The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol. 38 • NO. 382 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 20 13 • N100. 0 0 NUTRITIONAL HEALTH & DIETETICS Page 14 The Heart
Centre of all human life
Xmas: Police meet with Churches, Hoteliers
KADUNA - The Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Mr. Olufemi Adenaike on Monday said the command had met with church officials and hotel owners on security measures ahead of Christmas and
New Year. Adenaike said in an interview with journalists in Kaduna that the measure was part of efforts to sustain existing peace in the state. “We have held a
security meeting with the leadership of Churches, Mosques and hotels on measures to put in place to ensure a secured atmosphere during the festive period. “So, we expect them to
abide by the resolutions at the meeting. if they see or hear anything, they should alert the police immediately and we will be there”, he said. Commenting on Saturday’s attack on Bankwa village in Zangon Continues on page 2
Development Of Edo
PERSPECTIVE Pages 16 -17 Raphia Palm
Resource For Rural Industrialization In Niger Delta
CAN, PFN laud Oshiomhole By ADAMS OYIBOKE
BENIN CITY – Christian Association of Nigeria, Edo State, have commended the developmental strides of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. The commendation was represented by Rev. was made by the Fr. Richard Ofen said “the Chairman, Christian developmental strides in Association of Nigeria the areas of roads and most Rev. Father other infrastructural Imasuen who led a team facilities in the state is comprising CAN and commendable. PFN officials to the He however, reminded Governor yesterday in the Governor of other Benin City for a luncheon areas that need urgent organized by the attention. governor for the Rev. father Imasuen Christians leaders. thanked the Governor for Rev. Fr. Imasuen who
the timely intervention in the erosion ravaged areas of Queen Ede, Auchi, Ekehuan and other areas in the state. The leadership of CAN/ PFN in the state pledged
their unalloyed support to the Oshiomhole led government in prayers. Governor Oshiomhole while responding, thanked the leadership of CAN/PFN for
honouring his invitation inspite of the short notice. According to him “for the past five years, I realize from time to time, we have course to
ask CAN/PFN to o r g a n i s e interdenominational service, to pray for the state, government and even Nigeria.” Continues on page 2
2014 Fed Budget
Experts fault 72% allocation to recurrent expenses
LAGOS - Some financial experts yesterday bemoaned the 72 per cent allocation to recurrent expenditure in the 2014 Federal Government budget proposal. They told newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos that the budget proposal failed to address critical needs of the country. Malam Garba Kurfi, the Managing Director, APT Securities and
Funds Ltd., said that the economy would not grow with less emphasis on capital expenditure. Kurfi said that the challenges of infrastructure would not be addressed with N1.1 trillion earmarked for capital projects. He said that the nation needed capital expenditure for the economy to experience meaningful growth and development. Kurfi also said that the
TIT BIT “The integrity of a man can be assessed through the persons he recommends for job and how independent his assessment of the job becomes. - Kingsley-Ogbeide-Ihama
oil benchmark of 77.7 dollars per barrel should have been 80 dollars per barrel in line with oil prices in the international market. Mr Sehinde Adenagbe, Continues on page 2
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Sales of chicken at the New Benin Market for the yuletide. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.
Gov swears-in new Civil Service Commission members
BY ADAMS OYIBOKE/ OYENMWEN FAVOUR
BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has sworn-in Chairman and 4 other members of the Edo State Civil Service Commission yesterday in Benin City. The newly sworn-in members included Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh, Chairman, Chief Lugard Amiuwu, Mr. Tony Oshinebo, Mr. Matthew Ogendegbe and Mr. Jim George Akhimien. Addressing the newly appointed members of the C.S.C., Governor O s h i o m h o l e
congratulated and thanked them for accepting the herculian task of moving the State Civil Service to greater height. He said “the choice of Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh as Chairman of the commission was prompted by her
numerous contributions and achievement as Head of Service in moving the Civil Service to greater height. Governor Oshiomhole noted that change is needed in the way the
civil service is presently managed if the nation is to attain the pace of leadership in the continent adding that the term bureaucracy, though inevitable in any organized sector, needed to be well and properly managed to ensure efficient and effective
rendering of services. While describing the civil service as an indispensable organ of government, Governor Oshiomhole charged the new members to adhere strictly to the oath of office in creating a Civil Service Continues on page 2
Doctors resume work in public hospitals By FRIDAY OBANOR
BENIN CITY – Doctors in public hospitals in Edo State resumed work yesterday following weekend suspension
of the five days warning strike declared by the National body of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) last
week. When The Nigerian OBSERVER visited the Central Hospital and the University of Benin
Teaching Hospital (UBTH), both in Benin City, doctors were seen at their duty posts attending to patients. It was also observed Continues on page 2
News
Xmas: Police meet with Churches, HoContinued from page 1 teliers
Kataf Local Government, the commissioner said the situation was not reported to security agents on time. “If the attack had been reported earlier, the security operatives would have been able to arrest the perpetrators, and preferably prevent the attack.
“Security is everybody’s job, when they came to the village, if we had been informed in good time, we would have caught up with them. “We can’t be in every house, but we are strategically positioned. If we had gotten that information earlier, we
would have been able to track them”, he said. He called on the public to assist security agents with useful and timely information on any suspicious person or object that might disrupt peace and security in the state.
should quickly see to the Doctors’ demand so as to foreclose the issue strike beginning January 6, 2014 as proposed by the NMA. While Mr. John Ogbebor cautioned against the repeat of incessant strike which he said has negatively affected some key sectors of the economy of late, Mrs. Mary James, however, bemoaned
the federal government for its insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary citizens by allowing the people to suffer unjustly. According to her: “A country where government official can buy a bullet proof car, of N255 million as official car is the same country where government cannot fix our university system, Health and other critical sectors of the
Adenaike said security agencies were fully prepared to ensure that people in the state enjoyed them celebrations. The commissioner reiterated that the ban on the use of fire crackers was still in force, adding that the police would arrest anyone caught using it.
Doctors resume work in public hospitals Continued from page 1
that the unit where patients obtain card before seeing the doctor witnessed relatively large turn of patients. Speaking with our correspondent, some patients who identified themselves as Mr. Paul Omoregie, John Ogbebor and Mrs. Mary James were all of the opinion that the federal government
Gov swears-in new Civil Service Commission members
Continued from page 1
Commission that is efficient, competent and proficient in service delivery to reposition the system for greater performance. Governor Oshiomhole used the occasion to reaffirm his administration commitment to injecting new blood into the State Civil Service Commission by employing people from the geo-political zones of the state who are qualified and competent for the civil service job, stressing that funds have been setaside in the 2014 budget for training and re-training of civil servants to acquaint them with modern administration techniques.
According to him “what is needed for the promotion of Civil Servants who are due for promotion is not the time spent in one level or at the point of entry but competence, skills ability as well as other productive factors” he stressed. “I therefore charge you to carefully look into these issues so as to ensure the promotion of qualified and efficient civil servants,” he said. He expressed hope that in 2014, pensioners arrears will be adequately addressed adding that the amended pension law that would pave way for the funded pension scheme would kick-start by January 2014 where 7.5% of
employees monthly salary and 7.5% of Employers will be set side to fund the new pension scheme. Responding on behalf of the other 4 members, the newly sworn-in chairman, Princess (Mrs.) Ekiuwa Inneh thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in them and promised to strive hard on all issues brought before them. She expressed thanks to the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Pius E. Odubu, the speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Uyi Igbe, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere for their concern to reconstitute the State Civil Service Commission.
Experts fault 72% allocation to recurrent “The budget is going expenses Continued from page 1 support the push
the Managing Director, Standard Union Securities Ltd., expressed dissatisfaction with the late presentation of the budget. Adenagbe called for quick passage of the budget which he regarded as the “road map for economic activities”. He said that companies needed the budget for decision making on investments. Mr Harrison Owoh, the Managing Director, HJ Trust & Investment Ltd., said that the budget proposal failed to address critical sectors of the economy. Owoh said that it was disheartening that bulk of the nation’s budget would be used for wage payment instead of capital projects. He said that the Federal Government should be bothered by the sufferings of the masses and ensure the provision of basic social amenities. Newsmen reports that the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Dec 19, presented N4.6 trillion budget proposal for 2014 fiscal year. A breakdown of the proposed budget showed that N3.7 trillion, representing 72 per cent, covers recurrent expenditure, while N1.1 trillion was earmarked for capital
projects. Okonjo-Iweala said that the budget would focus on job creation and inclusive growth.
to in agriculture, and kick start the housing sector where we can create more jobs,” she said.
TCN announces collapse of Afam transmission lines
ABUJA - The management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that one of its transmission towers, the Afam–Alaoji 132kV double circuit(DC) transmission line has collapsed. This is contained in a statement issued by TCN General Manager (Public Affairs), Mrs Seun Olagunju yesterday, in Abuja. It explained that the incident occurred on December 19, during the ‘restringing’ of the vandalised sections of the 132kV double circuit transmission line. It noted that the contractor handling the job was already midway through restringing the vandalized 132kV double circuit transmission line when the tower collapsed. Electricity supplied through the 132kV double circuit transmission line helps to augment power supply to PortHarcourt, to avoid overloading the 150MVA transformer at Afam in Rivers State, whenever the Rivers State power plant at Afam is not
available. It said the effect of the loss of the transmission line would not be felt immediately, due to the fact that most industries have closed for the holidays. The company said that its quick response engineering team was already on ground to assess the level of damage with the view to putting in place remedial structures that would temporarily, ameliorate the effect of the loss of the line.
economy.” She therefore appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to Jettison his 2015 ambition for now and face more critical issues that are threatening the unity and survival of the country, stressing that instead of spending the nation’s resources on letter writing and reply to letters he should be more alive to the issue of good governance. Sources closed to the State NMA Chairman, however, revealed that the strike was only suspended and it may likely resume from January 6, 2014 if the federal government fails to address the critical issues that led to the five days warning strike. Meanwhile, following the decision of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to suspend its five day warning strike, doctors working in government hospitals in the FCT have resumed duties. Our correspondent, who visited some public hospitals in the FCT, observed that doctors were on ground attending to patients. Dr Titus Ebekwue, the Chairman of the NMA, Abuja Chapter, told newsmen that there was full compliance in the FCT as doctors had fully resumed work from 8 a.m. yesterday. At the National Hospital Abuja, a patient Miss Yemisi Akande told newsmen that she had been attended to by a doctor and was going to the laboratory to run tests. At the Maitama General Hospital, patients could be seen trooping in and out of the hospital. A nurse at the hospital, who did not want her name mentioned, confirmed that the doctors had been attending to patients. However, at the Wuse General Hospital, not many patients were seen around the hospital. A patient, Ms Maggie Ugwu, told newsmen that she was on queue, waiting to be attended to by a doctor “I came this morning around 9 a.m. I was given my card and told that the doctor is around and I am waiting to be attended to.
CAN, PFN laud Oshiomhole Continued from page 1
And for the past five years, the church has been interceding for me, my family and the state.” Hence the luncheon to thank God for what God has been using you and will continue to use you for the peace and unity of the state. He sued for their continuous support and pleaded that the church prays God to grant him patience for the day-to-day governance of the state.
Present at the luncheon ceremony were the President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Rev. Felix Omobude, Rev. Lucky Osakpagbakho, Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Edo State Chapter, Evang. Margaret Agbonifo of Intercessory Family Prayer meeting, Rev. Dr. Osama Usuanlele, Rev. Ogbewe and Rev. Festus Ogbonmwan amongst others.
Transport Ministry flags-off Metropoitan parking system BENIN CITY – Less than 72 hours after embarking on a road-walk to sensitise motorists to obey all traffic rules during this yuletide and beyond, Edo State Commissioner for Transport, Ambassador Orobosa OmoOjo (JP), has flagged off the Metropolitan Parking System (MPS), which is another innovation to ensure an organised vehicular traffic system in Edo State. The MPS, Powered by ICON-NET TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED, was kick-started by the Commissioner when he demonstrated the operational pattern on Forestry road, Benin City yesterday by simply parking his official vehicle on the designated portion on the road-side where the Metropolitan Parking System agent booked the vehicle at the particular time it was parked and issued a ticket for payment of a token for the duration the vehicle spent on the particular spot. Commenting on the new development, the commissioner said it is a new parking system where any vehicle parked on the designated road-side would be booked and the motorist will pay for the time-frame that the vehicle spent on the parking space. According to Hon. Omo-Ojo,
“It is a dream-come-true. I have achieved one softspot for vehicular traffic. It is a system that is scientific”. He explained that through this mechanism, the Ministry of Transport would be able to manage the vehicular traffic effectively and efficiently pointing out that it would also be experimented on the major roads in the metropolis including Akpakpava, Sapele, Sokponba, Mission and Airport roads among others. The commissioner affirmed that motorists could park the vehicles properly and that plans were being made for corporate vehicular parking. In his remarks, the President and Chief Executive Officer of ICONNET Technologies Limited, McPaul Fide-Omojafoh disclosed that the Metropolitan Parking System starts from 7.00a.m. to 6.30p.m. from Monday to Saturday adding that Sundays are free days. He said a motorist is to pay N50.00 only for one hour. Responding, motorists and traders on Forestry road commended the commissioner for the development.
Navy destroys 1,556 illegal ABUJA - The Chief of oil refineries Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba, said that the Nigerian Navy destroyed 1,556 illegal oil refineries and arrested 1,646 suspects in 2013. Ezeoba disclosed this at the launch of the Chief of Naval Staff Strategic Guidance (SG) 02 in on Monday in Abuja. “The Nigerian Navy destroyed 1,556 illegal oil refineries, 103 barges, 69,606 auxiliary equipment and 1,443 large wooden boats. “ Between October 2012 and September 2013, more than 1,646 suspects were arrested and handed over to either the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC or the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for trial.’’ He said that the incidence of piracy and sea-robbery in waters had been reduced considerably. “For instance, between January and September 2013, the Nigeria Navy received 91 alerts of suspected sea robbery and piracy within Nigerians maritime space,’’ he said. According to Ezeoba, the Nigerian navy responded to 64 cases of sea robbery and is currently investigating 22 of the remaining cases. The chief of naval staff also said that the two hijacked vessels, MV CROW and MT NORTE, with 17,000 metric tonnes of gasoline were successfully rescued by the navy. “Currently, two offshore
patrol vessels are under construction, one to be fully built in China and the second to be completed in the Naval Shipyard Limited, Port Harcourt,’’ he added. Ezeoba also said that the navy had acquired a U.S. Coast Guard Ship, USCGC GALLATIN which is expected to sail into the country by the second quarter of 2014. “Following the achievement of the aforementioned milestones, which was the essence of my SG 01, it has now become necessary to issue my SG 02,’’ he said. Accordingly, the Chief of Naval Staff SG 02 was duly promulgated on November 1, 2013 to ensure that the directives contained therein are carried out. Ezeoba said that the Flag Officer C o m m a n d i n g , Commanders and Commanding Officers, would be required to sign performance contracts. He said that it was expected that all hands would be on deck to ensure rigorous implementation of all the short and medium term projects deliverable to enhance the operational efficiency of the navy. He commended the President, members of the National Assembly and Supervising Minister of Defence for the ceaseless support given to the navy.
Photospeak Ugie festival at the palace of the Benin Monrch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa
The Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa 4th from left, the Isekhure of A scene at the on-going Ugie festival at the Palace of the Benin Monarch, His Royal Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhure Isekhure (3rd left) on the occasion of the annual Ugie Majesty, Oba Erediauwa. festival at the Palace of the Monarch in Benin City.
Chiefs at the Ugie festival.
State Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Prince Matthew Owobu JP, (standing, 2nd left) with other distinguished fellows of the Institute in Abuja.
Wives of the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty Oba Erediauwa on the occasion of the 2013 Ugie celebration. Photo: Solomon Enaigbe.
State Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Prince Matthew Owobu, JP, (sitting left) with other newly installed fellows of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) during the AGM in Abuja.
South-South Why I Refused To Sign Anti-Kidnapping Bill By BETTY IDIALU WARRI - Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said the Anti Kidnapping Bill recently vetoed by the State House of Assembly did not receive his accent because it was not fair to traditional rulers. According to him, the bill stipulates that traditional rulers be held responsible for kidnapping in their domain. The Governor made this known at an interactive meeting with traditional rulers in the State and the Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen at the Governor’s office annex, Warri. He said, “it will be unfair to hold traditional rulers responsible for any kidnapping in their domain without evidence of their involvement. “It is like saying, I should be arrested for any crime in Delta State as the governor” While thanking the traditional rulers for their immense support in the year, the governor charged them to take security of lives and properties in their kingdom seriously and be more vigilant, especially with the influx of people in this yuletide. He advised them to be weary of criminals using their kingdom as base to perpetuate crime, adding that “ironically, these criminals are strangers”. He expressed joy that
Oil Spill:
despite enormous challenges, a lot of progress has been made in combating crude oil theft, kidnapping, piracy and the security of the water ways adding that the state was collaborating with the federal government to eradicate the menace. Dr. Uduaghan told the Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen that their major responsibility is security of lives and properties and to always hold security meetings with traditional rulers in their localities. On State Police, Governor Uduaghan said that having state police was apt in view of the present security challenge in the country noting that they would compliment the efforts of the Nigerian police. The governor hinted that the state government would organise a seminar on anger management early next year as it this will help individuals relate better with each other as well as prevent animosity. The meeting which double as the quarterly meeting on polio eradication and the last for the year, saw the governor using the opportunity to sensitise the traditional rulers on the need to ensure that their kingdom is polio free while expressing joy that the state has maintained a polio free record in the past four years. He told the traditional rulers to ensure that peace prevails in their various kingdoms as much as possible
and encourage their subjects to partake in routine immunization. Some traditional rulers who spoke at the occasion appealed to the governor on need to increase the number of police, especially in the riverine communities as there cannot be national peace without grassroot peace. Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Amos Utuama, (SAN), also speaking on polio, described it as a social problem and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure that the state remains polio free. “We must not rest on our oars because polio could be out today, but may be with us tomorrow because of people coming in and out of the state”. He thanked the traditional rulers and the Local Government Transition Committee chairmen for mobilizing the people in the fight against polio. Commissioner for Health, Delta State Dr. Festus Otumara also speaking on polio, said Nigeria is still one of the countries exporting
polio, adding that NGOs and other stakeholders are working to ensure that polio is eradicated globally. Dr. Otamara said although Delta State maintained a clean record for the past four years,
(NGO), criticised the slow response of Shell to an oil spill incident, which occurred in Ikarama on November 2. Oil spill from Rumuekpe crude delivery line operated by Shell had discharged some 482 barrels of Shell’s Bonny Medium crude stream into the environment at Ikarama community.
ensure their subjects take part in the routine immunization programmes at all Primary Health (PHC) Centers across the state emphasizing that all immunizations are free in the state.
Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, Minority Whip National House of Representative (right) receiving an Award of Excellence from Comrade Shugaba Haruna Chairman Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) Edo State chapter as Edo State Most out spoken legislator during 2013 PASAN week in Benin City recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
Ogbemudia Legacy Revisited
By ISAAC ERANGA KOKO (DELTA STATE) – The Legacy of Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, former military governor of Midwest and Bendel (now
Edo and Delta) States recently came under spotlight when he led a delegation of Mid-West Forum on a visit to Koko, Delta State. The visit which came over
Environmental Rights Group Tasks Shell
YENAGOA - Environmental Rights Action/Friends Of The Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN), an NGO, has urged Shell to clean up oil spill sites within its oil field in Ikararama community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. ERA/FOEN, an environmental rights focused Non Governmental Organisation
warned Deltans not to be oblivious of the fact that our brothers and sisters from other states could bring it in. He appealed to traditional rulers and Transiton Committee Chairmen to
- Uduaghan
Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Operations at ERA/ FOEN’s Bayelsa office, told newsmen that the oil firm had yet to commence crude recovery and clean up of the contaminated site. He said that the development had led to continued exposure of
Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker Edo State House of Assembly represented by Mr. Adams OtegheEpen, Special Adviser to Mr. Speaker on Special Duties (right) receiving an award of Excellence on behalf of Mr. Speaker Mr. Stephen Iguobadia former PASAN Chairman Edo State as a disquished legislator during the 2013 Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) Edo chapter week recently. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
the community’s residents and the environment to the toxic effects of crude oil since November 2. However, Shell in a report on its website, claimed that it commenced the recovery of the spilled oil on November 12 and that the clean up of the spill site would be completed in April 2014. Checks at Ikarama on Monday showed that the clean up had yet to commence. Morris said that field reports from ERA/FOEN’s environmental monitors showed that the spilled crude had been spreading and causing further degradation to the environment. ‘’Field monitors of the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN) visited Ikarama community on the 11th of November, 2013 to investigate an oil spill which community folks said occurred on the 2nd of November, 2013. ‘’As a follow up, ERA/FOEN visited again on the 17th of December, 2013 with a view to ascertaining the state of the immediate environment, especially as to whether Shell has mopped up the spill.
three decades after Dr. Ogbemudia left office as governor of Bendel State was under the auspices of Itsekiri Leaders of thought. The delegation visited the palace of the Olaraja of Koko, Chief Victor Nana, who is the eldest surviving grandson of Ebrohimi Nana, the Secretariat of Warri North Local Government Council, Nana Museum and the Iwere College which was established by Dr. Ogbemudia while he was governor of Midwest State. Dr. Ogbemudia who appreciated the Itsekiri nation for being united also appreciated the people of Edo and Delta States for the opportunity given him to serve the people. According to him; “The Itsekiri nation has been blessed in every generation with an enviable crop of leaders who are admirably embodied and expressed the circumstances of their people. “The Itsekiri nation is an abiding study of how quality can roundly trump quality”, he added. He said the Midwest Forum was formed to promote the interest and goodwill of the Midwestern (Edo and Delta) State of Nigeria. Welcoming the delegation, Chief Victor Nana said it was an honour and a rare privilege to host the man who
contributed greatly to the development of the present Edo and Delta States. At the Warri North Local Government Council Secretariat, Chairman of the council, Evangelist David Eweta Edun described the visit as eventful. At Iwere College, the Principal, Mrs. Eloho thanked Dr. Ogbemudia for establishing the school, which she added is not only a center of academic excellence, but has also produced distinguished men and women. She described Dr. Ogbemudia as a man of strong character, promising to rename the College Sports Complex after him. At the Nana Musuem, Dr. Ogbemudia with his entourage was conducted round by the museum’s curator, Rev’d Tony Ohiosimuan. In the entourage were, Chief Jos Ayomike, Leader of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought; Chief Mike Usige, represented the Isoko Community; Chief G. Ofotokun, represented the Urhobos; Chief Robinson Ogunkoru, represented the Ijaw community. Others in the entourage were Chief Isaac Jemide; A.S. Mene; Barrister Uyi Ogbemudia, Mr. A.T. Ajafodin; Mr. T.K. Okotie and Chief W.E. Princewill.
News Christmas
Police Intensify Surveillance In Edo
L-R: Retired Methodist Church Bishop, Most Rev. Ayo Ladigbolu; Archibishop of Ibadan, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Kehinde Stephen and Lay President of Diocese of Ibadan, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Ademola Idowu, at a presentation service of the Lay President of the Methodist Church, Agbeni in Ibadan on Sunday.
