Nigerian observer 24 07 2014

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vo l. 39 • N O . 041 • THURSDAY, JULY 24, 20 14 • N 100. 0 0 GENDER ADVOCACY Page 22 Women’s Right

From battle to peace table

Oshiomhole swears-in EBS, OBSERVER BENIN CITY – Edo other Boards today, Friday State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will today Thursday July 24, 2014 swear in members of the Board of Directors of Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) at the old Executive Council chambers, Government

House, Benin City beginning at 11 am.

A statement by Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor advised guests to be seated at 10.30 am.

Also, the swearing in of the Board of Directors of

Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, publishers of the OBSERVER titles; Petroleujm Monitoring Committee and the Consumers Protection Committee will hold tomorrow Friday July 25,

2014 beginning at noon.

Venue is the Old Executive Council c h a m b e r s , Government House, Benin City.

The statement by Continues on page 2

Buhari escapes death, MAN AND NATURE Page 27

Survey of creation

as blast kills 25

KADUNA - Another bomb blast has claimed the lives of 25 people and injured five others at Kawo, near the headquarters of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, yesterday even as former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari escaped death by whiskers.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Mr. Umar Shehu, said one man dressed as a woman was arrested at the scene.

Eye witnesses said the attack had targeted former Head of State and opposition leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Two vehicles in the convoy of the All Progressives Party (APC) chieftain were burnt in the blast.

The commissioner confirmed that Buhari was passing through the road when the blast occurred, but was not sure if the politician was “the main target”.

Buhari’s bullet-proof jeep was sprayed with bullets, but he escaped unhurt.

In the earlier blast targeted at a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, 25 people were killed and

pointing out that no group or individual would be discriminated against in the scheme of things.

He appreciated the Yoruba community who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their unalloyed support for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s led government since inception.

The Deputy Governor re-assured the Yoruba delegation of government’s sincerity in keeping its promises to the people.

On the crisis currently

rocking the state House of Assembly, Dr. Odubu described it as a ploy to distract Comrade Oshiomhole from his resolve to develop the state.

Chairman of the Yoruba community, Dr. Dosu Malomo thanked the present administration in the Continues on page 2

14 others injured.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has declared a 24-hour

. Kaduna imposes curfew

curfew in the city.

A statement by Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to

Governor Mukhtar Yero, said it was to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

It described the bomb

blasts as acts of cowardice and pledged that the government would uncover the perpetrators.

Edo assures ethnic groups BENIN CITY – Edo of equal treatment State government has assured ethnic groups in the state of equal treatment irrespective of sex, religion or places of origin.

The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu gave the assurance in Government House yesterday when he received a delegation of Yoruba community in the state led by its chairman, Dr. Dosu Malomo.

Dr. Pius Odubu said government is concerned about the welfare of all the ethnic groups resident in Edo State,

TIT BIT “The problem of the world may just lay in that part of us that power, music, religion, lust, sex, drugs and alcohol control; which good reasoning finds most difficult to control in a lot of rulers.”

- Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama

100 DAYS PRAYER FOR ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS: Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide (4th left) Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Chukwu; other FCT officials and some women, during the 100 Days Prayer for Abducted Girls in Abuja yesterday.

Rescue abducted Chibok Girls, NAWOJ begs FG

ABUJA - The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to as a matter of urgency and

public concern, respect for human life and dignity, rescue and reunite the abducted

Chibok school girls with their parents, relations and the community.

A statement jointly

signed by NAWOJ National President, Ifeyinwa Omowole and the National Secretary

State House of Assembly has urged Chairmen of all the 18 local government

councils in the State to emulate the state government in allocating greater percentage of their income to capital

The Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe made the call at

ongoing scheduled appearance of the 18 local government council Continues on page 2

Increase allocation to capital projects,

By KEN ABU EDHA tellsprojects.

Council Chairmen plenary during the BENIN CITY – Edo

Ladi Patrick Adams yesterday said: “The association notes that it is 100 days since our daughters were abducted from Chibok and the continuous stay of these girls in in the custody of their abductors is worrisome”.

It also notes with concern that despite public outcry, global outrage and huge Continues on page 2

News

Rescue abducted Chibok Girls, NAWOJ begs FG

Continued from page 1 promises by the Federal Government and foreign countries to rescue them they are still in captivity. ” In what seems like a fairytale, it’s now 100 days and the fate of the abducted girls is still in doubt, while the parents and relations as well as members of the society continue to suffer psychological trauma ,fear and uncertainty,” it stated.

The NAWOJ boss noted that the impunity with which insurgents have continued to unleash terror characterised by wanton destruction of lives and property ,displacement of people thereby jeopardising their future , especially women and children calls for serious concern from the

Continued from page 1 chairmen to parliament to brief the House on the activities of their respective councils.

Igbe further urged the various councils to improve on their internally generated revenue (IGR) in order to put them at a vantage position to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people.

While presenting his briefs

ABUJA – Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday urged workers in the public and private sector to curb corruption in the country.

Lamode made the call at the opening of a sensitisation programme organised by the commission for staff of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the Spokesman of the commission in Abuja.

Lamorde, represented by

Mr. Osita Nwajah, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the commission, told participants that the programme was in line with the mandate of EFCC to prevent corruption.

“Section six of the EFCC Act requires the commission to, in addition to its enforcement responsibilities, take measures to prevent economic crimes through public enlightenment and education.

“The essence of the sensitisation is to take the anti-graft campaign to work places and encourage

n a t i o n .

It added that as mothers, sisters and stakeholders of the Nigerian project and professionals saddled with the responsibility of not only watch dogs of the society but holding government

accountable to the people, it is therefore imperative to remind government and the people of the need to ensure security of lives and property of all Nigerians irrespective of where they live or their

religion.

The association further appealed to all Nigerians to close ranks with security agencies and personnel in the fight against insurgency and insecurity.

Increase allocation to capital healthcare facilities in some of projects the primary health centres in to parliament, the Chairman of Etsako-Central local government council, Hon. Emmanuel Momoh had stated his administration’s commitment to the enhancement of healthcare delivery to the people of his council through the procurement of ambulance and the over-hauling of the

EFCC seeks workers’ support to fight corruption workers to embrace the fight

against corruption,’’ he said.

Lamorde called for collective efforts in the fight against corruption, adding that the fight could only be won with the support of all Nigerians.

He said the Extractive Industry Fraud Unit in the commission had the mandate to investigate petroleum subsidy fraud.

“The unit also had the mandate to investigate illegal oil bunkering, mining and other related offences.

He, therefore, solicited the support of the participants to ensure that offenders were tracked down and duly prosecuted.

the council area.

The council boss further added that his administration has carried out several rural electrification projects, grading of earth roads, built classroom blocks and carried out the regular maintenance of the skill acquisition centre at Ekperi in a bid to reducing the rate of unemployment.

He expressed his appreciation to the Edo State government for the prompt approval to projects. Also at plenary, the council chairmen of Etsako-West, Igueben, Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha and Etsako-East also presented their briefs to parliament.

Meanwhile, Edo State House of Assembly has made an appeal to primary school teachers in the state to shelve their proposed strike action in the interest of the pupils.

Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe who made the appeal at plenary stated that the House has waded into their grievances while assuring that their promotion letters will be released to them soonest.

Alleged Killing Of Transport Manager

We have settled with family

By THOMPSON ERHOMOSELE

BENIN CITY - The Edo state Traffic Management Agency, EDSTMA has denied the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that neither the state government nor EDSTMA paid compensations to the family of Mr.Godfrey Imobhio who was allegedly killed by a towing vehicle on May 2, 2014, saying the agency has settled with the

Edo assures ethnic groups of equal treatment Continued from page 1 state for the appointment of their members as members of Boards in some government establishments.

Dr. Malomo assured the deputy governor of their continued loyalty to the government in the face of current political challenges.

EBS, OBSERVER other Boards today, Friday

Continued from page 1 Peter Okhiria advised guests to be seated not later than 11.30 am.

family.

Addressing newsmen barely 48 hours after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP paid a visit to the wife of the deceased, the Head of Operations, Zone 3 of EDSTMA, Mr. Nosa Aideyan, said the PDP is making a mountain out of a mole hill because he refused to decamp from the APC after being approached and offered huge sums of money on two occasions by various groups.

He said he has personally settled with the family of the deceased and that the tow truck was his private truck which he wanted to use to help Godfrey, his friend.

He said “On the 2nd of May after I have closed from duty, Mr. Godfrey called me, I know him, he is my very good friend, to

- EDSTMA

come and assist him tow his vehicle that broke down around five junction area.

I told him that my driver and I have closed, but he begged me to talk to my driver to come. When I called my driver, he told me that he was already at home but I begged him to go and bring the truck.

Really he came that evening at about after 7, 0 clock. When we got there, we saw that we couldn’t tow the truck but then decided to remove the tyre from the road; he now went to call my driver to come and remove the tyre. It was in the process of reversing back, the driver didn’t know that the manager is at the back of the Van because it was in the night, he then hit the man”.

IIJ Holds graduation ceremony tomorrow BENIN CITY – The International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) (Affiliated to the University of Maiduguri), Benin centre will tomorrow Friday July 25, 2014 hold its graduation ceremony.

Venue is the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, No. 1, Reservation Road, GRA, Benin City beginning at 1pm.

A statement by Tony Abolo advised guests to attend punctually.

“They rushed him to the hospital, and the next day he died. When the police called on me, we both settled with the family, we swore to an affidavit and withdrew the case from the Police station”.

“I am surprised that a group of people is now bringing up a stale news which they didn’t even bother to verify saying that an EDSTMA official has killed a manager which is not true.

I was not on duty, I had closed from duty on that day before the incident happened. The towing van that was used is not for the state government or EDSTMA”.

“I have settled with the family of the deceased with a huge amount, but I am so surprised that some group of people are coming out to damage my image because, twice they have come to negotiate with me to decamp, but I refused. So, they are using this trick against me to damage my image”, he said.

“I am telling them not to drag the state government or EDSTMA into this matter”.

Jubilee Academy holds 1st graduation today BENIN CITY – Jubilee Academy will today, Thursday, July 24, 2014 hold her 1st Graduation Ceremony and Prize Giving Day for the 2013/ 2014 academic session.

Venue of the event is the School premises, 4-6 Osayi Street, off Ewah Road, off Upper Mission,

Benin City in Edo State.

A statement endorsed by the Proprietress, Rev (Mrs.) R.N. Okundaye and Head Teacher, Mrs. Joyce Aiwansedo indicates that the ceremony will kick off at 10 am prompt and enjoined guests, including parents, guardians and pupils to attend promptly.

FRSC to enforce new drivers’ licence, Number plate August 1 LAGOS - The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said it would begin enforcement of the new drivers’ licence and number plate on August 1, 2014.

The Lagos State Sector Commander, Mr. Chidi Nkwonta, told newsmen that the decision followed the new court judgment.

“This new judgment made it very clear that as from August 1, FRSC should impound.

“So, Nigerians must discountenance that first misleading judgment and take this one because we are going to continue enforcement as from August 1, 2014.

“We never asked anybody to stop (processing licences).

Anybody who stopped ab initio stopped at his own peril.

“Neither did the court ask anybody to stop, that judgment never said anybody should stop.

“So anybody who did so did it at his own risk and the deadline was supposed to be June 30.

“Now we have extended it to August 1, because we needed to go on appeal on the other matter.

“But right now, there is another judgment which says we can go on.

“So, while we are still waiting for the appeal we are going to go on with this other judgment.“ Justice Peter Umeadi of a Federal High Court in Anambra on June 30, had ruled in a suit filed by Chief Ajefo Ekwo challenging FRSC’s powers to enforce new drivers’ licence and number plate.

Umeadi said that the respondent’s directive to change old drivers’ licence and number plates to new was legal, valid, subsisting and in conformity with the FRSC’s 2007 Act and the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2012.

Nkwonta, however, said that the recent judgment had put aside the earlier judgment of the Lagos High Court ruling that the corps had no authority to produce and fix deadline for the documents.

The FRSC commander said that the earlier judgment was given in error and the commission would stand by the new judgment while appealing against the earlier judgment.

He said that the command had not failed to process the vehicle documents for new applicants that patronised the commission after the initial judgment.

Nkwonta said that all the registration centres and 18 additional work stations in all parts of Lagos were functional and the network was effective.

He said that the commission had improved in the processes as well as working at weekends to make it easy for applicants.

It would be recalled that Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Lagos on March 26 declared that the FRSC had no legal authority to impose new number plates on motorists in the country.

The judge also held that “the ongoing exercise by the FRSC to replace the old number plate with a new one is illegal and unconstitutional because there is no law empowering it to carry out the exercise.’’

Justice Tsoho delivered the judgment in a suit filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Emmanuel Ofoegbu, against the FRSC. In the suit, Ofoegbu had challenged the power of the commission to impound vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new number plates.

The plaintiff argued that there was no law validly made in accordance with the constitution prohibiting the use of the old number plates.

Meanwhile, Justice Umeadi declared that FRSC has power to impound any vehicle which fails to register for a new number plate and arrest any motorist who fails to obtain the new drivers’ licence.

He said that such offender should be prosecuted according to law as from August1.

News Ouedraogo Commends Imoke’s Health Care Programme CALABAR - Mr Kadre Ouedraogo, the President, Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Commission, has commended Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River, for giving health care delivery priority in the state.

Ouedraogo gave the commendation at the opening of the 8th Joint Retreat of ECOWAS Institutions, Permanent Representatives and National Units in Calabar.

He said, “Your commitment to the fight against extreme poverty, and especially your personal involvement in malaria eradication, are well known to me.

“I welcome your initiatives in that regard and avail myself of this opportunity to urge you to

sustain these efforts which undoubtedly will contribute to the attainment of ECOWAS Vision 2020.’’

He described the approach adopted by Imoke in tackling some health challenges in the state as outstanding.

According to him, this and other developmental strides recorded by the state government have succeeded in making Calabar a force to reckon with in the sub-region.

He said the commission would support the state in its developmental programmes, especially those in line with the vision of reducing poverty and promoting the well-being of the citizenry.

Ouedraogo said the retreat would afford members a

Strike Not Meant To Punish Masses — NMA NNEWI (Anambra)- The Nnewi branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has said that the ongoing industrial action was not meant to punish the masses and appealed to Nigerians to understand their predicament.

Dr Joseph Ugbaja, the branch Chairman of the association, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen at Nnewi.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the strike is a struggle in which all and sundry will benefit from, once the right thing is done in the health sector.”

He expressed worry over what he termed “medical tourism abroad by Nigerians,” saying that it had resulted to serious capital flight.

“The countries where affluent Nigerians rush to for medical treatment can boast of right equipment, adequate training, and conducive operational environment for the health personnel.

“It is really sad that government keeps signing Memorandum of Understanding whenever there is a faceoff, yet they have not demonstrated the willingness to implement the agreements.

“The sector gets less than seven per cent of the country’s annual budget in spite of its strategic importance and the general belief that health is wealth.

“I just told you how our people who can afford it rush abroad to get medical treatment; why can’t we fix our health sector so that quality services can be

rendered in the country.

“The doctors, who are the chief custodians of the health sector can no longer fold their arms and watch the sector deteriorate to an abysmal level,” Ugbaja said.

common platform to understand the new challenges and response strategies in the region.

According to him, it will also enable members to agree on how best to strengthen the coordination, communication and collaboration among all stakeholders in the integration process.

“Also, issues for advancing the debate on member states’ programme ownership, would be considered.”

In his remark, Imoke described ECOWAS as a critical part of the development of Cross River, saying that his administration believed strongly in the partnership with the body.

Edo Stae Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu (left), addressing members of the Yoruba Community of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who visited him in his office to felicitate with him on his birthday anniversary yeterday. Photo: MOSES OBOH.

NYSC Members To Be On Public Service Salary Scale - DG ABUJA- The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it is working toward placing corps members on a public service salary scale to stop frequent agitation for a review of their allowances.

Its Director-General, Brig.

Gen. Johnson Olawumi, said this at a media chat on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that already, the

scheme was collaborating with the National Salaries and Wages Commission to concretise the proposal.

Olawumi said that the scheme had made series of attempts at the National Assembly to secure an adjustment in the allowances of the corps members,

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu (left), receiving birthday card from the Chairman of Yoruba Community, All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Dosu Malomo when members of the Community visited him to felicitate with him on his birthday recently.

adding that such attempts had been unsuccessful.

He said that the scheme had taken the matter before the wages commission for a solution, adding that the current N19, 800 monthly allowances for corps members was inadequate in view of the economic situation in the country.

The NYSC boss also announced the resuscitation of the Presidential Award to corps members who had excelled in their service to the nation, adding that the 2013 and 2014 editions would hold this year.

“It (award) was instituted in 1974 with the purpose of rewarding corps members that distinguished themselves through selfless service to their host communities.

“The 2012 and 2013 editions of the award will be hosted later in the year along with the 2014 edition and preparations are already in top gear in this regard.’’

On request for corps members’ relocation, Olawumi said that such

requests were approved only on marital and health grounds.

“However, with the current security situation in some states of the country, the scheme applies the doctrine of necessity when corps members apply for relocation on security reasons.

“In such instances, the corps members get relocated automatically; but not to a state of their choice.’’

He, however, warned that the scheme had concluded arrangement to punish those corps members who presented fake health report to aid their relocation, adding that the drastic action would be applied to all those caught in the act to serve as a lesson to others.

Meanwhile, Olawumi said that more than 2.7 million graduates had passed through the scheme since its inception in 1975.

774 Local Government Areas of the Federation and have so far reached out over 2,000, 000 students and pupils.’’

NYSC To Recover Encroached Farms

ABUJA- The NYSC DirectorGeneral, Brig.- Gen. Johnson Olawumi, has directed state directors of the scheme to recover NYSC farms from persons who encroached on them nationwide. olawumi, who gave the matching order at a media chat in Abuja, said that the farms were encroached on because they had been moribund over years.

He said the farms were

acquired in 1989 but assured that everything possible would be done to get them back.

The NYSC boss announced plans by the scheme to establish a pilot farm in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country, adding that due to its capital intensiveness, the scheme had started with the FCT farm at Kwali.

Olawumi also said that arrangements were on top gear for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) between NYSC and Federal Ministry of agriculture and Rural Development on the training of corps members in agriculture.

“Collaboration has been entered with International Institute of tropical Agriculture (IITA) for the cultivation of a 20-hectare cassava cutting/seed multiplication farm in Leleyi, Kwali Area Council in the FCT,’’ he said.

He said that the initiative to establish ventures was to

provide a platform for the training of the corps members in various skills, ensure security for the country and meet basic needs of the scheme in the area of provision of kits for corps members.

“Some of these ventures include: Garment factories located in Minna, Niger State; Mgbakwu, Anambra state; Rice Mill in Ezillo, Ebonyi State; Feed Mill in Ipaja, Lagos State; Garri factory in Kwara State and Printing Press in Area 3, Garki,

Abuja,’’ Olawumi said.

He said that the scheme had also deployed corps members to the 774 local government areas of the country as Development Knowledge Facilitators.

According to Olamumid, the objective is to educate Nigerians on government policies and programmes, adding that the initiative is in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium development Goals (MDGs).

News Conference Applauds Progress On HIV/AIDS Response

ABUJA -World leaders, researches, activists and policymakers have applauded global progress in the HIV response at the ongoing 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne.

The information is contained in a statement signed by Francesca Da Ros, Senior Coordinator, Communications and Media, AIDS 2014 released in Abuja.

Da Ros noted that at the conference, speakers discussed

encouraging data related to access, treatment and reducing new HIV infections but stressed that HIV was far from being defeated.

They also said that stigma and discrimination toward ‘Key Affected Population’ posed a major barrier to the end of the epidemic.

The statement quoted Prof.

Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Chairman, AIDS 2014 International as saying that “the tremendous scale-up of HIV

programmes has transformed HIV from a death sentence to a chronically manageable disease.

“For so many people, at least one-third of the people living with HIV who need treatment, now have access to it.

“Nevertheless, these remarkable achievements are still not enough; 22 million people still do not have access to treatment.

Secretary to Edo State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere (left) and the State Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities, Prince Clem Agba at a cocktail party organised in Benin City by Presco Plc as part of activities for its Annual General Meeting. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.

Data Capture: FG Urges MDAs

To Abide By Guidelines

ABUJA - The Federal Government has advised Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to abide by the guidelines on the alignment of data capture, identification, verification and authentication.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Ayim Pius Ayim, gave the advice at a workshop organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for MDAs in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ayim warned MDAs affected by the harmonisation to guide against sabotage, saying: “this workshop is not for you to analyse why the policy cannot work or why more time is needed.

“It is not for you to justify the need for your MDAs to have its own separate process or database.

“Far from all these, the workshop is for you to quickly determine how your MDA can achieve the objective of streamlining activities of MDAs in identity management.

“It is for you to optimise the use of scarce government resources and establish a single secure, reliable, accessible and scalable National Identity Management System (NIMS),’’ Ayim said.

Represented by Mr Ferdinand Agu, the Special

Assistant to the President in the Office of the SGF, Ayim said the integration of diverse data capture process and ubiquitous database in the MDAs was overdue.

He advised the concerned MDAs to abide by the circular issued on May 28 with Ref. No. 59803/VII/87 on the guidelines on the implementation of the presidential directive.

“When President Goodluck Jonathan on October 17, 2013 gave the directive for all eligible Nigerians to be enrolled by December 31, 2014, he meant it.

“I enjoin you all to do all you can to ensure compliance in doing so we must also ensure the complete elimination of duplicated processes and further wastage of resources.

“Government investment should be consolidated in the most optimal manner by that deadline,’’ he said.

He said the deployment and management of a system of identity data capturing had been a major national challenge.

Ayim said until recently, the multiplication of identity databases by different MDAs was a welcome idea since they served the purposes of managing particular demography unique to the agencies.

He, however, said that over time, these databases had become overlapping and

burdensome to government.

Ayim said in a changing world, systems evolve daily and Nigeria as a global player had no choice but to use identity management as a reliable tool for accelerating socio-economic development.

