Nigerian observer 26 07 2013

THE NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

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PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

• Vol. 37 NO.283 • FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013 • N100.00

Oshiomhole condoles with Patience Jonathan

ART AND CULTURE

BENIN CITY - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commiserated with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan on the death of her mother, describing the late Madam

Page 19

The Great Benin Kingdom

Charity Oba as a woman of character.

In a condolence letter to the First Lady,

Governor Oshiomhole said: “It is with great shock that I received the reports of the death of

Mama, Chief (Mrs.) Charity Oba, in a ghastly motor accident Tuesday Continues on page 2

Rivers Crisis

Senate panel indicts Jonathan, wife

By JOSES SEDE

ISSUES Pages 22 Curbing the incidence of teenage pregnancy

ABUJA - Like an earlier resolution of the House of Representatives, the Senate yesterday, resolved to assume the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly even as its panel indicted President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Dame Patience Jonathan over the lingering crisis.

With this resolution, the National Assembly could the Rivers State be said to have effectively House of Assembly taken over the functions of

Army discovers live bomb

ABAKALIKI - The Nigerian Army has uncovered a live bomb at

Edo State

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT INVITATION TO TOWN HALL MEETING ON EDUCATION EDO State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole wishes to invite the executives and members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNIBEN and Ambrose Alli University Chapters, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics in the state, Civil Society Groups, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Market Women Association, Student Groups, Women Associations, Non-Governmental organisations, media executives and practitioners, teachers, Parents Teachers Associations in the state, community leaders and indeed other stakeholders in the education sector in the state to a Town Hall Meeting on Education.

Theme of the Town Hall Meeting which will hold from 9.30a.m. on Wednesday, 31st July, 2013 at the Imaguero College Hall, Benin City, is “The State of Education in Edo State”.

Signed: PATRICK OBAHIAGBON, Esq., Chief of Staff.

the construction site of the proposed 344 Artillery Regiment at Ezillo in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

This is contained in a statement from Capt.

A.M. Sa’ad of the Nkwegu Military Cantonment, Abakaliki.

The statement said the regiment was being constructed on the disputed land between Ezza and Ezillo communities that had claimed more than 50 persons.

“The bomb was discovered during supervision of the project located on the ever-busy AbakalikiEnugu expressway,’’ it said It said the bomb would be detonated where it was found.

Continues on page 2

which has not been able to sit for sometime now.

The Senate also mandated the President

of Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator David Mark, to mediate between the

principal actors in the Rivers Assembly with a view to ensuring an early resolution of the

crises which they noted, have great implications for the country’s democracy.

Continues on page 2

VISIT: L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and President, Nigerian Bar Association, Okey Wali (SAN), during the visit of NBA members to the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.

Ihonvbere tasks entertainment industry

By QUEENNETH OROBEDO BENIN CITY – Secretary to Edo State

Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has urged Stakeholders in the entertainment industry to

By VICTOR OMOALU BENIN CITY- Edo State government is committed to collecting what it

termed as arrears from the consumption taxes due to the state government since December 2011.

build the social and political consciousness of those who participate in the industry.

He stated this yesterday in Government House when he received a

This would be followed by penalty for failure to remit the consumption tax by hoteliers for the period stipulated.

The Executive Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Chief Continues on page 2

Edo to enforce consumption tax

law

delegation of Dream Alive Team led by Eromosele Daniel, (Pikolo), who came on a courtesy visit.

Prof. Ihonvbere remarked that people should learn to build up courage on their own, instead of relying solely on those in power to Continues on page 2

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FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

News

Oshiomhole condoles with Patience Jonathan

Continued from page 1

along the Port HarcourtYenagoa expressway. On behalf of myself, my family, government and people of Edo State, please accept our heartfelt condolences at this difficult moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

“Personally, I did not have the privilege of meeting her, but from what I have heard and read about her, it is doubtless she was a matriarch of character, the more reason her passing is painful.

“As one philosopher aptly puts it, ‘God cannot be everywhere, so He created mothers’. Mama (fondly called Mama Sisi) was obviously your own guardian angel. Your Excellency, your own life story speaks to exemplary fortitude, uncommon focus and stellar courage. Despite losing your biological mother in your teenage years, you pulled

yourself by the bootstraps and rose above all odds to become who you are today.

“There is, therefore, no prize for guessing to what extent Mama helped shape the woman of substance you are today. It then becomes easier to appreciate the bond that existed between her and your good self and the significant portion she represents in your own

Ihonvbere tasks entertainment harped on the need for Continued from page 1 industry members to use it as a

protect their interest.

The SSG remembered the Late Fela Anikulapo Kuti describing him as one of the best chronicler of the times, who was committed to correcting the ills in the society, especially corruption in governance through his music.

He commended Dream Alive for its initiative and creativity which he noted would serve as an opportunity to display and properly harness the talents of youths.

Prof. Ihonvbere promised to support the organisation’s programme just as he

narrative. When she took ill not too long ago and had to receive treatment in a faraway land, you created time to be by her bedside.

“As painful as Mama’s passing is, to us in Edo State, we are comforted that she led a worthy life. May the Almighty God grant her eternal rest and grant you and your family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. Amen.”

Army discovers live bomb

platform to raise the social and public consciousness of the people.

Leader of the Delegation, Dream Alive Team, Mr. Eromosele Daniel (Pikolo), sued for support towards their forthcoming programme, which auditioning is scheduled to commence in August.

The statement urged members of the public to go about their businesses and not to be frightened as the detonation was for the safety of all.

environment with a view to attracting investment, the EIRS had embarked on serious enlightenment/ Sensitisation campaign on the need for the people to be abreast with the various provision of tax laws in the state as propagated by the State House of Assembly.

He maintained that all outstanding owed by hoteliers from the consumption tax

must be remitted, adding that failure to comply with the relevant consumption tax law will attract the full wrath of the law.

The EIRS boss noted that the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole through his initiative is working hard towards improving the lot of the state by delivering the much needed infratructural development to the people.

Continued from page 1

Edo to enforce consumption tax law

Continued from page 1

(Sir) Oseni Elamah disclosed this at a briefing in Benin City It would be recalled that a group, “Hotel Owners Association of Nigeria” had instituted a legal action challenging the authority of the state government on the collection of consumer tax in the state and subsequently the court restrained the EIRS from enforcing the consumer tax law

in the interim.

Consequently, the supreme court sitting in Abuja last Saturday held that it is only the state House of Assembly that can make laws on tourism, licensing and grading of hotel, restaurants and other hospitalities in any state.

Briefing newsmen in Benin City Elamah said that towards tax efficiency as well as creating a tax-friendly

Senate panel indicts Jonathan, wife

Continued from page 1

Furthermore, the resolutions which were predicated on report of Senator Kabiru Gaya led Senate Investigative Committee saw the senators assertively calling for immediate redeployment of Mr. Joseph Mbundu the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.

This is even as the Senator Gaya panel discovered among others, that crisis at the RSHA on July 9,2013, was the expression of deep rooted political crisis occasioned by alleged highhandedness of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and perceived undue interference with the political and security structure of the State by President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, as well as the national hierarchy of the PDP. Meanwhile, presiding Senate President Mark has warned the minority group in the RSHA to perish the idea to impeaching the Speaker of the House, as it is unconstitutional and intolerable.

“Minority members of the Rivers State House of Assembly cannot remove and should therefore, never contemplate the impeachment of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly or anyone else for that matter and should perish the thought if they ever harboured it.

“Our Institutions of State must also uphold the Constitution at all times and must not in any way encourage the impression that impunities of the past are possible today.

“This National Assembly, for the avoidance of doubt, would resist impunity and unconstitutionality. This is the

stand of the Senate. And once more I must emphasis that we remain neutral and we want to see an end to the crisis in Rivers State.

All we want is that peace to return to Rivers State.

“Let me add that the National Assembly will uphold and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as we all individually swore to do.

And this we will do at all times and at all cost”, he stressed.

In a veiled reference to former President Olusegun Obasanjo regime in which the minority were actively empowered to remove the majority from office, Senator Mark sounded, “let me leave no one in doubt that the impunities of the past remain in the past.

And the past is gone for good; all that is left is for the proper lessons to be learnt from the past”.

The senators had prior to the resolution gone into a closeddoors session that lasted between 11am and 2.19pm, apparently to discuss the Senator Gaya committee report’s and Senator Mohammed Macciddo Led Appropriation Committee report on 2013 Budget Amendment request of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“We spent several hours this morning discussing in great detail the situation in Rivers State. We devoted so many hours because we believe it is important that we look at it from the prism of our own committee that went there to find out exactly what happened, and we are happy we sent our own

team to go and investigate and report to us.

Our final objective, and throughout our discussion, our objective was to ensure that peace returns to Rivers State.

That w as the focus of the

discussion this morning.

Our appeal to all the principal actors involved is that unless there is peace in Rivers State, they cannot ensure development in Rives State. We want development across the length and breathe of this country.

“Therefore, we use the opportunity once more to appeal that all those involved sheathe their sword so that peace can reign in Rivers State.

“The Committee has not indicted any particular group of people, it has not indicted any section and I don’t think it has indicted any individual.

The reason is because we want to ensure that there is peace.

The Senate as a body wants to be an integral part of the solution to the problem in Rivers State. We remain neutral. We’ve not taken sides with any group and we are not going to take sides, but we will stand on facts.

When we eventually approve our prayers, those prayers will be based on the facts that are known to us and our neutral position. And we hope that all the parties involved would appreciate that what we want to ensure is peace in Rivers State”, Senator Mark added.

Earlier in his report, Senator Gaya led Committee found

out that insistence of Governor Amaechi to run for a second term as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) did not go down well with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency.

The Senate panel also indicted the embattled Compol Mbu for grounding activities at the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council through his occupation of the premises in defiance of subsisting court order directing the police to vacate the secretariat.

They further observed that Compol Mbu and three service commanders (Army, Navy and Airforce) were deployed to Rivers State six months ago in suspicious manner; and that since then, the security situation of Rivers State has deteriorated with high number of cases of kidnapping, cultism, bunkering, and gradual return of militants to the streets, thereby threatening public peace.

“Inspite of the security situation in Rivers State, Security Council meetings were not held regularly, as the Council only met three times in eight months; this relationship between Governor Amaechi and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu has irretrievably broken down; the police commissioner has refused to cooperate with the governor on matters of security, even though the governor is

the Chief Security Officer of the State”.

Police accident victims get N11.2m

Insurance:

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON BENIN CITY – The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, zone 5, Mr. Hashimu Argungu has presented a cheques for the sum of N11.260 million to 27 beneficiaries of the Nigeria Police Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, in Benin City.

The presentation took place at the Conference Hall, zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, yesterday.

Mr. Argungu said the scheme was part of the present Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar ’s initiative to improve the welfare of Police Personnel, whether dead or alive.

He enjoined beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money in order to serve the aim of the policy.

“This token is an appreciation of the officers and then affected and to cushion the effect of the accident involving those still serving and for those who are dead, a succour to their families,” the AIG stated.

He noted that those who were issued cheques yesterday are the next of kin of officers who died while discharging their statutory duties and those who suffered one form of incapacitation or another, while serving under the zone.

The breakdown of the claim settlement revealed that 10 beneficiaries from Delta state received cheques worth N5 million while

another 10 beneficiaries from Edo State received cheques worth N3.160 million, while another worth N3.1 million were issued to seven recipients from Bayelsa State.

Another recipients was Miss Omolua whose only brother, Constable Thomas Omolua was shot dead by robbers at Ugbowo Estate gate junction, Benin City on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

She, however expressed mixed feelings over N500,000, received saying the news of her brother’s death led to the sudden collapse and death of her immediate younger sister leaving her behind to be the only surviving child of her parents.

Sunday Agbonghoroma from Delta State who received the highest amount of N1 million disclosed that the vacuum created by the death of his brother, C.S.P. Williams Agboghoroma ambushed and shot dead by gunmen in Obiaruku town, Delta State on Friday, January 21, 2011 cannot be filled.

Mr. Josep Usifoh, however, thanked the zone beneficiaries received the cheques.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, similar occasion was held at the zone and cheques for over N6.8 million were presented to 10 beneficiaries by the AIG, Hashimu Argungu.

Pool Stakers lambasts promoters

BENIN CITY – The Edo State Pools stakers have expressed concern over what they termed refusal of the Pool Promoters to adhere to the rules governing pools staking as stipulated by the state government and therefore called on government to call them (promoters) to order.

In a letter to the Executive Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), the pool stakers noted that the deliberate efforts to defraud pools stakers cannot continue to be tolerated.

The letter was signed by Idahosa Ehimwenma, the Protem Secretary of the state Pools Stakers and was copied to the Permanent Secretary in EIRS. The letter indicated that government decision that early kick-off match or matches are to be voided, a position the pools promoters have refused to adhere to up till date.

According to the letter, in week 01 matches played on July 20, 2013, there were only two draws on coupons, and

consequence upon the postponement of 20 matches due to heavy downpour, the pools panel recognised worldwide adjudged six matches (6, 12, 13, 23, 24, 30) as draws, for the purpose of bridging the abnormalities which arose.

Unfortunately, the letter noted that the state pools promoters rose from their meeting and decided that they neither pay with panel draws nor order a restake.

This existing pool rule, the statement added does not cover two draws as winning but three draws, a development the letter indicated is at variance with a circular by the state Pools Promoters Association.

In the circular signed by secretary to the association, effective Week 51, Panel results would be accepted while from Week 52 – Week two Australia season, odds on promo was stated while there shall be no commission on promo.

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Inside Edo Developmental Strides

Community Leader Lauds AGENEBODE: The LG Boss Chairman of Etsako East Local

Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in a group photograph with members of Igbanke Union after their visit to Government House, on Tuesday PHOTO: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE

Government Council, Hon. Suleiman Afegbua has been commended for providing electricity generating transformer to Udiegwa Community in the area.

A Community Leader, Mr. Omoh Beture who made the commendation in Ogute-Oke, Okpella in a chat with the Nigerian Observer stated that the electricity generating transformer has helped to enhance social, economic activities especially during businesses at night in egute-oke.

Mr. Beture stated that the emergence of Hon. Afegbua as chairman of the council has brought good fortunes to the local government considering his assumption of office as chairman of the council, adding that, Hon. Afegbua is a man that can be trusted to administer the local government in the best

Witness Can’t Be Compelled To Testify

By ROLAND OSAKUE/ INNOCENT OMOAKA

BENIN CITY (EKIADOLOR) - The Magistrate court in Ekiadolor, on Monday ruled that O. M. Obayuwana cannot be compelled to testify on the criminal case against a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Benin, Neville Obakhedo.

The accused person, Neville Obakhedo is standing trial before Magistrate Franca Oghoator (Mrs.) over an alleged offence of conspiracy, forgery and fraudulently uttering of documents, an offence punishable under Section 516, 465, 467 and 468 of the Criminal Code, while his alleged partner in crime, Peter Ezemuze Umuikhigboje is now at large.

On resumption of hearing in the case with Charge No MEK/17C/2013, Magistrate Oghoator (Mrs.) ruled that the subpoena of the former Counsel to the accused person in the Federal High Court, O. M. Obayuwana (Esq) to the witness box by the prosecution was contrary to Section 192, Subsection 1 of the Evidence Act. She submitted that O.M. Obayuwana can only stand as witness if his former client before the Federal High Court, now the accused person before the magistrate court, Neville Obakhedo gave him the express permission to do so.

Meanwhile, in continuation of hearing, Anaegboro Lucky Enonuyi, the 8th Prosecution Witness, and the Registrar of the Federal High Court 2 led in an evidence by Inspector Felix Eze with C.E Agbonwanegbe and A.E. Odiase Esq. as watching brief counsel identified Exhibit A as the court process filed at the Federal High Court.

She further identified Exhibit B, filed by the accused, Neville Obakhedo against the University of Benin on October 26, 2011.

She gave suit No. FAC/B/ CX/106/2011 as the file number of the case in the Federal High court.

Under cross examination, by the defense counsel, A.E. Afolabi, the PW8 told the court that she could not

- Magistrate however, objected to the

recognized the two documents filed on November 9, 2011 which were presented for identification as she can not tell of the existence of the documents until she sees the case file where original documents are kept .

Inspector Felix Eze,

defense counsel submission, arguing that PW8 is not the maker of the document and that the maker of the document has already testified before the court as a witness who was also cross-examined.

The defense counsel, A.E. Afolabi then argued that the

documents in question are not to be considered for crossexamination but only for the PW8, who has been subpoena as the proper person to testify to the originality of the documents.

After listening to their submissions, Magistrate Oghoator adjourned further cross-examination of PW8 and ruling to August 19, 2013.

Leadership Tussle: Chief Priest Calls For Truce

By ROLAND/INNOCENT OMOAKA UGHOTON – Chief Priest, Frank Ukhuegbe Edokpaigbe, the Ohen Osa Ekaladeran of Ughoton has called for truce in the crisis over the leadership between the Odionwere and Ohen Okun of Ughoton Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The Chief Priest, who spoke to newsmen at Ughoton on Tuesday, said that from time immemorial, the Odionwere and Ohen Okun have lived together and enjoyed relative peace among them, while the people of the community carried out their daily activities in harmony.

He however, called on the people fueling the crisis to remember the judgement of the Benin Monarch, Omo N’Edo,

Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa on September 23, 2008, where Chief Obazuwa and Chief Osague were mandated to inform the Ohen-Okun that the Odionwere was the traditional head of the community.

Chief Edokpaigbe also added that the letter dated February 9, 2012 by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) signed by its Secretary on behalf of His Royal Majesty in reply to Ohen Okun’s letter reiterated that the Oba’s

claim to be an apparition of the blessed Mary.

The parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Omonlumen, could not be reached for comment as he was said to be away for

undisclosed assignment.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Ibhatiri had last Sunday confirmed the image as an apparition and believe of the church.

Mysterious Image Disappears From Church

By INNOCENT OKOH UBIAJA – The mysterious image on the inside wall of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, which is believed to be apparition of the blessed virgin Mary is gradually vanishing from the head point after two days, even as hundreds of catholics from far and near continue to converge on the church since last Sunday.

More also, thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics have continued to visit the church to have a first hand knowledge of the mysterious image which has continued to entertain reactions from various people.

According to some respondents they doubted in strong terms the veracity of the mysterious image, claiming it as fake.

However, majority of Catholics have erected an alter beneath the image, which they

judgement was and final and still valid.

He stated that there were various Chief Priests in the community, who were in-charge of their specific spiritual shrines, while the Odionwere performs the role of traditional head in the community, and wondered why the Ohen Okun, Victor Aigbovbiosa is now claiming to be the traditional leader of Ughoton.

According to him, the situation where paid thugs and Police Officers are used to intimidate the people in the community is worrisome, alleging that Police Officers were acting the scrips of Ohen-Okun, in disregard to the authority of the Odionwere and the elders of the community.

The SSG Edo State, Prof Julius Ihonvbere (Right) in a hand shake with the Chairman Edo State Coaches Association, Mr Arthur Adorin, while receiving a plaque from the association, during his investiture, yesterday in Govt House PHOTO: QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO

interest of the people.

He also stressed the need for the people of Ogute to live in unity, peace as well as support the Afegbua led administration, noting that the community has been captured in the development plans of the administration.

The community leader also advised youths of the local government area to be law abiding and productive and shun all vices such as indolence and favouritism.

Deputy Gov Bags Chieftaincy Title

By CLIFORD AGBAJOR BENIN CITY – Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has been conferred the Chieftaincy title of the Ogbodurueminrin of Ekpedo Kingdom, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state by His Royal Highness, Oba John Afolabi Obabori, the Onose of Ekpedo.

Conferring the chieftaincy title on the deputy governor in Benin City yesterday, Oba Obabori noted that his community decided to honour Dr. Odubu due to his loyalty and outstanding contributions to the Oshiomhole-led administration in the state.

Oba Obabori further noted that he has followed with keen interest the successes recorded in the deputy governor’s service to the state and indeed the nation, saying that Dr. Odubu has been a source of inspiration and service to mankind from his days in the National Assembly.

Responding, Dr. Pius Odubu thanked the Royal father for the honour done him.

He attributed the honour done him to the developmental strides of the Governor, Adams Oshiomhole-led government, assuring that the tempo would be sustained.

The deputy governor pointed out that the support given the governor in his re-election bid would be reciprocated through more dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State.

On the boundary dispute between Ekpedo community in Edo State, and Ogori, in Kogi State, Dr. Odubu stated that much has been done to resolve the issue and explained that the two states and the National Boundary Commission (NBC) met a few years ago, where agreement was reached to the effect that monumentation should be carried out.

He, however, noted that it was gathered that some communities on the side of Kogi State attacked those from Edo State who went to carry out the monumentation, stressing that the issue has been brought to the attention of NBC. The deputy governor observed that the state governor is doing all within his reach to ensure that the issue is resolved soon, assuring that no inch of the state would be ceded to another state.

Speaking on the Chieftaincy title conferred on the deputy governor, a member of Edo State House of Assembly, representing AkokoEdo II Constituency, who is also from Ekpedo Community, Hon. Simon Bamidele Oloruntoba, described Dr. Odubu as a man of the people, hence his community deemed it necessary to honour him.

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Inside Edo Edo NIPR Re-Invigorated BENIN CITY- A Town Hall Meeting has been held in Benin City to bring to an end the festering crises that had stalled the growth of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Edo State Chapter.

Registrar of the institute, Mr. Adebayo Stephen presided over the meeting which was

held in Benin City with large turn out of members and intending members.

The meeting featured an interactive session with focus on repositioning the chapter and the constitution of new executive council after an election was held.

Those elected included Tosa Usuanlele, Chairman

Excursion: Lydia Group Of

School press Club Visits BNCL

By OGBOLU GEORGE/ EGOBIAMBU EMMANUEL/ OSASOBOWINI FRED / FAITH ISEMAENBITA

BENIN CITY- Member of the Press Club, Lydia Group of Schools Benin City, yesterday undertook an excursion visit to the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), publishers of the Observer tittles.

According to the Editor-InChief of the club, Omo Ataga Ofure, they came for the visit so as to get acquainted with the practical aspect of newspaper production.

She said that it would amount to waste of time if the students are only exposed to Theory without the practicals.

Speaking, the News Editor Daily Observer Mr. Andy Egbon, who received the students commended the students for seeing the need to come for the excursion saying the Observer Newspapers is a reference point for professionalism in terms of newspaper production in Nigeria.

During the visit, the students, apart from getting answers to questions, were taken round the various sector /processes that the newspaper

goes through before it gets to the newsstand.

Also, the Coordinator of the press club Mr. Dayo Peters appreciated the management of BNCL for taking time to receive them warmly.

Omenogor Uzoka, Vice Chairman, Caleb Nlem, Secretary, Tony Oyemike, Financal Secretary, Egho Akomun Sunday, Auditor, Gloria Mbagwu, Assistant Secretary and Oarhe Edeki Evbotokhai, Treasurer.

Three ex-official elected were Rufus Imafidon, Enogie Edun Akenzua and Okoro Edobor Amadun.

In his goodwill message to the members of the new executive, the Registrar tasks them to be united in order to ensure that their programmes and actions are NIPR constitutionally based.

Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (right), in a handshake with Mr. Eromosele Daniel (Pikolo), during a courtesy call by the DreamAlive Team yesterday in Government House, Benin City. Photo: QUEENETH A. OROBEDO.

Pharmaceutical Coy Donates Drugs To Govt

By FRIDAY OBANOR

BENIN CITY- Drugs worth hundred thousands of naira was on Thursday donated to the Edo State ministry of Health by a leading pharmaceutical company, sterling Drugs limited.

