The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 39 NO. 042 • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • N 100.00 ART AND CULTURE Page 19
Oba Eweka II Patriarch of Art and Culture
REFLECTION Page 23
You possess the seed of greatness
Commissioner condoles late Orientation, Weekend Mrs. Elizabeth Isuma, General Manager, Editor’s family BNCL, Pastor Monday
BENIN CITY – Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion yesterday led a delegation of the ministry officials and the Management Staff of Bendel Newspapers
Company Limited (BNCL) on a condolence visit to the family of the late Editor, W e e k e n d OBSERVER, Mr. Henry Balogun.
The officials included, The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Femi Okuo; Director of Publication and Decommentation, Mr. Lucky Wasa; Director of
Aigbe, Advert Manager, Mr. Sunny Airueghian and the News Editor of The Nigerian OBSERVER, Andy Egbon. They were received on
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Oshiomhole sanctions 2 Perm Sec designates, swears-in 18 By ADAMS OYIBOKE
BENIN CITY- Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has sworn in the former Chief Press Secretary to Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, Mr Dan Aigbavboa and 17 others as Permanent Secretaries in the state Civil Service. if they could arrive late He, however declined to for their own swearingswear-in two others who arrived late for the inauguration. The late-comers, both of them women, arrived the venue while the relevant oaths were already being administered on their colleagues. One is a Director in the Ministry of Justice while the other is in the Ministry of Education. The governor said he wondered what time the two Directors get to work
in, saying “your punishment is that you will return to your offices as Directors.” To those sworn-in, Oshiomhole said their appointment was based on merit. He said, “Allow me to
congratulate each and every one of you who has just been sworn in as Permanent Secretaries and who will soon be posted to various ministries. I apologise for the delay in the appointment of this new
set of Permanent Secretaries. We have been working on this list for the past six months and the whole idea is to ensure that only those who deserve to be appointed are appointed.
“One of the problems of Public Service in Nigeria is that some people believe that it is not what you know but who you know that will make you make progress and determine Continues on page 2
Consumption tax
2 more defaulters arrested BENIN CITY - The Department of Tax Intelligence and Enforcement of Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), has arrested two more persons found to be in default in the remittance of consumption taxes. The consumption tax defaulters, Mr. Alex Otuya, owner of both Omega Restaurants and Hotel Executive and Mr. Ohue Pedro, owner of Randy Hotel were also arrested following their involvement in the breaking of government seal used by the EIRS enforcement team in
distraining their restaurant and hotel premises. This information was made known by the Director of Tax Intelligence and E n f o r c e m e n t Department, Mr Victor Okube. He described the act of tempering or breaking government seal or instrument of distrain as criminal. Mr. Okube said that Omega Restaurant, Hotel Executive and Randy Continues on page 2
TIT BIT “The best way to make friendship endure, is to assume that all its intensions are for our good; and to regard the ills as mistakes. - Kinglsey Ogbeide-Ihama
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY: A cross-section of newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in Edo State during the swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Benin City, yesterday.
Kaduna Bomb Blasts
Killings not solution to any problem - Mark
By JOSES SEDE
ABUJA - Senate President Senator David Mark has for the umpteenth time urged the perpetrators of terrorism and bomb blasts terminating lives of innocent Nigerians to sheathe their swords no matter the issues as killings cannot be a solution to any problem. Senator Mark noted
that there is no where in the world where violence or killings of people had solved any issue but
rather aggravated and complicated issues. Reacting to the twin bomb blasts in kaduna which left scores of
residents dead while former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari and Sheik
ABUJA - Mr John Shamonda, the Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency
(NIHSA), said yesterday that the agency had acquired modern facilities crucial for flood prediction
and risk management. Shamonda told newsmen in Abuja that the acquisition of the
Dahiru Usman Bauchi escaped by the whiskers, Senator Mark stated that the unabating killings and destruction of property, would only worsen the economic Continues on page 2
Flood predictions: Agency acquires risk mgt facilities
equipment was made possible by funding from the Ecological Fund Continues on page 2
News
Commissioner condoles late Weekend Editor’s humble, calm and dedicated to the soul of the late family grant duties, three attributes that Balogun eternal rest in the arrival by the widow of the Continued from page 1
Weekend Editor, Mrs. Odomoregbe Adaze Balogun. The commissioner who expressed the state government sympathy with the family of the late Balogun said he is pained with the death. He described Balogun as a professional and hard working man who was so committed to his job, saying government would identify with the family during the burial ceremony. In a condolence letter presented to Mrs. Balogun, Commissioner Odion noted that the late “Balogun was
endeared him to many. “A prolific writer who was popular for his weekly columns, “Moment of Scrutiny’ and Gems
of Truth in the OBSERVER,” the commissioner added. While praying God to
bosom of the lord, the commissioner urged the family to be consoled in the knowledge that “God gives and taketh.”
2 Perm Sec designates, swears-in 18
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provided by the Federal Government. According to him, the government provided funding that enabled the agency to replace the equipment that were destroyed, damaged and washed away during the 2012 flood. “We are procuring the latest equipment that transmit through satellite from which I can get the water level of Lokoja from my computer in Abuja. “This will enable me know if it is moving, rising and falling through inside tool transmission from most of our equipment and that is the only way you can really forecast.
“When you have a fore knowledge, maybe it is rising in the next one hour and somebody says it is still raining, then you know it will continue to rise then you raise an alarm,’’ Shamonda explained. He described some of the equipment as automated weather stations and environment monitoring tools while others were data collection platform, manual staff gauge, rain gauge and discharge measurement facilities. He urged the media to spearhead the campaign against vandalism of government property, adding that the agency
had lost some of its equipment to vandals. Shamonda, however, said that in spite of people’s curiosity toward such property, youths in host communities should assist the agency to protect the equipment’. It would be recalled that torrential rains in 2012 caused flash floods in many areas of West Africa and the Sahel region. In Nigeria, it was recorded as the worst flooding in 50 years that affected 28 out of 36 states with loss of lives and severe damages to property.
Continued from page 1 Hotel failed to remit collected consumption taxes to the tune of over N1. 2 million into government IGR account. The director of tax intelligence and enforcement noted that the
enforcement exercise is not a punitive measure but a necessary step taken after all options have been exhausted. He advised those whose premises have been sealed off to immediately visit the consumption tax department
for further clarification. He said the Consumption Tax Law which came into effect in 2011, is targeted towards the development of the tourism and hospitality industry of Edo State.
be interrogated on the decisions that they make, even when the decisions are wrong. That is the logic of the promise of democracy. “We have ensured that as much as possible, we have followed seniority. For example, all those that have risen to level 17, having risen to that level on the basis of evaluation by their supervisors, then you are qualified to be appointed. “I want to appeal to our Civil Servants to realise that no matter the ideas that the government may have, without an efficient and effective Civil Service, Government policies may suffer poor implementation. You are the custodian of norms and traditions of the Civil Service. Your responsibility is to proffer solution and help us to understand the consequences of any of our policies.” Oshiomhole said, “I also want to say that I am worried by the quality of advice from our Civil Servants. I read some Memos signed by commissioners and these Memos are prepared by the Permanent Secretaries and Directors and their quality is low. So I have advised the commissioners to ensure that their Permanent Secretaries sign a copy of their Memos. “Edo people expects us to use our collective wealth in a way that will deliver prosperity to our people. We cannot afford to take anything for granted. Ensure that you guide your commissioners very well. Vertically and horizontally, pay attention to what is happening in your ministries. You must put the interest of Edo people first,” he said. Responding on behalf of others, Dr. Ofure Eboremen thanked the governor for the appointment and pledged the loyalty of the new permanent Secretaries to his administration. He said, “We will discharge our duties with every sense of responsibility and fairness”.
activity of plantation management has opened up promising prospects for the year 2014. The board of Directors has proposed a dividends of 10 kobo per share and this amounts to N100,000,000 for shareholders approval, subject to withholding tax at the appropriate rate, the chairman
explained. He further disclosed that the company also proposed a rights issue of 1 (one) new share of 50 kobo for every 10 (ten) shares of 50 kobo each held (1:10) subject to the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities. Our first quarter results are already higher than first quarter 2013 and in the year ahead, we plan to do much better than 2013 on both top and bottomline figures Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck affirmed.
what you get. In Edo State, I have tried my best to reverse this perception. People must define how far they want to go by how you approach your work. You choose to work hard. That hard work will be appreciated and rewarded. You choose not to work hard, then you remain static where you are. “The second point we are trying to make is that when
workers confront government, that confrontation whether they are right or wrong should be seen as something that is designed to remind government that these people are playing a very important role in the development of our country and remind us that we are truly in a civil rule and that government can
Killings not solution to any problem
Continued from page 1 and socio- political situation of Nigeria. He therefore renewed his appeal to the perpetrators to hearken to the voices of reason and embrace dialogue which the present administration consistently offer. A worried Mark stressed: “This resort to bestiality without human feeling any more is what cannot be
contemplated or tolerated in a descent society. There are a lot of channels including the law courts or the National Assembly for any aggrieved person or group of persons to seek redress. “Resort to killings is inhuman, barbaric and reprehensible. Let us meet at a common ground to solve this problem. Life is too precious to be wasted .I also know that no religion any where in the world preaches violence or killing of people.”
The Senate President however urged the security operatives not to be deterred by the turn of events but be further strengthened towards winning the war against terrorism. He expressed condolence to the bereaved family even as he called on citizens to be more vigilance in this trying times.
Flood predictions: Agency acquires risk mgt
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facilities
2 more defaulters arrested
Presco declares N8.4bn turn over By KEN ABU
BENIN CITY - Presco Plc has declared a turnover of N8,485, 143,000 for the year ended 31 st December 2013 as against N11,251,521,000 for the previous year resulting in a profit after tax of N1,293,971,000 compared to that of 2012, N3,549,971,000. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Presco Plc, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck made the
announcement at the 21st Annual General Meeting of the company in Benin City on July 22, 2014. Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck attributed the difference in the profit for the year under review compared with the results for year ended 31st December 2012 to compliance with IFRS, noting that the desire of the company to focus on core
Oshiomhole swears-in OBSERVER Board, Petroleum, Consumer Protection C’ttees today BENIN CITY- Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State will today swear in the Board of Directors of Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Publishers of the OBSERVER titles; the Petroleum Monitoring Committee and the Consumers Protection
Committee. The event slated for noon will hold at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Benin City. A statement by Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor request guests to be seated not later them 11am.
Sanitation Exercise will hold tomorrow Saturday 26, July 2014 between the hours of 7:00 am and 10:00 am with restriction of human and vehicular movements. A statement issued yesterday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Major Lawrence Loye (Rtd) urged the general public to clean up their premises, desilt drains in front of their houses and collect the refuse together for easy disposal by the Edo State Waste Management Board. “It is also important for the general public to note that every household must have appropriate waste bins with covers for
their refuse storage, to avoid littering of waste around their premises and beyond. “Furthermore, all the Local Government Councils are directed to adequately mobilise their Environmental Health Departments for the Sanitation exercise and ensure compliance, by setting up Environmental Mobile Courts as well as carrying out massive evacuation of refuse from public places”, the statement said. Special Mobile Courts according to the statement are in place to try offenders seen loitering about during Environmental Sanitation Exercise.
Monthly Environmental Sanitation holds BENIN CITY This tomorrow Month’s Environmental
Oredo Legislative arm still intact - Leader By MATTHEW OKAGHA
BENIN CITY – The Leader of Oredo Legislative Arm, Hon. Monday Oboigba has said that the vote of no confidence passed on him does not amount to impeachment, saying he remains in office as leader. “I can tell you that nothing happened in the Legislative Arm. The Oredo Legislative Arm is still intact. “If there is only impeachment, there is a process and if it turns out that I no longer enjoy the confidence of my colleagues, then let it be. But that process had not been followed and I am still the leader of the Legislative Arm,” Hon. Oboigba told The NIGERIAN OBSERVER on telephone yesterday. However, a statement made available to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Benin City, said a vote of no confidence was passed on the leadership of Oredo Legislative Arm
led by Hon. Monday Oboigba and other principal officers including the deputy Leader, Hon. Henschel I. Usiobaifo. “In the light of this, the Leader, Hon. Monday Oboigba and his deputy, Hon. Henschel Usiobaifo is hereby impeached from office by 2/3 majority of the honourable members of Legislative Arm. This is in accordance with House Rule, Order 13 rules,” the statement read in part. The statement listed Hon. Noghayin Obaseki (01) as the new leader; Hon. Ize Iyamu Imafidon (10) Deputy Leader and Hon. Benjamin Omuemu (09) as Majority Leader. Others are Hon. Ernest Edebiri ((12) Deputy Majority Leader; Hon. Susan Obayagbona (05) Chief Whip; Hon. Brain Jegede (08) Deputy Chief Whip and Hon. Henry Osaheni Ukato (06) Minority Leader.
Inside Edo LG Boss Decries Dwindling Education Fortune
EDSOGPADEC Tasks Contractors On Standards, Donates To Storm Victims BENIN CITY- Contractors handling EDSOGPADEC’s projects have again been reminded of the need to ensure strict adherence to international standards and best practices. The call was made by the Chairman of the Commission, Barrister Vincent Osas Uwadiae recently while on a visit to some of the commission’s project sites in Orhionmwon Local Government Area as part of the Board’s weekly activities. Barrister Uwadiae who was represented by the member of EDSOGPADEC Board representing Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Hon Fidelis Okunzuwa accompanied by the member representing Edo North Senatorial district on the board of the commission, Hon. Luqman Muhammed and his Edo Central Senatorial district counterpart, Mr. Wellington Okoh, inspected the extent of work so far done on the construction and asphalting of the 10-kilometre Benin\ Abraka Urehue- Umoghu-Nokhua road, the ultra modern Urehue Customary court complex, the police post at Evbuarue and the block of six classrooms in Okogbo secondary school, Okogbo. The EDSOGPADEC board members advised contractors handling the projects to build on the pace at which they are working at the moment and leave nothing to chance in the effort to ensure the delivery of world standard projects. Already, the road, just like the other projects it is currently executing in the local government area, has opened up the locality and increased economic activities there. Meanwhile, the chairman of the commission, Barrister Vincent Osas Uwadiae has distributed some relief materials to the inhabitants of Okokhuo community and its environs in Ovia North East Local Government Area following the recent devastation of houses and schools in the locality occasioned by the recent rainstorm which occurred there and their consequent call on the state government for succour. Barrister Uwadiae told the people that EDSOGPADEC, being an interventionist agency decided to distribute the relief Materials which includes: bags of rice and mattresses as a first step and assured that the move was only a palliative measure to assuage some of the people’s immediate needs and promised that other assistance will follow subsequently. “We are aware that when this incident happened, your food and household items as well as beds and beddings were either blown away or destroyed. We know also that the livelihoods of the outbreak of an epidemic cannot be overlooked”. As an interventionist agency, we decided to bring these relief materials to you first to take care of your immediate needs. Other items and assistance will follow subsequently” he assured.
Hon. Saturday Ogbeide, Chairman, Esan West LG Council (left), presenting the brief of his Council to Mr. James Omoataman, Deputy Clerk, Legislative Matters, Edo State House of Assembly during the Chairman, Appearance at the House, yesterday. Photo: GODWIN ISEGUAN.
AUCHI- The chairman, Etsako West Local Government Council, Prince Hassan Kadiri has expressed the need to revisit Nigeria’s education policy in order to restore it to its past glory. Prince Radvie who spoke with newsmen while inspecting blocks of classrooms under construction in his locality,
Edo Red Cross Condoles Family Of Late Patron By OSE EHEBHA
EKPOMA - A delegation from the Edo State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society has visited the family of its late patron, Stephen Ehiemua, popularly known as Mousco in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. The late business mogul-oil magnate, school proprietor and politician, died on July 2, 2014, at the age of 78. The Edo State Red Cross branch chairman, Mr. Moses Obaze who was represented by the Esan West Local Government Divisional chairman, Mr. Mike Odiahi in his condolence speech described late Ehiemua as a man of peace, wisdom and aembodiment of humility. He said the Red Cross was one of the lots of beneficiaries of late Ehiemua’s generosity, recalling how the deceased, last year approved his school as hosting venue for the 2013 Annual First Aid Training Camping of Red Cross, in addition to donating a live cow to the society for refreshment. “He (Late Ehiemua) was a
man we can rightly compare with Sir Jean Henry Dunnuat, the founder of Red Cross World wide. “Patron Stephen Ehiemua (aka Mousco) was a man of peace, with an embodiment of humility. A man of wisdom and a community developer”, he said. Obaze implored children of the late Red Cross patron to emulate the virtues of their father, whom he said was enthusiastic about the welfare of those in need of all forms of assistance. Also speaking, Chief Benjamin Ohiowele, one of the representatives of the grand patron of Esan West Division of the Red Cross, HRH Anthony Abumere ll, the Onogie of Ekpoma, encouraged the bereaved family members not to mourn, as their father left behind worthy legacies, in addition to surpassing the recommended age of three scores and ten. He said since “even monarchs must obey when death summons”, what matters
is the legacy left behind, adding that the footprints of late Ehiemua would remain indelible in the sands of time. Responding on behalf of the family, the deceased’s eldest son, Mr. Lucky Ehiemua
express gratitude to the Red Cross Society for the condolence visit and pledged to build on the father’s legacies. A minute silence was observed in honour of the departed patron.
