Nigerian observer 23 12 2014

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The Nigerian

THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l . 39 • NO. 148 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 20 14 • N100.00 DRUMBEATS

Elamah bags 2014 Revenue Advocate that Chief Elamah has held various top (Sir) Oseni Elamah was Award BENIN CITY – In at the weekend honoured Foundation during the managerial offices where

By VICTOR OMOALU

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Who Is A Wealthy Man?

The Aliko-Dangote Story

OBSERVERSPORTS

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Flying Eagles will win AYC trouphy - Garba

appreciation of his unprecedented quality services towards giving the tax system in Edo State a facelift, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief

with the Award of Excellence as the Most Outstanding Revenue Advocate of the year 2014. The award was conferred on him by the Maleke Save A Soul

jump for your Team Charity Concert organized by the foundation in collaboration with Independent Television and Radio in Benin City. The organizers noted

he acquired his wealth of experience which he said has brought to bear in the overall transformation of the tax administration of Edo State. Presenting the award to Continues on page 2

Former Majority Leader dumps PDP for APC

BENIN CITY - The ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have continued to deplete as a former Majority Leader in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Okiye, led 20 leaders of the party and hundreds of their supporters to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). straight to identify with Addressing the leaders those things that have of the APC, including the come from the State Governor, administration of the Comrade Adams Comrade Governor of Oshiomhole, Hon Okiye Edo State, that today, we said he was delighted to are now freer than we reunite with his were. There is no “ideological friend”. gainsaying that change He said: “We have has taken place in Edo walked into the centre state whether anybody from various directions likes it or not. and I have found out that “The old order has in life, the only thing that become moribund and is permanent is change monotonous that ideas and I have found that the are no longer generated wind of change has taken but here we have a off. This wind of change governor that has fire in has been epitomized and his bones. He came and demonstrated in the believed that there is aggressive approach to need for change and liberate our people”. there are evidences to Okiye said, “It is my demonstrate that this pleasure to come out man has a focus and he

is aggressively pursuing it. “It got to a point where people realized that this man has a goal and they are with him fully, and that

is the train of change. I want to be part of this change before it get to its destination. I and my leaders that are here

have resolved to make our little contribution to this process of change. History will not pardon us if on the road to the

destination of the Nigerian project, our names reflected somewhere else”. Continues on page 2

Experts urge FG to tackle worsening unemployment LAGOS - Economic experts have urged the Federal Government to introduce sustainable incentives that would compel Nigerian youths to show interest in making agriculture a career. They told newsmen in separate interviews that the huge opportunity in agriculture had made it imperative for government to use it to manage the huge unemployment problem. Mr. Baily Oladikpukpu, a former Commissioner

of the National Insurance Commission, said that government should overhaul the national approach to agriculture through mechanisation and distribution of improved seedlings. Oladikpukpu said that government’s leadership in agriculture and agribusiness remained the platform for making farming a prestigious profession and accommodating teaming unemployed youths. “Only exploiting the opportunity in cassava crop alone could be a

TIT BIT

“History does nothing; it does not possess immense riches, it does not fight battles. It is men, real, living, who do all this.” - Karl Marx

means of generating a huge foreign exchange and tackle joblessness among our youths as well as leverage economic development. “Since Nigeria seems to be one of the largest producers of cassava in Continues on page 2

PUBLIC PRESENTATION: L-R: Representative of the Chairman, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Governing Board, Prof. Duro Ajeyalemi, Guest Speaker, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, Representative of the Minister of Education, Mr. Jonathan Mbaakaa and Chairman, House Committee on Education, Rep. Aminu Suleiman, during the Public presentation of the Teachers Professional, Qualifying Examination Benchmarks in Abuja yesterday.

Enforce Electoral Act on campaign donation, APC tells INEC

ABUJA - The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday called on INEC to enforce the provisions of the Electoral Act by monitoring donations to the campaign funds of political parties. The APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Sen. Lawal Shuaibu, told newsmen yesterday in Abuja that any individual or

organisation that donated funds to parties must make the source of such money available to INEC.

Xmas:

Shuaibu said this against the backdrop of the recent campaign fundraising for the re-

election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan where some funds were realised through

donations by individuals and corporate bodies. He said the APC would Continued from page 20

IG orders water-tight security

ABUJA The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, has ordered a nationwide deployment of all police strike units for a water-tight security

throughout the Christmas and New Year celebrations. This is contained in a statement issued by the force spokesman, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu,

yesterday in Abuja. The affected units are Police Mobile Force, Special Protection Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordinance Department, Dog Section

and Mounted Troops. Abba also ordered the police air wing to carry out air surveillance patrols, while the Marine Police should ensure a Continued from page 20


THE NIGERIAN

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

News

Elamah bags 2014 Revenue Advocate Award

Continued from page 1

Chief Elamah on behalf of the organizers, senior Elder Ogbeide Uwuimwonse, General Manager, ITV/Radio, said the award was in recognition of his initiative

towards the transformation and improvement of tax administration in Edo State. In his response, the recipient and Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue

Service, Chief Sir Oseni Elamah thanked the organizers for the award, saying that he aligns with the objectives of the foundation and pledged his support for the foundation.

Others honoured at the occasion included the immediate past vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin as Best Public Servant of the year 2014.

state “The fact that you are not detained, you have the right to move forward if you wish and all of this point to one thing that there is a free political environment where no one man can dictate the tone anymore and that the right of our people to participate in politics is no longer under anybody’s license and that the man who makes it in politics is only the one who connects with his people “The game has moved away from who you know to who wants you and that if this is all we have accomplished in this state, we have built the political structure on which all other things can be added. So I am happy that you have come and I am very anxious to work with you to re-

invigorate our party not only in your local government but across the state”, he stressed. The Governor used the opportunity to assure the people of Esan North East local government that his government will continue to do more in the area of delivering dividends of democracy and bringing infrastructural development to the people. Highpoint of the decamping was the presentation of a broom, the symbol of the APC to the defectors by the State APC Chairman, Mr. Anselm Ojezua.

Former Majority Leader dumps PDP for APC Continued from page 1 While receiving the defectors, Comrade Oshiomhole said the addition of Frank Okiye to the APC family will further invigorate the party, saying that the free political environment being enjoyed in the state will continue to give room to the progressive-minded individuals to team up with the party. He said, “It is my hope that when the political environment is liberalized, people will join parties that reflect their values, not finding yourself in a party because there are no alternatives. When people have alternatives, people of the same ideas will flock together on the same political platform. “I want to appreciate you for

recognizing that the worth of a politician is not only in his eloquence but also in his capacity to connect, to relate and work with your leaders and there is no better proof of that than the fact that today you are here not just by yourself but by your own leaders from your part of the state”. Oshiomhole said, “When people ask me what do I consider to be my most important contribution to the development of the state, I am quick to say it is the impact we have made in our political environment in Edo State that we are used by God to reorder our environment such that its people cannot be enslaved. So I am happy that working together with others we have liberalized the politics of the

the world, the nation could harness the benefits for our domestic needs and the demand of the international market,” he said. Mr. Augustine Ugwu, an entrepreneur urged government to support more of domestic manufacturing to sharpen Nigerians skills and empower majority of young people. Ugwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Torac Ventures Ltd., said that government must build new areas and cluster of businesses that would be a magnet for engaging young people. “To reduce the unemployment confronting the country, clusters of businesses remain necessary, just like what is obtainable in Onitsha and Aba. “As part of building new business areas, government must make available revolving funds to engender the much anticipated growth and development,” he said. Also speaking, a Lecturer at the Lagos State Polytechnics, Mr. Olakunle Adegoroye, urged government to use vocational skills acquisition programme to manage the nation’s unemployment challenges. “Even in the service sector alone there is a major gap that is yet to be filled only by using a particular skill set that could be gotten from vocational skill

Xmas:

sustained patrol of all the water ways. He directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of state commands to put in place extended “police visibility and patrols’’. The I-G enjoined them to do this taking into consideration their peculiar security situation to enable them to protect the citizens as they celebrate. Abba advised operators of

BENIN CITY - The Edo State Police Command has said that the ban on the sale and use of explosives such as firecrackers popularly known as knock-out and other forms of pyrotechnics is still in force. Consequently, the police command advised parents, guardians, children, traders, workers and others not to indulge in the sale or use of any form of explosive before, during and after the yuletide season. The outgoing spokesman of the command DSP Noble

Uwoh in a statement explained that the advice became necessary to avoid distractions that could create opportunity for hoodlums to perpetrate crimes and thereby cause threat to security in the state. The statement however warned that any defaulter would be made to face the full wrath of the law. “Anyone caught in the act would be made to face the full wrath of the law”. It therefore reiterated the command commitment and readiness to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry and residents before, during and after the yuletide.

Odubu Advises Students To Shun The chairman of the award Thuggery committee Supreme

Enforce Electoral Act on campaign donation APC tells INEC follow laid down procedures as contained in the constitution and the provisions of the electoral law. “If the Independent National Electoral Commission is serious about enforcing the Electoral Act, first thing INEC will do is that every individual who pledges a donation at any fundraising, number one, must produce receipt of payment and must show INEC the source of that money. “This is law; we are talking about the law, the rule of law. “The electoral act is very clear about this thing, for instance when a governor says he has donated one billion naira, its fine but he can’t donate from the government coffers.’’ The senator said that for INEC to ensure transparency, it should demand for the receipts issued to each donor and access the account of the party, as according to him, such monies have to be donated through electronic transfers, cheque or draft. The APC deputy chairman stated that the APC would

publish names of donor who contribute to its campaign fundraising and will not accept anonymous donations to ensure transparency. “In our own case, we wanted to do fundraising, and I am telling you our fundraising is going to be very transparent because whoever donates we are going to publish. “We will not accept anonymous donors, whoever brings in money the world must know where this money is coming from so we don’t have any fear over the N21 billion as far as there will be transparency as the law stipulates. “As far as INEC will be neutral and prepared to enforce the provision of the electoral act against any party that violates it,” he added. Shuaibu dismissed the possibility of violence before or after the 2015 elections, adding that people would definitely react to any act to rig this time. He also said that the power of incumbency and insurgency would not be an impediment to the success of the APC in spite of the insurgency in the party’s stronghold of the North-Eastern part of the country.

Traffic Offenders may spend Chrismas in jail ONITSHA (ANAMBRA motorbikes on road corridors - FRSC The Federal Road Safety in Anambra, Delta, and Edo Commission (FRSC) said some road traffic offenders may spend the Christmas holidays in jail. The FRSC Zonal Commander in-charge of zone 5, Mr. Charles Akpabio, told newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra, that the commission would deploy mobile and magistrate courts on all road corridors. Akpabio, who is in-charge of zone 5 comprising of Anambra, Delta and Edo states, said that the move would act as deterrent to road traffic offenders and a reminder to their families and friends to keep warning them to be careful while on the road. “Now, the essence is to allow them to explain themselves to the judge or to the magistrate – no I didn’t

public places such as hotels, viewing and recreation centres to be vigilant and ensure that they properly screen all visitors/users of their facilities during the period. “Members of the public are also urged to report any suspicious movement in their areas to the police,’’ he charged. Abba rejoiced with Christians in the country as they join other Christians worldwide to celebrate the

Christmas. He urged them to practice the virtues of Jesus Christ by propagating peace, love and forgiveness. While commending them for their selfless service to the country, he also wished all officers and men of the force as well as their families a joyful Xmas. Meanwhile, the force has announced the commencement of sales of forms for admission into its degree awarding institution in

Kano, the Police Academy, Wudil. A statement signed by the force spokesman, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, yesterday said the sales of the forms began on November 12 and was expected to end on March 31, 2015. The statement said that application/admission requirements and detailed information were available at the institution’s website, adding it was open to both male and female of good character.

acquisition training. “If the bulk of our youth are armed with some technical skills, the challenges of unemployment will be a thing of the past with time,” he said. It would be recalled that the Director General of the Nigeria

Continued from page 1

Employers Consultative Association, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, earlier said that in spite of the Federal Government’s effort to reduce unemployment, about 40 million Nigerian youths remain unemployed.

IGP orders water-tight security

Continued from page 1

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

BENIN CITY - Edo State Deputy Governor, Right Hon.(Dr.) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has advised students to avoid being used as thugs by desperate politicians. Dr. Pius Odubu gave the advice in government house, Benin City when the supreme Parliament Students Union Government of the University of Benin conferred on him an award of excellence on account of his contributions to the development of the society. Dr. Pius Odubu who urged

Experts urge FG to tackle worsening unemployment Continued from page 1

Police ban sale, use of fireworks

the Uniben students to avoid being used for selfish political ends advised them to take their academic activities seriously. He encouraged the students to shun cultism and the use of drugs which will not enhance their prospects in life. The deputy governor urged the student body to draw inspiration from personalities who succeeded in spite of their humble beginnings.

commit the offence, it is not true or I committed the offence, I am sorry. “If the magistrate decides to allow them to go free, they are free; if the magistrate decides that with the evidence available before the court and say no don’t go free, pay the fine. “Sometimes, in some cases, they can say pay the fine and go to jail, or go to jail without option of fine; they will show, they will be a deterrent to other road users. “And for the numbers of years we have utilized mobile courts and magistrate courts in our operations, they have been very effective. “So this time around, we intend to utilise the mobile courts as well on all the (road) corridors. “Some offenders that would be arrested for speed violation, dangerous driving, use of phone while driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and driving with expired spare tyre and overloading may likely, may likely by the judgment of the courts spend the Christmas or New Year or New Year and Christmas in jail.“ The zonal commander said the organisation had deployed more than 3,000 marshals, 43 vehicles, 10

Parliament SUG Uniben, Comrade Enegide Precious appreciated the harmonious relationship between the Deputy Governor and Governor Adams Oshiomhole. He said Dr. Pius Odubu effectively demonstrated exemplary leadership and representation while in the House of Representatives and now as the deputy governor of Edo State, he has taken it to another level.

states to ensure safety of Nigerians this yuletide season. “We have six advanced life support ambulances, two heavy duty tow trucks to be located each at Niger Bridge and Benin for effective coverage, 4 medium duty tow trucks to compliment the heavy duty tow trucks for quick removal of obstruction.“ He said the FRSC approved the commencement of “Operation Zero Tolerance“ nationwide to help deal with road users’ refusal to adhere to traffic rules and regulations. “All the deployments are with immediate effect since “Operation Zero Tolerance“ commences on December 19, 2014 and ends on January 13, 2015. “All patrol teams are equipped with reflective jackets for team members, traffic cones, patrolites and radar guns to help checkmate speeding drivers on the road. “Breathalyzers in quantities have been allocated to command such that any driver suspected to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be promptly tested. “If the driver test positive, he or she will be charged to mobile court on the spot.”


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Doris, Evans Marriage Ceremony Holds Dec 26, 27 BENIN CITY- The families of Evian, Chief Patrick Osabuohien Oliha of Oredo

Local Government Area and Ezomo, Late Pa Samson Edosa Osagiede of Isi-Okhuokhuo

Doris & Evans

and Ehiozevbaru Town, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, both of Edo State will on Friday December 26, 2014 formalise the marriage of their children, Princess Doris Oliha and Ambassador Evans Osagiede (Italian Label) under the Benin Law and Custom. A statement by Mr. Last M. Osagiede, the Commercial Services Manager, Bendel Newspaper Company Limited, Publishers of the OBSERVER titles and his eldest brother, Hon Theophilus Osagiede indicated that the formalisation takes place earlier on Friday, December 26, (Boxing Day) followed by the entertainment of invited guests at a colourful ceremony at Phimas Garden Hotel, No. 3 Obazuwa Street, Off 1st Circular road, Behind First Bank, Benin City. The brides father and Chief host Chief Patrick Osabuohien Oliha, while wishing her daughter a happy married life express joy that the ceremony would come to function.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu (left) cutting the tape of officially commission Havilahtrend International Limited Benin Office. With him is Engr. Robinson Ehiorobe, C.E.O of the company. Photo: Moses oboh.

Illegal Private Security constitutes Threat To Nat’l Devt -NSCDC UYO – The existence of illegal security outfits in the country is a threat to national security, Mr Ime White, Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom Command, has said White told newsmen yesterday in Uyo that the insurgency in the northern part of the country necessitated his concern over the operations of unregistered private security companies. He said that there was the possibility of some people hiding under such illegal private security outfits to organise terror attacks on unsuspecting citizens. He said: “With the current insurgency in the country, nobody knows who will hide under the cover of a private security guard company to unleash terror on others. “Before you know it, such organisations will gather information and plan attacks on defenseless citizens. “This makes it crucial that every private security guard organisation operating in this country is duly registered.” White said that the Akwa Ibom command of the corps had directed unregistered private security guard companies in the state to register. He added that in spite of the efforts of the command in this regard, operators of such companies had remained adamant. He warned that the command would soon sanction defaulting private guard companies and advised their officials to regularise their operations to avoid sanction. He said the NSCDC needed to know the personnel working in all security guard companies in the state, with a view to ascertaining their nationalities

and character. He said the command was fully prepared to ensure that the people of Akwa Ibom as well as visitors enjoy peaceful celebrations of Christmas and New Year. “The command will deploy some undercover security officers to markets, shopping centres, places of worship and recreation venues from Dec. 22 to Jan. 5, 2015. “We will collaborate with other security agencies in the state to check criminality,’’ he promised. The PRO advised the people not to store petrol at home and

avoid panic buying since the Federal Government had promised to ensure adequate supply during the yuletide. He warned dealers not to hoard the products and reminded them that it was an offence to do so. White cautioned dealers not to adjust their pumps, adulterate their product or shortchange buyers. He said that officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in the state in conjunction with the NSCDC would check such irregularities during the period.

Prof. G. O. Yomere, Chairman Governing Council of Auchi Polytechnic (left), and Dr. (Mrs.) Philipa Idogho Rector, Auchi Polytechnic at the just concluded 22nd Covocation 50 Annuiversary of the Institution.

Regional Convention Jehovah Witness End In Benin All God-fearing people the world over who are desiring to live in a new paradise earth have been enjoined to embrace the earth’s new ruler and the only

Ukhomuyio Youths Elect New EXCO By VICTOR OMOALU

OKPELLA – The Ukhomunyio Youth Association in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State has elected new executive to pilot its affairs for the next four years. They are, Comrade Uduafemhe Otaru Gospel (Ekis), Presidebts; Omoake Lucky; Vice president; Eshio Inabefo,-Secretary and Ofeoshi Paul Booby, public Relations officer. Others are Egumanhe Enjoyment, financial Secretary; Kadiri Alexander, Treasurer; Aliu Abdulmalik, Provost; Sunday Elolue; Director of social Tony Balogun, Regulatory officer, Pastor Jacob Abu Internal Auditor, Alasa Friday, Director of welfare as well as Solomon Ogbekhe, Assistant SecretaryGeneral. Speaking on the election, one of the associations patrons, citizen Emmanuel Kolawole Okhakhu

said the 200 delegates who voted during the election were drawn from the eight villages including, Ogiriga kalabar, Yeluwa, Imioko, Utegie, Imiomoka, Imiamune and Ofomegbe that make up the Ukhomuniyio. Citizen Okhakhu who is the Deputy General Manager (Marketing) Bendel Newspaper Company Limited publishers of the Observer tittles, described the election as free fair and credible, conducted under a peaceful atmosphere. He adjudged the election as the first of its kind in the history of Okhumunyio people. It would be noted that Comrade Uduafemhe Otaru Gospel pulled a total votes of 129 to defeat three other contestants to emerge winner of the elected president of the association in an election which

has been described by many as the freest election ever conducted in the locality.

begotten son of God Jesus Christ by truly following is footsteps in all they do. The advice was contained in a Bible discourse entitle, “Earth’s New Ruler - Who Qualifies?” which featured at the end of the series of the Regional conventions of the Jehovah’s witnesses. The convention which held

Comrade Uduafemhe Otaru Gospel (Ekis)

at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses, Ikhueniro, kilometer 11, Benin Agbor Road. identified Jesus Christ, the savior of the world as the only qualified God’s representative to rule the paradise earth. The programme of the conventions provided practical benefits in today’s world including reducing anxieties in one’s life. To put those in attendance at the three-day Regional convention in the mood to keep seeking first God’s Kingdom, two theatrical productions bringing a Bible story and a modern-day drama to life were featured. The convention also highlighted the need for all Believing families to re —order their priorities to enable them to keep seeking first God’s Kingdom in their daily lives. A total of 543 persons were baptized during the Regional Conventions which had 36,841 in attendance. There are about weight million Jehovah’s ‘witnesses currently engaged in declaring the good news of God’s kingdom in over 113,000 congregations worldwide.