15 Nigerians, One Ugandan Win The Future Awards Africa 2013 PORT HARCOURTFifteen young Nigerians and one Ugandan at the Aztech Arcum, Port Harcourt, emerged winners of “The Future Awards Africa 2013’’. The awards that spanned across various aspects of endeavour were presented to outstanding achievers who are below the age of 31. They are: Orode UduaghanOkpu, who won the Prize in Advocacy and Activism; Ife Adebayo, Community Action; Otto Orondaam, Education; Uche Pedro, Media Entrepreneur of the Year. The prize in Journalism went to Toyosi Ogunseye; Kingsley Ezeani, New Media; Saeed Jumah, Business; and Precious Nweke, Agriculture. The trio of Ayodeji Adewunmi, Opeyemi Awoyemi and Olalekan Olude of Jobberman.com received the prize in Enterprise Support; Hugo Obi, Science and Technology; and Kaye Temenu, Professional Service. Dr Adanna Chukwuma won the prize in Public Service; O. C. Ukeje, Entertainment Talent; Kenneth Gyang, Arts and Culture; and Aisha Bello, Fashion and Style. The biggest award of the night went to Ashish Thakkar from Uganda, who was recognised as the Young Person of the Year. Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, who spoke at the event, urged the youth to contribute their quota in nation building. ‘The way you behave does not augur well for this country,’’ he said, adding that their contributions was necessary to move the country to greater height.
In his speech, Chude Jideonwo, the Executive Director of the awards, said the award was set up to inspire young people to achieve great things. “We have been working
hard to inspire young people to become very responsible and become leaders of tomorrow. “The Future Awards Africa works all-year-round mentoring young people all
over Nigeria and Africa and we shall continue to do so,” he said. Also, the award which held in Port Harcourt for the second consecutive year, was the eighth edition.
AUCHI (EDO)-The Police Command in Edo said that its officers and men would intensify surveillance of identified flashpoints in the state during Christmas and New Year festivities. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, DSP Moses Eguavoen, said this in an interview with newsmen in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government of Edo. Eguavoen said that the command had mobilised all area commands and divisions for effective policing duty during the Yuletide. “Every policeman in Edo State is involved; as I speak with you, an operation order has been drawn to that effect; every policeman has been assigned to his duty post. “The Commissioner of Police has handed down his directives to every policeman in the command; that all policemen would be on duty
Esan Diocese Holds Xmas Party By OSE EHEBHA
EKPOMA - Diocese of Esan, Church of Nigeria, Anglican
L-R: ASUU Chairman, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Gab Agu, his wife, Edna and Anglican Bishop of Diocese of Enugu North, Rt. Rev. Sosthenes Eze during a family thanksgiving service by the Chairman in Enugu on Sunday.
Army Destroys 2 Tankers BENIN CITY- The Nigerian Army publicly burnt two tankers used by suspected vandals to siphon crude oil from a burst pipeline at Ugo, along the Benin-Abraka road in Edo. Col. Idris Lawan, the Commander of Operation Thunder Storm, supervised the tankers’ destruction, which was witnessed by an official of the NNPC.
Lawan said that the tankers were impounded by the army’s pipeline protection team which acted on a tip-off. He, however, said that the tankers’ owners fled on sighting the security team, adding that the tankers would not have been burnt if the owners had been caught. “You can see that one of the tankers is already loaded with crude while the other was
trying to load. “If we had caught those using the tankers to steal crude, we would not have burnt the tankers; instead, we have prosecuted their owners,” he said. According to him, the tankers’ destruction will serve as a deterrent to others. Lawan reiterated the army’s resolve to stamp out pipeline vandalism in the area,
during the period.’’ Eguavoen urged members of the public to report strange movements, suspected persons and unauthorised gathering to the police. “We acknowledge the period we are in and we are ready, ever more than before, to ensure a peaceful, a safe and joyous Christmas and New Year celebrations. “Members of the public can avail us with useful information that will assist the police in deploying proactive measures against crime and criminality.’’ The police spokesman assured the people of adequate security and peaceful celebrations in the state. “You know police works 24 hours; we walk round the clock; we are never at rest; our presence is everywhere. “I assure the public again, that police will be everywhere throughout the celebrations,’’ he said.
warning pipeline vandals to desist from the act or face arrest and prosecution. He said that the army was collaborating with other security agencies to stamp out pipeline vandalism in Edo and its environs. The two tankers, with registration number XC 808 AKL and ABJ 678 XA, could carry 33, 000 litres and 42, 000 litres of fuel respectively.
Communion has held Christmas party for its clergymen and families in Ekpoma, Edo State. The event which held at the premises of the Archbishop’s Palace, Ujoelen-Ekpoma also involved some retired priests. Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas was on ground to present gifts to children of clergymen, just as retired clergymen were presented with cash and bags of rice for Christmas celebration. The Bishop of the Diocese and Archbishop of Bendel Province, The Most Rev’d Friday Imaekhai used the event to challenge the priests to be more dedicated to their pastoral work, noting that unlike secular jobs, the work of clergy is a difficult task. Archbishop Imaekhai called on them to do the job with enthusiasm and happiness, advising them never to allow members notice wrinkles of anger or frustration on their faces. He also admonished them to resist the temptation of deviating from scripture, regretting that the gospel was being bastardized by prosperity pastors in Christendom. Earlier in a sermon, one of the diocesan priests, Rev’d Canon John Oghogho stressed on unity amongst priests and charged them to see it as a duty to support a falling priest to recover, rather than rejoicing at his downfall. He prayed for sustained growth and advancement of the diocese, and called on all to support the realization of the objectives of the church.
Lagos Creation Of New LGs
Lawmaker Lauds Aregbesola LAGOS – The Executive Governor of Osun State Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been commended for his initiative over creation of 27 additional Local Governments in the state. The spokesperson of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity representing Epe Constituency II, Hon. Segun Olulade made this commendation during a chat with newsmen in his office. He explained that creation of some Local governments will bring developments to grassroots and people will be able to feel the presence of government more especially in the remote rural communities where government finds it difficult to reach people
Shoppers at the Yelwan Tudu Market in Bauchi on Sunday.
Water Corporation Spends N3.5m On Damaged Equipment
LAGOS - The Lagos State Water Corporation said it spent over N3.5 million to repair damaged equipment in some of its mini-water works. The corporation’s Group Managing Director, Mr Shayo Holloway, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. Holloway said that the damaged equipment were due to high voltage during electricity supply. He added that most of the corporation’s mini-water works were also affected by the “epileptic power supply”, which he said, damaged the equipment. “As at today, we need to spend about N3.5 million to restore some of our equipment at Ajegule mini-water works damaged by
high power voltage. “This bad electricity supply has also affected our water works in Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ajegunle, Somolu, among others. “We hardly receive four hours of power supply daily, which often affect our distribution network,’’ he said. The group managing director said the corporation could not afford to run most of the miniwater works on 24 hours with generating sets.
“We spend millions of naira on diesel at N155 per litre, which the corporation can no longer cope with, due to huge amount of money required to invest in diesel to power our equipment”. He told newsmen that the Independent Power Project (IPP), built by the state government, Akute in 2010, had contributed to the effective supply of water to Iju and Adiyan environs. Holloway said that the corporation was also planning to
link Onikan, Lekki, Dolphine, Victoria and Ikoyi mini-water works to IPP for effective water distribution. “The responsibility of water agency is the production of water and not production of power in Nigeria, we are combining both. He identified lack of effective revenue generation as a major challenge confronting the organisation, adding that most residents felt that water should be social service.
Improve Maternal Health Through Enhanced Literacy, Expert Advised
106 Ships To Arrive Lagos Ports LAGOS - One hundred and six ships are expected to berth at the Lagos ports between December 20 and December 30. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) indicated this in its ‘Shipping Position’ made available to newsmen in Lagos. According to the document, 22 ships will sail in with various brands of vehicles; 10 ships with petroleum products and 44 others with containers. The NPA said that the remaining ships would sail in with general cargoes, bulk wheat, rice and salt, truck heads, semitrailers, gypsum, base oil, steel products and boats. It said that nine ships laden with petroleum products and four other ships containing bulk fertilizer and wheat, as well as used vehicles, were waiting to berth and discharge their goods. According to the document, 16 ships are currently discharging containers, crude palm oil, raw sugar, truck heads and petroleum products at the ports.
Holloway, however, disagreed with the people saying that “we treat water with lot of money’’. He said that the corporation was partnering with Community Development Area (CDAs), on ways to address the problem of “long serve pipes” in the drainage. The group managing director said that the corporation had also commenced metering of its customers for effective accountability. Holloway added that the exercise had commenced in Ikeja and Lekki with installed meter of about 3,300 and 950, respectively.
due to the size of most Local Governments in the state. “I commend the Government for taking such initiative; I also congratulate the people of the state who are the larger beneficiary of the good things coming along with the initiative, Hon. Olulade explained. “I also seize this opportunity to commend the community leaders, CDAs, CDS, market women, the youths and especially the traditional rulers for the roles played and contributions made towards ensuring that the Governor’s initiatives on taking governance to people living in the most remote parts of the state through additional Local Government creation is being realised. Surely, history will never forget all the people of the state for these laudable achievements.” Olulade stressed that Lagos has set a good example over creation of additional Local Governments. The Lawmaker said development is about people, and that is the essence of having democracy in place. “Considering the developments going on presently in the state in all sectors such as education, health, infrastructure, roads, agriculture and many more, I have no doubt that the people of Osun will see this move by the Governor as act of good governance that they deserve,” he said. Osun State currently has 30 Local Governments which is expected to rise to 57 with
Shoppers at the Yelwan Tudu Market in Bauchi on Sunday.
LAGOS - The President, African Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prof. Oladipo Ladapo, says the enhancement of maternal health among pregnant women will reduce avoidable deaths and deformities in infants at birth. Ladapo told newsmen that enhanced knowledge about maternal health would provide facts for pregnant women. He said the facts surrounding pregnancy and labour, as well as skills about baby care, would as a result of health literacy be available to them. The federation president identified ignorance among most women as being responsible for unhealthy maternity, poor pregnancy outcomes and faulty parenthood. “I think improving health literacy, about what to do when a woman is pregnant, is so vital. “Many of our women do not know the importance of going to antenatal care, the importance of taking iron, folic acid, Vitamin C tablets. “Importance of taking antimalaria that have been prescribed
by WHO and the Nigerian Government. “The importance of sleeping under insecticide-treated nets, the importance of going to see a skilled birth attendant, if there is any complication. “For example, a small bleed, it’s a warning of a bigger bleed to come. “It could be that the placenta is lying in front of the baby when she bleeds a little bit and if she does not go, then there will be torrential bleeding later on. “So, there is need to improve health literacy to save mothers and babies, and nutrition of our women as well.” Ladapo said health tips usually go a long way towards helping pregnant women understand when to start antenatal clinics, attend nutritional classes and partake in immunisation programmes. He urged nurses, midwives, social workers and medical practitioners to ensure thorough explanation and interpretation of labels, medications and general antenatal care routine while dealing with pregnant women.
Across The Nation
Gov Ahmed Urges Religious Leaders To Steer Clear Of Politics
Nigerian Pilgrims Visit Jericho, Pray For Peace In Nigeria JERUSALEM- Nigerian pilgrims participating in this year’s Christmas pilgrimage, on Sunday prayed at the Mountain of Temptation Church for God’s intervention in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s peace, security and unity. The group also visited some holy sites in the ancient city of Jericho and the Dead Sea. Reports say that in Jericho, the pilgrims visited the Mountain of Temptation, which is believed to be the place where Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and forty nights. The ancient Jericho City is of great spiritual significance to Christians because of the miraculous conquest of the city by Joshua, the Jewish leader, during the exodus of the Israelites to the Promised Land. It is believed to be the site where Joshua commanded the Israelites to go round the fortified Wall of Jericho seven times singing, following which the wall fell, while the city was captured. The pilgrims proceeded from Jericho to River Jordan where they took their bath for spiritual cleansing. Many Christians believe that River Jordan has miraculous powers that could cure any sickness or solve any spiritual problem if its water is used to bathe. Mr Bangai Dung, 58, an Elder with the Church of Christ in Nations, Gwol, in Barkin-Ladi, Plateau, said that he bathed in the river for the first time and felt fulfilled as a devout Christian. “Today is one of the greatest days in my life, having cleansed myself in the holy waters, while walking the paths that Jesus walked during his mission here on earth,’’ he said. Mrs Josephine Davou, 45, who also had a bath in the river, told newsmen that she was delighted to participate in the bathing, saying that she believed that all her spiritual problems were now over.
The Benin Monarch, His Royal JMajety, Oba Erediauwa (4th from left) the Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, Chief NOsakhare Isekhure (3rd left) on the occasion of the Annual Igue Festival at the Palace of the Monarch in Benin City. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
UNILORIN Lecturers Will Teach From Their Homes - Registrar ILORIN- The Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Mr Emmanuel Obafemi, has said that the institution would, from January 2014, be fully digitalised. Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, Obafemi said that the development would make it possible for lecturers to be able to send assignments to their students via the Internet. “As from Jan. 2014, University of Ilorin lecturers would be able to send assignments to their students through the Internet from the comfort of their homes,’’ adding that students would also be able to respond via the same channel. He said that the school had ordered for 25,000 pieces of mini iPads from the U.S. for the students, to enable the lecturers to send assignments to them from home. He noted that the iPads were already fully loaded with the students’ courses and each
student would get one as they resume in January. Obafemi confirmed that because the iPad was produced in large quantity, the university had subsidised its price, noting that the whole school had already been connected to the Internet. He expressed the readiness of the institution’s administration to make the university one of the
best in Nigeria and Africa. Obafemi noted that the school would continue to encourage programmes and policies that promote global best practices in the education system. The registrar gave an assurance that the institution would sustain the legacy of the past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
“If you come here in another five months, you will see a positively different Unilorin and well managed institution,’’ Obafemi said. He commended the management of the institution and expressed delight in the fact that the university had not gone on strike in 13 years.
State, has reiterated his administration’s willingness to empower the youths in the sate. Dankwambo stated this in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area of the state on Sunday during a tour to Gombe Central Senatorial District. “Before the end of my tenure, I will make sure the whole youths of Gombe are empowered. “You can look for taxi, tricycle loan, from the state government;
if you have problem of money to deposit, contact me. I shall support you. “But make sure anybody that receives the loan should utilise it so that he will be able to pay the loan within the stipulated time, to enable others to benefit from it. “All what we are doing in Gombe is because of you, being the future leaders. “We will make sure that youth
restiveness is completely eradicated. ” The governor further said that he was in the area to thank the people for the support given to him from beginning to the end of the year. “Without your support, the developmental projects in Gombe wouldn’t have been possible. Alhaji Inuwa Garba, Speaker of the state House of Assembly and Chairman, Nigeria
Dankwambo Reiterates Willingness To AKKO (GOMBE) - Governor Conference of Speakers, assured Empower Youths Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe the government that the people of
Be Thankful To God Always, Cleric Charges Nigerians KAFANCHAN (KADUNA STATE)-Rev. Samuel Kunhiyop, the SecretaryGeneral, Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Kaduna State, has urged Nigerians to be thankful to God always. Kunhiyop made the appeal in his sermon on Sunday in Kafanchan during the thanksgiving service in honour of Mr Kumai Badu, the Chairman, Kaura Local Government Council. The cleric, who read from 1Thessalonians 5:18, said that God demanded that “all persons and nations” be thankful to Him always, no matter the circumstances, to provoke His blessings. Kunhiyop said that although
the nation was faced with several challenges including, unemployment and youth restiveness, there was every need to give thanks to God. “As a people, we may have experienced turbulent and difficult times, but God says in all things, we should give Him thanks.’’ He further enjoined the Kaura community to support the chairman of the council and to always pray for those in authority, as ordained by God. In his address, Badu said that the service was specially set aside to give God thanks for His blessings on him and the entire community. He said that although the community had suffered incessant attacks which claimed
ILORIN - Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara on Sunday urged religious leaders in the country to separate religion from politics, so as to promote peace and unity in the nation. The governor made the call in Ilorin when the executives of Nasrul-Lahil-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) visited him. He also called on religious bodies in the country to intensify their philanthropic activities, adding that such gesture would enhance the wellbeing of the less privileged members of the society and aid efforts to curb crime. “Kindness is all-encompassing, no matter our situation in life, we are all capable of showing compassion for others; we should show kindness to all those we encounter,” he said. Ahmed described religion as a personal phenomenon, adding that it should be practised with respect for other religions and the right of others who hold contrary views. The governor pledged that his administration would continue to implement programmes which would improve the state’s infrastructure and spur human capital development. “In the coming year, we intend to implement several programmes to boost youth employment, improve the infrastructure and stimulate greater commercial activities.
several lives and property, the community still deemed it fit to give God thanks. “We must not relent, in good and bad times, to always give thanks to God.’’ The chairman also urged the people of the area to support government policies and initiatives aimed at developing the community. He also called on well meaning individuals to support the completion of the church building project at Kukun Dutse. Politicians and traditional leaders, among others, graced the occasion and donations were also made toward the church building project by council chairmen in Southern Kaduna and other individuals.
the district would remain loyal. The “People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is our party; we do not know any other party in this zone’’. He also thanked the governor for supporting the appointment of Alhaji Idris Umar as the Minister of Transport. Reports say that the senatorial district comprises Akko and Yamaltu-Deba local government areas.
Wives of the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa on the occasion of the 2013 Ugie celebration. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE
Abuja
Jonathan Urges Armed Forces To Curb Insecurity
ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan has urged members of the armed forces to intensify their operations to curb the security challenge facing the country. Jonathan, who made the call during the decoration of 46 newly promoted officers in the armed forces, stressed that much was expected from those to whom much was given. “We must work together as a team to make sure that the armed forces are able to protect lives and property of Nigerians. “If we can’t do that, then of course, the reputation of the country will continue to go down. “A number of issues are being raised in the media which you know much more than I do; there is so much challenge on the armed forces and other security agencies of this country. “All of us, collectively, must stand up to our responsibilities and go the extra mile to see that we overcome these challenges,” he said. Jonathan, while commending the armed forces, said he was impressed with what was going on in the services in the area of creativity and innovation. He said for quite some time, those in leadership of the country, had not been doing things as they were supposed to be done. According to him, there are many things that are supposed to have been provided for the armed forces that are yet to be provided. “Now that we are faced with this challenge, we are overwhelmed by some incidents, but we will surely get over them. “We will work with you to see what we can provide to make sure that you are in a position to defend lives and
property of Nigerians. “We will try to provide what you need to make sure that the environment is peaceful and that Nigerians can move freely from one part of the country to the other without fear of anybody pointing a trigger at them.” The President, while congratulating those promoted, urged them to use the promotion to work harder to protect Nigerians. Responding on behalf of others, Maj.-Gen Joseph Nimyel assured the president that the promotion would spur them to do more. He thanked the President for finding them worthy of being promoted and for attending the decoration ceremony. “Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate our dedication and total commitment to the duty and the nation”, he said. The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the promotion was a source of inspiration for them to do
ABUJA - The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has launched emergency response vehicles to ensure prompt response, intervention and rescue during crisis situations at Christmas. The Commandant-General of the corps, Dr Ade Abolurin, said at the launch, held at the
NSCDC headquarters, that the emergency response vehicles would intervene in crisis and rescue situations in Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states and their environs. Abolurin said no fewer than 120,000 personnel would be deployed nationwide, with 7,000 in the FCT, to ensure that the lives and property of
more in line with their training. Olukolade said the promoted officers would do
their best to ensure that the highest security was provided for the country. The second female Major-
General in the Nigerian Army, Abimbola Amosun, said she was excited and thanked the president for her promotion. “I thank the Commanderin-Chief because I know we
have a lot of policies that have become gender friendly.” 27 major-generals, six rear admirals and 15 AVMs were promoted.
Wife of the Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark (2nd right) presenting bags of rice to Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Mr. Innocent Onuh (2nd left) for distrubution to the less privileged, widows and aged in the area in Otukpo on Sunday. With them are, wife of the Minister of Interior, Mrs. Abba Moro (right) and wife of the Local Government Chairman, Blessing.
Good Oral Hygiene Helps Prevents Dental and cleaning help to keep Problem
Shoppers at the Yelwan Tudu Market in Bauchi on Sunday.
ABUJA - Dr Manchu Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer, Grace Land Oral Health and Medical Care Initiative, on Sunday said that the practice of good oral hygiene would help to prevent dental problems. He told newsmen that if the mouth was not cleaned regularly, it could lead to oral cavity. According to him, the hole in the teeth can pave the way for parasites, bacteria, yeast and fungus to invade the body. “Regular teeth brushing
NSCDC Launches Emergency Response Vehicles citizens were safe during the yuletide. He noted that last year, many people were stranded on the roads, while some lost their lives as a result of inadequate care and the lack of adequate response
arrangements. He said the development was a disturbing one, hence the corps decided to release vehicles for the purpose of intervention during emergency situations to assist the public. “The corps will launch various types of vehicles for the purpose of intervention
between December and January to effectively police crimes and vandalism in the country,” the corps commandant-general noted. He gave the assurance that increased capacity, enhanced operations and effective deployment of equipment would ensure speedy and rapid response in the corps operations.
your teeth and gums healthy. It also helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.’’ Ibrahim said that other things that could help in oral care included mouthwash, rinsing, tongue cleaning and eating healthy diet as well as limiting sugary drinks and foods. “If you smoke, stop smoking and it will improve oral hygiene. “The intake of refined carbohydrate foods also contributes to tooth infection,’’ he said. Ibrahim, however, said that brushing twice, morning and night, helps to clean the bacteria in the mouth effectively. He advised people to visit a dentist every six months, to check and refill if there were cavities in the teeth. “You can only determine if the hole is there by visiting a dentist who has the instrument to diagnose and treat it,’’ Ibrahim said.
Issues
Curbing Corruption Among Nigerian Leaders CORRUPTION in high places has been a major factor impeding Nigeria’s economic development since we got our Independence. This cankerworm has eaten so deep that one continues to wonder if it will ever come to an end. Nigeria is a corrupt country. Corruption may never end. All efforts by the government so far to fight corruption, seem to be an illusion. Fighting corruption is one of the most urgent tasks facing Nigeria today. The core issue before our President and every Nigerian Citizen is to confront how to significantly reduce corruption. It is only an exemplary leadership that can significantly reduce corruption in Nigerian. Without a great leader, Nigeria will continue to wallow in corruption. ‘’Corruption cannot be stopped from the bottom because those at the bottom often react to the impunity at the top. Only a leader with enormous discipline and restraint can solve Nigeria’s corruption problem. It is not the place of EFCC or ICPC, but the place of the number one leader in this country’’. When Olusegun Obasanjo was President of Nigeria, he persistently impressed it upon Nigerians and the international community that the uniqueness of his administration lies in his single-minded commitment to fight corruption. According to him, “Nobody, nobody, I repeat nobody, is above the law. If you commit any criminal offence, I will not arrest you. The Inspector General of Police will do that’’. He followed this up by setting up the national anticorruption commissions like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial
By FAMOUS IGUISI
Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption to its barest minimum. But most unfortunately, the anticorruption stance of the past and present administrations has not yielded positive results. Almost on a daily basis, we hear billions and now trillions of Naira either allocated or voted for roads rehabilitation or construction, but year in year out not one road has been rehabilitated; rather more and more are allocated. The issue of corruption in Nigeria has become a societal malice. This is a classical case of a sign of a failed state, especially when people who arrogate to themselves the authority to lead, turn around to steal people’s common wealth Thank God President Jonathan has equally vowed that his administration will not shield any corrupt person from investigation or prosecution by the anti-graft agencies in the country. He has promised that government would continue to support and encourage the EFCC and other anticorruption agencies to confront the monster of corruption more decisively and charged them to spare no culprit regardless of his status or position. According to him, “We will give all the necessary support and encouragement to all the anticorruption agencies to vigorously enforce the enabling anti-corruption laws. I urge these agencies to do their work fairly but firmly within the ambit of the law without regard to position or status. There shall be no sacred cow. This government will not protect any so-called sacred cow. The wheel of justice must run its full course in tackling anti-corruption cases”.
