Nigerian observer 22 09 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 39 NO.082 • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2 014 • N 100.00

FOOTPRINT Pgs. 16/17

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Dr Pius Egberanmwen Odubu: The Gentle Giant

ARCHICAL MATTERS Pg. 21

King Ahab And His Advisers

Army hands over Barrack To Govt BENIN CITY - The former Army Barrack at Ikpoba Hill Benin City has been finally released to Edo State Government awaiting

handover ceremony.

The Hon. Commissioner for Lands and Surveys, Barr Osikhena-Boih Donald disclosed this in Benin

City when he played host to elders and youths of Oregbeni Community during a courtesy visit to the Hon. Commissioner by the

Community.

Barr Osikhena-Boih Donald further said that the Deed of Release had earlier been signed on Continues on page 2

Expose criminals,

Oshiomhole urges journalists

BENIN CITY - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says journalists must never glamorize criminals who intend to undermine the sovereignty and unity of the country, saying such persons must be reported as enemies of the nation.

Playing host to the Union of Journalists National Executive (NUJ) led by its Council of the Nigeria Chairman, Mallam

Mohammed Garba at the Government House on Friday, Oshiomhole also urged journalists to serve as a watchdog and insist that votes

must count in the 2015 General elections.

He said: “I am happy that the NUJ has maintained the tradition of accountability. As the

2015 elections are approaching, it is my belief that it is the responsibility of the NUJ to make it loud and clear that the votes must

count. If they don’t count then democracy is worse than civilian dictatorship.

“The NUJ must ensure Continues on page 2

... Eulogises mothermama atmust book hear. I Iyamho (Edo State) asked her what her Governor Adams launch problem was and she Oshiomhole of Edo taught the values of State has poured encomiums on his mother, Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole, saying she taught him the virtues of honesty, being straight forward and being a fighter which prepared him for the challenges of governance today.

Speaking at the launch of a biography, “Igovina Emosi” a biography of Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole written by Imuzeze Ofen-Imu in honour of his mother at Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday, the Governor said he learnt early in life that resources that belong to the people must not be tampered with no matter the condition.

He said “My mom is a woman of virtue. She has a very kind heart and somehow she

being straightforward, of courage. My mom has been the unofficial treasurer of various community meetings where the books are not written and she kept the money under the carpet and yet when we are going to school and we need money, she would say there is no money.

“I would say there is money under the carpet and she would say that the money belongs to the community. Those are some of the values we seem to have lost.

How women would contribute money and at the end of every month the money is shared.

That way they are able to empower themselves.

There were no issues of cheating.

“My mom was always settling quarrels such that we never had peace at home. Every quarrel,

TIT BIT “You need power, only when you want to do something harmful, otherwise, love is enough to get everything done.” - Charlie Chaplain

responded if people come to you that they are quarrelling won’t you settle them?

“Even now at her age, I discourage her from getting involved in all sorts of things but she would remind me that she knows politics more than me. I once teased her that whatever she thinks she knows in politics, she was never elected not even as a councillor”, he said.

Recalling some of his mother’s kind virtues, the Governor said, Continues on page 2

BOOK LAUCH: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (2nd right), Prof. Marcel Okhakhu of the University of Benin (middle), State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu (2nd left), Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi (left) and Chief David Edebri at the launch of the book on the life and times of Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole, titled: “Igovina Emosi” at Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area weekend. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO.

Communities lament impact of oil leak

YENAGOA - The Kalaba and Ayambele communities in Bayelsa, affected by the August oil leak from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC)’s facility, have expressed concern on

its negative impact.

Chief Roman Orukali, Chief of Kalaba community, who spoke for the two communities, noted that the effect of the leak on the residents was worrisome.

In an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa, Orukali appealed to the Bayelsa Government to come to the aid of the people, saying that the spill had destroyed their farmland.

He alleged that the oil leak which he claimed was promptly reported to the company was left to escalate and pollute the environment.

“I got the information that a spill occurred

Peace Day: Police Promises to pursue

ABUJA - As the world marks Peace Day yesterday, the Nigeria Police Force has restated its resolve to work assiduously for the enthronement of

genuine peace

genuine peace in the country.

The resolve of the police is contained in a

statement issued by acting CP Emmmanuel Ojukwu, the Force Public Relations Officer.

In the statement, the force noted that “as peace officers and front liners in the drive for a peaceful world, the Continues on page 2

along Agip pipeline across the Taylor Creek and went to the forest four days later and saw things for myself.

“From what I observed, I can say that it was not equipment failure; I noticed some freshly dug out mud around the spill point.

“I was highly annoyed because some people had destroyed our environment. We don’t know who must have Continues on page 2

News

Expose criminals, Oshiomhole urges journalists Continued from page 1 that democracy is seen for what it is as it is, not just a means to an end but also an end in itself. It is not enough for us to build roads but the right to appropriate resources to build the roads is also important.

“We must insist as journalists that the language of politics reported in the media is civil. We must recognize the line of difference between an enemy and an opponent.

That the language is not to kill but to defeat and that the tool is to win and not to capture.

“Unfortunately in our political environment politicians make promises and once elections are over, you would never return back to recall the promises and to see to what has not been done and to explain why it has not be done. So I believe that unions represent the best interest of democracy.

You must continue to maintain that leadership role”, he said.

“For me, neither journalists nor politicians or trade unionists can be in business without Nigeria as a country as such if anyone is doing anything that is designed and intended to undermine the territorial integrity of this great nation and to weaken our victories of unity, you who have expended so much energy historically in building bridges even when politicians destroyed these bridges, you cannot be neutral. You have to be on the side of one indivisible Nigeria”, he said.

Oshiomhole said “I am not repentant when I say that Nigeria has come to stay but we must work to uphold its honour and dignity indentified in our national coat of arms.

When I read headlines about the irritations in the system and so much the challenges that we face and some people reduce them to religious issues, I get very worried.

“When we report criminals, we should report them as criminals. Because if we do not, we tend to put brother against brother and help those whose agenda is to weaken the foundation of our national unity to achieve it”, there has to be a commitment to nation building, he said.”

Earlier Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Mohammed Garba said they were in the state for the NEC meeting of the union and to use the opportunity to take stock of what the NUJ has achieved so far and the challenges for the 2015.

According to the NUJ national chairman, “we commend you as we observed that in your cabinet we have quite a number of our colleagues, serving with you which we can identify.

You are the only governor

who has recognised that the media has a role to play towards the development of the society”.

He commended the governor for his developmental strides in the state and sued for its

sustenance, adding “coming to Benin now we have seen quite a number of changes and initiatives of the governor”.

. . . Eulogises mother at book launch Continued from page 1 “there was a time I was in the Union; she did not understand that being a union leader does not translate to money. They hear the name on radio and they thought anyone whose name they hear on radio must be a rich person. But I was on the news for negative reasons, but she won’t care.

When I come home, she would tell me of all the women that are widowed and need help and those that have not bought Christmas things and would need my assistance.

“She told me never to frown at anyone who came to me for help because when an elderly person comes to your house and shares family secrets with you, secrets that you would not share with them, there’s no fun in it, it’s condition. That is the way mummy has been and on an occasion I had to borrow money from her to buy fuel to return to base”, he said.

Paying tribute to his mother’s political acumen, Oshiomhole said: “On the 14th of November, 2007, NTA and AIT reporters came to interview me on my reaction to the election and I told them there was no election. I got information that there were a lot of malpractices and cheating. They did not allow people to vote and I said was calling for cancellation. Once Mama heard the word “cancellation”, she said you don’t talk like that. Tell them that you won and should be declared the winner. And as you can see, what my Mom said I should demand for and be declared the winner was at the end upheld, not only by the Tribunal but also by the Court of Appeal. She has

proved the point that she is a thorough politician, with or without English.”

Former Minister of State in the Federal Ministry of Works, Engineer Chris Ogiemwonyi who was Chairman of the occasion said praised Governor Oshiomhole for bringing unprecedented development to the state.

He said “Today we salute your courage for the Benin Airport Road. For a long time, Oshiomhole was the first to bring bulldozers to Benin.

You had the courage to give the Benins befitting roads and today they are happy for it.

“It is has been predestined that Adams Oshiomhole will be great and the good Lord has allowed it to be. I want to say that one thing that is peculiar about the Governor is courage. And we are gathered here to honour the mother of this great man whom God has used to bless

the state”.

The Book reviewer, Professor Marcel Okhaku, said the title of the book, Igovina Emosi, can be translated to mean “Queen of the Girls”.

He said the book recalls the life and times of Alhaja Ashietu Oshiomhole whose exploits in Ayua and Iyamho are legendry and as a child she exhibited uncommon traits which distinguished her among her peers, adding that she was kind, a trait that made to be appreciated by the young and old.

The event was graced by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Puis Odubu; the Secretatry to the State Government Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Patrick Obiahiagbon, Civil Commissioners, members of the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly and top members of the All Progressive Congress in the state.

Army hands over Barrack Continued from page 1 the 9 of April, 2013 at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters Abuja and that the formal and final letter of release for the Former Army Barrack Ikpoba Hill was handed over to him on behalf of the State on 3rd of September 2014, at Army Headquarters Abuja.

He then enjoined Oregbeni Community for cooperation during the exercise in spite of the several reports of harassment.

The Lands and Surveys Commissioner pointed out that the physical handing over ceremony at the said

land would soon be done and advised that efforts must be made to ensure successful completion of the handover processes.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman Oregbeni Community Development Association Barr. Kelvin Nosa Osenwenkhoe thanked the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole for the role he played to reclaim the Former Army Barrack from the Federal Government, which has now brought to an end the harassment of the people of Oregbeni Community by Army Personnel.

Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr. Iniruo Wills, had earlier summoned Agip officials and urged the company to temporarily shut down the facility to forestall further spill.

The ministry also set up a task force to monitor oil spills

in the state with the aim of enforcing compliance to existing laws on oil production in the country.

When contacted, Mr. Filipo Cotalini, the Manager of Media Relations of NAOC, declined comments on the development.

Impact of oil leak Continued from page 1 caused the spill,” he said.

He, however, said he had warned his subjects against any act of sabotage and anybody caught would be handed over to the law enforcement agents.

“I am strongly against any act of sabotage because there is no gain in it; it rather destroys our health and means of livelihood.

“Besides, health is wealth; so if that wealth is destroyed, how can we take care of our children and other responsibilities.

“That is my stand on it and I will maintain it throughout my tenure as the paramount chief of the community,” Orukali said.

He further commended the officials of the state’s Ministry of Environment for showing concern and visiting the impacted sites.

It was recalled that the

Don’t aid disobedience to court, Oshiomhole tells lawyers BENIN CITY - Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has challenged members of the Bar to speak up against disobedience of court orders, saying it portends danger for the rule of law.

Speaking at the opening of the 2014/2015 Legal Year in Benin City on Friday, Oshiomhole said “every lawyer must endeavor to uphold the law and it is dangerous for either the Bar or the Bench to encourage Trade Unions to become the enforcers of court orders.

“Those who live by the court must not be seen to aid and abet disobedience of court orders. If Senior Advocates of Nigeria advice people to disobey court orders, it is a sad thing for the rule of law and if the Bar keeps quite in the face of disobedience of court order, it is a terrible thing for the rule of law.”

It would be recalled that four suspended members of the Edo state House of Assembly, Hon. Festus Ebea (Esan South-East), Hon. Friday Ogieriakhi (Orhionwon-South), Hon. Patrick Osayimwen (OredoEast) and Hon. Jude IseIdehen (Ikpoba Okha) have continued to flout the Order of a State High Court which barred them from forcibly gaining entrance into the chambers of the State House of Assembly and another Order of the Appeal Court which ordered them to obey the High Court Order before seeking further reliefs at the Appeal Court.

The Governor said: “If court bailiffs are assaulted in public view, Senior Advocates and other learned members of the community keep quiet, it is not the best for the rule of law because those who may not be affected today may be the people to be affected tomorrow, particularly where the rule of law operates on the basis of precedent.”

He continued: “it can be concluded from the number of cases that the Edo state judiciary were able to hear and dispense justice on and also the number of cases that are pending suggests that the Edo state judiciary has so much work to do. This suggests that both the

judiciary, executive and legislative must find resources to create more courts, appoint more judges so that our people can have quicker access to justice.”

Oshiomhole who lauded the Chief Judge of the state, Hon Justice Cromwell Idahosa said, “I want to congratulate you my Lord that under your administration, the Edo state judiciary has never been reported in the negative as you have provided courageous leadership and defended the rights and privileges of the judiciary in the state.

“I believe my Lord that that the challenge of defending democracy necessarily demands that we have not just an independent judiciary but a courageous judiciary with potent teeth to smile and even with potent teeth to bite regardless of those appearing before you.

“When the court is referred to as the last hope of the common man, I submit that all men and women are common before the law. The foundation of fairness demands that we reduce everybody to the same level once they appear before the court of law regardless of age, connection, their vocation and social class”, he said.

The Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Cromwell Idahosa while giving a review of the outgoing year said, “to further strengthen the administration of justice in the lower bench, the Edo state Judicial Service Commission employed the services of more judicial officers including magistrates and area court presidents.”

He added, “a modern High Court in Irrua, fully equipped and furnished by Esan Central Local Government council is ready for commissioning and a new Magistrate court building in Ubiaja has been completed for the administration of justice in the state.

“Also, the Governor of the state has approved the building of new courts in the part of the High court known as complex ‘B’ which on completion will accommodate 8 new court rooms for the quicker administration of justice.”

Police Promises to pursue genuine peace

Continued from page 1

police understand the dislocation and trauma that befall families in the event of disturbances.

“In line with the above, the Nigeria Police will train more officers in conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation.

“Our Family Units and Juvenile Welfare Centres will be reinvigorated to cater for the needs of hurting family members, widows, orphans, displaced persons and the vulnerable.

“The Police will pay more

diligent attention to Early Warning Signs and improve response time to crises and distress calls.’’

The statement quoted the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, as urging citizens to embrace peace at all times.

He urged them to assist law enforcement agents in the preservation and maintenance of peace nationwide.

The I-G also restated that the order banning roadblocks across the country

was still in force.

In a directive to all commands and formations of the force on Sunday, Abba warned that all semblances of police road-blocks and permanent check-points reportedly re-emerging in some parts of the country must be dismantled immediately.

He noted that such roadblocks were re-emerging in the South-East, SouthSouth and South-West geopolitical zones.

He described the trend as a serious violation of subsisting order on roadblocks and warned that severe sanctions await any command, formation and personnel who violated the order.

Abba charged command Commissioners of Police and heads of formations to ensure total compliance with the order and also ordered extensive visibility patrol and effective surveillance on roads.

News Mega Rally: Aspirant Commends

By UGAGBE STANLEY

AGENEBODE – An aspirant to the Etsako East Constituency seat in the Edo State House of Assembly under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Kingsley Oghemakhogie Ugabi has commended the party hierarchy for organising a mega rally that unified the party.

The rally he said also revealed the strength of the party despite the recent defection of some party members.

In a chat with newsmen after the rally in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, venue of the event, the aspirant said, “I will first of all thank the leaders of the party for organising a successful rally which has put to rest the doubt if the

Party Leadership

APC was still very popular or not”.

He also commended the party faithful for their show of solidarity throughout the three days the rally lasted in Okpella, Agenebode and the three Ibie communities.

According to him, the event was a testimony of the party’s preparedness ahead of the forthcoming general elections and pleaded with the party faithfully to remain steadfast with the party.

Ugabi commended other aspirants for the high level maturity displayed during the

rallies and therefore stressed the need for all aspirants to educate their supporters to eschew bitterness and rancour.

He applauded security agencies for being alive to their responsibilities.

Dignitaries at the rally included Prince Maliki Afegbua; Barrister Suleman Afegbua, Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Akokia, APC chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area; Uzairue Kingdom.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (right), his mother, Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole (left); Secretary to State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere and Engineer Chris Ogiemwonyi at the launch of a book on the life and times of the Governor’s mother titled: “Igovina Emosi” at Iyamo, weekend. PHOTO: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE

Catholic Bishops Charge Christians On Steadfastness

By BETTY IDIALU

WARRI - The second Plenary Meeting of they Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has ended in Warri with a charge

to Christians not to give up in the face of daunting challenges, rather, to remain steadfast and believe in God with whom nothing is impossible.

In a communique signed by the Most Revd. Ignatius Ayau

Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos and president of CBCN, and Most Revd William. A. Avenya, Bishop of Gboko and secretary to the Conference CBCN called on Nigerian Government to ensure prompt restoration of peace and order in all troubled parts of the country, while condemning the violence raging in the North.

“We condemn violence on whatever excuse, and from whatever direction. We condemn it above all, when the perpetrators blasphemously and fraudulently claim religious justification for their actions. We deeply regret and condemn in strong terms , the wanton loss of lives and properties caused by the aged group, called Boko Haram.

“We offer our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our sympathies go to all those who suffered grave injuries and losses.”

While calling on the government and spirited individuals to take immediate steps in providing relief materials to the victims, the bishops warned that the gesture should be done with the best of intentions and not to be turned into avenues for political gains and self gratification.

On the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the conference gave credence to the Federal Government for the action taken to stop the deadly virus from further spreading to other parts of the country.

CBCN noted that the efforts of

Jonathan Leaves For ABUJA - President New York

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State flanked by the National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Muhammed Garba (right) and Chairman, Edo State Council of NUJ, Comrade Desmond Agbama, during the union’s visit to the governor at Government House, Benin City. PHOTO: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE.

Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday left Abuja for New York to attend the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly, Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the

Christ Embassy Organises Vocational Training For Youths

By BETTY IDIALU

WARRI - The Christ Embassy Church, Warri Zone at the weekend ended a one day vocational youths’ training aimed at making youths to be self reliant rather than waiting for white collar jobs.

The program tagged, “Reach Out Nigeria Skill Acquisition Workshop and Enlightenment Program for Job Seekers and Young Graduates”, took place at Christ Embassy Church 5, Warri.

Declaring the training opened, Pastor of the Church 5, Frank Igbide during his pep talk, told youths to be self reliant, rather than wait for white collar jobs, while asking them to look inward

and locate business opportunities waiting to be tapped.

While charging the youths to put integrity first in all they do , Pastor Frank also told them that kingdom principles of tithing and seeding were sacrosanct if any business must succeed and admonished them to partner with God so as to secure their businesses.

He outlined the steps of starting a business to include identifying a business idea, capital acquisition then getting partners.

The youths drawn from various communities and

churches that make up Christ Embassy Warri Zone were trained in different vocational skills like shoe/bag making, soap and air freshener making as well as fruit juice making.

One of the organisers of the training Bro Mike O, said plans were underway to make the training bigger and better by providing starter packs to participants after subsequent trainings.

According to Mike, the resource center has trained over 267 youths in the use of computer.

He said the center is helping the youths to get their minds

engaged, because a lot of them do not know how to start a business.

Some participants who spoke with The Nigerian OBSERVER expressed Joy and gratitude to the church for the opportunity, adding that they are going back better persons as they could now do something worthwhile and cater for themselves instead of pinging.

Mr. Leader Niemogha and Pius Ebosele said the training was part of the Reach Out Nigeria, (RON) programme 2014. They said RON was designed by the President of the ministry, Pastor Chris Oyakhilomen to take the word of God to every part of the country and build Patriotism among Nigerians.

President on Media and Publicity, said in a statement.

Abati said that Jonathan would attend receptions to be hosted by President Barack Obama of the U.S. and the Secretary-General of the UN Mr Ban Ki-Moon.

“The president will address the UN Security Council High-Level Session on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused By Terrorist Acts.

“He will present Nigeria’s statement to the General Assembly on Wednesday, September 24.

“Jonathan is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with KiMoon and the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron,’’ Abati said.

He said that the president would stop over in London for a brief private visit before proceeding to New York and would return to the country on Thursday.

some western countries for stepping up action in search of adequate medical treatment and appreciated the medical experts and the media for their efforts in disseminating adequate information on the matter.

While advocating periodic check-ups, the conference recommended a healthy pattern of living to contain its spread and transmission.

The communique also stated that the CBCN profoundly affirms the right to religious freedom and free expression as entrenched in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and called on the Christian Association of Nigeria ,(CAN) and the Jama’tu Nasril Islam, IJN to work closely with a view to ensuring coexistence that guarantees access to and safety in places of worship Speaking on the 2015 general elections, the Catholic Bishops reminded all political aspirants and candidates that they are public servants who swore to provide the electorates with legitimate needs, and called on Nigerians to have a change of mentality inspired by a sense of common good, equality, justice and peace.