Earlier, NIMC’s DirectorGeneral, Mr. Chris Onyemenam, said printing of the national identity cards had been concluded and waiting for lunch by Jonathan.

He said the cards would be issued to Nigerians as soon as the formal lunch was conducted.

Onyemenam said the harmonisation of the NIMS would reduce the cost of governance, enhance the security of Nigerians as well as enhance government service delivery.

He said the harmonisation would also facilitate the common identity needs of government and private sector, and planning with regards to budget and population.

He said the process would also preserve individual identity and privacy, link identity and payment application and serve as a potential revenue generation for government.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications Technology, Dr Tunji Olaopa, pledged the ministry’s support for the actualisation of the harmonisation process.

“The official AIDS 2014 theme reminds us that we need to step up the pace and redouble our efforts.

“Too many countries are still struggling to address their HIV epidemic with their most vulnerable people consistently being left behind.’’

Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director, said that efforts to increase access to antiretroviral therapy were working.

Sidibé noted that in 2013, an additional 2.3 million people gained access to the life-saving medicines.

He said that the global number of people accessing ART stood at 13 million by the end of 2013.

According to Sidibé, in the recent scale-up, UNAIDS estimates that by the end of the July as many as 14 million people will access ART. ‘If we accelerate a scale-up of all HIV services by 2020, we will be on track to end the epidemic by 2030.

“If not, we risk significantly increasing the time it will take, adding a decade, if not more,’’ Sidibé said.

Prof. Sharon Lewin, Local Co- Chair of AIDS 2014, in her contribution, said: “there is so much to admire in Australia´s well documented response to HIV. “Its bi-partisan political approach; its inclusion of key affected communities and the capacity building in science and

research, have been major drivers in Australia having one of the lowest rates of HIV infection worldwide.

“But, as much as the Australian experience has been successful, our neighbours in the Asia Pacific region have not lived the same experience.

“It is a key objective of the conference to shine a light on those men who have sex with men, sex workers and transgender people.’’

Lewin added that actions should focus on “on people who

use drugs who do not have the same access to treatment, care and prevention as their western colleagues do’’.

The delegates paid tributes to the six delegates to the conference who lost their lives aboard the Malaysia flight MH17.

Condolence books are also circulating onsite at the conference for the duration of the event while a candlelight vigil will be held at Federation Square in the centre of Melbourne.

Nigeria To Assist Uganda Domesticate E-Wallet System ABUJA - The Federal Government has pledged to assist the Ugandan Government to domesticate the Nigerian E-Wallet system to tackle challenges facing the country’s agricultural sector.

The Minister for State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Asabe Ahmed, made the pledge when a study team from Uganda paid her a courtesy visit in Abuja.

“I am quite thrilled to hear that our own brothers and sisters from the continent have actually found something very exciting that Nigeria is doing and want to borrow from us.

“The E-wallet System that we employ in Nigeria now is unique, it is strategic, it has actually taken agriculture and the products of this system to a whole new level; it has made agriculture something that people are proud to embark on.

“In the past, agriculture was seen as a poor man’s trade; to start with, farmers were not getting the

proper inputs and even while the inputs are being made available, they were not reaching the people that actually needed them.

“So apart from the bureaucracy, we set up the infrastructure, we put the framework in place and then we allowed the private sector.

“So, there is a fantastic team here that is going to put you through all of the processes.’’

Earlier, Mrs. Ruth Nankanirwa, the Ugandan Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, said that the 11man delegation was representing the 34 million people of Uganda.

She said they had come to study the e-wallet system, a technology which the Nigerian Government uses to distribute farm inputs to farmers.

The Chairman, Presco Plc, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck (middle), flanked by the Managing Director, Mr. Ualay Pilani (left) and the Company Secretary, Patrick Uwadiae during the Annual General Meeting of the Company. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.

Mr Aigbe’s Burial Begins Tomorrow service at Vineyard Christian

BENIN CITY – The family of Ehigie of Ugbokirima in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State has released the programme for the burial ceremony of Late Mr. Uwuigbe Aigbe, father in-law of Mr. Ese Amadasun of the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of The OBSERVER titles.

He was aged 85 years. The Late Mr. Aigbe is survived by his wife, four children, including Mrs. Edith Iroghama Amadasun, seven grand children and many other relations.

A release by the family indicated that the burial ceremony begins tomorrow, Friday July 25, 2014 at 10am with the remains taken from the St. Philomina Hospital to his residence, No 18 Idia Street, Off Textile Mill Road, Close to Chris Mary Junction, Benin City.

At 4pm, there will be service of songs at his residence and interment thereafter at Urhonigbe Quarters, Ekosodin.

Saturday July 26, there will be social dance at his residence, beginning at noon. The burial ceremony will climax on Sunday July 27, 2014 with a thanksgiving

Ministries, N0. 4, Akporie Lane, Off Textile Mill Road, Benin City and refreshment later at his residence.

Late Mr. Uwuigbe Aigbe

Across The Nation Assembly C’ttee Visits COLBEN

EKIADOLOR (Edo) Members of Edo State House of Assembly Committee on Education have visited the College of Education, Ekiadolor, near Benin as part of their oversight function.

They were received on arrival by the Provost of the College, Professor Amen Uhunmwangho and other principal officers of the college.

The visit, according to the chairman of the committee, Hon. Foly Ogendengbe was to have a first hand knowledge of development in the college since a bill which upgraded its status to a University of Education was passed into law.

At the end of the inspection,

Hon. Ogedengbe expressed satisfaction over what were on ground, and remarked that the college has qualified personnel to effect the desired transition.

The Provost, on his part appreciated the committee members for the visit.

He lauded them for their support and initiative in upgrading the college to the new status.

Expressing the need for more infrastructure in order for the institution to co-op with the new status, Prof.

Uhunmwangho assured the committee members that the college has the requisite human resources to sustain the new status.

Traditional Ruler Faults Monopoly Of Positions

Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadiae addressing the inhabitants of Okokhuo in Ovia North East LGA while distributing relief materials to victims of the recent rainstorm disaster in the locality. Photo: SHARFT AGBONRHIENRHIEN.

Naming Of Project Group Threaten Showdown

By BETTY IDIALU WARRI - Another Ijaw/ Itsekiri war seems imminent in Delta State owing to the naming of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State after Ogidigben.

Members of a group under the aegis of EPZ stakeholders committee of Gbaramatu kingdom said they are ready for a show down with both the Federal and state Government for what it described as “injustice and unfair deals with the Ijaws of Gbaramatu Clan in the ongoing EPZ project.”

Addressing a press conference in Warri, the group in a

statement signed by Chief Godspower Gbenekama T.D, the Benenowei of Gbaramatu kingdom for and on behalf of the EPZ stakeholders of Gbaramatu kingdom and made available to the press, said their grouse was that the Itsekiris are not the only indigenes of the site for the EPZ project.

“It is pertinent to state that the site for the EPZ project is spread across kinds and communities belonging to both the Ijaw of Gbaramatu and Ogborodo community.

The group while also reacting to an advertorial in a National Daily where a group known as, “Warri Study Group, alleged members that they have won cases over the people of

Gbaramatu.

The group said the cases are still being litigated upon while a number of them are in the appellate court, maintaining that the Ijaws of Gbaramatu are tenants to nobody.

According to them the bulk of the land is provided by the Ijaws with over 10 Ijaw communities as host to the EPZ project.

They therefore faulted the naming of the EPZ after Ogidigben saying it was to create an erroneous impression that all the lands on which the project lie are Itsekiris.

They wondered why the naming was done in such a way that all the shareholders in the project are reflected in the

2011 with 46.3 per cent in the rural areas and 15.8 per cent in the urban centre,’’ Litwack said.

He said that an estimated 60 per cent of the Nigerian population lived below 140 per cent of the poverty line, which is close to two dollars per day.

Explaining the disparities between poverty level in the Southern and Northern Nigeria, Litwack said there appeared to be higher poverty rate in the Northern part than in the Southern parts of the country.

“The number of poor Nigerians has remained 58 million, more than half of which live in the North East or North West of the country.

“While the South and North Central experienced declines in the poverty rate between 2010 to 2011and 2012 to 2013, the poverty rate increased in the North East and remained almost unchanged in the North West,’’ he said.

On the employment level in the country, he said that employment remained a critical problem in the country.

Nigeria’s Poverty Level Drops By 2.1 Percent - World Bank

ABUJA - The World Bank says poverty rate in Nigeria has dropped from 35.2 per cent of population in 2010 / 2011 to 33.1 per cent in 2012 / 2013.

Mr John Litwack, the bank’s Acting Country Manager and Lead Economist, stated this during a media launch of the Nigeria Economic Report in Abuja.

Litwack said that the decrease represents a dramatic drop from an estimated poverty rate of 62.2 per cent recorded between 2009 and 2010 based on the Harmonised Nigeria Living Standard Statistics (HNLSS). “ The poverty rates per capital from the General Household Survey (GHS) panel between 2012 and 2013 is 33.1 per cent with 44.9 per cent in the rural areas and 12.6 per cent in the urban areas. “ This indicates lower poverty rates compared to 35.2 per cent recorded between 2010 and

naming. This in their view is an invitation to anarchy.

“The lessons of Warri crisis are still fresh in the minds of all peace loving Nigerians and we must avoid actions that caused the unfortunate war”.

We must not forget that yesterday’s events are today’s history”. The statement said.

The group further maintained that the Federal and Delta State Government and NNPC cannot take the lands of Gbaramatu without adequate compensation.

“The Federal and Delta State Government and NNPC cannot take the lands of Gbaramatu, every Ijaw will fight with his last drop of blood, our peaceable disposition must not be taken for weakness.”

The EPZ stakeholders of Gbaramatu Kingdom while lauding the Federal and State Government for establishing the EPZ in Warri South West Local Government Area of the State because of the development it is expected to bring to the area,

faulted the 21 man interface committee set up by the Delta State Government which is composed entirely of Itsekiri persons while the Ijaws are excluded from the arrangement.

The group also alleged that both the Federal and State Government, NNPC and Julius Berger Plc. have failed to liase with the 23 man committee set up by the Gbaramatu clan in the EPZ project.

The group therefore resolved to result to self help, unless urgent steps are taken to address the anomalies and listed among other demands that the name of the EPZ Ogidigben be changed to reflect the names of all stakeholders in the project; that two different committees be set up for the Ijaws of Gbaramatu and Ogulaha as it was during the tenure of Chief James Ibori as governor in the Escravos Gas To Liquid project (EGTL); that NNPC should open up a channel of discussion with the various Ijaw groups.

Bags of rice distributed by EDSOGPADEC to victims of the recent rainstorm disaster in Okokhuo, Ovia North East Local Government Area. Photo: SHARFT AGBONRHIENRHIEN.

AGBOR (DELTA STATE) –The traditional ruler of Akumazi Kingdom in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Obi Stephen Chukwuyemeze Osagie III has faulted political structures in the country which allow monopoly hold of political positions.

The traditional ruler who in a chat with The Nigerian OBSERVER in Akumazi noted that the electorates always clamour for change, especially for more credible representation, say a reversal of the trend could guarantee purposeful leadership.

He appealed to stakeholders in the polity to always put sentiment aside and shun sycophancy, saying the decayed infrastructures that dotted the society need to be addressed.

The traditional ruler used the occasion to appeal to the Delta State Government to give monarchs in the locality, greater sense of belongings through securities, given their palaces facelift and employment for youths in their dormain.

HRMOba Stephen Chukwuyemeze Osagie III

Jasper Group Of Schools Graduation Ceremony Hold Sat

BENIN CITY – The graduation and 2014 Prize Giving Day of Jasper Group of Schools, Benin City has been scheduled for Saturday July 26, 2014.

Venue is the school’s compound, No. 9 Omo Atu Lane, Off Edaiken Primary School Road, Off Uselue Lagos Road, Benin City beginning at 10 am.

A statement by the Proprietor, Rev’d Akhumien Benedict requests invited guest to be punctual.

South West Non - Oil Sector, Vehicle For Economic Transformation LAGOS - A financial - Analyst expert, Mr. Femi Awoyemi, said the Federal Government’s commitment toward economic diversification remained the kernel of national economic transformation.

Awoyemi, the Chief Executive Officer, Proshares Nigeria Ltd., made the assertion in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He said that government needed to commit more investment in the non-oil sector, especially in the service sector to leverage the much needed national economic growth.

According to him, to make the domestic economy more inclusive, the federal government should execute infrastructure projects with direct labour.

He also said that since the service sector had become one of the high standing industries of the domestic economy, government needed to enact new and dynamic policies that would support it in expanding into new frontiers.

“The new policy will enable people in the service industry to access funds at a reasonable rate and penetrate the West African market.

“If we could get our service sector expanded, our gross domestic products will increase and more of the young ones will be gainfully employed.

He said that agriculture needed to be boosted with an intervention fund by all tiers of government so as to add meaningfully to the economy.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), only recently pegged Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) at 6.2 per cent for the first quarter ended March 31.

The national GDP, according

to NBS stood at N20.169 trillion, up from N18.295 trillion in the corresponding period of 2013.

A breakdown of the various sector contributions to the GDP showed that the non-oil sector contribution grew by 8.21 per cent in the opening quarter of 2014, or an increase of 0.76 per cent from the 7.44 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2013.

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2013, the non-oil sector growth was a marginal 0.57 percentage points lower.

Like the 2013 full year figures, the services sector accounted for the largest share of real GDP in the first quarter of 2014, amounting to N8.181 trillion, or 52.99 per cent.

The nation’s industrial sector followed with a contribution of N4.223 trillion or 27.36 percent; while the agriculture sector contributed N3.033 trillion or 19.65 per cent of GDP.

IBADAN- The authorities of the University of Ibadan have expelled two students and rusticated five while 11 others were reprimanded for various offences.

A report issued by the institution’s Registrar, Mr. Olu Olukoya, and published in the

UI Expels 2 Students, Rusticates 5

University Bulletin, said the decision was the outcome of the meeting held by the Central Student Disciplinary Committee (CSDC).

It said the offences committed

by the students included gross misconduct, pilfering and examination malpractice.

Truck Owners To Tackle Apapa Gridlock

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (right) registering for National Identity Card in Ibadan recently.

Stakeholders Express Concern Over Depleting oil reserve is gradually He said that for government to addition in the last 10 years is Oil Reserve country’s dropping and output is also continue to meet its oil about 800 million barrels, while LAGOS- Some concerned stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have expressed concern over the nation’s depleting crude oil reserve.

The stakeholders expressed their concern in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos.

Mr. Simon Linus, an Energy Consultant, urged the Federal Government to renew the call for creative ways of halting rising oil theft and illegal refining.

Linus, who is also the Managing Director, Dizlop Energy Ltd., said that the country needed to boost exploration to augment the dwindling reserves.

According to him, the

The rusticated students, it added, would stay out of the institution for two semesters.

It added, however, that one student was acquitted.

dwindling.

“The only way to correct the abnormalities is through exploration. There is need for more wells to be drill to beef-up the oil reserve,’’ he said.

Simon said that the country needed more modern drilling technology equipment such as the 4D seismic to explore wells.

According to him, government should come up with strategies to boost the reserves and in due course this we change the mind set of investors.

The energy consultant advised government to encourage and increase the participation of indigenous companies in exploration and production.

L-R: Rtn Andy Oiboh, immediate past President, Rotary Club of Benin metropolitan Rotary International, District 9140, Rtn Effi Usen, Assistant Governor, Zone 15 and Mr. Folunso Adebanjo, Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command during the investiture of Adebanjo, as Honorary Rotarian which took place in Benin City last Sunday. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.

production targets, there was need to grow the country’s declining crude oil reserve base.

Linus said that the country must do everything to increase its reserves, noting that more seismic data coverage and drilling of exploration wells must be done.

“In 2003, about 24 marginal field licences was awarded as part of the government’s quest to ensure rapid involvement of Nigerian companies in the nation’s crude oil exploration and production.

“Government also awarded a total of 77 oil blocks through three bid rounds in 2005, 2006 and 2007,’’ he added.

Linus said that only eight of the 24 awarded marginal field licences had been able to go into production 10 years after being licensed which was also part of the contributing factors to the country’s oil depleting status.

He said that out of all the 77 oil blocks awarded between 2005 and 2007, only one has gone into production, while less than 30 per cent of the remaining 76 were actively working.

Mr Folorunsho Oginni, Chairman, Lagos Chapter of PEGASSAN, also expressed concern over the depleting oil reserves.

He said that the Excess Crude account which had fallen to about 3.6 billion dollars could not sustain the nation in the event of an economic crisis.

According to Oginni, our current oil reserve is estimated at about 35 billion barrels.

“Average yearly reserves

average yearly withdrawal rate over the same period is about 840 million barrels.

“This seems to suggest that we are already at or very close to the zero flat line in net reserves addition.

“The situation, of course gets worse as we strive to attain a target daily production rate of four million barrels,’’ he said.

Ogini said that efficient management of a rent economy required consistency and visionary leaderships, capable of applying the ample rent so collected to fund a long term programme of massive education of the citizenry.

It would been recalled that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has warned the Federal Government, oil and gas stakeholders over the decreasing oil reserves.

Thr DPR Director, Mr George Osahon, at the 2014 Nigerian Oil & Gas Conference in Abuja, said the country’s oil reserves had depleted to 35 billion barrels.

Osahon, who called for urgent steps by stakeholders to reverse the ugly situation, also said that the Niger Delta region had shown signs of maturity.

“What we now have in our reserves are 35 billion barrels.

Niger Delta is finally showing signs of maturity as its reserves are beginning to drop and I think everybody must be worried about this,” he said According to Osahon, the country needs to boost exploration to augment the dwindling reserves.

LAGOS- Chief Aderemi Ogungbemi, President, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), said that the association would soon introduce a “call up system’’ to help to reduce Apapa gridlock.

Ogungbemi told newsmen in Lagos that the call up system was a temporary measure that permitted truck drivers to come to the port only when they were needed.

“The call up system is a temporary method. It will enable an agent to call a truck driver when needed to load goods.

“The truck drivers will no longer queue on the roads waiting to be called. The truck drivers can stay any where until they are called that there is consignment for them to carry.

“It is a temporary measure.

When it is established, if you have no job, you do not have the right to be at the port environment,’’ he said.

The AMATO president said government had not allocated a site whether temporary or permanent for truck owners to relocate to, stressing that truck owners would continue to operate from the ports.

On their experiences during the gridlock on the roads to the ports, Ogungbemi said that it was difficult to quantify their losses because of the number of trucks that ply the routes daily.

“The amount of money lost cannot be easily ascertained.

“While the terrible gridlock lasted for about four weeks, a driver that loads daily can manage to load once or highest twice in a week,’’ he said.

Ogungbemi also said that corruption by security officials made business operation difficult for truck drivers.

“Every truck owner has to part with money to security officials before he can be allowed into the port to load goods.

“This is sad because a truck owner hardly makes a trip in a day,’’ the association president said.

However, the truck owners and divers of articulated vehicles have agreed to evacuate their trucks from the highway.

Inside Edo Igbo APC Members Pledge Loyalty To Oshiomhole

By LUCKY EFESE

BENIN CITY - The State Chairman of Igbo APC in Edo State, Mr. Onyeka Jonathan Okoye had said that the Igbo APC remained committed and faithful to the Comrade governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole for his exemplary leadership in the state.

He made this known to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER weekend, during a sensitization meeting held in honour of the members in Benin City to reaffirm their membership of APC in Edo State. Mr. Onyeka, posited that Governor Oshiomhole as a father of youths had distinguished himself through the empowerment programme which his predecessors have failed to embrace in the past and described him as a living legend who had impacted on the lives of the people positively.

According to him, the Igbo APC had been given their due recognition by this present administration of the Comrade Governor.

He stressed that Igbo APC member are responsible people who had boosted the economic pedigrees of Edo State through their innovative dispositions.

He further said that the umbrella body of the Igbo APC across the eighteen local government areas of the state

is one and that it is most prominently headed by his humble self and debunked insinuations of having parallel Igbo APC in Edo State.

Mr. Onyeka Okoye, who berated the moves by some well respected Igbo leaders in the state for creating another Igbo youths office to scam the governor, also warned them to desist from the nefarious act because, those fronting the office are the opposition party members, PDP, who are out to deceive the governor for their personal aggradisement.

He thanked the Executive Governor and the APC leadership in the state for giving them the arable environment to discharge their onerous responsibility diligently just as he assured the governor of the Igbo APC readiness to work in consonance to transform the state to a greater height.

Mr. Onyeka Jonathan Okoye noted that the Igbo APC members are already strategizing to give maximum support to the governor in the 2015 and 2016 general elections in order to consolidate on the achievement his administration had recorded in the state and urged his members to remained focused and steadfast in actualizing these set goals in the state.

The Igbo APC chair, who is also a businessman, therefore solicited for the timely

assistance of the indomitable governor in the areas of more empowerment to his members and logistics to put the unwavering loyalty on the part of history in Edo State politics.

He thanked all the APC leadership in the state for giving him the confidence to lead his people and especially appreciated the fatherly and the spiritual dispositions of the most revered monarch, Oba Erediauwa CFR, the Oba of Benin Kingdom, for creating a peaceful atmosphere for good governance in the state. He prayed for his long life, good health and wisdom to complete the good work he had started in the state.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole (left) with Mr. Onyeka Jonathan Okoye (right) when the Igbo members of APC paid a courtesy visit to Government House recently.

EDSOGPADEC Tasks Contractors On Standard

BENIN CITY-Contractors handling Edsogpadec’s projects have again been reminded of the need to ensure strict adherence to international standards and best, practices.

This call was made by the Chairman of the Commission Barrister Vincent Osas Uwadiae over the weekend while on a visit to some of the commission’s project sites in Orhionmwon local government area as part of the Board’s weekly activities.

