Nigerian observer 22 07 2013

THE NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

1

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

FOCUS cmyk

Pgs. 16/17 2013 World Population Day

Addressing Teenage Pregnancy

ARCHIVAL MATTERS Pg 21

The Biblical Cain In Us

• Vol. 38 NO.279 • MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 • N 100.00

Cleric launches cable satellite BENIN CITY - History was made at the weekend in Benin City, the Edo State capital as thousands of Christian faithfuls, Nollywood actors and actresses,

government officials and captains of industries stormed the Oba Akenzua Cultural centre for the commissioning of Apostle Johnson Suleman’s Omega Fire

Ministries (OFM) multibillion naira cable satellite television station, Celebration T.V. According to Apostle Suleman, the idea of setting up the station

was based on the mandate he had from God to produce people of fire and enviable destinies.

According to him, “We Continues on page 2

Oil Theft

Tambuwal calls for EU support ABUJA - Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal has called for the support of the European Union (EU) in fighting oil theft in Nigeria.

Tambuwal made the Assembly on its part was call at the end of the 25th however considering session of African, legislation to check oil Caribbean, Pacific and theft in the country.

European Union (ACPAt the three-day event, EU) Joint Parliamentary the Speaker said the Assembly. ugly development of oil He said the National theft was having

negative effects on the country’s economy.

Speaking on the country’s security

situation, he said government had taken some measures which include the declaration

of state of emergency in some affected areas to check insecurity.

“We have taken extreme measures to restore normalcy in Continues on page 2

Apparition of Mary attracts huge crowd

By INNOCENT OKOH UBIAJA mysterious

-

A image

STOP OIL BUNKERING

· ·

· · · · ·

People of Edo State, Government has discovered that inspite of measures taken by security agents in the State to stop illegal oil bunkering, perpetrators of this shady business have continued unabated.

The State Government is warning all those still involved in oil bunkering in the State to, in their own interest, stop this shady and dubious business forthwith as stiffer penalties await them.

Any person or group of persons caught in the illegal business will be dealt with according to the law.

All vehicles and equipment used will be burnt.

Be patriotic, report any person suspected to be in the business of oil bunkering to the authorities concerned.

Join Government to rid the State of enemies of progress.

Edo State must continue to move forward.

This message is from the Edo State Ministry of Information and Orientation

believed to be an apparition of Mary has appeared in St. Benedict Catholic Church, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The image which appeared on the inside wall of the church has provoked interests and admiration of residents of Ubiaja and environs.

The church is now besieged by thousand of christian faithfuls, notably Catholics who have come to have a first hand knowledge of the mysterious image which many are currently worshipping.

Continues on page 2

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Hon. Peter Akpatason, member of the House of Representative during a funeral Mass for late Senator Albert Legogie, former Deputy Senate President at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ugbekpe Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBOESERE.

EKPERI - The remains of former Deputy President of the Senate in the second republic, Sen. Albert Legogie who died in Benin City on June 17,

have been buried.

He was buried at the Ekperi community cemetery amid tears after a funeral service at the Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Ugbekpe-Ekperi in Estako Central Local Government Area of

Edo. The Bishop of Auchi

shareholders on ratio of shareholding.

The chairman of the company, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck made the

the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company. He added that the announced dividend was in

dividend policy supported by the good performance of the company in the Continues on page 2

Legogie buried amid eulogies

PRESCO declares N1 billion dividend compliance with its shared among announcement during

BENIN CITY – PRESCO PLC has declared a proposed dividend of 100 kobo per share amounting to N1,000,000,000 to be

Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia in his homily, urged the congregation to live their lives to the glory of God. According to Dunia, pure heart determines where one goes after life.

Senate President, David Mark, who was represented by Minority Leader of the Senate, George Akume, described Legogie as a Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

2 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

News Legogie buried amid eulogies

Continued from page 1

courageous and patriotic Nigerian who served at a difficult time in the country.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha described Legogie as one of those who had courage to face the military.

“I met him in my younger days in politics. He was one man of courage. After the June 12 debacle, he was one of those Senators who insisted that the right things must be done.

“It was his courage that made it possible for him to be unanimously elected on the floor of the Senate.

“They operated under very difficult circumstances and managed to make some laws. He was an astute politician.

“If you want to plan an unreasonable thing, don’t get Legogie involved. He will tell you his piece of mind; he will tell you that he is man of great passion.

“He died serving Nigeria well and Nigeria has come today to bury him.’’

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo recalled how Legogie attempted to

stop him from organising strike against fuel price during the military era.

He said Legogie advised that the strike was not necessary at that time because of the situation in the country.

Oshiomhole also said Logogie supported his aspiration to become governor.

“I told him I wanted him to coordinate my campaign. He

believed I was not crazy. He accepted to coordinate my campaign. He took me to meet political actors one by one.

According to Oshiomhole, “where others saw danger, Legogie saw opportunity that can be overcome.

“He was the only Afenmai man that agreed to identify to a project that is hopeless.

“Our people were told that

Continued from page 1

Guild of Nigeria ((AGN) Ejike Asiegbu was brokered by the fiery man of God. In his key note address, notable movie producer and director, Ambassador Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen charged Christian leaders in the country to wake up from their slumber to seize the mass media entirely and use it to win souls for the kingdom and demonstrate the awesomeness of God without drifting from the Bible.

Ambassador Imasuen, said the churches have lost out in the business of entertainment by their compromise for quality production and relevant messages which can no

Cleric launches cable satellite

have a mandate to wipe out tears from people all over the world, through the revelation of the Word, manifestation of God’s power and reality of the Holy Spirit.

“The explosive reach of the satellite television station will provide the Body of Christ with a profound opportunity to communicate God’s message of love and truth to the masses of people throughout the world.

It was also a day the Nollywood industry will not forget in a hurry as the nine years old feud between Kanayo O. Kanayo and the former president of the Actors

PRESCO declares N1 billion dividend Continued from page 1 preceding year.

He also announced that turnover for the year was N11,251,521,000 as against N8,536,172,000 the previous year, resulting in a profit after tax of N3,549,719,000.00 compared with 2011 which was N1,778,358,000.00.

According to him, the Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB)

production for the year was 125,481 Metric Tonnes (MT) compared to 109,111 MT in the previous year.

“In addition 2012 was an exceptional year as Presco received 34,830 MT of FFB from its sister company, Siat Nigeria Ltd. The cumulative figure for FFB processed hence comes to 160.3311 MT resulting to a higher CPO production of 133,375 tons

2 Kidnap suspects arrested

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

BENIN CITY - Two members of a three-man gang of suspected kidnappers who abducted a man and his lover in Benin City have been arrested after they were trapped in an autocrash at Lokoja, Kogi State. They were taking their victim’s car to Kano to sell when they had an accident with the vehicle.

Their plan to sell the car came after they had collected ransome from the owner.

One of the suspects, Peter Thomas (32) had his laps fractured in the crash.

He was rescued by a team of unsuspecting Federal Road Safety commission officials in Lokoja.

The Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo covert investigation led to the arrest of Peter Thomas and his partner in crime, Efosa Okungbowa (35) while the stolen car, marked DZ 382 BEN was recovered.

The suspected kidnapper,

it was not our turn but others were wrong then and he was right. He was not a traitor. He stood by me where others were afraid.’’

Reports say that there was no representation from the national or state hierarchy of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) where Legogie was once a member of its Board of Trustees Legogie died during a brief illness.

Peter Thomas said he is a Public Administration student of the Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Usen, Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Edo State.

He said he was arrested in a bone setter’s clinic in Benin City.

According to him, his friend asked him to accompany him to Kano to dispose the vehicle but however denied complicity of the kidnapping.

The second suspect, Okungbowa admitted to have in connived with others now at large to steal the car where it was parked at Stadium Road, Benin City.

He also denied complicity in the kidnapping.

Contacted on telephone, the Public Relations Officer of ITM, Prince Richard Elawure said the name Peter Thomas does not exist in any department of the institution, either as a student or staff, saying it was only a case of impersonation.

compared with 22,936 tons for the year 2011 and refined bleached deodorized oil of 26,572 tons compared with 20,887 tons in 2011”, he stated.

He however noted that of concern were the increasing terrorist action of extreme militant groups in parts of the country and that notwithstanding such incidences, good industrial environment prevailed throughout the preceding year.

He assured that the company would continue to strive to ensure it complies fully with the requirements of the various regulatory bodies, stressing that it was committed to Research and Development for which it has devoted resources.

In his remarks during the pre AGM cocktail party, the secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere lauded the company for its economic achievements, saying that government was happy the company is expanding and not static.

He urged the company to do more in the state in the area of corporate social responsibility, employment generation, training opportunities and contributions to the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

“We appreciate your investment in the state and I think that your success has attracted several others who have queued up to invest in the state in the same sector,” he stated.

longer measure up to today’s entertainment thread.

While reiterating that entertainment is an absolute tool for massive evangelism designed and created by the early church, the Edo born movie producer posited that the church and the media are indivisible duo for spreading the gospel of Christ.

According to him, “so the need for the church to go back to the effective use of entertainment and quality media content in its totality as a tool for preaching the gospel of Christ and stop complaining that it is a distraction from HELL. There is an urgent need right now for the church to take back that which is theirs.”

Times are changing and the church has to change along, God has given us the media to use for the wide spread of His word. He has given us power and authority by commanding us to subdue and dominate the earth. The church has to wake up to her responsibility of taking the gospel to the entire world continually. It is the duty of the church to heal the world through the media by His word.”

He therefore called on all spiritual leaders to embrace, capture, and invade the media, the internet and all social media and use them effectively for reaching out to the lost souls with quality content.

Apparition

Continued from page 1 Speaking with The Nigerian OBSERVER, the Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Father Lawrence Ibhatiri confirmed it as an apparition, saying it occurs from time to time.

Meanwhile, some respondents have ascertained the reality of the image, describing it as an act of God while some others doubted the reality of such image, saying it is a make up.

Edo doles out aid to challengedmobility persons aid to the physically

By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR

BENIN CITY – Edo State Government has given over 30 mobility aid, including wheel chairs and crutches to some physically challenged persons at the end of a three-day workshop, in Benin City.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop which was organized by the office of Edo State First Lady in collaboration with the Agency for Science and Technology, Abuja, the Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Princess Ekiuwa Inneh noted that the wheel chairs and crutches were given free of charge to the physically challenge persons who participated in the workshop to enable them carry out what they were taught during the workshop.

She congratulated the participants for successfully completing the training exercise and urged them to put into practice what they learnt during the programme.

Responding on behalf of the physically challenged persons, the coordinator of Advocacy for Women with Disability, Edo State Comrade Ann Ojugo, thanked the state government for providing the

challenged persons.

Speaking on the essence of the workshop, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Special Duties, Hajia Maimuna Momodu noted that the products the participants were taught how to produce are the ones’ that could provide them means of living.

A.C.N Women leader in Edo State, Mrs. Modino Emovon expressed delight over the high rate of women who participated at the workshop, and thanked the State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for approving the workshop.

On his part, the Senior Special Assistant, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Amhande Akhigbe, said the training was packaged to train youths, including women to be self-reliant instead of waiting for government to employ them.

He explained that the chairpersons of the councils in the state participated in the workshop to enable them replicate the workshop in their respective Local Government Areas.

Participants were taught how to produce tin tomatoes, interlocking blocks, liquid soap, disinfectants, P.O.P ceiling, among others.

LG boss promises to prioritise education

FUGAR -The Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo, Mr Emmanuel Momoh, has reiterated the determination of his administration to give education due attention.

Momoh told newsmen in Fugar, the council’s headquarters yesterday, that emphasis would be placed on building the children up “academically, morally, as well as socially”.

He said that to achieve this, the council had concluded plans to undertake massive renovation of primary schools and purchase instructional materials for the schools.

Momoh noted that putting in place a beautiful edifice as schools, without moral regeneration, would not change the child and the society positively.

He urged the people to be in the vanguard of ensuring that “every child in the council area is brought up morally, culturally and socially”.

According to the chairman,

discipline must be the watchword in the process of training children to be responsible citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

He urged teachers and parents to be role models to their children, and that they must carry out this vital role through their conduct, mode of dressing and mannerism.

He also expressed his administration’s willingness to improve the welfare of teachers in the local government. “ P a r e n t s / Te a c h e r s Association (PTA) of various schools must reinforce to support the management of the schools, to ensure discipline and human capacity development,” he said.

Momoh regretted that in contemporary Nigerian society, children and youths were being used for various nefarious activities, such as bombing, thuggery, pipeline vandalism, cultism, among others.

and Nigerians are interested in women issues and we will ensure that women are given the attention they deserve,’’ the Speaker added.

He said 63 per cent of women in the country’s parliament are heading key standing committees.

Tambuwal commended

delegates from other countries for accepting to come to Nigeria without minding some negative reports about the security situation in the country.

Reports say that the 26th session of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in November.

Tambuwal calls for EU support

Continued from page 1 affected areas in terms of security,” Tambuwal said.

On women, he said the Nigerian parliament had taken steps to ensure that women were given special roles in the scheme of things in the parliament.

“The Nigerian parliament

THE NIGERIAN

3 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Inside Edo Ramadan Fast: Ikpoba-Okha

Donates Food Items To Arewa Community

BENIN CITY - In the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fast, the IkpobaOkha Local Government Council has presented various food items to the Arewa community in the locality.

Presenting the items, the chairman of the council, Hon(Mrs.) Itohan OsahonOgbeide said the gesture was informed by the need to encourage the Muslim community in their spiritual exercise. As well as appreciate the members for their support so far.

Leader of the Arewa Community in the locality, Alhaji Sahabi Aliu-Umah thanked the council boss for the gesture, promising to sustain their support for the administration.

Meawhile, Hon (Mrs.) Osahon-Ogbeide has assured people in the locality of conducive living environment.

She gave the assurance while monitoring the delivery of Swan-Buggy machine meant for the disitting of the water lodge at Dumez Road axis of the local government area.

The council boss said her council appreciates the hardship people in the area faced during the rains and have find lasting solution to erosion problem in the area.

She reminded inhabitants

of Dumez Road community that during her first tenure in office, the council embarked on rehabilitation of the roads, promising to extend same to the Gorretti Road junction by Upper Sakpoba Road, Benin City.

Also, the Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Benson Osifo has inspected the ongoing disitting work at Dumez Road where he told the inhabitants that the council is committed to giving them a sense of belonging.

The community youth leader, Mr. Bright Kokoma appreciated the council for identify with them during the erosion problem.

L-R: Senate President, Senator David Mark, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, his wife, Roli, and Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole during the funeral Mass for late Senator Pius Ewherido at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Warri, Delta State. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE.

Illushi Community Sends SOS To Govt

By INNOCENT OKOH

ILLUSHI - The people of Illushi Community in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State have sent a Save-OurSoul (SOS) message to governor Adams Oshiomhole, President Goodluck Jonathan and relevant security agencies to save the community from hoodlums, acting as youths that have laid siege in the community.

This is coming in the wake of a crisis that engulfed

the community leaving in its trail deaths and the relocation of some members and the traditional ruler of the community. His Royal Highness, Christopher Keboradih out of fear.

Kebordih who spoke with The Nigerian Observer in his hide out named some persons in the community who are now at large that are terrorizing the community and imposing illegal fines on

some members of the community in order to further their loyalty to them.

According to the traditional ruler, many people from Illushi community have taken refuge in the nearby

Ubiaja community, the local government area headquarters relying on people to be able to meet their daily needs, having been forced out of their normal businesses.

God’s Work: Cleric Admonishes Christians the church for their

By OPEYEMI OLUGBEMIRO

BENIN CITY – The Minister in Charge of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Mountain of Liberation), Benin City, Pastor (Dr) S.U. Ovbiagele has admonished christian faithfuls to continue to work for the progress and

development of God’s work on earth.

He made the admonition at the weekend during the dedication of the church in Benin City.

The dedication ceremony coincided with the award ceremony for some members of

distinguished service in the vineyard of God. They are the chairman, Edo District Co-ordinator (DCC), CAC Worldwide, Pastor A.C.O. Otugo, Chief (Dr) S.A. Ogbomo, Sir U. Urhue and Pastor P.E. Afemikhe who God gave the structural design of the church building.

Pastor Ovbiagele encouraged christians to remain faithful to God, saying that God is faithful to his words.

Appreciating God for the wonderful edifice, he noted that God was fully in control during

the construction process.

The Edo District Coordinator of CAC Worldwide who cut the tape to officially commission the ultra modern building said the building would help in the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan who was chairman of the occasion said lots of work were put into the making of the building, saying it is the beginning of greater things for the church.

The ceremony also featured cutting of the dedication cake.

Igueben Community Appeals For Amenities

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

Representative of the Senate President, Senator George Akume (left), presenting a condolence letter on behalf of the Senate President to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole during the funeral Mass for the late Senator Albert Legogie, former Deputy Senate President, at the funeral mass in SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ugbekpe, Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE

IGUEBEN – The Head(Odionwere) of Eguare Quarters, Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State. Pa. Eboghoye Esiri has appealed to the state government for the provision of social amenities and infrastructural development in the community.

He told our correspondent who visited the community recently that his community is in need of portable Water borehole, health centre, link

roads in the community, renovation of Igueben College of Education in the community as well as the empowerment of youths to help check youth restiveness in the area.

Pa. Esiri appealed to Igueben sons and daughter, both at home and in diaspora to come Home and contribute quota to their entire Igueben community.

Pa Esiri used the occasion to appeal to the relevant authorities to look into the payment of monthly stipends to chiefs in the community.

THE NIGERIAN

4 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Inside Edo Irrua Wants Indigene To Succeed Outgoing Hospital CMD

L-R: The SSG, Edo State, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere; Chairman, Presco Plc, Piree Vandebeck, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief Oseni Elamah, MD, Presco Plc and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Delta State, Hon. (Barr.) Mison Ukubayinje during the Presco Plc 20th Annual General Meeting/Cocktail party in Benin City.

IRRUA – With the tenure of the incumbent Chief Medical Director (CMD) Irrua Teaching Hospital gradually coming to an end.

The people in the locality are clamouring for an indigene of the locality as his successor.

In a release signed by Comrade Sylvanus Osobase and made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Benin City, the people of Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State said the time is ripe for an indigene to preside over the hospital that was established about two decades ago.

According to the release, after due consideration, it was

observed that Professor Clement Osime, a Surgeon possess the requisite knowledge and capacity among other people to become the CMD. While appealing to the Minister of Health to look at the credentials of Professor Osime, with a view to considering him for the position, the release said the Irrua Community have never had the privilege of occupying the exalted office of CMD since inception of the hospital.

The statement further described Professor Osime as a Barrister at Law and a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Component A of the State Employment and Expenditure For Results (SEEK FOR) Project.

When the SEEK FOR Project becomes effective, Component A would be expected to intervene in areas such as Road maintenance, cleaning of drains, sweeping of roads, vegetation control, kerbs painting, repair of collapsed drains, etc.

The Project Coordinator of Edo SEEK FOR Project, Mr. Taiwo Akerele described the meeting as one example of the synergy building mechanism encouraged among the Four SEEK FOR states of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers to bring about development and positive youth engagement in the Niger

Delta geo political zone.

He described the Asaba meeting as an opportunity for Edo to learn about the Public Works as the Comrade Governor is keenly interested in it and youth employment, stressing that all Activity Executing Agencies concerned with this Component have been sufficiently sensitized on their roles.

The SEEK FOR is expected to be declared effective in the third quarter of this year as all subsidiary agreement has been signed.

Some key staff of Edo SEEK FOR, Rapid Response Agency and the Consultant in charge of Public Works were part of the delegation to Asaba.

Edo/Delta SEEFOR Synergise On Public Works

The SSG, Edo State, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (left), signing the second Phase additional licence agreement with Oracle Corporation, on behalf of the State Government while the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Barr. Oluwole Iyamu looks on . Photo: QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO

BENIN CITY - A knowledge sharing meeting between management of Delta SEEK FOR, Activity Executing Agencies, Civil Society groups and contractors of Delta on one hand and staff of Edo SEEK FOR has ended in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The essence of the meeting was to share ideas on how to deepen intervention in the two states as regards the

SSG Calls For Adequate Funding Of SIEC

By QUEENETH OROBEDO

BENIN CITY - Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has advised that the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIEC) in Nigeria should not be banned.

He stated this at Government House, Benin City, when he received a delegation of Centre for Democracy and Development who came to present report of finding of research conducted by the agency on the activities of SIEC in some states of the federation.

Prof. Ihonvbere however advised that SIEC should be strengthened, well funded , and given some level of autonomy to work, in order to improve democratic practices and for the benefit for all.

According to the SSG, “the communalization and minimization of our political

institutions undermine the genuine political structure in Nigeria”.

He said the activities of the electoral commission could be controlled by the character of political parties, who in their desperation for power, do not operate by laid down

rules.

Prof. Ihonvbere noted that intimidation, corruption, imposition and manipulation constitute the bane of Nigeria democratic process, which invariably affects the whole system.

The leader of the delegation,

Centre for Democracy and Development, Idayat Hassan, said the finding, shows that there’s need for people to contribute to strengthening and refining SIEC, in light of true democracy, federalism and decentralisation process.

Catholic School Graduates 103 Students, Pupils

By OSE EHEBHA

EMU - THE catholic nursery, primary and secondary schools in Emu Community, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State have graduated 103 pupils and students in it 2013 graduation ceremony.

The secondary arm is called St. Andrew’s Catholic College while the nursery and primary arm is known as St. Michael’s

Nursery and Primary School.

10 students graduated from the senior secondary section, 19 from the junior secondary section, 41 from the primary section, while the kindergarten section turned out 33 pupils.

The ceremony featured cultural dances, language/ bible recitation, drama presentations, as well as presentation of gifts and awards.

The principal of the

college, Rev. Sister Ifeoma Arinze whose welcome address was delivered by her vice, Rev. Sister Fidelma Akata charged the graduands to continually imbibe the values that have been inculcated in them in the course of their academic training.

Speaking on the school’s academic achievements, the principal said the school recorded 100 per cent passes in the last WAEC, JSCE and first school

leaving certificate examinations.

She disclosed that the school in the next academic session billed to start in September this year, would commenced operation of dormitories for both boys and girls students.

The reverend sister equally revealed plans by the school to produce a drama documentary project-“The Incorruptible Judge”, as a way of educating the public on the

ills of bribery and corruption.

In his valedictory speech, the out-going senior prefect, Precious Oshorihbor paid glowing tribute to the principal of the college, whom he said transformed the school to enviable level.

He recalled with nostalgia his early days in the school, and expressed profound gratitude to the school’s teachers for imparting them with quality education.

THE NIGERIAN

5 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

South-South NGF: Amaechi Promises To Maintain The Path Of Principle PORT HARCOURT-Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers has said he would remain on the path of principle as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

He stated this in Port Harcourt on Saturday when staff of the NGF Secretariat under his leadership visited him.

Amaechi enjoined the staff to remain neutral in the face of the

Civil Defence Promises To Protect Infrastructure AKAMKPA (Cross River), The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment to providing adequate security for government infrastructure in Cross River.

State Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr Benito Eze, made the promise in Akamkpa, Akamkpa Local Government Area on Saturday.

He spoke at the inaugural stakeholder’s forum of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel on Protection of Infrastructure in the state.

He said that providing security for government infrastructure was one of the mandates of the NSCDC. “The corps is being empowered by the government to include the protection of local, state, and federal infrastructure’’, he said.

The commandant added that the organisation would establish a security desk in Akamkpa to enable residents and investors get across whenever there was any security challenge.

“We are committed to eradicating criminality and violence in the society”, he added.

He said NSCDC was the first to be called when two expatriates were kidnapped in Akamkpa in May 2013.

“We gave government the first information about the kidnap.

My men swung into action, and in synergy with other security agencies, the two expatriate were released”, he said.

He appealed to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel in the state to caution its drivers to

curtail their reckless driving.

