Nigerian observer 24 04 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 • NO. 467 • THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 20 14 • N100.00 INTERNATIONAL FEATURES

Page 26 Obama reassures Japan, other Allies on China

Free abducted school girls, Mark tells captors

By JOSES SEDE ABUJA - Senate President, Senator David Mark has described the

abduction of female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State as embarrassingly sacrilegious even as he pleaded with their

captors to listen to the voices of reason and free the teenagers .

Senator Mark in a statement on the incident in Abuja imagined the

harrowing experience of the students in the hands of their captors, the mental and psychological torture of their parents and guardians and Continues on page 2

Internally generated revenue, key to devt

-Oshiomhole

By ADAMS OYIBOKE/VICTOR OMOALU

MAN AND NATURE Page 27 Vegetarianism and refinement of the body

BENIN CITY- Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has described Internally Generate Revenue (IGR) as the most reliable source of revenue if the nation is to graduate from overdependence on crude oil.

Comrade Oshiomhole realities, the Onus is on made the remark when governments at all levels he declared open the to explore alternatives of 129th meeting of the Joint generating revenue to Tax Board (JTB) in Benin realize their social and City with the theme economic development.

“Imperative of Exchange Governor Oshiomhole of Information among said the importance of Tax Authorities”. exchanging information The State Governor among tax authorities whose message was can not be overread by the Deputy emphasized as it Governor, Dr. Pius facilitates the curtailment Egberanmwen Odubu of uncivil propensities noted that from the such as tax avoidance, prevailing economic inter- state tax evasion

and other practices which border on fraud.

The Chairman, Joint Tax Board Kabir Muhammad Mashi said the exchange of

information forms the key to improving the ability of tax authorities to identify and register tax payers, widen the tax payer net, asses taxpayers and ensure compliance.

The JTB Chairman said the 2-day forum will enable the tax authorities to confront non-compliance, tax evasion and other practices which lead to revenue leakages.

The Executive chairman of the Edo

State Internal Revenue Service, Chief Sir Oseni Elamah said that the state government places high premium on the role of taxation in ensuring good governance and the activities of the Joint Tax Board (J.T.B).

Continues on page 2

Development projects

Gov Oshiomhole lauds Jim Adun

BENIN CITY - Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has commended the legislator representing Egor/lkpoba-Okha Constituency of Edo State in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon Jim Adun for the various people-oriented development projects he is attracting to communities in his constituency.

The Governor gave the commendation recently while commissioning a

new Health Centre at Obagie N’Evbuosa in lkpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the State.

According to Governor Oshiomhole who was represented by the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Hon. Washington Osifo, the Health Centre which was sponsored by Rt. Hon. Jim Adun would go along way to provide quality primary Health Care delivery service to people of Obagie N’Evbuosa Community

TIT BIT “If a new day would offer new hopes and new beginnings; we must carry into it lessons from the old days.”

- Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

and others living in the environs.

He called on other representatives of the people to emulate the good works of Hon. Jim Adun whose several developmental efforts in his constituency have gone a long way to impact positively on the people. He encouraged

MEETING: L-R: Kabir Muhammad Mashi, Acting Chairman, Joint Tax Board, Edo State, Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, Chief Oseni Elamah, Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service and the Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Jerry Obazele during the opening of the 129th Meeting of the Board in Benin City yesterday. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

Autocrash claims 10 lives in Auchi Continues on page 2

By MORRISON HAYBLE

AUCHI - Over ten persons, mostly beggers were mangled to death Tuesday evening in a

fatal vehicular accident in Auchi town when a tipper lorry conveying gravel had a failed brake and rammed into a crowd of people.

The vehicle said to be descending the slope from

the Igarra end of Otaru Road lost control and smashed several other vehicles after crushing many people before ending up at a shop and

department of ICTA, Hon. Donald Igiede Omorodion as shocking and an Irreparable loss to the

ministry.

Mr. Okoudah stated this at a service of songs held in Benin City yesterday as part of activities for the Continues on page 2

Perm Sec eulogises late ICTA Director

By MARTIN ERHARUYI

BENIN CITY- The Permanent Secretary of Information and C o m m u t a t i o n Technology Agency

(ICTA), Mr. Thomas Okouduha has described the death of the Director, soft wear

trapping the occupants in the process.

Eye witness who described the accident as most horrible said a number of survivors had been taken to the nearby hospitals for treatment.

When our correspondent arrived the scene, outpouring of emotions, gnashing of teeth, grief and sorrow rented the air as many dead bodies littered the Continues on page 2

News

Free abducted school girls

Continued from page 1 restated the need for wise counsel to prevail on their captors to release them.

He maintained that no rational being can justify the abduction of these children whose only offence is that they chose to go to school to better their lots and contribute to the socio- Economic and political development of their fatherland. “ The situation is fast degrading and devaluing us as against the age long cherished love for younger persons . It is a sad commentary and a terrible assault on our psyche as a people. In the good old days of Nigeria, this was a taboo and unarguably unheard of”, Senator Mark lamented.

He canvassed for synergy between and among security agencies to do all that is needed to rescue the girls from their captors saying that the deteriorating situation is

Autocrash claims 10 lives in Auchi

Continued from page 1 scene.

Most of the dead who it was gathered, were beggers popularly referred to as “Babiala” usually sit at the scene of the accident in their dozens during day time.

making a mockery of our nation.

Senator Mark reiterated that there still exist various channels including the National Assembly for addressing grievances pointing out that “this unabating show of rascality

and disregards for rule of law by the insurgents is an affront on the Nigerian people.

He added:”We should all know that there is the Almighty God above all. This lack of human feelings and display of impunity is

certainly not a way of life .

The perpetrators should rethink and give peace a chance. “ Let us go back to the basics and live like true Africans where brotherhood is held sacrosanct .”

Continued from page 1

and administration among the various tax authorities as exchange of information would not only educate and equip tax authorities on basic taxation principles that are germane to the performance of their functions”.

heavily on IGR to meet its obligation to the people.

He stressed the need for the exchange of ideas and information in order to achieve a seamless relationship amongst various states and the FCT. Highpoint of the ceremony was the visit to the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin and tour of the various completed and on-going projects of the state government.

Internally generated revenue, key to devt

Chief Elamah stated that the JTB is the apex body of tax administration in Nigeria with the purpose of ensuring that “our role in the overall tax administration framework is clarified and put in the context of what we seek to achieve”.

While describing this year’s theme as apt, Chief Elamah said the theme “will no doubt impact positively on tax practices

Earlier when the JTB came calling in Government House, the Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu remarked that the state government relies

Terror Combat: Dabiri-Erewa urges FG to seek foreign

LAGOS - The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs Abike DabiriErewa, said that Nigeria needed the help of experts within and outside Nigeria to combat the prevailing wave of terror.

“Whatever strategy the Federal Government is using to curb the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria does not seem to be working effectively, hence the need for experts beyond the country,’’.

Dabri-Erewa, who

assistance

represents Ikorodu Constituency in Lagos State on the platform of the APC, said she was worried over the worsening spate of terror attacks in Nigeria.

Speaking at a “Girls in ICT Day” workshop for women in Lagos, the lawmaker called on mothers to be united in demanding the release of the abducted girls in Borno.

She said that the need for Nigeria to seek outside help became necessary, following

continued attacks on Nigeria by the Boko Haram sect.

“There are Nigerian experts on security in the Diaspora that could be contacted and consulted by government to assist.

“The recent bombing in Nyanya, an outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory and the abduction of over 230 girls from a secondary school in Borno State has shown that efforts by the nation’s security do not seem to be working effectively.

No Boko Haram %on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway - Police

LAGOS The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Umaru Manko, on Wednesday said there was no truth in a report that Boko Haram had attacked some people in the state.

Manko made the announcement while briefing newsmen on the purported attack by the Islamic sect, stressing that Lagos was peaceful.

Some people had been circulating Short Message Services (SMS), alleging that Boko Haram members had attacked some people on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway early on Wednesday.

The message reads: “BREAKING NEWS!!!: If you are on the Lagos-Ibadan Xpress Road going towards Ibadan...Pls turn back. 18 suspected Boko Harams members With AK-47 Riffles are on the highway now displaying their skills.

“Nine policemen and 11 civilians had been confirmed dead just now by these

gunmen while trying to stop them from the shooting...Pls Re-broadcast to save a life.

May God Help us in Nigeria.

“Please let’s pray for Nigeria that GOD should intervene,’’ the SMS said.

Manko said that one way the police would check the spreading of such rumour was to always brief members of the public through the press.

He said that the police and other security agents in Lagos were on top of the security situation in the state, advising the public to go about their businesses.

Meanwhile, The Oyo State Police Command yesterday in Ibadan urged residents to desist from spreading false information capable of breaching the peace.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor, stated this in a press release issued to dispel the rumour that Boko Haram members had laid siege to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday.

“There was an occurrence of a lone auto accident involving a trailer loaded with bags of wheat. “ FRSC officials, policemen and other security officers were only at the scene to control traffic and clear the gridlock,” she said.

Residents of Ibadan had started receiving messages of the rumoured attack through the social media and text messages in the early hours of Wednesday.

In a related development, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa, said on Wednesday that there was a security report of an influx of foreigners into the state.

Indabawa, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Clement Adoda, said this at a security meeting held with leaders of the Hausa, Fulani and Yoruba Communities at the Command’s Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.

He urged the communities not to accommodate strangers as doing so could threaten security.

“You should be vigilant and watch out for foreigners from Chad and the Republic of

Highness Stephen U. lmadomwinyim Enogie of Obagie-N’Evbuosa thanked Hon. Jim Adun for the Health Care Facility which they described as very standard with modern Health Care facilities capable of meeting

the primary Health Care requirements of their people.

They described Hon. Jim Adun as a true son and ambassador of the people whose various projects and philanthropic activities continue to put smiles on the faces of the people of the Local Government Area.

Gov Oshiomhole lauds Jim Adun

Continued from page 1 the legislator to continue with his good works.

Earlier in their remarks, the Chairman of the lkpoba-Okha Local Government Council represented by his vice, Hon. Benson Osifo and the Traditional Ruler of the Community, His Royal

Niger,” he said.

The police boss also called for peaceful co-existence between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

“Herdsmen should stay off farmlands and where an infringement occurs; aggrieved farmers should seek redress through appropriate authorities,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr Haruna MaiYasin, the Sarkin Sasa Ibadan, promised to continue to work for the peace of the state.

Perm Sec eulogises late ICTA Director

Continued from page 1 burial ceremony of the late Omorodion.

The Permanent Secretary, recalled that the late Hon. Omorodion was at a time the Commissioner representing Edo State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Speaking with The Nigerian OBSERVER, Mr. Asemota Festus described the late Omorodion as a pace setter role model and epitome of kindness due to his cordial and peaceful relationship with other directors and staff of the agency.

He noted that the exit of Omorodion was a great and unforgettable loss to the agency and the state in general.

Cholera: UNICEF expert urges Synergy between water, health Ministries ABUJA - A specialist with UNICEF has reiterated the need for synergy between the Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Health to produce national plan to address the cholera epidemic.

Mr. Ajibade Olokun, a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday.

“A national plan on cholera needs to be developed with both ministries working together.

“This requires planning, seeking out areas in states that are prone to cholera, assesing the situation and preparing for possible outbreaks.

“In a number of cases, if we look at the trend of what has happened in the last five years, maybe 2012 was the year that we had the highest outbreak.

“So, we need to have a plan in place to contend possible outbreaks and help people who are affected, as well as reduce the morbidity and the mortality rate.”

Olokun also underscored the need for proper identification of cholera sources, to effect appropriate treatment, aid and isolation of persons, where necessary.

He maintained that intervention measures would only be effective and thorough, if sources were traced and

cordoned off ultimately.

“For timely interventions, sources of cholera need to be traced because cholera can come through a number of ways.

“In tackling the outbreaks, we need to actually address those sources; we may be working, assuming that the water and sanitation have been compromised, but we need to be sure.

“For example in Lagos, we discovered at a point that food from a vendor was actually the source of the cholera.

“Although, one cannot rule out contamination through water, but we need to be sure.

“Therefore, it is necessary that in each cholera outbreak, the source is known, to enable those in charge to handle the problem within that environment.”

According to him, UNICEF has intervened in cholera prone areas with water treatment chemicals for both largescale treatment in communities and household water.

Also, its field and regional offices had been active in their response to outbreaks by procuring supplies to support affected areas and conducting sensitisation on good hygienic practices.

It was reported that cases of cholera outbreak have been recorded since October 2013 in Ebonyi,

KADUNA - The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kaduna State has cautioned mothers and other road users on the safety of children while crossing road.

The Sector Commander of the Corps, Mr. Mike Olagunju, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna on the United Nation Global Road Safety Week.

The Global Week, dedicated to improve children’s safety, will run from April 23 to April 28.

Olagunju said the week was set aside to enlighten parents and road users on the need to protect children and

ensure their safety while crossing roads.

“118 children were involved in road crashes between January and April in the state; 49 injuries and nine deaths were recorded.

“This is one of the safety concerns confronting the Corps in the state and we appeal to mothers to take care of their children when crossing the road.

“So, with this campaign, we want to raise awareness and ensure the safety of children at all times while crossing the road,” he said.

Olagunju said the campaign would also focus on discouraging skating on the road, warning that those engaged in the act would be arrested.

Children safety: FRSC cautions mothers, motorists

News UPN Rejuvenates In Edo

Newspapers Distribution Chairman Dies At 82

By KESTER OGIESEWU

BENIN CITY – The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) has rejuvenated following the recent registration of the Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The registration ceremony was attended by the party faithfuls, including confidants who were loyal to the late Sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Party during the second Republic.

In an interview with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, Edo State chairman of the party, Prince Sylvester Eweka said that, the party is committed towards the improvement of the educational sector of the economy.

According to him the party will ensure that the free education policy of UPN will be implemented successfully in a manner that the future generations will bring pride to the nation.

Prince Eweka also disclosed that, the party will vigorously focus on sustainable employment of the people in order to bring about meaningful development.

He said the security and social stability and the energy sector will attract the retention of the party.

“We stand on our old ideology which dates back to the days of the founder of the party, Chief Obafemi Awolow”, he said.

He listed other areas of priorities to include, agriculture, health care as well as integrated and community development.

“We are ready and very prepared to participate in subsequent elections that will usher in credible leadership for the government of the country,” he declared.

The party he said has coordinators in the 18 Local Government of the state with chairmen in each local government areas.

“It is therefore obvious that strategies have been put in place to ensure victory for the party with the registration of the party

by INEC, the party will ensure leadership both at local, state and national levels,” he said.

He therefore called on Edo people to be part of this party in an effort to build a United Nigeria.

Oba Erediauwa Seals BENIN CITY- The Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, ‘Oguedion’ Oba Erediauwa has sealed the traditional shrine (Oguedion) in Ughoton Community, Ovia North East local Government Area of Edo State.

A statement signed by the information officer, Benin Traditional Council, Robinson Osayamwen said the suspension is sequel to the anti- palace activities embarked upon by the Community Head (Odionwere) and his loyalists in the community.

The statement quoted Chief Jonathan Idada Erhimwinoghae who led other palace chiefs to effect the sealing of the shrine as saying that the Odionwere refused to honour the palace invitation over a misunderstanding, with the Ohen-Okun of Ughoton community, chief Victor Aigbovbiosa.

The misunderstanding arose following a tussle over who is the traditional and administrative Head of Ughoton community.

Consequently, the statement indicated that the Oba has appointed the next in hierarchy to the Odionwere, (Ozukpogieva), and the Head of the middle age- group

(Okaighele) to assist the Ohen-Okun, in administrating the community.

The statement recalled a palace statement dated June 7, 2013 and signed by secretary to the Oba, Mr osazuwa oronsaye-Guobadia through Ohen-Okun’s lawyer Barrister U.O Okungbowa which stated that Ohen-Okun is the traditional Head in charge of Ughoton Community.

L-R: Former Military Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; House of Reps Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande at the Ilorin International Airport on their way back from Ogbomoso where former Governor of Lagos, Chief Bola Tinubu was made Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology yesterday.

Warri To Host Deeper Life Crusade

By BETTY IDIALU

WARRI (Delta)- Delta State Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Obinna Nkemjika, has called on Nigerians, particularly Deltans to embrace the Prince of Peace so to be able to live in peace with their neighbours and be peacemakers.

Pastor Nkemjika made this known at a press conference in Warri, ahead of the Three Days Miracle Crusade with the visiting General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (popularly known as Deeper Life Church)Pastor W.F. Kumuyi ministering.

The clergyman stated that the crusade with the theme “Unforgettable Encounter with the God of Miracles” holding at the Deeper Life camp ground at Ubej, behind Warri Refinery, is packaged to impact great transformation and blessings on the lives of Deltans as well as uplift, strengthen and revive the lives of participants as the renowned international evangelist and apostle of faith, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi is coming.

Speaking further, the state Overseer said Pastor Kumuyi whose ministry spans over four

decades, last visited Delta State about 20years ago and had earlier in the year visited Taraba, Imo and Bayelsa States proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with signs, wonders and diverse miracles and healings attending such crusades as it has always been the characteristics of the ministry of the General Superintendent.

He added the time has come for Deltans to witness the new move of God’s power for spiritual transformation and divine visitation.

Fourteen regions that make up Delta State will converge in Warri for the crusade.

On the current security challenges in the country, Pastor Nkemjika said it is an off shoot of a depraved heart which only the gospel of the Lord Jesus has answers to.

While making reference to the biblical Paul of Tarsus who was persecuting Christians before his encounter with the Lord Jesus, the gospel minister said the crusade is apt at this time as one of the aims is for people to embrace the Prince of Peace.

The three days miracle

crusade is expected to begin tomorrow Friday April 25, to Sunday April 27, 2014 with a courtesy call on the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan on the first day.

Pastor in charge of Anioma Region of the Deeper Life Church, Pastor Pius Ross said both the press and the church play a very vital role of bringing about wholesome development of the society.

Present at the press briefing were Pastor Jude Chukwuocha in charge of Ughelli Region, and Bro. Edward.

EKPOMA – The Chairman of Esan Newspapers Distribution Association of Nigeria in Edo State, Mr. Salami Enaboifo (aka Asidi) is dead.

He died on March 11, 2014 at the Irrua Specialise Hospital in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state after a brief illness.

A family source said he was aged 82 years.

Mr. Enaboifo hails from Eguare, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

He is survived by nine children and eight grand children.

Burial arrangement will be announced later.

• Late Mr. Salami Enaboifo

Council Boss Reiterates Commitment To Infrastructural Devt

By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

OKADA – The Chairman, Ovia North-East Local Government Council of Edo State, Hon. Lucy Omagbon has reiterated her administration’s commitment to infrastructural development of the locality.

The council boss made the promise at Egbeta in Uhen Ward during her inspection visit to the community Health Centre

Permanent Secretary, Post Primary Education Board, Hajia Nana Audu (left), Managing Director, Information and Communication Technology Agency( ICTA), Yemi Keri; Director of Verification, ICTA, Kenny Abions and the Permanent Secretary, ICTA, Mr. Thomas Okoudoh during the service of songs held in Benin City for the late Director of Software Department, ICTA, Hon. Donald Igiede Omorodion. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.

which is under construction by the administration.

She had earlier inspected Ekosodin Primary School blocks of six and four class rooms respectively in Oluku Ward and water borehole project in Okada West.

She assured the people of Ovia North East of her administration’s determination to invest in more people oriented projects.

Speaking to newsmen on her achievements within one year in office, the council boss said though there were lots of challenges, including paucity of funds, financial prudence remained her watch ward.

She thanked the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other stakeholders for their understanding and support since she assumed office.

In their remarks, vice chairman of the council, Hon. Dumex Ugiagbe and the leader of the legislative arm of the council, Hon. Alex Agbonayinma described the Egbeta Health Centre Project as laudable, and therefore passed a vote of confidence on the council boss.

South South Gunmen Kill Vigilante WARRI (DELTA) The leader of a vigilance group, Mr. Kpufman Migagan, was shot dead by gunmen in Otokutu junction, Ughelli-South Local Government Area of Delta.

Migagan was killed barely five days after Mr. Proper Erhinyojare, the Chairman of Udu Vigilance Group was killed by yet to be identified assailants at Udu, near Warri.

Reports state that Migagan was the A cross section of participants at the 129th meeting of the Joint Tax Board in Benin yesterday.

Uduaghan Promise To Complete On-Going Projects

By BETTY IDIALU

WARRI (DELTA) Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has said that he was determined to ensure that all on-going projects were completed and handed over to the people for use by the end of his administration in the State.

The Governor, who stated this while on an unscheduled inspection tour of Umeh Road project in Isoko South local Government Area of the state, said that the government was exerting pressure on contractors handling government projects to complete them on schedule.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work on the about 7.5 kilometer road project, noting that substantial progress has been made in the project.

The Umeh Road, which is about 7.5 Kilometer was swampy, in terribly bad state and almost impassable to motorists and cyclists before the project began.

However, it now wears a new

look with asphalt already laid on most part of the road and the bridge in place. It took the Governor’s Convoy which could not access the community when it first visited, only about seven minutes to drive into the community Dr. Uduaghan said that in spite

of the funding challenges and the problems posed by the 2012 floods which washed off progress made earlier on the road project, the project will be completed soon.

Besides the prospect of a boom in farm produce, the Governor was happy that the project has

started impacting on the lives of youths of the community as a good number of them have learnt special skills in the process.

Addressing jubilant community youths who were singing his praise, the governor commended them for cooperating with the contractor, noting that disruption of work

has not been experienced so far.

He urged them to sustain the spirit to ensure unhindered execution of the project as well as urged youths in other communities across the State to emulate Umeh youths by ensuring that government projects meant to enhance the welfare of the people were not disrupted.

