Nigerian observer 20 11 2014

The Nigerian

THE NIGERIAN

1

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l. 39 • NO. 125 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 20 14 • N 100.00 CHILD HEALTH AND YOU Page 15 World Pneumonia Day

Fight the scourge, save a child

MOTORING Page 20

Defensive driving techniques

NMA urges striking workers to return to dialogue with FG to dialogue with the Federal Government.

Akinwotu made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

“The Federal Government was negotiating with them

before they started the strike.

“Government is still having an open channel for them to continue their discussions so that they can actually resolve whatever demands on

the negotiation table.

“So, it is important that those channels are explored. We believe that patients’ care is paramount at this point.

“And as far as possible, Continues on page 2

BENIN CITY - Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, stormed Benin City, Edo State to interact with Governor Adams Oshiomhole and leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the state to support his ambition to secure the Presidential ticket of the party.

the table and I am very anxious that we get to that stage so that Nigeria will move away from this present stage to making life more meaningful for Nigerians. We cannot

continue with this ridiculous catch-phrase of ‘business as usual’ as Nigerians are anxious to have a change so that we can start a new chapter without being detained

LAGOS - Dr Olusegun Akinwotu, the ViceChairman, Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), on Tuesday urged the striking health workers to return

Atiku in Benin, seeks Oshiomhole’s support

Governor Oshiomhole who received the former Vice President in his office expressed the hope that the APC would put its internal issues in order ahead of the 2015 general elections so as to provide Nigerians with an opportunity to enjoy a new approach to politics and governance.

According to him, “It is my hope and prayer that our party, over the next

few weeks, would sort out all issues that we need to sort out so that Nigerians will have the opportunity to enjoy a new approach to politics and governance based on issues and pedigree of individuals so that we can move away from politics of religion, ethnicity and other pedestrian interests.”

He continued, “That is what APC is bringing to

with the failures of the recent past.

“We want to thank you for the honor you have done to me. We have had a very robust

engagement and I know you have the capacity to deal with conflicting issues.

“Let me also thank you Continues on page 2

2015: APC begins national ABUJA - The All efforts to weed out the Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday commenced a nationwide campaign tagged ‘Salvation Rally’ to mobilise Nigerians to vote against the PDP in the 2015 general election.

National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, said at the rally in Abuja that it was time to end the “mismanagement of the PDP-led administration” in the country.

He said the rally was also to sensitise the electorate to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) with which to vote for change in the leadership of the

rally

country.

The APC chairman said Nigerians are facing three critical challenges which portend great danger to the polity if not properly handled.

“Insurgency in the North East must be brought to a halt.

“Every duly registered Nigerian must get his PVC and people of this country must not be visited by the mismanagement of the PDP-led government after the February election.”

Oyegun commended the resilience of the Nigerian military in the

TIT BIT “By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy, if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.”

- Socrates

Boko Haram terroists, but regretted that the issue of terrorism had been politicised by the Federal Government.

In an address at the rally, a presidential aspirant under the party, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari advised all eligible voters in the country to obtain their Continues on page 2

COURTESY VISIT: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (right), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and APC Presidential aspirant and Senator Domingo Obende (right) during the courtesy visit of Alhaji Abubakar to the Governor in Benin City yesterday.

Eagles crash out of AFCON 2015

By NICHOLAS EBOLGBE

THE Super Eagles yesterday failed to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations as they drew with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa by 2-2 in the Akwa Ibom Stadium.

The South African side got the first goal of the game courtesy Mashaba in the 42nd minute Bafana Bafana

increased it to two goals in the 52nd minute of the match

Nigeria’s Sone Aluko succeeded in scoring a brace but that could not

save the day for the Nigerian side.

ABUJA The impasse over President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extension of State of Emergency proclamation in

Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states assumed a new dimension yesterday, as the Senate of the Federal Republic resolved to meet with

Service Chiefs and governors of the affected states for an informed decision.

In his characteristic tacit statements after

Continues on page 2

Senate summons Service Chiefs, Govs

Emergency rule:

By JOSES SEDE

The Eagles could not penetrate the solid defence of the Bafana Bafana of South Africa each time they got to the vital area of the

closed doors sessions, presiding Senate President David Mark announced that the Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

2

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

News

NMA urges striking workers to Continued from page 1 return

they should allow negotiations to decide what the outcome will be with the government.

“They have their demands, they know their demands.

One cannot say they shouldn’t go on strike, but, it should be within the confines of reasonable demands. “ Akinwotu said that though,

optimal management of patients’ care might not be achieved during the strike, the doctors would do their best to meet the needs of patients.

‘Yes, there are roles played by other health workers to make the management of our patients fully effective.

“Unfortunately, we may not have optimal management of patients care right now.

“But, we are doing our best to meet up patients’ needs as required based on the available resources we have. “ In his remarks, Mr Ibe Nwokenta, the Chairman, Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Lagos State

chapter, said that there was no going back on the strike unless their demands were met.

“To suspend the strike is not on sight. If government answers us today, then, we will suspend the strike.

“But, if government did not answer us, our efforts can never be in futility. We are not going to accept it that way. “

Atiku in Benin, seeks Oshiomhole’s support

Continued from page 1 sir for honoring our invitation to our 6th Anniversary celebrations, last week despite the very short notice and your presence did not only add colour, your

statements also helped to sharpen the issues that are involved in this season of electioneering.”

Earlier, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said he was in Benin to have an audience

with the Governor as well as interact with Party faithful in the state.

He said: “I am here this morning to have an audience with you and also to interact with party faithful in the state and I want to thank you for this

opportunity and I hope we will make the best use of the day in Edo today.”

He later told reporters that he was in Benin to meet with party delegates and executives and to seek their support for his presidential ambition.

conduct free and fair elections come 2015.

“The APC holds the answers to the problems of Nigeria.

“If Ghana can organise free and fair elections, Nigerians should; If Sierra-Leone can organise free and fair elections, Nigeria can and if

Gambia can organise free and fair elections, Nigeria must.’’

Governor Rotimi Amaechi and some lawmakers attended the rally.

The party leaders, including Buhari led a procession from the Eagles Square to the Transcorp Hilton roundabout, as part of the event.

2015: APC begins national rally

Continued from page 1 from Abuja before we move PVCs. He said the coming together of various political parties to form a mega opposition party under APC was meant to bring about positive change in the affairs of the country.

“This is first in the series of rallies; we decided to start

to the states. We are out to vote the PDP out next year.

“I urge you all to get your PVCs, make sure your vote counts. Together we will vote out the PDP,” Buhari said.

Also speaking, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, former APC Chairman, urged INEC to

Emergency rule: Continued from page 1 senators had a robust discussion and will continue today.

He added that the Service Chiefs - Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Inspector-General of Police (IGP), National Security Adviser (NSA) and Minister of Defence among others - have been invited to come and brief the Senate on the matter accordingly.

Also, briefing National Assembly correspondents shortly after about two hours closed doors session, Senate spokesperson, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe explained that the Senate has invited the Service Chiefs to brief them at closed doors session today, while Senate President David Mark has been mandated consult with the governors on the same subject matter.

According to him the aggregation if ideas to be garnered from the consultations would guide the senate in the final decision on the matter, stressing, “the discussion at the closed doors session was very frank, very robust, and very acrimonious as is usual with political discussions”.

The Senate spokesman further noted that although the various Senate Committees on Defence have briefed the senators, “we want to hear from the horse’s mouth” hence the invitation of the Service Chiefs to brief the red chambers on the actual situation on ground.

Senator Abaribe also dismissed as “utter rubbish and figment of imaginations” of those peddling rumours that senators in support of the presidential request have been financially induced to do so, stressing, “there is no truth in it”.

Moreso, the Senate Chairman on Information,

Senate summons Service Chiefs, Govs

Media and Public Affairs, underscored the need for timely resolution of the matter noting, “this is a national emergency; we want to see that we pass it as soon as possible”.

Military recaptures 3 Adamawa communities

The Nigerian military operating in the North-East had taken full control of Gombi, Pelia and Hong communities in Adamawa

State.

It will be recalled that the communities had in the past few weeks fallen under the control of Boko Haram insurgents resulting in the displacement of many persons.

The information is gleaned from the website of the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

“The Nigerian troops in their daring exploit have taken full control of more communities

in Adamawa State, including Gombi, Pelia and Hong.

“The ongoing military operations in the NorthEastern Nigeria is to clear all areas infested by terrorists.’’

The statement also said that many terrorists were captured while some died during confrontation with the military.

“Weapons and equipment are also being recovered while mopping up exercise is ongoing in the areas’’, it added.

Commission to evaluate MDAs’ ABUJA - The National 2014 projects Planning Commission (NPC) on Wednesday restated that it would monitor and evaluate projects executed by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under the 2014 budget.

Minister of National Planning, Dr Abubakar Suleiman, said this in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.

Suleiman told journalists that the exercise was part of the commission’s mandate and its contribution to Federal Government’s effort at curbing corruption and promotion of good governance in the country.

He explained that delay in carrying out the exercise was due to unavailability of funds but insisted that it must be carried out to ensure that executed projects measured up to appropriated figures.

“We want to go round the six geo-political zones. We may pick two states from each geopolitical zone.

“We have some capital intensive projects that government sunk lots of money into. We want to see how far the funds have been utilized.

“I want to see whether the contractors executed the projects or not. Are the projects in line with the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan?

Are they in line with the Millennium Development Goals and the Vision 20:2020?

“Are Nigerians going to

benefit from these projects?

How much they have spent on them; does it tally with what is on ground? We have to measure and monitor all these,’’ the minister said.

According to him, the commission’s report from the exercise would go a long way in helping government in its future project execution activities.

“We are trying to make sure that Nigerians have value for their money and ensure that Nigerians reap the dividends of democracy.

“Again, it is a way of fighting corruption. For instance, a situation where N20 billion is budgeted for a project, we can estimate if what is on ground measures up to N20 billion,’’ he said.

The minister expressed optimism that the monitoring of the projects would be carried out before the end of the year,

saying, “even if it remains one day for me to leave office that exercise will be carried out”.

He said, “I am committed to it; it is part of the mandate of the National Planning Commission. We are doing everything possible to carry it out.

“The teams that will undertake this exercise are already on ground. The modality for the exercise is already on ground.

“We have written to all the various MDAs to tell us the projects they have in the country.

“Out of the 12 leading ministries, departments, and agencies in the area of infrastructure, 10 have responded positively.’’

“By the time we get the money which we will get very soon, hopefully, we will commence the exercise,’’ Suleiman assured.

Eagles crash out of AFCON Continued from page 1 2015

opponent.

Ahmed Musa and Ike Uche had in the early minutes of the first half fluffed away chances to score. The first attempt by Ahmed Musa unfortunately hit bar as the ball bounced back to the field of play.

Although, the Eagles made

lots of effort to increase the goals tally in the late minutes of the match as they mounted pressure on the visitors but their effort were thwarted by the South African defence and goal keeper who remained resolute not to concede more goals from the Nigerians.

IUO convocation begins BENIN CITY – The Nov 26 Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), Edo State will hold its 12th Convocation ceremony from November 26-29, 2014.

A programme released by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Eghosa Osaghae indicated that a convocation play, titled: “Midnight Hotel by Professor Femi Osofisan will hold on November 26, 2014 at the theatre, Crown Estate Campus of the university, Okada, beginning at 8pm.

Convocation lecture to be

delivered by Professor Femi Osofisan at the main auditorium of the university on Friday November 28, 2014 at noon.

The climax of the ceremony will be on Saturday November 29, 2014 with the convocation for the award of First and Higher Degrees and prizes and the conferment of Honourary Doctorate Degrees at the school’s main auditorium, beginning at 11 am.

CSR: Commissioner

tasks oil companies that they carry out their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to the host communities in accordance to the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).

He enjoined the communities to maintain a conducive and enabling environment for the Oil companies to ultimately function maximally.

In their separate remarks, the senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Oil and Gas, Vincent Omorie and another Delta State Official in charge of Local content in Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas, enjoined them to shun all manner of unfriendly agitation as well as pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft which were also condemned by the representative of the Military Joint Task Force (JTF).

SAPELE - The Edo State Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Oil and Gas, Barr.

Isimeme Irioghe has advised oil companies to put major strategies in place in order to articulate, maintain and strengthen the well established corporate Social Responsibilities and to improve on them for the good of the oil producing communities A release by the Ministry’s P.R.O., Iyagan Francisca hinted that the commissioner gave the advice at the forum held by Seplat Petroleum Development Company, an indigenous operator in the Oil and Gas sector in Sapele, Delta State.

Barr.

Isimeme commended Seplat Petroleum Development Company’s effort in contributing to the well being of the people and empowering the indigences of its host communities.

The Commissioner, stated that the open forum is an opportunity for the stakeholders to interact on issues of common interest for the over all development of the companies and its host communities.

According to the commissioner, the ministry will continue to liaise with Seplat Petroleum Development Company and other Oil companies in their various areas of operation to ensure

The Base Manager of Seplat in Sapele, Prince (Dr.) Chuk’s Igelenyah, who gave the overview of the company’s operations in Oil Mining License (OMLs) 4, 38, 41 disclosed that Seplat has increased crude oil production from 17,000 to 60,000 barrels within the short period of time of its emergence into the sector.

Separate Lectures were presented by Seplat’s HSSE Coordinators, Kagho Okpeki, Security adviser, William Akolo and Laz Ngwu of C and P Team on “Security matters and “contract procurement and process”.

said that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector had contributed 10.56 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2013.

Jonathan, who disclosed this at the eNigeria 2014, said that ICT further contributed a combined 2.56 percent of added value to other sectors.

Reports says that Nigeria is Nigeria’s premier IT flagship conference, which showcases and promotes the country’s viable ICT sector potential.

“In 2011, I created the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology in recognition of the growing importance of ICT to national s o c i o - e c o n o m i c development, job and wealth creation.

“Two years later, the ICT sector made a direct contribution of 10.56 percent to the GDP. “ICT also contributed a combined 2.56 per cent of

added value to other sectors, thereby validating our emphasis on a more strategic and deliberate focus on ICT. “At last year’s forum, which has the theme: Local Content in IT Development in Nigeria; The Journey So Far” I requested the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, to launch the guidelines for Nigeria’s content development in ICT sector.

“This key policy has attracted a lot of interests from both local and global ICT stakeholders.

“Currently, the Office of Nigeria Content Development in ICT, the vehicle to ensure judicious and sustainable implementation is close to being fully operational.”

The president, who was represented by the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, said his administration was doing everything possible to strengthen the local ICT sector.

ICT contributes 10.56% to Nigeria’s GDP in 2013 ABUJA - President - Jonathan Goodluck yesterday in Abuja

THE NIGERIAN

3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

THE NIGERIAN

4

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Across The Nation Iziegbuwa Weds Osahon This groom’s uncle. Mr. Last Weekend M.TheOsagiede, Commercial

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote, Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Mekoh Augustine, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Muniru Baba, Project Leader, International Institute of Gropical Agriculture, Dr. Alfred Dixon, and Project Director, Agra Innovate Nigeria, David Ross, at the opening of International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos recently.

BENIN CITY- The families of Aghatotikolo Zoro Omorotionmwan (Giere N’ Oben) in Orhionmwon Local Government Area and ImanEboh Osifo of Uhunmwidunrun Community in Oredo Local Government Area, both of Edo State will come together to join their children as one in marriage this weekend.

The marriage ceremony is between their daughter Iziegbuwa Obosa and their son, Osahon Eboh, at the bride’s family compound, while the reception will take place same day, Saturday November 22, 2014 at Ohuoba Primary School Compound, along Murtala Muhammed Way, before ICC, Benin City, beginning from 12 noon prompt.

According to one of the sponsors of the ceremony Engr. And Mrs.

Guobadia Amayo, the event is expected to be graced by dignitaries from far and near and prayed for a very successful occasion.

Services Manager, Nigerian Observer, Benin City also wished the couple a very blissful and fruitful married life ahead.

Institute Promises To Facilitate Affordable Houses

JOS- The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), says it is working with stakeholders to reduce the price of building materials so as to facilitate easy ownership of houses.

Mr Tyosor Terver, NBRRI’s Coordinator in North Central Zone, told newsmen in Jos that the focus was to ease the housing problem facing many Nigerians, especially the urban dwellers. .“Nigeria has a housing deficit of 17 million and therefore requires the engagement of more stakeholders to make housing affordable to the public.

He added that NBRRI’s mandate was to conduct integrated researches toward alternative and affordable building technologies.

Terver said that NBRRI had

produced an interlocking bricklaying machine for producing blocks, using 95 per cent laterite and only five per cent cement.

He pointed out that laterite was abundant, especially in the northern region, and explained that using it had reduced the cost of construction by 35 per cent.

The coodinator said the blocks produced by the machine regulated temperature and had also proved to be bullet proof.

He added that NBRRI was also serving as a technology transfer centre where innovations of the institute were taken to grassroots through training of artisans on such skills.

According to him, NBRRI has also identified research needs, stressing that in spite of the abundance of granite in Plateau,

a requirement in most construction, the method of processing had made it expensive.

“Apart from the use of heavy machinery in its processing, the local production, which is crude, is usually done by women’’, he added.

He observed that such women

were not only susceptible to hazards, but that the granites were not evenly broken which could make construction more time consuming.

Terver said that a machine already designed to improve the quality of the production would soon be fabricated and test ran in the NBRRI laboratory at Ota, Ogun.

Iziegbuwa and Osahon

Man, 18, Remanded Over Rape

NPI Immunises 46,771 Children Against Polio, MALAMMADORI Measles (JIGAWA)-The National Programme on Immunisation (NPI) yesterday said it had immunised 46,771 children against polio virus in Malammadori Local Government Area of Jigawa.

The NPI Manager in the area, Alhaji Yusuf Muhammad, told newsmen in Malammadori that the children were also immunised against measles, tetanus and yellow fever diseases.

Muhammad said the children were immunised during the justconcluded national immunisation exercise, adding that the exercise recorded 100 per cent coverage.

He added that the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) supplied some 52,000 doses of the Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV); 1,200 doses of anti tetanus vaccines and 800 doses each for measles and yellow fever.

The manager commended the council for its support during the immunisation.

Alhaji Muhammad Lawan, the Sole Administrator of the

council, said the council engaged community and religious leaders in mobilisation for participation in the immunisation.

Lawan said the council also provided candies to woo parents to present their children for immunisation.

Participants at the workshop on Financial Inclusion Strategy organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Dutse recently.

APC Governorship Aspirant Pledges Open Door Policy

KANO- Alhaji Kawu Sumai’la, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Comgress (APC) in Kano State, says he will operate an open door policy if elected governor in 2015.

Sumaila made the pledge while addressing party members and other stakeholders ahead of the gubernatorial primaries in Kano.

He said if given the opportunity to govern the state, he would carry everybody along,

to bring the desired change.

He expressed commitment to bring change in the state through the massive empowerment of women and youths and provision of infrastructure.

The aspirant appealed to the delegates to vote for him during the party’s primaries to enable him to realise his dream.

Sumaila, who is also the Deputy Minority Leader of the APC in the House of Representatives representing Sumaila/ Takai Federal

Constituency, said he was the most qualified of all the aspirants.

“Let the delegates do their best to vote wisely and reject any attempt to impose a candidate through intimidation.

“Let them make a very good choice for the good of our party and people of Kano State.

“If they do that I am optimistic that I will emerge victorious during the primaries,’’ he said.

He told the gathering that he had set up a Power Committee

to canvass support for his governorship ambition from the delegates.

Sumaila said that the committee, which had 1,300 members, had been mandated to go round the 44 local government areas in the state to solicit for votes for him before the primaries.

He said the decision to join the race was due to his desire and commitment to consolidate on the numerous achievements of Govnor Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

ILORIN-An Ilorin Magistrate Court remanded one Bashiru Sha’adu, 18, over allegations of rape.

Sha’adu, a labourer who lives at Kuntu Area of Ilorin, is facing a two-count charge of Criminal Conspiracy and Rape.

The Prosecutor, Cpl. Sanni Abdullahi, told the court that the accused conspired with four others, now at large, and raped a teenager.

He also said that the accused was arrested on October 31, for attacking the girl at the back of Government’s High School, Adeta Area of Ilorin.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to and punishable under sections 97 and 283 of the Penal Code Law. The accused pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, however, objected to bail for the accused, and urged the court to remand him in prison custody till the next adjourned date.

The Magistrate, Mrs Mariam Magaji, upheld the submission of the prosecutor.

She ordered that the accused be remanded at the Oke-Kura prison in Ilorin.

Magaji adjourned the case till November 28 for further mention.

THE NIGERIAN

5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

News FG Allocates 1.5bn To IMSU OWERRI - The Federal Government has allocated the sum of N1.5 billion to the Imo State University, Owerri, for ‘’iconic’’ projects, says Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Minister of Education, Shekarau disclosed this in Owerri during his impact assessment visit to the school, where he was represented by Mrs Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of State for Education.

Shekarau said that the Federal Government was committed to transforming the education sector.

He said that that President Goodluck Jonathan wanted to ensure that projects meant for higher institutions were spread evenly, irrespective of the party ruling in the host state. ‘’The Federal Government has allocated IMSU the sum of 1.5 billion for iconic projects. ‘’We will ensure that education in Nigeria is something other nations will envy and copy; we want students to reciprocate FG’s efforts by shunning cultism and exam malpractice. ‘’President Goodluck Jonathan has repeatedly said he is not partisan in terms of distribution of projects to institutions,’’ he said.

On his part, Malam Suleiman Bogoro, the Executive Secretary of the

Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), said the fund had committed the sum of N4 billion to IMSU within the last seven months.

Bogoro said that aside infrastructure development, the fund was also paying attention to human development through capacity building.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of IMSU, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, commended TETfund for sustaining the

Aspirant Promises To Foster National Unity SOKOTO - A House of Representatives aspirant in Sokoto State Alhaji AlMustapha Ibrahim, has promised to introduce legislations that will ensure the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

“The unity of Nigeria should not be compromised in any way, as God has reasons for creating us as Nigerians with diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. “ So our diversity should be our strength and the uniting factor and not a divisive one,” he told news men in Sokoto.

Ibrahim, who currently represents Rabah Local Government constituency on the platform of the All

NAFDAC To Sanction Erring Water Producers ILORIN - The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has threatened to withdraw the licence of any sachet water producer in Kwara that failed to meet the Agency’s standards.

The NAFDAC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Bolaji Abayomi, made the threat recently in Ilorin while addressing sachet water producers.

Abayomi said that the Agency had been working assiduously to ensure that only safe and quality drinking water was produced and sold to the public.

She told the package water producers that NAFDAC had zero tolerance for substandard products and would not hesitate to sanction any

tempo of development in higher institutions since 1992.

He said that through TETFund, the school was able to build e-library and an ICT centre with 248 work stations.

According to the vice chancellor, a three-storey science laboratory TETFund project is also ongoing.

The minister later inspected the completed and ongoing projects.

erring producer.

“NAFDAC has achieved this feat by registering eligible water factories in virtually all the local government areas in the state,” she said.

