caution for dereliction or any query for incompetence. She is a woman of substance and a silent achiever; who, though is filled to the brim,
remained very humble and respectful but refused to loud. When Mrs. Philomena Iyekekpolor dresses at times, in spite of the decades she had put in the service, she could easily pass for a young graduate looking for her first job. That is the extent and attestation of multiple gifts of sound body, health and mind the good Lord has blessed her with. She was a very reliable, confident and focused worker who could take any task head-on. She does not know how to frown or complain even when the task to be assigned to her could be daunting.
• Mrs. Philomena Iyekekpolor
She is a very soft spoken woman, who possesses all motherly characteristics of a mother-figure. All the period she was
around, she was never enticed by any pull, whether material or otherwise. In other words, she does not follow the crowd. She had and always exercised the mind of her own and was very disciplined as well as very patient; to the extent that if she had worked or served in a service where input, output and attitude to work is closely m o n i t o r e d , acknowledged, documented and rewarded accordingly, she would have bagged many awards and millions of accolades. To . Mrs. Philomena Iyekekpolor, we wish you a happy retirement life, even when we know you are not yet tired. We pray
Photo: TESSY EDIJALA
God to graciously grant you all your heart desires as you deservingly enlist into the class of the Senior Citizens. So long!
“All the period she was around, she was never enticed by any pull, whether material or otherwise. In other words, she does not follow the crowd. She had and always exercised the mind of her own and was very disciplined as well as very patient; to the extent that if she had worked or served in a service where input, output and attitude to work is closely monitored, acknowledged, documented and rewarded accordingly, she would have bagged many awards and millions of accolades.”
By WINIFRED OSASOBO
CHILDREN are the leaders of tomorrow and they need to be catered for by their guardian, parent and the nation, if she must have a future. Children both male and female should not be discriminated against but treated equally under the constitution. Recently, the Nigerian senator disappointed Nigerian when majority of them voted against the rights of the female child, for them to be married out early. They have all decided to make Nigeria the highest in the world with fistula or vesico vaginal fistula vvf. This act and steps taken by our representatives in Abuja will deprive them of their Right as female children and they would be left to suffer for no fault of theirs. This act will go a long way to create fear and isolation in the mind of the girl child. The sexual satisfaction of the girl will be taken away from her. She will be faced with psychological and mental truma. Their educational career will suffer a set back in the long process. According to section 29 of the Nigeria constitution as amended (a) stated that full age mean the age of 18 year and above, while (b) state that any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age” This implies that a female child below the age of 18 could be considered as having attained full age, once she is married. Some senators had argued that the section encourages the enforcement of girl child under 18 year into marriage. Which is violation of the right of a child, and as such fault the section. The proposed amendment did not go down well with senator Yerima, who in 2010, had ridden on the back of the Obnoxious undermining the section to get married to a 13 year old Egyption girl. This marriage issue then generated a lot of controversy and was condemned by many Nigerians, as a forceful marriage and child abuse. According to media report
child marriage has many causes which include cultural social, economic and religious. In many cases, a mixture of these causes results in the imprisonment of child in marriage without their consent. Poverty: poor families sell their children into marriage either to settle debts or to make money and escape the poverty cycle. Protecting “The girl sexually”; In certain culture or tradition, marrying a young girl presumes that the girls sexuality, therefore the girl’s family’s honor, will be protect but ensuring that the girl marries as virgin. Gender discrimination; child marriage is a product of cultures that devalue women and girls and discriminate against them. “The discrimination” according to UNICEF report on child marriage and law” often manifests itself in the form of domestic violence, marital rape, and deprivation of food, lack of access to information, education, healthcare, and general impediment to mobility”. Trafficking; poor families are tempted to see their girl child into marriage, even into prostitution, as transaction to enable handle large sums of money. The early marriage abuse violates the child right law, which guarantee child rights that are abused as a result of early marriage. Some of this right undermined are listed below. The Right to Education. The right to be protected from physical and mental violence, injury or abuse, including sexual abuse rape and sexual exploitation. The right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. The right to rest and leisure, and to participate freely in cultural life. UNICEF further, estimates that some 50,000 die, almost all in low and middle income ceintries still birth and new born deaths are 50% higher among mothers under 20 years than in women who get pregnant in their 20’’ Similarly to United Nation (UN), complication from
are the leading causes of death for girls aged 15-19 years in developing countries of the 16 million adolescent girls who give birth every year, about 90% are already married. Implication of child marriage as stated by the Isa Wais Empowerment initiative (IWEI) chairperson Uwais, include: Multiple health risks arising from child marriage sexual exploitation including forced sexual relations) That she is subjected to, as well as limited access to reproduction health services. Despite the real and present danger of contracting disease such as HIV/AIDs STIs (Sexual Transmitted infections/ Disease) and the debilitating ailment of vvf / Ruf (vvf-a tear in the flesh between the vaginal fistulae –Ruf) including the abandonment that comes with such ailments, Nigeria with 2% of the world’s population, has 10% of vvf patients. Three-quarter of those with vvf/Rvf are young girls who are not yet physically mature, but have suffered trauma in their, first – pregnancy” She went on “deprivations of formal and non-formal education translate at such an early age, into restriction on mortability, domenstic burdens, denial of sundry freedoms in respect of survival, development and pariticipate, as well as the loss of adolescent years indeed, children of young, uneducated mother are also less likely to attain high levels of education, perpetuating cycles of low literacy and limited livelihood opportunities child marriage therefore, ultimately deprives. Societies of the intellectual and financial livelihood contribution of girls, of their offspring. It is no wonder then that the North continues to portray such poor rating in almost all aspect of human endeavor. Child marriage, if promoted in the country, as the senate has done, will result in failure to achieve the millemum Development Goals (MDGs) that are needed to propel the nations growth and development.
THE NIGERIAN
14
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
CLASSIFIED: CHANGE OF NAME IDAEWOR – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Precious Emiagede Idaewor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Precious Emiagede Aisowieren. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. NATUFE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Natufe Oghenevwogaga Helen now wish to be known and addressed as Rev. (Mrs) O t o k u n m a f o r Oghenevwogaga Helen Ben. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
OSUNDE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abieyuwa Cynthia Osunde now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abieyuwa Cynthia Eweka. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. EDEMWEVUGHE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Eseoghene Peace Edemevughe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eseoghene Peace Odiete. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
IDERIMA – I formerly Miss Iderima Margaret now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emuobome Iderima Margaret. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
IHIMEKPEN – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ihimekpen Christabel Ivhade now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omoigberale Christabel Ivhade. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
OMOROTIOMWAN – I formerly Pedro Omorotionmwan now wish to be known and addressed as Pedro Strasser. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
EDOBOR – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Edobor Kehinde now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Igbinovia Kehinde. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
AKIHOMI – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akihomi Faith Ufumin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akhigbe Faith Ufumin. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. SHADRACK – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Shadrack Itoha Evelyn now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugbeni Itoha Evelyn. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. OKPEKU – I formerly known and addressed as Okpeku Williams now wish to be known and addressed as Esebamen Williams. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. JOHNSON – I formerly known and addressed as Johnson Maduabuchi now wish to be known and addressed as Onuekwue Jason. All former documents remain valid.
COKER – I formerly known and addressed as Coker Uduze Alex Ehijagbon now wish to be known and addressed as Okosun Ighodalo Christopher. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. OTASOWIE – I formerly known as Miss Maris Osagie Otasowie now wish to be known as Mrs. Maris Osaro Obasogie. All former documents remain valid. Ovia South West Local Government, Local Government Service Commission, University of Benin, National Community Health Practitioners and the general public should take note.
Education Board, Edo State, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. IKEDE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Osebhahiemen Ikede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osebhahiemen Airiodion. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. IGBINOMWANHIA – I formerly called Miss Igbinomwanhia Osamede is now known and called Mrs Osamede Blessing Edokpayi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. OSAGIE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Cynthia Usiemwanta Osagie now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Cynthia Usiemwanta Ezomo. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. VENN – I formerly known as Dr. (Miss) Harriet Ngozi Venn now wish to be known and addressed as Dr (Mrs) Harriet Ngozi Yepwi. All former documents remain valid. Hospitals Management Board, Benin City, NYSC, University of Jos, other concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. OAIKHENAH – I formerly called Miss Tobiah Ikheagbon Oaikhenah now wish to be called Mrs. Tobiah Ikheagbon Igbinadolor-Edehia. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
OKWUOGHAI – I formerly known as Miss Okwuoghai Princess Nkechi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ebefile Princess Nkechi. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
AVIELELE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ama Annette Avielele now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ama Annette Iyamu. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
IGUBOR – I formerly called Miss Mercy Endurance Igubor is now known and called Mrs. Mercy Endurance Urhoghide. All former documents remain valid. State Universal Basic
IMADE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Imuentinyan Imade now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs
Imuentinyan Igbinoba. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and general public should please take note.
addressed as Mrs Akelidhu Kafayatu Frances. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, UBTH and the general public should please take note.
IBHAWON – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ejemen Ibhawon now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ejele Ejemen. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.
AKINPELUMI – I formerly Miss Lydia Akinpelumi now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Lydia Oluwaseyifunmi Adebiyi. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
AIGBEVBOILE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Esohe Aigbevboile now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Grace Esohe Nwaigbo. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
NWACHUKWU – I formerly Miss Victoria Ada Nwachukwu now wish to be known, called and addressed
IDIAGHE – I formerly Miss Danibelle Akugbe Idiaghe now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Danibelle Akugbe Oleghe. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. NEGBENEBOR – I formerly Miss Doris Dora Imafidon Negbenebor now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Doris Dora Odion. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and the general public should please take note. EZEAMAKA – I formerly Miss Evelyn Chichebem Ezeamaka now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Evelyn Chichebem Imarhia. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. OKE – I formerly Miss Oke Blessing now wish to be known as Mrs. Blessing Ufumen. Former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
ADDITION OF NAME I, Osasuyi Eseosa Liora Deborah wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Osasuyi Eseosa Liora Deborah. Henceforth, I am now addressed as Osasuyi Eseosa Liora Deborah. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities should please take note.
ADDITION OF NAME
LAWANI – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Lawani Kafayatu Frances now wish to be known and
ADAGUNODO – I formerly Akintunde Kelvin Adagunodo now wish to be known, called and addressed as Akintunde Kelvin Akinleye. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the general public should please take note. OGBUKA – I formerly CONFIRMATION OF known as Miss Ogbuka ACTUAL DATE OF BIRTH Chinelo Linda now wish to be known Mrs I, Mallam asIbrahim Mohammed M g b e i k e -wish C h ito mbring e z i r ifor m the information of theFormer general Chinelo Tovia. public that myremain actual date of documents valid. birth is June 19, 1969 and and not Concerned authorities Junegeneral 19, 1970 as wrongly the public should stated take in my please note.November/ December 2011 NABTEB Examination candidate photo card with candidate No. 13087053 and November/ December 2012 NABTEB Examination Registration candidate photo card with candidate No. 13087010. Emphatically, my date of birth is June 19, 1969 and not June 19, 1970. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as Irughe Osagiamienghemwen Darlynton now wish to be addressed as Osa-Irughe Osagiamienghemwen Darlynton. All former documents remain valid. Authority to whom it may concern, University of Benin and the general public should please take note.
RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, Blessing Danibelle Akugbe Oleghe wish to inform the general public that I am the same person as Blessing Idiaghe and Blessing Danibelle Idiaghe as appeared in my various documents. Henceforth, I am now addressed as Blessing Danibelle Akugbe Oleghe. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities should please take note.
RECONCILIATION OF NAME
RECONCILIATION OF NAME
should please remain valid. The general public and other concerned authorities are hereby notified that Kadiri Abdulahi and Ameh Kadiri Osigbemhe Samson are one and the same person. Henceforth, I am now known, called and addressed as Ameh Kadiri Osigbemhe Samson. All former documents bearing the aforementioned names should remain valid.
RECONCILIATION OF NAME IMAFIDON – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Imafidon Osarenkhoe Enoma now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omoregie Osarenkhoe Enoma. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, UBTH and the general public should please take note.
as Mrs Victoria Ada Omonkhehiemen. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the general public should please take note.
should please take note. The general public, Local Government Service Commission and other concerned authorities are hereby notified that Adamu Nobert and Aruokhai Imhonikhe Albert are one and the same person. Henceforth, I am now known and addressed as Aruokhai Imhonikhe Albert. All former documents bearing the aforementioned names
I, Owolabi Elvis Albert wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Owolabi Monday as appeared in my primary school leaving certificate. Henceforth, I am now addressed as Owolabi Elvis Albert. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and Rapid Response Agency (RRA) should please take note.
RECONCILIATION OF NAME
I, Garuba Selimetu wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Otoayele Ketumi as appeared in my primary school leaving certificate. Henceforth, I am now addressed as Garuba Selimetu. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities
THE NIGERIAN
15
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Science Organisms’ ‘Originated From Space’
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA
SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES ADMISSION INTO POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES FOR 2013/2014 ACADEMIC SESSION
SCIENTISTS believe they have found the first evidence of life arriving to Earth from space, which could “completely change our view of biology and evolution”. The team, from the University of Sheffield, made the discovery after sending a balloon high into the stratosphere. On its return they found
27km from the planet. It later landed safely and intact near Wakefield when scientists discovered they had captured a diatom fragment and some biological entities, which were unusual due to their size. Prof Wainwright, from
The professor said stringent precautions had been taken against the possibility of contamination during sampling and processing, and said the group was confident that the biological organisms could only have come from the
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An organism found after a team from the University of Sheffield sent a balloon high into the stratosphere organisms that were too large to have originated from Earth. Professor Milton Wainwright, who led the team, said the results could be revolutionary. He added: “If life does continue to arrive from space then we have to completely change our view of biology and evolution. “In the absence of a mechanism by which large particles like these can be transported to the stratosphere, we can only conclude that the biological entities originated from space. Our conclusion then is that life is continually arriving to Earth from space, life is not restricted to this planet and it almost certainly did not originate here.” The balloon was launched near Chester and carried microscope studs which were only exposed to the atmosphere when it reached heights of between 22 and
the university’s department of molecular biology and biotechnology, went on: “Most people will assume that these biological particles must have just drifted up to the stratosphere from Earth, but it is generally accepted that a particle of the size found cannot be lifted from Earth to heights of, for example, 27km. “The only known exception is by a violent volcanic eruption, none of which occurred within three years of the sampling trip.”
stratosphere. The findings have been published in the Journal of Cosmology and updated versions will appear in the same journal, a new version of which will be published in the near future. The team is hoping to extend and confirm their results by carrying out the test again next month to coincide with the Haley’s Comet-associated meteorite shower, when there will be large amounts of cosmic dust. It is hoped that more new, or unusual, organisms will be found.