Presenting the drugs to the state Commissioner for Health, the General Manager of the Pharmaceutical Company, Mr. Fred Akhalamen said the gesture was the company’s appreciation and support to the good work the comrade Adams Oshiomhole led administration is doing in the state.

He said the governor has

done a lot to better the lives of the citizens through massive infratructural transformation of the state and therefore called on other state governors across the country to emulate the good works the administration is doing in the state.

Expressing the company’s desire to partner with Edo State government to further enhance better healthcare delivery services to the people, the pharmaceutical boss therefore promised to continue to partner with the state government in the area of healthcare delivery services.

Receiving the donations, the state commissioner for

The AIG Zone 5, Mr. Hashimu Salihu Argungu presenting cheque to one of the 27 beneficiaries of the Police Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy in Benin City yesterday.

Photo: MIKE OSAROGIAGBON.

Health Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Peter Ugbodaga thanked the management of Sterling Drugs for the kind gesture stressing that the donations would be judiciously utilized for the benefit of the people of the state.

She then noted that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is very passionate about the health of the people, especially the vulnerable segment of the

society hence the state government rolled out a health policy of free antenatal care delivery, free malarial treatment for pregnant women and children under the ages of five as well as free eye glasses for those above 60 years of age.

According to the commissioner, “Edo State Essential Drug programmes (EDP) has been rejuvenated and repositioned to meet over 85 percent of the drug needs of the people

attending public hospitals”.

She further pointed out that the state Government would continue to partner with reputable companies that identify with its policies.

Drugs donated were 1,000 bottles of Ibuprofen suspension (100mg/ 5mil) brand for babies and children and 1,000 parks of Jointace Patch, a brand of anti-inflammatory drug as well as analgesic for the treatment and management of joint pains.

FG Urged To Embrace, Vocational Education

BY RICHARD EWEKA/ FAMOUS IGUISI

BENIN CITY - The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gold Sack Maritime Treasure Oil and Gas Services Nigeria Limited, and London College for Technical and Vocational Education, Odaro IzeOmoregie has called on the federal government to embrace Technical and Vocational Education as a way out of the present decay in the nations education system He made the call in a chat with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Benin City, Edo state.

Ize-Omoregie said our educational system is presently many years backward saying it cannot compete with what is

obtainable in the western world where emphasis is laid on technical and vocational education.

“Education is all about knowledge gained as well as using that same knowledge to affect the immediate needs of the citizens and the entire society.

“It is not having the knowledge and not knowing what to do with it or failing to apply it to benefit the entire society in terms of manufacturing, research and creativity”; he said. “ He added that If we must change this obsolete system and meet up with the western world; it must be a national and collective effort and a national concept that should involve those in the helm of affairs.

“This is what countries

like China, Korea and other countries did and today their economy has improved and they have now moved from third world to first”, he concluded.

He commended the recent ban on the use of motorcycle, popularly called ‘Okada’ by Edo State government, saying it would redirect the energy of citizens of the state towards a more meaningful venture.

“I praise the boldness and courage of the Edo State governor to ban the use of motor bikes knowing that these Okada riders are his hardened supporters during and after election”, he said.

He said the ban was in good taste adding that since the commencement, many bike riders have returned to their original trade.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Inside Edo Enigie Felicitate With Odubu

By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR

BENIN CITY- The Enigie from the six autonomous Communities in Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area have congratulated Edo State Deputy Governor Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu on his 56th birthday and silver Jubilee marriage Anniversary.

The Enigie who were led to Government House, Benin City, on Wednesday by the Enogie of Omolua-Igbanke, His Royal Highness, Isaac Uwaifo, pledged their continued support for the present administration in the state.

Spokesman for the Enigie, Mr. Ben Oghumu said the purpose of the visit was to congratulate the deputy governor on his recent 56th birthday and silver jubilee marriage anniversary.

The leader of the Enigie and chairman of Enigie’s forum, Igbanke, HRH, Isaac Uwaifo prayed God to continue to project and guide Dr. Pius Odubu and family adding that the Enigie are proud to identify with him.

Responding, the deputy governor, Dr. Odubu appreciated them for the visit.

He noted that the O s h i o m h o l e - l e d administration in the state is a true reflection of the people, adding that Orhionmwon has benefited immensely from the administration.

Dr. Odubu pointed out that over 100 killometre of roads are being asphalted in Orhionmwon, including the Igbanke township road.

The deputy governor stated that a number of other developmental project, ranging from electricity to education have been executed in the local government area.

He enjoined them to continue to appreciate the governor by supporting him, particularly through prayers as he has done much for the people of Orhionmwon.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (middle), Rt. Hon Pius Odubu (left) and Chief Osaro Idah during the hosting of the governor by Edo State Market Women Association at Imaguero College hall in Benin City PHOTO: CHARITY OZIGBOESERE

Body Lauds Gov Oshiomhole

Official Cars To Magistrates:

By INNOCENT OMOAKA/ OYENMWEN OMOROGBE

BENIN CITY-The Chairman, Edo State Magistrate Association of

Nigeria (MAN), Mrs. Faith Vatentina Asagba has

Haven made a promise to God to invest in human development with the provision of scholarships she observed that she has never wavered or faltered in this dispensation as she feels fulfilled building the intellectual capacity of humans than in building houses. She encouraged people to always lend a helping hand to others in need.

A twist was added to the matriculation ceremony when an invitee, Ruth Ehimiyen heeding an open call which mandated interested persons to step forth to collect admission forms instantaneously made her a matriculating and bona fide

student of the theological institution.

The highpoint of the occasion aside the swearing of oaths by the new students was the bestowing of a Doctorate Degree on Architect Ifeajuna Lawrence of the University of Nigeria Nsukka who in an interview said his quest for theological learning had taken him far and wide.

Earlier in his address, the Country Director of the University, Dr. Ikeh Chinedun maintained that the school a theological institution which provided high quality bible and human resource degrees through a proven conventional and distance learning programme.

Bethel Varsity Matriculates Students

By DANIEL EDOBOR/ BERNADETTE IDALU BENIN CITY— The 29th Matriculation/Graduation ceremony of Bethel University College of Biblical Studies has taken place with the award of scholarships’ to three new students.

Evangelist Nina AtekhaOdemwingie speaking with THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER on what moved her to give out these scholarships said she made a promise to God to invest in human development with the provision of scholarships to indigent students who have the zeal to better their lot in life.

lauded the Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomole, over the provision of four official cars to members of the lower Bench and with a promise to do more.

Mrs. Asagba made the commendation during the association’s Annual General Meeting and Conference held in Benin City on Tuesday.

She also commended the Chief Judge of the state for his recommendations for the elevation of three magistrates from the Lower Bench to the Higher Bench as Judges, while another magistrate was elevated to the position of the Chief Registrar of the High Court.

Mrs. Asagba however called on the Comrade

Governor to look into the sitting allowance for members of the lower Bench, and also assist in ameliorating the lordship faced by Magistrates while carrying out their official duties.

Speaking on, “Practical Implementation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Arbitration in the lower courts,” Prof. Akin Ibidapo, a professor of Public law at the University of Lagos said ADR are previleges at the disposal of Judges which they should apply with caution.

Prof. Ibidapo however condemned the actions of Magistrates who accumulate enormous

powers at their disposal.

Similarly, Hon. Justice P.A Akhihiero of the Edo State Customary Of Appeal, while speaking on “Admissibility of Electronic Evidence in Criminal Trials. How practicable?, called for more caution among magistrates in the application of Electronic Evidence in Criminal trials, the provision on the Authentication Certificate in the Evidence Act is not stringent enough to prevent abuses.

He advocated that the growth in Criminal cases relating to the computer should encourage legal professionals to seek computer knowledge.

Hon. Justice Akhihiero however called on relevant stakeholders in the profession to equip the courts with modern digital facilities for effective administration of Justice.

Group Commends Polytechnic Staff THE National Association For Calling Off Strike of Polytechnic Students

Cross-section of some market women in Edo State at the hosting of the governor by the market women in Benin City PHOTO: CHARITY OSIGBO-ESERE

(NAPS) has commended the Accademic staff union of polytechnic for suspending its three months old strike.

Statement signed by Comrade Ogbonnaya Sunday, National President of NAPS, the association also commended the federal government for its

Intervention in resolving the crisis and ensuring that there is peace within the Polytechnic Institution within the country “However, government must not relent in the fulfillment of the agreement reached with ASUP to avoid another round of strike in the Interest of the students

and the educational system in the country,” the statement stated.

The National Association of Polytechnic students also thanked Nigerian Polytechnic students for their patience while the strike lasted but however assured them that the association will always continue to protect their interest.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Lagos

Pipelines Surveillance: PPMC Tasks Communities

LAGOS - The Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC, appealed to communities along its pipeline network in the country to assist government in the surveillance of the facility.

Mr Nasir Imodagbe, Manager, Media Relations and External Affairs, made the plea in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He spoke against the backdrop of a pipeline explosion at Ita-Iyalodo, Idimu, a suburb of Lagos.

Vandals, tampered with the NNPC pipeline at Ita-Iyalodo Community in Idimu, to siphon petroleum products.

Imodagbe said that effective surveillance of petroleum pipelines should

10 Ships Discharge At Lagos Ports LAGOS - Ten ships are waiting to discharge petroleum products and bulk fertiliser at the Lagos ports, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said.

NPA indicated this in the “Shipping Position’’, made available to newsmen in Lagos.

According to the document, eight of the ships will discharge petrol, one will discharge base oil, while the tenth ship will discharge bulk fertiliser.

NPA said that 65 ships carrying different cargoes would sail into the ports from July 23 to August 24.

It said that 13 of the expected ships would arrive with petroleum products, while seven others would arrive with new and used vehicles.

The document said that other ships would arrive with containers, bulk salt, general cargo, bulk wheat, bulk fertiliser, bulk corn, fresh fish and bulk sugar.

Newsmen reports that 22 ships are discharging containers, bulk wheat, bulk fertiliser, bulk salt, general cargoes, bulk urea, steel products, soda ash, base oil and petroleum products.

not be left with government agencies alone, adding that both residents and communities should also volunteer to support.

The PPMC spokesman urged host communities and other stakeholders to help check pipeline vandalism in the country.

He said that the PPMC and NNPC were already exploring the use of better technology and security arrangements to safeguard the pipelines.

“We would have concluded the repair of the vandalised pipelines but the engineers discovered a route where the vandals linked their pipeline with the product truck line.

“We decided to invite the representatives of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to see the extent of the damage,’’ Imodagbe said.

The PPMC spokesmen assured that the repair of the vandalised pipeline would be completed today (Tuesday).

According to him, the engineers are working on the field to ensure that the line starts functioning.

“The timely intervention of NNPC/PPMC engineers and security operatives had saved the day; while repair works began immediately after the fire was put out.

“Repair works commenced on the pipeline on Monday, immediately the fire was put out. I can tell you that the pipeline will be repaired and re-streamed after its temporary shut down for repairs.

“Pipeline vandalism and oil theft account for the loss of million of dollars annually to the nation and the Federal Government has been exploring various ways to curtail the menace,’’ he said.

However, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the Spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency

(NEMA), South West Zone, appealed to host communities to protect oil and gas pipelines against theft and

vandalism.

Farinloye urged the communities to be “the eyes and ears” of the Federal Government and to report any suspicious movement around the pipelines to

security agents.

According to him, the timely report of such acts would ensure prompt intervention of NNPC and the security agencies.

Hon Josfe Omorotionmwan left With Pastor (Dr.) S. U. Ovbiagele during the dedication of Christ Apostolic Church Building in Benin City on Sunday. PHOTO: Osademwen Sunday.

Pastor ACO Otugo, Chairman, Edo DCC cuting the tape during the dedication of Christ Apostolic Church building in Benin City while the Pastor (Dr.) S.U. Ovbiagele and others look on. PHOTO: Osadebamwen Sunday.

Waterways: FG Told To Tighten Security

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM LAGOS - The Federal Government has been urged to tighten security along the nation’s waterways to check the inflow of illegal arms.

The President of Champion Youth Development Association of Nigeria (CHYDAN) said this in Lagos while reacting to insurgent of illegal arms proliferation in the

country especially among the youths.

He warned that if Federal Government failed to address the issue now and cub the insurgent, it may lead to total break down of law and order, which inturn may lead to civil war or disintegration of the country.

Ismail revealed to newsmen in Lagos that Boko Haram, Niger Delta militants and

others got their weapons through the waterways.

He added that many of the dangerous weapons used to perpetrate crimes nationwide come through the waterways.

According to him, “The Nigerian Navy is doing it’s best to secure our waterways, but they need more hands to adequately police the waters and that is where the Merchant Navy comes in.

We need the government to look into the formation of the merchant navy corps to stop illegal shipping of arms and ammunition”.

He however called on the Federal Government to urgently re-establish the Merchant Navy in order to address security challenges.

Ismail said that since the establishment of CHYDAN in 2011, it has empowered 3000

youths in different parts of the country.

“This is what we have been doing all over the country and we are still going to do more for the youths. Our main goal right from inception had been to empower and encourage youths with their talents and skills and also help them in getting better positions, `` he remarked.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Across The Nation

Sure P: SHENDAM (PLATEAU) Senator Victor Lar (PDP-Plateau South), said the Federal Government would engage about 1.8 million youths in its Subsidy Re-investment Empowerment Programme

Govt To Engage 1.8m Youths

(SURE-P) before November 2014.

Lar made the disclosure in Shendam during a Special Task Force (STF)-organised peace parley with youths and traditional rulers of the zone.

Reports say that the peace parley was part of STF’s efforts toward checking the incessant crises in Langtang and Wase towns in the zone.

“Each time we discussed the crises on the Plateau, one

recurrent issue is that of indolence among the youths.

“We have taken this to the Federal Government and shall soon have 3,000 youths engaged under the SURE-P programme, with another 3,000 immediately

after.

“It is the plan of government that by November 2014, more than 50,000 youths would have been employed in each state of the federation,” he revealed Lar, who expressed disgust at the rising level of indolence, called on the youths to take full advantage of the programme and become assets to the society.

He said that government was also introducing a Graduate Internship Programme that would engage graduates into many activities, and advised the youth to register so as to benefit.

The senator advised aggrieved individuals, groups and communities to forgive, let go and “to give way for peace and

mutual understanding.”

“I believe that we are angry with ourselves and want to suggest that we should forgive ourselves, we should forgive each other; unless that is done, I believe the fight will continue.

“Together, we can find a way of mitigating the effect of these loses. I will also appeal that we return to God because He will bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

Earlier, the Commander, Special Task Force (STF), Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola, had blamed the violence in the southern zone on cattle rustling, and called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to end it.

BIRNIN KEBBI - The Kebbi State Government said that it had constructed 20 nomadic primary schools aimed at promoting the educational pursuits of the children of nomads.

Alhaji Nasiru Masama, the Senior Special Assistance to the Governor on Fulani Matters, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

He said that five schools were sited in each of the four emirates

of Argungu,Gwandu,Yauri and Zuru.

He said that teachers had been deployed to the schools and provided with teaching and learning materials, adding ” we would work out modalities of making the nomadic schools among the best.”

He said that support would be provided for the educational pursuit of the children of the Nomads as the children also deserved equal opportunities in education and other social services.

He said that 35 bore holes had been drilled at various nomadic communities as part of social services provided in the rural areas. ” In addition, 10 earth dams had been provided in the last six years,” he added.

He said that the dams would serve as water source to the nomads for their animals and reservoir for dry season farming.

In a related development, the state Chairman of the Cattle Breeders Association , Alhaji Manu Mohammed, has commended the efforts of the state, especially on the promotion of the welfare of members.

“The association would continue to support government’s policies and programmes especially as they affected nomads.”

He said that enrolment of their children into schools had improved in the last six years.

He said the association would partner with relevant stakeholders to educate their children.

He lauded the efforts of the state government in providing additional grazing land to the nomads as well as ensuring regular vaccination of their animals.

“The efforts had protected our animals from diseases like rinderpest and tsetse flies, while growth in livestock production was recorded,” he added.

Kebbi Establishes 20 Nomadic Schools

Wife of Bauchi State Governor, Hajia Aisha Yuguda (left), presenting a gift to Hajia Hajara Mohammed, during distribution of foodstuffs and materials for Tafsir as Ramadan assistance in Bauchi on Wednesday.

NEMA Plans Emergency Volunteers Training MAIDUGURI - The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that it would hold a grassroots emergency training for youth volunteers in Maiduguri, Borno.

Malam AbdulKadir Ibrahim, NEMA North East Information Officer, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Maiduguri.

Ibrahim said that the programme would hold on July 25 at the premises of the Government College, Maiduguri.

“In pursuit of its mandate on advocacy and in line with the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiative of the agency, the North East office of NEMA is embarking on a grassroots emergency volunteers training programme in Maiduguri,” he said.

He said that the objective was to train youth volunteers on emergency evacuation drill.

Ibrahim added that the programme would be flagged off

by NEMA North East Coordinator, Alhaji Muhammad Kanar.

He added that the agency would also organise a flood sensitisation in Damaturu, Yobe on July 30 at the National Civil Service Union Complex, Waziri Ibrahim Estate, Damaturu.

“NEMA will also hold flood sensitisation workshop the same day at the U.B.E conference hall in Yola, Adamawa,” he said.

People waiting to collect foodstuffs and materials during distribution of foodstuffs and materials by wife of Bauchi State Governor, Hajia Aisha Yuguda for Tafsir as Ramadan assistance in Bauchi on Wednesday

Weigh-in Allowance: RATTAWU Issues UMUAHIA - The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has issued an ultimatum to defaulting state governments in the South East to implement the weigh-in allowance for its members.

The RATTAWU National Vice President, South East Zone, Mr Christian Ukegbu, gave the ultimatum while speaking with newsmen in a telephone interview in Umuahia.

Ukegbu said that members of the union in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states would embark on an indefinite strike should the affected state governments fail to meet the September 30 deadline.

“We have given a September 30 deadline within which we expect these defaulting state governments to either implement the new weigh-in allowance or face an industrial action by our members.

“We have communicated to them and expect them to invite us for dialogue in order to nip the impending industrial crisis in the bud,” he said.

Ukegbu said that the union adopted dialogue in order to maintain the existing industrial harmony between the union and the respective state governments.

“We appeal to the defaulting state governments to look at the difference and find a way of raising a supplementary budget to take care of our demand

Deadline between now and then,” he said.

He said that the union had made several efforts to get its members to benefit from the allowance like their colleagues across the country, “but none of these has yielded any meaningful result.”

Ukegbu said that it was “ridiculous” that only Imo State had so far shown the will to pay.

“We commend and appreciate Imo Government for being the first to implement.

“There is going to be a big problem between our union and these defaulting states because they don’t seem to be ready to pay,” Ukegbu said.

KATSINA - The Katsina Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two persons for allegedly stealing a cow.

Alhaji Ibrahim Mai’Zabura,

the state Commander, said this while briefing newsmen in Katsina.

He said that the suspects allegedly conspired and stole the cow in Charanchi town of the state, and attempted to take

Defence Corps Arrests Cow Thieves it to Kafur town to sale.

He said that the duo was arrested by the corps on their way to Kafur on Sunday.

The commander also said that the suspects would be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Across The Nation Flood Destroys N50m Property In Anambra ONITSHA (ANAMBRA) - A heavy rainfall leading to floods on Monday destroyed property worth more than N50 million in Umusiome village in Nkpor near Onitsha, according to residents.

Newsmen learnt that the rain fell between 11 p.m. on Sunday and 2 a.m. on Monday and that the residents were still struggling to rescue their few undamaged belongings by Monday afternoon.

Others, who could not cope with the flood, abandoned their homes and fled.

Mr Chike Nonyelu, a resident of the village, said that properties estimated at more than N50 million were lost in the incident.

He said the villagers had earlier alerted the state government that flood water was being channeled to the village and expressed regrets

UNDP Commends Gov Nyako YOLA – Mr. Marcus Kwaghe, Focal Point Officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Adamawa, has commended Governor Murtala Nyako for his commitment to ensure accountability in governance.

Kwaghe made the commendation on Tuesday in Yola at a news conference while assessing the implementation of United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in the state.

Kwaghe also spoke on the contributions of UNDAF in facilitating the recent passage of Bureau for Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Bills.

According to him, the passage of the bills by the state House of Assembly and the subsequent assent by the governor is a clear sign to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

He said that the fiscal responsibility law of Adamawa was unique compared to those of other states, adding that due process was followed.

“It is very important that the state has taken this action as it will add value to the government’s drive to fight corruption and ensure accountability and transparency,’’ Kwaghe said.

Also contributing, the state Partnership Manager of UNDAF, Alhaji Hassan Nyako, said Adamawa was the only state in the North East selected for the pilot scheme which was aimed at promoting service delivery.

Nyako said UNDAF thematic areas in the state covered good governance and accountability, productivity and employment, risk management and promoting social service delivery.

it did not intervene.

“We have alerted the government on the channeling of flood waters toward the village by the construction firm which handled the Ogidi/Abatete/ Eziowelle road project.

“We urge the government to urgently come to our aid by way of compensation,’’ he said.

Nonyelu also urged the government to construct a drainage channel to re-direct the water.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society had issued statements calling on residents of low land areas in Anambra to relocate uplands.

Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, Deputy Governor of Edo State with his wife, Deaconess Endurance Odubu signing the condolence register for the Late Chief David Agbonwanegbe, the father of Andrew Agbonwanegbe (left) during a condolence visit at Uselu, Benin City on Tuesday. PHOTO: Moses Oboh.

Vocational Training: Rector Calls For

AWKA – Professor Godwin Onu, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra, has called for increased allocation of funds for vocational training as a panacea for Nigeria’s technological development.

Onu told newsmen in Awka that a nation where graduates received only theoretical training portended grave danger for future growth and development.

He called on governments and private sector organisations to allocate more funds for vocational training, especially in polytechnics and universities to ensure rapid economic and technological development.

He also said that the new entrepreneurial and vocational studies curricula for speedy development of the Nigerian

More Funding

economy would suffer set-backs if the call was not taken into consideration.

Onu said that most foreign technical experts working for multinational companies in Nigeria were not university graduates but competent artisans.

“They received practical vocational training in their fields and are now brought into the country to drive our economy,’’ he said.

He said that his institution had commenced certification training for artisans in mechanical, electrical, fashion design, catering, bakery, arts and craft, and electronics.

According to him, it has also

introduced some innovative courses to carter for the needs of the 21st century economy.

He named the courses to include Mechatronics Engineering, Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology, Nano Science and Technology,

Aviation, Marine Science and Pharmaceuticals.

“We cannot afford to lag behind developing economies.

The Asian Tigers have developed their entrepreneurial skills, and it has fast driven their economies to be highly-competitive ahead

of other nations.

Onu also advocated longer tenure for serving ministers of education to consolidate the gains of vocational and entrepreneurial studies.

According to him, Nigeria has witnessed several education policy summersaults due to frequent change of ministers in the sector.

Lawmaker Blames Political Crisis On Lack Of Education PORT HARCOURT - Rep. Sokonte Davies, the member for Bonny/Degema Federal Constituency of Rivers, has identified the lack of political education as the cause of crises

amongst politicians in Nigeria.

Davies made the statement in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt. He said although Nigerian politicians were educated, they lacked political

Hon. Emma Okoduwa, Minority leader, Edo State House of Assembly moving a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the House, asking EDSIEC to conduct the Esan North East Local Government Election without further delay. PHOTO: Godwin Iseguan.

education which had resulted in disunity and inhibited growth in the nation’s democracy.

“The problem we have is that a lot of our political actors do not have political education, not that they did not go to school.

“Democracy is a market place of ideas, it is a game of canvassing and selling of ideas. It is either you buy my idea or not, nobody is forced to subscribe to an idea,“ he said.