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Photospeak The 2014 Ugie Festival celebrated by the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa with the people of Benin Kingdom.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu in a group photograph with Supreme Parliament Students Union Government of University of Benin. Photo: MOSES OBOH

The representative of Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and APC candidate for Edo South Senatorial District, Hon. Samson Osagie receiving Ewere leaves from a member of a cultural troupe at the residence of Edo State Deputy Governor in Benin City. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

Edo State Deputy Governor being entertained by a cultural troupe. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

Cross section of Benin Palace Chiefs at the palace. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO.

Group photograph of Benin Palace Chiefs. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO.

A Palace Chief in traditional regalia with palace functionaries.Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO.

Traditional wrestling bout at the palace ground. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO.

The Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa (middle) with Palace Chiefs during the Emobo ceremony at tbe Palace. Photo: BRIGHT IMHANZETO.


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News Oil Price AFAN Advises FG To Give GOMBE - The All Priority To Agric Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Gombe State, has called on the Federal Government to give more priority t agriculture, to reduce over dependence on petroleum in its revenue drive. Alhaji Gambo SarkinNoma, Secretary of the association, told newsmen in Gombe that this would also assist the government in getting more revenues and employment opportunities in the country. According to him, if government approaches it in that direction, people

will be encouraged to return to farm. He said that a lot of people had the interest and they needed to be encouraged. He said that God had blessed agricultural activities but people and government had neglected them. According to him, if government invests in the sector by proving farmers with all the farming inputs and soft loan it would promote economic crops that will be exported to

other countries. He said going by the history of the country, groundnut was the major source of reven ues that

lead to the success of petroleum products in the country. Sarkin-Noma said that emphasis on agriculture would also help to boost the economy and address the country’ challenges. He said that depending on oil would not help the country in the future, as it had started affecting the economy.

Alleged Sack Of 6,000 Workers Kogi Civil Servants To Reject LOKOJA - The Nigeria December Salaries Labour Congress (NLC) Kogi state chapter, has directed civil servants in the state to reject their December salaries to protect the jobs of over 6,000 workers slated for sack by the government. The NLC gave the directive in Lokoja in a communique issued at the end of the meeting of its executive committee. The communiqué was signed by Mr James Odaodu chairman and Mr John Kolawole secretary respectively. It stated that the leadership of the NLC was piqued by the arbitrary removal of the names of over 6,000 workers from December pay roll. It added that the only way to protect the interest of the affected workers was for the entire workforce to reject this month’s salaries. Congress accused the Commissioners for Finance, Budget and Planning and the Accountant-General of ‘hijacking’ the job of the committee constituted by government to implement the report of the recent screening of the state work force. It urged the officials to ‘hands-off ’ to ensure “ t h o r o u g h implementation’’ of the report of the exercise. While appreciating the

government for involving labour in efforts to sanitise the state civil service, the NLC frowned at what it called ‘selective’ implementation of the report of the screening. “We condemn the plan by government to implement part of the report. “We have other issues in

the report such as cash backing of promotion and annual increment among others,” the communique said. It warned that failure by government to ‘do the necessary things’ could jeopardise the existing peaceful industrial atmosphere in the state.

Director Reiterates Committment Of CRSG To Boost Agric ABUJA - The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) has denied reports on alleged attempted jail break by some convicted soldiers in Yola Prison in Adamawa. The spokesperson of the NPS, Mr Ope Fatinukun made the denial in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja. “There was no pandemonium, commotion nor gun shot fired into the air in Yola prison as reported. “What really happened was argument among inmates around 7.30 pm after prayers on Thursday, November 27. “The argument was quickly brought under control,” he added. Fatinukun said the

Controller, Adamawa Prison Command, CP A.S. Ekijere was at the Yola prison on Friday for his fourth quarter visit to all prisons under his command between 8 a.m. and 3p.m. He appealed to journalists to use a p p r o p r i a t e nomenclature in describing inmates for legal and security reasons. “Inmates can either be addressed as convicted inmates (CM) or Awaiting Trial inmates (ATI) rather than the derogatory words of incarcerated soldiers or civilians,” he said. He assured that the NPS would continue to work round the clock to beef up security around prisons across the country .

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014


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News Businessman Docked Over Alleged Visa Fraud LAGOS- A 52-year-old businessman, Bamidele Aremu, who allegedly obtained N850,000 from a client with a pretext of securing a U.S visa for him, has been docked before an Abule-Egba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The accused, who resides at No. 1A, Sodeinde St., Isolo, Lagos, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretext, stealing and causing breach of peace. The prosecutor, Insp Rachael Williams, told the court that the offence was committed on September1, 2013 at No. 1, Oke-Ona St., Ifako-Ijaiye area of Lagos. Williams alleged that the accused fraudulently collected N850, 000 from one Konigbagbe Odunayo with a pretext of securing a U.S. visa for him. “The accused bolted away after collecting the money, and whenever the

complainant calls him on phone, he threatens to kill him,” she said. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N700, 000 with two sureties in like sum. He ordered the accused to deposit N100, 000 with the court registrar as part of the bail condition. Commissioner for Finance Kaduna State, Alhaji Sumaila Aliyu (right), Inaugurating the 2nd Auditorium of Elias adjourned the case the Kaduna Business School during the 3rd Matriculation of the school in Kaduna. With him is the recotr, dr till January 19 for mention. Dahiru Sani (left)

NSCDC To Secure Lagos During Yuletide

LAGOS - The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said that it is to deploy 2, 000 officers to curtail insecurity during the yuletide. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the corps in Lagos, Mr. Chibuzo Mefor, told newsmen in a telephone interview that measures had been put in place

to map out the black spots, where miscreants usually used as hideouts. Mefor said that the command would organise seminars and workshops for the neighbourhood watch and the vigilance groups across the state, on how to gather information on the activities of criminals and general intelligence gathering. “The black spots are dangerous

spots where miscreants use as hideout to perpetrate their evil acts and are able to escape easily because they are familiar with the neighbourhood. “Two thousand officers of the agency are on ground and most of them will not be in uniform, so that they can not be easily identified. “With collaboration from all security agencies and support from the public, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the country will soon be a thing of the past,” Mefor said. Mefor, however, said that the

country had lost billions of revenue resulting to billions of dollars due to the activities of the criminals through oil theft and pipeline vandalism. He added that the agency had been proactive in responding to any distress or emergency calls, intercepting ongoing transaction of oil bunkering and vandalism perpetrated in the coastal area in the state. The PRO urged public and private organisation to support the government by providing surveillance equipment and sophisticated weapons to stem the

activities of economic saboteurs in the country ‘Armed robbery and oil theft is a routine business among many youths, private organisations should partner with the Government by providing equipment that can be used to track them,” he said. The PRO also appealed to the youths to involve themselves in vocational jobs, instead of engaging themselves in vandalism and oil theft, adding that it was dangerous and many people had lost their lives in the process.

Sarisand Healthcare Consultancy, Lagos, Dr Andrew Isiorho, called for behavioural change and regular exercise, as a way of managing stress. Isiorho gave the advice during a presentation titled “Stress: its relationship with hypertension and how it can be managed’’. The event was to mark the annual get-together of the Ikeja District of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (IDSCAN). Isiorho, however, defined stress as the emotional, physical or mental strain caused by the body’s response to pressure from the external or internal environment. He said that many societal factors predisposed people to stressful conditions, and if properly identified, could help in ameliorating stress. According to him, some of the predisposing factors stem from the family, place of work, economy and the environment, among others. He added that lifestyle choices, negative self-talk, stressful personality traits, among others, could also predisposed people to stress. Isiorho said that when an individual was exposed to a stressful condition, the body responds by causing the release of stress hormones such as adrenalin, noradremaline, and vasopressin. “These can cause vasoconstriction, increased blood volume, increased heart rate, blood pressure, dryness of mouth and increased blood

sugar. “These effects cause a temporary rise in blood pressure,” Isiorho said. The CEO said that stress could be managed by reducing or discontinuing the intake of caffeine, regular exercise, regular sleep, relaxation and meditation, humour, and healthy diet. He underscored the importance of behavioural change, and lifestyle change in the mastering

and management of stress. He said that if stress was not properly managed, it could lead to hypertension. Earlier, the IDSICAN chairman, Mr. Oluseyi Ogunjobi (FCA), said that the presentation on stress couldn’t have come at a better time than now. Ogunjobi said that accountants were busy people and needed to be conscious of stress management.

Medical Doctor Calls For Regular LAGOSThe Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Exercise In Stress Mgt

Suya sellers at Jama’are Road in Kiyawa Local Government Area, Jigawa.

Social Miscreants Unleash Attacks On People, Vandalise Vehicles By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS – No fewer than 20 people were seriously injured and several vehicles vandalised in a renewed clash between the social miscreants known as ‘Area boys’ in Ali-Iwo area and counterparts from Oriyanrin all in Ijora-Badia at weekend over money gift from a Fuji musician. Also, the bandits used the bloody crisis to rob residents, market men and women and passersby of their personal belongings such as mobile phones, cash and others, while people who were injured by the gang were taken to nearby private hospitals for urgent medical attention. It was reliably gathered that the two gangsters attended the stage performance of one Remi Aluko Fuji band at Bobland hotel, Ijora and resolved into free for all fight when one gang collected money from the

musician and refused to give other its share from the cash. Eye witness accounted that the gangsters were freely using dangerous weapons like guns, cutlasses, broken bottles and knives to attack each other and innocent people who were caught unaware by the crisis. “Over 20 innocent people sustained serious injuries during the bloody clash, many were robbed and several vehicles were vandalised at Obale Street and other adjacent Streets by the boys who had free days before the Police later came to disperse them with teargas,” source said. Some of the vandalised vehicles registration numbers include, XV607AGL, AGL816XE, CH260LSD and others to mention a few. The source also hinted that the almighty Ali-Iwo notorious boys always assemble at the edge of Obale bridge most of the time, smoking Indian helm and

attacking passersby whenever they want. One of the owners of the vandalised vehicles who had reported the incident at Divisional Police Station, Badia however called on the police authority and State Government to apprehend the culprits and bring them to book as soon as possible. Residents who spoke with our correspondent were not happy with the way police were handling the matter concerning the notorious boys as they alleged that they dare not go to the station to report any of the gangs because they knew each other, adding “We are appealing to the Commissioner of Police and Governor Babatunde Fashola to assist in getting rid of the miscreants”. All efforts to speak with the DPO of the Badia station proved abortive as he was learnt not be available at the station.

Christ Chosen Church Of God Holds Carol Service BY ERANGA ISAAC BENIN CITY – The Nine Lessons and Carols of Christ Chosen Church of God, Ogbeson I branch have been held in Benin City. The message of the day was delivered by the host, Pastor Edobor Erhenwe. Pastor Erhenwe while quoting from the book of Luke Chapter 2 verse 20, said Christians should be joyful during the Christmas season because of the gains the birth of Jesus Christ offered to the world. He said that it was the good tidings the shepherds who sighted Jesus at his birth place that made them to glorify and praise God. He added that the season of Christmas is that of jubilation, praise and thanksgiving and not a time for complaining. According to him, the birth of Christ brought about the gateway for man’s salvation, protection, and divine provisions in their daily

lives. The first lesson which was taken from the book of Isaiah 7:14, was read by Rev. Emmanuel Omorodion, while Deaconess Franca Omoregie took the second reading from the book of Matthew 20:10-12. Rev. (Mrs.) Erhenwe read the sixth lesson from the book of Isaiah 61:1-3. The event also featured congregational hymns and cutting of cake.

Pastor Edobor Erhenwe


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Across The Nation Land Developer Decry Cement Prices

Police Recover Stolen Cattle MINNA – The Police in Niger said it had recovered 231 cows and 34 sheep from cattle rustlers in the State. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Emmanuel Amore, made this known when he showed the suspected rustlers to newsmen in Minna. He said that the arrest was made possible through the active collaboration of members of the public that gave useful information to the police. Amore said some of the suspects were arrested on Saturday in Edozghigi village in Gbako Local Government Area of the state with 104 cows and seven sheep. He said the suspects, who could not account for the cattle in their possession, included Shehu Mohammed, Abubakar Hassan, Umar Mohammed, Mohammed Bello and Mohammed Umar from Bena village in Kebbi state. The police boss added that another suspected rustler, Haruna Yunusa, was nabbed at Kagara in possession of 33 cows, adding that another set of 94 cows and 27 sheep had been recovered. “We are happy that we are closing in on these cattle rustlers. “The sad aspect of it is that these rustlers will not only steal the animals alone but injure and sometime kill the owners”, he said.

Ambassasdor of PDP Ward 2 Ward Initiative/Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo making a presentation to president Goodluck Jonathan during their visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja during the weekend.

KEFFI (Nasarawa) – Land Sdevelopers and residents of Nasarawa State have decried the increase in the prices of cement in the state. They told newsmen in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area that the hike would not only affect developers and tenants, but also the country’s socioeconomic development. One the land developers in Keffi, Mr Joseph Sunday, told newsmen that the increase was uncalled for. “Last week, I bought over 100 bags of cement at the rate of N1,600 per bag, but today the cement dealer is telling me that the price of cement per bag has increase to N2, 000 if I am buying in bulk. “What is happening in our country about the prices of goods

Group Partners Nasarawa On Girl Child Education NASARAWA (NASARAWA STATE) – The Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, Nasarawa State chapter, has expressed its readiness to partner with the Nasarawa State government to promote girl-child education in the state. The President of the association, Hajiya Hanatu Mohammed, stated this in Nasarawa, headquarters of Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, during the association’s meeting. Mohammed, who was represented by her Vice, Hajiya

Rakiyi Jibrin, stressed that girlchild education was key to the country’s development. “This meeting is aimed at discussing on how to move our association forward, and to contribute our quota to the development of our state and the country at large. “As we are all aware, some parents do not take the education

of their children, especially the girl-child serious. “There is the need for all hands to be on deck, in order to promote girl-child education, as education is the best legacy parents should leave for their children, she said. Mohammed called on parents and other stakeholders to cooperate with government in order to develop a holistic

approach on girl-child education. Mohammed also called on women to always preach peace, considering the critical position they occupied in the family, as peace is necessary requirement for development. Also speaking, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, commended the association for its efforts in preaching peace, religious tolerance, and interest in education.

in the market is unfortunate and there is need for urgent government intervention to regulate the prices of goods. “This will be in the interest of the poor and for the overall development of the country. “Most of the cement dealers are saying that the increase in the price per bag of cement was as a result of increase in transportation cost due to scarcity of fuels in some parts of the country. “Then if it is like that, government should intervene urgently,’’ Sunday said. He said the increase would affect tenants, and called for adequate supply of petroleum products to reduce the transportation cost. Another customer, Mr Mohammed Abdul, called on the cement dealers to reduce the price in the interest of peace and national development. Abdul, who corroborated Sunday’s story, said a cement dealer told him that a bag of cement cost N2,200, while the prices for bulk sales was N2,000 per bag. He decried the scarcity of cement in the market, and urged the government to intervene. He said the increase had discouraged him from buying cement, saying that he had stopped the ongoing renovation work on his house.

First Lady Advocates Better Life For Widows

ILORIN – Mrs Omolewa Ahmed, the wife of Kwara State Governor, has advocated for better life for Nigerian widows. She made the call at an empowerment programme for widows organised by Gbenga Power Foundation (GPF) in Ilorin. Ahmed, who is the founder of LEAH Charity Foundation, added that widows should be empowered as was being done for youths, the physically challenged and others. The governor ’s wife expressed concern over the plight of widows, saying “widows are always at the mercy of whatever the society throws at them.’’ She then urged well-meaning individuals and groups to show love to them. She commended Mr Gbenga Stephen, the founder of Gbenga Power Foundation for supporting the widows, noting that “it takes the grace of God to show love and empower people.’’ Stephen, in his remarks, charged Nigerians not to leave the empowerment of the needy to government and groups alone, but share whatever they had with those in need. He said supporting the widow was a commandment which has a reward, pointing out that “when you give, you are helping yourself.’’ He added that the

empowerment programme of the Foundation was aimed at complementing the governor’s wife’s legacy, and also, in line with one of the visions of the Foundation. More than 150 widows went home with 10kg bag of rice and one litre of vegetable oil each. Also, the governor’s wife donated six yards of clothing material to each of the widows and selected widows who are below 40 years for special empowerment by the office of the first lady. Responding on behalf of other widows, Mrs Felicia Abbas, commended the Kwara first lady and the Gbenga Power Foundation for their love and passion for them.

R-L: Senior Lecturer, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Umar Pam Presenting recognition Award to the representative of Emir of Azare, Alhaji Abubakar Umar during Federal Government College (FGC) Azare Old-Students Association, 2014 Gala Nite in Bauchi.

Open Defecation: Nigerians

MAKURDI – Nigerians in rural areas need comprehensive education on open defecation tin order to put an end to the practice, UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Mr Charles Nzuki, has said. Nzuki, who made the statement in Makurdi in an interview with newsmen, stressed the need for rural dwellers to understand the health hazard associated with open defecation. “Open defecation is all about attitude and the cultural background of the people in question. “The peoples’ lack basic

Education -UNICEF

education to understand the health implications and shame associated with open defecation. “Education plays a major role in its elimination. But it is a gradual process that involves the people, governments and civil societies,” Nzuki said. He commended the Nigerian Government for its partnership with UNICEF and the support the agency had received from the government.

“We are receiving a lot of support from the Nigerian government. “Government is complimenting our efforts in every aspect, especially in the areas of personnel and human development,” he said. Nzuki blamed the high rate of child mortality in Africa on the low standard of health facilities in the continent, adding that effective health care system would help to reduce the number

Need

of child birth. He decried the large number of youths forced to live on the streets in African countries due to poverty and lack of employment. The field officer said the agency was collaborating with the United Nations and the Federal Government to identify the areas Nigerian youths could be assisted.

He appealed to state governments to identify areas of priorities and targets to enable UNICEF give them assistance. Nzuki said that thuggery would be eliminated in Africa if every child of school age are in school. “The best place for a child is school; we do not want children to be bread winners of their families at tender age. “We also condemn situations where children are abused in schools due to lack of basic school amenities,’’ he said.


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Abuja Rapist: Activist ABUJA - Human rights activist and writer, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko has in Abuja called for the castration of rapists in the country. Onwubiko, who is the National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writer ’s Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), made the call at the

Calls For Tougher Punishment

launch of his book titled: Who Cares about Human Rights. Onwubiko said it was annoying to see rapists in this country go without punishment. “Media wrote about it but nothing is done by the officials handling the case as if they receive bribes to keep quiet on the issues.’’

According to him, in England rapists are treated worse than terrorists, they are not allowed to stay close to where young girls or school children are. According to him, in Nigeria, after a case of rape is reported to the police, they handle the case carelessly, allowing the offender to go free.

Onwubiko used the forum to call on the first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, to champion the cause of child welfare and reduce incidents of rape in the country. “As a mother to Nigerian children, she should take it upon herself to see that men who rape minors are dealt with.

“There should be serious fight against sexual violation of children and government should be up and doing about this issue.’’ He said sexual maltreatment of children were on the rise because there was no strong punishment for the crime. On corruption, he said the legal frameworks for waging war against corruption were being impeded by bureaucratic bottlenecks and snail speed in the justice system. “Prosecution of corrupt cases is deliberately weakened by corrupt-minded persons in the law enforcement agencies charged with the investigating and prosecuting. “Those in top government positions caught in the web of

corruption are too powerful and too rich. They hire top flight lawyers to frustrate proceedings’’, he said. He urged the government to stop funding Ministries, Departments and Agencies that had failed to deliver on their mandates. He said the National Orientation Agency, Child Welfare, National Complaints Commission, among others, needed to step up their performance. Chief Steve Oronsoye, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, praised the hard work of the writer, urging him not to relent in his efforts to proffer solutions to the challenges being faced by Nigeria.

Railway Minister’s Case

Business Woman Jailed 7yrs

Remnants of a barge seized for involvement in oil theft set Ablaze by the Task Force in Okirika Waterways in Rivers.

