The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l. 39 • NO. 083 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 20 14 • N100.00 NUTRITIONAL HEALTH AND DIETETICS Page 14
Kidney Problems And What To Do
SOCIETY
Gov commissions 10, 30-seater buses, lauds LG boss By INNOCENT OMOAKA
BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole has lauded the efforts of the Comrade Chairman of Egor Local Government Council, Hon.
Comrade Victor Osayande Enobakhare for the laudable project he has executed in the locality by purchasing (10) fleet of Coaster Buses of 30 seaters aircondition to ease
Traits of successful women Entrepreneurs
commissioning the (10) Coaster Buses at Uselu the administrative headquarters. According to him, the
performing council Chairman Hon. Victor Continues on page 2
Oshiomhole to present 2015 budget today By KEN ABU
Page 15
transportation system in the state and Egor Local Government in particular. The Governor made the commendation at Egor Local Government secretariat while
BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is expected to make presentation of year 2015 Appropriation Bill and budget estimate to the State House of Assembly for consideration and passage today at 10.a.m. This was contained in a floor of the Edo State letter dated September House of Assembly. Meanwhile, the 19, 2014 and signed by the Secretary to the State Governor has requested Government, Prof. Julius Parliament to confirm the Ihonvbere on behalf of nomination of Mr. Dennis as a the state Governor which Idahosa was read by the Clerk of commissioner designed the House during in the state. The request of the yesterday’s plenary. According to the letter, Governor was contained the Governor is expected in another letter, dated to present the year 2015 September 8, 2014 and budget estimate on the signed by Secretary to
the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere on behalf of the state governor. The Speaker of the State House of Assembly
Hon. Uyi Igbe, however referred the letter to the House Standing Committee on Rules Business and Government to
Commerce with the process of screening the Commissioner nominee. The Committee is expected to report back to the House within two
days. Also at pleanary, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has withdrawn the nomination Continues on page 2
Police arrest 100 criminals
By MIKE OSAROGAGBON BENIN CITY – Crime world has again suffered a remarkable set back in Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States as the Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Zone ‘5’ Mr. Musa Daura announced the arrest of 100 suspected criminals, killing 11 armed robbery suspects and recovering of 192 sophisticated arms and animation during the period between August and September 2014. The AIG further disclosed that 32 vehicles and five motorcycles stolen from
their owners were also recovered with 19 kidnapped victims rescued while two kidnap operations were foiled within the period. Mr. Musa Daura who assumed office as the police boss in charge of zone ‘5’ last month stated this while revealing to newsmen some major achievements recorded by police operatives of his zone, in Benin City, yesterday. Giving the breakdown of the break-through, he stated that 68 armed robbery suspects were
TIT BIT “When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it always.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
apprehended with 13 in Edo State, Delta State, 39 Bayelsa State 16. He added that five robbery suspects were gunned down in Delta while six met their waterloo in Edo as Continues on page 2
COMMISSIONING: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, cutting the tape, during the commissioning of 10, 30 seater Toyota Coaster Buses purchased by Egor Local Government Council boss Hon. Victor Enobakhare in Benin while other party faithfuls look on. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBOESERE
Low turn-out trails schools resumption
By MARTIN ERHARUYI/ OMEIZA ROBINSON/ OMORODION LAWRENCE/ IKPONMWOBA OSAZEE /FAITH ISIKHUEMEN / ABAH PIUS O./ STANLEY UGAGBE
metropolis revealed a relatively low turn out of pupils and students as they were spotted at the assembly grounds as
BENIN CITY - Low turn out trailed resumption of schools yesterday as many schools visited recorded low pupils and students population for the 2014/ 2015 academic session. A visit to some schools in the Benin City
BENIN CITY - Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has commended the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), for the
early as 8: a.m. Against this backdrop, some schools had made available some precautionary measures
to check the outbreak and spread of EVD among pupils and students. Bowls of treated water
Professionalism: Edo professionalism they displayed in the discharge of their duties. The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor (Dr.) Pius Egberanmwen
were sighted at corridors of the various schools visited, with which the staff, pupils and students were made to wash their hands before resuming the academic activities in Continues on page 2
Gov lauds NUJ
Odubu gave the commendation at the union National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Benin City Declaring the NEC meeting open, Dr. Odubu
urged members of the Nigeria Union of journalists to be faithful in their reportage. The Deputy Governor Continues on page 2
News
Gov commissions 10, 30-seater buses, lauds Continued from page 1 that will be coming up next Chairman Victor LG boss Comrade Enobakhare has used this year. According to him the Enobakhare thanked also buses to comment what the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole has done in the state stressing that he is very proud of Enobakhare he added. Comrade Oshiomhole maintained that the present administration of All Progressive Congress (APC) is guided with the philosophy of development as the people of the state are the landlord while those in the office are the general as the reward of the work goes to the people who elected them into office as they have promised to take Edo State to the next level. Edo State Governor appealed to the electorates that as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commences the supply of the Voters Permanent Cards they should all go and collect so that they can use it for the next election
primary for the various position for the All Progressive Congress (APC) would soon hold and the people will decide the fate of everyone and as a democratic party, they will organise it according to the rules he stated. Earlier in an address by the Council Chairman, Hon. Comrade Victor Osayande Enobakhare thanked the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole for honouring his invitation inspite his crowded schedule to commission the first ever ten thirty seater brand new Toyota Coaster buses for Intra-City Transit Service to complement the services of Edo City Transport Service (aka Comrade Buses). The council boss revealed that the project was funded from part of their allocation as it is first
phase of the Mass Transit project which according to him there is the hope that more vehicles will be added to the fleet. Comrade Enobakhare noted that the decision to float the mass Transit Service was informed by the desire of the people and a need to reduce the number of unemployed youths in the locality. Hon. Comrade Enobakhare opined that 100 youths are currently under going training in various skills under a partnership programme between the council of Egor and the (NDE) National Directorate of Employment. On the successful completion of training the participants would be empowered to start their own small scale business. The soft-spoken
Low turn-out trails schools resumption
Continued from page 1
their respective classes. Some of the schools visited provided their staff and students with hand sanitizers before they were allowed into the schools’ premises. Efforts to obtain comments from the school heads with regards to the resumption of schools was in futility as they declined comments. On the part of the parents, there was however mixed reactions as some expressed deep relief over the resumption of their children, especially as preventive measures were put in place for their safety in school. Others said that the Federal Governments directive for schools to resume yesterday did not go down well with them, saying that the safety of all Nigerians and neighbouring countries from the EVD should have been ascertained before asking the children to resume school for academic activities. Also, in other schools visited, students and pupils were sighted engaged in sanitation exercise under the supervision of their teachers. The situation was different, in some private schools, visited, as pupils and students were sighted sitting in their various classes in readiness for learning. Speaking, with journalists, the Principal of Imaguero Senior Secondary School, Mrs. Omorebokhae Felicia noted that, though schools have resumed with all their staff ready but the response of students to the resumption order was low, compared to what she expected, saying, the few students who resumed were instructed to clean-up their environment before learning commences proper. Mrs. Omorebokhae hinted that, the low turn-out of students were not related to the Ebola Virus scare, stressing that it is becoming a tradition that students do not respond properly during the first day of resumption. Reacting to the Ebola Virus pre-cautionary measure which are available in the school,
she said that, sensitization programme had been put in place to sensitize the students to always keep their environment clean and constantly wash their hands with soap and water as stated by health practitioners. She further noted that, some of her staffs were sent to represent the school in the pre-resumption training programme by the State Ministry of Health, adding that, they were trained on how to handle students.
The principal added that, there are about 70 working toilets liquid soap and running water in the school premises. At Asoro primary school in Oredo local government area, the Acting Headmistress, Mrs. Ogbeide Rachael said, all her staff were on ground to supervise the few pupils that have resumed to clean the school compound, adding that, she hope the response by pupils would change as the week progresses.
Continued from page 1 who told the journalists to discharge their responsibilities with the interest of the people at heart also hinted that the state government, on its part, has renovated and modernized the Central Hospital Benin City, eradicated miracle centres schools, a situation he added gave rise to the excellent performance by candidates in the Senior Secondary School Examination up the state. National President of NUJ, Mallam Garba Mohammed appreciated the willingness of the state government to pay the weigh-in allowance for media workers in the state and urged government to continue to support the union. State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Desmond Agbama highlighted some of the achievements of the present union executive in the state to include infrastructural upgrade, retraining of journalists and hosting of zonal NEC meetings. He thanked the state government for its assistance to the union
over the years. The NUJ most prestigious award were conferred on the governor and the deputy governor respectively for their support for the union and as well as contributions to the development of the state.
Edo Gov lauds NUJ
the leadership of his great party and the good people of Egor Local Government for the support they have all enjoyed together so far. According to the chairman this good achievement have been made possible by the Comrade Governor due to his support and encouragement particularly with the construction and renovation of schools, provision of transformers, rehabilitation of roads as well as provision of portable water to the people of Egor Local Government Area. He promised that the Comrade Governor will be invited soon to lay the foundation stone of an ultra modern Edaiken market here in Uselu while commending also the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Chief Lucky James who has stood to see the actualization of the set goals and aspiration for the progress of the people of Egor Local Government Area. Comrade Enobakhare commended the cordial relationship that exist between the Executive and Legislative Arms of the Local Government Council who stood to see that the projects come to success. Present at the commissioning were Barr. Gentleman Amegor (APC) state Vice Chairman Edo South, Rt. Hon. Jim Adun, Hon. Crossby Osadolor Eribo, Capt. Agbonmwanegbe, Mrs. E b i z u g b e Agbonmwanegbe, State Woman Leader (APC) Chief Benjamin Omoregie, APC Chairman, Egor Local Government Area.
Oshiomhole to present 2015 budget today Continued from page 1 of Mr. Mike Moni-Modesty as a member of the State Public Procurement Agency Board which was earlier sent to parliament for confirmation. This was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government addressed to Speaker and read on the floor of the House by the Clerk during plenary. According to the letter, the nomination of the nominee as a member of the state, procurement agency board was ill-conceived, nothing that
a replacement will be sent to the House in due course. Meanwhile, parliament observed a minute silence in memory of the repose of the soul of a former Governor of Bendel State, Prof. Ambrose Alli in commemoration of his 25 years anniversary of his demise. The House through the Speaker Hon. Uyi Igbe and the Majority leader, Hon. Philip Shaibu described the late Prof. Ambrose Alli as a great Icon whose legacies are worthy of emulation.
Police arrest 100 criminals
Continued from page 1 Bayelsa recorded nil. However, no kidnap or murder suspect was arrested in Edo, which according to the AIG’s breakdown has the highest number (120) of sophisticated ammunition recovered during period. Assuring residents of the
two states of a peaceful ember months, the AIG thanked members of the press, other security agencies and members of the public for their cooperation and support. He however sued for more support that would enhance the fight against crime and criminality.
Oshiomhole to grace workshop on TIN regulation BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is expected as a special guest of honour at a one-day sensitilization workshop on Taxpayers identification Number (TIN) regulations recently passed into law by the Federal Government. Organised by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) in collaboration with the Joint Tax Board (JTB), the event billed to hold on Wednesday August 24, 2014 is aimed at sensitizing,
educating and enlightening the people on the TIN regulations as contained in the tax acts. The sensitization workshop which takes place at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road, Benin City beging at 9.a.m, according to a statement by the Executive Chairman, EIRS, Chief Oseni Elamah is expected to attract stakeholders including top government functionaries, judiciary, staff, captains of industries amongst others.
Committee on Health yesterday handed down a one week ultimatum to the 18 Local Government Chairmen to procure intrared thermometer and distribute to all schools in their localities. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oloruntoba Bamidele who gave the ultimatum during a scheduled meeting with 11 of the 18 Local Government Chairmen and Co-ordinators of Primary School Health Care (PHC) Centres across the state in Benin City said the infra-red thermometer would enable the various schools screen students and pupils for the Ebola virus disease (EVD). Hon. Oloruntoba also directed the Chairmen to procure and distribute Ebola Screening machines to hospitals and other public places in the rural areas. Speaking during the meeting, the Majority Leader, Hon. Philip Shaibu said. “It seems to us that you are not prepared for the resumption of schools; it is not safe to open the schools in your local government areas because they are not secure. “I think that any school without that infra-red thermometer should be closed because, prevention is better than cure.”, he noted. According to him, any local government chairman that is not ready for resumption of schools in his/her locality should
communicate to the state government and close down the school. Shaibu said, “at the moment, there is no Ebola in the state, but measures must be put in place to ensure that the Ebola disease is prevented and curtailed in case of an outbreak. The committee however, commended the Chairman of Ovia North East, Local Government Council, Mrs. Lucy Omagbon for taking proactive measures to procure over 50 infra-red thermometer for schools and other public places in her locality. The Ovia North East Council boss, Mrs. Lucy Omagbon said she has carried ot sensitization campaign on the disease in communities in the local government areas. According to her, as part of measures to prevent the disease, I led the campaign to the market places where we taught them how to maintain good hygiene by washing their hands regularly. Meanwhile, the Seven other Chairmen who failed to honour the invitation to the scheduled meeting have been directed to appear before the committee tomorrow Wednesday September 24, 2014, while those in attendance yesterday were also directed to provide water soap and plastic containers and also carry out enlightenment programmes in local lanuages in their respective local government areas.
Ebola: Edo Assembly directs LGs on preventive BENIN CITY – Edo State measures House of Assembly
APC youths endorse Okunzuwa for another term
EDSOGPADEC:
By LUCKY EFESE URHERHUE – The All Progressive Congress (APC) youths in Ugu Ward, Orhinomwon Local Government Area have endorsed Hon. Fidelis Okunzuwa, the Commissioner, representing the Local Government Area on the board of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission EDSOGPADEC for a second term in office for displaying pragmatic patriotism towards the people of the locality. The APC youths, who spoke through the leader, Com. Netete Edomwonyi, made the endorsement known to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, weekend at the party secretariat in Urhehue, during a harmonisation meeting. They noted that Hon. Okunzuwa was able to use his position on the commission to bring development to the 12
wards in Orhionmwon Local Government Area and that there was need to consolidate on his impressive achievements during his first tenure. Speaking further, Comrade Edomwonyi posited that the successes recorded by Hon. Okunzuwa were attributed to his humble, honest and charismatic dispositions towards the people of Orhionmwon which have been the hallmark of Okunzuwa’s political career. The APC youths thanked Hon. Okunzuwa for making them proud and assured him of their continuous supports towards realising his dreams of positively transforming Orhionmwon Local Government Area. The APC youths however, thanked the leadership of the party in Orhionmwon for their perseverance and exemplary leadership towards the people and cautioned against fielding an incredible person to the position.
2015 General Elections: Endorse
Cleric Enjoins Christians To Trust God
Kwakwanso As APC Presidential Candidate -Cleric By ROLAND OSAKUE
By PIUS O. ABAH BENIN CITY – The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi has enjoined Christians to trust God for His divine miracle of healing especially on the current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). He gave his admonition at the 9th edition of the Monthly Revival Programme held at the various church centres across the federation. The programme which was tagged; ‘Recovering The Lost’, was transmitted to the various states via satellite. In his first message: ‘Your Day of Miracle Explosion’, The General Superintendent stressed that there is need for the people to come out from their sinful ways and come into the salvation that Christ had made available on the cross. This according to him will necessitate the manifestation of God’s miraculous power in healing anyone suffering from any form of sicknesses and diseases. Pastor Kumuyi encouraged Christians to hold fast to the truth of the gospel and continue to depend on God for the grace to live a righteous life especially at this end time. Highpoints of the programme was the sharing of testimonies by some of the participants on what God has done for them. A Student of University of Benin who is also a member of the church, Sister Blessing, testified of how God healed her of bladder disorder.
CSOs Protests Fixed Prepaid Meter Charge By STANLEY UGAGBE/ EDET ELIJAH BENIN CITY – The Edo State Civil Society Organisation stormed the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Benin branch to protest against the prepaid meter fixed charge and estimated fee of 750 yesterday. According to the group, the fight has been on for sometime and that they have reported the BEDC to the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and the State National Assembly who have asked for the removal of the fixed prepaid meter charge but since then nothing has been done by the BEDC officials. The group claimed that the prepaid meter has been paid for by the Federal Government but the BEDC still compel the populace to pay for it even as individual did not see light for months. Speaking with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, Comrade Ogbebo, CSO’s member said they were going round the streets to tell people to bypass the prepaid meter, stressing that the BEDC arrested a member of their association two days ago for bypassing his meters. Ogbebo also said that the group stormed the BEDC office for them to explain to them why they arrested their member and have refused to remove the fixed charge. He pointed out that the group will continue to fight until the BEDC removes the fixed charge.
30 seater Toyota Coaster some of the buses procured by Egor Local Government Authority, which were commissioned by Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE
Governor Adams Oshiomhole driving one of the buses procvured by Egor Local Government, during the commissioning in Benin City yesterday. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE
BENIN CITY – As the 2015 general elections draw closer, Bishop Ezekiel Oise Orhevba, a former Honourable Member of the House of Representative has called on Nigerians and the members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to endorse the candidature of Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the sole Presidential candidate for the APC. The call by the former House of Representatives member was contained in a press statement where he also congratulated the APC National Party Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun on his emergence as the leader of the political party. According to Bishop Orhevba, “the yearnings and prayers of all patriotic Nigerians is pointed to the need for the APC to take over the mantle of leadership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has mismanaged the collective resources of the country for the past fifteen years.” He added, “to effectively achieve the mandate of delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, the 2015 APC’ Presidential candidate ticket should be given to Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso who has shown pedigree as former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, Governor of Kano State and Minister of Defence. Also, Dr. Rabiu Kwakwanso has similar attributes as the late Chief M. K .O. Abiola whose desires were to transform the yearnings of Nigerians,” he said. Orhevba also stressed the need for Nigerian to give any qualified Nigerian regardless of gender,
Commissioner Tasks Fire Services Board On LG Synergy
BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP) has advised members of Board of Edo State Fire-Fighting Services to collaborate with the Chairman of the Local Government Areas in order to make the Agency effective and efficient in combating fire outbreak in the rural areas. He gave the advice when the Chairman and members of the Board paid him a courtesy visit in Benin City yesterday. Hon. Omo-Ojo emphasised that they should not consider themselves as arm-chair board members drawn from 10 Local Government Areas but they should be the spokespersons for
the Agency to educate people in the rural areas on fire-safety and preventive measures. He said that this should be done with the involvement of the Director of Fire Services in the Ministry of Transport. Mr. Destiny Osunde also said that the Agency is now performing at optimal level with evidences of good results. According to the Commissioner, they should also supervise those selling domestic gas and enlighten them on the requirements and modalities for engaging in the sale of domestic gas in the local government
areas so that the retailing of the product should not be done in an environment that could easily cause fire out-break. While stressing that any domestic gas retailer that did not meet the prerequisites for operating in the sales of domestic gas should be made to pay the fine stipulated in the rules and regulations guiding the business, Hon. Omo-Ojo therefore cautioned against any extortion of money from the public. The Commissioner congratulated the members on their appointment into the
of knights of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Monica has as its theme “The cost of discipleship” taken from the book of Matthew 16:24. Speaking at the ceremony, the Bishop of Orthodox Anglican Communion, Diocese of Benin, Rt. Rev. Dr. Christopher Izegbua Umane congratulated those who have been admitted into the fold of Knighthood of St. Francis of Assisi/St. Monica and Auxiliary ladies of St. Monica and advised them to use their position to work for God and expand his kingdom.
Rev. Umane said that this investiture is the first fruit of the Orthodox Anglican Communion, Diocese of Benin and it is a proof of the establishment of the church and an evidence that God Almighty has ordained the church which has come to stay as well as spread across all length and breathe of Nigeria and the World at large. He said as Knights and Ladies of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Monica of Orthodox Anglican Communion, it is expected of them to have the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and saviour.
Observer Staff Is Lady Of St By RICHARD EWEKA Monica
BENIN CITY - The Managing Director of RENUA – HI Nig Company Dr. Charles Ohi Ayeni and his amiable wife who is a staff of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, Publishers of the Observer titles Mrs Emilia Ayeni have been admitted into the sacred Order of the knighthood of St. Francis of Assisi/St. Monica of Orthodox Anglican Communion Diocese of Benin. The programme of events for the second session of the first synod and the investiture
Board and assured them of his ministry’s support. Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Fire Fighting Services, Elder John Adodo disclosed that their visit, which is the first since their appointment, was to assure the Commissioner and the Fire-fighting Agency of the Cooperation of the Board. The Public Relations Officer, Edo State Fire-fighting Services, Mr. Franklin Agbonlahor and other management staff of the ministry joined the commissioner to receive the Board members.
religion and ethnic background, the chance of becoming president. In an interview with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, the former Honourable member of the House of Representatives said, “I am calling on all Nigerians and the APC members to support the Presidential candidacy of Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso in the forthcoming 2015 general elections because I have known him for more than decades now.” He also added, “the APC must ensure that Kwakwanso is given the opportunity of representing the party presidential ticket as he (Kwakwanso) is more than six months old in the party as the APC is also a new formation.”
Give God Your Best In Thanksgiving, Christians Advised By FAITH ISIKHUEMEN BENIN CITY – Christians have been admonished of the need to give God their best in a most cheerful and thankful manner as it attracts more favour from God. Rev. Fr. Chima Okosisi gave the admonition on Sunday at the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Ogba on the occasion of her annual Children/Youth Harvest tagged, ‘Harvest of Divine Security. Fr. Okosisi noted that ‘thanks’ and ‘giving’ are interwoven as they go hand in hand to show appreciation to God for all his benefits. While making reference to the ‘Widow’s Mite’, the cleric further enjoined the Catholic faithful to emulate the widow who gave her last dine in thanking God. The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Jonas Nwaiwu, his assistant, Rev. Fr. Joseph- Mary Clarence Okotie later led members of the congregation to the altar in a special thanksgiving to mark the occasion. The Harvest of Divine Security also featured bazaar sales during which guests were entertained with dances and sumptuous meals while a raffle draw was also held which saw lucky winners smiling home with various prizes.
Parents Bemoans Increase In School Fees BENIN CITY – The Ohen Obuba N’Iteghele and the entire sons and daughters of Evbo-Amufi Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State will hold their annual Ikpoleki Festival 2014 beginning from Thursday September 25, 2014. According to Ohen IyiEwuare, Asenoguan Egharevba (Amb), the
ceremony will kick-off with the procession of the staff of Okhuaihe shrine (Ugie Isekhure) which will hold on Thursday, September 25, 2014; while Ugie Isosun and Ugie Ihogbe will hold on Friday, September 26, 2014. The ceremony will be rounded-off on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 8 a.m. with Edebeboyada/ Imierhumhun.
News Obasanjo’s Step Daughter Declares Guber Ambition By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s stepdaughter, Mrs Adetokunbo Tobun-Agbesanwa, has declared her interest to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, in 2015. Tobun-Agbesanya is the daughter of the late former wife of Obasanjo, Major Moji Adekunle and Chief AdekunleTobun, a prominent politician in the Third Republic. The governorship aspirant, who is the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Fashola on School Environmental Advocacy, said she would be vying for the governorship under the banner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and will be slugging it out with Akinwumi Ambode, Dr. Kadri Hamzat and others at the party’s primary in November. She would be aspiring for Lagos governorship under Epe Division of the party. Tobun-Agbesanwa said: “I’m confident about my victory in the primaries. I’m bold and confident, even though I am the only female aspirant who has indicated interest in vying for the position.
“I think politics is supposed to be fair, it is like you wake up in the morning and you are just lying down, you don’t do exercise. Over time, you will have heart problem, you will have serious problem. In politics, if you don’t allow people to compete, if you don’t allow activities, then you are looking for a time bomb,” she said. She said nobody has endorsed her candidacy, but noted that “I don’t think at my age somebody has to call me to tell me what is right or wrong or what I can do or not capable of doing. If you allow people to determine who you are, then you have failed in the first place. So, you have to believe in yourself first.” It was learnt that some groups are already canvassing and urging the leadership of the APC to field her for next year’s polls. One of such groups is the Lagos State Heritage Independent Group. President of the group, Prince Shasore Dosunmu, disclosed that Tobun-Agbesanwa has been adopted by their group to contest on the platform of APC, reiterating that their members are in all five divisions of the state. He described Mrs Tobun-
Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (left) presenting a letter from Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the presentation of year 2015 Appropriation Bill to the House tomorrow, to the Clerk of the House on Legislative Matters. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN
Lagos Empowers 5,500 With LAGOS - The Lagos State Government has empowered 5,500 residents in four centres of its ongoing expanded Life Skill Empowerment programme. The centres are in Ojo, Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe.
Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (right), presenting keys to the renovated block of Six Class Rooms and a Store at Usi Primary School, Off Ewah Road, to Mrs. Ofalgharenor Eunice Iyare the Head Mistress of the School as part of his 2013 Constitutency Project in Ward Seven yesterday. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
Enugu Assembly Holds Public Hearing
Cattle Rearing Bill: ENUGU - The Enugu State House of Assembly has said that the bill to regulate cattle rearing in the state was not to witch hunt any section or ethnic group in the state. The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Eugene Odo, made this known at the opening of a threeday public hearing on the bill in Enugu. Odo said that the bill was aimed at enthroning peaceful coexistence between nomads and farmers in the state. He explained that the bill was necessitated by perennial clashes between farmers and the Hausa/ Fulani nomads across the state. “People have lost their lives and farm lands which are their
means of livelihood. Some were robbed, raped and maimed in such clashes. “The frequency of occurrence of the feud has become so enormous that security agencies are finding it difficult to mitigate. “With this law in place, security operatives will be empowered to arrest and prosecute culprits and restore sanity in our communities,’’ he said. Odo, who was represented by the Leader of the assembly, Mr Sunday Ude-Okoye, urged participants to make inputs that would make the bill to stand the test of time. In a remark, Mr Anthony Ogidi, the house’s Chairman, Joint Committee on Rural
Development, Chieftaincy Matters and Judiciary, assured participants that their contributions would be used to make the bill beneficial to stakeholders. In his speech, the sponsor of the bill, Mr Chinedu Nwamba (PDPNsukka East), said that the bill would promote peace and forestall hostilities between the herdsmen and their host communities. “This bill will make cattle rearing a lucrative business and create employment for our teeming youth. “It will provide security, prevent the spread of diseases being transmitted by animals and generate revenue for both parties,’’ Nwamba said.
