Nigerian observer 24 02 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 NO.426• MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2014 • N100.00

FOOTPRINTS Pg. 20 The Irrepressible Napoleon Bonaparte

EDSG to build capacity of civil servants

BENIN CITY – In her determined efforts to adequately boost the efficiency of the civil servants in Edo State, the office of the Head of Service has floated

another seminar for senior and middle level officers in the state civil service.

In his message to the participants delivered by the Permanent

Secretary, Directorate of Establishments, Training and Management Services,

Mr. Alfred Omorogbe Olaye, the Head of Service, Mr. Igbaekemeh Jerry Obazele enjoined the participants to actively Continues on page 2

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SMEs Fund

ARCHIVAL MATTERS Pg 21

The Motley Vendor Crowd

Edo to access N220bn

BENIN CITY- The Edo State Government is putting some measures in place to enable it to access the N220 billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) fund instituted by the Federal Government.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr Osagie

Inegbedion, made the disclosure in an

UBTH raises alarm over cancer BENIN CITY Authorities of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT As part of efforts by the Edo State Government to reposition the educational sector in the state, the State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has invited the executives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Parents, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, (ASUSS), Benin Forum, Afenmai Forum, Esan Forum, Civil Society Groups, NonGovernmental Organisations, Market Women Association, Student Groups, Women Associations, Media Practitioners, Teachers, Parents Teachers Associations, Community leaders and indeed other stakeholders in the education sector to a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Education scheduled as follolws: Date: Tuesday February 25, 2014 Venue: Imaguero College Hall, Sapele Road, Benin City.

Time: 10.00am prompt Invited guests and stakeholders are to be seated by 9.30a.m, please.

SIGNED: PETER OKHIRIA, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Announcer

interview with newsmen yesterday in Benin.

Inegbedion said that

states across the federation found it difficult accessing the

fund because of stringent conditions attached to it.

He, however, said the state government was taking measures to access the fund, pointing out that a state was entitled to a maximum of N2 billion.

He added that part of the conditions was that Continues on page 2

(UBTH) have raised an alarm over increased number of cancer patients in Edo and Delta.

The Coordinator of Cancer Registry in the hospital, Prof. Michael Okobia, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Benin.

Okobia said that ongoing studies on the prevalence of the disease in Edo and Delta showed that the number of sufferers was on the increase.

He added that a study in 2009 showed that there were 1,090 patients of various types of the disease in the two Continues on page 2

CHURCH SERVICE: President Goodluck Jonathan (middle), being received by the Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Area 1, Abuja, Dr. Paul Enenche yesterday.

BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Transport, Ambassador Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP) has made known his position on the Edo Line issue, that “It is only Governor Adams

Oshiomhole that has the authority to make pronouncement on the re-opening or otherwise of Edo Line not the

Only Oshiomhole can pronounce on Edo Line - Commissioner commissioner or any self-appointed General Manager, except he is so directed.

The Commissioner

clarification when speaking with newsmen in Benin City.

He made the remarks in order to correct what

Adams Oshiomhole for the provision of

referred to the

Trad ruler commends infrastructures in his kingdom.

Oshiomhole He specifically area of Edo State, Ehicommended Governor

Infrastructural Devt: BENIN The Traditional ruler designate of OkhueEsan in Esan SouthEast local government

Douglas Ataimen

Ehidiamen 111, has

Continues on page 2

he described as “deliberate false news” that a Benin-based broadcast medium Independent Television/ Radio transmitted to the public concerning the reopening of Edo Transport Service (ETS) operators of Edo Line.

According to Hon. Omo-Ojo, “the report on the purported reContinues on page 2

News

Trad ruler commends Oshiomhole

Continued from page 1

renovation of the Okhuesan Secondary School in his domain which was neglected by previous administrations in the state despite repeated appeals by the community and students of the school and the ongoing construction of the Okhue- Esan – Emu road.

The Traditional Ruler in a statement personally signed by him said that following a representation made by the community to the governor, he gave an express approval for the immediate and total renovation of the secondary school.

“Today, as the work is almost completed; we are quite impressed with what we are seeing. We appreciate him for it. That is the kind of leadership the people want and that is the kind of leader they would want to follow”

Civil Servants Continued from page 1 participate in the seminar throughout its duration.

The Head of Service posited that the organization of the seminar was borne out of the need to equip the participants with the relevant techniques which could aid the beneficiaries in harnessing the potentials of their subordinates.

According to him, this has become imperative as it has been observed that some officers lack the relevant techniques for supervising and harnessing the great potentials that abound in their subordinate officers.

He reiterated the commitment of the State Government in the training and retraining of all categories of public officers which is anchored in the belief that only a sound person can effectively and efficiently discharge assigned duties.

The Head of Service expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for his benevolence towards the public service in ensuring that the training of civil services is given top most priority, just as salaries and allowances are promptly paid.

Mr. Igbaekemeh Jerry Obazele

“Talking about school and education, May I use this opportunity to appeal to the Comrade Governor not to abandon the reforms that he has embarked upon in the education sector in spite of the challenges”.

“Our people need to know that we cannot afford to play partisan politics with every aspect of our being. The

need for qualitative education that is accessible to the ordinary people must be placed above politics”.

It is very fundamental in the effort to raise the standard of living of the people, achieve effective capacity building at various levels and to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in the society. The benefits could be all

encompassing”, he said.

While appealing to Edo people to continue to give their support to Governor Oshiomhole in his bid to bequeath meaningful legacy to prosterity, the traditional ruler said that a reform in the education sector would guaranteed the much needed high standard of education for the children.

profile of a country.

“People in developing countries don’t live long enough and so they don’t develop certain cancers.

“Somebody has to live old to develop cancer; if a man does not live up to 55 years, he is most unlikely to develop prostate cancer.’’

He listed the most common types of cancer in males as shown in the 2009 study as prostate cancer, cancer of the colon, cancer of the anus, cancer of the lymph node, cancer of the Larynx (voice box) and cancer of the stomach.

He also listed the most common cancers in females as cancer of the breast, the cervix, the ovary, the soft and connective tissues, as well as

the womb.

He explained that “cancer is caused by two main factors called genetic and environmental factors.

“Environment factors cover where we live, what we eat, the air we breathe, naturalbiological interactions, sexual exposure, type of alcohol we drink and the type of work we do.

“Other environmental factors are the type and quantity of cigarette a person smokes because this predisposes the lungs and infections which can cause cancer of the stomach.

“About 5 -10 per cent of cancers like breast and prostate cancers are caused by genetic factors and are hereditary.’’

Continued from page 1 states should act as a stop gap between the bank administering the fund and the SMEs operators.

The commissioner said the conditions put the liability on states.

“A lot of measures have to be put in place by state governments before the funds could be accessed.

“The Edo government has

commenced preliminary discussions with relevant authorities on how to access the fund as we have started looking at the provisions and requirements.’’

The commissioner, however, stressed the need for state governments to get the list of genuine and eligible SME operators to prevent the fund from going into wrong hands.

UBTH raises alarm over cancer

Continued from page 1 sister states then.

The coordinator noted that 707 of the sufferers were females, while 383 were males.

He said cancer was preventable and efforts should be made to prevent the disease, pointing out that it was expensive to manage it in developing countries.

“Cancer is preventable and the road to cure is early detection and prompt treatment; so policies should made to encourage prevention and early detection.

“It takes between 10 and 20 years from the first time the fist change occurs in a cell to the time the cancer will show up.

“In Europe and America, cervical cancer is rare because you can prevent the infection through vaccination,” he said.

Okobia said age was the most common risk factor of cancer, stressing that as people grew older, the factors that predisposed them to cancer became manifested in their lives.

The coordinator added that the prevalence of cancer also depended on the population

Edo to access N220bn

Constituency woos lawmaker senate, hence Hon. Adun

By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR should be given the chance.

For Senate He further noted that Hon. OGHEGHE – As the 2015 General Elections gradually gather momentum, a federal law-maker, representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Jim Adun has been called upon to vie for Edo South Senatorial seat at the senate.

The call was made at an enlarged meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ward 9, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, which took place at Ogheghe, near Benin City.

Those who spoke at the meeting include, Hon. Jeffery Osamede Edorodion, former Vice – Chairman, IkpobaOkha Local Government Area, Chief Obabuofo N’Izedonmwen, Joseph Obayuwana, Victoria Omorogbe and Clifford Agharese who variously described Hon. Jim Adun as a man of his words, who does not go about making noise and empty promises in order to attract attention.

They expressed their belief

that if given the opportunity to be the standard –bearer of APC in Edo South Senatorial District in the 2015 general elections, and subsequently elected, Hon. Adun will be loyal and committed to the welfare and well-being of the people as well as the party (APC).

Hon. Jeffrey Osamede Edorodion noted that they decided to call on Hon. Adun to vie for the senatorial seat due to his commitment to genuinely serve the people, stressing that the on-going construction of Obagie Nevbuosa Road in IkpobaOkha, in addition to other projects in the areas of electricity, water supply and health care which cut across Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency attest to the law-maker’s determination to make life better for the people of his constituency.

On his part, Chief Obauofo N’Izedonmwen noted that Ikpoba-Okha has not been given the opportunity to represent Edo South at the

Adun is an experienced hand in the political terrain, and therefore sued for necessary support to enable him (Adun) achieve the people’s aspirations for

FG urged to encourage boxers BENIN CITY – The Federal Government has been called upon to put in place measures that will encourage boxing, as the country no longer enjoys a pride of place in the boxing world.

A former Nigerian middle weight champion, Edo born, Albert Onlolose based in Canada and the United States gave the advice in Benin City during an interview with The NIGERIA OBSERVER. The Professional boxer who said that he is in the country to recruit boxing talents into his boxing club, known as the Albert boxing club, ABC also advised the National Boxing Association (NABA) to do its best to promote the growth of boxing in the country.

He lamented the development of boxing in Edo State, saying that the former Bendel State, now Edo and Delta States produced great fighters that made the country proud in the Olympics and several boxing tournaments.

“But now we don’t have

people in the national team, we have to start giving back to society by looking for talents,” Albert stated.

He appealed to the federal and state governments to support people to start private boxing clubs with frequent competitions to bring the best out of Nigerian boxers, adding that as part of the preparation to kick start the ABC boxing club, there will be an international boxing event in August to be held in Edo State.

Albert who represented Nigerian in many boxing events both at the amateur and professional levels is seeking for private support and emphasized that the club was not looking upto the government for funding.

He urged parents not to see boxing as a dangerous game in order not to deter their children but as a game of talent that can enrich their development and growth and advised upcoming boxers and those yet to draw public attention to show sacrifice and not expect the government to do everything for them.

ABUJA- Mrs Halima Mohammed, the Desk Officer for Global Environment Facility (GEF), yesterday advised state governments to key into the GEF grants to implement environmental projects in their states.

Mohammed told newsmen in Abuja that the biggest challenge the project was facing was the inability of the states to tap the available resources.

She said that the states would always want the Federal Government to initiate ideas and projects for them in spite of the sensitisation on the grants.

“They (state governments) always want the Federal Government to initiate projects for them, which is not fair, that is a big challenge we

are facing.

“We have discussed this at the National Council on Environment and pleaded with the states to come up with proposals to access the grants.

“We have grants there which are an opportunity for them to tap into, so, we are appealing to them to come up with proposals.

“Let them contact the Federal Ministry of Environment for more information on how they can address such issues on environment,’’ said the offical.

Newsmen reports that GEF is the largest funder of environmental projects in the world and it has three components of its projects.

The components are the full size, the medium size and the small grants.

State govts urged to key into GEF grants

Only Oshiomhole can pronounce on Edo Line Continued from page 1 opening of Edo Line is an ambush designed to set the public and in particular workers of Edo Line against Edo State Government. This is a mischief too many.”

The commissioner stressed that the news story did not emanate from the State Ministry of Transport or any other government organ.

On the fracas between the staff of Edo State Transport Management Agency (EDSTMA) and the driver of a commercial vehicle popularly called “kabukabu” allegedly beaten to death, the commissioner said that investigation by the civil society organizations have since revealed that the same electronic medium “merely misinformed and led the

members of the public astray throughout the saga and the station has refused to apologized to the Ministry even after it has been confronted with the truth.”

Hon. Omo-Ojo, thereafter presented to the large crowd of journalists and civil society o r g a n i z a t i o n s representatives the driver of the kabukabu alive and in good health and instantly offered employment to the kabukabu driver, as he coincidentally came to the Ministry of Transport to express profound gratitude to the commissioner for saving his life having been diagnosed of hernia for which he underwent a surgical operation as against the publicized alleged manhandling and subsequent death.

During the press conference, the commissioner also played a video clip of a red vehicle belonging to ITV/Radio being driven by a staff of the broadcast organization on one-way against on-coming vehicular traffic.

While enumerating the role of the press in nationbuilding, the commissioner appealed to the media practitioners and National Broadcast Commission (NBC) to investigate the report of ITV/Radio with a view to sanctioning its management and some of its staff just to bring it order especially as the state moves closer to electioneering period and to prevent possible break down of law and order.

News

Pastor Osaghae Advocates Ceaseless Prayers For Nigeria

By TUNDE EIGBIREMOLEN

BENIN CITY – The General Overseer, Believers Ministries Inc; (BMI) Pastor Samuel O. Osaghae has enjoined Believers in Christ Jesus to always uphold the nation, Nigerian in prayers at all times, stressing that there are inherent benefits there from, particularly as the country heads towards 2015, the year of general elections in Nigeria.

The man of God gave the charge, yesterday at the Glorious Sunday Service, preparatory to the 25th Anniversary of the Church and the annual prayer conference between March1st – 8th 2014, which is organized for Ministry

• Pastor Samuel Osaghae

of the Gospel and other Believers in general, aimed at strengthening the church of Christ and in helping to address diverse challenges in the body of Christ.

Taking his reference from Jeremiah 29:7-9; 12-14, Pastor Osaghae enumerated five (5) major benefits to be derived from praying for the peace and unity of the country always, which include peace; answers to prayers of the saint; Finding God when believers seek Him; Deliverance from captivity and restoration in the place of intercessory prayers.

According to the man of God those praying for the nation to break and scatter will not have their prayers answered because God delights in the unity of purpose and in dwelling together of the saints.

Pastor Osaghae who said intercession helps to reposition and facilitate progress and advancement of the Intercessors, also urged Believers to spend time praying for others and the nation; instead of focusing on their own personal prayer requests, adding that intercession opens

the door of breakthrough and prosperity for the intercessory believer.

Pastor Osaghae is the spiritual Head/Founder of Believers Ministries Inc. He is a preacher, teacher, deliverance Minister, counselor and a proven prayer strategist, who believes in training Ministers of the Gospel on the new pattern of prayers, which is the New Testament prayer pattern. His annual prayer conference comes up on March 1st to 8th 2014, where Generals of the Gospel will be equipped for effectiveness in their prayer lives. The church will mark her 25th anniversary during the prayer conference for the year 2014.

Edo SSG Charges Ndigbo On Support To Govt

By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR

BENIN CITY – The Igbos in Afenmai Land (Edo North) have been urged to sustain their support and commitment to the Oshiomhole – led administration in Edo State.

Secretary to the State

Fuel Scarcity: Marketers

By OKOH INNOCENT

UBIAJA - Motorists and other fuel users in Edo central Senatorial District, woke up last week, to experience a hike in the pump price of premium motor spirit (fuel) from the normal N97 per litre, firstly to N105 and later rose to N120 and finally to N140 per liter in interior communities like Illushi, before a later drop to N110, per liter.

Towns like Ubiaja, Uromi, Ekpoma and Igueben, are areas experiencing this unusual hike.

According to investigation, the situation is common with the independent marketers who complaint of a fall in supply of the product from deports and as a result there is an increase in prices from private deports where they now jostle to get the product for consumers.

Meanwhile, major marketers like Mobil and NNPC flow stations are selling at the normal price.

Confirming this development, a marketer of the product, Clifford Inegbedion, at both Uromi and Ubiaja especially disclosed that most fuel stations have fallen short of supply which indicates unavailability of the

Hike Price product in popular deports.

This has now created room for private deports to make brisk business from the scarcity thereby increasing their selling price with the burden on consumer.

He further expressed hope that as soon as the product supply increases, independent markerters will revert to the normal fuel pump price.

However, motorists,

L-R: Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Jones Arogbofa (rtd), President Goodluck Jonatha, Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Area 1, Abuja, Dr. Paul Eneche and his wife, Becky during yesterday church service at Dunamis Int’l Gospel Centre, Area 1, Abuja yesterday.

commuters and other vehicle users, who identified themselves as Osemudiamhe, Ugo Emmanuel, and Felix respectively, have expressed disatisfaction over the development while calling for government intervention in bringing sanity to the system.

They disclosed that the situation has affected the cost of transportation as #100, has been added to the cost of long distance transportation while #20 has been added to short distance transportation due to the hike in the price.

Government (SSG), Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere made the charge when Edo North Igbo Council of Chiefs paid him a courtesy visit in Benin City.

He appreciated that the Igbos living in Afenmai Land have found the area to be ‘home away from home,’ adding that their being part of the area has contributed to the growth and development of Afenmai Land.

The SSG reiterated the state government determination to do all within its reach to create the enabling environment that will open-up more job opportunities in the state, especially in the area of agriculture.

He noted that in the first term of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole, emphasis was on infrastructural development of the state.

According to him, during this second term,

Senator Hope Uzodimma (left) and the Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha at Owerri Airport, welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to Imo State.

development will be given due priority for the overall advancement of the state.

Prof. Ihonvbere therefore enjoined the Igbos in Afenmai Land to continue to contribute their quota to the development of the area, and Edo State in general, stressing that they will be given a sense of belonging in the scheme of things.

In an address read by Louis Okoro, Secretary, Edo North Igbo Council of Chiefs on behalf of Igwe Joe Okeke, Igwe Ndigbo I of Afenmai land, who was represented by Eze Donatus Igbo, stated that Igbo community in Afenmai

Land is the main umbrella body of all Igbo speaking people from Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi States.

He used the occasion to appreciate the state Governor, for his developmental strides in the state as well as his sense of fair play and justice.

The Igwe Ndigbo I of Afenmai Land explained that “the Igbos in Afenmai Land have resolved to be autonomous as we discover that all engagement, we in Edo North made with other Igbos in Benin never yielded good dividend, more so with the distance, in order to keep close relationship with the Igbos in Edo North,” he said.

Commissioner Commends ASCON Delegation Study Visit To Edo State BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Lucky James has commended the delegation from the Administration Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) for the choice of Edo State for a two week study visit.

Speaking when the team visited him in Benin City, the commissioner expressed hope that the study visit would be of mutual benefit to both the delegation and the state.

He told the delegation that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) projects have now been extended to local government, adding that there are presently many

MDG’s projects spread across the state.

The co-ordinator and leader of the ASCON delegation Mr. Abraham Odafen-Dominic had prayed to make the study tour a rewarding one for members of the team, as their mission was to assess the giant strides of the state government in bringing about even development.

The theme of the tour is: “A critical enumeration of the implementation of Millennium Development Goal’s in Eradicating Extreme Poverty and Hunger.”

The impart of this effort, the co-ordinator said will be assessed, documented and appreciated for future generations.

News

Customs Impound 800 Bags BADAGRY (LAGOS of rice and covered it with Of Rice STATE) Mr Willy pineapples to experiment to loading point and allowed it Egbudin, the Area Comptroller, Seme Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), said 800 bags of rice hidden under a truck loaded with pineapples have been seized.

Egbudin told newsmen that the truck, with Benin Republic registration number AY 1791 RB, was loaded with pineapples with 800 bags were concealed under them.

He said the truck was intercepted at Aradagun/ Mowo, near Badagry, Lagos State at midnight on February 18.

“These seizures were made due to intelligence gathering we were able to get with the help of our officers.

“Our men had monitored the truck right from the

to enter Nigeria.

“It was intercepted at Aradagun/Mowo near Badagry where the bags of rice were hidden under pineapples” he said.

The comptroller said that the driver of the truck confessed that few days before his arrest, he tried a similar operation but was not successful.

“He confessed that he loaded a locally constructed vehicle with about 40 bags

see if he would catch the security agencies napping.

“The car and goods were impounded but he was able to escape,” he said.

He added that the driver was undergoing interrogation and would be charged to court.

The comptroller urged members of the public to continue to support the activities of the customs by giving useful information that would help to arrest smugglers

President Goodluck Jonathan waving to the crowd, during his visit to the Obi of Onitsha weekend. With him is Governor Peter Obi of Anambra.

Land Ownership: Urhobos Allege Army Harassment

By BETTY IDIALU

WARRI - indigenes of Urhobo kingdom of Uvwie in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State have cried out over alleged harassment by army officers from the 3

Battalion, Nigerian Army, David Ejoor Barracks Effurun near Warri over the ownership of a landed property in the area.

They therefore appealled to President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, the National

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe at the Obi’s palace in Onitsha yesterday when the President paid him a private visit.

Assembly and other relevant authorities to nip in the bud the crisis brewing in the locality as a result of the illegal activities of the army..

The indigenes alleged that three communities in Uvwie kingdom have been under siege by the soldiers from the Barracks threaten them with demolition of their houses (indigene).

Speaking with reporters in Warri on behalf of the concerned Uvwie communities, former Delta State AttorneyGeneral and Uvwie born legal practitioner, Chief Victor E. Otomiewo, revealed that the soldiers have since Thursday, February 13, 2014, laid siege to Oku-Irero, Ohorhe including commercial and religious houses and graves for demolition, in the illegal structures built on land belonging to the Army”.

Otomiewo,a former secretary of the Urhobo Progressive Union(UPU), while calling for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the army from the said area, accused

Physicians Advise Parents On Good Hygiene Practices

LAGOS- Physicians in Lagos have urged parents to teach their children good hygiene practices to prevent tonsillitis, an infection which is often cause by bacteria or virus.

The physicians made the appeal in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos.

The Online Medical Dictionary defines tonsils as “either of two small masses of lymphoid tissue in the throat, one on each side of the root of the tongue.

“Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils become infected by bacteria or virus and sored.”

Dr Dele Popoola of Hopewell Hospital, Oshodi, Lagos, made the appeal in an interview with

newsmen in Lagos.

Popoola said that though tonsillitis did not pose a serious threat to a child’s health, it makes the child very uncomfortable.

He urged parents to teach their children proper hygiene practices to prevent the virus and bacteria that cause the disease and other childhood ailments.

He also appealed to parents to encourage their children to wash their hands before eating, after going to the toilet and after coughing or sneezing.

“Tonsil infections may be contagious and can spread from

person to person by contact with the mouth, throat or mucus of an infected person.

“Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective ways to avoid getting sick and spreading infections to others.

“Parents should make sure their children wash their hands frequently, especially after visiting the toilet and before eating.

