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The NIGERIAN
PUBLISHED SINCE MAY 29, 1968 MOTORING Page 20
Engine Lubrication
OPINION Page 21
Achebe in the light of his proverbs
• Vol . 37 NO.238 • THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013 • N100.00
Govt donates N50m to Polytechnic
BENIN CITY- The Edo State G o v e r n m e n t yesterday donated N50 million to a private polytechnic,
L i g h t h o u s e P o l y t e c h n i c , Evbobanosa near
Abudu in Edo State. Governor Adams Oshiomhole made the
donation at the inauguration of some projects executed by the management of the institution owned by New Covenant
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Nigeria will not break up - Speaker
JOS - The Plateau Assembly Speaker, Mr. John Dabwan yesterday declared that Nigeria would not break up by 2015 as being predicted. Dabwan, who democracy. addressed a press “There are challenges conference on the that must evolve in the forthcoming democracy course of doing that, it day in Jos described does not mean the Nigeria as a country is not doing democratically stable well,” he said. nation. Dabwan also He said that the supported the predictions that the emergency rule in three country would break up North East states of by 2015 were not Adamawa, Borno and founded, pointing out Yobe and said it did not that the security issues amount to a challenge were part of the to democracy. challenges of “The emergency rule democracy. imposed on these “We have been on the states is in the interest right track in terms of of peace and not a providing the people with challenge to the dividends of democracy, it is to save
the lives of the citizens. Besides, he said, it did not in any way affect the civil structure in affected states as all political office holders were retained in their positions. Dabwan called for
autonomy for the third tier of government and also charged the states and local g o v e r n m e n t legislatures to further deepen democracy in the country.
“As it stands now, none of them can fully discharge their constitutionally assigned responsibility while serving as appendage of the state government. He described the
relationship between the state assembly and the executive as cordial, but regretted the frequent workers strike in the state. He said that the assembly had intervened in solving such strikes, but called for a more cordial relationship between labour and government to resolve issues before resulting to strike.
Release Of Boko Haram Detainees
CMYK
Borno lauds FG MAIDUGURI Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for ordering the release of all suspected Boko Haram detainees in military custody. Shettima stated this in
a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communication, Malam Isa Gusau in Maiduguri. “It is cheering news for me and the government of Borno State because it will no doubt help in fast tracking the peaceful resolution process which
PREVENT FIRE OUTBREAKS Have a Fire Extinguisher in your home today. Courtesy: Edo State Fire Service
TIT BIT “ You may have a Bank Account that guarantees you a better life in the future; but only time would tell whether it would be you or someone else spending it.” - Kingsley Ogbeide-Ihama
like I have always said remains the long term solution to the crisis. “Releasing the detainees will further show the commitment and sincerity of the Federal Government to the peace negotiation which should attract the sect members to the negotiation table and increase community participation in the process,” he said.
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COMMISSIONING: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole assisted by the Enogie of Evbuobanosa, HRH, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, his wife, Pastor Abiola Omobude at the commissioning of the eight blocks of classrooms at the Obanosa Primary School built by Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude in Evbuobanosa in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday. Photo: CHARITY OZIGBO-ESERE.
Resist acquisiton of - CJN urges judges illicit wealth
ABUJA - Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Aloma Mukthar, yesterday urged Judges to resist the temptation of acquiring and hoarding wealth at all cost. The CJN gave the advice in an address she delivered at the swearing-in of the 12
newly appointed Judges of the National Industrial Court
(NIC) in Abuja. It will be recalled that
on May 14, President Goodluck Jonathan approved the
appointment of 12 new Judges for the Court.
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EDHA wades into abandoned and Gas to liaise with their speedy By KEN ABU/ the State Office of the projects completion. WINIFRED OSASOBO Niger Delta Speaker of the
NDDC:
BENIN CITY – Edo State House of Assembly has mandated the House Standing Committee on Oil
D e v e l o p m e n t Commission with a view to identifying all abandoned projects
initiated by the NDDC House, Hon. Uyi Igbe across the state. handed down the This is to enable the mandate during commission fast track Continues on page 2
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News Govt donates N50m to Polytechnic
Continued from page 1 Church Oshiomhole said the fund should be used to address some of the challenges in the institutions. He said that the state government was shifting emphasis to the
development of technical education. Also inaugurating a block of eight primary classrooms renovated by the church, the governor urged wealthy
Nigerians to emulate the gesture. Oshiomhole, had earlier visited the Enogie of the community, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, where he promised
to justify the support given to it by the community. He said the state government would construct the four-kilometre motor race track in the community to develop the community and attract foreigners to the area.
Resist acquisiton of illicit wealth
Continued from page 1
The approval is sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) under the chairmanship of the CJN. The judges are Mrs. Edith Agbakoba, Mr. Waziri Abali, Mrs. Rabi Gwandu, Mr. Lawal Mani, Mrs. Olufunke Anuwe, Mr. Dele Peters, Mrs. Oyejoju Oyewumi, and Mrs. Rakiya Haastrup. Others are Mr. Amadi Ikechukwu, Mrs. Antonia Ubaka, Mr. Peter Lifu and Mr. Ebeye Isele. “As judicial officers, series of temptations will surely come but the ability to resist them will definitely stand you out and earn you a lasting reputation. “You must be reluctant in condescending from your lofty positions to acquire and hoard wealth by all possible means. “You must also ensure that you are men of probity and of impeccable character. “No aspect of your conduct should give cause for concern. You must all show the highest sense of discipline, honesty, integrity, diligence and dedication to duty as well as good behaviour. “Except for good reason; judicial officers must be punctual and regular in court attendance and maintain official hours of the court by
sitting at 9 a.m. “A situation where some of our judges commence the business of the court after 9 a.m. is unacceptable. “It is hoped that in the discharge of your duties, you will apply the law in all fairness with good conscience without fear of harassment as no baseless or malicious petition against any Judge will be entertained,’’ she said. Mukhtar further said: “I
implore you to do your utmost best to present to the nation, a judiciary that Nigerians can be justly proud of.’’ “It is the duty of the public to demonstrate their faith and conviction in justice, by seeking it with honesty,’’ she said. The CJN said that the Industrial Court ought to ensure that disruption of services, production and other forms of activities by reason attributable to labour and
Boko Haram: Ex-Commissioner By CLIFFORD AGBAJOR tasks FG on solution BENIN CITY- The violent Islamic Sect (Boko Haram) has been described as a well organised group designed to carry out insurgency. One-time Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Edo State, Dr. Wilson Ogieva made the remark while speaking on President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of state of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. He noted that the way and manner members of Boko Haram dealt with security agencies before
the state of emergency was declared, showed that they meant business. The two-time chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Council commended the president for declaring the State of Emergency, adding that no good leader would fold his hands and watch his people die everyday without finding solution. Hon. Ogieva expressed concern over the unwillingness of members of Boko Haram and those behind them to unmask their identities and the reasons for their actions. He therefore stressed the
NDDC: EDHA wades into abandoned projects communities. Citing flood discharge points
Continued from page 1
yesterday’s plenary session
when the Edo State NDDC Commissioner, Barrister Henry Okhuarobo appeared before the parliament on the activities of the commission, particularly, the abandoned Orhua Water Project in Uhunmwonde local government area. According to Barrister Okhuarobo, the Orhua Water Project which was awarded in March 21, 2011 is an on-going project which was interrupted by the inability of the contractor to access mobilisation fund. The NDDC boss further disclosed that the contractor, Tahen Investment Nigeria limited resorted to utilizing his personal funds to execute the project which was abruptly interrupted by the inability of the contractor to apply for mobilization in the Benin office of NDDC. Continuing, the NDDC commissioner who received accolades from the lawmakers for initiating mass oriented development in the state, said that the commission operates a central accounting system in Port-Harcourt. From this accounting system, he said procedures for payment for contracts awarded are segmented into evaluation and testing of work executed before the issuance of the Interim Payment Certificate (IPC). Lending his voice to the deliberations on the Orhua
industrial disputes were reduced to the barest minimum. The occasion attracted notable Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Judges from other jurisdictions across the country. Senior lawyers, families, associates and former colleagues of the new judges also graced the occasion.
Water Project and other abandoned projects in the state, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Philip Shaibu urged the commissioner to liaise with the state partiament in order to address any bureaucratic bottlenecks that are deliberately frustrating the release of funds from the Port Harcourt office of NDDC in order to speedily complete projects. which are always executed at slow pace. Hon. Shaibu further enjoined the commission to ensure that contracts awarded in the state are executed to specification as the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led administration has laid a benchmark for executing projects. The state NDDC Commissioner in his briefing acknowledged that there were 256 ongoing projects awarded by the Commission in the state while 37 others had been completed and since commissioned this year. He added that 77 more projects had just been completed and now awaiting commissioning. He, however, ascribed some of the constraints impeding the progress of the commission to the delay in the implementation of the budgetary allocation, activities of youth in several communities who demand compensation to allow the execution of projects in such
in areas where houses are build on flood-prone sites as constraints to the execution of road project, Barrister Okhuarobo revealed that the commission has had cause to issue a stop-work order to some contractors who failed to comply with project specifications in the state.
need for bold steps to be taken to unearth the rationale behind the actions of the sect .
Borno lauds FG Continued from page 1 Shettima said that releasing detainees would help prepare ground for dialogue between some willing members of the sect and the government to find lasting solutions to the crises. Shettima assured that the state government would support any action that would bring lasting peace to the state. “The state government is dutifully committed to every lawful and reasonable effort that aims at the return of peace and security of lives and property. “This is because no society can achieve any meaningful and steady progress in an atmosphere of violence,” he said.
EDHA ends second BENIN CITY- Edo State session House of Assembly yesterday ended plenaries for the second session which commenced on June 11, 2012. Announcing the end of 2012/ 2013 session during plenary session, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Uyi Igbe said that the House sat for a total 185 days, exceeding the statutory requirement of section 104 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He revealed that the total of 185 days constitute 50 days in the first quarter, 66 days in the second quarter, and 40 days in the third quarter and 29 days in the fourth quarter. In the session under review, eight laws were passed by the House, six bills are pending, 44 resolution were adopted while a total of 55 reports on various issues were received from standing and ad-hoc committees of the House.
Chief Judge docks 2 lawyers LAGOS- The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, yesterday in Lagos docked a lawyer, litigant and court registrar, over alleged contempt of court. Three persons were discussing loudly in front of Auta’s courtroom while proceedings were going on. The judge, who was being addressed by a lawyer, stopped the proceedings abruptly and summoned the alleged offenders into his court. When the trio came into the courtroom, Auta ordered them to stand at a corner, as he continued with the proceedings. At the end of the proceedings, he asked the alleged offenders to step into the dock, and rebuked them for making noise in front of a courtroom. “It is very unfortunate that a lawyer and a registrar will engage a litigant in a discussion right in front of my
court. “This nonchalant behaviour should not come from people like you; especially you, a court registrar, who knows the rules of court. The court is a place where silence must be maintained at all times. “I wonder what you expect law school students on attachment in my court to emulate from you,’’ Auta said. However, he later discharged them and warned them not to do such a thing again. The judge also advised the law school students to desist from such an act which he described as contemptuous. He also charged them to be studious to be able to excel in their examinations. Reports say that the lawyer, clerk and litigant apologised to the court and stepped out of the dock soberly.
Ijaw youth flays Boko Haram insurgence By DANIEL EDOBOR
IGUOBAZUWA- Ijaw Youth in Edo State have expressed concern over the activities of the Boko Haram sect, saying they have grave and long term consequences for the nation. A statement endorsed by Ijaw Leader in the state, Comrade Andrew Igiri said the Boko Haram sect has done uncalculable damage to the nation through incessant killings of innocent Nigerians and non-
Nigerians alike. He described as a welcome development, President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of State of Emergency in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. According to him, the successes recorded so far since the onslaught against the Boko Haram sect in the three states has yielded positive result and therefore applauded the initiative of the president.
‘Palm House’ to get facelift By QUEENNETH AIKHONBARE OROBEDO BENIN CITY – Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has said measures would be taken to enhance the aesthetic condition of the Palm House building, along Sapele road in Benin City, the state capital. He gave this indication yesterday at the ministry of Budget and planning, Palm House building when he embarked on a working visit to the complex. The visit by the SSG to the Palm House building which accommodates several ministries of the state government was to enable him have a first hand information about the activities of the State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR), an intervention agency of government in collaboration with the World Bank. Professor Ihonvbere who said the general state of the building
was appalling as it does not complement the on-going transformation efforts of the state, assured that tempory renovation work on the entire structure will be carried out, particularly the 9th and 10th floors which were gutted by fire over 10 years ago. He also said that a proper multi-layered and underground parking facility would be put in place. He appreciated the management of SEEFOR for the renovation of some floors in the building and enjoined the agency to remain steadfast with a promise to draw the attention of the governor to the delay in the year 2012 counterpart fund. “Your Management has demonstrated dexterity and efficiency; budgeting and planning represents the heart of growth and development. “The ministry is appropriately positioned to guide the government on policies and management of resources and ideas” he said.
State Project Coordinator, SEEFOR, Mr. Taiwo Akerele said the agency which has as its main objective the enhancement of youth employment and access to socio-economic services and public financial management reform needs. Solicited government’s continued support to achieve its mandate. He added that the intervention of SEEFOR would help fast track the accreditation of courses being offered by the state’s existing technical and science schools to build the capacity of the youths to fit into the modern economy in line with the vision 20:20:20 of the Nigeria state and the 10 years Edo State strategy plan. State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Lawrence Aghedo expressed gratitude to the SSG for the visit and appealed to the state government to ensure the timely intervention to restore the beauty of the Palm House edifice.
In another engagement, the SSG also received a delegation of Ibo Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Edo State Chapter who came on a courtesy call. He acknowledged the contributions of the Igbo to the belief in national unity as evident in their spread across the country as well as their meaningful efforts in the socio-economic and political development of the country. Profession Ihonvbere assured the Igbo of more appointments by the state governor just as he told them to be prepared to explore business opportunities from the foreign investors that are already indicating interests in Edo State. Chairman, Ibo ACN members, Edo Chapter, Chief Christian Odoka whose address was delivered by the Secretary, Rev. Damian Alagbo, remarked that the ACN government in Edo State has proven to be the answer to the yearnings and aspirations of the people and solicited more recognition in government.
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Inside Edo Matter Of Jurisdiction
Court Fixes May 28 For Ruling By ROLAND OSAKUE
AGENEBODE - A Benin High Court sitting in Agenebode and presided over by Justice V.O.A. Oviawe has adjourned ruling on whether it has jurisdiction or not on a matter brought before it by Hon. Godwin Eshieshi against the Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Council of Edo State, Hon Abdulmalik Suleiman Afegbua. In the case with Suit No HAG/06/2013, the applicant (Hon Eshieshi) challenged the candidacy of the 1st respondent (Hon Abdulmalik Suleiman Afegbua) as the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) candidate having been defeated in the party primaries that preceded the April 20, 2013 Local Government election in the State. Also joined in the suit are the ACN and the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), who are 2nd and 3 rd respondents/ defendants in the case respectively. Justice Oviawe said Tuesday that the ruling was not ready because some of the authorities cited by counsel were yet to be presented to court. He consequently adjourned ruling for May, 28th, 2013. In a related development, the court dismissed a motion seeking to challenge the victory of Hon. Afegbua as the Executive chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council. The applicant, Mr. Abu Dokpesi chairmanship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded council election sought the court to disqualify Hon Afegbua on the basis of tax discrepancies. The first motion seeking amendment to the application was
Deaconess Mrs. Endurance Odubu, Wife of Edo State Deputy Governor (left) with Mrs. Sandra Ekperuah Aguebor, Initiator of Lady Mechanic Initiative during the graduation ceremony of first Batch of Lady Mechanics at NBC Plant , Eyean, Benin City. Photo: MOSES OBOH
accordingly struck out and the cost of N2000 was awarded in favour of the 1st respondent/ defendant, Hon. Afegbua. The second motion to join the 3 rd respondent/ defendant, EDSIEC in the suit was also struck out and a cost of N1000 was awarded to the 1 st respondent/defendant, Hon. Afegbua, The case was latter adjourned to May 28th , 2013. Speaking briefly with The NIGERIAN OBSERVER, Hon Abdulmalik Suleiman Afegbua, lead counsel, Barr. Simon Mokhidi said that the applicant filed a case but had to withdrew it because the 2nd defendant was not a juristic person. He stated that they had to withdraw their suit because the law was on their side. According to him, they had no option as we hope to challenge the issue of jurisdiction.
Deaconess Mrs. E n d u r a n c e Odubu, Wife of Edo State Deputy G o v e r n o r presents Certificate to Ehiozee Emwinamwen a graduand of Lady Mechanic Initiative. Photo: MOSES OBOH.
Etsako Central To Partner NLC, FNM
FUGAR - The chairman, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Momoh has assured the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Etsako Central Chapter and the Forum of Nurses and Midwives (FNM) of Robust Partnership. Hon. Momoh gave the assurance in Fugar when a delegation of the NLC
Chief Joseph Akhigbe Alemoh
and the FNM visited him. He called on the leadership of the NLC to be up and doing in the discharge of their social responsibility. The Council boss sued for the Co-operation of the body while assuring of his administration’s preparedness to partner with the body on areas of
logistics and prompt payment of salaries of members of the union. According to him, “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the body not to allow itself to be used by those who are out to Sabotage the efforts of our government”. Responding on behalf of the Union, the Chairman, Mr. Anslem Izuagie said their visit was to congratulate the council boss. In another development, the chairman of the council, Hon. Emmanuel Momoh has assured the Forum of Nurses and Midwives of his administration’s readiness to ensure that the Health Sector. In the locality gets priority attention. The council boss stated this when he played host to the Forum of Nurses and Midwives who paid him a courtesy visit.
Hon. Momoh called on the Nurses to be alive to their responsibilities nurses and midwives, stating that his administration is ready to provide the necessary assistance that would help them perform their jobs optimally. He warned that government would not tolerate the diversion of government’s property to personal use, stressing that he would do every thing humanly possible to enhance their maximum productivity. Responding on behalf of FNM members, the Director of Nursing Services (DNS), Mrs. Franca Somori used the medium to congratulate the chairman on his victory at the polls. She said their visit was also to solicit the assistance of the chairman in the areas of logistics and provision of drugs in the various maternities and Health centres across the local government.
Etsako Central Council Boss Congratulates Alemoh At 77 FUGAR – The chairman, Etsako Central Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Momoh has congratulated the leader of the party in the local government area and former chairman of the council, Chief Joseph Akhigbe Alemoh on his 77th Birthday anniversary. A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the council chairman, Mr. Elias Inaede described Chief Alemoh as a visionary leader whose leadership and political experience have contributed greatly to the growth of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the locality. The Council boss used the medium to wish the ACN leader happy Birthday and fruitful more years ahead. Hon. Alemoh was born on May 24, 1936 at Fugar, the Administrative headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area. He was the first and second Executive Chairman of the Council under the banner of the UNCP and PDP respectively. He was also a two-time member of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Hon. Emma Momoh, Executive Chairman, Etsako Central LGA
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Across The Nation Court Slams N5m On Air Nigeria
LAGOS - A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Air Nigeria to pay N5 million to one Mr Hakeem Ogunniran as damages for cancelling his flight from Nigeria to South Africa. Justice Okon Abang gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the plaintiff against the airline over loss of business due to cancellation of flight. Abang awarded the sum as general damages for the inconvenience and emotional trauma suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the defendant’s negligence. “The defendant ought to have put in place measures to ensure that a passenger does not incur further expenses where there is a flight cancellation. “The defendant is hereby ordered to refund to the plaintiff the difference in value of the cost of the plaintiff ’s business class ticket,” the judge said. The court also ordered the defendant to refund the cost of the economy class ticket of the alternative airline which the plaintiff was eventually made to fly. “The defendant is also ordered to pay the expenses which the plaintiff incurred on his journey back to Nigeria through Ghana, as well as cost of township transportation in Ghana.” The judge added that the airline should pay postjudgment interest on the damages sum per annum, until it was fully liquidated. It will be recalled that Ogunniran filed the suit in December 2012, claiming
damages for loss of business due to a cancelled flight by the airline. The plaintiff averred in his statement of claim that he had paid for a business class ticket for a business trip from Nigeria to South Africa on the defendant’s airline on Dec. 14, 2012. Ogunniran said that on arrival at the airport and after waiting for several hours, it was announced that the flight had been cancelled. “I was so devastated that I
sat on the floor of the departure hall of the airport in anguish over the loss of my business opportunity worth millions of Naira,’’ he said. The plaintiff further averred that the defendant paid no compensation to affected passengers, but only left them to their fate. He said he was forced to fly by an alternative airline the following day, while he lost his business deal. The plaintiff therefore sought an order of court to direct the airline to compensate him for all the losses he suffered due to its negligence.
Forced Eviction: ABUJA - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it will by next month commence a nationwide public inquiry into complaints of forced evictions of persons in the country’s six geopolitical zones. A statement by Muhammad Ladan, Director of the commission’s Public Affairs and Communications Department, made available to newsmen disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday. According to it, Prof. Bem Angwe, the commission’s Executive Secretary, announced the development when a delegation from the Amnesty International paid a working visit to the commission. Reports say that the delegation is looking into the right to adequate housing in Nigeria. The statement said the NHRC had already called for memoranda from all concerned
L-R: Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross, Edo State branch, Mr. Dan-Eheremwen, Chairman, Mr. Moses Obazee and representative of International Federation of Red Cross, Mr. Thomas Abu during the donation of first aids kit to selected secondary schools in Benin City by the NYSC Detachment of the Nigerian Red Cross. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
NHRC Commences Nationwide Hearing
and affected persons in order to find a lasting solution to cases of forced evictions of persons in the country. It further said that Angwe told the team, led by Mr Oluwatosin Popoola, that the public hearing on the cases of planned and forced evictions could not start in May. “This was due to the nation’s prevailing security challenges,’’ the statement quoted Angwe to have said. It also said Angwe told Amnesty International that the commission successfully prevailed on Lagos State, Rivers and the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stop further demolition of houses. The statement said the houses were in Makoko, Waterfront and Mpape communities respectively in Lagos state, Rivers and FCT. It said Angwe further told the team there were sufficient provisions in the constitution as
Chairman, Edo State branch, Nigerian Red Cross, Mr. Moses Obazee presenting first aids kit to a staff and student of Oredo Girls Grammar School during the donation of first aids kit to selected secondary schools in Benin City by the NYSC Detachment of the Nigerian Red Cross. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
amended to pursue the issue of economic and social rights of Nigerians. “These rights are the ones often regarded as ‘none justiable’. But they have been protected by the constitution,’’ he said. The statement said the
executive secretary noted that the problem was rather lack of awareness among Nigerians who hardly approach the commission or the courts to enforce such rights. It said Popoola told the Executive Secretary that the visit was to ascertain the extent of forced evictions in Nigeria and the roles played by the
commission to address the problem. “Popoola had remarked that his organisation was interested in finding out the specific steps already taken by the commission to address cases of forced evictions which had serious human rights implications on the victims,’’ the statement said.
HOS Sets Up Pension Complaints ABUJA - Alhaji Bukar Aji, Resolutionfederal C’ttee the Head of the Civil Service exercise had progressed. But share, and nonof the Federation (HOCSF), has set up a 25-member Pension Complaints Resolution Committee. A statement in Abuja by Mr Tope Ajakaiye, HOCSF’s Director of Communications, said the committee was to resolve more than 10,000 complaints on pension payments and related issues. It said the committee which has three months to handle the assignment is being headed by Mr Zesley Zafi, the Director, Employee Relations and Welfare in the office of the HOCSF. The statement said the committee has members from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as well as the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF). “It also has members from the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the office of the HOCSF,’’ it added. Speaking on pension administration in Nigeria, Ajakaiye noted that it had been tumultuous and problematic. “Reform measures introduced, especially since the advent of Civilian Administration in Nigeria in 1999, have thrown up new challenges as recent events have shown. “Since the HOCSF office assumed responsibility for direct monthly payment of pension in November 2012, the
that was not without difficulties,’’ the statement said. It noted that there had been various complaints from pensioners in the process, some of which include omission of pensioners’ names from the payroll, and non-payment of gratuity and death benefits. “Others are harmonisation of the six per cent and 15 per cent increase for some pensioners, short/irregular payment of pension and payment of longstanding arrears for both federal and state pensioners with
enrolment for monthly pension, among others.’’ Ajakaiye therefore reassured all pensioners and the country that during the tenure of the present administration, pension administration would be run in an open and transparent manner. “It is in realisation of this objective that the new committee was constituted to deal decisively with these complaints and bring succour to our senior citizens,” the statement said.
Nigerians Eulogises Prof Achebe BY KESTER OGIESEWU AWKA - The burial ceremony of Literarcy giant and professor emeritus, Chinua Achebe formally began yesterday in his home town, of Ogidi in Awka the Anambra State Capital. Professor Achebe who was born 82 years ago died in march, 21, 2013in Boston, U.S.A was flown into the country yesterday at about 6am and was received by many Nigerian personalities including the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, Secretary to the federation Anyim Pius Anyim and former state Governor, Ogbonaya Onu. Speaking during the burial ceremony many of the speakers who spoke describe the doyen of African Literature as whose lifetime will be missed by Nigerians and indeed the African continent.