The CBCN charged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on improving electoral responsibilities in the forthcoming elections in order to fully guarantee the rights of citizens to elect leaders of their choice.

The clergymen while acknowledging that the country’s unity is on trial due to corruption, waves of criminality and terrorism, said the journey to nationhood though long and tortuous, is possible with courage and determination.

Lending a voice on the just concluded Confab, the CBCN prayed for the participants and also for the leaders to examine and seriously consider the resolution in the report of the conference for the good and development of our nation.

Osun Schools To Resume Oct 6 OSOGBO - The Osun Government has fixed October 6 as the resumption date for public and private schools reports state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori and made available to newsmen in Osogbo.

Reports state that LaoyeTomori is also the state Commissioner for Education.

The statement said that Governor. Rauf Aregbesola had directed all public and private schools to reopen for the 2014/2015 academic

session on October 6. ‘’This will enable principals and teachers to receive adequate training to prevent Ebola epidemic in schools and in the state in general,’’ the deputygovernor said.

The statement called on school managers to ensure daily practical demonstration of hand washing by the pupils, students and teachers.

It stated that Osun remained free of the dreaded virus.

South West

Journalists Tasked On Objective Reportage

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (right) and Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi at launch of book on the Age and Times of Alhaja Aishetu Oshiomhole, mother of Governor Oshiomhole titled: “Igovina Emosi” in Iyamoh, Etsako West Local Government weekend.

Fraud Salesman, 32, Docked

SANGO-OTA (OGUN) A 32-year-old salesman, Sunday Ogundipe, who allegedly defrauded his employer of N80,000, was arraigned in an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.

Ogundipe, who resides at No. 38 Akinyemi St., Iyana Iyesi, Ota, is facing a twocount charge of stealing and fraud.

The prosecutor, Insp. Peter Molokwu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on August. 19 at about 2 p.m. at Golden Chance Lotto, Akute Branch, Ota. He said the accused fraudulently converted N80,000 to his personal use by failing to remit the money from sales to his employer, Mr Mohammed Adamu.

Molokwu said the offences contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Revised Law of Ogun State, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Titi Bello, granted the accused bail, in the sum of N50,000, with one surety in like sum.

Bello ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and to show evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government for a year.

He also ordered that the address of the surety should be verified by the police.

The case was adjourned to November19 for further hearing.

Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Council, Barr. (Mrs.) Lucy Omagbon flanked by the Edo State APC Woman Leader, Dr. (Mrs.) Aisosa Amadsun (left) and Mrs. Faith Omoregie, Leader, Ovia North/East Local Government Chapter

Oyo Creates Burial Site For Haemorrhagic Corpses

IBADAN - Dr Abbas Gbolahan, an Epidemiologist in the Oyo state Ministry of Health , said that government had designated cemeteries for corpses of haemorrhagic diseases.

Gbolahan told newsmen in Ibadan, that there was public health law in the state which specified where corpses of haemorrhagic diseases should be buried.

He listed the diseases to include Dengue, Lassa, and Ebola.

“There is a public Health law in the state that says if anyone has any of these diseases and does not report to government, he or she is liable to six months imprisonment.

“This law is being reviewed now that the EVD had spread to Nigeria.

“Contact tracing is the state government business and

Health Education officers in all the 33 local governments in Oyo have been trained to do this,” he said.

Gbolahan said that the state government would be responsible for burying such

corpses, adding that no dead body should be kept or buried at home.

The physician, however, declined to mention the location of the designated cemeteries.

He explained that the state ministry of health was collaborating with the University College Hospital (UCH) in handling such cases.

Woman Seeks family members about it and Divorce nothing came out of it.

Non-Payment Of Dowry: ISEYIN (OYO STATE) - A 25-year-old trader, Mrs Modinat Alade, last Thursday sought the dissolution of her eight- year old union with her husband, Gbola Alade over non-payment of dowry.

Alade, who approached an Oyo State Customary Court Grade C, sitting in Iseyin, told the court that the union was yet to produce any child.

The trader, who is seeking the dissolution on ground of nonpayment of dowry and lack of care and love, said the situation was “worrisome and

unbearable.

“When we are about to get married, he told my people that he will pay the dowry later and also perform the normal family rites.

“Until today he has not deemed it fit to make good his promises, and I am sure, that was why we have not been able to have any child since then.

“I have done all I could to persuade him, but he did not listen. I have even talked to his

“If Gbola really loves me, I am sure he would have done the needful, it’s so obvious that he does not love me, so please let my lord separate us for the sake of God, “she pleaded.

The President of the court, Chief Raimi Oyegbenle, in his ruling, said that the husband, Gbola had written to inform the court about his unavoidable absence.

Oyegbenle adjourned the case till September 30 for Gbola’s defense and further hearing on the matter.

ADO-EKITI - Nigerian journalists have been urged to be objective in their reportage of national issues and events.

Dr Bisi Olawunmi, a veteran journalist and lecturer at the Bowen University, Iwo, Osun, made the appeal at the ongoing two-day capacity building workshop at AdoEkiti.

Olawunmi charged joirnalists to always base their reporting on observations and research.

He said the capacity building workshop on professional, conflictsensitive, public interest and gender-supportive reporting for 2015 election was designed to re-equip journalists with the skills and tools of reporting.

The journalists-turned teacher urged reporters to maintain some level of detachment and independence from their sources.

“If you want to take a position, you must authenticate it; you must not engage in spurious generalisation,” he said.

He recommended quality control at various media houses to check publication of hate materials and unethical news items.

“Reporters are supposed to see what is out there. Ekiti election should be a lesson to the media not to be praise singers.

“In the business of reporting, when you show knowledge, you might not be liked but respected. As a reporter, you have the privilege of asking any question,’’ he said.

The General Manager, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mrs Funke-Treasure Durodola, said that reporters should be gender sensitive in their reportage.

She said journalist had the potential to bring about positive changes in the society through their daily reporting.

Durodola expressed the need to change the national orientation by bringing new people into leadership in “our reporting”.

She urged reporters to focus on ordinary Nigerians, especially local women who are contributing to the development of the nation’s economy.

Lagos Gov Kashim Shettima of Borno (right), receiving his 64 page Epassport from Borno Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Alhaji Madu Musa, at the launch of the new passport in Maiduguri recently.

Investment:

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS-The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola has met with the Organised Private Sector (OPS) at the Lekki Free Zone in Lekki to advocate strict adherence to the rule of law and order as the overriding bedrock for all successful investments and business interactions worldwide.

The Governor, who spoke at the 4th Corporate Assembly, a bi-annual business event of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, described Law and Order as the platform on which every business enterprise thrives, adding it would be unimaginable running any business without regulations asserting that no sane business person would want to go to the places where business is not regulated.

While noting that any society where people were left to do what they liked in business would soon be wiped out, he explained that laws are only on paper and need human beings to implement and abide by them.

Fashola Advocates Adherence To Rules

Citing examples with land allocation and the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy(C of O), Governor Fashola declared, “If we apply the issue of Law and Order here, what we have seen is that many people have built beyond the land that we gave them. People have extended their fence; they have added a little here and a little there, so if you give C of O to them it probably may not be reflective of the land originally given to them”.

“We have just collected more than 9,700 new survey plans showing that what we gave 30 to 40 years ago has been built beyond where the land is. So what is in the C of O, or whatever has been given to the person is not reflective of the reality, and it will create even financial difficulties as we leverage on property going forward”, he added.

Governor Fashola also disclosed that in pursuance of its commitment to the policy focus on Power, Agriculture,

Transportation and Housing (PATH), his administration is exploring the possibility of establishing Nuclear Power Plant in the Lekki Free Zone as an alternative energy source to power manufacturing and other businesses in the Zone.

Reiterating that without power the nation is going nowhere, the Governor expressed the hope that the level of government that has primary responsibilities for energy would push to make it possible to move closer to Power actualization, stressing that as a sub-national government, his administration is working on the fulfillment of the commitment it made at the Ehingbeti Summit 2014 about energizing the State.

On the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the Governor noted that without the Infectious Disease Centre which the State Government had built, the whole containment effort would have been from the scratch, adding, “Without the Public Health Law which was passed

GOC 81 Division, Maj-Gen Tamunomiebi Dibi condoling with the widow of Gen Benjamin Adekunle Folake, during a condolence visit to the family in Lagos recently.

in 2012, the State would have been in trouble”.

He also posited that for Lagos to retain its status and achieve more there is need to be more focused on maintenance of law and order, adding that the Cremation law now in place in the State proved very useful when the EVD got its way to the State.

“We didn’t foresee Ebola but the law now became a veritable tool for us to curtail the spread of the virus because corpses are more dangerous than the carrier of the virus. Other states are now going to the parliament to seek the passage of the law”, he said.

Governor Fashola expressed joy that at the moment, the State does not have anyone infected with the Ebola virus in the isolation centre anymore adding, “What we have left is suspected contacts that we are monitoring. And the last person we are monitoring will complete his 21 days cycle on September 18, 2014”.

He said the event was instituted because Government is interested in knowing the problems of the private sector operators adding, “If we do not want to hear about where the shoe pinches and where it hurts and what we can do about it, we will not have this kind of open and expansive interaction and meetings”.

Earlier in her welcome address, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, reiterated that the meeting was established to articulate the problems of the private sector with a view to offering solutions to them, stressing that it has been institutionalised as a means of moving the state forward in partnership with the Private sector.

Tribunal Grants Army Leave To Recall Witnesses LAGOS - The Lagos State Tribunal of Inquiry into the July 4 road accident and vandalism of some Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles has granted the Nigerian Army leave to recall three witnesses.

The tribunal granted the leave following a request made by the Nigerian Army legal team, led

by Lt.- Col. Hycinth Ande, that the witnesses be recalled for cross-examination.

Reports state the witnesses Messrs Razak Mustapha, Ikechukwu Umeaku and Dapo Adediran - are employees of Mutual Model Transport Ltd., sub-operators of LAGBUS. They had earlier testified before the panel, chaired by retired Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, which was set up by the Lagos State Government to unravel the cause of the incident.

The witnesses had claimed that the mayhem was perpetrated by soldiers, who were protesting the death of their colleague, alleged to have been crushed by a BRT bus at Palmgrove Bus Stop, Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

During proceedings, Ande noted that the army was not legally represented when the witnesses gave their evidence due to administrative hiccups.

“As it stands now, we want to take a date to cross-examine all the witnesses and we will equally be asking for copies of all the documents that they tendered before the tribunal.

“We need time to go through the documents to enable us cross-examine the witnesses,” he said In granting the request, Adebajo directed all parties of interest to henceforth produce sufficient copies of all documents they intended to

tender before the tribunal.

The chairman also directed the army to provide information relating to the deceased soldier, including the pathologist report, at the next hearing.

In his testimony during the proceedings, Mr Abiodun Apata, Project Manager, Mutual Model Transport Ltd., said a tracking device was installed on Bus MO63, which was involved in the accident that led to the soldier’s death.

LAGOS - Dr Leke Pitan, Governorship Aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has promised to focus on human capital development, if elected as the state governor in 2015.

Pitan made the promise while addressing supporters at the Ikeja venue of “Dr Leke Pitan and Friends Free Medical Outreach”.

He said the programme would be enlarged to accommodate many people in the state if he became the governor.

“I can assure you to expect more of this programme, we are going to make the development of human capital our main focus,” he said.

Pitan, a former Commissioner for Healthcare Education in the state, assured the people that he would execute programmes and policies that would have positive impact on the people.

“Free healthcare delivery, free education and security for all are the social security nets that we will not allow anybody to fall below.

“We will ensure that people are able to send their children and wards to schools free without any financial barrier,” he said.

The governorship aspirant also assured the people that his administration would tackle headlong, the problem of housing in the state.

BOA To Review Loans Facilities

LAGOS - The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has said that it would review its loan facilities to farmers to target peculiar planting seasons and their needs.

The South-West Zonal Manager of the bank, Mr Olusegun Ashiwaju, told newsmen in Lagos that most farmers had complained of the delay in disbursing the loans to them.

“The issue of interest rate is not the major challenge to farmers but the timeliness of the loans because most of the sectors under agriculture have their seasons.

“Even in poultry farming, animal husbandry and crop planting, they all depend on timely release of fund, so farmers want timely involvement of fund.

“BOA is a development finance institution that encourages the growth and development agriculture and also meets the requirement of farmers,” Ashiwaju said.

The manager said the review would enable farmers to access fund at the appropriate time which would enhance the production of agricultural commodities.

Guber Aspirant Promises To Focus On Human Devt

South-South Council Lauds FG Over Ebola Containment L-R: Former head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), inaugurating a 250-bed Orthopaedic hospital constructed

by Sokoto State Government in Sokoto recently. With him are Gov Aliyu Wamakko and fomer Governor of the state, Malam Yahaya Abdulkarim.

CALABAR -The Environmental Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) has commended the Federal Government for taking the necessary actions to deal with challenges posed by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria.

EHORECON Chairman, Prof Oladapo Afolabi, gave the commendation in Calabar at the opening of the Thematic Mandatory Continuing Education Programme for registered Environmental Health Officers.

Afolabi, represented at the occasion by a council member, Mr Kehinde Badejo, said commended President Goodluck

Security

Uduaghan Decries Use Of Civilian Outfits

By BETTY IDIALU ASABA - Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has frowned at the use of civilians in the management of security issues.

The governor said this when the newly posted Commissioner of Police to Delta State, Mr Alkali Baba Usman paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba, Dr. Uduaghan expressed confidence in the ability of security operatives to tackle security challenges rather than civilians who were not trained in the act of providing security.

“We have refused to encourage civilian security outfits like Bakassi Boys and others because we believe the Police and other security agencies are capable of handling security challenges,” Dr Uduaghan told the CP who was accompanied by some heads of other security agencies in the state on the visit.

He reiterated that conventional security operatives have the ability to tackle any security challenge and added that secret cult activities have been banned in the state.

Buttressing why more than 40 identified secret cult groups were banned, Dr Uduaghan observed that it was sad that the cult groups have infiltrated secondary schools and communities, asserting that the activities of the secret cult groups poses security threat.

The Governor also used the opportunity to state that ahead of the 2015 general elections, it was good that politicians in the state were conducting their businesses peacefully and lawfully as well as accommodating to people with divergent views, but, appealed to the Commissioner of Police and Security agencies not to fail in their duty if any politician was caught engaging in acts capable of breaching the peace.

Bauchi State Health Workers at a training on Ebola virus disease in Bauchi recently.

States Prepare Schools Against Ebola Virus Spread

PORT HARCOURT - Some states in the Niger Delta region have said that adequate preparations had been put in place to check Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) spread ahead of schools resumption today.

A survey conducted by newsmen in some of the states showed that stakeholders such as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Parents, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) are insisting that state governments should provide needed materials to check the spread of the virus.

State governments on their part have been carrying out sensitisation and awareness campaigns for teachers and health workers on how to prevent EVD and measures to take if there are reported cases.

In Rivers, the government and UNICEF conducted training for 5,000 teachers in private and public schools on Ebola prevention.

The Commissioner for Education, Miss Alice Nemi, said government would shut down schools without pipe borne water.

Nemi told the teachers that the aim was to ensure that students and pupils washed their hands with soap and maintained good hygiene in schools.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, however, said that no decision had been taken on the September 22 resumption date given by the Federal Government.

The Chairman of NUT, Chief Godfrey Nwogu, said the union would comply with the directive of its national body on the resumption date.

However, Mr Bright Amaewhule, the proprietor of Nobles school in Port Harcourt, said the school would resume on September 22.

“We will comply with the directive of the Federal Government because the state government had already trained teachers on the virus and how to check it.

“Private school proprietors like ours have also bought infrared thermometer to check

the temperature of pupils and students in our schools.

“We have pipe borne water with soaps and even a medical team to ensure that our students are protected at all times,’’ he said.

The principal of a government secondary school, who sought anonymous, said the school would wait for the state government to give the go ahead before re-opening schools.

“Our school, like others is owned by the state government and we have to comply with their instruction. But, we want government to assist some of its owned schools to repair our boreholes to ensure adequate water supply for the students,’’ he said.

The Bayelsa government on its part said it would comply with the September 22 resumption date given by the Federal Government.

The Commissioner for Education, Mr Sola Adikumo said in Yenagoa that government was making all arrangements to

ensure that teachers, pupils and students in the state were protected against the virus.

Mr Ogola Brandla, the NUT Chairman in Bayelsa told newsmen that the union was satisfied with the September 22 date.

He urged the federal and state governments to provide medical facilities to assist teachers check the spread of the virus in schools.

“The union in the state is happy with the new date and I believe the Federal Government is still working hard to combat the outbreak of Ebola virus in the country.

“I must tell you, the issue of Ebola virus is not something that you and I can talk about.

“The new date is okay and the children can now go back to school; the earlier postponement is because the government did not want Ebola virus to attack the children,’’ he said.

Mr Ebimowei Jude, a parent, said the resumption date was good and a step in the right direction.

Jonathan for providing the enabling environment for the containment of the EVD in Lagos and Rivers States.

He urged states to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

According to him, Environmental Health profession is dynamic, having evolved as sanitary overseers, to sanitary inspectors and to a stage where it is being offered as a degree course in some universities in Nigeria.

He also called for more proactive measures to reduce the prevalence of malaria by combating mosquitoes.

In his speech, the Registrar of EHORECON, Mr Augustine Ebisike, also urged the Federal Government to work with the council, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Environment, on the “Roll-Back Malaria’’ programme.

He said that such collaboration would ensure improvement in environmental sanitation and the reduction of the incidence of the disease in the country.

‘We have failed to roll back malaria as can be seen from the data released by the Federal Ministry of Health which shows an annual increase in the incidence of the disease.

“Also, Nigerians have become consumers of all manner of antimalarial medication, leading to capital flight in the unending vicious circle of malaria treatment, due to emphasis on curative instead of preventive health.

“We have millions of bed nets imported for the purpose of roll back malaria which have now reached their end of shelve lives and are now posing environmental health challenge with regard to their disposal.

He stressed the need for the employment of more Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) nationwide to reduce quackery.

Ebisike said the council was poised to enforce the provisions of Act 11 of 2002 against governments or agencies and departments employing those not trained or qualified to practice as Environmental Health Officers (EHOs).

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof.

Angela Oyo-Ita, said the state needed to employ more EHOs in Cross River.

The Commissioner, who spoke through Dr Hilary Adeie, said the state government had prosecuted some environmental health offenders in Biase Local Government Area.

He added that the government had evolved measures to ensure the prosecution of environmental law offenders in the remaining 17 local government area of the state.

Reports state that Oyo-ita also declared open the conference which attracted participants from all states of the federation.

Abuja Executive Director, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Saratu Umar (left), exchanging a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NIPC and Oyo State Government with the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adejumo, Abuja on recently.

Corps Members React To N4,000 Mobilisation Charge ABUJA - Members of the National Youth Service Corps have reacted to the Corp’s decision to charge prospective members N4,000 for the online processing of call-up letters.

In an interview with newsmen in Abuja the Director-General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, stated that the fee was necessary to ensure the technological growth of the Corps directorate in its operations.

“Most prospective corps members are however not convinced that this will be in their best interest and have appealed to the government to reduce the cost.

Mr Tony Adewumi, a batch ‘A’ corps member, stated that although the intention seemed honourable, one should not have to pay to serve one’s country.

“N4,000 per corps member is too exorbitant. The government should be providing incentives, not discouraging the younger

generation from serving,” he said.

Saleem Salahudeen, a member of the NYSC CDS Editorial Board, pointed out that the initiative would not only save time and manpower but would reduce the stress and risks corps members often encounter in their effort to collect the letters.

He said: “It is a welcome development and a stepping stone for technological advancement and national improvement on service

Kano Attack: Jonathan Assures On Security ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with residents of Kano State on the loss of lives that followed terrorist attacks on the Federal College of Education, Kano.

Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, sympathised with victims of the attacks and wished the injured speedy recovery.

The statement said, “the president commends the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force who took prompt action to confront the attackers and minimise resultant casualties.

“He urges them to be even more alert and proactive in the future to stop terrorist attacks in Kano and other parts of the country.

“Jonathan reassures the people of Kano and all

Nigerians that the Federal Government continues to do all within its powers to enhance security of lives and property across the country.

“In this regard, the government will continue to

enhance the ability of the police, Armed Forces and other security agencies to prosecute the war against terrorism to a successful conclusion,’’ the statement said.

delivery.

“The initiative which is expected to commence with the next batch of incoming corps members is aimed at ensuring speedy, efficiency and cost effectiveness in service delivery to corps members,” Salahudeen said.

