Nigerian observer 29 08 2013 by Nigerian Observer

THE NIGERIAN

The Nigerian

PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968

ISSUES cmyk

Page 18 How desire fools us

The benefits and dangers of the chase

INTERNATIONAL FEATURES

Page 25

West prepares for Syria attack

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

• Vol. 38 NO.299• THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2 013 • N100.00

FG begins implementation of ISPS Code - Minister

ABUJA - The Federal Government said yesterday it had begun the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facilities Security (ISPS) Code in

the ports nationwide. The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, announced this in

a statement by Mrs Yetunde Sonaike, Deputy Director, Press and Protocol, in the

ministry. The ISPS is an amendment to the Safety Continues on page 2

Suntai sacks cabinet . Appoints new SSG, Chief

JALINGO - Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba has dissolved the state executive council and appointed a new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and a new Chief of Staff, Government House. Mr Silvanus Giwa, appointments. Senior Special Assistant He passed the to the Governor on governor’s message of Media and Publicity to appreciation to the outthe governor announced going Commissioners the dissolution and new and Special Advisers for appointments at a news their services to the conference yesterday in state, and wished them Jalingo. well in their future He named the endeavours. outgoing Commissioner The State House of for Justice, Mr Timothy Assembly had on Kataps as the new SSG Tuesday, announced and Alhaji Aminu Jika as that the Acting Governor, the new Chief of Staff, Alhaji Garba Umar, adding that the would continue to act in appointment were with that capacity until Suntai immediate effect. was able to appear Giwa, who said that he before the lawmakers to was speaking on the confirm that the orders of Suntai, said all transmitted letter to the Commissioners and House was genuine. Special Advisers had The majority leader of been relieved of their the House, Mr. Joseph

Albasu had disagreed with the Speaker, Mr. Haruna Tsokwa, saying the Governor had taken over affairs of the state by the letter remitted to the House as provided by the 1999 constitution as amended. The speaker, who clams that he was

of Staff

unaware of the claims by the majority leader, also confirmed earlier reports that Suntai’s wife blocked him from seeing her husband on Tuesday. Tsokwa became

speaker when Istifanus Hrauna Gbana, an ally of Suntai, was removed while Suntai was still receiving treatment abroad. Meanwhile, human rights Lawyer, Femi

Falana has given the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar a three-day ultimatum to investigate the governor’s letter of intention to resume duty. He threatened court action at the expiration of the ultimatum. Another civil, Rights Continues on page 2

ASUU insists on implementation Govt ’ll take dev to of agreement

all parts of Edo - SSG By QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO

BENIN CITY - Secretary to Edo Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has emphasized that the major goal of the present administration is to ensure that all parts of the state receive the desired attention. He stated this yesterday in Government House, Benin City, when he received a delegation of Afemai Forum, who came on a courtesy visit. Describing the vision of the non-politically partisan and nonreligious Afemai Forum as a veritable platform to engineer the desired growth and development of Afemai land, Prof. Ihonvbere asserted that the session has reinvigorated his concern for the plight and welfare of the people in the area. He noted that for too

long Afemai land inspite of its immense contributions to the political and socioeconomic development of Edo State, had been marginalized and however expressed satisfaction that the anomaly was gradually being addressed. “Given the social, political and economic balances of the state, inspite of its contribution to the state, Afemai land appears to have been relegated and marginalized. I thank you for initiating this forum: he said. On series of issues raised by the leadership of the forum, generally geared towards enhancing the well being of Afemai land, the SSG pledged his fullest support. President, Afemai forum, Sir Joseph Arogundade who highlighted the achievements of the

body to include, intervention in inter and intra-ethnic conflicts and promoting healthy living, intimated the SSG of the 2013 Afemai Day Celebration scheduled to hold later in the year, at Sabongida-Ora which Continues on page 2

COURTESY CALL: The SSG, Edo State, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (right), in a handshake with Sir Joseph Arogundade, President, Afenmai Forum while receiving the constitution and 10th Year Anniversary Booklet from the President of the Forum, during a courtesy call yesterday in Government House, Benin City yesterday. Photo: QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO.

Group offers Stowaway teenage boy scholarship to varsity level By ADAMS OYIBOKE

BENIN CITY- De Raufs, a volunteer

group promoting the virtue of Ogbeni Raufs Aregbesola, the Governor, Osun state volunteered to sponsor

13 year old stowaway teenager, Daniel Ohikhena who sensationally hid in the

tyre compartment of Arik air flight from Benin to Lagos, last Saturday, In a statement signed

Olagunju, in a paper entitled, “Avoidable Tears of Ember, said road traffic crashes had become a major cause of

claiming more than 300,000 people and injuring between 10 and 15 million yearly. The paper was made

the highest road traffic crash figures in the world, though there is a trend down due to the Continues on page 2

High death rates on Nigerianavailable roads to journalists IBADAN - Dr Kayode yesterday in Ibadan. worries FRSC Olagunju, the Head, “ Nigeria has one of death worldwide, Policy, Research and Nigerian roads. Statistics Department of the FRSC, has expressed concern over the high rate of deaths from auto- accidents on

by the Director-General of the group Comrade Amitola Shittu, the group said that it is ready to give scholarship to Daniel up to university level and help him realize his dream of traveling by air legitimately. The statement added that genius and ambitious citizens of our country must not be suffocated on the altar of Continues on page 2

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

News

FG begins implementation of ISPS Code

Continued from page 1

of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (1974/1988) on minimum-security arrangements for ships, ports and government agencies. Having come into force in 2004, it prescribes responsibilities to governments, shipping companies and port/facility personnel to “detect security threats and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade. The minister said that implementation of the code became necessary so that Nigeria’s ports system would be safe and secured for the benefit of Nigerians and foreign investors in the maritime industry. “Nigeria is a country that depends solely on oil; making the ports safe is of paramount interest to the present administration,” it added. He said the appointment of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as the designated authority was part of the measures to address the identified gaps. “Most process in dealing with the identified gaps would

have commenced but not visible yet because of due process involved in implementing them,” he said.

Delta building capacity for future ASABA – Mr. Chike Ogeah, Delta Commissioner for Information, said yesterday that the state was building capacity in five key areas to sustain its future. Ogeah told newsmen in Asaba that the capacity building was part of government’s drive to move the state beyond oil. He said the five key areas are Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, tourism, sports, information and communication technology (ICT) and agriculture. Ogeah said countries like Brazil, China, South Africa, Malaysia and India built their economies in these areas and had been doing well for the people.

Lawyer, Barmidele Aturu had also joined the league of activists demanding that the true state of health of Suntai be ascertained

Continued from page 1 political and bureaucratic enforcement. According to Shittu “the little boy’s ambition should be nurtured through qualitative education, and the group is ready to give the boy all the

necessary support to make his dream a reality”. “We are sincerely willing to offer him the scholarship in order to encourage thousands of teenagers who are genius and ambitious, the leaders in Nigeria failed on their part to see the potential

Continued from page 1

- Commissioner

‘’What we are saying is that, those resources we are earning today, which we might not continue to earn, let us use it to build capacity in the other major areas that we can have comparative advantage. ‘’And basically in Delta, we have found about five of those key areas most countries have used to make the quantum leap from under developed, to developing and developed countries within twenty, thirty years. ‘’We are talking about bricks countries, and I will give their names. Countries like India, like you know, Brazil, Russia, South Africa and China, this is what

village and increase the pace of work currently going on at the Pa Michael Imhoudu College of physical Education. Afuze. He also appealed to government to consider making the college a full fledged College of Education

Group offers Stowaway teenage boy scholarship to varsity level

PHCN privatisation: Electricity, market participants begins ABUJA- The Operator of the registration Nigerian Electricity Market (ONEM) on Wednesday in Abuja commenced the registration of licensed electricity market operators. The registration of the participants started at a oneday seminar entitled “Formal Registration of all Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) Licensed Market Participants in the Nigerian Electricity Market’’. Declaring the seminar open, the Minister of Power, Mr Chinedu Nebo, said the Nigerian Electricity Market was on the right track as government would henceforth perform monitoring roles. “The Nigerian Electricity Market is going for a big explosion; it will unleash our economy in the dream of being among the top 20 economies by the year 20:2020. “We have evolved a situation whereby the quality and amount of power generated will astronomically go up. “Government’s hands are off as from now; it will only provide

they have used to make that quantum leap. ‘’The Malaysians came and took palm seedlings from here in the seventies, see what they have done; see how they have diversified their economy. ‘’But for us in Delta, one of the critical areas is really the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) sector, which is a great catalyst for growth. ‘’This is the area most of those Asian tigers used.’’ Ogeah said some Asian countries used the SMEs to build small businesses, created employment; used micro finance banks to create big multinational banks.

Govt ’ll take dev to all part of Edo

Continued from page 1 would involve lectures, cultural performances and the presentation of scholarship and awards. Contributing, one time president of the forum, Sir Solomon Ojeikere appealed to government to give the desired attention to the one hundred and forty-eight (148)hectares of land in the abandoned Afuze games

Suntai sacks cabinet

Te would be recalled that some officials of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recently visited the minister to discuss the ISPS code.

The USCG delegation, led by Mr. Tivo Romero, was in the country to ascertain the level of Nigeria’s compliance with ISPS code after the expiration of 90-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government by the USCG.

of the little boy”. De Raufs has therefore said it would take up the responsibility and save the future of Daniel Ohikhena by not turning him to a criminal, stressing that the parents should contact the secretariat of De Raufs volunteer group in Osun state for further briefing.

towards attracting the desired development to the area. Similarly, the Executive Director and some members of Edo Arise for Democracy, Good Governance and Cultural Awareness Organization, a nongovernment body, came calling on the SSG for an assurance of more recognition in view of its support and sacrifices for government. Prof. Ihonvbere said the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration has demonstrated high level of accountability and social justice as evident in the all round transformation of the state, hence needs the encouragement of all. Leader of the organization, Comrade Isaac Obasogie said the visit is to re-affirm their loyalty to the state government and solicit for more empowerment.

High death rates on Nigerian roads worries FRSC

the enabling policies and perform monitoring roles. “In the next few weeks, we will begin to sign the protocols of handover.’’ The minister, who was represented by Mr. GodKnows Igali, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, said the government had paid up to 70 per cent of the severance benefits of the PHCN staff, and planned to create more jobs through privatisation.

efforts of the FRSC and the contributions of other stakeholders. “However, we still need to sustain efforts to make our roads safer,” he said. Olagunju added that between 1960 and 2012, some 1,060,507 crashes were recorded in Nigeria, with 322,427 deaths and

BENIN CITY - The Ministry of Agriculture and National Resources has announced the closing date of 2012/2013 produce season. A statement signed by Mr. Godfrey O. Alile, Director of Produce Services on behalf of the Commissioner, Hon. Abdul Oroh, says the closing date for the current season is Thursday September 5 th , 2013 at midnight. Similarly, Friday October 4th 2013 has been declared as

the opening of the 2013/2014 produce year. Prospective produce Buyers, licensed Agent (LBA), Exporter and processors, according to the statement are advised to call at the ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Central Road, Benin City for fresh registration and guideline. It further stated that all permissions and buyer registration previously issued were revoked with immediate effect.

Continued from page 1

Produce season closes By DOROTHY Sept 5 EGBOBAMWONYI

1,016,299 injuries. “In 2012 alone, there was a report of a total of 4,260 deaths on Nigerian roads; an average of 12 persons died daily and with 20,752 injured. “Hence, on the average, 69 persons were either injured or killed on our roads daily; 48,114 persons were involved in 6,269 documented cases. “This means, on the average of one hour, 0.7, that is an approximated one crash occurred on the road and 5.5, that is, six persons are involved in a crash within an hour. “Nigeria has five deaths per 10,000 vehicles and four deaths per 100,000 human population,” he said. Describing the figures as unacceptable, he said most accidents occurred during the last quarter of the year. “Many of these preventable accidents, unnecessary loss of lives and avoidable waste of resources in terms of damaged vehicles and expenses on hospitalisation occur during the last quarter of the year.

Owan East empowers widows AFUZE - The Chairperson of Owan East Women Development Programme (WDP), Mrs. Florence Omolegho Ijegbai has said that the Hon. (Barr.) Jimoh Ijegbai’s led administration is geared towards the transformation of the Local Government and empowering various groups, including widows who by tradition or policy have been neglected over the years. Mrs. Ijegbai who said this on the occasion of the empowerment of widows in Owan East Local Government Area, which took place at the Council Secretariat also noted that the present administration believes that when the widows are empowered, they will become economically viable, self sufficient and be able to care for their children and dependents. Mrs. Florence Ijegbai

implored the beneficiaries of this gesture to make judicious use at the monetary and other material gifts presented to them so as to justify the dreams of the present administration towards widows and the less privilege in the locality. During the occasion grinding machines and cash were presented to widows drawn from the eleven wards of the Local Government Area. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Betty Okware commended the Chairperson for the gesture which she said is aimed at ameliorating their sufferings assuring that the beneficiaries will make judicious use of the items. Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of items by the Chairperson, APC Women Leaders and other top Government functionaries.

Aspirant offers to continue bills initiated by Ewherido By ADAMS OYIBOKE BENIN CITY- Chief Fred Majemite, Political Adviser to Delta State Government and an aspirant for the Delta Central Senatorial Zone has promised to continue with the bills initiated by Late Senator Pius Ewherido. Speaking with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER in Benin City on Monday Majemite said he desired to contest for the senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He noted that the late Senator Pius Ewherido initiated some bills which included one on corporate manslaughter adding that if elected, he would ensure that the bills saw the light of day and was passed as law. He also said that he would not support the bill on the girl child marriage as the Christian doctrine abhors it. “As a Christian, and where I

come from, we take the issue of defilement very seriously and our culture frowns at it, how much more girl child marriage. Any child who is below the age of 15 cannot be thinking of marriage let alone 13 years old” he said. “He further said that if given the opportunity to go the senate in the forth-coming bye-election in Delta Central, he would represent the people and not himself, stressing that he would be their voice there. Chief Majemite explained that he would ensure that he was accessed at all times as he would not allow his status affect his relationship with people of his constituency. “My kind of politics is one without bitterness and going there will increase my tempo of service, because any position man finds himself is transient”, he maintained.

Urhuekhue-Uguomo Nokhua-Orogho Road project commences By THOMPSON ERHOMOSELE

ORHIONMWON - The reconstruction And asphalting of 10km road project starting from Benin-Abraka road junction linking Urhuekhue and Uguomo Nokhua to Orogho communities all in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State by Edo State Oil And Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) has commenced. Edo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Ambassador Orobosa OmoOjo (JP) on Tuesday embarked on an unscheduled inspection of the on-going road reconstruction to ascertain the extent and quality of work done. Engr. Noble Egharevba, Principal Partner of NOBA Associates (Consulting Engineers), the Project Manager, Gabriel Osemeikhian of Nigerian

Dynamic Ltd (Contractor) and the Community Liaison Officer, Mr. Clement Obayawuna were on site with their equipment when the Commissioner arrived. Commenting on the pace of work, the Commissioner insisted that the project must be executed according to specification. The Commissioner advised the contractor to avoid the situation that would spark off complains from the benefiting communities. He frowned at the decision to start the construction of the road from Urhuekhue leaving four kilometers out. Engr. Egharevba disclosed that the project, which started last month, would be completed in 18 months time. The Urhuekhue Customary Court building and the completed Urhuekhue Primary School block of six classrooms projects were also inspected by the Commissioner.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Across The Nation Ondo Guber Tussle: Mimiko Knows Fate Today

ABUJA- The Supreme Court will today deliver judgment in the appeal challenging the election of Olusegun Mimiko as governor of Ondo State. Justice Walter Ononghen, who led six other justices on the proceedings, reserved the judgment after counsel to parties adopted their addresses. Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and Chief Olusola Oke, candidates of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), respectively, challenged the October 20, 2012 re-election Mimiko of the Labour party (LP). Reports have it that ACN and PDP were listed as parties in the appeal. Akeredolu had prayed an order for a re-run election, while Oke on the other hand sought for his declaration as governor. They claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conspired with Mimiko to illegally add more than 90,000 fake voters in the voter register used for the election. They further alleged that INEC failed to display the voter register before the election as mandated by the Electoral Act. The election ought not to have been held as the processes leading to casting of votes were beclouded with ‘fraudulence’. The Akure Division of the Court of Appeal on July 2 dismissed the two appeals, and upheld the Mimiko’s election. The duo had filed separate appeals before the appellate court against the judgment of the Election Petitions Tribunal that had earlier dismissed their petitions. The court held that the appellants failed to prove the allegations of substantial noncompliance of the 2012 election with Electoral Act 2010 as amended beyond reasonable doubt. Dissatisfied with the decision of the appellate Court, Akeredolu and Oke, approached the Supreme Court for what they called “further and better interpretation of the issues raised’’. Mr Wole Aina, who appeared for Akeredolu, urged the court to uphold his client’s relieves because the election was shrouded in ‘irregularities, fraud and conspiracy’. In a swift interjection by Chief Wole Olanipeku, Counsel to Mimiko, urged the court to compel the counsel to the appellant to formerly announce

the seeming extinction of CAN, as a political party. Olanipeku argued that the rules of the court compelled the CAN, which was the second appellant in the appeal to be struck out of the suit, having metamorphosed into All Progressive Congress (APC) through a merger with other political parties. However, Aina opposed Olanipeku’s submission, arguing that ACN’s status as an appellant still remained relevant. “I am not oblivious of the fact that the party has gone through a process of merger resulting in a new political party called All Progressive Congress. “This, I have read from the newspapers, and cannot be used as evidence. It is also left to be seen whether INEC has finally retrieved the party’s certificate of registration. “So I urge the court to discountenance the ambush to frustrate the hearing of the appeal,’’ he said. After a moment of pondering, Aina bowed to the pressure and filed an oral application for the substitution of the party with the APC as new appellant. Olanipeku-led other counsel to the respondents to oppose the application, contending that such application ought to have been formally filed by officials of the

APC. They, therefore, prayed the court to summarily strike out ACN from the appeal, adding that the court lacked the jurisdiction to replace it with APC in the circumstance. Giving a short ruling, Onoghen dismissed the application and ordered the

striking out of ACN from the appeal. “ACN has ceased to exist as a political party and by extension, a party in this appeal’’ he said. Arguing the main appeal, Olanipeku, Yusuf Ali (SAN) counsel to LP, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) counsel to INEC, jointly prayed the court to dismiss it. They submitted that the

appellant failed to prove the allegation of non-compliance to the Electoral Act in the conduct of the election. Ikpeazu urged the court to discard the appellant’s affidavit that suggested that INEC accepted registering fake voters to assist Mimiko to gain upper hand in the election. “My Lords, nothing of such

happened as both the soft and hard copies of the voter register were given to all the political parties before the day of the election,’’ he said. On the other appeal filed by the PDP Candidate, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Counsel to Oke, urged the court to cancel the election.

Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna (left) presenting a souvenir to the Pakistan Business Associates head of delegation, Mr. Zafar Mehmood (right) during their visit to the Governor in Kaduna yesterday. With them is the Nigerian Ambassador to Pakistan, Amb. Dauda Danladi yesterday.

Customs To Create Enforcement Unit At Akanu Ibiam Airport

ENUGU - The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said it would create an enforcement unit at the Akanu-Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, as part of efforts to provide effective surveillance of the area. The Comptroller, Enugu Area Command, Mr. Abbas Mohammed, said this when the state House of Assembly Committee on Security visited him in Enugu. Mohammed said the unit had become necessary due to the porous nature of the airport environment and its international status. He called on government to assist NCS by providing operational vehicles to enable the service to achieve its target. According to him, some

unscrupulous people may use the new international airport to import and export prohibited goods and items. “Outside our custom duties, we do other security work, so we want to reach out to the media so that the people will be aware of the prohibition list. “Our primary target is to ensure that prohibited items are not imported or exported

through the Akanu-Ibiam Airport. “If cargo begins to come into the airport, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), will come in with their balloon ware house and this requires 24 hours service to clear the cargoes,’’ he said. Mohammed said the service was ready to work, noting that 20 officers had been posted to man the

airport. Abbas said that lack of adequate operational vehicles would stall the service from achieving its set target of surveillance of Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi. Earlier, Mr. Paul Ogbe, the Chairman of the Committee, said the visit was to enable the house to know NCS level of preparedness in tackling

the challenges that might arise. He stressed the need for the service and other security agencies to beef-up security around the area to ensure that fake and substandard products were not imported through the airport. Ogbe pledged the support of the lawmakers in partnering with security agencies to ensure that the state did not become a dumping ground for prohibited items.

FG To Complete Power Plants By 2014

LAFIA - Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said all the 11 power plants being constructed by the Federal Government would be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2014.

Maku stated this while fielding questions from Journalists after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders’ meeting in Lafia. He said that seven out of the 11 power plants had so far been

L-R: Nigerian Ambassador to Pakistan, Amb. Dauda Danladi, President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture, (KADCCIMA), Alhaji Alimi Bello, Pakistan Business Associates, Head of Delegation, Mr. Zafar Mehmood and Chairman, Pakistan Senate Standing Committee on Culture, Sports and Tourism, Sen. Zafar Chaudhry, during a courtesy visit to Governor Mukhar Yero of Kaduna State yesterday.

completed while efforts were being intensified for the completion of others before the end of the first quarter of 2014. He said that the Federal Government had completed 150 out of the 220 injection substations being constructed to stabilise and hold the power to be generated. Maku further explained that the privatisation of the sector would enhance efficiency in power delivery as was witnessed in the telecom sector. The minister noted that the Federal Government deserved commendation for completing the plants in two years, adding that the result would double within the next few years. “It is almost magical for the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to have achieved this feat in just two years; this is a clear indication of his commitment to deliver on power,” he said. Maku pointed out that the present administration had done far more than any previous administration in the country. He, therefore, appealed to

Nigerians to be patient with the administration, pointing out that there would be a lot of improvement and stability in the power sector before the end of 2014. Maku said the media was under reporting the achievement of government. “It is unfortunate that the media is focusing more on personality rather than discussing development. “The media should focus more on progress, on achievements of government irrespective of political party platform in the interest of the people,” Maku said. He added that the government needed support and the media had the responsibility to report progress, “so that you don’t fixate yourself with politics.” “Politicians would want to undermine tangible achievements because they would want to come in, but the reality of what the Jonathan administration is doing is very clear and deserved to be reported,“ he said.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Inside Edo LG Poll: Council

Boss Thanks Constituency By AUDU ADAMA

Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Abuja Chapter, Mr. Emeka Ozioko (left), with the Deputy National President, Mr. Ademola Olorunfemi at the opening of 2013 Engineering week in Abuja yesterday.