The originator of the Umeh Needs Road Facebook Appeal, Barrister Duncan Afahokor said their joy knows no bounds with the realization of the project.

Chairman of Igbudu Market Vigilance Group in Warri.

It was learnt in Warri that the suspected assailants shot Migagan in a Toyota Siena bus conveying him and his members to Warri.

The source said there was exchange of gunshots during which Migagan was killed.

“One of the assailants also died in the gun duel’’, the source said.

CSP Celestina Kalu, Delta Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident.

“The vigilance group leader was killed on the DSC expressway in Ughelli-South Local Government Area.

“One of the assailants also died on the spot.

Their corpses have been deposited at a morgue in Udu’’, she said, adding that the police would open investigation into the incident.

Revamp DRTV, Legal Practitioner Urges Uduaghan

By BETTY IDIALU WARRI (DELTA) Robinson Ariyo, Esq, a Warri based Lawyer and Peace building consultant has appealed to the Delta State Governor; Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to kindly include the only state television known to the people of Warri and its environs in his “Finishing strong” agenda.

Describing the life of the Delta Broadcasting Television and Radio as one that has been abandoned in the face of huge resources, he attributed the poor

level of awareness and poor integration amongst ethnic groups in the state to the abandonment of the state own electronic media.

He opined that the importance of a local television and radio cannot be over emphasised as they are veritable tools for preaching peace, locals values and enlightenment.

Speaking further,Ariyo said “The Delta State Government has to realise that the Press as the fourth estate of the realm plays a pivotal role as the custodian of the public interest and as a watchdog” .

According to the Warri based lawyer, Delta State will never achieve much even in the area of tourism without first developing its own state media.

“Every time the Government wants to publicise activities it will embark on deals with Channels TV or AIT. If the moneys spent on these publicity stunts were spent on DRTV, it would have resulted in far better impact” He said.

While commending the efforts of the staffers of DRTV in the face of the obvious challenges, he particularly decried the fact

L-R: World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative in Nigeria, Dr. Rui Vaz, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Jean Gough and Global Polio eradication expert, Chris Wolff, at the 27th meeting of the Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation in Nigeria, in Abuja yesterday.

that despite the unfortunate incidence which resulted in the inferno that completely consumed the studio of DRTV some years back, the staff of the station continue to operate under unbelievably poor conditions

through a make shift studio.

Barrister Ariyo said “The Station does not even have an Outside Broadcasting Van to work with. It is a miracle that the station is still able to produce and broadcast programs on a daily basis. This shows how resilient Deltans can be.

Tradomedicine: Practitioner Applauds Govt’s Interest

By JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM IDUMUESAH – A tradomedical doctor in Idumuesah, Dr. Onyemaechi has expressed satisfaction over the state government’s interest towards the tradomedical association.

The tradomedical doctor who commended the government during a chat with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER said more was yet to be done, adding that the inmates of some Psychiatric homes of tradomedical doctors should be remembered and cared for by providing them with incentives and social amenities.

Onyemaechi said tradomedical doctors could be empowered to be able to transform their herbs into tablets, syrups and capsules.

According to him, drugs for the cure of poisons of any kind such as snake bite, mental problems, pile, scorpion bite,

epilepsy, impotency etc, are all available through tradomidical medicine.

He however, appealed to the state government to assist him in the areas of social amenities to enable him take care of the psychiatric home as people with mental illness from far and near come for health therapy.

As a member of National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners, Onyemaechi has the love of his community even as he advised the people as well-known peace maker in his community. He advised the people of his community to be good ambassadors.

He also thanked those who have contributed in no small ways to the development of the entire community.

Lagos Pay Attention To Power Sector, Union

Chairman, Kaura Local Government Area, Katsina State, Alhaji Abdulhadi Abdullahi (right) presenting six sets of Computers to the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, Mr. Yusuf Idris in Kaduna yesterday.

LAGOS - The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has told the Federal Government to pay more attention to the power sector to create more jobs in the country.

The National Public Relations Officer of the union, Mr Seyi Gambo, made the call in a statement in Lagos.

Gambo said that the government should take pragmatic steps to fix the nation’s infrastructure, noting that worsening power situation in the country had compounded the problems of the selfemployed.

“Government needs to do something tangible to fix the power situation in the country.

“Before the privatisation of the

Aregbesola Condemns Abduction Of School Girls

LAGOS - Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has described the abduction of about 100 school girls by insurgents in Borno State as “barbaric’’.

Aregbesola spoke at the public presentation of a book, “Giants of History’’, written by Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

He said that the kidnap of the innocent girls was a pointer to the fact that the security situation in the North-Eastern part of the country was worsening.

The governor urged Nigerians to join hands with the relevant security agencies to bring terrorist activities in the country to an end.

Aregbesola also advised political office holders in Nigeria to stop using titles that suggested they were ‘larger-than-life‘.

He said the preference by

leaders to be addressed as “Your Excellency’’ and other “irrelevant honorific” was an aberration in leadership.

“Public officers get their right by popular electoral mandate and so it is totally paradoxical to address them as Your Excellencies.

“I believe leaders should

gradually withdraw themselves from this abnormality and really tell the people who they really are,’’ he said.

Aregbesola urged leaders to see their positions as opportunities to serve and better the lot of their people.

In his remarks, Gov. Babatunde Fashola attributed

Permanent Voters Cards Distribution Commences August LAGOS - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will commence the distribution of permanent voters’ card to eligible voters in Lagos state in August.

Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, made the disclosure in Lagos in an interview with newsmen.

He said the exercise would last for three days.

“The distribution of permanent voters’ card will take place in Aug. 22 through Aug. 24.

“After that the continuous voters registration will commence immediately on Aug. 27 to August 31,” he said.

The INEC boss said that the continuous voters registration would afford eligible registrants who were unable to vote in 2011 the opportunity to do so.

“Those who have matured into voting age of 18 during the last registration exercise and those whose names are not in the electronic register will also be opportuned to register.”

He added that the exercise would also provide the commission with the opportunity to ascertain authentic voters.

Ogunmola said that the cards of those who double registered would not be printed, adding that their names had already been deregistered from the system.

He said that double registrants would have another opportunity to register.

some of the country’s challenges to bad leadership.

He said the problems persisted not because of lack of good leaders, but because the public sector was not attracting enough competent men.

Fashola said there was a rich deposit of human resources in the private sector, urging the Federal Government to tap these resources for national development.

“There is a rich deposit of leadership talents and capabilities in the private sector, what we need to do is to sit down and look at where we are coming from and make the right leadership choices,’’ he said.

urges FG

power sector, Nigerians were enjoying a little bit of light but the situation has gone from bad to worse.’’

Gambo said the government must set a time frame for the new owners to generate power for Nigerians.

“If the investors have no muzzle to resolve the power problem, then the government can reverse the privatisation because the country can be in crisis for a long time.

“Small and medium-scale businesses are closing shops, due to worsening power situation and those with bright entrepreneurship ideas could not exhibit or practise it as most development depends on power.

“The artisans, such as barbers, welders, tailors, carpenters, cyber café operators among others depend on electricity to continue in their businesses.’’

Gambo said that if the power problem was addressed, it would go a long way in curbing some of the crimes committed by idle youths.

He described the unemployment situation in Nigeria as “a time bomb that can explode any moment,’’ stressing that the three tiers of government must be practical in their quest for job creation.

The Federal Government had on March 7, handed over the generation and distribution of power to new investors.

Agriculturist Advocates Early Fertilizer Distribution

Workers queue for security check at the entrance of the Federal Secretariat in Abuja yesterday.

MAKURDI An Agriculturist, Mr. Simon Atim, has urged the Federal and State Governments to ensure that fertiliser and other farm inputs were supplied to farmers early in each farming season.

Atim, who works at the Benue Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, said that early provision of the inputs would ensure bumper harvest of produce.

He told the Newsmen in Makurdi that the current

Lawyers Differ On Extension Of Emergency Rule

LAGOS - Some lawyers in Lagos expressed differing views on calls for the extension of state of emergency in three NorthEastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

All the lawyers, but one called for an end to the emergency rule in the zone.

It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had on May 14, 2013 imposed emergency rule on the three states in the wake of insurgencies.

It was extended on November 14, 2013 following the approval of the National Assembly.

A law teacher, Mr. Gbenga Ojo, told newsmen that the

renewed onslaught by the insurgents in the troubled states called for “automatic extension’’ of the emergency rule.

Ojo, who is of the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University (LASU), urged the Federal Government to sack all democratic institutions in the states to give the military full control.

“Governance in those areas has completely broken down and the governors are obviously not in control.

“The Federal Government

should make the state of emergency total and sack all democratic institutions including the governors and the state legislators,” he said.

Mr Onyekachi Ubani, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, also backed the removal of the governors.

“We are criticising the state of emergency in which you allow the governors to be operating alongside military institutions.

“If you follow the constitution on the issue of state of

emergency, you do not allow a parallel government.”

He, however, maintained that the declaration of emergency rule was not a panacea to the insurrection in the affected states.

Ubani stressed: “We must address the defects in our federalism.

“The present situation where the distribution of our resources is centralised is not good for the country.

“We need a system where ordinary Nigerians will feel the impact of government and the ongoing national conference is a good opportunity to address such issues.’’

situation where farm inputs, including fertilisers, arrived late, usually caused low yields. ‘’Poor harvest is usually o ccasioned by late or nonapplication of fertilisers to the crops. ‘’This seems to be an annual occurrence, because fertilisers are most times made available to farmers from September upwards and this is not a good time to apply it on crops. ‘’The government ought to start making arrangement for the purchase of the product early enough, to avoid undue delays which will later affect crops as well as harvest.’’

Atim also called on the Federal Government to formulate policies aimed at enhancing agricultural activities in the country, stressing that the policies should be such that could encourage farmers to expand their farms.

He described the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) as a good initiative, adding that farmers needed more of such schemes.

He observed that since the GES was introduced, a lot of improvement had been recorded in the agricultural sector.

Across The Nation More Troops Deployed To Wukari

CAN Pleads With FG Over Compensation GOMBE- Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Gombe State, has appealed to the Federal Government to compensate victims of the 2011 post election violence in the state.

Making the appeal in Gombe during an Easter prayer session organized by CAN, the chairman said that Gombe was one of the states affected by the violence but was never mentioned as being affected.

“We lost more lives and property during the violence compared to other states, “he said.

Making the same appeal at the occasion, the Chief of Tangle, Mr Abdu Maisheru said Christian communities that were affected, were yet to be compensated and another election was fast approaching.

“We lost lives and property, therefore we are calling on the Federal Government to pay the compensation because victims in other states already received,” he said. .In his speech, Mr Thanda Rubainu, deputy governor of the state, said the loss recorded in Gombe state during the 2011 post election violence, was enormous.

Rubainu said the state government had taken all the necessary steps and the Federal Government had assured that in 2014, compensation would be paid.

In his sermon, Rev. Solomon Hussaini, the guest speaker from Baptist church, Jalingo, said salvation could only be guaranteed through Jesus Christ.

The reports state that prayers were offered for the success of the National Conference and for peace to reign in the North East.

L-R: Members, Board of Trustees (BOT), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Chief Anna Kolawole (SouthWest), Prof. Patricia Donli (North-West) and BOT Chairman, Dr. Musa Babayo, at the hand-over ceremony of the former Acting Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Malam Aliyu Na’Iya to new Executive Secretary, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro in Abuja yesterday.

Rice Millers Threaten To Down Tools

ABAKALIKI- Rice millers at Abakaliki Rice Mill Company have threatened to stop work if the state government persists with its threat to forcefully relocate them.

The Chairman of the Mill, Chief Joseph Ununu, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki.

He was reacting to the governor’s recent statement

that the environmental status of the mill made the rice unhygienic.

“This relocation issue is distracting us; we will be forced to down tools to see whether the government will be pleased.

“We will mill and preserve

Police Confirms Missing Baby

MAKURDI- The Benue Police Command has confirmed that a three-month old baby belonging to one Mr Ikyavngi Imande had been stolen in Makurdi.

The baby was stolen on April 19 at about 8.00 pm on Inikpi street, High Level, Makurdi.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ezeala, told newsmen in Makurdi that the command had opened full investigation into the matter.

Ezeala said that police had arrested one suspect, while the others were still at large.

He assured the family and the people of the state of adequate security.

According to the prime suspect, simply identifuied as Chichi, he was in Makurdi to adopt a baby, but was turned down by the government officials.

Speaking with newsmen, the mother of the baby, Mrs Msendoo Ikyavngi, said that her baby was stolen in her house on Saturday, April 19, around 8.00 p.m.

“It was on Saturday evening around 8.00 p.m. that Chichi, the girlfriend of my neighbour,

Mr Amos, came to my house, tricked my nanny and stole my baby.

“My nanny was with the baby and she was crying.

“So, Chichi came and took the baby for the purpose of making her stop crying. She now sent my nanny to get water for her to drink.

“It was then that Chichi ran

away with my baby right in my house.

“When this was happening I had gone out of the house to buy food items.

“We have been seeing her recently and we felt she is a friend,” she said.

Msendoo said that all efforts to contact Chichi through the telephone had proved abortive.

enough rice that will sustain our families and gather at our office daily without doing any work.”

According to him, there has not been any reported case of ill health caused by the consumption of the rice.

“Environmental experts continually assess our surroundings and have always certified us fit for operation.

“Elechi buys our rice always; he used our rice for campaigns during his first and second tenure.

“The rice used by local government chairmen and traditional rulers to pay him homage are all from the Abakaliki Rice Mill.”

He noted that millers would readily relocate to any site, if

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Dr. Musa Babayo, New Executive Secretary, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro and former Acting Executive Secretary, Malam Aliyu Na’Iya, at the hand-over ceremony to Prof. Bogoro who resumed on his 5-year first term at TETFUND in Abuja yesterday.

facilities that would enable them to operate optimally were provided.

“Our machines do not operate under the sun or in the rain; so we need facilities where we will instal the machines and preserve our produce.

“The new rice mills constructed by the government are not yet functional and do not have the necessary facilities that will make us relocate from our present site,” he said.

JALINGO- Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, has said that 50 additional soldiers were deployed to Wukari from Adamawa, in an effort to tackle the wave of communal clashes in the area.

Communal clashes have engulfed the areas since April 15 leading to the death of at least 24 people.

Umar, who revealed this at a news conference in Jalingo, said the 50 soldiers would complement the troops already on ground.

He directed that the Takum General Hospital, which was closed down due to security reasons, be opened so that victims of the recent violent attacks in the area could receive treatment.

The Acting Governor sympathised with four women who delivered at the MutumBiyu refugee camp and promised that government would render free treatment to every victim of the attacks in the area.

Umar announced that the 24hour curfew earlier imposed in the area had been relaxed and would be in force from 12 noon to 6 a.m.

He said 29 trailers loaded with relief materials had been sent to Takum, Wukari, Gassol and Ibi areas to minimise the sufferings of the people, occasioned by the attacks.

Umar reiterated that his government had taken proactive measures to deal with the security challenges, saying that security issues were too sensitive to be politicised.

“We remain committed to the security and well being of the public. Unfortunately some people are using this security challenge to have political gains.

“Security of our dear state is too sensitive to play politics with,” he said.

Falling Standard Of Education, Expert Blames Poor Curriculum Implementation KANO- Alhajii Habib ElYakub, the Director General of Kano State Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB), has attributed the falling standard of secondary school education in the country, to poor curriculum implementation.

He made the remark at a one-day workshop on Teacher Curriculum Implementation Diary (CID) in Kano.

The Director General, who expressed concern over the situation, urged stakeholders to do something urgently in order to reverse the trend.

El-Yakub said the board had resolved to encourage the use of the Curriculum Implementation Diary (CID) in order to enhance teacher productivity.

“This will be achieved

through an operational process that will reinforce teachers’ commitment, accountability and coverage of instructional workloads assigned to them by the curriculum,” he said.

He therefore urged participants at the workshop to make the best use of the opportunity provided them by the government, to ensure effective teaching and learning in secondary schools.

In his remarks, an education consultant, Mr. Giaus Yadum, described teacher professionalism and productivity as necessary for enhanced academic performance in students.

He said the teacher CID would ensure full implementation of the national curriculum in secondary schools.

Abuja NURTW To Reduce Maternal, Child Mortality

ABUJA - Alhaji Najeem Yasin, President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has said that the union will focus on reducing maternal mortality in the country through its Emergency Transport Scheme (ETS).

ETS is a scheme under the Maternal and Child Health project of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P MCH) for reducing maternal newborn mortality.

Yasin, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja said the scheme was aimed at reducing maternal child mortality through effective referral mechanism during emergencies in rural

communities.

According to him, ETS is implemented through the participation of union members who serve as volunteer drivers to transport pregnant women experiencing maternal complications to healthcare facilities for quick medical attention.

He said since 2004, the union had been collaborating with development partners to implement ETS in northern parts of the country.

Yasin said during the period, ETS drivers conveyed thousands of pregnant women in various emergency situations to health facilities freely or on payment of the cost of fuel.

Abducted Girls

“With this scheme, accessibility to health will be brought to the doorsteps of all pregnant women in the target areas.

“The need for ETS cannot be over-emphasised taking cognisance of the critical situation of many pregnant women, especially in the remote areas of the country.

“Such pregnant women die from preventable deaths not because of lack of doctors or equipment but due to delays in reaching heath facilities,” he said.

He said the move by National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) by providing financial support to NURTW to implement ETS would go a long way in bringing smiles to pregnant women and their

YWCA Calls For Unconditional Release ABUJA- The Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) Nigeria has called for the speedy release of abducted school girls in Borno.

The association’s National President, Mrs Hwongchun Majak, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Majak, while condemning the act, said this was necessary because delay in releasing the girls could have unending psychological effect on them.

“The reports reaching us say these abducted girls are going through harrowing experience in the hands of their abductors; some of them are made to cook, wash and even used as sex slaves.

“What we don’t understand is that did they abduct the girls as wives or what; these acts of sexual exploitation and violence are not acceptable. “ Wherever it takes place, abduction of children is a crime and illegal under international law; it is an unacceptable trend, we are calling on all security agents to tighten security in the North-eastern states.”

Majak decried the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians, calling on the Federal Government to step up actions towards curbing insecurity in the country.

She said attacks on schools denied children their rights to learn in a safe environment, thereby robbing them of their future.

“The Federal Government should urgently take steps to make sure that the children are returned to their families unharmed, and that they can continue their education in a safe environment.”

She also expressed “deepest solidarity” to all the

communities affected by the horrific acts.

It will be recalled that on April 15, no fewer than 150 students

of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, were abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

families.

Yasin said the project would ensure that “no lives can be lost in the process of giving birth to our children.

“This will also greatly contribute towards attaining MDGs 4 and 5 which are reduction of maternal mortality and improvement in the health of children respectively.”

The union on April 3 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NPHCDA for implementation of ETS. The MoU was signed to carry out a six-month pilot ETS at selected SURE-P MCH facilities.

He said the facilities were in the FCT, Niger, Bauchi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Anambra,

Business activities resume after Easter holidays in Lagos on Tuesday.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu (middle), cutting a cake to mark his 52nd birthday in Abuja recently. With him are from left, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad, P e r m a n e n t Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, the Minister’s wife, Mrs. Osinachi Buchi-Chukwu (2nd right) and Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas.

Envoy Warns On Human Rights Violation ABUJA- The Sahrawi Ambassador to Nigeria, Oubi Bachi, has called on the international community not to turn blind eyes to ongoing gross human rights violation in Western Sahara.

Bachi told newsmen in Abuja that the Sahrawi Government had strong evidence of human rights abuses in the country.

His comments came ahead of the yesterday’s meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

The 15-member council, which is currently presided by Nigeria, is expected to adopt a resolution to renew the mandate of MINURSO. Bachi, however, expressed concern that France, a veto wielding member of the council,

opposed the inclusion of human rights monitoring in the mandate of the mission.

He said Morocco had also expressed strong opposition to any attempt to expand the mandate of the mission to include human rights monitoring.

“This year we are celebrating 20 years of the Rwanda genocide and it was because of the lack of the interest of the international community, especially the United Nations.

“We cannot really afford making the same mistakes and errors in history until a bloodshed starts in Western Sahara and that’s when the UN will think seriously about Western Sahara,’’ he said.

He said the recent report of the UN Secretary-General on Western Sahara had made clear

Ebonyi, Bayelsa and Imo states.

He said resources provided

by NPHCDA would be used judiciously to implement the scheme.

Also, union in collaboration with NPHCDA recently held a train the trainer workshop to build the capacity of members at all levels to boost ETS .

recommendations for human rights monitoring to be included in the mandate of MINURSO. “If that recommendation is not clearly reflected in the UN security resolution of course, we will express our sadness and we will not accept it.’’

The ambassador thanked the Nigerian government for supporting the liberation struggle of Sahrawi people, since their occupation in 1975 by Morocco after the departure of colonial power, Spain.

He said the Special Envoy of the Sahrawi President, M’hamed Khadad, was in Abuja to deliver a letter from President Mohamed Abdelaziz to President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the special envoy delivered a letter on bilateral relations between the two countries and condolences to

Nigeria on the recent terror attack in Nyanya bus station in Abuja.

He said Khadad also briefed President Jonathan on the latest development regarding the question of Western Sahara, in the light of the report of UN Secretary-General and the Security Council deliberations.

The envoy added that it was the view of the Sahrawi government that Nigeria be included in the UN SecretaryGeneral Group of Friends on Western Sahara.

He expressed regret that there was no “African voice’’ in the Group which included U.S. U.K, France, Russia and Spain.

“Nigeria is best suited and in the best position to be in that group as a leading voice in Africa,’’ he said.

FCT Records Crime Free Easter ABUJA- The FCT Police Command said there was no crime recorded in the territory throughout the Easter celebrations.