Neurosurgery: Expert Calls For More BENIN CITY - A Neurosurgeon, Dr David Udoh, has called for more manpower training and investment in neurosurgery in the country. Udoh, a consultant at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital UBTH, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Benin City . According to him, a neurologist treats diseases of the brain and the spinal cord with drugs while a neurosurgeon treats such diseases with drugs, and carries out surgical operations when necessary. “The burden of neurosurgery in this country
Manpower Training
is great because wherever you have neurosurgical facilities, you will find that for every single specialist, they usually, have the most number of patients in the hospital. “In parts of North and South Africa, we have a ratio of about one neurosurgeon to 400,000 persons which is a lot better than what we have in West Africa. “Here, we have one Neurosurgeon to every 10,000,000 patients; may be at best, one Neurosurgeon to every eight or nine million persons. “The solution is man
Jasper Group Of Schools Graduation Ceremony Holds Tomorrow BENIN CITY – The graduation and 2014 Prize Giving Day of Jasper Group of Schools, Benin City has been scheduled for tomorrow July 26, 2014. Venue is the school’s compound, No. 9 Omo Atu Lane, Off Edaiken Primary School Road, Off Uselue Lagos Road, Benin City beginning at 10 am. A statement by the Proprietor, Rev’d Akhumien Benedict requests invited guest to be punctual.
agreed that there are lapses in the present educational system in the country. He traced the current challenges in the system to the nations policy of abolishing teacher training colleges which were set up for the purpose of producing skilled manpower that were capable of impacting the right knowledge on pupils. Emphasing the importance of education to nation building, he noted that the restoration of the teacher training colleges would restore the dwindling fortune of the nations educational sector
Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, presents a condolence letter to Mrs. Odomorogbe Adeze Balogun, widow of the Editor, Weekend Observer, Mr. Henry Balogun during a courtesy visit to the family in Benin City yesterday. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
power training because we need much more people to do the job,’’ he said. He called on all stakeholders to put measures in place to encourage more people to study Neurosurgery and to provide the environment that would allow the field to thrive. “There are various ways to encourage people to do what they need to do. “We need a lot of funding for equipment; this will help to improve the kind of essential care that we can give to our people and the number of people that come into the speciality. “It may also improve and the way people see neurosurgery.’’ Udoh advised patients with persistent symptoms to seek proper medical attention to prevent complications. “There are so many conditions that can occur and make a patient require the attention of a neurologist or neurosurgeon. “If you have a persistent headache or a neck or back pain that is affecting your hand or leg function. “If you have an eye problem that the eye doctor or prescription of glasses cannot treat and so many other persistent conditions, see a neurologist or neurosurgeon,’’ he said.
Swearing-in Of Perm Secretaries And EBS Board Members In Pix
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7 1. Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (left) congratulating one of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa. 2. Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (left) congratulating one of the newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries, Comrade Faluyi Osaruyi. 3. Chief of Staff, Government House, Benin City, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon (left) and the state Head of Service, Mr. Jerry Obazele. 4. Head of the State Civil Service Commissison, Princess Ekiuwa Inneh (left); a consultant in the Oil and Gas Industry, Pastor Austin Ebewele and Dan Aigbavboa, one of the newly sworn in Permanent Secretaries. 5. A Cross section of Permanent Secretaries subscribing to relevant oat of office. 6. Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Mr. Josef Omorotiomwan, Chairman, Board of Directors, Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS).
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7. L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Josef Omorotiomwan, Chairman, Board of Directors, Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) and Mr. Godwin Erhahon, Vice Chairman. Photos: LUCKY AGIE
South South Health Care For Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers By BETTY IDIALU
WARRI (Delta) - Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has warned pregnant women and nursing mothers not to give money to anybody since the cost of their Medicare was covered by the State Government’s Free Maternal and under-five Healthcare programmes. Dr Uduaghan gave the warning while giving antenatal talk to pregnant women at the Mother and Child Centre of the Central Hospital, Warri. Governor Uduaghan who inquired from the women if doctors and nurses were collecting money from them and was answered in the negative, urged them to resist any action to the contrary. “You are not to give money
to anybody, you should not make any payment, even if it requires operation, it is free and your children who are five years and below have free medical attention,” the governor said. He advised the expectant mothers to keep their antenatal clinic appointments religiously in the interest of their health and their unborn babies. He added: “You must come here and deliver your babies, do not register for ante-natal and when it is time for delivery, you will leave the hospital and go to meet one woman because everybody (nurses) you see here are professionals,” reiterating, “keep your regular appointments so that you will have safe delivery.” The governor also charged the women to ensure that their
children got routine immunization, noting, “you must immunize your children, you must breast feed your children.”
Dr. Uduaghan also urged women who have four children to meet nurses and doctors in government hospitals for
counseling on effective family planning while also stressing the need for proper child spacing.
Women who spoke at the occasion thanked Governor Uduaghan for providing state of the art facilities freely for them and their children.
NAFDAC Impounds Adulterated Beverages By ELIZABETH AGBOEGBULEM
PORT HARCOURT- In line with its statutory mandate, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raided markets in Port Harcourt and its environs and impounded fake/ adulterated alcoholic beverages (Chelsea dry gin and Squadron dark rum) worth over N4million Naira. The raid which was carried out by NAFDAC in collaboration with Intercontinental Distillers; producers of the products led to the arrest of five persons; four middle aged men & woman who were caught selling the illicit products to unsuspecting members of the public at Mile 3; Diobu, Mile 4 Markets and Oil Mill Market in Eleme. Commenting on the operation, NAFDAC Coordinator, Rivers State Mrs. Mercy Ndukwe said that the raid was necessitated by complaints to NAFDAC by Intercontinental Distillers Ltd that a large quantity of fake and adulterated brand of Chelsea and Squadron alcoholic drinks are been circulated in Port Harcourt. Ndukwe said: “officials of Intercontinental Distillers reported incidence of fake and adulterated Chelsea dry gin and squadron dark rum been circulated in markets in Rivers state. Surveillance was carried out in major markets and outlets where the products were
indentified and afterwards NAFDAC in collaboration with officials of the company and detachment of Policemen from Force headquarters, Port Harcourt swooped on them and impounded the spurious products arresting five persons in the process.” She urged the general Public to be vigilant and report any incidence of fake and adulterated products to NAFDAC for appropriate action warning those who indulge in the criminal act of faking and counterfeiting NAFDAC registered products to stop endangering the health of Nigerians or be ready to face the full weight of the law. The unwholesome products were evacuated to NAFDAC office at Federal Secretariat, Aba Road, Port Harcourt. The Chairman, Ovia North East LG Council, Edo State, Barr. (Mrs.) Lucy Omagbon receiving a plaque for her investiture as Patron, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ovia North East Chapter from Comrade Michael Omomila, the State Deputy Chairman of the Council at Okada, headquarters of the Local Government Area recently.
The Chairman, Ovia North East LG Council, Barr. (Mrs.) Lucy Omagbon (middle), being decorated as Patron of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ovia North East Chapter by the Deputy Chairman of Edo State Council, Comrade Michael Omomila. With them are Comrade Anslem Onogholo, Chairman, Ovia North East Chapter (3rd right) and other Council officials.,
CP Warns Against Illegal Political Rallies, Campaigns
PORT HARCOURT - The Police Command in Rivers has warned that it would deal decisively with politicians and youths who embarked on political rallies and campaigns in the state. This is contained in a
statement signed by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin, in Port Harcourt. It would be recalled that the command had banned political rallies and campaigns in the state.
“The command unequivocally warned that anybody caught in this act would be decisively dealt within the ambit of the law,’’ he said. Ogunsakin said that some political officeholders had
flouted the ban on the disguise of local government familiarisation or courtesy visits to the local government Areas. He said that youths had hijacked such “visits’’ and turned them to full scale political rallies in spite of the ban on rallies and political campaigns. “Any person or persons, political associations and pressure groups intending to hold any gathering must give the police five days notice to enable the command provide security to prevent any breach of peace in the state,’’ he said. The commissioner said that it was the responsibility of the police to provide adequate security for such groups in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral law. “The command use this medium to warn various groups, public officeholders and corporate organisations to desist from carrying out activities that will disrupt the peaceful atmosphere we have worked assiduously to create.’’
South West ICAN Donates Lecture Theatre To OAU ILE-IFE (Osun) - The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has donated a lecture theatre with 200seat capacity to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun. Mr Chidi Ajaegbu, the President of ICAN, disclosed this in Ile-Ife at the foundation laying for the construction of the theatre. Ajaegbu said the theatre would go a long way in assisting the Department of Accountancy to admit more deserving students into its training programmes. He said ICAN had produced over 38,000 chartered accountants who had been adding value to wealth creation processes in various fields of human endeavour around the globe. According to him, the gesture is part of ICAN’s strategies to further its public mandate and encourage production of highly skilled accounting graduates. “ICAN’s governing council recently approved construction of lecture theatres in five select tertiary institutions across the country, among which is OAU, Ile-Ife,” he said. He lauded the institution’s management for taking advantage of the initiative by providing plots of land for the project. The president described the laying of foundation as a milestone in ICAN’s relationship with the university. He also said that OAU had always been the institute’s great partner as the university’s Accounting Department had continued to provide quality input into its certification processes. Ajaegbu noted that some of the university’s students always pass ICAN final qualifying examinations even before graduation.
“This is a testimony to the quality of teaching and learning in OAU,’’ he said. Prof. Bamitale Omole, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, said the university’s management team appreciated ICAN’s gesture. Omole promised that the university would not disappoint ICAN and the general public, adding that it would continue to provide qualitative education to its students.
Assist The Needy, Cleric Tells Muslims
Rtn. Mike Okwuchime, decorates Barr. Henry Idahagbon, Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice during his investiture as Honorary Rotarian which took place in Benin City recently.
Rotarian Martins Eboigbe (middle), ringing the bell to signal his installation as the 9th President of Rotary Club of Benin Metropolitan Rotary International District 9140, while Rotarian Andy Oiboh, immediate Past President (left), and Rotarian Effi Usen, Assistant Governor District 9140 watch with keen interest. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.
IL-IFE (Osun) - Alhaji Najeemdeen Osioyemi, the Chief Imam, Asamin Fadili Raubi Central Mosque in Ile-Ife, has urged all Muslims to continue to assist the less privileged during and after Ramadan. Osioyemi made the appeal in Ile-Ife in an interview with newsmen. He advised Muslims to embrace the culture of giving money and material things to the needy before, during and after the month of Ramadan. He said Allah enjoined all his servants to always take care of the less privileged around them, saying it would make them to be highly favoured now and in the hereafter. The cleric also urged Muslims to support the widows and the orphans around them at all times. Osioyemi also appealed to Muslims to make use of the period to pray for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, and advised them to shun violence during and after Ramadan.
Pay More Attention To Agriculture, NCP Urges FG
OSOGBO - Mr. Waheed Lawal, the South-West Deputy National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), has urged the Federal Government to diversify the nation’s economy by paying more attention to agriculture. Lawal, in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo, said government’s over-reliance on crude oil as the nation’s major foreign exchange earner was not in the best interest of the country. He recalled that prior to the discovery of crude oil, government embraced agriculture and was able to develop the entire region with the profit made from it. “Before the discovery of crude oil, most of our revenue-earning activities were based on agriculture. For instance, in the SouthWest, the Cocoa House, the Liberty Stadium and NTA
Ibadan, as well as many other notable development programmes were built from profits made from agricultural produce. “Why, then have we now neglected agriculture? There is an urgent need for us to retrace our steps and diversify our economy,” he said. Lawal said youths should be encouraged to embrace mechanised farming, rather than looking for “white-collar jobs which have become rather elusive”. He said the country was blessed with vast land, adding that government must do what was necessary to revamp the agricultural sector. While commending the Federal Government on its efforts to revive agriculture, Lawal said a lot more still had to be done. Lawal also urged the state governments to embrace agriculture to improve their
Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), rather than depending on federal allocations to survive. “In the last eight to nine months, many state
governments have been complaining of dwindling allocations from the Federal Government. “If each state can be generating enough IGR
through agriculture, there will be no need for them to depend too much on federal allocations for developmental projects. “So, the earlier we redirect our steps, the better for us as a country,” he added.
Artist Implores Colleagues To Step-Up Performance LAGOS - The Chief
Executive Officer, Kiniso Concept, Joshua Alabi, has said that Nigerian theatre arts needed to step up its performance in order to be relevant in global art circle. Alabi, whose company is a performing theatre art group, told newsmen in Lagos that theatre was about telling the world about the goings-on in any given society. He added that if a country was not doing well, the theatre was used to highlight its areas of poor performance. “What we need is to fall back to our arts, craft and culture, nurture it so as to help us to teach the populace what they are not getting right and lecture the
government also. “We as individuals are ready to do a lot for the country but we need a platform to do our thing. “A lot is lacking in the area of theatre, like funding and training centres,” he said. He said that if the training centres were in place, a lot could be achieved rather than looking for professionals elsewhere to come and help in the industry. “The existing professionals will also be getting more knowledgeable every day and teaching others and even getting technical know-how. Alabi told newsmen that there were intellectuals in the country
who were ready to do a lot if empowered to do so through the arts. “Lots of people love theatres, lots of people are still practicing theatre. Art is a collaborative effort that can’t be neglected,” he said. He said that governments needed to fund the arts for it to thrive and spread the news of good neighbourliness because we need to live in peace. “We should redefine our democracy for our votes to count, we should have a say in our community or what is happening in our surrounding,” Alabi said. He also said that there was the need for people to be taught about the Freedom of information Law.
Lagos Dignity Of Woman
NLC Attacks Banking Sector LAGOS- Ms Olubunmi Abikoye, the Chairperson, Lagos State Women‘s Wing of the Nigeria Labour Congress, has said the banking sector was denying women their right to dignity and marriage. Abikoye told newsmen in Lagos that the violation contravened the 1999 Nigeria Constitution which promotes dignity of human beings. “When you seek an employment with bank now, the first thing is - how old are you? You tell them your age; the next thing is: Are you single? “Then, you are going to
LASEMA Gives Cash Relief To Rainstorm Victims LAGOS- The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osayintolu, has presented about N1.75 million to 35 victims of the recent rainstorm in Surulere, Lagos. The rainstorm, which occurred on April 13, destroyed property worth millions of naira. Presenting the money, OkeOsayintolu said that the gesture was to show true demonstration of commitment in bringing succor to victims of various disasters in Lagos State. “Emergencies and disasters by nature are unforeseen and sudden and this explains why the blows inflicted by them are usually deadly and devastating. “It is in line with this philosophy that the Babatunde Fashola’s administration has graciously approved payment of this financial assistance,’’ he said. According to him, the financial assistance is aimed at giving relief to those affected and “to lend credence to the sincerity of the State Government’’. He called on Lagos residents to accord safety issues the deserved attention in daily their activities. The general manager also urged Lagosians to take advantage of insurance policies to ensure their lives and property.
sign an undertaking that in the next three years, you will not get married even, talk less of having baby. Why? “Is that how banking industry has been run in those days? What has befallen on us? “Because, they will not allow you to settle down, you will not enjoy your womanhood; they will waste a lot of your time. “Somebody who gets a job at the age of 30, you are saying she cannot get married talk less of having issues because of the job. “So, is it the job that is important or the life of that person? They want women to use them for business. “What are they promoting? They are promoting corruption because they want to meet target; that is a bad thing in the society. “The management of the banking sector should wake up and do what is right.“ Abikoye said that the state
wing of the congress was working with various women’s groups to identify other areas where women’s rights were being violated so as to tackle them.
LAGOS- The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, has said that Cameroon had deployed about 1,000 soldiers to Nigerian border to fight Boko Haram. Wali made the statement in Lagos at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) 17th Brainstorming Session on “Nigeria’s Foreign Policy:
Community and National Security Situation”. The minister was represented by Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, a director in the ministry.
Hon. Sam Abhulimen Oboh, Chairman Esan North East LG Council (left), presenting the brief of the activities of his council to Hon. James Omoatama, Deputy Clerk, Legislative Matters, Edo State House of Assembly during the Chairman appearance at the Edo State House of Assembly recently.
He said that the Cameroonian Government’s gesture was an outcome of the Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria. “In responding to the threat being posed by Boko Haram, Nigeria had to embrace the opportunity presented by the May 17th,2014 Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria. “Since the Paris Summit, a number of significant steps have been taken, especially establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre, technical assistance by our international partners and deployment by Cameroon of 1,000 troops.’’ The minister also said that the meeting of the foreign ministers in London on June 12 took steps aimed at strengthening the response to the Chibok girls’ abduction and tackling Boko Haram menace. Wali, however, said that rescuing the Chibok girls would require extreme care, tact and patience so as not to expose the girls to harm. “Our security forces are, therefore, taking utmost care in dealing with the situation,’’ he said.
NDLEA Arrests Graduate With Hard Drugs
Hon. Sam Abhulimen Oboh, Chairman, Esan North East LG Council (centre), Mr. Ade Agoni, Treasurer (right) and Mr. Okaka, Head of Service of the Council during the Chairman’s appearance at the Edo State House of Assembly recently.
Drug Abuse: LAGOS - Dr Ramaan Lawal, a Neuro-Psychiatrist, says it is not unusual for drug abuse patients to have access to illicit drugs even under treatment. Lawal, who is the Medical Director of Federal NeuroPsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, told newsmen in Lagos that no drug treatment unit could claim to be absolutely free of the challenge. “It is not uncommon for patients, when they come, while they are in treatment, to crave for drugs.
Boko Haram Cameroon Deploys Troops To Nigeria Border
IKEJA- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it arrested a graduate of Business Administration with 2.18kg of a banned substance — methamphetamine. In a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA said that the arrest was made at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja. It said that the suspect was to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Malaysia when the drug was detected in his bag. “He had parcels of substances
Expert Speaks On Challenges
“It is also uncommon for them to ask their relations, drivers of their parents, maids of their relations to come to see them. “Even their parents, they talk to them, persuade them, because of this emotional attachment that they have, occasionally, some tend to hide it and bring it for them.’’ According to him, the hospital occasionally carries out unannounced checks to
prevent and manage the situation. He said that most patients who went into hospital for treatment did not voluntarily approach the hospitals but were coerced by their relations. “People are supposed to come into treatment when they have become motivated to take treatment. “Even when they are
adequately motivated before they come in, they may lose motivation somewhere along the line. “In developed countries and even in our part of the world, when you lose motivation and you insist that you want to go, we cannot force you to remain. “Because if we force them to remain, they become disruptive, they become difficult and they cause a lot of problem for those who are motivated
that tested positive to methamphetamine. “The case is under investigation,” it said. The NDLEA claimed that the suspect said that he engaged drug trafficking out of frustration. “I am a graduate of Business Administration but have been jobless since I graduated in 2008. ‘After several years of joblessness, I became a commercial bus driver in Lagos. I am single and live in Badagry. “A man I met at a hotel promised to assist me in getting a job in Malaysia. “He promised to pay me 3,500 dollars, but I regret everything now because I feel empty,” the agency quoted the suspect as saying. It also quoted its Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, as expressing disappointment at the action of the graduate. “It is very disappointing for a university graduate who knows the implication of his action to get involved in drug trafficking. “Besides, he was taking the drug to Malaysia where he would have been executed if caught with narcotics. “I am happy with the arrest and call on members of the public to support the agency in the eradication of illicit drugs,” NDLEA quoted Giade as saying. It said that the suspect would soon be charged to court.