Orhionmwon LG To Address Urhonigbe Erosion ABUDU – Orhionmwon Local Government Council has commenced the process of finding lasting solution to the erosion problem in Urhonigbe Community. Chairman of the council, Chief Roland Ibierutomwen who disclosed this in Abudu when the Idolevbo Association of Urhonigbe visited him said the council engineer had inspected the site and reported his findings to the council. The council boss said the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa is already collaborating with the two tiers of government in the state to give the people in the state greater sense of

belongings. Chairman of Idolevbo Association, Mr. Isaac Igie in his address presented by the association’s Secretary, Prince Omon commended the council boss for trimming his wealth of experience to bear in the administration of the council. Pledging the loyalty and support of members of the association, Mr. Igie solicited for the council’s urgent attention to the boundary crisis with neighbouring community in Delta State. He also solicited

Immortalise Composer Of National Anthem, LG Boss Urges FG SABOGIDDA-ORA – The Chairman, Owan West Local Government Council, Hon. (Barr.) Godwin Aigbodion has called on the federal government to immortalised the composer of the Nigeria National Anthem, Pa Benedict Elide Odiase who died recently. Hon. Aigbodion made the call in a chat with newsmen on the death of the man who composed our National Anthem. He said the National Anthem which is part of the history of the country would for a very long time be there while the composer of the history making anthem had passed on. The council boss expressed regret that he (Aigbodion) was not opportune to meet with him, especially as he (Odiase) hails from Owan West Local Government Area. Expressing sadness at the way the history making Pa Aigbodion Odiase who gave the country the well laid anthem lived and died, urged the federal government to do all it could to immortalize him and cater for the surviving family as a matter of necessity. He also urged the federal

government to identify other Nigerians who have contributed their quota to the growth and development of Nigeria and establish a hall of fame in their memories. He promised that the council would do all it could to ensure that the immediate family of the late icon of Nigeria history is catered for.

government attention to the erosion problem in Urhonigbe Community which he blamed on a contracting firm.

IGARRA – The Chairman, Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Hon. Folorunsho Joseph Akerejola has paid a two-day thankyou visit to the ten wards in the locality with a promise to empower the youths and women and to as well site at least a viable project each in all the forty-two communities in the locality before the end of his tenure. Hon. Akerejola who was accompanied on the visit by members of his cabinet, the legislative arms and top officials of the council made this disclosure at the palace of the Onose of Ekpedo, HRH Oba J. A. Obabori. The council boss informed the Royal Father

that he was in his palace to formally thank him and his subjects for assisting him to victory at the April 20, 2013, local government council polls in the state. He assured the palace that his government will not disappoint Akoko-Edo people as he has already executed fifteen projects within the first one hundred days in office. Congratulating Hon. Akerejola for his victory at the local government poll, Oba Obarori, in his response commended Hon. Akerejola for being the first council chairman to embark on such a visit since the creation of the Local Government Area. The royal father advised the council boss to listen to useful criticisms that would

locality. He lamented that the council is endowed with rich mineral and human resources and therefore called on AkokoEdo indigenes resident at home and abroad to form a

united front and ensure that this dream is realized soon. The council chairman was optimistic that if created, the socio-political as well as the economic lives of Akoko-Edo people would be enhanced.

LG Boss Wants 2 More Councils IGARRA – The Federal Government has been enjoined as a matter of urgency to create two other Local Government out of the present Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State as it is currently about the largest and oldest in the country. This call was made by the Chairman, Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Hon. Joseph Akerejola in an exclusive interview with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER at Igarra, at the end of the twoday thank-you visit to all the wards in the locality. The council boss lamented the meager federal revenue accruing to the council area which he noted was at variance with the large population and the geographical spread of the

move the council area forward. At the palaces of the Olososo of Ososo, the Onilampese of Lampese, The Otaru of Igarra. The Olokpe of Okpe, Oba J. A. Ojeifo Ado III of Ugboshi-Afe, Dagbala Traditional Council and at Egbigere Community, prayers were offered for the council chairman. Hon. Akerejola was however greeted with myriad of challenges that are confronting Akoko-Edo people in the area. Responding at the various communities visited, Hon. Akerejola enjoined the people to exercise patience as his administration is barely four months old in office. He also advised the people to shun any form of rancour and concentrate more on issues that would bring peace and tranquility to Akoko-Edo stressing that the current administration in the state is development-focused and not on pulling down personalities.

Unity Schools: Parents

Body Meets Tomorrow EKPOMA - The National Executive Council and board of Trustees of National Association of Parents Association of Federal Unity Secondary Schools (NAPAFUSS), will meet in Ekpoma tomorrow Friday, August 30, 2015. In a release endorsed by its National President, Prof Paul Erie, the agenda for the meeting includes the consideration and ratification of the restructuring of the association and the adoption of the association’s new

name- which is National Teachers Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC).

Participants at the 43rd Conference/AGM of the Nigerian Institute of Builders in Abuja yesterday.

AGENEBODE - Etsako East Local Government Council has embarked on enlightenment and sensitization campaigned on the impeding flood in riverine communities in the area. Addressing the people, the Chief Press Secretary to the Local Government Chairman, Mr. Isabemoeh James Roy, highlighted the causes,

consequences and preparation for flood. He said that flood is a natural occurrence which destroys lives and property across the world adding it leads to poverty and inability to sustain living condition. While calling on the people to develop the habit of quick response to warning, he

Flood Disaster: LG Sensitises Residents stressed the need to avoid building on waterways, adding that regular environmental sanitation exercise creates good health for the people. Chief Emmanuel Ikeme, the Onotu of Uzamu who expressed happiness with the enlightenment exercise called on the people to respond positively to government

warning. A member of the enlightenment campaign team, Mallam Hamza Zakari expressed joy over the turn out of the people for the exercise noting that the awareness is being created at the right time. The team also visited the Agenebode main market which was opened for the day.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

South-West Ondo Launches Fadama Youth Villages AKURE - The Ondo State Government has launched Fadama Youth Villages in three local government areas of the state. The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, said at the ceremony that the villages were established to engage the youths in income generating activities, rather than being used to perpetrate evil. Oluboyo distributed cheques to Agbeyewa Youth Village, Ipoke in Ese-Odo local government and listed the three benefitting local government areas as Ondo East, Irele and Ese-Odo. He said that over N22 million had been estimated for the completion of the Agbeyewa youth village slated to be completed within a month. The village, he said comprised of 155 youths who 13 Fadama Users Groups according to their chosen farming enterprises which include piggery, poultry, fishery and crop production. He said that the state government had employed over 3,000 youths under Fadama programme, which, he said, would also guarantee the emergence of a set of new generation of farmers in future. “We believe that youths, organised into cluster will foster farming operations

that would allow farmers to share resource together at a larger scale under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) “The state government is putting machinery in motion aimed at capitalising on the state’s comparative advantage in rice and cassava production under the ATA programme. “It is our candid opinion that participants in these villages will constitute the bulk of large-scale farmers

in Nigeria in future” Oluboyo said. Meanwhile, Mr Olusiji Olatunji, the acting state Coordinator of the project, said Atoranse Fadama Youth village comprise of 160 youths made up of eight Fadama Users Groups in Irele local government. Olatunji further said that the Irewolede Fadama Youth Village also comprise 302 youths who formed themselves into 16 Fadama User Groups, according to their farming activities.

From left: Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, Deputy chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Rep. John Dyegh and a member, Rep. Simon Mwadkwon, during the visit of members of the committee to the Governor in Bauchi yesterday.

Community Builds Quarters For Doctors, Nurses

implication of the fraudulent inclusion of the 3,571 illegal students amounted to N31.6 million. He added that apart from the amount, various sums of money were discovered to have been

held illegally by certain officers of the ministry. Opebiyi said the panel had recommended appropriate sanctions against culpable officers and suggestions on ways of preventing future occurrences.

The Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, commended members of the panel for the successful completion of the assignment. She said the panel members had assisted government in the

assignment without prejudice to the pressure mounted on them. “Whatever we do should be for the progress of the state and the present administration in its mission to rebuild the state,” she said.

BADAGRY (LAGOS STATE) - The Egun-Awori Community in Badagry, Lagos State will, before December, complete construction of quarters for doctors and nurses posted to the Apa Primary Healthcare Centre in the community. The Traditional Ruler, Oba Oyekan Ajoseh, told newsmen in Badagry that the self-financed project was aimed at alleviating the accommodation problem of health workers in the centre. He said that provision of accommodation facilities would enable the health workers to be available at the centre and make it effective. “With doctors and nurses on ground, the centre will be functional, and people in the community will not have to go to the general hospital,” he said. Ajoseh said that pregnant women in the community had to go through much rigour before accessing healthcare at the Badagry General Hospital. He also said that the community had begun rehabilitation of the centre which, he noted, had dilapidated. “It will be back to normal soon,” the monarch said.

ADO-EKITI - The Ekiti State Government says it has immunised more than 17,000 children since 2012. The Permanent Secretary, state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs Folakemi Falore, said this in an interview with newsmen in AdoEkiti. She attributed the success recorded to the decentralisation of the immunisation centres across the 16 local government areas of the state. According to her, the children

were immunised against childhood killer diseases such as polio, measles, tuberculosis, tetanus and Hepatitis B. She reiterated government’s

commitment to the well being of children and women, adding that no polio case had been recorded since the present administration came into office in the state.

Falore, however, urged parents to continue to take advantage of government’s gesture of providing the vaccines and ensure that their children

complete the doses. She also expressed gratitude to various development partners for supporting government’s health initiatives.

ABEOKUTA - Alhaji Kamal’din Akintunde, the National President, National Council for Muslim Youths Organisation (NACOMYO), has warned youths in the country against indecent dressing. Akintunde told newsmen in

Abeokuta that indecent dressing attracts negative reactions and delays divine response to requests and prayers. He also said indecent dressing was a negation of societal values and norms, adding that it should be discouraged.

Akintunde further said that indecent dressing contravenes the teachings of many religions, including Islam and Christianity. He, however, condemned some religious bodies and parents for tolerating and accepting indecent dressing

among youths. “The fact is that the perpetrators of this attitude are being influenced by modernity, and thus lose religious sensibility.

Chairman, Campaign for Democracy (CD), South-East region, Mr. Uzor Uzo; the Ogilisi Igbo of Igbo-Land, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka and Zonal Supervisor of Civil Awareness and Economic Empowerment Initiative, Mr. Steve Ugwu, at a joint news conference on Anambra gubernatorial candidates debate in Oba, Onitsha on Tuesday.

Panel Uncovers Scam In SSCE Enrolment ABEOKUTA - A total of 3,571 external candidates were added to the legitimate list of students that sat for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in the last three years in Ogun. This was made known in Abeokuta during the presentation of a report of the administrative panel of enquiry set up by the state Head of Service. The panel had looked into alleged cases of illicit and fraudulent diversion of government funds by officials of the Ministry of Education. Following a petition on alleged diversion of public funds meant for payment of the SSCE in the state amounting to N200 million, government had set up a five-man panel of enquiry to look into the allegation. According to the Chairman of the panel, Mr Abdul-Fatai Opebiyi, the financial

Ekiti Immunises 17,000 Children Muslim Group Warns Against Indecent Dressing

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Lagos Transformation Agenda Will Curb Medical Tourism LAGOS - The Minister of - Minister Health, Prof. Onyebuchi

Telecomm Operators Seek Improved Environment LAGOS - The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria urged the Federal Government to identify and tackle the hindrances to expansion of telecommunications networks instead of imposing fines on operators over poor services. The President of the association, Mr Lanre Ajayi, said in Lagos that imposing fines on the operators would not improve services. Ajayi who spoke with the newsmen said that tackling the hindrances would be the best way to improve quality of services. Ajayi said that the operators had injected much into their networks but encountered obstacles in rolling out and expanding the networks. “We need to know why the operators are not able to expand their networks in spite of their interest in doing so. “The interest is measured by the fact that they have injected the necessary funds and made the necessary investments. “The network is not rolling out as fast as we desire,” he said. He said that fines had taken away money that could be used to expand the networks.

Driver, 2 Others Docked For Theft

IKEJA - A 45-year-old tanker driver, Daniel Ologunaga, and two others, who allegedly stole 2, 500 litres of diesel, have been charged before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. Charged along with Ologunaga were Wole Arowolo, a 38-year-old auto mechanic, and Christopher Agbo, a 57-year-old security guard. The accused, whose addresses are unknown, are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, malicious damage and stealing. The prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 20 at No. 52, Morrison Crescent, Alausa in Ikeja at 10.30 p.m. He said the accused stole 2,500 litres of diesel from a tanker with registration no. XV 35 AKD, property of Servetex Ltd. Uwadione, however, did not give the monetary value of the stolen petroleum product. He alleged that the driver diverted the tanker to Alausa under the pretext of taking it to Magboro, Ogun, for repairs where he stole the diesel. According to him, Ologunaga also willfully damaged the vehicle by pouring hydraulic oil into the tank. The offences, Uwadione said, contravened Sections 285, 348 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

L-R: Member, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Rep. Simon Mwadkwon, Deputy Chairman, Rep. John Dyegh and Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Dr. Shuaibu Musa, during the Committee’s oversight visit to the institution in Bauchi yesterday.

Chukwu, has said that full implementation of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government would curb medical tourism and its resultant capital flight. Chukwu gave the assurance in Lagos at the inauguration of the Vedic Lifecare Clinic - a Nigerian-Indian private joint venture. The minister was represented by Dr Grace Oshinubi, an official in the Federal Ministry of Health. He noted that the 2010/2015 National Health Strategic

Lecture hall of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi inspected by the members of the House of Representatives Committee on Education during their oversight function to the institution in Bauchi yesterday.

Health:

LAGOS - A public health and community medicine expert, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, has said that Nigeria needs to prepare for Public Health Emergencies (PHEs). Fatusi, also the Director, Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, made the statement in his presentation at the 56th National Council on Health (NCH) Meeting in Lagos. He defined PHEs “as disasters, significant outbreaks of an infectious disease, bioterrorist attacks or other catastrophic events that required medical response”. Fatusi also identified armed conflict, floods, oil spills, building collapse and erosions as the most prominent threats of disaster and PHEs in Nigeria. He said that the timing and scale of such emergencies could overwhelm the country’s health system and result in unnecessary loss, if there was no appropriate response plan. According to him, there are three possible types of disasters- natural disasters like floods or drought and natural disasters triggered by human factors, such as flood due to blocked dams.

Development Plan was to chart a way forward for an effective health sector. Chukwu noted that Nigeria was a rapidly growing economy with a large market and a high demand for healthcare services. “The plan is done in collaboration with states, local governments, civil society and international partners. “We have just done a midterm review, a preliminary report of which is very encouraging. “The transformation agenda for the health sector is hinged on the upgrade of federal hospitals to deliver excellent health services, training of health personnel and the involvement of the private sector. “In line with the transformation agenda in the sector, Nigeria has entered into a partnership with General Electric, U.S. ‘‘The company is expected to attract co-investors into the health sector, with the Federal Government providing the enabling environment,” the minister said. Chukwu said that the management of the inaugurated clinic had contributed to accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in Nigeria. Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, urged the private sector to help to make the state a first class destination for medical care. “I wish to assure you that this government stands behind anyone who is willing and able to raise the bar in healthcare delivery. “Our vision of basic healthcare for all is in keeping with this theme,” Fashola said.

Nigeria Needs To Prepare For Emergencies - Expert

He said that human disasters, including conflict and water pollution as a result of factory waste, were the third type. Fatusi said that such disasters could destroy the environment, result in loss of lives, health, property and as well disrupt the country’s social and economic processes. He said that Nigeria could no longer ignore the possibility of PHEs because, ‘No country in the 21st century has been spared of the challenge and agony of PHEs and disasters. “Over 200 million people are

affected annually by these events.” Fatusi said that unplanned urbanisation, climate change, under-development, environmental degradation and the impact of epidemics would also contribute to disasters in the future. He urged the Federal Government to reduce the impact of disasters by making adequate preparations ahead of time. Fatusi said that this was possible by anticipating the

disaster and plan a response that would put in place relief equipment, training health workers and developing a recovery plan for those affected. “An effective response to disaster begins with effective planning at the province, state, district and municipal levels to protect people and their property. “The development of community plans based on the participatory appraisal of risks, strengths and vulnerabilities to various hazards offers the best

Rape, Domestic Violence: Activist Urges

LAGOS - Dr Joe OkeiOdumakin, a human rights activist and Chief Executive Officer of Women Arise for Change Initiative, an NGO, has called for stiffer penalties for rape and domestic violence perpetrators. Okei-Odumakin made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. “The scourge of violence is escalating everyday and one of

Stiffer Penalties

the chief culprits is poverty and lack of heavy penalties. “The painful aspect is that women are one of the major culprits because they bring children from their villages under the pretence of assistance to maltreat them. “Also, many men today take delight in beating up their wives as a form of discipline and the reason this is common is because

penalties for these offences are still light,” she said. She added that the law enforcement agents should be empowered to take the issue of rape, and violence more serious. Okei-Odumakin urged the Federal Government to use more offenders as examples to serve as deterrent to others. She said if cases of rape, violence and child trafficking were treated lightly, injustice would persist.

strategy to mitigate disasters at the community level,” he said. Fatusi said that things were not hopeless as Nigeria already had a few policies for PHEs and disasters. He made reference to the National Policy on Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response that was developed between 2005 and 2006. He said that unfortunately, the response policy had not been implemented. “At the heart of any approach to minimising loss and improving resilience is the reduction of underlying risks,” he said. Fatusi said that environmental management, improved food security, protection of critical public facilities, land and building code enforcement would reduce the risk of disasters. The theme of the council meeting is “Health Sector: Now and Beyond 2015,” with the sub-themes as “Public Health Emergencies” and “Mutual Accountability for Results.”

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Across The Nation Kano Sponsors Students To Niger Republic KANO - The Kano State Government said it spent about N1 billion to build a bilingual school in Niger Republic and sponsored 101 students to study French in the institution. The school was built in collaboration with Niger Republic. Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso announced this in Kano during the send-off ceremony for the students. He said that the beneficiaries were selected from the 44 local government areas of the state. He said that the government had spent billions of naira to fund several students to study

abroad. Kwankwaso said that in its efforts to improve the standard of education, his administration embarked on “massive construction of classrooms” across the state. The Nigerien Minister of Education, Madam Maryam Ibrahim, commended the government for sponsoring less privileged students to study abroad. She urged the students to be disciplined and good ambassadors of their country. One of the beneficiaries, Abubakar Sadik, expressed gratitude to the governor for the gesture.

L - R: Permanent Secretary, Minister of Women Affairs, Dr Habiba Lawal; Gender And Conflict Advisor, Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, Dr Chitra Nagarajan; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina and UN Women Country Representative, Dr Grace Ongile, at the Launch and dissemination of National Action Plan, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in Abuja on Tuesday.

Sokoto To Upgrade College Of for Education, Education Commissioner Alhaji Yusuf Danchadi, said

Commissioner for Health, Bayelsa, Dr. Michael Awoli (L) and the Federal Commissioner, national Population Commission, Bayelsa, Mr. Austen Pabor, signing Memorandum of Understanding on birth registration in Yenagoa on Tuesday

SOKOTO - The Sokoto State Government said that it would upgrade the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, to a university. The Special Adviser on Higher Education to the state governor, Prof. Gajam Ardo, disclosed this at the opening of the institution’s 2013 annual conference in Sokoto. The conference has its theme as “Nigeria’s Transformation Agenda and the Relevance of the Education sector”. “The college is currently running 17 degree programmes and all is now set

for it to be transformed to a university of education status,” he said. Ardo, who commended the provost of the college for his “transparency and dedication”, appealed to the staff and students to emulate him. “You should all be committed to the vision and mission of the college and by extension the efforts of the state government to boost the educational development of the state,” he charged. Also speaking, the State

CSOs Advises Kogi To Address Teachers Strike

LOKOJA - The coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kogi, has urged Gov. Idris Wada, to use the occasion of his 63rd birthday to address the lingering primary school teachers’ strike. The strike commenced two months ago. This is contained in a communiqué at the end of its second “Black Monday” march to protest the “decay and rot in Primary Education in Kogi’’ in Lokoja on Monday. The communiqué was signed by Adejoh Victor of ActionAid/ PIBCID, Rev. Fr. John Femi, a stakeholder, and Titus Alonge of Civil Society Action Coalition on Education. It described the continuous closure of public primary schools in the state as “Education Genocide’’, adding that it would have ‘dire consequences’ on the

future of the children and the society. “Everyone is quiet, watching the children of the poor silenced and forced into different social vices, while government votes more money for security. “We are of the opinion that no poor family in Kogi will likely produce a professional in the next 15-years, if this trend is not reversed,’’ the communiqué said. It said that children of the poor in public schools had been forced to stay away from school for at least two months in every year for the past four years. The coalitions said that the Black Monday protest march was aimed at creating awareness and raise the consciousness of the people of the state over the lingering strike. It said that it was not helpful for the people of the state to be quiet and watch the situation helplessly. The state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT),

Malam Ndalaye Abdullahi, appealed to him to implement the minimum wage. Represented by Malam Mahmoud Shehu, Lokoja Local Government branch Chairman of

the NUT, Abdullahi, said that out of the 18 states that embarked on strike only Kogi was still on strike. “We are not very happy celebrating with the governor on

his birthday for the reason of our not being in class and our children not being in school. “Notwithstanding, we wish him better and prosperous years ahead,’’ he said.

ZARIA (KADUNA) - The Muslim Students Society (MSS), Kaduna Area Unit has commenced training of 483 youths selected from across the state on various trades to curb the menace of youths restiveness. Reports say that the training entitled: “Islamic Vocational Course” is expected to last one week. Sen. Ahmed Makarfi (PDP Kaduna North), who spoke at the opening of the training in Zaria, described the programme as a giant stride

towards arresting youth restiveness in the area. Makarfi, who was represented by Alhaji Bello Kagarko, a former commissioner for education in the state, urged the organisers not to relent in their quest for a better society. The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Na’iya Sada, called on the participants to avail themselves of the unique opportunity to acquire skills, become self reliant and employers of labour.

Sada, who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), said the training would assist the youths to become better citizens. In his speech, the MSS Amir in Kaduna State, Malam Suleiman Aliyu, said that the programme was meant to address the menace of youth’s restiveness and joblessness. “We, therefore, urge you to be law abiding citizens during and after your

that the institution had passed the recent accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the running of degree programmes. “It is a well known fact the development of any nation is based on its level of education. Again, we are aware that a country’s level of education depends on the quality of its teachers,” he added. The Emir of Bunza in Kebbi State, Dr Mustapha Bunza, who was also a former provost of the college, stressed that there was virtually no substitute for education. “This is so because education is a reliable tool for sustainable development of any nation at all times,” he said.