“In the absence of a mechanism by which large particles like these can be transported to the stratosphere, we can only conclude that the biological entities originated from space.”
THE NIGERIAN
16
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Insight IT is a day I will never forget in such a hurry in my life. With the sun’s scorching rays descending heavily on me, the eventful journey to one of the most prestigious centers of learning in the Oba’s ancient city of Benin; University of Benin, began that day at the Akin Deko Auditorium. Seemily looking like fish out of water, the forest of legs moving to and fro every direction, made it more perplexing for me as the manual clearance began. As sat at the gigantic epic center of UNIBEN; akin Deko Auditorium, doing some “mental mathematics” on what next line of action to take then came an angelic voice. “Hello”, the voice echoed. I was jottled back to reality. “You’re definitely a new student, right”, came the question from the charcoal-dark tall guy. I nodded in the affirmative as the conversation got on with this gentleman who later turned out to be one of those that changed the course of my life for good. He was to later help me with some part of my clearance after which I got to know that another big family was waiting in the wings for me. The clearance ended but the love still continued as I geared up to face life, nay campus life in my Ekehuan Road, UNIBEN. Although I initially did not fancy life as a student in what many call the “MINICAMPUS” of UNIBEN
but I was later to know that the EK CITY FAMILY IS THE BEST ONE CAN BE IN. Getting to Ekehuan, Road campus, an army of campus fellowship greeted me. From my family, Christ Ambassadors Students’ Outreach (CASOR) to CFI, from CU-NIFES to RCF, DLCF to SUCF, all did a thorough work to ensure that these young ones, popularly called freshers, were not left to wonder in thewilderness of ignorance, thereby falling prey to unscrupulous –minded fellows. In every coner, at the auditorium (Akin Deko), canopies from various campus fellowships, were constant feature. They practically did the online and other clearance. Even taking it upon themselves to shelter, feed and guide the new students in their new home-campus. For some persons, all that these fellowships did were directed at getting more members to their camps, but that is not the sole aim of “CATCH THEM YOUNG”. Speaking, the President, Christian Community on Campus, (the Umbrella body of all Campus Fellowships), UNIBEN, Dabulous Anichie, explained that “campus fellowship is the security and peace of the campus. Their activities curb cultism, prostitution, and many other social vices. They
Campus Fellowships: ensure this through the CATCH THEM Y O U N G , EVANGELISM AND PRAYERS” “Students are challenged by their mate to be exceptional and advocates of peace and security”. As 2 Corithians 5:20 noted, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pear you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God”, campus fellowships are reconciling men to God. In almost every fellowship on campus, there are foundation classes; meant to groom spiritual giants. For the Christ Ambassadors students’ Outreach, (CASOR), the Potter’s House known as C.C.A, has transformed many a life with it’s life-giving a lessons and “spiritual” assignments. What about CDA from CU-NIFES,? It is life –changing All of are these geared towards building students to tackle the many spiritual, academic, social and physical issues they will come across in their campus journey. There have been cases where students, especially FRESHERS, are led to the slaughter house by ill-minded people who often camouflage as “helpers”. Even though most students and others, will say that campus fellowships are just a mere “play ground” and
Treasure
others calling it a place where “holier-thanthou” hypocrite students converge, campus fellowships have built, is building and will always build spirit giants and great leaders. In these fellowships, students are given responsibilities that bring out their innate abilities. Check out someone as the
the fore walls of a Bible/ Theological school, but as logical as this argument may be, that is not the main thing. I dare ask those with such notion: How many men of God would have missed the marks today, if not for these fellowships. Yes, they may not be pastors who have gone through the
growth. Samuel as a young man was in the service of Eli and the Bible recorded it that “ The child Samuel grow before the Lord”- I Samuel 2:21;26. There are various departments and units in campus fellowships which impart countless values that
pers amb T a ro cert by e suc affo Apo “tho gain
Priest- Incharge of All saints chapel Ekehuan Campus, University of Benin Rev Prof Oyedeji was a one time president of NIFES when he was in school. Many would dismiss the title pastor that is given to most leaders of campus fellowship because to them, they have not gone through
rudiments of a Bible school, but if God can speak through Balaams donkey, why wouldn’t He do same with individuals in campus fellowships? With the students given various roles to play, they cannot and will never be the same again, nay in a positive way. Personally, I know how much I have grown spiritually, intellectually, socially and otherwise through the various leadership roles I have assumed in my CASOR FAMILY. One cannot doubut the fact that various great men in the Bible were made through service; it brings about
most students have used to stand their ground in the labour market. Entrepreneurship, intergrity purpose are developed in fellowships, says Anichie fabulous. Moreover, with students given or elected in leadership positions by their fellowships, it in no small measure, help to instill discipline in them. As a Bible study Secretary (BSS), Prayer Secretary, Evangelism Secretary, Technical/ organizing secretary or even the secretary General you cannot just do somethings that will dent your image or that of your fellowship. The
loss Chri fello remo many imag beco Nige Ag throu Ivory love can fello of “ love ware whe been phys even diffic of th even
“In every coner, at the auditorium (Akin Deko), canopies from various campus fellowships, were constant feature. They practically did the online and other clearance. Even taking it upon themselves to shelter, feed and guide the new students in their new home-campus.”
By EMMANUEL EGOB
THE NIGERIAN
17
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Insight
es Of Inestimable Value
BIAMBU
son just becomes an bassador. They now take you as ole model and, then tainly watched closely even unbelievers. So, h individual cannot ord to slip off just as ostle Paul said that ose things he count as n, he now count them
for the sake of ist”, campus owships have odeled the lives of y and one can best gine what would ome of campuses in eria without them. gain, I do know ugh my years in the y Tower, the kind of , unity and help one get from campus owships, it is a case Let the brotherly e continue”. There e countless times en students have n “ rescued “ from sical, financial and n spiritual culties by members heir fellowships or n other fellowship.
A prominent feature of campuses, especially at the tale end of the semester, is students smiling back to their hostel rooms with food items as rice, beans, onion, oil, just to name a little of course, as a student, I certainly can tell how most student, fare during this time. With exams, knocking at the door, most students cannot even afford a meal in a day. How would such one study for his exams with hunger running Berlin Marathon in his stomach? Most times, students school fees are paid by fellowships. They are some times, that one would be broke to the marrow; without “shishi”, and you get a life line from a sister or brother from another mother through your fellowship, before “alert” finally comes! Even at some point in time when hunger is practicing kickboxing in your stomach, you can just walk into a “brother ’s” room and feed your physical body. Then, comes in the “koko”. All efforts; gaining admission, getting cleared, becoming a member of a university or polytechnic, would to nothing if the academic growth of the student is crying for help. Fight from entrance to graduation, campus fellowships have been a major contributor to the academic excellence of students. With books, handouts, free lectures, lending of books by members and the fellowships, academic seminars, among others, campus fellowships, have given birth to many 1st class and second class Upper students, geniuses. I know most
fellowships that harvest the afore-mentioned people with these class of results at sessionally. For them, it is a “crime” not to be top in ones class/ course. Check the best students in various departments across campuses, and you will be definitively surprises that a chunk are
committed members of fellowships; leaders despite their handling of many things (academics, social, spiritual). Socially, picnics, sports competition etc are put together by folloships In UNIBEN for instance, we have the Christian Community on Campus (CCC) Cup,
which brings together all fellowship. These avenues have not only given vent to what the Bible said, “Little exercise, profiteth the body much” and letting the “brotherly love continue.” Even though campus fellowships might have their shortcomings, which are being addressed daily, it has proved over the years
that it is a ventable channel for, grooming men spiritually, intellectually I will call campus fellowships; the moulder of socially and otherwise. If I were to give a name to campus fellowship, I certainly will christen it: THE PATHWAY FOR GREAT MEN AND WOMEN, because many have turned to “another man” by it.
When You Are Disappointed
WE are disappointed by those we held in high esteem some times. They could be our family member, neighbour, boss, acquaintance and what have you. When any of these persons strike us, we nurse a feeling that the world has tumbled-down on our shoulders. We begin to clatter and bicker, because our reliability on the person has been betrayed. But one thing we must come to term with is that no matter the series of betrayal and betrayer we come in contact with, hope is one thing that remains sacrosanct. We must also understand that disappointment is the act of the lily-livered individuals. But it makes us strong. At least, to always keep us at check that not all the people that we have deep love and respect for reciprocate the same way. To some persons, there may be compensation after a disappointment. While to others, it is very hard to overcome. Nonetheless, what make great men and women is not the mountainous heaps of their money, but how they manage disappointment on the way to success.
By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE
You are a great person. Do not mind the monstrous features you see in the world full of troubles and brickbats. The only measured way to live in it is to face life with courage and cheerfulness. Notwithstanding, these are not easy to keep; but we cannot do without being courageous and cheerful. Many persons would give and give to those who disappoint them: The people who never abide to an agreement reached – whether it was oral or penned – are just light featherweights. Even in love, there is a piece of alarm that is exhibited from that beautiful woman and handsome man. If as individuals we open our hearts, there are scars from disappointment, which when we remember how we were disappointed, it seems that we wouldn’t let go. We feel micro and macro disenchanted. We want to take our lives and would not want to do anything with the specie called human being anymore. But one thing that many of us have not realised or
realised but do not keep is that hope is both the keeper of success and disappointment. We have to expect both to make headway in this dislocated world of unfairness, injustice, lies, outsmarting and all other scandalous attributes. There is no gainsaying that it is human to rehash the sources of the scars we bear in our hearts and mind, but it is divine to let go the disappointments of those whose sweet promises and talks made us to believe in them without holding bars. In a nutshell, let’s not see any disappointment as the end of our existence. We have to rather see those that disappointed us as persons who have ended their existence with us. The pains and sadness they inflicted on us also haunt them, no matter how hard they want us to believe they are. We must move on no matter the level of the disappointment. It is worthwhile doing so. We must put our head down and move on in the face of tyranny. Our future has the greater path and the sweetest corridor of our
livings, only if we thread on the alleyway of optimism and innocence. The past is gone and will never be repeated. Let us begin now to see that family member, neighbour, boss, and what have you, who disappointed us, as one with bankruptcy of the soul. We should not brood on them. We must see disappointments as that which fertilises our fortune. We must know that when we are disappointed and rejected comes our direction in life. We must move forward, if we do not allow our past to define us. Don’t despair. The world is tired, but don’t eventually get tired. We’ve lost the world, but don’t take yourself for granted. Yours Truly has built his mind on, to forgiving all the people that he has travelled the journey with that abandoned him, when they succeeded. They want him to lose sight, but he knows where he’s going. You may be the caregiver that others take for granted, but continue in your work. Those who left you to suffer might turn around tommorrow, but only to realise that you are also on top.
“Even in love, there is a piece of alarm that is exhibited from that beautiful woman and handsome man. If as individuals we open our hearts, there are scars from disappointment, which when we remember how we were disappointed, it seems that we wouldn’t let go.”
THE NIGERIAN
18
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Art Alive
With FRANCIS ODUPUTE
The Role Of Curtains, Bedsheets And Carpets In A Home FOR every household, there is a zeal to make it look beautiful and attractive, mostly to the female occupants of these households. There is nothing more attractive to a lady than beauty –and perfection. They want their decorations to match in colour, texture and fitness; Also it must be unique and modern (not out of fashion). Most ladies love to decorate their households the way they want it to be, the way that they believe will be attractive to their visitors, friends and family, while others choose their designs the way they like it to be because it is what they want and like, irrespective of other people’s opinions of it. But even in this, they want it to be attractive to visitors also. Curtains in a house is one of the basic components of that house. Hardly will you go to a house without door and window coverings, as long as the house has a door and window. Even the poorest-looking houses that has doors and windows have coverings for them. It may be in a form of palm fronds and dried leaves (for village mud-houses) but they understand the importance of covering the door and window to prevent public eyes from prying into the private affairs of the house. In the olden days, curtain s were not used as windows and doors coverings, palm fronds and dried leaves were used. Now, as the economy improved and the fashion world was introduced,
curtains (textile Art materials) were accepted as a better covering for the windows and doors. It comes in various colours, designs, prices and sizes. Curtains have been accepted as an important commodity in the house because nobody wants his/her private affairs to be exposed to the public. Curtains have played a very important role in the house, offices and even
some luxurious buses. Ever since it was introduced individuals know how important a curtain is and that apart from the covering of the
By NKECHI KALU
household and office privacy, it plays a vital role in interim decoration. More beautifying and attractive curtains have been introduced and more ideas are coming in on a daily basis. More colours are produced, patterns, length/size and texture. Just as the curtain plays a major role in the house and offices, so also does the floor covering.