Professor Chukwuemeka Ike, who is also a writer like the late sage described him as a great asset which the entire African Continent has lost considering his numerous contributions to the literacy works of the people especially among students who benefited tremendously from his literary works. Prof. Ike also commended the immediate family member of the late Octogenarian for the support given him during his lifetime. Also speaking at the burial ceremony of professor Chinua Achebe, Professor Boniface Ebuka called on the federal and state government to immortalize the name of professor whom he describe as a field Marshall in the literary field and one who use literature to improve the fortunes of many in the African Continent.
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South-South Dickson Receives Report On Proposed Deep Seaport YENAGOA - The Bayelsa Government has received a survey report on its proposed deep seaport in Ekeremor Local Government Area from the Nigerian Army Engineers Corps.
The port is expected to occupy an area of 8,000 hectares. Receiving the survey in Government House, Yenagoa, Gov. Seriake Dickson said that the plan by
the administration to build a world class deep seaport was on course. “You are seeing in real terms our plans to transform our economy beyond oil and gas.
“I have always said that we are going to spare no effort in utilising the maritime endowments of the state. “Our decision to build a world class deep seaport is now on course. What you are seeing today is the beginning
Representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Oyibo (left), presenting first aid kit to staff and students of Ogbe Grammar School during the donation of first aid kit to selected secondary schools in Benin City by the NYSC Detachment of the Nigerian Red Cross. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
of a long journey. “I know we still have a long way to go before we have a deep seaport but then we have started,” Dickson said. He directed the commissioner for Lands and Survey to begin the process of enumeration and computation of the claims and entitlements of the owners of the affected areas. He said that the process would enable the government to start the payment of compensations as required by law. He commended the Nigerian Army Engineering Corps for the professional manner it undertook the assignment and expressed delight with the partnership. “This is just the beginning of what will be a beneficial long term relationship and
partnership between the Nigerian Army and our dear state,” he said. He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, for diligently carrying out his duties at such a critical stage in the nation’s history. Earlier, the Commander, Engineers Corps, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Funso Owonibi, said that the hydrographic survey of the proposed port would soon be completed and presented to government. Owonibi expressed appreciation to the state government for the confidence reposed in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. He said that the army engineers were carrying out other engineering related assignments in Abia, Anambra and Delta states.
Amaechi’s Aide Resigns
Representative of International Federation of Red Cross, Mr. Thomas Abu (left), presenting first aid kit to staff and students of Edokpolor Grammar School during the donation of first aid kit to selected secondary schools in Benin City by the NYSC Detachment of the Nigerian Red Cross. Photo: SOLOMON ENAIGBE.
PORT HARCOURT – Mr. Obinna Anyanwu, Special Assistant to Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers on Conflict Resolution, has resigned his appointment. Obinna in a letter written to the governor on Monday, May 20, said his resignation took effect immediately. He said his resignation was due to “recent political development in our great party, PDP, Rivers state chapter, and my father’s position as regards to his call for your resignation as the Executive Governor of Rivers State. “I wish to tender my resignation with immediate effect since it is only natural and incongruent to still remain in office. “I, therefore, thank you
very much for the opportunity you offered me to serve in your administration.” Obinna’s father, Prince Emma Anyanwu, a chieftain of the PDP, had called on Amaechi to resign following the political crisis in Rivers. . Anyanwu said his call for Amaechi to resign was predicated on the governor’s alleged loss of the party structure that brought him into office and his inability to manage the political crisis. Obinna was appointed by Amaechi in 2011. Meanwhile, the state government has yet to react to the resignation of the aide as calls put to the spokesmen of the governor were not responded.
Committee Promises Improved Implementation Of National Housing Scheme
UYO - The National Council of Establishment’s Technical Committee on National Housing Fund Scheme has assured civil servants of positive improvement and full implementation of the scheme. The chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke, made the promise during a courtesy visit to Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom. He said that the committee was in Uyo for a meeting intended to find a lasting solution to the flaws in the implementation of the
scheme. Ezeoke, also the Head of Service of Anambra, said, “the committee after its inauguration was given the mandate to find a lasting solution to the problems of the National Housing Scheme. “We have been charged to look at what is happening with the funds contributed by workers and the challenges being experienced by workers in owning houses of their own,’’ he said. He said that the committee
would report its findings to the Federal Executive Council. “It is disheartening that after contributing to the scheme, workers don’t access the funds or even own a house as the case may be. “But all this will become a story in a short time because the president in line with his transformation is out to ensure the full implementation of the scheme,’’ Ezeoke said. The chairman promised retirees that had made
contribution to the scheme without houses yet to be patient as the committee would ensure that they benefited from the scheme. Responding, Akpabio said that the state government in a bid to solve the housing challenges of workers had built 10,000 houses cross the three senatorial zones. Akpabio, represented by the Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, said the workers in the state had pulled out from the scheme in the past because of the flaws in its
implementation. “The governor had to encourage the workers to reenrol in the scheme since it was a national programme and had to pay six months contribution for the workers in order to motivate them. “It is a very simple exercise but the managers of this scheme have not done well to better the lives of Nigerian workers. “If the managers had implemented the scheme as expected, workers would not be experiencing untold
hardship in the payment of their house rents across the country. “In Akwa Ibom, it is a different case because of the good relationship we have with the workers. “This has motivated us in embarking on the estates being built for workers across the three senatorial zones,’’ the governor said. Reports say that heads of service from Jigawa, Plateau, Ondo, Anambra, Bauchi and Bayelsa, a representative of the head of service of the federation and some permanent secretaries were part of the visit.
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Across The Nation Trad, Religious Leaders Bemoan Insecurity KADUNA - Traditional and religious leaders in Kaduna State have expressed their concern over the level of insecurity and lawlessness in the state. The Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris, expressed the concern during a meeting held between the traditional and
religious leaders from Kaduna Central Zone and Governor Mukhtar Yero. It was learnt that the meeting was convened to develop strategies that would foster peace and religious tolerance in the state. Idris said that the incessant
security challenges that had bedevilled the state was enhanced by lawlessness, drug abuse and poor moral upbringing of youths in the state. The emir appealed to the people of the zone to imbibe tolerance and to assist the security operatives with
information that could help to secure the state. He also called on traditional, religious and political leaders to preach peaceful coexistence and initiate programes that would encourage ethno-religious tolerance. Also speaking, the Sa Gbagyi,
L-R: Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i and Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, at the launch of Network for African Students Entrepreneurship Development Programme in Abuja recently.
Flooding: AWKA - Dr Nwabufo Ejezie, the Executive Director, Anambra State Emergency Agency (SEMA), has advised people living in flood prone areas in the state to be conscious of impending flooding in their areas. Ejezie gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Awka following predictions by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) that there would be flooding in the state this year. He said efforts were on to contain the impending disaster in the state as the agency had embarked on aggressive sensitisation of the people to the looming
Agency Advises President
disaster. According to Ejezie, the agency is collaborating with the state Ministry of Information to inform the public of the issue. He appealed to the people of the state to listen to the media, community and opinion leaders, and attend town hall meetings from where they could know the latest concerning the impending flood. “First of all, for people to understand that the prediction says that the flood is coming this year again. “Secondly to listen to the media, if you don’t listen to the media then you have yourself to blame.
“If you don’t listen to your community leaders who will be getting information passed on from the federal government through the state government to the local government, if you don’t listen to them then you may be in trouble “That people should listen and adhere to instruction and the major instruction is think of your life first, forget your property if you can and get to safe higher ground.“ Ejezie also called on primary and secondary
school authorities to shut down their schools when ordered by the state Ministry of Education to avoid a situation where the students would be caught up in the disaster.
Mr. Danjuma Barde, called on the people of the state to forgive one another and to ensure peaceful coexistence in order to move the state forward. Barde tasked leaders to be responsible and put the fear of God in their dealings with the people. He said the meeting would enhance government’s efforts at proffering strategies that would promote peace in spite of the diversities in the state. In his remark, Malam Yusuf Alhassan, a religious leader, called on the state government to implement initiatives that would reduce poverty particularly among the youth to avoid acts of misdemeanour. On his part, Rev. David Jock from Igabi Local Government Area of the state, appealed to the state government to deploy Christian Religious teachers in schools as part of measures to enhance moral development in the state. Jock also called on the state government to rebuild all the Churches that were burnt down during the 2011 post-election crisis, adding that tracing the family of persons who were killed during the crisis for reconciliation would also aid in sustaining peaceful coexistence among the people. Earlier, Governor Yero said that he had held similar meetings with religious, traditional, political, women and youths leaders from the Kaduna North and South Senatorial Zones. “We are still collecting data and information from the general public in order to see how we can address the security situation of the state, as well as the challenges that has been confronting us in order to live peacefully in the entire state. “So, I have gone to the two zones and now I am in the third
zone. Hopefully, tomorrow, we are going to meet with the elders as well as th e youths, so that we can hear from them; then from there we know how we are going to tackle the cause (s). ’’ The governor said the information gathered from all the three senatorial zones would enable the executive and legislative arms of government, as well as the local government to develop strategies that would ensure sustainable security in the state. Yero stressed the need for justice through the prosecution of offenders which, he said, would serve as deterrent to others and ensure fairness. “We are trying to collect information and after doing that, then, we sit down and analyse it. Apart from the executive, we have the legislature that we have to discuss with; we have the local government chairmen. “So it is something that we need to put heads together in order to come up with a blueprint on how to tackle the situation. ‘But the bottom line is justice; when there is justice, there is fairness and all other things. And this justice and fairness need to come from the issue of law and order.’’ He said that his administration would continue to focus on security, power, poverty reduction and job creation in order to provide favourable environment for investors to invest in the state. Governor Yero also said that his administration had put in place measures to revive the cottage industries in all the local government areas. he resuscitation of the ailing industries, he said, would also include the revival of Zaria Pharmaceutical Company, Kachia Ginger Company and Ikara Tomatoes Company.
... Commissioner Expresses Concern Over government to curtail it. AWKA - The Commissioner Child Abuse “The government of Anambra
for Women Affairs in Anambra, Mrs. Henrietta Agbata, has expressed concern over the number of children being abused in the state. Briefing newsmen on the 2013 Children’s Day in Awka Agbata said the abuse had persisted in spite of the efforts by the
has made several efforts to control family-related problems. “Some of these efforts include the establishment of family courts to deal with issues of child protection. “The government has also inaugurated a vibrant children’s
parliament to strengthen the participatory rights of the child. “In spite of these efforts, children are still flagrantly abused and neglected both in the family and at the community and government levels,” she said.
Kogi Assembly Urges Police To Check Robbery LOKOJA - Kogi House of Assembly has called on the police command in the state to rise to the challenge of curtailing daily robbery attacks on Lokoja-Okene road to ensure safety of lives and property. The assembly made the call through a resolution following a motion moved by the Minority Leader, Mr Oluyori Afolabi (ANPP-Ijumu). In the motion, Afolabi drew the attention of the members to incessant armed robbery attacks on innocent road users at a particular spot near Irepeni village. He said that robbers attacked travellers at the spot, pointing out that many unsuspecting travellers had fallen victims to
the attacks in the last few months. He said that on Tuesday morning, the robbers operated unhindered at the spot even although a police vehicle with registration No. PF 11504 belonging to Kogi command was parked about 500m away from the scene. Afolabi said that two police officers standing by the vehicle claimed they were not aware of the incident. The lawmaker told the assembly that on Monday morning, many people were attacked at the same spot. He said that the wife of a former Commissioner for Information in the state, Mrs
Yemisi Ogunmola, was recently robbed of some valuables at the spot. Afolabi added that the wife of a former lawmaker, Mrs Ganiyu Salawudeen, students of Kogi State Polytechnic and other unsuspecting travellers were robbed at the spot on Monday. A member of the assembly, Alhaji Suleiman Babadoko, seconded the motion and thanked Afolabi for his concern. After the adoption of the motion, the Speaker, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal, directed the Clerk, Mr Simon Momoh, to convey the resolution to the commissioner of police on the need to beef up security on the highway.
Minister ofworks, Mr Mike Onolememen (R), studying the Project Design during an inspection visit to the Oko-Oweto bridge project site at Loko, Nasarawa State on Tuesday. Guiding him is Mr Emmanuel Ijeh, representative of Engineers at the site
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Across The Nation Minister Accuses Staff Of Hiding ABUJA - Ms Amal Pepple, out their duties with honesty Files the Minister of Lands, and bring out all files of
L-R: Former Education Minister, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, at the 3rd Lagos State Education Summit in Lagos recently.
Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday accused staff of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) of hiding housing files for their personal benefits. Pepple said, while inaugurating the FHA interim team in Abuja, that the situation would soon be salvaged as she charged the FHA to computerise its operations. “Computerise the FHA operations: I don’t want to hear the story that files are missing again. “They say the files are missing, but if we have computerised the operations of the FHA, we will not have that kind of problem; we will just go to our files’ record and the true details. “I know there are houses that have been hidden by staff; anybody that wants to challenge me on that, at least I have one good example that I can give you.’’ Pepple decried the misuses of government houses by
FHA staff. She recounted the issue of a retired FHA staff, who had his own house and maybe rented it out, and then he moved to another FHA house and claimed it as his own. “A retired FHA staff moved into a two bedroom house because it was empty, though he has his house, which he probably rented out. “We got to know when the managing director approached me to say that a house was empty and he wanted to allocate it. “We allocated the house to someone, the person went there and met the FHA staff and the staff was insisting that it was his house and that he has the papers of the house. “At the end of the day he had no papers because he should not be living in that house in the first place; these are some of the things that are happening and there are many more examples.’’ She urged the staff to carry
houses which may be in their possession. “Who are the people hiding the files to these houses? Not long ago somebody came to me to say that a house in Gwarimpa was empty. “I said it’s impossible, so I told the MD and he went and checked round the whole house and it was indeed empty. “FHA is looking for money and staff members are hiding house files. “If you don’t hide the files, the houses will be available for us to sell to Nigerians and FHA will make money to carry out its operations, so the first thing now is computerisation of FHA operations.’’ She said an agreement had been reached between the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, to identify the already sold houses and their real owners to avoid mix up.
Kwankwaso Attributes Insecurity KANO - Governor. To Bad Governance Rabiu Kwankwaso of
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Regina Obasa; Commissioner, Mr. Taofiq and Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, at a briefing by Ajani on the activities of the Ministry in the last one year in Lagos recently.
Kano State, has listed decay in moral and family values as well as bad governance as some of the reasons for insecurity in Nigeria. The governor made the statement in Kano when members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security
Consultant Decries Controversy Between Pathologists And Laboratory Technologists AWKA - Dr Nwabufo Ejezie, the Executive Director, Anambra State Emergency Agency (SEMA), has advised people living in flood prone areas in the state to be conscious of impending flooding in their areas. Ejezie gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Tuesday following predictions by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) that there would be flooding in the state this year. He said efforts were on to contain the impending disaster in the state as the agency had embarked on aggressive sensitisation of the people to the looming disaster. According to Ejezie, the agency is collaborating with the state Ministry of Information to inform the public of the issue. He appealed to the people of the state to listen to the media, community and
opinion leaders, and attend town hall meetings from where they could know the latest concerning the impending flood. “First of all, for people to understand that the prediction says that the flood is coming this year again. “Secondly to listen to the media, if you don’t listen to the media then you have yourself to blame. “If you don’t listen to your community leaders who will be getting information passed on from the federal government through the state government to the local government, if you don’t listen to them then you may be in trouble “That people should listen and adhere to instruction and the major instruction is think of your life first, forget your property if you can and get to safe higher ground.“ Ejezie also called on
primary and secondary school authorities to shut down their schools when ordered by the state Ministry of Education to avoid a situation where the students would be caught up in the disaster. “For schools, again we have advised that when the flooding is coming the state Ministry of Education will do its duty and people should listen when the Ministry of Education says please shut down this school or that school for this small period of time. “This is because in the last flooding, some children went to school and on their way back they were cut off and boats had to be used to get them home. We don’t want any case of drowning and we don’t want loss of lives.“ the executive director, who explained that they started their sensitisation from
Anambra East Local Council Area, noted that people were responding to the early warnings from the agency. He said that all the communities in Anambra East Local Government Area, including Aguleri-Out community, where the recently commissioned Orient Petroleum Resources Plc has its installations, might be affected by the flooding. Other communities are in the local council areas of Anambra West, Ogbaru, parts of Ayamelum, Ekwusigo, Ihiala, Idemili South and Awka North. He said also that parts of Onitsha North and Onitsha South might also be affected. Ejezie said that the state government was making plans to acquire boats and trucks for transportation which will be used to evacuate people from the affected areas.
Challenges in the North, paid him a courtesy call. He said that the decay in moral and family values were the main factors responsible for the increase in corruption, insecurity and unemployment in Nigeria. He said that there would be no meaningful development in any society without peace and security. Kwankwaso said that the rising level of unemployment in the north had made it possible for the youths in the region to be used as tools by
mischief makers. “With good leadership and good family values, we will be able to weather the storm in the country, particularly in the north,” he said. In his remark, the Chairman of Presidential Committee on Dialogue, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, said they were in Kano on a fact finding mission. He said that part of their mandate was to resolve the insecurity problem, recommend amnesty and ensure total disarmament within 60 days from the day the committee was constituted.
JTF Bans Hawking, Begging Around Check DAMATURU - The Joint Points Task Force on Internal Security (JTF) in Yobe, has banned hawking and begging around security checkpoints in the state, a statement said in Damaturu on Tuesday. The statement, issued by the JTF spokesman, Lt. Eli Lazarus, advised hawkers to use “designated markets and other approved places for trading activities.’’ ”Henceforth, anybody found hawking around security checkpoints will be arrested and prosecuted,” the statement stated. It further warned beggars
against squatting around checkpoints to beg for alms from motorists lined up for stop and search operations. Reports say that hawkers and beggars in Damaturu and other major towns in the state often besiege security checkpoints to do business and beg respectively. The Yobe Government has reviewed the curfew period in the state from 8.00p.m. to 7.00a.m, to 6.00p.m. to 6.00a.m. after the Federal Government declared emergency rule in the state with two others.
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Across The Nation Kidnapping: 3 Female Suspects In Police Net ASABA - The Police Command in Delta have arrested three females suspects in connection with the abduction of the wife of a staff of the Delta State University in Abraka. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, represented by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Lucky Uyabeme, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Asaba. He gave the names of the suspects as Jennifer Stephen, Oreva Ofiare and Esther Omemeye. The commissioner said that the lecturer ’s wife who was abducted on April 4 at Obiaruku in the Ukwuani Local Government Area was taken to a hideout in Ozoro in the Isoko South Local Government Area of the state. Aduba said that the police freed the victim, recovered N1.2 million ransom paid to the suspects, a gun and 50 rounds of cartridges. According to the commissioner, a team from the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on information tracked the suspects to a house in Ozoro. “On sighting the squad the suspects opened fire and in a gun
exchange that ensured, one of the suspect’s who was later identified as Vote Michael suffered fatal gunshots wound. He said that the command also cracked a gang of armed robbers and kidnappers who are terrorising the Warri and Ughelli areas and that five suspects were killed during a gun duel with the police. He said that arrests were made at Warri, Obiaruku, Ogwashi Uku and other parts of the state, adding that items recovered include cash, two AK 47 rifles, locally made guns, magazines and other items. Aduba, however, warned landlords and tenants in the state, giving their apartments to kidnappers to desist forthwith and report the suspects or face the consequences. He said that the command had so far pulled down six operational bases of the kidnappers, located in different parts of the state with four others identified and marked for demolition. “This warning has become imperative and absolutely necessary as such building or properties stand the risk of being pulled down and the right of occupancy revoked by the State Government,’’ he said.
Fake drugs being destroyed by Kano State Government on Tuesday in the fight against drug abuse amongst youths in the state.
Nasarawa Killings
Al-Makura Cautions Against Stigmatisation, Discrimination
Commission Threatens To Shut Down Erring Private Museums ILORIN - Mallam Yusuf Usman, the Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, has threatened to shut down private museums which fail to meet the required procedures. He issued the threat in Ilorin in a message to celebrate this year ’s International Museum Day. Represented by Mrs. Omotayo Adeboye, the Curator of the National Museum, Ilorin, Usman warned owners of private museums in the country to comply with the provision of CAP 242, Act of Parliament, 2000. He said that though the Act empowered the Commission to approve the establishment of private museums, the approval could be withdrawn. The commission, he said, was aware that some individuals, organisations, institutions as well as state governments were setting up museums without the necessary approval. Usman called on owners
of private museums that were yet to meet government’s guidelines to contact the commission or have the museums shutdown. In her own remarks, Adeboye welcomed the theme of the celebration: “Museums (memory + creativity) = social change. She said the theme of this year’s celebration highlighted the universal nature of museum and their positive influence on the society. Adeboye described museums as store houses of the memory of society encapsulated in objects, adding that such objects tell the stories of cultures and heritage. Mr Eyitayo Ayoola, the Chairman of the occasion and General Manager, Royal Shekinah Suites, expressed regrets that Nigerians had abandoned their culture. He called for the revival of the country’s cultural values, adding that History must be made a compulsory subject for Senior Secondary School students.
Members of Copy Rights Society of Nigeria(COSON), embarking on sanitation exercise as part of activities marking the COSON week in Lagos recently.
Bill Underway To Prohibit Contract Abandonment OWERRI - The Imo House of Assembly on Tuesday in Owerri set up a three-member committee to handle a bill for a law to prohibit contract abandonment in the state. The decision followed a motion moved by the member representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Mr. Victor Ndunagu. Ndunagu said the bill was to check contracts abandonment and poor execution of contracts in the state. The lawmaker said the bill was necessitated due to the tradition of abandoning contracts by contractors. He said the bill, when
passed into law, would mandate government to complete all abandoned projects of the past administration which had been paid for. According to him, viable projects initiated by governments are abandoned after the inauguration of a new administration, this brings about a huge economic waste. Mr. Innocent Ekeh of Owerri West Constituency, supported the bill and suggested that contractors signed maintenance agreements when contracts were awarded. He said that the bill should contain an
enforcement clause and called for monitoring of government projects. Mrs. Pat Ekeji of Aboh Mbaise Constituency said the bill should also target government functionaries, adding that sometimes contracts were awarded many times and remained unexecuted. Mr. Robertson Ekwebelem, representing Onuimo Constituency, said the bill was timely as it would also reduce corruption. The Speaker of the House, Mr. Benjamin Uwajumogu, ruled that the bill should go to the committee stage for more inputs.
LAFIA - Governor. Umaru AlMakura of Nasarawa State has called on the people to avoid stigmatising or discriminating against any tribe or religion over the recent killing of policemen in the state. The governor made the call on Tuesday when he received stakeholders from the state’s southern senatorial district who paid him a solidarity visit in Lafia. He said government would not relent till the perpetrators of the crime were fished out and brought to justice. “Let me assure everyone that government would not let the death of the security operatives go just like that. “We are determined to ensure that all those connected with the crime, with the aim of causing disharmony amongst us and denting the image of the state, are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law,” he said. Al-Makura cautioned that the action of the “few criminal elements” should not be used as a basis for stigmatising or discriminating against any particular ethnic nationality in the state. “When things happen like this, there is a tendency to generalise, thereby causing more confusion and disharmony; but as a people we have come a long way and we should be able to distinguish the grains from the chaff so that we do not destroy the bond of unity that our forefathers had built,” he added. He said he could vouch for the integrity of a lot of people from ethnic nationalities linked with the ugly incident, adding that so many of them had openly condemned the heinous crime. The governor urged the people of the state to pray for God to expose the perpetrators of the act and engender brotherly love among the people.
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Abuja NYC Congress Begins In Makurdi Today ABUJA - The National Youth Council of Nigeria congress will hold from May 23 to May 26 in Makurdi, the Benue capital, the Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Inuwa Abdul-Kadir, has said. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Mr. Olusola Abiola, the Director of Press in the ministry. The statement said the decision to organise the congress was borne out of the meeting between the ministry and the transition committee of the youth council. “The meeting was aimed at finding out modalities for hosting the congress and chart a new course for the council,” it said. The statement also called on
the council to forward its reviewed constitution to the ministry’s legal adviser, to enhance the ongoing registration process at the Corporate Affairs Commission. It noted that the ongoing sale of forms for those aspiring for various positions stopped on May 10, adding that the list of revalidated voluntary youth organisations would be published soon. The statement said there would be screening of delegates and aspirants, to meet the required age bracket of 18 years to 35 years as contained in the National Youth Policy and the Constitution. It said urged commissioners of youths across the federation to mobilise their respective delegates and ensure their participation in the congress.
L-R: Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Alhaji Mu’Azu Usman Gangara, Governor Mukhtar Yero and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, at the traditional rulers and religious leaders peace meeting in Kaduna recently.
Prostrate Cancer Expert Harps On Early Screening ABUJA - Due to difficulty in diagnosis and late manifestation, prostate cancer has been known to be a silent killer, a consultant urologist, Dr Yinka Lawal said. Lawal told newsmen in Abuja that it was the second most common cancer in the world. He said that prostate cancer, a leading cause of death in men, could be prevented via healthy lifestyle. “Prostate cancer, the exact cause is not known, it is when you know what is causing something that you can prevent it, unlike the cervical cancers that it has been proven that the HPV, Human Paipilloma Virus is responsible. “For prostate cancer, the exact cause is not known, but what we know is that there are some risk factors; so the more of these risk factors that you are exposed to, the greater the chances of you having it. “I mentioned such things like age, genetics, diets, cigarette smoking, even ethnicity, its common among blacks, even among blacks in America.” The urologist said signs included; painful and difficulty in passing urine, blood in urine, frequent urination, ceaseless pain in the lower back, pelvis or upper thighs and impotence. Lawal said that it was saddening that most men presented themselves at advanced stages at the hospitals, adding that little or nothing could be done to salvage the disease. “So because the cause is not known, it’s difficult to prevent and because most of the times when it occurs, it’s usually asymptomatic, and it does not present in anything, except when it’s already in an advanced stage. “Most patients that are coming to the hospital, they come very late, and once a
patient comes late with cancer, there is very little you can do, and most of the treatment you can offer are actually palliatives. “But if you catch it when it is in the early stage; when it is confined to the prostate, or when it’s in stage one, that’s when you can cure it by surgery; so the idea of encouraging screening is to pick it when it’s in the early stage.“ He spoke of the need for men in their early 40’s to present themselves early for screening, so as to detect cancer cells in the prostate.