The command spokesperson, DSP Altine Daniel, confirmed this to newsmen in Abuja.

Daniel attributed this to the commitment of personnel of the command and cooperation of residents of the territory.

However, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) says it recorded two deaths in five accidents in the territory during the period.

The FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Susan Ajenge, told newsmen that one of the deaths was recorded at Gwarimpa, while the other was at Abaji Area Council.

Ajenge described the accident rate as low, saying that this followed the adequate deployment of men of the command to the highways.

She said the personnel was mandated to carry out “traffic calm down’’, explaining that it was done by “taking positions on the expressways and waving down motorists speeding’’.

Meanwhile, reprieve is yet to come for commuters on the Abuja-Keffi expressway as the military continued to mount barricade on the road for stop and search, leading to heavy traffic.

They began the exercise four days after the explosion that rocked the Nyanya bus terminus, killing more than 70 people with over 120 sustaining various injuries.

Many of the commuters, especially civil servants, anxious to report at work on time, resorted to the use of commercial motorcycles.

CNPP Scores Gov Chime High

NSUKKA (ENUGU STATE)- The National Secretary of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Willy Ezeugwu, has applauded the performance of Governor Sullivan Chime in Enugu state.

Ezeugwu told newsmen in Nsukka, Enugu State that Chime had performed creditably, given the level of infrastructural transformation in the three senatorial zones since he assumed office “I am a not member of APGA but I have to say the truth; Chime has done well in Enugu State. To me, he is the best performing governor in the country.

“Chime’s administration has achieved a good road network, well equipped hospitals, quality education and the empowerment of the people.

“My prayer is that whoever will take over from him in 2015 should consolidate on his achievements,’’ he said.

Ezeuwgu expressed concern with the performance of the members of the National Assembly from the state, noting that the people had not felt the impact of their constituency project funds.

“Some of them are committee chairmen in the Senate and the House of Representatives but they have not attracted any projects to the state.

“I support Chime’s decision that all National Assembly members from the state who have served second tenure should step down and allow other people to go to the National Assembly,’’ he said.

On the insurgency in parts of the country, Ezeugwu advised the government to withdraw

security men from some government officials and business tycoons to enable them to join the fight against terrorism.

“We are experiencing a shortage of security personnel to fight insurgency because thousands of them are attached to some big men in the country.

“We should first protect the country before protecting individuals. Some individuals have up to 10 security men attached to them whereas our motor parks, churches, mosques and markets where many people go to, have no security,’’ he said.

Ezeugwu called on Nigerians to unite in the fight against insurgency because they have no

News Assembly Approves Construction Of 20-KM Road

Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, Mr. Eze Onyekpere (left), with Legal Officer, Mr. Kingsley Nnajiaka, at a briefing on the proposed scrapping of Fiscal Responsibility Commission in Abuja yesterday.

Chairman, National Conference Committee on Public Service, Mrs. Ebele Okeke (sitting 4th-right), with other members of the Committee in Abuja yesterday.

SOKOTO-The Sokoto State House of Assembly has approved the construction of a 20- kilometre road to link Kwargaba District with Wurno in Wurno Local Government Area of the state.

The motion for the project was moved by Alhaji Muhammad Achida (APCWurno) during the plenary session in Sokoto.

Achida said the measure became necessary to cater for the need of the people who were in need of good roads to enhance transportation of goods and services.

The motion was seconded

by Alhaji Bello Goronyo (APC- Goronyo).

Contributing to the motion, Alhaji Abubakar Amanawa (APC-Dange/Shuni), said the importance of road network could not be over emphasised in linking the rural settlements with urban centres.

Amanawa explained that if the road was constructed, it would spur socio-economic development of the state.

The Speaker, Alhaji Lawal Zayyana, urged the state government to give priority to the project.

National Confab: Nwabueze Advocates Repeal

UMUAHIA - Eminent constitutional lawyer, Prof.

Ben Nwabueze, has called for the repeal of Decree 24 of 1999 to give legal teeth to the resolutions of the National Conference.

Nwabueze made the call in Umuahia in an interview with newsmen after he and some leaders of thought visited Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia.

He explained that Section 9 of the constitution prescribed the procedure for its alteration without going through the National and state assemblies.

He described the 1999 Constitution as “a schedule to Decree 24 of 1999,” saying: “all you have to do is to repeal that decree and the schedule containing the constitution will disappear.”

He said that Section 4 conferred on the National Assembly the powers to repeal the decree and subsequently set the 1999 constitution aside.

According to Nwabueze, the procedure was adopted in 1963 to repeal the Order-in-Council.

“We repealed the Order-inCouncil in 1963 and the schedule that contained the

Of Decree 24

Independent Constitution disappeared,” he said.

He, however, warned that the procedure “should be done in sequence, simultaneously, so that the National Assembly does not disappear.’’

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to submit an executive bill on “National Conference and Referendum Bill’’ to NASS. The elder statesman explained that he and some patriots, prepared and submitted to Jonathan document that recommended

means to give legal teeth to the National Conference.

He said that he had confidence in the ability of the conference to transform Nigeria into a new, better and united country.

He, however, noted that for the conference to achieve the objective, “it must have the competence to adopt the constitution that would be binding on all Nigerians.’’

“That is the kind of conference that we had

The Bayelsa Government will provide adequate security at the new NYSC Orientation Camp under construction at Kaiama in the Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of the state, an official has said.

Mr Lawrence Ewrudiakpor, the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Development, disclosed this to the newsmen on Tuesday at the camp’s construction site at Kaiama.

Ewrudiakpor expressed

optimism that the camp would be one of the best orientation camps in the country.

He said the project, which had reached about 60 per cent completion, would be used by corps members before the end of the year.

“This is a sign of a new Bayelsa and the building of the camp is to complement Federal Government’s efforts in youth programmes.

“The camp is fitted with a

envisaged,’’ he said, but regretted that “it is not the kind of conference that is going on now’’.

Nwabueze, however, expressed optimism that all is not lost, adding that he was working on measures that would salvage the conference to meet the expectations of many Nigerians.

“The President should submit to NASS, even at this stage, an executive bill in terms of the National Conference and

NYSC Camp: Bayelsa Promises KAIAMA (BAYELSA)-

Adequate Security

youths training and development centre, and the centre will allow some other youths in the state to engage themselves in various skill acquisition programmes.

“It will also have a church and a mosque, playground, clinic and facilities such as shopping mall, a market, as well as cash banking centre, due to the non-availability of banks in the area,’’ the commissioner said.

Referendum Bill, that we the patriots prepared and submitted to him, many months ago,’’ he said.

He urged Jonathan ‘’to muster the courage to present the bill, in spite of the opposition in NASS’’.

He said that the passage of the bill would transform the resolutions of the conference into the constitution of Nigeria.

Nwabueze, who led some leaders of thought from the South-East on the visit, said that they visited the governor to congratulate him on his emergence as Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum.

He said that the group also presented a 170-page document on its position on the ongoing national conference to the governor.

Vote Credible Candidates, Party Chairman Urges Members O WERRI- The National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr Yunusa Tanko has urged party faithful to choose only credible candidates to contest for offices under the party.

Tanko, who made the call during the state congress of the party in Owerri, said the party aimed at making the Nigerian constitution binding on all citizens and to improve on the lots of the citizens.

He urged well meaning indigenes of Imo state to support the party to enthrone credible candidates who would win elective positions come

2015.

“Our forms are free to ensure that we do not produce candidates who will only be interested in recovering funds they spent while campaigning.

“Our aim is to remove the shackles of poverty in Nigeria, eradicate corruption and to generally improve the lots of the common man,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the National Deputy Chairman of the party, Mr Goodluck Obi, called on Imo residents to identify with the party to enable it grow in the state.

He urged the electorate to support the party during elections.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (23/04/14) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

NEIMETH

1.14

1.09

-0.05

0

509,657

559,188.08

0.77

0.79

0.02

0

412,562

322,827.95 179,420,400.70

7UP

90

90

0

0

39,060

3,339,630.00

NEM

ABBEYBDS

1.35

1.35

0

0

500

645

NESTLE

1111

1100

-11

0

163,347

ABCTRANS

0.86

0.9

0.04

0

222,574

200,316.60

NEWGOLD

2027

2011

-16

0

30

60,330.00

ACCESS

8.67

9

0.33

0

14,403,823

129,076,371.70

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

240,000

120,000.00

AFRIPRUD

3

3.08

0.08

0

891,832

2,711,367.61

NIWICABLE

0.5

0.5

0

0

4,000

2,000.00

AFROMEDIA

0.5

0.5

0

0

12,000

6,000.00

NNFM

22.01

22.01

0

0

8,640

180,662.40

AGLEVENT

1.51

1.56

0.05

0

230,278

357,736.88

NSE30

1764.08

1771.75

7.67

0

284,346,266

5,000,231,844.00

AIICO

0.8

0.8

0

0

1,325,815

1,058,934.91

NSE50

1913.26

1921.26

8

0

327,332,262

5,112,169,222.00

AIRSERVICE

2.5

2.38

-0.12

0

173,100

422,650.00

NSEASI

39016.55

39194.09

177.54

0

356,517,228

5,271,741,195.00

ALEX

10.5

10.5

0

0

900

8,982.00

NSEBNK

404.14

406.95

2.81

0

135,510,094

2,125,750,595.00

ALUMACO

7.75

7.75

0

0

500

3,685.00

NSECNSMRGDS

973.16

973.83

0.67

0

9,348,520

799,156,818.10

ASHAKACEM

17

17

0

0

192,337

3,231,717.31

NSEINDUSTR

2527.55

2548.05

20.5

0

2,300,913

273,795,071.40

ASOSAVINGS

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,000

2,500.00

NSEINS

138.02

139.79

1.77

0

15,785,585

11,871,236.89

2780.54

2789.58

9.04

0

5,078,254

541,570,168.40

AVONCROWN

1.47

1.47

0

0

4,550

6,688.50

NSELOTUSISLM

BECOPETRO

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,220

610

NSEOILGAS

2751.58

2759.6

8.02

0

3,256,514

86,930,033.17

BERGER

8.9

8.9

0

0

227,296

2,027,056.56

OANDO

15.92

15.92

0

0

2,916,600

46,559,149.83

BETAGLAS

18.97

18.97

0

0

50,645

936,932.50

OASISINS

0.55

0.53

-0.02

0

2,767,800

1,498,713.62

CADBURY

79

79

0

0

106,121

7,969,065.45

OKOMUOIL

37.8

36.7

-1.1

0

493,646

18,150,969.20

1.64

1.64

0

0

60

96

CAP

40

42

2

0

184,420

7,641,444.47

PAINTCOM

CCNN

9

9

0

0

126,260

1,135,733.50

PHARMDEKO

1.57

1.57

0

0

1,000

1,570.00

CHAMPION

13.79

13.79

0

0

40,000

524,400.00

PORTPAINT

4.1

4.2

0.1

0

55,000

231,000.00

CHAMS

0.5

0.5

0

0

40,000

20,000.00

PRESCO

42

42

0

0

175,820

7,519,674.50

0.58

0.58

0

0

1,356,800

786,944.00

CONOIL

49.2

49.2

0

0

27,479

1,294,127.33

PRESTIGE

CONTINSURE

0.95

0.95

0

0

2,260,200

2,181,688.00

PZ

35.12

36

0.88

0

712,147

25,783,123.80

CORNERST

0.5

0.5

0

0

383,400

191,700.00

REDSTAREX

4.06

4.26

0.2

0

842,975

3,574,873.50

COSTAIN

1.15

1.2

0.05

0

536,059

630,489.68

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

0

9,001,000

4,500,500.00

CUSTODYINS

2.2

2.2

0

0

9,441,670

20,771,342.34

ROADS

8.46

8.46

0

0

1,000

8,470.00

CUTIX

1.9

1.9

0

0

44,867

81,209.27

RTBRISCOE

1.29

1.26

-0.03

0

506,119

648,415.76

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

0

97,000

48,500.00

SCOA

5.06

5.06

0

0

600

2,886.00

DANGCEM

228

230

2

0

860,212

195,988,445.20

SEPLAT

635.05

627

-8.05

0

190,814

119,133,328.80

DANGFLOUR

8.08

8.08

0

0

172,126

1,388,680.84

SKYEBANK

3.59

3.51

-0.08

0

2,152,407

7,559,101.06

DANGSUGAR

9.61

9.55

-0.06

0

1,850,269

17,725,915.32

STACO

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,000

500

DIAMONDBNK

6.1

6.2

0.1

0

8,949,445

55,355,413.60

STANBIC

22.39

22.82

0.43

0

709,770

16,105,762.88

DNMEYER

1.16

1.11

-0.05

0

102,000

113,400.00

STDINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

0

10,000

5,000.00

EKOCORP

3.72

3.72

0

0

500

1,770.00

STERLNBANK

2.28

2.31

0.03

0

4,711,548

10,660,570.10

ETERNA

3.79

3.79

0

0

41,871

152,504.31

THOMASWY

0.79

0.79

0

0

4,000

3,040.00

ETI

13.3

13.3

0

0

16,866,405

222,613,113.40

TOTAL

164

167.9

3.9

0

53,490

8,910,771.45

ETRANZACT

2.32

2.32

0

0

500

1,105.00

TOURIST

4.08

4.08

0

0

500

1,940.00 55,438,864.30

EVANSMED

2.2

2.2

0

0

73,564

154,508.76

TRANSCORP

3.71

3.63

-0.08

0

15,212,573

FBNH

12.54

12.59

0.05

0

127,179,246

1,594,336,686.00

TRANSEXPR

2.13

2.13

0

0

49,442

103,675.48

1.97

1.97

0

0

500

940 2,372,748.22

FCMB

3.57

3.5

-0.07

0

3,525,150

12,423,675.75

TRIPPLEG

FIDELITYBK

2

1.95

-0.05

0

3,022,193

5,951,351.23

UAC-PROP

25

25

0

0

95,077

FIDSON

2.9

2.9

0

0

944,519

2,742,345.10

UACN

59.5

59.01

-0.49

0

1,360,050

80,238,112.95

FIRSTALUM

0.52

0.52

0

0

10,933

5,466.50

UBA

6.9

6.85

-0.05

0

13,817,395

94,884,719.31

FLOURMILL

67.35

67.35

0

0

192,958

12,990,404.84

UBCAP

2.4

2.37

-0.03

0

3,023,470

7,150,298.16

FO

148.99

148.99

0

0

188,785

26,722,516.75

UBN

10.35

10.35

0

0

495,790

5,065,115.33

GLAXOSMITH

70

70

0

0

37,929

2,648,617.74

UNHOMES

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,000

500

GNI

0.5

0.5

0

0

3,000

1,500.00

UNIC

0.5

0.5

0

0

4,280

2,140.00

GUARANTY

27.5

28

0.5

0

18,970,756

529,907,208.40

UNILEVER

44.75

46.5

1.75

0

442,538

20,480,968.65

0.5

0.5

0

0

2,000

1,000.00

GUINEAINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

2,000

1,000.00

UNIONDAC

GUINNESS

188

190

2

0

198,230

37,454,548.61

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

0

3,052,502

1,526,251.00

HMARKINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,000

2,500.00

UNITYKAP

0.5

0.5

0

0

11,000

5,500.00

HONYFLOUR

3.98

4

0.02

0

1,052,227

4,182,919.30

UNIVINSURE

0.5

0.5

0

0

102,955

51,477.50

4.15

4.15

0

0

24,244

95,763.80 13,455.00

IKEJAHOTEL

0.58

0.58

0

0

1,104,000

630,473.00

UPL

INFINITY

1.61

1.61

0

0

10,100

16,269.00

UTC

0.53

0.53

0

0

24,500

INTBREW

26.5

26.01

-0.49

0

158,289

4,135,633.09

VANLEER

12.68

12.68

0

0

800

9,640.00

INTENEGINS

0.59

0.57

-0.02

0

536,594

305,878.58

VETGRIF30

17.78

17.7

-0.08

0

510

9,027.00

JAPAULOIL

0.5

0.5

0

0

71,000

35,500.00

VITAFOAM

4.2

4

-0.2

0

615,240

2,467,372.40

1,088,409.38

VONO

1.58

1.58

0

0

1,500

2,265.00

JBERGER

69.9

69.9

0

0

15,806

JOSBREW

3.59

3.59

0

0

1,000

3,420.00

WAPCO

111.99

112.49

0.5

0

559,816

62,521,436.57

LAWUNION

0.5

0.5

0

0

43,000

21,500.00

WAPIC

0.72

0.7

-0.02

0

9,558,053

6,834,440.53

LEARNAFRCA

1.7

1.65

-0.05

0

165,491

273,060.15

WEMABANK

1.01

1.03

0.02

0

10,783,672

10,788,120.40

890,651.10

ZENITHBANK

22.98

23.2

0.22

0

46,048,208

1,064,550,081.00

LIVESTOCK

3.09

3.22

0.13

0

281,035

MANSARD

2.32

2.43

0.11

0

130,800

315,724.00

MAYBAKER

1.8

1.75

-0.05

0

177,820

312,205.20

MOBIL

123

123

0

0

25,939

3,175,484.50

MRS

51.72

51.72

0

0

2,350

115,479.00

MULTIVERSE

0.5

0.5

0

0

1,002,000

501,000.00

NAHCO

4.9

4.9

0

0

547,045

2,679,528.95

NASCON

11.69

11.5

-0.19

0

460,810

5,310,632.95

NB

150

149.99

-0.01

0

3,176,518

476,326,859.80

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock NSEASI 177.54 NSEINDUSTR NSELOTUSISLM NSEOILGAS NSE50 NSE30 TO TA L NSEBNK DANGCEM CAP

Close

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain

39194.09 2548.05 2789.58 2759.6 1921.26 1771.75 167.9 406.95 230 42

20.5 9.04 8.02 8 7.67 3.9 2.81 2 2

Stock NEWGOLD NESTLE SEPLAT OKOMUOIL INTBREW UACN V I TA F O A M NASCON AIRSERVICE SKYEBANK

Close 2011 1100 627 36.7 26.01 59.01 4 11.5 2.38 3.51

Loss -16 -11 -8.05 -1.1 -0.49 -0.49 -0.2 -0.19 -0.12 -0.08

THE Boko Haram onslaught on innocent citizens at Nyanyan Motor Park, Abuja, on Monday April 14, 2014 left over 100 persons dead and several hundreds injured. The dreaded sect had earlier slaughtered over 40 people while praying in a Borno mosque recently. As if that was not enough, 100 female students were abducted by the Boko Haram sect in Borno on Tuesday April 15.

MORE than any other issue in Nigeria today, the greatest concern has been the security condition of the country.

ALMOST on a daily basis, there are accounts of several security threats arising from armed robberies, assassinations, armed militancy and banditry, kidnapping, bombings and of recent, the blood-let from a religious sect called the Jaamatus Alhus Sunnah Lid Daawatis Wal Jiliad (otherwise called Boko Haram) who say they are opposed to Western education and are ready to attack every vestige of western civilization.

INDEED, the rate of crime and criminality, as exemplified in the high incidence of kidnapping, bombings and other organised crimes has sadly moved from the realm of security threat to an area of real and present danger.

THE frightening security condition in Nigeria has not only been a source of worry, it has also dented Nigeria’s International status.

Also, three primary schools teachers were kidnapped by unknown gunmen while on duty at Orogbua Primary School, Upper Ekenwan Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. They were released only after some undisclosed huge ransom was paid by their spouses.

ASIDE these incidences, local Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, had until late, been orchestrating series of isolated

THE NIGERIAN

Ending Boko Haram Through Intelligence Sharing attacks predominantly in Northern Nigeria.

The sect is believed to be targeting centres of international attraction, especially in the Federal Capital Territory.

CURIOUSLY, the presidential committee on security challenges in the North East Zone has identified security lapses, inter-service rivalry and lack of collaboration as factors that have encouraged the proliferation of security crises in the Northern part of the country. It also blamed the security breaches on high level of poverty, unemployment and other social ills.

THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER is however of the considered opinion that serious security collaboration and intelligence sharing must be urgently evolved to arrest security breaches and this needs to go beyond the shores of the nation. The federal government must build inter-agency cooperation through diplomatic channels/pacts, and international intelligence to ensure that crime of whatever scale is nipped in the bud.

MOST importantly, there is the overriding need to promptly move to demilitarize the Nigerian society and reduce the heavy influx of arms and ammunition in the country which have unfortunately gone into the wrong hands.

TO this extent, the Customs and Immigration Services, in tandem with the Ministry of Interior should work round the clock to protect

the porous Nigerian borders.

SOMETHING fundamental equally needs to be done to reduce, if not totally eliminate the existence of private militias that were established, funded and used by politicians and individuals who later dumped them after having been trained to handle arms.

ALSO, the various security agencies, beside the need to be technologically equipped and funded to carry out their assigned tasks, would need to be restructured. The structure and duties of our security agencies must be revisited so as to ensure that each organ very well knows its specific roles and function, while the laws establishing these agencies must be made clear on who does what.

THE government at all levels, particularly the federal government, urgently needs to carry out reforms in the security sub-sector to eliminate inertia created by inter-agency rivalry and react decisively to security threats with dispatch.

ON their part, the citizens must cooperate with the security agencies by supplying them with prompt, useful and relevant information on likely security breaches. This can be facilitated by the existence of a wellcoordinated biometric database of Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike indicating where people live, their nature of jobs and background. This will assist in fishing out the bad eggs in the society.

DECISIVE steps should be taken to cripple Boko Haram Sect and their operations as well as end their menacing reign. If anything, a safe, secure and peaceful environment is what the present democracy needs to be strengthened and sustained, as such the government and people of Nigeria cannot afford to leave this to the whims and caprices of miscreants.