It is my expectation, that our President is concerned about the economic future of all Nigerians, including himself, such that instead of being distracted by uncertainties about his future, he is busy building the future for all Nigerians. “All well-meaning Nigerians must, therefore, not only say no to corruption but also do something about it.
contribute to strengthening accountability and transparency in the public sector’’. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, once said that corruption in high places will continue to mar the nation’s development. He said that Nigeria has been governed in the past 30 years by “very unserious characters.” According to him, “there is no record of how much the
was an item on it which says unspent funds. These are monies to be returned to the National Assembly at the end of the year and it was N21 billion. “This is a budget of over N650 billion and you are returning N21 billion. What this means is that the budget must have performed over 95 per cent. “The budget apparently performed about 30 to 40 per cent just like every other budget. I went to see the late President to tell him that I was not going to agree to this because where I come from; they will ask me about the money. “Within six weeks, N21 billion became N450 billion that was returned to the treasury’’.
Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman
Every little effort counts; whistle blowing, vigilance in budget implementation and projects monitoring, calling public officers to account; all go a long way towards assisting the anti-corruption effort. The historic signing of the Freedom of Information Bill into Law in 2011 has provided citizens with a veritable instrument to
nation earns and spends’’. He recounted how the Ministry of Works brought a budget of N100 billion to spend and later discovered that N40 billion of that money was dedicated to roads already built and completed. “A week after I became Speaker, the late President brought a budget to the National Assembly and there
“Therefore, it is critical for the EFCC and other financial Agencies to brace up and carry out their constitutional responsibility without fear or favor; stop the international community from accepting looted funds from government officials. Corruption in government must be nip in the bud if Nigeria must achieve its vision 2020:20.”
If this is true, then one would like to know what could have happened to the balances within the last 12 years of our Democracy. Since corruption constitutes the greatest bane of all vices hunting Nigeria it is high time that National Assembly began to explore legislative intervention as well as constantly build workers’ capacity in order to enhance their wellbeing and productivity as well as facilitate industrial peace and harmony. Until Nigeria changes and undergoes a reform, the future for Africa’s development is bleak since Nigeria represents a regional influential. Greed in government officials is thriving in a way
we as a people do not and cannot approve of. It is heartbreaking to continue to hear of the unending craze among government officials to loot public fund without a blink of the eye or even considering the effect this could have on the people. Most government officials and other public officers have created a tradition: “get to the scene, loot and disappear from the scene.” They do this without a genuine desire to serve. There is no doubt that there cannot be any meaningful economic development if government officials continue in their illicit looting activities. We will definitely not go beyond being a developing nation, while other developing countries, especially in Asia, who had the same economic indices with Nigeria have all gone ahead; because they have a sense of purpose. Therefore, the relevant anticorruption agencies, EFCC and others must step up their game. Nevertheless, I must give it to them for the several land mark achievements in this regard especially the indictment of the former speaker of the house of Representative and his deputy over a controversial loan scam. But there is need for them to do more. There should be no sacred cow in this fight. It requires courage and selfless service to be able to break the big head of corruption in Nigeria. I quite agree with former president Obasanjo’s comments recently in Geneva Switzerland when he accuses the EFCC and ICPC of ineffectiveness and inefficiency because the EFCC was supposed to have gotten him arrested the moment he left office and investigate his obscure dealings while in office. There are indeed a score of corrupt public officials who walk the streets freely today with impunity. Therefore, it is critical for the EFCC and other financial Agencies to brace up and carry out their constitutional responsibility without fear or favor; stop the international community from accepting looted funds from government officials. Corruption in government must be nip in the bud if Nigeria must achieve its vision 2020:20. Otherwise, I see an upsurge of the kind of revolution that is currently swiping across the Arab World in Nigeria very soon.
IT presents a sad scenario that despite several policy initiatives the menace of poverty is a staggering reality and may have accounted for the loophole in myriad of social vices. Most notably are high incidences of armed robbery, kidnapping, corruption, advance fee fraud (419), prostitution Rings, human trafficking and “the likes perpetuated and perpetrated by the authors as the quickest route to scale the poverty barrier.” THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its 2012 Human, development report on Nigeria, states that 70 per cent of Nigerians are in abject poverty while massive unemployment of people and the under utilization of resources are the order of the day. Since the report nothing about the poverty level has changed dramatically. NO doubt, the crushing poverty level currently ravaging Nigeria has become so overwhelming that over 70 percent of Nigerians have unwittingly bowed to the pangs of biting hardship. POVERTY is today a generic term and has been so since attempts at its classification by various study and academic groups with Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) ever more vehement and critical on the problems associated with large scale poverty and ways to improve the economic status of those classified in the group. SOCIAL scientists in attempt at plausible stratification and definition of the term find it necessary to contrast poverty with such opposite terms as richness, wealth, comfort, affluence and the likes as the terms carry inherent semantic undertones that most times solicit sympathy, empathy and compassion from those afflicted with the plague which poverty has come to symbolise. HOWEVER, by daily interactions within society and among communities and nations, it is clear that poverty has striking universal
THE NIGERIAN
Re-appraising Our Poverty Eradication Policies perception and similarities because of its crosscountry feature and characteristics. The basic feature being that people suffer hunger and deprivation with not enough to eat, lack shelter and clothing as well as basic necessities required for human existence. FOR instance, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights aptly sums uppoverty as a “human condition characterised by the sustained or chronic deprivation of the resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of all adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”. THERE is, as a result, conscious efforts by many organizations to mitigate the harsh effect of poverty which is more endemic in developing countries and many parts of Asia while in Nigeria, government’s effort at providing palliatives and putting in place workable measures from some of its economic policies that cause poverty shocks are yet to yield the desired impact. IT is the concern for the world’s poor and to find solution to spreading poverty crisis that the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is celebrated worldwide in order to push people up the ladder of comfort where health care, food, shelter, clothing among others are assured the citizenry without experiencing the pain of deprivation. IN Nigeria, however, government has put in place social programmes as National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), National
Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS), the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to tackle problem of youth unemployment, a crucial poverty indicator among the socio cultural stratification. IN assessing Nigeria’s poverty level, based on its oil wealth which it described as a mixed blessing, the report explained that it was not the oil resources that are the problem, but the management of those resources. A general overview of Nigeria’s poverty crisis indicates therefore that there is a fundamental problem which the Federal Government needs to identify and tackle in order to address the continuing poverty level in Nigeria. The NIGERIAN OBSERVER urges the government to re-appraise some of its economic policies and those geared towards poverty eradication. Beside, it is remarkable that government insensitivity to suggestions put forward to it is increasing and is not being addressed as they should. A holistic reappraisal is therefore inevitable in all sectors of the economy and mitigating measures put in place if government is to succeed in its poverty eradication drive. IN the face of glaring discontent at the increasing poverty level, the World Bank proffered in its report. that “oil and natural gas will generate continuing wealth for many years on which Nigeria can build, if it manages this wealth well. If it channels more of this wealth to the development of its people and to the productive use of its land and other resources, then Nigeria has a promising Future”. WE implore the Federal Government to continue to put policy measures in place to scale down poverty level. Corporate bodies and organisation can play a part by partnering with the various governments to alleviate poverty In the land.
Rage Of The Philistines SINCE the judicial murder of Jesus Christ, the Avatar of the Christian faith, different forms of persecution have trailed the evolution of this religion. In their vain attempts to discredit the truth that “Jesus Christ is the son of God, sent to deliver mankind from the penalty of sin - death -” elaborate and grandiose schemes have been hatched by the sons of perdition to drag the image of the religion and its adherents in the mud. In their mad rush to blaspheme, these sons of Sodom have showered plethora of pernicious, spurious, spiteful, damming and totally blasphemous expletives against Jesus Christ, Christianity and the Almighty God. Had they made similar sacrilegious submissions against Muslims, Islam and Mohammed, a “Fatwa” would have been declared on them and a price put on their heads, just like Salman Rushdie’s case after publishing “The Satanic Verses”. Despite the repeated attacks of these dark angels, Christians have naturally kept mute in obedience to the Biblical injunction of “turning the other cheek”. Persecution of the Church is not new. It became rife in the years after the execution, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The early apostles where constantly harangued for their continued teachings on the new life that is freely given to all those who believed and confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal savior. These initial attempts were meant to douse the fire ignited by Christ through his works while on earth, and the equally effective work of his apostles who took the message to formally uncharted territories. Most of these men suffered unimaginable fates for their faith, while many of them paid the ultimate price. In the current dispensation, a new crop of Pharisees have arisen. They are mainly from the science and technology community. They operate from both our ivory towers and business communities, where they have overwhelming influence in determining what people should or not should believe. Through their often unproven, doctored and biased experiments, ideas that are at times illogical and totally antiChristian are constantly churned out to deceive even the elect. Theories like evolution, relativism, the big bang, etc, are continually drummed into listening ears of the innocent. Starting from the eighteenth century, the works of these men have permeated our societies and now control our lives, estranging some of the elect from their God. Our schools, cultures, governments and other aspects of life have been eroded by the postulations of science, and the fleeting influences of technology. To press home their points and
sow seeds of doubts in the minds of believers, several preposterous accusations have been concocted and leveled against the Church on a global scale. The blasphemers of Christianity, the members of the scientific community have created their own belief system. This new religion preaches that “God is dead”, and that science is the new-born god. The sad fact is that they have made several converts who prefer to put their faith in a man-made god; a mere human construct. What a pity. But the gospel truth is that science, despite its exaggerated claims has failed in mitigating humanities greatest challenges: conflict, poverty, disease, racism, insecurity, natural disasters, death, etc, it has failed to answer the question, “what is life all about”? Despite the much vaunted feats of space technology and medicine, man remains afraid, insatiable, empty sick and guilty inside. William Shakespeare succinctly captures the sorry state of man in this extract from “Macbeth”: “Life’s but a walking shadow’, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage. And then is hard no more: It is a tale told by sick and guilty inside. William stakepears succinctly captures the sorry state of man in this extract from Macbeth. Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that structs and frets his hour upon the stage. And then is hard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot signifying nothing”. What an apt description of man’s sorry state, despite his much hallowed achievements in science. As to the origin of man and other life forms, science would have us believe in the warped theories of “Evolution” (and “Natural Selection”) and The “Big Bang”. These are postulations that have been found wanting in the face of contemporary evidence. It beats my imagination that the scientific community still hangs on to these white lies, when observable evidence is to the contrary. Funny enough some of these theories form the building blocks of modern science. What a shameful sham! If man evolved from other living cells why, how, when and where did this evolution stop? If the earth is the result of a gigantic explosion, why do we find so much order in creation? What has science become today? Dr Paul Olisah Ojeih (Daily Sun, Tuesday, October, 17, 2006) answers. “What we have today are scientific magicians playing on peoples’ ignorance with scientifico-Magicoabracadabra” (Emphasis mine).There is overwhelming evidence in creation to prove that life and the earth are logical results of divine wisdom, not a
Cutting Edge
blind result of chance. Just do your research! Come to think of it, is Christianity anti-science? Of course not! True and objective science springs from truly acknowledging that man is a created being with free will. God, according to the Christian Bible created humans to be like himself with a commission to reproduce, bring the earth under his control and to rule over every animal on the earth (Gen1:27 -29) (emphasis added). It can then be inferred that it is God’s wish that men explore in order to discover the hidden secrets in nature, control natural laws and use his discoveries to advance life on earth. To survive in his environment, God gave man the ability to observe events, record facts, analyze combination of facts, study and produce results. Man can flash back to the past, envision and gear up for the
rise of false prophets, war and rumors of wars, nations warring against nations, famine, food shortages, earthquakes, and persecution of Christians (by today’s anti-Christ’s’) and the spread of evil. But He cautioned that these occurrences would indicate the beginning of tribulations on earth and not the end of the world .He admonished Christians to hold on to their faith until the gospel had spread to the uttermost parts of the world. Only
positively progress, there must be a synergy between science and morality, which Christianity advocates. Men must realize that they are mere actors on the world stage and that regardless of their achievements they are answerable to a higher authorityGod. Science can improve the lot of humanity, but it cannot build positive peace, end poverty, put a stop to prejudice and other ills afflicting mankind. These ills spring from the hearts of men.
future, make choices, plan, organize, transform and modify his physical environment into his dream world. He can achieve just about anything he sets his mined on achieving. Every break through (scientific or otherwise) should thus make man more conscious of the wonders of creation –especially as man has not been able to create any life form through science or any other means for that matter. Thus biblical facts should be the building blocks of modern science, not some whacko scientific theories that bothers on the mythical and mystical. As to the accuracy of biblical prophecies, especially as it concerns the second coming of Christ, naysayers have laughed it off as the creation of spindoctors; a doctored insertion into the original writings of Bible. What is obvious is that these Doubting Thomases have not intently studied the Christian Bible in its pure form. If they had, they would have avoided blabbing inanities and hauling abominable insults on the son of God. Jesus did not give a particular time frame for his second coming. He only catalogued the following events as preceding the end times: The
then would He come. (Matthew 24; 1-14). Most of the events catalogued by Christ are already happening with frightening accuracy. And despite the good news having reached some far-flung corners of the world, some people are yet to hear it. For instance, recently, a hitherto unknown primitive tribe was discovered in South America. These and other such isolated groups deserve to hear the word. Christ may not have come, but let no man be deceived, ‘no Bible prophecy has failed to come true’. Ask the people of Noah’s days and the disobedient Jews of the ancient kingdoms of Judah and Israel. The Jews are what they are today because of the fulfillment of prophecy, not in rejecting their identity as God’s people as has been suggested by the modern-day Philistines (Ezekiel 37:12 -14, 15 – 28; Jeremiah 30, 31). However, the progress of any nation as of any man is not totally dependent on the achievements of science. Morality plays a very significant role in ensuring that scientific inventions are channeled towards productive ends. People without morals are more dangerous to humanity than viruses. For humanity to
Unregulated science is humanity’s greatest enemy. Albert Einstein (See Barash, P.D and Webel,C.B02) C.P.2002.P85), reacting to the advent of the Atomic Bomb ,which was a result of the application of his theories, expressed his fears in these evergreen words; “The splitting of the atom has changed everything but our way of thinking, and hence we drift towards unparalleled catastrophe”. Bill Clinton, (Ibid: 113) former U.S president, reacting to the power of information technology, Expressed his fears thus: ‘The revolutions in information technology have magnified both the creative and destructive potential of every individual, tribe and nation on our planet’. For those who continue to doubt that our Lord Jesus Christ is real, “I pity you”. Jesus and the Christian massage offers man a relationship with God, not a religion. The world calls the Christians message foolish and silly (1 Corinthians 1:12; LB; see John 1:11-13), but it keeps waxing stronger, everyday, overwhelming the blind attacks of the anti-Christs’ of this world, who have had the Christian
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massage preached to then but turned their backs on it. If revered thinkers like Bertrand Russell, a contemporary of Albert Einstein, and one of the founding fathers of modern science, could be confused on his death bed as to what his fate would be after death, I wonder what these disciples of Lucifer are still yammering about. Hear Russell on his death bed: “I am not afraid to die, but one thing I fear is in case these Christians are right” (See Ojewale, M.O. 1992 .knowing God personally p.18 19). This renowned philosopher and intellectual who was an enigma in his days could not be sobered by his many years of laborious research. He could not find peace in his theoretical postulations. ‘Of course these Christians are right’. In their vain attempts to deify science and portray Christianity as a fruitless exercise, the enemies of Christ have halfWittedly attempted to portray Albert Einstein, one of their most illustrious colleagues as a bland, stereo typed atheist. But the truth is that Einstein had a very deep spiritual side to him. Hear him: “The most beautiful and most profound emotion we experience is the sensation of the mystical. It is the sewer of true science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand in rapt awe, is as good as dead. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their mostly primitive forms - this knowledge, this feeling is at the centre of true religiousness” (See Downs, R.B 1956: Books that Changed the World. 193). What a sincere scientist! Christians willing to excel in all fields of human endeavor should first seek God and his kingdom, that all other things (including scientific and technological breakthroughs) may be added unto them. They should avoid putting on the toga of vanity and unbelief; should not act without thinking, causing more harm than good (to themselves and others).They should rather strive to be obedient humble and surrender to the divine will of the almighty, willing to sacrifice their lives for others, as exemplified by Christ while on His earthly journey. Humanity can only progress in a world ruled by God. Remain blessed!
Nutritional Health And Dietetics
The Heart: Centre Of
All Human Life
WHEN your heart is strong and healthy, your whole body benefits. When it is sick, the whole body suffers. That is why, it is so important for you to take care of your heart, for upon its condition will depend upon your ability to get the very best out of life. The great throbbing centre of all human life and activity is the heart. No other organ carries so much responsibility for the rest of the body. Every part of the human system is entirely dependent upon the heart. The lungs enable us to breath. The kidneys filter out the waste material from the blood. But the one great organ upon which all the others depend is the heart. Your heart continues to beat constantly day and night, when you are at rest, it beats quietly and slowly, conserving its great reserve powers for the time when they might be sorely needed. If an emergency should arise, your heart will immediately quicken its pace, speeding up the circulation of the blood to wherever it may be needed. Now, if you will place your hand on your chest towards the left side, you will feel that great throbbing centre at work. That is your heart. Its function is to move the living stream of blood through all parts of your body, feeding all the cells and removing all the waste materials. If your heart should fail, your whole transportation system would beak down. (John 2003). It is therefore, important for you to ask yourself whether you are giving your heart all the care that it deserves. Can a man strain his heart by overwork? Charles (2004) says “No”, it is almost impossible to strain the healthy human heart by overwork, surprising as that may seem. The heart is far more likely
to be damaged by disease and by poor habits of living, than by any physical activity. But once the heart has been damaged by disease, It may be necessary to avoid too much activity. A heart that has been damaged can be strained beyond its limits. A powerful and efficient muscular pump. Its power is entirely despondent upon the condition of the fibres in its muscular walls. Anything that damages these fibres will produce striking changes within the circulation throughout the whole body. Many factors are responsible for maintaining the volume and pressure of the blood. These according to Andrew (2009) include the condition of the heart valves, the effect of the nervous system in controlling size of the vessels and the amount of fluid in the blood stream. All these are important. But the condition of the heart muscle itself is of primary concern. Some of the causes of the more common causes of heart trouble arise from the degenerative conditions. Many people eat far too much and then fail to take sufficient exercise. Some live under constant emotional strain and do not get enough rest. All these conditions tend to weaken the body and hamper the normal circulation of the blood. The arteries themselves according to Charles, may become hardened and the elastic tissue in their walls no longer flexible. This may raise the blood pressure and increase the work of the heart. Fortunately, the heart is built of though materials that do not break down very easily. The muscles of the heart are different in the way they are put together. They are more durable than any other muscle tissue in the body. No organ works as long and as hard as
the heart. The inside of the heart is composed of four chambers. These chambers according to Anne are lined with a soft, smooth lining called the endocardium, which allows the blood to flow freely on its way to the lungs and to the rest of the body. The outside
contractions in one day or thirty-seven million in one year. In seventy years this adds up to more than two and a half billion contractions. Such figures are too great for us to comprehend. No machine made by man is a durable or efficient as the
of the heart is covered with another smooth, durable material called the epicedium. The whole organ is enclosed in a tough fibrous bag called the pericardium, which protects the heart from damage on the outside. At the same time the pericardium provides a smooth water-lined casing in which the heart can move freely without interruption. At normal rate the heart beats seventy times, a minute, that is, more than 100,000
human heart. Every day, it pumps several tons of blood. It is the most remarkable pump in the world and there is not one piece of metal in it. Reserve Power: As long as you are alive, your heart never stops working. It has enormous reserve powers to meet any crisis that may arise. If it has been damaged by disease, it repairs itself while it works. If its valves become thickened because of some disease, such as rheumatic fever, the heart will thicken up
“Some of the causes of the more common causes of heart trouble arise from the degenerative conditions. Many people eat far too much and then fail to take sufficient exercise. Some live under constant emotional strain and do not get enough rest. All these conditions tend to weaken the body and hamper the normal circulation of the blood.”
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O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608 it own muscular walls to try to compensate for any lack of efficiency. Even while your heart is working, its own muscle cells are busy selecting materials they need for their own growth and repair. Under the
calls forth all the reserves of energy within the body. The individual prepares for fight or flight. Whichever may be the wiser choice at the moment. In this crisis, the heart responds by greatly
stress of some acute illness, it will keep on working, day after day, pumping at two or three times its normal speed, to help the body overcome some serous emergency. Scientists asserted that the normal heart will beat for eighty years or more without loosing even a few minutes for repairs if you will only give it the food and care it deserves. When the body is at rest, the heart continues to beat at a quite, easy pace. It has relatively little work to do. But when danger threatens or when an emergency arises and all the powers of mind and muscle are needed, then the central nervous system flashes out the alarm to all parts of the body. Every organ scientists say responds in its own particular way. Breathing becomes more rapid to supply more oxygen to the tissues. Digestion stops. It can wait till the crisis has passed. The nervous system
expanding its capacity and quickening its place. A great deal more blood must now be pumped through the vessels to provide power for the muscles and energy for all the cells. All of these widespread reactions are governed by the reactions of the brain and central nervous system. Scientists and psychologists say when the danger has passed, another set of nerves take over, slowing the heart down to a normal, quiet pace and preserving the power of his most vital of all organs. Your heart beats according to the needs of your own body. The heart of an athlete, because it has developed by hard training and long hours of exercise, tends to beat more slowly than that of the average in young persons or children, the normal rate is almost double than that of adults. Thanks for reading.
Bottomline
Between Love And Hatred
Time To Spread Love!