Muslim Group Trains Youths On Skills Acquisition training. “The training would not only help you learn the various trades but it would also assist you live a meaningful and desirable life,” he said. The Amir urged both the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to put the interest of Nigerians at heart and resolve their differences amicably with a view to ending the current ASUU strike.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Abuja

L-R: Author of the book “Delicate Distress” Dr Amanze Obi; Gov Rauf Aregbesola of Osun; Former Governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim and publisher Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, at the Public presentation of the book in Abuja on Tuesday

Theft: Teenager Jailed ABUJA - An Abuja Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a teenager, Abdullahi Abba,18, to 30 days in prison for criminal conspiracy and theft. The magistrate, Mr Zubairu Mohammed, who passed the sentence after Abba pleaded guilty to the offences, however gave him an option of paying N3, 000 in fine. Mohammed said:“The court finds you guilty as charged. “By your admission, you did commit the crime. You are hereby sentenced to 30

Sick People: Psychologist Tasks Care-Givers

ABUJA – Mr. Adedotun Ajiboye, a psychologist at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, has called for more support from caregivers to help in taking care of sick people, especially cancer patients. Ajiboye told newsmen in Abuja that social support from care-givers helped to reduce the psychosocial burden of the disease. He defined psychosocial as the development of a person’s psychological interaction with his or her social environment. “Cancer is a debilitating disease that has a lot of psychosocial concerns for the

patients and care-givers. “But evidence has shown that good social support from caregivers will help to reduce the psychosocial burden of this disease,’’ he said. Ajiboye said one of the main roles of care-givers in managing cancer patients was for them to be good listeners. According to him, there is the need for the care-givers to often tell the patient “I love you”, to make the person feel special. The psychologist said that care-givers should always be ready to assist the patients

FG Restates Commitment To Statistical Development ABUJA - The Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, has restated Federal Government’s commitment to the growth and development of the Nigerian statistical system. Usman said this at the stakeholders’ workshop on the “Rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)’’, organised by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in Abuja. He said statistics was imperative as the full realisation of sectoral goal targets in the Transformation Agenda and the Vision 20:2020 depended on the availability of timely and reliable statistics. According to him, the purpose of rebasing Nigeria’s GDP is to measure changes that occurred from 1990 to date. “Nigeria’s GDP estimates are compiled, using the three approaches such as production, income and expenditure. “Each of these approaches accounts for the nation’s output from different perspectives of economic activity. “Several important indicators that can be derived from GDP estimates, includes; per capital GDP, fiscal deficit to GDP ratio, debt-GDP ratio, tax-GDP ratio, oil and non-oil GDP and sectoral

contribution to GDP,’’ Usman said. He said the above indicators were aimed at capturing one aspect of the economy or the other to measure changes occurring over time. The minister said GDP determined a nation’s economic standing in the comity of nations to position it politically in terms of commanding international respect and attracting foreign investment. Dr Yemi Kale, the StatisticianGeneral of the Federation, had said Nigeria had not rebased its national account estimates which yielded the GDP in more than 23 years. Kale said this necessitated the rebasing of the country’s GDP by the NBS due to changes in the pattern and classification of sectors, subsectors and their regrouping. According to him, the rebasing is due to the adoption of the latest System of National Accounts of the UN. In his remarks, Mr Bernado Cocco, the UNDP representative, commended the NBS for carrying out the rebasing exercise and pledged the UNDP’s support to the growth and development of Nigerian statistical system.

without being prompted. “Do not wait for your patient to ask for help; always lend a hand, this will bring a lot of relief to them. Help them to do domestic chores,’’ Ajiboye said. He urged care-givers to research into the ailment, to

educate the patients and help them ask their doctors questions during appointments. Ajiboye said there was also the need for care-givers to accompany the patients to the hospital for their doctor ’s

appointment, adding that it would make them to learn more about the ailment. He said there was need for cancer patients to join support groups to manage the disease effectively and called on caregivers to assist them. “A patient will learn well and be encouraged if he or she relates with people having the same illness.’’

30 Days

days in prison with an option to pay a fine of N3, 000.’’ Abba, who resides at Third Gate, Works and Housing Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja, stood trial on a twocount charge of criminal conspiracy and theft. The police prosecutor, Sgt. Salihu Mohammed, told the court that Abba conspired with two others, now at large, to steal a generator set on August 21. Mohammed said the convict was caught in the act by Zakariya Ibrahim and Stephen Waziri, both of Gwarimpa, Abuja and taken to the Gwarimpa Police Station. The prosecutor said the generator set, which belonged to Debby Onyemachi of the same address with the convict, was recovered from him during police investigation.

Bananas Consumption Helps Smokers ABUJA - A nutritionist with Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, Hajiya Jummai Abdul, said that the consumption of bananas could help smokers quit smoking and ease depression. Abdul told newsmen in Abuja that bananas could help minimise the effects of nicotine withdrawal. She said that bananas were rich in potassium, magnesium and other vital vitamins, which gave the brain a soothing whenever it longed for nicotine. “Bananas are very rich in potassium yet almost completely

devoid of sodium and as such very well suitable to preventing high levels of blood pressure from overcoming the body. Abdul said that the consumption of bananas could cut the risk of stroke, adding that “eating three bananas a day cuts risk of stroke by 21 per cent. “The miracle ingredient is potassium, which reduces blood pressure, thus combating a leading cause of stroke.’’ According to Abdul, the frequent intake of bananas can help protect eyesight.

Man, 37, Jailed 3 Months GWAGWALADA (FCT) An Upper Area Court in Gwagwalada in the FCT sentenced a 37-year-old man, Lamidu Ishaka, to three months in prison for intimidating another man on his farm. The presiding officer, Babangida Hassan, however gave the convict an option of paying N20,000 in fine. Ishaka, who resides at Rubochi in the Gwagwalada Area Council, was sentenced after pleading guilty to the offence of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and mischief. The police prosecutor, Insp. Martha Paul, had earlier submitted that the convict conspired with Sule Ishaka and Iko Umoru, both now at large, and intimidated one Obadiah Kaura on his farm. She said the trio also encroached into the farm of the nominal complainant and destroyed his farm produce. The prosecution said the matter was reported at the Gwagwalada Police Station by Hanamah Gambo who also

resides in Rubochi. When the matter first came up for mention in June, the convict admitted committing the offence of intimidation.

Quit

Smoking - Nutritionist

“Fruits, like bananas, are important for keeping good sight. “Eating three or more servings of fruits per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration. “Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin which helps the body to relax, improve mood and generally make happier. “Studies show that bananas are also helpful in reducing stress levels,’’ Abdul said. She advised that people should eat bananas whenever they experienced anemia as it contained a large amount of iron. “High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so

help in cases of anemia, ’’ Abdul said. She said bananas were rich in fibre that helped to restore normal bowel action and overcome constipation without resorting to laxatives. “A single serving (one medium-sized banana) contains 16 per cent of the daily recommended dietary fibre intake for a normal adult,’’ Abdul said. She said those suffering from heart burn should also eat banana as its soothing relief had a natural antacid effect in the body. “Banana is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in people with severe intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness.

L-R: Former INEC Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu; former Minister of Interior, Retired capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 1, Prof Viola Onwuliri, at the Public presentation of the book “Delicate Distress” in Abuja on Tuesday

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Business + Economy Amosun Tasks Diaspora On Investment LONDON - Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has urged members of the Yewa Descendants Union in UK and Ireland to key into development programmes back home. Amosun, who spoke against the backdrop of the ongoing infrastructure development in the state, gave the charge at the 1st Yewa Descendants Union Day held in London. He said that the state

government had embarked on various projects, especially in the areas of agriculture and tourism, and stressed the need for those in The Diaspora to

bring their expertise to bear. Fielding questions from members of the union, Amosun addressed the issue of security challenges, unemployment and

bureaucratic bottleneck in the allocation of land. He said that the state would only allocate lands that already had basic infrastructure.

Women Group Constructs Hall

OBUOHIA-OBI IBERE (ABIA) - The women’s wing of the Obuohia-Obi Ibere Development Union in Abia, has embarked on the construction of a N10 million women’s hall project, the President-General of the union, Mrs Ann Oriaku, has said. Oriaku made this known while speaking with newsmen in Umuahia on the outcome of the union’s just-concluded August Meeting. She said that 60 per cent of the project which started in 2010 had been completed while the remaining 40 per cent would gulp about N4 million. She appealed to well-meaning sons and daughters of the community and other publicspirited individuals to assist the group to ensure the completion of the project. Oriaku said that the women took far-reaching decisions on developmental issues in the community. According to her, the meeting discussed the persistent power outage in the community, children’s education and the deplorable state of the road leading to the community. The president-general said that the meeting was successful as representatives of the various branches at home and abroad attended. In a separate interview, the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Dickson Orji, commended the women for their commitment toward the development of the area. Orji described the women as ‘’the light of my community,’’ saying that they had helped to foster greater peace and unity in the area. Also speaking on the weeklong meeting, the PresidentGeneral of the community, Mr Ezechi Oriaku, described the group as a catalyst for socioeconomic development. Oriaku gave an assurance that the men’s wing of the development union would collaborate with the women toward the rapid development

Chairman, Centenary Committee, Nigerian Ports Authority, Rivers, Dr. Margret Osakwe; Rivers Port Manager, Mrs Carolyn Ufere and Traffic Manager, Rivers Port, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoke, at a news conference on Rivers Port Centenary Celebration In Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

“We will adequately allocate lands to Yewa indigenes who want to invest at home; in doing so, we will build infrastructure before allocating lands. “On youth empowerment, we have created many job opportunities, surpassing the 10,000 jobs we earlier promised. However, not all those employed will be given white collar jobs,” he said. The Governor who lauded the union for the Yewa Day initiative, tasked them on the need to continue to be good ambassadors of the state. “I congratulate them for putting this in place; they have demonstrated that they mean well for their roots; my charge is for them to sustain this and continue to do it annually,” he added. In the same vein, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the paramount ruler of Yewa Land, called on the union members to return home and partner with the state government to develop their communities. “Let them come home and share their experience with us; no matter how long you stay in a place, home is home.” Olugbenle also tasked parents on the need to educate their

children on the customs and tradition of Yewa people, saying “even though they are born abroad, they should be able to connect with their roots”. He further expressed the hope that a similar Yewa Day initiative would be launched in the U.S.A. and Canada by the indigenes. Similarly, Sen. Iyabo Anisulowo, listed investment in agriculture and waterways as peculiar areas that Yewa indigenes in The Diaspora could explore. “We have land, expansive body of water, kaolin, as well as sugar cane; all these could attract investment. These days people shun agriculture because it is not mechanised,” she added. Anisulowo, who is also a Yewa indigene, further stressed the need for cultural and economic integration among the people. “We are border people; like most border towns, the people are isolated because of lack of integration. In order to promote a free trade zone, we need to integrate properly,” she stressed. Reports say that more that 15 traditional chiefs from Yewa land graced the occasion.

Expert Urges Increase LAGOS – Mrs. Dabnay Exports Shall-Holma, Director, Nigeria Commercial Shipping Services, Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC), has called for more exportation of goods to ensure balance of trade in the country. Shall-Holma made the call at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos. The meeting was to discuss the pegging of Nigeria’s freight rate at three per cent. It was organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Shall-Holma said that Nigeria’s economy was not robust because of trade TIV Cultural Troupes participating, at the Kaduna State Cultural Festival, imbalance. The director regretted that (KADFEST) in Kaduna on Tuesday

shipping companies paid charges for imports and returned containers empty. “Our cargoes are heterogeneous and fragmented. “We have not been able to export enough cocoa or cassava. Our trade is imbalance. “If we import 1, 000 containers, for example, we are not able to export up to 50 containers with goods,’’ she said. Shall-Holma said that the three per cent freight rate would begin on October 1, after which it would be reviewed annually. She hoped that the new rate would ensure standards, ethics and effective service delivery.

CALABAR - The Cross River Border Communities Development Commission (Bordercom), says it has awarded contracts worth N452 million for development projects in some border communities in the state. The Director-General of the commission, Mr Leo Aggrey, told newsmen in Calabar that the contractors were already being mobilised for the execution of the projects. Agrrey said that the commission had so far spent

inaugurated in various border communities in the north and central senatorial districts of the state in the last six months. He said that the projects in the south zone was yet to be inaugurated due to the heavy rains that prevented the inaugurating team from visiting the sites. Aggrey further said that sites had been acquired in various communities in the Cross River south senatorial zone for some projects.

Commission Awards Contracts To Develope Border Communities N1.7 billion on various projects in the communities since 2009. “So on the whole, the government has spent N1.7 billion and we are in the process of awarding contracts for the execution of projects valued at about N452 million; we are processing payments now, ‘’ he said. According to him, the projects include health centres, primary and secondary schools, staff

quarters, police posts, and boreholes, adding that some of the projects had earlier been completed and inaugurated. “In Obanliku area, we have commissioned a health centre, borehole and staff quarters at Amana community; commissioned six classroom blocks and borehole built in Shikpeshe and provided furniture in the schools. “In Obudu, we have completed

and commissioned six classroom blocks as well as borehole and provided furniture at Abonkib,” he said. Aggrey said a police post, barracks and borehole had also been built and furnished at Igwo while a health centre, staff quarters, borehole and medical equipment had been provided at Ukpirinye. The director-general said that 74 projects were completed and

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY(28/08/13) Stocks

Open

Change

Deals

Units

Value

MOBIL

119

112

7UP

26,334

1,742,760.10

MRS

36.14 0.67

-7

32,964

3,653,568.94

36.14

6,805

221,366.65

0.65

-0.02

2,046,947

1,440,515.55

ABCTRANS

0.86

7,771,007

6,741,529.02

MULTITREX

ACADEMY

1.9

1,047

1,803.86

MULTIVERSE

0.5

1,940

970

ACCESS

10.8

10.7

-0.1

161

2,323,821

24,909,543.62

NAHCO

6.8

6.52

-0.28

980,618

6,419,736.09

11.2

11.05

-0.15

488,602

5,453,368.48 442,665,291.20

AFRIPRUD

2.04

2.01

-0.03

2,183,237

4,320,299.67

NASCON

AFROMEDIA

0.5

279

139.5

166

162

-4

167

2,746,179

AGLEVENT

1.41

1.55

0.14

73,128

113,348.40

NCR

16.83

5,833

88,369.95

1.26

1.21

-0.05

444,128

545,250.07

0.71

3,204,642

2,311,155.11

AIICO

0.97

0.96

-0.01

5,231,372

5,003,060.20

NEIMETH

AIRSERVICE

3.88

3.82

-0.06

232,346

893,572.72

NEM

ASHAKACEM

21.6

0.6

347,242

7,523,641.42

NESTLE

934.97

26,577

24,769,116.74

0.75

515,119

386,639.25

AUSTINLAZ

132

NPFMCRFBK

BERGER

8.7

14,432

116,391.22

OANDO

11.1

11.2

0.1

182

7,752,492

85,886,354.61

BETAGLAS

13.18

27,090

321,558.30

OASISINS

0.5

2,423,500

1,211,750.00

BOCGAS

6.5

5,750

33,637.50

OKOMUOIL

4,197,477

198,568,310.73

CADBURY

202,202

10,220,253.05

PAINTCOM

1.86

11,090

20,622.00

CAP

43.65

21,431

876,916.36

PORTPAINT

5.01

74,000

386,240.00

CCNN

9.21

-0.21

271,429

2,429,881.99

PRESCO

34.99

0.01

266,670

9,355,145.32

CHAMPION

14.12

15.49

1.37

651,652

9,256,778.00

PRESTIGE

0.55

0.6

0.05

1,265,934

738,069.78

CHELLARAM

4.41

200

794

36.5

37.61

1.11

513,920

19,285,019.84

CONOIL

29.8

92,055

2,666,225.10

REDSTAREX

4.7

4.61

-0.09

147,894

683,059.80

CONTINSURE

1.2

1.22

0.02

522,500

633,258.22

REGALINS

0.5

100

CORNERST

0.5

41,692

20,850.80

ROADS

9.06

250

2,490.00

COSTAIN

1.3

382,100

495,986.88

ROYALEX

0.52

521,901

269,999.16

COURTVILLE

0.71

0.7

-0.01

108,400

75,880.00

RTBRISCOE

1.6

1.53

-0.07

171,673

259,966.27

CUSTODYINS

1.5

8,880,213

12,628,981.77

SKYEBANK

2,292,532

9,196,945.50

CUTIX

1.86

7,275

13,305.50

SKYESHELT

100

1,000.00

DANGCEM

190

158,006

29,951,502.10

SOVRENINS

0.5

148,580

74,290.00

DANGFLOUR

9.5

-0.5

365,100

3,286,254.25

STACO

0.5

930

465

DANGSUGAR

10.71

10.54

-0.17

1,698,709

18,005,452.95

STANBIC

16.25

16.18

-0.07

3,326,185

54,040,195.12

DIAMONDBNK

6.4

1,846,711

11,828,379.24

STDINSURE

0.5

117,995

58,997.50

DNMEYER

1.3

185,391

243,124.20

STERLNBANK

2.52

2.55

0.03

2,789,492

7,222,000.05

DUNLOP

0.5

100

TANTALIZER

0.5

3,000

1,500.00

EQUITYASUR

0.5

280

140

THOMASWY

0.81

351

256.23

ETERNA

3.12

3.06

-0.06

265,053

804,547.50

TOTAL

155

159.9

4.9

34,818

5,501,762.95

ETI

14.7

4,680,510

68,165,724.32

TRANSCORP

1.41

1.42

0.01

291

57,567,718

82,194,152.72

195,950

195,831.00

2.29

15,000

31,050.00

FBNH

16.16

15.75

-0.41

646

20,395,607

325,649,413.34

TRANSEXPR

FCMB

3.99

0.01

134

8,489,531

32,626,712.37

TRIPPLEG

FIDELITYBK

2.77

2.68

-0.09

111

8,421,189

22,812,457.80

UAC-PROP

16.2

16.18

-0.02

222,107

3,586,769.94

58.15

76,785

4,402,064.91

FIDSON

2.02

276,010

562,004.71

UACN

FLOURMILL

83.9

83.78

-0.12

233,466

19,317,093.70

UBA

7.61

7.5

-0.11

251

9,607,699

72,326,007.47

38.87

-0.13

187,713

7,110,009.12

UBCAP

1.31

1.33

0.02

10,079,012

13,972,114.07

10.38

193,728

1,999,495.33 9,067,400.83

FTNCOCOA

0.5

200

100

UBN

GLAXOSMITH

-3

122,200

7,787,360.04

UNILEVER

149,211

GNI

0.5

100,000

50,000.00

UNIONDAC

0.5

6,000

3,000.00

0.54

0.52

-0.02

4,702,862

2,462,670.56

GUARANTY

25.2

25.15

-0.05

347

5,409,384

136,117,419.73

UNITYBNK

GUINEAINS

0.5

3,100

1,550.00

UNIVINSURE

0.5

3,100

1,550.00

GUINNESS

255

47,774

12,028,327.00

UPL

4.3

61,410

247,265.60

0.65

0.69

0.04

153,278

104,806.75

HONYFLOUR

3.03

3.01

-0.02

1,711,964

5,186,072.84

UTC

IHS

2.41

180,000

433,800.00

VITAFOAM

3.9

165,907

652,472.30

IKEJAHOTEL

0.79

24,000

18,960.00

VONO

0.89

30,213

29,306.61

94.2

1.2

226,045

20,917,649.29

INTBREW

21.29

20.88

-0.41

402,721

8,243,689.34

WAPCO

INTENEGINS

1.22

1.1

-0.12

101,023

111,125.30

WAPIC

0.8

0.81

0.01

612,400

492,796.00

JAPAULOIL

0.52

0.51

-0.01

3,294,865

1,652,872.38

WEMABANK

1.05

1.04

-0.01

6,146,842

6,332,572.85

JBERGER

71.93

51,078

3,662,942.70

ZENITHBANK

19.82

19.65

-0.17

257

6,885,594

135,959,527.31

JOHNHOLT

1.26

51,066

64,272.72

JOSBREW

2.21

2.43

0.22

54,500

132,435.00

LASACO

0.5

100

Gain

Stock

Loss

LEARNAFRCA

1.55

19,425

29,760.40

LINKASSURE

0.5

545

272.5

MOBIL NB GLAXOSMITH DANGFLOUR FBNH INTBREW NAHCO CCNN DANGSUGAR ZENITHBANK

112 162 65 9 15.75 20.88 6.52 9 10.54 19.65

-7 -4 -3 -0.5 -0.41 -0.41 -0.28 -0.21 -0.17 -0.17

LIVESTOCK

3.7

4.06

0.36

974,695

3,901,782.30

MANSARD

2.26

2.28

0.02

803,835

1,852,179.20

MAYBAKER

2.48

61,644

148,963.60

MBENEFIT

0.5

1,000

500

MCNICHOLS

1.5

11,703

15,799.05

TOP 10 GAINERS Stock TOTAL CHAMPION WAPCO PZ OKOMUOIL ASHAKACEM LIVESTOCK JOSBREW AGLEVENT OANDO

Close 159.9 15.49 94.2 37.61 46 21.6 4.06 2.43 1.55 11.2

TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS 4.9 1.37 1.2 1.11 1 0.6 0.36 0.22 0.14 0.1

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013 THE teenage stowaway, Daniel Ihekina, who was arrested at the Lagos Airport after flying in the tyre hole of an Arik plane from Benin to Lagos on Saturday morning, has shot his way into history even as his case exposes a plethora of challenges buffeting the Nigerian state. FIRST, it raises the issue of insecurity in our airports because if Daniel Ohikhena was conveying bombs in his small school bag, he would have successfully blown off the aircraft with all the attendant consuquences either on the ground or mid air. But thank God for the lives of the passengers as the teenager thought he was on a US-bound flight to escape the many troubles of his birth country. The arguments, exchange of words between Arik Air operators and the leaders of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is as shameful as it is ridiculous. WE strongly believe someone, somewhere is shying away from taking responsibility for the security breach witnessed by the country on Saturday. The incident has left many questions in the lips of Nigerians: Whose duty is it to secure the nation’s 22 airports. Is any of such persons or institutions having their presence at the Benin Airport? What about the perimeter fence, said not to be fully completed, was there ever any budgetary provision for perimeter fence at the Benin Airport? And if there have been budgetary release, where are the funds? The Federal Government needs to answer these questions because many Nigerians while appreciating the aesthetic work going on in most Airports have severally raised the issue of insecurity at our airports and of course in the society at large. Government while putting so much resources in fighting the war on terror must

THE NIGERIAN

The Teenage Stowaway ensure a holistic review of the security situation and take pro-active steps to ensure an all round security of lives and properties of all citizens resident in the country. WITHOUT pre-empting the outcome of the investigations by security operatives currently in custody of the teenage boy, we call on FAAN to adopt a ‘risk amelioration processes to safeguard flight operations’ in all its 22 airports across the country to ensure that similar incident did not occur again. SECONDLY, we call on government at all levels to take proactive steps to avert future occurrence of stowaway in Nigeria given the fate of those who had taken such path in the past. In 2010, a desperate young Nigerian, Emeka Okechukwu Okeke, who tried to smuggle himself to the United States, died in the tyre compartment of a Delta Airlines aircraft and was discovered on arrival in New York. Okeke sneaked into the tyre hole in Lagos. In 2012, the dead body of a young Nigerian was also discovered in the wheel well, the undercarriage compartment of a domestic airline, after it returned from South Africa. THIRDLY, Daniel Ohikhena represents millions of Nigerian children who are dissatisfied with the parlous state of affair of their fatherland and afraid of what the future holds for them take desperate steps. It is obvious from the boy’s accounts that he was

sick and tired of his immediate conditions and wants to travel to the United States of America where he believes his right to life, basic needs of life and safety could be best guaranteed. Therefore, instead of criminalizing the young lad, we recommend serious introspection by the federal government and put in place measures to prevent millions of Ohikhenas out there from resigning to fate or seeking desperate ways of meeting their yearnings and life aspirations. IT is against this backdrop, that we want to commend groups who have risen to provide support to the stowaway in the form of scholarship. We call on many more public spirited individuals and institutions to lend their helping hands to the young boy so as to realise his potentials in his own birth country and possibly travel out when he is convinced that there is no place as home. AGAIN, from the account of the family members, including the boy’s mother, came the revelation that the boy was a habitual movie watcher who spends most of his time watching all sorts of films. We make case for him today because he is alive to tell the story, if it had gone the other way of Okeke, there will be no opportunity for him to be supported. Parents, should spend sufficient time in monitoring their children and wards, particularly the teenagers, because a dry fish cannot be folded again. LASTLY, given the cry of the embattled mother of the stowaway who is yet to set his eyes on the son, we call on President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in his case and set him free to rejoin his family. Goverment should thereafter join well meaning Nigerians to give the teenage boy succor that will encourage him appreciate his fatherland as the best place to be.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Relationship Argue With Your Spouse Respectfully With IMOISILI EDITH 07089364470