Youth Perspective One generation shall praise Thy works to another and shall declare Thy mighty acts Psalm 145:4 Definition of Terms Generation: A generation refers to people that are born about the same time. It also refers to people within a particular population who experience the same significant event within that particular given period of time.

Generation could also refer to what we commonly refer to as Age Group.’ This age group experiences the same social change that will eventually be considered as the dominant feature of their age group.

Usually, the average period considered for a generation is between 25-30 years which is considered as a time a child should grow up, become adult and have children of their own.

Next: Next refers to what comes immediately after in order or space or

time. It refers to the one immediately following. Generation Next therefore refers to our children in future that we have to teach all the knowledge of God to affect their social, cultural, religious and academic life so that they can continue in the knowledge of God better than us.

A generation that fails to plan for the next generation is a failureThe Bible says in 1 Tim. 5:8 “if any provide not for his household, he has denied the faith and worse than an infidel.” This includes -the future.

The next generation are the people we will hand over the baton toto continue the race.

In the text that we read, God expects us to hand over His praise and His mighty works to the next generation in the Church so that the knowledge of Him will not go into extinction.

In the Western world, the following generations were marked out from 1883.

1. The Lost Generation -These are between 1883 -1900. Those who fought the 1st World War 2. The Greatest Generation - Known as G. I. Generation. These were veterans who fought World War I and were born between 19011924 3. The Silent Generation - Those who were too young to join the World War II, born between 1925 -1945. They were also born during the Great Depression.

4. The Baby Boomers Generation - Known as the worst generation.

They were born between 1946-1964, which was marked by increase in birth rates.

5. Generation X- Those born between 1960s -1980. Those born after the baby boom. Those born into the computer age.

6. Generation Y - Also called the Millennial Generation. Those born from early 80s -2000.

7. Generation 7 is used for those born from the early 2000 to the present day.

If we have to look at this vis-à-vis, the Bible we see a great impact.

1. The Origin Generation — from Adam to the fall. Gen. 2:4—25 and Gen. 3:1-24 2. The Washed Away Generation - from Noah to the Flood. Gen. 6-10 3. The Covenant Generation — from Abraham to Isaac. Gen. 12-26 4. The Rehoboth Generation - Isaac. Gen. 26:22 5. The Favoured Generation — Jacob vs Esau. Gen, 25- Gen.32

Generation Next

Who Are They?

By WOLE JOSHUA

6. The Coat of Many Colours Generation — Joseph and his brothers. Gen. 37—49 7. The Mixed Generation — Jacob’s curse to his children to the time of slavery in Egypt, Gen. 49, Exodus 14.

8. The Exodus Generation. Moses and the escape from Egypt -

Exodus., Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

9. The Joshua Generation — Deut. 31 — to the book of Joshua.

10. The Lost Generation — Joshua appointed no successor. Joshua 24:31 11. The Judges Generation — Gideon, Samson, Barak, Deborah etc, -the Book of Judges.

12. The Prophets Generation. Prophet Eli, Samuel - I Sam.1—9.

13. The Kings Generation — Saul, the first King, David and Solomon.

14. The Divided Generation — The split into southern and northern kingdoms in the days of Rehoboam through the action of Solomon. I Kings 11 —13. Israel versus Judah.

15. The. Idolatry Generation — Beginning from Jeroboam — they followed other gods and the next generation suffered- Kings 12:25-33 16. The Faded Generation — Israel faded into Assyria, II Kings 17:1 — end. Hoshea became the last king of Israel. 722—721BC 17. The Captive Generation —. Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach, Abednego. Jer. 39, Daniel 1 —end, Judah was besieged and captured

by Nebuchadnezzar in 587BC. 18. The Messiahs Generation — The birth of Jesus and His time - the Synoptic Gospel - Matthew; Mark, Luke and John.

19. The First Church Generation — 33AD — 70AD. This is the birth of Christianity - Acts of Apostles to the Book of Revelation.

I will not want to dwell much on what happened after because we had the: 20. The Catholic Generation. 70— 312AD 21. The Roman Empire Generation. 312— 590AD 22. The Middle Age Generation. Where the Catholic began to decline. 590-1517AD 23. The Reformation Generation. AD1517-1648AD - This is where we have the Martin Luther and protestants and the rise of the Church of England when King James assembled scholars who brought out the authentic Bible called King James Bible in 1611 to rescue the Bible from distortion of the Catholic Church. This has helped generations of Christians.

24. The Revival Generation. 1648- 1789 -when there was a new awakening of Christianity when the Americans were involved.

25. The Proven Generation. 1789- 1914 AD - the greatest Christian movement of ages.

26. The Ideological Generation. Where God is challenged by Maxism, Socialism, Communism, Islamism, Globalization and Terrorism. 1914 till now.

In Nigeria However, we have: 1. The Missionary Generation — in the 19th Century, the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in 1840, the presbyter in 1846. * The Roman Catholic — in 1862 * The Wesleyan Methodist in 1842 etc.

2. The African Church Generation — early 1890s, e.g. the United Native African Church-1900s.

The African Church- 1901, United African Methodist in 1917.

3. The Prayer Generation — 1923, which brought about prayer groups to counter the influenza disease which broke out and defiled modern medicine - Thus: The Faith Tabernacle which later became Apostolic Church, CAC and Aladura Churches were founded.

4. The Pentecostal/Evangelical Generation followed in the early l950s because of deviation from the Bible by the Aladura Churches.

We have The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Foursquare Gospel Church in this category.

5.The ‘S.U.’ Generation — This was in the 1970s when everybody who became a Christian was labeled an - meaning Scripture Union.

6.The Born Again Generation - This began in the early 80s in Nigeria and has been on with the Bible and holiness — e.g. RCCG, Deeper Life etc.

The Present Generation The present generation of Christians could be described as: The Hip Hop Generation: They are after music and are largely influenced by the worldly music. They are the sexually wired generation because of the influence of television, internet and G.S.M., they are exposed to sexually explicit content and are highly volatile and susceptible to many things. However, this their knowledge could be used for the Lord.

Planning for the Generation Next The devil we should know is catching them young and he is always after the godly seed to corrupt — Mal. 2:14. The plan for the next generation should begin from the family.

We should let them know the family values that God wants. * One man, one wife — Matthew 19:5-6 • No divorce — Mal. 2:14-16 * No sex before marriage — Heb. 13:4 — Chastity of the Marital Bed. We shall give account to God if we fail to handover good things — 11 Cor. 5:10.

Why do we prepare for the good academic future for them and never prepare good spiritual future — godly wise? We should teach and inculcate in them the following: * Be Born Again-John3:3 * Be holy—lPeterl:16 * Be grounded in the Word of God. II Tim. 2:15 * Faith in God—Heb.11:6 * Fellowship within Brethren — Heb. 10:25 * Be prayerful — Phil. 4:6. The Next Generation should be taught the knowledge of God. They should be taught to talk to God about everything and talk everything to God and rely on Him only to answer - 1 Thess. 5:17 * Not marrying an unbeliever - 11 Cor. 6:14 * Expect the coming of the Lord— 1 Tim. 4:7-8 The Next Generation should be warned about the antics of the devil not to follow miracles as signs will follow them if they are holy — Mark 16:17 Not to follow after fake pastors and prophets - Matt. 24:11 Not to follow multitude to do evil - Exodus 23:1 — e.g. nude dressing, worldliness, cultism etc. – 1 Jn. 2:15,16. They should be warned and taught the weapons that the devil uses now to destroy people:* Sex—lCor.6:18 * Homosexuality — Romans * Lesbianism Teach them to wait on God as He will bless them. We should handover the baton of holiness to the next generation because the Jihadists have handed over terrorism to their children to blow up themselves for nothing but God is watching us what we are to hand over.

References: 1.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, 1611 2.

The Holy Bible, New International Version, Study Bible,1984 .3 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 4. The Holy History in Plain Language - Bruce L. Shelley, Wand Publishing, 1915 5. The RCCG Bible College Manuals

Ajuwaya time frame, such a project should be adopted as continuous CDS project and be divided into phases.

If a corps member could donate an electric transformer for his host community in Oyo State, high cost implication is not expected to serve as an hindrances for any CDS Group to execute a project that is within the scope of corps members and as well a pressing need of the beneficiary.

Nevertheless, the creation story is an epitome of handling a project in phases. God could create earth and heaven in a jiffy but has chosen to do so in six days. If a valuable project is eventually lingered for a considerable long time to be completed,

Need Assessment

Prerequisite Of Valuable Projects

LIFE is in phases and there is intimate correlation between heroism and positive contribution to the society in each stage of life.

Paradoxically, any positive contribution that does not meet the pressing need of the beneficiaries is nothing but a right step in wrong direction.

Now, as 2013 batch ‘B’ corps members are on the tail end of their one year mandatory national service, emphases are centered on how to leave a remarkable footprints behind either through group community development project or individual project.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient” says the scripture. In an attempt to enhance the well-being of the host community by corps members, different projects will be striving to occupy better position in the mind. Each of the projects will be projecting itself as the most valuable one and if care is not taken, the entire CDS Group can ahead and put square pegs in round hole.

However, the fundamental questions now are, how can individual corps member or CDS Groups at large arrive at the

By OGUNUYEMI ADEBAYO

most needful and viable project? What are the necessary steps required?

In this piece, collective or group project would be the area of focus as individual 2013 batch “B” corps member who desire to execute private project must have gone far by now.

In this regard, identification of the problem confronting the host community otherwise known as their need is the first rung in the need assessment ladder. This elementary stage may require extensive brainstorming and argument in CDS meeting.

While deliberating on need identification, CDS General Secretary must be mentally alert in order not to miss the vital points and at this stage; no problem or need must be discarded.

After identification stage, the next line of action is to discuss the outlined needs with the leaders of the community or beneficiaries.

These leaders should be encouraged to express their views on the stated needs and as well be given an opportunity to excavate other pressing needs that

might not be captured at CDS level. It is pertinent to state that community in this context may be institution, village, town and city.

Furthermore, the fact that human needs are unlimited cannot be argued.

Consequent upon this, the leaders of the community who are principal beneficiaries should be charged with the responsibility of drawing the scale of preference for the itemized needs.

“Soldier goes; soldier comes barrack remain” they say. The community leaders have been living in the domain for years and will continue to be there.

Therefore, they must be able to understand the community urgent needs more than corps members who have less than one year experience in the

community.

Without entertaining an iota of doubt, the template designed which as a matter of nomenclature called scale of preference through the community leaders should be strictly adopted as valid working guids.

Selection of the problems to be solved or needs to be met should be strictly based on the order in which the scale of preference is designed.

Having done that, the CDS Group is expected to solicit for support and cooperation of the entire members of the community and as well look for sponsorship. Just as soccer game depends largely on team work so also is the execution of project by corps members. A tree cannot make a forest but there is forest in seeds.

However, in case the project requires huge amount of money or long

it is far better than instantaneous one that is rarely needed.

Gentlemen 2013 batch “B” corps members, if the most valuable project in your host community is difficult to actualize between now and passing out parade (POP) date, embark on the affordable phase(s) and hand over the remaining phase(s) to 2013 batch “C”. CDS continuity project is not a crime in NYSC scheme. Even if 203 batch “C” cannot complete such a project, it can be further handed over to 2014 batch “A”. Your CDS name remains unchanged only members are subjected to renewal process.

Assessing and ascertaining the actual need of the targeted beneficiary cannot be overemphasized in project execution because research has shown that many corps members

had embarked on white elephant project in the past .

Imagine a corps member who provided ten set of desktop computer systems for remote village secondary school where electricity is an annual event.

The popular statement “Leaving your host community better than how you met it” should not be interpreted out of context.

No stone must be left unturned, it is a naked fact that corps members are not in-charge of any public resources, and therefore, sponsorship is inevitable to the success of their project.

Pathetically, investigations revealed that the numerical strength of the people and organizations showing nonchalant attitude to project sponsorship are unimaginable.

I am therefore using this medium to appeal to the wellmeaning Nigerians to please collaborate with corps members in meeting the dire need of the host communities.

Obviously, everybody is writing his or her life history on daily basis. Human life can be compared to a staged drama where inactive and flat characters are forgotten as soon as curtain is closed because they failed to meet the need of the audience while an active protagonist who meets the need of the audience will remain evergreen in people’s memory.

All in all, are you an active protagonist or inactive flat character in the course of community development service during your one year mandatory National Youth Service? 2013 batch “B corps members, the curtain is not yet closed, you can still write your name in gold.

“Gentlemen 2013 batch “B” corps members, if the most valuable project in your host community is difficult to actualize between now and passing out parade (POP) date, embark on the affordable phase(s) and hand over the remaining phase(s) to 2013 batch “C”. CDS continuity project is not a crime in NYSC scheme.”

Encounter

Nigeria’s Problem Is Leadership Hon. (Engr.) Osahon Isaac Nosakhare is a member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the Federal House of representative in Abuja. He is a politician with a difference, a man that has brought succour for the people and has been able to attract the desired project to his consistency in terms of infrastructural development. This quality representation has brought several recognition and awards and the recent which is his investiture as the patron of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ovia North East Local Government Chapter.

In this interview with the Nigerian Observer he identified the problem of the nation, bares his mind on the just concluded wards and local government congresses in the state, adding that All Progressive Congress (APC) is a party to beat based on the structure and the performance of the party under the leadership of Comrade governor Adams Aliu Oshiomhole who has change the face of politics in the state. These and other interesting political issues are here for your reading delight as anchored by our senior reporter RICHARD OKORO EWEKA. Excerpts: Do you agree that Nigeria is the giant of Africa?

In terms of land mass, yes I agree that we are the giant of Africa but not in terms of development. In terms of development and the comfort of our citizens, I don’t think we are a developed nation. The development of a country is usually not assessed by the numbers of people in the country. When you talk of development you should be looking at some indices.

From data available to me, many Nigerians are living below poverty level, the level of unemployment is high, there is insecurity, the economy is poor, the power system is unreliable to mention but a few. I was in South Africa recently and discovered that life in that part of the country is better compared to what is obtainable in Nigeria and the potential success rate for the citizens in that country is high. On the political scene, many countries in Africa have successfully conducted free and fear election without being policed. Power has shifted from one political party to another without blood shed.

We are blessed in terms of natural resources yet we are poor, what is the problem?

The problem we have as a nation started from the leadership style of our leaders after the first republic. Our forefather like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (late); Chief Obafemi Awolowo (late); Alhaji Amadu Bello (late) and others at that time had the correct vision for this country. Things started to change after the oil boom, where corruption like a monster came into the country and leaders started starching money away in foreign countries. Evidence abound as in the habit of late Gen Sanni Abacha and the likes. We have other corrupt ones who have not yet been caught and some others accused, arrested and found their way out of detention. No leader ever leads well by enriching him/herself beyond the average followers they ought to lead.

As a leader what should we do if the nation must move forward?

If we must move forward as a nation our leaders must be disciplined. Our leaders have to know that this country have the need to survive beyond their time. From the economic point of view, our leaders have to be very careful about the way they handle public funds because when there is no money to run the economy, the wellbeing of the people will be affected and can result in big problem. Our leaders should be careful on how they handle the treasury of the nation. Aside the economy aspect, we have insecurity which is the current challenges facing us today. The issue of Boko Haram is a leadership problem that has kept the nation on her kneels and it has to be taken very seriously. These people do not believe in Western education. Those they use are mostly not educated and are on the street as a ready instrument of destruction. The bane of the problem is that leaders failed to give education to the teaming youths at the appropriate time to improve their psyche about life. You will discover that those that lack education turns out to be the problem of the nation in terms of criminality. Another areas is management, our leaders lack the managerial skills to turn our resources into development.

When you travel out of this country, you will see leaders of other developed world applying their skills to transform their resources into development for the betterment of the citizens of that country.

You are representing your people in Abuja, how well are you representing them?

The people I represent are in the best position to answer this question because they are the better judge. Having said that, I’m doing my best and I’ve done my best to make them feel the impact of democracy. I’m in Abuja because of the people in my constituency and their interest is paramount in my heart and all I do is to attract the best project that will benefit all of them both old and young. I’m doing my best to

- Hon Nosakhare

that they have been following my activities. The award has put me on my toe to continue to deliver to my people and make life meaningful for them.

Looking at the journey so far in politics, what do you have to say?

Today, I’m on the seat. I want to really thank God for the grace and wisdom to lead and represent my people well. Looking at were I’m coming from and where am going to, I have nothing to say than to thank God for how far he has helped me. My journey so far has brought me several awards in appreciation of my contribution to developing Ovia

Hon. Osahon Nosakhare being honoured as the patron of National Youth Council of Nigeria Ovia North East Chapter.

make life better for them. I’m proud to say that I have sited human oriented project in my constituency, projects that have touched lives. I have commissioned many projects; some others are ready for commissioning. I have empowered people materially, financially and in all other areas which have help put food on their table. Very soon I will call my people to come see what I have done and they will be in a better position to judge my performance. To me, I have done well. Purposeful leadership and viable representation is my focus.

What about the dividend of democracy to the people of Ovia constituency?

Yes, that is exactly what I have said. My time has brought good tiding to my people and those that gave me their mandate and voted me into power to represent them in Abuja.

I’m still pleading with them to have faith in me as the development will continue on till my time is up. They should be sure of more laudable project to come, project that will touch their lives for the better. They are the reason why am in Abuja, I will certainly represent them well in the House; I will not disappoint them and will ensure that all my promises will be fulfil before leaving office.

You have received several awards and the recent which is that of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ovia North East chapter, will you say is based on your performance?

Yes, you are right, the entire award I have received so far is based on my track record of performance and quality of representation being able to attract people’s oriented project to my constituency. People have recognised my contributions to the development of my constituency and the state at large as such awards keep coming. When the NYCN was honouring me recently, they recounted some of the event that made them consider me for the honour as patron of NYCN Ovia North East chapter. All they said are what I did, am not surprised

constituency and Edo state in general. I don’t have any regret so far but I’m very happy for my success story. The smiles I have put on the faces of the people I represent make me happy, that is were I derive my joy that keep me going.

What is your take on the just concluded APC ward and local Government Congresses in Edo state?

In politics, there are turbulent times and at such times members that belong to same political party are suppose to stand together in unity to ensure the time passes successfully.

People have scored the congress differently. I‘m of the opinion that even in a family all the members don’t always agree. There may be disagreement today but it is sure that it will come to an end. The governor and members of the party are men and women of wisdom and has the capability to contain what ever is happening in the party. What is happening now happens in other party so it is not new, we are growing stronger. In less than six years the comrade governor has develop the state to the present position it is today. The state was in disarray before the comrade governor came to power and set things right.

Today, we are all better for it. So whatever you see now can not threaten us, we are equal to the task and the party has come to stay.

What is the prospect of the party when the tenure of the comrade governor expires come 2016?

The comrade governor has done so well, we can’t take that away from him. His performance is just outstanding.

The governor is building on the party not on himself. Whatever he is doing is what will make the party stronger. If he leaves the governorship seat tomorrow, it’s not the end of the party; some one would take over from him. Let nobody entertain any fear about the life of the party in the state, the party has come to stay and it will remain after the governor. The governor has put down a strong structure as such the party will not die.

Media The Narrator The narrator feature prominently in many kinds of broadcast, documentary, the educational series and magazine programmes.

However, narration differs from news reading. The newsreader is a more formal and deliberate in his delivery whereas the narrator is often a more friendly and colloquial character. He is called upon to be much more descriptive in his delivery than is ever expected of an announcer.

His pronunciation must be as faultless and his grasp of language equally as good as the announcers. Actors, being accustomed to an emotional style of delivery, often make the best narrators, but if non are available, it is worth searching the ranks of lawyers and clergymen.

Compares as microphone talent.

In microphone talents, there are different compares in radio and television. This does not follow that man or woman who is a master in one field is necessarily as good in another. The personality compare is the host to a light entertainment programme (see chapter 12).

A compare is generally the kind of person who appears to be every body’s friend.

He needs an outgiving quality in his personality and interest in other people.

They brought in their performances into airwaves and a distinctive feature. He is essentially a master of ceremonies. The spots commentator needs to have a keen, interest in and a good knowledge of the particular spot compares quick eye and a ready ability to describe what he sees are essential to his make-up. He needs to express excitement in his voice without raising it to fever pitch.

In a discussion or panel game programme, the adjudicator-compere is the linkpin. He introduces the subject and speakers, keeps the discussion moving and summarizes facts. A good voice, a radio voice mixes best in panel or discussion programme.

Newscaster Credibility As broadcast voice performers newscasters bring special skills and qualities to the microphone

Unveiling Today’s Print credibility. Confidence and authority are top criteria among news directors searching on air reporters.

A newscaster must have a clear, easy speaking voice and a pleasant style of delivery and appearance that does not distract viewers. He or she must have credibility which comes from experience and the impression he gives the audience.

Viewers or listeners can easily determine if an anchor-person knows his or her subject. Credibility is a fragile thing.

A mispronunciation can crack the glass of credibility. The most important qualities a newscaster can have is credibility to his enunciate properly, speak clearly and naturally.

Credibility requires a command of vocabulary that is names of persons, places, both local and universal. If you pronounce properly, that is an instant credibility.

However, delivery can weaken or strengthen credibility. Don’t sound as if you are afraid of the mic.

Timidity is one thing that a newscaster cannot be. Be confident in your ability.

Without confidence, a newscaster cannot c o m m u n i c a t e authoritatively. Sounding confident is essential. The viewers or the listeners would always say they liked your confident and authoritative delivery of news. An authoritative delivery helps a listener or viewers to establish trust — an important element. A good reader, one who doesn’t stumble a lot also makes a good broadcaster listening someone who doesn’t read well, can be very annoying.