Across The Nation Commissioners Deny Dumping Nyako
FRSC officer attempting to arrest a motorist at Lugbe in Abuja recently.
Insecurity
Chekwas Exonerates Jonathan OWERRIChief Chekwas Okorie, National Chairman, United Progressive Party (UPP), exonerated President Goodluck Jonathan of blame in the current wave of insecurity in Nigeria. Okorie made this known when he addressed members of Imo UPP State Working Committee in Owerri during his working visit to the state. He said those who were wishing to become the president of the country at all cost should be blamed for the insecurity. “President Goodluck Jonathan is not behind the insecurity in Nigeria but
those who want the position of presidency by all means,’’ he said. He said the country would certainly overcome the problem of insurgency. According to him, UPP is a veritable platform for the Igbo people to actualise their
presidential dream. He said the party would come up with a clearer stand on the matter of 2015 presidency in due course. The UPP, he said, was prepared to spring surprises in the forthcoming general elections, adding that the
party had a progressive agenda to accommodate the interest of not only Igbo people but other Nigerians. Okorie said the only progressive party in Nigeria today was the UPP, the reactionary parties would fail,
ONITSHA (ANAMBRA)The Nigerian Navy has arrested 20 suspected drug peddlers in Nsugbe near Onitsha in Anambra following a tip-off. The Commanding Officer of Navy Outpost, Onitsha, Navy
Capt. Mike Oamen, said this at a news conference in Onitsha. He said that those arrested were allegedly selling and smuggling bags of hard drugs such as cannabis and other body/brain stimulants in the community.
“So what we have done is to make sure that we begin to deal with the root causes of criminality. “So after exhaustive discussion especially at the Security Council meeting, we decided that we begin to look at how to reduce the availability of illegal drugs in Onitsha and Obosi. “We try to work on getting credible intelligence so that we swoop on them. “And it is beginning to yield dividends because the crime rate has reduced and we will continue to sustain the efforts. “So the NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) now will do its work, sort out those ones that will be prosecuted. “And we‘ve intensified our patrol on water too, because it is part of the routes they bring it in as vegetables. “The impetus for us is the governor; the man has supported us with everything,’’ he said. He assured the governor that Onitsha and its environs would never again be a haven
YOLA- Commissioners who served under former Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, have denied dumping Nyako and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and planning to defect to the PDP. It would be recalled that last week, the Acting governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, dissolved Nyako’s cabinet and held a closed door meeting with his commissioners at their request. The meeting led to the allegation that the commissioners had abandoned the former governor. Reacting to the allegation, Alhaji Aminu Iyawa, the Chairman of Nyako’s Commissioners Forum, said the meeting they held with Fintiri had nothing to do with Nyako or their defecting to the PDP. “We only used the opportunity to request the acting governor to settle our entitlements like the severance allowance. “Nothing was discussed
about Nyako and there was no request for us to move to PDP. “As a forum, we still have faith in Nyako and have not lost hope of his possible return to his position in view of the pending court cases challenging his removal,’’ Iyawa said. Iyawa described the allegation that the commissioners did nothing to stop Nyako’s impeachment as “unfortunate’’. He said that they were actively engaged in making contacts with relevant stakeholders to stop the impeachment. “I think our problem was that some people expected us to start abusing the lawmakers in the media, but we felt the best thing is to appeal to them through dialogue. “We reached out to major stakeholders and even made some headway before the whole thing degenerated at the last minute due to certain interest,’’ Iyawa said.
Navy Arrests 20 Drug Peddlers
Participants at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs 17th Brainstorming session in Lagos recently.
and breeding ground for criminals and people with evil intentions. Oamen said some concerned citizens volunteered the information that led to the arrest and dislodgment of criminal
elements in the various communities. “Very soon, those shops, kiosks, shanties and even parlours and hotels where hard drugs are sold we have to shut them and their operators will look for better things to do with their lives,’’ he added.
LG Distributes Fertilisers To Farmers KIRIKASAMMA ( J I G AWA ) - T h e Kirikasamma Local Government Council of Jigawa said it had distributed 3, 000 bags of assorted fertilisers and seedlings to farmers this farming season. The council Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Mattafari, told newsmen in Kirikasamma that the commodities included 1, 800 bags of Urea and 1, 200 bags of Urea and NPK fertiliser brands. He said that the fertilisers were distributed to farmers in the 10 wards of the area, adding that the council had
also distributed seeds and other inputs to the farmers at subsidised rate. Mattafari said that the gesture was to enhance farmers’ access to inputs and to encourage agricultural productivity. The chairman told newsmen that the council had also constituted a committee to ensure effective supervision of the distribution to guard against diversion of the commodities. He urged farmers to make judicious use of the fertiliser and not to re-sell the commodities.
Abuja Improving Agric Sector
Uganda Discussing GMOs Possibilities ABUJA - The Ugandan Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries, Mrs. Ruth Nankabirwa, said the country is discussing the integration of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to boost its agriculture sector. Nankabirwa, also a member of the Ugandan Parliament, made this known while on a three-day working visit to Nigeria to understudy mechanisms of the Federal Government’s e-wallet System. She told newsmen that the application of science and
technology was necessary in tackling ecological and environmental challenges, which include flooding and droughts on the continent. “We are discussing this (GMOs), and we are first of all making sure that everybody understands what Genetically Modified Organisms are. “Normally, there are sensations on genetically modified plants but when you look around, when you travel abroad, whatever food you eat, you are not sure what processes it has been put through. “So, I think the population has to be sensitised first to
understand that the challenges we are facing. “We need to come up with drought-resistant seeds and you really have to apply science and technology.” While commenting on the ewallet system, she said such
technology was pertinent for her country, an agriculture-led economy, to tackle the problems of distribution of agricultural inputs. “Uganda is basically an agriculture country and our agriculture is basically private
sector-led, although government has a great input into monitoring and regulating whatever is taking place. “We have been battling with the problems of distribution of agricultural inputs and we hope that this e-wallet system will
NCWS Urges Boko HaramTo Release Abducted Girls ABUJA - The National Council for Women Society (NCWS) has appealed to Boko Haram sect to release the abducted Chibok girls. Mrs. Patricia Orukare, the Programme Officer of the council, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. Orukare said it became imperative to make the appeal as Nigerians and international communities were disturbed on the well-being of the girls abducted on April 14. “We are worried because we don’t know what is happening to them.” She said a night vigil was held on Monday by Christians and Muslims for the release of the girls by their abductors. “We had all night prayers on Monday to seek the face of God on the abducted girls at the Unity Fountain. “We know there are distractions everywhere; it is time for Nigerian women and youths to come out and pray
since efforts had been proved abortive.” She said some unforeseen factors had being hindering government’s efforts to bring back the girls. Hajia Halimatu Jumare, a member of the council, also said that recovering of the girls from their abductors should be handled with wisdom.
IGP Mohammed Abubakar (right), presenting Force Criminal Investigation Department 2013 Honours Award to Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squard, DCP Chris Ezike, during IGP 2013 Honours’ Award to officers and men of the Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja recently.
help us reduce the procurement hassles that we go through. “It will reduce the time spent and also help to control the quality of seeds because this system links the beneficiaries — the farmers — to the supplier of the input, to solve the problem of standards. “We are hopeful that the ewallet will impact greatly on the Ugandan agriculture sector, otherwise we would not have travelled all the way from Uganda.” She expressed the hope that the Ugandan team for the learning exercise would be able to capture all aspects of the innovative e-wallet system practised in Nigeria. The e-wallet is an electronic system in which farm inputs, which include fertliser and improved seeds, are distributed to registered farmers through an alert on the their mobile phones. The e-wallet, an innovation under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, is being implemented in partnership with private agro-dealers.
Mining: Check Water Contamination, Group
ABUJA - Mr Hamza Lawal, the Chief Executive Officer of Connected Development (CODE), an NGO, has advocated for a strong institutional framework to check water contamination caused by mining activities in the country. Lawal made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. He said that the call became necessary to ensure that
Officers for 2013 IGP Honour’s Award in Abuja recently.
Urges Govt
people who depend on water from local ponds do not become vulnerable to dangers of contaminated water. He said that unregulated mining activities was adversely affecting the waters. He, therefore, advocated for a framework that would regulate the practice in order to protect the water from
further pollution. “We need a very strong institutional framework to deal with this because if you look at the extractive industry, we need huge investments. “And if you do not have strong institutional framework, the private sector will not tap into it and our government alone cannot fund the sector.
“So, if we get good policy and institutional framework, the private sector will be confident to put in resources that would in turn benefit the people,’’ Lawal said. It would be recalled that there have been an outbreak of diseases caused by the
consumption of contaminated water in some parts of the country. A deadly lead poisoning outbreak in Zamfara in 2010 killed 400 children and continues to claim young victims due to illegal gold mining activities.
Insurgency
Bauchi Hosts 2m Displaced Persons ABUJA - Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has said the state was currently hosting over two million persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency from neighboring states. Yuguda disclosed this while fielding questions with the State House correspondents after a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and parents of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Bauchi state shares border with Borno, Yobe and Gombe state, which are most affected by the insurgency. The governor, who was present at the meeting, however, said that the displaced persons were provided with land and permanent shelter. “You know Bauchi is surrounded by the states having security challenges and many
internally displaced persons have been pouring into it. “Presently, we have over two million refugees in Bauchi? but the good news is that we have been able to settle them down. “No refugee is in any camp, we have given them land to settle. We have also provided them with some shelter,’’ he said. Yuguda said the state government would also provide water and other basic facilities to enable them start life over again. “It’s not been easy; our resources are overstretched. The little we have has to be shared with the refugees. “We are looking forward to some support. Only recently we received some items such as food, blankets and others from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); but we need a lot more.
News Experts Urge NERC To Monitor DISCOs
Customs Area Controller, Oyo/Osun Area Command, Mr. Richard Oteri, briefing newsmen on seizures (background) in Ibadan recently.
LAGOS - Experts in the power sector have urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to monitor distribution companies’ (DISCOs) embedded power supply initiative. The experts told newsmen in Lagos that the initiative could be counterproductive, if the DISCOs and the smaller power generation outfits were not monitored. Embedded power generation involves private individuals or firms selling excess power generated by them directly to the DISCOs, for distribution to consumers. Mr. Bede Opara, President General, Senior
Preeclampsia A Fatal Condition In Pregnancy - Experts LAGOS - Some gynaecologists have in Lagos identified preeclampsia as one of the causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria. Preeclampsia which is described as a silent killer is a situation where a pregnant woman has a combination of a significantly high blood pressure and protein in her urine during pregnancy. Other symptoms are fluid retention and excessive weight gain. The experts told newsmen that preeclampsia ranked among the first five dangerous conditions that cause death in pregnancy. According to Dr Akinyemi Olaleye, a consultant gynaecologist, the condition is particularly serious because it has the potential of damaging body organs. “Preeclampsia can rapidly lead to death if the diagnosis is not done in time as it damages body organs. “It is a situation where the blood pressure of a mother goes up to 140/90 and above and the protein readings above 300mg within 24 hours. “Most pregnant women confuse the signs with the general discomfort associated with pregnancy. “Some doctors may treat an elevated blood pressure rather than address the root cause. “The only cure for preeclampsia is to deliver the baby first,’’ he told newsmen.
Olaleye stressed the need for proper prenatal care for women to check and manage it. “Checking weight, blood pressure and testing urine for protein are important to check preeclampsia and manage it.” He said many professional birth attendants could not identify or treat the condition, adding that they only send such expectant mothers to the hospital when it was almost late. “The birth attendants only send the patients to the hospital when the prognosis is worse, maybe when they begin to convulse and their chance of survival is very low. “It is one of the reasons why maternal morbidity in Nigeria is still high,” Olaleye said. Another consultant gynaecologist, Dr Uche Iwuh, said the condition was usually serious when the diseased state was
confirmed in a pregnant woman who at her 20th week of pregnancy was not hypertensive. He said both young and old mothers are more predisposed to preeclampsia. Iwuh said:“First time mothers perhaps teenagers and women above the age of 40 are more predisposed to preeclampsia. “Other conditions such as multiple pregnancy, diabetic patients and patients with molar pregnancies are more likely to have the condition.’’ He, however, noted that women who have preeclampsia were likely to exhibit the conditions in subsequent pregnancies. Dr Francis Akuma, a physician, said the causes, development and effects of preeclampsia were still being investigated. According to him, the syndrome is as a result of multiple factors which include abnormal
development, arrangement and presentation of the placenta. He advised expectant mothers to be alert and report signs such as persistent headaches, swelling in the face, hands and feet, pains below the ribs, vomiting and general feeling of illness.
Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, said the initiative could raise the cost power, if the NERC failed to play its role. According to Opara, the electricity from embedded generation model could be expensive for consumers. “The NERC should realise that it is the regulator of electricity price and if it fails to monitor the initiative, there could be sharp practices. “There could be undue cheating both on the consumers and the producers. “If this is can be checked, there will be an improved electricity supply and everybody will be happy,” he said. Opara, however, commended the initiative, adding that it would enable the DISCOs channel the excess generation from firms to the national grid. “If a private company can generate 100 mega watts (mw), they can sell it; it is not going to cost the government much if it is checked,” he said. Mr. Yomi Kolawole, Managing Director, Topean Energy Solutions, urged the DISCOs to ensure that electricity consumers under the embedded generation
feeder had prepaid meters. Kolawole said that this was to ensure that fair pricing were giving to consumers under this model. “I know that anything that can be done to get electricity, Nigerians will accept it as far as there is a fair pricing. “The Federal Government is also interested in the welfare of its citizens, so the NERC is there to make sure that there is fair pricing for all,” he said. Mr. Adekunle Makinde, President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), said that embedded generation would solve to some extent, the epileptic power supply situation in the country. Makinde said that some companies like the Nigerian Breweries, the Dangote Group of Companies and even the Redeemed Christian Church of God, generate power above their needs. “These companies can sell their excess generation to the DISCOs, which will then make the power available to the public. “With this embedded power generation, consumers will have regular power supply until the nation’s power generation improves,” he added.
Bags of rice seized by Oyo/Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs displaced at a news briefing in Ibadan recently.
NHIS Adopts Mobile Registration
LAGOS- Mr. Olufemi Akingbade, the General Manager, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has said Nigerians can register with the scheme through their phones. Akingbade made this known in an interview with newsmen at the inauguration of the Mobile Health Insurance Scheme in Lagos. He explained that the development would allow more Nigerians than ever before to register with the NHIS and enjoy its benefits. “We are inaugurating a new
innovation in the health sector by using telecommunications to provide Nigerians with affordable health insurance coverage on a prepaid basis. “One of the things we are trying to do is to leverage on the existing mobile network to enrol people into the health insurance scheme of the country.” He explained that the scheme would cover a range of predefined medical treatments and an affordable premium would be remitted through the person’s mobile
phone. Akingbade said that Nigerians mostly registered for health insurance through their places of work before the innovation which became effective midnight on Monday. He noted that the previous system excluded people who were unemployed or could not afford the regular health insurance cover, or who lived in rural areas too far way. “We recognise that every Nigerian deserves medical care and we are making it very flexible and very easy for previously
disenfranchised Nigerians to join. “We are hoping that they will key into it because of the ease of registration and because the NHIS can reduce their impromptu health expenses.” The general manager said instead of registering and then going to a bank to pay, the payment would be deducted from the user’s credit after which the person could go to an accredited hospital for care. According to him, the list of NHIS accredited hospitals can be found the
organisation’s website, among others, adding that one could register only once in a life time. “Once you register, a unique identity code is generated for you and even if you forget it, it can be retrieved because the information is tied to one’s phone number.” Akingbade said the NHIS was dedicated to making universal health coverage available and affordable for Nigerians and urged all to key into the Mobile Health Insurance Scheme to derive the inherent benefits.
Health
Alzheimer: ALZHEIMER’s disease (AD) is not common but a very deadly disease. It is the most common form of dementia. It causes problems with memory thinking and behaviour. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. Alzheimer begins slowly first it involves the parts of the brain that controls thoughts, memory and language. The connections between the brain cells and the brain cells themselves degenerate and die causing a steady decline in memory and mental function people with Alzheimer may have trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know. Over time, the disease get worse, there comes a time, when the carrier will have trouble speaking they may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Alzheimer’s comes in two types, the early onset Alzheimer’s and the late onset Alzheimer’s disease. In the early onset AD, the symptoms appear before the age of 60. This is much less common and tends to get worse quickly. The late onset Alzheimer’s on the other hand is the most common type of Alzheimer’s disease. It occurs in people of age 60 and older. It may run in some families but the role of the genes is less clear. The cause and progression of Alzheimer’s is not well understood. But it is believed that genes and environmental factors seen to play a role. It is likely that the cause include genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Because as people differ in genetic makeups and lifestyle, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s may differ from person to person. Also, research indicates that the features of this disease are plagues and tangles in brain. Plagues consists of clumps of protein called beta aryloid that damage and destroy brain cells in several ways, including interfering with cell-to-cell communication while tangles occurs when the threads of tau protein (the protein that facilitate the transportation of nutrients and other essential
The Irreversible Disease
material from the brain cells to various parts of the brain) twist into abnormal tangles inside the brain cells, leading to failure of the transport system. This failure facilitates the death and decline of brain cells. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the following are the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. However each individual may experience symptoms differently. The symptoms include memory loss that affects job skills, difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with language, disorientation to time and place, poor or decreased judgement, problems with abstract thinking, misplacing things, changes in mood or behavior changes in personality and loss of initiative. Although Alzheimer’s has no cure, the treatments for symptoms are available. The current treatments cannot stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, but can temporarily slow the worsening of the disease. As of 2012, more than 1,000 clinical trials have been conducted to test various compounds in Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer’s disease usually begins after 60 (late – onset Alzheimer’s disease). The risk is also higher if a family member has the disease or had the disease. Statistics shows that the number of people suffering from Alzheimer ’s disease worldwide currently totals 30 million, which is expected to triple by the year 2050. Estimates show that in 2013, Alzheimer’s disease will cost Americans $203 billion a number that is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050. Experts suggest that as many as 5.2 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease. The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease will grow as the U.S population age 65 and older continues to increase. By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer ’s disease is estimated to rise to 7.1 million. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer ’s disease in the United States may triple, from 5.2 million to a projected 13.8 million.