Don’t Scrap Teachers Registration Council, NUT ABUJA - The National Union Urges Govt Teachers (NUT) has called on the Federal Government not to scrap the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to ensure a continuing flow of qualified teachers.

The National President of the Union, Mr Michael Olukoya, said this while addressing newsmen in Abuja adding that the council was the only body that regulated the practice of teaching in the country.

It was gathered that the call

by NUT was in response to the Federal Government’s attempt to scrap the council as part of the restructuring and rationalisation of parastatal agencies and commissions.

“The report of the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of the federal government parastatal agencies and commissions reveals a case of double standard.

“Where TRCN, a regulatory body for teachers, is slated for scrapping while keeping other similar regulatory bodies.

This attempt at scrapping TRCN shows clearly that the federal government does not care about the standard of teachers of Nigeria and the much sought-for professionalism of the teaching industry.

‘Could it be that the profession of teaching in Nigeria is looked down with disdain by the federal government?

“While the other professions are highly regarded and worthy of protection? If that is the case, then Nigeria has got it all wrong

again,’’ he asked.

The president mentioned Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), Nursing and Midwife Council, Medical and Dental Council, Radiographers Registration Board, and Council for Regulation of Engineers (COREN) as similar bodies performing same duties as TRCN. He said that the national policy on education recognises the importance of the teacher’s council in the country’s education industry and depends greatly on its roles in policing the teaching profession.

Olukoya explained that the council was involved in the accreditation and reaccreditation procedures in the Council of Education and Universities.

He said the council was saddled with the responsibility of developing standardised instruments for the use of training institutions and registration and licensing of every new teacher after one-year internship.

“In the midst of these duties of TRCN, what happens if the body is scrapped,’’ he said.

“If all effort at putting the profession of teaching in Nigeria at its rightful pedestal continue to be truncated and thrown overboard by the very government of the Nigerian Federation, then it follows that the country has no future.

FCT To Recruit 120 Health Personnel, ABUJA - The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will recruit 120 health personnel and 90 volunteers to boost healthcare delivery in Abuja.

The Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, told newsmen in Abuja that the 90 volunteers would be engaged under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

Mohammed said most of the volunteers had over five years experience in their various disciplines.

90 Volunteers

He said the personnel would be deployed to serve in the existing 12 general hospitals and 215 primary healthcare centres in the FCT. “The 215 are supposed to be managed by the area councils out of these only 202 had one or two staff.

“Only 15 per cent of these centres have adequate water electricity waste disposal facility, adequate staff and access road,” he said.

Mohammed said that only 27 per cent of healthcare facilities

Executive Director, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs Saratu Umar (left), presenting a Nigerian leather work to the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adejumo, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NIPC and Oyo State Government in Abuja recently.

were working in the FCT by 2013 due to lack of adequate funding by the area councils and the FCT. Besides, he said lack of adequate legislative backing by the National Assembly (NASS) was affecting the smooth operation of the board, which was established by the FCT administration.

According to him, the board is expected to be covered by the National Health Bill pending before the NASS to enable it benefit from the National Health Fund to boost healthcare delivery in the FCT. “The bill, if passed into law, will enable the board to draw funds from the federation account monthly which shared between the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency,” Mohammed said.

This notwithstanding, he pledged that the board would do everything possible to provide quality healthcare services in the FCT. The scribe also promised that the board would create demand through public enlightenment on the existence of such services and their locations.

“Basic treatment of malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia and even delivery can be done at these centres, except complex ones, which would help in reducing congestion in general hospitals and even private clinics.

Business + Economy

FEC Approves Fiscal Framework Draft

ABUJA - The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a draft of the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) brought to it by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The Director-General, Budget Office, Mr Bright Okogu, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Okogu said that the MTFF, spanning 2015 to 2017 was contained in the revenue estimate and expenditure plan of the Federal Government within the period.

He said that the consideration and approval of the MTFF by FEC was geared toward the preparation of the 2015 budget.

Okogu added that in line with

Fuel Scarcity Minister Allays Fears ABUJA -The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu has urged Nigerians not to panic over the current fuel scarcity in the country.

Wogu made the call while speaking with newsmen on the ongoing strike by the oil and gas sectors.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) last Monday shut down operations nationwide.

It would be recalled that the unions had shut down operations nationwide over alleged irregular funding of their pension scheme, which had led to about N85 billion deficit.

Other demands of the workers are the call for immediate steps to carry out Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) on the four refineries as agreed between government and the two unions and restoration of crude supply to the refineries The minister said that talks were still ongoing with the management of the Nigerian National Petro-leum Corporation (NNPC) and the in house unions of PEN-GASSAN and NUPENG. “ Everything is under control, discussions are going on, talks started and are still on.

“There should be no need for panic buying of fuel and I am positive that the issue will be resolved soon, ‘’ he said.

Reports state that most filling stations in Abuja are not selling the commodity while there are long queues at the few stations selling.

the president’s economic vision, the 2015 to 2017 framework focused on job creation and inclusive growth.

He said that the draft was a product of earlier consultations

between the ministry and the National Assembly as well as other stakeholders in the budget process.

According to him, this is to forestall any misunderstanding between the executive and

legislative arms of government that usually results in a logjam.

“Council considered the medium term framework spanning the period 2015 to 2017. You will all recall that this

is the instrument through which all annual budgets are done on an ongoing basis.

“As you know, the strategy we normally adopt for this is that there is a very deep consultative process between the executive

Physically challenged persons meeting at the Adamawa Branch Office of the Association in Yola recently.

RMRDC Wants Farmers Englightened On Value Chain Devt LAGOS - Mr Usman Hassan, Director, Special Duties, Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), urged agricultural agencies to sensitise farmers to participate in the value chain development.

Hassan told newsmen in Lagos that government needed to collaborate with commodity associations to enable farmers to key into the value chain of their respective produce.

He said that farmers involvement in the development of produce value chain would ultimately enhance the government’s Agricultural

Transformation Agenda.

He said that research and development was a typical discussion in developing the agricultural value chain and adding value at all levels from the farm to the table.

“Research and development relates to value chain addition as both process require raw material information system and upgrading of indigenous products.

“Local farmers are willing to participate and contribute their quota to the development of value chain which will increase the economic value of their produce.

“So, commodity associations and government bodies should be able to organise sensitisation programmes that will advice and create awareness to farmers on their participation in the value chain development,” Hassan said.

He also urged the Federal

Government to provide adequate infrastructure that would promote activities of the value chain development.

“We hope that all

and the legislature and other stakeholders.

“To that extent the presentation today was the outcome of some of these earlier efforts already made in consulting both the national assembly in particular and some of the other stakeholders associated with the budget process,’’ he said.

The D-G said that the MTFF was prepared against the backdrop of global economic situations to determine the country’s prospects in terms of goods and services produced.

According to him, the framework centres on the nonoil sectors of the economy, especially the agriculture sector was best suited to generate growth and employment.

“We looked at the economic development in the OECD countries, western countries that typically purchase Nigeria’s crude oil and other non-oil products.

“This is necessary because it is how well they are doing that will determine how easy it is for them to import goods from us.

“As you know, the situation in the OECD countries is mixed.

The U.S. economy is doing well and the recovery is there clearly, although it is a little bit tenuous.

“Sometimes you see some factors that seem to make it not so strong but it is robust and it is recovering which is good news.

“You then take a look at the European Union where the economic recovery is a little bit stop and go. Other countries are doing very well while some others are not doing well.

When Entrepreneurs Back Move To Establish A Industrial Parks Government LAGOS Some entrepreneurs have expressed divergent views over the Federal Government’s moves to further stimulate national economic growth through the establishment of industrial parks across the country.

stakeholde

Many small scale business operators, who spoke to newsmen in Lagos, commended the initiative and urged government to draw from the mistakes of subsisting

Keeps Lying

Alhaji Abubakar Hosere, Chairman, Adamawa Branch of OpinionBy Nigerian Association of Physically ChalTOBI IDAOMIPresident Goodluck lengedJonathanDr. Persons, Ali Modu SherrifDr. Reuben showcasing some AbatiWHEN a government locally made keep on lying to itsshoes populace, thenbythehis whole countryinis in members trouble. For the past three yearsYola now recently. we have been witnessing all sorts of lies from the presidency.

Let me start with the latest lie by the presidency through one of his spokesman Reuben Abati who Femi Fani Kayode once referred to as amateur and cheeky. Mr Abati claimed that the security agencies are still investigating Sheriff and that the president will not interfere.

economic policies in executing it.

Mrs Precious Aremu described the idea as a laudable policy that would enhance a coordinated national industrial development.

Aremu, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Palinio Confectionery, said the parks would provide a coordinated environment for exchange of business ideas, sharing of infrastructure and utilisation of human and material capital.

“Most of us who are in business of producing and selling of goods need parks, for instance, I am in the business of producing and if my space is not big for necessary expansion, I will be grateful to move to the parks.

“I see this idea of industrial parks as the transformation point that many young businesses need as it seems to be the melting pot for both the government, producers and consumers of goods,” she said.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT FRIDAY (19/09/14) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

7UP

134

134

0

0

14,855

Value

NAHCO

5.05

5.05

0

0

2,435,39912,280,028.54

NASCON

8.95

8.97

0.02

0

644,668

5,739,336.30

2,090,098.50 ABCTRANS

0.67

0.67

0

0

242,145

162,932.05

NB

177.75

179

1.25

0

833,523148,913,294.00

ACADEMY

1.41

1.41

0

0

53,956

77,508.40

NCR

13.5

13.5

0

0

38,398506,853.60

ACCESS

9.59

9.59

0

0

596,054

5,716,157.86

NEIMETH

1.07

1.07

0

0

470,269

AFRIPRUD

3.2

3.1

-0.1

0

781,136

2,502,037.86

497,232.45

AGLEVENT

1.38

1.32

-0.06

0

291,273

393,060.36

NEM

0.82

0.81

-0.01

0

10,588,5058,459,754.79

AIICO

0.81

0.85

0.04

0

1,882,564

1,552,894.75

NESTLE

1010.65

1050

39.35

0

101,240104,144,828.40

AIRSERVICE

2

2

0

0

241,791

480,459.84

NEWGOLD

1933

1940

7

0

19

36,860.00

ASHAKACEM

32.1

32.1

0

0

209,480

6,735,472.46

NIGROPES

7.46

7.46

0

0

1,200

8,508.00

BERGER

8.6

8.6

0

0

102,500

881,050.00

NNFM

21.99

21.99

0

0

1,041

21,846.95

101,200.00

NPFMCRFBK

1

0.95

-0.05

0

367,531351,496.05 197,671,7403,369,236,769.00

BETAGLAS

18.85

18.85

0

0

5,500

CADBURY

55

52.5

-2.5

0

869,59645,837,548.75

NSE30

1856.56

1874.36

17.8

0

CAP

39

39

0

0

54,138

2,152,534.37

NSE50

2010.84

2028.3

17.46

0

265,491,8003,584,929,450.00

CAPOIL

0.5

0.5

0

0

200

100

NSEASEM

955.35

955.35

0

0

200

CAVERTON

4.7

4.9

0.2

0

1,330,663

NSEASI

40683.45

41049.27

365.82

0

580,256,7284,635,123,084.00

NSEBNK

425.14

428.87

3.73

0

156,566,3091,861,377,391.00

NSECNSMRGDS

1000.23

1010.18

9.95

0

22,374,605633,695,112.10 2,110,134211,149,982.6

6,385,351.63 CCNN

100

14

14.45

0.45

0

372,053

NSEINDUSTR

2709.21

2755.63

46.42

0

CHAMPION

9

9

0

0

109,452

998,529.40

NSEINS

143.3

143.91

0.61

0

41,683,19927,190,966.86

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,041,500

520,750.00

NSELOTUSISLM

2667.35

2710.23

42.88

0

7,390,523575,847,898.50

CHELLARAM

3.95

3.95

0

0

3,830

14,400.80

NSEOILGAS

445.15

444.6

-0.55

0

3,491,848152,843,944.90

5,249,685.00

CONOIL

47.99

47.99

0

0

259,82912,432,123.65

OANDO

24.5

24

-0.5

0

1,858,91544,669,522.99

CONTINSURE

0.96

0.97

0.01

0

554,132

532,566.72

OKOMUOIL

34

34.5

0.5

0

656,79322,184,812.59

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

0

18,076,100

9,038,053.70

OMATEK

0.5

0.5

0

0

24,000

12,000.00

COSTAIN

1.01

0.97

-0.04

0

367,420

362,841.13

PAINTCOM

1.6

1.6

0

0

26,265

39,922.80

COURTVILLE

0.55

0.55

0

0

236,300

127,439.00

PHARMDEKO

2.38

2.38

0

0

25,700

59,996.00

CUSTODYINS

3.93

3.95

0.02

0

359,578

1,419,507.42

PORTPAINT

5.34

5.08

-0.26

0

197,9231,006,220.84

CUTIX

1.92

1.92

0

0

90,115

169,944.93

PREMBREW

5.12

5.12

0

0

364,7621,933,198.5

CWG

4.8

4.8

0

0

1,300

6,240.00

PRESCO

37.5

37.5

0

0

384,32615,011,641.46

DANGCEM

226.9

224

-2.9

0

661,641145,715,817.40

PRESTIGE

0.5

0.5

0

0

11,200

PZ

34.9

34

-0.9

0

283,6329,603,233.32

DANGFLOUR

7.25

6.89

-0.36

0

545,423

DANGSUGAR

8.35

8.1

-0.25

0

15,106,947122,202,321.70

REDSTAREX

4.4

4.53

0.13

0

1,306,0745,764,070.60

DEAPCAP

0.87

0.87

0

0

3,000

ROYALEX

0.51

0.51

0

0

8,487

DIAMONDBNK

6.23

6.2

-0.03

0

10,429,97664,692,244.67

RTBRISCOE

0.94

0.97

0.03

0

252,913244,441.22

SEPLAT

652

640

-12

0

707,725459,872,057.50

SKYEBANK

2.69

2.65

-0.04

0

26,351,63869,585,611.42

STANBIC

30.62

30.62

0

0

61,7731,856,468.60

DNMEYER

1.1

1.1

0

0

21,100

ETERNA

3.8

3.81

0.01

0

901,720

3,757,964.47

5,600.00

2,490.00 22,175.00

3,443,478.29

4,413.24

ETI

18.97

19

0.03

0

1,501,97928,602,217.68

STERLNBANK

2.16

2.17

0.01

0

11,704,90125,595,355.31

EVANSMED

2.1

2.1

0

0

33,200

TOTAL

175.1

172.53

-2.57

0

127,69521,967,037.39

FBNH

14.43

14.22

-0.21

0

26,518,521378,404,623.60

TOURIST

3.88

3.69

-0.19

0

199,950

66,400.00

FCMB

4.24

4.14

-0.1

0

2,894,99411,949,174.97

737,815.50

FIDELITYBK

1.95

1.95

0

0

4,432,668

TRANSCORP

5.83

5.87

0.04

0

23,717,862139,524,567.40

TRANSEXPR

1.63

1.63

0

0

47,000

UAC-PROP

15.18

14.55

-0.63

0

848,19812,410,188.05

8,658,143.69 FIDSON

3.37

3.52

0.15

0

409,407

1,434,600.64

72,850.00

FLOURMILL

62.3

62.3

0

0

371,38222,031,226.22

UACN

57

57

0

0

850,39248,440,746.92

FO

223.9

223.89

-0.01

0

225,10449,816,608.23

UBA

7

6.96

-0.04

0

55,655,748387,719,079.40

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.51

0.01

0

3,234,111

UBCAP

2.05

2.05

0

0

252,875,228508,290,520.40

UBN

9.52

9.7

0.18

0

519,9445,058,058.33

GLAXOSMITH

65

65

0

0

980,65363,725,293.72

UNHOMES

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,000

GUARANTY

28.77

28.95

0.18

0

38,244,0051,090,564,817.00

UNILEVER

50.61

50

-0.61

0

587,69229,182,870.27

GUINNESS

176.88

175

-1.88

0

511,30289,485,091.81

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

0

15,135,7087,567,854.00

1,649,609.40

500

HONYFLOUR

4.03

4.04

0.01

0

603,1312,430,442.94

UPDCREIT

9.13

9.13

0

0

100

IKEJAHOTEL

2.05

2.15

0.1

0

5,634,11212,113,240.80

VANLEER

12.08

12.08

0

0

100

1,200.00

INTBREW

28.13

29

0.87

0

1,655,40746,710,519.22

VETGRIF30

18.53

18.66

0.13

0

10

186.6

INTENEGINS

0.54

0.52

-0.02

0

4,010,091

VITAFOAM

4.24

4.24

0

0

136,355

VONO

1.38

1.44

0.06

0

210,000298,400.00

567,806.84

2,095,119.96 JAPAULOIL

950

0.5

0.5

0

0

2,752,109

1,376,054.50

JBERGER

64

64

0

0

343,70023,025,942.79

WAPCO

124.9

127.5

2.6

0

390,51949,098,134.74

JOSBREW

2.46

2.46

0

0

21,500

50,310.00

WAPIC

0.74

0.72

-0.02

0

8,643,6416,223,727.52

LEARNAFRCA

1.6

1.6

0

0

12,000

18,240.00

LIVESTOCK

3

2.92

-0.08

0

462,796

1,367,692.60

MANSARD

2.55

2.58

0.03

0

165,245

426,528.10

MAYBAKER

1.4

1.4

0

0

73,500

TOP 10 GAINERS

106,017.96

Stock

Close

957,441.28

NSEASI 365.82 NSEINDUSTR NSELOTUSISLM NESTLE NSE30 NSE50 NSECNSMRGDS NEWGOLD NSEBNK WAPCO

41049.27

MBENEFIT

0.54

0.54

0

0

1,773,012

MOBIL

180

174

-6

0

117,58520,461,974.39

MORISON

1.82

1.82

0

0

1,000

1,820.00

MRS

56

56

0

0

1,000

53,200.00

MTI

0.5

0.5

0

0

400

200

MULTITREX

0.5

0.5

0

0

100,000

50,000.00

2755.63 2710.23 1050 1874.36 2028.3 1010.18 1940 428.87 127.5

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain

46.42 42.88 39.35 17.8 17.46 9.95 7 3.73 2.6

Stock

Close

Loss

SEPLAT MOBIL DANGCEM TOTAL CADBURY GUINNESS PZ UAC-PROP UNILEVER NSEOILGAS

640 174 224 172.53 52.5 175 34 14.55 50 444.6

-12 -6 -2.9 -2.57 -2.5 -1.88 -0.9 -0.63 -0.61 -0.55

THE core premise of the 2014 Human Development Report, launched in Tokyo, Japan last week by Prime Minister of Japan Shinzô Abe, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark and Director of the Human Development Report Office Khalid Malik focuses on persistent vulnerability as a major threat to human development, and warns that unless it is systematically tackled by policies and social norms, progress will be neither equitable nor sustainable.

ACCORDING to income-based measures of poverty, 1.2 billion people live with $1.25 or less a day. However, the latest estimates of the UNDP Multidimensional Poverty Index reveal that almost 1.5 billion people in 91 developing countries, including Nigeria are living in poverty with overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards. And although poverty is declining overall, almost 800 million people are at risk of falling back into poverty if setbacks occur.

WE believe that by addressing vulnerabilities, all people may share in development progress, and human development will become increasingly equitable and sustainable globally and Nigeria must key into various development processes to be part of solution and also be in position to benefit from same.

IT is equally heart-warming to know that the 2014 Human Development Report comes at a critical time, as attention turns to the creation of a new development agenda following the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. It is therefore an imperative for the post-2015 SDGs to have a standalone Goal to address vulnerability in the next 15 years.

THE NIGERIAN

2014 HDR

Tackling Persistent Vulnerability in Nigeria THE Report holds that as crises spread ever faster and further, it is critical to understand vulnerability in order to secure gains and sustain progress. It points to a slowdown in human development growth across all regions, as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI). It notes that threats such as financial crises, fluctuations in food prices, natural disasters and violent conflict significantly impede progress.

OBVIOUSLY , the Boko Haram insurgency poses a great threat to human development in Nigeria and the global community must come to the rescue of the country beyond skeletal military assistance from some developed countries of the world. Boko Haram insurgency alone is not only leading to heavy losses of human lives and property, millions are already rendered homeless and are refugees in their homeland. Livelihoods of over six million persons have been affected and economic life in North Eastern Nigeria have been crippled. Investments in Nigeria are already threatened even though government grandstands that it has what it takes to curtail the threat.

BESIDES, floods and desertification occasioned by Climate Change have continued to wreak havoc and render millions homeless destroying livelihoods and exacerbating food crisis in the country.