The coordinator said officials of the Agency were carrying out periodic routine and surveillance inspection of all water producers in the state to enforce and sustain standards.

She, however, said that in spite of NAFDAC’s efforts to ensure quality, some unscrupulous and desperate producers of packaged water had devised other means to produce unapproved sachet water.

She added that some registered packaged water factories were shut for violating NAFDAC rules.

Progressives congress (APC), also said that the abundant human and natural resources should be fully harnessed and tapped.

He is seeking to represent the Wurno/Rabah federal constituency in the House of Representatives under APC umbrella in 2015.

This, he said, was extremely necessary especially now that the need to diversify the nation’s oildependent revenues had become apparent and necessary. “ There is need to focus more on non-oil sectors like solid minerals, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, among others. “ Abundant water resources like the yet-to-be completed Goronyo and shagari dams, as well as several others across Nigeria should be fully tapped,” he added.

The law maker promised that when elected, he would liaise with his colleagues and relevant federal agencies, to attract more federal presence to his constituency and Sokoto State in general. “ These include roads, water and health projects, education and more interventions from the Ecological Fund to reduce the menace of desert encroachment.

“The constituency has been bereft of the required pungent representation at the House of Representatives in the past 12 years. “ I am in the race to reverse this ugly trend with a view to enabling the electorate in the area to benefit from more dividends of democracy from the three tiers of government,” Ibrahim, added.

THE NIGERIAN

6

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Across The Nation Wrong Use Of X - Ray Harmful To Unborn Child -Expert

AD Condemns High Cost Of Political Campaigns ABUJA - The Alliance for Democracy (AD) says people seeking for elective positions do not have to take loans to vie for such offices.

This is contained in a statement signed by the AD National Secretary, Dr Rafiu Salau in Abuja.

According to him, the high cost of nomination forms sold to prospective candidates can turn politics into business.

He said: “The high cost of nomination forms will turn politics into business. The party believes that to ask for high fees for nomination forms is a creation of foundation of corruption.

“Unfortunately, if occupying elective office requires selling of properties or acquiring loans, some of the members of the political class will see an elective position as a business and an opportunity to increase their wealth.’’

Salau said against this background, the AD would give out its nomination and expression of interest forms free to all candidates and for all positions.

“Alliance for democracy doesn’t see politics as business.

It is for the service of the people.

“Contesting for elective positions is to contribute to the development of the constituencies in particular and he nation in general.

“An elective office should not be portrayed as a business for generating personal revenue. In the light of this, the party will not follow the style of politics as business, which encourages demand for high fees for nomination forms.

“Therefore, Alliance for Democracy will give its nomination forms free to all Nigerians interested in serving the people. The elective positions are not for the candidates but the people,’’ he said.

He urged the electorate to approach the good leaders in their various constituencies to come out to serve them.

He said that the people should make their contributions to the best candidates and become volunteers to serve as party agents to protect their votes.

Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh (middle), with officials of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Nigeria Solar Capital Partners (NSCP) during their visit in Bauchi recently.

ABUJA - A radiographer, Mr. Uchenna Dike, has said wrong use of X-ray could be harmful to an unborn child.

Dike made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He said noted that though Xray could be used as a diagnostic facility, it could be harmful to humans if not properly administered.

Dike identified some of the harmful effects on patient, including the unborn child to include stunted growth, deformity, abnormal brain

L-R: Deputy Governor Sagir Saleh of Bauchi State, representative of Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Rabiu Bako and Managing Director Nigeria Solar Capital Partners, Joel Abrams, during a courtesy visit in Bauchi recently.

L-R: Deputy Governor Sagir Saleh of Bauchi State, representative of Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Rabiu Bako and Managing Director, Nigeria Solar Capital Partners, Joel Abrams, during a courtesy visit in Bauchi recently.

Tackle Transnational Crime, International Community Advised

ABUJA - Mr. Oshita Oshita, the Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), has urged the international community to develop a strong synergy in addressing transnational organised crimes.

Oshita made the call in Abuja during a workshop on emerging trends in transnational organised crimes and the implication for human security organised by the institute.

The workshop is aimed at encouraging policy-oriented

exchange of views and the sharing of knowledge among scholars, policy researchers and practitioner communities, in order to understand the problem.

It is also geared toward evolving possible suggestions and solutions to prevent such crime in Nigeria.

“This workshop is therefore aimed at evolving a strategy which will help us in dealing with an octopus-like challenge with its finger in

nearly in every human interest.

“In fact not even the institutions thought to be sacred are immune from the destructive activities of transnational organised criminal groups.’’

Oshita noted that at the national level, the International Police (INTERPOL) was working hard to tackle the menace.

He also noted that some international laws need to be

domesticated in Nigeria so that transnational organised crimes could be fought in a more comprehensive way in Nigeria.

Oshita also noted that transnational organised crime which involved dealing in small arms and light weapons, drugs and money laundering, among others, must be dealt with it from multiple angles.

“Tracing the sources of these weapons of mass

Corrupt Practices: Centre To Develop Impunity

ABUJA - Mr. Auwal Musa, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), an NGO, said it would develop a National Impunity Index to reduce corrupt practices in Nigeria.

Musa told newsmen in Abuja that the index would be used to publish corrupt practices being perpetuated

by Nigerians on yearly basis.

“When we start releasing

function or cancer, among others.

Reports say that a radiographer assists in the diagnostic and theuraphetic aspects of medicine, thereby ensuring that physicians diagnose correctly to adequately treat their patients.

The radiographer demonstrates expertise in minimizing radiation exposure to patient, self and other members of the healthcare team during X-ray procedures.

Dike said that registered radiographers were expected to always weigh the benefits of Xray on a patient, as against the hazard.

In reference to a pregnant woman undergoing X-ray session, he said that the radiographer would consider the health condition of such a patient before administration, to avoid endangering the life of the unborn child.

“Imaging scientists or radiographers are authorised by law to dispense ionizing radiation to help, if the benefits outweigh the risks.

“This is done within approved dose limits and optimised exposure factors to reduce the risk of cancer and other radiation diseases.

“Radiation exposure before birth can increase a person’s risk of getting cancer later in life.

the impunity index of people found with corrupt practices, people will know that corruption is now being monitored by the NGOs. “It is time for us as civil society organisations to start documenting impunity cases happening in the country and we must develop systematic approach to achieve this.

“People commit different offences while in office and there are no records to follow their cases; if there are cases

Index

of impunity documented, it will be difficult for people to operate impunity easily.

He noted that financial, political and judicial impunity are going on in the country and no much impact has been done to address them and people were getting away with them.

“Right now there is no systematic way of monitoring

corruption report cases, and nobody is even compiling judicial cases, it is important for us to do this as we want to sanitise the country from corruption.’’

Mr Shola Williams, Executive Secretary for PanAfrican Campaign, an NGO, told NAN that it became imperative to develop the index as it should be treated with urgency to combat corruption. “ Impunity is an inevitable

act in Nigeria and it must be treated with matter of urgency to control irrational behavior, such as extra judicial killing, corruption, among others.

He called for checks and balances among the arms of government to checkmate bad activities in the system, adding that if they were properly checked, impunity would reduce to the barest minimum.

destruction is very important even though most of the producers are in Europe.

“Locally too, our people are now using their technological capabilities to produce small arms and light weapons by copying arms that they get from outside, ‘’ Oshita said.

In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bashir Wali, observed that said in recent times, organised crimes had diversified and become more global with the economic dimensions of far reaching consequences.

“It can destabilise democracy, disrupt free markets, drain national assets and slow down the development of stable societies,’’ Wali said.

He also said that failure to develop practicable, coordinated national policies to tackle “this ever growing transnational criminality” would further threaten and undermine the society.

Transnational organised crimes are on the increase globally and they portend great threats to national and international peace and security.

THE NIGERIAN

7

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Lagos

Association Holds Lecture Series LAGOS - The Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) has announced plans to host its fifth Empowerment Lecture Series in Lagos.

A statement by Mr Abdulfatah Babatunde, the association’s Assistant Publicity Secretary,

said the lecture was held at the Institute of Entrepreneurs, Plot 2, Isheri Road Agidingbi Junction, Ikeja, Lagos.

The statement quoted Prof.

Nosa Owens-Ibie, the General Secretary of the association as saying that the theme of the lecture was “Issues in

Driver Docked Over Theft

LAGOS - The police in Lagos have arraigned a 24-yearold driver, Rahmon Adeoye, over the theft of property valued at N275,000 belonging to his exemployer.

Adeoye, who resides at 7, Olowoora Road, Kosofe, in Lagos State, appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on a charge of stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Edet Okoi, told the court that the accused committed the offence while he was employed by one Mr Olatunji Egbeyemi, between July 19 and November 6.

He said that the accused committed the offence at 24, Aiyedun St., Olowoora Isheri in Lagos State.

“Adeoye, while working as Mr Egbeyemi’s domestic driver, stole his Sony camera, Toshiba laptop and Samsung Galaxy tab, all valued at N275,000,” Okoi said.

The prosecutor explained that the defendant’s employment was terminated following a

misdemeanour.

He said that a co-tenant of the defendant, who was known to Egbeyemi, had approached the complainant to appeal to him to temper justice with mercy on Adeoye.

“The co-tenant, while pleading with Egbeyemi, however, mentioned that Adeoye wanted to repair a faulty Sony camera and also had a Toshiba laptop for sale,” Okoi said.

The prosecution submitted that the offences contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Adeoye, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Miss A.R. Onilogbo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000, with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case till December 8 for mention.

Communication Studies and Practice (1)’’.

It said that Prof. Cecil Blake from the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ota in Ogun, was the guest presenter at the event.

Blake, who is a former Minister of Information, SierraLeone, delivered a lecture titled “Challenges Facing The Communication Discipline and

Profession in an Age of Terror and Dominant Non-State Actors: An Alarm for a Paradigm Shift in Africa’’.

It quoted Owens-Ibie as saying that the lecture was the first under the theme: “Issues in Communication Studies and Practice’’.

It added that young and senior academics, journalists, professionals, researchers,

Relations (NIPR) was the host of the series.

The empowerment lecture series is aimed at empowering young academics and profesional journalists in research.

It also created avenue for meaningful interactions between the academia and professionals in the field of journalism to share experiences.

Former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo (left), with Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, during his condolence visit to the former Governor on the death of his son, , Ifeanyi, at Amaechi community of Enugu State recently.

Agency Creates 60,000 Jobs

2 Men Arraigned For Stealing LAGOS - The police in Lagos have arraigned two men, Joseph Sunday, 22, and Abdulai Umaru, 30, for stealing diesel, valued at N350,000.

The accused persons whose addresses are unknown are facing a two-count-charge of stealing and buying stolen diesel, belonging to one Nmuko Awah before a Shomolu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The Prosecutor, ASP. Akin Adegoke, told the court that the accused committed the offences on October 29 at about 1.45 a.m. at 19b, Adewale Ayuba Str., Ajao Estate in Lagos.

Adegoke said the offences contravened Sections 326 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 326(1) prescribes 14 years imprisonment for the offence.

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

The Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Osunsanmi adjourned the case till January 14, 2015 for mention.

postgraduate students and consultants participated in the empowerment series.

While participation was free for members of the association, non-ACSPN members were asked to pay N2000 participation fee.

Dr Rotimi Oladele, the President and Chairman, Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public

Bauchi State Deputy Chairman, Polio Eradication Committee and Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu (middle), at Bauchi State Task Force Committee on Immunisation Work Plan meeting in Bauchi recently.

LAGOS - The Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK) created over 60,000 jobs in the first six years of its inception.

Mrs Titilayo Anibaba, the Managing Director of the agency, said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.

“The agency has created about 60,000 jobs to job seekers in six years.

“Most of the people that benefited are Lagosians and people that reside in Lagos.

“The idea is to engage people

to do things, most especially, the apprenticeship, “ Anibaba said.

The managing director said the beneficiaries were artisans, scuptors, horticulturists, capenters, security guards, gardeners and artists.

She also said that the agency had created 297 gardens in the six years, adding that 30 more gardens would be created in the next few months.

“The initiative is part of Lagos State’s 10-point transformation agenda,” she said.

Suit Against Shippers Council Adjourned To Dec 1 LAGOS - A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned a suit brought by the Association of Shipping Line Agencies (ASLA) against the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to December 1, for hearing.

The Presiding Judge, Ibrahim Buba, said that the parties had sought for a declaratory relief.

According to Buba, the law says parties are at liberty to appeal to court for a declaratory relief.

A declaratory relief is a judge’s determination (declaratory judgment) of the parties’ rights under a contract or a statute often

consulted for information in a lawsuit over a contract.

The theory of declaratory relief is that an early resolution of legal rights will resolve some or all of the other issues in the matter.

“The law has said that a party is at liberty to appeal to court for declaratory relief, whether it will confer benefit on him or not.

“This court shall in the interest of speedy disposal of this matter allow the party (shippers’ association) to come in as the second defendant, since it has interest in this matter,’’ Buba said.

Reports say that the shipping

agencies had filed a case against the Shippers’ Council on October 31.

The shipping lines filed the case against the NSC as a result of a publication by the council, announcing the reversal of storage fees at the ports.

The publication called for a reversal to rates as at May 1, 2009.

The NSC, as the ports’ economic regulator, also ordered an increase in the free storage period at the ports from three to seven days.

The council equally directed shipping companies to reduce

their shipping line agency fees from N26, 500 to N23, 850 per 20ft container and from N48,000 to N40, 000 per 40ft container.

It also directed shipping agencies to refund container deposits to importers and agents, within 10 working days, after the return of the empty containers.

Counsel to the second defendant (Shippers’ Association, Lagos State), Mr Osuala Nwagbara, said the association was interested in the case filed by ASLA against the NSC. “It does not matter if it takes longer time to attain justice. It

does not matter if other people come in.

“The important thing is that there is an agreement between the lawyers and the court to speed up the trials.

“Our position is the position of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the council should be respected, being the umpire,” Nwagbara said.

Counsel to the NSC, Mr Emeka Akabogu, said that the joint defence by the shippers’ association was part of court procedures to enable all parties tie their works.

THE NIGERIAN

8

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

News FG Urged To Check Multiple Taxation LAGOS- The Chairman of Chisco Transport Ltd., Chief Chidi Anyanegbu, has told the Federal Government to reduce the multiple taxation imposed on transport operators in the country.

Anyanegbu, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said that multipletaxation was hitting transporters hard and killing the transport sector.

“Commercial transport

operators are finding it difficult to break even as they have to pay interest on loans borrowed from banks.

“We pay over 23 different taxes and it is affecting our businesses. This is responsible

for the frequent hike in transport fares.

“The transport business is a business that touches the masses and most of the beneficiaries are the less-privileged and civil servants who earn meager

incomes,’’ he said.

Anyanegbu said that the value and impact of the transport sector on the nation’s economy and the masses could not be overemphasised.

“Today, import duties charged on buses used for mass transportation are enormous and when transporters pay these charges, it is the passengers that bear the burden through fare hikes.

“The government should look

into these challenges by acknowledging that transporters are solving one of the problems facing the masses.

“The government must also realise that transport operators are adding value to the economy by providing employment opportunities to many Nigerians.

“The profit accruing to operators of this business is very low when compared to what the oil companies and multi-national organisations are making.

Community Assembly, Abuja, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure speedy completion of the second Niger bridge to facilitate easy movement of traffic.

Obasi made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He said that the bridge was about the biggest project cited in the South-East by the

Jonathan administration.

According to him, President Jonathan has performed creditably well and should be re-elected come 2015.

He added that “I want to remind the President that the 2nd Niger Bridge is one of the prominent projects he has cited in the East.

“I want to appeal to him to complete the project as fast as he can because the pains we are experiencing when travelling through Onitsha is much.

“Once that project is completed, he can raise his head high and say I have done well for the Igbo land.’’

Obasi then commended Jonathan for bringing sanity into Nigerian politics.

He said “politics in Nigeria is not as bad as it is being painted; democratically, we are still young and we have a lot to learn; democracy is taking root now.

“The era of ballot snatching and rigging with impunity is gone; one man one vote is working; this time, it is about how good you are and not how many thugs you are able to moblise, or how much you are able to share.’’

It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had on March 10 performed the ground breaking ceremony of the 2nd Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra.

Community Leader Asks FG To Complete 2nd Niger ABUJA - Chief Ike Obasi, Bridge the President-General of Imo

Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sidi (2nd right), in a handshake with the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Rev. Stephen Manza, during a meeting of NEMA officials with the Bishop in Jimeta, Yola recently. With them is a member, Special Presidential Committee on Relief Materials, Alhaji Salihu Belel (2nd left) and Secretary-General, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Bello Diram.

Investors Ferry N92.54bn Profit From NSE LAGOS - Investors’ sell pressure occasioned by national security challenges, decline in international oil prices and political uncertainty impacted negatively on foreign portfolio interest at the Nigeria bourse in September.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) said that in the month under review, total foreign capital outflow from the bourse amounted to N92.54 billion.

The capital outflow according to statistics released by the NSE represented an increase of 63.67 per cent when compared with N56.56 billion recorded in August.

The growth in sell pressure followed what stakeholders termed foreign portfolio managers anxiety about the Nigerian polity.

A further breakdown of the report showed that total foreign inflow during the period under review stood at N134.14 billion compared with N53.86 billion achieved in the preceding month.

It also showed that total securities transactions rose by 285.56 per cent to N522.74 billion compared with N135.58 billion posted in August.

The exchange said that foreign portfolio investors’ inflow accounted for 25.66 per cent of total transactions, while the outflow accounted for 17.70 per cent of the total transactions.

The total foreign transactions during the review period, according to the NSE, stood at N226.68 billion in contrast with N110.40 billion in August.

On the other hand, total domestic transactions stood at N296.06 billion against N25.18 billion in August, an increase of 1,075 per cent.

Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sidi, with children at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDPC) at Damage in Adamawa during an assessment visit of NEMA officials and the International Community recently.

Stakeholders Want Economy Diversified

ABUJA- Some stakeholders in Abuja have called on the

Federal Government to deemphasize reliance on oil income and seek other sources of revenue for the nation.

The Federal Government on Sunday announced some fiscal measures, including review of oil benchmark for the 2015 Appropriation Bill from 78 dollars to 73 dollars, to cushion the impact of global oil price drop on the economy.

According to the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who announced the measures in a news conference in Abuja, said the review is to maintain economic stability, boost non-oil revenues and plug loopholes and waste.

The stakeholders told newsmen that given the nation’s natural and human

resources, Nigerians had no business to panic when oil price dropped in the international market.

Mr Patrick Ogele, a lawyer, said that the introduction of austerity measures and downward review of the budget benchmark was not the only alternative open to government to stabilise the economy.

According to him, in addition to oil, other natural resources abound in the country and are yet to be tapped.

“Why not go into other areas of revenue generation rather than relying solely on oil. This is just a pointer that a day will come when this oil will disappoint us,” he said.

Ogele also advised the government to merge agencies whose functions overlap in

order to reduce cost of governance in the country.

“Some agencies of government have overlapping functions and the financial involvement in running these agencies is enormous. If they are merged, it will reduce the cost of governance.

“Today we are talking about a reduction in oil price but what about a day when there will be a reduction in the production capacity,” he said.

He said that the government should explore other ways to generate revenue as was done in the past when groundnut and cocoa were major income earners for the nation.

A banker, Mr Emmanuel Onah, said that the best any government could do in the prevailing situation was to review the country’s fiscal

policy.

According to him, there are no structures on ground for government to embark on development of other sources of revenue as being canvassed

by Nigerians.

“Whenever there is a major economic problem, the first thing to think about is to cut the cost of doing business,” he said, adding that steps being taken by government to stabilise the economy were in the right direction.

Onah stated that apart from reducing the number foreign training for civil and public servants, the government should also do other things to further reduce overhead cost in governance.

Another banker, Mr Dayo Qadri, said that with the decline in the international oil

market, the government should urgently begin to consider how to diversify its revenue sources.

“We should not rely on oil for our revenue because God has given this country a lot of natural resources,” he said.

Qadri advised government to device other of sources generating revenue to avoid taking panic measures whenever crude oil price dropped.

A businessman, Mr Chukwu Nwankwo, said that Nigeria had so many other sources of generating revenue other that oil, regretting that the nation had relied on oil for too long.

Nwankwo said that government needed to collaborate with both local and foreign investors to tap the resources that abound in the country.

THE NIGERIAN

9

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Business & Economy Expert Advocates Efficient Tax System KANO - Mr Haliru Mohammed, a member of the Association for the Emancipation of Rights of Small Scale Industrialists, says that 97 per cent of the nation’s economy could be determined by taxation.

Mohammed, who made the assertion in an interview with newsmen in Kano said that taxation plays a very crucial role in the development of the Nigerian economy.

“Taxation serves as a source of employment generation and innovation as well as economic consolidation which alleviates poverty and enhances national growth.

“It is one of the factors that constitute small businesses, when a business flourishes, the economy flourishes as well,’’ he said.

He, however, said that taxes were still considered as a voluntary contribution and not an obligation in spite of its being imposed by the government on

Foundation Spends $110m On Agric Research ABUJA - The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) says it has spent 110 million dollars (about N19 billion) on agricultural research in West Africa in the last 10 years.

Prof. Prince Addae, the West Africa Representative of the foundation, told newsmen in an interview in Abuja that Nigeria would benefit directly from three of the research projects.

“AATF’s projects in West Africa include the Pod Borer Resistant cowpea (PBR), Newest Rice, and the Cassava Mechanisation Project.

“We normally combine all budgets for West Africa projects which are about 10 and we have spent almost 110 million dollars in the last 10 years. “ Technology is always being developed; we have had insecticides for a long time and this technology has come; all along, we are developing technologies to combat these insects.”

He said that the AATF focuses more on those needs that were beyond the farmer and needed funding in form of research efforts.

Addae said that the Pod Borer Resistant cowpea (beans) was one of the major research products that would be released by 2017 to farmers in Nigeria, Ghana Burkina Faso and Malawi.

According to Addae, the research was necessitated by the fact that the pod borer, also known as ‘Maruca’, had continuously become resistant to pesticides and cost the farmer huge resources and yield loss.

He said that it was in realisation of that fact that the Maruca cost farmers 80 per cent yield loss, that the AATF took up the research to aid farmers in the West African countries.

personal income earners, companies, importers, exporters and inventors.

Mohammed said business and tax policies were interrelated, noting that if one was affected, the other would also be affected.

“An economy based on favourable and progressive tax laws and policies will definitely prop up healthy business transactions and make organisations to survive,’’ he said.

He called for the full implementation of the nation’s tax laws and policies to enhance the nation’s revenue and economic growth.

Support FG’s Entertainment Transformation, Stakeholders Urged

L-R: ICT Instructor, Data Sciences Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Michael Azumara; Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack and Minister of Information Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, at the opening of eNigeria 2014 conference and exhibition in Abuja recently.

Association Seeks Involvement In Distribution Of Farm Inputs

LAGOS - The Lagos State Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN) has called for the involvement of farmers’ associations in the distribution of agricultural inputs for optimal results.

The association’s President, Mr Babafemi Ajala, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to engage his association in the distribution of fingerlings and other inputs.