Barrister Uwadiae who was represented by the member of Edsogpadec Board

representing Orhionmwon Local Government area, Hon Fidelis Okunzuwa accompanied by the member representing Edo North Senatorial district on the board of the commission Hon. Luqman Muhammed and his Edo central Senatorial district counterpart, Mr. Wellington Okoh, inspected the extent of work so far done on the construction and Asphalting of the 10-kilometre Benin\ Abraka Urehue- UmoghuNokhua road, the ultra

Community Chair Charges Edo People On Culture He made this assertion in

By LUCKY EFESE And Tradition his community, while

IDOKPA - Mr. Nosa Obamwonyi, the chairman Idokpa Community Development Association in

Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, weekend, challenged Edo people especially the Benins

about the urgent need to embrace the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the great Benin Kingdom.

Eseosa Weds Efosa July 26. The solemnisation of marriage between Miss Eseosa Maxine Eboigbe of Oka N-Umogunhen, Ikpoba Okha LGA and Mr. Efosa Donald Agbonifo of Ugbekun, Ikpoba Okha LGA, both of Edo State will hold Saturday July 26, 2014 at Oredo LG Secretariat, Ovonranmwen Square, Benin City by 8.00a.m. Reception follows immediately at No. 37 Osemwende Street, between 2nd and 3rd East Circular Roads, Benin City. Guests expected at the ceremony are Austin A. Eboigbe, Deacon Sylvester Eboigbe, Sir Amb. A.G. Eboigbe, Mr. Patosa Ivbivbokun, Chief Osamuyi Agbonifo, Mr. Dumez Edo, Mrs. Joy Aideyaen among others.

performing traditional rites to cleanse the community of afflictions and evil thoughts, for the purposes of good health, wisdom progress and long life to the indigenes.

He noted that culture and tradition play a very significant role in the prosperity of a community like Idokpa and urged every Edo son and daughter not to allow the borrowed culture from the western world to overpower them.

Mr. Obamwonyi, especially thanked the Chief custodian of our rich culture and tradition, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa CFR, the Oba of Benin, for his selfless effort in preserving and protecting our culture and tradition.

The community chair described the Benin Monarch as not only an icon, but a legend whose reign in the ancient city of Benin Kingdom has brought peace, progress and unity to the citizens and non citizens.

modern Urehue Customary court complex, the police post at Evbuarue and the block of six classrooms in Okogbo secondary school, Okogbo.

The Edsogpadec board members advised

contractor’s handling the projects to build on the pace at which they are working at the moment and leave nothing to chance in the effort to ensure the delivery of world standard projects.

Already, the road, just like the other projects it is currently executing in the

Butchers’ Boss Decries Lack Of Qualitative leadership

By LUCKY EFESE BENIN CITY- Comrade (Pastor) Ikponmwosa, Orhue the state Chairman of the Butchers’ Union of Nigeria, has decried lack of qualitative leadership in the country.

Comrade Orhue, made this known to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, Tuesday in his office in Benin City, while reacting to the spate of insecurity in the country, especially the continuous keeping of the kidnapped chibok girls in captivity, which was yet to be unraveled by the Federal Government.

The Butchers’ Boss, noted that the destiny of the kidnapped girls has been frustrated by the insurgence and opined that unless the federal government sincerely tackle the manace, the hope of the youths particularly the female youths will be doomed.

He described the insecurity in Nigeria as a mess to this nascent democracy.

Comrade Orhue, posited that qualitative leadership in an ideal democracy promotes a noble course on the lives of its citizens.

He stressed that the insecurity is being fuelled by some money bag politicians, who often use the poor masses to achieve their personal interest.

Comrade Orhue, who admonished the fact that politics

is not a do or die affair urged the public to appreciate that life of the citizens is precious and that whatever one desires to become in life is designed by providence and took a cursory look of the leadership qualities among some Edo politicians and specifically regretted the deficiencies in their roles.

He took a swipe at the recent abandonment of a road rehabilitation project of the state abattoir as a case study.

The road leading to one of the revenue bases of the government in the state was conspicuously awarded to an indigenous contractor by the authority of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council to ameliorate the transportation problem within the slaughter house but was further worsening the situation that was already bad without recourse to the negative effect it had on the economy of the state.

The Butchers boss averred that consequent upon the lack of qualitative leadership in the state abattoir, he resorted to self help in giving a palliative measure to the deplorable road.

He said that he had spent well over one hundred thousand naira, after his several fruitless efforts to get to the council boss and the contractor to ensure that the road becomes motorable for his members and the prospective customers.

Across The Nation Provocative Statement

NSA Warns Religious, Political Leaders ABUJA -The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki,has warned religious and political leaders to desist from making provocative statements.

He was speaking in Abuja at a workshop on security.

Dasuki, who was represented by retired Col. Sarki Bello, the Coordinator, Counter

Terrorism, said: “unscrupulous Nigerians who were exploiting the situation for their selfish interest will not be spared and any incisive utterances by religious or political leaders will not be tolerated.

“I warn these elements to desist from their unholy acts against the corporate interest of Nigeria. We should always

LAGOS - A financial analyst, Prof Fidelis Odita, said that the nation might lose N200 billion annually due to the bottlenecks associated with the registration and practice of businesses in Nigeria.

Odita told newsmen in Lagos that dearth of infrastructure, lack of access to funds, and the time it takes to start up a business had hindered the growth of small scale businesses.

He said that the Federal Government should work harder to ensure a follow-up system on the policies, formulated for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to further enhance their growth.

“I think if the government were to get its acts together, it could very easily boost the economy by up to 30 to 40 per cent if they address policies for SMEs. “It is not only about having Bank of Industry or Nigerian Export Import (NEXIM) Bank, no.

“There are many regulatory bottlenecks, which create huge operating costs for these businesses. I know of cases where people have applied for consent to the Federal Government for over twelve months they haven’t heard anything.

“So, if you wanted to set up a small business here and you haven’t been able to get consent, it means that there has been a twelve months delay.

“And during that time, you might have hired people, and you would now have to lay some of them because no one budgets that you will stay for twelve months waiting for one person just to say I consent, go ahead with your business. ‘’I would say that Nigeria

would be losing N200 billion annually from these regulatory bottlenecks and the attendant consequences.’’

Odita said that SMEs provided employment for 80 per cent of the nation‘s work force, while multinational companies, government, and private concerns accounted for only 20 per cent.

report suspicious activities to the security agencies and be more security conscious.

“It is also the duty of patriotic citizens to cooperate and collaborate with the security agencies in

providing intelligence reports,’’ he said.

He said that the cooperation of all citizens at this period was crucial in forestalling the security challenges.

Dasuki said that the

purpose of the workshop was to improve security awareness and to defeat terrorism in the country.

The NSA said that the government had put in place adequate measures to contain terrorism, religious

Bottlenecks Cost Nigeria N200bn Annually - Financial Expert

L-R: Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah; Group Managing Director, Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti and Commanding Officer, 65 Battalion, Lt.-Col Haruna Dasuki, at the inauguration of an Ultra Modern Block for the Battalion in Lagos recently.

Educationist Warns Muslims Against Extravagant Olayiwola-Imam gave the the Government House, was difficult to share with the Spending ILORIN - An educationist, Hajia Khadijat OlayiwolaImam, has in Ilorin warned Muslims against extravagant spending while neglecting payment of Zakat.

warning in Ilorin, Kwara State while delivering a Ramadan lecture entitled: ” Zakat vs Extravagance: The Neglected Strong Pillar in Islam.’’

The lecture, which held at

organised by the wife of Kwara governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed.

According to her, Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam which has been neglected largely because people find it

Mattresses distributed by EDSOGPADEC to victims of the recent rainstorm disaster in Okokhuo, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Photo: SHARFT AGBONRHIENOHIEN.

needy.

She said Zakat was to ensure love, unity and equality, adding that Islam rejects extremism in any form.

“Zakat is a stipulation by God which enjoins all Muslims to give out a part of their wealth which had been saved or in excess for a year or more.

“It is unfortunate that Muslim adherents are neglecting this very important tenet of Islam,” she said.

Also speaking at the forum, Dr. Khayrat Abikan of the Department of Family Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, advised people to take care of the skin.

Abikan, who warned that bleaching cream could lead to brain damage or cancer, added that using lukewarm water rather than hot or cold water was best in cleansing the skin.

intolerance, pastoralist’s farmers’ conflicts, corruption and other related vices endangering the wellbeing and corporate existence of Nigerians.

According to him, the government is currently alerting the general public on the use of female suicide bombers by Boko Haram.

He said that the Boko Haram insurgents also had a new strategy of hitting high population centres to record high mortality to get publicity.

He said that the federal and state governments were working to generate more employment opportunities for the youths through SURE-P, agriculture, and other requisite skills methods.

The NSA advised members of the public to avoid high density gatherings, video and recreational centres, adding that the public were not left in the campaign against insecurity.

Alhaji Ibrahim Mahe, the Permenent Secretary, Special Service (SSO), the Presidency, said that the government had appointed a standing committee to continuously explore dialogue option with the sect.

Mahe said that the insurgents had started drafting women as suicide bombers, adding that the government had taken measures to deal with the situation.

He said that the workshop was conducted by selected facilitators drawn from the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

He said that the agencies would give necessary security tips to enhance capacity to respond to the present security challenges.

Mahe was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, the Director, Special Duties Ministry.

Enugu To Benefit From $200m World Bank Support

ENUGU - Rice farmers in Enugu State are to benefit from the 200 million-dollar National FADAMA III additional financing for rice intervention, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Mike Eneh, has said.

Speaking at a town hall meeting for National FADAMA III coordination officers and rice farmers in Enugu the commissioner said the state was striving to attain its potentials in rice production.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Programme Manager of the Enugu State Agricultural Development Project, Mr. Onyema Nwodo, said the farmers had the capacity to produce enough of the crop for the country.

“We are yet to explore all our potentials in rice production. We only need to increase our production to be in better stead to feed the nation,” he said.

Eneh said the state government was tightening all loose ends to ensure that it paid its counterpart funds to qualify for participation in the scheme.

“We are aware of the challenges on us but the government shall be supporting what we are doing,” Eneh said.

Responding, the Team Leader of the coordinators, Dr. Ben Herbert, said the essence of the meeting was for stakeholders

to exchange ideas on how to make the project successful.

“The desire of the World Bank is for all the designated staple crop processing zones in the country to swing into action immediately.

“So we are here to exchange ideas to encourage one another with a view to removing doubts in the project.

“Although the FADAMA III

project had ended in principle in 2013, the World Bank agreed to provide the additional financing to wrap-up the staple crop processing zones.

“This agreement is in support of the agricultural transformation agenda of the federal government,” he said.

Herbert said the project would cover six local government areas in the state, adding that the data base of genuine rice farmers would be stored for the implementation.

Abuja KEDC Injects N500m To Improve Power Supply - MD

ABUJA- The new owners of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC), Sahelian Power SPV Limited, said it had injected over N500 million into the KEDC since takeover in November 2013.

The Managing Director, Sahelian Power SPV Limited, Dr Jamil Gwamna, stated this in a statement in Abuja signed by the Head, Public Communications, Bureau of

Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Chigbo Aniechebe.

Gwamna, represented by the company’s General Manager, Human Resource and Services, Adamu Salihu, said this when a post privatisation monitoring team BPE visited the company.

According to the statement, the amount was used to conducted infrastructural upgrade of the Kano electricity facilities.

“The company which covers

Police To Establish Hospitals

ABUJA- The InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, says the force will establish a 26-bed cottage hospital in each of the six geo-political zones in the country.

Abubakar assured that many medical doctors and other health personnel would soon be recruited to meet the medical needs of the force.

The inspector-general gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen shortly after he declared open a three-day seminar for police medical officers.

“We have made it a point of duty now that very soon if there is recruitment; they (medical unit) are going to be given large chunk.

“This is to enable them to recruit more doctors and other medical personnel,’’ he said.

Abubakar said that the establishment of the cottage hospitals in the zones was to enable officers and men of the force in the rural areas benefit from the police medical services.

Also, Mrs. Grace Akudo, AIG, Medical, said the unit had received some fund

from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and promised that it would be used to upgrade the force’s medical facilities.

Akudo said that the unit would soon develop a strategic medical plan for the force where training of professionals would be given priority.

She said that in the planned recruitment, both middle and high level professionals would be recruited to provide effective medical services to officers and men.

three North-West States Katsina, Kano and Jigawa, carried out infrastructural development projects in the areas of upgrade of Shuwarin S/S from 300KVA to 500KVA. “Also, 11/.415KV in March 2014; Radio House 200KVA, 11/.415KV S/S in March 2014; Ashton Road 300KVA, 11/ .415KV Relief S/S in April 2014; upgrade of Ashton Road S/S from 300KVA to 500KVA and 11/.415KV in April 2014.

“Also, operational vehicles were procured, investments in IT, customer billing, establishment of NERC Forum offices for customer complaints in all its business units, network upgrade and renovation and furnishing of the NERC Headquarters,” he said.

It said that the company had registered and billed additional 19,969 customers since takeover.

The statement added that the company was currently in the process of acquiring 100,000 prepaid metres for supply to its customers.

The statement quoted the Director-General, BPE, Mr Benjamin Dikki, as saying that the visit was to ascertain the level of compliance by the core investor to the Post Acquisition

Plan.

He said that the Federal Government had placed so much value on the power sector reform.

Dikki said the visit was also

the BPE on November 1, 2013, handed over KEDC to Sahelian Power SPV Limited after the company’s payment of 100 per cent of its bid amount of $135.6 million.

L-R: Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Abba Ibrahim; Commissioner, Finance and Management Services, Mr. Patrick Umeh and the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi during a public hearing on Revising conditions for payment of Fixed Charges by Electricity Consumers in Abuja recently.

Council Chairman Tasks Principals, Head Teachers On Security ABAJI (FCT) - The Chairman, Abaji Area Council, FCT, Alhaji Yahaya Gawu, has called on principals and head

teachers to be security conscious for the safety of students in the area.

Gawu made the call at a meeting with principals and head teachers in Abaji.

The chairman said government was determined to find solutions to the lingering insecurity in the country.

“The meeting at this period is very necessary considering the current security challenges

in the country.

The chairman urged citizens to also collaborate with security agents to protect the students.

A traditional ruler in the area, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, urged residents to be vigilant and report any suspected movement to the police.

He cautioned students to also be security conscious and listen to the instructions of their parents and teachers.

Recruitment: FCC Promotes Gender Equality

Prayer for the release of Chibok School Girls in Abuja recently

Farm Produce

Agency To Ensure Technology Application ABUJANational Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has said that it would work with Nigerian farmers to ensure that appropriate scientific technology is applied to boost farm production in the country.

Mr. Babatunde Iletoogun, the spokesman of the agency, said this in an interview with the newsmen in Abuja.

He said the agency was ready to enlighten farmers on any area they needed assistance, “mostly in securing loan and on how to

to ensure that the obligations agreed by Sahelian Power SPV Limited were being religiously carried out.

It would be recalled that the federal government, through

improve their farm products using latest technologies’’.

Iletoogun told journalists that the application of appropriate scientific methods by farmers and the usage of improved seedlings would improve food security in the country.

He said that genetically modified (GM) foods would boost agricultural productivity by assisting in the development of new crops and in combating insects that destroy plants and animals.

Iletoogun said that technology-

based agriculture is the future of agriculture in West Africa, especially in Nigeria.

“We need to improve our productivity to ensure food security because food insecurity and concerns over livelihood and resources are behind many of the conflicts we are having in the country.

“Without technological inputs and biotechnology, there is no way we can achieve food security in West Africa.

“We are encouraging small scale farmers and industrial

farmers to seek loans from the appropriate government banks to get money for farming and to reduce food insecurity in the country,’’ Iletoogun said.

According to him, biotechnology guarantees food security and allows us to develop new crops, new types of animals as well as prevent infectious insects in our environment Iletoogun said that by 2015, agriculture could become an engine of economic growth in Nigeria if biotechnology systems are applied.

ABUJA- Prof. Shuaibu Abdulraheem, the Chairman

- Chairman

of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), said the commission’s guidelines promotes gender equality and opportunities for physically challenged persons.

The Chairman told newsmen in Abuja that the guidelines of FCC do not discriminate amongst persons or gender.

He said that recruitment in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must reflect quality, merit, gender equality, proper representation of zones and must cater for the physically challenged persons in the society.

“The FCC guidelines on recruitment insist that anyone that wants to recruit must advertise in at least two national dailies.

“At times MDAs come to seek waivers on advertisement for recruitment

due to financial implications, especially when the people needed are not many.

“There is an official embargo on recruitment and any MDA that want to recruit must seek waiver from the Head of Service to recruit but must comply with other principles of the commission,’’ he said.

Abdulraheem said that the commission only gave waivers on two contexts advertisements and embargo on recruitment.

“The issue of under and over representation in the public civil service is not a static thing; some people retire while some voluntarily exit themselves from the service. “ Our job as a commission is to ensure that we bridge these gaps in terms of representation,’’ he said.

Business + Economy UNFPA Donates Computers Worth N10m To Lagos Institutions

Comply With Standard, NESREA Urges Telecom problem to them.

Operators AWKA- The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in Anambra State has urged telecommunications operators to comply with the set standard while installing masts in residential areas.

Mr Larry Ineke, NESREA’s Coordinator in the state told newsmen in Awka that the agency would not compromise standards and regulations in its operations in the state.

He said that the call had become imperative to ensure that standards were maintained, to avoid exposing the people to health hazards, especially from the masts installed in residential areas.

The coordinator said that the agency would not hesitate to prosecute offenders who refused to comply with standards and regulations.

Ineke urged telecommunications operators operating in the state to seek clarifications on standards and regulations from the agency to discourage violations.

He appealed to residents to help provide the agency with information on any installed mast likely to cause health

He said that the agency had established the “NESREA Green Corps’’ volunteers in communities who had been educated on environmental issues.

“What they do basically is to serve as environmental watch dogs in their micro environment. They also assist in reporting public complaints to us so that we quickly deal with them and save our environment from further degradation,’’ Ineke said.

NSE

Volume Of Traded Shares Grow By 42.95 Percent LAGOS- Investors at the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) have bought 535.076 million shares worth N4.37 billion in 5,862 deals.

The reports state that the volume represented an increase of 42.95 per cent over the 374.304 million shares valued at N3.21 billion exchanged in 4,778 deals on Friday.

The All-Share Index which opened at 42,891.82, dropped by 107.52 points or 0.25 per cent to close at 42,784.30 as a result of profit taken by investors.

Association Urges CBN To Name Approved Mortgage Institutions LAGOS- The President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Mr Bala Ka’Oje, urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release the names of approved Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs).

Ka’Oje made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

Reports state that since the PMIs recapitalisation process ended on April 30, 2013, the CBN has yet to release the names of approved mortgage banks that met its new capital base.

According to him, withholding the names of those that scaled through the process will only give room to rumours and speculations which is not good for the system.

“We hear of 26 mortgage banks meeting the recapitalisation requirements out of which 10 qualified for the national and 16 for the local classifications.

“No names of the mortgage

People waiting to receive food items being distributed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as part of Ramadan Gift at Iseyin, Oyo State, recently.

banks and no details whatsoever.

This is not good at all.

“It is good to know the companies that have been able to pass through the new requirement of the CBN to operate as a mortgage banks in Nigeria.

“This will facilitate access to housing finance by Nigerians who will want to get their own houses financed by PMIs. “Once the PMIs are not made known to Nigerians, it will be a halt to the continuation of housing delivery by PMIs to the people who want to go to them to obtain loans for their houses,” he said.

According to Ka’Oje, APBN is anxious to see the CBN release the new list of PMIs so that the release of housing loans to Nigerian public can move forward.

Reports state that the mortgage banks that will emerge will play at the national level with N5 billion capital base or local level with N2.5 billion capital base.

The market capitalisation depreciated by N35 billion or 0.25 per cent to close at N14.127 trillion as against the N14.162 trillion posted on Friday.

Seplat topped the losers’ chart, depreciating by N26.95 to close at N675.05 per share.

Forte Oil trailed with a loss of N11 to close at N227, while Unilever dipped by N2.63 to close at N50.14 per share.

NCR dropped by 76k to close at N14.44, while Guinness lost 52k to close at N197.5 per share.

On the other hand, Mobil led the gainers’ chart with N15.83 to close at N170.33 per share.

It was followed by Total Oil which gained N6 to close at N186.20, while PZ Cussons improved by N1.01 to close at N39 per share.

Nigerian Breweries gained 87k to close at N177.09, while CCNN rose by 78k to close at N12.04 per share.

Transcorp was the most active equity with 93.63 million shares worth N550.27 million.

Wapic Insurance came second,

accounting for 56.68 million shares valued at N50.42 million, while Sky Bank sold 53.40 million shares worth N186.23 million.

Oando Oil traded 47.33 million shares valued at N1.20 billion, while investors staked N20.89 million on 41.78 million shares of Unity Bank.

Sustainable Economy

LAGOS - The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated computers and accessories worth N9.48 million to local, state and federal health institutions in Lagos State.

The UNFPA Programme Specialist in the state, Dr Omolaso Omosehin, made the disclosure at the handing over of the equipment and the opening ceremony of a three-day training programme for 40 health workers of the benefiting institutions.

The health workers are being trained on Channel Electronic Logistics Management System.

Omosehin, however, said that the computers were donated to enhance the institutions’ family planning data collection and management.

“Today, the UNFPA is donating these computer sets, printers and other accessories to the Lagos Local Governments and State Ministries of Health as well as the Federal Medical Store in Oshodi to enhance their operations.

“The 21 units of computer sets and accessories for Lagos State and two for the Federal Medical Store amounted to about N9.48million.

“With the computer sets and the training, UNFPA believes that the beneficiaries will be able to procure and distribute contraceptives to people without running out of stock,’’ he said.

FG To Harness Science And Technology

ABUJA-Mr Abdu Bulama, the Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology has said the Federal Government would harness Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to build a sustainable and competitive economy.

Bulama said this in a keynote address during at a seminar organised by UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST).

The theme of the seminar is “Science, Technology and Innovation and the African Transformation Agenda: Making New Technologies Work for Africa’s Transformation”.

The minister said that employing STI would guarantee a high

standard of living and quality of life for Nigerian citizens.

He said that the nation would focus on eradicating hunger by achieving food security, preventing and controlling disease by ensuring welfare, wealth creation, protection of space and developing physical and intellectual communication.

