THE NIGERIAN
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
The Nigerian
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 • Vol . 38 • NO.362 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 20 13 • N100. 0 0
Govt set to revamp Edo Line
PERSPECTIVE
Pages 16 -17
Why Boko Haram Is Winning
process of revamping the Transport Company. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Transport, Ambassador Orobosa Omo-Ojo (JP) in a chat with newsmen in Benin City yesterday. He hinted that the administration of
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State is already working on offsetting the huge debt profile of Edo Line which it inherited from past administrations in the state. While disclosing that the state government
was looking into the books, Ambassador Omo-Ojo also said when the Transport Company is re-activated, it will be an avenue to further deplete the unemployed labour force in the state. Meanwhile, Continues on page 2
LAGOS - The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has requested the Federal Government to revisit the issue of pay rise for its workers. The TUC’s request is urged President contained in a statement Goodluck Jonathan to signed by its President, commemorate his 56th Mr. Bobboi Kaigama and birthday by granting the Secretary General, Nigerians relief in some Mr. Musa Lawal and fundamental areas noting made available to that “Nigerian workers newsmen in Lagos. are not well paid’’. The statement also “ Investigations have
revealed that Nigerian workers are among the least paid in the subSaharan Africa, and this ought not to be so,’’ the statement read. ‘We join other Nigerians to celebrate with the President on his 56th birthday. We indeed thank the Almighty God who has
kept him alive and given him the grace to lead the most populous black nation in the world. “ God has indeed been kind to him. We expect him to be kind to Nigerians and do the right things for the nation.’’ The statement noted that there was also the need to readdress the
BENIN CITY – There are indications that the sorry fortunes of Edo Transport Service (ETS), operator of Edo Line will soon metamorphose to prosperity and glory as Edo State Government has commenced the
NUTRITIONAL HEALTH & DIETETICS Page 14 Glucose Critical for brain functioning
TUC wants pay rise for workers
Gov constitutes peace, investigative committees By ADAMS OYIBOKE
BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday in
EDO STATE
GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Edo State Government has observed that despite several warnings in the past, some unscrupulous individuals and groups have continued to encroach on the land belonging to Edo State Broadcasting Service. The government can no longer condone this illegality. Consequently, it is hereby announced for the information of the general public and those who have encroached on Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) land at Aduwawa, Ivue, Auchi and other parts of the state in particular, that they are for the last time, given two weeks from the date of this announcement to vacate the encroached premises as failure to do so will attract severe penalties. Signed: LOUIS ODION, HON. COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND ORIENTATION, EDO STATE
Government House, inaugurated two committees. The two committees are; the Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee and the committee to investigate the suspended chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Chief Roland Ibierutomwen, the vicechairman, secretary and all elected councillors. According to Governor Oshiomhole while inaugurating the investigating committee into Orhionmwon Local Council misdeamour, said “it is now a matter of public secret that the chairman of Orhionmwon
failure of the Federal Government and some state governments in the payment of salaries to civil servants as and when due. The labour leaders reiterated their call for the Federal Government to apply measures that would immediately end the five-month old strike
embarked upon by the university lecturers. “ The strike has been too costly for Nigeria, especially the death of Comrade Festus Iyayi, less than two weeks ago as he journeyed to Kano for ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting that was meant Continues on page 2
COMMISSIONING: Governor Adams Oshiomhole (right) cuts the tape to commission the 8.5km Otabor Olubor Road in Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area. With him are the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Osarodion Ogie (left) and Justice Otabor Olubor, retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Edo State.
Oshiomhole inaugurates team to reposition Bendel Insurance FC Continues on page 2
By ADAMS OYIBKE BENIN CITY Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has inaugurated an Interim Management Committee for the Bendel Insurance
Football Club with a charge to reposition the club to regain its lost glory. Speaking at the
$6bn Oil Fraud: ABUJA - Switzerland is ready to assist Nigeria in the ongoing investigations into the alleged more than 6.8
inauguration in Benin City, yesterday, Oshiomhole said, “I think that even my worst critic would agree that we have
made some progress in the area of infrastructure, particularly in education, roads, job creation, rural and urban electrification,
Swiss offers to assist Nigeria
billion dollars (N1.1 trillion) fraudulent oil deals involving the NNPC and Swiss oil trading companies.
Mr. Hans-Rudolf Hodel, the country’s
ambassador to Nigeria, made the pledge in Abuja. Hodel told reporters Continues on page 2
provision of water, even in the most difficult terrain. “We made some investments in sports, the new look of Ogbemudia Stadium, and several other things we have done. “But the area in which I cannot claim to have done so much or that we have achieved anything significant is in the area of repositioning Bendel Continues on page 2
THE NIGERIAN
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
News
Gov inaugurates peace, investigative Continued from page 1 committees
Local Government Council, Chief Roland Ibierutomwen, his vice-chairman, secretary and all elected councillors of the Local Government left the country allegedly to Italy all at the same time without anybody’s permission. He said “as a government, we are founded on the principle of social Democracy, accountability, transparency and respect of the electorates, because we depend on the votes and not the rigging machines. “We know for a fact that for
us to attract the vote, the government must function and it will function better when the various levels of government, each tiers of government complement the other. Governor Oshiomhole said “between the state and the local government working together, we are better able to deliver services to the mass of our people, he maintained. Meanwhile the committee on Peace and Conflict Resolution set up according to the Governor the instance of the
“Not because I do not appreciate the team or because I do not love football. I am fanatical about football; yet I am not able to demonstrate this passion in terms of getting Bendel Insurance to the top where it was before”, he said. Oshiomhole disclosed that government has tried some approaches which have not worked, adding, “we have been troubled by the situation in Bendel Insurance and I know that just throwing money at a problem does not solve the problem and if throwing money solves the problem. Management goes beyond provision of money and nobody is going to give what he does not have.
“You cannot manage if you don’t have the skill in a particular area of business”, he noted. The Governor asserted, “we are blessed in this state with seasoned people who have made their marks not only in Nigeria but outside the shores of this country. “Why should we have a collection of such and we are still in the kind of situation that we are; as they say, better late than never. “We must try and do things differently if we are going to have a new outcome. It is as a result of this that we have reflected and we need to rebuild the house from the scratch, not patching it, because, at times patching a dilapidated building might be more challenging than building a new house. “Help us to rebuild a complete new team; whatever we can do, we will do within our limited resources. “I also believe that we all know that funding football is not like funding government agencies. It ought to be as independent as possible. “In this committee, beside the Secretary to Government who is the Chairman who we have nominated to reflect the importance we attach to this
Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa has the mandate of mediating and reconciling communities and interest groups in conflict crises in order to bring about harmony and peace in various communities in the state. Governor Oshiomhole called on the committee to do all things possible to ensure peace in Edo State. According to him, “if we can nip on board all contending issue and conflicts in our various communities, it will
Oshiomhole inaugurates team to reposition Bendel committee, one that also is Continued from page 1 Insurance FC strategic so that whatever you Insurance.
TUC wants pay rise for workers
Continued from page 1 to resolve the on-going crisis.’’ The congress also urged the president to promptly present the 2014 budget to the National Assembly, saying “it is unfortunate that the President is yet to present the 2014 budget less than 50 days to the end of the year.’’ ‘It is a globally acknowledged fact that good budgeting and early presentation of budgets is serious business that makes for better fiscal and socioeconomic planning and should not be subject to any delay,’’ the statement said.
Govt set to revamp Edo Line Continued from page 1
Ambassador Orobosa OmoOjo yesterday formally took over as Edo State Commissioner for Transport. This is sequel to the handing over to him by his predecessor, Hon. Barr. Iriogbe Isimeme at the premises of the Ministry of Transport with good wishes for Ambassador Omo-Ojo to take the Transport Ministry to higher heights. On Monday November 18, 2013, a minor re-shuffle by the Edo State Government cabinet which affected both commissioners was announced.
discuss, he understands the limitation of government. “He also understands the commitment of government and there would be no gap between what you want us to do and getting that conveyed to us, otherwise, this would have been for people not in government” the Governor added. The Governor assured, “we have an open mind and I have no doubt that you help us to lay the foundation for a new beginning. “There are lots of issues you need to address: what is the financial status of the company. You might look at the possibility of rebuilding a new team rather than all these transfers”. Responding, Chairman of the Committee and the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere said the committee would do all within its ability to refocus a team that was once the darling of all. He said, “we want to assure you that we know that the tenure of this Management team is limited, we would do all we can to live up to expectations and fulfill those terms of reference that you have outlined.” The Committee has three months to conclude its assignment.
save police the problem of managing crises. The committee which is not partisan has representative from Edo South, Central and Edo North with representative of the SSS, Police and the traditional ruler. The Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee has its chairman as Chief Eduwa Ekhator, the Obasogie of Benin Kingdom. He said it is now a matter of public secret that the chairman of Orhionmwon , Chief Roland Ibieruotomwan, vice chairman, the secretary and all elected councillors of the LG left the country allegedly to Italy all at the same time without anybody’s permission. According to him, “in line with the Local Government Acts, when a local government official has allegedly misbehaved, we are obliged in how to set up a panel of enquiry in order to give those accused of wrong doing to avail themselves of the opportunity of defence, he stressed. While assuring the committee of his logistical support called on the chairman to speed up investigation and submit its report within 6 weeks or earlier. The 4-man committee has Dr. Osagie Obayuwana as chairman, Hon. Peter Ekhator, Hon. Andy Egbadon as member while Rev. S.O. Ohonba, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as secretary. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana on behalf of other members promised to deliver within the stipulated time stressing that with the experienced personality in the committee, they deliver in record time.
Swiss offers to assist Nigeria
Continued from page 1 that though no formal request for assistance had been made to his government on the issue by any representative of the Nigerian government, both countries had an existing mutual legal assistance. This, he said, entails providing banking information and freezing of bank accounts, “if such accounts are identified in the criminal proceedings’’. Hodel said that the report issued by the Swiss-based NGO, Berne Declaration, which highlighted the transactions between NNPC and Swiss companies, did not represent the official position of the Swiss government. The report entitled “Swiss Traders Opaque Deals in Nigeria”, catalogued the modus operandi employed the “letter box companies” and the alleged partners, to defraud Nigeria. Following the report, the House of Representatives mandated a joint committee to investigate the alleged
involvement of the NNPC with the Swiss oil dealers in the deals. The NNPC has since denied involvement in the alleged fraud. Hodel said: “I have no knowledge that we have been contacted by the authorities (Nigeria). “In case they will start proceedings and they will need our help; of course, with the international legal cooperation we will help them if they approach us but until now they have not approached us,’’ he said. The Swiss envoy recalled that in a letter dated September 10, 2012, Nigeria had requested legal assistance from his country regarding the fuel subsidy scheme. He said the request had been forwarded to “the competent Swiss judicial authorities’’ who are in contact with their Nigerian counterparts, but declined further information on the issue because legal proceedings are ongoing in
Nigeria courts. On the return of illicit assets to Nigeria, Hodel said cooperation between both countries culminated in the repatriation of alleged 700 million dollar loot by former Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha. “The entire 700 million dollars blocked in Swiss bank accounts have been returned to Nigeria and the case has been closed,’’ he said. The envoy pledged his country’s commitment to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism in West Africa. He said the Swiss Government and the InterGovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) would organise a three-day seminar on the issue from Tuesday, November 26 to Thursday, November 28 in Abuja. He said the seminar would focus on the informal, cashbased aspects of money laundering and financing of terrorism, as well as crossborder cooperation of financial intelligence units.
768 fish farmers to benefit from ECOWAS fund BENIN CITY - The Edo Government said yesterday that it had registered 768 fish farmers to enable them benefit from a loan scheme under the ECOWAS Fund Accelerated Fishery Development Project. State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Abdul Oroh, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Benin City. ‘’A total of 768 fish farmers, fishermen, and fish distributors operating as cooperative societies have been registered with the department of fisheries to access the loan. ‘They, however, had yet to access the loan due to inability to recover a previous disbursed. In pursuance of this, the ministry is working through the state fisheries loan advisory committee (SFLAC) to recover the loans. ‘’The committee has been involved in aggressive loan
recovery so that those recently registered by government can access this facility in the expanded second phase of the project,’’ Oroh said. He said that the project was being managed under a tripartite arrangement involving the ECOWAS, the federal and state governments. Oroh said that the fund, which is domiciled at the Bank of Agriculture, was designed to improve fish production in the state. According to him, the project has moved into its second phase with the payment of the 2011 counterpart fund contribution by the state government. The commissioner expressed the commitment of the ministry to continue to boost agricultural development in the state through extension services and research.
NDLEA impounds 10,209kg of Indian hemp BENIN - The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has impounded about 10, 209 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be cannabis between April and September. The state Commander, Alhaji Sani Sani, announced this in an interview with newsmen in Benin. He said more than 28.3 hectares of farmland grown with the weeds were destroyed within the period. “During this period, 147 persons comprising 108 males and 39 females, were arrested while eight vehicles were impounded in connection with the crime. “The command also arrested 61 persons, comprising 46 males and 15 females, and three vehicles were seized between April
and June. “Between July and September, we arrested 86 persons comprising 62 males and 24 females, while we seized five vehicles. “During the same period, 37 persons were convicted, while 46 cases were still pending in various high courts across the state. “It was not all arrest and seizure as we counselled 73 persons on the dangers inherent in getting involved in trafficking in illicit drugs,” he said. The state commander said that one of the major challenges facing the agency was some people’s wrong perception of the war on illicit drugs. He said inadequate arms and ammunitions, manpower, vehicles and other logistics like fund, hand and leg cuffs were some of the challenges facing the command.
Oshiomhole commissions road, school in Igbanke
IGBANKE - Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday formally commissioned an 8.5 kilometres inter-city road in Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area while another 2.5km road was awarded in the community. The road which was commissioned covers Osagie Street, Hospital road, Igbundu, Oligie and Olubor Streets is 150mm thick, 7.5m wide with side drains on both sides of the road. Addressing people of the community during the commissioning, Governor Oshiomhole said, “in the administration of justice, God has used this community to produce eminent jurist. “This community has produced and is producing very senior military officers who have committed their lives in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, not only in the past but even now”. He said, “in truth, our people have suffered needlessly because of the greed of leadership.” Oshiomhole used the occasion to approve another 2.5km road to be constructed in Igbanke community. Governor Oshiomhole also commissioned a reconstructed 5 blocks of 3 classrooms each
at Igbanke Mixed Secondary School. Commissioning the reconstructed school with the state of the art facilities Governor Oshiomhole said, “the only way we can secure our tomorrow is to invest in the youths, stressing that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. He however maintained that the teachers’ audit would continue in order to flush out ghost workers and unqualified ones before new ones would be employed. He promised to provide borehole facility for the newly reconstructed school and enjoined community leaders, teachers and students to watch over the school facilities against vandals. In his address, the Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Tertiary Education, Mr. Washington Osifo described the reconstructed Igbanke Mixed Secondary School as a fulfillment of the social contract reached with Igbanke people by the Comrade Governor. According to Osifo, “Edo State, before the Comrade Governor took over was in a position of shame, today, it is clear that promises are not only made but also fulfilled”.
THE NIGERIAN
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Inside Edo Alleged Trasspass
Police Arrest Legal Practitioner By ROLAND OSAKUE I G I E D U M A (UHUNMWODE) – The Police in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State have arrested a man, Eddy Ogbeide who claimed to be a legal practitioner over alleged trespass on government property. He claimed to have procured the approval of the State Government under Professor Oseriemen Osunbor led administration to acquire the landed property. He claimed to have acquired the vast portion of the property which forms part of Igieduma Grammar School, Igieduma in the local government area with a certificate of occupancy and the ratification of Ekpenisi Omorotionmwan, then commissioner in the ministry for Secondary, Technical and Tertiary Education. The arrest of the suspect was a follow up to the apprehension of an Hausa Merchant who allegedly purchased some of the
school’s property, including laboratory equipment from the suspect. In a petition to the State Commissioner of Police, Folunso Adebanjo, Monday Ighodaro and John Eholor, Igieduma Community Youth Chairman and Secretary respectively alleged that Ogbeide had been harassing the people of the community with a threat to have them detained by the police should they obstruct his activities on the land. Efforts to get the views of the state commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Tertiary Education, Barrister Washington Osifo were unsuccessful but a source in his office however told The NIGERIAN OBSERVER that the state government had at no time ceded any portion of the school’s land to any individual group or organization. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Moses Eguavoen told The Nigerian OBSERVER that his office was yet to be briefed on the matter.
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (2nd right), Director, Edo State Information and Technology Agency, Olayemi Keri (2nd left), General Manager, Simba Infrastructure, Sheeju, Prabhakaran (left) and the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson at the 2013 Edo Technology Day recently.
Edo Women Urged To Register As APC Members BY ERANGA ISAAC
BENIN CITY – Women of Edo State have been called upon to register as members of the newly inaugurated All Progressives Congress (APC). The call was made yesterday by the interim state women leader of the APC, Mrs. Modino Emovon,
during at a forum in Benin City. Mrs. Emovon said women in the state decided to embrace APC because they need change and better life for their children. According to her, with the flag off of APC in the Edo State, the Women are prepared to move APC to the next level in the state. She added that there is already strong solidarity for the APC among the women. “Many years ago, our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, predicted that a day
would come when all the good people would form themselves into a political party that would rule this country; in my mind, that day has come in the form of the APC,” she said. On her part, Edo Central Senatorial District Women Leader of APC and former Chairman Board of Directors, Edo State Institute of Continuing Education, Mrs. Tina Agbarah, said that the meeting was to formerly inform the people of the state that the women that were
members of the former ACN, CPC and ANPP are now working together. She noted that with the coming together, the challenge the party has does not exist anymore, saying that they are well united. She advised women to go out and register their membership of the APC in the registration exercise that would soon commence. A former state women leader of the defunct ANPP said the merger of the three political parties, shows that the country is growing democratically.
LG Boss Explains Reason For AFUZE-EMAI – The Success Story Chairman, Owan East Local
L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Professor Julius Ihonvbere (Chairman) Mr. Shaibu Amodu, Mr. Augustine Eguavoen and Mr. Mike Itemuagbor at the inauguration of the Interim Management Committee of Bendel Insurance Football Club by the Governor in Benin City yesterday.
Government Council, Hon. (Barr) Jimoh Ijegbai has attributed the success story of his administration to the financial leverage the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole gave to the present Local Government Chairman in the State. The Council Boss who disclosed this when he played host to the state executive
approach to motorists as their action or inaction plays a lot in the image of the state. The legislators also encouraged them to do more enlightenment on the media to sensitize motorists on the use of traffic lights and other road signs. Commending the activities of Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) a Parastatal under the Ministry advised
the officials of the agency to extend their travel routes to Agenebode and other areas not yet covered. On Edo Line, the Permanent Secretary who represented the Commissioner for the Ministry stated that the State Executive Council has set up a committee to look into its issue in a bid to addressing crisis areas.
C’ttee To Regulate Activities of EDSTMA BENIN CITY – Edo State Ministry of Transport has put in place, a disciplinary committee to regulate the conduct of Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) officials with a view to ensure civility and compliance with relevant laws. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mallam Alasa Ikhelowa stated this when he
appeared before the State House of Assembly to defend the Ministry’s budget. Some lawmakers had condemned the activities of EDSTMA officials for operating outside the laws that established the agency. They admonished the Ministry to caution their officials to be civil in their
members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), said his administration is able to perform because funds were conserved by the Governor at the inception of the present Local Government Administration. Hon. (Barr.) Ijegbai remarked that aside the conservation of fund, his administration has been very prudent with the council finances, hence his ability to execute projects. According to the council chairman, apart from projects execution, his administration pays premium on the welfare of workers, disclosing that over N25 million payment arrears owed health workers were paid in two installments, while salaries and claims to staff are paid promptly. He, however, frowned at the attitude of some staffs who are in the habit of coming late to
work, and therefore urged the President to appeal to the workers to imbibe the culture of punctuality to work. While commending the visitors for their visit, the council boss assured of his administration’s support to NULGE. President of NULGE, Comrade Edward Young Illenikhena lauded the Owan East Council Boss for his achievements, stressing that the award as the best performing Local Government Chairman in the State by the House of Representatives was not a fluke. He encouraged the council boss not to rest on his oars, but to sustain the tempo of development across the local government area The NULGE President was full of thanks to the Council Boss whom he said ranks best in staff welfare matters.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Across The Nation BUK Alumni Holds Maiden National Convention Dec 7 KANO - The National Convention Committee of Bayero University Kano (BUK) Alumni Association (BUKAA) has fixed December 7, for its maiden national convention in 23 years. The Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, told newsmen in Kano that officials would be elected to run the affairs of the association for two years. He explained that the tenure was, however, renewable depending on the performance and acceptability of the leadership by the congress. Inuwa said the association found it necessary to have substantive executive officers in order to bring development to the university. “Alumni association is very important to the university as it will bring development to the university. “It also plays important role in resolving some problems in the university hence the decision to hold the maiden national convention to elect executive members,’’ he said. Inuwa, a former Secretary to Katsina State Government (SSG), said the association had been in existence since 1990, but without elected officials. He said that during the convention each of the 36 state chapters and FCT was expected to be represented by five delegates. According to him, prominent alumni members including governors, ministers and National Assembly members are expected to grace the occasion. “The former governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Ahmad Sani, will be the Chairman of the occasion, while Niger state governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, will be the Special Guest of Honour during the occasion,’’ he added.
L-R: Commissioner for Education, Cross River State, Prof. Offiong Offiong; Supervising Minister for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr. Mac-John Nwaobiala, during a meeting with State Commissioners for Education in Abuja yesterday.
JTF Dismantles Militant Camp YENAGOA - The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield said that it had dismantled a militant camp in the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River. A statement by the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, in Yenagoa, said that various arms were recovered from the camp. “During the clamp down, the troops recovered 24 x 7.62mm round cartons, five Browning Machine Gun, ammunition, 3 x 7.62mm round special and seven live cartridges. “Other items recovered from the camp include four machine gun belts and one passport fibre boat, belonging to the Inland Water Ways Agency,” JTF stated. According to Nwachukwu,
New Oil, Gas Commissioner Assumes Duty
President, Nigeria Water Sanitation Association, Mr. Joe Onwuaduegbo (left), with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Alhaji Baba Faruk at the Water African and West African Building and Construction in Abuja yesterday.
Akoko-Edo LG Boss Pays Thank-You Visit To Traditional Ruler
IGARRA – Hon. Folorunsho Akerejola Chairman, Akoko-Edo Local Government Council has visited the palace of the Otu of Igarra on a thank you visit for his support during and after his election as chairman of the council. Speaking after a closed door meeting, High Chief Akpeji said he holds the chairman in high esteem because of his love for his people.
He noted that within three months of assuming office the council boss took a major step at solving the electricity problem that has bedeviled the local government headquarters over the years with the purchase of a step-down transformer and other transformers in the locality. Akpeji described the council chairman as a perfect, dynamic and approachable gentleman who is determined to better the life of
Caterer Spotlights Benefits Of Healthy Meals BY JOEL CHUKWUAGHONIM AGBOR – The Director, May Catering Services, Mrs. Maria Ashien said eating healthy meals has the capacity to increase life span. She disclosed this in Agbor in her address to mark the celebration of her Diamond
the camp known in local parlance as ‘Efut Esighi Militant Camp, served as operational base for pirates and militants from where they attacked their victims. “JTF operatives destroyed three illegal crude oil distillation camps concealed in a forest at Agbede village and Egwua 2 general area of Esako West and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Edo and Delta States,” he said. In a similar operation conducted in Bayelsa and Rivers sectors, JTF troops shut down 56 illegal crude oil distillation camps. The troops destroyed 16 Cotonou boats, 22 pumping machines, a power generator, 25 zinc plates used for fabricating local crude oil distillers, a welding machine and 32 sawed pipes used by oil thieves. The troops also impounded four metal barges and a speed boat caught engaging in illegal oil bunkering activities in the operation which took place between November 11 and November 22. Nwachukwu stated further that seven suspects were arrested for oil theft-related offences and were currently undergoing preliminary investigations.