He commended the federal government for the effective distribution of inputs under the

Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS).

Ajala, however, observed that many farmers did not benefit because the farmers’ associations were not involved in the distribution.

“This year’s input distribution is not encouraging because the civil servants were put in charge.

“The 2013 programme was successful because associations were part of the distribution processes.

“Less than 30 members of LASCAFAN benefited from the

input distribution this year because of the poor handling,’’ Ajala said.

The president alleged that the civil servants, who distributed the inputs, sold the items to unregistered farmers.

“I feel disappointed because those farmers who got the SMS to visit redemption centres for the items could not redeem their vouchers.

“The civil servants that did the distribution were busy selling juveniles and feeds to desperate farmers.

Participants at the opening of Nigeria 2014 conference and exhibition in Abuja recently.

“I could not redeem my voucher. They, however, offered me juveniles to buy which I declined because it is against the ethics of the association.

“They even offered more than the 500 juveniles,’’ he said.

Reports state that under the aquaculture value chain of the GESS, each farmer gets 500 juveniles and five bags of cement, all at N12,500 each as against N25,000.

The aquaculture value chain was included in the GESS in 2013 and 840 Lagos State farmers benefited.

However, Mr Kayode Ashafa, the Lagos State Coordinator of GESS, defended the use of civil servants against the allegation of sharp practices in the inputs distribution.

He told newsmen that though several aquaculture farmers were registered, there was a specific number of farmers to target for the year.

“In Lagos State, the Federal Government approved that only 880 aquaculture farmers should benefit from the 2014 scheme.

“By the time we give 880 farmers, we still had 3,000 that did not benefit.

“The number of people that can redeem their vouchers is therefore limited to that 880.

“So, obviously some people will not get and it is on first come first serve basis,’’ Ashafa explained.

LAGOS - The Association of Voice Over Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), has called on stakeholders to support the Federal Government’s transformation agenda to reposition the entertainment industry.

The body’s President, Ehi Omukhuale, told newsmen in Lagos that every Nigerian should be an entertainment ambassador, through which more employment opportunities could be created.

“The entertainment practitioners have to encourage visitors and tourists to visit Africa because our earnings, revenues and resources are meagre and highly competitive.

“It is only when you attract them through quality songs and services that tourists and visitors will patronise Africa and increase our revenue earnings.

“So, it is high time the entertainers encouraged visitors and tourists to patronise the industry by producing quality songs and rendering good services required by foreign visitors, “ Omukhuale said.

He stressed that the promotion and development of the entertainment industry was the collective responsibility of all Nigerians in general, and critical stakeholders in particular.

The AVOA president also called on all Nigerians to join forces in making the e n t e r t a i n m e n t transformation agenda of the Federal Government a reality.

450 Persons To Benefit From MSME ASABA-The Delta Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Dr Antonia Ashiedu says 450 persons will benefit from the first tranche of the central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N20 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises( MSME) fund in the state.

Asheidu disclosed this in Asaba at the official rolling out of the N2 billion CBN fund to MSME in the state.

She explained that out of the

N2 billion, the state would receive N500 million as its “first tranche of the N2 billion MSME fund the state from the CBN. According to her, 80 per cent of the loan goes to micro businesses, 18 per cent of the loan will to small and medium enterprises, the remaining two per cent of the fund will to the physically challenged persons including albinos.

“The micro repayment is 12 months, while the small and

medium enterprise goes for two to five years repayment,’’ she said.

The commissioner said that 60 per cent of the total aggregate fund would go to the women, adding that women perform better in business.

“We thank the CBN for giving the resonating message which affirm that women understand how to manage loans and this confidence in women has been proven empirically globally,’’

she added.

Ashiedu reiterated that MSME in Delta had continued to make impressive strides. “ Our spices are sold in leading super markets in Nigeria, but particularly in every Shoprite Franchise in Africa,’’ she said.

The commissioner assured that the state would drive the MSME programme vigorously through its brand new state special purpose vehicle known as the Delta State, Micro, Small and

Medium Enterprises Development Agency.

According to her, we will maintain the very core principle that guided the success of the state micro credit programme by ensuring that the fund get to those it is meant for.

She commended the state government and CBN for focusing on the Nigerian economy on its pro-poor policies.

THE NIGERIAN

10

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Perspective

Stop Violence Against Children

CHILD upbringing is not managing a child, but reassuring and supporting the child, and setting up limits. This is the beginning of a healthy relationship in the family and the society as a whole.

The United Nation’s Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated on November 20th each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

The theme for this year event is Stop Violence Against Children!

According to UNICEF, every year millions of children around the world become victims of untold violence. Children in every country, every culture and at every social level face various forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. The abuse takes place at home, in school, in institutions, at work and in the community. Growing up with violence and abuse seriously affects a child’s development and dignity.

Children have suffered different forms of violence ranging from physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, spiritual, cultural and even death all over the world, such as the October 2012 shooting of then 14-yearold Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan, the fatal shooting of 26 pupils and teachers in Newtown, in the United States in December, and gang rapes of girls in India and in South Africa this year and also the 276 kidnapped Chibok school girls in Nigeria on April 14th this year (2014) by Boko Haram Islamic group. Six months after the Chibok school girls are still in captivity, the released video shows that the girls were forced to convert to lslam, the leader of the sect Abubakar Shekau also refers to them as slaves and threatened to sell them in the market and to marry them off.

Some of the escape victims said that the girls were being subjected to physical torture, rape, forced marriage and forced labour into being recruited to carrying ammunitions for insurgents. More than 500 girls and women are said to have been kidnapped by the group since 2009. Although there were alleged negotiations going on between the federal government and the insurgents for the release of the girls in exchange with some captured Boko Haram members that are in prison but till date no meaningful result has been achieved. Even now, more children, girls, women and boys are still being kidnapped by the insurgents.

This is just a bigger picture of what most Nigerian children suffered in the community and

in their homes. Physical violence of children is seen as normal punishment in most homes in Nigeria in correcting a child especially when the child has done something bad and the parents or caregivers after being stressed from life daily challenges or in some cases, one of the parent is drug addict or an alcoholic or has suffer from a mental problem, they become angry with their kids and what happen next is slapping, whipping, kicking, biting, pulling hair which is done in an offensive way and in some worst cases when the child is just an housemaid or from a relative, or is step son or daughter, it can result in burning part of the child body, stabbing and shooting, many of such cases had been reported in the media.

Psychological violence is another common thing in this part of the world and most parents does not see it as anything mainly because it has no physical scar on the child.

Often times you hear parents/ guardians yelling, cursing, mocking, comparing kids negatively to others, giving children public and private humiliation and intentionally withholding love and affection from their children as punishment. In Nigeria you can hear a parent or guardian calling a child “coconut head” “good for nothing” “stupid boy” “goat” and the likes, and they don’t see anything wrong with it, even when they are told its wrong, they just laugh and say it does not mean anything ,while others will say it won’t hurt the child.

But this is extremely harmful to kids, because their self-esteem is destroyed, possibly throughout their adulthood.

Sexual violence on a child is the exploitation of a child in sexual activities with an adult or with a person who is older than a child; it is a child becoming a sexual partner for an adult.

Children are most often sexually abused by someone they know well (family members, family friends, neighbors, teachers or other adults that play a role in a child’s life).

Sexual abuse has become a common phenomenon in our news today. Cases of rape have become so prevalent in the country that one wonders if it is a “sign of end time” or if the rapists derive joy in this barbaric act. You hear of cases of a 65years old man raping 2years old, (this is high level of defilement) school children being rape by their teachers, father raping their children, neighbor raping their neighbor‘s children, this is common in “face me I face you” houses and now recently mothers sleeping with their male children, no place is safe for children

children to be able to speak about things, they are afraid to talk about. It is also the duty of parents/ guardians to teach their kids about sex education.

Neglect and abandonment is another form of child violence, it is the deliberate refusal and failure of parents/guardians to provide their children with

children are abandoned and neglected. Some become street hawkers, housemaids, beggars, conductors, pick pocket on the street, touts, while some are abandoned in orphanage homes.

This undermines a child’s spirit and psychological and social development.

Spiritual violence against a child occurs when someone uses a child’s religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate, dominate,

adequate food, appropriate clothing, shelter, guidance and supervision, inadequate hygiene, and the proper medical and dental health care. 70% of the approximately 11 million child deaths every year are attributable to six potentially preventable causes: diarrhoea, malaria, neonatal infection, pneumonia, preterm delivery, or lack of oxygen at birth. These deaths occur mainly in the developing world.

The maincause of neglect in Nigeria can be attributed to poverty.

Most parents are poor, low income earners, and as a result cannot provide adequately for the basic need of the child.

While others do not create time for their children because they are busy with their jobs or business. Other factor can be attributed to illiteracy because most poor parents like to have many children with the belief that God will provide or if they grow up they will take care of themselves and some have made up their minds to send them out as housemaids to their relatives or neighbors. A 1975 study (Izuora and Ebigbo1975) which examined house-helps, found them to be of below-average intelligence and of lower intelligence than the children they looked after. These are what prompt them to have many children and as result the

or control them. Some examples of spiritual violence in Nigeria include: the recent use of force on the kidnapped Chibok school girls to convert to lslam which is against their spiritual belief, Some children in this country, especially in Akwa Ibom have been referred to as witches and wizards, possessed by an evil spirit, and as a result they have been abandoned on the street to fend for themselves while some have been killed.

Cultural violence is another type of violence in this country that has made children vulnerable to different form of abuses. This includes child rape (early marriage especially in the northern part of the country, which has been infused into the religion and culture of the people) and female genital mutilation/circumcision.

Despite the large publicity against female genital mutilation, most parents’ even educated parents still circumcise their female children because they want to uphold some of their cultural beliefs.

Consequences of this practice include infibulations, shock due to severe bleeding, intense pain due to traditional methods, risk of HIV/AIDS and death in some cases Death is the worst form of child violence. As a result of physical, emotional, spiritual,

By SANDRA EGUAGIE

anymore. Many male adults lured young female hawkers by buying up all their wares and giving them money in addition to this or they may pay them to run errand, or show them pornography films. This is so rampant because of the large number of female “working”

children on the street, they must support their family income due to poverty. So many of them have fallen victims to rapist.

Other children that suffered from sexual violence are housemaids. There was case of one Mr. Edwards a teacher who was alleged to have defiled eleven (11) students of the school this year May in Benin city, the case was filed by child protection network. This is just one of many cases of rape although some are not reported.

For instance, a WHO study estimated that the lifetime impact of child sexual abuse accounts for approximately 6% of cases of depression, 6% of alcohol and drug abuse/ dependence, 8% of suicide attempts, 10% of panic disorders and 27% of posttraumatic stress disorders.

Sexually abused children tend to have a strong feeling of guilt; perpetrators do everything possible that abused children would not be noticed. They tell the child the abuse is their own secret and that something bad will happen to a child or people they love if they tell anyone about it.

Every child can be a victim of sexual abuse, it is the responsibility of all adults to respect and protect the sexual integrity of children. Adults need to create a safe place for

cultural and neglect and abandonment, most children have lost their lives.

Reliable data on violence against children in Nigeria is scarce because violence is often not reported as it occurs mostly within the context where it is regarded as ‘normal’ such as within the family circle or behind the privacy of homes.

The predominant cultural belief is that children must be submissive to elders therefore behavior not in conformity with this is punished.

Violence inflicts not only physical wounds but leaves mental scars on children, affecting their physical and mental health and compromising their ability to learn and socialize. Children are completely dependent on adults for all their needs and rights.

However, this has nothing to do with the tendency of adults to abuse their power over children as a shortcut to achieve certain objectives when raising a child; with violence they are mostly doing damage to a child.

Hence, violence against children must stop, It is equally important for parents to develop their intelligence and communication skills in raising up children. Culture is dynamic, so there is need to do away with some harmful cultural beliefs in the upbringing of children and also bridge the gap for effective relationship between parent/ guardian and child relationship.

We must put into consideration the emotional need of the child.

The government needs to further strengthen the policies of good family planning. Although civil societies, social workers and government have done a lot in the past few years, especially civil society taking up issues of child sexual abuse but a lot still need to be done to discourage any form of child violence and provide training for parents on child development. Government should also strengthen the judicial and criminal systems.

Enlightment programmes should be giving to school children.

Lastly, it is the responsibility of every parents, guardians and adults to respect the rights of a child. Discipline must be done in love, the family is the first place of learning for children and so parents must teach their children how to recognize and express their own feelings, needs and desires without hurting others or themselves.

This is the first step to stop the spread of violence because it is often said that violence begets violence.

• Sandra Eguagie is the Programme Assistant, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Benin city, Nigeria.

THE NIGERIAN

11

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

THE NIGERIAN

12 THE basic fundamental of all economies is agriculture and all industrial nations know this. That their economies are on solid rock is basically because they have galvanized their agricultural potentials, which is also the offshoot of their industrial development That is why concerned citizens of Nigeria have continued to warn on the dangers of continued dependence by the nation on crude oil which is today the mainstay and sustaining source of the Nigerian economy.

THE traditional focus of the Nigerian economy before the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity was agriculture and it played a fundamental role in shaping the economy of the nation and regions as Nigeria was then constituted in its immediate post independence era, IN the 1960s, each region of the country was noted for producing some cash crops such as cocoa, groundnut and palm oil as well as rubber in commercial quantities.

Basically, the Wet tern region, now the political South West except Lagos which was the Federal Capital was noted for producing cocoa in large commercial quantities for export. The revenue from cocoa helped in shaping the infrastructure and economic environment of then Western Nigeria and its legacies and landmarks were -very very visible, as they affected virtually all aspects of life of the people.

IN the Northern region, groundnut was the mainstay of the economy, to the extent that the volume produced in the region was typified by the “groundnut pyramid”. It symbolized the success of the crop as a veritable earner of revenue which impacted economically on the life of the people.

IN the eastern region, palm oil was its predominant feature and similarly, it was a

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014 THE NIGERIAN

Nigeria’s Food Security Challenge success in boosting the economic atmosphere of the country and the region.

Interestingly, it is now an irony that Nigeria has been relegated to the background in palm oil production and has been overtaken

by Malaysia, a country which took the Nigerian specimen of the plant, palm kernel, and adapted it to its own climatic condition and is today a leading producer of palm oil, which is a major derivative of palm kernel, SIGNIFICANTLY, the Midwest region was noted for its rubber plantation and was quite a huge success as the crop played its role as a major economic transformation agent to shore up principally the economy of the region.

WE are concerned that there is slow progress in returning to the traditional focus of reviving these cash crops as major sources of revenue for the Federal Government.

HOWEVER, we are aware that not too long ago, the Federal Government launched the Cocoa Rebirth Initiative, as launch pad to regenerate interest in the crop and encourage farmers who have abandoned the plant to come back on the scene to make cocoa play its role in the national economy.

THE NIGERIAIN OBSERVER implores the Federal Government to similarly create avenues for other cash crops as well as

sensitise farmers to take proactive action towards their cultivation.

WHILE the Federal Government has shown the interest to refocus attention to agriculture, there appears to be so much disinterest in the way it has pursued the goal.

THERE is no conscious effort to empower small scale farmers to undertake mechanized farming for greater yields as this is stilt the exclusive preserve of the elite farmers. Thus, farmers who are interested in expansion have no way of coping with the financial demands to undertake mechanized farming. This in itself is a huge challenge for food security in Nigeria. Access to bank loans is uncertain is uncertain with high interest rate, serving as enough scare to discourage the desire for any expansion.

WHILE the banks may have played significant roles in the past in assisting farmers, they did so purely on the initiative of the individual farmers and therefore expect in the new arrangement as already envisaged, a friendly lending terms that will encourage investment in the agricultural sector. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER now calls on the Federal Government to consider an upward review of allocation to the agricultural sector.

Amounts always allocated in the budget have been a pointer of the genuineness of government’s commitment to the agricultural sector.

WE assert that improving the national agricultural output should be devoid of any prohibition that will limit access to the fund by small scale farmers whose contributions to agricultural development form part of the concerted effort of the production chain that will lift the nation out of the continued dependence.

THE NIGERIAN

13

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Trends THE four temperaments personality system attempts to describe a person’s overall attitude towards problems, other people, and life in general in a very broad way.

They aren’t meant to described every detail of a person, such as their favourite flavour of ice cream of their mother’s maiden name, rather, they just describe a person’s overall attitude. Like how defining someone as a woman communicates useful information without making the individual any less unique.

There are four temperament, which are combined into twelve pairs called “blends.” Each person has one of these blends that fits how they are most of the time; it is constant throughout life, not a shifting mood. Temperaments don’t change according to circumstances; rather, they determine how we react to situations.

The four temperaments originated in ancient times and were known as the ‘four humours.”

It was believed that your personality was determined by the balance of black bile, and blood in your body, which is how temperaments get their archaic and rather gorysounding names.

This is as we know

pure rubbish; our bodily juices don’t determine who we are. However while they were wrong about the cause, the observations about personalities do still hold some value.

It’s sort of how the Ancient Egyptians believed that the sun rose because it was rolled into the sky by a giant visible dung beetle. The fact that they were wrong about the beetle bit doesn’t mean that the sun doesn’t rise.

Their knowledge of the sun’s journey was detailed and accurate enough that they could use sundials and make calendars. Just because they were wrong about the cause doesn’t mean that their knowledge of the effect was wrong too.

Temperaments are a way of classifying people’s emotional attitudes, the foundations of their personality. They apply in a very bad strokes way that is, they are vague rather than specific and detailed and make no attempt to identify every detail of a person’s personality.

They are words like “mammal” or “reptile” not words like “dog” or “goat.”

Personality and temperament are not synonymous.

Temperaments are merely one of many facets of a person’s overall personality.

Two people may have

Personalities Behind The Clouds

Temperaments:

By EDET ELIJAH

identical temperament, but could be completely different in every other way. Many work of fiction will infact have a hero and villain who have identical temperaments but who

male or female at a glance, usually knowing their gender will give you an idea about their personality, but it won’t come close to showing you every detail about them.

could never be said to be similar people.

They are easily recognized; Once you know the patterns; you need not know a person for longer than five minutes in order to at least get an idea of their temperaments. It’s like how you can still weather someone’s

Similarly, two women will technically share the same anatomy, which is why they can be classed together as “woman; but they will differ in every detail.

The sizes and shapes of their parts set them apart as individuals, in the same way that two people of the same

“We all get angry, happy, sad and so on. We all wish at times to be around others, or to be alone. The temperaments are determined by the balance of these emotions.”

temperaments will be set apart as individuals by the intensity of their temperamental traits.

As humans, we all have access to a wide spectrum of different emotions. We all get angry, happy, sad and so on. We all wish at times

BLENDS There are only four temperament, but that’s a very limiting number, so it more useful to describe people in terms of temperament blends.

These blends consist of primary and secondary temperament.

to be around others, or to be alone. The temperaments are determined by the balance of these emotions.

For example, the choleric temperament is more prone to anger than the other temperaments.

However, we all get angry from time to time.

Being angry and being choleric are not synonymous. If you are angry, it doesn’t mean that you’re “being and frequently, however, that is probably a sign that you are choleric.

Such as Melancholic/ Phylegmatic or choleric/Sanguine, the order is important. A melphleg blend is noticeably different to a phlegmel one.

The primary temperament describes the most obvious part of a person’s personality while the secondary one just serves to flesh it out in more detail.

They are called blends and not pairs for a reason. A Melchol person does not have inhabited by two Continues on pg 18

THE NIGERIAN

Challenges Facing NYSC 14

AS you are aware, the NYSC was established in 1973 to inculcate in the Nigerian youth, the spirit of selfless services to the community and to p r a c t i c a l l y demonstrate the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians Irrespective of cultural or social background.

NYSC Criteria, state that corps member must discharge his/ her duties at his place of primary assignment mentoriously without query. The corps member personal qualities are also assessed by his employer these includes punctuality, regularity, devotion to duties, loyalty, effectiveness, initiative resourcefulness, good relationship with others, self-control etc.

The issue of posting corps member to different communities in Nigeria is very bad in the sense that the management of NYSC are not capable in selecting trusted surveillance that will be incharge of visiting various schools in the Urban/Rural Areas were the corps member ’s will be posted to, inorder to see if the school environment, security and accommodation are humanely in place.

Moreover, the

teach both primary and secondary schools therefore endangering the student.

“Now tell me how a corps member will be able to carry out all these within and out his/ her discipline effectively according to the SERVICE GUIDE with uncomfortable

handle the situation on ground and afterward came up with a solution “ CALLED GHOSTLIKE” which mean to be invisible throughout the one year national youth service, now the “LGI AND CORPS MEMBERS” enter into of an agreement with the motives of sharing the monthly allowance 50-50 or he/ she end up collecting everything at the end of each month in the

accommodation in this Nigeria of our’s and you expect his/her to be devoted, loyal, initiative and resourcefulness.

Based on the conditions of most communities the corps member’s and the local government inspectors map-out a strategy to

favour of clearing The monthly for c o m m u n i t y Development service (CDS) posting policies: according to NYSC if corps members are posted to the rural communities to render services in education, primary health care centres,

By IKE OGECHI HOPE

NYSC has problem with mismanagement, greed, corruption etc.

So many corps members being posted to urban rural areas find it difficult to get a good accommodation to stay for the whole year. The slogan “Nigeria is ours and Nigeria we serve” being memorized by the Ajuwayas at the orientation camps across the country runs contrary to the reality of every governance in Nigeria.

The educational sector which is the bedrock of all decays in the society has imparted negatively instead of positively in the lives of the youths in Nigeria.

The educational sector is becoming worse and worsen every day so many schools in the rural areas were the corps members are being posted to are not qualified to be called public school left alone private schools as most of the principal claim.

Principal of the various schools in the rural areas, now take advantage of the posting to punish the corps members by giving one corps member 4 subjects to

“Principals of the various schools in the rural areas, now take advantage of the posting to punish the corps members by giving one corps member 4 subjects to teach both primary and secondary schools therefore endangering the students.”

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Ajuwaya Today among others, these communities will not only benefit from the core manpower, but they will begin to appreciate the need for national unity.

It is not just the corps members who will be preaching national unity, but also the lost communities that will receive young men and women from various other communities to render services is their

state, Kogi state and River Niger will not have access to those professional qualification due to were they are been posted to, inconclusion, the management of NYSC should allocate centers to each local government to ease the corps members that have interest to obtain the professional qualification why still

domains.

An adage in Englishlanguage!

Which says”, do unto others what you want them to do unto you the NYSC as a whole post their love one’s to the city were they will have access to update them curriculum vitae (CV) with one or two professional qualifications like: NIM, ICAN, IPMP, ASCOM etc and the opportunity of getting job after service.

Other corps member posted to extreme end of Edo state precisely e.g Delta state, Ondo

serving their father land also the federal government should increase the allowance fee to thirty thousand naira (30,000) so that, corps member who has the skills and ability to set-up sole propertorship or partnership business will be able to save up to Two Hundred Thousand Naira (200,000) at the end of their service year. It will help the country to reduce high-rate of unemployment after passing –out of service and also creat opportunity for those with secondary school certificate and so on.