Voice Quality Voice quality as in any area of on-air performance is a major consideration when news directors look for employees. The voice must be appealing. Not the so called big voice. A calm voice gives an authoritative impression. A newscaster should work on breathing and pitch. A breathy, thin or shaky voice does not instill an image of confidence and

By OSAYOMWABO ERO

control in his listener’s mind.

Pay attention to your pitch when you are reading. Don’t warble the news.

If one has a rich timber and depth in his or her voice, so much the better. Clarity of voice presentation is enhanced by good inflection, diction and emphasis. A news announcer must be understood from the first word to the last if he or she is to make it in this profession. This is the most basic of all requirements speaking clearly is the primary requisite behind the microphone Voice in the Vortex Nigeria and some other countries in the world such as America witnessed some extraordinary events which electronic media, radio and television performer played unique roles. Television technology made world events much more immediate and vivid. Video tape recorders, conventional film and kinescope equipment brought instant replay into the living room.

The 1967 civil war in Nigeria which has been described as a National bizarre event was recorded by the battery — powered radio. Radio stations, the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation was the major outlets while the “Biafra” radio was another.

Radio Nigeria began to report the event as it is, as well as to provide confused and frightened listeners with crucial and in some cases life sustaining advice particularly those who were trapped in the war zone.

There was a total blackout in many parts of Nigeria especially the Eastern Region. Yet the black out proved beyond and doubt radios value. It was one of radio’s finest hours when thousands with portable and car radios were in use. It was time for newscasters commentaries and documentaries. The scenes of bloody battles and reports of body counts. The conflict became known as the living room war for those with television and radio clips or

films.

One voice performer from the ‘Biafra’ was “Nkoko Ndem” His voice towers in protest of Nigerian soldiers involvement in the civil war describing it as a war of annihilation, and progrum.

Whether he was telling the truth or not, his voice brought realities about the bloody civil war, as genocidal.

Electronic Newsroom We have spoken a lot about the newsroom in chapters 2 and 3, Technology has revolutionized nearly all aspects of the broadcast field says Keith. This is true. The newsroom has not been untouched. The broadcast newsroom has undergone same of the most dramatic changes. Computers and satellites have virtually swept electronic journalism into a new age of speed and efficiency.

The electronic newsroom is everywhere (Radio and TV) in the world. It is a fact of life and not just in major markets alone computers and satellites has been come as much a part of every stations news operation as the telephone and tape recorders.

Typewriters have been replaced by desktop and lap top computers at many station both large and small — almost throughout the world. Many newsroom stations have computerized their operations from stem to stem and from their on — air studio to their newsroom.

With media Touch System.

Touchsreen 2000 series automated assist system which is driven by IBM computer. On-air operations simply touch items displayed on the monitor to call up or activate elements.

In the newsroom, staff members nowadays work off minicomputer to write and rewrite stories and to store and retrieve date.

Numerous computer data and bulletin board services provide outstanding sources for the newsperson. At some stations, newscasters announce their copy directly off video display terminals,

foregoing hand held copy.

Television has increased its reliance on satellite technology in the newsroom.

Electric news gathering (ENG) minivan outfitted with satellite dishes give field reporters greater live feed capacity. Satellite and

melodramatics, histrion staginess, stagecraft, act trochee, spond characterization, produc auditions, cast walkthrough, rehear dress rehearsal, st management, chorogra dialogue, a twist, iro

computer technology has transformed the TV newsroom and field mobile unite. (see appendix on Nigeria sub-saharan Africa’s first communication satellite).

soliloquy, stage whis cue, entrance, exit, prolo act scene, epitogue, enc internal performan preview, gala night, s play, play. Scenario, sc text, speech, playlet, play, one act play, ske Greek drama, trage tricomedy, comedy maimers, restorat comedy pantomime, pa musical comedy, mus light open, comic, op grand opera, television p broadcast screen play, ba dance, classical ballet dance, backgrou foreground, from sta upstage, stage, apron st stage in the round, ac actress, film star, comed comedy actor or actr opera singer, protagon playwrite, play g scenario writer, st manager, gallery, farc burlesque, flinnyhorro horrific, blood and thun adapt play for radio

THE DRAMA PROGRAMME After studying this all important communication chapter of Drama, the producer or script writer in radio and television should be able to: Define and use some of the following terms and concepts in broadcasting industry.

The theatre stage, the foot lights, silver screen cinema, show business, dramatic entertainment, straight drama, live theatre, amature dramatics, dressing up, masque, dumb show, puppetry, tragic mask, comic mask, dramaturgy, dramatic form, dramatic unities, d r a m a t i z a t i o n

Media

And Broadcast Journalism (12)

nics, tion, dee, tion, ing, rsal, tage aphy, ony,

television, play a part, play a role, face the comers, enact, take the part, off. Play the lead steal the show.

Those words are the most common errors in usage when describing drama or when the need arise.

Producers and script writers

wish to understand drama, it is important at the outset to understand that a story is not a drama. A story is a mere recital of events. It may be interesting because it is well and colourfully told. It may even hold our interest and give us scenario to smile

sper, ogue, core, nce, tage cript , act etch, edy, of ion, anto, sical pera, play, alled t toe und, age, tage, ctor, dian, ress, nist, goer, tage ical, or or nder o or

of radio or television sometimes use these words incorrectly because they have not learned their précised meanings. They are therefore most likely to present difficulty.

The acting out of a story is an ancient art form that is popular in one form or the other all over the world.

Sometimes, the story is mined as a dumb — show without words, sometimes it is danced to music and sometimes the story is told in song.

When a story is acted out in words it is called a “play” and when the play shows how people react when caught up in a conflict, it is called drama. Drama with its conflict and suspense, is ideally suit both to radio and the television.

The Story Versus The Drama If any student’s producer (radio and TV) or any person

about or think about briefly at the end, but we are unlikely to learn anything of substance from its background, foreground, upstage or the spron stage.

The drama on the other hand, takes us into the lives and thoughts of people. It shows their characters and how their characters change and take new directions as a result of the conflicts, which face them in their lives and how they win through in the end-despite the horrors/ hazards they have faced.

Drama unlike, story shows essentially a character in conflict in a dramatic form with itself and the fate, which he brings upon himself in the struggle to reach the desired end or goal.

Conflict is a universal experience. Because we have all met with conflicts we are able to understand other people. Such people may be the protagonists in

the drama. However, what we want to know in a drama, and what we learn form it, is how other people face up the conflicts.

When the conflicts are inconsequential, we have comedy, and when they are profound and deeply disturbing, we have the basis of tragedy. It could be tragedy of manners tricomedy, restoration comedy or tragic mask. The recital of events which makes a story, may end with moral or a ‘twist’. We may have expected it to end one way, it ended in another-that is the twist. It could be called an left wanting to know throughout the action of the play, is how the end is going to be arrived at. It is the how of the story which makes the action of a play, we must be puzzling all the time as to how it is going to end even if we know that it has only one logical outcome. How a play will end is entirely a matter of the characters in the play and the way in which they react to things that happen and to one another. Giving some happening which interrupt the patterns of our lives we will all react differently. We react differently because our characters are different. A play demonstrates the differences in character and it is this, which makes it interesting.

Characterization Characterization is one of the aspect in writing a play: The producer of a drama in radio and television always focus on the characters. For example, a man may lose his job as a civil servant because of something he has done.

What he did was because of his character, A student could be driven from his school because of his bad behaviour or attitude. How the man reacts to the loss of his job will also be a matter of his character. One man may be defiant and threaten his employer with bodily harm and may be arrested by the police; for making the threat. Another man may analyze his errors and resolve not to fall a victim to them again, we may be reinstated because his employer sees that he has

changed his character and does things better with his employer. All these are a matter of character formation.

Some playwrights will take stories which everyone known. Stories which are a part of the tradition of the nation and use them as vehicles for the analysis of character.

William Shakespeare used exactly this system, method and style of writing and wrote some of the greatest plays of all times, He did not simply tell stories in his plays but used them to display characters in conflict with themselves and other events.

Studying and Hearing Drama One of the best ways of learning about drama is to read and study many good plays by finding out how the author has built up his characters. Analyze them and write down in a few short sentence what kind of people they are and what happens to them as a result of the action of the play whether they become better or worst, characters that may be related probably emotionally, by bits of vicarious living and gratifying fantasy, by happy expressions of his own sentiments or noble, confronting, encouraging thoughts about life, even by ignoble thoughts that he can finds comforting. He can find characters with excitement, emotions, amusement and consolation.

Discover how the author has built his plot. The plot is all that happen in the play.

Most plays have more than one plot, they have several sub-plots. It is the plot and the sub-plots which bring about a change in the direction of the characters.

A drama producer should study how the author has all the action of the play take place in full view of the audience. Important action never happens out of sight or out of hearing, we want to see or hear how the characters of the play react to what happens Many radio and television plays have been published.

A producer can study all

these and learn to form it. A very good way to learn a radio or television play writing is to turn published stories or stage plays into radio or television plays.

This is called adapting. If the play is to be broadcast, you must have the permission of the author or his agent.

Presenting Plays There are three methods of presenting plays. These are: (a) As completely self contained plays of 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. (b) As serial dramas of 15 or 30 minutes in which the action goes forward from episode to another. (c) As series of drama, each broadcast generally lasting for 30 minutes and completing one whole episode of a continued story, the principal characters reappear in new situations in each new drama in the series.

The times include the opening and the closing presentation that is announcements and cash credits. The producer of drama should bear in mind that half hour is usually 29’ 30” or 29’ 45” to allow time for station identification, announcements. The radio play, allows its author and producer rather more freedom than the stage play.

The scenery of a radio play is entirely in the listener’s imagination and it can be changed frequently if necessary with a few deft words or with sounds.

The radio play also has its restrictions. Too many short scenes with too rapid change of locale and time can confuse the listener. The number of characters in a radio play is generally limited. Some radio playwrights believe that seven principal characters should be the maximum. If there are too many characters in a radio play (as with TV and film or theaters on stage) the listener is constantly wondering who is speaking now?.

All the action in a radio play says Richard Aspinall (1973) must be carried in sound.

The long silent looks which we may give one another in a real life have no place in radio but in TV. When the characters in a radio play do things of importance we have to hear them doing

them. But in TV, we see them and hear them doing them.

Where several characters appear in a scene, we have to keep them all present. The scene may be a family argument with four or five members of the family present, if the dialogue concerns only two of them for several minutes at a time with out the listener hearing any of the others he is likely to wonder where they came from when they do speak.

A word or two throw in here or there or perhaps a reference to one or more of them will help to keep all the characters present. The producer must keep in mind that the radio play usually end with a strong tag of song kind, it may be a threat or a doubt or a point of view. The play must end logically, but leaving listener to wonder what happens now?

Radio provides a type of drama very different from the stage play. Scenery is non — existent and actions can be implied only by comments or sound effects; and the audience may consist in one sense of one person in one room, though usually the total audience for a radio play is very large.

Radio audience are scattered all over the country and cannot have the collective experience the theatre provides. The laws of drama as regards concentration, plat, characterization and so on, all apply with equal force to radio drama. The scripts of radio drama are even more difficult to appreciate by silent reading than the scripts of stage play.

A play or drama has been defined by Marjorie Boulton (1983) as the literature that walks and talks before our eyes. It is not intended that the eyes shall perceive marks on paper and imagination turn them into sights, sounds and actions. The text of a play is meant to be translated into sights, sounds and actions which occur literally and physically on stage. If we are to study drama at all intelligently, we must learn and keep this on mind. In radio drama, words perhaps with a few sound effects have to do all work.

Issues

Get Sensitized On Electoral Matters

As 2015 Draws Near,

By IJEOMA UMEH

AS soon as the monetary votes allocated to it regarding the 2015 General Elections are out in the coffers, INEC and its subsidiaries or related

working groups would begin to inundate the populace with information regarding the citizens’ expected behavioural patterns, input, comportment and or duties during the 2015 General Election, however, you hardly hear about the duties of INEC towards the electorate. It is mostly perceived by intuition. Sure, both the electorate and INEC are duty-bound to make any elections work.

This also concerns state Independent Electoral Commissions in their own capacities as electoral agencies.

Nigerians have over the time witnessed hiccups in conduct of elections at all tiers of government – federal,

state and local government and they range from the inefficient handling of matters by relevant electoral agencies – non-

availability of election materials, insufficiency of those available, late arrival of both materials and agencies/agents, polling booths not captured in relevant polling charts, lack of electoral guidelines, nonaccreditation of voters, etc, to the conduct of the electorate themselves.

It is therefore imperative that as Nigeria approaches the next very important phase in her d e m o c r a t i c experimentation, that she gets these issues right or nearly so, more so as the international communities watch or ‘spy’ on our development processes and hope to cash in on them.

Aside that, it is very important that we get it

right, if not for our present then for our future, for posterity sake.

FUNCTION

OF

INEC The 1999 constitution of Nigeria, as amended spells out the functions of INEC, which are specific: Organize, undertake

House of Assembly of each state of the federation.

Register political parties in accordance

with what the constitution says as well as the law laid down by the National Assembly. !

Monitor the organization and

registration of eligible voters from the age of 18, and revise the register of voters for the purpose of any election under the constitution. !

M o n i t o r political campaigns and provide rules and regulations to guide the political parties. !

Ensure that all electoral commissioners’ electoral returning officers take the oaths of office prescribed by law. !

Delegate any of its powers to any resident Electoral Commissioner. !

Carry out any other function under the Act of the National Assembly.

Registration of voters !

INEC has the mandate to compile, maintain and update a National Register of voters on a continuous basis. !

The registration of voters and the revision of the register of voters shall stop not

Qualification for Voting Article 12 of the Electoral Act 2010 states that: A person shall be qualified to be registered as a voter if such a person. a.

Is a citizen of Nigeria; b. has attained the age of 18 years; c. is ordinarily resident, works in, originates from the local government/area council or ward covered by the registration centre; d. presents himself/herself to the registration officers of the commission for registration as a voter; and e. is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any laws rule or regulations in force in Nigeria.

Display of the copies of the voters’ list A copy of the voters register for each local government area council or ward shall be displayed for public scrutiny for a

“It is therefore imperative that as Nigeria approaches the next very important phase in her democratic experimentation, that she gets these issues right or nearly so, more so as the international communities watch or ‘spy’ on our development processes and hope to cash in on them.” and supervise all elections to the offices of the president, vice president, the governor and deputy governor of a state, and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the

operation of the political parties, including their finances. !

Audit the funds and accounts of political parties and publish a report on them for public viewing !

Conduct the

later than 60 days before any election. !

Anyone who wants to register as a voter must appear in person at the registration venue and present himself/herself to the Registration Officer.

period of not less than 5 days and not more than 14 days and during which period any objection or complaint in relation to the voters’ register or in relations to any necessary correction shall be raised or filed.

Continued from last week Example 9 The determinant of the matrix 1 2 3 4 5 6 is --- (UME, 1995) 2 0 -1

(

(

(

1 If P = 3 -1

Example 12

(

0 -1 4 5 , then p is --0 1

(A). -8 (B). 0 (C). 4 (D). 8

Mathematics With Stanley Osobase 08023454887 Osobase2001@yahoo.co.uk

Matrices And Determinants

Solution: 5 6 4 6 4 1 0 -1 -2 2 -1 +3 2

Solution (t - 3)(t + 2) = 0 4 5 3 5 3 4 t - 3 = 0 :- t = 3 5 p =1 -0 +(-1) 0 1 -1 1 -1 0 and t + 2 = 0 :- t = -2 0 :- Values of t are : 4, -2, 3 Ans = 1(4 -0) - 0 (3 - -5) -1(0 - -4) = 1(-5 - 0) -2(-4 - 12) +3(0 - 5) = -3 Answer =1(4) - 0(8) - 1(4) = 4 - 0 - 4 = 0 Ans Example 15

Example 10 Find the values of x for which

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Example 13

3 -2 4 If P = 5 0 6 , then -2P is --3 5 -4 7 5 -1 6 -3 -5 If N = , find N 3-x 9 (UME, 2001) =0 -2 2 1 -1 1 + 2x (A). 17 (B). 23 (C). 65 (D). 91 Solution Solution: -6 4 -8 3 -2 4 Solution determinant = (3 -x)(1 + 2x) - 9(-1) = 0 2P = -2 5 0 6 = -10 0 -12 -14 -10 -1 -3 -5 6 -5 6 -3 7 5 -1 = 3 + 6x - x - 2x2 + 9 = 0 3 2 1 -5 -2 1 +(-4) -2 2 Ans or 2x2 - 5x - 12 = 0 = 3(-3 - -10) -5(6 - 10) - 4(12 - 6) or 2x2 - 8x + 3x - 12 = 0 Drills = 3(7) - 5(-4) - 4(6) = 21 + 20 - 24 2x(x - 4) + 3(x - 4) = 0 either x - 4 = 0 :- x = 4 = 17 Ans (1). Evaluate: -1 -1 -1 or 2x + 3 = 0 :- x = -3/2 Example 14 3 1 -1 :- x = 4 or -3/2 Answer 1 2 1 Find the values of t for which the Ans = -4 Example 11 determinant of the matrix Solve for x and y if (2). Given the matrix k = 2 1 t-4 0 0 3 4 1 1 x 4 -1 t + 1 1 is zero = 3 y 1 1 3 4 t-2 the matrix k2 + k + 1, where I is the (UME, 1994) (UME, 2000) 2 x 2 identity matrix is --Solution: Ans = 7 2 Multiplying out the L. H. S, we have: (A). 0, 2, 3 (B). -4, 2, 3 12 21 (C). -4, -2, -3 (D).4, -2, 3 1 1 x 1Xx+1X1 4 3 2 = Solution 3 y 1 3Xx+yX1 (3). If -1 4 x = 17, t+1 1 -1 1 2 -2 3 x +1 t -4 4 0 = 3x + y t-2 3 t-2 find the value of x Equating result to R.H.S, we have Hint: Find the determinant, then -1 t+1 + 0 = 0 equate to 17. Collect like terms and x +1 4 3 4 = Ans = -2 3x + y 1 t - 4[(t + 1)(t - 2) - 4(1)] - 0 + 0 = 0 the result follows! :- x + = 4 or x = 4 - 1 = 3 (4). Calculate the values of p and q t - 4[t2 + t - 2t -2 - 4] = 0 Also, 3x + y = 1 or 3(3) + y = 1 given that 4 0 p t - 4[t2 - t - 6] = 0 12 :- y = 1 - 9 = -8 either t - 4 = 0 :- t = 4 q = 5 1 1 Ans: x = 3; y = -8 or t2 - t - 6 = 0 Ans = (3, 2)

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Motoring With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452

Solution To Your Car Problems QUESTION OF THE WEEK Please, can you explain the work of Brain box in a car for me.

Fred Osawaru Benin City. 08078970616 What you call brain box is technically referred to as the control module. The number available in any vehicle depends on how Sophisticated the design is. However, on the average any modern vehicle

will be equipped with one to control the fuel injection system at the very least. A control module is an on board computer designed to monitor, adjust and control the functionality of the system. Control module received signals from the various sensors on the system and used to determine the signal .to be sent to various actuators to ensure proper functionality of the vehicle.

ACCORDING to research, damaged and badly maintained tyres are the most common among widespread factors that contribute to accidents. Tyres are undoubtedly the most critical safety component on a vehicle as it affects traction, handling, steering, stability and braking.

“Drivers often forget that only correctly inflated tyres can do their job properly, delivering the right level of handling performance. Our comprehensive tyre tests show that under-and also over-inflation can have a significant impact on the car’s overall driving behaviour and its stopping distance. But it impacts not only the car’s safety, it also decreases the tyres’ potential mileage and the car’s fuel efficiency” says Lize Hayward, Goodyear Group Public Relations Manager.

“Drivers frequently make one of three classical mistakes: either they don’t check their tyre pressure before departure, or alternatively, they check the pressure when the tyre is warm, which results in incorrect readings, or they put it at a level that does not take into account the weight of the car-empty or fully loaded, it makes a difference.”

Proper inflation for better driving stability Properly inflated tyres are necessary to keep the vehicle’s handling performance at optimal levels, especially its cornering and braking abilities. Many problems start with a gradual and unnoticed loss of inflation pressure. “When a tyre is under-inflated, the car’s weight is concentrated on the outside part of the

tyre tread, increasing pressure on the tyre’s sidewalls (the tyres’ shoulders as we call them), rather than being spread out evenly across the width of the tyre. This means that as the tyre rolls, the sidewall heats up more than it should, and that affects both performance and safety. Under-inflation means less evenly distributed pressure on the road. It also reduces the tread area that is in direct contact with the road. These effects reduce the tyres’ grip and especially in combination with a heavily loaded car, can have a significantly impact on the car’s driving behaviour, stopping distances become longer and cornering abilities can become sloppier and less direct, which can lead to uncontrollable driving behaviour. Our tyres are highly performing products, equipped with sophisticated technologies. To make use of their abilities to the full extent, the right tyre pressure must be applied”, explains Harris.

DON’T KICK YOUR TYRES — CHECK THEM PROPERLY Tyres may loose up to 0.2 bar air pressure in a threemonth time period, solely as a result of the everyday diffusion processes in the tyre. “Too many drivers make the mistake of thinking that a kick to their tyres or a visual check will tell them if their tyre pressure is correct.

A visual inspection cannot detect a 0.2 bar decrease in pressure. Studies carried out by the European Union have shown that more than 64% of all cars have underinflated tyres. Most drivers simply don’t check their tyre pressure often enough, which can have a significant effect on vehicle safety.”

Damaged Tyres Major Cause Of Accidents

Safety Tips DO YOU KNOW THAT: • Nigeria has the highest rate of road accidents in Africa?

• Road accidents are the highest killer of people in Nigeria?