The reason so many people prefer rugs and tiles to carpet is because they feel that carpets are outdated and they do not last as before because fake ones are now being produced. So many others that go for carpets say things like, “I just want to use carpet for now because my money for rug is not complete, let me atleast cover my floor
So many people prefer to use tiles and rugs to cover their floors (cemented floors) but what about the importance of carpets?
before purchasing rug or even tiles”. Tiles are used mostly in offices and churches. Most homes that use tile are private and personal houses. Anybody that moves into a house and decided to use tiles for floor covering, knowing fully well that he/she rented the place and will move out anytime a better opportunity presents itself, that person probably prefers it so and can afford it, but he/she
“While tiles are manufactured industrially by ceramic art experts, curtains, bedsheets/ bedspread, and duvet, etc are produced by textile Art industries. Indeed there is more to Art than many of us know!”
needs to get permission from the landlord and /or landlady of the building. Except it was already built like that before he/ she moved in. Why is it so? Because tiles are considered to be attractive, classy, easy to clean, etc though it is costly to purchase. The truth of the floor covering is that, even through the floor is covered with tiles, rugs carpets, wood or left plain, it is all about a person’s choice and reasons for it. But it is adviced that the cemented flooring of a house be
covered with any of these floor coverings; it does not only beautify the house or office, as products of Art, it also aids in the easy maintenance of the house or office. Another important commodity in the house is bed sheet. A bed sheet is the material/ cloth material) that is used to cover the mattress. Often people mistake it for bed cover or duvet. A bed cover, which is actually a
mattress cover, covers the whole of a mattress, and is closed in at an open end of the mattress cover. A bedsheet, however, is a cloth material that is laid on top of the bed that is already covered in a mattress cover; the bedsheet or bed spread is spread on to the bed and it is different from a duvet. A duvet is a quilt that is used for covering one self on the bed. It serves as a blanket. The only difference between a quilt and blanket is that a quilt is made of two layers of soft materials but a blanket can be thick and solid with just a layer material. A bedspread is important. You can have a mattress cover or not but you still need to cover your bed with a bed sheet. Many people get bed sheet that matches the colour of their room curtains just to make the room attractive and not colour rioting. It actually beautifies a room and is indeed attractive. The quilt is also an important covering, especially during cold weathers. It aids in reducing the cold that comes at night when you are about to sleep. It protects you against the night breeze that could actually cause you to get cold at night. In a home, we need to put into consideration some of these things because it is important to many people who want to increase the beauty of their houses or offices. People want tips on how to improve the look of their homes; well, you have all the tips you need, ask any interior decorator, and you are adviced to also go with what your heart tells you – not forgetting that all these are just some of the aspects of applied arts that most people in our society don’t know about. While tiles are manufactured industrially by ceramic art experts, curtains, bedsheets/bedspread, and duvet, etc are produced by textile Art industries. Indeed there is more to Art than many of us know!
THE NIGERIAN
19
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Opinion THE scripture says “To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born and a time to die” though too early, the death of the 4th executive governor of Ondo State which is no longer a news is a fulfillment of natural order. Expressing the same line of thought with scripture, the ever captivating literature guru, William Shakespeare said “All the world a stage and all the men and women merely players: They have their exist and their entrances” Indeed, world is a stage and each actors must be mindful of image depicting while displaying on the stage. However, Dr. Olusegun Agagu- the former governor of Ondo State stepped the world stage on February 16, 1948 and took his exit on September 13, 2013. During his life cycle, Agagu was not a flat character; he appeared in different scenes at the world stage. Agagu’s death further affirmed the mortal nature of man irrespective of social class. Death an unavoidable and unaffordable naturally designed obnoxious visitor has taken Agagu away just like other departed Nigeria social, political and economic sages. Death, you have done this again! You have taken Agagu away from his love ones. You have created a vacuum that cannot be filled. To be candid, death is a mischievous phenomenon. May the Agagu’s soul rest in perfect peace and May God give his love ones fortitude to bear the great and painful loss. It is high time the hegemonies at the corridor of power understood that life and leadership position are mere temporary phenomena. Innumerable heroes have taken their exits from the world stage with no
meaningful or beautiful image that could be attributed to them. Bitterly enough, some departed Nigeria political heroes are monument of shame and disgrace to their generation and generations yet unborn. Anyway, it is heartwarming that Nigerian can still point to some past heroes-the great and uncompromise actors that in-coming generations will continue to praise. Welcome is the beginning of goodbye. Agagu has come, acted and gone in line with natural arrangement. The objective and good people of Ondo State are in the best position to inform the whole world whether Agagu is a golden or wooden icon. The good people of Ondo state understand what Agagu would be remembered for whenever his name is mentioned. However, whenever the names of some past heroes are mentioned, certain mental image would be developed. In Nigeria and even Africa at large, actors like Nnamidi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo and host of others can never be forgotten because of their patriotic services. Indeed they made indelible mark on sands of time. Nnamidi Azikwe popularly known as “The Great Zik of Africa” is known for national building, leadership development as well as national transformation. Azikwe pressed hard to ensure Nigeria emancipation. In his effort to decolonize Nigeria, Azikwe published an article titled “Has the Africa a God” on May 15, 1936. After the publication of the articles, Zik was tried and sentenced fro six months in prison. The prosecutor argued that the article is seditious but he was acquitted on appeal. No wonder, when Azikwe was expressing his mind
The World Is A Stage!
after independence he said “my stiffest earthly assignment is ended and my main life’s work is done, my country is now free and I have honoured to be its first indigenous head of state” Azikwe took his exit from the world stage on May 11, 1996 yet, his pleasant image remains evergreen. Irrefutably, Chief Obafemi Awolowo remains one of the great nationalists that cannot be forgotten. In 1945, Awolowo wrote his first
By OGUNYEMI ADEBAYO
the pace? Awolowo was the principal setter of pace in Oyo State. Awolowo established the first television service in Africa in 1959 (WNTV) now NTA Ibadan. He erected the first Skyscraper in tropical Africa popularly known as cocoa house. Till now, cocoa house is still the tallest in Ibadan. Awolowo built liberty stadium, the first of its kind in Africa to mention
civil war period and Nigeria did not borrow from neighbouring countries. In his attempt to make Nigeria Independent in term of monetary unit, Obafemi Awolowo coined the term “naira” for the Nigeria standard monetary unit. In appreciation of his remarkable effort, Federal Government of Nigeria named university of Ile-Ife after his name. his portrait
but few. Talking about social services, Awolowo pioneered free health care in the old western region of Nigeria. He made education free in the defunct Western region. He ran widely respected civil service in the Western region of old. However, the name of Chief Obafemi Awolowo can never be erased at the national level as well. Awolowo used his economy acumen to manage Nigeria resources throughout the
is conspicuously displayed on hundred naira note. Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan named Liberty Stadium after his name. Chief Obafemi Awolowo took his exit from the world stage on May 9, 1987. Coming down to Ondo State, Chief Michael Ajasin – the first executive governor of Ondo State is widely known for a staunch believer in the rule of law. He was a committed federalist, who believed that new Nigeria be renegotiated on the principle of equality, fairness and justice through national conference. While lamenting on the death of Agagu, the defunct Action congress of Nigeria (ACN) gubernatorial candidate Mr. Rotimi
Late Dr Olusegun Agagu
book titled “Faith to Nigeria Freedom”. In this book, Awolowo was highly critical of British policies of indirect administration and called for rapid movement toward self government. Awolowo is known for promotion of education, social services as well as agricultural transformation. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the brain behind the nickname of the present Oyo State. “Pace setter”, who set
“Agagu has come and featured at both state and federal scenes. He has vacated the stage only not to appear again. Ondo State declared seven days mourning because of his passing away. His family members, friends and political associates are profoundly weeping. Nigerians, what can we say concerning his performance while acting on stage? Let’s be objective in our expressions.”
Akeredolu (SAN) refered to Michael Ajasin administration in Ondo State as a moment of unforgettable golden era in the state. The immense contribution of Ajasin to the development of Ondo State cannot fade off in hurry. Herbert Marcaulay – the founder of Nigeria nationalism has gone yet, his good works remain fresh like a tree planted at river side. Nnamidi Azikwe has left the stage but his image remains unfade. Almodu Bello and Sir Alhaji Tafawa balewa have gone but their images remain brighter. Chief Obafemi Awolowo has taken his exit but his excellent woks and achievements are ceaselessly speaking for him. May the souls of our nationalists rest in perfect peace. The burning question at this juncture is, how are the contemporary heroes or actors are managing the beautiful stage orchestrated by the past patriotic heroes? In Nigeria today, when the name of some public figures such as Diapere Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State, James Ibori of Delta State and host of others in their group are mentioned, Nigerians would be developing series of mental Images. The numerical strength of former governors that have been indicted of money laundering and other related offences via EFCC is unconceivable and bewildering. Agagu has come and featured at both state and federal scenes. He has vacated the stage only not to appear again. Ondo State declared seven days mourning because of his passing away. His family members, friends and political associates are profoundly weeping. Nigerians, what can we say concerning his performance while acting on stage? Let’s be objective in our expressions. No amendment is possible when breath is unrealistic. The current actors are hereby advised to make a quality hay before the sun is succeeded by moon.
THE NIGERIAN
20
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Environment
Warming Lull Haunts Authors Of Key Climate Report
SCIENTISTS working on a landmark U.N. report on climate change are struggling to explain why global warming appears to have slowed down in the past 15 years even though greenhouse gas emissions keep rising. Leaked documents obtained by The Associated Press show there are deep concerns among governments over how to address the issue ahead of next week’s meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate skeptics have used the lull in surface warming since 1998 to cast doubt on the scientific consensus that humans are cooking the planet by burning fossil fuels and cutting down CO2absorbing forests. The IPCC report is expected to affirm the human link with greater certainty than ever, but the panel is under pressure to also address the recent lower rate of warming, which scientists say is likely due to heat going deep into the ocean and natural climate fluctuations. “I think to not address it would be a problem because then you basically have the denialists saying, ‘Look the IPCC is silent on this issue,’” said Alden Meyer, of the Washingtonbased Union of Concerned Scientists. In a leaked June draft of the report’s summary from policy-makers, the IPCC said the rate of warming in 1998-2012 was about half the average rate since 1951. It cited natural variability in the climate system, as well as cooling effects from volcanic eruptions and a downward phase in solar activity. But several governments that reviewed the draft objected to how the issue was tackled, in comments to the IPCC obtained by the AP. Germany called for the
reference to the slowdown to be deleted, saying a time span of 10-15 years was misleading in the context of climate change, which is measured over decades and centuries. The U.S. also urged the authors to include the “leading hypothesis” that the reduction in warming is linked to more heat being transferred to the deep ocean. Belgium objected to using 1998 as a starting year for any statistics. That year was exceptionally warm, so any graph showing global temperatures starting with 1998 looks flat, because most years since have been cooler. Using 1999 or 2000 as a starting year would yield a more upward-pointing curve. Hungary worried the report would provide ammunition for skeptics. Many skeptics claim that the rise in global average temperatures stopped in the late 1990s and their argument has gained momentum among some media and politicians, even though the scientific evidence of climate change is piling up: the previous decade was the warmest on record and, so far, this decade is even warmer. Meanwhile, Arctic sea ice melted to a record low last year and the IPCC draft said sea levels have risen by 7.5 inches (19 centimeters) since 1901.
Many researchers say the slowdown in warming is related to the natural ocean cycles of El Nino
“I think a lot of the interest in this topic in the science community has been triggered by the
the last report in 2007 up to earlier this year.” The IPCC draft report says it’s “extremely likely”
emissions at or above current rates “would induce changes in all components in the climate system, some of which would very likely be unprecedented in hundreds
An iceberg melts in Kulusuk, Greenland near the arctic circle.
and La Nina. Also, a 2013 study by Kevin Trenberth at the National Center for Atmospheric Research found dramatic recent warming in the deeper oceans. Stefan Rahmstorf, a German climate scientist, said it was possible that the report’s authors were feeling pressured to address the warming slowdown because it’s received so much attention recently.
public debate about it,” said Rahmstorf, who was a reviewer for the report’s chapter on sea levels. Jonathan Lynn, a spokesman for the IPCC, declined to comment on the content of the report because it hasn’t been finalized, but said it would provide “a comprehensive picture of all the science relevant to climate change, including the thousands of pieces of scientific research published since
that human influence caused more than half of the warming observed since the 1950s, an upgrade from “very likely” in the last IPCC report in 2007. The panel also raised its projections for sea level rise to 10-32 inches (26-81 centimeters) by the end of the century. The 2007 report predicted a rise of 7-23 inches (18-59 centimeters). Continued carbon
to thousands of years,” the IPCC said in the draft. A final version will be presented at the end of the panel’s meeting in Stockholm next week. The IPCC’s conclusions are important because they serve as the scientific underpinnings of U.N. negotiations to rein in emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. A global climate treaty is supposed to be adopted in 2015.
“Many skeptics claim that the rise in global average temperatures stopped in the late 1990s and their argument has gained momentum among some media and politicians, even though the scientific evidence of climate change is piling up: the previous decade was the warmest on record and, so far, this decade is even warmer.”