THE NIGERIAN

15

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Child Health And You

World Pneumonia Day: PNEUMONIA is the foremost killer of children being responsible for 17% of deaths among children aged below five years. Of the 6.6 million deaths that occurred in children aged below 5 years in 2013 1.1million was due to pneumonia. Most of the deaths from pneumonia occur in developing low and middle income countries. Nigeria has the second highest burden of pneumonia worldwide, with over 100,000 deaths occurring in 2011.

Pneumonia and the deaths resulting from it are preventable. It is for this reason that November 12th is celebrated yearly since 2009 to

(carbon dioxide). The oxygen taken in by the lungs is then transferred to the blood. The normal healthy lungs are made up of air sacs called alveoli.

When the lungs become infected the air sacs (alveoli) become filled with fluid or pus.

This makes the lungs to become unable to take in air and unable to breathe out waste. The inability of the lungs to take in adequate oxygen leads to too little oxygen in the blood which leads to death after few hours to a few days.

Who is at risk of pneumonia?

The organisms causing

create awareness on this disease that has such capacity for causing death but is so easily preventable. The theme for the celebration this year is “Fight pneumonia. Save a child” What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a disease affecting the lungs which are the organs used for breathing.

The lungs are located in the chest. Pneumonia is caused by small germs that cannot be seen by the naked eyes.

Different types of germs can cause pneumonia. These include viruses, bacteria and fungi. Viruses are the commonest cause of pneumonia. However bacteria are the commonest causes of pneumonia leading to death.

The commonest types of bacteria causing pneumonia are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus.

Every human being needs air and the lungs are responsible for taking in the air (oxygen) that the body needs while breathing out the waste

pneumonia are spread through droplets in the air produced during coughing and sneezing.

When these organisms are inhaled by a susceptible individual pneumonia develops. Some of the organisms are normal inhabitants of the nose and throat but may cause pneumonia when immunity is reduced.

There are various risk factors for pneumonia.

Young children are at risk of pneumonia. This is more so if they were not exclusively breastfed. Breast milk has important components which improve the immunity of children. Children who are malnourished are also at risk of pneumonia and they are more likely to die from pneumonia because their immunity is compromised. Up to 50% of deaths in under-fives is contributed to by malnutrition.

Children suffering from measles and pertussis (also known as whooping cough) are prone to pneumonia as these illnesses damage the

Fight The Scourge,

Save A Child

By AYEBO .E. SADOH

lungs making them vulnerable to infection with bacteria.

Thus, unimmunized children are also at risk for pneumonia.

Measles and pertussis are preventable by immunization.

Illnesses that lower immunity are also risk factors for pneumonia. Children who are infected with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) often have repeated episodes of pneumonia due to lowered immunity due to the effect of the HIV. Children on

the pus or air that has gathered compress the part of the lungs that is healthy. Other complications of pneumonia include heart failure, growth failure and chest wall abnormalities. The ultimate complication of pneumonia is death.

Treatment Pneumonia can be treated.

Outcomes are best when pneumonia is identified early and treatment started early.

The treatment for pneumonia

drugs such as steroids which lower immunity may also be at increased risk for pneumonia.

Some environmental factors also increase the susceptibility of children to pneumonia.

These include exposure to indoor air pollution by smoke from cooking with firewood and parental smoking.

Overcrowding also contributes to childhood pneumonia.

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia A child with pneumonia will present with cough, fever, difficulty in breathing, fast breathing, chest indrawing and grunting. Pneumonia is confirmed by chest radiographs (X-ray).

Complications of pneumonia Pneumonia can result in different complications. The damage by the bacteria can lead to fluid or pus (pleural effusion) forming inside the chest. It can also lead to air (pneumothorax) gathering inside the chest. All these make the lungs unable to get air as

is antibiotics taken at the correct dose and for the correct duration. Pneumonia should be treated by a health care worker.

Going to quacks for treatment or buying drugs over the counter only delays the time to effective treatment by a health care worker. Delay in appropriate treatment leads to development of complications.

Apart from antibiotics other supportive management may be required. These include administration of oxygen and draining of pus or air from the chest.

Prevention Childhood pneumonia can be prevented by use of simple low cost strategies. Exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first six months of life is a strategy that is available to most infants. Breast milk has anti –infective properties. It contains antibodies which help combat infection. Research has shown that children who are not breastfed and those not exclusively breastfed are more likely to develop pneumonia compared to those who were

exclusively breastfed. The protective effect of breastfeeding extends beyond the period of exclusive breastfeeding (first six months of life) to later infancy and the second year of life if the child continues to breastfeed.

Feeding children healthy nutritious food prevents malnutrition. Malnutrition results in decreased immunity making the child more susceptible to infections.

Children who are malnourished are not only at risk for pneumonia but have worse outcomes compared to well nourished children.

Smoke and residues from burning wood can damage the lungs. The damage in the lungs makes them vulnerable to infection by germs. The use of alternative fuels and improved stoves can protect children.

Safer alternatives to firewood and dung as cooking fuel include kerosene, gas, electricity and solar energy.

Putting a baby on the back and bending over the cooking pot (which is over firewood) means smoke gets into the baby’s lungs. Keeping young children away from the cooking area will also limit their exposure to smoke.

Parents who smoke should not do so in the vicinity of their children. Smoking should not be done within the home.

Overcrowding and poor ventilation increase the risk of pneumonia. Homes should be well ventilated.

Prevention of HIV can reduce pneumonia. The use of Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in children who are HIV infected reduces the incidence of pneumonia in this group of children.

Handwashing with soap and water is an important strategy to prevent infections in general.

Vaccinations Immunization is one of the major strategies in the prevention of pneumonia.

Immunization against measles and pertussis help to prevent pneumonia because these two diseases weaken the immunity and damage the lungs making children more vulnerable to pneumonia. Two of the organisms (Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae ) responsible for a large proportion of pneumonia have specific vaccines.

Haemophilus influenzae type b is one of the major causes of bacterial pneumonia and the vaccine against this is contained in the pentavalent vaccine. When a child receives pentavalent vaccine he/she is protected from pneumonia resulting from Haemophilus influenzae type b and pertussis.

Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV10) prevents pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae

which is responsible for a significant proportion of childhood pneumonia. This vaccine is being introduced into the Nigerian Programme on Immunization. PCV 10 will be available as from December 2014. The introduction is phased and Edo state is in the first phase. The children eligible for PCV 10 are those aged below 12 months. PCV 10 is given in 3 doses starting at age 6 weeks and given 4 weeks apart. PCV 10 will be given along with Penta and Oral polio vaccines.

PCV 10 is given as an intramuscular injection into the right outer thigh while Penta is given into the left outer thigh. Children who have already received their 3 doses of Penta, but are still younger than 12 months can receive PCV 10 and should do so.

Key messages ü Pneumonia is the foremost killer of children ü Symptoms of pneumonia include cough, fever, fast breathing, difficult breathing, chest in-drawing and ü Prompt antibiotic treatment of children with pneumonia prevents mortality ü Pneumonia can be prevented - Breastfeed babies under six months exclusively and continue breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond while introducing adequate complementary foods Avoid smoke Feed children with nutritious food Wash hands with soap and water frequently A v o i d overcrowding and keep homes well ventilated ALL BABIES AGED BELOW 12 MONTHS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PCV 10 Vaccinate your child. Demand for PCV 10.

DR (MRS) AYEBO SADOH (Associate Professor/ Consultant Paediatrician) Institute of Child Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin/ Department of Child Health, Paediatrics Infectious Disease Unit, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

‘CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, a Weekly Thursday Feature, is a collaborative initiative between the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, and the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Benin City.

Comments on this page should be forwarded to The Editor, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, Benin City or Director, Institute of Child Health University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.

THE NIGERIAN

16

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Spotlight Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa The States Parties to this Protocol, CONSIDERING that Article 66 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights provides for special protocols or agreement, if necessary to supplement the provisions of the African Charter, and that the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Thirty-first Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in June 1995, endorsed by resolution AHG/Res.240 (XXX I) the recommendation of the African Commission -on Human and Peoples Rights to elaborate a Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa; CONSIDERING that Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights enshrines the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status; FURTHER CONSIDERING that Article 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights calls on all States Parties to eliminate every discrimination against women and to ensure the protection of the rights of women as stipulated in international declarations and conventions; NOTING that Articles 60 and 61 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights recognise regional and international human rights instruments and African practices consistent with international norms on human and peoples rights as being important reference points for the application and interpretation of the African Charter; RECALLING that women’s rights have been recognised and guaranteed in all international human rights instruments, notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and its Optional Protocol, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and all other International and regional conventions and covenants relating to the rights of women as being inalienable, interdependent and indivisible human rights; NOTING that women’s rights and women’s essential role in development, have been reaffirmed in the United Nations’ Plans of Action on the Environment and Development in 1992, on Human Rights in 1993, on Population and Development in 1994 and on Social Development in 1995; RECALLING ALSO United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 1325 (2000) on the role of Women in promoting peace and security; REAFFIRMING the principle of promoting gender equality as enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union as well as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, relevant Declarations, Resolutions and Decisions, which underline the commitment of the African States to ensure the full participation of African women as equal partners in African’s development; FURTHER NOTING that the African Platform for Action and the Dakar Declaration of 1994 and the Beijing Platform for Action of 1995 call on all Member States of the Untied Nations, which have made a solemn commitment cut to implement them, to take concrete steps to give greater attention to the human rights of women in order to eliminate, all forms of discrimination and of gender-based violence against women; RECOGNISING the crucial role of women in the preservation of African values based on the principles of equality, peace, freedom, dignity, justice, solidarity and democracy; BEARING IN MIND related Resolutions, Declarations, Recommendations, Decisions, Conventions and other Regional and Sub-Regional instruments aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination and at promoting equality between women and men.

CONCERNED that despite the ratification of the African Chanter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international human rights instruments by the majority of States Parties, and their solemn commitment to eliminate all forms of discrimination and harmful practices against women, women in Africa still continue to be victims of discrimination and harmful practices; FIRMLY CONVINCED that any practice that hinders or endangers the normal growth and affects the physical and psychological development of women and girls should be condemned and eliminated; DETERMINED to ensure that the rights of women are promoted, realised and protected in order to enable them to enjoy fully all their human rights; HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 Definitions For the purpose of the present Protocol: a “African Charter” means the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights; b. “African Commission means the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights; c. “Assembly” means the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union; d. “AU means the African Union; e. Constitutive Act means the Constitutive Act of the African Union; f. Discrimination against women’ means any distinction, exclusion or restriction or any differential treatment based on sex and whose objectives or effects compromise or destroy the recognition,

African Commission On Hum

enjoyment of the exercise by women, regardless of their marital status, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in all spheres of life; g. “Harmful Practices’ means all behaviour, attitudes and/or practices which negatively affect the fundamental rights of women and girls, such as their right to life, health, dignity, education and physical integrity; h. “NEPAD” means the New Partnership for Africa’s Development established by the Assembly; i. “States Parties” means the States Parties to this Protocol; j “Violence against women” means all acts perpetrated against women which cause or could cause them physical, sexual, psychological, and economic harm, including the threat to take such acts; or to public life in peace time and during situations of armed conflicts of war. k. “Women” means persons of female gender, including girls; Article 2 Elimination of Discrimination Against Women 1, States Parties shall combat all forms of discrimination against women through appropriate legislative, institutional and other measures.

In this regard they shall: a. include in their national constitutions and other legislative instruments, if not already done, the principle of equality between women and men and ensure its effective application; b. enact and effectively implement appropriate legislative or regulatory measures, including those prohibiting and curbing all forms of discrimination particularly those harmful practices which endanger the health and general well-being of women; c. integrate a gender perspective in their policy decisions, legislation, development plans, programmes and activities and in all other spheres of life; d. take corrective and positive action in those areas where discrimination against women in law and in fact continues to exist; e. support the local, national, regional and continental initiatives directed at eradicating all forms of discrimination against women.

2. Parties shall commit themselves to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of women and men through public education, information, education and communication strategies, with a view to achieving the elimination of harmful cultural and traditional practices and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes, or on stereotyped roles for women and men.

Article 3: Right to Dignity - 1. Every woman shall have the right to dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition and protection of her human and legal rights; 2. Every woman shall have the right to respect as a person and to the free development of her personality; 3. States Parties shall adopt and implement appropriate measures to prohibit any exploitation or degradation of women; 4.States Parties shall adopt and implement appropriate measures to ensure the protection of every woman’s right to respect for her and protection of women from all forms of violence, particularly sexual and verbal violence.

Article 4 The flights to Life, Integrity and Security of the Person 1, Every woman shall be entitled to respect for her life and the integrity and security of her person. All forms of exploitation, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment shall he prohibited.

2. Stales Parties shall take appropriate and effective measures to: a. enact and enforce laws to prohibit all forms of violence against women including unwanted or forced sex whether the violence takes pl in private or public; b. adopt such other legislative, administrative, social and economic measures as may be necessary to ensure tile prevention, punishment and eradication of all forms of violence against women; c. identify the causes and consequences of violence against women and take appropriate measures to prevent and eliminate such violence; d. actively promote peace education through curricula and social communication in order to eradicate elements in traditional and cultural beliefs, practices and stereotypes which legitimise and exacerbate the persistence and tolerance of violence against women; e. punish the perpetrators of violence against women and implement programmes for the rehabilitation of women victims f. establish mechanisms and accessible services for effective information, rehabilitation and reparation for victims of violence against women g. prevent and condemn trafficking in women, prosecute the perpetrators of such trafficking and protect those women most at risk; h. prohibit all medical or scientific experiments on women without their informed consent; i. provide adequate budgetary arid other resources for the implementation and monitoring or actions aimed at preventing and eradicating violence against women; j. ensure that, in those countries where the death penalty still exists, not to carry out death sentences on pregnant or nursing women. k. ensure that women and men enjoy equal rights in terms of access to refugee status, determination procedures and that women refugees are accorded the full protection and benefits guaranteed under international refugee law, including their own identity arid other documents; Article 5 Elimination of harmful Practices States Parties shall prohibit and condemn all forms of harmful practices which negatively affect the human rights of women and which are contrary to recognized international standards. States Parties shall take

By BAOBAB INFONET

all necessary legislative and other measures to eliminate such practices, including. a. creation of public awareness in all sectors of society regarding harmful practices through information, formal and informal education and outreach programmes; b. prohibition, through legislative measures backed by sanctions, of all forms of female genital mutilation, scarification, medicalisation and pare-medicalisation of female genital mutilation and all other practices in order to eradicate them; c. provision or necessary support to victims of harmful practices through basic services such us health services, legal arid judicial support emotional and psychological counselling as well as vocational training to make them self – supporting. d. protection of women who are at risk of being subjected to harmful practices or all other forms of violence, abuse and intolerance.

Article 6 :Marriage States Parties shall ensure that women and men enjoy equal rights and are regarded as equal partners in marriage. They shall

d. in and m proper Arti Law Wom right to take al a. ef includi b sup directe legal a c. the structu everyo c. th effectiv e, th enforc practic

AU Headquarter enact appropriate national legislative measures to guarantee that: a. no marriage shall take place without the free arid full consent of both parties; b. the minimum age of marriage for women shell be 18 years; c. monogamy is encourage as the preferred form of marriage and that the rights of women in marriage and family, including polygamous marital relationships are promoted and p protected. d. every marriage shall be recorded in writing and registered in accordance with national laws, in order to be legally recognised e. the husband arid wife shall, by mutual agreement, choose their matrimonial regime and place of residence; f. a married woman shall have the right to retain her maiden name, to use it as she pleases, jointly or separately with her husbands surname; g. a woman shall have the right to retain her nationality or to acquire the nationality of her husband; h. a woman shall have equal rights, with respect to the nationality of their children except where this is contrary to a provision in national legislation or is contrary to national security interests; i. a woman and a man shall jointly contribute to safeguarding the interests or the family, protecting and educating their children; j. during her marriage, a woman shall have the right to acquire her own property and to administer and manage it freely..

Article 7 : Separation, Divorce and Annulment of Marriage States Parties shall enact appropriate legislation to ensure that women and men enjoy the same rights in case of separation, divorce or annulment of marriage. In this regard, they shall ensure that: a. separation, divorce or annulment of a marriage shall be effected by judicial order; b women and lien shall have the same rights to seek separation, divorce or annulment of a marriage; c. in case of separation, divorce or annulment of marriage, women and men shall have reciprocal rights and responsibilities towards their children. In any case, the interests of the children shall be given paramount importance; -

Art Mak Sta partic the p enabl a. b. c.

2. repre maki Ar Wo partic 2. S the in a. in .b. mana conti c. i decis socia and d d. i of cam and d e. i of po 3. milita

THE NIGERIAN

17

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Spotlight

man And Peoples Rights

case of separation, divorce or annulment of marriage, women en shall have the right to an equitable sharing of the joint rty deriving from the marriage. cle 8 Access to Justice arid Equal Protection before the

men and men are equal before the law and shall have the o equal protection and benefit of the law. States Parties shall ll appropriate measures to ensure: ffective access by women to judicial and legal services, ing legal aid; pport to local, national regional and continental initiatives ed at providing women access to legal services, including aid; e establishment of adequate educational and other appropriate ures with particular attention to women and to sensitise one to the rights of women; hat law enforcement organs at all levels are equipped to vely interpret and enforce gender equality rights; hat women are represented equally in the judiciary and law ement organs; reform of existing discriminatory laws and ces in order to promote and protect the rights of women.

ticle 9 Right to Participation in the Political and Decisionking Process ates Parties shall take specific positive action to promote cipative governance and the equal participation of women in political life of their countries through affirmative action, ling national legislation and other measures to ensure that: women participate without any discrimination in all election. women are generally equality at all level with men in all electoral women are equal partner with men at all level of development and implementation of state polices and development programme States parties shall ensure increased and effective esentation and participation of women at all level of decisioning. ticle 10: Right to Peace omen have the right to a peaceful existence and the right to cipate in the promotion and maintenance of peace.

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure ncreased participation of women: n programmes of education for peace and a culture of peace; in the structures and processes for conflict prevention, agement and resolution at local, - national, regional, inental and international levels; in the local, national, regional, continental and international sion making structures to ensure physical, psychological, al and legal protection of asylum seekers, refugees, returnees displaced persons, in particular women; in all levels of the structures established for the management mps and settlements for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees displaced persons, in particular, women; in all aspects of planning, formulation and implementation ost conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation.

States Parties shall take the necessary measures to educe ary expenditure significantly in favour of spending on social

development in general, and the promotion of women in particular.

Article 11: Protection of Women in Armed Conflicts 1. States Parties undertake to respect and ensure respect for the rules of international humanitarian law applicable in armed conflict situations which affect the population, particularly women.

2. States Parties shall, in accordance with the obligations incumbent upon them under the international humanitarian law, protect civilians including women, irrespective of the population to which they belong, in the event of armed conflict.

3. States Parties undertake to protect asylum seeking women, refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons, against all forms of violence, rape and other forms of sexual exploitation, and to ensure that such acts are considered war crimes, genocide and/or crimes against humanity and that their perpetrators are brought to justice before a competent criminal jurisdiction.

4. States Parties shall take all necessary measures to ensure that no child, especially girls under 18 years of age, take a direct part in hostilities and that no child is recruited as a soldier.

Article 12 Right to Education and Training 1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: a. eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and guarantee equal opportunity and access in the sphere of education and training; b. eliminate all stereotypes in textbooks, syllabuses and the media, that perpetuate such discrimination. c. protect women, especially the girl-child train all forms of abuse, including sexual harassment in schools and other educational institutions and provide for sanctions against the perpetrators of such practices; d. provide access to counselling and rehabilitation services to women who suffer abuses and sexual harassment e. integrate gender sensitisation and human rights education at all levels or education curricula including teacher training.

2. States Parties shall take specific positive action to: a. promote literacy among women; b. promote education and training for women at all levels and in all disc particularly in the fields of science and technology; c. promote the enrolment and retention of girls in schools and other training institutions and the organisation of programmes for women who leave school prematurely.

Article 13 Economic and Social Welfare Rights States shall adopt and enforce legislative and other measures to guarantee women equal opportunities in work and career advancement and other economic opportunities. In this respect they shall: a. promote equality of access to employment; b. promote the right to equal remuneration for jobs or equal value for women and men; c. ensure transparency in recruitment, promotion and dismissal of women and combat and punish sexual harassment in the workplace; d. guarantee women the freedom to choose their occupation, and protect them from exploitation by their employers violating and exploiting their fundamental rights as recognised and guaranteed by conventions, laws and regulations in force; e. create conditions to promote and support the occupations and economic activities of women, in particular, within the informal sector; f. establish a system of protection and social insurance for women working in the informal sector and sensitise them to adhere to it; g. introduce a minimum age for work and prohibit the employment of children below that age, and prohibit, combat and punish all forms of exploitation of children, especially the girl-child; h. take the necessary measures to recognise the economic value of the work of women in the home; i. guarantee adequate and paid pre and post—natal maternity leave in both the private and public sectors; j. ensure the equal application of taxation laws to women and men; k. recognise and enforce the right of salaried women to the same allowances and entitlements as those granted to salaried men for their spouses and children; I. recognise that both parents bear the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of Children and that this is a social function for which the State and the private sector have secondary responsibility; m. take effective legislative and administrative measures to prevent the exploitation and abuse of women in advertising and pornography.

Article 14 Health and Reproductive Rights 1. States Parties shall ensure that the right to health of women, including sexual and reproductive health is respected and promoted.

This includes: a. the right to control their fertility; b. the right to decide whether to have children, the number of children and the spacing of children; C. the right to choose any method of contraception; d. the right to self protection and to be protected against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS; e. the right to be informed on one’s health status and on the health status of one’s partner, particularly if affected with sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, in accordance with

internationally recognised standards and best practices; f. the right to have family planning education.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: a. provide adequate, affordable and accessible health services, including information, education and communication programmes to women especially those in rural areas; b. establish and strengthen existing pre-natal, delivery and post— natal health and nutritional services for women during pregnancy and while they are breast-feeding; c. protect the reproductive rights of women by authorising medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest, and where the continued pregnancy endangers the mental and physical health of the mother or the life of the mother or the foetus.

Article 15 Right to Food Security States Parties shall ensure that women have the right to nutritious and adequate food. In this regard, they shall take measures to: a. provide women with access to clean drinking water, sources or domestic fuel, land, and the means of producing nutritious food; b. establish adequate systems of supply and storage to ensure food security.

Article 16 Right to Adequate Housing Women shall have the right to equal access to housing and to acceptable living conditions in a healthy environment. To ensure this right, States Parties shall grant to women, whatever their marital status, access to adequate housing.

Article 17 : Right to Positive Cultural Context 1. women shall have the right to live in a positive cultural context and to participate at all levels in the determination of cultural policies.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to enhance the participation of women in the formulation of cultural policies at all levels.