The minister urged the forum to ensure that the deliberations crystallised into implementable action geared toward using STI capacity to surmount African challenges and also chart the path for accelerated and sustainable development.

“It has been reported that people all over the world have high hope

Food items to be distributed to Artisans, Pensioners, market men and women by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as part of Ramadan Gift at Iseyin, Oyo State recently.

that new technologies will lead to healthier lives, greater social freedoms, increased knowledge and more productive livelihoods,” he said.

He observed that the combination of technological revolutions and the globalisation had integrated markets and linked people across all kinds of traditional boundaries.

According to him, STI must necessarily drive the process of development, especially the post 2015 sustainable development agenda.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Winiford OyoIta, in her welcome address said that the dialogue was aimed at supporting and accelerating the African Transformation Agenda through contribution to societal development priorities.

Oyo-Ita observed that to achieve sustainable development through STI, the nation ought to put in place appropriate policy instruments to generate the desired momentum for development.

“Using the policy instrument through our development agenda as articulated in the vision 20:2020, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including the Transformation Agenda will go a long way in achieving the desired objectives when seriously pursued.

Mr Kasirim Nwuke, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) representative, stated that proper application of STI would enable Africa to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development.

Nwuke urged Africans to intensify effort in using STI to meaningfully contribute to the global pool of scientific knowledge and technological innovation.

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY (23/07/2014) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

NAHCO

4.89

5

0.11

0

1,622,590

8,128,148.69

7UP

100.03

100.03

0

0

45,725

4,802,496.75

NASCON

10.89

10.5

-0.39

0

2,713,265

29,313,483.75

ABBEYBDS

1.3

1.3

0

0

1,300

1,768.00

NB

178

178.2

0.2

0

1,986,845

353,746,887.00

ABCTRANS

0.88

0.85

-0.03

0

1,416,470

1,195,301.29

NEIMETH

1.2

1.25

0.05

0

171,701

211,645.15

ACADEMY

1.71

1.71

0

0

10,450

17,033.50

NEM

0.89

0.85

-0.04

0

9,339,649

8,369,714.75

1125

1120

-5

0

39,528

44,099,361.90

2050

2050

0

0

5

10,250.00

ACCESS

9.9

10

0.1

0

27,758,930

276,442,809.40

NESTLE

AFRIPRUD

3.26

3.27

0.01

0

517,781

1,700,913.39

NEWGOLD

AGLEVENT

1.45

1.38

-0.07

0

199,776

277,461.11

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

170,000

85,000.00

AIICO

0.81

0.82

0.01

0

2,973,171

2,439,470.22

NIWICABLE

0.5

0.5

0

0

75,000

37,500.00

AIRSERVICE

2.12

2.22

0.1

0

1,610,800

3,429,146.50

NNFM

20.5

20.5

0

0

1,410

27,732.00

ASHAKACEM

31.46

30

-1.46

0

494,200

14,872,111.48

NPFMCRFBK

1.06

1.02

-0.04

0

1,708,990

1,754,889.80

AVONCROWN

1.69

1.69

0

0

100

170

NSE30

1941.2

1936.92

-4.28

0

184,213,541

2,738,971,470.00

BERGER

8.57

8.57

0

0

15,074

130,355.06

NSE50

2100.62

2095.82

-4.8

0

223,793,954

2,969,767,779.00

BOCGAS

5.76

5.76

0

0

1,527

8,367.96

NSEASEM

949.05

951.96

2.91

0

170,000

233,755.00

42664.98

42544.36

-120.62

0

273,314,128

3,076,380,618.00

437.87

437.77

-0.1

0

71,724,084

743,863,760.20

CADBURY

74.25

74.25

0

0

139,937

9,873,719.90

NSEASI

CAP

40.1

41

0.9

0

238,777

9,740,704.10

NSEBNK

CAVERTON

6.69

6.85

0.16

0

1,644,535

10,519,111.65

NSECNSMRGDS

1059.67

1058.57

-1.1

0

12,956,905

548,963,810.70

CCNN

12.64

13.27

0.63

0

3,124,820

40,851,625.01

NSEINDUSTR

2756.85

2724.76

-32.09

0

4,589,118

124,482,301.20

CHAMPION

10.17

9.67

-0.5

0

185,028

1,789,220.76

NSEINS

148.66

150.27

1.61

0

29,632,905

28,178,766.26

CHELLARAM

3.95

3.95

0

0

18,092

68,025.92

NSELOTUSISLM

2837.66

2824.97

-12.69

0

10,450,984

383,376,983.70

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

0

49,500

24,750.00

NSEOILGAS

474.16

467.79

-6.37

0

29,956,370

835,273,887.60

CONOIL

62.32

62.32

0

0

61,522

3,643,776.26

OANDO

26.65

26.01

-0.64

0

28,841,831

741,797,067.90

CONTINSURE

1.11

1.12

0.01

0

668,500

753,418.50

OKOMUOIL

33.01

33.01

0

0

392,640

12,893,159.89

1.4

1.4

0

0

15,500

22,785.00

COSTAIN

1.22

1.22

0

0

779,000

980,870.28

PAINTCOM

CUSTODYINS

3.92

3.9

-0.02

0

750,706

2,904,777.06

PHARMDEKO

1.57

1.64

0.07

0

100,000

164,000.00

5

4.75

-0.25

0

340,000

1,615,050.00

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

0

400,000

200,000.00

PORTPAINT

DANGCEM

238

237.5

-0.5

0

130,705

31,079,308.91

PRESCO

38

38

0

0

220,965

8,396,603.00

DANGFLOUR

8.13

8.01

-0.12

0

454,142

3,652,985.84

PRESTIGE

0.54

0.54

0

0

22,000

11,660.00

DANGSUGAR

9.2

9.19

-0.01

0

781,299

7,187,265.80

PZ

39

39

0

0

293,797

11,255,123.35

DIAMONDBNK

6.4

6.72

0.32

0

3,873,464

26,014,893.87

REDSTAREX

4.94

5.17

0.23

0

3,591,863

17,853,439.96

DNMEYER

1.2

1.2

0

0

100

126

RESORTSAL

0.5

0.5

0

0

100,000

50,000.00

EQUITYASUR

0.5

0.5

0

0

200

100

ROYALEX

0.53

0.54

0.01

0

200,000

107,406.79

ETERNA

4.09

3.9

-0.19

0

584,855

2,288,195.24

RTBRISCOE

1.05

1

-0.05

0

377,919

378,976.05

ETI

16.8

16.9

0.1

0

6,772,853

115,499,427.10

SCOA

4.91

4.91

0

0

380

1,774.60

675.05

675.05

0

0

2,014

1,389,060.00

EVANSMED

2.22

2.16

-0.06

0

150,599

338,816.38

SEPLAT

FBNH

15.74

15.51

-0.23

0

8,406,480

131,734,921.50

SKYEBANK

3.25

3.2

-0.05

0

5,696,827

18,423,537.80

100

95

-5

0

40,000

3,800,000.00

FCMB

4.2

4.21

0.01

0

2,599,245

10,967,182.59

SKYESHELT

FIDELITYBK

1.96

2.04

0.08

0

9,329,867

18,909,499.54

STANBIC

27.13

27.5

0.37

0

1,064,888

29,266,301.13

FIDSON

3.06

3.03

-0.03

0

719,900

2,179,127.00

STERLNBANK

2.36

2.32

-0.04

0

2,257,218

5,278,322.42

FLOURMILL

77.87

77.87

0

0

181,653

13,466,661.47

TOTAL

195.5

185.73

-9.77

0

62,007

11,517,353.86

FO

235.99

224.23

-11.76

0

116,075

26,137,726.38

TRANSCORP

5.5

5.32

-0.18

0

72,469,791

390,707,037.00

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.5

0

0

50,000

25,000.00

TRANSEXPR

1.96

1.96

0

0

40,750

77,425.00

GLAXOSMITH

68.99

68.99

0

0

55,842

3,680,209.07

UAC-PROP

17.56

17.56

0

0

165,004

2,982,110.60

62

62.4

0.4

0

1,733,101

108,133,794.90

GUARANTY

30.13

30.1

-0.03

0

5,032,917

151,207,577.90

UACN

GUINNESS

197.5

198

0.5

0

90,309

17,899,130.33

UBA

8

7.85

-0.15

0

7,790,378

61,930,614.32

2.15

2.18

0.03

0

4,190,427

9,129,652.28

9.42

9.01

-0.41

0

630,729

5,760,088.66

HONYFLOUR

4.3

4.28

-0.02

0

4,810,385

19,758,853.63

UBCAP

IKEJAHOTEL

0.79

0.78

-0.01

0

194,829

151,646.62

UBN

INFINITY

1.6

1.6

0

0

200

304

UNILEVER

49

49

0

0

569,530

27,492,399.54

INTBREW

28.05

28.05

0

0

82,562

2,200,627.30

UNITYBNK

0.5

0.5

0

0

615,640

307,820.00

INTENEGINS

0.5

0.5

0

0

510,000

255,000.00

UPL

4.29

4.11

-0.18

0

599,170

2,495,828.19

IPWA

0.5

0.5

0

0

500

250

VETGRIF30

19.32

19.37

0.05

0

10,510

204,313.70

JAPAULOIL

0.55

0.53

-0.02

0

2,658,096

1,409,930.88

VITAFOAM

4.35

4.15

-0.2

0

582,900

2,425,593.36

JOHNHOLT

1.16

1.13

-0.03

0

147,618

167,702.70

VONO

1.44

1.44

0

0

1,130

1,548.10

LAWUNION

0.5

0.5

0

0

2,300

1,150.00

WAPCO

120

117.27

-2.73

0

218,942

26,149,403.62

0.9

0.89

-0.01

0

15,474,685

13,925,893.99

LEARNAFRCA

1.51

1.52

0.01

0

1,432,130

2,076,065.40

WAPIC

LINKASSURE

0.5

0.5

0

0

26,000

13,000.00

WEMABANK

1.15

1.1

-0.05

0

628,012

690,813.20

ZENITHBANK

25

24.95

-0.05

0

2,580,901

64,396,989.13

LIVESTOCK

3.09

3.1

0.01

0

4,228,387

13,106,983.30

MANSARD

2.55

2.66

0.11

0

971,500

2,586,158.80

MAYBAKER

1.75

1.75

0

0

650,063

1,137,588.60

MBENEFIT

0.54

0.54

0

0

35,200

19,010.00

MCNICHOLS

1.35

1.41

0.06

0

170,000

233,755.00

MOBIL

178.84

169.9

-8.94

0

287,005

49,708,650.41

MRS

61.99

61.99

0

0

3,075

181,117.50

MTI

0.5

0.5

0

0

5,000,000

2,500,000.00

MULTITREX

0.5

0.5

0

0

2,000

1,040.00

MULTIVERSE

0.5

0.5

0

0

100

50

TOP 10 GAINERS

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS

Stock

Close

Gain

NSEASEM NSEINS CAP CCNN GUINNESS UACN STA N B I C DIAMONDBNK R E D S TA R E X NB

951.96 150.27 41 13.27 198 62.4 27.5 6.72 5.17 178.2

2.91 1.61 0.9 0.63 0.5 0.4 0.37 0.32 0.23 0.2

Stock

Close

Loss

NSEASI 120.62 NSEINDUSTR 32.09 NSELOTUSISLM 12.69 FO 11.76 TO TA L MOBIL NSEOILGAS NESTLE S K Y E S H E LT NSE50

42544.36

-

2724.76

-

2824.97

-

224.23

-

185.73 169.9 467.79 1120 95 2095.82

-9.77 -8.94 -6.37 -5 -5 -4.8

ONE of the political realities of our contemporary global system is democracy, a political process which focuses on the necessity and imperative of governments to rule only by the Consent of the majority. The popular belief Is that properly understood and practised, democracy can remove the layers of national socio-economic and political darkness. Countries that have attained the Status of mature democracy Continue to insist that It will be absolutely difficult to get things done in pluralistic society with poor records of democratic values and practices.

WITH the way things are going politically in contemporary Nigeria, it is very doubtful, whether Nigerians will ever realise the dreams of allowing democratic tenets to influence the Country’s political life.

IN this connection, democratic reality implies that all Nigerians must be willing to take difficult democratic decisions, and must see the benefits in supporting their Country’s democratic Institutions. With the current state of democracy in the country, many Nigerians have openly wondered whether the struggle For political independence was a worthwhile exercise. Clearly, all is not well with democracy in Nigeria. Still, democracy remains the only viable and sustainable weapon for tackling national backwardness and for securing recognition and respect from the international community. No one will ever doubtthe political fact that a strong democratic foundation will provide Nigerians with the opportunity to. choose their own future.

THERE is need for all Nigerians to work together democratically, and openly express, indeed, demonstrate their commitment to the development of democracy. One of the disturbing features of the Nigerian democracy is that the Nigerian elite have not demonstrated enough support for the country’s democratic process, especially in

THE NIGERIAN

Deepening Democratic Commitment

times of increasing political uncertainties. The bulk of the Nigerian elite have virtually abandoned political involvement in government and governance. They have left the process of democratic development in the hands of the ‘politicians,” which may well explain the low level of adherence to democratic procedures and values in the country * ONE of the reasons why most of the highly development States are experiencing stable democracy is the undiluted commitments of their elite to ensuring right political governance.

It must be repeatedly stressed that Nigeria will find it hard to rise to the much desired political status of becoming one of the wor stable and progressive democracy, if the Nigerian elite choose to remain on the political fence, Or exist as mere political spectators. Undoubtedly, the Nigeria elite can, just as their overseas counterparts have demonstrated, contribute to the growth Of the Nigerian democracy. Greater elite participation in the country’s democratic process must become the defining characteristics of Nigeria’s political System.

Despite marking 10 years of democracy, the political attitude of the majority of the Nigerian elite has been predominantly negative. It thus appears that Nigeria’s efforts to advance democratically will require a new shift in favour of greater elite involvement in the nation’s politics.

THERE is no doubt that the degree of support

for democracy is largely influenced by economic fortunes. This means that the 71 percent of Nigerians living below the poverty line, by international estimates or the 54 percent poor Nigerians, by a 2005 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) report, are not economically motivated to demonstrate sufficient and effective support for Nigerias democracy. All the same, the less privileged classes In Nigeria can offer considerable support for achieving sustainable democracy in Nigeria, if they can be overtly organized into pro-democratic groups. The current economic and political reform efforts may well push less economically empowered Nigerians from their economic adversities right up t the middle class bracket. Economically and socially disadvantaged Nigerians may well discover in the long-run how support for democracy can widen opportunities for political influence and business.

SINCE independence in Nigeria in 1960, it is reasonable to infer that the country has failed to enthrone a durable and sustainable democracy. The Ekiti-rerun election and all other elections that have been flawed are pointers that transparency is seriously lacking in our democratic efforts in the last 10 years.

By all standards, the path to democratic development in the country will require joint political efforts between the ruling party, political parties and most importantly, the Nigerian electorate. Clearly, in a pluralistic society like Nigeria, democratic enthronement is possible, only If there is organizational unity at all levels of governance. The Nigerian elite, the electronic and the Print Media, have significant roles in the race to reach democratic maturity, by helping the people to understand the democratic process, guide them to appreciate what Nigerians want from the country’s democratic as well as outline the structure of democratic opportunities the Nigerian political system can support.

Law

Non-Compliance With The Conditions Of Appeal

THE prosecution of the appeal consists in the due compliance with the requirements of the rules, conditions and orders of the Registrar of the Court, precedent to the hearing of the appeal. An appeal is not properly before the Court where all or some of those conditions, precedent were not complied with. If the appellant fails to make the deposit for the record and also fails to comply with the order for security, the Registrar of the Federal Court of Appeal shall not prepare the record of

shall deliver it to the Registrar immediately an appeal in the case is filed. Exhibits other than documentary ones may be retained by parties and produced at the hearing of the appeal to the Supreme Court. Parties may seek for and obtain directives of

Appeal but shall certify the fact of non-compliance to the Supreme Court which shall on the receipt of the certificate order the appeal to be dismissed with or without costs to the respondent. Similarly if the respondent alleges that the appellant has failed to comply with the provisions, and the Supreme Court is satisfied of the allegation, it may dismiss the appeal.

An appellant whose appeal was dismissed on the above grounds, may for good and sufficient cause, shown in an application by motion or notice, get the Supreme Court to restore the appeal. The Supreme Court may extend the time for the appellant to comply with the order, and for that purpose decline to dismiss the appeal. (xii) Exhibits All documents tendered at the trial and admitted as exhibits, as well as those tendered but rejected, shall remain in custody of the Federal Court of Appeal, and forwarded to the Supreme Court together with the record of appeal. Any party in possession of such document

the Registrar of the Federal Court of Appeal on how to comply with these requirements The Registrar of the Supreme Court shall retain exhibits forwarded to him till the determination of the appeal. The release of any exhibit to a party while the appeal is pending can be effected only by the Registrar of the Supreme Court or by the Supreme Court itself, on such conditions as may be imposed.

Documents impounded by order of that Supreme Court shall not be inspected or delivered out of the custody of the court except by order of the Supreme Court.

But the Attorney-General or the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation or a State may on his written request take such document without the order of the Court (xiii).

Withdrawal of Appeals Any time before an appeal is called on for hearing, the appellant may withdraw the appeal by filing a notice to that effect in the registry of the Supreme Court. A copy of the notice shall be served on the respondent. An appeal which has been withdrawn shall be deemed

By A OBI-OKOYE

to have been dismissed and so cannot be revived. The withdrawal may be a unilateral act of the appellant or with consent of the respondent.

Where all parties to an appeal

Court is entered when the record of appeal is received and entered in the cause list of the Supreme Court in accordance with the rules. It is not the giving of the notice of appeal that constitutes

consent to the withdrawal, the notice of withdrawal shall contain that fact and the notice shall be signed by all the parties or by their solicitors. The Registrar shall then strike out the appeal and it stands dismissed without reference to the court.

The appellant is entitled to withdraw any money deposited as security in the appeal. If the withdrawal is a unilateral act of the appellant, the appeal shall come up in court to be formally dismissed by the court and for disposal of other matters such as costs of the respondent, and who may be entitled to any deposit for costs. (xiv) Entry of Appeal The appeal to the Supreme

the entering of the appeal. In other words, the notice of appeal is given in the Federal Court of Appeal while the appeal is entered in the Supreme Court.

Once an appeal is entered, all applications in the appeal shall be made in the Supreme Court not in the Federal Court of Appeal or in the lower court, except those expressly provided in Order Seven of the Supreme Court Rules that could be made in the court below. The Supreme Court cannot therefore after an appeal has been entered, entertain an application first where it is one which should be made in the court below first; nor does the court below lose a jurisdiction which is expressly

conferred on it, such as to stay execution of its judgment pending appeal. (xv) Filing of Briefs Briefs are filed in the Supreme Court by the parties to an appeal; oral argument at the hearing is allowed only to emphasize and clarify the written brief. Failure to file a brief deprives a party of the right to address the court at the hearing of the appeal except with leave of the court.

Within eight weeks of the receipt by him of the record of appeal, the appellant shall file ten copies of his written brief in the registry of the Supreme Court, with a copy for service on the respondent. Within six weeks of the service on him of the appellant’s written brief, the respondent shall file ten copies of his own in the registry of the Supreme Court, with a copy for service on the appellant. The appellant is at liberty to file a Reply Brief within 21 days of his receipt of the respondent’s brief.

The Reply Brief shall be filed so as to be served on the respondent at least three days before the hearing date of the appeal, unless there be good and sufficient cause why this provision cannot be complied with.

Briefs may be filed out of time only with the leave of the Supreme Court obtained on a formal application to that effect with affidavit explaining to the satisfaction of the court the reasons for the default. Should the appellant fail to file his brief within the enlarged time, the appeal may be dismissed on the application of the respondent..

A brief should be settled by counsel, and shall be a succinct statement of the party’s argument in the appeal. It shall contain the issues arising in the appeal for determination. It is not necessary to summarise, in the brief, the judgment appealed against except to such an extent as to support the argument of the party. Similarly the brief need not contain statutory provisions or the account of the proceedings or the facts of the case. But the reasons upon which the argument is to be founded shall be stated and those reasons should be supported by

particulars of the titles, duties and pages of law reports and other authorities to be ruled upon. If a party intends to abandon any point taken in the court below, he should say so in the brief giving particulars of the point. Also if he intends to apply for leave to introduce a new point at the hearing, he shall say so and give the particulars. Where a party intends to invite the court to depart from its previous decision the brief shall indicate clearly in a separate paragraph that this course will be taken. The brief shall freely make reference to the documents and exhibits tendered at the trial. Joint briefs will be filed by all appellants or respondents; but if there be anyone with separate interest in an appeal he may file a separate brief. Parties having passive interest in an appeal need not file a brief, but they should ensure that their position is explained in the brief of a party. A respondent who cross-appealed or who filed the respondent’s notice, shall file an inclusive brief to accommodate his ambivalent position.

At the hearing only one hour is allowed to each side for oral argument, unless otherwise directed by the court. Request for additional time shall be made in writing not later than one month after the service of the appellant’s Brief on the respondent. It shall be served on the respondent and shall state clearly and in precise terms the reasons why the argument cannot be presented within one hour. Only one counsel will be heard on each side. But where there are several parties, more counsel than one may be heard on each side by permission of the court. The court may not give the permission where the intention or the effect is only to present divided arguments. The appellant shall begin and may reply after the respondent has been heard.

Where, how ever, there is crossappeal, the court will decide who may begin and close the argument.

Where parties fail to appear at the hearing and Briefs were duly filed by them, the appeal shall be deemed to have A been argued. If only one brief was filed, the appeal will be deemed to have been argued only in that brief.

“All documents tendered at the trial and admitted as exhibits, as well as those tendered but rejected, shall remain in custody of the Federal Court of Appeal, and forwarded to the Supreme Court together with the record of appeal. Any party in possession of such document shall deliver it to the Registrar immediately an appeal in the case is filed.”