THE NIGERIAN
21
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Education Quality Education For National Transformation Continued from last two weeks
WELL-MANAGED schools and classrooms contribute to educational quality. Students, teachers and administrators should agree upon school and classroom rules and policies, and these should be clear and understandable. Order, constructive discipline and reinforcement of positive behaviour communicate a seriousness of purpose to students (Craig, Kraft & du Plessis, 1998). Policies are also needed on bullying, harassment, drug and tobacco use, and antidiscrimination with regard to disabilities, HIV/AIDS and pregnancy. Non-violence. War and other forms of interpersonal and group conflict clearly have an impact on children’s mental health and their ability to learn. Many young victims of violence suffer lasting physical, psychological, social-emotional and behavioural effects. Although it is difficult for schools to provide safe havens from some forms of violence, other forms can be effectively prevented through interventions (World Health Organization, 1998). Service Delivery Provision of Health Services. The school service environment can also contribute to learning in important ways. Provision of health services and education can contribute to learning first by reducing absenteeism and lack of attention. Sick children cannot attend school, and evidence from China, Guinea, India, Nigeria and Mexico shows that children’s illness is a primary cause for absenteeism. School Feeding Program Today, the potential of school-based health interventions in improving academic performance is becoming increasingly clear as problems of protein energy malnutrition, micronutrient deficiency disorders, helminthic (worm
A Collective Responsibility
infection) and temporary hunger among children continue to plague developing countries (Levinger, 1992, Onimawo, 2010). School-based deworming programmes in Guinea, for example, led to increased achievement outcomes — failing scores fell from 32 per cent to 23 per cent over three years while passing grades improved markedly (Williams & Leherr, 1998). Maximum benefit-cost ratios have been achieved when deworming is combined with sanitation, a clean water supply and health education (Lockheed & Vespoor, 1991). Schoolbased programmes that address other major health and nutrition problems that can decrease cognitive functioning including deficiencies of iron, iodine and vitamin A have also been shown to be effective (Dolan, Drake, Maier, Brooker & Jukes, 2000). In Nigeria, the school feeding program has consistently led to increased enrolment and improved school grades. The Osun State Example is classical. The program initially addressed school feeding for primary 1-3, this created an unexpected problem as students who passed refused to be promoted to primary 4 because it meant promoting them out of food. Edo State government may need to take a look at this aspect to enable her provide the complete environment for learning and academic excellence. High quality physical, psychosocial and service environments in schools set the stage for learning to occur. This learning begins with quality content. III. Quality Content Quality content refers to the intended and taught curriculum of schools. National goals for education, and outcome statements that translate those goals into measurable objectives,
should provide the starting point for the development and implementation of curriculum (UNICEF, 2000). Student-centred, nondiscriminatory, Standardsbased Curriculum Structures. Research on educational practices and projections about future needs in society contribute to current understanding of the structure of school curriculum. In general, curriculum should
Literacy, or the ability to read and write, is often considered one of the primary goals of formal education. Policies and practices in education for literacy vary significantly among countries. A recent UNICEF study on curriculum showed that in some cases, literacy skills are taught as a separate subject, in a language course,
literacy’, numeracy encompasses a range of skills from basic arithmetic and logical reasoning to advanced mathematics and i n t e r p r e t a t i v e communication skills (Steen, 1999). Numeracy differs from mathematics; while mathematical skills support numeracy, the latter represents the ability to use a
emphasize deep rather than broad coverage of important areas of knowledge, authentic and contextualized problems of study, and problem-solving that stresses skills development as well as knowledge acquisition. Curriculum should also provide for individual differences, closely coordinate and selectively integrate subject matter, and focus on results or standards and targets for student learning (Glatthorn & Jailall, 2000). Literacy.
where the instruction tends to focus on teaching the language as an end in itself. Such an approach tends to be linear —first teaching aural skills, then speaking, reading and writing skills. Alternatively, literacy skills may be developed through other subjects such as social studies or science. Numeracy. As quantitative data become increasingly prevalent in many societies, the concept of numeracy seems to be evolving. Also known as ‘quantitative
range of skills in a variety of contexts. Because mastery of many curricular areas requires numeracy — from geography and social studies to science and vocational training— many mathematics educators advocate teaching numeracy skills in an integrated way rather than as an isolated subject in a mathematics course (House & Coxford, 1995). Life Skills. The term ‘life skills’ can be broadly interpreted, and is often assumed to include such topics as health, hygiene, etiquette, and vocational skills. UNICEF, however, defines life skills as “psychosocial and interpersonal skills used in every day interactions…not specific to
By PROF IGNATIUS ONIMAWO PHD, FNSN
“In Nigeria, the school feeding program has consistently led to increased enrolment and improved school grades. The Osun State Example is classical.”
getting a job or earning an income”. Peace education. Peace education seeks to help students gain the ability to prevent conflict, and to resolve conflict peacefully when it does arise, whether on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, intergroup, national or international level. Peace education addresses cognitive, affective and behavioural learning and
can occur both within schools, through curriculum development and teacher education, and outside of schools, through camps, sp orts and recreation programmes, youth groups and clubs, and training for community leaders, parents, librarians and the media (Fountain, 1999). IV. Quality Processes Until recently, much discussion of educational quality centred on system inputs, such as infrastructure and pupil-teacher ratios, and on curricular content. In recent years, however, more attention has been paid to educational processes — how teachers and administrators use inputs to frame meaningful learning experiences for students. Their work represents a key factor in ensuring quality school processes.
THE NIGERIAN
22
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
View Point
Avoiding Ember Months Tears
MR. A could not help but weep uncontrollably after watching a sitcom during the 9pm Network news bulletin on the inherent hazards of dangerous driving and other road vices. He shuddered with fright after watching a crane from the Federal Road safety corps being used to pull out the neardecomposing corpses of two gentlemen in their prime, whose suv vehicle plunged into the notorious Ovia River, located 21 kilometers from the Benin toll gate. With occasional grunts and eyes full with tears while watching the scene, Mr. A recounts the painful experience of November 2011, which according to him was an unforgettable day of his life. A day which puts an abrupt end to all his plans and then confined him to a solitary bed. He has to move with the aid of one of his children, who has virtually stopped going to school in order to attend to his father’s needs. This brief, distinct story of Mr. A’s experience is never to make your heart feel with sorrow nor your mind feel with pity. But it is to educate you on the need to avoid fatal accident that usually occur during the period that most people in Nigeria referred to as the ‘Ember” months. The Ember months are usually referred to the calendar months of September to December. These are months during which a higher incidence of deaths and injuries through road traffic accidents is recorded. As usual, the Federal Road Safety Corps has initiated a novel strategy towards imparting safety consciousness among road users across the country through the flag-off of a weak-long robust public advocacy, intensive patrols and rescue services with the theme, “Attitude, the change we need to reduce Road Crashes.” The reason for
rolling out annual safety awareness campaign drums in this manner is to make motorist to be aware that road safety is the collective responsibility of everybody. The last quarter of each year has always put fear in the mind of road users due to the enormous accidents that occur. Indeed,availazble statistics on the ‘ember’ months represent a a grim reality that evokes fear in many Nigerians who have now come to label the months as “notorious.” If roads such as Gwaywalada to Abuja, Benin to Ore, Ibadan to Lagos express roads, and many others are not specially manned during the ‘Ember’ months every year, the number of accidents and deaths could be higher because everybody is rushing home or back from one festivity or the other, and most drivers are usually impatient as they rush to make more money from passengers. So they overspeed, over load and end up in fatal accidents and loss of lives. Frequent fatal accidents on roads during the last quarter of the year can be attributed to the increase in the poverty level of the people, poor driving culture, night trips, over loading, dangerous driving, poor vehicle maintenance, bad roads, among others. The FRSC is saddled with the responsibility of bringing sanity to roads in Nigeria in order to curb the rate of accidents on the various highways. This commission has been operating to the best of their abilities. They are usually called to a great deal of task in the last quarter of every year sine the establishment of the FRSC in 1998 by Ibrahim Babangida’s administration, the agency has been battling with the task of reducing road traffic crashes and creation of safe motoring environment in
By ERUKUBAMI OMALADE
Nigeria. It is on record that federal road network alone is over 34,000 kilometres while the entire network of roads across the length and breath of the nation is about 194,000 kilometres, with a population of over 140 million people. Undoubtedly, the FRSC as a leading agency in road safety administration has enormous responsibility in the face of all these. FRSC has introduced programmes like “Operation
at over-speeding, dangerous driving, light signs, violation, over-loading, lane indiscipline, non-use of cell phone while driving, route violation, drunk-drinking, number plate violation, among others. In spite of measures put in place by FRSC, available statistics gotten from wikipedia.com showed that about 525 people perished in road traffic accident across
Nigerians a whole. However, Easter does not fall in the last quarter of the year, but during all these festive periods, many Nigerians take advantage of these to travel for various religious, cultural and socio-political activities. As a result, this lead to the increase in both human and vehicular traffic on the roads and this eventually lead to the havoc that is experienced as traffic accidents.
Eagle Eyes,” “War Against Over-loading and Non-Use of seat Belts,” “Operation zero Tolerance,” and many more. The underlying philosophy behind the programmes is to ensure, if possible, there is zero road traffic crash, injury and death throughout the ember period and year at large. Its objectives also include to control and reduce traffic congestion, intensify public enlightenment and enforcement of road traffic rules and regulations targeted
Nigeria in 2009 during the ‘Ember month’ campaign while 463 persons were sent to their early graves, within the same period in 2008. In 2010 ember months, the FRSC issued a frightening report which indicated that over 600 people died due to traffic accident. Worse still, festive periods such as Easter, Selah, Christmas and New Year celebrations appear to be most challenging for FRSC, other roads agency and
Nevertheless, the most worrisome is the generally held misconception which ascribes the spate of road crashes during the ember season to the activities of some spiritual forces which operate on designated routes of the nation’s highways with the primary motive of “sucking human blood’ through road carnages which often result to untimely death of drivers and passengers of “targeted” vehicles plying the highways. In the words of the FRSC spokesman, Corp commander Jonas Agwu who debunked these claims. Commander Agwu explained that “the insinuations that road traffic accidents are caused by spiritual forces in laughable and unfounded. The facts remains that over ninety per cent of road traffic accidents are due to human
“The facts remain that some of the major highways in Nigeria are bad. What is to be known is that bad use of the road and not bad roads lead to road crashed most time, meaning that driver’s acts of omission has a direct bearing on road crashes.”
errors and causes. We have drivers who will refuse to obey traffic rules and regulations, drivers who despite the fact that they know the dangerous consequences, will still go ahead and buy “tokunbo” tires and indulge in alcohol while driving. So it is a combination of these factors that are responsible for the accidents you see on the roads and not any spiritual forces. Added to this trend is the reluctance of most drivers
to do the routing morning checks on their vehicles before leaving home.” The facts remain that some of the major highways in Nigeria are bad. What is to be known is that bad use of the road and not bad roads lead to road crashed most time, meaning that driver’s acts of omission has a direct bearing on road crashes. In all, road safety is everybody’s business and a shared responsibility. Everyone needs to join hands with FRSC and other relevant agencies such as the police, vehicle Inspection Offices (VIOs), and other stakeholders, especially the Federal government in repairing our highways in order to make our roads safer to guarantee fuller lives for all travellers during this “EMBER’ months and the forthcoming festive period.
THE NIGERIAN
23
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Reflection
With Rev. Fr. John Damian Adizie, OCD 08076635886
Join The 21st International Week Of Prayer And Fasting
I know you must have heard about the Lenten season which is a period of forty days praying and fasting among the orthodox Christians; you must have also heard about Ramadan, which is a month of fasting among the Muslims but how many people are familiar with International Week of Prayer and Fasting? What is this week of prayer and fasting all about? Why must the whole world fast and pray at the same time? What is the significance of global prayer and fasting? What is the prayer point for this year’s international prayer and fasting? International Week of Prayer and Fasting is a grassroots movement of Catholics and other Christians from around the world participating in a global network of prayer and fasting for the global goals. The major goals of this week of prayer and fasting is to pray and fast for the conversion of peoples and nations, to pray and fast in order to build a culture of life; also to pray and fast for peace in the world. As the individual nations are facing their national problems and challenges the world at large has its own global challenges; for instance, the global economic meltdown which has affected most nations in the world, the culture of death, which is growing stronger and stronger. Wars, terrorism, abortion, euthanasia, and religious persecution and natural disasters such as flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, these constant threats to life are on the rise as never before. The wars at the Middle East, especially the Syrian war are indeed a major global challenge. The only remedy to these calamities is a global prayer and fasting. We can see examples in scripture, the lives of the saints and the lives of religious leaders throughout history that prayer and fasting can change the course of world events. Now more than ever, believers from all traditions and nationalities must unite together to pray and fast for peace and unity and for mutual coexistence in the world. A tree cannot make a forest. All hands must be on deck. This year’s prayer and fasting will be held from September 21 to September 29, 2013. In anticipation to this year’s International Week of Prayer
and Fasting, Earlier this month, precisely on September 7th 2013, the Holy Father, Pope Francis called the world to a night vigil of prayer and fasting. The intension of this prayer and fasting is for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and the world at large. The Holy Father stated, “I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world.” This invitation was not just addressed to Catholics but to the whole world: “I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions, and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: Violence and War are never the way to peace.” The Holy Father is using this avenue to appeal to the world leaders and their citizens, especially those at the Middle East to embrace peace and dialogue and shun all kinds of war and violence. More than a hundred thousand people gathered in St. Peter’s Square in response to Pope Francis’ appeal. At this gathering, the Holy Father made a strong and urgent appeal for peace. According to him, “All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs to all of humanity! I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.” The only way to peace is dialogue and not war as the Holy Father continues to emphasize. September 21st is the International Day of Peace and coincidentally it is the first day of the International Week of Prayer and Fasting. This year’s International week of Prayer and Fasting will last from 21st -29th of September
2013. The Holy Father, Pope Francis is once again inviting the whole world to pray for peace, especially in warring areas such the Syria nation, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. Charity begins at home. If there is any nation that must
fasting outside the Lenten and Ramadan period. We must all unite to pray and even fast for our country Nigeria, and the world at large. If the world is peaceful we all will enjoy but when there is war in any part of the world it affect the entire global village.