Man, 60, Docked For Failure To Produce 1, Abuja, but failed to came, the accused and the jurisdiction of the court. Suspect zone He adjourned the matter till produce him when asked to. suspect were nowhere to be ABUJA - The Police have arraigned a 60-year-old man, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed, in a Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Wuse, Abuja, for failure to produce a suspect. Mohammed, a businessman who resides at Deidei, Abuja, was said to have stood for bail for Abdullahi Saidu of Wuse

He is facing a one-count charge of shielding an offender. The prosecutor, Insp. Abdullahi Adamu, had told the court that on October 4 the accused stood for bail for Abdullahi Saidu at Wuse Police Station and promised to produce him on October 9. He said that when that date

Carpenter Sentenced For House Breaking, Theft ABUJA - A Kado Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, has sentenced a 23 -year-old carpenter, Abdulrahman Haruna, to eight months imprisonment for house breaking and theft. The judge, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, sentenced the accused to three months for the first-count charge and five months for the second-count charge with no bail option as he admitted committing the offence. The prosecutor, Insp. Simon Ibrahim, had told the court that Rita Ifua of Plot 178, Maglobal Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja, reported the matter at Gwarimpa Police Station. Ibrahim said that Haruna

broke into the complainant’s house through the wall and stole cable wires valued at N800,000. The prosecutor said the offence was punishable under sections 353 and 288 of the Penal Code.

found until he was seen at Wuse market and arrested. Adamu informed the court that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 168 of the Penal Code. The accused pleaded not guilty of the allegation leveled against him. The prosecutor prayed the court to grant him a date to open his case against the accused. The Magistrate, Mr Abdulazeez Anka, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100, 000 and a surety in the like sum who must not be below 40 years of age. Anka also ordered that the surety must be a person with reasonable means of livelihood and must be resident within the

January 7, 2015, for hearing.

BEIJING - Another Chinese businesswoman involved in the corruption case of former railway minister, Liu Zhijun was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by a local court in Beijing recently. According to a verdict by the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court, Hou Junxia was convicted of illegal business operations. The court also confiscated 80 million Yuan (12.9 million dollars) of Hou’s personal property. On Tuesday, her mother, Ding Yuxin, better known as Ding Shumiao, received a 20year jail term for bribery and illegal business operations.

Ding, the main power broker in railway minister’s case, also was fined 2.5 billion Yuan and had 20 million Yuan in personal property confiscated. Ding, together with several others, including her daughter, helped 23 railway construction contractors win bids for 57 railway projects between 2007 and 2010. The illegal commission fee amounted to over 3 billion Yuan (484 million dollars), the court found. Report says Liu himself was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for bribery and abuse of power on July 8, 2013.

A child receiving drug during a free medical care by the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield to Igbomatoru Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

Jonathan Flays Terrorist Attack, Condoles Pakistani Govt

ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has in Abuja flayed the deadly terrorist attack on Peshawar in Pakistan that left 140 people, most of them students dead. Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, commiserated with in Abuja the government and people of

Pakistan over the tragedy. “On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Pakistan on the loss of over 140 lives in yesterday’s terrorist attack on Peshawar. “Jonathan assures Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the

people of Pakistan that Nigeria stands in full solidarity with them as they mourn the victims of yesterday’s heinous attack and strive to give succour to the injured and the bereaved. “The president wholly condemns the brutal, savage, senseless and totally unjustifiable killing of innocent students and staff during the attack,’’ the

statement said. According to the statement, Jonathan believes that the atrocity in Peshawar and recurring terrorist crimes across the world strongly reinforce the need for urgent action toward the formation of more effective

regional, continental and global alliances against insurgency and violent extremism. “Jonathan prays that God Almighty will comfort all the bereaved families of Peshawar and grant the injured speedy recovery.”


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Business + Economy Customs Effective In PAAR Implementation, Says Association

ABUJA - Dr Emmanuel Oparah, the National Secretary, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its effectiveness in the implementation of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). Oparah told newsmen that NCS had demonstrated high level of competence in the handling of pre-shipment inspection known as PAAR in the last one year. He said that the Federal Government was losing money

when the destination inspection was in the hands of service providers, adding that PAAR had blocked all the possible revenue leakages. “PAAR has come to stay and it is better than what we used to have because RAR cannot in any way be compared to the PAAR as far as I am concerned. “PAAR is our own; RAR is foreign investment and that investment is not for the benefit of our economy. “We are not spending money on PAAR; Nigeria is not losing money

on PAAR but we were losing money on RAR so there is nothing to compare PAAR and RAR; there is no comparison between both. “The effectiveness of PAAR and its benefits to the players in the industry is 100 per cent,” he said.

Oparah said that the issue of server breakdown was a problem to the service, adding that the network functioned according to the weather which could not be blamed on anybody.

He expressed confidence in the reform agenda of the customs boss, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, aimed at facilitating trade into the country. Oparah, however, urged the

service to continue to improve on its current achievements and do more to enhance effective service delivery in line with international best practices.

Unemployed Graduate For Training hardship faced by unemployed BIRNIN KEBBI - The Federal Ministry of Finance has commenced the training of 95 unemployed graduates in Kebbi State who were selected for the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS). Mr Edward Aleko, communication specialist of the scheme, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that 400 graduates across the state would be trained during the first phase of the scheme. He said that 50,000 graduates are expected to benefit from the training meant to reduce unemployment in the country. Aleko said: “The GIS was instituted by the Federal Government to cushion the

graduates. “It will also help to reduce vulnerability of unemployed graduates and build the manpower and capacity required for national development. He said the graduates would be trained by firms and organisations for 12 months and would be entitled to N30,000 allowance each month. A resource person at the training, Mr Ave Gyoh, said the training was meant to make the graduates employers of labour. Some of the graduates who spoke with newsmen promised to utilise the opportunity offered by the training to become employers of labour.

Chrismas travellers waiting to board vehicles at wazoba Bark in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Custom Service Over N1.3m Seized Drugs

Forex Operators Complain Over Scarcity Of Dollars KANO - Bureau De Change operators in Kano have complained over the scarcity of dollars from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, the Treasurer of the Forex Dealers Association, made the complaint in an interview with newsmen in Kano. “For the past 10 years, this is the worst year of high scarcity of dollars since people now prefer to do business and save money in dollars,’’ he said. He explained that in the previous dispensation, dealers used to get 100,000 dollars per week from the CBN, pointing out that only 15,000 dollars per week was being provided. According to him, there are a lot of customers who come to look for the dollars but cannot get it due to the current scarcity. “At times we have many foreigners from China, India and other countries who come to do business with us,’’ he said. Mohammed, who attributed the rise in the exchange rate to the fall in the price of oil, lamented that the dollar was now being sold at N188 as against N165.

A patient receiving medical attention during a free medical care by the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, operation Pulo Shield to Igbomatoru Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

MINNA - The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over various illicit drugs it recovered from the traffickers to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for destruction. Mr Mohammed Biu, the Customs Area Controller in charge of Niger, Kogi and Kwara zones, presented the drugs for destruction in Minna. “This is part of the established synergy customs has with other security agencies to assist in proper investigation since it is not in our purview to investigate such matter,’’ he said.

F.G Approves Policy Measures

To Reposition Textile Industry: ABUJA - The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved policy measures aimed at repositioning the nation’s cotton, textile, garment (CTG), and fashion sectors of the economy. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said this when he briefed State House correspondent after the weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to Aganga, the policy,

which is part of the National Industry Revolution Plan (NIRP) covers the entire fashion value chain from cotton to designing. He said that there was no better time to intensify implementation of the NIRP than now in view of the huge pressure on the nation’s foreign reserves due to falling oil prices. “Globally, the CTG sector is a market of about 2.5 trillion

dollars, accounting for about 3.6 per cent of the world’s economy. “In terms of export, it accounts for about 800 billion (dollars); direct employment, close to 60 million and of course indirect (employment) close to 300 million. “In Nigeria, the cotton and textile sector in the 60s and 80s was actually the second largest employer of labour after government, and was a critical sector of the economy.

“But of course as you know, we have seen a decline over the last two, three decades due to a number of factors: “High cost of funding, high cost of energy, obsolete equipment and plants and machinery, quality and quantity of cotton, a lot of contamination, smuggling, counterfeiting and dumping. “These are all the issues that this new policy is here to address.

Biu said that his officers intercepted seven cartons of Taramol, Taramadol and Jonaviga tablets worth N1.2 million on September 24 along Mokwa-Kaduna Road. He said that the officers recovered Cannabis Sativa worth N100, 000 in BabanaGovti area of the state on September 5 which were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The controller said that no suspect was arrested in the two operations as the suspects conveying the marijuana on a motorcycle abandoned the substance and fled. Biu said that the bus conveying the drugs was seized as no passenger claimed its ownership. Mr Dadi Mullah, the Unit Head of NAFDAC in Niger, while receiving the drugs, commended the customs for mopping out illicit drugs from the markets. Mullah said that the agency would get authorisation from the Federal Ministry of Environment to destroy them. Mr Aloye Isaac, who represented the state Commandant of NDLEA, said that the exercise was to take the illicit drugs out of circulation.


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

South-West Entrepreneurial Skill

Varsity Trains Graduating Students SANGO-OTA (OGUN) Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, has said the institution embarked on entrepreneurial training that would make its graduating students to be job providers for the nation. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samson Ayanlaja, said this at the 6th convocation ceremony and conferment of honourary first degrees, doctorate degrees and presentation of prizes for 2013/2014 session in Ota. 310 graduating students participated in the ceremony. They comprised 14 students bagging first class honours, 79 in second class upper division, 127 in second class lower division, 59 with third class, six receiving ordinary pass and 25 postgraduate students. Ayanlaja said the university was involved in entrepreneurial training in fish farming, vegetable gardening, fashion

designing, shoe making, bead craft and event planning. He added that “the institution is trying to address the unemployment rate in the country by attempting to bridge the skill gap and by exposing them to hands on entrepreneurial skills that can lead to jobs creation instead of being job seekers.’’ He noted that the institution was determined to produce a new generation of work force and leaders that were skillful, honest and highly selfdisciplined to tackle corruption by infusing the words of God into students. He said “it is alarming and distressing to note however that 60 million youths in Nigeria are unemployed partly due to relocation of industries to neighbouring countries where electricity is stable.’’ He added that the unemployed youths could have

Female Genital Mutilation

Ogun To Prosecute Offenders andShegirls.defined it as practice ABEOKUTA - Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi, the Ogun Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, has said that the state government would prosecute anyone caught practising “Female Genital Mutilation.’’ The commissioner disclosed this in Abeokuta during a news conference to celebrate the “16 Days Activism on the Elimination of Gender Based Violence’’ with the theme ``Let us Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Woman.’’ According to Sonubi, offenders are liable to one year imprisonment. She said “Female Genital Mutilation and Female Circumcision Prohibition Law’’ is in force in the state. She added that the law is aimed at preventing anyone from cutting or mutilating the female private part, organ or clitoris in any manner. She noted that “Ogun is committed to ensuring that its citizens are protected against gender-based violence, thus the proposal of the Domestic Violence Prohibition Bill 2014.’’ The commissioner explained that Female Genital Mutilation was a common and harmful traditional practice on women

where female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the goal of affecting a woman’s sexual feelings. “This practice is mostly performed before puberty on girls between the age of four and eight years, but recently, it is performed on babies from weeks or months old,’’ she said. According to her, it is performed during adulthood in some culture. She said it was commonly practised in the South West, particularly in Ogun, stressing that the state government would continue to support and protect the interest of women.

Leukemia

been contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and eradicate poverty if there was stable

electricity. The vice-chancellor said “no nation can achieve meaningful economic growth if it majorly

depends on imported goods.’’ Ayanlaja then stressed the need for collaboration between government and other

institutions to tackle the nation’s unemployment challenge.

How To Secure Future Of The Girl Child -MAGI

IBADAN - Alhaja Adijat Malik, the Chief Executive Officer of Mother and GirlChild Protection Initiative (MAGI), says early education and skills acquisition will provide

Governmental Organisation (NGO) committed to protecting the welfare of future security for the girl- sidelines of the 2014 Annual women and the girl-child. child. General Meeting (AGM) of Malik said: “The Malik spoke to with MAGI organisation is a member of newsmen in Ibadan on the MAGI is a Non the Child Protection Network established by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). “MAGI was borne out of a burden to deliver mothers and girls out of ignorance, poor physical health and economic embarrassment which sent majority of them to early graves. “We aim at empowering women and girls in various skills and vocations, thereby, alleviating their sufferings and subsequently reducing or eradicating poverty in their lives. “We have created Kashimbila Multi-Purpose Dam in Taraba Commissioned by the Ministers of Water awareness through Resources, Culture and Tourism, Power and other strakeholders. advocacy, training and sensitisation to over 3,200 girls and women since inception.’’ Malik said the NGO was planning to set up a Village Pilot Project in Elere village near Ibadan, adding that this was aimed at empowering the girl-child through skills acquisition. She also said the microcredit loan scheme designed for young women and girls, who were graduates of the centre, would enable them to establish their own businesses. Malik,however, called on parents to encourage their wards to enroll in the next vocational programme of the Chrismas travellers waiting to board vehicles at Wazobia Park in Gwagwalada, NGO billed for January 2015. in Abuja.

Population Ignorant Of Symptoms

IBADAN - Twenty two per cent of Nigeria’s adolescent population are ignorant of the early symptoms of leukemia (blood cancer), Dr Ayo Fayehun, Consultant, Family Health Department, University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, has said. Fayehun made the statement on the side-line of an enlightenment programme on health for youths organised by Oluwapamilerin Oni Health Foundation. He expressed concern that several youths in Nigeria

particularly males, were unaware of the early symptoms of leukemia, which he said, could be prevented or reduced if detected early. The consultant noted that the mortality rate of blood cancer was on the increase in Nigeria and stressed the need for stakeholders in the health sector to rise up to the challenge. He said that chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a slow growing cancerous cell that affects the development of B-

lymphocytes also known as B– cells and specialised white blood cells. He said that though the cause of the disease was still unknown, “it is thought to result from damage to one or more of the genes that normally controls blood cell development.” The physician listed some symptoms of leukemia to include: swollen lymph glands in the neck, under the arms or in the groin due to collection of lymphocytes in these areas.

He said the disease could be diagnosed through full blood count (FBC) or through examination of the bone marrow. He said that leukemia could be treated through chemotherapy or through administration of drugs orally or intravenously. In her remark at the occasion , Mrs. Omolara Oni, the Executive Director, Oluwapamilerin Oni Health Foundation urged mothers to be observant of changes in their children’s bodies and habits. She said she lost her son to

leukemia due to late detection of the disease, adding that she was ignorant of the symptoms of the disease exhibited by her late son. She listed some of the symptoms to include anemia, malaria and swelling in the groin. Oni said the health awareness programme was organised by the foundation to sensitise the youths on the symptoms of the disease. Over 200 people including students, parents, the clergy, health workers, market women and men attended the programme.


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RECENTLY an international human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, in its latest report and video footage of the nation’s Armed Forces alleged that the Nigeria military is involved in “brutal” extra-judicial killings in the North-Eastern part of the country. THE video footage released in Lagos recently showed the nation’s military abusing civilians and engaging in extra- judicial killings of civilians in the north eastern parts of the country, where the activities of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, have been overwhelming. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER believes in the aphorism that two wrongs can’t make a right and as such calls on President Goodluck Jonathan to give the report the needed attention by instituting a high powered probe to ensure that Nigeria is not shielding right violators in its military, THIS measure is Important because of the hasty dismissal of the report by some top government officials who ought to be more diplomatic in responding to the report because such early dismissal of the report is capable of damaging the nation’s image among the comity of nations The Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omen at a news conference in Abuja same day absolved the military of human rights abuses, saying the Nigerian Army was not involved in the alleged killing of the Boko Haram detainees as reported by Amnesty International. He went ahead to describe the Nigerian Army as a professional security forces which would not get Involved in such “dastardly act.” THE soldiers involved in the brutal extrajudicial execution of victims, either suspects or not do not have such rights under the Nigerian constitution. Nobody, under the Nigerian Constitution has the nights to undertake extra-

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Amnesty International Report On Extra Judicial Killings judicial killing(s). THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER views Omeri’s comments as patronising and expected trademark of the usual government’s grandstanding in the face of obvious evidence, WE expected the federal government to be more circumspect and diplomatic in its choice of words since Omen and his agency did not carry out any immediate investigations to determine the veracity of the allegations A situation where ordinary Nigerian citizens come up with clear cases of rights violation and the state sweeps it under the carpet, international organisations come up with their accusation and is also sweep under the carpet, may be creating a fertile ground for citizens to device unconventional means to express their disgust. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER recalls that the escalation of the Boko Haram insurgency stems from extra-judicial execution of the leader of the outlawed group in police custody. Part of the demands of the extremists that infuriated their later actions was the demand for justice for their slain member. Till date, there is no action from the Federal Government to show that justice has been delivered to Yusuf, even in his grave, So, dismissing by a wave of the hand a report with weighty allegations of international magnitude

is quite deluding. WE believe the Nigerian government cannot allow security agencies to commit war crimes against its own people and expect civilized nations to tolerate these same crimes being perpetrated by the state and then provide the help needed to win the war against terrorism. We strongly the Amnesty International reports and take believe that it is self -defeating and uncivilized. This is why the government must thoroughly and independently probe action against security operatives that are implicated in them, irrespective of their ranks. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER strongly believes that to assist the nation’s armed forces and prevent further occurrence, President Goodluck Jonathan must raise a strong panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations of war crimes as shown in the video footage, otherwise the atrocities may be taken as official position and the President stands the risk of being accused of war crimes and crime against humanity. IT is equally important to call on the military to prosecute the current war against terrorism in Northern Nigeria with sufficient respect for human rights. This is direly needed to enjoy the confidence of the international community in its campaign against terrorism. FINALLY, we also want to call on Amnesty International to also extend its work to the Boko Haram camp and reveal to the world the butchery, slaughtering of their captives so that global citizens could take them more seriously. Releasing a one-sided report in a war that has revealed several extra-judicial killings in most bizzare manner by the insurgents is inappropriate and capable of tarnishing the global human right’s watchdog’s image.