“They should be taught to cough or sneeze into a tissue and to use a tissue when wiping their nose. Children should be discouraged from sharing their cups and cutlery.”

Popoola said some symptoms

of tonsillitis included sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, fever, headache, stomach ache, ear pain and swollen tonsils.

Contributing, another medical practitioner, Dr Abiola Ajala, said tonsils acted as filters that trapped germs or particles that could otherwise enter the airways and cause infection.

“When the tonsils become infected and swollen, you have a condition called tonsillitis.”

She said tonsillitis could lead to problems like headaches, difficulty in swallowing and bad breath.

“Tonsillitis usually goes away on its own within a few days and may not necessarily require treatment. However, the infected child will need plenty nourishment, fluids and rest.

the army of other “acts of illegality” in the locality He noted that the solider were shortchanging the Uvwie Local Government Area council in revenue collection saying that an ultimatum has been issued to the army to vacate the area in question.

“The soldiers must leave “the land, developed or undeveloped in Uvwie Kingdom especially the ones marked for demolition in Ohorhe communities”, Otomiewo demanded.

“We want to draw the attention of Mr President (Dr Goodluck Jonathan), Dr

Emmanuel Uduaghan and other government authorities to the wanton acts of illegality and reckless impunity orchestrated by the men and officers of the Nigerian Army, 3rd Battalion, Effurun Barracks on the rural but peace loving natives, owners, residents and inhabitants of Ohorhe 1, Ohorhe 11 and Oku-Irero Communities of Uvwie kingdom.

“The soldiers had laid siege on the three communities where they have since been harassing innocent indigenes, marking houses including graves for demolition under the guise that the structures were built on land belonging to the Nigerian Army” he said.

Stress: Expert Advises Nigerians To Create Time For Relaxation ABUJA - Dr Jacob Nwachukwu, the President, Blood Pressure Control Foundation Nigeria, an NGO, has advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of relaxation to reduce stress-related ailments.

Nwachukwu told newsmen in Abuja that stress-related ailments, such as stroke, diabetes and hypertension showed minor signs, which were usually ignored until they became severe.

“Some of these ailments can lead to sudden deaths if not early detected and properly managed by medical experts.

“They could occur almost immediately; someone who is apparently fit may be at risk; that’s why routine checkup is of utmost importance,” he said.

Nwachukwu said hypertension is the most common stress-related ailment that affected many silently.

He said hypertension was a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries was elevated.

“Blood pressure measurement is consistently normal at 140/90, but when the pressure is

repeatedly 150/90, there is hypertension.

“When somebody is hypertensive, there are certain food modifications that one has to make to stop blood pressure from being aggravated,’’ Nwachukwu said.

He said the lifestyle of an individual affected the way the body reacts to issues and stressed the need for Nigerians to avoid consuming excessive salt and some artificial seasoning.

He said salt reduction was a preventive and treatment measure.

“Anybody diagnosed having hypertension should avoid fatty foods as much as possible; foods like meat, goat meat and cow leg have to be avoided.

“The person should take more of fish, chicken with the skin removed, more fruits and vegetables and avoid alcohol and sugary foods completely.”

Nwachukwu said taking medication and avoiding junk foods would help in eradicating chronic conditions and advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of regular exercise and create time for relaxation

South South Fuel Scarcity Hit Warri, Raises

By BETTY IDIALU Transportation Fares WARRI - Scarcity of

Minister of Power and Steel, Prof. Chinedu Nebo (left) with his Permanent Secretary Godknows Igali during the Minister’s defence of his 2014 budget before Senate Committee on Power in Abuja. Photo: OMOYE AMINU.

Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol has hit the Warri and Effurun metropolis in Delta State.

Long queues were seen at the few filling Stations that had the product with customers scrambling for to buy.

A litre of the product sells for as high as N107 as against the official pump price of N97.

When The NIGERIAN OBSERVER visited the

Pipelines Productions M a r k e t i n g Company(PPMC) Area office in Warri, the PRO could not be reached for comments as he was said to be away.

However, at the PPMC depot, also in Warri, petrol tankers were seen ferrying products out of the premises.

One of the fuel dealers, when asked what could be the reason for the scarcity,said they were also surprised as they were

Police Arrest Father, 2 Sons For Robbery

ASABA- The Delta State Police Command in Asaba weekend said it has arrested seven men, including a father and his two sons, for alleged armed robbery.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Celestina Kalu, stated this while briefing newsmen at the “B” Division Asaba.

She said the suspects’ arrest was based on the alert to the security agents by their victim, who was robbed of N72,000 in the early hours of Saturday.

Kalu also noted that the gang leader, of the same family, fled with the money stolen from the victim on sighting the police.

She said that the father of the armed robbery suspects, who gave accommodation to the criminals in his house, was also arrested for attacking the police officers.

According to the PPRO, the victim, Mr Emmanuel Ebudike, residing in Asaba, alleged that a gang of armed robbers broke into his house and carted away N72,000 at gun point.

“The victim also alleged that he trailed the robbers to an uncompleted storey building and came back to call the police.

“When the police arrived the scene three of the armed robbery suspects jumped down and ran away.

“Another with a locallymade pistol fired at the police and in a gun duel, two of the gang members were brought down,” she said.

Kalu said that the suspects had confessed to robbing seven different persons of their cell phones and money at AchallaIbusa Road in Ibusa on Friday.

She said that items recovered from the suspects included one locally-made pistol with one live cartridge, one IPad

phone, six cell phones and two unregistered Toyota Sienna cars.

Kalu said that Police investigations were on,

. . . Kill 2 Cultists in Delta

By BETTY IDIALU

WARRI -The Delta State Police Command has recorded yet another victory as two deadly cultists were gunned down by men of the command at Ovwian Aladja-,Delta State.

According to a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer(PRO), Delta State Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu., the deadly cultists met their Waterloo when they opened fire at men of the command after they were traced to their

Army Seeks Public Support To Curb PORT HARCOURTOil Theft, Kidnapping Maj.-Gen Shehu Yusuf, the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, has said that armycivilian partnership would result in crime reduction in the country.

Yusuf, who replaced retired Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Olaniyi, made the remark in Port Harcourt while on familiarisation tour of some army formations in Rivers.

He said the army and other security agencies would not succeed in their mandate to safeguard the nation’s integrity and provide security to lives and properties without the full support of civilians.

Yusuf said the division had adopted a new strategy to restore public confidence in providing timely information that would lead to arrest of oil thieves, pipeline vandals and kidnappers.

“I can assure Nigerians that

while efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and to recover other stolen items.

made to pay as high as N98 per litre of petrol before they could load their tankers and as at Friday, the price at the loading point had gone up to N104.

It was further gathered that the non availability of the product at the other three private refineries in Warri could be the reason for the scarcity.

Other petroleum products like AGO (Diesel) and DPK (kerosene) are said to be available at the private refineries.

Despite the said availability of kerosene according to sources, the product still sells for as high as N100.

if civilians give the army and other security agencies their full support; crime will be reduced to its lowest.

“Civilians are very important in crime fighting because they are closer to criminals and as such, can identify oil thieves, pipeline vandals and kidnappers, among others.

“For the army to effectively fight crime, it has to adopt different strategies by using proactive and result-oriented measures to stop any threat to the nation’s social and economic growth.

“So, we will try everything within our mandate to engage civilian support so that we can effectively fight crime in the 82 Division area of responsibility,” Yusuf said.

The GOC said with public and personnel support, the division would improve security in its areas of coverage.

Yusuf called on Nigerians to continue to have confidence in the army in its primary role of protecting the nation’s integrity as well as providing internal security.

hideout in DSC Township Ovwian.

The release stated that the command received a call from the DPO Aladja that one Rola Ugwetu Okpaka ‘M’ 22 was shot dead by unknown gunmen operating on a motor cycle.

Consequently, police patrol team was mobilised to the scene where it was revealed that the deceased was a leader of a cult group.

Also same day, one Shadrach Sums ‘M’, aged 25 was shot dead by a rival cult groups operating on a motor cycle.

However through

intelligence gathering, the police patrol team stormed cultists hideout in Ovwian where one of the rival cult group was perfecting plans for revenge.

The release further stated that on sighting the police, the cultists opened fire, leading to the death of two of the cultist bowing to the superior fire power of the police, while others fled with gun shot wounds.

A locally made pistol and two live cartridges were said to have been recovered from the cultists even as investigation is on- going to arrest the fleeing suspects.

L-R: Senator Ahmed Zannah, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman and Chairman, Senate Committee on Power Senator, Philip Aduda at the Minister of Power’s Budget defense in Abuja. Photo: OMOYE AMINU

News Obende Affirms Unity In Afemailand

By MATTHEW OKAGHA BENIN CITY – It has been affirmed that the age-long cordial relationship between the people of Akoko-Edo, Etsako and Owan has remained untainted.

According to a statement by Mr. Balarabe Oshiafi, Director of Media and Publicity, Senator Domingo Obende Project 2015, this bond of kinship in Afemailand had also been boosted with the coming of the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Domingo Obende.

The statement added that the people in the three axis of

Afemailand, Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Domongo Obende equally enjoy a robust cordial relationship which has not been tainted by the vagaries of politics.

The statement described Senator Obende as a humble servant whose track record of service is well known and appreciated by the good people of Afemailand, hence their clamour for his return to the Senate in 2015.

It therefore urged the teeming supporters of Senator Dimongo to remain discerning and continue to align with their Senator who is determined to bring manifest development to Afemailand.

Edo Finance Commissioner’s Mum Goes Home Friday President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and the Chairman South East Traditional Rulers, Chief Cletus Ilumuanya at his palace during the President visit to the palace from Philip Ojisua.

IGUEBEN – All roads lead to Ikekho Ehielu town, Igueben Local Government, Edo State on Friday, February 28, 2014 as the Late Community Leader,

Chief Of Staff Charges Citizens On Tax Payment

By VICTOR OMOALU

BENIN CITY – The Chief of Staff (COS), Government House, Benin City, Hon. Patrick Obayagbon has challenged the good people of Edo State to take full ownership of governance by fulfilling their civic responsibility of paying taxes.

The COS gave the charge shortly after he registered for the Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Benin City.

He described the TIN registration exercise as “quite impressive”, adding that the initiative goes a long way to justify the investment of the state Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) agency.

“There is no way they (the people) can appropriate the

democratic space if they do not contribute to governance”, stated the Chief of Staff.

Similarly, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of

Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude has applauded tax administration in Edo State, describing it as a welcome development.

The Founder, New Covenant Gospel Ministry who made the commendation after being registered for the TIN Number at the Corporate Headquarters of EIRS in Benin City, weekend,

Oyo House Passes 2014 Budget IBADAN - The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the 2014 Appropriation Bill presented to it by Governor Abiola Ajimobi on December 19, 2013.

The reports state that the House approved a total of N208 billion as the fiscal proposal as against the N188 billion presented by Ajimobi.

Reports state that by the

parliamentary approval, the state is to spend N97.9 billion and N110 billion for recurrent and capital expenditures respectively.

It would be recalled that the original figures proposed by the executive for recurrent and capital expenditures were N96.

04 billion and N92.7 billion respectively.

After the report of the

Appropriation Committee had been read and considered by the Committee of the Whole House, its Speaker, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, announced the budget’s passage.

“With the ayes carrying the day, I am pleased to announce to the whole House that Oyo State 2014 Appropriation Bill has been passed,” she said.

Commenting on the passage

God’s mandate.

Other people ordained by the

General Overseer were Evangelists, Deacon and Deaconess.

Journalist Ordained Elder

By DOROTHY EGBEBAMWONYI BENIN CITY – It was a gathering of who is who in the society at the Habitation Church of God, Upper 2nd Cemetery road, off Agho where friends and well-wishers of Elder Lucky Temidayo Edokpayi, came in droves to felicitate with one of their own.

The occasion, was the anointing of Lucky Temidayo Edokpayi as an Elder in the Lord’s vineyard had an endless roll call of dignitaries from all walks of life, staff and Manager of Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) Barr. Tunde Ebozojie amongst others.

In his message he titled, “If you love me, feed my sheep” the General Overseer of the Habitation Int, Bishop Aderibigbe charged the newly ordained to impact positively in the lives of the people in the corner of their world, preach the

described the system as a ‘true reflection’ of the state government’s developmental plan for the people.

“Paying taxes is right thing to do if we want the government to develop our state; so we should be able to contribute towards it”, the Clergy man had stated.

good news to the lost sheep to win more souls for the kingdom of heaven, seek and find the truth and mortgage it hot, not even for anything in the world.

Quoting copiously from the holy writ to drive home his message, Bishop Aderibigbe stressed that leadership starts from the home and admonished those in the position of authority to shun corruption and other related practices, saying that “Conscience is God in man” and God is not God of denomination but God of all.

On his part, the newly ordained, Elder Lucky Temidayo Edokpayi who exuded happiness later danced to the altar in company of his family friends and well wisher to express his gratitude to God Almighty for being counted among the chosen few to propagate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and win souls for the kingdom and prayed God give him the zeal and enablement to carry out the

of the budget, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation Hon. Olusegun Olaleye, commended Ajimobi over the budget. “ With the budget of consolidation, Ajimobi hopes to create an industrial park for the state where there will be car assembly plant, manufacturing plant, agricultural silos and medical plant,” he said.

He said that since the projects were to be executed with private sector operators, it would be appropriate for the state government to put certain indices in place to boost economic development.

Mrs. Akharia Inegbedion, is laid to rest.

The deceased, mother of Edo State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. John Inegbedion, died last month after a brief illness.

According to a statement issued by the family, the service of songs takes place on Thursday at Inegbedion family compound, Idumogo, Igueben. This will be followed by Burial/Church Service at the Assemblies of God Church, Afuda, Igueben. Guests will be entertained on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Idumogo Primary School, Igueben.

Aged 64, the Late Mrs. Inegbedion is survived by husband, aged mother, children and grand children.

Late Mrs. Akharia Inegbedion

President Goodluck Jonathan being introduced to South East Chiefs by the Chairman South East Traditional Rulers, Chief Cletus Ilumuanya at his palace during the President’s visit to the palace.

Lagos Power Outage Stalls Hearing Of Ajudua’s Bail Application IKEJA - A power outage at the Ikeja High Court has stalled the hearing of the bail application filed by a Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua.

The situation made the

court to adjourn hearing of the application, filed by Ajudua’s Counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, to March 12.

Reports state that Ajudua is being prosecuted before

IKORODU (LAGOS STATE) - Some fishermen in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has appealed to the Federal Government to come to their assistance by providing them with working tools.

The fishermen told newsmen in Ikorodu that such efforts would enhance their trade and the nation’s economy.

Reports state that Ikorodu is bounded by several coastal communities that depend mostly on fishing for survival.

“Five years ago, Governor Babatunde Fashola gave us three engines and nets but they were not enough for one fisherman or one boat for between 50 and 100 fishermen.

“So, the Federal Government should help us by extending loan facilities to us and provide different species of fingerlings in order to grow our business.

“This will also encourage our youths to take to the business.

“Many people depend on us for their socio-economic survival. For instance, we sell the fishes we catch to women who roast and sell them in the markets,” Mr Samsuden Jimoh said.

Jimoh, who is the Chairman, Ajomode Fishermen Association, Ijede Chapter, Ikorodu, appealed for proper monitoring of such government’s gesture when granted.

He lamented that some people hijacked the process, adding that “it’s so bad that they would have shared it all before fishermen even know anything about it.”

Mr Lukman Ganiyu, Chairman, Baiyeku Chapter of the association, also appealed to the government to regulate activities of tug operators on the waterways in Lagos.

“They destroy our traps and sometimes haul their nets along with them.

“We set our traps in the wee hours of the night because that is the only time fishermen can but these tug operators carry wood through this axis of the lagoon to Lagos.

“The rate at which they destroy our traps and carry away our nets is costing us so much money,” Ganiyu said.

He urged the government to also solve the menace of water hyacinth.

Working Tools Fishermen Seek FG’s Assistance

Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu (left), discussing with the Ambassdor of Japan to Nigeria, Amb. Ryuichi Shoji during a courtesy call by the latter to him at the National Assembly, Abuja. Photo: OMOYE AMINU.

Death From Vandalised Pipeline NEMA Dismisses Report

LAGOS - Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the Zonal Information Officer, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has debunked the reports of death and petrol leakage from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines at Ijegun-Imore community, Lagos.

Farinloye told newsmen in Lagos that there was no death or leakage of petroleum products in the community as earlier reported in some mass media.

Reports state that there were unconfirmed news reports in Lagos in the past two days that the people of the community were scooping petrol from another burst pipeline in the community.

The people of Ijegun-Imore had been in the news for some time now because of ruptured pipelines in the area that were later repaired by the NNPC. “There is nothing bad going on in the community and there is no fuel around this place at all, no death, no one has died as earlier speculated.

“We (NEMA) are on ground and there is no fuel at all, we are here with the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of pipeline vandalism, Mr Friday Ibadin.

“We also have the Special Task Force Commander from NNPC, Abuja; he is here and was dispatched because of the wrong information circulating all over the media.

“And there is nothing happening. NEMA is here with National Oil Spill

Detection and Response Agency,’’ he told newsmen.

“There is nothing going on and the pumping of fuel has started since Monday.

“So, anybody giving false alert, I think is undoing the nation and because of the false alert they are creating and sending a wrong signal to people to hoard fuel according to what we heard.’’

Farinloye said people were going about their normal

duties in the community.

Also speaking with newsmen Chief Nurudeen Olu-Fatunbi, a community leader, further confirmed that the community was calm and that the report was false.

“We also heard the report but I am confirming that there is no such problem; no one is dead through any pipeline vandalism, we are okay and no problem,’’ Olu-Fatunbi said.

Director, HSSL Global, a Hotel Support Group, has urged the Federal Government to improve on tourism facilities across the country.

Olowoporoku told newsmen in Lagos that the upgrading of the nation’s tourism facilities would attract foreign investors.

“Developing the tourism sites will draw people from far and near to patronise the attraction which could be used to restore and strengthen Nigeria’s unity and economy.

“Adequate maintenance and upgrading of the nation’s attraction sites will make Nigeria a tourism destination in the World.

“Tourism development can serve as an avenue for job creation, youth empowerment and increase in foreign exchange earnings,’’ Olowoporoku said.

The director said that tourism related to all aspects of life and nature like water, environment, plants and other resources.

He also advised the Federal Government to protect and manage the nation’s resources and facilities effectively.

Olowoporoku urged Nigerians to imbibe the attitude of maintaining facilities, noting that most people patronise hotels and abuse their facilities due to their care-free attitude.

“Nigerians should support the

Improve Tourism Facilities, Expert of both LAGOS - Mr Ayokunnu Urges FG maintenance government and private-owned Olowoporoku, Managing facilities for national development,’’ Olowoporoku said.

He urged Nigerians to sanitise their environment for sustainable tourism development.

Justice Kudirat Jose for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen of 1.69 million dollars (about N252.8 million).

He was arraigned alongside one Charles Orie, his alleged accomplice, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February. 5.

The defendants are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants had conspired with Abiola Fawehinmi, Steven Joiner and Rasheed Adekunle (all at large), to commit the offence between July 30, 1999 and February 9, 2000.

The commission said they defrauded the businessmen, Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen of the money by claiming that it was for sundry payments to various government officials.

The anti-graft agency said the defendants claimed that the payments would help them facilitate a contract worth 18 million dollars on behalf of the complainants.

According to the EFCC, their alleged offences contravenes Sections 1(a) and (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act No.13 of 1995, as amended by Decree No. 62 of 1999.

Ajudua and Orie had pleaded not guilty to the charges and had been remanded in prison custody.

L-R: Members of Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Wahab Toye; Mr. Adebayo Ojo; Mr. Femi Falana and Mr. Adeniyi Adedoyin at a screening centre for presenting a common candidate for the NBA Presidential Election in Ibadan weekend.

Across The Nation

Council Poll: Assembly Urges Commission To Be Transparent

OSOGBO -The Osun House of Assembly has urged the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) to be transparent in the conduct of the forthcoming local government election this year.

The council election, earlier scheduled to hold in March, is postponed because of the pending bill seeking to create additional 27 local governments.

Mr. Kamil Oyedele, Chairman, House Committee

on Finance and Appropriation, gave the charge when the Chairman of OSIEC, Mr. Segun Oladitan, and other officials of the commission appeared before the House Committee on Budget review in Osogbo.

Oyedele said the commission must ensure that all the political parties that would participate were given a level-playing ground to operate during the election.

He said the conduct of the

election and its result must be acceptable to all the parties,

adding that OSIEC should carry along all the stakeholders

in the exercise.

“This assembly charges you to be transparent in the conduct of the election for the result to

Ogbulafor’s Trial Suffers Another Set Back ABUJA - The trial of Vincent Ogbulafor and two others again suffered another setback in an Abuja High Court due to the absence of the judge, Justice Ishaq Bello.

Ogbulafor is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC ), alongside Jude Nwokolo and Emeka Ebilah.

The accused are facing a 17-count charge bordering on fraud involving N170 million.

It will be recalled that on January 30, Ogbulafor’s trial could not hold due also to Bello’s absence.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, Mr Salisu Idache, the court clerk, informed counsel to the ICPC, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and the defence team that Bello “is on national assignment’’.

Bello was appointed recently as the chairman of the Anambra Election Tribunal.

Reports state that a new date, March18, was thereafter given to the counsel to address the court.

The ICPC had alleged that while in office as the Minister of State for Special Duties in 2001, Ogbulafor, connived with the others to float three fictitious companies with which they perpetrated the alleged fraud.

They were said to have used Henrichiko Nig. Ltd, DHL Consultants and Chekwas Industries to obtain N82.6 million, N11.5 million and N6.2 million, respectively, in 2001.

Ogbulafor was alleged to have used his position as the head of the National Economic Intelligence Committee to pass several forged documents as genuine.

The ICPC alleged that he relied on the forged documents to certify that the three fake companies successfully executed jobs worth N104 million.

The offence contravened the provisions of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.

If convicted, they face five years in prison without an option of fine.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Deputy Senate Leader Senator Abdul Ningi and Chairman Senate Committee on Science and Technology Senator Ajayi Boroface during the Ministry of Science and Technology 2014 budget defence at National Assembly Abuja. Photo: By OMOYE AMINU.

be acceptable to all as a free and fair poll.

“The house is ready to give necessary assistance to the commission for a successful conduct of council polls in Osun,’’ Oyedele said.

Earlier, Oladitan said the commission had begun preparation toward a successful conduct of the poll.

“We have begun discussions with the police, market women and other relevant stakeholders with a view to achieving a free and fair poll.

“As part of the preparations, the commission has visited four states of the federation where local government elections had been conducted,’’ Oladitan said.

He gave an assurance that the commission would conduct a referendum before the poll, to allow members of the public and corporate bodies to contribute to its success.

Oladitan solicited for adequate fund from the state government for the election.