And he made a proclamation, which he published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: let neither man nor beast taste anything; let them cry mightily to God; let everyone turn from his evil way and from violence which is in his
key into this year ’s International Week of Prayer and Fasting, it should be Nigeria. Nigeria is facing a lot of challenges, such as insecurity, kidnapping, robbery attacks, strikes, flooding, Boko Harram and other forms terrorism. These and many other disasters call for special prayer and fasting. The problem of Nigeria should not be left in hands of politicians alone. Nigeria is not just the property of few politicians. All hands must be on deck. The political leaders should also encourage their citizens to pray for their state and nation. I want to use this medium to appeal to all Church and political leaders to get their members fully informed and involved in this year ’s International Week of prayer and Fasting, which is a global network of prayer and fasting for global needs and challenges. I know most Christians and Muslims in Nigeria are not even aware that there is a week set aside for International prayer and
The importance of prayer and fasting cannot be overemphasized. Prayer and fasting is the highest spiritual weapon against every spiritual and physical attack. When the disciples of Jesus could not deliver the boy with the spirit of deaf and dumb, They came to Jesus privately and asked why they were unable to deliver the boy, Jesus told them that “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). No amount of weapon or force can solve the current problem in the world. Only prayer, fasting and of course, dialogue can bring lasting peace in the world. There are so many instances in the Bible where prayer and fasting were used to avert national and international disasters. For instance, when God wanted to destroy the people Nineveh for their sinfulness; as soon as the king of Nineveh got the information, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
hands. Who knows, God may repent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we perish not” (Jonah 3:6-10). This is exactly what the Holy Father, Pope Francis, is inviting the whole world to do during this International Week of Prayer and Fasting. In response to this invitation of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, I, with the entire members of the Catholic Adoration of the Holy Spirit have organized a day of Prayer and fasting within this international week of prayer and fasting to pray for Edo State, for our country Nigeria and the world at large. This prayer will take place on Tuesday September 24th 2013 at Maryland Egoro Amede Ekpoma by 11 am. The theme of this year’s prayer is “Turn to Jesus the Prince of Peace.” The prayer point that day will be “Let there be peace in Nigeria and the whole world.” We shall also pray against kidnapping, flooding and other natural disaster in our state and nation. Apart from Prayer and
fasting, our brethren in the Northern part of Nigeria and Middle East also need our support. According to St. James, Faith without good work is dead (James 2:26). Prophet Isaiah wrote concerning the kind of fasting that is acceptable by God, “Is not this the kind of fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every evil yoke. To share
your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house, to cloth the naked” (Isaiah 58:6-7). Fasting without almsgiving is starvation. In the early Church when there was famine in Judea, the disciples contributed some money and some relief materials which they sent to the brethren who lived in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). I want to strongly appeal to the Churches in the Southern part of Nigeria to consider sending relief materials to some Northern part of Nigeria where people are suffering due to Boko Harram and other forms of conflicts. I also want to encourage you my dear reader to pray and fast with your partners, family members, your prayer group, church members, your fellow students, your community members and even your business associates from September 21st – 29th. The world needs your prayer desperately. Your voice might even be the only voice that will
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
International
US Senator Attacks Putin
MOSCOW - Senator John McCain yesterday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of allying himself with tyrants and ruling through violence and repression, in a scathing retort to a New York Times editorial by Putin earlier this month. In an editorial published on news website Pravda.ru, McCain criticized the Russian leader’s policies at home and in Syria, where Putin has repeatedly protected President Bashar al-Assad. “(Putin) is not enhancing
Russia’s global reputation. He is destroying it. He has made her a friend to tyrants and an enemy to the oppressed, and untrusted by nations that seek to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous world,” wrote the senior senator from Arizona, who is also a leading Republican voice on military affairs. Pravda.ru considers itself a successor to the Soviet-era Communist Party newspaper but is not connected to it. Like the newspaper, which still exists, it has a limited readership.
Washington Navy Yard Opening 3 Days After Massacre
WASHINGTON — The Washington Navy Yard began returning to nearly normal operations three days after it was the scene of a mass shooting in which a gunman killed 12 people. The Navy installation reopened at 6 a.m. yesterday. But traffic was blocked from reaching the main gate because a tractor-trailer tried to make a U-turn, and its load shifted. The truck was blocking the road in front of the Navy Yard early yesterday. Navy spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Sarah Flaherty said yesterday will be a regular work day, except for Building 197, where the shootings occurred, and the base gym. She says the gym is being used as a staging area for the FBI to investigate Monday’s rampage in which former Navy reservist Aaron Alexis gunned down 12 people before being killed by police. Law enforcement officials are still trying to determine a motive for the shooting. Officials have said the 34-year-old gunman was grappling with paranoia, hearing voices and convinced he was being followed. A month before the shootings, he complained to police in Rhode Island that people were talking to him through the walls and ceilings of his hotel room and sending microwave vibrations into his body to deprive him of sleep. On Wednesday, the Department of Veterans Affairs
told lawmakers in Congress that Alexis visited two VA hospitals in late August complaining of insomnia, but that he denied struggling with anxiety or depression or had thoughts of harming himself or others. On Aug. 23 he visited an emergency room at the VA Medical Center in Providence, R.I. He made a similar visit five days later to the VA hospital in Washington. Also on Wednesday, families began claiming the bodies of their loved ones from the medical examiner’s office in Washington.
critics say are intended to clamp down on dissent. “President Putin and his associates ... don’t respect your dignity or accept your authority over them. They punish dissent and imprison opponents. They rig your elections. They control your media,” McCain wrote.
McCain also made reference to dead whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, who died in pre-trial detention after accusing officials of a $230-million fraud and suggested his support for Pussy Riot, a protest punk band, two members of which are currently behind bars for a protest against Putin in a Moscow cathedral.
U.S.-Russia ties are at one of their lowest points since the Cold War as tensions over human rights and the fate of fugitive exU.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, to whom Russia awarded asylum, have added to tensions over the Syrian conflict. Putin’s op-ed article took issue with U.S. President Barack Obama’s claims of “American exceptionalism” and said a military strike against Assad could escalate the conflict that has already killed more than 100,000 people. Russia has blocked three consecutive U.N. resolutions aimed at pressuring Assad to end violence and has held talks on a plan enabling the Syrian leader to give up his chemical weapons to avoid possible U.S. military strikes. McCain, who is known in Russia as one of the Kremlin’s harshest critics, warned Putin in 2011 that “the Arab Spring is coming to a neighborhood near you” when fraud allegations triggered mass street protests after a parliamentary election. The senator has been critical of Putin’s domestic policies, including Moscow’s response to the protest movement that has all but died out after Russia’s parliament passed laws that
Egyptian security forces carry the lifeless body of Giza Police Chief Gen. Nabil Farag, center, who was killed after unidentified militants opened fire on security forces deployed early morning to the town of Kerdasa to drive off suspected Islamists taking control of the town near Giza Pyramids, Egypt, yesterday Egyptian security forces backed by armored vehicles and military helicopters yesterday laid a siege on an Islamists’ stronghold near Giza Pyramids and exchanged fire with what official news agency identified as “terrorist and criminal elements.”
are not going to do so,” Rouhani said, according to an NBC translation of the interview. “We have time and again said that under no circumstances would we seek any weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, nor will we ever.” It was a claim Iran has made
before, that its nuclear activities are purely peaceful. However, the U.S. and its allies suspect Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, a feat some experts say the country might be able to accomplish as early as next year. Rouhani also addressed a question that many in the U.S.
CAIRO — Egyptian security forces backed by helicopters raided a town on the outskirts of Cairo known to be an Islamist stronghold yesterday, exchanging fire with suspected militants who killed a senior police officer.
The Interior Ministry, which is in charge of police, said Gen. Nabil Farrag, an aide to the security chief of Cairo’s twin city of Giza, was shot dead when militants opened fire on security forces approaching the town of Kerdasa to drive off suspected Islamic militants. Egypt’s official news agency blamed “terrorists and criminal elements” for his death. A photographer from The Associated Press captured the dramatic scene as security forces carried Farrag’s limp body toward an armored personnel carrier. Police arrested 32 suspects in house-to-house raids in Kerdasa, according to a security official speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters. The interior ministry said Farrag was killed by gunmen firing from the rooftops of several schools and mosques they had taken over. Yesterday’s assault on Kerdasa is the second major operation by the army and police against a militant stronghold. On Sunday, a large police and army contingent retook the town of Dalga south of Cairo, ending two months of Islamists’ rule there. The quick succession of the two major raids underline the resolve of the military-backed government to restore law and
After Russia gave asylum to Snowden, who is wanted by U.S. authorities, McCain said Washington should complete missile-defense programs in Europe and expand NATO to include Russian neighbor Georgia - both endeavors that are anathema to Moscow.
We Will Never Seek Nuclear Bomb
TEHRAN — Iranian President Hasan Rouhani said Wednesday that his country has never sought and will never seek a nuclear bomb, telling NBC News in an interview that he has full authority to resolve a standoff with the West. Rouhani spoke to the American television network in Tehran just days before he is to make his first appearance as president on the world stage when he attends the United Nations General Assembly in New York. U.S. officials will be watching next week’s visit closely for signs that Rouhani will warm relations with the West and take a more moderate line in the next negotiations on Iran’s disputed nuclear program. “We have never pursued or sought a nuclear bomb and we
- Iran’s President
have been asking: Does he really have the power to make major decisions and concessions on the nuclear issue? Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is known to control all important
Egypt Troops Surround Islamist Stronghold
A member of the Navy checks vehicles at a gate to the Washington Navy Yard, as some employees return, many to retrieve their vehilces, two days after a gunman killed twelve people and was killed himself inside the Navy Yard in Washington.
order throughout a country roiled by unrest and violence since the 2011 ouster of longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. In a sign security may finally be showing some improvement, state television yesterday said the nighttime curfew slapped on the country since mid-August will be reduced by one hour effective Saturday to start at midnight and be lifted at 5 a.m. The curfew on Friday will continue to start at 7 p.m. but will also end at 5 a.m. Interior Ministry spokesman Gen. Hani Abdel-Latif said police now planned to besiege Kerdasa along with the army, which would then deploy special forces to round up the armed men. “There will be no retreat until it is cleansed of all terrorist and criminal hideouts,” he said in a statement. Armored vehicles have been stationed at town entrances, blocking off the main roads. State TV said security forces using loudspeakers urged residents to stay indoors to avoid the crossfire. Kerdasa witnessed a brutal assault on security forces last month when heavily armed suspected supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi killed 15 police officers and mutilated their bodies.
matters of state, including nuclear. “In its nuclear program, this government enters with full power and has complete authority,” Rouhani said. “We have sufficient political latitude to solve this problem.” Rouhani is considered a relative moderate in Iran’s hardline clerical regime. He campaigned on a promise to seek relief from punishing U.S. and Western sanctions that have slashed Iran’s vital oil exports by more than half in the past two years, sent inflation soaring and severely undercut the value of its currency. Turning to the Syria, Rouhani addressed U.S. allegations that the Iranian-allied regime was behind a chemical weapons attack near Damascus last month. He said his country seeks peace and stability and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in the entire region. Asked whether President Barack Obama had looked weak by backing off a military strike on the Syrian regime, Rouhani responded: “We consider war a weakness. Any government that decides on war, we consider a weakness. And any government that decides on peace, we look on it with respect for peace.” Rouhani also said he received a “positive and constructive” letter from Obama congratulating him on his election in June. In it, he said Obama raised some issues the U.S. president was concerned about and that he had responded to the points Obama raised. “From my point of view, the tone of the letter was positive and constructive,” Rouhani said. “It could be subtle and tiny steps for a very important future.”