The co-ordinators of the centres made the disclosure during a media tour of the centres. Governor Babatunde Fashola had in August flagged off the programme aimed at empowering 20,000 youths, men and women with various skills in tailoring, catering, make up, decoration and hairdressing, among others. The one month training programme is currently running at 10 centres across the state. The second phase of the programme is expected to commence in October. Mr John Olagbemi of the Badagry centre said that 1,500 participants were taking part in the Life Skill Empowerment programme at the centre. “People have also started registering for the second phase, this shows that residents are willing to be trained in different vocations and don’t want to be idle. “The participants are interested and are keenly
Skill Acquisition devoted,” Olagbemi said. He said that the beneficiaries were in tune with what the state government was doing to eradicate poverty. Mrs Sherifat Elias, Coordinator, Ojo Centre, said 1,500 participants were undergoing training in basic sewing, event place decoration, catering and disinfectant production. Elias also said that the programme had been impressive with participants showing enthusiasm to be self-employed. She said that each participant had training tools given to him by the state government. “This is all about adding value to the lives of the residents, especially our youths,” she said. Elias urged more people to enroll for the next phase, adding that it was free. Mrs Cecelia Eleyibiri, the Coordinator of Epe Centre, said that 1,000 participants were undergoing intensive skills
acquisition in various vocations. According to her, the government’s move is designed to re-orientate the youth toward high self-esteem on how to imbibe the spirit and art of selfemployment through skills acquisition. She said that the government had deployed qualified instructors and sufficient materials to assist the beneficiaries in learning effectively within the period. Eleyibiri noted that participants at the centre included the elderly in the community. Mrs Oluwatoyin Sarumi, Coordinator, Ikorodu Centre, said that the place had 1,500 participants. “The programme has started yielding results, most of the participants now practice on their own and are performing brilliantly,” she said.
Aspirant Faults Spate Of Decamping By MORRISON HAYBLE
AUCHI - A University don, Professor Joseph WaziriErameh has described as laughable, the decampment tendency of some persons in the state from the APC to the opposition , a step he said was taken out of ignorance and motivated by short memory. Prof Waziri-Erameh who is canvasing for nomination to run under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2015 to represent Etsako federal constituency noted that the tremendious achievements of the Corade Governor across the state particularly in the area of road could not be forgotten so soon adding that the infrastructural deelopments recorded would not decamp afterall. According to him: “When
people talk about decamping, let them decamp. The roads cannot decamp, the developments in Edo North, Central and South cannot decamp” Waziri-Erameh, a Professor of Eye surgery and Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH speaking at a rally weekend explained that the Comrade Governor on assumption of office performed a feat hitherto considered impossible by successive admnistratons with the construction of motorable roads from Auchi to Anegbette and straight to Okpekpe despite their very difficult terrains. He recalled that one required. a cartapillar to go to Anegbette and Okpekpe during the rains due to their
inaccessibility, a situation, according to him, neccessitated postponement of laying the dead to rest in the area till the dry season. Waziri-Erameh remarked that he was inspired to come into politics by the Comrade Governor’s antecedence assuring that he would replicate same credible record if given a chance by ensuring the workability of three main policy trusts. He named them to include better education system that guaranteed employment, enhanced agricultural revolution through mechanized farming and accessible and affordable health care for his constituency adding that he was not making mere political propanganda but what he knew very well and could deliver.
South South Bayelsa Records 1 Polio Case In YENAGOA – Dr. Israel Government by health officials 18 Months Jeremiah, Chairman, Nigeria in the council were not polio Medical Association (NMA), Bayelsa Chapter, has said that there was only one reported case of Polio in the state as against the reported 18 cases. Jeremiah made the assertion in interview with newsmen in Yenagoa. According to Jeremiah, there is only one isolated case reported in February this year and there is no other case reported since then. He explained that the 18 Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases reported in Yenagoa Local
cases. “AFP does not translate to Polio, AFP is Acute Flaccid Paralysis, it is one of the findings that will warrant suspicion and further investigation in Polio studies,” Jeremiah said. The Disease Surveillance and Notification Unit (DSN) in Yenagoa Local Government in Bayelsa had reported that 18 AFP cases were found in the council’s area within eight months. The report also said that nine
suspected measles cases and three Neonatal Tetanus (NNT) were also reported within the period. But Dr Ado Mohammed, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) had told newsmen that the reported outbreak of Polio in Bayelsa was not true. However, he confirmed that 18 cases of the AFP were reported in the 15 wards of the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
Navy Destroys 53 Illegal Refineries
Bunkering: WARRI (Delta) - The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Warri, said that it has destroyed 53 illegal refineries in Ashafama forest in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta. The Commander of NNS Delta, Capt. Musa Gemu, in Warri that 53 metric tonnes of crude was also burnt during an operation against bunkering in the area. He, however, said no suspect was apprehended during the exercise. According to him, three make-shift tents of the criminals have also been destroyed. Gemu said the command would continue to fight illegal oil bunkering until the illicit business was completely eradicated in the area. He warned those engaging in illegal oil bunkering to desist from it or face the wrath of the law. “Oil bunkering is gradually reducing in the area and I assure you that we will not relent on our oars until it is completely eradicated. “I have been given the mandate to apprehend bunkerers and destroy illegal crude oil; we will not relent. “They have devised a means of going far into the creeks, but we too have intensifyied our surveillance to contain their illegal activities”, Gemu said. “They understand the creeks more than we do, they go to areas we do not know but we will always get them.” Gemu appealed to the
Chief of Naval Staff to dialogue with the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to assist the command with smaller boats to navigate narrow creeks. The naval boss said his command had on September 18 impounded MV Maga vessel in Dodo River, Delta,
with about 540 metric tonnes of illegally refined crude with 11 crews, who were Nigerians. He said the vessel was still being held at Naval Command in Sapele, adding that the vessel and the suspects would soon be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
Councillors’ Forum Condemns Insurgency CALABAR - The National Councillors’ Forum of Nigeria (NCFN), has condemned the activities of Boko Haram in some parts of North East, and called for decisive action to check the aggression. This is contained in a sixpoint communiqué issued by the forum after their three-day meeting in Calabar. The communique signed by Messrs Usman IbrahimMohammed and Edemekeong Christopher, National President and General Secretary respectively, frowned at the rate of insurgency in the North East. The forum also appealed to the Federal Government, to listen to the voice of the people and ensure the autonomy of local government councils. It said that autonomy of the councils would boost grassroots governance and development, thereby bringing more dividends of democracy closer to the
people. The communiqué said that councilors should be empowered and provided with mobility and constituency allowances in order to quicken developments at the ward levels. “As grassroots representatives, the forum appealed that the autonomy of the local government should not be jettison. “This will help the grassroots governance to bring more dividends of democracy closer to the people.’’ The councilor also pledged to cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure the success of the 2015 general elections. “Having observed the massive transformation carried out by President Goodluck Jonathan led administration, the forum is willing to mobilise, sensitise, and act as political catalyst during the 2015 general elections to ensure peace and unity,’’ the communique added.
Across The Nation NURTW Plans Sensitisation Programme For Drivers LOKOJA - Kogi chapter Ember Months:
of the National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), has said that it had concluded arrangements to sensitize drivers in the state on safety precautions during the Ember months. Mr Tajudeen Saulah, the Chairman of the chapter, told newsmen in Lokoja that the measure became necessary in view of the frequency of road traffic accidents in the axis. According to him, the sensitisation programme will hold between September 28 and September 29. Saulah urged drivers in the state and the nation in general, to always take safety precautions, especially when driving commercial vehicles. He also cautioned drivers against excessive speed or
drinking before or while driving, noting that life was too precious to be lost cheaply. The chairman also commended the Federal Road Safety Corps for its awareness campaigns on road safety, adding that the exercise had benefited drivers and other road users. He then urged the Corps not to relent in its efforts, now that the Ember months were approaching.
L-R: South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Lulu Mnguni; General Overseer, Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor T.B. Joshua; President Goodluck Jonathan and the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Adefulire during visit of the President to the scene of the collapsed church building in Lagos recently.
Ensure Maximum Security, Shekarau Urges School Authorities
KANO - The Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has directed heads of various institutions across the country to ensure maximum security in schools to check possible attacks by hoodlums. He gave the directive when he
led a Federal Government delegation on sympathy visit to the Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano. He said the issue of security was not the affairs of only Federal, State or Local Government or communities but
Police To Introduce Foot Patrol MINNA - The Niger Police To Curb Crime Command will introduce Geographical Area Policing as part of its efforts to combat crime, the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusola Amore, has said. Amore made the statement in Minna while briefing newsmen on his plan to combat crime in the state. He explained that the system would involve the deployment of officers and men on the streets and other areas not covered in the normal patrol. He said the command would make available communication lines to report the achievements and challenges facing police in
the state. The commissioner pledged that the command would promote the agenda of the acting InspectorGeneral of Police on community policing. “The people of Niger state will see a new change in the handling of crime and criminality. “The policy of community policing is an agenda to be pursued vigorously. My slogan is Together We Can. Together we can make a crime free society. “The number of each Area Commander and Divisional
Police Officer will be given to the public. “My number and those of others at the headquarters are available so that the people can contact us directly. “We need feedback from all stakeholders,’’ he said. Amore said the command would collaborate with community vigilance groups and private security outfits to fight crime in the state. He added that the command would also work with the media in the state to enhance communication channels.
the responsibility of everybody. The minister stressed the need for the authorities of the college to go back to the drawing board and take stringent measures to enhance security in the school. He expressed hope that security agencies in the state and the country would continue to give useful advices to schools to ensure maximum security. “I believe this incident will not deter our people from pursuing their studies because we see it as a challenge to whoever is concerned to provide maximum security in our schools.
“We hope heads of various schools across the country will come up with some stringent measures for maximum security in their respective schools. “It is unfortunate that the trend we are witnessing is that institutions of learning are being targeted, “the minister said. Shekarau, who condoled with the staff, students and management of the college, prayed God to give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and the inured speedy recovery. Earlier, the Provost of the
College, Dr Rabi Jibirila, had told the delegation that the students were taking lectures when the insurgents stormed the college. He commended the Federal Government for sending the delegation to college. The minister was accompanied on the visit by the former governors of Jigawa and Kebbi, Alhaji Saminu Turaki and Alhaji Adamu Aleoro, respectively, among others. The delegation also visited the victims of the attack who were receiving medical attention at the Murtala Muhammed Teaching Hospital.
Political Debate: NUJ Inaugurates 15-Man C’ttee OWERRI - The Imo Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) inaugurated a 15-man committee to organise debates for candidates seeking political parties in the state.
L-R: Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammed Sanusi; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, at the Northern Traditional Rulers Council meeting in Kaduna recently.
Mr. Innocent Igwe, the Chairman of the state NUJ, inaugurated the committee. The committee has Mr. Emma Okere of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as Chairman, while Mr. Emma Odibo of the Announcer Newspapers, a local tabloid, as secretary. Igwe said that the debate was part of the social responsibility programmes of the union. He said the debates would enable all the candidates and political parties to showcase their manifestoes to the Imo electorate. He said the debate would also offer unique interface between the people and aspirants at various the levels. Igwe urged the committee to relay the programmes live on radio and television stations in the state and in major national and international networks. He also urged the committee to work out modalities to get stakeholders in the state to participate fully in the debates. “Today, what we are doing is
in fulfillment of our responsibility as agenda setters. We want to set agenda for the society in the next political dispensation. “The essence is to make democracy work and also deepen it in the state,” the NUJ Chairman said. Okere, the Chairman of the Committee, thanked the NUJ Chairman for finding him and members of the committee worthy to carry out the assignment. He promised that the committee would not disappoint the union in its expectations. Okere also asked for the cooperation of all members of NUJ to enable the committee to succeed in the assignment. Reports state that members of the committee include representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). Others are members of NIPR, Conference of Political Parties in Imo and the Police Public Relations Officer.
Lagos
Nigerians Urge Govt To Intensify Fight Against Cybercrime
LAGOS - Some Nigerians in Lagos has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in the fight against Cybercrime in society, saying it was fast becoming a menace. They told newsmen that there was the need to check the activities of internet fraudsters like hacking, scam, extortion and impersonation in a bid to
protect susceptible individuals. A lawyer and social critic, Mr. Anthony Makolo, said that cybercrime was fast becoming a norm in the society, adding that it was a crime which was not only evolving but appeared to have come to stay.
He called for the enactment of a law prohibiting cybercrime and stipulating strict sanctions for culprits. According to Makolo, there must also be adequate machinery in place to ensure the implementation of such
laws so as to curb further incidences. He also called on parents to sensitise their wards against social vices. A Cyber Operator, Mr. Destiny Obinna, in his view, noted that cybercrime had
tarnished the nation’s image. He said that though the internet created myriad of opportunities for commercial, social and educational activities, it had been misused by unscrupulous people. He, therefore, urged parents, guardians and caregivers to champion a crusade aimed at discouraging youths from engaging in crime. A student of the Yaba College of Technology, Mr. Emmanuel Osuji, said that the nature of criminal activities associated with the use of the internet were numerous. He attributed cybercrime to
the eagerness of youths to make quick money and “hit it big”. Osuji also underscored the need for government to put in place workable modalities such as the provision of an efficient Information Technology system in the country to help curtail the associated vices. Similarly, a parent, Mr. Emenike Nnoromele, said that though the use of internet had contributed to the growth of various sectors in the country, its use had been negated by fraudsters. He urged individuals to be wary of the activities of scammers and fraudsters who utilise the internet to defraud unsuspecting victims. Nnoromele also.
Lagos Faces Water Shortage
L-R: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire; Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwan Akiolu and President Goodluck Jonathan during the visit of the President to the Palace of the Royal Father in Lagos over the weekend.
LAGOS - The Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC) said it had water deficit of about 300 million gallons per day. Its Group Managing Director, Mr. Shayo Holloway, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. According to him, the reason for this deficit is the high population in the state with an average of five per cent estimated
Expert Tasks Nigerians On Copy Right Laws
LAGOS – Mrs. Idayat Balogun, a Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIAL), Lagos, has urged Nigerians to respect the nation’s copyright laws. She made the call in Lagos at a conference on the application
of internet in Nigeria. Balogun said that infringing on the intellectual property of others was a violation of the Nigerian Copyright Act, 2004. According to her, copyright is the right to produce and distribute copies of an intellectual production. She noted that copyright was
Use Culture To Accelerate Devt, Centre Advises African LAGOS - Sir Ferdinand Nations Anikwe, Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), has urged African
countries to accelerate their quest for development through usage of culture and indigenous languages. Anikwe made the appeal while speaking with newsmen after a media briefing at CBAAC headquarters in Lagos. According to him, it is clear that African cultures and languages have not been sufficiently incorporated into its quest for development. “Africa has to explore the neglected resources, culture and traditional ways of life in its quest for rapid development. “Although Africa has tried so many models in its efforts to drive development, its culture and languages should be the spring board to sum it up. “They impose forms and order on the forces around them which involve tangible and intangible ways by which
it adapts to its environment in a bid to leave the world a better place,” he said. He said Africans should build and strengthen the existing curricula for incorporating key components of their cultures and general ways of life into national development drive. “Africans should enhance the achievement of African Union’s new resolve to put culture in the front burner of African renaissance. “They should also create a renewed awareness of the pivotal role of culture in national development,” he said. CBAAC is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and it was established in 1979. Anikwe was a former Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Arts in Enugu State before he was appointed to replace former DirectorGeneral, Prof. Tunde Babawale.
not applicable to somebody’s idea but an expression of that idea in concrete terms. “The expression itself must have been fixed in a permanent or tangible form,” she said. She said literary works, musical works, artistic works, cinematograph films, sound recordings and broadcast could be copy righted. Balogun added that for works to be protected under the Copyright Act, it must have been seen to be original and having been fixed in a permanent medium. “For instance, if it is music, it must have been recorded, if it is a book, it must have been
written,” she said. Another participant at the conference, Aisha Tunde, said intellectual property law was not favourable to developing countries. She said it took the US over 100 years to approve the Berne Convention for the protection of literary and artistic works. “The US took its time to carefully study the Berne Convention before becoming a signatory to it. “We are supposed to copy these laws and adapt them to our national development,” she said. Meanwhile, a representative of Creative Commons (CC), Mr. Kayode Yussuf, said the goal of the body was to enable Nigerians create an open space where they
could negotiate with copyright laws through its licenses. Yussuf spoke with newsmen on the sidelines of the conference. “A CC license lets you decide which rights you would keep and it clearly conveys to those using your work how they are permitted to use “Creative Common licenses are not an alternative to copyright. By default, copyright allows only limited reuses without your permission. “CC licenses let you grant additional permission to the public, allowing reuse on the terms best suited to your needs while reserving some rights for yourself,” he said.
growth rate yearly. “The total demand for water is 540 million gallons per day. The corporation has total installed capacity of 210 million gallons per day leaving a shortfall of 300 million gallons. “However, the corporation is working towards meeting the demands for water supply in the state,” he said. Holloway said that the state had started working already on a road map to meet the water demands. He said work had already commenced on the Adiyan Phase II Water Works Project and it would be completed in 2016. According to him, the Adiyan Phase II project will add 70 million gallons of water per day to the already existing 210 million gallons. The managing director said that the corporation had a design for a water works project in Badagry. He said that the Badagry water works project would be constructed by a private firm through Public Private Partnership (PPP). Holloway said the corporation had started discussions with a PPP to develop the water works expected to produce 200 million gallons of water per day. He said that meeting the water demand in Lagos State was a continuous assignment as it was not something that would be done in a year.
Oba of Lagos, HRH, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (right) welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to his palace over the weekend.
Across The Nation Kwara To Support Sports Devt
Senator Donates To Internally Displaced Persons LAFIA Senator Suleiman Adokwe, (PDPNasarawa) has donated N2.5 million cash and food items to persons displaced during the recent communal clashes in some parts of the state. Adokwe, who was represented by Mr. Lawani Aboki, said while presenting the items in Lafia that the gesture was part of his contribution to ameliorate the hardship of the victims. He called on publicspirited individuals to support displaced persons and the entire people of the stat. He urged them to always embrace peace and dialogue as means of settling disputes. The Coordinator, Adokwe Media Committee and Strategy, Mr. Abdullahi Ladan, said that the donation was the second of its kind to the affected persons. He also appealed to the people to show love and unite for the good of the state. Mr. Garba Magaji, who spoke on behalf of the victims, thanked the senator. He expressed the commitment of the affected persons to peace and stability after returning to their various communities. The items were 90 bags of rice, 70 bags of maize and 35 gallons of palm oil.
Dr. (Mrs) Aihanuwa Eregie, Commissioner for Health, Edo State (centre) flanked on her (right) by Dr. Peter Ugbodaga, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Dr. Iyekekpolor DPRS of the Ministry during the commissioner’s appearance at Edo State House of Assembly yesterday. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
NEMA To Assist Victims Of Kano Blast
KANO - The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has pledged to assist victims of bomb attack in Kano who are currently receiving medical treatment in various hospitals. NEMA Zonal Coordinator in Kano, Alhaji Musa Ilallah, made the pledge when he paid a sympathy visit to the Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano, where the incident occured. Ilallah said the agency would provide drugs and other medications for the treatment of all those injured in the attack. “NEMA has the obligation to support the victims so that it will encourage people to inform the agency when
the need arises”. He, however, explained that the agency would not provide any financial assistance but only what the affected school and the victims needed. The NEMA official said the agency would also provide all the reading materials including chairs and tables in the school as well as rehabilitate affected buildings as soon as possible. Ilallah who sympathised with the school management over the incident, prayed for the quick recovery of the injured students. Reports say that
NEMA officials had also Official figures indicate visited the victims of the that 15 persons were attack at the Murtala killed and 34 others Muhammed Hospital. injured in the attack.
ILORIN - The Kwara Government has restated its resolve to support the development of sporting activities among journalists and working class in the state. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Babatunde Sodiq, said this after the ongoing SWAN Media Games final. Sodiq charged the public to embrace regular physical exercise. “Physical exercise and keep fit programmes is important for both mentally and social wellbeing,” Sodiq said. He commended participants for the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited during the games. The permanent secretary pledged the state government’s support for the success of the games. He, however, urged the organisers of the games to improve in the subsequent edition. Meanwhile, Harmony FM defeated Royal FM 1-0 to win the football event, Team Radio Kwara beat Team Correspondents 2-1 to pick bronze.
Man, 22, Arraigned For Public Nuisance
ABUJA - The Police has arraigned a 22-year-old unemployed man, Jude Mba, at a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for alleged public nuisance. The prosecutor, Cpl. Umar Ango, told the court that the accused, of no fixed address, is facing a one-count charge of constituting public nuisance. He said a police patrol team attached to the Wuse Zone 3 Police Division, on September 16, arrested the accused at Wuse Zone 2 area of Abuja. He further told the court that the patrol team, led by Insp. Edet Ubi, found in possession of the accused a car key suspected to have been stolen.
Hon. Orobosa OmoOjo, Commissioner for Transport, Edo State (right) and Mr. Charles Ebhahome, Director, Finance and Account of the Ministry during the C o m m i s s i o n e r ’s appearance before Edo State House of Assembly standing committee on Transport yesterday. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
Ango said the offence contravened sections 183 and 319A of the Penal Code. But the accused denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Senior Magistrate Aliyu Shafa granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety who must be resident within the court jurisdiction. Shafa adjourned the matter to October 13.
Adamawa Guber Candidate Promises To Promote Agriculture YOLA - Alhaji Aminu Dahiru, the gubernatorial candidate of KOWA party for Adamawa by-election, said he would ensure all arable land in the state was cultivated, if elected. Dahiru told newsmen in Yola that the measure was part of his party’s manifesto towards food security and self sufficiency in food production. “ Adamawa can truly be turned into the food basket of the nation. Given hard work and sufficient encouragement, the state population of over three million can, within the shortest time, till all the over 30,000 square kilometres of land, “ Dahiru said. He explained that the project would be achieved by making access to farmland cheaper and easier as well as creation of farm settlements. “To achieve this, the present tractor unit under the Ministry of Agriculture will be retained, but made efficient and responsive to the needs of our farmers under strict government
control. “ Land will be cleared for farmers by government tractors at no cost, “ Dahiru said. He also added that to ensure all season farming, his administration would pay serious attention to irrigation farming in view of the state abundance water resources. Dahiru, who is an active farmer, said if elected, he would establish an assembly for irrigation equipment so that farmers would have access to the required irrigation facility for maximum result. Dahiru also listed civil service, security, infrastructure, health and education as some of the areas to receive priority attention under his administration. Dahiru, who listed corruption and lack of God fearing as the major problems affecting development in the state, said his administration would lead by example and honest and committed officials would be rewarded to motivate others. The Adamawa governorship by-election is scheduled for October. 11.
Abuja FG Releases N200bn For Capital Projects ABUJA - The Federal Government has released N200 billion for the execution of capital projects in the third quarter of the year, according to a statement. The statement was issued by the Ministry of Finance, signed by Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, the Minister’s Spokesman.
Car Theft:
“The Federal Ministry of Finance has released the sum of N200 billion as capital for the third quarter of 2014,” the statement noted. It added that the amount would help to ensure further progress in the execution of capital projects across the country.
Driver Remanded
ABUJA - A Wuse Zone 5 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja has remanded one Nasiru Gimba, a driver with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in prison custody over alleged car theft. Gimba, 33, who pleaded not guilty to the two count charge of fabrication of a key and theft, lives in Aprophim St. Life Camp, Abuja. Magistrate Baba Shani, adjourned the case to October 15 for hearing. The prosecutor, Christopher Roko had told the court that the case was reported at the Utako Police Station by one Hamza Aliyu of the FIRS on April 23, 2013. Roko said that the accused committed the crime, after parking the car at the official lot of FIRS sometimes in April 2013. The prosecutor said that after he had parked the car, he went back to the office; but later went back to the car lot to remove the car. He said that the accused was captured by the Close Circuit Camera (CCTV) installed in the premises. He said that the car with
registration number FIRS 246, was valued N4 million. Roko said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 361 and 287 of the Penal Code.
L-R: Police Area Commander-Aliyu Gara; Commissioner of Police, Rivers Command, Dan Bature and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), Alkali Ahaba, at a news conference on the arrest of suspects in Port Harcourt recently.