NOA Preaches Peace Among Nigerians KADUNA - The Kaduna State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Elisha Sabo, has advised Nigerians to live in peace with one another to achieve national development.

Sabo made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.

He commended government for its efforts in the campaign for peace in the state and the country at large.

He, however, stressed that there was no nation that could develop without peace and freedom to practise religion.

Sabo urged Nigerians to live in peace and also to make it a habit and a way of life for nation growth.

He said NOA had developed

BRIEFING: Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okonwa and the Committee Vice Chairman Senator Margrery Okadigbo briefing the Senate Press Corps on the “National Health Bill in Abuja. Photo: OMOYE AMINU.

a new platform of enlightening people on peace and also developed roundtable and community dialogue.

He said the platform would be used to educate the communities on the important of peace.

“We visit communities and call the people to interact with them; that area was very successful and helpful, and it was found very useful.

“We would continue to adapt it to ensure that we appeal to the conscience of the people to make sure that they continue to live in peace with one another.

He said NOA had a department specifically for peace, to ensure that people lived in peace in whatever was done.

“We discovered that the problem of Nigeria is the problem of the youth, so we engaged the youth, tagged youths as agents of change; we interacted in 20 communities in the state and you would not believe me what this youths are doing.

“They construct wells, toilets and lots of things for their various communities, even bridges, and we taught them on revenue mobilisation and how they can mobilise funds to achieve their goals and the achievement was very wonderful,” he said.

He said NOA in the state was also tackling the examination malpractice as a menace in the

education sector and would organise a programme on integrity in schools.

According to him, the programme will help to reduce such malpractice in the schools across the state.

“It has been discovered that parents even pay for their children to involve in the examination malpractice,” he said.

He said NOA staff were now involved in the supervision of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) in the state.

“You can’t stop it completely but it can be reduced.”

Bizman Arraigned For Causing Hurt

ABUJA - The police have arraigned a businessman, Tersoo Ati, 30, in an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court charged with causing grievous hurt to one Elias Shamion.

Ati, a resident of Dakibiu Village in Abuja, was alleged to have attacked and injured Shamion in the left eye with a sharp object.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Onah Odigri, told the court that Ati attacked Shamion in his house at about 11.57 p.m. on February 7.

Odigri said that the accused went to the complainant’s house for a discussion and in the process, they had a misunderstanding which led to the attack.

He added that Ati, who lives

in the same area with Shamion, went to his house and picked a sharp object and went back to the complainant’s house “and deliberately pierced his left eye.’’

The prosecutor told the court that Shamion was presently undergoing treatment at the Gwarinpa General Hospital, Abuja.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the offence, and his counsel, Mr Adi Danbeki, prayed the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

Danbeki told the court that the accused already had sureties and would not jump bail.

The prosecutor objected the bail application, arguing that

the victim was still in hospital and that the degree of injury had not been ascertained.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr Abdullateef Abolaji, said that although bail could not be allowed for the offence, the court would apply its discretion.

Abolaji, therefore, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N20,000 and two reasonable sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must have a means of livelihood, a known and defined address and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He also ordered that the sureties should deposit their drivers licences or national Identity cards with the court registry.

The magistrate then adjourned the case to February 21.

Abuja NGO Tasks FG On Children Safety

Peace Vital To Tourism Development - Stakeholder ABUJA - Mr Reuben Onah, an Abuja based tourism practitioner, has said that peace and stability were needed to develop tourism in Nigeria.

Onah spoke with newsmen in Abuja.

“Tourism, if based on the principles and good practices polished through ecotourism, can be a powerful tool to reduce the country’s dependence on oil,” he said.

Onah said that tourist attractions were dispersed over the country, but the roads leading to them were bad.

He also identified poverty and crime as factors hindering tourism development in Nigeria.

Onah said that political, religious and ethnic disturbances were also problems facing the growth of the country’s tourism industry.

He said that private and government sectors lacked skills to package tourism for local and international consumers.

Onah said that Nigeria had also been crippled by lack of accurate statistics on tourist arrival and departure over the years.

“For any country to create a substantial international tourism industry and measure its impact, there is need for a reliable mechanism for keeping records of inbound and outbound traffic”, he said.

Onah said that the country’s tourism sector should be developed to attract foreign tourists and investors.

He said that Nigeria was endowed with a wealth of rich and varied human, natural and cultural resources which were great assets to the country.

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu signing a condolence register during a condolence visit by a delegation of the Senate to the family of the late Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Senator Isaiah Balat in Abuja. Photo: OMOYE AMINU.

ABUJA - Environmental and children’s rights campaigners have called on the Federal Government and development partners to encourage Connected Development (CODE), a non-profit organisation, to ensure children’s safety and environmental protection in the country.

The campaigners made the call in Abuja during the official ceremony of the group’s ‘Save Bagega’ Advocacy Campaign that saved the lives of more than 1,500 children, following the outbreak of lead poisoning in Zamfara in 2010.

Reports state that CODE is a non-profit organisation leveraging on various ICT platforms to empower local communities on their rights and

Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi; Minority Leader, Sen. George Akume; Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba; Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweramadu; widows of the late Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Senator Isaiah Balat, Paulina and Mary (seated below) during a condolence visit by a delegation of the Senate to the deceased’s family in Abuja. Photo: OMOYE AMINU.

75 Percent Of Nigerians To Enjoy Electricity By 2020 - Minister

ABUJA - The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has said the Federal Government was installing structures to ensure that 75 per cent of Nigerians would have access to power by 2020.

Nebo gave the assurance in Abuja at the 7th International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) and Nigerian Association for Energy

Economics (NAEE) Annual Conference.

“By the year 2020, 75 per cent of Nigerians would be connected to the national grid.

“President Goodluck Jonathan had already put in place a dynamic infrastructure that has not only been conceived, but also been implemented.

“With the extensive transmission expansion and the soon coming national grid will make that possible. We will also ensure that those who are not connected to the national grid have access.

“We are making every effort

to ensure that they have power off grid that will be sufficient and adequate enough that will make them first class Nigerians,” he said.

He said that President Jonathan was addressing the neglect of the sector by successive administrations for

2014 Hajj: Ministry, NAHCON Commence Preparation

ABUJA - Nigeria’s ConsulGeneral in Jeddah, Ahmed Umar says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) have taken extensive steps to ensure a hitch-free pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year.

In a telephone interview with newsmen in Abuja, Umar said Nigeria’s allocation for the 2014 pilgrimage remained at 76,000, as it was in 2013.

He said the Saudi authorities

how to adapt to their environment.

In his address, Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive of CODE, said with the support from Indiog Trust, a UK-based NGO, CODE had been able to engage various stakeholders to empower local communities.

Lawal expressed the hope of building strong partnership with the government in providing incentives for citizens while exploring best practices from development partners.

Meanwhile, the Country Director of Save the Children, Ms. Susan Grant, commended CODE for its enlightenment acivities in the local communities and for bridging the gap between them and the government.

Grant also lauded the various strategies initiated by those she described as “these young innovators” in CODE, to work with ordinary Nigerians in budget tracking, to ensure that monies allocated were adequately used. ‘’I hope that more people will come out and support CODE.’’ ‘’I think it’s important that Nigerians look at how Nigeria can become one of the best countries in the world to live in and that will be a legacy.’’

She urged Nigerians to take responsibility and ensure that children in the country grew up in a violent-free environment, to allow them to develop to their full potential.

In his remarks the co-founder of CODE, Oludotun Babayemi, urge the federal government to incorporate artisanal and small scale miners into cooperatives, to encourage the development of good mining practices in the sector.

had slashed the allocations to Nigeria and other countries slots by 20 per cent due to the ongoing expansion of Ka’abah in Makkah.

According to the consulgeneral, said the team of embassy and NAHCON officials have had fruitful discussions on issues such as transportation and accommodation of pilgrims and cooperation with the Saudi authorities on consular matters.

He commended the Saudi authorities for providing excellent facilities for the comfort of pilgrims during 2013 hajj.

Umar described the conduct of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in the last three years as “extremely good’’, noting that there had been a significant drop in consular problems.

“Our measure of success is by the number of problems that we were able to resolve and last year we had very few problems and very few pilgrims asked for intervention while in the country,’’ he said.

The envoy attributed the success to the massive enlightenment embarked by government and NAHCON on

the need for pilgrims to maintain good conduct in the Holy land.

It will be recalled that in 2012 several female pilgrims from Nigerians, less than 45 years of age, were deported because of the issue of Muharram (male guide).

However since then NAHCON had ensured strict monitoring to ensure that female below the age of 45 are accompanied by male guides.

about 17 years.

“The sector was so bad that in 17 years NEPA and PHCN did not hire an engineer, it took the President a greater effort to reverse the trend.

“Recently 523 engineers were hired for TCN. The National Training Institute is working hard to ensure provision of adequate manpower for the sector through empowerment of young engineers,” he said.

Nebo said government was injecting a huge amount of resources to ensure that numerous communities would get connected to the national grid.

“By the grace of God and by 2020, we expect that 75 per cent of Nigerians and all households are connected to the national grid,” he said.

According to him, part of the efforts includes the flagging off of the Zungeru Power Station with 700 megawatts capacity by President Jonathan.

Busines+Economy

Plateau Poultry Farmers To Access N220bn Loan

JOS - Mr. Julius Gusan, Chairman, Plateau Poultry Farmers Association (PAN), said has said that farmers in the state would access the Central of Bank’s (CBN) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Fund.

Gusan told newsmen in Jos that the CBN had on February 11, held a sensitisation workshop for poultry farmers to educate them on the facility.

He said the farmers were informed of the conditions that they needed to satisfy to benefit from the scheme which would be facilitated by the association.

“We as farmers will access the

loan through micro-finance banks and we have gone ahead to open accounts with some micro-finance banks for our farmers to access the loan.

“It is not going to be a problem because we are going to guarantee our farmers to take the loan to expand their farms, generate more income and improve their standard of living,’’ he said.

He disclosed that the inclusion of his members to access the loan and the sensitisation workshop was as a result of the training they received from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

“The CBN knew that PAN members received training from the ITF and therefore, they can now handle poultry issues,’’ he said.

Gusan said the new office accommodation the association

inaugurated last week was to enable it to operate in a better environment and be more accessible to farmers.

“The office is a centre for us to coordinate the activities of all the farmers ranging from

production to marketing of poultry products.

“We are talking with feed millers that produce quality and standard feeds to bring and keep them here so that our farmers can buy.

“The same thing with hatcheries; so that quality dayold chicks are supplied to our

farmers.

“So, they will come here and verify which ones they will go for and we will advise them accordingly,’’ he said.

He advised poultry farmers who had yet to register with the association to do so without delay to benefit from the gesture.

Non-Registration: SEC Shuts Finance House ABEOKUTA - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sealed the office of the New Nation Finance House in Abeokuta, Ogun.

Mr. Alani Falade, leader of the commission’s task force which shut down the outfit, told reporters after the exercise that the firm was operating illegally without registration.

Falade said that the commission had embarked on nationwide closure of all the offices of the finance house since February 3.

He added that SEC had shut down eight of the firm’s premises in different states including the one in Ogun.

Falade said that the exercise was part of the commission’s responsibility of regulating the capital market and protecting innocent people from falling victims of wrong investment schemes.

“The capital market is a key component of the nation’s economy, hence we need to get it properly sanitised to enhance local and foreign investors,” he said.

He called on members of the public to always ensure that they invested in securities only with firms which were registered with SEC.

L-R: National President, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar; Deputy Governor of Kaduna, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga and President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (KADCCIMA), Dr. Abdul Alimi Bello at the opening ceremony of 35th Fair in Kaduna weekend.

Nigeria, UK Partner On Bilateral Trade

ABUJA - Jennifer Oyelade, Project Coordinator, “UK Nigeria 100 Project’’, has said the organisation would partner the UK Trade and Investment Association to strengthen bilateral trade between both countries.

Oyelade said this at the official unveiling of the organisation at Asokoro in Abuja.

According to her, the project

is also aimed at celebrating Nigeria’s centenary.

“The UK Trade and Investment Association in collaboration with Say It Loud Africa and Transquisite Consulting are celebrating this significant landmark by acknowledging the relationship the nation has built with the UK over the years.

“It also aims at encouraging businesses from both nations to

solidify those relationships by engaging in bilateral trade.

“We have created this platform to encourage bilateral trade between the UK and Nigeria by partnering with 100 UK SMEs with 100 Nigerian SMEs to engage in business opportunities and further their scope of operations,’’ she said.

She said that the project would be focusing on the creative industry by identifying SMEs in

sectors such as the media, fashion and design, film, entertainment and creative information technology.

“These are sectors that have been creating waves in both countries and if the industries join forces to bring their specialism to the table, the end result will indeed be revolutionary.

“This will ensure the growth of bilateral trade, the economies of both countries and also strengthen the relationship within the two nations.’’

The director said that the online platform of the project would create flexibility for businessmen and women who operated in different parts of the world to interact.

“There are so many individuals who had a lot to offer, but did not have a platform to stand on.

“It will therefore allow them to partner and combine resources to enable them widen their scope of operations and brand recognition.

stems and peels for cultivation of edible mushrooms.

Cassava stems and peels are are usually considered as waste and are either fed to livestock, used as manure or thrown away.

Asiru said that the formation of the association was the next step in the project, which began in 2011 and aimed at developing a market model and creating investment opportunities in mushrooms.

“Research trials have shown that cassava peels and stems can be used in growing edible mushrooms.

“In our search for a market model, we needed a formidable mushroom growers association to drive the project, which was not in existence.

“The association is expected

to drive marketing, create awareness on mushroom cultivation and consumption; ensure a market information system; share learning experience, exchange visit and build capacity.’’

He said that Mrs. Mojirade Oluwadiya would serve as the interim President of the new association, with Mr. John Oguntoyinbo as National Secretary and Mrs Elisabeth Abikoye as Administrative Officer.

Oluwadiya later told newsmen that the first task for the association was to encourage mushroom farmers who had abandoned the business for one reason or the other to retrace their steps.

Institute Inaugurates National Mushroom Association

Participants at the opening ceremony of 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna weekend.

LAGOS - The Federal Institute for Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), has inaugurated a National Mushroom Association (NAMUASS) to help promote the commercialisation of the findings of the “Waste-toWealth Gratitude“ project.

The project was funded by the European Union.

Dr Wahab Asiru, the Project Coordinator at the institute, told newsmen in Lagos that the association would assist in creating awareness on mushrooms cultivation, using cassava peels.

Reports state that the European Union-funded “Waste-to-Wealth Gratitude Project” is on use of cassava

Perspective THE ABC dictionary defines a treasure (noun) as ‘’something very valuable’’.

It also defined it in the verb form to mean ‘’to keep something carefully because one values it’’ or “to hold something in high esteem’’.

Most precious stones are regarded as treasures, such as diamonds, pearls, etc.

Another form of treasure includes gold in the form of jewelleries, watches, necklaces, etc. Hello! Hope we are not here to define treasures? Someone would impatiently be thinking by now. Not exactly honey. So what? Take a deep breath.

Now look at this: How do you ever feel when you think about your mother?

Love, gratitude, appreciation...the list of those emotions spiralling through your mind is endless. You only appreciate what you value. If then you value your mother, from our definition earlier, your mother is a treasure. Well if your mother is a treasure, every woman is a treasure then. The female gender is a rare gift. If you are a woman reading this article, spread your hands in the air and show some excitement. Wow! Well, I’m not here to excite you. I’m here to inspire you. Little wonder you are kept carefully away from harm, never allowed to carry the heavy luggage, always shielded from the roadside when walking with a man, and always allowed to walk in front with the man behind in situations where the road is narrow. Don’t you ever get it?

It’s because you are a treasure, one with an irredeemable value.

Now if you are a man reading this, don’t get all itchy and defensive. The reason is this; without you, there wouldn’t be any other instrument to use by God, in keeping these women safe.

God gave you the capacity to do that when he created you.

That’s why you have more physical strength than we.

Did you ever stop to consider why he made Adam first

Woman: before Eve? Because he knew that once Eve was made, she will need a capable hand to keep her safe...like a treasure.

Didn’t anyone ever tell you that you are the hero? The capable one.

I will like to give you a few characteristics of treasures.

Firstly, treasures are hidden.

Whether acquired or natural, they are never kept in an open place. Unless otherwise put up for sale. We don’t see precious stones on the streets just like the pebbles on the sand which we match on, along our path every day. As a treasure, every woman is supposed to be kept in the secret place. Where is this secret place? The secret place

An Invaluable Gift From God

By NWACHUKWU CROWN

of the Almighty. (psalm 91 vs 1) If you are a woman and you agree with me to be a treasure, then you have to be dwelling in God’s secret place-his presence. The glory of God’s presence makes it all the worth. Every time we abscond from the presence of God as women, we could be classified as treasures without worth. How do I mean?

Imagine seeing a diamond lie bare on the sand as you walk home. On a first note, you would think of it as being fake or not original because you know it’s not supposed to be there. That’s how it is when a woman leaves the

presence of God. It’s like a treasure that is out of its place.

The body of a woman being the temple of God also harbours the presence of God and should be kept preserved, not thrown carelessly bare, accessible to all and sundry.

A treasure is not to be opened by just anyone. Only the one who pays the ultimate price and takes the sacrifice to find it can unravel it. Your dressing is paramount here.

They are the sheets used to wrap the treasure. Have you seen a wedding gift half wrapped? It doesn’t look presentable. Gifts like

“Gifts like treasures are well wrapped so that everybody doesn’t see what is inside until it gets to the intended owner. So girls, let’s wrap our bodies like the treasures we are in the decent clothes that cover all the intricate parts till we get to our intended groom. You can’t dress like a suspect and expect to be treated like a prospect.”

treasures are well wrapped so that everybody doesn’t see what is inside until it gets to the intended owner. So girls, let’s wrap our bodies like the treasures we are in the decent clothes that cover all the intricate parts till we get to our intended groom. You can’t dress like a suspect and expect to be treated like a prospect. Aha! ... someone must have raised a brow at that.

Hey! It’s okay to sulk a bit, maybe at the realisation that you‘ve not being too careful with your body or for some other reasons that hurt in the light of this revelation. Well, you are human, born with imperfections, bound to make mistakes. We all have made mistakes at one point of our lives or the other. So, everyone shares your sentiments, with no exception. And now that we know who we are, it’s time to dust the past and all its regrets, carry our head high, hold up our gaze and look unflinchingly straight. After all, if God didn’t accuse us but instead gave us the grace to come in light with this revelation today, who will?

Perhaps he has a better plan.

There is a whole lot he wants us to achieve in the present and the future than sit around regretting the past. I can feel someone making up her mind.

The second characteristic of treasures is that treasures appreciate in value. The value of a treasure appreciates, it doesn’t depreciate with time. Yet, it is an ever sought after. So sweetheart, what are you doing to increase your worth?

Get more cookery lessons, acquire a professional certificate suited to your area of specialisation, develop your talents, improve on your handwork, expand your business idea, organise your home with more grace and affection like a loving wife and an invaluable mother.

Above all, worship God with all that you are and get a life altogether.

Till I come your way again in writing, don’t ever forget dear sister that you are a treasure, every woman is a treasure, that’s how it’s meant to be.

THE crushing poverty level in today’s Nigeria has become so overwhelming that over 70 percent of Nigerians have unwittingly bowed to the pangs of biting hardship.

POVERTY is today a generic term and has been so since attempts at its classification by various study and academic groups with Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) ever more vehement and critical on the problems associated with large scale poverty and ways to improve the economic status of those classified in the group.

SOCIAL scientists in attempt at plausible stratification and definition of the term find it necessary to contrast it with such opposite terms as richness, wealth, comfort, affluence and the likes as the terms carry inherent semantic undertones that most climes solicit sympathy, empathy and compassion from those afflicted with the plague which poverty has come to symbolise.

HOWEVER, by daily interactions within society and among communities and nations, it is clear that poverty has striking universal perception and similarities because of its cross country feature and characteristics. The basic feature being that people suffer hunger and deprivation with not enough to eat, lack shelter and clothing as well as basic necessities required for human existence.

FOR instance, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights aptly sums up poverty as a “human condition characterized by the sustained or chronic deprivation of the resources, capabilities choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of all adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”.

THERE is, as a result, conscious efforts by many organizations to mitigate time harsh effect of poverty which is more endemic in developing

THE NIGERIAN

Tackling Nigeria’s Poverty Burden countries and many parts of Asia while in Nigeria, government’s effort at providing palliatives and putting in place workable measures from some of its economic policies that cause poverty shocks are yet to yield the desired impact.

IT is the concern for the world’s poor and to find solution to speeding poverty crisis that the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is celebrated worldwide in order to push people up the ladder of comfort where health care, food, shelter, clothing’s among others are assured the citizenry without experiencing the pain of deprivation.

IN Nigeria, however, government has put in place social programmes as National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS), the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to tackle problem of youth unemployment, a crucial poverty indicator among the socio cultural stratification.

IT presents a sad scenario that despite several policy initiatives the menace of poverty is a staggering reality and may have accounted for the loophole in myriad of social vices, most notably are high incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping, corruption, advance fee fraud (419), prostitution Rings, human trafficking and “the likes perpetuated and perpetrated by the authors as the quickest route to scale the poverty barrier.

THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its 2000/2001 Human, development report on Nigeria, states that 70 per cent of

Nigerians are in abject poverty while massive unemployment of people and the under utilization of resources are the order of the day.

Since the report, nothing about the poverty level changed dramatically.

IN assessing Nigeria’s poverty level, based on its oil wealth which it described as a mixed blessing, the report explained that it was not the oil resources that are the problem, but the management of those resources.

A general overview of Nigeria’s poverty crisis indicates therefore that there is a fundamental problem which the Federal Government needs to identify and tackle in order to address the continuing poverty level in Nigeria. The NIGERIAN OSERVER urges the government to re-appraise some of its economic policies and those geared towards poverty eradication. Beside, it is remarkable that government insensitivity to suggestions put forward to it is increasing and is not being addressed as they should.

A holistic reappraisal is therefore inevitable at all sectors of the economy and mitigating measures put in place if government is to succeed in it poverty eradication drive.

IN the face of glaring discontent at the increasing poverty level, the World Bank proffered in its report that “oil and natural gas will generate continuing wealth for many years on which Nigeria can build, if it manages this wealth well. If it channels more of this wealth to the development of its people and to the productive use of its land and other resources, then Nigeria has a promising Future”.

WE implore the Federal Government to continue to put policy measures in place to scale down poverty level. Corporate bodies and organisation can play a part by partnering with the various governments to alleviate poverty in the land.

Issues

National Conference

The Patchwork Nation

BETWEEN March 30 and May 20, Nigerians would be treated to another bizarre macabre drama of constructional patchwork one that passes for a patch of ice on the road to nationforming. Bearing in mind the charge of pessimism on my part, President Jonathan’s national conference must be seen for what it is: an ominous blitheness that leads only to blind alley.