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Perspective

DEVELOPMENT -as I can perceive it -is a mental and social process, centred on the promotion of man. Although social and economic aspects go hand in hand in development, in essence I see it more as a social process with economic expressions than as an economic process with social repercussions. This, in my view, cannot be stressed sufficiently and I would like, at this point, to quote some thinkers of the most diverse origins to show a universal recognition of what, in essence, is the notion of “development”. Here is a definition by the great contemporary French economist, Francois Perroux: “Development is the combination of mental and social changes in a society, which prepare it for the accumulative and lasting growth of its gross national product.” Here, another comment by the well- known writer, Robert L. Heilbroner, of the U.S.A.: “We tend to overlook the fact that this kind of strictly economic development requires as a precondition the existence of a society in which wealth can be accumulated and in which incomes and employment are capable of being progressively enlarged”... “The critical fact about the underdeveloped countries is that they do not yet have the institutions, the habits, the foundation of skill and wealth which are preconditions for a sustained economic climb.” And so we can find an entire range of commentary from the famous neo liberal, Wilhelm Ropke, who dedicates whole chapters to the basic conditions which he calls “Socio-spiritual”, signaling these as “the infra-structure of development”, up to great encyclical letters, such as Mater et Magistra and Populorum Progressio which insistently stress the fact that the spur towards development, its root and its aim, all lie within man himself. Now, why do we tend to recoil from such an obvious fact? A fellow- countryman of mine, Joaquin Sanchez Coviza, has put it very clearly: “Ideological factors are supposedly the premises which condition the economic development of different societies and yet these premises are frequently ignored because, from the point of view of the professional economist, they cannot be reduced to ostensible economic terms, nor can they be easily incorporated in econometric models.” Human Barriers Impede Development I do not believe that anyone

Development And Hu

Consequence Of Und today would dispute the fact that the barriers which impede development are human, not economic; are less a question of capital and natural wealth and more a matter of attitudes and institutions. In short, barriers which are less material than social and cultural. Achievements in economic terms frequently fail in terms of our scales of values which find their expression in a series of political and social turbulences which weaken our foundations. A good example would be perhaps the concept of “productivity”that ineluctable condition to abolish poverty. Productivity tends to be seen as merely a matter of optimum performance and effective reinvestment of national income, whilst forgetting that in its nucleus lies an emotional and mental attitude towards human effort and progress. On a previous occasion, I ventured to suggest that the process of “development” should be seen as a “social system” composed of a number of human subsystems which are perpetually interacting in a reciprocal and regular pattern and that we should not waste our time in searching for sole reasons or primary causes. Better results can be obtained through the study of the interacting variables which make up the developmental spiral. Every social system can be visualized in terms of groups

factor in their interchange of resources is a justice that can be perceived. In the psychological contract between men and systems, men and groups and between systems and sub-systems, that old and cynical question will always come ‘to mind: “What have you done for me recently?” When the feeling of reciprocity dwindles away, a change will occur within the system. Underdevelopment is a Consequence of Historical Undermanagement Now, in all parts there is an increasing awareness that economic and social development is basically an outcome of management and that underdevelopment is the consequent result of a historical undermanagement. Of course, there is nothing new in this. Development in general, as most social achievements, is effected through and within organisations, “institutions” if you want. They have to respond to the quality of life that develops within them, and for the fulfillment of our social values. Management constitutes the arduous process of motivated integration of human efforts toward the achievement of shared goals. It is, as somebody said, the coordination of many social energies, many times clashing with each other with such skill that the totality can function as one sole organism. If I recall well, it was ServanSchreiber who coined the

and Management At this point, I should like to break off for a moment and mention a fundamental dilemma which, in my opinion, is to be found at the bottom of every idea about development and management. As a manager myself, I would like to discuss this dilemma in terms of decisions. We can distinguish two extreme types of decisions which take place in human affairs. Macro-decisions which affect society as a whole, and micro-decisions, those which we take on a daily basis during the pursuit of our activities in general, whether private, business or institutional. These latter are the kinds of decisions which we take in order to purchase a pro duct, employ a certain person, or give instructions. However, this multitude of micro-decisions -and here I think we reach the root of the problem — very often end up in very unsatisfactory macroresults. We can see these unpleasant macro-results in inflation, unemployment, undesirable technological impact, labour problems. On the other hand, if everything were to be based on macrodecisions and consequently, if every thing were to be controlled by the State, we would end up with a giant bureaucracy and the consequent loss of personal autonomy, creativity, innovation and initiative which are fundamental factors in development of every type. In brief the result would be

By DR. IVAN LAUSBERG-HENRIQUEZ

individual. We are already aware that the “invisible hand” of Adam Smith does no longer function well, nor does the manipulation of motivations and behaviour by a technocratic elite; the solution

process of change. Just as changing values need institutions to give them expression, structural changes demand a change of values in order to be able to function. With alarming frequency, we tend to forget that there exists

put forward by many that private interests should totally abdicate in favour of the public interest, also seems unworkable. It appears then that everything will depend on

a basic, reciprocal activation between structures and values, The New Field of Management The field of the transformation of values is indeed the new field of management, and here lies one of its first social responsibilities — not only for the capitalist firm, but also for the socialist enterprise and within the compass of autogestion, congestion and any other type of formula which could be applied. This is not a particularly new idea. Basically, it is concept of Aristotle who saw that every management has to be judged by the virtues and vices which generates and who maintained “society exists for the sake of noble actions”. Every leader acts according to his own vision of the future, even only to avoid his being its victim. Our social values have not such a siege since the Reformation; there has not been so much anxiety about the quality of life on this since the Renaissance. Leaders are the great catalysts change while new structures are needed to shape

“We can distinguish two extreme types of decisions which take place in human affairs. Macro-decisions which affect society as a whole, and micro-decisions, those which we take on a daily basis during the pursuit of our activities in general, whether private, business or institutional. These latter are the kinds of decisions which we take in order to purchase a pro duct, employ a certain person, or give instructions. However, this multitude of micro-decisions -and here I think we reach the root of the problem — very often end up in very unsatisfactory macro-results.” of people who are occupied in exchanging their resources on the basis of certain expectations. These resources are constantly being bartered and they are certainly not limited to material resources alone for they include ideas, feelings, skills and values. Furthermore, it appears to be characteristic of social systems that a determining

phrase that management after all is the most creative of all arts, as it is the art of organising talent. The principal task of management perhaps boils down to one function: making knowledge socially productive. This basically constitutes the social responsibility of management. The Fundamental Dilemma of Development

the oppression of human beings. Now we have to confront the problem of finding a compromise in which we can reach an optimum balance between enough “macro” to pursue the satisfaction of collective needs and enough “micro” to foster personal growth, achievement, motivation and selfactualization of the

a process of re-education which will allow us to perceive how to arrive at optimum macro- decisions through the exercise of microdecisions which will lead us towards the best results. And then the most important of all: These results will depend on the vital transformation of the cultural values which will back up and support this


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Perspective

uman Resources:

dermanagement new values, As I have we also understand to an increasing extent that structural change cannot be achieved without simultaneously receiving support from a change values. Perhaps it is here that we can find the reason for the failure of many structural changes. If

social web would interact. The leaders of the future will be architects of systems, able to foster an optimum balance of specialization from their viewpoint of the whole structure. They will continue to be strategists and planners and, for a long time,

we not work at our values simultaneously, we will be unable to sustain structures. I believe that this is the most transcendental change prompted by management: The creation of conditions and the forging of the transformation of values which can make our institutions more viable and more vital. The incongruence between values, structures and processes can be seen in many of our economic institutions. In some way, we feel as if many of them are not consonant with our supreme social values. Frequently, humanistic and transcendental values become a luxury which is superimposed on economic values instead of being the yardstick of their good will. The Era of Systems Here, I would like to dwell for a moment on an issue which is fundamental in contemporary management, which is to think in terms of systems. Many believe that the era in which we live will be remembered in the future as the Era of Systems when man managed to express, understand, and foretell the way in which the threads of his

they will continue to take decisions and solve operational problems. However, their great contribution will be in getting things to run smoothly in gradually loosening restrictive controls and, above all, in diagnosing, designing and conceptualizing systems which will have the power of self-diagnosis and the ability to solve their own problems and generate their own progress. These leaders will be the monitors of development. Their most important function will be that of scrutinizing, investigating and constantly revising systems. Their task will be to read the signs of their times, to detect symptoms, to ask questions. They must have a high tolerance of ambiguity because their style of management will be one of uncertainty, complexity, inter-dependence, and their perspective will be that of the seventeenth century poet, John Donne, who wrote “No man is an island”; that we are all enfolded in a total

humanity; that it is useless to ask for whom the bells toll, as they toll for us all. The planning of open systems is rapidly becoming the last word in administrative science. Scientists of the category of Richard Beckhard and James

Clark are successfully applying this new type of planning to companies of all kinds. The planning of open systems can be divided into seven stages:

for these expectations (What type of demand would we like to have?) 6) Activities which must be per formed in order to attain this ideal climate. 7) Cost-effectiveness analysis. Management’s Social Responsibility At this point, may I say another word on management’s social responsibility, particularly with regard to private enterprise Perhaps I should start by expressing my interpretation of the concept of “responsibility”. I do not believe responsibility can be imposed, nor does it come from a sense of duty; it is derived from affection, it is the desire and disposition “to respond”. Responsibility must, of necessity, be felt from within. Indeed, in philosophic terms, I believe that the responsibility of private enterprise and, therefore, the responsibility of management is fundamentally the consequence of a fact, and this fact is that the company is in a position of power; of economic power because of the force it exercises in the market; of social power because it is an association of people who have aims in common. And it is from this power, recognized and conceded by the community, that the company derives its social responsibility and from which is derived the social responsibility of its management. If there is one

Working together fosters ideas, attitudes and values. Ideas, attitudes and values forge the structure of society. If the character, conscience, fears and longings of a man can be said to be conditioned by one factor alone, it is by the group to which he belongs. This, I believe, is the basis of a vital aspect of management’s social responsibility. With regard to “external” social responsibility, this implies the necessary and vital response to the expectations of the environment in which the company moves. In this connection, it would not, perhaps, be out of place to remind ourselves of some old- fashioned ideas which we all accept, more or less, as self-evident truths. Man himself is the yardstick of all values, Things are made for man and man is not made for things. For this reason, a company can never be an end in itself. The company is a means to this end. And its end is man. And if enterprise wishes to survive, its “cause” must also be man. Man is the basic product, as well as problem for any enterprise. At this point, we should remind ourselves that if moral goals are invoked but not felt, they cannot convince but tend to produce the reverse image. This is the image of cynicism which society will not tolerate because it recognizes the sound of the genuine coin, and senses that the spiritual values which are the most precious possession of man kind, are being toyed with by vested interests. When we speak about the social responsibility of enterprise, we start, of

“For some time now, the world has been facing a dilemma. This dilemma is not the choice between capitalism and communism but the choice between humanism and bureaucracy. Here is the vital question: Does the individual reign supreme, and is society a means by which his welfare is achieved, or is society supreme and is the individual a pawn which can be used or destroyed according to the convenience of society? Here, two rational concepts are face to face: individualism and collectivism. Neither one is able to cross the abyss between the human being and his community.” I) Definition of the system’s “core process”, or basic mission. 2) Identification of the surrounding “demand” systems. 3) Definition of the manner in which these expectations can be met. 4) Projection of future expectations which will subject the system to pressures. 5) Outline of the ideal climate

fact which seems to be true throughout the history of mankind, it is that power without responsibility— which is power without love — will ultimately be selfdestroying. As I have already pointed out, a company is a melting pot of ideas, attitudes and values because it is an association of people.

course, from the premise that enterprise owes a debt to society whose legal system created and sustains it. Naturally, this premise rejects entrepreneurial individualism and the idea that “Business is Business”—that antique pretext to escape social obligations and concentrate solely on self-interest.

For some time now, the world has been facing a dilemma. This dilemma is not the choice between capitalism and communism but the choice between humanism and bureaucracy. Here is the vital question: Does the individual reign supreme, and is society a means by which his welfare is achieved, or is society supreme and is the individual a pawn which can be used or destroyed according to the convenience of society? Here, two rational concepts are face to face: individualism and collectivism. Neither one is able to cross the abyss between the human being and his community. This abyss cannot be crossed by logic but only by an emotion. This is the emotion of union, solidarity and fraternity. But, in order for this emotion to grow and spread, society must perceive itself as a spiritual organism and not only as an economic machine. We can visualize human progress as being a great spiral. A circular process which is derived from felt needs, followed by great efforts to satisfy these needs, and translating them into tangible results. In order that this process can be again renewed, the original needs must be continually matched, so as to give birth to new efforts. Throughout this process, the leader plays a fundamental role. However, it is often the case that satisfactory comparisons cannot be found because leadership has dispersed the original needs which are its birthright. In the blindness of success, the arrogance of power, or the desire for even more power, the leader has come adrift, and has fallen into the tragic condition of forgetting that true leadership, more than a matter of legality, is a psychological and sociological right which must be constantly reconquered. The Importance of True Leadership The solution to this stumbling- block which confronts every leader is as obvious as it is complex. It lies in the difficult attainment of greater self-perception, of self-knowledge and understanding, of impartial and constant detection of the human factors which have led the leader astray and which endanger the vital comparison of the needs felt by those who bestowed leadership. If a leader wishes to survive as a leader, he must develop his ability to correct and rectify whilst there is still time. To be Continued


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What is Human life? Human life could be viewed in two senses. The first is life as given to man by God which makes him to become a living being and the second is the life led by man on earth. In this essay, we shall discuss the purpose of human life in relation to the life led as a living being. Essentially, without man, we cannot talk of either life or the purpose of human life. Therefore a discussion of that entity called man is very necessary. Man Man is a creature of God who responds either positively or negatively to his creator. As far as the origin of man is concerned, there are different traditions which are either biblical or non-biblical. These traditions point to a common fact that God created man from existing and non-existing materials and that he is the most important of all the creatures of God. This is because he is superior to them and by his being endowed with reason, discrimination and language, he gives them names. The dignity of man over other creatures is affirmed in the statement that ‘he is made in the image and likeness of God” (Gen.1:26-27). Naturally, man is the most difficult being to know and understand. This is partly because of the dichotomy of his composition and partly because of the inability to determine his behaviours in a given situation. This accounted for the various conceptions of the nature of man. For example, in the old testament, the psychological and physiological conceptions of the nature of man is very different from that of the Greeks. Man is not considered as an immortal soul temporarily inhabiting the temporal body but rather as a body - soul unity. It is only the Greeks that separate the body and the spirit on the assumption that matter is evil. According to ancient Hebrew belief, man is a product of the spirit the principle of life, and the body that the spirit animates. The spirit is closely connected with blood and excessive loss of blood can lead to death. At death, man ceases to be in any real sense of personality, but a shade remains which is neither body nor soul. Thus either separated or not, man is composed of the body which is the physical and visible part and the invisible part called the spirit. It is through the body that man comes into contact with the material world and as such it is the part which gives him consciousness . Just as the condition of the body could be improved through nourishment and good care, the spiritual part

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The Purpose Of Human Life

could also be developed. Functionally, both complement each other and whatever affected one affected the other. Closely associated with the physical body is the shadow, the constant companion of the body during man’s life time. Value of life

Youthful stage, Adulthood and Death. With the exception of untimely death which may be caused by several factors, a man has to undergo each of the stages as he lives his life. Every

In view of the premium placed on human life by all notable religions of the world and particularly, the three major religions in Nigeria Christianity, Islam and Nigerian Indigenous religion - no one is empowered to take human life. Instead, it should be preserved under every circumstance. According to Ototiti Nduka, “the whole tone of the philosophy of most African people is life affirming”! This is partly because everyone contributes in one way or the other to the unity and well being of the society and partly because life belongs to God, the creator. It is therefore totally forbidden to take another ’s life. For instance, in the Genesis story of Cain and Abel, in spite of the fact that Cain killed his brother Abel, no one was authorized to kill him (Gen. 4:8 & 15). Anyone who took life has committed murder. This is a sin resulting from the violation of the sixth commandment. God is the custodian of human life in as much as he lived his course of life. Course of a man’s life The course of a man’s life is cyclically patterned and it is permeated by religion. This is evidenced in the events that marked the passage from one stage of the cycle to the other. The cycle is composed of Birth,

stage is full of activities and functions that help in describing when a man has led a purposeful life or not. Birth The birth of a child is a process which begins long before the child is born and continues thereafter. The foundation for the birth of a child is laid by two opposite sexes - the male and the female. During pregnancy, the woman has to undergo certain rituals and observe certain precautions in order to ensure safe delivery. If a traditionalist, she wears protective amulets and observes certain taboos particularly relating to food. She even receives medical care from a herbalist and she is protected spiritually by the family god. As soon as the child is born, the navel is cut and buried ritually. The rites vary but there is the belief that if the navel is separated from where the child lives, he may grow up to become a tenant. The eighth day after birth seems to be an acceptable day to almost all adherents of the various religions as the day of naming a child. This is done by putting certain things into consideration amidst merry making. The materials for naming vary from place to place and they are symbolically religious. With the passage of

By REVD. OPE AROWOLO time, the child outgrows the youthful stage into the adulthood stage. Rites are performed to initiate the youth into this stage. The rites which vary from one locality to the

other are meant to introduce him into a matured life. They now have the right to carry out certain actions which he could not perform formerly. Among others, he learns how to endure hardships, to be sociable and probably he taught the secrets of the society. (Readers are to find out what operates in their locality). Furthermore, the puberty rites could also be seen to have a great educational purpose because it marks the beginning of acquiring such knowledge which is otherwise not accessible to those who have not passed through the stage. The Adulthood State This stage is full of events of importance in the life of a man. A noticeable event for the continuity of life is marriage. This is a socially religious affair rather than private because it seeks to unite families as well as individuals. It is a divine institution into which certain activities have been introduced in order to have a firm grip. It involves introduction, engagement and the wedding ceremony proper Both legal and religious elements are involved in marriage. The marriage is between two families who may be of different or similar cultures and religion. The success of such a union depends to a large extent on tolerance,

understanding and above all love. If any marriage is based on genuine love which the Greek version of the New Testament termed agape (Eph. 5:5), the possibility of the couple being separated for any reason at all is very remote While in support of the above assertion, Slater and Woodside further suggested that for any marriage to survive, other factors namely child procreation, sexual satisfaction and companionship must be associated with it Towards the end of the adulthood stage is an inescapable, universal and unpredictable event called Death. It is part of the cycle of a man’s life. The ideal thing is for a man to die at a ripe old age. But there had been occasions when young people die prematurely. Such deaths are described by their nature and are often attributed to occult causes and forces of man’s excesses THE HUMAN LIFE The description of human life could he identified by the type of life led within the span of his life. Such descriptions are always in line with the purpose for which a man is created and what he desires for his wellbeing There are both biblical and non-biblical traditions which mention the purpose of human life From the biblical point of view, the statement in Genesis I verse 28 clearly sets out the purposes of human life. The text reads Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. This divine blessing upon man at creation shows the functions to be performed. These are procreation and the exercise of the power of dominion over creatures. While the former ensures continuity of life, the latter guarantees proper administration in terms of relationship. A good human relationship is one of the things which give meaning and satisfaction to life. As far as the non biblical tradition is concerned, the purpose of the life of a man or what he comes to the world to do or accomplish has been assigned to him. This is why Akin Omoyaajomo has said that man is not the master of his own fate? The success or failure of a man in life depends on the personality - soul and its quality as derived from the creator. A close examination of all the traditions show that the Supreme Being determines a man’s life in the world before he is born. This is a pre-

determined life tied up with the concept of destiny. It is based on the principle - what had been written had been written. As different individuals, there are variations in the lives of men. An empirical -survey of the lives of man reveal that while some are prosperous, comfortable and live long, others are poor, uncomfortable and live long as well. Since we all desire to live a good and purposeful life, those in the latter category will not hesitate to ask whether that is the purpose of life for them or whether theirs is a good life?. The good life Aristotle, a philosopher accepts the general definition that the good life is that of happiness and well-being. In this connection, happiness means many things Ia different people. Some take it for pleasure, some take it for honour and some others regard it as wealth while intellectuals and philosophers would say that happiness is the life of contemplation. It seems as if what constitutes happiness is relative. Basically and from religious point of view, happiness which everybody aims at should be something that cannot be taken away from us. Therefore good life or the purposeful life must possess two important things. (a) the finite, that is, it must be an end in itself; (b) it must be self sufficient, This is something which by itself makes life worthy of being chosen. If these things are accepted, then the purposes of human life, namely happiness and wellbeing, which are good in themselves, satisfy the above requirements. Any failure to achieve them due to one reason or the other often leads to complaints, frustration and consequently an untimely death. At this point the application and exhibition of faith and hope as enjoined by religion will be very appropriate. Here religion can he seen as a system of beliefs and practices by means of which a group of people struggle with the ultimate problems of human life; the refusal to capitulate to death; to give up in the face of frustration and to allow hostility to tear apart one’s human association. This definition is based on the heuristic device of functionalism by which religion is conceived to mean the adjective mechanism for dealing with the frustrating and disappointing situations in the life of human beings.


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Drumbeats Who Is A Wealthy Man

The Aliko-Dangote Story

ALIKO Dangote, MFR, GCON (born 10 April 1957, Kano Nigeria) is a Nigeria selfmade business magnate with estimated worth of $20. I billion US as of March 2013. Based in Nigeria he is the owner of the Dangote Group, which has interests in commodities with operations in his homeland and several other countries in Africa, including Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa and Zambia Dangote is ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 43rd richest person in the world and the richest man in Africa. Early life AIhaji Aliko Dangote, a notherner, precisely from Kane State, Nigeria was born on the 10th of April 1957 into a wealthy Muslim family. Dangote, right from when he was young had an eye on business. He said, “1 can remember when I was in primary school, I would go and buy cartons of sweets (sugar boxes) and I would start selling them just to make money. I was so interested in business, even at that time. He studied business from the Al Azhar University, Cairo in Egypt, and thereafter returned to Nigeria to work with his uncle Sanusi Abdulkadir Dantata. The uncle afterwards gave him a loan of=N=500,000 (Naira)when he was just 21 year old to start a business.