Jubilee birthday anniversary. According to her, “not only will healthy meals make you grow healthy, your children would learn a lot from eating healthy meals.” Mrs. Ashien disclosed that given healthy meals to the family would help them have the energy they need for the full day’s activities.
his people by taking a break from the old order to a new and people oriented way of public service. He advised the chairman to sustain his system of all round consultation before deciding on what contract to be executed and in what location.
High chief Akpeji noted that the project so far executed by the administration are evenly spread around the local government area. Responding, Hon. Akerejola thanked the High Chief for his fatherly support and prayers.
He also thanked the Igarra people for their support promising to sustain the temple of his developmental strategy while continuing to work and act in the interest of the Akoko-Edo people.
BENIN CITY - The newly appointed Edo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Hon. Isimeme Iriogbe has officially assumed duties with a resolve to take the ministry to greater height. Hon. Iriogbe took over from Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo who was the former Commissioner for the ministry. Speaking during the take-over ceremony, Hon. Iriogbe assumed that there will be visible progress in the ministry and promised the staff of a good working relationship. He disclosed that he will go through the report presented to him. Earlier, Hon. Omo-Ojo congratulated Hon Isimeme on his new appointed and wished him all the best. Present at the meeting, were, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. M.O. Akpoli, Director of Finance and Accounts, Ihianle Omoruyi, Head, Department of planning research and statistics, Mr. Idemudia Ofeimum Department of Special Duties.
Meningitis: Niger To Conduct
MINNA - The Niger Government says that it will conduct “mop up” immunisation for celebro-spinal meningitis in six local government areas to ensure effective coverage of the state against the disease. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ibrahim Sule, said this in Minna at a news conference held on the level of coverage of the immunisation exercise in the state. Sule said that the “mop up” exercise would be conducted in Wushishi, Magama, Chanchaga,
Immunisation
Tafa, Bosso and Munya local government areas. He said that the areas recorded less than 90 per cent coverage in the just-concluded statewide immunisation exercise for persons from one year to 29 years. He added that some of the wards of the areas were not covered during the exercise. Sule said that the mop up exercise would ensure that the
target group was captured, adding that all immunised persons were vaccinated against the disease for 10 years. He, however, said that older persons, who desired immunisation, could avail themselves of the vaccine. On polio, the commissioner said that routine polio immunisation was being intensified to ensure that all children between one year and
five years were immunised. He said that the exercise would be sustained until polio was “kicked out of the state”. Sule said that the state government was also addressing the issue of hepatitis, noting that there were rising hepatitis infections among people in the state. He said that hepatitis was closely related to HIV and AIDS, urging people to visit health facilities to ascertain their HIV status so as to commence treatment on time.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
South-South Dev: Royal Father
Commends Delta Govt AGBOR - A traditional ruler in Delta State, Chief Raphael Igwe, the Ugbala of Mbiri Kingdom in Delta State has commended the Delta State Government for its tireless effort to ensure that the dividend of Democracy is delivered to the grassroot. He also thanked the Delta State Governor for approving a contract of building a health centre in Mbiri Kingdom, while appealing to the contractor handling the contract to expedite action towards completing the job Chief Ugbala who made the commendation in a chat with the Nigerian Observer in his country home, OwaAlidima said Dr. Emmanuel Udughan has tried in the area of distribution of the democracy dividend across the state. Chief Ugbala also
appealed to the Delta State Government to construct the deployable road in Mbiri Kingdom, such as Mbiri to Umunede road, Mbiri farm settlement road for easy accessibility since Mbiri is a basket of food, feeding not only Delta State but Nigeria in general. He also thanked the Mbiri youth (Ikoro) for their meaningful contributions towards the development of Mbiri community. He prayed God to give H.R.M (Dr) Ifeanyichukwu Alekwe J.P, the Obi of Mbiri Kingdom, wisdom, strength, resources to pilot the affairs of the Kingdom.
Bishop/President, Jesus Breeds Ministries International, Incorporated Rev (Dr) Eddy Omoruyi-Okundaye (JP), addressing the Congregation during the 2013 Harvest Thanksgiving of the Church which held on November 17, 2013 at the church’s auditorium, 4-16 Osayi Street, Off Ewah Road, Benin City. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
Cross River Grants Scholarship To 735 Students
CALABAR-The Cross River Government has awarded scholarship to 735 students in the state for the 2013 academic year, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Offiong
Effiong, has said Offiong told newsmen in Calabar that the figure included 428 students running postgraduate and undergraduate
studies in Nigerian universities. He said that 32 persons got full sponsorship overseas and
48 were given financial assistance for studies overseas while 28 benefited from French
NDLEA Bemoans Absence Of Addicts’ Rehabilitation Centre
EKET (AKWA IBOM)The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed concern over the agency’s inability to build a rehabilitation centre for victims of drug abuse in Eket. Mrs Imaette Umouman, the Unit Commander of NDLEA in Eket, expressed the concern in an interview with newsmen
in Eket, Akwa Ibom. Umouman said that as a result, families that wanted the rehabilitation of their children and wards in the area were referred to the state headquarters of the NDLEA in Uyo. “Most of the addicts use
drugs ignorantly without knowing the health implications,” she said. She said that use of illicit drugs had strong connection with all other crimes, adding and 75 per cent of criminals arrested in area had confessed to acting under the influence
of hard drugs. The unit commander said that the agency was worried over the increasing cases of drug addiction in the area. She, however, said that the command had intensified efforts to reduce intake of hard drugs in the area, adding that some dealers had stopped
Pupils of Jubilee Academy presenting their Thanksgiving during the occasion in Benin City. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
selling the substances in the market. Umouman also said that the unit had commenced a public sensitisation programme in the eight local government areas of Eket Senatorial District. She added that the exercise, which started in Eket and Esit Eket, would later cover Ibeno, Oona, Ikot Abasi, Nsit Ubium, Mkpat Enin, and Nsit Atai local government areas in due course. “We intend to reach out to secondary schools students, village heads, youths, market women, drivers and members of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),’’ she said. Umouman stressed that the campaign was aimed at sensitising the people to the dangers of taking hard drugs. “If you have the knowledge that taking hard drugs can make you an addict and gradually make your life useless, you are more likely not go close to it,’’ she said. Umouman called on all stakeholders, including individuals and organisations, to join hands with the agency in enlightening the youths on the consequences of drug abuse. She, however, said that the agency was faced with the challenge of inadequate logistics such as operational vehicles in carrying out its duties.
Language Immersion programme. The commissioner said that 131 students got grants for Nigerian Law School programme, 44 given merit awards, while 21 physicallychallenged students got special awards and three persons received research grants. Offiong said the financial implication of all the grants was N428.1 million, adding that the state government was committed to manpower development. He said: “Government realised the import of scholarship toward having the required manpower in the state. “The present administration will continue to sustain scholarship for which over N3 billion has been committed since 2007.’’ Offiong said that the ministry was currently recruiting 500 Science and Mathematics teachers to enhance science and technology in the state. The commissioner said that in spite of the financial constraints facing the ministry it was doing a lot with the available resources. He said that the ministry was making efforts to raise the standard of education in public schools in the state as was the case in some private schools. Offiong also said that parents in the state now withdrew their children and wards from private schools to public schools due to the changes taking place in government schools. The commissioner called on communities in the state to assist the government’s efforts toward qualitative education through building of staff quarters in schools. “We need community participation in the management of our schools; government cannot do everything alone,” he said.
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Social Event For Late Prof Omo-Omoruyi
L-R: Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council, Hon. Osaro Obazee, APC leader in Edo State, Hon. Charles Idahosa and former Special Adviser on Local Government to Edo State Governor, Hon. Michael Egharevba at the burial ceremony of Prof. OmoOmoruyi at the weekend. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
Former Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council, Hon. Victor Ebomwonyi and his wife Edyth at the thanksgiving service held for the late Prof. Omo-Omoruyi at the Central Baptist Church, Benin City. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
Former Commissioner representing Edo State in the NDDC, Mr. Don Omorodion (left) and other guests during the burial ceremony of late Prof. Omo-Omoruyi, at George Idah Model Primary School Benin at the weekend. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
R-L: Chief Fred Omorotionmwan, son and wife at a thanksgiving service for the late Prof. Omo-Omoruyi at Central Baptist Church, Benin City. Photo: OSADEBAMWEN SUNDAY.
News Gov Ahmed Tasks Govts On People Oriented Governance KWARA - Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed has called on governments at all levels to emulate and adopt the ideals of former Prime Minister of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello’s philosophy of people oriented governance in order to bridge the gap between the government and the governed. Governor Ahmed said this in a message to the opening ceremony of a capacity building workshop in emergency trauma/blast care skills for doctors and health workers from the north central zone organized by Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital. The governor who was represented by the Secretary
to the State Governor, Alhaji Isiaka Gold recalled that Sir Ahmadu Bello, as Prime Minister championed the cause of the masses and brought succour to them during his life time in order to transform the northern region. According to Dr Ahmed, Sir Ahmadu Bello “radiated love and goodwill to all and exhibited understanding, tolerance and support towards fellow human beings” values that politicians of today should embrace. Governor Ahmed who noted that the focus of the workshop on health was apt given the fact that healthcare delivery constitutes the major challenges facing northern Nigeria, suggested that government in the region
should strive for improvement in the areas of advocacy, preventive health care, polio eradication, epidemic and access to affordable quality health care. A member, Advisory Council of Foundation and former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Ahmadu Comassie, said the workshop was organized to address some
health challenges in the north and promote well being of the people. He added that the foundation has also designed programmes to enhance economic empowerment, education, agriculture, advocacy and research for the promotion of good governance in the region.
SOKOTO - The Sokoto State Government said that it would give out in a mass wedding, 250 widows and widowers across the state to give them a new lease of life. Alhaji Zubairu Goronyo, the state Commissioner for Social Development, who announced this at the screening of the beneficiaries in Sokoto, said that the venture would gulp N30 million.
According to him, a date will soon be fixed for the exercise. A correspondent who witnessed the screening that was done to establish the health status of the beneficiaries, reported that it was handled by various committees. Alhaji Zubairu said that beds, mattresses, sets of chairs, curtains and two sets of female wrappers would be given to each of the 125 brides.
Sokoto To Conduct Mass Wedding For 250 Widows
KANO - The National Convention Committee of Bayero University Kano (BUK) Alumni Association (BUKAA) has fixed December 7, for its maiden national convention in 23 years. The Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, told newsmen in Kano that officials would be elected to run the affairs of the association for two years. He explained that the tenure was, however, renewable depending on the performance and acceptability of the leadership by the congress. Inuwa said the association found it necessary to have substantive executive officers in order to bring development to the university. “Alumni association is very important to the university as it will bring development to the university. “It also plays important role in resolving some problems in the university hence the decision to hold the maiden national convention to elect executive
BUK Alumni Holds Maiden National Convention Dec 7 members,’’ he said. Inuwa, a former Secretary to Katsina State Government (SSG), said the association had been in existence since 1990, but without elected officials. He said that during the convention each of the 36 state chapters and FCT was expected to be represented by five delegates. According to him, prominent alumni members including governors, ministers and National Assembly members are expected to grace the occasion. “The former governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Ahmad Sani, will be the Chairman of the occasion, while Niger state governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, will be the Special Guest of Honour during the occasion,’’ he added.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Across The Nation Anambra Polls
APC Provides Evidence Of Fraud
Representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen. Muhammed Abubakar (left), with the General Officer Commanding, 1 Div. Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Garba Wahab at the 2013 Nigerian Army Regimental Sergeant Majors’ Convention in Kaduna yesterday.
Katsina: Explosion Kills 3, Razes 6 Houses DANDUME (KATSINA STATE)- Three people were killed when two fuel-laden articulated vehicles exploded at Gyazama village, along the Funtua-Birnin Gwari road in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State. Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammad, the Transition Committee Chairman of Dandume Local Government Council, told newsmen in Dandume that four other persons sustained burns of various degrees. He also said that six houses were also burnt in the resultant inferno which occurred on Saturday evening. Reports that the blaze started when some drivers were transferring fuel from a broken-down vehicle to another through the use of a pumping machine. Muhammad said that two of the deceased were the operators of the pumping machine, while those who
sustained burns were receiving treatment at Funtua General Hospital. He added that the houses were burnt because of the fuel which spilled from the scene of the incident. Muhammad, who was an eye-witness, explained that
the fire could not be contained by the Dandume council’s firemen, adding that it took the intervention of nearby firemen from Faskari, Funtua and Dandume local government areas to put it off. He said that the fire lasted up to Sunday morning,
adding that he attended the burial of the deceased, while paying condolence visits to the victims’ families. Muhammad warned people in the area against illegal parking of vehicles, poor handling of flammable fuels as well as inappropriate use of pumping machines.
LAGOSThe All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has provided substantial evidence to warrant the cancellation of the November. 16 governorship election in Anambra. The party said this in a statement, in Lagos, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. According to Mohammed, there is enough “weighty, compelling and substantial” evidence for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the election. It would be recalled that the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, on Friday reiterated the commission’s stance not to cancel the election, arguing that there was no evidence to warrant it. Instead, Jega announced that a supplementary election would hold on November 30 in parts of the state where the exercise did not hold. He maintained that the challenges the commission
Girl, 12, Commits Suicide
IKWO (EBONYI)- A 12year-old girl, Miss Chisom Okechukwu, has committed suicide, hanging herself at her family compound at NnocheUduke Community in Okpoitumo in the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi. Reports say that Okechukwu, a primary five pupil at Nnoche-Uduke Primary School, was said to have left home on Saturday and was not seen until Sunday morning, hanging on a tree at the back of her compound. Her dangling body was discovered by her younger sister, Ndidi, who was going
to the toilet dug at the back of the compound. An eye-wtness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Ndidi raised an alarm which attracted their parents and other members of the community who came and brought the hanging body down. “The whole scenario brought tension and confusion in the community as people were seen in clusters discussing the death. “People, especially some members of Okechukwu’s family are of the opinion that she did not commit suicide
and insisted on a thorough investigation to unravel the true cause of her death,’’ said the witness. He claimed that a neighbour to the Okechukwu family had reported to the girl’s parents that she stole her egg which made them to beat her. “After the incident, Okechukwu went inside their house, changed into her new cloth and left the house only to be seen dangling lifeless on a tree on Sunday,’’ he said. An elder in the community, Mr Friday Itumo, told newsmen that the incident had brought confusion to the community as such a tragedy
Participants at the Nigerian Army Regimental Sergeant Majors’ Convention in Kaduna yesterday.
had never been experienced before in the community. “Mr Okechukwu is not the girl’s biological father as her mother came in with her when she re-married Mr Okechukwu after her former husband’s death. “Her former husband’s family members are now insisting that Mr Okechukwu should provide their daughter alive and this has compounded the problem,” he said. hundreds of sympathisers were seen trooping in and out of the compound, including her school mates who were visibly shocked by her sudden death. The Ebonyi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Chris Anyanwu, confirmed the incident, saying that the matter was reported to the Police Division in Ikwo. “We have commenced investigation into the girl’s death to ascertain why she should engage in such act. “We can’t confirm that she committed suicide because one can be killed and hanged by his or her killer, to claim that the person committed suicide. “We assure her family, members of the community and the whole state that we would get to the root of this matter,’’ he said. The girl’s body has been deposited at the Onueke General Hospital Mortuary in the Ezza South Local Government Area for autopsy.
had in the areas were not enough grounds to cancel the election. However, Mohammed said: ‘’Our party has provided incontrovertible and more than substantial evidence to show that what took place on November .16 is a parody of election. “There is no evidence that can be more substantial than the fact that INEC, in conducting the election, failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act”. “What other evidence can be more compelling than the INEC Chairman’s admission of compromise by a top official of the commission?” Mohammed queried. The publicity argued that Jega’s statement that the election fell short of what INEC expected and prepared for, was also enough reason for cancellation. He said that Jega’s unforced admission that a senior official of the commission had been financially induced to compromise the election in Idemili North Local Government Area with more than 173,000 registered voters, was a big reason. He described the issue as “very serious”, because Idemili North was the stronghold of the APC candidate, Senator Chris Ngige. Mohammed noted that in the 2011 senatorial election, Ngige scored more than 80 per cent of all the votes cast in the area. Another reason he adduced for the cancellation of the election was the INEC’s decision to use students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, in violation of its guidelines to use trained and ad hoc staff as presiding officers. “Also, the use of the staff of the university as Supervising Presiding Officers even though the running mate of the APGA candidate was until his nomination a professor in the same institution is another reason,” he said. Mohammed also said the fact that electoral materials meant for the known strongholds of the APC candidate were sent to wrong wards or polling units was another reason why the exercise should be cancelled. He urged Jega to summon the courage “to ameliorate the situation by ordering a fresh election”, saying that failing to do so meant an abdication of his responsibility.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
North Chancellor Seeks Agriculture Revolution
Assembly Warns Against Diversion Of Govt Revenue KADUNA - The Chairman, Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Finance, Alhaji Aliyu Jigo, has warned against diversion of funds that accrued into the state government coppers. Jigo gave the warning in Kaduna when the committee met with the state Accountant General, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Finance and the Chairman of the state Internal Revenue Board. According to him, the meeting is meant to appraise the activities of the ministry especially the collection and utilisation of funds that accrued to the state. “We are not witch hunting you”, he assured the officials, adding that the assembly was only interested in ensuring that whatever accrued to the state was utilised “transparently and fairly” in the interest of the people. He advised them not to allow anyone to push them into deviating from set standards in the management of public finances.
agricultural policy. “Baruten and Kaiama local governments were asked to grow soya beans; Edu and Patigi, rice; Kwara South, cassava while Kwara Central was for maize,’’ he said. “ The individual farmer was instructed to grow between 10 to 15 hectares with a promise that
government would create a market for it in addition to the pledged loan facility. “Some of our members have developed hypertension because of the government’s action. We are now struggling to pay back the loan we accessed with high interest rate. “This is unfair,’’ he said. He also dismissed speculations that government had already disbursed loans to the group’s members.
which needed a collective responsibility of all stakeholders to resolve. Oyedepo said the country’s food importation between 2007 and 2010 stood at N98 trillion (about $628 million), adding that the trend posed danger for any efforts toward food sufficiency. “It is now a challenge for the government and every Nigerian to see value, livelihood, in embracing agriculture in moving the nation forward. “We must arise to salvage the image of our country in terms of its increasing food insufficiency and poverty level. “We need an aggressive agricultural revolution to keep the nation and our continent moving in its physical, infrastructure and economic development,“ Oyedepo said. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Matthew Ajayi, disclosed that the institution had purchased engineering equipment worth N1.13 billion for use by the College of Engineering. Ajayi said that the institution’s teaching and research farm had also been equipped with modern facilities consisting of the Animal Houses, Screen House and Tractor Shed. He said the resultant effect of the infrastructure development efforts was the presence of the institution’s agriculture products in various markets across Kwara South. “The Landmark bread, recently approved by NAFDAC is making waves in the wider society,“ Ajayi said. Reports say that College of Science and Engineering had the highest number of 325 students followed by College of Business and Social Sciences with 235 students while College of Agriculture had 21. It was also reported that the highlight of the ceremony was the commissioning of three new projects which included the College building, Centre for Learning Resources (Library) and the institution’s Health centre. However, the Olomu of OmuAran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, expressed the continuous support of the traditional rulers toward an improved academic and socioeconomic development. Ibitoye urged the students to see their admission as a rare opportunity and reciprocate the gesture by being good ambassadors of the institution. ‘We will continue to be alive to our responsibility as royal fathers to give the necessary support in moving the institution forward,“ Ibitoye said.
AKWANGA (NASARAWA) - Nasarawa State Government says it will spend N20 billion for the upgrading of its major towns and cities. Gov. Umar Al-makura stated this when he visited Akwanga, headquarters of Akwanga Local Government Area of the state. He said that the expenditure was part of the administrations urban renewal programme. Al-Makura said the amount was to ensure the construction and upgrading of infrastructure facilities in all the major towns across the state. “It (the amount) would be
secured through bonds to facilitate the administration’s desire to complement its ongoing urban renewal programme,” he said. Al-makura said his passion for the programme was borne out of the fact that the people were industrious and visionary. He said that the decision to upgrade the major towns was in line with the drive of his administration on environmental sustainability.
He stated that the government had identified Lafia, Akwanga and Nasarawa towns as part of the six urban centres to be upgraded with a view to adding values to their cosmopolitan nature. While on the visit, the governor also inspected the nearly completed Diamond Bank/AA Koto road, the completed Wamba road bye pass as well as the PHCN power substation in the area.
L-R: Representative of resident doctors, University of Nigeria (UNN) Teaching Hospital, Dr. Clelestine Ugwoke; mother of the celebrant, Deaconness Mary Onyishi; Managing Director, Peace Mass Transit Company, Mr. Sam Onyishi and represenative of the University, Dr. John Eze at the inauguration of Peace Health Centre to mark Mr. Onyishi’s 50th Birthday at Umjunkaka in Nsukka, Enugu State recently.
OMU-ARAN (KWARA) - Dr David Oyedepo, Chancellor, Landmark University, OmuAran, Kwara State, has urged governments at all levels to embark on aggressive agriculture to stem food insufficiency in the country. Oyedepo said this at the matriculation of 581 undergraduate students for the 2013/2014 academic session held at the institution’s auditorium in Omu-Aran. He said there was urgent need for a re-ordering of priorities by both government and the citizenry toward embracing land philosophy in rescuing the nation from poverty. The Chancellor said that most African nations were faced with serious food deficiency crises
Security Agencies:
NUJ Seeks Adequate Budgetary Provisions SOKOTO - The Sokoto State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has advocated for adequate budgetary allocation for security agencies in 2014 to effectively combat security challenges in the country. The union made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress in Sokoto and made available to newsmen. The Communiqué signed by Abdallah El- Kurebe, Secretary of the council, stated, “this is to provide the security agencies with adequate working tools to confront the prevailing security challenges in the country.’’ The union expressed sadness over cases of insurgency, kidnapping, thuggery and syndicated frauds in the country. It also called for intensive training for manpower development among security operatives to promote professionalism in the discharge of their duties. The Communiqué acknowledged the intervention efforts of traditional rulers and religious leaders toward maintaining peace and unity among Nigerians.
Director, May Catering Services, Mrs Maria Aishien (middle) with her relations cutting her 60th Birthday Anniversary cake.
Loan: Farmers Decry Govt’s
Unfulfilled Pledge ILORIN - The Kwara State Off-Taker Farmers Association has decried the failure of the state government to redeem its pledge to provide credit facility to its members. It would be recalled that the erstwhile Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Olabode Olayemi, had on September 27 announced that government was undertaking a verification exercise of the group’s members engaged in commercial farming. He had told newsmen that only those who met government’s requirement of cultivating in commercial quantity would be granted loan facility. But addressing newsmen in Ilorin, the Chairman of the association, Mr. Paul Adeshina, lamented that government had yet to fulfill its pledge to the farmers inspite of meeting the set requirements. He said many farmers had incurred losses due to government’s reluctance to fulfill its part of the agricultural policy.