The Chief Mines Officer in Cross River, Mohammed Ohize, said the state was blessed with abundant mineral resources.

Ohize said the ministry had maintained a cordial relationship with the security agencies to provide security for the movement and storage of explosives.

“The NSCDC was recently given the responsibility of providing security for mining and quarrying companies in Nigeria”, he said.

He stressed that security and the economy were essential to the growth of the nation.

The Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government, Mr Denis Nkiri, commended the NSCDC for providing security for mines and steel infrastructure in Akamkpa.

forum’s current leadership crisis, assuring them of regular salaries.

He took advantage of the visit to undertake an unscheduled inspection of some ongoing and completed projects within the state capital.

This, according to the governor, was to acquaint them with

projects embarked upon and those completed by his government.

Some of the projects visited included the Kelsey Harrison 120-bed Hospital, some modern primary schools and the 38,000 sitter stadium complex.

He expressed displeasure over

“breech of some contract agreement’’ by the handlers of the hospital.

He phoned the Commissioner for Health to write the managers to correct the identified breeches or have the contract revoked.

Others visited were the ongoing health centre within the Riv-

Nation Building

The founder, Oseni Elamah ICT Institute, Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah (right) receiving document from the Country Head representative during the signing of franchise agreement between the Oseni Elamah ICT Institute and the NIIT in Benin City.

Agriculture: Govt Trains 4,500 Women UYO-The Akwa Ibom Government have so far trained about 4,500 women in commercial agriculture under the Women Agro-Empowerment Development Programme in the state.

Mr Godwin Afangideh, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Uyo. Afangideh said the present administration was committed and determined to develop the agriculture sector in the state.

“We have trained and empowered about 4,500 women with the sum of N250,000 each for commercial agriculture under

ers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) complex, the state Conference Centre and some completed road projects.

Amaechi called on the contractors to be up to their responsibilities or have their contract redetermined.

He said government was constructing 500 modern primary schools across the state, adding that 250 of the schools would be commissioned in October.

This, he said, was to address the shortage of primary schools in the state.

Mr Asishana Okauru, Director General of the NGF Secretariat who led the staff on the visit, expressed satisfaction with the projects inspected.

“We are very impressed by the institutions and infrastructure on ground here. It shows that Rivers is a modern state’’, Okauru said.

According to him, the facilities inspected are comparable to those in most advanced countries of the world

the women agro-empowerment development programme in agriculture.

“This will let us explore, use available opportunities and resources to thrive and develop the agriculture sector of the state and country,’’ he said.

The commissioner also said 4,000 youths were trained with N500,000 each under the inte-

grated farming scheme across the state.

He said the state government had provided land for people to boost the industrial sector in the state.

Afangideh said the policy thrust of Gov. Godswill Akpabio’s administration was to create an enabling environment for industrialisation in order to provide employment opportuni-

ties for the youths in the state.

“The governor is excited and interested in agriculture’s development. But we also have industrial estates in Uyo, Eket, IkotAbasi and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as abundant land for those who want to set up an industry,’’ he said.

youths in the state.

Mrs Tessy Nwaezeapu, the Executive Director of the NGO, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba on Sunday.

She said the youths who were selected from three local government areas (LGAs) of the state were trained in catering, soap-making and pop cornmaking.

Nwaezeapu said the youths were from Agbor in Ika North East, and the Sapele and Isoko South LGAs. “A total of 50 youths each were picked from the local government areas and at the end of the training, some starter-packs were given to them to enable them start their own business,’’ she added.

The executive director said the essence of the training was to reduce unemployment, as well as help check youth restiveness in the state.

She also disclosed that apart

from the youth empowerment programmes, the NGO had been organising series of seminars on how to check youth restiveness.

“The NGO has also embarked on an enlightenment campaign on issues relating to women’s health, child protection and capacity-building,’’ the executive director said.

She said further that the organisation had in the last one year been able to empower women in the area of 35 per cent as stipulated by the Women Affirmative Action.

“The essence of empowering the women through the 35 per cent affirmative action was to encourage women in the state to go for elective positions,’’ the executive director said.

Nwaezeapu added that the programme was funded by USAID.

NGO Empowers 150 Youths

ASABA-A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Concerned Women and Youth Empowerment in Delta, said it had so far empowered 150

The Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service/Founder Oseni Elamah ICT Institute (middle), Commissioner for Information/Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion (right); Commissioner for Environment, Prince Clem Agba (2nd right) Country Head representative, Mr. Pamkaj Meheswari (3rd right); representative of the Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa, Iku Erediauwa (3rd left); Commissioner for Education, Barr.

Washington Osifo and the Commissioner for Commerce/Industry.

Gov Tasks Old Boys Assoc

CALABAR-Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River has advised old students of Kings’ College, Lagos to ensure that their individual successes are translated into collective success for the growth and development of Nigeria.

Imoke gave the advice at the Kings College Old Boys Association Class ’78 Re-union in Calabar on Saturday.

According to Imoke, the school’s old boys are capable of contributing positively to the social, political and economic growth of the country.

“Kings College was recognised for academic and sports excellence as well as providing a platform for Nigerians to come together and build the emerging united Nigeria.’’

He said that the re-union provided an opportunity for them to reflect on what Nigeria had become, compared with what it was when they were in school.

The governor explained that there was a strong bond of relationship among them which grew over the years not minding where one came from.

Imoke said that being the last generation which grew up with core values, they understood what Nigeria was like.

He said that they were also capable of evolving greater things because as successful as they were, they were the generation that would make Nigeria great again.

“I do not expect any one without value to imbibe it when he is 40, so you have a role to play and make a difference in government.

THE NIGERIAN

6 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Development: Ex-Dep

South South

Leader Commends Edo Govt

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM

OTA (IGBANKE)- A prominent son of Igbanke in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State and former Deputy leader of the local government legislative arm, Hon. Michael Edosa has commended the giant strides of the state government in bringing democratic dividends to all nooks and cranny of the state.

However, the former Deputy leader said his community still has to contend with the lack of some basic amenities and other social infrastnicture.

In a chat with the Nigerian OBSEVER at Ota,

Hon. Edosa said the community lacks portable water and link roads that would enhance movement of persons in the community.

He appealed to the authorities of Orhionmwon Local Government Council to consider the renovation of the community primary school which is forepresently in a bad state.

Congratulating the

council boss, Hon. Poland Ibirutomwen on his election, Hon. Edosa appealed to him to operate an all embracing government.

While thanking the chiefs in Ota Community, for their support to the traditional institution, he appealed to all indigenes at home and in diaspora to contribute their quota to the development of the community.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, waving to the supporters of ACN when some members of PDP and Accord Parties decamped to ACN in Ibadan weekend.

FRSC Convicts 476 Traffic Offenders

AWKA - The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said that it prosecuted 509

traffic offenders and convicted 476 during its routine mobile court sessions in

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State in a group photograph with a delegation from the Federal Ministries of Health and Agriculture after a courtesy visit in Maiduguri weekend.

UNIUYO To Immortalise Slain UYO - The University of they had disagreement with Student Uyo said it would school management. immortalise late Kingsley Udoette, a 200 level zoology student who died during June 12 students protest over intra- campus transport fare.

Prof. Kimse Okoko, Chairman, Uniuyo Governing Council, stated this when the council paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family in Uyo. Okoko said Udoette would not have died the way he did if the students had held dialogue with university’s management.

“But we are comforted that God will give you the strength and the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“The university community

and council will ensure that Udoette did not die in vain.

“We will immortalise him in the university in whatever way we can.

“It will be tragic for us to do anything that will belittle the sacrifice that Udoette has made. And as I have said, he will be remembered.”

He added that the university and the council would continue to monitor the progress of the family.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Comfort Ekpo, said Udoette’s death was a great shock to her and the university community.

Ekpo appealed to students to always use dialogue when

She said that dialogue remained the best option in any conflict situation.

The vice chancellor thanked the students who stood by the family during the loss.

Responding on behalf of the bereaved family, Mr Okposin Ekong, thanked the council chairman and university management for their visit.

Okposin said that Udoette was a beloved son of the mother, Maddy, who lost her husband years ago.

He appealed to the university authority and security agents to ensure that his killers were brought to book.

Udoette died of gunshot wound during the protest.

Anambra from January to June.

The Sector Commander in the state, Mr. Hygienus Omeje, told newsmen in Awka that 33 others were discharged and acquitted by the court.

According to him, a total of 6,645 offenders who committed 7,136 various offences were also arrested within the period under review.

“A total of 151 crashes were recorded out of which 37 were fatal crashes, 80 people were killed and 444 others injured.

The total casualty of the injured and total number killed is 524.

“It is good to know that 675 others were rescued unhurt by our prompt intervention and professional dexterity.

“Out of these offenders and offences, the most prevalent causes still remain riding without crash helmets by okada riders, non-compliance with the use of seat belts and of course light signs.

“You will discover that the issue of over-speeding is a major factor here, loss of control, over loading and warn out tyre.”

The sector commander urged motorists to abide by the laid down traffic rules when driving, especially those plying the EnuguOnitsha express way where most accidents were recorded.

He also warned that the commission had made it mandatory that certain offenders would be tried in court instead of simply issuing tickets to them for payment of fine.

“More often than not people think that FRSC is about issuing you a ticket, go and pay fine. Some have misinterpreted it as being a revenue generation organisation, but

it is not so.

“When you understand the fact that it is not just about going to go and pay fine, then you will be careful.

“I said it that if you pay the fine, you are already a convict so that people will know that we have you on our record.

“I also want to use this medium to warn that there are offences that we have made it categorically clear that people will not pay.

“We must prosecute you.

The use of phone while driving, we don’t allow you to pay

again, we must take you to court.

“The issue of knocking down FRSC personnel, we are not going to settle out of court, we are not going to do anything, we must get to the court; and the issue of dangerous driving.

“These issues we must prosecute such a person in court. There is no option in it. I want to pay fine; we are not interested in your fine.”

ABUJA - The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, has warned medical doctors against making spurious claim in the media as experts in certain fields, describing the practice as unethical.

The minister gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of a private diagnostic centre.

He, therefore, advised them to allow their performances to sell them to the public.

He said measures had been taken to curtail such act, adding that the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, promised to ensure that the issue was properly addressed via the regulatory body in charge of advertising.

“I have discussed with the registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, and I have asked him to quickly publish and make a differentiation

between advertising of the doctor and giving out information about the hospital.

“There is nothing wrong in giving out public service information about the hospital; there is nothing wrong saying in the newspaper that we have a 64 slice CT scanner.

“What will be wrong is when you begin saying that Prof Chukwu who works in the hospital is the best orthopaedic surgeon in the world; that is advertisement.

“But there is nothing wrong in saying we have these facilities; we run the following services - that is public service information.

If we don’t tell our people where these services are, they will never know.’’

He, therefore, advised health professionals to be passionate in the job as it involved rendering humanitarian services.

Minister Flays Medical Adverts

THE NIGERIAN

7 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Lagos Police Rescue 2 Chinese In Lagos

Kidnapping:

LAGOS - The Police in Lagos State have rescued two Chinese from kidnap suspects, the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Ngozi Braide, has said said.

Braide said in a statement that one of the suspects was also arrested last week, when the incident occurred.

“On July 15, at about 2.50 p.m., the policemen attached to Shagamu Road Division in Ikorodu, responded to a distress call and arrested a kidnapper at Shotumu village, near Shagamu, Ogun.

“The suspect with others now at large, kidnapped Song Jiang, a 56-year-old woman and a man, Zhangwen Xue, 45, who are workers in Supper Engineering Company, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos.

“The victims were rescued alive while one locally-made pistol and a BMW car, marked CK 737 LND, were recovered from the suspect,’’ Braide said.

In a related development, the spokesperson said four armed robbery suspects were also arrested in different parts of the state.

Braide said that two were arrested at about 1.55 p.m. on July 16 by policemen attached to Dolphin Estate Division, who responded to a distress call at the Estate.

She also said two others were arrested during a patrol on the same day at about 9.30 a.m. by policemen attached to Igando Division.

She said all the cases had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations.

Accident scene at Alakija bus top on Lagos-Badagry expressway in Lagos on Thursday

Cleric Calls For Good Governance LAGOS - Some religious leaders have urged Nigerians to channel their

resources and energies toward sustaining democratic governance in

Association Cautions Legislature Against LAGOS - The Association of any wage that satisfied his Wage Deregulation pay Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria or her whims and caprices.

(ASCSN), has advised the House of Representatives and the 36 State Houses of Assembly against the deregulation of wages.

The advice is contained in a statement signed by Messrs Bobboi Kaigama and Alade Lawal, the association’s President and General Secretary

respectively,and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

It held that the implication of wage deregulation was that every employer in Nigeria would

Fire fighters trying to put off the fire that gutted coscharis motors, Kirikiri, Apapa, in Lagos last Thursday

According to the statement, the practice all over the world is that all employers are compelled by law to pay the national minimum wage benchmark and not below it.

It faulted the House of Representatives for stipulating minimum wage for federal and state government workers and none for the private sector workers.

“The essence of a national minimum wage is to ensure that poor workers are statutorily protected from employers who, left alone, will prefer to pay them peanuts.

“This is why consecutive governments in Nigeria, including the military, have subscribed to the philosophy of national minimum wage, as contained in Convention 131 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

“More than 170 countries ratified the ILO Convention, Nigeria inclusive”, the statement said.

The statement said that deregulation of the minimum wage, if allowed, would lead to anarchy in the industrial sector.

the country.

The clerics told journalist that the nation’s democracy was fought for and should be guided in such a way that it would be sustainable.

Rev. Femi Asiwaju, Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), urged the country’s leaders to adhere to the rule of law.

“To move Nigeria forward, let every arm of government obey the constitution, obey the laws and order, you cannot obey law and order when it suits you and when it doesn’t suit you.

“You disobey it, it will not work and they should know that people are watching.“ On his part, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, Director of Communication, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said that choosing the right people to pilot the affairs of the government was the right way to go as they would be competent enough to lead the country in the

Infertility Treatment: Expert Decries Role Of

LAGOS - Prof Osato GiwaOsagie, a fertility expert with the World Health Organisation, has decried the role of quacks in the treatment of infertility in Nigeria.

Giwa-Osagie, also a consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, said this in an interview with journalist in Lagos.

The expert said that many Nigerians seeking solution to

their infertility problems had fallen into the hands of quacks.

He said that this was due to lack of adequate information about In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) as the treatment option for infertility.

According to him, people are going to wrong places and are being wrongly treated.

Giwa-Osagie, however, urged Nigerians to shun quacks, stating that infertility

Quacks

in some couples was worsened when they were treated by quacks.

He also called on the media to check and censor advertisements on infertility treatment, promos and programmes in their media.

“Well, it is sort of nonsensical behviour that Nigerians have agreed to be accepting. Somebody goes on national television, he is not

a doctor, he is not a scientist.

He says he is a natural medicine practitioner.

“And, he started telling women what they should be using for fertility and reproduction; what they should be using for vaginal discharge and fibroid.

“And people think there is nothing wrong with that. If you accept that sort of nonsense, then, you deserve whatever comes to you.

“We are investing in

education. We are not getting the benefits of education.

People should apply their education correctly.

“There is no standard, but it’s a very big problem and you the media, you have a great role to play there. You should stop blowing up people who have nothing.

“It’s not only in the nonmedical profession, there are some medical practitioners who are only slightly better than empty barrels. “

right direction.

“Choose the right people; square pegs in square holes; if you have people of little minds, people who are not supposed to be there, selected, it will never work.

“If you have people who don’t even live in Nigeria steering the ship of leadership, it can never work, so we need people who act, who eat who drink, who sleep Nigeria.

“Those are the kind of people who should be there, so anything short of it, we will just be wasting our time.“ Also speaking, Prof Ishaq Akintola, Director, Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC), urged persons in elective positions to live up to the expectations of Nigerians by being of good service to the nation.

“The way to strengthen democracy in this country is to look at politics as service to one’s nation, as sacrifice to one’s nation, not that we should be there whether they like it or not.

“Democracy is to respect the wish of the people, if we respect that, then there will be peace, but when we buy votes, when we cajole people, when you intimidate and coerce them.

“Definitely there will be repercussions. it is through respect for one man- one votes. You don’t go into election with the determination to win at all cost.“

THE NIGERIAN

8 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Across The Nation

Trafficking In Children Agency Warns Parents EKAH, Ebonyi State - The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP) has urged parents to stop offering their wards to traffickers who often disguise as helpers.

Mrs Nkiruka Michael, the Enugu zonal commander of the agency said this during a sensitisation workshop for students of Community Secondary School Ekah in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

The workshop with the theme “Awareness Raising on Early Marriage, Trafficking in Persons and HIV/ AIDS Prevention, was organised by the Good Living Initiative (GLI), an NGO. Michael, who was represented by Mrs Ijeoma Uduak, the zone’s Head of Public Enlightenment, said the traffickers had devised innocuous means of deceiving parents and guardians to surrender their wards to them.

“They deceive parents, especially those in the rural areas into believing that they would

sponsor their children’s schooling or provide meaningful employment for them.

“When the children are released and taken to big cities eventually, they are subjected to hard labour, made sexual tools and house helps, among others, instead of what was promised to their parents.

“The traffickers’ main aim is to exploit these children as they are subjected to several inhuman treatments as many are trafficked to foreign lands to indulge in hard labour and prostitution,” she said.

According to her, the traffickers succeed in their plans because they are mostly people related to or known by the children’s parents or guardians.

“These traffickers come in forms of uncles, brothers, sisters, aunts, family friends and other acquaintances which make the parents to trust them.

“NAPTIP has designated several hotlines with which cases of trafficking can be reported for possible prosecution,” she added.

She said all reported cases “will be handled with utmost confidentiality”.

Mrs Sussie Metu, GLI president, expressed concern over the high rate of child abuse in the country, and urged all relevant authorities to intensify efforts in checking the trend.

“Statistics indicate that in every 60 seconds, a child, especially a girl is abused sexually and in other dehumanising forms,” she said.

Metu urged youths to report incidences of assault to their parents, guardians or relevant security agencies.

“The greatest threat to the fight against child abuse and related offences is the reluctance of victims to report such incidences; this gives the culprits the temerity to perpetuate their evil deeds,” she said.

Mr Joseph Agbo, the organisation’s Board of Trustees member, called on children to resist attempts by their parents to lure them into early marriage.

L-R: Vice President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu, National Secretary, Union of Textile Garment Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Silvester Chimeze and Secretary_general, Civil Liberty Organisation, Comrade Nasir Abbas, at the 95th birthday of Nelson Mandela in Kaduna recently.

N4.3bn Wage Bill, Unsustainable YENAGOA – Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa said the state government’s wage bill of N4.3 billion for June was too heavy.

The governor stated this in Yenagoa when he presented the financial profile of the state for the month of June at the monthly transparency media briefing.

According to him, expending N4.3billion on workers’ salaries is unsustainable for the economy of Bayelsa.

He said that the state government’s wage bills “over the months remain a sour point in our financial balance sheet’’.

“I disagree with this figure of N4.3billion because it is not sustainable for our

- Dickson

economy.

“We must come together and do something urgently to reduce this figure. We have to do something if we must grow our economy,’’ Dickson said.

The governor said that N2.6 billion was received by the state government as statutory allocation from the federation account for the month of June.

He said the total derivation of the state was N9.39 billion, and that the total financial inflow to the state stood at N19.09 billion.

Dickson further explained that while the state government had continued to spend huge amount of money to run the government, the internally-generated revenue

(IGR) remained minimal.

According to the governor, the IGR of the state for the month of June was N645.39million.

“While we complain of the huge burden of our workers’ salary, our internal-generated revenue had remained poor; we must strive to improve it,’’ he said.

He said the government had in the past one month spent N250 million on payment of money owed retired civil servants by the previous administration.

Dickson said that after making all the payments and deductions, N25.26 billion was left in the coffers of the state as balance at hand.

school and avoid societal violence.

“This is not just a moment of merriment, it is a time to make a choice of what you wish to become as your destiny is in your hands.

“The school has laboured to mould you for the past six years into what you are today, be wary of men out there as they are hunters and you are the prey they hunt,’’ he said.

In his message at the valedictory service, the officiating minister, Rev. Fr Anthony Nwosu, said the students were graduating into the world and must fight to achieve their dreams.

Nwosu said he was confident that the girls would do well as they had been well groomed and prepared for the future.

“Hold on to God, have faith and never give up as you look up to a bright future; remember that God is the future and

if you hold on to Him, He will take you there.

“It is not a rosy world but you must fight and never give up, be confident and do not lose faith,’’ he said.

The school administrator, Sister Patricia Oguejiofor, said the girls were vibrant and of reputable character.

Oguejiofor said their sixyear stay in the school was a process of building them for success.

“I charge you to live exemplary lives at all times, never be stagnant, keep moving till you get there,’’ she said.

“Do not do things because others are doing them, you have been inculcated with the spirit of excellence, so never let that spirit die.

“Beware of the social media when you get to the outside world as it is a form of distraction and shun examination malpractice; there is no short cut in life.”

Govt Tasked On Girl Child LAGOS - Mr Nnaemeka Education Obiaraeri, the Managing DiPart of about seven-kilometer long gigantic gully erosion (left) threatening the permanent site of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State

Unhealthy Environment

Owan West Seals Coy SABONGIDDA ORA – Owan West Local Government Council Department of Environment has sealed up a company, Zhong Yang Nigeria Limited, Avbiosi New site as a result of non compliance with the public health requirement for workers of the company.

The sealing up of the Company popularly called Chinese Company in the area was the consequent on of a court order that it should be sealed up after several letters of warnings have been written by the council on the need to improve on the public health requirement.

Addressing the factory workers before the sealing

order was pasted, Mr. Osumah Angel Deputy Director in the Department of Environment of the council said it is in their own interest that the government decided to take the step to ensure that they work in a conducive environment.

He highlighted the requirement the company ought to have provided for their workers to include safety materials, working apparatus and sanitary convenience.

Mr. Angel then advised the workers not to take the laws into their hands by coming to work with the seal still on the gate as it will amount to contempt of court.

A worker who declined camera interview for fear of being sacked said they are really suffering and expressed gratitude to the Local Government Chairman, Hon. (Barr) Godwin Aigbodion for coming to their aid and promised that the workers will obey the court order.

The sealing up order was carried out by the bailiff of the Magistrate Court, Uzebba and witnessed by the Head of the Department of Environment Mr. Christopher Asibor, Mr. Osumah Angel, Mr. Auslen Ehimiagbe, the Supervisory Councillor for Health, Hon. Enahoro Aikpokpo amongst others.

rector, Taurus Capital and Advisory Services Limited, has reiterated the need for government to pay more attention to girl child education.

Speaking at the 2012 /2013 Valedictory Mass and Graduation Ceremony of students of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos, Obiaraeri said it would help to build more vibrant women in the society.

Obiearaeri, said a global report recently rated Nigeria among the three countries that recorded more than 10 million out-of- school girls.

“Individuals should contribute and collaborate with the government to contribute to the girl child education, especially in missionary schools where their contributions will be judiciously spent,’’ he said.

The chairman advised the 62 graduating students to be great ambassadors of the

THE NIGERIAN

9 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Abuja

Institute Wants Owners Of Collapsed Buildings Sanctioned

ABUJA - Prof. Danladi Matawal, Director-General, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), said appropriate sanctions should be given to owners of collapsed buildings.

Matawal gave the suggestion in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

“The owner of a collapsed building should henceforth be treated by the law as a killer or attempted killer who should immediately be arrested on collapse of his or her structure for prosecution.’’

He described collapsed building as a murder or attempted murder, depending on whether lives were lost or injuries sustained.

“The owner of the collapsed structure should always be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to those who will continue to allow people to live in dilapidated, leaking and unsound structures.

“This is particularly in the case of old buildings, like the Mushin, Ebute-Meta and Kaduna cases that collapsed in 2013,’’ he said.