CONFRONTATIONS are unavoidable in marriage. But the most important factor in marital harmony isn’t whether you get into a confrontation, but how you handle the confrontations. James gives us God’s formula for handling marital debates: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). Learning to fight respectfully is extremely important. When a fight does happen, compromise is the best friend of the relationship. If your partner cannot tangle the idea that the two of you may often have different opinions, the relationship will not the last long-term. Avoiding conflict is about realizing that opinions constantly change. Provided both parties are respectful of the ability of each other have different viewpoints, and any relationship can be saved. Avoiding confrontation with your partner is always very important in any relationship. This is about allowing your partner the freedom to have his or her own opinions regardless of what the other person is willing to do. This means that you should always talk through any issues you are having with your partner as it is happening. This also means that you should be willing to change your opinion if you are convinced that doing so is in the best interest of the relationship to. It is very important to be ready to accept the fact that people are constantly changing. If you noticed that your partner is not interested in spending as much time with you, you should ask if there is anything that you can be doing differently to save the relationship. Spending time together is one of the ways that relationships remain going in a positive direction. This means that you should be spending time thinking about what your partner is looking for from you whenever possible. Common Mistakes in Approaching Your Spouse Showing disrespect: You can’t change a person by tearing him or her down. There’s only one response for that kind of approach: negative. Think about it. How do you feel when others treat you disrespectfully? Does it make you want to do something for them? Does it make you want to show affection? No. Showing disrespect will only alienate your spouse to the idea of seeking help. Losing control of your anger: Anger is often as a way of punishing your spouse, when he or she does not give you what you want. It’s not only ineffective in producing a longterm change in how your spouse behaves, it also destroys any threads of love or feelings that may still be evident. Sure, if your spouse doesn’t respond to your requests, the temptation exists to respond in anger; but if you don’t get the response you want, getting angry and sparking a heated argument won’t help. Stop blaming your spouse: Never accuse, or point fingers at your spouse’s face. Don’t resort to exaggerated or overgeneralized language such as: “You always act like this! You never do what I ask you to do. You just don’t care anymore. It’s always your fault. You always do this or always do that.” That type of language isn’t valuable in solving the problem. It only creates more issues to deal with and more wounds to heal in the future. Don’t practice avoidance. Do you avoid all conflict with your spouse? Perhaps you are frightened of your spouse’s

anger. Perhaps you don’t want to lose an argument or you’re afraid an argument will ruin your marriage. Could it be that you’re terrified you’ll have to admit something about yourself that you’d rather keep silent. Or are you so afraid of seeing a problem inside you that makes you to retreat? Avoiding conflict never solves conflict; it only postpones the inevitable. You may stuff it and repress it, but your stomach will keep score. Don’t practice avoidance. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6). Don’t practice appeasement. Some people don’t avoid conflict; they appease. They automatically concede, in every discussion. One person always wins; one always loses. One

person always dominates; the other simply gives in and gives ground. Godly compromise happens when both spouses give a little. But appeasement is something else. Appeasers may think they solve problems, but they don’t. Appeasement smolders in the heart like oily rags in a closet. They can break out and burn the house down. What’s more, appeasers are given to self-pity. They develop martyr complexes. They feel trapped because they know they’ll never win. And while marriages with appeasers may stay together, they often suffer from emotional divorce, which is as tragic as physical divorce. Don’t practice aggression. You must face your partner, but don’t attack. There are few problems husbands and wives can’t solve if they will attack the problem, rather than each other. The Bible says, you must speak the truth in

“Stop blaming your spouse: Never accuse, or point fingers at your spouse’s face. Don’t resort to exaggerated or overgeneralized language such as: “You always act like this! You never do what I ask you to do. You just don’t care anymore. It’s always your fault. You always do this or always do that.” That type of language isn’t valuable in solving the problem. It only creates more issues to deal with and more wounds to heal in the future.”

love (see Ephesians 4:15). To attack the problem, choose your time wisely. Psychologists say that 90 percent of family arguments begin just before mealtime, when your blood sugar is low. Another time not to bring up problems is on the way to a social event or to church. “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). Practice accommodation. We all want our partners to change. But we need to focus on ourselves. The most effective way to change your partner is to change you. Because when you change, your partner has to react to someone different. To change yourself, practice accommodation. Practice acceptance. By practicing accommodation, you

say, “I change.” By practicing acceptance, you say, “My spouse might never change. I accept it. I accept my partner.” There are simply certain things we have to accept about others. We’re different. Practice adjustment. This is the best “do” of all. In accommodation, I change. In acceptance, I make up my mind to love my spouse despite the fact that he or she can’t change. But in adjustment, we both change together. And when that happens, it’s wonderful. Practice accommodation, practice acceptance and practice adjustment. Those are the ways to resolve conflicts. Approaching Your Spouse the Right Way Begin by approaching your spouse at the right time and in the right manner. Choose a time when he or she is not distracted or too stressed or tired. Approach your spouse in a non-confrontational manner. An angry tone of voice or condescending “parent to child” approach will only cause him or her to shut down. Make sure you bring up the topic in a non-threatening way. If your communication pattern has digressed to the point that when you bring up this topic, your spouse becomes defensive and “blows up,” you may consider writing him or her a letter to be read when you are not present. This gives your spouse time to think about what was said and respond without all the emotions. Don’t say, “You need counseling.” Recognize and admit that “we” have a problem, and it must be addressed as a team.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Environment AS we stand at a pedestrian crossing or walk by a bridge, and a vehicle passes by, letting out a cloud of smoke in our face, our immediate reaction is to fan it away with our hands. We are also quick to give the driver of the vehicle a stare and even make a comment about how unclean and unsafe the air in the atmosphere around us is. That would be the air outdoors which is polluted every moment due to poisonous emissions from fuels of cars, buses and trucks. But have we ever paused to think about how safe is the air which we breathe inside enclosed spaces like our workplaces, homes, restaurants/pubs, schools, campus hostels and public transport? Indoor air pollution most commonly includes tobacco smoke and smoke from the combustion of solid fuels. Apart from these, other indoor air pollutants could be cooking oil smoke, kerosene smoke, incense smoke, mosquito coil smoke and pesticides. TOBACCO SMOKE Do we see no harm in smoking in front of our two year old child? Does the smoke exhaled by the passenger in the taxi have no effect on the taxi driver? How bad can that be? It’s just a bit of smoke. Exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) causes a high burden of disease as does the direct use of tobacco. This burden is higher in low-income countries and affects women and children most of all. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) rightly avers that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Worldwide, passive smoking or second hand smoke causes about 603,000 premature deaths in nonsmokers every year. Women are at least 50% more likely to be exposed to SHS than men. While adults suffer from lung cancer, heart diseases and chronic respiratory diseases, children suffer from asthma, other respiratory infections and sudden infant death syndrome as a result of this totally avoidable exposure. Some countries have introduced laws forbidding

Addressing Menace Of Air Pollution Breathe In And Out: smoking in public areas. But what really matters is how well these laws are followed. Strong antismoking legislations have to be backed by equally strong implementation, which alas does not happen often. Surely, many of us have had our building corridor smell of smoke that is coming from the neighbour’s flat. Many of us must have also enjoyed the sweet odour of the flavoured sheesha/ hookah from the table next to ours in an outdoor restaurant. But then if we have smelt it, we have inhaled it. How many of us smoke in our home verandah and then take our 3 year old in our arms the very next minute? In an online survey held recently, 26.7% of the respondents said that they smoked in enclosed public areas where smoking wasn’t banned. 9.68% said they smoked in the car, taxi or auto rickshaw. About 10% smoked at their workplace and inside the house. While 57.14% said they would move away from other people who were not smoking, 17.86% said they would only do that if the others objected. According to Kathryn Seymour, Communications Officer at International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) who spoke to Citizen News Service – CNS: “Every person has a right to breathe clean air that is not contaminated by carcinogens and other harmful substances. Smoke free indoor public places are one of the key measures that can be implemented to protect this right. Under the smoke free policy, bans on smoking should be implemented in all indoor and crowded outdoor areas, as well as campus vehicles. Designated smoking rooms within these areas should not be allowed because there is no truly efficient means of containing or extracting tobacco smoke. In order to improve compliance, it is strongly recommended that

By CAROLYN KAVITA TAURO

managers of facilities consider offering cessation support to staff who smoke or referring them to a separate cessation service. Banning the sale of tobacco products and banning tobacco advertising will also

87.2 % of rural families and 33.6% of urban families in India use pollution creating cooking fuels. However, there has been a migration toward the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) especially in the urban areas

kerosene in the past few years, “It used to be very difficult for us when we used cow dung to cook our food. The house was always full of smoke and we were constantly coughing. Now that we have the LPG cylinders our visits to the doctors have decreased,

help with compliance.” SOLID FUELS AND BIOMASS The other most common form of indoor air pollution, especially in low income countries, is the pollution due to the combustion of solid fuels like coal and biomass such as cow dung and firewood. Globally, about 50% of all households and 90% of rural households use solid fuels as the main domestic source of energy. Data from the Indian Census 2011 shows that

in recent years. Most of urban India now uses LPG and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) while rural India still relies on solid fuels and biomass. This is not so much due to a lack of awareness but more due to lack of availability, accessibility and, most importantly, affordability of cleaner fuel options. Sunita (name changed), who lives in a slum in Mumbai, says that most slum dwellers have changed from solid fuels to LPG or

although the cylinders are expensive to buy”. Efforts aimed at the prevention of airborne diseases for children under 5 years of age, will not only improve the general health of our future generation but also reduce the child mortality rate in the country. Along with this, interventions to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution will also help us in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) — the end to

the requirement of collecting fuel for cooking will help women by decreasing the time burden promoting gender equality and empowerment (Goal 3); it will also result in more time being made available for education and other activities that could help them generate more income to help eradicate poverty (Goal 1); a nation’s progress towards environmental sustainability can also be monitored through the

proportion of the population using solid fuels (Goal 7). Air has been taken for granted far too long. Everyone has a right to breathe in clean and safe air and so every person has the responsibility to provide themselves, their families and their communities this right. Along with legislations that aim to reduce indoor as well as outdoor air pollution, let each one of us do our bit to contribute toward a cleaner and safer environment.

“Air has been taken for granted far too long. Everyone has a right to breathe in clean and safe air and so every person has the responsibility to provide themselves, their families and their communities this right.”

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Child Health And You

Female Genital Mutilation

WHAT is female genital mutilation? In dealing with this topic, we have to first look at the dictionary meaning of the term “Female Genital and Mutilation”. Who is a female: A female may be a plant or animal that can produce fruits or lay eggs or give birth to babies/offspring’s. Genital: Is connected with the outer sexual organs of a person or an animal. Mutilation: To damage somebody’s body very severely, especially by cutting or tearing off part of it. From the definitions above, we now understand the above concepts. Female genital mutilation (FGM); also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision, is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genital, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons”. FGM is typically carried out on girls from a few days old to puberty. It may take place in a hospital, but is usually performed, without anaesthesia, by a traditional circumciser using a knife, razor, or scissors. The practice is carried out by some communities who believe it reduces a woman’s libido (sexual desire). PREVALENCE AND ATTEMPTS TO END THE PRACTICE: According to WHO, 100140 million women and girls are living with FGM, and this includes 92 million girls over the age of 10 in Africa. The practice persists in 28 African countries, as well as in Arabian Peninsula. Nicholas Birch of the Chiristain Science monitor claims there is circumstantial evidence for its existence in Syria, western iran, and southern Turkey. It is also practiced in Indonesia but largely symbolically by pricking the clitoral hood until it bleeds. Several countries have enacted legislation against it, including Burkina Faso, Central Africa Republic, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Togo and Uganda. President Daniel moi of Kenya issued a decree against it in December 2007. In Mauritania, where almost all girls in minority communities undergo FGM, 34 Islamic scholars signed a fatwa in January 2010 banning the practice. In Egypt, the health ministry banned FGM in 2007 despite pressure from some (though not all) Islamic group. Two incidents in particular forced the government’s hand. A 10year-old girl was

photographed undergoing FGM in barber’s shop in Cario, Egypt in 1995 and the images were broadcast by CNN; this triggered a ban on the practice everywhere except in hospitals. Then, in 2007, a 12 year old Badour shaker died of an overdose of anaesthesia used during an FGM procedure for which her mother had paid a physician in an illegal clinic the equivalent of S9.00. The AlAzhar supreme council of Islamic research, the highest religious authority in Egypt, issued a statement that FGM had no basis in core Islamic law, and this enabled the government to outlaw it entirely. The TWO has offered four classification of FGM. The three major types are: Type I: removal of the clitoral hood, almost invariable accompanied by the removal of the clitoris (a small sensitive organ just above the opening of a woman’s vagina which becomes larger when she is sexually excited) itself (clitordectomy); Type II: removal of the clitoris and inner labia (the four folds of the skin at the entrance to a woman’s virgina) and Type III (infibulation): removal of all parts of the inner and out labia, and usually the clitoris, and the fusion of the wound, leaving a small hole for the passage of urine and menstrual blood-the fused wound is opened for intercourse and childbirth. Forty out of 85.0% of women undergo FGM experience types I and II and 15 percent undergo type III. These are the most common procedure in several countries including Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti. Several miscellaneous acts are categorized as Type IV. These range from a symbolic pricking or piercing of the clitoris or cutting into the vagina to widen it (gishiri cutting), and introducing corrosive substances to tighten it. Opposition to FGM focuses on human rights violations, lack of informed consent, and health risks, which include fatal hemorrhaging epidermoid cyst, recurrent urinary and vaginal infections, chronic pain and obstetrical complications which can also lead to excess bleeding. Since 1979, there have been concerted efforts by international bodies to end the practice such as sponsorship by the United Nations on an international day of zero tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation 6th February since 2003. Sylvia Tamate, a Ugandan scholar writes that

there is a large body of research and activism in Africa women, and they reject the idea that FGM is nothing but a barbaric rejection of modernity. Tamate suggested that there are cultural and political aspects to the practices continuation that make it’s opposition a complex matter. CLASSIFICATION AND H E A L T H CONSEQUENCES: The age at which the procedure is performed varies.

without anaesthsia, using unsterile cutting devices such as razors, knives, scissors, cutlass, sharpened rocks, and fingernails, while applying suturing materials such as agaves or acacia thorns. Affluent people in urban settings may have the procedure done in a safer medical environment. FGM has immediate and late complication effects on the individuals. Immediate complications are increased when FGM is performed in

pelvic infection, dysmenorrhea, dypareunia and infertility. In some cases, complete obstruction of the virginal results in hematocoplos and hematometra. Other complications include epidermoid that may become infected, neuroma formation typically involving nerves that supply the clitoris, and pelvic pain. FGM may complicate pregnancy and place women at higher risk of obstetrical problems (birth difficulties), which are more common with the more extensive FGM procedures. Thus, with women who have developed vasicovaginal or rectovaginal fistulae, holes allow urine and

Comfort Momoh, a specialist midwife in England, writes that in Ethiopia the Falashas perform it when the child is a few days old, the Amhara on the eight day of birth, while the Adere and Oromo choose to perform at four years while other communities may wait until adulthood. Others may still wait till a lady is ripe for marriage or just after the first pregnancy. The procedure may be carried out on one girl alone, or a group of girls at the same time. It is generally performed by a traditional circumciser, usually an older woman known as garden without anaesthesia or sterile equipment, though richer families may pay instead for the services of a nurse, midwife, or doctor using a local anaesthesia. It may also be performed by the mother or grandmother, in some societies such as, Nigeria and Egypt, by the local male barber. IMMEDIATE AND LATE COMPLICATIONS: FGM is typically carried out by traditional practitioners

traditional ways, and without access to medical source. The procedure complications include acute urinary retention, urinary tract infection; and hepatitis and HIV from re-use of instruments. According to Lewnes’ UNICEF report, it is unknown how many girls and woman die from the procedure because “few records are kept”. Fatalities caused by FGM “are rarely reported as such, Momoh says that the short term mortality rate is around 10 percent, due to complications such as infection, haemorrhage, and hypovolemic shock. A film shot in Lunsar, Sierra Leone, by Mariana van Zeller in 2007 discusses how girls who bleed excessively are regarded as witches. Late complications may vary depending on the type of FGM performed. The formation of scars and keloids can lead to strictures, obstruction of fistula formation of the urinary tract and bladder with infections and incontinence. Genital tract include virginal and

feaces to sip into the virgina making it difficult to obtain clear urine. In more serious conditions, cervical evaluation during labour may be impeded and labour prolonged. Third degree laceration, anal sphincter damage, and emergency caesarean section are more common in FGM women than in controls. Neonatal mortality is increased in women with FGM. The WHO estimated that an additional 10-20 babies die per 1,000 deliveries as a result of FGM; the estimate was based on a 2006 study conducted on 28, 393 women attending delivery wards at 28 obsteric centres in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. In those settings, all types of FGM were found to pose an increased risk of death to their babies. Psychological trauma related to cultural context: Damage may occur to women who undergo FGM particularly when they are moving outside their traditional circles and are

By NOSA OJO

confronted with a view that mutilation is not the norm. Women with FGM typically report sexual dysfunction and dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse), nevertheless several researchers have written that FGM does not necessarily destroy sexual desire in women. Elizabeth Heger Boyle reported several studies during the 1980’s and 1990’s where the women said they were able argued that FGM is related to the high incidence of AIDS in some parts of Africa. CONCLUSION: Putting an end to the practice of FGM has several dimensions that need to be addressed. There is a need for enabling environment at the political and legislative level. The health sector must be fully involved in the prevention of FGM as there is a risk of increased medicalisation of the Practice. Teachers and the education sector can be strong allies in activities that promote awareness and empowerment of children and youth. The culture sector (media, entertainment) is crucial in disseminating information and promoting an open dialogue on a sensitive issue like FGM. In many developing countries those sectors of government are suffering from a lack of resources; financial resources, human resources and technical expertise. Deveploment cooperation can play an important role in supporting the in-house capacity at government can play an important role in supporting the in-house capacity at which government level. In all approaches, whether through support to the government or to civil society activities, specific action should be taken to engage women and girls from FGM communities to promote their empowerment, their ability to claim their rights as well as their decision making position in relation to their community and to the various policy structures that affect their lives. Their active participation should the core of all abandonment strategies. NOSA OJO Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria ***************** ‘CHILD HEALTH AND YOU’, a Weekly Thursday Feature, is a collaborative initiative between the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, and the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL), Benin City. Comments on this page should be forwarded to The Editor, Observer newspaper or Director, Institute of Child Health University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Spotlight

GOOD leaders help others shine and grow. The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. - Nelson Henderson I am holding in my hand a graceful, inspirational book entitled Rambans Ladder: A Meditation on Generosity and Why It is Necessary to Give by Julie Salamon. The book is based on the teachings of Ramban, a physician and philosopher who, more than a thousand years ago. developed Ramban’s Ladder, which outlines the various forms of giving from the lowest handing out money begrudgingly, as one might to a panhandler -to the highest, helping someone become self-reliant. I have long been meditating on the whole issue of generosity as an important quality of leadership: observing leaders who had it, and those who lacked it. When we think of generosity, our thoughts automatically drift to gifts of money or charity. In the context of leadership, there are other gifts that don’t have a monetary value, but whose value is beyond price. These include giving someone a chance; giving someone the benefit of the doubt: and giving others a reason to want to work for you. It entails giving others latitude, permission to make mistakes, and all the information that they need to do the job. It’s giving them the authority that goes with responsibility — its giving them due credit for their ideas. In a nutshell, all of this translates to generosity of spirit, a quality we admire in leaders. Generosity, a word which once meant of noble birth,’ used to be associated with members of the aristocracy who, by virtue of their

privileges, were expected to show generosity towards those in lesser standing. A leader too, by virtue of her position, and the power and privileges that she holds relative to those she leads, has the same expectations and obligations. A prime obligation is to lead with a generous heart, and to be guided by a nobility of mind. A leader’s generosity has a positive spreading effect conversely, its absence has a series of negative consequences that, if a leader paused to reflect on them, may stop her in her tracks. I am a firm believer that people need more than just ‘a nice job close to home. Most people want to find meaning in their jobs -they want to feel that they are a part of something bigger and something better. They want to know that what they do matters. A leader with a generous spirit understands this need, and connects the dots for people- the dots that help them see how the work they perform, no matter how small it may be in the scheme of things, has a bearing on the ultimate vision of the company. There is a well-known anecdote that is related by Tom Peters about a hospital in the US that treats cancer, During a series of staff interviews, an interviewer asked the housekeeper what her job entailed, She responded, “I help to cure cancer.’ Somewhere in that hospital, a leader connected the dots for this individual, and made her feel that she was an integral part of the hospital’s mission- Do you do that for the people who do the work in your unit or organization? There is a lot of talk these days about lack of engagement in the workforce. Imagine how engaged people are when their leader makes them feel that they are a fundamental

Leading Wit By BAMIDELE MICHAEL

part of the success of the organization; that everyone, from the receptionist or clerk to the c e o, constitute a binding thread, tightly interwoven into the company fabric -each equally doing its part to give the fabric its strength. A leader with a generous spirit delegates not just routine work, but understands about delegating worthwhile work that becomes a gift of development and growth for someone else. How we love those leaders. These are the leaders that make us want to get out of bed in the morning and go to work to give that person the very best that we have to offer. These are the leaders who get our discretionary effort, every day. And what about gifts of information? In a survey on effective motivation published by 1000 Ventures, one of the top items that individuals want in the workplace is the ability to be ‘in’ on things. This was rated 9 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. Managers ranked this item as I This is a large chasm in understanding. The quickest way to satisfy this need in constituents is to share information. We have all come across some leaders who are inclined to hoard crucial information as the currency of power. Leaders with a generous spirit give employees a chance to get under the hood and to be a part of the inner circle. Freely and generously sharing know-how, expertise, and ideas is not only beneficial for employees - its a smart way

of doing business. Albert Camus said: Real generosity toward the future consists in giving all to what is present: How often, as leaders, we are so focused on future achievements, on realizing the vision of the organization, that in the process, we neglect the people who are there. A

where, without intending it, we exclude others; and we often only consciously notice that we have excluded them when they have become disengaged. Self-absorption inherently prevents generosity. Once in a while, it helps to stop and ask oneself: Am I giving enough to the

pure sense is altruistic, you do still get something back from it: surprise dividends in the form of a recycling of goodwill, a surplus of cooperation, and the sheer satisfaction of seeing another benefit from our giving of ourselves, our time, our attention, our knowledge, the very best that we have to offer those who cross our

leader of a successful software firm confessed to me once that she woke up one day realizing how much she had disconnected emotionally from the people who did the work in her organization, while focusing on the strategic imperatives of the company. Today, we have a tendency to be too self-absorbed. We become self-involved to the point

people around me? There is an African village where the greeting words for good morning’ or hello’ are: l am here if you are here. Imagine the gift we give others when we are fully present with them — when we truly see them. Perhaps this is what Ralph Waldo Emerson meant when he said: “The only gift is the gift of thyself”. Bill Clinton ended a speech to a 6,000member audience with an exhortation “See more people.’ This preceded his reference to all the people who do the clean-up work behind the scenes after the audience leaves. Do we give thought to the people who are unnoticed in our organizations, those who quietly work in the background? While generosity in its

paths at work or life. We will never know what opportunities we may have missed in life by showing up tight-fisted. It is hard to receive anything if we don’t open our hands to give. As a leader, giving people the gift of not just our appreciation for good work, but our genuine admiration for their talents, is generosity of spirit at its pinnacle. This is the difference between saying to someone: ‘Great job” versus This was pure genius; or “I appreciated your help versus ‘I couldn’t have done it without you” When it comes to genuine praise, like the sun at high noon, give resplendently. When you see good work, say it, and say it from the heart, just as you thought it. Free up the thought, and let it breathe -let it fly out there

“A leader with a generous spirit delegates not just routine work, but understands about delegating worthwhile work that becomes a gift of development and growth for someone else.”