The legislator described the political crisis in the Rivers Assembly as a shame and added that it was also as a result of intolerance among the lawmakers.

He, however, condemned the view that the fight in the assembly was permissible on the ground that it was the case in some advanced countries.

“Some people keep saying, `we see legislators fight even in advanced countries’ but I tell you the truth, they do not fight for mundane things.

“They fight for policies and principles; what is happening in Rivers is shameful, we should not pretend as if it is allowed,” Davies said.

He urged the various reconciliation committees on the crisis to take adequate steps to ensure lasting peace in the state.

THE NIGERIAN

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FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Across The Nation Values: NOA, Akoko-

Edo LGA To Partner

Destitutes numbering about 70 who alleged they were dropped at the upper axis of Onitsha at about 3.20 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

IGARRA - Edo State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Magdaline Umunnah said it is a collective responsibility to bring back to the populace, the cherished values and aspirations of the Nigeria nation.

Mrs. Umunnah made the disclosure at Igarra while on a courtesy visit to the chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Akerejola Joseph.

Since assumption of office on January 7 2013, she has been involved in processes aimed at re-energising and re-positioning the directorate with a view of enabling it meet its everincreasing challenges for which, wish to solicit the local government co-operation.

It would be recalled that NOA was established by Decree 100 of 1993 to perform among other functions, to ensure that

Child Marriage: Lawyers, Others, Advise Senate LAGOS - Some prominent lawyers, among others, advised the Nigerian Senate to exercise caution in the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

The lawyers spoke in separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos in reaction to the refusal of the Senate to delete Section 29(4) (b) of the Constitution in the amendment.

Newsmen reports that the section states that “any woman who is married shall be deemed of full age”.

A constitutional lawyer, Mr Sebastine Hon (SAN), told newsmen that the issue of marriage was not a constitutional issue.

“If you peruse nearly all the constitutions of other countries, you will not find anything concerning the regulation of marriage age.

“I think they went out of their way to do that because they are not even supposed to deliberate on the issue,” Hon said.

He said that the issue of marriage age should be left to each state to decide based on the culture and religion of the people.

Mr Chino Obiagwu, the National Coordinator,Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), a human rights group, said the issue of marriage was on the Concurrent List.

“I consider the debate in the Senate to be unnecessary because the Child Rights Act has clearly stated that 18 years is the minimum age for marriage.

“However, some states that have not domesticated the Child Rights Act are not bound and so they still practice early marriage due to religious and cultural reasons,” Obiagwu said.

On his part, a human rights activist, Mr Bamidele Aturu, said the issue was a product of legislative argument.

Aturu said:” How can

anybody be supporting child marriage in this age and century?”

The Executive Director of the International Centre for Advocacy on Right to Health (ICARH) Mr Ifeanyi Orazulike, told newsmen that endorsing child marriage would have a negative effect on the education

of the girl child.

He said that such a move was not supposed to be coming at a time when there was a clamour for women empowerment.

“As a father who has a daughter, I was shocked to hear the news,’’ he said, noting that his group would continue to criticise the move.

The President, Federal Government Girls College, Kazaure, Old Girls Association, Mrs Yomi Newton, said the idea of child marriage was distasteful as it had negative effects on girls medically.

Newton, who is a medical laboratory scientist, told newsmen on phone that girls should be encouraged to get

educated instead of going into early marriage.

“Girls should be encouraged to get education, whether formal, informal, nomadic or vocational, before they are betrothed, “ she said.

Mrs Lizzy Omojuwa-Oboh, a banker, said early child marriage should not be encouraged.

Chairman; Tineyin Odubu, Secretary, and Victor Otuya, Treasurer.

Addressing journalists, Comrade Chiazor who was represented by his Vice, Comrade Felix Igbekoyi, said Sapele Chapel occupy a

strategic position in the union and therefore enjoined members of the new executive to continue to exhibit a high degree of professionalism.

He advised them to protect and advance the socioeconomic interest of the

government programmes and policies are better understood by the general public; to mobilized favorable public opinion for such programmes and policies and also to develop among Nigerians of all ages and culture values and awareness which would inculcate the spirit of patriotism, nationalism, selfdiscipline and self-reliance.

The state director said such objectives would make any responsible society and enable government to adjust, continue, discontinue or make and amends for some of its programmes and policies.

She reiterated NOA readiness to collaborate with government to ensure the repositioning of Edo state for greater achievements given its current socio-economic transformation through the provision of infrastructure development.

On his part, the Akoko-Edo local government chairman, Mr. Akerejola Folorunsho told the state Director of NOA and her team of the local government preparedness to partner the agency in sensitizing the public on government expectations.

Akerejola used the opportunity to tell NOA to start sensitising the people who built houses closed the river or streams to temporally relocate during this rain season to avoid flood disasters, especially in Akoko-Edo area.

Correspondents Chapel Gets New Chairman

SAPELE – A new chairman has been elected for the correspondents chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sapele Chapter.

He is Comrade Andrew Ohwobetehe of the Pointer Newspaper who defeated the incumbent chairman, Joseph

Aminah of the Independent Radio and Television at an election supervised by the Chairman of Delta State Council of the union, Comrade Nobert Chiazor.

Also elected were Comrade George Opuoru, Vice

only 37,000 houses since its establishment 40 years ago, making it unable to meet its objectives, the Minister of Housing, Ms Amal Pepple said.

Pepple, who also supervises Land and Urban Development, made this known in Abuja at the inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee on Restructuring and Commercialisation of the FHA. She said “the FHA built only 37,000 houses across the country since its inception about 40 years ago.

“This is an average of less than 1,000 houses per annum and currently the housing deficit in Nigeria is estimated at 17 million.

“This rather unimpressive performance can be attributed to the myriad of challenges faced by the agency.”

Pepple listed some of the challenges to include historical operating losses, huge legacy debts, poor internally generated revenue base and poor corporate

dependence on government funding and the lack of government cohesion were major challenges faced by the FHA. However, the minister said that the Federal Government had raised a committee in May 2012 to examine the authority’s current structure and challenges as part of efforts to reposition and strengthen it.

The committee was to work with the technical board and the interim management team of the authority to ensure its full commercialisation in accordance with the Public Enterprises Act 1999.

She said “the committee submitted its report in August 2012, making far reaching recommendations for the structural overhaul and commercialisation of the FHA. “The recommendations of the committee were approved by Mr President in December 2012 and a technical board was inaugurated to oversee the

Housing Authority Built Only 37,000 Houses Council on Privatisation, governance.

ABUJA –The Federal Minister chaired by Vice President She added that the Housing Authority (FHA) built Nnamadi Sambo recently.’’ affairs of the authority during the restructuring period.

‘Members of the committee and its terms of reference were approved by the National

She added that the commercialisation of the FHA was aimed at boosting the housing sector.

society and such other objectives as are lawful and consistent with the true spirit and practice of journalism.

In his post election speech, Comrade Ohwobetehe said he contested for the position in order to get a platform from which he can make more meaningful contributions to the welfare of members.

He declared his three points agenda to include, t r a n s f o r m a t i o n , empowerment and peace, he said every position of authority is a call to service.

Seized bags of rice at the Seme Command of Nigeria Customs Service Warehouse

THE NIGERIAN

11

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY(25/07/13) Stocks

Open

Close

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MAYBAKER

2.9

2.7

-0.2

16

284,830

782,712.08

0.5

0.5

0

3

50,000

25,000.00

7UP

69.5

69.5

0

34

133,375

9,078,058.07

MBENEFIT

ABCTRANS

1.13

1.07

-0.06

34

1,907,384

1,990,449.25

MOBIL

116.95

116.95

0

18

15,758

1,809,584.46

ACCESS

10.83

10.71

-0.12

221

10,696,692

115,052,030.61

MRS

30.3

32.86

2.56

59

417,595

13,531,902.64

AFRIPRUD

1.9

1.82

-0.08

33

18,146,273

33,206,537.35

MULTITREX

0.5

0.5

0

1

5,000

2,500.00

AGLEVENT

1.45

1.45

0

3

34,850

46,453.50

NAHCO

6.38

6.8

0.42

108

615,319

4,001,263.11

AIICO

0.91

0.91

0

45

2,487,562

2,267,591.76

NASCON

11.92

12.65

0.73

77

6,300,100

77,488,203.83

171.99

170.01

-1.98

134

1,334,647

226,941,853.44

AIRSERVICE

4.6

4.8

0.2

6

209,500

1,002,251.00

NB

ARBICO

5.6

5.6

0

1

67

337.68

NCR

18.7

18.7

0

3

1,700

28,611.00

ASHAKACEM

25.66

25

-0.66

52

551,385

13,788,776.83

NEIMETH

1.5

1.61

0.11

16

361,889

558,908.38

ASOSAVINGS

0.5

0.5

0

5

2,613,000

1,306,500.00

NEM

0.7

0.73

0.03

16

1,533,067

1,087,806.90

BERGER

9.36

9.36

0

8

46,148

440,509.95

NESTLE

999

950

-49

55

98,388

93,515,578.76

BETAGLAS

10.9

10.9

0

3

67,610

810,643.90

NIG-GERMAN

7.36

7.36

0

1

76

503.88

BOCGAS

6.77

6.77

0

1

3,040

18,544.00

NIGERINS

0.5

0.5

0

2

26,936

13,468.00

26.5

26.5

0

4

19,260

551,358.60

CADBURY

52.4

52.2

-0.2

85

763,836

38,944,606.35

NNFM

CAP

48.3

43.47

-4.83

47

342,221

14,901,982.43

NPFMCRFBK

0.96

0.87

-0.09

11

1,630,200

1,466,686.00

CCNN

8.6

8.6

0

26

215,206

1,909,729.33

OANDO

13.5

13

-0.5

241

4,751,449

63,461,108.10

CHAMPION

10.32

11

0.68

15

211,000

2,335,308.00

OKOMUOIL

42.5

42.5

0

41

189,988

8,158,367.41

CILEASING

0.5

0.5

0

2

3,400

1,700.00

PAINTCOM

1.82

1.82

0

4

60,000

109,100.00

CONOIL

33.67

33.67

0

48

136,056

4,982,429.91

PHARMDEKO

1.87

1.87

0

3

29,000

59,000.00

CONTINSURE

1.42

1.28

-0.14

33

1,195,950

1,543,665.77

PORTPAINT

6

6

0

4

40,000

225,823.36

40

40

0

12

22,000

829,535.00

CORNERST

0.53

0.5

-0.03

18

1,350,505

686,799.90

PRESCO

COSTAIN

1.28

1.4

0.12

36

1,871,715

2,405,484.42

PRESTIGE

0.52

0.51

-0.01

10

1,174,396

593,991.96

COURTVILLE

0.6

0.6

0

3

28,801

18,658.66

PZ

44.05

44.05

0

62

202,063

8,667,816.05

CUSTODYINS

1.6

1.57

-0.03

18

342,473

540,391.75

REDSTAREX

4.45

4.45

0

27

2,076,050

9,243,792.90

CUTIX

1.98

1.89

-0.09

16

2,053,897

4,105,750.00

ROADS

9.06

9.06

0

1

666

6,633.36

DAARCOMM

0.5

0.5

0

7

100,000

50,000.00

ROYALEX

0.56

0.56

0

2

270,000

151,200.00

1.6

1.6

0

26

868,975

1,405,973.11

DANGCEM

189.99

190

0.01

68

1,928,729

366,454,901.18

RTBRISCOE

DANGFLOUR

9.5

9.5

0

55

1,231,112

11,697,436.20

SKYEBANK

4.57

4.5

-0.07

116

5,414,869

23,737,619.24

DANGSUGAR

12.07

12

-0.07

136

11,596,924

139,498,839.41

SOVRENINS

0.5

0.5

0

1

47,390

23,695.00

DIAMONDBNK

6.2

6.39

0.19

87

22,536,746

144,099,202.96

STANBIC

16

16

0

20

102,288

1,603,388.51

DNMEYER

1.48

1.48

0

4

41,767

66,665.15

STERLNBANK

2.58

2.55

-0.03

100

11,791,253

29,690,777.61

ETERNA

3.15

3.15

0

20

301,818

941,118.00

STUDPRESS

2.52

2.52

0

1

1,180

2,678.60

ETI

14

14

0

71

7,146,034

100,164,544.23

TANTALIZER

0.5

0.5

0

1

1,000

500

0.89

0.89

0

1

1,904

1,542.24

EVANSMED

4.68

4.5

-0.18

12

200,915

904,307.22

THOMASWY

FBNH

17.1

17.21

0.11

576

15,746,420

271,441,698.83

TOTAL

160

152

-8

41

88,189

13,433,877.60

FCMB

4.7

4.63

-0.07

48

933,998

4,324,259.99

TRANSCORP

1.47

1.45

-0.02

126

13,658,282

19,893,058.16

FIDELITYBK

2.99

2.99

0

201

16,243,417

47,197,373.57

TRANSEXPR

1.46

1.32

-0.14

1

60,000

79,200.00

FIDSON

1.9

2

0.1

26

302,451

606,001.62

UAC-PROP

15

15

0

16

113,550

1,594,665.00

FIRSTALUM

0.5

0.5

0

1

500

250

UACN

63

63

0

66

309,090

19,291,889.83

FLOURMILL

86.3

86.3

0

56

305,479

26,160,409.60

UBA

7.94

7.81

-0.13

292

13,994,861

109,683,537.59

1.11

1.13

0.02

54

75,081,565

85,563,319.72

FO

39.6

43.56

3.96

192

2,415,970

99,493,501.12

UBCAP

FTNCOCOA

0.5

0.5

0

3

43,900

21,950.00

UBN

11.9

12

0.1

69

689,792

8,252,902.00

GLAXOSMITH

59.99

60.01

0.02

36

556,872

33,413,133.60

UNILEVER

62.5

62.52

0.02

58

515,130

32,200,567.29

GUARANTY

25.7

25.15

-0.55

411

6,040,888

151,760,698.51

UNIONDAC

0.5

0.5

0

15

7,000,000

3,500,000.00

GUINEAINS

0.5

0.5

0

2

10,200

5,100.00

UNITYBNK

0.58

0.59

0.01

37

2,263,540

1,335,915.27

GUINNESS

252

252

0

43

43,268

10,762,408.79

UPL

4.85

4.38

-0.47

15

285,295

1,270,093.74

0.81

0.85

0.04

22

675,937

592,081.55

HONYFLOUR

3

3.08

0.08

37

870,100

2,693,316.00

UTC

IHS

3.08

3.38

0.3

20

1,194,350

3,804,459.00

VITAFOAM

4.55

4.55

0

23

192,766

870,308.70

IKEJAHOTEL

0.9

0.94

0.04

6

1,183,000

1,105,000.00

WAPCO

99.5

99.5

0

87

2,115,277

207,389,131.11

INTBREW

24.65

24.65

0

32

138,476

3,394,459.18

WAPIC

0.88

0.9

0.02

18

724,438

645,074.20

INTENEGINS

2.25

2.25

0

1

3,111

6,315.33

WEMABANK

1.03

0.98

-0.05

41

1,964,290

1,936,568.90

INTERLINK

4.9

4.9

0

1

1,000

4,410.00

ZENITHBANK

20

19.74

-0.26

364

6,874,145

136,793,664.82

IPWA

1.08

1

-0.08

13

1,740,125

1,747,365.17

JAPAULOIL

0.52

0.53

0.01

61

4,451,880

2,341,876.68

JBERGER

83.75

83.75

0

47

293,211

22,203,315.07

JOHNHOLT

1.35

1.35

0

2

25,000

33,715.00

JOSBREW

0.9

0.9

0

3

14,900

14,491.00

LEARNAFRCA

1.7

1.7

0

6

62,900

106,929.00

LIVESTOCK

4.8

4.6

-0.2

57

1,919,507

8,807,369.08

MANSARD

2.17

2.18

0.01

22

680,404

1,484,881.72

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock FO MRS NASCON CHAMPION NAHCO IHS AIRSERVICE DIAMONDBNK COSTAIN FBNH

Close 43.56 32.86 12.65 11 6.8 3.38 4.8 6.39 1.4 17.21

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS Gain 3.96 2.56 0.73 0.68 0.42 0.3 0.2 0.19 0.12 0.11

Stock NESTLE TOTAL CAP NB ASHAKACEM GUARANTY OANDO UPL ZENITHBANK CADBURY

Close 950 152 43.47 170.01 25 25.15 13 4.38 19.74 52.2

Loss -49 -8 -4.83 -1.98 -0.66 -0.55 -0.5 -0.47 -0.26 -0.2

THE NIGERIAN

12 BARRING all odds, come August 2013, market women in Edo State would receive the sum of One hundred million naira (N100m) from the Edo State Government being an amount promised by the State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole during an elaborate reception organised in his honour by the market women who came from across the state.

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole who announced the largesse on Wednesday to the women told them that the money should be rotated among themselves, without having to pay back but should get round market women in an efficient and organised manner. He also asked them to forward names of 18 women for board appointments in the state.

WE commend the Governor for this novel and humane gesture which we consider a major bold step, first of its kind in Nigeria, to boost the economic fortunes of the market women, most of whom are low income earners and small holder traders. We strongly believe, that if well utilized, the government’s gesture will go a long way in lifting beneficiaries from poverty, disease and squalor. Most of them would also be able to support their children’s health and education needs from such empowerment.

WE equally agree with the governor that the gesture was also to enable the women to defend democracy and governance in their locality and the state at large because, the ominous signs in the polity requires empowerment of citizens for the unexpected. Edo State Government since the inception of the Oshiomhole’s administration has shown that certain things earlier considered impossible could be possible. Through this gesture, the

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013 THE NIGERIAN

N100m Grant To Edo Market Women

Government, has amply demonstrated that it is truly people-led and a product of Edo people’s collective wish.

THIS is not the first time the Edo State Governemnt is demonstrating love for the market women. We recall that following the ugly fire incident that gutted the Agbado Market along Akpakpava Road in Benin City in 2010, the State Government in August 2010 doled out the sum of N15million to victims of the fire incident, most of whom had lost all their investments to the fire. The gesture demonstrated that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has the milk of human kindness flowing through his veins.

SADLY, however, a good gesture of the state government at that time generated furor occasioned by the sharing of the money as the protests from various groups, particularly some of the victims revealed lots of discrepancies in the sharing method adopted by the management of the market.

LESSONS from the Agbado market need to be called to bear on the N100million largesse to the market women in the state. The women asked for loans, but the government gave them grant with clear caveat to evolve a mechanism to rotate the funds so that at the

end of the circle those who did not benefit in the first rounds, will eventually benefit in subsequent rounds.

AT that time too, some relations of those who were involved in the sharing of the State Government support were alleged to have gotten six times what the average victims got, while some victims were completely left out of the compilation of names, situation that equally made them non-beneficiaries.

This must not be allowed to happen under this new funds from government.

THE leadership of the market women should also ensure that the funds get to all market women in all the 18 local government areas of the state as they all have been supportive of the progressive government of Adams Oshiomhole. It could also be an opportunity to empower the poorest of the poor in the society who want to join the markets.

WE expect a very open, honest and transparent mechanism to be put in place by the market women. We do not expect the largesse to generate any conflict whatsoever.

This is why we recommend that the market women should get some local financial trustees or experts to set up a workable template that works so that all market women would benefit from the funds. It could be dubbed “Adams Oshiomhole Foundation For Market Women” or any other name they deem fit but must be revolving in almost an endless manner. At the end of every year, an account is rendered on who and who benefited and what the status of the fund is.

That is the best way to appreciate the gesture of the government for posterity to remember that a caring governor put such a fund in place.

THE NIGERIAN

13

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Voice Contentment And Self-Satisfaction (1) of Islam Every Friday With Mallam Ikponmwosa Abdulfattah Enabulele Chief Imam of Benin

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (SAW) said “Richness is not an abundance of worldly goods; rather, richness is contentment with one’s self and one’s lot in life” COMMENTARY ON THE ABOVE HADITH CONTENTMENT and satisfaction is yet another moral virtue that seems to be scarce in our modern age, and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in very few and concise words has summed up what it entails to have it. Contrary to what many people think brings contentment, it is not worldly possessions but rather the satisfaction in our hearts with whatever Allah (SWT) has blessed us with of His bounties, be it health, beauty, good companionship, a day’s provision of food, a secure home and shelter, and so on. Salamah ibn Ubaydullah ibn Mihsan al-khatmi narrated the following from his father, who was a Companion of the Prophet: “Whoever among you wakes up in the morning secured in his dwelling, healthy in his body, and having food for the day, then it is as if the world has been gathered for him” A similar narration from the Hadith of Allah’s Messenger is collected in Sunan ibn Majah, and it says: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: Whoever among you wakes up physically healthy, feeling safe and secure within himself, with food for the day, it is as if he acquired the whole world” Is it possible to have more wonderful, sweet, and beautiful words for contentment and satisfaction that brings peace of mind than these? Remember dear brothers and sisters, may Allah have mercy on us, that the Prophet (SAW) did not speak from his own desires. These words are only a revelation sent down to him from Allah, the Exalted: “Nor does he Muhammad say anything of his own desire. It is no less than a revelation sent down to him (Qur’an 53:3-4) This concept of contentment is very important as a factor in the psychological health of the human being because without some kind of contentment, human life would be a real torture.

If one is always dissatisfied in life, no matter what, then there can never be any feeling of happiness. Each human being needs some kind of contentment in order to feel satisfied, at ease, and happy, and thus continue with life.

Allah (SWT) and His Messenger Muhammad (SAW) AMONG the people in this society is a group of idle people who come under the heading of masked unemployment, they prefer talk to action, and negligence and laziness have made them lethargic and unable to catch up with those who are hard working. Thus, they take them as targets to talk about and criticize; all they have to offer is criticism and slander.

They are preoccupied with seeking out the mistakes of others and pointing them out, implicitly or explicitly. They hold gatherings and meetings, all for the purpose of this bad deed.

That is something that is very regrettable and causes one to break out in a sweat.

It is contrary to dignity and virtue. The Shaytaan had made bad deeds fair-seeming to them.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “It is remarkable that man finds it very easy to keep away from many haram things but it is very difficult for him to control the movement of his tongue. You may see a man who is famous for his religious commitment,

therefore provided every individual a way to feel calmness with these beautiful words of advice which contain ways and means of controlling one’s feeling and desires. Thus, a person becomes a master of his or her desires rather than a slave to them. Allah, the Exalted, says: “Do not wish or desire for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. So ask Allah of His bounty. Indeed Allah is ever Allknowing of all things.” (Qur’an 4:32) Have you seen him who takes as his god his own vain desire? Allah has, knowing him as such, left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart and understanding, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah has withdrawn guidance? Will you not then receive admonition?”

Therefore, without contentment people will destroy themselves as has become common today. People who are never contented with their positions, or their wealth, or their knowledge, or their jobs can never hope for any kind of true self-satisfaction or happiness. That is why Allah’s Messenger urged the believers to be content with whatever little they may possess. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have encouraged a positive attitude with regard to self-satisfaction in the following manner: Abu Hurayrah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said: “If any one of you looked at a person who was made superior to him in property and appearance, then he should also look at the one who is inferior to him, and to whom he has been made superior.”

Abu Hurayrah reported that Allah’s Messenger said: “Look at those who stand at a lower level than you, and do not look at those who stand at a higher level than you; for that may keep you from scorning the blessings of Allah.”

In other words, when it concerns worldly affairs and the pomp and glitter of worldly belongings, people always look at those who are below them, those who are in far worse situations, so as to be appreciative of the bounties of Allah.

However, when it comes to spiritual matters such as prayers, fasting, or righteousness, then people must always look to

those above them, those who exceed them in these good qualities, so as to strive for self-improvement.