AT the moment, the President, Goodluck

Jonathan is seeking $1bn to combat terrorism in the country. This request must not be politicised by anyone and we urge the National Assembly to expeditiously approve the request. The President must demonstrate prudence, transparency and accountability in the use of such funds to assuage the fears of those opposed to the securing of such a facility given our past history as a nation.

Additionally, government needs to make conscious efforts to mitigate impact of Climate Change and tackle ocean surge, desertification and flooding in Nigerian coastal communities. There should be clear cut plans and actions for rehabilitation, resettlements and empowerments for affected and vulnerable persons and communities.

IT is also instructive to point that reducing both poverty and people’s vulnerability to falling into poverty must be a central objective of the post-2015 agenda. For us, eliminating extreme poverty as roundly canvassed by the report, is not just about ‘getting to zero’; it is also about staying there.

FINALLY, the Report calls for governments to recommit to the objective of full employment, a mainstay of macroeconomic policies of the 1950s and 1960s that was overtaken by competing policy goals following the oil shocks of the 1970s. It argues that full employment yields social dividends that surpass private benefits, such as fostering social stability and cohesion. We believe that Nigeria, having had its fair share of the oil shocks during the era should abide by recommendations and prescriptions of the 2014 Human Development Report, if it hopes to overcome its vulnerability challenges by 2030.

Opinion

When A Government Keeps Lying

WHEN a government keep on lying to its populace, then the whole country is in trouble.

For the past three years now we have been witnessing all sorts of lies from the presidency.

Let me start with the latest lie by the presidency through one of his spokesman Reuben Abati who Femi Fani Kayode once referred to as amateur and cheeky. Mr Abati claimed that the security agencies are still investigating Sheriff and that the president will not interfere.

Mr Abati also claimed that the president did not travel

By TOBI IDAOMI

able to found his way to Chad?

Why he still in custody of his international passport or his diplomatic passport? A crime as severe as terrorism should not be treated with a kid gloves, because we were all aware of the incident of the former CBN governor Lamido Sanusi when both his international passport and his diplomatic were confiscated by the highly compromised

Dr. Ali Modu Sherrif

President Goodluck Jonathan

together to Chad with Sherrif and any contact between the duos was only at the airport when Sherrif accompanied some dignitaries to the airport to receive the president.

Does Mr Abati or the office is representing knows the meaning of conflict of interest? What message is the presidency sending to the already compromised security agencies about alleged Boko Haram sponsor? When a president that is directing an agency to investigate a suspect, and the same president is now exhibiting a shocking act of indiscretion by hobnobbing with the same suspect, how do you expect the security outfit to carry out their duty without fear or favour?

Does the presidency aware of an offence called “an accessory before the fact, or accessory after the fact which the president can also be charged for immediately he loses his immunity?

If truly Modu Sheriff is been investigated as claimed by Rueben Abati, how was he

and be sitting with President Jonathan in a meeting with the Chadian president just because the fellow happens to be in the Chadian capital at the time?

What happened to security clearance, protocol etc?

What message is the president sending to the security agencies by circulating the picture of the accused with himself? Is that subtle message to the security

conspiracy after his tenure.

Just as Mr Fani Kayode quoted in one of his writes up “Abati should shut up and let his boss speak for himself on this one”.

Another latest lie by this government is the issue of the controversial harsh tag designed for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Bring Back Jonathan harsh tag which has blanketed different part of the country with banners and billboards has provoked outrage within

DSS even for a lesser offence of mismanagement. Modu Sheriff has been indicted by different bodies and countries, would the presidency pretend not to be aware of this? This accused fellow should not be allowed to leave the country because a sponsor of terrorism is as dangerous as the terrorists themselves.

Reuben Abati lied that Mr Sheriff only met the president at the airport, but with the indicted photographs in circulation showing the suspect together with the president in a meeting with the Chadian president has blown on the face of Mr Abati.

The APC spokesman threw some posers at the presidency which up till now no one has the courage to reply except a jester known as Olisa Metuh who is known for his lousy statement with no substance with his propaganda style of leadership The posers were: why would the president even allow Sheriff into the venue of his meeting with the Chadian president? Can anyone just go

agencies that the accused is a friend of the president, hence he is untouchable?

The action by President Jonathan confirms that he either knows more than he is willing to admit on the issue of those who are behind the Boko Haram insurgency or he is willing to sacrifice the battle against terrorism on the altar of political expediency. Either way, this action by the president is the height of indiscretion at best or a palpable exhibition of callowness at worst.

Whichever way we look at it, President Jonathan can be charged for both accessory and

his reputation and his family’s name.

In 2013, when Sahara reporters reported about the 600 man delegation president Jonathan took to UN General Assembly, Mr Abati denounced the story as lacking in substance. Lies may travel a thousand miles, but truth will always catch up with it”. The minister of foreign affairs Ambassador Wali had just corroborated that story that President Jonathan did lead a 600 man delegation to the United Nations General Assembly last year. This disclosure was made while he was addressing heads of ministries, departments and agencies. Reuben Abati where is your conscience?

During one of the media chat

executed by Edo State government under Adams Oshiomhole, the federal government was trying to be clever by halve by showcasing as one being undertaking by them.

The government always telling us that they are on top of the situation in curbing the menace of Boko Haram, only to be hearing the killing of innocent students in Mubi, marathon of bombing in Abuja and the abduction of the Chibok girls.

Only last year the government was telling us he has created 1.3 millions jobs.

When the minister of finance was asked where the ghost jobs are, she could not lay her hands on any.

Let me also borrow from one

Dr. Reuben Abati

Nigeria and abroad because it mimics the harsh tag of bring back our girls for the abducted girls who have been taken into captive for more than 150 days.

This annoying harsh tag hasbeen in circulation for more than two weeks, which was started by the presidency through one of his overzealous spokesman Doyin Okupe.

Only for Mr Abati to claim that the presidency was not aware of the offensive harsh tag.

Who is Reuben Abati fooling?

He should please respect the doctorate degree is parading even if he does not care about

of President Jonathan, he claimed that Transparency International noted that Nigeria was the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption. The group immediately replied by disowning Mr. President Claim.

The president claimed that Nigeria is generating 5000 MW of electricity; the Transmission Company of Nigeria debunked that claim and said that at no time has the country electricity generation capacity reached a peak of 5000MW. A road project (known as five junctions) which was

of the PDP chieftain Mr Fani Kayode, he said “Permit me to make a painful observation here. I was thoroughly appalled about the fact that when our lamb President was asked about the latest round of killings during his live” Presidential Media Chat” programme on Sunday evening, he not only told a lie to the world by claiming that only”21 or 22 students were killed” at a time when the BBC and CNN had confirmed that at least 45 bodies had been found” This PDP led federal government lives on lies, feed on lies, and operate on lies.

“Reuben Abati lied that Mr Sheriff only met the president at the airport, but with the indicted photographs in circulation showing the suspect together with the president in a meeting with the Chadian president has blown on the face of Mr Abati.”

Analysis

Towards Curtailing Corruption In Nigeria

By KINGSLEY MBADUGHA/OMEIZA ROBINSON/AYOBAMI OGUNGBE

MANY Nigerians were tranquillized when the global anti-corruption watchdog announced that our country is one of the 35th most corrupt countries in the world. To some people, the situation in the country is worse than what was reflected in the latest corruption perception table.

Most people believe that in Nigeria, all kinds of evil act corrupt act is obtainable in the country life wire.

Corruption is the major hindrance, a big obstacle to the development across all sectors in Nigeria, this is because virtually all sectors in the country are all corrupt. It has eaten deep into the life wire of the country and that is why it seems as nothing is been done about it.

Nigerian government, police, civil service and businesses are plagued by bribery, extortion and other forms of corruption. While many points to a failure of leadership; corruption is largely a product of an economy fueled almost exclusively by petroleum with no vested interest in developing Nigeria’s infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. The wealthy simply profit from oil while the country wallows deeper into economic chaos.

Nigeria’s roads are dominated by check points where law enforcement agents often demand that their palms be greased before travelling.

They’ve turned check points into bribe collecting points and that is more reason terrorists, kidnappers and other hoodlums are not caught in most of their activities.

What do you expect when a security man whose attention supposed to be on the individuals that look suspicious is focused on the drivers hand hoping to get N20.

Nigeria as a nation is falling deeper into corruption day by day, can you tell me any sector in this country that is free from bribery and corruption?

I doubt because even in football, players most times bribed coaches for them to play for the next game.

Moving aside entirely to the education sector where most times students who are not qualified at the time of the examination are the ones that are referred to as undergraduates. There have been complaints that the Nigerian education sector is poor; why won’t it be, when money is being collected to admit students into higher institution. Have you asked yourself why students mostly score higher in Jamb and

when it comes to PUME, reverse is the case; that will show the level of corruption, bribery and exam malpractice in education system. Very soon in Nigeria the poor who cannot afford to pay up to #150,000, cannot be admitted into the university.

The main issue about corruption in Nigeria does not lie with our government or civil service alone, citizens are also involved in this act.

An electorate sells his/her vote for just a thousand naira that not is even enough for air time subscription as a result of poverty.

The focal point about corruption in Nigeria to a large extent lies right in Aso rock with those that wine and dine with the people in the floor of power both at the national and the state to local level. Embezzling public fund is no more news in the country, it has become a normal daily activities. In this country, abnormality has become normality and that is more reason why all efforts to curtail corruption in the country has become negative.

The country has become so corrupt that the public servants have totally lost trust in the government. The public servants hardly believe anything that the government says which are yet to be implemented. This is because the leadership in the country so far has been treading and is still treading on the ground of promise and fail.

ASUU embarked on strike for a period of 6months last year, even when the government promised to meet up with their demands. There seemed to be no credibility in what government dishes out to the public anymore.

Nowadays we hear such comments likes “ I pray o” whenever it’s heard that the government has embarked on one project or another, the citizens have doubts about that.

It would be difficult to identify any Nigerian leader who can be said to be

successful in fulfilling his promises to the country. No doubt, the country is in this current depressing and distasteful state because her leaders at various levels of

corruption within the bureaucracy is equally as virulent, commenting on this issue in his article “are we really winning the war Against corruption” Uche Igwe said. That , “a major chunk of public sector corruption happens within the

Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman government over the years have perfected the art of saying something and to an extent doing another almost at the same time. Even when any effort or whatsoever are made, it is, almost always contrary to the promise made.

Human right watch estimated that the epidemic nature of corruption led to the loss of $380bn worth of revenue between 1999 and 2007in Nigeria. Then about 47 percent of companies that do business in Nigeria till date are Said to be experts to make facilitation payments to public officials in order to get them to do their work. To the observers, the parliament and the political parties are the most corrupt institutions; in line with this, I believe that

Nigerian civil service.

The civil service is meant to be the bureaucracy that services the policy implementation process, but today it has been turned into an arena of looting.

Corruption in the civil service is the rule rather than the exception, Uch Igwee added.

There is this popular saying “wait for your turn” that is to say that one has to patiently wait till he/she gets to higher position and only then and only then can he join the club of bribe collectors and money embezzlers. But this is what happens in a state where abnormality has become normality.

Most persons enter offices with goodwill but after some time, they begin to understand

that one cannot bite more than he can chew. Even at the house of assembly and others at the local level, anyone who fights against corruption in his office stands a risk of being impeached. In most cases, they set the person up.

Nigerian offices are dens of lions where three things are involved; it’s either you join the club, resign or face allegation that could lead to your impeachment, that is the situation of things in Nigerian politics and other sectors in the country.

The country has presented a bad image of herself in the eyes of other countries.

Nigerians in other countries of the world are often suspected because of the evil deeds that those in power are not willing and ready to stop.

So far, the main avenue for war against corruption in Nigeria is through .the establishment of anticorruption agencies. There are multiple versions of these agencies, each pursuing after complex, competing, divergent, and often overlapping mandate in Nigeria. All well and good but what has been their impact?

Some of those agencies have turned out to be the biggest channels for corruption themselves. Some of these agencies when they apprehend someone, instead of charging the person to court, their pocket would be charged with money and that’s the end of such cases.

The anti-corruption agencies have failed. Money controls their minds, even those who wish to fight corruption, their ‘oga at the top’ would suppress their efforts.

Lest we forget, in time past, agricultural and economic indices have largely dictated a country’s growth and increases in complexity and development.

Today, these variables are not all together rendered negligible, but they can hardly match the autocratic nature of influence handled by the political factors within the political sector that weave the fabric of country’s internal development and external relationships with foreign nations. That is why Nigerians have lost all available faith in the possibility of a legitimately elected representative of the people as

“The country has presented a bad image of herself in the eyes of other countries. Nigerians in other countries of the world are often suspected because of the evil deeds that those in power are not willing and ready to stop.”

it concerns the elective process for change of government.

The unending corruption which has eaten deep into the fabrics of our system has helped no one either as both the government and the governed seemed to have been carried away by the turbulent sea of western dependency.

Nigeria is wallowing in corruption, even the coming generation now subconsciously prepare fertile ground for the seed of corruptive influences like grafting, misappropriation and illicit propensity of for wealth.

It is in Nigeria we have, though in small number, members of the so called ‘CABAL’ who seems to be in absolute control of the electoral process, which according to concerned Nigerian citizens has ironically become ‘selection’ as opposed to an election process. It is regrettable to realize that the dreams and counsel of our founding elders has been forsaken for many years to embrace corruption and the profit of greed. Our national anthem reads “arise o compatriots”, how many of our leaders are patriots, you as an individual, how patriotic are you?Feigning ignorance to this prevalent attitude of our rulers and the “chop as I chop” concept a present part and reality of the Nigerian government administration.

Should Nigerians resign to a fate of failure and hopelessness without repair?

Answer to this question is cryptic for it would only lead to more questions. However, there is a plausible possibility for a purge of all impurities from our present polity even though a change has never been a welcome verb for discussion where poorer and politics are concerned. But since, “nature is change is nature, then nature is the part of existence we can affect or effect”. The limited success in the war against corruption has bred deep cynicism among the Nigerian people capable of subverting trust in a democratic system of government.

Conclusively, in a bid to curtail corruption in Nigeria, an effective anti-corruption agency must command public respect, be credible, transparent accountable, and fearless. It must mobilize the necessary political will as well as enjoy considerable operational independence.

Since the war against corruption formally resumed in Nigeria for years, the verdict is that it has been less than effective. Our leaders should restore purity and sanity into the system and reduce the rate at which they perpetrate evil in the country and other sector officials should as well refine and redefine their minds of corruption and bribery.

Education

Mass Failure And Our Future IN the run-up to the last Ekiti gubernatorial contest of June this year, I wrote a piece about Fayose, a little reminder of some of the scandals that led to his being kicked out of office the first time around.

To my shock, a lot of young responders on Facebook never got it. They thought I was saying that because Fayose was once a cab driver in London he was unfit to seek office as Governor.

How they arrived at that bizarre conclusion is a feat only known to them. But for me, that episode was a sad reminder that education has hit the buffers in Nigeria. And when the West African Examination Council (WAEC) results came out a few weeks ago, no further proof was required. It was a sight for sore eyes. It was failure on a most disheartening scale.

It’s been a gradual slide.

We fell off the cliff, I think in 2011. That year, only 30.91% of all candidates who sat the WAEC exams passed (i.e., got at least 5 credits). Later that same year, in one of the States in nigeria, all the secondary school students who sat the National Examinations Council (NECO) failed. All of them! In 2012, the pass rate for WAEC was 38.81.

In 2013, that rate dropped again, to 36.57%. 2014 records a 31.28% pass rate with 8.61% of candidates alleged to have engaged in exam malpractices.

Hhmm…this is quite sobering and the whole thing reads like a bad joke.

Please think about what this means in raw numbers. In 2014, of the 1,692,435 youngsters who sat the exams, 1,163,010 of them

failed. That is nearly 1.2 million students!

In this country, we’ve always had ministers and commissioners of education.

These people collect handsome salaries, live in fantastic mansions and have 24-hour police protection.

And since 2007, we’ve had educators as presidents.

What has been their collective impact on the standard of education here?

In contrast, our kids are excelling in schools abroad – particularly in the UK and the US. They routinely come top of the class from primary right through to tertiary level. In fact there is a joke in the UK that if you don’t see a Nigerian and a Chinese in any particular university, do not let your kid go there. So what has happened to education in Nigeria?

Well, the most obvious thing that stands out is that there is something wrong in the way education is delivered here. I’m not certain that funding is the main issue; after all, a sizable chunk of those students would have gone to private schools. And some of the teachers are hopelessly inadequate.

Another reason for these mass failures is this recent phenomenon called ‘Expo.’

A few days to the exams, some websites would claim that they have the genuine WAEC questions. A lot of candidates rush there. They get access to the questions, for a fee, of course. At this point, they cannot go to their teachers for help as they would have to explain from where they got the questions.

So they approach undergraduates and other people who themselves are

By MICHAEL EGBEJUMI-DAVID

products of previous mass failures.

Half-baked undergrads provide halfbaked, and oftentimes, outright wrong answers (for a fee of course) which students share among themselves in their group.

Furthermore, this being Nigeria, 419 practitioners have caught-on and they too set up their own ‘genuine’ WAEC questions websites.

The result? Mass failure.

Moreover, there are ‘specialised’ exam centers where some parents and invigilators join forces to cheat on behalf of their

year ’s WAEC to sit the exams again. There is simply no scope for that. So Universities and Polytechnics would have to lower their minimum admission requirements in order to get students because, quite frankly, those institutions need their money to stay in business.

This means that, by hook and by crook, and via our other miracle-working ways, people who cannot pass secondary school exams will in a few years become ‘graduates’ and flood the job market.

might become First Ladies, while the rest will end up in local government administration. And if this has been the pattern for the past twenty years or so, it is no wonder we are where we are today.

To redress this situation, I think we really have to look again at the curriculum with a view to revamping it. We need to redesign our teacher training programs (because what obtains at the moment is clearly failing young people), and perhaps introduce performancerelated pay for teachers.

We also need to improve infrastructure and reduce

wards. A lot of students have come to put their trust in such centers and in prayers rather than study well.

Wrong answers supplied in such centers permeates the whole group.

The frightening thing for me is that it would not be possible for all 1.2 million students that failed this

Goodness! The implication and the multiplier effect on the nation’s economy (and socio-cultural bearing) are dire.

Some of these young people will become journalists and editors, a few will find their way into the banks, some will become teachers, some

class sizes.

And governments, from the federal to local council levels, have got to enforce minimum standards in school, not just colluding with school authorities and collecting bribes.

But the government cannot do this alone, and education is too important to

be left entirely in the hands of government anyway.

Parents must play a more active role. It is not enough to pay the school fees - no matter how expensive.

Some young people spend entirely too much time on DSTV watching football and Mexican soaps. Parents have got to be more hands on. Conversely, some parents have to resist the urge to overburden school kids with disproportionate economic undertakings.

I know it is a rat-race out there and we have to put food on the table and live comfortable enough lives, but we’ve got to take care

of the future too. A look at the WAEC result table shows quite a few states in the North/Northeast at the root of the table. These are the same states now in the worst grip of Boko Haram.

That’s the link. That’s the future unless we begin to change things now.

“But the government cannot do this alone, and education is too important to be left entirely in the hands of government anyway. Parents must play a more active role. It is not enough to pay the school fees - no matter how expensive.”

Foot Print

Rt Hon (Dr) Pius Egberanmwen TODAY’S edition of Foot Prints periscopes the life and works of a man who has inspired myths and legends; a man extravagantly imbued with the audacity and sagacity of a Nehru, and the glorious sublimity of a Gandhi; a legal luminary cum statesman; a consummate humanitarian and public servant: The Executive Deputy Governor of Edo State – RT Hon (Dr) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu.

Any excursion through the glorious life and enthralling works of Pius Odubu will qualify as a bestsellers any day; a literary masterpiece that can capture the imagination of the most ardent skeptic; a legendary, but factual, account of an inspiring life very well lived; the rendition of a sonorous sonata that is as enchanting as it is alluring; a poetic account of the evolution of a colossus per excellence – a lyrical description of an evolving force of nature so to speak.

The story of the evolution of the man today known as Pius Egberanmwen Odubu is unlike those of most of his contemporaries. From his very humble beginnings as an impressionable young man eking out a living in the tropical heats of Uhromehe, to the present hallowed heights he currently occupies as the deputy chief executive officer of the “Heartbeat of Nigeria”, it has been one eventful saga strewn with pleasant twists and turns; a mouthwatering drama

full of sweet suspense – an epic story of the rise and rise of a giant.