• Road accidents will overtake HIV/AIDS by killing 5.1 million people yearly by the year 2020? ∗ Youths more vulnerable to road accidents worldwide? ∗ Road accidents occur every minutes sending many to early grave and millions becoming disabled yearly? ∗ Age; Colour, Sex and Title have nothing to do with road accidents? ∗ Road accidents have no respect for anybodyeither literate or illiterate? ∗ Single mistake or disobedience to traffic rules and regulations can send you and other road users to early grave? ∗ BE MORE SAFETY CONSCIOUS-. ∗ Do routine check on your vehicle. ∗ Always fasten your seat belt ∗ Observe speed limit ∗ Give due consideration to other road users. ∗ MORE LIVES ARE SAVED WITH LESS NIGHT TRAVELLING.. THE LIFE SA VED MAYBE YOURS! AVOID TRAVELLING ∗ Avoid Overloading ∗ TALKING AND LISTENING DISTRACT CONCENTRATION Using YOUR MOBILE PHONES WHILE DR1VING IS DANGEROUS Imbibe safer road culture.

Spirituality Lessons From The Lives Of Saints (2) IN 1944 there was the famous raid on Monte Cassino in Italy. The Allies knew the Germans had fortified it and were using it for a command post. Leaflets were dropped by the Allies telling of the impending raid, then the ancient monastery was bombed. After the bombing, the ‘see saw’ battle for possession and finally the Allies won. The monastery was destroyed- almost allonly the chapel of the cell of St. Benedict and his tomb were intact!

Of St. Benedict’s life we know precious little. Out main source is the second book of dialogues of Pope St. Gregory the Great who was a little boy when Benedict died -he became a Benedictine monk and eventually Pope. We know Benedict was born about 480 in Nursia, a small town near Spoleto in northern Italy. It would seem that his family was well to do because he was educated, first locally and later he was sent to Rome to study, with a chaperone or maid, Cyrilla.

At that time Rome was in a decayed condition, soon to have the pall of the Dark Ages fall on it; it was steeped in vice and no place for young Benedict who seemed to have high ideals.

Whatever it was that shocked him, we do not know but he decided to leave Rome and go elsewhere: probably he was about eighteen. So he and Cyrilla left Rome and went a bit southwest to a town called Enfide-the modern name is Affile. There were monks nearby and here Benedict said goodbye to Cyrilla, but only after he worked a miracle which would seem to be his first. Cyrilla dropped a clay sieve and it broke in two -she was distressed and started to weep. Benedict picked up the pieces and when she looked up, the sieve was intact. It was soon noised around and hung in the church of St. Peter’s there

where it remained for almost three hundred years till the sack of Rome by the Lombards.

Here at Enfide (Affile) Benedict parted from Cyrilla and placed himself under guidance of the hermit Romanus who gave him the ‘melota’, the garb that identified a person as a hermit. He was installed in a little cave and daily Romanus would lower food and drink to Benedict. Here three years were spent in communion with God, seeing no one except Romanus from whom he received guidance.

Shepherds did pass by and were awed by the sight of this holy man and his fame started to spread over the area and this eventually brought some visitors who came to see him — for prayers and guidance. It was here that the story of his ‘love life’ is told.

Apparently there had been a young lady in his life, one that he was attracted to — about her came violent temptations and to stop them, he threw himself in some nettles by the door of his cave. He, himself, tells us that after that he was tempted against chastity no more. close by was a settle of monks and on the death of their abbot they asked for Benedict. So he went there, the town of Vicovaro. But this was not for him or for them —he was too holy and wanted them to give up their laxities. The more depraved schemed to get rid of him and finally resorted to poisoning his wine. When the vessel of wine was offered him, he blessed it —and it shattered!

But he would stay here no longer. He took with him some of the more pious, dispersed to twelve different places nearby, twelve to a monastery. This was at Subiaco and if was the cradle of his “Order.”

But he was not to have peace here either. His popularity enraged a certain priest by the name of Florentius who sought to

By DITTANAY CARIN

destroy Benedict. First he spread calumnous reports and when this did not succeed in destroying Benedict, he sent a loaf of

disciples and saints.

Maurus and Placidus. It also appears that a rich man offered him, a beautiful plateau overlooking three

precious little guidance for their spiritual growth. They sought holiness in strange ways —they performed excessive penances. Many would say all one hundred and fifty psalms every day;

St. Benedict

bread with poison in it. But Benedict suspected this and a pet raven was told by Benedict to take the loaf and throw it where no one would find it, This the bird did and Florentius disappears from history.

Some noblemen gave their sons over to Benedict for training and education and two of these became famous

vaileys. It had been the site of a pagan grove two pagan shrines —after the bombing of 1944 evidence was found of these shrines —and here Benedict founded with his disciples the famous monastery of Monte Cassino; here Benedict would spend the rest of his life.

Up to this time monks lived more or less alone and had

“Drawing on the teaching and lore of the hermits and spiritual writings of holy men, he set out a plan for a monastery whereby life would be regulated so God would be honored and souls sanctified. At about the age of sixty he wrote the famous rule of St. Benedict that became the pattern for all monks for centuries and is observed even to our day by the Benedictine Fathers.”

they would go days without food and drink; some would even try to go without sleep —and most did not find holiness. Benedict felt it would be better if they lived as a family and had direction in their spiritual life. He felt this would be the key to holiness and he was right.

From the time Benedict settled at Cassino we know little of his life except the extraordinary happenings. St. Gregory the Great tells of many miraculous things that took place. There is the story of the energetic monk that was cutting with a sickle near a lake. With a burst of strength the blade flew from the handle and landed in the lake. Embarrassed he asked one of the other monks to tell Benedict about it —Benedict

went to the lake and immersed the handle and the blade somehow attached itself to the handle. Then we read the story of little Placidus (who became a saint too). He was drawing water from a place near a dam and as he was small, he leaned over, lost his balance, fell in and was being carried by the current. Benedict sent the monk Maurus to pull him out; but Placidus said: “when I was being drawn out of the water I saw the abbot’s hood over my head and I judged it was he (Benedict) who was rescuing me.” There is also the delightful story of the man who needed twelve gold coins to pay his bill. Benedict told him to return a few days later and when he did, they went to the corn bin and there were thirteen coins —twelve for the debt and one for his own use.

He also had bouts with Satan as later on St. John Vianney did. Gregory tells of the time they were building a wall and the devil pushed it over (could have been they did not build it straight!) and a monk was crushed.

Benedict blessed the monk and he recovered. But there were other tussles with Satan and later on —about 1300, the Benedictines of Melten, Bavaria designed a medal in honor of St. Benedict that up to our modern days is used to protect against the onslaughts of Satan. With a group of monks under him, Benedict was asked to lead them, to be a father and teacher to them. As a father he cared for them and even punished them when necessary so they would not make the same mistakes. As a teacher, he showed them the ways to holiness and so organized their lives that they would come closer to God. He had a marvelous way about him and soon his fame as an abbot spread all over and more came to join. What was his way?

Drawing on the teaching and lore of the hermits and spiritual writings of holy men, he set out a plan for a monastery whereby life would be regulated so God would be honored and souls sanctified. At about the age of sixty he wrote the famous rule of St. Benedict that became the pattern for all monks for centuries and is observed even to our day by the Benedictine Fathers.

Gender Violence A Male Perspective “WOMEN will change the world when they lead it, but they will change it with men as their partners” Gertrude Mongella. Secretary General of the UN Fourth World Conference on Women Understanding gender discrimination means understanding opportunities and constraints as they affect men as well as women. Men’s attitudes and behaviours are strongly influenced by what society expects of them as men. Often they are constrained by a hierarchical structure which says that a ‘real man”: • will demand what he wants, • provides for the family’ but is entitled to use the family resources as he chooses, sometimes putting personal pleasure above family care; • is strong, he does not recognise or admit to uncertainty - this would be seen as a sign of weakness; • Does not show emotion, another sign of weakness.

Of course the reality is often very different. In cultures where patriarchal behaviour is accepted as the only proper family structure, men and women may be trapped in a pattern of relationships and dependencies that can frustrate them both. (The State of the World Population 2000).

Men who cannot live up to the expectations that they should be powerful and competent, may resort to violence or turn to drugs and alcohol as an escape, or become extremely macho and take risks. The underlying reasons may be: • Unemployment, lack of skills • Frustrations at the workplace • Inability to be family provider • Low self esteem • Low academic standards • Expectation that must be in control and solve problems

Support An Orphanage SUPPORT an orphanage, Adopt a

child. Get a list ofall registered orphanages in Nigeria from our desk

GENDER ADVOCACY With

IJEOMA UMEH Tel: 081823822839

• Need to maintain status in eyes of male peers • Powerlessness in relation to sexuality • Difficulty in communicating and expressing emotion • Aggressive women • Violent experience in childhood

important to strengthening relationships, eliminating gender inequality and reducing violence “Any act of gender-

• Unable/unwilling to seek counseling (shows weakness) Both women and men feel the stress, but it’s the women who suffer most. Even if they understand the causes they often have no means of dealing with it.

Helping men and women to communicate is

based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts,

coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life” Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women Whether in the developed or developing world, all women live with the risk of physical harm on a daily basis, in ways that have no direct parallels for men.

Violence or the threat of violence affects women and girls in almost every area of life, public and private - at home, in school, in the workplace and in the community.

This violence affects their health, limits their activities and destroys their self-confidence.

Although it is difficult to obtain accurate figures, it’s estimated that between one in five and one in seven women will be the victim of rape during their lifetimes and most of the time, the rapist is known to the victim.

Many rapes go unreported because of the stigma and trauma associated with them and the lack of sympathy from the authorities.

“Understanding gender discrimination means understanding opportunities and constraints as they affect men as well as women.

Men’s attitudes and behaviours are strongly influenced by what society expects of them as men. Often they are constrained by a hierarchical structure which says that a ‘real man...”

Be Security Conscious Be security conscious, Observe any strange movements, strangers, or strange activities around your vicinity. Report your observations to law enforcement agencies, or agents.

Stop violence, End violence Today. Dialogue!

Religion

With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA

The Ministry Of The Super Natural (4) JESUS had in his earthly ministry prophesied the supernatural ministry on the basis of the Holy Spirit when he said: “verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my father And I will pray the father, and he shall give you another comforter, THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOREVER” JN 14:12,16.

NOW, JESUS OUR LORD AND Saviour did awesome miracles and worked in the supernatural to the extent the Bible could not contain all the miracles he did (in 20:30, 21:25); and here he is saying that after his physical departure his disciples would do as much as he did when the Holy Ghost has come on them: On the day of his ascension he said this prophetically and instructively to his disciples: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria , and unto the uttermost part of the earth”Acts l :8.

And on the day of Pentecost which occurred few days after the prophecy of Christ for the empowerment of the disciples by the Holy Spirit and his ascension the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples while they assembled together.

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sifting” Acts 2: 2.

The Holy Ghost descended on the disciples and empowered them. After the empowerment what happened? The apostles did supernatural things.

“And many wonders and signs were done by the apostles” Acts 2:43 You must know that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of power. That means the Holy Spirit empowers. He is commonly referred to as the power broker of the Trinity: God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. In creation, God spoke the word and the Holy Spirit (The spirit of God) Manifested what God had spoken.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void ... And the spirit of God moved... And God said let there be light and there was light” Gen 1:1-2. And also when Jesus the son of God was to begin his earthly ministry after his baptism, the Holy Ghost

descended upon him in a bodily shape like a dove.

“It came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him” Lk 3:22.

To flow in the ministry of the supernatural you must build an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. You will begin by giving your entire life to Jesusthat means surrender your life to Jesus; acknowledge Jesus as the son of God. For no one can so acknowledge except by the spirit of God (1Jn4:15) then invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. Your body shall be the temple of God in holiness. “know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Cor 3:16.

You must learn to acknowledge the Holy Spirit as a person. He is the third person in the Holy Trinity. You must learn to acknowledge him as such and talk to him and walk with him. Since knowing the Holy Spirit as such in my life, I have continuously enjoyed a sweet relationship with him my lord in partnership and I talk to him and walk with him by faith, I listen to him and obey him very faithfully; the Holy spirit does not want to be disobeyed! You should not grieve the Holy Spirit of God if you want him to flow in your life or ministry. “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God: Eph 4:30. I keep my body undefiled for even though the Holy Spirit by the grace of God strengthens me and continues to renew me as I continue to yield myself more and more to him; yet I have by my deliberate effort like the Apostle Paul prommelled or disciplined myself to keep my body undefiled that the Holy Ghost may continually dwell in me, for I surely recognize my body as his temple that should remain undefiled.

“But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should not be a cast away” 9:27 The Holy Spirit obviously is

the basis for the supernatural ministry. It is the Holy Spirit He does not only provides the basis for the supernatural ministry; he propels it, he sustains it and also consolidates the supernatural ministry. So it is easy to say: No Holy Spirit. No supernatural ministry.

THE POWER OF PRAYER Prayer in the name of Jesus Christ in a supernatural ministry is like oil to the engine of a car;

Prophet to John the Apostle, they were all men full of prayers.

Hence James wrote these words by the Holy Spirit.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” Jas 5:16.

The supernatural ministry is a constant, target by the kingdom of darkness- because• it provides a challenge and a threat to it. The kingdom of satan is rattled by itand so will do all it can to eliminate the ministry. The

and a prayer less Christian is a powerless Christian” Jesus himself taught the need to pray constantly in the parable of the widow and the unrighteous judge (Lk18: 1-8). In the parable Jesus taught of a widow who pestered a judge to bring up her case for trial because she was convinced of her innocence.

Because she consistently pestered the judge; the judge now said; “because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her

without the oil the engine will be damaged; so without prayers the supernatural ministry will collapse. The Holy Spirit is like the engine of the supernatural ministry and prayer is like the oil added to the engine to make the vehicle move and so well.

That is the relationship of the engine, the oil and the vehicle in analogy to the relationship of the Holy Spirit, prayer and the supernatural ministry. I want you to understand this simple engineering analogy vis-à-vis the spiritual phenomenon. If you understand that a vehicle is not complete without the engine and the engine needs regular oil to function effectively; then you can understand the power of prayer in motivating the Holy Spirit to sustain the supernatural ministry.

So you find from the Old Testament to the New Testament; men of God described as spiritual men of valour from Abraham the

prayer of the saints is needed to counter the measures of the kingdom of darkness. Prayer is just inevitable here. Here is a testimony of an ex-grandmaster of satanic kingdom who turned to Christ and abandoned satan when the power of Christ touched him “if a person spends tens of thousands of naira in preparing a charm, it does not take the witch up to a minute to spoil the charm. But if a person prays in the name of Jesus for even a minute, that prayer will be incomprehensible to the witch forever... prayer is the only power and weapon that witches, wizards and familiar spirits cannot face.., the only power under heaven which the witches and the familiar spirit cannot spoil is the power of prayer” What a testimony about the power of prayer in the life of a Christian. It is a common aphorism of our faith when we say that “a prayerful Christian is a powerful Christian

lest by her continual coming she weary me” Lk18: 5.

And Jesus put this emphasis for our edification in prayers.

“And the lord said , hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you he will avenge them speedily Lk 18:6-8. This is the effect of consistent prayer, never relenting , eagerly and earnestly asking and seeking the face of God because the Bible says: “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you” (Matt 7:7). The words “Ask, seek and knock” are very important and are key elements of prayers that need some little explanation. These elements should concomitantly relate to each other in effective prayers.

When you “ask” you are requesting from God earnestly and faithfully.

Asking means further - request backed by faith.

“But let him ask in faith nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of sea driven with the wind ... let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the lord James 1: 6-7 When you “seek” you are saying I am sure that I am asking faithfully in accordance with God’s will. That is where the importance of seeking comes in

“So you find from the Old Testament to the New Testament; men of God described as spiritual men of valour from Abraham the Prophet to John the Apostle, they were all men full of prayers. Hence James wrote these words by the Holy Spirit. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” Jas 5:16.”

to effectualize your prayer. So some people ask but don’t seek so fail to get an answer. You must seek the will of God in your prayer life. Hear what the Bible says about the importance of seeking and to pray along the will of God. “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” Eph 5:17. Why do you seek the will of God? So that you don’t ask amiss and your prayers remain unanswered. “ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss” Jas 4:3.

And Jesus taught his disciples to pray along the will of God for quick response.

“And he said unto them when ye pray say our father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name...

THY WILL BE DONE, AS IN HEAVEN, SO IN EARTH” LK 11:2. The third element of prayer is “KNOCK” when you knock the Bible says the door will be opened. Knocking entails works; usually works of righteousness. You can’t be asking from God anti seeking his will and then living an unrighteous life.

“Works” is very encompassing because it backs up your faith.

Your works of righteousness include what you do to advance the kingdom “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” Matt 6:33 under works of righteousness I suggest: do you tithe to God? Do you do evangelism and witnessing for the kingdom? Do you participate in church labour? etc. Do some good works for the lord; do you live righteously? Do you not know that unrighteousness can be a hindrance to your prayersIsaiah 59:1 -2, 1Pet 3:12. The Bible sums it up clearly why you must be involved in “works” when you pray, because; “faith if it hath not works is dead being alone” Jas 2:17 Friends show me a man who moves mightily in the power of the Holy Spirit and who operates a supernatural ministry but prays less then I would boldly tell you that his collapse is imminent, because the more he prays the more powerful he becomes and the less he prays, the less powerful he becomes and satan can easily capitalize on this weakness to strike! Paul says: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices”: 2Cor 2:11.

BEWARE FOR “YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL AS A ROARING LION WALKING ABOUT SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR” 1 PET 5 :8

International Bomb Kills Police General CAIRO - A police brigadier In Cairo general was killed when a bomb

African Troops Capture LRA Commander KAMPALA, Uganda — African troops captured a junior commander with the Lord’s Resistance Army and rescued 10 people, mostly children, abducted by the rebels, Uganda’s military said Tuesday, the latest blow against the rebel group in an international hunt for its fugitive leaders.

The commander — a rebel lieutenant known as Charles Okello — was seized after a firefight in Central African Republic, where Uganda-led African Union troops are hunting down the rebels in vast jungle, said Ugandan military spokesman Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda. Up to 10 civilians, seven of them children, were rescued from the rebels, he said.

African troops are being assisted by United States military advisers in the search for LRA leaders. Last month the U.S. deployed more forces to assist in the hunt for warlord Joseph Kony and other rebel commanders, more than doubling the number of American forces on the ground to 250. The U.S. also

Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and his Deputy William Ruto seen in Nairobi recently.’

France Unveils Plan To Fight Jihadist Threat PARIS — France is cracking down on youth who leave their homes to fight with Islamist radicals in Syria’s civil war.

The interior minister announced a series of tough love measures yesterday that range from allowing suspicious parents to tip off authorities to withdrawing passports and putting potential jihadis’ names in a European computer bank.

More youth from France are thought to have embarked on journeys to Syria than from any other European country, but the problem — and the

risks of terrorism by those who return — is Europe-wide.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said this week that 500 had gone to Syria from France, double the figure given in January. Children as young as 15 have made their way to jihadi training camps. Some have been fetched by their parents and brought home to be charged.

“It’s a global plan with repressive elements aimed at dismantling networks that expose our country to risks” along with preventive measures, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told

first year in office undermining civil rights and operating with

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) said Kenyan authorities “have attempted to clamp down on dissenting voices, either through the adoption of restrictive legislation aimed at further regulating the NGO or media sectors.”

The groups also condemned “violent police crackdowns on demonstrators” and alleged “judicial harassment of protesters and human rights defenders”.

The past year of the Jubilee coalition government “has been a period within which freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly have been constantly under threat,” said KHRC director Atsango Chesoni.

“This undermining of these and other constitutional human rights gains must stop if Kenya is to truly follow the path of democracy and the rule of law,” she added.

Kenyatta and Ruto were also criticised for refusing to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC), where they face charges for crimes against humanity over their role in post-2007 election violence.

Kenya Government Under Attack Over impunity”, two rights Rights Record “rampant groups alleged yesterday.

NAIROBI Kenya’s governing duo of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have spent their

RECONCILIATION OF NAME Mr. Marcus Oyewole Afekhafeh wish to bring to the information of the general public that Oladele Francis is one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be properly known and addressed as Mr. Marcus Oyewole Afekhafeh. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, Ministry of Education Benin City, Edo State and the general public should please take CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Michael Kayode Esogban wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Kayode Esogban and Kayode Gabriel as appeared in most of my valuable documents. Henceforth, I am now properly known and addressed as Michael Kayode Esogban. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public please take note.

exploded under his car in Egypt’s capital yestersday, security officials said, in the fifth such targeted attack in Cairo within a week.

The blast in the upscale western suburb of October 6 killed Ahmed Zaki, a commander of Egypt’s central security forces who have spearheaded a crackdown on supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Militants have carried out scores of attacks mainly targeting security forces since the military deposed Morsi last July in the wake of massive protests calling for his resignation.

The general was fatally

CHANGE OF NAME

OHIEKENA –I formerly Miss Ohiekena Felicia, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Miss John Cynthia. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OWIE-ONAGHINOR - I, formerly called Mrs. Owie-Onaghinor Osabueki Julietta is now known and called Mrs. Sonnie Idemudia Osabueki Julietta. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

reporters.

Syria’s civil war has left 150,000 dead and forced millions to flee their homes and country since it began in March 2011.

The plan was laid out at the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Among preventive measures is an alert system for parents who feel their children are at risk of taking up jihad. Parents would directly contact the Interior Ministry, which would set in motion a local plan mobilizing social services and even the educational system.

Cazeneuve did not elaborate and it was not clear whether teachers and parents would, ultimately, be spying on their

students and children.

In addition, authorities will withdraw passports from individuals suspected of wanting to travel to Syria.