This does not in any way mean that we should be lazy about not working hard for our worldly affairs and then start begging and depending on others for our means of livelihood. Rather, it is as it was reported by Abu Hurayrah when he heard the Messenger of Allah say: “For one of you to go out and gather firewood on his back and sell it, then make himself independent of people and give charity with it, it better than asking the people for assistance who may give to you or withhold it from you. The upper hand that gives is better than the lower hand that receives, and start giving in charity with those who are under your care.

Moreover, Allah commands the believers in the Qur’an to work hard, for work is a form of worship: “Say: Work righteousness, Allah will observe your work, and so will His Messenger and the believers. Soon you will be brought back to the knower of what is hidden and what is open then will He Allah show you the truth of all that you did.” (Qur’an 9:105) “When the prayer is over, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of Allah, and celebrate the praises of Allah often and without stint that you may prosper” (Qur’an 62:10) Thus, Islam strikes a just balance between self-dependence and reliance on Allah. Allah orders us to work hard and depend on our efforts because the sky will not rain down gold or silver upon us. Yet, Allah at the same time instructs the believers to trust and depend on Him and ask for His inspiration and strength and blessings in all that they do.

This kind of balance creates in the hearts and minds of the believers a sense of internal security, which brings about contentment and self-satisfaction. For logically a person’s abilities are limited in many ways, and as such, one is not expected to achieve everything or to overcome all difficulties in life. Failure, therefore, to a Muslim is not translated to mean despair because a believer is strongly and continuously connected to Allah and fully trusts in Allah in all circumstances and situations without losing hope in Him.

“This concept of contentment is very important as a factor in the psychological health of the human being because without some kind of contentment, human life would be a real torture. If one is always dissatisfied in life, no matter what, then there can never be any feeling of happiness”

Stop Harming People’s Honour (2) asceticism and worship, but he says words that may incur the wrath of Allah without paying any attention to it, by means of one such word he may slip a distance further than that between the east and the west.”

Al-Hassan (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “If you see that a man is preoccupied with finding the faults of others whilst forgetting his own faults, then know that he is doomed.”

Allahu Akbar – Allah is the Greatest! Where are those whose main focus is seeking out people’s faults and highlighting their mistakes? They exaggerate, create scandal among people and make mountains out of molehills; they think badly of their brothers and spread rumours for ulterior motives.

There may be a word that has no consequences and the matter goes no further than that, or there may be word that is like a spark and is followed by a blazing fire that wreaks havoc.

You find these people who are overly fond of telling scandalous stories, announcing people’s evil deeds, exposing their faults, and disclosing the secrets of individuals, communities, states, governments, institutions and organizations of scholars and common folk, young and old, men and women etc.

The way of the Salaf (may Allah have mercy on them) is offering gentle advice to one another not exposing the faults of one another. One of the Salaf said: “Backbiting is worse than Zina.” He was asked: How come?” He said: “A man may commit Zina then repent, and Allah will accept his repentance, but for the one who backbites there is no forgiveness unless his victim forgives him.”

O Muslims, one of the worst and most harmful forms of backbiting is impugning the honour of those who are in positions of authority over the Muslims. Rather, what one should do is pray for them, highlight their good qualities and offer them sincere advice in private, so as not to create

resentment in the hearts of the common folk or incite the masses. The same applies to the scholars, Daa’iyahs and reformers. Gossiping and backbiting about them is toxic and blameworthy. If anyone impugns them and criticizes them, Allah will punish him before he dies by rendering him spiritually dead – we seek refuge in Allah. As al-Haafiz Ibn Asaakir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Perfection belongs only to Allah.”

Fear Allah, O Muslim men; fear Allah, O Muslim women, for backbiting in women’s gatherings, and talk about “what he did and what she did” is astonishingly common. The Messenger of Allah may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said that you are most of the people of Hell, as it says in as-Saheehayn, in the Hadeeth of Ibn Abbaas.

Fear Allah, O you who hold positions of authority among the Muslims, do not make those who backbite welcome and beware of believing what they say about anyone, except after verifying what they say: “O you who believe! If as rebellious evil person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.” (al-Hujuraat 49:6) Fear Allah, O you who write reports on people and who act as advisers and consultants. Beware of saying bad things about innocent people, and beware of going to the court of law to give false information and remember that you going to stand before you creator to defend those information and do not think negatively about your fellow brothers.

Fear Allah, O scholars and Daa’iyahs, and avoid impugning the honour of your brothers; think positively of them, even if they differ with you. Beware lest the Shaytaan create division and friction between you, for he has despaired of those who pray over worshipping him, so now he focuses on creating

troubles between them. Do not let simpleminded people, those who make false claims, the ignorant or the foolish create troubles among you.

Fear Allah, O Muslim youth, and be united in seeking good and righteousness. Be united and stay close to your devoted scholars and those who are in charge of your affairs. Be united against your enemies who lie in wait. Allah SWT says: “So fear Allah and adjust all matters of difference among you, and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you are believers.” (Al-Anfaal 8:1) May Allah cause me and you to benefit from the Holy Qur’aan and the guidance of the Leader of the Messengers.

May He help me and you to avoid the way of those who are heedless and who engage in backbiting. May He make us brothers who love one another, for He is the Most Generous, Most Kind.

I say these words of mine and I ask Allah to forgive us and you and all the Muslims, so ask Him for forgiveness for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

THE NIGERIAN

14

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

CLASSIFIED:CHANGE OF NAME IYAYI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Iyayi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uwayah Joy. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

ODUOLA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Shade Sefinatu Oduola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Shade Sefinatu Ekoh.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

ELUROMMA – I, formerly Miss Eluromma Edith now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Abejegah Chukwujem Edith. All former documents remain valid.

State School of Health Technology, Dumez Road, Benin City, other concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

EDERARO – I, formerly known as Miss Stella Ederaro now wish to be known as Mrs. Sandra Nosakhare. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

ILUORE – I, formerly Miss Iluore Bertha Amhanesi, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Oshiomhogho Faridat Amhanesi. All former documents remain valid.

State Universal Basic Education Board, Benin City, other concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OGBE – I, formerly Miss Bridget Ogbe now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Bridget Izu. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Police Force and general public should please take note.

YOMI – I, formerly Miss Pagha-Iye Lauretta Yomi now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Pagha-Iye Lauretta Clark. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OBIERI – I, formerly Miss Jane Obieri now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Jane Ajuogu. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

AGBONLUAI – I, formerly known as Dr. Ehimigbai Oriola Agbonluai now wish to be known as Dr. Ehimigbai Oriola Agbonluai Richard. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OMOREFE – I, formerly known as John Omorefe now wish to be known as John Omore. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

JOSEPH – I, formerly known and addressed as Joseph Imonikhe Braimoh now wish to be known and addressed as Jessie Imonikhe Braimoh. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OYAOLE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rosabel Halimat Oyaole now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rosabel Halimat Ogbomo. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

EMOVON – I, formerly known and addressed as Emovon Oyaletor Christopher now wish to be known and addressed as Emovon Igiogbe Christopher. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, UBTH and general public should please take note.

EVBUOMWAN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Christabel Ugheghe Osagbemwonrhue Evbuomwan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christabel Osagbemwonrhue Obanor. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

ONOBUN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jovita Ebanehita Onobun now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jovita Ebanehita Ogala. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, National Museum Benin and general public should please take note.

AKPAROBI – I, formerly known and addressed as Akparobi Japhet Waju now wish to be known and addressed as Waju Darian. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OJIEMUDIA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obehi Gloria Ojiemudia now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obehi Gloria Adun. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public should please take note.

formerly known and addressed as Miss Mercy Uanzekin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mercy Atafoh. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Hospitals Management Board and general public should please take note.

SUNDAY – I, formerly known and addressed as Sunday Ebenezer Olusesi now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Abiona Ebenezer Olusesi. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

AKUBUEZE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Charity Uloma Akubueze now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Charity Uloma Abiona. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

AMENAGHAWON – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amenaghawon Ruth now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ruth Omoregie. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

AFOLABI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Toyin Anthonia Afolabi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omowaye Toyin Anthonia Abiola. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

UWHUDJARHO – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edesiri Evelyn Uwhudjarho now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edesiri Evelyn UwhudjarhoOsaghae. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public should please take note.

UGORJI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uchechi Sussan Ugorji now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uchechi Sussan Orode. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public should please take note.

OMOFUMA – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omofuma Precious Eboselumen now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebhodaghe Precious Eboselumen. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

ITSAGWEDE – I,

UANZEKIN

–

I,

formerly Miss Itsagwede Kelimat, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Zekeri Shittu Kelimat. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, other concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

AGHIMIEN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Queen Aghimien now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Queen Aigbekaen. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and general public should please take note.

OYAWIRI – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogheneochuko Elister Oyawiri now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eweka Ogheneochuko Elistar.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

ONYEJIAKU – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyejiaku Livina Chika now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ikerionwu Livina Chika.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and general public should please take note.

AGBONDINMWIN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osariemen Judith Agbondinmwin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osariemen Judith Christopher Iseguan. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, PHCN and general public should please take note.

AFEGEN – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Aina Afegen now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aideyan Grace Aina. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

IDAHOSA – I, formerly called Miss Idahosa

Akugbe Unity now wish to be known and called Mrs. Aimuanmwosa Akugbe Rosemary Unity. All former documents remain valid.

University of Benin, Benin City, concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

EWHATORE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ewhatore Justina Aghalokpe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Idieyi Justina Aghogho. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and general public should please take note.

USIFOH – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osarieme Usifoh now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojeaburu Osarieme.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, University of Benin and general public should please take note.

OGOH – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odilile Ogoh now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odilile Akhabhau. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

ABU – I, formerly Miss Abu Emoshiokeyamhe Mercy now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Ahmed Rehimat. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

AILOKPEDE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Amina Ailokpede now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akpotor Joy Amina.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OSAZEE – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enorhenegbe Continued on pg. 15

THE NIGERIAN

15

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

CLASSIFIED:CHANGE OF NAME Osazee now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Enorhenegbe Agho.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, LAPO Micro-Finance Bank and general public should please take note.

EHIRIM – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sylvia Chika Ehirim now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sylvia Shepherd Udobor. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OTOIKHIAN – I, formerly Miss Faith Okpokhen Otoikhian

now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs. Faith Okpokhen Ozoya. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities, Owan East Local Government Council, Afuze and general public should please take note.

OKORO – I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gladys Oghenero Okoro now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gladys Oghenero Onyenenue. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

OREKHA – I am the same person bearing Orekha Ohifuamwen

ADDITION OF NAME

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Ebokponmwen Sweet now wish to be known and addressed as Ebokponmwen Oghogho Sweet. All former documents remain valid.

C o n c e r n e d authorities and general public should please take note.

I, Afordu Saturday is the same person as Hayford Saturday. I now wish to be properly known and addressed as Afordu Saturday. All former documents remain valid. College of Education, Igueben, other concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

VACANT STOOL OF THE ONOGIE (VILLAGE HEAD) OF UGHIOLE-AVIELE OF AVIELE CLAN NOTICE is hereby given to the general

public that the Stool of THE ONOGIE (VILLAGE HEAD) of Ughiole— Aviele in Aviele clan in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State is a subject of litigation in Suit No. HAU/54/2011: ALHAJI ALASA UMORU ENATTO Vs H.R.H ALHAJI M.S. MOMODU J.P, (The Oba of Agbede and Clan head) of Ayuele (Aviele) clan and MUSA ADAMU. THE ATTENTION of members of Ughiole-Aviele community has been drawn to the fact that communal lands are being granted, approved, leased and sold out to members of the public by some persons who purports to be village Head and Chiefs in Ughiole-Aviele.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC is hereby notified and advised that there is no substantive village head in Ughiole-Aviele as the issue of the village head is presently a subject of litigation which has not been determined.

All lands granted while this suit is pending are subject to the outcome of the suit in the court and are liable to be revoked if the grant is not done by the rightful Signed: person to the stool of the ESQ., Onogie (village D.A. ALEGBE head) of Ughiole-Aviele.

SOLICITOR TO ALHAJI ALASA UMORU ENATTO, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED not to deal (The Dauducommunal of Aviele- Ughiole) on Ughiole-Aviele land.

ALEGBE & CO, A WORD NO. ISB.A. ENOUGH FOR THE 6 WARRAKE ROAD WISE. AUCHI, EDO STATE 08072530529

Charles and Orekha Ohis Charles.

Henceforth, I now wish to be known and addressed as Orekha Ohifuamwen Charles.

All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

I, Jude Eleghiose Joshua wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Jude Sunday Muhammed as appeared in my various documents. It should be known therefore that I am properly known and addressed as Jude Eleghiose Joshua. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, Dennis Ahmed Osamuyi Errikson wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Dennis Ahmed Ganni, Dennis Emofonmwan, Dennis Osamuyi Errikson as appeared in my various documents. Henceforth, I am now addressed as Dennis Ahmed Osamuyi Errikson. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

I, Izokpu Best Ebahenhen is the same person as Ehimare Best Ebahenhen. I now wish to be properly known and addressed as Izokpu Best Ebahenhen. All former documents remain valid. College of Education, Igueben, other concerned authorities and the general public take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

I, Amiadamhen Onohuean Micheal is the same person as Aluya Micheal. I now wish to be properly known and addressed as Amiadamhen Onohuean Micheal.

All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, Benin City, other concerned authorities and the general public take note.

IGUEBEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT P.M.B. 2, IGUEBEN EDO STATE OF NIGERIA INVITATION TO TENDER Tenders are hereby invited from reputable Building/Electrical Engineering contractors currently registered with Igueben Local Government in the appropriate category for the execution of the underlisted projects on behalf of the Local Government.

(A) Education: i.

Construction of a block of three classrooms and Headmaster’s office at Egbesan P/s. Igueben; ii. Construction of a block of three classrooms and Headmaster’s office at Idumeka P/s, Igueben; iii. Completion of the renovation of a block of six classrooms and Headmaster’s office at lyokoke P/s, Igueben; iv. Construction of a block of three classrooms and Headmaster’s office at Eko Pls, Ekpon; v.

Construction of a block of three classrooms and Headmaster’s office at Idumujie P/s, Ekpon; vi. Construction of a block of three classrooms and Headmaster’s office at Eguare P/ s, Ewossa; vii. Construction of a block of three classrooms and H/M’s office at Amahor P/s, Amahor; viii. Construction of a block of three classrooms and Headmaster’s office at Udoneria P/s Udo. ix. Renovation / Reroofing of Ologhe p/s, a block of three classrooms and Headmaster’s office at Ologhe P/s, Ebelle; x Purchase of Modern School Desks and Chairs for use in some public primary schools in Igueben L.G Area.

(B) Electricity: i.

Provision and Installation of street light facility along old Agbor road in Igueben Town Starting from Oyomon Borehole to Afuda. Phasel; (Total distance of Road = 4.26km), ii. Provision and Installation of street light facility along Mission Road and Chief Tom Ikimi’s Way in Igueben Town (Total Distance of Road = 3.75km) phase 11 (C) Health: i.

Construction of a Primary Health Care (PHC) at Okpujie, Ebelle.

2. Prospective Tenderers are requested to pay a non — refundable deposit of N30,000.00 to the Igueben Local Government Treasury, obtain an official receipt and thereafter proceed to the Works Department for the Projects Specifications.

3. Documents showing specifications and other details in respect of the projects are available for inspection in the office of the Directors of Works, Lands and Survey, Igueben Local Government, Igueben between the hours of 9:00am to 3.00pm on each working day, Monday through Friday.

4. Each Tender is expected to be accompanied with Photostat copies of the following documents: i.

Evidence of Current registration with Igueben Local Government in the appropriate category; ii. Evidence of Current registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (where applicable); iii. Current Bank Guarantee of Credit worthiness; iv. Evidence of Payment of Tax for the past three years (2010, 2011 and 2012) v.

Evidence of Similar jobs previously executed (if any); and vi. Evidence of payment of non- refundable deposit of N 30,000.00 to Igueben Local Government Treasury.

Tenders must be submitted in sealed and waxed envelop and marked “Confidential” with the item tendered for indicated at the top left hand corner of the envelope and addressed to the Executive Chairman, Igueben Local Government Council, Igueben and should reach the undersigned not later than six weeks from the date of this publication.

6. It is to be emphasized that Igueben Local Government is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender.

Signed: Hon. (Dr) E.J. Okonoboh Secretary to the Loca Govt For: Executive Chairman.

Igueben Local Government Igueben

THE NIGERIAN

16

ODARO Ize-Omoregie is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gold sack Maritime Treasure Oil and Gas Services Nigeria Limited, and London College for Technical and Vocational Education, an opinion leader, political analyst and commentator, an educationist an entrepreneur and widely travelled.

In this chat with the Nigerian Observer he frowned at the system of education in Nigeria where the government and those in charge of the Sector have neglected technical and vocational education and as such produced graduates who cannot contribute effectively to the development of the society.

He also spoke on the importance and benefits of the petroleum bill if the president assents to it. These and other interesting issues are here for your reading delight as anchored by RICHARD OKORO EWEKA and FAMOUS IGUISI Excerpts: transform the nation.

As a widely travelled Those that run the system person, an educationist now will fight against and an entrepreneur, such revolution or how would you restructuring the system compare the Nigerian because they presently Education system with enjoy and benefit from that of the Western the decay.

World?

Can the present Education as defined by system be changed?

Thomas Andesine is a Yes it can be knowledge gain and changed but it will take a knowledge used to affect whole lot of effort to your immediate needs. achieve. It will take a Education is not about joint effort by all to fix the having knowledge but all important areas of knowing what to do with delivery (Training and rethe knowledge acquired. conceptualizing the Education in Nigeria as system of delivery in the at today is 50 years back country. Jonathan as compare to what is president of the nation obtainable in the Western should revolutionalize the World. The curriculum entire educational system we operate in Nigeria is and break it down to the obsolete, the delivery and best possible function facility is outdated and where students will be can never be compared to able to truly learn and what is obtainable in the implement what they 21st Century. Some of our have learnt to improve leaders running the and develop the nation.) educational sector have The students will know travelled to some of these that they are learning to advanced countries and be able to empower their have seen what is immediate families, obtainable there but have communities, state and not been able to nation at large. For this implement it here. The effort to yield fruit the system of education is sector should be seen as not impacting on our a sector in crisis and the immediate societal needs entire organs of in terms of government will join manufacturing, research forces together to tackle and creativity. A the issues in the sector. mechanical engineering Our system continue to graduate in Nigeria can produce thousands if not barely identify the part of millions of graduates mechanical engineering every year but these they belong to. The graduates have no clear system need to be cut of technical, revolutionalize for it to vocational or work effectively and entrepreneurial skills.

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Interview Nigeria Educational System Ne They don’t equally have employability, creative, innovation and research oriented skills after leaving four walls of the higher Institution. This is what is presently obtainable in the system and it will take serious effort to fight, restructure and change the system to measure up with the 21st educational standard. The Chinese, Korea and some other countries economy have all moved from third world to first world because they were all involved in the building process of developing the education sector.

Education should be all encompassing and should be able to sustain us and enable us to impact not only on our family but on the society and nation at large. We all should interact and designed a national programme that will embrace us all. We need to change this old system, replacing it with a more sophisticated 21st century system that will make Nigeria rob shoulders with her counterpart across the globe. This is what informed our decision to bring to Edo State a branch of our London Institute where people will learn in consonant, we have updated curriculum used today in England to train vocational skill workers.

What role does technical and vocational education play in our education sector?

It has a lot of role to play

in our development. This is what we lack today in our education sector and this has already had an adverse effect on our development as a nation.

As a nation we lack technical and vocational skills, we are still glue to the old and obsolete way or method of delivery in our educational system.

We need to enhance our vocational and technical skills in all aspect.

Technical and vocational education is not only centered on practical aspect but connected to all activities of our lives as human. The present system we practice in Nigeria is theoretical qualification which has no bearing with our everyday societal need.

In the UK system of education even you as a journalist need to go on continuous professional development (CPD) where you are trained to meet up with the 21 st century method of journalism. This will include the type of garget used, the approach used in communication skill etc. We are not only looking at the technical skill area but also CPD area should also be focused on. Today in this 21st century, some of our civil servants are still using the filling system, typewriter, notebooks etc to keep records where in the Western world they make use of ICT. In an advance society everyone is proud of what he or she does for a

living. Our graduates spend 4-6 years and have not developed, function, communication, foundation, liability, entrepreneurial skill. All these skills are integrated in their curriculum in advance society but here we still look at obsolete

corrupt practices. Parents pay for their children to pass JAMB, WAEC e.t.c.

Lecturers, Teacher, Invigilators accept bribe and destroy the system.

People are victimized in one way or the other. The best student doesn’t leave school with the best

lot o If w pro nati shou nati Nig ide che corr

result. All hands must be on deck to fight the scourge. The poor performance of our students and puipil in the school is an example of what is obtainable in our education system. Our student have graduated as half baked graduate and venture in to politics and now causing a whole

this n we sh train will abov brea educ skill learn gain Educ is lik high best Wh this hum deve The so b huma have of bl One man

Odaro Ize-Omoregie

curriculum.

Who should be blamed for the failure of students in our school system?

The level of corruption in the system is very high and until it is dealt with, the system will remain backward. All the issues we have been discussing so far are fallout from

“The present system we practice in Nigeria is theoretical qualification which has no bearing with our everyday societal need. In the UK system of education even you as a journalist need to go on continuous professional development (CPD) where you are trained to meet up with the 21st century method of journalism.”

THE NIGERIAN

17

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Interview eeds To Be Revolutionalized

of issues in the system. we must correct this blem facing the on, the national norms uld be checked. The ional concept of the geria education ology should be ecked if we must rect the issue facing

nation. As a nation, hould have a robust ning in school as it help us to stand ve crime. We have to ak down the cational system to related training; you n it and bring the n into the society. cation in this country ke a trade where the est bidder gets the result. hat is the hope of nation in terms of man capital elopment? e hope of Nigeria is bleak in terms of an development. We e a large population lacks in the world. of every four black in the world is a

Nigerian and our failure or success will have an impact on the black race.

There must be revolution in terms of enlightening the minds of our people.

Everyone have a stake in ensuring the society move forward. Our graduate cannot be

compare to other graduate across the globe, we can hardly use a computer effectively, and how then can we compete with our counterpart in the world. If we continue like this, we are heading for a dooms day.

How do we use education to correct the political problem we face in our political system?

We need to intensify the need of our society, create an entrepreneurial skill that will empower our youths who will become leaders of tomorrow. Politics is to impact on the people, is to serve the people and anything else is not acceptable, but here in Nigeria, anything goes. We need to correct this wrong

-Ize-Omoregie

impression about politics and this can be done when proper technical and vocational skills are impacted on the youth which in the long run will reduce the number of people going into politics.

As an expert in oil and gas, what is the implication of producing oil without a functional refinery?

Oil and gas is a professional sector and it is no longer news that we are producers of oil but we have no functional refinery for the products.

We should ask ourselves what the government is doing to help the situation.

If the government is not doing anything in this direction, the private sector will intervene to ensure that we revive the sector from a total collapse. To ensure effectiveness and the development in the Oil and Gas sector, we run programme on such sector. The Western world has now made us a laughing stock wondering how we manage to be an Oil producing nation without a functional Refinery.

We need to stand on our feet as a nation to collaborate with the private organizations like the London College to start Oil and Gas related training. This is a big challenge that we should engage in training our youths and engaged them

in the oil producing company.

Oil and Gas is a very lucrative sector. How can government partner with the private sector to train the youths to fit into the Oil and Gas sector?