The director-general said that the owners of completed structures or those still under construction that collapsed should be arrested.

“It is the owner that will produce the registered architects and engineers that designed and supervised the construction for professional investigation.

“The contractor will also be

appropriately sanctioned when they are produced by the owners of the structure.’’

Matawal decried the failure of the Town Planning Department, Municipal and City Development control authorities to supervise the construction of buildings in their domain.

He said that if the agencies were active in cities and states of the federation, cases of building failures could have been nipped in the bud.

According to him, before any building is constructed, there must be an approval to ensure that the design fit human habitation and that it will be stable through appropriate site investigations and

structural designs.

The professor also called for the documentation of every structure that was being processed into a real life structure, saying; “this way, Nigerian cities can even become better planned.’’

“Through this, people will avoid building on stream and drainage channels and they will avoid building on water and sewage reticulation lines; even above and below high tensioned armored cables and overhead power lines.

“Every building can then have an access road and the urban derelict and decay con-

stituting our urban picturesque today can be reversed.

“Nigerian cities and their inhabitants can become healthier and happier, crime will be reduced and organisations, which have eluded the nation so profoundly for decades, can become part of our national culture.’’

Speaking on the collapse of old buildings in Lagos, Kaduna and other cities, Matawal called for both visual and physical inspections of all suspicious buildings within and outside the cities.

Matawal also stressed the

artisans and other workers but could not complete it due to lack of funds.

“It is also not out of the way to buttress the need for enhanced research funding for institutes and agencies in the engineering and built environment.

“This is critical because of the tirade of downsizing euphoria being propagated by individuals in recent policies that will lead to long term colossal losses to the economy because of perceived shortterm minor savings,’’ Matawal said.

The director-general assured that NBRRI would continue to play its role in spite of its limitations of funding and human resources.

New Power Plants FG Recruits 500 Engineers

Govs. Babagida Aliyu of Niger, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Gov. Gabriel Suswan of Benue at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja recently.

Investors Express Interest In Power Plants

ABUJA - No fewer than 110 investors have expressed interest in the 10 power plants of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Ltd, currently under construction.

Mr James Olotu, the Managing Director of NDPHC, made this known at a news conference. in Abuja.

Olotu said the plants are Alaoji Generation Company Nigeria Ltd, Benin Generation Nigeria Ltd, Calabar Generation Nigeria Ltd, Egbema Generation Company Nigeria Ltd and Gbarian Generation Company Ltd. The others are Geregu Generation Company Ltd, Ogorode Generation Ltd., Olorunsogo Generation Company Ltd, Omoku Generation Ltd, and Omotoso Generation Company Ltd. He said the envelops for the 110 expression of interest had been collated for the 80 per cent shareholding divestment of the power station infrastructure currently being delivered by NDPHC. Olotu said the collection of bids closed at 5 p.m. at the NDPHC headquarters and

need to take firm and bold steps to plan and re-plan settlements and urban centres.

“This is the only way Nigeria can transcend beyond superficial post-mortem interventions and examinations.

“The interventions that only solve the instant and present, but do not permanently eliminate future probabilities of loss of lives, injuries to humans and property losses due to building collapses.’’

He stressed the need for the continuous training of artisans, craftsmen and construction workers to build their capacities.

To this end, Matawal said that NBRRI had commenced a curriculum development programme in 2012 to train

the Bureau of Public Enterprises office in Abuja which were the two designated centres for submission of bid envelopes.

The opening of the bid envelops would be done on Monday under security cover, after which they would be analysed, he added.

Olotu said the bid transaction would be completed in January, while the physical transfer of assets would be done later in 2014.

The managing director said five out of the 10 power stations had reached 95 per cent completion while one had attained 90 per cent completion

with the remaining four at 85 per cent completion.

Olotu gave the assurance that the NDPHC would complete construction of the 10 plants before handing them over to successful bidders.

The project was initiated in 2004 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as part of efforts by the Federal Government to boost power supply in the country.

Govs Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, briefing State House Correspondents after the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja

ABUJA - The Federal Government says it has begun the recruitment of 500 qualified engineers for the effective running of the nation’s 10 new power plants.

Governor. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti made this known to State House correspondents after a meeting of the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo in Abuja on Friday.

Fayemi, who is also a member of the board, said the exercise was meant to address the critical challenge of lack of skilled manpower in the nation’s power sector.

He said that lack of skilled manpower was threatening the smooth take off and operations of the new power plants built across the country. ‘’We also looked at the National Power Training Institute (NAPTI), all of these plants are coming on stream and we are excited about them.

“But one critical challenge that the country faces is the lack of skilled manpower for managing the plants.

“We do not want to have plants that turned out to be white-elephant or they turned out to be run by Chinese, Germans and Europeans who have built the plants.”

The governor frowned at the quality of engineers being produced by the nation’s universities and polytechnics, saying that such engineers were not employable in the power sector.

He, however, stated that NAPTI had since commenced massive retraining programme for local engineers and artisans who might be redeployed to operate the new power plants.

“You all know, I’m not tell-

ing you anything new, we have engineers being produced by our universities that are not necessarily employable and you need to retrain them in order for them to be able to function in these new plants that are being built.

“And NAPTI is intended to fill this gap by helping to retrain many of the engineers as well as artisans who will be needed to fill the gaps that are bound to exist in the new power plants that are being set up.

“So, we received the report from NAPTI Executive and from the ministry of power on our own interest and contribution.

“And a range of things were discussed in ensuring that those who come on stream, about 500 people are being recruited now to undergo training in NAPTI. “And in addition to that, we need to ensure that this is done professionally through open advertisement, but also being mindful of spread and federal character in the course of this recruitment. ” Fayemi commended the General Electric (GE) Company for building a local plant in Calabar for the production of spare parts for the nation’s power plants.

“We are asking all the manufacturers to take a cue from GE and set up plants here.”

He condemned the recent attack on one of the power plants in Delta, saying the incident had impacted negatively on the government target of energising 4000 megawatts by the end of the year.

“I’m sure you are aware of the attack on one of the plants in Delta State and the impact that might have on our earlier promise.

“We are still very confident

THE NIGERIAN

10 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Across The Nation Dankwambo, Others Eulogise late BALANGA (GOMBE Gombe PDP Chairman STATE) - Governor Ibrahim

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Arise Consultancy Services Ltd., Prof. Asisi Asobie; representative of the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mr. Charles Atebor; Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adokie and National Programme Manager, Justice for All Programme Office, British Council, Dr. Bob Arnot at the Stakeholders’ Validation Workshop on the Draft of the Nigeria Anti-Corruption Strategy in Abuja recently.

Dankwambo of Gombe State and other prominent personalities in Balanga, eulogised a former PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Jack Gumpy, who died about two weeks ago.

Speaking at the funeral service of the deceased at Nyuwar in the Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, Dankwambo said that Gumpy had worked hard to reposition the party in the state.

He said that Gumpy’s gentle and resolute character stood him out among his peers.

“He lived a selfless and fulfilled life, full of historic moments which cannot be easily forgotten by the people of Gombe State.

“We mourn his death and celebrate his life for he made us proud with his combined virtues

of courage and humility.”

The governor recalled that the family members of the deceased were killed in the 2011 postelection violence, adding that the deceased sacrificed his life for democracy to grow.

“I consider the violence that followed the 2011 general elections in which nine members of his immediate family lost their lives when thugs burnt down his house as a wicked act.’’

In a related development, the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, also commended Gumpy for developing the party and the state in general during his time.

Umar said that Gumpy was a peace-maker and a symbol of unity, noting that the attributes neutralised some problems in the party.

The Senator representing

Gombe South, Sen. Joshua Lidani, and the Permanent Secretary in charge of Political Affairs, Gombe Government House, Mr James Pisagi, commended the deceased for his foresight and honesty.

They said that Gumpy’s death had created a vacuum that would be hard to be filled, urging other leaders to emulate him.

In his sermon, Rev. Abare Kala, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gombe State, advised Christian faithful to live good lives while still alive so that they would inherit the kingdom of God. He said that eternal rest could only be found in Christ Jesus.

He charged politicians to be closer to God because death did not have respect for anybody.

operated commercially.

“As an integrated steel plant with series of completed units, some of which can be operated commercially, we are currently going into partnerships with a number of investors to reactivate them.

“Such completed units include the engineering works, light section mill, wire rod mill, thermal power plant and the Metallurgical Training Centre (MTC) among others.’’

He said that the company had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Messrs Reprome Nigeria Ltd. for sourcing of spares and technical assistance.

The administrator said that the company had also signed another MOU with the Industrial Training Fund for training and manpower development.

According to him, this is in line with the National Industrial Skill Development Programme of the Federal Government to train 1000 trainees in each state.

“bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialisation” attributed the woes of the company to Western conspiracy and indigenous collusion.

He said that some leaders in government were ignorant of the potential of the company, urging journalists to give the steel company the needed publicity.

Earlier, The Chairman of Kogi State NUJ, Malam Ali Atabor, said that people generally believed that the company had failed, but that the visit of the NUJ members had proved the contrary.

The chairman urged Nigerian leaders not to succumb to western propaganda to stifle the country’s industrialisation, advising the leaders to take the completion of the steel project seriously.

Atabor urged the management to revive the MTC for the training of manpower.

He commended the vision and focus of the company’s leadership to turn it around.

Ajaokuta Steel Coy To Commence Isah who described the AJAOKUTA (KOGI) - The Operations Ajaokuta Steel Company as the Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd.,

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Foluso Phillips; Regional Manager (North, West & Central Africa) South African Airways, Mr. Ohis Ehimaghe and Country Manager (Nigeria), South African Airways, Thobi Duma at the Nigeria-South African Chamber of Commerce Breakfast meeting in Lagos recently.

in Kogi, has entered into partnership with a consortium of investors to reactivate and operate completed units of the steel plant.

The Sole Administrator of the company, Mr Joseph Isah, made the announcement in Ajaokuta on Saturday when the executive members of the Kogi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid a visit to the company.

Isah said that the project had attained 98 per cent completion, advising Nigerians not to canvass for its sale “at scrap value”.

He said that some of the completed units of the steel plant could be reactivated and

Gov Obi Proposes New Revenue Formula

AWKA - Governor Peter Obi of Anambra has advocated 4040-20 per cent revenue allocation formula for the Federal, States and Local Governments in the country.

Obi made the suggestion when some members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, visited him in Amawbia near Awka.

He said the allocation formula currently in use did not in any way reflect the realities of the day.

“The formula that is use today was put in place during the military era. In a proper federating state, there are only two units, the federal and state governments. The local government does not exist.

“In a federating unit anywhere in the world, the key driver of programmes is the state, which is the sub-nation. The nation is there, symbolic for issues of defence, external relations, and so on.

“The format should have been 40-40-20; 40 for federal, 40 for

states and 20 for local governments, with a clause that no state will receive lower than a bench mark.”

According to him, what we find here is a state receiving 10 per cent of what another state receives as allocation.

The governor commended the efforts of the commission to review the allocation formula and called on them to also keep in mind the peculiarities of the

geo-political zones.

“We are already disadvantaged because other zones are six and here we are five, considering that it was not done by the Constitution of Nigeria.”

The leader of the delegation and Federal Commissioner for Anambra, Mr Nnamdi

UMUAHIA - Most Rev. Sunday Agwu, Archbishop of Methodist Arch-Diocese of Umuahia, has urged Christians to be contented with their income and shun all forms of greed.

Agwu made the call in a homily delivered at the funeral service for late Deaconess Victoria Kanu at St James Methodist Church, UmudaIsingwu in Umuahia.

Theme of the homily was “Heaven is Real, Hell is Real; Which Way do You Choose’’.

Kanu, mother of Mrs Nkechi Okoronkwo, Deputy Editor-inChief (DEIC) of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), died at the age of 84 years.

The archbishop said most Christians were missing the call of the Lord to a life of holiness and exemplary living due to greed and lack of contentment with the blessings of God in their lives.

“No excuses before God. Can we say we were not taught?

Now is the time to decide where you belong. You must make a

Ekweogwu, said they were in the state to commence sensitisation of the public.

“The sensitisation is to ginger our people so that adequate contribution shall be made to fashion out an acceptable revenue formula for the nation.’’

Ekweogwu said the commission had commenced the process of reviewing the current formula which had been in use for about 20 years.

Shun Greed, Cleric urgeschoice Christians now; otherwise it may be too late.

“You just have to make your own choice, take a decision now. Where do you belong, will you go to hell or will you go to heaven? The choice is yours.

“A lot of us are hunting for money or wealth; that is the stock in trade of so many Nigerians.

“We want to own a house in London, we own one in Maryland in America, we own one in Lagos, we own one in Abuja, own one in Port Harcourt, everywhere.

Lawmaker Donates Fertilisers To Farmers YOLA - A member of the House of Representatives, representing Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency, Rep. Aishatu Dahiru, has donated fertilisers to small-scale farmers in the constituency to boost agriculture.

Speaking at a ceremony to present the fertilisers in Yola, Dahiru said that the gesture was to assist poor farmers in the constituency.

The lawmaker advised beneficiaries not to sell the commodity but to use it to boost farming, restating her commitment to providing quality representation to the people.

She told the farmers to continue to be peaceful and lawabiding in the face of the current state of emergency imposed on the state.

In their remarks at the occasion, Alhaji Salihu Hamid and the Chairman of Yola North, Alhaji Ibrahim Njobdi, lauded the lawmaker for the gesture.

They stressed that the commodity was not for sale and that anyone caught selling the fertilisers would be arrested to face the full wrath of the law.

Reports say that the lawmaker also presented five canoes to people of Rugange Village, a riverine community in the constituency.

THE NIGERIAN

11 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT FRIDAY(19/07/13) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

LIVESTOCK

4.97

4.92

-0.05

42

1,115,210

5,532,584.75

7UP

65

65

0

26

333,869

21,615,382.05

MANSARD

2.1

2.14

0.04

13

443,000

963,030.00

ABCTRANS

1.29

1.29

0

39

110,191,025

143,238,198.28

MAYBAKER

2.94

2.7

-0.24

15

430,538

1,181,962.49

ACCESS

11.3

11.19

-0.11

234

11,766,712

131,799,014.16

MBENEFIT

0.5

0.5

0

1

20,000

10,000.00

AFRINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

1

400,000

200,000.00

MCNICHOLS

1.57

1.57

0

4

147,550

209,521.00

AFRIPRUD

1.71

1.85

0.14

69

2,206,710

4,009,181.09

MOBIL

117.81

117.81

0

12

8,154

952,263.00

AGLEVENT

1.45

1.45

0

5

11,216

16,502.59

MRS

22.99

25.28

2.29

16

286,545

7,241,954.10

AIICO

0.94

0.9

-0.04

41

10,802,701

9,735,944.70

NAHCO

7

7.25

0.25

47

13,314,487

92,223,650.46

AIRSERVICE

4.46

4.46

0

2

5,100

22,875.00

NASCON

12.92

12.99

0.07

45

394,229

5,110,728.25

ASHAKACEM

26.65

26.65

0

50

281,795

7,445,670.61

NB

179.4

176.5

-2.9

379

1,692,577

300,768,942.56

ASOSAVINGS

0.5

0.5

0

1

100

50

NEIMETH

1.27

1.38

0.11

10

101,896

136,424.18

BERGER

9.26

9.26

0

7

9,401

90,058.26

NEM

0.73

0.72

-0.01

33

7,325,497

5,342,674.66

BOCGAS

7.5

6.77

-0.73

2

67,934

460,209.18

NESTLE

1000

1000

0

70

35,107

35,082,350.68

CADBURY

52.05

53.05

1

57

326,347

17,455,234.95

NIG-GERMAN

8.17

7.36

-0.81

1

412,477

3,035,830.72

CAP

45.15

45.15

0

16

185,026

8,425,823.86

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

2

726,380

363,190.00

CCNN

10

9.9

-0.1

35

502,826

5,000,859.04

NNFM

26.5

26.5

0

1

189

5,292.00

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

3

5,700,100

2,850,050.00

NPFMCRFBK

0.96

0.96

0

2

16,000

15,560.00

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

3

54,198

27,099.00

OANDO

13.69

13.5

-0.19

334

12,936,604

175,115,045.96

CONOIL

23

25.3

2.3

46

317,509

7,962,884.08

OKOMUOIL

47

47

0

61

441,825

20,595,265.50

CONTINSURE

1.16

1.26

0.1

36

4,370,009

5,280,417.52

PAINTCOM

1.84

1.66

-0.18

6

371,062

618,912.92

CORNERST

0.6

0.54

-0.06

7

309,854

169,383.66

PHARMDEKO

1.87

1.87

0

3

16,993

33,986.00

COSTAIN

1.45

1.45

0

20

535,100

772,508.08

PORTPAINT

6.4

5.78

-0.62

44

3,238,000

19,038,921.50

COURTVILLE

0.68

0.64

-0.04

5

304,731

195,714.84

PRESCO

40

40

0

33

131,574

5,246,923.70

CUSTODYINS

1.57

1.58

0.01

25

1,518,985

2,397,693.86

PRESTIGE

0.53

0.53

0

9

1,103,367

585,240.27

CUTIX

1.9

1.98

0.08

15

407,300

803,542.88

PZ

44.3

48.5

4.2

130

984,949

47,589,127.52

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

1

1,000

500

REDSTAREX

4.75

4.75

0

13

114,500

518,623.90

DANGCEM

190

190

0

30

232,677

44,198,219.56

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

3

10,000,000

5,000,000.00

DANGFLOUR

9.5

9.5

0

40

325,333

3,092,503.37

ROYALEX

0.6

0.62

0.02

7

236,686

146,795.32

DANGSUGAR

12.45

12.22

-0.23

45

384,311

4,711,375.57

RTBRISCOE

1.55

1.52

-0.03

30

3,221,230

4,666,063.94

DIAMONDBNK

6.85

6.9

0.05

51

912,006

6,255,940.03

SKYEBANK

4.8

4.81

0.01

81

4,585,813

22,093,607.28

DNMEYER

1.48

1.48

0

3

10,000

14,950.00

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

2

49,550

24,775.00

DUNLOP

0.5

0.5

0

1

145,506

72,753.00

STANBIC

15.39

15.45

0.06

24

820,629

12,643,814.00

ETERNA

3.15

3.2

0.05

24

347,923

1,112,986.11

STERLNBANK

2.67

2.73

0.06

68

5,204,081

14,192,788.16

ETI

15

14.75

-0.25

80

3,019,292

44,275,357.27

TOTAL

159.99

159.99

0

21

38,137

6,364,390.39

EVANSMED

4.1

4.49

0.39

25

738,256

3,154,370.84

TRANSCORP

1.51

1.43

-0.08

130

25,796,045

37,795,935.20

FBNH

18.69

18.65

-0.04

465

11,911,385

220,739,988.22

TRANSEXPR

2.21

1.99

-0.22

2

76,160

151,558.40

FCMB

4.84

4.86

0.02

50

1,596,005

7,755,014.46

UAC-PROP

15.99

15.99

0

29

219,367

3,344,013.88

FIDELITYBK

3.09

3.1

0.01

78

4,028,167

12,405,785.39

UACN

63

63

0

64

292,949

18,633,996.36

FIDSON

2.04

2.05

0.01

35

1,091,020

2,227,322.60

UBA

8.3

8.34

0.04

316

14,049,547

116,949,442.50

FLOURMILL

90

90

0

41

121,528

10,598,885.67

UBCAP

1.15

1.14

-0.01

174

23,714,621

26,356,632.42

FO

27.06

29.76

2.7

55

333,760

9,904,190.96

UBN

12.4

12.35

-0.05

80

1,317,738

16,298,448.61

GLAXOSMITH

55

55

0

73

2,228,349

122,782,352.86

UNILEVER

62

62

0

65

145,991

8,976,227.65

GNI

0.5

0.5

0

2

200,000

100,000.00

UNITYBNK

0.6

0.6

0

76

18,653,691

11,195,955.60

GUARANTY

26.4

26.42

0.02

369

15,621,259

413,759,917.77

UNIVINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

1

20,000

10,000.00

GUINNESS

260.2

260

-0.2

53

58,994

15,328,126.47

UPL

4.8

4.8

0

8

143,590

649,625.00

HMARKINS

0.5

0.5

0

20

2,570,580

1,285,290.00

UTC

0.78

0.79

0.01

15

534,500

422,460.00

HONYFLOUR

3.31

3.36

0.05

47

1,865,031

6,174,990.72

VITAFOAM

4.45

4.41

-0.04

14

234,537

1,036,341.77

IHS

3.45

3.79

0.34

54

2,948,970

10,926,295.30

WAPCO

99.75

99.75

0

39

153,500

15,116,637.67

IKEJAHOTEL

0.94

0.94

0

13

3,729,425

3,259,506.75

WAPIC

0.91

0.9

-0.01

15

1,704,536

1,536,506.32

INTBREW

24.69

24.69

0

8

38,035

939,084.15

WEMABANK

1.16

1.16

0

26

1,265,765

1,468,239.10

INTENEGINS

2.5

2.5

0

1

41,900

94,275.00

ZENITHBANK

21.5

21.6

0.1

260

20,831,585

447,964,212.37

IPWA

1.18

1.29

0.11

9

192,063

239,965.27

JAPAULOIL

0.53

0.51

-0.02

52

4,338,187

2,235,986.32

JBERGER

83.75

83.75

0

55

447,525

35,673,425.51

JOHNHOLT

1.4

1.42

0.02

8

83,677

118,821.34

JOSBREW

0.99

0.99

0

2

55,000

54,450.00

LAWUNION

0.5

0.5

0

3

48,727

24,363.50

LEARNAFRCA

1.8

1.8

0

12

1,569,480

2,817,227.20

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock PZ FO CONOIL MRS CADBURY EVANSMED IHS NAHCO AFRIPRUD IPWA

Close 48.5 29.76 25.3 25.28 53.05 4.49 3.79 7.25 1.85 1.29

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain

4.2 2.7 2.3 2.29 1 0.39 0.34 0.25 0.14 0.11

Stock NB NIG-GERMAN BOCGAS PORTPAINT ETI MAYBAKER DANGSUGAR TRANSEXPR GUINNESS OANDO

Close 176.5 7.36 6.77 5.78 14.75 2.7 12.22 1.99 260 13.5

Loss -2.9 -0.81 -0.73 -0.62 -0.25 -0.24 -0.23 -0.22 -0.2 -0.19

THE NIGERIAN

12 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

LAST week, thousands of youths believed to be acting on the behest of the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, reportedly threw stones and other dangerous objects at the convoy of the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi at the PortHarcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

Vehicles in the convoy were conveying four Northern Governors-Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) who were on a solidarity visit to the Rivers Governors who has been under attacks by agents said to be loyal to the presidency.

IT was also reported that a bus conveying members of the Rivers State Executive Council had its windscreen smashed with heavy objects thrown by the rented hoodlums, a development which saw such eminent citizens scampering for safety as the Nigeria Police could not guarantee their safety.

WE condemn the action of the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike who was fingered as the mastermind of the shameful act because, it amounts to declaring war openly on the Governors and those they govern but are more concerned about the impunity with which he goes about unrestricted to unleash mayhem on the once peaceful state, his grievances notwithstanding, as there are laid down constitutional approaches to seeking redress in a democracy which Nigeria currently practices.

WE do not expect that an internal crisis that have dogged the state for which the presidency is said to be promoting, given latest confessions of the First Lady, could even be allowed to degenerate to a situation where serving governors from different parts of the country could be impudently pelted at the nation’s airport which is even designated as an inter-

THE NIGERIAN

Attack On Five Governors national airport. Apart from threatening the unity of Nigeria, we see such attack as one capable of bringing the nation into disrepute in the eyes of the international community.