Reports say that the press briefing was attended by the association’s chairmen in the 16 local government areas in the state. Adeshina said members had committed huge funds to their farms in the hope that government would fulfill its pledge. He explained that the state government had selected 10 farmers each from the 16 local government areas of the state to form cooperative societies under its off-taker policy. Adeshina also stated that the government had instructed them to cultivate soya beans, maize, rice and cassava in large quantities, depending on the peculiarities of the council, under the government policy. “ On March 4, the state government called a meeting and canvassed that 10 farmers from each local government should form a cluster. “These clusters are to be registered as a cooperative society to access loan under the state government off-taker
Nasarawa To Uplift Towns With N20bn
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Abuja
SGF Advises Workers On Nation Building ABUJA - The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, has advised workers in the country to be hardworking and contribute, through service, to the nation’s development. Anyim gave the charge, in Abuja, at a send-forth dinner for Mrs. Esther Gonda, the Permanent Secretary in his office, who retired last Friday. He said at the ceremony in which “Touched by Grace”, a book written by Gonda, was also launched, that hard work and dedication to duty often served as “testimonies” for committed workers, anywhere they went. “It is your hard work and commitment that will speak for you anywhere and any place you find yourself in the world. “If you are a hard working person, you don’t need anybody to fight for you in any situation you face; it is only your commitment that will elevate you and take you to a higher places,’’ he said. He remarked that “working in oneness, dedication in delivery of duties, perseverance and diligence enhance peace and development in the country”. Anyim, while commending Gonda, said, “the event of today, indeed, brings to mind your years of toil but the pains of yesterday have given way to the joy and happiness you celebrate today.’’ “I therefore rejoice with your family and other well wishers whose prayers have sustained and lifted you above all challenges and human imaginations,’’ he stated. He, however, advised Nigerians to emulate good attitude, saying it would ensure better service delivery in the economy. Responding, Gonda expressed gratitude to God for her life and to the government for giving her the opportunity to serve the country. Aside from commitment to duties, she advised Nigerians to work hard at reading and research and to do things that would develop knowledge and improve intellect. Gonda said that the book was part of her contribution “to change the lives of people who believe that the grace of God was not sufficient”. “If you work with the grace of God, your life can never remain the same,” she said and advised people “to be of good courage and put trust in God’’.
AMAC Commends Provision Of Power To Villages
Illegal Immigrants: Saudi
Masqurade from Akwa-Ibom displaying at the International Carnival in Abuja yesterday.
Arrests 562 Nigerians
ABUJA - Nigeria’s Consulate in Jeddah has issued Emergency Travel Certificates (ETC) to 45 Nigerians in Saudi Arabia to return home after the Saudi authorities began a clampdown on illegal immigrants three weeks ago. Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Amb. Ahmed Umar, made this known in a telephone interview with newsmen in Abuja. Umar said that the names and identity of the affected Nigerians had been dispatched to the Foreign Ministry in Abuja. He said that the Saudi authorities had arrested 526 Nigerians since the three-month amnesty given to undocumented immigrants to regularise their stay ended. “It is not peculiar to Nigerians; it is applicable to all nationalities,” he said. Umar dismissed reports that Nigerians detained in the country were kept in inhuman conditions at detention centres. According to him, some of the detained Nigerians are being kept
at the general services centre in Al-Shumaisi near Mecca, equipped with “modern facilities”. He recalled that prior to the clampdown on illegal immigrants, the Saudi authorities had taken some foreign consular representatives to the centre. Umar said that he had deployed some staff of the Nigeria consulate to the centre to identify Nigerians, collect their bio-data and issue travel documents for their deportation. He explained that the new law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stipulated a ban of 10 years for illegal workers deported from the country. Umar said that some Nigerians living in the country had ignored repeated appeals by the Consulate for them to regularise their stay since the Saudi government announced the clampdown early in the year. “We have been talking to our people and organising town hall meetings on the need for our people to come forward and regularise their papers or leave
the country. “But our people became very adamant and complacent,’’ he said. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amb. Abubakar Bunu, also told newsmen that an estimated one million Nigerians lived and worked in the country, although it remained unknown how many were illegal. He observed that not many Nigerians had come forward to seek consular help since the crackdown began and warned that those staying in the country illegally could face arrest and detention, if caught.
He appealed to Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia without proper documentation to approach the Nigerian embassy in Riyadh or its consulate in Jeddah for proper identification. “We need to know their local government and states, and forward same to the Saudi authorities for the issuance of ETC and make other arrangements for them to return home. “It is better to go home in honour than to be caught and made to face severe consequences,’’ he told newsmen in Abuja on telephone from Riyadh.
ABUJA - The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has pledged to support the Federal Ministry of Power with necessary logistics to enhance the smooth implementation “Light UpNigeria Project” in the council. This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs. Kande Daniel, special assistant to the Minister of Power in Abuja. It said that AMAC had expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Power for installing a set of new Photovoltaic Solar Power Systems for generating electricity in some villages in the area council. Reports say that the “Light Up Nigeria Project” is a newly launched initiative of the Federal Government aimed at providing electricity in rural areas. The statement quoted AMAC chairman Micah Jiba as saying in a letter of appreciation to the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Neb, that the execution of the project in Durumi (Mpape) was very noble and commendable. “The people of the area (Durumi) are so grateful to the Federal Government for efforts to provide access to electricity to all Nigerians,” Jiba said. The minister inaugurated the project at Durumi (Mpape) last week. He said the initiative was targeted at providing solar powered energy to mainly villages without access to the national grid. The Durumi pilot project is expected to cover about 1050 households, and provide refrigeration for delicate hospital supplies and other ancillary points for charging of phones and street lights at the village square.
NIMET Warns Against Dehydration ABUJA - The Nigerian As Rainy Season Ends Meteorological Agency (NIMET), has advised Nigerians to stay in ventilated environments to avoid exposure to radiation from the sun to minimise dehydration. This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs. Theresa Ushie for Mrs. Eva Azinge, the Head,
Corporate Communication Unit, NIMET National Weather and Climate Research Centre. It said that the 2013 rainy season had come to an end in the extreme Northern region. It also said that the rainy season was expected to end in the central states and South by midNovember to first week in December. It said that day temperatures would generally increase across the country, adding that the increase in temperatures would result to increase in human discomfort level. The statement said that the increase in temperatures was as a result of the pressure systems over North Africa which increased the wind speed at the surface. “This situation will allow dust particles to be raised at the source region such as Faya-Largeau in Chad and Bilma in Niger Republic and will transport the raised dust particles into Nigeria. “The moderate to major outbreaks of dust from the source region will reduce visibility significantly and this often leads Dancers and Masquerade from Niger State at the International Carnival in Abuja yesterday. to disruption of flight operations,’’ it said.
According to the statement, the drier weather condition coupled with increase in concentration of dust particles is usually associated with increase in incidence of respiratory diseases. It noted that the effect of dust particles in the atmosphere in the South would include occurrence of early morning and late evening mist. “Consequently, air, road and rail transportation are likely to be affected by the impairment of surface horizontal visibility.” NIMET, therefore, advised road users, particularly motorists to exercise caution and adhere strictly to road traffic rules and regulations including putting on fog lights while driving. NIMET also advised persons living with respiratory tract diseases and other health conditions to take extra precautionary measures to avoid prolong exposure to inclement weather during the season. The agency also warned against bad habits of dropping cigarette stubs carelessly, adding that this should be avoided to ensure that bush fires were not triggered off.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Business + Economy Innocent Chukwuma Becomes Honourary NACCIMA Life Vice President
ENUGU - The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has conferred an Enugu-based industrialist, Chief Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Group, its honorary life Vice President. Performing the ceremony in Enugu, the National President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, said the industrialist was honoured following his “tremendous contributions’’ to the economic development of the country. According to him, Innoson developed the automobile policy in Nigeria which is unforgettable. Abubakar described Innoson as a creative, dedicated and focused businessman. “His automobile assembly plant is the first of its kind in the country and remained consistent in business in spite of challenges faced by manufacturers in the country,’’ he said. The president urged
manufacturers in the country to imbibe the culture of cost-saving in order to succeed in business. The Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Mr. Anayo Agu, also described the industrialist as a best example of SME. Agu said that Chukwuma had remained consistent and compliant to due process adding that he grew from a mere trader to a world class industrialist. While urging the youth to emulate him, the adviser pledged government determination to develop the SME through capacity building and provision of micro credit facilities. Others, who extolled Chukwuma, included past Presidents of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) and captains of industry.
Local Barbers Record Boom MAIDUGURI - Local barbers In Maiduguri in Maiduguri record increased patronage as barbing saloons adjusted charges to between N150 and N300 for using generating sets. Some residents who spoke with newsmen in Maiduguri said they now patronised the local barbers because of their low charges. It was also gathered that the barbing saloons had increased their charges due to persistent power outage in the national grid and therefore relied on generating sets. Malam Garba Baduku, a resident of Bulumkutu-Abuja, said “local barbers charge as little as N50 per haircut, against N300 in the barbing saloon. “I realise that there is no difference in terms of services provided by local barbers and the barbing saloons because the local barbers have been trained on precautionary measures against transmitting diseases. “The local barbers have come of age too, they use fresh blade for each haircut to avoid contamination.” Malam Ibrahim Gwaska, a civil servant said the local barbers were mobile and could provide services in the offices or at homes unlike the barbing saloon where a customer had to wait on a long queue. Malam Badalla Umar, a resident of Umarari, said he shifted to local barbers because there were no barbing saloon operators in his area. “Sometimes, I pay as little as N50, but when I have enough money I pay more,’’ he said. However, some residents said they would prefer paying more at the barbing saloon than patronising local barbers for health reasons. Mr. Ndahi Marama, a resident of Gidan-Dambe, said he avoided patronising local barbers because of hygienic reasons. “Some of them are not clean enough and wear offensive odour
because of the long trek in search of customers. Malam Ibrahim Maishanu a lecturer at the Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, said he patronised the local barbers. “Most of them take time to sterilise their instruments each time they finished a haircut. I think that is good enough as far as the issue of preventing disease transmission is concerned.”
While Chief Gabriel Akachukwu described him as “Nigeria’s Bill Gates’’, Chief Rob Anwatu said Chukwuma was a special gift to this generation.
Mrs. Ijeoma Ezeasor of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said the industrialist was a great investor
who had provided jobs for the teeming youths of Igboland. The recipient, who is the Chairman of Innoson Group,
promised to continue contributing to the economic development of the country. Chukwuma is popularly known as a manufacturer of motor and motorcycle spare parts, plastics and vehicle assembly in NACCIMA circle.
L-R:Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, former Vice Chancellor, UI, Emeritus Prf Ayo Banjo; Registrar, UI Mr. Olujimi Olukoya, National President, Association of Nigeria University, Professional Administrators (ANUPA), Mr. Samuel Nwansat, at the Annual General meeting of Anura in Ibadan yesterday.
Emergence Rule: GSM Networks Remain Blocked - Army
MAIDUGURI - Authorities of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, said that they did not have any immediate plan to re-open blocked GSM networks in Borno. Maj.-Gen. Obidah Ethan, the GOC of the division, announced this when he spoke with newsmen in Maiduguri.
It will be recalled that all the GSM networks in Borno were blocked in May, immediately after the Federal Government declared a state of emergency to enable it to checkmate Boko Haram insurgents. Ethan, reacting to calls by
Borno residents to restore the GSM networks, noted that the blockage had ensured the success of military operations against the insurgents. “What I will say is that for now, the GSM blockage is helping our operations. “But, if the situation improves, we might think of reviewing the
issue,” he said. Ethan advised the people, especially parents who wished to maintain regular contact with their children in school, to seek alternative ways of communicating with them pending the re-opening of the networks.
Repair Refineries Before Selling Them, IPMAN Urges FG
Director-General, NACA, Prof. John Idoko (left), Senior Strategic Information Adviser, UNAIDS, Mr. Masauso Nzima, at a news conference on the World AIDS Day celebration in Abuja yesterday.
SOKOTO - The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the Federal Government to repair the nation’s oil refineries before their planned sale. The Chairman of the association in Sokoto state, Alhaji Sule Magaji, made the call in an interview with newsmen, in Sokoto. “We in IPMAN are against the plan to sell the refineries but if the federal government will not rescind the decision, the refineries should be made fully functional before being sold. “The government should also take concrete measures to further secure all oil pipelines across the country,” Magaji said. According to him, repairing the
Katsina: 2,500 Widows Receive DAURA (KATSINA STATE) - A philanthropist, Alhaji Umar Tata, has distributed skills acquisition tools to 2,500 widows in Daura Senatorial District of Katsina State. The trade tools included 650 sewing machines, 600 spaghetti making machines, 200 deep freezers, 200 grinding machines and 150 knitting machines. Others were 50 motorcycles, 10 tricycles, 100 water-vendor
Trade Tools
barrows, 120 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 150 bags of beans and 300 bags of flour. Distributing the items to the beneficiaries in Daura, Tata said that the gesture was aimed at assisting the widows to become self-reliant and carter for the needs of their children. He said that all the
beneficiaries were screened before being given the items to ensure that only the targeted persons benefitted from the gesture. Tata, therefore, urged the widows not to sell the items and ensure they maintained them, saying that similar programme would be organised in Funtua
zone in January next year. Speaking at the occasion, a renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yakubu Musa, commended the philanthropist for the donation and urged him to keep up the good gestures. Musa also urged well-to-do individuals to emulate the good efforts saying, “taking care of orphans and widows is one of the virtues deeds that have been neglected in the society’’.
refineries, securing the pipelines and putting other necessary measures in place will motivate the potential buyers and other investors to be part of the planned sale. He said that it would be difficult or impossible for individuals to adequately protect oil pipelines, noting that “even ongoing efforts by the federal government in that regard seem ineffective”. Expressing fear that the sale of the refineries might lead to total removal of existing subsidy on some petroleum products, Magaji appealed that subsidy should remain even after the sale of the refineries. He stated that retaining the subsidy regime would alleviate the suffering of Nigerians adding that subsidies existed in other countries that were less endowed with oil resources as Nigeria. He admitted that Nigerians were currently enjoying steady supply of petroleum products across the country noting that the federal government deserved commendation for that. He, however, appealed to the government to sustain the tempo “for the common good of all Nigerians”.
THE NIGERIAN
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Book Review Title: Author:
Outstanding Career Periscope Asako Gabriel Bessy
Reviewer: Huxley Ezekiel Omobhude Pages:
328
Publishers: DIMAF Publishers IN virtually all climes, the youth are often referred to as the leaders of tomorrow. There is therefore no gain saying the fact that for any nation to develop in the proper sense of the word, such a nation must have deliberate and well thought out plans and policies for the education and development of the youth. In a country of about 160 million people for instance, let us in our minds, eyes, figure out the percentage of those who are between 12 and 21 years and their strategic importance to the development of the Country. Within this age bracket (12 21), the youth undergo leadership training roles through academic and other engagements from the secondary schools up to the University. As a result of Nigeria’s chequered political history, adequate or appropriate attention has not been paid to the development of the youths. This has been the fall out of inept and corrupt leadership the country has been saddled with since independence. Sadly, this long time neglect and abandonment of the youth has led to Nigeria’s most challenging period. The Boko Haram insurgency is a bye product of this neglect. In spite of the Federal government’s declaration of emergency in three volatile states in the North and heavy deployment troops to the affected parts of the North, signals emanating from the region indicate that killing of unarmed and innocent Nigerians is still going on. Thousands of innocent Nigerians would have died as a result of this uninformed rebellion of the neglected northern youth. Generally, across the length and breadth of the Country, crime rate has risen. Robbery, Kidnapping, ritual murders, rape and other crimes are reported daily. To complement the crime rate, corruption has been institutionalized by political leaders in the Country. The Country’s challenges
are therefore numerous. An ordinarily well blessed nation, Nigeria has been matching on the spot for more than 50 years because we have not gotten it right politically and educationally. The emergence of Outstanding Career Periscope, a compendium on Career Prospects and making a wise decision on students’ course of study is therefore a welcome development in the nation’s current turbulent times. Like the bad leadership Nigeria has been unfortunately saddled with, since her independence, our ever changing educational policies have done incalculable harm to the youth and the over-all development of the Country. From my personal experiences as a secondary school student in the seventies and a secondary school teacher, students have always faced the issue of not knowing what to read or what combination of subjects that will lead them to their desired courses of study. This is the direct thrust of A.G. Bessy’s Outstanding Career Pariscope. From the beginning to the end, the author, an avid reader, teacher and quintessential Councilor does not hide his intention as encapsulated in his dream for his own country. His dream of a new society, a new Nigeria where the youth will be given their pride of place and consequently have a profound sense of belonging; a dream of a nation where the youth will be fulfilled as a result of the realization of their potentials; a dream of a crime - free, developed and proud nation. The author’s dream no doubt fired and propelled him to produce this well loaded 328 page book on Career Counselling in Nigeria. With the information contained in Outstanding Career Periscope, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians that will access this book will be well guided and informed about their educational pursuits and how to translate
their dreams to realities. In addition to giving students the valid information that will remove the veil of ignorance as regards the vast number of courses available for their study in higher institutions of learning, the author took his time in the course of his
rigorous researches in all the courses of study in the higher institutions in Nigeria and even beyond. The author while taking his readers on an excursion, analyzes in delectable details the potentials of every course in the tertiary institutions from the Arts and humanities, physical and Biological
Sciences, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, Architecture, Archaelogy, Sociology, Philosophy, Psychology, Medical Sciences, Engineering, Survey, Agriculture, Urban and Regional Planning, Criminology, Mass Communication, Marketing, Advertising and so on. In Medicine and Engineering, the author educates his readers on the differences among the numerous branches, their potentials, their specialization and their usefulness to the
equipped to write the book. Taught and conditioned by his earlier experience in admission and career related mailers, the author, through hard work and extensive research has successfully made a millennium statement as far as making right choices in the pursuit of academic Career among the youth. While doing this, he endears himself to his teeming readers with his eclecticism. In 21 pages out of the 328 page book, the author published his references and acknowledged the sources of his materials. This is rare of a first time writer especially considering the area the
society upon a successful completion of the courses. This detailed analysis will no doubt enable the students to make well informed decisions in their Career Choices well before they secure their admission. From chapter one to chapter eight in the 328 page book, no reader of this book is in any doubt as to whether the author is well
author chose to contribute his own quota to the development of his country. Students, parents and teachers who have been in this dilema of not knowing what to do about Career Counselling as compellingly enunciated in this book will heave a sigh of relief at the last chapter of the book (Chapter 9) which the author titles Potential
Maximization is particularly significant especially given the current social realities in virtually all campuses in Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. First, the author admonishes his readers of the awesomeness and generosity of God who gives knowledge, talents, skills and abilities. The author passes a profound spiritual message: We must seek God’s face, we must be close to God as he is the only giver of life. In the final analysis, only God can determine whether you will have an outstanding career or not. The author in the concluding part advises students to always plan well while also expressing the virtues of hardwork, wise spending of hard earned resources while in Campuses. In the heart of the admonition, the author draws the attention of students and readers to the existence of secret cults in the ivory towers. Secret cults members are known to have perpetrated Criminal acts like murder and rape among others in and outside University campuses. For obvious reasons, the author admonishes students to stay away from these cult groups and miscreants among the students who are involved in doing drugs, smoking and the girls and boys who are involved in Prostitution and pimping in the campuses. Nothing could be better than such admonition for our youths and students. I commend and congratulate Mr. Asako for this great effort and his unalloyed patriotism. First and foremost, this book will be useful to all homes in Edo State as one of the leading States in education in the country. The book is recommended to secondary school students, teachers, parents, researchers and the Education stakeholders in the state and country in general. Generally, the book is a must buy for those preparing for admission into higher institutions of learning. The book will be useful to those currently running diploma programmes in Polytechnics and Universities. It will still be very useful to school proprietors/proprietress and Career Counsellors. There are structural and typographical errors here and there as expected. The author will do well to do more thorough editorial clean-up for subsequent editions. All the same, readers will find the book delectable and engaging.
THE NIGERIAN
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
OVER the years, it has been contended that there is a drop in the quality of education offered in Nigeria. This situation cuts across all facets of education in the country. Some experts want to believe that the hue and cry over poor education delivery is misplaced but the truth is that the standard of measurement of quality delivery in education cannot only be left for Nigerian assessors to determine but international input in this respect has also gained a measure of ascendancy that is so reputed to be casting aspersions on Nigerian trained students who go overseas for graduate programmes or to find jobs. FOR instance, a recent report from the United Kingdom in the Daily Mail notes that some Nigerians have been delisted from medical practice in that country for incompetence. According to the report three- quarters of the doctors struck off the General Medical Council (GMC) register in the past years are foreign trained and that those trained in Nigeria rank second on the list of those removed from the professional register. THE report, however, cites India trained doctors as topping the list of foreign trained doctors struck off the GMC register in the past five years while Egypt-trained doctors occupy the third spot. Also, out of 285 doctors struck off for misconduct or incompetence in the past five years 194 were foreign –trained and that 29 of the 39 removed from the medical register in the past year received their medical degree overseas. In comparative terms , according to the report Hong Kong has the best record with none of more than 700 doctors working
THE NIGERIAN
Nigeria’s Dismal Medical Rating in the U.K struck off or disciplined in the past five years. Besides, New Zealand with 600 doctors also have a clean record. THE above scenario paints a grim picture of the quality of training doctors undergo in Nigeria and the situation calls for concerted effort of all stakeholders to brain storm in order to raise and improve the level of medical training offered in Nigeria. The medical profession is critical to the survival of the health sector and all Nigerians are thus affected by the poor products churned out from our medical institutions across the country. In today’s global economy human resources are the most significant and is the pivot around which the economy runs. IT is high time therefore, that stakeholders in the health sector take the matter as one of utmost concern to X-ray the industry and ascertain where things have gone wrong. It is crucial for instance to look at the accreditation being offered the myriad of universities in Nigeria which offer medicine as a course of study. Before now it was only the federal government and the States government that were allowed to run universities. However, that is no longer the case as individuals and corporate bodies as well as religious bodies have now been licensed to establish universities. The idea behind the liberalization
was to offer admission spaces to teeming number of aspiring graduates who are unable to get admission into either state or federal university. UNFORTUNATELY, the quality of graduates produced by the universities, particularly the private ones have raised eyebrow among some education experts who have called for overhaul of the teaching methodology. No doubt, the problems are legion where students resort to short-cut approach to passing examination otherwise known as blocking. The problem transcends further to inadequate teaching input, equipment, infrastructure among other facilities that are needed for effective teaching and learning. IF we must surmount the poor quality of education not only in the area of medical practice but in all facets of study in the universities, the current system of education in Nigeria must be reappraised to meet global his expectations. In this connection the National Universities Commission as the regulator and accrediting body of universities in the country, the federal ministry of education and the Nigerian Medical Association with respect to doctors have significant input to make. AGAINST this background, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER calls on both Houses of the National Assembly and their Education Committees to set up enquiry as a first step in the goal to overhaul the education industry, because it is only by so doing that the Nigerian State will re-order its priorities for greater achievements in a fast changing world also governed by changing speed in technology.