Article 18 Right to a Healthy and Sustainable Environ meat 1. Women shall have the right to live in a healthy and sustainable environment.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: a. ensure greater participation of women in the planning, management and preservation of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources at all levels; b. promote research and investment in new and renewable energy sources and appropriate technologies, including information technologies and facilitate women’s access to, and participation in their control; c. protect and enable the development of women’s indigenous knowledge systems; d. (d. sic.) regulate the management, processing, storage and disposal of domestic waste; e. (d. sic.) ensure that proper standards are followed for the storage, transportation and disposal of toxic waste.

Article 19 : Right to Sustainable Development Women shall have the right to fully enjoy their right to sustainable development. In this Connection, the States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: a. introduce the gender perspective in the national development planning procedures; b. ensure participation of women at all levels in the conceptualisation decision-making, implementation and evaluation of development policies and programmes; C. promote women’s access to and control over productive resources such as land and guarantee their right a property; d. promote women’s access to credit, training, skills development and extension services at rural and urban levels in order to provide women with a higher quality of life and reduce the level of poverty among women; e. take into account indicators of human development specifically relating to women in the elaboration of development policies and programmes; and f. .ensure that tile negative effects of globalisation and any adverse effects of the implementation of trade and economic policies and programmes are reduced to the minimum for women.

Article 20: Widows’ Rights States Parties shall take appropriate legal measures to ensure that widows enjoy all human rights through the implementation of the following provisions: a. that widows are not subjected to inhuman, humiliating or degrading treatment; b. a widow shall automatically become the guardian and custodian of her children, after the death of her husband, unless this is contrary to the interests and the welfare of the children; c. a widow shall have the right to remarry, and in that event, to marry the person of her choice.

Article 21 : Right to Inheritance A widow shall have the right to an equitable share in the inheritance of the property of her husband. A widow shall have the right to continue to live in the matrimonial house. In case of remarriage, she shall retain this right if the house belongs to her or she has inherited it.

Article 22: Special Protection of Elderly Women The States parties undertake to. a. provide protection to elderly women and take specific measures commensurate with their physical, economic and social needs as well as their’ access to employment and professional training; b. ensure the right of elderly women to freedom from violence, including sexual abuse, discrimination based on age and the right to be treated with dignity.

THE NIGERIAN

18

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Trends Continued from pg 13

different people. The Melancholic part would dominate in this case.

This is like how purple light is made up of red and blue, but it can’t be said to have a red side or to blue sometimes.

The blended colour is distinct from both blue and red and neither can be isolated, despite it being made from them both.

Temperaments are not passing moods, or phases in our attitudes.

They are the foundations of our emotional natures, which stay constant throughout life from birth until death, even though every other aspect of our personality may change. Remember, temperaments are only one of many facets of a person’s personality!

This is like how – as a full grown adult – you may build muscles, wear different clothes, get a different hairstyle, and so on, but your skeleton will not change through any of this; you won’t grow taller. You won’t change sex or eye colour either.

Our views, our beliefs, our tastes, our confidence levels…All these things do change while staying bound to a fundamental temperament. The temperament affects how these things change.

For example, if subjected to abuse, a

choleric person might become aggressive towards others in other to express their built up anger and to have control and dominance that they cannot have around their abuser.

A phlegmatic person put through the same abuse might become self-destructive or catatonic. The same stimulus affects people in different ways due to their temperaments.

Temperaments are determined by nature not nurture.

While you get a vague idea of a person’s interests or behaviour from their temperaments, they cannot be used to predict such things with any kind of certainty.

However, they can be used to understand “why” a person did a specific thing, and they determine their approach to a specific situation. For example, in response to teasing, a phlegmatic person might retreat within themselves and cry, because they are shy, sensitive and submissive, while a choleric person might start a fight, as they are bold, domineering, proud, and aggressive.

Melancholic are sensitive, but being sensitive does not make you ‘part melancholic’.

Also, there’s not really such a thing as “choleric traits”, the choleric temperament can be described using a list of

... Personalities Behind The Clouds

traits, but a person is not “part choleric” just because they have one single trait from that list.

Lets say you describe an animal using the following list of traits; pointed ears long fast

However, taking one in isolation say, pointy ears-doesn’t work; cats have pointy ears but are not horses. Nor are they part horse, since the

of temperament does not mean that you aren’t that temperament if you do fit the whole picture.

Why Use Temperaments?

legs, a long face, short fur, and a name on its neck!

From combining those traits into one, you’d get something like a horse.

word horse is not used in that way.

Similarly, losing a leg doesn’t make a horse into a different animal.

Lacking a common trait

Some people oppose and reject personality systems because they feel that they cheapen individuality, that every one’s far too special to be categorized in this way.

However, having a vague understanding of personality types can be extremely useful in your interactions with others, not to mention that you’ll learn more about yourself and how

“While you get a vague idea of a person’s interests or behaviour from their temperaments, they cannot be used to predict such things with any kind of certainty.”

others may see you, or why you do the things that you do.

Different temperaments react to things in different ways, and understanding how to interact with others in a way that they are receptive to is the key to getting along with them and making them happy.

For example, choleric people expect to prove themselves by being challenged, and the challenge others rather confrontationally because of this. Other choleric will respond well, and friendships may form as two choleric come to respect each others strength.

However, phlegmatic respond very poorly to being challenged as the they have absolutely no desire to “prove themselves.” They prefer nice, gentle friendliness, and get along best with people who do not threaten them. If choleric person was to approach a phlegmatic in the way he’d like to be approached by challenging them-they will just get upset and scared and he wouldn’t know what he did wrong.

Some models of the temperaments concept add a fifth temperament – “Supine” to the mix.

It’s not really talked about because many feel it is not necessary.

With blends, it’s unnecessary to have five temperaments, as the number is effectively brought to twelve instead.

Know the temperaments and realize how easy human relations can be.

THE NIGERIAN

19

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

A]. INTRODUCTION Given a circle, centre 0 and radius r, the shaded region in the diagram below represents the sector of the circle.

circle with radius 3cm, if the angle of the sector is 60o. (UME, 1993).

Solution: Recall that area, a =

0 2 o x þr 360

Mathematics With Stanley Osobase 08023454887 Osobase2001@yahoo.co.uk

Substituting, we have:

Mensuration: Sector Of A Circle Mi

A

Minor sector

360

arc

Major arc

nor

a = 60 x

0 Major segment

3.142 x 3 x 3 1

14cm is 21cm long. What angle does it subtend at the centre of the circle? (NABTEB, 2004).

Solution: Recall that arc length,

on cancelling, we have: a = 4.7cm2 Answer

B

Example 3 Fig. 1 An arc of a circle subtends an o With 0 as the angle subtended angle of 30 on the circumference at the centre of the sector A0B ??? of a circle of radius 21cm. Find the length of the arc. (UME, 2003). the minor arc AB, then: Solution: (1). The arc length = Recall that arc length, 0 x 2þr unit; 0 360o L= o x 2þr 360 (2). The pereimeter, P = 2r + arc 30 21 length then L = x 2 x 22 x 0 x 2þr unit; 360o 0 2 The area, a = o x þr 360

:- P = 2r + (3).

squared unit B].APPLICATION EXAMPLES

Example 1 An arc of a circle subtends an angle of 75o at the centre of the circle. If the diameter of the circle is 7cm, what is the length of the arc? (NECO, 2001).

Solution: Recall that arc length, L=

0 x 2þr 360o

Substituting, we have: o 2 x 22 75 L= x x 7 360o

7 2

On cancelling, we have: L = 4.58cm Answer Example 2 Find the area of the sector of

360

1

7

on cancelling out, we have: L = 11cm Answer

0

L = 360 x 2þr Substituting, we have 0 2þr 21 = x 360

or 21 =

0 x 360o

1

2 x þ x 14 1

or 21 x 360o = 28þ0 21 x 360 :- 0 = 28þ o 270 :- 0 = þ (on cancelling) Ans

Example 6 The angle of a sector of a circle radius 7cm is 108o. Calculate the Example 4 Calculate the perimeter of a perimeter of the sector. sector of a circle of radius 14cm, (Take þ = 27 ) (WAEC).

7 which subtends an angle of 140o Solution: at the centre. (NECO, 2002).

Recall that perimeter, Solution: P = 2r + arc length Recall that Perimeter, Substituting, we have: 2 x 22 x 7 P = 2r + arc length 108 P = 2(7) + x 7 360 0 = 2r + x 2þr 360o = 14 + 66 = 14 + 13.2 5 2 x 22 x 14 :- P = 27.2cm Answer = 2(14) + 140 x 360 = 28 + 22 x 14 9

7

= 28 + 34.2 :- P = 62.2cm Answer Example 5 An arc of a circle of radius

Drills (1). An arc of a circle radius 7cm is 14cm long. What angle does the arc subtend at the centre of the circle?

(Take þ = 27). (WAEC).

7

Ans = 114.5o

Until next edition, remain blessed solving Maths.

Remember to watch EBSTV on Thursdays at 4pm!

THE NIGERIAN

20

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Motoring

Defensive Driving Techniques NOWADAYS driving according to the rules and regulation the road by a driver does not necessarily guarantee his or her safety.

This is because you may be driving well and still be involved in accidents. Bad drivers (Killer) often decide the fate so many innocent road users.

The problem could be traced to the fact that majority of the drivers plying Our roads may not be mentally, emotionally, psychologically and physical stable, coupled with the basic truth that great percentage of the motorists are not disciplined and dedicated to their developing positive driving skills and attitude perceptions. Many drivers do not concentrate behind the steering, thus driving with absent minds.

The solution to the problem Is an individual approach called defensive driving and safe driving. Practice widely termed defensive techniques.

Defensive driving could be described as driving techniques to avoid accidents, thus saving lives, time, money and properties inspite of incorrect actions of other road users, e.g. motorists, cyclists, tricycles, pedestrians, truck pushers, etc.

A driver should always avoid a situation where his safety depends mainly on the response of another driver of a vehicle.

Element of defensive driving practices lies in the drivers conviction that: + Every other road is a potential threat to him and that he is also a threat to other road users.

• Every other road users should be regarded as a mad person; + He should be ready to protect himself or herself against all kinds of accident causing situations; + A defensive driver should always react in the correct manner when faced with unexpected emergencies. + A driver should be able to reorganize hazards; understand the defenses and act in time to prevent accidents and he should not panic at any emergency situations.

AIMS; + Preventing or avoiding accident or collision; *Reducing the effect of collision or accident if it could not be avoided and + Survival driving to stay alive *Drive with care, stay alive and alert reap the fruit of your good driving. Be sure that all safety gadgets (brake light, brake, reversing light, rear-light, horn, trafficators, Rear and side view mirror, speedometers etc. are functioning properly.

In the raining season when the road is wet, always reduce speed to avoid problem on slippery surface and when the rain is heavy, apply commonsense speed limit and drive with caution and turn on your parking lights as a warning other motorists.

Limit your speed to the approved commended lit. Expressway 100 kmp Highways 80kmp Urban/local road 50kmp. The speed limit is subject to local condition only not applicable at adverse road condition.

Defensive driving is the art of pre-emptying the attention of other motorists on the road wit without them trafficating or signaling their attention. The knowledge will always prepare you to be in a better position to avert danger on the road since you will not trust any body on wheel. There are many things we can’t control while driving, but we can control our behaviour and actions. Drive error accounts for more than 70 percent of all collision.

If you are a young driver remember that though your reaction time may be fast, inexperience may cause a fast but incorrect reaction. Drive within the speed limits and any attention to you driving.

Practices scanning down the road instead of directly in front of your vehicle. This will help you spot hazards no time to act correctly. Stay alert; don’t think that because you have experience behind the wheel you can’t be involve in a collusion. *If you are stressed or anxious. Change your state of mind before getting behind the wheel * Change your driving habits to fit your physical abilities. * Drive shorter distance. Stay out of heavy, fast traffic. *Stay on familiar roads and streets.

AVOIDING COLLISION AT ROUND ABOUT: *Be watchful *Don’t assume field of way either to the left or right * Give way to traffic on your left *Don’t change lanes indiscriminately * Trafficate your exit (turning) on time *’ Maintain your exit lane in good time * Never face traffic round about *. The condition of the driver that could affect his/her driving ability vision *’ Poor vision can impair driving ability. Many people suffer from night blindness, while others are prone to glare blindness.

Other suffers from reduced vision caused by glaucoma or rarely, a vitamin. A deficiency, other drivers use. Drug that can reduce vision and some drivers require to wear glasses for contact lenses fail to do so what is night blindness?

Night blindness is an inability of the light sensitive cells (roads) in the retina of the eye to w effectively. This may also result in limited vision in low high. People suffering from night blindness may have difficulty In distinguishing movement of shape objects in subdued light or darkness. They may also have difficulty In judging distance and speeds of moving objects such

With Osagie Aifuwa

as no coming traffic or vehicle ahead or behind In them. When driving in adverse condition.

HOW TO PREVENT COLLISION AND DEFENCE AHEAD: You must keep safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead; you may use two seconds rules by reciting e.g. saver safer. *You must decrease you following distance on wet road or adverse weather condition by using four seconds rule: *Always have good anticipation during an emergency situation *Always have adverse foresight on the vehicle ahead of you, to avoid collision with the vehicle behind. *You have to be alert to study situation and conditions around you *You have to be alert all the time and make use of your mirror always imbibe in the LSM (look signal movement) look at your mirror. Signal your intention by making use of your trafficator indicating your next direction. *Show your intention in good time before and not after your turning * Discourage trail gaiters always, allow them to pass * Always stop safety smoothly when necessary.

COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE YOU ARE PASSING * One of the causes of head on collision is improper overtaking and passing. * How do you determine if the pass is necessary of legal. * First ask yourself if the pass is necessary and safe (legal or illegal) * Maintain proper following distance * Took ahead * Look behind by using your side mirror and the inner mirror * Trafficate or signal left * Check behind sport places you cannot see with the aid of your mirrors unless by using your direct looking with your eyes *Tap your born to fore warn that vehicle ahead of you that you be seen; * Move left, into the passing land, do not overtake or pass a vehicle through the right lane because you may not be seen while making the illegal passing; * Increase your speed by accelerating if necessary * Signal right.

DRIVING AT NIGHT OR DAY TIME MAKE sure all your lamps work and that your headlamps are properly adjusted, badly adjusted headlamps can dazzle others users and lead to accidents.

VIEWING DISTANCE Make sure that you drive In Such a way that you always stop well within the distance you can see to be clear ahead with your headlamp.

REMEMBER: Accidents, which occur at night times, tend to be more fatal because help may not get you in good time as other road users may not see you, or may net stop. Also there are fewer road users. Your life Is in your hands, exercise extra care!

DIPPING HEADLAMPS: dip your headlamps when meeting other users vehicles or road user before dazzle drive your vehicle traveling in the same direction in front of you. DAZZLING LIGHTS: IF you are dazzled by approaching headlamps slow down or stop and ‘keep an eye on the right kerbed and stay close to It. Do not stare into headlamps.

IN BUILT-UP AREAS: Dip your headlamps at night built-up areas.

FLASHING HEADLAMPS: flashing of headlamps has the same meaning as sounding your born-to let another road user know you are there. You should not sound your horn at night except in case of extreme emergencies.

BASIC SAFETY RULES. 1. Keep your vehicle in good condition. Pay particular attention to light, brakes, steering, tyres and direction indicator. Keep windscreens and windows clean and free of abstractions.

2. Use your rear view and wing mirrors before moving off, overtaking, turning slowing down or stopping.

3. Signal your intentions in good time and before executing them.

4. On the highway, keep well within your lane. Do not wander from lane to lane or change lane suddenly.

5. Always obey traffic officers in the lawful performance of their duties.

6. Do not reverse into a major road or expressway and on any road at all. Do not reverse for more than eight meters.

7. Get to know the major traffic signs and road marking and obey them.

THE NIGERIAN

21

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Development Edo:

Dwindling Revenue Allocation,Threat To Development

By INWALOMHE DONALD

EDO State budget is funded through the Federation Account, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and other sources of revenue to the state. The people of Edo State are worried that Edo State derives the bulk of its revenue from statutory allocation from the Federation Account which is today dwindling for the funding of capital and recurrent expenditures. Today, there is need to sustain and redouble our efforts to substantially reduce our dependence on the Federation Account allocation by intensifying our IGR drive.

Recently, states have complained that revenue accruing from the federation account has been drastically dwindling and fluctuating with the consequence that the states and LG’s got much less.

In 2014, the revenue performance is affected by the drop in the allocation from the Federation Account which adversely affected the revenue profile of Edo state. Governor Oshiomhole has remained faithful to payments of wage obligation despite the dwindling allocation and reduction from inflow from the federal sources. Oshiomhole has sustained his policy of financial prudence and budget discipline which has kept the cost of governance within reasonable limits and ensured that more resources are channelled to capital expenditures and welfare enhancing projects.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole on October 3rd, 2013 warned that Nigeria was witnessing financial crisis since most states were unable to pay salaries to their workers. He noted that the inability of the Federal Government to meet its financial obligations to state governments was a recipe for national disaster, which has serious security implications. The dwindling Federal revenue to Edo State could not allow Governor Adams Oshiomhole to fully implement 2014 Edo State budget. IGR seems to be the last resort for Governor Oshiomhole who do not want to be necessarily waiting for federal allocation that may not be available in the nearest foreseeable future. Unfortunately, most of our people hardly pay tax. The federal monthly allocation to Edo state for sometimes now has nosedived. Consequently, serious political discussion on the implication of it on the welfare, and economic development of the state is on-going. Oshiomhole since last year is a victim of this very unusual anomaly in Edo State from the federation account.

Oshiomhole has not borrowed and he is not like Dr. OkonjoIweala, Minister for Finance who revealed last week that a whopping $14.1 billion loans had been facilitated by her ministry for various federal sectors’ programmes and projects at concessionary rates of sometimes as low as three per cent from the international finance market. Some of the loans, she added have moratorium of between 5-10 years and are to be repaid in 25 years, thus making them cheaper and more attractive than borrowing from the domestic market. She assured, however, that the administration was very mindful of the debt-overhang history of the nation and would not borrow so much as to put the nation under another debt burden, as was the case until 2005. Edo State Government does not have the power to borrow like Federal Government. despite what Edo is losing much money from the federation account.

Edo generates about N18 billion IGR but is weighed down by a salaries bill of more than N28 billion yearly. Dwindling federal revenue allocation to Edo State is having adverse effect on the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and implementation of 2014 Edo State Budget. Today, Oshiomhole is struggling to ensure that the effect is minimal and the Governor now relies on IGR to pay workers salaries. The review of the country’s revenue sharing formula last year by the federal government was part of the problem which led to Edo state losing about N800 million in November and December, 2013. The worrisome issue is that if the fund doesn’t come in as at when due, they will not have appreciable effect on the Edo state, IGR, budget and the economy. It affects every aspect of the state. It will affect the resident’s purchasing power and their ability to employ people. And when they employ more people, they are able to pay more taxes. It is a network of effect that if the state doesn’t look into it, even the Edo IGR that has constitute 65 per cent of the state revenue at this time will be threatened.

It has been estimated that the state government has lost over N2 billion monthly in the last 12 months while each of the 18 local government councils in the state lost about N200million monthly during this period from the Federation Account.

Today, most local government in Edo State cannot pay workers

monthly salary because of the dwindling revenue from the federation account. The problem of shortfall from the federation account to the states actually started early last year but the federal government was augmenting it from the period the problem commenced till August 2013. The minister of state for finance, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, while speaking at the FAAC meeting in July, blamed the decline in the amount which accrued to the federation account on oil theft and vandalisation of oil pipelines in parts of the country. The people of Edo State should not blame Oshiomhole over the implementation of budget because the dwindling federal revenue to Edo State does not allow Oshiomhole to fully implement the budget. Oshiomhole is facing double jeopardy over his obligation to implement budget and the dwindling federal revenue to Edo State.

Iweala, recently hinted that Revenue earned by Nigeria this year may be as much as $12 billion short of budget estimates as theft of crude and output disruptions persist in the oil-rich Niger River delta. This shortfall will put pressure negatively on Edo IGR and threaten the implementation of Edo 2014 Budget.

Without federal funds, most states cannot even afford salaries payment, not to talk of executing any projects. Most states have had to take short-term bank loans to settle wages whenever there were delays in the monthly disbursements by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). Each of the 36 states pays yearly salaries in two-digit billions, but most of them generate IGR in single-digit billions annually.

Gov Adams Oshiomhole If Edo state has projected from the beginning of the year what it would earn and spend from the federation account.

But midway it will change the rule, the federal government is putting Edo state into jeopardy, the effectiveness of the state in achieving its set goal at the beginning of the year.

“Ordinarily, without reviewing the revenue sharing formula; from the federal allocation if at all it will come in full which it didn’t, we lost close to about N800 million in November and December last year.”

Edo has its revenue slashed monthly from N3.6 billion to about N1.1 billion for no just cause. Lets look at this slashed allocation. Edo pays over N 2 billion to his workers monthly and over 600 million to his pensioners. That is without other obligatory expenditure monthly. So, how does Edo survive with about N 1.1 billion monthly from the federation account.

But for his sagacity and economic wizardry, Governor Oshiomhole would have been unable to cope .The dependence on oil wealth no doubt made the drive for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) less important. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that N16.07 billion IGR was generated by other states with the exception of Lagos in 2012, Lagos alone generated 38% of total IGR in the country. In Edo within five and half years of Oshiomhole’s administration he increased Internally generated revenue from 300 million naira to about 1.5 billion naira without increasing tax.

Despite the planned Federal Government budget deficit of 1.9 percent in 2014 as against 1.8 percent 2013, and borrowing at N572 billion, as against this year’s N577 billion, I argue that there was the likelihood of upside risks to spending, deficit and borrowing, due to declining revenue and growing spending habit. Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-

Indications are rife that the Federal Government (FG) and the other federating units, states and local governments- are facing a grim financial crises arising from steadily dwindling national income derived predominantly from the sale of crude oil. Since last year there have been rumblings at the monthly Federal Revenue Accounts Allocation Committee (FRAAC) where the commissioners of finance from the 36 states of Nigeria and their Federal counterpart meet monthly to review national earning chiefly from crude oil and share the proceeds to the federating units according to the statutory revenue allocation formula which gives the bulk of the revenue to the monolithic FG leaving the states and local governments (LG) with less.

This shortfall in revenue has made it increasingly difficult for Edo state and the 18 local government councils to pay salaries to their civil servants as well as service their contractual obligations. When the going was good, the FRAAC for instance in July, 2013, shared N1.014 trillion among Nigeria’s federating units. But by October the same year, the income accruing had plummeted to N568.413 billion, the lowest for many months. Last November, the FG, states and LGs received an uncomfortable N675.650 billion between them which again nosedived by a miserable 581.14 billion in December, 2013. In January, 2014, only N629.12 was available for sharing to the three tiers of government.

Edo people are worried that the dwindling revenue from federation account is threatening the implementation of this year Edo budget and giving much problem to the internally generated revenue in Edo State.