Foreign residents will be “immediately expelled” if authorities have reason to believe they participated in terrorist operations, the minister said.

France, in conjunction with European partners, also plans to increase its monitoring of websites that post videos and other messages inciting jihadi activities. Cazeneuve said he has already traveled to Germany and Austria to coordinate and will shortly be in Britain for talks.

wounded in his car as was headed for work, security officials said, adding that two conscripts were wounded in the morning attack.

Video footage posted on newspaper websites showed the front of the car destroyed. It was painted light green and not the usual dark blue colour of police vehicles.

Police officers are increasingly having their cars repainted to avoid being easily identified and targeted by militants.

Zaki was the third senior police officer to be killed in attacks since the start of the year, with all three fatalities in Cairo. Three other police have been killed in four more attacks over the past week.

In the Mediterranean city of Alexandria on Wednesday, a police lieutenant was killed in a gunfight with wanted “terrorist elements”, security officials said.

They said one “terrorist” was killed and another wounded, adding that police retrieved an explosives-laden belt and two home-made bombs.

Egypt’s police, feared for decades, stirred public outrage over its brutality and deadly tactics during the 2011 uprising which toppled veteran president Hosni Mubarak.

It has rehabilitated itself in the eyes of the public by pursuing supporters of the unpopular Morsi after his ouster, but it has at the same time incurred the wrath of militants.

365 Days Without Nasiru Ikhazuagbe

By MICHAEL EGBEJULE (1964-2013) development.

JUST a year after, it seems like yesterday, how time flies, the man of few words, full of energy, wit and knowledge and admired by all and sundry for his sterling qualities which made him stand out amongst his kith and kin, from far and near as well as those who encountered him in his life time, he is greatly missed in our memory today.

Life they say must end someday as death is inevitable.

Diligent and illustrious, dedicated and ever loving, Nasiru Mohammed Ikhzuagbe born 45 years ago was a rare breed gentleman, a patriot and a statesman whose sad exit marks exactly One year today, April 24th 2014.

My lecturer and friend, the great Journalism teacher passed on exactly one year today, marking 365 Days without Mallam Ikhazuagbe, The journalistic Icon.

The Joy Ikhazuagbe left on the faces of many whom he

instilled discipline and tutored are glowing today as we remember him as always, tears now wet our cheeks. We have cried to high heavens mourning the demise, but we are however consoled that he lived a life worthy of emulation,leaving his footprint in the sand of time.

His cross, we shall take up and continue with his good works that endeared him to many, during his fruitful sojourn on earth.

One year gone by and many people are still discussing his passage as if it happened only yesterday. The memories are fresh with many; his days recur as subject discussion to those he mentored. For me in particular, whenever I look back at my days under his tutelage I recall with nostalgia, how losing one’s life meant so much a monumental loss to humanity and the academic community where his indelible contribution remains invaluable in his commitment to building sustainable human capital

Now resting in the blossom of his God and creator, on behalf of the entire Mass communication Dept of Auchi Polytechnic, as well as families and friends we remember you today, though gone but never forgotten.

To live in the heart of those we love is not to die. Adieu my master, friend and teacher, you are greatly missed and forever will be in the heart of your dear friends and colleagues.

Our consolation remains that we will meet again soon in the bossom of God, our eternal father and Lord.

As we miss your physical presence and wealth of knowledge, many of your disciple’s heart still bleed over your demise, but continue to rest in the blossom of the Lord until we meet to part no more.

• MICHAEL EGBEJULE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION (HND 2), AUCHI POLYTECHNIC, AUCHI.

International Greece Hites Milestone Opens Way For Debt relief BRUSSELS - Greece has reached a major financial milestone that its creditors demanded as a precondition for being granted more debt relief, the European Commission said yesterday.

Additional help from its bailout creditors would help the crisis-stricken country as it seeks to overcome a protracted recession and tackle rampant unemployment.

Greece’s government revenues last year exceeded expenditure when interest payment and other items were excluded, thus achieving a socalled primary budget surplus, a spokesman for the EU’s executive Commission said.

Simon O’Connor said the surplus of 1.5 billion euros ($2.1 billion), or 0.8 percent of its annual gross domestic product is “well ahead of the

Russia Accuses US Of ‘Running The Show’ In Kiev

MOSCOW - Russia yesterday accused the United States of controlling the actions of the pro-West Ukrainian government, saying that Washington was now “running the show” in Kiev.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the statecontrolled RT English language channel in an interview that Ukraine had chosen to relaunch military operations against separatists in the east during a visit to Kiev by US Vice President Joe Biden.

“This means we have no reason not to believe that the Americans are running the show in the most direct way,” said Lavrov in an interview to be broadcast later in the day, excerpts of which were published by Russian news agencies.

He reaffirmed Moscow’s belief that the Ukrainian government had failed to carry out any of its obligations under the agreement reached in Geneva last week aimed at deescalating the crisis.

“Nothing that was agreed in Geneva that the Kiev authorities had to carry out has been implemented by them,” he complained.

RT on its website also quoted Lavrov as saying that if Russia was attacked it would respond in line with international law but did not give further details.

Relations between Russia and the West have dived to a post-Cold War low after the ousting of president Viktor Yanukovych which Moscow denounced as an illegal takeover of power.

2013 target which was for a balanced budget” and showing Greece is on the right track to heal its finances.

Greece’s international creditors have said a primary

surplus will entitle Greece to further debt relief. Discussions on those measures are set to be concluded in the second half of the year, O’Connor added.

Most governments in the 18nation eurozone are opposed to outright forgiving any of Greece’s debt and are instead though to be offering to further lower interest rates on the

A preo-Russian armed man stands guard near the state security service building in Slaviansk.

U.S. President Barack Obama steps down the ramp upon his arrival at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. Omama is in Japan for a three-day state visit.

country’s rescue loans and extend again the date by which they have to be repaid.

“The Greek people’s sacrifices are starting to pay off,” Greek Deputy Finance Minister Christos Staikouras told journalists in Athens.

“After these years, that were very tough on households and businesses, the country and its economy are in a definitely better position.”

Four years ago, Greece became the first country in the eurozone to be bailed out after the country got locked out of international bond markets and faced imminent bankruptcy. The country is in its sixth year of recession and the unemployment rate is stuck at around 27 percent.

According to EU figures published yesterday, Greece’s budget deficit rose from 8.9 percent in 2012 to 12.7 percent last year, mostly due to a oneoff payment to support the country’s banks. Its total debt burden also increased from 157 percent to 175 percent of GDP, partly because the economy continued to contract.

Many analysts argue that a debt burden above 120 percent of GDP is unsustainable for a small economy like Greece.

The bailout program Athens concluded with the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission, also foresees a gradual reduction of its debt over the coming years — with the goal of reaching the 120 percent target early in the next decade.

The Greek government says the primary surplus serves as proof of its seriousness, since it even exceeded the agreed target. Athens therefore hopes it will be granted more leeway on other targets by its socalled troika of creditors.

The lenders say Greece must continue to implement an ambitious program of economic reforms to improve

Obama Opens Japan Trip At Famous Sushi Restaurant

of Jeju.

Of the 476 passengers and crew on board, 339 were children and teachers on a high school outing. Only 174 people have been rescued and the remainder are presumed to have drowned.

The confirmed death toll on Wednesday was 150, many found at the back of the ship on the fourth deck.

In a rare move, the disaster prompted reclusive North Korea, which routinely threatens the South with destruction, to send a message of sympathy. The two sides are still technically at war after the 1950-53 civil conflict ended in a mere truce.

TOKYO — President Barack Obama is getting a lesson in the art of sushi making at a famous Tokyo restaurant with hard-tocome-by reservations.

But Obama and his dining partner, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (shinzoh ah-bay), didn’t appear to have trouble scoring seats at Sukiyabashi Jiro. The 10-seat restaurant is run by 87-yearold Jiro Ono, who was featured in the 2011 documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”.

Obama and Abe greeted each other outside the underground restaurant before heading in for the private dinner that typically costs about $300. Joining Obama and Abe at dinner were U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy and White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice.

Children’s Corpses Reveal Desperate Attempts To Escape Koream Ferry

MOKPO/SEOUL - South Korean divers swam though dark, cold waters into a sunken ferry yesterday, feeling for children’s bodies with their hands in a maze of cabins, corridors and upturned decks as they searched for hundreds of missing.

The divers, with oxygen and communications lines trailing, can only see a few inches in front of them in the wreckage of the ship that started sinking a week ago after a sharp turn. Most of the victims were high school children, who were told to stay where they were for their own safety.

And most of the bodies found in the last two days had broken fingers, presumably

from the children frantically trying to climb the walls or floors to escape in their last moments, media said.

“We are trained for hostile environments, but it’s hard to be brave when we meet bodies in dark water,” diver Hwang Dae-sik told Reuters, as the funerals of 25 students were held near the capital, Seoul.

Prosecutors investigating the disaster raided the home of Yoo Byung-un, the head of a family that owns the Chonghaejin Marine Co. Ltd, the company that operated the Sewol ferry. They also raided his son’s home and the office of a church with which Yoo has been associated, said a prosecutor who did not want to be identified.

But it was not immediately clear how big a development this was. Korean police and prosecutors often make dramatic raids to show that progress is being made in a high-profile case.

Underwater, at the site of the sunken Sewol, divers are able to work for nearly an hour at a time as long as the oxygen lines do not snag on sharp corners of the ship’s internal structure. When they use cumbersome oxygen tanks on their backs instead, they can work for about 20 minutes before an alarm bell sounds.

The Sewol sank last Wednesday on a routine trip from the port of Incheon, near Seoul, to the southern island

the country’s competitiveness and lay the foundations for future growth. Greece has also pledged to significantly increase its primary surplus target to 3 percent of GDP by next year.

Separately, figures released yesterday showed eurozone nations made further headway in 2013 in reducing their deficits, evidence that spending cuts and the nascent economic recovery are helping to heal government finances.

The overall budget deficit across the eurozone fell to 3.0 percent of GDP from 3.7 percent the year before as borrowing fell to 293 billion euros ($404 billion) from 352 billion euros, according to Eurostat, the EU’s statistics office.

However, the overall figure masks huge divergences across the region, which has faced an acute debt crisis over the past four years that at times appeared to threaten the future of the euro currency itself.

Because most countries in the eurozone continue to borrow, Eurostat found the region’s debt burden rose from 90.7 percent to 92.6 percent of GDP, or to 8.9 trillion euros ($12.3 trillion).

Overall, that still compares favorably with the United States which, according to the International Monetary Fund, had a debt burden of 105 percent in 2013, or about $17.5 trillion.

However, the key difference with the U.S. is that the eurozone countries have to borrow money in the financial markets on their own so they live and die by the state of their public finances.

International Features

Obama Reassures Japan, Other Allies On China

TOKYO - U.S. President Barack Obama has said Washington welcomes China’s rise but that engagement with Beijing would not come at He added: “And our alliance system and stop the expense of its Asian engagement with China pampering its chums like allies - as Chinese state does not and will not come Japan and the Philippines media greeted his arrival in at the expense of Japan or that have been igniting regional tensions with the region with a broadside any other ally.” accusing the United States Such assurances are provocative moves,” it of wanting to “cage” the likely to be high on the said.

Obama and Abe are emerging superpower. agenda when Obama The reassuring remarks meets Abe at a symbolic expected to send a aimed at Japan and other allies, set against a robust commentary from China’s state news agency Xinhua that also called the United States “myopic”, demonstrate the delicate balancing act Obama faces on a week-long Asia tour.

Obama arrived in Tokyo yesterday at the start of a four-nation trip that comes at a time of rising tension in the region, and as the United States urges Japan’s unpredictable neighbor North Korea not to conduct another nuclear test.

Obama, who is making the first full state visit to Japan by a U.S. President since 1996, must assuage worries by Tokyo and other allies that his commitment to their defense in the face of an increasingly assertive China is weak, without Barack Obama, U.S. President hurting vital U.S. ties with Asia’s biggest economy. summit today. message of solidarity after Obama and Japanese Japan, whose relations strains following Abe’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with rival China have December visit to Tokyo’s are also keen to show chilled over the past two Yasukuni Shrine, seen by progress on a two-way years, has been beset by critics as a symbol of trade pact seen as critical anxiety over the degree to Japan’s past militarism. to a broader regional deal which reality matches Obama also assured that would be one of the rhetoric in Obama’s Japan that tiny isles in the world’s biggest trade promised “pivot”.

East China Sea at the heart agreements and is central China, for its part, fears of a territorial row with to Obama’s “pivot” of the U.S. is pursuing a China are covered by a military, diplomatic and policy of containment bilateral security treaty trade resources towards through its network of that obligates America to Asia.

Asian allies, several of come to Japan’s defense.

Noting Beijing and whom have long-standing That is long-stated U.S. Washington could work territorial disputes with policy, but the together on issues such as Beijing in the East and confirmation by the North Korea’s nuclear South China Seas. president is likely to be program, Obama told yesterday Xinhua welcome in Japan.

Japan’s Yomiuri commentary criticized “The policy of the newspaper, in written U.S. policy in the region United States is clear - the remarks: “In other words, as “a carefully calculated Senkaku islands are we welcome the scheme to cage the rapidly administered by Japan and continuing rise of a China developing Asian giant”. therefore fall within the that is stable, prosperous “The United States scope of ... the U.S.-Japan and peaceful and plays a should reappraise its Treaty of Mutual responsible role in global anachronistic hegemonic Cooperation and affairs.”

Security,” Obama said, using the Japanese name for the islands that are known as the Diaoyu in China, which also claims them.

China reiterated that it “resolutely opposed” the islands being part of the

islands or China by name, Japanese media have reported.

Obama also reaffirmed Wa s h i n g t o n ’s commitment to the security of South Korea, and said it would stand firm in its insistence that

security treaty.

“The so-called U.S.Japan alliance is a bilateral arrangement from the Cold War and ought not to harm China’s territorial sovereignty and reasonable rights,” foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular news briefing in Beijing.

Japanese and Chinese naval vessels and coastguard ships have played cat-and-mouse around the disputed islets since Japan’s government bought the then-privately owned territory in 2012.

A joint statement to be issued at the summit will state the two allies will not tolerate any attempt to change the status quo by force - a phrase that implicitly targets China but likely not mention the

a nuclear North Korea was unacceptable.

Seoul is the second stop on Obama’s four-nation swing, which also includes Malaysia and the Philippines.

“The burden is on Pyongyang to take concrete steps to abide by its commitments and obligations, and the United States, Japan and South Korea are united in our goal - the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” Obama said.

North Korea, already subject to United Nations’ sanctions over its previous atomic tests, the third and most recent of which took place in early 2013, threatened last month to conduct what it call “a new form of nuclear test”.

The United States said on Tuesday it was watching the Korean peninsula closely after news reports quoted the South Korean government as saying that heightened activity had been detected at North Korea’s underground nuclear test site.

“We continue to urge North Korea to refrain from actions that threaten regional peace and security and to comply with its international obligations and commitments,” State D e p a r t m e n t spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a regular briefing.

Top aides to the two leaders met yesterday to discuss a bilateral trade deal that has so far been stymied largely by Japan’s desire to keep tariffs on politically sensitive farm products such as beef.

“This a moment for Japan to take an elevated view and to choose a bold path of economic renewal, revitalization and regional leadership,” U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman told reporters after negotiating with Economy Minister Akira Amari ahead of Obama’s evening arrival.

Amari said he had briefed Abe on the talks, but declined to comment on the content of the discussions.

Failure could take the wind out of the push for a broader agreement among the 12-nation group that would stretch from Asia to Latin America.

Some trade experts said despite the hurdles, a lastminute agreement could not be ruled out.

Both sides have stressed that the TPP would have strategic implications by creating a framework for business that could entice China to play by global rules.

The TPP talks are at “an important crossroads”, Froman said in brief remarks. “Its economic and strategic importance is clear.

Vegetarianism And Refinement Of The Body VEGETARIANISM: It is quite true that it brings about a refinement of the human body, ennobling it and also strengthening it and helping it towards a good recovery. Abd-ru-shin says that the spirit is also, still further uplifted thereby. But all this is not meant to be adopted immediately by mankind of the present day. In all efforts and struggle circumspect, leadership is lacking.

Abd-ru-shin the author of Grail message “In the light of Truth”, says the human body of today should on no account be suddenly subjected to a vegetarian diet, as is so often tried. It is quite good when used temporarily and perhaps even for years at a time in the case of sick people, indeed, it may even be necessary in order to cure some aliment or to assist in one – sidedly strengthening some physical organ, but it must not be lasting.

If his body is to maintain its full vigour the patient must gradually return to the diet to which he is so much accustomed today. The appearance of well-being is deceptive.

Certainly, it is very beneficially, if healthy people also, adopt a sticky vegetarian diet for a time.

Without doubt, they will feel well and will also, feel free soaring upward in the spirit if, however, they suddenly start this onesided diet on a permanent basis, they will not notice that they are actually becoming weaker and much more sensitive over many things. In most cases, the attributes of composure and equanimity does indicate strength, but it’s a definite kind of weakness.

This shows itself in an agreeable manner and has nothing depressing about it, because, it does not originate from any disease.

This equanimity resembles the equanimity of health- old age, where only the body is becoming weaker. At least it resembles this sort of weakness much more than the weakness resulting

from illness suddenly deprived of what it has been accustomed to for thousands of years, the body cannot produce the generative power the spirit needs for the full accomplishment of its purpose in the World of Matter.

Many confirmed vegetarians notice this in a slight abatement of their sexual instinct, which they joyfully acclaim as progress. But this is by no means a sign that their spirit has been ennobled through vegetarian diet, only that, their generative power has been lowered. Which must subsequently lessen their spiritual capacity to soar upwards in the World of Matter.

The error about this, continue to grow, because, man almost invariably sees only what is closest to him.

Certainly, it is to be welcomed and may be regarded as a measure of progress, if by ennobling the spirit the baser sexual instinct is greatly moderated compared with what it is today. It is also true that eating aggravate sexual desire, but in these matters, we must not judge, by mankind of today, for in their case, the sexual instinct has been cultivated one-sidedly and abnormally. It is altogether unnatural today. However, this cannot be attributed to the enjoyment of meat alone.

The moderation of the sexual instinct is by no means dependent on the lessening of the generative power. On the contrary, the latter is able to help the human spirit advance and liberate it from its dependence upon the coarse instinct, which is so

Man And Nature With O.C. MADU 08056379608

marked today infact, the generative power is the best means to accomplish this.

The first step in the transition is to restrict oneself only to white meat such as: poultry, veal, lamb and so on, together with an increased amount of vegetable food.

its implement to become visible.

The same also, applies to the nourishment and maintenance of the body.

The animal will never over feed its body as so many men do. It is satisfied when it no longer feels hungry, whereas, in many cases,

governing al matters Man has to take this into account at all times. He thinks himself free in this matter, Abd-ru-shin says he is not, that he is just as closely connected with it as is the

exactly what it needs to blossom forth properly and remain vigorous. The earth also, provides this in its different zones always at the proper time and in the manner in which the gross

Do not neglect your body.

Think of your spirit I would say to the other party, the right way will grow out of the present –day confusion.

Therefore, man, learn to understand your physical body properly so that you can treat it accordingly.

Only then will you become able to use it aright, to master it, so that it becomes what it is meant to be for you here on earth.

The fist consequence of real control over your physical body shows itself in the grace and beauty of your movements, which enables the power of the spirit in the harmony with

man is not satisfied until he can eat no more. That is a great difference, again only called forth through the over-cultivated intellect by its endeavour to suppress all natural sense in these matters.

The animals also, drinks only to quench its thirst.

Man however, cultivates within himself illustrations about enjoyment which, if carried out is bound to harm his body greatly.

The earthly body of each human being is in every respect closely linked with that soil upon which he was born. This is in accordance with the law of Creation

body of an animal. Both physical species are formed by the animistic. In the case of animal, man has closely observed everything and knows about it. But he does not wish to place his own body under the homogeneous laws. Abdru-shin says it is wrong.

Abd-ru-shin says that the earthly body is connected with that part of the earth where it was born. It is also, closely connected with all the stars of this particular region and with all the radiations that belong there to. Far more than you can imagine. Only that part of this earth gives the body

material bodies that have been born into each particular zone need it.

Herbs and frits, therefore, are advantageous and up building, for the human body at that time when the earth produces them (Abdru-shin –In The Light of Truth).

At those time, the body needs just such nutrient as is provided by that zone in which it come into existence and with it remains continuously connected. Strawberry at the time of the strawberry harvest, apples at the time of the apple harvest and so on. The same applies to all the fruits and herbs. Herbal treatments are therefore, bone.

Therefore, observe and learn from every activity in Creation. It is your duty to obey the Primordidial Laws of Creation if you wish to achieve that which will benefit you and help in your ascent.

“The same also, applies to the nourishment and maintenance of the body. The animal will never over feed its body as so many men do. It is satisfied when it no longer feels hungry, whereas, in many cases, man is not satisfied until he can eat no more.”

Mourinho Laments Liverpool JOSE Mourinho has Selection Dilemma suggested injuries and a

Petr Cech, injured in Chelsea’s Champions League draw at Atletico Madrid.

The Glazers family,

congested fixture schedule could force Chelsea to field a weakened team against Liverpool on Sunday.

Petr Cech and John were forced off with injuries during Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinal first leg - with the goalkeeper’s season now over and the club captain in a race to be fit for any final outing.

Mourinho has questioned the timing of the trip to Anfield, leaving just two days’ rest before Atletico travel to Stamford Bridge for the return leg, despite having double the break ahead of the weekend clash.

“I can’t decide [the team to face Liverpool] by myself; that’s a decision where I have to listen to the club. I’m just a piece, the manager and no more than that,” he told reporters.