MORE worrisome is the fact that the Presidency and those behind the dastardly act seem to have thrown caution, decorum and decency to the winds all in target of a single individual, the Rivers Governor. The Airport are designated safe places in any country except nations at war, yet the Port-Harcout International Airport was reduced by a serving Minister to such a status, yet he moves around a free man, thumping his chest in boastful threats to a sitting governor. We expect by now he should have been arrested and made to pay for some, if not all of his actions in the Rivers imbroglio.

INSPITE of the overwhelming evidence and the barefaced denials of the Rivers State Police Command as represented by its spokesperson, Mrs. Angela Agabe, we strongly condemn the partisan role of the Nigeria Police Force in the attack of the Governors because all the footage on display from the bizarre happening, uniformed men of the Nigeria Police Force were visible in the midst of the thugs, ostensibly supervising the attack on the governors.

IT would also be recalled that uniformed policemen were also noticed shamelessly attacking a law maker in hallowed chamber of the

Rivers State House of Assembly along with other aggrieved lawmakers of the same House a fortnight ago. This is unbecoming and unacceptable as the Nigeria Police Force need an urgent surgical attention to make it a truly national institution that serves all citizens without bias. The much talked about reform of the police seems to be a mere sloganeering and an opening to further enrich the bad eggs at the top. The role of the police thus far in the Rivers impasse actually reinforces the urgent need for the approval of state police in a federal Nigeria, as demanded by the attacked governors and re-echoed by Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau who, even though he is on the side of the presidency in the Rivers crisis, has also been a victim of the Federal Police system.

WE therefore call on the National Assembly to use the opportunity of the on-going constitutional amendment to approve state police for the country. Critics of State Police who fear that governors would use it to oppress opponents should show cause why the Federal Police that has become an extension of the ruling government should be allowed to continue to enforce laws in Nigeria. Needless to emphasise that Nigerians have never had it so bad with the police as an institution as being witnessed under the current Inspector-General of Police.

We recommend his immediate sack to preserve whatever may be left of the image of the police, and above all the unity of Nigeria.

ABOVE all, we re-assert the need for President Goodluck Jonathan to take quick steps to restrain his supporters, agents and privies from further fuelling the crisis in Rivers. The war drums beating around that state and the conflict which oozes out of the state on a daily basis are ominous, a stitch in time, saves nine.

THE NIGERIAN

13 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

International Features

Fall Out Of Japan’s Polls

PRIME MINISTER Shinzo Abe’s ruling bloc won a decisive victory in an upper house election on Sunday, cementing his grip on power and setting the stage for Japan’s first stable government since the charismatic Junichiro Koizumi left office in 2006.

The victory gives the hawkish leader a stronger mandate for his “Abenomics” recipe to revive the economy, but it also raises questions over whether he will shift his focus to his nationalist agenda, or be able to keep his party in line to push through structural reforms many say are vital for growth.

The win spells a personal political redemption for Abe, who led his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a humiliating defeat in a 2007 upper house poll during his first term as premier.

The ensuing parliamentary deadlock allowed the opposition to block legislation and led to Abe’s resignation two months later.

That “twisted parliament” has hampered policies for most of the six years since and led to a string of revolving-door leaders.

“People wanted politics that can make decisions and an administration with a stable grounding, which led to today’s result,” LDP Vice President Masahiko Komura told public broadcaster NHK. “‘Abenomics’ is proceeding smoothly and people want us to ensure the benefits reach them too. That feeling was strong.”

Abe, 58, who returned to power after a big win in December’s lower house poll for his LDP and coalition partner New Komeito, has said he will remain focused on fixing the economy with a mix of hyper-easy monetary policy, fiscal spending and a growth strategy including structural reforms.

LDP leaders repeated that pledge on Sunday as the votes were being counted.

“What the public is demanding the most is to solidify the trend of economic recovery,” said LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba.

But concerns have already surfaced that the size of the LDP-led bloc’s victory will weaken Abe’s resolve for economic reform in the face of opposition to deregulation from LDP lawmakers with close ties to industries that would suffer from change.

“So far, Abe’s opponents were opposition parties.

But from now on, he might find himself having to fight with people within his own party,” said Tomoaki Iwai, a political science professor at Nihon University in Tokyo.

“It is too early to tell if he can maintain his leadership as he did so far.”

Critics also worry Abe will shift focus to the conservative agenda that has long been central to his ideology, and concentrate on revising the post-war pacifist constitution and recasting Tokyo’s wartime history with a less apologetic tone.

Such a shift, along with moves to strengthen Japan’s defense posture, would further fray ties with China and South Korea, where bitter memories of Japan’s past militarism run deep. Tokyo is already engaged in tense territorial rows with Beijing and Seoul over tiny, uninhabited islands.

“I have the impression that Prime Minister Abe wants to revise the constitution, though I don’t think it will be easy,” said apparel firm employee Etsuko Yamada, 35, who voted for the opposition Japanese Communist Party.

“I want him to show Japan’s presence through diplomacy with strong negotiating power, not though military power by

spending money to rearm.”

Abe has declined to say whether as premier he will visit Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine for war dead, where Japanese leaders convicted by an Allied tribunal as war criminals are also honored. A visit on the August 15 anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World

2006-2007 term.

Final results will be known late on Sunday or early on Monday.

Media exit polls showed the LDP and New Komeito would win more than 70 of the 121 seats up for grabs in the 242-seat upper house. With the coalition’s uncontested 59 seats, that hands it a hefty

however, that the LDP fell short of winning an upper house majority in its own right for the first time since 1989, although it could put in a better performance than in 2001, when the party was led by the popular Koizumi.

The LDP and two smaller parties that back Abe’s drive to revise

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Prime Minister

War Two would spark outrage in the region.

A Reuters poll showed Japanese firms generally wanted the LDP to win the election but they worry a landslide victory would allow Abe to prioritize nationalist policies over the economy, as critics say he did during his troubled

majority, solidifying Abe’s grip on power and raising the chances of a long-term Japanese leader for the first time since the reformist Koizumi’s rare fiveyear term ended in 2006.

No election for either house of parliament need be held until 2016.

The exit polls showed,

Japan’s pacifist constitution to legitimize the military looked to fall short of the two-thirds majority needed to take revisions of the charter to a public referendum, the exit polls showed. Those parties have two-thirds of the lower house seats.

Despite the LDP-led

bloc’s win, the party’s pronuclear power stance is unpopular, and plans to restart reactors that have been off-line since the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster could run into trouble.

Abe will also have to decide whether to go ahead with an increase in a 5 percent sales tax to 8 percent next April, the first stage in a planned doubling of the levy to rein in Japan’s massive public debt.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, which surged to power in 2009 to end more than half a century of almost non-stop LDP rule only to be ousted last year, suffered its biggest drubbing since its founding in 1998. Exits polls showed the party winning 21 or fewer seats.

“Given that this government is getting a big mandate out of what seems to be a low turnout, it’s not like there’s a popular enthusiasm strongly behind Abe,” said Kochi Nakano, a political science professor at Sophia University.

“It’s sort of an empty victory that’s exaggerated both by the electoral system and because of the low turnout, so we can talk about the crisis of Japanese democracy. It’s unhealthy for any parliamentary democracy not to have opposition that would keep the government in check.”

Many anti-LDP voters, faced with a fragmented opposition, cast their ballots for the Japanese Communist Party to vent their frustration.

“Critics also worry Abe will shift focus to the conservative agenda that has long been central to his ideology, and concentrate on revising the post-war pacifist constitution and recasting Tokyo’s wartime history with a less apologetic tone.”

THE NIGERIAN

14 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Issues

How Is Adamawa Faring Under State Of Emergency?

EVER since President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa on May 14, residents of the states have been expressing mixed feelings over the action.

Although, observers in Borno and Yobe agree that the activities of the Boko Haram sect are visible in the states, several residents of Adamawa, who believe that the sect’s operations are not widespread in the state, insist that there is no need for the action in the state.

Nevertheless, when the declaration was made, Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa appealed to the people to accept the development in good faith, conceding that the declaration could have come as a surprise to many citizens.

The governor, nonetheless, admitted that Adamawa had witnessed “few criminal activities by armed hoodlums in the last few years, as it was in other states of the federation.’’

Nyako stressed that in spite of such criminal activities, Adamawa had enjoyed peace in recent times to the extent that it was adjudged the most peaceful state in the NorthEastern geopolitical zone by some national and international peace groups.

“I therefore call upon all the citizens of the state to remain calm and not to do anything that could be construed to be against the emergency,’’ he added.

The governor’s appeal for calm was also reechoed by his son, AbdulAziz Nyako when he spoke in his capacity as the Sarkin Matasa — youth leader of Adamawa Emirate Council.

“If we make things smooth and easier for security operatives, things will also be made easier for us,’’ he said, during one of his enlightenment

By LAWAL ADO

campaign tours of the emirate’s districts.

The youth leader, however, called for the opening of a register that would contain the names of the residents of various wards in the state and the background information on them.

Alhaji Ahmad Sajoh, the Director of Press and Media Affairs in Adamawa, stressed that the governor had been making efforts to initiate more proactive community-based security measures in the state.

He said that Nyako, for instance, had met with stakeholders in the border communities adjacent to Cameroon Republic, soliciting their support for the security agencies.

“We are also making efforts to open a media centre to bridge any communication gap between the military and civilian populace so as to ensure a good working relationship.

“We want the military to have an effective way of passing messages to the civilian populace and vice versa,’’ Sajoh said.

In the same vein, Brig.Gen Fatai Alli, the Operational Commander of the military force deployed to Adamawa, urged the security officers in the state to make discipline and compliance with professional rules of engagement their watchword.

Alli noted that the Federal Government’s security measures had been yielding positive results because no attack or friction among the security agencies and the people had been recorded since the inception of the state of emergency.

Also speaking, Mr. Godfrey Okeke, the Commissioner of Police in Adamawa, said that following the clampdown on terrorists by the military

in Gwoza area of Borno, the police had arrested 11 suspects who fled to Adamawa.

While reiterating the police command’s commitment to protecting the people’s lives and

induced by the suspension of GSM services in some areas, and the porous border with Cameroon, which traverses nine local governments in the state, as some of the major challenges facing the command in its fight against terrorism.

commercial activities in the state.

Alhaji Adamu Ngurore, the spokesman for Adamawa Traders Union, noted that before the recent restoration of the suspended mobile telecommunication services; socio-economic and commercial activities in Yola nosedived appreciably.

He pleaded with the Federal Government to

linked to armed robbery attacks and other criminal activities.

“Even though, we cannot rule it out that there were elements of Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the state, especially from the neighbouring Borno State, Adamawa has remained largely peaceful,’’ he added.

Isa, however, noted that the state of emergency had directly affected the

review the state of emergency in Adamawa, insisting that peace and order had been restored to the state.

“We have been peaceful, law-abiding and supportive to the security operatives; we hope the government will take that into consideration and review our case,’’ Ngurore said.

Besides, Alhaji Hussaini Isa, the Chairman of the Adamawa Chapter of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), called on the Federal Government to lift the state of emergency.

“What we witnessed in the state concerning security challenges before the onset of the state of emergency was largely

activities of the association’s members, leading to a decline in their daily income.

“Before the emergency rule, the daily earnings of most of our members ranged between N8,000 and N10,000 per person but now, the daily income has drastically reduced to between N4,000 and N5, 000,’’ he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Audu Zira, a vendor of mobile phone recharge cards in Jimeta, said that his sales had plummeted as a result of the state of emergency.

Nevertheless, Mr. Augustine Mako from Numan Local Government Area disagreed with those calling for lifting of the

Boko Haram Sect

property, Okeke commended the state government for its support for the state joint patrol team codenamed Operation Tsaro.

He, however, listed communication problems,

Although there is evidently a serene atmosphere in Yola, the state capital, the state of emergency, which was slammed on Adamawa, has taken its toll on the socio-economic and

Murtala Nyako, Adamawa State Governor

Continues on page 15

THE NIGERIAN

15 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Issues state of emergency in Adamawa, insisting that it should continue until the security situation became normal.

“I recall that in previous times, there were crises and killings of innocent lives in Adamawa; what is happening now in Adamawa, in respect of the state of emergency, should continue for the time being,’’ he said.

“But if the security operatives feel that the security challenges are over; the government should go ahead and lift the state of emergency,’’ he said.

On the whole, Alli, the commander of the military force in Adamawa, said: “No life has been lost in Adamawa since the declaration of the emergency.

Continued from page 14

“Before the declaration of the state of emergency, we recorded some series of attacks on police stations and banks in some local government areas but things now are better.

“In spite of the relative calm, we are not relaxing or taking any chances in ensuring that the state of emergency achieves its aims and objectives of achieving lasting peace as well as security of lives and property in the state,’’ he added.

The general commended the government and people of the state for their support and cooperation for the security agents, extolling the people, in particular, for their understanding of all the security measures so far taken to restore peace and

How Is Adamawa Faring...?

order in the state.

“I will like to commend the traditional institutions too for their contributions in sensitising the public to their expectations under the state of emergency,’’ he said.

Speaking on how Adamawa has been coping under the state of emergency, Gov. Nyako stressed that his administration had kept the youth in the state busy, thereby making it difficult for the Boko Haram sect to recruit them for their nefarious activities.

“When I took over as governor, many youths were idle and jobless; they were roaming around, thereby making it easy for them to be lured by the sect members.

“But with the emergence of youth empowerment programmes like the vocational training, farming skills and local apprenticeship schemes, many of them have become self-reliant,’’ he said.

Nyako argued that his administration had already taken some security measures in the state, prior to the declaration of the state of emergency.

Nevertheless, he noted that the cooperation, which

By YUSUF ZANGO

problems of violence and insecurity across the country.

He bemoaned the breakdown of law and order in the affected states, adding that the Boko Haram insurgents had taken over in some parts of the states.

“Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy.

“After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, Sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I hereby declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

“Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations.

“The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary actions, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists…,’’ Jonathan said in a broadcast.

Two months after the historic declaration, observers note with a sense of happiness that peace had returned to the affected states.

For instance, they note that in Damaturu and Potiskum — the commercial nerve centres of Yobe — socioeconomic and commercial

Col. Ibrahim Ali, the Commander of the Joint Military Task Force in Yobe, said that the task force had succeeded in efforts to improve the security situation in the state.

He said that the JTF had succeeded in ridding Damaturu and Potiskum of the Boko Haram insurgents, noting that there had never

Ibrahim Gaidam, Yobe State Governor

activities have picked up considerably.

Corroborating their views,

the people.

Nyako said that he was convinced that the Federal Government would soon lift the state of emergency, in view of the peaceful situation in the state.

All the same, observers believe that the Federal Government and the security agencies are in the best position to decide when to end the state of emergency, insisting that what is important now is safety of the people’s lives and property. (NAN).

“In spite of the relative calm, we are not relaxing or taking any chances in ensuring that the state of emergency achieves its aims and objectives of achieving lasting peace as well as security of lives and property in the state,.’

Hopes, As Yobe Struggles To Achieve Peace

THE recent media report of an attack on a secondary school in Yobe, where no fewer than 24 students were killed, heightened the concern of the government, security agencies and citizens about the worsening security situation in the state.

Media reports indicate that the students were killed in a pre-dawn attack on Government Secondary School, Mamudo, in Potiskum Local Government Area.

Alhaji Sanusi Rufa’i, the Commissioner of Police in Yobe, confirmed that apart from the slain students, a teacher and a preacher were also killed in the attack, which left four other students injured.

In recent times, observers have seen Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states as flashpoints of violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect.

Considering the trend of the security challenges facing the three states, which had somewhat crippled the socio-economic and commercial activities in the area, President Goodluck Jonathan on May 14 declared a state of emergency in the states.

Making the declaration, Jonathan underscored the determination of his administration to tackle the

his administration enjoyed from the various stakeholders, including the security operatives and youth groups, had been helpful in efforts to make the state safe.

The governor thanked the people for their conduct and cooperation with security operatives, adding that it was a thing of pride for the state government to note that the security operatives had never been provoked to the level of using arms against

been “any major encounter between his forces and the insurgents since the declaration of emergency

rule.’’

Ali, however, attributed the success to the cordial relations existing between the JTF and the general public.

He noted that the people were quite forthcoming with regard to information on the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the area.

Ali pledged the JTF’s readiness to ease the difficulties being encountered by the public in the course of discharging its duties.

Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, the Special Adviser to Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam on Media, said that the state government had adopted a pragmatic approach in efforts to tackle the security challenges facing the state.

He said that the approach comprised providing logistical support for security agencies and encouraging the public to assist the security agents with vital information on the insurgents’ activities.

‘Things are getting back to normal, our people are cooperating, while the security agents are fully complying with the rules of engagement,’’ he said.

Bego said that the government had also adopted measures to alleviate the sufferings of those citizens, who were directly affected by the activities of the insurgents.

He also said that no fewer

than 300 classrooms had been renovated, while N197 million had been provided by the state government to assist the affected people.

Bego, however, called for more Federal Government’s assistance to the states that were affected by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Nevertheless, Alhaji Usman Saleh, a leader of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), noted that normalcy had returned to Damaturu and its environs, adding that the number of the passengers of commercial vehicles had increased significantly.

“We are now finding it difficult to meet the demands of our passengers; sometimes, many passengers are stranded because of shortage of vehicles to convey them to various destinations,’’ he said.

The comments by the residents and security agents in Yobe notwithstanding, observers underscore the need to provide the security agents with more modern equipment to facilitate the fulfillment of their assignment.

They believe that with good equipment and training, the security agents’ mode of operation, especially at checkpoints, will improve, while aiding the realisation of their assignment. (NAN)

THE NIGERIAN

16 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Focus Being an address delivered By Dr Tunde Lakoju, Hon Federal Commissioner National Population Commission Edo State in Commenmoration of the 2013 World population Day (WPD) which took place in Benin recently IT gives me great pleasure to welcome the distinguished gentlemen of the press and other stakeholders to this press conference in commemoration of the 2013 World Population Day (WPD). The role of the media as disseminators of information and public education in sensitization campaign cannot be over emphasized. We rely on the press to draw the attention of the general public to the implications of rapid population growth as well as promoting attitudes that are consistent with managing population for sustainable development.

As you are aware, the World Population Day is commemorated annually since 1987. This year’s WPD with the theme “Adolescent Pregnancy” is on Thursday, 11th July 2013. Series of activities have been slated to commence that day. This includes Press Briefing, Round Table Discussion, Road Float and other awareness creating event.

However, today’s press briefing marks the commencement of the 2013 World Population Day. II. OVERVIEW OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY Teenage pregnancy is about a female child under the age of 20. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 years and two million girls under the age of 15 give birth every year. Worldwide, one in five girls has given birth by the age of 18. In the poorest regions of the world, this figure rises to over one in three girls. Almost all adolescent births — about 95% — occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Within countries, adolescent births are more likely to occur among poor, less educated and rural populations.

According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), adolescent fertility in Nigeria in 2008 stood at 121 live births per

1000 births. This is very high considering that other African countries have considerably reduced adolescent fertility rates.

Ill. PREVALENCE OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN NIGERIA The increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria can be appreciated against the background of the fact that about one third of Nigeria population or 44.5 million were young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in 2006. By the year 2015, this number would have increased to about 60 million young people. Due to early marriages, early sexual exposure and pregnancy, coupled with poor sexual health services, teenage girls are a risk of sexual reproductive health problems. The teenage maternal mortality rate at 0.822 per 1000 women in Nigeria is high.

Teenage pregnancy in Nigeria has shown a slow decline since 1990. In 2008, about a quarter (23%) of teenagers (15-19) had begun child bearing, a 5% decline from the 1990 level of 28.3%.

However, these rates are 21/4 times higher in the rural areas than urban areas. The decline in teenage pregnancy may be attributable to the consistent increase in age at first marriage and sexual intercourse rather than increase in the rate of contraceptive use. Teenage pregnancy varies markedly in Northern and Southern zones, as well as urban and rural areas. They are higher in the Northern geo political zones rural areas. One in every three teenage girls in the North has started child bearing in 2008 compared with one in every ten in the South. Katsina State stands out as the state with the highest rate of teenage pregnancy and motherhood at 65 per cent. Edo state has recorded the least percentage at 2.9 percent.

IV. HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF

2013 World Pupulation Day: TEENAGE PREG NANCIES Pregnancy is the biggest killer of teenage girls worldwide. For girls and women aged 15 — 19, pregnancy and child birth is the number one killer. It is the cause of 50,000 deaths of teenage girls every year.

According to Save the Children, a US based, world’s leading independent organization for children, babies are 60% more likely to die if their mother is under 18. This is because teenage pregnancies are mostly unplanned and thus, more likely not to receive antenatal care.

Teenage pregnancy not only imposes severe health and psychological strains on the baby and the teen mothers but also have long term negative impacts on sustainable development efforts. It worsens the population and reproduction health situation and compromises genuine efforts to promote gender equality, educational attainment, family values and economic development. The negative impacts of the teenage pregnancy include: Unsafe Abortion: Pregnant adolescents are more likely than adults to have unsafe abortions. An estimated three million unsafe abortion occur globally every year among girls aged 15-19 years.

Unsafe abortion contribute substantially to lasting health problems and maternal death.

Pregnancy c o m p l i c a t i o n s : Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 years in many low- and middleincome countries. Stillbirth’s and newborn deaths 50% higher among infants born to adolescent mothers than among those born to mothers aged 20-29 years. Infants of adolescent mothers are also more likely to have low birth, which can have a long - term impact on their health and development.

Poor ante natal care: Having babies during adolescence has serious consequences for the health of the girl and her infant, especially in areas with poor

health systems. In some countries, adolescents are less likely than adults to obtain skilled care before, during and after childbirth. Research indicates that pregnant teens are less like to receive prenatal care, often seeking it in the third trimester, if at all.

Weak Pelvic Bones: The pelvic bones of mother do not reach their maximum size until about the age of 18. As such, the pelvis of the teenage mother may not have grown enough to allow vaginal delivery of a normal-size baby, which in such cases, lead to the higher incidence of Caesarean section in teenage mothers.

High fertility rate: Teenage pregnancy builds a momentum in a country’s population growth and boosts it up even with fertility declines. Most of the teenage mothers are likely to have high number of children than mothers who started child bearing later. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, nearly 1 in every 4 teen mothers will experience another pregnancy within two years of having their first.

Curtailment of educational attainment: The teenage mothers curtail their educational attainment with pregnancy and motherhood and unprepared for life’s challenges, are usually trapped in a cycle of poverty. Parenthood is the leading reason for teen girls dropping out of school. The nation loses what the girl would have contributed one way or the other while she gets withdrawn from school.

Unstable marital life - At such ages, teenage mothers are often too young to know the implications of marriage and make any informed decision about it. About 80% of teen father don’t marry the mothers. They also contribute very little to raising the babies REASONS FOR I N C R E A S I N G INCIDENCE OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY In trying to combat the negative incidence of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria on a sustainable basis, it’s important to have a proper understanding of the root causes of teenage pregnancy.

“Due to early marriages, early sexual exposure and pregnancy, coupled with poor sexual health services, teenage girls are a risk of sexual reproductive health problems.”

Addressin

By DR TUN

There are four major reasons responsible for the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria. These are: Poverty: Teenage pregnancy is most prevalent among girls from poor households (NDHS, 2003 and 2008). Poor teenagers were also the least likely to

at less than 10 years, 22.9% between 10 and 14 and 44.8%, between 15 and 19.

Very little is done to address sexual abuse in Nigeria despite high rates of occurrence.

Ignorance: This leads to unprotected sex. In 2008 less

inte cont 2008 (per and (39.4 com with child

use condoms among women who had higher-risk sexual intercourse in the 12 months preceding the surveys.

Poverty is the root cause of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria.

Sexual Abuse: NDHS 2008 asked women who reported ever suffered sexual violence of their age at first assault. About 5.1% reported that they were first assaulted

than half of all teenage girls (42.7%) knew a contractive method, but 10.5% ever used one, although 46.2% were sexually active and 29.7% in the past 4 weeks of survey.