Some traditional rulers and religious leaders, at the peace meeting in Kaduna recently.
Undertake Regular Check Ups, Doctor Advises Nigerians Blood Presssure:
ABUJA - Dr Fatimah Mirami, a doctor with a private hospital in Abuja, has advised Nigerians to check their blood pressure every three months, to prevent sudden and avoidable deaths. Mirami said this while delivering a health talk on hypertension and diabetes to members of staff of the newsmen in Abuja. She, however, advised hypertensive patients to check their blood pressure once in two weeks or once a month, depending on the individual. “It is recommended that you check your blood pressure every three months when you get to the hospital, after a certain stage if you are normal you can extend it to six months. “But If you have high blood pressure the doctor will keep a close eye on you and ask you to come every two weeks, every month or if you are on medication and it is well controlled he can let you come every three months to have it checked.“ Mirami said that hypertension was when a
person’s blood pressure was higher than normal, while diabetes was a condition when a person’s sugar level was high. The doctor said that hypertension and diabetes were common medical conditions people suffered from hence the need to regularly go for checkup. “This diseases creep in little by little, so it is advisable to check regularly so you do not collapse and die one day.“ She said that some risk factors of these two conditions included obesity and smoking, adding: “People that are overweight, the heart will need to work twice as much to pump blood to the body. “If you are obese, because of the high cholesterol, it would narrow the blood vessels making it difficult for blood to get to the other parts of the body.“ The doctor said that smoking damaged the blood vessels and cells. Mirami said that people who lived sedentary lifestyles were also at risk of becoming
hypertensive, saying that people should learn to be more active and engage in physical exercise. The gynaecologist, however, said that people who had a family history of hypertension or diabetes where also prone to having any of the conditions. She advised people to check their blood pressure before they engaged in any form of
exercise to ensure it was normal and to avoid heart failure in the process. “Do not start with vigorous exercise if you are hypertensive, exercise should be done gradually, so that your heart can keep up with the pace.“ Also speaking at the event, NAN’s acting Assistant Director Admin, Mrs
Gbemisola Babalola, said the staff of the agency should take responsibility for their health as facilities had been made available in the office to enable them to exercise their bodies and stay healthy and fit. Babalola also advised members of staff present to share what they had learnt at the health talk with family and friends.
Counter-Terrorism: Military Seeks Cooperation ABUJA - The Chief of Defence Staff, Adm. Ola Ibrahim, on Monday in Abuja solicited the cooperation of the civilian population to ensure the success of military operations. Ibrahim, who made the call at the opening of a three-day Seminar on Civil-Military Relations and Counter-terrorism Strategy, noted that the cooperation was necessary to minimise friction. Ibrahim said, “the military seeks the cooperation of civilians in all its operations. “The military’s modus operandi often brings about friction but the military will do its best to improve the relations.” Ibrahim, represented by Chief
of Communications, AVM Salihu Smith, said the seminar would devise plan that would bring the civilian population and military closer in all operations to avoid suspicion. “The challenge is to develop civil-military model relative to Nigeria. This seminar will bring out a strong model.’’ The Director of Civil-Military Relations, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim, expressed concern that there were lots of misconceptions about military operations. “We are going to clear the misconceptions and assure the people that the military is theirs and working to protect them,” he said.
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, said recent happenings had underscored the increasing need for robust civil-military relations. According to him, such relations are necessary to combat threats to the nation’s territorial integrity. “As profound and skilful as our military intelligence is, it could be greatly impaired if the civilian populace does not cooperate with it,” Omeri said. He urged the directorate of civil-military relations to set up a centre for management of information on Joint Task Force operations across the country.
THE
NIGERIAN
10
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Business + Economy CDF Moves To Boost LAGOS - Mr. Cosmas Niagwan, the Chairman of the Trade would not only discuss problems Cargo Defence Fund (CDF),
L-R: Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, Chairman, Chief Christopher Eze and Company Secretary, Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, at the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Bank in Abuja recently.
Anambra: Market Women Protest AWKA - Women traders at the popular Eke-Awka market in Awka staged a protest against high taxes by the state government. The women, who stormed the Government House, Awka in their hundreds, told newsmen that they were not comfortable with the tax they were asked to pay on their businesses. They also alleged that they were being intimidated by the officials. The leader of the women, Mrs. Praise Mouneke, appealed to the government to reduce the levies and check the activities of the officials who enforced them on short notice. “We are here to peacefully demonstrate that we don’t like the leadership we have in the market. They told us that we are to pay tax and just three weeks, they started seizing our wares, destroying them and beating us up. “We decided that we cannot fight in the market but to come to complain to the governor about this. They are demanding N6,600 from us, saying it is for two years; we cannot bear this any longer. “Children who hawk are taxed N100 every day, old women who come to sell the vegetable they cultivated in their backyard are harassed and made to pay, so the question is who are we paying to,” she said. The Chairman of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Nwanne Ejikeme, who addressed the women, maintained that tax was not a negotiable issue as everyone who earned income on business in the state was duty bound to pay tax. He, however, said the board was not interested in obtaining tax payment from people who did not have shops in the market. “I will not call this a protest. They are here to complain about the practices of their
Tax Regime
leaders in the market who extort and intimidate them, but as a government, tax is not a negotiable matter. “Every adult that earns money must pay tax. These women are from Eke-Awka market where everybody, irrespective of gender, is expected to pay the minimum traders’ tax of N3000 per annum. “We are collecting only that of 2012 and not two years and it is coordinated by the revenue board and the Ministry of Commerce. We don’t have agents but we are using the
leaders of market associations. “We have told them that we are not interested in those who do not have stalls, who sell crayfish, tomatoes, under the umbrella or wheel barrow pushers or those in attachment, the focus is not on them,” Nwanne said. The Commissioner for Commerce, Mr. Robert Okonkwo, appealed to the women to remain calm and assured them that the government was interested in their complaint. Okonkwo advised them to
return to their businesses and promised to reach them through their representatives after a meeting with them. “We have just talked to them and we shall continue to do so, but it is a constitutional matter and as soon as you generate income you must pay tax, both men and women. “What we are doing now is to explain to them so that they will understand better why they should pay tax, so we shall continue to dialogue with them,” he said. The women carried placards with inscriptions “No to Tax on Women’’, and “Governor Peter Obi Save Us From multiple tax,’’ among others.
said the management had adopted international best practices to boost trade in the maritime industry. Niagwan said this at a roundtable organised for stakeholders in Lagos. The theme of the roundtable was“Cargo Exposure to Risk of Damage, Loss and Deal at Nigerian Ports and Terminals’’. He said that the Council had engaged maritime lawyers, experts and experienced bureaucrats to work out ways to assist Nigerian shippers in the pursuit of their claims, recoveries and legal remedies. “The Fund is a project of the NSC with the responsibility to protect the interests of importers and exporters,’’ he said. Niagwan said that the CDF had received complaints from the private sector and underwriters of cargo on increased incidence of cargo loss and damage at the Nigerian ports and terminals. “This prompted the joint committee of the Cargo Defence Fund, the Nigeria Insurers Association, the Guild of Maritime Surveyors and the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council to hold a forum to discuss the problems,’’ he said. He said that Sen. Idris Umar, the Minister of Transport. was planning to host the second roundtable to ensure implementation of decisions that would be arrived at from this forum. Niagwan said that the forum
Arik Air Promises To Cooperate Over Investigation
Arrest Of Crew Members: IKEJA - The management of Arik Air has promised to cooperate with British authorities investigating the arrest of two of its cabin crew members in connection with alleged possession of banned substances. The spokesman for the company, Mr. Adebanji Ola, said
in a statement in Ikeja on Tuesday that Arik Air was cooperating fully with the UK authorities and all other concerned agencies in their investigations. “Arik Air remains committed to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and
will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and substances. “Arik Air carries out very stringent checks on all members of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights. “It will continue to focus its
attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any future similar incidents. “Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company always seeking to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation,” it said.
L-R: Deputy Chief of Party, targeted States High impact project (T-Ship), Dr. Habib Sadauki, Chief of Party, Dr. Nosa Orobaton, Acting Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Health, Alhaji Abubakar Fateh and Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, Alhaji Mohammed Jarma, at the donation of 20 Laptops and Modems by T-Ship to Bauchi State Ministry of Health in Bauchi recently.
associated with delay, loss and damage to cargoes at Nigerian Ports, but also proffer solutions to the listed complaints. “It is hoped that the outcome of this roundtable will assist in steps to minimise the risks faced by cargoes owners at Nigerian ports and terminals,’’ he said. Miss Azuka Ugo, the Secretary of the CDF,said that the council would ensure that whatever decisions that came out of the forum would be implemented. “There are too many incidents. When there are many incidents of cargo disposal, it leads to too many loses and if shippers loses, the economy loses,’’ she said.
OGFTZA Attracts $6bn Investments To Nigeria LAGOS - The Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone Authority (OGFTZA) has attracted more than 150 companies into Nigeria with investment portfolio of more than six billion dollars, an official said. The Managing Director of OGFTZA, Mr. Victor Alabo, told newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday that the figure represented 60 per cent of total investment into Nigeria in the last nine years “The OGFZ at Onne has attracted all major oil companies in the area and is now using the free zone as a hub for their activities covering the whole Gulf of Guinea up to Angola and Southern Africa,” he said. He said that the Financial Times of London Magazine on FDI regarded OGFTZ as one of the most successful zones in Africa. Alabo said that the presence of the Free Trade Zones had increased economic activities in the area as the Onne Port was the second highest port in Nigeria after Apapa. He said that the agency had also created over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians. ‘There has been transfer of technology to Nigerians through manpower training, particularly due to specialised nature of their operations. “For example, Tenaris, which is the largest pipe producing company in the world, has trained over 70 Nigerians overseas on pipe technology and many more companies do similar programmes. “Hamilton Technology works out regular courses/training to staff for career opportunity and productivity by sending Nigerian staffers to Aberdeen and Malaysia for Drilling Fluids Engineering courses, and it is a continuous process,” he said.
THE
NIGERIAN
11
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
NSE DAILY ACTIVITY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) AS AT YESTERDAY(22/05/13) Stocks
Open
High
Change
Deals
Units
Value
LIVESTOCK
3.45
3.44
-0.05
88
3,345,649
11,331,976.03
7UP
50
50
0
8
5,677
286,938.53
MANDRID
5.94
5.94
0
1
60
321
ABCTRANS
1
1
-0.01
21
1,460,982
1,453,468.51
MANSARD
2.3
2.45
0
25
20,771,000
47,815,300.00
2.16
2.2
0.04
23
279,206
616,047.54
ACADEMY
1.79
1.81
0
9
1,016,202
1,830,507.48
MAYBAKER
ACCESS
11.2
11.29
0.08
232
16,527,674
185,691,084.95
MCNICHOLS
1.57
1.57
0
11
600,000
926,000.00
AFRIPRUD
1.74
1.74
-0.01
87
2,195,368
3,797,094.52
MOBIL
114
118
4
21
211,382
24,901,497.00
AGLEVENT
1.66
1.7
0.04
19
315,283
555,326.01
MRS
18
18
0
8
7,029
121,543.69
AIICO
0.91
0.91
-0.01
41
3,691,522
3,352,079.48
NAHCO
7.01
7.35
0.12
56
10,055,392
71,604,116.61
12.03
12.5
0.45
144
4,897,532
60,368,295.03
AIRSERVICE
4.5
4.5
0
8
47,504
213,868.16
NASCON
ASHAKACEM
24.55
27
2.45
110
2,198,029
57,814,539.28
NB
175
175.25
-1.97
140
529,316
92,372,169.85
ASOSAVINGS
0.5
0.5
0
1
3,773
1,886.50
NEIMETH
0.75
0.8
0.05
5
102,447
81,679.72
BERGER
8.25
8.25
0
11
65,879
533,507.02
NEM
0.81
0.85
-0.01
36
5,209,623
4,252,507.80
BETAGLAS
10
10
0
8
132,740
1,327,529.00
NESF
552.2
552.2
0
1
745
387,400.00
CADBURY
48.5
53.35
4.85
69
662,633
35,339,382.65
NESTLE
963
963
0
59
22,919
22,114,597.99
CAP
62.51
62.51
0
41
201,144
13,216,282.90
NIGERINS
0.5
0.5
0
3
710,000
355,000.00
CAPOIL
0.5
0.5
0
1
100,000
50,000.00
NIWICABLE
0.5
0.5
0
1
100,000
50,000.00
CCNN
9.9
10.3
0.4
41
1,141,354
11,419,707.23
NNFM
25.91
25.91
0
1
390
11,115.00
CHAMPION
4.78
4.78
0
2
54,290
263,092.80
NPFMCRFBK
1.19
1.2
-0.01
32
1,660,943
1,920,155.75
15.34
15.68
0.31
136
2,675,082
41,382,232.36
CHELLARAM
4.89
4.89
0
1
30,000
132,300.00
OANDO
CILEASING
0.5
0.5
0
9
634,700
317,350.00
OKOMUOIL
51.8
51.8
0
73
215,837
10,707,679.34
CONOIL
24
24
0
10
46,309
1,140,677.90
OMATEK
0.5
0.5
0
4
106,000
53,000.00
CONTINSURE
1.2
1.29
0.09
19
3,693,754
4,578,878.38
PAINTCOM
1.54
1.54
0
8
18,900
29,832.00
CORNERST
0.5
0.5
0
6
93,978
46,989.00
PRESCO
29.98
30
0.02
108
2,171,999
65,137,929.45
0.65
0.62
-0.03
13
1,370,508
829,991.14
COSTAIN
1.13
1.24
0.11
159
33,256,029
40,191,784.48
PRESTIGE
COURTVILLE
0.85
0.85
-0.08
30
2,867,001
2,234,925.81
PZ
52.65
54.5
1.85
118
2,109,065
114,609,026.62
CUSTODYINS
1.66
1.66
-0.09
44
67,769,141
110,441,214.31
REDSTAREX
4.7
4.51
-0.19
27
326,505
1,495,421.35
CUTIX
2.08
2.12
0.04
5
131,517
278,681.36
REGALINS
0.5
0.5
0
1
198,000
99,000.00
DAARCOMM
0.5
0.5
0
84
550,000
275,000.00
RESORTSAL
0.5
0.5
0
1
400,000
200,000.00
DANGCEM
184
186.75
2
57
748,308
138,280,585.80
ROADS
10.07
10.07
0
1
155
1,474.05
DANGFLOUR
9.2
9.2
0
43
198,705
1,834,646.29
ROYALEX
0.56
0.6
-0.02
13
589,815
341,683.46
DANGSUGAR
8.47
8.9
0.14
148
28,320,435
244,347,942.44
RTBRISCOE
1.8
1.63
-0.18
26
873,224
1,421,285.12
DIAMONDBNK
7.01
7.1
0.09
64
3,349,788
23,618,634.09
SKYEBANK
5.02
5.14
0.07
200
28,406,861
144,557,650.86
DNMEYER
1.86
1.86
0
7
51,854
102,186.80
SOVRENINS
0.5
0.5
0
4
500,000
250,000.00
15.2
15.28
0.05
59
5,022,521
76,680,912.38
DUNLOP
0.5
0.5
0
4
38,626
19,313.00
STANBIC
ETERNA
3.99
3.9
-0.09
11
122,136
471,469.28
STERLNBANK
2.9
2.86
-0.05
82
4,900,391
13,831,708.38
ETI
15.35
15.38
0
89
11,970,573
183,760,907.04
TOTAL
158.9
170
11.1
70
523,772
85,725,314.55
ETRANZACT
3.47
3.47
0
3
2,300
7,199.00
TOURIST
4.53
4.08
-0.45
3
61,000
248,880.00
EVANSMED
2.16
2.37
0.21
15
573,647
1,357,443.39
TRANSCORP
1.19
1.22
0.02
113
18,626,866
22,315,756.28
2.29
2.29
0
1
400
828
FBNH
18.7
18.8
0.06
502
13,993,420
262,391,303.91
TRIPPLEG
FCMB
5
5.08
0.08
72
6,720,756
33,612,453.59
UAC-PROP
16
16
0
36
403,977
6,464,901.08
FIDELITYBK
3.1
3.16
0
193
42,545,512
132,637,312.18
UACN
70.62
70.69
0.06
110
1,614,192
113,851,485.08
FIDSON
1.83
1.85
-0.05
77
5,370,457
9,702,540.27
UBA
7.78
7.78
0
204
10,754,605
83,670,826.90
FLOURMILL
86
90
-0.35
77
1,678,777
145,841,416.72
UBCAP
1.28
1.32
0.01
142
8,252,850
10,714,823.35
FO
14.24
14
-0.24
41
447,639
6,791,058.10
UBN
9.7
9.35
-0.35
59
437,616
4,159,198.98
FORTISMFB
6
6.6
0.6
2
60,000
396,000.00
UNILEVER
76
76
0
93
861,423
61,290,514.50
FTNCOCOA
0.5
0.5
0
4
6,500
3,250.00
UNITYBNK
0.64
0.68
0.03
61
10,610,330
6,934,745.80
GLAXOSMITH
49
52.9
3.9
17
168,131
8,870,567.63
UNITYKAP
0.5
0.5
0
1
100,000
50,000.00
GUARANTY
27.5
28.7
0.5
412
11,644,018
324,273,266.01
UPL
5.64
5.49
-0.15
24
707,793
3,775,990.60
0.75
0.75
0
7
33,723
24,182.52
GUINNESS
280
280
0
51
52,815
14,852,349.57
UTC
HMARKINS
0.5
0.5
0
1
20,000
10,000.00
VITAFOAM
3.15
3.3
0.15
32
1,051,000
3,467,804.20
HONYFLOUR
3
3.03
0
68
3,566,657
10,712,885.92
WAPCO
95.1
95.52
0.42
46
1,870,141
178,615,931.32
IKEJAHOTEL
0.82
0.81
-0.02
13
542,000
435,560.00
WAPIC
1.01
0.94
-0.07
14
239,927
227,096.38
INTBREW
28.25
28.5
0.25
54
600,838
16,940,924.06
WEMABANK
1.19
1.17
-0.07
47
2,260,971
2,602,485.97
ZENITHBANK
21.83
22.25
0.27
396
30,536,950
672,187,182.26
Gain
Stock
Close
Loss
11.1 4.85 4 3.9 2.45 2 1.85 0.6 0.5 0.45
NB JBERGER TOURIST FLOURMILL UBN FO JULI REDSTAREX RTBRISCOE LEARNAFRCA
173.03 55 4.08 85.65 9.35 14 2.14 4.51 1.62 1.65
-1.97 -1 -0.45 -0.35 -0.35 -0.24 -0.23 -0.19 -0.18 -0.15
INTERLINK
4.9
4.9
0
1
1,000
4,410.00
IPWA
0.63
0.63
0
1
2,500
1,425.00
JAPAULOIL
0.55
0.58
0.01
77
8,199,871
4,546,700.49
JBERGER
56
55
-1
21
214,560
11,858,795.00
JOHNHOLT
1.68
1.69
0.01
15
317,736
567,277.71
JOSBREW
1.2
1.23
0.03
4
450,000
541,500.00
JULI
2.37
2.14
-0.23
1
250,000
535,000.00
LEARNAFRCA
1.8
1.66
-0.15
15
292,300
489,088.97
TOP 10 GAINERS Stock TOTAL CADBURY MOBIL GLAXOSMITH ASHAKACEM DANGCEM PZ FORTISMFB GUARANTY NASCON
Close 170 53.35 118 52.9 27 186 54.5 6.6 28 12.48
TOP TOP 10 10 LOSERS GAINERS
THE
NIGERIAN
12
THE basic fundamental of all economies is agriculture and all industrial nations know this. That their economies are on solid rock is basically because they have galvanized their agricultural potentials, which is also the offshoot of their industrial development That is why concerned citizens of Nigeria have continued to warn on the dangers of continued dependence by the nation on crude oil which is today the mainstay and sustaining source of the Nigerian economy. THE traditional focus of the Nigerian economy before the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity was agriculture and it played a fundamental role in shaping the economy of the nation and regions as Nigeria was then constituted in its immediate post independence era. IN the 1960s, each region of the country was noted for producing some cash crops such as cocoa, groundnut and palm oil as well as rubber in commercial quantities. Basically, the Wet tern region, now the political South West except Lagos which was the Federal Capital, was noted for producing cocoa in large commercial quantities for export. The revenue from cocoa helped in shaping the infrastructure and economic environment of then Western Nigeria and its legacies and landmarks were -very very visible, as they affected virtually all aspects of life of the people. IN the Northern region, groundnut was the mainstay of the economy, to the extent that the volume produced in the region was typified by the “groundnut pyramid”. It symbolized the success of the crop as a veritable earner of revenue which impacted economically on the life of the people.
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
THE
NIGERIAN
Improving National Agricultural Output IN the Eastern region, palm oil was its predominant feature and similarly, it was a success in boosting the economic atmosphere of the country and the region. Interestingly, it is now an irony that Nigeria has been relegated to the background in palm oil production and has been overtaken by Malaysia, a country which took the Nigerian specimen of the plant, palm kernel, and adapted it to its own climatic condition and is today a leading producer of palm oil, which is a major derivative of palm kernel. SIGNIFICANTLY, the Midwest region was noted for its rubber plantation and was quite a huge success as the crop played its role as a major economic transformation agent to shore up principally the economy of the region. WE are concerned that there is slow progress in returning to the traditional focus of reviving these cash crops as major sources of revenue for the Federal Government. HOWEVER, we are aware that not too long ago, the Federal Government launched the Cocoa Rebirth Initiative, as launch pad to regenerate interest in the crop and encourage farmers who have abandoned the plant to come back on the scene to make cocoa play its role in the national economy. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER implores the Federal Government to similarly create avenues
for other cash crops as well as sensitise farmers to take proactive action towards their cultivation. WHILE the Federal Government has shown the interest to refocus attention to agriculture, there appears to be so much disinterest in the way it has pursued the goal. THERE is no conscious effort to empower small scale farmers to undertake mechanized farming for greater yields, as this is still the exclusive preserve of the elite farmers. Thus, farmers who are interested in expansion have no way of coping with the financial demands to undertake mechanized farming. Access to bank loans is uncertain with high interest rate, serving as enough scare to discourage the desire for any expansion. WHILE the banks may have played significant roles in the past in assisting farmers, they did so purely on the initiative of the individual farmers and therefore expect in the new arrangement as already envisaged, a friendly lending terms that will encourage investment in the agricultural sector. THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER now calls on the Federal Government to consider an upward review of allocation to the agricultural sector. Amounts always allocated in the budget have been a pointer of the genuineness of government’s commitment to the agricultural sector. WE assert that improving the national agricultural output should be devoid of any prohibition that will limit access to the fund by small scale farmers whose contributions to agricultural development form part of the concerted effort of the production chain that will lift the nation out of the continued dependence on oil.