This sector is a very lucrative sector that can transform and develop the nation if the youths are adequately equipped with technical and vocational skill in Oil and Gas. The Government should collaborate with other private organization that will be able to provide the training facilities to build and develop human capacity. This is where we come in to assist the government and create the enabling environment to train the youths with the necessary Oil and Gas skills which will make them useful and contribute their quota to the development of the sector and the nation at large. Such collaboration will take time, but if we are determined, we can make it work by applying a revolutionary concept.

As a well traveled man, how will you rate the performances of the comrade Governor in terms of infrastructural development, comparing it with what is obtainable in the Western world?

I am surprised at the level of development in

Edo state; I tell you, Oshomhole is a miracle worker. His performances are outstanding and has touched the lives of every Edolites. He has done creditably well in transforming the state and making it a focal point for other states in the country.

He has proved a point that despite the corrupt nature of our leaders, we can still find a corrupt-free leader who has the love of the people at heart and ready to sacrifice to ensure that they get the dividend of Democracy. He has distinguished himself among leaders of this present generation.

Can All Progressive Congress (APC) defeat the PDP in 2015 general election?

Why not? PDP can be defeated. It is only in Nigeria that you see a political party says she will stay in office for 60 years. You can’t hear that anywhere in the world.

The success of a political party in the Western world, depend on its performances. But here in Nigeria, it is a different ball game entirely. This is so because we are not politically enlightened. If we must change from this political backwardness, we need to embark on massive political education and enlightenment to broaden the thinking of the electorate. The civil societies are doing a good job but need to do more in political education taking the campaign across all strata in the economy. People are now becoming aware that the

so called national cake is meant for everybody. So, APC, has conducted themselves maturely.I tell you! PDP will fade out in 2015.

Will the sharing formular cause any problem in APC? All political parties surely will have one thing or the other to fight for when it comes to sharing formular. It will not be strange if APC engage in power struggle. It is always difficult when you intend to share but I am very sure that the leadership of APC are capable of solving any problem arising from the sharing formular. It will be a smooth sharing formular for APC, I tell you, PDP will have a run for their money come 2015. It will not be as easy as usual, APC, is a party to beat in 2015 general election.

Who will succeed Oshiomhole in Edo state come 2016?

It is too early to talk about who will succeed Oshiomhole as Governor in Edo state. As a child of political history, there are four factors relevant in choosing a successor.

Firstly, the people, the party, the Governor and above all God Almighty.

These four factors will decide who succeed Oshiomhole in 2016 as Governor of the state. We should concentrate more on developing the state and not distracting the concentration of the Governor by talking of 2016. The issue should be left for now and be attended to later.

“Why not? PDP can be defeated. It is only in Nigeria that you see a political party says she will stay in office for 60 years. You can’t hear that anywhere in the world. The success of a political party in the Western world, depend on its performances. But here in Nigeria, it is a different ball game entirely.”

THE NIGERIAN

18

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013 With FRANCIS U. ODUPUTE

Art Alive Pedagogy Of Visual Journalism: How Development Journalists Can Tell Impact Stories Visually (Being excerpt from a paper presented by FRANCIS UMENDU ODUPUTE at a 2-day Media Workshop organized

by Lagos State Government in collaboration with The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 20 TH -21 ST November, 2012. Theme: “TAMING THE CLIMATE CHANGE MONSTER WITH THE POWER OF THE PEN: NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS IN FOCUS”).

INTRODUCTION: We live in a world where communication is everything when we talk of human development, peace and progress in the society. As an Artist and mass communicator, I’m coming to grips with the power of imageries and symbols, etc, in education/communication.

Art is a universal lingua franca and the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words is not far-fetched: ‘One image can communicate more than dozens of pages of text or hours of speeches. One image can change the course of history. Editorial cartoons draw attention to important political, economic, and social issues like nothing else. Using symbols or visual metaphors, their reach transcends country borders and language barriers’.

Graphic communication is an efficacious means of communication, especially in developing countries. In context, graphics entails all visual materials such as pictures, drawings, cartoons, colours, maps, charts, graphs, typefaces and designs, etc, employed by various media organisations- newspapers, magazines, television, films, books, internet, etc.

Every serious journalist strives to tell impact stories.

But it is the human angle in these stories that earn them the appellation as “IMPACT” stories- a suggestion that the stories have directly or indirectly impacted the reading or viewing public for good or that they have helped to “force” the government or the policy makers to take a

vital action in favour of the masses/electorate, etc. A major characteristic of many award-winning stories is the strategic graphic appeals/ presentations (either in words, photo shots, video clips, graphic illustrations/ cartoons, animation of texts or images, colour/sound quality and the general design/packaging) of such stories in bringing out the human angles in the stories that usually stand them out as winning stories, not necessarily the intellectual content or grammatical strength of the stories/ reports.

Building capacity for integrating interactive media art and graphic communication to news reporting, media advocacy and awareness creation, in addition to our well-crafted written reports, offer deeper understanding and broaden the frontiers of development journalism in a society where reading culture is grossly low and most of the population are illiterates.

BEYOND THE PEN AND THE PAGES: Spreading Awareness of the Negative Effects of CLIMATE CHANGE via Visual Journalism & Creative Education: With the Earth’s present rising (and environmentally irresponsive, non-prudent) human population fingered as the primary driver of climate change, environmental degradations, emissions, water scarcity, poor sanitation/hygiene and its health consequences, insecurity and various shades/sizes of armed conflicts and political unrests, etc, it is vital to research and offer- through the prism of graphic humour and satire- an enhanced knowledge as well as broadened awareness on the implications or CONSEQUENCES of unplanned POPULATION explosion, environmental degradation and poor SANITATION to the Nigerian society and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.

For environment journalists and mass communicators like me,

Francis U. Odupute delivering his lecture at the 2-day Media Workshop

Nigeria’s representative in the ‘WASH Media Awards 2012’, Francis U. Odupute, on the hot seat defending his winning cartoon during the World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden,last August.

having the niche advantage of integrating graphic communication via photojournalism and cartoon journalism to environmental reporting and climate change awareness creation, in addition to our written reports, offers deeper understanding, new frontiers in development communication and a greater opportunity to reach and impact more audience in a

society where reading culture is very low.

The following tips might be helpful in innovating to improve on how we get our messages across to a wider audience beyond the pen and pages of the newspapers and TV screens.

It has been my desire to innovatively explore the pedagogy of visual journalism in a developing

society, in the context of interactive editorial cartooning, photojournalism and comics’ journalism, and to learn the science and art of making the visual legible…

In Sub-Saharan Africa as well as other developing economies of the world, the apparent social divide between the encoders of information/messages (mass communicators) and the decoders of same (the general public/ final consumers of media information) is rooted firmly in the phenomenon of mass illiteracy -particularly amongst women and children at the grassroots.

After winning the prestigious “GLOBAL MEDIA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN P O P U L A T I O N REPORTING (EDITORIAL CARTOON CATEGORY) in December, 2009, from the Population Institute, in Washington, DC, USA, I started researching and thinking: How best can a print media, for instance, reach, inform and educate a wider rage of its target audience in a country whose vast population is predominantly illiterate and extremely poor, who are cultured to oral traditions and imageries as the core means of communication, information dissemination, information storage/data collection, cosmology and knowledge transfer?

How best can a passionate journalist delineate or write and publish impact stories that would be easily understood, consumed and digested, with the prospect of turning around the negative behaviors of a minority population of educated/ literate people whose reading culture is grossly low?

How can visual journalists in developing countries innovate and deploy comics journalism and interactive communication art to get the messages home to the grassroots on critical issues such as the impact of population, climate crimes and poor sanitation, etc, on the environment and human lives?

On returning from a oneweek media conference in Stockholm, Sweden, held in August, 2012, I started experimenting further on how to bring some new frontiers/innovations into this advocacy journalism strategy with a recently published editorial cartoon report entitled “Oil Wise, WASH Foolish?” which I purposefully redefined and expanded into a 30-feet mega long interactive editorial cartoon for the NAC2012 grand finale exhibition in Lagos, at the instance of African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) on 25th October, 2012. The reactions and results were VERY REVEALLING: my story was easily told and the message deeply imbibed by a large number of the target audience through participanteducation; scores of participants and visitors to the event were greatly enthused by the compelling journalistic message and graphic humour that each person enthusiastically took turns in graphically adding their own voices to the message of the mega long interactive media art piece.

The intended awareness was well spread and the information deeply understood/ imbibed, as the audience practically involved in supplying the full message of the visual journalism/ media advocacy art piece.

(To be continued next week)

THE NIGERIAN

19

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Art And Culture THE Portuguese were the first European travellers to visit Benin, which they called Beny, this was during the reign of King Ozolua c1472 and 1486 AD. The Portuguese admitted finding a highly developed kingdom with a very advanced system.

This visit and subsequent interchanges led to King John II of Portugal who reigned between 1481 to 1495 exchanging correspondences with the King of Benin on a peer like basis. Between 1504 and 1550 AD, the Portuguese established diplomatic and trade relations with Oba Esigie and his kingdom of Benin By the 16th century the Oba sent an ambassador to Lisbon and the king of Portugal reciprocated by sending Christian missionaries to teach the Binis the gospel.

The English made their first call in 1 553. This visit was a harbinger of lucrative business, for significant trade relationship soon developed between England and Benin. The British anthropology writer and curator, Henry Ling Roth, described Bini as Great Benin. Other European visitors to Benin in the 16th and 17th centuries brought back to Europe tales of the Great Benin”, a fabulous city of noble buildings and efficient administrative system.

The state developed an advanced artistic culture and wrought with unequalled mastery works of arts in bronze, iron and ivory. They expressed events that they considered history-making in carvings. Benin also developed a formidable military establishment.

The Benin Bronzes The Benin Bronzes are a collection of more than 3000 brass plaques from the royal palace of the

With AMBROSE EKHOSUEHI

The Great Benin Kingdom

Kingdom of Benin. They were seized by a British force in the Benin Expedition of 1897 and given to the British

Between Benin and Britain At the end of the 19th century, the Kingdom of

Foreign Office. Around 200 of these were then passed on to the British Museum in London, while the remainder were divided among a variety of collections, with the majority being purchased

by Felix von Luschan on behalf of the Königliches Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin (the present-day Ethnological Museum).

Bronzes are now believed to have been cast in Benin since the thirteenth century, and some in the collection date from the 1 5th and 16th centuries.

Benin retained its independence and the Oba exercised a.monopoly over trade which the British found irksome. Pressure was mounted by figures such as Vice-Consul James Robert Phillips and Captain Gatlwey (the British vice-Consul of Oil Rivers Protectorate) who were pushing for British annexation of the Benin Empire.

Britain needed to establish a sphere of influence so that no other European power could later claim Benin as its own. This period in world

“At the end of the 19th century, the Kingdom of Benin retained its independence and the Oba exercised a.monopoly over trade which the British found irksome.

Pressure was mounted by figures such as Vice-Consul James Robert Phillips and Captain Gatlwey (the British vice-Consul of Oil Rivers Protectorate) who were pushing for British annexation of the Benin Empire.”

history was the period of the scramble for Africa which brought about the Berlin Conference of 1884 and 1885 which partitioned Africa amongst the then European powers.

The agreement at the end of the Berlin Conference was contained in the General Act which has in part the rule of the Principle of Effectivity or Uti Possidetis “as it stands at the present”, which is that a nation could only claim a colony if that nation actually possessed the colony. To lay claim it must have treaties with the local chiefs, fly its flag there, and establish an administration in the territory to govern it. The colonial power must also directly use the economic resources of this colony; otherwise it could not claim it to the exclusion of other European nations.

Thus it became imperative to make local chiefs to put hand on paper and sign treaties with the European nations.

Expeditions were therefore dispatched to coerce traditional rulers into signing treaties. At the time of concluding the Berlin conference in 1885, only the coastal areas of Africa were under European rules, 80% of Africa was effectively under the rules of their traditional kings. But by 1902, 90% of all the land that makes up Africa was under European control.

By June 5, 1885, Britain named her Sphere of Influence as extending from Lagos to River Rio Del Ray near Cameroon. This sphere of influence Britain called Oil Rivers Protectorate. But Benin in the middle was not part of it.

In March 1892, Henry Gallwey, the British ViceConsul of Oil Rivers Protectorate (later Niger Coast Protectorate), visited Benin City hoping to annex Benin Kingdom and make it a British protectorate. Although the King of Benin, Omo n’Oba (Ovonramwen), was sceptical of the British motives he was willing to endorse what he believed was a friendship and trade

agreement. He refrained from endorsing Gallwey’s treaty when it became apparent that the document was a ploy intended to make Benin Kingdom a British colony.

Consequently the King issued an edict barring all British officials and traders from entering Benin territories. Since Major (later Sir) Claude Maxwell Macdonald, the Consul General of the Oil River Protectorate authorities considered the ‘Treaty’ legal and binding, he deemed the King’s reaction a violation of the accord and thus a hostile act.

Between September 1895 and mid 1896 three attempts were made by the Protectorate to enforce the Gallwey ‘Treaty’.

The “Benin Massacre” In November in a letter to Lord Salisbury, the British Foreign Secretary, Vice-Consu Phillips requested approval to invade Benin and depose the Oba, adding the following footnote: “1 would add that I have reason to hope that sufficient ivory would be found in the King’s house to pay the expenses incurred in removing the King from his stool” In late December 1896, without waiting for a reply or approval from London, he embarked on a military expedition, He had a few Europeans and 250 African soldiers masquerading in part as porters. The force’s weapons were hidden in the baggage carried by the porters’.

The Benin king preferred to let the British enter the city so that it could be ascertained whether or not the visit was a friendly one.

The head of Benin Army felt otherwise and without obtaining the kings permission ordered the formation of a strike force to destroy the invaders.

On 4 January 1897, the strike force caught Phillips’ column totally unprepared. Only two British officers survived the annihilation by the Benin soldiers.

Benin Punitive Expedition

On 12 January 1897, Rear-Admiral Harry Rawson was appointed to lead an expedition to capture the Benin king and destroy Benin City. The operation was named Benin Punitive Expedition, and on 9 February 1897 the invasion of Benin kingdom began. The field commanders were instructed to burn down all Benin kingdom’s towns and villages. The invasion force of about 1200 British Marines, sailors and Niger Coast Protectorate Forces, and composed of three columns. They reached Benin City after 10 days of bitter fighting. One column was routed by Benin soldiers.

Immediately after the British invaders secured the city, looting began.

Monuments and palaces of many high-ranking chiefs were looted. Homes, religious buildings and palaces were deliberately torched.

The British Admiralty confiscated and auctioned off the war booty to defray the costs of the Expedition.

The dispersal of the Benin art to museums around the world catalyzed the beginnings of a long and slow European reassessment of the value of West African art. The Benin art was copied and the style integrated into the art of many European artists and thus had a strong influence on the early formation of modernism in Europe.

The King of Benin was eventually captured by the British consul-general Moor, deposed and sent to live out his days in Calabar.

On December 27, 1899, Britain at last was able to proclaim and promulgate the Protectorate of southern Nigeria, to take effect from January 1, 1900.

A new beginning It is in the light of this history, the clamour by many notable persons, the efforts of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the positive attitude of these men and women of goodwill, representatives of some of the greatest museums in the world that a new beginning of rapprochement is being fashioned out.

THE NIGERIAN

20

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Child Marriage

FEMINIQUE Musings Of A Worried Woman

I AM going beserk with worry now, and I do not care about anyone’s empathy. I can’t even go to the market because my little daughters are on holiday, playing at the backyard. I fear they may be abducted. Maniacs are on the loose. Well, there is that pain in the head that follows serious worry, you could call it migraine but I think it is really emotions going haywire. I hope I won’t sit here while my fellow market women shared that 100 million naira which our darling Comrade Governor just pledged to give us.

In my sub-conscious, I saw the man Yerima, approaching his 70’s, spotting his greyed goatee, walking down the aisle with an eleven year old girl-child whose breast region is till a desert plain. He is taking her for his seventh wife, and she doesn’t even have an inkling about where he is leading her, thinking she was just “the little cosmetic bride”, and he is in a hurry to ravish her, to demolish her moral fibers, to tear her innocence into smithereens and to dismember her natural state and replace it with the dreaded Vasico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) which I hear is an easy disease in the North, and… now, he may have the alacrity backed by the law, if my eccentric thoughts do not stop him! My bones are feeble with anxiety now.

Oh, dear. Throw those ugly thoughts into the dungeons, I told myself. Those men and women in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly are humans too; forget about the voting to retain 29 (4) or not, they are not crafted with the hearts of beasts; they fear God too, they know the difference between right and wrong; they have wives, they have daughters, their daughters have girl-child friends, their own friends and allies have daughters too. Even their household pets, be it monkies

or dogs, have the propensity to have girl-children too.

They won’t even let their pets’ girl-child be mated at an early age. They will get a veterinary doctor, the best in the area, who knows, they could afford to fly in the vet from the Hagues just to confirm if pets were due for mating, if pets were on heat and due for ‘cooling’ how much more would they wish to protect their biological or foster girl-child and wait for their neighbour’s girl-child to attain the age of maturity before coveting them in marriage, or what have you, even in lust.

A scriptural verse just suffices: Luke 11:13- “If you

vulnerable girl-child) who ask Him!” (You, the biological or foster father whose duty it is to give love, protection, with discretion of good conscience).

The verse eleven of that same chapter also draws a good line between discretion and good conscience: “If a son (or daughter) asks for bread (the bread is a symbol of several things – good upbringing, nurture, love, tender, loving care which you give to a child until they get to the constitutional age of self determination which by our law is age 18) from any father among you, will he (that sensible duty-bound

to marry Yerima, even with all his ill gotten worldly goods!’) will he (that sensible, diligent, attentive, loving and caring father) give him, (or her) a serpent instead of a fish? (we all know serpents – those finless, blood goggling, spine wracking creatures – like Yerima and the rest of his kind – who lust after children feeble enough to be one of the millions of eggs or zyggots in their scrotum!).

I am indeed amazed, like I am sure other worried women like me are, that the National Assembly, with all its hallowed trappings, would be venue for the entertainment of hearing in support of a matter

• David Mark, Senate President

then, (the gullible dog owner) being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children (add your dogs’) how much more will your heavenly father (add the biological father) give the Holy Spirit (add ‘discretion, conscience, love, protection) to those (your tender, innocent

Words On Marble To All Biological and Foster Mothers: This is time to put your foot on the ground and grind your teeth, for you are the target. We do not have lawmakers. Take the law into your own hands. Bite off the scrotum of any man who dares touch your girl-child with his filthy fingers, in form of assault or whatever. Spit it into the toilet and cleanse your sexual mouth with spirit. That is selfdefense.

Ijeoma Umeh, Advocate for the survival of the Girl-Child.

I’m at an age where I think more about food than sex.

Last week I put a mirror over my dining room table.

- Rodney Dangerfield

father) give him a stone (my warped mind tells me a stone is any old man who cajoles a fellow man and both of these men, acting like thick thieves, lure an under-aged girl-child into early marriage (marriage before the constitutional age of self determination, before the natural imbueing of adult thinking). Or if he (or she) asks for a fish (a fish here symbolizes the choice a girlchild would make only when she matures, reaches the age of self determination without inducement or threat, when she is no longer a girl-child but an adult from 18 and above, and by her own will power and decision chooses the man she would spend the rest of her life with…and I know, it is only through subversion of interests and subjugation of rights and application of double-dealing standards would she choose

as serious as child marriage.

I thought David Mark would mark that point with an over floating pen and throw it with a left hand into an incinerator!

Or… was Mark thinking it could favour him too, to also ‘savour’ the taste of Yerima’s grand daughter who just clocked eleven? God forbid!

People like Yerima know how to guard their own’ he would decree fatua on Mark for even daring!

Blood-sucking demons! Vanpires of the dark

With IJEOMA UMEH email: ladywithegoldenpen@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08182382839

age!

Now, talking seriously, the National Assembly was probably testing the waters by coming out with that preposterous voting, a selfappended signature on their own death warrant. Now, we hear that the NA was black mailed. Senator David Mark said so. David, the Biblical Shepherd Boy, Senator Mark’s name sake, would have done better and otherwise in the midst of blackmail. He would have come before the Lord and asked Him to intervene. The second Book of Samuel, Chapter 22 is a tonic I would recommend to every leader to drink, even those aspiring to positions of authority would love the tonic of I Samuel 22!

Of striking note are verses 26 through the end: “With the merciful You Will show yourself merciful (those old men who suck the blood of the innocents but now wish to repent). With a blameless man you will show yourself blameless (without being judgemental Yerima and his cohorts are hardly blameless).

With the pure you will show yourself pure (let our innocent girl-child remain pure, oh Lord, so that your purity will not depart from them). And with the devious you will show yourself shrewd (Great God, show your shrewdness unto all devious men, including paedophils who rape the innocence of our girl-child).

You will save the humble people; (Mark could have been humble if he had thrown that voting into the dungeon and fallen in a heap to cry for the future of his grand daughters).

But your eyes are on the haughty that you may bring them down (God watches all those who sponsored that evil bill, God is watching Yerima and his cohorts. God will bring them down!)

For you are my lamp, O Lord (Let every leader pray

for the lamp of wisdom). The Lord shall enlighten my darkness (That is it! Lack of enlightenment is killing the law making chambers. They are indeed, like men groping in the dark.

They don’t know the law, they don’t know their left from their right, they don’t even know what is justiceable, or, justified. They are law-breakers, they even use the mace as a weapon everytime they engage in thuggery and public affray.

They have no sense of decorum. How can they give what they don’t have?). For by you I can run against a troop; By my God, I can leap over a wall. (Let David Mark pray. He truly needs to leap over a wall, to run against the Yerima troop. God should put springs on his feet!

Now, why is it that as soon as you start commending the senate for attaining a milestone, it soon pulls back the stone to wedge itself?

When the same sex madness came, the senate leaped over the wall, to get a thunderous applause. What has gone wrong now? Is it accursed?

Where is Abike, Where is Ben Lar, where is Nkechi Nworgu?

Blackmail? Over what now? Does the hallowed chambers have skeletons in its closets?

Okay, let it be blackmail.

Mark should pay whatever else he has to pay to come off the blackmail, of course not with the innocence of our tomorrow, not with our girlchild. He should also chant Psalm 51. Yes, let the ‘nays’ have it.

No child-marriage or else, Let the colonialists come back to Nigeria, clamp down our feet with metals and cart us all away to South American jungles to be gulped down by Anacondas…

Oh! It was just a nightmare!

Thank God! Now, I can run to my business.

“They don’t know the law, they don’t know their left from their right, they don’t even know what is justiceable, or, justified. They are law-breakers, they even use the mace as a weapon everytime they engage in thuggery and public affray. They have no sense of decorum. How can they give what they don’t have?).”

THE NIGERIAN

21

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Encounter

Illushi Crisis:

How My Son Was Killed

Accusation and counter accusation has continued to trail the recent crisis threatening the peace and coexistence of the people of Illushi Community in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, even as two lives and valuable property is said to have been lost. Initially the crisis was believed to have been caused by some community youths fighting for control of the motor park as well as the collection of revenue from the market, but interestingly, the cat was let out of the bag as even a son of the clan head, HRH Christopher Ike Kebordih was gruesomely murdered. In this interview, with Okoh Innocent, the clan head narrates what transpired that led to the killing of his son.

Excerpts: immediately and drove Your highness, recently down to Illushi with the bid a violent fraca erupted in to invite the leader of the your community and opposition but met heavy heaven was let loose resistant even as they resulting to the fleeing of attempted to snatched their many for fear of been guns from them. The police attacked. You narrated returned after an hour and your account of the ugly reported their ordeal.