Cultural and religious beliefs: These contribute to early marriage and low contraceptive use. It explains the differentials in spatial distribution. The most common reason given for not

scho guid past.

A FOR RES PRE T high poor rep natio the w

THE NIGERIAN

17 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Focus

ng Teenage Pregnancy

NDE LAKOJU

ending to use traception in future in the 8 survey was opposition, rsonal, spousal, familial) religious prohibitions 4%). Parents are often not mfortable talking about sex h their children, although dren spend more time in

sustainable basis, pursuing a concerted effort with broad base national consensus and international support in combating teenage pregnancy/is an absolute necessity.

It is therefore imperative for Nigeria to implement national and international conventions that seek to curtail teenage pregnancy, In

ool without parental May 2011, the World dance today, than in the Health Assembly adopted a resolution urging Member CONCERTED CALL States to accelerate actions to R NATIONAL improve the health of young SPONSE ON TEENAGE people. It included these EG NANCY specific measures: Teenage pregnancy is still • Reviewing and revising in Nigeria with a resultant policies to protect young r sexual people from early child productive health. For a bearing; on that seeks to improve • Providing access to welfare of the people on a contraception and

reproductive health care services and • Promoting access to accurate information on sexual and reproductive health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published guidelines on how to prevent early pregnancies and poor reproductive outcomes among adolescents in low and middle-income countries. Prepared in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the guidelines were based on a systematic review of the existing research as well as consultation with policymakers, programme managers and front-line health workers. They contain e v i d e n c e - b a s e d recommendations on actions that countries can take, targeting six key objectives: • Reducing marriage before the age of 18; • Creating understanding and support to reduce pregnancy before the age of 20; • Increasing the use of contraception by adolescents at risk of unintended pregnancy; • Reducing coerced sex among adolescents; • Reducing unsafe abortion among adolescents; • Increasing the use of skilled antenatal, childbirth and postnatal care among adolescents.

At the national level, it will be important to implement the following strategies in order to curb the negative incidence of teenage pregnancy: Address poverty, particularly adolescent poverty: Formal education for girls should be free and compulsory up to secondary school, to help delay sexual involvement and childbearing and get adolescents educated and prepared for their future.

Government need to invest on adolescent skills acquisition and job opportunities for self reliance.

Appropriate laws keeping teenage girls in school until completion need be enforced.

Address sexual abuse

There should be laws banning child or forced marriages and domestic violence Sex offenses need to be investigated and properly prosecuted.

Penalties for sexual offence should be more severe and not just two years imprisonment and be strictly enforced for effectiveness.

The details of such prosecutions and what to do when assaulted should be part of adolescent sex education to boost confidence.

Address ignorance The Family Life and HIV/ AIDS curriculum and education for adolescents need to be expanded.

Provision of quality and affordable reproductive health information and services should be expanded.

The poor and uneducated particularly those living in the North and rural areas should be targeted for wider outreach.

Tackle Cultural and Religious barriers to improve the reproductive lives of teenage girls equally all over the country.

Partner with key players: religious leaders, parents, guardians, teachers, politicians, etc, on teenage pregnancy prevention Organise comprehensive public campaigns on preventing teenage pregnancy and domestic violence with special programs helping parents and guardians to see their roles and need for breaking their cultural silence on sex education and socialise wards into a society they know better than any.

Teen mothers should be involved in this campaign to share experiences about the difficulties of teenage pregnancy and motherhood.

5. Tackle the lack of Funding, Coordination and Research The government needs to properly fund reproductive health programs and not rely on donors to ensure stability in funding, ownership and acceptance; The role of corporate bodies as a source of funding should also be well explored; Efforts of stakeholders should be coordinated to

achieve a common goal.

Funds should be judiciously used for research, monitoring and evaluation and capacity building CONCLUSION The commemoration of the 2013 World Population Day, which seeks to draw attention to the negative impacts of teenage pregnancy is consistent with the determination of the present Commission to effectively manage the nation’s population as a veritable tool for sustainable development and improved standard of living for the citizens. To give practical expression to this commitment, the Commission has prepared a Strategic Architecture with a sequence of activities spanning 2013 to 2017 in order to deliver on its mandate. The Commission has also identified population quality improvement issues that need to be addressed.

These issues are: • Resolving historical challenges or divisive issues; • Putting Nigeria first before tribe or religion; • Developing visionary leadership of political parties; Stopping corruption and impunity and ensuring rule of law; • Ensuring food security, nutrition, sanitation and good health; • Ensuring good education at all levels; • Developing Evidence Based Vision, Strategy, plan and expenditure; •Diversifying the economy; • Developing Civil Society Institutions; •Religious/Traditional and Culture Leaders to Ensure Good Value System; • Promoting Agricultural Transformation and Rural Development; • Industrialization driven urbanization for increased productivity; • Foundation based service sectors; • Inspiring a modern mindset, national cohesion and responsible citizenship; • Achieving consensus among the Nigerian elite based on sustainable national imperatives of justices, faith, unity, peace and progress and; • Leveraging ideas on good governance Issues To ensure that the nation’s population is effectively managed across sectoral lines

for national development, the present Commission is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring effective implementation of the National Population Policy. It is our hope that the implementation of the Strategic Architecture and the various interventions by the Federal Government in the health and education sectors, job creation, social infrastructure and power reforms through the Transformation Agenda will not only help to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy but also mitigate negative impact on the girl child and the society.

While thanking the gentlemen of the press and stakeholders for attending this press briefing, it is my pleasure to invite you to participate in other events that have been put together in commemoration of the 2013 World Population Day. These include: • Round Table Discussion on Teenage Pregnancy 11th July 2013 at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja. Time: 10.00 am. The topic of discussion is “Young People’s Access to Information and Services.

• Float and Community Outreach - Mpape Village, Abuja, Friday, 12 July 2013.

Provision of health services, and contraceptive distribution of writing materials, pregnancy test and interactive session with young people in the community will take place during the event.

• Placement of jingles and radio discussion programs on Adolescent Pregnancy.

I wish to commend the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) and other stakeholders for the consistent manner they have always supported the commemoration of the World Population Day in Nigerian.

I am delighted to note in particular the increased funding of the WPD by the country office in Nigeria.

These are positive gestures that have underscored the position of the UNFPA as the leading development partner in the population sector. The commission will continue to count on UNFPA not only in the commemoration of WPD but also in the bid to effectively manage our vast population resources for sustainable development.

I wish Nigerians and stakeholders in particular a fruitful commemoration of the 2013 World Population Day. I thank you for your attention.

The government needs to properly fund reproductive health programs and not rely on donors to ensure stability in funding, ownership and acceptance; The role of corporate bodies as a source of funding should also be well explored; Efforts of stakeholders should be coordinated to achieve a common goal.

THE NIGERIAN

18 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Success World

Creative Business Management

THE times we are in are difficult times. There is no gainsaying that business organizations are having the times hard to contend with.

Entrepreneurs are closing shop. Those not closing shop are cutting on departments, staff strength and budget.

Many business managers view the times as one to just survive until things turn around. They fail to acknowledge that to survive until things turn around for the better, you have to compete well for things to turn around for the better.

Business is like living creatures; take a healthy plant and deprive it of elements needed for its growth and it begins to wither. Businesses all over are experiencing this.

Many business managers have given up hope and thus subjected their organizations to a business climate of deprivation — no zest, no creativity, no hope for the future. They have lost the element of creativity that imbibes hope for a greater and better business environment.

Allow me to state here before we proceed that no business can thrive without creativity on the part of the management. After all the commencement of the business venture was by a creative process, so why think you can thrive by another means.

Of course none of us can actually predict future

outcome, but we can formulate a picture of the sort of future we would like to see in our business. We can at least decide what is important to us and what we want to focus on in our business.

Creative Business Management helps you paint a bright future for your organization by priming you to notice opportunities.

“It is not impossibilities which fill us with the deepest despair, but possibilities which we have failed to realize.”

-Robert Mallet (1915 — 2002) Creativity is the effort to increase business operating profits over and above current budgets and expectations. And any organization that will last must be creative.

Business is all about finding ways to make sure more people experience increase in the quality of their life by rendering them a product or service of value. And creativity is the key to adding value.

The non-alcoholic beverage Coke was sold in mugs until one man’s creativity to “bottle it” sent it far and beyond the expectation of the company.

From then, the Coca Cola Company refusing to lack creativity has improved on the beverage over the years. Today

THESE are difficult times.

Businesses are finding it hard to get by. Sales are declining, profit is shrinking and overheads are sky rocketing.

For businesses in Nigeria, the initial assurances that the economy is insulated from the effect of the economic downturn have paled into apprehension as the economic blizzard takes it tool on our economy.

Depressed economy or not, management’s goal is to make profit.

Many people fear soft economy, reasoning that if the economy is poor, clients and customers cut back on projects, stop spending and worse, sacrifice quality. This is not true. The truth is, when times are good, people often act as if they can be less effective as a business organization. We fail to review all financial reports as we should; neglecting the business system we know are necessary. We allow the counter- productive attitude that sale cure all to prevail.

The reality is, when times

are tough, as now, bad habits, lack of controls, failure to effectively install appropriate business practices begin to show up and eventually could be the cause of an early demise.

Inherent Opportunities A downturn economy may not be bad after all.

Irrespective of the veracity of the general impression of recession, the economic slowdown can be a problem for your business, or can be an opportunity to gain new clients and boost your sales; if you know and master the marketing and sales methods that work best in recessionary times.

Tips Every business has ups and downs. It is just that problems become more obvious during a downturn time. Even if things are great right now, you need to develop business generating strategies that succeed when times are tough. Good business practices accomplish very important goals they maximise profit, serve as

Coke (now including Diet Coke, Caffeine-free and several other variants) and other products of the company are leading brands in the market worldwide.

The Creative Process Permit me to reiterate that business is not just about churning out products, but about adding value — finding ways to make sure more people experience increase in the quality of their life.

In creating products or services — whether by inventing or innovation here are simple principles you can

apply: The Analysis Principle A sure way to invent or improve on a product or service is to analyse. Newton asked why the apply fell downwards and today we all acknowledge gravitational force.

Years ago, a man who was used to drinking treated bottled water was under the blazing Lagos sun. He didn’t have enough money to buy the usual bottled water and at the same time be able to pay his fare back home. He thought of what to do because he couldn’t risk consuming the N5 nylon

With Ado Erhirhi

water popularly called “ice water”. As far as he was concerned, if he could be going through this experience, some other person must have gone through it and still going through it. So he began to ask himself questions. Why is it that you cannot get treated water at cheaper rate? Those who cannot afford the cost of bottled water put their lives at risk by drinking the N5 ice water. Then an idea came to him. “Why not package treated water at the rate affordable to the general public?” With this and many other questions, he came out with sachet water at N5 instead of the usual N50 bottled water. Today, it is popularly known as “pure water.” Your painstaking analysis can create a product or service of great value to others and profit your organization.

The Suggestion Principle Another way to be creative is through suggestions. Simple questions like “what would you desire to have in a product or service if you were paying for it?” can help you suggest ways to create better products and services.

A while back, I was contracted by an ailing restaurant whose major customers were people in transit to aid resuscitate its dwindling fortunes. After a study of its operations and services, my advice was simple, yet effective. “Let the drivers who convey in the commuters be entitled to free food.” This suggestion was implemented and operating profits swelled.

Often, what we need to improve our product or service to our benefit are simple suggestions, but alas, we negate them, even when freely given.

• The Goals Principle Many times it is observed that our ideas for a personal goal have become profitable to others. Soichiro Honda’s idea of a personal “motor bike” revolutionalized Japan. Your idea to create something you really want and would enjoy might just be what would be a blessing to others, the question is, “What would you like to create to have what you really like?”

Creativity in business will help you maintain your market position and take you beyond your expectations. But please know that no creative business idea interrupts you, you must actively seek it to find it.

Sustaining Business Flow In A Downturn Economy important information system; warning you when appropriate and informing you on what is working and what is no longer working long before it becomes a problem, allowing you time to repair, adjust and change.

Experts have jointly concurred that the following strategies will help business remain profitable, even in a downturn economy.

Start New Marketing Campaign Contrary to general practice, a downturn period is ideal for increased marketing.

For instance,, if you usually devote 10 percent of your time an energy to advertising, marketing and sales when things are fairly busy, you might increase this to 25 percent when things are slow.

During a lull in business, you need to make this effort to attract clients or customers,

follow up on leads and close sales.

Re- Package You can re-package your product or service to fit the different strata of the economy to attract more clients or customers.

Manufacturers and other product sellers can offer special discounts, smaller minimum orders and payment plans. These alternatives may not provide as complete a solution as the deluxe package, but they give the client or customer the help he needs at the price he can afford. When you are not getting the big order at the big prices, selling these alternatives to the less affluent segment of the market can put lots of extra money in your pocket.

Reactivate Dormant Accounts To reactivate a dormant

account means contacting a past client or customer that is not actively working for now and getting them to do business with you again.

This could be done by giving a social call just to say hello, and see what’s going on. You don’t have to ask for work directly, hut when you end the conversation, you might say something like, Well it’s been good talking with you. Keep in touch, and if there’s anything I can ever help with, don’t hesitate to give me a call.”

If you are uncomfortable paying a visit or phoning, you can send a letter; perhaps calling their attention to a recent article, literature on new products or services, or testimonial letters from your other accounts. This accomplishes essentially the same goal — to re-contact the client or customer and remind them of your existence,

products, services and availability.

Open Old Leads According to a study by Thomas Publishing Company, most sales people, regardless of the industry, give up on early. So you have probably not followed up on leads diligently enough, and the new you need may already he right in your files.

The best, way to reactivate these old sales leads is to call them. Ask whether they got your material, whether they have an immediate or future need, and what the status of need is.

Part 2 continues next week...

Ado Erhirhi, an insightful speaker, co-ordinates MirrorView Services, a Human Resource Development outfit. For Enquiries contact the number and email above.

THE NIGERIAN

19 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Economy

The Effects Of Corruption On The Economy

BY most accounts, corruption has reached a critical level in Nigeria so much so that it now affects virtually all the socio-economic activities in the country.

Economists moan that corruption is seriously retarding Nigeria’s economic growth, as some privileged citizens habitually divert the resources meant for country’s development into personal uses.

Going by their analysis, however, corruption can involve more than one party, while it can also be viewed as an organised crime, which involves dishonesty, fraud and pretence, among others.

The Transparency International (TI) views corruption in a more elaborate frame, which entails the misuse of entrusted power for private gains.

Due to its negative effects on nationbuilding efforts and the citizens’ wellbeing, many Nigerian leaders and international organisations have, on several occasions, made frantic efforts to address the menace of corruption in the country.

According to the perception index of the Transparency International, Nigeria was ranked 144th out of the 146 countries, beating Bangladesh and Haiti to last position.

Nigeria is widely perceived as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, prompting concerned citizens to call for the intensification of the

fight against corruption in the country.

They, however, note some anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practice and other related offences Commission (ICPC) were set up to fight corruption.

The ICPC was established in 2000 to handle the crusade against

By OLUWAFEMI IGE

anti-graft agencies are often hampered by interference from the government and some external forces.

Dr Samuel Nzekwe, the former President of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), said that the level of corruption in the country had not declined in spite of the activities of

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy

corrupt practices and allied offences.

To make the campaign more efficient, the EFCC was set up in 2003 to investigate cases of financial crimes such as advance fee fraud (419) and money laundering.

These efforts notwithstanding, some financial experts insist that the operations of the

the anti-graft agencies.

He stressed that corruption had been identified as a major challenge facing the Nigerian economy, adding that concerted efforts were required to tackle corruption.

Nzekwe, nonetheless, underscored the need to incorporate pragmatic anti-corruption strategies into the Federal

Government’s Transformation Agenda, reiterating that corruption was the main cause of budget deficits over the years.

“Corruption constitutes a prime impediment to our national development; it is at the centre of the recent subsidy probe of the House of

reported intensity.

He emphasised that the development had discouraged foreign investors from coming into the country, saying: “A corruption-free environment is a major attraction to international investors.

“Government should provide an enabling environment where foreign investors will not have to bribe government

Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman

Representatives.

“Corruption is always mentioned in every national debate and it is definitely tainting our country’s image abroad,’’ he said.

Nevertheless, Mr Ayodeji Fagbenle, the General Manager of Cash Craft Assets Management Ltd. in Lagos, noted that the level of corruption in Nigeria was more than the

“Corruption constitutes a prime impediment to our national development; it is at the centre of the recent subsidy probe of the House of Representatives.

Corruption is always mentioned in every national debate and it is definitely tainting our country’s image abroad.”

officials to do their businesses,’’ he added.

Dr Kazeem Bello, a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, however, noted that corruption was somewhat rampant in the country “because of our neglect of our traditional norms and values’’.

All the same, Mr Titus Okunronmu, a former Director (Budgetary Unit), Central Bank of Nigeria, said that it was unfortunate that corruption was fast becoming “part of our ways of life.

“Until people begin to vote for trustworthy candidates in elections;

the issue of corruption will definitely persist in the country,” he added.

He, nonetheless, urged the Federal Government to check the increasing menace of fraud, relating to financial crimes and money laundering, so as to attract more foreign direct investments into the country.

Besides, Okunronmu noted that Nigerians wanted an effective reform of the country’s election processes so as to promote transparency, integrity and accountability in governance.

He also underscored the need to give the judiciary the necessary latitude to interpret and protect the constitution, while prosecuting and punishing those who engaged in corrupt practices without undue interference from any quarters.

According to him, there should be strict enforcement of anticorruption laws, while the government should make determined efforts to improve the citizens’ wellbeing.

Irrespective of these contentions, President Goodluck Jonathan recently said that Nigeria was one of the African countries that had recorded appreciable achievements in efforts to fight corruption, citing a report of the TI to buttress his claims.

All the same, economists insist that the country’s crusade against corruption would be more effective and purposeful if the government strives to enforce all the anticorruption laws.

The government should also support the anticorruption agencies in their efforts to apprehend and prosecute high-level officials who are corrupt, they added.

THE NIGERIAN

20 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Discourse

designing and producing number plates for all categories of vehicles and drivers’ licence for all categories of drivers.

“It is amazing when people come to us and say they want licences; the fact that we are mandated by law to design

everything; now, a platform has been provided to make the process easier.

“You are even allowed to choose a centre, and they will give you a date when you will go for your physical capture.

“However, for a fresher who is just applying for a driver’s licence, you don’t have that latitude because you are a person who has not been certified before.

“The new law says that if you are applying as a fresher you have to show proof that you have attended a certified driving school,’’ he added.

Agwu said that with the proof, the applicant would be

and produce these two items does not mean that we are at the forefront of handling the processes for acquiring them,’’ he said.

Agwu, nonetheless, stressed that the new procedure for acquiring a driver’s licence was not cumbersome if people went through the right channels.

“You can go to the website: www.nigeriadriverslicence.org and then commence the process for the renewal of driver’s licence.

“So, a lot of flexibility has been brought in, unlike what it was in the past when people to go to the VIO for

presented to the VIO for a driving test, after which a certificate of proficiency would be issued and then, he or she could go to the Driver ’s Licence Centre (DLC) to obtain and complete the form.

“After payment has been made online or at the bank, the application form will then be presented to the Board of Internal Revenue officer and the VIO at the DLC for endorsement.

“The applicant then proceeds to the FRSC officer at the DLC for biometric data capture and a temporary driver’s licence, which will

Biometric Number Plates, Driver’s Licence

Matters Arising

COMPLAINTS, ranging from the non-availability of vehicle particulars long time after applications have been made to the mode of issuance, have, in recent times, inundated the offices of the relevant issuing authorities.

In particular, shortly after the biometric driver’s licence and number plates were introduced in 2011, there were series of public complaints that the instruments were not getting to motorists in the expected way.

The people’s complaints were provoked by the deadline fixed for the acquisition of the new biometric driver’s licence and number plates by motorists.

Although the deadline was later extended, as recommended by the National Assembly, many motorists insist that they could still not acquire the documents, citing inadequate provision of the documents as the reason.

The motorists’ complaints notwithstanding, the issuing authorities; the Federal Road Safety Corps’ (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) insist on the Sept. 30deadline by which all motorists must have acquired valid particulars.

With the deadline closing in day by day, motorists are making frantic efforts to ensure that they remain on the road with valid documents.

Mr. Tony Azubuike, a civil servant who has since been striving to revalidate his vehicle particulars, said that he had spent several days trying to process and get the particulars.

He moaned that he had yet to obtain the documents, despite the fact that he resumed early at the VIO Office every day.

“For commercial drivers, it is a different matter altogether as they depend solely on the proceeds from their vehicles for their livelihood,’’ he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Gbenga Oke, a commercial driver, said that he had been striving to renew his driver’s licence for some months now.

“I have done all the necessary things online but at the point of capturing, a lot of problems cropped up.

“First of all, I went there for

By FOLASADE FOLARIN

three days as early as 6.00 a.m. but I realised that they have only one or two machines to capture many applicants who are seeking their licences’ renewal.

“On the third day, they finally captured me around 2.00 p.m. because they said they were expecting confirmation and approval from their database, which didn’t come until about 1.00 p.m.,’’ he said.

Oke said he had been pursuing his licence’s renewal for the past three months, adding that he had been using temporary documents that were valid for only 60 days.

Irrespective of the numerous complaints, the issuing authorities assured motorists that they would speed up their documents’ processing.

However, Mr. Yusuf Jack, the Deputy Director (Operations) in the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, otherwise known as VIO, said that some of the difficulties being encountered in the issuance of the documents were beyond the directorate’s control.

He said that the time required for obtaining new vehicle particulars or renewing old ones normally should not take long, adding that the process could, however, be delayed due to some technical glitches like system failure.

“Sometimes if there is no network; the person, who is supposed to print something, would have to wait for the pin certifying payment to drop.

“If it doesn’t drop, he has to continue the next day because he has to be sure that the necessary things have been done.

“So, once we have such problems, there’s a backlog of work to do and it becomes a problem giving out particulars,’’ he said.

Jack, however, stressed that for motorists whose particulars had not been renewed because of delays on the part of the VIO, they would be required to provide evidence to prove that they had already started the processes to avoid being arrested.

“If you have some form of evidence like the teller which

you used in making payment at the bank, everyone will know you’ve paid for processing the particulars.

“Even if the particulars have not been issued, the proof is good enough to tell any reasonable officer on the

Osita Chidoka, FRSC Boss

road that the person is saying the right thing.

“One problem is that some people don’t even know where to go for their driver’s licence or revalidation of documents, thinking that the VIO and FRSC perform the same functions,’’ he noted.

Putting the records straight, Jack said that it was the duty of the VIO to register vehicles and issue particulars as well as driver’s licences.

Making further clarifications, Mr. Jonas Agwu, the FRSC Public Education Officer, said that the FRSC was saddled with the responsibility of

be valid for 60 days, will be issued; at the end of the 60 days, the original licence can be picked.

“Although there are teething problems, the new system is designed to reduce the number of hours spent in trying to get these things done in the licence centres.

“We appreciate the worry of Nigerians and the problems which some of them have to go through in getting the particulars; and we are really working to make their efforts less cumbersome.

“We just need the understanding of Nigerians that it will get better because there are no deliberate plans to frustrate them; we want Nigerians to be able to walk in there and pick up their licences with ease.

“I can’t give a specific date but all I can say is that conscious of the Sept. 30deadline that has been given, we are ensuring that the expansion is fast-tracked enough to accommodate all the applicants.

“We are working towards having different centres across the country but the issue of network and connectivity is not within the purview of the FRSC, although we are working on it,’’ he said.

Nevertheless, Agwu rejected certain notions that the cost of obtaining driver’s licence and revalidating vehicle particulars had increased tremendously.

“The official price of a licence is N6, 000, although there will be some administrative costs that will be added by states; so, you pay N6, 000 plus.

“A number plate costs N15, 000 for new vehicles while it costs N10, 000 to revalidate old numbers,’’ he said.