The proposed patches to the nation’s 1999 noxious military constitution is a further autocracy and subversive contraption of President Goodluck Jonathan’s uncharitable engagement to beef up support for his stranded and evaporated Presidential ambition. A lot of banal gimmicks have been infused into the nation’s political space since President Jonathan’s body language suggests his readiness to cling on to power. The national conference is one of them.

Those who will fall for the

booby trap will have a date with history as less discerning who decidedly turned a blind eye to an overt chasm of a political actor and a dried opportunist, who suddenly found a seemingly escape route in a clumsy political road. I’m not certain how many Nigerians would trust President Jonathan on his “good intentioned” National Conference or Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Interestingly, Anyim Pius Anyim was the Senate President at the formative stage of the present Fourth Republic from August 2000 up to May 2003 while President Olusegun Obasanjo held the nation to the jugular without the merest angst against the perilous document called the Nigerian Constitution. He was the leading light of the blatant military aberration criminally paraded as the constitution foisted on a democratic nation without remotely or

By ERASMUS IKHIDE

openly demanding for wholesale development of a people’s construction.

There is no question as to whether nations should have the right to hold national conference. But the question is should they hold? If there must be one, whose interests?

Does the wording of the national conference determine the outcome? Who wins? Then what is a Nation?

Ernest Renan, an 1882 French historian and essayist defined a nation as “a daily referendum”, and that nations are based as much on what the people jointly forget, as

what they remember. It is frequently quoted or anthologized in works of history or political science pertaining to nationalism.

Granted that we have seen in history countries like Turkey and Bohemia where there is rigid stratification, or where different communities are played off against one another, and where the homogenization of different groups could not take place, resulting in a failure of nationhood.

The latter is permissible in modern times where the sovereign will of the people

override the elitist subversion of state craft and where the people’s differences are irreconcilable. The essence of a nation is that the people have many things in common, but have also forgotten much together, according to Renan. No French citizen knows if he is Burgundian, Alain, Taifale, Visigoth; every French citizen must have forgotten the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre and the massacres in the Midi in the 13th century.

The trouble with Nigeria from colonial days to date is that its leadership had never allowed the citizenry to privately or collectively

express their desire to live together. This is paramount in a nation in proportion to the sacrifices to which the people consented or the harms that they suffered together. The will to continue to value their togetherness or otherwise, the shared heritage or otherwise, whether they have had glorious moments in common in the past or otherwise, a common will in the present or otherwise, whether they have done great things together and to wish to do more together or otherwise. These are the preconditions for a people to continue to live together.

This is the missing link. We Continues on page 14

“The trouble with Nigeria from colonial days to date is that its leadership had never allowed the citizenry to privately or collectively express their desire to live together. This is paramount in a nation in proportion to the sacrifices to which the people consented or the harms that they suffered together.”

Issues

President Goodluck Jonathan Continued from page 13

are not so sure how Anyim Pius Anyim comes to the conclusion that the 492 delegates to President Jonathan’s Nation Conference is a true reflection and sacrosanct representation of over 160 million Nigerians. The questions on the lips of many Nigerians are, why is the Presidency involved in a national frivolity whose outcome will not be subjected and validated by referendum?

Who can trust President Jonathan or Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the manipulative PDP machine to guarantee restriction of a rampaging Presidency from stealing and appropriating the people’s voices in the national conference?

Now, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, with a cynical mindset, armed with Presidency fiat is barking savagely on Nigerians that we must shallow intact, President Jonathan’s modalities for a nationbecoming, called the national conference. Anyim should have by now become deafened by his own voice as

it bounces back from the stone wall of resistance, indifference and outright rejection to his no-go-zone as was the case with President Olusegun Obasanjo’s fraudulent national conference.

It’s not immediately clear how President Goodluck Jonathan hopes to build a modestly viable edifice he called “Transformation Agenda” or a strong nation without first laying the bases for its proper reconstruction from this. Those who think they can erect a future without first ridding the ground of past debris fly against the natural order of regeneration. They carry with them negative baggage that already conflicts with the envisioned “Transformation Agenda”.

Even my little daughter, Iria knows that, before the erection of a simple farm hamlet, the ground, large or small, has to be cleared, the debris burnt or ploughed back into the ground where it is converted into entirely new matter or disposed of in such a manner that it loses its earlier capacity to obstruct, compromise or endanger the new edifice.

• Senator Femi Okunronmu, Chairman Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue

• Anyim Pius Anyim SGF

...The Patchwork Nation

President Goodluck Jonathan did not think so. He thinks only of self-beneficial minimal restructuring of the country that truly subverts and suppresses the people’s resolve on what country they want to leave in and how such country should be wished into existence, and its probable governance.

President Jonathan is aware that in the absence of a true Sovereign National Conference, something else takes it place - a tyrannical monstrosity that violates the civil rights of the people to chose their country and their rights to be govern aright.

Such is the modalities reeled out to Nigerians by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue Conference, Senator Femi Okunronmu; and Permanent Secretary, Office of the SGF, Dr. Linus Awute, a few days ago during a press conference on the modalities of the forthcoming National Conference in Abuja.

•The official name of the

conversation/conference shall be “The National Conference”; •The National Conference shall hold in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; •The National Conference shall tentatively last for three months and shall discuss any subject matter, except the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation, therefore the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable; •A Conference Management Secretariat shall be established to manage, administer and run the affairs of the conference; •Decisions at The National Conference shall be by consensus; •But where it is not achievable, it shall be by 75 per cent majority; The National Conference shall advise the government on the legal framework, legal procedures and options for integrating the decisions and outcomes of The National Conference into the constitution and laws of the country; and •The National Conference shall have a chairperson and a deputy chairperson of

“To start with, President Jonathan does not need to restrict Nigerians or set forbidding modalities if he is truly committed to the formation of art of consensual aggregation to chart a cause for true nationhood. Inasmuch as mountains and valleys don’t know how to build or carve out countries, the people whose destiny is at stake cannot be prevented from doing so on such geographical space.”

unimpeachable integrity.

To start with, President Jonathan does not need to restrict Nigerians or set forbidding modalities if he is truly committed to the formation of art of consensual aggregation to chart a cause for true nationhood.

Inasmuch as mountains and valleys don’t know how to build or carve out countries, the people whose destiny is at stake cannot be prevented from doing so on such geographical space.

A very important element of nationhood, says Renan, is the desire to continue forming part of the nation. The existence of a nation (you will pardon me this metaphor) is a daily referendum, just as the continuing existence of an individual is a perpetual affirmation of life. This leads Renan to the conclusion that “A nation never has a veritable interest in annexing or keeping another region against the wishes of its people”. In other words, areas such as states or provinces which wish to secede, should be permitted to do so. “If doubts arise about national borders, consult the population of the area in dispute. They have the right to an opinion on the issue.”

Mr Jonathan’s modalities for the Nigerian nationhood does not include the people’s rights to validate - through referendum in an election -

that will not be subjected to the PDP manipulative machines. The outcome of the so-called “National Conference” will be rectified through consensus or by 75 per cent of the selected 492 delegates, in the words of Anyim Pius Anyim.

Therein lies the affront and impunity on Nigerians. No matter what, President Jonathan’s “good intentions” is not good enough for us.

What does is cost a determined leadership to conduct an acceptable referendum in the interests of the populace and the nationbeing?

Why waste humongous sum in ten of hundred of billion in a frivolous outing whose out coming will be derided by future governments?

For love of country, there is need to focus critically on the spiritual principle, as opposed to race, religion, geography, war lost or war won, if President Goodluck Jonathan wishes to deadened his dangerous politics; including constitutional subversion.

Violent political ambition such as his, is capable of hewing Nigeria to the dust.

The nation’s survival is far more greater than President Jonathan’s vaunting ambition and the PDP’s everlasting claims to raw political power.

Erasmus wrote in from Lagos Nigeria

Opinion

• Dr. Ade Abolurin, NSCDC Commandant General

first of all, once someone mortgages himself by soliciting inducements; it goes against the ethics of the profession.

“We definitely frown at it because it goes against the provisions of the Act and there are sanctions which include the dismissal of the affected security guard.

“We are the regulator, if we discover that the practice is common among the security guards of a particular company, we have no other choice than to invite the company down here “We have field officers and if our monitoring activity confirms that the officers of a particular company have the penchant to compromise, we would withdraw the company’s licence,” he said.

Although he did not disclose the specific number of the companies whose licences had been withdrawn, Nnamdi said that none of the licence withdrawals was anchored on the actions of “unusually friendly’’ personnel.

However, he stressed that the issue of inducement-

the country; that is why we insist that they must be well behaved anywhere they are stationed,” he said.

It is, however, pertinent to note that the Nigeria Police Force sternly frowns at all forms of inducement, as it outlaws bribery, which attracts grave penalties such as outright dismissal from service.

But observers insist that the measure has not proved to be a pragmatic disincentive to some corrupt officers who still collect bribes.

A school of thought is, however, of the opinion that the tendency of private security operatives and others on similar assignment to collect tips could be blamed on their poor remuneration.

Others reject the notion, saying that poor remuneration cannot be cited as an excuse for dereliction of duty.

On the issue of remuneration, Nnamdi said that the NSCDC was currently looking into how to standardise and improve the remuneration of private security operatives.

soliciting guards was a major theme of discussion when the NSCDC licenced 31 private security outfits recently.

He urged the citizens to always endeavour to report any mischievous guard to his employer or the NSCDC. In spite of the regulations governing the profession, observers wonder if the security companies are aware of the waywardness of some of their staff or they just tend to shy away from sanctioning aberrant workers.

All the same, Mr Austin Udoh, the Operations Manager of Austria Security Limited, Abuja, said that the punishment for soliciting tips in the company was outright sack He, however, stressed that the officials of the agency were seriously sensitised to the dangers of soliciting inducements during their training.

“We give them physical training, we teach them how to engage in physical combat, we tell them the dos and don’ts of the profession, and we also caution them to desist from soliciting tips.

“We pay our staff better than so many other outfits in

“That is why when we are going through the records of the security outfits, we always take note of issues like how much they pay their employees and how much they charge their clients.

“When we look at the records and we see that the company cannot guarantee the payment of a living wage to its staff, we sanction it.

“Our field men are on ground to give us information and even the guards themselves have a complaints unit where they can lodge complaints about the company,” he said.

Besides, Nnamdi said that the NSCDC was now mandating the private security outfits to take insurance policies that could improve the lives and health of their personnel in the event of job-related accidents or even deaths.

All in all, the general consensus of opinion is that the private security business has become a flourishing business in the country.

Observers, nonetheless, underscore the need to make concerted efforts to stem perceptible aberrations in the industry, particularly those relating to the habit of some private security operatives who routinely harass people for tips. (NAN)

Private Security Operatives And Odd Friendly Attitudes

“BROS! Anything for your boys?, Oga , we dey here o!, Madam, your people dey loyal o!.’’

Such statements come in different forms and styles, all in a bid by some private security operatives to solicit tips from anyone who passes around them.

One can easily decipher someone who is always tipping the security operatives by the quality of time and energy they dedicate to compliments. “Morn sir”, “Welcome ma” are part of the vocabulary.

It is now commonplace to find security operatives carrying the luggage of persons who usually give them tips; to the detriment of their work which also entails searching anyone coming into the premises of an organisation.

These security operatives are hired to man gates, receptions, restricted areas and even checkpoints.

The operatives work at airports, government and private establishments, banks, churches and residential areas and they choose their prospective customers by means of the kind of attire they wear or the type of cars they drive.

The development is now becoming a source of concern to several people, compelling observers to complain about the veiled manner in which the security operatives solicit inducements with reckless abandon.

“Nowadays, I hardly go to any public place where there are security men without thinking of how to evade them and their demands,’’ Mr Ahmed Omowale, a civil servant in the FCT, said.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the regulator of private security agencies, says that only 850 out of the 1,360 registered private security outfits in the country

By IFEANYI NWOKO

are functional.

However, experts insist that the attitudinal problem of the private security operatives is very much counterproductive to their work.

They note that the “begging’’ posture of some private security personnel portends danger to the lives and property of the people they are hired to protect.

“The security operatives are often carried away by their quest for tips to such an extent that they lose focus of their prime responsibility of securing the place,’’ Omowale said.

Therefore, many Nigerians, including Omowale, tend to wonder if there are any guidelines or rules governing the

operations of private security operatives, particularly with regard to soliciting and receiving tips or sometimes bribes.

Mr Nwinyi Nnamdi, the Assistant Commandant General, Private Guard Department of the NSCDC, said that there were extant rules outlawing such behaviour.

“There are regulations; we have what we call the Private Guards Act which guides the operations of practitioners in the field; the ethics of the profession.

“Private guards trying to be ‘unusually friendly’ with strangers in their place of duty is a common menace that cuts across.

“It is something that we don’t take kindly to because

“That is why when we are going through the records of the security outfits, we always take note of issues like how much they pay their employees and how much they charge their clients. When we look at the records and we see that the company cannot guarantee the payment of a living wage to its staff, we sanction it.”

Foot Prints

Power is my mistress – Napoleon I TODAY’S excursion examines the life of one of the greatest leaders and military strategists the world has ever known; a man whose godlike deeds during his lifetime has elevated to the plinth of tin gods; a man whose ideas on governance and military tactics have continued to influence successive generations after his demise; a man who came, saw, and nearly conquered all opposing forces in his paths; a mighty man of valour in every sense of the word: Emperor Napoleon I (1769-1821) of France.

NapoleonwasbornonAugust 15, 1769, in Ajaccio, Corsica, and was given the name Napoleone (in French his name became Napoleon Bonaparte).

He was the second of eight children of Carlo (Charles) Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino Buonaparte, both of the Corsican-Italian gentry.

No Buonaparte had ever been a professional soldier. Carlo was a lawyer who had fought for Corsican independence, but after the French occupied the island in 1768, he served as a prosecutor and judge and entered the French aristocracy as a count.

Through his father ’s influence, Napoleon was educated at the expense of King Louis XVI, at Brienne and the École Militaire, in Paris.

Napoleon graduated in 1785, at the age of 16, and joined the artillery as a second lieutenant.

Young Napoleon became a lieutenant colonel (1791) in the Corsican National Guard, after the commencement of the French Revolution in 1789. In 1793, however, Corsica declared independence, and Bonaparte, a French patriot and a Republican, fled to France with his family. He was assigned, as a captain, to an army besieging Toulon, a naval base that, aided by a British fleet, was in revolt against the republic. Replacing a wounded artillery general, he seized ground where his guns could drive the British fleet from the harbor, and Toulon fell. As a result Bonaparte was promoted to brigadier general at the age of 24. In 1795 he saved the revolutionary government by dispersing an insurgent mob in Paris. In 1796 he married Joséphine de Beauharnais, the widow of an aristocrat guillotined in the Revolution and the mother of two children.

Bonapartewasmadecommander of the French army in Italy in 1796. He defeated four Austrian generals in succession, each with superior numbers, and forced Austria and its allies to make peace. The Treaty of Campo Formio provided that France keep most of its conquests. In northern Italy, he founded the Cisalpine Republic (later known as the kingdom of Italy) and strengthened his position in France by sending millions of

The Irrepressible Na

francs worth of treasure to the government.

In 1798, to strike at British trade with the East, Napoleon led an expedition to Ottomanruled Egypt, which he conquered. His fleet, however, was destroyed

by British admiral Horatio Nelson in the Battle of the Nile, leaving him stranded.

Undaunted, Napoleon reformed the Egyptian government and law, abolishing serfdom and feudalism and guaranteeing basic rights. The French scholars he had brought with him began the scientific study of ancient Egyptian history.

In 1799 he failed to capture Syria, but he won a smashing victory over the Ottomans at Abû Qîr (Abukir).

France, meanwhile, faced a new coalition; Austria, Russia, and lesser powers had allied with Britain.

Bonaparte, no modest soul, decided to leave his army and return to save France. In Paris, he joined a conspiracy against the government.

In the coup d’etat of November 9-10, 1799 (18-19 Brumaire), he and his colleagues seized power and established a new regime—the Consulate. Under its constitution, Bonaparte, as first consul, had almost dictatorial powers. The constitution was revised in 1802 to make Bonaparte consul for life and in 1804 to

By OBUSEH JUDE

create him emperor.

Each change received the overwhelming assent of the electorate.

In 1800, Napoleon assured his power by crossing the Alps and defeating the Austrians at Marengo.

He then negotiated a general European peace that established the Rhine River as the eastern border of France.

He also concluded an agreement with the pope (the Concordat of 1801), which contributed to French domestic tranquility by ending the quarrel with the Roman Catholic Church that had arisen during the French R e v o l u t i o n .

In France, the administration was reorganized, the court system was simplified, and all schools were put under centralized control.

French law was standardized in the Code Napoléon, or civil code, and six other codes. They guaranteed the rights and liberties won in the Revolution, including equality before the law and freedom of religion.

Britain, in April 1803, provoked by Napoleon’s aggressive behavior, resumed war with France on the seas; two years later Russia and Austria joined the British in a new coalition. Napoleon then abandoned plans to invade England and turned his armies against the Austro-Russian forces, defeating them at the Battle of Austerlitz

“Napoleon’s influence is evident in France even today. Souvenirs of him dot Paris - the most obvious being the Arc de Triomphe, the centerpiece of the city, which was built to commemorate his several victories.”

on December 2, 1805. In 1806 he seized the kingdom of Naples and made his elder brother Joseph Bonaparte king, converted the Dutch Republic into the kingdom of Holland for his brother Louis, and

new states to the empire: the kingdom of Westphalia, under his brother Jérôme, the duchy of Warsaw, and others.

Napoleon had meanwhile established the Continental System, a French-imposed blockade of Europe against British goods,

w Sp gu Pe Fr ca su co ev th I th

designed to bankrupt what he called the “nation of shopkeepers.”

In 1807 Napoleon seized Portugal. In 1808, he made his brother Joseph king of Spain, awarding Naples to his brother-inlaw, Joachim Murat.

Joseph’s arrival in Spain touched off a rebellion there, which became known as the Peninsular War. Napoleon appeared briefly and scored victories, but after his departure the fighting continued for five years,

W Ill pa B Se M ab St Jo he ar Lo A th w ho ho w

Napoleon Bonaparte

established the Confederation of the Rhine (most of the German states) of which he was protector. Prussia then allied itself with Russia and attacked the confederation. Napoleon annihilated the Prussian army at Jena and Auerstädt (1806) and the Russian army at Friedland. At Tilsit (July 1807), Napoleon made an ally of Russian tsar Alexander I and greatly reduced the size of Prussia. He also added

Foot Prints

apoleon Bonaparte

with the British backing panish armies and uerrillas.

The eninsular War cost rance 300,000 asualties and untold ums of money and ontributed to the ventual weakening of he Napoleonic empire.

In 1809, Napoleon beat he Austrians again at

be more readily accepted by established monarchs.

In 1810 also, the empire reached its widest extension with the annexation of Bremen, Lübeck, and other parts of north Germany, together with the entire kingdom of Holland, following the forced

Wagram, annexed the lyrian Provinces (now art of Slovenia, Croatia, osnia and Herzegovina, erbia, and Montenegro), and bolished the Papal tates. He also divorced oséphine, and in 1810, e married the Habsburg rchduchess Marie ouise, daughter of the Austrian emperor. By hus linking his dynasty with the oldest ruling ouse in Europe, he oped that his son, who was born in 1811, would

abdication of Louis Bonaparte A g a i n , in all the new kingdoms created by the emperor, the Code Napoléon was established as law.

Feudalism and serfdom were abolished, and freedom of religion established (except in Spain). Each state was granted a constitution, providing for universal male suffrage (voting rights) and a parliament and containing a bill of rights. French-style

administrative and judicial systems were required. Schools were put under centralized administration, and free public schools were envisioned. Higher education was opened to all who qualified, regardless of class or religion. Every state had an academy or institute for the promotion of the arts and sciences.

Incomes were provided for eminent scholars, especially scientists.

Constitutional government remained only a promise, but progress and increased efficiency were widely realized. Not until after Napoleon’s fall did the common people of Europe, alienated from his governments by war taxes and military conscription, fully appreciate the benefits he had given them.

In 1812 Napoleon, whose alliance with Alexander I had disintegrated, launched an invasion of Russia that ended in a disastrous retreat from Moscow. Thereafter all Europe united against him, and although he fought on, and brilliantly, the odds were impossible. In April 1814, his marshals refused to continue the struggle. After the allies had rejected his stepping down in favor of his son, Napoleon abdicated unconditionally and was exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba. Marie Louise and

his son were put in the custody of her father, the emperor of Austria.

Napoleon never saw either of them again.

Napoleon himself, however, soon made a dramatic comeback.

N a p o l e o n , in March 1815, escaped from Elba, reached France, and marched on Paris, winning over the troops sent to capture him. In Paris, he promulgated a new and more democratic constitution, and veterans of his old campaigns flocked to his support. Napoleon asked peace of the allies, but they outlawed him, and he decided to strike first.

The result was a campaign into Belgium, which ended in defeat at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815. In Paris, crowds begged him to fight on, but the politicians withdrew their support. Napoleon fled to Rochefort, where he surrendered to the captain of the British battleship Bellerophon.

He was then exiled to Saint Helena, a remote island in the south Atlantic Ocean, where he remained until his death on May 5, 1821.

The cult of Napoleon as the “man of destiny” began during his lifetime. In fact, he had begun to cultivate it during his first Italian campaign by systematically publicizing his victories.

As first consul and

emperor, he had engaged the best writers and artists of France and Europe to glorify his deeds and had contributed to the cult himself by the elaborate ceremonies with which he celebrated his rule, picturing himself as the architect of France’s greatest glory. He maintained that he had preserved the achievements of the Revolution in France and offered their benefits to Europe. His goal, he said, was to found a European state - a “federation of free peoples.” Whatever the truth of this, he became the arch-hero of the French and a martyr to the world. In 1840 his remains were returned to Paris at the request of King Louis Philippe and interred with great pomp and ceremony in the Invalides, where they still lie.

Napoleon’s influence is evident in France even today. Souvenirs of him dot Paris - the most obvious being the Arc de Triomphe, the centerpiece of the city, which was built to commemorate his several victories. His spirit pervades the constitution of the Fifth Republic; the country’s basic law is still the Code Napoléon, and the administrative and judicial systems are essentially Napoleonic.

A uniform stateregulated system of education persists.

Napoleon’s radical reforms in all parts of Europe cultivated the

ground for the revolutions of the 19th century. Today, the impact of the Code Napoléon is apparent in the law of all European countries.

Bonaparte was a driven man, never secure, never satisfied. “Power is my mistress,” he said. His life was work-centered; even his social activities had a purpose. He could bear amusements or vacations only briefly.