THE NIGERIAN
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Femi Fani-Kayode THE tragedy of any nation, as of any man, is what dies within it while it still lives Isaac Itsay Sagay. The rank and nauseous vituperations credited to Mr. Femi FaniKayode, the loquacious offspring of the late enfant terrible of Yoruba politics, Chief Remi Fani-Kayode (Alias “Fani Power”), against the Igbo race some months ago, naturally elicited plethora of harsh rejoinders from across the country and beyond – reactions from true nationalists who felt piqued by the sardonic, sadistic, and atavistic ranting of a narcissistic wannabe. In three highly offensive, contemptuous, and disparaging articles (“LAGOS, THE IGBO AND THE SERVANTS OF TRUTH”, “THE BITTER TRUTH ABOUT THE IGBO”, and “A WORD FOR THOSE WHO CALL ME A TRIBALIST”), circulated in both social and conventional media – national and international – Mr. Fani-Kayode launched a verbal pogrom against Indigbo. I waited until the end of the pomp and pageantry accompanying the celebration of Nigeria’s “Independence Day Anniversary” to write this piece because of my conviction of the banality of the whole scheme that is the Nigerian “nation-state” – a cliché that has become as ersatz as it is incongruous. In the midst of the razzmatazz that accompanied the shameful celebration of our paper freedom, one painful truth remained glaring: the fact that Nigeria, after 53 years of political independence, was as bifurcated as the North Pole was from the South Pole; a “beast of no nation” to borrow the words of the late Afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti of blessed memory; a fact so succinctly confirmed by FFK in his triple-pronged attacks against fellow Nigerian citizens of the South-Eastern geopolitical divide. The truth is that Mr. FFK is not alone in this ethnic chess game – majority of Nigerians are also culpable of playing the ethnic card in the search for political concessions. Members of the several groups constituting the Nigerian union have refused to sacrifice their group identities for the common good of the larger body politic. This lack of national solidarity accounts for our failure to achieve true nationhood since independence. The “unity in diversity” dictum we constantly blab about as being our greatest achievement since the onset of this white elephant project is a line that has been gradually revealed for what it truly is: An outdated slogan that can no longer deceive anyone; a transparent lie that is an insult to the collective psyche of Nigerians; a fading propagandistic motto that has vindicated those who have always seen the 1914 fusion ritual as the grandest and gravest mistake in the recorded history of this country (?) - Yours sincerely does not belong to this group, though. It can be stated without fear of contradiction that what we currently have masquerading as a Nigerian nation is a “Nigeria without Nigerians”; a mere political entity lacking the ingredients of nationhood. That is why Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas, Ijaws, Edos, Tivs, Efiks, and members of other indigent groups still hold on to their primordial loyalties at the expense of their larger identity as Nigerians. The peoples of the entity called Nigeria have clearly lost hope in the national mansion and are scrambling into tribal gazebos in the desperate quests to protect and project their bigoted group interests in the hazy and mazy Nigerian political order; interests they feel are not being adequately addressed by the current political arrangement. FFK’s diatribes have, once again, beamed the searchlight on the indigene-settler question in Nigeria – a reoccurring issue that has posed one of the greatest challenges to the nation-building process; a challenge, which if not properly tackled, might lead to the final balkanization of the country. Characters like FFK are the by-products of the general systems decay in Nigeria that has engendered mass failures at all facets of national life. From the inability of the drivers of the state’s machinery – governmental structures at all levels – for the authoritative allocation of values to properly perform their inputoutput functions as constitutionally stated, the structural cum institutional incongruities that have restricted the state from satisfactorily performing its fiduciary responsibilities to the citizenry, to other debilitating challenges, the Nigerian state, since its creation, has continued to wallow in a tar pit of confusion – a national cul-de-sac from where there seems to be no escape; a vicious circle that has turned Nigeria into the “Sick Man of Africa”, and its people into what Frantz Fanon would refer to as “The Wretched Of The Earth” – a giant whose potentials have been stunted by decades of avoidable human blunders. What a shame! It is very sad and regrettable that in the 21st century, a Nigerian cannot feel free to reside and subsist in any part of the country of his own choosing; shameful that in a supposed age of enlightenment, Nigerians still appeal to primordial sentiments in their quests for personal and group concessions. As eloquently and loudly caught in FFK’s hate-filled, no-holds-barred attacks on the Igbo collectivity, only indigenes of particular sections of the country qualify to live and subsist in these places – their survival must be at the discretion of their hosts. What errant nonsense! There is no way we can have a true prosperous Nigerian nation if people cannot live and work freely in any part of the country. Most great nations leverage on the comparative advantages that can be derived from the contributions of the various indigent groups living within their borders’. Successful nations like the United States of America and India have successfully exploited the inherent strengths in their heterogeneous make-ups to become the rich and powerful nations they are today. The Jews are migrants to Europe, America and other parts of the world, but despite being visitors, they have gradually come to control the economies of these regions of the world without anybody
asking them to vacate their places of abode – the holocaust being an exception. Thus, that the Igbo migrants to Lagos have become its commercial livewire should be seen as a blessing by the likes of FFK, and not as an abominable abnormality. The search for Nigerians – persons who believe in this country and are uncompromising in their loyalty to it – will continue indefinitely until stakeholders decide to sit down and decide on the way forward. The truth remains that the Nigeria of our dreams will not emerge by wishful thinking. We must all gird our loins and be ready to completely sacrifice our various group identities for the larger national identity. We – Igbos, Yorubas, Hausa-Fulanis, Binis, Urhobos, Itsekiris, Ikas, and members of other groups domiciled within the borders of this country - must begin to see ourselves first, as Nigerians, before being members of other smaller groups. That is what other heterogeneous countries have successfully done. We can take a cue from these success stories and start charting a new course for this potentially great nation populated by good people. If we can come together as a people and pull the resources we are extravagantly blessed with by the almighty together, the sky will be our starting point. The reasons why we stutter is the lack of unity of purpose among us. Addressing the adversarial relations among Nigeria’s component groups and suggesting the way out of the whole mess, the emeritus Professor of History of Nigeria’s Premier University – the “Greatest” University of Ibadan - Obaro Ikime, at an inaugural lecture he delivered as president of the Historical Society of Nigeria, in 1985, titled “In search of Nigerians: Changing patterns of Inter-Group Relations in an Evolving Nation-State”, spoke thus: “The emergence of a group known as Igbo, Hausa-Fulani or Yoruba is historically a recent development; the product of the emergence, first of the colonial
“Now, for Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, my candid advice to any informed, objective, and civilized Nigerian is to see his vituperations for what they really are:” state and then the independent state of Nigeria. That emergence holds out a lesson which can be harnessed in the search for Nigerians. The reason why each of these ethnic groups has emerged in its present form has to do with the need to promote and protect the interests of its members in the context of the New Nigerian (nation). Observe, however, that when in the context of the wider Nigeria a man claims he is Igbo or Yoruba, he gives up something of his identity as a member of a sub-group: he gives up something of his Onitsha-ness, his Awkaness, his Oyo-ness, his Ijebu-ness. Put differently, in the context of national politics, the Awka is prepared to see himself first as an Igbo before he sees himself as Awka: the Kanawa is prepared to see himself first as Hausa before being Kanawa. This instinctive giving up of a small identity in order to take advantage of a larger identity is what we need to promote if we are ever to produce true Nigerians”. That is the truth of the matter. The onus rests on all stakeholders in the Nigerian projects – the rulers and the ruled – to step up the processes of re-engineering this country towards speedily achieving the goals of nationhood – an objective that has continued eluding Nigerians decades after the country’s independence. For the rulers it is their sacred duty to put a system of social justice in place to protect the interests of all members of the polity regardless of where in the country they hail from; an allinclusive arrangement that will ensure that the greatest good is continually provided for the greatest number; a society committed to the welfare of its people; a society administered by responsible and responsive leaders. It is the fiduciary responsibility of those who govern this country to rise up to their responsibilities as custodians of public trust and ensure that strategies that guarantee the interest and overall well-being of “ALL” groups in Nigeria are devised. The Nigerians I know don’t give a hoot whether it is an Igbo, Yoruba, or Hausa that is at the helm of affairs as far as their welfare is given required attention. They withdraw into their chauvinistic cocoons when their expectations are dashed by those supposedly in charge of their welfare – become Igbos, Yorubas, and Hausa’s when they fail to obtain their share of the legendary national cake from those at the helm of affairs. For the ruled it is their collective right and duty to hold their leaders accountable for their conduct while in office as they are the most affected by maladministration of any sort. As the popular sovereigns, they are superior to the political sovereigns who depend on their approval to stay in office. Governance is about service to the people, not a tea party for a rare species of human beings. Nigerians, like the citizens of other democratic societies, must wake up from their selfinduced slumber and begin to demand for what is truly theirs - better
CUTTING EDGE With
JUDE OBUSEH francaijeh@yahoo.com 08033510173 lives in an atmosphere devoid of fear, distrust, and rancor. This can be achieved only when we come together and act as a unit in making our rightful demands rationally and peacefully, without compromising our liberties as true citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is how it is done in saner climes. Some persons have, in the past, argued for a constitutional review of the definition of citizenship in the Nigerian Constitution as part of the solution to incessant altercations among the country’s component groups. I also belong to this school of thought that believes that the constitution, in both its spirit and letters, should serve as basis of any genuine efforts at resolving the animosities between indigenes and settlers, and general relations among all the countries’ indigent groups. Such a review will help in clearly defining who is a Nigerian, and check the strange-bed-fellow relations among the countries’ various indigent groups. “A Nigerian should be anybody either of whose parents is a citizen of Nigeria, and who qualifies to exercise the rights of a Nigerian as constitutionally defined, anywhere in Nigeria, regardless of where in the country this individual is born or resides”. We must first be Nigerians before being Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas, Binis, Ikas, Binis, or members of any of the sub-national groups domiciled within the boarders’ of this country. That is what countries such as the U.S, India,Tanzania, and other countries with similar multi-cultural challenges have done with resounding successes. Plain and simple! Now, for Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, my candid advice to any informed, objective, and civilized Nigerian is to see his vituperations for what they really are: Xenophobic attacks directed not only at the Igbos of Nigeria, but against all the other groups domiciled within the boarders’ of this country. It is an attempt by this man to instigate a massive inter-ethnic crisis in the country that might completely capsize the ship of the Nigerian State if care is not taken. His attempt to paint a false picture of a “Nigerian animosity towards Igbos” – a national resentment of the Igbo race – is as vain as it is hollow. This man is guilty of speaking from both sides of his wide mouth; a man with a contradictory verbal disposition; a man with a Jekyll and Hide complex; a split personality in freefall. That is why he would deny being a tribalist in some sections of his aggressively written articles, while expressing complete disdain for the same group in subsequent sections of the same discourses; fruitless attempts by a confused marabou to mask his true intentions – promoting his personal goals by hiding under the caveat of ethnicity – from a public that is smarter than he is. FFK is a wisecracker who is guilty of verbal overstretch; a man culpable of literary sacrilege; a big shame to the wielders of the sword of truth – the pen. FFK and his kind collectively represent the phantom of disintegration that has been hunting this country since 1960; primordial sentimentalists who have been the major stumbling blocks to the nation-building process; destructive caterpillars gnawing up the fragile unity in the country; the conflict instigators and entrepreneurs who will never give peace a chance; nation destroyers committed to stalling the emergence of a truly united one Nigeria. This Ife loud mouth obviously surfers from an illusion of grandeur; the proverbial butterfly that sees itself as a bird because it has wings; an empty, clanging cymbal without substance; an egomaniac with sadistic inclinations; a narcissistic racist with anarchistic motives; a man with a low self-esteem who is obviously trying to hide his obvious deficiencies; an adult with the mentality of a bed-wetting toddler. This haymaker is no stranger to Nigerians: He is a man with a long history of mischief-making. This was a man, who during the inglorious Obasanjo years had a proclivity for manipulating facts to suit the fancy of the then Zeus of Aso Rock. He was a master propagandist who was known for lies and nothing but lies; a grand master in the art of deception and misdirection; a modern day Goebbels who functioned as the voice of the much-vilified political machine; a squealer and rabble rouser per excellence for whom strife was – and is still - a way of life. FFK is simply an ethnic apologist who has a compulsive hatred of anything foreign to his own ways; a sectional jingoist involved in a self-declared vendetta against Nigerians of other extractions outside the Yoruba sub-group; an ethnic fundamentalist who has run amok. That is who this man really is. His statements betray him as an uniformed, poorly educated – forget his British certificate - spoilt brat who is 180 degrees out of control and is in dire need of re-direction. This man obviously has a poor knowledge of Nigerian History – a fact so plainly exposed by his resort to mere myths to support his groundless, unsubstantiated and cockeyed arguments. I am formally calling on my hardworking Igbo brethren living and working in Lagos and in other parts of the globe to ignore the senseless gibes of this loose cannon, as exchanging words with him will give him the undue attention he desperately craves. Same goes for my Nigerian brothers of Yoruba extraction, who should not allow themselves to be dragged into a dying man’s grave. The god’s obviously want to destroy FFK for his past misdemeanours; that is why they have first made him mad. Nigeria, go survive whether them like am or not! God save Nigeria! I sign off till next week.
THE NIGERIAN
14
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Nutritional Health And Dietetics
Glucose: Critical
For Brain Functioning
THE brain does not live by bread alone. In other to think, remember and analyse, the brain needs protein. This is because, protein is required for the manufacturing of certain key chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. In this sense, the folklore that fish is brain-food” turns out to have scientific basis, for protein, as are lean meat and most dairy products. Of course, the protein we eat, does not go directly into our brain, it is broken down by digestion into molecules of amino-acids, which are the building blocks of neurotransmitters (Ray, 2002). Tryptophan – for example is used to produce serotonin a neurotransmitter that influences our mood and perception of rain. From the amino-acid tyrosine comes dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved with experiencing pleasure and maintaining alertness (Ray, 2002). Eating greater amounts of protein will not make anyone smarter, nutritionists cautioned. However, the extra calories will certainly make you fatter. On the other hand, going without protein for too long a time will have disastrous effect on your brain. Too much protein loss, will make the brain to start hallucinating. To avoid that, it must raid the protein in lean muscle tissue. This accounts for weakened condition and gaunt wasted appearance of people who have gone without food for a very long periods of time. What Does The Brain Use For Food? For it ceaseless work, the brain constantly needs energy from the foods we eat. The
food is not efficiently obtained from carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta and rice. Metabolic processes break these foods down into glucose, blood sugar that circulate in the blood stream and it’s the basic energyyielding food for all the body’s cells. The brain is greedy in its demand for glucose enriched blood. Although, it account for about two per cent of body weight, the brain uses nearly one fifth of the body’s total blood supply and brain tissue requires 10 times as much blood to stay healthy as muscle tissue. One reason for this is that the brain cannot store glucose for later use as muscle and other organs do (John, 1988) Thus, the brain must be continuously fed. Glucose is critical to the brain’s functioning, without it, the brain would lack the energy to transmit messages between neurons. Protein and fat are less readily converted to glucose. However, when fat is converted to glucose, toxic substances called ketones are given off. Circulating through the bloodstream, they cause irritability, apathy and fatigue. Many crash diets lead to abnormal amount of ketones in the blood. Can A Lack Of Vitamins Drive You Crazy? Vitamins pleny a key role in brain metabolism. Studies show that even small vitamin deficiencies can derange the mind. Lack of B-vitamins for example is often associated with depression, intellectual impairment and psychosis. One study found that over half of the people admitted to the psychiatric unit of a British General Hospital were deficient in at least one of the
With
O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608
eight B-Vitamins. However, vitamins vary in retention rates. Thus, Nutritionists advise caution when taking vitamin. A, for instance can severely injure the eyes, brain and nervous system. Does The Brain Control Thirst? The sensation of thirst is
one of the main reasons we eat is to maintain a certain level of fat. It is because the energy is stored as fat, the brain must have some way of monitoring how much reserve energy the body has in storage. The optimum level of fat which varies from person to person
it Easy someone who achieves high test scores does not necessarily use more “brain power” than someone who scores lower. This starting discovering was made by Dr. Richard Haier of the University of California when he tested volunteer subjects to see how much
in every respect. But unless he has a mind capable of governing his actions he has nothing. A person’s behaviour depends on his former experiences but can be changed by his own choice. The Brain Never Rest Although, the brain is a delicate organ, it is very
similar to the one for hunger. The hypothalamus tells us when to start and stop drinking liquids. Frequently the need for water is directly related to the intake of food, since metabolism of food proceeds best when the balance of water, salts and other nutrients is within certain limits. Is There An Appetite Control In the Brain? The brains hypothalamus seems to be mainly responsible for triggering the sensation of hunger. But the exact sequence of biological events has yet to be discovered. Some scientists theories that
is set at a certain point. According to this theory, when fat levels fall below the set- point, the brain triggers the signal of hunger. We stop eating when certain hormones in the stomach signal that we have a sufficient amount. By turning on the appetite, the brain protects our fat stores and so helps ensure our survival in times of privation. The setpoint theory of hunger partly explains why losing, the brain often signal the desire to overeat in order to replenish the body’s original level of fat. Smart Brains Like to Take
glucose their brain metabolized during an abstract reasoning test (Glucose if the sugar from which both the body and the brain get their energy). Much to his surprise, he found that the brains of subjects with the highest scores consumed far less glucose than those who scored poorly. Moreover, the better test takers concentrated their use of glucose to just a few areas in the brain. Those with lower scores ended up expending more glucose by searching just about everywhere in their brains for answers to the test questions. This waste of energy may be due to test anxiety, but one of Dr. Haier’s theories is that brains with the most efficient neural circuitries use the least glucose. Note that the brain is the course of all our motives and ideas. Without its wonderful powers of direction we are useless. A man may have a superb physical body, perfect
durable in other respects, your brain never-like your heart and lungs, it is always on the job, even while you are asleep. Without its constant vigil, the whole body might soon suffer irreparable damage. The brain governs all our automatic responses. Hidden mechanism decide how fast our heart will beat and how often we will beat and others govern the functions of our digestive organs, our kidneys our endocrine glands and every other part of our bodies. The brain never seem to weary. After long hours of mental activities, our muscles and joints might be stiff and sore, our eyes might be tired. But our brains can go on thinking almost indefinitely. Most of us use only about one-tenth of our total capacity in thinking. The wisest man who ever lived never reached the heights of which his brain was capable. Any interference with the blood supply to the brain can bring about tragic changes.
“The Brain Never Rest Although, the brain is a delicate organ, it is very durable in other respects, your brain never-like your heart and lungs, it is always on the job, even while you are asleep. Without its constant vigil, the whole body might soon suffer irreparable damage.”
THE NIGERIAN
15
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Bottomline
Single Ladies: Mistakes WE humans are bound to make mistakes, but here are some of the mistakes you, our single ladies make, that makes you remain single for so long, according to Naira land forum. MISTAKE 1 – You fail to look good. As a young lady, you need to look good at all times. You must learn how to groom yourself, but avoid trying to look like someone else. Mistake 2- you pray for an excellent husband rather than becoming an excellent wife material yourself. As a young, and principled lady (woman) you don’t have to look for Mr. Perfect but look for someone you are compatible with and when you are with him you have this inner peace and joy. Mistake 3- you use money to ‘buy’ a man and keep the relationship under your control. As a principled woman, it is not right for you to monetise a man because no matter how hard you try to do that, when the man realizes that he has responsibility to carry out, he will break-up with you and that will be devastating. Mistake 4- you ‘sell’ your destiny for marriage. Every individual, both male and female, has a reason on why they are here on earth. Don’t trade yours for marriage. In the long run, there would be that void that needs to be filled. Mistake 5 - you stay in an unhealthy relationship because you are scared that if you break up with him, you may not find another man as good as him. Don’t stay hooked on sympathy basis. You will feel hurt for
as long as that unholy alliance lasts. Mistake 6- you give your heart to a man and later try to use your head to make the relationship work. Every responsible wife material should have reservations, restraints. Don’t let bare everything, even your heart. Mistake 7 – you complete with your man rather than complementing him. You use sex to get a man. In a relationship, sex shouldn’t be the driving force or primary thing, it shouldn’t be, so stop it. Mistake 8- you work at a job that limits your progress in life. Except you have built a career around your job, don’t let your job take the care of your existence. Mistake 9 – you follow a man blindly. A principled woman should know why she is in a relationship and not follow the man like a he goat sniffing the shegoat around. Mistake 10- you mistake romance for love. Love and romance are two beautiful things. God created them for a specific time and stage in life, so get a better understanding of love and romance, so you don’t act like someone given an apple and accepting it as a tomato. Mistake 11- you don’t put God first in your life. Even the Bible says we should put God first in everything we do. So, how can a relationship, marriage work out without the presence of Our Almighty Father. make God the Boss of your relationship and your life, because. He gave you the life.
They Make!
By ROSELYN IGHARO
Mistake 12- you mistake the availability of money for love. Although money answereth all things. But the same money is not everything, so don’t say when there isn’t any, love is on vacation. No, it’s not so. Don’t equate love for money and vice versa.
“What do I want?” You have to set your priorities right. Mistake 14- you fail to grow up in maturity. Maturity does not depend on how old you are, because there are a lot of 17years old that are more mature in mind and
Don’t even put your mind on it. Mistake 13- you don’t know what you want in life. A lot of our young ladies don’t really know what they want in life and destiny. They always think what others say that’s what they want. Is that really what they actually want in life? No, it’s not, it’s time you sit down and ask yourself this question:
perception than some 23 years old. Maturity is about taking responsibility. So grow up! Mistake 15 – you date different men at the same time, giving each of them the impression that you are romantically interested in them, when you really are not. That’s bad! When they find out, they will play ‘koso’ with you! Mistake 16- You
“You mistake romance for love. Love and romance are two beautiful things. God created them for a specific time and stage in life, so get a better understanding of love and romance, so you don’t act like someone given an apple and accepting it as a tomato.”
compare man with your father, brother, or other men in the past. You forget the fact that we are all different and have our own strengths, weaknesses and of course things we are really good at. So stop doing comparisms. Guys don’t like that! Mistake 17- You adapt to an unhealthy relationship
point of being single to find a male suitable for marriage? Absolutely not! First and foremost, if you are an unmarried woman, and you are a believer in God you should know that as a woman it is not your job to be sought out whom to marry. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard
instead of demanding for change, respect and honour. You don’t swallow all you get in a relationship, hook, line and sinker. If you do, you will be boring and lose your respect. Be firm and flexible, variously. Mistake 18- You fail to connect with quality, God fearing men and women in positive relationships. Don’t be in a hurry to get in or you will be hooked with the wrong man and be in a hurry to get out! Mistake 19- Spending most of your single life seeking a relationship for the possibility of marriage, I know many of you may be thinking, why is this a mistake? Isn’t the whole
women say, “I am looking for a man” or “I’m gonna find my husband this year…” and so on without realizing that seeking a male and marriage is not your primary purpose for being single. Mistake 20- you engage in relationships that do not long or fade quickly without learning lessons from them. Each relationship we engage in with someone has a purpose, and when it is over we should take some time to reflect on what happened before, during and after the relationship. We should take some time to observe our character from all aspects after the relationship.