By UTI A. UDOH
Alzheimer’s disease which is prevalent in two – thirds of dementia of the elderly in Caucasian population is under – documented and believed to be rare in Africans. A recent autopsy survey of the brains of elderly Nigerians showed absence of senile plagues and neurofibrillary tangles. In a door-to-door survey of a population of 9,000 including 932 elderly Nigerians, no subject with dementia as defined was found. This shows that the number of people with Alzheimer’s in Nigeria is less.
innate immune system plays a critical role in removing beta – amyloid, the main substance that triggers Alzheimer’s in the brain. Today, there have been worldwide effort to find better ways to treat this deadly disease and prevent it from developing. A new research on AD suggests that it is actually a type of diabetes. Also a recent study out of Rhodes Island Hospital (RIH) confirms that Alzheimer’s disease is marked by brain insulin resistance and corresponding inflammation, a
As the number of people with Alzheimer’s continues to rise at an downing pace, researchers continue to look at means to halt the progression of this horrific disease. Past studies have identified grape seed extract, curcumin, resveratrol and vitamin D among a host of other substance that can positively improve brain health and shield it against Alzheimer’s disease. A new study from researchers at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry at Exeter’s University in the U.K (United Kingdom) collaborated with a team from the National Institute on Agin in the US to prove that our
condition that some researchers are now referring to as type – 3 diabetes. Another recent research has suggested that Alzheimer’s disease may result from insulin resistance specifically in the brain, and as resveratrol is known to cross the blood brain barrier, the compound may prevent faculty insulin signaling that promotes then degenerative condition. Furthermore scientist studies have previously demonstrated that the way we live and our diet can have a major effect on genetic expression which can promote the development of Alzheimer’s disease. A new study by neurological
“Alzheimer’s disease which is prevalent in two – thirds of dementia of the elderly in Caucasian population is under – documented and believed to be rare in Africans. A recent autopsy survey of the brains of elderly Nigerians showed absence of senile plagues and neurofibrillary tangles.”
researchers from Push University Medical Center demonstrates that daily physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline, even in people over the age of 80. Healthy diet including food known to suppress sharp insulin and glucose spikes along with sensible supplementation (curcumin, resveratrol, grape seed extract and omega – 3 fatty acids) and regular physical activities may help halt the development of Alzheimer as we age. Load author of the study Dr. Aron S. Buchman noted “the result of
biological marker is found in the Celebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) at least 10n years before signs of dementia become apparent Spanish researchers at the CSIC Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona believed that they may have found a marker that could suggest – the disease process in underway before symptoms start to show. They found a drop in the content of Mitochondrial DNA – genetic material present in the energy centre of cell in spinal fluid may be a signal for the disease. According to the scientist, this discovery could allow a
our study indicate that all physical activities including exercise as well as cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning are associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease”. As more research are made available, scientist made it increasingly clear that breastfeeding children provides infinitely more longterm health benefits to both baby and mom. A new study shows that mothers who breastfeed run a lower risk of developing. Alzheimer ’s disease later in life. The research indicates the link may have something to do with key biological effects of breastfeeding. Scientists also found that breastfeeding for longer periods of time decreased overall risk. Moreso, a new test that could detect Alzheimer ’s disease for at least a decade before symptoms has been widely talked about. The test could defect Alzheimer’s if the
new diagnostic test that will enable patients to be given treatment long before their debilitating symptoms appears. Currently, the only way to actually diagnose AD is in post motern (After Death) by linking chemical measures with an examination of brain tissue and pathology in the autopsy. But doctors have developed a means to find out fairly accurately if a person who is having memory problems has possible Alzheimer’s dementia. Professor Ramon Trullas, who led the research at the Institute of Bio Medical Research of Barcelona, Saidi “If our initial findings can be replicated by other lab laboratories, the results will change the way we currently think about the causes of Alzheimer’s” he added that “this discovery may enable us to search for more effective treatments that can be administered during the preclinical stage”.
FEW days ago, the Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Murtala Nyako was impeached by members of the State House of Assembly in very controversial circumstances that the All Progressive Congress (APC) has said it would challenge in court. BEFORE his removal from Office, speculations were rife that the Presidency was the mastermind of the plot following the defection of Nyako and some other governors from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress. Shortly after his removal, the Governor of Kano State, Aihaji Ibrahim Shekarau and Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasirel Rufai accused President Goodluck Jonathan of financing and masterminding Nyako’s impeachment respectively. IN Fact, el-Rufai straightaway alleged that the President is also hatching impeachment plot against three All Progressive Congress Governors. He listed the Governors to include: Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Nassarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko AI-Makura and Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi. Already, the Nassarawa State House of Assembly has served Governor Tanko Al-makura an Impeachment notice amid wild protests from angry citizens who have been enjoying the dividends of democracy from Al-Makura. WE are worried about the impeachments plots which are being cleverly hatched targeted at Governors of the opposition party, the APC. It is a truism that prior to the Adamawa
THE NIGERIAN
Impeachments As Wrong Signals incident, there were shameless moves to use five Rivers State law makers to impeach Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. Were it not for public outcry and the fact that he has over seventeen lawmakers loyal to him, and his hard fighting spirit, he would have been removed from office. WE are also disturbed that few weeks ago, like a thunderbolt from the blues, crisis emerged at the Edo State House of Assembly considered to be one of the most peaceful state Houses of Assembly in the country. Five P D P lawmakers working with four suspended lawmakers are said to be hatching a secret plot to destabilise the state and perhaps target a possible impeachment of the Edo State Governor. WE condemn all those behind the plots and the PDP leadership who are out to ensure total victory at all cost in 2015 because they are sending wrong signals. Its action is capable of wreaking anarchy and political upheaval in an already tension-soaked country where the terrorists’ insurgency has continued to cause nightmares for hapless and defenseless citizens. ALSO worrisome is the tendency of the
ruling Peoples Democratic Party to roll Nigeria over to a one-party state as any opposing voice is brutally silenced. A pointer here is that, having been subtly pressurized to do so, an APC Governor of Borno State has given an indication to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party after the Ramadan fast and no one knows where the foot soldiers of the one-party state proponents will make the next harvest. MORE disturbing is the nation’s deliberate slide to fascism. There seems to be a reprehensible tendency towards strong or autocratic or dictatorial control of power with severe social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. IT is against this backdrop that we call on President Goodluck Jonathan to demonstrate to Nigerians that he is the father of all irrespective of their political leanings. He should give vent to opposition views and voices and give space for all shades of opinion to flourish inline with democratic ethos and pathos. WE also call on Nigerians to rise up and take their destinies in their own hands by halting this drift to fascism and resultant anarchy which may be unleashed on citizens if not stopped. Pro-democracy apostles need to be pro-active in tackling the hydra-headed monster that we foresee. WE call on men and women of goodwill to rise and advise all those behind the current impeachments plots and financing crisis in APC-led states to back off, otherwise, posterity would not for give their silence or inaction.
Art Alive
ONE of the signal festivals of Ute-Ukpu(a clan in Ika North East Local Govt Area of Delta state) is the ‘Ina Eka” festival. Ina Eka’ festival acquired some sort of reformation with the passage of years of Orientation by the white men and so dropped the fetish appellation of ‘Irua Nmooh’ - worship of the national deity. This was largely because the kingdom of Ute-ukpu was segmented into twotraditional religionists and Christians. The Christians for the sympathy of loyalty to constituted authority advocated their participation as long as the festival divorces its heathen practices with a more convenient name not ‘Irua Nmooh, ‘ but Ina Eka, hence the change of name. The Ina Eka festival is indigenous to Ute-Ukpu because it dated back to the origin of the clan circa 13th century AD. Ina Eka festival is characterised by many royal activities both spiritual and mundane. At the beginning of the festival, the Obi (king) steels himself for the onerous administration of the clan. For several days, he goes into confinement for a period of several days in which he purifies himself by having chalk bath, eating sparingly and does not indulge in alcohols, among other things. He
With Francis Odupute
Ina Eka Festival By MARY YOUNG
offers a lot of Solemn prayer to the national deities and ancestral fathers through invocations. This period of several days of confinement is known as Iba Nzu’. The king is also claded with white loin cloth with chalk all around his
would not have been necessary if not for the under scoring reasons: To worship the Almighty God, the Transcendental Being as the Grand protector of manking which
people; To foster the spirit of ideal neighbourliness through fraternization and reenacting probity, honesty, enthronement of all human virtues and promoting
To re-enact the bond of love between the Obi and his chiefs as well as the Obi and his subjects; To promote and consolidate allegiance of the subjects to the Obi and other constituted authorities, whether at
body. During this period, he does not welcome strangers nor does he entertain any visitor. He does not also break his seven days of hermitage and temperance. Ina Eka festival entails prodigious spending which
Ute-Okpu people are heterogeneous part; To purify the kingdom in order to eradicate diseases, poverty, accidents of all kind, acrimony and above all any vices that will hinder the progress of the
social justice and order; To worship the national deities and reassign them to protect, sanctify, bless and foster Ute-Okpu people with blessing and protection, preservation, progress and plenty;
local, state or national levels; To promote and sustain social, political and economic cohesion of UteOkpu people; To remind the people of their cultural affinity as a
FRANCODUS ON FRIDAY
people of the same ancestral parentage and the possibility and reasonableness of being the same; To afford the people to know their local administrative heads, Obi, elders and chiefs vice versa; It also serves as a medium for the Obi to know the needs and aspirations of the people. It awakens the consciousness of the youths for the revival of their cultural heritage which gives them identity and pride as a people. It helps to exile to dungeon those pervading evil spirits that usher in all forms of setbacks in all human endeavours. It helps the Ute-Okpu people to identify their friends and good neighbours in order for them to strengthen the bonds of peace after, through constitutional means with neighbours and friends who are at variance with Ute-Okpu people; It helps to demonstrate the love which the subjects have for the Obi, elders and chief in their governance and vice versa. The ‘Ina Eka’ festival serves as a period of home coming of all sons and daughters abroad and promote the sense of belonging to Ute-Okpu kingdom. (To be continued).
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• STOP THE BLAME GAME: Ending extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition in the home doesn’t just happen. It begins with family planning
Art And Culture
With AMBROSE EKHOSUEHI
Oba Eweka II Patriarch Of Art And Culture
OBA Eweka II ascended the Great ancient Benin throne, one hundred years ago on the 24 July, 1914 in line with the succession rites after the demise of Oba Ovonranmwen Nogbaisi. Patriarch is one who governs by paternal right and the most imposing and greatest of its kind. Upon his ascension, Oba Eweka II faced the challenge of restoration and one of his first projects was the reconstruction of the palace to some of the palace former glory, a task for which he needed the traditional architecture, craftsmen, builders, carvers and casters. They were al put to work, producing replacements for objects tooted by the British invasion in 1897. The Oba lifted the restriction on the sales of art works and build arts and crafts school in the palace courtyard to enable craftsmen have a place to work and sell. Traditional Guilds, members were able to continue creating art forms for their former patrons, while at the same time producing objects for the new colonial officers, tourists and educated elites. At the same time, the government introduced arts and crafts classes based on Western techniques and styles to schools. New approaches to art and forms, emerged in this way as a complex reaction to a changing situation. Benin before the fall had become the object of Queen Victoria of England interest in
Benin wealth on palm oil exploration. Two great explorers, Sir Richard Burton and Giovani Be had visited Great Benin and from them as well as others, the British had invaluable documents on Benin art and culture. Their accounts provided the British with the last and sometimes the only picture of Great Benin Royal sculpture before it was removed from its cultural context at the time of British expedition in 1897. In addition with earlier Dutch and French reports, their descriptions provided important historical perspective on artistic developments of Benin over several hundred years. The royal ancestral altars have long been focus on artistic elaboration dating back to the first dynasty of Ogiso era, and much of the sculptural forms that characterize Benin art were created to honour the royal ancestors of Benin nation. Oba Eweka II was an expert in art and culture, he took great interest in the educational matters. Emancipation of all slaves was proclaimed throughout the whole of the former Benin Empire. Thousands of slaves — Oghunmwun, thronged to Benin City and were made to dance round a totem pole at the palace, before being freed to become servants- evien Oba, as service men now addressed as civil servants. The body markingsIwu, to distinguish
proper Edo person was also faced-out: In accordance, the authority to inflict capital punishment or the order of the
craft or Guild has its own section of the town. All the leather workers in one group of buildings, all the weavers in another, the
service. The trade guilds and their heads, the town chiefs who had their palaces outside the walls, the Oba control all and the kingdom. The travelers were escorted into the palace
brass-smiths and ivory carvers in others and so on. There were forty such quarters, in the city each with its own trade association, each trade association with chiefs and with lesser ranks. Always the travelers found that the centre of Benin life was the palace. Many of the craftsmen such as the Bronze casters, the carvers of wood or ivory were all in the
of the Oba of Great Benin. On the wails of the heavy pillars that supported the galleries were plagues on which the smiths of Benin recorded events and history of the kingdom. The travelers themselves; would be depicted in their national dress with their swords, their armours and their guns. This was the way in which Benin people
Oba Eweka II
sasswood-inyin ordealDitan, was relaxed. The motor road from Benin City to Sapele was open to traffic and a motor car was first brought to Benin City in 1915. Motor roads to Ifon and Asaba were constructed. Benin Kingdom, since then, opened up to the outside world again. ‘As the travelers wandered about, they soon found that each
who did not have the skills of reading and writing could keep records of the past”. Still in 1914, the Northern and southern protectorates of Emirates, kingdoms, Empires, caliphates were amalgamated by Sir Lord Lugard’s British government, thus bringing the people into an administrative entity and to promote administrative convenience. Benin Kingdom was incorporated as a part of the various British protectorates amalgamated with the name Nigeria. In November 1914, His Excellency, the Governor general paid a visit to Benin City to see the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin, Eweka II. The task of rebuilding, the palace had just begun. The Great World War I, the first world War had started and there was fighting in eastern and Western Europe. The king reign and people speak of him always with great reverence on bended knees, the living vehicles for those mystical forces by which, the ancestors from inception of the dynasty had ensured the continuity of Benin nation in art and culture.
“The Oba lifted the restriction on the sales of art works and build arts and crafts school in the palace courtyard to enable craftsmen have a place to work and sell. Traditional Guilds, members were able to continue creating art forms for their former patrons, while at the same time producing objects for the new colonial officers, tourists and educated elites.”
Issues Opinion Okpe Language In Paleolithic Extinction “Ours is the age of substitutes: instead of language, we have Jargons; instead of principles, slogans; and instead of genuine Ideas, bright ideas (Eric Bentley) TO lacerate the tentacles of communication blackout, developmental somnambulistic movements and cerebral Erebus every collectivity must have a language as a matrix and vehicle of communication. Hence, the essayist George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) observed in his book ‘Pygmalion’ that, “the English people have no respect for their language, and will not teach their children to speak it. They spell it so abominably that no man can teach himself what it sounds like. It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other English man hate or despise him”. This sordid scenario is being blatantly reenacted amongst the Okpe people in Okpe Kingdom of Delta State. Existing statistical dermatological data shows that the Okpe people constitute the dialectical amalgam with the greatest numerical superiority amongst the Urhobo people of Delta State. They are believed to have migrated from the ancient Benin Kingdom down through OkpeOlomu etc to their ancestral home of Orerokpe in 1170 AD. The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom is the monarchical Primus inter pares and the sacred traditional head of the Okpe people. They have four Ruling Houses (ADANE Okpe) from which the Orodje is selected, namely:- Orhue, Evwreke, Ororho and Esezi. The Okpe people are a unique people with a distinct singular linguistic identity. Apart from the diasporic Okpe sons and daughters, they are spread into two local government areas-Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas. Okpe Kingdom is littered with timber, rubber, oil, kaolin, minerals and cash –crops in great commercial quantity. The Orodjeship is multidimensionally consolidated by the Odogun Okpe (Okpe Supreme Council) and the retinue of Chiefs (Okakuro-Ohovbore). But it has been observed that the Okpe language which is the hallmark of Okpe civilization is now labyrinthined in the precipitous dungeon of Paleolithic extinction. The osmotic lethal pressure of the English language, refusal of the Okpe people to speak and learn the Okpe language, a dearth of books on Okpe language, official and educational gobbledygook and total disinterestedness and lameducking by the vast majority of the Okpe people has now precipitated the death-knell of the beautiful Okpe language. A language is the system of communication in speech , symbols, sound, movements, computer and writing that is used by any group of people. Speech is the formation of sounds in meaningful sequence and it is concretized by the ability of the speaker to produce vocal units (phonemes) and use acquired language. The articulation of speech (correct phonation) in turn involves the coordination of complex neurological, anatomical and physiological apparatuses in the human body. Language distinguishes speech from mere utterances and the ability to give form to ideas, to share emotions and to express one’s personality impacts to speech a dimension far beyond the mere vocalization of language.
By BOBSON GBINIJE Vocal production makes use of three ‘systems; the phonetory system , including the larynx (voice-box) and it’s accompanying structures; the respiratory system, including the airways, muscles and nerves that support breathing, and the resonatory system, which is made up of the structures of the skull and the oral and nasal cavities and affects the acoustics of speech. The inability to use speech is known as ‘Aphasia’ and could be as a result of brain damage. But the inability to transform speech into language is known as ‘Expressive Aphasia’
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State
and the inability to express or comprehend language is known as ‘Global Aphasia’. But, this is not what is wrong with the people in Okpe in their inability to speak the Okpe language. It is because there is education, a hybrid of western bastardies, parental and institutional neglect of the Okpe language. Education in Okpe language will remove all the inhibitions that beset the use of the mother tongue and make it possible for an Okpe man to give free rein to his thoughts and express same in creative language, thus paving the way to meaningful education. It is the free knowledge of the confines and preserves of microscopic elite that operate in foreign language to the disadvantage of the majority of Okpes.