LOVE and hatred are not opposite to each other but two sides of the same coin. The coin is a sort of attachment. We are attached to those we love and
are indifferent. However, we cannot be indifferent to those we love or those we hate because they can fulfil our greatest need or
those we hate. The opposite of attachment, and thus the opposite of love and hatred, is indifference. We want nothing, neither approval nor disapproval from those to whom we
inspire our greatest fear. The people we love and care about are those who affirm that we are the persons we know ourselves to be, and are prepared to discountenance or
By OGIERHIAKHI IMIENTINYAN
override our love, often with tragic circumstances. Our greatest need is to become the person that we know ourselves to
to all the people who matter to usthose we love and those we hate, recognize the extraordinary
be. When we are young, like Romeo and Juliet, our hearts often feel that it will burst with our longing to be the person we know ourselves to be and
individual their we are. Alas, at that age we do not know how to be ourselves. We have not gained the confidence we need, both to be ourselves and to face the hazards and
uncertainties of life. The person we know ourselves to be is our most i m p o r t a n t possession. In extreme situations, we will choose to let our body die, either in an act of heroism, or suicide, in order to die in the truth of whom we are rather than live like pretender. Juliet chose not to live a disguise life of being Paris’s wife, Romeo knew he could not-continue as the empty vessel he was. He needed to be filled by Juliet’s carriage and her love which was boundless as the sea. Knowing yourself to be an individual person is both a wonderful and a terrible thing. Wonderful because our ‘I; is no more than a structure of ideas which are the guesses our brain has constructed
about who we are, what the world is, what our post was, our present is, and our future will be, when our gueses are being proved right, we feel confident and secure but when our guesses have been shown to be wrong, we begin to feel that ‘I’ is falling apart, and we are terrified. We also meet and garnish hate to love: example is if a fight doesn’t come, there won’t be room for reconciliation. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is not just that of the star-crossed lovers; but of the two old men who failed to realize that their hatred and pridetied them to one another as securely as Juliet and Romeo were tied by their love. So it is imperative at this time to spread love abroad and sustain it at the level where it cannot afford to fail. What better time than this yuletide and onwards!
“The people we love and care about are those who affirm that we are the persons we know ourselves to be, and are prepared to discountenance or override our love, often with tragic circumstances.”
Perspective
Raphia Palm: Resource For Rural I By DAVID ENONUYA
THE Raphia palm is essentially indigenous to the freshwater coastal swamps and wetlands of the tropical rainforest zone of West Africa which provides the high annual rainfall, high ambient temperatures, very high relative humidity and long sunshine hours it requires for optimal growth. These robust palms, though unrecognizable by many Nigerians, are frequently found in very dense and extensive groves where other tree species are almost completely excluded. They also co-exist with various shrubs, climbers and shade-tolerant undergrowth as obtains, for example, at the flood plains on both sides of the Ossiomo River at the boundary
the indigenous peoples of localities where they occur in the wild, than the better known oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), coconut, and related species. Since they were first described by Palisot de Beauvois in 1806 from palms he found growing in the creeks of Warri and Benin Rivers, Raphia palms generally have received considerably less attention at scientific improvement and agro-industrial exploitation than the oil palm and coconut. However, in the last four decades, it has received increasing scientific attention built mainly upon the foundation of the determined, pioneering efforts particularly of Dr. Mark Otedoh, and other scientists at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) near Benin
State (Gembu, a town on the plateau is about 11km more southerly than Ikeja in Lagos State). Raphia species have been found along river valleys in most parts of the country, including Sokoto in the North-West. These species vary widely in appearance and growth patterns, leaf sizes, fruiting characteristics and fruit composition thus providing a wide variety of natural, non-wood forest resources for exploitation by man. They have been selectively exploited for these resources for centuries by indigenous peoples and a substantial body of ethnobotanical knowledge has thus been accumulated. The typical Raphia palm is a tall, elegant palm with erect stem, often up to 6 metres tall, bearing large leaves - the largest leaves in the plant kingdom -
Unlike the oil palm and coconut which persist after fruiting, the Raphia palm flowers only once – at its central growing point - and then dies; thus Raphia plantations need to be fully utilized e.g. by tapping them for palm wine, etc. within 6 – 8 years after planting before they die and have to be re-established. The trunks of dead or felled Raphia palms are amenable to several uses and there are many opportunities for the total economic utilization of the country’s abundant Raphia palm resource which should be purposefully exploited to increase the country’s natural resource utilization and gross domestic product (GDP). There are four Raphia plantations in Nigeria, located at the Main Station of NIFOR, near Benin City; Raphia Experimental Station at Otegbo, near Okwagbe
Raphia wild grove, beside Ossiomo River, Ugbenu, at boundary of Delta and Edo State
between Edo and Delta States, and Jamieson Island on River Jamieson, along the Benin City – Warri highway, between Oghara and Mosogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State. Such groves are common in many other locations in Nigeria, especially the coastal freshwater swamps, other low-lying areas, wetlands and river flood plains of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Ondo States, as well as along the flood plains of rivers in other parts of Nigeria, especially Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Imo and Abia States. However, fairly dense stands are also quite common on relatively higher ground where Raphia palms compete successfully with woody forest trees, oil palms, and various herbs and epiphytes. Raphia palms belong to the genus Raphia Beauvois of the Arecaceae family of the plant kingdom. Some scientists have reported that they are the most widely exploited of all palm species in West Africa, even more widely exploited and hence of greater socio-economic value to
City in Edo State, Nigeria. Since then, NIFOR, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), has provided global leadership in Raphia palm research through its ever-evolving Raphia research programme; it is the major institution committed to the growth of Raphia research and development studies in the world. However, Raphia research worldwide is still in its early years in most scientific disciplines, apart from taxonomy. Most Raphia palms in Nigeria are growing wild in the freshwater swamps of the Niger Delta estimated to occupy about 2240 square km. Only eight of the twenty species of Raphia so far identified in Africa are widely distributed in Nigeria; these are R. hookeri, R. regalis, R. africana, R. longiflora, R. farinifera, R. vinifera, R. sudanica and R. mambillensis. The latter was identified and described by Dr. Mark Otedoh, a plant taxonomist, once at NIFOR and a world renowned authority in Raphia palm systematics, on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba
with long, bold leaflets. The trunk or stem of Raphia variety hookeri, the West African wine palm, matures in 5 – 7 years and bears several large leaves but eventually produces a single terminal inflorescence axis which gives rise to between 2 – 10 inflorescences or flowerbearing structures. If the initial emerging bud is not tapped instead for sap or palm wine production, the palm then flowers, bears fruits (which take about three and half years to mature) when fertilized and subsequently dies.
in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State; the Oil Palm Research Substation at Abak (Oruk-Anam LGA) in Akwa Ibom State and NIFOR’s Raphia Palm Research Substation at Onuebum in Ogbia LGA, near Yenagoa, Bayelsa State - probably the largest Raphia plantation in the world. They were established towards the domestication of the Raphia palm, to promote through scientific research and development, exploitation of economic opportunities offered by the huge natural Raphia resource in Nigeria. Collections
of all extant Raphia palm species in Nigeria (and some exotic ones also) are to be established in at least three geographical locations in the country, both to conserve them and provide ready materials for scientific and industrial research. The most commonly exploited of the eight Raphia species which are indigenous to Nigeria and most scientifically investigated to date is Raphia hookeri, predominantly propagated at the research stations of NIFOR. Commonly referred to as the wine palm of the forest zone of Africa (which extends from Gambia in the West through Rio Muni in Equatorial Guinea, to Angola and Madagascar); it is also grown in India, the Malaysian Peninsula and Singapore. Naturally, all African ethnic groups which exploit R. hookeri palms mainly in the wild or under limited cultivation as obtains in Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, have local names for it; e.g. okpe (Itsekiri), ogoro (Urhobo, Ika, Kwale, Igbo), koro (Ijaw), oghole (Ogbia), udin (Edo, Esan), ukot (Ibibio, Efik, Anang), among others. Several forms of R. hookeri have also been distinguished by people of various localities in the course of preferential exploitation on the basis of suitability as sources of some desired materials or extractable substances. Several Raphia palm species are employed for various uses and applications by the indigenous peoples of the largely coastal areas of Southern Nigeria. Useful products derived from Raphia include the popular sap called palm wine, a mildly alcoholic beverage of widely popular acceptance in Nigeria. It is a mandatory requirement at virtually all traditional, cultural, social and religious ceremonies and festivities in most parts of Southern Nigeria. When allowed to ferment its 13% average sugar content is converted into alcohol (up to 6%) hence it serves as a source of highly potent local gin which is distilled from it using a variety of locally contrived distillation equipment. Gin, like palm wine, is also quite popular with the local people and its demand and uses are similar to those of palm wine; they are both employed in traditional herbal medicine products also, often in combination with other ingredients. Thus, the production and consumption of Raphia palm wine and the somewhat less popular local gin distilled from it play a significant role in the socio-cultural, religious and
economic life of the majority of indigenous peoples of the Niger Delta region and beyond. However, the practice of distilling gin from palm wine is strictly only a matter of necessity since the local people lack the means to prevent fermentation of fresh palm wine and to preserve it for any reasonable period. Besides being unacceptable to many on health grounds and the anti-social effects of frequent addiction to it, gin production from palm wine is both wasteful and uneconomical. 20L of fermented palm wine provides only one litre of gin and a 23L keg of gin (from 460L of palm wine) after several cycles of distillation fuelled by fire-wood and involving tedious labour sells for at most N4500= whilst the same volume of palm wine when bottled sells for about N105,000=. In this regard, NIFOR has developed and currently produces a modern system of stainless steel equipment for bottling and preservation of fresh Raphia palm wine which, without any additives or chemical preservatives, ensures a shelf-life of at least one year; it is equally effective for bottling and preservation of other plant saps and fruit juices, e.g. oil palm wine, pineapple juice, nipa palm wine, etc. NIFOR bottled palm wine has been successfully registered as a health drink with the Federal Department of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of the United States of America; it has also been exported to the United Kingdom. A recent advance in this regard is a novel technology for packaging and preserving fresh palm wine in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and larger vessels, up to 20L and more, with equal effectiveness. Raphia palms have been widely exploited in many parts of Nigeria as an abundant source of the plant fibres, raffia and piassava, the popular raffia fibre of commerce, being the more economically important of the two. A major cottage industry subsists upon this resource particularly in the South-Eastern Nigerian states of Akwa Ibom and Cross River and, along with palm wine tapping and gin distillation, provides a very important means of employment and income generation mainly for the rural population of these states. Besides the extensive use of raffia in the production of various personal items as purses, bags, shoe uppers and hammocks, and costumes for indigenous cultural events, a substantial export trade in crude or dyed raffia fibres and
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“NIFOR has developed and currently produces a modern steel equipment for bottling and preservation of fresh Raphi without any additives or chemical preservatives, ensures a one year; it is equally effective for bottling and preserva saps and fruit juices, e.g. oil palm wine, pineapple juice, ni
Perspective
Industrialization In Niger Delta
ished, woven products has been furnishing the untries of Europe and the United States of America th various raffia products and artefacts for almost a ntury with the practitioners earning valuable foreign change from it. Raphia leaflets provide highly insulating, wateroof materials and are commonly used for roofing al houses and huts, sheds, kiosks, bush bars, as well boats and canoes. Rachises of Raphia leaves, often to 6m or more in length also provide strong, htweight cylindrical poles, locally called amboos’, which are used as poles for navigating noes along shallow streams or rivers, as beams and ters for framing roofs of various structures, e.g. uses, market stalls, kiosks, sheds, local boats and noes, etc. The hard woody, water-resistant cover of the long chis or ‘bamboo’ of Raphia when stripped off ovides long, linear strips of a tough, light-weight aterial which are manually stitched together, at ervals across their length into sheets, for use as reens or ‘bamboo curtains’. It is also used for nstruction of a variety of traps for baiting and pturing crayfish, lobsters, crabs and fish, and even all animals or game as well as other local fishing uipment. Whilst trays, sieves, graters, baskets for smoked fish rage and other household items are intricately oven from it, indigenous tools for weaving local hing nets and textiles are also skillfully carved out strips of this durable material. Stripping off this rd outer cover of the bamboo exposes buff coloured, ht-weight, pith which characteristically floats on ter and is affixed as buoys on local fishing lines d nets for indicating their underwater locations. The long cylindrical trunk of the Raphia palm is ade up of several layers of hard black or dark brown ternal fibres to the soft, white fibres at the core which n be processed and woven into fine fabric similar the popular jacquard as the basis of an indigenous xtile industry; all three types of fibres are very tough. ey are used for the manufacture of hard and edium-textured bristle brushes or teased out and oven into tough, water-resistant ropes and bags, or ed as strings for binding together the various baskets fish, crayfish and animal traps, cited earlier. The bright orange-yellow mesocarp of Raphia fruits, pecially Raphia sudanica (Iboje – Urhobo; Iduma hole - Ogbia) and Raphia hookeri, are commonly nsumed as food after boiling and repeated steeping water to detoxify it by leaching out certain toxic emical compounds. The chemicals constitute the sis for use of the mesocarp of the latter for discriminate killing of fish and other aquatic life ms – at various stages of development - in small eams, and as bait for fish and lobsters, or in small mounts as a laxative and for other medicinal rposes. The large plantation of palms at the Raphia Palm search Substation, Onuebum (20 hectare of Raphia d 10 of oil palms) accommodates a large population wild honey bees which offers an additional portunity for large scale apiculture and the mmercial production of good quality honey. Edible grubs, the larvae of the Rhynchophorus and yctes beetle species, usually grilled (or smoked), e popular delicacies with people of the Niger Delta a and beyond. Usually harvested only occasionally m felled Raphia palm (or oil palm) trunks in the ld they can now be routinely produced in mmercial quantities by utilizing waste palm trunks their intensive culture after felling at the cessation palm wine (or palm oil) production; the grubs are ported to be highly nutritious, being rich in protein d unsaturated fatty acids. Recent developments in e biology of the Rhynchophorus grub and hnology for its large-scale production achieved in geria now offer opportunities for the domestication d routine mass production of the choice grubs. Meanwhile, fibres extracted from Raphia trunk and
n system of stainless ia palm wine which, shelf-life of at least ation of other plant ipa palm wine, etc.”
leaf fronds provide scarce, valuable, but so far under-utilized long-fibre paper pulp with excellent qualities for paper production and good prospects for substitution of currently imported paper-making material. Raphia pulp has been effectively combined in Nigeria with paper pulp from other local woody materials, such as Gmelina arborea, in the laboratory scale production of excellent quality paper and the technology needs to be upgraded through pilot plant to industrial scale through further research and development investment. The foregoing clearly reveals that several Raphia palm species have supported the traditional religious, cultural and socioeconomic life of peoples of the Niger Delta region with a population of over 21 million, for several centuries. Yet, more than ever before, they present a wider range of opportunities for economic exploitation which can actually be realized through purposeful investment in scientific research and development activities. The promise of Raphia palms, an abundant and well known but currently under-utilized local natural resource, for wide-spread rural industrialization, job creation, income generation and improvement of the quality of life of millions of rural Niger Delta people is immense. It can most certainly be extracted through purposeful research and, development of the extant valueadding technologies applicable to its derivatives, and their entrepreneurial extension throughout the catchment states of the Niger Delta and elsewhere; a sustainable value chain for Raphia palm derivatives is readily achievable. Moreover, Raphia palms which were traditionally exploited in the wild are amenable to large-scale plantations development including inter-cropping combinations with arable crops in ecological terrains that are patently unsuitable for most other agricultural crops. Thus, a deliberate focus towards optimal,
profitable and sustainable exploitation of the Raphia palm resource is long overdue. Many communities and nations endowed with huge stocks of varied, even if unconventional, natural resources can be liberated from the crushing burdens of poverty and underdevelopment if, rather than overlook or take them for granted, people actually recognize the intrinsic values of those resources in their environment and diligently prosecute the task of exploiting them. Consequently, NIFOR’s Raphia Palm Research Substation at Onuebum in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State is strategically located and historically poised, in the current fervour for national transformation, to provide a pioneer global centre of excellence for the concerted efforts necessary to generate the latent prosperity of Niger Delta peoples through the exploitation of this indigenous crop. First initiated by the Niger Delta Basin and Rural Development Authority (NDBRDA), on a 100-hectare land provided by the Onuebum Community (Ogbia), as the Onuebum Raphia Project it was acquired by Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research, in July 1993 in the divestment of the Federal Government from commercial enterprises for more effective management. Although the Substation’s location essentially extends the geographical spread of NIFOR’s agronomic research and adaptation of advances achieved in the husbandry of her mandate crops, and her product development and utilization technologies to the area, its major focus is on Raphia palm research and development activities. The 100-hectare Raphia Research Substation, located 2km off Onuebum – Otuoke road and only 30 minutes drive from Yenagoa, capital city of Bayelsa State, is currently the focus of tthe implementation of a modest medium-term
Raphia Nursery seedlings, NIFOR, Benin City.
development plan envisaged for completion about the year 2015 which includes construction of a 2km access road to the estate. The existing office building in the plantation will shortly be occupied by a pilot palm wine bottling and preservation plant which is soon to be commissioned and other new buildings are also required for several offices and laboratories, as well as a research library and conference hall. Other components projected for the Raphia research centre are: a workshop and stores building, some staff residential quarters and a guest house for visiting scientists. Some internal access roads, linkage of the estate to the national electricity grid and reticulation of potable bore-hole water supply are also included in the plan. The 20-hectare Raphia plantation also will be extended to about 75 hectares eventually over eight years to sustain palm wine bottling activities, commercial production of edible grubs of the Rhynchophorus beetle and long-fibre paper pulp research and development. The physical development of the centre will be preceded by a topographic survey and, land utilization and drainage scheme for the entire 100-hectare estate, which quite auspiciously, is bordered, on one side by Atubu Creek a tributary of Ekole Creek, the major waterway of the Yenagoa Capital Territory and environs. The Raphia palm research centre will attract scientists from all over the world apart from providing facilities to complement the training of students of universities, polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Agriculture, secondary and vocational schools of Bayelsa and other catchment states, in practical agricultural sciences and, laboratory and field work. Incidentally, the up and coming Raphia palm research centre is located within 10 minutes drive from the newly established Federal University, Otuoke, whose students are most
certain to benefit much from the close proximity and interaction with it. Training in palm wine bottling and preservation and modern palm oil processing and storage techniques will also be provided at the centre. It is reasonably envisaged that the centre would be largely self-sustaining in terms of generation of its annual recurrent expenditure budget. However, the current strategic development project, originally proposed for implementation from year 2012 through 2015 and estimated at about N600million will require funding substantially in excess of the lean annual capital budget allocations provided for the Raphia Palm Research Substation’s development in the past. Therefore, achievement of the modest, yet critical development quantum outlined in the project will require collaboration, through contributions in grants, materials and technical services, with the Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) of a broad spectrum of stake-holders, such as governments of the host Bayelsa and other catchment states, statutory organizations such as the the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its factors or successor companies, and other prominent enterprises in the private sector of the Nigerian economy. Other prospective collaborators in the historic implementation of this development plan for the Raphia Palm Research Substation could also include several Federal Ministries, the National Export Promotion Council (NEPC), National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), etc., as well as public-spirited individuals, businessmen, politicians and foundations. In conclusion, Raphia palm species constitute a huge reservoir of non-wood forest resource which many generations of indigenous peoples of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria have been quite familiar having routinely exploited it in the course of their socio-economic subsistence. They have obtained from it a wide variety of materials for food, kitchen-wares, household furniture, building and roofing materials, screens, etc., and raffia fibre for the production of items for personal use, ceremonial attires and costumes. Other items include fishing and game capture traps and equipment, indigenous herbal medicinal products and two popular beverages for traditional cultural, social and religious celebrations. Extraction and modification of derivatives of Raphia palms have thus provided generations of rural dwellers with sustainable means of livelihood and incomes. Yet a huge economic potential remains to be realized from the Raphia palm resource through purposeful, specially endowed scientific research and development activities as already discussed. The output of extant discoveries and further investigations would be exploited through pilot scale upgrades and entrepreneurial extension to rural dwellers and co-operatives for development of a value chain for Raphia resources and improvement of the quality of life in the rural areas. NIFOR’s Raphia Palm Research Substation at Onuebum in Bayelsa State is appropriately located, very well-suited and historically opportune for development into a dedicated centre to drive such a strategic national initiative aimed at facilitating sustainable, home-grown rural industrialization and development by exploiting a familiar but under-utilized, natural resource. The intervention of relevant government agencies and support of well-meaning organizations, public-spirited foundations and individuals will greatly advance the development of the Raphia palm research centre with excellent prospects of positively impacting numerous rural Niger Delta communities, right where they live. *The author, Enonuya is a research biochemist at the Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin..
Development
Nigeria: One God, One Nation There are people of different religions in Nigeria; we have the Christians, Muslims and traditional believers. Over the years, there have been a level of understanding among the different religious groups.
we continue to kill one another, or make others homeless. We might wake up one day and find out that Nigeria is the least
could be deprived of many things. Our hope for a better Nigeria can only be achieved when we
Muslims reside in Christian environments and carry out activities within the east regions and vice versa. Religions is a sensitive issue in Nigeria so much so that one has to tread carefully in discussions relating to it in order to avoid flaming emotions, accusation of taking sides or standing in risk of being misinterpreted. However, in search of peace security and prosperity for our country, we must not shy away or get discouraged from the truth. Religion is very important to us all from birth to death and commands immense influence in our National politics. Lately, there have been chaos in the country due to religious misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians, lots of Christians have lost their lives in this battle and it is still a burning issue in the country. We all serve one God though in a different way. We cannot be called “ONE NIGERIA”, if
populated in the world or that there is no one to kill again. Now youth corpers are scared of serving in Northern side of Nigeria, students even in lower levels are praying already no to posted to the North where we have Muslims. Parents do everything humanly possible to redeploy their children back to safer states, business men and women are scared to expand their business to the North, students looking for admission are scared of schooling in the north all in fear of loosing their lives. As a Nation, we have lots of things we can achieve together, we tend to be experiencing the opposite of a our National anthem which says “one Nation bound in freedom peace and unity”. Movement is being restricted, we are not united and there is no peace in the country. In an environment where a Muslim is found among Christians he becomes a Boko Haram suspect and out of fear
stop the discrimination and religion crisis. We all need each other to be what we want to be. Now that we are fighting ourselves, what will be the fate if we want to fight with a different country? How will the country move forward when we have anomalous people taking it backward? What is the fate of a child that is born in a family where the parents are from two different religious groups. The issue of Boko Haram is no longer news to the world to the extent that it has become an external issue and an international battle. The United States under Secretary of States for. Political Affairs, “Wendy Sherman stated that her country has resolve to continue working with Nigeria towards securing a stable future that ensures civilian security and provide for the well being of Nigerians. Nigeria faces several challenges to national and regional stability. The largest of these challenges is a Boko
By ADIO CHRISTABEL RONKE
Haram-led insurgency operation in the country’s North East that has created widespread insecurity across Northern Nigeria, increased tension between various ethnic
communities his, interrupted development activities frightened off investors and generated concern among Nigeria Northern Neighbours. According to Sherman, Boko Haram offers no practical solution to Northern Nigeria’s problems instead it capitalizes on popular frustrations, religious differences and economic and social difference in order to create chaos and make Nigeria ungovernable, and this is very true. It is heart breaking that foreigners are now helping to keep us together and we are still
not ready to surrender or change for the betterment of the country. Nigeria’s future depends on how its religious groups see each other, since the number of Christians and Muslims are of similar number communication and reconciliation should be taught in schools. This is important because it will help to build the mind of young ones to love each other irrespective of their belief because no matter how we see it, we are one Nation. Nigeria has the assets and resources to deal with this crisis. Entrepreneurial skill that can other wise spill over into corruption can be channeled towards social responsibility and effective action towards the countless young people so readily caught up in violence because they are unemployed or underemployed, the corporate giants involved in Nigeria’s extractive interest have a wealth of creative talent that could be directed towards the country’s core social problems. In the Heart of Nigeria’s embattled “Middle belt region, where violence has torn formally mixed communities apart, the street scene downtown in the temperate city of Jos is like that of any small West African city. Children hawk random items such as rat poison just to earn a living, women fry up doughnuts at the road side and mobile phone “call credit is sold in every five metres of the town. Young men driving motorcycles carrying passengers of all ages and sizes to their destinations. These motorcycle men locally known as “achabas” do their jobs with full awareness that they may die doing their jobs not because of traffic accident but may venture into the wrong neighbourshoods and be killed. According to lady Morgans, the best solution to religious crisis is to end religions. No religious, no religious conflicts, the heart of religious conflict is that each religion says it has the one and only answer and people feel very strongly that they have a lot at stake that is eternity and
they want not only to be right but they want but they want every one else in the world to agree with them, so they are reassured and can attempt to get rid of their own doubles. When there are people who disagree with them, they start fighting to either make the other join their religion or kill them with the justification and blessing of their own deity. Only genuine dialogue can solve religious crisis. Killing one another in the name of religions should be discouraged as there is no evidence of such, either in the Bible or the Qur’an. The use of dialogue to handle religious difference should be encouraged. Though we live in a democratic society but true worshippers of God must do away with religious intolerance and embrace peace. We can also blames it on lack of proper enlightenment for religious tolerance in Nigeria, especially in the North. We gain nothing in killing one another over religious difference. Inspite of our difference, we can still be friendly and live in peace. We need knowledge as well, if one has the gift of knowledge, the person’s attitude towards religion and crisis will be totally different. Good governance is also a solution to religions crisis. When the people in power see the Nation as one Nigeria and give equal right to all religions, there will be no crisis. We are one, we complete the population of the country, so we should all put heads together and forget about fighting and killing each other, we should make Nigeria a better place for our coming generations and stop planting seed of discord in the hearts of the growing ones. The National Assmebly should rise up to its legislative challenge by enacting laws that will empower governors to prosecute perpetrators of religious crisis in any part of the country. Even the Holy scripture said we should love one another just as our heavenly father loves us. We all should work towards a better Nigeria, we need each other to survive. God Bless Nigeria.