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
International Features DIPLOMATS from five key nations kicked off talks on Tuesday on a Westerndrafted U.N. Security Council resolution to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons even as France and Russia clashed over Moscow’s insistence that Syrian President Bashar alAssad is innocent in an August 21 poison gas attack on civilians. The negotiations in New York among the American, British, French, Russian and Chinese diplomats focused on a draft resolution on Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal to be put before the 15-nation U.N. Security Council. The U.S.-British-French draft is intended to support an American-Russian deal reached in Geneva last Saturday calling for Syria to account for its chemical weapons within a week and for the removal and destruction of the arsenal by mid-2014. U.N. diplomats said it remained unclear when a vote on the resolution could take place. The current draft leaves the door open to the use of force in the event of non-compliance by Syria, though diplomats said Russia would almost certainly demand such provisions be deleted. Meanwhile, Israel, Syria’s neighbor that has been warily eyeing a civil war that has killed 100,000 people since 2011, shifted from its noncommittal public stance and said it wanted to see Assad toppled. President Barack Obama, who had threatened U.S. military strikes in response to the August attack, said even with the deal to get rid of Syria’s chemical weapons, ultimately there must be a political transition in Syria in which Assad gives up power. “Keep in mind that it’s very hard to imagine that civil war dying down if, in fact, Assad is still in power,” Obama told the U.S. Spanish-language network Telemundo. Obama said it remains his goal to “transition” Assad out of power in a way that protects religious minorities and ensures Islamist extremists are not gaining ground in Syria. “But you know, we’re going to take this one step at a time. The first step right now is to make sure we can deal with the chemical weapons issue,” Obama said. The meeting of diplomats
from the five permanent, veto-wielding powers of the Security Council came a day after U.N. investigators confirmed the use of sarin nerve agent in the August 21 attack. The United States, Britain and France said the report proved beyond any doubt that Assad’s forces were responsible. The U.N. report’s findings triggered sharp disagreement at a meeting in Moscow of the top diplomats from Russia and France. Russia has been Assad’s most powerful backer during the civil war, delivering arms and - with China - blocking three U.N. resolutions meant to pressure Assad. Sitting beside French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius at a news conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the report produced no proof that Assad’s troops carried out the attack and that Russia still suspected rebel forces did it. Fabius took the opposite view, saying the report left no
Vladimir Putin, Russia President
Envoys Seek Syria, UN Resolution As France, Russia Squabble
doubt that Assad’s forces were to blame for the attack that the United States says killed more than 1,400 people. Washington has blamed Syrian government forces. Assad’s government blames the rebels. “When you look at the amount of sarin gas used, the vectors, the techniques behind such an attack, as well as other aspects, it seems to leave no doubt that the regime is behind it,” Fabius said. Lavrov acknowledged that the investigators’ report proved that chemical weapons had been used but that “there is no answer to a number of questions we have asked,” including whether the weapons were produced in a factory or home-made. “We have very serious grounds to believe that this was a provocation,” Lavrov said. Lavrov said the U.N. report should be examined not in isolation but along with evidence from sources such as the Internet and other media, including accounts from “nuns at a nearby convent” and a journalist who had spoken to rebels. “We want the events of August 21 to be investigated dispassionately, objectively
and professionally,” he said. Diplomats in New York said Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin questioned some of the findings in chief U.N. chemical investigator Ake Sellstrom’s report at a closed Security Council meeting on Monday. Churkin, they said, asked Sellstrom to describe the quality of the weapons that dispersed sarin. “The rockets found on the site were professionally made and, according to Dr. Sellstrom, they bore none of the characteristics of jerryrigged, improvised weapons,” U.S. Ambassador
Samantha Power told the U.N. General Assembly. “They had sophisticated barometric fuses to disperse the nerve agent in the air and not on impact,” she said on Tuesday. “This was a professionally executed massacre by the regime, which is known to possess one of the world’s largest undeclared stockpiles of sarin.” Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the diplomats from United States, Russia, Britain, France and China - known as the “P5” - would report back
Francos Hollande, France President
to their capitals and reconvene on Wednesday. In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called for a U.N. resolution with the strength to force compliance from Assad on chemical weapons. “That will happen only with the United Nations passing a strong resolution. It will happen with the enforcement of the world, with Russia standing by us in this effort, and it will happen, finally, because Assad lives up to what he has agreed to do,” Kerry told reporters. The current U.S.-British-
French draft, diplomats said, would condemn and blame Assad for the use of chemical weapons and refer the Syrian civil war to the International Criminal Court for possible war crimes indictments. The draft is also written so that its provisions are under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which covers the Security Council’s authority to enforce its decisions with measures such as sanctions or the use of force. Diplomats said Russia would likely demand most Chapter 7 references be deleted, meaning any attempt to punish Syria for noncompliance would require a second resolution authorizing punitive measures. Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, made clear his nation’s shift in views on the civil war in an interview with the Jerusalem Post. Even Assad’s defeat by al Qaedaaligned rebels would be preferable to Syria’s current alliance with Israel’s arch-foe Iran, Oren said. “We always wanted Bashar Assad to go, we always preferred the bad guys who weren’t backed by Iran to the bad guys who were backed by Iran,” Oren said. “The greatest danger to Israel is by the strategic arc that extends from Tehran, to Damascus to Beirut. And we saw the Assad regime as the keystone in that arc,” Oren said. Israel and Syria are old enemies, but a stable standoff has endured between them during Assad’s rule. Israel even pursued peace talks with him in hope of divorcing Syria from Iran and Iraniansponsored Hezbollah guerrillas in neighboring Lebanon.
Violence flared anew along Syria’s tense border with Turkey as a car bomb exploded on the Syrian side of the main Bab al-Hawa border crossing, killing at least seven people and wounding 20, the Turkish news agency Dogan said. The car bomb exploded a day after Turkish forces shot down a Syrian helicopter that had entered Turkey’s airspace. The Syrian army accused the Turkish government, which backs the uprising against Assad, of trying to escalate tensions along the border. Courtesy Reuters
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
International Features
Violence, Threatens Philippines’ Booming Economy
A commercial hub besieged by heavily armed guerrillas, hundreds of houses gutted by fire, helicopters raining rockets on rebel positions. The images from the Philippines this past week sit uncomfortably with its newfound reputation as an emerging market success story and one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. The violence in Zamboanga City in the country’s longtroubled south will have little immediate economic or investment impact as long as it doesn’t spread in coming weeks, government officials and economists say. But it underscores how the resource-rich island of Mindanao could remain a long-term weakness for the economy as the explosive mix of clans, Muslim and communist rebel groups and guns drains the military’s resources and keeps investors away. “Mindanao has so much to offer, but of course the stupid fighting in Zamboanga is just throwing everything back. Selling Mindanao to investors is so difficult now,” Henry Schumacher, vice president for external affairs of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, told Reuters. The island, about the size of Portugal, accounts for around one-quarter of the Philippines’ 97 million population and one-fifth of its economy. It is rich in agricultural, marine and mineral resources - much of them untapped - and the government wants to get on track oil and gas exploration delayed by objections from some rebels. Despite Mindanao’s riches, its people are the country’s poorest thanks to decades of chronic insecurity fuelled by separate communist and Muslim rebellions and by al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants who the government has proved unable to stamp out. A historic peace deal signed last year between the government and the largest Muslim rebel group appeared to mark the beginning of the end of a 40-year conflict that has killed 120,000 people,
displaced two million and stunted growth. Large companies such as food processor Del Monte Pacific Limited, which has a pineapple plantation in Mindanao, had said they were cautiously considering expanding their operations in the wake of the deal. Few major investments have gone ahead since then, particularly in the western parts of the island near Zamboanga where Muslims form a majority in the predominantly Christian country. That decision looks wise after a splinter group from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which feels ignored by the 2012 agreement, sparked a week of chaos in Zamboanga that left more than 100 dead, 200 wounded, and paralysed the city of 800,000. On Wednesday, the army had mostly driven the rebels out of the city, except for pockets of resistance in three coastal villages, and the airport was scheduled to partly reopen on Thursday. But the violence raises renewed doubts over whether the government can make last year’s peace deal stick. Bombings on Monday in two malls in Davao City, 400 miles east of Zamboanga underlined concerns the violence could spread, though officials played down that prospect. Government officials also minimised the broader economic impact of the conflict, which forced the closure of Zamboanga’s busy port, its airport and many businesses. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told reporters in Manila this week that much of Mindanao’s economy was doing well, noting recent investments there in shipbuilding and power and that it recently shipped banana exports to the United States for the first time. “The area that has issues is on the western side and it is a small portion of Mindanao,” Purisima said. “Nevertheless, this has to be resolved.”
In a measure of the government’s concern over the violence, President Benigno Aquino flew to the conflict zone on Friday and has stayed, personally overseeing relief work and army operations against the gunmen. The Philippine economic boom of recent years has mostly been driven by an expanding middle class, more competent policymaking and optimism over Aquino’s reformist credentials. The economy grew a robust 7.5
Manila’s benchmark share index was up nearly 6 percent. As long as incidents are
percent in the second quarter, matching China’s pace and defying a slowdown in neighbouring countries. And there’s no evidence at this stage that the Mindanao violence is hurting Philippine markets. Between their close on September 9 - the day the trouble began - and Wednesday afternoon, the peso gained 1.6 percent while
only in local parts of the southern Philippines, “then the economic story remains positive. External payments remain robust, and government infrastructure spending is growing fast and is expected to continue,” said Jose Mario Cuyegkeng, economist at ING Bank in Manila. John Martin Miller,
chairman and chief executive of Nestle Philippines Inc, told Reuters the company was committed to its operations in
invest in the Philippines,” Miller said. But security concerns have discouraged new investments in Mindanao, prolonging a spiral of poverty and conflict that weighs on the national economy. The region’s
“Despite Mindanao’s riches, its people are the country’s poorest thanks to decades of chronic insecurity fuelled by separate communist and Muslim rebellions and by al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants who the government has proved unable to stamp out.”
Mindanao, where it has its largest Philippine factory, in Cagayan de Oro in the island’s north. For the country, “the big picture is extremely positive... with all the initiatives that the government is pursuing particularly in terms of building infrastructure, it’s never been a better time to
poverty rate of more than one-third is well above the 28 percent national average. “We all know that so much more investment has to flow into Mindanao in order to have inclusive growth,” said Schumacher. “If you don’t have inclusive growth, then these people who are fighting today have nothing to lose and will just continue.” Courtesy: REUTERS.
“The Philippine economic boom of recent years has mostly been driven by an expanding middle class, more competent policymaking and optimism over Aquino’s reformist credentials. The economy grew a robust 7.5 percent in the second quarter, matching China’s pace and defying a slowdown in neighbouring countries.”
THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
EVERY FRIDAY WEEK 10, 2013 LAST SEASON RESULT Anderson Richwell 1.2. X. Forecast
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THE NIGERIAN
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Wenger Heaps Praise On Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring Arsenal’s second goal of the night.
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger hailed Aaron Ramsey after yet another goal-scoring performance from the in-form midfielder contributed to the Gunners’ hard-fought 2-1 Champions League win at Marseille. Ramsey is doing his best to overshadow Arsenal’s £42.4 million record signing Mesut Ozil as he continues to impress in the heart of the side’s midfield, and Wenger was gushing in his praise for 22-year-old. “He was outstanding and his form is linked to confidence,” Wenger told Sky Sports. “For a while, he was getting into the box and not scoring and now every time he is in a good position he
Mourinho Accepts Blame For UCL Loss
CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has accepted responsibility for his side’s shock 2-1 Champions League defeat against FC Basel. moments,” Mourinho told Sky And the 50-year-old has Sports. challenged his players to show “In the good moments I want their ‘character’ when they everyone to shine. In the bad return to action in the Premier moments, I want everyone to League against Fulham on keep calm, to keep in the Saturday. shadow and let me take Blues owner Roman responsibility for that. Abramovich paid a visit to “Of course we are not happy, Mourinho’s dressing room but to play football in good after their 2-1 upset defeat at moments is good fun and is Stamford Bridge, greeted by easy for everybody. In the a manager who was content to difficult moment is when you accept blame for the upset see the man, when you see the result. character, the personality. So “I am the manager, I am let’s wait for Fulham and try responsible for everything, to clean what we couldn’t do especially in the bad today.
Pellegrini, Moyes Clash In Manchester Derby MANCHESTER City and Manchester United will look to move closer to the top of the table when they meet in a Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The match will see managers Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes getting their first taste of the Manchester Derby having joined their respective sides ahead of the 2013/14 season. Both sides have enjoyed a similar inconsistent start to the season with two wins, a draw and one loss under their belts. The Citizens are currently in fourth place on the table with seven points, edging fifthplaced Red Devils by goal difference. While City were held to a 00 draw by Stoke city in their last league match, United were able to collect maximum points courtesy of a 2-0 win over newcomers Crystal Palace. Nonetheless, both sides will go into Sunday’s encounter
win confidence following their comfortable wins in midweek Champions league action with United thrashing Bayer Leverkusen 4-2, while City cruised to a 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen. Last season Robin Van Persie scored in the final minutes to hand United a 3-2 away win over their city rivals and defender Chris Smalling is hoping for a similar result. “It is a game we all relish,” he said. “Really, it is even better going to their stadium to try and get a result than it is our own. “We know they will try to push our backs to the wall. But we will be ready and we will come out fighting. No-one will ever forget what happened last season. If ever there was a way you could choose to win a game, in the last minute, away from home, against your biggest rivals, that was it. “The celebrations afterwards were brilliant and we want more of the same.”
“I will wake up at 7am in the morning, I go to Cobham (Chelsea training ground) and try to get three points against Fulham. In the Champions League, we go to Bucharest next and then we have a double fixture against Schalke and we have to get the points we need to make progress in the Champions League because we don’t want to be in the Europa League.” Mourinho insisted he did not regret the changes he made to his line-up after he handed a debut to Willian and dropped skipper John Terry to the bench, suggesting he needs to amend his line-up on a regular basis. “I rotate because I have to,” stressed Mourinho. “I kept the structure of the team and the players must feel the responsibility of fighting for positions and to give their best performance. It was not individual performances that cost us this game. “I’m not in shock. Football
is a game, sometimes you win sometimes you lose. You think you will win every game, but the reality is that sometimes you don’t win. I’m not happy of course. We have taken a step back in qualification, but we have to assume responsibility. We have five games left and we have to finish in the top two. “Basel played very well. They defend very well. We had a lot of the ball, but we couldn’t create many, many chances. “We got into good attacking positions, got lots of corners, but we couldn’t create chances in the first half. Then Basel equalised at our best moment of the game. Oscar had an amazing shot and we had some other good opportunities and after that, we were punished defensively. “We are strong at defending corners. Emotionally this is not a very mature team and when you are in a difficult situation, they reacted with some heart, but it was not enough.”
CHELSEA will look to bounce back from back-toback defeats when they host Fulham in a Premier League clash on Saturday evening. The Blues went down 1-0 to Everton in their last league encounter before suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Swiss Side FC Basel in their Champions League encounter on Wednesday night. Jose Mourinho’s men are currently in sixth place on the log standings with seven points from four matches and the Portuguese coach has called on his players to show their character. Fulham on the other hand
are winless in their last three league matches and go into the West London derby looking for their second win of the campaign. Martin Jol’s men were on the verge of securing maximum points in their last encounter against West Bromwich Albion but conceded a late equaliser to share the spoils as the match ended 1-1. “Of course, everyone in the dressing room was disappointed,” said midfielder Pajtim Kasami. “It was tough to take because we worked so hard. “Everyone is now looking
scores. Goals can come in cycles. At the moment they are coming for him.” For his part, Ramsey preferred to share the success with his team-mates, but he did say he is revelling in his starring role in an Arsenal midfield full of attack-minded players. “I’m happy with the way I’m playing at the moment,” said Ramsey, who scored his sixth goal of the season at the Stade Velodrome. “I’m getting into positions and I’m putting them away at the moment. I have got into these positions before, but I haven’t had the composure. “This was a big victory. We have a tough group and it was important to get three points and get off to a good start tonight. We came here a couple of seasons ago and won, I got on the score sheet then as well, and I’m sure this will be vital as well. “The pitch wasn’t too good. It was quite sticky and we couldn’t get the passing and rhythm going, the quick pace we like to pass the ball at. It was quite difficult, but we kept doing the things we like to do and it paid off in the end.” Wenger added: “Honestly, I didn’t expect him to score so many goals. He’s especially improved in his passing, his technical quality. He was always in good positions in the box, but scoring is a bit cyclic. “You have periods when it goes in and others when it
doesn’t. For me the most important thing is the quality of his game. “I decided to be patient with him because when you have been injured for such a long time it takes a while to get back to your best. The only thing is, you never know if he will come completely back. But when you are injured before 20, you come back to your normal level and improve like you have not been injured.” Arsenal’s latest win secured them a tenth successive victory away from home, inspiring Wenger to suggest it is his backline and not his attack who should take the credit for the run. “Maybe defensively we are a bit more stable, a bit more serene now and with our offensive quality, we can win games,” he said. “We know we have all these players to make something special, but it is a collective effort. “I knew that this would be a difficult game. It was the first home Champions League game for Marseille, a passionate crowd and opponents who are a good side. Marseille can beat anyone, especially at home. “It was important for us not to give the first goal away. Marseille had an excellent first half, while we were a bit timid. In the second half, they dropped and we took advantage of that. Overall, it was a victory linked with patience and experience. To start with three points is very positive.”