His tastes were for coarse food, bad wine, cheap snuff. He could be charming - hypnotically so - for a purpose. He had intense loyalties - to his family and old associates. Nothing and no one, however, were allowed to interfere with his work.

He was sometimes a tyrant and always an authoritarian, but one who believed in ruling by mandate of the people, expressed in plebiscites.

In all, Napoleon Bonaparte was a great enlightened monarch - a civil executive of enormous capacity who changed French institutions and tried to reform the institutions of Europe and give the Continent a common law. Few deny that he was a military genius. At Saint Helena, he said, “Waterloo will erase the memory of all my victories.” He was wrong; for better or worse, he is best remembered as a general, not for his enlightened government, but the latter must be counted if he is justly to be called Napoleon the Great.

“In all, Napoleon Bonaparte was a great enlightened monarch - a civil executive of enormous capacity who changed French institutions and tried to reform the institutions of Europe and give the Continent a common law. Few deny that he was a military genius.”

View Point IT has become a common sight nowadays, especially in cities within and outside the Igbo land, to see men without traditional titles wearing “red caps’’ meant for chiefs While some of these men wear the “red cap’’ out of sheer ignorance; others wear the cap out of utter mischief, deceptively parading themselves as chiefs.

Nevertheless, a handful of the cap wearers, indeed, deserve to wear “red caps’’, as they are titled men and chiefs who are recognised in their various communities as Ozos, Nzes, Ichies, Ogbuefis and so on.

By most accounts, the “red cap’’ in Igbo land is a symbol of authority, culture and tradition; and it represents the chieftaincy institution, its power and authority.

The categories of chiefs who are permitted to wear this sacred cap must have met certain standards which they still maintain in their respective communities.

For instance, they are not expected to lie, swindle or engage in any activity that can bring the traditional institution into disrepute.

The number of eagle feathers on the “red cap’’, as the case may be, illustrates the status of the cap wearer However, an Ozo title holder, whose father is still living, cannot wear the “red cap’’.

Against this backdrop, custodians of the tradition and stakeholders are bemoaning the deliberate and sustained abuse of the

“red cap’’ and the Igbo chieftaincy institution in general.

The Ezendigbo of Abuja, Eze Nwosu Ibe, said that the “red cap’’ could not be worn by everyone, insisting that it should only be worn by those who were permitted by the society to wear it.

He stressed that the right to wear the “red cap’’ was usually granted in recognition of one’s contribution to the socioeconomic development of a community.

“In Igbo land, there are certain achievements or deeds that will qualify one to wear the ‘red cap’; it is not for everybody.

“We have traditional rulers in Igbo land and traditional rulers in the

Checking The Abuse Of Red Cap And Igbo Chieftaincy Institution diaspora. Wherever you reside, if you are doing things that impact on the people’s lives or living an exemplary life, you will recognised with a title and the ‘red cap’ will be given to you.’’

Ibe, however, frowned at a situation where people of questionable character now wore the “red cap’’ and paraded themselves as chiefs or even got chieftaincy titles through fraudulent means.

He said that Igbos, who were not living in Igbo land, were also monitored by the Igbo traditional institutions that were represented in the communities where they

By CHIJIOKE OKORONKWO

resided.

He added that the monitoring exercise was carried out, with a view to making recommendations on those who deserved to wear the “red cap’’.

Ibe reiterated that it was abominable for people to wear the “red cap’’ i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y, describing those who flouted the cultural norms as people with no sense of value.

“It is regrettable that these days, many fraudulent people get ‘red cap’ titles through the back door and some even wear the cap without receiving it traditionally from

anybody. And such people parade themselves as chiefs and titled men.

“Even those who are not recognised in the Igbo land or by the communities where they reside still wear the cap on their own volition and this is a taboo.

“We regard such people as worthless. We have people in every community where Igbo people reside who monitor their activities and make recommendations on who deserves chieftaincy titles,’’ he said.

Ibe said that through efficient monitoring mechanisms; his council of chiefs had been able to

“Even those who are not recognised in the Igbo land or by the communities where they reside still wear the cap on their own volition and this is a taboo.

identify all recognised Igbo chiefs residing in the FCT. He, nonetheless, conceded that non-Igbos, who never received Igbo titles but were wearing the “red cap’’, were doing that out of sheer ignorance.

He added that such people should not be criticised unless they impersonated Igbo chiefs.

“We have a list of all those who are traditionally and formally recognised as chiefs and titled men in the FCT. “For those non-Igbos wearing the cap out of ignorance, it is their business. Such people are not representing the Igbo culture; that is no problem unless they begin to parade themselves as Igbo chiefs,’’ he added.

A former member of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Barnabas Okoronkwo of Oguduasaa autonomous community, however, said that such aberrations should not be allowed to continue.

He said that such anomaly was tantamount to an erosion of the Igbo culture, even as other ethnic nationalities tended to hold every aspect of their culture high.

He underscored the need to enact legislation that criminalised such behaviours, as part of efforts to apprehend and prosecute impersonators of titled men and chiefs.

“More efforts should be made to check the abuse of the ‘red cap’; it is strictly for chiefs and other titled men.

‘I think a taskforce, drawn from all Igbo states, should be set up to check this trend, especially in the cities,’’ he added.

Okoronkwo said that indiscriminate wearing of the “red cap’’ has led to untimely deaths in some places, as some of the impostors were attacked by some metaphysical forces.

On his part, Chief Emeka Okolo, a Lagos-based businessman, said that Continues on pg 20

Family Planning

With Eranga Isaac 08059233001 maternal health and has the disadvantage of circumventing the fact that women who avoid pregnancy run no risk. From a public health perspective the preferred measures are the maternal mortality rate (the number of deaths per 1000 women of childbearing age) and the lifetime risk of maternal death. The contribution of contraception and fertility declines to reduction in both measures are direct and substantial, but have been overshadowed by the choice of the maternal mortality ratio as the MDG target. It is estimated that, in 2008, use of modern contraception in developing countries was responsible for averting 23,000 maternal deaths, equivalent to a 43 per cent reduction. Much larger number of abortions and miscarriages were also averted. This major contribution was due entirely to avoidance of unintended pregnancies. An

Even if the maternal mortality ratio remains unchanged fertility decline in Africa will greatly reduce the rate and life time risk of death in pregnancy or child birth. To illustrate, holding the maternal mortality radio constant at 600 deaths per 100,000 live births a reduction in fertility from six to four births per women would reduce the lifetime risk from 1:28 to 1:42, and a further fall to two births would reduce it to 1:84.

Greater use of contraception has an additional benefit that will be most pronounced in Africa, where many maternal deaths are linked to HIV infection. Provision of family planning methods to HIV positive women who wish to avoid pregnancy should thus be a top priority and carries the additional advantage of reducing mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

The use of condoms for pregnancy prevention

Re-Affirming The Health Benefits Of Family Planning THE health benefits to mothers and their children stemming from the ability to choose the number and timing of births have been well documented for decades and have always been one of the rationales for government investment in family planning services.

For reasons that outlined below, however these benefits have been under appreciated in much of the research on maternal and child health and in the establishment of international health priorities.

Maternal health The key Millennium Development Goal for maternal health is a 75 per cent reduction in the maternal mortality ratio, the number of pregnancy related deaths per 100,000 live births.

Effective contraceptive use can contribute to this target in two ways. First, it can virtually eliminate the estimated 13 per cent of maternal deaths due to

unsafe abortion, nearly all of which occur in developing countries.

Second, it can reduce the proportion of pregnancies that pose an above-average risk to women’s survival.

The risk of death has ushaped relationship to maternal age and parity. It is high in the nearly teenage years and for first births, falls at intermediate ages and parities, and rises again at ages 35 and above for parities five or higher.

The advent of widespread contraceptive practice and in its wake lower fertility invariably means a decline in high-parity births and usually reduces child bearing at older ages. The likely effect of contraceptive use on high – risk teenage pregnancies is more context specific. In South Asia, marriage nearly always precedes sexual initiation and pregnancy, and use of contraception to delay the first marital birth is rare.

Hence age at marriage rather than contraception is a major

determinant of teenage pregnancies. In Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, sex and pregnancy risk before marriage are more common, thus contraception has a greater potential impact.

Quantifying the potential effect of desirable changes in the age and parity composition of pregnancies on the maternal mortality ratio is difficult because of the scarcity of data.

Estimates range from a 10 per cent reduction to over 20 per cent (Trussell and Pobley 1984 – “the potential impact of changes in fertility on infant, child, and maternal

mortality in studies in family planning 15(6): 267-280; Winikoff and Sullivan 1987 – “Assessing the role of family planning in reducing maternal mortality”, in studies in family planning 18(3): 128-143. Two recent estimates suggest substantial beneficial effects of increased contraceptive use on the maternal mortality ratio (Jain 2011; Cleland etal in press). Obviously this contribution to reducing mortality will be greatest in countries where fertility remains high.

The maternal mortality ratio is not the only way of measuring the risk of

additional 150,000 maternal deaths, representing a further reduction of 28 per cent, could be prevented by satisfying the unment need for contraception.

Because fertility and unmet need for contraception remain much higher in subSaharan African than in other regions, the prevalence of maternal deaths is increasingly concentrated in this region. Between 1980 and 2008, the proportion of all maternal deaths that occurred in Africa rose from 23 per cent to 52 per cent, and 15 of the 21 countries with the largest number of deaths are in this region.

among sexually active unmarried women has increased markedly and is now the most prevalent method in this segment of the population in both subSaharan Africa and Latin America. Together with changes in sexual behaviour, increased condom use is responsible for the declines in HIV incidence among young people in many African countries.

To be continued SOURCE: Population Council

“Greater use of contraception has an additional benefit that will be most pronounced in Africa, where many maternal deaths are linked to HIV infection. Provision of family planning methods to HIV positive women who wish to avoid pregnancy should thus be a top priority and carries the additional advantage of reducing mother-to-child transmission of the virus.”

Viewpoint Continued from pg 18

chieftaincy titles, which were hitherto difficult to acquire, had become easily accessible to all and sundry.

“This explains why we have many undeserving chiefs nowadays,’’ he said.

Okoko noted that people now gathered in meetings in big cities to choose whatever titles they wished to acquire if they had the wherewithal to buy drinks regularly.

He stressed that such acts were prevalent among wealthy Igbo traders who wanted to further flaunt their opulence by wearing “red caps’’.

“The ‘red cap’ is gradually losing its significance because many city dwellers feel that by being philanthropic; they deserve to be called chiefs.

“Some of them are of questionable character; therefore, they cannot seek such titles from their villages. They assume the titles in the cities since they have the money to throw around.

“They attend launching activities and donate big money; they go to the church; donate big money and buy a car for the priest; they sink one or two boreholes in their neighbourhood and before you know it, they appropriate a title.

“But go their villages and inquire where the titles came from and you will be shocked at what you will discover,’’ he added.

He urged the Igbos everywhere to always insist on knowing the source of a man’s title vis a vis his “red cap’’ before identifying with such a person.

...And Igbo Chieftaincy Institution Interestingly, many people who are not of the Igbo extraction wear the

saw some boys selling assorted caps; I sampled the ‘red cap’ and it looked

Edem Duke, Minister of Culture and Tourism

“red cap’’, all in the need to look trendy.

To such persons, the cap is just an element of fashion with little or no conservative, cultural implications.

Mr Dada Ahmed, an Abuja-based journalist from Kogi State, said that when he discovered that the “red cap’’ looked quite nice on him, he started wearing it anytime he wore a traditional outfit.

“I wore a traditional attire to work one day but without a cap, and this is against the dress code of my organisation.

“When I was passing by Area 1 Shopping Centre, I

quite fine on me. I bought the cap and that was how I started wearing ‘red cap’.’’

Ahmed rejected the notion that he was abusing the “red cap’’, insisting that a cap’s colour or type had no special traditional significance in his place.

However, he conceded that it would be improper for the Igbos who did not deserve to wear the “red cap’’ to wear it because they knew what the cap signified.

Observers, nonetheless, note that, another version of red cap worn by the people of Kano State has

some cultural connotations.

While the Igbo red cap is associated with traditional status, the Kano red cap is more associated with political and social factors, including uprightness.

Malam Shehu Abu from Kano State said that the Kano variant of red cap was popularised in the area by the legendary Second Republic politician, Malam Aminu Kano.

“The Kano red cap represents the quality of one’s character, sincerity in governance and good

relations with the people, particularly the ‘ t a l a k a w a s ’ (commoners),’’ he said.

Shehu, however, warned against any tendency to misapprehend the Igbo red cap for the Kano red cap, as the former was pure red in colour, while the latter was dark red.

All the same, cultural experts stress the need to preserve the sanctity of the “red cap’’ in Igbo mores and ethos, saying that the cap has been a symbolic feature of the Igbo culture over the years.

“While the Igbo red cap is associated with traditional status, the Kano red cap is more associated with political and social factors, including uprightness.”

Continuous Assessment And Evaluation In School System

By ESEIWI GODSPOWER

E D U C A T I O N encompasses all experiences that an individual (learner) is exposed to, for growth and development. It also includes the refining of the brain through the acquisition of skills and knowledge for individual and societal development.

Curriculum is an instrument used for education - learners for their own and societal good curriculum cuts across the different levels of education, because schooling is a means to any type of education.

Continuous assessment is an evaluational procedure introduced into Nigeria educational system from primary to tertiary levels to evaluate teaching and learning on a regular basis.

Continuous assessment practice is a feature of the 63-3-4 system of education which started in September, 1982. Continuous assessment is enshrined in the National Policy on Education Section 9 Subsection reads, educational assessment and evaluation shall be liberalized by being based in whole or in part on continuous

assessment of the progress of the individual. Continuous assessment includes cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains of human behaviour in teaching learning process.

Evaluation is a systematic process of determing the extent to which instructional objectives are being achieved by pupils. Hence, evaluation is a more inclusive term than measurement. It is portioned into formative and summative education.

Supposedly, both the continuous assessment and evaluation are used

additionally to final exams scorers for result compilation, according to measurement and evaluation, education 223. But this is not the case in our Nigerian school.

Hence, the mass failure in WAEC, NECO etc.

There would be low percentage of failure in any external or final exams, if continuous assessment is duly considered and used.

Conclusively, the inclusion of continuous assessment scores to final exams scores will maximally reduce mass failure in Nigeria exams.

“Evaluation is a systematic process of determing the extent to which instructional objectives are being achieved by pupils.

Hence, evaluation is a more inclusive term than measurement.

It is portioned into formative and summative education.”

Archival Matter

The Motley Vendor Crowd HAVE you ever visited a newspaper vendors stand as I often do? If you do, you will always find a motley crowd of free readers, bystanders and pick pockets around the vendor engaged in babels of noisy debates.

During CHAN which held in South Africa from January 11 – February 1, 2014, I ran into such a crowd taking Stephen Keshi to the cleaners for not winning the tournament. At the end of the day, the crowd reasoned with magisterial fiat that Stephen Keshi, head coach of the Super Eagles, wasn’t fit to take the team to the world cup holding in June 2014.

When I heard the verdict of the crowd, I smiled in derision. Why? It was because I have come to associate such a crowd with rash conclusions based on faulty facts, opinions and logics. Usually, it cannot differentiate between facts and opinions. Neither has it heard about the science nor the probability theory of football.

In other words for the crowd, football is a rocket science. All footballers do is to kick the ball around like machine robots and thereafter land a shot into the goal.

Finish. A goal!!!

Such a concept of football is wrong. No coach, including Stephen Keshi, is a rocket scientist in football matches. This is because there are several variables he has no control over in a game of football. To illustrate this, let’s revisit CHAN. First of all, take the crowd of spectators at CHAN as well as those watching the tournament in diaspora.

Among this huge crowd are spoilers who could cast metaphysical spells on the Super Eagles so that our players become super chickens on the field of play.

There is nothing a diligent professional metaphysician

By MICHAEL ODIGBE

cannot do. If you this, take time to read about the exploits of Prof Oyewole, Jeje Karuwa and the Witch of Endor. Or take a trip to South – West of Nigeria. Here you will meet traditional medicine men who can set a bush on fire with the match box/stick of evocative incantations.

Lest I forget, too, there could be other categories of spoilers at CHAN. Take CAF and haters of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s success story in football so far. They could have wished the Super Eagles abysmal failure in CHAN. Such a desire could forcefully be transmitted via telepathy to our team and so get it grounded.

Remember sometimes wishes could be real horses for beggars to ride. Yes, never trifle with the power of wishes or the mind to affect football outcomes.

Unless Stephen Keshi had a countervailing energy for neutralising spoilers of his CHAN outing, there was nothing he could do, therefore, to guarantee Nigeria came home with the tournament’s golden cup. So far, I am not aware, he had such energy during CHAN. Also, another thing Stephen Keshi’s critics ignore is that life sciences teach us that events have their cyclical tides and ebbs. Invariably no coach can always be a winner.

He is subject to the law of vicissitudes in creation since he is mortal. Given this fact we shouldn’t with scientific determinism expect Stephen Keshi to also give us the CHAN cup in 2014 with the “automatic alacrity he delivered the CAF cup to us in 2013. If football assignments were that easy to accomplish why did it take Nigeria three whole years to quality for CHAN for the first time? So, critics trend softly.

Remember, talk is cheap and can fill a leaking basket. A car

driven by children’s mouths never gets an accident!! It knows no road challenges too. Easy go, easy come. But then in real life this isn’t so at all.

Yes, CHAN wasn’t a child’s play. Imagine, Stephen Keshi had only three weeks to assemble the boys he took to the tournament. Therefore, all

the players had a slow, difficult start in the tournament losing to Mali 21. All of Mali’s goal was scored in the first half. A very demoralizing experience for a person of Stephen Keshi’s calibre as 2013 CAF’s coach of the year. So we had a poor outing in the first match of the tournament. In the second

he had was a bunch of players lacking the orgasmic synergy of a cohesive team. Yet, we know players don’t win tournaments, teams do.

This wasn’t all. Our players lacked the professional experience, standard of play, skill, self-confidence, maturity crowd tolerance and e n v i r o n m e n t a l acclimatization required at CHAN. This explained why

match, Mozambique like Mali scored first against our team. However the game ended 4-2 in our favour thanks to Stephen Keshi’s technical ability to manage the fluid dreary situation, His uncanny resourcefulness in breathing life into our dying team was demonstrated in the match against Morocco. During the first half, we were trailing

“Also, another thing Stephen Keshi’s critics ignore is that life sciences teach us that events have their cyclical tides and ebbs. Invariably no coach can always be a winner. He is subject to the law of vicissitudes in creation since he is mortal.”

three goals behind. However, on resumption of play after Stephen Keshi had talked sense into our players, they reversed our dwindling fortunes. We erased the three goal deficit and thereafter went on to win the match 43.

If this feat by Stephen Keshi as a head coach isn’t an achievement show me one.

Indeed, it was the greatest highlight of the tournament.

CAF needs to create an award for such an earth-quaking event in future to demonstrate

that in the second half of the match Ghana was one man down. Later, it went on to win the penalty shoot out 4-1. But for me, Stephen Keshi shouldn’t be blamed for this disastrous outing. If we do, we are only looking at the symptom of our football malaise.

Why we failed to defeat Ghana should diagnostically be traced to the poverty of our local league football which has only grown but not developed to international standard. Hear J.U. Ekhunwe

its appreciation for the survivalist triumph of human spirit in African football.

Additionally, Stephen Keshi led his boys to beat South Africa 3-1, thus eliminating the host team from the tournament. Unknown to his critics, in this tension – soaked match, our footballers played against the home crowd, centre/assistant referees and CAF. Why CAF in particular? It was because CAF is also a business outfit.

It needed full stadia throughout the tournament to rake in huge profits. The only way it could achieve this goal was to keep South Africa, the host nation, going to the final by wish or crook. But CAF proposed, Stephen Keshi rearranged its priorities.

I agree with the critics that our team failed us in the match with Ghana more so

of UNA Good Morning Show, Benin. “There is a size a fowl will develop to and a hawk cannot carry it”.

All said, therefore, let’s understand Stephen Keshi’s challenges rather than always be trying to sacrifice him for our football failings. His prospect of taking our football to the next level are good. Decapitation is not a remedy for a headache, says Justice Olubunmi Oyewole.

Or is it? Yes to Stephen Keshi. No to importation of a foreign technical assistant at a time banning of commodities into the country is President Goodluck Jonathan’s mantra. Give Stephen Keshi, a chance.

With the right players, proper training of them, good match judgement, luck and prayers, he will deliver.

Science

With OYAKHILOME CLEMINTINA

Atlas Vertebrae

Bones Of The Vertebral Column THE bones of the vertebral column are also reffered to as the backbone. They are made up of 33 short bones of which mammals have five types of vertebrae.

They include the cervical bone, thoracic, Lumbar, sacral and caudal vertebrae.

TYPES OF VERTEBRAE TYPES OF VERTEBRAE MAN RABBIT RAT Cervical 7 7 7 Thoracil 12 12-13 13 Lumbar 5 6-7 6 Sacral 5 3-4 4 Caudal 4 16 27-30 Total 33 44-47 57-60 Typical vertebra 1.

In each typical vertebra it has a posterior view, which is the back view and an anterior view which is the front view.

2. The lower end has a main body which is reffered to as the Centrum.

3. Above the Centrum is the neural canal.

4. It is surrounded by a neural arch.

5. There is a neural spine which arises centrally that points upward from the arch and a pair of transverse process which extends sideways from the arch.

6. There are special facets called zygapophyses which occur at the neural arch both the front and at the back.

7. The pair found at the front is know as the prezygapophyses.

8. The pair at the back is know as post zygapophyses.

CERVICAL VERTEBRA. 1. It has a short neural spine.

2. It has a short transverse processes which are small and bent backward.

3. It has a pair of canal through its neural arch know as vertebraterial canal.

4. It has a short and broad Centrum 5. It has additional transverse process called Cervical Rib. We have two types of Cervical, they are the atlas and the Axis which are different from one another.

ATLAS CERVICAL 1. This is the first cervical bone of the neck region, close to the skull which is known as the atlas.

2. The neural spine is small 3. There is no Centrum.

4. The neural canal is wide 5. The transverse processes are prominent 6. The posterior surface has two post zygapophyses 7. It has vertebraterial canal.

Axis This is the second bone of the cervical region.

1. it has a Centrum.

2. Vertebraterial Canal is present.

3. The transverse process are flat 4. The neural spine is longer than that of the atlas 5. It has odontoid process SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE ATLAS AND THE AXIS VERTEBRA. 1. They both have a neural spine

2. They both have a neural canal 3. They both have transverse processes.

4. They both have vertebrateral canal.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ATLAS AND THE AXIS VERTEBRA ATLAS AXIS 1.

Has no Centrum Has Centrum 2.

Neural spine quite smell

Neural spine prominent

3.