Inwalomhe Donald, Justice Research Centre, Benin City

THE NIGERIAN

22

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Opinion

DELTA State is today better than what it used to be in the late eighties and nineties. The military era could not do much in the state in terms of socio-economic advancement until Governor james Onanefe Ibori emerged as the second democratically elected governor in 1999. He pioneered what is today the socio-economic revolution that is currently taking place. He paid reasonable attention to education, poverty alleviation, infrastructural development, political mobilization, commerce and industry, Agriculture and lot more. His legacy is there till date.

Ibori performed creditably to the best of his ability and handed over the mantle of leadership to His Excellence, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2007. From 2007 till date, his administration has improved upon the monumental achievements of Chief Ibori through deliberate economic policies that has shaped today and will enhance the economic future of Delta State. He has invested state funds in strategic areas which are now yielding positive results. In the aviation and transportation sectors, he built an international airport in Asaba to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services in Delta State and neighbouring states of Anambra, et al.

The General Hospital in Oghara is equipped with the state of the art and highly sophisticated diagnostics imaging machines such that the medical pilgrimage to foreign countries, especially to India, has reduced drastically.

Upgrades of other hospitals across the state added value to health care delivery in the state and it is hoped that Gov Uduaghan will sustain the temple so as to drastically reduce maternal mortality in the State. He has received several local and international awards for his contributions to the health sector since 2007 when he took over the affairs of Delta State as the third democratically elected Governor.

The poverty alleviation programmes of the state government are highly commendable. The zero percent microfinance loans giving to indigenes of the state, particularly the market women, peasant farmers and petty traders has increased their capital base for business activities thereby increasing the number of gainfully self employed persons in the state. The education sector has received special attention with the building of modern colleges and primary schools across the state.

The administration has made giant strides in the education sector particularly in equipping colleges and tertiary institutions, building hostels, libraries and conducive learning environment. The bursary and scholarship schemes have been improved upon and payment system made more transparent and easy. The agricultural sector has also received a major boost and efforts are in top gear to ensure that the food basket of the state is sustained.

Several roads have been either rehabilitated or new ones constructed across the three senatorial districts in Delta State.

Indeed, the Uduaghan administration has opened up commercial activities in the city centres and in the riverine areas through mass transit buses and water-ways boat transportation system. Of a truth, no government can provide all the needs of its people which is why the state government is currently partnering with the private sector in the area of power generation, housing and infrastructural development.

Plans for the construction of commercial and industrial park estates have reached advance stages and sooner than later Delta State will be a major industrial State in Nigeria.

Governor Uduaghan’s administration crafted and nursed the DELTA BEYOND OIL INITIATIVE. It is an economic policy intended to boost the economic prosperity of Deltans outside the total dependence on crude oil exports proceeds from the federal government. It is a truism that oil may dry up someday in the state or even in the country, which is why every responsive and proactive government must look elsewhere to attract self sustaining economic strategies for

Uduaghan’s Legacy, The Future Of Delta State

By DR FRED OGHENESIVBE

its people.

Governor Uduaghan took the lead in this sphere of economic reasoning and came out with the Delta Beyond Oil Initiative (DBOI) which some other state governments are now fusing into their economic policies.

To this end, the Uduaghan’s administrations is critical about the over dependent on oil and have now funded vocational training and skills acquisition programmes for Deltans to enable them generate income that will make them not to be fully dependent on government and proceeds from crude oil allocations. Thousands of Deltans have undergone different vocational trainings and more are still undergoing training

formulation of socio-economic policies for the State since the advent of democratic government in 1999. He served in Ibori’s administration and subsequently under the incumbent Governor, Dr Emmanuel Iweta Uduaghan. Some leading democrats in Delta State went all out to fish out Sir Obuh for the governorship race. Some of them had the opportunity of working with the aspirant in various state constituted economic policy formation committees where he exhibited exceptional talent and intelligent.

The argument of Sir Obuh’s promoters is that he will sustain the good economic policies of the Uduaghan’s administration because he was part of the formulation and implementation.

Delta Beyond Oil Initiative is one of such economic policies which is dear to the hearts of Deltans. A little push and additional synergy in its implementation will increase the

Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan

both in Nigeria and overseas.

Governor Uduaghan’s administration terminal date is May 29, 2015 and the question Deltans are asking is; who will take the state to the next level in terms of economic prosperity and good governance? It is a well known fact that there is no “Vacuum” in government; therefore His Excellency must hand over power to another democratically elected Governor in 2015. To sustain the laudable achievements of this administration will essentially call for a proper political engineering that will ensure that the next administration will sustain and improve upon the socio-economic policies and infrastructural development that have taken Delta State to its present enviable status.

One of the Governorship aspirants for 2015, Sir Tony Chuks Obuh who retired as Permanent Secretary earlier in the year after thirty two years of service is seen by political analysts as the best choice in the present dispensation.

Reasons are that Sir Obuh played major roles in the

“Governor Uduaghan’s administration crafted and nursed the DELTA BEYOND OIL INITIATIVE. It is an economic policy intended to boost the economic prosperity of Deltans outside the total dependence on crude oil exports proceeds from the federal government.”

number of beneficiaries such that lots of additional jobs will be created for our teaming youths, graduates and other categories of people who are in dare need of government assistance for self employment in the state.

Throughout his consultation visits across the twenty five local government areas of Delta State which cut across the three senatorial districts, Sir Obuh made it clear that he will sustain the laudable economic visions of the Uduaghan’s administration, particularly the DELTA BEYOND OIL INITIATIVE. Of a truth, this aspirant is very logical in his articulation of economic policies and told his guests at every political meeting that his “Road Map” document addresses the various challenges in the state.

He also disclosed at one of his political outings that Technical Education will be revived to service our growing small and big industries in the State. He said the technical colleges are to have special campuses that will develop specialized courses and programmes, such that “Campus A” will specialize in Electrical and Electronics while “Campus B” will specialize in Building Construction, Plumbing and Interior Decoration and so on and so forth.

Sir Obuh’s “Road Map” document also contain sound vision for the Health sector as he hope to establish a special agency for mobile medical responses across the three senatorial districts. Deltans can call the emergency numbers to get swift evacuation by the Ambulance team for quick medical care and treatment. Sir Obuh is fully loaded with new ideas which is why the future of Delta State will be very bright and progressive if he is voted into power in 2015.

THE NIGERIAN

23

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Religion

Faith Healing In The Name Of Jesus Christ

I have had much interest in this subject that I felt the need to search the Scriptures fervently and to produce a pamphlet out of this very interesting christian practice and urge my readers to practise what they have read for positive results if they be1ieve. Because I have also prayed for many people in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and they have been healed. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ ‘Heb. 13:8.

The Kingdom of God is Power: Paul said “the Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power” 1 Cor. 4:20. He told the christians in corinth ‘When I came to you brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom ... my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom but in demonstration of the might and power that your faith might hot rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” 1 Cotr. 2: 15. When Christ resurrected he said: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me Matt. 28:18. And he told his disciples including you and me: ‘these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will cast out demons... they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover’ Mk. 16:17-18.

Christ Performed Signs and Wonders: Christ performed all kinds of signs and wonders. He healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, calmed the storm in the sea, walked on the sea etc. and he said to his disciples, greater signs than these, they will do if they believe (Jn. 14:12) so much did Christ do that his own people marvelled ‘What mighty works are wrought by his hand Mk. 6:2. Refs: (Matt. 8:24-27; 28-32; Mt. (9:4-6, 20-22, 18-25, 29) Matt. 15:22-28, 30-31, 3438,17:15-18,24-27. 5. 4:3739, 5:11-13, 25-29, 39-42.

Christ Commissioned His Disciples: His disciples at first were dormant: they could not perform miracles. They simple followed the Lord

Jesus Christ. But the Lord later commissioner them directly: “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal every disease and every infirmity Matt 10:1. He urged them further ‘preach as you go saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons, you received without paying, give without pay” Matt. 10:7-9. The twelve disciples called Apostles actually did this and returned rejoicing “they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them’.

Mk. 6:13 (also Read Lk. 10:1-12, 17-18).

Christ Healing Techniques: Christ adopted different healing techniques for different diseases to effect healing at different times. He healed as follows: 1. Healing by touch: Christ would lay his hands on the sick. and they would recover. Matt. 8:3; 14-15, Mk 3:10, Mk: 5:41, Mt. 9:29.

2. Healing by Command: without touching at the word of Christ, healing was effected. Man. 9:6, Matt.

17:18, Mk. 1:25-27, Mk. 3:5, Jn. 5:8, Mk. 10:46-52, Jn. 5:8-9.

3. Healing by the Use of Symbol: As it pleased the Lord, during his earthly ministry, he could use water, spittle, oil, sand to heal the sick. Mk. 6:13, Mk. 7:33-35, Mk. 8:22- 26, Jn. 9:6-7.

4. Healing from a distance: In some instances, Christ would not get to the place to heal the person. He would then from a distance Pronounce healing and it would just be so. Matt. 8:513, Jn. 4:46-54.

Christ Disciples Waited on the Holy Ghost Until Pentecost: After Christ was crucified, his disciples waited upon The Holy Spirit. He told them to do so, until the Holy Ghost would come upon them. “But stay in the City until you are clothed with power from on high” Lk. 24:49. This happened on the day of pentecost. “But you shall receive power when the

With REV. A. A. OPARA

Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses” Acts. 1:8. the Holy Ghost came on them like “tongues of fire” and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongue? Acts. 2:4.

What happened when this power came upon them?

They no longer were dormant. They began to do signs and wonders. (i) By the word of Peter in the name of Jesus the lame man walked at the gate of the

Every Believer: He Caught Up With Paul The Holy Spirit which gives power and ignites the believer is for all christians, Peter said he is given to all those who believe and obey.

Acts. 5:32. Paul who was not in the original twelve or among the apostles who received the Holy Ghost commissioning on the day of pentecost had power when he also believed and the Holy Ghost came upon him when the disciple Ananias laid

magical arts to surrender to the Lord. Acts. 19:18-20.

Paul called these manifestations, the true signs of his apostleship (2Cor; 12:12).

The Healing Ministry: Let us now study closely this Ministry so that we may know how to exercise it. The healing Ministry is one of the Ministries of the holy spirit “There are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit.... To each is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common

but for the purpose, of this article. I would use them interchangeably.

The healing Ministry is therefore a special endowment by the holy spirit and the recipient performs extraordinary signs like Paul did at Ephesus. Acts. 19:1112. Not everybody has this spiritual gift of extraordinary signs as the gifts of the spirit are distributed as the Holy Ghost wills (1 Cor. 12:11).

Some scholars have referred to this extraordinary sign gift

temple called Beautiful Acts 3: 6-7 (ii) Ananias and Saphira fell at the word of peter for lying against the Holy Spirit.

Acts. 5:5, 9, 10.

Philip the Evangelist performed many signs in Samaria. Unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many paralysed were healed; there was much joy in the city of samaria. The magician Simon was converted in Samaria by these sign. Acts.

8:7-8, 9-13 Even Philip Disappeared, into the thin air by the Holy Spirit while he was preaching to the Ethiopian Eunuch, and after baptising him. Acts. 8:39. (for more works of the Holy Spirit, Ref. Acts: 9: 34, Acts 9:36-40, 12:6-11, 13:6-11, 14:8- 10, 16:16-18, 25-26, 20 19:11-12).

The Holy Spirit is for

hands upon him. Acts. 9:1012, 17-19. Paul also became a witness for the Lord and wrought signs and wonders through the possession of the Holy Spirit. Acts. 13:9-11, 14:10,16:18-18, 19:6-7, Acts 19:11-12. “God did extra ordinary miracles by the hands of Paul” Acts 19:11.

Signs Help to Propagate the Ministry: The early Apostles on the day the Holy Ghost fell on them with signs, won three thousand converts in one day. Acts. 2:4 1- 42. Philip the Evangelist in Samaria caught the whole attention of Samaria and won many converts, including the magician Simon and he brought great joy to the city.

Acts. 8:6.13. At Ephesus the signs worked by the Holy Ghost through Paul caused many to give their lives to God and for those practising

good. To one is given .... gifts of healing.... to another the working of miracles” I Cor. 12:4,7,9, 10. The healing Ministry by this dimension is a special endowment of the Holy Ghost” who apportions to each on individually as he wills” 1 Cor. 12:11. The Bible says that the gifts of the spirit are distributed to each person (believer) as the spirit wills but not as me recipient wishes. Other gifts of the Holy Spirit or Ministries include: Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues (1 Car; 12:8.10). Paul draws a line between the Ministries of healing and miracles, just as he did with knowledge and wisdom. There is a long drawn theological distinction between healing and miracle’

as miracle ministry.

However there is a second type of healing which is and can be exercised through faith. This is for all believers who possess the Holy Ghost.

For Christ had commanded all his disciples to exercise that power when he said, “these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they will cast out demons.., they will lay hands on the sick, they will recover” Mt 16:17-18. Christ did not restrict this to any person or group of persons but “for all who believe” The book of James says: “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed James 5: 16. He does also not restrict this assignment to any group but to all believers. My next chapter looks at how this healing by faith can be attained and actualised by all believers.

THE NIGERIAN

24

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

International Feature “The policy review comes as Washington prepares to double its military personnel in Iraq to up to 3,100 as part of the international campaign it heads against IS.”

US President, Barack Obama

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has ordered a review of US policy on Americans abducted overseas, as intelligence agencies investigate the role of Western jihadists in the beheading of aid worker Peter Kassig.

Washington’s refusal to negotiate or pay ransoms contrasts with the stance of several European nations believed to have secretly paid millions of dollars to save abductees, including some held by the Islamic State group.

Kassig was the third American killed by IS, a Sunni Muslim extremist group that has captured large parts of Syria and Iraq, committing widespread atrocities and prompting a wave of USled air strikes.

The parents of the 26year-old paid tribute to their son and said they would try to “forgive” the jihadists.

Obama’s recently ordered review will focus “on examining family engagement, intelligence collection and diplomatic engagement policies”, according to a letter dated November 11 from US Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Christine Wormuth to a Republican lawmaker.

in others... One person makes a difference,” she said of her son.

The policy review comes as Washington prepares to double its military personnel in Iraq to up to 3,100 as part of the international campaign it heads against IS. US Secretary of State John Kerry described the

Obama Orders Review Of Hostage Policy The move comes “as a result of the increased frequency of hostagetaking of Americans overseas, and the recognition of the dynamic threat posed by specific terrorist groups,” Wormuth said in the letter, first published by The Daily Beast news site on Monday.

Kassig, who took the name Abdul-Rahman after converting to Islam, was captured last year and became the fifth Western hostage to be beheaded by IS after American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning.

Foley’s parents defied

government advice and began raising funds for a ransom but were told by US officials that they would be forbidden by law from paying.

Sotloff ’s family also said they were told by a White House counterterrorism official that they could face prosecution if they paid a ransom.

US officials insist Washington’s opposition to the practice has deterred groups like AlQaeda or IS from taking more Americans hostage.

The killing of Kassig and the simultaneous beheadings of at least 18 Syrian military personnel in a video posted online on Sunday sparked global

horror, with Obama calling it “an act of pure evil”.

Kassig’s parents called for healing and prayer as they mourned the loss of their son, who took the name Abdul-Rahman after converting to Islam.

“Please allow our small family the time and privacy to mourn, cry and — yes — forgive and begin to heal,” his father Ed said in an emotional address outside his church.

Mother Paula said that while their world had been torn apart by the death of their son, they would focus on healing.

“Rather than letting the darkness overwhelm him, he has chosen to believe in the good, in himself and

battle against the jihadists as a conflict “between civilisation itself and barbarism.”

The extremist group has suffered recent battleground setbacks in Iraq, where government troops on Saturday broke the its months-long siege of the country’s largest oil refinery.

Among the militants shown beheading the Syrian servicemen in the latest IS video were some known foreign fighters, including at least one Frenchman and possibly a Briton and other Westerners.

The executioners’ faces were uncovered.

French authorities

identified one of them as Maxime Hauchard, 22, from a small village in northern France, who left for Syria in August last year.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said “circumstantial evidence confirms the involvement of a Frenchman in the decapitation of Syrian prisoners shown in an IS video released on Sunday.”

It said it was “possible” a second — still unidentified — Frenchmen appeared in the video.

Thousands of foreign fighters have flocked to join IS in Iraq and Syria, and experts say they are often among the most violent and brutal of the jihadists.

A British-accented jihadist has been at the centre of previous IS beheading videos and appeared again in the recording claiming Kassig’s killing.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said it had documented the execution of 1,429 people in Syria

by IS in the five months since it declared a “caliphate” in areas under its control.

“Kassig, who took the name AbdulRahman after converting to Islam, was captured last year and became the fifth Western hostage to be beheaded by IS.”

THE NIGERIAN

25

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

International Features

Deadline Looms Over Iran Nuclear Talks

IRAN and six world powers got down to business in Vienna Wednesday, groping for the elusive magic formula to secure a milestone nuclear deal that satisfies hardliners in Tehran and Washington.

The clock was ticking ever louder however on the second day of this final round of talks, with just five more days for Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany to get a deal.

Foreign ministers were expected in the Austrian capital later in the week, but the US State Department made clear that Secretary of State John Kerry, currently in London, would not arrive until Thursday afternoon at the earliest.

“Secretary Kerry will stay in London (on Wednesday) where he will continue consulting with both the negotiating team in Vienna and his interagency counterparts in Washington,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

Kerry will then head to Paris where on Thursday, he will hold separate meetings with foreign ministers of France, seen by many as one of the most hardline of the six powers regarding Iran, and of Sunni Saudi Arabia, worried about any US rapprochement with Shiite Iran.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country is a crucial player in the talks, will only come to Vienna if there is sufficient progress, Moscow’s lead negotiator Sergei Ryabkov told Russian media late Tuesday.

Upping the ante ahead of the deadline, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, said a deal was “possible” but only if the six powers did not ask for too much.

“If, because of excessive demands... we don’t get a result, then

the world will understand that the Islamic Republic sought a solution, a compromise and a constructive agreement and that it will not renounce its rights and the greatness of the nation,” Zarif, who arrived in Vienna on Tuesday, told Iranian media.

But Kerry, who held the latest in a string of meetings with Zarif in Oman last week, put the onus on Iran.

“It is imperative that Iran works with us with all possible effort to prove to the world that the programme is peaceful,” Kerry said.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond echoed his comments, calling for more “flexibility by the Iranians to convince us that their intentions in their nuclear programme are entirely peaceful”.

The landmark accord being sought by Monday’s deadline, after months of negotiations, is aimed at easing fears that Tehran might develop nuclear weapons under the guise of its civilian activities.

It could resolve a 12year standoff, silence talk of war, help normalise Iran’s relations with the West, boost the beleaguered Iranian economy and mark a rare foreign success for US President Barack Obama.

In order to make it virtually impossible for Iran to assemble a nuclear weapon, the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany (the P5+1) want Iran to scale down its nuclear programme.

Iran, which insists its nuclear aims are exclusively peaceful despite failing to declare parts of its programme in the past, wants painful sanctions lifted.

Some areas appear provisionally settled. But the big problem is still enrichment — rendering uranium suitable for power generation and other peaceful uses, but

also, at high purities, for a weapon.

Iran wants to massively ramp up the number of enrichment centrifuges — in order, it says, to

make fuel for a fleet of future reactors.

The West wants the number slashed, saying Iran has no such need in the foreseeable future.

Other thorny issues are

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif (centre) arrives for lunch with EU envoy Catherine Ashton at the Iranian embassy in Vienna.

the duration of the accord and the pace at which sanctions are lifted, an area where Iranian expectations are “excessive”, one Western diplomat said.

Given the differences, many analysts expect more time to be put on the clock.

The alternative — walking away — would be “catastrophic” and “foolish”, Arms Control Association analyst Kelsey Davenport told AFP. For now though, with another extension presenting risks of its own — fresh US sanctions, not least — officials insist that they remain focused on getting the job done in time.

Sierra Leone Trading Hub Ebola-Free

THERE is little to celebrate in the tribal chiefdoms of eastern Sierra Leone, where the retreat of the Ebola virus is mitigated by grinding poverty worsened by draconian quarantine restrictions.

In Kenema, a diamond exporting hub and the heart of the west African nation’s cocoa and coffee industry, no new infections have been recorded since October and the town bustles with trade and traffic.

But the district — part of the Ebola epicentre straddling Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea — remains isolated by a largely unsuccessful lockdown imposed in August to keep Ebola from spreading elsewhere.

“The trauma is still there and business is difficult,” says Mohamed Basma, sitting in shorts and flip-flops behind a desk blasted by over-zealous airconditioning.

A leading diamond trader in Kenema, Basma hasn’t even the most tiny rock to show off.

“We can’t say we’re finished with Ebola, although here we’ve done a better job in controlling the virus than elsewhere and no new cases for almost 21 days is encouraging,” he says.

Yet the authorities continue to prohibit public gatherings, preventing locals from working with spades and

sieves the diamond-rich flood plains to the east, thus Sierra Leone is certain to miss its goal of exporting $200 million (160 million euros) in gems in 2014.

An ethnically-diverse, Krio-speaking city of 190,000, Kenema already has the highest incidence of Lassa fever — another viral haemorrhagic disease — in the world.

Ebola has killed more than 5,000 in west Africa since it emerged in southern Guinea in December, spreading first to Liberia and cutting a swathe through Sierra Leone since May. Highly infectious through exposure to bodily fluids, its early rapid spread was attributed in part to relatives touching victims during traditional funeral rites.

Epidemiologists agree that it was brought into Sierra Leone by a herbalist in the remote eastern border village of Sokoma. She claimed to be able to heal Ebola and encouraged sick patients to cross from Guinea for treatment.

She died and the mourners at her funeral fanned out across the Kissi tribal chiefdoms, starting a chain reaction of infections which has so far led to an official toll of around 1,200 deaths in Sierra Leone, although the

real figure is thought to be much higher.

Eleven checkpoints dot the 300-kilometre (185-mile) route between Freetown and Kenema, with police or soldiers stopping travellers to question them about their business.

Cars are banned from the roads between 5:00 pm and 9:00 am and in the early morning, long lines of trucks, vans and taxis wait for the goahead to continue their journeys, surrounded by traders offering rice, soda, banana and pineapple.

Drivers and their passengers have to undergo temperature checks and sometimes a subtle exchange of notes eases the passage eastwards.

“We haven’t been able to go to the fields for six months.

We lost our cassava crops, rice and vegetables. The disease is declining, but we still have seven houses in quarantine,” says Mohamed Fofanah at Mayemba, a hamlet on the route that has seen 25 deaths and 17 survivors.

“We’re not supposed to go anywhere else and others aren’t supposed to come here to Kenema,” says Sidie Fofanah, founder of Starline radio, which educates its audience in the east on the ravages of Ebola.

He says it is difficult to travel to Freetown and even getting to the neighbouring town of Kailahun, four hours further east on a potholed, often flooded muddy road, is a Herculean task.

Prices are soaring as a result and, in the absence of market stabilisation measures, inflation is out of control.

“Everything changes in a flash — something that which costs $2 today will be worth $5 tomorrow, or $15,” says Fofanah.