So when the police incident? returned, we all went to the My names are his royal divisional police officer highness Christopher Ike Kebordih, the clan head who was already at Irrua, Ebijie I of Illushi in a meeting with the police community. It is true that area commander, we there was a lodged our complaint misunderstanding between immediately with the Area two groups in respect of Commander who was revenue collection in holding meeting with other Illushi, the ruling party, D.P.O., in the area. I urged boys were awarded the them to help in arresting the contract long ago but to my situation which just began knowledge I was not aware then. At this time, it was that the contract has 10:30 am, and the Area expired or terminated but Commander in company of all of a sudden some people the D.P.Os assured me that from the opposition party the matter will be went into the market and immediately take care of, intercepted them. When the and I returned back to matter came to me I called Ubiaja.

When I returned to those involved and said it Ubiaja, a call came from is the duty of the local government authority to Illushi, indicating that the collect revenue and if the opposing youths have recontract has been enforced with guns and terminated then they matchets and are parading should sought it out with themselves round the the local government community, shooting authority I advised the sporadically and causing opposition party and the serious panic and tension leader to stop their unruling round the market. Again I activities in the market to reported back to the officer avoid chaos and should of the D.P.O at Ubiaja, but lodge their complaint to the was informed that no action local government chairman can be taken since the D.P.O., is yet to return from for immediate action.

Then the next market Irrua. I had no other option day, I was in Ubiaja when I than to report to the local heard that the same group government chairman, of boys have again Hon. Joseph Ikpea, who resumed hostility, I called immediately called for the the ruling party group and D.P.O., who was next in told them to alert the police control in the police station. to avoid problem, which He assured him that action they did. The police will be taken to curb the swinged into action situation but no serious

action was taken by the police until 3:30 pm when the news that my son, Uchiejor A.K.A Pastor, who was in Illushi to invite friends and relatives to the introduction ceremony of his wife-to-be, which was suppose to hold on 16th, June, has been murdered by the opposition leader and his boys.

It was then I realized that the revenue collection issue was just a cover up

that the clan head of Uroh a neighbouring community should step into my shoes.

During the crisis, one of their own was killed by their bullet met to kill an opponent. This situation according to the report that reached me, arose their anger and the life of my son was used to pay for the life lost. The report further stated that my son’s head was cut off and his lifeless body deposited in the river.

-HRH Kebordih

Also in his confessional statement, he disclosed that they were under instruction and empowered to overthrow the boys who were formerly in charge of the revenue collection in the locality which eventually resulted to the crisis On June 18 th my wife Esther and I went to the

His Royal Highness Christopher Ike Kebordih, Ebijie I of Illushi

and that the intention was to take my life and assume my position. Since they couldn’t get hold of me, my son who has stood solidly behind me from the on set was killed in my place.

Already these boys have taken control of the community, all my people have been forced out and they have announced my dethronement and insisted

I did not believe until one of the principal actors from the opposition camp was arrested by the police and he made confessional statement disclosing how Uchiejor, my son, was murdered. He confessed that it was their leader who killed my son then, another cut off his head and had his corpse deposited into the River Niger.

state command to lodge in the case and we are still expecting drastic action from the police because the accused are living freely in the community as alpha and omega, saying that nobody can touch them. We call for their arrest, we call for justice and equity. majority of my people are now refugees in Ubiaja

begging for food. They can no longer trade nor farm even as our plea for the invervention of security agency has fallen on deaf ears.

Presently, if there should be a counter attack what will it look like. It is better for us to imagine it than experience it.

What is now the present situation?

It is still before the police it has not got to the court yet, only one principal actor have been arrested while others are still at large How do you now carry out your function as the traditional ruler?

Because of the chaos, I have not been functioning.

The leaders of the opposition are now the traditional rulers, I don’t want to take laws into my hands as a leader, I am still looking forward to what the government will do to remedy the situation. These hoodlums believe that there is no law nor government but I believe there is a government and that is why I want to follow it constitutionally.

In one of the publications, the said opposition leader accused you of been in support of the other group which you described as the ruling party boys, what is your reaction to this accusation?

That’s a lie and it has always been their defence even when my house and properties including three of my cars were set ablaze in 2003, by this same group. It was still this same accusation.

“During the crisis, one of their own was killed by their bullet met to kill an opponent. This situation according to the report that reached me, arose their anger and the life of my son was used to pay for the life lost. The report further stated that my son’s head was cut off and his lifeless body deposited in the river.”

THE NIGERIAN

22

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Issues

Curbing The Incidence Of Teenage Pregnancy

MEDICAL experts have, on many instances, called the attention of the public to the dangers of teenage pregnancy, which they describe as a major health challenge facing all the countries of the world.

They cite a report of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which indicates that more than 16 million girls, aged between 15 and 19 years, give birth to babies every year.

Irked by this report, stakeholders call for the adoption of proactive measures to check the rising menace of teenage pregnancy across the world.

However, the National Population Commission (NPC) says that efforts are being made to curb the menace of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria via aggressive public enlightenment prorammes.

Mr. Festus Odimegwu, the Chairman of NPC, stressed that the reasons behind teenage pregnancy included poverty and sexual abuse, among others.

“Worldwide and within countries, adolescent births are likely to occur among the poor, less educated and rural populations.

“The increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy in Nigeria can be appreciated against the backdrop of the fact that about 44.5 million Nigerians are young people.

“In 2015, this number is expected to increase to 60 million young people due

to early marriages, early exposure to sex and pregnancy and poor health services,’’ he said.

Odimegwu said that teenage girls were at risk of having sexual and reproductive health problems, insisting that the teenage maternal mortality rate of 0.822 per 1,000 women in Nigeria was high.

He said that the negative consequences of teenage pregnancy included unsafe abortions, pregnancy complications, poor antenatal care and childbirth complications induced by weak pelvic bones, among others.

Odimegwu stressed that during the coming celebration of the International Youth Day on August. 12, the Federal Government should address challenges such as poverty, sexual abuse and ignorance, while putting stiffer penalties in place for perpetrators of sexual abuse.

The International Youth Day focuses on the rights of young people to have full access to education, adequate healthcare, e m p l o y m e n t opportunities, financial services and full participation in public life.

Mr. Vitalis Anyadike, the Executive Director of Africare Development, a non-governmental organisation, warned against pre-marital and teenage pregnancy, advising youngsters to abstain from pre-marital sex to avoid contracting HIV and other infections.

“Teenagers have been

By JACINTA NWACHUKWU

misinformed by their peers and some members of the society on the risks of pre-marital sex, thereby allowing themselves to be

he added.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Joshua Zaman, a gynaecologist at University of Abuja

abused sexually,’’ he said.

Anyadike noted that several teenagers had lost their lives to abortion, while others had contracted deadly sexually transmitted diseases.

“If people are educated on total abstinence from pre-marital sex, over 90 per cent of the people will be free from teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections as well as allied problems,’’

Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, said that teenagers were likely to have life-threatening complications during pregnancy and child delivery than those in their 20s.

He said that teenagers, who indulged in premarital sex, faced the risk of dropping out of school as a result of pregnancy.

Zaman identified unwanted pregnancies,

“There is need for parents, school authorities and guardians to acquire relevant knowledge on teenage sexuality for them to be able to educate teenagers on sexual issues. This will also aid efforts to prevent the circumstances associated with irresponsible sexual behaviour.’’

sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS, as some of the major challenges facing young people who engaged in pre-marital sex.

He, however, noted that poverty was also responsible for many of

the teenage pregnancies, adding that pregnant teenagers usually faced a lot of trauma, social abuse and health related problems.

“There is need for parents, school authorities and guardians to acquire relevant knowledge on teenage sexuality for them to be able to educate teenagers on sexual issues.

“This will also aid efforts to prevent the circumstances associated with irresponsible sexual behaviour,’’ he said.

Besides, Zaman advised parents to sensitise their children to the dangers of early sex, while making pragmatic efforts to dissuade them from engaging in pre-marital

sexual relations.

In efforts to protect the youth, Rep. Charles Odedo, a member of House of Representatives’ Committee on Population, said that the Child Rights, particularly those relating to the girl child, must always be preserved and

protected.

“The legislature and the executive at the federal level have adopted and enacted the Child’s Rights Act; the National Assembly has been calling on the different states to follow suit.

“Parents are also called upon to create more time for their children’s upbringing, rather than leaving them under the care of housemaids; they should not forget the fact that money is not everything,’’ he said.

All the same, observers note that as the world celebrates the International Youth Day, pragmatic efforts should be made in Nigeria addressing the root causes of teenage pregnancy.

THE NIGERIAN

23

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Reflection

With REV. FR. JOHN DAMIAN ADIZIE

Let’s Celebrate Grandparents HAVE you ever thought of becoming a grandparent?

Are you aspiring to become a grandparent one day? Or if already you are a grandparent, how do you feel as a grandparent? How do you feel each time your grandchildren addresses you as ‘grandma’ or ‘grandpa’? Am sure, you must be feeling fulfilled. Most parents, especially mothers, are looking forward to becoming a grandparent. That is the first thing they usually demand from their daughterin-laws. “I need my own grandchildren, please give me grandchildren.” No amount of money or gift can substitute a mother ’s love for grandchildren. Even if you present the best rapper to your mother-in-law, she will still demand for her grandchildren.

Grandparents are dynamic set of people. Most grandparents are elderly ones.

They have experienced a lot of ups and downs. They have a lot of experiences to share with younger generation and a lot of values to pass on.

Remember, experience remains the best teacher! God has beautified them with gray hair. Gray hair is the symbol of wisdom.

Through experience they understand what joy and pain is all about.

Grandparents need care, patience and understanding.

They deserve everyone’s love and respect. If there is anyone that needs to be celebrated it is our grandparents. They are worthy of our celebrations.

They deserve our honour.

Today, the 26th day of July 2013 we are celebrating feast day of the grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ. Saints Joachim and Anna were the maternal grandparents of Jesus Christ. They were the ones that gave birth to our Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Who is Joachim? Who is Anna? Where can we find their stories in the bible? What is the essence of this celebration? Do we actually need to remember our dead grandparents? Why must we honour our grandparents?

If you are among those

who only believe what is written in the bible. That is, if you do not believe in oral tradition then you must be disappointed because there is no place where the names of Joachim and Anna were mentioned in the bible as the maternal parents of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the way, do you even know that not everything about our Lord Jesus Christ was written in the Bible? The bible is too small to contain all the activities of our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. John the Evangelist wrote, “There are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). Anna’s name and that of her husband Joachim come only from New Testament apocrypha, the Protoevangelium of James (written around 150). Their names are not written in what we have today as the canonical bible.

Although the canonical bible does not say anything concerning the maternal grandparents of our Lord Jesus but every reasonable person knows that if Jesus has a human mother in the person of Mary, that human mother must have a parent, and those parents must be respected because they gave birth to the mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Besides, they gave Mary a good parental upbringing. It is not easy to produce a virgin in an immoral society neither is it easy to produce a grandson who later became the first citizen of the whole world.

By honouring the grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ it is also an avenue for us to honour our own grandparents. Most people take their grandparents for granted. They prefer their parents to their grandparents.

Without grandparents there will be no parents.

Grandparents are the foundation on which every family is laid.

Our grandparents give us identity.

In most communities in

African, the surnames people bear are actually the names of their grandparents. For instance, in my own case, the name ‘Adizie’ is not my Father’s name but my grand father’s name. I don’t need anybody to tell me that I must honour this man who provided a platform for my identity.

Another reason why we must celebrate our grandparents is because love and respect is reciprocal. If you celebrate your grandparents one day you will become a grandparent then your own

eldest among the elders. Even if the odionwele is an illiterate he must still assume the position as the head of the village. The odionwele position cannot be bought with money. It is a divinely ordained position. Only God knows who will reach the position of odionwele. One may be warming up to become odionwele but before you know it death will come knocking at his door.

Most Western countries do not give their elderly ones the love and attention they

elders which is the highest decision making body in every community. With this honourable position one feels useful even in his old age.

Unfortunately the Western civilization and evangelization is affecting the African love and respect for elders. Our elders are no longer respected as before. Most people abandon their elderly ones in the village in search of greener pasture. Most elderly ones are living in mud houses whereas their children are living in mansions and flats in

father so as to get his blessing.

Incidentally it was the younger brother, Jacob that got the blessing of their father, Isaac (Genesis 27:1-40). If you are lucky enough to get the blessing of your grandparents then you must surely succeed in anything you do or say because their blessing has a divine approval. Even the fourth commandment says, “Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you” (Exodos 20:12). The logic is very simple; if you want to live long then you must honour your father and mother. But if, on the other hand, you want to die

grandchildren will celebrate you. If you don’t have any respect for your grandparents you may not even get to the stage of a grandparent. The Igbo people of Nigeria have an adage that literarily translates, “If you honour an elder one day you will become an elder.” and when you become an elder your junior ones will honour you.

One thing I learnt and I admire in Esan land is their love and respect for the elderly ones. The Esan people so respect their elders to the extent that the head of the village is usually the most elderly man, popularly known as the ‘odionwele”, that is the

deserve. They prefer sending their elderly ones to old people’s home so as to be free from their burden. Most Africans still have love and respect for their elders. In most African communities the elders are actually the lawmakers and the executive head of the community. The Africans value the wisdom of the elders more than any academic wisdom. They see gray hair as the physical symbol of wisdom and understanding. There is an adage that says, “What an elder can see seating down a child cannot see it standing up.”

Above all, each community in Africa have the council of

the cities. Do you know that some foolish people only visit home during the burial of their parents or grandparents? When they finally visit home for such burials they will start renovation of their buildings just because of their visitors.

But their parents died in poor wretched hut. It’s unfair!

If your parents and grandparents are still alive take good care of them when they are still alive and healthy. As you are visiting them, caring and providing for them; your own children are watching you. They are learning from you. One day it will be their turn to take proper care of you.

Respect is a reciprocal!

The Christian bible has a lot of regard for parents.

Parental blessing is one of the values that every reasonable child wants to grab. Think of what happened in the case of Esua and Jacob. The two brothers had to compete on who will receive their old father’s blessing. They had to prepare the best male for their

prematurely then try to dishonour your parents.

As we celebrate the maternal grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ, I use this medium to bless all grandparents and the aged. I also use this opportunity to appeal to our government and church leaders, our law makers, as a matter of urgency and necessity, to create a ministry that will take care of the wellbeing of the aged. In my minister as a priest working in a rural area I know what the elderly ones are passing through. Any law that favours the aged will also favour us in the near future because we are fast approaching their stage in life. Who knows tomorrow?

Who knows where destiny will take us to when we retire. As we celebrate the grandparents of our Lord Jesus and as you cater for the elderly ones may you live to see your children’s children!

“Although the canonical bible does not say anything concerning the maternal grandparents of our Lord Jesus but every reasonable person knows that if Jesus has a human mother in the person of Mary, that human mother must have a parent, and those parents must be respected because they gave birth to the mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Besides, they gave Mary a good parental upbringing.”

THE NIGERIAN

24

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

International

Compiled by FAITH OKHUELEIGBE

Family Rescued By Zimmerman Backs Out Of News Conference

FLORIDA, USA - The family rescued by George Zimmerman when they were trapped in an overturned SUV canceled a scheduled news conference today and is pleading for privacy.

Zimmerman was one of two men who came to the aid of Dana and Mark Gerstle and their two children, who were trapped inside a blue Ford Explorer SUV that had rolled over after traveling off the highway in Sanford, Fla., about 5:45 p.m. yesterday, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The Gerstles were expected to hold a press conference today at the office of Family Rescued by George Zimmerman Cancels Appearance Fearing ‘Blow Back.

Zimmerman’s attorney Mark O’Mara, but cancelled a few hours before it was supposed to take place.

“They have expressed to us that they are not comfortable doing media interviews at this time and they continue to ask for privacy,” the Seminole City Sheriff ’s Office said in a statement.

Zimmerman’s lawyer, Mark O’Mara, said the family had asked to speak, but then got concerned about the anger surrounding the controversial verdict.

“The family called because they wanted to address the media. I knew that if we did it in an organized way, it

would help them get back to a normal life.. But they called today and said they were more worried about blow back from saying anything that would be favorable to George, and decided they did not want to do any media,” Zimmerman said.

The family could not be reached for comment.

Zimmerman has been in hiding since he was acquitted of murder in the death of Trayvon Martin and his acquittal prompted a flood of negative reactions and dozens of protests across the country.

Zimmerman as well as his parents have received death threats.

Muslim Brotherhood Head Vilifies CAIRO - The Muslim violence, also called elArmy Chief inciting Sissi a “traitor” and urged him Brotherhood’s leader has made a sharp attack on Egypt’s military chief, saying his ouster of President Mohammed Morsi was a worse crime than even destroying the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine.

Mohammed Badie’s unusually harsh language

underlines the anger felt by Islamists over the July 3 coup by Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, which followed mass protests by millions demanding that Morsi step down. Morsi is a veteran figure from the Brotherhood.

Badie, who has an arrest warrant against him for allegedly

to repent.

His comments came in his weekly message to followers Thursday.

El-Sissi has called on Egyptians to stage mass rallies Friday that he will take as a mandate to deal with “violence and terrorism.”

EDO STATE

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

China’s former Chongqing Municipality Communist Party Secretary, Bo Xilai.

US, EU Urge Calm After S/Sudan Political Upheaval

JUBA - The United States and Europe are urging political leaders in South Sudan to maintain calm after the president dismissed his vice president and entire cabinet.

The EU delegation to South Sudan yesterday urged political leaders to resolve differences through dialogue, an implicit acknowledgement of the risk of violence that South Sudan faces after Tuesday’s political shake-up.

The U.S. is “deeply concerned by the risk to stability posed by” President Salva Kiir’s decision, the State Department said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The United States calls on all parties to maintain calm and prevent violence, and on the

Government of South Sudan to quickly and transparently form a new cabinet. We encourage South Sudan do so in a manner that reflects the diversity of the South Sudanese people, and that respects its transitional Constitution and the democratic ideals the new country has espoused,” it said.

Kiir dismissed his first vice president, Riek Machar, and suspended Pagan Amum, the secretary-general of the ruling SPLM party pending an investigation into charges of insubordination and creating social divisions within the party.

After dismissing his cabinet, he reduced the number of ministries from 29 to 18.

On Wednesday there was heavy deployment of armed

South Sudanese soldiers and police around the presidential palace. Heavily armed troops also guarded key government institutions including ministries. Those deployments appeared to return to normal levels yeterday.

While Kiir is leader of the ruling SPLM party, many of the dismissed ministers, including Machar and Amum, were key figures in the rebel movement that fought a decades-long war against Sudan that led to South Sudan’s independence in 2011 Reports of a power struggle in the ruling party have persisted, particularly between Kiir and Macher, who had said he is interested in running for president in 2015.

THE Edo State Internal Revenue Service hereby invite pool promoters, pool agents, pool stakers and the general public to a one day stakeholders’ meeting to harmonize and chart a roadmap for the smooth and transparent conduct of pool business in Edo State.

All pool agents in Edo State are to come with two recent digital passport photographs for the purpose of registration and admission for the meeting.

Furthermore, all pool promoters are advised not to open for business today Friday, 26th July, 2013.

For the avoidance of doubt, a combined monitoring team of Edo State Internal Revenue Service and the Law Enforcement Agents will be out to ensure total compliance as violators will be sanctioned.

Date of meeting: Friday, 26th July, 2013.

Time: 11:00am prompt.

Venue: Imaguero College Hall, Sapele Road, Benin City.

Signed OSENI ELAMAH Executive Chairman Edo State Internal Revenue Service

THE NIGERIAN

25

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

International

Compiled by FAITH OKHUELEIGBE

Obama To Warn Republicans WASHINGTON On Budget Tactics President Barack Obama will use the backdrop of a busy commercial port in Florida to warn congressional Republicans yesterday that using the threat of government shutdown or debt default puts a fragile economic recovery in jeopardy.

In the second of a series of speeches on the economy, Obama is due to accuse Republicans for standing in the way of faster growth with their fiscal proposals, aides said.

During a tour of the port of Jacksonville, Florida, Obama will “discuss specifically how the House Republican budget approach poses a risk to the progress we’ve made,” the White House said.

In Jacksonville, Obama will argue that repairs to the nation’s aging roads, bridges and ports are urgently needed, but he is not expected to unveil new policy proposals until later speeches. He is due to talk about manufacturing at a facility of internet retailer Amazon.com Inc in Chattanooga, Tennessee, next week.

Aides say he plans roughly one speech a week for the rest of the summer touching on retirement security, education, and healthcare,

among other issues.

Obama has said repeatedly that his primary focus is to restore economic stability to a middle class that is still wobbly after the deep recession of 2007-2009. That aim has been sidetracked since his re-election last November by his efforts to pass gun control and immigration legislation.

It has also been overshadowed by controversies that have kept the administration on the defensive, such as the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service and revelations of widespread surveillance of citizens’ phone and internet records by the National Security Agency.

Overshadowing the president’s economic agenda is a looming October 1 deadline when Congress must pass spending bills to keep the government running. Not long after, lawmakers must raise the nation’s borrowing limit or risk default.

C o n g r e s s i o n a l Republicans, concerned about a large budget deficit and bills to come due in the future as a result of government retirement and health programs, want spending cuts and lower taxes

as part of the budget process.

Despite Obama’s desire to change topics, his efforts to launch infrastructure repairs are emblematic of his frustrations in getting Congress to agree to his economic agenda.

In March, Obama traveled to another Florida port to plug his plans to launch big public works projects. “Let’s get this done,” he said, touring an unfinished tunnel project.

The president has said he wants to develop a national infrastructure bank and capitalize it with $10 billion.

He would also create “America Fast Forward Bonds” that would help state and local governments attract money for infrastructure projects.

He has proposed adding $4 billion to support two programs that are used to provide grants for infrastructure projects.

But Republicans have been reluctant to support what they consider government stimulus spending after a much criticized $787 billion stimulus plan that Obama managed to push through Congress in 2009.

Florida’s Republican governor, Rick Scott, has also said his state has been able to improve the Florida economy without Washington’s assistance.

U.S. President Barack Obama wipes his brow while speaking in a hot room

France Working On Humanitarian PARIS - France pushed Access In Syria Wednesday for humanitarian corridors in Syria, a bid that is unlikely to win U.N. Security Council support but is part of a diplomatic game aiming at pressuring Russia.

French President Francois Hollande met in Paris with a delegation of the opposition Syrian National Coalition and said France is working on “corridors that will possibly be opened to give necessary aid to the population.”

Such corridors, presumably guarded by international forces, would need the approval of a resolution of the Security Council. Russia and China have already vetoed three Westernbacked resolutions aimed at

pressuring Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.

The council has been deeply divided over Syria since the conflict began 2 1/2 years ago, with Russia and China supporting the Syrian regime.

The violence in Syria has killed over 93,000 people, according to the United Nations.

But Western diplomats are trying to put pressure on Russia ahead of an international conference in Geneva to try to agree on a transitional government.

The president of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmed alJarba, said the delegation was “happy to hear the French

president speaking of humanitarian aid, of the possibility of humanitarian corridors or access.”

Some of the victims of the poison incident in hospital.

Principal Arrested In Poison Deaths Of 23 for bail has NEW-DELHI - Police in across the country. The Students application already been denied.

India’s eastern Bihar program was started to province announced the arrest yesterday, eight days after the July 16 poisoning.

The children were eating the meals as part of a government sponsored free lunch program, which provides free meals to more than 120 million children

encourage families, particularly those living in the country’s wide swaths of poverty in rural areas, to send their children to school.

Immediately after eating the lunches, which consisted of rice, beans and potato curry, dozens of children fell

signing ceremony of a joint declaration for establ …

“But of course it’s not something that I can speak on behalf of the Palestinians,” he said, speaking in English. “If they will do so, as I said, the negotiations will start next Tuesday in Washington.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office had no immediate comment on Shalom’s remarks.