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Spotlight

th Generosity in the form of generous words, and watch what you get back. Giving is ultimately sharing. Here are some practical tips to enhance our generosity of spirit: 1 Give people a sense of importance In Adele Lynn’s book, In Search of Honor: Lessons from Workers in How to

Giving people visibility in your organization is a special gift we bestow to help others shine and grow. I encourage you to think how you might give people more access to senior executives, and more access to your boss. Consider as well that people like to know that their boss’s boss knows the great contributions they made to a project, or about their significant effort in writing a report that does not bear their name. Knowing that our leader is representing us well to upper management is a high- octane motivator, and engenders fierce loyalty. 4. Give anonymously Real generosity of spirit is doing something for someone without their

knowledge. Think of one or two deserving people in your organization that you can help by planting a careerenhancing seed on their behalf- perhaps saying something positive about their work to someone in authority? 5. Know when to forgive Martin Luther King said that The old law of an eye for on eye leaves everyone blind.’ Consider how harboring vindictive thoughts, even though so compelling at times, is nothing but violence to oneself. A characteristic of a generous person is a total lack of resentment its in effect being too noble, too big for that. Who do you need to forgive? What do you

need to let go? 6. Give encouragement Look around you and pick someone who needs encouragement, and resolve to give them that. Consider that some people have never received encouragement in their life-not from teachers, not from bosses, not even from parents. 7. Give opportunity One of the most valuable gifts we can give someone is giving them a chance. Is there someone right now to whom you could give a second chance to prove themselves? If so, what active steps can you take to create the right circumstances for them to succeed? What doors can you open for someone who

is well deserving, but not well positioned to be noticed. 8. Share your knowledge and experience Resolve to become a philanthropist of know-how. What knowledge, expertise, or best practices can you share with others as a way to enrich them? For inspiration, read about other leaders who practice teaching in their organization for everyone’s benefit -for example, Jack Welch, whose calendar was filled with hundreds of hours spent teaching thousands of GE managers and executives at the company’s training center at Croton-on-Hudson or the ex-CEO of Intel, Andy Grove, who devoted considerable amounts of

time to teaching newly hired and senior managers his philosophy on how to lead in an industry where innovation goes stale very quickly. 9. Give moral support Public speaking is known to be among the greatest fears experienced by millions of people. The next time you attend a presentation given by an apprehensive team member, practice giving them moral support. The simplest of generous acts are abstaining from checking your Blackberry, giving the odd nod in agreement, and practicing looking with kind eyes. Finally, take some inspiration from Walt Whitman’s beautiful words: “The habit of giving enhances the desire to give.” Giving is like budding a muscle. It requires practice and persistence – once it becomes habitual, you will emerge as a strong leader.

Youths: Leaders Of Tomorrow, Why Not Today?

Build Trust, we learn that 55% of workers value giving people a sense of importance’ as the number one item for building trust in the workplace, Consider what small actions you could take intentionally today to make people feel that the work they do is important, and that they themselves, as people, are important to your team. 2. Give feedback, not criticism If giving frequent criticism is your style of management, consider some of these questions: Is your motivation genuine, or is it to gain points? Are you picking the right moment? Are you stopping to reflect how you might deliver the feedback while still honoring the other person? 3. Give people visibility

WE have heard the popular cliché times without number that “the youths are the leaders of tomorrow”, and we have grown tired of hearing a cliché that is only meant to promote engagement and public responsibility in the youths. How can the youths be leaders of tomorrow, when they have not even been given a proper chance to prove their potentials in today’s world? As Nobel laureate in Literature, Pearl S. Buck, puts it, “though the young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it generation after generation”. The youths are not just leaders of tomorrow but also leaders of today because there cannot be a tomorrow, if today does not exist. So how can the youth rule effectively tomorrow, if they are not given the opportunity to prove their potentials today? Over the years, we have heard and seen youths who have done incredible things; youths who posses exceptional passion, skill and commitment. We heard of various youth-led groups who understand that leadership isn’t a position but something that anyone

By UTI A. UDOH

can do at anytime. Youths who understand that leadership is not by ability but responsibility. We have heard of youths who stand up and so what they think is right to make life better for others. Youths who organise charitable activities for those in need, stand as human right activists for the oppressed, write books about their own challenging experiences and do many other acts of leadership and selflessness. Youth that have made great name for themselves and their country through great innovations and inventions. So it is highly disappointing that in a great country like Nigeria, youths have been relegated to the backstage and are being counseled with “youths are the leaders of tomorrow”, what happens to today? Take a look at the people who hold high positions in our country, you will find out that they are mostly papas and ‘mamas’. The Youths are not given the opportunity to create, innovate and display their great potentials.

To the papas and Mamas, the youths are people with great stake in our country, they have valuable knowledge and skills to contribute not only to the future, but also to today. When the youths are seen as people that are meant only to rule tomorrow, we consequently cheat the nation out of valuable expertise, passion, creativity and energy. However, it is highly necessary for our leaders to begin to see the youths as a distinct group with specific skills and abilities rather than simply resort to staid clichés such as “youths are the leaders of tomorrow”, youths are the future”, youths are the next generation of leaders”, blah,

blah, blah. Moreover, to confer the youths with the crown of tomorrow’s leadership is in effect robbing them of their ability and responsibility to be leaders and ideators of today. This does nothing but subject the youths to a state of passivity, ineptitude and intellectual servitude. The youths are not only leaders of tomorrow but of today and tomorrow. Therefore, our leaders in Nigeria are implored to begin to see the youths as partners rather than people in a temporary biological stage of human growth. This leaders of tomorrow as they say need to be nurtured today, they need to be allowed to prove their potential by giving then the chance to participate, and innovate.

As Steve Burkey stated, “participation is an essential part of human growth, that is development of self confidence, pride, initiative, creativity, responsibility, cooperation… this process whereby people learn to take charge of their lives and solve their own problems, is the essence of development”. The Nigerian youths and youths all over the world are henceforth charged to see themselves, not as leaders of tomorrow. They should not wait for tomorrow to come before they take the bull by the horn. It is time for the Nigerian youths to wake up and take the pains of responsibility. The youths have a crucial and essential role to play in the society of today and of the future and if the youths are allowed to participate or contribute to the affairs of the country, it will help in creating a better Nigeria.

“So it is highly disappointing that in a great country like Nigeria, youths have been relegated to the backstage and are being counseled with “youths are the leaders of tomorrow”, what happens to today?”

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Issues How Desire Fools Us: The Benefits

And Dangers Of The Chase By PEACE MADOJEMU

WHY do we love to chase? What is so intriguingly attractive about hard-to-get partners, the very best iphone? Whether it’s for a trophy, a promotion, a slice at a popular eatery, desire simply gets us all fired up. Anticipatory Joy. A cat will chase a toy mouse because a good chase activated it’s brain’s reward system. The same is true for us. We experience anticipatory joy. In other words, anticipation of a desired outcome makes us feel good. Research shows that just looking at the object of our desire activates neural signals associated with the release of dopamine (a neurotransmitter released during reward signaling ) in the brain. Research suggests that we don’t just derive happiness from attaining, receiving, or consuming the object of our desires, we also do so from anticipating it. i.e it’s not just eating the cake that makes us happy but also staring at it through the strong front. Think of anticipating a

fantastic vacation, or reunion with a friend you haven’t seen in a long time or a meal at your favourite restrict. This may be the reason why people go window shopping, gamble or go to strip clubs. Although they can’t possess the object of their desire, they experience the titillating state of anticipatory joy. However. Our love of a good chase, carries with it some dangers to be aware of. Can we avoid the Ditfalls of chasing while still harnessing the benefits of anticipatory joy? You bet! Here’s how: Running for Nothing Oftentimes, the things we chase don’t bring us what we want which is the expected satisfaction. We often overestimate the amount of happiness something will bring us. Just like a cat who will chase its toy but lose interest as soon as it catches it. We as humans, sometimes do too. When we finally do get what we want, whether it’s winning the lottery, receiving the promotion, or finding the

“THINGS don’t go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be”. –Charlie Jones. A man never fails until he’s satisfied with failure. Failure is not falling down; failure is staying down when you have the choice to get back up. Sometimes, you fail a thousand times to succeed, but you are not a failure unless you give up, unless you stay down. As Winston Churchill stated. “Success is not final, failure is not total. It is the courage to continue that counts’. Also, confusions once said that, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but rising everytime we fall” It is not wanting to win or winning that makes you a winner, it is refusing to fall. Sometimes, it’s a lot easier to just stay down. But whether you stay down or get back up, life goes on, so you might as well fight. Instead of giving yourself reason why you can’t get back up, why not give yourself reasons why you can. Life may be tough, but you need to be tougher. The set backs you face are temporary as long as you don’t give up. However, the circumstances you face does not make you, but help shape you into who you are meant to be. So you need to press on and be persistent. Though you may be talented, you may be a genius, get the best education money can buy, without perseverance and determination Lombordi clearly

perfect job-we often find out that we are not as happy as we thought we would be. Some people love to seduce but as soon as their romantic partner is smitten, they lose interest; others purchase a dream car, and shortly thereafter want to trade it in, or regret not having

chosen a different model. However, chasing has it’s benefits that we can harness with awareness. For example, it can also help us achieve our professional and personal goals. Positive psychologists agree that there are benefits to having goals; especially when it comes to goals with

meaning. A life with meaning is a life well lived. So how can we work with the positive effects of loving a good chase. 1. Use Anticipatory joy as a Tool Be aware of your brain’s love of a chase, and use it as a

tool to foster the enthusiasm and energy you need to complete your goals. Rev up your anticipatory joy by looking forward to your end result, whether it is recognition or even the satisfaction of crossing it off your to do list. Whatever the source of your anticipatory joy, use it as a motivator but also remember to stay realistic when the end goals does not bring you the satisfaction or pleasure you imagined. 2. M A I N T A I N BALANCE AND KEEP IT REAL Learn to maintain a balance. If your anticipation gets you over exalted, Learn to calm yourself down and use as a tool to chase your goals and dreams to a logical conclusion. In conclusion, what we actually need to know according to happiness researchers, is that true happiness and fulfillment, don’t actually come from chasing buying purchasing, acquiring or succeeding at all, but that they actually come from giving.

Never Stay Down By UTI ANIEKAN UDOH

started, “ Winners never quit, and guitters never win”. Moreover, in some point in life. We all get hit and knocked down. It’s just part of the experience nobody can really avoid. It’s but about avoiding the hit, and been able to get ourselves back up every time we got knocked down. Life may knock you down, but it’s really your choice , whether to stay down or get back up. As Tom Krause stated. “When life knocks you down you have two choices – stay down or get up”. Also W.P Garrett stated that. “ Life is going to knock you down, from time to time just like a good boxer. The difference in success and failure in life is whether or not you get up or stay down and it’s a choice. If in 2005, Liverpool FC who had fallen down to 3 goals in the first half of the final of the UEFA champions league, had given up and stayed down, they wouldn’t have been able to overturn the score and go on to win the title. The true failure we face is giving up and staying down. “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encounters heartbreaking obstacles before they

“Sometimes, it’s a lot easier to just stay down. But whether you stay down or get back up, life goes on, so you might as well fight. Instead of giving yourself reason why you can’t get back up, why not give yourself reasons why you can. Life may be tough, but you need to be tougher. The set backs you face are temporary as long as you don’t give up.”

triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats”. B.C Forbes Coleman Cox further stated that, “Even the woodpecker owes his success to the fact that he uses this success to the pecking away until he finishes the job he starts”. Most people today, give up when victory is away. They quit and stay down just one-yard away from success. As Harriet Stowe advised, “Never give up, for that the tide will turn”. We need to get back up and keep trying. Rogar banister once said that, “The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win”. You may have fallen down, you may have failed. But are you just going to stay down and say. “It’s just too hard, I’ve tried my best and I think it’s time to let it go”. You may have failed alright, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay down. By doing so, you are turning one defeat into many defeats. Even the Bible never said that a man will not fall. The Bible clearly stated that, “ Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again”. This can notes that, though a man will fall, he needs to keep getting right. So when you fall, you should be as a baby who is learning how to walk. Continuous efforts, not strength, not ability, not intelligence is the key to unlocking our potential, and achieving our goal. Life is a succession of lesson. It will humble you, it will attempt to break you. And just when things are starting to look bright, life may smack you back down with ruthless indifference. But all this happens for you to learn to pick yourself back up and achieve your goal. Life is not about wanting for the storms to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain. Let me end this with the words of the former Prime minister of Britain, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. He said, “We will not fail or falter, we shall not weaken or tire. Give us the tools and we will finish the job”.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Gender Issues

THE power of a woman cannot be gain-say, but any woman who naturally do not build herself up in order to manage and maintain her abilities will do nothing but tear down her life and family with her bare hands. Every woman has the ability to make it on her own, whether there is a man or not, all that she needs is God. But first, she has a duty and that duty is to discover the treasures in her earthly vessel. Women are the shield, the defender and foundation of the home. Even as the man is head, the woman is the neck without which, it would fall. The greatest mistake any man can make is to underestimate or treat with levity the power of a woman. A woman can only appreciate a man after she has been with another. A woman will make you feel you are in charge yet with sweet words and with guile and cunning she silently control everything and everyone around you, just like our dear first lady. A woman gives, a woman takes, a woman laughs, a woman cries, yet through all this, only she alone knows what is really in her heart. According to Femi Fani Kayode, ‘‘women are a precious gift from God but there are some things men need to know. Women are far the deeper and more powerful of the two sexes. No matter how strong a man thinks he is, he is like butter in the hands of a woman that he loves. It is only a woman that can carry a child for nine months and raise to adult hood and yet until the day that woman dies only she will know the real father of that child. He proceeded to say, that

‘‘women are more discerning than men, more calculating, more thoughtful, more spiritual, more loyal, and disciplined and they can handle emotional pain and psychological torture far better than men. A woman can suffer trauma, deprivation, shame, sheer cruelty and beatings from a man and still stay with him simply for the sake of the children. A woman can do anything and take anything for, or from, a man that she truly loves. A woman can be the most vicious and dangerous of all God’s creatures when she is hurt and scorned and when her love is not returned’’. In a negative or even in a desperate way, a woman can purposefully use her natural charm to get what she wants the wrong way and she will get what she wants quickly, even if she losses her virtue in the process. The worst is that sometimes she does not even need words. A look is enough, a gesture, raising of her eyebrows, a deep breath towards a certain situation. They are simple details, but just as powerful as a bullet in a gun. A woman does not need force to influence, neither does she need to give a speech or swing punches, all she needs is a facial expression and the fire starts. Influence is a power for good or evil. She has the power to send her husband to heaven or hell. Considering the story of Adam and Eve, Adam had a good friendship with God as the first man created on earth by Him and with his hands. Adam had authority over every other thing that was made by God but when he was influenced by Eve his wife, he lost everything.

Understanding Power Of A Woman

Eve sent him from heaven to hell literarily. Even the devil knows that women have power, whether she is conscious of it or not. If she does not watch, she can be an instrument for evil and that was what happened to Eve. A good wife is a helper not a manipulator but she can play any one of the roles and so she stands at a very

delicate point where all she does matters. It is therefore very important for every woman to be able to distinguish between a good and bad voice in order to know the voice to listen to. This is very possible if the woman can allow the Holy Spirit lead her. In truth a woman who influences with wisdom knows her role is to serve. She serves because she loves; she fears and follows God’s direction. Due to this, she does not judge

By PRAISE EGHWRUDJE

people after just one glance. She does not make others feel like she knows it all. She does not show herself to be so self righteous because she knows very well that she is not perfect. She does not knock down but lift those around her. For these

is using to tear down the country; particularly her own state. Sowing seed of discord and influencing the minds of people around her (whether positively or negative, she is influencing people). She is not seen everywhere but are actions/ deeds are heard of

reasons, her husband feels good by her side because she does not impose anything on him, but simply advises. She does not criticise him, but alerts him. She does not make him feel inferior but she respects him and puts him where he stands out. We can see the power of a woman in display from our dearly beloved first lady, who has suddenly become the ‘Jesus’ of a man. She has found for herself a position that she

everywhere. There was story of a woman who trained her son through school and after wards sent the boy abroad. For some years the boy did not come back to Nigeria, out of impatience, the mother went to complain to a juju priest who did something for the boy to return to Nigeria. After some months, the woman’s son came back to Nigeria and couldn’t go back. Whenever he wants to go back, he will experience non approval of visa, he then went for prayers where it was discovered that the mother tied him down so he wouldn’t go back abroad. The yoke was broken, after which he left Nigeria and never came back until the mother past on. The woman never

“In truth a woman who influences with wisdom knows her role is to serve. She serves because she loves; she fears and follows God’s direction. Due to this, she does not judge people after just one glance. She does not make others feel like she knows it all. She does not show herself to be so self righteous because she knows very well that she is not perfect.”

forgave herself for doing that to her only son. She used her own hands to destroy her blessings out of impatience. A woman has the ability to bring death into her family….it is just as easy as being promiscuous and then the gate of death is flown open. That is why the Niger Deltans forbids their wives from cheating on

their husband. A woman can influence her friends with evil comments about other people. She can put her husband down and make him feel like nothing with her destructive criticism and she can even bring someone down so deep, they go into an abyss without much effort. A woman has the sole power to build her home, her world and even help in building the nation. She inevitably has the sole power to pull down her home, her world and most of all, the nation. She just has the duty of choosing which she wants. ‘‘Every wise woman buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands’’ (proverb 14:1).

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Motoring

Driving Lesson: IT takes sometime to coordinate all the various tasks which are associated with moving a vehicle from rest. The tendency is for the fresh learner to forget one procedure or the other and then to suddenly remember it when it is almost too late. The essential thing is to take the task in easy stage. To start learning how to drive, a beginner in driving should know that driving is an artificial skill in a way, an agent of death. In acquiring that skill therefore, he should be ready to minimize the risk involved by learning first and foremost, how to preserve lives, particularly on the road. He should know the functions of both the hand and the foot brakes. He should know that both serve as rein for the vehicle in different ways. One (the brake pedal) is used when the vehicle is on motion and the (hand brake) is used to anchor the vehicle when it finally stops”. Brake is one of the most important functionaries of a vehicle. And the risk of its unavailability in a vehicle is much more than that of the hand brake. The sources of power of the two brake are also different.

For Beginners

While the brake pedal is powered by the cylinder connected to the servo and made functional by brake fluid, the hand brake is simply powered by a cable called cables. But the function of each ends with the brake pad which grip the tyres and put a final stop to the movement of the vehicle. For a well experienced driver, however, a vehicle can be driven without a hand brake (although it is not advisable). After the theoretical knowledge of the functions of the brake, a beginner should be taught the use of the three pedals under the feet of the driver. The three pedals stand parallel and almost equidistantly to one another. The first is to the left, the second is in the middle and the third is to the right. The one to the left is called the clutch pedal. Its functions is to facilitate the change ability of the gear. It has to be preserved before gear can be manipulated to put the vehicle on motion. The middle pedal is the brake pedal with which the vehicle in motion is stopped. This has been briefly described above. It is next to the accelerator pedal in

frequency of use especially in the cities where there are traffic jams. The third pedal which is to the right is called the acceleration pedal. It is the pedal that a vehicle can be made to speed or slow down. But this pedal does not work in isolation. Its function is mostly dictated by the gear. Except for the brake pedal which draws its power from master cylinder and serve the other pedals, powered by cable named after them (i.e clutch pedal and accelerator). However not all vehicles• use the three pedals. There are some automatic vehicles (especially cars) which do not need two of those pedals (clutch and acceleration) to move around, but in all circumstances, all vehicles need brake pedal since technology has not produced a vehicle without brake. After these, the new driver will seek to know the function of the steering. On enquiry, he will discover, that the round object called steering which is very close to the chest of the driver has a very significant role to play in the motion vehicle. It is used to direct the

movement of the vehicle towards the destination of the driver. It directly controls the two front wheels of the vehicles which the two rear wheels automatically follow. Steering can be automated or manual. It is said to be powered when it is automated. And that makes it easier and more convenient for the driver as powered steering, but it certainly has its own advantages. Besides, it’s easier to maintain manual steering serves as a means of exercise and it encourages concentration on driving. It is always better for a beginner in driving to start with manual vehicles. Closely connected to the steering is the horn which is vehicle’s means of communication with other vehicles on the road especially to warn them. There are other means of communication which will be discussed as we go ahead. But it is important for a beginner to know that in almost all vehicles, especially cars, the horn is fixed to the steering and anytime there is need to communicate in motion, through the horn, the steering is to be contacted. Usually, the convenience

“The three pedals stand parallel and almost equidistantly to one another. The first is to the left, the second is in the middle and the third is to the right. The one to the left is called the clutch pedal. Its functions is to facilitate the change ability of the gear. It has to be preserved before gear can be manipulated to put the vehicle on motion.”

of steering manipulation is determined by the sitting position of the driver. And that is why the correct positioning of the driver’s seat is very important for a learner. From the seat, the driver views his rear through the inner mirror which is slightly above his head though the side mirrors fixed mostly to the two front doors, these mirrors assist the driver to monitor vehicles coming behind him. Also closely related to the driver seat is the safety belt expected to be destined by the occupant. These belts are there to protect both driver and his immediate passenger who are prone to high danger in case of accident. These belts will not only prevent them from being hauled out

08023412452 With OSAGIE AIFUWA

through the windscreen, they will also assist them to stabilize and absorb any shock arising from any accident. REQUIREMENTS AS A LEARNER Letter “L” in front and back My vehicle is properly licensed. My insurance is in order A licensed driver is by side when driving My learner’s permit is not out of date No passenger at all.