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

Need Assessment

Prerequisite Of Valuable Project

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 OGUNYEMI 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 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 time frame, such a project

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 the next batch.

Continuity project is not a crime in NYSC scheme.

Even if the next batch cannot complete such a project, it can be further handed over to the next batch. 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 well-meaning 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? Fellow Corps members the curtain is not yet closed, you can still write your name in gold.

“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.”

Agrosphere

Techniques Of Managing Pigs (1) Introduction IN our previous edition, the writer defined Agric Extension as an informal or out of school system of transferring agricultural information on new innovations to farmers and the public.

The focus of paper therefore, is on “Technoques of Managing Pigs”.

Generally, management of pigs entails selection of breeding stock, housing, feeding, breeding practices and hygiene 2 major techniques of managing pigs are.

1. Intensive system 2. Extensive system What is intensive system of rearing pigs?

In intensive system of rearing pigs, the pigs are confined or restricted to a modern house made with dwarf walls, made of concrete with wire nettings and the roof covered with zinc.

This system is mostly practiced in most modern farms in Nigeria. Contact experts in Edo ADP for right specification of how to construct a pig house.

Under this system, pigs are reared and selected using these criteria or qualities such as.

Ability to produce large litter size and rear them successfully.

An example of a good sow (matured female pig) is that with 14-16 teats.

Rapid rate of growth for a good pig stock. The average daily weight gain from weaning to the time it gets to the market should be 0.75kg selected should also have some natural resistance to diseases.

Housing of pigs under this intensive method of keeping pigs, housing is very important to protect the animals from extremes of weather conditions. Under this system, the pigs are confined in-doors all their lives. The house suitable for sow and litter would consist of a building or pen of 3x2.5 meters with a yard in the front. The walls are usually about 1.8 meters high. There should be adequate ventilation for the animals.

The door should be 0.9 metres wide on the side facing the yard.

How are pigs fed under intensive system? Feeding recommended for pigs.

Although pigs eat anything that is edible. Feeds accounts for 75-80% of pig production under the intensive system of management. The feed for

By OLUMESE MARK pig must contain all the necessary requirement in their correct proportion such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins pigs can make use of fresh young herbage and should be given when available.

The recommended rations or commercial fees available for feeding pigs at different ages are as follows.

Creep feed: This is usually fed to the pigs from 1 week to 8 weeks of age after birth it is richest in protein (24%) of all pig rations.

Weaners’ ration: This is given to the pigs from 35 kg live weight. The protein content of weaner’s ration is reduced to 18-20% with an increase in fibre content.

Fatteners’ diet: This is the feed or ration given to the pigs from 55 kg to slaughter weight of about 90-100 kg.

The feed contains 15-16% crude protein and has high fibre content Breeders’ diet: This is the ration or diet given to sows and boars kept for breeding purposes as from the weaning age of pigs. It contains about 16% crude proteins. In addition to the above diet, any feed should be provided at all times in the feeding trough, clean water must be available always in the pig pen or house.

How is the breeding of pigs practiced under the intensive system? Firstly, the young sow (gift) is mated when it shows some signs of heat.

The recommended age for the gilt to be mated is about 9 months. The Boar (or matured male pig) is allowed to service the sow once. The boar can be used for breeding or maturing as from 6 months

of age. At this age, it should be used more than once a week. When the Boar is up to 18 months of age, it can be used to service up to 15 sows.

The sow farrows (to give birth) after a gestation period of 114 – 115 days (3 months, 3 week and 3 days) and produce letters of 8 – 14 pig lets in one furrowing. About 8 – 10 days before farrowing, the preguard 8020 should be moved to the farrowing pen and washed, the daily ration should be increased at this stage. After farrowing, the sows should be kept without food for the first 24 hours.

Rice grain in warm water may however be provided.

Management of the piglets. The piglets need careful handling after birth.

After partorit win, the umbilical cord of the piglets should be cut 5cm from the base and treat with wodine against possible infections.

They should be allowed to feed in the colostrums (that first milk from the mammary glands after birth, for the first week after birth. Thereafter the piglet should be injected with iron preparation against anaemia from the time the animals are one week old up to weaning age creep feed should also be provided. The piglets must be fed independent of the sows. As from the 5th or 8th week of age, the piglets should be weaned. They are then fed on weaners’ diet. The males and female pigs should also be separated, depending on the purpose for which the pigs are kept, different rations are fed. The males not required for breeding should be castrated as from 7-10 days of birth.

To be continued The writer is Ag. Director, Liaison Office Headquarters, Edo State Agricultural Development Programme, Benin City Nigeria.

“Thereafter the piglet should be injected with iron preparation against anaemia from the time the animals are one week old up to weaning age creep feed should also be provided.”

Spotlight

Lessons F

Political Stability Key T HOW is a nation with a poor natural resource base to achieve lasting development? What can be done to improve the skills of the people? How can a vibrant private sector be created? Can better health care be delivered and how should it be paid for?

Some of these questions might well be valid for Fiji but the visiting journalist soon discovers that they are all secondary issues. For this is a country whose political system itself dominates the agenda.

The fundamental issue here is the relationship between the indigenous people of Fiji and the descendants of indentured Indian labourers brought in by the British between 1879 and 1916 to work in the sugar cane fields.

Fiji, in fact is home to people of a variety of cultures. On the indigenous side, the majority are Melanesians but there are also some Polynesians (living on the island of Roturna). The country even plays host to Banabans, from Kiribati, who were displaced from their homes on Ocean Island to make way for the phosphate diggers.

They hold a freehold to the island of Rabi and enjoy a special self-governing status.

And while the Indians form the bulk of the non- indigenous population, there are also small Chinese and European communities as well as a number of inhabitants of mixed race.

Despite this diversity, it would be inappropriate to describe Fiji as a melting pot.

Ever since the rapid expansion of the Indian population, official policy has tended to accentuate the divisions. In the early days, it was the British who were responsible for this, although one has to be careful to avoid value judgments. The colonial administrators, it seems, were aware of the tensions that would arise by bringing in large numbers of people of a different culture, language and religion. Their eventual response was to provide guarantees for the local population, notably as regards land rights. The effect was to

preserve the traditional land tenure system which was based on villages and families. At the time, it seemed a logical thing to do, but several generations on, the country now has a settled population of Indian origin (43% of the total) who have limited opportunities to own land — even though many of them work on it.

As the economy has developed, each of the two main communities has found itself ‘specialising’ in different fields. For example, cane farmers and retailers tend to be of Indian origin while the public service has traditionally attracted more native Fijians.

Significantly, the army is almost exclusively filled by indigenous people — a crucial factor in the 1987 military coup.

On the political front, as Fiji moved towards independence, the idea of providing separate representation for each ethnic group also took hold. The independence constitution of 1970 reflected this with the two main communities being given parity (22 seats each) in the House of Representatives.

Shattered illusion Although there was no real assimilation between 1970 and 1987, Fiji was seen by many as a model of a successful multiracial society. It was only when the country got its first Indiandominated administration (sustained in power by a smaller native Fijian party) that this illusion was shattered. There was a military coup led by LieutenantColonel Sitiveni Rabuka, who is now the elected Prime Minister . Shortly there after, Fiji became a republic (Queen Elizabeth was formerly Head of State) and in 1990, a new Constitution was adopted giving political primacy to the

indigenous Fijians. Needless to say, it was a time of greatly heightened communal tension.

The 1987 coup and the events that followed have been well covered elsewhere (including our previous Country Report which was published in 1991).

It suffices to say here that while ‘the last few years have been a lot less turbulent, tensions remain. In 1997, the country must adopt a new set of constitutional proposals and a big debate is currently underway about the shape of the system of government for the 21st century.

This subject is covered in a later article and also features prominently in our interviews with the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.

The main focus of this article is therefore on economic and social aspects although, as one soon discovers, this frequently leads us back to the ethnic question. This is particularly the case when one considers the overall economic performance of the country. Fiji is not poor by developing nation standards and it has enjoyed modest growth during 1995 and 1996, but there is a widespread view that it could be doing a great deal better were it not for the political uncertainties. The problem is summed up by the Economic Intelligence Un/tin its Fiji Country Report for the first quarter of 1996: ‘Political instability will continue to deter investment, other than that on highly favourable tax terms.’ In other words, Fiji is paying a high economic price for its internal difficulties.

General unease about the future and, in particular, the outcome of the constitutional review process is compounded by specific concerns over land tenure. The long-term leases granted to (mainly Indian) farmers are approaching their end and the government must soon decide what it should do next. Will any of the sugar cane farmers be evicted and if so, how many? What alternative arrangements will be made for them? These questions remained to be answered when The Courier visited Fiji in July although, as our keynote

Courtesy APC - Eucourier

interviews show, the subject was clearly exercising the minds of the politicians.

A long-term strategy for agriculture?

The way in which the land question is dealt with will have a crucial impact on the sugar industry — still the country’s most important product in terms of its contribution to GDP and the jobs that it generates (see the article entitled ‘Sugar definitely has a future’). With other uncertainties facing this sector — in particular, the process of global liberalisation — there is a growing recognition of the need for a long- term strategy. The government has a two-pronged approach — improving efficiency within the sector and diversifying into other agricultural products. To learn more about this, we spoke to Luke Ratuvuki, who is the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.

Mr Ratuvuki began by stressing the scope for increasing the sugar yield per hectare by as much as 75% (and by even more with irrigation).

If productivity could be boosted on this scale, Fiji sugar would be in a much better position to compete in open world markets. He admitted, however, that the country would still face a struggle in maintaining market share and, looking ahead ten years, foresaw a slimmed down industry providing high quality sugar with more of a focus on niche markets. This inevitably meant looking at other agricultural products as possible long-term substitutes. The coconut (or as the Permanent Secretary dubbed it, ‘the tree of life’) is traditionally grown here and seems poised to enjoy a new lease of life following a period of decline. Fiji has also picked up the taro trade at the expense of Western Samoa, which is affected by taro blight, while there are significant exports of ginger to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Europe.

“Despite this diversity, it would be inappropriate to describe Fiji as a melting pot. Ever since the rapid expansion of the Indian population, official policy has tended to accentuate the divisions. In the early days, it was the British who were responsible for this, although one has to be careful to avoid value judgments.”

Mr Ratuvuki spoke enthusiastically about branching out into other areas such as pawpaws, mangoes, bananas and aubergines.

Fiji has potential for growth in a range of non-agricultural sectors, but farming is sure to play a vital part in the economy

for many years to come.

Currently, sugar represents almost three quarters of all crops by value (excluding subsistence growing) and the Fijians are only too aware that this makes the country particularly vulnerable to external shocks.

The other primary sectors are all present in Fiji, albeit on a more modest scale. There is some deep-sea fishing backed

by Asian investors. This provides useful employment although perhaps not the best possible financial return to the country. As one would expect in a nation of three hundred islands, there is also extensive artisanal and subsistence fishing in the inshore areas.

The forestry sector divides into two parts: artificial softwood plantations which are said to be managed sustainable and the naturally growing hardwoods. As regards the latter, the EU is helping with a mapping project. Although Asian loggers do not operate in Fiji, there is considerable land

clearance taking place, leading to problems of erosion and silting.

Prospects for mining Gold is the main mineral being exploited with important deposits around Vatukoula. The sector has had its ups and downs but the Emperor Gold Mining Company has now embarked on an expansion project aimed at

raising production from the current level of about4000 kilos per annum to 6000 kilos by the year 2000. A huge copper and gold mine is also planned for Namosi, some 35 km from Suva. Other minerals discovered but not exploited include bauxite, iron, lead, zinc, phosphates and marble. Mining currently makes a modest contribution to overall GDP but represents an important component in the export earnings figures.

With one key exception, manufacturing is on a fairly small scale with an emphasis on staple items (butter, beer, soft drinks, paint, soap etc.) for the local market. The exception is the garment industry which provides some 20% of the country’s export income and a con siderable amount of employment.

The investments in garment manufacturing and mining have been important in jobs terms and in improving the trade figures. but there are those who criticise the fact that the

nu ch th th st To on ha in po no cu di Fi is Fi Pa re th jo in Re m th th

th ov se he co co

From Fiji

Spotlight

To Economic Success government appears to derive little revenue from the operations. The exact fiscal benefits are not easy to determine, prompting some observers to suggest that official secrecy should be eased (see the article on the Constitutional Review later in this Country Report).

In the service sector, longterm growth is foreseen in the key area of tourism.. The

Bank of Fiji with losses of USS 142m (equivalent to 10%of the annual GDP). The authorities were accused of a failure in supervision and the taxpayers have had to pick up some of the bill. More serious, however, is the undermining of confidence in the system and it will take time for this to be restored.

Social challenges As a middle-income country, Fiji has relatively favourable

umber of holidaymakers hoosing Fiji dipped sharply at he time of the coup, illustrating he importance of political tability in attracting visitors. ourist arrivals bounced back nce Fiji’s internal difficulties ad receded from the nternational headlines. The oliticians must be hoping that othing will occur during the urrent period of constitutional scussion and negotiation to put ji back on the front pages. It worth mentioning here that iji’s national carrier, Air acific, is an example of a elatively rare bird — an airline hat makes money! According to ournalist Avin Rahish, writing n the July 1996 issue of The eview (the news and business magazine of Fiji): ‘It is one of he few government investments hat is profitable on its own.’

If tourism is a success story, here is something of a shadow ver the financial services ector, which is more extensive ere than in most developing ountries. The reason is the ollapse last year of the National

social indicators in the areas of health and education.

Medical facilities are provided by the government but it is said that the public health system is not as good as it once was. This is attributed, among other things, to the emigration of highly qualified staff in the aftermath of the events of 1987.

Nonetheless, the country does have 27 hospitals and one doctor for approximately every 1900 people. At 72 years, life expectancy is high com pared to the ACP average.

The education sector is welldeveloped with more than 800 primary and secondary schools (for a population of less than 800 000) and 41 technical or vocational institutions. As a result, primary school enrolment is close to 100% while the 1986 census revealed that 60% of 15-year olds were still in education. On the other hand, there are concerns over the proportion of teachers lacking qualifications, notably in the primary school system. In practice, there is considerable

racial segregation at both primary and secondary levels, although there is no official policy to this effect.

Educationally, the jewel in the crown is almost certainly the University of the South Pacific whose main campus is in Suva. This regional institution, which has departments in a number of other countries of the South Pacific, draws students from various island nations. Dr Vijay Naidu, who is the USP’s Pro-Vice Chancellor, outlined some of the special features of this unique university which has to cater for a highly dispersed population. Like traditional tertiary institutions, it provides a wide range of degree programmes on campus, catering for 3500 students. It has a further 9000 who are being educated using the ‘distance mode’. Distance learning is organised through centres in each of the participating countries.

Students can attend these centres from time to time but much of their work is done through radio and telephone linkages and, in creasingly nowadays, by e-mail and satellite communications. The University, Dr Naidu stressed, also provides continuing education at non-degree level ‘in everything from computing to basket-weaving’.

Like the health sector, the USP suffered a loss of highly qualified staff after 1987 — and not just among employees of Indian origin. As the ProVice Chancellor pointed out, the coup created ‘a new sense of insecurity’ all round and teachers who decided to emigrate were quickly accepted in Australia and New Zealand. The loss has been particularly serious in the scientific disciplines.

90% of the USP’s recurrent expenditure is covered by member government contributions with the remainder coming from Australia and New Zealand.

For capital investments, there is heavy reliance on external

donors.

In both of Fiji’s main ethnic communities, a strong commitment to the family ensures that there is relatively little absolute poverty although things may be changing as the country become more urbanised. It is rare to see beggars in the streets in the South Pacific but Suva, sadly, has a number of these.

The overall picture is of a country with very considerable potential in both human and natural resource terms which needs to overcome a number of challenges to secure a more prosperous future. Some of these challenges —adapting to the world of free markets, tackling bureaucratic impediments, bringing development to rural villages, improving the infrastructure, and so on — are familiar to all developing countries. The single most important constraint, however, is the big ethnic divide, and the political uncertainty which flows from this. And this is something which can only be solved by the people of Fiji themselves.

Anyone from overseas who is travelling to the Fijian capital, Suva, will soon discover that the country’s largest island is a very diverse place. Roughly circular in shape, Viti Levu provides more than half of Fiji’s total land area and is home to about threequarters of the population.

The journey to Suva on the south-east coast will almost certainly involve transiting through Nadi Inter national Airport (pronounced Nandi) which is situated in the west.

This is the country’s only major international gate way and while it is ideal for tourists heading for the resort hotels, it is less convenient for business travellers whose destination is Suva. Their journey has to be completed either by road (which takes several hours) or on one of the small commuter planes which ply regularly between Nadi and Nausori (itself a halfhour drive from the capital).

The biggest surprise to those who are unfamiliar with the

country is that the west and the south-east have very different weather patterns. When your aircraft lands at Nadi, the chances are high that the sun will be shining. On reaching Suva, you are more likely to encounter rain. This part of the country enjoys — if that is the correct term — a micro-climate which is good for tropical vegetation but less appealing to human beings. The ‘blame’ for locating the 9ian capital in such a spot is said (not too seriously) to lie with the country’s former colonial rulers. According to the story, a British envoy visited Suva on one of its rare sunny days and, on the strength of this, designated it as the seat of administration. The British can hardly deny their involvement since it was in 1882, during the early years of colonial rule, that the capital moved from Levuka (situated on the much smaller island of Ovalau). But the key reason was almost certainly the fact that Suva, with its large bay, could be developed as a port. Whatever the explanation, one must have some sympathy with the foreign diplomats who keep a raincoat or umbrella to hand at all times, and yet are viewed with envy back home because they have a ‘paradise’ posting.

To be fair, Suva has attributes other than its weather which make it an interesting place. It has, for example, some very attractive architecture, both local and colonial. The views across the bay can be dramatic — and, in this respect, the rolling cloud formations may actually enhance the picture.

And the centre of the city buzzes with activity (except on Sunday because of the Sabbatarian influence).

The population of the greater Suva area is about 160 000.

This may not be enormous, but it is the largest concentration of humanity to be found between Hawaii and Australia. In some ways, it is the ‘capital’ of he South Pacific — a point which is underlined by the fact that the Forum Secretariat is based here.

It is also the site of the

University of the South Pacific’s main campus. The local population is mainly ethnic Fijian but there are lndoFijians as well as citizens of Chinese and European extraction. Add to this the diplomatic corps, foreign businesspeople and students from other parts of the region, and you get a very cosmopolitan mix. This is reflected in the variety of cuisines available in the local restaurants.

The western part of Viti Levu is also cosmopolitan but in a very different way, with a stronger Indian influence and, of course, a constantly changing tourist population.

Most of the island’s inhabitants live a relatively short distance from the sea.

Thus, in demographic terms, Viti Levu is like a doughnut with a thick layer of humanity around the edge and a hole in the middle. The analogy may not be entirely apt since the ‘hole’ is, in fact, a spectacular mountainous area. This makes the road that runs round the island a key arterial route.

Meanwhile, those who choose to fly from Nadi to Suva, assuming they are not of a nervous disosition, can enjoy the experience of travelling below the height of the surrounding peaks.

The few people who do occupy the central region live in traditional Fijian villages and have a lifestyle far removed from either the town dwellers or the sugar cane farmers. Its size may be little more than ten thousand square kilo- metres but Viti Levu is truly an island of contrasts.

Fiji –EU Cooperation: a comprehensive package Fiji was a signatory of the first Lomé Convention in 1975 and, to date, the country has been allocated some ECU 190m in EU development cooperation funds Starting with a relatively modest ECU 9.9m under Lomé Continues on pg. 21

“Most of the island’s inhabitants live a relatively short distance from the sea. Thus, in demographic terms, Viti Levu is like a doughnut with a thick layer of humanity around the edge and a hole in the middle. The analogy may not be entirely apt since the ‘hole’ is, in fact, a spectacular mountainous area.”

News Extra UNDP Workshop Examines Issues In 2015 Election Reporting

By PIUS EDE

CALABAR - As the 2015 elections draw nearer, government and nongovernmental organizations are brainstorming on how to give Nigeria and Nigerians free, fair and credible elections.

Recently the UNDP Democratic Government for Development (DGD) in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held a two day workshop for Journalists in the South -South region in Calabar, Cross River State on how to enhance voters education, enlightenment and promote best practices in election reportage.

After brainstorming for two days, journalists from the six States in South -South identified some of the factors militating against balanced reporting of electoral processes and the way out.

The workshop in session identified the culture of impunity, winner-takes of all approach, widespread poverty and large army of jobless youths and religious and ethnic polarization as some of the factors for electoral violence, while emphasizing the need for the media to be conflict sensitive.

The session advised that the media should avoid use of hate language, examine a story from all angles, prevent manipulation of the media by politicians and political parties, give aggrieved parties or persons the opportunity and the right to reply and, promptly correct mistakes

where they are made.

Because of the obvious fundamental role which the society has bestowed on the media as the watchdog of society, Journalists are therefore charged to live above board and ensure that the interest of the nation and the general public is placed above personal considerations at all times. It noted also that imbalanced reports lead to loss of integrity, trust and litigation and charged journalists to use all techniques to achieve balanced reporting in the interest of truth, equity and fairness.

The workshop enumerated social inequality, economic hardship, weak government structure, poor/ irregular remuneration, technological advancement and ownership influence as some of the factors that drive unethical issues. Also of note is the large number of political parties and candidates in elections which pose logistics challenge for fair allocation of airtime in the electronic media and space in the newspapers. It opined that ethics and professionalism are factors in the outcome of reporting elections and advocated truthfulness, refusal of bribe, avoidance of plagiarism, moral responsibilities, accuracy and confidentiality as imperatives for effective reporting of an election.

In view of the use of young, inexperienced reporters as editors by media owners, the workshop proposed maturity period of

10-15 years for such appointment to enhance professionalism and ethical standards.

The workshop called on leadership of the NUJ at the national and state levels to protect journalists from frequent harassment and intimidation in the hands of security agents and

politicians, while urging journalists to be security conscious as the nation approach electioneering period.

The workshop reviewed gender responsive election coverage in Nigeria and noted that the Nigerian media is colossally inclined to the coverage of male politicians.