Business career The Dangote Group which started as a small trading firm was established in the year 1977. Today, it is no longer small but now a multi-trillion naira conglomerate with many of its operations in Benin, Ghana Nigeria and Togo At present. Dangote has enlarged his line of businesses to also cover food processing, cement manufacturing, and freight. It s important to point out here that, Dangote Group also dominates the sugar market in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, it is the major sugar supplier to the country’s soil drink companies, breweries and confection, Besides these achievements, Dangote Group has also moved from being a trading company to being the largest industrial group in Nigeria and these include: Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Cement and Dangote Flour just to mention but a few. As per what qualities a business man should possess, Aliko Dangote possesses a knack for seeing opportunities beyond the naked eyes that others can never see. This is because, in the month of July 2012, he approached the Nigerian Ports Authority with the idea of leasing an abandoned piece of land at the Apapa Port, which was welcomed and

approved. He later went to build facilities for his flour company there. So also in the 90’s he approached the Central Bank of Nigeria with the idea that it would be cheaper for the bank to allow his transport company to manage their fleet of staff buses which was also approved. In Nigeria as of today,

Apart from these, Dangote Group owns salt factories and flour mills and also being a major importer of rice, fish, pasta, cement and fertilizer. The company exports cotton, cashew nuts, cocoa, sesame seed and ginger to several countries. It also has major investments in real estate, banking,

Dangote Group with its dominance in the sugar market and Sugar Refinery is the main supplier (70% of the market) to the country’s soft drinks companies, breweries and confectioners. It is indeed, the largest refinery in Africa and the third largest in the world producing 800,000 tonnes of sugar annually.

transport, textiles and oil and gas. The company employs over 11,000 people and is the largest industrial conglomerate in the whole of West Africa. Dangote is also exploring into telecommunications and has started building 14,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables to supply the whole of

“AIhaji Aliko Dangote, a notherner, precisely from Kane State, Nigeria was born on the 10th of April 1957 into a wealthy Muslim family. Dangote, right from when he was young had an eye on business. He said, “1 can remember when I was in primary school, I would go and buy cartons of sweets (sugar boxes) and I would start selling them just to make money. I was so interested in business, even at that time.”

With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593

Nigeria and as a result, he was honoured in January 2009 as the leading provider of employment in the Nigerian construction industry. He said, “Let me tell you this and I want to really emphasize it nothing is going to help

Presidential Library. These highly controversial gifts to the members of the ruling Party have generated a lot of concerns despite highly-publicized anticorruption drives during Obasanjos second term. On the 23rd of May2010, Britain’s

Nigeria like Nigerians bringing back their money. If you give me $5 billion today, I will invest everything here in Nigeria. Let us put our heads together and work.” As far as politics is concerned in Nigeria, Dangote played a very prominent role in the funding of Obasanjo’s re-election bid in 2003, to which he gave over N200 million (US$2M). He also contributed N50 million (US$O.5M) to the National Mosque under the aegis of Friends of Obasanjo and Atiku”. Further more, he also contributed N200 million to the

Daily Mirror published it that, Dangote was interested in buying a 16 percent stake in Premiership. side Arsenal belonging to Lady Nina Bracewell- Smith. Dangote later denied these rrumours. Therefore, On the 14th of November, 2011, Dangote was awarded a National Honour, the Nigeria’s second highest honour, Grand Commander of the order of the Niger (by the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan Charity Dangote has reportedly given away $100 million of his fortune to charity in recent years. Causes he supports include flood relief, healthcare and poverty reduction


THE NIGERIAN

Law

20

It is a familiar experience for everyone to wish to possess something and to be unable to find the money to buy it. It may be impossible to save enough to buy a car, scooter, or radio for one’s private use, or a lorry, sewing machine or printing press for one’s business. Therefore a buyer of goods may agree with the seller that they shall be paid for by instalments over a period of time instead of paying the full cash price immediately. In such cases the seller has agreed to give credit to the consumer by accepting late payment. A purchase may also be made with the help of a loan, perhaps from a bank or very often from one’s employer. The seller is paid the full cash price of the goods immediately and the consumer then repays his bank or employer over a period of time. In this case the seller does not give credit to the consumer and the transaction is an ordinary cash sale. Such loan agreements between a buyer and his bank or employer are not within the subject of this book. In a typical hire-purchase transaction, or in any other sale on credit terms, the seller sells the goods to the buyer, who pays a deposit towards payment of the price and then takes possession (i.e. physical custody) of the goods. The buyer uses the goods as his own while paying off the rest of the price, perhaps by monthly instalments over two years. As the seller is deprived of the use of his capital while the price is not fully paid, he will charge interest as a percentage on the amount unpaid. Alternatively the astute seller may not want to part with his capital for so long and will refuse to give credit to the buyer. In this case a finance company’ may provide the capital for the purchase in the following way. The buyer selects the goods he wants at the seller’s business premises. He then completes a proposal form which is an application to the finance company for the provision of money to finance his purchase. If satisfied .with the financial standing of the buyer, the finance company will then ask him to enter into a written agreement with them, either to acquire on hire-purchase or to buy the goods on credit direct from them. When the agreement is signed the finance ‘In Nigeria, Bentworth Finance (Nig.) Ltd. appears most often in the law reports. United Dominions Corporation (Nig.) Ltd. has also litigated a reported case, while other perhaps smaller finance companies are also at present doing business company will itself buy the goods from the seller, paying him the full cash price for them. Having done this, it will then hand over the goods to the buyer for his own use. The buyer will pay the agreed instalments direct to the finance company, together

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Social Context Of Consumer Credit with interest and charges for documentation and services as agreed. It can be seen, therefore, that the buyer acquires the - goods not from the original seller but direct from the finance company itself. By this system the seller will have received from the finance company full payment in cash, the buyer has immediate use and enjoyment of the goods, even though he had not saved the money, and the finance company has entered into a lucrative finance agreement. (A typical

agreement is reproduced in the Appendix to this book.) in Nigeria, although there are several finance companies, it is more often the original seller such as a car or lorry dealer who enters into a credit agreement with the buyer? Sometimes a trader or finance company is not confident that the buyer will be able to make the necessary repayments. The buyer may therefore be asked to find someone to guarantee payment of the instalments. A friend, a business associate, or the buyer’s bank, may sign as guarantor of the agreement. Where a finance company is involved, it may be the dealer who is asked to guarantee the buyer’s performance of the agreement. If the buyer then fails to pay at any time, the guarantor may find himself personally liable to make the payments instead. The seller can thus go some way to protect himself from non-payment by the buyer. This book will introduce the law dealing with instalment credit agreements such as hire-purchase and credit-sale (which is part of the law sometimes known as “consumer credit”) and in particular will examine the provisions of the Nigerian hirepurchase legislation. THE NATURE OP Huts-

By ANDREW HICKS PURCHASE A person entering into a hirepurchase agreement for the acquisition of a car may imagine that he is buying the car and that it becomes his as soon as he takes delivery and begins to pay instalments. The legal nature of the agreement is very different, however, as he is in law not purchasing the car but is only hiring it while the instalments are being paid. Furthermore, he does

here on. A hire-purchase agreement is a contract of hire paid for by instalments under which the hirer may become the owner of the goods if he completes payment of the hire-purchase price. Although he may stop paying and return the goods if something goes wrong, the hirer almost invariably intends to pay for and purchase the goods. If, however, the agreement obliges the hirer to purchase the

not become the owner of the car until payments is complete. In one type of hire purchase agreements the car becomes his when, having paid off the instalments, he exerciser an “option to purchase” contained in the agreement, by

car it is a sale, not a hire-purchase. The fact that the parties call it a hire-purchase agreement makes no difference; it is still a sale.” Such sales where payment is postponed, called “credit-sales”, will be considered later. In hire-purchase agreements the hirer has immediate possession and use of the goods but does not have property in the goods (i.e. does not own them) until the instalments are fully paid and the option exercised. The reasons why the peculiar legal device of hire-purchase has developed in this way can best be understood by examining the leading case of Helby V. Matthews and then comparing it with other types of credit transactions. Hire-purchase was not created by parliament but was a convenient form of agreement which became so widely used by traders selling on credit that it soon became a recognised legal device closely defined and regulated by the courts. The advantage to an owner of the hirepurchase type of agreement was not settled until the case of Helby. Matthews in 1895. In that case, Helby, a piano owner, disposed of a piano to one Brewster who signed an agreement to hire it for a certain period at the end of which, having duly paid the instalments, it would become his.

Paying a small option fee.’ In the other type of agreement he may at any time terminate the hiring, but if he does not do so the car becomes his when he actually completes the instalment payments. If the option to purchase is not genuinely optional or if there is no right to terminate prematurely the hiring and repayment, the transaction is not a hire-purchase as there is effectively an obligation to buy. Such an agreement is a sale on credit whose legal consequences, as will’ be seen presently, are significantly different from those of hire-purchase. As hire-purchase is not a contract of sale and purchase but of hiring, the parties to the agreement are not called seller and buyer but owner and hirer. A car dealer who disposes of cars on hire-purchase is therefore called the owner and the acquirer of the car is the hirer. This terminology is essential to the subject and will be used from

A clause in the agreement read as follows: “The owner agrees:A. That the hirer may terminate the hiring by delivering up to the owner the said instrument.” In other words, at any time, Brewster, the hirer, could hand back the piano to the owner and stop paying the instalments. If he completed the payments, the piano would become his. It happened that before all the instalments had been paid Brewster pledged” the piano to a third party called Matthews, from whom Helby then tried to recover it. Matthews claimed that Brewster had transferred a good title to him as pledge, and that he was entitled to retain it. Section 21 of the Sale of Goods Act 189312 lays down the general rule that a non-owner (such as Brewster) has no power to transfer any title to goods to a purchaser. Matthews, however, argued that by section 9 of the Factors Act I882’ if a purchaser who has agreed to buy goods but has not yet become the owner of them, sells or pledges the goods and delivers them to another person, that person will take a good title to the goods, if he took them in good faith, not knowing that the seller was not entitled to sell.” The court agreed that Brewster was a non-owner who had pledged and delivered the goods, but it did not accept that he had agreed to buy them as he could at any time terminate the agreement and send them back to the owner. Section 9 did not therefore empower him to transfer a good title to Matthews who accordingly was obliged to return them to Helby the owner.’ Furthermore, the court said that the Sale of Goods Act does not apply to such hire-purchase agreements at all for the similar reason that the act applies only to transactions in which the seller transfers or agrees to transfer the property in goods to the buyer.’ The law applicable was the common law whose general rule is that a non-owner such as a hirer cannot pass title in goods to a third party.’ An owner letting goods on hire-purchase can there fore be sure that if the hirer sells the goods he can usually recover them or claim damages from the person who buys them from him,’ as the hirer is not empowered to transfer any tide to another person. The position is different if the transaction is not in strict law a hire- purchase but is a sale or agreement to sell on credit terms, for the reason that the person acquiring the goods is obliged to complete the agreement and pay for them in full. In such a sale the seller transfers or agrees to transfer the property in goods to the buyer, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1893 applies in full. By section 25(2) of that act or section 9 of the Factors Act, a credit purchaser who sells the

goods before they have become his can pass a good title to the third party who buys them in good faith. This is because in the terms of these sections the credit purchaser has bought or agreed to buy the goods and not merely to hire them. The subsequent buyer may therefore get a good title, and the owner can not recover them from him. Helby v. Matthew settled the law to the advantage of the owner in cases of hire-purchase be not creditsale) that if the hirer, for instance, stops paying instalments the owner may be able to recover the goods even though the hirer has sold and delivered them to an innocent buyer. Clearly this is an attractive advantage to the owner disposing of goods on credit terms. Every trader selling goods on credit knows that he runs the risk that he will not be paid and that he will be unable to recover the goods. Once he has delivered the goods to the buyer a credit seller will normally only be able to sue in the courts for payment of the price. A suit in the court is inevitably slow and expensive, and even when the seller obtains a judgement for the money owing, the buyer will probably be unable to pay, as shortage of ready money is a usual attribute of credit purchasers. It is often important, therefore, for the trader disposing of goods on credit to be able to have some legal right to recover the goods from the buyer or from a subsequent purchaser in case the buyer fails to pay instalments promptly. This is why hirepurchase can be advantageous because if the hirer defaults in his payments the terms of the agreement will enable the owner to repossess the goods from the hirer. The owner can avail himself of the simple remedy of seizing the goods, or suing for possession or damages, and is not confined to suing for the price. Even if the hirer has sold the goods, the owner may still be able to recover them or claim damages from the unfortunate buyer. The problem in instalment credit agreements where a seller hands over the goods and agrees to accept payment of the price at a later date is that he risks not being paid and losing the goods. What he needs is some sort of security over the goods, a right to recover some of his loss by repossessing the goods when the buyer fails to pay. The hirepurchase type of agreement gives the owner such a right, though this is not the only reason why hire-purchase became popular with traders engaging in credit transactions. The other reasons will be made clearer by examining a number of other ways in which goods may be sold on credit terms, and by comparing their respective advantages and disadvantages with those of hire-purchase.


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Issues Media

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Reminding Journalists of Their Role As Watchdogs By KINGSLEY MBADUGHA/ PATIENCE CHINWEUBA G

THE Press in most societies around the world is sometimes referred to as the fourth Estate of the real; virtually because they are as important and vital as the Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The media is usually called the society’s watchdog. Frankly speaking, the role and the objective of the media is to entertain, inform, sensitize the masses and also survey the environment; it does so by remaining objective and impartial in a status quo mode. If you look at the great, progressive and advanced societies however, the media may have expanded its role by becoming an activist; advocating and campaigning for reforms for the overall good of the people. It goes about its activism by challenging conventional wisdom, engaging in investigative journalism, arousing the conscience of the state, doing the people’s biddings and helping to shape sociopolitical debates. In other words, a nation without an independent media is a nation without conscience and hope. (Article written by Mr. Sabella. The Nigerian Press is becoming lazy). The press has been a germane tool for checkmating abuses and political dictatorship through its non-aligned, unbiased reports and openness. The world has recorded more martyrs in the field of Journalism than in revolution. The likes of Jose Luiscabezas, Paul Klebnikor, Marie colvin to mention a few have laid their lives to bring to public awareness the deepest truth and darkness of secrets that affects our lives. They face threats from powerful men of the world yet remain unshaken, they cover worlds most dangerous events and remain fearless. In the same vein, Nigeria has its share of their great men and women of inks and cameras and other gadgets who stood their ground and fought endlessly for the sustenance or retain of democracy and civil liberty. In Nigeria, we have the likes of Dele Giwa, Eneche Akoguru, Baguda Kaitho, Chinedu Offoaro, Tunde Oladepo, Bayo Onu, Ike Chukwu Udendu, Paul Ogundeji Abayomi to mention a few, have confronted death right in its face and eventually gave up their lives for what they believe so much is the truth and the right thing to do. The manifestation of corruption among journalism is as a result of the sensitivity of the profession. Journalistic work is so sensitivity because it concerns the society at large. Government, corporate bodies and organization, even individuals are aware that the media is perhaps the strongest force in shaping public opinion on issues that concerns the public. The media can channel its whistle-blowing function and the ability to influence policies and government action to in turn bring about the much- needed development and good governance. However, this was when journalism in Nigeria was still about the news and truth that those men and women stood their ground for what they know and believed was right. This was when the press was free from political control and capitalist influence or will I say when the press were not faced with so much threat, it was when journalists derivesd pleasure and joy going under cover to unravel the hidden truth about a particular things. This was when there was so much joy in bringing real time update on news right from the scene. The Nigerian media as it currently stands suffers, itself, a compromised entity. Our press has a generally negative attitude towards corruption and a cursory glance at their pattern of coverage reveals this. Moreso, they treat corruption issues merely anecdotally and screaming as headline issues. Part of the reason is technical, and the other is ethnical. While the media itself are undergoing a pressure of an ethnical complexion on their own which tends to compromise effective and insightful coverage, there is a structural challenge to improve the capacity of those writing about corruption so that they can see it in its complex political, economic and cultural dimensions. If this must happen, as the saying goes, the educator itself must also be educated. The Nigerian Press was an activist in years gone by. It pains me to know that Nigerian journalism is not as crediable

“Yellow-Journalism, sensational news, coronation news, congratulatory message, and the likes have become the order of the day. And in most cases, the media ignore real stories coming out of villages and rural areas in favour of advanced city news.”

as it’s used to be. Nigeria has a good reputation, and also had a visible role in shaping and re-shaping national debates. The Press to a large extent have failed in its watchdogs function. It has become a shell of its once plump self that is it has lost its way. The Nigerian Press has become lazy and fearful and very corruptible, we are not talking about the “Brown envelop syndrome” rather the effect or impact the brown envelop have on press against its primary function. Most of the Newspapers and Magazines in circulation today do not hide their allegiance to the party or government in power. The truth of the matter is, it is increasingly becoming difficult to distinguish one paper from another as most of these papers are home to some third – rate columnist and reporters. Yellow-Journalism, sensational news, coronation news, congratulatory message, and the likes have become the order of the day. And in most cases, the media ignore real stories

Realm has failed in it’s watchdog as stated earlier not because they so desire to do so but because the government does not allow them to operate freely. The government influence over the media has affected the media and many of them, we mean, the journalists who could not withstand the pressure have to use other means to make an ends meet. The Press is threatened on daily basis because the government who suppose to secure and protect the journalists are now a misery to them. The journalists in Nigeria are like a lamb to be sacrificed, they face different humiliation from the police and other forces. The press have been muscle in such a way that they do not engage in anything close to investigative journalism. All these subjected them into participating or practicing some of the things people refer to as unethical. They collect brown envelop which one cannot say or see anything wrong with that is because someone can volunteer to offer you a ride. The problem among the Journalists is not just the acceptance of the brown envelop but the impact the envelop is likely to create. Does the brown envelop make the press to paint what is blue

coming out of villages and rural areas in favour of advanced city news. Let’s ask ourselves, when was the last great investigative journalism done in Nigeria? With the Obscene amount of legal and illegal money floating in and through the political Landscape, did the media even attempt to investigative their sources? When was the last time the Nigerian press really affected the thinking and decision policy-makers in high and low places? The question can go on and on without a very credible and convincing answer. One popular edge say’s a toad does not run in the day time in vain”, it is either it’s pursuing something or something is after it” another one says, “There is no smoke without fire, That is to say that the manifestation of corruption among journalist or journalism in Nigeria is as a result of the nature of political practices and governance that’s been put into place in the country. An average member of this country is aware that the role of the press in Nigeria according to the Nigerian constitution is to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people. If that is the case, what then are reason’s why the media cannot follow suit to a large extent the ethnical standards and codes as stipulated by the constitution. The truth of the matter is that there are factors impeding the role media play in strengthening democracy and these factors have compelled or rather, subjected them into indulging in different kinds of ill practices. Some of the factors include the limited press freedom, press ssecurity, low income among journalists, fear of death, neglect by government and many more. The press freedom and security, is one of factors obstructing press function in Nigeria. The press as the fourth Estate of the

or black; that is the question only the press can answer. Most times, journalists had to collect brown envelop not because they want to buy because someone or some group of people somewhere might have made a big threat to the person or the family, believe it nobody want to die for something that he is likely not to be remember for. What will you do it someone finds out that you know about the cockroach in his cupboard, he / she will definitely not let you rest until he get the assurance that his secret is safe with you, anything less will result to a bigger threat to the journalist life. I (Kingsley) so much believe in the statement made by. Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri in his book, The Act of News writing and reporting, he said “if Publishing the fact will jeopardise your image and your personality, publish and be damned” but I tell you that publishing the fact will give you more security compare to when you keep it hidden. The questing is who want to be Jesus Christ of our time? Who want to be the Lamb of Nigeria to whose blood shall be used to save the country? Who want to risk his life in exchange for revealing an ill in the society? If you throw this question among journalists in this country, the turnout of the response will be discouraging. Life is very precious to every human and journalists are humans too. Nevertheless, the press is guilty of many things but let’s not forget that if there is maximum freedom and security for the press in this country, such mal-practice wouldn’t have been so in Journalism, Government should understand that the press should be autonomous, not in paper but in action and I suggest the more activist who have what it stakes to set up a media house should do so, so that most of the hidden a crime that is covered by some government owned media will be revealed.