“Existing statistical dermatological data shows that the Okpe people constitute the dialectical amalgam with the greatest numerical superiority amongst the Urhobo people of Delta State. They are believed to have migrated from the ancient Benin Kingdom down through Okpe-Olomu etc to their ancestral home of Orerokpe in 1170 AD. The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom is the monarchical Primus inter pares and the sacred traditional head of the Okpe people. They have four Ruling Houses (ADANE Okpe) from which the Orodje is selected, namely:Orhue, Evwreke, Ororho and Esezi.”
A leading American psychologist, Jerome Brunner posited that “man has the capability to receive and translate knowledge in a linguistic form. Language not only permits an enormous condensation of knowledge, but permits us to turn knowledge into hypothetical forms so that we may consider alternatives without having to act them in the form of trial and error”. Every Okpe child has a right to be educated in Okpe language, it is a fundamental human right which is recognized in China, Japan, Slovakia, Russia and Spain etc. The ability to speak and write Okpe language will give vent to spreading the language and rekindle a 21st renaissance in Okpe Kingdom and beyond. It will enhance a socio-economic, cultural and political resurgence in Okpe Kingdom. It will help spread and internationalize the Okpe civilization. Hence, the linguist Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) said “the limits of my language means the limits of my world” and the essayist Claude Strauss said in his book titled, “The Savage World’ that, “Language is a form of human reason and has its reasons which are unknown to man”. In the light of the above elucidatory adumbrations, it is now clear to all Okpes that there must be a revolution in the entrenchment, learning and teaching of Okpe language in Okpe Kingdom and beyond. We call for the compulsory teaching of Okpe language as an educational format from primary through secondary to tertiary levels in the Okpe nation and beyond. A situation where Okpe language is not taught in school in Okpe kingdom is unacceptable. We call on all Okpe parents to rekindle their interest and that of their children in Okpe language. We call on Okpe scholars to write books in Okpe language for this will help to stimulate interest. The philological, orthographical, etymological and syntactical out lays of the Okpe language is very simple and easy. Those who see the language as deep and difficult (Okpe OKokodo) should do a rethink and go again to learn the language. We must commend the scholastic effort put in so far by Mr. A. E. Osubele in his “Dictionary of Okpe Language “ and his drama piece ‘King Esezi I’. We commend the effort of Dr. (Prince) I. S. Mebitaghan for his Book “A Brief History of Okpe Kingdom”. Professor Onigu Otite for his book “The Urhobo People” and the late Orodjo of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhoro I. for encouraging the speaking and writing of Okpe language. We must also commend the effort of Engr. B.O Ometan for his book titled “The life and Times of Chief George Brass Ometan” etc. We commend the present Orodje, HRM Orhue I for setting up a Cultural Committee, Think –Tank and group for the propagation, studying, speaking, writing and spreading of Okpe language and culture. He should launch a development fund for the establishment of an Okpe Museum, Library, Historical and Antiquities’ Hall, in Okpe kingdom. It is clear that principles are principles and they can only be transformed into pragmatic reality through the institutions of society and it’s peoples, otherwise they remain inert and useless. It is my firm conviction that in the Okpe language Revolution principles and practice will go hand in hand and it is the duty of all Okpes to bring this about. Ekugbe Okpe! Orujirifn nvn–Okpe AgbamineOroromu Okpe O miguonore, God Bless Okpe Kingdom. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ORDJE OF OKPE KINGDOM AS HE MARKS 8 YEARS ON THE THRONE and happy 8 YEARS ANNIVERSARY AND CELEBRATIONS (29th July, 2014) UMOGUN!!! WENE SUTOR. CHIEF BOBSON GBINIJE, Mandate Against Poverty (MAP) WARRI.
Issues Opinion Imperative Of Oshiomhole’s Gesture To Edo Teachers By DESMOND AGHAMA
ON Thursday July 3rd 2014, the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole announced the recall of’ the 936 teachers that were earlier sacked following the screening exercise that was conducted for primary and secondary school teachers in Edo State sometime ago. The Governor also announced the cancellation of the much controversial competency test for teachers in Edo State. This finally put to rest the over 10 months labour agitations over the sacked teachers and the competency test saga. The action and decisions of the Comrade Governor is indeed commendable, and it goes a long way to demonstrate his belief’ in democratic principles which is anchored on government of ’ the people, for the people and
by the people. It also reenforces the Comrade Governor’s slogan of’ “let the people lead”. This is so because, during the hit of the controversy stirred by the sack of the 936 teachers and the competency test, many concerned citizens and groups appealed to the Comrade Governor to reconsider the circumstances that led to their sack as well as jettison the competency test until a proper training programme have been organized for teachers to enhance their knowledge, skills and performance. Being a listening Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole did not only recall the 936 sacked teachers, he equally cancelled the competency test. He further announced that there will be training programme for the teachers to boost their efficiency, productivity and pedagogical
IN the Name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful. As –Salaamu alaikum walt Rahmatullah. Islam, as a religion, means ‘peace’. It is built on FIVE PILLAS. These include IMAN (FAITH), (PRAYER), ZAKAT(CHARITY), AS-SIYAM (FASTINA) AND HAJJ(PILGRIM TO MAKKAH) From the above analysis, fasting is the Fourth Pillar of Islam which is the focus of this lecture. O you who believe fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you (learn) self restraint. Fasting for a fixed number of days. But if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later; and (in such cases) it is incumbent upon those who can afford it to feed a needy person. And whoever gives more, of his own free will, does good to himself. And it is better for you to fast, if you only knew (al-Baqarah: 183-184). MEANING AS-SIYAM(FASTING) means “to abstain from something” for example, a verse in the Quran says: “I have vowed to the Merciful to abstain-that is, from speaking”. What this means here is that abstaining from food, drinking, and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset with the explicit intention of doing so (for the sake of Allah). VIRTUES OF FASTING: Abu Hurairah reported the messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, saying. Allah said: Every action of the sons of Adamis for Him. Except fasting for that is solely for me I give the reward for it. The fast is a shield if one is fasting, he should not use foul language, raise his voice, or behave foolishly. If some one reviles him or fights with him he should say, ‘I am fasting twice. By the one in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the (had) breath of the one who is fasting is better in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection than the smell of musk. The one who is fasting is happy at two times: When he breaks his fasting he is happy with it, and when he meet his Lord he will be happy that he has fasted”. This is related by AHMAD, MUSLIM, and an-Nasai. Similarly al-Bukhari and Abu Daud who relates: He leaves his food, drink, and desires for my sake. His fasting is for me…… I will give the reward for it, and for every good deed, he will receive ten similar to it. ‘Abdullah ibn Amr reported that messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said: “The fast and the Quran are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say; ‘Our Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let him intercede for him? And their intercession will be accepted” Related by Ahmad and Hadith with a sahih chain Also Abu Umamah reported. ‘I came to the messenger of Allah and said “order me to do a deed the will allow me to enter paradise. He said stick to fasting, as there in no equivalent to it.” Then I came to him again and he said. ‘Stick to fasting” This hadith is classified as Sahih by Ahmad, an-Nasai, and Hakim. Abu said al-khudri reported that the messenger of Allah said. “No
knowledge and skills. Without doubt, the teachers need to be constantly trained and retrained in order to be abreast with the current trend in teaching. Besides,
researches have shown that many teachers in primary and secondary schools lack adequate knowledge of the content and
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State
Issues Religion
characteristics of the curriculum that they are implementing in schools. They lack knowledge of the appropriate teaching strategies or methodology for bringing about meaningful learning of the contents of the curriculum. With the offer from the Comrade Governor to organize training programme for teachers, there is hope in sight that our education system which is ever declining would soon be better and made to function adequately. With the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in schools, by the Comrade Governor, it is only proper to have good and effective teachers to utilize it for the benefit of the students.
However, for the proposed training programme for teachers to successfully achieve the desired result at the end of the day, government must go a step further to provide tables and
chairs, instructional materials, as well as laboratory equipment and facilities in all the schools. This will enable the teachers to translate theory into practical for the overall cognitive and psychomotor development of the students, thereby ensuring meaningful learning. It is hoped that the good gesture from Governor Adams Oshiomhole would be appreciated by all, especially the teachers. Therefore, they should reciprocate the gesture by being dedicated to duties and putting in their best at all times. The task of restoring the declining standard of education in the State is a collective one, because every stakeholder has specific role to play in the education process. We must not jettison it; otherwise we would be mortgaging the future of our children and that of the society as a whole.
Desmond Agbama, Chairman, Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Fasting (As-Siyam) servant fast on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah removes the hell fire seventy years further away from his face. Related by” the group” except for Abu Davuet. Sahl ibn sa’d reported that the prophet said. “There is a gate to the paradise that is called ar-Rayyan. On the day of Resurrection it will say. ‘Where are those who fasted?. When the last (one) has passed through the gate, it will be locked. Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim. TYPES OF FASTING There two types of fasting: obligatory and voluntary. Obligatory can be further sub divided into the fast of Ramadan, the fast of expiation and the fast of fulfilling a vow. Here we shall discuss the Ramadan fasting. THE FAST OF RAMADAN The fast of Ramadan, according the Quran, Sunnah and consenus, is obligatory. The evidence from the Quran consists of the two verses below. “O you who believe, fasting prescribed for you as it it was prescribed for people before you in order for you to gain Godcousciousness, and, “…. The month of Ramadam, during which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance and the criterion;and whoever of you is resident, let him fast the month” (a;-Baqarah:185). From the Sunnah we have the following statements of the prophet; “Islam is built upon (the following) five pillars testifying that there is no god except Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, the establishment of prayer, the giving of Zakah, the fast of Ramadamn and the pilgrimage to Makkah” Talhah ibn ubaidullah reported that a man came to the prophet and said. “O Messenger of Allah, tell me what Allah requires of me as regards fasting” He answered, “The month of Ramadan” The man asked.” Is there any other (fast)” The prophet answered; “No, unless you do so voluntarily. The whole muslim nations agrees that the fast of Ramadan is obligatory. It is one of the pillars of Islam, and if one disputes it he cannot be called a muslim. THE VIRTUES OF RAMADAN AND THE DEEDS DONE DURING IT Abu Hurairah reported that the prophet, upon who be peace, said. “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it, the gates to paradise are opened and the gates to Hellfire are locked and the devils are chaimed. There is night (during this month) which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived (of some thing great)”. This is elated by Ahmad, an-Nasai and al-Baihaqi. Arfajah testifies to this. “We were with Utbah ibn farqad while he was discussing Ramadan. A companion of the prophet entered upon
the scene, when Utbah saw him, he became shy and stopped talking. The man (the companion) spoke about Ramadan, saying I heared the messenger of Allah say during Ramadan; The gates of hell are closed the gates of paradise are opened, and the devils are in chains. An angel calls out. O you who intend to do good deeds, have glad tidings. O you who intend to do evil, refrain, until Ramadan is completed. Muslim relates that Abu Hurairah reported that the prophet, upon whom be peace saying “ The time between the five prayers, two consecutive Friday prayers, and two consecutive Ramadans are expiations for all that happened during that period, provided that one has avoided the grave sins”. Abu said al-khudi reported that the prophet, upon whom be peace, said ‘whoever fast the month of Ramadan, obeying all of its limitations and guarding himself against what is forbidden, has infact atoned for any sins he committed before it.” Ahmad and al-Baihaqi related this hadith with a good chain. Abu Hurairah reported that the prophet, upon whom be peace, said whoever fast the month of Ramadan with faith and seeks Allah’s pleasure and reward will have his previous sins forgiven”. By Ahmad and the compilers of Sunan The CONSEQUENCE OF BREAKING THE FAST OF RAMADAN IBN Abbas reported that the prophet said. “The bare essence of Islam and the basics of the religion are three (acts), upon which Islam has been established, whoever leaves one of them becomes an unbeliever and his blood may legally be spilled. The acts are: Testifying that there is God except Allah, the obligatory prayers, and the fast of Ramadan”This hadith is related by Abu Ya’la and ad-Dailimi, AdhDhahabi called it sahih. Abu Hurairah reported that the messenger of Allah upon whom be peace said. ‘ Whoever breaks his fast during Ramadan without having one of the excuses that Allah would excuse him for, then even a perpetual fast, if he were to fast it, would not make up for that day” by Abu Dawud, Ibn majah and at-Tirmididhi. Al-Bukhari records from Abu Hurairah in marfu form whoever breaks the fast of Ramadan without having a legitmate excuse or being ill, he cannot make up for that day, even if he were to undertake a perpetual fast “ Ibn masud has also reported this Adh-Dhahabi says. “According to the established believers, any one who leaves the fast of Ramadan without being sick is worse than a fornicator or an alcoholic. In fact, they doubt his Islam and they suspect that he might be Zandiqah (Those who claim to be muslim so that they could destroy it from within) and one of those who destroy (Islam).
Religion Saints Of God! Let The Dead Bury Their Dead! Thus Saith consider not the The Lord God they JESUS said unto him work of the LORD, “follow me and let the dead bury their dead” Matthew 8: 22. This command was given by the Lord Jesus Christ to one of his disciples who sought permission to go and bury the late father. If we ask ourselves; WHO ARE THE DEAD IN THE SOCIETY THAT JESUS WAS REFERRING TO? The dead (simply defined) are those who have not the spirit of God. They are both in the church (church goers) and outside the church. They are spiritually cut off from God. They are born of another spirit – the spirit of the devil, who also is the prince of the world. The dead are also the wicked and the proud in the society. They have no fear of God. They have no time for God and have little or no reverence for God. It is written in Psalm 10: 4, “THE WICKED, THROUGH THE PRIDE OF HIS COUNTENANCE WILL NOT SEEK AFTER GOD. GOD IS NOT IN ALL HIS THOUGHT” THE WORLDLY AND THE C A R N A L CHRISTIANS are also spiritually “dead”, “FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH”. – Romans 8:6 Our God is a living
God. He is therefore the God of the spiritually living and not the God of the spiritually dead. The death of the spiritually dead (the wicked) is an abomination in the sight of God. Demons take charge of the souls of the spiritually dead after death, and escort them into HELL. Therefore, God does not recognize the names of the spiritually dead, even though they are highly placed in the society. The death of the LIVING, even though poor and not known in the society, is highly recognized by God in heaven. God takes record of such names in heaven. The death of the living [those born of the spirit of God] is precious in the sight of God Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”. The Angels of God take charge of such souls and guide them to Heaven. For example, God did not mention the name of the rich man in the bible who was dead spiritually. His physical death and burial, as a rich man must have attracted the elites of the society. Imagine what kind of burial it would have been! But God had to mention the name of poor Lazarus, a beggar, but born of the spirit of God. Heaven recognized
him, even though when He died there was no record in the bible of his burial. “AND IT CAME TO PASS THAT THE BEGGAR (LAZARUS) DIED AND WAS CARRIED BY THE ANGELS INTO ABRAHAMS BOSOM; THE RICH MAN ALSO DIED AND WAS BURIED. AND IN HELL, HE LIFTED UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS AND SEETH ABRAHAM AFAR OFF AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM” - Luke 16:22, 23 The fact is that the spiritually “dead” are of the WORLD and the world will LOVE THEM. Therefore, their burials are usually very worldly with a flamboyant display of wealth, even if, the money had to be borrowed, all in a bid to impress the world. God is angry with this kind of burials and God’s judgment is upon those who partake in this kind of burials as it is written in Isaiah 5 :11 – 14, “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! AND THE HARP, THE VIOL, THE TABRET AND PIPE (musical instruments), and wine, are in their feasts: but
neither consider the operations of his hands. Therefore, my people are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge; and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore HELL has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.” It is clear from this judgment of God, that many worldly Christians will end up in HELL because of worldly burial ceremonies and because of their compromise with the wicked traditions in burials especially the maltreatment of widows, which negates the commandment of God, that says – “IF THOU AFFLICT THEM (WIDOWS) IN ANYWISE, AND THEY CRY AT ALL UNTO ME, I WILL SURELY HEAR THEIR CRY; AND MY WRATH SHALL WAX HOT, AND WILL KILL YOU WITH THE SWORD; AND YOUR WIVES SHALL BE WIDOWS, AND YOUR C H I L D R E N FATHERLESS”. Exodus 22:23, 24. This is the verdict of God upon those who subject widows to acts of
With
REV. OLU GEORGE wickedness according to the tradition of the land. Widows are to be cared for and protected according to God’s commandment. As true disciples of Jesus Christ, we should emulate the simplicity in the burial of Jesus Christ, our Master which reads thus: “And when Joseph (himself a very rich man) had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.” AND LAID IT IN HIS OWN NEW TOMB, WHICH HE HAD HEWN OUT IN THE ROCK AND HE ROLLED A GREAT STONE TO THE DOOR OF THE SEPULCHER, AND D E PA RT E D ” Matthew 27:59-60. The example of Christ’s burial, is the true Christian burial! Joseph who buried Jesus was a very rich Disciple of Jesus. He had every possibility to display his wealth while burying Jesus, his
master just the way of the world, but he followed the simple and sober lifestyle of his master who made them to know that they were not of the world, as He, Himself was not of the world as written in John 17: 16, “They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.” Burials, by Christian standards, are moments of sober reflections, when every mortal present at such burials is expected to reexamine his/her own life and to understand that someday, he/she will answer this inevitable call and to think of where he/she will be thereafter - in HELL like the rich man, or in HEAVEN like the poor Lazarus. COURTESY: REV. OLU GEORGE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL CHURCH (The Truth Centre), Benin City TO BE CONTINUED.