Liverpool Prime Suarez For Man Utd Clash As Ban Ends
CONTROVERSIAL Liverpool striker Luis Suarez could return against old rivals Manchester United next week after completing his 10-match ban. Suarez, who played 90 minutes in a friendly against Burnley in midweek, will be available for next Wednesday’s League Cup tie at Old Trafford. “We have been organising some games behind closed doors, both in terms of in-house 11-a-side matches and bringing teams in,” Liverpool manager
Chelsea Eyeing Derby Redemption
forward to the game against Chelsea. We’ll talk a lot beforehand and everyone will be positive going into it. “We didn’t get the result we wanted against West Brom but there are plenty of games this season. “We have to work hard this week and we’ll ready for Chelsea on Saturday, for sure.” The Whites are currently in 14th place with four points from as many matches and have never beaten Chelsea away from home since 1979. Last season this fixture ended in a goalless stalemate, while the return fixture ended 3-0 in favour of Chelsea.
Brendan Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo. “In between that he has had international games as well to keep him ticking over. He has been doing a lot of individual work, specific to him on top of all that and replicating his high intensity speed runs that he would do in a game. “It is not the same as playing in a match but say he did 100 high intensity runs in a game, he has been replicating that in training so that he is at a level where we hope he will hit the ground running. “There are always other things in a game — the crowd and the anxiety you cannot replicate that in training — but what you can at least do is get him to a level of fitness so that his numbers are replicated and that keeps him at a high level.” Suarez was handed a domestic ban last season for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic but has been allowed to play internationals. “The idea is that hopefully when he steps back in it will be seamless. Of course there will be a transitional period for him but I am really looking forward to having him back,” added Rodgers. “He is working his socks off. At the end of sessions, he is having extra work tagged on relative to him and his position. He is flushing himself out to the maximum to be as fit as he possibly can.”\
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Messi Not Focused On Raul Record
AC Milan’s Spirit Hailed
AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has praised the fighting spirit of his team following their 2-0 Champions League triumph over Celtic. Allegri’s men picked up maximum points courtesy of late goals from Cristian Zapata and Sulley Muntari at the San Siro on Wednesday, and the coach was delighted with the 90minute effort. “It was important to win and we struggled at the start of the second half, as we couldn’t get it clear. We were fortunate with the goal,” Allegri told Sky Sport. “It was a good victory for a group of players who were whittled down to the bone, but played with substance. What counted was getting the points. “I am not angry at always getting the goals in the final stages, as if all games went like this I’d be happy! The truth is towards the end the spaces open up more and we can create more chances. “We do have to improve, as we gave the ball away too much and tried to force the passes through, but it was a good reaction from the side to earn victory. “The lads have heart and desire, as they know a game is always open until the final whistle, as we saw against Torino. What we do need to improve is how we read the game, knowing when to take up the tempo or slow it down. We started playing Celtic’s game with long balls, which is what we should not be doing. “We must always try to think positive. I have faith in the last 15-20 minutes of a game, as I know anything can happen there. The substitutions helped, as they did on Saturday.” His Celtic counterpart Neil Lennon admitted defeat was hard to take.
“We dominated the game for long periods,’’ he said. “I have just said to the players that when you are on top, you have to take your chances. Anything can happen - a ricochet, a deflection - and that’s what happened. “They didn’t deserve that but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve in football. I thought we were brilliant. We started off a bit nervous but took the game to them. Certainly in the second half I couldn’t see Milan scoring. “Barcelona is a different game, a different animal. I felt confident with the team coming in tonight. We did well but not well enough for my liking. It sounds funny, you come to the San Siro and come away disappointed that you have been beaten.’’
“It is not correct what Pique said,” Perez reportedly said. “He is a good kid, so there is no need to keep going on about it.” The Madrid-leaning paper reported that ‘Florentino’ added that the club did not need credit from anyone to fund the deal, and Bankia was definitely not involved. Pique’s initial comments on the subject had caused a storm in Spain, particularly as troubled lender Bankia has been bailed out by the EU due to issues around Spain’s construction bubble bursting. “I have read that Madrid have spent +1.2 billion since 2002,” Pique had said. “We
Meanwhile, the head of Spanish construction giant ACS said plans for a redevelopment of the Bernabeu were proceeding apace. “It will cost between +300 million and +400 million,” he said. “In the next weeks the winning project will be decided.” However, progress on the much hyped +1 billion Real Madrid Resort Island — planned for the United Arab Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah and presented amid much fanfare at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in March 2012 — had stalled Perez apparently said.
Lionel Messi
Boateng Hails Schalke Unity After UCL Win
SCHALKE playmaker Kevin-Prince Boateng says they are “delighted with an excellent team performance” after defeating Steaua Bucuresti 3-0 in their Champions League opener. encounter. Atsuto Uchida’s Boateng capping a manfortuitous opener broke the of-the-match showing with dam in an otherwise close
Prince Boateng
Inter Fans Banned After Juventus by the fact all tickets NINE Inter Milan fans have Clashes possible bear the possessor’s name, there been charged following clashes between rival fans during the Derby d’Italia last weekend. A group of Interisti managed to come into contact with Juventus fans after the Bianconeri equalised in a 1-1 draw at the San Siro and, thanks to CCTV images and eyewitness accounts, the troublemakers were identified. They will be banned from setting foot in a stadium throughout Italy again, much to the delight of the Osservatorio Nazionale sulle Manifestazioni Sportive, the government
with Tottenham and Hertha and I remember them being very aggressive, but we did a good job tonight. “The first goal opened the game up because Steaua had to come at us and that afforded us more room. I ran into the box and I think ‘Uschi’ wanted to pick me out but it ended up going straight in. It doesn’t matter how it goes in as long as we get the win. “Basel beating Chelsea is what the Champions League is all about. Anyone can beat anyone at this level, that’s why they’re here. We know we’ve got some difficult games coming up, but we’re prepared.”
LIONEL Messi says overtaking Raul in the Champions League scoring charts is not his primary objective at Barcelona. The Argentine’s hat-trick in Barca’s 4-0 win at home to Ajax in Group H’s opener on Wednesday night brought him up to 62 goals in the competition. Whilst this leaves him nine behind the Real Madrid legend’s leading figure of 71, the striker has insisted his focus lies elsewhere. “The idea of overtaking Raul at the top of the alltime Champions League scoring charts is a fine challenge, but it is not essential,” reflected Messi post-match. “We, as a team, have other more important objectives. For example, to get as far as we are capable of in this competition. To try to win it again. “Whether the right number of goals come for me this season or not is not so important. “Obviously I am pleased that tonight makes it 62 Champions League goals but above that is the result and how our team played. “I thought this was a very good Ajax side, always attempting to play football, to win the ball off us and to keep it. “So to get a win of this margin has been a good night’s work. It was good to play against a rival who wanted to compete in pure football terms with us. That will have made it a good game to watch.”
agency which presides over sporting events. “The organisation expresses particular satisfaction for the work carried out by the Milan Police authorities, which has led to the identification of nine people charged with grievous bodily harm and with climbing over barriers,” read a note from the Osservatorio. “As a result, anti-social (DASPO) orders have been served and their fans’ membership cards have been revoked. The rapid identification of those responsible was made
is an efficient surveillance system in the Stadio Meazza, and there was the collaboration of numerous fans, who did not hesitate in sharing their views of the attack on tablets and smartphones. “All of this confirms that our rigorous strategy is contributing significantly to making Italian stadia lawful venues.” Inter were punished for racial chants at the very same game with part of the stadium closed for their upcoming Serie A game against Fiorentina.
Schalke’s second and Julian Draxler adding a late third. Steaua’s Lukasz Szukala agreed that the unorthodox breakthrough had thrown the visitors, but believed the scoreline was an unfair reflection of an otherwise positive display. “We’ve got every reason to be satisfied with the 3-0 victory and the clean sheet. Everyone in the dressing room is delighted with an excellent team performance,” Boateng told UEFA.com “We knew it was going to be a tough game and discussed it in our prematch meeting. I know Steaua from playing them
Perez Denies Pique’s Spending FLORENTINO Perez has have spent money as well, denied Gerard Pique’s claims Claim but we do not have Bankia.” that Real Madrid borrowed money to fund the club’s summer spending spree which included the +100 million signing of Gareth Bale. Pique had claimed Madrid were being bankrolled by Spanish lenders, unlike his own club Barcelona who preferred to rely on homegrown stars. AS had earlier reported it was actually the UK arm of Spanish lender Banco Santander which had helped support the record-breaking Bale deal. According to Marca the Madrid chief told a group of socios on Wednesday evening that the Barca defender had been mistaken.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Woods Seeks Debate Over TV’s Role In Rules Violations TELEVISION evidence has played an increasingly significant role in deciding rules violations on the US PGA Tour and Tiger Woods, the most scrutinized player of his era, believes further discussions are needed over its use. In what has been a curious 2013 campaign for Woods, the American world number one has been given two-shot penalties for infringements on three occasions, most recently at last week’s BMW Championship in Chicago. That infraction stood out among the three because it was the only time he was unhappy with the decision even after watching video footage of the incident, and Woods was again asked about the topic on the eve of the Tour Championship on Wednesday. “With HDTV (High Definition TV), I think that’s been a huge transition,” 14times major champion Woods told reporters while preparing for Thursday’s opening round in the season-ending event at East Lake Golf Club. “There are certainly a lot more viewer call-ins, and what people don’t realise is that our
rules staff gets quite a few calls every week. A lot of them never see the light of day, but they’re handled with the players. “It’s a new age in which there are a lot of cameras ... around my group and then some of the top players. I get it from the first time I step on the range on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, all the way through.” Woods, arguably the greatest player ever, accepts he gets more television coverage than his peers and was happy to hear commissioner Tim Finchem say earlier this week that the US PGA Tour might consider not taking calls from viewers over potential penalties. “Most players don’t get it (television coverage) until they’re on the leader groups on Saturday or Sunday,” said Woods. “I think the commissioner was right. We’re going to have to have more discussions about it
14 Arrested Over Match Fixing INTERPOL has confirmed the arrest of 14 people on suspicion of being involved in a match-fixing network. The arrests were made following raids across Singapore, with one of the people take into custody believed to the the leader of the group. Details over alleged matches involved in the match-fixing scandal have not yet been released, but the arrests were part of a joint operation led by Singapore Police and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. Interpol secretary General Ronald K. Noble said: “Singaporean authorities have taken an important step
in cracking down on an international match-fixing syndicate by arresting the main suspects in the case, including the suspected mastermind; no person should doubt Singapore’s commitment to fighting match-fixing. On behalf of INTERPOL, I would like to commend Singapore for building its own criminal investigation and for demonstrating its ability and determination to fight the match-fixing problem at home and abroad. Singapore put into action its commitment of collaborating with INTERPOL and its member countries in this important global fight by making these arrests.”
in the future. I think that’s actually happening right now.” On Tuesday, Finchem told reporters at East Lake: “We’ve been talking about it (not taking calls from viewers) and looking at it over the years. I think twice
we’ve actually got pretty serious about it. “It’s not just one thing. It’s sort of three or four different ways to look at it starting with one fundamental, is disqualification reasonable for signing a card wrong when you
• Tiger Woods
Europe Backs Moving Qatar 2022 EUROPEAN countries have in January 2022 or To Winter played given their overall backing to November/December of that moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter, Britain’s FIFA vice-president has confirmed. Jim Boyce, from Northern Ireland, said however the 54 UEFA associations meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia, want FIFA to consult with the game’s major stakeholders before making any decision about exactly when the tournament is staged. FIFA’s executive committee is now expected to agree in principle to move the World Cup to the winter at its meeting in Zurich on October 3/4. Boyce, speaking from Dubrovnik, told Press Association Sport: “What has come out of this meeting, and what I think is sensible, is an agreement by the UEFA
countries that the World Cup cannot be played in Qatar in the summer. Everyone was certainly in agreement about that. “But what the 54 countries do not want FIFA to do is to make a decision yet on exactly when in the year it is going to be played. “There is still nine years to go and people feel FIFA should sit down with all the major stakeholders and come up with a solution that would cause the minimum disruption to football. “There is plenty of time to do that in my opinion, and hopefully football will be the winner.” There could well be disagreements in the future however over whether it is
Gibson Ready For Republic Of Ireland and not getting on the pitch. DARRON Gibson is ready Return “I was playing every week to end his self-imposed Republic of Ireland exile following Giovanni Trapattoni’s exit as manager. The 25-year-old Everton midfielder had made himself unavailable for his country since returning from the Euro 2012 finals without kicking a ball. However, the 74-year-old Italian’s departure has prompted Gibson to offer his services once again amid the ongoing search for
Trapattoni’s successor. Asked about the timing of his decision, he told the Irish Times: “Obviously because Trapattoni is gone. “I never really wanted to make a big deal of it to be honest with you. But after what happened at the Euros, I just felt I couldn’t play under him anymore. “I was embarrassed when I came back from the Euros [after] not winning a game
didn’t intentionally do anything? “Going from there to what’s a reasonable point to accept outside information? Is it better to have some sort of limit on it? All the other sports close their books a little quicker than we do, so to speak.” Woods liked the idea of a time limit.
at the time for Everton and we finished in the top six of the Premier League. “Obviously I didn’t get on and I just felt he had some sort of problem with me - but I felt he had a problem with me before the Euros as well as I never played. “Like I said, I didn’t want to make a big deal about not playing under him, so I kept myself quiet. But I am available to come back now.”