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Economy

Marriage: Between Fairy

Marriage is what everyone makes it out to be. The questions range from what should I Expect? What will I have to do? In this artists, you will find four Truths that will turn your marriage into a successful one. Most people know that life is not a fairy tale. They also know that for successful marriage both

look at her and think Is this it? Reality. Yes, yes it is. You accepted her at the alter. You execution when you hear” for better or for worse, in sickness and in health,

husband and wife must do there part and be seen to be doing it at their best. Here are four Truths, excluded from fairy tales, which will make you happier in your marriage you will know what to expect and do for a wonderful marriage Truth Number one Marriage is a covenant of fidelity and commitment. As a youth, we believe in effort less “happy ever after” fairy tale. One day you will wake up and find that, despite loving her immensely, she simply does not always make you happy, you will

“tragedies come to mind the daily. Not so perfect moment require on greater understanding of fidelity and commitment marriage is not all about destination but a journey full of sorrows and joy, health and sickness what to do! Marriage is a family base. A successful marriage is made of fathers and mothers who are both engaged in teaching there children remove the word divorce from your vocabulary. Be patient, seek divine help and together, you will learn marriage bring greater happiness than

Tale And Reality any fairy tale. It may be difficult but full of strength, magic and evolving love. There are many “right ones” there is no such thing as a soul mate” what does

some partners, a short time without sex leaves them worried. Some men are not able to resist the wiles of other women, leaving the wife feeling

it”. Reality, Daily intimate relationship are not a requirement, having brief episodes without sex is common. Breaks do not only happen during pregnancy post partum, or sickness. Sometimes, there is no reason beside sleep being higher

exist are couples that know how to work out their differences and cherish their similarities Truth Number Two Daily sex even a good bout for that matter, does not connote a successful marriage. There are men that are more attractive than your husband. For

like she needs to be intimate without feeling just to “keep” her husband the converse is also true. The situations you find in marriage however differ from one couple to another. One couple said, “we have stayed this long because of good sex, another says “good food is

priority that week the flame has gone out. Do not believe statistics starting that “happy couple have sex. Three times a week What to do focus on your partners rhythm do not place blame. Consult a doctor. are there hormonal problems that

By VIVIAN AMAJOYI

you both can look out for and cater for? Health problem arguments to be resolved? Depression? Kind the root of the problem. If there are no issues, stay close during the Day. Use kisses, hugs, massage, conversation, together time and romantic moments Give her attention, look in your eyes and keep the fire going. Remember, through, that over time sex must get better in proportion to Love. Quality is not every thing and does not guarantee marital happiness A happy marriage includes two whole and willing people. If you believe that good marriages include no arguments, or that will be change after marriage you are wrong. If you are looking for your “other half, “you are searching incorrectly each partner is a full person, not a half. Reality! Marriage requires work and limitation. Some times you will go to bed angry and wake up worse. Sometimes, this do not happen exactly as you would like, there will be conflicts. You will realize that the only person you can change is your self. Human being are not simple creatures you need not only to have patience, but to show more of it. as you do, both of you will evolve. What to do! Do not be demanding for yourself or your spouse stay calm. Sleep can help to organize your thought. Do not make decisions while tempers flare. Both of you are being yourself and that’s is great. Clam Continue on page 23

“Marriage requires work and limitation. Some times you will go to bed angry and wake up worse. Sometimes, this do not happen exactly as you would like, there will be conflicts. You will realize that the only person you can change is your self. Human being are not simple creatures you need not only to have patience, but to show more of it. as you do, both of you will evolve.”


THE NIGERIAN

23

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Opinion

Observer Is Blessed With The Best Brains -Erhahon

A Goodwill Message from Comrade Godwin Erhahon to the Observer Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on the occasion of the First Annual Samuel Ogbemudia Forum, this Thursday, December 18, 2014, in Benin City. His Excellency, Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, The Honourable Commissioner of Information, Our Leader and Mentor, Dr Tonie Iredia, The National Vice Chairman, NUJ, Zone F, Comrade U.S.A Uzaka Chairman NUJ, Edo State Council Chairman NUJ Observer Chapel with his Executive and Members Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. I congratulate all of us for being part of this Forum. To God be the glory!

I commend the leadership of The Observer Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for upgrading what used to be the Nigerian Observer Forum to Samuel Ogbemudia Forum. Your choice of speakers for this year’s Forum is no less commendable. Most importantly, I congratulate our father and leader, Dr Ogbemudia for witnessing part of his immortalization. His glory is an inspiration to

all of us to do as much good as we can while we are yet opportune and able to serve mankind. The Observer Chapel of NUJ has by this Forum joined numerous patriots to prove that Edo people do appreciate progressive services and noble achievement such as the establishment of The Observer by Dr Ogbemudia, forty- six years ago With two reverend sages, Dr Ogbemudia

Comrade Godwin Erhahon

I commend the leadership of The Observer Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for upgrading what used to be the Nigerian Observer Forum to Samuel Ogbemudia Forum. Your choice of speakers for this year’s Forum is no less commendable.

and Dr Iredia sitting on one side and our vibrant young colleague, Comrade U .S.A Uzaka on the other, I see a blend of the old and young generations from whom I have a lot to learn. I appreciate this privilege. I thank you for your

careful selection of personalities for this Forum. The theme of the Forum: Advancing Media Freedom, The Promise of Technology for which you have wisely chosen a living encyclopedia of

solutions. Above all, work hard to get rid of them; recognize your faults recover yourself esteem. Find out how a relationship would be use others, healthy relationship has a role models. Confront yourself. Change focus on the positive things you spouse does work on your or internal problems. Have compassion on yourself. Marriage is not likes dating people evolve, life

happens. There is a recompensing beauty in marriage that can not be found any where else. It is a relationship with many lesions marriage is a relationship for which no one is completely prepared. In the end. Marriage brings two lifetimes rich with experiences and live to rose, it makes love deeper and stronger, and consequently, finally worthy of “happily ever after”.

Marriage: Between Fairy Tale And Reality Continued from page 22

down. Listen you are not always right, pride only creates more problems, the more you appreciate your spouse the more you will respect her, the more you will listen and she will reciprocate, it is imperative to work through your differences together for a relationship as two while people. Marriage with love requires progress without egolsm.

If you have difficulty trusting others when your spouse is suddenly extra affectionate you will starts to doubt. As soon as he does some thing wrong, every thing falls apart. Deep inside, you feel you know he would eventually do this. A second mistake means there is nothing left. Allusations and blaming become routine, tempers rise and even thoughts of divorce

creep into your mind. Reality. As married life happens we begin to recognize who we are fears transform into relational obstacles. If similar behaviours plague you. For whatever reason, stop now. What to do look deep into your soul pray. Jesus Christ can make strong our soul’s weakness. Tale with a friends listen to what he or she have to say seek out therapist. Be open, understand and accept your problems and search for

television journalism, a disciplined disciplinarian and outstanding patriot, Dr Tonie Iredia, is as apt as your choice of who to handle it is sagacious. Calling on Comrade Uzaka, a contemporary practicing journalists and labour activist to examine the topic: The Media and Sustenance of Democracy, is a perfect blend. One unique blessing that the Observer Group has continued to enjoy is that low as its wages may be among media houses, it has always been blessed with the best brains. I trace this to the heritage of its founder, Dr Ogbemudia whose wisdom, creativity, vision and handwork remain unequalled. That is why you find that whether in times of peace or war, the titan tugs on. I thank you father, Dr Ogbemudia, for founding The Observer which became my springboard to stardom. I am proud to recall that I was chairman of this chapel in 1984, thirty years ago! Permit me to end this Goodwill message with a special appeal. In our zeal to add to the legacy of Dr Ogbemudia here in The Observer, we have embarked on the construction of a befitting NUJ Observer Chapel Secretariat. The building plan is here for us to see. When we are set to lay foundation, we shall invite you all for your moral and financial support. Please be part of the noble project. I thank you all for gracing this occasion. On behalf of the Observer Chapel, I congratulate and glorify you, our father and leader, Dr Ogbemudia for the good work you have done and continued to do for mankind. Long may you live. Erhahon is the Publicity Secretary of All Progressive Congress (APC), Edo State and Former Chairman of NUJ, Edo State


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

International News N/Korea Threatens Strikes On US Amid Hacking Claims SEOUL, South Korea — President Barack Obama is “recklessly” spreading rumors of a Pyongyang-orchestrated cyberattack of Sony Pictures, North Korea says, as it warns of strikes against the White House, Pentagon and “the whole U.S. mainland, that cesspool of terrorism.” Such rhetoric is routine from North Korea’s massive propaganda machine during times of high tension with Washington. But a long statement from the powerful National Defense Commission late on Sunday also underscores Pyongyang’s sensitivity at a movie whose plot focuses on the assassination of its leader Kim Jong Un, who is the beneficiary of a decades-long cult of personality built around his family dynasty. The U.S. blames North Korea for the cyberattack that escalated to threats of terror attacks against U.S. movie theaters and caused Sony to cancel “The Interview’s” release. Obama, who promised to respond “proportionately” to the attack, told CNN’s “State of the Union” in an interview broadcast Sunday that Washington is reviewing whether to put North Korea back on its list of state sponsors of terrorism The National Defense Commission, led by Kim, warned that its 1.2 million-member army is ready to use all types of warfare against the U.S. “Our toughest counteraction will be boldly taken against the White House, the Pentagon and the whole U.S. mainland, the cesspool of terrorism, by far surpassing the ‘symmetric counteraction’ declared by Obama,” said the commission’s Policy Department in a statement carried by the official Korean reporter. North Korea has said it knows how to prove it had nothing to do with the hacking and proposed a joint investigation with the U.S. North Korea and the U.S., which fought each other in the 1950-53 Korean War, remain technically in a state of war because the conflict ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. The U.S. stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea to deter aggression from North Korea. The rivals are locked in an international standoff over the North’s nuclear and missile programs and its alleged human rights abuses. In the spring of last year, tension dramatically rose after North Korea issued a string of fiery threats to launch nuclear strikes against Washington and Seoul.

Essebsi Declares Win In Tunisia Election, Rival Contests

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, pictured during a visit to the National Gallery of Australia, in Canberra.

PM Under Fire For Women Comments SYDNEY - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was accused yesterday of craving “a world where men do the big jobs and women do the ironing” after saying his biggest achievement for females was reducing household bills by axing a carbon tax. The backlash came after he unveiled sweeping changes Sunday to his ministry, dumping Defence Minister David Johnston, promoting Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and appointing only his second woman to cabinet. It followed recent opinion polls showing his personal approval rating and that of his conservative government had

plunged over tough spending cuts and perceived broken promises since coming to power late last year. Abbott hit the airwaves yesterday to sell the reshuffle as a “reset and refocus” for the new year, but found himself the brunt of criticism after saying his biggest achievement for women this year was repealing the carbon tax. “As many of us know, women are particularly focused on the household budget and the repeal of the carbon tax means a Aus$550 (US$447) a year benefit for the average family,” Abbott, who doubles up as minister for women, told the Nine Network.

In opposition Abbott, who was accused of sexism by former leader Julia Gillard in an infamous speech about misogyny, claimed repealing the tax would help women by lowing electricity costs associated with ironing. Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese told Fairfax Media Abbott was stuck in a time warp. “The problem isn’t that Tony Abbott’s stuck in the past, it’s that he wants the rest of Australia to go back there and keep him company in a world where men do the big jobs and women do the ironing,” he said. Labour Senate leader Penny Wong added: “I think we can safely say that time and time again, over and over again, Tony

Tunisian anti-Islamist Nidaa Tounes party Chief and Presidential candidate Beji Caid Essebsi gives a speech in front his supporters recently in Tunis after the second round of the country’s first free presidential election.

Mugabe Fires More Cabinet Ministers

HARARE - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has fired two cabinet ministers and five deputy ministers, the presidency announced late on Sunday, in an apparent purge targeting allies of his former deputy Joice Mujuru. The move came after months of political upheaval in Zimbabwe over the succession to 90-year-

TUNIS- Veteran politician Beji Caid Essebsi declared victory in Sunday’s presidential run-off vote, seen as the last step in Tunisia’s shift to full democracy four years after an uprising ousted autocrat Zine ElAbidine Ben Ali. Official results are not due until yesterday and his rival, the incumbent president, Moncef Marzouki, refused to concede defeat. But soon after polls closed, Essebsi, an 88-year-old former parliament speaker under Ben Ali, announced that he had won by a clear margin and jubilant supporters took to the streets of the capital in celebration, chanting “Beji President!” Victory for Essebsi would enable him to consolidate power, with his new secular party, Nidaa Tounes (Call for Tunisia) already

old Mugabe when he dies or steps down. Mugabe, who is currently holidaying in Asia, dismissed Flora Buka, minister of state for presidential affairs and Sylvester Nguni, minister of state in the office of the vice president, saying “their conduct and performance were below expected standards”, according

to a presidency statement. The two were seen as allies of former vice president Mujuru, who was dismissed two weeks ago along with seven cabinet ministers and a deputy minister. Five deputy ministers — for health, justice, rural affairs, work and transport — were also dismissed on Sunday. Once seen as favourite to step into Mugabe’s shoes, Mujuru has

since come under constant attack, notably from Mugabe’s increasingly powerful wife Grace. Mujuru has been accused of plotting to assassinate the president, fomenting factional divisions in the ruling party, and of dodgy business dealings. Mujuru was replaced as vice president by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, a longtime ally of Mugabe.

Abbott just reminds us how out of touch he is with the lives of women in modern Australia.” His comments spawned numerous digs on social media as women pondered what they would do with the extra money, with the hashtags #thankstony, #PutYourIronOut and #ministerforwomen trending, with people posting pictures of irons. “Was planning to write paper for Astrophysical Journal today but too distracted by household budget,” tweeted scientist Lisa Harvey-Smith.Another said: “#thankstony, with the Carbon tax repeal I can buy a new apron,” while tweeter Willa McDonald added: “I know where I’d like to put my ironing board.” Since assuming power in September 2013, the government has announced savings across the board to rein in a growing budget deficit. But critics have slammed some of the measures, which include slashing health and education spending while tightening welfare benefits, as broken preelection promises and too harsh. There has also been criticism of the government’s ability to adequately explain why the cuts were needed, but Abbott denied the reshuffle was damage control. “No,” he told the Seven Network when asked if this was the case. “This is a good way to end the year after a year of considerable achievement. “The vital challenge of government next year is more jobs, more prosperity for families, but the way to achieve that is to build a stronger economy and that means continuing our work to get the budget back under control,” he added. Among the cabinet changes, Morrison was moved to the social services ministry with Abbott making welfare reform one of his key priorities. Johnson was replaced by Health Minister Peter Dutton while Assistant Education Minister Sussan Ley assumed the health and sport portfolios, doubling the number of women in the ministry. Julie Bishop is Foreign Minister.

controlling parliament after defeating the main Islamist party in legislative elections in October. With a new progressive constitution and a string of votes successfully completed, Tunisia is hailed as an example of democratic change in a region that is struggling to cope with the aftermath of the 2011 Arab Spring revolts. “I dedicate my victory to the martyrs of Tunisia. I thank Marzouki, and now we should work together without excluding anyone,” Essebsi told local television. However his rival Marzouki, a 69-year-old former rights activist, rejected the victory claim and suggested that he would emerge the winner when the official results were released. “Tunisia has won today, democracy has won, we need to stay united. Despite the claims of our adversary, all indications are positive for us, we look ahead,” he told cheering supporters from the balcony of his Tunis campaign headquarters. Police fired tear gas to disperse a few hundred protesters in a southern city who took to the streets to denounce Essebsi’s victory speech, the state news agency TAP reported. Although Tunisia has largely avoided the bitter post-revolt divisions that trouble Egypt and neighboring Libya, tensions nevertheless flared between Islamists and secularists after the 2011 rebellion in one of the Arab world’s most secular nations. Islamist militants who emerged in the wake of the uprising remain a risk. One gunman was killed overnight and three arrested after they opened fire on a polling station in the central Kairouan governorate.

Egypt:

Security Forces Kill Islamic Militants CAIRO — Egypt’s Interior Ministry says security forces killed five militants from a Sinai-based group allied with Islamic State extremists during a raid in the country’s north. The ministry says Sunday’s raid targeted a farm in alSharqiya province where some members of Ansar Beit alMaqdis, or Champions of Jerusalem, were hiding. It describes those killed in the shootout as “most dangerous” jihadis. The statement says two were wanted by the Supreme Security Court for participating in terrorist attacks. It says one security officer was wounded in the shootout and that a weapons cache was seized, including explosives’ belts for suicide attacks, a car laden with explosives and bomb-making material. The Sinai-based group has carried out scores of attacks in Egypt since the July 2013 overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

International Features

China Condemning Cyber-Attack, Does Not Mention N/Korea

B E I J I N G / WASHINGTON - China has said it opposes all forms of cyberattacks, but it stopped short of directly condemning the hacking of Sony Pictures, or of responding to U.S. calls for action against North Korea, blamed by Washington for the assault. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi “reaffirmed China’s relevant position,

emphasizing China opposes all forms of cyberattacks and cyber terrorism” in a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday, the foreign ministry in Beijing said in a statement. “(China) opposes any country or individual using other countries’ domestic facilities to conduct

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cyberattacks on third-party nations,” it said. The statement made no direct mention of North Korea. China is North Korea’s only major ally, and would be central to any U.S. efforts to crack down on the isolated state. But the United States has also accused China of cyber spying in the past and a U.S. official has said the attack on Sony could have used Chinese servers to mask its origin. South Korea, which is still technically at war with North Korea, said on Monday that computer systems at its nuclear plant operator had been hacked and non-critical data stolen, but there was no risk to nuclear installations or reactors. “It’s our judgment that the control system itself is designed in such a way and there is no risk whatsoever,” Chung Yang-ho, deputy energy minister, told Reuters by phone. He made no mention of

EHI WEDS NOSA The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Ehi Omoruyi and Mr. Nosa Anofi Giwa-Osagie (based in Ireland) took place on Monday, 22nd December, 2014 at the Oredo Local Government Council Marriage Registry in Benin City. Amongst dignitaries present were Barr. Mushidi Giwa-Osagie (based in Canada) Mr. T. J. GiwaOsagie (based in Holland), Mrs. Sheri Oaikhena, Mrs. M.O. GiwaOsagie, family members, relations, friends and well wishers. Picture shows the couple (middle) in a group photograph with the groom’s family. Congratulations. Photo: SONNIE. E.

North Korea and could not verify messages posted by a Twitter user claiming responsibility for the attacks and demanding the shutdown of three aging nuclear reactors by Thursday. U.S. President Barack Obama and his advisers are weighing how to punish North Korea after the FBI concluded on Friday that Pyongyang was responsible for the attack on Sony. It was the first time the United States had directly accused another country of a cyberattack of such magnitude on American soil and set up the possibility of a new confrontation between Washington and Pyongyang. North Korea has denied it was to blame and has vowed to hit back against any U.S. retaliation. “We do not know who or where they (the hackers) are but we can surely say that they are supporters and sympathizers with the DPRK,” said a commentary on KCNA, the North’s state news agency. DPRK, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is the official name for the North. “Our toughest counteraction will be boldly

taken against the White House, the Pentagon and the whole U.S. mainland, the cesspool of terrorism, by far surpassing the ‘symmetric counteraction’ declared by Obama,” it said. Japan, one of Washington’s closest allies in Asia, said it strongly condemned the attack on Sony Pictures, but also stopped short of blaming North Korea. “Japan is maintaining close contact with the United States and supporting their handling of this case,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference. He did not answer when asked if Japan was convinced North Korea was behind the cyber attack, but repeated that he saw no effect on talks with North Korea over the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang agents decades ago. Obama put the hack in the context of a crime. “No, I don’t think it was an act of war,” he told reporter ’s “State of the Union” show that aired on Sunday. “I think it was an act of cyber vandalism that was

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very costly, very expensive. We take it very seriously. We will respond proportionately.” Obama said one option was to return North Korea to the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, from which Pyongyang was removed six years ago. The hack attack and subsequent threats of violence against theaters showing the film prompted Sony to withdraw a comedy, “The Interview,” prepared for release to movie theaters during the holiday season. The movie depicts the fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Obama and free speech advocates criticized the studio’s decision, but Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton defended it, saying U.S. theaters did not want to show it. In the CNN interview, which was taped on Friday, Obama acknowledged that in a digitized world “both state and non-state actors are going to have the capacity to disrupt our lives in all sorts of ways.” “We have to do a much better job of guarding against that. We have to treat it like we would treat, you know, the incidence of crime, you know, in our countries.” Republican Senator John McCain disagreed with Obama, telling CNN the attack was the manifestation of a new kind of warfare. Republican Representative Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, would not call the hacking an act of war. But he did criticize Obama for embarking on a twoweek vacation in Hawaii on Friday without responding to the attack. “You’ve just limited your ability to do something,” Rogers said. “I would argue you’re going to have to ramp up sanctions. It needs to be very serious. Remember - a nation-state was threatening violence.”