THE
NIGERIAN
13
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Relationship With EDITH IMOISILI Tips For Marital Bliss
Kiss More, Hug More And Touch More IT is quite hilarious to think of my illiterate grandfather planting a kiss on the lips of each of his five wives or hugging them publicly. As a child I have watched my grandfather with keen interest as he relates with his wives and it will interest you to know that it was a fascinating experience. Again as I grow older, I observed that my grandfather had successfully produced thirty-five children to his credit and I have wondered when kissing, hugging and touching did took place that led to such intimacy. Your guess is as good as mine. I would say a hug as well as touching are the most ‘friendly’, non-sexual and probably the first step in the physical scale. You can hug anyone but it doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Hand-holding would be next because your hands are holding each other for an extended amount of time, which is a sign of closeness and that the two people are most likely an exclusive couple. There is also the kiss, which is a big step-up from hand-holding. There are other sexual contacts that aren’t necessarily going anywhere like spanking or groping or licking. Then making out and fondling each other, etc., might be the next, if a couple decides to do it. It is like sex but with clothes on and no penetration but it might get hot and heavy still if you can get into it. Then hands traveling into intimate spots and pleasuring the other person, maybe tongues too and then sex would be the most intimate. Here is what Sarah. K has to say: “I know it is hard to resist kissing someone, especially if they mean a lot to you, or are very attractive. But you have to remember, if God hasn’t picked this person for you, your lips are on another person’s mate. If you were married already and someone kissed your wife/husband, you’d be pretty mad! So think ‘fourth dimensionally,’ as Doc Brown would say, and know that this other person is not your mate.” “One can argue that the former two items (holding hands and hugging) can be shared in a more casual and ‘harmless’ way,” said Bill. “However, mouth-to-mouth kissing is actually one of the beginning stages of sexual intimacy and is an easy way to fast-forward to more explicit sexual contact. Young, single people should avoid mouth-to-mouth kissing at all costs except maybe just prior to marriage (even then they must be careful to avoid lustful behavior).” Explaining how they first kissed, Kate said, “I had told Luke what a kiss meant to me as we started to grow closer. He honored that understanding and never took advantage of any vulnerable moment. I respected him deeply for that and still
do, even as I sometimes wanted him to kiss me. To me, a kiss meant, ‘I love you. I want to be your husband.’” Continuing, she recalled, “I had asked my mother when I was young if it was all right to kiss before you were married. She said that it was as long as you both understood what that kiss meant. As I thought about that, I began to feel that I didn’t want the memory of any man’s kiss except my husband’s, and that for me (very cautious and slow to give myself), a kiss was a seal of love and possession. Hand-holding is like that to an extent—it implies exclusivity and mutual ownership to a degree. “To me, a kiss on the lips between a man and a woman implies this ownership in a sexual way that is beautiful and powerful. Luke asked if he could kiss me a month before we were engaged. Because I knew his character and because he was aware of what that meant to me, I knew that he wanted to marry me ... We did have to limit our kisses, because it is fun and intoxicating—meant to lead to more. We limited our kisses to coming and going so that they did not take over our time together, or prevent our growth in communication. This was a good decision. It did get harder and harder to finish our good-byes!!” Once you become good friends with someone, it seems as though hugs become part of the way many people say goodbye before long intervals apart or hello when they reunite. While the majority of this panel felt these kind of short hugs were appropriate, they did offer a few cautions about regular and lengthy hugging with the opposite sex. Sarah K. said, “I think the thing is, the longer two people of the opposite sex hug, the more tendency there would be to kiss. So if that sort of thing is affecting your mind, where it’s like you’ve been hugging this person and all of a sudden you just have to kiss them, then uh-oh! You’d better rethink your actions, because the godly way is to go in the direction of ‘flee from immorality,’ not see how close you can come to it!” Bill agreed with Sarah K., saying, “Hugs between two people who know they are attracted to one another should be brief ... Hugs involve even more physical contact and can be misused if one is not careful and/or has a weakness in this area.” Mary, 23 and married, said her “main concern was finding the person that I could continue a relationship with until the end (marriage). If he didn’t meet my qualifications enough to that end, we would remain friends but never make any more physical contact than a hug here or there.”
DELIVER your compliments with a smile, in a sweet tone. Act like you mean it. It’s often not what you say, but how you say it. Practice good hygiene. This includes washing your clothes, brushing your teeth, flossing and using mouthwash. (No one wants to share a smelly mouth.) Wear a pleasant scent cologne or after-shave. She’ll enjoy having your cheeks next to hers. Many women find certain scents to be annoying, so stop wearing it if she complains. Don’t overdo it. If your girlfriend tells you that you’re too clingy, or she’s not really the affectionate type, learn to find a balance between what affection you want to show and what she thinks is reasonable. If she thinks you’re too clingy, showing affection to you is the last thing on her mind. She gets annoyed by some of the affection you show, and thinks than some of it is unnecessary. Learn to back off a little bit. If you can, respect her feelings and back off a little. Don’t stop showing affection completely; but slow down with the kisses and hugs, and focus on putting more emotion into the ones you do give her. Compliment her when she does something nice. Don’t be dishonest or prepare a script of what to say; just say what makes her happy, what about her makes you want to have her by your side. If she’s wearing a pretty dress, say something like: “What a nice dress. It fits you perfectly. If she accomplishes something smart/hard/ grueling, tell her you respect her: “I’m proud of you. I knew that you were smart/tough/dedicated, but you keep showing me parts of you.” Simple compliments work best. “You have beautiful eyes,” or “When you smile, I light up inside” are always winners. When you compliment a girl, remember these tips. Don’t compliment her breasts or butt. Stick with compliments about her eyes, hair, smile, or clothes. Deliver your compliments with a smile, in a sweet tone. Act like you mean it. It’s often not what you say, but how you say it. Be lovable. Make her want to be around you. Be in a good mood, don’t complain to her about all the little things that bother you, and be interested in the life around you. If you’re a lovable guy, she’ll feel like she can never show you enough affection
Proverb of the week Procrastination is a grave in which opportunities are buried Meaning: A person who always postpone for no just reason will lose many things in life, since opportunity comes but once
THE
NIGERIAN
14
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
View Point
Social Media And Nigerian Youths By EMMANUEL EGOBIAMBU
AS you walk along major roads and streets, you will see them holding tight to their mobile phones. In public transport buses, their phones become their companions. Even on Nigerian campuses, students are seen carrying their phones around with eyes glued to the screens. What would these people be extent that they “press it” on highways, you may ask? They are Facebooking, Twitting, 2going, pinging or wassaping! Social media have become a veritable tool for communication in the globe. Since the invention of social media site, facebook by Mike Zuckerberg and his college roommates in 2004, other similar sites for social interaction, have emerged. As at July 2011, it is said that facebook has more than 750million active users. Today, there is wassap, 2go, Twitter, skype, etc. Social media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Andreas kaplon and Michael Haenlein, see social media as a group of internet –based applications that builds on the ideological and technological foundations of web 2.0and that allow the creation and exchange of usergenerated content. Social media, as noted by Wikspedia, serves as a means of communication and sharing of ideas among people. It also serves as a tool for democratization of the nations (Wikspedia, 2011). Also, social media enhances research work by students and the general public alike. Talking about social network/ media’s interactive and communicative nature, ican just pick my form handset (mobile phone) and chat with someone in far away kaya. That is the beauty of social media have reduced the cost of communication and time barrier. However, despite these benefits social media have been subjected to abuse and some negative stories. Is it the crimes that are propelled through there? Can we now talk about the nude pictures that flood social media? These negative effects of social media, seems to take more toll on the Nigerian youth. Wikipedia, stated that there seems to be a positive correlation between the usage of social media with cyber bellying, social media have led to a sharp increase in crime rate among Nigeria youths. People are constantly duped,
kidnapped or even killed by socialmedia-accentuated means. Of course, it is no longer news that a student, Cynthia Osokogu, was killed by friends she met
Also, on a regular basis, pornographic materials, are visible on these social media. These sites, pop up obscene and indescent pictures. These pictures, violates the fundamental right of individuals to pnvacy. For the young minds, the pictures that comes often from these sites, are morally depraving. Although, sites as facebook have made restriation on registration, people bypass it and register. People post nude pictures thinking it would bring them fame and name (Blueprint, Dec. 17, 2012) In the case of students, the situation is worse. On
“The most annoying is when you hear pinging lchat sound in classes where leetures are going on. Students no longer read their books as they spend the “entire day” on socialsites (Informationigeria. com). In some instance, people chat on the road, thereby making them prone to road mishaps that might lead to death.”
through a social media-facebook. Again, students are sometimes raped on their way to seeing their “social networking” friends. (Blueprint, Dec 17, 2012). This is just a case in a million.
“ Talking about social network/ media’s interactive and communicative nature, ican just pick my form handset (mobile phone) and chat with someone in far away kaya. That is the beauty of social media have reduced the cost of communication and time barrier.”
campuses, students are seen carrying about “Big phones”. The most annoying is when you hear pinging lchat sound in classes where leetures are going on. Students no longer read their books as they spend the “entire day” on socialsites (Informationigeria. com). In some instance, people chat on the road, thereby making them prone to road mishaps that might lead to death. However, the benefits accrusble from the right use of social media, cannot be wished away. All that is needed is for the persons using them to do the gate keeping. The users should edit their social networking, be proative, preventive and wise while using. As great philosopher, Aristotle said., educating the mind with educating the heard, is no education at all. Therefore the social media user(s) should be enlightened soas not to “fall migu”.
THE
NIGERIAN
15
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Child Health & You
Home Management Of Common Cold
COMMON cold is a common childhood selflimiting disease usually caused by a virus and characterized by catarrh (or running nose), occasional nasal blockages, noisy breathing, with or without evidence of mild systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise (feeling of un-well), general body weakness, and muscle aches. The most common organism primarily associated with common colds is the rhinovirus. The following organisms primarily are associated with other clinical symptoms that also cause common cold such as respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus, para-influnza virus, and entrovirus. Common cold can occur at any time of the year but it is much common during the harmmattan period and peak of rainy season reflecting the seasonal occurrence of the causative organism. Young children can have 6 to 7 episodes of common cold disease per year and the incidence of common cold decreases with increase in age. Children in out-of-home environment which include early care in day cares or crèche (especially during the first year of life) have 50.0% chance of developing common cold and have frequent episodes of common cold when compared with their counter-part who are cared for at home. These children can have about 10 – 12 episodes of common cold in one year. Incidence of common cold remains high in children cared for at the day care or crèche until the age of 3 years. Common cold can be spread from one person to another in the home. When one person contacts the disease, the chances that every member of the house hold would be infected is high. Organism causing common cold is spread by aerosols (small or large particles of the organism) released through sneezing, coughing by infected adults or older children. It can also be contacted by contamination or formites (clothing or handkerchiefs contaminated with cough-up or sneezed materials, droplets or catarrh) from infected individuals
such as inflammation within the ear known as otitis media, sinusitis (infection of the air sinuses of the face usually caused by bacteria), or evidence of super-imposed bacterial infection and/or systemic disease that has common cold as its component. Although common cold is self-limiting, it is important that any child with recurrent
persistent of running nose (snuffles) with onset within the first three months of life which is a common sign of congenital syphilis. Treatment of common cold consists primarily of symptomatic/supportive treatment. The ‘watch and wait policy’ is the most important component of this therapy since common cold is self-limiting and resolves within 5 – 7 days after the onset of first symptom. Mothers/caregivers should
episodes of common cold should be evaluated by a physician especially to exclude other systemic diseases that may present with running nose (catarrh), nasal blockage and similar symptoms. Some of these diseases include allergic rhinitis, sinusitis (characterized by headaches and/or facial pain in older children, peri-orbital swelling, persistent runny nose, cough that lingers for more than 10 – 14 days), foreign body in the nose (characterized by unilateral, foul-smelling discharge; bloody discharge occasionally), pertussis (onset of persistent or paroxysmal cough), streptococcal nasopharyngitis (nasal discharge that excoriates the nares) or
ensure adequate fluid is given to the child to soothe the airways. This fluid can be water or home-made fluid from fruits or fruit juices, coconut water, etc. Warm beverages have been found to be useful. Such fluid clears and soothes the airways with shortening of disease morbidity (relieve of symptoms). Ensure adequate breast feeding in children younger than 2 years; and increase frequency of feeding in all children during and after illness. Younger infants (2 months and below) should also be kept warm. The child’s nostrils should be cleaned as frequent as possible with soft clothings which would be disposed appropriately. Avoid use of
By DR DAMIAN U. NWANERI
(whether adults or children). Older children can be infected by simple handshakes from infected adults. Predisposing factors to these organisms include low immunity (as observed in the very young children or aged), early exposure to the environment; as seen in children cared for in day cares or crèche, cold weather which weakens immunity and indirectly predisposes children to these viruses, over-crowded rooms due to the increased number of aerosol particles from the inhabitant of the room, smoke (either from parents that smoke cigarrate or using firewood as cooking fuel at home), and poor nutrition (which weakens immune system and therefore reduces the tendency of the child to fight the organism). The on-set of common cold usually occurs from about 1 to 3 days after the viral infection. The symptom usually starts with scratchy throat (or sore throat) which resolves very quickly (within 24 hours) and therefore may not be observed in most children. This is then followed by the predominant nasal symptoms of common cold - runny nose and occasional nasal blockage. Cough is observed in about one-third of patients and usually begins after the on-set of the nasal symptoms. There is an increased nasal secretion. The nasal cavity (nostrils) may be swollen, reddish, and there is alternating period of one’s nasal blockage from one nostril to another. Associated symptoms to common cold include excessive sneezing and difficulty with breathing usually resulting from nasal blockage. The child could mouth breath and most often may be restless and have sleepless night. The nasal blockage may interfere with feeding (especially interference with suckling at the breast in infants). Fever is infrequently associated with common cold. Although when there is fever, it is usually of low grade. However presence of high fever indicates complication of common cold
“Although common cold is self-limiting, it is important that any child with recurrent episodes of common cold should be evaluated by a physician especially to exclude other systemic diseases that may present with running nose (catarrh), nasal blockage and similar symptoms.”
toilet rolls or tissues for cleaning of the nostrils. Toilet rolls or tissues most commonly used in cleaning the nose cause irritation of the nostrils. Small particles of the tissues can be inhaled by the child and this can then be deposited as foreign body in the nose. Ensure regular hand wash with soap or ashes each time the child’s nostrils are cleaned as well as regular washing of the clothes used in clearing the nostrils to avoid infecting others within the house-hold. In cases where there is severe nasal secretion, low dose chlorpheniramine especially at night have been found to relieve symptoms. This should be recommended and prescribed by a physician.
breathing; fast breathing (that is the child is ‘breathing up up’), child is unable to drink (prostration) or become sicker. In addition to these; younger children 2 months and below who develops difficulty suckling at the breast and/or fever requires immediate physician’s review irrespective of whether the common cold has been recurrent or not. Preventive practices will include (a). good personal hygiene (effective hand wash practices with soap or ashes, adequate disposal of formites, covering mouth while coughing and sneezing (‘keeping your cough or sneeze to yourself phenomenon’), (b). Sleeping
Inhalation of warm humidified air (steam inhalation with or without menthol) can transiently relieve symptoms and can be performed repeatedly. However steam inhalation should be done by a trained caregiver to avoid risk of burns. Analgesics such as paracetamol can be given in children with mild fever or older children with evidence of sore-throat. Use of antimicrobial or antibiotics in management of common cold is unnecessary and amount to waste of resources. It fosters development of antimicrobial/ antibiotic drug resistance as well as possible manifestation of the side effect of alluded to irrational antimicrobial/ antibiotic use. Use of vitamin C has been found to be no more effective than placebo (giving nothing) for the treatment of common cold. Caregivers should be able to recognize signs that will require urgent attention in health centre or hospitals such as presence of noisy breathing and/or difficulty with
under the fan does not necessarily cause common cold however emphasis should be placed on adequate ventilation in the room (a through-and –through ventilation). Airing the room can be done with electric fans where applicable. However these fans should be washed/ cleaned regularly because dusts trapped in this household item can serve as vehicle for transporting some of the causative organisms of common cold. (c). avoid overcrowding. (d). parents with smoking habits should have behavioural change and (e). use of fire wood as cooking fuel should be minimized or such kitchen should be built separate from the living room. (f). immunization against some of the organism (such as influenza virus) can be instituted; however influenza virus is just one out of so many viruses causing common cold and there are no vaccines yet for most other viruses aforementioned causing common cold in Nigeria.
THE
NIGERIAN
16
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Spotlight PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, had to cut short his visit to South Africa and aborted a state visit billed for Namibia, following the news of wanton killings by insurgents across the country. One of such killings was the massacre of some members of the Nigerian Police Force and State Security service( SSS) by the proscribed Ombatse militia men, when the security personnels invaded the Alakyo Village to arrest the former’s spiritual leader AKA Baba – Alakyo in Lafia East development area of the state. Others included the attacks by the Boko Haram groups on military installations including Bama in Borno state and the onslaught on Agatu villagers by the Fulani Herdsmen in Benue state that led to several deaths. The state commissioner of Police said that the security forces decided to arrest some Ombatse leaders after they received reports that they were embarking on forced conversions in the village of Alakyo, near Lafia, the Nassarawa Capital. Although, reports have been conflicting as regards the number of casualties, with the situation on ground contrasting the statement reportedly made by the Inspector General of the police, during his visit to the state capital, lafia that the number of those killed was 23. Some reports have put the figures at around 55 and 90 as reported by Sahara reporters. But away from the conflicting figures, lives have been lost and families left to mourn their deaths; hence even if it is one person it still remains painful and the bodies of no fewer than 40 policemen have been found, burnt beyond recognition (the Nation) Also, based on security reports from the DSS( Department of state Services), PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the police proceeded to build an armada of 13- truck load of men late Tuesday on a mission to Asakio village to disrupt a planned Oath Ceremony of the group, destroy the shrine; which houses the shrine of the Ombatse cult, a deity of the Eggon people, and to arrest
its spiritual leader. “Police officials in the state administration who sought anonymity, told PREMIUM TIMES that just 10 kilometres out of Lafia, what set out as a clandestine operation came upon an ambush, well laid out by the Eggon attackers, who took on the security convoy, ultimately turning their mission into a monstrous killing field”( Sahara Reporters). “ It is the most cold blooded act I have witnessed against the law enforcement community in my three decades in the police force” a senior police officer in Lafia, capital of Nassarawa state, told PREMIUM TIMES struggling to conceal bitter groans. Moreover, the Ombatse pagan movement, which says it is committed to purging social vices has existed in Nassarawa state for years, but has grown increasingly aggressive in recent months, including a campaign of forced conversions targeting both Christians and Muslims (AFP). Ombatse, which means “Time has come” in Eggon has a significant presence, although its strength has typically been hard to estimate. The group has identified alcohol consumption as some of the sins they seek to eliminate. Nasarawa .’s state commissioner of information, Hamza Elayo, told AFP that the authorities had no issue with Ombatse until the movements aggressive turn. “Everybody has a right to freedom of religion, but when people go about forcing their creed on others in a violent way, it becomes unacceptable” he said. Elayo and the police chief said that surge in the number of reported conversions had surged, and that was what prompted the police response. The Eggon crisis that led to this tragedy was not a new phenomenon. The militia forces attacked Agyaragu community in December, last year, which led to the death of ten persons of the Koro extraction including a traditional ruler; this led to the banning of the group by the Nassarawa state in an official gazette. Some residents of Lafia, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES painted the picture of a powerful group
Nassarawa Police Killings: that has members in many establishments in the state, and which built a tight loyal core though oath administered on members at the Ombatse shrine called “the MBASE”. The oath observers of the group was always the prism through which members sought to read presumed injustice in political power, and sought to restructure the political and power landscape in Nasarawa state. Persons who took the Ombatse oath, and swore to its loyalty pledge, were assured of presumed” invisibility bullets”. Furthermore, ten policemen who survived Tuesday’s onslaught from the Militia group have attributed their survival to luck. In a report by the LEADERSHIP newspaper, one of the police officers who spoke on behalf of the nine others said that their survival was only by the grace of God as they were outnumbered and overpowered by the militiamen, while also disclosing that the militiamen had prior knowledge of their coming and laid siege to the narrow road leading to the village, Alakyo. He said “The road is narrow and they allowed us into their midst before opening fire on us at close range.” Efforts to return fire and scare them away proved futile as bullets were not penetrating them, he said. The police officer who spoke exclusively to LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity, added that the Militiamen, dressed in black shirts and caps, kept approaching amidst heavy gunfire, which forced their Hilux van, the last van on the convoy, to turn back. “Due to the nature of the road and the ensuing gun duel, our men could not turn back and 10 of us in our van were able to manoeuvre our way out but not without suffering bullet wounds,” he said. Many of the officers took to the bush, but they were hugely outnumbered by the militiamen who knew the terrain better, they were pursued and killed. It was reported that an official of the Red Cross Society, who went to evacuate
the remains of the victims, said the militia men, who gave them the condition that no armed security officer should accompany the red cross officials, were still keeping close guard in the village, seized their phones on entry and returned them after evacuation. While also noting that the villagers were going about their business, saying they did not know those who carried out the dastardly act since they were not members of their community. However, government and police authorities have bowed to pressure from the wives and relatives of the slain security personnel who insisted that the corpses of their late ones must be released to them, no matter how burnt the bodies might be (Nigerian Tribune). Management of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia, where the bodies have been deposited, have commenced the release of bodies. A Red Cross official who confided in Nigerian Tribune said that more corpses were still in the bush because they could not evacuate them at once. “We tried to pack them but the bodies are breaking into pieces so we need shovel to pack them” he said. Away from the gruesome nature of the murder, the widows have continued to mourn their losses and some have not still seen their loved ones. Meanwhile, in a bid to ameliorate the plight of the dependants and family members of the killed police officers, the IGP (Inspector General of Police) has ordered the immediate relocation of the Force Welfare Officer, Abiodun Ige, from the Force Head Quarters to Nassarawa state. This is to enable her to effectively coordinate all welfare related issues touching on the families of the late officers, including but not limited to the payment of all statutory and relevant compensations. Also, the AIG in charge of zone4 (covering Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states), Mike Zuoukumor, has on the others of the IGP, relocated to
“So many things are happening in Nigeria, and that proper surveillance and information free flow is important in all areas of the country including the rural areas. Every organisation, if not carefully monitored has the tendency to become Militant. The Ombatse militia might have remained unknown, even with their violent tendency if not for this event. Who even knows maybe this was how BOKO HARAM started.”
What Le
By OLUGBEMIRO O. MICHAEL Nassarawa state. Also, the images of the widows on the cover page of the THE NATION newspapers caused a deep sense of sadness within me. And as I perused the internet for materials, the sight of different presentations of the gruesome murder of people
need to know or do the lives of security officers matter less...barely 2 weeks ago, the media was replete with killings of civilians. So many different stories emanated, individuals, human rights and even some international organisations issued statements and made some allegations, which was a good step. How-
Lt
President Goodluck Jonathan
meant to protect our lives and properties made me feel greatly bad. My heart goes out to all the families that have lost loved ones in this mayhem and it is my prayer that God grants them the fortitude to bear the loss. The children that have lost their fathers, the wives that have lost their husbands, policemen that have lost their colleagues ...the list is endless, but may God help them go through this phase strongly. Furthermore, with what can be seen as the worst single attack on policemen and SSS officers in recent times, which has direct or indirect effect on the citizens since we are supposed to be protected by the police. All these in view, I want to bring out some lessons from the “Alakyo” massacre,one distinguishing point I want to bring out is that Human Rights organisations have been silent on the issue as compared to other events. A user on nairaland( Nathaniel734), opined “I
th le w m ar p co st w fo ot th to
ever, 2, 3 days ago, similar incidence occurred in Nasarawa involving security operatives, and up- till now, nobody has said anything, no human right talks, the media is silent over it, why? Does it mean that the lives of these officers don’t really matter, especially with the fact they were trying to curb imminent danger and were cut off in the line of duty to their fatherland...it is so sad that no one has really come out to seek for justice for this grave men, is it fair?” And he made sense, because the media frenzy that has surrounded civilian deaths has not been the same with this men dying on the point of duty. This goes a long way to show how much we appreciate these people. It is important that we begin to appreciate the efforts of our uniform security operatives; although they have obvious faults, but their achievements and positive works should not go without appreciation. I might just echo
sh th un m to m ev sh th an va w po su th w er jo tio co bu lie w
pe pr fo po co ar no th M
THE
NIGERIAN
17
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Spotlight
essons For Nigeria? oughts “These people colct 20 naira on the streets ith varying level of harassents, intimidation with ms, connivance with culrits and varying level of rruptions” but there are ill people within the force ith integrity and whose unirms are symbols of patriism and service. So one of e major lessons, I want us learn from this is that we
litia might have remained unknown, even with their violent tendency if not for this event. Who even knows maybe this was how BOKO HARAM started. It is important to point out that security operations have gone beyond only actions, but intelligence gathering has become as important. Probably if effective study of the area, proper knowledge of the people they are dealing
t-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Army Staff
ould learn to appreciate e efforts of these men on iform, who go through so any tough situations just make sure the environent and society is save for eryone to live in. It ould be understood that ey are national symbol d hence they should be lued, though more efforts ill have to be put in by the lice authorities to make re that their men perform eir work with character orth emulating. It is a genal thing that one of the mar problems of the operans of the police in this untry is their reputation, t with more efforts, I beve things will become ell. So many things are hapning in Nigeria, and that oper surveillance and inrmation free flow is imrtant in all areas of the untry including the rural eas. Every organisation, if t carefully monitored has e tendency to become ilitant. The Ombatse mi-
with (e.g. the alleged fact, that bullets do not penetrate them), the end product of this mission, wouldn’t have been so brutal. With efficient surveillance and mapping of the area, I believe the casualty would not have been this much (at least increased level of knowledge of the environment and the people in question). Probably the thought was that, “we will just go there, disrupt operations, arrest the people we want to arrest and find our way back home”, we should stop underestimating any form of terror groups. It is pertinent to note that 21st century security has gone beyond activity and carrying of guns, but being proactive ( having proper knowledge of how the activity will go, before it is carried out) is essential for a proper and effective service. Also, the efforts of the Police administration in handling this situation has been encouraging, but more effort could be done to alleviate the situation of the widows and a comprehensive upgrade of the
welfare package of members of the Police force. As reported in THE NATIONS newspaper( Tuesday, May 14, 2013 ), the widows protested and blocked the kwanga – Lafia Highway near the premises of the 38 squadron of the Police Mobile Force with boulders, drums and signboards. The women who wore black T-shirts on top of their husbands’ police uni-
Hajiya Zainab urged the women to take solace in God as she presented the cheques. The idea I want to pick out as a lesson is that, the Government should be more proactive when things like this happen. For instance, the statement of President Barack Obama went a long way to encourage victims of the Boston bombings and in one week,
Mohammed Abubakar, I.G of Police
forms sang “wayo, wayo, wayo, wayoyo. dem go kill our husbands, wayoyo, dem go say na work o,wayoyo! Dem go kill our husband, dem go say na work o ye ye ye”, the report revealed that one of the women who spoke in confidence, said they were angry that neither the IGP nor the Governor Almakura has deemed it necessary to address and sympathise with them ( that he was even around the area, but left without asking to see the bereaved women). However, the state government have begun presenting the cheques of 1 million naira to the widows. Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
the culprits were apprehended. I refuse to believe that Nigeria cannot be this active, yes we can. We shouldn’t have allowed these grieving women to take to the streets, before they are addressed and measures taken. In addition, it is important for the equipment and accessories of men of the Nigerian Police to be improved. Most times when these things are said, it is said with fear, because times without number those guns have been used to intimidate hence will “better and bigger guns not be an opportunity for more intimidation”. But we have to look beyond that, prevail on the authorities to control the attitudes
of their police men; but make available up to date defence mechanisms. For example, during the Baga massacre, the militants were believed to have been using RPGs and other sophisticated equipments, the police would not have been able to withstand such firepower if called upon. Majority of the times, the strongest weapons I have seen in the hands of policemen is “AK 47” and I gladly saw a DSS lady wielding what I think is an Automatic Machine Gun( Encouraging). We cannot continue to expect the police to properly perform their functions of protection, if they are not effectively equipped. It will be suicidal for a police officer armed with less sophisticated weapons to attack or protect you from people that are using latest security gadgets and machineries. The Nigerian Police should be up to date in trainings and techniques available to security agents all around the world, so that as the fights get more strategic, survival is ensured. Police have to continue to upgrade to meet up with the latest attacks and trends. Sadly, reports have continued to emerge that details of the operations were leaked to the Militia men by some members of the police force, and that two corporals of Eggon origin, have been arrested. The two suspects identified as corporal Enugu and his associate, Corporal Haruna Joseph were paraded at the Government house. It is disheartening that if members of the police force cannot trust themselves, howbeit we who are citizens. Orientation should be taken serious, before policemen are recruited (this does not say it is not taken serious, but that more efforts be put in place to eliminate the bad eggs within the force). Not every Tom, Dick and Harry should be able to join the police force, processes that measure up to a 90% surety should be put in place, fully aware that you cannot fully know a person: to keep people that can put the lives of members of the force in danger. However, I re-echo the words of Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar in his press release about the incident, that the uncontrolled emergence of criminal gangs that threaten the law and order is a threat that must be collectively confronted by Nigerians rather than abdicating the responsibility to the security agents alone. And that citizens should participate for effective prevention of crimes, since security men cannot be everywhere at every point in time. I join voice with the Campaign for Democracy (CD), who have criticized the recent killings of policemen in Borno and Nassarawa states, describing it as troubling and heralding dangerous dimensions, while also saying that “it is time to put an end to this orgy of violence and festering anarchy that is fast becoming the motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. I heartily commiserate with the families of the slain men and the Police force, but proper justice and farewell will be done to them (the fallen in duty), if the culprits are caught and made to face the music. The governor of Nassarawa State, Tanko Al- Makura has vowed punishment for the Militia,Ombatse, responsible for the killing of policemen, saying the group and its sponsors are driven by political interests and not religion and it is my prayer that his words are followed with actions. “We have had enough bloodshed in Nassarawa, those who are hell –bent on sabotaging our efforts, will not go unpunished” he said. Let us begin to value the efforts of these men that sacrifice their lives or put their lives in danger to make sure, we can sleep with eyes closed. The “us” in the sentence represents the government and the people. Government should properly equip the police force, right from the training facilities and tools for the job, even remuneration; these will go a long way in producing a Police force, which we can be proud of God bless Nigeria, God bless Nigerian Police force...