L-R: Comrade Simon Ebegbulem (Vanguard), Comrade Titus Akhigbe (Insider Magazine) and Comrade Pius Ede of the Nigerian Observ er at the UN workshop in Calabar recently.

By KEHINDE OSAGIEDE

OKADA – The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ovia North-East chapter has commended the Chairman, Ovia North-East Local Government Council, Barr (Mrs.) Lucy

By RAYMOND OSOGBE

Adebanjo was made a honorary Rotarian, because of his outstanding combat against criminality in Edo State.

Eboigbe said Adebanjo’s unrelentless war against kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices attracted the Rotarians to bestow on him the honour of a honorary Rotarian.

Speaking with newsmen after the conferment, Adebanjo pledged to increase and sustain the tempo of his war against

information, and socialization as a result of its wide reach but urged INEC, politicians and journalists to take advantage of the social media and strongly advocated regulation to reduce its negative side.

On the recent NBC decision to seek approval before airing live programs for political activities and the proposed plan to make Nigerians pay for media content, the workshop described the moves as clear danger for the political development and the improvement of the nation’s electoral process and called on the NBC to hold widespread consultation with stakeholders to reach an agreeable point on the issues.

The workshop which was supported by European Union, Ukaid, Canadian foreign affairs trade and development also produced an action plan to be executed by state councils of the NU which include identifying targeted audience and organizing workshop and seminars, engage stakeholders to enrich media output and collaboration with development partners.

Quality Leadership: Youth Council Commends LG Boss Omagbon for providing quality leadership as evident in project execution and general performance since she assumed office.

The Youth body led by

Edo Compol Installed Honorary Rotarian BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo was Saturday last week, installed as an Honorary Rotarian, by Rotary club of Benin Metropolitan, Rotary International, District 9140.

The installation ceremony which took place in Benin City attracted distinguished Rotarians and members of the public.

Rotarian Martins Eboigbe, President, District 9140 said Compol

It was however strongly suggested that women in politics should be given prominence in the coverage of the 2015 general election for the nation to tap from their abundant human resources for national development, growth and to promote better visibility of women in politics.

It noted that social media offer numerous opportunities as a platform for political campaign, voters education,

criminality in Edo State.

He emphasized that the

Rotarian’s honour will spur him to work harder to improve security situation in the state.

• Foluso Adebanjo, Edo Compol

Comrade Anslem Onogholo made the commendation yesterday during a courtesy call on the Hon. Chairman by members of the Youth Council.

According to Onogholo, the Council boss has done a lot in the area of investment, project execution within her one year in office to their amazement, and therefore deserves commendation so as to spur her to do more.

Meanwhile, the Council Chairman has been honoured by the Youth body with an investiture as ‘patron’ of the body in the local government area.

Decorating her at a brief ceremony, Edo State Deputy Chairman of the Youth Council, Comrade Michael Omomila who stood in for the state chairman, Comrade Innocent Ajayi said they

were impressed by what the council boss has done with the council’s lean resources.

He urged the council boss to continue the good works she is doing and prayed God to sustain her for her to get the reward for good work.

On the issue of disengaged council workers over alleged illegal employment and alteration of official documents, the leader appealed to the council boss to review the council’s position with a view to reabsorbing the employable ones among them.

In her response, the council chairman thanked the Youths for having confidence in her, as well for the honour done her.

She however advised them against being used for social vices, promising them of her support.

or (a2 - 2b)(a + 2b) - c(a + 2b) INTRODUCTION: With the common factor written In the previous lectures we discussed the factorisation of first, we get: a2 - 4b2 - ac - 2bc monomials, perfect squares, = (a + 2b)[(a - 2b)-c] difference of two squares as well as quadratic expressions. In this edition or (a + 2b)(a - 2b - c)Ans

A].

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

Factorising Expressions Containing x(a - b ) + y(a - b ) on EBS TV (Thursday 4pm live) we Four Terms With the common factor written shall be discussing expressions with 2

four and five terms.

Example 4 To factorise an expression with or Factorise completely containing four terms, group the (4abx - 2axy) - (12b2x + 6bxy). terms in pairs so that each pair has a (UME, 2003) common factor. The other factor can Solution: be found by division.

Grouping in pairs, we have: B]. APPLICATION EXAMPLES (4abx - 2axy) - (12b2x - 6bxy) With the common factor written first, we get: Example 1 Factorise ax + ay - bx - by.

(2b - 7)(2ax - 6bx) Solution in pairs, we get: (2b - y)(a - 3b)2x Ans (ax + ay) - (bx + by) = a (x + y) - b(x + y) Example 5 With common factor written Factorise completely first, we have, we have: ac - 2bc - a2 = 4b2 (UME, 2004) ax + ay - bx - by Solution: = (x + y)(a - b)Ans Grouping in pairs, we have: c(a - 2b) - (a2 - 4b2) Example 2 or c(a - 2b) - (a2 - 22b2) Factorise m3 - 2m2 - m + 2 Applying difference of two squares, (UME) we get: c(a - 2b) - [(a - 2b)(a + 2b)] Solution: With the common factor written Grouping in pairs, we have: first, we get: 3 2 (m - 2m ) - (m - 2) ac - 2bc - a2 + 4b2 2 = m (m - 2) - (m - 2) = (a - 2b)[c - (a + 2b)] With the common factor written or (a - 2b)(c - a -2b)Ans first, we get: M3 - 2m2 - m + 2 = (m - 2)(m2 - 1) Example 6 or (m - 2)(m - 1) (m + 1)Ans Factorise a2x - b2y - b2x + a2y (UME).

Example 3 Solution: factorise a2 - 4b2 - ac - 2bc Rearranging, we have Solution: a2x - b2x + a2y - b2y Grouping in pairs, we have: Grouping in pairs, we have: (a2 - 4b2 - (ac + 2bc)

2

2

2

first, we get: (a2 - b2)(x + y) or a2x - b2y - b2x + a2y =(a - b)(a + b)(x + y)Ans

Example 7 Factorise a2 - b2 + 3a + 3b Solution: Grouping in pairs, we have: (a2 - b2) + (3a + 3b) Applying diffence of two squares, we have: a2 - b2 + 3a + 3b = (a + b)[(a - b)] or (a + b)(a - b + 3)Ans Example 8 Factorise (a + b)(a + y) - 2x - 2y Solution: (a + b)(c + y) - 2(x + y) With the common factor written first, we have: (x + y)[a + b - 2]Ans Example 9 Factorise m2 - n2 - 4m + 4 Solution:

By Observation, we have the trininomial m2 - 4m + 4. So that m2 n2 - 4m + 4 = (m2 - 4m + 4) - n2 By difference, of two squares, we get: [(m - 2) - n][cm - 2) + n] or (m - 2 - n)(m - 2 + n)Ans Until next week, stay blessed solving Maths! Remember To watch EBS TV (live) at 4pm, Thursday

Motoring Understanding Car Fuel Injection System With

OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452

CARS with fuel injection system employ electronic devices to operate the system, while most of the ‘Tokunbo’ cars have injection system operated by hydraulic and mechanical devices. The maintenance attention required to keep the system in top conditions always in dependent on the devices employed to operate it; however, there are

filter housing showing the direction of fuel flow through the filter, is observed.

If you are driving a Hi-Tech car you should not switch ‘on’ the ignition unnecessary for a time before starting the engine, If you do, you will flood the intake ports with excessive fuel spray that will condense and find its way later into the engine bottom tray via the cylinders

battery terminals first the negative terminal before the positive terminal. Remember, when connecting the battery, you should connect the positive terminal first ‘before connecting the negative terminal.

Talking of connecting the battery terminal reminds me of another thing to watch out for, this is inadvertent changing of battery polarity or increasing the

tamper, with your Hi Tech engine unless you or that person has a working knowledge of the operating principle of the system and its ancillary.

HOW TO RECTIFY FAULT ON YOUR OWN DESPITE regular service maintenance and the carrying out of periodic checks daily, weekly and monthly by motorists some faults and

• If the ignition system is producing good electric sparks to the various sparking plugs at the right times.

• The engine mechanical components are in good working order.

• And the crankshaft rotates

some common grounds. These common grounds will he explained first before going into specific.

To start with, it must he realized that there are narrow passages of fuel in the injections in particular, and in general in the metering section of the fuel injection system: therefore filtration of fuel is essential to efficient performances of the injectors.

Secondly, since the presence of water in fuel promotes rust, it is absolutely important never to allow untapped water droplets find its way into the fine surface of the injector needle and nozzle barrels as it will promote rapid rust formation and permanent blockage of the injector nozzles.

The service life of the fuel filter upon the amount of dirt’s in the fuel and therefore it is imperative that you ensure you fill your fuel tank with clean fuel. When fitting a new filter, it is necessary that you buy “Original” filter and absolutely essential that the arrow on the

washing away lubricant on the surfaces of the cylinder thereby promoting metals to metals contact between the piston rings and the cylinder walls and resulting in excessive cylinder wear.

Finally, the droplets of petrol will on flowing into the bottom tray dilute the lubricating, oil weakening its lubricating properties in the process.

With petrol engines having carburetor one can remove the fuel filter clean it and replace it or disconnect any vacuum hose or fuel hose without disconnecting the battery cable but you cannot do this with engines having electronic fuel injection system because your action may precipitate or produce a fault signal in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which’ may not go “off’ until you get an expert to re-orientate or re-programme the electronic system to cancel the fault memory.

Therefore, before you do anything on the system you must ensure you disconnect the

output voltage of batteries to provide so-called stronger voltage for rolling the starter motor. Battery polarity, must never be altered on vehicle with electronic fuel injection system: neither should the battery voltage be temporally doubled to start the engine with a booster changes or booster battery, i.e., raising the output voltage from l2v to 24v by connecting two batteries in series. This will surely cause irreparable damaged to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit). All I have written so far points to one direction, which is, that you should not tamper or allow anybody to

breakdown may still occur. It is therefore necessary for you to know how to go about rectifying the faults on your own to avoid unnecessary delay and avoidable expenses whilst on a journey. For example, if an engine fails to start in the morning; what should the motorist do? To start with, the motorist must bear in mind that the automobile petrol engine will start and run perfectly well if: • There is adequate supply of fuel in vapour form and air to provide enough oxygen required for combustion in the cylinders;

fast enough to make the engine start promptly or “catch fire” immediately the starter motor is operated.

Therefore you do not need to beat about the bush or use trial and error method. Just follow a logical approach going through the simple to the more complex cause of the fault and you can’t miss it and you will solve the problem quickly.

Following this logical approach to solve the problem promptly: A. Check to see that there is fuel by observing the fuel gauge, reading and transparent fuel filter for traces of fuel.

B. Crank the engine or operate the start motor to see whether or not the engine crankshaft rotates fast enough or not.

C. Check to see that the battery terminal and .cables are right and free from corrosion.

Also check the electrolyte (Battery water) level in the battery cells. If level of “Battery water” is low, remove and take to battery charger for necessary service or find a replacement for the battery and continue the search or cause of the fault.

D. Check to see that all starter motor electrical connections are tightly connected and not partly, cut its terminal ends. This check will only he necessary if step “b” shows a sluggish performance. If not, step should be by-passed.

F. Check to see that the ignition system wires are properly connected and not corroded dirty. Ignition coil, distributor cables, contact sets, condenser and spark plug wires are properly connected and the ignition system is producing adequate spark at sparking plug paints.

F. Check to see that the timing belt is intact and not worn out, rolling the crankshaft properly.

If the belt is cut the sound the engine will produce when the belt is cranked will change, as the engine ‘ill rotate with a free wheeling effect. If all these checks are carried out’ and everything is in good working order, then the engine must start.

If you follow these logical steps, definitely the defect will surely be located and necessary steps will be taken to rectify the fault without difficulties. However, if the engine refuses to start despite these checks, and then refer the cause to a trained service mechanic, avoid quacks or “road rats”. If your engine, starts but does not run at idling speed or always stalls whenever you takes off your foot from the accelerator pedal; the root cause of this fault lies within carburetor. The likely cause of this defect is either that the slow running speed is rather too low for the engine, or the idling speed jet is blocked.

“Therefore you do not need to beat about the bush or use trial and error method. Just follow a logical approach going through the simple to the more complex cause of the fault and you can’t miss it and you will solve the problem quickly.”

Spotlight

Political Stability Key To ...

Continued from pg. 17 I, the national indicative programme rose to ECU 13m under the following Conven tion. Without neglecting rural development (feeder roads in Vanua Levu), under Lomé I most of the resources were devoted to transport infrastructure (a main road on Vanua Levu). Under Lomé II, cooperation concentrated clearly on agriculture and rural development, in particular by means of the funding of microprojects, with infrastructural programmes (the extension of the Vanua Levu road, social infrastructure) taking second place. Under this Convention, a new field of action was also addressed: trade development. .

Tax free zone Trade development was ad dressed further under Lomé III (6th EDF, ECU 20m, of which ECU 5m in special loans), with support given to an Investment and Trade Development Programme. The longer-term objective of the project was to widen the economic base of Fiji and to create employment. The more immediate objective was the establishment of a Tax Free Zone near Suva. In order to promote this scheme and to secure markets for exporting the goods which would eventually be produced, the project included a programme of trade and investment pro motion to be implemented by the Fiji Trade and Investment Board. Due to problems linked with identifying an appropriate site, the project, which had been given the go-ahead in 1990, only came on stream in 1995.

Rural and agricultural development continued to be one of the main sectors of cooperation, with the funding of three major projects. The first was a coconut rehabilitation and development project, situated on the island of Taveuni, which aimed at improving the productivity of coconut plantations through the introduction and multi plication of high yield hybrids. The project also provided for the establishment of a 30 hectare coconut nursery centre, which was expected to finance itself through the sales of seedlings.

EC support for this project ended in 1992, since when the scheme has been taken over by the Government. A second project (a large-scale microprogramme divided into two sub-programmes) aimed on the one hand at the construction of access roads to facilitate the development of cocoa plantations, and on the other at the introduction and development of pineapple plantations in Vanua Levu. The

first component was closed after disappointing results. The second component, however, produced very interesting and promising results, which will, however, need private and governmental support in order to become sustainable. A rural electrification project involving 28 rural electrification schemes and the supply and installation of a small power plant is still ongoing.

Developing human resources Under Lomé Ill, the formerly prominent transport infrastructure sector lost some importance. The Ku bulau Peninsula road project on Vanua Levu brought to an end the work started under previous Conventions, This road, which filled the last gap in the circum insular road, was opened on in July1994. Lomé Ill also saw the beginning of human resources development as a new theme of cooperation, with Technical Assistance funded for the logging school. This area, embodying strong links with forestry and environmental issues, has been further developed under Lomé IV with the reconstruction of the school burnt down in 1993, and the enlargement of the training and education provided to what now constitutes a Forest Training Centre.

The national indicative programme relating to the first protocol of Lomê IV (7th EDF, ECU 22m in grant aid) identifies rural development and social infrastructure as the sectors of concentration to which 65% of resources are to be devoted. The remaining 35% will be used for non-focal activities, including trade and services, tourism, cultural cooperation, training and technical cooperation.

Building bridges Unfortunately, it was only following the very destructive cyclone Kina in January 1993 that cooperation activities could start in the form of the rebuilding of four bridges either severely damaged or completely destroyed by the post-cyclone floods.

Work on two smaller bridges of major importance to Viti Levu (Korovou and Vunidawa, ECU 1.135m) was stated in 1994 by the Public Works Department and completed in January 1995.

The Financing Agreement for the two major bridges (Ecu 10.24m) was signed in June 1994 and provides for the rebuilding of the bridges of Ba and Sigatoka. These form part of the main road around the island of Viti Levu and are therefore vital for the

movement of people and goods on Fiji’s main island. The new bridges, 190 and 182 metres long respectively, will be twolane, and will provide for footpaths and utilities. To enable the traffic to by-pass the often congested towns of Ba and Sigatoka, new sites for both bridges have been chosen,

EIB has financed an aircraft maintenance centre (1991) and a telecommunications project (1995).

Trade cooperation Over and above financial cooperation, Fiji benefits from the second largest quota (165 348 tonnes per annum) under

of these preferences.

Support for tourism In the field of services, and specifically in tourism, the EU —through its support of the Tourism Council of the South Pacific — has contributed to the fact that every sixth tourist or so arriving in Fiji comes from

• Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Fiji President

which also call for the building of new approach roads.

Building works were under way in early 1996 and completion is expected by April 1997.

Non programmable aid for Fiji has been considerable over the years. While Stabex transfers for losses on coconut oil (totalling ECU 5.4m under Lomé I — Lomé Ill) came to a halt under Lomé IV (because levels of exports fell below the required dependency threshold), emergency aid (total ECU 9.Sm) has continued, unfortunately, to be needed.

Time and again the islands have been hit by cyclones (the most recent occasion being in January 1993, when the EU made available ECU 1 m for food rations following cyclone Kina).

In the past, a significant feature of EU-Fiji cooperation was the credits provided by the European Investment Bank. It was very active under Lomé Ito Lomé Ill, providing loans from its own resources to a total value of ECU 87.Sm with a further ECU 6.1 m allocated in risk capital. Loans went to the energy sector (hydropower scheme), industry (wood processing) and services (telecommunications, sea and air transport). Considerable interest rate subsidies (total ling ECU 14.lm) have also been made available under the various EDFs in support of these loans. More recently, the

the Sugar Protocol annexed to the Lomé Conventions. This covers some 45% of its total sugar exports. The yearly benefit from this provision is estimated at between ECU 45m and ECU 55m — in other words, only slightly less than the total of all programme aid granted since Lomé I (ECU 64gm). About two thirds of these benefits reach the farmers, so that the EU subsidises every sugar smallholder, on average, to the extent of some ECU 1500 a year.

Recently, Fiji’s quota under the Sugar Protocol was increased by 881 tonnes, as a result of the reallocation of the shortfall of deliveries by Barbados. Furthermore, Fiji benefits from an annual special tariff quota to the tune of some 30 000 tonnes up to the year 2001.

Industrial development and external trade have been supported by the relaxation of the rules of origin for exports to the EU of canned tuna to the extent of 500 tonnes a year from 1993 to 1996. A similar arrangement, applicable for certain quantities of garments up the end of 1993 was recently extended to the end of 1996.

Fiji’s main exports to the EU (sugar, fish and garments) — and the resulting surplus in its trade relations with the EU — are consequently highly dependent upon the continuity

a member country of the Union.

Tourism being by far Fiji’s most important source of foreign ex change earnings, receipts from European tourists amount at present to some ECU 30m, and are greater than those from the export of fish and fish products.

Taking the Sugar Protocol into consideration, the EU is by far the most important of Fiji’s development partners, followed

by Australia. The country also benefits from bilateral cooperation arrangements with EU Member States (UK, France, Germany). — General information Area: 18272 km Fiji has two main islands (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) and about 300 smaller ones. It has an Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 1.3 million km Population: 790000 Population density: 43 per kilometer Capital: Suva (situated on the island of Viti Levu) Main languages: English, Bauan (main Fijian language) Currency: Fiji dollar (F$). In June 1996, 1 ECU was worth approximately F$ 1.80. (US$1 = F$ 1.40) Politics System of government: A bicameral parliamentary system consisting of an appointed Senate and an elected House of Representatives. The President is a non-executive head of state chosen by the

Great Council of Chiefs. The President appoints the Prime Minister.

Under the Constitution, adopted in 1990, the Parliament is divided along racial lines.

The Senate has 34 members, 24 of whom are indigenous Fijians. In the 70-member House of Representatives, 37 seats are reserved for native Fijians, 27 for Indo- Stor ‘general voters’ (other ethnic groups) and I for Rotuma Island (whose inhabitants are Polynesian). The 1990 Constitution provides for a review within seven years and discussions are currently under way with a view to amending the Constitution by the 1997 deadline.

President: Epeli: Nailatikau Prime Minister: Vorege Bainimarama Main political parties: Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT — Fijian), National Federation Party (NFP — Indian), Fiji Labour Party (FLP —Indian), Fijian Association (FA — Fijian), General Voters Party (GVP).

Party representation in Parliament (1994 election result): SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FA 5, GVP 4, Others 3.

Economy GDP: (1995) F$ 2.85 billion Annual GOP per capita: approx US$ 2600 GDP growth rate (1995): 2.2% (2 predicted for 1996) Principal exports (1994): Sugar (U$$ 182m), Garments (US$ 96m), Gold (US$ 43m), Fish (US$ 38m), Timber (I 21m) Main trading partners (in order of importance): Exports — Australia, UK, USA, Japan, New Zealand.

Imports – Australia, New Zealand, USA, Japan, Singapore fv Singapore.

Trade balance (1994): exports — US$ 547m, imports —US$ 826, deficit—.-U4$ 279m. The current account figures also usually reveal a deficit but this is much smaller due to tourism earnings and official transfers.

Inflation rate (1995): 22% Government budget (1996): revenue — F$ 759m, expenditure — F$ 85lm, deficit — F$92 (about 3.5% of GDP) Formal sector employment: 98 112 (out of a total economically active population of about 265 000) Social indicators Life expectancy at birth (1993): 71.6 years Adult literacy (1993): 90.6% Enrolment in education: all levels from age 6-23: 79% Human Development Index rating: 0.853 (47th out of 174) • Sources: Economic Intelligence Unit, UNDP Human Development Report, 1996, EC commission.

From Battle To Peace Table Women’s Right:

THE Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women is still missing, but progress on other dimensions of this issue has taken place rapidly since the early 1990s and also as part of implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action. The UN Security Council has expressed its views strongly and effectively on this issue for the first time in its history.

Resolutions and decisions of the Security Council are strong indications of the change in attitudes: Violence against women is no longer an issue of private life, but an issue of security, human rights and war crimes.

In 1992 the Security Council condemned strongly “the acts of unspeakable brutality of the massive, organized and systematic detention and rape of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” In May 1993 the Security Council decided to establish an International War Crimes Tribunal to deal with “serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia” after January 1991. The mandate of this tribunal includes the “massive, organized and systematic detention and rape of women.” This implies that rape and violence against women in war are now recognized as war crimes: the aim for which women’s peace movements had worked for years.