“My people are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge; and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore HELL has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”
“The fact is that the spiritually “dead” are of the WORLD and the world will LOVE THEM. Therefore, their burials are usually very worldly with a flamboyant display of wealth, even if, the money had to be borrowed, all in a bid to impress the world. God is angry with this kind of burials and God’s judgment is upon those who partake in this kind of burials as it is written in Isaiah 5 :11 – 14, “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”
Reflection
You Possess The Seed Of Greatness WHEN God created human beings He deposited in them the seed of greatness. God planted the man He created in a fertile garden, known as the Garden of Eden. God blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Child of God, you possess the seed of greatness. God wants you to be fruitful. He wants you to multiply. You will surely multiply, in Jesus name – Amen! Sarah, the wife of Abraham, grew up to old age without knowing what God has deposited in her life till the day the angel of the Lord visited her home. The angel of the Lord assured Abraham, saying, “I will surely return to you in the spring, and Sarah your wife shall have a son” (Genesis 18:10). Before this prophesies Abraham and Sarah were quiet advanced in age. Biologically, it was impossible for her to conceive and bear a child. When Sarah heard this she could not control her laughter. She started wondering aloud, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12-13). Child of God, your doubt or your ignorance has nothing to do with what God has deposited inside you. Even if
the doctors have declared you barren today, I am here to announce to you that you possess the seed of fruitfulness. What happened to Sarah in her old age will soon happen to you in Jesus name! Jacob, the father of Joseph did not know that God deposited the seed of greatness in his son, Joseph. He doubted his dreams of greatness. One day Joseph told his father, “Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me” (Genesis 37:9); the father did not need anyone to interpret the meaning of the dream. He knew he was referring to himself. He quickly rebuked him saying, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come and bow ourselves to the ground before you?” (Genesis 37:10). Child of God, your father and mother may not know what God has deposited in you. They may not even believe you; but I want to let you know that God does not need their permission before blessing you. When the brothers of Joseph heard about his dreams; they became jealous of him. They did everything humanly possible to kill him and his dream. When they saw him coming to meet them, they said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one
of the pits; then we shall say that wild beast has devoured him, and we shall see what become of his dream” (Genesis 37:20). Child of God, the envy of your brothers and sisters cannot destroy what God has deposited in you. “No weapon fashioned against you shall prosper!” After all said and done, Joseph was thrown into the pit (Genesis 37:24); he was sold to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver (Genesis 37:27-28) He was taken to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar (Genesis 39). From Potiphar’s house Joseph end up in the prison (Genesis 39:1920) humanly speaking, these were stages of suffering but in the sight of God, these were the path that leads to greatness. Joseph went through these painful and sorrowful stages in his life but none of them was able to destroy the seed of greatness which the Lord God has deposited in him.
In the prison “the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Genesis 39:21). One with God is majority. If God is on your side, no matter where you find yourself the favour of God must surely locate you. If God is on your side, your worst enemies will become your best friends. If God is on your side your worst situation will become your most favourable situation. That was exactly what happened in the case of Joseph. The prison yard became a privileged yard. The prison warders became his prayer companions. His fellow prisoners became his prayer partners. Through interpretation of dream Joseph was brought out of the prison. He proceeded from prison to the palace. From ordinary, miserable prisoner, Joseph was elevated to the position of a governor. Child of God, you
Rev. Fr. John Damian Adizie, OCD Email: frjohndamianocd@gmail.com Phone: 08076635886 may be living as a tenant but as long as you possess the seed of greatness, one day you must surely move into that mansion which God has destined for you. Your level must surely change, in Jesus name! When God called Moses, He gave him the mandate to deliver the children of Israel from bondage. Moses grew up as a slave. Right from the time he was born he was forced to live under danger and fear. After giving birth to him, his mother placed him besides the river, where the daughter of Pharaoh could see him. That was the first shock Moses received. The second shock was to live in the same roof with his oppressor. No wonder the psalmist says the Lord has prepared a banquet for us in the sight of our enemies (Psalm 23:5). Child of God, the presence of your enemies means nothing before God. They will gather but they must surely scatter! When Moses discovered that the Egyptians were about to destroy his life, he fled into the wilderness where he gave himself out as a shepherd till the day he encountered the God of greatness in the burning bush. While Moses was in the wilderness he did not know that he possesses the seed of leadership. He did not even know that one day he could face the angry Pharaoh. God told him, “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10). Remember, Moses was an ordinary shepherd when God sent him to Pharaoh. Moses could not believe his ear. He looked at himself a second time and he asked, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? I am nobody” (Exodus 3:11). Moses saw himself as nobody; but in the sight of God he was somebody, a leader, a warrior, and in fact a hero. He was the one God used to defeat the mighty Pharaoh. The prophet Isaiah grew up in the midst of sinful people. He never knew that despite his environment he possess the seed of greatness. When God
revealed to him that he was a special prophet he could not believe it, he exclaimed, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the king, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5). The environment where Isaiah grew up could not allow him to recognize what God deposited in him. Child of God, your environmental pollution and corruption cannot destroy what God has deposited in you. God deposited the seed of greatness in every human being. No one entered into this world with nothing from God. You came into this world with something. It is this seed that defines who you are and what you will become in life. God told the prophet Jeremiah, “I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). Child of God, you are a chosen one! Most parents, like Jacob, do not know what God has deposited in the life of their children. A good number of parents do not even know how to inspire their children into greatness. When God opened the eyes of Zechariah he was able to see what He deposited in the life of his son, John the Baptist. Zechariah prophesied to his son, saying, “You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his road for him, to tell his people that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven” (Luke 1:76-77). Parents, you should learn how to prophesy positively to your children. You can shape the lives of your children through positive thinking and prophecies. Child of God, even if your parent fails to inspire you into greatness, I am here to announce to you that you possess the seed of greatness. You are a destined child! Your coming into this world is not by chance. You are born to win. Failure will never be your portion. You will surely succeed in everything you lay your hands and it shall be well with you, in Jesus name – Amen!
“Most parents, like Jacob, do not know what God has deposited in the life of their children. A good number of parents do not even know how to inspire their children into greatness.”
International
Protest: French Jews Living In Fear PARIS - Many members of France’s Jewish community are living in fear after proPalestinian protests in recent weeks were marred by violence and use of antiSemitic language, the country’s foreign minister said on Thursday. France has both the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in Europe and flare-ups in the Middle East have often in the past added to tensions between the two communities. “Jews in France should not be afraid but many of them are afraid,” Laurent Fabius told France Inter radio after one listener called in to share her experiences of hearing anti-Semitic comments in public. Local media showed the burnt-down front of a kosher grocery shop in the heavily Jewish Parisian suburb of
Sarcelles after a nonauthorized protest on Sunday. The weekend before, marchers clashed with riot police outside two Paris synagogues. France’s Jewish population has grown by nearly half since World War Two to total some 550,000 Jews according to the community’s umbrella group CRIF. The Muslim population, swollen by immigration from France’s North African former colonies, is much larger and put at up to five million. Separately, Prime Minister Manuel Valls confirmed that “Death to the Jews” chants had been heard during a protest earlier this month and that some arrests had been made in the margins of an otherwise peaceful protest in Paris on Wednesday. “It seems a few people
have committed anti-Semitic acts or made anti-Semitic comments. This is unacceptable,” he said of the Paris march, which had been authorized after two previous protests had gone ahead without approval. Valls and Fabius reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire in the region and
- Minister
rejected criticism of France’s stance in the latest outbreak of violence there. ProPalestinian protesters and some leftist politicians accuse it of pro-Israeli bias. “The images we see of women, children, being
killed by Israeli bombings are horrendous. There is no other solution that an immediate ceasefire and negotiations,” Valls said. Further rallies in France would be approved on a caseby-case basis, Valls said, adding that it depending on whether security could be
guaranteed. In the first three months of 2014 more Jews left France for Israel than at any other time since the Jewish state was created in 1948, citing economic hardships in the stagnating economy but also rising anti-Semitism as a factor.
All Toxic Chemicals Removed From Syria Now To Destruction Sites AMSTERDAM - All the toxic chemicals removed from Syria under a deal with the Syrian government to destroy its chemical weapons stockpile have been delivered to destruction facilities outside the country, the global chemical weapons watchdog said on Thursday. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement that the 1,300 tonnes of chemicals removed from Syria were now being destroyed at various locations. The watchdog said 32 percent of the total had been destroyed by July 21. The OPCW also announced that the 12 former chemical weapons production facilities in Syria would be placed beyond use. Seven hangars would be razed to the ground, it said, while five underground structures would be sealed off permanently. The Hague-based organization was given the task of overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stocks after a sarin gas attack on the outskirts of Damascus last year which killed hundreds of people. Six hundred tonnes of the most deadly chemicals are being destroyed using
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OPCW
equipment installed on a U.S. vessel, the MV Cape Ray. The remainder are being destroyed at commercial land-based facilities in Finland, Britain and the United States. The presence of such large quantities of toxic chemicals has caused public alarm and was met with stiff opposition from local politicians and residents in some of the countries participating in the destruction process. In January, the Italian government was forced to reassure residents near the port of GioiaTauro, where the chemicals were transloaded, that they were in no danger.
Somalis carry the body of Saado Ali Warsame, a Somali member of parliament, in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Indonesia’s Prabowo Faces Uncertain Fate In Opposition
JAKARTA - After spending a decade, and a chunk of the family fortune, in trying to become Indonesia’s president, an outraged Prabowo Subianto watched as leadership of the world’s third-largest democracy slipped through his fingers this week. The question now is whether the former special forces commander with a shadowy human rights reputation has any political muscle left to try to influence what direction Southeast Asia’s biggest economy now takes. Prabowo, 62, is planning to go to the Constitutional Court over what he alleges was massive
fraud during the July 9 presidential election that saw his rival, Jakarta governor Joko Widodo, win by a slim margin. But the case looks more like face-saving and few see it having any chance of changing the official outcome of an election which saw a new breed of politician triumph over the members of the political or military elite who have traditionally dominated Indonesia’s leadership. Prabowo, from one of the country’s most illustrious and wealthiest families, is staring at an uncertain future in opposition, with the prospect of his allies being tempted away by the man
who beat him. “For Prabowo, nothing looks good on paper at the moment,” said Achmad Sukarsono, an analyst from The Habibie Center think tank. “Prabowo is not a legislator. Once he doesn’t win the election, he doesn’t have a political job,” Sukarsono said. Prabowo, who was discharged from Indonesia’s military in 1998 for the kidnap of prodemocracy activists, oversaw a highly organized and aggressive campaign that brought him from distant second to within a hair’s breadth of the presidency. He has never been charged in court for the offence or for any other allegation of human rights
Indonesian presidential candidate P r a b o w o S u b i a n t o delivers a statement to the media b e f o r e presidential election’s which he lost.
abuses. He does still have his own party Gerindra, or Great Indonesia Movement, which under his leadership has surged into becoming the third largest in parliament. Members of his inner circle say they are intent being a potent counterbalance to Widodo. Currently backed by a coalition of six parties, Prabowo effectively controls nearly twothirds of the incoming parliament, which analysts say could pose a challenge to Widodo’s reform agenda. “If I were to have a say, I’d be a very vigilant opposition party,” Prabowo’s tycoon brother and top aide Hashim Djojohadikusumo told Reuters. But he also acknowledged their “permanent coalition” may not hold. Prominent figures in allied parties, including the country’s second-biggest party, Golkar, have already hinted at defecting to Widodo’s side. Even if the coalition stays together, Prabowo may be forced to play second fiddle to the larger Golkar, said Dradjad Wibowo, the deputy head of the National Mandate Party, another coalition partner. “I’m not sure Gerindra can lead the...opposition, because they don’t have the highest number of seats in parliament,” Dradjad said. Wibowo also played down the potential for the opposition to play spoiler to Widodo’s reform program. “Our coalition would have a much higher bargaining position than any coalition in the past,” Dradjad said. “But Indonesia is not America. We have no appetite to block what a legitimate government is doing.”
International
Philippines Deports Australian Islamic Preacher MANILA - Philippine authorities said they deported an Australian Islamic preacher suspected of links to terrorists based on YouTube videos allegedly showing him advocating jihad and urging local Muslims to support militants in the Middle East. Robert Cerantonio, alias Musa, was accompanied on a flight
to Melbourne late Tuesday by four Filipino immigration agents, said Elaine Tan, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation. Tan said Cerantonio was deported for being an “undocumented foreign national” after the Australian government canceled his passport. He was arrested two weeks ago in central Cebu province’s Lapu-Lapu city but faced no formal
charges, she said. Philippine police said Cerantonio had called for jihad on YouTube and lectured Filipino Muslims to support the Islamic militant group also known as ISIS or ISIL that controls
parts of Iraq and Syria. The Australian Federal Police said that Cerantonio’s social media postings were “offensive and disturbing” but did not violate Australia’s law. It said in a statement that the police “will continue to monitor and assess this
material for any breaches of Australian law into the future.” Cerantonio had been living in the country since 2013, according to Philippine authorities. Police Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa
has said that the Australian government had coordinated with Philippine police to locate Cerantonio, who was under surveillance by local authorities for two weeks prior to his arrest.
South Africa Sets 5 Years To Stem Military Decline CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Continental military power South Africa committed to save its armed forces from meltdown within five years, amid budget constraints and increasing involvement in peacekeeping missions around Africa. A review earlier this year found the South African Defence Force (SANDF) was in a “critical state of decline” after two decades of underfunding. “We do not have a choice, but to respond with urgency to put plans to arrest the decline within the current five years, starting immediately during this financial year,” said Defence Minister Nosiviwe MapisaNqakula on Wednesday. “Although the SANDF is still able to maintain operational presence, if we do not start now, the decline will get worse,” she told parliament in her budget speech. The ministry projects a $4 billion (3 billion euro)
budget for the year, or 1.3 percent of the 2013 GDP — far below the 2.0 percent of GDP the minister said in April would be necessary to fix the military. “Our mandate in the next five years is to act fast to restore the minimum capabilities required to safeguard South Africa, protect its maritime resources and trade routes, conduct peace missions and humanitarian interventions,” said Mapisa-Nqakula. South Africa’s once feared and respected defence force has been hit by budget cuts and much of its equipment is no longer fit for purpose. The 100,000-strong force is also bleeding skilled personnel. As one of Africa’s military powerhouses, South Africa has deployed troops to peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan’s Darfur. It previously sent troops to Burundi, Lesotho and the Central African Republic. Its navy has also recently begun patrolling the coast of neighbouring Mozambique to ward off pirates.
Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso (right) and Central African Republic President Catherine Samba Panza attend talks gathering key players in the Central African conflict.
Taiwan Launches Inquiry Into Plane Crash
TAIPEI - Taiwan authorities launched an investigation yesterday into the crash of a TransAsia Airways turboprop plane in which 48 people were killed with the weather expected to be a factor in the inquiry. The plane, a 70-seat ATR 72, crashed on Wednesday evening near the runway while trying to land on the small island of Penghu, west of Taiwan island, after a typhoon had passed earlier in the day. The aircraft had 54 passengers and four crew on board. Two of the dead were French, the French foreign ministry said, and 10 people were injured and taken to
hospital. The leaders of rivals China and Taiwan both offered their condolences over the deaths. Taiwan’s civil aviation authorities said the weather had been suitable for flying. “There were nine flights on the same route between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. yesterday. Only the TransAsia flight crashed,” said Jean Shen, director of the Civil Aeronautics Administration. “The weather reports showed it was totally OK for landing,” she said, adding that authorities were not ruling anything out. “We can not say for sure what went wrong at this point. The
Rescue personnel survey the wreckage of a TransAsia Airways turboprop plane that crashed, on Taiwan’s offshore island Penghu.
flight safety committee has opened an investigation.” Both black boxes had been found and officials would begin examining them later in the day, she said. Alison Kao, a TransAsia spokeswoman, said the weather could have been a factor but the airline was not jumping to any conclusions before the investigation. The aircraft took off from the southern Taiwan city of Kaohsiung, heading for Makong airport in the Penghu islands, but it crashed just short of the runway on its second attempt to land during a thunder storm. The islands are also known as the Pescadores.. No one on the ground was hurt. Airline seats and life jackets were strewn around the crash site and the roof of a nearby building was destroyed. Victims’ families were heading there, officials said. Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou said in a statement all of the island’s people were grieving. “Today is a very sad day in the history of Taiwan aviation,” Ma said. China’s president, Xi Jinping, who is on a Latin America tour, felt “deeply grieved” after learning of the casualties, the mainland’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said in a statement, according to media. The mainland and Taiwan have been rivals for decades,
with the mainland regarding Taiwan as a renegade province, though commercial relations have grown in recent years. Typhoon Matmo hit Taiwan on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong wind. It later passed the island and headed to China and was downgraded to a tropical storm. Taiwan has had a poor record for aviation safety over the last two decades, though it has improved recently after the government tightened safety measures. TransAsia had been involved in eight “incidents” since 2002, including this latest one, according to data on the website of the Aviation Safety Council. It had a fatal accident in 2002 when a cargo plane carrying two pilots crashed into the sea. TransAsia and bigger rivals, China Airlines and Eva Airways, have been facing pressure from higher energy prices and increasingly popular budget airlines. TransAsia Airways is a Taiwan-based airline with a fleet of about 23 Airbus and ATR aircraft, operating chiefly short-haul flights on domestic routes as well as to mainland China, Japan, Thailand and Cambodia, among its Asian destinations. Shares of TransAsia Airways ended down 5.5 percent after opening 7 percent lower. The main index ended up 0.3 percent.
International Italy Welcomes Sudanese Woman Sentenced To Death
ROME — A Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death in Sudan for refusing to recant her Christian faith has arrived in Italy along
with her family, including an infant born in prison. Italy’s premier welcomed Meriam Ibrahim at Rome’s Ciampino airport yesterday,
calling it “a day of celebration.” Ibrahim, whose father was Muslim but whose mother was an Orthodox Christian
from Ethiopia, was accompanied by her husband, who is a citizen of
both the United States and South Sudan, her 18-monthold son and an infant born May 27. The family is to spend a few days in Rome before heading to the United States.
An Italian diplomat who accompanied the family from Sudan said Italy leveraged its historic ties within the Horn of Africa region to help win her release.
BAGHDAD - An onslaught on a convoy transferring inmates north of Baghdad left at least 60 dead , even as politicians and diplomats stepped up efforts to end Iraq’s worst crisis in years. Most of those killed in Taji, 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of Baghdad, were prisoners whose escort was attacked and were described by police as being mostly Sunni militants charged with terrorism. Explosions from the attack were heard in some neighbourhoods of the capital, where UN chief Ban Ki-moon landed Thursday on an unscheduled stop in his Middle East tour. “At least 60 people, prisoners and policemen, were killed in a suicide attack followed by several IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and shooting,” an interior ministry official. One security source said the inmates were being transferred as a precautionary measure after Taji prison was hit by mortar fire on Wednesday. However the exact circumstances of the attack were not immediately clear, nor how many attackers were dead and how the prisoners they were apparently trying to free were killed. The bus was believed to be transporting around 60 prisoners and medics said that some 50 of those killed in the pre-dawn attack were inmates. Most of them were burnt beyond recognition, the medics said.