Lies immediately next to the skull Lies immediately next to the Atlas vertebra THORACIC VERTEBRA 1. it has a long neural spine which points upwards and backwards.

2. it has a long neural Canal 3. it has a large neural Centum 4. it has a pair each of Zygapophyses at the front and back LUMBAR 1. It has a stout centrum.

2.It has a long neural cana;.

3. It has a long neural spine projecting upward and forward.

4. It has a projection called hypa pophysis which arise from the lower end of the centrum.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ATLAS AND AXIS ATLAS THORACIC 1.It has a short neural spine.

It has a long neural spine.

2. It has vertebrateral canal.

It has no vertebral canal.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ATLAS AND THORACIC VERTEBRA 1. They both have a neural canal.

2. They both have a centrum.

3. They both have transverse processes.

SACRAL Man have five sacral bones which are fused to form a single rigid sacrum.

CAUDAL 1.They form the skeleton that make up the tail region.

2.The bones far from the sacrum do not have a neural spine, no neural arch, no neural canal and transverse process.

FUNCTIONS OF SKELETON IN ANIMALS 1. PROTECTION The soft tissues of the brain are protected in the cranium, the spinal cord is protected in the vertebral column, the heart and lungs are protected by the thoracic rib cage.

2. BODY SHAPE It forms the framework of the body thereby giving shape in the body.

3. SUPPORT It provides surfaces on which muscles and other body parts are attached to.

4. MOVEMENT With the aid of muscles that act as levers for others movement has been brought about, that is muscles articulate with bones to bring about movement.

5. MANUFACTURE OF BLOOD CELLS Inside the long bones of bone marrow, there the red blood and white blood cells are produced.

6. BREATHING The Thoracic bones articulates with muscles of the thoracic region to bring about movement.

Economy BY most accounts, the dawdling growth of the Nigerian economy could be partly attributed to the dying family business culture in the society.

Some economic experts note that most of the family companies, which acted as a catalyst for the development of the national economy, have been forced to close down.

With a sense of nostalgia, some of the experts recall that some defunct family business empires once made considerable impact on the country’s economy.

In the media industry, for instance, they cite media organisations such as Concord Newspapers, Muri Television and Desmin Television as some examples of defunct family businesses.

In the road transportation sub-sector, there are some solid family companies which have now gone into extinction.

Such transport firms include P.N Emera Transport Service, Osondu Motors, More Days, More Hope Transport, Chief D.E and Sons Motors, Chief Obande Obeya Transport Ltd as well as Let them Say Transport Service.

At a point in time, the aviation sector also prided itself with airlines such as Okada, Chanchangi, Slok, as well as Haka airlines Some of the renowned family businesses that are now defunct include outfits like Okin Biscuits, Tilley Igado Construction Nig. Ltd, Gadi and Sons Nig. Ltd., among others.

The list of family businesses which are now extinct appears inexhaustible but observers insist that family businesses, nonetheless, represent a channel for family members to pool resources and start a business.

A question, however, remains: Why did the family businesses hit the rocks because of extraneous factors such as death of their proprietors?

Answers to the question will definitely throw up some food for thought, particularly because of the success story of family businesses in other parts of the world.

Analysts tend to wonder why family businesses are sustainable and enduring in some countries, citing the Jewish experience as an illustration.

“All over the world, the

success of family-owned businesses within the Jewish communities is highly fascinating; in fact, the Israelis control many economies across the world,’’ says Dr Kunle Abiodun, an agricultural economist.

He says that the apprenticeship traditions of the Jews have somewhat fostered the fulfilment of their family businesses.

Besides, Abiodun notes that the economies of several Asian countries, particularly China and Japan, experienced a remarkable growth because of the due recognition of the pivotal roles played by family businesses.

What then is responsible for the abysmal performance of many family businesses in Nigeria?

Chief Chris Okafor, the Chief Executive Officer of Mayo Mayo Nig. Ltd., insists that family businesses in Nigeria can bolster the country’s economy if tangible efforts are made to recognise and support them.

He underscores the need to appreciate the fact that the structured growth of family businesses can stimulate the revival of the country’s economy, particularly during the difficult economic times.

Okafor, nonetheless, blames the inability of most family businesses to sustain their founders’ vision on the greed and reluctance of their managers to reposition the companies for effective service delivery.

Prof. C.O Obinna of the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi, says that Nigeria could adopt the “Asian Tiger economic template’’ to develop its economy.

He, however, concedes that the complex business environment in the country remains a major challenge, as “most small businesses are just like briefcases.

“But I tell you, the success story of the Asian Tiger economies, which forms the fulcrum of most economic conferences across the world, could guide efforts to restructure Nigeria’s economy.

“Nigeria can better address the burden of lack and poverty in families by deliberately stirring the concept of family business but some factors like astronomical rents, high lending rates must be tackled,’’ he adds.

Enhancing The Family Business Culture In Nigeria Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Sidney Inegbedion, the President of Nigeria Entrepreneurs Forum, insists that the practice of state capitalism, as an economic modus operandi in the country, is largely retrogressive.

“In Nigeria, because of the level of private sector development, we have been christened to be a state capitalist society.

“By that, I mean that the government has a large share in terms of determining the level of economic activity.

“Anybody who wants to make economic decisions ends up working with the public sector, either to secure contract or do whatever they want to do.

“The civil servant has a lot of influence over such economic activity in Nigeria,’’ he says All the same, Mr Chima Ikechkwu, a business

By MARTINS ODEH

consultant, says that the concept of family business in the country is as old as human existence.

“Families have always been in business, from farming to petty trading and to handicrafts but the problem is that these creative powers have not been developed to a competitive level.

“In other climes, the creative abilities of individuals and families are properly harnessed to engender a progressive chain of growth in the larger economy.

“Families’ entrepreneurial risks led to the invention or creation of global brands and automobiles like Honda, Yamaha, Jinjeng, Toyota, Ford and so on.

“We can replicate the same kind of development in Nigeria

“Families have always been in business, from farming to petty trading and to handicrafts but the problem is that these creative powers have not been developed to a competitive level. In other climes, the creative abilities of individuals and families are properly harnessed to engender a progressive chain of growth in the larger economy.”

if family businesses are supported,’’ Ikechkwu says.

According to the Family Business Review Magazine, family businesses play a pivotal and influential factor in the growth of the U.S. economy.

The August 2013 edition of the publication says that over 80 per cent of business enterprises in North America are family businesses.

The magazine cites a report which indicates that family businesses account for 60 per cent of total U.S. employment and 78 per cent of all new jobs.

It says that the impact includes 65 per cent of the wages paid, while 34 per cent of the family businesses are currently listed on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.

Analysts contend that in spite of any seeming challenge, family businesses, which form a sizeable percentage of the businesses in the organised private sector, still remain a pivotal factor in Nigeria’s economy.

It is, perhaps, the recognition of the fundamental role which family businesses play in the economy that compelled the Benue State Government to

assist efforts to set up small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

Gov. Gabriel Suswam, who says that the government aided efforts to establish 200 SMEs in 2013, recalls that the people were encouraged to organise themselves into clusters of family cooperatives in order to access credit facilities for business start-up capital.

Observers laud the government’s initiative but they underscore the need to nurture small scale enterprises in Nigeria and ensure their survival.

Dr Pierce Utor, an economist, insists that businesses could only thrive in a sustainable way if they are nurtured, preserved and transferred to the next generation.

He says that most family businesses in Nigeria failed because of perceptible deficiencies which include the lack of financial discipline and the non-application of best practices in their management.

All in all, experts stress the need to harness the potential of family businesses, as part of pragmatic efforts to strengthen the country’s economy. (NAN)

International Features

Mexico’s Sinaloa Drug Chief Arrested A massive operation that mushroomed through the western Mexican state of Sinaloa last week netted the world’s top drug lord, who was captured early Saturday by U.S. and Mexican authorities at a condominium in Mazatlan, officials from both countries said.

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, 56, arrived at the Mexico City airport in the afternoon, looking pudgy, bowed and much like his wanted photos. He was marched by masked marines across a tarmac to a helicopter waiting to whisk him to jail.

Guzman was found with an unidentified woman, said one official not authorized to be quoted by name, adding that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marshals Service were “heavily involved” in the capture. No shots were fired.

Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam described an operation that took place between February 13 and 17, presumably in Guzman’s home state of Sinaloa, though he didn’t say what city.

Mexican security agencies CONFIRMATION OF NAME/ ACTUAL DATE OF BIRTH I, CHUKWU JOHN IFEANYI wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am now known and addressed as the above named as I was formerly called Chukwu Amos Olaye, Henforth, I now wish to be called and addressed as Chukwu John Ifeanyi and my actual date of Birth is June 25, 1966. All former documents bearing Chukwu Amos Olaye remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

came upon several houses where Guzman was known to stay, Murillo Karam said, adding that they found tunnels connecting seven homes and the city’s sewer system, presumably for escape.

The doors were reinforced with steel, which delayed entry by law enforcement, presumably allowing Guzman to flee several attempts at his capture before Saturday.

Murillo Karam didn’t say how authorities traced him to Mazatlan, but said they knew of his whereabouts several times.

They were unable to mount an operation earlier because of possible risks to the general public, he added.

Guzman faces multiple federal drug trafficking indictments in the U.S. and is on the DEA’s most-wanted list. His drug empire stretches throughout North America and reaches as far away as Europe and Australia.

His cartel has been heavily involved in the bloody drug war that has torn through parts of Mexico for the last several years.

His arrest followed the takedown of several top Sinaloa operatives in the last few months and at least 10 mid-level cartel members in the last week. The information leading to Guzman was gleaned from those arrested, said Michael S. Vigil, a former senior DEA official who was briefed on the operation.

The Mexican navy raided the Culiacan house of Guzman’s exwife, Griselda Lopez, earlier this week and found a cache of weapons and a tunnel in one of the rooms that led to the city’s sewer system, leading authorities to believe Guzman barely escaped, Vigil said.

As more people were arrested, more homes were raided.

“It became like a nuclear

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explosion where the mushroom started to expand throughout the city of Culiacan,” Vigil said.

Authorities learned that Guzman fled to nearby Mazatlan. He was arrested at the Miramar condominiums, a 10story, pearl-colored building with white balconies overlooking the Pacific and a small pool in front. The building is one of dozens of relatively modest, upper-middle-class developments on the Mazatlan coastal promenade, with a couple of simple couches in the lobby and a bare cement staircase leading up to the condominiums.

“He got tired of living up in the mountains and not being able to enjoy the comforts of his wealth. He became complacent and starting coming into the city of Culiacan and Mazatlan. That was a fatal error,” said Vigil, adding that Guzman was arrested with “a few” of his bodyguards nearby.

One American retiree living in the building, who did not want to give his name, said he has lived there for two years and never heard or saw anything unusual.

Vigil said Mexico may decide to extradite Guzman to the U.S. to avoid any possibility that he escapes from prison again, as he did in 2001 in a laundry truck — a feat that fed his larger-than-life persona.

“It would be a massive black eye on the (Mexican) government if he is able to escape again. That’s the only reason they would turn him over,” Vigil said.

Because insiders aided his escape, rumors circulated for years that he was helped and protected by former Mexican President Felipe Calderon’s government, which vanquished some of his top rivals.

In the bilateral assault on organized crime and Mexican drug cartels, Sinaloa had not only been relatively unscathed, but has seen its enemies go down at the hands of the government.

Aggressive assaults by the Mexican military and federal police have all but dismantled the leadership of the Beltran Leyva and Zetas cartels, both huge rivals of Sinaloa, as well as the La Linea gang fighting Sinaloa for control of the border city of Ciudad Juarez.

Calderon congratulated Pena Nieto on the capture Saturday via his Twitter account. Many also noted the huge boost that capture gave to the credibility of the Pena Nieto government, whose commitment to fighting organized crime has been questioned since he took office in late 2012.

But there were rumors circulating for months that a major operation was under way to take down the Sinaloa cartel.

Zambada’s son was arrested in November after entering Arizona, where he had an appointment with U.S. immigration authorities to arrange legal status for his wife.

The following month,

Zambada’s main lieutenant was killed as Mexican helicopter gunships sprayed bullets at his mansion in the Gulf of California resort of Puerto Penasco in a four-hour gunbattle. Days later, police in the Netherlands arrested a flamboyant top enforcer for Zambada as he arrived in Amsterdam.

But experts predict that as long as Guzman’s partner, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada is at large, the cartel will continue business as usual.

“The take-down of Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman Loera is a thorn in the side of the Sinaloa Cartel, but not a dagger in its heart,” said College of William and Mary government professor George Grayson, who studies Mexico’s cartels. “Zambada ... will step into El Chapo’s boots.

border, including such prized cities as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez.

Guzman’s play for power against local cartels caused a bloodbath in Tijuana and made Juarez one of the deadliest cities in the world. In little more than a year, Mexico’s biggest marijuana bust, 134 tons, and its biggest cultivation were tied to Sinaloa, as were a giant underground methamphetamine lab in western Mexico and hundreds of tons of precursor chemicals seized in Mexico and Guatemala.

His cartel’s tentacles now extend as far as Australia thanks to a sophisticated, international distribution system for cocaine and methamphetamine.

Guzman did all that with a $7

only the second person to get that distinction after U.S. prohibition-era crime boss Al Capone. Guzman faces a twocount indictment in Chicago charging him with running a drug smuggling conspiracy responsible for smuggling cocaine and heroin into the U.S. He’s also charged in New York with drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping and other crimes.

Guzman is still celebrated in folk songs and is said to have enjoyed deep protection from humble villagers in the rugged hills of Sinaloa and Durango where he has hidden from authorities.

“There’s no drug-trafficking organization in Mexico with the scope, the savvy, the operational ability, expertise and knowledge as the Sinaloa cartel,” said one

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican Navy Marines at a navy hanger in Mexico City weekend.

He is also allied with Juan Jose ‘El Azul’ Esparragoza Moreno, one of most astute lords in Mexico’s underworld and, by far, its best negotiator.”

Rumors had long circulated that Guzman was hiding everywhere from Argentina and Guatemala to almost every corner of Mexico, especially its “Golden Triangle,” a mountainous, marijuanagrowing region straddling the northern states of Sinaloa, Durango and Chihuahua.

In more than a decade on the run, Guzman transformed himself from a middling Mexican capo into arguably the most powerful drug trafficker in the world. His fortune has grown to more than $1 billion, according to Forbes magazine, which listed him among the “World’s Most Powerful People” and ranked him above the presidents of France and Venezuela.

His Sinaloa Cartel grew bloodier and more powerful, taking over much of the lucrative trafficking routes along the U.S.

million bounty on his head and while evading thousands of law enforcement agents from the U.S. and other countries devoted to his capture. A U.S. federal indictment unsealed in San Diego in 1995 charges Guzman and 22 members of his organization with conspiracy to import over eight tons of cocaine and money laundering. A provisional arrest warrant was issued as a result of the indictment, according to the U.S. State Department.

He also has been indicted by federal authorities in the United States several times since 1996.

The charges include allegations that he and others conspired to smuggle “multi-ton quantities” of cocaine into the U.S. and used violence, including murder, kidnapping and torture to keep the smuggling operation running. He’s also accused of conspiring to smuggle heroin into the United States and money laundering.

In 2013, he was named “Public Enemy No. 1” by the Chicago Crime Commission,

former U.S. law enforcement official, who couldn’t be quoted by name for security reasons.

“You’ve kind of lined yourself up the New York Yankees of the drug trafficking world.”

Growing up poor, Guzman was drawn to the money being made by the flow of illegal drugs through his home state of Sinaloa.

He joined the Guadalajara cartel, run by Mexican Godfather Miguel Angel Gallardo, and rose quickly through the ranks as a ruthless businessman and skilled networker.

After Gallardo was arrested in 1989, the gang split, and Guzman took control of Sinaloa’s operations.

An estimated 70,000 people have been killed in drug violence since former President Calderon deployed thousands of soldiers to drug hotspots upon taking office on Dec. 1, 2006. The current government of Pena Nieto has stopped tallying drugrelated killings separately.

International Thai Govt Supporters Vow To ‘Deal With’ Bangkok Protests BANGKOK - Supporters of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra promised yesterday to get tough with antigovernment protesters paralyzing parts of Bangkok, raising tension in a protracted crisis hours after a deadly attack on a protest rally.

Leaders of the progovernment United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) vowed to “deal with” anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban, setting the scene for a possible confrontation between pro- and antigovernment groups.

“This fight will be harder than

any other ... You must think how we can deal with Suthep and those supporting him,” Jatuporn Prompan, a UDD leader and senior member of the ruling Puea Thai Party, told thousands of cheering supporters in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast of the capital.

It was unclear whether Jatuporn was calling for an armed struggle, but he was speaking just hours after gunmen shot at an anti-government protest stage and threw explosive devices in the Khao Saming district of the eastern province of Trat, killing a fiveyear-old girl, and wounding 41

Merkel Voices Support For Kerry’s Middle East Peace, Bid BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday she will fully support efforts by US Secretary of State John Kerry to relaunch the Middle East peace process during her upcoming visit to Israel.

“We need, as soon as possible, a stable two-country solution, with a Jewish state of Israel and at the same time a state for the Palestinians,” Merkel said in her weekly podcast.

“We also support the efforts made by US Secretary of State Kerry (and) I will of course use my stay to bring up this issue with the Israeli prime minister”, Benjamin Netanyahu, she added.

Merkel, who will be in Israel Monday and Tuesday, recalled that for historical reasons

Germany was particularly committed to Israel’s right to exist.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Friday that US attempts to forge an agreement on a framework for peace talks with Israel had so far failed but that the efforts are “extremely serious”.

Abbas met with Kerry twice in Paris this week in what a US official described as “constructive” talks.

The top US diplomat has spent months trying to get the Israelis and the Palestinians to agree on a framework to guide talks towards a full peace treaty, but the negotiations have shown little sign of progress, with each side blaming the other.

people.

Police had earlier put the death toll at two.

Anti-government protesters have blocked main Bangkok intersections for weeks with tents, tires and sandbags, seeking to unseat Yingluck and halt the influence of her billionaire brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, an ousted former premier regarded by many as the real power behind the government.

The protests are the biggest since deadly political unrest in 2010, when Thaksin’s “red shirt” supporters paralyzed Bangkok in an attempt to remove a government led by the Democrat Party, now the opposition.

More than 90 people were killed and 2,000 wounded when Suthep, at the time a deputy prime minister, sent in troops.

Presenting a further headache for Yingluck, Thailand’s anticorruption body filed charges against her last week over a rice subsidy scheme that has left hundreds of farmers, her natural backers, unpaid.

Yingluck is due to hear the charges on Thursday.

The UDD, largely made up of Thaksin supporters based in the populous north and northeast, was formed in 2008 as a counterforce to the yellow-shirted antiThaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy group.

Thanawut Wichaidit, a spokesman for the UDD, said a strategy to counter antigovernment protests in Bangkok had yet to be worked out, but that the movement wanted to avert a civil war.

“We want to fight peacefully, without weapons, but we have not yet decided how we will proceed and that is why we are

Iraqi Helicopter Crash, Kills Crew

BAGHDAD - Iraqi officials say a military helicopter has crashed in a remote area west of the capital, killing its fourmember crew.

A military officer said yesterday the helicopter went down late Saturday outside Baghdad’s western suburb of Abu Ghraib due to technical failure. He added that a pilot and three assistants were killed.

A policeman confirmed the incident and the casualty figures.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.

Since late December, Iraq’s western cities have seen fierce clashes pitting government

security forces and their allies from tribal Sunni militias against al-Qaida-linked militants and other insurgent groups. The insurgents hold the city of Fallujah and the Anbar provincial capital, Ramadi.

Thai riot police stand guard as anti-government protesters rally inside a compound of the Thai Royal Police Club in Bangkok weekend.

meeting today to come up with a plan” Thanawut told Reuters.

“The thing we are trying to avoid at all costs is a civil war and any kind of confrontation.”

The protests are the latest chapter in a political conflict that has gripped Thailand for eight years and broadly pits Bangkok’s middle class and elite, and followers in the south, against rural backers of Yingluck and her brother.

UDD chairwoman Thida Tawornseth said Sunday’s rally would consolidate plans to restore democracy after the opposition boycotted and disrupted elections this month, leaving the country under a caretaker government. On Saturday, she ruled out any plans for violence.

Four protesters and a police officer were killed on Tuesday when police attempted to

reclaim protest sites near government buildings. Six people were wounded by a grenade on Friday.

Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej has intervened in previous political standoffs but the 86-year-old monarch has not commented publicly on the current impasse.

Thaksin’s enemies accuse him of republican aspirations, a charge he has frequently denied.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) takes notes as German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) addresses the press before a meeting at the Chancellery recently in Berlin, Germany.

G-20 Vows To Boost World Economy By $2 Trillion SYDNEY - Finance chiefs from the 20 largest economies agreed yesterday to implement policies that will boost world GDP by more than $2 trillion over the coming five years.

Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey, who hosted the Group of 20 meeting in Sydney, said the commitment from the G-20 finance ministers and central bankers was “unprecedented.”

The world economy has sputtered since the 2008 financial crisis and global recession that followed.

Progress in returning economic growth to pre-crisis levels has been hampered by austerity policies in Europe, high unemployment in the U.S. and a cooling of China’s torrid expansion.

The centerpiece of the commitment made at the Sydney meeting is to boost the combined gross domestic product of G-20 countries by 2 percent above the levels expected for the next five years, possibly creating tens of millions of new jobs. The International Monetary Fund forecasts the world economy to grow 3.7 percent this year.

The G-20 combines the world’s major industrialized and developing countries from the United States to Saudi Arabia and China, representing about 85 percent of the global economy.

The communique from the meeting said signs of

improvement in the global economy are welcome but growth remains below the rates needed to get people back into work and to meet their aspirations.

The G-20 said it would “significantly raise global growth” without overtaxing national finance through measures to promote competition and increase investment, employment and trade.

As an initial step toward achieving the $2 trillion target, each country will present a comprehensive growth strategy to a summit of leaders scheduled for November in the Australian city of Brisbane.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said the agreement is significant and crucial to “turning the next page” in the global economic recovery.

“G-20 members have spoken clearly: boosting growth and demand tops the global economic agenda” Lew said in a statement.

Hockey, the Australian treasurer, said there was intensive discussion about the challenges each country faces in boosting investment, particularly in infrastructure.

He said there is much that governments can do to boost private investment by having predictable policies and regulations.

On monetary policy, G-20

members said they recognized it needs to remain accommodative for growth in many industrialized countries but should return to normal settings “in due course” depending on the outlook for inflation and GDP. Central banks in Europe, the United States and Japan are all maintaining lavishly easy monetary policy in an attempt to nurture economic recovery.

The Federal Reserve’s recent decision to begin scaling back its monetary stimulus jolted global financial markets, particularly stocks which benefited in the past several years from record low interest rates and money created by bond buying policies.