• Darron Gibson
year. The British associations told the meeting they want to make sure that the Christmas week is protected for domestic football, while UEFA chiefs favour January so that it would not impact on the Champions League. FIFA are believed to favour November/December so that it does not clash with the winter Olympics.
“There needs to be a discussion of where is that time limit? Where is that line demarcation? You’ve got to start with disqualification first and then work our way back from there,” he said. “I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of discussion over it. Over the course of time, is every player going to be mandated to have a camera follow them around everywhere they go, all 156 players for every shot? “The digital age, is it going to change? It’s growing a lot certainly the next 10 to 20 years. What is it going to be like? These are all questions and answers that need to be resolved in the near future.” Woods’ infraction at last week’s BMW Championship occurred on the par-four first at Conway Farms where he struck his second shot over the back of the green under trees, then tried to remove a twig from his ball before playing his third. Though he felt his ball had only oscillated before he ran up a double-bogey six there, video footage showed that it had slightly shifted its position and his score was amended to a quadruple-bogey eight. While many critics have expressed surprise that Woods could have been unaware of his ball’s movement at the time, some have pointed out that it may not have been that obvious from his angle, looking down. Either way, it only came to light through high-definition picture images with the incident having been filmed by a videographer working for PGA Tour Entertainment. Woods’ first infraction of the year came in his opening event of the season, at the European Tour ’s Abu Dhabi Championship, where he missed the cut after taking a free drop from an imbedded lie in a sandy area under a desert bush.
Injured Cesar To Miss Brazil Games BRAZIL goalkeeper Julio Cesar is set to miss his country’s friendly matches against South Korea and
Zambia after breaking a finger. The shot-stopper’s club Queens Park Rangers confirmed the injury on their official Twitter account, announcing he will be out for up to two months. Brazil take on South Korea in Seoul on October 12 before facing Zambia in Beijing three days later, and they will have to make do without their first-choice ‘keeper. Cesar, 34, signed for QPR from Inter Milan in 2012 but has not played under manager Harry Redknapp this season, having been linked with a summer exit that never materialised.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
WBC A Build Up to 2014 C’Wealth Games - Laguda THE Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) said that the country’s participation at the World Boxing Championships (WBC), scheduled to hold in Almty, Kazakhstan, would serve as a build up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Tunde Laguda, the NBF’s Acting Secretary, told newsmen in Lagos that the championships would hold between October 11 and October 27. Reports say that the 16-day open championships would be organised by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA). “It is very necessary for our athletes to take part in this competition because the Commonwealth Games is holding next year, so we need to maximise the opportunity to kick-start our preparations. “It is also an opportunity to expose our boxers to the new scoring system used in international competitions, so that they will be able to get acquainted, for excellent performance,’’ Laguda said. He said that 30 boxers and four technical officials have resumed camping at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gym, National Stadium, Lagos, in preparation for the championships. He added that the boxers were selected based on their individual performances at the National Open Boxing Championships held in
Lagos in August. “The Open Championships provided an opportunity which was used to identify the selected athletes that are now in camp. The selection was based on individual merit,” he added. Laguda gave the names of technical officials as Tony Koyegwachie (head coach), Wasiu Bisiriyu, Gowon Odadare and Adura Olalehin, adding that the coaches were competent to prepare the boxers. The acting NBF secretary said the country did participate in the 2011 edition because it was held immediately after the 2011 All Africa Games (AAG) in Maputo, Mozambique. The 2014 Commonwealth Games will hold in Glasgow, Scotland, in the UK, from July 23 to August 3, 2013.
NNL New Season Begins Nov 6 THE Executive Board of
• Benin Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N’Uselu
Edaiken U-17 Final
Egor, Ovia S/West Queens to Entertain Prince Eheneden Today By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE
CURTAINS will be drawn on Edo Youth Soccer Canival Tagged: “Edaiken Gold Cup” today at the Emotan College, Benin City. Time is 3:00pm. The soccer fiesta being Also vying for honour the second edition organized today are the Egor boys who in honour of the Benin were only waiting to know Crown Prince, Eheneden their opponents between Erediauwa, will have Egor Orhionmwon or IkpobaQueens tangle with their Okha Local Government Ovia South West boys who were still slugging counterparts for the female it out in the semi-final category gold cup. yesterday as at press time.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles Drawn In Group A With S/Africa
2014 CHAN:
NIGERIA’s Super Eagles were on Wednesday drawn in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The draw was held at the headquarters of the
• Sunday Mba
Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt and conducted by CAF’s Secretary-General Mr. Hicham El-Amrani. Reports say that the competition which is the third edition will hold from January 11 to February 1. The event, which is exclusively for players based on the African continent, will be held in three host cities of Cape Town, Mangaung and Polokwane. The Super Eagles will be making their first appearance at the 16-team continental championship after failing to make it to the 2009 and 2011 editions. In the draw for other groups, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Morocco were
drawn in Group B, while Group C has 2009 runners-up Ghana with Libya, Ethiopia and Congo. In Group D, DR Congo will also battle it out with Gabon, Burundi and Mauritania in the first round matches. Newsmen reports that there will be 32 matches played on 16 matchdays with Cape Town hosting two quarterfinal games and the other two in Mangaung and Polokwane. The semi finals will both take place in Mangaung, while Cape Town will host the final and third-place matches. Tunisia beat Angola 3-0 to win the 2011 edition in Sudan, while DR Congo beat Ghana 2-0 to win the inaugural edition in
The week-long soccer fiesta closing ceremony, according to the organizers, the Dynamic Youth Sports Development of Nigeria (DYSDON), will have the Benin Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N’Uselu present as the royal guest of the day. Other dignitaries expected today include his Excellency, Rt. Hon. Pius Egberanmwen Odudu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, SSG as special guests of honour while Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and Lady Omorede Osifo, Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports are distinguished guests of honour. Chief Oseni Elamah (JP), Chairman Board of Internal
Revenue Services, Edo State, is the Chairman of the occasion. Meanwhile, the two hosts Local Government Council Chairmen, Hon. Victor Enobakhare, Egor and Hon. Osaro Obazee, Oredo respectively will be on hand to receive the guests.
SOLOMON Ogbeide, Head Coach, Warri Wolves FC, has said that the club would fortify the team with new players next season, to enable them to win laurels. Ogbeide told newsmen that he was not deterred by the 4-5 penalty shootout loss to Ababased Enyimba FC in the Federation Cup, on September 8, 2013 “Definitely, we will beef up
the team; we will look at our area of specific needs, maybe one or two places. “I have a great team no doubt, but it can be better; we have all this planned up,’’ the coach said. Ogbeide, who joined the club in the 2012/2013 season from the Akwa United FC of Uyo, pledged to work harder to record more points in the Globacom Premier League.
the Nigeria National League (NNL) says its new season will begin on November 6, 2013. A statement in Lagos by the board said it would hold a seminar for club officials and other stakeholders before the kick-off date. It said the Chairman, Emeka Iyama, expressed the belief that the resumption became imperative to ensure early conclusion of the football season. Inyama said that football fans would see new improvement in the organisation, management and prosecution of the competition. “Club officials and other stakeholders will converge for a seminar before the kick-off of the league. “The aim is to educate them on how best to make the league meet the expectations of the board,’’ Inyama said. He said that the new season would be attractive to sponsors and appealed to the teams to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the competition.
Eagles Won’t Rely On Records - Elderson
ELDERSON Echeijile has said Nigeria will not depend on their past records against Ethiopia in next month’s World Cup playoffs. Nigeria enjoy a favourable record against Ethiopia having won four, drawn two and lost only once to their 2014 World Cup rivals. But Sporting Braga
Warri Wolves to Sign New Players
defender Elderson said what would matter most when both clash again next month would be what they produce on the pitch. “Records are always there, but we will just go all out to do our best so we could be in Brazil next year,” maintained the left back on his official website www.elderson3.com He said the Eagles cannot afford to underrate Ethiopia even though most Nigeria fans have already given the Eagles the ticket to Brazil 2014. “I can understand the belief the fans now have in the Eagles, but we cannot afford to underrate any team especially at this stage of the qualifiers,” he said. “What is certain is that they will come with everything at us because they also want to be in Brazil for the World
THE NIGERIAN
CMYK
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Life: More We Know; F E E D Less We Conquer
COULD the above statement be true? Firstly, let us examine a true story. Despite being childless for 12 years, the Amadins managed to be happy in marriage. While the effect of childlessness burned deeply inside, a firmly rooted belief in the possibilities of God kept them together in expectation of His redemptive power. When after 12 years in marriage God gave them a son, they were satisfied as a mother at age 50 and a first time father at age 55. And so life went on while the internal hurt gradually but eventually disappeared. Their son turned out to be such an interesting book of only one chapter when they could not produce another child after him. However, he was a book they both adored and enjoyed so much while learning everything about him. As they showered the boy with all their love, unlike most children brought up in such indulging affection of highly regarding parents, the boy maintained a dignified life to the continuing admiration of the parents and all who knew Samuel as he was fondly called. At age 14, Samuel was already in one of Nigeria’s universities, which was no surprise to all. Despite schooling in a distant State from where his parents lived, everybody knew he would live a life of respectability, and indeed nothing about his lifestyle as a student in a distant land where all eyes were not prying on him, went outside the mark of people’s good expectations. And as such, his parents went about their humble lives as a female secretary in a private firm and an administrative officer in a government establishment. Upon a particular day, there was nothing special about Mr Amadin’s known routine of being the earliest to be present at work. However on the previous day was the tedious task of so many paper works, preparatory to their Ministry’s defence of its
activities as the financial year was beginning. For this, he was to be present a bit earlier to complete the work lack of electricity prevented from accomplishing the previous day. The weather of that morning was misty, but Mr. Amadin was managing to drive along until he got to one of the junctions where he found a man knocked down
abandoned by relatives, who could not pay for their medical bills, needed a guarantee which Mr. Amadin must provide. After all, at this time, no one was certain if he (Mr. Amadin) was not responsible for the accident, the hospital management quietly imagined. Would you say this was turning into a very upsetting drama! Yes it was. At the
beside a motorcycle. His first inclination was to drive on, considering the exigency of the work to be completed. As a man, who knows what God’s expectations of him would be at that moment, decided to stop and reach out to the man. He then realised the man was bleeding on the head, unconscious, but still alive. When he eventually succeeded in getting the man on his car to the hospital, his dress was stained with the man’s blood. He narrated his role as a Good Samaritan to the hospital management and was aiming to rush back home for a change of dress before going to the office. Yes! That was his story: An eloquent story of a good Nigerian. But the hospital management which has suffered several instances of indigent patients being
end with the involvement of the police, Mr. Amadin had to pay the entire hit-and-run victim’s medical bills when he (the victim) was revived and could not ascertain how he was knocked down; except knowing he had taken some alcohol – but maintaining that he was never drunk. While Mr. Amadin nursed
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his misadventure privately, his wife bashed him with her tantrums, openly without end. More regrettable was it at a time they were yet to finance their son’s accommodation, owing to the inability of the university authority to provide for all students. As the news came that the father of Mrs Amadin was at the point of death in the village, they were both
Thereby he heeded and sped on to realise that the wife’s father had already pass away in the village. They immediately returned to the city after consultations with a few of the wife’s family members to find some other persons
driving to the woman’s village when suddenly they came across a commercial bus on the opposite lane of the road, swerving off and crashing onto a broken down lorry. Impulsively again, Mr Amadin was almost parking when his wife shouted at him to learn from his experience with the former accident victim.
already milling around their residence. The Amadins on sighting them from their car quietly mused about how fast bad news travels in our societies. But finally as it would turn out, the sorrowful facts were undisclosed to the Amadins until they were craftily taken to the hospital, where they were told by a doctor that
By KINGSLEY OGBEIDE-IHAMA Samuel would have survived had he not been brought too late to the hospital. Somehow, Samuel having waited too long for his parents to send the money for his accommodation was angrily returning home in that commercial bus the Amadins watched getting involved in an accident. While the Amadins would forever hate the unceasing echoes of the doctor’s chilling statement “He would have survived had he not been brought too late to the hospital” the rest of us could also reflect on how we apply our knowledge or past experiences. As a reproach, we may blame Mrs Amadin for not encouraging her husband to continue on his path of kindness. But how many of us can withstand the test of time when our kindness often turn around to hurt us? What is the value of being a ‘good’ person in Nigeria when it appears not profitable? How practicable are the rewards of abiding in God’s instructions in Nigeria? The answers to some of these questions could be found in how the political class has been c o n q u e r i n g unemployment, insecurity, infrastructural decay, youth restiveness and all of such with their approaches, which are obviously far from God’s instructions.
“The weather of that morning was misty, but Mr. Amadin was managing to drive along until he got to one of the junctions where he found a man knocked down beside a motorcycle. His first inclination was to drive on, considering the exigency of the work to be completed. As a man, who knows what God’s expectations of him would be at that moment, decided to stop and reach out to the man. He then realised the man was bleeding on the head, unconscious, but still alive.”
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