Oil Workers Suspend Strike
ABUJA - The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have suspended its five-day-old strike. The suspension was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a marathon meeting with the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke and the Management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The oil workers had last Monday ordered their members to embark on indefinite strike in protest against NNPC’s alleged refusal to address unresolved pension issues concerning workers in the oil industry. The communiqué, which was read by NUPENG President, Mr Achese Igwe, was signed by PENGASSAN President, Mr Francis Johnson, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr Jamila Shu’ara. Others who signed the communiqué include NNPC GMD, Dr Joseph Dawha; Group Chairman, NNPC PENGASSAN, Mr Abdulhakim Sanusi; Group Chairman NNPC NUPENG, Mr Richard Otovwievwiere and Chairman,
Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) PENGASSAN, Mr Anba Ndoma-Egba. Igwe said the industrial action was suspended after the intervention of the Minister of Petroleum Resources. “By virtue of the intervention of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the strike embarked upon by NUPENG and PENGASSAN of NNPC Group Executive councils and DPR is hereby suspended,” he said He said after exhaustive deliberations, the Minister informed the unions that PENCOM letter withdrawing the temporary licence granted to NNPC to run defined Benefited Scheme had been reversed. According to him, the Minister affirmed that participatory approval had been given to measures and timeliness proposed by the NNPC management to close the existing N86.5 billion pension fund gap on or before August 2015. “The minister emphasised the need to embrace international standard pension fund structure and framework so that the pension gap is closed, the frame work will ensure that the pension fund is invested and managed to
guarantee sustainability. “It was agreed that a committee comprising members drawn from NNPC Management, PENGASSAN, NUPENG, DPR, RSA, and CSLD will be established to work out the modalities and framework for sustaining the NNPC pension scheme, along the oil and gas Private Sector lines,” he said. He said the Minister also affirmed that the issue of NNPC crude oil supply to refineries, Turn Around Maintenance of the
Refineries and other internal operational matters should be internally handled by the NNPC management and the staff unions. He said the NNPC GMD in consultation with the in-house unions shall determine the amount to be paid as the lump to the pension fund within the approval already granted by the Minister of Petroleum Resources. He said the Minister assured the meeting that the NNPC GMD has the capacity to deal with the concerns of the unions on the
strategic Alliance Agreement between NPDC and other companies. PENGASSAN President, Mr Francis Johnson, in an interview with newsmen after the meeting said the unions were satisfied with the agreement and would immediately order their members to resume work. He, however, said the unions would be monitoring the implementation of the agreement which he said would determine the sustainability of the suspended strike.
CBN Retains Monetary Police Rate At non-oil GDP was traced to the ABUJA - The Monetary 12 Percent ofdecline in agricultural output, Policy Committee (MPC) meeting retained the monetary policy rate at 12 per cent and the public and private sector cash reserve requirements at 75.0 per cent and 15.0 per cent respectively. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, who chaired the Committee meeting told newsmen in Abuja. Emefiele expressed the Committee’s satisfaction with the relative stability in the Nigerian economy and stated the risks that lied ahead. He said “the key risks include the possibility of capital reversals as the Fed’s Quantitative Easing
Hon. Sunday Aghedo, member representing Ovia South West Constituency in Edo State House of Assembly, moving a motion on the recent rain storm disaster in his constituency recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
in the U.S. finally ends in October amid dwindling oil output, declining oil prices, domestic security challenges and upward trending headline inflation.” The CBN governor said the oil sector grew by 5.14 per cent in second quarter of 2014, a marked reversal from the decline recorded in the preceding four quarters. He, however, expressed happiness on efforts made by government to curtail vandalism of oil facilities and crude theft in the Niger Delta region. Emefiele reiterated the Committee’s commitment to continue to support the efforts, in addition to facilitating other measures, aimed at promoting inclusive non-inflationary growth. He said the Committee noted the continued resilience of the economy as real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 6.54 per cent in the second quarter of 2014 compared with 5.40 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2013. According to him, the observed growth rate also surpassed the 6.21 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2014. “The non-oil sector remained the main driver of growth, recording 6.71 per cent in the second quarter of 2014. “This is lower than the 8.21 per cent and 8.88 per cent recorded in first quarter, 2014 and the corresponding quarter of 2013, respectively,’’ the CBN governor said. He said the decline in growth
construction, trade and services relative to the levels recorded in the first quarter of 2014. Emefiele said the slowdown in agricultural output was attributed to the insurgency activities in the North Eastern axis and some parts of the North Central states. According to him, the insurgency led to displacement of farming communities, thereby limiting agricultural activities and, hence, output from that region. The CBN boss said growth in the services and industry sectors remained relatively stable compared with the corresponding period in 2013. He said the Committee commended the efforts by government to address some of the constraints and risks to economic activity such as insurgency in the North-East and the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic. He added that the Committee further expressed concern about high banking system liquidity and its potential effects on inflation and the exchange rate. “The Committee notes that the policy challenges will include sustaining the stability of the naira exchange rate, managing the vulnerability to capital flow reversal and building fiscal buffers to insure against global shocks. “The challenges also include managing inflation and exchange rate expectations and safeguarding the financial system stability, as well as a buildup in election-related spending.”
Business + Economy FMBN Commits N3bn
Estate Financing:
Students learning to make head gear and make up at the Economic Empowerment programme by Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at Ikorodu Local Government in Lagos recently.
Distribution Of Fertilisers, Water Pumps
Farmers Commend Council KIRIKASAMMA (jigawa) - Farmers in Kirikasamma Local Government Area of Jigwa commended the council over the distribution of fertilisers and water pumps to them. A cross section of the farmers told newsmen in Kirikasamma that the gesture had encouraged agricultural activity. Malam Abubakar Marma, a farmer, said he had received a water pump and tube well from the council. Marma said that the
machines had eased difficulties in watering his farm, adding that the gesture had encouraged irrigation activity. “The local council distributed water pumps and fertilisers to farmers. “I am now engaged in dry season activitty following support from the council,” he said. Baba-Aji Aliyu, another farmer, said that such support had enhanced farmers’ access to fertilisers and other inputs. Aliyu said the gesture had
encouraged them to produce variety of farm produce. “We do not have water shortages and we are practising both irrigation as well as rain-fed agriculture”. The council Chairman, Alhaji Mahmoud Mattafari, said it had distributed 200 water pumps and tube wells to small holder farmers in the area. Mattafari said that the council had also distributed more than 3,000 bags of assorted fertilisers, seeds and chemicals to the farmers and
FG Trains Livestock Farmers LAFIA - The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organised a training workshop on quality hides and skin production for livestock farmers in Nasarawa State. The Director of the ministry in the state, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, said at the occasion in Lafia that the workshop would boost livestock production in the country through value chain addition. Mohammed said that with the requisite training, livestock farmers in the country could produce quality and sufficient skin that would make leather a major foreign exchange earner. He said agricultural goods produced in the country were of better quality than those imported and decried the
attitude of some Nigerians who preferred foreign commodities. According to him, the training, which is part of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda in the agricultural sector, would improve the economic fortunes of the farmers. “The whole ideal is to encourage the farmers to enhance their productivity through adequate training,” Mohammed said. He reiterated government’s desire to harness the nation’s agricultural potentials toward self sufficiency in food production. Mr. Otubor Oghenerukewe, the Livestock Development Officer in the ministry, said government was committed to boosting livestock production by supporting the farmers with necessary inputs at subsidised rates.
It was reported that participants of the workshop were drawn from the 13 local government areas of the state.
educated them on modern preservation techniques. He said the measure was to encourage productivity, provide job opportunities and enhance wealth creation amomg rural dwellers.
LOKOJA - The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) said it had expended over N3 billion in financing estate development projects in Kogi. Mr. Bisi Ogunjobi, Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank, disclosed this at the inauguration of the newly completed Kogi office complex of the bank in Lokoja. He said the commitment was in line with the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, especially in the area of the provision of quality and affordable houses for Nigerians. Ogunjobi, who was represented at the occasion by a director in the bank, Mr. Eucheria Alozie, said Kogi contributed about N1.92 billion of the amount. He added that the bank had facilitated the provision of loans for the construction of 1,000 housing units across the state. According to the chairman, Kogi Investment and Property Ltd. was granted facility for the contruction of 350 housing units; City Point Global Investment Ltd, 400
and Philkruz (W.A.) Ltd, 250 units. He said the state was in partnership with the bank in the provision of affordable housing for workers, adding that the partnership was beneficial to all stakeholders. “It is imperative to note that Kogi State is an active participant in the National Housing Fund Scheme (NHF) through contributions by its workers and self-employed citizens,” Ogunjobi said. Inaugurating the office complex, Gov. Idris Wada commended the bank for its complementary contributions to the housing sector in the state. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, said the state government had been the sole catalyst in the provision of affordable houses for the citizenry in the state. Wada urged the people to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the bank. The state Ministry of Land and Housing, representatives of labour and the bank’s consultants, among others, delivered goodwill messages at the occasion.
FERMA Rehabilitates 30 Roads ILORIN – Mr. Ige In Kwara specifications. Babatunde, Chief Engineer, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Kwara, said that the agency rehabilitated 30 federal roads in the state from January till date. Babatunde, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin, said most of the roads have been completed,
while finishing touches are being given to few others. According to him, some of the rehabilitated roads include: llorin-Ajaseipo, Gbugbu-Patigi, llorinOgbomosho, KaimaWawa, among others. Babatunde said the contractors were executing the projects according to
He expressed optimism that more federal roads would be rehabilitated in the state as soon as more funds are made available. Babatunde appealed to the people not to dump refuse inside drainages in order to elongate the lifespan of the roads.
Catering and confectionary Students at the Economic Empowerment Programme by Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at Ikorodu Local Government in Lagos recently.
NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (22/09/2014) Close
Value
MULTITREX
0.5
0.5
0
0
5,915,172
2,957,586.00
11,864
1,669,264.80
NAHCO
5.05
5.05
0
0
1,823,770
9,197,573.19
1,580,317
1,066,959.39
NASCON
9.39
9.2
-0.19
0
249,497
2,291,543.77
66,290.25
NB
179
178.99
-0.01
0
1,997,214
356,924,188.90
6,162,790
59,101,156.10
NEIMETH
1.07
1.07
0
0
163,642
172,638.14
104,128
335,478.93
NEM
0.81
0.83
0.02
0
7,436,759
6,007,419.79
0
10,000
5,000.00
NESTLE
1050
1069.9
19.9
0
630,144
665,065,632.80
0.06
0
432,964
568,046.82
NEWGOLD
1940
1924
-16
0
100
192,400.00
-0.03
0
3,082,877
2,529,773.70
NNFM
21.99
21.99
0
0
5,390
118,908.40
0
0
269,830
538,760.00
NPFMCRFBK
0.95
0.98
0.03
0
250,170
246,164.90 3,774,461,482.00
Stocks
Open
Change
Deals
Units
7UP
134
134
0
0
ABCTRANS
0.67
0.67
0
0
ACADEMY
1.41
1.41
0
0
45,425
ACCESS
9.59
9.59
0
0
AFRIPRUD
3.1
3.1
0
0
AFROMEDIA
0.5
0.5
0
AGLEVENT
1.32
1.38
AIICO
0.85
0.82
AIRSERVICE
2
2
ASHAKACEM
32.1
33
0.9
0
573,932
18,917,436.03
NSE30
1874.36
1872.34
-2.02
0
196,602,445
ASOSAVINGS
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,000
500
NSE50
2028.3
2026.05
-2.25
0
289,364,223
3,935,719,901.00
AVONCROWN
1.75
1.75
0
0
1,000
1,670.00
NSEASEM
955.35
955.35
0
0
35,500
50,055.00 4,139,517,177.00
BERGER
8.6
8.6
0
0
11,142
94,201.90
NSEASI
41049.27
40984.11
-65.16
0
344,947,238
BETAGLAS
18.85
18.85
0
0
2,000
36,000.00
NSEBNK
428.87
424.53
-4.34
0
118,762,839
1,163,696,179.00
CADBURY
54.99
52.5
-2.49
0
480,736
25,227,978.96
NSECNSMRGDS
1010.18
1013.56
3.38
0
7,091,517
1,131,412,936.00
CAP
39
39.49
0.49
0
143,848
5,646,728.46
NSEINDUSTR
2755.63
2786.32
30.69
0
3,544,479
268,341,039.10
CAVERTON
4.98
4.87
-0.11
0
1,001,700
4,914,896.50
NSEINS
143.91
144.97
1.06
0
65,497,713
50,071,278.70
CCNN
14.45
14.45
0
0
273,557
3,891,218.25
NSELOTUSISLM
2710.23
2738.54
28.31
0
4,975,160
1,012,894,524.00
418,683.00
NSEOILGAS
444.6
443.36
-1.24
0
7,459,771
204,245,893.70
CHAMPION
9
9
0
0
46,087
CHAMS
0.5
0.5
0
0
2,000
1,000.00
OANDO
24
23.7
-0.3
0
6,134,592
143,907,310.90
CHELLARAM
3.95
3.95
0
0
1,367
5,399.65
OKOMUOIL
34.5
34.5
0
0
70,432
2,389,594.00
CILEASING
0.5
0.5
0
0
57,380
28,690.00
PORTPAINT
5.08
5.33
0.25
0
806,800
4,298,844.00
CONOIL
47.99
47.99
0
0
19,727
916,554.40
PREMBREW
5.12
4.87
-0.25
0
543,114
2,714,529.13
CONTINSURE
0.97
0.97
0
0
353,200
337,240.00
PRESCO
37.5
37.5
0
0
55,731
2,180,000.16
CORNERST
0.5
0.52
0.02
0
115,000
58,660.00
PRESTIGE
0.5
0.5
0
0
5,700
2,850.00
COSTAIN
0.97
1.01
0.04
0
196,332
197,186.48
PZ
35.05
34.99
-0.06
0
418,122
14,033,321.00
COURTVILLE
0.55
0.55
0
0
137,000
74,350.50
REDSTAREX
4.53
4.5
-0.03
0
1,085,766
4,786,085.40
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,000
500 43,753.41
CUSTODYINS
3.95
4
0.05
0
553,639
2,218,055.09
REGALINS
CUTIX
1.92
1.83
-0.09
0
319,500
587,350.00
ROYALEX
0.51
0.51
0
0
85,791
CWG
4.8
4.8
0
0
100
480
RTBRISCOE
0.97
0.97
0
0
36,155
35,452.98
4.67
4.67
0
0
100
444
DANGCEM
224
222.85
-1.15
0
561,005
123,871,923.90
SCOA
DANGFLOUR
6.89
6.89
0
0
40,886
267,998.80
SEPLAT
640
650
10
0
167,823
109,010,875.20
DANGSUGAR
8.49
8.1
-0.39
0
2,033,815
16,530,973.14
SKYEBANK
2.75
2.7
-0.05
0
29,068,057
79,489,482.04
DIAMONDBNK
6.46
6.24
-0.22
0
6,240,631
39,326,045.81
SOVRENINS
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,020
510 500
DNMEYER
1.1
1.1
0
0
6,379
7,197.95
STACO
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,000
ETERNA
3.81
3.75
-0.06
0
1,024,880
3,876,871.61
STANBIC
30.62
31.2
0.58
0
676,989
20,821,823.38
ETI
19
18.1
-0.9
0
20,310,715
378,525,965.10
STDINSURE
0.5
0.5
0
0
500
250
ETRANZACT
2.21
2.21
0
0
700
1,470.00
STERLNBANK
2.17
2.14
-0.03
0
3,055,664
6,595,804.84
EVANSMED
2.1
2.1
0
0
3,070
6,140.00
TANTALIZER
0.5
0.5
0
0
22,400
11,200.00
FBNH
14.22
14
-0.22
0
65,228,648
920,821,550.90
TOTAL
172.53
172.53
0
0
26,530
4,719,739.46
FCMB
4.14
4.15
0.01
0
6,750,298
27,825,568.87
TRANSCORP
5.9
5.7
-0.2
0
22,207,357
128,735,704.30
FIDELITYBK
1.95
1.95
0
0
13,245,357
25,969,021.03
TRANSEXPR
1.63
1.55
-0.08
0
100,000
155,000.00
FIDSON
3.52
3.56
0.04
0
924,965
3,187,604.65
TRIPPLEG
1.86
1.86
0
0
2,000
3,540.00
FO
227
224.8
-2.2
0
194,619
43,104,130.61
UACN
57
57.5
0.5
0
222,889
12,740,420.21
FORTISMFB
5.42
5.42
0
0
900
5,085.00
UBA
7
6.82
-0.18
0
25,029,946
174,974,368.90
FTNCOCOA
0.51
0.51
0
0
7,974,955
4,053,568.65
UBCAP
2.05
2.05
0
0
1,802,702
3,700,658.38
GLAXOSMITH
65
65
0
0
7,543
467,907.98
UBN
9.7
9.8
0.1
0
334,677
3,251,995.73
GOLDBREW
0.8
0.8
0
0
250
210
UNHOMES
0.5
0.5
0
0
562
281
GUARANTY
29.49
28.51
-0.98
0
5,478,291
155,542,238.10
UNIC
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,500
750
GUINEAINS
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,000
500
UNILEVER
50
48.26
-1.74
0
212,146
10,241,963.20
GUINNESS
177
175
-2
0
68,734
12,007,776.26
UNIONDICON
13.41
13.41
0
0
500
6,370.00
HONYFLOUR
4.04
4.02
-0.02
0
387,086
1,560,825.37
UNITYBNK
0.5
0.5
0
0
4,150,000
2,075,000.00
IKEJAHOTEL
2.25
2.14
-0.11
0
14,078,948
32,953,309.01
UPDCREIT
9.13
9.13
0
0
29,900
284,050.00
INTBREW
29
28.36
-0.64
0
101,925
2,895,330.80
VANLEER
12.08
12.08
0
0
500
6,000.00
INTENEGINS
0.54
0.54
0
0
214,000
112,335.28
VETGRIF30
18.66
18.7
0.04
0
20
373.4
JAPAULOIL
0.5
0.5
0
0
543,410
271,705.00
VITAFOAM
4.24
4.24
0
0
52,750
216,402.00
JBERGER
64
67.2
3.2
0
222,883
14,931,518.56
VONO
1.51
1.5
-0.01
0
323,249
496,327.00
JOHNHOLT
1.08
1.08
0
0
5,000
5,150.00
WAPCO
127.5
131
3.5
0
852,695
110,997,336.60
0.75
0.77
0.02
0
52,935,822
40,245,604.87
JOSBREW
2.46
2.34
-0.12
0
550,750
1,289,520.00
WAPIC
LASACO
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,066,789
533,394.50
WEMABANK
0.91
0.9
-0.01
0
1,256,894
1,122,291.38
LAWUNION
0.5
0.5
0
0
119,000
59,500.00
ZENITHBANK
24.8
24.7
-0.1
0
9,836,711
240,920,101.80
LEARNAFRCA
1.6
1.6
0
0
10,010
15,215.20
LINKASSURE
0.5
0.5
0
0
1,000
500
LIVESTOCK
2.92
2.92
0
0
164,777
493,352.61
MANSARD
2.58
2.58
0
0
40,300
104,780.00
MAYBAKER
1.4
1.47
0.07
0
273,402
398,965.84
MBENEFIT
0.54
0.55
0.01
0
464,446
253,145.84
MCNICHOLS
1.48
1.48
0
0
35,500
50,055.00
MOBIL
174
174
0
0
37,027
6,588,594.80
TOP 10 GAINERS
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS
Stock
Close
Gain
Stock
Close
Loss
NSEINDUSTR NSELOTUSISLM NESTLE SEPLAT WAPCO NSECNSMRGDS JBERGER NSEINS ASHAKACEM STANBIC
2786.32 2738.54 1069.9 650 131 1013.56 67.2 144.97 33 31.2
30.69 28.31 19.9 10 3.5 3.38 3.2 1.06 0.9 0.58
NSEASI NEWGOLD NSEBNK CADBURY NSE50 FO NSE30 GUINNESS UNILEVER NSEOILGAS
40984.11 1924 424.53 52.5 2026.05 224.8 1872.34 175 48.26 443.36
-65.16 -16 -4.34 -2.49 -2.25 -2.2 -2.02 -2 -1.74 -1.24
THE House of Representatives recently organised a public hearing to gather opinions on Foreign Donations Bill currently before the lawmakers. The bill titled “ An Act to Regulate the Acceptance and Utilisation of Finance/Material Contributions of Donor Agencies to Voluntary Organisations and for matters related connected therewith” has generated so much furor in development circles. THE bill states that no voluntary organisation is allowed to accept funds from international donors without the permission of Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. By this regulation, the ICPC would be mandated to approve funds for Civil Society Organisations, and individuals who receive international funding for different programmes. WE strongly oppose the Bill for a number of reasons: The Bill proposed by Hon. Eddie Mbadiwe, appears to be a duplication of duties assigned to the Special Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML. MBADIWE, at the committee meeting held on July 3, said he sponsored the bill with the intention to promote and defend civil society organisations. This of course, is a lie because, Civil Society do not need government’s bureaucracy for its defense. Instead, the bill if allowed to sail through will stifle Civil Society Organisations, block many from accessing international support and weaken their activities which includes amplifying the voices of the poor and vulnerable groups in the society. MBADIWE also said there was consistent abuse of contribution made by the international community and the bill would help control inflow of money into Nigeria. He also noted that funds meant for CSOs have ended in the hands of terrorists. This is a blatant lie because whereas Civil Society
THE NIGERIAN
Foreign Donations Bill Organisations have been receiving funds from international agencies for over one hundred years of Nigeria’s amalgamation history, terrorism became an issue and manifestly so in the past two-three years of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration; that is why most observers believe that a section of the north who do not want him as president are the brains behind Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. ALL over the world, it is said that government alone cannot finance development and meet the various challenges facing all citizens that informs the entry point of other development partners such as Civil Society to fill such gaps as the private sector is usually preoccupied with profit maximization. IT is a truism that hundreds of local CSOs and voluntary organisations receive donor funding from international partners to pursue developmental projects across Nigeria yearly, Mbadiwe, a consultant Biochemist/ Industrialist, and an inexperienced first-term member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North/South constituency of Imo State do not have clear understanding of the working of Civil Society now accepted by the United Nations and Governments all over the world as key partners in development. IT is important to emphasise that funds of CSOs are usually channeled towards sustainable development, public office holder
accountability, good governance, improvement of access to quality healthcare services, polio eradication and HIV/AIDS care and control in Nigeria among others. If the proposed bill is made law, such funding henceforth would only materialise if the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, approves it, a task which SCUML is already assigned to do. THERE are laws already governing the utilisation of money used by civil society organisations and it is the duty of government to enforce these laws. There are extant laws, which regulate civil society organisations, making it possible for these organisations to be held accountable for the utilisation of their funds. In addition to these laws, are policies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, policy that makes it mandatory for all NGOs to comply with its SCUML rules. IN as much as we are against terrorism, we do not support the destruction of democratic structures in the guise of combating terrorism as being canvassed by he Bill. IT is our considered view that Civil Society Organisations cannot be made to suffer, under the pretence of enacting a new law to tackle terrorism. The strength of Civil Society Organisations is based on the fact that they were independent of the government, given the peculiarity of government in Nigeria, the proposed bill latently seeks to muzzle this independence and now make them government dependent organisations. THE bill poses a threat to the freedom of civil society organisations. It is a covert threat to their right to free speech, and by extension, a threat to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. It is against these facts that we urge members of the National Assembly to throw away the Bill and cosign it to the wastebasket where it actually belongs.
Issues
Winning The War Against Corruption
U N A R G U A B LY, corruption is a global cankerworm which does not spare any nation; but of recent, comments about the level in Nigeria are worrisome. In spite of the comments, Nigeria was not even listed as among the 23 most corrupt
without taking off as they wait for you to pay them to fly the plane.” Ironically, the corruption rankings in the world when Mugabe made the comment, ranked the corruption level in Zimbabwe worst than that of Nigeria.