“Life seems back to normal, with people at work, but banks still only open from 9:30 am to midday, there is still no school and, above all, no doctors,” he adds.

“We’ve lost three who died of Ebola at the beginning of the epidemic, and the others fled without being replaced.”

Nevertheless, cocoa farmers are beginning to return to Kenema carrying jute bags full of their produce to the city’s exporters by motorbike or taxi.

“Our problem is transportation,” says Bassam Ayoub, owner of the Ayoub Trading business.

To reach the port of Freetown, from where the company exports its beans to the Netherlands and Turkey, its trucks take up to two days to negotiate 350 kilometres of road.

THE NIGERIAN

26

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

International Hollande Confirms 2 Suspected Frenchmen In Islamic State Video

CANBERRA - President Francois Hollande yesterday confirmed that two Frenchmen had been identified as suspects in an Islamic State video showing the beheading of Syrian prisoners, while slamming “brainwashing” of the young.

The men are seen in the brutal clip released by the IS group on Sunday which features the killing of 18 Syrian prisoners and a US aid worker.

“All we can say for now is that there were two French people,”

Hollande told a press conference in Canberra alongside Australian leader Tony Abbott.

“One has been categorically identified and the other one is in the process of being identified.”

French prosecutors have confirmed the first was 22-yearold Maxime Hauchard from Normandy in northern France.

A source close to the case said Wednesday the second Frenchman has been identified as a 22-year-old man from an eastern suburb of Paris, who went by the name Abu Othman.

Hollande said it was not clear exactly what role the men played in the beheadings and that “the judicial system will

have to establish this”.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in Paris that Hauchard left for Syria “in August 2013 after a stay in Mauritania in 2012”, after reportedly becoming radicalised online.

Around 1,000 French nationals are thought to have taken part in the conflict in Syria and Iraq, with 375 currently there, the government has said. At least 36 have died.

Hollande, the first French president to make a state visit to Australia, said the issue of foreign fighters and how they

CHANGE OF NAME

HELEN WEDS PHILIP The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Odobo Helen (A Business woman) and Mr. Wolstencroft Jeremy Philip (based in Bristol, UK) took place on Wednesday November 19, 2014 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City.

Amongst those present were Mr. Edomwonyi Bello, Mr. Francis O. Odobo, family members, relations, friends and well wishers.

Picture shows the couple at the Registry. Congratulations. Photo Sonnie. E.

OKONOBO – I formerly Miss Okonobo Patience Ese now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebhogie Patience Ese. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IYARE – I formerly Ekata Iyare now wish to be known, called and addressed as Ekata Lehner. All former documents remain valid.

C o n c e r n e d authorities and the general public should please take note.

Kenya Police Seize Weapons In Fresh Mosque Raids

TUKUNDA WEDS EDDISON

The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Tukunda Otillia Muzvondiwa (A nurse based in UK) and Mr. Eddison Oduagbon Erhaighewu (A Clergy man) took place on Wednesday November 19, 2014 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst those present were Pastor Michael Momah, Pastor David Erhaighewu, family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple at the Registry.

Congratulations. Photo Sonnie. E.

MOMBASA (KENYA) Kenyan security forces on Wednesday carried out fresh raids on a mosque in the port city of Mombasa searching for weapons and supporters of Somalia’s Shebab militants, police said.

Grenades, ammunition and petrol bombs were seized in the raid on the Swafaa mosque, the third to be searched since Monday in the tense city, officers said.

“We conducted a security operation,” local police chief Richard Ngatia said, adding that “weapons were seized” but that the operation was ongoing.

Dozens of people were arrested, adding to more than 250 arrested on Monday.

Security forces cordoned off streets around the mosque and soldiers patrolled the Kisuani district of the city, east Africa’s main port.

were being “brainwashed” was a major concern.

“They could be from any background, from any ethnic origin — but they easily can be brainwashed into becoming converts, and this is a very important matter,” he said.

“We must be vigilant, and we must be strong.”

Like the United States, Britain and other nations, authorities in France are increasingly worried about the number of citizens travelling to fight in Iraq and Syria who could potentially come back and stage attacks in their home country.

Earlier this month, Paris adopted an anti-terrorism law which will slap a travel ban on anyone suspected of planning to wage jihad and Hollande said it was crucial that the full force of the law is used on those opting to fight overseas.

“What is very important is not just reducing the number and avoiding new ones (foreign fighters), but have some sort of penalty applying to those who went to these areas because if you go to a combat zone it is something that should be subject to sanctions and penalties within the law,” he said.

During his trip to Australia, Hollande has also voiced concern about the impact that “extreme horror” films used by terrorist groups is having on young people.

Australia faces a similar scenario to France with at least 71 Australians currently fighting in Iraq or Syria with 15 having been killed — two of them as suicide bombers.

Abbott said the subject was discussed during their bilateral talks and that more collaboration is needed, “particularly when it comes to intelligence sharing on the question of foreign fighters”.

PUBLIC NOTICE ARMY DAY SECONDARY SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (NASST) ISIOHOR-BENIN, BENIN CITY The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE (1) Deacon Uwagboe Osifo Sandy (2) Pharm. Egonmwan Efe Ayanbueze (3) Mr. Igbinoghodua Moses .O. (4) Mr. Samuel Nosayaba Robinson (5) Mr. Edogiawere Osas Osakpamwan (6) Miss Imohimi Rosemary (7) Mr. Enodolomwanyi Nosa AIMS & OBJECTIVES (1) To facilitate social interactions among Old Students of ADSS in order to establish cooperation and Unity that will uplift and promote members of the association in the society and nation at large. (2) To engage in activities that will bring development, both human and material to her Alma mata. (3) To render assistance to its members, moral, spiritual and financial, when they find themselves in distress. (4) To always guide its members in ways that will ensure high moral value and respect for the law of the state with a view to raising a crop of distinguished citizenry and support her members with interest in elective position.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: DEACON UWAGBOE OSIFO SANDY

NOTICE TO ALL NIFOR PENSIONERS GENERAL VERIFICATION EXERCISE FOR ALL EXISTING NIFOR PENSIONERS WHO RETIRED UNDER THE PAY-AS-YOU-GO (OLD) SCHEME The Board of Trustees (B.O.T)., NIFOR Pensions Scheme has scheduled a general verification exercise for all existing pensioners on its payroll. The exercise will commence from Monday 24th November to Friday 28th November, 2014.

The affected pensioners should come along with the following: (a) Two (2) recent passport photographs (b) Pension verification form for 2013 (if any) (c) Certificate of Service (if any) (d) Letter of Retirement (e) NIFOR Pensioner Identity Card (if any) (f) Details of Current Bank Account.

SPECIAL NOTE: Verification for Old Existing Pensioners Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th November, 2014, Wednesday 26th 28th November, 2014 for the 1994 Pensioners.

Venue: - Dr. D. A. Okiy’s Conference Centre OUT-STATIONS FROM 1ST DECEMBER TO 12TH DECEMBER, 2014 SIGNED J. A. Ogeh (Mrs) For: Executive Director/Chairman, Board of Trustees

THE NIGERIAN

27

The Law

TRANSIENT and lasting (or perishable and imperishable) are two of the most important concepts for the development of the human spirit.

To discover what is transient we only need to look around in Nature.

Again and again, we experience the same development everywhere. If a seed-grain is planted in fertile ground, it begins to grow, this is followed by blossoming and ripening, which is succeeded by overripeness and finally, by decay. The physical body of man is also, subject to this Law of Nature.

Coming into existence and passing away is the characteristic of what is transient. The entire material creation, including the Ethereal World, the so-called beyond, is transient. It is what, we understand by “the World”. Hence, the words of Jesus: “My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18, 36).

We can also, call the world, which is finite, subsequent to the real, the spiritual Creation, because, it has actually developed only subsequent to the real, the Spiritual Creation is the Model or pattern for the subsequent – created Material World. And so, “all that is transient is but an allegory”. We could also, add of that which is lasting (imperishable)”. Thus, a figurative reproduction, an image of the imperishable spiritual creation. In this lies the solution to the question about the origin of the world.

The Material Creation lies below the eternal spiritual creation. In contrast to this, in the world, it is only the cycle of coming into existence and passing away that is eternal. This means an eternal forming, a joining together of basic materials, which after a certain time again dissolve into their original substance, in order

thereafter, purified and refreshed, to unite anew in other forms, an eternal “dying and coming into existence”.

The passing away and being renewed can be observed on a small scale, for instance, with the compost in the garden, which consists of all kinds of waste matter, that is, of substances where overripeness has already set in.

After a certain a certain time, these residues have completely decomposed and transformed into fresh humus.

Just as in a small way in the case of plants, animals and human beings, there are transitions in the process of maturing, during which a certain phase of development is concluded and a new one prepared, so, it is again with the universes. These too have transitions from one stage of maturity to the next and each time a universe turns from its previous state of development – maturity towards a new state of maturity, this is a Cosmic Turning-Point.

But at sometime in the cycle, comprising many millions of years, there comes for every universe a last Turning-Point after which it enters the state of overripeness. This is followed by decomposition and dissolution into the original substance, from which new, fresh universes with new celestial bodies are then again formed.

Vollmann says such as a last Turning-Point, which has been ordained ever since the beginning of creation, has now come for our universe, because its cycle is coming to the end and thus, to dissolution. Naturally, this does not come to pass evernight, nor does it happen simultaneously for all the celestial bodies.

He says that this Turningpoint, which brings the last phase of a long period of development, has already tangibly set in for the earth,

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

International Of Circle Man And Nature manifesting in the overincreasing revolutionary events of all kinds. But what has man to do with this Cosmic Turning-Point?

Why is he, whose essence by virtue of his origin is imperishable, in this perishable World at all?

What has caused him to expose himself to the dangers and temptation in the World?

The reason Vollmann says is to be found in the gentle urging towards becoming conscious, which begins at

human spirit must come to terms, are able to awaken the unconscious spirit-germ to self-consciousness.

Therefore, the human spiritgerm striving towards consciousness must make contract with what is transient.

The more “genuinely” and effectively this takes place in a natural way, the sooner it can rise from the World of Matter and return to the Spiritual Realm as a fully conscious, pure human spirit as the “prodigal son”, in order to enjoy the

a definite stage of maturity and releases a completely natural process, the expulsion from paradise.

For the Cradle of the human spirit is Paradise, the Spiritual Realm. But there, it is an unconscious spirit germ, unable to awaken of its own accord. Therefore, it must plunged into World Matter lying below it, in order to grow and mature there, like a grain of seed in the earth.

Vollmann opines that only the much coarser impressions and influences of this World with which the

bliss of a conscious existence there eternally. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. (1 Corinthians 15, 42) From the corruptible world of matter in which the spirit-germ incarnated, there rises one day the incorruptible, the perfected spirit, as a conscious personality to the Luminous Height of its home-land.

Many will now ask, why does the origin of man lie just in Paradise. It could after all be in another, a lower-lying plane outside Paradise and he could develop upwards from there or he could only

“Just as in a small way in the case of plants, animals and human beings, there are transitions in the process of maturing, during which a certain phase of development is concluded and a new one prepared, so, it is again with the universes.”

With O.C. Madu

come into being with the developing child’s body.

The solution Vollmann says lies in the Law of the Cycle, according to which everything must in the end return to its origin. Only when is it perfected. In our world of matter we see a graphic example of this Lawfulness concerning the necessary return to the origin, to the starting point,

disintegration of the World of Matter. It is a similar process on a small scale, for example, if an insect slips into a blossom, is unable to find the way out and must perish with the blossom.

Then in the greatest torment the spirit of man loses its self-consciousness, its personal “ego” and therewith also, the human form it has acquired along with

in the circulation of the blood and of water. Ever again the blood must return to the heart, while the water, which as a vapour rises from the ocean into the atmosphere, returns from there in liquid or solid form to the dry land and thence again back into the ocean. The human spirit is subject to the same law. It could never enter Paradise if as a spirit-germ, it had not already been in Paradise, as its place of origin.

The impehis to the cycle of the spirit-germ lies in the urge towards becoming conscious, which must take place within a limited period in the world of matter. If a man neglects the time allotted for his maturing and uses his free will to follow wrong paths, he will eventually run the great risk of not finding his way back in time to Spiritual Realm and of remaining caught in the World Matter.

His ethereal body will then be drawn along into the

consciousness. It must then return to Paradise as an unconscious spirit-seed grain.

The Bible warns of this eternal, spiritual death, also called the other or second death (Revelation 20, 6). It is equivalent to eternal damnation and to the erasing of the name from the “Book of Life” or rather of Conscious Life.

The effacing of the “spiritual” name is expressed in the words: The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot (Proverbs 10, 7). He that followeth destruction shall himself have his full of it (Ecclesiasticus 31, 5, The Apocrypha).

He who allows himself to be caught by the perishable and loses his control over it, pushing aside the spiritual, remains caught in what is perishable and must be lost in it.

Peace and Love.

THE NIGERIAN

28

Rooney ’ll Be Motivated

By England Records ENGLAND’s manager Roy Hodgson expects the possibility of breaking international records to keep Wayne Rooney motivated for years to come.

The captain scored twice in the 3-1 win over Scotland - his 101st international appearance - to move outright third on the alltime goals list for his country, after Hodgson’s men beat Slovenia by the same scoreline on Saturday.

He is also now 24 behind goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s record for Three Lions appearances and the manager is keen to watch him chase down that tally.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Tennis: Nadal Sets Sights On Successful 2014 was a year to forget for Rafa Nadal, but with his injury troubles seemingly behind him, the Spaniard is confident he will be back to his best.

2015

• Rafael Nadal

Nadal, blighted by back and wrist injuries this year, underwent surgery to remove his appendix on Nov. 3, an operation that forced him out of this month’s ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Now on the mend, the 28-yearold Spaniard hopes his injury troubles will be nothing more than a memory when he returns to training in December before he begins the defence of his Qatar Open title in January.

“It was not an easy year, especially in the second half it was hard, but that’s part of my life, that’s part of my career, and I accept that,” Nadal said in an interview with Reuters.

“What happened with my wrist and then appendix — it was problem and then problems again.

“I am not practicing yet, but I

La Liga Preview: Moyes, Sociedad Visit

Deportivo La Corona THE former Manchester United manager was appointed on an 18-month deal in his first job since being sacked at Old Trafford in April.

Moyes has been welcomed by Sociedad players, with the team sitting 15th having upset Atletico Madrid last time out.

Sociedad midfielder Markel Bergara, who insisted the language barrier was no issue, has been impressed by the Scot.

“I think he’s come here with a lot of enthusiasm and with very clear ideas,” he told a news conference on Tuesday.

“He knows what he wants from us, he’s shown that he knows us very well and I think he’s working on a very particular style of play, which requires a lot

of intensity.

“That’s how he’s shaping things in the training sessions.”

Sociedad (nine points) have as many points as 19th-placed Levante, making their meeting with Deportivo La Coruna - who are 17th - vital.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid face another La Liga test on Saturday as Sevilla look to challenge Barcelona.

In the lead up to his team’s clash against sixth-placed

Malaga, Simeone has been dismissing speculation surrounding his future.

The Argentine insisted he was happy at Atletico, who sit fourth in the table after winning seven of 11 matches.

Top two Real Madrid and Barcelona are also in action on Saturday.

League leaders Real should be too good at Eibar as Carlo Ancelotti’s men aim for a 14th

ARGENTINA head coach Tata Martino believes his side did not deserve to lose 1-0 to Portugal after having the majority of the game’s chances.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino feels it would be “difficult” for Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona, while saying

Mid-table sides Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol start matchday 12 on Friday when they meet at San Mames, while Rayo Vallecano host Celta Vigo.

Valencia, sitting third and just three points adrift of top spot, visit Levante on Sunday.

Elche and Cordoba are in the drop zone ahead of their meeting, while Villarreal are looking to end a three-match winless league run when they host Getafe.

Granada and Almeria complete the matchday on Monday.

Messi May Not Leave Barcelona - Martino

Dunga Trying To Repair W/Cup DUNGA faces an uphill battle Damage - Ronaldo to repair the scars of Brazil’s World Cup campaign, but was at least looking like he might be on the right path, according to former striker Ronaldo.

Dunga, whose real name is Carlos Bledorn Verri, replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari after the World Cup that Brazil hosted earlier this year and ended with a humiliating 7-1 thrashing by eventual champions Germany in the semi-finals.

The Brazilians then lost the third-place playoff 3-0 to the Netherlands and with confidence shaken in the soccer-mad country, the former World Cup winner has gone about trying to restore the team’s pride.

“It’s early to see any changes in the Brazilian team,” Ronaldo told Reuters in an interview. “It was very difficult and hard to forget about the World Cup and the loss against Germany.

“I know Dunga has a very hard

straight win in all competitions.

Cristiano Ronaldo has already netted 18 league goals this season.

A win and Real’s lead at the top could grow, with Barca hosting Sevilla.

Luis Enrique’s men have suffered two losses in their past three La Liga outings and enter the clash after a week that included star Lionel Messi hinting he may leave the club at season’s end.

Sevilla sit fifth despite being winless in their past two league matches.

am happy with how the operation went and I have no problems.”

He managed to recover to claim a ninth French Open crown after beating Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros in June.

However, that proved to be the only shining light in a testing season for the world number three as he was beaten in the fourth round at Wimbledon by Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios before a wrist injury ruled him out of the U.S. Open.

“This year was unlucky because it was accidents, it was not injuries that I had really felt before,” the 14-time grand slam winner said at a Poker Stars event in London.

“I am doing all the right things but I have worked my body pretty hard for a lot of years so these kind of things can happen.

“But I am confident I will have the chance to be back and be competitive with all the things I want to compete in.

Djokovic, who won the season-finale in London on Sunday after Roger Federer withdrew with a back injury, finished the year as world number one for the third time in four years and the Mallorcan praised the Serb’s consistency over the last 12 months.

“He is a fantastic player,” Nadal said.

“He deserves to be where he is because he hasn’t had an injury for a long time and that’s very important for a tennis player.

“He is an amazing player so he deserves it.”

job to do to bring some confidence to the players.”

The 51-year-old Dunga, who previously coached Brazil from 2006 to 2010, won the 2007 Copa America and the 2009 Confederations Cup but was sacked after losing to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup. Since replacing Scolari in July, however, his Brazil side have won their last six matches, including a 2-1 victory over Austria on Tuesday.

He has courted some controversy with his decision to appoint striker Neymar as captain, dumping World Cup captain Thiago Silva, who complained he had not been told by the coach of the decision.

But two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo, who scored 62 goals in 98 matches for Brazil, thinks the 22-year-old Neymar

will prove to be a good leader for the South Americans.

“I think it’s good to have Neymar because he is in great form,” Ronaldo said at a Poker Stars event in London.

“The history in Brazil is for the coach to choose players that have a lot of leadership.

“But Thiago Silva is a great captain too so I don’t think it’s a problem.”

The former record holder for goals in World Cup finals added he hoped Neymar would be one of the three shortlisted finallists announced on Dec. 1 for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or or Player of the Year award.

The 38-year-old, who was named the world’s best player three times, however thinks that last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo will take it ahead of Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi when the winner is announced on Jan. 12.

the most important thing is that Messi enjoys his football wherever he is playing.

Barca talisman Messi reopened the debate over his future this week when he suggested to Argentine newspaper Ole that he could leave the Camp Nou next summer, in quotes which intimated he felt he was being pushed away by some inside the Catalan club.

The news has been met with huge concern among Blaugrana fans and pundits even though Messi, 27, signed a new longterm contract at Barca just last summer.

Mundo Deportivo’s front cover Wednesday morning read “Messi warning,” while fellow Catalan daily Sport went for “Messi worry.”

Speaking after Argentina’s 10 friendly defeat to Portugal at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, the albiceleste manager spoke warily when asked if he could see the four-time Ballon d’Or winner moving to another club.

“This is a very personal opinion,” Martino was quoted as saying in Marca. “When you see the connection he has with Barcelona, thinking about it from outside and without having spoken about it with him, [Messi leaving] seems difficult to me.

When you see the options there are in the world, big teams where he could fit in perfectly, I think it is possible. What is definite is that I believe he should be where he is happy to play football.”

Messi’s relationship with the Barca board has often appeared particularly strained through recent times, with the player and his family reportedly feeling a lack of support from the hierarchy at the club, and the player releasing a statement even after signing his new contract last summer suggesting he was still not 100 percent happy to be staying.

• Lionel Messi

Martino, who had a difficult 12 months in charge of Barca and Messi last season, denied that he had picked up the sensation that there was a breach between club and player, saying that media reports about the situation were often motivated by different points of view or agendas.

“No, no,” he said. “The truth is I have no opinion about this as I have never spoken about it with him. Then everyone can make their own interpretation of what he would like — from Madrid one view, from Barcelona another... I saw plenty of this type of story last year.”

THE NIGERIAN

29

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Di Maria Sent For X-Ray

MANCHESTER United winger Angel di Maria was sent for X-rays after suffering a foot injury during Argentina’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Portugal.

Di Maria was caught on his right foot by a challenge from Portugal counterpart Nani who is on loan from United at Sporting Lisbon - during the first half of Tuesday’s match at Old Trafford.

The £59.7 million summer signing from Real Madrid required treatment but was able to continue before being replaced around the hourmark.

Martino revealed that Di Maria had gone for scans but he also allayed any fears the injury might be a serious one.

He said: “We don’t think it is anything serious. It was quite a tough blow that he took.

“It was a tough knock. It cut the skin a little bit. But we have had a look at it and we are evaluating the situation.

“We are having a look at some X-rays, some images that have been taken but in spite of that we don’t think it is too serious.”

The contest was billed prematch as a must-see showdown between Ballon d’Or rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Argentina and Portugal captains respectively.

There was also hype around the fact ex-Manchester United man Ronaldo was making his return to his old ground, while there were plenty of other Barclays Premier League stars of the past and present on display as well to add to the interest.

In the end, though, the entire spectacle was something of a disappointment, with the Messi-Ronaldo aspect only lasting until half time, when both players were taken off, and the game overall being a

stalemate of few chances until Portugal substitute Raphael Guerreiro snatched victory for his side with a header in the dying seconds.

While Ronaldo struggled to make much of an impression, Messi did show plenty of endeavour while on the pitch and hit the post with a shot early on.

Argentina were certainly the better side over the 90 minutes, and asked if he thought the result had been fair, Martino said: “If I’m being honest, I would say no.

“I think over both halves we ran the game, had a lot of possession, created the most chances and I think we were only under threat on two occasions.

“We lost the game and sometimes the result can change your morale and state of mind afterwards. But you can’t take away from the fact that, in spite of the scoreline, we put in a good performance.”

Wenger ’ll Help Me Progress - Ozil

Louis Van Gaal

United To Splash £47m On Defender In Summer

MANCHESTER United manager Louis van Gaal will spend £47 million to bring his top defensive target to Old Trafford in the summer; and is Lionel Messi on his way out of Barcelona? The main stories making headlines in today’s newspapers.

United to make monster Woodward said the club was move in summer: Manchester not looking for “short-term United will aim to move for fixes”, but Hummels is seen Borussia Dortmund defender as a long-term investment.