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International Features

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

A first round on November 23 saw Essebsi win 39 percent of the vote, six percentage points ahead of Marzouki, a 69-yearold former rights activist installed by parliament two months after December 2011 polls. Nidaa Tounes won parliamentary polls in October, making Essebsi favourite to be the next president, but with powers curbed under constitutional amendments to guard Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (right) welcomes Belarlusian President against a return to

Marzouki in turn accused Essebsi, who served as a senior official in previous Tunisian regimes, of wanting to restore the old guard deposed in the revolution. After polling closed, Essebsi said in an indirect message to his rival: “The future obliges us to work together for Tunisia.” Earlier Marzouki had said: “The rules of the democratic game require that each of us accepts the outcome of the vote

dictatorship. The campaign was marked by mudslinging, with Essebsi refusing to take part in a debate with Marzouki, claiming his opponent was

in a sporting spirit.” Voters said they regretted the lack of restraint shown by candidates during campaigning, but said they believed Tunisia was on the path to democracy.

Alexandel Lukashenko during their meeting in Kiev, Ukraine.

Anti-Islamist, Claims Victory In Disputed Tunisia Election Tunis- Anti-Islamist candidate Beji Caid Essebsi has claimed victory in Tunisia’s first free presidential election but bitter rival and incumbent Moncef Marzouki dismissed the declaration as unfounded and refused to concede defeat. Tunisians took to the polls on Sunday for the leadership runoff vote, with many calling the ballot a landmark for democracy in the country where the Arab Spring was born. Official results are not due until Monday evening but shortly after polls closed Essebsi’s campaign manager Mohsen Marzouk said early indicators signalled a victory for Essebsi, leader of the Nidaa Tounes party. Essebsi, 88, appeared before 2,000 supporters who gathered outside his campaign headquarters shouting “Long live Tunisia!” and thanked the voters. “Tunisia needs all its

children. We must work hand in hand,” he said as supporters cheered. Marzouki’s campaign chief Adnene Mancer said the result was too close to call, and accused the Essebsi camp of election “violations”. It is the first time Tunisians have freely elected their president since independence from France in 1956. Authorities had urged a big turnout to consolidate democracy following a chaotic fouryear transition. Election organisers said turnout was at 59.04 percent. Just hours before polling began at 0700 GMT, troops guarding ballot papers in the central region of Kairouan came under attack and shot dead one assailant and captured three, the defence ministry said. Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa condemned what he called a “desperate attempt” to disrupt the election, and later told AFP that what had

happened was of no “impact”, adding that the security situation was under control. The authorities had deployed tens of thousands of soldiers and police to provide security for polling day. Ahead of the vote, which sets Tunisia apart from the turmoil of other Arab Spring countries, jihadists issued a videotaped threat against the North African state’s political establishment. But voters seemed unfazed. “This is a big day. I am proud to take part in this historic moment,” said Bechir Ghiloufi, a 54year-old bank director in Tunis. “It is important to progress towards democracy.” Raja Gafsi, a 58-yearold worker, said: “It is time to move on and set up long-lasting institutions.” Like most voters, he was anxious to see a return to political and economic stability and security.

2013 murder of two secular politicians that plunged Tunisia into crisis, and warned of more killings of politicians and security forces. The murders had threatened to derail Tunisia’s post-Arab Spring transition until a compromise government was formed in January this year. Defence ministry spokesman Belhassan Oueslati said he did not believe jihadists were behind Sunday’s predawn attack. “The vigilance of the soldiers and the swiftness of their response thwarted this operation and led to the death of a man armed with a hunting rifle and the arrest of three suspects,” Oueslati told AFP. “Generally, the terrorists don’t use hunting rifles.”

Members of Kurdish security forces ride in a vehicle at Mount Sinjar, in the town of Sinjar.

“extremist”. Essebsi insists that Marzouki represents the Islamists, charging that they had “ruined” the country since the 2011 revolution which toppled veteran ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked the Arab Spring.

“Our candidates and their policies perhaps aren’t the best but we’re moving forward — the dictatorship is over,” said shopkeeper Mohammed Taieb. In an Internet video posted on Wednesday, jihadists claimed the

Tunisia also faces major economic challenges. Its economy is struggling to recover from the upheaval of the revolution, and there are fears of widespread joblessness causing social unrest.


Society

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AN appellation adopted by some men of sexual disorder in the U.K. is Gay Christian movement. This idea became necessary inorder to consolidate their yearnings and aspiration of a recognised group Albeit they are not oblivious of the social stigma attached to it. So, when I first heard this name some decades ago, I became curious about the interdependence between Christians and Gay people. As the humdingers in the society go about through the underground train stations to their legitimate duty post, the homosexual men are busy distributing invitation cards to people of like minds. The so call Christians with same sex appetite could have sex in the public toilets, telephone boots or in a gay club. The British

Gay Christian Movement In a strictly Gay Club, there is always a warning to any intruder to beware of coming inside uninvited. The violators of this warning could be raped by more than ten homosexual male men who have developed huge appetite for same sex affection. In this part of the world, Gay Christian movement had assumed a more bizarre dimension by the introduction of a strictly Gay Church in Lagos. This had become an embarrassment to some christians who condemned the dress code of males in women apparel. This systematic encroachment into the indecent mode of a female outlook is undoubtedly an index to some pastors who were Jerry curls and other social malaise

By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA

God intervention in human challenges. That is all history these days as different instruments are now

Barrack Obama of America had endorsed homo sexual marriage like some European counterparts. So,

“ In this part of the world, Gay Christian movement had assumed a more bizarre dimension by the introduction of a strictly Gay Church in Lagos. This had become an embarrassment to some christians who condemned the dress code of males in women apparel.” metropolitant Police or the Scothland yard are not unaware of the manifestations of these sexual miscreants in their society. Members of the public who observe that two or three boys or men have entered the same toilet for more than 30 minutes should contact the police by dialing 999.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

b e d e v i l i n g Christendom. Perhaps an earring will further boost their worldly desire to look very attractive to the young girls rather than inculcating spiritual teachings to their flock. In the early days of Christian worships instruments were strictly prohibited in the supplications for

employed in the Catholic churches that are supposed to be a role model. If a pastor degenerate and imbibe Jerry curl as vogue for men in modern day worship, it tantamount to a group of people who are antithetical with Christian ideology. With the emergence of today realities

Nigerians could be sanctioned if they refused to respect the rights of Gay marriages. These weird scenario is a union were two Jerry curl Gay men will walk hand in hand before a renowned Episcopal Bishop or Pastor. They will make “Covenant before God and the church clothed

in ornate gold and white vestment, the pastor will publicly bless their marriage. Afterwards the couple will hug and kiss and they will be given a

if a pastor told you that he had a revelation from God that a particular church member will purchase a brand new car before the end of the year and such prediction did not come to fruition. This worshipper should

standing ovation. According to some Anglican Bishop in America, such h o m o s e x u a l relationship are holy and deserved to be blessed. They deserve to be called what they are “sacred”. However, the Nigerian National Assembly and other religious leaders voice strong opposition to same sex marriage. A pastor of the old time religion in the Northern part of the country had openly castigated the jerry curl pastors in the ITV television foot age. He went further to say,

have the courage to tell this pastor that he had lied in the name of God. The fire storm of controversy this issue of immoral behavoural pattern is not restricted to religion. International heated political debates or raging since the social political and economic implications involving pension joint health care and taxes are great. In the light of the above any normal human-being should reject the idea of Gay Christian movement because Christianity has nothing to do with Gay people.


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

We Are Tracking Mukuka - Janza

ZAMBIA coach Honour Janza says he is aware of fitagain midfielder Mukuka Mulenga’s consistent form at Bloemfontein Celtic. Mukuka is finally finding his feet in the PSL after he was sidelined with injury in his first season following his move from FAZ Super Division club Power Dynamos to Mamelodi Sundowns in August 2013. The 21-year-old midfielder only returned to action this season and immediately sent on loan to Celtic where he has started nine PSL matches. “We are aware about his performance just like the other players we have mentioned before in Israel and Europe,” Janza said. Mukuka has not played for Zambia since August 31 in a 3-1 friendly win over Sudan in a match he also scored Chipolopolo’s final goal at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Siasia Harps On Building Strong Team As He Travels For Short Christmas Vocation NIGERIA U23 coach Samson Siasia has left for the United States to be with his family during the Christmas season. Siasia left on Sunday night and is expected back in the first week of January as the national U23 camp reopens on the 5th. ìYou know that [the U23 national team] have a loaded programme so if I donít go now I donít know when I will get the chance to go and see them,î Siasia said. ìWhile in US, the job continues because I need to monitor players that I feel would be good to help the team. ìThe NFF has been of a great help in this regard, so I am not going to fold my arms while in US but continue to do the job over there. ìOur prayers and resolve is to mould a strong team that would be capable of winning matches and competitions. ìThis is our goal and target and with the support of football loving Nigerians, the football federation and the National Sports Commission, I am confident of achieving this,î he said. Nigeria will begin their campaign to qualify for the All African Games and the 2016 Olympics in the new year.

African U-17 Championship: Nigeria Encounters

Hose Niger In Tournament’s Opening Match NIGERIA’s under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, will start their campaign at the 2015 African U-17 Championship against hosts Niger Republic in the opening match at the Gen. Seyni

Kountche Stadium, Niamey. This was decided after the draws for the tournament, held on Sunday, paired Nigeria in Group A with Niger, together with Guinea and Zambia.

The draws were conducted in Cairo, Egypt by the General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Hicham El Amrani. El Amrani was assisted by

CAF Executive Committee member, Mohamed Raouaroaua, who doubles as President of the Organising Committee of the African U17 Championship. For Nigeria’s other group matches, they will face Guinea on Feb. 18, before taking on Zambia in the last Group A match on February 21.

The other pairing in Group B has Cote D’Ivoire, South Africa, Mali and Cameroon. Reports say that the eight team tournament is billed to hold from February 15 to March 1. The semi-finalists will represent the continent at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

African U-17 Championship:

Golden Eagles Will Not Underrate Any Team - Coach Coach Emmanuel Amuneke of the under-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, has said that the team will not underrate any of their group foes at the African U17 Championship in Niger Republic. Amuneke was reacting to the draws for the tournament, held on Sunday, which pitched Nigeria in Group A with hosts Niger, Guinea and Zambia. A statement from the team’s Media Officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin quoted Amuneke as saying that the team got a fair grouping and was aware of the task ahead. “ I think it is a fair grouping, not minding the

Manu Garba

Flying Eagles Will Win AYC Trophy THE head coach of the U20 side has urged his compatriots to put the country’s representatives in Senegal in their prayers after they were handed a tough draw Manu Garba, coach of the Flying Eagles qualify for the Nigeria U20 team, has said that World Cup as African the Flying Eagles will aim at champions and he has enjoined winning the African Youth Nigerians both home and abroad Championship title in Senegal as to pray for the team’s success in well as qualify for the FIFA U20 Senegal in March. World Cup next year after they The coach affirmed that he were paired against Senegal, was following proceedings and Cote d’ Ivoire and Congo in was able to get identities of Sunday’s draw. Nigeria’s opponents at the AYC Garba was at the helm when immediately at the end of the the Golden Eaglets defeated draws held in Cairo, Egypt the Mexico 3-0 in the final of the headquarters of Caf on Sunday. 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in He hinted that all the three the United Arab Emirates and he teams paired along the Flying has chosen to promote most of Eagles are no minnows to the the players that represented AYC and that making an Nigeria last year at the cadet appreciable impact in Senegal championship for the U20 AYC. would be paramount on his mind In an exclusive chat with Goal but he asserted that prayers of on Sunday night, Garba said that Nigerians also has a great role his hope is to ensure that the to play in his bid to ensure that

the country secures her first FIFA U20 World Cup title in New Zealand next year. “I am aware that we have Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Congo in our group during the AYC. We are not by anyway perturbed because we know that we must play against the best to ensure that we qualify for the World Cup. We are going to Senegal with the intention of emerging as African champions

- Garba

before going to the World Cup. “We appeal to Nigerians to pray for our success in Senegal because we cannot do anything without prayers. We will ensure we do our part and we are also urging Nigerians to complement our effort by putting us in their prayers all the time,” Garba told Goal.

fact that we are going to face the host country, Niger. “We are not going to underrate any of the teams, though Zambia and Guinea are making a return to the tournament after they failed to qualify for the last edition in Morocco. “They won’t be treated with kid’s gloves, because they both showed they are a strong side during the qualifiers, so, we are going to take all the matches seriously. “We are aware of the task ahead of us, so we won’t take chances at all,’’ Amuneke was quoted as saying. Reports say that the tournament which is in its 11th edition is scheduled to hold from February 15 to march 1. Amuneke said the objective of the team was to secure a World Cup ticket from the championship. “As I said before the draw, our sole objective in Niger is to qualify for the World Cup and after that, we can begin to talk about other things,’’ he said. Reports say that the eight team tournament would serve as the qualifier for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. The semi-finalists of the tournament will represent Africa at the World Cup.

Sunshine Hit Spain For Second Round Euro Tour

SUNSHINE Stars players will travel to Spain for the second round of a European tour in January, it has been announced. ‘The Akure Gunners’ are currently in Hungary on a training tour of Hungary with 18 players, but the trip to Spain will be for the players who were left out of the Hungary trip. “Our team is in Hungary now for a two-week training tour with

18 players. The second round of the tour will be to Spain in January and that will be for the players who were left out of the trip to Hungary,” a player informed. “As I speak to you, some of us have our passports at Spanish embassy for visa.” Some of the players who were left out of the Hungary trip are skipper Sunday Abe, Paul Onobi, Kingsley Eduwo and Medrano.

Samson Siasia


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Spurs Forward Kane Targets 20 Goals KANE has scored 14 goals in all competitions - including seven in the UEFA Europa League - and has scored in Spurs’ past three matches in all competitions, all of which have been wins. The 21-year-old has four Premier League goals from 13 appearances, to usurp Emmanuel Adebayor (two from 10), Roberto Soldado (one from 11) and Erik Lamela (one from 17). And he has no plans to stop scoring, setting his bar higher as he strives to help Spurs push for a UEFA Champions League spot - something Mauricio Pochettino’s men sit four points outside of through 17 matches. “My first target was 10 goals and I have reached that,” Kane said. “My next target is 20 goals. I’ve got 14 now, so six to go. I’ll continue to take each game as it comes and try to do my best. “Obviously I have been given a chance this season and have done the right things so far. There is still a long way to go. “There are still plenty of games left and hopefully I can keep playing and keep scoring.” And Kane, who has shone on the continental scene averaging one goal per game in the second-tier Europa League, said he understands the club’s supporters are hungry to be among Europe’s elite. “I’m a Spurs fan and any Tottenham fan will tell you it’s a big thing. I know how much it means to everybody involved with the club,” he said. Kane said his meteoric rise this season is proof spending money is not the only way to be successful in the English top flight, as the Spurs youth graduate has always had the one employer - albeit he has been sent on loan four times. “Sometimes young English players who come through the ranks, don’t always get the chance at the top level,” the England Under-21 international said. “I have been fortunate enough to get a chance and I’ve been able to take it. “So it proves you don’t always have to buy players. There are players who are home-grown and ready to prove themselves. That’s the case here.”

Arsenal Failed To Defend In The Last Minute

Ronaldo statue

Ronaldo Unveils Stated At CR7 Museum

A 2.4-metre-tall statue of Cristiano Ronaldo has been unveiled by the Real Madrid star in his native Madeira. The bronze effigy, weighing in at around 800 kilograms, was sculpted to add to the extensive collection of memorabilia at the Portuguese forward’s personal museum. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was part of the Real Madrid side which became world champions on Saturday by beating San Lorenzo 2-0 in the Club World Cup final in Marrakech. And within 24 hours he was back in his homeland to reveal the new addition in Funchal in front of a huge crowd in the Madeiran capital of Funchal. “This is a very special moment, to have a statue of me,” Ronaldo told the assembled masses, which included his tearful mother Dolores. The CR7 museum already boasts golden boots, signed balls and various medals collected by the Portugal

captain over the course of his career, while there are also

many photographs from the player’s career. Ronaldo also received the Cordao Autonomico during

MANUEL Pellegrini has hailed Manchester City’s recent form as a “miracle”, though he believes that plenty of hard work has played a key role. The Premier League champions have won eight consecutive matches in all competitions, qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League and moving level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table. That form has been maintained despite injuries to the likes of David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero and Pellegrini feels that what his side have achieved in recent weeks has been earned. He said: “I don’t know what Chelsea will think. I know three weeks ago we were nine points

behind and close to elimination out of the Champions League and we were a team that depends just on Sergio Aguero. “So I think that maybe this is a miracle, but the miracle has a name and it’s ‘work’.” City impressed with their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday despite fielding a side without a recognised striker as James Milner was deployed as a lone front man. Pellegrini’s side saw off stubborn opposition and, though he admits it is a not a system which he will be looking to utilise in future, the Chilean insists goals must be shared by the whole team not just forwards. “If you review what we did last season, a lot of goals were scored by midfielders and full-backs,” he said.

run of games. “In the second half of last season, we went on a run of 11 wins and the most important thing is the confidence. “Bring Sturridge back in January and we can get back to being that team. His rehab has been done in Los Angeles and he is now going to Boston and he will move on to a specialist facility there. “Hopefully in the early part of the New Year, he will be

back. At some point in January, we will get him back.” Liverpool needed an injurytime goal from Martin Skrtel to salvage a 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday, despite the Reds having dominated the majority of the match. Of the performance, Rodgers added: “Our performance today was better than our 5-1 here last year. There’s no question about that. The dominance we had today was fantastic [and with all] the efforts on goal.”

the trip to his native Madeira. The medal of honour is the highest distinction awarded by the local government.

Manchester City Winning Run Is A ‘Miracle’, - Pellegrini

“We have a style of play where we involve all of the players in attacking and, after that, we also try to have all of the players defending. “It’s not easy to play without a striker but I assure you that we had a whole week to prepare where we practiced at creating the space, knowing Crystal Palace were a difficult team. “I don’t think it’s a system we’ll adopt in the future. This team works very hard during the week so we can change our style of play. “Normally it is better for me to play with one striker or maybe two strikers in some moments so it’s important to have the capacity to change the style of play in one week.”

Daniel Sturridge Key For Liverpool Resurgence - Rodgers

LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers believes his players are returning to their best form despite defensive mistakes in their match against Arsenal. Brendan Rodgers is hopeful that Daniel Sturridge’s return from injury in 2015 will inspire Liverpool to a top-four finish in the Premier League. The Reds have struggled for consistency this season, winning six of their opening 17 matches to leave them 10th in the table. Liverpool have been

without injured Sturridge, who scored 21 league goals last campaign, since August due to a thigh problem. But when asked if he is confident the Anfield club can still qualify for the Champions League, Rodgers was bullish about his team’s chances. “Yes, absolutely,” he said in Daily Telegraph. “It is always going to be a big challenge and of course we have to make up points, but we have shown that this is a club that can go on a

Manuel Pellegrini

ARSENAL defender Per Mertesacker admits that his side “didn’t find our own game” as they struggled to a 2-2 draw with Liverpool. The Gunners were widely criticised for a performance in which they recorded the lowest possession statistics and faced the most shots in a Premier League game since Opta records began in August 2003. The centre-back was at least pleased that Arsenal did not suffer the same fate that befell them on their last visit to Anfield, a 5-1 thrashing last season, but concedes that they must still do a great deal better. “If you remember last year, we had a very different performance to what we had [on Sunday],” Mertesacker told the club’s official website. “We tried to stop Raheem Sterling going through on the back four with his speed. We didn’t find our own game. “We realised we had to stick together and find space [and knew] if we got chances in the second half we could have scored. We did and then we tried to defend in the last minute, which we did but not as good as I thought [we could have]. “Overall we have to take responsibility for our game we want to dictate but we were on always on the back foot. “I’m not really pleased with the performance but we take the point now and we’re looking forward to December 26. We have to dig in now and try to beat QPR. “When you compare [the 22 draw] to last year, this is a much better result but I’m not very pleased with our performance. We can do much better and we have to find it.”