“Good governance is also a solution to religions crisis. When the people in power see the Nation as one Nigeria and give equal right to all religions, there will be no crisis. We are one, we complete the population of the country.”
Drumbeats
People Who Lived With Apostle Focused Lives (II) onward, he has appeared in the annual Gallup Pool top ten listing of “the Most Admired American” he is the speaker on an international radio network of more than
Youth for Christ International gave Graham his first national plat form, but it was a telegram sent by new paper giant William Randolph Hearst to “Puff
Martin Luther King was fading. Tensions a thousand stations and a between colonialism and columnist in newspaper with national churches, as well as a combined circulation of competition among more than 7 million readers. missionary societies, had His books have been combine to diminish the translated widely, with vigor of Christian outreach. millions of copies sold. His Communism and atheism books have been translated were strong forces in many with millions of copies sold. nation. Fifty years later, He received the communism had collapsed, congressional gold medal in and evangelism had again 1996 and was called become the top priority of “Americas Pastor” by the Christian church. The president George Bush. central figure in this While Billy Graham’s resurgence was Billy father prepared him to be a Graham. farmer, his mother insisted In his life, Graham has that her children memorize preached to more people in a Bible verse each day. person than any one else in His personal conversion to history. He has preached to Christ Came on the night more than 210 million with before his sixteenth birthday, more than 2.8 million people during a revival crusade held responding to his invitation in his home town. He to “come forward” to accept subsequently attended Christ as saviour. More than florida Bible Institute and 2.5 billion people in 16 Wheatworm college to nations are estimated to have prepare himself for ministry. heard his Easter Sunday Early in his ministry, sermon in April 1996, a Graham made a statement televised message that was that became a hallmark for translated into forty eight his life; “I had one passion languages. From the 1950s and that was to win souls’.
Graham” that propelled Graham into national fame in the wake of the Los Angeles campaign in 1949. A crusade in London in 1954 marked the beginning of his international evangelism efforts. He held major campaigns in India and the Far East (1973) and Poland (1977-78). He made his first official visit to Moscow in 1982 and to China in 1988. As a major watershed moment for evangelism, he convened the Lausanne Congress on world Evangelism in 1974. the collapse for communizing in 1991 opened the door for him to preach to fifty thousand Russians in Moscow’s Olympic Stadium in 1992. Graham summed up his ministry in 1994 in a statement made after he had Preached to the Queen of England and member of the Royal family “my job is to be faithful to Proclaim the gospel wherever I am. It is always a time of tremendous
At the time the Billy Graham evangelistic ministry was fully established in the year 1950 the goal of Christianity for “evangelizing the world”
soul searching, and great privilege, with a sense of humility and unworthiness, to preach the gospel at anytime.” Billy Graham is one of the most focused pastors in the world. Inspite of his popularity he has not deviated from his faith and integrity. MOTHER TERESA Before her death, she was called “a living saint”. David Aikarnan, former Senior Correspondent for Time Magazine, in writing about her, explained that he had the “rare privilege of meeting one of the greatest human personalities of this or any age. Was I changed by the encounter? He asked,” I don’t know. But something inside me was illuminated by her presence in an incomparable way” Here was a life wholly dedicated to God’s service at a very early age to what she described as “the call within a call” from God. Aikman unhesitatingly characterized her as a
With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593
those whom society had discarded.” The meaning of my life” she often explained, “is the love of God. How did she learn such love-love that she founded a world wide organization active in 126 nations and on six continents that operate more than five hundred homes and clinics that carry her name in cities as diverse as San Fracisco, Zanzibar, Guatemala city, and Sydney? “I am Gods pencil” she said. “A tiny bit of pencil with which he writes what he likes.” God wants me to be lonely nun, laden with the poverty of the cross. Today I learned a good lesson. The poverty of the poor is so hard. When I was going and going till my legs and arms were paining, I was thinking of how they have to suffer to get food and shelter. Then the comfort of life to came to tempt me, but of my own free choice, my God, and out of love for you,
preciousness and dignity of human life that was as unshakeable as her deep religious faith, mother Teresa received countless honors, but always discounted her own importance”. I am nothing she would say, God is all”. Whether ministering to the lepers, knocking at the door, a dying man lying in a gutter, or unwanted babies, sparing them from abortion and ministering to the mothers. Mother Teresa and the more than four thousand sisters of the missionaries of charity never faltered in their loving acts. They did this by compassionately identifying with those they help. In granting the Nobel peace Prize to mother Teresa in 1979, the committee said, the loneliest, the most wretched and dying have at her hands received compassion without condescension, based on reverence for man”. Mother Teresa responded with typical humility.
“In 1950, Mother Teresa Founded the Order of the Missionaries of charity dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering. “we are called not to be successful, but to be faithful,” she told those who questioned her methods and means. And faithful she was, right up to the time of her death.” woman “who was unquestionably regarded as the saintliest exponent of Christian character in the twentieth century” Mother Teresa was recognized worldwide as the very personification of compassion. She succeeded in gaining the consciousness of much of the human race for the need to” love your neighbor” which she did in serving “ the poorest of the Calcutta in one of the poorest of all human societies. In ministering to the sick, the handicapped, and the dying, her unchanging mission for more than a half century was to bring dignity and relief to
desire to remain and do whatever is your holy will in my regard. Give me courage this moment. In 1950, Mother Teresa Founded the Order of the Missionaries of charity dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering. “we are called not to be successful, but to be faithful,” she told those who questioned her methods and means. And faithful she was, right up to the time of her death. Ladies home Journal, in their Spring 1999, to most important women of the 20h century. Honored her by inclusion and observed, “ possessed of a belief in the
“personally I am unworthy, I accept in the name of the poor.” In on of her writings are these words “today, more than ever we need to pray for the light to know the will of God. For the love to accept the will of God. For the ways to do the will of God”. When she died her light was not extinguished. In orphanages, homes for the poor, and Aids Hospital around the world, people carry on the work she began.” The value mother Teresa placed on focus made her achieve greatness and left legacies for generations yet unborn to benefit from.
Politics 2015, Corruption: Jonathan “I define tenacity of office as a political Monstrosity whose characteristics are an Inordinate and shameless love of power For its own sake and a morbid tenacity for public Office even when all the legitimacy for continuing In such public office has completely disappeared” CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO (VOICE OF COURAGE)
POWER has a scandent and transilient potential, but it brings out the theriomorphic proclivities in man. Hence, realising the transitoriness and ephermerality of power, the Sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his allocutus delivered on 11th September, 1963, when Justice Sowemimo declared him guilty on charges of treasonable felony, said: “But after darkness comes the glorious dawn. It is therefore, with a brave heart, with confident hope and with faith in my unalterable destiny that I go from the twilight of power into darkness, unshaken in my trust in the providence of God that the glorious dawn will come on the morrow”. Power has the instinctual edacity, gourmandising and ambrosial trait of insatiety in the life of its holder. In Homer’s Odyssey the Lothophagis, a people living on the northern coast of Africa lived a life of indolence and forgetfulness induced by eating the fruit of the lotus: some of Odyssus cotravelers in search of the Golden Fleece eat with them and forgot their friends, homes and native land. So too are the mental escapades of those in power. Power is authority and dominance. It has a perceptive, cognitive and volitional nature. It is the right to control, command and enforce obedience. It comes in hydra and protean formats. It could be political, economic, domestic, social and traditional format etc. It could have democratic, despotic, monarchical, hegemonistic and plutocratic colourations. But in whatever template it comes it has a tendency to be intoxicating, unputdownable, the chameleonic faeces syndrome and tantalizing on most people. Hence, power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. In the light of the approaching 2015 elections in Nigeria, power is currently undergoing political osmosis, social calculus and strategic dynamics. All with a view to appropriating power to various interest groups and individuals. The question therefore arises, Will President Goodluck Jonathan contest the 2015 presidential election? Does
he have a constitutional right to contest? What are his chances? Will the PDP stand by him if he chooses to contest? Will the miasmatic and multidimensional cleavages of the North stand by him and will the totality of the Niger Delta and the South–South Geo-political Zone, his major constituency stand in a political Indian file behind him? Any law, edict, provision, ordinance, statute and decree etc, barring President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR from contesting the 2015 Presidential election is not known to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is therefore free as the wind to contest the 2015 Presidential election. Indeed, this is rooted in the 1863 Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address that “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” LEADERSHIP is an esteemed position of service, demanding high standards of discipline and integrity. Leadership demands self-denial, self sacrifice. It requires a vision and a mission in service. It must be able to combine administrative astuteness, political shrewdness with moral uprightness. In Richard Nixon’s Profile and reminiscences of men who have shaped the modern world, he said “Great leadership is a form of art, requiring both force and vision to an extraordinary degree, the leader necessarily deals to a large extent in symbols, in images and sort of galvanizing idea that both persuade and move them. The manager thinks of today and tomorrow, but the leader thinks of the day after tomorrow. The leader represents a direction of history”. But plinthed on the Aristotelian groundnorm of leadership and service, which is the pursuit of the greatest good for the largest number and the groundswell of good and altruistic governance can President Goodluck Jonathan say he has the moral, political, socio-economic justification to contest the presidential election in 2015? There will be as many opinions in this matter as there are individuals. But I know that his PDP bedfellows, tribesmen and women, co-political travelers and bootlickers etc will descend upon me with their verbal pyrotechnics, grammatical and Machiavellian sledge hammer, as I dare say that “President Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan has no leadership credentials (I do not mean a PHD from the University), verve, élan and moral locus to re-contest the presidential election come 2015”. Nigeria is a Nation formed as a result of the agglomeration of different heterogeneous groups of
And The Tenacity Of Power By BOBSON GBINIJE
people locked in the parenthetical placidity and horrendous cesspit of psychotic corruption. Corruption is the cancerous bane forestalling the growth and development of the Nigerian Nation right from independence till date (1960 – 2013) and the political cabal have apotheosized corruption and made the fight against prebendalistic graft and corruption antediluvian history. President Jonathan has shown by his ludibrastic passivity,
views are my honest and candid opinion without prejudice to political coloration and bias as I have no personal grudges against President Goodluck Jonathan, but against his lack luster governing formula, under achievement, leadership style and lackadaisical governance initiative. Some have argued that since Jonathan is from the Niger Delta, he must be given a ‘Second Term’
revolution across this country etc. Jonathan has not been able to do any of these things. The level of corruption and lack of transparency in the Jonathan administration is so proverbially unprecedented that it cannot be swept under the carpet and wished away, if Nigeria must take its rightful place in the comity of Nations and make reliably tangible impact in terms of political, socio-economic progress. The hallmark of corruption has seen the Lawangate, Uduahgate, Pension-scam, Oil Subsidy scam, reckless and fraudulent pardon of the doyen of corruption Dipreye
President Goodluck Jonathan cluelessness, planlessness and leadership inertia that he is not the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is not in control, but only fronting for clandestine political cabals and goons. In the fight against corruption, in the education sector, in the provision of shelter, good roads, water, light (Discos and Gencos power anarchy), security (Laughable), peace, medicare, transportation, etc, we have very infinitesimally little to write home about. Indeed, there is consummate and cardinal infrastructural decay and poverty has become the grandiloquent body guard of 90% of Nigerians. What a shame! His Nero-like and Machiavellian leadership style has precipitated religious schism, political mélange and social topsy-turvydom in most states in the federation. So much so that the peace, security, unity and progress of Nigeria is now being compromised and in tatters. I must make it clear that these
because this is the closest and first time we as Niger Deltans have gotten close to the zenith and apex of political power in Nigeria. And that by political strategy and leadership permutation we deserve a second term. They further opined that by power calculus the power of incumbency which we now wield must be put to good use and advantage. These are no doubt beautifully laudable arguments. But is Goodluck Jonathan still a good material to represent the Niger Delta in the light of his colossal and obvious failings? The common denominator of good government is the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, reducing child mortality, improving internal health, controlling HIV/AIDS, malaria, cholera and other diseases, achieving freed quality education at all levels, empowering women, promoting gender equality, ensuing environmental sustain ability and effecting structural
Alamieyeseigha etc. His audacious assertions of “I don’t give a damn”, I don’t bother about criticisms and so on shows that, it is clear the Jonathan cannot rule this country after 2015. President Jonathan cannot do a rethink and renaissance in terms of constructive ideas and implementational bravura because he has crowded and appointed weird people into his cabinet. The Guardian Newspaper of Thursday, September 12, 2013 aptly said “the overriding consideration of these power mongers is the political patronage which this portends. It is after an opportunity to nominate only those who are rabidly, loyal and subservient to them regardless of their suitability for the office. The primary mandate of such a nominee is to feather the nest of his patron to whom he is beholden and who he perceives as his god father. More often than not, such
appointees are mere mediocres, clueless and inept, ill equipped for the enormous responsibility of nation–building. The nation undoubtedly gets a raw deal when the wrong people get into offices. Even if their age is no problem, what about the age of their ideas. Nigerian leaders and citizen (my addition) at all levels currently must have a sense of shame. They owe it a duty to fish out patriotic and right- thinking citizens to man positions of responsibility. The stature of a leader is not diminished but enhanced by appointing those that are better and bigger than themselves into public offices. He takes the glory at the end of the day for a job well done. Above all, he leaves his name on the sand of time. Of course, it take character to be such a leader and yet that is what this nation needs today (I concur 100% with the Guardian Editorial). I must however add that Enough is Enough of President Goodluck Jonathan’s political antics and that of his surrogates. The south- south/ Niger Delta must present a new candidate to represent it’s interest in the 2015 presidential election. The Ijaws of the Niger Delta/South-South Geo-political Zone have the materials who through their charismatic positivity, lebensraum, zeitgeist, cerebral virtuosity and constructive positivity can giver Nigeria great leadership come 2015. The fascistic despotic use of Gestapolike political security institution and apparatchiks against perceived enemies is an insult to democracy. The predilection for skullduggery has impacted negatively on all his perceived enemies, the handling of the Amaechi Debacle, Amnesty Programme, East West Road, Dredging of the Calabar Port etc. Finally, in Walter Lippmann’s (1889 -1974) book “Roosevelt Has Gone” he said “the final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on” and in Shakespeare’s “The Rape of Lucrece” he said “o opportunity, thy guilt is great! Tis thou that executed the traitor’s treason; thou set’st the wolf where he the lamb may get; whoever plots the sin thou point’st the season” and Sir Winston Churchhill said “politics are almost as interesting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times” “I count him braver who overcome his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self”. Aristotle (384-322bc) President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan your political escapades are over. Jonathan Go!!!
Issues Family Matters
Before And After Sex: it shows all is well even when they may have just finished quarrelling with each
today fail to appreciate each other or show that they care. If you praise your partner, it brings out a lot of good
temptation that might destroy your relationship. If you do not start it, you might not get it, use sweet words in your relationship, try to tell your partner that he or she looks good,
basically agreed on by both of you. Also, do not hiss at each other. It is a sign of disrespect. On the part of females, they should always learn to put on attractive night wears, use of body spray and nice powder when going to bed is advisable, it
other. Frowning in a relationship causes a lot of problem and scares away your partner to misbehaving in a manner you do not understand. Appreciation Many partners
things. For example, tell your partner thank you, after a wonderful love making. If you have not started commending your partner, start today, because it will help you overcome
even if you want to correct him/her, first of all, appreciate what he or she does, wears or cooks. And try not to scold your partner in public or during bed time, do not refuse each other sex, except it is
draws the attention of your partner to you. On their part, males too need to do likewise as their wives. Try to put on clean boxers and be loving at all times, especially sex hours.
Seven Do’s And Don’ts
MAKING love is not just about the sexual intimacy, but also about the actions before and after the act. People often take their, partners for granted and behave in a manner that makes love-making boring. It surely steals the charm off your relationship and also annoys your partner. Here are some tips on the things you must, and never do before and after sex. Rushing to the bathroom. Getting up and rushing to the bathroom just after making love is a terrible idea. Most people go to the bathroom to check their appearance, brush their teeth or take a shower. It is understandable that you want to be clean but sometimes just lying on the bed with your partner is much more intimate. Unhygienic Body Movement Sex is an act in which you share your whole privacy with your partner. Still, there are limits. Scratching or picking your nose or passing gas is not at all funny. One must maintain certain etiquette even in their closets movements together.
By BIJOR CELESTINA OMOJEVWE
Focusing on your mobile Almost everyone who makes love does it, checking your mobile phone just before or after sex makes your partner feel neglected. We know your time is valuable and you need to stay connected to the world, but the intimate moment with your partner is also a precious one, respect that. Dressing to leave in a hurry Immediately after sex, dressing to leave usually makes your partner think negatively about you. And it also indicates that you do not love him or her. Use of wrong words Using harsh words during and after love making shows you do not have the interest of your partner at heart. Making good use of pleasant words in a relationship strengthens the bond. Also, it makes relationship stronger and closer. Frowning Smiling during and after sex makes your partner feel you, and it shows that he or she is satisfied. And
“Making love is not just about the sexual intimacy, but also about the actions before and after the act. People often take their, partners for granted and behave in a manner that makes love-making boring. It surely steals the charm off your relationship and also annoys your partner.”
A Word Of Caution
Edo 2016: SINCE the commencement of my countdown towards the 2016 democratic transition in Edo State on this page, I have received countless phone calls and emails from concerned individuals from across the state and beyond inquiring to know why I am so interested in a battle that is still light years ahead. My blanket answer to these enquiries is that “I am an individual imbued with a proactive mindset; that unlike the average Nigerian who would wait until the last minute before acting, I believe in preparing early for any battle that is worth fighting; that like a seasoned athlete, I believe that early preparations puts one in better stead to triumph in life’s several marathons. This piece is a continuation of my countdown to 2016. It is a comparative study of two different historical epochs, and how they practically depict the unfolding drama in Edo politics. The Trojan War, in Greek legend, was a famous war waged by the Greeks against the powerful city of Troy. The object of this face off was Helen, an extremely beautiful Greek woman who had been abducted by Paris, son of King Priam of Troy. Helen’s husband Menelaus and his brother Agamemnon led an army of Greeks to besiege Troy. After ten years, with many heroes dead on both sides, the city fell to the trick of the Trojan Horse—a giant wooden horse that the Greeks built and left outside the gates of Troy while their army pretended to withdraw. Not knowing that Greek heroes were hiding inside the horse, the Trojans took the horse into the city. The hidden Greeks then slipped out, opened the city gates and let their army in, thus defeating Troy. Apart from being a legendary story, the tradition is believed to reflect a real war between the Greeks of the late Mycenaean period and the inhabitants of the Troad, or Troas, in Anatolia, part of present-day Turkey. Modern archaeological excavations have shown that
Troy was destroyed by fire sometime between 1230 BC and 1180 BC, and that the war may have resulted from the desire either to plunder the wealthy city or to put an end to Troy’s commercial control of the Dardanelles. Troy’s war with the Greeks was a contest between two powerful entities for a highly prized asset; a bitter battle for supremacy between two formidable foes who longed to possess a priceless object; a duel between two champions for the ultimate article; a titanic fight to the death between two battle-tested opponents for a much coveted piece; a challenge between two extremely antithetical groups for power and respect. This epic story - which is contained in Homer’s Iliad - sprang up in my mind’s eyes as I ruminated over the intrigues that have defined Edo politics since the onset of the ongoing democratic experiment - especially in the light of the recent political re-alignment in the country that witnessed the joining of forces by the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, All Progressive Grand Alliance, and the All Nigeria People’s Party to form the All Progressive Congress to challenge the hegemony of the country’s incumbent ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party at the 2015 polls; a development that has significantly upped the ante in the struggle for political power in Nigeria - and the tragic scenarios that might play out in the foreseeable future in the state if certain crucial measures are not expedited. Truly speaking, the ongoing developments in Edo politics can be said to be contemporary parallels of the events that defined the Trojan War. For starters, the vanquished members of the opposition in Edo State, especially those of the former ruling party see Edo State as a prized asset that was forcibly snatched from them by the All Progressive Congress (formerly Action
Congress of Nigeria) at the 2007 polls. In the same manner the Greeks saw Queen Helen as an invaluable piece of jewel that was impudently stolen from them by the Trojans, the eggheads of the defunct political establishment in the state see Edo state as a golden goose that has been impudently and unfairly yanked away from them by the current team of musketeers; an unwarranted encroachment on their turf; a bitter pill that is too toxic for them to swallow; an errant insult that must be rebuffed in equal measure,
using all available means – fair or foul. Novel as the merger idea might appear, it is my thinking that it gives too much room for fifth columnists to penetrate the fusion arrangement to promote their debauched private agendas. In the same manner the Greeks gained entrance into Troy by hiding in the interior of a large wooden horse – a supposed symbol of friendship and good will – what stops some saboteurs from attempting to play another fast one on Edos by infiltrating the APC with the intention of rocking the boat in future elections? Troy was captured by Greek treachery – not military superiority - after ten years of futile attempts to ram down the city’s walls. The chief opposition party in Edo State, after several failed
Cutting Edge With Obuseh Jude GSM: 08033510173
attempts to win back the state from the APC, will certainly not flinch from trying one more trick in its desperation to march back into the citadel of power and continue from where it ingloriously stopped after it was unceremoniously sacked by the Kamikaze of 2007. For a state like Edo, where the old regime has been successfully kept at bay by
spanners in the fast-spinning wheel of unfettered democracy that has brought unlimited joy to Edo State and its people. The truth is that any struggle for power – political, economical et al – involves some degree of warfare. In the same vein Napoleon Bonaparte, the great French leader and military strategist saw power as a mistress that was to be
the battle-tested legions of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria – now APC – the latest amalgamation of perspectives might have the unintended deleterious consequences of giving room for the opposition to make inroads into the governance of the state if care is not taken. Just like the Troy debacle was settled by Greek guile which came in the form of a decoy – a horse filled with Greek warriors which was offered as a gift to the unsuspecting Trojans – care must be taken by the eggheads of the APC to ensure that candidates that are fielded to fly the party’s flag in future elections are individuals who can be trusted; individuals who have internalized the parties core values; not gatecrashing traitors who will turn around to throw
courted, coveted, worshipped, protected, and fought for, his modern contemporaries see power as a deity to be venerated and hallowed. The search for power – especially political power - can be likened to the search for the legendary Holy Grail by King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table; the search for an item that is as priceless and exquisite as it is desirable; the quest for a much-coveted masterpiece; the hunt for a profoundly gorgeous bride; the mother of all searches – a Herculean task in every sense of the word. Power gives its wielder the ability to control others and influence his environment – the ability to make things happen. That is why most power seekers are ready to do whatever it takes
to possess it; that is why most politicians are ready to go the extra mile in their quest for this instrument of influence; that is why 2016 will be a very challenging year for Edo State and its people. Having been living witnesses to the magical turnaround in the fortunes of a once failed state under the exemplary, awe-inspiring, and productive stewardship of the APC-led government arrow-headed by the comrade governor per excellence, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, and his formidable team of shinning stars since 2008, it would be very heartbreaking to open our eyes and watch our state relapse into another indefinite coma. Before the onset of the current era of democratic bliss, Edos wallowed in a scary labyrinth with spiked walls; levitated in a foul-smelling bottomless pit; wallowed in a tar pit of confusion, hopelessness and helplessness; a past that is better forgotten. Thus, I am using this medium to formally call out to the “true” members of the APC in Edo State – not treasure-hunting decampees - to gird their loins and be wary of all surreptitious moves by certain mischievous elements to clog the state’s wheel of progress. All hands must be on deck to foil any attempt by our common foes to push back the hands of the clock and return us back to the age of darkness: that era of emptiness, lack, pain, fear, tears, sweat, blood, and iron. Unlike the Trojans who avoidably played into the hands of the crafty Greeks – a strategic blunder that resulted in the sacking and burning of their great city – we must beware of all Greek gifts! God save Edo State!