By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO
country, but to come from a sitting president of a brotherly country is most unkind and very dishonourable, ’’ he said. President Goodluck Jonathan, at a meeting with the Nigerian community in
Mohammed Abubakar, I.G of Police
countries in the recent rating released by Transparency International. Just recently the Federal Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Zimbabwean Head of Chancery, Stanley Kunjeku, to lodge a complaint over remarks credited to President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe made the remarks during his 90th birthday luncheon hosted by service chiefs. Mugabe said Zimbabweans are now almost behaving like Nigerians who had to be corruptly paid for every service. “Are we now like Nigeria where you have to reach your pocket to get anything done? “You see we use to go to Nigeria and every time we went there we had to carry extra cash in our pockets to corruptly pay for everything. “ You get into a plane in Nigeria and you sit there and the crew keeps dilly dallying
Dr Martin Uhomoibhi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, described Mugabe’s comment as “vitriolic and denigrating on Nigeria and Nigerians. “We were very concerned when we read that on the occasion of the 90th birthday of President Mugabe, he took off considerable time to vituperate about Nigeria.’’ He said Mugabe’s comments reflected “what we consider to be a strong aversion of our country, remarks which we consider denigrating and unstatesmanly on Nigeria and Nigerians in general. “He was reported to have said Nigerians are corrupt people when he hosted service chiefs on his 90th birthday. “We want to present the strongest protest in that statement; not only does it not reflect the reality in our
publicise their achievements. The president gave the directive recently in Abuja at the swearing-in of ICPC Commissioner, Alhaji Bako Abdullahi. “ICPC and EFCC must
corruption. “They say the president’s body language shows that he is not fighting corruption or he is not ready to fight corruption. “And sometimes it is even the very corrupt people that are making these statements, because if you attack
Nigerians from time to time so that people appreciate that these two agencies are working. “I know you are working, but not everybody knows you are working,’’ he said. Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, has also
Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman
Namibia, had said that corruption in Nigeria had been blown out of proportion. According to him, corruption is everywhere but it is over-celebrated in the country to the extent that the nation and its people are stigmatised. The president stressed that while his administration would not condone the menace, using big stick would not be a solution to end corruption. The president said that with the promulgation of decrees and relevant laws stipulating capital punishment for armed robbery, the menace had not stopped. He called on every Nigerian to resolve to do the right thing and support the government in its efforts at building a new Nigeria. In order to highlight the activities of anti-graft agencies, Jonathan has directed ICPC and EFCC to
make Nigerians believe that they are working. I know what you are doing, but not everybody knows what you are doing. “Ordinarily, these are agencies whose activities are not supposed to be made too loud because you don’t celebrate a situation where you send 100 or 200 Nigerians to prison,’’ he said. The president contended that contrary to the erroneous impression being created by some critics, his administration had done creditably in the fight against corruption. He said that majority of those criticising his government of not fighting corruption were even those that are “very corrupt’’. “The society is so funny that these days, anybody who wants to claim any element of credibility at all will go to the television and attack government of
government you are insulated, you become an angel. “If you want to be an angel, just attack the government, so whatever you have done is covered,’’ he said. Jonathan stressed that to correct such negative impression, the anti-graft agencies “must prove to Nigerians and show to Nigerians that you are working.’’ “Recently, the EFCC published a list of about 250 people they had convicted, and that is a huge number of people, and they said the government is not fighting corruption. “How many countries have convicted half that number of people within a space of time? “But before the publication, so many people did not believe that the EFCC are even going to work. “So in a situation where you secured convictions you should be able to tell
reiterated that the commission was committed to combating economic and financial crimes, adding that more than 773 convictions were secured since the inception of EFCC in 2003. Lamorde stated this recently in Sokoto while inaugurating the Usman Danfodiyo University chapter of Zero Tolerance Club, an anti corruption club. Lamorde, represented by Deputy Director, Public Affairs Department of the commission, Mr Osita Nwajah, said the war against corruption and financial crimes would only be won through collective efforts. Corruption is a global cankerworm which does not spare any nation, and could only be checked through collective efforts as suggested by experts and stakeholders. (NAN)
“Ironically, the corruption rankings in the world when Mugabe made the comment, ranked the corruption level in Zimbabwe worst than that of Nigeria.”
Nutritional Health And Dietetics
Kidney Problems And What To Do
THE renal system is a group organs that work together to produce, store and release urine. Urine is the liquid waste material excreted from the body. The organs that work together in this system include the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. It is also, known as the urinary or the excretory system. Kidneys, are a vital part of the renal system. They are located in the back portion of the abdominal cavity, with one on either side. One function of the kidneys is to transport urine into the tubes known as ureters before it exits the body. These organs also, have several other important functions, however, such as helping to regulate blood pressure. They also work to regulate the PH balance in the human body as well as the balance of electrolytes such as sodium and potassiulm. Research shows that when the body digests protein, the process creates waste products. In the kidneys and millions of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) with even tinier. As blood flows through the blood vessels, small molecules such as waste products squeeze through the holes. These waste products become part of the urine. Useful substances, such as protein and red blood cells are too big to pass through the holes in the filter and stay in the blood. Research also shows that diabetes can damage this system. High levels of blood sugar make the kidneys filter too much blood. All this extra work is hard on the filters.
After many years, they start to leak and useful protein is lost in the urine. Having small amounts of protein in the urine is called micro albuminuria. When kidney disease is diagnosed early during micro- albminuria several treatments may keep kidney disease from getting worse. Having larger amounts of protein in the urine is called macroalbuminuria. When kidney disease is caught later during macroalbuminuria end stage renal disease or ESRD usually follows. Bladder: Research shows is the next part of the system, sometimes referred to as the urinary bladder. The bladder is shaped much like a muscular, hollow balloon and sits in the pelvic area of the body. It’s primary function is to collect and store the urine that has left the kidneys. Once the bladder starts to become full, the urine begins to leave the bladder and pass into the ureters. Ureters are small tubes made of muscle. These structures are attached at one end to the kidneys and to the bladder at the other. They use a small amount of pressure to gently force or push urine from the kidneys to the bladder and then from the bladder to the urethra on its way out of the body. The ureters also, prevent urine from backing up and going back into the kidneys once it has passed into the bladder, a disorder which would be known as reflux. Urethra is the final portion of the renal system. The structure is a hollow tube connected to the bladder and
With
O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608
passes through the genitals, exiting the body. The urethra passes through the penis in males and is responsible for transporting both urine and semen. This tube is significantly shorter in females and stops just above the opening to the vagina. An external muscle known as the urethral sphincter helps to control the action of voluntary urination. The kidneys are responsible for so many important function, including filtering
accumulate and serious damage to the organs throughout your body would occur. Kidney also, oversee distribution of important minerals. Requlate the body’s acid –alkaline balance to keep you from becoming too acidic. Manages the body’s fluid levels and release three essential hormones involved in blood pressure, bone building and maintain ace of healthy red blood cells, among their other duties.
risk. Symptoms of possible kidney problem. Back pain-especially, when it’s sudden and intense. An urgent need to urinate. Fatigue Swollen legs, hands, feet or ankles Blood in the urine or difficulty urinating Bloating Puffy -eyes Ridges in fingernails Skin problems Nausea and vomiting
toxins from the blood. Scientists say that every 30 minutes, all the blood in your body trowels through the kidneys. Every single day, more than two quarts of waste are cleared from your bloodstream and removed from the body as urine. Without this vital kidney function, waste would
We live in a world filled with chemicals, toxins and corrosive materials, Things that overload our kidneys and force them to work harder than they should. In addition, dehydration remains a problem for the majority of people. If you are not taking plenty of water, you could be putting your own kidneys at
Metallic taste in the mouth Infection and kidney Kidney Stones are the most common kidney problems. Generally, infections are due to bacteria, E. Coli gaining access to the urinary tract where they can connect with the kidneys. Technically kidney infection is a form of urinary tract infection (UTI) and should be treated. Kidney stones, on the other hand, are solid, chemical deposits that form inside the kidney. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of kidney stones. A kidney stone can be nearly invisible to the naked eyes as large as a marble or even bigger. Tiny kidney stones pass out of the body in the urine so
“When kidney disease is diagnosed early during micro- albminuria several treatments may keep kidney disease from getting worse. Having larger amounts of protein in the urine is called macroalbuminuria.”
you are never aware of those larger kidney stones however, can become lodged in the ureter, a thin tube connecting the kidneys and the bladder, when they become stuck, these stones can cause severe pain in the side or back, blood in the urine and difficulty urinating. It can take days or even weeks for the kidney stone to pass on its own, so, if you are experiencing kidney stone symptoms, see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. In addition, there are three types of serious kidney disease –acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. Acute renal failure could be due to an injury or ingesting toxic substances. This responds to treatment. When kidneys gradually lose the ability to function, it is typically due to chronic kidney disease, the most common type of kidney ailment. Often there are no symptoms of chronic kidney disease until the condition has advanced. Then patients could experience numbness and or swelling in the hand and feet, frequent urination, nausea, anenua and poor appetite. Finally, end stage renal disease is a serious condition in which there is no or very little kidney function remaining and the damage to the kidney is permanent deading to dialysis sessions or a kidney transplant. How To Keep Your Kidney Healthy Diabetes and high blood pressure, both can cause kidney problems and they should be treated immediately. Drink enough water atleast, eight glass cups of water a day can prevent kidney stone and keep kidneys strong. Water dilutes the urine and that prevents minerals and salts from clustering together and forming stones. Eat less meat and alcohol Eat Nutritious whole foods diet and avoid junk foods Quit smoking, smoking hurts the kidney and take enough fruits and vegetables.
Society
Traits Of Successful Women Entrepreneurs
BEING successful is all about how badly you want it and how much you’re willing to work for it. It’s about the traits you possess to help get you there. The best way to figure that out is to look at the traits of extremely successful people and see how you can be adopting them into your life so that you can eventually end up just like them. Success is something that all of us wish to attain. But if it were so easy. Everyone who wanted it would have it, its relative elusiveness is what makes it special. It’s exclusive to a handful of people who did extraordinary things in their lives to get them to where they are today. And it wasn’t because they were lucky or because it was just handed to them. Most successful women in this world started from the bottom and worked their way up in life. The only time luck plays a role is when you are in the right place at the right time, but it’s up to you to get yourself there and then. The world all over there are successful women entrepreneurs who started from the scratch but today are very successful. The list of Forbes richest successful entrepreneurs and drop out billionaires is dominated by men but there are women who refused to die without leaving their prints in the sands of time. I am talking about women who took the bull by its horn and refused to accept anything below average men (Ajaero Tony Martins) In the worlds of successful women entrepreneurs, there are names that cannot be ignored; names like Anita Roddick, Rachael Ray, Mary Kay Ash, Oprah Winfrey. Estee lander, denny Craig, Folorunsho Alakija. C.J. Walker etc. A successful woman exhibits the following traits that distinguished her from other women. She is outstanding because she wanted it badly and she is ready and willing to work for it. The traits include the following among others. She has a positive attitude
By STANLEY UGAGBE/EDET ELIJAH
that makes her see everything in a positive light. There is no energy that can mimic what is released when a positive, highstepping woman enters a room. A positive attitude is the fuel needed to drive us from idea conception to realization. A positive attitude tasks conscious effort on your part. Arrest negative attitude and replace them with positive ones. Listen to the things you’ve been saying to yourself in your mind. Deliberately use words that focus on constructive affirming truth about yourself. To help you stay positive, surround yourself with people who’ll encourage, inspire and believe in you. If you have a positive attitude, you’ll be able to see the potential that lies within you. A successful woman works extremely hard. She understands that without hardwork she cannot get to anywhere in life. People who wants to be successful must be ready to put in their all since nothing good come easy. They don’t depend on luck to get them anywhere, they depend on their skills and ambition to get them to where they want. They rarely complain about how hard they are working because they know that all their hard work will pay off. They expect the utmost from themselves – and when they are focused there is nothing that can stop them. Also, something that defines a successful women entrepreneur that is self reliant and responsibility. Many people will find excuses as to why they are not successful so that they can make themselves feel better about the situation. All they are doing is giving themselves unprofitable reasons. Incredibly successful women don’t worry about blame, and they don’t waste time complaining. They make decisions and move on. Extremely successful women take the initiative and accept the responsibilities of success. Furthermore, character is the
sum total of a person’s values, beliefs and personality. It is reflected in our behaviour, and actions. It needs to be preserved more than the richest jewel in the world. To be a winner takes character. George Washington said “I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most valuable of all titles, the character of an
be fulfilled. Just as the Bible admonished, faith is something that keeps successful women moving even in the face of uncertainly. No one can build a successful business without faith because business is a game where you thrive in uncertainty. When starting a business; success is never guaranteed, compared to climbing the corporate ladder. If you lack faith, you
Oprah Winfrey honest man”. Persistence is something a successful woman entrepreneur cannot do without because the journey to being your best is not easy. It is full of setbacks. Winners have the ability to overcome and they will definitely do if they’re persistent. Persistence is a decision. It is a commitment to finish what you have started. When we are exhausted, quitting looks good, but winners endure. Persistence comes from purpose. Life without purpose is drifting. A person who has no purpose will never preserve and will never
“Having interest and being passionate about something is what keeps successful women going. Successful women entrepreneurs are passionate about what they do and that is why they built a business around what they love to do best. Debbi Fields built a business around her passion for cooking and Oprah Winfrey became the richest black woman with her passion for public speaking.”
Stewart; they have all been critized heavily. If you are an individual that listens to other people’s opinion before taking action; then your success will be limited. Debbi fields noted that “The only thing I had was this recipe, and with that recipe was a dream. And those were the only things that I had to build my business; a recipe and a dream. And there was no way I wasn’t going to see this dream through. And, so,
entrepreneurs don’t just take time to consult with others; they listen to them as part of their strategic planning process. For Cristina MarianiMay, Co-CEO of Banfi Vintners, a family winery, listening is how she’s a thriving business. The right relationships can help you enter new markets, expand product offerings, source suppliers and employees, spot challenges and grow the business. Even in times of stress or turmoil, highly successful people keep their balance. They breathe easy, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions, even in crisis. They understand that when you let emotions get in the way of something, that’s when it all goes down hill. Life is about
Folorunsho Alakija won’t have the drive to press on even when there’s no sign of progress. Having interest and being passionate about something is what keeps successful women going. Successful women entrepreneurs are passionate about what they do and that is why they built a business around what they love to do best. Debbi Fields built a business around her passion for cooking and Oprah Winfrey became the richest black woman with her passion for public speaking. So if you have a passion, believe in it, strive to be the best in it and you will emerge a success. The ministry that is devoid of criticism is incomplete and success is not an exception. Successful women entrepreneurs were able to achieve success because they refused to be bugged down by negative comments. Show me a business woman who hasn’t been criticized and I will show you an average woman. From Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray to Martha
my journey began. I made the decision, and I was going to see it through”. Tenaciously speaking, no future without vision. It’s vision and dreams that keep successful woman going! The dream to build a successful business and achieve beyond mediocrity. Successful business women envisioned a lifestyle; they envisioned a future for themselves and they went for it. The ability for a woman to balance her acts as regards her business and family issues is what defines a serious minded and successful business entrepreneur. It’s really quite a challenge building a business alongside raising a family, and to succeed, these women entrepreneurs had to overcome this challenge. Julie Aigner Clark once said” when my company started really growing. I didn’t have any help in my house at all. I had a one year old and a three year old, and I had my house. So I had to prioritize”. Successful women
dealing with problems on planet earth because they don’t dwell on it. People who have a reputation for being hard workers not only show up for appointment on time, but arrive early. Make a point to never be the last person in the door. Punctuality they say is the sole of business. It’s one of the traits of successful people. It builds self esteem, discipline and a good relationship between colleagues. Finally, “entrepreneurs who made it really big also lost really big”, says Gloria Larkin, president of Target Gov, which helps companies sell to government agencies. Women are uncomfortable with losing but unless you’re willing to risk it all, you can’t win it all. Woody Allen said, “if you’re not failing every now and again. It’s a sign you’re not doing anything very anything”. Evangelist Amos Ighaka once said “a child that is afraid of falling cannot walk”. As such if you want to win you must also be prepared for the worse.
Perspective MARRIAGE remains an institution that God introduced in the realm of men, basically for the purpose of companionship and procreation; such that, the terms of contract must be binding on the parties involved in the marriage, which in the original plan, must involve the man and the woman. Documented evidence by way of consulting the dictionary has it that marriage is “the state or relationship of being husband and wife, the act, or legal contract of becoming husband and wife, the civil or religious ceremony during which this act is performed; a wedding, a joining together; a union. For clarity, the same dictionary has it that the husband is “a man to whom a woman is married. While on the other hand, it is clearly stated that a wife is “the woman to whom a man is married; a married woman.” Under this arrangement therefore, it is crystal clear that marriage is a union between a man and a woman in real sense. However, men have deviced and discovered so many things on earth. They have experimented so many scientific hypothesis and have been able to propound and establish theories from them. Knowledge has increased! Some have gone haywire in their quest for knowledge, while some have worked, and are still working against natural laws, thereby seeking to put things in reverse. One of such attempt by humans to “turn back the hand of time” on the contrary, is the attempt to bring about legal and unusual marriage that should exist between a man and another man, or, a woman and another woman, with the intention that it should become a practice that the whole world should embrace. Historically, in Briton, at common law, a marriage between persons of the same sex was void from the beginning. In 1680, Arabella Hunt married James Howard, in 1682 the marriage was annulled on the ground that Howard was in fact Amy Poulter, a perfect woman in all her parts, and two women could not validly marry. In 1866, in Hyde v. Hyde (a court case), and woodmansee (a case of polygamy), Lord Penzance’s judgement began “marriage as understood in Christendom is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others”. In Talbot (otherwise Poyntz) V. Talbot in 1967, the prohibition was held to extend where one spouse was a post-operative transsexual, with Mr. Justice Ormerod
stating “marriage is a relationship which depends on sex, not a gender”. In 1971, the Nullity of Marriage Act was passed, explicitly banning marriages between same-sex couples in England and Wales. The parliamentary debates on the 1971 act included discussion on the issue of transsexualism but not homosexuality. The 1971 act was later replaced by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, which also declared that a marriage is void if the parties are not respectively male and female. Prohibition of same-sex marriage was also including in the marriage legislation of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Marriage Act (Scotland) 1977 and the Marriage Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 both state there is a legal impediment to marriage if parties are of the same sex. On 17 July 2013, Her Majesty the Queen, granted Royal Assent to the Marriage (same sex couples) Act 2013. On December 10, 2013. Her Majesty’s Government announced that the first same-sex marriages could take place from 29 March 2014. The ratification of same-sex marriage by Her Majesty the Queen, is a product of the Civil Partnership Act 2004, which was passed and came into effect in December 2005. It created civil partnerships, which gave same-sex couples who entered into them the same rights and responsibilities of marriage. These partnership were called “gay marriage” by some of the British media; however, the government made clear that they were not marriages. That when Section 9 of the marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2013 comes in force, it will grant anyone who is registered in a civil partnership the ability to convert that partnership into a marriage. On 26 August 2003, Celia Kitzinger and sue Wilkinson, both British University professors, legally married in British Columbia, Canada. However, on their return, their marriage was not recognised under British law. Under the Subsequent Civil Partnership Act, it was instead converted into a civil partnership. The couple sued for recognition of their marriage, arguing that it was legal in the country in which it was executed and met the requirements for recognition of overseas marriages and should thus be treated in the same way as one between opposite – sex couples. They rejected the conversion of their marriage into a civil partnership believing it to be both practically and symbolically a lesser
Same Sex Marriage substitute. They were represented by the civil rights group liberty. The group’s legal director James Welch said it was a matter of fairness and equality for the couple’s marriage to be recognised and that they “shouldn’t have to settle for the second-best option of a civil partnership”. The High Court announced its judgement on 31 July 2006, ruling that their union would not be granted marriage status and would continue to be recognised in England and Wales as a civil partnership. The President of the Family Division, Sir Mark Potter, gave as his reason that “abiding single sex relationships are in no way inferior, nor does English Law suggest that they are by according to them, recognition under the name of civil partnership,” and the marriage was an ‘age old institution’ which, he suggested, was by ‘longstanding definition and acceptance’ a relationship between a man and a woman. He agreed with the couples claim that they were being discriminated against by the Civil Partnership Act 2004, but considered that “to the extent that by reason of that distinction it discriminates against same-sex partners, such discrimination has a legitimate aim, is reasonable and proportionate and falls within the margin of appreciation accorded to convention states”. The Attorney General, a Second Respondent, sought $25,000 in legal costs from the couple, which the High Court ordered them to pay. Wilkinson and Kitzinger said they were “deeply disappointed” with the judgement, not just for themselves, but for ‘lesbian and gay families across the nation”. They said that “denying our marriage does nothing to protect heterosexual marriage, it simply upholds discrimination and inequality” and also said that the ruling insulted LGBT people and treats their relationships as inferior to heterosexual ones; no worthy of marriage but only of an “expressly different, and entirely separate institution”. They said, however, that they believe the judgement “won’t stand the test of time” and that they looked forward to the day when “there is full equality in marriage.” They had originally announced their intention to appeal the decision but later abandoned it due to lack of funds. Gay rights campaigner Peter
Those Wh
Tatchell said that the establishment’s aggressive opposition to same-sex marriage and the successful demand of $25,000 from the couple damaged the government’s “gay – friendly credentials”. He also claimed that the demand in legal costs was designed to damage the couple financially so they would not be able to appeal. He said he was “angry but not downcast” about the ruling and that this was only a temporary set back in the “long struggle for marriage equality”. Equal marriage, a campaign for same-sex marriage in Scotland, was established by the Equality Network in 2008, with a focus on securing same-sex marriage and mixed-sex civil partnership in Scotland. In England and Wales, the first major campaign for same-sex marriage was Equal Love established by Peter Tatchell in 2010. The first major campaign against same-sex marriage in Britain was Scotland for marriage established in 2011, followed by the coalition for marriage in England and Wales in 2012. Subsequent campaigns for and against same-sex marriage have been established by a wide variety of organisations, including the Coalition for Equal Marriage and out 4 marriage, both established in England in 2012. In Northern Ireland, a campaign for full same-sex marriage was established by LGBT rights activist and political campaigner Gary Spedding in June 2012 with the specific goal of challenging social attitudes whilst lobbying the Northern Ireland Assembly to enact legislation to update the marriage order (Northern Ireland) 2003. During the run-up to the 2010 general election the then Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said that a conservative government would be happy to “consider the case” for ending the ban on same-sex marriage, although he was criticised for not making any specific promises. On 4 May 2010, the party published a “contract for Equalities” which said it would ‘consider’ recognising civil partnership as marriage if elected. In April 2010 Labour Minister for Equality Harriet
By OMEIZA ROBINSON/KINGSLEY MBA
Harman when asked about same sex marriage said the issue was a “developing area” and that the government still had a long way to go with what it had done with gay rights. Then Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the government did not allow same-sex marriage because it
marriage and civil partnerships to be lifted, and for same-sex relationship to be recognised across Europe and internationally. The petition was run at Manchester Pride and Reading Pride in 2009, and launched online in January 2010 following an interview
was “intimately bound up with questions of religious freedom”. During the 2010 labour leadership election campaign each of the labour candidates expressed their support for reform to lead to the recognition of same-sex marriage. Following Ed Miliband’s victory, it has become labour party policy, with the party welcoming the government’s consultation and calling for legislation to be brought forth as soon as possible. Leader Nick Clegg stated in 2009 that his party backs legislation. On 4 July 2009 in an article for labourlist, Clegg wrote that “although civil partnership have been a step forward, until same sex marriage is permitted it is impossible to claim gay and straight couples are treated equally”. Following this, the party’s LGBT equality body DELGA launched a petition “marriage without Borders” calling for all gender restrictions on
with Clegg in Attitude magazine in which he reaffirmed his commitment to equal marriage. However this did not make it into the party’s manifesto. In an interview in July 2010 Lib Dem deputy party leader Simon Hughes confirmed that the coalition government plans to open marriage to samesex couples, saying, “it would be appropriate in Britain in 2010, 2011, for there to be the ability for civil marriage for straight people and gay people equally … The state ought to be able to get there in this parliament”. At their 2010 Spring Conference a motion was passed calling on the Scottish Government to allow gay couples to marry, describing the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage as “discrimination that needs to end”. In September 2010, the Liberal Democrats at their Autumn
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Perspective
Once Opposed By ho Now Embrace It
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al Conference voted ke marriage equality rty policy at the minster level. 22 May 2009, the Party called for an o the ban on civil ages between sameuples in Britain and er European Union
body in Britain to do so. Under the current law registrars are not allowed to legally officiate a marriage between same-sex couples but, the Quakers stated that the law does not preclude them from “playing a central role in the celebration and recording of same-sex marriages” and asked the
states. Party leader Lucas said the party arriage equality for x couples and that gay couples who hroughout Europe e able to have their ship recognised on e basis as married xual couples. Peter who was the party’s e for Oxford East at e, said there is a ing patchwork” of t partnership laws out Europe and that ajority of lesbian and ples their legal rights heir own borders”. the “best and most ally recognised partnership” is civil and, “anything less ond class and nation”. ir Yearly Meeting in e Quakers decided to e opposite-sex and x marriages equally erform marriage nies for same-sex making them the instream religious
government to change the law so that these marriages would be recognised. In a joint press release in 2012, the Quakers, Liberal Jews, and Unitarians and Free Christians gave their endorsement to the same-sex marriage consultation. The Dutch Church in London is in the process of extending its existing marriage licence to allow same-sex marriages. The largest Christian denominations have been wholly opposed to the legalisation of same-sex marriages. The Catholic Church in England and Wales has been most vocal in its opposition, urging both parishioners and schools within its care to sign the petition against the government plans. The Church of England is largely against the plans to legalise same-sex marriage and is concerned that its legalisation will undermine its status as the state religion of England. The Methodist Church of Great Britain, in
responding to the government’s consultation on same-sex marriage acknowledge that many Methodist Churches had, over the last 20 years, affirmed and celebrated the participation of gays and lesbians in a union, but noted that the Methodist Church could not use the word “marriage” with reference to same-sex unions. The Muslim Council of Britain has launched a campaign against the legislation of same-sex marriage called “Muslims Defending Marriage”. The Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue have also come out in opposition of the plans, stating that same-sex marriage is “against Jewish law”. Opinion polls have shown general support for same-sex marriage among Britons. A 2004 poll by Gallup reported that 52 % agreed that ‘marriages between homosexuals’ should be recognised while 45% said they should not. Support for same-sex marriage among British respondents was 17% higher than people in the USA who were asked. The poll found that 65% supported allowing gay couples to form civil unions. A 2006 Eurobarometer survey reported that 46% of Britons agreed that same-sex marriages should be allowed throughout Europe, support being slightly higher than the European Union average of 44%. A poll conducted in September 2008 by ICM Research for The Observer found the 55% of Britons believed that same-sex couples should be allowed to get married while 45% disagreed. An opinion poll conducted in June 2009 by Populus for The Times, reported 61% of the British public agreed with the statement “Gay couples should have an equal right to get married, not just to have civil partnerships’, while 33% disagreed. Support was highest among those aged between 25 and 34 where 78% agreed and 19% disagreed. It was lowest among those over 65 where 37% and 52% disagreed. A majority of both men and women agreed but support was higher among women (67%) than men (55%). On voting intention, 73% Liberal Democrats, 64% Labour voters and 53% conservatives agreed that gay couples
should have the right to marry. A poll conducted by Angus Reid in July 2010 showed that 78% of people supported either same-sex marriage or civil union for gay couples, with 41% opting for same-sex marriage and 37% opting for civil union. The amount of people who supported no legal unions for gay couples decreased by 3% since August 2009. According to the 2010 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, 61% of Scotland’s population supports same-sex marriage. Just 19% said they disagreed, while 18% said they neither agreed nor disagreed. In a similar poll in 2002, 42% of Scotland’s population supported samesex Marriage. In 2006, 53% of Scots backed same-sex marriage. In July 2011, a representative survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion showed that 43% of Britons believe samesex couples in Britain should be allowed to legally marry, 34% think same-sex couples should be allowed to form civil partnerships, but not marry, and 15% would grant no legal recognition to samesex couples. A poll published by YouGov in March 2012 showed that 43% of people supported same-sex marriage while 32% supported civil partnerships. 16% were opposed to the recognition of homosexual relations all together. Support was particularly high amongst women, young people, people in Scotland and supporters of the Liberal Democrats. Support was lower amongst the working class, Conservative voters, men and older people. In the same poll, 62% believed that homosexual relationships had the same value as heterosexual ones, but 47% of people supported the right of the church of England to defend traditional marriage and 27% disagreed. A june 2012 YouGov survey shows highly accepting attitudes of the British population toward LGBT rights. The report found that 71% are in favour of same-sex marriage. Two YouGov polls in December 2012 found that 55% of the population was in favour of introducing samesex marriage. Another poll in May 2013 again confirmed public support for the bill with 53% in favour of the introduction of same-sex marriage. A second poll in May showed a
similar support of 54%, also showing that 58% of people who considered same-sex marriage an important election issue would be more likely to vote for a party supporting it, as it were. A May 2013 Ipsos found that 55% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage. The latest poll made by BBC Radio in March 2014 found that 68% of the respondents agreed same-sex marriage should be permitted and 26% opposed it. The research also found that younger people were more likely to support same-sex marriage, with 80% of 18-34years-olds backing it, compared with 44% of over 65s. of those polled, women were more likely to support same-sex marriage than men, with 75% of women for it compared with 61% of men in favour. In the United States of America, same-sex marriage is legally recognized in some jurisdictions within the United States and by the federal government. Nineteen states, the District of Columbia, and ten Native America tribal jurisdictions issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Several hundred to thousands of marriages licenses were issued to same-sex couples in Utah, Michigan, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Indiana between the time their bans were struck down by federal or state judges and when those rulings were stayed. Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law barring federal recognition of same-sex marriage in the court case between United States V. Windsor on June 26, 2013, U.S. district court in thirteen states and state courts in four states have found that same-sex marriage bans violate the U.S. Constitution, and a U.S. district court in one state and a state court in one state have found that samesex marriage bans do not violate the constitution. The U.S Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth Circuits have affirmed the unconstitutionality of such bans. Additionally, a U.S. district court in one state has struck down a ban on state recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages. A Tennessee recognition decision affected only the plaintiff couples. An order by the seventh Circuit pertaining to an India na case forces that
state to recognise, marriage, where one plaintiff is terminally ill, on an emergency basis. An order issued by a District Court judge forces Indiana to recognize a second same-sex marriage, again where one plaintiff is terminally ill. A District Court judge in Arizona has required the state to recognize one same-sex marriage for the purpose of issuing a death certificate. Florida recognized one samesex marriage and the ruling is not stayed. Preliminary injunctions were issued in Brenner V. Scott (a Court case) for same-sex couples in Florida; the ruling was stayed. All rulings except those affecting Oregon, Pennsylvania, and the Orders affecting certain couples in Indiana, Arizona, and Florida have been stayed pending appeal. While many jurisdictions have legalizes same-sex marriage through court rulings, legislative action, and popular vote, three states prohibit same-sex marriage by statute and 28 prohibit it in their constitutions. Section 2 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), enacted in 1996, allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed under the laws of other states. The movement to obtain civil marriage rights and benefited for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s, but became more prominent in American politics in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court declared the state’s prohibition to be unconstitutional in a court case between Baehr v. Lewin. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S state and the sixth jurisdiction in the world to legalise same-sex marriage following the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in the case of Goodrifge v. Department of Public Health six months earlier. During the 21st century, public support for same-sex marriage has grown considerably, and national polls conducted since 2011 show that a majority of Americans support legalizing it. On May 9, 2012, Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to publicly declare support for legalization of same-sex, marriage.