RT Hon (Dr) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu (BL) hails from Uhromehe in Urhonigbe North, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. A family man with four children, he is a Barrister at law of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, having been called to the bar in 1986. He attended St Pius Primary School, Urhomehe, Immaculate Conception College, Benin City, in the defunct Bendel State, where he received a Scholarship Award from the then Benin Area Joint Board. In 1977, at the tender age of 19, young Pius proceeded to the United States of America, to further his education.

While in God’s own Country, he attended Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington DC; Southern University School of Law, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Odubu holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in Law; a Masters of Law in International and Comparative Law; and a B.A (Hons) in Political Science. On returning to Nigeria in 1985, he proceeded straight to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was called to the bar in 1986. He is the recipient of several honours and scholarship awards, amongst which are: College Marshall (Best Student), College of Arts

and Humanities, Southern University, Baton Rouge Louisiana, USA, May, 1980; Managing Editor, Southern University Law Review; National Dean’s list (USA); Member Southern University School Law, Moot; Member – WHO is WHO in American Universities; Member, Southern University School of Law, Moot Court Board – the first non-American to be so honoured; Managing Editor, Southern University Law Review – the first non-American to occupy that position; Certificates of Award and Merit from the Southern University School of Law, Moot Court Board; Certificates of Academic Excellence from Southern University; Academic Scholarship for all three years of the Jurist Doctorate Programme; Merit Award as the Best Deputy Governor; The most Outstanding Deputy Governor Award by the Nigerian Union of Journalist, Edo State Council; Certificate of Honour from the RT Hon Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja; Representative of the Southern University Law School at the National Conference of Law Review in California, USA; one of the five most Loyal Deputy Governors in Nigeria Award by the Guardian Newspaper; and several others, too numerous to mention due to lack of space. Odubu is a roundly – formally and informally – educated

man; a sound mind of nom mean repute; one imbued with a completely enlightened and highly eclectic mindset; an illuminated mind so to speak.

With the return of democracy to the country in 1999, Odubu ventured into politics, and won election into the Federal House of Representatives, representing Orhionmwon/ Uhumwode Constituency of Edo State. He was returned again in 2003.

During his stints in the National Assembly, he worked under several Committees and attracted several development projects to his Federal Constituency. From 1999 to 2003, he was the SubCommittee Chairman of the Appropriation, Federal Capital Territory, and Labour Committees. While from 2003 to 2007, he worked as a member of the Public Account, Navy, Marine Transport, Anticorruption, Commerce, and Works Committees.

During his stewardship in the National assembly, he provided employment opportunities for several individuals from his constituency, and financial assistance to law students at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja who hail from his constituency. All these he achieved before taking up his present assignment as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

Odubu qualifies as a contemporary parallel of Alexander The Great, the mighty warrior-king of Ancient Greek; an astute political gladiator

“Odubu qualifies as a contemporary parallel of Alexander The Great, the mighty warrior-king of Ancient Greek; an astute political gladiator emeritus; an enigmatic champion whose life has read like a fairytale since the hands of the almighty thrust him into political prominence...”

By OBUSEH JUDE

emeritus; an enigmatic champion whose life has read like a fairytale since the hands of the almighty thrust him into political prominence; a distinguished member of the army of change – one who has consistently raised the bar in every - academic, legal and political - station he has been privileged to occupy; one who has

a political giant in wo and actions. Si becoming the deputy arguably, the grea leader in the polit history of Edo Sta Governor Adams A Oshiomhole - Odubu shown like a million st transporting that exa office to heights previo unknown, leaving fr markers of distinction

Rt Hon Dr Pius Odubu, Edo State Deputy Govern

formed the habit of expanding on the initial achievements of his predecessors - no matter how Olympian - setting daunting precedents for future occupants of those stations. He is a man with the Midas touch – one of those rear species whose distinguished lives are marked by excellence; one with proven track-records of distinctions in past callings; somebody with a focused mindset; that individual who brings all the lessons garnered from past assignments to bear on new tasks.

Pius Odubu is a distinguished statesman in every sense of the word -

his paths – mighty s for his predecessors to into. He is a man w loyalty has remaine constant and unassai as the northern star; a who has the added pu having effecti acquainted himself in current station; a ma prodigious strength; who religiously adher the principles participatory democra well versed strategist understands the strengths and weakne of opponents, and continued bringing eclectic knowledg practical politics to be plotting effective b strategies, when

Odubu: The

ords ince y to, atest ical te liyu has tars, alted ously resh n in

occasion demands – inputs that, in no small way, have helped in transforming the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) - now All Progressive Congress (APC) - into the powerful force of nature it has become in Edo state.

Odubu has redefined the word “comradeship” in his dealings with his political associates in conjunction with the ordinary members

in words and deeds.

As a political leader, Oduba has proven to be a good listener; somebody whose ego does not restrict from accepting corrections; a down to earth individual who identifies with the people; one who sees public office as a privilege, and not a right; a man with a large amount of humility, and one who is driven by a high sense of altruism – a selfless disposition to governance; a

of his chief constituency – the good people of Edo State. Since becoming the deputy governor of the state, he has stayed true to his oath of office – never derailing from its letters or spirit in the discharge of his core duties. In the several battles his party - the APC - has had to fight, since 2008, Odubu has proven to be a very reliable ally in the war with the opposition; proven to be a born warrior who is ever ready to do battle; a fearless Spartan trained in the art of warfare; a well-versed fighting machine always poised to take as much as he can give; a soldier-hero

sacrificial demeanour in every sense of the word; a team player of the patriotic kind; one who believes that collaboration is more productive than strife; an individual who does not see the business of governance as a one man show; a man who functions more effectively from within a group; an individual who gives up self for the greater good of the larger group; a synergy-builder, whose words and actions are directed towards the interest of the larger society; one who understands group dynamics, and uses it for bettering the lot of others.

nor

shoes o step whose ed as lable man ush of vely n his an of one res to of acy; a who key esses has g his e of ear in battle ever

Foot Print

Gentle Giant

Odubu is a man immensely imbued with a can-do spirit; a positive mental attitude; an ironclad personality; somebody who is selfmotivated to succeed in any endeavour, no matter how formidable. Just like his present boss, whose firm belief in the possibility of “change” has driven the ongoing transformations across the state, Odubu is blessed with an extravagant dose of faith; a man prepared to go the whole hog in the quest for success; one whose motto is that: “Without belief nothing worthwhile can be achieved”; “that all great feats are achieved by people with positive mindsets”; “that nothing can stop people of great faith from reaching their goals”. Odubu has consistently demonstrated what the right mental attitude can do for a people within the short space of time he has been in office.

He is a man with the will and sagacity to succeed; a man driven by an obsessive inclination to thrive; one who fears failure like a virus; a man with a watertight success habitude – an indefatigable spirit that has overcome all obstacles that have stood on his paths to success.

Odubu talks, thinks, envisions, and lives success; a goal-getter with an unquenchable passion for excellence.

The life of Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has been defined by the lessons he has garnered from his past callings. The man, who has metamorphosed into one of the mightiest men of Edo politics - one

of the conquerors of demagogy in Edo land and one of the most brilliant political strategists to have transcended the state’s political landscape, picked up most of his shrewdness from those he has been privileged to work with over the years - individuals who saw his willingness to learn and sparred nothing in ensuring that he was properly prepared to step into their shoes. Odubu impressed his superiors by always coming out on top of every challenge that was thrown his way - an avid student as well as a loyal follower. On several occasions, when it seemed he would fail, he always found a way of emerging unscathed, scaling all the hurdles set before him, and confounding spectators, including his detractors, setting the precedents that have, so far, defined his glorious career - as a scholar, legal luminary and statesman.

It was no surprise, therefore, when Governor Oshiomhole, an avid reader of men, obviously sensing the hallmark of a genius in Pius Odubu, chose him as his assistant; saw the mark of a mastermind in this gentle giant; that mark that separates wheat from chaff; that insignia of greatness; that distinguishing label that draws the line between the ordinary and the special. True to the dictates of his hunches he went for the man he saw not just as a political ally, but as a potential brother and friend; somebody he could trust; somebody who was ready-made for the task at hand; somebody who had no qualms standing up to

whatever challenges the dilapidated project was bound to throw up; somebody poised to join in breaking the Gordian Knot of mind-bending poverty the state and its people were knotted to; somebody who was predisposed to succeeding against all the formidable odds that were starring them in the face; a combatant who would not scamper for safety in the face of potential battle; a winner and conqueror in his own right. He saw these sterling qualities, and even more, before making up his mind on his choice of a deputy.

Since assuming his current position as the Deputy Chief Executive of the state, Odubu has displayed an atypical sense of humility; a rare trait among today’s politicians – especially public office holders – who, as soon as they get into office, become puffed up with pride; assume god-like images that mere mortals are expected to revere. Not this man, who has remained as down to earth as is unusual with somebody occupying a high office in Nigeria.

Both in his relations with his boss and the ordinary man on the streets, Odubu has maintained a demeanour that has set him apart from the crowd. He is a man who sees his hallowed status as a privilege and not a right; a man who sees the position he occupies as an honour afforded him by the magnanimity of his boss who selected him ahead of other candidates in 2008 to be his running mate.

Dr Odubu has maintained a fluid, cordial and blissful

relationship with his boss in his capacity as an assistant; a synergistic affair that has stood the test of time, resulting in the impressive results that have become the signature of the incumbent administration.

Unlike the traditional practices in some Nigerian States, where deputies engage their bosses in wars of attrition, this self-confessed ardent student of Oshiomhole’s school of practical, developmental politics has stayed true and committed to his job description - never crossing the line of decency, nor engaging in any sterile personal pursuits. He is a team-player who believes that nothing good can come out of over ambition - out of a greedy overstretch that saps us of our humanity - vain pursuits that are as empty as they are worthless. It is this unity of purpose between these two men that have driven the groundbreaking feats the present administration has so far achieved - with more in obviously the offing.

RT Hon (Dr) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has proven to be a pacesetter in his own right; one who has properly acquainted himself in every capacity he has been called to serve - both in the past and present. His highly impressive records are strewn everywhere for all perceptive minds to see: A distinguished academic vocation, a trailblazing legal profession, and a thriving political career that promises to spew out better things in the coming years. He is, indeed, a living legend; one whose glorious pedigree continues to inspire the present generation. Much more should be expected from this evolving colossus in the nearest future, truly speaking!

“RT Hon (Dr) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has proven to be a pacesetter in his own right; one who has properly acquainted himself in every capacity he has been called to serve - both in the past and present.”

Discourse

Borno’s Economy Under Boko Haram Insurgency

A couple of years ago, Alhaji Mohammad Asheikh, 52, used to be a major transporter in Gamboru, headquarters of GamboruNgala Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno.

His company — Gamboru Transport Company – then had about 15 trucks in its fleet.

However, Asheikh is now a pauper living on charity, as his once-thriving business has collapsed; thanks to the Boko Haram insurgency.

Recounting his ordeal, Asheikh said that his business nosedived after suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched several attacks on his vehicles on different routes.

“I used to be a major transporter in Gamboru; I had about 15 vehicles, mostly trailers and articulated lorries.

“Unfortunately, I lost everything within a very short time to Boko Haram attacks,’’ he said.

Asheikh said: “It all started in November 2013 when I lost three trailers conveying goods from Kano to Maiduguri during an attack in Benishiekh, the headquarters of Kaga LGA. “The trailers were destroyed in an early morning attack by the insurgents, who also killed the drivers.’’

He said that he lost another trailer in December 2013 in another attack within the same vicinity in Benisheikh.

“When the November attacks occurred, we asked

our drivers to hold on for a while but as soon as they started operation in December, one of my trailers was attacked again in Benisheikh,’’ he moaned.

Asheikh said that he lost three other vehicles in a row in Mafa in January 2014.

“In January this year, I lost three articulated vehicles conveying cement to the Republic of Cameroun during an attack in Mafa, headquarters of Mafa LGA. “I also suffered another huge loss in May when I lost three trailers at the Ngala park,’’ he said, adding: “The trailers were burnt while they were loading cows for transportation to the southern part of the country.

“As it is now, I have lost everything but I thank God that I am still alive,’’ he added.

Asheikh, who is currently taking refuge in a friend’s house in Maiduguri, said that he had been surviving on the goodwill of his friends and former associates.

He, however, noted that a number of people similarly had a harrowing experience as a result of the insurgency.

“So many people have lost their means of livelihood to the insurgency; we believe that the whole thing is a trial from God and it will end one day,’’ he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Alhaji Bello Maduganari, the Chairman of the Maiduguri chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers

(NURTW), said that several members of the union suffered a similar fate.

He specifically said that the Boko Haram violence had destroyed the livelihood of over 1, 000 members of the union in the last few years.

“We lost over 50 members between January 2013 and August 2014, due to attacks on major roads by the insurgents.

“Besides, more than 1,000 commercial vehicles were destroyed during the Boko Haram attacks,’’ he said, adding: “In Bama alone, over 200 commercial vehicles were destroyed.’’

Maduganari, however, noted that the situation was not different in other places like Damboa, Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa and Marte, among others.

“We have large number of members who are now unemployed, as their vehicles were destroyed in the attacks.

“At present, most of them have nothing to do because they have lost their means of livelihood,’’ he added.

The NURTW leader said

that some of the union members had resorted to begging, all in a desperate need to eke out a living.

“In all honesty, the situation is quite terrible but we thank the state government for providing occasional aid for our members, particularly during festivities.

“Last Sallah, the state government donated bags of rice, sugar and other food items to the union; we shared out these items to our members in need,’’ Maduganari said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Modu Bukar, the Chairman of the Monday Market Traders Association, said that the insurgency had virtually destroyed the economic base of the state.

“As I am speaking to you now, over 3,000 traders have been pushed out of business in Maiduguri alone. Traders from Bama, Gamboru, Biu and other towns have also suffered huge losses,’’ he said.

Bukar, nonetheless, noted that traders in the Monday Market were quite lucky to

have survived several attempts to set the market ablaze.

“The Bama market was set ablaze in 2011 and the entire structure was reduced to ashes.

“Although government awarded a contract for the market’s reconstruction, the insurgents returned several times to destroy the new market under construction,’’ he added.

Bukar said: “In Beneshiekh, Marte and other places, several lock-up shops constructed by the government have been completely razed.

“Even in places like Baga and Konduga, fishing villages were attacked on several occasions and hundreds of people were killed.’’

Bukar lamented that the development had created an army of unemployed persons across the state.

He appealed to the Borno State Government and the Federal Government to initiate an economic empowerment programme to tackle the growing unemployment crisis.

Commenting on the issue, Dr Ibrahim Umara of the Department of Political Science, University of Maiduguri, described the situation as pathetic.

He stressed that the Borno State Government must initiate a holistic approach towards revamping the state’s economy after the end of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Reacting, Gov. Kashim Shettima said that his administration was aware of the economic problems created by the Boko Haram crisis.

Shettima said that the government was working on plans to secure a N2 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for smallscale industrialists in the state.

He said that the rationale behind the move was to kickstart the state’s economy by providing soft loans to entrepreneurs whose businesses were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

“The CBN has accepted to provide a N2 billion loan to small-scale industrialists in

the state.

“Part of the money will be distributed to our businessmen in different parts of the state as loan to enable them to revive their businesses, which were destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency,’’ he said.

Shettima said that the government will also look at the possibility of extending the loan to members of the state chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) because of their role in maintaining the state economy.

“We are also making contact with the Bank of Industry to secure a N1 billion loan for our industrialists to enable them to replenish their business,’’ he added.

The governor, however, expressed some reservations on the interest rate being charged on loans by the country’s financial institutions.

“My fears on these loans have to do with the interest element; if the interest rate goes beyond two digits, it will be difficult for industrialists to break even and still pay back the loan,’’ he said.

Nevertheless, Shettima said that the state government would take the responsibility of paying the interest on the loan, while the beneficiaries would be expected to pay back the loan only.

Also speaking, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, the Deputy Governor, said that plans were underway to distribute 500 buses to NURTW members in the state on loan basis to cushion the effect of the insurgency.

Mustapha told newsmen in Maiduguri that the state government would also subsidise the vehicles by 50 per cent to enable the beneficiaries to achieve a breakthrough and make profits.

Observers note that tangible and pragmatic efforts should be made to revive economic activities in Borno, which have experienced a downturn following the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeastern part of the country.

(NAN).

“In January this year, I lost three articulated vehicles conveying cement to the Republic of Cameroun during an attack in Mafa, headquarters of Mafa LGA. I also suffered another huge loss in May when I lost three trailers at the Ngala park...’’

Family Planning

With Eranga Isaac

According to Leith Greens ladeco-chair child health, MDG Health Alliance, cited in the 2014 GBC health/ CAMA annual technical Forum report. “We are in the midst of a maternal and child health survival revolution.

Maternal And Child Health

delivery and outreach platforms to deliver other high impact child survival interventions.

The countries with highest numbers of child deaths from malaria according to UNICEF (2012), include: Nigeria: 143,000 Democratic Republic of Congo:64,000 Cote d’Ivoire: 18,000 Mozambique : 16,000

Partnering To Eliminate Malaria

THE World Malaria Report in 2013 found that between 2000 and 2010, three million fewer children died from Malaria.

According to UNICEF, malaria now accounts for just 7 percent of all child deaths-an estimated 460,000 in 2013- and is dwarfed by other causes including newborn (38 percent), pneumonia (17 percent) and malnutrition which contributes to a massive 45 percent of all under 5 deaths.

Deaths from malaria among children are now on at par with deaths from diarrhea (9 percent) and injuries (5 percent).

According to Leith Greens lade-co-chair child health, MDG Health Alliance, cited in the 2014 GBC health/ CAMA annual technical Forum report.

“We are in the midst of a maternal and child health survival revolution. In the last 25 years, the number of children who die before turning five has valued-from over 12 million to just over 6 million-as has the number of period, the gains were as great and the proportion of children receiving this therapy still remains very low in many of the countries with greatest challenges. The rates

of confirmed diagnosis of malaria among children with fever are even lower in many countries, however on the rise as rapid diagnostic tests are being rapidly out aggressively.

According to the MDG Health Alliance, the increased usage of bednets and malaria diagnosis and treatment has come at a hefty price.

International donors increased their support for malaria 20 fold between on 2000 and 2010, from an estimated $ 100 million to over $2 billion. In addition, many Africa g o v e r n m e n t s

increased the proportion of national health budgets allocated to malaria prevention and treatment. Despite these large increases, it is estimated that a minimum of $5billion is needed to deliver on the promise of universal coverage of malaria prevention and treatment and so greater investment in malaria will be needed to drive child malaria deaths close to zero.

The remarkable progress in reducing childhood malaria deaths has generated a massive opportunity in the countries where malaria is endemic to build on the advocacy,

Angola: 15,000 Chad: 15,000 Niger: 15,000 Mali: 14,000 Uganda: 13,000 Burkinafaso: 13,000 In Nigeria, 16 percent of children sleep under insecticide treated nets, 11 percent children with malaria receives ACT, while 8 percent of children with fever have confirmed malaria diagnosis.

As a matter of urgency, three areas are crying out for greater coordination and integration of malaria with broader

maternal and child health efforts. First if malaria diagnosis and treatment services were able to respond to children who presented with fever but who tested negative for malaria, fewer children would die from undiagnosed and mistreated or untreated pneumonia.

Studies are now emerging showing malaria now accounts for a minority of children who present with fever in malaria endemic settings – some as low as 10 percent and are being dwarfed by children presenting with acute respiratory infections.

Second, malaria in pregnancy contributes to an estimated 11 percent of newborn deaths and hundreds of thousands of stillbirths in Africa.

Despite relatively high rates of prenatal care in many countries, coverage with the recommended doses of intermittent preventive malaria treatment (IPTP) is dismally low.

Third, malnutrition is an underlying cause of almost half of children’s deaths.

“As a matter of urgency, three areas are crying out for greater coordination and integration of malaria with broader maternal and child health efforts. First if malaria diagnosis and treatment services were able to respond to children who presented with fever but who tested negative for malaria, fewer children would die from undiagnosed and mistreated or untreated pneumonia. Studies are now emerging showing malaria now accounts for a minority of children who present with fever in malaria endemic settings – some as low as 10 percent and are being dwarfed by children presenting with acute respiratory infections.”

Political Platform “We are particularly grateful that the elections were devoid of bloodshed and criminality.’’

Commenting on the governorship election in Osun, President Goodluck Jonathan also lauded the conduct of the election.”

Restoring Voters Confidence In Electoral Processes FROM all indications, Nigerians are becoming increasingly interested in the country’s electoral processes, as they now actively participate in elections whenever the need arises to choose their leaders.