THE importance of personal hygiene is a significant consideration which cannot be overlooked. Personal hygiene is c o n s i d e r e d behaviours which include wearing clean clothes, bathing, washing and combing one’s hair, as well as brushing and flossing teeth. many people consider these activities an integral part of daily routines. However, some do not. There are physical, emotional and personal complications for those who do not pratice these behaviocs. As individuals, we should assess our commitment to personal hygiene and improve on it. Good hygiene not only enhances our appearance, its importance is directly related to preventing infections and diseases, and keeps us free from unpleasant odors. Practicing proper hygiene is important to your mental health and helps you feel better about yourself. Most people don’t think twice about bathing, visiting their doctor or dentist for routine checkup, handling unsanitary items, brushing their teeth, or washing their hands. They not only do these healthy habits for themselves but
Issues Health/Wellness
What’s Your Personal Hygiene Culture?
also to help keep those they care about healthy and safe. Effects of improper hygiene
Conversely by skipping daily hygiene practices you have a greater risk of becoming victim of different ailments and infectious diseases. poor personal hygiene is a way of broadcasting to people how you feel-it shows low self esteem, lack of confidence, a state
By ELOHOR JENNIFER OFOLUWA
of depression and other mood ailments. People who do not realize the
maintain the least amount of grooming and maintaining and do not bath normal friendship. It regularly have difficulty for people with issues with poor hygiene to find and keep partners since intimate relationship require close physical contact. These who come in close contact with a person who has poor hygiene issues and body odour find it off-putting as well. Some suggestions to consider for good hygiene Regular bath-it’s not important to bath everyday, however keep in mind that your body constantly shed skin. If you don’t remove the sheded skin, it can cake up and cause illnesses. Brush your teethyou should at least brush your teeth twice a day, preferable after every meal, flos2s at least once a day, brushing your teeth helps to importance of difficulty in their remove bacteria in personal hygiene and intimate relationship your mouth that
cause gum disease and tooth decay. Bacteria can grow in your mouth, cause gum diseases travel to your heart and can cause serious valve problems. Wash your hands: bullying washing your hands helps to avoid eye, skin and respiratory infections from bacteria and viruses. To avoid the spread of viruses and bacteria, wash your hands after going to the bathroom, handling garbage, sneezing and coughing as well as preparing and eating food. No one likes to be around an unhygienic or grimy person. Children can end up becoming targets for bullying and adults may find they are not socially accepted. Moreover, being clean helps to build up one’s self esteem, good hygiene lends a hand in making one feel better about his or herself.
“Brush your teeth-you should at least brush your teeth twice a day, preferable after every meal, flos2s at least once a day, brushing your teeth helps to remove bacteria in your mouth that cause gum disease and tooth decay. Bacteria can grow in your mouth, cause gum diseases travel to your heart and can cause serious valve problems.”
International Battle Looms As South Sudan Army Moves On Rebel Held Town JUBA - South Sudan’s army said Monday it was poised for a major offensive against rebel forces, as the country slid towards civil war despite international peace efforts. Expectations of a major upsurge in fighting came as the United Nations warned that the situation in the world’s youngest nation was fast unravelling, with hundreds of thousands of civilians now at risk. Fighting has gripped South Sudan for more than a week, after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar, who was fired from the government in July, of attempting a coup. Machar denied the claim and accused Kiir of carrying out a vicious purge of his rivals. Vowing to oust Kiir, his forces have since seized the town of Bor, capital of the powder keg eastern Jonglei state and located just 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of Juba, as well as the town of Bentiu, capital of crucial oil-producing Unity state. South Sudan army spokesman Philip Aguer said the government was on the offensive. “Our soldiers will regain control of Bor town from the forces of the rebellion. The forces of Machar are still in control of the town, but we readying to take back control,” he told AFP. The comments came despite days of shuttle diplomacy by African nations and calls from the United States, Britain and the United Nations for the fighting to stop. The UN’s top humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan, Toby Lanzer, visited the besieged town of Bor on Sunday, and said the situation was rapidly deteriorating. “It would have been have been difficult one week ago to imagine that things would have unravelled to this extent,” Lanzer told AFP. “There are hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese who’ve fled into the bush or back to their villages to get out of harm’s way,” he said.
Asked which areas of the conflict-torn country he was most concerned about, Lanzer said that “it would be quicker to talk about which areas I’m not worried about.” “I hope to be wrong, otherwise, hundreds of thousands will need help very soon,” he said, adding he was “very concerned that a battle looms” in Bor, where he admitted that the UN peacekeepers were unlikely to be in a position to protect the estimated 15,000 civilians seeking shelter at the UN base there. Hundreds killed, thousands fleeing The clashes have left hundreds dead — possibly many more — and sent tens of thousands of people fleeing for protection in UN bases or to safer parts of the country, which only won independence from Sudan in 2011. The young nation is oil-rich but deeply impoverished and awash with guns after the long war with Khartoum, and has grappled with corruption and lawlessness since independence. There are both ethnic and political dimensions to the fighting, as troops loyal to Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, battle forces backing Machar, a Nuer. Nuer gunmen stormed a UN base last week killing two Indian peacekeepers and slaughtering at least 20 Dinka civilians who had fled to the compound for shelter, and there have been reports of ethnically-motivated killings and attacks in the capital Juba and elsewhere. Lanzer said the UN is “fortifying the camp in Bor, making sure there is no repeat of Akobo”. “But, as in Akobo, if there are few peacekeepers inside and 2,000 (fighters) outside, there’s little we can do,” he warned. Foreign governments, including in Britain, Kenya, Lebanon, Uganda and the US, have been evacuating their nationals. On Saturday four US servicemen were
wounded when their aircraft came under fire in a rebelheld area. Britain is sending its third and final military aircraft on Monday to evacuate citizens, warning those who chose to stay “may have difficulty leaving in the event of a further deterioration in security”. UN peacekeepers have said they are also reinforcing their military presence in Pariang in oil-rich Unity state to help protect civilians. As in Bor, a top army commander in Bentiu switched sides to join the rebellion. “The rebellion controls Bentiu... we are working on regaining control,” army spokesman Aguer said. Oil production accounts for more than 95 percent of South Sudan’s fledgling economy, and the sector has been hit with oil companies evacuating employees after the death of at least five South Sudanese oil workers last week. Juba’s ambassador to Khartoum, however, insisted that oil facilities had not been damaged and oil was still flowing. A local official in Bentiu said the area was littered with bodies following the fall of the town, and a witness from the area also said unidentified militiamen have been roaming the area for days, setting up road blocks and robbing passers-by. The witness, who asked not to be identified, suggested fighters from nearby Darfur in Sudan may also have moved to the area to profit from the instability, adding there were unconfirmed reports of rapes.
A US soldier and medics talk to a woman carrying a baby, among a group of wounded being transported from Bor to Juba recently.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin attends a news conference with Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (not seed) in Streina near St, Petersburg.
Freed Russian Punk Band Member Dismissessentences Putin’s Amnesty As ‘PR Stunt’ for a profanity-laced said the amnesty proposed by
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia - Pussy Riot punk band member Maria Alyokhina walked free from jail on Monday, immediately dismissing the Kremlin’s amnesty that granted her early release as a stunt that would not change her attitude to President Vladimir Putin. Alyokhina, 25, one of two women serving two-year
protest against Putin in a Russian Orthodox church in 2012, was released under the amnesty the president has said would show the Russian state is humane. They were convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for their “punk prayer” criticizing Putin’s ties to the Church, and had been due for release in March. Alyokhina echoed critics who
French Troops ‘Killed CAR Presidential “It was deliberate,” he Guards’ Presidency charged. France has deployed 1,600
BANUIG (Central African Republic) - Three ex-rebels shot dead by French troops in the capital of the Central African Republic on Sunday were members of the presidential guard and were “killed in cold blood”, the CAR presidency said. “They were killed in cold blood by members of Sangaris,” presidential spokesman Guy Simplice Kodegue said on Monday, referring to the French force sent this month to disarm ex-rebels sowing chaos in the country. They are “members of the presidential guard,” he told AFP.
President Michel Djotodia, who became the first Muslim leader of the majority Christian nation after a March coup, was formerly leader of the Seleka rebel coalition. He has officially disbanded Seleka but some members went rogue, leading to months of killing, raping and pillaging — and prompting Christians to form vigilante groups in response. The French army said its troops opened fire in Bangui on Sunday against “a group of halfa-dozen people suspected of
being ex-Seleka” and who “were preparing to use their weapons”. But the presidential spokesman said the shooting was unprovoked. “This was not a disarmament operation and no shots were fired, contrary to what was reported in certain French media,” Kodegue added. He said the ex-rebels were driving in a vehicle when they were stopped. “They were shot dead despite having shown their badges and papers proving their mandate.”
soldiers to its former colony alongside the African Union’s UN-mandated MISCA force to try to quell rising sectarian violence. The French intervention has been largely welcomed by the Christian majority but many Muslims argue operations against the remnants of Seleka have left them exposed to reprisals. On Sunday several thousand Muslims protested in Bangui against French troops, as reports emerged they had shot three exrebels.
Putin was far too narrow and appeared aimed at deflecting criticism over human rights before Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi in February. “I do not think it is a humanitarian act, I think it is a PR stunt,” she said by telephone in comments to the Russian Internet and TV channel Dozhd. “My attitude to the president has not changed.” In addition to the amnesty, Putin unexpectedly pardoned Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Russian former oil tycoon who is widely seen by Kremlin critics and Western politicians as a political prisoner. Khodorkovsky, who was freed after more than a decade in jail and flown to Germany, said Putin is seeking to improve Russia’s image while also showing that he is confident in his grip on power after weathering large opposition protests and winning a third term last year. Putin wants to send “a signal to society and the world that he feels secure and is not afraid”, Khodorkovsky said in an interview with the Russian
magazine the New Times. Lawyers say the amnesty will also enable 30 people arrested in Russia after a Greenpeace protest against Arctic oil drilling to avoid trial on hooliganism charges, removing another irritant in ties with the West. Putin said the amnesty was not drafted with the Greenpeace activists or Pussy Riot in mind. Looking confident and relaxed during an annual news conference last week, he described Pussy Riot’s protest as disgraceful, saying it “went beyond all boundaries”. Human rights activists have said the amnesty is far too limited, estimating will free fewer than 1,500 convicts, a small fraction of the nearly 700,000 Russians behind bars. Alyokhina, bundled in a thick green prison jacket and with her long curly hair loose, smiled as she left detention in the company of her lawyer and told Reuters she was feeling well. She said that had it have been possible for her to refuse the amnesty, she would done so out of solidarity for those still in jail and that she now planned to lobby for prisoners rights.
International Thai Baht Slumps As Protesters Seek To Block Election BANGKOK - The Thai baht plumbed its lowest in almost four years yesterday as a political crisis grew more intractable, with anti-government protesters trying to block candidates registering for a February election that is looking increasingly uncertain. Police estimated more than 200,000 protesters rallied across the capital on Sunday to demand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra resign. She has called a snap election for February 2 to defuse tension but the opposition Democrat Party will boycott the poll and demonstrators are determined to scuttle it. The stalemate is all too familiar after eight years of deadlock broadly between supporters and opponents of Yingluck’s brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a tycoon whose populist political machine has won every election since 2001 with millions of votes from the rural poor in the north and northeast. Opposed to Thaksin is a Bangkok-based establishment of top generals and old-money
families threatened by his rapid rise and angered by his ability to influence politics from selfimposed exile in Dubai. They have backed protests against Thaksin’s governments since 2005 and the party they favor, the Democrats, has not won an election in 21 years. Yingluck refuses to quit and said the Democrats’ election boycott would complicate the political reforms all sides want. “Every parliament member needs to take part in the election to protect this democratic system,” she said on Sunday. “If they don’t participate ... how can anything concrete be made under this legislature?” The seemingly irresolvable conflict has hit the currency in Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy after the weekend rallies that left the outcome no clearer. The baht touched a low of 32.71 to the dollar, its weakest level since March 2010, according to Thomson Reuters data.
Brits, Canadians Still In S/Sudan City US Evacuated NAIROBI, Kenya— Civilian helicopters evacuated U.S. citizens from a violent South Sudan city seeing bouts of heavy machine gun fire, but 3,000 citizens from countries like Canada, Britain and Kenya remain trapped there, a top U.N. official said yesterday Toby Lanzer, the U.N.’s humanitarian coordinator, said Australians, Ugandans and
CHANGE OF NAME
MOMODU – I, formerly Momodu Rehimat is now known and addressed as Mrs. Abdulai Sikirat Rehimat. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.
Ethiopians are also among 15,000 total people seeking protection at a U.N. base in Bor, a city that could see increasing violence in coming days. The death toll from a week of violence in South Sudan has likely surpassed 1,000 people, though there are no firm numbers available, he said. The number of internal refugees has likely surpassed 100,000, said Lanzer, who is seeking urgent financial assistance from the international community. “I can’t afford any delays from donor capitals right now,” he told The Associated Press in a phone call. “Never has there been a greater time of need in South Sudan.” Bor is the city where rebel forces fired on three U.S. military aircraft on Saturday, forcing the Ospreys — advanced helicopterairplane hybrids — to abort their evacuation mission. On Sunday the U.S. evacuated Americans by civilian U.S. and U.N. helicopters.
VACANCY A reputable Non Governmental Organisation based in Edo State needs the services of a Nutrition Officer who shall perform the following duties among others: Identify priority issues on nutrition within Edo LGAs, Train community care coordinators, volunteers, care givers and the community at large on providing adequate nutrition to their children based on locally available food sources. Conduct nutritional baseline assessment for children, Mentor and monitor programs with reference to nutrition, Lead all training related to Nutrition, Lead private sector linkages and other forms of engagement with relevant subject experts and sector stakeholders. QUALIFICATIONS: - a degree in nursing, -computer literacy, Training in gender sensitivity and child rights will be an added advantage. Exp0erience: 2 to 3 years practical experience in nutrition related job. All applications must be accompanied with CVs and relevant documents and submitted to: jobsinfo_2013@yahoo.com not later than 31st December 2013.
The protesters are led by Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Democrat heavyweight whose campaign is less about policy than ridding politics of the billionaire Shinawatra family. Watched by police and soldiers, several thousand protesters sat in
front of the gates of a sports stadium to try to block the registration process, which lasts until the end of the week. By mid-morning, only nine of the 34 parties that showed up to register were successful. Election Commission member
Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said the deadline could be extended if not enough candidates had registered, while police threatened jail terms or stiff fines if protesters impeded the process. Yingluck has spent the past week travelling in her party’s
Scene of fierce clashes between government troops and rebels, are assisted after being transported by U.N. helicopter to Juba, South Sudan recently.
Chadian troops drive through the Yagato district of teh Central African Republic captial Bangui on Sunday.
northern strongholds, shoring up support as her credibility in Bangkok dwindles amid persistent protests that seemed unlikely a few months ago, when even her brother’s fiercest critics appeared to tolerate her government. That all changed after a costly blunder in November, when her Puea Thai party tried to force an amnesty bill that would have nullified Thaksin’s 2008 graft conviction and allowed him to return home a free man. The Senate rejected the bill and Puea Thai withdrew it, but the damage was done and protests mounted, denouncing Yingluck as Thaksin’s puppet. The influence of 64-year-old Thaksin has divided Thailand. Critics say he is a tax-dodging crony capitalist who abused his power and is disloyal to the monarchy, which he denies. But to millions of farmers and other poor outside Bangkok, Thaksin is a hero whose policies improved their lives. Political concerns not only hit the baht on Monday, but sent Thai stocks to a 15-week low at the break, down 1.2 percent to 1,326.67 points. Trade volume was just 0.38 percent of the fullday average over the past 30 sessions. Analysts said the bid to block the election and the unrelenting deadlock cast a pall of unease over the market. The impasse is unlikely to end soon. While the major protests have been big in number and high on rhetoric, they have not stopped the government from functioning, prompting concerns that either the demonstrators or other protagonists might try to stir violence to unseat the government. The Democrat Party on Saturday said it would not run in the election because Thailand’s democratic system had been distorted. That would leave Puea Thai running against only smaller parties and, according to some commentators, unlikely to wean itself off Thaksin once it forms another government. “Is there anything new we can expect from the Puea Thai Party? ... No, nothing. The party and the government will continue to be remotely controlled from Dubai,” wrote Bangkok Post columnist Veera Prateepchaikul.
Pakistani Army Launches Offensive Near ISLAMABAD - Residents of attack. Pakistan’s ethnic Pashtun region Pakistani authorities imposed a Afghan Border of North Waziristan accused curfew across the lawless region government troops yesterday of killing dozens of civilians during a military operation against Taliban insurgents. The operation started just after a December 18 suicide bomb attack on a checkpoint in North Waziristan, a stronghold for al Qaeda-linked Taliban militants on Pakistan’s mountainous border with Afghanistan. Speculation that the army might launch a major offensive in the frontier tribal areas has been building as the government’s attempts to engage the Pakistani Taliban in peace talks have floundered in recent months. Military officials said at least 23 militants had been killed in clashes with security forces in the Mir Ali region of North Waziristan following the suicide
and residents said many people had fled from their homes after days of shelling and raids by helicopter gunships. Resident Muhammed Tayyab said he lost three of his children and his wife in the shelling. “On the first day of the attack an artillery shell hit the room where my kids and wife were sleeping,” Tayyab told Reuters by telephone. “The government has put them to sleep forever.” Residents put the civilian death toll at several dozen. “From the first day of the attack until now 70 civilians have been killed,” said a tribal elder in Mir Ali who declined to be identified for fear of state reprisals. “Some truck drivers and hotel and shop keepers were shot directly, and dozens were killed
by gunships, mortars, and artillery shelling on the civilian population.” The army did not respond to Reuters telephone calls and text messages requesting a comment on the allegations of civilian deaths in North Waziristan. Reports from North Waziristan are hard to verify independently because journalists and observers are not allowed to work on the ground in the heavily militarized region. The Pashtun lands along the Afghan border have never been brought under the full control of any government. Taliban commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur said insurgents would respond by launching a full scale counter offensive on army positions if attacks against
civilians did not stop yesterday. Residents said bodies were left in the open in the villages of Mosaki and Hasukhel as terrified villagers fled the area. “We are moving our families to keep them safe but the army’s mortars and shells are following us,” said Asad Sher of Mir Ali. “Please tell us where is safe. The army is demolishing our homes and bazaars.” Malik Gul Salehjan, another man, said: “My children are asking me for bread but I am not able to give them anything because there is nothing in my house.” A North Waziristan administration official said tribal elders and army representatives convened a jirga, or meeting, yesterday to try to find a negotiated end to hostilities.
International Feature
Israeli policemen inspect a bus after an explosive device detonated in a Tel Avis Suburb.
Iraqi refugees file out of the Jesuit Fathers church, touching or kissing the cross on their way out. Among them is Mofed, an Arab Christian who recently fled the turmoil in his native country. A year ago, Mofed (who, like other refugees, would only give his first name out of fear of retribution) was running a photo shop in Baghdad. Then one day several men came into his store and gave him three options: become Muslim; pay a $70,000 per capita tax (jizya) levied on nonMuslims; or be killed, along with his family. “You pay, or get killed,” says his wife, Nuhad. “There is no in between. If you say, ‘OK, I’ll become Muslim,’ there is no problem. That is their aim, to get you to change your religion, to be Muslim.” Mofed and Nuhad decided to exercise a fourth option: flee their homeland, bringing
What Will The Middle East Would Be Like Without Christmas
FROM Iraq to Syria to Egypt, Christians are under siege. How their faith – including at a Bethlehem church – sustains them and how their decline is altering the region. The pews at First Baptist Church of Bethlehem fill quickly as congregants stream in on a Sunday night, some with fancy purses, others with worn shoes and KFC takeout bags. Latecomers have to settle for plastic chairs in the back. As the service gets under way, hands arc in the air as worshipers sing and thank God for a recent revival that drew more than 1,300 people to hear the message of the Bible – a testament to the theme of the sermon on this night: responding to the invitation of Christ. In a city heralded as the place where Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary, the church is something of a modern miracle. Founded in a two-bedroom apartment three decades ago by the Rev. Naim Khoury, First Baptist was bombed 14 times during the first intifada, struggled with financial difficulties, and is now facing a legal battle with the Palestinian Authority, which doesn’t recognize it as a church. Thousands of Christians in Bethlehem have faced similar political and economic strife over the past few decades, leading many of them to flee the city where Christianity’s central figure was born in a straw-filled manger.