All the same, Agwu appealed to Nigerians to apply for their vehicle particulars and driver’s licences personally to avoid paying the extra fees, which were usually collected by touts under the guise of facilitating the process for them.

In spite of all the assurances, observers are quite sceptical about the feasibility of the Sept. 30deadline, considering the myriad challenges currently facing the process.

“It is amazing when people come to us and say they want licences; the fact that we are mandated by law to design and produce these two items does not mean that we are at the forefront of handling the processes for acquiring them.’’

THE NIGERIAN

21 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Archival Matters

Opinion

The Biblical Cain In Us WHEN the Holy Book told us that Cain slew Abel out of jealousy and that God intervened. He asked Cain to account for Abel’s where about. In response, continued the bible, Cain arrogantly replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Taking a cue from the bible, the word Cain has come to be associated with a person who doesn’t upbold the ideology of being a good brother, sister and neighbour. Put simply, what Cain did in the biblical times is openly displayed in Nigeria of today.

Yes we are not more our brother’s keeper. Imagine what happened on the 11th July, 2013, a bad Wednesday. The sky angrily opened up pouring down rain around 3 pm and causing distress for commuters in Benin City, Edo State. Following this experience tuke-tuke drivers raised fares in a transport sector which they have been clear leaders since the ban of okada on June 17, 2013 in the state.

You won’t believe this but it happened. The drivers at 6 pm charged as much as N500 from Oba Market to Agip bus stop along Benin – Sapele Road. Yet the normal fare is N50 a trip.

Commuters who couldn’t pay N500 were stranded!!

Meanwhile some Edo Traffic Management Agency’s personnel are in a class of their own. Once they see a vehicle carrying another state’s plate number, they ambush the vehicle owner or driver and extort money from him.

Complaints about the nefarious activities of these personnel are all over the place.

Twice Edo Broadcasting Service, Benin has commented on the nuisance value of some

By MICHAEL ODIGBE

of them in its news analysis.

Still, the atrocities of the traffic personnel has continued unabated. Hence some drivers have resorted to self-helpism as an escapist route from their malfeasance. And, so, the other day in Benin when one of these wicked, Cainist personnel jumped into a trailer to enforce the illegal payment of bribe for no offence, the trailer driver grinned his teeth. He sped on vowing to take the personnel to Abuja, his destination. It took the intervention of the police at Auchi to rescue the personnel. Where the personnel his brother ’s keeper, he wouldn’t have passed through the ugly experience he went through. Where, indeed, is our much touted hospitality in our state? I ask.

Now, let’s look at another aspect of how some Nigerians are not their brother ’s keepers but destroyers. Here we are talking about the importation of fake products into the country.

Not too long ago in 2012, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, the director-general of Standard Organisation of Nigeria informed us that fake goods are daily flooding the country. From his analysis of the situation, it showed that four sets of Nigerians have not played their roles as their brother’s keepers that is why the problem exists.

First on the list are importers of these fake products which include tyres and electric bulbs. As at when Dr. Joseph Odumodu spoke in February 2012, fake tyres were already circulating in Nigeria. Anyone who buys and uses them, therefore,

exposes himself to danger on our roads. It is true Cain killed Abel as the bible tells us. Good. But, then, it is this same diabolical Cain in fake tyre importers that ends up taking the life of motorists who die through road accidents from using such bad tyres.

Similarly, we have importers of fake electric bulbs which last for about 336 hours instead of a

that plays itself out in our nation now. Nigeria equally loses from the illegal importation of fake bulbs.

Dr Joseph Odumodu inform us that N500m is lost yearly through such activity alone. If you add up what Nigeria loses from importing fake goods in general into the country, it will run into billions of naira. What a pity! Given that we are not keepers of our brothers and the nation,

collude with fake goods importers to ensure they escape justice. This explains why he is seeking a law that permits the Standard Organisation of Nigeria to prosecute the culprits. At present no one appears to be heeding his call since in our sick monetized Nigeria of today we have so many Cains who think of stomach first before their neighbours.

Enter ex-Governor James Ibori. During a plea bargain in a British Court, he agreed that he laundered N35 billion of Delta State funds

• Prof. Chinendu Nebo, Power Minister

standard lifespan of 1000 hours. Because of the activities of fake electric bulb importers, a lot of pain is inflicted on those who purchase these bulbs. You buy a bulb today, tomorrow its filament burns. So, you have to replace it, maybe again with another fake bulb if you are still unlucky.

That is the cyclical scenario

we lose money which would have been invested in the development of Nigeria.

The second third and fourth sets of Nigerians on the list of those with Cainist behaviour are the police, customs and attorneygenerals of the federation.

Most of them, according to Dr. Joseph Odumodu,

“Still on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. A landlord living in Evbareke in Benin City once complained to it that his meter has been misread. In December 2011, he was given a bill of N1700 but a month later in January 2012, the bill shot up to N4000. Nobody at the company listened to him. Go and pay the bill or else we will disconnect you from the power grid, the staff shouted at him, Meanwhile, not all retired permanent secretaries today are smiling every month.”

through some secretive offshore companies. For this offence, the court sentenced him to jail on April 16, 2012. As if this isn’t enough, he is also linked to a 15m dollars slush funds given to the EFCC as bribe so that the Nigerian anti-corruption agency quashed the case against him. These incidents all go to show he wasn’t his brother’s keeper while he was holding public office. If he was one, he wouldn’t have copped his hands into public funds.

Well, don’t crucify Ibori alone yet. If you look around with church eyes and mind you will discover that he is a saint because

our governors, past and present, did or are doing worst things. Too true, the beautiful ones who love the suffering citizens of Nigeria are not yet born. We are still waiting for them with Godot’s hopeful and foolish expectancy. Oops, they may never come!! If good Nigerian Abels are giving birth to bad children of Cainist attitude, what type of people would these children of ours produce? If a fig tree does produce fruits in the green, rainy season, is it diring Sahelian drought it would do so?

The Power Holding Company of Nigeria is another Cain in our midst which doesn’t keep brother hood. At Gapiona area of Benin City this month its live cable fell at dawn and killed a landlord out of negligence as well as dereliction of duty. Were the company’s staff alert to their duty, they would have switched off power feeding the area when the cable fell.

But they didn’t. Who knows they were asleep on duty at the time just as nurses and doctors on night call do while patients are dying.

Still on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. A landlord living in Evbareke in Benin City once complained to it that his meter has been misread.

In December 2011, he was given a bill of N1700 but a month later in January 2012, the bill shot up to N4000. Nobody at the company listened to him.

Go and pay the bill or else we will disconnect you from the power grid, the staff shouted at him, Meanwhile, not all retired permanent secretaries today are smiling every month. The new ones take time N150,000 each month, thanks to the minimum wage. But some of the old ones earn a paltry N20000 monthly because they are still awaiting harmonization. Indeed, most Nigerians are no more their brother’s keepers. We are in the bad times of Sodom and Gommorrha inspite of our choreographed, monotone religiosity.

THE NIGERIAN

22 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 With CLEMENTINA OYAKHILIME

Science

Food Production And Storage FOOD Production And Storage, Factors Affecting Food Productions THE factors that affect food production are land area, diseases, pests, rainfall, basic amenities, finance, transportation, agricultural education, storage and processing facilities, governmental attitude on development of agriculture, farming technologies, soil, micro-organisms, soil Ph and texture, wind, temperature.

Farming techniques When there is mechanized agriculture and good farming practices like crop rotation, the food yield will increase, but when there is poor farming practices and lack of machinery like tractors and harvesters, the crop production, would be retarded.

Storage and processing facilities When there is poor and in join adequate storage and processing it results to the hindering of food production that will lead to the spoilage of the food, but when there is a good processing and storage facilities it usually leads to an increased food production.

Governmental attitude to development of agriculture The governments when they lack interest in agriculture,

retards food production because they will release a small amount to agricultural sector and a situation where the government officials do not implement agricultural programmes food production will reduce, but a situation when governments are interested in agriculture, they plunge in more money to agricultural sector, which the government officials will implement through agricultural programmes which will eventually lead to an increase in food production.

Agricultural education Awareness through agricultural education has created importance on farming which has resulted in an increased food production.

Land area The area of land under cultivation when it is very large, would lead to increase in food production but when the land cultivated is small, reverse is the case.

Rainfall Adequate rainfall would increase food productivition while inadequate rainfall may hinder the cultivation of fertile soil but this adequate rainfall may be subsidized by irrigation.

Diseases and pests

“When there is mechanized agriculture and good farming practices like crop rotation, the food yield will increase, but when there is poor farming practices and lack of machinery like tractors and harvesters, the crop production, would be retarded.�

After harvest and food is stored, they are mainly destroyed by pests and diseases and the problem can only be solved by effective pest and disease control measures.

Basic amenities Basic amenities like water and electricity when they are lacked, would lead to a decrease in food production because the agricultural workforce would migrate from the rural areas to urban areas. But the government can rectify this situation. How? They provide the basic amenities in rural areas also to urban areas, thereby increasing the food production in the villages through the able bodied men.

Finance Rich farmers are able to practice solid mechanized farming to improve food production but a situation where by some farmers lack money they cannot buy machines to improve food production Transportation When farmers produce food in urban areas, they find it difficult to transport it to rural areas, because of lack of transport. This, discourages farmers from large scale production. Good roads lead to increase in food production.

Ways of improving crop yields 1. Improved farming techniques Mechanized farming leads to an improved rise in high crop yield production.

2. Use of fertilizers The appropriate use of organic fertilizers into the soil, makes crops to grow well.

3. Cross breeding Resistant varieties, better fruit, better seed crossed and a desired hybrid is gotten 4. Pest control Pests like nematodes, fungi, insects, rodents, birds and other vectors are controlled through the use of appropriate pesticides, it is either they are controlled at an early stage or later, so that they do not cause harm to the crops.

5. Good farming practices Crop rotation should be practised, it enriches the soil with nitrogen, control weeds, pests and plant diseases.

6. Different methods of ploughing Different ploughing methods and farming techniques should be strictly adhered to because of different climatic conditions, soil types and crops.

7. Introduction Here crop species varies from other locations where the plant is not grown before, it is being introduced there, for example the cassava that is grown in Nigeria is a native of South America.

Causes of food wastage 1.

2.

3.

4.

Poor harvesting methods Lack of market for commodity Delay in transportation due to bad roads Carnivorous and herbivores activities on the food.

5. Destruction of stored fruits and meat by some worms usually larvae flies 6 Saprophytic action such as the beads mould 7. Improper storage, a situation that leads to spoilage and deterioration of stored food 8. Pest attack. They destroy stored seeds and grains, examples are beetles and weevils.

THE NIGERIAN

23 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Viewpoint Death Sentence: Not An

Effective Deterrent?

WHAT is crime, to start with? It is a grave offence against a community, society, nation or any approved authority. Offences that constitute crime are many. Therefore, one cannot mention all of them. But here are a few like rape, stealing, pipeline vandalism, burglary, murder, armed robbery, impersonation and kidnapping. All these offences are punishable under the Nigeria Criminal Law, while anyone punished by it becomes a criminal and is referred to as such by members of a society.

Some offences carry the death sentence, if one is convicted of them in a court of competent jurisdiction. As the case of the death sentence shows, it is the gravity of an offence that determines the punishment that will be meted out to an offender by a judge.

In every community, there are laid-down rules and regulations that guide the citizens on the right and wrongs in the society. Because of this arrangement, people with criminal intentions are made to withdraw from crime. With the passage of time, these rules and regulations metamorphosed into laws which character depend on the peculiar complexities existing in that society or nation.

In actual fact, there is no law on earth that has effectively deterred people from committing crime.

This is because, in every society, there are hardened criminals who cannot be stopped by the law and the accompanying punishment from committing an offence or offences.

Similarly, we also find

people that the death sentence cannot restrain from going ahead to be criminally minded.

Given this scenario, the law urges both the federal and state governments in Nigeria to retrace their steps on the subject of death penalty and observe their international commitments and obligations which now calls for a moratorium on execution.

While everyone is entitled to his opinion, there are some questions that bother my mind on the issue of the death penalty which some people say should be kept on hold.

The questions are firstly, if we decide to abrogate the death penalty, are we encouraging murder in society? Secondly, of what use does life imprisonment serve? Won’t the condemned criminal be fed by government with tax payers’ money before he eventually dies. The annoying side of the matter is that a lot of Nigerians cannot afford three square meals a day. Unfortunately, while the law-abiding citizens cannot feed, government will be spending public money on condemned criminals in prison. Is this fair?

In King James version of the Holy Bible, it is written in the book of Revelation: “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.

He that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.” So, the bible has already told us what to do. A person who kills should also die.

In modern society, no person or government

By EKAIWE OMO OMOREGIE

without authority takes another person’s life. Arbitrary killing is not allowed.

What obtains is the rule of law. Therefore, before a person is condemned to death and executed, two things happen. Firstly, a

must sign the papers for his execution after the convict has exhausted all his channels of appeal. Once these papers are endorsed by a sitting governor, no person can stop the execution.

Therefore, it is laughable

He knows it will lead to his death. Also, he is aware that dying is painful. But he killed and caused such a pain to others but wants to avoid the same pain of dying.

Does not his cruel logic show him off as a selfish person? It does, certainly.

It is high time our human rights activists treaded softly on the issue of the death penalty in Nigeria. They should

Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, Chief Justice of the Federation

competent court must find the person guilty of the crime requiring the death penalty. Secondly, the prescribed authority, in this case, a state governor,

for a condemned criminal to appeal against his execution. He has no moral right to do so, at all. Of course, as an adult, he knows the consequences of his action.

realise that international standards that are good for certain countries might not be workable here in Nigeria with a different environment

entirely. Of course, it is for this same reason gay marriage practised in western democracies is unacceptable in Nigeria despite the move of some Nigerians to bring the abominable practice into the country.

I affirm that if the hanging of a murderer marks a dark day for a nation, then how do we mark the day on which the murderer killed his victim?

Won’t it be a darker day for this innocent victim as well as for the bereaved family?

Don’t forget, the victim might have been the only bread winner of his family before his life was cut short. If this is the case, won’t his family pass through more agonizing dark times than the murderer. So, why do we only think of the criminal’s pain and ignore that of his victim and his victim’s family?

For me, let the death penalty stand in Nigeria. Let all of us join hands together to flush out hardened criminals from our midst.

There is no need to be sentimental on the issue of death penalty for convicted criminals. Any one whose offence calls for the death penalty should face the hangman. He should not be given life imprisonment as an option.

“I affirm that if the hanging of a murderer marks a dark day for a nation, then how do we mark the day on which the murderer killed his victim? Won’t it be a darker day for this innocent victim as well as for the bereaved family? Don’t forget, the victim might have been the only bread winner of his family before his life was cut short.”

THE NIGERIAN

24 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

International

Compiled By ISAH STELLA

Tension Simmer In Israel Coalition Over Possible Palestine Talks

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu smiles during the opening ceremony of the 19th Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tentative agreement to revive U.S.-sponsored peace talks with the Palestinians met skepticism and scorn yesterday from some members of his rightist coalition government, including within his own party.

With no date yet set for negotiations to begin, let alone a public blueprint for their terms, Netanyahu did not yet appear at risk of a political crisis. Rare praise for him from the centerleft opposition suggested they were willing to replace any nationalist allies he might lose over a future peace accord.

Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have

Bombs On Outskirts Of Baghdad Kill 6

BAGHDAD — Two bombs killed six people on the outskirts of Baghdad early yesterday, as the death toll from a coordinated wave of late-night car bombings and other attacks the day before jumped past 70, according to authorities.

The explosions are the latest in a relentless surge in bloodshed that has rocked Iraq since the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. They follow months of increased violence across the country that is raising fears of a return to the widespread sectarian killing that pushed the country to the brink of civil war after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Saturday night’s blasts went off after the iftar meal that breaks the daily fast in the month of Ramadan. Streets during the holy month are often filled with people out shopping and relaxing in cafes in the evenings, suggesting the attackers aimed to hit as many civilians as possible.

“What crime have those innocent people committed?” asked Kadim Mohsen, who was surveying the previous night’s damage in the central neighborhood of Karrada. Several storefronts were wrecked by the force of an explosion there, and broken watermelons and sandals littered

the street.

“Who will compensate owners of those shops?” he asked.

“We see explosions every day.

We blame the army and police.”

“As the scale of the carnage became clearer early Sunday, police reported that a total of 12 car bombs went off in Baghdad late Saturday. They said the blasts and a shooting in the same area as one of the explosions killed 57, including some who died in the hospital overnight. More than 125 were reported wounded.

Those attacks and others around Iraq on Saturday killed a total of 71, according to police and hospital officials.

That made for the country’s deadliest day since May 17, when a series of explosions in Sunni areas in and around Baghdad killed at least 76 people.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the latest attacks, although coordinated bombings against Shiites are a favorite tactic of al-Qaida’s Iraq branch.

Parliament speaker Osama alNujaifi urged security forces not to give up their fight against terrorists while demanding that

they do more to prevent security breaches. Al-Nujaifi is a Sunni who is frequently critical of the Shiite prime minister, Nouri alMaliki.

“We strongly condemn the evil and criminal attacks that targeted our people,” he said. “These attacks are part of heinous efforts that aim to ignite unrest and sectarian strife.”

Al-Maliki ordered a shakeup among the military brass in May in the wake of a series of deadly attacks, but the move appears to have done little to slow the pace of the killing.

The violence continued Sunday.

A bomb exploded early in the day in a fish market in a market in the town of Taji, 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Baghdad. Police and hospital officials said that attacks killed four and wounded 15.

Another bomb exploded outside the house of a local anti-Qaida Sunni militia leader in the town of Basmaiya, killing two and

wounding four. The town is about 40 kilometers southeast of the Iraqi capital.

WELLINGTON - An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck

New Zealand yesterday, the U.S. Geological Survey’s monitoring service reported, but there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.

The largest of a series of tremors that have shaken the region in the past few days, the quake knocked items off shelves, shattered some windows and brought trains in the capital, Wellington, to a halt.

“We’ve had one report of structural damage so far, but as far as I know, power in the city is still on,” said a spokesman at the capital’s fire station.

The quake’s epicenter was in the Cook Strait that separates the country’s North and South islands. Domestic media have reported some power outages in the South Island.

The Pacific tsunami warning centre has not issued a tsunami warning.

“There is no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, at least not in the coming years, and what’s possible and important to do is conflict-management.”

Transport Minister Yisrael Katz of Likud mocked Abbas, whose U.S.-backed administration holds limited sway in the occupied West Bank while the Palestinian enclave of Gaza is controlled by Islamist Hamas rivals opposed to co-existence with Israel.

“Abu Mazen (Abbas) rules over Palestinians less than (President Bashar) Assad rules in Syria,” Katz told reporters, referring to the more than two-yearold Islamist-led insurgency wracking Damascus, another enemy of the Jewish state.

“Just as no one would consider ceding any territory to Assad in the current situation, so certainly no one is thinking seriously of ceding territory to Abu Mazen at time when he doesn’t completely rule over most of the Palestinian population.”

Ukraine Rape Draws Outrage VRADIYEVKA, Ukraine— It was an ordinary summer Over Official Impunity evening for 29-year-old Irina Krashkova, a single mother in this quiet farming town. After a day running errands, she went dancing with her girlfriends at the local bar.

As she walked home, she said, two policemen pulled up beside her. One was 1st Lt. Evhen Dryzhak — a feared man about town, described by locals as a heavy drinker who beat and insulted townsfolk and forced them to pay his bar bills.

What happened next shattered Krashkova’s peaceful life, filled with days breeding ducks and playing checkers with her 12year-old son Dimitry. The cops, Krashkova said, forced her into

New Zealand Hit

By Earthquake

Civilians inspect the aftermath of a car bomb attack at a convenience store at the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday. A coordinated wave of seven car bombs tore through bustling commercial streets Saturday night in Shiite areas of Baghdad, part of a relentless wave of the capital killed and wounded dozens of others.

been tight-lipped about the prospective talks, in keeping with the discretion requested by U.S. Secretary John Kerry, who announced the breakthrough on Friday after months of intensive mediation.

Washington hopes to host Israeli and Palestinian negotiators within a week for the launch of “final-status” talks on founding a Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state, in territories the latter captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

But Netanyahu’s partner in the ruling Likud Beitenu faction, Avigdor Lieberman, ridiculed the idea that anything more than an interim accord might be achieved in the decades-old conflict.

“It’s important to negotiate, and even more important for negotiations to be predicated on realism and not illusions,” Lieberman wrote on Facebook.

the car and drove her to the woods. There, with the help of a friend, they allegedly beat her so badly they fractured her skull.

The officers then took turns raping her, Krashkova said.

The case brought attention to Ukrainians’ growing outrage over the perceived impunity of officials and their powerful friends — from lawmakers to businessmen to small-town cops.

Reports of police abuse ranging from horrific violence to quiet bribery have risen sharply since the 2010 election of President Viktor Yanukovych. The opposition accuses him of moving Ukraine down an authoritarian path and trampling democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Even after Krashkova fingered Dryzhak as the leader of the attack, the burly officer continued to walk the streets of Vradiyevka for a week — showing up at work and buying raspberries at the local market. He even interviewed witnesses in the case.

The horror of the crime combined with years enduring abuse from Dryzhak and his fellow officers to send a current of rage through the town. Hundreds of residents stormed the police station in protest.

It was only then that Dryzhak was arrested. His alleged accomplices, police Lt. Dmitry Polishchuk and their friend, were detained soon after the attack. All three say they are innocent and refuse to testify.

Krashkova’s case bore shocking resemblance to one in Mykolaiv, the capital of the region that includes Vradiyevka.

Last year, a young woman was raped, set on fire and died after two weeks in the hospital. Three suspects were detained, but one with powerful regional connec-

tions and his friend were quickly released. They were jailed again only after protests erupted across the country. One suspect has been sentenced to life, while two others received prison terms of 1415 years.

Krashkova’s case, too, has become a national cause. Hundreds of activists rallied Thursday against police abuse and impunity in the center of Kiev and erected tents to maintain a roundthe-clock protest. Some came on foot from Vradiyevka, a town some 330 kilometers (200 miles) south of the capital. But the protest was forcefully dispersed overnight by riot police and the tents were torn down. Several activists were detained.

Ukrainians say they are tired of seeing the powers-that-be, their kin and their cronies avoid punishment for crimes big and small — from bribe-taking to ignoring traffic rules to committing rapes and murders. People complain that they are defenseless against the giant corrupt government machine, in which law enforcers and officials close ranks and cover up each other’s crimes.

From her hospital bed, Krashkova recently described the horror of the attack. “ Wednesday, July 10, 2013 photo the mother of rape victim Irina Krashkova, 69-year-old Maria …

“They strangled me, they beat me and called me all kinds of names,” Krashkova said in a weak voice in a video interview with local media. Her face was swollen and bruised and her head was wrapped in a white bandage.

“Dryzhak raped me and asked Polishchuk, ‘Do you want to?’ He said ‘yes’ and raped me.”

THE NIGERIAN

25 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

EDO STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC UTILITIES 2nd Floor, Palm House, Sapele Road, P.M.B 1023, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUCEMENT

REMOVAL OF SCRAP AND ABANDONED VEHICLES FROM ALL ROADS IN EDO STATE This is to inform the general public that the Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities will embark on the removal of scrap and abandoned vehicles from all roads in Edo State and a 30 day notice is hereby given from the date of this Publication.

For the avoidance of doubt, an abandoned vehicle is classified as follows: • • • • • • •

Stationary for a significant amount of time (at least 1 week), Significantly damaged, vandalized or run down (could include flat or removed tyres or broken windows), Burnt out, Contains Waste, Missing one or more of its number plates, A vehicle that no one is claiming ownership of, All metal and iron scrap (including refrigerators, rods e.t.c) within perimeter of road set back.

Please be informed that it is an offence to abandon vehicles/ equipment along the road other unauthorised location.