“The idea I want to pick out as a lesson is that, the Government should be more proactive when things like this happen. For instance, the statement of President Barack Obama went a long way to encourage victims of the Boston bombings and in one week, the culprits were apprehended. I refuse to believe that Nigeria cannot be this active, yes we can. We shouldn’t have allowed these grieving women to take to the streets, before they are addressed and measures taken.”
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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013 With Obuseh Jude 0806385183
Security Issues
Instigationism And Conflict Entrepreneurship Continued from last week INSTIGATIONISTS and war profiteers are the invincible men behind most violent conflagrations the world over. They work handin-hand to benefit from the carnages of war; they are inseparable stakeholders whose interests supersede other concerns in their quest for concessions and profits. So many wars have been fought not because they were necessary, but because the egos of some politicians needed massaging, coupled with the fact that some greedy business men stood to benefit from them. For instance, the Spanish-American War was unnecessary. It was simply a war of conquest that turned America into an empire, cementing the political career of egomaniacal blowhard, Teddy Roosevelt, and enriching the directors of the military industrial complex in the process. Again, the US had no business intervening in WW I, which qualifies as the most colossal disaster of the 20th century; if not of all centuries. Apart from the fact that the war provided plenty of power, glory, and wealth for the political class, it indirectly “strengthened the power of the communists in the (defunct) Soviet Union, and the rise of the Nazis in Germany” (emphasis mine), according to Jim Powell in his classic “Wilson’s War”. Again, defense contractors became rich beyond their wildest dreams, civil servants became powerful economic power brokers, and the intelligentsia began to see itself as a select breed of social engineers. What happened was that government was simply manipulated to create heaven on earth for the political class and their business friends. What about America’s entry into WW II, which was supposedly necessitated by the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbour? In his masterpiece on the real reason why the US entered WW II, titled “ Day of Deceit: The Truth about FDR and Pearl Habour”, Robert Stinnet points out that the US entered the War due mainly to the abysmal failure of FDR”s economic stimulus programs aimed at checking the Great Depression. According to him, FDR’s thinking was that
entering the war would stimulate a huge government spending program that would help end the depression or at least divert the public’s attention from the woeful failures of his policies, and keep his reputation and legacy intact in the process. The unjust wars in Vietnam, which caused the senseless and needless death of 55,000 Americans and hundreds and thousands of Vietnamese; Korea, Iraq, which the CIA admits was based on a lie – that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction that threatened the US; and Afghanistan, offer contemporary cases of how the instigationist cabal has successively led the US into disastrous military campaigns, which were for nothing, as far as the average American taxpayer was concerned. Political hacks like William Kristol, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry, are classic examples of individuals who have defined the history of instigationism. A similar scenario played out in Nigeria, during the dark years of the Civil War, when the greedy war mongers hurried the Federal Government into fighting an unnecessary war with the secessionist Republic of Biafra. Instead of continuing with dialogue - the nonadversarial conflict resolution method that would have yielded more dividends and prevented the bloody carnage that accompanied the ensuing war had it been sustained certain individuals with ulterior motives manipulated Gowon into a catastrophic military action; a development that has continued to hunt Nigeria several years after the war officially ended. Many Nigerians became fabulously wealthy during and after the war, due largely to their criminal activities during those trying times. From stealing the country’s
resources, diverting relief materials provided by international humanitarian agencies for victims of the carnage, illegally acquiring the properties of fellow citizens who had hurriedly fled certain parts of the
prominent politicians capitalizing on the situation to set up violent criminal groups without clear-cut mandates to disturb the peace and cash in on the ensuing confusion to ask for monetary concessions from the Federal Government and the transnational oil corporations operating in the region, under the sassy pretexts of helping provide security in
such legislations which allows some forms of profiteering to go on uncensored, while reducing the income of other war-related businesses to lossmaking levels. The “War Profiteering preventive Act of 2007”, was intended to create criminal penalties for conflict entrepreneurs and others who exploit taxpayers funded efforts in theatres of war. War
country, leaving their possessions behind, to so many other detestable crimes too numerous to mention, some of the wealthy Nigerians we have today became overnight millionaires by exploiting the war to their advantage. Also, in the aftermath of the war, some members of the political class became very influential power brokers due to their ignoble roles in the conflict, at the expense of the vanquished Biafrans – forget Gowon’s contradictory postwar slogan: “No victor, No Vanquished”. Also, during the Niger Delta Crisis, cases were rife of community leaders and
the troubled area. These security racquets became major revenue earners for many prominent indigenes of the Delta region. However, due to the growing conviction in certain quarters that making outrageous gains from violent conflicts is unethical, anti-profiteering measures have been put in place in the US and other countries. Thus, moves to prohibit excessive war profiteering, such as the imposition of an Excess Profit Tax receives much political support in times of war. But defining what constitutes “excessive” correctly is problematic. This conceptual challenge creates loopholes in
profiteering cases are often brought under the “Civil False Claims Act”, which was enacted in 1863 to check war profiteering during the American Civil War. Other countries have copied the American efforts in their attempts to check the unethical practice of earning excessive income from war. How far these efforts will go in checking war profiteering will be seen in the nearest future. Nigeria must endeavour to follow suit in this regard as many instances of illegal profiteering by some unscrupulous businessmen from the several violent conflicts that have reared their heads across the country have
“However, due to the growing conviction in certain quarters that making outrageous gains from violent conflicts is unethical, anti-profiteering measures have been put in place in the US and other countries. Thus, moves to prohibit excessive war profiteering, such as the imposition of an Excess Profit Tax receives much political support in times of war.”
been left unaddressed, coupled with the fact that there are no concrete legislations – if any – to check the activities of conflict entrepreneurs in Nigeria. In conclusion, encouraging wars in order to profit from them constitutes the greatest crimes against humanity. Those who engage in such criminally detestable acts must be discouraged using all legally practicable means available. Passing antiprofiteering legislations are
certainly steps in the right direction. However, sterner measures, such as the actual prosecution and punishment of offenders, when found culpable, must be expedited to deter would-be perpetrators from plying their trade in the future. Conflict instigators and entrepreneurs are the actual war criminals, not just the active combatants who go against the rules of engagement; for without their satanic inputs, most wars would not occur. Here is calling on all international, continental, sub-continental organizations, in conjunction with national governments to begin to take more deliberate, concrete steps towards checking the greedy activities of individuals who gain from the pains of others. Our peace cannot be compromised, nor sacrificed to feed the selfish desires of heartless powerseeking politicians and their business collaborators. A stitch in time saves everything! God save the world!
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This theorem helps us to find the = -1 + 2 - q - 6 remainder in a polynomials Collecting like terms, q division without having to perform = -5 Answer the division. In polymials (1), example 4, we saw how Example 3 cumbersome it was to divide 2x3 Find the remainmder when
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Mathematics With Stanley Osobase 08023454887 Osobase2001@yahoo.co.uk
Polynomials 3 - The Remainder Theorem 3x2 + 5x + 4 by x - 2 to get the remainder 18. To apply this theorem, simply equate. the divisor, in this case x - 2 to zero. Find x. Next substitute for x in the polynomial and the result follows! That is, x - 2 = 0 or x = 2. :- remainder
3x3 + 5x2 - 11x + 4 is divided by x 2b = 2 or b = 1 [i.e. equ (1) - equ (2)] + 3 (UME, 2004). Substituting for b in equ---- (1) & Solution: (3): we get: Let Q(x) = 3x3 + 5x2 - 11x + 4 a + c = 0 ------ equ (4) and 8a + 2c = -3-----equ (5) Let x + 3 = 0 or x = -3 :- Remainder = Q(-3) = 3(-3)3 + (4) x 8: 8a + 8c = 0----- equ (6) 8a + 4 = 0 5(-3)2 ==(-3) + 4 2 = P(2) = 2(2)3 - 3(2) + 5(2) + 4 = 18 8a = -4 or a = -4/8 = -1/2 = -81 + 45 + 33 + 4 = 1Answer NOTE: Remark: You can verify this, Hence, required solution is: (1). If the division is by (x + a), using the long division method. a = -1/2, b = 1 and c = 1/2 then the remainder is P(-a). See the example abhove Example 4 Example 5 (2). If the division is by (ax + b), If (x - 1), (x + 1) and (x - 2) are When a polynomial is divided then the remainder is P(-b/a). For factors of the polynomial ax3 + by c + 2, the quotient is 3c - 3 and example dividing a polynomial by 2 + cx 1, find a, b, c, bx (3x + 2), the remainder = P(-2/3). the remainder is 5, find the respectively (UME, 2000). (3). This theorem is most helpful, polynomial (P/Jamb, 1991) Solution: when Hint: To get a, b, and c, three Solution: We recall that generally, if P(x) equations need to be set, by APPLICATION EXAMPLES considering the value of x from = polynomial the respective factors. Thus, Q(x) = Quotient, D(x) = divisor Example 1 Let (x - 1) = 0 or x = 1 and R = Remainder Find the remainder when 3x3 - x2 Let (x + 1) = 0 or x = -1 then P(x) = Q(x)D(x) + R. + 2x + 6 is divided by x + 2. P(x) = (3c - 3)(c + 2) + 5 Solution: Let x + 2 = 0 or x = -2 and Let (x - 2) = 0 or x = 2 values Expanding and collecting like :- Remainder = P(-2) = 3(-2)3 - (- Substituting the respective of x into P(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx - 1, 2)2 + 2(-2) + 6 terms we get: = -24 - 4 -4 + 6 P(x) = 3c2 - 3c + 6c - 6 + 5 P(1) = a + b + c - 1 = -26 Answer 2 or P(x) = 3c + 3c - 1 Answer or a + b + c = 1-----equ (1)
P(-1) = -a + b - c - 1 Example 2 or -a + b - c = 1-----equ (2) If the function f(x) = x3 + 2x2 + qx - 6 is divisible by x + 1, find q. P(2) = 8a + 4b + 2c - 1 or 8a + 4b + 2c = 1-----equ (3) (UME, 1997). Solution: From equs (1) and (2): Let x + 1 = 0 or x = -1 a+b+c=1 :- f(-1) = -13 + 2(-1)2 + q(-1) - 6 -a + b - c = 1
Drills (1). If x + 1 is a factor of x3 + 3x2 + Kx + 4, fdk. Ans = 6 (2). For what value of K is x - 4 a factor of x3 + 3x2 - 5x + K? Ans = -87
THE
NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Motoring With OSAGIE AIFUWA 08023412452
Auto Tips
Engine Lubrication THE function of the lubrication system of an engine is to distribute the. lubricant to all the surfaces needing lubrication. Modem engine use what is known as the forced system, in which oil is supplied under pressure to nearly all the moving parts. The principal exceptions being the piston and cylinder, in the system a pump forced oil under pressure into the crankshaft bearings. The oil is carried in the sump in which the level must be high enough to cover the pump inlet but not so high that the crankshaft dips into the oil. The mechanically driven oil pump draws oil from the sump and delivers it via the main filter to main oil gallery. From the main oil gallery oil is supplied to the main crankshaft bearings and the crankshaft bearings through passages drilled through the crank-case walls. A dip stick is a simple means of checking the level oil engine sump. Sludge. It occurs in all engines after a considerable kilometers. Sludge is the name usually given to the viscous gumming compound found on the wall of the crankcase, crank webs, etc. it is likely to be more pronounced in engine which are not fitted with a second filter as the latter removes most of the soft carbon one of the principal constituents of sludge. A low quality oil being less refined will probably contain a higher proportion of waxy substances. One of the main causes of sludge is condensation of water vapour which mixes with the oil giving the characteristics viscous compound. The remedies for minimizing sludge formation are an efficient pressure filter maintained in clean condition. A good — quality oil free from gum forming compounds and adequate ventilation of the crankcase to remove excessive water vapour. Efficient functioning of the engine depends on an adequate supply of the correction grade of oil,? Vehicle manufacturer usually recommends certain grade of oil, and these • should be adhered to unless the user is in a position to carry out physical and chemical tests on samples
submitted to him. Draining the old oil from the sump, and replacing it with fresh at kilometers. The 600km period applies to new engines, as despite every care in assembly small particles of dirt and metal will be carried along by the oil, and if allowed to remain will cause scoring of the bearing and cylinder walls. As regards subsequent drainings. The factors which determine the kilometer are the sump capacity. Type of filters and oil consumption. With a large amount of oil in circulation the time for it to become contaminated is longer than for small engines. So that the draining period can be extended on large engines. The Oil Filters. Assuming that the oil is clean when put into the engine as it should be, it will soon collect small particles of metal, road dust, etc. as it circulates through the engine. These if not removed will have an injurious effect upon the working surfaces and accelerate the rate of wear. One filter at least is fitted in the oiling system. And two are used on the majority of engine. The problem of efficient oil filtration is not easy, as in order to trap ails the small particles of foreign matters. “efficient functioning of the engine depends on an adequate supply of the correct grade of oil. Vehicle manufacturer usually recommends certain grade of oil, and these should be adhered to unless the user is in a position to carry out physical and chemical tests on samples submitted to him”.
(BREAKDOWN) If you have a breakdown get your vehicle COMPLETELY OFF the carriageway on to the hard shoulder out of the way of other traffic. Never forget the danger from passing traffic, so do not step on to the carriageway or let your passengers do so. Use your warning triangle, switch on your hazard lights if necessary especially at night. YOU MUST WARN OTHERS If your vehicles is fitted with amber direction indicators which can flash simultaneously (HAZARD LIGHTS). You may use them in this way as a warning signal. You should warn other road users by placing Reflective triangle on the road away from your vehicle. You may also place objects. Which will not cause further accidents on the road to forewarn others. But, you should remove all such objects and/or there reflective triangle as soon as your vehicle moves away. FALLING ITEMS: If anything falls from your vehicle, stop as soon as you can safely do so and remove it from the carriageway. ACCIDENT: If you are involved in an accident or are the first on the scene of an accident, you should: (a) Warn other traffic by displaying a red triangle or switching on hazard warning lights or other lights or by any other means.Extinguish lighted cigarettes or other fire hazards and ask drivers to switch off their engines. (b) Get help from the traffice officers, road marshals, police or ambulance authorities arrange for them to be summoned immediately with full details of the location and casualtie; where possible, drive on to the next emergency telephone. (c) Remove injured persons if a any further immediate danger but to not move them unnecessarily: give first aid; get uninjured people out of the vehicles and into a place of safety; away from the” carriageway onto the hard shoulder or central reservation.
“Draining the old oil from the sump, and replacing it with fresh at kilometers. The 600km period applies to new engines, as despite every care in assembly small particles of dirt and metal will be carried along by the oil, and if allowed to remain will cause scoring of the bearing and cylinder walls.”
THE
NIGERIAN
21
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Opinion A popular saying has it that actions speak louder than words, but for late Chinua Achebe, both actions and words combined together are two necessary ingredients which complement each other and speak voluminously than when each stands on its own. Little one wonders at his Lustre for the use of proverbs in all his published works. According to Achebe, proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten. This view add meaning to the definition of proverbs as short and pithy sayings which defines a cultural language and encapsulates society’s values and beliefs. The word proverb according to Encyclopedia Britanica is from the latin word “proverbum” meaning a simple and concrete saying that expresses a truth based on common sense or practical experience of humanity. Achebe personally and by exention lived and experienced the truth in almost all his proverb; when a person say yes, his chi ( personal god ) says yes also. In his “yes” in founding the Aws, he not only give light to his works but that of other African Writers to publish their works. If not for his founding of the series, it was recorded that many African Writers would have been stifled and frustrated out of writing. In addition, he declared; “until the lions have their own historian, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. In that Proverb, Achebe gives
indication about the roles been played by his likes who employed their story telling proves in recounting the history of Africa and Africans through works such as things fall Apart. Similarly, in praising Chimamanda Adichie, winner of the Orange prize for Literature, author of purple Hibiscus, Half of a yellow sun and recently American, for her wisdom, Achebe was only giving life to his proverbs; “wisdom is like a goatskin bag; every man carries his own,” and “If a child washed his hands, he could eat with kings”. Another astonishing Achebe proverb; says the most horrible sigh in the world cannot put out the eye,” described him as a man, who despite the horrors witnessed during the Civil war among his people in the Biafra side, did not blurred his vision in inspiring his last work; There was a country: A personal History of the Biafa, recounting his personal account of the Nigeria civil war. By extention, in acknowledging in his opening proverb History of the Biafra, that a man who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot say where he dried his body. But he has shown in that same word that the rain that began to beat Africans started with the 1880 scramble for Africa by the coloniakists. How true is his saying that” no man however great is greater than his people”? According to Tell magazine, evidence has shown that the fortunes and destinies of Achebe is tied to his home
Achebe In The Light Of town of Ogidi which means mighty or great. Achebe who is an illustrous son of his home town personified the might or greatness of his town with his unparraled intellignce and commitment to his studies. As time has shown, even in his death excitement as the word gathers to celebrate the life and time of their son, who has brought them fame. His last work; “There was a country. A personal History of the Biafra,” is recorded to have generated lots of
His Proverbs By INNOCENT OMOAKA
While others defended him of giving his own personal accounts of the
men still speaks the truth to his own son”. His proverb; “a man of
Ezegbo, the Igwe of Ikenga Ogidi and Achebe’s contemporary and primary school mate, “Achebe has already immortalized himself. His books will remain like that of William shakesphere
“Now that his remains returned home to be laid to rest, one can easily recalls his proverb, “if a man returns from a long journey and no one says nno (welcome) to him, he feels like one who has not arrived. But, as the world gather to celebrate his life and times he is not only welcome home from his long journey of life, but he is greeted “nno” on his arrival.”
Late Chinua Achebe
controversies more than any Liferally work in recent time, especially among those he accused of committing genocide against his Igbo people.
war, others criticize him for giving false accounts of the war. But what matters to him most as shown in his proverbs is; “the greatest liar among
“How true is his saying that” no man however great is greater than his people”? According to Tell magazine, evidence has shown that the fortunes and destinies of Achebe is tied to his home town of Ogidi which means mighty or great. Achebe who is an illustrous son of his home town personified the might or greatness of his town with his unparraled intellignce and commitment to his studies.”
worth never gets up to unsay what he said yesterday,” gives clue to his rejection of the national award conferred on him by Nigeria in 2011 citing the same reasons that made him to reject it not been addressed. Also, he once remarked, “the eye is not harmed by sleep”. How true, now that he has fallen asleep, visions which inspired most of his work will ever remain of great significance to his work According to Obi Albert
forever and ever, particularly in African. Literature and African history”. Now that his remains returned home to be laid to rest, one can easily recalls his proverb, “if a man returns from a long journey and no one says nno (welcome) to him, he feels like one who has not arrived. But, as the world gather to celebrate his life and times he is not only welcome home from his long journey of life, but he is greeted “nno” on his arrival.
THE
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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Opinion
Nigeria Needs A Man Like Oshiomhole A tree is made up of the root, stem, branches, leaves and sometimes flowers and fruits. They all exist as a unit. One day I saw a man plucking off the leaves of a particular tree, I asked why, he said he wants the tree to die. I laughed and told him that he can’t kill a tree by plucking off the leaves. He rushed for a cutlass and started cutting off the branches. I told him he is still wasting his time because what ever part he cut off will regenerate so long as the root of the plant is still on the ground. I did my best and convinced him that the only way he can kill or eliminate a tree is to cut it off from the root. He examined the size of the tree and shook his head. He lacked the will and strength to eliminate the tree which’s parts is causing him problems. I made it clear to him that eliminating the parts of the tree is a time wasting exercise. The only way he can eliminate the problem which parts of the tree is giving him is to eliminate the tree by cutting it off from the root. Looking at our dear country Nigeria today, we will discover that all the problems we are facing take their root in CORRUPTION. Corruption is the root of the plant producing our problems. Armed robbery, kidnapping, Assassination, Militancy, Boko haram, Ethnic violence, Political violence, which could be summed up in insecurity. Unemployment, lack of stable electricity, lack of portable water, lack of good roads, decayed infrastructures, looting of public treasury, electoral malpractices, poor policing, poor budget implementation, lack of commitment to service, official deceit, hunger, frustration, inflation, fallen standard of education, poor health services, political arrogance, official misconduct with impurity. These and others not mentioned take their root in corruption. Every attempt to eliminate these problems has not and will not take us any where. When we thought we were winning the war against armed robbery, kidnapping came up. When we thought we were winning the war against militancy, boko haram came up. When we thought we were winning the war against public treasury looting with the aid of foreign courts, frivolous dismissal of cases, plea bargaining and presidential pardon came up. When we thought we were winning the war against ballot box I want to thank the founding father of Nigeria Independent and especially the fighter for this democracy, the 3rd republic. Some of the notable Nigerians whom we can not forget are: Dr. Awolowo, Dr. Azikwe, and our own Pa Anthony Enahoro all of blessed memory. While late Abiola died on June 12th as a result of his detention over the cancellation of his overwhelming win of the Nigeria presidential Election now the “popular June 12th saga”. It was not joke a before this 3rd republic was able to start. The military rulers, such as Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen Abacha now Late, General Buhari and others too numerous to mention did not see anything good in democracy. My reason for the above short analysis is for the present political leaders to remember that the democracy they are now enjoying did not come on a platter of gold but that some sincere and truthful Nigerians paid supreme price for it. My question now is WHERE ARE THE CONSTITUENCY PROJECT that the legislator from the local government level to National level promised during various campaigns! Since 1999 to the year 2008 in Edo state, the oil windfall and federal allocation to Edo state were stolen by the politicians and their contractors which made Edo state to become the poorest state in Nigeria. So both the Executive and legislators did no work. I am not going to talk much about these sleeping days and years of 1999 to year 2008. All of us are witnesses. From the year 2008 till date when the man that the cap fits
By UKHUN FELIX snatching, multiple voting, writing/declaration of election result before the election, sales of voters card, organized manipulation of voters registers by dubious, unrepentant INEC officers came up. When we thought we have won the war ‘ against military dictatorship, civilian dictatorship came up. When we thought we were winning the war against ritual killing, political killing came up. When , we thought we were winning the war against
Gov Adams Oshiomhole
importation of weapons, bombs are now being manufactured in Nigeria. When we thought winning the war against fuel subsidy thieves, SUREP managers are allegedly using hundred of Millions of naira to train the staff of a questionable company they awarded contract to instead of awarding the contract to a competent company. The more you look the less you see. All the efforts by the Nigerian government to solve the countless problems facing Nigeria have yielded little or no result because the main cause which is corruption has not been confronted. Federal government of Nigeria lacks the political will and strength to tackle corruption. The president appears to be growing cold feet when some names are mentioned in the corridor of corruption. Those who are in good romance with the president seem to be above the law. Someone gave farouk lawal bribe, while farouk lawal is in court the man is invisible though I am not making case for lawal, the law says the taker of bribe is as guilty as the giver. While is the giver exonerated here, why shifting the goal post? Someone was invited by the senate to give account of pension funds, he refused to honour the invitation .He went to court to get a ridiculous judgment that forbids the police from arresting him without even compelling him to honour the invitation. A situation where by the president has absolute power to hire and fire EFCC chairman and some senior judges gives the president too much constitutional power to discourage the war against corruption if he so desires. It gives him too much constitutional power to intimate, harass and threaten these offices to carry out his personal wishes. Nigeria needs a president that is dogged, fearless, ready to step on corrupt toes, who will confront corruption without fear or favour, a man who will not rely on the weakness of the constitution to encourage corruption, a man who will set aside every sentiment to deal with corrupt people. Such a man is what we have in comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole. An intelligent, humble, brave and articulate governor. I could still remember in his very early days in office, he was asked how he hopes to tackle corruption that has become a norm in Edo state public service. He simply answered “if the governor does not steal, the deputy governor will not steal. If the deputy does not steal, commissioners will not steal. If the commissioner does not steal civil service will not steal. This he has demonstrated. Edo State civil servants and public offices know that there is no room for embezzlement and extortion. He is approaching the problem in Edo State from the root, he can do same in Nigeria.