Observers believe that the development has somewhat changed the general public perception regarding the apathy of the voting public toward elections.

They, however, attribute the change to factors such as the renewed determination of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Presidency and other relevant government agencies to ensure fairness and transparency in all electoral matters.

Rev. Chuks Alozie, the Executive Vice Chairman, Christian Forum for Governance in Righteousness, a nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisation, noted that voter turnout in elections had dramatically increased in recent times.

“Today in Nigeria, the electorate is encouraged

By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO

because when elections are held and the executive do not use any form of undue advantage to subvert the electoral process,’’ he said.

Alozie, who spoke at a forum in Abuja recently, urged religious leaders to ensure the participation of their followers in the forthcoming general elections.

“We must guide our followers on the democratic process; not by being partisan in approach but by promoting democratic principles and ideals,’’ he said.

He said that the Forum would persuade Nigerians to refrain from exhibiting voter apathy, adding that recent developments had shown that their votes will count much in future elections.

“We look forward to a country where Nigerians

will vote righteous personalities into positions of authority.

“We cannot overemphasise the role of religious leaders in this dispensation; we call on religious leaders to mobilise their followers to participate well in the 2015 general elections,’’ he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, said that the huge voter turnout in Osun and Ekiti governorship elections attested to the fact that the voters’ attitude to electoral processes had changed considerably.

He recalled that the voters even felt secure amid heavy security presence at polling stations during the polls.

“When voters feel

protected, they will come out en masse to cast their votes. Although INEC does not control the level of security deployments, it takes part in the InterAgency Consultative Committee on Election Security. ‘ ‘The percentage of turnout which we have had in the last two elections is unprecedented in the history of Nigerian elections. ‘ ‘In Ekiti, the percentage of voter turnout was 50.64 per cent of the registered voters; in Osun, it was even higher.

“We had 1.4 million registered voters in Osun and the percentage of voter turnout was 54.2 per cent; as a matter of fact, if we take the percentage on the basis of those who collected their cards, it was more than 76 per cent,’’ he said.

Corroborating Idowu’s

viewpoint, the Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), noted that INEC had restored the citizens’ confidence in the electoral process.

In a statement, Abegunrin said: “We commend those who made personal and corporate commitment and sacrifice to secure peace and tranquility during the elections, especially the politicians and their party supporters.

“We are particularly grateful that the elections were devoid of bloodshed and criminality.’’

Commenting on the governorship election in Osun, President Goodluck Jonathan also lauded the conduct of the election.

The president, via a statement signed by Dr Reuben Abati, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, congratulated Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for winning the election.

He said the peaceful conduct of the election reaffirmed his administration’s determination to positively reform Nigeria’s electoral processes.

Jonathan commended INEC and security agencies for ensuring that the election was free, fair, credible and peaceful.

He also said the outcome

“We had 1.4 million registered voters in Osun and the percentage of voter turnout was 54.2 per cent; as a matter of fact, if we take the percentage on the basis of those who collected their cards, it was more than 76 per cent.’’

of the election vindicated him, as there were some allegations that the Federal Government had put in place some measures for Ekiti and Osun elections to give victory to his party – the PDP. Observers note that such statements by the president will further restore the voters’ confidence in the electoral processes and strengthen the country’s democracy.

For instance, Mr Wale Ogunade, the President of Voters’ Awareness Initiative, said that INEC had garnered the confidence of the electorate because of the way it handled the last two elections.

He, however, urged the commission to improve on ways of boosting the voters’ confidence, adding it should also strive to improve its service delivery in future elections.

Although some cynics have expressed doubt about the ability of INEC to successfully conduct transparent elections in 2015, observers insist that the commission’s feats in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have proved such pessimists wrong.

They, nonetheless, underscore the need to maintain neutrality in the coming elections, while the security agencies should make pragmatic efforts to provide adequate security.

“Such measures will ensure increased participation of the electorate in all electoral processes, while restoring the voters’ confidence in the outcome of elections,’’ some observers say.

Archival Matters

King Ahab And His Advisers 2015 is a stone throw away. Invariably, there is a lot of political activities going on at present.

Expectedly, also, advisers have sprouted like mushrooms all over the place. Each one of them is offering one piece of sweet advice or the other to their political leaders and colleagues on how to keep their offices or acquire them like their personal effects.

Trusts, every advisee is all ears.

Most of them however have not bothered to probe the authenticity of advice given. Yet, a lot of advice these days are from the devil, not of God. So, such advice lead to perdition. This scenario would be explained better in this biblical story in the Book of Kings. Happy reading.

Elijah Once upon a time, there were two advisers anointed

by God called Elijah and Micaiah as well as a king of Israel known as Ahab.

This king was very wicked, turned his face away from God, loved Alleluyah choristers and worshipped mammon. In other words he was like Nigerian leaders of today.

King Ahab although stupendously rich therefore still coveted the small vineyard of his subject Naboth. The king one day told Naboth: “Give me your vineyard so that I can use it for a garden of herbs.

Because it is near my house. In return, I will give you a better vineyard.

Alternatively, I will offer you good money for your vineyard.”

Naboth rejected King Ahab’s royal offers. Why? It was because he didn’t want to trade off his patrimonial inheritance from his ancestors.

However, King Ahab was displeased by Naboth’s effrontery. Jezebel, Ahab’s wife noticed her husband wasn’t happy. She soon found out the reason for his depression. Thereafter, she plotted to deploy guile to take over Naboth’s vineyard without even paying any compensation for the property. Behold, King Ahab’s democracy without dividends!!

She wrote letters with King Ahab’s conspiracy which she sent out to elders and nobles of Samaria City, directing them to falsely use the two sons of Belial to accuse Naboth of

He was pleased with their advice. That was what he wanted to hear, anywhere.

Dictators and little minds love panegyrics and monologues, afterall.

Zedekiah, son of Chenaanah, King Ahab political adviser as well as friend, endorsed what the prophets had said. He told

presence.

On their way to the palace of King Ahab the messenger implored Micaiah to join the other advisers to speak of good tidings for King Ahab in the war to reclaim RamothGilead. But Micaiah ignored him. Micaiah retorted instead: “I would never lie before the King. I will only deliver the true

me, only evil. Here again, he has proved me right.

Micaiah tried to give an epistemological background of how God transmitted his advice to him. No dice. King Ahab wouldn’t listen. Those whom the devil has blessed, man can curse.

When a dog is destined to be lost, it doesn’t hear his master’s whistle!! So, it was for King Ahab.

He winked at Zedekiah, his political, follow-follow

blood …. King Ahab went to war with Syria in which he died and which Syria won. Thus, all the advice of Elijah and Micaiah came to pass. Then, of course, Micaiah was later freed from prison.

The lesson here is that in these dreary political time, everyone of us should be wary of the advice we get from false friends, associates, NGOs market traders, solidarity groups, wives, godfathers and other

King Ahab: “Go up to Ramoth-Gilead and prosper, for the Lord shall deliver it to you. The Syrians would be consumed by your fiery army. Thus, sayeth the Lord”.

Once again, this advice gladdened the heart of King Ahab. Nevertheless, he still wanted a final confirmatory counsel from Micaiah, acknowledged all over the land as an honest, truthful adviser. So, he sent his messenger to usher Micaiah into his royal

adviser God has put in me”.

Soon, Micaiah was standing before King Ahab.

First, he sold dummy victory to the King and then in a mocking 360o turn, Micaiah advised against the war because it would end in total defeat for Israel. On hearing the words of Micaiah, King Ahab faced King Jehosaphat of Judah and observed, Did I not tell you that this man called Micaiah does not like me?

I told you he doesn’t prophesy good concerning

adviser. Zedekiah took his cue, walked up to Micaiah and landed a fat slap on his face. Thereafter, King Ahab ordered that Micaiah should be thrown into prison for his “misaduice.”

The King’s directive was carried out. In prison, he was fed a refugee ration of affliction.

Final Word Eventually, Jezebel was however killed by a mob in the city of Samaria at the spot Naboth was murdered and there dogs fed on her flesh as well as licked her

sundry entities. Such advice are from Belzebub, not of God. Because these day God is distant from most of us. Second Chronicles 7/14 says; “If my people call upon me, can humble themselves and seek my face, I will answer their good prayers.” Tell me, where are the good prayers, humility and divine conduct that facilitate the right advice we need today from God? What a WAEC question!!

Only few people can score credit in its.

By MICHAEL ODIGBE

blasphemy against the king and God. Based on this falsehood, Naboth should then be stoned to death.

Her directive was carried out. At the end of the day, Naboth was really stoned to death. A case of trial without justice.!!

Now, enter Elijah, the adviser that God used to deliver quality messages to society. Call him a prophet if you choose. God called him up and told him: “Arise, go down to meet Ahab, King of Israel.

Behold he is in the vineyard of Naboth. He killed the poor man because of his vineyard.

Tell the king that he would die a disgraceful death and that dogs would lick his blood at the scene of his death just as they did to Naboth.”

Elijah delivered God’s message unadulterated to King Ahab. He didn’t change it to collect shekels, gifts or parcels of land from the king. Neither did he accept a political appointment from the king, do as to deliver endorsement for his action.

He gave truthful advice from both sides of his mouth as we do today like a fish in water.

King Ahab later repented for his atrocities. Because of his remorse, God mitigated his punishment.

King Ahab’s lineage would now be sanctioned for his sin. Hear God: “I will not bring evil in his days but in his son’s days will I bring evil upon his house.

Jezebel never atoned for her sins. Therefore, she was doomed. She would die in disgraceful circumstances in the city of Samaria and dogs would eat her up and lick her blood as they did to Naboth, God decreed.

Micaiah Micaiah, like Elijah, was a prophetic adviser who reigned in the days of King Ahab. His utility as an honest adviser with God mind came to the fore when King Ahab and his counterpart King of Judah, Jehosaphat, were preparing for war with Syria to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead occupied by her.

Following tradition, King Ahab sought the advice of 400 prophets. All of them informed him with lying spiritual tongues that God had ordained total victory for him and Israel.

“The lesson here is that in these dreary political time, everyone of us should be wary of the advice we get from false friends, associates, NGOs market traders, solidarity groups, wives, godfathers and other sundry entities. Such advice are from Belzebub, not of God.”

Science

Farm Tools And Their Uses

FARM TOOLS Farm tools are instruments we use in the farm to aid us in farm work, thereby making it easy. Such equipments include cutlass, wheel barrow hoe, shovel and axe.

PICK AXE The pick axe is made up of a long wooden handle with a double headed thick metal blade that is attached to the handle through a loop.

The head of the pick axe is made up of two edges, one part of the end of the blade is pointed, while the other end is flat and sharp edged. They are mainly used for breaking up of hard soil, and digging up of roots and tree stumps.

HAND FORK When it is viewed, the hand fork, looks like the kitchen fork we eat with, just that it is a little bit bigger, it has a short wooden or metal handle with four prongs. It is used in mixing manure into the soil, for breaking the surface of the soil, so that air and water, can pass easily and it is also used for the removal of weeds on the seed bed.

HAND TROWEL It is boat shaped or it is either curved sloop metal blade that is attached to a short wooden or metal handle. When using it, you hold it with one hand. It helps in the transplanting of seedlings, for the application of fertilizer and also for the application of manure to the soil, it helps in loosening vegetable beds, it can also be used for light weeding, sampling or mixing up of soil and digging holes for the planting of seeds.

THE SICKLE The sickle has a curved metal blade that is fitted into a short wooden handle. The inner part of the curved metal blade is very sharp while the other part, has a blunt edge.

To recognise a sickle when been viewed, it has a structure like that of a question mark (?). It used in the plucking of fruits. This can only be possible, when it is tied to a long handle, it can also be used to harvest cereals like rice, wheat barley because they possess thin stems. It can also be used in the harvest of grasses.

THE HAMMER It is made up of a thick heavy metal head that is fitted into a straight wooden or metal handle. At the end of the thick heavy metal there is a prong which is used for the removal of nails. The hammer can be used for driving nails into wooden structures whether in the farm or at home, it can also be used to straighten damaged or bent components of either farm implements or our home furnitures. It can also be used in the removal of nails from wood.

With Oyakhilome Clementina

THE MALLET It is made up of a large head with a wooden handle that is similar to that of a hammer. The entire body is made up of wood. It is solely used for the hitting of woods like pegs, so that they would not be damaged in the process, when they are been hit into the ground.

SECATEURS The secateurs are made up of two metal blades of which one has a concave curve while the other has a convex curve that are joined together at a point. It has two short metal handles with a spring in between them when handling it; you handle with one hand, while the plant branch to be cut is held with the other free hand.

To recognise the secateurs it looks like a pair of scissors. It is used for trimming flowers and the pruning of the branches of shrubs and trees.

THE SHEARS It is seen as a pair of an enlarged pair of scissors with two long blades, connected at a appoint by a bolt and a nut of which the blades are sharpened at one edge not the two sides in other not to injure some one.

The handle of the shears may be made of wood, metal, plastic or rubber. It is usually handled with both hands. Shears are used to prune down trees or branches of shrubs, trimming of hedges and trimming of Ornamental plants used in house decoration.

WATERING CAN It is made up of galvanized iron which prevents it from rusting. Some are also made of very synthetic rubber. The water watering can is made up of a tank, a handle and a spout. This spout is long with a perforated metal sheet over its mouth which is referred to as the ROSE, but in case of the rubber made watering can the mouth is covered by a rubber.

It is used to apply water to crops like seedlings in a nursery and vegetables.

Some times it is used in applying liquid fertilizers to crops as well as the watering of cement blocks used for the constructions of structures and buildings.

CUTLASS The cutlass is one of the commonest used farm tools in Nigeria. They come in various shapes and sizes. It is a flat long metal blade with a short wooden or plastic handle with one edge sharp while the other is blunt.

They perform many functions. It is used for the clearing of bushes around your homes, for the felling of big trees. It is used in harvesting crops like sugar cane, maize, cassava, yam and palm nut fruits. It is also used in the planting of melon during the planting season, cutlass can also be used for the transplanting of seedlings, weeding of crops, both in the digging of shallow holes and used in the trimming and pruning of flowers.

THE HOE Hoe comes in different types, which are used in Nigeria today. There is the West African hoe and the Indian hoe. They both have metal blades with a wooden or metal blades.

Hoes are used in tilling the soil, harvesting of crops like cassava, sweet potato and cocoyam, weeding between the rows of crops, digging of drains, making trenches and foundation of farm houses, and the making of ridges and mounds.

The hoes all over the world perform the same function but we are going to differentiate them the West African hoe is made of short curve handle while the Indian hoe has a long handle.

The West African hoe has a round metal blade while the Indian hoe has a rectangular metal blade. The blade (metal) is attached to the handle with a prong while that of the Indian hoe is attached to the handle with a hoop.

THE SPADE The spade is made up of a long rectangular flat blade which is attached to a fairly long cylindrical handle that widens at the posterior end to form a triangular block with a D-shaped whole for hand when used.

Spade is used for different proposes. It can be used for digging of holes and trenches around us, for leveling the ground, for making seedbeds, ridges, mounds and heaps, transplanting of seedlings like palm oil seedlings, turning the soil and the mixing of manures, light weeding in the farm and at home, mixing of cement and concrete for farm and home structures and the digging of foundations when constructing farm and home buildings.

Issues Bridging Polytechnic-University Degree Dichotomy THE discrimination between Higher National Diploma (HND) and university degree holders when it gets to job placements and career progression has been a source of grave concern, particularly to HND holders.

Educationists describe polytechnic education as a system of education that places considerable emphasis on practical training and technological know-how.

On the other hand, university education is designed to produce graduates with theoretical understanding and competence in various disciplines.

Observers, however, underscore the need to maintain fairness in dealing with issues relating to the products of the two categories of tertiary education.

They note that while it takes four years of academic studies with practical applications in the polytechnic to acquire HND, a university degree, on the other hand, is obtained after undergoing undergraduate studies for four or more years, depending on the courses.

However, HND holders claim that they face some discrimination with regard to their career progression in different organisations, as some ceilings are placed on their career advancement.

They argue that the disparity in the treatment of HND holders and university graduates has made the public to view polytechnic education as inferior to university education.

They note that on several occasions, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics protested against the disparity.

Observers, nonetheless, note that the disparity and the public perception of the quality of polytechnic diplomas vis a vis university degrees have somewhat put additional pressure on university admission processes.

They say that the removal

Any Hope In Sight?

of the discrimination between HND certificates and university degrees was one of the kernels of ASUP’s demands when it embarked on an indefinite strike in October 2013. The strike was, however, called off in July 2014.

In a bid to address this controversy, the Federal Government in May 2014 inaugurated a committee to examine the difference between the polytechnic education and university education.

The committee is mandated to review the curriculum for HND studies, including the possibility of introducing a bridging course that can enable polytechnic graduates to attain the highest positions in the public service.

It is also expected to look into ways of designing a programme that would enable polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degrees.

Inaugurating the committee, Mr Nyesom Wike, the Supervising Minister of Education at that time, said that the committee was set up as part of efforts to resolve one of the key demands of ASUP. Wike urged the committee to work hard within stipulated time to resolve the challenge posed by the dichotomy.

Observers, however, commend the Federal Government for the initiative, insisting that the review will address some salient issues in education sector.

Mr Akin Shogunle, a lecturer in Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, said that the harmonisation of HND certificates and university degrees ought to have been done before now.

He, however, noted that the training, which HND holders received, was expected to complement that of the university degree holders, particularly in the

By VICTOR ADEOTI area of technical studies.

“University degree and HND holders should be accorded the same recognition; it will go a long way in bringing peace and stability to the tertiary education system.

He urged the members of the current committee to be knowledgeable on the issues involved, saying that Nigerians were optimistic that the committee would do a thorough work on the assignment.

Besides, Mr Abdulwahab Oyekanmi, a student of Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger, also commended the government for the action.

He, nonetheless, called on that government to resolve other major issues affecting the polytechnic system in the country.

Mr Abraham Owolabi, the Director of Osun Board

said that that there was no need to differentiate between HND and university degrees.

“I don’t think there is any need for this dichotomy because HND holders and university graduates have the same process of training,’’ he said.

He said that competence should be the benchmark for assessing HND holders and

Ibrahim Shekarau, Education Minister

“This is because people are no longer interested in going to polytechnics because of the perceptible differences,’’ he said.

Shogunle, nonetheless, lauded the government’s commitment in efforts to resolve the differences between the holders of the two certificates permanently.

However, Mr John Bassey, a civil servant, recalled that the former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, once set up a similar committee to address the disparity.

Sharing similar sentiments, Miss Philomena Udeze, a student of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra, said that the action of the Federal Government was quite encouraging.

She said that students in polytechnics across the country had serious reservations about the country’s education system.

“The whole thing is very frustrating; I hope and pray that government will expedite action in implementing the report of the committee,’’ she said.

“Observers, however, commend the Federal Government for the initiative, insisting that the review will address some salient issues in education sector.”

for Technical and Vocational Education, also underscored the need to address the disparity existing between polytechnic graduates and degree holders in the country.

Owolabi, who partly attributed the snail speed of Nigeria’s technological advancement to the disparity in the remuneration of HND holders and university graduates, stressed that the development had created unhealthy rivalry between workers.

“Any nation, which has developed technologically, would have given priority attention to technical and polytechnic education,’’ he said.

In his views, Assemblyman Folorunso Bamisayemi, the Chairman, Osun House of Assembly’s Committee on Education,

university graduates, and not the certificate which an individual was holding.

Nevertheless, Bamisayemi commended the Federal Government for constituting a committee to resolve issues relating to the dichotomy between the two categories of graduates.

He also said that harmonisation of both certificates was long overdue but urged members of the committee to “tread softly, so as not to bruise the ego of degree holders.’’

All in all, observers underscore the need to enlighten the public on how to promote harmony among the two certificate holders, as the nation awaits the government’s White Paper on the report which the committee has submitted.

(NAN)

International Wife Of UK Hostage Issues was an act of sheer Plea To Militants compassion,” she said.

LONDON — The wife of a British aid worker held hostage by the Islamic State group has issued a statement pleading for the militants to release him and respond to her messages “before it is too late.”

The Islamic State group, which has released online videos showing the beheading of two American journalists and another British aid worker, has threatened to kill former taxi driver Alan Henning next.

Attacks Kill 6 In Iraq

BAGHDAD — Authorities in Iraq say a bombing and mortar fire have killed six people in Shiite areas in and around the capital, Baghdad.

Police officials said that three mortar shells landed on a residential area in Sabaa alBour, just north of Baghdad, killing four, including a 12year old-boy. Several cars were damaged in the attack, which wounded 14.