Auto Tip Safety Checks DAILY CHECKS I) Check tyres’ condition and pressure. ii) Check door locks and windows winder. iii) Check engine oil level and condition. iv) Check radiator water level and its condition. v) Check fan belts tension and condition. vi) Check brake oil level. vii) Inspect battery connection. viii) Check power steering and automatic transmission oil level (if fitted). ix) Check wiper and windscreen washer water lever. x) Check hand break and foot brake operation. xi)Clean interior and exterior of the car or bus. WEEKLY CHECKS i) Carry out aft daily check and: ii) Check/inspect engine for oil or water leakage. iii) Check battery water level and general condition. iv) Check spare tyres, tools and lifting hack. v) Check steering free-play. vi) Check brake performance. vii) Check fire extinguisher, “C” caution signs and vehicle particulars. viii) Check electrical system and accessories. ix) Wash underneath the vehicle every two weeks. Especially during the rainy season. MONTHLY (i) carry out comprehensive daily and weekly checks and effects necessary clean up. (ii) Check speedometer reading and compare, with regulars next service label figure and sure reign maintenance service. (iii) Secure all tools and equipment in the respective positions. (iv) Inter-change the tyres in the order specified in the owners handbook. (v) Prepare and send the vehicle condition report to the owner or officers in charge of the fleets. If all these checks are carried out as specified the vehicle be in good condition always free from breakdown, unnecessary in the repair workshop and prolonged service life.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Political Platform

2015 Elections:

AFTER closely monitoring the Nigerian political lanslscape, Senate President, David Mark was once quoted as saying they are many dishonest people, pretenders and mere actors who dominate it. As the country gears up for a change of political baton, the atmosphere in the polity, has assumed and reflected what the senate president said. It is a case of many dishonest people, pretenders and mere actors who are all bent on extending their political empires. As Jide Ayobolu noted, “the political scene in Nigeria is akin to a game of the restless run of locusts. More disturbing is the fact that the selfish interests and ulterior motives of the politicians are at cross-purpose with the yearnings and demands of the teeming masses of the Nigerian people”. Just like a professional nurse waiting to midwife the birth of a baby, the “Excellencies” from Nigeria’s 36 states, were expecting a baby-NGF chairman. They all filled out that day, hoping to come out with unscuffled feathers. But the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), just as the hunter who often has a different story from what he said before his hunting expedition, had a different story. Simple mathematic was turned in its head . On added to one could not make two. 19 become 16 as 16 turned out to 19. The ripples of that particular election, is still

been felt today in the political setting. The plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang and River State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, went “gaga” telling whoever that cared to listen that they won the election. It did not end there. The two factions of the NGF, headed by Jang and Rotimi Amaechi; conveyed NGF meetings. To cap it up, the two governors still hold themselves as the rightful chairman of the body. As the dust generated by the NGF election was settling, another fuss, with Rivers state as the “host”, engulfed the nation. In a shombolic show of machoism, barbarism and crash disrespect to the authority of the Rivers House of Assembly, some lawmakers, nay lawbreakers, wanted to turn the law upside down by “impeaching” the speaker, Rt. Hon Otelemaba Dan Amachree. According to Sahara Reporters, the five lawmakers led by Evans – Bipi, “made a spirited but unsuccessful attempt to impeach the speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly in obvious disregard of the amplifying procedures set out in section 92 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria order 12 and order 28 of the Rivers State House of Assembly”. In the ensuing battle to impeach Rt. Hon Otelemaba Amachree, the Rivers House chamber was turned into a WWE or wrestle mania as every

Matters Arising By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU

available weapon as cameras were used. The symbol of authority of the House-Mace, was

secretariat complex when the wife of the President, Patience Jonathan led the Nigerian Council of

as 7a.m at the old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, from where participants marched to Eagles square, venue of the event”

Gov Rotimi Amaechi of River State

Gov Jonah Jang of Plateau State

shattered on the head of member of the House. In another development, security agencies blocked all roads from Berger junction, central Business Area and the Federal

Women Societies ( NCWS) to embark on a “peace and empowerment” rally in Abuja recently. According to reports, “the rally started as early

“As the dust generated by the NGF election was settling, another fuss, with Rivers state as the “host”, engulfed the nation. In a shombolic show of machoism, barbarism and crash disrespect to the authority of the Rivers House of Assembly, some lawmakers, nay lawbreakers, wanted to turn the law upside down by “impeaching.”

Quoting a media source, “There was also massive deployment of armed soldiers across the City to prevent breach during the event while federal civil servants at the Federal Secretariat which also host the Eagles Square, abandoned their offices”. Many vehicles where holed up in the resultant traffic gridlock for the better part of that day. One would want to ask: Is it not the same government that has in

countless times, said there is no money to meet ASUU’s demands that is hosting wives of governors of Peoples Democratic Party-led states, delegations of women from the 36 states of the country and even wives of presidents of other countries from Africa? At a time when the presidency has denied any plans to contest the 2015 election, patience’s attentions, have said otherwise. Who is deceiving who? Patience Jonathan is not only fighting on one front but she is allegedly equally fighting it out in Rivers State. Similarly, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, is also, literarily setting the country’s political scene on fire with his unending battle with Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state. He (Nyesom) has even forgotten his duties at this point that the Academic staff Union of Universities (ASUU), is on strike as he is more interested in the “governorship seat” in Rivers. An Ikwere group has replied Nyesom Wike’s assertion that the political scene in the state will be made “ungovernable” saying he should retract the statement as it is “condemnable and it is not in the character of Ikwerme people to be so arrogant”. With the clock ticking closer to the 2015 elections, observers, analysts, and Nigerians are watching the macabre dance playing out in the political arena. Indeed the tune is getting faster with many twist and turns that will require dances with swift feets to get the dancing steps.

THE NIGERIAN

Tale Of Two Communities

Uhie, Ogbaneki:

“The single greatest lesson the garden teaches is that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum and that as long as the sun still shines and people still can plan and plant, think and do, we can, if we bother to try, find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world.” Michael Pollan.” THEY are in no way close to each other by estimation of proximity neither would they refer to themselves as ‘neighbouring communities.’ However, they share some affiliated traits. They are both located on two extremes and terminate at two far ends of popular precints: Airport and Sapele axis in Benin City. Two communities that should be keenly watched as the quest by government to make Benin City the development hub of Edo State intensifies. Visiting Uhie and Ogbaneki gave this writer a feeling of a brief but exhilarating sojourn in Eldorado, to Paradisee regained, for the sun that shone on the green, grassy regions of both communities appeared to have come straight from the Seventh Heaven. What makes these communities tick? Find out in the following interactive sessions Community Watch had with leaders of both communities. Excerpts: “We Have a Community Development Agenda at Uhie.”- Paul Ogierhiakhi May we meet you, please? I am Paul Ogierhakhi, Community Development Association, CDA, Chairman of Uhie Community. I am barely a few weeks in office now. Barely a few weeks? What makes it appear as if you have been there all along? Well, I am sure it has to do with the convivial atmosphere you met us in. The Community is a peaceful one. It may not have been so prior to my assumption of office because the people felt marginalized in the scheme of things and they insisted on a change of government. You know, new administration, new rules and regulations. What matters is that the people’s involvement in how their affairs are managed should not be compromised. So, How Have You Been

Carrying Them Along? I meet with the elders once in a month in a platform we called a general meeting. We have a development agenda which everyone has accepted whole heartedly. We know we have only one commodity,

which is the land, hence we reached a compromise that since the community belongs to everybody and not one family we should apply the dividends accruing to us from our common commodity in positively affecting the lives of every member of the community, both youth and elderly, women and children. Can we have a peep into that Agenda? Yes, we work towards reducing unemployment. I can’t say here that government is not trying. It is, but more needs to be done. In America Citizens do not solely rely on government for all their needs because opportunities abound to

Paul Ogierhiakhi, CDA Chairman.

solve virtually all their issues. That is what we are putting in motion here. We also have to rely on ourselves by creating wealth from within. Our development initiatives are all encompassing. We have a school which we also plan to refurbish with the assistance of government. We will create jobs for the youths, ensure they build their own homes. This would in no small way reduce crime. Our community market is currently being renovated by the local government. We also plan to have skill acquisition programs for our people. We have skilled artesans here, so we also plan to give them supports in form of equipment and money to start their trades with. Then we have scholarship for indigent children as a way of cushioning the effect of bearing the whole brunt of their education on their families .Do you have delinquents among your youths? You know, in every environment, whether local, state and even international communities we have the good, the bad and the ugly, both selfish and self-centred people who would desire that the common wealth be solely utilized for their own family alone at the detriment of the masses. We also have such people, but the change in administration has dealt with

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Community Watch With IJEOMA UMEH

e-mail : ladywithegoldenpen@yahoo.co.uk Tel : 08102954489 that now. “Our Community is the most peaceful in the area”Prince Igie Osayande Ehigiator, Youth Chairman. Prince Igie Osayande Ehigiator, from the Isienwenro Royal Family is the Youth Chairman of Uhie Community. He assumed office in March, 2013. He told Community Watch that his mission in office is to enthrone peace, development and empower the youths through skill acquisition for those who indicate their interest to be so trained. On how the community, with several young-blooded youths, have been able to maintain peace and unity, the Chairman says: “We do not have criminal-minded youths

here. We have not heard any news of a member of this community being involved in any criminal activities and we have a way of instilling discipline among ourselves in case of minor misbehavior. The Youth Chairman called on government to support the initiatives of the community by providing them with basic amenities like health centre, secondary schools, transformer and more boreholes in addition to the one they already have erected by themselves. On his part, Mr Osarodion Erharuyi, General Secretary, stated that there are no land disputes and the only communal issues they had with a neighbouring community has been resolved amicably and in their favour.

Prince Igie Ehigiator, Youth Chairman.

Ogbaneki Is A Land Of Promise

∗ LAMENTS presence of cultists in Community Tell us about yourself and Ogbaneki Community, please My name is Osas Omorogbe, Chairman, CDA, Ogbaneki. This is my second tenure in office. I was returned unopposed after my first term. I have eleven exco members. When the community was founded, this was where goods were berthed before they transited to other points. Ogbaneki was a major cement route, from the creeks. Ogbaneki is marke-oriented, hence the name, and Ogba market controls about 12 communities within the arxis. Our market is every four days. Ogba garri is popular edible during the market. What would you say have been the achievements of your administration? I have unity in my executive.During my first tenure we constructed canopies, bought chairs which we also rent out in order to generate fund for the CDA. We built Oguedion on our

Community land for the elders. I am the eye of the elders in the community so I am privileged to meet with them in the Oguedion. The Oguedion is built in a traditional style and furnished accordingly. We have sunk boreholes. The one built by government got so bad that we couldn’t manage it anymore and our people need water as an essential commodity. All my exco members are also encouraged to utilize their resources well. They all have their own homes, cars and so on. There is a new layout at the other side of Ogba river. We mobilized resources and drew light there, erected concrete poles and the entire electricity project cost us nothing less than N1.8m. We urgently need transformer now. We have graded several link roads. We don’t wait for government before acting. We are concluding the construction of 18 lock-up stalls with public utility, convenience, etc, intact. Ogbaneki: Haven for Cultists?

Osas Omorogbe,CDA Chairman We have a new site at the back of Ogba zoo. That is where they converge to hold their meetings at night, but they are youths from outside the community. How does your administration achieve peace in the community? Our youths are given regulating guidelines. Youths are not expected to fight even

among themselves moreso with outsiders. If there is any offense they are required to report to thje youth chairman and if the issue is beyond him it is reported to my office and it is treated accordingly. We don’t entertain needless arrests or litigations, except where the case is criminal and requires the attention of law enforcement officers; however, we have fortunately not had such cases here. On his part, Mr Daniel Afe, CDA Secretary stated that, “Reconciliation measures are taken by the community in resolving all internal family issues as obtains in every human gathering.” He noted that intercommunal peace is maintained to the peak . “ I wish to use this opportunity to thank God who has stood beside us all, strengthening and directing us, giving us the wisdom we require in piloting the affairs of the community. We are a peaceloving and accommodating people who give room for outsiders to come and join us in

- Osas Omorogbe

developing our community. We don’t discriminate. 42 other communities meet here every designated time. We have however had some sad occurrences, but that has not affected our resolve to continue to wax stronger. There was a time a construction company destroyed our lock-up stalls, thinking the dualisation process will get up to this point, but it didn’t at all. The matter is still in court, but we mobilized and began a fresh project. We thank God for how far He has led us. We enjoin people to come and invest in our rich land and enjoy our healthy sunshine.” Brown Tonwe, a member of the youth also commended the Chairman, Osas Omorogbe for being “very understanding and always sharing in the pain of his followers. He is a father and as youths we have benefited tremendously from his leadership style. Most of us, even

as youths, have our own houses and he is even planning to give us various other skills, including non-interest loans, to enable us fend for ourselves . I am happy as a youth in a peaceful community.” Now… you see why Uhie and Ogbaneki are the places to be!

Daniel Afe, Secretary.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Religion

With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA

Let My People Go Continued from last week

TRICHOTOMOLOGY IN DELIVERANCE I pray God your whole spirit, and soul and body been preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord” I Thess. 5:23. In other words Paul in essence is saying keep and maintain your total deliverance in these three spheres of the human personality viz: The spirit soul and body. Jesus Our Lord said this: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are notable to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” Matt. 10:28. Our Lord Jesus confirms here in dear terms that the human personality consists of the spiritual and the physical. This is what Paul has explained n the book of Corinthians as: “it is sown a natural body: It is raised a spirit a spiritual body, there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body’ 1 Cor. 15:44. James also notes as follows of the relationship between the spirit and the body in the human system; That the body dies when the spirit is no longer inside the body. “For …the body without the spirit is dead.... “Jas 2:26. The Book of Ecclesiastes explains further the severance of the body from the spirit at death as follows: “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto Gad who gave it” Ecc. 12:7 The spirit does not die, the body can die, hence it is written, And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment’ Heb. 9:27. From the above we will draw an analysis of the effect of Trichotomology. Trichotomology! In deliverance parlance simply is that the human personality consists of the spirit, and the soul and body, as contained in the scriptures (1 Thess 5:23, Matt. 10:28). The King James Bible concordance gives a precis of these constituents and their relationship within the human system. “The body; the material pad of man in contrast with the soul and spirit (Eccles 12:7,1 Thess 5:23). Sometimes the body is directed to evil by a sinful heart (Rom. 6:6, 7:24, Mk. 7:21), but the Christian strives to allow the spirit to control his mind and body (I Cor.6:19). The concordance here explains the spirit, soul and body as the spirit mind and the body. The principle of trichotomology presupposes as follows: •(1) That man as indicated above has spirit, soul and body. (ii) That these can equally be interpreted as spirit, mind and body. (iii) That the spirit and the soul (mind) represent the immaterial or invisible part of man while the body is the material part of man. (iv) That the immaterial side of man; can be affected without directly affecting the material side of man; in the same vein the material can be affected without affecting the immaterial and thirdly the immaterial can affect the material and the material the immaterial Now an explanation will suffice because this provides the

basis for deliverance (a) The immaterial affected without affecting the material of man for example a mad man has his spirit and mind affected but not the physical body. (b) The material affected but without affecting the immaterial meaning the body can be attacked but not affecting the spirit and the mind e.g a man oppressed with a physical ailment e.g. a fever. Spiritually he is okay in the mind he is okay; yet physically he is maladjusted because he is bound with a physical ailment. (C) The material affected and also affecting the immaterial When David committed the sin of adultery with Bathsheba it is in deliverance parlance a kind of spiritual oppression which

Satan said to God: “Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house; and about all that he has But put forth thine hand now and touch all that he bath; and he will curse thee to thy face” Job 1:9-11. V/hat did the Lord say to satan? “And the Lord said unto satan, Behold all that he hath is in thy power, only upon himself put not forth thine hand” (Job 1:12). What did Paul the Apostle mean when he said there was given him “a thorn in the flesh by the messenger of satan” (2 Cor. 12:7) which he sought the face of the Lord thrice to be removed from him, this is clearly a case of the flesh or body

affected the body by the very act of adultery (1 Cot. 6:18) and the act of adultery emanated from wrong thoughts in the mind (Matt. 12:35); and this also affected his spirit, hence he wrote that God should “renew a right spirit within me” Ps. 51:10. Hence the very act of adultery is an act that has affected the spirit, soul and body. He would their need total deliverance. Understanding the concept of Trichotomology makes it easy to understand the concept of oppression and possession treated in subsequent chapters of this book. That within the human system exist the spirit, soul and body; and that Satan can oppress the spirit and soul (the immaterial of man) without it affecting the body (the material); and that in the same manner satan can oppress the body without affecting the spirit or tile soul. Job is a typical example of satan oppressing the body but not affecting the spirit or soul of Job (Jab 1:8-1 2).

being oppressed but not the spirit or the soul. Job was tormented physically by satan, inflicting on him all kinds of physical pains and discomfort; but the Bible says “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God. foolishly” Job 1:22. This means in effect Jobs spirit was not contaminated nor his soul in satanic captivity; so Jobs deliverance was made easy by God. “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed far his friends…… So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning” Job 42:10, 12. OPPRESSION “There was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above measure” 2 Cor. 12:7. The Christian should be very careful I mean even the born again shining example of Christ; because your adversary satan prowls around seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan can easily capitalise on any error to Oppress even a shining born again believer if you don’t quickly confess your: error and quickly reconcile with God. Did you not see how he capitalised on Pauls little error of personal exaltation to strike his flesh with a thorn? He said ‘To buffet me lest) should be exalted above measure” Satan placed a thorn on his flesh and Paul said: “I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me” 2 Cot. 12:8. To be continue

“The Christian should be very careful I mean even the born again shining example of Christ; because your adversary satan prowls around seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan can easily capitalise on any error to Oppress even a shining born again believer if you don’t quickly confess your: error and quickly reconcile with God.”

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Economy

As OTC Market Takes-Off AFTER over two decades of planning, the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) OverThe-Counter (OTC) market was launched in Lagos in July, 2013. In spite of the long wait, the development is indeed welcome and holds much promise for the capital market and the economy at Large. The OTC market is a network of dealers who trade securities using telephone or electronic platform. The securities may not be listed on a stock exchange. Looking at the potential for the market; over 800,000 companies registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of which only about 206 are listed on the NSE and with an estimated 4,000 new companies registered monthly, the coming of the OTC should make significant positive impact. Bola Ayomale, CEO of NASD says “our first target is to go for the companies that are not listed but are PLC’s. They’re not going to list and we’re not requiring these companies to list. We’re requiring investors to make the shares available, so rather than it being led by the issuer, its more led by the investor, at least at this phase”. The NASD is expected to offer a variety of products and services now and in the future. They include Securities Trading, Derivatives,

Options, Futures, Company Listing, Capital Raising, Research Analytics and other value added services as in other jurisdictions. Aruma Oteh, Director — General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) believes the “NASD will create assets for wealth creation and this is one of the avenues to meeting the $l trillion market value”. The SEC, which has registered the NASD will be expected to provide oversight to ensure that the NASD delivers on its objectives and complies with relevant rules and regulations. The NASD initiative, not doubt, is also expected to create opportunities for companies in various sectors of the economy i n c l u d i n g : Telecommunications, Oil and Gas. Information Technology, Real Estate. Publishing and Printing, Finance, Mining and Auto Parts manufacturing. Others are Beverages, Media. Leisure and Hotels, Restaurants, among others. Against the background of the reluctance of many companies to list on the main board of the stock exchange and the Alternative Securities Market (ASEM),the OTC option should help to bring more liquidity to the capital market and enabie more companies

derive the benefits of visibility and capital. The low level of liquidity and number of publicly traded securities are all indications that efficient capital market mechanisms are not in place and many unquoted pubic liability companies lack access to deep pools of long-term capital. Shareholders of such

efficiency are all attributes that the NASD OTC market should promote. The NASD OTC market will offer investors a platform from where they can obtain information on available investments that are not listed on the exchange. This information will include prevailing prices

For example, the market in South Africa provides an alternative to stock exchange listing for securities of issuers that either choose not to be listed on a stock exchange or do not meet the relevant listing requirements. In the US, many equity securities, corporate bonds, government

negotiating trade. In about a year from now, it will be pertinent to examine the impact of the NASD OTC market on the Nigerian capital market. As it comes on stream with other market initiatives — introduction of market makers, Alternative Securities Market (ASEM) and the introduction of several

securities and certain derivative products are tracked in the OTC market. The OTC bulletin board, an electronic interdealer quotation system, displays quotes, last scale prices and volume information in exchangelisted securities, OTC equity securities, foreign equity securities and corporate debt securities. It also publishes quotes and provides subscribers, among other things, ability to send and receive trade messages, allowing them to communicate for the purpose of

new rules and regulations. We will be asking how it has benefited the general investing public, how many more companies have access to the capital market, its contribution to market capitalization and liquidity. There is no doubt that there have been numerous initiatives intended to elevate the capital market. Nigerians, however, have never lacked initiatives. What has been lacking is disciplined follow up that is required to reap the benefits.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister

companies also lack access to liquidity and a transparent marketdriven pricing system. The further deeping of the capital market, better corporate governance, openness, greater transparency and

last deal price on a security, a range of asset classes to choose from and financial performance of nonlisted companies. These functions are effectively performed by the OTC market in South Africa.

“There is no doubt that there have been numerous initiatives intended to elevate the capital market. Nigerians, however, have never lacked initiatives. What has been lacking is disciplined follow up that is required to reap the benefits.”

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

International Features

West Prepares For Syria Attack

U.S. allies were drafting plans for air strikes and other military action against Syria yesterday, as President Bashar al-Assad’s enemies vowed to punish a poison gas attack that Washington called a “moral obscenity”. Facing Russian and Chinese disapproval that will complicate hopes for a united front backed by international law, and keen to win over wary voters at home, Western leaders seem in no rush to pull the trigger. British Prime Minister David Cameron called parliament back from recess for a session on Syria on Thursday. U.N. experts trying to establish what killed hundreds of civilians in rebel-held suburbs of Damascus last Wednesday were finally able to cross the frontline on Monday to see survivors - despite being shot at in government-held territory. But they put off a second visit until today. However, U.S. officials said President Barack Obama already had little doubt Assad’s forces were to blame. Turkey, Syria’s neighbor and part of the U.S.-led NATO military pact, called it a “crime against humanity” that demanded international reaction. The Syrian government, which denies using gas, said it would press on with its offensive against rebels around the capital. Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said U.S. strikes would help al Qaeda allies but called Western leaders “delusional” if they hoped to aid the rebels to create a balance of power in Syria. In Britain, whose forces have supported the U.S. military in a succession of wars, Cameron called for an appropriate level of retribution for using chemical weapons. “Our forces are making contingency plans,” a spokesman for Cameron told reporters. London and its allies would make a “proportionate response” to the “utterly abhorrent” attack. Top generals from the United States and European and Middle Eastern allies met in Jordan for what could be a council of war. G A S S I N G “ U N D E N I A B L E , INEXCUSABLE”

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said: “President Obama believes there must be accountability for those who would use the world’s most heinous weapons against the world’s most vulnerable people ... What we saw in Syria last week should shock the conscience of the world. “The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity. By any standard, it is inexcusable. “And despite the excuses and equivocations that some have manufactured, it is undeniable.” How such an intervention, likely to be limited to some form of air strike, would affect the course of Syria’s civil war is far from clear. Obama, Cameron and French President Francois Hollande face tough questions on how far they want to use force to achieve a longstated common goal of forcing Assad from power. Turmoil in Egypt, whose 2011 uprising inspired Syrians to rebel, has underlined the unpredictability of revolutions. And the presence of Islamist militants, including allies of al Qaeda in the Syrian rebel ranks, has given Western leaders pause. They have held back so far from helping Assad’s opponents to victory. Russia, a major arms supplier to Assad, has said rebels may have released the gas and warned against attacking Syria. Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov criticized Washington for cancelling bilateral talks on Syria that were set for Wednesday. “Working out the political parameters for a resolution in Syria would be exceptionally useful now, when the threat of force hangs over this country,” Gatilov wrote on Twitter. REGIONAL CONFLICT The Syrian conflict has split the Middle East along sectarian lines. Shi’ite Muslim Iran has supported Assad and his Alawite minority against mainly Sunni rebels, some of them Islamists, who have backing from Gulf Arab states. In Tehran, a foreign ministry spokesman said: “We want to

strongly warn against any military attack in Syria. There will definitely be perilous consequences for the region. “These complications and consequences will not be restricted to Syria. It will engulf the whole region.” Syrian foreign minister

China, which has joined Moscow in vetoing measures against Assad in the U.N. Security Council, is also skeptical of Western readiness to use force to interfere with what it sees as the internal affairs of other countries. Beijing’s official news agency ran a commentary on Tuesday

investigators had put off a second visit to the affected areas until Wednesday to prepare better. Some residents of the capital are getting anxious. “I’ve always been a supporter of foreign intervention but now that it seems like a reality, I’ve been

possibly, long-range aircraft — striking military targets not directly related to Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, the newspaper said. Such a move was, it said, dependent on three factors: completion of an intelligence report assessing the Syrian

recalling the United States invaded Iraq in 2003 on the grounds that it possessed banned weapons - which were never found. “The recent flurry of consultations between Washington and its allies indicates that they have put the arrow on the bowstring and would shoot even without a U.N. mandate,” the Xinhua agency said. “That would be irresponsible and dangerous.” DAMASCENES ANXIOUS The continued presence of United Nations experts in Damascus may be a factor holding back international military action. A U.N. statement said the

worrying that my family could be hurt or killed because they live near a military installation,” said one woman, Zaina, who opposes Assad. “I’m afraid of a military strike now.” But another woman who supports the president but did not want her name published said she refused to let herself worry: “Bombing, kidnapping, killing - we face it every day already,” she told Reuters. “If it brings an end to this faster, frankly I’d welcome it. But honestly I don’t really believe the Americans will do it.” The Washington Post cited senior U.S. officials as saying Obama is weighing a military strike that would be of limited scope and duration, while keeping the United States out of deeper involvement in the civil war. Such an attack would probably last no more than two days and see cruise missiles launched from ships — or,

government’s culpability in the chemical attack, consultation with allies and the U.S. Congress, and determination of a justification under international law. U.S. warships armed with cruise missiles are already positioned in the Mediterranean. Opposition activists have said at least 500 people and possibly twice that many were killed when rockets laden with poison, possibly the nerve gas sarin or something similar, landed in areas around Damascus where rebels are holding out in the face of heavy bombardments by government forces. If confirmed, it would be the worst chemical weapons attack since Saddam Hussein gassed thousands of Iraqi Kurds in 1988. In Israel, citizens have been queuing up for gas masks in case Assad responds to a Western attack by firing on Israel, as Iraq’s Saddam did in 1991.