Continued on page 18
Issues Perspective
Continued from page 17 On November 6, 2012, Maine, Maryland, and Washington became the first states to legalise same-sex marriage through popular vote. The United States Supreme Court has in at least 14 cases since 1888 ruled that marriage is a fundamental right. Some of these cases include Maynard v. Hill, 125 U.S 190 (1888) Marriage is “the most important relation in Life” and “the foundation of the family and society, without which there would be neither civilization nor progress.” Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 U.S 390 (1923). The right “to marry, establish a home and bring up children” is a central part of liberty protected by the Due Process Clause. Skinner v. Oklahoma exrel. Williamson, 316 U.S. 535(1947) Marriage is “one of the basic civil rights of man” and “ fundamental to the very existence and survival of the race.” Turner v, Safley, 482 U.S. 78 (1987) “the decision to marry is a fundamental right” and an “expression of emotional support and public commitment.” Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003) “our laws and tradition afford constitutional protection to personal decisions relating to marriage, procreation, contraception, family relationship and education… Persons in homosexual relationship may seek autonomy for these purpose, just as heterosexual person do”. The legal issues surrounding same-sex marriage in the United States are determined by the nation’s federal system of government, in which the status of a person (including marriage)in general is determined by the individual states. Prior to 1996, the federal government did not define marriage; any marriage recognized by a state was recognized by the federal government, even that marriage was not recognized by one or more other states (as was the case with interracial marriage before 1967 due to antimiscegenation laws). With the passage of the Defense of marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, a marriage was explicitly defined in federal law as a union of a man and one woman. DOMA was challenged in the federal court system. On July 8, 2010, Judge Joseph Tauro of the District Court of Massachusetts held that the denial of federal rights and benefits to lawfully married Massachusetts same-sex couples is unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Beginning in 2010, eight federal courts found DOMA to be unconstitutional on
...By Those Who Now Embrace It
issues including bankrupcy, public employee benefits, estate taxes, and immigration. On October 18, 2012, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals became the first court to hold sexual orientation to be a quasisuspect classification and applied intermediate scrutiny to strike down section 3 of DOMA as unconstitutional in Windsor v. United States. Windsor and four other federal cases were considered for review by the U.S supreme court, which, on June 26, 2013, held section 3 to violate the fifth Amendment. All these processes, as relating to the United States is founded upon the background that started in the early 70s. On May 18, 1979, two University of Minnesota gay student activists, Richard Baker and James Michael McConnell, applied for a marriage license in Minneapolis. The clerk of the Hennepin county District Court, Gerald Nelson, denied the request on the sole ground that the two were of the same sex. The case was appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court which, in 1971, ruled that Minnesota’s laws prohibited marriages between same-sex partners and did not violate the federal constitution. Then, on October 10, 1972, the United States Supreme Court, declining to hear the case on appeal, issued a one sentence order that said: “the appeal is dismissed for want of a substantial federal question’. In 1998, in response to the Hawaii supreme court’s ruling in Baehr v. Miike, Hawaii voters approved a state constitutional amendment (“Amendment 2”) allowing their legislature to ban same-sex marriage. In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Texas’ “Homosexual conduct” law. Same-sex marriage was first recognized by a United States jurisdiction on November 18, 2003, pursuant to the ruling of the Massachusetts Supreme
Judicial Court in Goodridge v. Department of public Health. This resulted in the first same-sex marriages occurring within the Bay State on May 17, 2004, making Massachusetts the first U.S. state to permit same-sex marriage within its borders. On February 20, 2014, Sandoval County became the first county in New Mexico to
couples. Same-sex marriage opponents in California placed a state constitutional amendment known as Proposition 8 on the November 2008 ballot for the purpose of restoring an opposite-sex definition of marriage. (Proposition 8 was somewhat unusual compared to other initiatives connected
Court dismissed the case for lack of standing in a decision issued June 26, 2013, after which same-sex marriage once again became legal in California. On January 14, 2014, U.S. District Court Judge Terence C. Kern ruled in Bishop v. Oklahoma that Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. He stayed his ruling pending appeal. On January 23, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced that the state
President Goodluck Jonathan issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. A restraining order was later issued to prohibit the county clerk from issuing liceses to same sex couples for the rest of her term, which ended on January 1, 2005. On May 15, 2008, the Supreme Court of California issued a decision in which it effectively legalized same-sex marriage in California, holding that California’s existing opposite- sex definition of marriage violated the constitutional right of same-sex
to same-sex marriage, since California had ratified samesex marriages and Proposition 8 was a response intended to subsequently re-remove the right of marriage). Proposition 8 was passed on Election Day 2008, as were proposed marriage-limiting amendments in Florida and Arizona. In accordance with numerous precedent cases rejecting the concept of proponents’ standing to defend a challenged law in Federal Court, the Supreme
would reverse its position and support a federal lawsuit challenging the Virginia state constitution’s ban on samesex marriages. On September 4, 2014, a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit unanimously affirmed the unconstitutionality of Indiana and Wisconsin’s ban on samesex marriage in the case of Baskin v. Bogan. The Court issued a stay on its decision for 21 days pending appeal.
“In Nigeria, the threats from external body to legalise samesex marriage has been abortive at the moment. But Nigeria leaders should endeavour to be vigillant in years to come, because the historical antecedents that surrounds samesex marriage indicated that it had previously been vehemently opposed by those who gladly embrace it today.”
There are Plethora of cases and positions concerning same sex marriage by the British and American government that are not projected in this work. However, it should be noteworthy that the issue is very controversial as it stands presently. In Nigeria, the threats from external body to legalise same-sex marriage has been abortive at the moment. But Nigeria leaders should endeavour to be vigillant in years to come, because the historical antecedents that surrounds same-sex marriage indicated that it had previously been vehemently opposed by those who gladly embrace it today. The recent decision by President Goodluck Jonathan in signing Nigeria’s same-sex marriage prohibition act drew fierce and vocal condemnation from some western countries, notably the United States, Britain and Canada. The British Foreign Secretary William Hague said “We are disappointed that President Jonathan has given his assent to a bill that criminalizes same sex relationships in Nigeria.” He argued that the bill “directly infringes on fundamental rights of expression and association, and which are guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and by Nigeria’s international treaty obligations.” Majority of Nigerians view the practice of same sex marriage as immoral and alien to their culture and religious beliefs. This may have taken roots in the provision of the Holy Bible, in the book of Romans Chapter 1: 24 – 28 which has it that “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. – Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed for ever Amen. – For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: - And likewise also men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. – And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”
Drumbeats
None Shall Be Barren (5) IT IS NOT OVER YET FRIENDS, I agree with you that bareness is frustrating and it can lead one to lose focus of his or her destiny. But the Bible says “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” John 8:32. The fact is that you are barren and your adversary had told you that they will frustrate you and ensure that you suffered till you die, but the truth is that it’s not over yet. Were you told about the story of Abraham? A man who had his first covenant child at the age of one hundred years. If God could remembered Abraham and blessed him and made him father of all nations, can’t he remember you and bless you for the world to see “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, 0 Jacob, and he that formed thee, 0 Israel, fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou passest though the waters, I will be with thee, and through the river they shall not overflow thee, when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”. Isaiah 43; 25;l8-19 In spite of what you may have lost God has also made a route of escape for you. There is provision for
your deliverance and safety. Don’t live or die in isolation, its not over yet. Have your parents and friends deserted you or have you suddenly lost all that you have laboured for in your entire life? Its not over yet. “The glory of the later house shall be greater than the former” I can still see a better and glorious future ahead of you. Those that deserted you, frustrate your effort and contribute to your downfall will soon come to celebrate with you. I can see you riding on horses and having major contract and appointment in government. Don’t die now or give up, its too early to start thinking of that now, because very soon the world will celebrate with you. Looking at the life and story of Joseph in the Bible, one will have every reason to be grateful to God and to have courage and hope for Ones future. “And Joseph dreamed a dream and he told it to his brethren; and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed For; behold we were binding sheaves in the field and lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright And behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf And his brethren said to him, shall thou indeed have dominion over? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it
his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more, and, behold the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father; and to his brethren; and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, what is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall land thy mot her and thy brethren indeed come to bow ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied
him into some pit and we will say, some evil beast hath devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” Genesis 37:5 11,18 -20. The God who gave Joseph the dream was far greater than the brothers and obstacles that were against Joseph dreams. The fact is that their conspiracy to destroy Joseph led to his separation from his father’s house into a strange land for over
him, but his father observed the saying’ “And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to slay him And they said one to another, behold this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast
thirteen years, but at the end his dream still came to pass. Don’t be bitter over those who are against you or your dreams but pay greater affection to God who gave you the dream and how to actualise your dreams and bring it into reality. Walk in Liberty Stand fast therefore in
“Don’t die now or give up, its too early to start thinking of that now, because very soon the world will celebrate with you.”
With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593
the liberty where with Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”. Galatians 5: 1 From the beginning God had made provisions for man’s liberty and freedom, Barrenness is not suppose to put you under bondage. Your ability to know your
legitimate right in Christ. If Jabez could effect a positive change into his life by recognising his right in Christ. Then you can also effect a positive change into your life by recognising your right in Christ and by your ability to determine to be free forever from those
right in Christ and walk in liberty will give you freedom from things that have led you into barrenness. “And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested”. 1st Chronicles 4: 10 Friends, what led to Jabez freedom? It was because he recognised his
things that had led you to barrenness The freedom you achieve today will also reflect on your generation to come. Delay is dangerous. When it comes into exercising ones right and liberty in Christ. I will admonish you to determine in your heart and mind today for a positive freedom which will lead to your liberty forever. If God did not abandon and led Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Samson, Peter, John, Paul, James and Solomon down, why then do you think or imagine that he will let you down in this perilous moment of your life?
View Point
What The Political Class Must Do To Save Nigeria ONE unintended outcome of the NPRC is that it has helped to high light the two thorniest issues in Nigerian politics — namely equitable access to political power and ownership and control of natural resources. Starting with the problem of equitable access to political power as one finds it in Nigeria today, it seems to have arisen because of the heavy concentration of power at the political centre of the Nigerian “federation|” such that the office of head of state or President has been endowed with all the trappings of a monarch, if not a dictator. Consequently there is a do or die struggle by all ethnic groups to appropriate the office of president by fair or fowl means for their own benefit. In this context, the weak in terms of ethnicity or wealth (but not necessarily the intellectually incapable) are always at a disadvantage, and clearly never stood any chance of acquiring the powerful office of president. One immediate result is the perpetual cry of marginalisation by some ethnic groups. Another difficulty with equitable access to power arises from the “winner takes all” and the “first past the post” type of democracy, which promotes non-inclusiveness of all diverse groups in the polity. For the circumstance of Nigeria, “proportional representation” would have been more suitable due to its inclusiveness of all ethnic group and political interests. The NPRC in its wisdom has now more or less recommended the political status quo interms of tenure and powers of an executive president and governors. Unfortunately the arguments adduced in support of this position, as opposed to a parliamentary form of federalism, has every thing to do with the political interests of the present incumbents and their cohorts, and very little to do with what will serve the best interests of the Nigerian masses. But desirable and
By PROF SAMUEL OKOYE workable as the executive federalism may be, the fact remains that Nigeria for now lacks the national cohesion, discipline and transparent political structures to be able to mount the mandatory checks and balances without which an executive federalism becomes a recipe for breeding dictators in the form of a president and governors. Moreover, the Nigerian type of executive federalism is both inordinately and obscenely expensive and should have on this ground alone been jettisoned. If the truth must be told, at least from the viewpoint of the Nigerian masses, a parliamentary form of federalism would appear much more affordable and appropriate to the circumstances of a heterogeneous poor country like Nigeria with hundreds of minorities and a handful of “major” ethnic groups. It also seems plausible that opportunities for the rampant looting of the national treasury by powerful individuals will be much less. Although a parliamentary system has its flaws, at least it is an inclusive form of government in which no particular office holder can lord it over his/her colleagues, and also in which no single individual can appropriate the ruling political party, which in any case by definition is supreme in a parliamentary democracy. Besides it is not beyond human ingenuity to design appropriate checks against abuses in a parliamentary system. Turnings now to the ownership of resources which is the issue from which “resource control” and revenue sharing by “derivation” emanate. It must be observed that the legal question of ownership is ultimately a matter for convention or negotiation. In a unitary state, ownership of resources is oftentimes a national state matter. In a
confederation it is not a national state matter but a matter for the constituent parts of the confederation. In contrast, in a federation, it is a negotiated matter which is agreed to at the time of setting up the federation by the founding fathers. In the 1960 and 1963 constitutions, the founding fathers tackled this problem in part by allowing for sharing on the basis of 50 percent derivation of certain
with the quasi-federal constitutions of 1979, 1995, and 1999 imposed on Nigerians mostly by self serving ruling military officers drawn predominantly from a section of the country. To that extent, the proponents of a so-called sovereign national conference do have a strong and valid point. What the Nigerian political class must now do is to renegotiate, from the scratch, the very basis of the future coexistence of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups taking into account all
no political space will be available for this exercise. However they claim they can get round this problem. In the mean time, the Nigerian political class as a whole could begin to improve on the controversial recommendations of the NPRC, by realising that it is absurd for any regional group in Nigeria to aspire not to share power with other groups but insist on power (which after all belongs to all) “returning” to them as of right while at the same time they insist on co-ownership and sharing of Nigeria’s natural resources which they claim belong to all. The proper thing in a federation is for both political power and material resources to be shared
federating units must be sizeable and potentially economically viable. In this regard, it is apparent that most of the present thirty-six states of the Nigerian federation are hardly viable and therefore cannot be the federating units in a truly federal Nigeria. A Nigerian federation of anything from six to twelve federating units would have been appropriate with the higher figure of twelve units preferred if homogenous ethnic regions or zones are to be avoided and national integration promoted. Although the governors in present day states may be averse to any regrouping of states into larger federating units, yet they must subsume their personal political
simultaneously according to a negotiated formula in the spirit of fairness and equity, if peace is to reign in Nigeria. In a Nigerian federal set up, the control of political power subsumes the control of resources, to the extent that both power and resources are virtually synonymous. Hence unless the Nigerian federal arrangement is restructured with power redistributed either vertically or horizontally, resource ownership and its control will always prove contentious. In a vertical redistribution of political power, the key to equity in the Nigerian polity is to construct a federal arrangement in which power is redistributed over the three tiers of government with a somewhat preponderant part of power assigned to the federating units. This necessitates that the
interests and ambitions to the overall interest of Nigeria. In a horizontal sharing of political power, one may achieve inclusiveness and equity through access to the major executive political offices on a turn by turn basis, which is also better known as “power rotation”. But in a federation comprised of more than three hundred ethnic groups, power rotation has inbuilt inequities that will necessarily leave some groups (especially minorities) permanently marginalized if not excluded from ever tasting executive power. Indeed if every ethnic group is guaranteed a shot at the presidency for example, it will take more than a thousand years for power to go round all the Nigerian ethnic groups. Even if the over three hundred
Delegates at the just concluded National Conference.
revenues. Meanwhile, the Nigerian military, on entering the political scene, had destroyed the federal arrangement including ownership and control of resources, which they met on the ground. Indeed all the subsequent constitutions which the Nigerian military sponsored have veered significantly away from the status quo ante. It should be obvious that what Nigeria really needs now is not a “political reform”, or a mere tinkering
the experiences of governance since independence. Participation in a conference for this purpose must necessarily be by representatives of ethnic and other interests groups elected in a transparent manner. In this regard, what the Enahoro-led pro-national conference organisations (PRONACO) is proposing to do appears to be on the right track. Their only problem being that unless the present political office holders commit a political hara-kiri,
“If the truth must be told, at least from the viewpoint of the Nigerian masses, a parliamentary form of federalism would appear much more affordable and appropriate to the circumstances of a heterogeneous poor country like Nigeria with hundreds of minorities and a handful of “major” ethnic groups.”
Continues on pg. 21
View Point Continued from pg. 20
ethnic groups in Nigeria are grouped into a small number of blocks, some ethnic elements will still end up being not only marginalized but excluded by the time power rotates round. This is clearly unacceptable if one starts from the notion of political equality of all ethnic groups, large or small. From this point of view, it is clear that arranging rotation on the basis of just two large blocks of North and South is only one place removed from choosing the president from the country as a whole. It is hardly a realistic or fair remedy for the marginalisation of hundreds of Nigeria’s ethnic groups. It is therefore manifestly disingenuous, if not arrogantly selfish, for some powerful politicians from the North who seem to enjoy regional cohesion and solidarity, and who have always seen the control of Nigerian political power as their exclusive preserve, to wangle a North/South power rotation within the context of a particular political party they control and by raising it to the level of virtual state policy appear determined to ram it down the throat of Nigerians who are not necessarily all members of their political party.
The other touted alternative of rotation on the basis of the six zones, though an improvement, is only three times better than the North/ South rotation scheme, and although under this arrangement some ethnic groups will certainly still be excluded from ever tasting presidential power, but at least it is fairer than the very crude North/South rotation option. In the final analysis, power sharing by rotation can only be a temporary palliative. A permanent solution rests on the inculcation of the ideals of merit and good governance in the polity, but this can only come into play when Nigeria has evolved to the stage where ethnicity plays second fiddle to ability and competence. With access to tertiary education steadily being made accessible to every part of Nigeria, Nigeria may not have long to wait. Perhaps the ultimate solution to power sharing in a very heterogeneous country like Nigeria is to adopt a collective leadership model with the occupant of the top political positions rotating annually. Thus if a federation of six zones were to be adopted, one could envisage a Presidential Council of six members drawn form each of the zones with the
... Must Do To Save Nigeria
chairmanship of the Council rotating annually among the six members, as already happens presently in the European Union of twentyfive members. Consequently the tenure of the Presidential Council will be for a single term of six years as has already been canvassed for the office of President. It is not necessary to install governorship councils at the zonal or state executive level because zones and states tend to be more homogeneous in ethnic and religious terms than the entire country. This should be left optional to the zones and states. Turning to the issue of natural resources (i.e. land and all minerals therein), the form of ownership clearly determines the mode of control. This, in the end, is a matter of political and economic co-existence of communities that have lived on the land even before Nigeria itself came into existence. Thus resource ownership should not be treated as a given, but a negotiated matter in a spirit of give and take that will be reflected in the country’s constitution. Considering the
monumental mismanagement of not only the colossal oil revenues which had gone into the coffers of federal and state governments, and the fact that the entire national economy itself has for some time now been in dire straits, perhaps Nigeria for a change should depart from the present over centralised quasi-command economy, albeit of the hue of a market economy. Ultimately, Nigeria must go back to agreements negotiated before independence. Hence land and its associated material resources must revert to the communities which have, from time immemorial, owned and worked the land. Government on its part is nevertheless entitled to raise revenue via appropriate taxes on proceeds from the land. In conclusion, one may observe that for a long time now, Nigerian elites have for one reason or another evaded tackling in a fundamental way, the problems associated with the required political form and nature of existence of Nigeria as a stable polity. The price for this negligence has been enormous and yet has been borne mostly by the poor Nigerian masses. The Nigerian elites and the political class in particular,
Sustainable Waste Water Treatment THERE has been negative perception of wastewater treatment for drinking purposes by the populace in many parts of the world because of the mentality that drinking treated wastewater can be likened to drinking one’s pee. However, there is limited availability of potable water and wastewater treatment is important to the provision of adequate fresh water since salt water makes up about 97.5% of the world’s total water resources. The available fresh water in the world is a paltry 2.5% of the total water resources and the accessible fresh water is an insignificant chunk of the fraction available. Therefore, it seems that wastewater reuse for potable (and nonpotable) application is inevitable. Wastewater derives its name from water containing wastes or water that has already been used for domestic, municipal, commercial or industrial applications. Wastewater treatment has been known to be the cheapest source of water production. However, treated wastewater still faces the challenge of lack of acceptance of many people due to its source except in Singapore and California where wastewater is currently being treated for potable uses. Therefore, the effluent form
The Way To Go By ADENELE GIWA
wastewater treatment plants are mostly used for irrigation, agriculture and associated purposes. Besides this, most wastewater treatment methods currently available require the use of energy from conventional fuels (fossil fuels). These fuels release poisonous and greenhouse gases such as carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides gases, and methane into the environment. These gases have deleterious effects on the environment. So, how can the wastewater treatment process be carried out without adverse impacts? Many people have proposed renewable technologies for energy supply to treatment plants and sustainable waste sludge disposal. As much as the proposals and research activities on sustainable wastewater treatment seem appealing for the future, the reclamation of wastewater would remain an environmentally-unfriendly process on the large scale if there is no will on the part of companies, governments and the populace to begin to do business in an unusual manner. Corporations and
governments at all levels should begin to retrofit existing plants with sustainable features and incorporate nonconventional energy sources into newly designed plants. Renewable energy may also be generated for these plants from the biodegradable
• Water treatment plant
organic content of waste sludge from the plants through processes such as anaerobic digestion. It is disheartening to note that our dear country, Nigeria, still dispose wastewater from washrooms, laundries and kitchen directly into surface waters without any treatment. Wastewater from commercial and industrial applications has
must get their acts together and desist from the malaise of indifference that has overtaken them since the military entered into national governance and politics. They owe it to their compatriots to politically re-engineer their country by restoring the true structures of Nigerian federalism dismantled by their erstwhile military rulers. At the same time, they must ensure that ownership and control of land and associated resources must be restored to their erstwhile community owners. Unless they do this, Nigeria’s development to a proper nation state that her citizens will be proud of and willing to die for will remain a mirage. Even so, it is one thing to politically reengineer the country and another thing to make it work. After all, one cannot hope to achieve a victory in a grand prix by putting a bad driver in the driving seat of the best engineered racing car. Hence the rules of the political game in Nigeria must be changed to open up the political space and to make it attractive for Nigeria’s best minds and men and women of ability and commitment to elect to serve the people by joining the
partisan political arena without worrying too much about not having the financial clout that present day politicking demands. This also means that more credible measures must be put in place to discourage looting of the national treasury by putting the onus on those who seem to live beyond their visible means, or make large single bank deposits or withdrawals, of about one million Naira or more, to explain the sources of their income before appropriate tribunals. Nigeria has been endowed (thank God!) with all the human and material resources it takes and requires, to become a great black world power. But she cannot achieve that potential by her relying on mediocrity to run her affairs or by desperately relying on other countries and international financial organisations to bale her out economically when in self-made trouble. Sam Okoye, a retired professor of astrophysics and a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, writes from London.