Christians, who once made up 80 percent of the population, now represent 20 to 25 percent. But First Baptist defies the trend. Its congregation is 300 members strong – and growing. “We fought and fought to remain and not to hide what we believe,” says Mr. Khoury, who himself survived a bullet to the shoulder from an unknown sniper while in the church parking lot five years ago. “It’s time for them to realize that we are here. There’s no way for us to close down and go somewhere else.... We proved ourselves here by the help of the Lord that we are here to stay until the Lord comes back.” Khoury’s unflinching faith is something that more Christians may have to summon – not only here in the Holy Land but across the entire Middle East. Two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, Christianity is under assault more than at any time in the past century, prompting some to speculate that one of the world’s three great religions could vanish entirely from the region within a generation or two. From Iraq, which has lost at least half of its Christians over the past decade, to Egypt, which saw the worst spate of anti-Christian violence in 700 years this summer, to Syria, where jihadists are killing Christians and burying them in mass graves, the followers of Jesus face violence and vitriol as well as declining churches and ecumenical
divides. Christians now make up only 5 percent of the population of the Middle East, down from 20 percent a century ago. Many Arab Christians are upset that the West hasn’t done more to help. Though many Muslims grew up with Christian friends and colleagues, powerful political and social forces have made such coexistence more difficult. As political Islam gains support, Christians can no longer find refuge in a shared Arab identity with their Muslim neighbors, but are instead increasingly marooned by an emphasis on religious identity. Calls for citizenship with equal rights are punctuated with stories of Islamist extremists demanding that Christians convert to Islam or pay an exorbitant tax. And many Muslims are facing persecution themselves as the Arab upheavals of 2011 continue to ripple across the region and nations try to find an equilibrium between freedom and stability. “Whatever happens, it is going to be very difficult to put it back together again,” says Fiona McCallum, a scholar of Middle Eastern Christians at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. To be sure, Christians have confronted difficult times before, from the killing of Jesus’ immediate followers to the Mamluk oppression of Christians beginning in the 13th century to the rise of
Islamist militant activity in Egypt in the 1970s. Warriors who came in the name of Christ have been responsible for egregious interreligious violence as well, such as during the First Crusade in 1099, when Christians took over Jerusalem and massacred nearly all the city’s residents. Whether today proves to be yet another ebb in the flow of Christian history or something more fundamental remains uncertain. But what is evident is that both Muslims and Christians, as well as the region’s other minorities, are likely to be significantly affected by a continued deterioration. Christians have traditionally run some of the region’s top schools, been active members of the merchant class, and brought a moderating influence to society and politics. That has led not only Christians and human rights activists to lobby for the preservation of these communities, but some Muslim leaders as well. “The protection of the rights of Christians is a duty rather than a favor,” declared Jordan’s King Abdullah in September, speaking to delegates at a palacesponsored conference on Arab Christian persecution. “Christians have always played a key role in building our societies and defending our nations.” As an evening breeze sweeps across the Jordanian capital of Amman, dozens of
their three children along with them. Their decision is emblematic of what an estimated half million Christians have done since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent brutal civil war there. During that time, Muslim extremists have attacked more than 60 Christian churches across the country. This includes the 2010 Al Qaeda-linked strike on a mass at Our Lady of Salvation Church that killed 58 worshipers. The proliferation of jihadist groups after the fall of Saddam Hussein, coupled with the rise of political Islam, has made an already tense environment even more unbearable for the country’s Christian community, which has been part of Iraqi society for more than 1,900 years. While many Muslims have fled the turmoil in Iraq as well, Christians have been disproportionately represented, in part because of their above-average means: Four years into the war, Christians – who made up 5 percent of the population in prewar Iraq – accounted for 15 to 18 percent of registered Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, according to the International Red Cross. Today, fewer than 500,000 Christians remain in Iraq from a prewar population of 1 million to 1.4 million. Christians in Syria worry that the same thing could happen in their country, where civil war has led to a rise in militant groups, some
affiliated with Al Qaeda. Many worshipers who once prided themselves on being part of one of the safest Christian communities in the Middle East now face kidnapping or death. Muslim militants are targeting Christian businesses as well. In recent months, jihadists have carried out assaults on the town of Maaloula, where many residents still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus. Athraa, a young Syrian mother, fled her village on the Syrian-Iraqi border with her husband and two boys to escape the dangers. “We are expecting what has happened in Iraq to happen in Syria as well,” she says, speaking in her modest Amman apartment, where suitcases teeter atop a rundown armoire. Before the uprising broke out in March 2011, experts estimated that Christians represented 5 to 8 percent of Syria’s 22 million people. The Syrian patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church recently suggested that as many as 450,000 of the 2 million Syrian refugees today are Christians, though such figures vary widely and are difficult to confirm. While Iraq and Syria have seen perhaps the worst widespread violence against Christians, some of the most concentrated anti-Christian attacks this year have taken place in Egypt. That’s of particular concern to Christians elsewhere in the region because Egypt’s Christian population, at about 9 million, forms the largest Christian contingent anywhere in the Middle East. The church’s demise there would be especially demoralizing. Egypt’s Christians, which make up about 10 percent of the population, face harsh restrictions on building or renovating churches, and say they often face discrimination in schools and the workplace. Violent attacks on Christians and their houses of worship rose in the final years of the rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted in the January 2011 uprising. As Islamists expanded their power after his fall, many Christians said the threat and attacks multiplied, particularly in the wake of Mohamed Morsi’s election as president. But the violence didn’t diminish once Mr. Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood were removed from power this summer by the military. Many Islamists blamed Christians for supporting the coup, and angry Morsi supporters attacked dozens of churches across Egypt in August.
By Faith Akina Ayedi
Point Blank
WE relinquish three-fourths of selves in order to be like people. Conformity is the jailor of satisfaction and the enemy of growth. Do you know that you are destined to be different? Dare to be different and follow your star! In this life, anything you are doing, do it to the best and at its best. Being the best you can be, will bring out your qualities as a person can will also bring out your usefulness to the people, then your value will be made known among the people. As a worker in an organization, institution or any kind of work, try to work to the best of your knowledge and ability, no matter the condition of the payment or salary. According to Rev. Isaac Ayedi “Anything you are doing or know how to do best, do it very well and make it perfect in the lord and you will be rewarded abundantly. Therefore, you will not lack.” Trying to be like someone is self defeating. One of the main purpose is to give birth to yourself. As long as you are trying to be life someone else, the best you can ever be will not achieve. We cannot reach our destinations by taking another man’s road. “He who never walks except where he sees another man’s track will make no discovery (Paul Semeon). “Do not follow, follow where the path may lead to instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God, remark you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed” (Romans 12:2). The more you are like yourself, the less you are like someone else. You are like a tree, you must put forth the fruit that is created in you. You can’t be common. The common goes nowhere. You must be uncommon to be a champion, your responsibility is not to remake yourself, but to make absolute best of what God has made and deposited in you. Don’t compromise yourself, you have got. “Almost every man waste part of his life in attempts to display qualities he does not possess.” Don’t let your life be a continual struggle to be what you are not, and to do what your should not. You are an unprecedented miracle. You are as God made you, and since he is satisfied, you should be too. Being someone else leads you nowhere, so don’t try to be like someone, always be yourself.
Be Yourself!
Focus on other people. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility, count others better than you ({Phil 2:3). “No matter the matter and circumstances always say that truth in every condition or situation. One special key that makes you create a good record is when you make a change. Think of what no one has ever done in the place or position you are, then get it, create and fashion it out into existence. It may be an idea, attitude, way of conduct, way of life, way of arrangement and any form of administration, perfect it, bring out its value and important and make use of it. Oscar wild once said with his usual with. Be yourself: everyone else is already taken. As humorous as this might seem, it’s a basic summation of the truth. Yet, you can’t be yourself if you don’t know, understand, and accept yourself first. It should be your primary goal to find this out. Find the time to dwell upon what you value and take time to consider what makes up the essence of who you are. As part of this, contemplate your
life and choices. Try to think about what kinds of things you would or wouldn’t like to do, and act accordingly finding out through trial and error helps more than you mighty think it does, you can even take personality test but be careful to only take what you want from them so that you do not let such test define you.
to conflict. This is a natural result of taking on broad values from a variety of sources, inspiring people, educational sources, etc. what does matter is that you continue working through these conflict to resolve what values feel most true to yourself. Avoiding fixating on the past
improve, to become wiser. And allow yourself to forgive past errors and past behaviours you’re not so proud of. Work on accepting mistakes and choice you’ve made, they’re done and in the past. You had your reasons for them and the decision made sense at the time, so instead of harnessing yourself to past mistakes, allow yourself to learn their lessons and continue to grow. Looking for people around you who proudly proclaim they are no different than they were the day they turned 16 or 26 or 36, or whatever. Do these people seem flexible, easy going, happy people? Often they are, not because they are so busy insisting that nothing has changed for them ever, that they’re incapable of taking on new ideas, learning from others, or growing. They might believe adamantly that they are “being themselves” but it reality they are often enslaved by the past and a particular image of themselves that they would have done better to have released long ago. Growth into every new age of our lives is an essential part of being true to ourselves and to being emotionally healthy and whole. Does it this mean on one’s opinion in life matters? It hurts if you are socially rejected. If you are forced into a situation where you must spend most or all of your time among people who can’t stand you for reasons of their own, its dangerous to internalize their negative ideas of who you are. What you can do is exercise some choice in whose opinions you value more than others. Its much healthier to pay attention to people who
I good/clever/popular enough to be a part of their group of friend?” To be yourself, you’ve got to let go of these concerns and just let your behaviour flow, with only your consideration of others as a filter not their consideration of you. Besides, if you change yourself for one person or group, another person or group may not like you, and you could go on forever in a vicious cycle trying to please people instead of focusing on building up your talents and strengths being a people – pleaser or always wanting everyone’s love and respect is a totally pointless exercise in the end that can harm your personal development and confidence. Who cares what other people say? As Eleanor Roosevelt said once, “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent” and what matters most is that you listen to your own inner confidence and if it’s missing, that you start developing it! Be careful though, an individual can mean you well, but it may be only on their own terms this could steer you down the wrong path, and with all the passion of true consideration for your well being. Don’t trivialize it if you face negative social pressure or bullying. It’s easier to withstand it if you are aware of it as pressure and build healthy defenses. Building up a circle of trusted friends and people who share your views and beliefs in life is a good way to help reduce the impact of hostile people. You can tell yourself their opinions don’t matter, and they shouldn’t but that’s a lot easier when they are
“One special key that makes you create a good record is when you make a change. Think of what no one has ever done in the place or position you are, then get it, create and fashion it out into existence. It may be an idea, attitude, way of conduct, way of life, way of arrangement and any form of administration, perfect it, bring out its value and important and make use of it.” Instead, ensure that defining you do is based on your own terms and is something you feel absolutely comfortable with. You may feel self-conscious, but over time if you are around the right type of people for you, they will accept you for who you are. And love and start to look at the real you. In finding your values. Don’t be surprise if some of them seem
and not letting yourself grow. One of the most unhealthy approaches to being oneself is to make a decision that who you are is defined by a moment or period of time, after which you spend the rest of your-life trying to still be that person from the past rather than someone who is still you but grows with the passing of each season and decide. Allow yourself this space to grow, to
genuinely mean you well and agree. Keep caring about how people perceive you. Some of them will like you and some of them won’t. either attitude is as likely to be right or wrong. It’s next-to-impossible to be yourself when you’re caught up in constantly wondering “Do they think I’m funny? Does she think I’m fat? Do they think I’m a slut? Am
others who agree with you and stand by you. If you are alone that is fine, just think about how the people in your life care about you. Then compare them to whoever the bully is, suddenly you can realize that their opinion of you, your family or your lifestyle, is worthless. We inherently care about the opinions of those we respect and look up to.
High-Flying Everton Eye Unbeaten Home Year
GOODISON Park is undoubtedly “home sweet home” for the Toffees at the moment as Everton are two matches away from completing a remarkable calendar year unbeaten at their own ground in the Premier League. Everton’s last home league defeat was a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on December 30 2012, and that was their first in 14 games. Since then they have played 17 matches, winning 12 and drawing five, helping them to a sixth-placed finish last season and leaving them currently riding high in fourth. To complete the 2013 sweep they need to avoid defeat against Sunderland on December 26 and Southampton three days later. Those bald figures might suggest that team have carried on seamlessly this season from where they left off in May, but the reality is starkly different.
Wayne Rooney
Rooney On Way To Legendary Status - Moyes
MANCHESTER United coach David Moyes feels Wayne Rooney is on the verge of becoming one of the great legends at the iconic club. 200 goals for the Manchester Rooney who joined the Red club. Devils from fellow Premier Although he might not League side Everton in August occupy his more conventional 2004 has gone on to score over role in front of goal these day
Mourinho Planning 12-year Chelsea Stay CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho plans to stick with the Premier League club for 12 seasons despite accepting his ‘worst contract’ in six years. The Portuguese rejoined the London outfit, with whom he won league titles in 2005 and 2006, in June after trophy-laden years spent in Italy and Spain with Inter Milan and Real Madrid. “Realistically I hope at the end of those four years we sit, analyse the situation and that will be the point where we both - club and me - are happy to carry on or happy to separate,” British media quoted Mourinho as saying of his contract yesterday. “But I would like, say, 12 years. I’m 51 next month. I’d say 12 years, and then two to go to a World Cup with a national team. I would prefer the Portuguese national team. England second (choice).” Mourinho has never completed four seasons with a club in his highly successful career that has brought seven league championships across Europe and two Champions League titles. He left Porto after winning the Champions League in 2004 to join Chelsea where he left in September 2007, the start of his fourth season, following a
breakdown of relations with the club and a falling out with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. He then joined Inter in 2008, lifting five trophies before departing to Spain in 2010 as he ended Barcelona’s run of league championships before departing last May amid dressing room divisions. He had been tipped to replace Alex Ferguson, who stepped down after 26 years at Manchester United in May, but Mourinho plumped for a return to Chelsea, where he remains revered for bringing them a first title in 50 years. “There were a lot of teams (offered to me) who could be successful immediately in my hands,” Mourinho said. “I had Real Madrid. I left them because I wanted to, not because they wanted me to. I had other clubs in other countries where it would be easier to go and find an easy job immediately. “If I was here for financial reasons, I wouldn’t be here getting a lot less money than I had at Real Madrid, where I had three more years on my contract. “I didn’t come here because the job was easy, or because I had a team ready to attack the title, or because I was coming here for the best contract of my life.
Rooney has shown to be a massive assist a bit deeper up field, a position where his incredible passing skills can come to the fore. Moyes who took over from Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer recently praised the now 28-year old who he mentored back at his time with the Toffees. The Scot praised Rooney’s leadership skills and is convinced that the England international is on the verge of greatness for United. “Do you know what I see more than anything in Wanye? I see leadership. I see somebody
who wants to take responsibility for the team. I see somebody who cares for how he plays and how the team plays. More than anything, that is what I see from Wanye,” Moyes told theguardian.com. “He is getting to an age now where he realises he is not a boy any more. He is one of the senior men in the team. “He is actually on the verge of being one of the great legends at this club.” Rooney has scored eight goals and assisted another eight in the Premier League this season.
Rodgers Hopeful Of Landing Top Players LIVERPOOL coach Brendan Rodgers believes the presence of world class players like Luis Suarez will help his side attract more top players. The Reds climbed to first place on the table courtesy of a 3-1 win over Cardiff City on Saturday with Suarez netting a break after signing a new long-term contract with the club. Rodgers is hopeful that his side will be able to attract more great players during this transfer window and in the future. “Good players want to play with good players,” said Rodgers. “When you’ve got a world-class player like Suarez, and we’ve got a number of other young players improving, our selling point is the team and the philosophy. “Our success here will be based around the team and how
we work. Certainly when you’ve got players of that esteem Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, that ilk - top players would like to play with those players. “Suarez is always at a very high level and, again, was magnificent. He leads from the front, works, presses and is very clever in how he presses the ball. “When we’ve got the ball, his creativity and invention is firstclass. Two great goals again, good finishes. And he was very unselfish to pass to Raheem. A wonderful talent and yet again he showed why he is a world-class player.” Liverpool will look to continue with their winning ways when they visit Manchester City on Thursday before travelling to Chelsea on Sunday.
Not only has manager David Moyes been replaced by Roberto Martinez, but the Spaniard has revolutionised the way the team are playing. Despite the impressive nature of their home form, the most progress can be seen on their travels. Moyes had a lamentable away record against the league’s big guns but Martinez has already overseen a first club victory at Manchester United in 21 years and an impressive draw at Arsenal where they matched the league leaders pass for pass. They have lost only one game all season, at Manchester City, and the fans are loving the way he has given his team licence to try to win with style rather than hang on and hope. His approach will not have come as a complete surprise to the Goodison faithful, however, whose home comforts were rudely punctured in March when Martinez’s Wigan Athletic team tore them apart in a shock 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory. James McCarthy, one of Wigan’s key players that day and in their run to the Wembley victory over Man City, followed Martinez the few miles westward in the close season but the most impressive thing about his period in charge is that he is achieving success with pretty much the same squad. True, the presence of onloan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku up front has given Everton a cutting edge that has been sorely missing since Nikica Jelavic lost his touch, and fellow loanees Gareth Barry and Gerard Deulofeu have added stability and zest respectively. But the likes of Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Kevin Mirallas, Bryan Oviedo and Seamus Coleman have really stepped up to the plate and are displaying a confidence born from knowing the manager has given them freedom to try things. Likewise, centre backs Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin, while still a rock solid defensive partnership, have bought into the Martinez way and look to build from the back with short passes rather than their more traditional, low-risk, long-ball approach of recent years.
James Tomkins
“It’s based on possession, a lot of passing, which starts from the back,” said Distin. “Even last season we played a lot of good football but now it’s just constant.” The most exciting aspect of Everton’s progress is the emergence of Ross Barkley, a “diamond of English football” to Martinez, into a classy midfielder of the highest calibre. Still only 20, Barkley has blossomed this season, also breaking into the England team, and is revelling in being the “main man”. It is a situation that makes Everton’s decision to allow Marouane Fellaini to follow Moyes to Man United for 27.5 million pounds ($44.98
Roberto Martinez million) look very good business. Martinez appears to be handling Barkley perfectly. He rests him when he needs to and does not shy away from reminding him of his weaknesses - notably in his decision-making. But he knows he has a potential superstar on his hands. “In Ross, we have someone who, if we look after him properly, can give us something unique,” Martinez said after Barkley’s stellar performance against Arsenal earlier this month. “He is someone that you can compare to any other nation...I mean the young Brazilians, Dutch and Spanish players. He has a gift and that talent. “I’ve never seen an English player with that sort of mentality and I have had the privilege to work with many youngsters who have been successful. We have to recognise a real English diamond. He isn’t ready yet but he has everything to mark a real era in our football.” For Everton, whose last great era in the mid-1980s is becoming a too-distant memory for fans, the combination of Barkley and Martinez and a restored “fortress Goodison” mentality means that they can really start to believe that the next one might be just around the corner. ($1 = 0.6114 British pounds)
Pep Looks To The Future
Balotelli Hints At Referee Frusfield from there and BALOTELLI led AC tration scored.” Milan’s complaints at the
BAYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola says the European champions must prepare for future challenges following their Club World Cup win. A 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Raja Casablanca in Marrakech on Saturday secured Bayern’s fifth title of 2013. “We are very excited about our achievements, but I am also looking to the future - 2013 is already behind us,” said Guardiola. “I am very pleased for the club and proud of the players and the fans.” Bayern won a domestic double in Germany and the Champions League final at Wembley under the management of Jupp Heynckes, before Guardiola, 42, was appointed in June.
standard of refereeing after Sunday night’s 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan left the Rossoneri just five points above the Serie A relegation zone. The game’s decisive goal came in the 86th minute and was scored by Rodrigo Palacio, but in the build up to the strike some have suggested that a foul deep in Inter’s half was missed by the referee. Balotelli earned himself a yellow card after complaining to the referee and he has since intimated
on Twitter of his lingering disappointment with the decision. Speaking after the game, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri questioned the refereeing his side have faced not only on Sunday night at the San Siro but during the campaign so far. “We could have defended better against Palacio’s great goal, but I didn’t have the time to send [Philippe] Mexes on because the game was not stopped, as it should have been, for a foul on Balotelli,” Allegri said. “Instead, they raced up the
Franck Ribery Rules Out European Move
Maria Balotolli
Pep Guardiola
We Need The Break - Klopp
BORUSSIA Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted his side are in need of the midseason break after their 2-1 home loss to Hertha Berlin on Saturday. The Bundesliga giants have suffered from a spate of injuries throughout the first half of the season and currently sit 12 points adrift of Bayern Munich, having played a game more. Saturday’s loss was their third home defeat in the league on the bounce and Klopp is looking forward to being able to recuperate after their spectacular loss of form. “Something which started very well has ended quite miserably. And that’s the way if feels like now,” he told Sky Deutschland. “We’re in need of the break. But it’s us who are responsible and we must think about some things.
Jurgen Klopp
BAYERN Munich star Franck Ribery has told kicker he will not play for another club in Europe but is open to a move to the MLS or Gulf region before he retires. Ribery, 30, joined Bayern from Munich. I will stay in Munich as long as it is possible.” Marseille in 2007 and, although Ribery, who will be 34 when his he had talked up a move to Spain current contract expires in 2017, three years ago, he said in a recent Sport Bild interview that he had says he is not dwelling on the opted to stay after receiving the club’s backing during a difficult time. The France international has now ruled out any prospect of a future move to La Liga, Ligue 1 or any other European league, but he says he would relish the chance to play in the MLS or the Gulf once his “real career” is over. “In Europe, there will be no other club, but it would be a bonus for me if there can be another continent after that,” he said. “I could be tempted to go to a country like the U.S. or maybe the [United Arab] Emirates, but I would not count that as part of my real career. “That would be something I would do to wind up my career and could not be compared to what I have experienced in
matter of when that moment might come. “I hope I can play at this level for as long as possible, but I don’t think about it,” he said. “I enjoy the moment. Of course, I am 30 and I am getting older. In a couple of years I will not be able to play like that anymore. But I will try
Franck Ribery
to push back that date as long as possible.” Ribery was conducting the interview on the back of collecting kicker’s Man of the Year award for 2013, as well as being named the best player at the Club World Cup, which Bayern won after defeating hosts Raja Casablanca 2-0 in the final on Saturday. The winger, who has already won the France Footballer of the Year and UEFA Player of the Year trophies, is also on the shortlist for the 2013 Ballon d’Or alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He has acknowledged that he is at a “disadvantage” for the award after FIFA extended voting, which would appear to benefit Ronaldo as it allowed voters to take into consideration his heroics during Portugal’s World Cup playoff success against Sweden. However, given that Bayern clinched the Champions League, Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Super Cup during the voting period, Ribery is not giving up hope.