On Wednesday, Netanyahu told reporters: “I hope that soon we will be able to see the beginning of peace talks (with the Palestinians). Our team is

ready. We have always been ready.”

Israeli officials said the conservative prime minister, who faces skepticism about the prospect of new negotiations from religious-nationalist members of his coalition government, might hold off on sending negotiators to Washington until after he secured the approval of his cabinet when it convenes on Sunday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ spokesman Nabil Abu Rdaineh said the Palestinians awaited an invitation from the United States.

Israeli Minister Sees Possible Palestine Talks JERICHO, West Bank An Israeli cabinet minister said yesterday that U.S.-sponsored peace talks with the Palestinians could begin next week, but neither side could formally confirm his assessment.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced last week that Israel and the Palestinians had laid the groundwork for ending their almost three-year diplomatic impasse and would send negotiators to Washington soon.

Israel says new peacemaking would be without

“preconditions” about the borders of a future Palestinian state in territories it occupied in the 1967 Middle East war.

But the Palestinians have said they want assurances about those borders first.

“As I understand, today, I think that the Palestinians will decide to come next week,” Energy Minister Silvan Shalom told reporters during regional cooperation talks in the West Bank.

Israeli Energy Minister Shalom attends the signing …

Israeli Energy Minister Silvan Shalom attends the

violently ill with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting. Within hours, 23 were dead and dozens more had been rushed to a hospital.

Autopsy reports showed insecticide had been placed inside food. All of the dead children were between the ages of 5 and 12.

Shortly after the incident, the school’s principal, Meena Kumari, went into hiding.

One of the school’s cooks, who was also rushed to hospital after eating the contaminated meal, told reporters she had warned Kumari the food may have become contaminated, but that Kumari ordered her to continue cooking it anyway.

Today police announced an arrest warrant for Kumari, posting a notice on the door to her home that her property would be confiscated.

Kumari turned herself in shortly thereafter. Her

The state’s education minister alleged last week that Kumari had purchased the ingredients from a grocery store owned by Kumari’s husband, a member of a local opposition party.

It’s unclear whether the children were deliberately poisoned to destabilize the local government. Kumari’s husband remains at large.

The poisoning set off a wave of isolated protests.

Corruption and patronage are common within India’s government sponsored free lunch program, but the incident set off a wave of panic at nearby schools amid fears the children were intentionally poisoned.

Teachers elsewhere in Bihar have reportedly announced they will boycott the free lunches, while a new government policy demands that all principals and cooks taste the food themselves, before serving it to their students.

THE NIGERIAN

26

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

International

With OKHUELEIGBE FAITH

Togo Votes In Twice-Delayed Legislative Election LOME - Togo has begun voting in twice-delayed legislative elections that are a test of whether mounting discontent with the West African nation’s long-ruling family dynasty will translate into electoral gains for the opposition.

Eyadema Gnassingbe came to power through a coup and ruled Togo from 1967 until his death in 2005, when his son Faure Gnassingbe took over following an election criticized as flawed and violent. Faure Gnassingbe has ruled ever since, but frustration with the government has spurred recent massive protests, even in the family’s northern strongholds.

At a polling station in Lome’s Djidjole neighborhood, voting began shortly after the scheduled 7 a.m. start time.

Some ballot papers and other materials had not arrived, however, meaning voting in some lines was delayed for over an hour.

“We have not opened the poll because some of the items we need to start voting are missing,” said poll worker Kokou Agbodjete. “We are trying to call the electoral commission but we have not reached them yet. The line is always busy. We are trying to explain to the voters, but not all of them understand.”

Delays were noted throughout the country, said Jean-Pierre Fabre, leader of the opposition National Alliance for Change.

“Since this morning we’ve been told of a lot of failures across the country and this is a concern,” Fabre said after voting at a primary school in Lome.

Located on Togo’s coast in the south, much of Lome is sympathetic to the opposition, and some voters said they had lined up two hours early to vote for one of the main opposition coalitions.

“I came here early at 5 a.m.,

that’s why I’m at the head of the line. I want to be the first to vote for change,” said Dzifa Adzogble, 36. “I hope the true result will be announced. If there is no violence and fraud, then I’m sure we will have a good result.”

More than 60 percent of Togo’s population of 6 million is under 25, according to the African Development Bank, meaning they have lived their entire lives under the Gnassingbe family.

Development has lagged during that time. Although the ruling party has campaigned on promises of better education and more jobs, the literacy rate remains stubbornly low at 57 percent, according to this year’s United Nations Human Development Report. The African Development Bank has voiced concern about youth unemployment and underemployment, which it says together affect nearly 30 percent of Togo’s young workers.

In this year ’s U.N. Development Program survey of “life satisfaction” in 159 countries worldwide, Togo placed dead last.

Togo’s citizens are increasingly acting on their frustrations.

Large-scale protests over a change to the electoral law last year forced the government to delay the legislative election, originally scheduled for last October. The following month, female activists announced a weeklong sex strike to call for the president’s resignation.

This year, tension was exacerbated by mysterious fires in January at major markets in Lome and the northern city of Kara. The opposition has accused the government of using the fires as a pretext to arrest its activists, some of whom remain behind bars.

The elections were rescheduled for March before finally being pushed back to this month, though negotiations over

how they would be conducted were not finished until after the campaign began.

Despite frustration with the ruling party, the various opposition coalitions have failed to unite and have not presented a coherent message to voters, said Comi Toulabor, a FrenchTogolese expert on West African politics at France’s National Foundation of Political Science.

He added that even if voters supported opposition candidates in a majority of the legislature’s 91 seats, there was no guarantee that result would be respected.

International observers said the 2007 legislative and 2010 presidential elections were improvements over 2005, but opposition leaders still accused the ruling party of vote-rigging and ballot-stuffing.

Syrian opposition leaders set for a press briefing

At Least 78 Killed, 131 Injured, In Spain Train Disaster SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain - A train derailed outside the ancient northwestern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday night, on the eve of a major religious festival, killing at least 78 people and injuring up to 131 in one of Europe’s worst rail disasters.

In what one local official described as a scene from hell, bodies covered in blankets lay next to the overturned carriages as smoke billowed from the wreckage after the disaster.

Firefighters clambered desperately over the twisted metal trying to get survivors out of the windows, while ambulances and fire engines

surrounded the scene. Cranes were still pulling out mangled debris yesterday morning, 12 hours after the crash.

The government said it was working on the assumption the derailment was an accident.

One official source said speeding was a likely cause of the derailment, which occurred as the train reached a curve in the track, but the public works minister said it was too early to draw conclusions on what had happened.

El Pais newspaper cited sources close to the investigation as saying the train

was travelling at over twice the speed limit on a sharp curve and Santiago’s mayor said the train was probably going too fast.

“We heard a massive noise and we went down the tracks. I helped getting a few injured and bodies out of the train. I went into one of the cars but I’d rather not tell you what I saw there,” Ricardo Martinez, a 47-year old baker from Santiago de Compostela, told Reuters.

The Santiago de Compostela train operated by state rail company Renfe, which had 247 people on board, derailed as the city prepared for the renowned

prime minister from late 1975 until 1983, said sending asylum seekers to detention in Papua New Guinea and Nauru would not stop refugee boats arriving from Indonesia.

“I do not believe you need the brutality of the policy of deterrent,” Fraser said.

Speaking of proposed detention centers in the two South Pacific countries, he later told Reuters: “They’re reminiscent of Soviet-style Gulags.”

That was a reference to the network of harsh forced labor camps operated by the defunct Soviet Union.

Under Fraser’s leadership, Australia took in around 140,000 refugees from Vietnam, including around 2,000 who arrived by boat.

With an election likely to be held in August or September, both the ruling Labor Party and the Conservative-led opposition party are vying to produce tough fixes to a thorny issue amid reports of abuse and rape at one offshore center.

Around 15,000 asylum seekers have arrived by boat in

Australia this year, prompting Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to announce a deal last week to send all boat arrivals to detention in Papua New Guinea for processing and eventual settlement if they are found to be refugees.

Former Australian PM Denounces CANBERRA - A former Refugee Camps Australian prime minister denounced offshore refugee detention camps as Soviet-style “Gulags” yesterday and the opposition proposed empowering the military to stop boats of asylum seekers days before a national election is to be called.

Malcolm Fraser, conservative

A woman holds a poster during a rally in support of asylum seekers in central Sydney.

festival of Saint James, when thousands of Christian pilgrims from across the world pack the streets.

The city’s tourism board said all festivities, including the traditional High Mass at the centuries-old cathedral, had been cancelled as the city went into mourning following the crash.

Passenger Ricardo Montesco told Cadena Ser radio station the train approached the curve at high speed, twisted and wagons piled up one on top of the other.

Both Renfe and state-owned Adif, which is in charge of the tracks, had opened an investigation into the cause of the derailment, Renfe said.

The official source said no statement would be made regarding the cause until the black boxes of the train were examined, but said it was most likely an accident.

“We are moving away from the hypothesis of sabotage or attack,” he said. “It’s too early to be 100 percent sure but speeding is a likely cause for the accident.”

Syrian Opposition Praises US Move To Arm Rebels DAMASCUS - The main Western-backed Syrian opposition group has welcomed the decision by the Obama administration to send arms to rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad’s regime.

The Syrian National Coalition says it’s a “move forward.”

President Barack Obama opposed providing any lethal assistance to Syria’s rebels until last month. The U.S. administration is now moving ahead with sending weapons to vetted rebels

after securing the approval of the House and Senate Intelligence committees.

There has been concern in the West that U.S. weapons could end up in the hands of al-Qaida-linked groups.

SNC’s statement yesterday’s said it’s committed to ensuring weapons reach only those loyal to the Coalition and its affiliated military councils — indicating the SNC will try to prevent U.S. weapons from reaching al-Qaida fighters in Syria.

THE NIGERIAN

27

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

EVERY FRIDAY WEEK 02, 2013 LAST SEASON RESULT Anderson Richwell 1.2. X. Forecast

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THE NIGERIAN

28

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Moyes Branded A ‘Dinosaur’

Arsenal Must Up Suarez Bid - Rodgers LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has told Arsenal their £40,000,001 bid for Luis Suarez is nowhere near the player’s value.

Suarez will be allowed to hold talks with the Gunners after the offer, made on Tuesday, triggered a clause in his contract.

Liverpool, though, maintain that the clause does not oblige them to sell the 26-year-old at that price and have rejected the bid. Rodgers suggested last week that Suarez is as valuable as Edinson Cavani, who joined Paris Saint-Germain for 64 million Euro (£55 million) on July 16.

The Anfield manager told the Liverpool Echo: “If Arsenal want the player, then they have to produce the value for the player. There was an offer a few weeks ago of £35 million and, two weeks later, it is now £40,000,001. I don’t think it is anywhere near the value of what he is worth.

“It is two-fold, really. A player may want to go, but then somebody has to pay the value or worth of that player.”

Suarez played for the final 20 minutes on Wednesday as Liverpool beat Melbourne Victory 2-0 in a friendly in Australia.

It was his first appearance for the club since he was given a ten-match domestic suspension for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League game at Anfield on April 21.

Suarez set up a late goal for Iago Aspas, but his celebrations were subdued. He has repeatedly declared that he wants to leave Liverpool since the end of May, and said two weeks ago that he was flattered

by Arsenal’s interest.

Pere Guardiola, the player’s agent, believes the clause in his contract will allow him to move on following Arsenal’s bid.

However, when asked about the contract, Rodgers insisted that Liverpool are only obliged to inform Suarez of any offers over £40 million.

“Absolutely,” he said.

“That’s it. There’s nothing more than that.”

Suarez flew in to Melbourne on Sunday to join up with Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia, having been given a break after playing for Uruguay at the Confederations Cup in Brazil in June.

Rodgers said he was happy with the way Liverpool’s 30goal top scorer last season has applied himself in training and on the field despite the uncertainty over his future.

“It may be a distraction, but players are paid enough money now to produce for their clubs and he just has to keep his professionalism, which he has done,” the manager said. “He was OK to go on to the pitch, and his concentration was fine.

“I am not worried about him [in that sense], but there will be no games played at Liverpool.

He is part of the group and he knows the standard you have to meet at this club, on and off the field.”

A leading Dutch fitness coach, who has worked with some of the world’s top clubs, has launched a scathing attack on David Moyes after Robin van Persie picked up a minor injury on Manchester United’s pre-season tour.

Former Wales assistant manager Raymond Verheijen, who has helped coach Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City, branded Moyes’ methods “Jurassic Park”.

Van Persie was taken off in United’s 3-2 defeat to Yokohama F Marinos on Tuesday with a tight thigh, which Moyes described as a precaution, but Verheijen blamed the Scot for overworking the striker, who has a history of injury Salomon Kalou

Baggies To Step Up Kalou Bid

WEST Bromwich Albion are likely to step up their efforts to sign Lille forward Salomon Kalou, the Birmingham Mail reports, after head coach Steve Clarke spoke of the need to add another four players to his squad. countries.

Albion have so far brought in “They realise West Brom only one permanent capture, finishing eighth in the Premier Nicolas Anelka, as well as League is something that landing left-back Goran Popov shouldn’t be underestimated. on a season-long loan.

The fact Nicolas has come can Clarke is keen to add to his only help that but, between now options and former Chelsea man and the end of the transfer Kalou, who is said to have a £2.6 window + if no-one went out + million release clause in his we’d need another four players contract, appears to be a target. to add to the squad.”

The Scot hopes that Albion’s West Brom have seen their high finish in 2012-13, coupled attacking options depleted by with their swoop for Anelka, will Romelu Lukaku’s return to convince other targets of their parent club Chelsea and Marc ambition for the coming Antoine-Fortune’s move to campaign.

Wigan, while Peter Odemwingie “The performance of the team is expected to exit in the near last season is the biggest hook,” future.

Clarke told his club’s official Clarke is also working with a website. “We finished in the top new ‘talent finder’ in Richard eight of the Premier League.

Gallick after Dan Ashworth’s Even when we were out there switch to the FA and Albion fans (on tour in Austria and are being urged not to panic.

Hungary), we were receiving When you’re chasing players, compliments and kind words. you’re always making enquiries, That’s from other teams in other

always speaking to people,” he added. “It would be wrong for us to mention names, or comment on names. We are pursuing a number of targets.

Now whether they fall out tomorrow or whether they fall next week, no-one can tell, so you have to be patient. It’s part of the job of other people at the club to bring the players to me.

I’m the head coach. I get to

work with the players when they bring them to me and hopefully turn them into a team which can be competitive in the Premier League.

At the moment I’m not nervous because I know the people I have in mind. I know they are good targets. They are realistic targets and they haven’t gone anywhere else, so I have no reason to be nervous at the moment.”

EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez insists he has had no fresh approaches for Leighton Baines or Marouane Fellaini.

Manchester United had a £12 million bid for left-back Baines rejected at the end of June, while Arsenal have been linked with midfielder Fellaini for much of the summer, although

have not submitted an offer.

Martinez, appointed on June 5 after Everton’s former manager David Moyes agreed to take charge at Manchester United, is keen to keep both players at Goodison Park. Asked at a press conference if he had received recent bids for either player, Martinez said: “Not at all.”

He was then asked if he was surprised that United had not followed up their initial bid, and said: “No. The last concern that I have is what the other clubs do.

“If we get clubs talking about our players, I take it as a compliment because the players have been doing very well. We’re in a great position financially, we’re very strong and we want to start the season with the best possible squad.”

Martinez indicated last month that he planned talks with Baines to extend a contract that runs until 2015. The 28-year-old enjoyed an impressive season, scoring his first England goal against Moldova in September and earning a place in the PFA’s Team of the Year.

Fellaini, who has been linked with Manchester United as well as Arsenal, has a stipulation in his contract that allows him to speak to clubs in the Champions League who submit a bid of £22 million

No Bids For Bains Or Fellaini - Martinez

Norwich Poach On QPR

NORWICH City looked to have stolen Celtic striker Gary Hooper away from QPR with a last minute bid.

The two clubs have now settled on a fee for the player and, according to reports, Hooper has already agreed terms with the Premier League club and will have a medical at Carrow Road later today.

Hooper is valued at around £4.5m with Celtic looking to sell as he is in the last year of his contract.

Hooper has netted 82 goals in three years for Celtic and came off the bench as they eased into the third

qualifying round of the Champions League at the expense of Cliftonville on Tuesday night.

It had looked as if Hooper had all but signed for Championship club QPR with Harry Redknapp talking about how big of an impact he would have at the club.

Redknapp told BBC Radio Scotland: “It looks like it’s on its way to being done.

Negotiations have gone well.

“He’s a finisher. He’ll score goals in the Championship; I’m absolutely certain of that.

“He’s gone to Celtic; one of the biggest clubs in the world and he’s scored goals. He’s

problems.

He wrote on Twitter: “In Sydney Moyes said: ‘We’ve overtrained Robin this week to build up his fitness’. [In Japan] he picked up muscle injury. It really makes you wonder how these prehistoric training methods can still take place at the highest level.

“All over the world in preseason you see the pattern ‘overtraining-fatigueinjuries’. Always avoid accumulation of fatigue in pre-season.

“But as long as most dinosaurs are still in denial & ignore how things develop in other countries, nothing will ever change in Jurassic Park.

Obviously, players like RVP should learn to protect themselves better against ‘overtraining’ & ‘punishing training’.”

He also suggested Moyes’ fitness coaches were “clowns”.

The outspoken Verheijen, who has also worked with Netherlands, Russia and South Korea, has a history of making scathing attacks against Moyes. When the 50year-old was appointed Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor in May, he wrote on Twitter: “The dinosaur of all dinosaurs get a 6 year (!) contract to manage one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Only possible in Jurassic Park.”

scored goals in the Champions League.

“He’s in the last year of his contract, so it’s a good deal for everybody. It’s good for Celtic to get the kind of money they are getting and hopefully it will be a great deal for QPR. “If he can come here and get 25 goals next season, then we will have a real chance of getting out of the division.

“I think Gary is capable of reaching that sort of target.

“We’re going to need two strikers and I think they are going to have to weigh in with 50 goals.”

or more.

Out it is understood that the clause has a time limit to protect Everton from losing him too close to the transfer deadline of September 2.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright confirmed that there was a clause in the 25-year-old’s contract last month, but warned Moyes off trying to sign Everton players.

Kenwright said at the time: “I’ve not said to David: ‘David, come on’. I’ve said exactly the opposite. I’ve said to David Moyes: ‘We all know the situation at Everton. We all know there’s a player who’s got an escape clause, but the others are not for sale’.”

Roberto Martinez

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Wallace Set For Serie A Loan SERIE A would be an “ideal destination” for Chelsea right-back Wallace, according to the player’s agent.

Chelsea are looking to offload the Brazil Under-20 international on a seasonlong loan to enable him to gain more match practice, with Inter Milan, Roma and Napoli all having expressed an interest in the 19-year-old.

His agent, Frederico Moraes, says either of the three would fit the bill for his client, who is unlikely to find room in the Chelsea team this season. “[Italy] could be an ideal destination for his growth and Wallace would be happy to move there too,” Moraes told calciomercato.com. “I’ve got a meeting with the English club at the end of the week and we’ll evaluate everything. The idea is to send him away on loan.”

Inter are reported to be leading the hunt as their approach for Mauricio Isla of Juventus hit a snag, but

Moraes says no official contact has yet been made.

“I’ve not spoken to Inter personally and I don’t think Chelsea have either,” he added. “I spoke with the Blues’ management this morning and they didn’t mention anything.”

Chelsea signed Wallace from Fluminense last December, but allowed the defender to remain with the Brazilian club until the end of last season. He is currently on tour with Chelsea in Asia.

Tolli Urges De Rossi To Stay ROMA captain Francesco Totti has urged Daniele De Rossi to ignore offers from abroad and remain with the club.

De Rossi’s future remains in doubt with several of Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, having been linked with the Italy midfielder this summer.

He celebrated his 30th birthday on Wednesday with a return to training after the Confederations Cup, and Totti sent him a message asking him to give rather than receive a gift by committing his future to Roma.

“All the best for your 30th birthday Dani,” Totti told Roma Channel. “You’re getting on now and you’re almost over the hill. It would be best if you gave us a present by staying here at Roma - at least we can win something great together.”

De Rossi remains hesitant about his future after losing some support last season. He was accused by some quarters of the Roma fans of playing better for Italy than for his club during a difficult campaign.

One of the club’s biggest earners, Roma would not be averse to selling De Rossi if the right offer were to arrive as they look to reduce the wage bill, although new coach Rudi Garcia appears keen on working with the midfielder, who has made over 300 appearances for his hometown club.

• Wallace

Gomez Gets Off Mark

MARIO Gomez needed little over two minutes to open his account for Fiorentina in a comfortable pre-season friendly victory against Cremonese on Wednesday.

Leading the Viola attack along with fit-again Giuseppe Rossi, the Germany international, who was greeted by almost 25,000 fans upon his arrival in Florence just over a week ago, made an immediate impression in a 7-1 win.

He bagged two goals with Rossi also chipping in with a

brace as Vincenzo Montella’s side underlined their title credentials for this season.

Massimo Ambrosini, Joaquin and Marcos Alonso also featured in a new-look Fiorentina side while another new signing, Josip Ilicic, was presented to the fans at the final whistle.

Defender Marvin Compper has registered the enthusiasm around the club and believes Gomez’s arrival could inspire them to greater things after they only just missed out on

third place last season. “[President] Andrea Della Valle has charged us up. He and the club have done a great job and it does us good to see the fans enjoying themselves so much,” he said. “[Gomez] is one of the best attackers in Europe and, although he has already won a lot, he is still hungry.

“He’s happy and he feels part of the team. He followed his heart by coming here and he wanted a club who are hungry for success, like we are.”

Messi Denies Martino Report FOLLOWING Barca’s 2-0 friendly defeat against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena, Lionel Messi told the gathered press that he had no involvement in Gerardo Martino being appointed the club’s new boss.

Reports in Spain have suggested that Messi played a big part in the decision to bring in the former Newell’s Old Boys manager, with the club desperate to keep the four-time

Ballon d’Or winner happy. And the new Barca coach publicly thanked Messi in a press conference after being officially announced as Tito Vilanova’s replacement.

MARSEILLE president Vincent Labrune said the club had achieved their objectives in the summer transfer window so far, adding that he still hoped to add Joey Barton to the squad.

Having said they wanted to reinforce their ranks with homebased talents, OM have added Dimitri Payet from Lille as well as young prospects Benjamin Mendy from Le Havre and Giannelli Imbula, one of the main reasons for Guingamp’s promotion back to Ligue 1 last season.

Labrune told the press he was delighted to have brought in the trio as well as keeping mainstays of the team that clinched a return to the Champions League by finishing as runners-up to PSG. “For the moment, we’re

around halfway through the transfer window, “ he said.

“There was a double objective.

Firstly, in the first part of the window, we wanted to keep our key elements who were most in demand, namely Steve Mandanda and Nicolas Nkoulou. That’s the case.

“The second was to inject youth and talent into the team. Today, the coach, [sporting director] Jose [Anigo] and I are satisfied with the arrivals of Dimitri, Benjamin and Giannelli.”

Labrune also added that “there was likely to be another arrival between now and the end of the window”. Barton, 30, could be that arrival, having impressed during his season-long loan spell from Queens Park Rangers.

However, Barton has yet to

“I don’t know the details but I have no doubt that Messi spoke with the club directors. I’m sure that Jorge [Messi] and Leo [Messi] have had some input in this decision,” Martino said in Rosario this week. “How much weight their opinions held in the decision I don’t know, but I’m grateful.”