Later, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda broke new ground in the area of jurisprudence by convicting individuals of rape as an instrument of

and Security” was unanimously passed by the Security Council on 31 October 2000. Resolution 1325 calls for integration of women in all conflict resolution processes as well as actions for resettlement, rehabilitation

October 2000, the Security Council has held several open debates to discuss progress and challenge to implementation. Four presidential statements (in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005) recognized the link between peace and gender equality and called for action to implement the resolution by those concerned and for an end to the culture of impunity.

and post-conflict reconstruction. It also recommends special training for all peace keeping personnel on the protection, special needs and human rights of women and children in conflict situations (S/RES/1325).

It is particularly important that this kind of resolution was adopted by the Security Council because its resolutions are binding to Member States contrary to the other conferences and meetings, whose resolutions are only recommendations. Since

Shortly after the Resolution was adopted, Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of UNIFEM, appointed Elisabeth Rehn and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf “to conduct an independent assessment of women, war and peace so that people throughout the world will know and understand not only what women have suffered but what they have contributed for building peace and reconstruction.” The report was published in 2002 and has received a lot attention around the world

By HILKA PIETILA

genocide, a form of torture and a crime against humanity. The Rome Statute of the new International Criminal Court (ICC) takes gender concerns into account in their definition of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. In January 2002 the statute of the Special Court for Sierra Leone includes rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy and any other form of sexual violence among the constituent elements of crimes against humanity. The Special Court decided in 2004 that even forced marriage would be prosecuted as an “inhuman act;’ i.e. a crime against humanity (E/CN.6/ 2005/2) A further sign of progress is that the negotiation table of the Security Council has been opened to women’s voices.

In October 2000 a coalition of women in five peace organizations — Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, International Alert, Amnesty International, Women’s Commission for Women Refugees and Girls, and the Hague Appeal for Peace — joined with UNIFEM to draft a resolution that calls for the protection of women and girls during armed conflicts, for gender sensitivity in all UN missions, including peacekeeping, and for women to equally participate at all negotiation tables.

As a result, Resolution 1325 on “Women, Peace

“Women around the world have eagerly used the resolution in connection with present conflicts in their respective hemispheres. It has been translated into many languages and women’s groups are very active in demanding that governments implement the resolution in training of personnel for peacekeeping and crises management.”

GENDER ADVOCACY With

IJEOMA UMEH Tel: 081823822839

(UNIFEM, 2002, w w w. u n i f e m . o rg / r e s o u r c e s / item_detail.php?ProductlD= 17).

During the five-year anniversary debate of Resolution 1325 held in October 2005, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented his UN

used by UN entities to formulate concrete strategies, actions and programmes to advance the role of women in peace and security areas; ensure more efficient support to Member States and other actors in national and regional level implementation of

system-wide action plan for implementing resolution 1325 (S/2005/ 636), structured around 12 areas of action: conflict prevention and early warning; peacemaking and peace building; peace keeping operations; humanitarian response; p o s t - c o n f l i c t reconstruction and rehabilitation; d i s a r m a m e n t , demobilization and reintegration; preventing and responding to genderbased violence in armed conflict; preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff, related personnel and UN partners; gender balance; coordination and partnership; monitoring and reporting; and financial resources (www.un.org/Docs/sc/ sgrep05.htm).

The action plan will be

Resolution 1325; strengthen the commitment and accountability of the UN system at the highest levels; and enhance interagency cooperation.

Women around the world have eagerly used the resolution in connection with present conflicts in their respective hemispheres. It has been translated into many languages and women’s groups are very active in demanding that governments implement the resolution in training of personnel for peacekeeping and crises management.

Women in Africa have been the first ones to sit at the negotiation tables for the resolution of conflicts and implementation of peace agreements in their continent.

Survey Of Creation SURVEY gradations between the Priniardial Beings, the Created Beings and the Developed Beings.

The gradations are as follows: (1) The Primordial spiritual part (2) The spiritual part (3) The material part It can also be described as: (1) Primordial Creation (2) Creation (3) Subsequent Creation.

(Curtsey. Abd-ru-shin- In The Light of Truth).

According to Abd-ru-shin the primordial Beings are in Primordial Creation, the Created Being in Creation and the Developed Beings in subsequent creation. In more accurate explanations, there also, occur many intermediate steps.

Abd-ru-shin explains that the strongest in creation is the Primordial spiritual parts of Creation. This according to Him consists of two basic sections.

The uppermost, highest section of the primordial spiritual Realm carries the actual primordial Beings, who immediately came into existence as fully matured from the radiations of Parsifal and did not need any development. This section reaches as far as vasitha, whose activities he at the boundary downwards.

The second section Abd-rushin says holds developed ones in the Primordial Spiritual Realm. Therefore, children are to be found there for the first time, which do not appear in the uppermost section for children can only exist where development takes place.

Both sections, Abd-ru-shin opines have the primerdial in common. But only the uppermost section can be called Primordial Creation in the right sense and only the primordial spiritual Beings dwelling therein can be considered the real Primordial Beings.

Abd-ru-shin speaks of a primordial creation which is uppermost and which came into existence in full maturity and of a developed primordial spiritual Creation following the first while both sections together form the primordial spiritual Realm or the Primordial Spiritual part of creation.

Primordial spiritual or the Primordial spiritual Realm is therefore, the great collective designation for the uppermost part of Creation, considered

Man And Nature

as a species of Creation, where as the designation Primordial Creation in the stricter sense applies only to the highest part of it.

If now we wish to penetrate further into the knowledge of Creation, then, we must no longer take the primordial spiritual and primordial creation as one concept, as was done up till now. It is true, primordial creation is

weaker species issuing from the Primordial Spiritual which, however, is really weaker and therefore, needs a greater distance from the Primordial Light in order to be able to form and in part to become conscious.

Therefore, it sinks down further in order to be able to form a realm at a greater distance from the Light, however, it has no share in the

Word of Truth in the Message, for your entire life on earth in the past, as well as the new experience of every moment outwardly and inwardly, will become absolutely clear to you as down as you illuminate and regard it from what the Message contains.

The Primordial Spiritual Realm is then joined by the spiritual Realm, the spiritual to be considered as a different

spiritual, which was already able to form earlier. And just as previously in the primordial spiritual in need of development and where there are consequently children in addition to those, who have

primordial spiritual, but there is also, a world of development in the primordial spiritual which is below primordial spiritual proper and connected with the latter, both form the primordial spiritual Realm.

Abd-ru-shim says that where there are consequently primordial spiritual, primordial beings who were immediately able to be fully mature without any transition as being the strongest and most powerful ones and then following, primordial spiritual developed beings, who must begin their life as children.

The first section, primordial creation, comprises three principal steps or planes, the second section of the Primordial Spiritual Realm contains four, consequently, there are seven basic steps, which are again divided into many sub-divisions. This Primordial Spiritual Realm Abd-ru-shin says comprise so many sections is followed by the great spiritual Realm.

The spiritual Abd-ru-shin says is not perchance a

primordial spiritual but exists by itself.

It is all so easy and natural and yet difficult to explain in a way that will initiate the human spirits into a knowledge which lies above their origin. Become like children and thus, there remains as the last of all help for your salvation, this one way only-the knowledge of creation, seek to assimilate

species and not as a weaker residual of the Primordial Spiritual.

After crossing the boundary at a certain distance from the Light, the boundary necessary for the possibility to form the spiritual, there also, come into immediate existence in the spiritual, without any transition for development, fully matured spirits which must be called created

matured through development. These two sections together form the spiritual part of creation.

This spiritual part Abd-rushin says is then joined. By a large ring of very special animistic species enclosing the Material Part, affecting it, penetrating it, moving it and thereby bringing heat and forming.

The material part of

With O.C. MADU 08056379608 owing to its greater density go through a process of development with the help of the elementals. Naturally, these two basic sections also, fall into many sub-divisions (Abd-ru-shin).

Each section of the species of creation of the species of creation splits into many planes, of which each individual plane so again so multiform that it appears like a huge world in itself. Thus, there is only one way left to you for your salvation-the path of true knowledge which leads from faith to conviction.

The more man becomes capable of advancing in true knowledge, the more clearly he recognizes the fact that in reality he knows nothing.

This means that man becomes humble and loses the conceit that keeps the human spirit imprisoned, he becomes free and rises up.

In the gradation, the Created Beings do not immediately follow the Primordial Beings of the Primordial Spiritual Realm, but first the developed Primordial Beings in the lower part of the Primordial Spiritual form bid intermediate step.

Only thereafter, follow as the uppermost in the spiritual Realms the Created Beings which are not Primordial Spiritual but Spiritual as an entirely different species, which are then again followed by developed Spiritual Beings.

Before the World of Matter, Abd-ru-shin says there is ring of the special kind of animistic powers without this help, your development

“Each section of the species of creation of the species of creation splits into many planes, of which each individual plane so again so multiform that it appears like a huge world in itself. Thus, there is only one way left to you for your salvation-the path of true knowledge which leads from faith to conviction.� the knowledge of the Truth, which grants you support and leads straight to the goal.

Abd-ru-shin explains that if you look around you in an alert manner, you can immediately recognize the fact that you really have the

Beings, in contradistinction to the Primordial Beings in the Primordial Spiritual.

Thus, the Created Beings are the strongest and most powerful in the spiritual, similar to the Primordial Beings in the primordial

creation in turn also, has two sections. The first part, Ethereal matter, forms immediately, through the influence of the animistic because, it can easily be penetrated. The second part, Gross Matter, must first

would also, be impossible.

You would have to remain spirit-germs with the burning desire to be able to become conscious through the Grace of God, of the Only One, of the Almighty!

Pellegrini Eyes ‘One Or More’ Signings

MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini expects more players to both arrive at and leave the Premier League champions during the summer transfer window as he faces up to three months without striker Alvaro Negredo.

Negredo, 28, had reportedly been considered a candidate to leave to make room in the City squad before suffering a broken metatarsal during last Friday’s 2-1 friendly victory over Hearts in Edinburgh.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of the club’s match against Sporting Kansas City — the first of their preseason tour of the U.S.— Pellegrini said Negredo had undergone surgery on his fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

Key preseason European club fixtures International Champions Cup: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Olympiakos and Roma — July 24 to Aug. 4 Emirates Cup: Arsenal, Benfica, Monaco and Valencia

at Emirates Stadium — Aug. 2 and 3 FA Community Shield: Manchester City vs. Arsenal — Aug. 10 German Super Cup: Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich — Aug. 13 Spanish Super Cup: Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid — Aug. 19 and 22 “Alvaro had surgery today on his broken foot and he will probably be out for two or three months,” he said. “It is a blow for us because Alvaro is a very important member of our squad so obviously we will miss him.”

Spain striker Negredo joined City from Sevilla a year ago in a 16 million pound deal and quickly became a fans’ favourite after making an immediate impact. He scored an impressive 23 goals in his first 33 games in all competitions, including City’s first Champions League hat trick in the 5-2 win over CSKA Moscow.

However, from mid-January onwards he began to struggle

after a shoulder injury and in 16 subsequent matches up to the end of the season he failed to score. That put additional pressure on City’s other strikers and midfielder Yaya Toure to come up with the goals which secured them a second Premier League title in three years.

Earlier in the summer City manager Manuel Pellegrini was reported to be willing to listen to offers for the striker and Negredo was linked with a move back to Spain to re-join former club Real Madrid for a second time, but his injury setback looks to have ended that prospect.

• Thomas Eisfeld

LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers says the team is moving on after Luis Suarez’s departure to Barcelona.

The Uruguay international scored 82 goals in 133 Liverpool appearances, but his three years in England were overshadowed by bans for racial abuse and biting. He was suspended for four months by FIFA for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup. When asked at a news conference in Boston whether he or Liverpool felt let down by the Uruguay striker after they stood by him over the last two years, Rodgers said: “No, not at all. Luis, in my two years at the club, has been sensational in his game.

“Of course there’s been issues which is well documented but it’s in the past. He was a brilliant player for us, for me I’ll always see him as a good man and a good friend.

Liverpool players train at Boston’s historic Fenway Park on Tuesday ahead of the match

Poyet Hopeful Of Securing Borini, Alonso “We are involved in negotiations and you never know how long that can take.

There’s nothing new to report as things stand, but we are still hoping to close the deal completely.

“It’s up to Fabio. We have been clear, everything is fine, there’s no doubt about his connection with our club, and me and him get along fine, so there is no reason for it not to happen.

“I would love to know how long it will take to sort out, but all I can tell you is that things are changing every day.

“We have targets that we are looking for, we have other options, but we have an agreement with Liverpool and we will do everything possible to get Fabio to the club first.

“If Fabio does not come, it does not set us back, we would move on - we are not a oneplayer team.”

The capture of 23-year-old Alonso too is a priority, and one

FULHAM have signed youngster Thomas Eisfeld from Arsenal on a two-year deal.

Thomas Eisfeld scored his first goal for Arsenal against West Brom in the League Cup last season.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder made just two firstteam appearances for the Gunners after joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2012, but was highly regarded by the club.

Eisfeld’s deal will run until the summer of 2016, with the option of a further year.

Liverpool Bigger Than Suarez

• Alvaro Negredo

SUNDERLAND head coach Gus Poyet is refusing to give up on summer targets Fabio Borini and Marcos Alonso despite a frustrating wait to secure them.

The Black Cats appeared to receive a double set-back in their pursuit of the pair earlier this week when Borini’s agent Marco de Marchi indicated that the player’s preference was to fight for his place at Liverpool, while a report from Italy suggested Fiorentina full-back Alonso was no longer for sale.

However, Poyet remains optimistic that deals can still be struck for the two men who provided sterling service during loan spells at the Stadium of Light last season.

Asked about 23-year-old Borini, the Uruguayan told the Sunderland Echo: “It is not for me to explain but it is not just a question of Fabio wanting to come or not. There are many, many things to look at and unfortunately, I cannot comment on those.

Eisfeld Joins Cottagers

which Poyet is confident can be achieved.

He said: “It’s close, but not close enough. Everything is on track.

“We’re trying hard. It’s been a bit more difficult than I expected, but we’re not going to stop.”

• Gus Poyet

against Roma.

“He gave everything to Liverpool and he left Liverpool after his time as a world-class talent. It’s obviously a shame he is not here but Liverpool is a club that is bigger than any individual.

“He’s a fantastic player but we will move forward and there’s real excitement going into this season.”

Liverpool are back in the Champions League after being absent for four years, and Rodgers says there is hope the Reds can excel.

“We’ve qualified for the Champions League, we went close in the title. I’m really excited by the player’s we’ve brought in — young players with great profile who play how we want to play and that will allow us to go on and hopefully continue to progress.”

But Rodgers remained tightlipped when quizzed on a possible move for QPR striker Loic Remy, who on Monday flew to the United States to join Liverpool’s training camp and have a medical.

“Until they are signed and agreed to come in I will only talk about them then,” Rodgers said. “I shall not talk about speculation on any player until

- Rodgers

they have signed.”

Rodgers also said that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s retirement from the national team “brings an end to a great career.” But it might be beneficial to Liverpool.

“Liverpool means everything to him,” Rodgers said. “And there’s certainly no doubt missing out on international

football means he will be fresher and at his optimum level as often as possible for us.”

Rodgers spoke at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, before Liverpool practiced for Wednesday night’s friendly against Roma. The 102year-old baseball stadium was decked out for the game on Tuesday, with the pitch lined up from the third-base line to the right-field stands.

Henen Deal Close - Martinez EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed a deal is close for Anderlecht teenager David Henen as the Spaniard looks to bolster the club’s youth ranks.

The 18-year-old Belgian will go into the under-21 squad once his reported £1.5million move has been done.

“It is in the process of being completed,” Martinez told the Liverpool Echo.

“He’s a young, talented footballer who represents

Belgium in the lower teams, in the under-18s and has had good experience in going to France.

“He is a bright boy and we feel he is something different that we haven’t got in the under-21s so we are hoping he is going to be giving us something different in that group.

“We want a strong group. We have already got talented and very interesting footballers and I think David can fit in really well in that environment.”

Stoke Complete Bojan Signing STOKE City have signed Bojan Krkic from Barcelona, the club announced.

Bojan, 23, was part of Barcelona’s youth system and scored 26 goals in 104 league appearances before leaving for AS Roma in 2011, having made his first team debut at 17.

He spent time at AC Milan on loan before rejoining the Catalan side last season.

He did not make an appearance for the La Liga giants and was sent on loan to Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam, scoring five goals in 32 matches.

“Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting and an endorsement of the club itself,” manager Mark Hughes said.

“He’s desperate to prove

himself in the Premier League and we’re pleased to be able to offer him that platform.”

Bojan, who won a single Spain cap as a teenager in 2008, becomes Stoke’s fifth off-season signing, joining Mame Biram Diouf, Steve Sidwell, Phil Bardsley and Dionatan Teixeira.

Stoke open their league campaign at home to Aston Villa on Aug. 16.

• Bojan

Mathieu, Eto’o And The Top 10 Most Expensive Players Over 30

JEREMY Mathieu’s 20 million Euros move from Valencia to Barcelona has raised more than a few eyebrows due to the size of the transfer fee.

The Frenchman, who turns 31 later this year, becomes the most expensive defender of all time over 30 and is in the top 10 list of costliest players over this age.

Gabriel Batistuta’s move from Fiorentina to Roma in 2000

remains the highest transfer fee paid for a player over the age of 30. The Italian capital outfit splashed out 32.5m Euro for the then 31-year-old, but the Argentine immediately helped his new side to their first

Scudetto in 18 years.

Samuel Eto’o is the second costliest as he departed Inter for Anzhi in 2011 for 30m Euro at the age of 30. This recouped some of the 25m Euros that the Italians paid Genoa for a 30year-old Diego Milito two years earlier. The striker was instrumental in winning Inter

the treble in his first season, scoring twice in the Champions League final.

Paris Saint-Germain paid AC Milan 21m Euro for a 30-yearold Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2012, and the Swede has repaid his current employers with two Ligue 1 titles and goals galore.

Mathieu enters at equal fifth place in the list. He is level with Claude Makelele, who moved

from Real Madrid to Chelsea in 2003 at the age of 30 and enjoyed great success at Stamford Bridge.

Italian goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi cost Lazio 17.9m Euro when he left Inter in 2000, while Fernando Redondo will go down as the most expensive failure for a player over the age of 30. Milan paid Real Madrid 17.5m Euro for the 31-year-old in the summer of 2000, but the

Argentine barely played at San Siro due to injury.

In ninth place is Ruud van Nistlerooy, a 30-year-old Madrid paid +15m for in 2006 who immediately brought them two Liga titles. Finishing the top 10 is Oliver Bierhoff, who Milan splashed out 12.5m Euro for in 1998 as a 30-year-old. The Euro ’96 hero scored the goals that took the Rossoneri to the Scudetto in his first season.

Man City | Man Utd | Newcastle | QPR | Southampton | Stoke | Sunderland | Swansea / Tottenham | West Brom | West Ham EUROPE: AC Milan | Atletico Madrid | Barcelona | Bayern Munich | Dortmund | Inter Milan | Juventus | Paris St-Germain | Real Madrid Before that, though, Laurent Blanc’s side take on Nice on Wednesday evening.

L’Equipe suggests that Christophe Jallet’s absence from the squad for that game

is a sure sign that the Aurier deal is close.

Jallet, 30, is set to join Lyon to make way for Aurier.

PSG are reportedly set to receive between 1.5 and two million euros for the former Lorient full back, who is entering the final year of his contract in the French capital.

Le Parisien says that Clement Chantome, who was on loan at Toulouse last season, will not be returning there as part of the Aurier deal.

Serger Aurier Expected To Join PSG

• Gabriel Batistuta

Failure Could Mean Sack BAYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he is aware of the pressure he is under going into his second season on the Bavarians’ bench.

Bayern have picked up a combined total of eight trophies in the past two seasons, four under the Catalan’s stewardship last year.

Any less this term could be regarded as a failure and Guardiola knows he needs to win silverware to remain in a job.

“If I don’t win, then probably another coach comes here next year,” Sport1.de reported the Spaniard as having said in a telephone conference. “I’m here to do as good a job as possible, like I did at Barcelona.”

With six members of Guardiola’s squad winning the World Cup this summer, how hungry those player will be for more success has been

- Pep Guardiola

PARIS St Germain are set to appeal UEFA’s ruling that the club must close two sections of the Parc des Princes stadium for their next European match.

The Ligue 1 champions labelled UEFA’s ruling as “unfair” after its control, ethics and disciplinary body imposed the sanction for the discriminatory conduct of PSG supporters towards disabled Chelsea fans during the

Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie in Paris on April 2.

A statement on the club’s website read: “ Paris Saint Germain are unworthy of the unfounded penalty imposed by the supervisory authority and disciplinary body.”

It added: “Paris Saint Germain, surprised and shocked by this unfair decision, have asked UEFA to transmit the reasons behind it, a prerequisite

questioned.

The 43-year-old does not see that as a potential problem, though, and has instead welcomed Germany’s World Cup triumph.

“I’m really pleased for them,” he said. “It’s a real gift for Bayern Munich that six of our players contributed to that title.”

Four years ago, Guardiola found himself in the same situation with several of Spain’s World Cup winners on the Barca books. That year, the Catalans went on to complete a Primera Division and Champions League double.

Bayern can pick up their first piece of silverware on Aug. 13 — just two weeks after those Germany players report for preseason training — with the German Supercup.

The curtain-raiser to the

Bundesliga season, which starts nine days later, pits Bayern against Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion.

Three weeks ahead of that game, Dortmund have announced that all 80,667 tickets have already been sold.

A year ago, Dortmund triumphed 4-2 in the same fixture, Guardiola’s first competitive game in charge of the record German champions.

PARIS Saint-Germain are on course to sign Toulouse right-back Serge Aurier this week, according to reports in France.

Negotiations with representatives of Aurier, 21, are ongoing but both Le Parisien and L’Equipe report that a deal worth between eight and 10 million euros is imminent.