Ancelotti Confident Of Success In 2014
REAL Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted his side are still very much in the La Liga title race as they moved back to within five points of leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with a 3-2 win away to Valencia on Sunday. Valencia put up a strong fight as they levelled twice through Pablo Piatti and Jeremy Mathieu to cancel out efforts from Angel di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Jese Rodriguez struck the all-important winner 10 minutes from time to keep Madrid within sight of the leaders. “Five points is not a small gap, but we had a lot of pressure before this game when we were eight points back so it is a very important win. “I am satisfied with how the first-half of the season has gone and I am very excited for 2014. The team has character, quality
and fights until the end. “At the moment the table speaks for itself. Barca and Atletico are doing very well and have a five-point lead, but I am very excited for the second part of the season. It could be a very good year for Real Madrid.” It was a particularly good evening for Di Maria as he made his claim for a regular starting spot in the absence of the injured Gareth Bale with the opening goal and an assist for Ronaldo’s headed second just before halftime. The Argentine international has been linked with a move away from Real after seeing his opportunities limited by Bale’s arrival, but Ancelotti stressed the importance of having competition within his squad. “Di Maria deserves to play in
this team, as do many other players. I can’t keep everyone happy all the time. “It is good that when their opportunity comes that they are concentrated. Competition for places at a big club is normal and I think the players are handling the situation well.” Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino also hailed the depth of his squad as the Catalans came from 2-0 down to beat Getafe 5-2. Pedro Rodriguez hit an eightminute hat-trick just before halftime as he ensured Barca weren’t to miss the absent Neymar and Lionel Messi. The winger was also involved in both Barca’s goals after the break as he crossed for Cesc Fabregas to volley home the fourth before Fabregas
converted from the penalty spot after Pedro had been brought down inside the area. “Pedro has a great eye for goal, everyone in Spain knows that,” said Martino. “He has a great attitude, he never gives up and he understands that he is an important player, even if he does play in an area of the field where Barcelona have other great players.” On top of the absent Neymar and Messi, Martino was also missing the injured Victor Valdes and Xavi. And despite his delight at his side’s response from 2-0 down, Martino is looking forward to having all four available again come January. “I miss the absent players when we win as well as when we lose. I prefer for them to be playing and for the other players to be giving me a headache about not playing. It?s better when you have everyone available and can chose.”
He continued: “We’re being fouled more than anybody else, yet we get more yellow cards. We even got a red card this time. Something doesn’t add up. I’m pretty annoyed with what I’ve seen on the field.” Allegri added that he hopes for better results from his side in Serie A in the new year, as Milan trail leader Juventus by 27 points. “They’re going at a rate of knots at the top,” he said. “Juve are doing something incredible and all we can do is get back to winning ways. We’ve got the last 16 of the Champions League, and we’re the only Italian side still in that competition, and we’ve also got the Coppa Italia. We may only be five points above the relegation zone, but I believe 2014 will be different.”
Yaya Wants Messi At City
IVORY Coast star Yaya Toure has urged Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to make a switch to Manchester City. The arrival of the Argentine to the Etihad has been a longstanding dream for the Citizens and it has gone public after both Sergio Aguero and Toure expressed their desire to have him at the club. City teammate Pablo Zabaleta has frequently told the media of Messi’s interest in the club and the Ivoirian admits he is hoping to see the double World Player of the Year in Manchester. “If it’s to come to City, I hope Messi can leave Barca,” said Yaya, who played alongside Messi at the Nou Camp. Messi is reportedly unhappy at the Spanish giants and is said to have fallen out with club vice-president Javier Faus, sparking rumours of a departure in the near future. \
Yaya Toure5
Kone Dreaming Of Ivory Coast World Cup
Delta Shooting Team Mourns Athlete’s Death LUCKY Edafe, the Coach, Delta Shooting Team, said the death of Macaulay Odafe, an athlete, affected the team’s performance in the just concluded Late Maj. Joseph Ogundele-Ojo Shooting Championships in Lagos. Edafe told newsmen on Sunday in Lagos that the team’s camp was thrown into mournful mood immediately the news of the athlete’s death was broken. The tournament took place at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Lagos, from December18 to 21. He said that the deceased, who was supposed to be at the tournament, was killed by suspected armed robbers on Thursday in Asaba. The team had on Saturday emerged winner of the maiden edition of the championships, winning first prizes in three events. All members of the team on Saturday wore black shirts, in spite of their victory, to honour the fallen hero. “We are mourning our hero, Odafe, who was killed by armed robbers. Odafe was a hard working individual that gave his best to Delta State Shooting family. “The ugly incident happened on Thursday night when Odafe was relaxing at home with his family. “We heard the news while in the tournament which he missed because he had to attend to some few things in Asaba. “Odafe shot into limelight in 2004 by representing Delta in the National Sports Festival in individual and team events in rifle and pistol categories in Abuja. “Odafe won gold in team event in Abuja games. He also won silver in individual pistol event at the Gateway Games in 2006,” Edafe said. Commenting on the victory, Edafe said that the tournament was highly competitive, adding that he was proud of his teams’ achievements. “It was a well organised tournament; we came to Lagos with our best shooters and we are happy to achieve a lot at the end. “We need competitions like this to grow in the game. I am proud of our new president for staging a competition that featured the best shooters in Nigeria.
EVERTON striker Arouna Kone says he is hoping to be a part of Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad heading to Brazil next year June. The Ivorian has been ruled out for the better part of the Toffees’ season due to a knee injury but says he is hoping to make a comeback in time as it could be his last ever participation on a global stage. “Dreaming of the World Cup? Yes, I think so, because to participate in a World Cup is the dream of every player,” Kone told footmercato. “I’ve had the chance to do it once. I think at my age this is probably the last time that I can participate before the end of my career. I will make every effort to get there.” The Elephants were drawn
Arouna Kone
Palacio Late Show Stuns Milan In City Derby
A cheeky backheeler from Argentinian striker Rodrigo Palacio four minutes from time secured a 1-0 win for Inter against Milan in the Derby della Madonnina in Italy’s Serie A on Sunday. Inter, claiming their eighth win Scolari was also among the of the season, had dropped to crowd and is likely to have been sixth after Verona’s 4-1 win buoyed by Kaka’s performance earlier but reclaimed fifth spot to as the forward continues his quest sit five points off Napoli in the to secure a World Cup place. Despite Milan’s dominance, third Champions League qualifying spot and 15 behind Massimiliano Allegri’s men lacked the slice of luck that could leaders Juventus. Sitting in 13th place and 17 have made all the difference. Kaka set up Mario Balotelli in points behind third place, Milan had plenty of incentive and the opening minutes but the enjoyed the lion’s share of striker’s effort was blocked and chances and possession the former Inter star then sent a half-volley over while under throughout. It took Inter until the final 20 pressure on the edge of the area. Barely a minute later, Balotelli minutes to pile on some pressure and when Palacio sent a backheel was beaten to the rebound from beyond the reach of Milan Kaka’s strike by Esteban ‘keeper Christian Abbiati in the Cambiasso after it had been 86th minute the Rossoneri were blocked by ‘keeper Samir soon lamenting their earlier Handanovic. Inter were struggling to find misses. In what was the 159th derby any rhythm, their only halfbetween the sides — being chances a long distance drive watched by new Inter owner from Fredy Guarin which dipped Erick Thohir — Inter now boast over, while Yuto Nagatomo’s header from Saphir Taider’s 60 wins for 50 draws. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe weighted free kick was wide of
Ajax To Use CHAN As A Scouting that Ajax will not be AJAX Cape Town will use Platform week releasing any players for next month’s African Nations Championships as a scouting ground for a striker and a winger. The tournament, which will be hosted by South Africa, will start on January 11 and finish February 2 and it will see various African nations taking part like Morocco, Ghana and Ivory Coast. Ertugral admitted that neither of the Nigerian duo of Tomi Ameobi nor Musa Najare will sign for the club once the transfer window opens in January, but
confirmed they will use the CHAN as a hunting ground for potential signings. “New signings? It will not be one of the Nigerians,” confirmed Ertugral. “We will look in the African Nations Championships and see what we can get from there because it is tough to get the right player. “We need to get someone because we are losing Lebo [Manyama] obviously - this is a mini crisis for me. It was announced late last
CHAN due to their league scheduled against Orlando Pirates on January 27, and the Turkish tactician says it is a pity for his young talent. “If the league would’ve started in February it would have been great to send some of our youngsters through to the African Nations Championships like [Abbubaker] Mobara or Keagan [Dolly],” he added. “I am sure Gordon [Igesund] would have selected them but, in the end, it is not my decision.”
alongside Colombia, Greece and Japan in Group C and the summer arrival at Everton says Sabri Lamouchi’s side will do everything they can to progress as far as possible. “I think, as they say in football, there are no small teams. For this World Cup, we are hoping to get as far as possible,” he added. “For almost all of our generation, it may be our last chance to play in the World Cup. “The final is a dream, it passes through our heads. Our generation is coming to an end, we want to make one last big hit, and I think we have the opportunity in this World Cup.
Adidas Plans China Expansion Drive
behind the Inter defence to send a first-timer just wide of Handanovic’s far post with the outside of his boot. Taider was replaced by Mateo Kovacic just before the hour and the Croatian’s introduction was to get on the wrong end of a crunching tackle by Nigel De Jong, which earned the Dutchman a yellow card. Mazzarri also replaced captain Javier Zanetti with Zdravko Kuzmanovic soon after, but the Serbian added to frustrations when he fired well wide of the target after a short corner from Nagatomo. With 15 minutes remaining Allegri went for broke, replacing midfielder Riccardo Saponara with striker Alessando Matri. However Inter upped the tempo and came close when Nagatomo’s weighted pass across goal was just too far for Palacio, with Kuzmanovic missing the target on the followup.
GERMAN sportswear giant Adidas is looking to expand beyond major Chinese cities into smaller urban centres, its top executive for the country said in an interview published Monday. “We are currently active in 1,000 cities (in China) and by the end of 2015 we will be in 1,400,” Colin Currie told business daily Handelsblatt. Adidas posted more than 1.2 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in China sales in the first nine months of 2013. The company has 7,600 stores in the country, with a presence in all top cities including 200 shops in Shanghai alone. But “two-thirds of our growth comes from smaller cities, most of which have fewer than one million inhabitants,” Currie said.
\REAL Madrid winger but the most important thing Angel Di Maria has denied is that they still count on me.” Di Maria has been linked rumours linking him with demanding a new contract or with a move to Monaco, with a move away from the club. The Argentine scored a goal and provided an assists for Cristiano Ronaldo as the Whites edged Valencia 3-2 on Sunday night ad he says he is not fazed by the arrival of big signings like Gareth Bale and Isco. “I never asked for a contract renewal,” he told reporters. “Everything that’s been said about my desire to not continue with Real Madrid is a lie. “I’m happy with Real Madrid because it’s a team that counts on me. “What’s happening now is what I expected when they signed a player for +100 million; it’s for them to play, Di Maria
a number of Spanish newspapers claiming that he has already signed a precontract with the Ligue 1 side.
the upright. Milan’s dominance had silenced the largely Inter crowd but they were in uproar on 40 minutes when claims for a penalty went unheard after Palacio tumbled under pressure from Cristian Zapata. Inter finished the half showing more promise, Cambiasso’s header from a well-struck Taider free kick going wide of Abbiati’s far post. Despite the mediocrity, Inter coach Walter Mazzarri kept faith with his starting XI for the restart but it was Milan who showed more promise initially. On 53 minutes Balotelli’s angled strike was palmed away, with Andrea Poli failing to connect with the rebound. Two minutes later Balotelli came close again, sneaking
Di Maria Happy At Madrid
Dec 26 Boxing Thrill For Benin Fans BY MATTHEWS OKAGHA
IN keeping with the spirit of the season, boxing fans in Benin City will be treated to a night of explosive amateur boxing inside the Ogbe Hardcourt on Thursday, December 26, 2013. Billed to begin at 6pm, event featuring amateur the show which is designed boxing competition, is aimed to add spice to the Yuletide at rekindling the people’s celebration will feature ten passion for boxing and its exciting bouts in different many ringside attractions. “Boxing is a game of weight categories. passion and we at Wellsfredo A spokesman for promotions want to use the Wellsfredo Promotions, the opportunity offered by the organizers of the boxing Christmas holiday to provide show, Mr. Wellington Okoh, told OBSERVERSports classic boxing entertainment that the special ‘Boxing Day’ for fans in Benin City,” Mr. Okoh atated.
He therefore called on all lovers of the game of boxing and holiday makes yearning for real entertainment to come
to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and have a feel of classic amateur boxing, Admission is free.
NIGERIA female U20 team, the Falconets, are through to the final round of qualifiers for the U20 World Cup billed for Canada next year. Nigeria captain Patience Okaeme netted a brace while Winifried Eyebhoria and Uchechi Sunday gave Nigeria a 4-0 victory against their hosts Tunisia at the Stade Municipal de Nabeul amidst heavy downpour.
2014 World Cup
Falconets Dump Tunisa Again The victory gave Nigeria an 80 aggregate after they won the first leg 4-0 in Abuja. Speaking to MTNFootball.com after the game coach Peter Dedevbo noted that his team would have scored more goals but for the heavy rain. “We would have scored more goals if not for the rain. That is not to say that the Tunisians where not a good but my girls where better,” he said. “My girls played to instructions and took some of the chances that came their way. We thank God for the victory.”
Omeruo Gets Chelsea Boost
Keshi Eyes Round 16 SUPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has revealed his 2014 World Cup target is to surpass the country’s best performance of reaching the Round of 16. Nigeria reached the Round of 16 at USA 1994 and France 1998, but have since failed to go beyond the group stage in Korea-Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010. Top Nigeria officials have said they will not set a World Cup target for the team in Brazil so as not to put them under undue pressure. But Keshi has now said he hopes to lead Nigeria to improve on these records by at least reaching the quarterfinal, which is also the best performance by an African team and has been achieved by Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010). “I am looking out to get a very good squad for the World Cup and go beyond Nigeria’s record in the previous World Cups,” Keshi
Stephen Keshi
told Brila FM on Monday. Nigeria are drawn in Group F along with Argentina, Bosnia-Herzogovina and Iran. Keshi has proposed a preWorld Cup training camp in the United States of America from May 25. African champions Nigeria have also picked a training base in Sao Paolo and are due to play a friendly on March 5 in Europe as part of the buildup to Brazil 2014.
Mr Wellington Okoh
Success Osadiye, Ofumba Play Oba Ovonranmwen Tournament By ANTHONY OBASEKI
GOLDEN Eagles player Isaac Success is one of the big players playing in the Oba Ovoranmwen Centenary Football championship. The eagles star is playing for BJ Foundation his youth team. Warri wolves Joseph Osadiye is also playing in the tournament for Benin Vipers and former junior international John Ofoumba is playing for
Dynamite FC. According to the players they are using the tournament to keep fit and to also encourage the young ones. You see am happy playing for my youth team again. I want to let them know that one day they too will be a star like me,” Success declared. Joseph Osadiye also added that he is also playing to be in shape before the season resumes, “I am using this tournament to test my fitness and see the level of my game since we are on break I am happy to be back and play with my youth team and .I feel happy that such tournament is put together and it will keep the youth busy. I must thank the organizers,” Osadiye declared. Meanwhile, the Oba Ovonranmwen Centenary Football Tournament coordinator, Mr. Ikponmwosa Edebiri has applauded the success recorded so far in the
tournament. Mr. Edebiri told OBSERVERSPORTS that the management of Solomon Iyobosa Edebiri Centre for Change who are the organizers of the Oba Ovonranmwen Centenary Celebration and sponsors of the football tournament are satisfied with the conduct of the players and officials participating in the tournament.
Ikponmwonsa Edebiri
He urged them to continue to exhibit such good conduct as a befitting tribute to great Oba Ovonranmwen whose exploit against the British invaders in 1897 placed the Benin Empire at the world map. Mr. Edebiri promised that the Oba Ovonranmwen Centenary celebration (1914 – 2014) which has as its theme: “Our heritage our future” would be a huge success.
KENNETH Omeruo received a massive boost to his Chelsea future after manager Jose Mourinho ordered he stop training with the reserves. “Mourinho has directed that Kenneth only train with the main squad of Chelsea and no longer also with the reserves,” Omeruo’s adviser Chika Akujobi informed MTNFootball.com “This clearly shows the increased confidence the coach has in the player.” However, it is most likely the Nigeria international defender will still be shipped out of loan when the winter transfer window opens next month. “Chelsea are studying various loan offers for Kenneth. They want him to enjoy regular playing time and so will work with a club who can guarantee this,” Akujobi said. “But most importantly they want him to stay back in England.” There have been several interests for the Eagles star mostly from clubs in the English Championship. Omeruo, who first played on loan for a season and a half at Dutch club ADO Den Haag, will need to start playing first-team football in the new year, which is also a World Cup year.
Isaac Success
CMYK
I just returned from a trip to Ghana, something that has become a regular escape for me from the chaos that is Nigeria most times. These visits have always been important lessons in contradictions. I have travelled through several towns and discovered that, between Ghana and Nigeria, there are similarities but the
The funeral rites there are just as animated as they are in most West African communities where traditional rites reveal the manifestation of over a thousand years of social and economic interactions. The difference in social attitudes have created several contradictions that are also immediately obvious across borders.
differences stand our more. Amongst the Ewes, who occupy most of the coastal lands between the Republic of Benin and south eastern Ghana, I hear words that would sound familiar to the average Nigerian. Along the West African coast, languages and traditional rites cut across national boundaries that are clearly artificial borderlines imposed by prevailing colonial tongues, and religious missions that are identified by their separate national metropolitan sponsors. One area where the cultural similarities are glaring is in the burial ceremonies. In Ghana, interestingly, the gun powder announces the burial of someone who has lived a long and rewarding life just as it does among many ethnic groups in Nigeria. There is also a certain sense of deja vu about life in the rural communities here; it actually feels like the same old plot and characters from an old flick but with different names. I take time to observe Ghanaian rural life at a funeral in the serene lake side town of Anyako. Life in Anyako is surreal. Nestled between prairie fields and a vast lake, the town has the feel of a Mexican pueblo as well as a typical farming town in northern Nigeria. The magic of this town is built on the uniqueness of its location and an astonishing natural phenomenon that transforms it into an island with every rainfall.
What would instantly become apparent at first when one crosses the Nigerian border is the sense of organisation that welcomes; a clear contrast to the chaos that has become our trademark. the absence of smoke billowing trucks honking menacingly for the sole purpose of imposing fear to gain the advantage on highways; the absence of ramshackle police vehicles that look more like abandoned heaps of metal than vehicles intended for hot pursuits; the absence of police men kitted in faded uniforms; the absence of the complete chaos of Nigerian traffic jams- illustrated by the blatant disregard for traffic regulations; and the absence of filth that we seem to have learnt to live with in Nigeria, without bother. These are some of the differences that would become immediately obvious. There is also the conspicuous bohemian feel that the many street side cafes around Cotonou and Lome exude on cool evenings. I am always amazed at how, just a few hundred kilometres apart, we have managed to remain light years apart in attitudes. I am not talking about the cultural nuances created by the different colonial experiences but the contradictions in temperament and civility. I guess serious research is needed to understand that.
observe has infected all sides with equal devastation; corruption. Do not be fooled, Nigerian officials at border posts may be known for fleecing without fear, but the Togolese and Beninois officials seem even worse. In these countries you do not argue with the set rules: I guess this plays out in their subterranean dealings
A West African Journey (2): Nigeria
And Her Neighbours Are Worlds Apart
I have mentioned the differences that would strike any visitor who crosses the Nigeria-Benin border, but there is a dangerous virus that I
President Goodluck Jonathan just as much as it does in their official duties. The contrast is mind boggling. The average Togolese or Beninois police officer- neatly dressed and whistle at the ready- seems the perfect picture of conscientiousness, and they are- most of the time. When encountered, their sense of commitment is immediately apparent. They carry out searches and ask the necessary questions with stern expressions that betray their preference for routine. However, it is with this same unyielding deportment that they demand set fees for no known reason. Drive through the border posts and check points in these countries and the persistence with which these demands are made rankles. At some of these checkpoints, the officers
simply plead for a small cash gift; they do not insist but are quite persistent in their pleas, but they let you go if all documents are in order. In other checkpoints, however, they do not care much for your documents. They demand anything between 300 and 1000 CFA (between 20 and 400 Naira). These acts notwithstanding, I still believe there is a lot that our security agencies can learn from these countries. The Beninois and Togolese security officials seem a lot more dedicated to their jobs than ours in Nigeria. At every turn, their presence is clearly evident and they seem to have done a good job at keeping their cities safe without the high handed tactics for which our security officers back home are known. Beyond Nigeria, Republic
of Benin, and Togo, Ghana is a world apart. I have travelled around the world quite a bit and I must admit that Ghanaian police officers are among the most civil I have met anywhere. I cannot remember the last time a police officer in Nigeria started a sentence with ‘please’ or ended with ‘have a good day’, so my shock at hearing this regularly in Ghana should not come as a surprise. The officers of the Ghanaian Police Service seem an aberration in these parts. I have been here four times and have never witnessed an altercation between a police officer and a civilian, not once: something that is so regular in Nigeria that it appears to be the norm. I watched as police officers took notes and measurements at an accident scene on the highway and controlled traffic. They had already evacuated victims and were controlling traffic flow. We had been informed of the accident about two miles before the scene and were advised to drive carefully. I saw this last in Nigeria in the seventies. The sight of policemen displaying horse whips and ordering people to roll in puddles or pulling traffic offenders by their shirts and striking them in public appears an oddity here. When you commit a traffic offence here, the policeman actually pulls you over, explains your offence and, if you are a first time offender, let’s you go with just a warning and no greasing of palms- if that happens I have never witnessed it, I must confess. Coming from Nigeria, it is surprising to see this. I
guess this emanates from the impressive simplicity and civility of the Ghanaian character. In all my visits here Ghanaians have been wonderful hosts who go the extra mile to make you feel welcomed. On the political front I hear Ghana has its fair share of challenges. Like I mentioned earlier, corruption is a constantly spreading virus that has eaten deep into political systems across the region, even the world at large. However, what is considered as serious charges of graft here may not even attract public interest in Nigeria. This does not mean Ghana does not have its challenges beyond the assumed mild cases of corruption. There are serious political challenges as well and the country’s leadership seems to be grappling with waning public trust in its ability to meet social demands. It should be remembered that the elections that brought the John Mahama government to power was alleged to have been fraught with irregularities. Although the country’s Supreme Court decided that the president’s election was valid, it has not stopped claims that the whole process was marred by infringements. But there is also a prevalent sense of commitment to sustain the political process that has remained largely expressive of the nation’s liberal disposition. Regardless of its challenges, Ghana remains a good example from which we can learn important lessons.
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