El Tata Martino is apparently

Labrune Happy With OM Transfer negotiate his way out of his contract at Loftus Road, meaning the deal is in limbo.

Labrune said: “We appreciate ‘Jo’, and we made him an offer in May for him to continue his adventure with us. Having said that, we’re not the ones in control. He belongs to QPR, and we can’t speak about a player who belongs to another club.”

The latter statement has not always applied to OM, however, given their public courting of Florian Thauvin and Romain Alessandrini over the summer.

The latter, who signed a fouryear contract with Rennes a year ago and earned a France call-up before a knee ligament injury curtailed his season, has made no secret of his ambition to join the club he watched as a youngster.

Messi’s father Jorge’s footballing hero and he is idolised at Newell’s, where Messi began his youth career before joining La Masia. The Barca forward was recently quoted as saying how much he admired the 60-year-old manager, and his coaching style.

“I said at the time that he seemed like a good manager, but I shouldn’t have to explain that now,” Messi said on Wednesday night.

[11:50:00] Robin Hackett: The 26-year-old emphasised that Martino is not a close family friend. However, the Argentine forward did sound pleased to have his compatriot in the Barca dugout for the next two seasons.

“I don’t know him personally and I never met with him – not with him nor with Luis Enrique who was the other manager people spoke about,” Messi added. “I think it’s a good signing because he’ll be coming here to win games and he has shown both at Newell’s and with the Paraguay national team what he is capable of. I hope it works out well.

“We have to start all over again, after what happened to Tito, and we need to prepare ourselves for a tough season.”

Sakho To Annouce Future Plan

FRANCE centre-back Mamadou Sakho has revealed he has made a decision about his future at Paris Saint-Germain but is keeping it to himself for the moment.

The 23-year-old, linked with Liverpool and Monaco, has a year left on his current deal at the Parc des Princes, but faced with increased competition for places following the 32 million Euro arrival of Marquinhos, allied to the presence of both Thiago Silva and Alex in Laurent Blanc’s squad, the Paris-born defender has been considering his options.

Following discussions with both Blanc and club president Nasser Al Khelaifi, Sakho has now reached a decision on whether or not to accept a two-year contract extension, though he told L’Equipe he is not quite ready to make it public.

“Now that I’ve spoken with them, everything is clear in my mind.

I’ll announce my decision in the near future,” Sakho said, before indicating his ambitions of playing for France at the 2014 World Cup had helped dictate his choice.

“When you’re an ambitious player, you dream all the time of wearing the colours of your country. This summer, I’ve made a clear choice, taking into account the French national team.”

Jese Pens New Deal At Madrid

REAL Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez has signed a new contract that ties him to the club until 2017.

Marca reported that Jese’s wages will be increased dramatically to more than 1 million Euro a year and he will be moved up to the first team. His contract contains a +200 million buy-out clause.

“I’m very happy to have signed a new contract and to be playing for the best team in the world. I will give my all for the badge,” the striker wrote on Twitter.

There is widespread belief at the Bernabeu that Jese has a bright future and could end a barren spell for Real Madrid youth-team players attempting to make their names in the first team.

Raul, Guti and Iker Casillas, who all came through the ranks at Madrid, were the backbone of the side for years, but in recent seasons no youngster has made the step up to become a first-team regular.

Last season Jese scored 22 goals in 38 games for Real Madrid Castilla — the highest tally ever reached by a Castilla player in Spain’s second division.

Fabregas Won’t Leave Barca

ALEX Song insists Barcelona team-mate Cesc Fabregas will not be leaving the Camp Nou this summer.

Song followed Fabregas to Spain from Arsenal, and believes his long-time team-mate is “100 per cent” committed to the Barcelona cause amid an ongoing pursuit from Manchester United, who are eager to bring him back to England.

He told Sky Sports News: “I did not speak with him but I know Cesc is 100 per cent here.

“He loves Barcelona, he loves the club. He will stay here next season and give 100 per cent because I know him very well and he’ll want to fight. He’s focused on the club.

“He wants just to give his best for Barcelona. He’s from Barcelona, he loves Barcelona and he’ll want to start the season to show what he can do.

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FIFA To Move 2022 World Cup To November

FIFA is now planning to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in November rather than January, a source at the governing body told kicker.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter executive Andreas Rettig. has confirmed that he intends to However, former German ask for the tournament to be held Football Association president in the winter as temperatures in Theo Zwanziger has warned that the Gulf state can reach 50°C a winter World Cup would have during the summer. a serious effect on European It was initially expected that leagues and could also put the the tournament would be “unity of German football” in brought forward to January danger.

2022, but kicker reports the Zwanziger, a member of the intention is now to move it to FIFA executive committee, told November that year, with the Sport Bild: “If you change the final set to take place on match calendar, it not only affects December 18.

Bundesliga but also goes all the A winter World Cup would way down to the minor leagues. have a significant effect on The structure of German football domestic football across is in danger and therefore the Europe. The major leagues in unity of German football.” the continent all kick off in the The 68-year old added: “If the summer, with the Russian decision [to award the World Cup Premier League changing its to Qatar] was wrong back then schedule to follow the same you have to reverse it and should pattern a year ago, and will face not load extra burdens on nonsevere disruption as a result of participants.” the Qatar tournament.

Zwanziger said he had little The planned change had been hope that FIFA would change its backed by Bayern Munich CEO plans.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and “Looking at the executive the German Football League’s committee and the interests there,

the proposition will get the vote.

I am curious to find out what US association president Sunil Gunati, who is new in the

committee, will vote for,” he said.

The United States had also made a bid for the 2022 World Cup but lost out to Qatar.

Jamaican Player Tests Positive

A soccer player from Jamaica tested positive for a banned substance after a World Cup qualifying match against Honduras, the latest doping case involving athletes from the Caribbean island.

The Jamaica Football Federation says a “member of the Jamaican squad returned an adverse analytical finding on his urine sample” after the June 11 game.

The federation says it was informed of the result by FIFA

on Tuesday.

The player and the substance involved were not identified.

Jamaica lost 2-0 and is last in a six-team CONCACAF qualifying group led by the United States.

Last week, Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson were confirmed to have tested positive for oxilofrine, a banned stimulant, among five cases involving track and field athletes.

LANCE Armstrong said he was not surprised by a French Senate inquiry’s findings that the top two in the 1998 Tour de France took the banned blood booster EPO because virtually all riders at that time cheated and told lies.

“I am not surprised,” the disgraced Tour winner said. “As I have said, it was an unfortunate era for all of us and virtually all of us broke the rules, and lied about it.”

The American, who was stripped of his seven Tour titles for doping, called for cycling to address its doping past in a “collective and co-operative manner”.

“If we don’t come together, have the conversation and draw a line in the sand and then move on, we’re all screwed,” he said.

Armstrong admitted having taken performance-enhancing drugs in January and was stripped of the Tour titles he won from 1999 to 2005 after the United States Anti-Doping Agency said it had uncovered a sophisticated doping programme.

Armstrong did not compete in 1998 because he was battling cancer but the French Senate inquiry, published on Wednesday, named him as testing positive for EPO in 1999.

Italian Marco Pantani, who won the Tour in 1998 and died

of a drug overdose in 2004, and Jan Ullrich of Germany, who finished second in 1998, were among those named in the 918page report compiled by a parliamentary group who called for a “truth and reconciliation” commission (TRC) to be created to lift the veil of silence on illegal practices.

Since Armstrong confessed to doping on the Oprah Winfrey show in January he has called for a truth and reconciliation programme on several occasions.

WADA, the world antidoping agency, the International Cycling Union (UCI) and national federations have been wary of the suggestion, although UCI presidential candidate Brian Cookson has appeared open to the suggestion of Armstrong sharing his past.

Armstrong continued: “I have not been contacted by anyone.

I suspect in many ways they (WADA) are afraid of a TRC as it would fly in the face of the now famous talking point ‘the most sophisticated doping programme in the history of the world’.”

Asked if the Senate’s findings would benefit the sport, Armstrong added: “I don’t know. I really don’t.

“I’d like to think that there is some good in all this but from my perspective, sitting here today, there has been nothing but damage done to the sport.”

French Findings On Doping Are No Surprise - Amstrong

Sepp Blatter

THE Italian football federation (FIGC) launched an inquiry Wednesday after fans allegedly hurled racist abuse at AC Milan midfielder Kevin Constant during a preseason friendly.

The FIGC “has opened an inquiry into the racist event... in which Milan player Kevin Constant was the target of chants from some of the supporters in the stadium,” it said in a statement.

Milan were playing newlypromoted Serie A side Sassuolo on Tuesday when French-born Guinea international Constant appeared to react to racist catcalls and volleyed the ball into the crowd before storming off the pitch.

The referee warned spectators over the tannoy that the game would be stopped if he heard any racist abuse and substituted Constant with teenage midfielder Mario Piccinocchi. Sassuolo went on to win 2-1.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani was quoted

by Italian media on Wednesday as saying that “racist chants are scandalous, unspeakable, but you cannot leave the pitch. That’s not ok.”

Constant’s reaction echoed AC Milan player Kevin-

I’ve been phenomenal since 15, I’m Not On USAIN Bolt will again Drugs - Bolt hotel.

“In life things happen fly the flag for drug-free athletics at this weekend’s London Diamond League meeting after a news conference where the multi-titled Jamaican was bombarded with questions about the sport’s latest doping scandals.

Any hopes Bolt had that his appearance in London would be a celebration of his Olympic glories in the same stadium 12 months ago were dispelled by the first question he faced yesterday.

Bolt will race the 100m in yesterday’s Diamond

Usain Bolt.

League meeting and return on Saturday for a 4x100m relay yet the number one topic was the recent positive dope tests on his fellow Jamaicans Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson as well as American Tyson Gay, the fastest man over 100m this year.

“I think there are a lot of details that are still to be discussed, a lot of things that haven’t been said so I’m just waiting to see what happens,” Bolt told a packed room in a London

and people make mistakes but as an athlete you have to be very careful and aware, it’s hard but that’s why you have a team to have to help you out with these things,” Bolt added, saying he had spoken briefly with former world record holder Powell and told him to ‘stay strong’.

Asked if the public could trust him, Bolt rolled his eyes and set about his now familiar refrain.

“I was hoping that question would come later in the day,” he said. “How long have you been following me - since 2008 maybe?

“If you were following me since 2002 you would know I’ve been doing phenomenal things since I was 15 and setting records all the time.

“I was made to inspire people and to run I was given a gift and that’s what I do. I’m going to continue running and using my talent and help the sport.

“I’m not going to stress about it (doping). I know I am clean and I just want to improve the sport and that is what I am going to do.”

Racism

FIGC Launches Inquiry Prince Boateng’s angry exit from the pitch in January following racist insults during a match against lower-division club Pro Patria.

In June, six Pro Patria fans were sentenced to up to two months each in jail for inciting racial hatred.

Renard Sure Of Visa For Paris Friendly

HERVE Renard sure the 2009 Ghana friendly UK visa fiasco will not be repeated for the August 14 Senegal game in Paris.

Zambia play their first friendly in Europe since 2009 when 11 first-team players failed to secure UK visa to face Ghana in a friendly in London that the Black Stars won 4-1.

The Frenchman described that experience as his worst in his football career when he was forced to field UK-based part-timers at the last minute against Ghana.

“You can imagine that immediately I knew the game would be in Paris I put pressure on our team manager,” Renard said.

“For me it was easy to talk to the French embassy so I think this time everything will be perfect.”

Renard admitted that it would still be difficult to secure visa’s for his nonEuropean based players.

“The difficult will be for the players playing in China like James Chamanga and Chris Katongo. It won’t be easy but the manager will do his best together with the FAZ general secretary,” Renard said.

“I am sure this time it will be perfect and it is also how you improve in doing things after the big mistake from 2009. I think it was the worst memory of my career.”

Senegal and Zambia will play their friendly at Stade Municipal in Paris.

The meeting will be their first since January, 2012 when they met at the Africa Cup tournament in Equatorial Guinea in a Group A match that Zambia won 2-1 in Bata.

Herve Renard

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Eagles ’ll Soon Overcome Shortcomings, Says Amun

World Championship

Nigeria Volleyball Coach Says Team Capitalise On Niger Loopholes COACH Tony OghumaEghiemai of Nigeria’s senior national volleyball team said his team capitalised on Niger Republic’s loopholes to defeat them at the World Championship qualifier.

Oghuma- Eghiemai said this on Wednesday in Abuja after the women’s volleyball team beat their counterpart from Niger Republic 3-0 three straight sets.

The match, played at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Abuja National Stadium, was the first phase of the Male and Female Sub-zonal Championship Qualifier.

Nigeria is hosting the first phase of the qualifier which started on July 23 to end on July 26.

He said the opportunity Team Nigeria had to watch the opponent’s first match on Tuesday gave the Nigerian side an advantage. “‘The fact that we had the opportunity to watch them play yesterday (Tuesday) gave us an advantage.

“This is because we had the time to plan our strategy against their loopholes and make sure that we had an easy game today,’’ Oghuma- Eghiemai said.

“The fact that our opponent appeared young does not really matter because that is how they look, even at 30 years old.

“Our girls are much younger and the team has a bulk of the players that just came back from Czech Republic where they participated in the U-20 World Championship.

“So, what we have in the team is basically U-20 girls and two senior players which really helped us today.’’

Oghuma-Eghiemai noted that the second match might not be as easy as the first.

“Tomorrow’s match against Togo is the decider and we won’t rest on our oars.

‘Having watched the Togolese play yesterday, we will go back and have a sort of lecture to plan our strategy on how to demolish Togo tomorrow (Thursday),” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the host country beat Niger 25-11, 25-8 and 25-10 in its first match of the championship.

The defeat means Niger’s female team’s second defeat in the championship after Togo beat them 3-2 in a tight encounter in their first match recently.

FANNY Amun, a former Coach of the Golden Eaglets, on Wednesday assured that the Super Eagles would soon overcome shortcomings through the rebuilding process in the club.

Amun, the Golden Eaglets coach when Nigeria won the 1993 edition of the U-17 World Cup, Japan 1993, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the Eagles only needed some time to get it right, but that the team needed the maximum encouragement from Nigerians.

“Building a team takes some time; it sure takes some time to put all in place.

It takes Brazil, for example, several years to become the world champions, yet, they are still building to become a perfect team.

“Yes, we won the African Cup of Nations in 2013 in South Africa while undergoing our rebuilding process and that shows we are on the right channel to perfection.

“Nigeria’s situation is not a peculiar one because if you dare to achieve something, it takes some time to either maintain or surpass such achievement.

Victor Moses

Victor Moses Lifted By Chelsea Tour Experience

VICTOR Moses has said his morale has been boosted by the experience on his first tour with EPL side Chelsea.

The Nigeria winger, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, is back in action after he was sidelined by injury in the close season.

Now I’m delighted to be here, working hard and getting as fit as possible for the new season,” he told the Chelsea official website at the squad’s hotel in Jakarta, the last stop on our Asia tour.

It’s my first Chelsea tour and it’s been a good experience for me with the

club. When I first came, I arrived after the start of the season which was unfortunate because it makes it a bit harder to get to know everyone.

“It’s been great so far.

We’ve got a few new players in and others back from loan, and so far I think everyone has done well in achieving their aims.”

He added: “Also, the fans have been great everywhere and here in Indonesia right from landing at the airport

we’ve seen this amazing support we’ve had.

“There is nice hot weather too, which I like, so it’s good to be here, and I think we’ve all really enjoyed the experience.”

The Nigeria forward said he was disappointed he did not feature at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil after he helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 AFCON. When I was in America with the team at the end of last season, I was getting treatment on the injury which was progressing, but I couldn’t make the

2013 Fed Cup: Rangers, 3SC, Sunshine ‘The Naze Millionaires’ won 5-4 on penalties. Friday Dumped Out Dike and Emmanuel Fabiyi

ENUGU Rangers, 3SC and Sunshine Stars were among the top clubs who failed to reach the quarterfinal of the Federation Cup on Wednesday.

Akwa United eliminated Rangers 2-1, while Nasarawa United sent Sunshine packing 1-0.

Stephen Adah scored for Akwa against his former club after 27 minutes, before Pierre Coly drew Rangers level on 42 minutes.

Ousmane Pape scored an own goal against Rangers in the 68th minute to hand Akwa a place in the quarterfinals.

Malachy Iloe was the match winner for Nasarawa.

Enyimba thrashed 3SC 3-1 at the Old Parade Ground Abuja to reach the last eight of the country’s cup competition.

Kingsley Sokari scored the opening goal for Enyimba in the 23rd minute, Andrew Abalogu scored the second goal in the 46th minute, before Amanfor Chimezie made it 3-0 in the 67th minute.

Amanfor told MTNFootball.com that he

was happy with the victory.

“I am very happy with the victory and my goal. We played better and deserved our victory. We look forward to next game,” Amanfor declared.

Gbolahan Salami scored 3SC consolation goal.

In Jos, Bello Musa Kofarmata’s 61st minute strike was all Kano Pillars needed to beat hard-fighting Gombe United.

Heartland required penalties to beat Sharks after regulation time ended 1-1.

scored for Sharks and Heartland respectively.

Skipper Chinedu Efugh told MTNFootball.com that it was a tough game and he is excited with the victory.

“It was a very tough game, Sharks did well and gave us good fight. We did our best to win the match. I thank God we got the three points at the end,” Efugh said. Lobi Stars beat ABS FC 5-4 via penalties after a goalless draw, while Abia Warriors beat Akwa Starlet 2-0.

Confederations Cup,” explained the 22-year-old.

“I felt disappointed not to have my day with Nigeria. It was a great tournament, they were the sort of games I would like to be involved in, playing against some of the best teams in the world, but that’s football and injuries happen.”

“Sooner than we expected, our formidable national team will be formed,’’ Amun said, adding that “Coach Stephen Keshi knows what he is doing and will not disappoint Nigerians”.

According to Amun, Keshi will, in the nearest future, be remembered for producing some of the best players dominating the world.

“Some of these boys been groomed by Keshi will be part of the best players in the world that formidable foreign clubs will be aspiring to have in their teams.

“It is a good thing to believe in someone and help such person to achieve his or her aim and that is what Keshi is doing,’’ he said.

Amun added that he believed Keshi knows the team’s weaknesses and was working on them to have a good run in the return leg match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Abidjan.

“They had a fantastic match in the first leg in Nigeria and I believe that the return leg will be an easier one,’’ he added.

NAN reports that the Eagles in CHAN’s first leg defeated the Ivoirians Elephants 4-1 in Kaduna on July 6 and the return leg is scheduled for July 27 in Abidjan.

Emmanuel Emenike

Gambo Mohammed Out For 6 Weeks

KANO Pillars striker Gambo Mohammed will be sidelined by a muscle injury for at least six weeks, officials have announced.

Nigeria coach Stephen

Gambo Mohammed

Keshi said he has been informed the Club Africain of Tunisia-bound striker will be out of action for several weeks.

“It’s a pity that Gambo got injured two days ago.

He has a muscle tear or something and with what the doctor told me last night, he is out for six week. That’s is a big blow,” Keshi told MTNFootball.com “I would want every of our good player to be fit for this game against Cote d’Ivoire. Any other player that would fill his shoes would surely give his best.

“But I think Alhaji Gero and others could come to the game.”

CMYK

THE NIGERIAN

32

FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013

Distinguished Senators; Distinguished Blunders

THERE is no doubt that the current situation in our country (Nigeria) is so rife with stunning political happenings.

Though a lot of these happenings are far from advancing the growth of the nation, but they are happening for good, because most of those who have been operating within the scenes are becoming more visible for us to identify their actions which have made the country respectable or a mockery in worldview.

One of such actions was recently displayed by the Nigerian Senate when the Senators voted in complete disregard to what the Nigerian public wanted. At least, if for nothing else, the Senators told Nigerians in clear terms the interest they were out to serve – by voting against the stoppage of girl-child marriage, since in their opinion, a girl of even 7years old automatically becomes an adult once she is married.

And just because we have very distinguished Senators who are known for doing distinguished things, therefore, they were obviously making laws about a distinguished type of marriage which makes a female infant eminently qualified to become an adult who can be sexually explored, but not an adult who is reasonably qualified to vote.

In a world that is increasingly expressing itself through the will of the people, it would have been considered untoward for a Nigerian parliament not to appreciate the short and long term effects of actions which are directed at stifling the people’s will. If the Senators are in reckoning with how they prefer Nigerians and the entire world to see them

as actually ‘distinguished’ - their actions should never amount to treating people’s rights as inconsequential, or to distinguish themselves from the thinking and feelings of a majority of the people they are

public office-holders, like nowhere else, fix their salaries, and distinguishingly earns highest; like nowhere else.

Thinking about most of the happenings in our country, I am often

Pharisees who profess all they know about God and the Laws that truly practice what God or the Laws require, so it is for some Nigerians who stand on top of the roof tops to demand patriotism from all, are

• David Mark, Senate President

accountable to.

The world is aware of one Nigerian Senator, who married a-13-yearold Egyptian. As at the time of the marriage, civil rights groups were incensed about the character of a person who from the hallowed chamber presides over the affairs of many and behaves in utter disregard to common good. This is a member; if things were done rightly as in other societies would have only been interested in public office for the protection of those rights which the people consider corporately important for their wellbeing.

But unfortunately, this is Nigeria where the Senators or distinguished

tempted to take sides with the Late music icon, Fela Anikulakpokuti when he said “Wetin good self to talk about...nothing good self to talk about” (What is really good to talk about us...nothing is good to talk about us) Lyrics as these may be considered unpatriotic, but just as it is not the

only concerned because their current social and political positions make them beneficiaries, and not sufferers from the worsening situation in the country.

Senators ought to know that the issue of childmarriage is quite different from gay or same-sex marriage. Though the striking matter in both

FEED BACK

By KINGSLEY OGBEIDE-IHAMA circumstances is the consideration for the other person’s right, but a majority of Nigerians are of the opinion that for those who are prone to certain sexual tendencies which could largely be considered as improper or distasteful – should not yet be brought onto the ‘public menu’ even when it is every person’s right to decide what he or she prefers.

In the same vein, Asians find frogs a very nice delicacy and the Europeans are resorting to cockroaches and grasshoppers as alternative sources of protein. However, we would not be tempted to imbibe everything about their learning and culture; hook, line and sinker.

There is no gainsaying the fact that any person below the age of eighteen is within an impressionable age which others could take undue advantage of, for personal gains.

Particularly in our clime of acute poverty, the future and rights of certain children have been abused by their parents who trade them off into early marriages as means of settling family and their personal debts.

And the worse of all is that most of the children sent into such marriages end up being unloved and regarded as chattels or

personal properties of their husbands.

Ordinarily, the Senate may not have signified their approval of what is now calling for a general condemnation over their position on the issue of child-marriage if they truly understood that Nigerians are fast learning how to demand for their rights. Nigerians have been known to always be at the receiving end and the worst for it when it comes to demanding their rights.

But over the hue and cry emanating from most Nigerians on the Senate’s course of action in the issue of the childmarriage, I am sure a lot of the Senators would be wondering whence overnight the chicken developed the teeth it is using to bite.

As a pointer to the complexion of people’s reaction towards the events preceding 2015 presidential election and after, it would be unwise for certain persons to think Nigerians will still maintain the status of docility they are naturally known for; including that of our very distinguished Senators who have clearly supported the action of their mate with the unvoiced phrase “Speak not of thyself evil; lest the commoners perceive of us a house divided against itself”

“And just because we have very distinguished Senators who are known for doing distinguished things, therefore, they were obviously making laws about a distinguished type of marriage which makes a female infant eminently qualified to become an adult who can be sexually explored, but not an adult who is reasonably qualified to vote.”

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