Where Are Your Constituency Projects? By IMUAGBONHEN JOHNSON
came into the number executed seat at Osadebe’s Avenue, in Benin City, Edo which was once dead, resurrected again. This miracle man is Comrade Adam Aliyu Oshiomhole popularly called Oshio Baba or the people’s Govemor,that made the impossible, possible. The miracle man was able to manage the limited resources which have been for less than that of 1999 to 2008 to bring Edo up to the State of Eldorado and what we can be proud of today, to call our state But, to cut the story short, in 2011 both the Edo House of Assembly, House of representative and the senate candidate won their various seats because of the good works of our Governor and they all promised to also give him (Governor) a helping hand by using their constituency fund to carry out peoples oriented project to actualise the working Governors dream of transforming Edo State. But today thing have falling apart and the centre can no longer hold. But I am not going to dwell too much on this issue of not performance but I am using this peace to call on all Legislators
“Since 1999 to the year 2008 in Edo state, the oil windfall and federal allocation to Edo state were stolen by the politicians and their contractors which made Edo state to become the poorest state in Nigeria. So both the Executive and legislators did no work. I am not going to talk much about these sleeping days and years of 1999 to year 2008. All of us are witnesses.”
in our House of Assembly, House of Representative and the three senators in Edo State to as a matter of urgency publish on news papers, especially the Nigeria observer the Names and locations of their constituency projects in their various constituency. This is very necessary because, the governor cannot do it alone. The legislators are getting a millions of Naira quarter or yearly as the case may be, but I challenge them to tell the masses what they have done with the people’s money. Show your report card now. I want to also use this opportunity to appeal to the comrade governor not be tired by the attitudes of some disgruntled elements in the state. You should remind these legislators that were voted into the office because you supported their campaign and you trusted them to play a complimentary role to you. But is it so today? 1 also call on the labour, civil society group and non governmental organizations (NGO) to support me as a pressure group and ask this legislators to as a matter of urgency, tell (eye marked) members of their constituencies projects executed since 2011 when they got into the office as they will soon start to campaign for return to the office come 2015. I bet you, any one that cannot account for the millions of Naira appropriated for their constituency projects should not only be forced out but should be made to pay back the money and also go to jail. Enough is enough it is time for all of us to wake up from ours lumber as the development of infrastructures such as schools (RED ROOF), Hospitals beatification, roads, walk ways, street light electricity and eradication of Erosion problems just to mention. To me whether anyone likes it or not, the Comrade, Oshio Baba has turned the face of Edo State into the envy of other state in the federation. If all legislators could complement his effort, Edo State will become a small London.
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Religion Who Wants To Be A Champion? THE oxford advanced learners dictionary defines a champion thus: “A person, that has won a competition especially in a sport” The world is full of competitions. Life by itself is characterized by challenges and competitions and those who come tops, who outshine in the affairs of life can be called champions. Beyond this in the Christian faith, Christianity being a race as the apostle Paul put it (Heb 12: 1) those who run the race successfully can be called champions. The Psalmist refers to the champion as “a strongman to run a race” Ps 19:5. The “strongman” who runs the race and wins is the champion. Paul obviously described himself as a champion when he declared towards the end of his earthly ministry thus: “for I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS...” 2TIM 4:6-8. However I dare say that champions are not known only when they want to depart the earth; champions are known even when they are alive! You can be a champion even now you read along. I can describe a champion as one who has a DESTINYAND WHO DISCOVERS THE COURSE OF HIS DESTINY AND ALL OUT TO ACHIEVE HIS DESTINY, LEANING ON CHRIST AND THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GOD ALMIGHTY. If Paul was a champion he challenges you also to be a champion he wrote: “Be ye followers of me, e en a I also am of Christ” 1 Cor 11:1. so you can desire now to be a champion. THERE IS A PURPOSE FOR YOUR CREATION? There is a purpose you are created. HAVE YOU DISCOVERED IT? LET THE HOLY SPIRIT HELP YOU DISCOVERIT! “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Ecc3:1. To Jeremiah God said “before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee, and before thou comest forth out of the womb I sanctified. THEE AND I ORDAINED THEE A PROPHET TO THE NATIONS” JEH 1:5 THE DESTINY OF ISAIAH WAS CLEAR. HE SAID THUS: “THE LORD HATH CALLED ME FROM THE WOMB; FROM THE BOWELS OF MY MOTHER HATH HE MADE MENTION OF MY NAME... AND NOW SAITH THE LORD THAT FORMED ME FROM THE WOMB TO BE HIS SERVANT, TO BRING JACOB AGAIN TO HIM TO RAISE UP THE TRIBES
OF JACOB AND TO RESTORE THE PRESERVED OF ISRAEL I WILL ALSO GIVE THEE FOR A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES ISA. 49:1, 5-6 The champion discovers his destiny and works n that destiny assiduously for that is the road map of success. God did not make any mistake in creating you. DISCOVER WHAT YOU ARE CREATED FOR; WORK IN THAT DIRECTION AND WALK WITH THE HOL’.” SPIRIT; YOU ARE ON THE ROAD TO BECOMING A CHAMPION! ORAL ROBBERTS The great American preacher testified that he originally had an interest in politics but God directed him into preaching for that was his calling. He worked on that, walking with the Holy Spirit he became a champion in his own generation. SAMSON. The people of Israel had sinned against God and the sin caused them to be delivered into the hands of the philistines for forty years. (Judges 13:1) And when it was time set them free from forty years of captivity the lord commissioned Samson even from birth to do this. The Angel of the lord said to the mother, wife of manoah “Lo thou shalt conceive and bear a son... and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the land of the philistines” Judges 13:5. The purpose of Samson’s creation was defined. JOHN Zacharia was a priest and had a wife whose name was Elisabeth. “And they had no child because that Elisabeth was barren and both were now well stricken in years” Lk 1:7 The Angel Gabriel announcing the conception of John and his birth defined his purpose for creation: “But the Angel said unto him fear not... thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shall call his name John. •For he shall be great in the sight of the lord.., and he shall be filled with the holy Ghost even from the mothers womb and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the lord their God; and he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias... to make ready a people prepared for the lord” Lk 1:1517. John could have done nothing less than this else he missed the purpose of God ! He was a champion in his own generation. Friend find out your destiny; and work on God’s purpose for your creation, But know this absolutely everybody is created to serve God our creator “fear God and keep his commandment for this is the whole duty of man’ Ecc 12:13. AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD Everyman who has had an encounter with God and followed up the vision of that encounter has always been a victorious person a champion. An encounter with God is not enough but you must follow the vision of that encounter faithfully! Moses was a keeper of flock (shepherd) when he had
an encounter with God in the wilderness “And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush and he looked behold, the bush burned with fire and the bush was not consumed and Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight” Ex3:23 That was the beginning of the encounter of Moses with God. The encounter followed with a vision. “And the lord Said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt... And I am come down to deliver them... come now therefore I will send thee unto Pharaoh that thou mayest bring forth my people, the children of Israel out of Egypt” EX3:7,8 10. That was the
vision of the encounter. Moses obeyed and that made Moses the champion of his people. Saul turned Paul was another Bible champion.He was a champion in his own generation. He had an encounter with God on his way to Damascus to bring Christians captive and to destroy the faith. “And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord went unto the High priest. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way... he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” Acts 9:2 But as he journeyed he encountered the Lord. “And as he journeyed he came near Damascus and suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven, And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul why persecutes thou me? “ Acts 9:34. The encounter produced a vision a revelation for action. And the Lord Jesus said to him. ‘Arise and go unto the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” Acts 9:6 Did you see that Jesus said Paul must do — what his vision was! It was Ananias a disciple that the Lord sent to Saul (Paul’) to let him know what his vision was. “The lord said unto him go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my names sake” Acts 9:15 Paul followed the vision faithfully and became a
With REV. DR. A. A. OPARA
champion. To have an encounter with God is a supernatural experience and it goes with supernatural blessings if you follow faithfully the vision of that encounter. But if you have the privilege to have a supernatural encounter with God and you throw away the vision; the blessing of that encounter is what you have rejected. For God will not make his appearance to any for fun or for frivolities. To be a champion you must follow after the vision of God. Peter had an encounter with Jesus at the lake of Gennesaret where he had gone to fish all night without catching a single fish. But when he was about to go in the morning he had an encounter with the messiah who
17 years God had begun to prepare him as a champion through his dreams (Gen37:11C’). Bu: the brothers sold him into slavery in other to stop the champion. That was the beginning of his battles. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver (Gen 37:28) Joseph was taken to Egypt and the “Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar an officer of pharaoh and captain4 of the guard’ Gen 37:36. In spite of the temptation the Bible says the slave boy Joseph was a prosperous man “And the lord was with Joseph and he was a prosperous man and was in the house of his master the Egyptian” Gen 39:2. Now in your battles the lord will prove himself ; you just need to be faithful —for so it was with
preached to the crowd standing on the boat; he commanded Peter to cast his net again Peter did and caught a sheol of fishes (Lk 5:16) Peter was astonished and cried to Jesus “Depart from me for I am a sinful man o Lords’ Lk 5:8. But Jesus gave him this vision — “fear not from henceforth thou shall catch men” Lk 5:10. Peter Obeyed and this turned a hitherto inconsequential fishermen into a champion! BE READY TO FIGHT BATTLES! The road to becoming a champion is full of battles. THE ROAD TO BECOMING A CHAMPION IS FOLLOWING AFTER THE VISION OF GOD — yet there are great battles ahead.! Know that the. lord who has given you the vision will not only make the provision but shall provide the grace and enablement to fight and win battles! “God is faithful and will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; Lut will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” lCorl3:1O. Every champion in the Bible followed after the Vision of God; as they followed faithfully the devil brought battles on their way to discourage and dissuade them or turn them away from the vision. They fought the devil and overcame him by the grace of God and became champions. JOSEPH THE CHAMPION: He faced battles. At the age of
Joseph the champion. “And his master saw that the lord was with him and that the lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand’ Gen 39:3. So he promoted Joseph from being a slave boy to a steward and an “overseer over his house and all that he had” Gen 39:4 “And now Joseph was a goodly person and well favoured” (Gen 39:6) and the devil used that as an opportunity for another battle — this time from the “madam” of the house of Portiphar. What a temptation. “And t came to pass after these things that his masters wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and she said lie with me” Gen 39:7. She did this severally but Joseph resisted, saying —“How then can I do his great wickedness and sin against God?” Gen 39:9 But when Joseph would not yield the woman framed a lie against Joseph falsely accusing him of an attempted rape —and this led Joseph to be imprisoned by his master who had earlier showered love and trust upon him. (Gen 39:11 -20) But because Joseph was on the road to becoming a champion — he was faithful to God. God did not desert him even in prison. “The lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” Gen 39:21 subsequently Joseph shared the same prison with pharaohs chief butler and chief Baker who were thrown into person for offending pharaoh. (Gen 40:1-3). Shortly each dreamt, Joseph correctly
interpreted the dream of the Butler and the Baker, indicating that the Butler would be released and restored but the Baker would die (Gen 40:5-23) And Joseph pleaded with the Butler when he was restored back to pharaoh to remember him yet he did not remember Joseph for two good years. (Gen 40:14,23, Gen 41:1) But after two full years, pharaoh had a dream which nobody could interpret in the whole region of Egypt and pharaoh was very troubled. And the chief Butler now remembered Joseph and introduced him to Pharaoh (Gen 41:9-13) Pharaoh sent for Joseph
and he stood before him and the spirit of God gave him wisdom and utterance to interpret the dream “And Joseph answered Pharaoh saying it is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” Gen 41:16. Joseph was released from prison subsequently and raised to a political level akin to the post of the modern day prime minister over the land of Egypt. (Gen 41:41-46) “And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” Gen 41:46 so precisely for thirteen years the devil fought with Joseph. For l3years Joseph fought battles to become a champion for he was l7years when he had the dreams and 3Oyears when he stood before Pharaoh! Champions fight battles before they can get that attainment and that is why they are called champions. SAUL (PAUL) THE CHAMPION Saul turned Paul was a champion. From the time he had an encounter with Jesus and followed the vision faithfully, he fought battles. “I have fought with beasts at Ephesus” 1 Cor 15:32 I have fought a good fight” 2Tim 4:7 In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times receive I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night anc a day have be in the deep 2Cor 11:2325.
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ETSAKO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT P.M.B. 0012, AUCHI, EDO STATE OF NIGERIA INVITATION TO TENDER
ESAN SOUTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT P.M.B. 02, UBIAJA EDO STATE OF NIGERIA
Tenders are hereby invited from reputable contractors/suppliers registered with the local government for the execution of the under-listed projects on behalf of the local government. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
Rural Electrification. Construction and/or Rehabilitation of Abattoirs. Erosion control Construction and supply of school chairs, desks and equipment. Construction of Skill Acquisition Centres. Construction/Rehabilitation of Roads across the local government area. Construction of Lock-up/Open Markets Stores at Auchi, Uzairue, SouthIbie and Agbede. Construction and/or Rehabilitation of Primary Health Care Centres across the local government area. Construction of Blocks of Classrooms and Headmasters’ offices at selected primary schools in the local government area. Perimeter fencing of selected primary schools in the local government area and other public grounds. Perimeter fencing of Primary Health Centres (PHC) at selected Primary Health Centres in the Local Government Area. Construction of boreholes and provision of overhead water storage facilities at the local government secretariat, Auchi and at selected communities across the local government. Construction of earth roads across the local government area. Development and provision of sporting/recreation facilities. Purchase and installation of 300 and 500 KVA Transformers. Purchase of Toyota Landcruiser (Prado). Purchase of Toyota Hilux Jeep.
Intending tenderers are requested to pay a non-refundable deposit of N100,000.00 for items 1,3,6,7 and 16 listed above. N70,000:00 for items 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 listed above. N50,000.00 for items 12 and 13 listed above. N30,000.00 for items 4,5,8, and 9 listed above by Bank Certified Cheques payable to Etsako West Local Government. B. Each tender must be accompanied with the following documents: (i) Evidence of current registration with the Local Government as a Contractor in the appropriate category. (ii) Evidence of payment of the non-refundable deposits in the appropriate Category. (iii) Tax Clearance Certificates for the immediate past three years; (iv) Current bank guarantee of credit worthiness; (v) Evidence of previous jobs successfully executed in similar or related field(s); (vi) Certificate of incorporation in case of limited liability company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); (vii) Value Added Tax (VAT) registration number; and (viii) Copy of company profile. (C) Documents showing the drawings/design specifications and locations of the respectively projects are available for inspection between the hours of 8.00am and 1.00pm, each day from Monday to Friday in the Office of the Head of Local Government Administration and Head, Works Department, Etsako West Local Government, Auchi. 4.
Tenders should be addressed and submitted in a sealed and waxed envelope and marked “CONFIDENTIAL” with the item tendered for written at the top left hand corner of the envelope and addressed to: THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, ETSAKO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUCHI, EDO STATE.
INVITATION TO TENDER Tenders are hereby invited from Reputable Contractors/Suppliers Currently registered with the Local Government for the Execution of the underlisted projects on behalf of the Local Government. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Building of health centres. Construction and rehabilitation of Primary Schools. Construction and rehabilitation of roads. Construction of skills acquisition centres. Renovation and reconstruction of secretariat buildings. purchase of Toyota Hiace buses. Purchase of speed/engine boats. Rehabilitation and construction of motor parks. Construction of markets. Construction of boreholes. Supply of transformers. Construction of toilets in schools and markets.
2. Intending tenderers are required to pay to Esan South East Local Government Treasury a non refundable deposit of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000) only per project and the tenders are to be accompanied with: i. Evidence of current business registration with Esan South East Local Government as a contractor/supplier in the appropriate category. ii. Evidence of payment of non refundable deposit of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30,000.00) only to the Local Government Treasury. iii. Tax clearance certificate for the immediate past three years. iv. Current Bank Guarantee of credit worthiness. v. Evidence of jobs previously executed with the Local Government or other Government Agencies. vi. Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) vii. Evidence of Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificate of the Director of the Company. Documents showing the drawing and specifications of the above listed projects are available for inspection between 8.00am to 4.00pm Monday – Friday in the Office of Director of Works. Tenders should be addressed and submitted in a sealed envelope and marked “CONFIDENTIAL” at the top left hand corner of the envelope and addressed to: The Executive Chairman Esan South East Local Government PMB 02 Ubiaja, Edo State. to reach him not later than six (6) weeks from the date of this publication. Esan South East Local Government is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender, nor is it bound to give reasons for rejection of any tender.
to reach him not later than six (6) weeks from the date of this publication. 5.
Etsako West Local Government is not bound to accept the lease/lowest or any tender, nor bound to give reason(s) for the rejection of any tender. Signed: Mr. Isimekhai Oseni Secretary to the Local Government for: Executive Chairman Etsako West Local Government, Auchi
Signed Hon. S.O. Oyedo For: Executive Chairman Esan South East Local Government, Ubiaja
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International
Compiled By OKHUELIEGBE FAITH
Syrian Opposition Urges Rebels DAMASCUS - Syria’s main To Join Key Battle opposition alliance yesterday urged fighters to come from around the country to reinforce a rebel-held town under attack by President Bashar Assad’s troops and their allies from the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group. The appeal came as Syrian government forces battled for the fourth straight day trying to wrest control of the western town of Qusair from the rebels. The town lies along a strategic land corridor linking the capital, Damascus, with the Mediterranean coast, the heartland of Assad’s Alawite sect. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah group has been fighting alongside Syrian regime forces in the town and surrounding areas for weeks. “Forces from outside Syria” aim to destroy Qusair and rebels should join the fight to “rescue” the town, George Sabra, the acting chief of the Syrian National Coalition, said in a statement. Sabra also urged Lebanese authorities to respect Syria’s sovereignty by preventing foreign gunmen from crossing the border to fight in the civil war. A local government official from the Homs governor ’s office told The Associated Press yesterday that about 80 percent of the town was in government hands. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to give information to the media during an ongoing military operation. He added that Assad’s troops had discovered tunnels linking areas around the town, adding that the fighting is now concentrated in the
northwestern parts of Qusair where the “terrorists” — the phrase regime uses for opposition fighters — were still entrenched. The official’s account could not be independently verified because Damascus bans independent media access to much of the country. Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian government and Hezbollah units were bombarding Qusair with rocket launchers yesterday. AbdulRahman said a group of rebels trying to reach Qusair from the nearby town of Ind Shamseen were ambushed by Syrian troops who killed at least two of the rebels. In Lebanon, dozens of supporters of hardline Sunni Muslim cleric Ahmad al-Assir yesterday blocked the road leading to a cemetery in the southern city of Sidon to prevent the burial of a Hezbollah fighter who died recently in Qusair. The standoff, which lasted over an hour, was the latest sign of rising tensions in Lebanon because of the growing involvement by disparate Lebanese groups on opposing sides of the Syrian civil war. The conflict in Syria has killed more than 70,000 people, according to United Nations, and has often spilled across Syria’s borders. Lebanon and Syria share a complex web of political and sectarian ties and rivalries that are easily enflamed. Lebanon, a country plagued by decades of strife, has been on edge since the Syrian crisis erupted in March 2011.
Blessing & Yakubu got married recently in Benin City. Hehre is wishing them a happily married life. Congratulations!
To avoid an escalation of the road blockade, Hezbollah and the family of the dead fighter, 21-year-old Saleh Sabbagh, decided to bury him in another cemetery in the city, a senior Lebanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to the media. Sabbagh, the son of a Sunni father and a Shiite mother, was initially to be buried in the city’s Sunni cemetery but ended up being interred in a Shiite burial place. Most of Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims back the Syrian opposition while Shiites support the Assad regime, which is dominated by members of his minority Alawite sect, an off-shoot of Shiite Islam.
Congolese government troops patrol near Minova in eastern Congo. Fighting between M23 rebels and the army continued for a second day Tuesday, near Congo’s eastern provincial capital of Goma, in clashes that have so far killed 20 people, all of them either soldiers or rebels, officials said.
Mortar Lands In Congo As UN Chief Arrives
GOMA (Congo) - A mortar round exploded in Goma, a city in eastern Congo which has been in the crosshairs of this country’s latest rebellion, officials said yesterday, as the United Nations secretarygeneral arrived in Congo’s capital for a two-day visit expected to take him to Goma. The mortar killed one person and injured four in the Ndosho neighborhood inside Goma, said Madnodje Mounoubai, a
Zimbabwe’s President Signs New Constitution HARARE - Zimbabwe’s president signs into law a new constitution and vows to hold peaceful and clean elections later this year. President Robert Mugabe said yesterday the new constitution, unanimously accepted in a March referendum, has shown that Zimbabweans are united, regardless of political affiliation and without outside interference. The constitution stipulates new voting procedures and reforms to be implemented from the signing date so that the earliest new elections can be held is Aug. 14. Zimbabwe is hosting a worldwide United Nations tourism summit in midAugust, suggesting that nationwide polls would take place in September after what is expected to be the world’s largest tourism exposition. Several parts of the new constitution are effective immediately with others set to come into force after the swearing in of the next elected administration.
spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo. “We have no indication of who sent it,” he said. Rebels with the M23 movement continued fighting with government forces just north of Goma yesterday in a third day of fighting after a nearly six-month lull, a rebel spokesman said by telephone. Congo, an enormous country the size of Western Europe, has endured decades of conflict, especially in its mineral-rich east, which borders the smaller, but militarily more powerful nation of Rwanda. An investigation by U.N. experts
found that Rwanda has backed several of the rebel groups that have wreaked havoc in eastern Congo. Last November, Rwanda was accused of having sent battalions of soldiers across the porous border between the two nations in order to help the M23 rebels seize the city of Goma. The rebels marched straight past the hundreds of U.N. peacekeepers stationed at the gates of the city, who didn’t stop them because their mandate is to protect civilians and not to engage militarily. The U.N. was widely criticized for failing to stop the rebel advance and in the months
since then, the Security Council voted to create a special intervention brigade in Congo whose mission it is to fight the M23. The rebels occupied the city of Goma for 10 days before agreeing to retreat under intense international pressure. The M23 rebels are now stationed just north of the city and on Monday, they attacked government positions, a military spokesman said. The rebels continued fighting through Tuesday and on Wednesday, a rebel spokesman Lt. Col. Vianney Kazarama said that the rebels were fighting to defend the territory they control near the village of Kibati.