also experienced the same fate without any plan by most environmental stakeholders to ensure safe disposal. The indiscriminate release of wastewater into the environment in many Nigerian cities has adversely affected sanitation and claimed the lives of many people through diseases such as cholera, hepatitis B and typhoid. The endocrine disrupting substances in untreated wastewater can alter the hormone system of human beings, resulting to reproduction predicaments, cancerous growth, and deformations of body organs. The metallic content of raw wastewater also causes serious health concerns for humans. For example, scholars at University Teknologi, Malaysia and Bayero University, Kano found out that the discharge of some heavy metals from wastewater into the River Challawa in Kano exceeded themaximum permissible limit given by the Federal Ministry of Environment and World Health Organization. There are also several repeated cases of noncompliance of industries to safe discharge of wastewater by National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency, NESREA. In many densely populated areas in Lagos State such as Badagry, Mushin, Oshodi and Ikorodu,
most septic tanks and dry wells are in dilapidated conditions, leading to severe cases of groundwater contamination. Lagos State alone generates a massive 1.4 trillion cubic centimeters of wastewater every day, according to government statistics. It is however noteworthy that some places and companies in Nigeria have already decided to lead the course of treating wastewater in a way that protects our common future. Currently, there are wastewater treatment facilities in Tinapa in Cross River State; Maryland, Lekki, Abesan and AmuwoIdofin in Lagos State; and Wupa in Abuja. Change of attitude towards wastewater treatment is the key. Government at all levels should begin to implement wastewater treatment and reuse programmes and policies. We, as Nigerians, should begin to be more concerned about how we dispose the wastewater around us. Without this, the preservation of our water resources and the environment for the future (and children yet unborn) remains an illusion. Adewale Giwa writes from the Nigeria Future Energy Group, Masdar Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Education Education And The Unemployment Factor
AN opinion pool was recently carried out in sampled towns in Anambra State by the author of this paper. Secondary school drop-outs were interview on why they left school to join trades. Parents were questioned why they no longer encourage their children to pursue secondary education. The response was generally the same: “Investment in education these days no longer yield economic benefits; but investing, the same number of years and fund which would have been budgeted for education, in trade or business will yield greater pecuniary profit”. It was primarily this mentality of our people that motivated me into outlining the following few considerations purposefully articulated in enlightening persons with such view and eradicating the view. The main issues here therefore are: do we acquire education only for employment? Are there other benefits accruing from educating other than employment? How does the society benefit from individual’s education? The problem is viewed from the cross -section of the society: studies in social science have provided data which indicate that the higher a family’s status, the more likely its children are to plan on acquiring education, to actually acquire it and later to graduate at higher institutions. These also reveal that many talented young people in Nigeria who are unable to take advantage of opportunities for secondary and higher education are concentrated in families of lower socioeconomic status. More recent evidence indicates that a policy of government subsidies through scholarship for example, tends to favour your groups of students who on average come from higher income families. Whether the barriers to education in general are largely economic or social in nature remains unresolved, but it is apparent that educational opportunities aid unequally distributed. ECONOMIC BENEFITS Economic benefits should not be considered with regard to the student alone. Other economic benefits exist. Regardless of how universal education is defined, the heart of the matter is its efficacy in producing benefits not only for the individual about also for society. Frank Bowles (1966) stated the issue quite succinctly “Universal education is not, in itself a goal for our educational system. The goals are
intellectual, social, economic, cultural, political - the enlargement of knowledge, an open society, the advancement of the culture, freedom of opportunity, freedom of conscience and political expression - aspirations that are individual and aspirations that are collective.” What are the “economic benefits” of education? The term itself is not precise in-asmuch as a variety of dimensions of benefit; may be regarded as economic and the line separating what is and is
not “economic” is often blurred. It is useful to distinguish in other ways the various dimensions of both benefit and costs for example, there are monetary and non-monetary benefits. Monetary benefits higher earning - are economic benefits; more there can be measured in terms of Naira. None-monetary benefits including the joys and pleasures derived from one’s education-might or might not be classified as economic; some non monetary benefits can be expressed in monetary equiva1 but others are difficult or impossible to quantify. Further there are individual benefits and social benefits, that is the benefits which are captured by individuals as contrasted to the total benefits, including individual benefits, which accrue to society. The usual term for the difference between individual and total benefits to society is external benefits - those benefits produced by education but which cannot be captured by the individuals who obtained the education. Both individual and external benefits have a monetary and non-monetary components. One often-cited piece of evidence is the relationship between education an occupational attainment. the
By REV. (DR.) J. C. ORAEMESI
general notion is that more education opens opportunities for individuals to enter better paying occupations. In general, the higher ranked occupations - ranked by income, prestige, and the like — are filled with the people who have vested more heavily in education. Consequently, the relationship between educational attainment and occupational attainment is said to he quite positive. Efforts to identify and quantify all factors, so as to
the rising educational attainment explain 16-23 percent of the growth rate of the economy in the U.S. over the period 1929 - 57. Some other studies indicate values placed on the contribution of education to economic growth of that nation. Despite such cited results, neither economists nor educators pretend to have any well-developed theories; that explains exactly how and why increased schooling facilitates
provide a more accurate statement of the effect of schooling on income have not been lightly successful. In summary, then, school and the facto is closely associated with it appear to have a strong impact on the economic rewards provided individuals in our society; in addition there are other satisfactions consumption benefits - which are not equally reflected in money earnings. Here I shall cite some of the research studies carried out overseas on this issue. Some in the audience might ask, why not research works in Nigeria. It is unfortunate to note that on account of lack to fund availability and governmental encouragement most of out higher institutions are not research oriented. How much fund is made available in this college, for example, for research? None. This is why we resort to oversea research centres. I do not want to be apologetic on this. An indicator of the economic benefits produced by education (all levels) is provided by research studies on the relationship between investment in schooling and economic growth. The pioneering work of Schultz and Denison (1963) indicates that improvements in the quality of the labour force resulting from
occupational entry, enhances worker productivity increases earnings and ultimately helps to account for a more rapid rate of economic growth. Another approach to the estimation of the economic returns to education, from the stand-point of both individuals and society, calls for a measure of the net economic benefits of education. Such a measure would permit us to combine costs (which are concentrated over a brief span of years in early adulthood) and the stream of benefits (which is spread over most of the remainder of a lifetime) by calculating the internal rate of return. This requires that future benefits be “discounted” to allow for the fact that far-distant benefits are valued less highly than benefits just a few years off in the future. The internal rate of return generated by this procedure may be likened to the rate of return or the rate of intent received from placing funds in a savings bank, buying government bonds, or investing in corporate securities. Individuals will find it beneficial to invest in more higher education if the internal rate of return to education for the individual exceeds the rate of re turn to other types of investments.
The analysis here deals with two kinds of internal rates of return. The first is the individual rate of return, which summarizes the future benefits and costs as perceived by the individual. The costs include the income that is forgone while in school and the costs of books, tuition and incidental expenses connected with schooling. The second is the society’s internal rate of return, which summarizes future benefits and costs as perceived from the standpoint of the economy as a whole. Thus,
costs include not only the costs to the individual but also the subsidy provided by the taxpayers through below-cost tuition. Later section of this paper refers to these costs as total resource costs. H I S T O R I C A L EVIDENCE ON BENEFITS Kotsching and Harris (1943) hypothesized concerning the U.S. that 1. Higher institution graduates would be in oversupply relative to the occupation they would seek to enter, with fewer and fewer educated people to do the less glamorous work; 2. The earnings of the higher institution graduates would fall relative to those of lesseducated groups; 3. Widespread unemployment of higher institution graduates would result because of the nontransferability of skills; 4. Idle, frustrated intellectuals would foment social revolution; 5. Larger productions of unqualified students would be enrolled in higher institutions, and as a consequence; 6. The social benefits to investing in higher institution training would decline. Did these dire predictions materialize? Towards the end of the decade 4of the l950s the individual’s rate of return held
constant, at somewhere between 10 -15 percent reported economists. Thus the predictions did not materialize. This is substantiated from the fact that three decades later, dramatic shift towards more universal higher education was being accomplished without any great change in the rate of return on investment the College - educated. The job market was able to assimilate the newly educated with comparative ease. The period of the 1960s, particular, was one of rapid economic expansion. In the turn of the decade when there speared to be increasing unemployment, individuals were able to alter their choices -‘. readjustments took place to help equilibrate supply and demand. These changes were expected to trigger reassessments by young people con templating their educational and career choices. HUMAN AND SOCIAL BENEFITS One common Nigerian way to justify a controversial enterprise is to argue that it makes or saves money. The benefits of education are considered to be such gains as lifetime income increments to the individual and contribute to the percentage rate of increase in the G.N.P. Since the assumption is widespread that monetary benefits are in some ultimate sense more “real” than less “tangible” human and social benefits, we begin this decussion of human and social benefits by considering two different Concepts of benefit and the two distinct components of higher education to which they correspond. We next turn to an examination of some empirical Studies of the effect of higher education attendance on students. Finally, we shall see that the human and social effects of education constitute benefits are necessary for the maintenance of a society that is not only technological and prosperous (as the present government envisages of Nigeria) out also open, pluralistic and democratic. These aspects will be treated briefly on an account of limited time for presentation of this paper. Much recent discussions of the costs, benefits and effectiveness of education in general among the Nigerian youths rest primarily on monetary or assumptions. Educational experiences can be classified as containing two distinct a Sometimes opposing components which are called technical and critical education.
Gender Issues Girls Not Brides: Bondage Not Marriage CHILD marriage is said to be a form of modern slavery of young and beautiful girls. Throughout the world, the problem of early, forced marriages of children is considered to be a violation of basic human right. It has been reported that 49 countries have a significant child bride problem. Breaking out of the tradition to marry young is difficult. And most of these young girls do not receive respect or support of their parents in saying no to early marriage. Imaging young girls who have dreamed of better things ahead of their future only for parents to give them out like a price of shit, just like that, without regard to what that child’s condition will be. Child marriage is said to be a formed marriage or informed union before adulthood, while child bride is observed in both boys and girls, more especially the girls. However, this is related to child betrothal and unmarried teenage pregnancy and in some cases only one partner is a child, usually the female, due to the importance placed upon female virginity. Some reasons for giving out daughters may include poverty, bride price, and also laws that allow child marriage in some rural areas, as well as the fear of remaining unmarried (bachelorette) and perceived inability of women to work for money. This act of slavery was common in the post civil era of human existence. Today, child marriages are fairly widespread in parts of the world, especially in Africa like South Asia, East Asia, West Asia, Latein America and Oceania. The five nations with the highest observed rates of child marriages in the world, below the age of 13 and 18, are Niger, Chad, Mali, Bangladesh and Guinea. And also the top three nations with greater than 20% rates of child marriages below the age 15 are Niger, Bangladesh and Guinea. Most religions, over history influenced the marriageable age, for instance, Christians ecclesiastical law forbade
By NWOSUOCHA JOYCE
marriage of a girl before the age of puberty. Hindu vedic scriptures mandated the age of a girls marriage to be adulthood which they defined as those years after the onset of puberty. Jewish scholars and rabbis discourages marriages before the onset of puberty. In contrast some Islamic marriage practices have permitted marriage of girls below the age of 10, because Sharia law is based on the past life and practices of Mohammed. Moreso, child marriage practices have led young teens to their early graves before their speculated time, hereby endangering their lives maybe in bad health conditions, intimidation, domestic violence among fellow teens in their environment. Child marriage has long been in existence till this modern days when some laws give authentication and approval to certain laws which includes “Child marriage”. Here in Nigeria, it is most especially common in the Northern part of Nigeria where young girls are betrothed to men of about 6 or 5 times their age as husbands who end up denying them rights to speech or freedom unless an intervention was made and they end up being mothers at a very tender age and lack normal educational experience they would have gotten at adulthood before marriage. The early child marriage issue has led some young girls to misconception at child birth, because they are not yet able to give birth or conceive at such age, and also get more of domestic violence especially from the spouse, who gives them no chance or opportunity to speak or disobey some uncalled orders which he might impose on her as a result of her age and feels she has no right to freedom. According to 2013, report on child marriage in Iran and Afghanistan many girls at the age of 12 and 13 have been given away at about 50% this
year from almost all their local communities both in Iran and Afghanistan. In Nigeria, the child rights Acts, passed in 2003, raised the minimum age of marriage to 18 for girls, and when issue of child bride was being discussed as a world topic or issue, some Nigerians still gave reasons why the minimum age rate should be from 13 years and above. Giving some ignorable reasons and facts which they seem to see as their culture, tradition and religion, not considering the fact that there are more to it than just getting married to a girl of 13 and having sex with her, making
her your sex toy and then she looses her value and pride among fellow girls, she is been depressed with stunts of unbearable attitude or violence, might even bleed to death even after sex, with a man of about 60 years of age. This present generation where aged men think about themselves alone without looking at this little girls they buy in marriage from their parents maybe in exchange of a conflict resolution or debt and they feel happy and proud to do harm to these teens which some even at adulthood still find it hard to adapt to some activities or routine as a mother or women. The reports indicate that a high prevalence of child bride
“Nevertheless, there are lots of consequences attached and involved in the issue of child bride, but many parents seem not to see the dangers involved ahead, what will become of these girls, they tend to take the culture and religion to heart than their blood, children rather.”
still exists nationwide, 20% of girls were married at the of 15 and 40% were married by the age 18-22 virtually all these girls who got married at this tender age received little or no educational acquisition after being married to their spouse who might be a good example of domestic violence in the society and a tiger ready to tear because she has no rights anymore. First births have elevated risks, the youngest first time mother is vulnerable to poor health situations and outcomes that may follow suite because they are still to young to start giving birth unlike an adult who is married. Eighty four percent of first births of
use child marriage as a method to secure political ties. Families were able to cement political and financial ties by having them marry these parties involved. In 2013, Nigeria attempted to change to section 29 subsection 4 of its constitution and thereby prohibit child marriage. This was opposed by Islamic states in Nigeria, who called the attempt of changing that section of the constitution unlslamic. Child marriage is a diversified topic in Nigeria and widely practiced in the northern part of Nigeria. In Christianity and Islam, it is practiced like 50% positive and 50% negative each, that is
at time even before they are born. And with this belief that is as a result of ignorance to tend to give them away to men who would marry them and use as their sex toys or slaves. This diversify issue of child bride or marriage threatens the health and life of young girls, which involves complication from pregnancy and during child birth are the main cause of death among adolescent girls below 19 in developing countries, including Nigeria. Young girls who are pregnant at the age of 13,15 and 16 might die during childbirth as those in their 20’s. teen pregnancy, particularly since below 15, increases risk of developing obstacle fistula, since their smaller pelvises make them prone to obstructed labour. Fistula leaves its victims with pains and causes life long complication and infection as
adolescent girls in Nigeria occur within married girls aged 15-19, 62 percent have already given birth, at least one out of four married girls gave birth before age 15-31. Also some major causes of child marriage are poverty and pressure from social peers. This can lead to the early marriage of a young girl. If her parents are not able to train her, they tend to give their daughter out in marriage at this age. Also when they have some financial difficulties which could cause conflict they tend to give their daughter out as settlement between the two parties. Some children who have been endangered with child marriage include “Ellen Tery” who was married at the age of 16 to “George Frederic Walts” who was 46 years old, as well as “Marie Adilaide of Savoy, RanaPrathap Kuman”, etc. Child marriage also may depend upon socio-economic status. The aristocracy in some cultures as in the European feudal era tended to
the Christians regard child marriage as forbidden and in Islam it is allowed. Predominantly in Nigeria today, among the Muslims, over 50% of the girls marry before the age of 15. According to UNICEF “State of the Worlds children bride 2009 report 47% of Indian women age 20-24 were married before the legal age of 18, with 56% marrying before 18 in rural areas. The exact number of child marriage in Pakistan below the age of 13 is unknown, but of recent update it is now from the ages of 8-13 years, exceeding 50% in northwest regions of Pakistan. Nevertheless, there are lots of consequences attached and involved in the issue of child bride, but many parents seem not to see the dangers involved ahead, what will become of these girls, they tend to take the culture and religion to heart than their blood, children rather. The times in Africa where they seem to see the female child as not being important and thereby give them out at a very tender age,
well. In improveshid countries child marriage often ends a girls education. Without education girls and adult women are not able to gain the opportunity of earning an income, financially to care for her and children. They also suffer from domestic violence from their spouse both sexually due to their poor educational status unlike educated adult women and they end up either beating them to death or sexually even embarrassing them outside. Conclusively, the right of the women in our society should be obtained and fought for, major preventive measures, by promoting the empowerment of girls at risk of child marriage. Also providing good and affordable education and also other good morals and skills, supporting these young teens to become good activist for their rights as girls. Educating our parents who have no idea of education or civilization, to educate them on how such issues should be handled when any occur. And on the laws which can prohibit child bride or marriage and how the perpetrators would be brought to book. The legislative chambers should set a minimum age for marriage.
International
Obama Vs ISIS:
Remind You Of Bush’s ‘Coalition Of The “Willing’ In Iraq”
PRESIDENT Obama claims that ‘over 40 countries’ have offered to help the USled campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. Just how firm is that support, how firm the support of Americans and Congress? The Obama administration plan to “destroy and degrade” Islamic State militants was topic number one on the TV news shows Sunday morning, and it promises to stay so this coming week when President Obama addresses the annual U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York. In essence, it’s an international rally, led by the United States, do attack and eventually eliminate the group also know as ISIS or ISIL. The administration’s goal is to build momentum on what it’s achieved so far: Some commitments from other countries (France has joined the US air campaign in Iraq), plus bipartisan votes in Congress this past week authorizing the Pentagon to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels in the fight against ISIS.
Obama kicked off the effort Saturday in his weekly radio address when he said, “Over 40 countries have offered to help the broad campaign against ISIL so far – from training and equipment, to humanitarian relief, to flying combat missions.” Recommended: Islamic State 101: three tricky problems for US military campaign “A majority of Democrats and a majority of Republicans in both the House and the Senate have now approved a first, key part of our strategy by wide margins,” Obama said. “Those votes sent a powerful signal to the world: Americans are united in confronting this danger.” That “Americans are united” reference may be more aspirational than firmly actual, however. Poll earlier this month showed that while Americans support Obama’s campaign of air strikes against Islamic State militants, they have a low appetite for a long campaign against the group.
“People see air strikes as surgical. They think we are able to go in and do something that affects in a negative way this horrible group of people and we are able to extract ourselves with only a very low risk to American lives,” said Ipsos pollster Julia Clark. “There’s absolutely no appetite for re-engagement in that region in any prolonged way.” American “boots on the ground” – of which there have been increasing numbers in Iraq in recent weeks – seem to be the defining line for political support. I won’t commit our troops to fighting another ground war in Iraq, or in Syria,” Obama said Saturday.” “It’s more effective to use our capabilities to help partners on the ground secure their own country’s futures.” Hitting major news shows Sunday, UN Ambassador Samantha Power danced around the subject of partners
AFGHANS finally have a president-elect under a messy power-sharing deal that may end up pleasing no one. And NATO will still be paying the bills. Afghans went to the polls in February and June to elect a successor to President Hamid Karzai. The result was a standoff between two rivals for the post that brought the central government to a screeching halt and raised the specter of ethnic warlords feuding for spoils. Now we have a winner: Ashraf Ghani, the former finance minister, who was named president-elect Sunday by the country’s election commission. Mr. Ghani signed a powersharing agreement with the runner-up, Abdullah Abdullah, who had bitterly contested Ghani’s victory in the June runoff. The two men hugged briefly at a somewhat frosty ceremony that appeared to raise as many questions as it answered. For months, Afghan voters have waited to find out what was the truth behind Mr. Abdullah’s allegations of systematic election fraud. Had millions of ballots been stuffed or falsified? Would a UN-run audit ferret out the reality and settle the claims so that the nation can move on? Recommended: How well do you know Afghanistan? Take our quiz. Not exactly. The election commission ducked the question of how many votes it had invalidated and what it meant for the final tally. Instead, commission chief Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani simply declared the winner without providing the
final vote count, while saying the numbers would be released later. Even the winner seemed put out by this secrecy. Halim Fadai, an official in the Ghani campaign involved in the audit, complained to The New York Times that the UN had caved to pressure from Abdullah’s team not to publicize the results. Mr. Fadai said officials from the Independent Election Commission had told him that Jan Kubis, who heads of the United Nations mission here, pressured them not to announce the actual results until a week had gone by. “He argued that the opposing team are armed and they will create a crisis,” he said. “This is very unfortunate. I think the United Nations, instead of supporting democracy, has bowed down to the pressure of the warlords.” A spokesman for Mr. Kubis could not be reached for a response to Mr. Fadai’s claims. In a Twitter post, Mr. Fadai published what he said was the commission’s final tally sheet, showing that the vote total was 3.9 million (55.3 percent) for Mr. Ghani and 3.1 million (44.7 percent) for Mr. Abdullah, with 7.1 million votes cast. That suggested that a million votes had been ruled invalid by the election commission, since originally it announced that 8.1 million people voted in the June 14 runoff election between Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah. US Secretary of State John Kerry has been personally invested in trying to get the two
sides to settle and move on. His visit in July yielded a powersharing deal under which Abdullah, as the runner-up, would get to nominate a prime minister (aka chief executive) with his own council of ministers. Essentially, there will be two power centers in the executive branch of government. Given the bad blood between the two camps, it will be a test of their political skills to keep it on track. And the result could be an even more bloated executive that costs more to run. As the Christian Science Monitor’s Dan Murphy wrote in July, the proposed dilution of presidential powers marked a major departure from the governing formula under Mr. Karzai. A weak parliament was no match for the imperial president, which concentrated power in the hands of Karzai and his inner circle. The most interesting bit about Afghan’s disastrous and personalized centralization of power over the past decade is how it’s taken near warfare between enemies of the Taliban for the US to see the writing on the wall. Ahead of Afghanistan’s 2010 election, a senior Western diplomat in Kabul told me: “The parliament doesn’t really matter. You could say in some ways that creating such a strong presidency was the original sin of post-Taliban Afghanistan.” The only external check on Karzai’s powers, Murphy writes, was Afghanistan’s reliance on foreign aid, primarily US, as
in the fight against ISIS. She was asked on CBS’ “Face the Nation” if the United States had any indication other countries were willing to launch air strikes in Syria. “We do,” Ambassador
Power said. “But we’re going to leave it to other nations to announce for themselves what their specific commitments to the coalition are going to be.” An important distinction is emerging about going after
US President, Barack Obama
Afghanistan Names New President: But
ISIS in Iraq and attacking the militant group in Syria. “I will make you a prediction,” Power said on ABC’s “This Week.” “We will not do the air strikes [in Syria] alone if the president decides to do the air strikes.” Obama, too, talks of “over 40 countries [which] have offered to help the broad campaign against ISIL so far – from training and equipment, to humanitarian relief, to flying combat missions.” Americans can be forgiven if this reminds them of the “coalition of the willing” President George W. Bush claimed to have when the US invaded and occupied Iraq 11 years ago. Most lawmakers may have backed Obama in their vote last week. But many remain uneasy about where things are headed. “The risk is that the United States begins getting involved in what may be a very long term commitment to a messy civil war in Syria,” Senator Chris Murphy, a Foreign Relations Committee
Where Does Power Lie?
well as the military muscle of NATO. Yet this leverage wasn’t enough to convince Karzai to sign a bilateral services agreement in order for thousands of NATO troops to remain after the end of 2014. Now it falls to president-elect Ghani, who is expected to be sworn in next week, to sign on the dotted line. And what of the Afghan National Army, in which US and NATO forces have invested so much effort to stand up so that their combat troops can stand down? Provided Ghani signs the accord, NATO members have agreed to stay on through 2017 to train an Afghan army, at a cost of billions of dollars annually. The Army, along with the national police, is battling with
Taliban insurgents, particularly in the southern Pashtun heartland. This, after all, was what brought a US-led coalition to Afghanistan in the first place, since the Taliban had hosted Osama bin Laden and refused to give him up. According to the White House, the US has requested $4.1 billion to sustain an expansion in the Afghan security apparatus to 352,000 troops. That’s a fairly substantial security force, even by the yardsticks of South Asia, where India and Pakistan both field large militaries. Yet it still faces an uphill challenge to defeat the Taliban, just as NATO troops did. More realistic is some kind of political deal, or local truces, once Western forces disappear from the battlefield.