Consequently, any vehicle/equipment that falls under any of the above categories will be removed by the State Government while owners will be made to pay the prescribed penalty for the removal.

Please note that any vehicle/equipment that remain in the dumpsite after 14 days will be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the law.

All and sundry should take note that this publication serves as a final notice that will be given to all owners of abandoned vehicles and equipments.

Please, co-operate with Edo State Government to serve you better.

For more information, come to: The Edo State Taskforce on Environment Office, Kilometer 6, Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State.

UHUNMWODE LOCAL GOVERNMENT P.M.B. 1, EHOR EDO STATE OF NIGERIA INVITATION TO TENDER Tenders are hereby invited from Competent/Reputable Contractors and Suppliers who are currently registered with the Local Government for the execution of the underlisted projects on behalf of the Local Government.

A. EDUCATION (SCHOOLS): (1) Construction of 3 classrooms/Headmaster’s Office at Ogbe Primary School, Ehor.

(2) Construction of 3 classrooms/Headmaster’s Office at Edokpayi Primary School, Obazagbon.

(3) Construction of 3 classrooms/Headmaster’s Office at Ugonoba.

(4) Construction of 6 classrooms/Headmaster’s Office at Ase Primary School, Idumwungha.

(5) 2000 set of school desks (6) Construction of a block of 3 classrooms/Headmaster’s Office at Ukpogo Primary School, Ukpogo.

(7) Renovation of a block of four (4) classrooms at Ebueneki Primary School, Ebueneki.

(8) Construction of a block of six (6) classrooms at ldunmwowina.

(9) Construction of a block of three (3) classrooms at Egba.

(10) Renovation of a block of six (6) classrooms at Aduhan.

(11) Renovation of a block of six (6) classrooms at Irighon.

B. BOREHOLES: (1) Sinking of borehole at Obagie (2) Sinking of borehole at Umokpe.

(3) Sinking of borehole at Iguoke.

(4) Sinking of borehole at Ewan.

(5) Sinking of borehole at Izikhiri.

(6) Sinking of borehole at Ebueneki.

(7) Sinking of borehole at Iguosagie.

C. HEALTH CENTRES: (1) Construction of Health Centre at Iguomon.

D. ROADS AND DRAINAGES: (1) Asphalting of 4km Ehor Township Roads, Ehor.

(2) Asphalting of Secretariat Premises, Ehor.

(3) Construction of concrete drains behind Enogie Palace, Ehor.

(4) Asphalting of 2km road at Obadan.

E. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION: (1)Construction of the Local Government Legislative Chambers at Ehor.

F. ELECTRIFICATION: (1) Electricity extension at Okemuen.

G. TRANSPORTATION: (1)Purchase of 10 nos. fairly used Ford Buses for Mass Transit.

2. Intending tenderers are required to pay to Uhunmwode Local Government Treasury, a non-refundable deposit of Thirty Thousand Naira (30,000.00) only per project and the tenders are to be accompanied with: i.

Evidence of current business registration with Uhunmwode Local Government as a contractor/supplier in the appropriate category. ii. Evidence of payment of non-refundable deposit of Thirty Thousand Naira (30,000.00) to the Local Government Treasury. iii. Tax Clearance Certificate for the immediate past three years. iv. Current Bank Guarantee of credit worthiness. v.

Evidence of jobs previously executed with the Local Government or other government agencies. vi. Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). vii. Evidence of Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificate of the Director of the Company.

3. Documents showing the drawings and specifications of the above listed projects are available for inspection between 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday — Friday in the Office of Director of Works.

4. Tenders should be addressed and submitted in a sealed and waxed envelop and marked “CONFIDENTIAL” at the top left hand corner of the envelope and addressed to: The Executive Chairman, Uhunmwode Local Government, P.M.B. 1, Ehor, Edo State.

To reach him not later than six (6) weeks from the date of this publication.

5. Uhunmwode Local Government is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender, nor is it bound to give reasons for rejection of any tender, please.

Signed: Uyi Isibor For: Executive Chairman, Uhunmwode Local Government, Ehor.

THE NIGERIAN

26 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

International

Compiled By ISAH STELLA O.

Islamist Would Gain Sway In Syrian ASPEN, COLO - Radical War - US Official Islamist rebels will gain sway

A woman carries her niece who got sick after consuming contaminated meals given to children at a school in the eastern Indian city of Patna

over the many disperate factions opposing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad unless they are checked, and the country’s civil war could last years, a top Pentagon intelligence official said on Saturday.

David Shedd, the deputy director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, did not advocate any form of intervention by the United States or its allies, saying that was up to policymakers.

But his bleak assessment of the dangers posed by the Islamist al-Nusra Front and al Qaeda’s Iraq-based wing, as well as the prospects for a prolonged conflict, could bolster advocates of greater involvement by the United States and its allies.

Addressing the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, Shedd said he counted at least 1,200 groups in the opposition.

He said many of the groups were preoccupied with strictly local grievances, like a lack of potable water in their villages.

“Left unchecked, I’m very concerned that the most radical elements will take over larger

segments” of the opposition groups, Shedd said, strongly hinting at the need for some kind of outside intervention.

He said the conflict could drag on anywhere “from many, many months to multiple years,” and that a prolonged stalemate could leave open parts of Syria to potential control by radical fighters.

SANAA - Armed men seized an employee of the Iranian embassy in Yemen’s capital Sanaa yesterday, police sources said, the latest in a series of abductions of foreigners in the lawless Arab country.

The Iranian man was travelling through the diplomatic quarter in southern

Sanaa when gunmen blocked the road, forced him to get out of his vehicle and took him to an unknown location, the sources told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the kidnapping, they added.

Yemen’s government is grappling with a host of challenges, including a separatist movement in the south and an Islamist insurgency, as it tries to restore authority lost during mass protests in 2011 that overthrew veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Disgruntled tribesmen also often take hostages to press the government to free jailed relatives or improve public services.

A Saudi diplomat based in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden has been held hostage by Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda since March, 2012.

Gunmen Abduct Iran Embassy Employee In Yemen

Fatal Indian School Meal Contained Concentrated Pesticide - Police

PATNA, INDIA - The free school lunch that killed 23 Indian children last week was contaminated with concentrated pesticide which is not widely available, the district magistrate overseeing the police investigation told Reuters yesterday.

The children fell ill within minutes of eating a meal of rice and potato curry in their oneroom school in Bihar state on Tuesday, vomiting and

convulsing with stomach cramps.

The deaths sparked protests in Bihar. The lunch was part of India’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme that covers 120 million children and aims to tackle malnutrition and encourage school attendance. It had already drawn widespread complaints over food safety.

An initial forensic

investigation found that the meal had been prepared with cooking oil that contained monocrotophos, an organophosphorus compound that is used as an agricultural pesticide, Ravindra Kumar, a senior police official, told reporters on Saturday.

The pesticide found in the oil was of a concentration more than five times that used in a

commercial version, according to a forensic report.

“It is highly poisonous, it’s highly toxic, and, therefore, it has to be diluted when used as commercial pesticides,” said district magistrate Abhijit Sinha.

“Typically it has to be diluted five times. So one liter of monocrotophos is mixed with five liters of water.”

Sinha said the concentrated

form was not widely available and the pesticide was normally sold commercially in the diluted state.

Police said on Friday they suspected the cooking oil used in the meal was kept in a container previously used to store the pesticide. They are still looking for the headmistress of the school, who fled after the deaths.

Canadian Train Disaster A Dark Turn For OTTAWA - A blinding flash Rail Veteran sole engineer who was not on board. of orange light jarred ESAN SOUTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT P.M.B. 02, UBIAJA, EDO STATE OF NIGERIA

RE: INVITATION TO TENDER (EXTENSION OF TIME) The attention of prospective tenderers are hereby drawn to the above, being subject of tender made public on Thursday, May 13, 2013 by Esan South East Local Government and to inform you that the period of TENDER has been extended to lapse two weeks from the date of this publication.

For benefit of doubt, the invitation to tender was earlier made for the underlisted: 1. Building of health centres 2. Construction and rehabilitation of Primary Schools 3. Construction and rehabilitation of roads 4. Construction of skills acquisition centres 5. Renovation and reconstruction of secretarial buildings 6. Purchase of Toyota Hiace buses 7. Purchase of speed/engine boats 8. Rehabilitation and construction of motor parks 9. Construction of markets 10. Construction of boreholes 11. Supply of transformers 12. Construction of toilets in schools and markets For details, see The NIGERIAN OBSERVER publication of Thursday, May 13, 2013.

Please, take note that Esan South East Local Government is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender nor is bound to give reasons for rejection of any tender.

Signed: Hon. Solomon O. Oyedo For: Executive Chairman, Esan South East Local Government, Ubiaja.

Weyauwega residents awake before dawn on March 4, 1996.

An 81-car freight train had been barreling toward the farm town in central Wisconsin when it jumped a broken rail. The train’s propane and petroleum cargo had caught fire and exploded.

Gerald Poltrock II, a rookie local police officer, thought it was a prank when the dispatcher called to say the city “blew up.”

It was no joke. When he arrived at the Mill Street railroad crossing, Poltrock recalled, the scene was “mass chaos.” Thirty-five rail cars were piled up like toys and firefighters were battling a roaring blaze. No one was seriously injured or killed but the inferno burned for 16 days CHANGE OF NAME

EDILIIGUE – I, formerly Mr. Daniel Ogidu Ediliigue now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mr. Daniel Ogidu Idugboe.

All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc; other concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

and the entire town had to be evacuated.

Seventeen years later, another North American railway disaster has brought back memories of Weyauwega. On June 6, a runaway freight train with 72 cars of crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec. A fireball leveled the center of the picturesque lakeside town and killed about 50 people.

Nearly two weeks later, emergency crew are still digging through the charred rubble to find bodies, police are investigating to see if there was criminal negligence, and Canadian regulators are probing the railroad’s safety practices.

In both disasters, the railroads involved were headed by Edward A. Burkhardt, a veteran industry entrepreneur credited with helping to lead a renaissance in U.S. regional and local freight railroads in the 1980s and 1990s.

There are clear differences between the two cases; for instance, the Wisconsin Central Ltd train that jumped the track in Weyauwega was operated by a two-man crew, while the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway Corp (MMA) train that derailed in Lac-Megantic had a

Still, a review of the U.S. federal investigation into the Weyauwega derailment offers clues on the kinds of questions that MMA is likely to face from transportation safety regulators, according to rail industry executives, transportation investigators and experts.

Burkhardt, who is about to turn 75, stands by MMA’s safety record and noted the company had no serious derailments before LacMegantic. “I have never been involved with anything remotely approaching this in my whole life,” he said.

THRIFTY RAIL With a career spanning more than five decades, Burkhardt specializes in piecing together small, aging or financially troubled rail lines. He cuts costs by trimming staff, pays for infrastructure repairs, and creates mid-size railroads that can run on thinner margins than larger competitors, according to union officials, regulators, former employees and business partners.

Like other regional railroad operators, Burkhardt has to strike a balance between ramping up traffic on rail lines to boost profits - and keeping up with maintenance and other costs to safely handle increased traffic volumes.

THE NIGERIAN

27 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Health

Assessing Management Of HIV/AIDs, TB And Malaria In Africa

AFRICAN leaders have, on many occasions, expressed concern about the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other life-threatening diseases on the continent.

For instance, leaders of African Union (AU) member states met in Abuja in 2001 to agree on appropriate intervention strategies for the management of the diseases.

At the end of the meeting, the Abuja Declarations and Frameworks for Action on Roll Back Malaria, HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases were adopted.

The thrust of the agenda was to put in place appropriate policies, pragmatic strategies, effective implementation mechanisms and concrete monitoring structures at national, regional and continental levels to effectively control these diseases.

The Abuja Declarations and Frameworks, therefore, mandated African countries to collectively and individually work towards arresting and reversing the burden of the diseases.

In the case of Nigeria, the Abuja Declarations of Commitment on Malaria and HIV and AIDS were adopted, while other African nations had equally similarly adopted similar declarations.

Since the 2001 adoption, African countries have been giving the fight against Malaria, HIV and AIDS priority attention in their health policies and programmes.

For instance, the countries set a target of

allotting 15 per cent of their annual budgets to the improvement of the health sector, while the 2001 commitments were reaffirmed in 2006.

African leaders are currently meeting in Abuja to undertake another review of the progress made so far in efforts to address the challenges posed by these diseases in the past 12 years.

The theme of the summit is: “Ownership, Accountability and Sustainability of HIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Response in Africa: Past, Present and the Future’’.

Mr Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said in a statement that the summit was aimed at taking stock and reinforcing the commitments made by African leaders to reverse the incidence of HIV and AIDS in Africa.

He said that 12 years after the adoption of the declarations, there was an imperative need to take stock and evaluate the extent to which the commitments and targets had been achieved, so as to chart the way forward.

Anyim said that the theme of the summit was appropriate given that HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria had remained the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Africa.

He noted that the diseases had also continued to pose serious challenges to socioeconomic development and human security on the continent.

By FRANCA OFILI

Anyim said that the key participants of the summit included national delegates from the P r e s i d e n c y ; representatives of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Civil Society Organisations and regional health organisations,

issues of HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria, which is the mandate of this summit, but also on the continuum of care along the life cycle.

“A continuum of care that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the socio-economic factors in

among others.

“We expect a high-level decision on reinforced government response and action to deliver on the Abuja commitments to address HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria, as well as strengthening the health systems of AU member states.

“I have no doubt that this special summit will go a long way to refocus attention, not only the

the life cycle for appropriate care and creating a healthy and strong Africa,’’ he said.

Also in a statement, Prof.

John Idoko, the DirectorGeneral of National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said that with 3.4 million Nigerians living with HIV and AIDS, Nigeria had become the second largest country in the world where the disease was afflicting

“A continuum of care that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the socio-economic factors in the life cycle for appropriate care and creating a healthy and strong Africa.’’

many people.

Idoko noted that only 18 per cent of HIV-positive women in the country were able to receive prophylaxis treatment against motherto-child transmission.

He also said that only 18 per cent of the country’s population of 170 million had undergone HIV tests, adding that more than 40

governments would provide N52.3 billion, while the private sector would contribute N16.5 billion.

Idoko said that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria had also given additional 25 million U.S. dollars (about N4 billion) to 12 states and the FCT to address the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

Besides, the U.S.

per cent of HIV-positive Nigerians did not even know their status.

He said that N377.5 billion would be needed for the new initiative aimed at making Nigeria to attain the universal access targets of 80 per cent for HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care services.

However, the NACA chief said that N198.5 billion was expected to be sourced from external donors, while domestic contribution would account for the remaining N179 billion.

He, however, stressed that out of the N179 billion domestic contribution, the Federal Government would provide N110.2 billion; the state

Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence McCulley, once said that the U.S. government had spent N450 billion on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and the general improvement of the country’s health system.

As part of the efforts to strengthen the crusade against HIV and AIDS, President Goodluck Jonathan in April instructed NACA to produce a new blueprint for the eradication of the virus.

Jonathan said that the plan would state the necessary milestones and clearly define the responsibilities of all stakeholders and the expected results.

THE NIGERIAN

28 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Germany Considering Bid For Euro 2014 GERMAN Football Federation (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach says his country are considering a bid to host the European Championships in 2024.

In an interview published Saturday, Niersbach told Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that Germany would consider bidding for the tournament if they are not chosen to host the final phase — the semi-finals and final — of the Europe-wide 2020 competition.

“If we look at the European map, we can say with assurance — and not arrogance — that we have the ability to organise such a complex tournament,” he said.

However, any such bid would be dependant on Germany’s level of participation in the hosting of the 2020 tournament, which will take place across 13

countries.

“UEFA will announce the 13 host cities in September 2014...Thereafter we will be able to decide what to do,” added Niersbach.

“Should we relinquish our plan to host the semi-finals

and final (in 2020) in order to host the whole tournament in 2024?”

Germany last hosted a tournament at the 2006 World Cup but have not hosted the Euros since 1988.

MANUEL Gabriel Torres and Blas Perez each scored twice to spark Panama over 10-man Cuba 6-1, sending the winners into the Gold Cup semifinals.

Panama advanced into a Wednesday semi-final of the biennial North American regional tournament against Mexico, who won their quarter-final match 1-0 over Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

Raul Jimenez scored the only goal of the contest in the 84th minute for Mexico. Jimenez was six yards from goal when he redirected a cross from the right wing past Trinidad goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams.

“We have a chip on our shoulders and we are going to take revenge on the Panama side,” goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco said of Mexico who lost to Panama 2-1 in the previous round.

“We have a solid goal and we are going to fulfil it.”

Jose Ciprian gave Cuba the lead in the 21st minute, but four minutes later Torres equalized from the penalty spot.

Torres gave Panama the lead for good with a goal in the 38th minute, but the game turned when Cuban forward Ariel Martinez was shown a red card in the 58th minute after a nasty foul on Perez.

Panama’s Carlos Rodriguez followed with his first international goal in the 67th minute, Perez added goals in the 78th and 87th minutes and Jairo Jimenez netted his first international strike in the 84th minute.

Sunday’s quarter-finals at Baltimore send the host United States against El Salvador and Honduras against Costa Rica. They will meet in Wednesday’s other semi-final.

The winners of the CONCACAF regional crown will meet the 2015 Gold Cup winners to decide a berth in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Reds Beat Indonesia XI In Hard LIVERPOOL defeated Indonesia XI in a pre-season Won Friendly friendly Saturday, with the frustrated Reds finally scoring a second goal after struggling to break through a solid wall of defence.

• Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods Wins From Behind For The First Time FOR the first time in years, Tiger Woods held the outright weekend lead in a major on Saturday.

The moment came at approximately 3:54 p.m.

Scotland time, when Open coleaderMiguel Angel Jimenez bogeyed the second hole and left Woods alone atop the leaderboard at 3-under par.

That lasted for roughly 11 minutes.

Not even long enough for Woods to enjoy it, or perhaps even know about it. Certainly not long enough to convince the world that the former ruler of golf was back.

By 4:05 p.m., Woods had bogeyed the par-3 fourth hole, dropping back into a tie for the lead. And from that point on it was just another day-long battle to withstand the rigors of Muirfield.

By the time it was over, Woods had signed his name to a one-over 72, leaving him tied for second with Hunter Mahan and two shots behind his Saturday playing partner, Lee Westwood. Tiger is a stroke farther back than he was at the start of the day, but the field of contenders was further thinned by a course with a merciless setup.

“I’m pleased where I’m at,” he said.

Yes, Woods has a chance to

Mexico Out For ‘Revenge’ Against Panama

end his five-year drought without a major. A good chance. But he will have to do what he’s never done before (come from behind on Sunday), and will have to do it with far less of the arsenal that was once at his command.

On Saturday, Woods avoided the weekend dysfunction that has derailed him in other majors over the previous five years. But he also avoided assuming command of the tournament – a staple of his glory days.

The biggest reasons why are the biggest differences in his game from the run of 14 major championships: Tiger couldn’t make putts and can’t trust his driver here, which leaves him at a disadvantage on par-5s.

After holing a 20-foot birdie putt on the second hole, he didn’t make anything of any significant length over the next 16 holes. Several birdie putts – and one par putt on No. 17 – were way off-line and never had a chance of going in. There were a couple that skirted the edge, but not many.Tiger Woods’ iron play has been a strong suit throughout the week at Muirfield. (AP) When you hit 13 out of 14

fairways and 14 out of 18 greens in regulation, the expectation is better than an over-par round — even on a course playing this hard.

Woods’ pedestrian putting kept him from taking advantage of his spectacular iron play.

“I had a couple opportunities to make a couple putts,” he said. “I just didn’t do it.”

Instead it was Westwood, of all chronically wayward putters, who created some magic with the flat stick. The Brit rolled in a spectacular eagle putt from off the green on No. 5, then dropped a couple huge ones late.

The 16th and 17th holes swung an entertaining, backand-forth day in Westwood’s favor.

Leading by a stroke on the par-3 16th, Westwood yanked a 4-iron miserably offline, dropping it in deep rough on the front left of the hole. ESPN golf analyst Andy North took one look at it and said, “His lie is terrible.”

“Worst lie I’ve found all week,” Westwood said. “…

Looking at the lie, it had gone right down to the bottom in a bit of a hole. There weren’t many options – well, not good options, anyway.”

The Indonesia XI, made up of mostly of national team players, lost in front of a home crowd in the capital Jakarta, but gave a solid performance that ended 2-0.

The stalls in the cavernous Gelora Bung Karno Stadium were a sea of red from both Liverpool and Indonesia jerseys, with Indonesia fans cheering each time striker Titus Bonay touched the ball.

Despite the loss, Indonesian followers seemed pleased at the result — more dignified than their team’s 70 defeat to Arsenal last week.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told reporters after the match that the Indonesians “were technically very good, worked very hard”.

“I was really impressed by the attitude, quality and humbleness of the team,” he said.

Swift passing saw the

Reds’ Philippe Coutinho score the first goal in ninth minute, but the team struggled to add another to the scoreboard, only doing so in the final stretch after skirting Indonesia’s strong defence.

Liverpool midfielder Luis Alberto wasted several opportunities to score, hitting the crossbar in the 29th minute with a firm strike from the edge of the penalty box.

Indonesian keeper Kurnia Meiga worked hard to make up for a weak midfield, facing constant attacks on goal in the second half as Liverpool upped their game.

Clearly frustrated, Liverpool finally got their second in the 87th minute with Raheem Sterling tapping one in, with Meiga unable to mark three players who broke through the defence.

S/Korea, Australia Play To Goalless Draw At HOST South Korea wasted a In the 71st, Ruben Zadkovic East Asian Cup slew of goal chances as they jumped on a loose ball but the played Australia to a scoreless draw at the East Asian Cup match here on Saturday.

South Korea dominated the Socceroos but had nothing to show for their efforts, as Australian goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic helped ensure a goalless encounter in the opening men’s match of the regional tournament.

South Korea were the aggressors from the kick-off, while Australia failed to generate much offence, having

to fend off merciless assaults from the hosts.

Galekovic stood his ground in the face of the South Korean attack, making one tough save after another.

Midfielder Yun Il-Lok himself had three opportunities to put the home side on the score board, including a thunderous mid-range strike in the 18th minute which was punched out by Galekovic.

About five minutes before the break, Kim Dong-Sub tried to

redirect a Kim Jin-Su free kick with a diving header, only to be foiled by Galekovic.

Australia tried to turn the tide in the second half, but Dario Vidosic saw his shot go wide in the 54th.

After a quiet stretch, the South Koreans went on the attack once more with substitute Yeom Ki-Hun charging right into the Australian zone but shooting into Galekovic at the hour mark.

shot bounced right into the hands of South Korean keeper Jung Sung-Ryong.

Five minutes later, Yeom had another shot deflected by Jade North and go off the near post.

Earlier on Saturday, Japan beat China 2-0 to open the women’s competition. Kozue Ando and Emi Nakajima were the goal scorers for the twotime defending East Asian Cup champs, who entered the tournament ranked third in the world.

THE NIGERIAN

29 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Pardew Confirms Interest In Gomis NEWCASTLE United manager Alan Pardew has expressed his desire to sign Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis as he looks to boost the club’s attacking options.

The 51-year-old recently revealed plans to sign a new forward in order to “take the game to other teams” and said the club is searching “worldwide” for extra firepower.

The specualtion carries added spice following Papiss Cisse’s fallout with the Magpies over his refusal to wear a shirt sponsored by loan company Wonga, and the Senegal striker has not travelled to Portugal with his team-mates for the club’s preseason tour.

France international Gomis is the latest name to be linked with a move to St James’ Park and Pardew is hoping to bring the former Saint-Etienne man across the Channel.

“We have expressed an interest in Gomis,” Pardew told the Times. “We think that he’s a player who has great potential. He’s a French international who’s played at the highest level for his club.”