Immigration Bill Heads To Full routes for people to come Senate new legally to the U.S. to work at all skill levels, tighten border
WASHINGTON - A farreaching bill to remake the nation’s immigration system is headed to the full Senate, where tough battles are brewing on gay marriage, border security and other contentious issues, with the outcome impossible to predict. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure 13-5 Tuesday night, setting up an epic showdown on the Senate floor after Congress’ Memorial Day recess. The legislation is one of President Barack Obama’s top domestic priorities — yet it also gives the Republican Party a chance to recast itself as more appealing to minorities. Many involved still vividly recall the last time the Senate took up a major immigration bill, in 2007, beginning with high hopes only to see their efforts collapse on the Senate floor amid a public backlash and interest group defections. Some expressed optimism for a better outcome this time around as the Judiciary Committee gave its bipartisan
approval. Three Republicans — Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jeff Flake of Arizona, both authors of the bill, and Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah — joined the 10 committee Democrats in supporting the measure. “We’ve demonstrated to the United States Senate we can all work together, Republicans and Democrats,” said the panel’s chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. “Now let’s go out of this room and work together with the other members of the Senate, and with the other body (the House), and more importantly work with all Americans, and all those who wish to be Americans.” In a statement, Obama applauded the committee’s action and said the bill was “largely consistent with the principles of common-sense reform I have proposed and meets the challenge of fixing our broken immigration system.” The legislation would create
security and workplace enforcement, and offer a chance at citizenship to the 11 million people here illegally. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said he would bring the legislation to the Senate floor early next month for a debate that some aides predicted could consume a month or more. The fate of immigration legislation in the House was even less clear, although it was due to receive a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee yesterday. It was Leahy’s 11th-hour decision to hold back on an amendment to extend immigration rights to same-sex married couples that cleared the way for the bill’s approval. Until Leahy began speaking on the issue to a hushed hearing room Tuesday evening, it wasn’t clear how the matter, which had hovered over the three weeks of committee sessions to review the legislation, would play out. Leahy had been under pressure from gay groups to
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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
International Afghan Students Protest Women’s Right Decree
KABUL - Hard-line Islamist students protested yesterday in the Afghan capital demanding the repeal of a presidential decree for women’s rights that they say is un-Islamic. It was the latest sign of a backlash against the legal protections passed in the 12 years since the toppling of the Taliban regime known for its harsh treatment of women. The protest came days after conservative lawmakers’ vehement opposition blocked an attempt to cement the decree’s provisions in legislation. Most of international force that ousted the Taliban is now preparing to withdraw by the end of next year, and activists fear an erosion of the women’s rights will follow if hard-liners pressure the elected government. More than 200 male students protested in front of Kabul University on Wednesday against the decree on Elimination of Violence Against Women, which includes a ban on child marriage and forced marriage, makes domestic violence a crime and says rape victims cannot be prosecuted for adultery. It also outlaws “ba’ad,” a traditional practice of exchanging women or girls to settle disputes or debts. Protester Fazel Hadi, 25, said the decree was “imposed by foreigners” and violates Islamic Shariah law. Mawladad Jalali, the mullah of the university mosque and one of the organizers of the protest, led chants decrying democracy in general and the women’s law specifically. “Our main demand is that this law should be repealed in the parliament,” he said before leading a brief march while police who cordoned off the area looked on. Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued the decree on women’s rights three years ago as part of a raft of commitments to international donors, but lawmaker and activist Fawzia Kofi wanted to pass it in parliament to prevent any future president from reversing it. The brief parliamentary debate Saturday was ended by the speaker after fierce
opposition from conservative lawmakers who said several provisions — including the ban on child marriage and jail time for domestic abuse — violated Islamic law. The decree remains in force, but the debate appears to have galvanized opposition to it. The United Nations’ mission in Afghanistan this week urged the government to do more to enforce the women’s rights decree, saying it is only sporadically applied when women report abuse. “It is imperative for the development of Afghanistan that women are able to exercise their rights and be free from violence in their homes and workplaces,” UN Special Representative Jan Kubis said in a Monday statement. In another worrisome sign for activists, the international group Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that the number of women and girls jailed for alleged loose morals is the highest since the ouster of the Taliban, even though most of those detained are victims of abuse and have committed no crime under Afghan civil law. The Taliban imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law during their five-year reign, ordering beatings for women failing to wear the full-body burqa garment in public, closing
Garcetti Builds Growing Lead As LA Picks New Mayor reporting and tens of thousands of mail-in ballots tallied. Both are Democrats. Garcetti was upbeat in a speech to cheering supporters in Hollywood. “We have sent a message tonight, and that message is that Los Angeles is ready to put the recession in the rear view
This picture shows members of the Egyptian security forces after their release by kidnappers, in Cairo, Egypt yesterday.
US Places Benghazi Suspects Under Surveillance
WASHINGTON - Five men are under round-the-clock U.S. surveillance in Libya, wanted for questioning in the attack last year on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. The White House believes there is enough proof for a military force to seize them as terrorist suspects, officials say, but prefers to wait until investigators have enough evidence to try them in a U.S. civilian courtroom. The decision not to seize the men militarily underscores the White House aim to move away from hunting terrorists as enemy combatants and toward a process in which most are apprehended and tried by the countries where they are living, or arrested by the U.S. with the host country’s cooperation
North Korea Sends Top Aide To Beijing SEOUL/BEIJING - North Korea sent one of its top military officials as a “special envoy” from its leader Kim Jong-un to Beijing yesterday, accompanied by a high-powered delegation in what appeared to be a bid to mend frayed relations with its most important ally. The delegation led by Choe Ryong-hae, vice chairman of the country’s top military body, was the most senior to visit China since Kim’s kingmaker uncle Jang Song-thaek made the trip in August 2012. Ties between Pyongyang and Beijing have been hurt by the North’s third nuclear test, carried out in February, and by China agreeing to U.N. sanctions on the North and starting to put a squeeze on North Korean banks. North Korean state news agency KCNA said China’s ambassador to Pyongyang, who is seen as the closest of all
girls’ schools and banning women from leaving their homes without a male relative. They were toppled in a U.S.-led invasion for sheltering the alQaida’s terrorist leadership and now wage an insurgency. Human Rights Watch’s Afghanistan researcher Heather Barr said that Afghanistan risks losing international aid if it does not meet commitments to uphold women’s freedoms.
LOS ANGELES USA Councilman Eric Garcetti, who jammed with pop star Moby and fashioned himself as a voice for a new generation of city leaders, has opened a growing lead in the race for Los Angeles mayor with the pool of uncounted ballots steadily shrinking. Garcetti, 42, who made a mark helping resuscitate neighborhoods from the gritty edge of downtown to Hollywood, held a 53 percent to 46 percent margin over city Controller Wendy Greuel, with about 60 percent of the precincts
Compiled By OKHUELEIGBE FAITH
foreign envoys to Kim Jong-un, saw the delegation off at the airport. Choe’s first meeting in Beijing was with Wang Jiarui, head of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s International Department, China’s Xinhua news agency said, without providing details. The diplomatic move by North Korea came after Japan reached out to Pyongyang last week by sending a special envoy to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to hold talks over Japanese citizens abducted by the isolated and impoverished state. Choe is one of the tight coterie of officials around Kim Jong-un, who has been in power for just over a year after succeeding his father. He is a long-time political administrator and was surprisingly made a vice marshal in the army last year despite having no military background.
and tried in the U.S. criminal justice system. Using military force to detain the men might also harm fledgling relations with Libya and other post-Arab Spring governments with which the U.S. is trying to build partnerships to hunt al-Qaida as the organization expands throughout the region. The investigation has been slowed by the reduced U.S. intelligence presence in the region since the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks in Benghazi and by the limited ability to assist by Libya’s postrevolutionary law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which are still in their infancy since the overthrow of dictator Moammar Gadhafi. A senior administration official said the FBI has identified individuals it believes have information or may have been involved in the Benghazi attack and is considering options to bring those responsible to justice. But taking action in remote eastern Libya would be difficult. America’s relationship with Libya would be weighed as part of those
options, the official said. The official and others familiar with the operation spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the effort on the record. The Libyan Embassy did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Waiting to prosecute suspects instead of grabbing them now could add to the political weight the Benghazi case already carries. The attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans weeks before President Barack Obama’s re-election. Since then, Republicans in Congress have condemned the administration’s response to the attack and its aftermath, criticizing the level of security, questioning the talking points provided to U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice for her public appearances to explain the attack and suggesting the White House tried to play down the incident to minimize its impact on the president’s campaign. Republican lawmakers continue
CONFIRMATION OF PLACE OF ORIGIN
I, Agbonzikilo Osayimwen wish to bring for the information of the general public that my original place of birth is Evbobanosa Town in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria and not Uwelu Town in Egor Local Government Area as earlier claimed. It should be emphasized therefore that my place of origin is Evbobanosa Town in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. Egor Local Government Council, Local Government Service Commission, concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
Signed: Agbonzikilo Osayimwen
to call for the Obama administration to provide more information about the attack. The White House released 99 pages of emails about the talking points drafted by the intelligence community that Rice used to describe the attack. The talking points initially suggested the attacks were part of a series of regional protests about an antiIslamic film. In those emails, administration officials agreed to remove from the talking points all mentions of terror groups such as Ansar al-Shariah or al-Qaida, because the intelligence pointing to those groups’ involvement was still unclear and because some officials didn’t want to give Congress ammunition to criticize the administration.
mirror and become the city of opportunity that I grew up in once again,” he said. Greuel sounded guarded as votes were being counted, telling supporters that “no one said it was going to be easy or quick. “When you’re playing in the championship of LA politics, sometimes the game goes into overtime,” she said. The winner will replace twoterm Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who exits July 1. Garcetti shares a Latino heritage with the outgoing mayor — he has Italian and Mexican roots from his father — but he has a far different resume than Villaraigosa, the product of a broken home from the tough streets east of downtown. Garcetti is the son of a former district attorney who grew up in the San Fernando Valley’s tony Encino enclave, attended Columbia University and enjoys playing jazz piano. Despite record spending, turnout at polls appeared sluggish after a campaign that centered on the city’s ailing economy and the influence of municipal unions. Only one of four voters in the nation’s second-most populous city were projected to cast a ballot, possibly a historic low in a city known to shrug at local politics. Garcetti, who could become the city’s first elected Jewish mayor, and Greuel, 51, who could become the first woman to hold the job, occupy so much of the same policy turf they’ve been dubbed “Greucetti.” A steady stream of negative advertising from the campaigns and outside groups has helped obscure the candidates’ promises about free-flowing traffic, new jobs and better schools in coming years. Voters also were judging three competing ballot proposals to manage the city’s proliferation of pot shops, forcing residents to weigh the needs of the sick against complaints about crime around the dispensaries. really flourish and grow here in Los Angeles.”
PUBLIC NOTICE
ISOKO HERITAGE FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. Mr. Peter Akiti - President 2. Mr. Emmanuel Ojo - Vice President 3. Mr. Duke Egware - Secretary 4. Mr. Edward Abriku - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote Isoko culture 2. To promote unity among Isoko people 3. To promote educational advancement of Isoko people. Any objection to the registration should be directed to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama District, P. M. B. 198 Garki, Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.
Signed:Duke Egware Secretary
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Teachers Of Mankind THE earth is a great school for the human spirits. Here they have to develop to that stage of consciousness which is decisive for admittance to Paradise and is to be designated the stage of consciousness of oneself. The human spirit must return to the earth a number of times and incarnate in human bodies until it has reached the degree of spiritual maturity and the inner purity which brings with it a final turning away from the sway of the earth and a continuing ascent into Luminous Heights. In a school, there are teachers who educate, further and guide the pupils to the next higher level in the school. In the same way, for earthmen in the great school of humanity there were teachers who were meant to show them the way to the truth as the final goal. Truth according to Abdrushin the author of “In the Light of Truth is eternal and unchangeable, it remains ever the same and is recognizable to us in the laws of creation, including the laws of nature, which are equally unchangeable. The recognition of these adamantine laws leads without deviation to God, because, His Will is expressed in them, because, through them we learn what God wills. To investigate and to obey this will is the highest task of man. If we adjust ourselves to the will, we fare well and become joyful and happy. All this was known to the teachers of mankind like Moses and the prophets, Zeroaster, LaoTse, Buddha and Mohammed, who God sent to the different peoples on earth. They were lovingly and carefully prepared for it in Luminous Reals. In faithulfilfilment of their task, they sought to guide the people of their races, according to the prevailing degree of soulmaturity, step by step to
wards the light, to teach them how they must live in accordance with the laws of God, so that at the end of the earthly school, the spiritual striving of the people could have been united into one single acknowledgement of divine truth. All of these and others besides, were forerunners of the truth, for the truthBringer who is promised for the time of the present great cosmic turning point. Even the son of god, Jesus referred to this truth Bringer, who brings after him the world judgement. For even the school of humanity on earth comes to an end one day, there is a leaving examination for the human spirit, who must prove that he has developed a right the abilities which god bestowed upon him. We are now in this time of the great spiritual examination and the examination results are shattering, as the abundance of everaccumulating hopeless events all over the earth clearly shows. What has become of the former teachings of God. Hardly anything still remains of their original content, it has been adulterated, distorted and misused. Only isolated grains of truth are fusing, rigid dogmas. Even God has been misunderstood and wrongly interpreted in many respects. Just let a picture arise before us in spirit. We behold the temple of Truth, the grail temple with the equal-armed grail cross on the Bome, Surrounded by smaller side temples with the corresponding symbols on their domes. They embody the spiritual teachings of past
Man And Nature
millennia, as for example, the teaching of Zomaster, Lao-Tse, Buddha, Atohammed, of Judaism and of Christianity. The symbols of some teachings have been presented up to the present time. Thus, the lotus flower of Buddhism. In is liveliness and purity, the opening flower points men to the striving for purity
protection of the Queen of Heaven, who is the ideal for all womanhood in creation. Abd-ru-shin says Judaism has the star of David as the Jacred symhol of belief. It consists of triangles, one inside the other, one with its apex upwards, the other with its apex downwards. The two triangles are to
temples to the one temple of the truth. But as it was, all the paths which the Divine teachings pointed out came to an end in the temple of the particular religion. They do not lead
creation must also, be recognised. That demands an earnest striving for recognition of these laws, an objective examination of one’s own dogmas in accordance with these laws and finally, the
and to firm connection with the stream of life, just as the lotus flower is naturally rooted in the bed of the flowing water. For Islam, Abd-ru-shin says the sacred symbol is the crescent moon. Mohammed had a vision, he beheld a gracious supraearthly picture, the Queen of Heaven (not the mother of Jesus) standing on a crescent moon. Thus, he found the symbol of Islam, linked with the obligation to honour women at all times and to support them in their high task, which they have to fulfill in the service of the most High. They stand under the
symbolise the inseparable connection between the visible and the invisible world. For Christianity, however, Abd-ru-shin says Christ’s cross of suffering will be transformed into the sword of justice in the judgement through the lengthening of the lower arm of the graus cross. All teachings were pure in their origin. Had men kept them pure, had they not in the course of thousands of years distorted them according to their ideas or used them for selfish ends, these individual temples would today be only transit
on to the truth, because, through their own quilt men kept the gates to the thoroughfares closed. Today the religions which have arisen out of these teachings actually appear often full of contradictions end even conflicting in their creeds. Moreover, for a long time now, people of different faiths have been fighting each other, so that, a uniform striving for the truth and its recognition cannot be spoken of. It is not enough for the one God to be acknowledged by all, the truth which God has anchored in his laws of
courage to make the necessary corrections. All this is now being brought about through the radiations of the cosmicturning-point, so that, the ring of the great evolution of mankind can close for the light seeking men in the recognition of Divine truth. In the same way as the light happening of this cosmic-turning-point has already caused the teachings then, milled by God to come, into being once more, undistorted, in word and script, just as they were once given to men by their teachers. From past millennia and past eras, picture follows upon picture of spiritual and earthly happening, once more the paths are shown which were to have led through the individual temples, to unite in the Dome of Light at the time of the cosmicturning-point.
With O.C. MADU 08056379608
“All teachings were pure in their origin. Had men kept them pure, had they not in the course of thousands of years distorted them according to their ideas or used them for selfish ends, these individual temples would today be only transit temples to the one temple of the truth.”
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Garcia Contemplates Wentworth Withdrawal
Golf:
Badstuber Suffers New Injury, Heartbreak BAYERN Munich defender Holger Badstuber has suffered a major setback on his comeback trail and will not return to the pitch until March 2014. Badstuber, 24, suffered a cruciate ligament tear during Bayern’s Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund in December. In May, club doctor Hans-Wilhelm MullerWohlfahrt had revealed the Germany international would not return this season as initially planned. “We will not take any risks,” he told Munich newspaper TZ. Last weekend, news emerged that Badstuber had suffered another tear and needed to undergo more surgery. Those reports, however, were not confirmed by the club. Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said that while the player needed surgery, he had not torn his ligaments again. Bayern officials were confident Badstuber could return in December 2013. On Wednesday morning, though, a Bayern press release revealed the extent of the damage to Badstuber’s knee.
• Alexandro Del Piero
Juventus Need More than Great Players Assemblage - Del Piero FORMER Juventus player Alessandro Del Piero says it will take more than assembling a strong squad for the Bianconeri to be amongst the best in Europe. Antonio Conte’s men recently secured their second straight Serie A title and have immediately set their sights on
Hamburg Sack GM Arnesen HAMBURG general manager Frank Arnesen has been sacked following a board meeting late on Tuesday, German media reports. The former Chelsea man Arnesen’s transfer policy came in for criticism directly after his appointment in 2011, when a number of fringe players following the Dane from Stamford Bridge to the Bundesliga. Ever since, Arnesen’s performance has been heavily scrutinised with the club’s failure to qualify for the Europa League this season sealing his fate. That was despite being substantially backed in the transfer market that included the +13 million signing of Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. The total transfer expenses added up to some +27
million, with only some +7 million generated on the income side. Hamburg are set to announce a record loss for the 2012-13 season and now appear to be hoping to turn around their fate with a new general director. According to NDR Radio sources Arnesen was sacked during a board meeting late on Tuesday evening. Former Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath has emerged as the favourite to succeed Arnesen. As a player Magath lifted the European Cup in 1983, scoring the only goal in the final against Juventus. In 1986 he started his second career as general manager of Hamburg and in 1995 began a highly successful stint as a coach which saw him win the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg.
securing their third Champions League trophy. Juventus are said to be eyeing a number of top players to reinforce their squad for the new season, but Del Piero believes other factors will affect their chances of being successful. “I followed their (Juventus) progress from Australia and I’m very happy with their second consecutive
package on his annual salary of 2.8 million Euros. After leaving the meeting he told reporters: “I’ve got nothing to say. I just enjoyed a long good coffee with Galliani…” When asked if he remained in charge of Milan, Allegri carried on walking without giving a response. Seedorf, 37, has been installed as the early favourite
• Walter Mazzarri
Madrid Fan Leader Targets Presidency conference there was not even Bid a shred of self-criticism from
THE leader of Real Madrid fan group Plataforma Blanca would like to challenge Florentino Perez in June’s club presidential elections, but fears he cannot find the money to do so. On Monday, Perez, while announcing the end of Jose Mourinho’s term as coach by mutual consent, also set the election date for June 16. Recent weeks have brought a new level of criticism for his handling of the club, and refusal to criticise Mourinho, but no other serious candidates for the position have yet emerged.
Allegri Negotiates Milan Exit REPORTS in Italy suggest Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has left the club with former Rossoneri midfielder Clarence Seedorf a surprise candidate replace him. Allegri, who is under contract until 2014, was summoned to a meeting on Tuesday morning by vicepresident Adriano Galliani where it is believed he was relieved of his duties and is now negotiating a severance
Scudetto,”said Del Piero. “They were fantastic and it was a great achievement. “I don’t know what it’ll take for Juve to bridge the gap with the big European clubs. “In order to win the Champions League you don’t just need great players and a great club, but also a different chemistry. “Just look at Borussia Dortmund, who until the last minute of the quarter-final were eliminated, so it needs other factors that you just can’t plan for.”
SERGIO Garcia was so upset by the furore caused by his “fried chicken” jibe at Tiger Woods that he contemplated pulling out of this week’s PGA Championship at Wentworth, the Spaniard said yesterday. World number 14 Garcia added that his comment, made at the European Tour’s Player of the Year awards on Tuesday, was “stupid and out of place” and he regretted it the moment he said it. Garcia moved quickly to explain his remark, issuing an apology through the European Tour. “I apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my comment on stage during The European Tour Players’ Awards dinner,” the Spaniard said. “I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner.” Woods, whose relationship with Garcia is frosty at best, was
for the job. Currently in the middle of a two-year contract with Brazilian side Botafogo, he spent a decade with Milan between 2002 and 2012. Allegri led Milan to a thirdplaced finish in Serie A this season meaning qualification for the Champions League. However, they finished 15 points behind champions Juventus to the displeasure of club president Silvio Berlusconi.
Plataforma Blanca leader Eugenio Martinez Bravo, 43, told AS that Madrid fans want a healthy debate over the club’s future, and he would like to offer an alternative to Perez. “I want to present myself at the elections,” he said. “I would like to do it, I have the intention to do so, and it would be healthy for madridismo. It would be good if there was an alternative, a debate. Florentino does not have a project - we do.” Changes to the club’s election statutes made last September mean any candidate for the presidency must be a socio (member) for at least 20 years, and provide a deposit or bank guarantee of 15% of the club’s annual budget - or +76 million this year. Martinez Bravo, who criticised those changes at the time, meets the first new requirement, having been a socio for 31 years, but not the second as he is not a millionaire. “We do not want to create false expectations because there is the thing called the deposit and it is very difficult to achieve,” he said. “At the press
Florentino Perez. It is very difficult, but I will try. Florentino has set the deposit of +75 million to perpetuate himself as president of Real Madrid.”
in unforgiving mood, though, and took to Twitter to express his annoyance at the comment. “The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate...” the American said.
Napoli’s Mezzarri Poised To Join Inter NAPOLI coach Walter Mazzarri is poised to join Inter Milan on a two-year deal, according to reports yesterday. La Gazzetta dello Sport said Inter would hand Mazzarri a two-year deal worth 3.5 million euros to the coach. ANSA news agency later reported that Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni would not be taking the squad’s training session in the afternoon, claiming Mazzarri “would be appointed by the end of the week at the latest”. Mazzarri announced his departure from Napoli after steering the club to a runnerup finish in Italy’s Serie A behind champions Juventus on Sunday, qualifying the Neapolitas for next seasons’ Champions League. Inter, the last Italian team to claim the continental crown in 2010, missed out on playing in Europe next season altogether after a dismal ninth place finish was capped by a 5-2 home loss to Udinese. Juventus finished top of Serie A to claim their 29th Scudetto, with Napoli joining the Bianconeri in the Champions League. AC Milan finished third but will have to successfully negotiate a preliminary round before booking their ticket to the competition.
Juve May Sign Tevez JUVENTUS sporting director Beppe Marotta believes it will be easier to sign Carlos Tevez than Gonzalo Higuain, although no talks have commenced. The back-to-back Serie A champions are looking to beef up their attack and are said to be interested in both Argentine forwards. Spanish newspaper AS reported that Juventus will meet with Madrid representatives this week to discuss a deal involving rightback Stephan Lichtsteiner. However, Marotta told Sky Italia that he believes signing the 29-year-old Tevez may demand less from his side compared to Higuain, who is 25 years of age.
“Maybe it would be easier to sign Tevez,” he said. “He is older and has just one year of his contract left. “But, in reality, we have done nothing with Real Madrid, nor with City.”
• Carlos Tevez
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Carlton Cole To Leave West Ham FORMER England striker Carlton Cole will leave West Ham United during the close season, the Premier League club announced yesterday. Cole, 29, posted a series of messages on his Twitter account on Tuesday in which he suggested he was expecting to leave Upton Park and West Ham confirmed that he would not be offered a new contract. “Carlton’s contract has come to an end and we have decided not to renew that contract,” said manager Sam Allardyce. “Carlton’s need at his age is to be playing football as often as he can. From our point of view, we felt it better that he found pastures new. “We can only thank him for his outstanding commitment and service to West Ham United over the last seven years.” Cole joined West Ham from London rivals Chelsea in July 2006 and scored 59 times in 237 appearances, but his return this season was a disappointing two goals from 25 games. Writing on Twitter on Tuesday, he said: “Life is filled with ups & downs today is a down but I’ll be back! Carlton Cole/CFC as I have been called has left the building. “I want to thank the West Ham fans for their support especially the 1’s who made the away games feel like a home 1 #COYI (Come on you Irons). “I came to East London not knowing what to expect but I’m glad i did the last 7 years I’ve met a lot of good honest decent people #THANKYOU.” West Ham made their first signing of the transfer window on Tuesday, when Romania captain Razvan Rat arrived on a free transfer from Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk. The experienced 31-year-old left-back, who has won 88 caps for his country, has signed a one-year contract.
Giroud Wants Improvement In Europe
OLIVIER Giroud wants Arsenal to kick on in the Champions League after securing qualification for a 16th successive season. The Gunners may have endured a turbulent campaign but they still managed to secure a top-four finish, pipping north London rivals Tottenham to the final berth. Laurent Koscielny’s goal in the season finale at Newcastle secured a 1-0 victory and qualification for a competition the Gunners reached the final of in 2006. This year they exited the competition to finalists Bayern Munich in the last 16 and striker Giroud wants an improved performance next term.
• Phil Neville
Neville Plans to Succeed Moyes At Everton PHIL Neville has told Everton chairman Bill Kenwright that he is interested in succeeding David Moyes as manager at Goodison Park. Neville is considering his options after deciding to end his eight-year playing stint at Goodison Park, and will join the England Under-21 coaching staff for the European Championship finals in Israel in June. The 36-year-old has been linked with coaching roles at Manchester United, where David Moyes is preparing to take charge this summer after 11 years at Everton, and at Stoke, who parted company with manager Tony Pulis on Tuesday. Asked about the Everton job, Neville told the Guardian: “It would be a really good job to get. I know there are players who have gone into jobs and failed but I just think I have prepared. I have prepared for the last five seasons and I have got some really nice decisions to
make. I am prepared for every eventuality. “I’ve not reached the end of my career and thought: ‘I know, I’ll be a manager’. I have had a lot of experience, studying coaching practices. I’ve got files on every training session from the last three seasons. I have been away with the Under-21s. I’m half-prepared for what I am going in to.” Neville, who is working towards gaining the UEFA pro licence required to be a Premier League manager, added that he has sought regular advice from Moyes and Everton assistant manager Steve Round. He said of Moyes: “I pick his brains constantly. We were out recently and I was asking him what it is like when your team goes on a night out. Do you set curfews? You have to learn these things.