The new president will inherit this expensive military buildup. And he will need to own it since his government, in theory, will be on the hook for at least part of it. Per the White House statement, Afghanistan is expected “to assume an increasing portion of [Afghan National Security Forces] sustainment costs beginning with $500 million in 2015.” This in a country that relies on foreign aid for most of its public spending. The other main income is opium smuggling. Last week, the Afghan government said it was broke and needed more foreign aid to make its September payroll. Government officials told the Washington Post that the postelection impasse had dried up revenues and said they had requested a $537 million bailout.
“Essentially, there will be two power centers in the executive branch of government. Given the bad blood between the two camps, it will be a test of their political skills to keep it on track. And the result could be an even more bloated executive that costs more to run.”
International
Blair Says, Airstrikes Not Enough To Beat Militants LONDON — Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair says airstrikes alone will not be enough to defeat Islamic State group militants.
Blair says in an essay on his Faith Foundation website that Western powers should be ready to commit ground forces, warning that “you
cannot uproot this extremism unless you go to where it originates from and fight it.” The United States and France have launched airstrikes in
hopes of weakening the group. Blair, whose final years in office were defined by the unpopular and much-
criticized British engagement in the Iraq war, says that diplomacy and humanitarian work are not enough to fight the group.
“Unless they’re accompanied by physical combat, we will mitigate the problem but not overcome it,” he says.
Islamic State Urges More Attacks On Egyptian Security Forces
Poland’s Prime Minister-designate Ewa Kopacz speaks during the presentation of the ministers of her cabinet as new Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna, left, stands behind, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. The new Polish government will be sworn in yesterday.
CAIRO - Islamic State urged insurgents in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Monday to press ahead with attacks against Egyptian security forces and beheadings, a call likely to deepen concern over ties between the militant groups. Egyptian officials, including the foreign minister, have acknowledged coordination exists between Islamic State and other militant groups, including ones in Egypt, but have said there are no Islamic State fighters in the country. Egypt has faced Islamist insurgents since the army toppled President Mohamed
New Afghan Leader To Name Woman To Supreme Court
KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s new presidentelect says he wants Afghan women represented at the highest levels of government, including on the Supreme Court. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai planned to hold his first news conference later Monday after being announced by the country’s election commission Sunday as president. His opponent for president, Abdullah Abdullah, will fill the newly created role of chief executive in a national unity government. Ghani Ahmadzai said in a statement that he is committed to ensuring that women are well represented in government and the education and economic sectors. Ghani Ahmadzai also said Afghans should remember
that poverty, lack of education, income equality and insecurity are the country’s enemies, and not their fellow citizens. “This victory isn’t just about winning an election. It’s a victory for democracy, for our constitution and for our future,” Ghani said. “Together, we have turned the page and written a new chapter in our long and proud history — the first peaceful democratic transition between one elected president and another.” The announcement by the election commission that Ghani Ahmadzai had won the nearly six-month election process came only hours after he and Abdullah signed a power-sharing deal following weeks of negotiations. The deal allowed the
international community — including the U.S. and NATO — to breathe a sigh of relief, as the settlement greatly decreases the chances of ethnic vote violence. Ghani Ahmadzai has also pledged to sign a security agreement that would allow about 10,000 U.S. military trainers and advisers to remain in the country next year after all U.S. and NATO combat troops withdraw. To the annoyance of many Afghans, the election commission did not officially release vote totals of the June runoff — ballots that underwent a long audit for fraud — when it announced Ghani Ahmadzai as the winner. Leaked results showed Ghani Ahmadzai took about 55 percent and Abdullah roughly 45 percent of the vote.
One of Abdullah’s final demands in talks with Ghani Ahmadzai was that the election commission not release the vote count because of the fraud he alleges took place. 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.” 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, essentially the same Cabinet group but designed to manage implementation. The 13-year war against the Taliban has largely been turned over to Afghan security forces, a development that has seen casualties among Afghan soldiers rise significantly this year.
Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood last year. “Rig the roads with explosives for them. Attack their bases. Raid their homes. Cut off their heads. Do not let them feel secure,” Islamic State spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani said in a statement to Egyptian militants released online. He praised those militants for carrying out “blessed operations against the guards of the Jews, the soldiers of Sisi, the new Pharaoh of Egypt” - a reference to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who succeeded Mursi. Sinai-based militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, which has killed hundreds of Egyptian security forces over the last year, beheaded several people in recent weeks, saying they were spies for Israeli intelligence. The bloodshed, the first of its kind in the biggest Arab country, suggested the group, which seeks to remove the U.S.-backed government, had become more radical. Sisi, who as army chief last year led Mursi’s ouster following protests against his rule, has expressed concerns about Islamist militants in Egypt and the Middle East. Egypt has backed Washington’s call for global action to counter the threat from Islamic State. But Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri suggested Cairo might not provide direct military assistance to the United States for its battle against the group, saying the army was focused on the home front.
Polish President Swears In Reshuffled Government
Afghanistan’s presidential election candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai leaves after signing a power-sharing deal at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ahmadzai, who will become president, and Abdullah Abdullah signed the national unity government deal as outgoing President Hamid Karzai watched.
WARSAW, Poland — The Polish president is swearing in a reshuffled government under new prime minister Ewa Kopacz. Kopacz replaces Donald Tusk, who was recently chosen to head the European Council. The new government is set to continue the policies of Tusk’s center-right party Civic Platform. However, it will only govern for a year, and much of its efforts are expected to be geared toward winning reelection.
So far Kopacz has suggested she will not take a strong stance toward Russia, something underlined by the departure of Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, a strong voice internationally against Moscow’s aggressions in Ukraine. Kopacz’s government faces a vote of confidence in parliament Oct. 1, but it is expected to pass since the governing coalition enjoys a majority — albeit a slim one.
The challenge of containing militancy has become more complex since Islamic State militants expanded their control over northern Iraq and eastern Syria in June and declared a caliphate, i nspiring other militant groups including some based along Egypt’s border with chaotic Libya. Islamic State, made up of Iraqis, other Arabs and foreign fighters, has been coaching the Sinai-based Ansar militants on how to operate more effectively, a senior Ansar commander told Reuters this month. Egyptian security forces had appeared to be making some progress against Islamist insurgents over recent weeks. The Ansar commander said pressure from the army had forced some fighters to flee the Sinai for other areas in Egypt. On Sunday, a bomb attack beside the Egyptian foreign ministry in Cairo claimed by militant group Ajnad Misr (Soldiers of Egypt) killed three policemen, including a key witness in a trial of Mursi. The European Union condemned the blast, calling it a “heinous act”. Egypt has branded the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group and pledged to eliminate it after security forces killed hundreds of its supporters, arrested thousands and put top leaders on trial, severely weakening what was once Egypt’s most organized political group. The Brotherhood says it is committed to peaceful activism, but authorities make no distinction between Islamists, blaming them all for violence which has hammered tourism, a pillar of the economy. Despite several army operations Egypt’s military has struggled to tackle Ansar, Ajnad and other militant groups. The Egyptian state has crushed militant groups in the past but they often recover. In the 1990s, militants staged attacks against government officials and foreign tourists. It took then President Hosni Mubarak years to defeat them.
International CHANGE OF NAME
ONYAEMIN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyaemin Hope Ehinor now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ehimen Hope Ehinor. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
UWAGUE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uwague Love Edosa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edosa Love Osaretin Igunma. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Oaikhi Patrick Kate wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Oaikhi Kate and Patrick Kate. Henceforth, I am now properly known and addressed as Oaikhi Patrick Kate. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note. CHANGE OF NAME
AJAYI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Christiana Osaro Ajayi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christiana Osaro Omoruyi. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
PUBLIC NOTICE
AUCTION SALES There will be a public auction sales of accidented, abandoned and unclaimed vehicle, and other items at Central Police Station, Oba Market Division of the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command. Date of Sales is three weeks from the date of this publication Items are: Mercedes Benz 190 Reg. No. AM208DGE, 2 Blackberry phones and Torcomms phone. Contact Abu Osodionahon Police Auctioneer 08060382828, 08074007097 PUBLIC NOTICE
AUCTION SALES There will be a public auction sales of accidented, abandoned and unclaimed vehicles, motorcycles and household items at Auchi Division, Etsako West Local Government of the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command. Date of Sales is two weeks from this publication Items are: Paugeot 306 car Reg No. AU660KSF, Pick-up Vehicle Reg. No. AE651 KNE, Peugeot Reg. No. AA32SGM, Nanfang M/cycles Reg. Nos. UK848ENU, QB138FUG, QK531HAL, other motorcycles like Daylong, Qlink, Sky-Go, Simba, Car-go Motorcycles and household items. Contact PRINCE EHINON UDEBHULU Police Auctioneer 08073603589
Egypt Militants Claim Blast Near Foreign Ministry
CAIRO — An Egyptian militant group claimed responsibility for Sunday’s bomb blast in a busy downtown Cairo street near the Foreign Ministry that killed two senior police officers and wounded several other policemen. Ajnad Misr, or Soldiers of Egypt, which has claimed previous attacks on police, said in a statement posted late Sunday on its Twitter account and on a militant website that it had used an explosive device on “officers of the criminal apparatus” as part of its campaign against security forces. It said a group of its members carried out “a new penetration operation to reach the foreign ministry’s perimeter and plant the explosive device.” It did not say how they detonated the explosives. It said the attacks will not stop until “the ruling tyrants fall and God’s Shariah is established ... and that when a hero dies he will be replaced by several heroes who will follow his path.” Similar attacks have intensified since the overthrow
in New York with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud al-Faisal, that the talks could lead to an improvement in relations. “Both my Saudi counterpart and I believe that this meeting will be the first page of a new chapter in our two countries’ relations,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency quoted Zarif as saying. “We hope that this new chapter will be effective in establishing regional and global peace and security and will safeguard the interests of Muslim nations across the world.” IRNA reported that
responsibility for bomb blasts outside the presidential palace in Cairo that killed two senior police officers and wounded 10 other people. It said the bombs it used cannot be detected by ordinary equipment. Following the July attack,
Iran is a cornerstone of stability in the Middle East in the face of the terrorists rocking the region, President Hassan Rouhani, pictured, says before leaving for the United Nations.
Yemen Deal Signed After Shiite Rebels Seize Govt SANAA - Rival groups in Yemen have signed a UNbrokered peace deal after Shiite rebels seized the government headquarters and the prime minister resigned following raging violence in the capital. “A national peace and partnership agreement based on the outcomes of the national dialogue conference was signed this evening at the presidential palace” in Sanaa, state news agency Saba reported Sunday. President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, United Nations envoy Jamal Benomar and representatives of Yemen’s political forces, including the Shiite rebels, attended the signing ceremony, it said. “We have reached a final deal with which we can overcome this crisis,” Hadi said in a speech. Benomar said the agreement calls for the formation of a new government within one month. Under the deal, Hadi will also appoint advisers from the Shiite Ansarullah rebels and southern separatists within three days,
Iran Hails New Chapter In Saudi Prince Saud, in a reference DUBAI - Iran and Saudi Ties to the advance of Islamic Arabia held their first foreign minister-level meeting since the 2013 election of President Hassan Rouhani, official Iranian media reported, signaling a possible thaw in chilly ties between the rival Gulf powers. Shi’ite Muslim Iran and the conservative Sunni kingdom have been engaged in a bitter contest for influence in the region, evident in political and military struggles in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain and Yemen. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested after his meeting
of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi more than one year ago. Ajnad Misr says its attacks were revenge for the violent government crackdown on Morsi supporters following his ouster that left hundreds killed. In July, the group claimed
Egypt’s chief prosecutor charged 20 suspected members of the group with carrying out terrorist attacks that killed seven people and wounded more than 100. Six of the men are still at large. Ajnad Misr also claimed responsibility for April’s killing of police Brig. Gen. Ahmed Zaki, by detonating a bomb under his car.
State militants in Iraq and Syria, said he was aware of the sensitivity of the situation. “We are aware of the importance and sensitivity of this crisis and the opportunity we have ahead of us. We believe that by using this precious opportunity and avoid the mistakes of the past, we can deal with this crisis successfully,” he said. “These two countries are influential in the region and cooperation between them will have clear effects on the establishment of regional and global security.”
Benomar said at the signing ceremony broadcast on state television. A new premier to replace Mohamed Basindawa will be named by Hadi, also within three days, and must be “neutral and not belonging to any party”, according to the agreement read by Benomar. Two representatives of rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi signed on behalf of the insurgents, said an AFP journalist who attended the ceremony. The rebels earlier Sunday swooped on key institutions across Sanaa, including the government headquarters and military sites, after an apparent surrender by security forces. Under the accord, the rebels must hand over institutions they have seized, dismantle protest camps they set up in and around Sanaa more than a month ago, and “immediately end all acts of violence”. After the deal was signed, Saba reported that the rebels began withdrawing from government buildings in a handover overseen by Defence Minister General Mohammed Nasser Ahmed. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the agreement marked a “positive step towards political stability and peace in the country”, according to a statement issued by his spokesman. Ban also “expected that the agreement will be implemented in full without delay”. In a resignation letter, Basindawa accused Hadi of being “autocratic”, according to the text of the letter released by the council of ministers. “The partnership between myself and the president in leading the country only lasted for a short period, before it was replaced by autocracy to the extent that the government and I no longer knew anything about the military and security situation,” he wrote. His resignation had come as rebels overran state radio, the general command of the armed
forces, headquarters of the sixth military region, the fourth brigade and the defence ministry’s media arm, official and rebel sources said. They swept into the parliament building and took over the central bank and civil aviation authority, the sources said. The interior ministry’s website urged security forces not to confront the insurgents. Interior Minister Abdo al-Tarib instead urged “cooperation” with the rebels “to strengthen security and stability, preserve public property and guard government installations... and to consider Ansarullah friends of the police.” The rebels had advanced into Sanaa from their mountain stronghold in the far north last month and set up armed protest camps to press their demands for political change. Their offensive had been denounced by Hadi on Friday as a “coup attempt”. Sunday’s developments came a day after the UN announced a power-sharing deal to end a week of fighting between the rebels and pro-government forces which had left dozens dead on both sides and forced the suspension of all flights into and out of Sanaa airport. Saba reported late Sunday that Hadi was meeting Yemeni political forces, including representatives of Ansarullah. After consulting his newly appointed advisers, Hadi is expected to name the ministers of defence, interior, foreign affairs and finance. The new premier will choose the remaining ministers from among candidates presented to him from the various political parties. Hadi had already agreed to bring the rebels into a new government to replace the unpopular administration that imposed austerity measures, including a fuel price hike, earlier this year. The rebels have demanded
posts in key state institutions as part of their push for greater political clout. Yemen has been swept by political turmoil since longtime strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced from the presidency in early 2012. The rebels hail from the Zaidi Shiite community, that makes up 30 percent of Yemen’s mostly Sunni nation but the majority community in the northern highlands, including the Sanaa region. They have battled the government on and off for a decade from their stronghold of Saada in the far north.
Iran A Bulwark Against Terrorists In Mideast - Rouhani
TEHRAN - Iran is a cornerstone of stability in the Middle East in the face of the “terrorists” rocking the region, President Hassan Rouhani said Monday before leaving for the United Nations. “The peoples of the region are defending themselves, and will continue to defend themselves, against the terrorists,” Rouhani said in a speech marking the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. “The government and armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will help them everywhere,” he pledged. “Iran is a cornerstone of stability in this sensitive Middle East region... today dominated by unrest, security problems, massacres and fear.” Rouhani’s comments came after US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that Iran had a role to play in tackling Islamic State militants who have overrun large swathes of Iraq and Syria. Kerry “discussed the threat posed by (IS)” with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in a meeting in New York lasting more than an hour on Sunday, a US official said.
Healthy Living
Fitness And Wellness By OMORODION LAWRENCE
WORKING out is vitally important for living a healthy life, and this article will briefly explain to you the importance of exercise. Many people ignore this activity, only to regret it at a stage. Most young people dodge exercise because they think they are smart and tender, and this attitude grows with them even to their old age. Many of them start experiencing difficulty as they are advancing in life, most of them start complaining of waist pain, back pain, abdominal pain, and all these could have been averted with simple exercise every day, or maybe twice a week. All of us have heard that exercising is great for health, but few of us know its exact impact. While it helps one to achieve the desired physical shape, its effects on the mind and soul are also well established. Although, majority of people are well aware of the benefits, yet don’t pursue it actively. This can be because of busy schedule that all of us follow, but there are many people who don’t indulge in any form of activity because they are not completely aware about its importance. They mistakenly believe that exercising is only important for aspiring body builders.
What they fail to understand is that our body craves for some sort of exercise for its smooth functioning and when we don’t do it, wear and tear is inevitable. Our lifestyle today, has changed drastically thanks to the numerous innovations in technology. You can get a machine to do almost all your daily chores, reducing even the slight possibility of you engaging in any form of physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle can affect our body in long run, therefore, it is important that we take up regular fitness regime. Exercising our body helps us in so many ways like, Losing Weight – one can choose a cardiovascular exercise like aerobics, walking, running, jogging, and swimming etc. For the same. They will help in burning a number of calories. It will in turn also help in increasing the metabolism of the body. Visceral body fat is also reduced with a regular exercise. Losing weight helps to keep the body in good shape, that is, helping us to take the right figure that will soothe our personality and it makes our cloths to fit our body outrightly. Another area where exercise helps is that it improves
stamina. This stamina can otherwise be said to be the body confidence and firmness. Often, we feel tired very fast or are not able to perform any activity as fast as we would like to. This is due to low stamina. With regular exercise the body is trained to use less amount of energy for doing certain amount of work. This also makes the body more efficient in energy management, which in turn helps in increasing stamina. You will also observe, that with regular exercise the heart rate come back to resting levels sooner after you have performed a strenuous activity. Stamina is very important to the body in a way that it keeps the body going and working without much tiredness or fatigue. Another importance to exercise is that it improves mood, now lets get to know
why it is important for mental health. There are a number of psychological benefits of exercise. It helps in increasing self – confidence and self-esteem. The person who works out regularly will be less anxious than people who do not work out. It helps in releasing endorphins and chemicals, which help in making person feel more peaceful as well as happy. Regular exercise helps tones the body, there are a number of people who often ask how to tone up without taking any medicines. The answer is by following exercise programs. While the cardiovascular exercise help in getting rid of the excess weight, strength training activities can help you in building body muscles. To get a well-toned body with the help of weightlifting you need to follow a diet, otherwise it can also lead to fatigue and weakness. Exercise opens the pores in our body to allow inflow of
air into the body and it therefore cleans the body system which keeps the body healthy. Regular exercise boosts the immune system. It has been established that moderate exercise helps in strengthening the immune system. This is because it causes physiological changes in the immune system. It has been found out that immune cells-which are responsible for fighting pathogens – circulate quickly through the body during exercising. When we keep on exercising over a period of time this behaviour of immunce cells becomes long-lasting helping in prevention against contagious diseases. Exercise reinvigorates your sex life, Research conducted over the years has revealed that men who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. Also, it elevates the arousal hormones in woman, which helps in better lubrication. And among other things, it definitely gives your partner a boost if you have a toned body. Men who exercise on a consistent basic also find it easier to last longer during the “act” without feeling tired! So, if you want your sex life to be tantalizing, pull up your socks and head to the gym. It keeps your sex shape and style active and it re-activate the urge in you to keep and stay longer with your partner. That is the reason why they say a healthy and fit couples are loving couples, because good sex life does keep a healthy marriage. Regular exercise helps in curing insomnia, a study conducted by the Northwestern University found that people who were engaged in physical activity were more likely to overcome sleep disorders such as insomnia. Not only does it help you in having a good night’s sleep, but it also drastically reduces the accompanying symptoms of sleep disorders like anxiety and depression.
Exercising has become all the more important for the youth as today, they are spending their entire day sitting in front of the computer, playing video games and eating junk food. This is bound to have an adverse effect on the individual, sooner rather than later. By resorting to regular routines they are negating the effects of these indulgent activities, and ensuring that their bodies do not become stale thanks to the sedentary lifestyle that they lead. It cannot be stressed enough, that exercise is vitally important for the survival and the smooth sustenance of human life. We know that there is a unanimous acceptance of its benefits, but what keeps most people away is procrastination. The banal excuse, “I have no time on my hands” is just self-deception or escapism on our part. If you are determined to keep some time for exercising in your daily schedule, it would surely show great results in your personal and professional life. Remember those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness. Importance of exercise can not be over-emphasized or underrated, but Exercise is really important at all times because it keeps your body stress free. It keeps the heart healthy. However, sad to say, there are people who can’t loose weight by not eating or by starving themselves, but a little exercise or regular exercise will help regulate the body system. Exercise allows for easy circulation of blood from the heart to the whole body, therefore making and keeping the body system healthy and light to move around. It exercises the veins, the arteries, the whole joints in the body by making them flexible and reflexive. It keeps the brain which is the engine and thinking box in the body sharp and smart.
“A sedentary lifestyle can affect our body in long run, therefore, it is important that we take up regular fitness regime. Exercising our body helps us in so many ways like, Losing Weight – one can choose a cardiovascular exercise like aerobics, walking, running, jogging, and swimming etc. For the same. They will help in burning a number of calories. It will in turn also help in increasing the metabolism of the body.”
Van Gaal Running Out Of Defensive Options
LOUIS van Gaal lost his most senior defender Jonny Evans to an early injury and had Tyler Blackett sent off late on as United collapsed to a 5-3 reversal at the King Power Stadium. Blackett will be suspended for one game for the straight red card that led to Leonardo Ulloa’s 83rd-minute penalty and Evans left the stadium on crutches. “I don’t know how bad Evans is,” Van Gaal said. “We have to wait for a scan but he is on crutches.” With Phil Jones already sidelined due to a torn hamstring picked up when on England duty, the Dutchman is running out of options in defence for the next Premier League encounter. “I think that Luke Shaw shall be fit enough to play, Marcos Rojo can play and Chris Smalling can play, so we can manage, but it’s a thin choice,” Van Gaal told MUTV. United led 2-0 and 3-1 thanks to goals from Robin van Persie, Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera but
capitulated to another embarrassing setback. Two goals from Ulloa, a David Nugent penalty and further strikes from Esteban Cambiasso and Jamie Vardy rocked the visitors, although Rafael looked very hard done by when conceding the first spot-kick. “You never expect it when you are two goals ahead for the second time,” said Van Gaal. “You have to kill the game, you have to keep possession, but we could not do that. We gave it away. “We created a lot of chances and scored some superb goals but you have to do it for 90 minutes and not 60.”
NIPOGA
Bida Poly Promises Standard Platforms
Van Gaal
Tennis: NNPC/SNEPCO Tourney Begins Sept 29 PARTICIPANTS at the second NNPC/SNEPCo Junior Tennis Championship organised by the International Tennis Academy are to provide negative malaria and typhoid fever test certificate to feature in the championship. Godwin Kienka, the Lagos said that the Director of the academy, in certificate must be from a medical a statement on Monday in reputable
I Have Nothing To Proved
ARSENAL playmaker Mesut Ozil accepts he will always be an easy target for the critics and says he has nothing to prove to anybody. The German World Cup winner answered the growing doubters with a masterful display in the 30 demolition of Aston Villa on Saturday. He swept in the opening goal and created the second for Danny Welbeck at Villa Park when deployed in a more central role by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. The 25-year-old has continually found himself under scrutiny since becoming Arsenal’s £42million club record signing from Real Madrid on deadline day in September 2013. However, Ozil is not about to let anyone else’s opinion get in the way of his continued progress with the Gunners. “I don’t play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal,” Ozil told German news agency DPA. “I have the feeling that I am criticised more, that happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid. “We have only just started the season (at Arsenal), we have new
Mourinho
- Ozil
players in key positions. “The collective game, which is something I have a lot to do with, cannot then just work well from one day to the next.” Ozil added: “(Just) 10 weeks ago I was elected to the team of the season in England (via an internet poll on the Premier League website). “I was world champion then. It was the summer break and after a few games (of the new season) everything is called into question again. This is strange, but I know what I can offer.” Ozil is likely to be one of
several first-team players rested by Wenger for the Capital One Cup tie at home to Southampton on Tuesday night, but should again be the key man for Saturday’s north London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium. The cup tie could see a debut for Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, who has yet to feature apart from on the bench after regaining fitness following a summer move from Nice. Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell may be another deployed against the Saints, along with fit-again midfielder Abou Diaby.
laboratory. Kienka said this was to ensure healthy environment during the second edition of the tournament scheduled for Sept. 29 to Oct. 4 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club. “Players, coaches and parents - will need to show a negative malaria and typhoid fever test certificate from a reputable medical laboratory before being accepted into the competition. “We have never had any participant sick or injured in our tournaments since we started over 10 years ago, but we need to eliminate malaria and typhoid symptoms. “This is not a good time to be sick in Nigeria, however, we have made
Wasted Chances Cost Chelsea CHELSEA took the lead against 10-man City - who had full-back Pablo Zabaleta sent off in the 66th minute - as Mourinho’s decision to bring on Andre Schurrle for Ramires paid dividends. Germany forward Schurrle netted just five minutes after Zabaleta’s dismissal to nudge the
- Mourinho
visitors ahead, and their advantage came agonisingly close to being extended as Diego Costa hit the post. Chelsea’s profligacy was then punished by their own all-time top scorer, as Frank Lampard who left Stamford Bridge after 13
years in the close-season - scored five minutes from time to earn a point for City. And Mourinho felt that Chelsea’s inability to build on their lead was pivotal as his side were denied a Premier League win for the first time this season. “Because we hit the post,” Mourinho replied when asked why Chelsea failed to maintain their 100 per cent record. “We had a 1-0 lead and when you don’t kill matches, you are in danger - especially when you play against very good teams.” The Portuguese was also complimentary of City’s spirit and conceded that the hosts deserved a share of the spoils. “We had a tactical reaction to try to win the game, they had an emotional to try not to lose the game,” Mourinho added. “We were successful in our tactical change to try and win the game because we scored and had more chances to score. And they were successful in their emotional reaction and I think in the end it is a point that they deserve.”
very solid arrangements to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants,’’ the statement stated. The statement said that the championship would as usual feature boys and girls 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under and 16 and under, categories. It added that adequate arrangements had been made to cater for all participants and spectators and urged participants to look forward to a great tournament.