The 27-year-old has attratcted interest from numerous Premier League clubs, with Aston Villa and Swansea reported to be keeping a close eye on his situation.

The news comes after Gomis, who wants to leave Lyon, was told earlier this month he is no longer part of the club’s plans.

United Consider Change In Club Badge

• United badge

Liverpool, Spurs To Pay Soldado REPORTS in the Spanish Release Clause press claim that Liverpool and Tottenham are willing to pay Roberto Soldado’s +30m release clause.

AS believe that the Premier League duo are keen to sign the Valencia goalscorer, and both are willing to pay his lofty asking price.

Soldado has been heavily linked with a move away from Mestalla this summer, with Los Che’s sporting director Braulio Vazquez admitting to the paper: “We have a plan B for all our players.”

The Spain international scored a superb 24 League goals in 34 appearances last term.

Atletico Madrid have been linked with a surprise move for Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla, and the Diego Simeone has admitted that every player has their price, whilst also commenting on Tito Vilanova and the arrival of

“Cazorla? Until the transfer window closes anything is possible.”

With Fabio Coentrao set for the Real Madrid exit, Marca believe that Granada’s Guilherme Siqueira could come in as his replacement.

The 27-year-old has impressed for El Grana since his arrival in 2011, and is seen as the ideal back-up to Marcelo at Santiago Bernabeu.

back). I don’t concentrate on trying to dislodge Cole. I just focus on myself and my game and I’m sure that time will come.”

The Observer and Sunday Telegraph were among the newspapers to report on Sunday that Liverpool have seen an enquiry for Bertrand rejected, with Jose Mourinho requiring back-up for Cole, 32, for the coming campaign.

Bertrand said his talks with Mourinho have been “very positive” and understands he may not play every game next season.

“Being at a club like Chelsea, at the top level, that’s just a way of life,” he said.

“Everyone is used to it by now.”

With the World Cup looming next summer, Bertrand — who has two senior England caps —

Bertrand To Fight For Blues Place

RYAN Bertrand has shrugged off rumours linking him to Liverpool and said his long-term future is at Chelsea.

Bertrand, 23, faces a tough fight for first-team football at Stamford Bridge with fellow England international Ashley Cole well established in the role, but he feels he can make the position his own.

He told Press Association Sport: “I see my future being Chelsea’s number one (left

back.

“I didn’t like that change of badge,” Woodward told the Sunday newspapers. “Joel didn’t like that change. We will look at that and have a think about that. We are a football club, not a business.

“I described it to our staff that we are a 135-year-old club and that’s what you have to remember. We are a football club, a club with a capital C. “Strapped to that is a commercial business that’s going to fund a lot of the player purchases going forward here and we have to be supportive of both. We’ve got to make sure they co-exist together but don’t impact each other and that’s where we are trying to balance it.”

Some United supporters hope the Glazers, who bought the club in 2005, will listen to offers but Woodward said they will remain in charge for a long time.

“They are long-term owners, together with our other shareholders,” he added.

“They first bought the club eight years ago and there won’t be any change for many, many years.”

Di Canio ‘Very Happy’ With Squad’s Fitness

be here. If he’s not, which I doubt, there will be a problem.

Liverpool will take on ALeague outfit Melbourne Victory on Wednesday in front of what is expected to be a crowd of 95,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Suarez And Rodgers Set For LIVERPOOL striker Crunch Talks Luis Suarez has arrived in will see him in Melbourne.

I’m looking forward to seeing him, he’s a player I’ve always supported.

“I understand the situation but the bottom line is he is employed by the club. The money goes into his bank at the end of every month, so he should

David Villa.

“I wish Tito the best,” he told a press conference. “He knows the football world is behind him right now and sends him positive energy.

“Villa looks in good shape and is enthusiastic.

“We had a chat yesterday to get to know each other and straight away you notice his ability, his intelligence…to meet the challenge in front of him.

SUNDERLAND boss Paolo Di Canio joked on Sunday that he would have to cough up the cash to his players after threatening to fine them if they returned for preseason overweight.

Canio hit the headlines when The Italian said he was he warned the Black Cats “very happy” with the fitness that he would slap a fine on of his new-look squad and any team member who came laughed that he should be back from summer two kilos sending money the players’ (about four lbs) overweight. way because “some of them “No fines. Beautiful,” the were underweight”. manager said.

“They are lucky. Now I “I was very happy. Some have to pay them because of them came two kilos some of them were underweight. I said if they underweight,” Di Canio said were two kilos over I would upon arrival in Hong Kong, fine them so now I have to where his side will play give them 1,000 pounds Spurs in the Barclays Asia ($1,500) maybe.”

Trophy on Wednesday.

Di Canio, who took over At the end of last season Di Sunderland near the end of

• Gomis

Australia ahead of crunch talks with manager Brendan Rodgers over his future.

Suarez, 26, has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield in recent weeks, with the likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid believed to be interested in signing the Uruguay international.

However, following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Indonesia XI in Jakarta which Suarez was absent for - Rodgers confirmed he is looking forward to speaking with his star face-to-face.

Before Suarez touched down in Melbourne, Rodgers told The Sun: “He’s on the plane and we

MANCHESTER United are considering reintroducing the words ‘football club’ to the club badge as they emphasised their priority is success on the field, rather than making money.

New chief executive Ed Woodward, who reiterated that the Glazers do not want to sell United and insisted they will own the club for years to come, is keen to revert to the club’s past.

The words ‘football club’ were removed from the badge in 1998 but, 15 years later, Woodward and joint chairman Joel Glazer want to bring it

could have been forgiven for seeking more regular firstteam football but he is hopeful he can still work his way into Roy Hodgson’s plans.

“I’ve just got to concentrate on my club team and get my games in there,” he said. “In the back of my mind I’m aware of it (the World Cup).

Hopefully I can get enough games this year and you never know.”

last season and kept them in the Premier League, has courted controversy with his hardline approach.

The former Lazio and West Ham striker has revamped his squad over the summer in a bid to avoid the struggles of last season, bringing in a number of new faces including the Italian international Emanuele Giaccherini and striker Jozy Altidore.

And Di Canio said he was not done splashing the cash just yet.

Asked if he was planning on bringing in more fresh faces, he said: “Of course.

Obviously we know — the board knows — that we need something more. But I don’t know if it’s possible at the moment.

“We have already made some good signings and the club has made some sacrifices in some ways, they have spent some money.

“So I am happy but obviously it would be better to bring in one or two other players, but we will see.”

Sunderland start their new league campaign at home to Fulham on August 17.

THE NIGERIAN

30 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Albiol Completes Napoli’s Move

Bayern Thrash Hamburg, BVB Lose BAYERN Munich and Borussia Dortmund averted a first meeting of the season by winning and losing their respective semi-final ties in the Telekom Cup, a pre-season tournament in Monchengladbach.

Bayern demolished Bundesliga rivals Hamburg 40 in their first real test under new coach Pep Guardiola.

New Bayern midfielder Thiago Alcantara shone on his debut less than a week after joining the champions, although the goals were scored

by Jerome Boateng, Mario Mandzukic, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller.

Hamburg could perhaps be grateful that the game lasted only an hour and not 90 minutes as memories of their 9-2 humbling in Munich last season sprang to mind. For Guardiola, however, it was an ideal start to life as Bayern coach.

“We’re happy,” he said to Sat.1 television. “We’re in the final and our defenders pushed forwards well.”

Dortmund, meanwhile, fell to a late penalty in a 1-0 defeat against the hosts, Borussia Monchengladbach.

A Filip Daems penalty put Gladbach in the final, despite Dortmund controlling their semi-final clash at the Borussia Park stadium.

Elsewhere, Augsburg picked up a notable victory against ambitious Ligue 1 side Monaco with Sascha Molders on target in a 1-0 win.

Monaco, coached by former Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri, had new signings Radamel Falcao and Joao Moutinho in their starting XI. Stuttgart also picked up a confidence-boosting win ahead of their first appointment of the season in the Europa League at the start of next month by defeating Valencia 1-0, thanks to a Daniel Schwaab goal.

Manchester United’s Wilfried Zaha (C) falls on the ground in the match against Foxtel A-League Allstars in Sydney

Heynckes Rules Out Barca Role

JUPP Heynckes has ruled for the Barcelona job.

Heynckes left Bayern this summer having secured the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal in his final campaign. The 68-yearold initially indicated he would take a “vacation” from the game before clarifying in Der Spiegel that he would not make a return to coaching.

However, following the news of Tito Vilanova’s departure from Barcelona on Friday, Heynckes — who led

himself out of the running

Real Madrid to Champions League glory in 1998 — was named the preferred successor in a fan poll in Catalan newspaper Sport.

Heynckes, though, maintains he is ready to enjoy his retirement and would not be tempted by the chance to lead the Blaugrana “I’m keeping myself busy with hobbies and sport. I have my animals and a huge garden,” he told Germany’s Sky Sport News. “I think it

would be impossible for me, after working at Bayern Munich, now to take over a new club.

“I have understood the signals my body has been giving me and I am feeling good, enjoying the time I have for myself.”

Former Paraguay manager Gerardo Martino, reported to be Lionel Messi’s favoured choice, is thought to be a leading candidate for the

Ancelotti Expects Ronaldo To Stay

REAL Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied reports that Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the club this summer.

Ronaldo, 28, has two years left on his Madrid contract and Real would have to cash in this year if they were not to lose him for a cut-price fee in 12 months’ time.

He has been strongly linked with a return to Manchester United, as well as bigspending Paris Saint-

• Cristiano Ronaldo

Germain, but Ancelotti is confident the £80 million world-record signing will agree a new deal and not leave the Bernabeu four years after swapping the Premier League for La Liga.

“Everyone knows that he is a superstar and a great player,” Ancelotti told the media in Spain before the

team flies to England to play AFC Bournemouth in their first pre-season friendly of the summer. “The most important thing for the club is that a player of his quality shows the utmost professionalism.

“That is good, especially for the young players who can see a world-class player working with that attitude. I am not responsible for the renewal of his contract, but it won’t be a problem.”

Gonzalo Higuain has long been chased by Arsenal but now more likely to sign for Napoli, with Chelsea linked too, though Ancelotti was keen to stress he was not trying to force the Argentine striker out.

“I have spoken to the player but it was a private conversation,” Ancelotti added. “He is currently a Real Madrid player and I am happy to have him here.”

But he batted away questions about incoming transfers - including those

concerning Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale.

“I am happy with the squad and I don’t want to talk about other players out of respect for those who are here,” the former Chelsea and PSG boss said.

role, but Celta Vigo coach Luis Enrique is also being strongly linked with the position.

Enrique, 43, enjoyed an impressive three-year stint as Barcelona B coach between 2008 and 2011 before joining Roma, which proved less successful.

He was appointed Celta boss only last month but Abelardo, his former Barca and Spain team-mate, believes he would welcome a switch to the Camp Nou. “I haven’t spoken to Luis Enrique yet, but it’s an opportunity that Luis Enrique cannot miss,” he told Cadena Cope. “He played for the club and lives in Barcelona.”

Reports claim Barcelona officials are to speak to both Martino and Enrique.

NAPOLI have confirmed the signing of Spain international Raul Albiol from Real Madrid.

Albiol, 27, has signed a four-year contract with the Serie A club.

The centre-back had moved to the Bernabeu from Valencia in 2009 but found himself behind Sergio Ramos, Pepe and, more recently, Raphael Varane in the pecking order.

A statement on the Italian side’s official website read: “Napoli have formally completed the purchase of Raul Albiol. The 27-year-old Spanish defender arrives from Real Madrid and signed a four-year contract.”

Napoli coach Rafa Benitez has already spent significant funds on Dries Mertens from PSV Eindhoven and Jose Callejon from Madrid, and has hinted that Internacional striker Leandro Damiao could follow. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed there is an interest in Gonzalo Higuain.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is also likely to move to Naples on a season-long loan as the Partenopei, having finished runners-up last season, look to challenge Juventus for the Scudetto under their new coach.

De Laurentiis has revealed that +124.5 million - aided by the sale of Edinson Cavani to Paris SaintGermain - is available to spend this summer.

Benitez Declares Admiration For “We are looking for NAPOLI boss Rafa Damiao players at a fair price, but it Benitez has stated his appreciation for the talents of Brazil’s Leandro Damiao, leading some to speculate the Serie A club are set to make an offer for the striker.

Damiao has been linked with Tottenham for some time after impressing for the national team and his club side Internacional.

Benitez, meanwhile, says he admires the 23-year-old as he continues his search for a new strike partnership at Napoli following the departure of Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Damiao is very good.

“Two attackers will arrive: one who is more of a centreforward and the other a support striker.

• Leandro Damiao

is clear that to compete at a certain level we need players with experience and international quality.”

THE NIGERIAN

31 MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

Ikhuoria Decries Poor State Of Amateur Boxing

ISAAC Ikhuoria, a former Olympian, has described the current state of amateur boxing in the country as “deplorable and sad”. bronze medal in the middle

Ikhuoria told newsmen in Lagos that boxing was the sport that first brought international recognition to Nigeria in world sports.

“It is sad that boxing is gradually losing its grip as one of the foremost sports in the country; the situation of amateur boxing is deplorable.

“It was boxing that first put this country’s name on the international map— as far as sports are concerned.

“The sport has been neglected. In as much as I don’t subscribe to the fact that everything should be on government, but it needs to set the ball rolling.”

Ikhuoria, who won a

weight category in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, added that the government should be blamed for the decline.

“Government needs to propagate policies that will put boxing where it should be, there are no competitions, nothing is happening, it is disheartening.”

Ikhuoria, who was at the helm as the national boxing coach when the country excelled at the Olympic Games through Peter Konyegwachie (1984) and David Izonritei (1992), said the country currently lacked experienced coaches.

“I’m over 50 and I have won Olympic medals in three different Olympic Games for this country as a coach.

“In Europe, you will observe that they have old coaches— with

experience— to get the job done.

“Unfortunately, we lack such a setup in our administrative machinery.

“We have the talents in abundance, but what we lack is the technical and competitive exposure, to transform our budding talents to world-beaters”.

ZAMBIA Coach Herve Renard says winning the 2013 COSAFA Cup was an obligation as host country.

Renard said that one could not surely try to come even close to equating their win at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in July 20 over Zimbabwe to Zambia’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations triumph0 in Gabon.

Eneramo Undergoes Heart Operation

BESIKTAS forward Michael Eneramo has undergone a heart surgery and may be out of action for up to five weeks.

The former Esperance of Tunisia skipper was discovered to have a heart beat rhythm disorder, but was later cleared after a third round of examinations.

According to Fanatik, Football Federation of Turkey will make the final decision about the future of

the big Nigeria striker.

The Federation’s medical board report is expected next week.

Besiktas reached an agreement with Eneramo for a two-year deal after his contract at another Turkish club Sivasspor ended this summer.

The top Istanbul club are currently in Austria for preseason training ahead of the forthcoming campaign.

• Eneramo in hospital

The experienced Ameobi, who is not guaranteed of regular football action at Newcastle, may be sent out on loan in the new English Premier League season.

He has been called up by Coach Stephen Keshi for the Mandela Challenge against

“It won’t benefit me. The only issue was to win the COSAFA Cup,” Renard said.

“Honestly to compare one Africa Cup and a Cosafa Cup.... there is no comparison. There is a big gap.”

Zambia beat outgoing champions Zimbabwe 2-0 to go level on four COSAFA Cup wins thanks to two stunning free kicks from Alex Ngonga and Kabaso Chanda in the 4th and 90th minutes respectively.

Renard meanwhile, said Zambia could have done better against Zimbabwe especially after some poor finishing by his strikers Bornwell Mwape and Festus Mbewe.

“But in football the most important is the result at the end,” Renard said.

“We know we can do better than what we did today but mostly importantly at the end of the day we lifted the trophy.”

• Zambia players celebrate COSAFA Cup victory

Fed Cup: Eguavoen Blames Team’s Ouster however, commended the AUSTIN Eguavoen, Head officiating and security at the On Inexperience Coach of City of David United match venue.

(COD) FC of Lagos, yesterday blamed his team’s ouster from the ongoing Federation’s Cup competition on inexperience.

Eguavoen said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

The Lagos-based Pro Division 1 team; had won the 2013 Lagos FA Cup, to qualify for the Federation Cup national preliminaries before crashing out of the competition.

COD lost 0-4 to Nasarawa United FC, which ended their adventure in the competition.

Eguavoen, who was a former Super Eagles head coach, added that his team’s performance was not as

Ameobi Celebrates Eagles Return NIGERIA striker Shola With Goal South Africa on August 14 in Ameobi has responded to his Super Eagles recall with a goal for Newcastle in a pre-season friendly.

Ameobi scored Newcastle United’s consolation goal in a 31 loss to Portuguese side Rio Ave. He scored in the 76th minute.

Zambia Win COSAFA Cup

Durban.

He missed out on the Eagles AFCON triumph in February after a clause in his Newcastle contract stopped him from the tournament.

But he has since cancelled that clause meaning he is now totally committed to the Nigeria cause.

woeful as the score line had suggested.

“We lost to Nasarawa in Ilorin, it was quite unfortunate; but it wasn’t such terrible performance: inexperience played a major role, we didn’t concede any goal in the first half.

“We made a blunder and

they scored.

“Spectators and the opposing team applauded my boys— although the score line was a little high. Nonetheless, we gave a good account of ourselves.’’

Eguavoen, a member of the Super Eagles squad that won the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia,

“Well, I think, in terms of security, it was very good: officiating was fair enough.

“I even stayed back to watch the second match between Warri Wolves FC and Sportlight FC. I give kudos to the officials; they performed creditably,’’ Eguavoen added.

Pillars Cry Foul After Bayelsa Loss CHAMPIONS Kano Pillars have blamed biased officiating for Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Bayelsa United in a Week 22 game.

The match winner for hosts Bayelsa was scored after 78 minutes by Solomon Junior.

Despite the loss, Pillars remain on top of the league table with 39 points no matter the outcome of other games this weekend.

Bayelsa now have 36 points and moved to second place pending the

outcome of the matches that involve Kwara United and Warri Wolves.

Pillars media officer Idris Malikawa told MTNFootball.com that biased match officials robbed his team of at least a point on Saturday.

“I have never seen such officiating before, the goal that was recorded for them was never a goal as the ball was never close to the goal line not to talk of crossing it,” accused Malikawa.

“It was the assistant

referee 1, Bose Momoh, who was responsible for that decision. Then we equalised in the 85th minute through Nasiru Ali and assistant referee 2 Reverend Father Amoguya disallowed the goal and referee Friday Awuga from Abuja.

“Must a home team win at all costs? Our camera man was beaten by Bayelsa United fans. The league must do something about this as it is not good for its development and credibility.”

THE NIGERIAN

CMYK

32

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 has always been its past i m e , the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is out again with another tell tale.

This time, an accusation that the Edo State Government under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, had concluded plans to sell the “Edo State House,” on Ahmadu Bello way, Victoria Island Lagos to a Lebanese contractor, who is executing some contracts for the state government.

Media reports copiously quoted PDP Chairman, Mr. Dan Orbih as the one who sold the lie to them. It was reported that the Lebanese, who has no interest in the property was being used by an unnamed official of the state as a proxy to buy the choice property. He equally said the intention of government was to use the property as hotel and also engage their Chinese partners to manage the outfit in Lagos.

Loquacious Dan Orbih then progressed to question the transparency of the state government, as according to him, the PDP has not seen any advertisement on both print and electronic media for the sale of the property.

The problem with Dan Orbih is that he relishes in character assassination, even within the PDP circle, he goes about destroying members with his mouth as the best way of currying favour from the “Oga at the top.” Dan Orbih believes that the more lies he tells, the more promotion and recognition will come his way from Tony Anenih and President Goodluck Jonathan.

So, every day, he goes all out manufacturing evil stories, folk tales, obvious lies, half truths and disseminates them to unsuspecting members of the public.

One of such is the latest wild allegations as to the plan to sell Edo House in Lagos.

We openly challenge Dan Orbih to tell us the name of the Lebanese who has bought the property or about to buy it and for how much, since he claims he has his information on good authority. He should equally tell Nigerians the name of the Gov-

A

S

ernment official who the Lebanese is fronting for.

What stage is the deal and who are the auctioneers? All these questions must be answered by Dan Orbih and the Edo PDP he represents.

the near wholesale of Edo State under the PDP administration in Edo State?

What has Dan Orbih said about it?

It is instructive, therefore, to assert that Edo people freely gave their

By DAN OWEGIE

By OKHAREDIA IHIMEKPEN

Edo PDP And Unending Wild Accusations

In terms of transparency and accountability, Dan Orbih is the least person to speak in Nigeria. Yes, the least to speak on corruption or accountability!

Those who go to equity, must appear with clean hands. We cannot forget in a hurry why then Presi-

mandate to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and re-affirmed it with a second term mandate. We have given him the mandate to act in the best in-

the Comrade Governor was the first to pay 17.5 per cent based on negotiations with NUT, Loquacious Dan Orbih was the first to shout that the Edo

Dan Orbih, Edo State PDP Chairman

dent Olusegun Obasanjo singled out the Board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), where Orbih was the first member, out of all federal governments agencies for dissolution and subsequent withdrawal of appointment of members with ignominy due to massive corruption. The monumental corruption in NNPC again, were unearthed by various audits. Even the multi-stakeholders Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) launched by the Obasanjo administration in 2004 revealed the mindless thieving and financial recklessness in the NNPC where Orbih served and, even today, nothing seems to have changed. So, what is he talking about?

Edo people cannot be deceived or fooled by someone who was chased out of office by the same PDP administration for the stench of corruption in the NNPC who is today belly aching because those who ‘fixed’ him as their chairman hide corrupt people around them. What about

Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

Chief Tony Anenih, PDP BOT Chairman

terest of the state. So, whatever the decisions, the ACN administration considers appropriate for Edo people, it will take it.

The PDP cannot dictate to the Oshiomhole administration how to run government or which decision to take or not to take.

When primary school teachers embarked on its nationwide strike, including in Edo, even though

and all public universities under lock and key following inability of the PDP Federal Government to honour its 2009 agreement reached with ASUU.

What about the craze of five lawmakers brazenly overthrowing 27 lawmakers and want to produce the speaker of the House so that they can go and say they have impeached the state governor? What about the PDP dominated Governors Forum where 16

State Governor should satisfy the teachers so that Edo children can go back to school. As at date, Edo NUT has called off their strike and primary school teachers are back to school to complete the third term following agreement with the Edo State Government. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are currently on strike nationwide

Dan Orbih and his cronies have not advised Jonathan to respect simple agreement. Instead, he comes to Edo to open his mouth wide to say none sense to the media about a performing state governor.

Again, the PDP has a lot of trouble in Nigeria and we have not even heard the voice of Dan Orbih for or against. What about the madness of the PDP in Rivers State where a court in far away Abuja decides to sack an executive in Rivers mid-way into their tenure and people who were never aspirants, let alone being candidates during the state congress emerged as new PDP executives in the state! What a PDP abracadabra!

governors claim to be the winner of election over 19 governors? Not even the insecurity of lives and property in Nigeria.

Dan Orbih and his buddies have not said anything about these gory tales watched almost every day by Nigerians both at home and in Diaspora, yet he opens his oozing mouth to accuse the Comrade Governor falsely.

PDP should stop overheating the polity in Nigeria. It should honourably resign from government having failed the electorate across the country.

Mr. Dan Owegie is the Publicity Secretary of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Edo State.

“The problem with Dan Orbih is that he relishes in character assassination, even within the PDP circle, he goes about destroying members with his mouth as the best way of currying favour from the “Oga at the top.” Dan Orbih believes that the more lies he tells, the more promotion and recognition will come his way from Tony Anenih and President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor: Barr. Solomon Imohiosen (KSJI) - (07030699646), Marketing Manager (08023457566), Advertisement Manager (08023808856) Lagos Office: 3/4 Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way,

By Olushonsun Bus Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631.

All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)