Liverpool Won’t Sell Suarez LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers says controversial striker Luis Suarez will not be sold, as the Merseyside club target Champions League qualification next season. The Uruguayan missed the last four games of Liverpool’s season after being banned for 10 matches for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, but finished the campaign as the club’s top scorer with 23 league goals. Liverpool have not qualified for the Champions League since 2009, but despite likely interest in Suarez from some of Europe’s top clubs, Rodgers is confident he will still be at
“On the bench (against Newcastle) it was really nervous,” the France striker told the club’s official website, www.arsenal.com. “It’s always worse when you don’t play. It was really difficult but in the second half Laurent, my French friend [scored]. I’m so happy that he scored. “The goal relieved us and we could dominate the game after. We became more confident. We had our destiny in our hands. It was very difficult but the finish was amazing. “It’s 16 years in a row we’ve succeeded to qualify for the Champions League.
We knew it was really important. For me it will be the second season in the Champions League. “When you play in the Champions League, you always improve yourself and it’s better for competition. “We are competitors and want to play in the top games. I really enjoy playing against big clubs like Bayern Munich. I would like to go further next year.”
- Rodgers Anfield next season. “Listen, every player has their price, but there’s certainly no pressure for the club to sell him. We’re trying to build that bit of quality so he’s not for sale,” Rodgers said. “I don’t have any doubts there will be interest in him this summer, because he’s up there. “There’s a small percentage of players who are world class and he’s in that bracket, so I don’t think it will be too dissimilar to when I first came in last summer, with clubs making their interest known. “People will want to take him, but I think we all
recognise how integral he is. The owners have been absolutely unequivocal in their resolve in terms of wanting to keep him.”
“He has been unbelievable in the way he has opened up. He tells you the pitfalls and his strengths. I grill him. He must think sometimes: ‘Give me a break’. It’s the same with Steve
Round. I virtually man-mark him.” Neville, meanwhile, believes that Moyes, despite not having won a major trophy, was a stronger candidate for the United job than Jose Mourinho, who has lifted the Champions League title twice.
Bale Rues Champions League Failure GARETH Bale admits he found Tottenham’s latest failure to qualify for the Champions League hard to stomach. Bale rounded off a remarkable year on Sunday by scoring his 26th goal of the season, but his wonder winner against Sunderland was not enough to earn the club Champions League qualification. Having enjoyed such a successful season personally, the Welshman concedes that he was disappointed to miss out on another shot at the big time. “It was obviously great to sign off with a great goal in the last minute, but circumstances made it hard to celebrate,” Bale told Spurs TV Online after picking up his latest accolade - the Tottenham Player-of-the-Year award. “To play the way we have also but to miss out on our objective (Champions League qualification) is very disappointing.” Bale will play his last match
of the season on Thursday when he and his Tottenham teammates take on the Jamaica national team in a friendly in the Bahamas. Bale, who scored 31 goals for club and country this term, will discuss his future with Spurs over the next coming weeks. The club are understandably keen to hold on to their star man and manager Andre Villas-Boas
And it was a difficult situation for him as well,” Lampard said. “As interim manager it was always going to be quite difficult because we all knew it was only to the end of the season. “So there was no planning, no long-term relationships were going to be built. So, in that respect, he did a good job because we got the end result success.”
recently called on the forward to end speculation about his future by signing a new deal at White Hart Lane. For now, the signs look promising for Tottenham fans. From his comments in the immediate aftermath of the victory over Sunderland, he seemed in no mood to abandon ship and head to Real Madrid.
Cech Expecting Top Signings CHELSEA goalkeeper Petr Cech believes his side will have no problems recruiting bigname players due to their recent success. The Blues are said to be pursuing top players like Radamel Falcao, Edinson Cavani and Andre Schurrle and Cech believes their recent Europa League win and
Benitez Did Well For Chelsea - Lampard CHELSEA midfielder Frank Lampard believes interim coach Rafa Benitez had a successful spell with the club. The Spaniard led the Blues to a Europa League title and a third-place finish in the Premier League after taking over from Roberto Di Matteo in November last year. “He’s a professional bloke. He prepared very well for games.
• Olivier Giroud
• Petr Cech
qualification for the Champions League will work in their favour. “Last season everyone wanted Eden Hazard and because we won the Champions League he chose our club ahead of everybody else,” he told the club’s official website. “This year we won back-toback European trophies and I believe that win in Amsterdam was again very important because players choosing between teams may rather choose Chelsea because they always win something.” The Czech international says he is looking forward to their second straight appearance in the UEFA Super Cup after losing to Atletico Madrid at the start of the season. “I am really happy that we won the Europa League because this win gave us a ticket for the Super Cup in Prague which is even better because I will play at home,” he added.
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NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Fergie To Earn 100,000 Pounds Per Day As United Ambassador
SIR Alex Ferguson will make an astonishing £100,000a-day as a Manchester United ambassador, a report claims, and he has his son to thank for brokering the deal. Ferguson will be paid £2mThe deal was brokered by a-year by United to continue Fergie’s son Jason despite working for the club but is Manchester United having only expected to make 20 previously said they would appearances a year according no longer do business with to the Daily Mail. him.
Muller Wants To Win Champions League Title THOMAS Muller is determined to guide Bayern Munich to victory in Saturday’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund and avoid being “branded a loser”. The Germany international also featured in the Champions League final defeats against Inter in 2010 and versus Chelsea last season and he’s desperate to avoid falling at the final hurdle in Europe once again. “For me personally, it’s about time I won the thing. If you’re beaten three times, you’re
branded a loser,” the versatile attacker told FCB TV. Muller has been in fine form in the Champions League so far, netting eight goals and creating two more, and he’s keen to keep up his fine form at Wembley on Saturday. “I can’t complain this season and I hope it just carries on. The fact that I know where the goal is isn’t anything new. “I’m not going to have my style cramped, I’ll do my thing totally normally.”-
The respected Charles Sale reports in the Mail: “Jason’s disbanded Elite Sport ceased to act on United transfers following an internal inquiry into the 99 questions posed by United’s then major shareholders, John Magnier and JP McManus, which put Sir Alex’s transfer dealings under unprecedented scrutiny. “But the wheel has turned to the extent that Fergie’s reported £2million-a-year United ambassador deal was negotiated by Jason. The contract is for 20 appearances per year that value Sir Alex’s time at a whopping £100,000 a day.” Jason is said to be looking after all of Sir Alex’s dealings post-retirement which includes a second autobiography that Fergie has already been paid an
advance of £2m for. Ferguson capped his final season in charge of the English Premier League champions by clinching the League Managers’ Association Manager of the Year award for the fourth time earlier this week. The 71-year-old Scot’s unparalleled success in the British game ended on Sunday with a remarkable 55 draw against West Bromwich Albion. He won 38 major trophies in more than 26 years at Old Trafford, capped by the team’s 20th league title, a season after losing it to crosstown rivals Manchester City.
. . . Lines Up Second Autobiography SIR Alex Ferguson is expected to reveal many insights into his 26-year reign as manager of Manchester United when he publishes his second autobiography in October.
Malaysian FA To Investigate Match Fixing POLICE have been urged to protect footballers from bookmakers as the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) prepare to investigate claims of match-fixing in the country’s league in a meeting yesterday. Local daily newspaper The Star reported that a match in the second tier of the Malaysian Premier League between Kuala Lumpur and Sime Darby was under suspicion. Banners with the message “Bookie detected” were seen at the game which
• Thomas Muller
UCL Final: Gotze Suffers Recurring BORUSSIA Dortmund’s Injury Setback injured star Mario Gotze has suffered a setback in his race to be fit for the club’s clash against domestic rival Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Gotze tore his hamstring against Real Madrid in the second leg of the semi-final of Europe’s premier competition and has been fighting to take his spot in the showpiece event for the past month. But despite resuming light training recently, a shadow has been cast over the 20-year-old’s rehabilitation with news surfacing he was forced to pull out of a training session after experiencing a reoccurrence to the injury. “Mario has felt something again in his hamstring,” Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc told Bild. “That is why he stopped. We don’t know how bad it is and whether he is still suffering from it.” Gotze is not the only injury concern for Dortmund, with defender Mats Hummels still nursing an ankle injury.
Hummels, a 2008 signing from Bayern, has been a rock at the heart of Dortmund’s defence and would be a massive blow against the might of the Bavarian giants. But Hummels told Bild magazine he was confident of making Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp’s first-XI for the final.
• Mario Gotze
“Nothing is torn so it is not as bad as first feared,” Hummels said. “I’m confident I’ll be ready for the final.” If Gotze does miss the match, it will be the end of the German international’s career at the club, already heading to Bayern in a summer switch.
• Sir Alex Ferguson
finished 5-0 to Sime Darby. The police are also due to attend the meeting, as are the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah told reporters: “We have to look into this allegation of matchfixing seriously. We will discuss it with the sports minister on Thursday. “The police need to keep a close eye regarding the threats. The players must not get close to the bookies. Once you open up, you will have to face the consequences.” There is a long history of match-fixing issues involving players and referees in Malaysia. High-profile cases have occurred in Lebanon, China and South Korea in recent years. European anti-crime agency Europol also claimed that Singapore was at the centre of a rigging ring.
The 71-year-old, who retired after Sunday’s 5-5 draw against West Bromwich Albion, has signed a lucrative deal with publishers Hodder & Stoughton. It will be Ferguson’s first book since Managing My Life, his 1999 account of his career that ended with United’s treblewinning season. It was a bestseller that also attracted headlines because of Ferguson’s criticisms of Brian Kidd, his former assistant at Old Trafford, and Gordon Strachan, who played under him at both Aberdeen and United. Managing My Life was ghost-
Malaga Hopes For Full UEFA Reprieve MALAGA say that UEFA’s decision to lift the second suspended year of its European ban makes them more confident the entire suspension will be thrown out by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) next month. In December, UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) issued a two-season suspension, one season suspended, from all European
Benitez Approached By PSG
PARIS Saint-Germain have approached Rafael Benitez to succeed wantaway boss Carlo Ancelotti, according to reports in France. L’Equipe claims Benitez’s advisers have been in talks with PSG chiefs over the imminent vacancy with the new French champions, who have all but given up hopes of hanging on to boss Ancelotti as he closes in on a potential switch to Real Madrid. Benitez is currently in America with the Chelsea squad preparing to take charge of his final two games as the club’s interim manager on an end of
season tour, yet the impressive flourish he inspired in his final month as Blues boss has given the Spaniard’s hopes of landing a top job a huge boost. A third place finish in the Premier League and Europa League glory was viewed as a triumphant finale to a turbulent spell for Benitez at Chelsea and now it seems as if the job offers are set to roll in for the former Liverpool boss. Italian coaching great and current Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni is
written by Hugh McIlvanney. Paul Hayward, the Daily Telegraph’s chief sportswriter, will work with Ferguson on his next book. Hayward said: “It’s a privilege for me to help him describe how he managed such huge change at Manchester United, and to lay out his countless insights and anecdotes stretching back to his roots in Glasgow.” During his 26 years at United, Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice. He retired having won 49 trophies in his 39-year managerial career.
among those who have called for Napoli to appoint Benitez to replace the departed Walter Mazzarri, yet officials of the Serie A club have denied they are preparing an approach for the coach whose reputation in Italy was tarnished by a disappointing spell in charge of Inter Milan in 2010. Benitez is also an early front runner to succeed Tony Pulis at Stoke, but he would doubtless relish the chance to take over at PSG, with the huge backing provided by the club’s Qatari owners an obvious attraction for the candidates that may line up to succeed Ancelotti.
competition “due to the presence of significant overdue payables balances”. The governing body confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that, after a more recent analysis of the club’s accounts on March 31, the further suspended year had been lifted. Malaga have maintained throughout that they have been singled out by UEFA, insisting they have been successfully putting their financial affairs in order. Recent irate tweets from club owner Abdullah Al-Thani have been, at least in part, due to frustration at what he views as official bias against his side. The Andalucian club reacted to UEFA’s most recent decision with a statement that said they were now confident that CAS would force the entire suspension to be lifted, allowing the team to play in Europe next season. Boquerones director general Vicente Casado claimed he was now even more optimistic that the appeal would be successful when the court issues its judgement on June 4.
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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
Nigeria Confirm Moses Absent For Brazil
Mustapha Hails Teams’ Performance At Abuja 2013 Polo Tourney MUSTAPHA Junaidu, the Captain, Abuja Guards Polo Club, yesterday said that the ongoing Unity Polo Tournament President’s Cup which commenced on May 20 has lived up to its billing. Reports say that the President’s Cup is the event’s biggest prize and consists of the highest playing members and teams in the country. Junaidu told newsmen in an interview in Abuja that history beckons as Hon. Dimeji Bankole’s Foundation, Hon. Aliyu Wadada’s Keffi Ponys and Sen. Hadi Sirika’s Rubicon clash in the President’s Cup. According to Junaidu, “ Rubicon are the defending champions of the President’s Cup, beating Bankole Foundation and Keffi Ponys, to lift the most prestigious trophy in the tournament in 2012. “However, Keffi Ponys have gone back to the drawing board, rebuilt their team and are playing with the best polo players in the country, Bello Buba, Ibrahim Mohammed and Diego White, a top-rated Argentinean player. “Bankole Foundation also reorganised and will also be featuring a +6 handicap player from Argentina, Gonzalo Bourdeiu, alongside Hamisu Buba, the younger brother of Bello Buba, Nigeria’s top striker and Abdulmalik Badamasi. “As you can see, the teams that lost their games in the last
edition have gone back to restructure their teams completely, in a bid to defeat the defending champions, Rubicon. Reports also say that the Bankole Foundation squad that made their debut in the third edition of the 2012 polo tournament will take on Sen. Sirika’s Rubicon. Sirika’s Rubicon, the defending champions, defeated Bankole’s Foundation in the opening game of the 2012 edition, before edging out Hon. Wadada’s Keffi Ponys in a grudge final to emerge champions. However, Bankole Foundation who are eyeing the prestigious President’s Cup, were the proud winners of the Democracy Cup in 2012. Parading the former Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, and the South African duo of Lance and Brett Watson, they had to strive hard to edge Keffi Ponys 7-6+ to clinch their maiden polo title.
Alhaji Aminu Maigari
African Qualifiers For FIFA Beach Soccer Begin In Morocco THE African qualifiers for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup,
Special Olympics Nigeria Shops For Sponsors SPECIAL Olympics Nigeria (S.O. Nig) on Tuesday said that the date for its forthcoming Regional Games slated for Enugu, was yet to be fixed because of lack of sponsors. Folasade Bolumole, S.O. Nig’s National Director, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. She, however, said she was optimistic that the body would get some sponsors before July, the proposed month for the regional games in Enugu Reports say that S. O. Nig is a non-profit organisation that is solely dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports, to
NIGERIA forward Victor Moses will miss this summer’s Confederations Cup through injury, while his Chelsea team-mate John Obi Mikel has asked to be rested for an upcoming international friendly against Mexico. Moses, 22, starred for the Super Eagles as they won the African Nations Cup in February but will not feature at this summer’s Confederations Cup in Brazil as he needs treatment on recurring hamstring and ankle injuries. He will also miss crucial World Cup qualifiers against Kenya on June 5 and Namibia on June 12. The former Wigan star’s absence leaves Nigeria worryingly short in attack, with African Nations Cup
become physically fit. “We are looking at the first week in July which is tentative; we are still trying to find sponsorship for the Enugu regional games. “We are getting response and we are positive that we will pull through as we did at the South West regional games,’’ Bolumole said. On the body’s current relationship with the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolumole told newsmen that there was no relationship between them. “As we speak nothing has come from the NSC in terms of recognition or otherwise.
scheduled for Tahiti in September, yesterday kicked off in Morocco. Eight teams are featuring in the qualifiers: Hosts Morocco, Senegal, Madagascar and Ghana in group A, and Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt and Libya in group B. At the end of the qualifiers on May 26, the winner and the runner-up will pick the tickets to represent Africa at the Sept. 18 – Sept. 28 Beach Soccer World Cup. Nigeria and Senegal represented Africa at the last edition of the two-
3SC Set To Name Busari Head Coach SHOOTING Stars are to name Hakeem Busari as their head coach after several months as a joint interim handler.
Coach Busari with Odubola
This appointment follows speculations that the Ibadan club will name a new coach
following a run of poor results that included a 2-0 loss at home to Heartland last week. Busari has shared the managerial duties with Tunde Odubola since the second round of last season following the dismissal of Festus Allen. He has worked as an assistant coach at Shooting Stars with several coaches like Franklin Howard, Mutiu Adepoju, Fatai Amoo, Philip Boamah and Festus Allen. He assisted Howard when the club won promotion to the top flight in 2008. He has also worked with the Nigeria U17 team between 2005 and 2006 as well as with Awori United FC of Lagos.
yearly Beach Soccer World Cup held in Italy,
with Russia emerging champions.
LSVA Pledges To Complement NSC’s Efforts On Beach THE Lagos State Volleyball Volleyball Association (LSVA) yesterday pledged to complement the efforts of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to popularise beach volleyball in the country. Taiwo Oladipupo, LSVA Technical Director, told newsmen in Lagos that the NSC’s recent decision to popularise the game was a welcome development to the association. Reports say that the NSC’s Assistant Director of Elite Athletes Development, Igbinosa Emmanuel, had said that the commission was determined to promote the game in the country due to its successful acceptance by the Nigerian people. The commission had equally included beach volleyball in the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival in Calabar in 2014. The game was eliminated at the 18th edition of the festival in Lagos last year. Oladipupo, who welcome the development, said that the association was determination to “harness its coastal potentials’’ to raise talents for the country in beach volleyball. “Nigeria has the potential to win medals in the sport at major competitions, so the NSC’s decision on beach volleyball is a welcome
development. “We will be committed to building talents that can represent the country in major tournaments,“ he said. The director added that the state had the best beach volleyball team and will defeat any other state that dares to compete with it at the next national sports festival. According to Oladipupo, the state has everything needed to be the champion of beach volleyball, saying that as a coastal region, it also has talented beach volleyball players for national and international competitions.
Golden Boot winner Emmanuel Emenike and Kasimpasa striker Kalu Uche - second on the Turkish Super Lig’s goalscoring charts this season - also sidelined through injury. Super Eagles boss Stephen Keshi will, however, be able to call on experienced Chelsea midfielder Mikel, who has requested a break from international duty for a friendly against Mexico next week but will be available for the World Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup. Both Moses and Mikel are in Chelsea’s travelling party for post-season friendlies against Manchester City in the United States.
Egbedi Joins Flying Eagles In Germany DENMARK-based winger Edafe Egbedi has completed the Flying Eagles 30-man provisional squad now in a training camp in Elfershausen, Germany. Yesterday Egbedi joined the squad same day that Enugu Rangers striker Alhaji Gero, Olympiacos of Greece attacking midfielder Michael Olaitan and Daddy Moses flew into Germany from Nigeria. Moses has reportedly signed a contract with Ajax Amsterdam from an academy in Nigeria. The 30-man squad will feature at this year’s Toulon International Football Tournament, where they are drawn against defending champions Mexico, Portugal, Brazil and Belgium. A final 21-man squad will be named latest June 7. They will fly out to Turkey from Germany on June 17. The Nigeria U20 team are drawn in Group B along with Portugal, South Korea and Cuba. They play their first match on June 21 against Portugal in Kayseri.
Squash Fed Gears Up To Host Africa ADAMU Erena, President of the Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) said the newly inaugurated board would mobilise resources to stage the 2014 Africa Squash Championships (ASC). The dates for the competition have yet to be determined Erena told newsmen yesterday in Lagos that Nigeria was unanimously voted to host the 2014 edition of the ASC. He said the mandate was given during the 2013 squash
championships held in Windhoek, Namibia. “That is our topmost priority now. During our inaugural meeting in Abuja, it was our number one topic for discussion. We want to ensure that all logistics are in place for the event. “We will do all we can to ensure that we give a good account of ourselves, as a squash-loving nation. “We will look out for sponsorship from well meaning Nigerians that will partner with the federation to make the staging of the event a reality,’’ Erena said.
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NIGERIAN
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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013
How Not To Honour Achebe PROFESSOR Albert Chinualumogu Achebe (1930-2013) would have quickly reminded us that there was a country. We really had it good. Outside these coasts, Nigeria and Nigerians were held in very high esteem. The recognitions came in various forms, some very small but pertinent. It was in the summer of 1977. When Col. Olusegun Obasanjo, as he then was, Nigeria’s Head of State, appeared at the United Nations to address the General Assembly, he got a standing ovation before delivering his address. We were elated, watching from the gallery. Let no one ask how good his presentation was. Thank God, the ovation, which had been predicated on Nigerian’s goodwill, came in advance. On that fateful day in 1978, this writer was returning from Trenton, the Administrative Capital of New Jersey, to Newark, in company of an American friend, Ms Audrey Messiah, then Director of Welfare and Human Services for the State of New Jersey. Midway, one of the passengers that came into our coach in the Amtrak train in which we were travelling looked every inch East African. Yes, he was. As soon as he settled on his seat, he came forward to greet us. In the process of exchanging pleasantries, I mentioned that I was Nigerian. He retorted, “I know. Who else can be so fine?” My friend was visibly elated. Luckily, though, Nigerians are still making waves across the globe. Prof. Achebe spent a long time in the US, living through this type of reputation, only to come home to find every situation thoroughly depressing. The following scenario may not be uncommon in the life of a Nigerian: He boards the
plane in Boston, Massachusetts and arrives in Ikeja Airport after some 12 hours flight. Whereas at the Boston Airport, the environment was very friendly, with
because of the uncertain nature of the flights. He soon finds that the Lagos-Benin Road, which is a replica of all the roads in Nigeria, is in a most deplorable state as a result of which, vehicles move at snail speed.
In another Newspaper, one man is asking to be allowed to go free since he stole only N23 billion of the Police Pension Fund. On the third day, our man continues his journey from Benin City. He finally arrives
kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N20 million. An announcement comes over the radio that he has
• Late Prof. Chinua Achebe everywhere sparkling, all the lifts and escalators working smoothly, the flowers wellkept and properly manicured, the runway extremely smooth and the airport services very friendly and rendered with smiles. But on arrival at Ikeja, he meets the exact opposite: everywhere looked cranky, the airport was everything “Jankara” – no light, no water and the entire airport was bushy. The man spends the first four hours waiting anxiously in a choking crowd for his luggage. After the long wait, the luggage appears half and half. Meanwhile, he rushes to the local wing of the airport. Of course, he misses the only flight that is Southeast-bound for the day. He must spend a night in an Ikeja hotel. The following day, he decides to go by road
Besides, somewhere between Omotosho and Ore villages, they had to wait for some two hours because armed robbers were operating ahead. When armed robbers are on duty, movement from either direction must come to a halt, that’s the grand-norm. By the time the man gets to Benin, it is too late to continue his journey to the East, particularly against the backdrop of the ugly stories he had heard about the hazards of night travels in Nigeria. Our man picks up the day’s newspapers and they are awash with escapades of the Boko Haram sect. The man is surprised that the Joint Task Force is claiming that the damage they did to an area was just minimal since only 150 people died and they destroyed only 1,000 houses.
at his native village and finds everybody looking haggard and weather-beaten. Of course, there has been no light in the area for the past three months. Because of he epileptic energy source, the cottage industries he once knew in the area had closed shop. He gets home to meet a huge debt because the previous night, the village head was kidnapped and the
been nominated for a national honour. But he is already enraged with the Federal Government and anything associated with it. The man’s reaction is obvious: To hell with the Federal Government! Let them take their honour and shove it! In the particular case of Prof. Achebe, twice has he been made offers of the National honour and twice
has he rejected it. The man is annoyed with Nigeria. The man died. But his spirit lives on. The Senate wants a major street named after him. What an aberration! While alive, this man rejected your Greek gift and soon after his death, you want to foist the same gift on him by naming after him, streets that he will never drive on. How is this different from the case of a man who refuses to partake in the sharing of stolen goods and as soon as he steps out, you went to deposit the goods in his house? Achebe feels Nigeria is too big to keep coming first from the rear. For him, this elephant must stop moving in reverse gear. Certainly, Achebe will not accept a national honour that is given to other people whose only credentials are that they are the biggest crooks around. His spirit will keep hunting us for as long as we refuse to amend your ways, even where we choose to name Abuja and all its streets after him. Let’s get our priorities right – fix our infrastructure; get our economy working again; work on our level of corruption, insecurity, crime and criminality and other associated ills. That way, Achebe’s spirit will embrace us and the man’s soul will rest in peace. It can’t be done otherwise!
“Achebe feels Nigeria is too big to keep coming first from the rear. For him, this elephant must stop moving in reverse gear. Certainly, Achebe will not accept a national honour that is given to other people whose only credentials are that they are the biggest crooks around. His spirit will keep hunting us for as long as we refuse to amend your ways, even where we choose to name Abuja and all its streets after him.”
Printed and published by Bendel Newspapers Company Limited, 24, Airport Road, P.M.B. 1334 Benin City. Telephone; Lagos: 01 4930929, Benin: 052 257492, 257531 Editor. BARR. SOLOMON IMOHIOSEN - (07030699646), Marketing Manager (08023457566), Advertisement Manager (08023808856) Lagos Office: 3/4 Amode Close, Kudirat Abiola Way, By Olushonsun Bus Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Abuja Office: Floor 1, Edo House, 75 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Central Business District, Abuja. Tel/Fax: 09-5237631. All correspondence to: 24 Airport Road, Benin City. E-mail: nigerianobserver@yahoo.com (ISSN 0331-2674)