President Barack Obama Moualem, who insisted the government was trying to help the U.N. inspection team, told a news conference in Damascus that Syria would hit back if attacked. “We have means of defending ourselves, and we will surprise them with these if necessary,” he said. “If we face aggression, we will defend ourselves. We will not hesitate to use any means available. But I will not specify what those would be.” Assad’s forces made little or no response to three attacks by Israeli aircraft earlier this year which Israeli officials said disrupted arms flowing from Iran to Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

“The recent flurry of consultations between Washington and its allies indicates that they have put the arrow on the bowstring and would shoot even without a U.N. mandate.”

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

International

UN Set For Syria Clash As West Readies Attack

NEW YORK, USA - The United Nations Security Council was set for a showdown over Syria yesterday after Britain sought authorization for Western military action that seems certain to be vetoed by Russia and probably China. U.N. chemical weapons experts investigating an apparent gas attack that killed hundreds of civilians in rebelheld suburbs of Damascus made a second trip across the front line to take samples. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon pleaded for them to be given the time they need to complete their mission. But the United States and European and Middle East allies have already pinned the blame on Assad and, even without full U.N. authorization, U.S.-led air or missile strikes on Syria look all but certain, though the timing is far from clear. That has set Western leaders on a collision course with Moscow, Assad’s main arms supplier, as well as with China, which also has a veto in the Security Council and disapproves of what it sees as a push for Iraq-style “regime change” - despite U.S. denials that President Barack Obama

aims to overthrow Assad. Uncertainty over how the escalation of the conflict at the heart of the oil-exporting Middle East will affect trade, and the world economy sent oil prices, and gold, to their highest levels in months while stocks fell. Fears over the economy of Syria’s hostile neighbor Turkey pushed its lira to a record low. Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain would propose a resolution on Wednesday at the Security Council in New York, seeking authority to take “necessary measures” to protect Syrian civilians. Sure of a veto, it seemed part of diplomatic strategy to isolate Moscow and rally a broad coalition behind Washington. “We’ve always said we want the U.N. Security Council to live up to its responsibilities on Syria. Today they have an opportunity to do that,” Cameron said in a statement. Germany, Europe’s economic superpower, urged Russia to back the resolution. But Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had already said earlier in the day that any attack would be folly. U.N. chief Ban pleaded for

unity in the Security Council after more than two years of paralysis during which Syria’s civil war has split the Middle East on sectarian lines and fuelled rival camps in the world body along divisions that echo the Cold War. “Syria is the biggest challenge of war and peace in the world today,” he said in a speech at The Hague. “The body entrusted with maintaining international peace and security cannot be missing in action. The Council must at last find the unity to act. It must use its authority for peace.” Ban’s special envoy for Syria, Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi, said “international law is clear” in requiring Council authorization for any military action. But Western leaders have made clear they are ready to do without it, citing precedents for foreign intervention to protect civilians. Rebel fighters and opposition activists said they showed U.N. inspectors homes in the eastern Damascus suburb of Zamalka that had been hit by last week’s gas release. They would also be testing and interviewing survivors, as they did on a first

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trip on Monday that came under sniper attack. Amateur video showed the convoy of white, U.N. jeeps driving along a road, accompanied by rebels. One pick-up truck was mounted with an anti-aircraft gun. Gunmen leaned from the windows of another. Bystanders waved as the vehicles passed. As long as the U.N. team is in Syria, Western action is unlikely - making the presence of the investigators led by Swedish scientist Ake Sellstrom a key element in the timing of what many expect to be a day or two of attacks.

LASHKAR, Afghanistan - A suicide bomber targeting foreign forces in southern Afghanistan killed at least four Afghans and wounded 15 on Wednesday, police and provincial officials said on Wednesday. The bomb struck in Lashkar Gah, capital of the southern battleground province of Helmand. A police official said there were foreign casualties, but a spokeswoman for the NATOled force was unable to confirm that. “The target of the suicide car bomber was a convoy of

Bomb Targets Foreign Troops In Afghanistan foreign troops passing from a crowded area in Lashkar Gah city,” the provincial governor ’s spokesman, Omar Zwak, told Reuters. Two men, a woman and a child, all Afghan, were killed and 15 people were wounded, he said. Helmand has been the scene of some of the fiercest fighting between the NATOled force and the insurgents since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001.

Son Of Chinese General Denies “The Li family continues to challenge the intelligence of Gang Rape normal people. They’re using

BEIJING - The teenage son of a prominent Chinese general denied the charge of gang rape, inflaming public anger in a case that has stirred resentment against the offspring of the political elite who are widely seen as spoilt. Li Tianyi, 17, is one of five accused of assaulting a woman in a Beijing hotel in February, according to state media. Li has become the most prominent target of complaints that the sons and daughters of China’s top-ranked Communist Party officials can dodge the

CHANGE OF NAME OSEMWENKAE – I formerly known and addressed as Osemwenkhae Precious is now known and called Omigie Precious Osarugue. All former documents remain valid. Austrian Embassy, Nigeria, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

law because of family influence. Li’s father is General Li Shuangjiang of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), who is a singer known for performing patriotic songs on television shows and at official events. Li’s mother, Meng Ge, is a famous singer in the PLA. At a closed-door trial, Li said he was drunk and had no knowledge of the alleged assault, two Beijing-based staterun newspapers said on their microblogs. Dozens of journalists as well as supporters of Li and the victim gathered outside the court in northwestern Beijing. Police officers dragged away one of Li’s supporters after she was seen talking to a reporter. Two women stood in protest outside the court, holding signs that said: “Protecting the rights of mothers, females and young girls” and “Believe in justice”. Li’s denial generated a torrent of criticism online.

CHANGE OF NAME

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UDOMIAYE – I formerly known and addressed as Udomiaye Godday now wish to be known and addressed as Ehizojie Godday. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, First Bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

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despicable, rogue means to acquit Li,” said a microblogger. “If a heavy sentence is not imposed, it will not satisfy the people’s resentment.” The case has dominated headlines for weeks, focusing attention again on China’s political aristocrats who are widely viewed as corrupt and above the law. It follows the dramatic trial of ousted former senior politician Bo Xilai, whose family’s lurid excesses were detailed by the court and lapped up on social media. Li’s legal adviser, Lan He, told reporters that lawyers hoped for a fair trial. “Celebrities are also citizens and should not be held to ransom because of emotions,” he said in a question-andanswer session with bloggers on Tuesday. “A moral judgment cannot replace justice.” It is not Li’s first brush with the law. In 2011, he drove a BMW into another car in Beijing, beat up the couple inside the vehicle and then scoffed at bystanders about calling the police. He was sentenced to a year in a juvenile correctional facility and his father made a public apology. “The general public is worried that his family, because of their relationships and power, will be able to use their connections,” said Zhang Ming, a politics professor at Renmin University. “In China, this kind of privilege is very powerful. It’s omnipresent,” Zhang said. “The people’s fears are not groundless.” Yesterday, “Li Tianyi” was the second-most searched topic on Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, with his name generating 9.7 million search results. In July, hackers attacked the website of one of the law firms representing Li, saying: “We just want to return justice to the client.”

THE NIGERIAN

The Lord Gives It To His Own In Their Sleep

THE greatest burden with which the human soul has encumbered itself and which will hinder every possibility of ascent is vanity. It has spread ruin throughout the entire creation. Vanity has become the most powerful poison for the soul, because, man has cherished it as a shield and mask for all his shortcomings. Like a narcotic it always helps to overcome psychic shocks easily. It is of no consideration to earth-man that this is merely an illusion, so long as it affords them satisfaction and with a possibility to attain some earthly goals. If only a few minute of ridiculous selfcomplacency. It does not need to be genuine, a mere semblance will suffice. Abd-ru-shin the author of the Grail message In the light of Truth says, people speak of this vanity of conceit, spiritual arrogance, malicious joy and so many characteristics of all earthmen in a benevolent and glossing –over way as being snares of the Lucifer principle. All this, however, is nothing but feeble selfexcuse. Lucifer had no need whatever, to exert himself so very much. It sufficed for him to tempt man to enjoy the fruit of the “tree of knowledge” and thus, to indulge in the knowledge thereby, inducing him to over develop his intellect. All that followed was brought about by man himself. Vanity which is the root of so many evils, such as envy, hatred, slander and the craving for all kinds of earthly pleasures and possessions. Everything that is ugly in this world is really anchored in vanity, which expresses itself in a

great variety of way. Vanity must be disposed of. It was the urge towards outward sham which produce the “caricature of man” so predominant today. The sham being who does not deserve to be called ‘man’ because, in his vanity he undermined the possibility of the necessary spiritual ascent for the sake of sham, stubbornly blocking all the natural connecting line given to him for his activity and spiritual maturing and wantonly burying them entirely against creative will. The effect of raising the earthbound intellect to the position of an idol Abd-rushin says was in itself sufficient to change the entire course which creator had designed for man in His Creation. Lucifer claimed it as a triumph for himself that the human soul had ventured to interfere with its physical body in such a manner as to make it utterly impossible for the soul to fulfill its willed activity in creation. In order to sharpen the intellect, man feverishly promoted the one-sided cultivation of that part of the brain which is exclusively devoted to working in the world of Gross matter, namely; the frontal brain. This, Abd-ru –shin says resulted in the automatic repression and curtailment of the activity of the spiritually receiving part of the human brain. Consequently, the ability to comprehend spiritual things was rendered more difficult and in the course of thousands of years earthman even entirely lost spiritual understanding. Abd-ru-shin says that, man now stands forsaken and useless in Creation, cut off

from the possibility of spiritual recognition and ascent and consequently, also, cut off from God. It is the task of one portion of the brain substance to receive what is spiritual like an antenna, while the other portion which produces the intellect, transforms what has been received for use in the Gross material world.

operation between the two brains and consequently, all health activity in creation. The development of the portion meant to receive spiritual impressions lagged behind, while the frontal brain, which became more and more active through training, had long since ceased to receive through the back brain, the pure

Conversely, the frontal brain which produces the intellect is likewise supposed to take in all the impressions from the world of matter and so, transform them so that the back brain can receive them and use them for the further development and maturing of the spirit. Both parts are intended to work together, for it has been so decreed by the Creator. Due to the intervention caused by the one-sided cultivation of the frontal brain, the latter became over –dominating in its activity, thus, disturbing the necessary harmonious co-

vibrations from Luminous Height necessary for its work and for transmission into the world of Gross Matter. Instead it absorbs its working substance for the most part from its material environment and from thought-forms only, which it sends out again remodeled as its own production. Abd-ru-shin says that, there are only a few people today whose receptive portion of the brain cooperate harmoniously at least to some extent with the frontal brain. These people rise above the ordinary level

“ It is the task of one portion of the brain substance to receive what is spiritual like an antenna, while the other portion which produces the intellect, transforms what has been received for use in the Gross material world.”

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Man And Nature With O.C. MADU 08056379608

and distinguish themselves through great inventions or through an amazing reliability in their capacity to perceive intuitively, which enables them quickly, to grasp many thing that can only be attained by others through laborious study.

included in the above category. Abd-ru-shin says that while it is true that the receptive, part of their brain necessarily functions more or less well, during this receptive activity, part of the frontal brain of such mediums,

There are the people of whom it is enviously said that they “receive it in their sleep”. They confirm the saying. The Lord gives it to His own in their sleep” By” His own” Abd-ru-shin says, are those who still use their implements in accordance with the Creator’s decree, i.e, those who are what He wills them to be and who, like the wise virgins, continually replenished the oil in their lamps, for these alone can “recognize” the Bridegroom when He comes only they are really “awake”. All the others are “asleep” in their self – imposed limitations. They rendered themselves incapable of “ recognizing” because, they did not keep the requisite “tools” in proper order. Without the harmonious co-operation of that portion of the brain meant to receive spiritual impressions, the frontal brain is like a lamp without oil. Persons of mediumistic ability cannot so easily be

which is meant for the earthly transmission of what is received, becomes fatigued. Due to the determined volition of some dweller in the beyond, the proceedings bring exceptional pressure to bear upon the receptive portion of the medium’s brain and this consequently calls for a more powerful counter – pressure. This in turn, automatically draws blood from the frontal brain, i.e., the warmth which is engendered by movement, with the result that the frontal brain comes to a partial or complete standstill. It co-operates only sluggishly or not at all. This withdrawal of blood would not be necessary if the receptive brain had not been seriously weakened by the suppression. To be continued.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

PFA Chief Under Fire Over Gambling

Morrison Told To Keep It Up WEST Ham Assistant Manager Neil McDonald has told Ravel Morrison to earn a regular spot in the first team with some consistent displays. The former Manchester United midfielder marked his full Hammers debut - 18 months after leaving Old Trafford - with a stunning goal in the 2-1 Capital One Cup win over Cheltenham. Collecting the ball on the edge of the area just 40 seconds into the second half, Morrison turned inside, then out, leaving the entire Cheltenham defence wrong-footed before curling the ball low into the corner. Morrison, 20, was once tipped as the finest talent to come out of the United Academy since Paul Scholes, but he left amid rumours of ill-discipline and a poor attitude. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce gave him one substitute appearance the season before last and promptly loaned him out to Birmingham last term and a stint in the Championship appears to have done him the world of good. McDonald revealed: “As a young kid coming from Manchester thinking he could walk into the team, it was a bit of a shock to him that he didn’t.

Pardew Demands Huge Pay For Cabaye NEWCASTLE United manager Alan Pardew told reporters that Arsenal will need to dish up ‘world-class money’ if they are to stand any chance of capturing Yohan Cabaye. Arsenal are keen on landing the Frenchman, as they look to strengthen their midfield options before the close of the transfer window next week. The Gunners’ initial £ 10 million bid for the 27-year-old was rejected by the Magpies and it is believed that the North London club will need to double their offer to land the former Lille man. Pardew was quoted as saying that world class players go for world class money. “He either stays or he goes, the bottom line with a world class player is he has to go for world-class money,” said Pardew. Cabaye, who reportedly refused to play in an attempt to force a move to the Gunners on the weekend, will be hoping that his future is resolved as soon as possible.

PROFESSIONAL Footballers Association chief executive Gordon Taylor, who has spoken out on the dangers of betting, has gambling debts of more than £100,000, the Sun has reported. The paper said Taylor, one of the world’s highest-paid union officials with a salary in excess of £1 million, had placed bets worth £4 million over a 30-month period. His debts and betting patterns became public when telephone bookmakers Best Bet ceased trading in February. The Sun said Taylor had gambled on sports including football, cricket and horse racing, placing bets of up to

• Taylor

Liverpool Survive County Scare

PREMIER League Liverpool squandered a two-goal lead before seeing off third tier Notts County 4-2 in extratime in the second round of the League Cup at Anfield on Tuesday. Raheem Sterling celebrated his senior England call-up by opening the scoring for Liverpool in the fourth minute before Daniel Sturridge scored his third goal in as many games to make it 2-0 before half-time.

However, County responded through a Yoann Arquin header before substitute Adam Coombes struck an equaliser with six minutes of normal time remaining. Liverpool though kept their

cool in extra-time and secured a 4-2 win with a second goal from Sturridge and a fourth in all from Jordan Henderson. But top-flight new boys Crystal Palace lost 2-1 at Bristol City of third tier League One. Second-half goals from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Scott Wagstaff sealed victory for the host, with Owen Garvan grabbing a consolation goal for a Palace side where manager Ian Holloway had made 11 changes from the team beaten 2-1 by Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday. Palace’s top-flight rivals Sunderland had to come from two goals down before beating League One Milton Keynes Dons 4-2 at the Stadium of Light. Goals from Patrick Bamford and Izale McLeod gave Milton Keynes hope of a shock win

before Jozy Altidore scored for Sunderland with just 12 minutes left. Connor Wickham equalised three minutes from time before scoring Sunderland’s third goal in the 89th minute. Adam Johnson put the result beyond doubt deep into injury time. There were no such worries for Southampton as they thrashed bottom of the secondtier Championship Barnsley 51. However, Fulham needed penalties to see off League Two Burton after a 2-2 draw at the Pirelli Stadium. Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale saved the vital spotkick from Phil Edwards to send the Premier League through after they fought back from behind in extra-time against their fourth division opponents.

Arsenal Deny Athletico Final Seed Spot

• Yohan Cabaye

Newcastle Back In For Gomis

NEWCASTLE have reopened talks with Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis as they attempt to bolster their squad ahead of the transfer deadline, Press Association Sport understands. The two parties have resumed discussions which stalled earlier

this summer after the clubs had agreed a fee. The Magpies have to date made only one summer signing with Loic Remy having arrived on a season-long loan deal from QPR, although he is yet to play for the club which initially tried to sign him in January because of a calf injury.

ARSENAL’S progression to the Champions League group stages has guaranteed that Atletico Madrid will not be amongst the top seeds for Thursday’s draw. Diego Simeone’s men were provisionally in line for a place in the top seeded pot for this week’s draw for the group phase of UEFA’s premier competition. This was based on coefficient ranking, which originally had the Madrid outfit placed as Europe’s eighth best team in the competition and just edging into the top seeded pot, before the Play-off round determined final final participants in the

competition. Arsene Wenger ’s side guaranteed their place in the competition proper with a 5-0 aggregate win over Fenerbahce, however, and as they are above Atleti in the ranking they take a spot in pot one of the draw, pushing Los Colchoneros into pot two. It means that Atleti can face a top seed in the group phase, able to be drawn this week against one from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Porto, Benfica and Bayern Munich. They cannot be drawn against one of the other two seeded clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

£15,000 a time. It said it had repeatedly contacted the PFA chief, but he had “refused to comment on his betting or to say if he had paid off any debts”. Taylor, speaking in 2003 after Eidur Gudjohnsen revealed he had lost £400,000 in five months through gambling, said: “Gambling is possibly the biggest danger facing our members. “People talk about drugs and alcohol in football. But there are no random tests for betting, which can easily spiral out of control.” The PFA has invested in a programme warning young players of the dangers of gambling, and Taylor told the union’s 4,000 members: “With the high profile position players are in comes an added social responsibility.”

Lukas Podolski Injury Blow

ARSENAL forward Lukas Podolski has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a hamstring injury. Podolski was taken off in the second half of the Gunners’ 2-0 Champions League qualification win over Fenerbahce, and manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the Germany international will be sidelined for some time. “That’s a negative of tonight,” said Wenger. “We paid a heavy price on the injury front because we lost Podolski. “Podolski is definitely out for 21 days.” In more positive news for Arsenal, Jack Wilshere appears to have emerged unscathed from some heavy challenges during the match and should play in the north London derby this weekend. “I don’t know how Wilshere (will) respond to an ankle problem. We have to check that (on Wednesday),” the Frenchman continued. “The two tackles on Wilshere were disappointing. I cannot change it now. He looks alright. Jack should be alright for Sunday.”

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Napoli Want 100m Euros Higuain Damages THE mayor of Capri has hit back at Aurelio De Laurentiis after the Napoli president said his club should demand 100 million Euros in damages because of the poor treatment he alleges was received by Gonzalo Higuain.

Gonzalo Higuain hopes to follow in the footsteps of Diego Maradona at Napoli. Higuan, 25, needed ten stitches in facial wounds after he slipped and fell on rocks while disembarking from a yacht off the Campania coast. The Argentine forward was taken to the local Capilupi hospital after suffering the injuries the day after Napoli had defeated Bologna 3-0 on his debut. However, De Laurentiis said: “As soon as I saw the photos, I told my solicitors that we’re asking +100 million in damages. “A yacht with a billionaire could arrive in Capri and what impression do we give? You don’t get this even in Africa. “I’m sick of us not having good quality medics. An actor or a footballer, or any person, goes to hospital, and they don’t even know how to apply stitches in a humane way.”

But Ciro Lembo, the mayor of Capri, hit back, telling Il Giornale: “I’d like to thank the medics, nurses

and the first-aiders who carried out their jobs with extreme professionalism. “The player himself and his friends thanked everybody for their work. I don’t know what De Laurentiis is talking about.

• Higuain

“We are interested in the health of everybody, not just VIPs. Without even seeing the work done, De Laurentiis has drawn a rash conclusion within 24 hours of the accident happening. He has spoken like somebody who is incompetent, whereas he should have thanked us for the swiftness of the intervention. “With the damages he wants us to pay him, we could rebuild the Capilupi and make it more comfortable for all the patients, not only those from Capri or VIPs, but for everybody from all walks of life.” Higuain trained separately from his teammates on Tuesday, but is expected to be ready to return to action against Chievo on Saturday.

I Didn’t Ask To Leave Barca - Cesc MANCHESTER United target Cesc Fabregas has reiterated his desire to stay at Barcelona and denies that he ever wanted to leave. The Spain international is enjoying himself back at the

• Cesc Fabregas

Nou Camp, where he began his career, and does not want to head back to England just two years after leaving Arsenal. United have failed with two bids for Fabregas this summer and there has been speculation that the Premier League champions will go back in with a third and final offer before the transfer window closes. There were also reports suggesting that Fabregas would be interested in a move to Old Trafford, if a bid was accepted, but he is adamant he does not want to leave. “I have never said that I could go, nor have I talked to the president or the coach about it,” he told TVE show

Esport Club. “What I don’t know is how this can be said to be true just because some journalist wrote it on Twitter. “My dream is to stay here and succeed.” Fabregas’ aim now is to impress new Barcelona coach Tata Martino and win a regular place in the Argentinian’s plans for the season. He added: “I have a great desire to achieve even more and I am committed to this club and proud to be here.” The former Arsenal captain has started Barcelona’s opening two games of the new season which have brought wins against Levante and Malaga.