Government forces were recently accused by rights watchdogs of having executed more than 250 prisoners since June 9. Among the allegations are that members of the Iraqi security forces shot prisoners, on the grounds they were sympathetic to advancing forces from the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, that jails were set on fire and that grenades were tossed into cells. Since it launched a sweeping offensive on June 9, IS and allied Sunni groups have conquered the country’s second city of Mosul, overrun large swathes of five provinces and declared a “caliphate” straddling Iraq and Syria. The onslaught has fanned the flames of sectarian tension between Iraq’s Shiite majority and sunni minority that had already claimed thousands of lives this year alone. Prime Minister Nuri alMaliki’s alliance comfortably won elections in April but he has faced mounting domestic and foreign pressure to step aside since the flare-up. The Shiite premier has accused the Sunni mainstream of condoning the Islamic State’s offensive and “dancing in the blood” of the jihadist onslaught’s victims. But many retort it was Maliki’s own brand of sectarian politics that brought the country to the brink of collapse. In his talks with Maliki, Ban Ki-moon was expected to highlight the plight of the 600,000 Iraqis displaced over the past few weeks and encourage the country’s fractious politicians to speed up the government formation process. For weeks, bickering factions appeared to turn a deaf ear to repeated pleas from the UN and the powerful Shiite clergy to iron out their differences and agree on a consensus government. Earlier on Thursday, in a latenight meeting held behind closed doors, the main Kurdish parties agreed on a common candidate for the post of president. “Fuad Masum is the only candidate of the Kurdish blocs for the position of president,” a senior Kurdish official who witnessed the vote told AFP.
At Least 60 Killed In Attack On Iraq Prison Convoy
Meriam Ibrahim, from Sudan disembarks with her children Maya, in her arm and Martin, accompanied by Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Lapo Pistelli, after landing from Khartoum at Ciampino’s Military Airport on the outskirts of Rome.
Al Qaeda Trainer, Not Taliban Militant, Arrested Pakistan Officials
ISLAMABAD Pakistan security officials said they had arrested a top militant near the Afghan border but not a Pakistani Taliban leader who colleagues had identified last week as a man who once tried to blow up former president Pervez Musharraf. Security officials said on July 15 the military had captured Adnan Rashid, who was accused of trying to kill Musharraf in a 2003 bomb attack and who later escaped from jail, in the South Waziristan region near the Afghan border. The officials hailed the arrest, which followed a shootout, as the first major catch since the army ?launched an offensive against al Qaeda-linked militants along the Afghan border last month. The government and army did not officially confirm the arrest at the time. Later, various other security officials said it was not Rashid who had been
captured but an important al Qaeda bomb-maker and trainer. “A high-value target has indeed been arrested but it is not Adnan Rashid,” one of the officials told Reuters. “There was a mix-up.” The official, who declined to be identified as he is not authorized to speak to the media, declined to identify the trainer or give details about him except to say he had extensive experience in training suicide bombers and making bombs. Two other officials also said Rashid had not been arrested. Rashid, is believed to be in his mid-30s and is a former Pakistani air force officer who tried to become a suicide bomber before he was jailed for the attempt to blow up Musharraf. He escaped from jail in 2012 along with nearly 400 other militants. Several Pakistani Taliban commanders also said Rashid had not been captured.
“The news that Adnan Rashid was arrested is completely baseless,”?? ??a Taliban commander who identified himself by his first name,?? ??Sabir, told Reuters by telephone. “He is free and safe and protected by his 12 suicidebomber bodyguards who never leave his side. His family is with him.” Two militant associates of Rashid said false reports
of his arrest had been spread in an attempt to get him to react so that security forces could trace his whereabouts. The Pakistan army and the government declined to comment. (Additional reporting by Hafiz Wazir in Wana, Jibran Ahmed in Peshwar and Saud Mehsud in Dera Ismail Khan; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (middle) attends the first session of the new parliament.
EVERY FRIDAY WEEK 02, 2014 LAST SEASON RESULT Anderson Richwell 1.2. X. Forecast
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Arsenal Redouble Schneiderlin ARSENAL have “Everyone has ambitions, Pursuit redoubled their efforts to everyone has his own future sign Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton in a bid to beat off stiff competition for the midfielder’s signature from London rivals Tottenham. The France international is now regarded as this summer’s No.1 target at both clubs, with the lure of playing under former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs proving a strong temptation for the 24-yearold. However, Arsenal have outlined a salary package through intermediaries which, combined with the possibility of Champions League football and greater trophy-winning potential, could prove decisive. Arsene Wenger has stepped up his interest after the Gunners opened preliminary talks with the Saints over a move for Schneiderlin. The Saints are playing hardball over any deal for the Frenchman following the departures of Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert this
summer, as well as Pochettino. They rate the midfielder at +23m, although the north London rivals value the 24year-old at the 19m Euros. Arsenal are now concentrating their efforts on a deal for Schneiderlin, although they also maintain an interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender. The club are no longer pursuing Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira due to his demans for a +253,000-a-week basic salary. Meanwhile, Spurs are exploring the possibility of selling a central midfielder in the squad to free up space for Schneiderlin and the Frenchman clearly holds the club - and Pochettino - in high regard, telling Goal in June: “With the quality Tottenham have, Mauricio Pochettino will get the best out of each player. “He improved me very much. He improved the whole squad and improved me as a player. He’s a great coach and good man.” However, encouragingly for Arsenal, the player has also spoken of his desire to play at the highest level, saying:
MANCHESTER United left-back Luke Shaw said he supports Manchester United’s young defenders following the exit of the club’s veterans. Shaw became the most expensive teenager in history when he moved to United from Southampton for an initial fee of 27 million pounds last month. “All the more experienced players have left us but [manager Louis] van Gaal, I think he’s aware of that and I think he likes the young blood you know and he has a lot of faith in them. So hopefully we can prove to people that it’s not all about experience and feed the young blood in and see what they can do,” Shaw told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview. “First of all, I want to get a starting place in the first eleven, you know, but I’ve come here to win trophies as well, and I’m sure if you ask anyone in the dressing room, that’s something we all want to be doing and hopefully this could be our year.” Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand followed manager David Moyes out after United’s worst run of form since 1992. Just three weeks after Shaw’s arrival, United sold Patrice Evra, the France international who had been the club’s firstchoice left-back for eight years. The 19-year-old said he would have been happy to have learned from Evra, but was not dwelling on the past. “I don’t know but I wouldn’t have minded him staying,” Shaw said. “He’s a great player and someone I could have learned a lot off, but like you
said he’s gone and obviously it could be my chance now so hopefully I can impress in preseason and carry on into the season.” The new signing also believes the lack of European football could help him settle at Old Trafford. “Yeah, it’s very tough, but on the other side I think it could help me a lot coming here. I’ve got a whole season of what I’m used to in the Premier League and cup games instead of the European ones,” he said. “So, like I said, it will be good for me to have another season of this to get more experience, and like I said, hopefully we get European football back next year.” Shaw said he is looking forward to meeting with Van Gaal. Louis van Gaal sits between Manchester United’s two new signings — Ander Herrera, left, and Luke Shaw, right. “I haven’t had a proper chat with him yet because we obviously have been here for two days so we actually haven’t had a sit down,” Shaw said. “I know he has spoken to a few of the other lads, but I think in the next few days I’ll have a discussion with him to see what his [plans are] and for me what my plans are for this preseason.” Shaw said he was looking forward to the U.S. tour, despite Van Gaal’s fears that the travel would exhaust his players. “To see the teams that were playing is something spectacular,” Shaw said. “Last year when I went on tour, we was playing League One teams, Championship teams. “And to come out here, obviously the first game tomorrow with LA Galaxy, and then I think it’s Inter Milan, Roma, and the big one, Real Madrid. That’s something I’m really looking forward to, and I can’t wait to get it started.”
in his hands, so we’ll see. Every player wants to play on big occasions.” Schneiderlin has been closely trailed by the Gunners over the last two seasons since Southampton were promoted to the Premier League. He has been a key performer for the Saints following a move from Strasbourg in 2008 and was drafted into the France squad for the World Cup as a late replacement for the injured Clement Grenier.
Morgan Schneiderlin
City Racism Row Continues As Opponents Deny Wrong Doing MANCHESTER City are considering their next move in the wake of the racism row which blew up out of their elite development squad’s friendly in Croatia. City will continue to evaluate the situation now the EDS squad has returned home, as they were scheduled to do, but it is too early to say what their
next course of action will be over racist abuse allegations made by 19-year-old French midfielder Seko Fofana after he was sent off.
Shaw Backs United’s Young Defenders
Patrick Vieira
Press Association Sport understands the club fully support EDS coach Vieira in making the decision he did but their opponents HNK Rijeka have denied any of their players are racist and claimed the City boss may have had ulterior motives. Ranko Buketa, who was in charge of Rijeka’s team on Tuesday, accused Vieira of trying to divert attention away from Fofana’s red card. “It looks like a move which is trying to hide a very ugly foul by the Manchester City player that resulted in exclusion, followed by a hasty and illogical decision of the coaching staff to withdraw the team from the field,” he told the club’s official website. “Such an abrupt decision surprised us as it was made by responsible people at a respectable club like Manchester City.” In a further statement the club added: “Rijeka clearly and unequivocally reject any possibility that the players at the match against Manchester City
Paul Scholes Still Wanted By United
MANCHESTER United still want Paul Scholes at the club next year despite his public criticism of Wayne Rooney and Ed Woodward, according to the Press Association. Scholes was employed as a coach under Ryan Giggs during the Welshman’s four games in charge of United towards the
Paul Scholes
end of last season. The former United midfielder is yet to be given a role by Giggs’ successor Louis van Gaal though. Some believed Scholes’ comments in an online blog for Paddy Power during the summer had reduced his chances of a return to the coaching staff at Old Trafford. Speaking about his former teammate Rooney, Scholes wrote: “There’s a chance he’s worn out. Wayne’s peak may have been a lot younger than what we’d expect of footballers traditionally. “Age 28 or 29 has been the normal ‘peak’. With Wayne, it could have been when he scored 27 league goals in 2011-12 when he was 26.” The former England midfielder also hit out at executive vice-
chairman Woodward for failing to land United’s top targets last summer. Scholes wrote: “Edward Woodward has an awful lot to prove this time that he’s good enough at his job. He has to bring the players in that the new manager wants. “It’s obvious that last year he didn’t manage to do that. If he doesn’t we are not going to get anywhere near the top.” But despite the barbs, Press Association Sport reports the United hierarchy are keen for Scholes to have some sort of coaching role at Old Trafford next season. One of the roles under consideration for the 39-yearold, who played 718 times for United, is as an assistant to Nicky Butt, who is in charge of the under-21s.
participated in assaulting the rival players on racial, religious or ethnic grounds. “We want to point out the fact that we mentioned at the game we had six players from the Nigeria squad, players who live and train together with our other players, who learned the Croatian language and who have never experienced any discomfort by team-mates - as they themselves can attest. “We also want to point out that Rijeka, in co-operation with FARE, supports a campaign against racism and strongly condemns any incident of its kind. “Because of this, we are surprised by the unpleasantly harsh and baseless accusations of which we are accused and that we completely reject.” Vieira has been praised for his actions by Piara Powar, executive director at antidiscrimination network FARE. “We are not, in the short term, able to stop this sort of incident happening but to have someone like Patrick Vieira, with his status, do this makes the message very clear,” Powar told Press Association Sport. “The message it sends out is categorical. It is just the sort of thing which will create change. “Rijeka are professing puzzlement as to why the team were taken off but I don’t think Patrick would have done that without good cause. “If it was bad enough to take the team off I would hope they would make a complaint (to FIFA). We will be alerting FIFA to this.” CSKA Moscow were ordered by UEFA to close part of their stadium after midfielder Yaya Toure was racially abused during a Champions League match in October. Porto were fined £16,700 in April 2012 after their supporters directed racist chants at Toure and striker Mario Balotelli, who has since left the club, during a Europa League tie. Youth team striker Devante Cole, son of former Manchester United and Newcastle forward Andy, was racially abused by players and supporters during a UEFA Youth League match against Atletico Madrid in February.
‘Suarez Is Being Treated Like A Murderer’ IAGO Aspas has said his former Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez has been “treated like a murderer” since his latest biting incident. Both players have left Anfield this summer – with Aspas joining Sevilla on a season loan deal and Suarez moving to Barcelona on a permanent deal. However, Barcelona were not allowed to unveil Suarez at the Camp Nou because he is serving a four month ban from all football activity after biting Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s World Cup match with Italy at the World Cup. Suarez was handed the hefty ban from FIFA as it was the third time in his career that he has been found guilty of biting an opponent. “They are treating Luis like a murderer and not like a footballer,” Aspas told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope. “There are murderers who pay less. To not let him be presented, to train or to enter the stadium is too much.” Aspas move to Sevilla was officially confirmed this week and the Andalucia club have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. Aspas, 26, moved to Anfield from Celta Vigo last summer but had a disappointing season and made just 15 appearances, the majority as a substitute, and scored one goal.
Zidane Makes Mystery Man His First Madrid Signing
Zinedine Zidane
Arturo Vidal Must Stay At Juve
JUVENTUS forward Carlos Tevez believes the Bianconeri will still be successful even without Antonio Conte, but says the club must keep hold of “champion” midfielder Arturo Vidal this summer. Massimiliano Allegri has United target Vidal. “Vidal’s phenomenal and a taken charge of the Old Lady following Conte’s shock real champion,” he said at a resignation last week, but the news conference in Turin. “I titleholders have already hope he stays here because strengthened their side this we can’t afford to let our summer with the arrivals of champions leave. “I’m delighted with Evra’s Alvaro Morata and Patrice arrival — he’s a great friend Evra, while a deal for Udinese midfielder Roberto Pereyra has of mine. Let’s now wait and see when we have our full been agreed. And Tevez — who says he squad what objectives we can never considered following set ourselves this season in Conte out of Juve — now hopes Serie A and the Champions nobody else will leave, League.” Many Juve fans fear their especially not Manchester recent domination of Italian football is over now that Conte, regarded as the architect of those three straight titles after taking Dortmund’s pre-season over a club which had training, but further tests finished seventh in their confirmed that the Germany previous two years, walked international would be out of out on the club this summer action for three months and — but Tevez does not share would subsequently miss the their concern. start of the 2014-15 Bundesliga season. Dortmund sporting director, Michael Zorc, has now revealed LAURENT Blanc has admitted UEFA’s Financial that, barring setbacks, Reus’ Fair Play sanctions are recovery is on track, meaning hampering Paris Sainthe could feature for Germany Germain’s squad-building in their internationals against plans, while they could yet World Cup runners-up scupper the French Argentina on September 3 and champions’ move for Angel Di Scotland four days later. Maria. “It [his recovery] is going Following the 50 millionwell”, Zorc told Germany euro capture of David Luiz magazine, Kicker. before the World Cup, PSG “We have to see how he announced the arrival of their withstands the pressure [on his second summer signing with foot].” Serge Aurier, 21, completing Reus won the German a move to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. players’ player of the year The Ivory Coast full-back award for his Bundesliga arrives initially on a seasonperformances last term, and long loan from Toulouse with scored 23 goals in 44 an automatic 9.5 million-euro appearances in all competitions purchase option triggered at for Dortmund
Reus Recovery ‘Going BORUSSIA Dortmund Well’ winger Marco Reus is recovering well from ankle ligament damage and should return to action as expected in September, the club’s sporting director has confirmed. Reus was ruled out of Germany’s triumphant World Cup campaign after tearing his ankle ligaments in their final warm-up friendly against Armenia. It was initially hoped that the 25-year-old would return to fitness for
Marco Reus
FAMED for his grace and elegance as a player, Zinedine Zidane apparently has other priorities as a coach, as on Wednesday he made brawny, bustling Finnish striker Eero Markkanen his first signing for Real Madrid’s B team. Now boss of the Champions League winners’ ‘Castilla’ reserve side, Zidane sought out the relatively unknown Finn and bought him from Swedish club AIK Stockholm, where his six goals in 14 appearances were enough to convince one of the game’s greats that he was worth a gamble. “Coming to AIK was a dream come true,” Markkanen said in a statement issued by AIK announcing the move. “Thanks to hard work, my team mates, (AIK coach) Mr. Alm and his coaching staff, another dream is now coming true.” No details of the transfer fee have been released.
- Tevez
“We just need to prove that we are a winning team,” he continued. “Conte had a big influence on our victories, but the scudettos are not only his merit. This is why we’ve now got to get even stronger. “It’s much more difficult winning a fourth straight scudetto than it is having to cope without Conte. His decision didn’t disappoint me. “With this team, growing a little bit more in Europe, we can win the Champions League and give our fans great pleasure. “I’m pleased that Roma and Napoli think they’re favourites for the title — let’s now see what happens on the field. We deserve respect. We are the defending champions.” Juve’s squad is set to be enriched further with Hellas Verona’s Romulo the latest target, according to
Tuttosport. Juve are also still being linked with Samuel Eto’o, although the 33-yearold is reportedly keen on a two-year contract while the Old Lady would prefer to offer only one.
Unheralded when he joined the Stockholm club from JJK Jyvaskyla in Finland, Markkanen was only six months into a three-year contract at AIK when the Spaniards came calling. For the 23-year-old Finn, who has one cap for his country, the move marks the latest stage in a meteoric rise. But given that Markkanen, who makes the most of his 197 centimetres to dominate in the air, is so different to his new mentor, it offers an intriguing insight into the mind of Zidane the coach. Asked how Zidane became aware of Markkanen, an AIK staff member told Reuters: “Noone knows. Apparently Zidane went to the sporting director of Madrid with a DVD of Eero and said ‘I want this guy’.” Having signed a four-year deal, Markkanen will now come under the watchful eye of the French World Cup winner, who played for Real Madrid from 2001 until his retirement in 2006, as he makes the transition from manager Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant to being the man calling the shots in the B team dugout. And just as Zidane saw passes on the field that no-one else did, he may have noticed something in Markkanen that others missed.