THE NIGERIAN
16
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Perspective TERRORISTS suspected to be members of Boko Haram in ordinary language is “War against Western education and civilization” at least so to say as its being claimed by the extremist Islamic group. According to some people it is an offshoot of the maitasine Islamic religious sect who used Almajeri - Islamic children scholar — who are said to be students of Islamic school but who go about the street after religious teaching to beg for alms and food. They are always seen especially in the metropolis of the Northern region of Nigeria. Maitasine became pronounced when they (members) deviated from what they were known for as people who need assistance of any sort and took to the street with weapon of mass destniction, killing people and destroying lives and properties. On setting up probe into the immediate and remote causes of this mayhem, the Tribunal set up discovered to its dismay, chagrin, or surprise that majority of those involved were our brothers predominantly Muslims who came from neighbouring countries both near and far like Niger Republic, Mali, e.t.c In a swift reaction to this misdemeanor, the Chairman of the Tribunal called on the then Director of Immigration for questioning and reappraisal on why such thing should under him, his staff and men of Immigration. No sooner that the Tribunal finished up the sitting, one of the recommendation of that Tribunal was not only the issuance of a white paper on the findings of the Tribunal and how the Federal Government could guide against future occurrence like we are witnessing now is the immediate retirement of the head of the department of the office responsible for immigration and emigration of people both Nigerian and non-Nigerians in and outside, to and from the country — Nigeria. Report had it that Boko Haram caine into the foreplay or front burner of security matters immediately after the general -‘gubernatorial election that saw some governors at that time who contested for Second Term — some lost and some won. A particular Governor (name withheld for security reasons) from the North Eastern part of Nigeria who was governing one of the two states encompassing the old North Eastern states on seeing that he lost his deposit in the election and could not get reelected back to the government house felt terribly annoyed and embarrassed and pronounced to take his pound of flesh from both physical and imaginary enemies whether Muslim or Christian. Since he was in custody of dangerous weapon, arms and ammunitions stockpiled for purposes meant for this occasion in a characteristic manner fundamentalists who perceived such defeat as a defeat against Islam, Holy Quran and supremacy of Christianity up and above Islam even when the people living in the state are predominantly Muslims. Hear them; “We are Muslims whom Allah has sent to fight against all vices perpetrated by Christians, fake Muslims alike who are in government working with or for government, state or federal, foreigners or nationals working for international organizations, people who relax in places abhorred by Islamic tenets, pupils/student receiving Western education and negative Islamic education, non-Muslims especially from the southern part of the country who travel by whatever means, security agencies and agents and other government apparatus and Islamic saboteurs. At the initial stage of their maiming and killing innocent souls and bombing offices and houses of notable government functionaries houses in they claimed responsibility for the attacks, they continued. “We want to stress that in our struggle, we only kill government functionaries, security agents, Christians and anyone who pretends to be a Muslim but engage in assisting security agents to arrest us” they claimed. A statement believed to have been authorized by Abu Qaqa, the sects spokesman, also said “All praise go to Almighty Allah. This is a very important message from the Jama’atu Allis Sunna Lidda’awati wal Jihad. We wish to extend our profound gratitude to almighty Allah for giving us the opportunity fulfill the promises we made on launching spontaneous attacks in Sokoto. We have reasons for all our activities and we only kill those who wronged us. We attacked
Why Boko Har
BY ABAYOMI SHOYOMBO
Sokoto because many of our brethren have been incarcerated there. We are gladdened by the successes we recorded at the office of the AIG in Marina and the Police Divisional Office at Rogo as well as the Police Station at Arkila. We wish to reiterate that our crusade is not for personal gain, it is meant to ensure the establishment of an Islamic state by liberating all Muslims from the excesses of the infidels”. “We strongly believe that Almighty Allah will reward us with his famous paradise in the hereafter as he rightly said in Chapter 9 verse III of the Holy Quran”. Summing up all the places and objects of attacks since inception, it is instructive to note that various methods and strategies are being adopted by this terrorist group. It is either a suicide bomber nins into a building or object with a car killing himself and the supposedly meant or focused targets, so it’s always and unfortunate situation. Where whether you lock or open the premises or targeted building or objects, they would force their way inside the vehicle(s) — mostly Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, CVU cars e.t.c and make sure they leave wreck and serious monumental havoc. Examples of such are the breaking into Hamdalla Church premises in Niger State, UNO Headquarters office at Abuja, Police Headquarters at Abuja, an hotel in Kaduna etc. As if people in power and government are to be exonerated, in Kaduna it was a marked departure from related incidence as gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members invaded property of Namadi Sambo, Nigeria’s Vice President. Like the Sokoto bombing, the attack on Sarnbo’s house was also the first on the home of a top official in the presidency. The gunman who struck at private residence of the Vice President, at Thndun Wada, Zaria killed one person and injured two policemen on duty. Sambo’s house had since been renovated. The attackers sprayed their victims with bullets. They got to the house on motorcycle armed to the teeth with arms and ammunitions engaged in gun duel with the policemen on duty and rode away. In 5 wards in Maiduguri, metropolis of Borno State, Boko Haram warned residents by distributing leaflets to residents to vacate their homes and communities, despite the quick response of the JTF there were reports of shootouts between the gunmen and security forces in some of the wards. This offence they committed, as the third way of executing their plan and taking action on one-to-one individual bases. Various points of action based on their evil plans have been hatched and some got botched. But the disquieting thing about it is that despite the efforts of the Federal Government vis-ãvis a security apparatus Boko Haram actions of mass killing continue unabated. We heard about cases of killing of young students in their hostels in the middle of the night when they were enjoying their sleep; the massacre of market men and women especially meat, cattle sellers in the markets, churches bombarded, mosques bombed. Important personalities like Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero been waylaid calculated for to be killed or harmed and his followers seriously injured. General Buhari was also said at one time in a convoy in his car and they attacked his own car and damaged his own cars too before they realized it was his car even though his own statement as an elder states man on issues of this nature especially and others have not been helping matters rather it heat up the polity just like any other patriotic Nigeria who wants and wishes as a matter of utmost urgency want the country and the country people to change and change for the better so that the country can move up. All these and other that cannot be mentioned in this paper but known to Nigerian and non-Nigerians alike either here or in diaspora keep on happening despite the declaration of some states in the Northern Region as the epic or apogee of
what the presidentshould do to nip the senseless killing in the bud before it gets to a stage highly uncontrollable. But also despite these concerted efforts, it is as if nothing concrete has been done even member of the state apparatus like the police, soldiers, immigration, S.S.S, all put together as JTF members to fight and stop the raging inferno has been tantamount to not doing anything at all! Cases are abound of innocent Nigerians either in buses at garages, in
their houses, churches and mosques, hotel and other relaxation centres, schools, offices, markets e.t.c massacred for nothing sake other than supposedly holy war that the Almighty God they say they are serving has not sent them any errand and he is not expecting from them any feedback. Because how could one imagine the same God both the Christians and Muslims are serving and other religions like paganism, Buddhism e.t.c for this same God that created the human beings with his hand just like in likeness and resemblance of the God himself, so are they telling us that this same God would now turn around to destroy the works of his hand? Foul, foul, foul, foul! The so called Islamic teaching not in anywhere in the Holy Quran that you as good son of Holy Prophet Salalu— wasalam should kill or help God to kill or teach or put senses into his wards mainly by exterminating them! Come to think of it, this same teaching and Islamic scholars who teach these fundamentalists either teach them to a point of irredentionism a point of no return — by carrying the knowledge too far into extreme point thereby doing what they are not supposed to do. “No religion, according to the president of Senate, David Mark practices religion with violence, if they have any genuine cases or reason for what they are doing now they should make it known to the government or people in general so that a lasting solution would be proffered to solve their problems”. Sadiq Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto also reported that “good people should come together to fish out the bad people so as to put an end to this dastardly act”. The former military president of Nigeria, General Abdusalam Abubakar said “security is the work of every Nigeria. So let’s join hands to put off these
cowar eminen especi All sa a step have n hours u
num hand and who been infor have still Bok thing God mem Sinc rose time from were simu abou the f netw said cow of e umb All take appa for 2 from getti
THE NIGERIAN
17
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Perspective
ram Is Winning
ds who perpetrate this evil”. These and others an amongst the burst out of nt Nigerians on the irretraceable evil that covers the country like umbrella ially the Northern Nigeria. aid and done, you will agree with this writer that government should take further to stamp out this cankerworm. State an government apparatus not been proactive and vigilant watching on lives and properties for 24 unabated. Desperate problem need desperate solutions. Judging from the
mber o. casualties, efforts seem effortless. Boko Haram seems getting upper d. Government and state apparatus at times behave a unprepared, tired confused to an extent that they could not identify specifically and tell the ole world that the present arrow head of the religious junta, Shekarau has n killed or not. What we continue to get from JTF information, counter rmation, misinformation, and disinformation not only about who and why e been killed among these religious suspects but whether theca leader is alive or not. We cannot continue like this because w cannot consider ko Haram and its evil work as parts and parce of our culture or normal g that supposed to be happening to country where human beings that d created are alive to their good conscience, ethos, values and to be proud mbers of a great nation which we claim to be. cerely speaking, Boko Haram today is no longer the religious group that e up in the day of Yar’adua when two-time president of Nigeria and a onee Military Head of State, General Olusegur Obasanjo went all the way m his Otta farm to meet their leader in the far North and useful discussion e held. It was on the basis of this that the religious leader was killed ultaneously first as Obasanjo himself claimed he had useful information ut why they keep on striking and solution to the panacea. No gain saying fact that the Boko Haram you are seeing now is sophisticate with a larger work that is unprecedented in the history 0: ‘C-) d “security is the work of every Nigeria. So let’s join hands to put off these wards who perpetrate this evil”. These and others an amongst the burst out minent Nigerians on the irretraceable evil that covers the country like brella especially the Northern Nigeria. said and done, you will agree with this writer that government should e a step further to stamp out this cankerworm. State an government aratus have not been proactive and vigilant watching on lives and properties 24 hours unabated. Desperate problem need desperate solutions. Judging m the number o. casualties, efforts seem effortless. Boko Haram seems ing uppei hand. Government and state apparatus at times behave a
unprepared, tired and confused to an extent that they could not identify specifically and tell the whole world that the present arrow head of the religious junta, Shekarau has been killed or not. What we continue to get from JTF information, counter information, misinformation, and disinformation not only about who and why have been killed among these religious suspects but whether their leader is still alive or not. We cannot continue like this because w cannot consider Boko Haram and its evil work as parts and parcel of our culture or normal thing that supposed to be happening to country where human beings that God created are alive to their good conscience, ethos, values and to be proud members of a great nation which we claim to be. Sincerely speaking, Boko Haram today is no longer the religious group that rose up in the day of Yar’adua when two-time presideni of Nigeria and a one-time Military Head of State, General Olusegur Obasanjo went all the way from his Otta farm to meet their leader in the far North and useful discussion were held. It was on the basis of this that the religious leader was killed simultaneously first as Obasanjo himself claimed he had useful information about why they keep on striking and solution to the panacea. No gain saying the fact that the Boko Haram you are seeing now is sophisticate with a larger network that is unprecedented in the history 0: security jeopadization in this country. It is therefore necessaiy fo everybody to see their tough stance, irreversible mission/missiol statements, the type of arms and ammunitions that they use tha even our government agencies don’t have access to great and wid network in terms of their recruitment, training and actua performance of operation visà-vis with international connections. Permit me to say through this piece that even those in charge o security affairs of the nation and other state stakeholders especiall the religious leaders have not really come out with bold stance tc publicly identify the people involved, no matter how big or small, met out justice in form of capital punishment possibly death tc them to serve as great deterrent to other especially those of then that have been caught alive, tried and convicted should be brought to the light of TV and showing to the whole world that there is no, there has never been, there would not be complicity in terms oi sympathy as people who practice the same religion in form ol collaboration or co-operation between them and 3oko Haram. Don’t forget since attack on the two World Trade Centres of USA on September 11, 2001 in which so many people died and many injured Americans and non-Americans alike, the government and people took the issue seriously that they vowed that both the leader and those evil perpetrators, especially the leader, would face the music; no sooner we heard that Osama Bin Laden who had worked with the US army, a son of a US-based merchant led the dastardi act. In USA, characteristic manner as the police of the world in which they always claim to be, did not take diplomatic permission or excuse before they entered Pakistan and broke into the hideout of this evil genius. He was killed mercilessly and the video clips was made available or shown to the whole world. The way and manner they went about it was fantastic. Other Islamic fundamentalist like strongman Moarnar Gaddafi of Libya and Sadam Hussein of Iraq were killed by same US soldiers. For the Osarna Bin Laden operation, US soldiers came in a US plane, came down very near the house Osama Bin Laden was hidden at the outskirt of Pakistan metropolis, a suburb area quiet from capital city of noise but of descent environment and civilization, got to the third floor where Osarna Bin Laden was hidden with his wife and other members of his family knocked at the door on seeing that it was not a funny game and Late Osama Bin Laden being aware that the people at the door were not friends but enemies which they claimed to be as the case may be got himself together even in the midst of “wives” knowing fully at the back of his mind that time was up though not without proving
strong and stubborn to the unwanted visitors before he would go and meet his so called almighty Allah who asked him to be taking other people’s lives because of religion. The guys from US broke into the house forcefully with Osarna Bin Laden throwing the first salvo but to no avail. He was captured, with the wives pleading seriously that he would have a rethink and they were even ready to change their posture on religion if not to change their religion to Christianity. They won’t hear the US soldiers rained bullets on him and was killed cheaply. The rest is now history. The Al-Qaeda operation watershed is Boko Haram which serves as an extension of that Islamic movement recruiting people of the same mind and faith to fight a common enemy or and their Nigeria’s case is applicable. Major investments of USA are here and economic, social, political, bilateral relation between Nigeria and USA cannot be over emphasized. USA as a Western nation does not hide its hatred for any Islamic fundamentalism. US consider the problem of terrorism and insurgency like the Boko Hararn very seriously and do not see Nigeria as a country that detests sanie to fight the war alone. US consider terrorism as a sin against the whole world and so their operators would hence forth be regarded as criminals to be tried and executed as they refuse to back down. It is against this backdrop that this writer came out with his title. Anything worth doing at all is worth doing well. We cannot be doing things half way and feel or be beating our chest as if we have done something great where as that thing is half done.We should go all out to stamp this cruelty out because now there is criminal Boko Haram, they rob banks and do all sort of evil things. There is also political l3oko Haram, Mr President himself said he knows them and they are within. They are everywhere for example, in the civil service, religious groups, parastatals, banks, ministries, departments, Para-military and military services, the legislature, the presidency, among the ministers, former and present state governors, commissioners, deputy governors, local government chairmen, councilors e.t.c. But as the chief security officer of the nation and while the state governors are chief security officers of their states too, the president should lead by example with great zeal and political will to name names and bring them to book. But he seems helplessly or out rightly not capable because of the invincible hands that are teleguiding him and he can’t finger out the powers that are behind this act. That is tantamount to security Boko Haram. What of the security votes allocated to the president, governors and other government functionaries? Since the means justifies the end and not the other way round, security votes voted especially to the Ministry of Defence and the Military generally should be spent judiciously to keep Boko Haram on check and at bay if not total extermination! Billions of billions of Naira are being heard spent on these particular issue and related security matters with nothing to show for it. Mr. President and co would be doing us a lot of good by taking necessary bold and wild steps to curb the excesses of Boko Haram forthrightly now before it is terribly too late. There are too many sips between the cup and the lips.
THE NIGERIAN
18
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Issues Beauty
Women’s Digest: ACCORDING to the Oxford Learners dictionary, “Beauty is a combination of qualities that give pleasure to the sense especially to the eyes or ears, or to the mind” Richelle Mead says, “What you do, the way you think, make you beautiful”. According to Wikipedia, atom, beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure or satisfaction”. Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, sociology, social psychology, and culture. An “ideal beauty” is an entity which is admired or possesses features widely attributed in a particular culture, for perfection. The experience of “beauty” often involves an interpretation of some entity as being in balance and harmony with nature, which may lead to feelings of attraction and emotional well being. Because this can be a subjective experience, it is often said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. God, the author of beauty decided to create man in His own image and after His likeness so we can say that every man is God’s express image. Every woman’s physical beautiful in their own way, some more beautiful than others but the true beauty comes from the very depth of the soul. A beautiful spirit is
Beauty, Inside And Out
always clothed with beautiful skin and character to compliment it. The combination of beauty, character and brains makes a woman the complete package. But it is sad to say that most times a lot of women that have beautiful skin but lack the character and humility to go with it. Let’s engage ourselves in this adventure to know how to look physically beautiful and on point at all times. Skin Care We have different skin types, so the type of skin determines the treatment it deserves oily skin has cream suitable to use, so does dry skin. You must know your skin type and apply the right cream to make your skin glow. Avoid bleaching the skin because that is a sign of low self esteem based on one’s physical looks. The side effects are too numerous. Enhance the beauty of your skin with the right body cream. Seek the counsel of a dermatologist if you cannot seem to know the right body cream to use. Make Up Occasions has its own make up. Its whether the make up is loud or mild. During work hours, avoid loud make up, it shows a sense of responsibility. Loud make up can be done for a party, a dinner date or any function. Thus, no matter how loud it may be, look beautiful and avoid the masquerade look. Apply your consealer,
By BEAUTY OBAMNWONNYI
foundation, powder, eye pencil, eye mascara, lipstick right. Hygiene Our body demands certain nutrients & fluids to revitalize it as long as possible. It is known that the right intake of
rid of the whiteness on it and visit a dentist at least twice a year which will enable constant freshness of breath. Bathing: Have your bath twice daily on normal days and thrice daily during menstrual flow. Shave
vegetables make the skin glow. A woman must learn to take care of her body, eat right, apply the right cream on her skin and work out, which will go a long way to enhancing her beauty. Brushing: brush your mouth at least twice daily, first at dawn (morning) and lastly at night. Brush the tongue area till you get
your armpit regularly to avoid odour especially when you know you sweat a lot. And also try as much as possible to thoroughly wash your vital parts like your eardrums, nostrils, private parts and feet. Jewelry: Girls best friend are diamonds. Use Jewels to enhance your dress sense for every occasion ranging from gold to
“Standards of beauty have changed over time, based on changing cultural value. However women with smooth skin, well proportioned bodies, young, have traditionally been considered the most beautiful through out history.”
silver, ruby to diamonds and pails. Fragrance: Women are known to love good smell. You’ve got to smell nice at all times, use deodorants and perfumes whether cheap or expensive perfumes, use what you can afford. The back of the ears and armpit should not be forgotten or the whole
need to be expensive, just be creative with the ones you have. Create your own style that suits you and you are comfortable with. Standards of beauty have changed over time, based on changing cultural value. However women with smooth skin, well proportioned bodies, young, have traditionally
essence would be defeated. Dress Sense: The primary aim of clothes are to cover nakedness. In our world, the phrase “Dress to be addressed” is taken seriously. Just as there is an outfit for work hours the same goes with after work hours. The essence of clothes is for decent covering. The whole idea that you have to be naked to look sexy is really a big fat lie; because you can dress decent and charming all at once and have more of the opposite sex doting on you. Don’t be deceived; men find and love properly clothed ladies and regard them as very attractive than naked ladies. The clothes definitely do not
been considered the most beautiful through out history. With the above tips, the woman void of good character can only be seen as ugly knowing when to speak and when to listen, when to act and when to react, when to talk and what not to talk, the right gestures, and absolutely avoidances of pride and anger make a woman perfectly beautiful alongside with the right display of humility. On ugliness, to be ugly is to be aesthetically unattractive, repulsive, or offensive. Pride makes a woman ugly. Be beautiful at all times and display a sense of humility in all you do. Stay beautiful.
THE NIGERIAN
19
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Drumbeats
Power Of Focus
GOD is the originator of focus, everything about God speaks of focus, infact He is focus personified. It is only a manufacturer of a product that can effectively advice you on the advantages and disadvantages of his product and its usefulness to humanity. A thorough and a careful study of the Solar system will tell you about the nature of God and his perfection of a focused life in creation. “The Solar System consists of the sun and the nine planets. The sun is at the centre of the Solar System and all other planets revolve around it in their elliptical orbit. The sun- the sun is the largest star in the solar system and has a surface temperature of well over 6,000°C with an interior temperature of over 20,000,000°C. in size, the sun is about 300,000 times as big as the earth. The stars which appear singly when viewed from the earth actually exist in groups or clusters which are better referred to as galaxies or nebulas. The Solar System consist of mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter. Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. The earth in which we live in has a population of about seven billion people of all that God has created none has ever diminished or reduced in size. After his creation He made us in his image and likeness and told us “to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth”. Genesis 1v28. It takes a man who is articulate and focused to achieve great success on earth. The reason God achieved all these is because of His focus, greatness and sovereignty over the universe. “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord made: and be said unto the woman, yea, bath
God said ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the garden. But of the fruit of the free which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said ye shall not eat it, neither shall ye touch it lest ye die And the serpent said unto the woman ye shall not surely die; For God doth know that In the day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that It was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat and the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew both they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apron. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the tree of the garden and the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him,, where are thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself And he said, who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, the woman whom thou gavest to he with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat And the Lord God said unto the woman what is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, the serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field, upon thy belly shalt thou go and
dust shall thou eat all the days of thy life. And I will put enimity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed, it shall bruise thy heel, and thou shall bruise his heal”. Genesis 3v 1-5. From the above passage of scripture you will discover that Adam and Eve fell from grace to grass because they lost their focus on God’s instruction and allowed the serpent to distract their attention. Infact, they lost their pride, grace and
enjoyment and resorted to pains, anger and death. God who is the master planner and originator of focus knew the consequence of their act and what the serpent led them to do. He immediately placed a curse on the serpent and made alternative for man’s redemption. Friends, if you want genuine success, please learn from God’s principle and live a focused life and see if success, security, fame and peace of mind will elude you. What is your purpose of existence and how focused
are you in achieving that goal? The purpose of your existence is to enjoy what your heavenly father has laboured for. Ignorance of this fact has led many people astray, due to lack of focus of the purpose of their existence. Every man and woman has a purpose which he or she came to fulfill on this earth. Some years ago a friend of mine in Lagos State, Nigeria: said “there are people you can kill, but you cannot kill their dreams” I quickly replied by
saying Sir, there are some people you cannot kill and you cannot kill their dreams. The purpose of God in the life of Samson and David was to deliver the children of Israel from the hands of the Philistines. Though Samson could not finish his assignment because of the negative role Delilah played in his life, but at the end the bible says those people Samson killed at his death were more than those he killed when he was alive. “If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that
“Discover the purpose of God in your life and put an end to all these years of sufferings and slaving. Don’t attribute your failures in life to the enemies.”
With Apostle Dr. Raphael O. Ayemere 08035459593
there should not he day and night and that there should not be day and night in their season. Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne and with the levities the priests, my ministries. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured, so will I
multiply the seed of David my servant and the levities that ministered unto me. “Jeremiah 33 v 20-22. Won’t you be glad to hear God boasting about you as he boasted about David? Then do what David did. The purpose of God concerning John the Baptist was to announce the person of Jesus and to preach repentance of sin. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than 1, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. “Matthew 3 v 11. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith, behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said,
after me cometh man which is preferred before me, for he was before me,. “John 1 v 2930. The purpose of God in the life of Moses was to take the children of Israel out of Egypt to the land of Canaan. Did you see the circumstances that surrounded the birth of Moses? The enemy tried to eliminate him during and after his birth but God’s purpose in Moses life must be fuifilled. Moses succeeded in taking the children of Israel out of Egypt. but Joshua later completed the assignment by taking the children of Israel to the promised land. Moses and Joshua fulfilled the purpose of God concerning their lives. Jesus fulfilled the purpose of God by dying on the cross of Calvary to redeem man back to God. The question now is, of what purpose were you
born and how do you go about fulfilling that purpose? My purpose is to reveal Jesus to the whole world through his saving and healing power. The Bible makes us to understand in Hosea 4 v 6. “My people are perished for lack of knowledge.” Discover the purpose of God in your life and put an end to all these years of sufferings and slaving. Don’t attribute your failures in life to the enemies. A discovering of the purpose of God in your life, will give you a recovery of all that you have lost in the past. Having discovered the purpose of God in your life, how focused are you in achieving your purpose on earth. A lack of focus can prevent you from achieving your goals and dreams in your life. I urge you to shun and avoid any thing that will distract your focus of achieving the purpose of God in your life on earth.
THE NIGERIAN
20
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Politics/
2015:
Between Tinubu And Fashola
DURING the 60th birthday of former governor of Lagos State and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), - present governor of Lagos State was asked to present a speech to the ACN leader whereby he jokingly asked Tinubu to explain why many veritable ACN supporters are crying profusely not give them the privilege to exercise their political franchise even when they are qualified for such positions. The grandfather of ACN politics immediately responded to Fashola that it was the same political imbalance that brought him to power as Lagos state governor. The answer quickly means that Fashola was not the most competent or popular candidate to be the governor of Lagos State in 2007 elections but providence and political preference was bestow on him. It is obvious that 2015 Lagos state governorship election would not be easy for both father and son? It is in record that Fashola is one of the best ever-serving governors in Lagos State since its creation. His infrastructural development strides within his first tenure and one year of second tenure has invariably send positive signals to Lagosians that he can be elected for the senate if the need arises. But ACN politics is tactically difficult to understand the new music if you are not a direct member of the party. Though Fashola is competent enough to bring a candidate that would
replace him in line with the party recommendation without any godfatherism manipulation. Most of the ACN members who were qualified to contest were being betrayed of their mandate in all ramifications. This denial of candidate’s mandate has prompted many party faithful to defect to other political parties in Nigeria. Although Senator Bola Tinubu initiated some of these projects whom Babatunde Fashola has completed in his port of call. The politics of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) could be digitally deduced to unfold the political scenario in 2015. Lagos state population is over 18 million people while the daily migration of people is at geometric progression. In Tinubu’s administration, he actually performed to some extent and he singlehighhandedly coined out Alliance for Democracy(AD)and for Action Congress (AC) and later to Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN)He made the party not to be regionalized but the unfolding political calculations indicate that only south west andsouth—south region which is ACN strongly dominating at present. ACN is one of the strongest regional opposition political party in Nigeria which has publicly accused the ruling party as mere political jokers and nothing else. But the question still begging for answer is that will Babatunde Fashola not relinquish power without living his political will and legacy behind. Every past governors in Nigeria like to be the father of their state politics and even be the absolute dictator if the need
By GODDAY ODIDI
arises. The relevance of Bola Tinubu in south west politics is gradually fading away in due time. The former President Olusegun Obasanjo lawfully resigned as Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman of the PDP when he vividly knew that the ovation was loudest. In 2011 elections in Lagos
country are in EFCC net and jailed. In the last ACN local government elections in Lagos state, Most of the candidates were handpicked without party screening and while some other ACN supporters saw it as a breach of ACN constitution. Those who make laws are the breakers of the-law in Nigeria.