Yoann Gourcuff To Remain At Lyon

LYON president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed Yoann Gourcuff will not be sold this season following the France international’s impressive start to the campaign. Gourcuff, 27, had been touted as a potential summer departure from the Stade de Gerland after failing to deliver on promise

suggested by the +22 million fee Lyon paid Bordeaux for him in 2010. With OL hoping to cut costs to ease their financial worries, the former Rennes and AC Milan man’s +6.4 million annual salary - the highest of any Frenchman in Ligue 1 - also came into consideration.

However, despite reported interest from Arsenal, for whom Gourcuff was willing to reduce his wages, Atletico Madrid and Monaco, the playmaker has remained at OL, and having provided two goals and as many assists in three Ligue 1 games this season, he remains a key part of coach Remi Garde’s

plans for the campaign.

• Gourcuff

REAL Madrid fullback Alvaro Arbeloa says his side have to be patient and adapt to the new style introduced by Carlo Ancelotti. The Whites defeated Real Betis 2-1 in their La Liga opener before beating Granada 1-0 on Monday night and the Spaniard believes it will take time to get back into their best form. “We are only in the second match day. We have to be patient,” Arbeloa told reporters. “Our highest level takes its time, it hasn’t been seen in the first or second game, but we haven’t suffered too much. “We are trying to play as well as possible, but it takes its time, because there are a lot of new people. We should be happy

We Have To Be Patient - Arbeloa

because the team is progressing. “We are happy with the three points. We played very well in the first half, controlling the match and dominating possession. “We played vertically, but you always note returning to activity and it’s also to be expected that away from home they put more pressure on us. They play with the fans cheering them on.”

• Alvaro Arbeloa

Juve’s Ghanaian Heading To Spain

JUVENTUS have reportedly agreed to loan out their Ghanaian, Richmond Boakye, to newly-promoted La Liga side Elche. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan with Sassuolo in Serie B, scoring 11 goals in 32 games and providing seven assists. Boakye is currently coowned by the Bianconeri and fellow Serie A outfit, Genoa,

but made a return to the Bianconeri headquarters where he took part in preseason with the team. Sky Sport Italia claim Boakye will move make a loan move to Spanish soil with a contract worth +250,000. He was also part of Ghana’s Under-20 World Cup squad which made it through to the semifinal.

BARCELONA coach Gerardo Martino says he is happy with how Neymar has adapted but insists that he will not rush the Brazilian starlet. The 21-year-old came off the bench to score the equaliser during the Spanish Supercup 11 draw against Atletico Madrid and also created many problems during the 1-0 win over Malaga after coming on in the 65th minute. Click here for Neymar aiming to make history at Barca With Lionel Messi still doubtful for Wednesday’s Spanish Supercup second leg, the Spanish media has called for Neymar to be included in the starting lineup, but Martino says he is not under pressure to answer those calls.

“I want to see Neymar as well,” Martino told reporters. “My obligation is to take care of all the players and especially Neymar because he is young and even if he has a lot of success he is still young. “My hope is that he can play for Barcelona for 10 or 12 years, rather than that he solves my problems in one match, so this situation goes beyond any one coach. “The only thing I think I want is the best for the player and I think the way we are acting is positive for him, we are not damaging him.” Messi has returned to training after sustaining a thigh muscle injury but it is unclear if he will be risked for Wednesday’s clash at the Camp Nou.

We’re Not Damaging Neymar - Martino

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Malawi FA Broke Ahead Of World Cup Clash With Nigeria The Flames may be unable to raise the needed funds for their trip to Calabar in time to face the Super Eagles on September 7 having used up the bulk of their annual budget Malawi might be unable to prosecute their final Group F 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on September 7 due to shortfall in funding. The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) told media on Thursday that the Flames require about $121, 212 to travel to Nigeria. FAM had spent most of its annual allocation on participating in the regional Cosafa Cup held in Zambia as well as World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia. “We don’t have the required amount of money. Government has indicated the funds that were used during World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia were part of the 2013/14 national budget,” FAM general secretary Suzyo Nyirenda was quoted by Nyasatimes.com. “We were not aware of this arrangement, we have been taken unaware because, to us, expenses that were incurred prior and after Kenya and Namibia games were settled by funds within the 2012/13 financial year which ended on June 31, 2013.” This unavailability of funds means the Flames will be unable to camp for four days in Botswana where they had been scheduled to play a friendly match against the Botswana national team. If they are unable to travel, they will forfeit the three points on offer to Nigeria and may also be punished by Fifa. However, officials remain optimistic that the government will come to the team’s rescue. Malawi released a list of 23 players that will take on the Super Eagles last week. Full squad

Owen Chaima (Big Bullets), Charles Swini (Silver Strikers), James Sangala (free agent), Moses Chavula (Costa do Sol), Harry Nyirenda (Black Leopards), John Langesi (Civo United), Limbikani Mzava (Bloemfontein Celtic), George Nyirenda (Big Bullets), Lucky Malata (Silver Strikers), Foster Namwera (Ferroviaro de Nampula, Mozambique), Chimango Kayira (Big Bullets), Robert N’gambi (Platinum Stars), Dave Banda (Kamuzu Barracks),Tawonga Chimodzi (Greece), Phillip Masiye (Blue Eagles),Micium Mhone (Blue Eagles), Douglas Chirambo (Big Bullets), Peter Wadabwa (Golden Arrows),Chiukepo Msowoya (Maxaquene),Robin Ngalande (Wits University),Gabadinho Mhango (Big Bullets), Atusaye Nyondo (University of Pretoria), John C.J. Banda (Blue Eagles)

Substantive Super Falcons Coaches ’ll Emerge After Japan Friendlies -Chukwu

Aminu Maigari

146 Goals Scandal

National League Release Names, Photos Of Culprits THE Nigeria Nationwide League (NNWL) has published the names and photographs of players, team officials and match officials of the 146 goals scandal. Players and officials of the four clubs involved in the infamous 146-goals scandal that rocked the amateur ranks of Nigerian football were banned for life by the Nigeria Football Federation. Plateau United Feeders beat Akurba United 79-0 and Police Machine beat Bubayaro FC 670 in the play-off of the National Amateur League in July. The NFF also sanctioned a 10-

year ban for all the four clubs involved either as they are now called or in any form that they may transform into in future Below are the names of the banned players and officials, in a release made available to Goal. Akurba United FC, Lafia Bahira Usman, Bala Dio, Musa Ahmad, Abba Musa, Usman Babaji, Arijide Said Timothy, Sabo Ahmed, Kasimu Yunusa, Alkama Hussieni, Shehu Abubakar, Almakura Danladi, James Mathias, Arubakar Labaran, Yahaja Adamu. Team Officials

U - 17 World Cup Will Do Well, Amunike Confident FORMER international and Golden Eaglets assistant coach, Emmanuel Amunike has

Emmanuel Amunike

revealed that the Nigerian side will do well in Group F of the U-17 World Cup comprising Iraq, Sweden and Mexico. The Eaglets will play their first game on October 19 against Mexico. Amunike told Goal from Uyo where the team is playing a series of friendly matches that they are aware of what they are going into, and will be ready to face any team that comes their way. “I am optimistic we will do well at the World Cup. We got the call from coach Garba Manu immediately after the draw and there is excitement among the players that the stage is finally set,” Amunike told Goal. “I saw determination in their eyes when Manu called from the draw ceremony. We have done everything we need to do. We

have prepared very well and we are set to go. “I am not comparing any of the teams in our group because these days, football cannot be predicted. The three countries are good in their own right. “They are also capable of springing surprises.” The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner further said the aim of the team is to begin to win their matches from the first game against Mexico. “Every team goes into a competition with the aim of winning the trophy. That has been the mentality we have built into the players from day one. “Nigeria will not enter into the competition to make up the numbers. We are sure of the potentials in the team and the world will see a brand new Golden Eaglets from October,” Amunike concluded.

Osas Onuegbi-I (Chief Coach), Musa Abdullahi (Assistantcoach), Tanko Usman (Secretary) Plateau United Feeders Kenneth Ilo, Jacob Bulus, Emmanuel Mathew, Ezekiel Damiri, Paul Danjuma, Mathew Luka, Tenton Yamen, Katura Christopher, Kika James, John David, Ugochukwu Kingsley, Safiyanu Idris, Daform Pam, Alexanda Longs, Joseph Dokatri, Laila Ibrahim, Sani Mohammed, Solomon Effom. Team Officials Victor Wikadson (Chief Coach), Sani Mohammed (Assistant Coach), John Babo (Assistant Coach ), Shuaibu Usman (Welfare), Garba Mohammed (Masseaur), Babawo Sambo (Curator), Danladi Bala (Team Manager) Match Officials Olu Okeneye (Match Commissioner), Mohammed Mohammed (Center Referee), S. Chiroma (Assistant Ref 1), A. Shina (Asst Ref 2), H. Murtala (Reserved Ref). Bubayero FC, Gombe Sudais Mohammed , Isah Mohammed, Williams Bulus, Abdulwahab Salisu, Ibrahim Jalo Famous, Mubarak Dauda, Abdulraman Abubai, Musa Adamu, Abdullah I Au Bakar, Stanley Wirba, Abdulganiu Samaila, Musa Ibrahim, Waziri Aliyu, Ephram Alizo, Johny Mark, Umar Yahoya Team Officials Chief Coach, Bala Yahari, Usman Abubakar( Assistant Coach), Umar Bapar (Team Manager) Police Machine FC, Yola Samuel Dair Remi, Linison

John, Enema Samson, Emmanuelgrengory, Abubakar Mustapha, Johnson Mike, Lazarus Ahmed, Bala Rabiu, Gabriel Emmanuel, Dahiru Mohammed, Bashir Yahaya, John Salisu, Baffa Abubakar, Ibrahim Hamman, Danjuma Friday, Samaila Adamu, Ahmed Kabiru, Harison Smart Team Officials Tukur Ali (Chief Coach), Gambo Yakubu (Technical Adviser), John Felix (Deputy Technical Adviser), Bigman Emmanuel (Training Officer), Danladi Musa Match Officials Mo Bakare (Match Commissioner), Umar Garba (Center Referee), Sani Abdul (Asst Referee 1), Hassan I. Pegt (Asst Referee 2), Salahudin M. (Reserved Ref)

CHRISTIAN Chukwu, member, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), on Tuesday said the new Super Falcons’ coaches would be named after the team’s two friendly matches against Japan. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NFA had on Aug. 20 announced Edwin Okon as the caretaker coach to prepare the team for the two matches. The matches will hold on Sept. 22 and Sept. 26 in Osaka, Japan. Chukwu, in an interview with NAN on telephone, acknowledged that it was true that the team had been without a coach for too long. He however said all machinery had been put in motion for the naming of a substantive coach for the senior national women football team after the friendly matches. The former Super Eagles coach added that the Falcons coach, when appointed, would be saddled with the responsibility of grooming the team for future tournaments. On preparations for the two friendly matches, Chukwu said there was no cause for alarm on the 40 players invited to camp by Okon. “Okon knows the invited players so well and their abilities also, and what they can deliver as well. All that is needed towards the friendly matches is to guard them and blend them to have a compact team. “Many of the invited players have been participating in this season’s Nigeria Women Football League and the coach only needs to blend them all to play as a team,’’ he said. Chukwu, a former player of Rangers International of Enugu, added that the essence of the friendly matches was to keep the Falcons players in shape and get them busy. “The friendly matches will help the newcomers in the team to garner some experience of playing in international engagements,’’ he said.

Pepsi Academy Organises Talent Hunt Competition talented players who will be coFor Youth opted into the under 17 national THE Pepsi Academy on Tuesday in Abuja organised a football competition to discover talented footballers under 17 years. Emmanuel Ogaba, national zonal coordinator of the academy’s talent hunt, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the competition was organised to search for outstanding players. “This is an initiative of the management of the Pepsi Academy. “The competition was organised in order to fish out

team,’’ he said. Ogaba explained that the initiative would be a continuous process and not a one-off competition. “We intend to organise this competition every year. We are here to see to the success of these young ones. “You are aware that age competition is in contention in our nation today, most of our talented players don’t succeed because they lie about their age. “So, we are trying to put all that in check,’’ he said.

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Platini Ponders On FIFA Presidency

Southgate Could Climb FA Ladder

UEFA president Michel Platini has said he must “convince” himself it is his “destiny” to run for the FIFA presidency, with incumbent Sepp Blatter expected to step down in 2015. Platini, 58, has been the head of European football’s governing body since 2007. He has been widely tipped to succeed 77year-old Blatter, who has said he was ready for the task and told L’Equipe in May would be his “natural candidate”. However, Platini, who has already worked closely with Blatter at football’s global governing body, is far from certain that he wants to follow in his footsteps and swap Nyon for Zurich.

GARETH Southgate will be considered as a possible successor to Roy Hodgson if he excels as England Under-21 coach, according to Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth. The FA appointed Southgate as Under-21 coach last week after it decided against renewing the contract of Stuart Pearce. Pearce himself had designs on taking over as the head coach of the senior side when he was appointed in to Southgate’s role in 2007, but he fell on his sword after a terrible European Championship campaign in which England lost all three matches and scored just once. Southgate dodged questions about whether he wanted to manage the full side at his unveiling on Tuesday afternoon, but Ashworth admitted it would be foolish to overlook the former Middlesbrough manager if he fares well in his new role. “Every single appointment is a fair open process where everything is considered and if Gareth is doing a fantastic job as Under-21 manager and decides he would like to be considered for that job then I would imagine it would be remiss of us not to consider somebody on our own doorstep,” he said. “Any search will be comprehensive and will include their own front door, I suppose.” Southgate has spent time working at the FA and for UEFA during a four-year break from management following his sacking at Middlesbrough. Southgate’s first game in charge is against Moldova in Reading on September 5 and his squad then travel to Finland four days later. He thinks the future is bright for the current crop of Under-21 players, who began the postPearce era with a 6-0 hammering of Scotland a fortnight ago. “A lot of these guys involved in this group won the Under-17 World Cup so they have had experience of beating big nations around the world,” said Southgate, who won 57 England caps. “We have a lot of exciting players in that age group, it was a terrific performance against Scotland so that’s why I haven’t made many changes.”

FENERBAHCE have been removed from the Europa League and banned from next season’s Champions League as part of a match-fixing case. The Court of Arbitration competition will be made for Sport (CAS) had in Monaco today by allowed the Turkish side to UEFA’s emergency panel complete a two-legged and chaired by president Champions League Michel Platini. Metalist Kharkiv’s qualifier against Arsenal, which they lost 5-0 on aggregate, while their appeal was considered. CHAIRMAN of Owan But their original two- West Local Government year UEFA ban was upheld Council, Hon, (Barr) after club officials were Godwin Aigbodion has judged to have helped fix called on both the federal matches in order to win the and state governments to 2011 Super Lig title. use sporting activities as a In an official statement, unifying factor to bring the court said: “Pursuant to together the various ethnic the UEFA decision, which is now confirmed by the groups and promote CAS, Fenerbahce is peaceful co-existence excluded from two amongst the youths. Hon. Aigbodion made the editions of the UEFA club call in an address he competitions.’’ delivered on the occasion A decision on who will of the closing ceremony of replace Fenerbahce in the the 2013 edition of the group stage of the

ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson is not about to abandon Joe Hart on the back of a couple of below-par goalkeeping displays. For virtually the first time since he was installed as first choice keeper following the 2010 World Cup, major questions are being asked of Hart. The Manchester City man was criticised for his performance in England’s win over Scotland earlier this month and was blamed for two of Cardiff’s goals in their shock 3-2 win over Manuel Pellegrini’s men on Sunday. Yet Hodgson remains solidly behind Hart. “I would defend him,” he said.

Rickie Lambert has also kept his place after scoring with his first touch against the Scots to complete a remarkable rise from lower league journeyman to international star. Sixteen of the expanded 27man squad could be required to play on Sunday, when Liverpool entertain Manchester United and Arsenal tackle Tottenham in the north London derby in a Premier League double-header which got the Football Association in such a vexed state when the domestic fixtures were announced in June. Hodgson admits the timing of those key encounters could have been better, although he is sanguine about the impact. “What you can’t change you accept,” he said.

Emmanuel Emenike

Fenerbahce Handed Two-Year Ban, UEFA To Decide

Replacement Today

expulsion was also confirmed by the CAS, with full details to follow of a case involving domestic league matches.

The Ukrainian side also participated in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, but were replaced by PAOK Thessaloniki after the verdict.

Govt Urged To Use Sports To

Hodgson Stands By Hart “It would take more than a couple of games before we lost faith in a guy who has been number one over a long period. “In top teams like Manchester City, goalkeepers don’t have a lot to do. Every time they make a mistake it’s highlighted. “I have every faith in Joe Hart. When I took the job I thought I had a top class goalkeeper and 16 months later feel I still have a top class goalkeeper.” Everton’s Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend of Tottenham have been called up for the first time, whilst Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling has been handed a recall after making his England bow in Sweden last November.

“I’m thinking about it, whether it’s good or not. I have to convince myself, just as when I convinced myself to run for the presidency of UEFA, that I want to go to FIFA. UEFA and FIFA, it’s not the same world,” Platini, expected to announce his decision at UEFA’s executive committee meeting in Dubrovnik next month, told L’Equipe. “People would fight to be FIFA president, but not me. I have to decide if it’s a good thing for football. The position for the position’s sake doesn’t interest me. “I’ve been Michel Platini, I’ve had three Ballon d’Or, I’ve been the best player in the world. To be No. 1 in the world, I’ve been that in football, not in the corridors. I have to convince myself it’s my destiny, that it’s good for football, because I’m very happy at UEFA.”

Labour Soccer Tournament in honour of late Pa. Michael Imodu. He said when the youth have reasonable things doing, their involvements in anti-social activities such as kidnapping, cultism, robbery and rapes among others will be reduced to the barest minimum. He further said his administration will do all it could, to encourage the youths not only in sporting activities but also in other activities that would make them useful to themselves, adding that the council is presently partnering with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in training the youths in various skills and assisting them with a monthly stipend of 2,000. A total of 23 teams for both girls and boys participated in the tournament with two local government councils Akoko Edo and Owan West sponsored contingents while the other teams were clubs

Michel Platini

Promote Unity

from Edo and Delta States. The highpoint of the event was the presentation of trophies and medals to the teams by the chairman. Hon. (Barr) Godwin Aigbodion who presented the winners’ trophy to Owan West Team who defeated Orhionmwon Football Club by two goals to nil. The silver was presented to Orhionmwon Football Club of Abudu by the Vice chairman, Hon

Reginald Okun while the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Edward Ehizoje presented the bronze trophy to Ihonvebere Football Club of Uzebba. In the girls category, the chairperson presented the winners’ trophy to the Owan West female team who defeated the Living Boot Football Club of Warn by three goals to nil.

Godwin Aigbodion, Owan West Local Government Council Chairman kicked the ball to close 2013 Labour Soccer tournament in the area.

CMYK

THE NIGERIAN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

When A Teacher Cannot Read

EVIDENTLY, we are not listening enough to Albert Einstein (18791955), “Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving”. We keep increasing the level of rationalization in our society, in the process of which we get fixated at offering excuses for our failure. At the mention of the poor performance of our children in English Language tests, we quickly point at the direction of the Short Massage Service, SMS, as a major distraction, whereas the SMS has always been with us. In the past, they were called telegrams and we used them quite often. The fact that a student sent a telegram home, “CONDITION CRITICAL X SEND MONEY” did not prevent him from writing the best letter in his English language class the following day. The Holy Books make it clear that there is nobody that God did not endow with particular talents. The only difference is that while some discover their Godgiven talents early enough; those who do not discover theirs force themselves into areas where they do not belong. Teacher who could not read her own affidavit of age declaration could as well have been a huge success in some aspects of merchandising. Elsewhere, assisting people to discover their talents is a major function of the education system, starting from very early in life. We all make mistakes sometimes. In an unplanned society like ours, luck plays a role in straightening us out. I have sometimes strayed into areas where I did not belong but I did not wait to be disgraced out. In our secondary school days, I once found myself in a dance club but I

quickly bounced out after cutting some shoes of my dance partners. I was clumsy. In fact, I had two left legs. But by the time I moved into the literary and debating society, I became the one to beat. That was how I found myself in a tennis club. I

once had a Commissioner who couldn’t spell “Commissioner”. For her, the word must shed weight by force and the only way to do so was to eliminate the double letters and she came up with “Comisioner” as her

whereas the teachers who can read and those who cannot are not in short supply here, the differentiation should be made by sound personnel practice at that point of recruitment. But where is that entry point? When a chief executive

• Prof. Ruqayyattu Rufa’i, Education Minister

• Gov. Adams Oshiomhole

quickly got out when it became clear that the only direction I could play was aiming at the sky. Rather than mitigate the problem, society helps to aggravate it. You can imagine if I had forced myself into becoming the one to teach our young ones to dance or better still, if I had bought my way into becoming the one to prepare our tennis players for the next Olympics that would be a total disaster and that’s exactly what we are doing to ourselves and our nation in virtually every field. We are largely a bunch of sadists, even to ourselves. We entertain ourselves with ludicrous events, the amount of venom we release into society, notwithstanding. In this Edo State, we

wants to engage any particular person, even a stubborn legislature can hardly stop him. For example, Prof. Borisade Babalola holds the clear record of being tossed between the Executive and the Legislature close to five times before his nomination was finally confirmed. Again, the initial rejections of that ebullient Professor were not because he was found wanting but the murky politics of Ondo State had an axe to grind

own version of the word. We were pleasantly entertained on television but that did not prevent her from being picked as a Commissioner, even where some Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, and other seemingly more qualified nominees had to be screened out to make way for her. In other climes, some citizen action group would have stopped that appointment! You can imagine what type of Commissioner we had in “Mrs. Comisioner”. Let no one be deceived. That teacher who could not read is not alone in that category. They are many. Whereas our system is still relatively able to sift the “Commissioners” from the “Comisioners”; and

with him. Our Education Boards have always paraded some of the best and most experienced brains. But while a Board may spend its entire tenure

without officially appointing a single teacher, letters of appointment of teachers are “hawked” progressively at the market place, under the candle light, with perhaps some insider collaboration. Between Boards, such illicit appointments get regularized. True, Rome was not built in a day. We have now arrived at that dangerous point where there are teachers who

cannot read and these are the people in whose hands the fate of our future leaders lies. These people did not suddenly find themselves unable to read. Once blocking starts, it never ends. They even block their way through the PhD. Sadly, the loudest critics of any system are to be found in this category. But luckily, too, even where the thief has every day, the owner still has his single day. That woman also got her share of infamy: had she fallen into a pit toilet, a sachet of N20 detergent would have cleaned her up; had she been diagnosed for some serious ailment, by now she would have been completing her medication; but in split seconds, her inability to read had incurably destroyed her for life, particularly when she involuntarily relinquished her “Ekiadolor papers” to Oshiomhole – “Who is now the teacher?” “You are the one, Sir”. Shall we return to Tai Solarin who once opined that the only way to sanitize Lagos was to bomb down the entire place and begin to rearrange it? More than four decades after, Solarin is still waiting to happen, but it has taken some extra-radical steps to begin to turn Lagos around. Essentially, Nigeria is still possible. Just pray and hope!

“Teacher who could not read her own affidavit of age declaration could as well have been a huge success in some aspects of merchandising.”

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