The meeting didn’t make any specific commitments to helping developing nations manage volatility in their financial markets stemming from the Fed’s stance. It said G-20 nations should consistently communicate their actions and cooperate in “managing spillovers” to other countries.

The G-20 members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.

International Ukraine: Abandoned Presidential Mansion ‘Powerful Symbol For Protesters’

IN a tumultuous series of moves, parliament impeached a defiant President Yanukovych, called for May presidential elections, and freed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko from jail.The public also got a look at a lavish retreat built by Yanukovych.

Ukraine’s parliament voted to impeach President Viktor Yanukovych on Saturday, just minutes after the embattled president said he would not resign under pressure of “banditry” and a “coup.”

The impeachment was a significant turn of events in Ukraine’s now three-month long stand off between antigovernment protesters and Mr. Yanukovych, who is believed to have fled to Kharkiv, his political base in the east. It came on the heels of other key moves that, one by one, diminished the president’s power and political support and raised fears of a possible split between Europeleaning western Ukraine and the more Russiafriendly east.

Amid a tumultuous Saturday that saw protesters claim control of Kiev, the parliament called presidential elections for May and voted to free Yanukovych’s political archrival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who has been in jail for nearly three years.

The parliament also appointed replacements for the many government positions, such as the interior minister and parliament speaker, something that may appease demonstrators who said they wanted no deals with anyone associated with a

government they have branded as “killers” after this week’s violence.

It remains to be seen if the impeachment will satisfy the thousands of protesters on Kiev’s Independence Square, or Maidan, who hold Yanukovych responsible for the deaths of more than 70 people killed during the worst violence this post-Soviet country has seen in its modern history.

“Impeachment is very good, but it is not enough.

He must be held responsible for all his crimes and return to jail,” said Vasiliy Maidansky, a student from Lviv. “The next step is very important – a total reload of the entire system of power, starting first with the courts.”

But Yanukovych seemed to indicate he was not ready to see his government fold. He said he had fled Kiev because he feared for his life, but added, in a defiant televised speech, “I’m not going to leave the country. I’m not going to resign.

I’m the legitimately elected president “ Nonetheless, Ukrainians in Kiev woke Saturday to an announcement that Maidan’s “self-defense” teams had taken “control” of the government buildings in the city center. Men wearing ice hockey helmets and body armor, and wielding baseball bats and homemade shields, were stationed in front of the presidential offices, the parliament and several other government buildings.

They took up their positions early in the morning as the government police troops

retreated unexpectedly late Friday night, after an agreement signed by opposition leaders and Yanukovych set a peaceful resolution in motion. Key to that agreement was a return to a parliamentary republic, taking powers away from the president, including his ability to appoint and control the interior ministry and its security troops.

The city streets were eerily quiet and nearly empty of traffic Saturday morning, except when groups of 20 to 30 selfdefense teams march down the street. Medical volunteers were standing on street corners in scrubs marked with red crosses, anticipating another day of violence after 72 hours in which hundreds have been seriously injured in violent clashes.

“Until Yanukovych is dealt with, we have no other options but to take control,” said Bohdan Chaika, an engineer from Drohobich in western Ukraine, who was in a self-defense team in front of the presidential offices. Mr. Chaika said he had been on Maidan for two months, and was prepared to fight for Ukraine’s future.

Later on Saturday, the newly appointed interior minster, Arsen Avakov, said the country’s security forces were with the Ukrainian people.

Perhaps the biggest sign that Yanukovych’s presidency was nearing an end came in the images of thousands of Ukrainians flocking to walk the grounds of his 340-acre mansion on the outskirts of Kiev.

Guards, who said it had been abandoned, opened the gates of the complex,

which sits on a hill overlooking the Dnieper River.

Hearing that police had left their positions in front of the gates, Maidan’s self-defense commanders said they took control of the premises. Hundreds of cars lined the street leading to the house, as many visitors parked a few miles away and walked the distance to see, they said, how their president had used the money he had stolen from them.

Inside the complex, which included indoor tennis courts, a sprawling lawn, an adjacent golf

course, and several guesthouses and saunas, visitors roamed the grounds, snapping souvenir photos. The selfdefense teams stood guard of the entranceways of the main buildings to prevent looting, they said.

“The fact that he abandoned this place is a strong symbolic meaning,” says Alexey Lushchenko, a political analyst at the Gorshinen Institute in Kiev. “I’m surprised that it hasn’t been burned down yet, to be honest.”

Despite the anger that many visitors expressed

at the opulence of the complex, the mood was surprisingly calm. A sense of victory hung in the air. The mansion has been the source of contention for many Ukrainians, who claim Yanukovych stole from government coffers to build the estimated $100 million retreat.

“We should bring those that supported him to see this mansion, to see how their president spent their money,” said Ekaterina Hrebeniuk, a student from Kiev. “My father and I both looked at this place and thought, ‘this was build with blood money, our blood.”

Israel Sends Fund To Aid Ukrainian Jews JERUSALEM - Israel’s Jewish Agency has sent funds to boost security for the 200,000-strong Jewish community in Ukraine following the deadly political protests there, a spokesman said yesterday.

“We have sent initial aid at the request of the heads of the Ukrainian Jewish community to finance purchase of surveillance systems and the protection of Jewish institutions, particularly schools and synagogues,” Avi Mayer told AFP. He said that it was not the agency’s role to provide security personnel.

The quasi-governmental agency, which links Jewish communities around the world with Israel and each other, also set up an emergency assistance fund

after a March 2011 attack on a Jewish school in the French city of Toulouse, where a gunman shot dead a teacher and three pupils.

“We have a moral responsibility to ensure the safety and security of Ukraine’s Jews,” a Jewish Agency statement quoted chairman Natan Sharansky as telling colleagues.

“We are in constant contact with the leadership of the Ukrainian Jewish community and are following the events closely,” he added.

“The Jewish Agency’s assistance aims to increase security at Jewish communal institutions in Ukraine.”

Mayer did not say how much money had been sent so far or what the total package would be.

“We have transferred funds and will continue to do so according to need,” he said.

Jewish Agency governors will convene during the coming week.

Three months of protest against Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych dramatically escalated this week with the deaths of nearly 100 people in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

The Jewish Agency said that since its creation the emergency assistance fund had disbursed about $4 million (2.9 million euros), “helping to ensure the security of some 50 communities in 25 countries, including... South Africa, Greece, Brazil, Argentina and elsewhere”.

Car Bomb Kills 9 In Syria DAMASCUS - At least nine people were killed in a car bomb attack yesterday near a field hospital in the Syrian town of Atmeh near the border with Turkey, activists said.

The hospital is owned by Ghassan Aboud, a Gulfbased businessman who runs Orient Television, which said at least 10 people were killed.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the

attack. Syria is in the throes of civil war and Atmeh is in territory held by rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad.

“There are 50 casualties and they are being transported to Bab al-Hawa (crossing) and to another hospital in Atmeh,” said witness Abdallah Saleh. The hospital was damaged, he said.

The revolt against Assad erupted in March 2011 with

protesters calling for more rights. It turned to a militarized uprising under the heavy crackdown of Assad’s security forces.

Now, Islamist fighters, including jihadis from across the world, have eclipsed secular groups and are also at war with each other in much of Syria, with the Nusra Front and other Islamists fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL)- a group disavowed by al Qaeda.

Health THE Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme is an innovative mechanism built into the SURE-P Maternal Child Health (MCH).

It aims at increasing the people’s access to Primary Health Care (PHC) services by paying women who attend antenatal clinics, as part of designed efforts to address the rising menace of maternal mortality.

The CCT scheme was introduced by the Federal Government, to enhance health care delivery in the country and provide adequate incentives for indigent families in the rural areas.

The scheme aims at reducing poverty by initiating welfare programmes which make it imperative for the government to transfer money to needy persons who meet certain criteria.

The SURE-P programme was introduced to ensure effective management of the financial resources that were generated from the partial removal of fuel subsidy in 2012.

The SURE-P MCH is

least four visits to the hospital, child delivery handled by skilled birth attendants and instant visits for post-natal care.

The scheme is expected to encourage pregnant women to access good health care facilities, thereby reducing the incidence of maternal and child mortality.

Dr Ugo Okoli, the Project Director of Sure-P MCH, said that mothers’ attendance of ante-natal clinic in the FCT appreciably increased from about 300 visits every month to more than 1,000 after the introduction of the CCT scheme.

She said that from July 1, 2013 to Aug. 30, 2013, for instance, a total of 3,274 women registered for AnteNatal Clinic (ANC) at the five FCT facilities.

“ANC visits and bookings have increased; averaging monthly at 156 per cent above baseline.

“The baseline ANC booking in FCT was about 300 women a month before the CCT started and it is now over 1,000 bookings every

particularly aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality, in line with Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5.

The CCT scheme, therefore, uses cash incentives to encourage pregnant women to patronise ante-natal clinics, modern child delivery services, postnatal services and family planning services at primary health care facilities.

The SURE-P MCH is designed to run for four years (2012-2015) and it is aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality in the country, with a particular focus on rural and underdeveloped communities.

The total package of the financial incentives for each woman is N5,000 and the money is paid to mothers who meet certain preconditions.

These conditions include ante-natal care, involving at

month,’’ she said.

She said that the programme had also begun in some health facilities in nine states so as to ensure a reduction in maternal and child mortality in the country.

Okoli, however, emphasised that the programme was only meant for rural areas, where women found it difficult to attend ante-natal clinics due to paucity of funds.

Dr Abdullahi Mohammed, the Director of Primary Health Care System Development, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, said that the Federal Government earmarked N15 billion out of SURE-P funds for SURE-P MCH. He said that the funds would also be used to employ additional 2,000 midwives for the scheme.

Mohammed, nonetheless,

Boosting Ante-Natal Care Via Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme

By FRANCA OFILI

said that the health care delivery system had the supply side intervention and the demand side intervention “The key elements involved are not just bringing more midwives alone; there is the other component, called the demand side intervention.

“On the demand side intervention, what do we need to do for clients to be able to access our services?

It means we must remove the financial barriers.”

Also speaking, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, the Deputy Chairman of SURE-P, said that the aim of the SURE-P MCH scheme was to reduce significantly the unacceptable high maternal rates and under-five mortality and morbidity indices in the country.

He said that as part of efforts to achieve these goals,

the MCH component of SURE-P would be targeted at rural communities, where the problems were more pronounced.

“SURE-P MCH have given Nigerian women and children reasons to reaffirm their belief in the project, as this is simply a case of ‘a promise made and a promised fulfilled’,’’ he said.

“The programme has the supply and demand components,’’ he added.

Agwai said that as at Oct. 31, 2013, the CCT had a total of 10,563 registered beneficiaries in eight states and the FCT, while N6.5 million had been disbursed to 2, 893 beneficiaries.

Some women, who benefited from the programme, stressed that it was a very good initiative, adding that their husbands

“I did not find my previous pregnancies and childbirths at home easy but I registered for ante-natal care during my last pregnancy; I found the exercise worthwhile and I have not been having problems with the baby after birth.’’

now encouraged them to attend ante-natal clinics.

Fatima Abdulsalam, a mother of five from Kuje Area Council in the FCT, said that she benefitted from the programme during her last pregnancy. She advised other women to avail themselves of the programme aimed at improving their health and that of their children.

She said that the ante-natal and post-natal care she received under the programme had made her to appreciate the value of accessing quality health care facilities.

“I did not find my previous pregnancies and childbirths at home easy but I registered for ante-natal care during my last pregnancy; I found the exercise worthwhile and I have not been having problems with the baby after birth,’’ she said.

Abdulsalam conceded that her husband had been very supportive, adding that he sometimes accompanied her when she went for ante-natal clinics.

She urged pregnant women, particularly those in rural areas, to embrace the idea of giving birth to their babies in the primary health care

facilities.

An expectant mother, Mrs Ifeoma Obiaku, said that after discussions with her husband, they both agreed to use the CCT stipend to buy warm clothing for the baby.

“At least, when use the money to buy clothing like sweater, that one will be out of our budget. N5,000 is not much but it is quite handy,’’ she said.

Analysts commend SUREP for creating pragmatic opportunities for expectant mothers to access good antenatal care without having fears about paucity of funds for treatment.

They particularly note that the CCT scheme has proved to be a vital tool in efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.

However, the analysts’ commendation appears somewhat plausible, as the National HIV/AIDS Reproductive Health Survey indicates that maternal mortality in Nigeria has reduced to 224 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2012, as against 545 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010.

(NAN).

Rooney Impossible To Replace, Moyes Claims DAVID Moyes, the Manchester United manager, admitted it would have been impossible to replace talisman Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

Rooney celebrated signing a new five-and-a-half year contract by sealing United’s 2-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace with a superb volleyed finish to double the advantage following Robin van Persie’s penalty.

Following the success at Selhurst Park which put United sixth in the table, Red Devils boss Moyes saluted the 28-yearold England striker and believes he will only get better after putting him in the bracket of the best players in world football.

Moyes said: “He’s a really important player and you think about the amount of clubs who wanted to sign him. He would have been too difficult to replace.

There aren’t enough top players out there that you can get cheaply

or easily.

“Wayne’s one of them, one of the top players. He shows it week in, week out for us and you can see the change in him - his leadership, what he’s trying to bring to the team.

“We want him to keep at it and I’m sure he will. He’s a boy who wants to continue to get better.”

Moyes, Rooney and United now travel to Greece for Tuesday’s Champions League

last-16 tie against Olympiakos.

And the United chief, who has endured a difficult first term in charge following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, hopes his men can gain in belief from their victory in south London and finish the season on a high.

Moyes added: “We have a really big European tie coming up on Tuesday night and our focus goes on to that.

We wanted to win the game to

make sure we go into that game in good form and confidence. It’s such a big game for us.

“We haven’t played for ten days so I wanted to make sure all the players were ready and focussed for the game and ready to perform again.

“We’ve a few injuries but hopefully we will get a few of them back for Tuesday. They have a chance. I have to see how Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are.

up they were looking for.

“We needed one or two of our forward players to play better than they did today in terms of possession.

Wayne Rooney

Mourinho Vows No Special Treatment game. We have respect for a For Drogba the real legend of this club before

Wenger Applauds Giround Recovery Ability

ARSENE Wenger insists he never doubted Olivier Giroud’s ability to recover after a difficult week for the Arsenal striker.

Giroud made a public apology to his family and his club after finding himself the subject of lurid newspaper reports about his private life.

Wenger had dropped the striker for the Gunners’ last two games, but having been restored to the starting line-up on Saturday, France forward Giroud scored twice in the 4-1 home victory over Sunderland that kept his side within a point of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

And Arsenal manager Wenger said: “I had no hesitation about his strength of character. Of course you want him to come back into the team and be successful, which he was today because he scored two goals.

“One great one at the end of great movement and the other a little bit of a gift from Sunderland. he got an assist as well so he did well.”

Wenger was also satisfied the victory restored his side’s belief after the midweek Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.

Bayern’s 2-0 first leg victory at the Emirates Stadium left Arsenal facing a daunting challenge if they are to make the quarter-finals when the teams meet against at the Allianz Arena next month.

But Wenger remains confident and said: “Against Bayern Munich the target was to have a good performance and a good result. We only had the good performance.

“Of course we were very frustrated but we had to transfer the positives that we got from this game.

“Overall, we believe we can still have a go at Bayern. We have shown today we are capable of responding and that is the most important thing.

“Rafa (Rafael) as well. We’ll have a look at them tomorrow and hopefully see if they can join us.”

Palace, meanwile, remain two points above the relegation zone, but Eagles manager Tony Pulis insists his side need to start achieving positive results.

Pulis said: “Every game whether it’s home or away matters. We have to start collecting the points. We’re in it with 12 other teams. It will go right to the end.

“Whether it’s against the top four or five, there’s always three points. We have to scrap and fight for everything against every team.

“Today was disappointing.

The penalty gave United the leg

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho turned his thoughts to Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Galatasaray after John Terry kept his side atop the Premier League with the winning goal against Everton.

The Blues were grateful to their returning skipper’s intervention in the 93rd minute at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as he got the slightest of touches on a Frank Lampard free-kick to earn Chelsea a narrow 1-0 win.

It ensured that Chelsea will travel to Istanbul for a reunion with former striker Didier Drogba in the first leg of their Champions League tie in high spirits, having made it 12 Premier League matches unbeaten.

But after his Real Madrid side were given a scare by Galatasaray in last season’s quarter-finals, Mourinho knows it will be a tough assignment, particularly with injury doubts over midfielders Ramires and Oscar.

“I’ve played against (Drogba) already,” said Mourinho, who brought the Ivorian striker to Chelsea in 2004 during his first stint as manager.

“It’s a strange feeling, but we know him well and that means there will be no friends during

Arsene Wenger

Gritty City Give Pellegrini Heart MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his side have the mental strength to win matches even when they are not at their stylish best during the end-of-season run-in.

City have plundered 69 goals in 26 league matches this season but, after failing to find the net in successive games, they scrapped to a 1-0 victory at home to Stoke City on Saturday.

It was enough to keep them three points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

Goals were not an issue for Pellegrini in the first half of the campaign, but the Chilean is confident his side can cope against teams who look to shut them out.

“The satisfaction is the same because we have three points more on the table and the second round is not the same as the first

round,” he said.

“Teams come here to try to draw with the whole team defending, so we can’t win by three or four every match. We must try to find more space in the defence, but it’s important to know how to win both ways, to have a clean sheet and have the patience to score at least one.

“The other team was behind the ball in the other box, but we had the patience for the 90 minutes and finally we scored and we had the concentration, especially at set-pieces and second balls, to keep our clean sheet.”

Yaya Toure prodded in the only goal against Mark Hughes’s

side with 20 minutes remaining.

Ahead of next Sunday’s League Cup final against Sunderland, Argentina forward Sergio Aguero is set to return to training after a hamstring injury on Tuesday, but Pellegrini has issues with each of his other forwards.

Alvaro Negredo is still working his way back to fitness after a shoulder problem, Edin Dzeko put in a poor performance against Stoke, including one awful miss from three yards, and Stevan Jovetic was forced off by a hamstring injury just 12 minutes after coming on.

Jovetic is the only City striker to have found the net in February, but Pellegrini says he retains confidence in his strikeforce.

“It’s normal during the season,” he said. “Sometimes the

strikers may (have bad runs), but I trust in all of them and I’m sure they will recover their normal performance.

“Every player can have a bad day and maybe (Dzeko) had a bad day and was nervous after he failed that goal, but I trust him.

“Negredo is coming from an injury. Jovetic felt cramp in his hamstring, so we’ll see what the doctor says. Sergio will start working with the whole squad on Tuesday and we’ll see in the week if he’s ready for the match on Sunday.”

Pellegrini has been charged with misconduct by European governing body UEFA after criticising Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson following the 2-0 Champions League defeat by Barcelona in midweek.

the game and after the game, but we have a job to do.

“It’s in his nature to win and to score, but we have to stop him.”

Mourinho added: “They are a very experienced team who has Champions League winners.

The crowd is very difficult — there will be 60,000 fans and the atmosphere is really strong, so we have a big test.

“I think this is a tie that will go to the end.”

After beating Chelsea at Goodison Park in September, Everton could count themselves unlucky not to have completed a first league double since the 1978-79 season after an even encounter at Stamford Bridge.

Kevin Mirallas came closest for the visitors, missing two good chances to give his side the lead before Terry diverted Lampard’s late free-kick home.

That made it five successive away matches without a point for Roberto Martinez’s Everton, as they squandered an opportunity to boost their hopes of a top-four finish.

But the Everton manager questioned whether the freekick that led to the goal, for a foul on Ramires by Phil Jagielka, should have been awarded.

“It is very soft, but that happens in this game,” Martinez said.

“Chelsea have an incredible knowhow to win free-kicks at home and they did it again. I don’t blame the referee because you need a magic ball to see what is happening. It happens everywhere.

Didier Drogba

Klopp Blasts Dortmund Complacency

Gignac Secures Late Win For Marseille Andre-Pierre Gignac’s late goal secured Marseille a valuable 1-0 win over Lorient at the Stade Velodrome.

Lorient had the better of the first half with former Arsenal man Jeremie Aliadiere passing up one presentable opportunity before the hosts took control of the tie.

Mathieu Valbuena went close twice as the pressure built before Gignac passed up two chances to give his side the lead.

However, Gignac was not be denied a third time when he struck in the 82nd minute to secure all three points.

Henri Saivet grabbed the late winner for Bordeaux against Evian in a 2-1 win at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Julien Faubert had given the hosts a 52 minute lead but Kevin Berigaud levelled things up with 73 gone with a poachers finish.

However, Saivet’s 82nd minute strike ensured all three points for the home side.

Pierre Gignac’

BORUSSIA Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp slammed his team’s mentality after their 3-0 Bundesliga loss at Hamburg on Saturday.

Faced with a side who had lost their last eight competitive fixtures, Klopp believes his players took the task too lightly, and were punished as a result.

“There’s an old saying that a good horse only jumps as high as he has to,’’ Klopp said. “Well I hate this saying

Gerardo Martino

Martino Admits Errors After Barca Crumble

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino admitted resting key players was a mistake after the champions crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Real Sociedad on Saturday that allowed Real Madrid to pull three points clear at the top.

Manchester City in their Martino left playmakers Xavi and Cesc Fabregas out of his starting lineup for the match against fifth-placed Sociedad in San Sebastian and deployed defensive midfielders Sergio Busquets and Alex Song in the centre.

The decision backfired badly as Barca were unable to exert their customary control and the Basque club’s pacy forwards Antoine Griezmann and Carlos Vela sliced open the visitors’ defence time and again on the counter-attack.

Fabregas replaced Song on the hour when Barca were already 3-1 down and Martino brought on forward Alexis Sanchez for full back Martin Montoya with around 20 minutes left but Sociedad were comfortably able to protect their lead and could have had a fourth when Vela hit the woodwork late on.

It was Barca’s third defeat of the La Liga campaign and brought them firmly back down to earth after Tuesday’s impressive 2-0 win at

Champions League last 16, first leg.

It also puts their bid for a fifth domestic league title in six years in serious jeopardy with Real, who thumped promoted Elche 3-0 at the Bernabeu, looking in ominous form and unbeaten in 26 matches.

Real have 63 points with 13 matches left, with Barca on 60. Atletico Madrid, who host Real next weekend, have played one game fewer and can draw level with their city rivals with a win at Osasuna later on Sunday.

“Sociedad played well and I misread the game,” Martino, who was sent from the bench at halftime after clashing with a member of the Sociedad coaching staff, told a news conference.

“We thought the effort expended in Manchester could play a negative role,” added the Argentine, in his first season in charge at the Nou Camp.

“Also we wanted to rotate the players so that everyone

Ibra On ‘Zlatan Show ZLATAN Ibrahimovic believes that if he had ever moved to the Premier League he would have “destroyed it”.