Later, a bomb blast in a commercial street killed two people and wounded four in the capital’s northeastern district of Shaab.

Medical officials confirmed the casualty tolls. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Attacks against Shiite civilians are common tactics used by Islamic State militant group, which considers Shiites heretics and has captured large chunks of territory in western and northern Iraq.

Henning, 47, was kidnapped in December in Syria, shortly after crossing into the country from Turkey in an aid convoy.

His wife, Barbara, implored the militants to “see it in their hearts” to release him in a statement released by Britain’s Foreign Office late Saturday.

“Alan is a peaceful, selfless man who left his family and his job as a taxi driver in the U.K. to drive in a convoy all the way to Syria with his Muslim colleagues and friends to help those most in need,” she wrote.

“His purpose for being there was no more and no less. This

The aid worker was driving an ambulance loaded with food and water at the time of the kidnapping, Barbara Henning said. She added that the militants have not responded to her repeated attempts to make contact.

Her appeal came after dozens of Muslim leaders in Britain urged the Islamic State group to release Henning.

More than 100 imams and Muslim organizations signed a statement expressing their “horror and revulsion” at the murder of three other hostages, including Briton David Haines.

They said the extremists were “not acting as Muslims” but as “monsters.”

Afghanistan’s presidential election candidates Abdullah Abdullah (left), and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (right), shake hands after signing a power-sharing deal at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday.

Afghan Presidential Candidates Sign Unity Deal

KABUL — Afghanistan’s two presidential candidates signed a power-sharing deal yesterday that makes one president and the other chief executive, ending months of political wrangling following a disputed runoff that threatened to plunge the country into turmoil and complicate the withdrawal of foreign troops.

The incoming president — Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai — and new Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah signed the national unity government deal as President Hamid Karzai — in power since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion ousted the Taliban — looked on. The deal creates the new role of chief executive following weeks of negotiations on a power-sharing arrangement, after accusations of fraud in the June runoff vote.

The candidates signed the agreement at the presidential palace, then exchanged a hug and a handshake.

“I am very happy today that both of my brothers, Dr. Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah

Abdullah, in an Afghan agreement for the benefit of this country, for the progress and development of this country, that they agreed on the structure affirming the new government of Afghanistan,” Karzai said after the signing.

The deal is a victory for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who first got the candidates to agree in principle to share power during a July visit to Afghanistan.

Kerry returned to Kabul in August and has spent hours with the candidates, including in repeated phone calls, in an effort to seal the deal.

A White House statement lauded the two leaders, saying the agreement helps bring closure to Afghanistan’s political crisis.

“This agreement marks an important opportunity for unity and increased stability in Afghanistan. We continue to call on all Afghans — including political, religious, and civil society leaders — to support this agreement and to come together in calling for cooperation and

Syrian Kurd children carry their belongings as they enter Turkey near Suruc in Sanliurfa province after their families fled Islamic State fighters recently.

calm,” the White House statement said.

Jan Kubis, the top U.N. official in Afghanistan, said the uncertainty of the past months took a heavy toll on Afghanistan’s security, economy and governance. NATO said in a statement that it hoped both leaders could move forward “in the spirit of genuine political partnership.”

The four-page power sharing contract says the relationship between president and chief executive — a position akin to prime minister — must be defined by “partnership, collegiality, collaboration, and, most importantly, responsibility to the people of Afghanistan.”

It spells out the powers for the new chief executive position: participation with the president in bilateral meetings, carrying out administrative and executive affairs as determined by presidential decree, and parity in selection of key security and economic ministries.

The deal specifies that the president leads the Cabinet but that the chief executive manages the Cabinet’s implementation of government policies. The chief executive will also chair regular meetings of a council of ministers.

An inauguration ceremony to see Ghani Ahmadzai replace Karzai as president and swear in Abdullah as chief executive was expected within days. Abdullah’s spokesman Fazel Sancharaki said the event could be held on Sept.

29. The election commission said it would release official vote totals later yesterday.

As talks dragged on, Abdullah’s mostly northern supporters had threatened to form a parallel government or react violently to any outright victory

by Ghani Adhmadzai, a former finance minister and World Bank

official whose power base is in the country’s south and east.

Ghani Ahmadzai said he always maintained that ethnic politics in Afghanistan demand some sort of power sharing deal and not a winner-takes-all government.

Abdullah believes he won the first round of the election back in April with more than 50 percent of the vote, which would have precluded a runoff. But the official results showed him winning about 45 percent of that

vote in a crowded presidential field of 10, not quite enough for an outright victory.

He also believes he won a June runoff with Ghani Ahmadzai. But initial results totals showed Ghani Ahmadzai with about 56 percent of the vote. After the recount the election commission invalidated 1 million of the approximately 8.1 million cast in the runoff, suggesting that fraud was indeed widespread. Ghani Ahmadzai’s winning percentage dropped to about 55 percent.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

EKIADOLOR - BENIN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The Management of College of Education, EkiadolorBenin, hereby orders all Staff, Teaching and Nonteaching, to return to their duty posts with immediate effect.

All members of Staff are to note the following: i. Any Staff who refuses to comply with this directive shall incur the labour policy of no work, no pay; ii. That abandonment of duty post attracts severe disciplinary action; iii. That the Coalition of Tertiary Institutions in Edo State is not known to any existing law in the State since it is not a registered trade union; iv. That the above should serve as sufficient notice/ advice to all Staff of the College; and v. That adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and protection of all Staff

International

Lebanon: Suicide Bomber Hits Hezbollah BEIRUT - A suicide bomber killed a number of people Saturday at a Hezbollah checkpoint near Lebanon’s border with Syria, hours after news that the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda had executed a Lebanese soldier.

Lebanon has long been on edge over the three-and-a-halfyear civil war in Syria.

Violence frequently spills over into the country and troops have been battling jihadists in eastern Lebanon sporadically since August.

Hezbollah’s fighters have been supporting the regime of Syrian President Bashar alAssad in a war against mostly Sunni Muslim rebels.

A security official in the Lebanese city of Baalbek said Saturday a suicide bomber blew himself up near a Hezbollah checkpoint in the Khraybeh area in the Bekaa Valley.

“The Hezbollah fighters at the checkpoint were all killed” and a number more nearby were wounded, he added, without saying how many there were in total.

Lebanon’s National News Agency said three people had been killed at the checkpoint, without specifying that they were fighters.

Earlier, the government announced that a soldier had been executed by Al-Nusra

Front, the Syrian affiliate of AlQaeda.

The soldier “was killed by terrorist groups who threatened to kill other hero soldiers in captivity”, Defence Minister Samir Moqbel said after meeting security officials.

One of Al-Nusra’s Twitter accounts announced that the group had killed the soldier it was holding hostage.

- First execution by Nusra The soldier “Mohammed Hammiya, first victim of the Lebanese army’s stubbornness,” the Tweet read.

It was the first claim of its kind made by Al-Nusra since around 30 soldiers and policemen were kidnapped in the town of Arsal near the border with Syria, during fighting between the Lebanese army and jihadists from Syria.

The fighting in Arsal was the most serious border incident since the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011.

In late August and early September, two Lebanese soldiers — one Sunni and one Shiite — were beheaded by the extremist Islamic State group, which had been holding a number of the hostages.

Hammiya was a Shiite.

In the same Tweet, Al-Nusra accused the army of having “become a puppet in the hands of the Iranian party”, a reference to Hezbollah, which

Chinese Destroyer Docks TEHRAN, Iran — A In Iran Chinese destroyer has docked in a southern Iranian port in the first such visit to the country by the Chinese navy, Iran’s state television reported yesterday.

Adm. Hossein Azad, naval base chief in the southern port of Bandar Abbas, said the four-day visit that began Saturday saw the two navies sharing expertise in the field of marine rescue.

“On the last day of their visit while leaving Iran, the Chinese warships will stage a joint drill in line with mutual collaboration, and exchange of marine and technical information particularly in the field of aid and rescue,” said Azad.

The report said the destroyer was accompanied by a logistics ship, and that both were on their way to the Gulf of Aden as a part of an international mission to combat piracy.

In recent years Iran’s navy has increased its bilateral relations with various countries involved in fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

Iranian media said Iran defended two Chinese commercial ships that were targeted by pirates in recent months.

Last year a Russian naval group docked in the same port on its way back from a Pacific

Ocean mission.

The move is also seen part of off efforts by Iran to strike a balance among foreign navies present in the area near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the passageway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped.

U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet is based in nearby Bahrain, on the southern coast of the Gulf.

is backed by Shiite-majority Iran and is loathed by jihadists and Syrian rebels for supporting Assad.

The kidnappers had been demanding the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from Syria and a prisoner swap for Islamist prisoners held in Lebanon.

The fighting erupted on August 2 and ended five days later with a truce, as jihadists took shelter in the mountainous

areas along the Syrian border.

Since then the army has clashed sporadically with the jihadists, and on Friday two Lebanese soldiers were killed in a bomb attack on their vehicle in the Arsal area.

Lebanese forces resumed their shelling of jihadist positions in retaliation, and launched a widespread campaign of arrests.

On Saturday, soldiers stepped up artillery fire, a

security source said, and the government stressed the need to “continue the confrontation” with “extremist forces”.

At least 11 members of AlNusra and other Islamist rebel groups were killed overnight in the bombardment of the Arsal region, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

On September 5, Al-Nusra broadcast a new video of nine Lebanese soldiers and

policemen, saying that they could “pay the price” for Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict.

The war in neighbouring Syria has destabilised Lebanon, which has taken in more than one million refugees, and split the country’s inhabitants between those who are sympathetic to the Syrian regime and those who back the rebels battling for its overthrow.

Lebanese army troops take position on the road leading to Arsal in the eastern Bekaa Valley.

TIRANA, Albania — Pope Francis denounced that extremists around the world are “perverting” religion to justify violence as he arrived yesterday in Albania, a Balkan nation where Christians and Muslims endured brutal religious oppression under communism but today live and work together peacefully.

Security was unusually tight for Francis’ visit to the majority Muslim country amid reports that militants who trained in Iraq and Syria had returned and might pose a threat.

The Vatican insisted no special security measures were taken, but Francis’ interactions with the crowd were much reduced compared to his previous foreign trips: His open-topped vehicle

Pope Denounces Perversion Of Religion For Violence sped down Tirana’s main boulevard, not stopping once for Francis to greet the faithful as is his norm.

He only kissed a few babies at the very end of the route as he neared the square where he celebrated Mass. Uniformed Albanian police formed human chains to keep the crowds at bay behind barricades while Francis’ own bodyguards stood watch, perched on the back of his car or jogging alongside. Albania’s Interior Ministry promised “maximum” protection from

Pope Francis signs the guest book as he arrives at the Presidential palace for a meeting with Albania’s president Bujar Nishani in Tirana.

2,500 police forces and beefedup patrols at border crossings.

In his opening speech, Francis told President Bujar Nishani, Albanian officials and the diplomatic corps that Albania’s interreligious harmony was an “inspiring example” for the world, showing that ChristianMuslim coexistence was not only possible but beneficial for a country’s development.

“This is especially the case in these times in which authentic religious spirit is being perverted by extremist groups, and where religious differences are being distorted and instrumentalized,” he said.

“Let no one consider themselves to be the ‘armor’ of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and oppression!” Francis said in the wood-paneled reception room of Tirana’s presidential palace.

That harmony was on hand during Francis’ main event Sunday: A Mass in a square named after Albania’s most famous Catholic — Mother Teresa — attended by tens of thousands of people, including senior representatives of Albania’s Muslim, Orthodox and Bektashi groups, seated in places of honor.

It was Francis’ first visit to a majority Muslim nation since the Islamic State crackdown on Christians in Iraq, with members of religious minorities being killed, persecuted or forced to flee their homes by militants. The Vatican has voiced mounting concern about the exodus of faithful from lands where Christian communities have

existed for 2,000 years.

Muslims make up about 59 percent of Albania’s population, with Catholics amounting to 10 percent and Orthodox Christians just under that, according to the country’s official figures.

Francis’ decision to visit tiny, poor Albania before any major European capital is in keeping with his desire for the Catholic Church to go to the “periphery.”

Albania is seeking European Union membership and his visit comes just a few weeks before he delivers a major speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Albania’s president, Nishani, thanked Francis for making the country his first European destination, saying it was a historic event for all Albanians.

“There is no intolerance, extremism among us but reciprocal respect inherited from generation to generation,” he said. “From an atheist country, we have turned into a country of religious freedom.”

The capital’s main Boulevard Martyrs of the Nation was decorated with Albanian and Vatican flags, as well as giant portraits of 40 Catholic priests who were persecuted or executed under Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha, who declared Albania the world’s first atheist state in 1967.

Hundreds of priests and imams were jailed, scores executed before the regime fell in 1990.

Francis paid tribute to these martyrs and those from other faiths, saying they showed witness to their faith even under persecution.

Religion

Exalting God Through Worship

WORSHIP means to revere something as in images, personalities as kings, Queen or emperor, supreme being as the one true God. If God is true, then true worship and reverence should be accorded to them. There is false worship which irritate God. It makes him dormant and it silences his presence in our lives.

Worship should be stressed and emphasized because this is one of the means of communication with him. It is like a phone calls or a supplication, conversations, and airing your state of mind to someone or somebody you think can and will help you with whatever challenges or problems you are being faced with.

True worship emphasizes on giving God our all, that is, our time, body, mind, money (giving to the body), and giving to the development of his house of worship or probably a temple that is built in his name.

True worship does not apply to just members alone but also the church leaders. The mind of Christians should be geared towards attaining the highest height of praise and worship.

By OMORODION LAWRENCE True worship can be of different forms and ways.

Different attitudes prompt different kind of worship.

But the intriguing and the most interesting part of all is when Christians tag their needs and aspirations to the mode and reasons of worship. This can not be challenged because more than half of the Christians that we have today worship God because of what they can get and achieve from the act of worship.

It is very imperative for every believers or Christians to free their heart and surrender all they have to God, and worship him as if they are encountering their last day.

Putting God first in our heart and our works therefore challenge God with our needs. Many therefore challenge God with their needs. Many Christians or believers of the old lived for God, and not putting their needs before God. Your need never provide more to fulfil your needs, but only God can

provide us with our needs.

God can not be replaced with our personal needs, because if we do, then, God will put us last. Because he is the provider and supplier of all our needs. He made sure he removes every lack and austerity in our lives, that is, when we work rightly with him.

God is a jealous personality and he does not accept second hand worship, and hates worship that comes from hypocrites.

There are different ways of exalting God with true worship, and these are some of them.

We can exalt God through total submission, human beings or rather

Christians can submit their will and all about them to God by exalting him in high places, revere him through our exaltation. There is a spirit that feels every Christians should engage themselves in true worship and exaltation, as a Christian that want God to always intervene in whatever he or she does. Nothing should be hidden from God when one chooses to exalt and worship God in spirit and in truth. We have some hypocrite that think that exaltation does good and help God grow and develop in size and probably enrich God financially, spiritually and otherwise, but this is wrong because God already have these things in abundance because he created them for the use and for man’s consumption while doing his work and carrying out his assignment while on earth.

Man can challenge and exalt God through pure

mindset and piety. Every man who is ready to exalt and worship God should try as much as possible to be pure in heart and in spirit. One can not be dirty and want to worship God with his dirty mind, soiled hands can not lift God above his present position because those hands is rather worthless and useless before the Almighty.

Exalting God through the acceptance of his son Jesus Christ as the Lord and saviour of our lives and still holding on to the testimony and confession, we can exalt God through extending his words to other people who are still living in darkness, and those who have not heard and accepted his lordship.

Most of us think going to church on Sunday’s ends there, but it is not true. What about the spiritual growth and development that is to be encountered. For every Christian to grow in their social life, physical life, first they need to grow spiritually to enhance the other part of their lives.

And how do we undergo this growth?

The mind should be filled with the word of God, giving our mind and our body to the Holy Spirit to use. The Holy Spirit use our body and time in such a way that will enhance and further our course in life, speaking about improvement and development.

The Holy Spirit enrich our lives with so many great things and many blessings God has in store for us. We begin to explore all the divine blessings.

One thing that stands in the lives of most Christians in how to forgive their

fellow man, even their fellow brethren and Christians. Their lives and hearts are so bittered towards other people who failed them in one or two ways. This unforgiveness leads to rebellion against others with their heart and even with their actions.

When unforgiveness keep or lies in our hearts for so long, then, this will therefore hinder great things that are supposed to come our way.

Forgiveness is very paramount in lives of every Christians, and therefore Christians should imbide the virtue of forgiveness. Everyone is guilty of one sin or the other, offences are being committed against neighbours and God. God forgives without hesitation, he washes our sins away every time we sincerely feel remorse for our sins and ask for forgiveness. If God the creator could forgive, then who are we humans not to forgive those that offend us.

Giving to the poor, the needy can also exalt and please God because they are people of God as well.

The bible acknowledge and recognise giving saying “blessed is the man that giveth than the man that taketh. This means that God recognise and he is pleased with givers.

Piety is another vital and relevant way of life of a true Christian that really want God’s presence in his or her life. True exaltation is accepted and received from a pious and pure in heart.

Honesty pleases God and accorded to those who chose to be but not because of themselves but to please God and do things right.

“Giving to the poor, the needy can also exalt and please God because they are people of God as well.”

English FA Chairman Calls For End To Gift-Giving In Sports THE English Football Association should lead the way in rejecting a culture of giftgiving in football to counter continual allegations of corruption and bribery within the sport’s governing bodies, FA chairman Greg Dyke said on yesterday.

Dyke, 67, was one of 65 officials given luxury watches, valued at 25,000 Swiss francs ($26,600), by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) prior to this year’s World Cup finals.

FIFA has asked the officials to return the watches by Oct. 24 or face disciplinary action because the acceptance of such gifts breached their code of ethics.

Dyke, who has said he will return the watch, called for an end to the culture of gift-giving.

“I think the FA should lead the way by saying: ‘Look, we are not going to be part of this culture any more. We are not going to give presents or accept them’,” Dyke told the BBC. “I don’t like the culture of present giving in football.

Everywhere you go, every time you have a game they give you some sort of

• Greg Dyke

present. It’s usually trinkets.

“But if they are going to start giving presents of 16,000 pounds then that is not acceptable. I’ve been given about six watches since I took over at the FA and I don’t use any of them.”

Dyke said he found the watch in his hotel room during a FIFA congress in Sao Paulo in June but made no initial attempt to return it, a decision which was criticised by former FA chief executive Ian Watmore.

“Very poor from Greg Dyke in not returning watch straightaway. Error of judgment which weakens FA stance against FIFA,” Watmore tweeted.

Dyke, however, played down suggestions that the controversy could cost him his job.

Leicester Stun Man Utd In EightGoal Thriller

LEICESTER City enjoyed a thrilling 5-3 victory over a woefully brittle Manchester United at the King Power Stadium.

After a slow start in the first half, United suddenly burst into life with two quick goals.

The first came when Radamel Falcao crossed for Robin van Persie to head in at the back post, and then minutes later Angel Di Maria scooped a wonderful shot over Kasper Schmeichel. 14 seconds later, Leonardo Ulloa was left unmarked by Rafael, and headed in at the near post.

Wayne Rooney had been dropped back into the number 10 role after Van Persie and Falcao started.

Before the match, Louis van

Injury Ends Azarenka’s Season Tennis:

VICTORIA Azarenka will miss rest of the tennis season as she tries to make a full recovery from injuries that plagued her year, the former world number one said on Sunday.

The two-time grand slam champion withdrew from this week’s Wuhan Open in China with a foot injury and later announced she would be out of action for the remainder of the season.

“Unfortunately I will not be competing in any tournaments for the remainder of the season,” the 25-year-old Belarusian said in a message on her Facebook page. “It has been a very tough year for me.

“I have been trying my best to improve day in and day out by pushing and pushing... but that does not appear to be the best approach for me

Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria in action against Leicester City yesterday.

right now.

“I will use this time to work on making a full recovery and take care of my body to compete at my best next season.”

Azarenka, the Australian Open champion in 2012 and 2013, has struggled the whole year with foot and knee troubles and missed numerous tournaments, which has seen her singles ranking plummet to 25 in the world.

• Victoria Azarenka

Gaal had described Rooney’s performances up front this season as, “not spectacular.” He was little better in this role, playing at half the pace of those around him.

In the second half, United extended their lead through Ander Herreraís flick, but Leicester pulled one back after Mark Clattenburg awarded a soft penalty for David Nugent to convert. Two minutes later Esteban Cambiasso drilled in an equaliser. Leicester then grabbed a dramatic late victory through Jamie Vardy after more hapless United defending, which then gifted Ulloa his second when Tyler Blackett conceded a penalty and a red card.