Tinubu allow Fashola to succeed as the next godfather of the ACN? Lastly ACN must put his house in order before 2015 while Fashola must not be carried away by political vampires who want to create unnecessary altercations with his political father, senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Tinubu is one of the Yoruba politicians who fought
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
Gov Babatunde Fashola
State’ Bola Tinubu only anointed some of his loyalists even when they were not qualified or failed to use their first term in office to provide infrastructure for its people. Though Lagos state belongs to a political zoning arrangement only faithful loyalists succeeded in terms of political appointments and others, while other political parties are not on ground to wrestle power from the ACN. Most of the governors that served during Tinubu’s administration across the
which almost elicited a lot of problem that nearly break up the party while the body language of Fashola was to defect to other party if his wishes was not granted. The zoning arrangement affected the deputy governor and the present speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and others, But many of these loyalists of the party felt Fashola would not perform but
Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won some of the local governments especially Ajeromi-Ifeloun, obalende LCDA, Badagry and others while some of these local government officials did not perform but were reelected by powers that be. Fashola is quiet different from Tinubu in terms of leadership development. Initially Babatunde Fashola was not ready to run for his second term until Lagosians saw his great works in his first term and massively voted for him but that was not the arrangement of the ACN
“Tinubu only anointed some of his loyalists even when they were not qualified or failed to use their first term in office to provide infrastructure for its people. Though Lagos state belongs to a political zoning arrangement only faithful loyalists succeeded in terms of political appointments and others, while other political parties are not on ground to wrestle power from the ACN.”
proved his critics wrong that he can perform in spite of all odds that beclouded the party in recent past years. Leadership tussle is one of the problems making half—baked leaders to be elected into power-in ACN while Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is nor left out.2015 is very critical year for both party leaders of the state. Apart from the opposition parties bringing out their candidates for the governorship election if care is not taken, PDP might capture the state. If the party still believes on its manipulation mechanism without putting efforts to fix rightful leaders into power, then the opposition parties will take over only few elected leaders of the party in the state are politically performing in their constituencies while looting spree is on the high side by voracious ones and nothing else. Would
massively to retain the politics of the region. Tinubu must be commended for his courageous effort to bring Fashola into government. ACN as a party can be firmly stand if all the stakeholders of the party can work as one family without compromise or inferiority complex. The media must not be used by political foes of the party to cause imbroglio among party leaders Tinubu should also anoint competent candidates not loyalists that are mere empty heads with no political mission to build the party .The future of the party should be preserved. Only time will tell if Fashola will contest for any position in 2015. BY GODDAY ODIDI. PUBLIC AFFAIRS A N A L Y S T . 08058124798,08063458693. 20 ORO STREET AJEGIJNLE APAP
THE NIGERIAN
21
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Issues Family Matters
Signs Your Spouse Is Cheating By BEAUTY OBAMWONYI
WHEN you get suspicious that your spouse is cheating, be careful not to appear to be paranoid. You have to walk a fine-line-you don’t want to make false accusations. Its hard to be sure if someone’s cheating, but protect yourself: Be vigilant, and pay attention to your mind and spirit within the relationship. But, at the same time, be careful not to let anxiety lead the way because unnecessary paranoia will just drive your lover (man) away. Here are some red flags that may signal that your man is cheating: LESS SEX Unless he is superman, he can only have so much sex. Xo if he’s getting it from another source, you might notice. Whether it’s another woman or a porn addiction-even if he’s not cheating, a decrease in sex signals serious issues in the relationship. JUMPY CELL PHONE HABITS In a perfect (free) world, we’d be open about sharing our
correspondence with our significant others. Most of the time, we trust that we don’t have to worry about who is testing or calling them. But, if you notice that he is getting protective and /or nervous when he gets calls or texts, it may be cause for alarm. FRIENDS ACTING STRANGE His friends will
his secrets. DISCONNECT Even though relationships ebb and flow naturally, if you’re sensing that he’s drawing away from you, then there may be someone else, emotional disconnect should be investigated regardless of whether it’s caused by cheating. There’s a problem if he’s not laughing or seeming be passionate as usual. It’s hard to
unavailable or disappearing to the point where you are starting to wonder, then he could be cheating. Also, these times tend to take on a pattern because it’s tough to synch up schedules, especially in secret. CAUGHT IN OTHER LIES ABOUT OTHER THINGS If you catch him in a lie, your trust will naturally be damaged. Don’t hold a grudge, forgiveness is a good
watch it. HE BEGINS MAKING HURTFUL REMARKS ABOUT YOU Picking fights all of a sudden is a classic ploy. This way, if he ever gets caught, he can blame it on you and say you two were always fighting. YOUR GUT TELLS YOU SO Don’t ignore your sixth sense. People are gifted at sensing when something doesn’t feel right. Whether there are
“Even though relationships ebb and flow naturally, if you’re sensing that he’s drawing away from you, then there may be someone else, emotional disconnect should be investigated regardless of whether it’s caused by cheating.” certainly remain loyal to him in most cases. They will not let you know what’s going on, but they will definitely be racked with guilt, and their behaviour may change slightly when they are around you while protecting
spread love/passion between two people, so the person who used to have it will feel it slipping away if it’s being given to someone else. HE’S PULLING HOUDINIS If he’s traveling,
thing. You can forgive, but don’t forget. If he consistently breaches your trust, it’s establishing a pattern of behaviour that leads to cheating. Do yourself a favour: if he keeps lying, whether these lies are big or small, you better
red flags in your relationship that are clueing you in or not, if something feels off, don’t ignore this feeling. Usually, that feeling is right, and something intangible may have led to you figuring it all out. HE SUDDENLY SPENDS TO N OF TIME WITH ANOTHER PERSON If your partner is suddenly spending a lot of time with a colleague, friend, co-worker, or even an acquaintance, particularly if that person is of the opposite sex, you may want to learn more about this relationship and the possibility that there may be an affair going on. You notice a different scent on him. Whether it’s another woman’s perfume or possibly a different brand of soap from showering elsewhere, your senses know things. If he’s coming home freshly showered after a full day of work, the same way he left for work, you may have a hint he’s having an affair.
HIS ATTITUDE HAS CHANGED Your laid back partner seems to have been injected with unusual enthusiasm, seems more happy, alive, energetic and is more kind and loving towards you too. He may buy you more gifts and shower you with surprises, which, until now, has not been his natural character. HIS APPEARANCE HAS CHANGED Your partner, who previously dressed conservatively, is now suddenly buying designer boxer shorts and more trendy clothes. Or, your partner who never spent much time grooming himself, is now fussy about how his hair looks and uses grooming products he’s never used before. HIS BEHAVIOUR HAS CHANGED Your partner who usually avoided office parties and events, is now constantly attending them “for the sake of his career”. Or your partner suddenly takes up and becomes obsessed with a new hobby or sport that keeps him away from home. Or, your partner who usually is home for dinner every night now “ works late” and takes more frequent “business trips”. YOU NOTICE AN INCREASE IN HIS WORK OR HIS TIME SPENT AWAY FROM HOME. Work can be demanding. During these times of economic stress, most workplaces are demanding more and more from their employees. Work place relationships can develop into romantic relationships simply because the amount of time spent together on a common task tends to bond people together. If your partner has trouble with boundaries, this could lead to a problem for your relationship.
THE NIGERIAN
22
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
View Point Unfortunate Tides In Aviation Sector
When Would Enough Be Enough?
MY present understanding of the issue which I consider a very sensitive one was informed through an experience re-awokened at my residence. That day the sound of a flying air plane was accompanied by the shouts of children screaming at the top of their voices, the lyrics of which were in Bini language: Arople! De ibata gumwen, ne iya rue ‘mwinkpo vbe ede Saturday .. being interpreted. Aeroplane! Buy a pair of shoes for my use in the upcoming festive season on a Saturday. Though this song has come of age and funny too, but there are occasions where one gets to overhear or find children sing though in different styles under similar scenario in diverse cultures in Nigeria. In the good old days as those of the old school would always reiterate, one heard ever ward of a plane crash like we do now. Ill-fated aircraft incidences were very minimal. The question before us is: what went wrong in recent times? Most of us would agree that this has simply been an off-shoot of corruption. Owing to the gross corruption menace bedeviling the country, it would be one of the wonders of the century not to have expected the worst in the sector. Unfortunately it has had its toll on the wheel of progress of the aviation ministry. The very recent of which we all know is the two hundred and fifty-five million naira car scandal by the Aviation minister. Common sense would depict that this is highly questionable. This is disheartening particularly for the sects swept off their feet with the feeling of “We’veNever-Had-It-This-Good” in the sector. Were she a male minister, what will make you think she wouldn’t have been sacked by now? It’s sad because many Nigerians thought Mrs. Stella Oduah was the perfect person to change the system. Once would agree with me that corruption has so much eaten dip into the fabrics of our nation so much so that it has manifested in peoples’ attitude towards work and the general misconduct that seem to be the order of the day at work places. Gone are the days where people upheld the philosophy of dignity in labour, the reward of hard work-success and the likes. A wide section of Nigerians want a quick way (or what some of us call short-cuts’) to success and won’t give a hook
By EMMANUEL UYIOSA URIOWEN
Stella Oduah, Aviation Minister even if it puts innocent lives in jeopardy. Unfortunately, the industry has had its fair share of the off-shoot of this ordeal. There are reported cases of the claims by experts not been able to locate the aircraft from the control room of the airports just after some seconds of departure from the said airport. The result of which is failed attempts to monitor closely its movement in the air. But complains of this nature are usually heard by the general public when the deed must had been long done. Furthermore, it is sad to find out that even when the plane crashes with little or no survival, there always arises the incidence of missing black box which would have helped in tracing the root cause of the problem as most of us had been made to understand. One would ask, are these flaws not arranged given the fact that most Nigerian business people engage in so many unethical practices? Or should we agree that these unfortunate occurrences in the sector are merely coincidental as upheld by some school of thought? But give a thought to these: how could these reoccurrences have crept into the aviation industry in present times? Have they so
little regard for human lives? Or have they less skills in the operation of these aircrafts? There are incessant cases of aircrafts which can never be put to use in any continent of the world that are engaged mostly by operators of domestic airlines in Nigeria. Is this not alarming? Is it not time to question this particular issue? It is disheartening to know that the journey on air that is expected to last for say 30-45 minutes lands several promising Nigerians on the other side of no return as if they signed their death warrant on purpose, merely by deciding to engage this means of transport. This is not to mention the added sorrows and untold hardships they put their loved ones through following the unfortunate event. I will not forget how the unfortunate tide took away Levi Ajunoma I came to know through his Tuesday night programme (NTA’s Levy Ajunoma Live), Pastor Bimbo Odukoya, who blessed jives through her Singles and Married programme and the most unfortunate of which were the 60 students of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja. These numbers are just a few of the innumerable promising Nigerians whose lives have been snatched from them owing to plane crash in recent times. Time would fail me if I make mention of the state of our roads in the country and the near absence of the railway system.
The roads are deplorable and could ‘best be described as death traps. Very good roads in developed nations of the world are maintained every now and then. Most of our leaders are very much aware of this. Apart from some places in the Federal Capital Territory and one or two cities in the country, the roads are constructed below the stipulated standards resulting in their failure to stand the test of time. The roads constructed yesteryears seemed to have lasted longer than the ones of th present day. The existing ones are hardly ever maintained too. Governments at all levels in this country alongside the bodies responsible for road construction and maintenance should note that the road system is the only means of transport that is within the reach of the poor masses and of course for the large section of Nigerians, Or are values not placed on lives of Nigerians at all by the government of the present day too? Revisiting the unfortunate events at the aviation sector in Nigeria on the lives of Nigerians, only God knows where the tide would take us to this time. Is enough really ever going to be enough for the aviation ministry and other very sensitive sectors in [he country? I honestly think we all should pause and reflect on this or you could call this write up food for thought. Please do. Let’s start bringing out ways to improve on our lots as a country. See you some other time.
“Once would agree with me that corruption has so much eaten dip into the fabrics of our nation so much so that it has manifested in peoples’ attitude towards work and the general misconduct that seem to be the order of the day at work places. Gone are the days where people upheld the philosophy of dignity in labour, the reward of hard work-success and the likes.”
THE NIGERIAN
23
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Health/Wellness
Shine With Water Melon
WATERMELONS are important in life because they bring great joy to us. There is nothing more fun than getting together with
By BIJOR CELESTINA OMOJEVWE
regulates the body’s temperature. Health Benefits Of
in watermelon, which can decrease the programme that causes breast cancer
working to reduce the concentration of uric acid in the blood. Thus reducing the chance of forming kidney stones. It
“Researchers describes watermelon as Libido enhancer. This fruit is a rich source of amino acid. Citrulline which expands the blood vessels in the penis leading to stronger erection and better performance.” also working as a diuretic result because it contains a large amount of water. (6) High blood pressure can be controlled Regular Eating of watermelon helps in reducing weight as 100g, each gives 30 calories. It also helps to regulate blood sugar level to lower sugars. Potassium and magnesium are working to the body to insulin
group of your friends throwing watermelons off from the top of a storey building, watching it explode on the ground. It will be fantastic and colourful in appearance. Watermelon is a valuable cash crop for many small farmers, and abundant seed crops for birds and other animals to eat. In the summer and dry season, watermelon provides a cool hydrating and sweet taste, and it is very nutritional in value. They are juicy, refreshing, delicious and healthy. It is rich in vitamin A, C, E, D, and contains vitamin B6 which the body uses for the production of energy. The vitamins contained in watermelon make our eyes look brighter and it gives us carbohydrates inform of energy. And it
Eating Watermelon: (1)Watermelon helps in the prevention of heart diseases in the body: Since our heart is one of the most valuable parts that the body needs to keep living. To maintain a healthy heart, we need to maintain a diet that has low fat, and rich in antioxidants such as Lycopene, which works to fight free radical compounds, thereby protecting the vessels and arteries from hardening, and also maintaining the elasticity of the arteries and blood vessels by helping to curb the interactions of oxidative stress. (2)Prevent Cancer: Watermelon is rich in antioxidants such as Lycopene which contains twice the amount found
cells. (3)It Enhances Sexual Performance Researchers describes watermelon as Libido enhancer. This fruit is a rich source of amino acid. Citrulline which expands the blood vessels in the penis leading to stronger erection and better performance. (4) Prevents infections in the human body Watermelon plays an important role in the treatment of many infectious in the body, including inflammation of the joints. This is due to the present of vitamins contained in watermelon. (5) Prevention of kidney problem Watermelons play the role of detergent to the kidney of salt deposits of lime stone, as a result of watermelon which contain potassium, and potassium is also
secretion. It is very good for the eye health because it contains a good amount of vitamin. And potassium and magnesium regulate blood pressure as well as antioxidants work to maintain the health of blood vessels against sclerosis, which helps to ease the movement of the passage of blood vessels, thus reducing the high blood pressure.
Great Antioxidant!
Water Melon: By RUTH ATSEGOR
ORIGINATING in Africa, watermelons were first cultivated in Egypt where testaments to their legacy were recorded in hierogly physics painted on building walls. The fruit was held in such high regard that it was placed in the tombs of many Egyptians kings. Aside from watermelon’s thirst quenching taste, it has many health benefits. Watermelon is concentrated with BVitamins. B-Vitamins are responsible for a lot of body’s energy production. This means eating watermelon can give you substantial energy. It also has high amount of the energizing nutrient magnesium and potassium. Eating watermelon is a safe
alternative to taking energy drinks prior to exercise. It also hydrates you due to its high water content as opposed to caffeine filled energy drink that dehydrate you. Sweet juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidant in nature. Watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, notable through its concentration of betacrotene. It is also a source of the polent carotenoid antioxidants that travels through the body neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are substances in the body that can cause great deal of damage. They are able to oxidize cholesterol,
making it stick to blood vessel walls, where it can lead to heart attack or stroke. They can add to the severity of asthma attacks by causing air ways to clamp down and close. Watermelon has the highest concentrated source of lycopene of any fresh vegetable, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and several types of cancer, prostate cancer in particular, apart from tomatoes. Eating watermelon can protect against the negative effects of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is just a fancy word for loss of vision. Studies show that eating watermelon is actually healthy for your eyes than eating carrots, that is true in both short term and long term vision loss.
THE NIGERIAN
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
International Features
Iran Deal ‘Blunts Possibility Of Israel Strike’ A nuclear deal between Iran and world powers has blunted Israel’s military threats against Tehran but the Jewish state can still exert pressure on its arch-foe through diplomatic and intelligence means, analysts say. Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme for the next six months in exchange for limited sanctions relief following marathon talks with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany in Geneva that ended Sunday. Western countries accuse Iran of seeking to build a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran has long denied. Israel’s shrill response to the deal saw Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasise the Jewish state was “not bound” by the agreement and would strike Iran if necessary to stop it reaching atomic weapons capability. But experts say the Geneva deal has taken the military option firmly off the table, at least for the six-month negotiating period. “As long as the international community is moving into this six-month period where there’s supposed to be a negotiated comprehensive deal, it’s hard to believe Israel would take action,” said Dr Emily Landau of Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies. Yoel Guzansky, former Iran analyst at the Israeli prime minister’s office and a research fellow at INSS, agreed. “Israel’s options are now few and limited,” Guzansky said. “Netanyahu has said a nuclear agreement is not binding for Israel, which reserves the right to defend itself by itself. “But the real chances of (a military strike) happening after an agreement which effectively sides the entire international community with Iran, are significantly less than they were yesterday,” he said. “The fact an agreement was signed between Iran and the P5+1 countries will make it hard for Israel to act on its own.” Israel has other options However, this does not leave Israel with no options whatsoever, since the interim deal paves the way for further negotiations whose success remains to be seen. “In terms of (US President Barack) Obama’s project of putting time on the clock and not allowing the Iranians to move forward with their nuclear programme during the months of
negotiations, the deal is more or less something that can be lived with (for the Israelis),” Landau said. Under the deal, Tehran will limit uranium enrichment — the area that raises most suspicions over Iran’s nuclear programme — to low levels that can only be used for civilian energy purposes. In return, it will get $7 billion (5.2 billion euros) in sanctions relief. “What we’ve seen over the past weeks (in terms of talks) will seem quite easy compared to how future talks will be,” Landau said.
world powers) is not the main consideration of Israel if and when it considers striking an Iranian nuclear facility,” he said. “The backing of the US and other countries would be important, and Israel would find it hard to act without at least their ‘yellow light’. “But if and when the Iranians cheat — they’ve cheated before, and might do so again — and then Israel will have the legitimacy to use other means and to say, I told you so,” said Guzansky. “If Israel finds a secret site Iran didn’t declare,” Israel will find it easier to take action.
Hassan Rouhani, Iran President
“It’s not a great deal, but it’s not a disaster either.” Dr Uzi Rabi, an Iran specialist at Tel Aviv University, said Israel might use the interim period to put Iran under diplomatic and intelligence pressure. “This represents a six-month period where the Iranians are going to recover economically,” he said. “Israel now needs to start thinking, how are we going to cope. “This could include a concerted intelligence effort to expose the military dimension of Iran’s nuclear effort, or to expose any violation by Iran of the terms of the agreement.” And any slip up by Iran would make it easier for Israel to push once again for military action in the long term, said Guzansky. “International legitimacy (the green light from
In the meantime, the diplomatic effect of the deal could see Israel and the US’s Arab allies finding more in common, despite their past enmity, the analysts said. “When you talk about alliances now in the Middle East, (Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) is a tacit alliance,” Guzansky said. Those countries are even more concerned about Iran than Israel is. “The next six months will be a test for US-Israeli relations and US-Arab relations.” Rabi agreed. “The Saudis are furious about what’s going on. It seems many American allies in the region have reasons to be annoyed,” he said. “Shifting alliances is the best way to describe the situation.”
“This could include a concerted intelligence effort to expose the military dimension of Iran’s nuclear effort, or to expose any violation by Iran of the terms of the agreement.”
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
International Easing Of Iran Sanctions Could Start In December PARIS — Sanctions against Iran could be eased as soon as December, France’s foreign minister said yesterday, after a potentially history-shaping deal that gives Tehran six months to increase access to its nuclear sites in exchange for keeping the central elements of its uranium
program. The deal, announced Sunday, envisages lifting some of the sanctions that have been crippling the country’s economy, and put in place over fears that Tehran is using its nuclear program to build atomic arms. Iran denies it wants such weapons.
“A Europe-wide decision is necessary” to ease EU sanctions on Iran, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told Europe 1 radio. “That’s expected in several weeks, for a partial lifting that is targeted, reversible.” The United States and U.N. have separate sanctions. The agreement reached on
Sunday will allow Iran to keep the central elements of its uranium program while stopping its enrichment at a level lower than what is needed for nuclear arms. In addition to a six-month window for Iran to allow more U.N. access to nuclear sites, sanctions will be eased — notably in the oil, automotive and aviation industries — though not ended. The agreement is a first step — one that Israel has condemned as a “historic” mistake that effectively accepts Iran as a threshold nuclear weapons state. Israel has found common cause with Saudi Arabia, which shares concerns about a nuclear-armed Iran and Tehran’s growing regional influence. On his return to Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif told state television that the country was prepared for quick follow-up negotiations to keep the deal on track. “We are ready to begin the final stage of nuclear agreement from tomorrow,” said Zarif, who was greeted by hundreds of cheering students late Sunday. There has been no noticeable
opposition to the deal in Tehran beyond a handful of requests for clarification from lawmakers, in contrast to the United States where many members of Congress said they were skeptical that Iran would stick to the agreement. Iran insists that trying to block enrichment was a dead end. For Iran’s leaders, self-sufficiency over the full scope of its nuclear efforts — from uranium mines to the centrifuges used in enrichment — is a source of national pride and a pillar of its self-proclaimed status as a technological beacon for the Islamic world. In the end, Iran agreed to cap its enrichment level to a maximum of 5 percent, which is well below the 90 percent threshold needed for a warhead. Iran also pledged to “neutralize” its stockpile of 20 percent enriched uranium — the highest level acknowledged by Tehran — by either diluting its strength or converting it to fuel for its research reactors, which produced isotopes for medical treatments and other civilian uses.
Syria: US
WASHINGTON - For those, including the Obama Administration, exasperated with The solemnization of marriage between former Miss Oghosa Audrey Enogumwengie and the fragmented, increasingly
rebel forces pitted Mr. Festus Ehizogie Aigbedion took place at the New Benin Baptist Church, Benin City on fratricidal against Syria’s strongman the 19th of October, 2013. Some dignitaries at the occasion include Engr. & Justice (Mrs.) Bashar Assad, any Edigin, Rev. Wellington Jesurobo and a host of other dignitaries. consolidation within the insurgents’ ranks would have once come as a welcome development. That time is now gone, however, and that rule no longer holds. In yet another sign that the Syrian insurgency has come under the sway of radicals unwilling to answer to the Western-backed secular opposition, seven Islamist groups united on Friday as the Islamic Front, forming what is said to be the largest rebel alliance in Syria. “This independent political, military and social formation aims to topple the Assad regime completely and build an Islamic state where the sovereignty of God almighty alone will be our reference and ruler,” Ahmed Eissa, RECONCILIATION OF NAME
OSAMAGBE WED EGHOSA The solemnization of Holy Matrimony between former Miss Osamagbe Esohe Ojo and Mrs. Eghosa Godstime Otamere Osayamwen took place on Saturday November 9, 2013 at St. Francis Catholic Church, College Road, Off Ekenwan Road, Benin City. The occasion which was well attended received host of dignitaries including parents of parties, family members, friends and well wishers.
We formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Ayodele Osariase Okhakhu, Miss Tracy Omonefue Okhakhu, Miss Nancy Omoanono Okhaku, Miss Stacy Omoze Okhakhu and Miss Bracy Omokhuwa Okhakhu wish to bring for the information of the general public that we are the same as Mrs. Ayodele Osariase KolaOkhakhu, Miss Tracy Omonefue Kola-Okhakhu, Miss Nancy Omoanono KolaOkhakhu, Miss Stacy Omoze Kola-Okhakhu and Miss Bracy Omokhuwa KolaOkhakhu. All former documents bearing our former names remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
In return, Iran got a rollback in some sanctions — a total package estimated by the White House at $7 billion back into the Iranian economy — but the main pressures remain on Iran’s oil exports and its blacklist from international banking networks during the first steps of the pact over the next six months. The talks were also the culmination of a painstaking process of old-school contacts and secret sessions between Iranian and American envoys that began even before the surprise election of Iran’s moderateleaning President Hassan Rouhani last June. The shadow dialogue, mediated by mutual ally Oman, was so sensitive that it was kept from even close allies, such as negotiating partners at the nuclear talks, until two months ago, according to details obtained by The Associated Press and later confirmed by senior administration officials. The pace of the back-channel contacts picked up after Rouhani officially took office in August, promising a “new era” in relations with the West.
Influence Fades commander of the Suqur alSham brigades, one of the groups that joined the front, said in a statement posted online. In e-mailed comments, Charles Lister, an analyst with IHS Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, estimated that the new alliance, which also includes the Tawhid Brigade, Ahrar al-Sham and the Islamic Army, counts at RECONCILIATION/ CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mrs. Aisha Alao (Nee Edigin) wish to bring to the information of the general public that I am the same person called Queen Edigin as appeared in my 2002 May/June NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations and my admission into Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy University of Benin, and also known as Queen Ashley Edigin in other valuable documents in the course of my study. However, I am now properly known and called Mrs. Aisha Alao (Nee Edigin). All documents bearing the above mentioned names remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
OGBODU – I, formerly called Miss Ogbodu Abieyuwa Sophie is now known and called Mrs. Ikuenbor Abieyuwa Sophie. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
least 45,000 fighters. By consolidating external backing from the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia — the alliance members’ main outside sponsors — the front’s formation may prove a “landmark moment” for the insurgency, said Lister. It will “undoubtedly result in a renewed intensity in rebel operations across many key parts of the country.” The Islamic Front does not include al-Qaeda affiliates like the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and Jabhat al-Nusra, which have made major inroads in Syria in recent months. While the front isn’t likely to confront al-Qaeda intentionally, said Lister, it does represent “an explicitly Syrian Islamist body capable of co-opting Syrians away from alQaeda.” However, the move still comes as a major blow to the Western-backed Syrian Coalition and the Free Syrian Army (FSA), which have already been weakened by internecine strife and clashes with al-Qaeda affiliates. It is also expected to further erode the West’s appetite for assisting the rebels and undermine efforts at bringing the Syrian regime and the opposition to the negotiating table. The groups comprising the new Islamic Front have made it clear they are opposed to Geneva II, the U.N. peace conference planned for later this year. Their new alliance, tweeted Salman Shaikh, director of the Brookings Doha Center, is a “nail in the coffin” of the Geneva talks. At a conference in Istanbul, a pair of former U.S. National Security Advisers acknowledged that Western powers’ influence on the course of the war inside Syria, already tenuous, was waning.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
International Features
Weak France Seeks Grandeur Abroad THE hero of France’s top movie comedy of the moment is a French foreign minister who complains about American isolationism and says the Germans must be humored - but above all kept off the U.N. Security Council. One reason for the box-office success of “Quai d’Orsay” named after the 19th century palace by the River Seine where France conducts its world affairs - is how closely it flirts with real-life policy. Another reason, underlined by a weekend poll showing two-thirds of French mired in pessimism about the next decade, is that it transports local audiences into a domain where their country continues to flex real muscle. November has been a torrid month for France, rapped by the European Commission for failing to reform its economy and hit by a new sovereign debt downgrade. Nationwide anger at rising taxes has sparked often violent protests, notably by Breton livestock workers up in arms over a planned road freight levy. Yet abroad, it has exuded self-confidence and strength: it played hard ball in major-power nuclear talks with Iran that brought a landmark deal on Sunday; it is gearing up for a risky new peace intervention in ex-colony Central African Republic; and some 1,200 French troops took part in a NATO exercise in eastern Europe - five times more than the U.S. contingent. It would be just as premature to declare France an emerging world superpower as it would be to pronounce the euro zone’s second largest economy beyond hope of repair. But the disconnect between its domestic fragility and international robustness is all too real - and is re-defining French ties with strategic allies and trading partners alike. “The logic is: ‘I intervene, therefore I am’,” said Dominique Moisi, senior adviser at the French Institute for International Affairs. “The more France feels inferior economically, the more it wants to be active diplomatically - it reminds it of past greatness and is also popular with the French themselves.” This French paradox is all the more deep-rooted because it stems from things that Paris cannot - or will not - change. While the French are no fans of small government, there is wide acceptance that public spending which consumes 57 percent of national output is a drag on the economy. Yet no leader of any political hue has dared bring it down meaningfully. Strict labor law has given those with permanent contracts some of the best worker rights in the world. That has distorted the jobs market by encouraging more and more employers to offer precarious temporary contracts - but reform is proving a long haul as beneficiaries of the current system resist change. Likewise, France’s power on the world scene stems from a set of circumstances which it is in no hurry to change. France’s permanent veto-wielding seat on the U.N. Security Council next to those of the United States, Russia, Britain and China was set in the U.N. Charter signed after World War Two. That veto has given it real leverage in talks over Iran’s nuclear program and just about every major international affair. Talk of reform to replace the two European seats with joint European Union representation has never got very far. Like Britain, France has a strong army and a public opinion historically inured to war. But France’s 1958 constitution, drawn up after the collapse of the short-lived Fourth Republic, gives its presidents unparalleled leeway on defense matters. Those powers allowed Francois Hollande to make a snap decision in January to send French troops to Mali to head off an al Qaeda-backed advance on the southern capital Bamako. On Syria, while Britain’s David Cameron lost a parliament vote in August on military action and the United States’ Barack Obama finally backed away from a confrontation with Congress, French jets were already on standby. “In the Syrian conflict, the Gulf countries in particular noted that the French decision to use military force was not
dependent on parliamentary approval,” Bruno Tertrais, analyst at the Paris-based Foundation for Strategic Research said. “All three countries (France, Britain, the United States) have security pacts in the Gulf but France is considered to be a bit more credible politically.” French diplomats were furious at having to stand down their forces at the last minute. The Syrian episode confirmed French suspicions that the United States, no longer as dependent on the Gulf for its energy, was less focused on the region. That paved the way for the stance France took as defender of Gulf and Israeli interests in the first Geneva talks with Iran this month when it rejected a sanctions-freezing pact Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius dismissed as a “fool’s game”. Tehran and even some allies vented their frustration. The
said on the Middle East trip. “We hunt in a pack.” The campaign has had some notable successes: power engineering group Alstom secured a 4-billion-euro order for rolling stock - the biggest in its history - during Hollande’s trip to South Africa in October. But trade diplomacy will not be enough to put the domestic economy to rights. And France’s high-profile policy stances risk irking trade partners: now it has backed the Iran deal, it must convince Israel and the Gulf states it did not go soft. The real imponderable is why Hollande and his government do not act with the same decisiveness at home as abroad. True, unlike on foreign and defense issues, any major domestic economic reform does have to go through parliament - but then Hollande’s Socialists have a majority in the lower house where most legislative power resides. There is also the risk of falling foul of trade unions who could bring the country to a standstill. But the last time they
France’s President Francois Hollande reacts during a ceremony where he named French singer and actress Line Renaud a “Grand Officer de la Legion d’Honneur” at the Elysee Palace in Paris recently.
country that a decade ago was branded “cheese-eating surrender monkeys” by some in the United States for opposing the Iraq war was now denounced as “gun-slinging frogs” by hard-line Iranians. Yet the French line allowed Hollande to declare on Sunday that the final November 24 deal “respected all the demands made by France”. Proliferation experts agreed that new restrictions imposed on Tehran in return for sanctions relief made it harder for the Islamic state to acquire any atomic bomb. Influence brings friends - and trading partners. With European growth prospects bleak, France has told its diplomats to venture forth and seek business. Fabius wants to beat former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s record of circling the world 38 times during her 2009-2013 tenure: in 18 months, he has already managed 17.5 revolutions. Hollande is at it, too. As with last week’s trip to Israel, he travels with an entourage of up to 50 CEOs from French blue-chips such as nuclear firm Areva and defense group Dassault. “Every time we sign an engineering deal, it means French jobs,” Guillaume Pépy, the head of state rail company SNCF
did that was in 1995; subsequent laws require them to maintain a minimum service in areas such as transport and education. Those close to Hollande say he is preoccupied by two main dangers: the threat of an internal rebellion in the Socialist Party he led for over a decade before becoming president; and the risk of spontaneous street protests. “The Turks got caught out by a row over a public park,” he recalled earlier this year of violent protests that exploded over an urban redevelopment plan for an Istanbul park. Such comments explain why Hollande has only tinkered with France’s deficit-laden pension system and allowed unions and employers to strike a modest compromise accord on labor law rather than imposing more ambitious reform. A poor score for his Socialists in local and EU votes early next year could prompt party allies to withdraw their support unless he ditch reform altogether and buy growth with more public spending. A survey by pollster BVA this month showed one in two French already back a dissolution of parliament. “Francois Hollande has understood this,” said Moisi. “It is much easier to deal with foreign powers than with certain factions in the French Socialist Party.”
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Issues
Curbing Corruption Among Nigerian Leaders CORRUPTION in high places has been a major factor impeding Nigeria’s economic development since we got our Independence. This cankerworm has eaten so deep that one continues to wonder if it will ever come to an end. Nigeria is a corrupt country. Corruption may never end. All efforts by the government so far to fight corruption, seem to be an illusion. Fighting corruption is one of the most urgent tasks facing Nigeria today. The core issue before our President and every Nigerian Citizen is to confront how to significantly reduce corruption. It is only an exemplary leadership that can significantly reduce corruption in Nigerian. Without a great leader, Nigeria will continue to wallow in corruption. ‘’Corruption cannot be stopped from the bottom because those at the bottom often react to the impunity at the top. Only a leader with enormous discipline and restraint can solve Nigeria’s corruption problem. It is not the place of EFCC or ICPC, but the place of the number one leader in this country’’. When Olusegun Obasanjo was President of Nigeria, he persistently impressed it upon Nigerians and the international community that the uniqueness of his administration lies in his single-minded commitment to fight corruption. According to him, “Nobody, nobody, I repeat nobody, is above the law. If you commit any criminal offence, I will not arrest you. The Inspector General of Police will do that’’. He followed this up by setting up the national anticorruption commissions like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial
By FAMOUS IGUISI
Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption to its barest minimum. But most unfortunately, the anticorruption stance of the past and present administrations has not yielded positive results. Almost on a daily basis, we hear billions and now trillions of Naira either allocated or voted for roads rehabilitation or construction, but year in year out not one road has been rehabilitated; rather more and more are allocated. The issue of corruption in Nigeria has become a societal malice. This is a classical case of a sign of a failed state, especially when people who arrogate to themselves the authority to lead, turn around to steal people’s common wealth Thank God President Jonathan has equally vowed that his administration will not shield any corrupt person from investigation or prosecution by the anti-graft agencies in the country. He has promised that government would continue to support and encourage the EFCC and other anticorruption agencies to confront the monster of corruption more decisively and charged them to spare no culprit regardless of his status or position. According to him, “We will give all the necessary support and encouragement to all the anticorruption agencies to vigorously enforce the enabling anti-corruption laws. I urge these agencies to do their work fairly but firmly within the ambit of the law without regard to position or status. There shall be no sacred cow. This government will not protect any so-called sacred cow. The wheel of justice must run its full course in tackling anti-corruption cases”.
It is my expectation, that our President is concerned about the economic future of all Nigerians, including himself, such that instead of being distracted by uncertainties about his future, he is busy building the future for all Nigerians. “All well-meaning Nigerians must, therefore, not only say no to corruption but also do something about it.
contribute to strengthening accountability and transparency in the public sector’’. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, once said that corruption in high places will continue to mar the nation’s development. He said that Nigeria has been governed in the past 30 years by “very unserious characters.” According to him, “there is no record of how much the
was an item on it which says unspent funds. These are monies to be returned to the National Assembly at the end of the year and it was N21 billion. “This is a budget of over N650 billion and you are returning N21 billion. What this means is that the budget must have performed over 95 per cent. “The budget apparently performed about 30 to 40 per cent just like every other budget. I went to see the late President to tell him that I was not going to agree to this because where I come from; they will ask me about the money. “Within six weeks, N21 billion became N450 billion that was returned to the treasury’’.
Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman
Every little effort counts; whistle blowing, vigilance in budget implementation and projects monitoring, calling public officers to account; all go a long way towards assisting the anti-corruption effort. The historic signing of the Freedom of Information Bill into Law in 2011 has provided citizens with a veritable instrument to
nation earns and spends’’. He recounted how the Ministry of Works brought a budget of N100 billion to spend and later discovered that N40 billion of that money was dedicated to roads already built and completed. “A week after I became Speaker, the late President brought a budget to the National Assembly and there
“Therefore, it is critical for the EFCC and other financial Agencies to brace up and carry out their constitutional responsibility without fear or favor; stop the international community from accepting looted funds from government officials. Corruption in government must be nip in the bud if Nigeria must achieve its vision 2020:20.”
If this is true, then one would like to know what could have happened to the balances within the last 12 years of our Democracy. Since corruption constitutes the greatest bane of all vices hunting Nigeria it is high time that National Assembly began to explore legislative intervention as well as constantly build workers’ capacity in order to enhance their wellbeing and productivity as well as facilitate industrial peace and harmony. Until Nigeria changes and undergoes a reform, the future for Africa’s development is bleak since Nigeria represents a regional influential. Greed in government officials is thriving in a way
we as a people do not and cannot approve of. It is heartbreaking to continue to hear of the unending craze among government officials to loot public fund without a blink of the eye or even considering the effect this could have on the people. Most government officials and other public officers have created a tradition: “get to the scene, loot and disappear from the scene.” They do this without a genuine desire to serve. There is no doubt that there cannot be any meaningful economic development if government officials continue in their illicit looting activities. We will definitely not go beyond being a developing nation, while other developing countries, especially in Asia, who had the same economic indices with Nigeria have all gone ahead; because they have a sense of purpose. Therefore, the relevant anticorruption agencies, EFCC and others must step up their game. Nevertheless, I must give it to them for the several land mark achievements in this regard especially the indictment of the former speaker of the house of Representative and his deputy over a controversial loan scam. But there is need for them to do more. There should be no sacred cow in this fight. It requires courage and selfless service to be able to break the big head of corruption in Nigeria. I quite agree with former president Obasanjo’s comments recently in Geneva Switzerland when he accuses the EFCC and ICPC of ineffectiveness and inefficiency because the EFCC was supposed to have gotten him arrested the moment he left office and investigate his obscure dealings while in office. There are indeed a score of corrupt public officials who walk the streets freely today with impunity. Therefore, it is critical for the EFCC and other financial Agencies to brace up and carry out their constitutional responsibility without fear or favor; stop the international community from accepting looted funds from government officials. Corruption in government must be nip in the bud if Nigeria must achieve its vision 2020:20. Otherwise, I see an upsurge of the kind of revolution that is currently swiping across the Arab World in Nigeria very soon.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Moyes Rues United Set-Piece Weakness
Ferguson ‘Kept United Order With Sword’ FORMER Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell has told the Daily Star that Sir Alex Ferguson used a sword in order to keep his young players in line. Campbell, 26, scored for Cardiff in their 2-2 Premier League draw with United on Sunday, but spent 12 years at Old Trafford before being sold to Sunderland for 5 million pounds in 2009. Speaking prior to the game against his ex-club, he said: “When Sir Alex was there, all the young lads would be brought in on the first day and he would tell the players how the club is run and what he expects of professionals. “Right at the end of the meeting he picked me out and said, ‘Fraiz, can you go over to the cupboard and get that box out?’ “I got the box out and gave it to him and he pulled out a massive sword. He said, ‘If any of you misbehave then I’ll have to get the sword out!’” Campbell also revealed that as a childhood United supporter he was often overawed by the company he kept during his years at the club, something which may have affected his progress. He said: “I’m a United fan so it was awesome to be there but it may have been better if I wasn’t — I would be watching too much in training instead of playing. “It was class training with the likes of Wayne Rooney. United have great footballers and some of the best players in England, so training with them was what you dreamed of when you were younger.”
MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes admits his side should have held on for three points after a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.Tags: English Premier League, Cardiff City, Manchester United David Moyes believes Manchester United’s set-piece frailties have cost them four points already this season after Cardiff snatched a 2-2 draw against the defending champions on Sunday. City’s South Korean substitute Kim Bo-Kyung headed a late leveller from Peter Whittingham’s injury-time free kick. And it reminded Moyes of October ’s 1-1 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford when Adam Lallana equalised in the 89th minute after United failed to defend Luke Shaw’s corner. Moyes said: “I’m disappointed. It’s similar to Southampton where we had the game in our control with a minute to go and conceded from a set-piece. It’s cost us, ultimately.” He then told the BBC: “We don’t defend it well enough and the boy Whittingham puts in a
Rooney Lashes Out At TV Commentators MANCHESTER United striker Wayne Rooney hit out at two television commentators for saying he deserved to be sent off during his side’s 2-2 draw at Cardiff City on Sunday. Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler and pundit Graeme Souness, the former Liverpool manager, said Rooney was fortunate not to be shown a red card for kicking Jordon Mutch during the early stages of the Premier League game. Rooney was instead shown a yellow card by referee Neil Swarbrick and went on to score the opening goal for United and set up their second goal, which was scored by Patrice Evra. Rooney, who deliberately referred to Souness as ‘Sourness’, said more attention should have been paid to an incident in the second half in which Cardiff midfielder Gary Medel appeared to slap United’s Marouane Fellaini. “Just watched game back. I agree mine was bad tackle and ref dealt with it. And Martin Tyler didn’t shut up about it all game,” Rooney wrote on his official Twitter account. “Then someone slaps someone in face and he doesn’t speak a word about it. I like Martin but that’s poor from him. “Sourness (says) the rules are u kick out u should be off.
scoring opportunity for them [Manchester City], we weren’t at our best and we have to be ashamed of ourselves after this,” Villas Boas told theguardian.com “My emotions are not very important. I don’t need to point out individuals but to lose 6-0 is extremely embarrassing for anyone involved in that.” The defeat equalled Tottenham’s worst result in the Premier League era. The Lilywhites lost 7-1 to Newcastle United in 1996 and 6-0 to Sheffield United three years earlier. The loss leaves Spurs in ninth place on the log, eight points behind log leaders and fierce rivals Arsenal.
vital match,” said Cazorla. “If we obtained a bad result then it would make things very complicated for us to go to Napoli and win there.” Marseille held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw the last time they played at the Emirates two years ago but the French club have a poor record in England. Their only victory in 11 competitive visits was a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the 2007-08 Champions League group stages and they have lost six times. With little chance of even finishing third in the group, Marseille may elect to field a weakened side at Arsenal.
Coach Elie Baup, whose team enjoyed a 3-1 victory at AC Ajaccio on Friday in Ligue 1, has hinted he may try some new faces. “We’re eliminated from the Champions League but we need to show some good things,” he said. “It will perhaps be the occasion for some young players to gain some experience.” Marseille will hope AndrePierre Gignac is in good form on Tuesday as they are without forward Dimitri Payet because of a knee injury. The 1993 European champions are also minus Ghana striker Andre Ayew due to a knee problem.
‘ We Should Be Ashamed Of Ourselves’ - AVB
Souness (says) medel gives left hook he’s done his job. Haha brilliant.” Responding to tweets from people querying his spelling of Souness’s name, Rooney added: “ ‘Sourness’ was sarcastic, for everyone biting.” Speaking on Sky Sports 1, Souness had said: “He (Rooney) should be off, there’s no argument. Why the ref has given him a yellow card is beyond me. “I don’t know what Wayne is thinking of. He’s got an exploding head, we know that. That’s just borne out of
Wayne Rooney
frustration.” However, Cardiff manager Malky Mackay said he had no qualms with Swarbrick’s handling of the incident and United manager David Moyes said: “I didn’t think it deserved any more than a yellow card.”
League encounter on Sunday afternoon, the defeat was their heaviest in the Premier League since 1996. Following the encounter, Spurs sent out a tweet apologizing to the fans for the lacklustre performance. “Andre to the fans: ‘The only thing I can say is sorry. It is a very poor result, not to our level. #THFC” At the post match press conference Villas Boas continued to apologise for his team’s performance. “Every attack was a goal-
‘Ameobi For PM’
NEWCASTLE United manager Alan Pardew believes Shola Ameobi can become Prime Minister when he eventually hangs up his boots because he is so clever. Ameobi, who is currently the club’s longest serving player – this season is his 14th at Newcastle – has helped pull together a divided dressing room that almost cost the Magpies their place in the Premier League last season. Pardew believes when the Nigerian marksman decides to retire, he should quit football altogether and challenge himself in other areas. “Most time footballers are put into the category where they are not particularly bright,” Pardew told telegraph.co.uk “They have not really got personality you would aspire too, Shola is the complete opposite. “You could put him in any environment, any school, any political field and he could hold his own. It is that intelligence that he brings to the dressing room. “I don’t know what will happen with Shola in the future, he could become Prime Minister one day with his personality,” concluded the Magpies mentor. The 32-year-old’s contract on Tyneside expires at the end of the season.
David Moyes
TOTTENHAM Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas has explained that he and his team should be ashamed of themselves following the embarrassing loss to Manchester City. thumping at the hands of the Spurs suffered a 6-0 Citizens in a Barclays Premier
really good ball. We were close but it’s now happened in two games, Southampton and this game, where we have lost points in the last minute.” If United, who had a reputation for scoring late goals under Sir Alex Ferguson, had hung on to win both games, they would be second in the Premier League table. Instead they are sixth and Moyes added: “We’ve been on a pretty good run but that’s a blow because we can’t keep dropping points, two points in games when you’re where we are. We should have won it. I know we can play better but we should have won the game.”