Ibrahimovic famously rejected a trial at Arsenal back in 2000 because, well, Zlatan “does not do auditions”, and his incredible levels of selfbelief were evident once again as he discussed the Premier League.

The Swede, 32, was quoted

more than anything. I think a horse should jump as high as it can.

“We looked at how high we had to jump today and, when we realised that it wasn’t so high, we had already fallen behind.’’

Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka had another explanation for his side’s victory. “Taming this

in the Daily Mirror as saying: “England is a very strong league, with three or four of the best teams in Europe – but, if I had played there, I would have destroyed it, like I have everywhere else.

“Arsenal could have happened, as everybody knows – but I would not do a trial. Who do you think regrets that more, Arsene Wenger or Zlatan?”

Z L ATA N Ibrahimovic

Having elected not to take the trial, he signed for Ajax before playing for a host of top European clubs, including Juventus, Inter and AC Milan, Barcelona and PSG. However, despite winning a league championship in Holland, Spain, Italy and France as well as a host of personal accolades, his credentials are, at times, not fully appreciated on British shores.

“I’m always amused when I am asked about not having tested myself in England,” added the Swedish captain.

“The last time I faced England, which is supposed to be the best players in the Premier League, what happened?

For those unaware, Zlatan hit England for four back in November 2012 when Roy Hodgson’s men travelled to Stockholm’s Friends Arena.

“Maybe people need to be reminded that it was the Zlatan show.”

feels important. But it’s clear that rotations are only a good thing if they come off.”

Martino, who was red carded for calling Sociedad assistant coach Txema Lumbreras a “moron”, also admitted he should have made changes earlier following Lionel Messi’s effort that made it 1-1 after Song’s 32nd-minute own goal put Sociedad ahead.

“We delayed the changes because we though Leo’s goal would put us back in the game and that we could wait before rethinking our tactics,” he said.

“Probably the decision not to change things around was mistaken as well.”

Barca have two La Liga games, at home to Almeria and away at Real Valladolid, before they host City for the Champions League return game on March 12.

Saturday’s shoddy display, when centre backs Gerard

Pique and Marc Bartra looked all too vulnerable, will give City hope they can turn the tie around and make it through to the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time.

Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes said the team had lacked intensity, something they have been criticised for several times already this season.

“When an opponent pressures you and fights 100 percent for every ball, if you don’t show the same intensity you don’t win,” Valdes, who is leaving Barca at the end of the season after rejecting a contract extension, told reporters.

“Now we have to analyse the reasons for the defeat, try to improve and that’s about it,” added the Spain international. “From here until the end of the season all our matches will be like finals.”

BELGIAN international Radja Nainggolan hit his maiden goal for Roma in a 10 win at Bologna which reduced the gap on Serie A leaders to six points on Saturday.

Roma’s 17th win kept them in second but with a game in hand Rudi Garcia’s title challengers will be looking for Torino to cause an upset in the derby away to leaders Juventus on Sunday.

Bologna had won only once in their last seven games and welcomed Roma to the Dell’Ara stadium as the underdogs having beaten the Giallorossi only twice in the sides’ last 12 games.

Garcia was missing Francesco Totti, Douglas Maicon, Federico Balzaretti and Dodo meaning a rare start for Rodrigo Taddei and youngster Alessio Romagnoli at the back while Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman started on the bench.

After only seven minutes

Bologna spurned the chance for the opener when a Rolando Bianchi lob caught Morgan De Sanctis off his line and forced the ‘keeper to scramble back to save.

But despite some early wake-up calls Roma settled into their stride and on-form Mattia Destro was only denied by the inside of Gianluca Curci’s post on 18 minutes with the ball rolling along the goalline.

Nainggolan fired over after being set up by Romagnoli but the midfielder made amends by tapping home from close range from Pjanic’s pacy cross after Gervinho had set the Bosnian up down the left on 37 minutes.

A Destro lob looked to have given Roma their second just after the restart but it was ruled offside.

Roma went on to dominate but Bologna refused to buckle and on 75 minutes Rene Krhin saw a free header go over the bar, while Andrea

Dortmund side takes a lot of passion, will to run, will to fight and the will to keep chasing the ball,’’ he told Sky television.

“We did so much of the things we had set out to do.

We played like a team and that is what we need.

“There are certainly still many things we can do better and which we’ve got to work on over the coming weeks.”

It was nevertheless a step in the right direction for Hamburg, who moved out of the bottom two thanks also to a wonder goal from Hakan Calhanoglu, who lobbed Roman Weidenfeller with a free-kick from near the halfway line.

“It was magnificent,’’ Slomka said. “But Hakan can do that; he practises it in training.

“It’s good when he gives it a go. I thought it was pretty courageous of him because I thought it was best to keep the ball and run the clock down, but scoring a goal’s even better, of course.’’

Juergen Klopp

Nainggolan Secures Roma Points At Bologna Mantovani saw his finish go a metre past De Sanctis’s upright.

At the other end Taddei’s angled first-time strike was well blocked by Curci after Adem Ljajic had set up the veteran defender following Michel Bastos’s precision pass from the left flank.

Roma, however, had to endure a few late scares before securing the points.

Mehdi Benatia headed a cross into the path of Ibson five minutes from time, prompting De Sanctis to react quickly and block.

Bastos spurned a great chance at the death when he ran on to Gervinho’s generous ball on the right only to fire an angled firsttime striker well over.

But Bologna were left holding their heads in their hands when Lazaros Christodoulopoulos sent a superb diving header just wide after Davide Moscardelli’s smart delivery from deep on the right.

Hundreds Of Arrests In Brazil World Cup Spending Protest BRAZILIAN police fired tear gas and arrested hundreds on Saturday as they dispersed a crowd in Sao Paulo that violently protested expenditures for the World Cup tournament. covered faces.

About 1,000 protesters took Several protesters told AFP to the streets in what was that the clash began when initially a peaceful expression police refused to let them of anger over the $11 billion continue marching. (eight billion euros) Brazil is Police responded by firing spending to host the Cup, the stun grenades, then tear gas world’s premier football to break up the crowd. event.

Some demonstrators Protesters then went on a accused the police of heavyrampage, smashing bank handedness. “Not even a windows and setting up window had been broken roadblocks with garbage set when the police started on fire. attacking everybody,” said a The unrest comes four man who claimed to speak for months before the World Cup the protesters. opening game is played in the “I came to protest against city’s Arena de Sao Paulo on the World Cup,” said June 12.

Fernanda Moreira, 19. “They As of midnight, military spent millions on stadiums police in Sao Paulo reported and have given us nothing for 230 arrests in a Twitter health or education,” she told message. Among those AFP. arrested were five journalists, “The government is trying the O Estado de Sao Paulo to make believe that Brazil is daily reported. all cheer and carnival, but it’s At least five police officers not like that. This is a very and two protesters were unequal country,” added injured, police said.

Lucas Souza, also 19.

Recent protests have drawn A February 6 protest in Rio far fewer people than those de Janeiro ended tragically which marred the with the death of a television Confederations Cup in midcameraman, killed when he 2013, but this year’s marches was struck in the head by a have included a more radical flare. element and raise questions Last year’s demonstrations about the police’s ability to started off in Sao Paulo in control violence during the response to transport fare World Cup. hikes but quickly spread, “There will be no Cup!” and drawing more than a million “Cup for the rich, scraps for people into the streets with the poor!” chanted the anger over expenditures to protesters, led by anarchists host the World Cup and the of the Black Bloc group 2016 Summer Olympics in dressed in black and with

Rio an underlying theme.

A further round of fare rises earlier this month fueled fresh anger. The government insists the country will benefit overall from staging the Cup, and polls show that a majority of Brazilians back the event.

World Cup games will be played in 12 Brazilian cities

GHANA striker Abdul Majeed Waris underlined his scoring credentials in the French Ligue 1 after netting a brace in Valenciennes’ 2-2 home draw with Sochaux on Saturday.

The diminutive forward won

through the home defence, but his composure one-on-one with Penneteau left a lot to be desired and his shot flew well over the goal before the hour mark.

Waris latched onto Maor Melikson’s low cross and rifled home from inside the area with just four minutes to go.

It seemed the Ghanaian’s talent and efforts had got the job done, but Hervé Renard’s men fought on bravely.

Peneteau was forced to turn Corchia’s stinging effort behind, Florian Marange beat the Valenciennes goalkeeper to the resulting corner and headed home for a rousing equaliser that prevented what would have been a heavy defeat for the relegation-threatened club.

• Sepp Blatter, FIFA President

• Abdul Majeed Waris

ENGLAND were drawn in Group E alongside Switzerland, Estonia, Lithuania & San Marino in the draw for Euro 2016 qualifying.

Scotland and the Republic of Ireland were drawn against each other in a Group D, which also contains Germany, Poland and Gibraltar.

Wales were selected in Group B with Bosnia-Hercegovina & Israel; while Northern Ireland face trips to Greece, Finland & Romania.

Groups in full: Group A: Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Iceland, Latvia, Turkey, Czech Republic Group B: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Andorra, Wales, Israel, Belgium Group C: Spain, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine Group D: Germany, Gibraltar, Georgia, Scotland, Poland, Republic of Ireland Group E: England, San Marino, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Switzerland Group F: Greece, Faroe Islands, Northern Ireland, Finland, Romania, Hungary Group G: Russia, Lichtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Austria, Sweden Group H: Italy, Malta, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Norway, Croatia Group I: Portugal, Albania, Armenia, Serbia, Denmark

Roy Happy For Gerrard To Play On ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson sees no reason why Steven Gerrard should end his international career after the World Cup. Hodgson will be in Nice on Sunday to learn England’s opponents for the European Championship qualifying phase.

Whether it will be Gerrard who leads England through that campaign remains to be seen.

The England captain has said he will wait until after this summer’s World Cup

Waris Hits Double In Valenciennes Draw a penalty and converted it for the game’s opener on 51 minutes.

After cutting into the area from the left, Waris was brought down by Lionel Zouma - older brother of Saint-Etienne’s Chelsea-bound Kurt Zouma and picked himself up to calmly wrong-foot Yohann Pelé from the the spot.

Three minutes later, however, Sebastien Corchia proved that he too can be seen as a star winter transfer window recruit with the equalizer.

He produced a stunning longrange effort that left the slightly advanced Nicolas Penneteau with no chance.

Marseille loanee Jordan Ayew could have handed Sochaux a precious lead minutes later when his pace sent him clean

including Rio and Sao Paulo.

While authorities fear further marches, a call for protests in January in Brazil’s most populous cities went largely unheeded.

The exception was Sao Paulo, where about 2,500 people took to the streets and police shot and wounded one person.

Euro 2016 Kind Draw For England

before deciding whether to end an international career that has so far earned him 108 caps.

Should the midfielder continue to make himself available for England, then it looks as though Hodgson would definitely consider including the player in his squads.

“I don’t know if he necessarily couldn’t (play beyond the World Cup),” Hodgson said.

“He will be 34 in May so he will be getting on for 36 (by the start of Euro 2016), so I think a lot will depend on him and how he feels, and depend on how he is playing. At the moment there has been no slowing down in his play.

“Who knows what the future will bring. I don’t have a strong feeling about that one way or another. Time will tell.”

During an international career that spans 14 years, Gerrard has taken part in six major tournaments.

His legs are not as fresh as they were when he made his debut against Ukraine under Kevin Keegan and the 33year-old now requires a series of injections to relieve back pain.

But he has also adapted his game to help him cope with the fact that his body is ageing.

Gerrard does not make as many marauding late runs into the box as he used to.

The Liverpool captain has withdrawn into a much deeper midfield role which may help him extend his career for club and country.

“He has played that (deeper) role for Liverpool and for us as well in one or two games and it went well,” said Hodgson, who also used to manage the midfielder at Liverpool.

“These days, teams have a degree of fluidity so, even though (Liverpool) may start

• Steven Gerrard

him deeper with Coutinho and (Jordan) Henderson further forward, in reality Steven still gets forward and Henderson drops in.

“So I think a player like Steven, who is such an allround player, will give you good attacking work and good defending work. Whether that spares him running or not, I don’t know. Sometimes you think he is not doing as much there but you might be surprised.”

Hoodlums Assault FCT FA Chairman

Garba Lawal Is Kaduna Utd GM

FORMER Nigeria international Garba Lawal has been appointed general manager of Nigeria Premier League club Kaduna United.

Forty-year-old Garba Lawal, who is also on the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, is expected to reposition Kaduna United, whose only major trophy was the 2010 Federation Cup. ‘Chindo’ has represented Nigeria at U20, Olympic and full international levels. He won Olympic Gold at the 1996 Olympics and has featured for Nigeria at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

The former Julius Berger midfielder also played professionally in Holland, Tunisia, Greece, China and Bulgaria.

Lawal and an executive committee headed by the Kaduna State sports commissioner will be inaugurated today.

The executive committee has former chairman Sabo Babayaro as well as former FIFA referee Alex Manna, among others.

Last season, Kaduna United finished 10th on the league table with 53 points from 38 matches.

ALHAJI Musa Talle, the chairman FCT Football Association, was on Saturday in Abuja assaulted by hoodlums at the Old Parade Ground Sports Complex.

FA Chairman was a guest at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Week Two match between TEAP FC of Abuja and Mighty Jets of Jos. Mr. Mansur Abdullahi, the Secretary, Organising and Disciplinary Committee, FCT FA told newsmen that the hoodlums, who were supporters of the Mighty Jets of Jos, allegedly attacked the FA chairman during the game.

“Before the start of the match, we pleaded with the supporters of Mighty Jets to leave Pavillion ‘D’ and go to Pavillion ‘C’ which was designated for fans

• Aminu Maigari, NFA Chairman

Benue SWAN Organises Road Walk For Newsmen

THE Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) leadership in Benue has led no fewer than 50 newsmen on a road walk as part of activities to mark its monthly keep fit event.

Reports say that this month’s event was tagged “Journalist Walk for Health’’.

The newsmen, drawn from the various chapels of Benue NUJ, converged on Yaman Filling Station, Wurukum, at 7:00 a.m. and walked to the

• Garba Lawal

NUJ House where they were treated to a lecture on general health.

In his address, the Chairman of SWAN, Benue Chapter, Mr. Emmanuel Ujah, pointed out that the exercise was for the general wellbeing of newsmen in the state.

Ujah said that the exercise was an effort by SWAN to ensure that newsmen were in sound minds and mental balance to perform their duties.

He noted that keeping fit was recommended for all humans, urging all members of NUJ to avail themselves of the opportunity of doing one form of exercise or the other.

“Exercise is good for proper blood flow and it is a monthly event that will not encroach so much on your activities.

“It is easier to exercise in group; so I encourage you to join the group exercise so as to help yourselves,” Ujah said.

In the health talk, Dr Terna

Iorbee of the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, said that healthy living involved change of lifestyle, tasking newsmen who never exercised to embrace the programme.

Iorbee noted that everyday exercise helped one to burn a lot of fat in one’s body, stressing that exercise should not only be monthly.

The medical expert, however, advised that sudden rigorous exercise should be avoided, pointing out that such only burnt glycogen in human body and not fat.

He stressed that a beginner should start the process of exercise mildly and gradually for 15 minutes per day for some number of days before engaging in the rigorous type.

The doctor also pointed out that taking pounded yam before going to bed was totally wrong and injurious to health.

“Yam contains a lot of carbohydrate and one needs it only when you want to perform an activity that needs strength,” he stated.

In a speech, the immediate

past Benue Commissioner for Environment and a 2015 governorship aspirant, Mr Eugene Aliegba, commended SWAN for the innovation.

Aliegba said that the event would reawaken the need for exercise in the minds of members of the public “having watched the watchdogs of the society do it’’.

He appealed to SWAN to also include environmental and physical health in their next activities so that members of the public would learn some lessons about basic health.

“Primary health care should be the fundamental thing that people should take note of,’’ he said.

Also speaking, the Benue NUJ Chairman, Mr. Chris Atsaka, commended SWAN leadership for the efforts to ensure good health for members in Benue.

He promised that the council would lend its full support to the event to encourage more participation by members of the pen profession.

3rd Victor Ochei Int’l Basketball Tourney

Oluyole Warriors Emerge Champs THE Oluyole Warriors of Oyo State has emerged champions in the 3rd Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Lagos.

Oluyole defeated Edo team 51-12 in the final decided at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The championship which had teams from five other West

African countries, including Ghana and the Republic of Benin started on February 18.

Oyo team in the first quarter raised the bar overpowering the Edo team 8-2.

The champions increased the tally to 13-2 in the second, made it 33-6 in third and ended the game 51-12 in the last quarter.

Speaking on their victory,

team captain, Musbau Shittu, said it was well deserved.

“We prepared very well for it and our team’s resolve is to carry the day.

“We are grateful to our sponsors, especially our Grand Patron, Victor Ochei, the Oyo Sports Council and the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Umar Farouk-

Arisekola,” he said.

Ossas Momoh a leading player in the Edo side said that his team lost to a better team, adding that they were third in last year’s edition but finished second this year.

He said that they would work harder in the 4th edition.

Addressing the participants, Victor Ochei, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and

sponsor of the event said the event had gained international recognition over the years.

“The federation will be working towards participating in the 2016 Olympics.

“We have got the required international exposure having participated in various international championship and capacity building training,” he said.

of the away team.

“However, while a few left, some others refused to heed our call and began to cause trouble.

“At half time, while our chairman was trying to calm the situation down, these thugs attacked and beat him, tearing his clothes in the process,’’ he said.

Abdullahi said he could not explain the fans action, adding, “ there was no incidence of the referee disallowing a goal or anything of such that warranted their action.

“We do not see any reason why thugs will come here and start to attack our FA Chairman.

“This is the third time now that the supporters from Jos would be engaged in this kind of behaviour.

“Last season, they attacked match officials breaking our windows and destroying our dressing rooms in the process,’’ he said.

The Secretary said that it was high time that the NNL management took appropriate

NFF Warn Manu On New Flying Eagles

THE Nigeria FA have warned new Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba against limiting his team selection to his U17 World Cup-winning team.

Manu was elevated alongside his assistant from the U17 team, Nduka Ugbade, to take charge of the country’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles.

“Manu must not shut the door to other players,” warned Nigeria Football Federation director of technical Emmanuel Ikpeme.

“We have not said he should not invite some of his U17 players, but he must give other players a chance to fight for a shirt.

“We have abundant talents in the country and I am sure there are some out there who can make the Flying Eagles team if given the opportunity.”

The Flying Eagles will begin their campaign for the 2015 African Youth Championship to be hosted by Senegal in May. They are scheduled to face the winners of the clash between Kenya and Tanzania.

Should they advance, they will then face the overall winners of the matches between Swaziland and Lesotho and Angola in August.

Nigeria placed third at the 2013 AYC in Algeria to qualify for the U20 World Cup in Turkey, where they reached the Round of 16.

CMYK

“THE fact of the matter is that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has come our way, he has demonstrated that good governance is possible with the unflinching support of the people. He has indeed placed Edo State on the run way of a c c e l e r a t e d development�- Quoted in Conqueror of the godfathers (page 95).

I was actually expecting the axe that fell on Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. I was expecting President Goodluck Jonathan to behave the way he has done concerning Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Readers may want to know why I am reacting like this. I have written on this page that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is not a perfect guy; and that he had truly made some mistakes as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

But the fact remains that the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria has succeeded in walking where Angels fear to dwell as far as the social, political situation of Nigeria stand today.

Certainly it can never be business as usual all the time and everywhere at the highest places.

What is wrong for a citizen of the federal Republic of Nigeria, who is in a vantage position to raise fundamental questions concerning proceeds coming from the sale of crude oil? What is wrong if a guy want to write his name in gold letters by looking unblinkingly eye ball to eye ball with those who are bringing financial and economic misery to the rest of us?

It is sad and tragic that the powers that be at the presidential palace have chosen to walk the crooked path which previous occupants like

Ibrahim Babagida and Olusegun Obasanjo had walked. Why the rush to pull Sanusi Lamido Sanusi out of the way?

Why desecrating the constitutional provision concerning the position

society groups and leaders across the country should stand shoulder to shoulder with citizen Sanusi and demand that the account of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation should be audited by an

performed well by my own account, and surely his place in the history of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria is assured. This brings my discussion to Edo State and the person of

Oshiomhole Study Group

and office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria?

Truly, the president do not have the power to fire Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. If anything the challenge from citizen Sanusi should have been taken as an opportunity to correct the mess going on within Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for God sake, we have been ruthlessly robbed, undermined, and purposed by those who are supposed to be accountable to us.

The level of rot and stealing both at the corridors and kitchen of power in this country is simply appalling. Why must we bury alive those who are canvassing transparently, accountability and sanity like Sanusi Lamido Sanusi? I salute the courage of some lawmakers at the National Assembly who have spoken out stridently against the suspension order slammed on citizen Sanusi.

This man Sanusi must not be allowed to be disgraced and harassed by the sinister cabal milking our collective crude oil into their personal pockets.

This is the time civil

Independent organ.

As far as I am concerned Sanusi is my hero on this issue and men of goodwill must stand by the fruit; Sanusi should be allowed

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Beyond any iota of doubt, comrade Adams Oshiomhole has take Edo State to a level where it

Edo State. As a person Comrade Adams Oshiomhole like most mortals is not perfect, but the fact remains that he has genuine interest of the

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo State

to finish his tenure as stipulated by the 1999 constitution. Now talking about performance in governance and legacy, citizen Sanusi has

was not in 2008. He has performed far and above what the People Democratic Party (PDP) could not do after eight years in power in

people of Edo State at heart.

That is why he is assiduously trying to reposition the State, to the

Certainly it can never be business as usual all the time and everywhere at the highest places. What is wrong for a citizen of the federal Republic of Nigeria, who is in a vantage position to raise fundamental questions concerning proceeds coming from the sale of crude oil?

best of his ability. There has been challenges here and there, but one thing we cannot take away from him is that his deeds will definitely speak for him by the time he leaves in 2016.

That is why an organisation called OSHIOMHOLE STUDY GROUP is being formed by a group of committed and focused individuals with an objective to articulate, document and voiceferate his policies and achievements as Governor of Edo State. I think this move is in the right direction because if this group succeeds in its mission and vision, it will be smoother for whoever that will emerge as Governor after 2016 to continue from where comrade Oshiomhole will stop.

Before 2007 there was no comrade Adams Oshiomhole, now that the man has performed and still performing despite some attempts to distract him by the opposition, THE OSHIOMHOLE STUDY GROUP is an idea which time has come.

Therefore, friends and loyalties of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole should identify in words, cash and actions with the OSHIOMHOLE STUDY GROUP. We are all in this state, we have seen what Governor Oshiomhole has done and what he is still trying to accomplish.

Nowinta, wrote ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE: CONQUEROR OF THE GODFATHERS

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