Le Parisien says that both parties hope to complete the move in time for the Ivory Coast international to leave for Hong Kong with PSG on Friday.

The Ligue 1 champions face local side Kitchee there next Tuesday before playing the French season’s curtain raiser, the Trophee des Champions, against Guingamp in Beijing on Aug. 2.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal | Aston Villa | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Hull City | Leicester City | Liverpool |

Algerian Brahimi Joins Porto ALGERIAN international Yacine Brahimi, who helped his country reach the second round at the World Cup, has joined Porto from Granada in a +6.5 million deal, the Portuguese club said yesterday.

The 24-year-old midfielder

has signed a five-year contract.

French-born Brahimi scored for Algeria in their 4-2 win over South Korea in Porto Alegre last month.

He also netted the winner in a shock Spanish La Liga victory for lowly Granada over Barcelona in April.

for the appeal.

“Paris Saint Germain recognise the struggle everywhere against all forms of discrimination both within the stadium and in the community.”

It is alleged that visiting Chelsea fans sitting below the home support at the Parc de Princes were spat at and had bottles thrown at them during the match, which the Blues lost 3-1.

UEFA responded by ordering the closure of sections 104 and 105 of Parc des Princes when PSG stage their next European game in September or October.

It is the first time a team has been charged by UEFA for abusing disabled fans, in contravention of article 14 which covers “racism, other discriminatory conduct and propaganda”.

PSG To Appeal UEFA Sanction

• Serge Aurier

Udinese Star Pereyra Having Juventus Medical UDINESE midfielder Roberto Pereyra is closing in on a move to Juventus, as he arrives in Turin for medical tests.

Reports on Wednesday said that the two clubs had finally agreed terms for the 23-yearold’s transfer, and now the Old Lady has confirmed and pictured the player arriving in Turin for his medical.

“Roberto Pereyra is undergoing a routine medical prior to a proposed move to the Bianconeri from Udinese,” Juve reported on their website on Tuesday morning.

“The young Argentine will

take his first tests at the city’s Clinica Fornaca di Sessant, before completing the procedure at the Istituto di Medicina dello Sport medical centre.”

Terms for Pereyra are believed to stand at Juventus paying an initial +1.5m for a season-long loan, with a purchase option then in place for +11m.

Part of the move will also see Frederik Sorensen move in the opposite direction for a fee of +3.5m.

Read the original article on Football Italia - The ultimate website for English-speaking fans of Italian football

Dunga Named New Brazil Coach BRAZIL’S football federation (CBF) has confirmed the appointment of Dunga as the new Brazil coach.

The 1994 World Cupwinning captain returns for what will be his second stint in charge of the Selecao, having spent four years at the helm between 2006-2010.

He succeeds Luiz Felipe Scolari, who left the post after failing to claim Brazil’s first World Cup on home soil following a humbling 7-1 defeat to

Dunga

Fury Names Dangerous Replacement For Chisora

TYSON Fury will fight dangerous Russian Alexander Ustinov in Manchester on Saturday night as a late replacement for Dereck Chisora.

Ironically, Chisora was forced out of the original heavyweight fight when he fractured his left hand while sparring Ustinov.

The Russian is a dangerous opponent for Fury – especially on just four days notice – with his only professional defeat in 30 contests coming when he lost to Wladimir Klitschko’s next opponent Kubrat Pulev by 11th round stoppage in 2012.

Ustinov is a heavy hitter with 21 KOs to his name and standing 6' 8" is a similar size to Fury who is listed just one inch taller.

‘He has a decent right hand’ Discussions are also underway to reschedule Fury’s fight with Chisora later this year in September.

Fury has been through a very difficult 18 months, with the cancellation of two fights with David Haye, before Chisora pulled out with injury on Monday.

Former Olympic champion Audley Harrison offered to stand in and fight Fury but was not considered after a serious of disappointing performances.

Germany in the semi-finals.

In Dunga’s previous spell in charge of his country, he won 42 and lost just six of his 60 games, guiding them to the Copa America 2007 and Confederations Cup 2009 titles, but was criticised for his pragmatic approach.

The 50-year-old was fired from what was his first senior coaching role in 2010 after suffering a World Cup quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands.

Dunga’s only other experience in the dugout came at Brazilian club Internacional last year, but he lasted less than 12 months before being dismissed after suffering four straight league defeats.

His first Brazil squad will be announced in late August ahead of the Selecao’s Gillette Brasil Global Tour friendly fixtures with Colombia and Ecuador in the United States.

Messi To Play In Match For Peace A host of footballing icons

Usain Bolt

Bolt Chides Doping Officials Over Tyson Gay Ban USAIN Bolt believes anti-doping officials have sent a “bad message to the sport”, after American sprinter Tyson Gay received only a one-year ban following a positive test for an anabolic steroid.

“I’m not really happy with gold medallist said.

The sanction, handed to the situation and with how it was done,” Bolt told Reuters Gay by the United States Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday.

“I think for someone like (USADA), ended in June this Asafa (Powell) to get a ban of year.

Gay, who returned to 18 months for that (stimulant oxilofrine) and then Tyson competition on July 3 and ran Gay get just one year because 9.93 in the 100 metres at the of cooperating, I think it is Lausanne Diamond League sending a bad message into the meeting, is the world’s joint sport that you can do it (dope) second fastest man along but if you cooperate with us, with Yohan Blake (9.69).

Both the World Antiwe’ll reduce the sentence,” the 100m and 200m world record Doping Agency (WADA) holder and six times Olympic and track and field’s world

Tyson Fury

governing body, the IAAF, have accepted the controversial ban.

“I don’t think that’s the right way to go because you are pretty much telling people that this is a way out, it’s a way of beating the system, so personally, I don’t think the IAAF dealt with that very well,” Bolt said.

WADA told Reuters in early June that it was satisfied with the decision, while later that month, the IAAF said that it would not appeal Gay’s ban.

“After careful review of the full file provided by USADA, the IAAF has decided that the one-year sanction applied in

the case of Tyson Gay was appropriate under the circumstances and in accordance with IAAF Rules,” it said in a statement to Reuters.

Athletes normally receive two-year bans for their first major doping offence, but under anti-doping rules the sanction can be reduced for substantial cooperation.

USADA had said Gay was eligible for such a reduction because he offered what it termed “substantial assistance” in his case.

from across the world, including Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, Samuel Eto’o, Andrea Pirlo and Javier Zanetti, will take part in the 2014 Match for Peace on September 1.

The event, the brainchild of Pope Francis, is intended to support some of the poorest sectors of modern society across Europe, South America and the rest of the globe. It is led by two charitable projects: Scholas Occurrentes, an educative entity serving the commonwealth, and Fondazione P.U.P.I Onlus, founded by Zanetti and his wife Paula, a foundation promoting and supporting long-distance adoption programs.

Proceeds from the match will be donated to the ‘Un’Alternativa di Vita’ (A Life Alternative) project - a beneficiary of Scholas Occurrentes and Fondazione P.U.P.I Onlus - which aims to support the education of impoverished youngsters in Buenos Aires.

The match itself - which will also feature Roberto Baggio, Gianluigi Buffon and Yuto Nagatomo - will be held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on September 1 at 20:45CET, and Goal has been named as an official media partner of the event.

Former Inter captain Zanetti said: “I am proud to offer my help in arranging the Interreligious Match of Peace.

“It was April 2013 when Pope Francis, during a meeting, shared with me the idea of creating a moment of friendship and union between religions.

Since then, we are dedicating great efforts to the cause in order to make it a great night of excellent soccer and a fundraising event but, most of all, a festival of people and an opportunity for a common reflection, without forgetting the most immediate goal: financing the ‘Un’Alternativa di Vita’ project.”

... Fit And Ready For Glasgow SIX-times Olympic gold Games medallist Usain Bolt says he is ready to put in a good showing in the sprint relay at the Commonwealth Games after recovering from foot surgery and a hamstring injury.

The Jamaican, who missed nine weeks of training after surgery on his left foot in March, told Reuters he is back in sub 10second shape after training twice a day to get ready for the event in Glasgow which starts on Wednesday “It’s been rough, but I’ve been through it a couple times so I know what it takes to get back so I’m just pushing on and working towards what’s necessary for this season,” Bolt told Reuters on Tuesday morning during a training session.

His coach Glen Mills said that twice a day workouts were necessary to get Bolt ready to compete after he missed a lot of foundation work.

“We usually train in the morning when it is necessary,

but it’s not the routine,” Mills said, noting that this year’s setback was a bit more severe than 2012 leading up to the London Olympics.

“Usain has lost quite a significant amount of training time and in his desire to at least run a couple races in the summer, in order to get in the sufficient amount of sessions, we have to double up training morning and evening,” Mills said.

The lanky sprinter, who also has eight world championship gold medals in his collection, said the surgery was necessary in this off year.

“I went to see my doctor and he said the best thing to do was to actually get the surgery done because it would bother me over my career, so it was best to get it done now, so I just did it because I considered this my off season.

It definitely one of those things so I got it out of the way and right now I’m just trying to get back and that’s the key right now and that’s the focus,” Bolt said.

THOUSANDS of the world top athletes will compete for honours at the 20th Commonwealth Games holding in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary intergovernmental association of 53 member states, almost all of which were formerly ruled by Britain, directly or indirectly.

Therefore, the group encompasses nations from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Pacific.

The states involved agree to share a common set of values and ideals, and acknowledge a shared history and traditional trade links.

Its name dates back to the 19th century, when in 1884 the British Empire was first described as the ‘Commonwealth of Nations’ by British Liberal Politician, Lord Roseberry in Adelaide, Australia during a famous speech.

As states under British rule gained independence at the start of the 20th century, they became self-governing, while remaining in the Commonwealth and retaining Britain’s monarch as Head of State.

In the Commonwealth Games, dubbed the third largest in the world, only after the Olympics and the Asian Games, more than 4,900 athletes from 71 nations will compete in 17 sports.

The sports include; aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey judo, lawn bowls, netball, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, table tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.

It is also worthy of note that over 35 per cent of countries participating in the games are from the African continent.

Nigeria has competed in 11 Commonwealth Games since 1950, but did not attend the 1962, 1978, 1986 and 1998 Games.

Nigeria has won at least one medal at every Games attended including a high of 37 in 1994.

The first medal in 1950 was won by Joshua Majekodunmi in the High Jump.

In 2010 at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, Nigeria amassed a total of 33 medals including 11 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze medals, finishing in 9th position.

However, about 85 per cent of the medals were won by the Paraathletes.

2014 Commonwealth Games

71 Nations Compete For Glory And Honour In Glasgow A total number of 127 athletes (65 male and 62 female) will represent Nigeria in this year’s edition of the Commonwealth Games.

Team Nigeria will feature in eight sports - Athletics, Boxing, Shooting, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Para Athletics and Para Power lifting. .

Athletics has 46 athletes (22 male, 24 female), followed by Weightlifting with 16 athletes (8 male, 7 female).

Shooting has 15 athletes (9 male and 7 female), while wrestling will be represented by 14 athletes (7male, 7female).

Further breakdown shows Boxing to be presenting 11 athletes (8 male, 3 female) with Table Tennis having 10 athletes (5 male, 5 female).

Para Athletics has 9 athletes (3 male, 6 female), while Para-Power lifting presented the least with 6 athletes (3 male, 3 female).

There have been a lot of public outcries about the number of sports being competed for in this edition.

Many sport analysts have wondered why Nigeria cannot compete in sports like Taekwondo which the country is very good in and can get at least five medals from.

They argue that with the likes of the Chukwumerije brothers, the country stands a chance of picking medals.

Speaking on the issue, Tunde Popoola, the Secretary-General of

Nigeria’s Onazi in action.

Change Of Approach Needed For Nigeria ONE of the key changes to Stephen Keshi’s Nigeria during the World Cup was the switch in formation from the 4-3-3 that won them the African Cup of Nations and saw them not look pushovers in the Confederations Cup to a 4-2-3-1.

Although the change was not totally out of the blue (Keshi experimented with it during qualifiers and friendlies), it was surprising that he decided to make it a more permanent move. The exclusion of one of the key members of his threeman midfield. Sunday Mba, being the clearest indication of his intentions.

It was a baffling decision as to start with, the 4-3-3 was only showing weakness against deep teams, and was suited to the players at the coach’s disposal. To start with, the team has a lot of central midfielders and no natural number 10. The closest is Osaze Odemwinge who can play the role well but still

retains the instincts and movement of a goalscorer.

Perhaps this was Keshi’s way of recognising Nigeria’s problems versus deep teams and adding an attacking player in order to increase the bodies forward.

This is a sensible course of action, but should not be the only one as our problems against deeper teams have more to do with the style of play (passing, movement etc) and team selection than the actual shape.

In fairness to Keshi, the change in formation was not the only reason that Nigeria looked a bit disjointed.

For any formation to work, each of the players has to contribute their quota to making the team look an organised unit. The fact that in some moments during the games, Nigeria looked a bit disorganised had more to do with the players’ performances than whether they were

unsuited to the system. The weaknesses Nigeria showed in a 4-2-3-1 would have still been apparent in the 4-3-3. But it has to be said that having three midfielders would have better covered them up.

Knowing what formation to use is a balance between finding a system that fits the whole team and brings out the best of your best players and covers their weaknesses. While the formation change was inconsequential for the attackers, things were very different for the midfield where the strengths and limitations of John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi were revealed on the grand stage.

For a midfield duo to work, both players have to combine the ability to shield the defence, distribute and be able to win the ball back and keep it for their team, also they

should be a able to contribute to the attack by running on and off the ball or passing.

In summary there must be a holder (defensive shield), aggressor (ball-winner), runner and creator. All these features must be infused into two players. The distribution of these features depends on your style.

For an expansive system, to work at its best, both players must have all these features, both players must have the abilities of a runner, creator, and aggressor, with one of them acting as a holder covering his more attacking partner and shielding the defence.

A perfect example of this is the Bastian SchweinsteigerJavi Martinez partnership for Bayern Munich in the 2012/ 2013 season; both are very complete players.

the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), that the committee had to concentrate on the area of the country’s strength.

“However, for other sports like Taekwondo and the likes, there were just not enough funds to sponsor the athletes,’’ he said.

He said that the NOC was taken the Commonwealth games seriously, adding that it was a litmus test for the country’s athletes ahead of the Olympic Games.

“The games are a prelude to the Olympics as various countries use the games to prepare their athletes for the next Olympic Games.

“It is also a developmental stage for the young athletes. For instance, Usain Bolt who is a household name in athletics today participated in the games for Jamaica at the age of 17.

“So, our athletes are not just going to the games to participate but to develop themselves and also win medals for the country,’’ he said.

Popoola also said that he was confident that with hard work and luck, the athletes could improve on the 10 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals they won at the last edition in India.

“For me, I believe we can achieve more than what we recorded in 2010 since we are focusing and competing in sports we are good in.

“The athletes have been working hard and I pray luck is on our side this time around.’’

Indeed, the 2014 Commonwealth Games will certainly be more than just a fiesta as 71 nations compete for glory and honour.

In a reactive system, having two players that are very different works. Having the holder be the more technical one and ergo the creator, and the aggressor and runner be the more offensive one. Because the team is compact in defence and therefore defends as a unit, so the creative holder’s lack of physicality is not a factor. And when their countering, the said holder can stay back and find his attacking team mates with great outballs, while the physical and aggressive runners charge forward into the attack.

A rough example is the Xabi Alonso- Sami Khedira partnership for Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid (although both players are decently complete but not to Schweinsteiger-Martinez levels).

Mikel and Onazi fall into the second category; Mikel a big man with decent strength and good technical abilities, but isn’t blessed with pace and dynamism, a creative holder.

Onazi on the other hand is strong, fast, can press, can tackle, runs all day (runner/ aggressor).

These ‘types’ are appropriate in a system where Nigeria sit deep and counter, but in the expansive system the Super Eagles played at the World Cup, they struggled. When Onazi pressed high, leaving Mikel behind, and the ball was lost; the opposition would break away and meet only the Chelsea man shielding the defence. He doesn’t have the physicality to cover the space needed to cover those behind him.

This was evident in the Argentina and France games.

It’s much better in an expansive system that the holder is the one with the physical abilities and he has a more attacking and technical partner, this way the defence

is more solid and able to cope with counter-attacking moves.

This was obvious when Reuben Gabriel came on for Onazi against France, he was behind Mikel, almost inverting the midfield roles, and made the Eagles look more balanced.

It’s possible that with more training the players could become more accustomed to the 4-2-3-1 system. But this raises a question, will a national team ever really have the time to test and try out new tactics?

Surely the best thing is to use the players you have at your disposal to create a balanced side that suits the players equally and fix the little quirks.

In a bid to solve some little problems we may end up discovering bigger ones.

A three-man midfield is the approach that has worked the best for Keshi’s Nigeria. Mikel sits deep and acts as a holder/ playmaker, while Onazi and the third man act as aggressors and runners.

Mikel covers for the other two players’ lack of technique and passing and they in turn cover for his lack of dynamism and sheer physicality. The beauty of it is that it can work in a high press and a deep shape as the midfielders are never really far from each other. An example is Antonio Conte’s Juventus that has Paul Pogba and ArturoVidal protecting Andrea Pirlo.

Even with a three-man midfield, the team is not perfect, but the problems are much easier to solve than in a two-man as the players don’t have to try to adapt their styles in a short period of time.

If the team can improve the pressing off the ball and movement/passing on it, making them a much harder team to defend against, then there may be no need to change shape to achieve success at the 2015 Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Between Lamentations And Song Of Solomon THE same spirit that propelled “the weeping prophet”, Jeremiah, to write the book of Lamentations at the destruction of Jerusalem

by Babylon, with her people killed, tortured or taken captive, is more than enough to make us reside permanently in lamentation for today’s world that is filled with injustice, poverty, crime, war and all forms of rebellion.

But there comes a time when we must take a break from lamentation and dwell briefly on the Song of Solomon. Just when you are beginning to think that all hope is lost, something still happens to keep hope alive. When we talk of “Lagos for show” and shout, “Eko ‘ni baje”, we simply mean that Lagos should remain alive to show the way for others to follow.

From the smallest things, the greatest often grow. A quiet revolution is creeping into the administration of Lagos State where authorities have realized that in any organization, the welfare of the staff is paramount; hence it has come up with a new maternity and paternity leave regime for its workers.

Under the new leave regime, female civil servants shall now be entitled to six months maternity leave, with full pay, for each of their first two deliveries while for all subsequent births, they shall revert to the usual three months maternity leave. The leave shall commence at least two weeks before her expected date of delivery.

For the first time, it is being realized that it takes two to tango, hence “A male officer to whom a new baby (or babies in case of multiple births) is

born shall be entitled to 10 days paternity leave”.

Again, even within Lagos State, what is good for civil servants should be good for all public servants as well as private sector employees. The motive behind this innovation is quite laudable: “The new leave regime is meant to reduce the negative implication of the extensive work life of parents who are civil servants in the State”.

All the same, what is good for Lagos State should also be good for other States and the Federal Government.

Accordingly, the measure is recommended to these levels.

Shall we now return to lamentation? Meanwhile, our Federal legislators are busy making laws that are clearly unimplementable.

On Tuesday, 01 July 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Pension Reform Bill 2014 into law. According to the new Pension Reform Act, “anyone who misappropriates pension funds, among other punishments, will spend 10 years behind bars.

Anyone found guilty will also be made to refund three times the amount embezzled by him or her”.

We have come to realize that every segment in life has its peculiar language. In our child psychology class, we were taught that the only disciplinary language that children understand is that of flogging, hence a father would tell his child, “If you fall into the railway line and get crushed by the train, I will flog you mercilessly”. The child would then maintain because he doesn’t want to be flogged, albeit after he has been crushed to

death?

You could talk from now till tomorrow but the only thing that appeals to the taxi driver is, “See passenger make you carry”. Similarly, we find a lot of truth in the saying that statesmen think of the next generation while politicians think of the

pension funds have suddenly become the easiest money to steal.

To the system, the pensioner is a dead man.

First, he has no service to withdraw; and second, he is already too feeble to go on strike, any way.

So people can afford to loot his money while he

recommended that our Labour Unions should take active interest in the affairs of these old men and women who cannot fend for themselves.

• Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State

next election. That explains why, like the taxi driver, the only language that appeals to the politician is the one that translates into votes.

As for the employer, the only language he understands from the employee is about strike and withdrawal of service. This column has maintained, perhaps with monotonous regularity, that this explains why

dies on the pension queue and nothing happens.

The future begins today. To the extent that today’s workers are tomorrow’s retirees, they cannot remain nonchalant while these old men and women die on pension queues like poisoned rats. After all, sooner than later, they too will become retirees.

This is why we have

Their interest should be deep enough that, as happens when workers are owed salaries, they should also call their members out on strike when the old ones are owed pension arrears.

In all this, we hope the National Assembly is listening. In orders not to complicate the issue at hand, we intend to call only one witness, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Abdulahi

Maina, who was the acting Director of Customs, Immigration, and Prison Pension Office when the National Assembly smelt a rat that all was not well with close to N200 billion in his care.

He was invited to the National Assembly to shed light on this. When he failed to appear, a warrant of arrest was issued from the Senate but the Inspector General of Police was reluctant to execute the warrant. The executive branch of government dilly-dallied on the issue until Alhaji vamoosed from Nigeria!

Juxtapose this with the new amendment to the Pension Act; and you will find a very good example of a very bad law: a Senate that was shamelessly unable to get Maina to come and answer a few questions on N200 billion is now s h a m e l e s s l y recommending that we throw Maina into prison for ten years before we get him to refund N600 billion! This is perhaps the adult equivalent of the child who must avoid flogging after being crushed to death! Put differently, a child killed a small rat but had no fire to roast it. Meanwhile, he is shouting that the big rat must not be allowed to escape. What unending theatre of the absurd!

“All the same, what is good for Lagos State should also be good for other States and the Federal Government. Accordingly, the measure is recommended to these levels. Shall we now return to lamentation? Meanwhile, our Federal legislators are busy making laws that are clearly un-implementable.”

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