Carzola Warns Arsenal Not To Slip Up Against Marseille
ARSENAL’s path into the Champions League knockout rounds looks to be a safe one with a home game against rock bottom Olympique Marseille coming up on Tuesday but they are taking nothing for granted. The Londoners top Group F with nine points from four matches, the same as secondplaced Napoli and three more than Borussia Dortmund. Should Arsenal beat Marseille and Dortmund fail to defeat Napoli, Arsene Wenger’s side would be guaranteed to qualify with a game to spare. Midfielder Santi Cazorla has warned against complacency
especially with a trip to Naples concluding the group stages. “The main problem I see is everyone thinks it’s going to be an easy game for us to win,” the Spaniard told the club’s website (www.arsenal.com) after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Southampton also kept his side top of the Premier League. “There is nothing at stake for Marseille because they have zero points but they are going to make things difficult for us. It may be tough and if we’re not careful we might slip up and then we might not be able to get through to the next round. “We need to understand it’s a
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Pep Guardiola ‘Warns Players Over Leak’
BAYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola has reportedly warned his players that “heads will roll” once he has traced the person responsible for revealing his tactics ahead of the 3-0 defeat of Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Following the victory at doing it right now, otherwise the Westfalenstadion, the he’ll have a major problem Treble winners are now not only with Pep Guardiola, unbeaten in their last 38 Bundesliga games, and have been hailed as the “best team in the world” by many, including Dortmund CEO Aki Watzke at the weekend. However, behind the scenes at the club it appears there is a mole making life uncomfortable for Guardiola, who was surprised to read about his tactics against Dortmund in Bild ahead of the game. According to a report published in Bild on Sunday, the Bayern boss issued a warning to his players on Saturday and told them he will not rest until he finds out who supplied the newspaper with the inside information. “No matter who it is, heads will roll. The one will be thrown out. He will not play any more games under me,” Andre Ayew Guardiola is quoted as saying. Speaking to Sky later on Sunday, Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also issued a threat against the mole. “Pep Guardiola cannot like this. I can only advise the BARCELONA will look person in question to stop to secure their place at the top of Group H when they Handanovic visit Ajax Amsterdam Laments tonight. The Catalans top the table Wasted with 10 points from four Chances matches and need a point to INTER shot-stopper Samir secure top spot, while Ajax Handanovic was left third with four points, one lamenting the chances his point behind second-placed side squandered in front of AC Milan. goal against Bologna on Gerardo Martino’s side Sunday evening. have won three and drawn Walter Mazzarri’s men one of their opening four were denied by the woodwork matches but go into this on two occasions as they were clash without some key held to a 1-1 draw at the players who have been Renata Dall’Ara in a match sidelined by injury. they largely dominated. Barca will be missing the “It’s a shame about today,” said the Slovenian. “We had so many chances and wasted so many of them. We let in a SCHALKE 04 will be goal that could have been looking to get their UEFA avoided. We’ll have to review Champions League campaign certain things and move back on track when they travel forward. away to Steaua Bucuresti in a “Sometimes you even lose vital group stage encounter. games like these. We need to Kick-off is set for 21h45 (CAT). be positive and move Schalke were 3-0 winners forward. We created so many against Steaua in the opening chances, and we couldn’t week of the competition and will have done more in that regard. be seeking to respond to But if you don’t score then successive defeats by Chelsea with another victory against a things get difficult. side still awaiting their “In games like these it often home first Group E win. happens that, if you score Steaua looked to be holding first, things turn out their own the last time these two differently. It’s a shame for sides met before Schalke seized us.”
but also with the whole club,” Rummenigge said Elsewhere, Bayern have had little else to worry about ahead of their upcoming Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow on
Wednesday. The European champions are now four points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, with Dortmund already trailing by seven. Bayern have collected 35 points from a total of 13 games, one more point than at this stage in the club’s record-breaking 2012-13 season. “We have a nice cushion on Dortmund and are four ahead of Leverkusen,” Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said. “But we should not make the mistake to count on being champions.”
Pep Guardiola
Marseille Ask For FIFA Compensation Over Ayew Injury
O LY M P I Q U E Marseille are seeking compensation from FIFA for Andre Ayew’s injury on international duty for Ghana. The midfielder injured his knee during last Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to
Egypt in the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals playoff return leg. The 23-year-old had to be substituted by Mubarak Wakaso as the Black Stars secured qualification to the finals with a 7-3 aggregate win.
UEFA Champions League
Limping Barca Visit Ajax services of goalkeeper Victor Valdes, utility player Adriano Correia, fullback Dani Alves and star forward Lionel Messi. However, their injury problems did not affect their form in the domestic league over the weekend as they registered a comfortable 4-0 win over Granada on Saturday to remain at the top of the La Liga standings. Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas scored from the penalty spot before the break, while Alexis Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez were also on target in the second half. When the two sides met at
the Camp Nou earlier this season Barca romped to a 40 win with Messi scoring a hat-trick but Ajax will back themselves to get a better result at home against a weakened Barcelona side. Frank De Boer’s side go into this clash in high spirits having beaten Heracles 3-0
Dortmund On The Verge Of Elimination
BORUSSIA Dortmund and Napoli will clash in a crucial UEFA Champions League encounter at the Signal Iduna Park night. Kick-off is billed for 21h45 (CAT). A draw will be enough to
Schalke Face Winless Steaua the initiative via an Atsuto Uchida cross. The home team then scored twice more through Kevin-Prince Boateng and Julian Draxler. Schalke won 1-0 in Basel on matchday two but then lost 3-0 home and away to Chelsea and have six points, three behind the Blues. They are just a point ahead of third placed Basel, who have a tricky home match against Chelsea. Steaua are the only Romanian
over the weekend to climb into second place in the Eredivisie. Niklas Moisander made his return from a knee injury in that match but Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and Siem de Jong were sidelined after sustaining injuries while on national duty.
Ayew is set for eight weeks on the sidelines and reports by RMC Radio say Marseille have asked FIFA to be compensated. Under the FIFA insurance policy, after the 28th day of injury, the club will receive +20,548 for every day the player is injured, which in Ayew’s case will be two months. That compensation is linked directly to a player’s earnings. Marseille are now hoping to get between five and six hundred thousand euros.
club to have won the European Cup, defeating Spanish giants Barcelona in a penalty shootout in the 1986 final. This is their first time in the group stage since the 2008/09 season and their seventh campaign overall. In those 40 matches they have amassed just four wins and 13 draws. Their last victory came at Dynamo Kyiv in September 2006, since when they have recorded 15 defeats and six draws. At home they have not won in four campaigns, including this one.
put Napoli in the knockout rounds while last season’s runners-up need the three points to revitalise their own prospects. When these two sides were drawn alongside Arsenal and Marseille, it was viewed by many to be one of the toughest groups in this season’s Champions League. Nevertheless, Dortmund were still expected to qualify for the knockout stages as group winners, with the rest left to battle for second spot. They also head into this match low on confidence after suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich this past weekend. It was their third successive defeat for the first time since January/February 2010. Jurgen Klopp’s men are now
on the verge of having to settle for a place in the Europa League. In fact, if they were to lose to Napoli evening and Arsenal avoid defeat against Marseille in London, then that would be the end of Dortmund’s Champions League campaign. Any positive result that the German side achieve will have to be done so without the presence of senior defenders Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer and Nevan Subotic, all of whom are ruled out with injuries. Napoli coach Rafael Benitez will be without Giandomenico Mesto and Juan Zuniga because of knee complaints, but Marek Hamsik should feature, despite having started the weekend’s clash against Parma as a substitute.
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Senegal Advance To WAFU Medal Zone
WAFU Nations Cup
Holders Togo Bounce Back In Style DEFENDING champions Togo bounced back with a 4-0 thumping of ten-man Liberia in their Group B clash at the Wafu Nations Cup. Head coach Tchanile Tchikala made four changes to the team which lost 3-1 to Senegal in their tournament opener and reaped the full benefits. But a forced substitute after 20 minutes when winger Nouhoum Cisse picked up a knee injury and had to be replaced by Kondo Armiyaou was the turning point. Armiyaou slotted in as a centre-forward and Kokouvi Gazozo shifted to the left wing and that caused problems for Liberia. A lot of scoring opportunities came Togo’s way but poor shooting upfront robbed them of the opener to go into the break. It was after the hour mark that Togo made their possession count by scoring the first goal through Saibou Badarou when he connected from the near post at the right. It was Kossivi Nouwoklo who did all the damage on the left and sent in a cross but Armiyaou missed and Badarou made amends. Liberia were further
weakened when substitute midfielder Eddie Wulue was red carded for a cynical challenge on Gazozo. The man at the receiving end of the tackle then made it two when drilled home from the near post on the right in the 82nd minute Two minutes later, Armiyaou’s hard work paid off when beautifully controlled a pass from the left and burst into the box and shot past goalkeeper Mulbah Urey. In injury time, captain Mani Sapol turned in a freekick from the edge of the box for complete the demolition exercise.
Kevin-Prince Boateng
Schalke Blast Ghana For Playing Boateng In Egypt GERMAN side Schalke have angrily blasted Ghana for using playmaker Kevin-Prince Boateng in last week’s decisive World Cup qualifier against Egypt, saying his role in Cairo has negatively affected his form. The Bundesliga side questioned what training regiment the midfielder underwent with the Black Stars ahead of last Tuesday’s World Cup playoff match against the Pharaohs claiming his time with Ghana has had a negative impact on Boateng. Schalke launched the attack on Ghana after Boateng failed to glitter over the weekend
when they played against Frankfurt in the thrilling 3-3 draw German top-flight game on Saturday. The German club insist the outstanding player should not have traveled with the Black Stars to play the match because of his injury problems. Boateng spent nearly two weeks with the Black Stars as they prepared in Istanbul
Egypt. The Frenchman took charge of the team from his ex-boss Herve Renard who resigned in October to take up the job at French Ligue 1 club Sochaux. “I am told that I was a physical coach or assistant
coach but I have been coach for more than 10 years. I am coach and I have got my UEFA A qualification,” Beaumelle said. This is Beaumelle’s first assignment as a national team head coach after serving as Renard’s assistant since 2008. “I did not change when I was preparing CHAN and Cosafa I am just the same. For you of course you are saying I am new now but I am doing the same job as coach,” Beaumelle said. Meanwhile after three friendly’s, Beaumelle is set for his first competitive test when Zambia takes part in the 2013 Cecafa Cup that kicks off on November 27 in Kenya. Zambia are in Group B where they will face Tanzania on November 28, Burundi on December 1 and Somalia on December 4.
I Can Do The Zambia Job - Beaumelle ZAMBIA coach Patrice Beaumelle has hit back at his doubters and says he is competent for the job. Beaumelle has started his one-deal deal on a poor note losing all three of his games, all of them friendly matches away to Brazil, Jordan and
Patrice Beaumelle
before travelling to Egypt for the match in which he scored to help Ghana seal its 2014 World Cup ticket. However, Schalke are have expressed their unhappiness with the player for insisting on joining the Black Stars for the match as he had to visit a specialist in Munich after the Cairo over the worrisome leftknee problem. Schalke signed the Ghana international in August in a shock 10 million Euro deal from Italian giants AC Milan and are expecting more from the Black Stars player. The coach of the German side Jens Keller insists Boateng’s role in helping the Black Stars seal qualification to the global tournament negatively affected his form in their match against Frankfurt. “He is not satisfied, we are not. He spent two weeks on the road. I do not know what they did there,” the 43-yearold manager Horst Heldt said. “The trip has certainly done him no good. “But that’s not easy when an association has requested a player.” Boateng scored as the Black Stars lost 2-1 in Cairo but sealed World Cup qualification with a 7-3 aggregate win over the Pharaohs. But he admits he was not in good form when they played Frankfurt on Saturday. “I did not come into the game,” the 26-year-old admitted. The talented playmaker has come under attack from some Ghana fans who claim he
feigned injury when he missed previous matches with the Black Stars. The ferocious attacks on Boateng has forced the player to turn up for national team duty as suspicion over his commitment to the Ghana cause grew. Boateng has defended himself insisting he is loyal to the Black Stars but with Schalke also attacking him for playing for Ghana, the midfielder can’t win the argument with either side.
SENEGAL booked their place in the next stage of the Wafu Nations Cup Group B with a comfortable 2-0 win over Niger on Sunday night. The pair of goals were scored in the first half by manof-the-match Richard Sagna and Sidy Sarr before the halfhour mark. Niger were dominated in the first period as they failed to neutralize Senegal’s midfield marshalled by captain Roger Gomis, goalscorer Sarr and Dominique Mandy. Senegal took the lead on seven minutes when Sagna was put through inside the box by top marksman Talla Ndiaye. He spun from the right to the left and then unleashed a powerful shot to the far post with goalkeeper Issa Abdoul Razak left with little chance to keep that out. Still Senegal were dominate and did not take their foot off the accelerator. They continued to search for more goals and another move from the left saw Thylor Seck’s low cross found Sarr inside the box and he blasted into the net. Niger dominated possession afterwards but failed to do what mattered most by finding the back of the net. Goalkeeper Ousmane Mane also drew some quality saves to deny Niger in both halves. Senegal are the only side to record back-to-back wins in the tournament and are in pole position to reach the medal zone.
Nasri Not Fretting Over World Cup Place
SAMIR Nasri has told Canal+ it would not “destroy” him if he missed out on the World Cup. Nasri, 26, was dropped by Didier Deschamps following a below-par display in France’s first-leg playoff defeat in Ukraine. The Manchester City midfielder then saw his nation make a spectacular second-leg comeback to clinch their World Cup finals place without him. Poor form at Arsenal meant he did not make Raymond Domench’s final squad for the South Africa finals of 2010, and Nasri insisted a second World Cup disappointment could actually be the making of him. He said: “I know that I wasn’t good during the first leg, but it was the same for the whole team. The coach made his choices, and I respect them. People have the right to
express themselves, but I don’t care one jot about criticism. “I’m not afraid to miss the World Cup. I’ve already missed one. I know how it feels. It’s not going to destroy me, on the contrary.”
Samir Nasri
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Iheanacho Saga: Adelakun Warns Against Rogue Agents
Akpokona Signs Big Deal With Crown FORMER Super Eagles coach Lawrence Akpokona has sealed a 12 million Naira deal with newly promoted Crown FC. The former Warri Wolves handler was in Abuja to watch the team play at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 4, which Giwa FC won. A top source told MTNFootball.com Akpokona will earn six million Naira as sign-on fee and salary of 500,000 Naira. “Coach Akpokona will be unveiled by Crown today. He will receive a sign-on fee of six million Naira and monthly salary of five hundred thousand Naira,” the source told MTNFootball.com Akpokona will sign the deal at Soun Stadium Ogbomosho. He has coached Warri Wolves, Rangers and Insurance previously.
Iheanacho
Newcastle Salute Eagles For ‘New’ Ameobi
NEWCASTLE United manager Alan Pardew has stated that Shola Ameobi’s resurgence was as a result of his chance with Nigeria. Ironically, Pardew had initially stood between Ameobi and an international career so much so that the striker was stopped from the back of the net for Newcastle’s featuring at the 2013 Africa Cup second goal and an assist for Shola. Ameobi topped a Newcastle of Nations in South Africa. Ameobi, accustomed to life as United Blog poll for best player a fringe player, has suddenly against Norwich City at 42%, emerged as the main man when followed by Yohan Gouffran at it comes to spearheading the 19%. The Toon boss said: “He gets attack. He has rarely performed better himself up for the big games like the than he did in Newcastle’s latest derby and, in the past, this has win against struggling Norwich probably been the type of game and now Pardew is ready to give where he has let himself down a bit and lost his place. him an extended run. “He won’t be losing his place next The 32-year-old Ameobi posted a man of the match week, that’s for sure.” Ameobi’s resurgence has come performance on Saturday as Newcastle defeated hard-fighting out of Africa, coinciding with his call-up by Nigeria, who are headed Norwich City 2-1. Ameobi, who scored for for next summer’s World Cup. “It is like a new horizon for him,” Nigeria in a friendly against Italy, said Pardew. “It has given him a lift, had a very good game for Newcastle and went close to to suddenly get that international scoring his first league goal of the opportunity. “For a tournament like that season twice, once when he drove the ball wide, and then he had a (World Cup) to open up to you is great downward header from a certain to give you a boost. As a club Sissoko right wing cross that we can only benefit from that. “The way we set up at present Yoan Gouffran was onto like a seems to suit Shola but his flash – and Yoan had the ball in
Michael Babatunde
competition here and when you are up against Alan Shearer, you have a bit of a problem. Perhaps he has performances are nothing to do with paid a price for his loyalty in a way, but he is getting his rewards now me - they are down to him. “He has always had a lot of he has that bit of extra experience.
AFRICAN football expert ‘Tunde Adelakun has made a passionate plea to all those involved with U17 star Kelechi Iheanacho not to ruin his promising career. Since the U17 World Cup MVP returned from the tournament in the UAE, a lot has gone on regarding speculations over his future, and Adelakun said he is worried. “Agents have started prowling round these players, which is nothing new”, he said. “Iheanacho showed great potential in UAE and these agents, who rely on such talent in making a living, are right to be interested. “However, we need to look at history and err on the path of caution”. Adelakun, who is also a special adviser to the Nigeria Football Federation on international affairs, recounted that the 2007 squad of a World Cup winning Eaglets, all faded into oblivion not long after the tournament, this denying Nigeria the privilege of having the boys graduate into the senior national team. “If Nigeria won the U17 title six years ago, then majority of the players should have graduated to a Super Eagles squad that should be fighting to win the 2014 World Cup, if they had been managed well,” he argued. “This was the model in countries like Spain, whose U20
team that included the likes of Casillas and Xavi, won the 1999 U20 title in Nigeria and graduated to be world champions today. Let’s also look at Brazil and their development from youth level. “Iheanacho won the MVP in UAE, same way as Ronaldinho won the same in 1997 in Egypt during this same competition, and just like Messi won it at U20 level in Holland in 2005. See where these guys’ careers took them subsequently. “This is what we should be aiming to see of our own Kelechi Iheanacho, in a few years time”. The director of African football’s Hall of Fame then made a direct plea to the agents and the custodians of the player’s football,to temper ambition with caution. “I hear there is a Mr Graham, based in Portugal, as well as a Mr Henry Galliano - both agents who might know where the player is. I’m literally begging them to return this player and think about his future,” he urged. Adelakun also had words for his colleagues and principals at the NFF. “We need to protect these guys and let the world know that Nigeria’s triumph in UAE was no fluke and that we can sustain it. If it means refusing to grant international clearance to the player until certain conditions are met, let’s do it. We can make a strong case to CAF and FIFA and they will back us up,” he opined.
Bright Dike Aims To Make World Cup Cut TORONTO FC striker Bright Dike has told MTNFootball.com he will fight to make Nigeria final squad to next year’s World Cup. Dike scored his second Eagles goal against Italy in the recent friendly against Italy in London but competition for places in attack will again be fierce as the likes of Emmanuel Emenike, Brown Ideye, Ahmed Musa, Obinna Nsofor and Shola Ameobi are
Ameobi
Michael Babatunde Returns From NIGERIA winger team the lead in a game that Injury Michael Babatunde has ended 1-1. returned to action after he was out for three weeks due to a shoulder injury. He saw 44 minutes of action on Sunday as his team Volyn drew 2-2 at Tavriya. He was a replacement for Bicfavid. He told MTNFootball.com he is delighted to return. “I missed the game while I was injured, it is over now and I am happy to be back playing,” Babatunde told MTNFootball.com Babatunde suffered the injury on November 1st in Volyn’s 2-0 win over
Shakhtar Donestk. MIchael Babatunde injured in big win Former Nigeria youth international defender Aliyu Mohammed Goyi was a 62nd minute substitute for Tavriya when he replaced Gumenyuk. In Turkey, Raheem Lawal was hero of Mersin Idmaryurdu as he scored the goal that earned them a point at Balikesirspor on Sunday. Lawal converted a penalty in the 61st minute to give his
Mersin are now fifth on the league table with 22 points from 13 games. The former Atletico Beleares player set up countryman Nduka Ozokwo, who was brought down for the penalty. “I am so happy to score the goal. I gave Nduka a through pass and he was brought down, I stepped forward and converted it,” Lawal told MTNFootball.com He has now scored four goals.
ahead of the US-based striker in the pecking order. He missed the final cut for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. “Playing in at the World Cup is what I have dreamt of since I was a little boy. I will do my best to make the squad for Brazil 2014 and I will remember it for the rest of my life,” Dike told MTNFootball.com He also said Nigeria are capable of making history by winning the tournament. “We can win the trophy, that’s our goal and that’s what we are striving for. We want to go as far as we could at the World Cup. We must push each other as teammates to past our limits to achieve this,” he said. On his performance for Toronto FC in the just concluded MLS season, the former Portland Timbers forward said he hopes to improve in the coming campaign. “No matter how well I perform in a match, I always strive hard to get better. So that is what my focus is,” he told MTNFootball.com
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CMYK
IF the Anambra governorship election is anything to go by, then I guess there is not much hope for free, fair and credible elections in 2015. The reasons for pessimism are all too obvious. An election is conducted under circumstances that are hardly ideal; for one, a
with discrediting the candidacy of just one man, Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for reasons that were obviously beyond the desire to prove the superiority of their own candidate but more out of a surreptitious move to help the incumbent fight
candidate in the election finds out that his name is not even on the voters’ registration list. Then there is the issue of delayed ballot boxes, an issue that has always been a problem in Nigerian elections and still wasn’t resolved during the Anambra one. As if that is not enough, The INEC chairman himself admits that there were infringements by his staff and even admits that the infringements discredited the elections. It doesn’t end there; we are told that the cancelled votes were even more than the margin of victory and so, the loser could have been the victor if those votes were accepted. This sets the stage for one of the most confusing outcome of any elections the country has ever seen. It starts with a series of campaigns by potential candidates who were obviously keen on proving their worth before the electorate. Even when it was obvious that some of the candidates had few chances of winning the elections, it was interesting to watch the zeal with which the different parties reached out to the people and painstakingly explained their strategies for development, except for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- whose members seemed bent on losing the elections. I say the PDP appeared all too willing to fail because they seemed excessively obsessed
it’s most potent rival in a strange alliance that had seen them give up all pretensions of seeking political power. For those who followed the campaigns and debates, it must have come as a shock to many that at no time did the PDP campaigners ever take a swipe at the government that they were trying to unseat. Throughout their campaign, which commenced only a week before the elections, there was no time at which the PDP candidate or his party executives criticised the Obi government or even hinged their desire for political control on the need to correct failures of that government. This strange play between rivals was the first proof of a clandestine pact. There was also the very provocative remark about Ngige’s alliance with “Awo” (an allusion to his alliance with a supposedly Yoruba controlled APC), according to businessman Arthur Eze, and his potentially incisive reference to the civil war. How this contributed to the debate on the best programme for governing the state still beats me to this day. When a party seems to be working at cross purposes with its candidate, then there has to be more than they are revealing. The PDP literally spent its entire campaign period in court, and conveniently too. No one seemed disturbed by the fact that a party, knowing the legal implications of sidelining
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013
a popular candidate who had won its primaries, would allow itself be dragged through a lengthy legal imbroglio while the party leadership watched its chances of electoral victory in such a strategic state slip away without much fuss. We even read in the papers at one time that
What The Elections In Anambra Foretell
Prof Attahiru Jega INEC Chairman
the Chairman of the party, Professor Atahiru Jega, expressed clear doubts about his party’s chances at the polls. This is not the key issue here however. What stands out most as the important lesson to be learnt from the Anambra debacle is the fact that it warns of an ominous future for Nigeria’s electoral process. Beyond the secret deals by which parties sell their candidates short for some other political benefits, there is the dangerous consequence of provoking public anger by undermining the relevance of the electorate in the political process. Professor Jega has done this in too many ways by his contradictory responses to the outcome of the elections. While he admits to serious infringements in some wards, and publicly puts the blame on members of his commission, he
seems not to realise the implications of denying the obvious need for a total cancellation of the elections. It is only logical that if flaws have been detected in an election process, and these flaws have been found to emanate from the designated umpire, then the process is already compromised and must commence afresh. However, we know that this will not happen. If we admit that the infringements recorded during the Anambra elections were significant enough to have caused the detention of some INEC Officials, and we recognise that the number of cancelled votes raised important questions about the validity of the results, and we also admit that the delays in the delivery of ballot boxes to polling units caused the disenfranchisement of many voters and that the
number of disenfranchised voters was large enough to stall the announcement of the results, at what point has the commission decided that all these do not amount to a total cancellation of the elections. I believe it is understandable if many Nigerians are not optimistic about the 2015 elections if this is an indication of what to expect. The fact that two out of the top four contenders, Dr. Chris Ngige of the APC and Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party, are from Anambra Central and South Senatorial district respectively, where INEC’s flaws were said to have been most obvious, raises suspicions. Questions have also been asked about the deployment of non- NYSC and poorly trained election officials in many polling units in Anambra State. Overall, the pattern of logistical logjam that plagued the
election would appear to most people as deliberate, selective, targeted and, as one article puts it, “indicative of a return to the dark days of electoral impunity in Nigeria.” The magnitude of INEC’s failure hits home even harder when we consider the facts. Anambra state is definitely not one of the largest states in the country, not by its land mass or the size of its population; it ranks as tenth in population size. There are twenty one local government councils in the state, and the state is one of the most easily accessible in the country with a reasonably good network of roads and short distances between towns. It is a surprise that INEC is unable to conduct smooth elections under such conditions and yet Nigerians are expected to put their confidence in this same umpire under conditions far more challenging than those in Anambra. Managing twenty one local government areas is nothing compared to managing seven hundred and fifty, and so it becomes clearer why many people think credible elections would be impossible to conduct. It is hard to counter this view with the many screw-ups by INEC. With such an abysmal record, all indications suggest that the commission’s blunders are deliberate and that it intends to continue on this path, regardless of prevailing public sentiment.
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