Mats Hummels next summer, The Daily Star reports that after the club’s executive vice Dortmund are likely to chairman Ed Woodward demand around £47m for him indicated the transfer window and United would face at the end of the season will competition from Arsenal, be the focus of their activity, who are also interested in the and not this January. Germany international.

Shawcross Should Play For “He would be joining a Wales Wales team with a genuine

STOKE captain Ryan Shawcross has been urged by former manager Tony Pulis to switch his international allegiance and play for Wales.

The centre-back has made just one appearance for England in the 4-2 defeat to Sweden, but as that was only a friendly he is still eligible to represent the country for whom he played as a schoolboy.

Shawcross has always maintained he has no interest in switching, but Welshman Pulis believes the 27-year-old should realistically consider the move if he wants to play international football.

“I’m convinced he should be in the England squad and if that’s not going to happen then my attentions would be turned to crossing the border,” the former Potters boss told

THE Gunners’ club-record signing is currently recovering from a knee injury suffered at the start of October, and is not expected to feature again until early 2015.

Ozil, who helped Germany win the World Cup last summer, has often been criticised for perceived inconsistent displays, with questions raised over whether the former Real Madrid playmaker could cope under the physical demands of the Barclays Premier League.

Wenger, however, retains complete faith in the B£42.5million midfielder, who is in no doubt he is at the right club and under the right manager to move his game forwards.

Speaking to Esquire magazine, Ozil said: “He (Wenger) knows what he wants and I know he can bring me a step forward; he trusts me in that way and I trust him, completely.

“For a team, it (a trophy) is the biggest thing to get and we got it (last season with the FA Cup), but as a player, there are other things - being the best player in the world, other cups, the Champions League.

The Sentinel.

“If England don’t think he’s good enough, Wales certainly do. I know that for a fact.

chance of qualifying for Euro 2016, so there’s some big games to be had if he made that choice.

MOYES endured a difficult only season at Old Trafford in 2013-14, but has been entrusted with turning around fortunes at the Anoeta, starting with Saturday’s trip to Deportivo La Coruna.

And having trained under the former Everton boss for around a week, Bergara explained that he has brought fresh impetus to the Sociedad camp.

“At the moment they are harder sessions and there is a lot of focus, intensity, getting stuck in and pressurising opponents,” Bergara told a news conference.

“They’ve been short but

intense and we’ve enjoyed them. I get the feeling the new coach is looking forward to the challenge and has come in with some very clear ideas.

“He knows what he wants from us and has already got to know us. He wants us to be on top of our rivals and that’s what we’ve been working towards.”

Bergara also explained there was no problem in terms of language between Moyes and his squad.

“We understand the basic theories and for other things we have the services of a translator, but it hasn’t proved to be a barrier,” he added.

Bergara Pleased With Moyes Impact

Paper Round’s view: United may have announced their revenues are down following their failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League, but if this report is to be believed, that hasn’t affected their spending power too much.

And there is little reason to doubt the contents of the

report, given that United’s need for a quality centre-back is paramount. They will spend in the summer, and if Van Gaal sees Hummels as the man to bring some order back to United’s defence, you get the feeling United will sanction a purchase, even if they will be held to ransom

by Dortmund.

THE 24-year-old was sent home by the Republic of Ireland last week after complaining of a hamstring problem and is a doubt for Saturday’s visit of West Ham. It is the latest in a series of niggles McCarthy has had this season and Martinez is keen to find the source of the issue, “We need to assess it.

Maybe it’s managing the work he does in training,” Martinez told the Liverpool Echo.

“We need to find the right formula because we need to make sure we don’t get these sort of injuries on a regular basis.

“James has played a huge amount of games and is still a very young man.

“He’s a super fit boy and he shouldn’t be picking up these sort of knocks.

“He’s had this same injury before but not in the same leg.

“It’s partly normal phases of development and growing into the physical demands of your role.”

Republic assistant manager Roy Keane claimed the Toffees overstate injuries when McCarthy and teammate Seamus Coleman are sent on international duty, saying: “You always get the impression from Everton that

“For now, I am not making any plans for after my career. I am just really happy to be here.”

Ozil will not let the constant debate over his consistency cloud his focus.

The 26-year-old added: “I have been in this business so long now, I have been a professional since I was 16, 17.

“I don’t care what the press thinks about me as football changes from day to day.

“You can play well one day and badly the next. I’m used to it.”

Arsenal will resume their Premier League campaign on Saturday at home to Manchester United.

The Gunners are down in sixth place and in need of a response having lost 2-1 at Swansea before the international break, which followed on from the draw against Anderlecht in the Champions League when they threw away a 3-0 advantage.

England manager Roy Hodgson has allayed fears over the fitness of Danny Welbeck.

The Arsenal forward, signed on deadline day from United, was substituted during the second half of the friendly against Scotland in Glasgow, but only as a precaution after a “slight stiffness” in his hamstring.

Mesut Ozil

McCarthy Injuries Worry Martinez

James McCarthy

Seamus and James are both barely able to walk.”

But Martinez rejected that accusation.

“James was desperate to be involved with his national team but he couldn’t make it,” he added.

THE NIGERIAN

30

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Who Is A Good Coach?

By STANLEY UGAGBE

COACHING is one of those jobs where your professional effectiveness is almost always narrowly measured by something that is very often totally out of your control, winning and losing. In many ways you can be an absolutely horrible, abusive coach yet, because you are lucky enough to have great players on your squad, you win all the time.

Because of this external record you are considered in your profession to be a “great” coach. Similarly, you can be a wonderful coach and teacher but because of lack of talented and skilful players, or other circumstances beyond your control such as player injuries, your won-loss record is just mediocre and, as a consequence of this, you’re seen as an ineffective coach.

However, contrary to what many people believe, winning records are an extremely limiting and inaccurate way to judge the quality and effectiveness of a coach. Winning doesn’t

make one a good coach, in the same way that losing doesn’t make one a bad coach. The fact of the matter is that judging a coach’s abilities and effectiveness based on the record of his/ her team is to totally miss the complexity behind good and bad coaching.

History will not forgive me if in a discourse like this I fail to mention the likes of Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelloti, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Louis Van gaal among others. It’s true that they’re great coaches but are they all “GOOD COACHES”?

A good coach will develop confidence in every player.

He develops players who believe they can achieve great things as an individual and as a team. He don’t let a player come back to the dugout with his head down after a strikeout.

He commends the player’s effort and help him realize it is part of the game. Truth be told, if a player is confident that his coach believes in him no matter the circumstance, he will play with more confidence and develop this valuable characteristic in life beyond the field of play!

Good coaches get their athletes to believe in themselves. They inspire their players to do more than they think they can. I see this quality in Atletico Madrid’s Coach, Diego Simeone. Good coaches always build self esteem rather than undermine it.

Good coaches do not let their egos and self-worth get tied up in the outcome. Jose Mourinho is a victim of this quality. Always giving himself titles such as “The Special One”, “The Only

Middlesbrough.

“It’s an important job and I don’t like to mess around when I think I’ve got the right person.”

Last week, news of Mackay’s potential employment prompted Wigan MP Lisa Nandy to write a letter to Whelan which expressed her concerns over the Scot’s link to the position.

In that open letter, which she subsequently uploaded to her Twitter account, the Labour MP said: “I have been contacted by a number of constituents and Wigan Athletic supporters who have asked me to voice their concern in response to press reports suggesting the potential appointment of Malky Mackay as manager of Wigan Athletic.

Zambia bench following his recent good form for Chipolopolo.

The TP Mazembe striker last Saturday scored his second goal for Zambia in six games since ending his twoyear Chipolopolo exile three months ago Singuluma’s goal in Zambia’s 1-0 away win over Mozambique also clinched the teams’ 2015 Africa Cup qualification with a game to spare.

The striker had earlier marked his international

• Diego Semeone

Alewe Makes Case For Female Football

By IKPONMWOBA OSAZEE

A NOTABLE female football star, Alewe Arala-Osula has stressed the need for the federal Government and coorporate bodies to support the Nigerian female League with finance.

Alewe Osula fondly called ‘skippo’ by her admirers explained that female footballers suffers problems of finance in their career.

He said that some clubs do not have money to cater for the welfare of their players

adding that they do not earn good salaries and allowances.

She said thus “you know that in Nigeria female football is not as popular as that of the male. Some of these companies and philanthropists prefer to put their money into the male football than the female.

She argued that female football have given the country more glory than the male.

“For instance the Super Falcons recently won the African Women Championship. So, if the government and companies fund female football in Nigeria, they will not do so at loss.

Daniel Sturridge Goes Down Again

LIVERPOOL’s striker Daniel Sturridge has suffered another injury setback after breaking down training with his club side on Tuesday.

Sturridge limped out of a practice session amid fears that he has suffered a new thigh injury, sources have told ESPN FC. The England forward is set to have a scan in order to assess how serious the problem is and how long he will be out for.

He had been set to make his comeback for the Reds in Sunday’s Premier League match at Crystal Palace, having not played for his club since the end of August.

coaches take the time to get to know each athlete’s individual differences and styles. They take the time to get to know the athlete as a person.

Furthermore, good coaches continually challenge their athletes to do better and push their limits.

These coaches are always pushing their athletes outside of their comfort zone, physically mentally and emotionally and they are helping them discover that in fact, they can do better than they first believed they could.

Singuluma Gets Zambia GIVEN Singuluma has Praise received praise from the

Wigan To Interview Mackay Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has revealed he will interview Malky Mackay for his club’s managerial vacancy despite the furore which followed his departure from Cardiff.

Latics, who are in the Sky Bet Championship’s bottom three just 18 months on from their famous FA Cup win, are currently talking to potential candidates about the post after sacking Uwe Rosler last Thursday.

Mackay was immediately installed as the favourite to take the reins having been out of the sport since he was dismissed by Cardiff in December 2013.

The Scot came close to taking over at Crystal Palace in August, only to see that possibility dashed when details emerged of text messages, sent by Mackay, which he later admitted were “disrespectful of other cultures”.

However, Whelan could be willing to offer Mackay a route back into the game as he promised to grant him an audience this week.

“I can confirm Malky Mackay has applied and we will speak to him,” Whelan told the Daily Telegraph. “I believe he deserves a fair hearing.

“We’ve had over 20 applications and started interviews on Tuesday.

Hopefully we can make an appointment before the game this weekend against

One” etc. The best coaches are psychologically healthy enough to know that they are not their performances, regardless of what others around them may say. They do not feel diminished as an individual when their teams fail nor do they feel that much better about themselves when their squads succeed.

Good coaches have a basic understanding that each athlete on their team is different in attitude, personality, response-ability, sensitivity and how they handle criticism and adversity.

As a consequence, these

Sturridge has not featured in any game since playing 89 minutes for England in a 1-0 friendly win over Norway on Sep. 3.

He suffered a thigh injury during an England practice session two days later, leading manager Brendan Rodgers to claim that national team boss Roy Hodgson had been overtraining the player.

Sturridge was close to a comeback when he suffered a calf injury while training with his club on Oct. 16.

In his absence, Liverpool have failed to find the form that carried them to a runners-up finish in last season’s Premier League.

Rodgers’ side have slumped to 11th place and are facing a group-stage elimination from the Champions League, having won just five out of the 14 matches that Sturridge has missed across all competitions.

The 25-year-old announced on Twitter last Wednesday that he had returned to full training, hinting that he was close to being ready to play again.

Alewe Arala-Osula

return with a goal on August 31 in Zambia’s 3-1 friendly win over Sudan in Lusaka.

“He scored a very crucial goal for us and it is good for him as well,” Zambia assistant coach Kampamba Chintu said.

“One good thing about the team is we are not having one player scoring all the time we have different players and it shows we have player’s hungry to score.”

Singuluma is currently Zambia’s joint top scorer in 2014 on two goals tied with Evans Kangwa of Israeli club Hapoel Ra’anana.

Both strikers have an opportunity to add to their international tally on Wednesday night when Zambia host Cape Verde in their final 2015 Africa Cup Group F qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

THE NIGERIAN

31

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

NSSF: Anambra Athletes Deplore N3,000 Competition ANAMBRA athletes to the Allowance

seventh national school sports festival in Otukpo, Benue have said that the N3000 being paid to them as competition allowance was poor.

The 10-day festival ended on Nov. 16.

Some of the athletes who spoke to newsmen in Awka said that the amount was far less than what they were paid in previous competitions, even when they did not perform as well as they did in Otukpo.

They further said that they were only asked to sign and not to write the sum they were paid on the payroll.

Kenechukwu Iloakagbune, who participated in athletics, said he did not understand why they were being paid N3000 after they had done the state proud.

Iloakagbune, who was a third-time participant at the school sports festival, said the sum was a disincentive to youths who wished to serve their state as sportsmen.

“After 10 days away from school and our parents, they paid us N3, 000. This is bad and the lowest I have ever recieved.

“I do not know if it is because it is the Education Ministry that is paying us.

When the Sports Ministry was in-charge, we never got anything less than N6, 500 for our participation,” he recalled.

Ifeanyi Ofiah, a gymnast, said he was slapped for daring to write the sum he was paid on the payroll. He said that it was painful to be humiliated when athletes were getting allowances that were not due to them.

Ofiah called on the

government of Anambra to take a closer look at the welfare of the athletes in the state because some of them took to sports as a means of helping themselves and their parents.

A female gold medallist said the treatment was unfair as there was almost nothing to show for the excellent outing, adding that no parent would be willing to allow their children to compete for the state, if it continued.

According to her, “ we were paid N1,500 for camping and N3, 000 for competition, I have collected the money but I am not happy with what they did; it is unfair. They did not even allow us to write how much they gave us,’’ she said.

One of the coaches, who wished not to be named, said the experience in Otukpo was hell, adding that the accommodation was nothing to write home about.

He, however, lauded the efforts of the team and called on management to give more encouragement to the young athletes.

Reacting, Tony Chiezie, Chairman of School Sports in Anambra, said it was true that the athletes were being paid N3, 000 as competition allowance, pointing out that the shortfall was due to increase in the number of athletes accommodated.

Chiezie, who was the leader of the contingent, said that the approval made was for 500 athletes, but the number rose to about 676 due to more events the state participated in, adding that no athlete would have gotten N5, 000 if they worked with that number.

NOC Election

Gumel Poised To Re-Invent Moribund Committee

Mfon Udoh

Udoh Reveals He Did Not Target All-Time Record

NEW goal scoring sensation Mfon Udoh has revealed he did not set out to break the all-time goals record in the Nigeria league this season.

Jude Aneke set a new record of 20 goals in the league three seasons ago, but Enyimba striker Udoh has now gone into the history books after he fired home 23 goals to become the player to score the

highest number of goals in a single season in the Nigeria league.

“I am elated to write my name in the history book of Nigeria football by setting new goal scoring record.

Though I never target the feat as my aim was to score 20 goals, five goals better

Anichebe believes his fellow Hawthorns striker could be quickly shot down if his performance levels drop.

The bulky Nigeria striker burst onto the scene at Everton in 2006, scoring his first Toffees goal against the Baggies in his third game, and knows the scrutiny young stars come under.

“I told him about that. I came through with James Vaughan, who was a big deal, as it always is when a young guy comes through,” he said.

“It is very difficult and you can get caught up in the hype but as long as you have good people around you then you should be okay.”

“As much as they’re building him up now, if he starts playing badly people will bring him down again.

“As soon as you don’t have

the level of performances you should have, you will find it difficult, but he’s a good kid and is positive and really believes in himself, so I’m sure he’ll continue to fulfill his potential.

“I always sing his praises because he’s a quality player and he will be a quality player for years to come if he can keep his head right.

He added: “He is young and there is a lot of pressure and expectation on him right now, but as long as he can keep doing exactly what he’s been doing, not listen too much to the media and things on the outside and keep his feet on the ground, he will be fine.

“I think anyone would enjoy playing with the quality of players England have. They have a lot of quality players and Saido has only just had his first call-up, so we need to take it easy.

Anichebe Warns Berahino To Ignore The Hype

NIGERIA’s striker Victor Anichebe has warned his West Brom team-mate Saido Berahino to ignore the hype

Victor Anichebe

surrounding his superb display in the season thus far.

than what I scored in 2012/ 2013 season for Akwa United,” he said.

“But when I reached the 20-goal mark, I felt I could score two more to set the record and I thank God I ended up with 23 goals.

Though I was sad we didn’t win the league.”

Udoh’s club Enyimba were beaten by a point by champions Kano Pillars.

The striker scored five braces in the season, and two of those braces were against Nembe City home and away.

He was awarded 250,000 Naira prize money as the league hotshot for the 2013/ 14 season.

Hope Akpan

THE bid by Habu Gumel to return to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) as its president is now seen as the tonic to revamp the once vibrant committee.

According to followers of the Olympic movement in the country, his bid to reclaim the headship of the committee at its elective congress in Asaba on Thursday is a clarion call to duty — to steer back a ship that had gone adrift.

In the last four years, there has been a seeming lack of coordination in the leadership of the committee.

The committee had largely been seen as a divided house, torn apart by internal squabbles that pitched the president against the secretary-general.

“The squabble, which polarised the entire committee, turned out a deviation from the norm because the in-fighting marred most of the executive committee sessions,’’ noted the chairman of a sports association who pleaded anonymity.

Akpan Out For 2 Weeks

NIGERIA’s international midfielder Hope Akpan will be out of action for two weeks following a shoulder injury he suffered in an AFCON qualifier in Congo at the weekend.

The Reading FC midfielder lasted for only 51 minutes in the game due to dislocated shoulder and he has since returned to England for his club medics to have a second look at the injury.

Akpan will definitely miss his club’s next two away games with Cardiff and Norwich City, but could return for the home fixture with Bolton.

Quoted by the Reading Post after the match, the Nigerian team’s physio, Ibrahim Gyaran, revealed: “Though the injury is not too serious, it will take him at least two weeks to recover, including the rehabilitation period before returning to action.”

THE NIGERIAN

CMYK

32

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

Lest We Forget 2014 In Review LAST week, we started a series, which we hope to sustain in the remaining part of this year — attempting to remind ourselves of some salient issues raised during the year, which we consider important enough not to be swept under the carpet.

Given the frailty of the human mind, there is the constant need to follow up on our actions, lest we forget.

2014 goes down in history as the year of the Ebola. We see the bold hands of God in the affairs of Nigeria. For God so loved Nigeria that He dispatched the nation’s heath-care givers on strike at the approach of the Ebola. They were already too far into that strike when Patrick Sawyer strayed into Nigeria. The major hospitals were under lock and key.

Otherwise, Sawyer would probably have been rushed to a larger health institution like the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, instead of the “Obalende Dispensary” that was open.

We have maintained elsewhere that at a larger institution, perhaps between the Doctors and the Nurses; between the paramedics and the pharmacists down to the wards; Sawyer would have come in contact with thousands of people and we would, indeed, have been talking of infected and dead people in their thousands. And more so, with our usual yearning for the Dollar, that expatriate would have been embraced by all, unknown to them that Sawyer was really a time-bomb, waiting to explode.

Later, we were told that the World Health Organization, WHO, had certified Nigeria “Ebola free”. We took that with a pinch of salt, given the fact that the Ebola is a creation of the Western World in which the same WHO and other UN Agencies have been implicated in selecting and enticing Africans and African countries to participate in the testing events, promoting pretentious

vaccinations, while pursuing various testing regiments. For too long, the international conspiracy against Africa in which Africans were used as guinea pigs, on African soil, has been going on.

Some respondents to our article, “Ebola As Grand Conspiracy Against Africa” feel that the points raised in that piece deserve further investigation by the leaders of this continent.

Early in the year, when INEC issued the Timetable for the 2015 general elections, a storm of indignation burst forth, particularly on the aspect of placing the highest election, the presidential one, first. This was widely criticized because of its propensity to aid rigging at the lower levels, as it did in 1983 and other elections where it produced an unfair band-wagon effect. The ordering of an election from top to bottom has been likened to climbing a tree from the top. The ideal thing is to start elections from the lowest rungs of the ladder and move upwards.

INEC ignored the entire outcry. This is where INEC lost all its claim to any democratic credentials.

Essentially, we see no major difference here between INEC and the Idi Amin or Sanni Abacha regimes.

For two years running, the Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Arunmah Oteh, and her Organization, have been consistently de-budgeted;

as they have been denied needed funds in the annual appropriations. In spite of the denials of appropriation, we see that Oteh still remains DG of SEC. From where is she being paid? And for how long shall we continue to have a National Assembly that is

weak to enforce fiscal discipline on CBN; and too wicked to perpetually subjugate the SEC. But between these extremes, a balance must be created to make for uniformity of standards. Put differently, what is good for CBN must also be good for SEC? In March this year, Nigeria witnessed the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, debacle in

annoying, those who presided over these disasters have gone scot free, which lends credence to the belief that it is folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss.

• President Goodluck Jonathan inconsistent and most incoherent? While SEC bemoans its exclusion from the annual appropriation, its opposite, number, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has flouted the request to submit its budgets to the National Assembly for information, talk more for approval. In essence, the National Assembly is too

which 19 unsuspecting young job-seeking Nigerians, including a pregnant woman, were carelessly dispatched to their early graves. An equally gory incident occurred in July 2008 when a recruitment exercise by the same NIS produced a grim toll of 17 lives throughout the country.

Still more

In the NIS debacle, we saw a situation where Nigerians were being asked to pay for jobs that were not in existence; and that’s exactly what has now been transferred to the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, where graduating students must now pay through the nose to access their postings.

There is the callous

argument that it costs more for the students to travel from their towns to the schools to get their postings. But we ask: why should the onus of getting their places of assignment be on the poor students who have no job, in the first place? Why shouldn’t the institutions publish the list in national newspapers?

Our government has virtually become a gaming machine, which no amount of money can ever satisfy.

Nigeria’s hollowed-out state is reflected in the impotent institutions that run the country: the army generals have sometimes taken to swindling entire military budgets, with the result that Nigerian soldiers faced with ruthless insurgency in the North, who are unable to fight, are deserting the army in droves.

Thievery has become a way of life in our public service to the extent that President Goodluck Jonathan recently proclaimed that, “Stealing public money is not corruption”. It is even worse that he did not say what it is.

Yet, on the issue of profligacy, the Finance Minister and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, only points accusing fingers at State Governors while insisting that we must “leave Jonathan alone”. This holier than thou attitude also deserves to be buried in the outgoing year!

“In the NIS debacle, we saw a situation where Nigerians were being asked to pay for jobs that were not in existence; and that’s exactly what has now been transferred to the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, where graduating students must now pay through the nose to access their postings.”

Printed and Published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24 Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334, Benin City. Telephone: Lagos: 01-4930029, Benin City: 052-257492, 257531.

Editor: BARR. SOLOMON IMOHIOSEN (KSJI) - 07030699646). Deputy General Manager, Marketing (08023457566). Assistant General Manager - Advertisement (08023808856) Lagos Office: 25A Alli Street, Off Tinubu Square, Lagos Island, Lagos. Abuja Office Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com. (ISSN 0331-2673).