Vidal
FFP Affects PSG Transfer Plans the end of the season, an unusual step taken to help PSG counter the restrictions imposed upon them by UEFA for having transgressed FFP regulations. “We don’t do what we want, you know that as well as I do,” Blanc, 48, told media. “If we announce that formula, it’s because there’s a reason. “Financial fair play hampers us, but it hasn’t stopped us bringing in two important players, David Luiz and Serge Aurier. But it’s true that we don’t do what we want, we knew that.” While UEFA had said the Ligue 1 club were able to sign one player of 60 million euros this summer, European
- Banc
football’s governing body also told the club from the French capital they would have to reduce their wage bill. Though Alex and Jeremy Menez left the Parc des Princes when their contracts expired in June, the additions of Luiz and Aurier mean further arrivals have to be carefully managed — and that could pose a problem in signing Di Maria. According to RMC, the 26year-old has told PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi he would rather move to PSG than the Premier League, with the reported eight million euro annual salary appealing to the
Argentina international. However, with Real Madrid having spent 90 million euros on James Rodriguez, the Champions League holders may not be as happy as Toulouse to wait for the money they would receive for Di Maria, who would cost PSG an estimated 60 million euros. “The player has given his agreement to move to Paris,” an unnamed source close to PSG was cited as saying by RMC. “He has told that to the Paris president, but he asked for the situation to be sorted out quickly. The only uncertainty is there: is that wait going to make him choose another club?
Farah Withdraws From Glasgow Games
Israeli Footballers Attacked During ‘Friendly’ In Austria A FRIENDLY match between Maccabi Haifa and Lille degenerated into chaos when the players from the Israeli team were attacked by protestors. Salzburg police said around 20 people with flags and placards, mostly Austrians of Turkish origin, stormed the pitch shouting slogans about the Gaza conflict, in which more than 700 Palestinians have been killed and thousands displaced. During the match, supporters
held up ‘Free Palestine’ banners and waved the Palestinian flag. The match was stopped in the 86th minute when the supporters came onto the pitch. Some of the Israeli players retaliated but they all appeared to leave the field unhurt with the referee deciding to end the match early. Lille were winning the match 2-0 at the time. Israeli clubs are currently banned from hosting European matches due to unrest in the region.
TEAM England have confirmed that Mo Farah will not compete at the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Farah was a doubt after missing the recent Diamond League in Glasgow but had been hopeful of competing at Hampden Park in both the 5,000m and 10,000m. But he will now reset his focus on next month’s European Championships in Zurich. “I have taken the tough decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games,” he said. “The sickness I had two weeks ago was a big setback for me. Training is getting better here in Font Romeu but I need another few weeks to get back to the level I was at in 2012 and 2013.
• Mo Farah
“I really wanted to add the Commonwealth titles to my Olympic and World Championships but the event is coming a few weeks too soon for me as my body is telling me it’s not ready to race yet. Best wishes to my fellow athletes in Glasgow.” Farah last competed at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne eight years ago, finishing ninth in the 5000m underlining the progress he’s made to become the world’s dominant long distance athlete on the track. “It is a real blow for any athlete to miss out on a major championships through injury, but to have fought so hard to regain full fitness and to have to take such a difficult decision at this stage is particularly hard,” said Team England chef de mission Jan Paterson.
Commonwealth Games Sri Lankans Stopped By Police On Motorway
Israeli footballers attacked
Dunga Names Former Team Mates As Brazil Assistants
NEW Brazil coach Dunga has named Andrey Lopes as his assistant manager and given former World Cup winners Taffarel and Mauro Silva places on his backroom team, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on The little-known Lopes was Dunga’s assistant when he coached Internacional last year. Taffarel, who will be goalkeeping coach, played alongside Dunga when they won the World Cup in 1994, as did Mauro Silva, the former midfielder, who Dunga said would help him where and
• Dunga
when needed. They were among the 13 new names appointed to provide back up to Dunga, who was made national team coach on Tuesday. “We are calling up players who were world champions so we have that DNA in our
team,” Gilmar Rinaldi, the technical director in charge of Brazil’s men’s, youth and women’s sides, told a news conference in Rio de Janeiro. “We want these professionals to be our critical eyes, pointing out where we can improve.” The appointments came the day after Dunga was named coach for a second time, replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari, who resigned after the World Cup where Brazil were hammered 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals and beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands in the thirdplace playoff. Although many critics cried out for an overhaul of the domestic game and the appointment of a foreign coach, Dunga was brought back as national team boss, four years after he failed to take Brazil beyond the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. His new backroom staff are expected to be in place by next month before he takes charge of the team for friendlies against Colombia in Miami on
Sept. 5 and Ecuador in New Jersey four days later. They also face Argentina in China in October and Turkey in Istanbul in November. Their first competitive fixtures will be in next year’s Copa America in Chile.
SRI Lanka’s cycling team took to the open road for training at the Commonwealth Games but prompted a police response as they rode along one of Scotland’s busiest motorways on Wednesday. Four cyclists, wearing Sri Lankan team training jerseys, travelled along the M74, braving 70 mile per hour traffic and the wrath of Scottish police since bicycles are banned on motorways. They were spotted by English triathlete and Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee, who tweeted a picture of them. Police stopped the quartet near the exit for Motherwell and Hamilton after calls from
concerned motorists and informed them that they were breaking the law. “Police attended the scene. Advice and assistance was given and the cyclists were advised to get off the road,” a spokeswoman for Police Scotland said. She confirmed the cyclists were part of the Sri Lankan Games squad and left the area after loading their bikes on to a team vehicle. The incident echoed the exploits of the Kenyan team at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. They rode along the M61 from Manchester to Bolton twice before being stopped by police.
denying the claims made by the City teenager. “Croatian Football Federation is in a process of gathering information regarding the alleged incident and if there are any decisions to be made we’ll make it public on our website,” the statement read. “CFF follows a strong “no racism” policy so we take all accusations of racism very seriously. Fight against racism (and any sort of discrimination) is one of the key components of our president Davor Suker’s programme and that is why we will have a good look into this matter.” Buketa alleged that Vieira had an ulterior motive for taking his side off following Fofana’s red card on the stroke of half-time
but, w ith CFF confirming its own investigation, UEFA may now also take a look at the incident - the latest in a number of racial discrimination cases involving Manchester City. CSKA Moscow were ordered to close part of their stadium after midfielder Yaya Toure was racially abused during a Champions League match in October. Porto were fined £16,700 in April 2012 after their supporters directed racist chants at Toure and striker Mario Balotelli, who has since left the club, during a Europa League tie. Youth team striker Devante Cole was racially abused by players and supporters during a UEFA Youth League match against Atletico Madrid in February.
CFF To Probe City Racism Claims THE Croatian Football Federation has confirmed it will be looking into claims that Manchester City’s Seko Fofana was racially abused during an elite development squad match against HNK Rijeka on Tuesday. City’s EDS coach Patrick Vieira took his players off the pitch as Fofana alleged that he had been targeted by Rijeka players after being sent off in the friendly and it is not yet clear what action the Barclays Premier League champions will take next. In a statement issued to Press Association Sport, the CFF revealed it i s investigating the matter, despite Ranko Buketa, who was in charge of the Rijeka team on Tuesday, wholly
Federation Cup
Enyimba, Dolpins Zoom Into Semi Finals matches with Enyimba
DEFENDING champions Enyimba and two other NPFL sides Dolphins and Giwa FC with National League team, Prime FC have confirmed their places in the semi final of the 2014 Federation Cup. Enyimba spanked Sharks 2-0 at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja on Wednesday evening while Dolphins went past Lobi Stars in a six-goal affair that ended 4-2 in favour of the Port Harcourt side as Giwa FC and Prime FC also progressed at the expense of Crown FC and Gateway United in that order. Goals from Bobby Sokari and Raphael Boumsong put the People’s Elephant in the driver’s seat in their push towards successfully
defending the crown they won last year. They thus stopped the aspirations of the Blue Angels from advancing beyond the quarter final this season. The other Port Harcourt side Dolphins, however, pulled through after they roundly beat Lobi Stars 42 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. The semi final ties billed for next week Wednesday have set up thrilling
playing against Giwa who are playing in their first season in the top flight. They have not got to this stage of the competition before but Enyimba have won the crown on three occasions in 2005, 2009 and 2013. Dolphins and Prime will slug it out in the other semi final fixture as the oldest competition in the land closes in on the grand finale on August 16.
THE Nigeria Football Association (NFA) board yesterday in Abuja passed a vote of no confidence on its Chairman, Aminu Maigari, and approved his immediate dismissal from the board. The board, which said the action was on grounds of financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration, mandated its First ViceChairman, Mike Umeh, to act as Chairman pending new elections. It had taken the decision at a meeting at the NFA Glass House secretariat to review the situation, after last week’s vacation of an injunction by the Jos High Court.
NFA Board Sacks Maigari NIGERIAN OBSEVER recalls that the injunction had asked the board to step aside, leading to Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo sacking the NFA management team. The injunction and Minister’s action had irked FIFA, which subsequently suspended Nigeria, before lifting it after the court order was vacated. Ademola Olajire, NFA’s Head of Communications, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the board took the decision
Amuneke Warns Eaglets Ahead Congo Game NIGERIA U17 head coach Emmanuel Amuneke has warned his wards against any form of complacency even as he craves for a winning mentality in their African championship qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday. The match billed for Kinshasa was moved from July 20, 2014 following the Nigeria Football Federation’s suspension by the world football ruling body. Speaking to the players during Wednesday’s training at the University of Calabar, the former African footballer of the year told the players to have nothing but a winning attitude while assuring that the players selected for the encounter are fit and ready to do the country proud. “Now is the moment of truth for us because the serious business of qualification for Niger 2015 would begin for us in Congo,” Amuneke told his players.” “All what we have done before is now in the past because we would now be judged based on our performance particularly in this match. “We must go to Congo with the sole of objective of winning and that is the mental attitude we are must all have,” noted the 1994 African Footballer of the Year. “We must be ready to show all what we have been learning in our training and we the coaching crew believe that you have what it takes to win this match but we must not be over confident,” he concluded. Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are currently the reigning world champion having emerged victorious at the 2013 Fifa U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Enyimba Football Club in action.
after “thorough and exhaustive deliberations on the uncalled-for secrecy surrounding all financial dealings of the association’’. The statement also quoted the meeting’s communiqué, signed by Muazu Suleyman, Chairman of its Drafting Committee, as citing as another reason the “failure to call a board meeting for the past eight months’’. “During this period, so many weighty decisions on Nigerian football had been taken by a small cabal within the board,’’ the communiqué said. It said further that Umeh, as Acting Chairman, is to preside over the board’s affairs pending the composition of the new NFA board after the elections of Tuesday, Aug. 26. The meeting was attended by Maigari and Umeh, as well as other board members such as Emeka Inyama, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, Ahmad Muazu Kawu, Effiong Johnson, Chris Green and Shehu Adamu. Other board members in attendance at the meeting are Suleyman, Ayodeji Tinubu, Yusuf Ahmed, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Suleiman YahayaKwande, as well as Musa Amadu, the NFA Secretary-General.
Maiden Baptist Confab Games Opens Tomorrow In Benin By NICHOLAS EBOIGBE
THE maiden edition of Edo State Baptist Conference Sports Festival will open on Saturday July 26, 2014 at the University of Benin Sports complex, Ugbowo, Benin City. The Games would be done Conference, Rev (Dr) Frank in two phasls-the preliminary Ezele, the Sports festival is and the grand finale organized by the church to otherwise known as the contribute her quota to the Conference Level. development of sports in the The preliminary will start state. this weekend, July 26 and “As a church, we owe it a ends August 2, 2014 even as very big responsibility to help the grand finale commences in removing certain August 23 and climaxes anomalies which have August 30, this year. bedeviled sports in the Participants who would be country. For instance, we drawn from different parts of want to wipe out hooliganism Ed0 State, will compete in and the win-at-all cost events such as table tennis, syndrome.” athletics (track and field), He said the church has Handball, Volleyball, Long partnered with some sports jump, triple jump, the throws philanthropists and other (shortcut, Javelin, discuss), stakeholders in the state as Tug-of-war as well as part of effort to realise the set football which is male only goal. and would be in the underThe clergyman explained 13, 17 and 21 categories. that the Baptist Church is According to the President assisting in building the lives of Edo State Baptist of the young people by
ensuring that talents are discovered during the Games. He said the church hopes to get issues right by preaching the gospel to the participants and others in the state during the Sports Festival. “You do know that today, there are still evils in the society; armed robbery, stealing Advanced Fee Fraud (419), prostitution, kidnapping and other vices. Government cannot tackle all these alone. We are using this opportunity to ask our Creator God to intervene by changing the people’s lives and give them a good future, make them excel in their present endeavours. But they need to turn to God to achieve their objectives in life,” he pontificated. Some important personalities would be in attendance at the opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday at the University of Benin Sports complex.
The Special Guest of Honour is Comrade Adam Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo State. The Grand Patron, Col. PaulOsa Ogberbor (Rtd.)
while the chairman is Chief Oyuki Jackson Obaseki, former chairman of Nigeria Professional Football League.
Rev. (Dr.) Frank Ezele, President, Edo State Baptist Conference.
Why Boko Haram FEEDBACK Is Still Active
CONSIDERING the horrific manner Boko Haram is carrying on with its provocation, by now it ought to have been identified as everybody’s enemy. But in a country where the government has inadvertently come to establish itself as the people’s common enemy, then a choice has-to be made of which to hate more between government and the Boko Haram. When a community has just emerged from a war, everyone has to be careful about who to blame for not going to sympathize with the other. The issue of blame can only be relevant if one becomes sure that the person being blamed for neglecting the other, has not also lost both legs, suffered the death of a loved one, or is not outrightly dead. In Nigeria today, everyone has one wound or the other to tend to. It is a pity that Boko Haram has become a wound that government must attend to. Although situations have revealed that government does not actually care about how many people are killed or maimed, but only because the insurgents appear to be reaching out closer and deadlier to them. And this is their worry upon which they are now calling on Nigerians who cannot go for a medical check-up for fear of ‘being asked to buy one medicine or afford a laboratory test; people, who are denied the electricity to power their electronic gadgets and be acquainted with goingson about Boko Haram and what government requires of the citizens; a people, who are daily- fighting the unrelenting war of hunger. Ironically, the government has been calling on all Nigerians to identify Boko Haram as their common enemy. And Nigerians are still lost as to why the persons, who are continually distancing
By
KINGSLEY OGBEIDE-IHAMA
themselves by hopping from siren blaring vehicles to hovering in their fleet of private aircraft; those who travel abroad for a presumed safe pedicure and manicure... while the mass of the people are unable to afford good
ruthlessly with its citizens, or the outright inability of certain impostures to identify and avert the terrible consequences of man-made problems. If we also appreciate that Boko Haram is not in the context of a particular
harmoniously with. When we also acknowledge the notion that Boko Haram is the fallout of a government’s onetime specially- trained assailing dogs; then we should properly examine the factors that turned them inside out to the
for the devil, who is chasing him about with a sledge hammer. This is the choice which Nigerians are finding difficult or being asked to make. And except with the sudden jolt to the
extent that the former owners are now so much afraid of them. And better still, to forecast how the other species of assailing dogs currently being trained would be tamed forever; in averting a repeat of the same mistakes. It would have been easier to ask somebody who cannot swim to take a dive into a bottomless sea with a heavy log fastened to his neck, or to plead with him to standstill
indiscriminate manner Boko Haram unleashes its horrendous acts, most Nigerians have it in their subconscious that Boko Haram is actually more of government’s enemy. And when we input the aphorism of who the enemy of one’s enemy is perceived as, only then we can appreciate the missing element of oneness or bond between government and the people that are needed to win the fight against Boko
• Scene of Boko Haram orchestrated bomb blast
healthcare services; those who promote the anathema of the Nigerian made by inventing another version of the ‘doctrine of necessity’ which is the convenient or utilitarian mathematical formula’ where the smaller becomes greater than the bigger; those who invented the economic principle where the poor keeps paying for the roguery of the rich by way of subsidy — be proclaiming or making the citizens to take note of another enemy. Concurrently, we can for the purpose of illustration examine the moral position of the notorious armed robber who is calling for the annihilation a pickpocket. Sometimes one is tempted to conclude that Boko Haram is purely government’s creation in its many desires to deal
tribe who are culturally rebellious, or the descendants of a warlike ancestor, or a people affected by a special gene which starts manifesting in bloodletting tendencies at a particular adult age (since such traces are not naturally exhibited at infancy or during teens) then we should recognize the sociopolitical issues which created this unwholesome tendency in the people we have always lived
Haram. If government has made itself unlikeable because of the unlikeable or discriminatory acts the people associate them with, it is therefore as unfortunate as the unfortunate situation in which we all find ourselves today. Apart from the scene where Boko Haram has carried out its act, the appearance of the Boko Haram member about to carry out its mission is even more pleasant to behold. While a government official may be going about with a behemoth of gun wielding guards chasing all and sundry from his path, a Boko Haram member about a suicide mission could just be that man, who patiently stops the car he is driving to allow an old woman or some children to get across the road, before calmly driving on to the place of his suicide mission. He may also be that man, who though carrying a travelling bag at a motor park, finds a woman with her little child and offers to buy the child some chocolates — while a government revenue collector is busy manhandling a sachet (pure) water seller for failing to pay for the daily sales permit. And these are the visible contrasting scenarios we commonly find about us which leaves us very unsure of what we actually want.
“While a government official may be going about with a behemoth of gun wielding guards chasing all and sundry from his path, a Boko Haram member about a suicide mission could just be that man, who patiently stops the car he is driving to allow an old woman or some children to get across the road, before calmly driving on to the place of his suicide mission.”
Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor. BARR. SOLOMON IMOHIOSEN (KSJI) - (07030699646), Deputy General Manager (Marketing) (08023457566), Assistant General Manager(Advertisement) (08023808856) Lagos Office: 25 A Alli Street, Off Tinubu Square, Lagos Island, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)