Falcao spins his marker on the left, strides down the left wing. He curls a cross to the back post where Van Persie is waiting. His header takes a deflection and finds its way past Schmeichel.

Rooney slides the ball forward for Di Maria, and he chips a wonderful ball over Schmeichel into the net.

Vardy beats Rojo on the right, clips the ball into the

box and Ulloa scores a powerful header inside the near post, with Rafael not close enough to him.

Rooney switches play left to Falcao, who controls the ball, shoots against the bar and Leicester escape.

Rooney hoofs a shot into a defender, it comes to Rafael who whips in another corner.

The ball is worked back to Di Maria, who attempts a shot

that Herrera flicks past a wrong-footed Schmeichel.

Vardy barges Rafael over on the byline, wins the ball and drives at goal. Rafael then does exactly the same to Vardy, and Clattenburg gives a penalty. Pathetic refereeing.

Nugent confidently fires his penalty high down the middle.

A long-range shot bounces into Vardy, into the path of

Cambiasso, and he drills a great shot into the corner.

So close for Leicester.

Drinkwater beats Di Maria down the right, comes inside and lays it inside for King, who takes one touch and volleys just wide.

Herrera’s cross is cleared.

Leicester break down the right with De Laet, and United neglect to mark Vardy down the middle. He lifts the pass into Vardy’s path and the striker slots the ball into the near post.

Pellegrini Blast Financial Fair MANCHESTER City man- Play Rules end of next season but, while he has been first ager Manuel Pellegrini admits he is baffled by UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.

City were fined £49million and restricted to spending no more than that in this summer’s transfer window after UEFA found them to be in breach of the regulations, which impose an upper limit on clubs’ monetary losses.

Their European squad was also cut to 21 players instead of the standard 25.

Pellegrini told national newspapers: “I really do not understand what Financial Fair Play is. For me it is impossible.

“This is a club that does not have a pound of debt to anyone. I understand that if you have a big debt you don’t pay, you have to be punished, but I do not understand exactly what is Financial Fair Play.”

[BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Manchester City v Chelsea preview: Lampard could face Blues] Despite the cap on their

summer spending, City signed £32m defender Eliaquim Mangala from Porto - and have yet to play the France international, with Pellegrini preferring Martin Demichelis alongside captain Vincent Kompany.

“We thought we needed a good defender but not necessarily in the month of August or September,” said the manager. “We needed a young defender and we thought Mangala was the correct player.

“We will see when he starts playing. He will play but he does not have to play immediately. It is four months without him playing a game but why must we start him immediately when we have two good defenders?”

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Joe Hart admits he has had no talks with the club over a possible new contract.

The England international is tied to the club until the

choice so far this term, he faces competition from summer signing Willy Caballero Hart has also seen the likes of David Silva, Sergio Aguera and Kompany sign new deals but has had no hint he is next in line.

“If a new contract is on offer then it’s news to me,” he said. “I’ve got almost two years left on my current deal and that’s all I know about my contract situation.”

• Manuel Pellegrini

Boxing

Groves Calls Out Froch After Resounding Win

GEORGE Groves bounced back from his Wembley Stadium defeat to Carl Froch by outclassing Christopher Rebrasse down the road from the national stadium at Wembley Arena.

Groves won 118-110, 117111 and 118-110 in a fight he never looked likely to lose to win the European super-middleweight title.

And immediately after his victory, he called on Carl Froch who was commentating at ringside - to grant him another re-match, despite having been beaten by his British counterpart in both of their previous bouts.

“Youíve stopped me twice Carl, but I still think I can beat you,” he shouted. “Everyone will laugh but so be it, maybe we can do it again. I know you are dancing around at the moment and not in boxing.î Froch, however, poured cold water on the idea: “Third fight with me? You know if it was 1-1, in two close fights, then you have the decider,î he said. “If Iím going to have the decider with anyone, itís got to be Mikkel Kessler.î Groves’s high-energy efforts in the first six rounds had some worried he would lose steam late on, as he did twice against Froch. However the Londoner continued to pile on the pressure and comfortably saw out the decisive unanimous decision win.

The only thing missing from ‘Saint’ George’s ideal bounce-back from that May knockout loss was a clean finish, but Rebrasse to his credit was able to soak up even Groves’ best shots and spells of pressure.

Groves and his new promoters Sauerland will hope to get him back into the world title picture as soon as possible after he returned to winning ways, and while a fight against WBC kingpin Anthony Dirrell looks unlikely with the American refusing to fight in England, WBO champion Arthur Abraham and his challenger next week, Paul Smith, would both be feasible next options for Groves.

Groves himself talked up the prospect of the Dirrell fight, despite the potential problems over location: “We want to take the quickest route, rather than the easiest,” he said.

“Heís been very disrespectful. Heís got his win, heís the champion and Iíll give him that respect. He says he doesnít want to come to the UK, but we might make him.

“He says he doesnít want

to fight me, but now he has to. Heís in for a rude awakening.”

Abraham is also a

Sauerland boxer while Smith, who was stopped by Groves in the second round of their 2011 Wembley Arena battle, is under the Matchroom umbrella - boss Eddie Hearn copromoted Groves-Rebrasse with Sauerland.

AT the start of this season, a few people pointed out that Mamadou Sakho wasnít very good.

A number even pointed this out at the time he signed for Liverpool last year, Those who raised the most reasonable objections to his signing had seen Sakho play for the last few years. He had made his debut for PSG at 17 and quickly became captain, and remained a popular figure with the fans and managers after the takeover. PSG were reluctant sellers when Liverpool came in for his signature, and they eventually ac-

‘Rodgers, Liverpool’s Greatest Asset, Biggest Liability’ cepted a significant sum of £18 million for the central defender.

There were plenty of Liverpool fans who thought that if PSG didn’t want to sell him, and only did so when a high transfer fee were offered, that he must be an excellent prospect. After all, PSG had all the money in the world and would therefore only be after the very best players.

But there was a problem: the fundamental reason that

• George Groves

I Can’t Believe Barca Let Cesc Leave CHELSEA coach Jose Mourinho says he was left shocked in the summer when he discovered that Barcelona were ready to let Cesc Fabregas leave the club.

The Spain international was hotly tipped for a return to former club Arsenal as Barca began a summer shake-up that also saw Cristian Tello, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Song leave Camp Nou, but the midfielder instead joined the Blues in a Ä36 million deal.

And Mourinho says that while, he did not expect the midfielder to leave the Liga giants, he was not at all surprised that he did not return to the Emirates. ìI thought he was going to stay at Barcelona,î Mourinho is quoted as saying by The Mirror. ìI was looking at him as the natural successor of players that were getting older, like Xavi. The surprise for me was not that he didnít go to Arsenal, but that he was leaving Barcelona. ìHeís 27 and itís the perfect age. Physically, heís on a high, mentally, heís very stable, he has tactical education.

Cescís stats are fantastic, the

number of assists, the qualities he brings.î Fabregas scored his first Chelsea goal against Schalke in the Champions League in midweek and has thrived in a an attacking midfield role under Mourinho, leading the Premier League assists table after creating six goals in just four matches.

He is once agian set to operate in an advanced midfield

• Kevin Strootman

- Mourinho

role against Manchester City on Sunday and Mourinho says Fabregas’ versatility is a major strength of his game. ìOne of the reasons Cesc is so important is because he can play in any position,î the Portuguese continued. ìEven in Barcelona, he was playing many times as a No.9. He sometimes played

on the left wing too.î Chelsea arrive at the Etihad Stadium top of the table after four matches as the only team in England with a 100 per cent league record.

PSG wished he would stay wasn’t because of his talent, but because the owners were trying to keep a good relationship with their fans. There are countless examples of new owners making mistakes and alienating the old hardcore, and this was an easy way to make sure that they didnít.

However, the fact remains that at the time, Sakho was out of the team because Alex - the one who failed to convince at Chelsea - was keeping him out of the side. Sakho was still playing much as he did when he broke into the side as a teenager, with own goals, poor positioning and regular, simple errors.

He was, in other words, the very definition of what you don’t want from a central defender - but those Liverpool fans who just saw the caps for France, the club he came from and his transfer fee thought otherwise.

Over the course of last season they were proved wrong; and nothing has changed so far in 2014/15.

This wouldn’t be so much of a problem if Brendan Rodgers had a similar knack for buying defenders as he does midfielders or forwards, but both his tactics and purchases at the back leave a lot to be desired.

Midway through the first half against West Ham, after conceding two goals in seven minutes, Rodgers switched from a back four to a back three, and removed Javi Manquillo. By all accounts Liverpool have high hopes for him, but presumably they also expected more from their previous defensive signings like Kolo Toure (appalling) and Sakho (see above).

Strootman Not For Sale ROMA director general Mauro Baldissoni reiterated that Manchester United target Kevin Strootman “is not for sale.”

Today there were further

- Roma

reports that Louis van Gaal is determined to sign Dutch international Strootman, though his price-tag was considered to be around £60m.

“We canít wait to see Strootman back on the field, because we really miss him and that moment is getting closer,” Baldissoni told Sky Sport Italia today.

“We are proud to have Strootman in our squad and he is not for sale.”

This afternoon Roma take on Cagliari in Serie A, click here for the line-ups, having beaten CSKA Moscow 5-1 in the Champions League.

“Getting to the Champions League was our objective. We are happy to play it and to meet important teams. Fortunately, we got off to a strong start.”

I Never Lost Faith In Ozil

ARSENE Wenger insisted he never thought of resting Mesut Ozil after the German inspired Arsenal to victory at Aston Villa.

The World Cup winner scored his first goal of the season at Villa Park to spark a blitz which saw the Gunners net three times in just over three first-half minutes to seal a 3-0 victory.

The ex-Real Madrid ace was heavily criticised after Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

But Gunners boss Wenger wanted to show faith in his £42.5m record buy and did not consider benching him.

“Not really no,” he said. “I have many offensive players and you look to find the right balance. I gave (Alexis) Sanchez a rest because he’s played many games and we have many experienced players who are top quality.

“You have to show him the confidence is there and he showed he can respond when he was under scrutiny.

“It’s always a sensitive point, you don’t know how people respond to that.”

Welbeck also opened his account for the season to leave Wenger delighted.

It was a similar goal to the one he scored in Switzerland (for England), it comes from the left and he pushed it in because the timing of his run was good,” he said.

“He had a very good performance, kept the ball well and had a good all-round game.”

Villa were ravaged by a stomach bug which ruled out Darren Bent, Nathan Baker and Ashley Westwood.

Midfielder Westwood withdrew in the warm-up and Andreas Weimann was sick and substituted at half-time

• Ana Ivanovic

- Wenger

while Brad Guzan and Fabian Delph were also ill despite playing.

“We had so much bad luck this week,” said boss Paul Lambert. “Before the game we lost Darren, Nathan and Westy and then Andi at half time. Fabian had a bug and Guzan too.

“I knew we weren’t best prepared because of the virus going around. A lot of the staff are not feeling good.

“It’s a tough game for us when everyone is 100 per

cent fit but the lads were running on empty.”

Ciaran Clark and Delph had both gone close during a fast start for Villa, who would have gone top of the Barclays Premier League with a win.

“If we had scored at the start it might have given us something to hang on to.

The start we’ve had is great and there are a lot of positives at the moment,” Lambert added, after their first league defeat of the season.

“We have 10 points from five games which is a good return.”

Pliskova Beats Lepchenko To End Finals Jinx CZECH Karolina Pliskova defeated American Varvara Lepchenko to win the Korea Open title on Sunday, ending her run of defeats in WTA finals this year at her fourth attempt.

The world number 32, seeded second, won 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 after two hours and 11 minutes to claim her second WTA title.

The 22-year-old lost three singles finals in 2014, the latest against Germany’s Sabine Lisicki at the WTA Hong Kong Open last Sunday.

Lepchenko, seeded fifth, ran out of steam after hardfought victories over top seed and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarter-

finals and compatriot Christina McHale in the last four.

• Arsene Wenger

Danagogo Urges Administrators Not To Tamper With Football

TAMUNO Danagogo, Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission has warned football administrators against tampering with the nation’s football.

Danagogo, who was represented by Dr Bolaji Ojooba, made the call at the Nigeria Football Association’s (NFA) Extra-Ordinary General Assembly held in Warri, Delta Danagogo urged them to put their house in order in the interest of the nation.

The minister observed that football was a major component of national unity

and a product everyone cherished, so, it should be guarded jealously.

“Football is the only symbol of Nigeria’s unity and it would be criminal for anybody to tamper with it.

“It is a major component that every Nigerian identifies with, it is like religion, it is a product all of us cherish and we have to protect it,” he said.

Ivanovic Beats Wozniacki To Win Tokyo FORMER world number 26-year-old is projected to Crown one Ana Ivanovic brushed move from the eighth spot aside Caroline Wozniacki to win the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Sunday and move closer to sealing a berth for the season-ending WTA fi-

nals in Singapore.

The 6-2 7-6 (2) win in the $1 million tournament also gave the Serb her fourth WTA title of the year and the

to fifth in the race for Singapore.

After trading early break of serves, third seed Ivanovic breezed through the first set against the former world number one Danish, who won the tournament in 2010.

Wozniacki, the finalist at this year ’s U.S. Open, fought back to take a lead early and was up 3-1 in the second set but Ivanovic regained momentum and won five of the next eight games to force a tie-breaker, which she completely dominated.

“Caroline played a great match today,” Ivanovic said after her win. “It was a really good battle out there — there were some very tough moments, especially in the second set.

“But I just tried to take it one point at a time, and I’m really happy to make it through. It’s just an amazing feeling to win this title.”

While acknowledging the progress made in the nation’s football, the minister urged the administrators to come to terms to make better progress.

“If smaller countries like Togo, Republic of Benin and others can get it right, I see no reason why Nigeria cannot get it correctly,” he said.

The Director-General of the the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, in a goodwill message wished

the NFA a good deliberation.

Elegbeleye, who was represented by Allasan Yamut, said NSC recognised and identified with the football federation.

In attendance were the NFA President, Malam Aminu Maigari, Mike Umeh, Christopher Green, Shehu Adamu, Yusuf Ahmed.

Others are the NFA Director of Technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFA Director of Marketing, Adama Idris and delegates from all the state football associations.

Lagos Opts For Young Athletes

Sports Festival: MR Waheed EnitanOshodi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Youth and Social Development, says the state has opted to field young athletes at the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF).

Enitan-Oshodi made this disclosure in a chat with newsmen in Lagos.

The commissioner, who was a special guest at an event to herald a grass roots football championship, expressed dissatisfaction with the current status of grass roots competitions.

“The invitation of world class athletes such as Blessing Okagbare to participate in the games meant to groom athletes is an aberration to the spirit of the event.

“Tell me how states are going to develop their sports with the influx of Nigerian foreign-based professionals if attention is not given to

home-based athletes,” the commissioner said.

According to him, the state has a policy of relying on the grass roots for competitions as that will afford it the opportunity to develop budding talents.

He said the state had placed premium on the training of young athletes, noting that there was no time the state was in short supply of cadet athletes.

The commissioner added that other states that had been unable to develop their athletes had always come to the state to hire athletes.

“We always have an array of athletes we can hire out for a fee to other states and we will continue to follow that trend,î he said.

The state came third at the 18th edition of the NSF held in Lagos in 2012.

The 19th edition of NSF will hold from Nov. 23 to Dec. 3 in Calabar.

CMYK

“

Leave Jega Alone

A people’s power must be organized from the grass roots to dislodge the machinery of Federal terror if the coming elections in the country go the way of previous ones… A historic opportunity presents itself in the coming elections in Nigeria to end high level of avoidable deprivation and tortuous penury to which Nigerians have been subjected by tricksters, fraudulent and happy golucky politicians” – Quoted in Nowinta ‘s bookWHERE WE ARE (Pages 144/145)

I read recently with keen interest, the details of the press conference held by Chief Edwin Clark (Ijaw National Leader), Dr. Alex Ekweme (former vice president of Nigeria) and others calling on the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega to resign his appointment, over 30,000 additional polling units created by INEC. Really, when I first saw the screaming headlines attacking Professor Jega, I thought the man had consciously committed a grievous offence concerning the additional polling units created by the electoral umpire. But I decided to look beneath the surface which made me to be curious enough to study the issues raised by Chief Edwin Clark and cotravellers.

The press conference in question was loaded with a fierce disparaging campaign; the most vile blows and virulent attack against the person of Prof.

Attahiru Jega. Imagine words: “like playing ethnic agenda; pouring insults on the people of the South-South” etc. I began to think that such callous venoms poured especially on the integrity and honesty of the INEC boss was unwarranted in the first place. I saw the action of the celebrated Ijaw leader and company as a case of trying to use a

sledge hammer to kill an innocent cockroach, because the defense of

either, what transpired in Anambra State during the Governorship Election not too long ago. Take it or leave it, Senator Chris Ngige (former Governor of Anambra State) and Governorship Candidate of the opposition: All Progressive Congress (APC) was a formidable

into Delta Central Senatorial Seat (vacated by the late Senator Pius Ewherido). We must quickly remember that Pius Ewherido who died to natural causes won election to the Senate on the platform of Democratic Peoples’ Party (DDP).

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega Prof. Jega was quite innocent, unambiguous and convincing. I don’t know why everything is politicized in this country?

When Nuhu Ribadu suffered one of the heaviest political defeats, humiliation betrayal and insult in the electoral history of Nigeria in 2011 presidential election, as the candidate of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), nobody went to town to run down Prof. Jega and INEC. When Kayode Fayemi was surprisingly knocked off the scene during the Ekiti Governorship election because forces bigger and heavier than his honest, simple and progressive approach to governance felt he was posing as an obstacle, the People’s Democratic Party did not call for ‘World Press Conference’, nor call for the forceful retirement of Prof. Jega.

We have not forgotten

candidate, but the way and manner the election was conducted raised serious issues of brazen electoral manipulation and outright rigging, before victory went the way of Willy Obiano of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

As a seasoned analyst, what happened during the last Governorship election in Anambra State was a case of a grand wicked alliance by the PDP and APGA, to make sure that (APC) did not smell the governorship seat in Akwa. In the midst of the conspiracy that came to the fore in that state, Chief Edward Clark and other card carrying PDP hawks did not raise a finger against Prof.

Attahiru Jega and INEC. I have not forgotten too the highest level of deception, lies, fraud and charade that were displayed in Delta State during the by-election

In a keenly contested election that was forecasted by book makers that DPP’s candidate would carry the day, because of the level of acceptance of the party in Delta Central Senatorial District, the reverse was the case, as the candidate of the PDP eventually carried the day.

When the candidate of the PDP was declared to have carried the day, in the midst of heavy protests from the camp of the DPP, not a word, nor

any eyebrows were raised from such chieftain like Edwin Clark. Then nobody called for the resignation of Jega. Even when a competent court in the land nullified the election that brought Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State to power for a second term in office, as a result of the furious litigation brought by chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), the Governorship election that ensued was incredibly rigged in favour of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of the PDP. We felt correctly that the then re-run Delta State Governorship election was denied Great Ogboru,because at that point in time, the popularity of Dr. Uduaghan was as a record time low.

Nevertheless, the stalwarts of PDP at everywhere jubilated their behind the door victory, because it was very clear that Chief Great Ogboru won that historic election.

Now coming to Osun State, much recently, in the midst of the o v e r w h e l m i n g intimidation unleashed on the electorate during the August 9th Governorship election there, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola was able to use his thunderous popularity to snatch victory against Senator Iyiola Omisore of

the PDP. According to my friend, a resident of Oshogbo, there was nothing the PDP did not do to swerve the pendulum of victory to their side. In his words: “it was simply war”.

My heart lament that, once again, we are going into another national election in February 2015, without the executive arm, nor the National Assembly talking about inserting any clause that will digitalize our electoral system. For crying out loud, our electoral system is still largely very porous. Indeed, an electoral system that still allows massive thumb printing and other avoidably electoral offences should be discarded and thrown aside.

INEC’s new additional 30,000 polling units to me is welcome, because it will in turn enable more people to participate in the voting exercise with convenience and less queues in polling units.

On this score, Prof.

Jega should be left alone! I don’t know how thesenew polling units will translate into massive rigging.

Nowinta wrote WHERE WE ARE – A CALL FOR D E M O C R AT I C REVOLUTION IN NIGERIA

“My heart lament that, once again, we are going into another national election in February 2015, without the executive arm, nor the National Assembly talking about inserting any clause that will digitalize our electoral system.”

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