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Redknapp Vows To Keep QPR Sharpshooter Austin AUSTIN - who is out of contract in 18 months - has taken the Premier League by storm, scoring nine goals in his past eight league fixtures after netting a hat-trick in Saturday’s come-from-behind 3-2 win at home to West Bromwich. The 25-year-old’s 11 Premier League goals - the most of any English player in the division has helped steer QPR two points clear of the relegation zone. And Redknapp is not prepared to sell Austin with potential suitors lurking ahead of the January transfer window. “If we sold Charlie Austin we might as well go home, you know what I mean,” said Redknapp. “He’s here. We need Charlie to keep doing what he’s doing and he can’t afford to take his foot off the gas. I’m not saying

he will do it but there’s nothing to stop him going on and having a fantastic season. His target would be around 20 goals now with the way he’s going at the moment. It’s not impossible. “He’s a goalscorer. He wants to score. He works hard, he’s got a great attitude. He isn’t a minute’s problem. There is no side to him - he ain’t lairy and gets on with it. He’s a lovely boy who’s been to work for a living and is now playing Premier League football. “Goalscorers find a yard of space. It’s a knack - he’s in the right place at the right time. If you score 20 goals in the Championship this year you’ll score in the Premier League. It’s not rocket science, it’s that knack that people have got they’ve been scoring goals since they were kids.”

Kovacic Left Frustrated Despite Scoring ‘Best Goap Of His Career MATEO Kovacic could not hide his frustration despite scoring what he believes is the best goal of his career to date in Inter’s 2-2 draw with Lazio on Sunday. Felipe Anderson’s superb double gave Lazio a 2-0 lead at San Siro at half-time but Roberto Mancini’s side stormed back to earn a point, with Kovacic unleashing a stunning volley from 20 yards to halve the deficit before Rodrigo Palacio’s late leveller. The Croatia midfielder acknowledged his strike was the finest of his career so far but was disappointed they could not complete the comeback after a poor start. “It’s my best goal, but it’s disappointing that we couldn’t

Mateo Kovacic

win,” he told the club’s official website. “We’re not happy. We made mistakes on their goals then did well to regroup. We were lacking a bit of aggression, they started the game better. “When you go two goals down it becomes difficult to win. We lack continuity, but we’ve only just begun working with the coach and I’m sure we’ll improve.” Kovacic is confident he will continue to grow as a player in 2015 under Mancini, who replaced Walter Mazzarri as head coach during the autumn. “I do what the coach asks of me, follow what he says. I’m sure he will help me to be better,” the 20-year-old added.

Aurelio De Laurentis

Napoli Have A Project With Or Without Benitez - De Laurentiis

AURELIO De Laurentiis has insisted that his Napoli project will go ahead as planned with or without Rafa Benitez. The future of the Spanish coach has been thrown into term goals of the club by question as a result of a Benitez would have no serious stuttering start to the season negative effect. “I think we are already which has seen the Neapolitan side eliminated from the strong in Italy and Europe, but Champions League and falling it takes patience,” said De off the pace of the leaders in Laurentiis. “To be clear, we cannot afford two midfielders Serie A. And while the club president who earn between 8-10 is realistic as to Napoli’s status million euro per year. “If Benitez will not wait, and in the game, he has told La Gazzetta dello Sport that a show that patience, we will do failure to buy into the long- without him. Look at Chelsea,

they are going ahead with without and are doing well. If the project and him don’t get along, there will be a reason.” The movie mogul added that he has big plans for the club, but new revenue streams will need to be opened for him to realise his ambitions for the Neapolitans. “Of course, I need to devise a system that makes me another 150m euro per year. Then you will see that my Napoli can be competitive,” he continued. “I’ve got some ideas, but I

have to resolve the stadium issue with the city, which is a real problem. I’m thinking of involving the fans, of which we have five or six million worldwide. That way you could work with a popular shareholding.” Napoli could add another trophy to De Laurentiis’ haul of two Coppa Italia titles with victory in the Supercoppa Italiana on Monday. The Azzurri face league champions Juventus in Doha, with kick-off at 18:30CET.

McCoist Leaves Rangers Manager Post ALLY McCoist has left his post as Rangers manager and is now on gardening leave, the Scottish Championship club have confirmed. McCoist tendered his resignation on Monday following a 2-0 league loss at Queen of the South. That triggered a 12-month notice period and a significant increase in McCoist’s pay, although at the time the club said they would re-negotiate his salary. The 52-year-old oversaw the 2-0 win over Livingston on Saturday, but his tenure has now finally come to an end. A club statement released on Sunday said: “Rangers would like to announce that Ally McCoist is relinquishing his duties as manager and will serve out the remainder of his 12-month notice period on gardening leave. “We would like to thank Ally for all his hard work and dedication over the last few years, but we feel it is now in

the best interests of all parties to move on.” Assistant manager Kenny McDowall has been handed the job until the end of the season as Rangers seek a

return to the top flight. After Rangers were demoted to the bottom tier of the Scottish Football League due to financial irregularities, McCoist led the Glasgow club to consecutive promotions

from League Two and League One. However, the Ibrox outfit have struggled to adapt to life in the second tier and are nine points behind unbeaten leaders Hearts.

Ally McCoist


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Lazio Did Not Switch Off - Pioli

AFTER leading 2-0 at halftime, third-placed Lazio were pegged back as Inter salvaged a 2-2 draw at San Siro in Milan. Lazio stormed out of the blocks thanks to in-form Brazilian striker Felipe Anderson, who scored twice in the first half. But the visitors had no response to a rejuvenated Inter - 11th in the standings - with Croatian sensation Mateo Kovacic inspiring a comeback. Kovacic unleashed a thunderous volley from the edge of the area in the 66th minute before Rodrigo Palacio equalised 10 minutes from time. Speaking post-game, Lazio boss Pioli said it was not a case of the capital club switching off, but Inter lifting their intensity in the second half as a result of Kovacic’s strike. “It’s not that our light went out, more that Inter pushed very hard,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia. “It’s a shame, as we should’ve kept the ball more and controlled possession, but Inter were extremely aggressive. “Kovacic scored that fantastic goal and it boosted their morale, so we were pegged back even more. The team fought for the whole game, but we should’ve slowed the tempo and kept the ball better.

Juanfran Targets New-Year Push

AN Antoine Griezmann hattrick inspired the Spanish champions to an impressive second-half comeback at San Mames on Sunday, after Mikel Rico had put the hosts into a halftime lead. Atletico head into the midseason break in third place, just four points adrift of leaders and arch-rivals Real - although Carlo Ancelotti’s men have a game in hand. Full-back Juanfran knows that mounting a sustained challenge to La Liga’s traditional superpowers Real and Barcelona - who sit three points above Atletico in second - is easier said than done, but feels his side can do just that in the new year. “I’ve always said it is not easy to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona,” he said.

Juventus Still Looking Bright Ahead Of Supercoppa - Marchisio

CLAUDIO Marchisio says Juventus are full of confidence as they head into Monday’s Supercoppa Italiana clash with Napoli. The Italian champions are hot favourites to clinch a third successive domestic Super Cup in Doha, and the 28-year-old claims that their recent form gives them belief that they can overcome a side against whom they still have a bit of a score to

settle. Napoli won the 2012 Coppa Italia final to deny the Bianconeri the opportunity to boast an undefeated season in all competitions. And while they went on to beat the Azzurri in the Supercoppa which followed in Beijing three

months later, Marchisio admits the cup final loss still rankles with the Turin outfit. “Compared to the game in Beijing two years ago, this is a different story completely: the climate is ideal and the pitch is perfect,” Marchisio told the Corrriere dello Sport.

“The victory at Cagliari on Thursday gave us energy, and while we are a little tired we are still looking bright. In a one-off game anything can happen, and [Marek] Hamsik, [Jose] Callejon and [Gonzalo] Higuain can decide a match in one moment. “But it still burns that we lost the Coppa Italia final to Napoli. With the victory in Beijing, this is the ‘decider’.” While Juve and Roma occupy the top two spots in Serie A just as they did at the end of last season, Napoli have shown some inconsistency thus far this term and sit in fourth place behind Lazio at the end of 2014.

Durtmund Have Been Pathetic - Hummels

Xavi

BORUSSIA Dortmund defender Mats Hummels says that his side’s form in the opening half of the season has been “pathetic”. Jurgen Klopp’s side sit jointbottom of the Bundesliga going into the winter break following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Werder Bremen, despite their impressive Champions League form. Hummels, who was appointed captain in the summer, believes that injuries to key players, including himself and Marco Reus, have contributed to their slump and says there is no guarantee that things will improve. “It’s pretty astonishing that we

are so pathetic,” he told reporters. “There is no guarantee that it will get better. There just isn’t. Almost every key player was injured in the first round [of the season]. “We have played as badly as imaginable. We’re very concerned. The way we’re playing, we’re right down there. “If we have all the strongest players back by the end of January, then it will be different. But there’s no guarantee of that. “Three or four important players could get injured. Then we’ll have to deal with it differently from in the first round.”

to get our goals at the end.” Xavi admits he remains uncertain what he will do once he retires from the game, but is certain he will not turn his back on football. “I don’t know what I’ll do after retirement. I might be a sporting director, maybe a coach, maybe a kids’ trainer. What matters is

that it’s related to football.” Finally, the midfield maestro was asked who the best player was he has ever played alongside, and he was unequivocal in his response. “[Lionel] Messi,” he said. “I can’t judge the history [of football] but Messi is the best I played with.”

I’d Never Join Real Madrid - Xavi THE 34-year-old came close to quitting Camp Nou prior to the start of the season but was ultimately convinced by Luis Enrique that he still had a valuable part to play in the success of the club. The former Spain star claims he has no desire to move on at the end of the current campaign despite competition for places and suggests Madrid would be the last place he could consider moving to. “I’m a fanatic for Barcelona. I wouldn’t be happy in Madrid. I’m from Barcelona, that’s the truth. I can’t deceive anyone,” he told reporters in Egypt. “I’m in the place I wanted and always dreamed about, which is FC Barcelona. I consider myself very lucky. Football is my life and not leaving Barcelona was my best choice. “I don’t want to leave Barcelona at all. I want to continue to the end. We agreed last summer on one more year and I’m now more comfortable.

“I want to continue as long as I can. I don’t know when I will take my decision. Many new players joined the club and our goal is to have a strong Barca even if it means I sit on the bench.” Barcelona have struggled for consistent form under Luis Enrique this season as they look to put their disappointing campaign under Gerardo Martino behind them. While he is confident they can win silverware in 2015, Xavi admits it will be difficult to return to the standards set under Pep Guardiola during their dominant spell between 2008 and 2012. “Guardiola’s era was wonderful, then we remained competitive in Tito’s era. We didn’t win trophies last year but this year we can make it,” he said.

“It’s hard to repeat the Guardiola era achievements as the other teams are discovering us and study our system, so it’s hard to move back to the same enjoyable style. “We had a good match against Cordoba. Real Madrid are a very good team but we will work hard to improve our level and continue

Gullit ‘Surprised’ To See Suarez At in time. RUUD Gullit has admitted his Barcelona “It’s not easy in a team where surprise at Barcelona’s signing of Suarez’s chances of having an Luis Suarez and questioned the Uruguayan’s ability to make a success of the record-breaking transfer. Suarez left Liverpool in July in a deal costing Barca +81 million, while the 2014 Goal Transfer List revealed the Catalans will fork out a total of almost +253m over the course of the former Ajax star’s contract should he see out the full five years. But Gullit, appearing as a panellist for Bein Sports over the weekend, cast doubt over

And Marchisio says he sees Roma as a completely different proposition to Napoli at this point in time, but adds that Juventus’ extra quality has shone through in the Champions League – a competition in which the other two have already failed. “I believe that Roma are a step above Napoli,” added the midfielder. “We all hope they win the Europa League. They certainly have the means to do it. “But for us, the maturity of our team is the most important step made this year. We have increased awareness and experience, even in Europe.” The Supercoppa Italiana takes place at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Monday, with kick-off at

effect for Barcelona. “It is a surprise to see Suarez at Barcelona,” said the Dutch legend. “I don’t know how long he will stay there.” Suarez netted his first goal in La Liga at the eighth attempt on Saturday, scoring in Barca’s 5-0 win over Cordoba. And while Gullit is sceptical over his chances of settling in over a longer period, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently told the Guardian that he believes the Uruguay star will come good

you have such a dominant figure as Messi,” said Wenger. “The game naturally goes through the strong point so in Barcelona the game goes through Messi. It means the other players become a bit more peripheral. “You could see now when you watch Barcelona, Suarez was a super dominant figure at Liverpool and sometimes you think: ‘Where is he?’ “I’m certain he will find his place but it’s not easy for the players there.”

Luis Suarez (left) and Messi


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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

2015:

Signifiance Of Return, Pardon Of Suspended Lawmakers

AS we gradually approach the year 2015 which has been earmarked for another general election in Nigeria, every day, many new developments keep tumbling into the political arena. Most Nigerians are clamouring for a change at the Centre and that is what many believe will deliver the nation from the clueless PDP administration that has taken Nigerians for fools these past sixteen years. Last week, the Edo State House of Assembly lifted the suspension of Emmanuel Okoduwa and Kingsley Ehigaimusoe having presented a letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly renouncing their straying into the jaws of the People Deceive People (PDP). Since June, the Edo Lawmakers have been cajoled, traumatised, and deceived to hold what some considered parallel sittings at a building under renovation. This was the failed ploy of the PDP treacherous leaders to cause chaos and mayhem in the state but for the astuteness of the distinguished lawmakers , ably led by Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe who unmasked the shame called Edo PDP and insisted on towing the path of honour. The leadership of the opposition party had at that time showed so much desperation doing the bidding of Abuja and Uromi godfathers when godfatherism has been buried in Edo land. Their errand boy, Dan Orbih who has gone into hiding now, afraid of his shadows after the abracadabra they organised called PDP primaries, has shut his trap having kissed the dust. Many watchers at that time who know the antecedents of the PDP in Edo State, knew that the leadership are men, like the Leopard who would never change its skin. They are no democrats and never believe in democratic ways of governing society and people. Their weapon of engagement is imposition, super-imposition and civilian decrees. We knew that they would collapse before 2015 and the return of the suspended lawmakers tells it all. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth of all Edo people that someone who was elected on the platform of the APC as the Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea was a mole of a never-do-well PDP. Festus Ebea should also take a cue and swallow the bitter pill and tender unreserved apology to his

colleagues so that they could receive him back into legislative chambers of the House. It is obvious that the Ghana-must-Go from Abuja has exhausted and with the crashing oil prices, nobody would be able to sustain the divisive politics that was unsuccessfully launched by enemies of Edo. At the moment, austerity measures are in place, the naira is crashing every day and oil prices dwindling. The external reserve is heavily depleted and insecurity is threatening the very existence of the country called Nigeria. One must commend the returnee lawmakers because, it is not every person who errs that acknowledges wrongdoings. Their return shows that the PDP can never be an alternative to APC in Edo State. Interestingly, six years down the road with the leadership provided by an extraordinary Labour Leader, and Edo State Peoples Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole stands out as a shining example of what the political leadership could do in turning around the fortunes of the people. Critics of Edo State Comrade Governor must be reminded that since the creation of the state, some 21years ago, or since democracy berthed in 1999 in the country, Edo has not witnessed the level of massive development as it has achieved these past six years. Previous administrations, both military and civilian took Edo people so much for granted. The military cum political leaders watched the state’s major infrastructures: roads, electricity, water supply and social services broke down to apologetic levels. Roads, apart from being heavily dilapidated served as death traps as pot holes fueled carnage on most of our intra and inter-city highways. Water for people of Edo North and Central was a mirage and rain harvesting remained the major source for residents. The stench in the streets of Benin City and most urban centres as a result of unattended massive heaps of refuse left visitors wondering how resilient Edo people are that epidemics have not wiped them off the face of the earth. What about social servicesHealth and Education? Public primary and secondary schools were left to rot away. This was what the Comrade Oshiomhole-led All Progressives Congress government inherited from previous rulers of Edo, including the sunken Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP. But many thanks to the political leadership he has provided that has transformed Benin from an abandoned ancient city to a modern city of the 21st century with the full complements of road networks adorned with street lights, walk ways and drainage, beautiful city centre with state of the art facilities

a beautiful sight to behold. It is now a modern ring road, well asphalted with massive underground drainage, walk ways and street lights. Almost ten roads in the neighborhood have been reconstructed to add to the beauty of the area. The Isonoro axis of New Benin which hitherto was a refuse dump site both by residents

Governor Adams Oshiomhole and improved traffic monitoring systems that works. Night life has bounced back fully in Benin as both the young and old now have good time anytime they chose to do so. As the season of Christmas is in the air, Benin City is wearing new look and fun seekers have been getting their fun all around. The urban renewal project which cuts across the three senatorial districts with much focus on Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma, Uromi and Abudu and impressive impact in all the 18 Local Government Areas of the State show massive modern road networks with all the latest walkways , street lights, and flower lawns. The Benin City Water Storm project of the Oshiomhole-led administration has helped to control flood and erosion menace that was almost going to submerge the whole city of Benin. Also, the Five Junction in Benin which used to be heavily flooded whenever it rains under the PDP government and a notorious den of armed robbers is now

and previous governments is now a modern layout with all the pecks of modern city now re-named Gani Fawehinmi Layout to immortalise Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi who, like Oshiomhole fought for, and defended the rights of the poor people. What about second west and upper mission roads and the adjourning roads that have helped ease traffic within Benin City? Water has been roundly provided for Edo people. Edo South, North and Central now have water flowing from modern boreholes fixed by the Edo State Government.

MATTERS IN FOCUS WITH DAN OWEGIE This has drastically reduced water- borne diseases which use to be prevalent in Edo North and Central. Realising that education is one of the biggest industry of Edo people and that it provides the foundation for the development of any society, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has made educational revolution in the state a cardinal objective of his administration. One of the greatest achievements of the APC-led administration in the educational sector is “the red roof revolution” as it is now being referred to, even by the worst critics of government, which is an open acknowledgement of the transformation of the public schools in the state. The red roofs are all aluminum roofing sheets that have replaced the rotten, leaking zinc of previous governments. Besides the massive reconstruction and renovation of public primary and secondary schools across the state, they have been equipped with modern instructional and learning equipment and materials. The educational system is being sanitised in a way that it would compare to international best practice. Even the tertiary institutions are getting bigger and better deal than it used to be. The subventions to the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, College of Education, Ekiadolor and Igueben have been consciously jerked up while the Institute of Management and Technology as well as College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi have been upgraded and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The Oshiomhole administration this year announced the upgrading of the College of Education Ekiadolor to University of Education. A university of Science and Technology is also being established in Uzairue. Both universities have been backed by Law of the Edo State House of Assembly. Efforts are continuing to keep education

at pace with what obtains in developed societies. The Health sector has witnessed massive transformation as well. Hospitals are being upgraded across the state. The Central Hospital along Sapele Road is home to a multi-billion Naira project, which when completed would compare to any modern hospital anywhere in the world. It targets bringing an end to Edo people travel overseas for medical attention. Government has assured that the project will be completed soon. The Edo State Government has done excellently well to support security agencies to combat insecurity in the state. It has continued to support the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Airforce, State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp as well as Neighborhood Watch massively to discharge their functions. This has led to a drastic fall in crime rate in the state. However, we are not unaware of the sabotage efforts of the opposition party, the PDP, which fuels insecurity in the state. What is evident everywhere is that strong institutions are being built so that generations to come in Edo will have a very solid foundation to contribute their quota to societal development. What needs to be done now is for all Edo people and citizens at large to continue to support the selfless commitment and services of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led APC administration in the state. Edo people need to sustain the tempo of development by ensuring victory for the APC in all the elections slated for February 2015. That is the only way to collectively express our token appreciation to a party that is doing so well for the people. Mr. Dan Owegie, is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State.

“It leaves a sour taste in the mouth of all Edo people that someone who was elected on the platform of the APC as the Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea was a mole of a never-do-well PDP. Festus Ebea should also take a cue and swallow the bitter pill and tender unreserved apology to his colleagues so that they could receive him back into legislative chambers of the House.”

Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor: BARR. SOLOMON IMOHIOSEN (KSJI)-(07030699646), Deputy General Manager-Marketing (08023457566), Assistant General Manager-Advertisement (08023808856) Lagos Office: 25A Alli Street, Off Tinubu Square, Lagos Island, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)


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