“The fact the match is on Sunday puts the problem not in my hands, but the hands of the people who decide the game should be played on Sunday, not Saturday or Friday.

“We represent English football, we are the only

their wonderful fans,” Klopp was quoted as saying in the Guardian.

“But my commitment to Borussia Dortmund and the people is not breakable.”

Suarez, Hazard And WITH the 2013-14 More Premier League season

Ryan Giggs has been placed in caretaker charge of the club until the end of the season but his lack of managerial experience is likely to count against him in the coming weeks as United prepare to make their second appointment in a year.

David Moyes’ sacking on Tuesday.

Van Gaal, Klopp, Simeone and Conte lead the list of potential candidates to replace Moyes at United.

Player-coach Giggs has stepped up to assume control until a permanent successor is named while Nicky Butt, who was working with the under-19 team, is the Welshman’s assistant.

And Phil Neville, who was part of Moyes’ backroom team, has remained at Old Trafford after the departure of the former Everton manager, plus his assistant Steve Round and

long-term ally Jimmy Lumsden.

Scholes has coached at the club in an informal capacity after both of his playing retirements, in 2011 and 2013, but not in recent months.

The 39-year-old played 718 times for United, putting him behind only Giggs and Sir Bobby Charlton in the list of United’s all-time appearance makers.

Between them, Scholes, Giggs, Neville and Butt have played almost 2,500 games for United.

All four, along with Gary Neville, have agreed a deal to buy the local non-league club Salford City.

Paul Scholes To Assist Ryan Giggs PAUL Scholes has returned to Manchester United as part of interim manager Ryan Giggs’ coaching staff.

The midfielder, who retired for a second time last summer, becomes the fourth member of United’s “Class of ’92" who are filling the void left by

Ryan Giggs

but I didn’t want to start the second leg a goal down either,” he added.

“A goalless draw is not a positive result for a team playing the second leg at home, but it’ll do. Atletico were frustrated, whereas usually they are the ones who frustrate other teams.

“My side had a solid performance; we played in a way that irritated them.”

Jose Mourinho

drawing to a close, the Professional Footballers’ Association will name its Team of the Season along with the individual awards for Player and Young Player of the Year on Sunday.

Ahead of that announcement, Goal has picked its own XI of the best players to have graced the top flight this year. League leaders Liverpool boast three names on the list, as do Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Everton and Southampton are all also represented.

Glazers Meet To Discuss Moyes Successor MANCHESTER United’s owners, the Glazer family, are due to make a rare appearance at the club’s Carrington training base on Friday as plans to appoint David Moyes’ successor gather pace.

Goal understands staff at Carrington have been primed severance package with the to expect a visit from brothers reigning Premier League Joel, Avram, and Bryan, who champions and is understood will meet with executive vice to be planning a holiday in chairman Ed Woodward to Dubai before deciding upon discuss plans to replace his own next move.

United, meanwhile, have Moyes, whose ill-fated ninemonth reign was terminated been quick to identify their primary targets and have on Tuesday.

Reports suggest Sir Alex already met with Louis van Ferguson will also play a part Gaal, the Dutch national team in determining the next boss who has told friends he Manchester United manager, is “very keen” on taking over despite his last at Old Trafford when his stint recommendation failing to in charge of the Netherlands see out a full term in charge. finishes after the World Cup. Jurgen Klopp has also been Ferguson is understood to have played no role in the approached by United but the decision to dispense with Borussia Dortmund manager Moyes but had been surprised publicly distanced himself by his fellow Scot’s failure to from the job on Tuesday stamp his authority on the morning. position in recent weeks.

“Man United is a great club Moyes is believed to have and I feel very familiar with agreed a £10 million

English team in Europe.

Spain has four teams and gives them all the conditions to have success.”

Mourinho also insisted Chelsea did not play for a goalless draw during the game, despite managing just 33 per cent possession.

“It wasn’t the result I wanted before kick-off,

It has been, to put it mildly, a difficult season for Manchester United but one of the only men to emerge with any credit has been David de Gea. The Red Devils may be seventh in the Premier League but their weak spine has seen the Spaniard face the 10th most shots of any goalkeeper in the division and he has responded with his most consistent and assured season yet.

It is sometimes hard to remember that this is the same youngster who was so nervous and vulnerable upon his arrival at Old Trafford, but De Gea looks like a man who will be at United for a very long time. In a campaign without a total standout keeper, he more than anyone else has provoked wows with his saves.

Just as Everton lost their star left-back for quite some time, another hero popped up on the opposite flank. While Pablo Zabaleta has been consistently excellent yet again, Seamus Coleman’s emergence as a full-back talent to match anyone in the league has been thrilling to watch.

His six goals from defence are behind only Martin Skrtel, while his two assists make him responsible for a total of eight goals - nobody has done better. For a player who cost just £60,000 in 2009, 2013-14 was quite the breakout year.

Chelsea Were Good Against Atletico Claims Schwarzer

MARK Schwarzer hailed Chelsea’s determination after their 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

The veteran goalkeeper was unexpectedly called into action in the 18th minute in Vicente Calderon on Tuesday after Petr Cech fell awkwardly

in an aerial challenge and suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder.

Captain John Terry was also taken off injured with an ankle problem, while Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel will be suspended for the return clash after picking up yellow cards during the second half.

On being called into

action from the bench, the 41-year-old explained it was part and parcel of being a goalkeeper, telling ITV: “There’s not much to think about. It happened so quick.

“It’s a tough thing to do, but I had to go out there and try to do my job.

“Everyone was right up for it, which you would expect. We knew if we

matched their determination our quality would come through.

Okay, we didn’t create many chances but it was a good performance.”

Cesar Azpilicueta, who made a brave block from Diego Costa in the first half, echoed the sentiments of his Chelsea team-mate.

“It’s a positive result,” he said. “We knew it would be a difficult atmosphere.

“We fought hard and tried to keep the ball but the important thing is that we have the second leg at home.

“The players we will be missing are very important but we will fight to win.”

Bielsa Rejects Paraguay Job PARAGUAY Football Association (APF) vicepresident Alejandro Dominguez has revealed that Marcelo Bielsa has rejected an offer to coach the country’s national team.

La Albirroja have been looking for a new permanent boss following sacking of Gerardo Pelusso last year, with Victor Genes having been placed in temporary charge for the final stages of a dismal 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.

Dominguez had hoped to land Bielsa, who has been out

Vietnam Club Make Last 16 Despite Match-Fixing Admission

VISSAI Ninh Binh, who quit the Vietnam top flight over a match-fixing scandal in the AFC Cup, took advantage of a slow moving investigation into the matter to book a place in last 16 of the tournament as Group G winners on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, 11 players of the Vietnam Cup winners told police they received around 800 million dong ($37,900) for fixing a March 18 AFC Cup match against Malaysia’s Kelantan in which they came from 21 down to win 3-2.

The team were withdrawn from the Vietnam top flight amid fears domestic games could also have been fixed, but they were allowed to carry on their commitments in Asia’s second tier continental competition.

Asked why Ninh Binh were granted the green light to continue, tournament organisers the Asian Football Confederation told Reuters they would wait for a “detailed investigation report from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) before AFC can take any action”.

Further questions on the matter, which broke on April 11, went unanswered by the regional body, who have appeared slow to react to the latest in a long line of match-fixing scandals to hit one of their members.

Eight days after news broke, the AFC sent a “high level delegation” to the Southeast Asian nation to meet VFF officials and local law enforcement agencies on Saturday regarding the case.

On Tuesday, Ninh Binh, missing the players involved in the case and

forced to play untested youngsters, thrashed Yangon United 4-1 away in Myanmar to secure top spot in the four team Group G of the AFC Cup. “Some of them had little experience at this level but they took their chances well and I must praise their spirit and how well they performed because they did well in this big game,” Ninh Binh coach Nguyen Van Sy told the AFC. They will next face a home tie against either Singaporean side Home United or Churchill Brothers of India on May 13 providing they are cleared to continue by the AFC after the investigation.

Chris Eaton, Director of Sport Integrity at the International Centre for Sport Security, said a revamp of procedures was required.

“Match-fixing investigations in sport need to be swift and effective and in the interests of sport and it’s credibility,” the former FIFA head of security told Reuters on Wednesday.

“The difficulty in football is the mix of leagues, federations, regional federations, Confederations and at the global level, FIFA. “Each have their responsibility, and each significantly crossover each other. In short, integrity investigations can be a confusion of responsibilities and actions.

“There is no collective football investigation and integrity mechanisms, which would certainly make the

entire process faster and more definitive, the Vietnam investigation, police to League, League to Federation, Federation to Confederation and ultimately no doubt to FIFA, is just too slow.”

AFC president Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said he planned to tackle the problem of match-fixing upon assuming office a year ago.

But the Bahraini has come in for criticism from fellow AFC member and FIFA vice president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan in recent weeks for spending too much time on politics and not enough on developing the sport in the region. .

The way he chooses to tackle this issue in Southeast Asia, which Eaton has continued to say is the epicentre of the global problem, will be telling.

Vietnam Football

Fernando Torres

Federation secretary general Lee Hoai Anh was confident, though, that any punishment would not extend to the country or its clubs being banned from competing in AFC competition.

“It is unlikely that Vietnam will face sanctions or any limits on its participation in Asian tournaments,” he was quoted as saying by local media on Monday.

Eaton said he was in “no doubt” that a deeper connection than just the players was being investigated and again called for greater collaboration in order to tackle the fixers.

“Players are the tools.

Investigations must go to the people who corrupted them and financed the fix,” he said.

“There is a great deal to be done in all of football.

The current global matchfixing scourge is doing

enormous harm to the sport.

“The key collective bodies need to join together to form a universal, independent process to return the sport to public confidence. This is not an easy process, and the AFC is key to a new strategy.

“Football talks of zero tolerance and life bans, but ultimately this is the decision of independent tribunals.”

of work since parting company with Athletic Bilbao last summer, but the former Argentina and Chile boss has turned down the opportunity to return to the international arena.

“Yesterday morning Bielsa called me to communicate that he was dismissing the possibility of leading the Paraguayan national team,” Dominguez told Radio Monumental.

Bielsa, who has been repeatedly linked with Barcelona in the past, is believed to have turned down the job because he is now ready to finalise his “tentative agreement” with Ligue 1 outfit Olympique de Marseille.

Bielsa

Torres Blown Away

By Calderon Return

FERNANDO Torres has admitted he was moved by returning to Vicente Calderon and playing against Atletico Madrid.

The Chelsea striker played against his first club in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first-leg draw and Marca reports Torres as revealing after the final whistle that he was touched by the reaction he received.

“It’s been very emotional.

The reception at the end was amazing. This crowd is unforgettable,” Torres said.

It was the first time Torres has played against Atletico since leaving the club in 2007.

Chelsea took a defensive approach to the game and Torres added that it was out of fear of Atletico’s swift breaks.

“We know Atleti can kill you on the counter. We tried not to concede and the game will be decided at Stamford Bridge, with the help of our fans,” the former Liverpool forward continued.

Torres played with Diego Simeone, the Atletico Coach, during his time at the club and Torres confirmed he remains close to the Argentine, as well as Atletico as a whole.

“I have a good relationship with Cholo. We were teammates for two years,” Torres acknowledged.

“Except for tonight and next Wednesday I always want him to win.”

The subject of a Torres return to the Calderon was mooted but Torres deflected the suggestion, evoking Simeone’s favoured phrase.

“Could I go back to Atleti?

We have to go game by game,” he said.

Grassroots Football

Scotland friendly

Keshi Gives Super Eagles Players May 27 Deadline Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles’ Head Coach, on Tuesday said players invited for the friendly against Scotland were expected to arrive the team’s camp latest on May 27.

The match against Scotland will take place at the Craven Cottage in Fulham, England on May 28.

Keshi said the deadline was given to the players to enable the team have one day to get its strategy for the match right.

“We are playing on May 28, and we all should be there on May 27 so that we can have at least a one-day training session before we play,’’ he said.

The coach said he was still working to get 30 players out of the list of 38

already submitted to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).

Reports say that the list was to be submitted to FIFA on May 10.

On the 38-player list, Keshi said players which made the provisional list were invited based on their performances in their various clubs and communication wi

Keshi

Iyerekhu FC Lifts Aidonogie Unity Cup

THE 2014 edition of the Aidonogie of South Ibie Unity Cup has been lifted by the Iyerekhu Football Club of South Ibie, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The tournament which grand finale took place at Iyerekhu Secondary School play ground, saw the gathering of spectators from far and near, top politicians and sports lovers.

At regulation time, both teams drew one odd before the penalty shortout.

Presenting the trophy to the winners of the tournament, the sponsor, His Royal Highness Alhaji Aliyu Kevin Danesi; the Aidonogie of South Ibie Kingdom, said he was

moved to improve on the sponsorship of the tournament by customizing the jerseys, for players and providing medals to decorate winners because of his belief in the unity of South Ibie people.

He said that the standard of play was commendable and urged the youths to stay away from social vices that will portray the community in bad light.

The silver trophy went to the Ibienafe Football Club while the bronze

2014 FIFA World Cup

NFA Postpones Players’ List Release

THE Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Tuesday postponed by one week the release of the provisional list of invited players for the 2014 World Cup. The Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, had on Tuesday submitted a 38-man list to the committee.

After submitting it, Keshi refused to disclose the names of the invited players, urging newsmen to meet the NFA for the list.

However, Paul Bassey, a member of the Technical Committee, told newsmen after their meeting that the decision to withhold the list was to allow for

Aminu Maigari, NFA Chairman

more consultations.

“We have decided to shelve the release of the list to give him (Keshi) some time for consultations. We are not in a hurry.

“We have not heard of any country releasing a team list by this time.

“However, we took the opportunity to look at details of the programme which was presented by the Technical Department, concerning preparations for the World Cup in Brazil.

“Among these are the camp site, personnel and all of that,’’ Bassey said.

He however said a provisional list of 30 players would be submitted to FIFA on May 10, and it is from this that the final 23 players would be selected by the coach.

Bassey contended that the list being circulated in certain sections of the media in the last one week did not emanate from the NFA or Keshi.

He said the list could only be authentic when it came from the Technical Committee of the NFA or the Super Eagles’ Head

Coach.

“If we release this list in a hurry it will look as if we are heating up the polity. But, be rest assured that when it is ready, we will give it to the media.

“Most European leagues will end in about three weeks from now and Keshi is still studying some players, the number to invite and who to invite.

“For instance, we have read that Austin Ejide has an injury.

So, Keshi has to consult to know how serious it is,’’ the Technical Committee spokesman said.

He assured that the team’s proposed friendly matches in May and June would go on as planned.

The Eagles will play Scotland in a friendly match on May 28, before taking on the Greek national team at the Philadelphia Union Stadium in the U.S. on June 3.

The team will also face the U.S. in another friendly at the EverBank Field Stadium in Jacksonville, U.S. on June 7 before flying to Sao Paulo in Brazil on June 11.

Jonathan will step in, it will be a blessing to the country and our football.

“So, we need the President very well, because we will need presidential blessing, backing and support.

“We need the Task Force because football is part of the presidential support and we need it.

“Football is a game of numbers, and you need everybody to come and give input. It is a case of let me learn from you and let everybody learn

from each other,’’ Maigari said.

Maigari also said team head coach Stephen Keshi has the final say on the list of players to be invited to camp for the World Cup finals.

Reports say that Keshi had on Tuesday submitted to NFA’s Technical Committee an initial list of 38 players.

“It is the prerogative of the coach alone, and not any other person, to select the players. But I know Keshi is up and doing as far as the World Cup is concerned.

“Usually, the NFA only

went to Iyakpi football club who defeated the Ugiedah boys to clinch the third place position in the tournament.

Dignitaries present at the occasion include Engr. Abubakar Momoh representative of Etsako people at the National Assembly; Chief Mohammed Luqman, rep Edo North in the EDSOGPADEC, representatives of chairman Etsako West LAG, serving councilors,

members of the Aidonogie in council, chief

AINA James, the National Technical Director, Karate Federation of Nigeria, on Tuesday in Lagos called for a standard national league for the sport.

He said the league would help technical officials to scout for talents at the grassroots.

James told newsmen that stakeholders should also pool resources and organise clinics and workshops for referees and other officials.

“We must understand that no sport can grow without regular competitions for players.

“We must also understand that no sport can develop without training the referees and officials.

“Organising regular championships will develop both the players and the technical officials,’’ he said.

James stressed the need for stakeholders’ support in improving the sport.

According to him, stakeholders support is necessary since the sport does not enjoy sponsorship from corporate bodies and individual.

“Our players should feature in regular competitions while our officials should attend regular workshops and clinics to get new ideas and techniques.

“This will help both the players and officials be at par with their foreign counterparts “It will also contribute positively to the development of sport,” James said.

He said the federation had mapped out strategies toward producing formidable karate sports men and women.

James, who is also the head coach, Delta State Karate Association, observed that the sport was not enjoying many fans in the country because of its “exaggerated risks.’’

Director Canvasses Support For National Karate League

... Okays Role Of Presidential Task Force AMINU Maigari, Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), on Tuesday said the association was not averse to a Presidential Task Force (PTF) overseeing Nigeria’s 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Maigari told newsmen in Abuja that the introduction of a task force, just as it happened about four years ago, would reduce the World Cup burden currently placed on the NFA. The Federal Government had in 2009 set up a PTF headed by

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi ahead of the 2010 World Cup finals.

The task force was to oversee the Super Eagles’ qualification for the mundial and the team’s eventual participation in South Africa.

It had gone on to steady the team’s shaky qualification campaign.

The PTF also helped to raise funds for the team’s eventual participation in the mundial, where the Eagles however failed to go beyond the first round.

“We need that presidential backing. If President Goodluck

Chris Okaeben, Sports Commissioner

advises. We don’t impose players on coaches.

“We have given the coaches the mandate to pilot the team and, as such, NFA will never in our way say Keshi must bring this or that player to the team.

“So, we have given him the mandate, the trust and the confidence and we believe in him to deliver,’’ Maigari added.

The NFA chairman however said in as much as the NFA was leaving the selection of players to the coach, it would also want the best legs to be selected.

CMYK

Illegality Fueled

By Insensitivity AS soon as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, issued what it called the time-table for the 2015 general elections, there were, expectedly, general outbursts about some items on the programme.

The opposition parties cried blood on the ordering of the elections in which the presidential election was placed first, with the attendant band-wagon effect accruable from such.

While the opposition parties were yet repining and licking their INECinflicted wounds, Jonathan and his co-travellers had hit the road running. They had embarked on the first leg of their planned serial violations.

Whereas section 99 of the Electoral Act, 2010, provides, “the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and shall end 24 hours prior to that day”, they had beaten the gun by kickstarting their campaigns almost one year ahead of schedule!

By INEC’s time-table, the presidential election is slated for 14 February 2015, which means that the campaign can only start on 16 November 2014 and end at midnight on 12 February 2015; apparently not for the PDP, which is presumably above the law.

For all we know, when the king carries the stick, the palace attendants need not be told what to do. The credibility of the 2015 elections is already in doubt, being born out of illegal campaigns.

Standards are already compromised — PDP is beating the gun while the electoral umpires and security agents look the other way.

Who is today still remembering anything about the timing of the presidential election? They have long shifted our attention away from there.

Very soon, we might hear that PDP is printing the ballot papers at Ajegunle.

We will then forget the old issue and migrate to the new zone. That is their plan to constructively engage us until the elections will come and go.

Elsewhere, nations are known to have gone to war because of the killing of a single citizen but here, human life is not worth a kobo! On Monday, 14 April 2014, a generation of human souls was destroyed at the Abuja multiple bomb blasts. A few hours later, precisely around midnight leading to Tuesday, 15 April 2014, criminal elements broke into Government Girls’ College, Chibok, Borno State and abducted another generation of innocent little girls.

At dawn on that same Tuesday, 15 April 2014, our President proceeded to Kano where he was later shown on television, dancing political azonto at an illegal campaign gathering, apparently unperturbed by the earlier mishaps. What a cruel irony; and the very height of insensitivity!

On December 14 2012, towards the peak of President Barrack Obama’s campaigns for the last presidential election, there was the incident of shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut, which resulted in the death of 27 people, including 18 children.

Obama quickly cancelled all his political engagements for the day and proceeded to make a nation-wide broadcast to

Americans. We find no space too big to devote to the action of such a noble leader. Accordingly, the text of Obama’s address is reproduced here: … I spoke with Governor Malloy and FBI Director, Muellor. I offered Governor Malloy my condolences on behalf of the nation and made it clear he will have every single resource that

know there’s not a parent in America who doesn’t feel the same overwhelming grief that I do.

The majority of those who died today were children – beautiful, little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years. They had their entire lives ahead of them – birthdays,

families of the adults who were lost.

Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors, as well, for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children’s innocence has been torn away from them

• Prof. Attahiru Jega, INEC boss

he needs to investigate this heinous crime, care for the victims, and counsel their families.

We’ve endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. Each time I learn the news; I react not as a president, but as anybody else would as a parent. And that was especially true today. I

graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.

So our hearts are broken today for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the

too early and there are no words that will ease their pain.

As a country, we have been through this too many times. Whether it is an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago,

these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods and these children are our children. And we’re going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics.

This evening, Michelle and I will do what I hope every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter, and we’ll tell them that we love them, and we’ll remind each other how deeply we love one another. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight, and they need all of us right now. In the hard days to come, that community needs us to be at our best as Americans, and I will do everything in my power as president to help, because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need, to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories, but also in ours...

And there are groups in Nigeria that feel permanently alienated; more so by the insensitivity of their leaders; and when such leaders brazenly break the law, the future becomes bleak and dismal. That’s where we are now!

“The majority of those who died today were children – beautiful, little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years. They had their entire lives ahead of them – birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.”

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