ALHAJI Abdullahi Sule, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, says necessary facilities have been provided for the success of Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA), which will be hosted by the institution. The rector, in an interview in Abuja recently said in the 18th edition of the games holding between November 5 and November 15, athletes for the scheduled 16 sports events would compete on standard platforms. Sule said security of lives and property of all the athletes, officials and visitors to the games will be given special attention by its Local Organising Committee. He also said that although the Federal Polytechnic, Bida would not want to win at all costs; the institution’s athletes were preparing well to emerge the winner. According to the rector, the essence of the games, among other gains, is to give the teeming youth in the tertiary institutions avenue to cool off from the lecture room activities. He noted that the Fund Raising Committee of the games had been able to get donations from sportsloving Nigerians at a dinner held in Abuja on Sept. 18. He said the committee received donations of N32.7 million, comprising cheques for N2.8 million and promissory notes for N29.9 million. He said the highest donor was Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who donated N10 million, acknowledging the roles of Korean Embassy, the old students association of the school and Tertiary Education Trust Fund, among others, in the preparation for the competition.
Rakitic Concentrating On Barca Not Rivals THE Croatia international opened his Barcelona account in the 5-0 victory over 10-man Levante - who had defender Loukas Vyntra sent off after 41 minutes - a win that maintained their 100 per cent record in La Liga. It took the Catalan club 34 minutes to break the deadlock on Sunday but they emphatically secured victory, with Rakitic striking a stunning second just before the break. Meanwhile, rivals Real and Atletico Madrid have both dropped points in the opening four games but Rakitic insists Barca must remain focused on their own game rather
than how other teams are playing. “The results that the other teams get don’t matter much to us,” he told the club’s official website. “We just have to work hard and we’re right on track, although there is still a lot to do. “We all knew that it is a difficult ground to come to but after the sending off and our goal, it was much easier. “We could relax a bit and govern the game the way we like to. It was an important step forward but we’ll need to keep fighting.” Rakitic moved to the Camp Nou from Sevilla during the close-season and has featured in all four league matches.
Anything Is Possible Under Garcia -Gervinho IVORY Coast forward Gervinho has flourished at Roma since signing from Arsenal last year, and has scored three times already this season to help the capital club win all four of their games in all competitions. And the 27-year-old has no doubt as to who the inspiration behind Roma’s renaissance, after they finished second behind Juventus in Serie A last season. “He’s [Garcia] loved by the Roma supporters, as well as by everyone in and around the club,” Gervinho told FIFA.com. “He’s been able to get his ideas across well and apply his style of play, which is based on holding onto the ball as
much as possible. “All the players immediately bought into his plans, and the results followed. “Now there’s competition for places practically all over the park, which is good news, as we’re involved in numerous competitions this year. “And, looking back, it was perhaps a lack of depth that cost us the title last season. Now, anything is possible.”
Gervinho
Rangers Won Again By Dubious Penalty -Lordson
WARRI Wolves midfielder Ichull Lordson has kicked against what he described as the dubious penalty with which his team lost at Enugu Rangers on Sunday. Wolves fell 1-0 courtesy of a 21st minute penalty
Williams Pleased With Shakes’ FORMER Bafana Bafana their 2015 AFCON qualifying striker Mark Williams Approach campaign when they visit believes coach Ephraim Congo on October 10 before Mashaba can help the side regain their respect on the continental and world stages. Williams, who netted a brace when Bafana defeated Tunisia 2-0 in the final of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, has been impressed with the style of play during Shakes’ first two matches in charge. Bafana Bafana hammered Sudan 3-0 away from home before playing to a 0-0 draw at home against Nigeria and are currently in second place in Group A as they look to book their place in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa have also moved up two places on the FIFA rankings, from 69th to 67th, and William believes it’s a positive sign. “It might not seem like a big movement but I believe it pays homage to the transformation Mashaba has brought into the national team in such a short time of space,” Williams told Soccer Laduma.. “What I really appreciate with Shakes is the positive attacking football he has introduced. We would often see Bafana playing a defensive formation with two holding midfielders which didn’t suit our football at all. “Under Shakes we see that exciting attacking football. I know the coach will quietly go about his business and get Bafana Bafana where the Nation wants to see them and
that is as Champions of Africa.” Bafana Bafana will continue
hosting the same opponents five days later.
goal by Christian Obiozor after Lordson was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his box. This comes just days after Dolphins coach Stanley Eguma also faulted a penalty goal by Rangers which cost them to lose 21 in Enugu. Lordson has insisted he
overly defensive approach, accusing Jose Mourinho’s men of playing like a “small team”. But, while the Chilean was angered by the visitors’ tactics, he had nothing but praise for his players, earmarking midfielder James Milner and debutant defender Eliaquim Mangala as stand outs. “I think that we had the best performance as a team during this year, including (in the 31 win) against Liverpool,” Pellegrini said.
Rwanda Postpone League Kick-Off THE Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) has postponed the start of the 2014/15 Turbo King Football National League. Bonnie Mugabe, the FA’s Media and Communication Officer told MTNFootball.com that instead of having the League starting on September 20, they decided to push kick-off to October 18. “We made the change because the investigative
committee which was set up by Ferwafa to do research on players who are suspected to hold double identity has not completed it’s work,” said Mugabe. Ferwafa has decided they will not license players with dual identity following a decision taken by the general assembly last week. The local football governing body wants the affected players to return to their real identity and if they
“It was a good game all the same and I say congratulations to Rangers for the victory.” Lordson said Warri Wolves will now focused on winning their double home games. “We have to remain focused and concentrate on our next two home games, next is against Dolphins on Wednesday and then Abia Warriors at the weekend,” he said.
Pellegrini Hails City’s Best CITY looked set to slip Performance to their third defeat in four matches in all competitions when Andre Schurrle turned home Eden Hazard’s low cross in the 71st minute after Pablo Zabaleta had been sent off for a second bookable offence. However, Pellegrini’s depleted team rallied and earned a share of the spoils five minutes from time through substitute Frank Lampard, who found the net against the club he left at the end of the season. Afterwards Pellegrini was quick to criticise Chelsea for what he felt was an
Mark Williams
did not handle the ball and so Rangers ought not to have been awarded a controversial penalty to mar what was a great game. “It was so unfortunate that we lost the game to a goal scored from a controversial penalty kick. It was annoying because it was not a penalty at all, but we can’t keep complaining about match official every time,” said the midfielder.
feel they want to be Rwandan, they will pass through normal channels to acquire citizenship. This development comes after Rwanda was disqualified from the group stages of the 2015 Afcon qualifiers for using Dady Birori, a player with double identity. The player also known as Tady Egiti Etekiame for his DR Congo team AS Vita was on Tuesday suspended for two years.
Manuel Pellegrini
“When you have a good performance as a team it’s because you have players with a high performance. Every time Milner plays he always does well, he’s a very important player for us. “Mangala’s first game here and he didn’t have much work to do but every time he had a challenge he won it, which is important for us because we play with a lot of space behind our defence.”
Premier League: FELIX Magath has defended his spell in charge of Fulham and insisted he still has something to offer to English football. Fulham took just one point from their first seven games this season under Felix Magath The 61-year-old German was replaced by Kit Symons on Thursday with the Cottagers rooted to the foot of the Sky Bet Championship with just one point from their first seven games. However Magath, who took over at Craven Cottage in February but could not prevent their relegation from the Premier League, told German
Ancelotti
Magath Defends Fulham Reign
news agency DPA: “ I don’t have a guilty conscience. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I am convinced that English football has something to learn from German qualities. Sadly they’re not that prepared to listen. I think I still have something to offer English football.” Magath’s methods have come under fierce criticism from former players, notably ex-captain Brede Hangeland who was once told by the
veteran boss to treat a leg injury by rubbing cheese onto the sore area. But the former Bayern Munich coach insisted: “I merely suggested it could be worth trying the old wives’ tale of applying quark to the injured area. I would never tell a doctor what to do.” Symons’ first game in charge of Fulham ended in a 1-0 home defeat by Blackburn. They face League One Doncaster in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.
Ancelotti Calls For Madrid Unity
REAL are six points behind fierce rivals Barcelona after two defeats in their opening four matches, a run of results that has prompted criticism from the club’s supporters, although Ancelotti’s men thrashed Deportivo La Coruna 8-2 on Saturday. Karim Benzema was be united. singled out by a section of the “Our attack is much better home fans in their UEFA right now, we just need to Champions League win over improve our defensive play. Basel last week and Iker I think we are better than last Casillas has also been targeted. year. And Ancelotti - who faces “Pepe hasn’t recovered yet injury worries ahead of the and we will see if Ramos is visit of Elche with central okay [on Tuesday]. defensive duo Pepe and Sergio “He has a problem with his Ramos both doubtful - wants foot, but should recover a positive approach to quickly.” Tuesday’s game - on and off Two games in the space of the pitch. four days means Ancelotti “Unity is the most important will change his side, but thing,” he said. “The club, the Cristiano Ronaldo - fresh players and the fans must all from his hat-trick against
Rodgers Discord Led To Liverpool Departure AGGER ended an eightyear spell with Liverpool in August by returning to former club Brondby in a reported £3million move. The Denmark captain was second choice to Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel in central defence last season as Liverpool finished second in the Premier League under Northern Irishman Rodgers. And Dejan Lovren’s closeseason arrival from Southampton pushed Agger further down the Anfield
Daniel Agger
-Agger
pecking order. However, Agger revealed that a failure of Rodgers - who he went on to describe as “an extremely competent coach” to appreciate his contributions, rather than a lack of first-team opportunities, was the key factor in his decision to move back to his homeland. “Let me put it this way - me and the manager were perhaps not on the same page for all of last season. For most of last season at least,” Agger told Danish TV programme Onside. “There was some distance between us and for me that was enough. I didn’t feel that he appreciated the things I contributed. And when I feel that, then it is time to move on. “Maybe where it went wrong between me and him is that I am very direct. I say things as they are, and also expect that people are [that way towards] to me. Maybe it’s wrong to expect that.”
Deportivo - will definitely feature. “I will rotate some players,” he added. “Cristiano doesn’t need a
rest [though], we need him now because he is at his best. “I always pick the best line-up so the team wins.”
No Exculllse For Failure -Sterling
Champions Leagues: LIVERPOOL are back in Europe’s elite club competition after a five-year exile this season, but that has been overshadowed by the Merseyside club’s early struggles in the Premier League. Brendan Rodgers’ men runners-up last season - have lost three of their past five topflight fixtures this term following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham, which came after Tuesday’s narrow 2-1 win over Ludogorets. Liverpool are already seven points adrift of unbeaten leaders Chelsea, but 19-yearold attacker Sterling - on the scoresheet at Upton Park - is not using the Champions League as a reason for his team’s poor form domestically. “We can’t use playing in the Champions League as an excuse because there are other teams in the Premier League doing exactly the same as us who are winning games,” Sterling told the Liverpool
Raheem Sterling
Echo. “The games are coming thick and fast but that’s what we want - to be competing at the top end of the Premier League and in the Champions League. “What it means now is that after the second recovery day after a game we’re straight back into another game. That’s the way it’s going to be this season and that’s something we need to get used to. Liverpool have badly missed star striker Daniel Sturridge, who sustained a thigh injury while on international duty with England earlier this month. Sturridge is expected to return to the squad for Saturday’s crucial Merseyside derby against Everton - and Sterling cannot wait to line-up alongside the former Chelsea man again. “Daniel is a massive miss for us with his goals and the way he plays in behind defenders,” added the teenager. “Him coming back should add another dimension to the team.”
Magath
Neville Slams ‘SoftCentred’ United UNITED – who finished seventh last term – embarked on a lavish spending spree in the transfer window, parting with more than £150million in a desperate bid to return to former glories. The acquisitions of Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Ander Herrera have excited the club’s supporters but a failure to significantly strengthen their defence has been regularly questioned. And United’s frailties were there for all to see at newly promoted Leicester on Sunday, as they tossed away a 3-1 lead and were eventually embarrassed in a 5-3 defeat. United have won just one of their six matches this season and sit 12th in the Premier League table, with Neville – who made over 600 appearances and won eight titles for the club - seething at their latest inept performance. The England assistant coach did not pull any punches, questioning their character on Sky Sports: “There’s no doubt Manchester United are softcentred. They’re not tough enough. “Going forward they’re a lot better than they have been in the last 12-18 months and that’s a positive. “But in the first half, every ball that got played forward from
distance, a Leicester player won it, whether it was the first ball or the second ball. In the second half, a decision goes against them but make no mistake about it they’re soft-centred. “I thought the midfield three for United and the back four got bullied.” Herrera put United 3-1 up in the 57th minute but David Nugent’s 62nd-minute penalty changed the complexion of the game. Esteban Cambiasso marked his home debut with a well-taken equaliser before further strikes to man-of-the-match Jamie Vardy and two-goal hero Leonardo Ulloa settled the contest. And Neville felt several more defeats are on the horizon for Van Gaal’s side this season. “Credit to Leicester and Vardy and Ulloa - they really ran them ragged,” he added. “It wasn’t intricate play or world-class football, it was just hard work. “Grit, hard work, with a bit of quality mixed in with it and United couldn’t deal with the physicality of that team. “Their [United’s] three goals were brilliant, they were absolutely fantastic goals but, they’re going to get done week in, week out. That was a proper test for them today against Leicester.”
Guardiola Predicts Tough Times Ahead For Bayern Munich BAYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola believes “tough times lie ahead through to December” for his side as the German champions’ start to the campaign continues to stutter. For the first time in over two years, Bayern have failed to win back-to-back away games in the Bundesliga after their goalless draw at struggling Hamburg on Saturday. That result also sealed the club’s worst start to a campaign since the 2010-11 season, when, under Louis van Gaal, they picked up just five points from their first four games. This season, Bayern have already gained eight points, but have mostly failed to impress, scoring only five goals. Despite the setbacks — as well as injuries to key players such as Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara, and Franck Ribery — the Bavarians are on equal points with league leaders Paderborn, who they host at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
Guardiola, though, feels his team will need time to return to the heights of last season’s form. “We have to keep up the hard work because tough times lie ahead through to December,” Guardiola told a news conference. Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added in kicker: “The work load for the players is long beyond a healthy measure. The governing bodies are responsible for that through their flood of international games.” The Bayern chief also urged FIFA and UEFA to “call a halt to this development.” Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich side have not played as well as he would have hoped for this season. On Saturday, Guardiola for the first time rested summer signing Robert Lewandowski, who has struggled to make a real impact since his arrival. The former Borussia Dortmund attacker has scored just one goal in his first six competitive games, although he has managed to set up three in that time. Against Hamburg, the Poland international was
brought on after 66 minutes, and in the time remaining touched the ball just nine times. In his first four league games, meanwhile, Lewandowski has only had nine shots at the goal, compared to 22 during the same period at Dortmund last season. “I have no doubt that Lewandowski will make it here. He has a lot of quality, especially in the box,” Bayern captain Philipp Lahm told kicker. Jerome Boateng added in Munchener Merkur: “It’s not his fault. He is a worldclass striker and will score many goals.”
Pep Guardiola
Qatar Will Not Host 2022 World Cup - FIFA Official
THE 2022 World Cup will not be held in Qatar because of the scorching temperatures in the Middle East country, FIFA Executive Committee member Theo Zwanziger said on Monday. place under these “I personally think that in conditions,” the former the end the 2022 World Cup German football (DFB) will not take place in Qatar,” chief, who is now a member the German told Sport Bild of the world football’s on Monday. governing body FIFA that “Medics say that they awarded the tournament to cannot accept responsibility Qatar in 2010. with a World Cup taking Although Qatar has insisted that a summer World Cup is viable thanks to cooling technologies it is developing for stadiums, men’s and women’s singles, training areas and fan zones, men’s and mixed doubles and there is still widespread a men’s legends singles with concern over the health of one set per match, and no the players and visiting supporters. advantage scoring.
Tennis: Injury-Plagued Nadal Pulls ROGER Federer has agreed to step in and replace old foe Rafa Nadal in the Indian franchise of the inaugural International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), organisers said on Monday. Fourteen times Grand Slam winner Nadal dealt a big blow to the fledgling tournament by pulling out because of “health problems” hours before Federer, the winner of a record 17 slam titles, stepped in despite initially appearing apprehensive of the league. “I’m really looking forward to making my first trip to New Delhi and playing for the Micromax Indian aces,” Federer said in a recorded message. Federer joins retired American Pete Sampras,
Rafael Nadal
Out Of New League
winner of 14 grand slam titles, in the Indian franchise of the four-team event, scheduled to be played from Nov. 28 to Dec. 13. Philippines, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates are home to the other teams and will each host a leg of the competition, styled on cricket’s Indian Premier League and offering prize money of $29.7 million (£23.4 million). The 28-year-old Nadal missed the U.S. Open last month after failing to recover from a right wrist injury he sustained in practice. “I am very disappointed to announce that I will not be part of the first edition of the IPTL,” Nadal said. “I was looking forward to representing Indian Aces and playing in front of fans in New Delhi in the exciting new League. “I wish the team the very best and hope to be back next year.” Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic, his women’s counterpart Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and former women’s top-ranked players Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki have also confirmed their participation. The teams will compete in
“They may be able to cool the stadiums but a World Cup does not take place only there,” Zwanziger said. “Fans from around the world will be coming and travelling in this heat and the first life-threatening case will trigger an investigation by a state prosecutor. “That is not something that FIFA Exco members want to answer for.” FIFA are looking to shift the tournament to a European winter date to avoid the scorching summer where temperatures routinely rise over 40 Celsius.
However, talk of a potential change away from the usual June-July dates has resulted in plenty of opposition from domestic leagues around the world, worried the schedule switch would severely disrupt them. Both FIFA and Qatar World Cup organisers have also been fending off questions of corruption ever since they were awarded the tournament back in 2010, while Qatar has also been criticised for the conditions provided for migrant workers’ in the tiny but wealthy Gulf state.
second in the 69th minute and Queretaro went on to add further goals through William da Silva and Othoniel Arce, with Giovani Hernandez replying for the Chivas. Mexican media said that Queretaro set up a special security operation for the trip,
hiring 12 private security guards in addition to the police escort the team bus was given on its way to the stadium. Queretaro (14 points) climbed to sixth in 18-team table, where the teams play each other once and the top eight qualify for the knockout stages. America (20) lead after a 2-1 win over Pachuca, followed by Atlas (18) who beat Cruz Azul 2-1.
Ronaldinho Claims First Goal For Queretaro
RONALDINHO scored his first goal for new club Queretaro when he converted a penalty early in the game to set them on their way to a 4-1 win at ten man Guadalajara in the Mexican Apertura championship. Queretaro were awarded the penalty in the fourth minute after former Mexico and PSV Eindhoven defender Carlos Salcido blocked Camilo Sanvezzo’s goalbound shot on the line and was sent off. Despite missing a penalty on his debut for the White Roosters last week, Brazilian Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho
stepped up again and this time calmly placed the ball just inside the near post. Ronaldinho scored his first goal for new club Queretaro by LANCETV The former Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker also provided the pass for Sanvezzo to score the
More Turkish Delights For Jacob JACOB Mulenga’s flying start in Turkey continued on Sunday after scoring in Adana Demirspor 3-1 home win over second placed Adanaspor. The Zambian striker ignited Demirspor’s comeback win when he equalised in the 45th minute to see the two sides go 1-1 into the break. “Its all by Gods grace that I am scoring goals like
this,” Jacob said from his base in Turkey after the win on Sunday night. the striker started and finished the match but not before he was yellow carded in the 68th minute. Jacob goal was his third successive for his new club after three rounds of games played into the new 2014/ 2015 Turkish second division campaign. Meanwhile, Demirspor are third on 7 points, two
points behind leaders Osmanlispor.
Jacob Mulenga
CMYK
Addressing Massive Failure In WAEC
ON Monday 11th August 2014, the West African Examination Council WAEC released the result of the May/June 2014 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. Announcing the result, Mr. Charles Eguridu, Head of WAEC National Office in Lagos said there was marginal decline in performance of the candidates, especially when compared with that of 2012 and 2013. The results as announced by WAEC show that there was massive failure of candidates in English Language and Mathematics. Out of the One Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Five candidates that sat for the examination, only seven hundred and twenty-seven candidates representing 46.75% obtained 6 credits and above. A total of five hundred and twenty-nine thousand, four hundred and twenty-seven candidates representing 31.28% obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics. In 2012 38.8% of the candidates obtained five credits including Mathematics English Language in 2013 it was 36.57%. The 2014 WAEC result still shows high rate of examination malpractices, as the result of one hundred and forty-five thousand, seven hundred and ninetyfive candidates were withheld due to cheating in the examination. The continuous failure rate among Senior Secondary School Students in their Certificate examination is worrisome, considering that these are the ones that will eventually go into the university and become leaders of tomorrow, entrepreneurs, technologists, engineers, medical doctors, lawyers, teachers and so on. If their foundation in terms of knowledge is weak, it therefore means that the society will be at the receiving end, and the
nation’s quest for economic, political, scientific and technological growth and development would be bleak due to poor quality graduates and school leavers. That explains why it ought to be a source of concern to the Federal, State and Local governments, as wells as all stakeholders in education. At this point, the questions that may be asked include, what factors are responsible for the high failure rate? Is it due to the teaching strategies of the teachers’? Is it as a result of the unwillingness or inability of the students to learn? Is the educative environment responsible? Could it be the problem of the curriculum? Well, all the factors highlighted above are capable of affecting teaching and learning in various ways in schools. However, for the purpose of this analysis, the focus is on the teaching methodology. According to the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, there is need to renew the teaching methods in schools. There are three major types of learning theory; these are behaviourism, cognitivism and constructivism. The traditional teaching method emphasise behaviourism, where teaching is subjectcentred and the goal is to change the student’s behaviour. Researchers have revealed that many teachers in Nigeria still adhere to the traditional method of teaching, where emphasis is on learning the subjects by rote learning and memorization. In the traditional methods of teaching, the students are regarded as empty vessels to be filled, and as such they are not given the opportunity to negotiate or construct knowledge from their natural world. They are made to be passive learners. Some of the proponents of the traditional methods of teaching like Ralph Tyler and Hilda Taba have been criticized for making education very rigid and prescriptive. Importantly, they failed to explain whose purpose education should
serve, is it the students, the school or the society. According to the curriculum reconceptualists like William Pinar, James Macdonald John Mann, education should serve the need of the society, because
environment. At this point, one may ask what kind of learning environment exists in Nigeria schools, especially the public schools. Researches have shown that majority of public Secondary Schools in Nigeria
MATTERS IN FOCUS With DESMOND AGBAMA other factors like already highlighted above. Importantly, there should be a paradigm shift in teaching methodology because researchers have shown that students are active, not passive learners and they
Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister Education
the school and the students do not live in isolation, but exist within the same social cultural context, which of course is the society. That of course informed the nation’s education goals and objectives as enshrined in the National policy on education. Education is expected to help achieve our national goals and aspirations. If the traditional teaching method as currently practiced in our schools has failed us, then there is need for a new paradigm that is capable of meeting the nation’s educational objectives. According to Prof. Andrew Urevhu, the way schools are created, organized and made to function is predicated on curriculum theory, and John Mann, regarded the curriculum as the study of how to have a learning
lack good library, science and technology laboratories, instructional equipments and facilities, inadequate science and language teachers and so on. Therefore, the reason for the massive Failure rate in WAEC examination could be attributed to poor teaching methods, poor educative environment; coupled with
learn better when given the opportunity to participate actively in the classroom. Students should be assisted by the teachers to construct knowledge from their interactions with their peers and natural environment. Teachers should see their role as a facilitator of knowledge and allow students to work in
group and negotiate meaning from more knowledgeable others. This is in line with the theory of constructive like Lev Vygostsky, Jerome Bruner, David Ausubel and the reconceptualists like Williams Pinar, John Mann and James Macdonald. The teacher in a constructivist classroom must realize that the students mind is not a Tabula rasa, but come to the classroom with prior knowledge, and teachers should endeavour to harmonize student’s preconception with the new knowledge or concept taught in school, in order for the students to experience conceptual change. For conceptual change to occur, the student must become dissatisfied with his or her prior knowledge and the new knowledge must be intelligible, plausible and fruitful to the learner. Be that as it may, the Federal and State government as well as other education agencies should as a matter of necessity improve on the educative environment by providing adequate and qualified teachers, instructional materials, library, science and technology laboratories, training of teachers on the latest trend in teaching methodology as well as adequate funding of the education system in general. The challenges and threats posed by massive failure in WAEC examination are too grave for the country and her citizens, which explain why all hands must he on deck to restore the declining quality of education in Nigeria.
“If the traditional teaching method as currently practiced in our schools has failed us, then there is need for a new paradigm that is capable of meeting the nation’s educational objectives.”
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